G.U.L.F. 1st Year Anniversary
It was no accident as I counted the calendar July 10 falls on Friday. Mostly everybody will be off this day and also some will be at work for either the reason for overtime or regular working days. This day will be very special and unforgettable to all the members (Pioneers and freebies) guests and all participant. It is a celebration to many as well as inauguration to those who are just starting to know and accept God in their lives. The day when lost will be found and reunited to reminiscence their past. Together they will be starting to dream again.
Father - a male parent?
June 24, 2009
Rebbie Samidan
What do we really mean when we say, "father?" One of the easiest definition found in the dictionary "father is a male parent" whom we often call Dad, Daddy, Papa, Itay, Tatay.
Many times I hear that "The man/father is the head of the family," is it because they are physically bigger and stronger or because they are generally better leaders? The answer is a big NO! It is because the Bible says so.
Let's look at our bible in 1 Corinthians 11:3 "Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." And also if you read Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which He is the Saviour." It is only saying that when a man and woman is married or builds a family, the man becomes the head. Go back to verse 22 "Wives submit to your husband as to the Lord" BUT go through verses 25-28 "Husbands must love their wives as they love themselves"
Since this month of June is the Father's month. I would like to remind that being a father does not end in being a male parent and being a husband to their wives. The role of a father did not change as instructed in Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" This is especially to the Christian fathers, it is your responsibility to watch over your children as they grow - discipline them with the Christian standards. Remember that God has also instructed in Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it."
To the children, we should be grateful that we have fathers who are strict, overprotective and tight. As we grow mature, we will realise why our fathers are sometimes rude to us. They may sometimes hurt our feelings but for sure it is for our own good. Same as through with our Father above He allows us to be hurt, He allows trials, He allows us to suffer so that we His children will be shaped the way He wants us to be.
"For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28
And to all the children who grew up without a father on earth, remember that there is a Father above who we can cling to anytime, anywhere. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
A Testimony from a Friend
June 5, 2009
Janet Batalier
I never appreciated life before the way that I do now.
God has been always good to me.
I was young when I went to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper. Working away from your family is really hard and even harder if the employer your working for is not too good as you expected. Every day, you have to figure out how are you going to make it throughout the day. I have a worst employer and I always felt jealous because I always ask why it has to be me, thinking that other people don't deserve what they have now. But I never give up praying for patience and strength to the Lord and I'm glad I haven't because if I did I won't be able to see how good is He always to me. He gave me more than what I asked for and more than what I deserved. I've never dreamt of working to Canada but after all the hardship in Hong Kong for than a year, I am now working happily for a very kind and nice Canadian family. Thanks to the Goodness of the Lord. Read more...
Who is Apostle Paul?
June 4, 2009
Jhun Labnas
Why was Saul?s life changed? This question was once asked by Pastor Joseph last Friday, 29th of May. I was wondering why? I keep on thinking what the reason was. I never had an idea about it. Then Julie rings a bell for me to remember that our church activity is all about film viewing on the life of Saul of Tarsus.
Saul of Tarsus unloved Christians. He dedicated his own life to take into custody all those who worship and believe Jesus Christ then bring them to public trial and execution. He was then accompanied by his closest friend named Ruben for all the execution and trials against Christians. One day, Stephen the first Christian martyr was killed by the crowd because he was caught in the act preaching the word of God in the public. Ruben gave Saul the last stone in order for him to execute the final step for Stephen. But he refused instead he dropped it and never had he made any move until the stoning is over.
After the event on Stephen?s martyrdom, Saul resumed on finding people who believed on Jesus all across Jerusalem.
He was then given order by King Herod to travel towards Damascus to stop the spread of the Gospel by way of persecuting all Christians. But something happened to Saul as he traveled to Damascus in search of Christians. God appeared to him in an unexpected way and confronted him on the persecution he is doing to Christians. He also blinded him for 3 days. To shorten it here are the Bible verses where, when, who, what and how this event took place.
Acts 7.57 to 8:1 ?They all rushed at him (Stephen), dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. . . . And Saul was there, giving approval to his death?
Acts 8:3 ?Saul began to destroy the church, going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison?
Acts 22:4-5 "I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished"
Acts 22:6-11 ?About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' ?`Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "`I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. ?`What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. ?`Get up,' the Lord said, `and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me"
Acts 22:3. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you.
Operation Clean-Up Drive
Another exciting ministry that G.U.L.F. implemented was to engage in cleaning up of our adopted church?s perimeter in which all the members have participated and it was freshly started last Friday May 22, 2009. The operation clean-up drive was started right away after our lunch break. Despite the scorching heat, we successfully accomplished the said program. This initiative was originally suggested by brother Edel. He mentioned that through this we will keep away from criticisms and likewise help our landlord avoid such penalty from the government of Dubai. This movement was duly approved by Pastor Joseph. This will be an every Friday activity.
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