I shouldn’t even be writing this right now… I’m supposed to be doing my assignment but yeah, I’ll get to that soon! I made it to the library so I’m half way there right? No, but still, for arguments sake we’ll say yes. 

I don’t know why I felt like writing a blog today, I don’t really have much to say right now. I just watched a video linked from my friends blog and it has completely left me speechless if you want to watch it here.  

Tonight is Med Ren’s AGM so if you’re in UCC feel free to come along! I’ll be running for OCM or possibly Secretary again. I’m still unsure of whether that’s a good idea or not but sure we’ll see tonight. I’m looking forward to training anyway and the Pub afterwards. Should be fun. 

I’m running out of things to say so I’m leaving ye with a song I’ve been obsessed with recently. Right now it makes so much sense to me, so yeah, enjoy it’s superbness

Harry & Alfie- Chasing Rubies

A. x

Dublin 2012

Hudson Taylor playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6FD52022FA0B4EB0

J. Hudson Taylor – Founder of the China Inland Mission
James Hudson Taylor(1832-1905), missionary to China

Taylor was born in Yorkshire, England in 1832. After a brief period of teenage skepticism, he came to Christ by reading a Christian tract in his father’s apothecary store. A few months after his conversion, he consecrated himself wholly to the Lord’s work. He sensed the Lord was calling him to China, and he began studying medicine and lived on as little as possible, trusting God for his every provision.

In 1853, the twenty-one-year-old Taylor sailed for China as an agent of a new mission society. He arrived in Shanghai the next spring and immediately began learning Chinese. Funds from home rarely arrived, but Taylor was determined to rely upon God for his every need, and he never appealed for money to his friends in England. Repeatedly he later told others, “Depend upon it. God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack for supplies.” In those days, foreigners were not allowed into China’s interior; they only were allowed in five Chinese ports. Hudson Taylor, however, was burdened for those Chinese millions who had never heard of Christ. Ignoring the political restrictions, he traveled along the inland canals preaching the gospel.

In 1858 he married Marie Dyer, an English orphan who was working in a school for Chinese girls in Ningpo. By 1860, foreigners were able to legally travel anywhere in China, missionaries were allowed, and the Chinese were permitted to convert to Christianity. At a time when tremendous opportunities were opening up in China, ill health forced Taylor, with his wife and small daughter, to return to England. What seemed at first to be a setback in his mission work turned out to be a step forward. While in England recovering his health, Taylor was able to complete his medical studies. He revised a Chinese New Testament and organized the China Inland Mission.

Twenty-two people accompanied Taylor back to China in 1866. The sufferings and hardships multiplied: Taylor’s daughter died from water on the brain; the family was almost killed in the Yang Chow Riot of 1868; Maria, Taylor’s first wife, died in childbirth; his second wife died of cancer; sickness and ill health were frequent. Yet, the China Inland Mission continued its work of reaching China’s millions for Christ. By 1895 the Mission had 641 missionaries plus 462 Chinese helpers at 260 stations. Under Hudson Taylor’s leadership, C.I.M. had supplied over half of the Protestant missionary force in China. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, 56 of these missionaries were martyred, and hundreds of Chinese Christians were killed. The missionary work did not slack, however, and the number of missionaries quadrupled in the coming decades.

Chinese Christians proved remarkably resilient under Communism. They did not die out but multiplied many-fold in one of the greatest expansions in church history.

Hudson Taylor also had a great influence on the life and ministry of Watchman Nee.

Since it’s so chilly outside, how about a little something to warm up those ear buds? Yet another artist from Dublin, I’ve been on an Irish kick I guess, Hudson Taylor is my January feature! Harry and Alfie to be exact. Their sound is unique…maybe it’s the accents. Mellow, yet catchy. I love putting on my giant headphones and just relaxing for a bit with their tunes. They’re not too bad to look at either  ;)

You’re welcome, ladies.

They’ve got a new EP out, Cinematic Lifestyle.

Too bad they live in Dublin…You can’t download their music on iTunes (unless you’re one of my Euro readers). BUT! Here’s a YouTube video to hold you over:

Check out their website, this will link you up with their Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channel.
All pictures taken from their Facebook. I own nothing

What do you guys think of this month’s artist? If you’ve got a musician you think I’d like, e-mail the info!

Follow via: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

The following guest post was written by Alex Cabal, who is the Assistant Director of Student Activities & Student Development at Dean College. Alex oversees student activities and the B.U.I.L.D Leadership Program on the Dean campus, among other responsibilities. He can be reached at acabal@dean.edu, and be sure to follow him on twitter @AlexCabal82.

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.” – President Barack Obama

President Obama’s words were as life changing as they were powerful. As a gay man, it was reassuring to hear someone of his caliber openly express equality for all. President Obama is a great example of “allyship” from someone who doesn’t identify as LBGTQ. His words were not only encouraging, but were filled with hope; hope that one day everyone in the United States will be treated the same, no matter who you love.

In my opinion, equality is not just a gay issue. It might seem that way because our media tends to focus on gay individuals trying to bring change to what has been established in our society. President Obama made think about those who are not part of the LGBTQ community who are using their privilege and power to bring awareness and education to those who need it, and provide a voice for those who don’t have it.

Did you know that…

• Josh Hutcherson (Yes, Hunger Games’ Peeta) is one of the founders of the LGBT ally organization Straight but Not Narrow (SBNN) and has been named by GLAAD as one of the new advocated for LGBT rights of his generation.
• 

  Jason Mraz

  Jason Mraz was the first male ally to be featured in the cover of a gay magazine (Instinct) due to his work with the Human Rights Campaign and the True Colors Fund to the American Foundation for Equal Rights among others.

• Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Records, has received the GLAAD Excellence in Media Award for his work in increasing the visibility and understanding of the LGBTQ community in the media.
• Cindy Lauper is the co-founder of True Colors, an organization that raises awareness about and brings an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness.
• 

  Hudson Taylor

  Hudson Taylor is all-American wrestler that founded www.athleteally.org, a non-profit sports resource that encourages all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of the athletic community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. (Hudson will be visiting the Dean campus this semester!)

These individuals are among countless others committed to bringing awareness, education, and understanding to those who need it; and equality for those who deserve it.

You don’t have to be a celebrity to be an ally for change. You don’t have to found a non-profit organization or create a website. Anyone has the power to do so; change is a gradual process. It takes time, but with passion and patience, everyone will see results.

Do you have it what times to be an ally? If your answer is no…you are wrong!

You can start by doing the following:

Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. Encourage others to be open to new perspectives and ways of thinking.

Stop homophobic comments and jokes such as “that’s so gay.” Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive, and educate them on the importance and effect of negative language on others.

Don’t assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.

Listen to someone who might need it.

Acknowledge everyone’s differences and celebrate them.

What are you waiting for?

Be the change. Be the difference.

When Hudson wore an LGBT equality sticker from the Human Rights Campaign on his wrestling headgear, he encountered criticism from his peers, but received positive attention from the media. Following his presence in the media, Hudson received hundreds of emails from parents and closeted athletes. This experience inspired him to found this non-for-profit organization, with the mission of educating, encouraging and empowering straight athlete allies to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports.

Hudson Taylor to speak @ W&M
January 28th @ 9pm
Sadler Center – Commonwealth Auditorium

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems!”–Corrie Ten Boom

“God means what he says and will do all that He has promised!”–Hudson Taylor

Two Irish brothers with acoustic guitars and great harmonies. One of the best live shows I’ve seen around. They’ll be famous in no time I’m sure, the only way is up for Hudtay.

Once national churches have been founded and are growing, the missionary must be careful not to slow down the speedy growth of the church. Church growth and evangelism can come to a standstill when leaders become satisfied with maintaining the church organization as it is. It is necessary to understand that when referring to a “missionary,” it could mean anyone, from anywhere, including any race of people. The great commission was given to the entire church regardless of location, income level, or social status.

