Chapter 2 | Journal http://www.faithbuilders.eu/ Journal=A journal or diary is a book for writing entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. The word journal comes from Latin diurnus, "of the day". de Copyright 2010 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:27:41 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Faith, Fun & Fellowship Have you ever asked yourself What is it that makes me truly come alive? Are you ready to rise above your circumstances or Do you feel you are being lived by your circumstances and need to break out of that box somehow? Do you sense that you are standing on a crossroad of your life and need some fresh direction? Is the life you live all that you hoped for? Or are you simply tired and in need of some genuine refreshment? Do you want something new and fresh for your holidays? Are you looking for both physical and spiritual refreshment? Then this three-week ‘adventure’ is for you!

Why would I go?

Faith, Fun & Fellowship is held in beautiful Kelowna, which is situated on the Okanagan Lake in B.C., Canada. Just imagine 140 km’s of water, orchards, vineyards and sun! Gods breathtaking nature, burden removing and yoke breaking teaching, lots of fun on the more than 120 km long lake, and hours of rich fellowship around great food, prepared and cooked by our cooks, make for profound life changing experiences in those attending this God appointed gathering! Marriages were restored and healed. Young leaders who joined us were challenged in their calling and have gone on their way serving God. Others who served with YWAM or other ministries for years received fresh inspiration and courage to continue what God had called them to do. Again others received fresh direction for their lives. Faith, Fun & Fellowship is renowned for life changing experiences for both young and old. That is why Anne-Marie and I are so excited about this "Faith Fun & Fellowship" gathering.

What can I expect?

Powerful teaching times with themes like, "What makes me come Alive?", "Finding and Walking in Your destiny", "There is more out there", "Waking the Giant within", "You are the Prophet of your own Destiny" covered by people like Peter & Anne-Marie Helms, Gord & Jan Whyte, Brad & Eden Jersak and others, will impact and change your life for ever. We will have times of the prophetic, creative worship sessions and soaking times that will help you to consciously become aware of the heavenly places we are seated in!

This is how it works

We have breakfast buffet from 9am-10am where you can also pack your lunch. Then at 10am we have a 15 minute devotion after which everyone is free to go and enjoy the rest of the day. You can swim in our 120 km’s long lake, water-ski, explore Peachland, visit the many vineyards and more. In the evening we serve a gourmet style meal on our balcony or deck and take time to fellowship and hang out with each other. After clean-up we will spend some time in creative worship, some teaching and/or looking at an inspiring movie, DVD or play some games as the Spirit leads. The weekends are free to relax and explore the Okanagan Valley, where the sun shines almost 2000 hours every year (More than in Hawaii) and where the temperatures are like in Southern France or Italy.

What are the cost?

3 weeks Incl food & lodging in a guest family or Appleseed Lodge: CAN $1250,- If you come for 1 or 2 weeks it will cost you Can $ 600,- per week per person all in! 3 weeks Excl food & lodging: CAN $600. In case you come for 2 weeks or less it will be CAN $200 per week, pp excl food & lodging. Food without accomodation will be $ 25,- per day pp. Non-Refundable Registration: CAN $30 to be payed prior to your coming via PAYPAL. You will need your own pocket money for some fun things and you will need to rent a car (International driver's license needed) or use public transportation. Walking distances are very far here.

How can I apply?

Download the application here. Or simply write us an e-mail to book a place at: faithbuilders@mac.com with the heading: "Faith, Fun & Fellowship". We Look forward to hear from you!

What others say!

