Winter 1994
From the Pastor's Desk
May I take this opportunity in the first church magazine of 1994, to pray for a peaceful, blessed, and Christ centred 1994 for all our congregation at Ballee, and for all the readers of our quarterly magazine.
1993 will be indelible on the minds of us all at Ballee Baptist, we look back on much of God's blessing - His grace in Salvation, His hand in restoration, His goodness in numerical growth, His help in visitation of the sick and elderly - but probably, it will be remembered in the future as the year Satan's plan to destroy the work back-fired! and we saw God in His sovereignty take the tragic and turn it to triumph, take the bad and turn it into blessing, take the disaster and turn it into spiritual delight.
Even now I go and stand in the burnt out shell of our church building, and it still seems unbelievable and unreal that such destruction could happen to a place of worship. But I am quickly reminded that the church is not destroyed - it's made up of living stones, the believers, and also we have not even lost our place of worship, for we worship in the sanctuary of God and it can never be destroyed. Two verses always come to mind as I stand in the dark ruins:
DAN 2:22 "He knoweth what is in the darkness"
ISA 61:3 "To give unto them beauty for ashes" (and we have a lot of ashes!) As we embark on this New Year, with a new building programme D.V. Please continue to pray for the oversight of our fellowship, that all decisions might be made only in accordance with the mind of God. Continue also to be watchful of all that we do and say "lest Satan should get an advantage of us" 2COR 2:11
Let me turn for a moment to another issue that is much talked about in the secular media... "How to keep warm this winter", but let me not concentrate on the physical area of house insulation, warm clothing, and a good coal fire. Rather let me suggest some exercises which will help keep you spiritually w arm in the months ahead, because we are reminded in MATT 24:12 that in the last days "the love of many shall wax cold."
1. ACTS 17:11 "SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY"
A daily searching of the Word of God is essential for spiritual warmth. Notice the Bereans of Acts 17 didn't just read the scriptures daily but searched them daily i.e. with vigour, purpose and determination. Remember MATT 24:35 "heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away."
2. PROV 8:34 ""WATCHING DAILY AT MY GATES, WAITING AT THE POSTS OF MY DOORS"
Waiting on God, waiting in the sanctuary - daily prayer is not only advisable, commendable, and reasonable but absolutely crucial to maintaining the spiritual temperature.
3. LUKE 9:23 "TAKE UP HISCROSS DAILY"
Indeed religion without the Cross, and the atoning blood of Christ is a freezing thing indeed! A daily lifting of the Cross is not something which you just lifted at conversation - but a lifting that' s ongoing everyday. Can I say lovingly and tenderly - sickness and illness are NOT the Cross! At times of sickness, illness, and prolonged affliction I hear people say "that's a heavy Cross God has given you" - but God doesn't give a Cross like that. Sickness is the lot of humanity because of sin, for both saved and lost, and God gives grace to cope and strength to weather the storm. The Cross of Luke 9 is the reproach of Christ, not something God gives to you, but rather something we daily lift ourselves.
4. HEB 3:13 "BUT EXHORT (ENCOURAGE) ONE ANOTHER DAILY
"Important daily exercise old to young, young to odd - be an encourager. Don't wait until a funeral to say a good word, be a bridge builder and not a wall builder!
Of course the most important thing to remember if we are to stay spiritually warm, is to ensure that Christ is not outside our hearts but inside as Saviour and Lord. Religion, sincerity, works of charity will all leave you spiritually cold and dead. The little chorus says "What can wash away my sin - nothing but the blood of Jesus."
May every reader know the warmth of God's salvation that comes when you know Christ personally through repentance and trust, and stay warm this winter by the daily exercises. All our readers will always find a warm welcome at any of our services you'll find details inside the front cover.
Pastor
Your theology may be as clear as ice, but unless you put it into practice it will leave you just as cold.
If you can beat the devil in the matter of regular daily prayer, you can beat him anywhere. If he can beat you there, he can possibly beat you anywhere.
One of the greatest mistakes a Christian can make is to imagine that an increased social or spiritual activity can be any compensation for the lack of secret communion with God. A prayerful life is a powerful life; and a prayerless life is always a powerless life. If we cannot pray aright, we can really do nothing aright; but how slow we are to believe that.
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"BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN AND FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND OF FAITH" - ACTS 11 :24
The personality of the Apostle Peter so dominates the first half of the book of Acts and the Apostle Paul the second half that we sometimes miss verses of scripture which give us great help and encouragement about their fellow workers whom God also called into His great missionary work. I am thinking of Barnabas as we read of him in the above verse in Acts ch:11. We must begin by making reference to Acts ch.4 and ch.9. The first of these references tell of his generosity and that his real name was Joseph, a native of Cyprus who owned land and sold it for the benefit of the church vs.36 and 37. The name Barnabas was given to him by the Apostles and means son of consolation" or "encouragement" and in every later reference to him in the Acts he is living up to his name. If our fellow believers had to put a name on us what would it be? He is known for his? Faithfulness or his zeal for the things of God. In the second reference to Barnabas in Acts 9v 23-29 we learn of his big heart. Saul still finds himself friendless because of his past life and local Christians would have nothing to do with him. How gracious and good it was of Barnabas to befriend him and commend him to the Lord's people vouching for his genuineness. Saul was then able to continue his ministry in Jerusalem. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Matt. 5 v 9.
When we come to Acts 11 v l9-22 great things were happening in Antioch and great numbers were turning to the Lord v 2l; when tidings of these things came to the church at Jerusalem they sent forth Barnabas to help. He was highly regarded by the leaders there and they knew he could bee of great help. Verse 23 records, "who when he came and seen the grace of God was g1ad," he was thrilled to see what God was doing and with purpose of heart encouraged them to cleave unto the Lord. Now we come to the verse we first quoted above, v 24, he was a good man. No greater thing can be said of any man/woman than this. We may not be great; we may not be gifted by God in this way or that way but we can all be good ; and how much the church of God today needs good people of the Barnabas type. May we resolve this day to be at our best for God. Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Just like Stephen a few chapters earlier, not the faith here that saves but the faith of the Christian life, that ongoing faith. Heb.11 v 6 the faith to please God and to serve God. At the end of v 24 of Acts 11 it reads "...and much people was added unto the Lord." "Then departed Barnabas unto Tarsus, for to seek Saul." v 25. Maybe the work got too much for him here alone or perhaps he thought it would benefit Paul to join the work at Antioch. Paul had spent up to 10 years back in Tarsus but Barnabas didn't forget about him, he acknowledged him the more able and more gifted man. This was a mark of true humility v 26 and for a full year they taught the church there.
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. He helped the Apostles Acts 4.
. He was a mediator for Saul Acts 9.
. He was a missionary from Jerusalem.
. He helped the church at Antioch.
. He was an inspirer to Paul again.
. He helped the hungry Acts 11 v 30.
A new chapter of his life opens in Acts 13 and soon it is no longer Barnabas and Paul, but v 43 Paul and Barnabas. We must acknowledge that this dear brother was a good man and just like his Lord and master who went about doing good. How desperately the church of today needs members of the calibre of Barnabas. In a day when so many, even in the church, are discouraged, how necessary, how imperative, how vital is this ministry of encouragement. Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul. Ask God to help us one and all to make our ministry one of blessing in the days ahead. D. Mitchell
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SALVATION
The Believers Name - Heirs :
"Heirs of Salvation" Hebrews 1:14 We may be heirs to much treasure here on earth. But as "Heirs of Salvation" the child of God must set their eyes on higher treasure.
The Believers Salvation - Great :
"So great Salvation" Hebrews 2:3 Beloved our Salvation is great because of the One who brought it, the Lord Jesus Christ" because of the price He paid for it, His own precious Blood, and because of what it brings, peace with God, and an eternal place with God.
