Day 28: Church with Heidi

Jordan and I spent the day with Heidi and some of her friends Aaron (from the US), Joy, Maria, and Claudia. We met at Aaron at the McDonalds behind Victoria Mall, & then went to the Victoria McDonalds, where we met up with Maria and Claudia.

We then traveled across town to the NCCC Mall, where some of us had planned to go bowling, but unfortunately, we forgot socks, so we couldn't. Oh well!! For the next 1.5 hrs, we were stuck in an electronic store, waiting in line to get some necessities (everything is SO cheap over here, but made very well).

Aaron, Jordan, Heidi, me, Claudia (Maria's taking the picture)

Heidi, Jordan, Aaron, Maria, Claudia

We then went to a G12 Church called "Lord of the Harvest" (which was the real reason for this whole expedition anyway--it's the church as well). The service, which was preached by Pastor Noel (pro. Nole) Alkuino was very thought provoking. Here are the highlights (I wish I could make it a powerful message, but the right words fail me):

Many people thing of 'Normal Christianity' as people who are being nominal Christians - saying but not really doing what God has commanded of us, or just piddling around with following Christ. Many people also are shocked by Christians who are really following God with their whole hearts...they're thought of as 'extra-religious, extremely devout, abnormal, physco, exceedingly conservative, etc'. But in all actuality, 'Normal Christianity' should be the High Christian Standard of what God has called us to do!! Anything other than that, should not be looked at as normal: it is not!!!

Galatians 5:22 says: But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The 'Spirit' is the Spirit of God. We are to live out His Fruit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for our whole life. If we are not, then we are not not 'Normal Christians', because we are not manifesting the Spirit of God. Isn't that a switch???

Next thought:

1) The Power of Association:

   a) Who we associate with (family, friends, etc.) will shape us.

   b) Our close friends will affect and influence our mindset (Num. 13-14) and our values (1 Cor. 15:33).

  c) Friends are either for good or for evil. (Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are!!)

Other things he talked about, were immoral relationships, ungodly friends (2 Cor. 6:14-15) and groups, and premature relationships/timing (Eccl. 3:11a).

Something else I found interesting (this was right after the announcement), was that under 'immoral relationships', he mentioned how New York has just made Same Sex Marriage legal, & how disgusting and abominational it is. Interestingly, he didn't say "New York, USA", he just said "New York". A good reminder that we are being watched by other nations, and that we need to do as 2 Chron. 7:14 says:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Night Shift went really well. Jordan---after 7 labors that were either dismissed, transported, or endorsed---handled her first birth. I was honored to be the charter at it, which was a lot of fun. The birth was one of the easiest ones we have seen here....what a blessing!!!

 Then, right after that, I assisted another birth....what fun!!!