STAR NEWS Volume 9 Issue 1

STAR NEWS

Volume – 9 Issue – 1

(A News letter for Shining Stars, India) June - 2010

From the Founder

Dear Brother / Sister,

Greetings to you in Jesus’ name!

Past two months have been the period of transition for our family. Many things to catch up with. Please pray for the wisdom to both me and Peter and also for our Board members.

Gospel meeting on the occasion of Easter in April went well. There was good response from the students. During April and June about 11 VBS’ were conducted. Thank you very much for all your prayer support and financial support too.

We are going to add about 5 new centres this year. Please pray for the fruitful orientation programme which is planned to be held on 26th of June.

Please continue to uplift Shining Stars Ministry in your prayers. May many children come to know the Lord personally and be discipled.

God bless you!


Yours in His Services


Mercy Wiig


The Bible Says:
“His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.” (KJV) Psalm 115:11

Quote of the Month

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.” - Billy Graham.



This picture is taken at one of VBS programmes in Puchakayalagudem, Nalgonda District, where about 40 Banjara children attended and heard the word of God.
In short we totally conducted 11 VBS ( 2 ten-day and 9 five day )programmes in 6 weeks where 45 teachers and volunteers worked and reached about 800 children.

Please continue to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these children. We thank you all for your prayers and support for the same.



Testimony
In Athmakur center on the first day 37 children came. Anitha one who is studying her Intermediate, came to visit her relatives for one day and attended the VBS class, was attracted to the songs, lessons and the games. Second day morning she came to her teacher and said that “I was planning to go back to my village but when I attended the VBS for the first time, I decided to stay back for next 4 days and informed my parents the same.” In fact she did not bring any of her clothes but she managed with her cousin’s (boy) dresses. By the end of the programme she has learnt many new things.

Prayer Requests


Please Pray for:

• The New Centres Training Programme to be held 26th June’2010
• A team from Campus Crusade is going to come from Colarado of USA in July to minister among the children in Shining Stars centres, pray that the purpose of God will be fulfilled.

• For the upcoming AGM which is postponed to August 14th 2010.
• Recovery of Pastor Mark (please continue to pray for him)

Praise God for:
• The good results of tenth class (7 out of 8 passed) students.
• The safe journey of Wiig’s family from Ooty.
• Needs of the ministry.
 Vacuum Cleaner for computer cleaning
 Stand alone LCD Projector Screen & a Trolley suit case for protection of LCD Projector while traveling.
 Two DVD R/W Drives.


Contact info.

If you would like to make any contribution please contact us, or send a DD/Cheque or MO to the following address:
Shining Stars
Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam,
Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- India
Ph. 040-27157343
Overseas donors: DM Stearns P.O. Box 1578, North Wales
PA 19454
Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the “memo” section of your check.
E- mail: shiningstarsclubs@gmail.com.
Web: www.shiningstarsindia.org
Blog:http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com

STAR NEWS

Volume – 8 Issues – 2
(A News letter for Shining Stars, India) October-09



Quote of the Month: “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” - Billy Graham

From the Director

The Word of God says that God is near to those who seek Him, I say even more He is
Near to those who seek Him in time when you feel God at a distance. Recently God comforted me through the following lines written by a sister Cindi who experienced a close call in her 18 month old daughter’s life which looked to her like standing on the Edge but God helped her through to “Count it all joy ….James 1:2-3. and to……………………………………..Finding "Comfort" in the Crisis ...

The Bible says "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)." The following verse lists the reason we can confidently say that all things -- including trials and frustrations -- work together for our good: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son...." (Romans 8:28-29).

Those whom God "foreknew" are the believers who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. And those believers, the verse says, were chosen before the foundation of the world to become like Jesus in every way.

That is how all things work together for good in our lives. That is the silver lining in our sufferings -- the fact that God is using our pain and frustrations to conform us to the likeness of His Son, Jesus.