The Unbelievers Peril - How? :
"How shall we escape" Hebrews 2:3 The unanswerable question. What must I do to be lost? Just nothing. No need to reject salvation or treat it with contempt - just neglect it.
The Believers Destiny - Eternal :
"Eternal Salvation" Hebrews 5:9 We are saved not just for time but for eternity.
"Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me...I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also."
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Ten Reasons Why I Never Wash
1. I was made to wash as a child.
2. People who wash are hypocrites - they reckon they are cleaner then other people.
3. There are so many different kinds of soap. I could never decide which one was right.
4. I used to wash, but it got boring, so I stopped.
5. I still wash on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
6. None of my friends wash.
7. I' m still young. When I'm older and have got a bit dirtier I might start washing.
8. I really don't have time.
9. The bathroom's never warm enough.
10. People who make soap are only after your money.
Dafy isn' t it? We all need to wash, and we know it. There's no arguement. But I hear these kind of excuses all the time for not coming to church, and not trusting in Christ. But Christ can do what no soap and water can ever do - Christ cleans us spiritually, on the inside! Because of His death on our behalf at Calvary - He has the right and the power to remove the sin and the power of sin from our lives. If you are not saved yet, what excuse are you using?
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Do We Need Faith?
Some people seem to think we have an option here :- You can either trust Christ to save you or, if you cannot find that faith, find another religion more suitable - just be sincere and do your best. Everything will be all right. After all, there are other roads that lead to Heaven. Are There? Jesus says in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one comes to the Father except through Me."
Faith in Christ is the only road to heaven - all other roads lead to destruction. (Matt. 7:13) If we can get to Heaven through good works, faith in Christ is unnecessary and all God's promises to those who trust Christ are void! We must have faith in Christ's promise to save us, we demonstrate that faith by receiving Him as our only Saviour and Lord. Faith Doesn't earn salvation - it receives.
Yes, we are saved through faith alone.
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YOUNG PEOPLES' REPORT
The month of November, I think, has been the month where we can say that God has blessed us the most.
Since our meetings started in September a young couple and a young girl were coming along to our meetings who were not saved and November was the month we had the joy of seeing these people saved.
Our meetings continued on the 3rd October with, Wesley Coulter who talked about the work of the Gideons.
The 17th of October was a very interesting night. Auldwin Calderwood took this meeting and it took the form of a debate followed by a discussion. Auldwin told us that we were members of a church whose building was destroyed by fire and we had nowhere else to worship, except in the town hall. The town hall would be leased to us every Sunday and one other night during the week. The problem was that we had to decide which meeting would take place during the week. The four choices were: prayer meeting, women' s meeting, the good news club or the Bible study. After much debate and discussion it was decided that the prayer meeting should be held on that night. On the 31st October we had a question and answer night with a panel consisting of Wesley Coulter, Auldwin Calderwood and David Mitchell. As was to be expected not everyone agreed but no-one fell out either.
The month of November saw visits from James McKeown, who showed us slides on how archaeology can shed light on the Bible, and David Hoy who brought us up to date on his work with battered wives in Armoy.
December 12th was our last meeting and it was decided that it would be a good idea to go Carol Singing around the homes of some of the elderly folk of the fellowship, and then afterwards to Stephen and Linda's for tea and sticky buns. The young peoples' committee would like to thank all the young people who supported these meetings, and to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a blessed new year.
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To Mum and Dad
You bore and bred me in God's tender care
Whenever I wavered, you were always there
Guiding, directing in God's blessed way.
A word in season you could always say.
A blessing is my childhood as I recollect
God always was there, as I now look back
Upon all the things you both said and done.
Guiding me always to God' s only Son.
How precious are parents to me, such as you
You loved me and reared me for God through and through
Now it is my turn to repay that precious debt
I pray you can see it within my every step
We walk now together for our Father above
United we pray within His tender love
Eventually we know that death will come.
A temporary parting until "Thy will be done"
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Prayers and praise for
little children
God saw that all things he had made
W ere very, very good.
