Been away

Sorry if you haven't heard from me for a while. I've been away on business in Baltimore, Maryland. I just got back late last night (Tuesday night). I was a great diversion from the everyday stresses. It was a beautiful place, but very cold! Their cold is felt in the bones. Also, I've learned something very early in the trip...you can't live in Baltimore on Alabama money! A simple little ball cap was 80-150 dollars. When a lady from my company ate at the first restaurant we stopped at, her bill was $48.00. I don't want to mention mine, but I can tell you, everything is so expensive up North! I felt like a poor hillbilly walking in their mall...by the way, it's about 20 times bigger than the Galleria in Birmingham. No wonder I hardley ever saw anyone over weight...food too expensive and walking from one end of the mall to the other is like a marathon. Well, now I'm back to big Bama and could instantly feel the humidity as soon as I stepped off the plane. It is very warm here in comparison. Oh..yea...I thought they sounded funny and they thought I sounded funny! I bet I sounded like Donald Duck to them. Any way, I'm back...missed ya! How about a comment from time to time.

Vineyard Missionaries in Ireland News

The following is the latest news from Shelton and Samantha Brown who are currently serving as missionaries in Ireland. Please don't forget to pray for them as mentioned two blogs ago.

From: Samantha Brown

February 4, 2006
Hello from Ireland. Sorry for taking so long to make contact with you. We are settling fine here. We are finally about to feel like we are in this time zone anyway (6 hours ahead of you). We have a nice "flat" (apartment). The boys each have their own rooms and we even have two loos (bathrooms).
The boys have made a few friends, something that I understand is not an easy task here in the village. Never before have there been so many kids from the village dropping by the Centre. Instead of saying to their parents that they are going over to the Browns, they say they are going over to "The Americans."
Giles spends many mornings in the kitchen with Pauline. Pauline lives in Kilkeel and comes in four days a week to prepare lunch for us. She is an excellent Irish cook (and story teller) but more importantly Pauline loves Giles and enjoys having him in the kitchen with her. He looks quite the chef in his apron and hat. She uses every opportunity to teach him something. If you want to know what kinds of things the Irish people like to eat and any recipes for preparing them you'll have to ask Giles. He will be the one cooking them for us when we are back home again. Pauline has done much to make the boys and me feel welcome here.
Unlike the other boys, William has been busy with his school work. We have not wanted to be so busy doing school that we miss out on the unique opportunities given to one living in a foreign country and with people of a different culture. It is important to William, however, to advance to the next grade when we get home so that he can stay with his friends. Don't misunderstand. It has not been all work and no play for William. It didn't take him long to find a skate boarding buddy. Henry lives two houses down from the Centre and to give me at least some peace of mind about the risk taking hobby, the boy is the son of the local doctor here in Rostrevor.
Ethan works four days a week with Paddy. Paddy is a sheep farmer from Hilltown. He comes and collects (picks up) Ethan in the morning and delivers (brings back) him home again in the evening. Ethan goes along with him everywhere he goes and Paddy introduces him by saying, "This lads from Alabama." Ethan has had so many neat experiences. He has been involved in many aspects of sheep farming, feeding, tagging, sheering, tending to sheep with sore foot, immunizing, and moving flocks from one pasture or hillside to another. He has driven all kinds of equipment- sometimes through the middle of the village (this is something that one would see often in this country but I sure didn't expect my son to be doing it). He has milked cows (not by hand) and went along to deliver cattle to the slaughter house-again by way of tractor and trailer on the road- some 25 miles away from the farm. I'm not to sure that I would consider seeing the slaughtering process a neat experience but it didn't seem to bother Ethan any.
As you know, the boys were our main consideration and concern in making our decision to come to Ireland. Many of you prayed and continue to pray for them. I know that those prayers have made a difference in their adjusting. A humble thank you from this mom for your petitions to our heavenly Father on their behalf. It is our prayer that Jesus will do eternal things in the hearts of our boys- as well as their Mom and Dad- while we are here.
The people in Community here are delighted to have Shelton to do some handy-man things around this big old place. He has already done all sorts of things- plumbing, electrical, painting, and lawn care.
We meet two times every day for prayer (Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings are free) once from 9 a.m.- 10 a.m. and again in the evenings from 7- 8 p.m. (or 8:30) Shelton is also available to play along on a few songs that the person who is leading the prayers has selected. On Sunday nights he is leading a time of worship from 7-until.
I have been busy doing house-hold chores [making beds, hoovering (vacuuming), washing up (doing dishes), and cleaning loos. We also rotate duties with the other 6 people in Community during the week from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. answering the phone and door and being available to guests.
On a lighter note, the milk man delivers our milk in pint size glass bottles to the back gate of the Centre every morning between 7:00 and 7:30. The Centre increased its daily order by 6 pints when the Brown family arrived. We are enjoying the food especially the deserts. They pour cream or spoon custard over almost all of them. Yummy!!! We have potatoes every day prepared one way or another. I am not complaining, I'm just glad we all like potatoes. We have had lots of hot tea and we are beginning to understand why the Irish enjoy their "cuppa" so much. I'm sure we will understand it better and better as these rainy days only get cooler.
We thank you for your interest in our lives. You really are a part of anything that we are involved in here. I must do better at keeping in touch. Now you have our e-mail address if you care to contact us.
His love and blessings to you and all that concerns you,
Samantha