"Faith, fun and fellowship is like a spiritual spa-resort. Bathing in the love of God, being nourished by the truth (and great food!) and relaxing with friends. You will be strengthened, refreshed and you will learn things that will impact the rest of your life!" (Swie Len Loo, NL) My personal experience with Faith, Fun, and Fellowship is sheer abundance. After I brought myself to coming to Kelowna I hoped for the time to find back to God and to have some experiences with him. But it became so much more than I had asked for, so many experiences with God, a closer relationship to him, blessings through him, blessings through the Helms and the other people that became my friends and a time of refreshing and restoring. Looking back I would be willing to do the same again and again. (Kristina Kotzerke, BRD) ]]> http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/faith_fun_fellowship/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/faith_fun_fellowship/ Peter's Faithbuilders Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:27:41 -0800 Holland Will be with family and also have an evening close to Arnhem in Rhenen. http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/events_seminars/holland/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/events_seminars/holland/ Events & Seminars Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:40:00 -0800 faith walk - Spain 2010 What can I expect? 9 Days of walking...together...& alone...(don‘t worry there will be plenty of solitary moments).. Beginning in Ponferrada, Spain to Santiago de Compostela...210 klms... A day in the life of our walk would look like... Everyday approximately 25 klms of walking...beginning with an early start..6-7 hrs walk...check in at new accomodation (will be arranged ahead of time)...afternoon with a short siesta and then time of faith inspired teaching.. There will be enough time each day to explore & experience the surroundings & culture of the small villages along the way.. It will be good to have some hiking experience, and to be physically fit. If the walk gets to intense then it's no problem to take a brake and use the bus/taxi instead of walking. The retreat is being lead by Christian Schmid, a young antropronuer, adventureous and full of passion for life. Christian has staffed with his wife Sina faithbuilders ministries with Peter and Anne-Marie Helms for this past year.

How much does it cost?

The total costs of the program is Can $ 450,- (Euro's: 299,- approx) INCLUSIVE , bed & breakfast throughout the entire trip, teaching and mentoring. (Note: transportation to and fro Spain, 'Travel Insurance, meals and snacks during the day and spending money are NOT included). The accomodation will normally be very simple, ie hostel type acomodation, double bedrooms ect. If you want to have a single room, there will be an additional charge. You will have to fill out an application form and after we have received that we will notify you with a confirmation e-mail. Half of the amount needs to be payed before May 31st, 2010 and the rest needs to be paid on arrival. (If you pay the total amount before May 31st you will get Can $ 50,- off)

How can I apply?

