Today I saw the world as if through different eyes

I got away from normal day and watched a new sunrise,

It brought a thousand sparkles as it shone upon the sea

It brought a perfect calmness which I felt came over me.

I reflected now on yesterday - my problems weren’t as grand

I looked up at the mountains, then looked down to golden sand.

I thought if God was strong enough to hold the world in place.

Then surely He could solve the little problems that I face.

I studied long the trees in all their grandeur towering tall

I watched their bushy heads shaking and how their leaves did fall

So many leaves just lying on the ground - but not in vain.

My Heavenly Father observed their fall and knew them all by name.

I wish for many mornings when I can get away

And gaze through different eyes on to such a splendid day

My life can take new meaning when I see my Creator’s hand,

And in seeing keep believing that I fit into his plan.

If after Church, you wait awhile,

Someone may greet you with a smile.

But, if you quickly rise and flee,

We’ll all seem cold and stiff, maybe

The one beside you in the pew

Is, perhaps a stranger too.

All here, like you, have fears and cares,

All of us need each other’s prayers.

In fellowship we bid you meet,

With us around God’s Mercy Seat.

On the 5th January 2001 D.V. the Pastor is leaving to fulfill a 16 day preaching engagement in the province of Andhra Pradesh, India, with Pastor Tom Orr.

They will fly firstly to Bombay, and then on to Hyderabad, before crossing approx. 600 miles south east by train to the mission area. The mission is called the “GOOD NEWS FESTIVAL 2001.” It will be held in two centres:-

A) UPPADA, in the east Godavary District.

B) BAPATLA, in the Guntur District.

At both centres we will have 400 Pastors and Christian leaders to teach, both morning and afternoon. In the evenings at both centres it will be evangelistic gospel meetings.

Already the believers in India are having nights of prayer and fasting for the mission ahead.

Please pray that on top of the Pastor’s “Ballee” responsibilities, he shall get the necessary time for all the preparation needed, and that God will use all that is prepared for His eternal glory.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy.

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for - but everything I had hoped for,

Despite myself my unspoken prayer were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

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Who spoke by revelation, yet had no sense of sin.

And died without salvation, to Heaven could not enter in,

Find my name in the sacred page, recorded so faithfully for you,

So when you give up guessing, turn to Numbers twenty-two.

Moses was busy with his flock at Horeb when God called him.

Gideon was busy threshing wheat at the winepress when God called him.

Saul was busy searching for his fathers lost sheep when God called him.

David was busy caring for his fathers sheep when God called him.

Elisha was busy plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when God called him.

Nehemiah was busy as the King’s cupbearer when God called him.

Amos was busy following the flock when God called him.

James and John were busy mending their fishing nets when God called them.

Matthew was busy collecting customs when God called him.

Saul was busy persecuting the followers of Christ when God called him.

Both the created universe and history speak of God’s great goodness. However, do we always have the eyes to see and the ears to hear God speaking to us through them, as the Psalmist did (Psalm 136).

Sometimes we can be so caught up in our own problems that we do not see God in every aspect of life.

We become like birds entangled in a net. But God can free us. He can remove the burden of our anxieties - anxieties which seem to make our problems go from bad to worse.

In order to fly above the “nets” of our everyday problems, we must lift up our eyes and look to God. We need to practise this until it becomes habit. Think about some ordinary object and ask yourself how it reminds you of God. It will not be long before you begin to see the goodness of God in every part of the created universe and in all events.

As we prepare again for the “winters work” I began to think about this little phrase. Forsome it means becoming involved, getting busier and becoming part of a churchs’ busy calendar. For others it means constant running around, being out several nights in the week and yet they’d much prefer to stay at home. For some it means nothing at all - because there is little or no change in their involvement in church life.

As I thought about the recommencement of our ladies fellowship I wonder if you fit in to any of the above mentioned catagories. We have many ladies who faithfully attend and we praise God for that faithfulness but we always have room for more! If you are free on the 2nd Wednesday of each month why not come and join with us for a night of ministry and fellowship followed by a cup of tea. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Also on the last Wednesday of each month we have a prayer meeting. This meeting continues throughout the summer and it has been encouraging to see a goodly number of “workers” attending in spite of the holiday period.

As usual this year we had our annual outing. This year we went all the way to Portadown for the customary shopping. This was followed by a visit to Ella's Barn where we had a cookery demonstration followed by a wonderful tea. I think all the ladies enjoyed their day out.

Finally, as we begin our “winters work” may I encourage all ladies to come to the ladies fellowship - to become involved and become co-workers together for the glory of God.

My eyes met yours for a very brief space

And what, Oh what did you see?

A hurried, a worried and anxious face,

Or the beauty of Jesus in me?

Was I steeped so deep in the ways of the world,

That you couldn’t detect one thing,

That would set me apart

And show that my heart

Belonged to the Heavenly King.

(Contributed by Audrey Manson )

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Jesus died to bring salvation, For the rich and poor;

Men of every tribe and nation- He includes the man next door.