From: Shelton Brown

Hello everyone!
Greetings from Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland and the Christian Renewal Centre!
First of all let me apologize for not having already sent out a formal ministry report. Emailing has through several different circumstances turned out to be a bit of a problem at times. At the moment a phone line or computer of our own is not feasible and we have only last week gotten our address book typed into cyberspace, a place we get to visit on an irregular basis. Also if some of you have already received some of this information in previous emails please forgive my repeating myself in order to save time.
Well, first of all things are going very well here. We are staying very busy, as the Centre is a little short handed at the moment. All sorts of Christian groups from different denominations come to the Centre. The staff (8 of us at present) is responsible for all aspects of hosting small conferences, i.e. cooking, cleaning, laundry, maintenance, and listening. Sometimes Harry, the director of the Centre is asked to speak at these conferences and occasionally I am asked to lead worship. There is also a regular monthly meeting hosted by the Centre on the first Saturday of every month usually led by guest speakers and worship leaders. The people that come in for these meetings come from all sorts of different backgrounds, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, charismatic, former paramilitary/terrorist groups, prayer ministry leaders, street outreach leaders, youth leaders, etc. Many of the groups and individuals that come often comment on how they sense the presence of the Lord while they are here.
Since the Centre considers it's main mandate to be prayer, and since Samantha and I are here (they haven't had a worship leader on staff for sometime), and since there are no Sunday evening services in the village, Harry thought it would be good to start a worship/intercession time on Sunday nights. The Lord has been very gracious and his presence has been strong in these meetings at times. A few people from the surrounding area and our village, Rostrevor, have been coming. Two of them are Matthew and Clare. Matthew is the youth minister at the local Catholic church. The village of Rostrevor is over 90% Catholic, so needless to say we have been very excited about this. He and Clare are so hungry for more of the Lord. After the first night he left with one of the former community/staff members and went up to the local pub. According to the account he could hardly talk except to say, "Wow!" He did say that all he had been taught was head knowledge, but there was no connection. Well he and Clare have got the connection now! They have six children of their own and have been here almost every Sunday night. A few months ago they went to hear Michael W. Smith and Delirious in concert in Belfast and recently attended "Worship Belfast 2006" with Robin Mark, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin and were blown away. He said, I've never experienced anything like it.
Nigel, Harry and Dorothy's son, around 21, has been a wonderful blessing to the boys. He is not here all the time but when he comes he is so much fun and so in love with Jesus. Recently Nigel organized the Centre's first 24-7 prayer event (see
www.24-7prayer.com). Young people came from all over Northern Ireland and prayed and worshiped from Friday night through Sunday morning. Some of them were from a fishing village down the road, Kilkeel, where 80 young men were born again this summer, something almost unheard of in many, many years. We had some very moving and powerful times of worship with this committed group of young people. Two more of these meetings are now planned for April and June.
Another significant happening since our coming is the completion of Harry's book, "Heal Not Lightly." We are delighted that one of the largest Christian publishers in the UK accepted it for publication last week. The whole community/staff here has been trying to give Harry time and space to complete it. The book is badly needed and will cause some shaking here in Northern Ireland especially amongst the main Protestant denominations.
There is more pain and anger in this country than I can go into right now. The young people as a whole are fed up with dead religion and see no way out of a hopeless future. Please pray that the Lord will break through. He loves them so much. They have so much to offer. For hundreds of years this was the number one nation in the world for sending out missionaries. And now many kids on the street don't know why we celebrate Christmas and Easter and these are school holidays over here! And most of these kids go to Christian/church schools.
Please thank God with us for:
1) Our good health
2) The car that was given to us (It took two months and several trips to the scrap yard to get it going but all's well now). What a blessing.
3) His Spirit moving in the local Catholic church
4) For the opportunities He has given Ethan, William and Giles
5) His provision all around

Please pray for:
1) The "Alpha" program begun this week in the local Catholic church. "Alpha" is a Bible based program designed to bring people into an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Centre has had an integral part to play in this and we are VERY excited! The church has no prayer ministry as yet and the program leaders are asking for all the prayer they can get.
2) Nigel, and the 24-7 ministry he is trying to establish in the heart of Belfast which will go hand in hand with street ministry. Also the Centre's involvement with these young people.
3) Us, as we meet and build relationships with people in the village and elsewhere.
4) Continued freedom in the relationships amongst all the community/staff here at the Centre. Living 24 hours a day with one another, well, you can imagine.
5) Harry and his family's personal safety after the book is released. Peoples lives have been threatened over here for less than this.
6) The boys home schooling
7) A good deal on return tickets home!
I must go now before this gets any longer. There are so many good things I'd like to share with you if I had the time and space.
Much Love and Blessings!
Shelton
PS
If you'd like to visit the Christian Renewal Centre web sight the address is
www.crc-rostrevor.org

My Blog...

I'm beginning to understand about the blog's purpose. I've posted numerous blogs of "whatnots" and potential chuckles. But here recently, I've feel that I should be using it to share experiences and testimonies..."We overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our TESTIMONY." So, I've decided to start using this blog to share the things that I've witnessed in my lifetime. I don't have the time to write the book people have asked for, but I will throw out bits and pieces as time allows. We are to, "Stir up one another's faith." So I'd like hear of your stories and testimonies as well. Be blessed...

Pray for our Missionaries

I've just spoke with Shelton Brown, who is a member of Vineyard-Anniston. He is currently serving as a missionary in Northern Ireland. Remember him and Samantha in your prayers as they are serving the Lord in a region with a history of conflict. Shelton and Sam have always been one of my favorite praise/worship singers and leaders. He is truly "called" to do the will of our Lord and I hope that they continue to press on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I will relay his email address to those of you who would like to stay in touch with him. I know that when I was a missionary, it always warmed my heart to hear from those back home. It gave me a sense of security and love. I will always remember those who took time out to just say, "Hi" and, "We're praying for you!"

