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Bible Comes Alive - 2009

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:17:15 +0000

The Bible Comes Alive is a program that uses boards with information and people dressed up as characters from the Bible to tell Bible stories. This year we covered the life of Christ. A narrator will talk about each board and then introduce the characters as he comes to them. Local schools bring classes up and this year we had 301 children plus another 100 children I got to speak afterwards at a school assembly as a result of these meetings.

Follow Me - Part 2

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:31:31 +0000

This post is a continuation of an outline I began here: Follow Me - Part 1

I. Follow Me – Matthew 16:24

It is good to notice that Christ begins with a universal invitation – “If any will come after me…” The invitation goes out to all and implies choice not force. A favourite supporting passage of many preachers for this doctrine is Romans 10:13 where we have the precious promise that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Indeed, throughout the NT we find the “whosever’s” invited to come to Christ. Another favourite passage of mine is II Peter 3:9 that teaches that

“not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

As well as a universal aspect at the beginning of Christ’s invitation to follow Him, we also find the fact of the activity of following Christ. Christ has not called for a crowd of spectators, but rather Christ called for fellow labourers!
The universal call and call to labour is followed by the fact of self-denial, “Let him deny himself…”

Christians must learn to say no to sin. Before coming to Christ we can only sin, we are incapable of doing right in the eyes of God. However, after salvation there is no defeat without consent. Whenever a Christian falls to sin it is because of a willingness to betray Christ, to dethrone Him in our hearts and set ourselves up as God. It was my pastor, Tom Dotson, who shared that phrase with me and it has never left me, "There is no defeat without consent."

Believers must focus on Christ, make Him the King of our lives and daily die to self.

In denying self we can be helped by considering several aspects about our thoughts and actions:

Determine what is self and what is service
Why do I do this?
Who does this honour?
Who gets the focus for this action?
Have I given all to God?

Dying to self must be on purpose, the other side of the coin is ensuring we Promote God in the eyes of the world:

Deliberate acts of service
Service as a second nature – Good habits
Give God the honour
Make sure God is the focus
Give all to the Lord

Take up his cross

Following the same idea we find this great and provocative statement. Provocative because in this world promoting self is the goal, but in Christ’s kingdom it is just the opposite.

Crucifixion was a familiar sight in Jerusalem and no one would have been under any illusions as to the finality of what Christ was requiring of them. Believers in dying to self must also be willing to bear a burden, to serve in the Lord’s army.

One old hymn writer sums it up this way:

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

And all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone,

And there’s a cross for me.

How happy are the saints above,

Who once went sorrowing here!

But now they taste unmingled love,

And joy without a tear.

The consecrated cross I’ll bear

Till death shall set me free;

And then go home my crown to wear,

For there’s a crown for me.

- Thomas Shepherd -

(Son of William Shepherd, some time Vicar of Tilbrook, Bedfordshire, Thomas was ordained an Anglican priest, serving first at St. Neots, then in Buckinghamshire. He later left the Church of England, and in 1694 became pastor of the Independent Castle Hill Baptist Meeting, Northampton. In 1700 he moved to Bocking, Essex, preaching in a barn for several years before a chapel could be built. He served there the remainder of his life.)

I am sure it is obvious that I am no Greek scholar, but I am told that Christ’s statement, “Follow Me” is in the present tense, it means to keep on following. This is the essence of true Christianity, an individual continually and consistently following Christ.

Pray for Honduras 02

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:18:18 +0000

Things in Honduras have been escalating over the weekend and I thought I'd share some more information from a contact in the country: "...dictatorship is exactly what he was up too. The military acted on the direction of the national Congress and the supreme court who ordered him to be arrested. At no moment did they act under their own authority nor did they ever hold the power but that was held by the congress. "We pray that they hold their ground until November when the next elections are due as every fourth year. "His vice President had resigned as he is running in the elections in Nov. and the president refused to name another vice, I wonder why? "He had been working had in hand with Chaves and he was told by congress and the supreme court that what he was doing was against the constitution and he would be arrested if he persisted, he took no heed and payed the price. The Constitution allows for the congress to act in this way so long as the courts approve that what the president is doing is illegal, which it was. "We do pray that he does not get back as he planned to do the same as Chaves and that would mean kicking out the forieign missionaries. Pray for us as the country faces uncertain days." Please do pray for this country, especially for the believers and missionaries.

