Merry Christmas to you

Wishing you a blessed Christmas in the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus-Christ.

Jesus, the anointed one

I hope that you are all having a super Sunday. Here, it is a beautiful day the sun is shining. However, the wind is cold so wrap up. I actually walked to church and did not bother to put a scarf or a hat. At the end of the service, my friend Joan asked me if I wanted a lift and after hesitating, I agreed. I am glad I did because the cold wind went through me when I walked home the short distance from the top of our close! 

I discovered a new hymn today, ' Jesus, the anointed one, short but beautiful in my opinion. I haven't stopped humming it since I've been home. Let me know what you think! Have an excellent Sunday. Blessings. N

I am coming soon

Luke 21:5ff but with special reference to vv 25-36

There is certainly one thing that Jesus talks about in this passage that has already happened -  the fall of Jerusalem and what triggered the whole conversation was that the disciples were admiring the temple which had been there for a few years, the third temple and Jesus says is will be destroyed. Around AD 70 it was. As for the other things he talks about in this passage time does not matter and Jesus moves between different eras as though all are the same and in a way they are to him!  Some of these things have happened, some have always happened and some are to come.

I am coming soon.

If you go to the book of Revelation there is this language that can be difficult. However there is a very simple message in Revelation and that is that God is in control and through Jesus has won the victory and one of these days he is coming again in victory and it will be fulfilled in a perfect and satisfying way. When Jesus came, people had expectations of the long expected Messiah and they got it wrong. They expected him to be a mighty leader and ruler who would free them from Rome and bring a mighty Jewish Kingdom. Jesus blew it all out of the water and has established a kingdom that is bigger than expected and bigger than any other in all ages that crosses all boundaries.

Nobody then envisaged that the Messiah was going to hang upon a cross but it is there in Isaiah chapter 52 ...the suffering servant, God's promised one, brings you and me life if we put our trust in Him. He fulfilled all things in OT Scripture beyond expectation and the same will be true when He comes again. We'll turn round and we'll say wow, wow, I never thought it would be like that. God has an eye for detail and it will be right!

Jesus talks about sign in the sun, stars and the moon and we may not see what he means by that – now. These are the sorts of things that confuse us.

But when he talks about nations being in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea we can understand a little better - this millennium we've seen two tsunamis, the demolishing of the houses in Whitby this week, and sea levels are rising- it’s serious. He is coming again whether it's before lunch or later. .who knows!

Jesus draws upon a picture from the book of Daniel, a vision that Daniel had of the Son of man. In the Old Testament it could just mean a person, a man, Ezekiel uses it all the time of himself. If you read Daniel 7, you will see that the person spoken of there is clearly somebody other than an ordinary human being, and it's actually God and Jesus uses the phrase quite regularly of himself through his ministry as it had an ambiguity about it. Here though he is explicit, you will see the Son of Man coming and he draws directly and specifically on the words of Daniel; Jesus sees himself as being God.

When he comes all will see him come and I don’t think it will be television – God is better  and bigger than television and he’ll use his own means!

Jesus won't be coming as a vulnerable babe who people can argue with, He will be coming as the King of all ages and before him every knee will bow, (Philippians 2:11), people who believe and people who don't believe, He will have total and utter authority. The son of Man is coming. So He goes on to say:  stand in confidence, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. So many things squish us, even as Christians, we can get pessimistic, but Jesus says: put your head up in me, look at who I am, look at what I have done; whatever happens in this world, whatever happens in this human frail Christian church, there will be people there when Jesus comes back and the saints go marching in.

Jesus words are secure. My words will endure even though heaven and earth pass away but His words will be fulfilled completely and in a satisfying way. He says, read the signs, you see the fig tree budding, we know that spring is coming, when those signs are taking place, you know that the Kingdom is coming. We can see those signs around; we need to be ready for that day when He comes. He is saying be ready at all times, that is the emphasis. Are you ready for the Lord of eternity? Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, come!

Rev. Steven Abram

Hello bros and sis, this was said at Millwich church last Sunday. Don't you find this message full of joy and light! May the Lord bless you. In Jesus'name. Nicky.

