The document is the February-April 2009 issue of The Lighthouse magazine, a publication of the Meadow Brook Gardens Church of the Nazarene in Georgetown, Guyana. It welcomes readers back and announces that the magazine has been revived after being dormant. It will feature messages from the pastor, activities in the church departments, and discussions on world events and how they relate to Christians. Readers are encouraged to contribute articles and share how God has been working in their lives.

1. The LIGHTHOUSE
Church of the Nazarene, Plot A Wallaba Road, Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown
A Quarterly Publication
February-April 2009 Issue # 1
I
Welcome back!!!!
t’s back!!! The Lighthouse forward.
Magazine of the Meadow The revised magazine will feature
Brook Gardens Church of the messages from the pastor’s desk;
Nazarene has been resuscitated. will highlight activities in the various
In times past, before ships departments of the church, including
and other ocean going vessels had Sunday school, Youth and Missions.
Praising God sophisticated technological equipment There will also be an interactive
W
which steered and charted the waters, page featuring quizzes, poems, and
hether you adopt or adapt
a lighthouse built near the edges of inspirational stories. The church is in
the following, or compose
the shore, was very essential. Any a global environment. World events
a praise program of your
captain lost at sea looked expectantly and the implications for Christians
own, I pray that this suggested “praise
and searchingly for the lighthouse will be discussed in the Lighthouse. In
program” may help your praise ascend
since it was the beacon to guide ships addition, readers will be encouraged
plentifully and purposefully to God in
safely to land. The lighthouse brought to share their views, ask questions
ways that will make the angels blush
reassurance and comfort; offered and contribute meaningfully to the
with envy!
direction and gave confidence to the magazine.
1. God the Creator
captain and crew that if they followed We hope that you will enjoy reading,
“Creator God, I praise you because
the light they would reach land safely discovering or re-discovering the
you made the heavens, even the
and securely. In addition, the keeper joys of the Bible and being a regular
highest heavens, and all their starry
of the lighthouse had to ensure that the contributor to the Lighthouse. To our
host, the earth and all that is on
lamp was always lit, never growing members and friends who are part
it, the seas and all that is in them.
dim! of the diaspora, the Lighthouse will
You give life to everything, and the
First published in the early eighties, provide great opportunity for you to
multitudes of heaven worship you”.
the Lighthouse Magazine is an reach out and touch. We encourage you
. . . (Nehemiah 9:6).
evangelical extension of the church; as well to send articles and share the
2. The Only God
reaching, informing and pointing various ways in which the goodness of
“God, I praise you because you are
readers to Christ and the gospel of God has been coming through in your
the LORD, and there is no other;
salvation. life. Please also, don’t hesitate to send
apart from you there is no God. . . .”
The magazine seeks to reach persons your prayer request and thoughts on
(Isaiah 45:5).
who may be wandering on the seas of any other features you would like to see
3. The Almighty God
time; persons who may be looking for highlighted in the Lighthouse.
“O LORD God Almighty, who
answers and need a compass to point God’s blessing and remember…
is like you? You are mighty, O
them back to dry ground and security. here is the test to find whether your
LORD,” and I praise you . . . .”
The Magazine also intends to remind mission on earth is finished:
(Psalm 89:8).
persons that it is important to stay the
4. The Everlasting Father, the
course, to keep rowing and pressing If you’re alive, it isn’t!!
Ancient of Days
“I praise you, Lord, as the Ancient
In this Issue
and keep [your] commands. . . .”
of Days (Daniel 7:9), the Everlasting
(Deuteronomy 7:9).
Father (Isaiah 9:6), who lives forever
8. A Merciful God
and ever. . . .”
“You, O Lord, are a gracious and Commit everything to the Lord
5. A Loving God
merciful God,” (Nehemiah 9:31), Feature Article
“I praise you because you are a
and I praise you for your great
loving God, whose very nature is
mercy. . . .” From the Pastor’s Desk
love. . . .” (1 John 4:16).