Jesus experienced many trials. The prophet Isaiah called him "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). He experienced poverty (2 Cor. 8:9), homelessness (Matt. 8:20), criticism (Mark 2:16), rejection (Matt. 11:20), betrayal by a friend (John 18:15), temptation (Matt. 4:1), and a need to be alone (Luke 6:12; John 6:15). He was also grieved (Matt. 26:38), falsely accused (Mark 3:22), conspired against (Mark 3:6), and beaten and humiliated (Matt. 26:67). Yet with all the frustration He encountered, He never sinned. He never doubted His Father's love. He never threw up His hands and called it quits.

In facing difficulties and frustrations, we can better relate to Jesus by learning how to respond to our situations as He would have. That is conforming to His image. And that conforming, that transformation of our character is the treasure that lies buried within our turmoil.

Isaiah 45:3 says "And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, in order that you may know that it is I, the Lord... who calls you by your name."
Be comforted knowing there are "treasures of darkness" and "hidden wealth" in the secret places of your pain … and be encouraged that it's all so we will really know God and become more like His Son.

Cindi McMenamin (Author, When Women Walk Alone)

Humor Column One day I taught a friend's little girl the song, "When we all back the preacher, back the preacher." I thought she had it down really good until several days later when her mother asked me how the song went. I sung her the first few sentences, but stopped when she began laughing. Through wails of laughter she said her daughter was singing the verses as such: "When we all bite the preacher, bite the preacher." She said she insisted to her daughter that wasn't the way the song went, to which the daughter replied,
"Yep, that's the way it goes. My teacher taught it to me."

The Bible Says:
“For all the riches which God hath taken from our father that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.” Gen. 31:16

Picture of the month

This picture is taken at our Discipleship camp held in Sept’09, where about 50 children attended and been taught the whole Armor of God as per the theme WWW.eps6@4Teen to 9 Teen (based on Ephesians 6:14-19). The abbreviation of WWW is War With World.

Star of the Stars
I am John from Babanagar Centre, Studying 10th Class. I attended the Discipleship camp in September’09. I am very happy to say that this camp brought a great change in my life. I learned how to live in faith, pray and to share the gospel to my friends. I learned to manage my time; my friends and family member are surprised of the change in my behavior. I thank Jesus for giving me the opportunity to attend this camp.

Prayer Requests

Please Pray for:
- The children who attended the discipleship camp in September’09- The ministry team to be used for His glory (for the plans in October’09.)- God’s wisdom for enhancement of Shining Star Ministry and the Mission- Pray that God’s people are committed to build God’s Kingdom-His people
- Pray that as we are planning to concentrate more on training/equipping leaders, we will be able to do so with the anointing of the Holy Spirit
- God show us like minded churches/individuals who are committed to disciple children.
- Rebecca and Jayasheela to get sponsors to study in Word and Deed (who got an opportunity to study in Word and Deed School, Hyderabad but they will join in the school from next June if they get a sponsor)

Praise God for:
• Successful Discipleship camp
• His lead and provision up to now and future• For successful completion of two seminars to our Staff—1. CEEFI training and 2. Haggai Area Seminar
Please Let us Know

- If you are Interested in receiving this letter.
- If there is any change in your address and your contact No.
- Kindly let us know your e-mail ID
- Are you willing to receive this by post or by e-mail?
- We would appreciate if you can help us with your friends and dear ones contact details who would like to support this ministry.
Þ We are facing loss of data due to un expected power cuts, hence in need of UPS's for computers (4 @ Rs. 3200)
Þ For a new Laptop
Þ Vacuum CleanerÞ Two (5’ x 6’) Sleep well Mattresses for Pre-School childrenÞ Stand alone LCD Projector Screen & a Trolley suit case for protection of LCD Projector while traveling
Þ A good sofa set
Þ Plumbing work at Pre-school (Rs. 7000 - 10000)
Þ Sponsors for poor children to study (two of them got an opportunity to study in Word and Deed School, Hyderabad but they will join in the school from next June if they get a sponsor)
Þ Play school Items
Þ Committed Donors who would give cheerfully
Þ Two DVD writers.
Contact info.