Picture at: http://www.ldolphin.org/Sadvent.html

The Gospel of Luke

Sources Luke May Have Used In The Course Of Writing His Gospel

Luke was not an eyewitness who had seen and heard for himself the things that Jesus had said and done. Luke stated in the prologue of his gospel (Luke 1:1-4) that many before him had undertaken to compile an account of the things regarding Jesus that had been accomplished among them. Luke wrote that having investigated everything most carefully himself from the beginning, he, too, had set out to compile those things of Jesus in consecutive order for Theophilus. Luke relied on eyewitnesses and written sources for the information he included in his gospel. He consulted the documents previously compiled. He interviewed the eyewitnesses who could tell him first hand about Jesus' teachings and activities.
Above all the ultimate, true source behind Luke's gospel was the Holy Spirit--the Spirit of truth who taught his inspired penmen all things and brought to remembrance all that Jesus had said (John 14:16,17,26). The Spirit's inspiration of his penman does not rule out the writer's use of material at his disposal to document under the Spirit's guidance what he was writing. In using those materials the Spirit's guidance would have led the writer to leave out any chaff of error and to preserve only the wheat of what was the truth.
Paul was a source for Luke's gospel. As stated in the section about Luke the writer, Luke was a companion and assistant of the apostle Paul, who had seen Jesus and had been instructed by Jesus. Luke thus learned from Paul the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul preached in his missionary endeavors.
Mark was another potential source of information for Luke. Luke associated with the gospel writer Mark. Luke first met Mark in the church of Antioch, where Luke was a member and where Barnabas and Paul had brought Mark in A.D. 44 to assist them (cf. Acts 12:25).  Luke was also with Mark, as well as with Paul, in Rome during Paul's first imprisonment there and when Paul wrote his prison epistles, (cf. Colossians 4:10,14; Philemon 24). Luke and Mark were again together with Paul in Rome during Paul's second Roman imprisonment before his martyrdom (cf. 2 Timothy 4:10,11). Mark had heard and learned the gospel that Peter had preached (cf. An Overview Of The Gospel Of Mark). It is thought that since Luke was in Rome with Mark during both of Paul's Roman imprisonments, and since Mark wrote his gospel in Rome in the mid A.D. 60's, Luke is likely to have obtained a copy of Mark's gospel very soon after it was written and followed it in the course of writing his own gospel.
Peter himself, whose preaching was the basis of Mark's gospel, may have been a source of information for Luke in preparing his gospel. Luke's whereabouts between Paul's first and second Roman imprisonments in A.D. 61 to 62 and in A.D. 67 is unknown. If Luke remained in Rome for those five years or so, he is likely to have had contact with Peter. Peter was in Rome and there wrote his first letter around A.D. 62 to 64 and his second letter around A.D. 66 to 67. Assuming Luke remained in Rome during those years, he had the opportunity to hear from Peter the gospel of Jesus that Peter preached.
Luke traveled with Paul to carry the collection of the Gentile churches to the poor Christians in Jerusalem. While there Luke met James the brother of the Lord Jesus and the elders of the church, (cf. Acts 21:18). He would also have had the opportunity to interview the apostles who were in Jerusalem, plus the many other Christians who had witnessed Jesus' teachings, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection. There were many such Christians, for Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus had appeared after his resurrection to more than five hundred such disciples at one time, many of whom were still living. Luke also spent the two years of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea near Galilee and Judea. It would have been a simple matter for him to travel those areas where Jesus had conducted his ministry and talk with the eyewitnesses.

I found those facts so interesting (If you click on Luke this will take you to the website) I have not got much more time tonight as I need to get on with some work. Have a blessed evening or day depending which side of the planet you live!
Picture: Luke, 1360–64 Attributed to Master Theodoric, Prague

Hurray, it's Friday

As much as I love my job, I long for the week-end as I suffer at the moment of sleep deprivation. However, I cannot complain too much as it is partly my fault. I should go to bed at 10:30 instead of midnight. Tonight is the same but I don't have to get up so early. 

My sister-in-law, Pauline, has travelled all the way from Wales and she will stay with us until Tuesday. She is a great sister and I am so pleased to have her here with us. As we weren't sure at what time she would be there, Steven prepared a hot pot, various beans (soaked overnight) and pork shanks, mushrooms, onions and lots of garlic, the kind of stuff that can be left to simmer.  It was very tasty. 

On the way home, I heard on the radio that the Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby had been nominated as the new archbishop of Canterbury, and what is pleasing is that he said:  I think, I hope, I am defined because I love and follow Jesus Christ.” He is also clear about his position on the two hot potatoes: he supports women bishops and I quote ' warned that the established church must have “no truck with any form of homophobia” but reaffirmed his support of a statement by the church this summer that was sharply critical of the legalisation of gay marriage and described the move as “deeply unwise”.' " The Independant' Will you join me and pray that the Lord guides him and blesses him in his new position.

The Lord will fight for you!