A website from where Shelton and Sam are staying is: http://www.crc-rostrevor.org/website/people.htm

To email Shelton and Sam: sbmt2237@msn.com

Freedom

I was talking on the sidewalk after church Sunday and realized that a lot of people have no clue to just how deep and complex the word freedom is. Of course we have freedoms in America such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion...among others. But with these well known and established freedoms...are we really free? To zero in on my point, let's look from within. Do we worry what others think of us, or how others percieve us. Do we need to look and dress a certain way to get the positive feedback we are expecting? Are we judged by our outter appearance and not the heart? Also, are we struggling financially? Could we give up some "pleasure" items in order to achieve a monetary equillibrium?
I've delt with such issues before and I know how they affect us. I used to stay at home if my hair wouldn't do right. I wouldn't go to church until my clothes were perfect or my car had to be clean and washed. I've cheated myself out of a lot of blessings due to these personal hangups. One day the lord showed me...and it wasn't pretty. I had to force myself to be seen without my hat, or to wear my shirt out of my pants, or to drive a dirty car, and etc. Then I had to deal with the religious spirits that say that I had to dress up in honor of our Lord and Savior. The bible clearly teaches us that God doesn't look on the appearance of man, but in his heart. The HEART! I need to focus more on the HEART than on external things. I've seen it all...from religion to politics. Even in the work place...it's stronger than ever. I choose to please God with my heart and not to worry about silly politics, popularity, acceptance, and etc. I am currently learning about financial freedom.
Ok, I've got that off my chest...
Until later, I love you!

Do you think cloning is ethical? Why or why not? 

Michael's Sermon

On Sunday, March 12, Michael preached an awesome message. I was drawn to a particular verse that points out my life's continuous situation. Many have said that I have lived 5 life-times of experiences... and should write a book about them. The scripture was 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. It literally tells you that all the trials and tribulations amount to an eternal reward. It really touched my heart, although I've probably read dozens of times back in yester-years. This time it took on a whole new meaning. Thanks Michael for hearing...and sharing.

Faith #2

Faith
A religious man is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says "get in, get in!"
The religous man replies, " no I have faith in God, he will grant me a miracle."
Later the water is up to his waist and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in again.
He responds that he has faith in god and god will give him a miracle.
With the water at about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again cuz "God will grant him a miracle."
With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get in, mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help for the faith of God.
He arrives at the gates of heaven with broken faith and says to Jesus, "I thought God would grant me a miracle and I have been let down."
Jesus chuckles and responds, "I don't know what you're complaining about, we've sent you three boats and a helicopter."

R U There?

Hello, is anyone out there...It's been quiet here lately.

Why do I ride?

Why do I ride? A logical question that brings an illogical answer. Illogical to those who have never experienced it. I can only search the English vocabulary for so many words to describe it.
The first and most spotlighted word is FREEDOM. There's just something about riding into the sunset, long hair flying in the wind...oops, mine flew away. The tranquility of the ride, especially with like-minded people can be likened unto an eagle effortlessly soaring over a beautiful mountaineous landscape. The peace that is absorbed during this time tends to wash the hectic, problematic everyday life into a fading memory. I've seen helmet stickers that read: "I don't need therapy, I own a motorcycle." This is true...stress seems to vanish with each passing mile.
Now, combine this peace with the peace of God, what do you have...no, not zolof, but a double portion of the kind of spirit God intends for us. A spirit of peace..."blessed are the peace makers..." My rides are a form of peace making within myself.

Now comes the downside..."Stay away from people talking on cell phones!" I've almost been wipe-out twice this year by people talking on cell phones...especially teenagers. Rick (Holiday) and I were at the foot of the mountain and had a green light. We were about to go through and turn left to go up the mountain. I had a nanosecond to see the car running the redlight and slamming on the brakes. Rick took two nanoseconds. The car swerved into another lane to keep from hitting us. There...at that moment...I had to quickly remember that I was a Christian and that I was to be forgiving like Christ. I had a nanosecond of "fight" in me that was raging into volcanic proportions. We decided to continue on our way and just forgive the guy.

If you know of anyone who rides and is a "sold-out" Christian, please send them my way. The Faith Riders Ministry is really growing. Check out the web site...come back and comment. I'm open for all suggestions. The link is: http://faithriders-alabama.com


Ride On
Scott