If you would like to make any contribution please contact us, or send a DD/Cheque or MO to the following address:
Shining Stars
Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam,
Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- India
Ph. 040-27157343

Overseas donors:DM Stearns
P.O. Box 1578, North Wales
PA 19454
Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the “memo” section of your check.
E- mail: shiningstarsindia@hotmail.com or gmail.com. Director’s email: rug7147@gmail.com Web: www.shiningstarsindia.orgBlog: http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com

STAR NEWS

Volume – 8 Issue – 1

(A News letter for Shining Stars, India) July 2009
Quote of the Month: “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” - Billy Graham

The Bible Says: “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Mark 10:14

Picture of the month


This picture is from a training programme held in June’09 at Mangapuram, Vizag, where God gave Shining Stars an opportunity to reach several churches and encourage to develop the Sunday Schools by training their teachers.

From the Director’s pen

“I will make you into a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you will be a blessing”-Gen 12:2
As soon as we start to walk the Christian path as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a practitioner of His teaching, a veil is lifted from your mind and your heart God makes you into a visionary and your view of life changes.

When God created the world and mankind, He did so using His incomparable and unique creative power. First He had a vision of what He wished to do in creation. This vision served as a plan of action to achieve the purposes of His heart ‘For we are His workmanship’ (Ephe 2:10). The Lord stamped His character on us and made us partakers of His own nature. He made us after His own image and likeness and gave us a creative capacity. This will only become effective for our lives and our work in the church if we dare to become visionaries. Vision is the determining factor in success. Of course some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it. Ants work hard round the clock without sleeping. It makes us realize that we can achieve whatever we want only if we have the will to do it and work hard towards it.

God always chooses a man to accomplish His purposes. He reveals His will to a man, gives him His plan and surrounds him with people of the same heart. These people support him in the work, becoming the strength behind the vision. God loves to partner with a man or a woman who dares to believe and is willing to obey Him.

A divine vision—It is God’s idea revealed to the mind of man as goal to be achieved.
Everything that exists has its origin in God’s vision of creation. In giving a vision to man the Lord expects him to fight to see it fulfilled. Vision is the divine plan of action that drives leaders to overcome every difficulty and shape a nation’s destiny.

I believe children play a major role in the destiny of a nation. If we go as far as we can see, we will then see enough to go even farther. I believe it is the same with the vision of Shining Stars. Thank you for cooperating with us and Mr. Peter Wiig who received the vision from God. Pray that we will be able go even farther to touch lives many lives of children the destiny of our nation. Amen!

Star of the Stars

My name is Anjaneyulu (Jonathan); I was born and brought up in a Hindu Family. I have two sisters and am the Youngest. I am pursuing my MBA final year. I started coming to Shining Stars when I was 10 years Old studying 6th standard. I was stealing Petty things from Stores, I never respected any one and I use to lie. Moses was my classmate and he introduced me to Shining Stars Tuitions at Nacharam. I was attending regularly for the purpose of studying and for snacks that were being provided in the centre. On Wednesdays the teachers taught us Bible stories and I learnt not to steal, lie and to respect elders. I accepted Lord Jesus as my personal Savior when I was 13 years at the Vacation Bible School in the year 2000. There was great change in my life. The teachers and the Shining Stars Staff showed me the brotherly love. As I shared my personal issues and problems to them and they would pray and encourage me in my Christian life. Teens Fellowship and Discipleship helped me to grow in my spiritual life. Now I can strongly say that Shining Stars gave me the foundation for my life. Please pray for my Family’s salvation and to grow more in Christ and be like Christ. I thank Jesus for His love to me.

Prayer Requests

Please Pray for:
- God’s provision for the next fiscal year to run His ministry.
- The children, who are getting new admission into school and colleges.
- The ministry team to be used for His glory.
- God’s wisdom for enhancement of Shining Star Ministry and the Mission
- Pray that God’s people are committed to build God’s Kingdom - His people
- Pray for direction as we are wishing to construct a permanent office for Shining Stars
- God show us like minded churches and individuals who are commit
-ted to disciple children

Praise God for:
Annual General Body Meeting.
A great time of staff retreat at Ooty.

Needs of the Ministry
We are facing loss of data due to un expected power cuts, hence in need of UPS's for computers (4 @ Rs. 3200)
For a new Laptop
Vacuum Cleaner
Two (5’ x 6’) Sleep well Mattresses for Pre-School children
Stand alone LCD Projector Screen & a Trolley suit case for protection of LCD Projector while traveling
An anti-virus software
Plumbing work at Pre-school (Rs. 7000 - 10000)
Sponsors for poor children to study
Play school Items
One Computer for Pre-School
Two DVD writers

Please Let us Know

If you are Interested in receiving this letter.
- If there is any change in your address and your contact No.
- Kindly let us know your e-mail ID
- Are you willing to receive this by post or by e-mail?
- We would appreciate if you can help us with your friends and dear ones contact details who would like to support this ministry.


Contact info.

If you would like to make any contribution please contact us, or send a DD/Cheque or MO to the following address:


Shining Stars
Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam,
Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- India
Ph. 040-27157343

Overseas donors:
DM Stearns
P.O. Box 1578, North Wales
PA 19454
Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the “memo” section of your check.
E- mail: shiningstarsindia@hotmail.com or gmail.com.
Director’s email: rug7147@gmail.com
Web: www.shiningstarsindia.org
Blog: http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com

STAR NEWS

(A News letter for Shining Stars, India) June 2009

Quote of the Month: "When a man blames others for his failures, it is a good idea to credit others with his successes." --Howard W. Newton
The Bible Says: " Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. " Isaiah 1:2

Picture of the month

This is a picture from VBS-09 at Nacharam, where about 25 teachers & Volunteers served 150 children for 10 days. Please pray for their continual growth in Christ.

From the Director's pen

"O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer"-Nehm 1:11
When Nehemiah heard about the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem, he broke his heart before God in fasting and prayer. But he desired from the bottom of his heart that God should restore the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
So much so God turned the attention of the King's heart to his cupbearer's sad countenance. The king not only permitted Nehemiah to go to Judah but also gave letters to the governors on the way to help Nehemiah with timber and safe journey. upon Nehemiah's request. Nehemiah's aspiration became his possibilities. He grabbed every possibility to help him to restore walls and gates of Jerusalem. According to the need of the hour let us also be aspiring to build the walls of lives of children and people around us. Our aspirations are our possibilities. We should aspire to reach out to desired destination by being skilful in everything that we do. We should empower ourselves on all levels, perfecting, refining, awakening and expanding. God did not leave us alone to ourselves but gave us His Holy Spirit who is with us and within us to empower us. Let us desire HIM.

V.B.S 2009 - God's hand with us!

It's time to praise God for His great helping hand through out the five weeks of this summer. We had about 22 teachers, & co-teachers committed in reaching 600 children in 8 different places of A P and Nacharam too. Please pray that all 600 children will continue meditating the Word they learned in the VBS.
We thank you very much for your prayers. We thank all those who have contributed financially for the success of the VBS 2009.

God's wonder:
We would like to share the amazing grace of God with the 10th Std Children. God honored all our sincere prayers, and blessed all these children who wrote SSC'09 exam are passed. Their marks are as follows:


Name Tel Hind Eng Maths Science Social Total
Srilatha 80 69 59 76 56 60 400
Bharathi 88 85 75 63 79 80 470
Rajini 77 36 44 57 52 50 316
Sowjanya 59 54 52 68 53 47 333
Madhavi 67 66 55 37 46 41 312
Swathi 66 24 43 40 48 45 266
Pushpalatha 79 68 58 60 58 71 394


Prayer Requests


Please Pray for:
- God's provision for the next fiscal year to run His ministry.
- The children, who are getting new admission into school and colleges.
- The ministry team to be used for His glory.
- God's wisdom for enhancement of Shining Star Ministry and the Mission
- Pray that God's people are committed to build God's Kingdom-His people

Praise God for:
- His hand on VBS and His providence to success.
- He provided a good conditioned one year old refrigerator through His children.
- His protection during the hot summer VBS.
- For successfully completing 13th Year of Shining Stars on 5 March '09
- Annual General Body Meeting
- Good weather and God's protection throughout out the summer.