A flea and an elephant walked side by side over a bridge. Said the flea to the elephant after they had crossed, “boy, we sure did shake that bridge!” This is like some church members, they ride the wagon while others push, criticize while others try, are light as a feather when weighed in the balances and then cry, “boy look what we did!” - Are we fleas or elephants in the work in Ballee?

The moral decline and lawlessness during the period of the Judges was reflected in the weakness of Eli and his two sons Hophni and Phinehas. God’s judgement was clear - 1Sam 3 v 11- 13: Whatsoever a man soweth, said the Apostle, that shall he also reap. How true in the history of every child of Adam and also to every child of God. If we indulge in wrong thoughts, conversation and actions we will reap the fruits of it sooner or later.

In the years following, the Nation lived in the period of ‘Ichabod’. God ceased to act publicly and the ark of His presence was carried about from place to place of the Philistines. God’s grace, however was manifested in Samuel ministering in Shiloh, remember the words of his dear godly mother Hannah, “I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before The Lord and there abide forever.” Ch 1 v 22.

Samuel in the years following did his best and in Ch 7 v 4 we see a turning. They gathered together, poured out water before the Lord, and expression of their helpless condition, fasted and repented - “we have sinned against the Lord.” A work was starting again. They said to Samuel “cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a lamb and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord, and Samuel cried unto the Lord of Israel and the Lord heard him.” v 8 & 9.

In ch 8 we are told that Samuel was old and he made his two sons Judges over Israel. These sons walked not in the ways of their father. Sad picture again. They had recovered from the effects of Eli’s sons and now are faced with a similar problem. The faithfulness of Samuel was no guarantee for his sons and Israel seemed to make this a reason for asking a king, v 5. They were doing better but failed to see beyond Samuel, and see the ability of Jehovah to guide and keep. They now insisted in a human head like the nations round about. The words of v 7 are sad, “The Lord said to Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” God went along with it and in granting their request, The Lord sent leanness to their souls.

Saul was a choice young man and goodly and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person that he, ch 9 v 2. A man of splendid physique. He was kingly in appearance and God agreed that he should wear the garments of royalty. This is very impressive to those who look upon outward appearance but only God knew what lay beneath that attractive outward.

Saul did well for a few years. He showed signs of modesty and obedience. The word says that the Spirit of God came upon him, ch 10 v 6 and God gave him another heart. He had a great friend in Samuel, who loved him, - prayed for him, clung to him as a father might cling to a prodigal son and did his best to lead him in the ways of God.

In chapters 14 and 15 King Saul further demonstrates his decline in disobedience and rebellion. Sent by God to exterminate the Amalekites, a tribe who had fought against Israel on their way to the promised land, Saul listens to the voice of the people and only partially obeys the Lord’s directions. He keeps the best sheep and oxen for himself and spares Agag, the king. Later when accused by Samuel of disobedience, Saul tells lies and attempts to justify himself. Samuel affirms he is no longer fit to be king and is to be rejected by God. All this so grieved Samuel that he cried unto The Lord all night v 11. In ch 16 V 14 we read those terrible words, “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit by the Lord’s permission troubled him.” In this condition Saul went down and down: Young David is brought to minister to him but in periods of deep depression and rage he becomes very jealous of David.

Now that Saul is bereft of divine guidance he turns to another source for instruction. Disguising himself he consults the witch of En-dor, an act strictly forbidden by Jewish law (Lev 19 v 31). To Saul and the mediums surprise the request is granted. Samuel appears before Saul and pronounces imminent doom upon him. The following day this prediction was fulfilled. The Philistines go to battle with Israelites and rout them, overtaking Saul and his sons. Saul is badly wounded and rather than surrender and suffer defeat he kills himself by falling on his sword.

However much we try to sympathize and understand Saul we cannot but see him as one of the most disappointing of all the characters of scripture. He appears at first to be every inch a king but jealousy, selfish and disobedience lead to his rejection by God. He fell from the highest position in the land to finish up as a suicide. It is said that 1 Sam. CH 26 V21, “I have played the fool, I have erred exceedingly” might serve as his auto-biography. Saul was not sent into this world to play the part of a fool, God intended him to play the part of a King. He was not the type of a fool that makes us laugh but a fool over whom we must weep. Saul in his carnality either thought God did not mean what He said or else he foolishly thought he could change the situation. How futile this proved to be, how sad his delusion.

In ch 28 v 15 we read those awful words, “God is departed from me and answereth me no more.” We pity the man who has lost his health, lost his wealth, we pity the man who has lost loved ones but what of the man who has lost contact with His God. This is the supreme loss. The most tragic person on this side is the man who has no God. He is wretched lonely and in despair.

David Mitchell

Are you passing through some sorrow?

Is your pillow wet with tears?

There is only one can help you,

He will banish all your fears.

Do you wonder why you suffer

And if God does understand?

Yes. He knows your future pathway.

All your life is in His hands.

All God’s testings have a purpose,

Someday you will see the light,

All He asks is that you trust Him,

Walk by faith and not by sight.

Do not fear when doubts surround you

Just remember He is near,

He will never, never leave thee

He will always, always hear.

Faithful is He that has promised,

He will never let you fall;

Daily strength to you be given -

Strength for each, and strength for all.

“Love is friendship that has caught fire.” It’s quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It’s loyalty through good times and bad. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weakness.

If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things that you lack. If you don’t, no matter what else there is - it’s not enough.

If you want to make your marriage work, observe these five rules.

1. Never both be angry at once.

4. Never meet without an affectionate welcome and never go to bed mad.

5. When you make a mistake, talk it out and ask for forgiveness.

Since God thought up the whole idea of marriage. Why don’t you ask Him for help with yours today?

My life is but a weaving

Between the Lord and me.

I cannot choose the colours;

He worketh steadily.

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper,

And I the underside.

Not’til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weavers skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

Youth Sunday ended the 1999/2000 Young People’s season on Sunday 18th June with a visit from Mr. Ivan McKeown and his furry friend. The choir, who had listened to me shout at them all year, sang very well in the evening, and we heard a touching testimony from one of our very own young people, Miss Linda McCord.

During July and August, we took our young people out to various places with the aim of having fun and fellowship.

Saturday 1st July

The first summer event for our young’uns was held at Graham and Hilary Kernohan’s farm near Broughshane. Whilst the food burned to a cinder on the Bar-b-que, the young people ploughed the fields and scattered with a football and some healthy manure. The activities were brought to a stand-still when it was announced that one of the resident cows was about to calf. Surrounded by thirty something adolescents gawking at her, the poor cow gave birth to a very healthy calf, and we all went away duely educated in some of the facts of life!

Saturday 22nd July

For the next event, we bused it down to our favourite seaside resort (Portstewart) for some fun and games in the beach. None of us ventured into the icy cold waters, but we all seemed to have gotten wet somehow. This was followed up by a good feed of chips and a wee cruise down the strip!

Thursday 27th July

A little green bus, around fifty years old, was our mode of transport during our mystery tour. Robert McMaster drove us to Portglenone forest where we got off and walked around the forest. After returning to the bus, Robert drove us around the scenic areas of the Grange and Randalstown where we arrived at Robert and Margarets house. Margaret had obviously heard the bus coming and she had the kettle on and duely feed us with lots of scrummy food. A sing-song later, and it was back onto the bus to bounce back to Ballee.

Saturday 12 August

We headed off down to Aghadowy for some pony trekking on this occasion, followed by a very long walk along the Giant’s Causeway. After burning off several million calories I’m sure, we then were obliged to visit Mc Donald’s in Coleraine to pile them back on again.

Saturday 19th August

This year’s church treasure hunt (designed by Bobby Montgomery) took us in the direction of Cullybackey where we ended the evening with a Bar-b-que, a sing song and an epilogue by Noel Bell. A good evening was enjoyed by all. Our thanks go to Bobby and also to Richard Logan’s Mum and Dad, whose house the Bar-b-que was staged at.

Saturday 26th August

We headed down to the Jet Centre in Coleraine for a ten pin bowling competition. There were some amateurs and some professionals but all were hungry and we got fed at McDonald’s again.

General Havelock once told his son to wait for him at 12.00 noon on London Bridge. Being a very busy man he forgot his son and went home. At about 7.00pm his wife said “Where is Henry, I’ve not seen him all afternoon?” The General suddenly remembered where he had told him to wait. Rushing to London Bridge he found him still waiting. “You see,” he said to a friend, who was with him, “the discipline in a soldiers family.” What an example this is of the Lord’s command. “Children obey your parents.”

When our children are young we speak to them of God. When they leave home then we speak to God of them.

You tell me I am getting old, but that’s not really so, the house I live in may be worn, and that of course I know. It’s been in use a good while and weathered many a gale. I’m therefore not surprised to find it’s getting somewhat frail.

You tell me I am getting old, you mix my house with me, you’re looking at the outside, that’s all that most folk see. The dweller in the little house is young and bright and gay, just starting on a life that lasts through long, eternal day.

The colour changing of the roof, the windows looking dim, the walls a bit transparent and getting rather thin. The foundation’s not so steady as once it used to be, and that is all that you observe, but it’s not really me.

I patch the old home up a bit to make it last the night, but soon I shall be flitting to my Home of endless light. I’m going to live for ever there, my life goes on, it’s grand; How can you say I’m getting old? You do not understand.

These few short years can’t make me old. I feel I’m in my youth, eternity lies just ahead, full life and joy and truth. We will not fret to see this house grow shabby day by day, but look ahead to our new Home which never will decay.

I want to be made fit to dwell in that blest House above, cleansed in the precious blood of Christ and growing still in love, the beauty of that glorious Home no words can ever say, ‘Tis hidden from these mortal eyes, but kept for us some day.

My house is getting ready in the Land beyond the sky, it’s Architect and Builder is my Saviour now on high; But I rather think He’s leaving the furnishing to me, so it’s “treasure up in Heaven” I must store each day you see.

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We congratulate all those who did A-levels and GCSE’s this year,

and assure them of our prayers as they make decisions regarding

the future. For those going on to further education, may God bless

and strengthen you to stand for Him in all the adjustments you face

in the future. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a

good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord

thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1 v 9.