He put us in this world of His
To live as children should.
To help each other, share and care,
To give, and love, and sing,
To work together for the good
Of every living thing.
Jesus, who healed the sick,
Be with me in my pain;
Please help me to be brave
And make me well again.
Jesus loves me, loves me still
When I'm very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high
Watches with me where I lie.
Happy, Happy birthday!
Happy year begun!
God, who gives us birthdays,
Knows them everyone;
God is kind and loving, He is sure to hear;
So we ask his blessing
For another year.
We have so much to thank you for
Our heavenly Father dear:
For life and love and tender care,
Through all the happy year.
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For homes and friends and daily food,
Each one a gift of love.
For every good and perfect gift
is from our God above.
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Dear Lord Jesus,
we've got a new baby
I'm sure he is going to be fun late
But now-
He seems to be all screwed up in a bundle,
He can't play football,
He hasn't any teeth,
His hands are so tiny.
He cries such a lot.
Will he break if I drop him?
Why does he sleep so much, and why
Does everyone stop to look at Him?
I want to understand - dear Lord Jesus
He's my new baby brother
Please help me love him.
Amen
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C. 0. M. E.
C. means Children, all may come
O. means Old Folks, no longer young
M. means Middle Aged mums and dads
E. means Everybody good and bad.
I am invited
You are invited
All are invited ,
So believe in Jesus and Come
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When the roll is called up yonder
I'll be filled with joy and wonder
When I see the countless number
Some from every part of Ireland will be there.
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LADIES' MEETING
As we draw near to the end of another year it is time to stand back and reflect on all that has happened throughout 93. We do indeed praise God for a year in which we have seen growth in numbers in our meetings but also growth in our own spiritual lives as we have shared experiences with so many missionaries from different lands and as a result have been burdened to pray for them and all that they do.
September opened our year again with a visit from James McKeown and that evening we went to Israel. October seen a visit from Elish Agnew from Hill Street and November sent us to the beautiful land of Portugal with Mr. and Mrs. Loney from Acre. Who needs a winter break in the sun when we can visit these lands for free every month? It is wonderful to see God working in the hearts and lives of so many people right across the globe and giving opportunities for witness and hope where none existed before. Let us be faithful in remembering them in prayer. In January we are looking forward to a visit from Maizie Smith U. F.M. If you attend our prayer meetings you will know that Maizie's prayer letters are read out and usually they are full of exciting tales of what God is doing and how He is answering prayer out in Zaire. If you are free please make an extra effort to come as I'm sure this will be a very exciting and challenging meeting. It will also be nice to meet in person a missionary who is regularly prayed for in our Ladies prayer meeting.
May God bless 1994 as He has blessed our meetings in 1993 and we look forward to seeing many new faces and even some old faces as we step out in 1994.
L.Kennedy.
The most bitter word is Alone
The most beloved word is Mother
The most tragic word is Unloved
The most cruel word is Revenge
The most peaceful word is Home
The saddest word is Forgotten
The warmest word is Friendship
The coldest word is Indifference
The most comforting word is Faith
That Jesus saves from sin and hell,
is truth divinely sure;
And on this rock our faith may rest,
immovably secure.
O let these tidings be received
with universal love
And let the high angelic praise
our tuneful powers employ!
"Glory to God who gave his Son
to bear our shame and pain;
Hence peace on earth, and grace to men,
in endless blessings reign"
from Spurgeon's devotional bible.
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Words of Wisdom
Salvation is a gift of God,
Not something earned or won;
He freely gives eternal life
To all who trust His Son.
We are saved by God's mercy,
Not by our merit
By Christ's dying,
Not by our doing.
Why must I bear this pain?
I cannot tell;
I only know my Lord does all things well
So I trust in God,
My all in all,
For He will bring through,
Whate'er befall.
Sometimes it takes the dark
To teach us to walk in God's light.
God owns the riches of the earth
And all its hidden treasure,
So He will surely give to all
His children without measure.
