Filled and Stirred to Create

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel...
I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts...
He is a master at every craft! Exodus 31:1-5

The first time the Bible mentions "filling" people with the Spirit, it's to do deeds of a creative nature. Not for fighting wars, preaching sermons, or even performing miracles.

Is that so strange?

In the first ever mention of God's Spirit, He is hovering over an empty void, just waiting to create. Then suddenly, there was light - dirt - seeds - plants - animals - then us...created in His image. For what?

I'm sure a hundred people will give you a thousand answers for that one. But this I know for sure, we are called to create. To turn nothing into something. To speak life into empty situations. To use that slimy thing inside your skull to think of better ways to live. And to use those itchy fingers of yours to do something about it.

Mr. Bezaleel was a normal guy filled with an extraordinary Spirit, so he could accomplish amazing things. Are we any different?

When God wanted to build a tabernacle to show his people a glimpse of what heaven looks like, he choose a craftsman. Not a warrior. Not even a priest. But rather a Hebrew version of Bob the Builder.

As God continues to build his Church in these modern times, His Holy Spirit still wants to fill his people to show the world what heaven looks like.

Do you feel like you were absent on the day that gifts were given? Think again.

Maybe all you need is a bit of stirring. The same Spirit that hung the stars in the sky is hovering inside your heart. If you also believe that this very same Spirit raised a dead rabbi into a resurrected KIng of all kings, then what's stopping you?

Find a blank page and fill it. Take a broken thing and fix it. Find an empty heart and heal it.

Your made in His image, right?

Have a Genesis-style week,
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

Warming Up to God

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others...
1 Peter 4:9-10

If there is one thing I've learned while living here in England, it's that a cup of tea is more than a cup of tea. It's a doorway into someone's heart. Make it right, serve it hot. hand it over with a smile and you've just won a friend.

Hospitality isn't usually seen as something vital to one's eternal destiny, but it is. Just think, someone's view of God can be completely tainted by crossing paths with a grumpy Christian. I wonder how many lost souls remained lost because they went to a church where no one said, "Hello".

But also remember that a person's life can be transformed by meeting a listening Christian. That's the heart of hospitality, seeing value in someone else's life.
It's a spiritual gift that has won more souls to Christ than anyone can imagine (mine included).

Find an opportunity this week to use this gift, more than once. Boil that kettle for God's glory...

2 Sugars Please ;)
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

A Free Range life

But my servant Caleb is different from the others. He has remained loyal to me,
and I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will receive their full share of that land. Numbers 14:24

Caleb's name literally meant "Dog". To other Hebrews he was just a unworthy, half-breed tag along. To God he was something much more...

Ever felt like just another cow in a huge herd? You feel trapped, crammed, unimportant and impatient. Every day we endure times of tedium, constantly waiting our turn. Whether it's at a packed bus stop, a mile long queue, or that even mysterious space between asking and actually receiving.

"Ask - Seek - Knock" Matt 7:7

Why is something that sounds so easy so hard to see sometimes? Maybe it's because we disqualify ourselves before we even try. We try new things with half a heart or we ask our heavenly Father to bless us with fingers crossed and knuckles ready to knock on wood.

Before that famous verse, Jesus speaks about how God looks after animals and how much more his children. But he also wants us to make sure we know the difference. If we are willing to ask are we first willing go believe we are worth answering?

So then God says, "Seek - and Knock" . The proving ground of life experience. A willingness to look for the answer in places you've never been and knock on unfamiliar doors your knuckles have never touched. Even though our circumstances may tell us, "Same old, same old..." There is a lurking opportunity for surprise hidden in every mundane corner of your day.

Are you willing to look?

Caleb did. He lived a blessed, courageous, and memorable life.

Pretty good for a dog.

Bow Wow,
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

Tuesday Telegram

...and he will give you all you need from day to day
if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33

The Monday Message became a Tuesday Telegram due to an extended hunt for this particular picture. Can anyone guess what it is?

Martian welcome sign? (Nope)

Persian Pepsi ad? (Sorry)

"Beware of Cobras" (Getting Warmer)

All it's really saying is "Keeping Going This Way!"

This photo captures one of the countless markers set up across the vast Sahara desert that help you get from one side to the other. These oil drums are placed strategically at 5 kilometers distance from one another. Just enough for the next one to be visible on the horizon before the earth's curvature would put it out of view. All any brave Sahara crosser needs to do is to take it one oil drum at a time.

This year as we follow God's call, there will be many temptations to take all the twists, turns and short cuts this world has to offer. But God is faithful to give his people simple and clear directions to get to our Promise Land. All we have to do is ask!

"Give us this day our daily bread..." Sound Familiar? If you pray that in faith, God will answer it. Stay close to the Lord and you'll see that there will always be a clear and simple marker set up just for you to get through this crazy Sahara in 2008.

Remember if you ever get lost don't be afraid to ask for directions...

Traveling with the King,
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk

New Year's Eve Edition

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin... Zechariah 4:10

Have you made your New Year's Resolution(s) yet?

We are looking forward with great excitement and expectations for all that God is going to do this year. We are grateful that the Lord has brought together people like you with daring dreams and BIG VISIONS. Pamela and I want to nothing more than for you to discover your destiny in Christ (the very reason you were created). That's what a church is for. Once you begin to walk in your calling, there is no limit to the possibilities. People will take notice!

Dreams are great, but they don't fall from the sky. Be prepared to take chances, overcome fears, and work hard.

In the Summer of 2004, we laid out a small blanket and asked God to fill it with people. He did. Those young lads listened to the first ever Freedomhouse sermon and four of them even became Christians. Since then we've taken more chances, faced more fears, and put alot of sweat, blood and tears into planting this church here. For you guys.

We wouldn't change one moment. Here's to many more great memories to be made in 2008!

Let's lay out another blanket...

Happy New Year,
Brandon and Pamela

PS Please find the attached document "Vision Revisited" and ask God what part you will play in it.

Here's a few other things we're gonna do this year.

Christmas Eve Edition

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18

Pamela and I just wanted to thank you guys for being such a joy to worship and serve God with this last year. We are very grateful that he has brought us together as part of his family. When we left California over four years ago we had no idea how much the Lord would bless with people like you.

As the Freedomhouse moves into the new year, we look forward to growing together as a fellowship of unique individuals that God will use to touch the world. Next week we will share with you the plans for 2008. Some crazy stuff that will take some crazy faith!

But for know just relax and enjoy this time of love and celebration. Share Jesus with your friends and family by being a living reminder of hope within a cynical world. With any gift you receive or give, remember the greatest gift ever given was sent in a very small package.

Merry Christmas,
The Munoz Family

The Reflex Test

"I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body"1 Peter 1:13

Our own physical bodies we are designed to react in the proper ways to ceratin situations. If burned - move! If tickled - laugh - then move.

Thanks to our spinal chord, all our nerves have a central connection to the brain. This way way we can truly think before we react, even when we don't realise it!

The Holy Spirit is very similar in this respect. He helps us to react like Christ in any situation. Everyday our creator is testing our reflexes to see if we are responding in way that brings him glory.

This Christmas let the Spirit remind you of what it really means to be a Christian. Live in an eternal way while in this temporary tent. Only then will others see Jesus through you. It's not as hard as you think.

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your body today...then watch what he does in the simplest situation. It's like having a new set of nerves. Trust him, he won't let you get burned.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26

Remembering Him,
Brandon and Pamela