Archive for September, 2008

Leg 3… Cairns

{ September 26, 2008 @ 8:43 pm } · { 1 }
{ Tags: , , } · { Comments (11) }

So the… at last I can spend a little time bringing you all up to date on the Pastor(s) World trip. I guess one word that the Aussie’s use a lot will come in handy here – AWESOME!

After a quick flight up on the Tuesday morning (and 80 minutes on the phone with Qantas again!) we eventually made it to our self catering accommodation. The name of the establishment I hear you ask? Yep it’s called “Max’s Place” Seriously, that is what it is called. I feel the hand of God in all of this some how! Max did slip off one morning.. Make sure you see his photo’s

The beach here is amazing and the temperatures are normally in the 30’s (that’s “C” as well!) with a balmy spring breeze it is hard to imagine being here in the summer when the temperature can hit the mid 40’s. Phew… I would spend all of my time hosing Shelagh down in the shade! Seriously all, we are having a wonderful time. I have just finished reading my second book of the sabbatical (Ravvi Zechariahs – The End of Reason)

Briefly it has gone something like this…. Beach, beach, beach, car (Mission Beach – North) car (Daintree Rainforests (North) car (Karanda / train / Skyrail) car (Cape Tribulation) car (Coffee Plantation and shopping)

I know that this is gripping for all of you, so do try to keep up! We were booked to go on to the Reef and a “Cay” today but owing to strong winds etc. it has been postponed until next Sunday. We were due to go to the Northern Beaches Church, but sadly (and I REALLY do mean that) we will not be able to make it. The reason we came to Cairns was for the reef.. So the reef it will have to be. Regarding Operation Jonah… I am unsure if I will dive. The problem is that I had an emergency dash to the doctors a couple of days before setting off on our trip from the UK and so am actually carrying steroids with me just in case. For some reason the Aussie medics are a tad nervous of people going underwater with such complaints, so I will keep you posted. I may just have to settle for a special something else. Either way, the love that the gift was given to me with is clearly at the fore. “Thanks” simply is not a good enough word…. Anyway, on with the pics and keep those comments coming on in folks!

With loads a mushy pommy love, Pastor Mike and Shelagh

One of my all time favourite photo’s. Shelagh fulfilling her dream for the second time in her lifetime. I kept the lady talking for as long as I could so Shelagh got a 10 minute cuddle. In Aussie terms that’s around $150 worth!!!!!!!

She actually cried whilst cuddling the little doped tree dweller. Awww everyone, isn’t she cute? (Shelagh I mean)

Paradise Cove, our home for two weeks. Someone has to do it! It really is this deserted, though the schools have just broken up so there have been around three children spotted…

Not only children, but the shark nets, the Crocodile warnings and the 8 different types of marine stingers (Jellyfish to us wurzles) makes it a really exciting swim.

Note to my friends from Northgate… you were RIGHT!!!!! There are killer things out there!

Cairns Lagoon. Right in the middle of the City is a free beached pool for the public to use. I wonder if Truro would consider…

Cape Tribulation. There we were with our swim stuff, snorkels etc. Ready to dive in when a ranger warned us that a (selfish) 5 meter resident was hanging around out there just waiting for a bit of exotic food. Shame, it took 2 hours to get there!

Off to Kuranda by train (45 mins through stunning rainforests) and then back via Sky Rail (45 mins Cable Car over said stunning rainforests) stopping at the Baron Waterfalls.

Meanwhile, Max who was getting totally fed up with being stuck in the back of the car for endless hours…

…decided to sneak out for a dawnie early one morning while we were still asleep…

… the surf looked a good clean overhead (for a Mere Cat that is)…

…just as he was about to go get his short board he spots a sign…

…ah well. Some compensation at least. He spends a couple of hours topping up his tan (he is of course black and tan) before…

…he skidaddles home before 11 am and no one is any the wiser.

That is apart from the photographic evidence that we found on his camera. Silly Mere Cat!

Closing thoughts…

I know that when I get back, people will want to know what God has been talking to me about. Lots actually. I have been quite impacted by the book that I mentioned earlier, a book written by a Hindo convert to Christianity who is now a renowned Christian philosopher and apologist. He has written a book called “The End of Reason” to refute Sam Harris’s recent “Letter to America” a scathing atheistic book that seeks to denigrate God and bring hopelessness to the world. Everything that Jesus actually came against.

In it he clearly puts forward a blow by blow response to the various points that Harris (and Stephen Dawkin in his “The God Delusion”) with huge vitriol throws out against Christianity.

It has done my soul good to read again of the absolutes of God, His love, moral reason etc. in this “anything goes if I like it” post modern world. Jesus truly is Lord, and the like of Harris and Dawkin need to hear well reasoned arguments against their brand of scientific hopeless message that brings humanity down to a bunch of molecules and gasses (no comments please!) Can I commend this book to you?

Folks, my $4 is now up and I must away. We leave for NZ on Tuesday (North Island) so I will try to keep you all as up to date as I can. Keep on reading, keep on coming back, and keep on with Jesus!
We love you guys soooo much, Pastor Mike, Shelagh (and of course, Max, the renegade Mere Cat)

The Cairns Leg

{ September 21, 2008 @ 7:02 pm } · { 1 }
{ Tags: } · { Leave a Comment }

Hi All.. sorry, not much info yet… on beach… sunning selves… Seriously, I will do a propper update asap when I get more internet access. Watch this space!

Missing you guys… there is no place like home!
 
Mike, Shelagh and Mazx (Yes he is a Meer Cat and not a mere cat)

Introducing Max

{ September 15, 2008 @ 8:48 am } · { 1 }
{ Tags: , , } · { Comments (10) }

A quick update (for those who are following this trip from a distance…) Because of the difficulties that Shelagh has had conversing with me on occasions, we were really pleased when she made a new friend.. Max. Max does not read newspapers, watch the news or have temporary moments of absence. For those of you who were wondering, yes, he is a Mere Cat. (Don’t ask) Be sure to watch out for Max in later updates. Below are a few shots of Max at a local Restaurant. I have included them so that you will be able to spot him on our travels…

Max taking centre stage (er table) at the River Café…

…and looking adoringly at his new friend…

…and enjoying a fresh juice.

Along with a chocolate sweetie.

And in the shelter on the pier at Glenelg  beach in the freezing cold! (It’s not a typo… it’s the correct spelling.)

Pray for us.. I think that we may just be loosing it!

Leg 2… Adelaide

{ September 12, 2008 @ 11:04 am } · { Mike Robins }
{ } · { Comments (3) }

After going via Sydney (My bestest city in the world so far – sad that we didn’t go out of the airport!) we flew on to Adelaide and were picked up by our fabulous hosts Ralph and Margaret who will be looking after us for the week. To say that we have been spoiled is an understatement! Their hospitality is reflective of the Edge Church, a church that seeks to model the value of “giving more than we could ask or imagine…” Thanks so much for your hospitality.

Below are some pictures from the Sunday ministry that I was privileged to be able to deliver in two fabulous churches run by Pastor David Helyard and his amazing team. First at the Northgate Church in the morning and then in the evening to their satellite church in Walaroo. Interestingly enough, Wallaroo (I thought it was Waterloo… honestly!) is known as “Little Cornwall” because of the Cornish Pommes who settled here years ago as the Copper Mines opened up. Yes – you can actually buy pasties here and they also have a Lowender Festival once every two years. Spooky as Dame Edna would say. This Sunday I am preaching at Salt Church in Gawler.. And really looking forward to it.

What can we say about the Edge church and conference… Awesome! (Our friends in Northgate will understand especially the significance of that statement!) To be truthful, it is like the conference has been tailor made for us. Great ministry from Andre Olivier, Brian Houston, Leo Fontaine, Robert Fergusson, Geoff Woodward etc. and of course, even the great John Partington himself! We have made some new great friends that I trust will develop… Many of you know that church is facing a significant challenge at the moment. For me, the way that they are handling it is an inspiration. The last night of the conference was highlighted by a phenomenal spontaneous jazz sessions with Tommy Emmanuel (Ozz’s premier rock guitarist) James Morrision (Ozz’s legendary jazz trumpet player) along with professional newly saved singers Deborah Byrne and Lisa Edwards. What a night!

