Spring 2004
From the Pastor
As I write this article for the Fellowship Magazine, I along with the rest of the population are stunned with the news of at least 10 bombs have exploded on the train network of the Spanish city of Madrid, claiming approximately 200 lives.
Such news is made all the more personal, having Jose Fernandez in our fellowship from that city, and our thoughts are very much with Jose, Susan and Jose’s family back in Spain.
Such news has a way of paralysing us and gripping our hearts with fear. We all had hoped that the September 11th attack on USA would never be repeated, but the sad reality is that the threat is very real from World Terrorists, and none know where they may choose to attack next.
As a Pastor, I am more and more convinced that, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, the only absolutely safe place is to be found resting in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.
Psalm 91:1-16 teaches us a crucial lesson for life, a lesson relevant regardless of the political climate or personal circumstances. We have in this Psalm four wonderful pillars that are unshakable and unmoveable when we put our trust in God and on the death of His Son on Calvary for us.
V1-4 The Pillar of Shelter
Secret Place or Shelter; Refuge; Fortress. These are essential and vital words. The Hebrew word for “secret place or shelter” means, “A place to hide from your enemies”
“refuge” means, “A place to run to for safety”
“fortress” means, “The one who keeps me above the trouble”
Because of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary, we have a fortress to which we can flee for cleansing from our sin, but also we can run to Him at any time and in any circumstances to find rest for our souls. God is our place of shelter, when the news of this world piles up and it seems that we cannot take any more heartache or sorrow, you can run to Him, and He will give us rest and shelter.
V5-8 The Pillar of Strength
It is hard not to be afraid of terror by night, or of the arrows that the Devil flies at us by day, and the pestilences and destruction. But the Psalmist reminds us that it is not a foolish thing to trust in the Lord, for when He is the direction of our trust, we gain a strength and a confidence that is not natural but supernatural. He will give us courage to witness, and a boldness that looks to Him when all around us seems dark and foreboding.
Are the terrorist attacks in Madrid the actions of ETA or Al Qaeda ? Where are they likely to attack next? Praise God, when we trust in Him, He is with us every step we take, and we know that we shall be with Him throughout the endless ages of Eternity.
We can say with Paul (Phil.1:21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”; or declare with David in Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
In these troubled times of world terrorism, God can be our source of strength, and He will give us courage.
V9 & 10 The Pillar of Security.
Many people today put their security in their jobs only to find that unemployment can hit anybody. Some place their security in their pension funds only to see it evaporate with a downturn in the Stock Market. For others it is their home; their family; their skill and ability that makes them confident that they will survive difficult days. But all these are transient and fleeting. The only safe security is found in knowing Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Nothing can befall us, or plague afflict us, without our Heavenly Father’s approval. We have a host of angels as our divine guardians.
V15 & 16 The Pillar of Salvation.
My sincere hope and prayer is that in this day of increased terrorist threat and increased tension, is that many millions of people will turn to Christ for salvation. He alone has the power to save us. He can save from our sin, our hatred, our intolerance, from our need to see different cultures as the enemy, from our lust for power, from our greed, from ourselves. He alone is our hope for salvation.
This is not national but very personal. What is your relationship to Jesus Christ? If He is not your personal saviour in time, then He will be your personal judge in eternity.
Pray for the people of Spain and Madrid in this their hour of sadness and loss. On a human level we in our province can identify with their loss more than most. But seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near.
********************************************************
God’s Boxes
(1) I have in my hands two boxes,
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold.”
(2) I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before.
(3) With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
(4) I showed the hole to God, and mused,
“I wonder where my sorrows could be!”
He smiled a gently smile and said,
“My child, they’re all here with me.”
(5) I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why
the gold and the black with the hole?
“My child, the gold is for you to count the blessings,
The black is for you to let go”
Submitted by Julie Mc McCullough
God’s Only Son.
Into this world, came Jesus one day,
Born of a virgin, in a stable of hay.
Angels told of His birth, as the star shone bright
To those lonely shepherds, on the hills that night.
Among the poor, walked Jesus each day,
He cured their sickness, shone light on their way.
Comforted them in their sorrow, And made glad their heart.
But soon the day came, when they had to part.
