THE
FMI REPORT - OCTOBER 2006
The Old Oak Tree, Best Ever Clergy Press Conference, Saskia's Art, A
Small Corner of Evil
"WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT... THINK ON THESE THINGS."
PHIL. 4:8
Welcome! What
a pleasure it is to be in touch with you again. The FMI Report
mainly documents the previous month's activities. We would like to
thank all of you who have been forwarding these messages to your
friends and family.
In
This Month's Report:
* Editorial -
The Old Oak Tree
* October Events - Third Annual Statewide Clergy Press
Conference in NJ
* October Ministry - Impacting the Northeast
* Tips and Resources - Saskia's Art
* Products - Two Great Resources (see link below)
* Partnership - Invest in God's Program for the Northeast of America
We would love to
hear from you; please send us your feedback today. Don’t forget the
ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy!
JB
EDITORIAL – The Old Oak Tree
INTRODUCTION
I just returned from three weeks of ministry in Australia and New Zealand. One of my earliest memories, as a five-year-old growing up in Hastings, New Zealand, was standing by the massive trunk of the old oak tree in the park around the corner from my home and gazing up through the leaves at what seemed to me to be huge branches that almost touched the sky.
IMMOVABLE
I moved from Hastings when I was 17 and lived in various cities around New Zealand, then made the shift to Australia, where I lived for half my life before moving to the United States nearly eight years ago. Significant events, usually concerning family, would take me back to Hastings from time to time. Every time I returned, I would inevitably find my way to the old oak tree, just to see if it was still there. It would always look the same; strong, immovable, and almost touching the sky!
NUMBER OUR DAYS
That old oak tree never seems to change. It has
always been there to help me order my days. In Psalm 90:12, the psalmist
asks the Lord to 
"...teach us to number our days, that we may gain a
heart of wisdom."
Before moving to America, I lived the first half my life in New Zealand and the second half in Australia, to the day. I lived on the east coast of New Zealand, then on the east coast of New South Wales in Australia, and now I live on the east coast of the United States in New Jersey. In a world of unexpected intrusions, which always have the potential to derail us, there is comfort found in landmarks the Lord gives us and by believing that "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord..." (Psalm 37:23).
LANDMARKS
Landmarks are important to our lives, especially in a world of shifting sands, where curved balls and the unexpected can jolt us out of the security of our hopes, dreams, and plans. Even when leaders fail and we all feel the effect, or things don't turn out as we expected, it's a time to look back to the landmarks of our lives and re-establish our bearings.
There is an immovable Rock that we can use to keep ourselves on course, no matter what chaos may come, not only through this life but in the life to come. To me, He is Jesus!
What's your landmark...? #
OCTOBER EVENTS...
Third Annual
NJ Statewide Clergy Press Conference Best Ever -
On October 5th, the NJ Coalition to Preserve and
Protect Marriage, NJ FAITH Alliance, and the NJ Family Policy Council
hosted the third annual NJ Statewide Clergy Press Conference and Prayer
Luncheon in the state's capitol of Trenton.
President of NJFPC, Len Deo, and I led the charge. Hundreds of clergy converged outside the Capitol building to let their voices be heard concerning the sanctity of marriage. This was preceded by a meeting of key spiritual leaders in the state with a close advisor to the Governor. The event was widely covered by many newspapers and several of the state's major TV networks, including the lead story on the 6 pm news on News 12 New Jersey.
There was a specific focus for this year's event - the impending NJ Supreme Court's decision on a case that could legalize gay marriage in NJ.
Subsequently, the Court handed down a decision on October 25th. Len Deo comments, "In an earth-shattering opinion of 4-3, the New Jersey Supreme Court rendered its decision on Wednesday denying homosexuals a fundamental right to marriage, but at the same time demanding the legislature do something to either create same-sex 'marriage' or an equivalent distribution of benefits to committed homosexual couples as are given to married heterosexual couples. The legislature has 180 days to comply.
In addition, there is a statement in the legal opinion by the Court as follows: 'However the Legislature may act, same-sex couples will be free to call their relationships by the name they choose and to sanctify their relationships in religious ceremonies in houses of worship.' There is no caveat as to what type of houses of worship, so one would assume they mean all houses of worship."
OCTOBER MINISTRY…
Places of Ministry During October:
Sun, 15th - Blue Mountains City Church,
Blaxland, NSW, Australia, Pastors John and Marion Drury
Sat, 20th - Elim Christian Centre Youth, East Elim, Auckland, New
Zealand, Pastor Richard Batchelor
Sun, 22nd - Napier City Elim Church, “The Oasis,” Napier, New
Zealand, Pastor Bruce Collingwood
Sun, 29th - Elim Christian Centre – East Elim, Auckland, New
Zealand, Pastor Luke Brough
"Jeff, Your ministry on the weekend was
excellent. God used you to stir up our people's faith in God, in what
God is doing across the earth, and their faith for souls. Your
evangelistic gift was greatly used by God to call people to commitment.
We had 22 decisions for Christ in the three services, with many of those
being first time decisions, including one man who is a local high school
principal.
Our people were impacted by your spirit of faith and the perspective you
have on what God is doing across the planet. Your prophetic teaching was
very powerful. We look forward to having you return sometime next year
when you visit Oz again. Thanks, mate." Pastor John Drury, Blue
Mountains City Church, Sydney, Australia
NEWS AND RESOURCES…
* Saskia's Art -
Dutch born Saskia Smith moved to New
Zealand in 1984 after a 10-year stint traveling around Australia
with her family. In 2001, Saskia took up oil painting as a hobby – a
creative outlet. As it transpires, she has not been the only one who
appreciates her hobby. Her paintings immediately began to capture
people's attention. Saskia's paintings now hang in various homes
around New Zealand – and abroad. Saskia hopes that her work, both on
canvas and in music, will continue to delight and encourage friends
and acquaintances for many years to come.
http://www.saskia.co.nz
* Bible Network News - This site brings you up-to-date reports from around the world. A Canadian Bible Society website. http://www.biblenetworknews.com
* Apologetics Press -
Articles, audio lectures, documents, e-books,
and FAQs defending Christianity. Site also features a store and
seminar schedules.
http://www.apologeticspress.org
TWO ESSENTIAL MESSAGES AVAILABLE THROUGH FMI...
Watch What You Worship!
Few people know what worship really is. Even in Christian churches,
worship is a battleground marked with confusion, misconception, and
prejudice. Most of us come to a church service with personal
preferences and expectations. Few of us have any clear idea of what
the Lord expects from our gatherings. When people don't know Who the
true object of their worship should be, they will worship anything!
Learn how to be a true worshiper in spirit and in truth!
True Colors - "All For One And One
For All!"
Today's ministry is no place for
cowards! A stirring message about courage being the "missing virtue"
in a modern church increasingly facing a hostile culture of
unbelief. You will be strengthened by this message of hope.
Available on DVD, audio CD, and audio cassette. To order, click here.
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awakening in America and beyond. Donations are tax deductible.
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JEFF BEACHAM
Pastor
/ Evangelist
Firepower Ministries International
2 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 349-1550, ext. 205 | Fax: (732) 286-6311
Email:
info@firepowerint.com Website:
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©2006 - The FMI Report is the monthly communication of news from Firepower Ministries International, the ministry of Jeff Beacham. top