Psalm 27 (summary): The Lord is my light and my salvation

This psalm is an outspoken declaration of trust in God. "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear"? David goes on to stress that when evil men advance, enemies attack and armies besiege "even then will I be confident". David jubilantly affirms that he will sing and make music to the Lord and seek his face. He says that even if his parents forsake him the Lord will not. He asks God to teach him his way as he is confident in his goodness despite all the oppressors and foes he faces.

Shortbread

Our son-in-law Witagiby (Biba) is a good chef and for some time now he has been making and selling excellent shortbread biscuits. Last night we went to the opening of his new "Shortbread Café" coffee shop and Philip led a song of praise and I made a prayer of blessing for the opening. The place was bubbling with people from the university to which the coffee shop is adjacent. 

We had a drop more rain (4 mm) at Green Pastures yesterday, but we are desperate for some big heavy rains. Please pray.

Psalm 26 (summary): Vindicate me, O Lord!

This another prayer of David asks for God's vindication. He asks God to test and try him examining his heart and mind as he doesn't sit with deceitful men, hypocrites or the wicked. David goes on to say that he praises God out loud and that he loves God's house. He insists that he leads a blameless life and therefore counts on God's mercy.

Psalm 25 (summary): To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul

This Davidic prayer forms an acrostic psalm. David seeks the Lord's guidance and forgiveness amidst troubles and difficulties. David asks for victory over his enemies and asks God to teach him his paths of truth. He asks forgiveness for the sins of his youth according to God's mercy and love. He declares that his "eyes are ever on the Lord", and asks for God's help amidst his anguish and loneliness. David concludes saying that his refuge and hope are in God.

Psalm 24 (summary): The earth is the Lord's

This Davidic psalm is majestic. It affirms God's sovereignty as creation Lord, asks who can go into his presence in Jerusalem, showing that this demands holiness, and ends with a rousing declaration of God's glory as the King. "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" - declares David. Who then can go into his presence? "He that has clean hands and a pure heart". The psalm ends crying for the ancient gates of Jerusalem to open to receive the King of glory!

Sunday Service

Pastor Rafael and I led the main Sunday service of the week last night and Philip led the worship aided by Louisa. Lawyer Murilo preached very well on the temptation of Christ from Matthew 4. It was an excellent service.

There was a burglary on Saturday night right next door to Green Pastures which is the third burglary in the area in the same amount of weeks. The police are investigating and we ask you to pray for their success. 🙏

I have just enjoyed an avocado pear smoothie. 😋 

Family Day

Yesterday we had a nice family day at Green Pastures focused on Philip's short visit here with us till March 7th. Philip led the worship in last night's Green Pastures' service and I preached on Jesus - the Bread of Life from John 6. 

I heard/saw many birds at Green Pastures including Pigmy Owls, Rufus-browed Peppershrike, Greater Ani, Smooth-billed Ani etc.

Agouti and 9-banded Armadillos have been registered for the first time at Green Pastures.

Yesterday QPR defeated Hull 3 x 1 away. 😃

It rained 1.8 mm yesterday, but we remain in great need of abundant rain.

Wild Cats

The researchers in to wild cats from the northernmost state in northeast Brazil (1,350 km from us), called Maranhão, have been back to the Green Pastures Project to change the batteries and memory cards from their dozen or so automatic camera traps which they have spread around our reserve. 

Last night it rained a further 2.8 mm at Green Pastures.

Psalm 23 (summary): The Lord is my shepherd

This gentle caring psalm of David portrays the Lord as David's shepherd which was a role with which he was well acquainted. God provides everything he needs including restoration. God, says David, guides his life and is with him even in the most difficult and darkest times. God blesses him, even faced with enemies, anoints his head with blessing and assures him for all the days of his life.

Psalm 22 (summary): My God, why have you forsaken me?

