Autumn 1989

FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE KENNEDY

As I sit down to write this article for the magazine I praise God for each friend and member of the Fellowship at Ballee Baptist. I trust this magazine finds you in bright form after the summer break, and full of excitement as we embark on the Autumn/Winter activities, and in anticipation of God’s rich blessings.

I wonder if you find, like me, that some passages of God’s Word become so familiar, that they become stale, and we pass over the inspired words without thought. In this article I would like to bring you back to the 23rd Psalm, possibly the best known section in the Word of God - but to see in it The Christian’s Full Government:

v1 THE PRIME MINISTER - In the same sense in which the Prime Minister is the leader of the people, so the Lord is the Leader of His people - and there is none so stable or strong as He.

Psalm 89 v 13

v1 THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER -

"I shall not want". Never was there a Chancellor like the Lord Jesus, constantly controlling to attend to the needs of His people.

Deuteronomy 2 v 7

v2 THE HOME SECRETARY -

His position is to see us all settled down and at peace with one another. So we have the green pastures, the waters of stillness or unruffled calm and quietness and assurance.

Psalm 4 v 8

v3 THE MINISTER OF HEALTH -

Our Minister of Health gets to the root of the trouble - He restores the soul first. When we refer to Matthew 12 v 15 & 22 we find He healed all and never asked one of them to come back for a check-up - what a Minister!

Psalm 103 v 1-5

v3 THE FOREIGN MINISTER -

His job is to lead us in right paths as we journey through this alien sinful world on our way home. It is so essential to walk the path of righteousness - because we are being observed to see if our walk matches our talk!

v4 THE MINISTER OF PROPAGANDA -

His position is to boost the morale of the people. The Lord encourages His people by His promise to go through the valley experiences of life with us and to provide His comfort.

2 Timothy 4 v 17

v5 THE MINISTER OF FOOD -

Now He is preparing a table for us. The table is well furnished, fully laden with all that God Himself enjoys.

John 6 v 48 & 51

"I am that Bread of Life ... if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the Life of the World"

v5 THE MINISTER OF JOY -

In every circumstance we can have a "cup running over" - this is obtained and maintained by enjoying Christ’s love in our lives.

Psalm 4 v 7

v6 THE MINISTER OF COMPASSION -

The goodness and mercy of our God follow us. He always seeks and plans our good, and when we fail and fall Psalm 136 reminds us twenty-six times "His mercy endureth forever"

v7 THE MINISTER OF HOUSING -

We have no problems with our housing, there is no shortage and no renovation is required. One day the Lord Himself is coming to take us to our New Home.

John 14 v 1-3

We have a full Government, a Great God, and an assurance of Glory. Yet dear friend - do you know this Leader, Saviour, Shepherd personally? The Psalmist David did [v1], and many thousands upon thousands since then have found the Saviour. Our prayer is that you too will find Him, trust Him, live for Him and one day live with Him for all eternity.

oOo

LADIES’ MISSIONARY CLASS - WHY BOTHER?

It is often the case that the women’s department is considered to be the "Cinderella" of the local church and not really taken seriously - a meeting where you don’t necessarily have to put in an appearance. It’s true we don’t send out missionaries, plant churches, train those for Christian employment or even run youth camps! - but yet our role is vital, important and Biblically based.

In our missionary class in Ballee we seek to follow the example of the women we read about in Luke 8 v 1-3 who provided a very needy yet practical ministry for the Lord and His disciples:

It was a simple ministry - probably their task was to cook, wash and mend clothes and generally doing all they could for the comfort of the Master. It must have been a great encouragement to have this band of women providing this service on His preaching tour. Our task in the missionary class is also simple - to engage in a work of encouragement to our missionaries by faithful prayer support and practical giving. If you were a missionary, away from home in difficult circumstances wouldn’t you be glad to know the ladies of Ballee were still praying and caring!

 

It was a shared ministry - the women in Luke 8 worked together to serve the Lord. They supported Jesus and His disciples out of their own means and by pooling their resources their help was worthwhile. In Ballee our work is also a shared work - and that is why we need you! So that together we might be effective in prayer and care.

 

It was a sacrificial ministry - the women in Luke 8 sacrificed not only their money, but their time, energy, family life and home comforts to accompany the Lord on His journey. So too is the Ladies Missionary Class sacrificial. It takes effort, determination, precious time, but yet it is a blessing to work together, like the women in Luke 8 and through OUR simple, shared and sometimes sacrificial ministry we are enabled to help and encourage those who are engaged in full time work for the Master.

