we be church

[Sore Thumbs] In the Face of Death Edition

In this edition of Sore Thumbs I wanted to highlight three testimonies from three women who have all faced death in various ways. These testimonies are amazing because despite all their difficulties they continue to rely on God and to know his love and presence.

Lucy Mason

Lucy is a personal friend of my own family and who died recently from cancer. She shares what God was doing within her last months. I think one of my best memories of Lucy was when I was a we nipper, I was holding her hand walking from a park and I had a runny nose. To my mum’s horror I preceded to wipe my nose using Lucy’s hand. “Dan!” Mum exclaimed. But Lucy was fine with it and laughed, that was the kind of lady she was, so full of grace. (you need to search “Lucy Mason” in the speaker drop down menu after following the link). Listen to her testimony

Rachel Barkey

Rachel an entrepreneur, writer, mother and wife is also suffering from terminal cancer but states that God is still her salvation. Watch her testimony which she has named “death is not dying“.

Jill McCloughry

A singer in Hillsong she gave birth to her first son who was born prematurely and soon after died, she reveals that despite our own circumstances God is still on the throne and bigger than anything. You can watch her video below.

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Sore Thumbs is a weekly post mainly of short encouraging links that stick out. If you have come across a link or resource that you think would fit on this blog then why not email it to dlee at webchurch.com

[Sore Thumbs] The Haves & Have Nots Edition

Every week I link to resources and sites that stand out and which are worth pointing people to, hence the name sore thumbs, “it stood out like a sore thumb”.

Simon Pettit on Remembering the Poor (mp3)

At the Brighton Leadership conference in 1998, Simon Pettit preached ‘Remember the Poor’, a sermon that has since shaped the way that Newfrontiers churches think about Social Action. “Whether it’s the church in Africa, or in Harrow, we need to get an understanding that when we care for the needy, when we preach good news to the poor, when we seek to develop the God-given creativity of poor people, when we equip people with the skills they need so they can make godly choices for themselves and for their families, when we promote enterprise with financial help; those aren’t just the work of aid agencies or the government, that’s part of the apostolic calling of the church of Jesus Christ.” (Listen or download the the Talk)

Farming God’s Way in Zimbabwe

“Zimbabwe is a nation in crisis. Poverty is rife, chronic malnutrition is widespread and aid agencies are warning that 5 million people, almost half the population, face starvation by early next year… It’s a bleak picture, yet in the midst of this humanitarian catastrophe the church in Zimbabwe is declaring hope and truth. Churches have united to run a campaign to ‘Feed the Nation’ through Farming God’s Way, a method of farming developed within the Newfrontiers churches that results in yields which are typically 10 times higher than conventional farming methods.” (Find out more about Farming God’s Way or Give to the Zimbabwe Crisis Appeal via Newfrontiers)

African Innovation

“AfriGadget is a website dedicated to showcasing African ingenuity. A team of bloggers and readers contribute their pictures, videos and stories from around the continent. The stories of innovation are inspiring. It is a testament to Africans bending the little they have to their will, using creativity to overcome life’s challenges.”
Living in African I can remember playing Lego with some of the local lads and marveling at what they would create it topped anything I could do. Likewise the AfriGadget site is full of wonderfull African innovation. (discover some great African ingenuity)

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Found a great resource or link that you think will fit here? It might make the Sore Thumb Edition if you send it my way by email, just write to dlee at webechurch.com

[Sore Thumbs] The Greenfingers Edition

Every week I link to resources and sites that stand out and which are worth pointing people to, hence the name sore thumbs, “it stood out like a sore thumb”.

Why Church Plant?

“The Great Commission was actually given at five different times in separate locations. On each occasion the Lord added to the previous command, and so we need to think about the total picture to understand the full implications of the Great Commission…” (read the study at Adventures of a Church Planter)

Newfrontiers Church Planting Website

“Since the time of Abraham, God has been intent on filling the world with his glory (Gen 12:1-3) and we believe that the very best way to do this is by the starting of new churches” This new site has been built to encourage the goal of seeing 400 church plants in the UK. It is full of case studies, information about current and future plants and information about a conference in Autumn 2009. Embedded below is one case study by Stef Liston who is planting a church in Camden, London. (view the Newfrontiers Church Planting website)

The preparation phase: Stef Liston – Revelation Church, Camden (London) from Newfrontiers Church Planting on Vimeo.

Song: More Than a Conqueror

Artist Mali has a blend of smooth RnB and passionate Gospel that is refreshingly honest lyrically. His song More Than a Conqueror is based on Romans 8 and particularly verse 37, “Cos God’s covenant with me I always have the victory”. (Mali on Myspace, Mali on iTunes)

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Found a great resource or link that you think will fit here? It might make the Sore Thumb Edition if you send it my way by email, just write to dlee at webechurch.com

[Sore Thumbs] The Afrocentric Edition

I thought it would be good to link to a few things that stand out every week and which are worth pointing people to, hence the name sore thumbs.

Broadband in Africa

“By December 2007 terrestrial broadband networks were now available in every capital city in Africa, some 50% of main cities, 10% of secondary cities and 2% of towns…” (read the article on the White African blog)

EveryBlock

“EveryBlock filters an assortment of local news by location so you can keep track of what’s happening on your block, in your neighborhood and all over your city.” A web service currently only for the major cities in the US it’s a good way of researching civic atmosphere of your local community… (use the web service)

Get Better at Contextualization

“Contextualization and church planting aren’t anything new. These have been practices of the missional church for centuries, and in comparison to what is passed off as contextualization today, our early planting fathers put us to shame…” (read article on The Resurgence blog)

Mass Baptism

“People pressed as closely as they could on one another, in five (?) lines. They estimated they baptised about 700 people that day.” An beautiful photo story of hundreds getting dunked in Pemba Bay, Mozambique. (see the sideshow)

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Got a cool link that you think will fit here? It might make the Sore Thumb Edition if you send it my way by email, just write to dlee at webechurch.com