9. God my Refuge, my Fortress
6. A God of Justice ‘God’s DESIGN in 2009’
“Lord, I praise and magnify you who “I praise you, Lord, for you are
are just and the one who justifies my mighty rock, my refuge. . . .’” Eye on the Globe
those who have faith in Jesus. . . .” (Psalm 62:7). ‘More than a financial crisis’
(Romans 3:26). 10. A Longsuffering, Persevering God
7. The Trustworthy God “Father, I praise you because you Reflections Page
“Heavenly Father, I give you my
are patient with [all your children], Inspirational Items
praise and adoration, because you
not wanting anyone to perish, but
are a “faithful God, keeping [your]
everyone to come to repentance’ A Splash of Youth
covenant of love to a thousand
(2 Peter 3:9). Thank you for your Relating to the young and the young at
generations of those who love [you]
heart
patience with me. . . .”
He is like a tree planted by streams of living water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does, prospers. Psalms 1:3 (NIV)

2. Page 2wo
C ommit everything to the Lord
Even in His silence He is fathering wings of the morning, and dwell in the
us and teaching us patience and perfect uttermost parts of the sea; even there
P
timing, God releases patience, a sedative shall thy hand lead me, and thy right
for the troubled heart. God’s sheer hand shall hold me.” [Psalm 139:7-
salm 37:5 (AMP) “Commit
grace and Holy Spirit, will sustain us. 10].
yourself to the Lord (Roll and
He directs the thoughts, affections and Do not worry, saying, “What shall we
repose each care of your load
designs of the renewed and sanctified eat? or What shall we drink? or What
on Him). Trust (lean on, rely
souls. God knows the end from the
on and be confident). Also in Him and shall we wear?. . . For your heavenly
beginning (Isaiah 46:10). “Though the
He will bring it to pass (And He will Father knows that you need all these
fig tree does not bud and there are no
help you).” things.” (Mt. 6:31-32)
grapes on the vines, though the olive
The perfect interpretation of this “What man is there among you who,
crop fails and the fields produce no
verse is: “Roll your way and will onto if his son asks for bread, will give him
food, though there are no sheep in the
Jehovah, Trust in Him, and see Him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he
pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will
WORK.” Superimpose and bring into
give him a serpent? If you then, being
rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in
alignment your will and way unto His
evil, know how to give good gifts to
God my Savior”, (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
will and way. A bible theologian once
your children, how much more will
He will make me to walk in my high
referred to this form of “commitment”
your Father who is in heaven give good
places.
as ROLLING THE DICE. Once you
things to those who ask Him!” (Mt.
let go of the dice, you have no way
God the Father 7:9-11). Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know
of foretelling the final outcome. Your
God the Father is omnipotent (all- the thoughts and plans I have for you,
response is, not my will but thine be
powerful), having made the world and says the Lord. Thoughts and plans to
done.
everything in it. He gives to all life. He prosper you (welfare and peace) and
is omniscient (all-knowing), knowing not for evil to give you hope in your
When we trust God, we
know that we know, that
final outcome.”
we know, He will work
The Bible assures us that we can cast
When We
and the enabling power
Trust God We all our cares on Him because He cares
of the Holy Spirit will
Acknowledge
accomplish what we have for us (1 Pet. 5:7). He knows our needs
His
“rolled” onto Him....
and He knows how to meet those needs
Supremacy
and with wisdom and compassion.
Sovereignty
God works! He works! Roll your
Points to Ponder
burdens onto Him and look unto Jesus
A
(Heb. 12:2, KJV) and see Him do great missionary society wrote
Commitment
and mighty things. Your faith may to David Livingstone and
pillars
stands on the ovisions
be tested, but He works. His Word is asked, “Have you found a
of security, pr of the
truth! and protection r good road to where you are? If so,
e
Heavenly Fath
Whether our burden is a sorrow, we want to know how to send other
difficulty, physical need, or concern men to join you.” Livingstone wrote
over the salvation of a loved one, God back, “If you have men who will
the hearts of all men. His knowledge
come only if they know there is a
works, and no matter how unexpected and wisdom are infinite and perfect.