Needs of the Ministry
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Two (5' x 6') Sleep well Mattresses for Pre-School children
- Stand alone LCD Projector Screen
- Pray for the various needs of our partnering Pastors, Churches and individuals
- Pray for the needs of SS Pre-School as they look forward to new admissions this year 2009.
- Pray for direction as we are wishing to construct a permanent office for Shining Stars
- God show us like minded churches and individuals who are committed to disciple children


We have planned our Staff Retreat at Ooty please pray for God's providence for Accommodation for all.

The Book available: The new book written by our Bro. Peter Wiig for the young people newly married & are planning to marry is published by


Person to Person are available at PTP as well as SS. Cost a donation of Rs. 100.00
Contact info.
DM Stearns
P.O. Box 1578, North Wales
PA 19454

Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the "memo" section of your check.
If you would like to make a contribution please contact us, or send a DD, Cheque or MO to the following address:


Shining Stars
Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam,
Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- India
Ph. 040-27157343
E- mail: shiningstarsclubs@gmail.com or Director's email: rug7147@gmail.com
Web: www.shiningstarsindia.org
Blog: http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com

March 2009 Newsletter

THE STAR NEWS
(A Newsletter for Shining Stars, India) March 2009 Volume - 7 Issue - 5
Quote of the Month: "God doesn't seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones." -Dwight L. Moody


The Bible Says"Jesus said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. " Mark 10:14

This is the picture 10th Class children of Nacharam centre, who are going to appear to the common examination in this month. Please remember them in your prayers.

Picture of the month:

This is the picture 10th Class children of Nacharam centre, who are going to appear to the common examination in this month. Please remember them in your prayers.


From the Director's pen

Dearly Beloved Friends and Saints of God,

Time is flying-really flying. We entered third month in this year already ummh!
We at Shining Stars thank you all for holding our hands in our hope to see children becoming Jesus' disciples. In Hebrews 11:1 it is written ' Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (KJV). Then what is Hope? Hope is, Faith holding out its hand in the dark. We have one creation of God which is very small in size. The Glow-Worm. The Glow-worm has the ability to conquer the darkness in spite of its small size. It emphasizes that most of the significant events in world have been achieved by people, who remained optimistic when there seemed to be no hope at all. The hall of faith Hebrews 11 speaks about many of our forefathers who were optimistic in spite of the situations and earned a place in the great book The Bible and eternity. That means they are tested and found true.
One similar situation in the Bible is recorded in Daniel 3:18. Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. Here Daniel's three friends faced a different kind of test, but they too would not budge. They knew their refusal to worship the image might result in their death, yet they never wavered. They proved they were true to God by standing firm. And it requires courage. Courage to stand firm for what is right.

Today through Shining Stars many children are growing to know the Lord and are beginning to follow Him with their own understanding. We are sure there will be a time coming where they have to be tested and found true. The challenge may come as an opportunity to gratify the lusts of the flesh, or as a series of disheartening circumstances. Whatever form it takes, they/we must not yield. Rather, they/we must stand for what is right and trust God to supply the grace they/we need (1 Corinthians 10:13). At the outset many children in the last 13 years became young adults. Some of these are girls, who are now facing challenge of marriage.
Because their parents don't mind their children associated with Shining Stars but demand their children get married to the grooms who are from their own caste and religion. May be couple of years from now they must make a choice to stand for what is right.
Standing for what is right is a battle too. The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. As the great bird of vision, power, wisdom & light, the eagle teaches us to show courage in whatever we do without the fear of failures. It teaches us to soar high without losing the sight of the ground.

