Hail stones!

Yesterday we had a real storm at Green Pastures and Patos with thunder, lightning and hail stones, and at Green Pastures the total rainfall was 55 mm (just over 2 inches). In Patos quite a number of electricity poles snapped with the strong gusts of wind and lots of electricity cables were strewn on the main road. I have heard of one person being injured by flying debris. 

Later last night a second round of heavy rain came in. We cancelled our mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study as it was too dangerous for people to go out.

Please pray for a sister in the Patos church called Mayara whose grandmother has been bitten by a rattlesnake and is in hospital.

Life Squad

Yesterday our Life Squad team evangelized the men's prison again as they do every week and two men made commitments of their lives to God. Pastor Rafael led the prison ministry assisted by our sister Iara. Please pray for the men who made decisions.

The youth are organizing a volleyball competition and a scavenger hunt for the carnival camp afternoons starting on the 14th.

It rained 12 mm (half an inch) at Green Pastures last night with thunder and lightning and more is forecast for the coming days.

Parakeets

In the northeastern state of Maranhão over 300 parakeets were killed when the Eucalyptus tree, in which they were perched, was felled by a storm. The mystery is what killed them as lightning has been ruled out.

I have received my latest book in the 'Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. This the 10th book in the series called 'The Bloomsbury Murder' was sent to me by my sister Jean for my birthday. I must now get down to aiding Detective Inspector John Jago solve another crime!

The 'Gospel BeeGees' have confirmed their presence at our Carnival Camp next week! 😄

Last night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to the town of São Mamede to hold another street service which 40 attended. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Pastor Rafael preached. It was a good service.

Global Minds

I have been a member of the BBC's Global Minds listeners and watchers panel for many years and they have inquired about how we feel about 2026 to which I replied 'positive'. However the global survey shows that 36% are worried or anxious, 27.3% are pessimistic, 18.7% are positive (including me!), 11.2% are neutral, 9.7% think 2026 will be better than 2025, and just 6.7% are excited about 2026! Which category are you in?

The Brazilian press is showing today how Brazil and almost the entirety of South America is far more linked economically to China than to the USA. This is not surprising considering the USA's isolationist approach to everything.

I had a meeting with deacon Dedé who is the leader of our church at Ipueira and we discussed the building of our church there. Someone has already donated the bricks for the church which is good! 

Psalm 4 (summary): David for the director of music

Psalm 4 was a prayer written by David for the director of music and to be presented with stringed instruments. The prayer may well have been written within the Absalom context. David cries for relief and asks for mercy. David asks how long will people seek false gods? The Lord will hear him, says David, because he has set apart the godly for himself. Then David recommends quiet reflection on the bed and trusting in the Lord. For David asks for God's light to shine upon him and rejoices in his heart. He closes thanking God for his peace and safety.

Psalm 3 (summary): David fleeing from Absalom

This psalm is again in a totally different category to the previous 2. It is a lament by King David as he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and usurp the throne, as we read in 2 Samuel chapters 15 to 18. David cries out to God bemoaning the popular uprising against him led by his son which some said was God having abandoned him. However David recognizes God as his shield, despite the adverse circumstances, and he knows God hears his cry. David says he knows that he sleeps and awakens because God sustains him, and for that reason he won't fear the tens of thousands against him led by his son. David then cries to God for deliverance because he knows that in God alone is true deliverance and blessing.

Psalm 2 (summary): Why do the nations rage?

Psalm 2 is different from Psalm 1 like the difference between chalk and cheese! This Psalm immediately reminds me of Handel's Messiah which I used to see at the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas with my father. Psalm 2 is a royal messianic psalm poetically and majestically telling us that it is futile for the nations to revolt against God or against his appointed king. In the opening verses it is asked why the nations plot and rage against almighty God and his Anointed One? For they seek to break free from divine authority in vain. God scoffs at them and rebukes them in anger as he has installed his King on Zion. The King or Messiah proclaims his authority as the son of God, who will inherit the nations, rule them and "dash them to pieces like pottery". So the kings are warned to serve and fear the Lord. For "blessed are all who take refuge in him".