This is another Davidic psalm written for the director of music to go with the music 'The Doe of the Morning'! It is a messianic psalm opening with the words: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" uttered by Christ on the cross. Verse 8 sticks in my mind from Handel's Messiah. Christian theology sees this psalm as a prophecy of Jesus' suffering and eventual victory. In the central verses of the psalm David describes himself as a worm scorned and despised. He says he feels encircled by bulls, as being torn apart by lions and surrounded by dogs. He says that "they have pierced my hand and my feet", and "cast lots for my clothing". The latter part of the psalm trusts God for victory and rejoices because God has listened to his cry for help. All the earth will turn to the Lord, he says, and all the nations will bow down before the "afflicted one". Thus this messianic psalm ends on a positive victorious note.

Night off

Last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled so as to give everyone a breather after 7 services and 3 serenades in 5 days at the carnival camp.

Last night I played Philip at chess and won, but he played better and is steadily improving.

Yesterday we had a little further rain at Green Pastures with 4 mm of rainfall. 

Please pray for 4 little children who are being cared for by one of our church members up in the mountains after their mother, who has severe mental health problems, tried to kill them! The mother has now been taken to a mental health institution. 

Green Pastures

I have seen/heard the following species of birds at Green Pastures in the past few days: Southern House Wren, Caatinga Cacholote, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Black-headed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Pigmy Owl, White-naped Jay, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Striped Cuckoo and Great Kiskadee. 

One of the things that stands out in the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures is the fellowship. It was beautiful to see the warm unity of the body of Christ. Another lovely moment at the camp was the consecration of sister Leca as a deaconess of the local Green Pastures church. May God richly bless Leca and the church.

I see that a Brazilian called Lucas won an unlikely gold medal in the winter Olympics despite Brazil being a tropical country! However there is a hitch to this story as his father is Norwegian and his mother Brazilian. Well done anyway Lucas!

I had a good meeting last night with lawyer and preacher Murilo.

I have now read 15 chapters of 'the Bloomsbury Murder' which is the 10th book in 'the Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. It's a very enjoyable good read. 

Carnival Camp

Thank you for your prayers for the Carnival Camp which has just ended and which was excellent! It was a real blessing with true harmony and fellowship. The ministry of the word was superb as was the praise and worship and the sport and children's work. It was fantastic to have Philip here with us for the camp.

Our daughter Sacha led the opening service on the Saturday night and I preached on Abraham from Hebrews 11:8-19 focusing on Abraham's obedience, his generating of a son at a 100, and his willingness to sacrifice that son.

The second service was on Sunday morning and Sacha again led with Pastor Rafael preaching on Samuel. The third service on Sunday night was led by Pastor Rafael with lawyer Rayla preaching on Joseph. Then the 4th service on Monday morning was led by Pastor Philip and lawyer Murilo preached on David. The 5th service on Monday night was a praise and prayer prom led by Sacha. The 6th service yesterday morning was led by Pastor Rafael and lawyer Murilo preached on Moses. Then the 7th service last night I led and Sacha preached on Paul.

Other things that were a real blessing at the camp were the late night serenades led by Philip recalling old worship songs. Also the volleyball competitions went off extremely well and we are going to make a second volleyball court for next year's camp. The swimming pool was well used too.

The ministry to the children also went off very well at the camp with the swimming pool in the morning and Bible stories at night. So it was a wonderful camp at a green again Green Pastures after another 29 mm of rain during the camp.

Peter Guy

97-year-old EAB supporter Peter Guy has gone to be with the Lord. We spoke with him in the EAB AGM in October and we praise God for his life of service to the Lord. He was alert and lucid to the end. Our prayers are with his family at this time. 

The Carnival Camp is part of the Green Pastures Project and has started today running till next Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday, which follows Shrove Pancake Tuesday. We value your prayers for the camp. Because of the camp news on this blog may be limited over the coming days.

Philip arrived last night about 7:15 pm safe and sound and in good time for the Carnival Camp. He travelled straight to Green Pastures much to Liz's delight and the kitchen team that were already there.

Psalm 21 (summary): O Lord, the king rejoices!