Let us uphold these young adults and children in our fervent prayers that they will be able to grow strong in the grace of the Lord and stand firm for what is right not only in one but in all circumstances.

God bless.

V.B.S 2009 Be a part of it!

It's VBS time again! We are in the process of planning for our summer program. We can't forget but thank God and you for the successful completion of VBS 2008 last summer. With the help of God and your support we were able to run 23 programs and serve 1861 children, 208 children were newly accepted Jesus.
This year we have requests to help with about 10 programs and we hope to attempt more (this year we are planning to use more of our own youth, who are being nurtured in Shining Stars). We plan to start our first program on April 24th and finish our last one 22nd May. We hope that about 35 staff/teachers and volunteers will be helping us out, and that we will touch about 1500 children's lives with the love of Christ. This is our key time of building leadership skills into our young staff and volunteers who are growing up with us . . . please pray for us!

Our budget for this year is around Rs. 35,000.00 . . . $ 700.00. Please let us know if you would like to be involved in any way, if so, it would be greatly appreciated.

Secondly Shining Stars completed its 13th Anniversary this month. We thank God and all of you for your loving support and prayers. We are sure you too will agree with our wish that it/s time Shining Stars should have its own premises. We are waiting for the estimation which will be shared with you shortly. Kindly pray.

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." - William Carey


Prayer & Praise points
Praise God for:

· His hand on this ministry all way through the last fiscal year
· God's provision through His children to buy DVD writer, Guitar, a set of Puppets and a 50wts. PA system to use in the ministry.
· Meeting other daily needs for smooth running of the office
· For successfully completing 13th Year of Shining Stars on 5 March '09

Please Pray for:

- The teachers, volunteers and financial needs of VBS 2009.
- Good weather and God's protection throughout out the summer.
- God's provision for the next fiscal year to run His ministry.
- Swathi, Pushpalatha, Madavi, Srilatha, Bharathi, Soujanya, Krishna and children from other centres who are preparing for X std exams .
- The ministry team to be used for His glory.
- God's wisdom for enhancement of Shining Star Ministry and the Mission
- Pray that God's people are committed to build God's Kingdom-His people



Needs of the Ministry:

v Old became too old to repair a new Refrigerator is in need
v Vacuum Cleaner
v Two (5' x 6') Sleepwell Mattresses for Pre-School children
v Stand alone LCD Projector Screen
v Pray for the various needs of our partnering Pastors, Churches and individuals
v Pray for the needs of SS Pre-School as they look forward to new admissions this year 2009.
v Needs and funds for conducting VBS 2009 - Rs.35000.00
v Pray for direction as we are wishing to construct a permanent office for Shining Stars
v God show us like minded churches and individuals who are committed to disciple children


The Book available

The new book written by our Bro. Peter Wiig for the young people newly married & are planning to marry is published by Person to Person are available at Person to Person as well as Shining Stars.

Contact info.

For American donors
DM Stearns
P.O. Box 1578, North Wales
PA 19454
Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the "memo" section of your check.


If you would like to make a contribution please contact us, or send a DD, Cheque or MO to the following address:

Shining Stars
Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam,
Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- India
Ph. 040-27157343
E- mail: shiningstarsindia@hotmail.com
shiningstarsclubs@gmail.com
Web: www.shiningstarsindia.org
Blog: http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com

With love & gratefulness,

S. Uttam Kumar

The Star News January 2009

(A Newsletter for Shining Stars, India)

January 2009 Volume - 7 Issue - 4

Quote of the Month: "God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." -Billy Graham The Bible Says: "And the woman conceived, and bare a son; and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months." Exo 2:2

Picture of the month:

This picture was taken at one of the Sunday School Training Programmes that we conducted in December'08. We could able to equip 30 teachers, who made their commitment to improve their Sunday School in their Church; 4 New Sunday Schools were started

From the Director's pen

Dear Friends,

It is said 'Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm'. It seems a Butterfly keeps flying from one flower to another in search of nectar without losing enthusiasm. How awesome is our God and how much He loves us He kept everything there for us to hear; see; watch and learn to become better everyday.