His destiny was plain, when He left the throne
Of His Father in Glory, to die for us alone.
For thirty three years, He lived without sin,
But at the place called Calvary, they crucified Him.
Three lonely hours, on that cross of shame,
When the sun was darkened, and veil rent it twain.
Alone as He whispered His very last plea,
“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
His body was taken from that old rugged cross,
And tenderly wrapped, in a white linen cloth.
He was gently placed in a brand new tomb,
And a very large stone, secured that most Holy room.
At the end of the Sabbath, as the first day broke,
The angel of the Lord, calmed the women as He spoke.
“Fear not, He’s risen, come see where He lay.
He’s gone on before you into Galilee.”
The tomb’s now empty, praise God He’s risen,
And seated at God’s right hand in HEAVEN.
He died for our sins, He had none of His own,
Thank God for our Saviour, who’s again on His throne.
Written by Barbara Mills.
Ladies Fellowship
Our missionary meetings recommenced this year with a visit from Rosemary Armstrong from E.C.M. She told us of the many struggles and challenges facing Christians in parts of Eastern Europe. This only made us realize how privileged we are in Northern Ireland and how we often take for granted the religious liberty we all enjoy. In February Brenda Kennedy came from Scotland to speak to us. She brought us to India where many young girls, once converted are taken off the streets and taught how to sew. This provides them with a means of support and we had opportunity to see and purchase some of the tablecloths etc that they make. At the time of writing we have just had our March meeting which was taken by Delwyn Smithz. Our hearts were touched by the moving story of persecution in France and how they were separated from their daughter for 7 years and their struggle to be eventually reunited. What a testimony of faith to hear Delwyn say “All things work together for good.” Romans 8 v 28. We finish this season with a visit from the ladies of Monkstown Baptist on 14th April. All ladies are warmly invited to join with us.
Our prayer meeting continue as usual and we have many ladies in need of prayer. Please come and join with us in prayer as we remember many who are ill, shut in, or have simply grown cold and no longer value the place of prayer. It is always encouraging to see the answers to our prayers sitting in the prayer meeting praying for others who are in the middle of valley experiences. Please join with us—Prayer changes things. Lesley Kennedy.
A Woman’s Prayer
Lord, am I dusting when I should be praying
Tidying up, when my souls thick with grime
Fussing and fretting over cooking and cleaning
Giving to you scare a moment of time.
Look at the smear on my fresh painted woodwork,
Quickly! - a speck on my newly cleaned floor -
Hasten to wipe or the polish till gleaming—
Heedless of sins murky smear creeping o’er.
You would not have me careless of sloven
Thoughtless or heedless of family of home
But sometimes you would that I’d lay down the duster
Seeking heart cleansing before thy bright Throne.
Time for my coffee and time for the paper
Time for a gossip and time for TV
Time Lord, for all the things crowding me daily
Knowing full well how I need time for Thee.
How I abuse Thy great gift of free-will Lord
Mine us the choice to go down on my knees
Finding the time ‘mid the chores of the household
Seeking and finding Thy blessing, Thy peace.
Mine is the choice now to study the scriptures
Filling my mind with its wisdom sublime
Trusting the Lord who loved Mary and Martha
Will grant one so worthless His grace and His time.
You weren’t too busy to come down to earth Lord
You found the time for the sick and the blind.
Time for the hungry, the outcast, the needy -
Time to be loving and time to be kind.
Lord I am sick at the thought of my failures
Lord I was blind, but of now let me see…
How I can serve you and shine for You only
...Lord what a wonder—You found time for me.
———————————————————
Psalm 103 v 4 “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.”