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music is a kingly royal psalm which celebrates God granting victories to the king, as well as rich blessing and long life. Thanks to God's goodness David's glory is great with splendour and majesty. The king, says the psalm, trusts in the "unfailing love of the Most High". The victory over his enemies is sure, says the psalm, as the wrath of the Lord will swallow up the enemies and even destroy their descendants. Thus the psalm ends on a jubilant note of praise and exaltation of the Lord.   

Psalm 20 (summary): May the Lord answer you!

This another psalm of David for the director of music is a prayer for the King maybe as he prepares to go into battle. The prayer seeks God's answer in days of distress and seeks his protection. The prayer then seeks "support from Zion" and asks that David's heart's desire be granted and all his plans succeed. Then they will shout for joy for the victory and lift up the name of the Lord. Some trust in horses and chariots, says the psalm, but we trust in the name of the Lord! The enemy falls "but we rise up and stand"! The prayer ends saying, "O Lord, save the king"!

Psalm 19 (summary): The heavens declare the glory of God!

This Davidic psalm addressed to the director of music is a declaration of God's revelation through creation and his word. First of all David focuses on creation saying that the heavens declare God's glory. God speaks to us, argues David, through the skies and the sun. The second revelatory means of God is through his word which is perfect in reviving the soul. God's word is trustworthy, David says, and gives wisdom, joy, and light which lasts forever. The word of God is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Then David concludes praying that his words and meditation might be pleasing to God

Psalm 18 (summary): I love you Lord!

This psalm is a jubilant song of praise and thanks to God for having delivered David from his enemies including Saul. David commences expressing his love for God who is his rock and fortress and worthy of praise. He says he was near to death so he called to the Lord for help. God answered with earthquakes and smoke came from his nostrils like a dragon. The ensuing storm brought hailstones, thunder and lightening and through it God rescued David from his powerful enemy. David goes on to say that God was his support who brought him to a spacious place rewarding his righteousness. The Lord, says David, keeps his lamp burning and lightens his darkness. He says that with God's help he can overcome barricades and walls. God is perfect and his word is flawless. God gives me his shield of victory, David says, and his right hand sustains him. With God's help David says he destroyed his enemies and crushed them. "The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Saviour!" - is exclaimed by David... I will sing praise to your name!

Psalm 17 (summary): Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea!

This further Davidic psalm asks for God's protection and vindication from enemies. David invites God to probe his heart and test him because he has nothing to hide. He says he has walked carefully in God's ways. David asks God to hear his prayer and keep him as the apple of his eye hiding him under his wings so as to protect from his mortal enemies. David's enemies are callous and arrogant like a hungry lion for prey. He cries for God to rescue him from the wicked and rests assured that one day he will see God's face.

Psalm 16 (summary): Keep me safe, O God!

This is another of the 73 psalms attributed to David in the title. David starts calling on God to keep him safe as his only source of refuge. Apart from in God he has no good thing, but those that chase other gods will suffer an increase of sorrows. David praises the Lord for his wise counsel in the night and that in God he will not be shaken. He says his heart is glad and rejoices because God will not abandon him in the grave or let his holy faithful one see decay. For God has made known to him the path of life and he will bless him with eternal pleasures at his right hand.

Psalm 15 (summary): Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

 Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm of David which defines how a person may live on God's holy hill which is God's presence. To do this one must live blamelessly, act righteously, speak truthfully and do one's neighbour no wrong. One must also despise a vile man, keep one's oath "even when it hurts", never accept bribes, and lend money without interest. "He who does these things will never be shaken".

Mid-week

 Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Murilo brought the study on 'Love one another' from 1 John 3:11-15 as he is doing a series in this epistle. After the study an inspiring discussion ensued about 'love' where one sister shared about her having been adopted, another told us of her rejection by her family when she accepted Christ when young, and a third sister told us how her late husband came to the Lord. It was wonderful!

A dog in São Paulo stayed by his owner's grave for 10 years and a new law has been introduced to allow the burial of pets with their late owners in the dog's honour and in recognition of the emotional bond between people and their pets.

Philip is leaving Recife about now driven by Netinho. He should be in Patos early evening.

Dragon Fruit

I have just eaten red Dragon Fruit. It looks better than it tastes, but its alright. It's called Pitaya in Portuguese. 

I have just heard that President Lula is to inaugurate the expansion of the Patos airport next month.

And talking about airports Philip is today flying to Brazil via São Paulo and Recife arriving in Patos tomorrow. 🛫

Psalm 14 (summary): Atheists are fools

This further psalm of David for the director of music (there are 55 such psalms) starts saying atheists are fools, corrupt and even vile. David goes on to say that nobody seeks God or does good. All have turned away from God in corruption. He asks if evildoers will never learn to call on the name of the Lord? And that the Lord is the refuge of the poor!

Psalm 13 (summary): How long O Lord?

This psalm is another Davidic lament written for the director of music. 4 times David asks "how long"? How long will you forget me? How long will you hide from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts? And how long will my enemy triumph? David clearly feels desperate, abandoned and lost. David begs an answer from God with light for his eyes to prevent death. And he ends reaffirming his trust in God's love as he rejoices in salvation.

Psalm 12 (summary): Help Lord!

This psalm is a further lament by David for the director of music in which he laments the disappearance of the faithful of God. He says that everyone is speaking with flattering lips and a boastful tongue. Then God says that he will arise in response to the oppression of the weak and combat it with flawless truth. God will keep his people safe despite the dominance of corruption in society. 

Psalm 11 (summary): In the Lord I take refuge

Psalm 11 was written by David for the director of music and David refuses to flee from the difficult situation he faces because the Lord is his refuge. The psalmist says that God is on his heavenly throne hating the wicked who aim arrows at the righteous, and examining the righteous. The Lord is righteous, says David, and he love justice, meaning that upright men will see his face. But God will judge the wicked with fiery coals and burning sulphur.

Philip coming

I am thrilled to announce that our son Pastor Philip will be arriving here on Friday for the Carnival Camp which starts the day after. He will be staying in Brazil for about 2 weeks. Please pray for safe travels and a blessed camp.

Last night I gave the study from Matthew 5 on being salt and light for Jesus at the Men's Fellowship. The meeting was led by schoolteacher Claudivan. It was a lovely meeting.

Psalm 10 (summary): Why, O Lord?

Psalm 10 is a lament which asks why God remains at a distance in times of trouble whilst the wicked arrogantly prosper? The wicked, says the psalmist, are greedy, proud, haughty, foul mouthed, murderers, exploit the vulnerable and they think they evade God's vigilance. The psalmist then cries for God's intervention breaking the arm of the wicked and meeting the need of the helpless. The psalm ends exalting the Lord as King who hears the cry of the afflicted bringing justice to the oppressed. 

Pastor

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the pastor of our Imaculada church, Pastor João George, and his wife Jacilene, discussing issues pertinent to the Imaculada church. It was very good to see the pastor in good health. 

It was great to have been able to kit out Missionary Guilherme Santos with a motorbike to take him round his parish in the Diamante region where he now lives and works for God alongside the regional pastor Nezinho Abílio.

Yesterday it rained another 15 mm at Green Pastures meaning we have now had rain 6 days on the run!   

Sunday service

Last night I led the main Sunday service and Pastor Rafael preached on unbelief from Numbers 14. Sacha, Marina, Érika and Rogério led the praise and worship. It was the first time Rogério had sung and it was excellent.

Yesterday it rained 14 mm at Green Pastures. PTL!

I am glad to tell you that Mayane's grandmother, who was bitten by a rattlesnake, has been released from hospital. Her eyesight is still affected though it is a lot better than it was.

Psalm 9 (summary): I will praise you o Lord!

