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Friday 25 January 2019

TAP at Table Talk

Another blog post minus photos because I'm having some troubles adding photos.


"....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." ~ Phil. 2: 12-13


Our sessions are underway.  On Thursday  afternoon  a brief overview of the ecclesiastical offices of Deacon, Elder and Minister  was given by Dr. Bredenhof. It was great to see the interest of 20 or so men coming out to hear the talk and take part in the question and answer period. Interesting to me is the cultural aspect of it. ..what's being said perhaps from a somewhat foreign context and then how it's being interpreted by those present. It can be a bit messy. Messy in the sense that what is being said is of churches that have a long established history and it's coming to a place where the churches are, as one pastor here puts it, " in their infancy".  The start up and organization of churches here can be complicated and not what we would see back home as being ideal.  But as I mentioned in my last post we trust in a God who is bringing it to completion. 

Our evening session was very well attended. Here the talks focused on Regeneration, Justification and Sanctification. Again a lively question and answer period broke out.  As we reflect on  our life of putting off the old and putting on the new we find comfort in knowing "it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." ~ Phil. 2: 13

TAP is very thankful to be able to make use of the beautiful  Table Talk Lounge. A reformed reading room here in the heart of Cagayan de Oro. It is a great resource for those in the city who are wanting to learn more about the reformed faith and the good news of Jesus Christ.   It's close vicinity to the university means they see a lot of young people enter the door. On Sunday's the Grace Reformed Church gathers for worship here. 

It's our hope that those pastors  we meet continue to be lights in the world and as they labour for Christ they know and are assured that their labour is not in vain. 

"..thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." ~ 1 Cor. 15: 57-58

Tuesday 22 January 2019

TAP VIII

My blog posts have been sporadic at best. I see now that I posted an initial post last year concerning our trip and did not follow up. Perhaps I can do that now. Our time here last year was mostly spent cultivating our relationships and working on a service orentied project by constructing a large tent shelter at the Jireh Reformed Bible Camp. A venue that is used for an annual bible conference. The work went well and hopefully I can get a photo to you later.

We're back and armed with an instructor. Dr. Wes Bredenhof has kindly offered to help. We give thanks for this because it has been a struggle to find instructors who have the time to come.

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace..."~Phil. 1: 3-7

It's been 6 years since our inaugural trip here to the Philipinnes. I've made the trip now 6 times. Why?
For one ...it's warm. It's a warm climate. What come with that is a people who are warm and kind hearted. It's been a wonderful experience. The place and the people have a place in my heart and I'm thankful to God for putting that on my heart.  I'm thankful for God allowing the opportunity time and again. God has certainly been gracious. 

God's grace is evident all around. We are witness of the growth of the reformed faith growing in the Philippines. Of church growth....of God's faithfulness in the work being done here in building his church.

"Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. " ~ Phil 1:17.  

It is certain that the work being done here on the ground is being done by sinful people. Equally true, the work is being brought to completion by a gracious God who works though is Spirit and Word. Praise God!  We have been blessed to come to know a lot of people here working to advance the gospel. The wonderful couple from whom we rent our condo, this is couple who have served here in Cagayan de Oro for more than 30 years bringing the gospel to the areas of the province most don't dare to go. The Grace Reformed Church who have had their struggles along the way and now serve in a big way the reformed reading room, Table Talk which serves to provide a place to learn and read about the reformed faith. The Jireh Reformed church and the excellent way in which they provide in example of being a hand and foot to one another. The reformed churches in the other parts of the country and the various other gatherings here who we meet and who are at different points of their journey in the truths of God's Word. We are all on a journey and we look forward to its completion. In the meantime may we all work and strive to bring glory and honour to our faithful God. 

What I hope TAP to be is a small expression of God's love and faithfulness. Of an example of long term commitment in building relationships for the sake of Christ's kingdom. Of learning from each other and encouragement. 

There has certainly been blessing  and may God bless our time here.