Autumn 1988
Dear
friends,
Many
interesting chapters have been written in the history of the Church
here at Ballee, and on Saturday 1st October,1988 another such chapter will be
added, when we open our new hall for the use of the Sunday School and other
Church activities.
We
do praise God for this great achievement and pray that it will be a place where
many will be taught the Word of God and brought to a knowledge of The Saviour.
A
further chapter will be opened on Saturday 3rd December, 1988 when we hope to
have Mr Lawrence Kennedy from the Fellowship at Templemore Hall, Belfast
inducted as Pastor of the flock (in the will of God) and our prayer is that he
may enjoy a profitable ministry each and that each member will support him in
every way possible.
As
we consider the work in our Church do we ever stop to think how God answers
prayer. We look back over these past years and truly we can say “hitherto hath
The Lord helped us” but as we go forward in our work and witness in this
district we must go depending not on the efforts or ability of man but on God
and His promises that cannot fail.
Someone
once asked Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher, what the secret
of his ministry was: quietly he replied, "my people pray for me". If
we, as a Fellowship, are obedient to God's Word and pray then we shall see much
accomplished to the Glory of His Great Name.
The
first church meeting described in the book of The Acts was a prayer meeting
"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is
from Jerusalem a sabbath days journey, and when they were come in, they went up
into an upper room, where abode Peter and James and John (etc. etc.)
These all continued with one accord in prayer and. supplication, with the
woman and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethern." (Acts 1 12-14).
About
120 people were in that upper room, and this was the nucleus of the Church.
These may not have been all the believers in Jerusalem, but they may well have
been the most important people in Jerusalem because they were doing the most
important thing anyone can do - they were involved in the fellowship of prayer.
The word "fellowship" means to have in common, and it is used
many times in. the New Testament.
As
Christians, we have a great deal in common – we belong to the same family, we
pray to the same Father, we are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, we belong to
the same spiritual body, we have the same blessed hope – looking for the Lord
Jesus to return. Some of us would
use the word “fellowship” to describe sitting with others having tea and
refreshments. We can have a certain
amount of fellowship that way, but it may not be very deep.
The deepest kind of fellowship we can have as Christians is the
fellowship of prayer.
It
is interesting to note in Acts Chapter 1 the variety of people involved in this
prayer meeting. To begin with, both men and women were there. Our Lord Jesus led
these women into the glorious experience of salvation, and they joined with the
men in the place of prayer. The Apostles were there, the brothers of our Lord
Jesus were there. These men had just been saved a short time - babes in Christ
joining with older believers in the fellowship of prayer and this is the pattern
we should all seek to follow, encourage one another in the fellowship of prayer.
Nothing on this earth unites, God's people like the spirit of prayer.
Not
only should church members pray, but all leaders must pray, whether Sunday
School, Youth Fellowship or Office-bearers in the Church. All must pray and seek
God's help and guidance in the work He has called us to.
When people pray God moves, when churches pray God moves. Let us as
members of the local church lay hold on God and continue steadfastly in prayer
that we might be enabled by His Grace and power to teach those around us who are
still outside the family and fold
of God.
In
closing can I invite you to make the effort and join with those who pray each
Friday night at 8.00 p.m.
Do come and enjoy the fellowship that can be yours through prayer. Hope
to see you there.
Over
the past number of months the Church here at Ballee has been without a resident
Pastor but we are very glad to say that this situation has now been resolved in
that Mr Lawrence Kennedy will be taking up such duties from 1st December and we
wish him and his young wife Lesley, along with their three children, a very
happy and God glorifying ministry.
Since this is Mr Kennedy’s first charge he will no doubt find it a little different from anything he has encountered before, but we do believe with God’s help and guidance that together we will see a work done in this district to the glory of God.
As
an Elder of Templemore Hall congregation and former member of the choir he comes
with lots of experience of working together with others and also in leadership
and we look forward with hope to times of rich blessing through his ministry
here, having been well taught by our own bro. James McKeown at Belfast Bible
College and gained experience at the hand of another local
bro. Tommy Shaw. We
believe he comes well prepared and suited for the great task that is before him.