Psalm 9 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music to be sung to the tune of 'The Death of the Son'. It starts with full-blooded praise to God for victory over his enemies, for judging righteously the wicked and for rebuking the nations. David says that God's reign is permanent and eternal. God is a refuge for the oppressed who never forsakes those who seek him. He says sing praises to the Lord enthroned in Zion who does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. He says his enemies persecute him almost to death so he cries to God for mercy. David cries to God also for him to judge the fallen nations and the wicked who are ensnared by the work of their own hands. "Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but men"!

Psalm 8 (summary): Oh Lord, how majestic is your name!

Psalm 8 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music according to gittith, which is probably a musical term. It is a jubilant song of praise to the Lord which starts and ends saying, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth"! David says that God's glory is not limited to creation, yet he has given man an important position of leadership within the created order. He observes with awe how God cares for man and says that God has crowned man with glory and honour.

Psalm 7 (summary): Lord, I take refuge in you

Psalm 7 is a lament attributed to David which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjamite called Cush. The psalms style is a shiggaron which is probably a musical term.

David starts by saying that he is taking refuge in God from those who want to tear him apart like a lion. He says that if he has done wrong then he is happy to be punished, but he trusts the just Lord to rise up against the rage of his enemies. David goes on to say that the wicked will end up in the very pit that they dug for others and that the trouble they have caused will recoil on their own heads. He ends the psalm thanking God for his righteousness and praising his most high name.

Back from "the dead"

A 29-year-old woman in the interior of São Paulo was knocked down in a road accident and was declared dead by an ambulance doctor. However later signs of life were observed and she was taken to hospital. She has now recovered and has been sent home. The doctor has been suspended and is being investigated.

I have just realized that QPR drew 0 x 0 once again, away to Charlton. This was on Friday.

Last night's service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to rain. What a glorious problem to have! ⛈☂ It was a case of 'rain stopped pray'! I was all ready to preach on Jesus being the bread of life from John 6, but this will now be preached after the carnival camp. With the rain the temperature has dropped to a high of 30 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

The total rainfall last night at Green Pastures was 13 mm which is just over half an inch.

Psalm 6 (summary): Oh Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music was to be performed with stringed instruments according to shemenith which was probably a musical term. This is the first of 7 penitential psalms with prayer by David who deeply troubled and distressed. The psalmist cries out for mercy expressing profound anguish and asking how much longer he must wait for deliverance. David says he is worn out with groaning and of soaking his bed with tears. At the end David defiantly asserts victory because God has heard his cry and accepted his prayer so that his enemies will be shamed.

Psalm 5 (summary): Morning by morning

Psalm 5 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music which this time is to be accompanied by flutes. It clearly is a morning prayer: "Morning by morning, O Lord you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you". The psalm decries the wicked for being arrogant, bloodthirsty and deceitful, contrasting such people with David's personal pleasure in being in God's house paying reverent homage. God is depicted as holy detesting wickedness and falsehood. However those who take refuge in God are glad living under divine protection like with a shield.

Rain

It rained a further 15 mm (just over half an inch) at Green Pastures yesterday and more rain is forecast for today, so the rainy season seems to be finally getting going. PTL! But please don't stop praying.

Liz went out to Green Pastures yesterday with a car load of supplies for the Carnival Camp which starts a week today.

I have just taken part online in another EAB Board of Trustees meeting which went off very well.

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 Mayanne 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".

Sunday School

Liz took the Sunday School yesterday in Patos and it was a great blessing. She taught the youths and adult class together.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and our daughter Sacha preached an excellent sermon on Micah 6:1-8. Sacha has degrees in English Language and Theology and is a very good preacher. I received some gifts from the church and from the church children in the service for my birthday which was very nice.

What a birthday!

My birthday yesterday was like no other as it was a long stressful day of meetings which had to be yesterday as there was no other day to fit them in. The senior ACEV leadership team met for 2 hours in the afternoon and deliberated 5 topics of which one was especially serious. We then drove to our Itaporanga church where I presided a church meeting which was not easy. We got back to Patos just before midnight and the pastors stayed the night at our house.

At least QPR won on my birthday beating league leaders Coventry at home 2 x 1. 😀

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