Archivists at the Merseyside Maritime Museum at the Albert Dock have researched the story behind the only known surviving first class Titanic ticket. The unused ticket which belonged to a Liverpool vicar went on display as part of the North West Archives Festival in September 2003. Mr John Stuart Holden a clergyman was unable to take up his first class ticket when his wife fell ill the day before the luxury liner was due to make its maiden voyage from Southampton on the 10th April 1912. Mr Holden stayed in England to nurse his wife and four days later more than 1,500 passengers and crew died when the ship sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic. After the ship sank he mounted the ticket in a cardboard frame on which he wrote “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction” The ticket carried the warning. The company’s liability for baggage is strictly limited but passengers can protect themselves by insurance. The document hung in his study to remind him of his escape and following his death it was donated to Liverpool’s Merseyside Maritime Museum in 1970. It was considered too valuable to display and was instead placed in the museum’s archive. The ticket was unveiled after being included in a collection of the most unusual and valuable archives in the North West. John Holden acknowledged that God had preserved him and that no insurance policy could provide the same protection. That same God still rules and reigns to-day. May each of us be led to know personally that a Sovereign Protector I have unseen yet forever at hand. Unchangeably faithful to save almighty to rule and command. He smiles and my comforts abound. His grace as the dew shall descend. And walls of salvation surround the souls He delights to defend. Mrs Alexander.
Let us go quietly to God
When trouble comes to us,
Let us never stop to whimper
Or complain and fret and fuss,
Let us hide “our thorns” in “roses”
And our sighs in “golden song”
And “our crosses” in a “crown of smiles”
Whenever things go wrong…
For no one can really help us
As our troubles we bemoan,
For comfort, help and inner peace
Must come from God alone…
So do not tell your neighbour,
You companion or your friend
In the hope that they can help you
Bring your troubles to an end..
For they, too, have their problems,
They are burdened just like you,
So take your cross to Jesus
And He will see you through
And waste no time in crying
On the shoulder of a friend
But go directly to the Lord
For on Him you can depend..
For there’s absolutely Nothing
That His mighty hand can’t do
And He never is too busy
To help and comfort you.
Submitted by Isobel Magill.
His Holy Mountains
Mountains can provide some of the very best of Gods creation, they show great
beauty and power, many of the mountains in the Bible God chose to point out the
power of the Creator: Psalm 65 v 6 Which by His strength setteth fast the
mountains being girded with power.
In the Old and New Testaments there were many mountain top experiences, the
location was not important, nor was its beauty it was the presence of God.
Mount Sinai is mentioned thirty five times in the Old Testament as the Holy
place where God revealed Himself in fire, thunder and smoke to Moses and the
Nation of Israel. Mount Sinai was also called the Mountain of God: Exodus 3 v 1,
in this verse Moses came to the backside of the desert and came to the mountain
of God. Abraham demonstrated his faith when he climbed a mountain to a place
where God commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac: Genesis 22, on the top of
the mountain God spoke to Abraham and provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac.
In the New Testament Jesus was tempted by the devil on a high mountain and He was VICTORIOUS:Matt 4 v 18, Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives. According to Zech 14 v 4 His Holy mountain Isa 65 v’s 24-25 66 v 20 were pain and destruction will cease and perfect ness will be complete. The mountains of the Bible are Holy because of their connection to God, likewise Gods presence in our lives today should make the difference because He is with us, do we strive for Holiness through Christ our Lord in faith. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matt 6 v 9 “Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name.” Rev 4 v 8 describes it very well “Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is to come. Isaiah 6 v 3 also describes Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts, there is a three fold Holiness, Father Son and Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, Holiness also characterizes Christ’s church , Paul taught that Christ loved the church and died for it. 1 Peter 2 v 9 describes the church as an Holy nation a peculiar people. The New Testament often discusses Holiness in relation to individual Christians, believers in Christ are often called Saints, literally meaning Holy Ones, through faith God justifies sinners pronouncing them Holy in His sight. Christ commands that the believers progresses in Holiness, casting off the old nature and becoming more like Jesus, in our walk. Human beings are unique among all creatures in that they were created in the likeness of God Gen 1 v’s 26-27. As the psalmist said in the light shall we see light Ps 36 v 9. We see God in all His goodness and righteousness and we see ourselves with all our faults and sin. This is the experience of those who live in the light by having fellowship with God. He loves us and forgives us our faults and sin, when we repent 2 Peter 3 v 13. “Never the less we according to His promise, look for New Heaven and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”2 Peter 3 v 14. “Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace without spot and blameless.” Also v 18 “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to Him be glory both now and forever. As the world looks on what does it see, are we a humble people do we respect the Gospel of Jesus Christ are we modest in all our ways. Christ is in us therefore we
should reflect the light of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we must cast off all that
dishonours the Lord, as He cannot touch the unclean thing, He is set apart, and
so should we be set apart from the things of this world. We cannot be Holy and
yet strive for and look like the
people of this world. Holiness is not a set of man made rules or that would be
legalism, Holiness is when we look to the cross and see what the Lord has done
for us, the connection with Him, the forgiveness he has bestowed upon us should
melt our hearts to repentance. Therefore the indwelling of the Holy Spirit make
us Holy in God’s eyes. Lev 20 v 7 “Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye
holy for I am the Lord your God.”
Hebrews 9 v 24 “For Christ is not entered into the Holy place made with hands
which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself now to appear in the
presence of God for us.” The Heavenly Sanctuary had to be purified by Christ's
sacrifice, most refer this to Heaven itself but some to the cleansing of
believers whom God inhabits. But what is for sure, it took the cleansing blood
of Christ to cleanse all sin. Therefore let us be as God commands in Lev 20 v 7.
“Let us seek to honour the One who called us unto so great salvation, may our
lives not be a cloud without substance, a cloud without rain cannot water the
earth.” A life must bear witness to the fact of God’s saving grace. Let us
through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, beam a bright light in this
dark age when people have lost the fear of God. We must fear what God hates
“sin” and love what God loves “Holiness.”
Brian Moore.
The Cross of Our Jesus Christ.
The Rationalist says “Give me Christ without the cross”
The Ritualist “Give me the cross without the Christ”
The Redeemed soul says
“A crossless Christ my Saviour could not be;
A Christless cross no refuge is for me;
But Oh, Christ crucified, I rest on Thee.”
In the cross of Christ is seen:-
The glorious climax of the eternal plan,
The greatest crime of sin-benighted man,
The gravest crisis of a sinless life,
The grandest crown of Christ’s triumphant strife.
Inscribed upon the cross we see,
In shinning letters, “God is love.”
The Lamb who died upon the tree
Has brought us mercy from above.
Galatians 6 : 14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world.
Submitted
by Wilson Burgess.
Psalm 40 v2/3.
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God, many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord”
It is a strange thing that after so many years of Christian experience and testimony the Christian life is still so misunderstood. Some people have the strangest ideas of what a Christian is. But here in these two verses and under five headings is a great definition of what Christianity is all about.
We are brought up. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit” It is the picture of an Eastern prison. There is a pit dug in the earth, just a great square hole, and the prisoners are flung into it. There is no covering; the rain comes in, the surface water drains in, and there are the poor prisoners, helpless, in the miry clay. That is where David said he was. It is a great discovery when we find out just where we have begun life, for the Psalmist said; “I was born in iniquity” I was born in prison. In sin did my mother conceive me. Our Lord said, “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” John 8 v24. So we all started in the pit. Some not only live there but die there. Here is only one chapter in their experience, it begins and ends down in the pit. Many who are there are unconscious of it. Have you discovered where you are? Have you come to the Lord Jesus, and let Him lift you out? There is only one way out, He is the way. There is only one Deliverer; it is the Lord of glory, who died for your sins.
We are set up. “He set my feet upon a rock” If your feet are on the rock you know it. It is God’s will that, not only should we be saved, but that we should know we are saved, that we are able to sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine” This is a priceless experience, to know that our feet are upon the rock.
He forgives us our sins, and He wants us to have that knowledge of salvation and rejoice in that fact. Many go through this life and are missing the glory and knowledge of sins forgiven and put away for ever. What a joy to know that the past is blotted out. “ I will cast all their sins into the depths of the seas” Mic. 7/19 “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” Heb 8/12 Have you ever entered into the joy and good of your feet on the rock.
We are held up. “and established my goings” We are held up. The rock maybe a very slippery place. What is going to happen if I slip off? No, He established my goings, I am rooted and grounded and established on the rock, it is not a place of danger. When we come to the Lord Jesus Christ we find, He is the rock. Just as the Lighthouse is united to the rock, great foundations go right into the rock on which it is built. In like manner the Christian is united to His Lord and will never be separated.
We are tuned up. “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our
God and many shall see it” Not hear it, but see it. This is a song that can be seen, that is the right kind of song in this day and age. The song that could be heard from me might not be in tune but we can all go out and sing the song that can be seen. Do not let this most important aspect by missing in your life. Oh for a life, that is a song to be seen. When you walk into you home, does the song walk in also. Is there a melody from your life?
We are caught up. For this last little heading I go to the last words of the Psalm.
“make no tarrying, O my God” That looks towards a day when the heavens will
open and the Son of God will come in triumph and glory an we will be for ever with
The Lord. It will be a great day for us all who have the blessed hope within our
breast. No power on earth will ever retard the uplifting power of God. What a won
derful prospect up ahead. “He that hath this hope within him purifieth himself” If I
have this hope and I am looking forward to that day I will be walking carefully be
fore him. Imagine you have entered your garden in a competition for the best kept
garden in your area or Street. The Judge may come any day so I have to keep the
weeds down, keep the grass tidy, keep the edges and the borders right. Every day I
wait in readiness, the Judge may come at any time. So it is with us, The Lord may
come at any time. Are there some weeds in our lives? What about the garden of our
heart. We know not the day or the hour, but let us live that should He come today we
Are ready to meet Him with joy.
D. Mitchell
——————————————————————————
THE PATHWAY OF PAIN.
If my days were untroubled, my heart always light,
Would I seek that fair land, where there is no night?
If I never grew weary, with the weight of my load,
Would I search for God’s peace, at the end of the road?
If I never knew sickness, and never felt pain,
Would I search for a hand, to help and sustain?
If I walked not with sorrow, and lived without loss,
Would my soul search for solace at the foot of the cross?
If all I desires, was mine day by day,
Would I kneel before God and earnestly pray?
If God sent no “winter” to freeze me with fear,
Would I yearn for the warmth of the spring every year?
I ask myself this, and the answer is plain,
If my life were all pleasure, and I never knew pain?
I’d ask God less often, and need him much less,
For God’s sought more often, in times of distress;
And no one knows JESUS, nor sees him as plain,
As those who have met Him, on the PATHWAY OF PAIN.
John 14:1-3 THE CURE FOR HEART TROUBLE
One of the most common ailments in today’s society has been proven to be Coronary Heart Disease, a lot of us unfortunately know this from first hand experience ; some of the reasons given are Diet, exercise, stress, hereditary etc all of these have direct parallels in the spiritual life and make an interesting study it is also a very interesting to note in the previous chapters of John’s Gospel that Our Lord Jesus Christ is troubled in Body, Soul and Spirit and then in ch 14 He says clearly “LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED”
Jesus has just dropped a huge bombshell on His disciples. He has just told them that one of the disciples would betray Him and that he Himself would be going away. They are upset and do not understand all that is going on, John 13:22, they were suffering from a classic case of heart trouble!
Jesus saw their confusion and spoke words that were designed to bring comfort to
their hearts and a challenge to their lives.
They are given good news about the future and are commanded not to worry
about today. Now, we all know that
worry is a sin, right? That is
painful, but true! Notice this –
Phil. 4:6; Matt. 6:25-33. It is
wrong to worry, but we all do it
Not only is it a sin, but also it is a huge waste of time and energy. Worry has been defined as, “A small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”
Thank God there is hope for us chronic worriers.
When you see the word “let” in your Bible, it is there to tell you to
get involved. When God says, “Let
not your heart be troubled.” He means that you are not to let it happen!
He is telling you, “Do not worry!”
That is a command, by the way! Now,
I know we live in a wicked and worrisome world, and many, many people are
suffering from heart trouble today. Your
own heart may be heavy and burdened as you read this but thank God, there is
help for you in the Word of God. There
are some areas about which we do not need to worry.
Let these words from the Lord Jesus serve as a Cure For Your Heart
Trouble!
I. V.1b OUR PAST SINS
(Relationship)
All are sinners – Rom. 3:23; Rom. 3:10.
All are guilty of big sins – James 2:10.
If you are saved, you are totally forgiven – Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19; Col. 2:13-14. There is no need for you to be eaten up with guilt over your past. God has forgotten it, the best thing you can do is forget it also! If you are lost, then you are in danger and do have something to be concerned with. The thing to do is not worry, it is to turn to the Savior, Acts 16:31. That takes care of yesterday! After all, you cannot change a single minute of your past; therefore, there is absolutely no need to worry about it!
There is no need to worry about today! You will face nothing that God will not
help you through.
Notice these promises to believers:
You will never be alone – Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5
You will never be overloaded – 1 Cor. 10:13
You will have every need supplied – Phil. 4:19; Psa. 37:25
You have access to God in your time of crisis – Heb. 4:15-16
God knows everything there is to know about you – Matt. 10:29-31
Therefore, there is no need to worry about today – Matt. 6:34
Yesterday is gone, and today is the Lord’s. Do not worry over today.
III. V.2-3 OUR PROMISED STATION
(Rest)
A. Notice the promises in verses 2-3.
B. If you are saved today, then you need not worry about going to Heaven. One
day, you will enter that blessed land!
C. There are a few facts about Heaven that serve to erase our worries:
1 It will be a place of supreme joy – Rev. 21:4 (Ill. New bodies, new look, new everything!)
2 It will be a place where Jesus is – Rev. 22:3-4
3 It will be a place of eternal reunions – 1 Thes. 4:13-17
4 It will be a place of permanent residence – 1 Thes. 4:17
D. Yesterday is taken care of, today is under control and tomorrow is in the Lord’s hand. That leaves us absolutely no room for worry. But, there is plenty of room to trust in the Lord!
What are worried about today? Hell, Heaven, some circumstance, some family member, and some thing that lays on your mind like a lead weight? Whatever it is, worry will not change it! The only thing that will change it is for you to bring it to Jesus and let Him have His way in it. If you will be willing to give it to Jesus, He has the power to change it, Eph. 3:20
Bring it to Him! There is no use in you losing sleep over things that you cannot change, give them to God, He never loses sleep over anything – Psa. 121:3-4.
Whatever the worry, Christians can take heart with these truths,
The worst that can happen is past: God has judged their sin, and Christ has borne it.
However dark, the present always has a bright side: God works in every thing for good.
The best that will happen lies ahead.
Some Golden Daybreak Jesus Will
Come
Some Golden Daybreak Battles All won
He’ll Shout the Victory ; Break Through The Blue
Some Golden Daybreak, For Me For
You?
By Alan Carr. Submitted by John Boyd
YPF Report: December 03 – February 04
December brought the usual flurry of busyness for everyone and was, as always, the month that contained the most YPF activities squeezed together.
On the 14th, the Houston's very generously let us overrun their house for the evening. Billy Portis kindly gave his time yet again to bring us some challenging thoughts from the Bible for us to feed upon spiritually while we filled our physical bodies with the amazing range of food provided.
A week later, the fruits of our choir practices were unveiled at the Carol Service. We are all thankful for the commitment shown by those who attended the practices throughout the year, and recognise the bravery it takes to stand in front of everyone and sing.
Our annual Christmas Party was held on the 22nd. While this combined fun, games and a lot of Chinese food, it remained, as you may expect, a most civilised affair.
At the beginning of 2004, Jonathan Reid (from CEF) spoke at an Open Meeting on 11th January, where he also accepted the money raised from the church Christmas 'post box'. He took the opportunity to explain about the work being done by CEF, and specifically the gargantuan task of distributing 'The Wonder Book' to each of the 2.3 million homes in Ireland. You can find out more about this at www.cefireland.org.
An enthusiastic bus full of young people headed down to the Odyssey Arena on the Friday 23rd January, to watch the Sheffield Steelers clatter their way to a 5-1 victory over the Belfast Giants. Ice Hockey, we discovered, is not a graceful sport.
Two days later, and back on home territory, Ian organised a meeting entitled 'Over to You'. This was an opportunity to consider the unique gifts each of us have, and how we each can have an important role to play.
On 8th February, Noel had the (unenviable) task of dealing with the broad and important subject of relationships, and discussed how our faith should influence our behaviour towards one another.
The Choir began their 2004 engagements at the Missionary Weekend on 21st February. On the 22nd, Michael Williams from Stauros visited and spoke to us from the book of Daniel about how God's values compare with the values of the world.
As always, we would like to thank the wide range of people who have given of their time, energy, abilities and sandwiches for our benefit. It has been much appreciated. It would also be good if you could remember the young people of Ballee as we plan for our weekend at the end of April.
A Prayer For Later Years By Joyce Lynn
Dear Lord, as swiftly the years unfold,
They reveal to us we are growing old;
Our footsteps are getting slower now,
And the furrows deepen on our brow.
Even so, dear Lord, won’t you give us grace
To present to the world a smiling face,
That will bring a little gladness and cheer,
To those who find life lonely and drear.
While we are walking along the street,
With aching back and tired feet;
A silent prayer we offer to you,
Asking for strength to see us through.
May we not be envious when we see
The young with their wealth of vitality;
They too in time by age shall be bowed,
When they have harrowed what we have ploughed.
Lord help us not to worry and fret,
When important things we tend to forget;
And teach us not to murmur and moan,
Upsetting the loved ones in our home.
We may have many an ache and pain,
But friends get ‘fed up’ when we always complain,
That’s why some folk we would like to meet,
Often cross to the other side of the street.
Having reached the age of retirement,
Some feel frustrated and discontent;
With nothing to do life seems empty and void,
And they long for those years when they were employed.
When our time is fulfilled we must stand aside,
Tis the rule of Life, by it we must bide,
Dear Lord, we pray that You’ll give us grace
To encourage those who take our place.
Yet our hearts should be filled with gladness and praise,
For the way God has blest us throughout our days;
When pressures of Life made us weak with strain,
Our strength He renewed again and again.
And today if our faith in Him is strong,
He will give us the grace to carry on;
Setting us free from the doubts and fears,
That come with approaching ‘twilight’ years.
“I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”
They asked me how I know it’s true
That the Saviour lived and died..
And if I believe the story
That the Lord was crucified
And I have so many answers
To prove His Holy Being,
Answers that are everywhere
Within the realm of seeing…
The leaves that fell at Autumn
And were buried in the sod
Now budding on the tree boughs
To lift their arms to God..
The flowers that were covered
And entombed beneath the snow
Pushing through the “darkness”
To bid the Spring “hello”…
On every side Great Nature
Retells the Easter Story-
So who am I to question
“The Resurrection Glory?”
Helen Steiner Rice.
Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Saviour;
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord.
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes:
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Psalm 40 v2/3.
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God, many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord”
It is a strange thing that after so many years of Christian experience and testimony the Christian life is still so misunderstood. Some people have the strangest ideas of what a Christian is. But here in these two verses and under five headings is a great definition of what Christianity is all about.
We are brought up. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit” It is the picture of an Eastern prison. There is a pit dug in the earth, just a great square hole, and the prisoners are flung into it. There is no covering; the rain comes in, the surface water drains in, and there are the poor prisoners, helpless, in the miry clay. That is where David said he was. It is a great discovery when we find out just where we have begun life, for the Psalmist said; “I was born in iniquity” I was born in prison. In sin did my mother conceive me. Our Lord said, “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” John 8 v24. So we all started in the pit. Some not only live there but die there. Here is only one chapter in their experience, it begins and ends down in the pit. Many who are there are unconscious of it. Have you discovered where you are? Have you come to the Lord Jesus, and let Him lift you out? There is only one way out, He is the way. There is only one Deliverer; it is the Lord of glory, who died for your sins.
We are set up. “He set my feet upon a rock” If your feet are on the rock you know it. It is God’s will that, not only should we be saved, but that we should know we are saved, that we are able to sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine” This is a priceless experience, to know that our feet are upon the rock. He forgives us our sins, and He wants us to have that knowledge of salvation and rejoice in that fact. Many go through this life and are missing the glory and knowledge of sins forgiven and put away for ever. What a joy to know that the past is blotted out. “ I will cast all their sins into the depths of the seas” Mic. 7/19 “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” Heb 8/12 Have you ever entered into the joy and good of your feet on the rock.
We are held up. “and established my goings” We are held up. The rock maybe a very slippery place. What is going to happen if I slip off? No, He established my goings, I am rooted and grounded and established on the rock, it is not a place of danger. When we come to the Lord Jesus Christ we find, He is the rock. Just as the Lighthouse is united to the rock, great foundations go right into the rock on which it is built. In like manner the Christian is united to
His Lord and will never be separated.
We are tuned up. “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise un