Friends Forever

There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Psalm 18:24

As some of you may know, we are in Ixtapa, Zihautenejo visiting Pamela's familia. It's been 5 years since she's seen the people she grew up with. Pamela spent nearly every summer here, from toddler to teenager. The place and people are part of who she is. This will never change, even though she will.

There are many things that leave their mark on us, but the Eternal Impact Award goes to relationships. The gospel can be read and understood by any caved hermit in solitude, but it is only truly revealed by through the lenses of friendship, brotherhood, family and marriage. It doesn't take a long time to find the many ways God uses these 'metaphors' to describe his relationship to us and one another; even himself (hello...Father & Son).

So why do we treat these precious connections with such apathy and disregard so many times?

God's love cannot have any lasting effect until we express and experience it in our earthly relationships. We ourselves are hindered from discovering the Almighty until we enter into an honest & intimate connection with his son Jesus. It through this first love relationship that all of our other friends, family and acquaintances will be forever blessed.

So who haven't you phoned in awhile?

Amigos por vida...
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

P.S. Missing the London crew very much! Will be home soon to share all the good things God has been doing while we've been out here. Thanks to all of you who have been helping to keep Freedomhouse going strong in our absence. ¡Muchas Gracias!

Pentecost: After Effects

And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. Acts 2:44

Much is said about the supernatural events that took place on the Day of Pentecost. But what's even more amazing is what happened right afterwords.

Faith in Jesus was no longer hidden inside an upper room. It was on display in every area of the believers' lives. Extraordinary deeds were now an ordinary occurrence.

Time - Money & Relationships: Are these 3 things among the many topics on your mind as you face this week? Ask any Londoner how their doing and you'll get the "busy" word somewhere in the reply. Time for God can seem like a spiritual luxury these days.

Does God still call us to give in times of economic uncertainty? Hmmm...Or how about relationships? Is there more to Christian fellowship than having a few "church friends" on your Facebook?

The Holy Spirit was given to us for much more than loud prayer meetings. He wants to hang out with you and your friends, to be in your financial decisions, and even run to the bus with you in another one of your mad rushes. You'll find yourself in less of those stressful situations when you begin to understand the everyday power of Pentecost.

Eternity is effected by what you do with the next 5 minutes. Will you spend it or invest it?

Have a great week,
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

The Camden Pentecost Festival was an amazing and exhausting success! Thanks to all who attended and helped make it happen. We'll be posting pics and video on the website soon.

Please pray for us as we travel to California for Harvester's Homecoming 2008. We'll will be sharing about God's work in here Freedomhouse. Everything will carry on as unusual in our absence. We believe for exciting things to happen while we're away. Check out guest speaker Tom Barlow this Sunday as he ministers on how Pentecost can effect your everyday situation.

The Pentecost Effect

I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Luke 12:49

Once in awhile there comes a time when you defy your reservations, hesitations and procrastinations all at once. A moment when your butt jumps off the easy chair of excuses and you do the very thing your heart is burning for.

How often does this kind of fire fall on you?

Jesus often spoke with a scorched frustration and yearning for the day his people would finally get it. That day came and went, but the flame that sparked the Church of Jesus Christ on the Day of Pentecost was never meant to go out. God has entrusted us with a truth that cannot be seen by anyone if we just sit on it.

Are these following words a living reality in your daily life?

"Christ in YOU, the hope of glory..." "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..."

Everyday? Yes, every single moment. It's still possible.

Do you smell something burning?



Sincerely,
Brandon & Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

Join us this week to bring the Pentecost experience to Camden Town. Please pray hard because this isn't the kind of thing the enemy takes lightly.

We've had to re-adjust aspects of the festival due the many pressures involved, but we are still believing for something extraordinary to take place this weekend. We'd love for you to be a part in anyway possible. Just write Brandon (brandon@freedomhouse.org.uk) or Mark (mark@freedomhouse.org.uk) if your interested in volunteering.