CHANGES TO OUR WEBCAST SERVICE

To all our LFT FRIENDS, ... please be advised that we will be implementing some changes to our Webcast service.

For the past two years, we have been using Yahoo Messenger to provide this service, however the demand for us to provide better quality service has prompted us to pursue other avenues which has resulted in us changing the air wave carrier of our worship services.

In the next few weeks we will be switching to livestream.com.

You will be able to join us by clicking onto the following URL link; http://livestream.com/lautokafullgospel

Our service will be provided live every Sunday from 10am - 12pm and 3.30pm - 5pm (Fiji Time).

We would greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we adapt ourselves to this change.

For more information or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on lftmedia@kaiviti.com or lautokafullgospelaog@gmail.com and we will only be too happy to respond.

Vinaka vakalevu, GOD Bless and may you all have a blessed and prosperous new year.

FAMILY DAY CONCLUDES

The mud patched Saru church ground lay idol tonight with footprints clearly visible on paths leading to the temporary shed which was used as the main program dice. The footprints depict the paths taken by the members when marching up to give their gift offering to the Lord.

What touched me the most was the manner in which the members gave. They gave from the bottom of their heart. I was fortunate to be up on the dice to receive the offerings and I saw it in their eyes. Its not a question of how much, it was a matter of how big their heart was for the Lord.

With a fair knowledge of the country's economic situation lingering in hindsight, the people's devout faith and commitment to the Lord has to be marveled at. No wonder they are so blessed with inner peace even in their state of financial hardship. HE is always there to meet their needs when they need it. They did not give from their abundance of possessions, they gave everything they had.

One of the ladies dancing happily away in the grounds just got her home burnt to the ground afew months ago, but she didn't show any of that today. Some may wonder, 'How can people do that?' Well, it's simply their relationship with the Lord.

To add spice to the day's activities, volleyball competition was held for the youth, sack and egg on spoon racing for the children and tug-o-war for everyone. It surely was a day filled with fun and activities.

And when the day's event came to a close, $32,000.00 was left at the church chest for the building up of God's kingdom. $15,000.00 came from our friends from the USA and $17,000.00 from our local members. To god be the glory.

AMBULANCE TO RECEIVE VITAL PARTS

Thanks to our former assistant Music Director, Mr Sunia Gutuvakaca, the ministries department will in a few days receive a much needed engine part that will see the church ambulance back on the mission front line in weeks.

Bro Sunia who now resides in the US, this week responded to an SOS call from Saru and purchased the engine component that will be shipped across in the coming days.

The ambulance that was donated by a group from the US a couple of years ago, has been utilized in many mission areas by our church medical team.

Eagles view would like to acknowledge this contribution by thanking Mr Gutuvakaca for his assistance.

2ND DAY BEGINS WITH HEAVY DOWN POUR

The day began with people flocking into the Saru grounds from the early hours of the morning in high expectations for a fine full day of activities.

This was unfortunately hindered by the heavy down pour mid morning that resulted in some members moving shelter to the main church complex basement area and unfortunately also left the grounds soggy.

BUT to think for one moment that the weather would dampen the spirit of the meet is totally wrong. People are still going on with their business and are truly optimistic that today's event will turn out fruitful and rewarding.

Talatala Qase looked a happy man yesterday and I'm sure he will be much happier today.

YOUNG MEN'S HOLDS FIRST CONCERT

The LFT Young Men's, a branch of our Dance Ministry Team held their first ever concert to a near full house audience at the Anupam theater last night.

The concert which was free to the public was sponsored by Mr Ciri Motokana, a resident of the Bay Area in the US and by their team leader, Jope Ratu Koro's family.

In delivering his thank you speech, Jope acknowledged our Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa for his support and Pastor Sanaila of the CMF church in Lautoka for allowing them to use their facility.

Other dance groups from churches within Lautoka and the surrounding areas made special appearances. The appearance of our church choir and a local group led by a gentleman only introduced as Bro Tubuna added variety and contributed greatly to the success of the concert.

Bro Saiasi played a splendid role as master of ceremony and his stage skills kept the mostly young audience screaming and on their feet for most portions of the concert.

Eagle's view would like to thank and congratulate the boys for a well organized concert.

Family Day Opens

The LFT Family Day 2 of 2009 was declared open a short while ago by our special guests, Pastor Akuila Biu and Radini Ema who came in all the way from the United States of America. In doing so, he also handed in a staggering donation of $15, 000.00 which was received with astonishment by the church members who erupted in applause as the amount was revealed over the PA System by the Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa.

Talatala Biu is here on behalf of our partners and friends from the United States who accepted our 11th hour invitation and responded so overwhelmingly. To Bro Luke Qauqau and all the twelve of our loving friends in the USA who contributed, we say, “ vinaka vakalevu na veitokoni, ka sa neimami masu, me na drodrovi kemuni tikoga na veivakalougatataki ni noda Turaga ka i vakabula, na luve ni Kalou bula, ko Jisu Karisito.”

The Family Day fun and activities is now well underway and will be officially closed tomorrow evening. The church anniversary celebration service will be held on Sunday which will bring to a close our overall church activities for 2009.

FAMILY DAY (2) PREPARATIONS WELL UNDERWAY

Merely three weeks to go and pocket meetings are well underway in preparation for the much awaited event.

The Family Day event will run from December the 11th to the 12th and will be held at our Saru Complex grounds.

This will be the final church activity before the Christmas break.

The programs committee led by our Deputy Senior Pastor, Rev Kitione Sanoko are working around the clock to piece together the final loose ends in time for the grand finale.

We are optimistic that this event will be a step up from the one we had earlier this year.

More details will be provided as and when it comes to hand.

LFT INVESTS IN NEW SOUND SYSTEM

On Saturday November 7, a delegation from LFT, led by the Senior Pastor, Rev Saimoni Waqa, visited the SPR office in Nadi to purchase some new equipment to upgrade our church public address system which will inturn aid in the enhancement of our worship.

The new system, which cost FJD$25,000.00 was installed later in the day and is surely serving its purpose.

The Boy and The Tree

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy

loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the

tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow...

He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by...

The little boy grew up, and he no longer played around the tree

everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree with a sad

look on his face. "Come and play with me," the tree asked the

boy. "I am no longer a kid, I don't play around trees anymore."

The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them."

"Sorry, I don't have money...but you can pick all my apples and

sell them so you will have money."

The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree

and left happily. The boy didn't come back after he picked the

apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited.

"Come and play with me," the tree said.

"I don't have time to play. I have to work for my family.

We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?"

"Sorry, I don't have a house, but you can chop off my branches

to build your house."

So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily.

The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy didn't come back

afterward. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted.

"Come and play with me!" the tree said.

"I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax

myself. Can you give me a boat?" "Use my trunk to build your

boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the boy cut the

tree truck to make a boat. He went sailing and didn't come

back for a long time.

Finally, the boy returned after he had been gone for so many

years. "Sorry, my boy. But I don't have anything for you

anymore. No more apples for you..." the tree said.

"I don't have teeth to bite," the boy replied.

"No more trunk for you to climb on."

"I am too old for that now" the boy said. "I really can't give

you anything... the only thing left is my dying roots," the

tree said with sadness.

"I don't need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after

all these years," the boy replied.

"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest.

Come sit down with me and rest." The boy sat down and the tree

was glad and smiled with tears.

******************

This is the story of everyone.

The tree is our parents. When we were young, we loved to play

with Mom and Dad... When we grew up, we left them...

We only came to them when we needed something or when we were in

trouble.

No matter what, parents will always be there and give you

everything they can to make you happy.

It may seem as if the way the boy treats the "tree" in the story

is cruel, but many of us take our parents for granted in the

same way.

Never forget how important your parents are and try not to take

them for granted... They may not be around forever.

ANTS

The Ant and the Contact Lens: a true story

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens.

"Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."

She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Saviour. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Brilliant Conversation from a brilliant mind...

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and...

Professor: You are a Christian, aren't you, son?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Professor: Is GOD good?

Student: Sure.

Professor: Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL?

Student: Yes.

Professor: My Brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent)

Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella.

Professor: Is GOD Good?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Professor: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From...GOD...

Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Professor: So who created evil?

(Student did not answer)

Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them?

(Student had no answer)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son...have you ever seen GOD?

Student: No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student: No, sir.

Professor: Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?

Student: Yes.

Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my Faith.

Professor: Yes, Faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as Cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student: No, sir. There isn't...

(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)

Student: Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.

(There was pin-drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre)

Student: What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something. You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light...But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is, your Philosophical Premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavour. Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?

(The Class was in uproar)

Student: Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The Class broke out into laughter)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?... No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The Room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)

Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.

Student: That is it sir...Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.

I believe you have enjoyed the Conversation....and if so...You'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same...won't you? Forward this email to them to Increase their Knowledge...or FAITH.

That student was ALBERT EINSTEIN.