One basic principle is that the longer a missionary maintains an exclusive leadership without sharing the responsibility, the more difficult it is to include nationals in leadership responsibilities and eventually to transfer the responsibilities of leadership of the church to the nationals. When leadership is transferred to nationals, the missionary can continue in leadership, but in a minor role, not as the principal leader. A famous missionary, Hudson Taylor, even stated, “I look upon foreign missionaries as the scaffolding around a rising building. The sooner it can be dispersed with, the better; or rather, the sooner it can be transferred to other places, to serve the same temporary use, the better.” What would we think of a builder who insisted that his scaffolding remain in place permanently for fear the building would collapse?

The three lessons in this series primarily address the relationship between the missionary and the national church. Many of the concepts can be applied to other leadership relationships such as a presbyter and the ministers for whom he is responsible, a pastor with his local leaders, or a national leader and the leaders with whom he works.

CHURCH GROWTH BASICS

In beginning and developing the national church, care must be taken to establish the following things:

• A foundation based on the Apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42; Acts 2:38).
• A training program for developing nationals on each level (members, local leadership, ministers, and national leadership).
• An evangelism program using both personal and mass evangelism methods.
• A plan to develop an indigenous church. “Indigenous” means “something that is national and springs up from and develops with the culture. ”An indigenous church is able to grow within the culture in which it is planted. The words “indigenous” and “self” are often used in discussing principles guiding the establishment and progress of the national church. Both words refer to principles of church growth and organization within a particular country.

The principles of church growth and organization within the national, indigenous church encompass the following four vital areas:

1. The church is involved in evangelism within its borders. The church reaches the lost using national ministers, equipment, and finances. This is often referred to as a “self-propagating church.”

2. The church has, at its disposal, national leaders that are able, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to govern the affairs of the church. This begins at the local church but works its way up through the organizational structure of the entire national church. These leaders adhere to the guidelines established in Acts 6:3; I Timothy 3:1-13; and Titus 1:5-9. This is often referred to as a “self-governing church.”

3. The church has instituted God’s plan of tithes and offerings; therefore, a system already exists to raise funds for the various ministries of the church. When the indigenous church reaches this point, it is referred to as a “self-supporting church.”

4. The local church should care for the local pastor. The local churches should also contribute to the operation of the national church. When the national church supports its own efforts, it opens the door to expansion. It may be felt that the people of a nation are very poor, but God can raise up a church anywhere. “People value religion on the basis of cost and they don’t value the cheapest ones the most. Religions that ask nothing, get nothing” (Rodney Stark, Touchstone, January/February 2000, in Discipleship Journal, May/June 2000).

5. The Honorable Ekow Spio-Garbah, formerly Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, wrote while commenting on the U. S. Foreign Aid policy, “What Africa needs today is not someone who can give it fish to eat so it can ask for more fish each day. All Africa is asking for is a FRIEND who can teach it to fish better so it can feed itself FOREVER.” That was well spoken and also should apply to national churches everywhere. With these three areas covered, the national church is capable of keeping itself alive. There is still one more step.

6. The church begins sending out missionaries to other countries and cultures. The national church becomes a missionary-minded church. This is referred to as a ”missionary-sending church.” … read more and finish the entire lesson.

by James G. Poitras and Global Missions

Download full version here:

1. DJ Flip & Freezemaster Slick: Crossroads
2. Hawklion: Gold & Silver
3. Republic of Loose: They Pay for Love
4. Funzo Feat. Leiko: Take Some Time
5. Tribes: Wrapped Up In A Carpet
6. Orla Gartland: Jealous
7. Adrian Crowley: At the Starlight Hotel
8. On and On: The Hunter
9. No Ceremony: Feel So Low
10. Chat with Hudson Taylor (Part 1)
11. Hudson Taylor: Drop of Smoke
12. Chat with Hudson Taylor (Part 2)
13. Hudson Taylor: Cinematic Lifestyle
14. If It Would
15. Frankie and The Heartstrings: I still Follow You
16. Imagine Dragons: Radioactive
17. Calling All Astronauts: What’s So Good About (Echoboy Remix)

Thanks for listening, don’t forget you can listen to the full show again on the RTE Player. The show is broadcast every Wednesday at 1400 GMT and is repeated every Sunday at 2100 GMT. You can also subscribe to the Culture Cafe podcast on iTunes.

Happy New Year!

The past 7 years of my life have found me in a surprising place.  As a guy who loves hockey, and derives perverse pleasure from hurting younger men on bicycle rides I surprise myself by which book of the Bible has become, for me, a hobby.  With a few minutes to spare  I’ll open my Bible to Song of Songs (yes, the love poem book).  When I’m in the book store, I’m looking to see if there are commentaries on Song of Songs.  I’m finding ancient texts that dig deep into this profoundly confusing and avoided book in Scripture.

It started as a 5 year dare: my friend and pastor Brian Creary asked me, “What book will you study for 5 years?”  I thought I’d stick in on a topic but rather have found that this book has unlocked my heart and my understanding into how God thinks and feels about me.  I also understand the seasons that He is bringing me through.

Lately, I’ve been wondering if my life in Christ must always be up and down.  Am I actually growing or can I ever expect to walk in victory over sin and compromise in my life?  Does Jesus see me as a screw up that he’s going to fix when he comes back, or is he redeeming me today and bringing me into greater maturity?

Hudson Taylor, in his classic book Union and Communion, describes season in the life of a believer when the Lord is no longer drawing away and the bride is no longer hesitating at her Lord’s call.  Song of Songs 6:11 – 8:4 describes a season of growing in maturity and effectiveness with our Lord.  Taylor identifies at least 12 marks of growing maturity in the life in this section which gives me hope that I can grow out of a roller coaster faith into deep confidence, strong faith and mature effectiveness.

Related articles

• Hey, I know you’re in there (lifeonthefrontporch.wordpress.com)
• It’s not as bad as it looks: Seasons of close union with Jesus (lifeonthefrontporch.wordpress.com)

MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, WITNESSING

When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. “And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?” he asked one. “I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” was the reply. Another said, “I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ.” Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, “All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ”.

Galatians 5:13  For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Herbert enjoys Aesop’s Fables.

2012 had fruit: One student who was known for fighting in the community finally settled down after repeated love, counseling and discipline, laid down his rep as a fighter. This same student seemed to be  nonchalant about the entire learning process began the academic year 2012/2013 with a C+ average.  Two Young Scholar students Herbert C. McClain and Benjamin Mason were skipped from the 5th grade to the 7th grade. All Young scholars either maintained or succeeded their previous years academic averages.

Benjamin Mason relaxes while reading.

2012 had accomplishments: Adequate temporary housing was found that resulted in establishing a new adult literacy class and we made use of our library making it available for children in our new community for homework assignments. Defend the Faith launched its first 24/7 Internet Evangelism on iTunes. We started our WordPress newsletter blogs. Missionary Hattie Carlis began assistant teaching for the new members orientation class at Bethel World Outreach ministries. Our primary support base remained solid.

2012 had challenges: Silvanus House was temporarily shut down due to lack of sufficient funds to sustain it. Prior to the move we were robbed twice after residing and ministering there in Barnersville for 3 years and in Liberia 12 years with no such problems.

Literacy student Winnie doing math assignment on Reken Test shareware

2013 opens with Silvanus seeking opportunities and finances to become self-sustainable. Agriculture exports and training trainers in literacy and IT for African children are just a few of the areas we are exploring to sustain us throughout the years.

2013 opens with our hearts laid bare for a fresh anointing for us and the ministry. The Silvanus Board realigns, reorganizes, a refocus on the call to serve Christ in Liberia through Silvanus. Our missionary on the field awaits new recruits that will come alongside as fellow laborers in Christ.

Over the next few weeks/months we will feature one needed person/item/prayer concern in this blog.

Won’t you pray with us,

Sis Hattie

Pastor Sexton unveiled the new year’s emphasis for Temple Baptist Church and Crown College to our people today.  Hudson Taylor was famous for saying, “God is always advancing.”  This is our motto for 2013.  God’s people are not to “hold the fort”, they are to charge “the gates of hell” with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While it is easy to bemoan the sad decay of society and the moral cliff our own nation has gone over, we must remember that God is still advancing His cause!  Jesus came while immoral Herod was ruling the nation of Israel.  The Kingdom of God flourished while wicked Caesar reigned.  The New Testament church multiplied while Nero unleashed his most terrible persecution.  God is always advancing.  And we must advance with Him.

In Pastor’s words, “We are standing on the threshold of a new year, make the right choices!”  Faith.  Family.  Freedom.  Friendship.  These are the areas where we must advance.

The mark of a new year brings many commitments.  Most of which are quickly broken (especially the ones about diet and exercise!).  The key to God’s blessing is not a one time commitment but daily choices.  By God’s grace let’s choose to advance with the Lord this year.

Dear Family and Friends as we near the closing of this year I want to share a  poem by C.T. Studd, a missionary .

C.T.  Studd wrote a poem after hearing the same two phrases.  A native of England, he attended university and was an elite cricket player.  However, he realized how short life can be when his brother became seriously ill.  He understood that the sport and the fame that came with it paled in light of eternity.  The Lord worked in his life to be a witness for Christ in Dwight L. Moody meetings.  C.T. met with missionary Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, spoke at evangelistic meetings at universities in England and Scotland and later began his missionary journey sailing to China.  His last years were spent winning many souls to Jesus in Africa.  His motto was: “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

Only One Life Twill Soon Be Past

God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.

You must go forward on your knees.

It does not matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies — whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart.

As our Father makes many a flower to bloom unseen in the lonely desert, [let us] do all that we can do, as under God’s eye, though no other eye ever take note of it.

The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.

All our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of His grace, power and love.

I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.

I am so weak that I can hardly write, I cannot read my Bible, I cannot even pray, I can only lie still in God’s arms like a little child, and trust.

The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.

To me it seemed that the teaching of God’s Word was unmistakably clear: ‘Owe no man anything.’ To borrow money implied to my mind a contradiction of Scripture–a confession that God had withheld some good thing, and determination to get for ourselves what He had not given.

There are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: 1. Patience 2. Patience 3. Patience.

All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.

It is not so much the greatness of our troubles, as the littleness of our spirit, which makes us complain.

[God] wants you to have something far better than riches and gold, and that is helpless dependence upon Him.

One of the first groups I noticed was a duet of two girls – Vanjess24. The two performed personal covers of artists like Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey etc. When I used to watch them they literally had a piano, camera and 500 views per video. Now, 2 years later, they have just released a music video of ‘Drumroll’, and been touring for the past few months.

My absolute favourite Youtube artists include; Orla Gartland, Hudson-Taylor, Emily Elbert, Kina Grannis, Gabrielle Aplin (who is now in the charts?!!! Crazy!) and Lewis Watson. The main attraction to these artists is the sole use of acoustic music proving their natural ability without electronics.

Although he seems to have ceased his performance activities, I have to mention the user ‘Zippy32121′, who uses a mixture of his talent on guitar with such a pure voice. He only has around 700 views on each video which is the biggest understatement for his abilities.

Tom Crouch is just fantastic. This is my most recent passion of Youtube. Every cover he makes has clearly had months spent on it and it really shows. His cover of ‘Every teardrop is a waterfall’ could be played alongside Coldplay as an alternative to the original – that’s how good this boy is!

My final mention will be for ‘TheChainMusic’, who are a couple performing acoustic covers of songs in the charts. The fact they have even taken on Gangnam Style with a kazoo shows the unique and alternative style these guys deliver when performing. They also seem like such lovely people!

Other than these select artists, a few blogs to mention if you are one for discovering music: ‘OntSofa.com’ ‘WatchListenTell’ ‘SB.TV’

http://www.youtube.com/user/VanJess24

http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicMaaad

http://www.youtube.com/user/HudsonTaylorMusic

http://www.youtube.com/user/emilyelbertmusic

http://www.youtube.com/user/kinagrannis

http://www.youtube.com/user/Gaberrz

http://www.youtube.com/user/HolyLoowis

http://www.youtube.com/user/zippy32121

http://www.youtube.com/user/tomcrouchmusic

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheChainMusic