Prayer: Haiti + Malaysia

Hello people!

How have you been? I know some of you are having a gala time back home while others are travelling around. But let's take this time even as you read this email to reflect and remember God. As you all may know, recently there have been some staggering events that have happened, namely the Haiti Earthquake and the Malaysian religious attacks. Please pray for these people! That they will remain strong even in the midst of trials and trouble.


Haiti earthquake

Haiti had a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 12 January. We fear thousands are dead and the numbers are still climbing. Many more are injured and there are rescue efforts going on for people still trapped under rubble. An estimated 3 million have been affected - that’s one in three people in Haiti.

The Haiti earthquake is being labelled the worst natural disaster in Haiti in 200 years. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, troubled by civil unrest, mass unemployment and water shortages, which have all contributed to extensive poverty. These factors combined leave Haiti ill-equipped to cope with a natural disaster of this scale. Nations and organisations are providing relief help for Haiti, but more still needs to be done.

So if there is any form where you can help, be it in monetary or items donations (to WorldVision/Red Cross/Doctors without Borders/UN/Salvation Army etc.) or in prayer, please help.


Malaysia: Religious attacks

As most of you would have known, Malaysia had some religious attacks against (mainly) churches and even a Sikh temple. The attacks came in the wake of a Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling on December 31 that lifted a ban on the use of the word "Allah" to refer to the Christian "God" by the Catholic weekly newspaper Herald, which publishes supplements in the Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil languages. Things have settled a bit, but some debates are still going on about this issue and the political climate in Malaysia is changing. Please pray for unity among ALL the churches in spite of denominations and for a fervent Church to stand firm in His Word.

Let's break away from our complacency and start moving in His Spirit for our nation!

I believe that these things happen for a reason and though we may not understand God's ways now, He is still Sovereign over everything. We just place our trust in Him that He knows what is best and what needs to happen.



Remember the song "Did you feel the mountains tremble"? Let us OCF Clayton unite as one and intercede for our world, because it is us who prepares the way for the Lord to come.

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice

Did you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokeness

And here we see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord




:) Lynette

2nd day into 2010!

Hellooo Claytonites!

2 days into the new year; I hope it's been a foreshadowing of how 2010 is going to be your best year ever! I've been ending my cards with, May 2010 be your best year ever, because life with Jesus only ever gets better! And it's true – as God continually grows us, we find Him sweeter because the more we go through, the more God reveals Himself to be faithful and true, among so many other characteristics!


-


I've been thinking about "worship" a lot lately. 
What is "worship"? A song?

In the song Heart of worship, Matt Redman writes:
I'll bring You more than a song...

And he goes on, 
I'm coming back to the heart of worship

So, what is worship?

Can you hear it as you've sung it many times before?
It's all about You, Jesus

2009 has seen God call Overseas Christian Fellowship Clayton to worship Him through the focus of IMPACT; it has 2 parts to it:

1. In My Presence – we first focus on God; it's all about Him. We need to know what He wants.
2. ACT – then we do it! And again, when we act, it is all about Him.

As a group, we have made an IMPACT through things such as exam prayer, blessing ministry, winter camp (Be ready because I believe), E-night (Playing on broken strings) and Feed-Our-Friends. 

How about as an individual? Have I made an IMPACT? 
If yes, how so? 
If no, how can I do so?

If we haven't taken time to reflect on 2009, and commit 2010 to God, let's take some time to shhh, right now.


-


I think I can say this on behalf of us all, from every Claytonite to every other Claytonite – thank you ALL for making 2009 such a great year! Really! Partnering with God; the fun, the friendship, the laughter, the events, the badminton, the pressing through and encouragement, the Bible studies, the prayer, and the making/eating of supper, to name a few! 

Okiedokes. May 2010 be your best year ever, because life with Jesus only ever gets better! :D

In His love and mine,
Faith (: