News Update

We, Phyl & Len, have had an interesting and encouraging time in UK. It has been lovely to see so many of our friends and family. Our London reunion at Stanmore brought friends and past guests together from as far afield as Brighton, Essex and Hertfordshire and it was great to catch up with each other's news and to share our on-going vision for the ministry of Haus Barnabas. It was also good to spend some days in our home region of Hampshire and also to visit Suffolk for the first time. Last Saturday we had been invited to renew friendship with both children, parents and friends who had spent time with us in Utzenfeld in the Pitsea Family Week holidays and the venue was the church hall of Waldringfield Baptist Chapel in Suffolk. It was a very encouraging time and particularly to see Richard and Michelle who were converted through a holiday with us in 2010 going on well spiritually. An even larger group from Pitsea are planning to come back to us in the Black Forest this August. The next day in the Sunday morning service in the Waldringfield Church, Pastor Steve Wyncoll, who had been with us for ministry in 2011 enthused about his visit to us and gave us opportunity to report on our work and ministry. The picture shows a service in the chapel in this picturesque Suffolk village of Waldringfield.
Although January is a quiet month for us in Germany, Tim and Deb have been keeping the 'home fires burning' and Deb has also had a good schedule of English teaching. Sadly Tom has gone down with chicken pox and quite likely Esther will follow suit. We expect to be back home there at the end of this week.
We have been very appreciative for the kind hospitality we have received during our travels and particularly for our 'home base' with Margaret and David Harman in Ashford.

Daily Manna - Scripture and Meditation

Scripture readings

Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. - I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. - Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, ... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

2 Sam 18:23 - 1 Cor 9:24; Isa 42:16 - Isa 35:8; Isa 40:4-5 - John 14:6; Heb 10:19-22 - Ps 25:8

Suggested additional reading: Isaiah 35

Meditation

Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. - 2 Samuel 18:23

When cross-country running, fitness isn't everything. An important consideration is also the type of terrain route we are crossing. A fast runner across hills and valleys won't maintain the same speed as a slower runner over level ground. How is it with my spiritual journey, am I labouring up the hill of my own works and down into the ravines of my own humiliations and resolutions, or do I run by the plain way of “Believe and live”? How blessed is it to wait upon the Lord by faith! Along the path of faith and trust the soul runs without weariness, and walks without fainting. Christ Jesus is the way of life, and He is a plain way, a pleasant way, a way suitable for the tottering feet and feeble knees of fearful sinners:. Am I running my life on this way or am I trying to find my way along tracks suggested by religious teachers, priests and humanists based on upright morals?

I read of the way of holiness, “the unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.” Isa 35:8-9. Have I been delivered from proud reason and been brought as a little child to rest in Jesus’ love and blood? Some may think me a fool, but by God’s grace I shall outrun the strongest runner who chooses any other path. Remember which path you are running on amidst the daily cares and needs. It's not the path of man's recommendation but the path of faith in Christ. Go at once to God with your worries and concerns, don't wander in a roundabout manner to this friend and that. Your God knows your needs and can relieve them. Who better to go to by the direct appeal of prayer and the plain argument of His promise. Looking straight ahead makes the best runner. I won't delay in chatting with the servants but will go directly to their master. Remember the Scripture's exhortation: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it”. 1 Cor 9:24 Lord, help me to gird up the loins of my mind, and may I press forward towards the mark for the prize of my high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Ps 27:11

News Update

Our Christmas carol service last Sunday evening proved to be an occasion that brought together many of our friends and personal contacts over the years we have been in Utzenfeld. It was also good to have one or two new faces. The weather was snowy but in contrast with Britain, somehow our Black Forest folk seem to feel that the worse the weather the greater the challenge to venture forth and face the elements.

Our programme of Scripture readings and carols lasted about an hour and in the concluding 'meditation' Len emphasised that without receiving the Lord Jesus with a personal faith it is impossible to worship Him with the shepherds and wise men or to experience the real joy of Christmas. We pray that this Christmas may prove to be the time that many all around the world worship the Son of God with a believing mind and a true heart. He is no longer a baby in Bethlehem, no longer the suffering Saviour on the cross, but the risen and ascended Lord Jesus who through the Gospel message is calling men and women everywhere to turn from a selfish and sinful way of life to enjoy 'without money and without price' all the benefits He has purchased for us at great price.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Cor 8:9

1. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becomest poor.

2. Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love's sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love's sake becamest man.

3. Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.

Frank Houghton (1894-1972)

Daily Manna - Scripture and Meditation

Scripture readings

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love

We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, He loves the people; all His saints are in Your hand; they sit down at Your feet; everyone receives Your words.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" - Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Jer 31:3 - 2 Thess 2:13-14 - Deut 33:3 - John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-11 - Gal 4:6; Rom 5:5

Suggested additional reading: John 15:9-27

Meditation - adapted from C.H. Spurgeon's 'Morning & Evening'

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. - Jeremiah 31:3

Sometimes the Lord Jesus tells His Church His love thoughts. He doesn't think it's enough to say it behind her back, but looking lovingls in her face He says: "You are all fair, my love" (Song 4:7) It's true, this is not His ordinary method; He is a wise lover, and knows when to keep back the intimation of love and when to express it; but there are times when He makes no secret of it; times when He impresses it through the Holy Spirit on the souls of His people with such clearness that it is beyond all doubt.

The Holy Spirit witnesses in a most gracious manner, with our spirits of the love of Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and reveals them to us. No voice is heard from the clouds, and no vision is seen in the night, but we have a testimony more sure than either of these. If an angel should fly from heaven and inform the saint personally of the Saviour’s love to him, the evidence would not be in any way more satisfactory than that which is borne in the heart by the Holy Ghost. Ask those of the Lord’s people who have lived nearest to the gates of heaven, and they will tell you that they have had times when Christ's love to them has been a fact so clear and sure, that they could no more doubt it than they could question their own existence.

Yes, beloved believer, you and I have had times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, when our faith has lifted our spirits to the topmost heights of assurance. We have had the confidence to lean our heads upon the bosom of our Lord, and we have no more thought of questioning our Master’s affection to us than John did when he physically leaned on Jesus' breast. In fact perhaps our inner assurance of His love has been even stronger than that of John's. The dark question, “Lord, is it I that is going to betray You?” was not looming on the horizon! He has, through His Spirit in our souls kissed us with the kisses of His mouth, and killed our doubts by the closeness of His embrace. His love has been sweeter than wine and our spirits have responded with deep devotion and the determination to live only for Him.

Prayer

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 36:7

News Update

Today Phyl celebrates her 65th birthday! Wow, where have the years gone? We are still in the UK and are just completing an interesting and helpful tour visiting several Churches and friends in the north and east of Britain. After many years we met up again with one of Phyl's earliest friends. They started school together in 1950! Here they are together after more than 60 years. We were very pleased with the 'reunion and information meetings' we had both in Yorkshire and Essex and it was so encouraging to find that some friends motored more than 100 miles to see us again! We also thank and praise the Lord for the kindness of those who have given us such generous hospitality during our time here.
We've still got room in Haus Barnabas over Christmas! Why not come and join us.

News Update

For some, Sunday afternoon walks in the autumn can be just as enjoyable as in the summer if you are dressed appropriately! In fact October this year has given us some wonderful sunny days with only a blip one weekend when snow fell and settled down to a height of 800 m. Guests returning from a visit to Titisee commented that the view of the lake was blanketed out by large flakes of driving snow. Although in general it has been a mild autumn.
Phyl & Len are at present in UK and have set up office in the dining room of the kind and longsuffering David and Margaret Harman in Ashford. We head north and east in the middle of next week for visits and meetings in a number of places including an open 'reunion and information' afternoon in Otley, Yorkshire. Join us if you are able at Bethel Hall, Myers Croft, Otley LS21 3JG at 3.30pm on Sat 12th Nov., or if it's closer in Basildon, Essex on Sat 19th at Kingswood Baptist Church SS16 5DH again at 3.30 pm. On this afternoon you are invited to join us in a bring and share tea followed by an evening session with missionary reports by both Len and also David Quin from Asia Link Ministries. Don't hesitate to email us if you want more information about these meetings.

News Update

Autumn is here again and the maple tree opposite the house, as seen in the picture, is in full colour once again. Phyl & Len are frantically finalising a year-end news report and a calendar/brochure and numerous other things ready to leave for UK in the last week of October.

Those of you in the north and east of Britain may be interested to join us at "Reunion and Information" meetings we are arranging in Otley, Yorkshire and Basildon, Essex. It would be lovely to see as many of you as possible.

Saturday 12th November - 3.30pm in Bethel Hall, Myers Croft, Otley LS21 3JG - We plan a fairly informal time when we talk about the work and bring you pictures, mostly taken by our guests, leading into a short devotional time with opportunity for prayer and concluding with refreshments. Any queries please contact Mrs Elaine Wilkinson on 01943 461367

Saturday 19th November at Kingswood Baptist Church, Codenham Straight, Basildon, Essex SS16 5DH

3.30pm – 5pm We, Len & Phyl share the vision God has given us for Haus Barnabas with up-to-date news

5pm Bring and share tea with fellowship

6pm – 8pm Worship and news about Gospel outreach from both Len & Phyl in the Black Forest of Germany and from David Quin from Asia Link Ministries. David Quin will bring a closing message.

Any queries please contact David Barnes 01268 475297

We are pleased to have a continuing stream of guests during October with one or two giving of their time to help in practical ways too. Also a young Christian man from St Petersburg, Russia was able to obtain a visa and is now with us probably until the end of the year. It's encouraging to see the house a hive of activity and our morning prayers when we can commit everything to the Lord's control, over-ruling and blessing is so very, very important to us all.