Band of Brothers

Summer Update

MLJ — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:56:36 +0000

Matt Bassett – It’s now been 16 weeks since Matt’s accident and he has made incredible progress. The highlight came a few days ago when he accessed a mate’s i-pad and communicated via Facebook with his own update post. Although still limited by the functionality of his hands, he skillfully controlled the motion of his wrist to tap out a message with his pinky knuckle. He’s got his own set of wheels now and is down the gym everyday, which is more than most of us! His attitude still shines with the grace of God, despite the circumstances. His hearts desire while God completes the restoration of his body to full health & strength is to develop his heart relationship with the Lord. If you want to come into agreement with us for Matt’s complete healing, then we’re standing on Psalm 103;1-5 & Isaiah 40:31. We are seeing continual signs of recovery, tiny miracles all along the way. Matt knows many people are praying for him and that is very encouraging to him. Keep pressing in until the miracle is complete.

Cardiff Men’s Convention – Pass the Baton to CVM Wales

CVM Wales – The schedule on The Code will follow shortly.

Band of Brothers Autumn Logistics coming soon……

Cheers

MLJ

Matt’s Story so far….

MLJ — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:32:27 +0000

The Band of Brothers were gathering for a weekend away a few weeks ago at the beautiful St Brides Bay on the Pembrokeshire coastline. In the build up to the event a number of guys arrived early to enjoy the facilities and surroundings. Matt Bassett (19) ran into the water full speed and took a dive into a wave, that made the water appear deeper than it was, he broke his neck on impact. He was airlifted to the UHW Cardiff, Wales, UK. Subsequent medical investigation discovered that he had broken his C5 and that the spinal cord is severely bruised but not damaged. The C5 was repaired by a plate administered in surgery the day following the accident, a cage was placed around the spinal cord. The immediate post-trauma effects of such an injury known as “spinal shock” which can last for a few months mean that movement is only gradually returning to Matt’s limbs. However, he has good use of his shoulders and elbows, and is very proud of the stability his left wrist can muster. Matt is a remarkable young man and his sense of humour and cheeky smile over-ride his current circumstance. In Christ, Matt is more than a conqueror, and his smile reflects his heavenly Father’s delight over him.

The Words of God can be life to those who find them and health to a man’s body (Proverbs 4:22). Together with his family Matt is trusting God for a full recovery by declaring a number of scriptures we agreed together and you are invited to join in that prayer agreement. Psalm 103;1-5 and Isaiah 40:31. The Psalmist declares that “He heals all our diseases and satisfies our desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” When he heard those words Matt’s face lit up as he told us his favourite animal is an Eagle, he’s got a picture of one on his guitar and one over his hospital bed now. That picture is also stored in his heart and mind “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Matt’s hope is in the Lord and the definition of faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Circumstances alone do not have to dictate the outcome of this situation.

As a Band of Brothers, we are standing in total prayer agreement with Matt and his family for complete recovery. This may well be an extended journey but we can thank God and join in Matt’s excitement with each sign of progress.

“Your youth shall be renewed like the Eagle’s” Psalm 103:5

“They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31

God Bless

MLJ

Sat 19th March – Cardiff Men’s Convention

MLJ — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:39:24 +0000

Come and join 1000 other men, in St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Where “2 0r 3 welshmen are gathered there is harmony.” This years theme is the “Power and the Glory” where we consider the whole area of success and how it affects our lives in the world around us, but how we need to get God’s perspective on this issue. Let’s face it none of us make it our goal to fail…..The guy in Psalm 1, was encouraged like Joshua, to meditate on the word in order to prosper; sitting at the right table with the right blokes was aslo encouraged. On 19th March, you’ll be in the right company, so bring some mates and make a day of it, and still have time to watch the rugby. Book now http://www.cardiffmensconvention.org.uk/

Lunch with a Centenarian!!

MLJ — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:52:28 +0000

During a recent personal spiritual retreat it was my absolute privilege and honour to meet with my good friend and brother in Christ, Theo Oakley, who is 100 years old, 75 years of which he has lived as a follower of Christ.

He is a living legend and an example of a man who has lived all out for Christ, a steadfast, stable and successful man, who has fixed his eyes on the author and finisher of his faith. During our conversation over lunch, (which he demolished with gusto), I was amazed at his eternal perspective on life. His favourite bible verse is 1 Cor 15v52 and describes the hope that lives within him.

I am truly inspired at Theo’s zest for life and for God, and as I sat in his car while he drove me home, I thought to myself, God’s been walking with this friend of His and mine for a whole century, and I’m probably in one of the safest place’s I know. Watch this short flip video in which Theo gives you his best advice for 2011, and witness his driving skill first hand !!

Enjoy.

MLJ

Our TV debut!

MLJ — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:46:29 +0000

Band of Brothers will be featured on an upcoming ITV Wales production of Wales This Week.

The programme airs on Thursday 16th December at 7.30pm

Photo’s

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:04:17 +0000

We have added a gallery area to the site which can be accessed from our blog.

Click the picture below to view the gallery now!

Band of Brothers – Shooting Day

MLJ — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:23:35 +0000

The Band of Brothers have read Wild at Heart & Fathered by God, they’ve done the Boot Camps, and bought the Polo Shirts and finally, went shooting in the hill’s of Gwent just like Eldridge, the birds were only clay, but it was great fun and very satisfying hitting the bulls eye & smashing the clay, a true gentleman’s sport; and to cap it all it snowed on us, and the polar bears came out, a great adventure !!

Letter from South Africa

MLJ — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:51:30 +0000

We had our first Band of Brothers SA meeting on Wednesday evening and five guys turned up. At the next meeting we are expecting three more guys, but it was a very good start. I have been following your advice and this month have been reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. On Wednesday the 27th of the month we read Proverbs 27v17 “As iron sharpens iron so one Man sharpens another.” It’s great how these God incidences reflect his plan in our lives.

One of the guys had been attending another group but felt that it was a bit false in some ways but was very excited about what we intend with Band of Brothers SA.

They did tease me because I was quoting from an English Bible though….and they insist on an Afrikaans name for the group….but I will keep you posted.

My friend, I pray for you and the Band of Brothers almost every day. I thank God for the influence you have had in my life, and continue to have and I look forward to the work God wants to do through me. I am finally learning the lesson: not by might nor by power but by the Holy Spirit through me, I am slowly surrendering my life to Him, it’s easy to say “I surrender”, but it is a different challenge completely to LIVE a surrendered life!!

Bless you my friends

Band of Brothers on the Road

MLJ — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:34:29 +0000

In Acts 18 states Paul set out and “travelled from place to place strengthening all the disciples,” or as the message translates, “putting fresh heart into the disciples.”

Over the last few months it’s been a joy and privilege to hit the road with the guys, introducing ourselves and our stories to some smaller fellowships, in café style meetings and quiz nights and camp meetings.

The Good News of Jesus is still relevant and transforming the lives of men & women today. It’s great to respond to the invitation and share our stories of transformation with those who wish to listen and see the encouraging effect the guy’s stories

There is something in us that is fascinated by people’s stories. When some aspect of a guy’s story is told in a real, non-religious way, people sit up and listen.

The testimony of a transformed life is as powerful today as it’s ever been.

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” Rev 12v11

One day we might all be called to make a stand and tell our story or as the old hymn writer put it “this is my story, this is my song…” When we do, let’s keep it real.

Jesus said “But you will be receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea & Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1v8

For the Band of Brothers, Cardiff is our Jerusalem and the rest of Wales is our Judea, we ventured into Judea in the last week and saw a crowd gather in the tiny hamlet of Pant Y Dwr. It showed me that God hasn’t finished building His Church and that he has a huge heart for the smallest places.

His grace and his love was poured out and there were many needs prayed for and quite a few answered over those two evenings, and we look forward to what God has in store for that place when we return in October.

One thing’s for sure, the power comes from the Holy Spirit working in our lives and even through our stories of what he has done for us and what he can do for you. “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1v37

God Bless

MLJ

Walking with God

MLJ — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:32:48 +0000

Each day brings challenges and opportunities to grow our faith and our character. How do we navigate our way through each day, week or a month.

All day long we are making choices. How do we know what to do? We have two options: we can trudge through on our own, doing our best to figure it all out. Or, we can walk with God and learn to hear his voice.

Our deepest need, as human beings, is to learn to live intimately with God. Are we practising a daily conversational walk with the Lord?

Having just returned from a sunrise prayer walk with a band of Prayer Warriors, (ages 20-86), I was reflecting that our Fathers have worked hard and diligently in kingdom service with modest returns on the whole, in turn their Fathers walked the path of fervent daily prayer. My own grandad prayed daily with his Band of Brothers early in the morning, and we walk on prayers of saints like that. However, our great grandad’s saw with their eyes the fruits of revival.

I honour and admire the diligence and fervency of the walk of our forefathers, full respect.

The same invitation exists for us to walk in step with our Heavenly Father. As we lay our requests before him and wait in expectation, he takes pleasure in answering our prayers with a twist. The twist being, that if we allow him to do beyond what we can ask and imagine, he can do exceedingly abundantly above all our limitations & suggestions.

I recommend you get this book, and observe, as Eldredge takes you through the spiritual seasons of a year and demonstrates Walking with God. This stuff is not just for reading it’s for LIVING.

Bless you Guys

MLJ

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