NEWSLETTER 1 – SUMMER 2004
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
And I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT)
WELCOME to our first newsletter.
LAUNCH OF THE WEBSITE
 We launched the website (www.AFatherToYou.com) on Fathers’ Day and so far the response has been very encouraging. In the first week alone there were several hundred hits from at least seven different countries.
It may be worth mentioning the background to this website. A few months ago I had a very clear dream in which I saw myself sitting at my computer creating a website. Across the top of the screen were the words “I will be a Father to you” and I could see some of the detail of the homepage. I also saw a picture of the logo which one our daughters has now brought into reality. Over the next few weeks I put the site together ready for its launch. I have been particularly grateful for the practical help and support of Barry Adams of Father’s Love Letter (www.fathersloveletter.com) and Miles Wilton of Mirtol Limited (www.mirtol.com).
I do believe that the website will be a signpost to point people to the Father and help them discover the true and perfect love that so often they miss out on. Only the Father’s love will change us so that we become like Jesus and bring us into a greater freedom in our walk as Christians. There are some resources available to download which can be used to point other people to the Father www.afathertoyou.com/signposts/resources.html - please feel free to distribute these as widely as possible.
2 Corinthians 6 v 18 is a promise to us from our Heavenly Father – He will be our Father and we will be His sons and daughters. It is my desire that this website helps people to find the reality of that promise and live in it daily.
REFLECTING FATHER’S PRESENCE
Over the last few weeks we have been watching the European football championships. Stadiums were full of ecstatic supporters, screaming for their favourite team, flags were waving, songs were being sung – in fact one news article referred to it being like a charismatic church meeting. In the article they questioned whether the church had lost something of its fervour which had instead been transferred to the football pitch!
 Perhaps the most striking picture of all was seeing the fans with their faces painted with their national flag or their country colours. I was struck to see them reflecting their chosen team. They were identifying with their team and by doing so felt part of the action.
We have something more powerful, more victorious and more life-changing to identify with. The very presence of our Heavenly Father can rest upon us; we can take on His identity, His family likeness. I was reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians –
“ And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (3:18).
Oh that we would bask in the Father’s love so much that we would reflect His glory – that we would become like Him. That His nature and character would not only rest upon us but soak through us and in doing so would change us to be more like Him.
My prayer is that, just like those football fans reflect their team, we would reflect the presence of our Father.
EVENTS
There are a few upcoming events mentioned on our website www.afathertoyou.com/signposts/events.html. In particular Ian and Janice Ross are in the UK at the present time and again in September. James and Denise Jordan will be in the UK and Europe in the Autumn and as soon as their itinerary is confirmed details will be posted on the website.
If you are planning to attend any of the events in your area it may be worth contacting the local host to check times, venues and other details.
This section of the website will be expanded in the next few months to become a comprehensive resource.
AND FINALLY….
Enjoy the summer and may it not just be a time of physical rest and refreshment but also one of enjoying Father’s presence.
In His Love
Mark Gyde
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