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still!

Exodus 14:14

I have been really busy these last weeks, not only with school work but also family business.  In the evenings, various problems have come up from nowhere, and after the tempest, I was left wondering why on earth was all this turmoil about? Peter himself warns us:  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around  like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  (1 Peter 5: 8-9) When a lion is injured, he becomes furious and is called 'a roaring lion', thus he will kill anything that is in contact with him. On Easter Sunday, when Jesus-Christ came out of the tomb and won victory over satan, at that very moment, he crushed satan's head and defeated him, giving back man's right to life, authority, and dominion. Thank you Jesus. I praise the Lord as He has brought solutions to one of my major headaches and surely He is working out on the rest.  In the midst of trials, I like to think of  the above verse and I cast my burdens onto Jesus. Nothing is impossible for our God!  

Tonight, I heard extremely pleasant news, the orphanage school built in Uganda by Give Hope Ministries  is taking shape. It will open in December and host 150 orphans. (See previous video clip) Alleluia! 

Brothers and sisters, keep us in your prayers as I will pray for you too. Have a blessed week-end. 

Give Hope ministries- Orphanage in Uganda.

Do not worry about your life...

 Matthew 6:25-33

When I was a youngster it was meat and two veg, by and large. There were no curries, pizzas, spaghettis - unless it was from a tin, no Chinese meals and some of the fruit and veg was delivered by Mr Jarvis with his horse drawn trailer and the horse ate oats from it's nose bag. The veg we got were the more traditional; carrots, peas, cabbage, cauliflower, various beans and I am not sure about broccoli - don't think that was around much.

 We didn't have a TV until I was six and there were two channels with 405 lines - no 625 lines or pixels or colour for that matter and it wasn't all day and night. We didn't have a phone until I was about 13 and I didn't have a mobile phone till I was 50 and it was a phone and had text and nothing else.

 It was only in the mid 60's we started to try curry and from that time that the world started to shrink in a variety of ways and it wasn't because I was getting bigger. It was the advent of what we might now refer to as instant global communications - I remember Sputnik 1 the first satellite and a few years later the first transatlantic satellite broadcast which lasted about 30 minutes. Men going to the moon, the first digital watches in the 70's. I started with computers - if you could call them that - in 1984; 1k of memory!

 The world has got smaller, in a way, and we know more about what is happening; what people eat, how they live and we hear more about earthquakes, famines, storms etc. and all very quickly. We see graphic pictures from far and wide and a lot of the world comes to our living room or even mobile phone!Hence, knowing so much about our world and being able to enjoy a much wider variety of what is produced our Harvest Celebration can take on something bigger and with that has to come our care for planet earth which we realise has been increasingly abused since probably the late 17th century and the start of industrialisation. Of course, some things have improved in our corner of the world: beaches are cleaner, rivers that had lost fish have them again and the old pea-souper fogs seem to have gone. But we hear of climate change - is it or isn't it? Who knows except I can't help but think we are doing some damage and that therefore part of our husbandry - a duty given by God in the first pages of Genesis  and which should naturally arise from Harvest Celebration - is something we should take seriously as a matter of course and not because of fear.

 Planet earth is awesome and what it can produce - often with a little (or much) help from our friends - is incredible, and, today we have the opportunity to enjoy more of it . Wearing it, eating it, going to It, experiencing it etc.

 Thanksgiving is good and proper; appreciation is helpful and the two should lead us to respect and use aright, as best we can, what is here so that whatever changes are taking place, natural or otherwise, we and others can continue to enjoy the good things that are around.

   There is no point worrying about the basics of life as life is more than this.

 Jesus was speaking into the materialism of his day which compared to ours was very different. However, materialism is not about how much or what we can get and have, it is an attitude of mind and anyone in any society in any age can be materialistic. What Jesus is saying is that there is more. Having it all, whatever it all is, does not make life or indeed happiness.

 There is much in the world that looks after itself very nicely

And he gives some simple examples of birds and flowers and the wonder of what they are without toil and the like. He is not laying down concrete facts but is being illustrative. We know that much in the world about us can be devastated by adverse conditions and Jesus knew that too. But he doesn't dot i's and cross t's because he is using broad pictures that are meant to make a simple point to us, and if we let them, they do. He is also saying that this life is passing and not lasting so why look to things that are and which will perish and fade.

 The Priority is God, his Kingdom and what he wants

 Here we come to the focus and pattern of Jesus and what he calls us to and that is, above all, to be in tune with God and His ways, His rule and His priorities.

In Jesus' book here we have a focus that is beyond the passing and of the things that fade and perish. More, this is a regular thrust from him in one form or another. Don't get it wrong, Jesus isn't anti the material world. He made it and enjoyed lots of the good things in life whilst he was here. What he is saying is there is more . . don't miss is, don't lose sight of it.

Thanksgiving, such as we are doing today, giving, receiving, sharing and celebrating are an antidote to being materialistic  because then we are appreciating the giver rather than what is given in a wrong way and being bound to it.

We live in a material world but we don't have to be bound to it. It is a world God loves and for which Jesus died so it and those within it can be restored and made new.

Conclusion

 I wonder - if we could look at the world, life, what we have and don't have more as Jesus would have us look - how would it be different? Would we be more chilled, a little less held by the growing grip of consumerism. Liberated more to see the beauty and wonder of the natural world as we see how it is and the awesome way it is held under God's creative care and love?

S. Abram

The Harbinger, fact or fiction

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.James 1:5 

This week-end, I have had to think about organising my time so that I can do a bit of blogging..and it seems to work.  I have been back at work for the last two weeks and I haven't had much free time. This afternoon, Steven and I went biking to Shrugborough then going through Colwich and coming back on the A51. It's been a beautiful day, warm and sunny, so we thought that we'd make the most of it.

Tonight, I was watching an interview of the author Jonathan Cahn talking about his book The Harbinger. Have you heard about it or have you read it? 

This is its promotional ad: Is it possible...
• That there exists an ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future?
• That this mystery lies behind everything from 9/11 to the collapse of the global economy?
• That ancient harbingers of judgment are now manifesting in America?
• That God is sending America a prophetic message of what is yet to come?
"Before its destruction as a nation, ancient Israel received nine harbingers, prophetic omens of warning. The same nine harbingers are now manifesting in America.... 'Hidden in an ancient biblical prophecy from Isaiah, the mysteries revealed in The Harbinger are so precise that they foretold recent American events down to the exact days. ... IT’S REAL." In the days and weeks after 9/11, one could hear or see the words “God bless America” almost everywhere. And yet in the years since 9/11, the words “God” and “Under God” have increasingly been under attack or, worse, hidden away from American culture. It was not long after 9/11 that a case arose challenging the words “under God,” in the pledges of Allegiance. A federal judge in California ruled that the words “under God” in such a pledge were unconstitutional.
In more recent days, other controversies rose around the same issue. The president was addressing a Congressional Caucus and quoted from the Declaration of Independence. He stated
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that all men are created equal,
endowed with certain inalienable rights: life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
It sounded right – except for one thing – something had been taken out. Here is the actual text of the Declaration of Independence with the missing words restored in bold:
“….that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights: life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
I cannot comment on the book myself as I have not read it, as a fiction book, it seems interesting. However as Johnathan Cahn talks about facts and new prophecies, you may want to read those two websites that examine the book in the light of the Bible The Harbinger: fact or fiction and what's wrong with the Harbinger's ancient mystery. 

I will endeavour to post more often..Have a blessed week-end. In the name of Jesus. 

May the Lord bless you in abundance...

There comes a time when actions count more than words but also you may want to count your blessings.  When things go well in your life it is equally important to recognise that the Lord is blessing you and that your cup is full. When you feel that you are experiencing trials and tribulations then you may need to think hard and ask the Lord to help you get things right. Hopefully, your situation can improve quickly, whatever your downfall is, it may pick up again in a matter of months. However, you may not be off the hook so easily. You may have forgotten that the Lord is also your Heavenly father, Abba, and therefore entitled to train you in order to equip you for your calling.

Of course at the time of the trials, it does not feel anything like that.  I remember that last year from September to Christmas  I only worked for 2 weeks  even though I regularly checked the papers and rang my agents   The Lord showed me that I’d done something wrong earlier that year when I finished a contract abruptly for another one.  I had to humble myself and put things right. I recall that at the time I’d found a whole pile of reasons why I was entitled to end things abruptly, still I was in the wrong.  Later one my agent found me a great job, unexpectedly better in all areas..

Puzzled by the intricacies of blogging!

A few days ago, I decided to change the template for this blog and I thought that it would be a short process. However, as you may have realised, it seems to take me ages. First, the navigation bar disappeared and I could not find any answers on how to put it back. Eventually while I was skimming through comments of other bloggers, some helpful soul told us to delete the 'don't appear' implicit htlm code and thankfully I could manage that! In this new template, I was attracted by the slideshow, however the format of my pictures is different!. Last night, I thought that I'd crack it, I found this website called www. wowslider.com, downloaded it. So this is where I am now..If you are  IT-minded and you can help, let me know.

