Technical Support

Over the years I have often been called upon by people to help them out with their computer problems. A lot of the time I enjoyed the challenge of problem solving, although more often than not, the innocent question of "could you have a look at my computer when you have 10 minutes" became something that took up many hours.I am laughing more every time I watch this, it's so like what happens today. I am dedicating this post to my friend Andrew Roycroft who is not only rapidly turning into a techie, he has also maintained and simultaneously rediscovered his love of that fabulous invention, which the rest of us seem to be forgetting about - the book! (sorry for the Pauline sentence construction)

Oswald Chambers Devotional

May this challenge and bless you as it did me.

He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8

Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don’t know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out," building your confidence in God. ". . . do not worry about your life . . . nor about the body . . ." (Luke 12:22). In other words, don’t worry about the things that concerned you before you did "go out."

Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do— He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?

Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to "go out" through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.

New Website Just Launched

I have been planning to do this for the past 3 years... but here it is - finally!
www.thecousinsfamily.org

Joel's Lego Church

Click here to see a short video of Joel's Lego Church
Click here for a short video of David on his first bicycle (warning 10MB!)
Both videos require the free viewer QuickTime for Windows or for Mac

The Vic 20 and the Commodore 64

According to the BBC, veteran technology firm Commodore has just launched a new generation of high-end gaming computers at the Cebit trade fair in Germany.

In 1982 I became the proud owner of my first computer! Did anybody else out there own a Vic 20? It arrived in the US and Europe in 1981, it was one of the first home computers to feature a colour display.

I then progressed to the Commodore 64, which became a 1980s icon. It remains the biggest-selling computer model of all time, selling more than 17m units worldwide. Do you remember how we loaded programmes and games by playing a tape in a cassette deck and typing 'load' and then 'play'. But what about the huge memory expansion cartridges which could be plugged into the back to up the RAM to 64kb !!! (I'm serious!)

JYC Missionary Rally

Around 150 young people attended our JYC Missionary Rally on Saturday night past in Dungannon. It was great to see a number of the JYCs represented, some who travelled a considerable distance to be there. Claudia and I put on an 70 minute programme of quizzes, singing, testimony, presentation of the work and an epilogue to close with the missionary challenge.
Photo: David Crutchley on guitar - Angie on the keyboard and me on the PowerPoint with the new banner in the background

CEF Europe - steady growth continues!

Our statistical reports for 2006 have just be released and the figures give much cause for rejoicing - we praise God for all He is doing!

• There are now 536 full-time workers, serving in 46 European countries.
  
• Last year 715,000 children were contacted through at least one of CEFs' ministries and 14,000 were counseled for salvation!
• The Youth Challenge ministry also continues to grow with 345 JYC groups now in Europe reaching 4,400 junior teens. 215 were counseled for salvation in 2006.
  
• Romania once again has come out top with almost 1,200 young people attending JYCs. I recently received an invitation to visit Romania and to teach in an JYC Instructors course. We are now planning this for February 2008.

New Youth Challenge Banner

For some time now I have wanted to produce a large pull-up display banner for European Youth Challenge. In January I met with Brent, our Graphic Artist in Kilchzimmer and explained to him that I was looking for something that I could use during deputation but also in my future ministry throughout Europe as a backdrop or as part of a missions stand. I wanted to incorporate the Youth Challenge logo with a photograph of junior teens, a map of Europe and a clear link with CEF.
Today I collected the finished banner and I am very pleased with the final result. This will be a great tool for helping to promote the ministry.
I just want to say thanks to Brent for a wonderful design, to Philippe and David for all their practical help and to Johnston Conville for introducing me to the company in Belfast who produced the banner. A true team effort!

Teens Weekend

We had a great weekend as a family with the 14-17 year olds at the Teens Weekend in Kilkeel. Our boys really enjoyed themselves too. Angie spoke on the theme of Knowing God, using the four talks to look at His love, holiness, sovereignty and grace.
Last week Claudia emailed two churches in Germany and they have agreed to make it known that we are looking for accommodation in the area. Please pray that God will open doors for us and guide us to the right people.
Our prayer letter was also sent out at the end of last week. If you asked for it and you haven't yet received it, please let us know and we will send one out to you.

FOR SALE

Well, the time has come! We believe that now is the right time to put our house on the market.

Our plans for moving to Germany are now entering a new phase. No doubt the next weeks will be very stressful but we pray that through the whole experience, God will strengthen our faith and teach us to lean more on Him.

Please pray that we will get a good price!

• Click here to go to the estate agent website
• View more photographs here

Amelia

I took some photographs today of my niece Amelia at 6 days old. She is doing very well, as are her mum and dad and brother.