Hope that this short update finds you well. We fly to Cairns on Tuesday morning via Sydney for the two week beach break in the sun. its tough but someone has to do it….

Our incredible hosts, Ralph and Margaret who have so looked after us. Their house is.. Well, how do I describe it.. Its like, well… heaven!

The only complaint that we could think of was that we were not carried physically from the car to the front door, we actually had to walk!

Thanks so much for your love kindness and hospitality, it is recorded in heaven….

Bluff Cove…

Not a bad spot. This shot was taken in the crisp spring air in a temperature of around, say… 20 degrees

Our hosts at Northgate….

David and Carole Helyard (David is the Senior Pastor of Northgate)

Paul and Ann Helyard (Paul is the Executive Pastor of Northgate)

Ministry at Northgate, a wonderful church that feels like NCC.. It has the same spirit, though its two pastors were prone to exaggerating the dangers of Ozzie spiders, snakes, flying sharks and rabid Kangaroo’s etc. After three hours in a car with them both it felt like the safest thing for us to do for the rest of our stay in Australia would be to seal ourselves in a small room, whilst wearing overcoats, gloves and with our trousers tucked well into our socks, with wellies on!

Scenes from the conference. Around 900 pastors etc. joined together for teaching and inspiration. The whole “Social concern” element (Part of NCC’s DNA) is a cornerstone of the Edges philosophy of ministry.

All of the pastors (including us were totally spoiled for three days, with the very best of ministry, care, love and food (with a huge anointing of chocolate) the “servant spirit” of the church is both inspirational and wonderful to behold. Thank you JESUS indeed!

I was wondering what really summed up the message that God had for me at the conference. There were so many relevant messages that were faithfully delivered. The message of “ storms that reveal defects” from Leon, “warning triangles” from Robert Fergusson, along with “God’s message is a man, and you are that man” Geoff Woodwards “Seasons” impacted meI was massively challenged by Brian Houston’s “Would I meet the Pope” (seriously!) and the three kings that seek to depose us.

But actually, beyond the messages was an overwhelming sense of a church that was “together” in the most traumatic of times. A church that was focused despite the media attention that it was receiving, a church that was positive and inspirational, with a great leader who although he was struggling with huge pain, was magnanimous in his openness and frankness, and showed love warmth and friendship to all of the delegates that he was so intent on blessing. There was an real transparency from all of the speakers, that beyond all of the fun and laughter, and all of the great theology and teaching was fresh in its relevance to the clinical “professionalism” that is so often seen in churches today

A step further? I guess eclipsing everything was the overriding ethic of servant hood that shone through Edge’s volunteers and people as they gave up holidays, worked through the night and did everything within their power to ensure that all were looked after and well catered for.

The experience will last us a lifetime. Our appreciation of John and Andrene Partington, their invite to us along with making sure that we could have the best experience ever is deeply appreciated.. Thanks both… maybe a curry next time?

Love y’all, Pastor Mike and Shelagh

G’day Pommes!

{ September 8, 2008 @ 8:11 am } · { Mike Robins }
{ Tags: } · { Comments (2) }

All good, having a great time! We are being totally VIP’d at the moment. I could really get used to it!

Preached yesterday at two different churches (will post them up later in the week) and we have been blown away by Aussie kindness.

Sorry to hear the news about Roy and Marilyn. Please give them all of our love!

Leg 1… Hong Kong

{ September 3, 2008 @ 2:38 pm } · { Mike Robins }
{ Tags: , , } · { Comments (5) }

Hi Everyone!

Well, after months of planning and not a few tears from leaving family and friends, we eventually set off on the 7 week round tour on September1st. I have popped in a short one minute clip of Shelagh and I giving a short message from the plane as it prepared to taxi out from Terminal 5… check it out, and please note the relaxed composure of the “Pastor on Leave”

We connected up with Paul and Dianne Sarchet Waller of The Elim Full Gospel Church in Shatin and had the most incredible time with them. Their inspiration was matched by their enormous kindness and hospitality. The church now occupies the whole 15th floor of a large smart tower block and continues the be a base for Paul and team to minister out to the many nations that they touch. Thanks Paul and Dianne for looking after us, we really love and appreciate you both, and Rachel, it was a pleasure meeting you. Hope the dawn comes at the right time now!

Below are a few snaps from various locations that we passed through, most of them gleaned from a 4 hour tour in a mini bus. Please note* Mike resisted the temptation to buy a DS Lite for £50… do I regret not getting one? do I? DO I?? We had a great flight (Thanks Qantas, and Raymond the Steward who primed us up with key preaching information ref the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpie match due on the Saturday – I owe you big time!”

Tune in soon for pics and info from the Adelaide Leg.. In the meanwhile, be assured of our love for all and our gratitude to God for such a great family, and wonderful church family… we love you guys!

Nathan Road, Hong Kong, the main “drag” that our hotel was on. Notice the prophetic statement on the advert… “Heart Tonic” What a great name for the Gospel!

Paul in action in his office. Apparently a messy desk in Chinese culture is a sign of efficiency and success. He should be president soon….

View from “The Peak” – Hong Kong Harbour in a mean and moody mode! Paul and Dianne took us along with Rachel their daughter, for a meal at an amazing restaurant that overlooks the harbour.

Similar view from the restaurant, replete with reflections… just to prove that I am telling the truth! Paul and Dianne are such generous hosts. They told us that they wanted to make a memory for us… mission accomplished.

Repulse Bay. Apparently this place was a den for pirates before the British ejected them in 18 something. Now it is a beautiful swimming bay. Note however the shark nets, and look carefully at the orange “dragon” doorway in the tower block!

Shelagh paddling in the same….. Best watch out for those tootsies dear!

Boarding a San Pan, ready for a trip around the harbour. Less than 200 years ago Hong Kong was a small fishing village. Hmmm… look out Newquay, you never know what may happen over the next few years!

The “Jumbo” floating restaurant, in the middle of the harbour. I think it is the biggest floating restaurant in the world.

I was awake at 4 am this morning, through what I presume is jet lag, and as I lay in bed analyzing the ceiling for what seemed hours, and whingeing to God about the fact that He says in His Word that He “Giveth His beloved sleep” I heard that still small voice remind me that I had asked Him to give me time and space for just Him and I. “So, I have woken you, no one is around, how about having some quiet and personal time with your heavenly dad?”

I got up, went downstairs in the quiet and just soaked up relationship with God, totally aware of the three of them being with me (Yep, that’s Father, Son and Holy Spirit) I had been praying, while in bed (by the way, that’s a great way to see if it is God or the other side keeping you awake or not… if it is the other side, he leaves you alone and you drop off, pronto!)

As I prayed I had an impression in my spirit of a women’s love for all things “sparkly” and her desire for beauty. Nothing wrong with that, we are called to make the best of ourselves. But as I prayed I saw an application that kind of gave me a warning, particularly in light of the various revelations from various places around the world of Christian leaders who have slipped and fallen. Somehow I felt the Holy Spirit remind me that we, as the Bride of Christ need to be careful that we do not get too caught up with the “appearance of beauty” and miss the core of our attractiveness to Jesus. “…when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way that the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful” (1 Peter 3:2b-5a)

It’s not about the outer, it is about the inner, it’s not about appearance, it is about essence, it’s not about artificiality it is about integrity, it is not about make up, face lifts, air brushing or plastic surgery, it is about that quiet and gentle spirit of a pure chaste church…

Let’s keep on keeping the main thing the main thing!

Serious love, Pastor Mike

Hello World!

{ September 1, 2008 @ 11:17 am } · { Mike Robins }
{ } · { Comments (7) }

That’s right – I am now a blogger too!

Welcome to Pastor On Tour, a blog dedicated to the adventures and experiences gained by Mike and Shelagh Robins on their two month sabbatical break during 2008.

Keep checking back for latest stories and pictures of the trip down under and please feel free to leave positive comments!