It is a blessing to be on holidays! Saying that Steven is not on holidays yet and this week Cam is doing an internship, Imogen has been working in the tea-room. In spite of that, we have managed to spend quality time and see our friends. We are getting ready to go to France on Sunday, Valras plage precisely. Steven tells me that yesterday the temperature there was 38 degree Celsius so I should not forget to take sun cream lotions, a hat (I am the only one to need one!) and mosquito cream!

Not sure that I will be able to post again. Have a blessed August month and keep us in your prayers. Your sister in Christ. N.

March for Jesus

This morning, in church, my hubby talked about the 'March for Jesus' in Brazil. Between 1 and 2 million Brazilian Christians coming from all over the country took to the streets of Sao Paulo. The above photo says it all: it was a complete success. They were singing to gospel music and though it was organised by evangelical groups, other denominations were there too. This march has been held since 1993. Well, I'd loved to see the same thing happening here in the UK. Wouldn't it be fantastic! What are your views on this? Have a blessed week. N.

Who edits your church bulletin?

I write the church bulletin each week. Last week by complete accident instead of putting in "Pastor Vill will be giving this weeks exciting messages" I wrote: "This week Pastor Vill will be giving this weeks exciting massages."

Another time I was supposed to write "Forgiveness can send you to hell" and I accidentally wrote: "Forgiveness will send you to hell."

Needless to say that now my work is checked before the bulletins are printed and passed out in church.

~Linda

---

Photo Justin Thomas

Not ashamed of the cross

Last week, I received three postcards to support Shirley. I will send them to David Cameron, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. I think that we should have total freedom to wear a cross if we wish to therefore I support Not ashamed of the cross, an initiative led by Christian Concern..for the benefit of church and nation.
If you want to find out more, click here. http://notashamed.org.uk/.
I quote:
The high visibility of the campaign should also give rise to many opportunities to explain to others why Jesus is such good news for individuals and for our society. We hope that wearing the distinctive Not Ashamed logo, backed by the national profile will help in this. We’d love to hear encouraging stories – contact us here
Also on the same website, you can read, listen and watch Christians who are hugely involved in serving their communities, fuelled by their faith in Jesus Christ. Listen to Jonathan Bellamy who founded Cross Rhythms, a local radio.

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May the Lord bless you. Yours in Christ. N.

A bit of humour...

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, the Almighty.He asks one of his new students to stand and…..
Prof: So you believe in God?
... Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes..
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn’t. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent.)
Prof: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Prof: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?  (Student does not answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son…Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist.
What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture the after becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat..But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it .
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light…..But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought.. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir… The link between man & God is FAITH . That is all that keeps things moving & alive.The student was none other than APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.

The King's problem

Jeff Reynold tells us about the King's problem. 

Serving the King

At the end of the Jubilee mission, on the Sunday 20/05, Rev Adrian Stone who is the vicar at St John's Littleworth in Stafford preached on 'Serving the King'.

Everybody who came this week enjoyed listening to those messages and many said how they were touched by them. If you are still searching for the meaning of your life and have questions, I hope that these messages will answer directly or indirectly some of your questions. As we are off to Norfolk for half-term, I hope you will have a blessed hols. If you are still working, have a blessed week. In the name of Jesus. N.

I have hidden your word in my heart...

Psalm 119

I thought that I would share with you the beginning of this beautiful psalm. It must have taken its author some time to write..This week, I have started a new timetable at work whereby I have wednesday afternoon off and I must say that it is an absolute bonus. Last week, our mission took place (read the previous post ) and it was wonderful to hear so many fine testimonies and adresses. I will soon upload the video clips so watch this space. Have a blessed evening. N.
Psalms Chapter 119 תְּהִלִּים

א אַשְׁרֵי תְמִימֵי-דָרֶךְ-- הַהֹלְכִים, בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה. 1 ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

ב אַשְׁרֵי, נֹצְרֵי עֵדֹתָיו; בְּכָל-לֵב יִדְרְשׁוּהוּ. 2 Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.

ג אַף, לֹא-פָעֲלוּ עַוְלָה; בִּדְרָכָיו הָלָכוּ. 3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.

ד אַתָּה, צִוִּיתָה פִקֻּדֶיךָ-- לִשְׁמֹר מְאֹד. 4 Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.

ה אַחֲלַי, יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי-- לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּיךָ. 5 Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!

ו אָז לֹא-אֵבוֹשׁ-- בְּהַבִּיטִי, אֶל-כָּל-מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ. 6 Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.

ז אוֹדְךָ, בְּיֹשֶׁר לֵבָב-- בְּלָמְדִי, מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ. 7 I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.

ח אֶת-חֻקֶּיךָ אֶשְׁמֹר; אַל-תַּעַזְבֵנִי עַד-מְאֹד. 8 I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly. {P}

ט בַּמֶּה יְזַכֶּה-נַּעַר, אֶת-אָרְחוֹ-- לִשְׁמֹר, כִּדְבָרֶךָ. 9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.

י בְּכָל-לִבִּי דְרַשְׁתִּיךָ; אַל-תַּשְׁגֵּנִי, מִמִּצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ. 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.

יא בְּלִבִּי, צָפַנְתִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ-- לְמַעַן, לֹא אֶחֱטָא-לָךְ. 11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

יב בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה-- לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ. 12 Blessed art Thou, O LORD; teach me Thy statutes.

יג בִּשְׂפָתַי סִפַּרְתִּי-- כֹּל, מִשְׁפְּטֵי-פִיךָ. 13 With my lips have I told all the ordinances of Thy mouth.

יד בְּדֶרֶךְ עֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָ שַׂשְׂתִּי-- כְּעַל כָּל-הוֹן. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

טו בְּפִקּוּדֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה; וְאַבִּיטָה, אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ. 15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.

טז בְּחֻקֹּתֶיךָ אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע; לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח דְּבָרֶךָ. 16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word. {P}

    א Aleph
 ¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
   who walk according to the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are they who keep his statutes
   and seek him with all their heart.
³ They do nothing wrong;
   they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
   that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
   when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
   as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
   do not utterly forsake me.
   ב Beth
 ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
   By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, O LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.
Footnotes:

Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet - which contains 22 letters -

Our Jubilee Mission

Our Jubilee Mission is imminent now. The tent is being installed as I write, I hear that the bacon is cooked and bacon butties distributed to the workers! along with a mug of tea of course.. Do come and hear a different speaker every night from the 14th to the 20th. Invite a friend and enjoy. 

Prayer Pointers for our Jubilee Mission

That the name of Jesus is honoured, the message of salvation and hope are clearly explained.
Praise God for who he is, what he has done and is going to do.
That people of no faith come to faith, that people of lost faith rediscover it, those with question and doubts surrounding faith see clearly and that people of faith are greatly encouraged and strengthened.
All the speakers
People who are invited to tell something of 'their story and journey of faith'.
Those involved in the after schools sessions.
All plans and preparations.
For fine weather as we hope to be using a marquees - this is now urgent in view of the current rain and poor conditions on the field.
The team running the meetings for young people.

Here is the information for the youngsters. To read more, visit the mid-trent churches website.. http://www.midtrentchurches.org.uk/

May you have a blessed week-end. N.

Why are You so good to me?

Here is a beautiful song that was sent to me on by a friend on You Tube. Just click here or follow the link as for some reason I could not embed it!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iECMJ1Jr5U&feature=relmfu

Through the bustling crowd, to the faraway places,
I can't find such love like Jesus'.
He soothes my heart, He embraces my soul
With His love unrequited* and unfathomable.
(*not asking for returns)

For me He's born, for me He dies,
For all my weakness He feels sympathy -
with His tender calling, with His patient waiting,
with His unceasing love, no complaints or regrets.

Chorus:
Why is He (are you) so good to me?
Bad as I am, He listens (you listen) to my every prayer
In a quiet morning, or in a sad night.
Why is He (are you) so good to me?
Unworthy as I am, He still loves (you still love) me like treasures.
How high and deep is Christ's love! Lord, why are you so good to me?

I will add the original lyrics in Chinese:

Original lyrics in Chinese: 為何對我這麼好？

走過熙攘人群，踏遍海角天涯
找不到一份愛像耶穌
祂撫慰我心，祂懷抱我靈
測不透的、不求回報的愛情

愛到為我降生，愛到為我受死
愛到體恤我一切軟弱
祂柔聲呼喚，祂耐心守候
永不停息、無怨無悔的愛情

副歌：
祂(你)為何對我這麼好？
我雖然不好，祂(你)卻聽我每個祈禱
或在寧靜清晨，或在傷心夜裡
祂(你)為何對我這麼好？
我雖然不配，祂(你)還愛我如同珍寶
此情山高海深，主你為何對我這麼的好？
May the Lord bless you. Your sister in Christ. N.A.

Tempted to buy a new mobile?

Think again! Is your phone fuelling the conflict in Eastern Congo? The film Blood in the Mobile released last October exposes how minerals used in mobile-phone manufacture are tainted with blood and conflict. This is a wake-up call to all mobile phone owners about how raw materials are sourced and the human cost of “conflict minerals”.

FACTS
“Blood in the Mobile” is the story about how our phones are connected to illegal mining in Congo (DRC). Every time we communicate through our cell phones we are associated with the crimes in Congo.
Congo is a country of many natural resources like gold, diamonds, rubber, coltan and cassiterite. But instead of causing Congo wealth, these resources have ended up fuelling the bloodiest war since WWII. 5 million people have died, estimated 300.000 women have been raped.
The film focuses on the mineral cassiterite - a mineral used for producing tin, which is used for the production of all kinds of electronic devices - including mobile phones.
Director Frank Piasecki Poulsen visits a mine in Bisie. Bisie is one of the largest and most notorious illegal mines in the region. It happens frequently that some of the mineshafts collapse and miners are being buried alive.
Child labor, prostitution of under age girls and lack of rights and protection of miners are some of the conditions around the mining operations of cassiterite. The money from the minerals is financing the war in the region.

Find out more, click on these links http://bloodinthemobile.org/the-film/video-blog/  or  http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/ To know how your favorite tech company is ranking, click on this link http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/conflict-minerals-company-rankings

Also, I recommend the following websites http://www.frontline.org.za/news.htm and  http://www.sendtheroths.com/  where you will find out more about mission in Congo. Will you join me in praying for all the Christian missionaries, in Congo, and Africa,  may the Lord protects them, guides them and strengthens them everyday as they seek to advance the Kingdom of God there, training other missionaries and giving hope to the orphans and victims of the war. In the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.

In His death is my birth

Hallelujah, my Father

For giving us Your Son

Sending Him into the world

To be given up for men

Knowing we would bruise Him

And smite Him from the earth

Hallelujah, my Father

In His death is my birth

Hallelujah, my Father

In His life is my life

When I heard this worship song for the first time, I thought that it was so powerful as it contained the whole message of the Good News about Jesus. We praise our Father who is in heaven, we are part of His family, adopted sons and daughters. Why? We praise Him because He sent His only Son, Jesus through whom he revealed Himself. The apostle John talks about this. John 1: 1. And also. John 1:14. Jesus knows that He is going to die and tells his disciples who are not very impressed. Nobody wants to hear that your best friend, the one who has transformed their life personally, in their community and beyond, the one who healed so many, the one who talked with authority in front of various rabbi, the one who agreed that he was the Messiah:  Mark 14: 61-63 'But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”, the one whom they had waiting for as the prophets had announced for thousands years was going to die. Peter dared to contradict Jesus, in Mark 8  31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said....” Jesus who is sinless dies for us, sinners so that whoever believes in Him, can be reconciled with our Father and be blessed abundantly 2 Corinthians 9:7-9  and ultimately, when we die, we are saved from the wrath of our Father by his grace and live with him in a new creation, new Heaven and Earth...where there won't be any tears.

Have a blessed evening. N.

Fighting back against rising secularism

Last week, the Prime Minister held a private ‘Easter Reception’ at Downing Street, where he told a gathering of senior church leaders that the nation needed Christian values and also that he supported a "fight back" against rising secularism.

Mr Cameron told attendees: "I think there's something of a fight-back going on, and we should welcome that. The values of the Bible, the values of Christianity are the values that we need."

To read more on click here

Purify my heart

This is one of my favorite worship songs. Be blessed. Your sister in Christ. N

The transfiguration

The TRANSFIGURATION  Matthew 17:1-2  is mentioned in all 3 synoptic gospels
Where is it in the Gospel ?
1.Back cloth
· who do you say I am ? Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah
· Jesus speaks about his suffering, his death and resurrection
· Peter tries to stand in the way of God's plan and is rebuked by Jesus “ your thoughts don't come from God but man -if anyone wants to come with me he must forget self. Carry his cross and follow me.”
· Whoever wants to save is own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for me and the gospel will save it.
· After the transfiguration group Jesus is faced by an unbelieving group- who want to use his healing powers but weren't worried about letting God into their lives. Jesus challenges this
 2.Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection
 3.The transfiguration provides a foretaste of heaven
 4.The transfiguration is witnessed by figures from Heaven and earth thus ratifying the divinity of Jesus
 · Jesus takes his 3 closest disciples:Peter and the brothers -James and John (Peter- gets it wrong often but Jesus uses the frail and weak-you are Peter and on this rock will I build my church)
· Where to? A high mountain -like many other holiest of holy encounters it takes place on top of a mountain where they were alone
· The disciples see Jesus bathed in glory- they try to describe it -key message bright, dazzling light too bright Cloud covers them before God speaks
· In this encounter they meet Moses representing the Law and Elijah the prophets.
· Moses is himself given the 10 commandments on top of a high mountain and when he returned to the people he shone so brightly they had to shield themselves from the light
· Elijah has many encounters with God, learns to listen to him, often on mountain-tops- experiences a people that rejects his message time and time again- Elijah is himself swept into heaven
· Peter is described as speaking but really overwhelmed: he knows it is a very special encounter with God but doesn't know what is going on.
· We hear the voice of God as we did at the beginning of Jesus’s public life (Baptism)and also via angels at the end of his public life at his ascension.
· The voice of God says- listen to him
For us? It comes at a point just before lent starts: how do we travel on our own journey? Do we put our self first ? carry our cross whatever that may be? are we following Jesus ? We are ordered by no less than God himself to listen to him- Jesus
Where are we going? like the disciples, eternal life is our goal: we can not compromise on this
 How can we live lives that are attuned to God

To listen and hear how we should be : to let God be God in our lives (God of Surprises)
To be obedient to the will god
To do this we have opportunities to re-align our lives -lent presents us with such an opportunity
Have we got our priorities right ?
Do they need fine tuning?
Are there patterns in our lives that repeatedly trip us up?
How can we go forward in the strength of Christ
: we have the knowledge and reality of the resurrection and the support of the holy Spirit to guide and transform us: god selects us frail as we are to be his family: our weaknesses can be used by him as a strength if we allow Him to deal with our weaknesses.
Our thanks to Celia, for these notes. Have a blessed evening.

A prayer for our nation.

Lord, pour out Your Spirit upon this nation. Bring unbelievers to a saving knowledge of Your Son, Jesus. Prosper us and rain your blessings upon us..It is your goodness that keeps us from getting what we do deserve.Thank You that Your eyes are on the righteous and your ears are open to our prayers (1 Peter 3:12). May your Love and peace so rise in our hearts that it becomes our greatest testimony of your goodness.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:9

by Stormie Omartian, 'A book of prayer' 

Our Queen, defender of the Christian faith

Your Grace, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Prince Philip and I are delighted to be with you today to pay tribute to the particular mission of Christianity and the general value of faith in this country.This gathering is a reminder of how much we owe the nine major religious traditions represented here. They are sources of a rich cultural heritage and have given rise to beautiful sacred objects and holy texts, as we have seen today.Yet these traditions are also contemporary families of faith. Our religions provide critical guidance for the way we live our lives, and for the way in which we treat each other. Many of the values and ideas we take for granted in this and other countries originate in the ancient wisdom of our traditions. Even the concept of a Jubilee is rooted in the Bible.
Here at Lambeth Palace we should remind ourselves of the significant position of the Church of England in our nation’s life. The concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under-appreciated. Its role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country. It certainly provides an identity and spiritual dimension for its own many adherents. But also, gently and assuredly, the Church of England has created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely. Woven into the fabric of this country, the Church has helped to build a better society – more and more in active co-operation for the common good with those of other faiths.

This occasion is thus an opportunity to reflect on the importance of faith in creating and sustaining communities all over the United Kingdom. Faith plays a key role in the identity of many millions of people, providing not only a system of belief but also a sense of belonging. It can act as a spur for social action. Indeed, religious groups have a proud track record of helping those in the greatest need, including the sick, the elderly, the lonely and the disadvantaged. They remind us of the responsibilities we have beyond ourselves...

Source: http://www.royal.gov.uk

The Queen’s comments will be welcomed by many Christians after a week where secularists have challenged the place of Christianity in the nation. The High Court passed a ruling on 10 February that it was “unlawful” for local town councils to begin their formal meetings with prayer, breaking from hundreds of years of tradition. On the same day, two Christian guesthouse owners, Peter and Hazelmary Bull, lost their appeal against last year’s ruling that they had discriminated unlawfully against a non-married same-sex couple by only allowing married couples to rent double rooms in their guesthouse. Yesterday, Baroness Warsi, chairman of the Conservative Party, said that British society was under threat from a rising tide of "militant secularisation" reminiscent of "totalitarian regimes."
 Source: http://www.christianconcern.com