Dear Faithful Friends of our Team, Greetings to everyone from Cuenca, Ecuador. We are so thankful to you for your support and prayers and interest in our ministry. We have updated our web site and we want you to take a look at all that God is doing through out ministry. Your faithful support has allowed us to see the following accomplished: 1. Read "Who Knew You Could Meet God on a Carport." http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx 2. Read about our Pastor Visit with Cora Gorman Missionary to Surinamehttp://straightpaths.org/pastorstomissionaries.aspx 3. Read what's going on with Jordanhttp://straightpaths.org/jordanscorner.aspx 4. Read about our plans for the summer months in the USAhttp://straightpaths.org/default.aspx Thanks again for the great blessing you are to our work and ministry. May God grant you peace to you and yours today and always. Ned, Marlene and Jordan McGradyRev. Ned R. McGradyGlobal Partners Pastor to Missionaries in EcuadorApartado 01.01.338Cuenca, Ecuador South AmericaEcuador Home Phone 593-07-408-2545
Celular: 593-08-049-8723Email ned@straightpaths.orgSkype ned.mcgradySkype Phone (727) 231-4151www.straightpaths.org
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Mother With A Singing Heart
NEWSPAPER COLUMN Roger Campbell
THE MOTHER WITH A SINGING HEART
When Susanna Annesley married young Samuel Wesley, she probably didn’t expect to give birth to nineteen children, eight of whom would die at birth. Nevertheless, as her life unfolded, making motherhood her main responsibility, Susanna learned to draw on her faith in God to gain strength to carry her through every trial and the world still benefits from her amazing example.
Eighteenth century England was a difficult setting in which to raise a family. One historian describes the conditions then as religiously stagnant and morally corrupt.
Churches were of little help to struggling families. Most sermons of that period are said to have lacked warmth and enthusiasm and were but dry, cold, colorless talks on morality. Furthermore, many ministers hobnobbed with the rich, neglecting their poorer parishioners.
Samuel and Susanna raised their children in a coarse and brutal society. Drunkenness was common, which, not surprisingly, compounded the problems of crime, poverty and domestic violence.
Susanna’s husband became the pastor of a church in rural Epworth, England, increasing her responsibilities to include serving in the church and setting a good example for the women in the congregation.
There must have been times when this mother of so many felt like throwing in the towel; like giving up in he face of her many duties. But Susanna had discovered a great stress reducer that carried her through the pressure periods: she had learned to give her daily difficulties to her Lord and expressed her secret of successful living and mothering
A SINGING HEART PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
in what has become one of her best known quotes: “Give others the sunshine. Give Jesus the rest.”
Samuel had a happy wife and his children had a happy mother.
When Susana’s eighteenth child, Charles, later wrote the well known hymn “OH FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING MY GREAT REDEEMER’S PRAISE” he was drawing on his childhood memories. He had grown up under the loving influence of a mother who was known for praising rather than pouting no matter what was going on around her
Susanna’s faith and discipline paid off. Her fifteenth and eighteenth children (John and Charles) shook their century for God and the tremors of that historic spiritual earthquake still rumble through churches around the world.”
So deep was Susanna’s devotion to her Lord that she prayed daily for her children to serve Him and her prayers were eventually answered. John and Charles finally entered into the genuine faith their mother had longed to see in them and for which she had prayed. They became the prime movers in what is now known as the Wesleyan Revival, a movement that changed their nation, impacted the world and gave birth to the Methodist Church.
Today, millions around the world worship God singing hymns composed by two men whose mother had a sunny disposition and a singing heart.
Roger Campbell is an author, broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years.
He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
THE MOTHER WITH A SINGING HEART
When Susanna Annesley married young Samuel Wesley, she probably didn’t expect to give birth to nineteen children, eight of whom would die at birth. Nevertheless, as her life unfolded, making motherhood her main responsibility, Susanna learned to draw on her faith in God to gain strength to carry her through every trial and the world still benefits from her amazing example.
Eighteenth century England was a difficult setting in which to raise a family. One historian describes the conditions then as religiously stagnant and morally corrupt.
Churches were of little help to struggling families. Most sermons of that period are said to have lacked warmth and enthusiasm and were but dry, cold, colorless talks on morality. Furthermore, many ministers hobnobbed with the rich, neglecting their poorer parishioners.
Samuel and Susanna raised their children in a coarse and brutal society. Drunkenness was common, which, not surprisingly, compounded the problems of crime, poverty and domestic violence.
Susanna’s husband became the pastor of a church in rural Epworth, England, increasing her responsibilities to include serving in the church and setting a good example for the women in the congregation.
There must have been times when this mother of so many felt like throwing in the towel; like giving up in he face of her many duties. But Susanna had discovered a great stress reducer that carried her through the pressure periods: she had learned to give her daily difficulties to her Lord and expressed her secret of successful living and mothering
A SINGING HEART PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
in what has become one of her best known quotes: “Give others the sunshine. Give Jesus the rest.”
Samuel had a happy wife and his children had a happy mother.
When Susana’s eighteenth child, Charles, later wrote the well known hymn “OH FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING MY GREAT REDEEMER’S PRAISE” he was drawing on his childhood memories. He had grown up under the loving influence of a mother who was known for praising rather than pouting no matter what was going on around her
Susanna’s faith and discipline paid off. Her fifteenth and eighteenth children (John and Charles) shook their century for God and the tremors of that historic spiritual earthquake still rumble through churches around the world.”
So deep was Susanna’s devotion to her Lord that she prayed daily for her children to serve Him and her prayers were eventually answered. John and Charles finally entered into the genuine faith their mother had longed to see in them and for which she had prayed. They became the prime movers in what is now known as the Wesleyan Revival, a movement that changed their nation, impacted the world and gave birth to the Methodist Church.
Today, millions around the world worship God singing hymns composed by two men whose mother had a sunny disposition and a singing heart.
Roger Campbell is an author, broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years.
He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
Friday, May 8, 2009
Guest Article:
Spirituality Between The Lines
by Heath Davis
In every sport there are boundary markers representing the field of play. As a kid who grew up playing baseball, something magical that transpired each time fresh white chalk graces the presence of the field. those fresh white lines down first an third meant only one thing. It was game day. I may have practiced on that same field a hundred times, but those white lines now transformed that field into something more than dirt and grass. It became the place where everything practiced was put on the line. You see even the novice athlete realizes that the game is not won during practice sessions. What matters most is what happens between the white lines on game day. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged in the Scriptures to train ourselves in godliness, join together with our teammates and receive coaching from those who can help us move forward. But, ultimately the proof of our discipleship, the test of Christian spirituality, is fleshed out in between the white lines of our everyday lives. Today, we live in a world that's inundated with talk about spirituality. The plethora of beliefs on spirituality that swim around our culture has led many to simply misunderstand Christian spirituality. Many who come to our churches hungry and searching have wrongly categorized Christianity as some esoteric feeling that comes over me when I have a "God-moment". Others are tempted to define spirituality as a tranquil state of consciousness or even good "vibe" that one gets when worshiping in church. These misconceptions of Christian spirituality ultimately reduce God to some feeling of emotional ecstasy. This view of God both depersonalizes His character and reduces His ability to transform our everyday experiences. True Christian spirituality at its heart is the surrender of my entire life for God's kind of life. Hence, spirituality for the Christian can never be divorced from the intentions, choices and behaviors that are fleshed out within those white lines we call "everyday life". Christian spirituality is the stuff of loving our spouse even when they are less than lovely on a given day. It is found in practicing patience at Wal-Mart when your unmotivated teenage cashier seems to be more busy scanning cute guys than the products in her line. It's discovered in releasing my emotional emptiness to God at the end of the day instead of turning to artificial substitutes to fill the void (junk food, shopping, Facebook, etc.). Jesus believed that all of life was spiritual. Therefore, every single moment of my waking life is the raw material God wants to use to transform my character into the character of Christ...even the seemingly mundane things like changing dirty diapers or flat tires. As spiritual leaders and guides, it is essential that we help those under our direction really get this. The Church must come to see that ll of life is spiritual. And, that starts with us as leaders. We must continue to nurture and encourage our church to assess itself by whether or not Christ is located between the white lines of everyday life. God has provided a field. It's called everyday life. Our objective is simple. Each day we are to strive in between the lines to be formed into the likeness of His Son little more than we were yesterday. Sure, God graces us with refreshing time-outs, much needed huddles, and refreshing sideline breaks along the way (and hopefully the church provides such necessities). But it's not long before our Father nudges us back towards the ominous field, the field of life, and waits for us to put to the test what we've worked on in practice. So what are we waiting for? Let's get in the game!
Adult Ministries E-News-Department of Spiritual Formtion-www.wesleyan.org
Spirituality Between The Lines
by Heath Davis
In every sport there are boundary markers representing the field of play. As a kid who grew up playing baseball, something magical that transpired each time fresh white chalk graces the presence of the field. those fresh white lines down first an third meant only one thing. It was game day. I may have practiced on that same field a hundred times, but those white lines now transformed that field into something more than dirt and grass. It became the place where everything practiced was put on the line. You see even the novice athlete realizes that the game is not won during practice sessions. What matters most is what happens between the white lines on game day. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged in the Scriptures to train ourselves in godliness, join together with our teammates and receive coaching from those who can help us move forward. But, ultimately the proof of our discipleship, the test of Christian spirituality, is fleshed out in between the white lines of our everyday lives. Today, we live in a world that's inundated with talk about spirituality. The plethora of beliefs on spirituality that swim around our culture has led many to simply misunderstand Christian spirituality. Many who come to our churches hungry and searching have wrongly categorized Christianity as some esoteric feeling that comes over me when I have a "God-moment". Others are tempted to define spirituality as a tranquil state of consciousness or even good "vibe" that one gets when worshiping in church. These misconceptions of Christian spirituality ultimately reduce God to some feeling of emotional ecstasy. This view of God both depersonalizes His character and reduces His ability to transform our everyday experiences. True Christian spirituality at its heart is the surrender of my entire life for God's kind of life. Hence, spirituality for the Christian can never be divorced from the intentions, choices and behaviors that are fleshed out within those white lines we call "everyday life". Christian spirituality is the stuff of loving our spouse even when they are less than lovely on a given day. It is found in practicing patience at Wal-Mart when your unmotivated teenage cashier seems to be more busy scanning cute guys than the products in her line. It's discovered in releasing my emotional emptiness to God at the end of the day instead of turning to artificial substitutes to fill the void (junk food, shopping, Facebook, etc.). Jesus believed that all of life was spiritual. Therefore, every single moment of my waking life is the raw material God wants to use to transform my character into the character of Christ...even the seemingly mundane things like changing dirty diapers or flat tires. As spiritual leaders and guides, it is essential that we help those under our direction really get this. The Church must come to see that ll of life is spiritual. And, that starts with us as leaders. We must continue to nurture and encourage our church to assess itself by whether or not Christ is located between the white lines of everyday life. God has provided a field. It's called everyday life. Our objective is simple. Each day we are to strive in between the lines to be formed into the likeness of His Son little more than we were yesterday. Sure, God graces us with refreshing time-outs, much needed huddles, and refreshing sideline breaks along the way (and hopefully the church provides such necessities). But it's not long before our Father nudges us back towards the ominous field, the field of life, and waits for us to put to the test what we've worked on in practice. So what are we waiting for? Let's get in the game!
Adult Ministries E-News-Department of Spiritual Formtion-www.wesleyan.org
Please Don't Stop...
Praying, yesterday President Barrack H. Obama signed a proclamtion making May 7, 2009 the National Day of Prayer. I urge you to continue on in those prayers. During the service that I attended at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey FL, the following passage was read: First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. 2 Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth. 5 There is one God and one mediator so that human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human. 6 He gave himself as a payment to free all people. He is proof that came at the right time I Timothy 2:1-6 (NCV) www.biblegateway.com
Also consider the upcoming Global Day of Prayer May 31, 2009, for more information go to www.waymakers.org. Shirley Dobson said it best for this years National Day of Prayer theme, "Prayer is America's Hope."
Also consider the upcoming Global Day of Prayer May 31, 2009, for more information go to www.waymakers.org. Shirley Dobson said it best for this years National Day of Prayer theme, "Prayer is America's Hope."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What can we do?
Don't just read the word, "Be a doer of the word." The disciples went about teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with adversity on their left and on their right. The Jewish leaders were against them, the Romans were against them. All disciples continued on with faith in their saviour Jesus Christ, joy in their hearts and prayer for the new frail churches never ceased. What can you do? Make a decision today just step out in faith. Early in my walk a new opportunity arose, one that I had no experience in. I asked, "God should I do this thing?" He answered, "Judi, you have to start somewhere, go on." You too, just go on.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Habbuck 2:6-11
But all the nations the Babylonians have hurt will laugh at them.
They will make fun of the Babylonians and say, 'How terrible it will be for the one that steals many things.
How long will that nation get rich by forcing others to pay them?' 7 "One day the people from whom you have taken money will turn against you.
They will realize what is happening and make you shake with fear.
Then they will take everything you have. 8 Because you have stolen from many nations, those who are left will take much from you. This is because you have killed many people, destroying countries and cities and everyone in them. 9 "How terrible it will be for the nation that becomes rich by doing wrong, thinking they will live in a safe place and escape harm.
10 Because you have made plans to destroy many people, you have made your own houses ashamed of you. Because of it, you will lose your lives. 11 The stones of the walls will cry out against you, and the boards that support the roof will agree that you are wrong.
They will make fun of the Babylonians and say, 'How terrible it will be for the one that steals many things.
How long will that nation get rich by forcing others to pay them?' 7 "One day the people from whom you have taken money will turn against you.
They will realize what is happening and make you shake with fear.
Then they will take everything you have. 8 Because you have stolen from many nations, those who are left will take much from you. This is because you have killed many people, destroying countries and cities and everyone in them. 9 "How terrible it will be for the nation that becomes rich by doing wrong, thinking they will live in a safe place and escape harm.
10 Because you have made plans to destroy many people, you have made your own houses ashamed of you. Because of it, you will lose your lives. 11 The stones of the walls will cry out against you, and the boards that support the roof will agree that you are wrong.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Call to Worship
1 Corinthians 1:6-9 (New International Reader's Version)
6 Our witness about Christ has been proved to be true in you.
7 There is no gift of the Holy Spirit that you don't have. You are full of hope as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again. 8 God will keep you strong to the very end. Then you will be without blame on the day our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
9 God is faithful. He has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
God is faithful, His desire is to have a close relationship with each of us. In order to do that spend time in His word the Holy Bible and attend a Bible Believing Jesus Following Church. My testimony, "I walk with God by following Jesus as guided by the Holy Spirit. Enjoy praise and worship today, fellowship with other believers, bring your tithe into the storehouse, share the gospel. These things are the very least we can do to please God while we are waiting here on Earth for our Heavenly Home.
6 Our witness about Christ has been proved to be true in you.
7 There is no gift of the Holy Spirit that you don't have. You are full of hope as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again. 8 God will keep you strong to the very end. Then you will be without blame on the day our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
9 God is faithful. He has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
God is faithful, His desire is to have a close relationship with each of us. In order to do that spend time in His word the Holy Bible and attend a Bible Believing Jesus Following Church. My testimony, "I walk with God by following Jesus as guided by the Holy Spirit. Enjoy praise and worship today, fellowship with other believers, bring your tithe into the storehouse, share the gospel. These things are the very least we can do to please God while we are waiting here on Earth for our Heavenly Home.
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