Right.  There isn't anything on here.  Guess I'll start!:) 

I'm 23, newly married, newly relocated from the US to Scotland, and a bit lonely, if the truth be told.  I haven't heard from very many of my friends since I've moved here and that has, admittedly, hurt.  I know, I know.  We're all hurt and a bit lonely at some point in our lives.  I just figured I'd get more involved in SOMETHING since my present church seems a bit standoffish.  What can I say?  I'm a people person without any people!:) 

So, anyone see this?  If so, let's get our hands dirty with the lives and filth of living with one another and GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!  In other words, write back!  Haha!!!

There isn't much going on in these forums usually.  But we can change that.  I'm pastor in Maine, USA.  What brought you to Scotland?

My husband, actually.  He's a born and bred Scotsman, though I've yet to see the full kilt/regalia on him.  Not only has he brought me here, but God brought me here, as I'm sure you guessed.  Not a lot of Americans move over to Scotland for just the weather, let alone the taxes and such.  See, the age old answer, "God sent me," is literal in this sense.

Missions and foreign countries have always gripped my heart.  And then, growing up, several people told me I'd be going overseas to tell everyone I meet about my Father.  Now here I am!!!!  Doing just that!  I may not be a "bona fide, card-carrying" missionary but I'm a missionary all the same. 

You'd be suprised just how badly this country needs it.  There have been recent statistics that say of the 65% Christian community, only about 2% actually attend church.  That figure even includes going only for Christmas and Easter!  I'm right where He wants me, apparently!  And I love it.

And MAINE!!!!!!!!  I've always wanted to go there!!!  Never got the privelege.  What is your church family like?

You have been sent to the ends of the earth as Jesus said in Acts 1:8.  You are a missionary by re-birth.  And bona fide. 

I am a church planter.  God has called me to start churches.  Right now our church family has been meeting in my home for about 7 months.  We number about 45 people including children and just rented our first worship space.  The church is called Ecclesia.  Our goal is to reach people who have never known Jesus. 

How far are you from Northumbria?

Let us know how we can pray for you.

Tony Brown, pastor
Ecclesia
www.ecclesiacommunity.org

Right on!  Church planting!  So then, we're basically in the same field.  Good deal.  And I like the name.  Based on the book of Ecc., right?  And congrats on the new worship center!  God always pays for what He orders, therefore, you'll have "your own" space for your church family soon.

As far as Northumbria, I'd have to check.  We live in Ayrshire and I've only seen a bit of Scotland thus far. 

Prayer?  To be perfectly honest, that God would put me where He wants me - ie. job, ministerial function, etc.  Right now, I'm working in a video shop just to bring in the necessary funds.  Ideally, I would love to be PAID for what I love to do which is help people drag themselves out of the gutters.  And while there are loads of positions available, no one seems to want an American working in their company.  Very weird.  It's as though they think since I'm not from this country, I don't understand what their people need.  Interesting, though frustrating.

And for you, sower and reaper of men.  What can we pray for for you?  Your church family?  Your own family?  Your visions and/or dreams?  Anything, and it shall be done! :o)  My husband is especially a good one for praying, my dear warrior! 

I don't want to interrupt, but I was glad to see a post on here...so I thought I would say hello from a pastor in Grand Haven, MI

God's blessings to you.

Mike, please interrupt...  we are excited to have you!  These forums have been too quiet for too long.  

in Christ,
Tony 

Arae... you are in our prayers.  For us?  Pray to the Lord of the harvest... that he will send fellow laborers to work the fields here in Maine's wilderness.  Pray for my family as well.  The pressures of planting and harvesting are very big and very real.  Blessings sister! 

Grand Haven!  Welcome, Mike!  And where is Grand Haven on the mitten?  Only way I know my MI geography.  I'm originally from Indiana but have a few friends currently living in Houghton Lake and in Detroit.  Anything you want us to pray for?  Or want to get off your chest?  So far, the thread is Something on Nothing which means you can rant and rave all you like!  And someone will probably read it...  That someone being either Tony or myself!

And Tony!  You've got it.  Stewart and I will definitely be praying for what you've asked, especially your family.  We both totally understand the strain "ministry," in the formal sense, puts on family life.  And God has this cool system that whenever the task is big, the rewards are big...  In a roundabout kinda way...  You might get to see the rewards now or later!  Just depends.  Either way, you've already won because you signed up and SHOWED UP for this assignment He's given!  Good for you! :o) 

Well, the Lord has been working in a funny kinda way here in Scotland these past few weeks.  My new job is making it nearly impossible to set a schedule for myself, my husband, and for church...  Not nice, but it is where God put me, so here goes nothing! 

I wish...  I wish, though, that we could get into some semblance of normality when it comes to a routine of any sort of description.  I know, I know!  God is never routine and doesn't work that way.  Then again, we are made in His likeness.  Hmm.   Then that tells me if He made us like Him and WE need schedules and/or routines, then He might be like that.......   Wow!  Won't go there just now.  Too late at night for those depths! 

All the same, it would be nice to know if I'm coming or going in ANY direction!  We'll see!  (Wink!)

right by the pinky...between Muskegon and Holland. Great place to live.
Thanks for the encouragement.

We're having fun with the web board, using it for worship planning and meeting agendas.  We tried to tie an instant messenger to the package however...no luck.

Check out my blog at www.lcmleader.blogspot.com I'm getting the hang of this stuff.

gnight...and best wishes

Good evening all!  Or, nearly, good morning all! 

Long time, no write and I'm sorry about that.  Things have reached a feverish pitch around here.  My husband and I have had to deal with increasing work loads with EVER increasing problems from employers, co-workers, etc.  You know the drill!!!  :)

Good news, though!  We believe we've found a church to go to!  A GOOD ONE!!!  A GOD-VISITED on!  (GASP!)  Let me tell you, that's hard to find in Scotland let alone anywhere else. 

The church is called Ayr Christian Outreach Center and is apparently a world-wide organization.  Anyone heard of it?  It started in Australia, as are the pastor and his wife!  Born and bred Aussies!  No wonder there is life in that church!  They seem to have brought it with them. 

Scotsmen are so reserved when it comes to church and "religion" which is the complete opposite of how they deal with the rest of their lives.  To give you an idea of how unreservedly they live their lives, it's no unusual thing for a granny of 80 to think she's done her good deed for the day by buying a 10 year old his day's packet of cigarettes.  And I am NOT exaggerating.  My husband, before he was saved, mentioned a similar "good deed" he'd done.  This isn't limited to cigarettes either.  It's considered normal for a 10-year old or younger to start drinking.  So, you can imagine what the rest of the drug, alcohol, violence, and sex culture is here. 

I've said all that to say:  We're in the right place.  Missionaries may well be needed in places like Uganda or Malasia.  But they are just as needed here in Bonny Scotland where the ones who claim to be Christians stand in only the 2% and that number also includes those Rangers (Protestant) fans and Celtics (Catholic) fans.  (Soccer is EVERYTHING here.)

PRAY for the nations.  Not because you necessarily want to but because God says to.  Plain and simple.

What's new in everyone else's lives?  Anything at all?  Nothing?  News is news on this quiet corner.

Interesting development.  There are two guys, about 18 or 19, who, for the past several nights, have been knocking on our kitchen windows wanting to talk.  It's REALLY strange.  They're obviously drunk and not very coherent but they keep coming back.  And it hasn't been in a threatening manner, though the other night, Stewart went to put out the trash bins and they made for the door as he was opening it.  He was freaked out and locked the door in time before they could open it.  They didn't knock on the door, but instead, went back to the windows again. 

Anyone know what we should do?  It's happening really late at night, about 1 or 2am, and they are DEFINITELY drunk.  I dunno...  Maybe this is God?  Maybe not? 

I'm not sure if anyone will visit or return, but I though I would post a new "hello" and see what happens.

Hello, THAll.  Not much going on in this forum at the moment.  Think things have been getting too busy for people lately.  I know they have for myself.  Hence, the something on Nothing has really become Nothing on something.  (Wink) 

So, what's your deal?  Who are you?  Where is God taking you?  Where did He bring you from?  And why do you love Him?

Just some questions to get you started, if you like.

Hey, Anna:
  I just checked this area and the last time I checked it there was nothing on it just a few prayer request on the other area.  How are you and Stewart.  I am just fine, but the internship program is bust.  Rob didn't have enough time to work with it. I want to try to complete it anyway and was on here looking for information on the fourth phase of the program.  Bless you and Stewart and have a joyful time over there in Scotland.  When are you two coming to visit Indiana? Elizabeth

Hi all...My name is Dee and I attend the church in Grand Haven where Mike is Pastor.  I have been so intent on participating in our 'team' discussions, I never realized this site was out there.  Let me first start by sending out a great big Grand Haven welcome to my brothers and sisters around the world.  It's so exciting to have an opportunity to "increase our territory" as the prayer of Jabez says and make your aquaintence.