Yes enthusiasm is the only driving force that drives people to perform at their best and allows them to achieve the worthiest of causes. And children are the best example. They show so much of enthusiasm to learn new things by questioning mostly. And some times or most of the times we elders simply snub them by common phrase 'you don't know' or 'keep quiet' or 'don't disturb' or 'I am busy'.

This brings me to share what D.L. Moody said-In the past after one of his meetings, he told the host that, that day 3 and Half people came to the Lord. By default the hosting Pastor said it could be 3 elders and 1 child. But according to D L Moody it was the other way-3 children and 1 adult because for an adult already half the life is over. It is the children who have to grow further. It is the children today that become the CHURCH tomorrow.

Enthusiasm is what we tend to loose because of the challenges, trails we face everyday. Today I thank God for reminding me and us to look at His creation the beautiful enthusiastic Butterfly For Jesus surely had so much of enthusiasm in spite of so much adversity within and out but continued to the cross to fulfill the divine purpose to give us the authority to become His children. Therefore let us continue to pursue the purpose of God in our lives with utmost enthusiasm and also 'discipling children'.

We at Shining Stars thank you for praying and supporting us to continue enthusiastically to disciple these children 'The Future Church'. ...

The sincere Christian parent sometimes wonders because he knows salvation is real and he is concerned lest his child substitute youthful enthusiasm for genuine conviction and commitment. Jesus Christ welcomed and blessed children during His incarnate ministry. Mark 10:13-16 reveals an interesting . (http://www.christiananswers.net/)

The Bible says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22 ~ NIV).

~~A little boy was kneeling beside his bed with his mother and grandmother and softly saying his prayers," Dear God, please bless Mummy and Daddy and all the family and please give me a good night's sleep." Suddenly he looked up and shouted, "And don't for get to give me a bicycle for my birthday!!" "There is no need to shout like that," said his mother. "God isn't deaf." "No," said the little boy, "but Grandma is." ~ Author Unknown

TEENS FELLOWSHIP

As some of you are aware, Shining Stars Teen Fellowship (SSTF) was started and led by one of our staff in the year 2001. More than 30 Teens gather every Saturday to worship and to be discipled. They are now grown up and some of them are continuing the higher studies and some are working, most of them are Still connected to SS. This year they are planning for outreach ministry. Once in a month they are planning to involve in activities like street programmes, church gathering (Sunday or any other meetings), Youth programmes, children programmes (one day camp/retreat) & assemblies at Schools etc. This team wishes to glorify God by distributing tracts, teaching (songs, bible stories etc.) Puppet shows, choreographies, leading worship, skits and dramas etc.

If any of you are interested to use this team and further details, please call at SS in advance and let us know.

Please pray that God will use this team for his glory. Please pray for their security and the leading of Holy Spirit through out their upcoming programmes and the needs like music instruments, puppets, gospel tracts, sound system etc.

Prayer & Praise points Praise God for:

. God gave SS a 8MP digital camera to use in the ministry.

. God providing 5 ltr Pressure cooker

. Blessed Christmas time and carols

. 2 great 5day Sunday School programmes at Vizag & Eluru

. God enabled us to start 3 new Tuition centers (Nandyal-2; Nalgonda-1)

. Release of book 'Before Tying The Knott' written by Mr. Peter Wiig

Please Pray for:

- Up coming New Center leaders Training; Staff retreat; Regular Trainings

- Swathi, Pushpalatha, Madavi, Srilatha, Bharathi, Soujanya, Krishna, Rajini & children from other centres who are preparing for X std. exams.

- Have to shift to new office by Feb end, as the present rent was doubled

- Sirisha one of our youth who is a PHC looking for a job.