Download the application here. , copy it into a Word or Text format and send it back to us by e-mail, or write us directly and we will send you an application form by e-mail. Simply write us at: schmid0815 {at} me.com with the heading: "faith Walk‘ - Spain 2010". We Look forward to hear from you! ]]> http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/what_we_have_in_mind/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/what_we_have_in_mind/ Peter's Faithbuilders Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800 Faithbuilders Experience 2010 LIFE IS NOT A COLOR-WITHIN-THE-LINES PROJECT. LIFE IS A WORK OF ART. YOU HAVE TO KEEP MIXING COLOURS, CREATING NEW BLENDS AND SEEING THINGS IN FRESH WAYS. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO GET PAINT ALL OVER YOU. LIFE IS ABOUT GROWTH. GROWTH DEMANDS CHANGE. CHANGE REQUIRES HUMILITY. (MCMANUS)]]> http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/upcoming_event/faithbuilders_school_2009/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/upcoming_event/faithbuilders_school_2009/ Upcoming Event Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:05:00 -0800 What is God up to? (Brad Jersak) Dear reader, after laying low through all of March, I've emerged from my cave to check for signs of spring. Well, I'm not so sure, but my little church is coming to a conclusion that is helping us listen to God: When it seems most like the enemy is attacking you, the first question is not, "What is the enemy doing?" but rather, "What is God doing?" Take a moment to think about those times when you felt most bombarded by the world, the flesh or the devil and pause to watch what God is doing above the warfare and below the radar. I think you'll see that those really intense times are God's great opportunity to relay faulty foundations or, to use the biblical metaphor, plow the soil to prepare it for sowing. In Isaiah 28, God explains, 23 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. 24 When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing the soil? 25 When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cummin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? 26 His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. God is not the author of our tragedies, illnesses, quarrels and battles -- often it isn't Satan either. For example, when we say that the devil is really attacking our families right now, what is ACTUALLY going on? Probably we're just not being kind and patient with one another, right? Is that Satan? Or is it my own stubbornness? When we say the enemy is attacking my health, is it a spirit of infirmity, or should I eat less deep-fried fast food and go for more walks? In any case, during any kind of trial period, let's be Jesus-focused rather than enemy-focused or even overly self-focused. The bigger question is what God is up to. Not, "Why are you doing this God?" but "Where is God at work in this field?" These questions might help: 1. Lord, in the midst of the swirls and tensions of my life, what are you up to? 2. Are there cracks in my foundation that you are repairing through this? 3. As my heart is being plowed again (ouch!), what seeds are you hoping to sow? What revelation is my heart being prepared to receive? What harvest might come from this season of life? Bring it! If you know someone involved in deep trials, pray about whether this message will help or whether it'll just sound like the advice of Job's friends. If you get a go-ahead from God, please pass it on and invite them to sign up for the newsletter at www.bradjersak.com. Also, this is obviously a plug, but I honestly believe that my wife's book, RIVERS FROM EDEN, brings very deep comfort to those who need to God is with them and for them. It's also available at www.bradjersak.com/store.html Blessings to you, Brad Jersak http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/what_is_god_up_to_brad_jersak/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/what_is_god_up_to_brad_jersak/ Peter's Faithbuilders Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:24:32 -0800 "You Are Who You Pretend to Be" by Brad Jersak Recently, I spent an afternoon serving coffee and cake at Mission Possible, a drop-in centre for the homeless in East Vancouver. I took the enjoyable role of delivering goodies to the table where those with disabilities sat eagerly waiting. On handing what I regarded as an unspectacular angel-food square to one senior visitor, he threw his hands in the air and shouted joyfully to the heavens, “The Lord saves his best for his servants!” His face glowed with gratitude through bright eyes set in deeply wrinkled skin and framed in a beautiful white beard. I took this as an invitation. Reverend Joe, as he introduced himself, tested my openness and interest with some insights into that odd Old Testament passage on Saul’s trip to consult the witch at Endor. He noted that such puzzles are best handled through a community hermeneutic rather than by lone experts... “Best to have a circle of the faithful discussing the Good Book,” he said. I suppose I passed the test because I was then treated to some highlights of the old sage’s story. My first surprise is that Rev. Joe only pretends to be a “hobo” (and has for about thirty years!). After a season in a Roman Catholic seminary and serving five years as a federal constable, my new friend found himself stumbling into serious alcoholism and from there onto the streets of Vancouver. It was there that he bumped into two Pentecostal street-preachers who asked him if he was a believer. He replied, “Well, I belief in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and that he’s coming again to judge the living and the dead.” He believed the creeds. Pleased with this, they continued, “And do you believe that Jesus has forgiven you of all your sins—past, present and future?” This was news to Joe—very GOOD news. Such good news that it penetrated his heart and freed him from the bottle… instantly and permanently. Since that day, half a lifetime ago, Joe never again touched alcohol. Now seventy years old, he enjoys his sobriety and loves to share the Good News. It wasn’t long before he was active again in the church, often teaching Bible lessons on Saturday afternoons. But this troubled him. He approached the pastor, proposing that his message would do more good in the AA meetings and out on the streets. As he attended 12-step meetings, the results spoke for themselves: Joe quickly saw seven of his acquaintances embrace Christian faith. When a new pastor came on staff, Joe persuaded him to ordain him as missionary to the streets of East Vancouver. He told me, “I live as they do, eat as they eat, dress as they dress and sleep where they sleep. The Lord gives me food to eat through the local missions and has provided me with my own place to live. I don’t like to sleep in the shelters because of bedbugs, but I have my own little paradise beneath a nine-foot long park bench—extra long to keep my belongings! And it’s a miracle because the animals (the dogs, the mice, and so on) all leave me alone… except sometimes the rats. If I don’t trust God for my daily bread—if I try to hoard a little muffin or something for the next day—then the rats might come. It’s like manna, you see. I need to trust the Lord for fresh manna every day.” He couldn’t stop talking about the Good Shepherd’s care: stacks of coins mysteriously left by his bench or the brother (a former bomb-squad pensioner) that gave him own cane on that very morning when Joe’s had been stolen in the night. He chuckled about how the local police occasionally stop him and have to call the local bishop to confirm that he’s really a missionary. “Sometimes they think I’m a hobo, you see.” In my mind, I thought, “You ARE a hobo.” As Kurt Vonnegut says, “You are what you pretend to be.” On the other hand, Joe DOES “pretend” to be a missionary to the streets. He’s allegedly a licensed and ordained minister, recognized by a local church and actively serving as pastor to the people in his community. He leads Bible discussions, encourages the brothers and sisters, shares the Gospel through his AA meetings, comforts the hurting and both shares and shows the love and mercy of God to anyone in his path. His face is aglow with joy and his words are punctuated with praise. If Rev. Joe is pretending to be a minister, he is a very good pretender… and after all, you are what you pretend to be. All of this struck me as highly incarnational. So like Jesus. Fully God, fully man. Fully missionary, fully hobo. Slain Lamb, conquering Lion. Servant king. Homeless and in paradise. Jesus. Joe. When the King of Glory pitched his tent among us, he so fully identified with our humanity that he ate, dressed, spoke and bled like a man. No, not just “like” (as per Docetism). Actually a “son of man.” And maybe Joe’s non-condescending condescension into the life of an actual hobo was just radical enough to remind me of that. Once again, I have entered the joy of meeting the Lord in the “least of these” (cf. Matt. 25). Parting questions: Who do I pretend to be? Have I moved from pretending to actually becoming? What am I becoming? Who am I becoming? How about you? http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/you_are_who_you_pretend_to_be_by_br/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/you_are_who_you_pretend_to_be_by_br/ Peter's Faithbuilders Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:22:23 -0800 Take the ceiling off! "He did not weaken in faith when he considered the UTTER impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about 100 years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's deadened womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver or doubtingly question concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was EMPOWERED BY FAITH' as he gave PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD'. That's it! Giving praise ie, intentionally looking and proclaiming who He is in the midst of impossibility, impotence and even inevitability, will actually empower you to produce what you saw in the first place! I believe this is what this year ahead will be all about. Step outside your tent, dare to look at what God sees and when it seems impossible utterly confuse your adversary by giving God praise and glory for what He will do!]]> http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/take_the_ceiling_off/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/take_the_ceiling_off/ Peter's Faithbuilders Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:20:48 -0800 ‘Europa ist wie der Verlorene Sohn, aber der Verlorene Sohn ist auf seinem Weg nach Hause’! http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/german_writings/europa_ist_wie_der_verlorene_sohn_a/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/german_writings/europa_ist_wie_der_verlorene_sohn_a/ German Writings Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:24:57 -0800 God is moving in Europe This is not just a nice wish, but reality! Anne-Marie and I have noticed such a hunger and thirst in the places we have just visited. Places like Kroatie, Zagreb, where especially amongst a group of young people the Holy Spirit moved so powerfully a few years ago and as a result many came to Christ. Now they are involved in working amongst the down and out, believing and working towards the Good News penetrating the city in all areas. Another church invited us and although they did not know who were, allowed us to share. It was so refreshing to see people so hungry after the things of God. But also the church in Mainz and Schonebeck are growing in vision and fervor for their regions. It is clear that God has not given up on this old but beautiful continent. Keep believing for a mighty outpour of His Spirit! http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/god_is_moving_in_europe/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/god_is_moving_in_europe/ Peter's Faithbuilders Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:50:09 -0800 Europe is like the Prodigal

‘SEE WHAT NO ONE ELSE SEES, SEE WHAT ANYONE ELSE CHOOSES NOT TO SEE OUT OF FEAR OF CONFORMITY OR LAZINES, SEE THE WHOLE WORLD ANEW EACH DAY!’

Heaven is here….do you see it? That is what Jesus said when he preached all over Israel. He said: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” At hand….look at your hand…that is how close it is! Yes I know it seems that hell is here is well, but you know God left us here to actually bring heaven everywhere we go. And that starts in our heads! Now that is where the battlefield is as well! The devil has only authority here in our natural environment as well as in the sphere where he dwells (second heaven) So what he will use is the natural to abort your spiritual destiny. Will you let him do that? The old devil (hairy legs, like my wife calls him) is a defeated foe and he will only take as much authority as we will give him. So how does that happen? By believing his lies and refusing to look beyond what we see in the natural. So what are we to do?

First we must look at the TRUTH, which is another word for the ultimate reality which is Jesus Christ! Yes He is the REAL thing!! Get your spirit filled with His Word and then out of that use your imagination!

Your imagination is Gods gift to you so that you can ‘SEE’ in the ‘Spirit-Natural’ world. It is the ‘screen’ of your mind, and you determine what is played on that screen! So what are you looking at? At what the devil tries to feed you? Or will you look at what is lovely, of good report,?

'If then you have been raised with Christ, aim and seek the rich treasures that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS AND KEEP THEM SET ON WHAT IS ABOVE, NOT ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH!' (Col 3:1-2)

 This is what the Lord spoke to me some time ago and I actually put on my latest recording called ‘IMAGINE’ Read and listen to what the Lord says!

Dreamers come and see what this world of yours can look like! Your history is unfolding according to your desires What you live today is not who you are! You are what you choose today, so choose LIFE so that you may live! Enter into My world and see your posibilities from My perspective Delight yourself in your friendship with Me And I will make sure your dreams come through Aren’t ‘the steps of a good man directed by the Lord?’ I have never failed the righteous or left my friends alone You are more to me than all the wealth of this entire universe So look up and see what you can be You are more than what you have become! Heaven waits for you to sing And you’ll never be the same Listen deeply and you’ll hear the sound Coming from creation all around Imagine you are more than what you have become. Imagine you live in the realm of your Creator, born again to fully come alive? Imagine the One you worship living in you? Imagine you are in a safe place, accepted in the One who truly loves. Imagine you are brilliant and smart, talented and gorgeous! Imagine you are liberated from all your fears and inhabitions! Imagine liberating all those around you! Imagine you are fabulous and powerful and your enemies are under your feet? Imagine nothing is impossible for you! Imagine money is not a problem and all of heavens wealth is at your disposal! Imagine you are healthy and strong. Imagine you have the faith of God and and are strengthened in your inner man. Imagine you are welcomed at heavens gates and told: ‘You have done well, My Child!’ Imagine all those you loved are there as well! Imagine all your dreams coming through. Imagine you are more than what you have become.

 ]]> http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/europe_is_like_the_prodigal/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/europe_is_like_the_prodigal/ Peter's Faithbuilders Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:30:00 -0800 Back home to get ready for our next trip to Europe! This tour has been one of the best tours we have ever had so far! In the Netherlands we saw a satanist give his heart to the Lord. Our time in Fuhrberg was amazing as most of the people that visited the concert were non chirstians from the village. All of them loved the music, the ambience and the message.....beer and wine, including the new wine was flowing freely. God is doing something new in the northern part of this wonderful country....Imagine that!!! I am more and more convinced that much of that what we live is what we imagine and think about. As a matter of fact we create our own environment and the sound of music, words and attitudes will determine largely how we feel and that will determine how our world looks like. You and I can make a difference through our attitudes and our actions. This is what faith really is all about. It is the evidence of what we do not see with our naked natural eye. It is the title deed of what we hope for! Now to hope is not like a wish, but it is like a deep felt assurance....it is something you know that you know that you know! So what do you hope for? Ask the Lord to show you your deepest hope then start looking at it as it grows in your heart and is about to manifest in your circumstance! http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/potluck_firenite_on_thursday/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/potluck_firenite_on_thursday/ Peter's Faithbuilders Upcoming Event Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:50:00 -0800 Gird Up The Loins Of Your Mind Do you see the Kingdom of God in your personal life, your finances, your family, your children? The Kingdom of God is King Jesus in charge! His will being done! So what is His will concerning you, your family, your children, your finances? It is all about bringing heaven down on earth! That is His will! Paul says it in an other way: 'If then you have been raised with Christ, aim and seek the rich treasures that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS AND KEEP THEM SET ON WHAT IS ABOVE, NOT ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH!' (Col 3:1-2) Remember, your mind has the ability to reproduce. Start imagining how Gods will would look like in your life. Dare to see His abundant life realized in your circumstances. Start talking the Kingdom and you will soon live His will! http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/gird_up_the_loins_of_your_mind/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/gird_up_the_loins_of_your_mind/ Peter's Faithbuilders Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:34:35 -0800 Gods will is a green pasture http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/gods_will_is_a_green_pasture/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/peters_faithbuilders/gods_will_is_a_green_pasture/ Peter's Faithbuilders Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:34:52 -0800 A warm welcom from Anne-Marie A web is sort of like that isn't it? It connects us to the outer world...it illuminates who you are and what you do... it's strands connect us to one another, widens our perspective... and even feeds us... hummm... we are even hoping for some interaction... ha ha... Both Peter & I are really excited about our new 'web' - and we hope to add regular tidbits of flavor... we trust that it will be captivating! http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/annemaries_musings/a_warm_welcom_from_annemarie/ http://www.faithbuilders.eu/journal/annemaries_musings/a_warm_welcom_from_annemarie/ Anne-Marie's Musings Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:05:11 -0800