 

It is exciting to contemplate that as we uphold our missionaries in prayer they are enabled to win souls for Christ.

Is it too much effort, time or do we lack determination and enthusiasm?

For all these reasons the Ladies Missionary Class is for YOU. We would love to see you and you can be sure of a very warm welcome.

MISSIONARY MEETING PRAYER MEETING

Oct 11th Mr B Swann DCM 25th

Nov 8th Miss J Warwick IFM 29th

Dec Christmas evening

Lesley Kennedy

oOo

O Lord, deliver me,

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being honoured,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred to others,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

From the fear of being humiliated,

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebuke,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected.

And, Lord, grant me the grace to desire,

That others might be loved more than I,

That others might be esteemed more than I,

That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen, and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become Holier than I, provided

That I become as Holy as I should.

oOo

THE OLD VIOLIN/THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

Well it was battered and scarred and the auctioneer felt,

It was hardly worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin

But he held it up with a smile.

‘It sure ain’t much but it’s all we’ve got left,

I guess we ought to sell it too,

Now who’s got a bid on this old violin,

Just one more and we’ll be through?’

Then he cried, ‘One, give me one dollar, who’ll give me two,

Only two dollars, who’ll make it three?

Three dollars twice now, that’s a good price,

But who’s gotta bid for me?

Raise up your hand, don’t wait any longer,

The auction’s about to end.

Who’s got four, just one dollar more

To bid on this old violin?’

Well the air was hot and people stood around,

As the sun was setting low.

From the back of the crowd a grey haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow.

He wiped the dust off the old violin

And he tightened up the strings.

Then he played out a melody pure and sweet,

Sweet as the angel’s sing.

Then the music stopped and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, ‘What is my bid for this old violin?’

Then he held it up with the bow.

Then he cried out ‘One, give me one thousand, then who’ll make it two,

Only two thousand, who’ll make it three?

Three thousand twice, now that’s a good price,

But who’s gotta bid for me?’

The people called out ‘What made the change,

We don’t understand?’

And the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,

‘It was the touch of the master’s hand.’

Now you know many a man with a life out of tune,

Is battered and scarred with sin,

And he’s auctioned it cheap to a thankless world,

Much like the old violin,

The Master comes and the foolish crowd

They never understand -

The worth of a soul and the change that’s made,

Just by the touch of the Master’s hand.

Anonymous

oOo

LENT FOR A WHILE

‘I’ll lend to you for a while

A child of Mine,’ God said.

‘For you to cherish while he lives

And mourn for when he’s dead.

It may be six or seven years

Or only two or three;

But, will you, till I call him home

Look after him for Me?

He’ll bring his love to gladden you,

And should his stay be brief -

You’ll have a lot of memories

As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,

Since all from earth return;

But there are lessons taught below

I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over

In my search for teachers true,

And from the throng that crowds life’s lanes

At last I’ve chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love

Nor think your labour vain

Nor turn against me when I take

Him back to Me again.

Lesley Kennedy

oOo

MISSIONARY FOCUS

As I sat by the fireside the other night looking through the different hymns in an old redemption hymn book, I came upon that well known hymn:

"Far, far away in heathen darkness,

Millions of souls for ever may be lost;"

I was caught up, challenged by the words of the next two lines of that verse which say,

‘Who, who will go? Salvation’s story telling,

Looking to Jesus counting not the cost."

Yes friends, the "who, who will go", is certainly a challenge. I believe God is asking all of us in these days that great question - will you go for Jesus or is the cost too much? Thank God for the many over the years who looked to Jesus and didn’t count the cost of leaving home and loved ones, but went forth for God. As I read through all the different missionary magazines and see how many older missionaries and those who are in bad health who have to leave the mission field and come home, I wonder who, who will go to take their place.

As I read stories from magazines and listen to missionary reports concerning the work up the Amazon in Brazil or in Africa and other places I know that there are little villages in these different places and the missionaries are only able to call with the people about every two years because of the lack of workers. It’s very sad to think that the hymn is so true. Millions of souls are being lost because there is no one to tell them about Jesus. I trust that as we think on the words of this hymn we will consider the words very carefully and do what it says in the next verse:

"See o’er the world wide open doors inviting

Soldiers of Christ, arise and enter in,

Christians awake your forces all uniting

Send forth the Gospel break the chains of sin!

because Jesus said, "All power is given unto us" and He would be with us always.