So to our Maine pastor,  Where in Maine?  I was supposed to visit a friend in Machias over the summer but those plans got derailed.  I was so disappointed but I still feel emotionally connected to Maine. 

To our Scot friends, great news about finding a Church.  I know what my family at Lighthouse has meant to me through the last several years.  I'm confident I couldn't have made it through without their love.

So, friends, have a blessed evening and I look forward to hearing from all of you again soon.  I'd love to pray about anything you need...especially for the harvest... 

Hey all, I'm glad to see a little activity on the forum.  These forums are really for test-drive purposes, so I have never intentionally tried to promote these forums publically.  But I am very glad to see you all doing the online community thing on your own...way to go!  Many church leaders don't understand that community can happen online.  They need examples to demonstrate what online community looks like.  Thank you for for being positive influencers!!! :)

Hi Dee, it's great to see some of us  Lighthouse people getting connected out here in Cyber church. My wife is getting her profile set up this morning as well.
   I decided to go by my middle name on this forum, that may turn out to be to confusing, anyway it's good to see you here.

Hey Gus, I'm curious, do you also utilize the forums within the Lighthouse account?  Of course you are more than welcome to use these forums.  I was just wondering how things were going within your Lighthouse online community?

I don't know if I have found those forums yet, I'll look.
I very much like the idea of communicating with distant christians online. It's the broaden the horizons thing.

Gus...I affirm your perspective 100%.  You will actually have to sign up a secondary account with your host ministry if you have not already done that.

But feel free to interact here as much as you want.  This area is really designed for church leaders who are taking our 24-hour FREE test drive.  But you would not believe how many church leaders don't get online forums...many think that forums are "NOT RELATIONAL"...can you believe it???  Your interactions here help cast the vision for others who need to learn about the value of interacting with Seekers and Christ Followers online.  Thank you so much for what you are doing.

Thank you for the info, I'll look into it.

Gus . . . I've been talking to online communities of people since 1999. It's very relational. The really cool thing is when you get to meet people face to face. Some people I've not ever seen, but have heard on the phone or voice chat. There are many times I've prayed over people on the internet. The amazing thing is that the Holy Spirit doesn't need anything else but faith to speak His heart. (Amazing isn't it?!) So . .praying for someone becomes a very incredible thing. The person being prayed for can't say that they are being manipulated or anything like that. They KNOW that it's the Holy Spirit they are feeling!

Hi Yadah...it's good to hear from you again. 

You and I have talked before about the relational value of online forums.  One forum user made such a wonderful and insightful statement about the use of forums, that we recorded her comments on audio and use the the audio clip in some of our seminars.  To play the clip click here.

Hello arae,


I read in one of your earlier posts that you are from Indiana. Would you by chance be from New Castle? If so I believe that we went to church together. First Assembly of God in New Castle. Hope All is well.

jim

JIM!!!!!!!!!

It's IS me!!!  Anna Robinson, as was!  And is now Anna Livingston, living in Bonny Scotland with my handsome Scotty man!  :)  How are you?  How's the fam?  What's God been doing in your life lately?  Where you guys working?  LOADS of questions, but not enough time just now.  In the middle of moving, new job, and no immediate internet access.  If you want, though, write back and give me all the news of you and yours and I will do the same!

Tell the fam, especially DJ, I said hello!

Anna (Arae)

Dear arae,
   I too am in a new town not knowing anyone.  I had to leave all my friends and some of my family and my ministry.  I do have a little bit of family in this town but they are always to busy to visit. My husband and I have always worked together but now he is working for his uncle so I have found myself with nothing to do. I have used this time to draw closer to the Lord and minister to Him and fellowship with Him.  I know the things that I've learned by being alone with Him are irreplaceable. Because I have finally taken my complaining  and hurts of the move  (which I did at first but changed my attitude) and started praising and thanking the Lord for a new adventure,  I know that there are new relationships and a new church for us where our gifts are going to be used.   By the way my younger sister is a Missionary in Scoutland with Youth with a Mission. Blessings to you

Right on, Sister!  I will definitely be on here more, now that I have "seen the love!"

Where's your sister based?

Anna (Arae)