May
God bless him in all that he seeks to do in this great calling.
Robert
Cameron
Dear
friends,
As I sat down to write out this little report for the magazine, I took a look out of the window at a sky ladened with heavy black clouds and yet here and there, there were little bright spots where the sun was trying to get through. I thought, how like this dark old world we live in. The great black clouds of sin are around us on every hand, but the little bright spots would remind us of the missionaries and those who are faithful both at home and across the world, who are spreading the glorious 1ight of the Gospe1 in this old, dark and sinful world. Dear friends don't forget to pray for God's servants all over the world. Just like the sky, so much darkness, so little light and yet as God can drive back the clouds and make the sun shine, so also He can drive back the sin and bring salvation. In the last few weeks we have heard of this very thing happening in different places. Walter Burrell has seen God's hand at work in salvation down there at the docks in Cork. Many Bibles placed on communist ships, pray that God will use these Bibles to reach others for Christ. Walter's co-workers in Greenock, Dublin, Hull etc. are also doing a tremendous work on the ships and God is blessing. Pray again for Walter's wife, Mary, that God will restore her to perfect health again.
Many
of you in the church have heard me speak about Nancy Gill, who is a missionary
in Indonesia. Nancy was home on furlough recently and while
she was at home she was deeply
saddened by the loss of her sister and yet so happy that she had seen her
sister, trust the Lord, just a few hours before she was called home.
This sister had openly told a nurse in the hospital that she wanted
nothing to do with these things, but Nancy trusted God and got down to prayer,
and God answered prayer and saved her sister 'Praise Him,.
I
had a letter recently from Geoffery and Gillian and Geoffery says that they have
survived jungle camp without too much hardship. He didn't say too much about
jungle camp in this letter, but he said he would tell us more about it in his
next letter. He also said that both Gillian and himself would have an article
for the magazine shortly, so we will be looking forward to that. Geoffery and
Gillian would like to thank all those who supported them so faithfully while
they were in the States. It certainly takes a lot to keep them going out there.
They would ask us to pray for them regarding their future, where God would have
then go etc. He also said that they get very homesick at times, so dear friends
don't let them down. Pray on for
all three of them that God would lead and guide them in the future.
Sam
and Anna continue to work hard for the Lord up at Sandes. This is a difficult
work too and we need to pray for them as they work with the soldiers and their
wives, not forgetting the work with the young people. It's good to know that God
is blessing this work.
James
McKeown and his wife are still working hard for the Lord in Belfast so it is our
duty to uphold them all before the Lord.
Let
us not grow weary in the work of love
Send
the light, send the light,
Let
us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send
the light, send the light.
A
new day, a fresh start,
Joy
and gladness fill my heart
Gentle
breezes fan my face
Whispering
of my Saviour’s grace.
Grace
that reaches even me
From
the cross of Calvary.
The
day is only just beginning
The
mist across the fields is thinning
Will
the sun at last break through?
Will
the sky be brilliant blue?
Or
will the breeze, increasing strength
Build
the clouds up, till at length
A
storm breaks through - how do I know
What
this day of God will show?
I
see the daisies on the lawn
Faces
open, upwards drawn
Rooted
in creative love
Content
to trust in God above.
May
I too, Father, now I pray
Look
up, and rest, throughout this day.
With
cheerful praise and prayer
And
His almighty love
Shall
guide you through each care.
Into
His hands commit
Your
every passing hour,
He,
our Almighty God,
Will
keep you by His power.
All
that shall be this day
Comes
from Your Saviour's hands;
You
who now serve the Lord
Are
held by His love’s bands.
Safe
shall you dwell in Him
Your
God for evermore;
Give
to the Lord your day
And
worship and adore.
Dark
was the valley I lingered in,
For it was the valley of death,
All
hope has gone, the doctor said,
For
her, there is little time left.
Now
let me tell you my story,
As
I slept on that dark stormy night,
How
that awful valley of darkness
Became
the wonderful valley of light.
As
I journeyed on into that valley,
And
reached very nearly the end
T
'was then that I met with a stranger,
Whom
I found was my very best friend.
My
friend took my hand gently,
To
walk with him in the sun,
My
heart filled with joy abounding,
For
my battle with death had been won.
He
had hands that are warn and gentle,
His
heart it is purer than gold.
It
is true, there is no one like him,
He
is just as the Bible told.
Now
as I meet with life's trials,
I
know with my friend at my side,
There
is no need to fear the dark valleys,
For
his strong hand is ready to guide.
I
have no doubt the one who is waiting
In
that glorious light at the end
Is
Lord Jesus: Believe me,
My
Light, my Saviour and Friend.
Looking
back over the past three months we have much to praise God for.
Although our numbers were often disappointing, those who made the effort
to meet for prayer and fellowship around God's Word were truly blessed.
At
our last meeting on August 24th we had a visit from Miss Janice Warwick,
Independent Fundamentalist Mission worker. We were encouraged as well as
challenged by what Janice had to say to us.
Our winter programme begins on September 28th with a visit from Miss
Maizie Smyth, U.F.M. and could we ask all ladies who read this to come and bring
a friend which will not only encourage us but our sister as well.
Speakers
expected for the incoming season are Mrs Matthew’s, Faith Mission, October
12th. Miss Emily Gilchrist, Acre, November 9th, Mrs Toner, Lantarra Baptist,
January11th; Mr & Mrs Irons, Sandes Home, February 8th; Pastor Rodgers,
March 9th; Mr David Trimble, E.C.M. April 12th.
We
trust you will remember these meetings in your prayers and plan to attend
whenever possible. The Prayer Meeting will continue on the last Wednesday of
each month. Much prayer, much
blessing; little prayer, little blessing.
We
are looking forward to greater things in the coming days and it would be greatly
appreciated if all the ladies would lend their support.
There's
a work for Jesus none but you can do.
Ina
Livingstone
How
good it is that GOD above has never gone on strike
Because
HE was not treated fair in things HE didn’t like
If
only once HE had sat down, and said "That’s it. I’m through;
I’ve
had enough of those on earth, so this is what I’ll do
I'll
give my orders to the sun - Cut off the heat supply:
And
to the moon, Give no more light, And run the oceans dry."
Then
just to make things really tough, and put the pressure on,
"Turn
off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone."
You
know, HE would be justified, if
fairness was the game,
For
no one has been more abused or met with such distain
Than
GOD, and yet He carries on, supplying you and me
With
all the favours of HIS grace, and everything for free!
Men
say they want a better deal, and so ‘on Strike’ they go
But
what a deal we’ve given GOD, to whom All things we owe.
We
don't care who we hurt or harm to gain things WE like
But
- What a mess we'd all be in IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE.
We
may write our names in albums,
We may trace them in the sand,
We
may chisel them in marble,
With
a firm and steady hand.
But
the Pages soon will tarnish,
The
inscriptions fade away,
Every
monument will crumble,
Just
as earthly hopes decay.
But
there is another album,
Full
of leaves of purest white,
Where
the leaves are never tarnished,
But
forever pure and bright.
In
the BOOK OF LIFE, GOD’S ALBUM
Many
names are penned with care,
And
may all who read this message,
KNOW
their names are written there!
Contributed
by Margaret McMaster
Very occasionally I visit Rose, a friend of mine. Many miles separate us. "Oh! I exclaimed, entering her living room and noticing three bird cages hanging from the ceiling, "you have three birds!"
"Two
budgies and a canary," she laughed. "This one," pointing to it,
"was going to be let out of its cage by its owners because they were moving
and didn’t want it, so I had pity on it."
"Just like you Rose, You’d have the house full of cats and birds
who were waifs and strays, you're that soft-hearted," I said shaking my
head. "It was in a filthy condition, full of fleas.” Rose said.
"I
had it clean after a few days. The other two birds like him, so it hasn't made a
lot of difference really,"
"Faith,
hope and charity," I said with inspiration.
"Now,
that's a title for your next message at the woman’s meeting; and here's an
illustration you can pack into it."
A
woman had a dream and thought she was in a church. There was no service
proceeding, but there were people kneeling in some of the pews, praying. While
she was watching she saw a very peculiar thing; beside each person was a little
white bird. After a few moments the first bird flew steadily towards the roof,
in which was an open window. He flew right through it out into the open air up
into the sky. The second bird made attempts to fly but found it very difficult;
it struggled a little into the air only to fall again and again. Eventually it
managed to fly half way up, gathered strength and sped easily through the open
window up into the blue sky. The third bird seemed as if it would make a
prosperous flight for it rose easily and swiftly flew towards the open window,
when suddenly it fell as if shot in the heart. The fourth bird was ugly,
ill-feathered and dirty, but it had strong wings and clumsily it flew until it
also reached the roof and disappeared. The fifth bird was beautiful and snowy
white, but its eyes were glazed; it was lifeless and couldn't fly.
The
woman turned to a shining angel whom she saw in the church., "Sir, can you
tell me what the five birds mean?" "Don't you understand?" said
the angel. "These birds are the prayers of these people here and they teach
you what has happened to their petitions." The first bird which flew
upwards so steadily, was the prayer of the one who really believed that God
heard him; he spoke to God from his heart as friend with friend. The second bird
which had to toil so hard to rise, but in the end flew easily up through the
open window, was the prayer of one who struggled with his doubts but overcame
them, his mind, which had wandered, fastened on God, and his prayer went
straight upward. The third bird which flew instantly straight upward and then
fell as if wounded to death was the prayer of the man who had hatred in his
heart; in the middle of his prayer he remembered his enemy and said to himself,
"No, I will not forgive him"; and that bitter thought killed his
prayer. God's ear was closed against it. The fourth bird which was so dirty and
clumsy was the prayer of one who had vulgar thoughts, who cared little how he
prayed; he would not have spoken to a king as he spoke to God; he was
irreverent, and yet he did
believe, so his prayer had wings but it failed to reach God. That last bird,
so beautiful but dead, was the prayer of one who composed a prayer and uttered
it very reverently but never meant it; so it never reached God.
"What a lovely illustration!" said Rose. "I shall remember it every time I feed my three birds and when I kneel to pray in this room."
This
definition on the Object of prayer which was given by the late Dr. J. Hamilton
is noteworthy. "In prayer you do not address a general law or a first
principle, but address a living Person. You do not commune with eternity, or
with infinite space, but you commune with the Father of eternity - with Him who
fills the highest heavens, and who also dwells in the lowliest heart. You do not
hold converse with abstract goodness, but with the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ; with God in Christ; with Him whose express image Jesus is; with
Jesus Himself, with your Friend within the veil; with your Father who is in
Heaven!"
Prayer
is a stimulant which enables us to trust God at all times. "I
can only get one word from the Lord and that is TRUST" said a
woman whose husband was suddenly taken dangerously ill. (it was "touch and
go", but the Lord miraculously restored him.)
A
wee girlie stood on the rose-patterned carpet on the third floor of a large,
well-patronized departmental store in Oxford Street, London, patiently waiting
for her mother.
"Are
you lost, dearie?" kindly women inquired.
"Oh,
no", she replied, unperturbed. "Mummie told me to wait here until she
came back." About ten minutes
later her mother came fussing to her, hurried and worried. "It took me
longer than I thought, darling, what a good little girl to wait here for me!"
That
sweet child obeyed her mother and innocently valued the meaning of trust. Most of us have sung since our Sunday school days:
"Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to
trust and obey." These two
factors are pillars which support and strengthen the child of God.
I'll
never know this side of Heaven,
What
prayer poured forth has wrought
In
family, friends, and those I do not know –
And
yet for whom I pray.
I’ll
never know this side of Heaven,
What
methods God will use to answer prayer,
Nor
will I know how many times
Another's
prayer has put my hand into the Father's
When
faced with need.
I’ll
never know this side of Heaven,
How
many times my God has eased
Discouragement,
or sickness, Pain or danger,
Grief
or fear
Through
power unleased by kneeling saints.
I’ll
never know till I reach Heaven,
Why
God fulfills His purpose
Through
feeble praying saints,
But
this I know, that when I pray
My
lips present to God man's highest service,
Reaching
round the world at cosmic speed.
For
prayer, God tells me, moves omnipotence .....
"Ask
in My Name, and I will do it".
Leona
Mason,
S.
I. M., Ghana.
Taken
from S.I.M. Magazine.
M
Robinson
Sharing
and caring,
Giving
and forgiving,
Loving
and being loved
Walking
hand in hand
Talking
heart to heart,
Seeing
through each other's eyes –
Laughing
together,
Weeping
together,
Praying
together,
And
always trusting and believing,
And
thanking God for each other.
By
Helen Steiner Rice.
M.
Robinson
Since
our last magazine our 'summer' has come and gone and our youth fellowship
enjoyed much fun and fellowship during that time.
Wednesday
15th June saw us scale Slemish - almost everyone made it to the top and the food
and rest at the bottom was appreciated by all.
Marbeth's
back garden was the revue for our first barbeque which was enjoyed by everyone
present. A large number of us then made our way to the Leisure
Centre where the activities ranged from 5-a-side football, badminton, squash and
swimming and our keep-fit fanatics heading to the fitness room.
On
Thursday 11th August some of us tried our hand at 10 pin bowling and it was
enjoyed so much that we have enjoyed a second helping.
The
now annual Church Barbecue was an outstanding success with approx. 96 persons
attending. Those who attended will
I am sure remember the fun of the treasure hunt used to get us to Greenmount and
the answers given. The
evening was brought to a close by Robert McMaster, who reminded us that we have
a more precious treasure than that which can be attained on earth.
Again a word of thanks to all who helped make the evening such a success
and also to those who attended all our summer activities - a big thank you for
your interest.
Our
winter season has now commenced and our first meeting which took the form of an
open meeting was taken by Mrs Agnes Hancock (Belfast). We were encouraged by the
attendance and interest shown and indeed our effort was not in vain as one dear
old man from Omagh gave his heart to the Lord after the meeting.
Now
that the meetings have commenced we would encourage all those of 11 years and
over to come and join us in our little times together and we know that God will
bless us as we do our bit for Him. So then, why not make a date with us on a
Sunday evening and enjoy the rich times of fellowship in store for us as we
launch out on another years work.
N.
B. If transport is a problem
after church let us know - we can't help if we don't know.
See
you there!
Stephen
The
Lord is my Shepherd and I know He cares for me;
For
in His Word he's promised, from sin to set me free,
In
Him I have everything I could ever need,
He
leads me in green pastures where I can safely feed.
I
rest beside a cooling stream where I drink my fill;
He
restores my failing strength and comforts me when ill.
And
even when I'm walking through the valley of death,
Yet
still my soul shall praise His Name with my latest breath.
He's
ever there beside me, whate’er may come my way;
All fear leaves me when I turn to him and pray.
His
rod and staff of discipline guide me all life through;
No
one else in all the world could be a friend so true.
My
cup of joy shall overflow in your presence, Lord,
When
I feast at your table my undeserved reward;
Goodness
and gentle mercy shall always follow me,
Till
I live with you forever throughout eternity.
The
Church held its third annual Holiday Bible Club between the 4th and the 8th of
July this year. Unlike previous occasions, we were forced to use the main church
building this time - and with the customary church pews being required right up
to the evening before the Club was due to begin, and then having to be replaced
with individual seating before the expected arrival of the youngsters at 10.00
a.m. on the following morning, you can imagine the flurry of activity around the
building early on that first day. The Lord supplied a goodly number of
volunteers, however, and all was ready and in place by the time the doors were
due to open.
Attendance
this year was even better than in previous years. Indeed we had well over a
hundred children on all but the opening day, with a total of some 146 attenders
at the Club at some stage throughout the week. We just thank God for every
single one of them who turned out.
The
format of the meetings was the same as in previous years, with bible lessons,
choruses, quizzes, memory verses and individual book work taking place on every
day. A snack was provided each morning, and on all but the
Friday we were able to venture outdoors for a brief spell of running about and
outdoor exercises.
A
thoroughly good time would certainly appear to have been had 'by all who took'
part in the Club - and that
includes the helpers as well. Indeed one of the helpers had the joy and the
privilege of leading two young girls to the Lord just after the final meeting
had ended. We just praise and thank the Lord for saving those children and for
the real blessing it was to all involved...
We
would ask you to continue to pray for the Lord’s blessing on our work with the
children, He entrusts us with, that many more may come to know Him as their own
and personal Saviour.
"Even
so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these
little ones should perish".
(Matthew
18 v 14)
Barbara
Bankhead.
1.
Which minor Prophet speaks of preparing to meet God?
(Amos 4v12)
2.
Who was the blind man whom the Lord Jesus healed as he left Jericho?
(Mark 10v46)
3.
To whom did the Lord Jesus say “Ye must be born again”?
(John 3v7, also v1)
4.
Who was the tall king who slept in a cave ? (I Samuel 24v3)
5.
Who was the first man to die, physically ? (Genesis 4v8)
6.
Who was the mother of Solomon ? (II Samuel 12v24)
7.
How many times did Peter deny the Lord ? (Luke 22v61)
8.
Whose funeral was over 40 years reaching the burying ground ?
(Genesis 50v26)
9.
Name the slave in the New Testament who ran away from his master. (Philemon
v15,16 also v10)
10.
When Mary and Joseph lost Jesus where did they find Him ? (Luke 2v46)
11.
Who are we to remember in the days of our youth ? ( Ecclesiastes 12v1)
12.
How many of David’s brothers passed before Samuel ? (I Samuel 16v10)
13.
Who was the priest in the New Testament who became dumb ? (Luke 1 v18,20)
14.
How many loaves and fishes were used to feed 5000 ? (Mark 6v38)
15.
Where does the Lord Jesus speak of the rich fool ? (Luke 12v16-20)
With
desolation in her heart
And
sorrow in her eyes,
The
tears she tried so hard to hide
Were
mingling with her sighs.
She
felt bereft and incomplete,
Some
vital part had gone
She
needed all the courage now
Which
through his life had shone.
Her
heart remembered many things,
The
way he laughed and spoke,
How
he had looked - his style of life,
And
how he’d lived with hope.
The
love they'd shared, his steadfast care,
For
ever slow to blame,
How
could she live now, one alone,
Where
once there had been twain?
She
seemed to hear his quiet voice
And
feel his gentle touch,
"The
sands of time will heal, My Love,
It
will not hurt so much.
You
must go on and live your life,
Be
happy when you can,
We
do not know, or question why,
How
long our earthly span.
"Take
comfort from the happiness
Which
we have always known,
Keep
shining always in your heart
The courage you have shown.
So
shed your tears, my dearest one,
For
they will ease your pain.
In
God's good time - not yours or mine
I
know we'll meet again."
Winifred
Slessor.
1988
Oct
2nd
Mr Lawrence Kennedy
Mr Evan Henning
9th
Mr Ivan Thompson
Women’s
Fellowship Choir
16th
Mr James McKeown
Woodvale Quartet
23rd
Mr Sherrard McKay
Word of Truth
30th
Mr Lawrence Kennedy
Ballymena Gospel Trio
Nov
6th
Mr William Kernohan
Mr William Henning
13th
Mr Murray
Miss Sadie Morrison
20th
Mr Ken Brown
Miss Jackie Williams