It’s good to hear that God is working in many parts of the world and souls are getting saved and backsliders are being restored. So we praise God that His promise is true when He said, He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

I’m sure most folks in the Church know that we did a little bit of outreach work from the Church in the past few weeks, and we praise God for the many willing workers who joined in this work. We covered quite a large area, calling at every door with an invitation and a Gospel tract, so we have left it with the Lord that He might bless the seed that has been sown. The thing that saddened me was the fact that some people that I called with just didn’t want to know. Yes friends, we do have a mission field on our door step, so let’s do what the hymn says: Christians awake, arise and enter into God’s work.

Please remember the Hanna family down in Dublin as they settle into the work there. The last report I had from them was very good, many people have been contacted and some becoming interested in the things of God. We in the Church were so glad to be able to help them both materially and financially as they start off their work for God in Dublin.

We are looking forward to a visit from Walter Burrell on Friday 29th September. What a tremendous worker for the Lord this man is. Pray for him and his wife, Mary, at this time. We praise God for His hand upon Mary and we are looking to Him to complete the good work that He has begun.

Do pray for Sam and Anna again as they work so hard up there at Sandes. May God really set His seal upon their work.

Remember Geoffrey and Gillian as they go round taking meetings from place to place. We pray that God’s hand would be upon them as they travel back and forth to these meetings and also that God would guide them in the future days.

Remember James and Audrey in Belfast. We do pray that God would bless them in their work too.

Desmond Shaw

oOo

PANAMA PROFILE

The waters of both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans wash the shores of Panama. In Panama, two main mountain ranges running east and west form the backbone of the country. The Caribbean side and eastern Panama have heavy tropical rain forests. The climate is tropical, with heavy but seasonal rainfall. The Caribbean side has more rain and a less defined dry season than the Pacific side.

Panama has a population of about 2.5 million, very similar in size to Northern Ireland. The capital and largest city is Panama City, whose population is estimated at 404,000. Since 1903 Panama has been independent of its larger neighbour Colombia. During the 1960’s the country experienced a number of coups, but constitutional government was restored in 1972. Since then Panama has been ruled by a 505 member National Assembly of Representatives [Corregidores]. This group elected the president and vice-presidents and gave major executive powers to Brigadier General Omar Torrijos, the named Head of Government.

Since that time however General Manuel Noriega has taken the place of Torrijos. Noriega is wanted in the USA on drugs charges, as he is one of the main men in the drugs cartel which operates out of the Central and South Americas. Do pray that the Lord would intervene, and that the man of His choice would be made leader of the Republic of Panama.

Bananas account for more than half of Panama’s exports; other important exports are petroleum products and scrimp. The Canal has been the nation’s major economic asset.

Panama’s literacy rate is about 85%. The first six years of schooling are free and compulsory. Government and private schools offer six years of high school which then permits entrance to the university. There is one National University and a Catholic University.

Roman Catholicism was introduced into Panama in 1514 by Franciscan missionaries. Today the Roman Catholic Church claims affiliation of 91% of the population. Although the Government of Panama guarantees freedom of religion, there is a social pressure to be Catholic.

Although Evangelicals [Protestants] are a minority in the country [5-6%], they represent the highest proportion evangelicals to population of any Latin America country.

The religions of the rest of the population include the original faiths of immigrants [such as Judaism, Buddhism] and the animism practised by tribal groups.

Spanish is the national language. Use of English, however, is widespread and study of English is compulsory in secondary schools.

"Indian" or "tribe" are acceptable terms for the indigenous peoples of Panama. New Tribes Mission is currently working in four tribal groups; The Kuna, Guaymi, Embera [Choco] and Buglere. N.T.M. are planning to open works in two tribes - the Teribe and the Bri Bri.

Geoffrey McGrath

oOo

REFLECTIONS ON OUR TRAINING WITH NEW TRIBES MISSION

Three and a half years ago, on 21st January 1986, our training with New Tribes Mission began when Geoffrey started Bible School in Matlock, Derbyshire. This was the first phase in our three phase period of training. Geoffrey was single, we were engaged but had no definite plans made as to when we should get married; but by the Easter things had changed. I had applied to enter Bible School and after visiting Geoffrey at Matlock we decided to get married in August 1986.

Eight days after we were married, Geoffrey returned to Bible School with his new wife. That next year was a time of great adjustment for us both. For me it was not just to being married but living 300 miles from family and taking in all the new things that we were taught. Although that year at Bible School was a hard year Geoffrey was a great encouragement to me and the Lord encouraged and strengthened us both. The Lord taught us many things, not only about ourselves and how we should live together, but about Himself. We learned how great our God is and His love for us. He was faithful to us. We studied many books of the Bible and were presented with many challenging thoughts from the Word to consider. Bible School was a foundation and a stepping stone in our Christian lives; we became aware of our responsibility as believers to take the Gospel to those who have never heard.

In May 1987 we left Matlock and returned home for a few months to prepare for phase two in the training. We were apprehensive as to what it would be like over in USA. "Boot Camp" sounded like a military camp - what would it all be like? We had heard many stories, how tough it was. [The term "Boot Camp" was taken from the American military training. We were in military training for God’s army, and it was necessary for us to be properly prepared for the battleground.] And what was "Jungle Camp?" Did you really have to live in a jungle for six weeks and build your own house? With these and many other questions we left our fair shores once more not knowing when we would be home - and headed for the unknown!! Yet again the Lord was faithful. He knew all our fears and worries and took care of every one.

Boot Camp was another time of adjustment, this time it was to a different culture. Americans do things differently! Their way was not wrong but just different. This saying became very familiar to us as we came up against new things. For a start driving on the other side of the road took us quite a while to get used to! Boot Camp was certainly different from Bible School. It wasn’t as academical. We were taught practical things about living the Christian life; our walk with the Lord, our relationships to our spouse, children and others. During our time at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania the Lord showed us areas in our lives we needed to change. We are all like the clay in the Potter’s hand needing moulding to be made more like our Lord and Saviour. It is a life time of moulding - we are never finished. We need always to be checking our hearts and allowing the Lord to work in our lives so that we can be more like Him.

On April 19th 1988 Sarah Alison McGrath was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She now has dual nationality which could be an advantage to her later on. She has brought us such joy; but also made us aware of our great responsibility as parents to bring her up to know and love the Lord.

When Sarah was just over two months old we began our Jungle Camp training. It lasted for six weeks. During the months before we had started to prepare having orientation on what it would be like, making lists, storing food, making plans to build our house. Then it came to be all put into practice. The first week Geoffrey with eight other men went up to start to build our jungle house. Jungle Camp was up in a forest just behind our Boot Camp. The first two weeks were the hardest when we were building the house, but once we had it finished with the curtains up we felt quite at home. We really enjoyed our Jungle Camp experience. It wasn’t the easiest time but the Lord proved Himself faithful to us again. He helped us in the building of our house as we had never had any experience of this kind before. He gave us the strength to do things that to us were humanly impossible. We certainly could claim that verse in Matthew 19 v 26 "but with God all things are possible". We even had to kill, prepare, cook and eat a chicken! We even saw the hand of God’s protection over our whole camp when we experienced a terrible thunder and lightning storm which knocked down live trees right before our eyes. The purpose of Jungle Camp was to train us to be prepared to face anything when we went out on the field. Also it was to teach us how much we could live without things and still be comfortable and happy.

The third phase of our training was Language School. This was the last part of our training with the mission. We left Jersey Shore P.A. and travelled by car to Camdenton Missouri which was 1200 miles away. Language School was a five month course and we started in January of this year. Language School was completely different from Boot Camp. It was more involved in the technical side. We had phonetic classes learning to say different sounds. We had culture lectures on what it would be like when we first go into a tribe. The staff wanted to best prepare us so we would know some of the hardships that we would have to face. We also had language learning classes, instructing us on the different methods of how to learn tribal language. We even got a chance to put these methods into practice when our instructor became the tribal person and we had to attempt to learn to communicate with him!

Because of the remoteness of our work we have to be prepared to know some first aid. Therefore we had medical classes where we learned how to deal with different tropical diseases and illnesses that we might face.

In May 1989 we completed the third phase training and became members with New Tribes Mission. Was all the training necessary in order for us to be missionaries? We feel it was as we needed to be prepared spiritually and physically to go ouy to the forefront of the battlefield. Our desire is that people will see a change in our lives. That Christ will be seen in us and that we will bring Him glory in our everyday lives. We praise the Lord for the privilege we have had to go through such an intense training. We trust and pray that the Lord will be able to use us to reach others with the Gospel who might not otherwise have had a chance to hear.

We are often reminded that we are not in this battle alone. We are just part of a team. I Corinthians 3 v 9 "For we are labourers together with God". Although we are heading to Panama next year, we appreciate knowing so much that there are many folks in our home country behind us and with us in prayer. We are all working together to reach this world for Christ and it is such an encouragement to know that we have each other. So let’s encourage and strengthen one another in these days, as it’s not easy to live for Christ in these days.

As the two hundred remained "by the stuff" [I Samuel 25 v 13] while the rest of David’s men went on to the battle; so will many of you be at home here "by the stuff" so to speak; but we see it as an important part of the job in reaching this world with the Gospel.

So let us together march on for God "reaching forth unto those things which are before".

Finally I would like to thank you all for your support for us while we were in the training. Now that we are home for a while we are looking forward to getting to know many of you better.

We would appreciate your continued prayers for us as we prepare to go to Panama. Pray for our Spanish study that we will discipline ourselves; for wisdom and strength to bring up Sarah; and as we prepare for the arrival of our second child.

You are all welcome to come and visit us in our home at 120 Toome Road.

Gillian McGrath

oOo

FOR ME

Great, great was the gift God gave unto man,

When the Saviour came down according to plan.

Great was His love when He died on the tree:

Greatest wonder of all - that love was for me.

Great was the life that He lived here below;

To all those who sought Him, He never said no.

Healing and teaching, the blind made to see,

So great in compassion, compassion for me.

At the cross there is room, heed now His call,

And trusting in Jesus there’s pardon for all,

He left this old earth, a place to prepare;

Greatest wonder of all - that I shall be there.

Come friend to the cross, His work is complete,

Acknowledge your need and fall down at His feet.

He’ll gather His own with triumphant song -

Praise His thrice Holy Name, and take me along.

[Selected]

M.Robinson

oOo

The assurance that people at home are praying can ease the loneliness that missionary parents feel when the time comes for their children to attend boarding school. Lila Balisky describes the heart-tug in this poem she wrote in Ethiopia when seven-year-old Allen, her firstborn, came home for vacation after his first term at Bingham Academy, SIM’s school for MKs, 300 miles away.

"GODS NUMBS A MOTHER’S HEART"

He’s home again, my boy, my son,

Oh, dear God, he’s been gone so long.

Tonight I sat beside him on the bed

While he was sleeping

Just to look and watch ...

Thinking of times past and times to come

And cried praises that now, tonight, he’s home!

His place at our table makes the family circle full,

The food to cook is more

And there are the extra dirty clothes strewn on the floor

Like it used to be.

He’s grown so much since he left home -

Knows much more of living, knowledge, humour,

Knows you better, too, I sense,

Has grown in confidence.

Strong, but still so young to be away from home.

My mother heart begs that he might stay,

But when he’s gone we always keep a place his own:

His special drawer, shelf of treasures,

His bed made in his room so he could come at any time.

But tonight, he’s home!

God numbs a mother’s heart

So while he’s gone

We all get used to an empty bed

And it’s almost - dare I say it - like he’s dead.

What does my boy think to come home again?

And will he go away with peace?

oOo

QUIZ No. 6 [SELECTED]

1 Who was the first man to have a copy of God’s Word for guidance?

Joshua 1 v 8, Exodus 17 v 14

2 What age was Abraham when he died? Genesis 25 v 7

3 Who said, "Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did?"

John 4 v 9,29

4 Where was Paul going to when he was converted? Acts 9 v 3

5 What woman, as she sat in a field, saw an angel? Judges 13 v 9

6 When Peter saw the Lord standing on the sea-shore, what did he do? John 21 v 7

7 Who was not afraid of snow? Proverbs 31 v 21

8 Who lay on his left side for 390 days? Ezekiel 4 v 4-6

9 Who speaks of a man suffering as a Christian? I Peter 4 v 16

10 Of whom was it said that "he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith?" Acts 11 v 22-24

11 Whose wife’s mother lay sick with a fever? Matthew 8 v 14

12 What was the name given to the field where Judas hanged himself?

Matthew 27 v 8

13 Whose father was an apothecary? Nehemiah 3 v 8

14 Whose father was a goldsmith? Nehemiah 3 v 31

oOo

YOUNG PEOPLE’S FELLOWSHIP

As usual the last three months have been busy for the young people. Although no regular meetings were planned for July and August several outings were arranged to encourage interest and fellowship among the youth. In July there was a trip to the Valley Leisure Centre and the Church barbecue at Greenmount. This was attended by a large number of young people, and was also well supported by the rest of the Church. I think everyone enjoyed the treasure hunt and "excellent cooking". The evening was concluded by singing choruses and a short epilogue from the Pastor.

In early August a group of ten young people went pony trekking. A good night was finished with some daring games on horseback. I’m pleased to report that no one fell off, and all returned safely.

On August 20th the youth choir sang at church in the evening, and afterwards took charge of the open air meeting. The summer activities ended with another barbecue, this time at the Carson’s home. This was also well attended by young people.

Once again September has arrived and the youth work is beginning for another season. Last year all our Sunday night meetings were well attended and it is our prayer that this year we will see the numbers increase further. There are more young people in the Church who do not attend the meetings, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite all those 11 years and over to stay behind on a Sunday night.

In September, two meetings were held. The first was held at the Manse and took the form of an open discussion. Although numbers were smaller for various reasons, it was a very interesting night. The second meeting was again fairly informal and included a new "four-square" quiz game. Samuel Bell spoke at the end. Other meetings planned up until Christmas include visits from David Hoey Stauros, James McKeown Belfast Bible College, and Jonathan Reid C.E.F. The annual youth rally will be held on Thursday 9th November. The Templemore Hall Choir and Victor Maxwell will be the special guests. It is intended that this meeting will appeal to a broad spectrum for a night of praise to God.

Finally, on behalf of all the young people I would like to congratulate Annaleen and Wullie on their marriage on September 29th.

Derek

oOo

TURNING PAINS INTO PEARLS

It is quite clear from what we have been seeing over these past few days, that Christians are to follow in the steps of their Lord and turn their sufferings to good account. The way in which this is to be done is beautifully illustrated by the experience of the oyster, into whose shell there comes one day a grain of sand. This tiny piece of quartz lies there imposing pain and distress - so what shall the oyster do? Well there are several courses open. The oyster could, as so many men and women have done in times of adversity and trouble, openly rebel against God. The oyster metaphorically speaking, could shake a fist in God’s face and say, "why should this happen to me?" But it doesn’t. Or it could say, "it can’t be true; this is not happening to me. I must not permit myself to believe it". It doesn’t do that either. It could say also, "There’s no such thing as pain. It is an error of the mind. I must think positive thoughts". But that is not what the oyster does.

What then does it do? Slowly and patiently, and with infinite care, the oyster builds upon the grain of sand layer upon layer of a white, milky substance that covers each sharp corner and coats every cutting edge. And gradually ... slowly ... by and by a pearl is made. The oyster has learned - by the will of God - to turn grains of sand into pearls. And that is the lesson we must learn along this pilgrim way. Surely it is something more than a simile when the Bible says that the entrance into the New Jerusalem is through a gate made of pearl. It is pointing out that the way into the city of God is through a wound that has been healed. Let God help you turn your pain into pearls, so that others can walk through them to joy and encouragement.

From Every Day With Jesus

oOo

"Life at best is very brief like the falling of a leaf

Like the binding of a sheaf, fleeting days are telling fast

That the die will soon be cast and the fatal line be passed"

It does not seeM any time at all since the open airs started. In July we went into Camphill with N. Allison speaking, and Auldwyn Calderwood speaking in Montague. We went to Kells where G. McGrath spoke. He is home on furlough. We gave 30 or 40 tracts out. The following week we went to another part of Kells where the Pastor spoke and Mrs Harkness testified. D. Mitchell took our next meeting in Carolhill, and Camphill was taken by J. Pollock. We then went to the green on the Toome Road where L. Kirk spoke of the coming of the Lord and T.Robinson gave a word of testimony. We brought our meetings to a close in Tullygarley with N. Allison speaking and G. McGrath singing. The weather has been very good but it started to get cold near the end of the season. We never had to cancel any meetings. The attendance kept up very well and the meetings were good, some people listened to what had been said.

The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.

Joe

oOo

O friends of mortal years,

The trusted and the true,

Ye are watching still in the vale of tears,

But I wait to welcome you.

Do I forget? Oh, no!

For memory’s golden chain

Doth bind my heart to the hearts below

Till they meet me here again.

Each link is strong and bright

And love’s electric flame

Flows freely down, like a river of light

To the world from whence I came

oOo

I am home in Heaven, dear ones,

Oh so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief are over;

Every restless tossing passed;

I’m now at peace for ever,

Safely home in Heaven at last!

Did you wonder I so calmly

Trod the valley of the shade?

Ah! but Jesus’ love illumined

Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me

In that way so hard to tread;

And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,

Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,

For I love you dearly still;

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

Pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you,

So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remaineth,

You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed

He will gently call you home;

Oh the rapture of that meeting!

Oh the joy to see you come!

oOo

UNDERNEATH AND EVERLASTING

Child of God, forlorn and weary,

Doth the way seem overlong?

Are the skies above thee dreary,

And thou hast no heart for song?

Pause awhile! and think, and ponder -

There are arms outstretched for thee!

Arms that tell of love far fonder

That earth’s fondest love could be!

Arms of Jesus - Everlasting;

Arms that never weary grow;

We, our loads upon them casting,

Cannot tire them. Cannot. No!

Open arms - outstretched, inviting

To the weary, much-worn saint,

With the strain of constant fighting

In the heavenly warfare, faint.

Arms outstretched! And oh! the wonder,

Underneath thee, they are there!

Always, always, always under,

Thee to catch and thee to bear.

‘Neath thee in the sorest trial,

‘Neath thee in thy deepst woe,

‘Neath thee should thy life’s sundial

Tell that setting sun is low.

Outstretched! Tireless! and unfailing!

Underneath - these arms are spread!

Strong! Their strength so all-availing!

Softer yet that infant’s bed!

Such the arms that now would hold thee:

Have thee know their perfect rest;

Have thee find, as they enfold thee,

Quenchless love on Jesus’ breast.

oOo

CRECHE ROTA

STORYTELLER HELPER/BABIES BABIES

October 1st Margaret Carlisle Linda Cameron Isobel Magill

8th Joan McMullan Barbara Bankhead Annaleen Knowles

15th June Hewitt Yvonne Kirk Aaron Herbison

22nd Linda Cameron Caroline Gartland Suzanne Magill

29th Lesley Kennedy Linda Irons Lorraine Calderwood

November 5th Agnes Carson Ina Livingstone Annaleen Knowles

12th Heather Hoey Joan McMullan June Hewitt

19th Caroline Gartland Isobel Magill Barbara Bankhead

26th Lorraine Calderwood Lesley Kennedy Linda Cameron

December 3rd Margaret Carlisle Heather Hoey Yvonne Kirk

10th Joan McMullan Linda Irons Aaron Herbison

17th June Hewitt Suzanne Magill Ina Livingstone

24th Linda Cameron Isobel Magill Lorraine Calderwood

31st Lesley Kennedy Caroline Gartland June Hewitt

January 7th Agnes Carson Yvonne Kirk Barbara Bankhead

14th Heather Hoey Annaleen Knowles Lorraine Calderwood

21st Caroline Gartland Linda Cameron Linda Irons

28th Lorraine Calderwood Lesley Kennedy Joan McMullan

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SUNDAY OCTOBER

1st David Millar

8th Robert and Margaret McMaster

15th William McBride

22nd Ruth and Karen

29th Word of Truth

NOVEMBER

5th Robert Mitchell

12th James Anderson

19th Geoffrey McGrath

26th Mrs Wilma Power

DECEMBER

3rd Corner Stone

10th Mrs Jean Lucas

17th Templemore Hall Male Voice Choir

24th Christmas Carol Service

25th Family Service [Christmas morning]

31st Watchnight Service

Sunday 15th October am & pm Geoffrey McGrath

22nd October am & pm James McKeown

Friday 3rd November Sali Rahmani

Thursday 9th November Youth Rally

Tuesday 14th November Raymond & Adrianne McKimm

Sunday 17th December pm Templemore Hall Male Voice Choir

If you have any news for the magazine, any comments you would like to make, we would be only too glad to receive them. Think about it - and let us know as it would make our task much easier in compiling the magazine. We have three months before the next issue is due.

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