Pray for Honduras 01

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:50:58 +0000

You probably have not seen the news from Honduras, as for some reason the media is making very little of it. The little that the likes of the BBC and others are reporting put a very different angle on the events than people within the country are observing. A missionary family I know have been posting prayer requests for their particular situation, but also mentioning the surrounding events. Here are some paragraphs from e-mails I have received over the past few days:

JUNE 28
Just a quick note to let everyone know we are safe. All seems quiet because businesses and transportation means have been shut down and there are not many people in the streets. If you can't reach us it is because communication lines are being periodically interrupted. If you are waiting for Barry to respond to e-mails or phone calls, please be patient. He is still at the Lighthouse property with all 18 children, while I remain in the city with Sasha and Barry Jr. Traveling beyond your front lawn has become prohibitive and therefore he is unable to come to the city...

On another note: Despite warning for the public to stay indoors, Iglesia Bautista La Cruz held Sunday services under the tent as usual with 21 adults and their children braving the streets to here the Word of God and pray for their country as police and military patrolled the streets around us.

30 JUNE

To all our praying friends,

News here is traveling by any means possible, usually by word of mouth. A large portion of the communications systems only works periodically. I will continue to send updates when the internet is available.

The armies of Honduras are taking position at vulnerable points all over the country. Pro-Zelaya supporters are rioting and attacking the military which are guarding the presidential house in the capital. The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa was grenaded and has been attacked with machine gun fire. With all the anti-American statements from leftist dictators such as Castro, Noriega and Chavez etc., the U.S. embassy has strongly suggested that American citizens remain indoors and off the streets as anti-American riots are taking place all over Honduras. Being aware of this and that Barry and the kids are in need of supplies, O and B bravely offered to take food, water and phone cards to Barry knowing they would have to pass through military blockades. This was successful and he should have enough food and supplies for a week.

Honduras is now preparing for a possible invasion. The Honduran army currently has 4 tanks and an unknown number of troops positioned and waiting on and around the main road less than 1 mile north of the Children’s Lighthouse property. Also, the armies of Venezuela, Nicaragua, and troops from the United Nations are positioning themselves just 5 miles south of the Children’s Lighthouse on the Nicaraguan border. The significance of this is that Barry and the kids are in the middle of the battlefield if conflict should break out. If necessary, he will abandon the Lighthouse and flee the back way into the mountains to get the children to safety. There are several places in the mountains that we can go where we should be safe. Abandoning the Children’s Lighthouse will leave it vulnerable to squatters, vandalism and theft with people stealing whatever they can carry away.

In this conflict it appears from many news reports that Honduras is standing alone with many outside forces trying to impose a would be dictator on a sovereign nation who by their due process of laws removed him from power. If you want to hear what Hondurans have to say, check out this link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/29/115025/418 (we know nothing of this site and do not support it in anyway)

On another note: The children are obviously scared over this situation but P bravely offered to stay behind and protect his home and so he could hand out tracts to the soldiers on both sides of the conflict. He is only 11 years old but is willing to sacrifice his own safety for his family and to accomplish the work of the Lord. Not that we would do this but just his desire to protect his family and spread the gospel no matter the cost warms our hearts.

P.S. Rumors are circulating that former president Zelaya will be returning to Honduras by military force tomorrow. Later in the day, it was reported he would be speaking at the United Nations. This evening we have been told that after Zelaya speaks at the United Nations, the U.S.A. is going to put Zelaya on an American military plane and fly him to the American military base in Honduras as a guest of the U.S. military. Ok…. I am not even comment on that.

Please continue to hold us up in your prayers.

2 JULY

The US Embassy in Honduras’ capital city of Tegucigalpa is still strongly suggesting that Americans restrict travel to that of emergency or absolute necessity. Marshal Law has been extended here in Choluteca until Saturday, July 4, 2009. Military road blocks tighten security in the area while soldiers and police personnel patrol the streets.