good road, I don’t want them. I want
or extraordinary His guidance may God the Father is omnipresent (present
men who will come if there is no
seem and no matter how close to the all over). Like the Psalmist we can
road at all.”
edge of the cliff He may lead you, ponder, “Whither shall I go from thy Good News Broadcaster, April, 1985, p. 12.
never snatch the guiding reins from His presence? If I ascend up into heaven,
hands. Is there anything too difficult for David Livingstone is the great Missionary who
thou art there: if I make my bed in took the Gospel to the continent of Africa
God? hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the
God will not force a man to revere Him, but He will make it impossible for him to be happy unless he does.

3. Page 3hree
PASTOR’S DESK God’s DESIGN in 2009
that in Christ ALL things become new?
of Christ we have that freedom. We do
Isn’t it time to stop repairing the old
not have to accept the corrupt practices
and have a fresh encounter with God?
of sin. Jesus has paid the price; let us
A revival, a renewal of your passion
live in His freedom.
and purpose is His good pleasure. He
Stability wants to give us His new wine and a
new song. His newness is sweet; it is
Ps 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and
sure. If we choose to live for Him, He
my fortress, and my deliverer; my God,
is ready to unleash newness into our
my strength, in whom I will trust.” We
Rev. Rajkumar ‘Tony’ Autar
lives…in abundance. Get His Newness
live in a world of shifting standards and
A
today!
falling morals. Our foundation is on
s we enter a New Year it is my Christ the solid rock and on Him we are
A Challenge
belief that God wants us to more than conquerors. Stability enables
experience His Divine Design As the dawning of a new year breaks
us to remain firm and tough through
in our individual lives. At the Brook, forth, let us embrace God’s design in
torrent of pressure which seek to topple
we are convinced that God’s promise of 2009. Don’t delay! A great encounter
our faith, God is our strength!
a definite plan and profound prosperity with the “designer” is in your hands.
Increase
(Jer 29:11) are ours if we allow Him to Allow Jesus into your heart and life.
Ps 1:3 “And he shall be like a tree
guide and grow us as a community. He cannot work His plan if you are not
planted by the rivers of water, that
God’s DESIGN in 2009 reminds us His possession. His design is Direction,
bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
of His continued purpose to build His Emancipation, Stability, Increase,
his leaf also shall not wither; and
church and position it for great prosper- Guidance and Newness. So what are
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
ity and purpose. To design means “to you waiting for? Let Him have His way
What a promise! God can refresh the
conceive and plan out in the mind…to …TODAY.
driest branch, blossom the infertile life
have as a purpose.” The great designer
and strengthen the weakest purpose.
of human destiny has intricately woven
With God we can enjoy the fatness
a Plan in place when we accept His sal- NEW CREATION
of the land. He wants to increase our
vation. Let’s explore the DESIGN.
L
ondon businessman Lindsay Clegg
barns and overflow our vats with His told the story of a warehouse
Direction goodness. property he was selling. The
building had been empty for months and
Pro3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all
needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the
Guidance
thine heart; and lean not unto thine doors, smashed the windows, and strewn
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in
own understanding. In all thy ways trash around the interior.
the way which thou shalt go: I will As he showed a prospective buyer the
acknowledge him, and he shall direct
guide thee with mine eye;” Ps 32:8. property, Clegg took pains to say that
thy paths.” Life is tough and we need
Our future is bright because our God he would replace the broken windows,
God’s hand to direct out steps. Our
bring in a crew to correct any structural
is leading the way forward. We must
understanding of life is limited but God
damage, and clean out the garbage.
not allow our past to distract us. We do
knows the way. Without God’s design “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer
not need the current travailing to slow
we will have no direction in this dark said. “When I buy this place, I’m going
us. We have a promise-keeping, ever-
sin saturated world and we will lose to build something completely different. I
present God who will never leave us to
our way wandering in circles. We need don’t want the building; I want the site.”
wander. He is our guide. Let us trust His
God’s Direction!! Compared with the renovation God
precepts, His instructions, His sign post has in mind, our efforts to improve our
Emancipation own lives are as trivial as sweeping a
in our daily walk. Friends, He watches
John 8:36 states, “If the warehouse slated for the wrecking ball.
over His own!
When we become God’s, the old life is
Son therefore shall make
Newness over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things
you free, ye shall be free
new. All he wants is the site and the
indeed.” It is a tragic reality to realize “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he
permission to build.
that man can still be bound by shackles is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become
and chains of slavery in this modern Ian L. Wilson.
new.” 2 Cor 5:17. Have we taken note
age. We need freedom and by the blood

4. Page 4our
Globe
EYE The
on
More than a Financial Crisis
T he financial crisis which started It explored how many Americans
in America and has spread had stopped saving and had embraced
Church of the
across the world will not the habit of credit, spending more than
here be rehashed. What needs to be they were earning and being mired in
Nazarene registered
understood, however, in great detail, by debt. They lacked the patience to save
everyone, but especially us Christians, up and wait for what they needed and
in Southern Sudan
is the underpinnings of the crisis from a became known as the ‘now generation,’
moral and spiritual perspective so that demanding instant gratification of their
C
real change can be undertaken. Right needs which were constantly confused hurch of the Nazarene registered
away several words jump out of the with their wants. Lacking contentment, in Southern Sudan Juba, Southern
analysis of the crisis. Foremost among they forsook the discipline of living SudanTuesday, January 13, 2009
these words are, greed, lack of integrity frugally and within their means. These November was an historic month for the
of leadership, carelessness, impatience, borrowings became excessive to fund Church of the Nazarene in the Horn of
discontent, excessiveness. a lifestyle of pleasure leading not only Africa (HOA). On November 19, 2008,
Almost everyone caught up in the to the credit crisis but to the exorbitant Field Strategy Coordinator Ermias
crisis had some degree of greed, from and selfish use and destruction of the Choliye signed the legal document to
the homeowners who wanted a home earth’s resources. register the Church of the Nazarene as
the size of which they could not afford, That this can happen first to America an international church in Sudan.
or those who wanted a second or third on whose currency is written “In God The registration document, signed
home to the corporate executives whose we Trust,” must be a warning to all in the offices of the Government of
desire for personal wealth may be Christians that if we do not follow the Southern Sudan (GOSS) Ministry of
considered criminal but surely vulgar practical guidance of the Lord in all Legal Affairs and Registrar Office
by people of good conscience. We are matters, including financial matters, in Juba, Southern Sudan, in front
warned of greed in Proverbs 1:19 and we too could end up in a crisis. Let of representatives from the Sudan
the harm it does to the soul, and Proverbs us therefore endeavour to be in Christ government along with John Yual and
15:27 cautions that the greed of a man and not in a crisis. Let us heed the former HOA coordinator Howie Shute,
affects his whole household. But more exhortation of Paul in I Timothy 6:6, gives the Church of the Nazarene legal
so, greed which is the excessive love of 8, “But godliness with contentment right to plant churches in the southern
money is explained to us in, I Timothy is great gain… And having food and Sudan states.
6:10, as leading to many sorrows. clothing, let us be therewith content.” During this same trip, Yual, the
The financial crisis also showed in
Sudan mission coordinator, invited
stark reality the crisis of leadership that
Choliye to be involved in the Sudan
exists today. That there were so many
leadership meetings and Church
Tidbit
leaders in the financial and business
Planting Movement training program
community that lacked the integrity to
with 17 local leaders and assistant
carry out their grave responsibilities
district superintendents from all parts
“Money often comes between men
show that there is widespread disregard
of the East, Southeast, and South Sudan
and God.” Someone has said that you
for good old fashioned morality as
districts.