- Please pray for direction as we are wishing to construct a permanent office for Shining Stars

- For the salvation of many families our SS staff visit for praying and sharing the Gospel in and around the VST Colony, Nacharam

- God show us like minded churches and individuals who are committed to disciple children

- Sale of the book 'Before Tying the Knot'

Needs of the Ministry:

Puppets (old or new Family set) may cost about Rs. 3600/

Music kit (Key board, drums, guitar & a PA system) for SSTF

One DVD writer cost about Rs.1500/

Needs and funds for conducting VBS 2009

Rs.1 Lakh Up grading Staff salaries from this financial year

Vacuum Cleaner
Book release

The new book written by our Bro. Peter Wiig for the young people newly married & are planning to marry is published by Person to Person are available at Person To Person as well as Shining Stars.

Contact info.

For American donors:

DM Stearns P.O. Box 1578, North Wales PA 19454

Note: Please designate any gifts for acct. No. 378 in the "memo" section of your check.

If you would like to make a contribution please contact us, or send a DD, Cheque or MO to the following address:

Shining Stars Plot 59 & 60A, VST Colony, Nacharam, Hyderabad, A.P. 500076- I

ndia Ph. 040-27157343

E- mail: shiningstarsindia@hotmail.com

shiningstarsclubs@gmail.com

Web: http://www.shiningstarsindia.org/

Blog: http://shiningstarskids.blogspot.com/

With love & gratefulness,

S. Uttam Kumar

December 2008 Newsletter

Explanation by an eight year old!

THIS ONE IS FABULOUS!!!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well.

EXPLANATION OF GOD:
One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God does not have time t o listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off." God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have. “Atheists are people who don't believe in God; I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there are not any who come to our church. “Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K. "His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important. "You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Do not skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway."If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids." But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And...That’s why I believe in God."








The Gospel
God had an immediate plan for redemption, which was revealed when He cursed the devil right after the fall. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Gen. 3:15). God said there would be a struggle between satanic forces and humanity. The offspring of the woman would begin with Cain and his natural descendants. Out of this offspring would come the Christ. Satan would cripple mankind (strike his heal), but Christ would deliver the fatal blow (crush Satan’s head). The offspring of the serpent would include his demons, and anyone who serves in the kingdom of darkness, those whose spiritual “father” is the devil (John 8:44).
In preparation for the coming of Christ, God established a conditional covenant (Exodus 19), which served as the basis for the Mosaic Law. The law was moral, ceremonial and civil and provided for a temporal means by which the fallen inhabitants of this world could relate to God and each other. However, the law was powerless to give life and therefore righteousness could not be based on the law (Gal. 3:21). See Breaking The Bondage of Legalism (Harvest House, 2003). The law was a tutor that would eventually lead us to Christ who is the only name given under heaven by which we can be saved (Gal. 3:24; Acts 4:12). Ezekiel prophesied what God was going to do in order to save his fallen people (Ezekiel 11:19,20):
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
The gospel provides far more than the forgiveness of sins. Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Jesus had to die on the cross in order for us to be forgiven, because, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). But the cross represents only half the gospel. Because of Christ’s resurrection we have new life in Christ. Jesus came to give us life and put a new heart and a new spirit within us. When we are born-again spiritually, our soul/spirit is in union with God as it was for Adam in the original creation. This wonderful truth is most often conveyed in Scripture with the prepositional phrase, “In Christ,” or “In Him.”. After commissioning Timothy, Paul wrote, “He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17 emphasis added, NASB).
What Adam and Eve lost in the fall was life (spiritual life). What Jesus came to give us was life (John. 10:10). Eternal life is not something we get when we physically die. John writes, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). If you don’t have eternal (spiritual) life before you physically die, all you would have to look forward to is hell. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even when he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25,26). In other words, every born-again believer is spiritually alive and will continue to be so when they die physically. Jesus is the “Bread of life” (John 6:35), “The way the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and every Christian has their name written in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 13:8, emphasis added). By Neil Anderson
His Birthday (then): He gave up the best for us instead of receiving a GIFT!
His Purpose: : To demonstrate the highest extent of His love to bridge the divide between God and man.

His Birthday (now): What is the best we can give Him and give up for Him?
Our Purpose: : What is the purpose of our life?