Spring 2002
FROM THE PASTOR
Welcome again to another
literary masterpiece, known as the Ballee Baptist Quarterly Magazine!! Actually
we have no aims or ambitions to be a Literary Masterpiece, but rather literally
introduce you to the Master that you might know His peace.
As I write this article for
the magazine, I am having one of those “Mid - Life Crises,” that I am told
ought to be expected about my time of life! It is just that I am far too young
to have a family that are so old!...I am not sure how it happened, but somewhere
along the journey of life, I stopped getting older while my children took an age
spurt. It is with this distressing situation in mind, that I remind you of a
very relevant verse in Proverbs 27: 8 which reads:-
“As a bird that wandereth
from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place”
When we think of a nest, we
think primarily of a place of safety. I am not a bird expert...but my father
takes a keen interest in our feathered friends, and he has noticed that the bird
usually builds its nest out of human reach, and above where the predators go, to
protect the young that will be born and nurtured in that nest. In the nest
prepared by the parents, the eggs will be incubated over a period of several
days until they are hatched, forming tiny, baby birds.
Our text verse is actually
speaking of a bird leaving the place of safety too early. It would be an
irresponsible thing for a bird to do until it is ready to leave the nest. But
that can also be said of people who leave the place of safety and
responsibility, thus putting themselves in danger. It is best to stay close to
some of the nests that God has given to us.
1.The Nest of the Cross-
The only way that a sinner
can be safe is by the cross. The prophet Isaiah writes in Isaiah 45 : 22 “Look
unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is
none else” The N.T. term “saved” means “safe and sound.”
Dear reader, as you have
lifted up this magazine, and started to turn over the pages, I wonder are you
safe and sound for eternity, are you saved? There is a place of safety, where
you can find forgiveness from your sin, inner strength to defeat sin every day,
and a confidence of a home in heaven were sin will never enter.
Have you left the nest? What
a foolish journey away from the cross, the only place of safety for the soul.
2. The Nest of Home-
God instituted the home
before He did the church, which can be clearly seen from Genesis 2. The home is
designed by God to be a refuge and a nest for young children, where they are
protected, guided and instructed.
It is a tragedy when
rebellious teenagers leave the nest too early. They fail to realise how
important that nurture and care is in their upbringing until it is too late,
often then regretting that they had been so determined not to co-operate with
his or her parents.
Parents, seek to build up
healthy, real, meaningful relationships with your children while they are still
young, so the value of the home “nest” is appreciated and valued.
Young people, never
underestimate the love, care, and support that is in the family home for you.
You may just live to realise
your parents were not so far wrong after all!!
3.The Nest of our Service.
One of the most important
lessons I have ever learnt in my Christian life, is that the safest place to be
on earth is in the centre of God’s will. I would much rather serve the Lord in
dangerous waters, than to sit in the calm without the blessing and touch of the
Saviour.
Outside of His divine will,
there will be disappointment and chastisement as He seeks to draw me back into
line again. Outside of His divine will, I will grieve and quench the Spirit of
God in my life. We should serve Him constantly, cheerfully and courageously.
Nothing should hinder our commitment to the Lord.
John 10 : 27 “My sheep hear
my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
4. The Nest of
the Church.
We are told in Hebrews 10 :
25, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but rather to exhort or
encourage one another. The safest place to be is in the house of the Lord, with
your brothers and sisters in Christ, joining our voices in worship of the Lord
and encouragement one to another.
I believe that both we, and
our children, are more vulnerable to the devils strategy in this ungodly world
and its entanglements, when we stay away from the services of the fellowship.
Try to keep your family in this special nest … and stay there yourself!!
This “nest” is very
varied, and so in the rest of the magazine you will discover what is going on in
the nest of Ballee Baptist to provide nurturing and care for God’s people.
A
Little Talk With Jesus
A
little talk with Jesus
How
it smoothes life rugged way
How
it cheers and helps me onward
When
I faint beneath my load
When
my heart is crushed with sorrow
And
my eyes with tears are dim
There’s
nought can yield me comfort
Like
a little talk with Him
I
cannot live without Him
Nor
would I of I could
He
is my daily portion
My
medicine and my food
He
is altogether lovely
None
can with Him compare
The
chief among ten thousand
The
fairest of the fair.
Submitted
by Mrs Alexander
NOTHING
WRONG WITH YOU
We
have taken different paths
But
I know where you have been.
All
the different roads of life
Find
each other at the end.
Don’t
be fooled when voices say
That
your heart is too far gone
A
loving father waits for you
He
has been here all along.
Chorus:
And there’s nothing wrong with you
That
is not wrong with me
Though
our sins are not the same
We’re
both sinners can’t you see
And
if you can just believe
We
will both be free today
‘Cause
there’s nothing wrong with you
That
the price of Christ can’t pay.
There
are those who would tell you
That
there is no black or white
But
your heart will tell you true
What
is wrong and what is right
And
when you look in your eyes
Don’t
get caught up in the pain
Hit
your knees and get it right
Then
get up and start again.
Repeat
chorus:
No
there’s nothing wrong with you
That
the blood of Christ can’t pay.
Gary
Chapman
Submitted
by Leslie Kirk.
“God
writes with a pen that never blots, speaks with a tongue that never slips, and
acts with a hand that never fails.”
Holding
Back Revival
Are
we holding back revival
Are
our hearts so cold within
Have
we lost all godly interest
Holding
onto secret sin.
Do
we cling to worldly pleasures
Is
our spiritual life a mess
If
we want to see revival
Sin
to God we must confess.
To
see sinners won for Jesus
If
that is our utmost care
We
should seek God by His Spirit
Humbly
on our knees in prayer.
Strengthen
our hearts pure desires
Reading
through Gods word and then
Thinking
of the heavenly blessings
Unite
with loved ones born again.
Wanting
sinners won for Jesus
Remembering
hell and judgement fears
Really
praying down a blessing
Not
concerned about our tears.
God
has power for revival
He
can send it any day
If
in our hearts we really want it
And
the price we are prepared to pay.
Submitted
by Bertie McCord.
Lord
Jesus, show Thyself to me,
Within
Thy Book Divine
That
I might know, and worship Thee
And
draw my life from Thine.
Ladies
Fellowship
January 2002 began for our
ladies with a visit to Monkstown Baptist. Almost 30 ladies left the car park on
the 9th January and thankfully we all made it safely back home again. We enjoyed
a great night of fellowship with the ladies of Monkstown
and my thanks to all who took part in singing and testifying. Thank-you
also to all the ladies who came and supported us it was very encouraging to see
so many friendly faces looking up at us!
Unfortunately our speaker was
unable to be with us in February but Mazie Smyth was able and willing to step in
at very short notice. She spoke from Acts 9 and the story of Dorcas which left
each of us feeling very challenged about our Christian walk and witness.
In March Christine Morrow
from Baptist Missions was responsible for our meeting. She gave a presentation
using power point and spoke of the work in Peru amongst the women and children.
Again we were left with a challenge of what we are doing for God and the
realization that God has a job for each of us that only we can do. Our last
missionary meeting for this season will be on 10th April and we are looking
forward to a visit from Maud Kells from WEC. If you are free we look forward to
seeing you and we would love the opportunity to share fellowship over a cup of
tea afterwards.
While our missionary meetings
will finish in April our prayer meetings will continue throughout the summer. It
has been encouraging to see our prayer meeting so well attended
and it has been a joy to see some of those prayers answered. We were
thrilled to welcome Emma Simpson back into our midst again and to hear her voice
once again in the prayer meeting. Please continue to remember Emma along with
many others in your prayers. If you are able to attend the prayer meeting (the
last Wednesday of each month) we would love to welcome you there. As usual there
is always room for many more in the place of prayer.
Our ladies outing is planned
for April 27th and all ladies are welcome to join us for a day of fellowship and
fun. Further details will be available later.
Please continue to pray for
the ladies fellowship as we begin to organise and plan our programme for
2002/2003 that God will bless in all that we seek to do for Him.
Lesley Kennedy.
In
darkest days, by strangest ways,
God
works His winders out;
While
you and I, with many a sigh,
His
methods sometimes doubt;
Yet
truth to tell, we know full well,
That
He who walks in light,
Will
all provide and safety guide
For
He is infinite.
YPF
Report (September 2001 - February 2002)
The 2001- 2002 year began on
2 September with an evening of introductions
and activities. This meeting gave us, the committee, the chance to introduce
ourselves to those young people who were just joining YPF. Other activities
allowed the young people to get to know each other. A good night was had and we
were especially pleased to have the company of Patrick Kangi on this occasion.
Next event for the youth was
a choir engagement at Carr Baptist on the 16th September. The choir did
extremely well and a good time was had by all.
Having had to cancel a
weekend planned for earlier in 2001, we decided to schedule another weekend for
September. Hayesbank in Portrush was the venue and the dates were 28-30
September. Stephen and Deborah Walker from Ballykeel were responsible for taking
the weekend and we all really enjoyed it. A few tears were evident as we had a
special time on the Saturday evening for Peter Houston, one of our young people
who was about to leave with his family to go to Canada. We were greatly blessed
during this weekend and with salvation
visiting both during the weekend and afterwards, the whole thing was made extra
special - to God be the glory.
On Sunday 14 October we had a
praise night. This was a special meeting, designed as a night to give thanks and
praise to God for the weekend which had just passed. Some youth members
introduced favourite choruses and we learnt some new songs. Food and fellowship
time followed.
The choir travelled to
Ballykeel Baptist on the 26th October to sing at a special praise evening. We
enjoyed a night with Crimson River and Alan Hoey speaking as well as our choir
participating. Again the choir did us all proud.
On 28th October we had a
video night. Through this Noel brought home to us just important it is to thank
God for all the privileges we enjoy in our homes with our
parents, warmth, food and
clothes while many others are not so well off. Indeed it is important to be
thankful for the many things we often take for granted.
On the 10th November, the YPF
and Youth Club jointly visited the MV Logos II
Ship in Belfast. It was
extremely interesting to see the conditions on the ship and hear of the
activities undertaken by those working on
it. It was our pleasure once again to renew fellowship with Patrick Kangi as he
joined us on the ship as a tour guide. (Patrick had of course spent 2 years on
board the ship). As usual, McDonalds was visited on the way home.!
Billy Jones visited on 11
November. He spoke a little on what life was like in Brazil and then went on to
speak of how each of us should be engaged in personal evangelism - wherever we
are, whatever the situation.
Wellington St. Young People
visited us on 25th November. With about 70 or 80 young people in the Church Hall
and with many of the young ones taking part and testifying, we had a great
evening. Plenty of food was brought along and not so much was left at the end!
Broughshane & Chambers
household was the venue for our December meeting, when Patrick Kangi joined us.
As well as telling us of Christmas & Christmas in his homeland of Papa New
Guinea, we also learned a chorus in his own dialect. No doubt Patrick was well
impressed by our ability to learn a new language so quickly(?!) Thanks must go
to the Chambers family for allowing us to invade their house so willingly on
that occasion.
As is now tradition we had
our annual Christmas party on 21st December, this time with an added twist -
fancy dress! Lets just say that the photographs would have to be seen to be
believed. Games and food were as always the essential elements of the evening
and a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all.
The 23rd December was the
choir’s final engagement of the year as we sang at our own church Carol
Service. We are particularly grateful to those who willingly took an individual
part and of course to the group as a whole for their effort on the night and at
the practices beforehand.
A meeting open to the whole
Church was held on the 6th January and came under the heading ‘Sandes
Awareness Evening.’ This gave us all the opportunity to hear of the work which
Sam and Anna Irons are involved in with Sandes Home. It was a particular joy to
meet the group of Christian soldiers, their wives and children who were from
Fiji. I think it is fair to say that their singing and the joy showing on their
faces inspired us all. We were also delighted to be able to present Sam and Anna
with the proceeds of our Christmas Post box to help further their work with
Sandes.
It was a pleasure to have
Jose, Susan and Peter, otherwise known as the Belfast Bible College Students,
along to take our meeting on 20th January. The topic for discussion was
‘Light’ and we looked at the probing question of what it could mean to be
Light in some of the different situations we face. It certainly left us with
something to think about and act upon.
The folks from Monkstown YPF
came to visit us on 3rd February. Jonathan Rea who had been a missionary in
Lanzarote for several years spoke to us on this occasion on the subject of
‘Evangelism.’ It was good to renew fellowship and make new friends and we
hope to meet with this group again soon.
It was time for a return
visit to Wellington St on the 17th February when they were in charge of
organising the meeting. A lady called Eleanor who is member of the church there
spoke to us and gave her testimony. It was marvellous to hear of what God had
done on her life and how He had worked through the circumstances of her
difficult childhood and the traumas of working in the Police Force at the height
of the Troubles, to bring her to Himself. We also enjoyed a solo from Samson who
was visiting from Kenya.
The 23rd February saw the
choir’s annual appearance at the Missionary Weekend. All went well and it was
good to hear about the work of ‘Every Home Crusade’ from Samuel Adams.
As
always, we thank those who faithfully support and encourage us in our
work. Please continue to pray for the work of the young people at Ballee and
continue to uphold the committee as we seek to plan events and meetings which
are interesting, relevant and beneficial to those who attend.
YPF Committee.
The
Results of Removing God
An
American looks at America in the aftermath of Sept. 11th.
Billy Graham’s daughter was
being interviewed and was asked “How could God let something like this
happen?” And Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.
She said “I believe that
God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been
telling God to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being
the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we
expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave
us alone?
It started when Madeline
Murray O’Hare (she was murdered,
her body was found recently) complained she didn't want any prayer in our
schools, and we said “OK.”
Then, someone said you better
not read the Bible in school….the Bible that says, “thou shalt not kill,
thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself.” And we said
“OK.”
Then, Dr Benjamin Spock said
we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave because their
personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr
Spock’s son committed suicide). And we said, “An expert should know what
he’s talking about, so we said “OK.”
Then, someone said teachers
and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And
school said “No faculty member in this school better touch a student when they
misbehave because we don’t want any bad publicity, and we surely don’t want
to be sued.” (There’s a big difference between disciplining and touching,
beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking, etc.) And we said, “OK.”
Then someone said, “Let our
daughters have abortions if they want, and they won’t even have to tell their
parents.” And we said, “OK.”
Then some wise school board
member said, “Since boys will be boys and they’re going to do it anyway,
let’s give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun
they desire, and we won’t have to tell their parents they got them at
school.” And we said, “OK.”
Then some of our top elected
officials said, “It doesn’t matter what we do in private as long as we do
our jobs.” And agreeing with them, we said, “It doesn’t matter to me what
anyone, including the President, does in private as long as I have a job and the
economy is good.”
And then someone said, “Let
’s print magazines with pictures of nude women and call it wholesome,
down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the female body.” And we said,
“Ok.”
And then someone else took
that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and
then stepped further still by making them available on the internet. And we
said, “Ok, they’re entitled to their free speech.”
And
then the entertainment industry said, “Let’s make TV shows and movies that
promote profanity, violence, and illicit sex. And let’s record music that
encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes.” And we said,
“It’s just entertainment, it has no adverse effect, and nobody takes it
seriously anyway, so go right ahead.
Now
we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t
know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their
classmates, and themselves.
Probably,
if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I thing it has
a great deal to do with “WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.”
“Dear God, Why didn’t you save the little girl killed in her classroom?” Sincerely, Concerned Student...AND THE REPLY “Dear Concerned Student, I am not allowed in your schools.” Sincerely, God.
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell.
Funny
how we believe what the newspapers
say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny
how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think,
say, or do anything the Bible states.
Funny
how someone can say “I believe in God” but still follow Satan who, by the
way, also “believes” in God.
Funny
how we are quick to judge but
not to be judged.
Funny
how we can send a thousand “jokes” through e-mail and they spread like
wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think
twice about sharing.
Funny
how the lewd, crude, vulgar and
obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of God is
suppressed in the school and workplace.
Funny
how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible
Christian the rest of the week.
Are
you laughing?
Funny
how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God
thinks of me.
Are
you thinking?
Then
don’t sit back and complain about what a bad shape the world is in!!!
From
Christian Irishman Dec’01/Jan’02
********************************************************
Life’s
journey is to know the Lord
To
trust Him every day
To
read His word, to learn His will
To
love Him, and to pray.
Thoughts
of Easter and what it means.
Easter isn’t, as many
people think, all about chocolate eggs that make you put on a few pounds or more
depending how fond you are of chocolate. I suppose it gives people an
opportunity to head off somewhere for a break while the kids are off school for
a short while so that the batteries can be recharged.
But many people forget the
real meaning of Easter and how it
was all started.
Easter is a time for many to
reflect on what God has done in their lives because if God hadn’t sent His
only Son to die on the cross, none of us would have anything to be thankful for
- namely our salvation, those of us who are saved. For some it could be a
time of restoration if recent weeks and months have been spent far from God, or
for some maybe the time runs into years. Thoughts are renewed and fellowship is
restored with their first love. We all should look at the Man on the cross and
be humbled because it should have been us hanging there to pay for our sins.
When
I survey the wondrous cross,
On
which the Prince of Glory died,
My
richest gain I count but loss,
And
pour contempt on all my pride.
Jesus is no longer on the
cross or in the tomb. He sits at God’s right hand in Heaven.
Maybe this Easter will begin
a new relationship for some people - lost souls will be drawn to the cross of
Calvary to see the face of the One who died and rose again so that they might be
forgiven and live with Him forever.
With the prayers of God’s
people, may people lose their sinful lives and begin a new life living for the
Master.
FOR
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER
BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
JOHN
3 V 16.
Louise McAuley.
“time
wasted”
A dear sister in the Lord
residing in a residential home in County Tyrone tells me that one of the rules
is that no religious or political pictures or literature are to be displayed in
the flats. Each tenant keeps very much to themselves and when they do meet they
just exchange a few words of greeting. There are functions on in the large
common room, afternoon bingo and music nights which do not appeal to her. She
sits alone in the evenings longing to hear a voice or see a face.
She says - “I begin my day
by getting into the presence of my Lord, this is the key to my day”
“I meet God in the morning
when the day is at it’s best and His presence comes like Glory of the sunshine
in my breast all day long His presence lingers, all day long He stays with me
and we sail in perfect calmness o’er a very troubled sea”
She also states that she used
to sit alone and felt so useless and wondering what good this was when these
words came to her…
She
titled it - ‘Time Wasted’
I praised my dear Saviour
from evening till late
To fill lonely hours as for
bed-time I’d wait,
And oft’ I would wonder
“What good do I do?”
Sitting all alone, the whole
evening through.
Then one day a whisper came
to me quite clear,
There’s someone who sees
you while you sit alone here
What good you are doing is
quite clear to Me-
For whosoever offers praise
glorifies Me.
I think the above is a good
recipe for ‘Victorious Living’
we who are placed in more favourable circumstances ought to be grateful and
resolve never to complain if adversity crosses our pathway.
Thompson Eccles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“It requires the
supernatural Grace of God to live twenty four hours in every day as a Saint, to
go through drudgery as a Disciple to live an ordinary, unobserved, ignored
existence as a Disciple of Jesus. It is inbred in us that we have to do
exceptional things for God; but we have not, we have to be exceptional in the
ordinary things, to be Holy in mean streets, among mean people.”
Oswald
Chamber “My utmost for His Highest”
May
God give us the grace to rise to the challenge of the mundane!
Dates
For your Diary
Tues
16th April 8:00pm
Douglas Mark (Open Doors)
Thurs
18th April 8:00pm
Tim Johnston
(Friends of New
Tribes)
Sun
28th
April AM & PM
Mr. Eric Magee (Belfast)
Sun
12th May
PM
Mr. Billy Jones
Tues
21st May
8:00pm
Mr. Billy Swann (DCM)
Sun
26th May
PM
Mr. Sammy Graham (Ballynahinch)
Sunday
2nd June Anniversary Sunday
AM
Pastor Victor Maxwell (Banbridge)
PM
Crimson River
Sun
16th June Youth Sunday
Mr Steven Walker (Ballykeel)
Tues
18th JUNE WEDDING
Steven
law & Judith forsythe
Bible
Study finishes Tues 30th April.
Prayer
Meeting moves from Thurs - Tues
May
to August
*Holiday
Bible Club*
July
1st -July 5th
10:30
- 12:30 Daily.
Bible
Stories, Quizzes, Games, Prizes.
*ALL
children Welcome*
Congratulations
Geoffrey
& Charlotte Anderson on the birth of their daughter Shelley on 23rd March.