can take two small ten-cent pieces,
expounded by the church and instead,
Choliye commented: “We had a
a total dependence on knowledge. just two dimes, and shut out the
good time of sharing vision and the
For many where there may not have view of a panoramic landscape. Go mission statement as well as revising
been greed, there then must have been to the mountains and just hold two strategy to reach unreached people in
carelessness. Christians are commanded coins closely in front of your eyes-- Sudan. The leaders were so excited
to be good stewards. Making financial the mountains are still there, but you that they set the final goal to continue
and other decisions without serious cannot see them at all because there teaching the holiness message and to
thought, sound advice and prayer
have one million Nazarenes in worship
is a dime shutting off the vision in each
amount to carelessness and not the
attendance in the year 2012. Sudan
eye.
kind of stewardship that is indicated in
Nazarenes want to fulfill the regional
It doesn’t take large quantities of
I Corinthians 3:13.
target of reaching one million by the
money to come between us and
Impatience, discontent and
year 2012.”
God; just a little, placed in the wrong
excessiveness can be taken together.
In several articles, Business Week position, will effectively obscure our Ermias Choliye
Magazine examined how American view. NCN News-Africa
culture had drifted away from the
Cedric Gowler.
Judaic-Christian lifestyle of thrift,
Extracted from ncnnews.com
contentment and sacrifice/frugality.
Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

5. Page 5ive
REFLECTIONS
“Now I know that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear from
his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.”
The Journey
blessings.”
The Prayer “Tell me,” the first man asked
the voice, “what did he pray for
T A
that I should owe him anything?”
he children of Israel spent many voyaging ship was wrecked “He prayed that all your prayers be
years wandering through the during a storm at sea and only answered.”
desert. What should have been two of the men on it were able For all we know, our blessings are
an 11 day journey took them 40 years to swim to a small, desert like island. not the fruits of our prayers alone,
to complete. How amazing is that? And The two survivors, not knowing but those of another praying for us.
today, when we look at the geographical what else to do, agree that they had When Jesus died on the cross he
area, it seems almost unthinkable that, no other recourse but to pray to God. was thinking of you! LH
that could happen. But many of us have However, to find out whose prayer
lives that resemble the journey of the was more powerful, they agreed to
This Is the Time; This Is the
children of Israel to the promise land. In divide the territory between them and
our own lives we seem to be working so stay on opposite sides of the island. Hour
hard, trying so hard, doing everything The first thing the first man prayed
The Lord our God will say to us
we can and yet seem to get nowhere. We for was food. The next morning, the
To not limit what He can do
walk through life lonely and defeated, first man saw a fruit-bearing tree
For He is a God of the unlimited
putting on a smile for everyone while on his side of the land, and he was
There’s nothing He can’t do through you!
bleeding silently inside. able to eat its fruit. The other man’s
The amazing thing about the journey parcel of land remained barren. After
For God is doing a new thing
of the children of Israel though is that a week, the first man was lonely and
In our lives, today, this hour
God used those years in the desert to he decided to pray for a wife. The
To raise us up to be His army
work on them, purify them, build them, next day, another ship was wrecked,
Clothing us with His power
prune them and make them hungry, and the only survivor was a woman
thirsty and ready for the promised who swam to his side of the land. On
Remember not the former things
land. The Land turned out to be not the other side of the island, there was
The things that are in the past
all smooth, with some pretty rough nothing.
Behold, He is doing a new thing
terrain. But the children of Israel were Soon the first man prayed for a
And will capture human hearts
so prepared by God that they saw what house, clothes, more food. The next
God wanted them to see… promise, day, like magic, all of these were
It’s time now to go out and gather
paradise. And many times, in our lives given to him. However, the second
In the harvest of the Lord
God has to take us around and around man still had nothing.
For there are many whose souls are ready
the same terrain to create a hunger in Finally, the first man prayed for a
More than we’ve known before
us for more; a desire to leave behind ship, so that his wife and he could
the baggage of Egypt, and to develop a leave the island. In the morning, he
So take His light into those places
single-minded, almost tunnel vision to found a ship docked at his side of
Of darkness and misery
see what is ahead and nothing else. the island. The first man boarded
That they may know the God of love
To want the promise so much that the ship with his wife and decided
To give hope and a destiny
we can taste it, breathe it, see it, and to leave the second man on the
want to be consumed by it. When our island. He considered the other man
Then they may shine right where they are
hearts and lives have been sufficiently unworthy to receive God’s blessings,
So others may come to the light
worked over by the Master, he makes since none of his prayers had been
And they in turn may come to know
us fertile ground ready to plant his answered.
The saving grace of Christ
seeds. He uproots the weeds and hidden As the ship was about to leave, the
seeds of the past, of our darkened first man heard a voice from Heaven
Then Jesus’ light may radiate there
understanding, and begins to plant His booming, “Why are you leaving your
Like a beacon in the night
own; renewing, redeeming that which companion on the island?”
No longer groping in the darkness
was lost and corrupted. And even at “My blessings are mine alone,
But shining forth God’s light
this stage the journey goes on… where since I was the one who prayed for
the Master looks over the garden of them,” the first man answered. “His
May the spirit of God arise in you
prayers were all unanswered, and so
our lives to ensure that And empower you much more
he does not deserve anything.” “You
So His glory may be seen with you
the seeds planted bear
are mistaken!” the voice rebuked
As you proclaim the risen Lord
much fruit. LH him. “He had only one prayer, which
I answered. If not for that, you
By M.S.Lowndes ~ edited 2008
would not have received any of my
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” - John 6 : 6 3

6. Page 6ix
A Splash of Youth
Goals for the year
A Gathering of  Launching of a female
Hearts mentorship program
 Emphasis on leading at
Nazarene Youth International (NYI)
least 20 souls to Christ
is the ideal place for the gathering  Community projects
of hearts. Every Friday night at 7pm  Partnership in one
young and ‘youthful’ hearts leave major church project
their homes and come together for Celebrating our victory
 Mentorship of youth
an evening of fun, fellowship and sports day 2008
leaders
learning the Word of God.  Personal spiritual
Gathering together with other growth and
A Bit of Humour
A
youth is a wonderful way to grow development
man and his wife were having
your faith at the “Brook”. It does  Relationship fostering
an argument about who
not matter how young or mature
What you can should brew the coffee each
you are; there is a place for you. Our expect IN NYI
morning. The wife said, ‘You should
NYI is divided into three age groups: (topics)
do it, because you get up first, and
Fragile Hearts, Tender Hearts, and
 Favourtism then we don’t have to wait as long to
Lovely Hearts.
get our coffee.’
 Rejection
The husband said, ‘ You are in
 Handling Temptations
Youth Ministry at the Brook charge of cooking around here and
 Handling Power and
you should do it, because that is
Authority
Purity Club: This Club meets your job, and I can just wait for my
 Is your conscience clear?
twice per month to discuss matters coffee.’
 Pepper pot night with talent
of sexual purity and right choices. Wife replies, ‘No, you should do it,
expo
Presently we are using the ‘Reach for and besides, it is in the Bible that the
 Me nah bow down to no
Life Testament.’ It provides youths man should do the coffee.’
Satan
the opportunity to freely express Husband replies, ‘I can’t believe
 Dress code that, show me.’ So she fetches the
their thoughts and ask questions on
 Be careful little eyes what Bible, and opened the New Testament
any subject pertaining to sex.
and shows him at the top of several
you see….
pages, that it indeed says........
Study Hall: This
New attitude….Higher ‘HEBREWS’**
ministry is designed
altitude
for those who need
additional help in Habits can either make us or break Please write us!
their academics. We are so blessed us. The author Samuel Smiles in Let us know how this publication
to be able to provide our youths has helped you. You may also send
his book, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly
your prayer requests or answers to
with a comfortable environment for Effective Teens’, puts it this way. prayer. Let someone be blessed by
studying.
your testimony.
Sow a thought, and you reap an
act,
Visitation: This activity helps
Send your letters to:
Sow an act, and you reap a
to build relationship with the
habit,
community as well as serve as a The Editor,
Sow a habit, and you reap a
promotional tool for youth ministries Church of the Nazarene,
character,
at the Brook Plot ‘A’ Wallaba Road,
Sow a character, and you reap a Meadow Brook Gardens,
destiny. Georgetown, Guyana