Manila Blog Journal

Feb 4
We just finished the first conference and the second group arrives in a couple of hours. I really don't think things couple be going any better than they have. We have had a great time together -- the training has been excellent, there were many miracles, and we are moving forward with the progression of the project at the churches fully integrate into Foursquare.

I do not have email access at the conference. Right now I am at Pete and Tina Forras' home. Tomorrow will be a really long day and then the next morning Bryant Sabandal and I begin the long journey home.

Thanks for your prayers. All is well and I will be home soon.



Feb. 1
So today is Sunday here in Manila. It's 8:30 a.m. and I just got off the phone with Heidi. If you've never used "Magic Jack" before, it's a great way to make unlimited calls for free if you travel internationally. Great way to keep in touch...
Anyhow, John and Sonja Decker and I are doing well. They were lucky/blessed to be upgraded to first class on our way over here. We arrived yesterday and spent the day "recovering" from the travel. We also made lots of copies for the upcoming training events and did some preparation.
Last night I went to a new Foursquare Church called "The Call". It was attended by Bryant and Patty Sabandal, the Forras family, and Val & Sally Chavez.
Right now I am staying at the Richmonde Hotel, 22nd floor, with great views of the city. As I looked out over the sprawling metropolis I prayed for the project and our leaders who are working hard to see hope and transformation take place is the lives of the millions of urban poor who are pursuing their dreams in what appears to a "dead end road." While on a run just before sunrise I passed a man, his wife and their two year old daughter sitting on the roadside curb just across from the slum where their home surely is located. As I heard the birds singing, the roosters crowing, the warm, humid air enveloping us -- and as they were their chatting as their daughter rode on her tricycle - I thought to myself, this is true happiness. These people appear to be happier than a lot of people I know. They have each other, they talk to each other, and they appear to be happy as they enjoy time with each other as the day breaks.
Poverty isn't all that it appears to be. These people may be incredibly poor. They live in conditions that would break most of us. Yet they have a quality of life that eludes many of us - thus revealing our own emotional, relational and spiritual poverty. There are lessons to be learned from the couple on the curb.
I hope I can sleep tonight. It's been a restless few nights of jet-lag recovery. I don't take sleeping pills like many international travellers,
Tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. (Monday), Pete will come over to watch the Superbowl with me. I don't expect to be eating hot-wings and guacamole. I will be rooting for Arizona (I can never forgive the Steelers for beating the Seahawks). Then we head for Bosa Bosa Highlands where our first training event begins at 11:30 a.m. We are expecting 150 leaders during the five day conference.
Thanks for actually reading this!! (Assuming I didn't lose you). Thanks also for your prayers. Learn more about the project at www.ucpp.org, or view the Power Point I posted on the previous blog. I'll update this as often as I can. Hope to post some photos next time.

Perspectives - Lesson Two "The Story of His Glory"

This is the Power Point presentation I used for lesson two of Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, taught in Mt. Vernon and Anacortes on January 25 and 26th.

The Manila Project - 2009

The Manila Project

2009
In less then a week I'll be travelling to Manila with John and Sonja Decker for a week-long training with the leaders of the UCPP. Glenn Burris Jr. and James Craft will be joining us for one day of our training. Pete and Tina Forras as well as Bryant and Patty Sabandal will be there for the entire event. This is a strategic year and a strategic time. Thank-you for your prayers and giving to this project.

Bosa-Bosa Highlands - Site of the training.

God's Top Ten List - The Pursuit of Empty Things (No idols)

The Power Point is HERE.

Study Guide is HERE.

Audio is HERE.

Do you struggle with idol worship? Probably not...at least at a surface level we don't...but perhaps our limited and limiting views of God create a false image of Him.

Introduction to the Gospels

Last night we started a twelve week series on the Gospels.

HERE is my Power Point.

HERE are the handouts.

HERE are my personal notes.

Concert Calendar...Modern Mosaic

Modern Mosaic has some great upcoming concerts that you should try to catch. My son, Levi, Seth Watkins (Bass), and Jeff Baldwin (Drums), make up this great new band that plays rockin' indie alternative music with some great lyrics and musicianship.:

Jan. 13 at Studio Seven

Jan 24 at the Lyon's Den

March 6: Kirkland Teen Center

Directions, details and music can be found HERE.

God's Top Ten List - Who's Number One?

Sermon notes are HERE.

Audio/Podcast is posted HERE.

PowerPoint is HERE.

Study guides have already been posted (see previous blog).

Bags of Joy 2008 Mission to Manila

God's Top Ten List - Study and Discussion Guide

God’s Top Ten List:
Who’s Number One? The First Commandment
Study Guide by Pastor Matt Messner
Sermon will be spoken at Eastside Church, January 10-11, 2009

In what ways does uncertainty and hope characterize your view of 2009?

What are you uncertain about?

In what ways are you hopeful?


Read Exodus 19:1-6
What was God’s original purpose for Israel?

What are the implications of being His “treasured possession”?

Have you ever thought of yourself as a “priest”?
A priest is a mediator who stands between God and others. This was God’s calling to Israel – that they would be mediators to the nations. In what ways is God calling His people to do this today?


Read Exodus 20:1-3
The Ten Commandments provided boundaries for God’s relationship with His people. He is initiating this relationship.

Egypt and the surrounding nations were “pantheists.” Their worldview included many gods and a constant temptation to worship them. This commandment endorses “monotheism.”

What are the gods that tempt us? With what gods do you struggle?

Some define gods as those things that come before Him in our priorities, plans and in our affection. What are those things in your life?


Read Matthew 22:34-40
How does loving God wholeheartedly support the first commandment?

Is an exclusive relationship characteristic of a loving relationship? Why?

How is humility and grace needed when it comes to keeping the first commandment?

How have you struggled with keeping God as your first priority? Does it help to think of Him as the center of your life rather than number one on your list?


To do: Honestly examine your affections, repent as needed and commit yourself to love.

Pray: Let Philippians 1:9-11 provide you with a framework for your prayer.

Christmas Testimony

A testimony of Christmas joy from a family in the church who faced tremendous challenges this past year. The husband (Don) had a heart transplant which put them not only through an overwhelming physical trial, but a financial trial as well. I have omitted some of the names to maintain confidentiality. One of our small groups “adopted” them for Christmas.

This is the church at work…CLICK HERE to read the testimony.

New Districts in the Foursquare Church

The above link is an explanation of the changing structure of the Foursquare Church in the U.S. It has a big impact on Eastside Foursquare Church, since Jim Hayford is our current district supervisor. http://www.foursquare.org/