Spring 1990

FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE KENNEDY

Welcome to another publication of our Church Magazine! I trust it finds you well in body, in spirit, but most importantly in soul, and that you will enjoy and be blest by all the articles you are about to read.

As I consider this article, I am aware that our town has known great tragedy in recent days. Little could anyone imagine the carnage that the 8.35pm train from Belfast to Londonderry would do at the Slaght railway crossing, on the evening of Thursday 1st March. As a fellowship we express our deep, heartfelt sympathy to the Fowler family circle and to the Rock family circle and our prayers shall continue for both Philip and Timothy Fowler for a full recovery. The verse that springs to my mind at such a time as this is:

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, for what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" James 4 v 14

For many years "This is Your Life" has been a popular television programme. Guests are selected and interesting events and achievements out of the life of the person being spotlighted are highlighted. Usually the guests are widely known and this adds to the interest and appeal of the programme. You and I are unlikely ever to be spotlighted on this famous programme! However I would like for a few moments to face the question "What is your life?" There probably will be as many answers as there are people reading this magazine - because there is always something unique about every life.

The Apostle James asked his readers "For what is your life?" In order to emphasise the brevity and perishableness of life, and the urgent need to know Christ as our Lord and Saviour, and to seek His guidance and help as we endeavour to make our lives as meaningful and productive as possible.

1 "For What is Your Life?" - It is a vapour

As you watch the kettle boil for a nice cup of tea - watch the steam as it leaves the spout. It can be seen only briefly; it evaporates and disappears. That is how the Word of God describes our life.

If you are young - life is short.

If you are old - life is even shorter!

2 "For What is Your Life?" - It is a Mystery

I have been present at the birth of my three children - each time I was amazed at the mystery/miracle of life, not just to count the perfect fingers and toes - but to see the breath of life in such a compact body. Life has been defined as the absence of death, and death has been defined as the absence of life!

Mankind throughout the centuries has stood in awe before the mystery of life.

3 "For What is Your Life?" - It is a Breath of God

Apart from the Breath of God man is but a pile of dust. Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with that life is our gift to God! God is the Author and Giver of Life.

4 "For What is Your Life?" - It is a Trust from God

We shall all give an account of our handling/management of the gift of life. [Romans 14 v 12]

The writer of Ecclesiastes, [speaking from a viewpoint of common sense rather than from a heart filled with great faith] says, "For God shall bring every work of judgement with every secret things, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" [Ecclesiastes 12 v 14]

5 "For What is Your Life?" - It is an Opportunity to Serve

For those of us who have acknowledged that we are sinners [Romans 3 v 22-23] and have repented of sin [genuinely sorry for it!] and trusted the work of Christ on Calvary’s Cross to cleanse us from sin - life is an opportunity to serve. Our Lord understood and defined life in terms of an opportunity to minister to the needs of others:

"For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His Life a ransom for many" Mark 10 v 45

Those who claim to follow Jesus Christ must accept His example and ambition to serve others.

"What is Your Life" Recent events have shown how brief and uncertain life can be. They have also reminded us of the importance of preparation for eternity. If you have not trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour you do not possess Real Life, Spiritual Life, Eternal Life [John 3 v 16.]

My prayer is that you will not only enjoy the rest of this Church Magazine, but that you will receive the gift of eternal life. Remember! Jesus Christ came, not to be an example, [although He was] not to do miracles [although He did], but in His Own Words:

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" John 10 v 10; John 20 v 31

oOo

EXAMPLE IS IMPORTANT

We should give thought to what is proper and glorifying to the Lord in the way we dress and conduct ourselves.

There have been people who, because they are working among "down and outs", have clothed themselves in a manner that would not be conspicuously out of keeping with the poorly clad persons they were seeking to help. They were right, for in this way they sought to become "all things to all men" [I Corinthians 9 v 22], but this was not the standard of dress they would set for everyone else. It was appropriate for the circumstances in which they were working.

How should we attire ourselves when attending the House of God to worship and to hold converse with the Lord? Is it not improper that people, young or old, should come slovenly dressed and unkempt? Is it right that anyone should come into the presence of the Lord, the King of Kings, dressed in a way he or she would not consider appropriate if summoned to appear before an earthly king or queen?

It is true that God does not judge according to outward appearance, nor should we, because underneath shabby or way-out clothing there could be a heart of gold and a godly life. But this does not give any of us the right to dress in manner unbefitting our sonship in the family of God. Surely there are appropriate standards for every occasion.

We should not have a fashion parade on the Lord’s Day, nor should we go to the other extreme of dressing as though we were about to dig up the garden or crawl under the car to do some repairs! In our homes, on holiday, at camp and elsewhere there are many occasions when we relax in causal wear, but there is more befitting and appropriate standard that becomes the House of God as the Lord’s people came together in His Name, Particularly is this so if we are to take part in leadership in the Church, whether it be among children, young people or the adult congregation. Example is important.

Lastly, the Scriptures are clear that women should not dress like men, and vice versa. Why? Because it leads to confusion of sex. Women should dress in a becoming feminine manner. Not only does the Word of God require this, but also men like them so attired. And men should be distinctively masculine in appearance. Women admire such manly appearance.

Let us take thought for our personal appearance and conduct ourselves with a godly dignity that enhances our witness for Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

oOo

LADIES MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP

Ladies! As you read this magazine and are about to read this report I would ask you to continue no further unless you have your diary beside you. Got it? Good! Then we’ll continue.

Look up Wednesday April 11th - have you nothing in it? Then pencil in our last meeting of 1989/1990 with David and Linda Hoy!

Look up Wednesday April 25th - nothing in it again? Put in our ladies prayer meeting!

Finally one more date - look up Saturday May 26th - nothing in it? Then put down our ladies outing. We usually have a wonderful day together as we travel about, enjoy spending some money and before returning home enjoy a lovely meal somewhere! If last year is anything to go by you would need to get your name down soon as we had a thoroughly enjoyable time together. More details will be available later on.

Look forward to seeing YOU in all these important dates and please remember our prayer meetings continue throughout the summer on the last Wednesday of each month.

If the past year has been truly blessed with the Lord’s presence at all our meetings then we look forward even more to wonderful times of fellowship and blessing in the year 1990/1991.

Lesley Kennedy

oOo

IS THERE A GOD?

Is there a God? Of course, there is, you say,

He sent His Son to take my sin away.

I took Him as my Saviour one glad day,

Of course, there is a God.

Is there a God on Whom we can depend?

Oh yes, I know, for He’s my Lord and Friend.

He saved me and He’ll keep me to the end,

Of course, there is a God.

But when it comes to trouble, grief and care,

Is He our God, or is He just up there.

Do we believe He is a Friend indeed,

Or just someone we call on when in need.

He is our God: then why do we insist

On trying on our own to straighten every twist,

Crying to ourselves when we can cry to Him,

And know that He will answer when things look oh so dim.

Do we believe this God of ours is real,

That when our love for Him falls short, His love will never fail.

Or do we sometimes think that He’s a Sunday God alone,

And then whenever Monday comes we make it on our own.

This is our God, a Saviour, Lord and King,

A Heavenly Father Who knows everything,

However little or however great the pain

He heals the wound and makes things right again.

If only we would see how real He is,

And lean on Him, and put our hand in His.

And follow in the footsteps He has trod,

Then we would surely know "He s our God".

oOo

I was hungry: and you formed humanities groups to discuss my hunger.

I was imprisoned: and you crept off quietly to your Church and prayed for my release.

I was naked: and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick: and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless: and you preached to me of the Spiritual shelter of the Love of God.

I was lonely: and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so Holy, so close to God; but I am still very hungry - and lonely - and cold.

"Faith without works is dead." James 2 v 20

oOo

IF I COULD JUST GET ORGANISED!

There may be nothing wrong with you,

The way you live, the work you do,

But I can very plainly see

Exactly what is wrong with me.

It isn’t that I’m indolent

Or dodging duty by intent;

I work as hard as anyone,

And yet I get so little done,

The morning goes, the noon is here,

Before I know, the night is near,

And all around me, I regret,

Are things I haven’t finished yet.

If I could just get organised!

I oftentimes have realised

Not all that matters is the man;

The man must also have a plan.

With you, there may be nothing wrong,

But here’s my trouble right along;

I do the things that don’t amount

To very much, of no account,

That really seem important though

And let a lot of matters go.

I nibble this, I nibble that,

But never finish what I’m at.

I work as hard as anyone,

And yet I get so little done,

I’d do so much you’d be surprised,

If I could just get organised!

oOo

LIFE’S CLOCK

The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop,

At late, or early hour.

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed,

To lose one’s health is more.

To lose one’s soul is such a loss

As no man can restore.

The present, only, is our own,

Live, love, toil with will,

Place no faith in tomorrow

For the clock may then be still.

oOo

MISSIONARY FOCUS

Go and tell them, go and tell them,

Jesus died for sinful men.

Go and tell them, go and tell them,

He is coming back again.

Well folks,

Our Missionary Weekend has come and gone into eternity. I just wonder how much has been impressed upon our hearts and minds regarding the work of Missions world-wide. So often it seems at times we just go to be as it were spiritually entertained or have something emotional stirred up within us, but friends I trust that what we have heard and seen went much further, spurring us on as never before to seek to do our utmost in helping to spread the glorious message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which we hold so dear to our hearts.

The Missionary news continues to flow in almost every other day. The Hanna family from Dublin would value our prayers especially as they seek to work amongst the down and outs in the streets of Dublin. They have a drop-in centre where they deal mainly with young folk held in the awful grip of drugs and drink. Let’s pray effectively that our God by His mighty power may break the terrible fetters of sin that Satan has bound these young lives with and set them gloriously free, Our God is Able - Hallelujah! They would ask prayer too for their young family, especially the two elder girls who at times feel very lonely and without any friends. All this involves the cost of obeying the call of Christ to take the Gospel to those who are in great need. How little we here at home know of the price involved.

Walter Burrell continues his work amongst the often outcast of society at the port of Cork. I never fail to be moved in my own soul as I read this wee man’s letters and realise the love and the zeal he has for the Lord, reaching out to the unlovely and often unloved - time after time going on to the boats and lifting fallen women and taking them back to their homes or some place of shelter, many times to the love and care of his own home and seeking to help them and give them a new start in life only to find that after a while they go back to the old habits and the old way of life - how disappointing this must be; and yet again and again our brother goes back to where they are and seeks again to bring help to them - he definitely is "not weary in well-doing" . Many of us would give up on them long ago. Continue to pray for Walter and Mary that God would keep His good hand upon them.

Let’s also remember all the workers of ACRE Mission, James and Dorrie in Camp Redondo, asking prayer for needed workers and for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in their midst. Dr Tom Geddis and Pastor Val English [well-known to some of us] have been visiting in the Canary Islands recently and are challenged by the great need as well as being blessed by what God is doing. They are experiencing much opposition from the R.C. Church, but in spite of the difficulties God is able to save!

Do continue to pray for our own ‘Missionaries’ Geoffrey and Gillian as they set their face towards Panama; Sam and Anna at Hollywood, remembering especially Sam’s health that the Lord would keep His good hand upon him; also James and Audrey in their labours for the Master. Pray that God will especially bless ‘our own Pastor’ as he prepares DV to visit the Holy Land at Easter, that this may be a time of rich blessing for him and that he may return to us spiritually renewed. Remember Mrs Kennedy and the ‘little ones’ in his absence that God will bless them.

Thanking you all again for your faithful support and giving, and may God bless you all at this Easter time as we think on our crucified, risen, and exalted Saviour.

Yours in Christ,

Desmond

oOo

NEW TRIBES MISSION CONFERENCE

Dear friends,

We thought that it would be good if I wrote something about the Conference that we as a mission are planning to hold in the Church on April 21st. The conference is to be an all-day affair. The main speakers will be Mr James Hatton from Belfast, Mr Joseph Bailie from Randalstown, and Mr Ed Hinds from England. Both Joseph Bailie and Ed Hinds are on full-time staff at the New Tribes Bible School Matlock, Derbyshire. James Hatton teaches at the Bible School part-time, while he and his family are home from Papua New Guinea on furlough., The conference promises to be very interesting and informative as well as challenging. We are planning to have a few different things happening at the conference. There will be a question and answer time, during which we will have a panel of missionaries available for your questions and for discussion of various things that pertain to the life of a missionary. If you have any questions, but would be too shy to ask them, please forward them to either myself of Gillian sometime before the conference, There will also be an opportunity to witness first-hand some of the difficulties faced by missionaries in communicating with tribal people. These first two sessions will be very informal. There will be a bookstall to visit, displays to browse around and the missionaries themselves will be a available to ask questions to, or just have a ‘yarn’ to!

Quite a wide range of countries will be represented by missionaries who are either home on furlough at present or who plan to go to the mission-field for the first time. Among those represented will be: Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Bolivia, and Panama. All the missionaries taking part will be from Northern Ireland - some from the Ballymena/Antrim area, others from Portadown, Armagh, Lurgan and Belfast.

The conference will be divided into three main sections:

Morning [11.00am start]; Afternoon [2.30pm start]; Evening [7.30pm start]

There will be meals served in between.

Do plan to attend. If you would like more details about this conference please contact Geoffrey McGrath at 120 Toome Road.

Geoffrey McGrath

oOo

"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth" Luke 1 v 14

Dear Prayer Partners,

Greetings once again from the McGrath’s. As many of you may already know, we have had an addition to our family. Matthew Thomas William McGrath arrived safely on 7th December at 11.10am. His birth weight was 8lbs 1oz. We praise the Lord that he is healthy and strong and that he brings us much joy. He has already begun to smile! Sarah loves to help look after her little brother and is very protective!

We have been busy with many meetings over this past while. Please continue to pray for us as we still have many to conduct. We thank the Lord that He has given us so many opportunities to tell about the work of New Tribes. If you know of anywhere that might be interested in hearing about our work please contact us. There is to be a New Tribes missionary Conference on April 21st at Ballee Baptist Church, Ballymena. As this is the first of its kind in Ulster there will be much preparation to be done. Those of us organising it would really value your prayers and attendance. Please contact us for more details.

The country of Panama has been experiencing a state of crisis recently, as many of you know from the news. But we thank the Lord that He is in control down there. There is a much greater crisis in Panama which never makes headline news .... the CRISIS OF LOST SOULS DYING WITHOUT EVER HEARING THE NAME OF CHRIST! Please continue to pray for the tribal people of Panama, that they will all have the opportunity to hear and believe the Good News. Not too long ago 15 Kuna people in the village of Morti were born again! Friends, PRAYER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

PRAYER PRAISE

1 A consistent walk with the Lord 1 Safe arrival of Matthew

2 Wisdom to raise our children 2 Good health

3 We have to get injections for 3 Opportunities to share

Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Polio, 4 Provision of all our needs

and Cholera. 5 New believers in Morti

4 Spanish study 6 Upcoming conference

5 Financial commitment towards 7 Faithful prayer-warriors

our support

6 Upcoming Missionary Conference

7 The Political and Spiritual needs of

Panama

Yours in Christ

Geoffrey, Gillian, Sarah and Matthew

oOo

Arise, my soul, arise,

Shake off thy guilty fears;

The bleeding sacrifice

In my behalf appears;

Before the throne my surety stands,

My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above,

For me to intercede;

His all redeeming love,

His precious blood to plead;

His blood atoned for all our race,

And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,

Received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers,

They strongly plead for me;

"Forgive him, oh forgive", they cry,

Nor let that ransomed sinner die.

The Father hears Him pray,

His dear anointed One;

He cannot turn away

The presence of His Son;

His spirit answers to the blood

And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled,

His pardoning voice I hear;

He owns me for His child,

I can no longer fear;

With confidence I now draw nigh

And "Father, Abba, Father " cry.

oOo

"HOW READEST THOU?"

It is one thing to read the Bible through,

Another thing to learn and do.

Some read it with design to learn to read,

But to the subject pay but little heed.

Some read it as their duty once a week,

But no instruction from the Bible seek;

While others read it with but little care,

With no regard to how they read, nor where.

Some read it as a history, to know

How people lived three thousand years ago.

Some read to bring themselves into repute,

By showing others how they can dispute;

While others read because their neighbours do,

To see how long ‘twill take to read it through.

Some read it for the wonders that are there -

How David killed a lion and a bear;

While others read it with uncommon care,

Hoping to find some contradictions there!

Some read as though it did not speak to them,

But to the people at Jerusalem.

One reads it as a book of mysteries,

And won’t believe the very thing he sees.

One reads with father’s specs upon his head,

And sees the thing just as his father said.

Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed -

Hence understand but little that they read;

For every passage in the book they bend,

To make it suit that all important end!

Some people read, as I have often thought,

To teach the book instead of being taught,

And some there are who read it out of spite -

I fear there are but few who read it right.

So many people in these latter days,

Have read the Bible in so many ways

That few can tell which system is the best,

For every party contradicts the rest!

But read it prayerfully, and you will see,

Although men contradict, God’s Words agree.

For what the early Bible prophets wrote,

We find that Christ and his apostles quote;

So trust no creed that trembles to recall

What has been penned by one and verified by all.

oOo

Life without purpose is barren indeed -

There can’t be a harvest unless you plant seed,

There can’t be attainment unless there’s a goal

And man’s but a robot unless there’s a soul ...

If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,

And unless there’s a contest, nobody can win ...

For games can’t be won unless they are played,

And prayers can’t be answered unless they are prayed ...

So whatever is wrong with your life today,

You’ll find a solution if you kneel down and pray -

Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,

Not just for honours and prestige and wealth ...

But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,

And pray for the joy of unselfish giving,

For great is your gladness and rich your reward

When you make your life’s purpose the choice of the Lord

Selected

oOo

IMMUTABLE LOVE

Why drooping saint dismayed doth sorrow press thee down;

Hath God refused to give thee aid or doth He seem to frown.

What groundless fears are these that make thee mourning go.

Here’s precious blood and promises and full salvation too.

In darkness or distress His love’s the same to thee,

Without declension more or less immutable and free;

Should guilt disturb thy peace or Satan harass thee,

Behold the Saviour’s righteousness that sets the guilty free.

Though He afflicts thy mind, ‘tis not that he’ll destroy

Eternal wisdom ne’er designed to give thee always joy.

Your days of trial then are all ordained by Heaven

If He appoints their number ten you ne’er shall have eleven.

Beneath thy fainting head thy Father and thy Friend

His everlasting arms hath laid to succour and defend.

O thou of little faith thy pace is slow yet sure,

Yet feeble faith the promise saith shall to the end endure.

oOo

YOUNG PEOPLE’S FELLOWSHIP

"All flesh is grass ... the grass withereth, the flower fadeth ... surely the people is grass ... but the Word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40 v 6-8

It seems no time since the material was being prepared for the winter edition of the magazine and now it is my turn to write the spring edition.

The Lord has been so good to us whereof we are glad. On 7th January Ballyclare Youth Fellowship came to take our meeting and someone spoke on the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Table. We had a rich time of fellowship with the Ballyclare young people.

The next meeting was taken by Pastor Chambers from Hill Street, Ballymena. The topic for this meeting was Malachi 3 v 1-5 which challenged the hearts of those present.

On 4th February Trevor Matthews from the Faith Mission in Ballymena took the meeting and challenged us about "presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service." Romans 12 v 1.

Dunsevrick Youth Fellowship were our guests on 4th March. This was their annual visit to Ballee and a renewing of fellowship with them.

The 16th - 18th March was our annual weekend in Kilkeel. The speaker for the weekend was our good friend Pastor Chambers, Hill Street, Ballymena. There were approximately 30 young people at the weekend and I am sure I could speak for everyone in saying that we had a wonderful time. The topic for the weekend was ‘Spiritual Backsliding - the reason, the result, the remedy’. The message on Sunday morning in Kilkeel Baptist on our walk with God also reinforced the message of the weekend. We also had a good time of blessing as we sang in Kilkeel on Sunday night.

Easter will soon be here and on behalf of the committee and young people we would like to wish everyone a happy God glorifying time.

oOo

THE WORD OF GOD

When I am tired, the Bible is my bed,

Or in the dark, the Bible is my light;

When I am hungry, it is the Living Bread,

Or fearful, it is Armour for the fight;

When I am sick, it’s Healing Medicine,

Or lonely, throngs of friends I find within.

If I would work, the Bible is my Tool,

Or play, it is a Harp of tuneful sound;

If I am ignorant, it is my School;

If I am sinking, it is Solid Ground;

If I am cold, the Bible is my fire,

And it gives wings if boldly I aspire.

Does gloom oppress? The Bible is a Sun;

‘Midst ugliness it is a Garden fair.

Am I athirst? How cool its waters run!

Or stifled? What a vivifying air!

Since thus Thou givest of Thyself to me,

How I should give myself, Great Book, to Thee!

oOo

ENCOURAGEMENT

If with pleasure you are viewing

Any work a man is doing,

If you like him or you love him, tell him now,

Don’t withhold your approbation

‘Till the parson makes oration,

And he lies with snow-white lilies on his brow,

For no matter how you shout it,

He won’t really care about it.

He won’t know how many teardrops you have shed;

If you think some praise is due him

Now’s the time to slip it to him

For he cannot read his tombstone when he’s dead.

More than fame and more than money

Is the comment kind and sunny,

And the hearty warm approval of a friend

For it gives to life a savour

And makes you stronger, braver,

And it gives you heart and spirit to the end.

If he earns your praise - bestow it,

If you like him, let him know it.

Let the words of true encouragement be said

Do not wait ‘till his life is over

And he’s underneath the clover

For he cannot read his tombstone when he’s dead.

oOo

GOOD NEWS CLUB

The Good News Club has continued to meet each Monday night at 7.00pm throughout the winter months. Our average attendance of late had been around 60. and we are still glad to welcome the occasional new face to the meetings even at this late stage in the season. We thank God for looking after all the children on their journeys to and from the Club - and especially during the recent spell of very stormy weather. The bus let us down on one of the nights, but praise God even then we were able to have them all collected and brought into the hall in good time for the meeting.

Our theme since Christmas has been a continuation of the Life of Christ. There have been many lessons indeed for all of us to learn at these times and we look forward to carrying on with our study of Jesus [DV] in the season ahead. Jonathan Reid [local director of CEF] presented a flashcard lesson on the woman who lost one of her ten coins, to the meeting on 29th January, while on 19th March we had a visit from two young Faith Mission pilgrims [Keith and Henry], who centred their lesson on the red page of the "wordless book". The children all listened very attentively on both these occasions.

On 2nd April we hope to have another visit from our good friend, Mr Noel McMeekin, while the concluding meeting of the season is scheduled for 30th April. We hope to invite parents and friends along to that final meeting, and as this is a new venture for us I would ask you to remember that date in particular in your prayers.

As we approach the end of another season of the Good News Club, and think again of just how quickly time passes by, we are reminded once more of the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel to all those in our district who are not yet saved -

Man cometh" Matthew 24 v 44

Ivan Bankhead

oOo

PRAISE AND PRAYERS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN

Easter day, glad Easter day!

Winter snows have gone away;

Birds and flowers awake and sing

To the risen Lord and King.

Easter Day, glad Easter Day!

Christ is risen, the angels say;

Sing, O Christian children, sing,

To the risen Lord and King.

~~~

Jesus we thank You for this new day,

Help us to love You in work and play,

May we be happy all the day through,

Having You with us in all that we do.

~~~

Lord, bless the little children,

In all the world, we pray;

Help everyone to love You

And do the things You say.

Amen

oOo

He is stronger than the strongest,

He’s far better than the best;

And His love has lasted longest -

It has stood the hardest test.

And the sinfullest may trust Him

And a welcome never doubt

For He’s pledged His Word of Promise

That He will not cast them out.

He’s the Lord of Life and Glory,

Now exalted far on high;

But we love to tell the story

Of His coming down to die;

But He’s coming, quickly coming

All His glories to display

And we’ll see Him and be like Him

Through Heaven’s everlasting day.

oOo

BIBLE QUIZ No. 8 [SELECTED

1 What will God cast "into the depths of the sea"? Micah 7 v 19

2 Who said, and to whom did he say it; "I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight"? Luke 15 v 21-24

3 Who sang "Glory to God in the Highest" when Jesus was born? Luke 2 v 13-14

4 Name someone "Fallen from Heaven". Isaiah 14 v 12

5 What food was thrown into the sea, in hope of saving a ship? Acts 27 v 37-39

6 Who saw a new Heaven and a new Earth? Revelation 21 v 1

7 What is it that "overcometh the world"? I John 5 v 4-5

8 What is a man who says, "I love God", yet hateth his brother"? I John 4 v 20-21

9 What will the sea give up? Revelation 20 v 13

10 Who gave names to every living creature? Genesis 2 v 19-20

11 How did Noah know that the flood was subsiding? Genesis 8 v 11-12

12 Joseph and Benjamin had the same mother; who was she? Genesis 46 v 19

13 For what did Solomon ask God when he became king? II Chronicles 1 v 10-12

14 What type of home did David have in Jerusalem? I Chronicles 11 v 7-9

15 What was the cry of the chief priests and officers when Pilate said to them of Jesus, "Behold the Man"? John 19 v 6

16 What was Jesus‘ crown made of? Matthew 27 v 29

17 While Jesus hung on the Cross, what was over all the land for three hours? Matthew 27 v 45

18 What sealed the mouth of Jesus’ grave? Matthew 27 v 59-60

19 Who heard the Angel’s message "He is not here; for He is risen"?

Matthew 28 v 1-6

20 What was Jesus’ last great promise to His disciples both then and now?

Matthew 28 v 18-20

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IT’S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN

1 Are you discouraged and are you blue?

Are clouds obscuring the sun from view?

Keep trusting Jesus tho’ storms assail,

You have His promise, He will not fail.

CHORUS

It’s always darkest before the dawn,

Don’t be discouraged but carry on,

He’ll not forsake you, the sun will break through,

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

2 He knows your heartache, He understands,

Just put your problem in His great hands,

No trouble meets you but in His Will,

He’s not forgotten, He loves you still.

Life has many trials and difficulties and often we can get discouraged. Through the words of this song I hope many can be helped as I myself have found them a great comfort in recent times.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart;

wait, I say, on the Lord" Psalm 27 v 14

Ruth Long

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GOSSIP TOWN

Have you ever heard of gossip town

On the shore of falsehood bay

Where old dame rumour with rustling gown

Is going to live long day.

It isn’t far to gossip town

For people who want to go

The idleness train will take you there

In just an hour or so.

The thoughtless road is a popular route

And most folk start that way

But it’s a steep down grade

If you don’t look out

You’ll land in falsehood bay.

You’ll glide through the valley of vicious talk

Turn into the tunnel of hate

Then crossing the add-to bridge

You walk into the city gates.

The principal street is called they say

And I’ve heard is the public well

And the breezes that blow from falsehood bay

Are laden with don’t you tell.

In the midst of the town is tell tale park

You’re never quite safe while there

For its owner is madam suspicious remark

Who lives in the street don’t care.

Just back of the park is slander’s row

‘Twas there that good name died

Pierced by a shaft from jealousy’s bow

In the hands of envious pride.

From gossip town peace long since fled

But trouble and grief and woe

And sorrow and care you’ll meet instead

If ever you chance to go.

But it is not healthy in gossip town

And I will not follow you there

I would rather live in thanksgiving street

In the house that is called All Prayer.

Mrs R Crawford

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THE TYPES

By types and figures through the year

God taught His Church that Christ drew near

And in them darkly might they see

A shadow of good things to be.

The Paschal Lamb at evening slain

With bone unbroken without a stain;

The blood on door and lintel shed,

The hyssop and unleavened bread,

The scapegoat bearing far away,

The sins that on His head they lay,

The daily sacrifice that bled,

Morning and evening in man’s stead,

The brazen serpent set on high,

That Israel looking might not die,

Pointed to Him that should arise,

To be the sinner’s sacrifice,

The manna that at break of day,

About the tents of Israel lay,

Told of that true and living bread,

Wherewith God’s Holy Church is fed.

The cloven rock whence streams were sent,

Following the people as they went,

Day after day their thirst sufficed,

Unfailing and that Rock was Christ.

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