To be rich in God is better
Than to be rich in goods
God of our lives, oh hear our prayer:
As the new year dawns
And the old year goes,
Take from our hearts their load of care;
Give to our souls thine own repose.
To enjoy the future,
Accept God's forgiveness for the past.
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God Waited
God waited in Noah' s day,
For sinners to repent,
To whom salvation' s message
Had so faithfully sent
The ark was built and finished,
The animals safe within;
And Noah and his family,
Who had been saved from sin.
But the Lord of all the universe
Waited yet seven days more,
So that repenting sinners
Could enter the open door.
But God' s long-suffering ended,
And He shut the door at last;
It signalled the end of mercy,
And sinners' opportunity past.
God has waited in your day,
When to Sunday school you went,
And heard that God so loved the world
That His only Son He sent.
He waited every time you stood
Beside an open grave,
As you listened while the preacher
Declared: "Christ alone can save"
He waited in times of sickness,
When your body had lost its health;
He waited in prosperity,
As you heaped up treasure and wealth.
He waited in Gospel meetings,
When during the stirring appeal,
You heard God's invitation
And the Spirit' s striving did feel.
No Room For Jesus
No beautiful chamber
No soft cradle bed
No place but a manger
Nowhere for His head
No praises of gladness
No thought of their sin
No glory but sadness
No room in the inn
No sweet consecration
No seeking his part
No humiliation
No place in the heart
No thought of the Saviour
No sorrow for sin
No prayer for His favour
No room in the inn
No - one to receive Him
No welcome while here
No balm to relieve Him
No staff but a spear
No seeking His treasure
No weeping for sin
No doing His pleasure
No room in the inn
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See that glory, how resplendent
Brighter far than fancy paints
There in majesty transcendent
Jesus reigns, the King of saints
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly
Straight to yonder world of Joy.
Joyful crowds, His throne surrounding
Sing with rapture of His love;
Through the heavens His praises sounding
Filling all the courts above.
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly
Straight to yonder world of Joy.
What if He waits no longer?
What if He turns away?
What if this be the last time
You'll hear the Saviour say.
Come unto me, ye wear
Come, and I will give you rest;
My yoke is easy, My burden light,
And my way is always best.
Harden your heart no longer,
Lest His Spirit strive no more,.
And God's waiting time be over,
As He shuts salvations door.
The Wonder of Him
Born without a human father
Formed within a virgin's womb
Contrary to the laws of nature
Flesh and blood He did become.
Bethlehem - where he was homeless
Not a place to lay his head
Birds and beasts all have their dwelling
He - a borrowed cattle-shed
In a manger Mary placed Him
Precious was her wonder born
Brought him home to live at Nazareth
Known to all the place of scorn
Midnight gloom was turned to brightness
When o'er earth He did appear
Angels brought their glad Hosannas
Told the shepherds not to fear.
Here at last was man' s redeemer
Promised when our parents fell
From that sinless, tearless Heaven
Came our blessed Emmanuel.
He fulfilled so many Scriptures
As He came to deal with sin
Fallen man can now be pardoned
That's the Wonder of Him
Leslie Armstrong.
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MISSIONARY NEWS
Dear friends, I hope that over the Christmas season you have been thinking a lot about the greatest gift that the world has ever known, none other than Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. And we thank God that for those of us who know and love this Jesus God has Promised us His other great gift, Eternal Life through Jesus Christ His Son. Yes friends its sad when we think that there are so many throughout this old world today who still haven't heard this great message of hope and everlasting life that's to be found in Jesus. We think of the little verse that says "how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent." So God tells us again, " pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He may send forth labourers into His harvest," God wants us to be faithful in prayer so that He can work in the hearts of those whom He would send and then work in the hearts of those who would hear. We thank God again for those who have given their all and went forth at His command, and we praise God for all that He has been doing through His servants. I would ask you all to remember Geoffrey, Gillian and their little family over Christmas and the new year period as it can be very lonely far away from friends and loved ones, so we trust and pray that God would draw graciously near to them and indeed that He will encourage them by giving them souls for their labours. Keep on praying for those men who have been kidnapped that God will keep His hand upon them and very soon they might be released, we pray too that even these men who have taken them might be spoken to and that God might save them. I have already mentioned about God sending forth labourers, but in a magazine I read lately the following words spoke to me, "even the harvest is crying out for harvesters." Yes friend even the tribesmen and villagers in the jungles of Africa and Brazil are coming seeking for the missionaries to come and teach them of the things of God, but sadly there are not enough workers to go, what a challenge. Some very encouraging news from Papua New Guinea, at one service more than 40 people trusted Christ and in another village 25 clear testimonies; so we would be encouraged to keep praying, God is still in the saving business. I read a very touching story lately in Brown Gold magazine about a little boy from the Tofutti tribe in Indonesia, this little boy was out hunting with his mate, they were on the trail of a wild pig, so as they quietly listened for the noise in the undergrowth it seemed to be behind them, so they turned quickly with the arrow gun, the first boy on the trail caught the arrow head in the corner of little Kasara's left eye setting off the gun, the arrow went right through the left eye ball through the nasal cavity and out through the right eye socket severing the optic nerve, so they brought the boy down from the mountain and took him 10km to the missionaries house, they could not remove the arrow but had to treat him with the necessary drugs to ease pain etc., after some time they got him to hospital, no wonder we continually ask you to pray for the missionaries as they do all the other necessary work apart from preaching, what a sigh this little boy must have been with the arrow through both eyes, Don McCall said this at the end of his report, "Kasara will never be able to see again, but his spiritual eyes are wide open," which is more than we can say for many people who can see. "Please pray for this little boy as he faces a very difficult future," Don said, "with his Godly attitude he truly is a source of joy to all around him," surely there is a lesson for us all here. Joe & Ruby Black working in India had some thrilling news for us. Last year about this time Joe told us about how the Holy Spirit was moving in the remote town of Rohru in the Simla hills where the Hindus had resisted the Gospel for many years, but in 1992 twenty eight people had been baptised, the work of the Spirit has continued and in October this year a further sixteen converts were baptised, so praise God for the way He has been working. Yes there have been some discouragements but praise God many blessings, so folks pray on for souls on the mission fields whether at home or across the seas. Remember again all our own students Alan & Heather, Agnes & Billy, Derek & Ann also James and Audrey. Pray that God will lead and guide in all things with regard to their future. Remember again Sam & Anna up at Hollywood, thank God for what He has accomplished up there, but there are many points for prayer lets not fail in our duty.
Desmond
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Time
If you have a work to do -do it now
If you have a witness to give - give it now
If you have a soul to reach - reach him now
If you have an obligation to discharge - discharge it now
If you have a debt to pay -pay it now
If you have a wrong to right - right it now
If you have a confession to make - make it now
If you have preparation to make - make it know
If you have children to train - train them now
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Is Life Hard Work?
Do you sometimes find life hard going?
Just when you think you are beginning to cope, something happens and you are back to where you started. If life has become a constant battle for you, if it's hard work just coping, you can take heart.
Someone knows and understands all you are going through.
That someone cares enough about you to do something. Here is what He said:
" Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls." (Matt. 11:28)
Jesus Christ understands what you are going through right now and, what is more, He loves you.
If you want to know how much, find a Bible and read John 3:16.
The Blessing of Doing
Martha was cumbered - are you? Take time to be holy -Mary did. The task can be done as unto the Lord. In the appointed time; don't start the task while the Lord is yet speaking. Wait for instruction, then move. Others will then be there to help. All will have heard the Master's voice. Unitedly move forward. I' m told the old Romans called True Friends "Partners in Cares". True friendship is never one - sided, true friendship won't limit help. There will be two shoulders for every burden. True friendship will not limit serving. It gives all, life itself if need be. It will know the joy of giving. Its yearning is not to receive, but to give; not to be ministered unto but to minister. True friendship cannot be bought, it is of God. Holy yet human. In life it is a blessing to know such friendship humanly speaking, all be it rare! Earthly friends are precious. But;
Friendship with Jesus Fellowship devine
Oh what blessed sweet communion
Jesus is a friend of mine.
This is joy unspeakable. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.
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I said, let me walk in the fields.
He said, No! walk in the town
I said, there are no flowers there
He said, no flowers, but a crown
I said, but the skies are black
There is nothing but noise and din
But He wept as He sent me back
There is more, He said, there is sin.
I said, but the air is thick
And fogs are veiling the sun
He said, but hearts are sick
And souls in the darkness undone
I said, I shall miss the light
And friends will miss me, they say
He said, you must choose tonight
If I am to miss you or they
Then I took one look at the fields
And set my face to the town
He said, my child, do you yield
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?
Then into His hand went mine
And into my heart came He
Now I walk in a light devine
The path I had feared to see.
J. Luke
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SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION
You don't go to church to hear
gardening hints.
So the congregation in St Fergus
Church, Glamis, in Angus, sat up when
the minister, Dr David Henderson, said he
had some for them.
He recommended sowing five rows
of peas.
The ones he had in mind were
Presence (at church), Promptness,
Preparedness, Patience and Perseverance.
He also advocated the sowing of four
rows of lettuce.
Let us be true to our obligations. Let
us be faithful to duty. Let us be loyal and
unselfish. Let us love one another.
And any time of year was timely for
his selection of turnips:
Turn up for meetings. Turn up with a
smile. Turn up with new ideas. Turn up
with determination to make everything
count for something good and
worthwhile.
In the hot spell he also thought it a
good idea to start developing your own
"squashes".
Squash gossip. Squash indifference.
Squash criticism.
Useful hints indeed. And wouldn't
everything in the garden be lovely if we
followed them!
unselfish. Let us love one another.
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GUEST SINGERS
January
2 Mrs Sadie Morrison
9 Beacon Choir
16 Word of Truth
23 Iron Hall Choir
30 Mr & Mrs Matchett
February
6 Ballymena Gospel Choir
13 Mrs Elizabeth Steele
20 Neill & Kyra Orr
27 Mrs Helen McNabney
March
6 Heavenly Connection
13 Mr Alex Mitchell
20 Catherwood Sisters
27 Mrs Jean Campbell
Congratulations!
Graham & Hilary Kernoghan on the birth of baby Richard 6.11.93
William & Annaleen Knowles on the birth of baby Peter 13.11.93
New Members
Miss Ruth Long
Mrs Sandra Robinson
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DATES FOR YOU R DIARY
Monday 3rd - Friday 7th January
Special week of prayer each night at 8:00 pm
Sunday 30th January am & pm
Pastor Steven Borland (Ballyclare Baptist)
Friday 25th - Sunday 27th February
Missionary Weekend
Friday 25th at 8:00 pm - Mazie Smyth (UFM)
Saturday 26th at 8:00 pm - John & Lynn Turtle (SIM)
Sunday 27th at 11:30 am & 6:30 pm - Arthur Williams (5T AROS)
Tuesday 1st March- Billy Swann (DCM)
Attention all Members!
Annual business meeting Thursday 10th February at 7:30 pm. It is important that all members attend this meeting.
This Coming Year
"And He said, 'certainly I will be with thee'," - Ex. 3:12.
We need not walk along this way untried,
For God, our faithful God, will be our guide.
He'll take our hand in His, 'Fear not', we'll hear
And prove His matchless love this coming year.
Perhaps the shout we'll hear and joyful rise;
Perhaps on His blest face we'll feast our eyes;
Changed to His image be, dried every tear;
Our bliss may be complete this coming year!
But, taken Home or left, our portion blest
His presence is, His peace and rest.
Let us then hasten on, our only fear
To greave the Lord we love this coming year.
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