Waiver Not

To waver:  hesitate, tremble, be indecisive, shudder, or quiver. 

 “Waver Not”. 

 Those are the words I heard as I woke up the other day. 

It was early and as I stumbled, coffee in hand, to my morning chair I gazed drowsily out the window.  The sun was shining brightly as the petal of a newborn rose bent under the weight of the morning dew. A breeze happened by, tousling the leaf holding the infant bud in place.  It held on for all it was worth, unwilling to be sent scampering across the lawn.  It held on for all it was worth, unwilling to be sent scampering across the lawn.  I hope to hold on to the promises God has spoken over my life as tightly as that leaf held onto the stem of my rose.

The Lord wraps His hand around us much like the process of photosynthesis; turning atmospheric gas and water into food and air storing it for nutritional purpose. Never letting us go unless we pull away; promising life and it in abundance, provision through inheritance, hope, faith and the love of a Father who first wanted us.  Just as water enlivens and strengthens a withering rose, God’s word produces life.  I’m hungry to grab onto the scriptures, burrowing deep inside them; speak them over myself, family, and friends, write them on my mirror, whatever it takes to get them deep inside of my soul.  I don’t want to just memorize the Word but live the Word.  We must take the Word of God from our head to our heart to our hands and act on it.

Abraham was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21 says “He (Abraham) staggered (wavered) not at the promise (announcement, message) of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded (completely assured or convinced) that, what he had promised, (guaranteed) he was able also to perform.” 

The world offers so many distractions, alternatives and apathetic options.  (Really, Lord, can’t I just watch TV tonight?)  However, no demon is safe when we are walking under the authority of Christ.  Reminded of Abraham's passion I am stirred to pursue the promises spoken, longing for nothing to hinder the walk. 

Whatever you believe your promise is from the Lord, don’t give up.  Don’t reduce your dreams to second best.  Listen and be obedient to His word.  Stand unwavering, “For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 1:20)  And “Let us hold fast (possess, retain, seize, take) the profession (acknowledgment) of our faith without wavering; (being indecisive, irresolute, hesitant, fickle) for he is faithful (sure, true) that promised.  Hebrews10:23

Remember, weeble’s wobble but they don’t fall down.

Rid your latrine of bad smell and pests

This information was brought to us by our dear friend: 

Lori SalleyShow Mercy International -Co-Founder

Posted by MARIAM MULUMBA

Individuals in the suburbs tend to associate pit latrines with poor hygiene, bad smell and diseases thus avoiding them. However, the significance of pit latrines in the Ugandan society can’t be denied and luckily, there are several methods you can employ to ensure a more welcome and pleasant smelling pit latrine.

Rachel Kibwika, a housewife living in Gayaza advises people to get ash accumulated from their charcoal burners and throw it in the pit. “It wards off blue bottle flies and other sorts of insects such as cockroaches,” she says, adding that this will also help rid your latrines of the bad smell that is often linked with pit latrines.

Another method of deflecting the terrible stench in pit latrines is by the use of engine oil. Amina Mulumba of Kawempe says that the engine oil also reduces on the number of disease causing insects such as flies and cockroaches without her having to pour it in the pit very often; only whenever she has old engine oil that she needs to dispense of.

Andrew Mtupanyama, who lives in Malawi prescribes the growing of plants with good aromas in close proximity to the pit latrine, for example the Night Queen Shrub or the Eucalyptus plant or even tomatoes which are said to absorb the bad smell from the pit latrines. This not only brightens up the area with some vivacious colour but helps in warding off the bad smell around the latrine.

Using Black Dippex (also known as Jeyes fluid), moderates the bad smell in pit latrines though it has a strong odour that may not be pleasant itself or even cause allergic reactions to its users.

Burning of pine leaves or banana leaves while suspended in the latrine pit improves the smell in the latrine and also lowers the number of flies, cockroaches and other unpleasant creatures likely to originate from the latrine within the vicinity.

One can improve the ventilation through the addition of a chimney so that odours rise through it and disperse. Chimneys also reduce the number of pests, which reduces the possibility of individuals getting diseases such as cholera that are transmitted by flies originating from pit latrines.

Pit latrines may be overlooked but their value cannot be underscored since they help numerous households reduce on the water bills and can also be used in times of water shortages, a period when flushing toilets may become impractical.
Fortunately, with the above tips bad smell and pests in and around your latrine could be a thing of the past.

for more great tips please visit our website at www.edenssong.org

gatekeeper global ministries

As GGM's Idaho contact, Roy and I would like to share more information about this incredible apostolic ministry.

Catherine Brown is the founder/director of Gatekeepers Global Ministries (GGM) and is a sought-after national and international preacher and teacher. She is presently leading a global evangelism and discipleship mission entitled “GGM 7 Million Souls” and is working with her team and valued partners from many nations to achieve the vision objectives. As of January 2011, there are 30,000 new converts and 69 new church plants.

Catherine operates in an impacting apostolic/prophetic mantle with a strong revival thrust on her preaching, serving the Church and the lost through Christ’s Gospel of love.  She has ministered in Europe, Africa, Israel and the USA and has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptized, healed and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with signs and wonders following. 

Catherine has authored six books and is a columnist for several other ministries in the UK and the USA including Cross Rhythms and Elijah Rain Magazine. She is married to Stephen and they have four lovely children and live in the West Coast of Scotland.

Gatekeepers Global Ministries is the apostolic/prophetic ministry of Catherine Brown and her team/partners.  With an operational base in Scotland, UK their ministry is dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission and obeying the two Great Commandments.  They are devoted with you, to serving the poor as Jesus exhorts us in Matthew 25 - to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the stranger, pray for the sick, visit the prisoner and also look after widows and orphans. Catherine and her team are committed to reaching 7 million souls with Christ’s love during the next 7 years – in evangelism, in discipleship and in church planting for the transformation of individuals, communities and nations!

GGM is developing a network of Christian leaders who are passionate about God and community transformation but at the same time place a great emphasis on relationships.  Their aim is to develop relationships amongst ourselves that help to support one another as individuals, giftings, ministries and communities. 

Knowing so many of you have a heart similar to Catherine's, we want to apprise you of her ministry.  Please visit http://www.gatekeepers.org.uk for more information and the opportunity to partner with GGM in their desire to reach 7 million souls.

Water Proof & Air Tight

This is a great idea from Darrell Blatchley (Family Circus in the Philippians).

Zip-top bags are great, but sometimes you buy something in bulk and you're stuck with an un-sealable bag. Home-centric blog Re-Nest shows us an easy way to give these bags an airtight seal with an old water bottle.

All you need to do is cut off the top of the bottle and take off the cap. Push the bag through the bottle neck, fold it over the edges, and twist the cap back on. Now, your bag has an air and water tight seal, and you didn't have to waste the bag.

Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo.

Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top to seal.

 

The bag is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw cap!  This is a great idea to share. Good for us and the environment too.