There is overwhelmingly more support by the Honduran people for the ousting of Zelaya than against it, which you do not hear much about in the USA news. This morning, thousands of people dressed in white gathered for a grand march/anti-Zelaya rally lasting until early afternoon ending at the Choluteca City Hall, which is just 2 blocks from our home here in the city. As reported by the Diario La Prensa, The Choluteca for Democracy rally was peaceful with "We want peace, we want freedom,” “Democracy yes, communism no” as the main slogans shouted by the Catrachos who have joined the country wide rally in support of the new pro-constitution government of Roberto Micheletti, waving banners against Zelaya and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Though many churches have cancelled services, Iglesia Bautista La Cruz was open. Our Wednesday evening services are held under our city home open carport, and 21 adults and their children braved the tormenting rain, mosquitoes and dark uncertain streets to hear the Word of God and pray for their country. Carlos preached on Psalms 28 and assured everyone that the Lord knows of the problems in Honduras. He said, “In our eyes, things are uncertain, but the Lord has a plan for Honduras. You must have faith and believe that He is with those that do His will. He will protect us; we must trust His plan for our country. Brothers and sisters, we must have faith, we must have faith.” Carlos was careful to end services in enough time for everyone to return home before the 9pm curfew.

Here are a few supporting news report clips by the Washington Post, CS Monitor and World Daily Net’s exclusive report with Ellis Washington, ….. The angry Honduran ex-President Zelaya who was allowed asylum in Costa Rica after being ousted said, "If holding a poll provokes a coup, the abduction of the president and expulsion from his country, then what kind of democracy are we living in?" claimed Zelaya in Costa Rica. I answer him in this wise said Ellis Washington in a WND news report: "Mr. Zelaya, the kind of democracy Hondurans are living in is the very kind that Thomas Jefferson dreamed of for America and eventually for the entire world to enjoy – Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." " It is so refreshing to see the Honduran military provoke truth by ushering in essence a counter-revolution to oust the would-be tyrant, President Zelaya, and prevent his sham referendum for making him "El Presidente" for life, said Washington. President Manuel Zelaya, a Marxist socialist and the puppet protégé of his Venezuelan neighbor, President Hugo Chavez, plans to come back to Honduras this weekend in what could be a showdown, leading to speculation and veiled threats about how regional leaders, particularly Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, may intervene. Musolini-lite, Hugo Chavez is extremely angry by this recent "coup" in Honduras. Why? Chavez is worried that his people in Venezuela will get dangerous ideas of liberty and freedom. Emilio Alvarez, Nicaragua's former minister of international relations says political crises’ of this nature in Central America can only be resolved in one of two ways: an agreement is worked out between both sides, or a violent rupture occurs. Chávez warned that if the Honduran military or coup leaders respond aggressively or violently toward Zelaya's announced return, "we won't remain with our arms crossed, there is a red line, and if it is crossed, there is no return," Chávez said. "If there is any outward appearance of resistance against the return of Zelaya and his delegation, it would open another door that I don't want to talk about." Mr. Alvarez says that an agreement has to be worked out, because "the other option would be Chávez invading Honduras by air, sea, and land from Nicaragua and that would be worse than the coup itself."

For all who don’t know, one of our ministries, The Children’s Lighthouse orphanage (where Barry Ritchie and 18 orphans are at right now) is just 5 miles north of the Nicaraguan border and the city of Choluteca (where Sasha, Barry Jr. and I are currently at and Iglesia Bautista La Cruz is located) is just 15 miles north of that same border. It is calm here tonight, but many people fear it is the calm before the storm. Please continue to pray for The Ritchie family and the people of Honduras in these uncertain times.

In His Service,

Lisa Ritchie

I'll close this post now but will share some further thoughts on the situation later. Please do pray for this family and others in Honduras at this time.

The Story of Redemption

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:36:03 +0000

{vimeo}5333583{/vimeo}

Everyone loves a good story, and the greatest story of all is the Story of Redemption! This message was preached at Hallgarth's Friend and Family Service in June, 2009.

Part of the reason for the service was to celebrate Hallgarth's 100 year anniversary.

Follow Me - Part 1

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:18:33 +0000

When I was growing up a lot of cartoons involved people turning into animals, or cartoons where cool animals were the stars, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Thunder Cats.

What distinctly stands out is that myself and all my friends had animals we wanted to be like. Some of us wanted to be like a lion, others wanted to be an eagle, but no one ever said, “I want to be a sheep!” But God often likens us to sheep. The lion and the eagle may be our animal of choice,but it is not the animal to which God likens us.

I believe there are two reasons for this comparison. We are the sheep and Christ is the Good Shepherd. The shepherd’s tender and comprehensive care of his sheep is compared with God’s loving and perfect care for His people. What other occupation other than the shepherd so wonderfully pictures God?

Also, we behave very much like sheep. Several factors combine to make us very sheep like. This comparison has nothing to do with the adverb “sheepish”. There are two major factors I want to consider here.

1. God made us with the desire to follow. Look around today and everywhere you see people following someone. Whether they follow a sports personality, a pop/rock star, a politician, author or actor they will follow someone. Some may claim uniqueness, they want you to think they are like no-one else and follow no one but they do not know their own hearts, they have been deceived by themselves. God has designed us to follow.

2. The second factor is the innate desire to be with others, like others and liked by others. A preacher once told the story of coming from something of a sheltered upbringing. At family functions growing up he always saw a cousin who just seemed unique, who had broken the mould and was doing his own thing. He followed no one but himself, or so it would seem. This cousin would tease him and accuse him of following mindlessly what others did and said. The cousin had wild, colourful hair, punk style clothing and a skateboard covered with graffiti.

One day the young boy had a chance to go out with this cousin. They went to a local park and there were a dozen of this cousin’s friends, all with the same hair, clothes and attitudes.

You see,people will accuse you of being straight laced, mindlessly following some church and never making a decision for yourself. But we have more choice then any sinner, not by virtue of anything we have done but because of choice. In Romans 7:5-6 we read,

(5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Those that accuse of us of simply falling into a mould simply because our parents are Christians, or anything like that, are victims of a set mould themselves. What I want us to see to begin with in this short series is that every one follows someone or something.

Ultimately we either follow God or Satan. Paul is not very subtle in Ephesians 2 where Paul makes it clear that we walk Satan’s paths, follow him and are children of destruction before we come to Christ. That is a hard truth, but there it is.

We all follow someone, make the choice who you will follow.

The context of this first verse is important. Peter has just tried to pull Christ away from goingto the cross. Christ has begun to teach them of His death and resurrection but this does not fit with Peter’s idea. Peter and the other disciples all expected a physical kingdom right away. So Peter physically takes a hold of Christ and rebukes Him. Can you imagine this? It seems like Peter just took Him by His shoulders and shook Him saying, “This is not going to happen!” The context of our first verse is Christ’s determination to follow God’s will for Him, but also to challenge others to do the same.

Peter pictures the reaction we may often display, one that is selfish, our will and not God’s will. So the context is the example of God’s will and self will. This passage is about salvation and discipleship.

In Matthew 28:19 – we reading about teaching. The word here means to become a pupil, to make disciples, to disciple. Disciples follow. Over the next few days I want to look at several “Follow Me” statements made by Christ and about Christ.

Follow Me – Matthew 16:24
Follow Me, and Bring Others – Matthew 4:19
Follow Me, and Follow My Passion – John 1:43
Follow Me, and Give Up Worldly Ambition – Mark 10:21
Follow Me, Follow Your Shepherd – John 10:27
Follow Me, Through Life and Into Eternity – John 13:36

Created or Creator?

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:52:43 +0000

"...who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." - Romans 1:25

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. " - Genesis 1:26

A considerable minority of people likened Obama to a Messiah while he was candidating for the presidency. That was before the realities of governing a country blunted his agenda and the inconviniences of facts collided with his rhetoric. Anyway, the point is that many people virtually worshipped Obama.

Now in the news we find PETA complaining about Obama having swatted a fly, yes, you read that right, PETA complained that Obama had swatted a fly - LINK. They have even sent him a contraption to humanely capture flies and release them into the wild... I wonder if they'll send a few billion of those to the places in the world where the flies carry all manner of diseases. But then, that would assume PETA cares about human life as much as animals which I sometimes wonder about.

I believe everyone, Christians especially, should treat animals with kindness, I believe that part of the original mandate in the garden of Eden was to be good stewards of creation. But what we see today is the elevating of created beings over the Creator, people would sooner worship other people and even flies rather than recognise God as our Creator and Lord.

I know that PETA and other animal rights groups believe that if people treat animal's properly then in all likelihood they will treat other people properly and so they pour in vast amounts of time and money into protecting animals. However, I believe if we poured the time and money into the people, then the people would treat one another properly and consequently they would treat the animal's properly.

The root of the issue is nothing other than a wrong world view, a reluctance, or perhaps I should say a resistance to admitting the existence and sovereignty of God. When this world recognises God's rights over humanity then, and only then, will we see animal and human rights applied.

Saintfield Baptist Online Sermons

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:43:48 +0000

A pastor I know in Northern Ireland e-mailed today to share that his church, Saintfield Baptist, has started to post sermons online.

The website is: www.saintfieldbaptist.org.uk

Pastor Ian Wilson is a good man and a faithful and able preacher. I know you will be blessed and helped by his preaching ministry.

Hallgarth Friend and Family Service-2009

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:22:16 +0000

Tonight we held a Friend and Family service at Hallgarth Mission and had a great time! For several weeks we have been building the meeting up with the members and other believers in the area. Many were praying and we had several out distributing literature this week. We managed to get out around 4500 in total.

At the meeting this evening we had around 35-40 people. We normally get about 15. Many were believers from Bethesda who were supporting the meeting, but we did have a few visitors who we hope to see back.

I am going to put a special post up about Hallgarth sometime soon but here are a few main points:

This year it is officially 100 years old
In WWI the first leaders were called up to fight in the military
In WWII the first building was destroyed by German bombers
Over the years numerous members became Christian workers, missionaries and pastors

Hallgarth has quite an amazing history and as I said, I'll put up a special post sometime soon.

In the service this evening several members gave testimonies, Carrie sang a solo and I preached a message on the Greatest Story.

Here is an MP3 of Ellen and Jon sharing some testimonies. I'll try to get the sermon up another time:

{mp3remote}http://www.thewickens.info/audio/hff2009_testimonies.mp3{/mp3remote}

Young at Heart

mnwickens@googlemail.com (Administrator) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:48:21 +0000

No one would deny that the average age of the believers in ministry I am involved with is, well, above average. There are a number of older saints in Bethesda and the two mission halls.

There are several in their 90's, more in their 80's, and a good number in their 70's, 60's and 50's. However, their age is not a reflection of their passion or activity.

This week I have had a great task of putting 5000 leaflets through letterboxes in the community around Hallgarth. If you figure on 100 per hour you get a good idea of how long it would normally take (50 hours). These are mostly terraced houses so you can probably do a bit more than that, but you get the idea.

This week I have been greatly blessed and encouraged by the help received in putting out the leaflets. A small but zealous group, varying from day to day and times of the day, have been out with me distributing literature about the special services this weekend. I'll write more another time about the great response we have had from individuals on the street, but in this post I wanted to pay tribute to the faithfulness of these older saints.

Let me bring in my meeting with Ian Paisley a year or so ago at this point. Ian Paisley is not a young man, but there was a youthfulness about him. And so it is with many older saints, they still somehow seem young. I think the reason is that in terms of eternity, they are young. What are 70 fleeting years in the face of eternity?

I thank the Lord for each one that has helped this week, including a couple of younger people who have been out as well. A father and daughter from a family that has been of particular blessing and help to us since moving here were once again a wonderful help. I thank them and I thank the Lord for them.