A fitness course for Christians. March 27: Breathing

Praying – our hearts beating with God’s; in and for all

Reading Acts 12:1-17

Gospel Matthew 7:7-14

At the end of today's Gospel, Jesus encourages us to enter the narrow gate. Though at times it may be hard to keep on the narrow path, we do not do it on our own, we walk it with Jesus. Our journey can be tough and hard. In Acts 12, things were getting tough as there's been some persecution.Not a very nice context. Steven was stoned, James was beheaded all executed by the local state. The guards are beheaded for dereliction of duty. Today persecution continues. More died for their faith in the twentieth and current centuries than in previous centuries. (1) Herod who was an eccentric put Peter in the slammer, a very secure place, no cost spared, sixteen soldiers to guard him; meanwhile, the church (v.5) was praying. They were concerned, worried and behind locked doors. And God answered their prayers. He sends an angel, the chains fall off, the gate opens. (There is no messing with angels) Peter does not realise he is free until he is out breathing fresh air, then he knocks on their door. While the others are committed to prayers, Rhoda hears the knock and tells them Peter is there. Somehow they do not believe her. So what happened? They got faith and were praying but their eyes won't open.They weren't ready for God to do the unexpected. Jesus has already told them: ask.., seek.., and knock.. (Luke 11:9). Sometimes, God has initiated the answers to prayers even before we have prayed. That brings us into a relationship with Him. God reveals himself and we relate to him. We are not to twist God's arm like a nagging child who goes on until he gets what he wants. Matthew 6:7. God wants us to trust him, to acknowledge that he is Lord. Reading his Word provides our nourishment, we feed on his Word. We are praying in the Spirit to the Father in the name of Jesus. It is a spiritual activity and we need the expectancy. Prayers flow from the word of God.

Note: Just as we cannot live without breathing, we cannot live without prayers. Without this live-giving force, we would shrivel and die spiritually.

Rev. S.A.
(1) Justin D. Long emphasized the startling fact that more people have died for their faith in the Twentieth Century than in all of the previous centuries combined. “During this century, we have documented cases in excess of 26 million martyrs. From AD 33 to 1900, we have documented 14 million martyrs.”

Jesus, You are everything

All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You are
You are
Jesus, You are
You are everything
by Matthew West


I've just found this powerful song and I hope you will enjoy listening to it as much as I do. Blessings.

Mr and Mrs Blue Tits

Thanks to a lovely weather, spring is bursting out everywhere. Imogen realised that one of the trees in the High Street was in full blossom and declared: how did I miss that? And in our garden, for the great pleasure of the boss, Mr and Mrs Blue Tit visited an empty bird house and after a thorough exploration decided it was fit to move in!

Photo, courtesy of Rev. S. A.

Watchman Nee

The other day while reading Authentic Christianity I came across the name of Watchman Nee. I never heard of him before so I googled it and here is what I found about him. 

Nee Shu-tsu, whose English name was Henry Nee, was born of second-generation Christian parents in Foochow, China in 1903. His paternal grandfather,Nga U-cheng, born in 1840, became the first Chinese pastor among the Congregationalists in northern Fukien province. Nee Shu-tsu had been consecrated to the Lord before his birth. Desiring a son, his mother had prayed to the Lord, "If I have a boy, I will present him to You." The Lord answered her prayer, and soon afterward Nee Shu-tsu was born. 

 Yet Nee Shu-tsu, acquainted with the gospel since childhood, had the deep realization that if he received Jesus as his Lord for salvation he must also serve Him. In 1920, after a considerable struggle, seventeen-year-old Nee Shu-tsu, still a high school student, was dynamically saved. At the moment of his salvation, all his previous planning became void and his future career was entirely abandoned. He testified, "From the evening I was saved, I began to have a new life, for the life of the eternal God had entered into me". Later, after being raised up by the Lord to carry out His commission, he adopted the new English name Watchman and the new Chinese name To-sheng, which means "watchman's rattle," for he considered himself a watchman raised up to sound a warning call in the dark night. Nee's method of church planting was to begin with a small group of people meeting in a house. From then on, they would hold both home meetings and meetings in the building. They would invariably train indigenous leadership for these groups. Nee also received a bachelor's degree during this period from Trinity college in Foochow. Later on he married Chaing Pin-Hwai, a family friend who had graduated in literature from the famous Yin King University. Her knowledge of literature would assist Nee in his writing and translation work. In 1947, Nee was restored to leadership in the Little Flock church in Shanghai, and again was active in church-planting and training of Christian workers. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison for 20 years until his death in 1972. After Watchman Nee's death, when his niece came to collect his few possessions, she was given a scrap of paper that a guard had found by his bed. What was written on that scrap may serve as Watchman Nee's testament: Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. His words remain an abundant source of spiritual revelation and supply to Christians throughout the world. 

• The Spiritual Man
• Spiritual Authority
• Mystery of Creation
• Gospel Dialogue
• The King and The Kingdom of Heaven
• Interpreting Matthew
• Come, Lord Jesus
• The Better Covenant
• Aids to Revelation
• The Overcoming Life
• The Normal Christian Life
• The Breaking of The Outer Man and The Release of The Spirit
• The Song of Songs
• Authority and Submission
• Christ the Sum of All Spiritual Things

What an amazing life serving the Lord! If you have you read any of his books do let me know! It's getting late and I am exhausted so I will say to you good night and God bless. Yours in Christ. N.

Sources : http://www.watchmannee.org and wikipedia.

Bringing the gospel to others at work...

Is it feasible? risky? Would you lose your job? Some time ago, I heard a minister saying that it was like being undercover. However I reckon the more you practice, the better you become! Easy said than done, you could answer! Have you tried?
God has put each one of us where we are for a purpose. If you are in a particular job, it is because God has put you there to reach others who work there.
I am now in the middle of chapter 4 of Authentic Christianity by Richard Taylor, an amazing book that I recommend!
Maybe you hate your job...maybe you feel that the people you are working with would be totally unreceptive to the Gospel...
I must say that those thoughts have come across my mind and brought frustration. Perseverance is a must, prayers are essential. Help from the Holy Spirit is vital. Blessings

Coptic Christians struggle in Egypt

Thousands of Coptic Christians have taken to the streets to demand more protection after Islamist extremists torched and destroyed a village church near Cairo .  A mob of up to 4,000 Islamists exploded gas cylinders inside the Church of St George and St Mina in Soul village on Friday the 4th of March then demolished it over the course of Saturday...

To pacify the Copts, Field Marshall Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, issued a statement that the torched church would be rebuilt by Easter, at the expense of the army.

Copts are still uncertain about the future in an emerging post-Mubarak Egypt. Since the popular uprising earlier this year, several monasteries have had confrontations with the army: at least three monasteries have tried to erect security fences around their property, which have then been torn down by the military. In Wadi Al-Natroun, soldiers used live ammunition to repel monks who tried to protest.

The country's new Prime Minister, Essam Sharaf, has reportedly begun a dialogue with Coptic leaders and further meetings are planned. 

Join me in asking God to protect Pastor Hoshea and other members of the Church of St George and St Mina. Let us pray that their faith will be strengthened through this ordeal and that they will indeed have a new building soon.

Also, let us pray for Egypt's new Prime Minister, Essam Sharaf, as he grapples with the task of helping to shape a new Egypt where religious liberty for all is a priority. In Jesus-Christ we ask. Amen. 

belief in God makes you happier and healthier...

this is what Tom Knox claims in the Daily Mail. Last Tuesday, when our group met up for the 4th part of the preparation  of the Start course , Joan told us that she'd stapled the article in Hixon church entrance. So I decided to check it on the website. Mr Knox has discovered that '.. a growing yet largely unnoticed body of scientific work, amassed over the past 30 years, shows religious belief is medically, socially and psychologically beneficial.

In 2006, the American Society of Hypertension established that church-goers have lower blood pressure than the non-faithful. 

Likewise, in 2004, scholars at the University of California, Los Angeles, suggested that college students involved in religious activities are more likely to have better mental and emotional health than those who do not. 

Meanwhile, in 2006, population researchers at the University of Texas discovered that the more often you go to church, the longer you live.'

I must say that he also has a sense of humour, I quote: 'All of which means that, contrary to expectation, it is the atheists who are eccentric, flawed and maladaptive, and it’s the devout who are healthy, well-adjusted and normal. 

Certainly, in purely evolutionary terms, atheism is a blind alley. Across the world, religious people have more children than non-religious (go forth and multiply!), while atheist societies are the ones with the lowest birth rates.

Finally, let us pray that as this journalist is looking for key answers, he keeps knocking on the door and that he meets Jesus.  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 Or as the psalmist says I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34: 4 Blessings, yours in Christ. N.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1358421/The-tantalising-proof-belief-God-makes-happier-healthier.html#ixzz1Gze9IiV0

Authentic Christianity

Spending those few days in Italy with Camille was truly delightful! Spending the night in Milan airport to catch the 6:15 Ryanair flight to EMA was a nightmare, unlike Stansted airport, there was no comfortable seats but everybody apart from me seemed to know that and were cosy in their sleeping-bags! I had two hours sleep and spent the rest of the night reading The diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos: le Journal d'un curé de campagne. A very interesting read!
I wanted to sort out all the photos but somehow I have ran out of time!
Tonight, Steven has cooked a casserole with chicken livers, herbs and various beans, a tasty winter warmer (I know spring is coming) that is if you like liver! The other day, he did a similar version with chicken thighs! Delicious.

After diner, I picked up Authentic Christianity by Richard Taylor. I have just read the first two chapters called The Losses in the Garden Choices and found them to be edifying and encouraging. I like what I read! Let me quote you a powerful message: ..the real purpose of attending church is to be equipped for the work of the ministry that will take place when we leaver the safe confines of the church building. In other words, every Christian should be doing outreach. Then I ask myself this question, do I do this? Something to meditate! Blessings, Yours in Christ. N

I am the light of the world

In Revelation 3:20,  Jesus is saying to the occupant of the house

 "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock.

 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

 I will come in and eat with him and he with Me."

 This is an amazing promise. 

Jesus is offering Himself as one willing to come in

 and take control of our lives, if only we will allow Him to do so. 

Blessings, yours in Christ. N.

A break in Bologna

I have been in Bologna, Italy, for a few days, visiting . I flew to Milan with Ryanair, well in fact, Bergamo, 50 minutes far from Milan by coach. It was raining, cold and blustery! Camille met me at Milan train station. In the afternoon we saw the Arcimboldo exhibition at Palazzo Reale. For centuries Giuseppe Arcimboldo was forgotten until he was rediscovered in 1930, when Alfred H. Barr, director of the Museum of Modern Art of New York, included some of his works in the exhibition  Fantastic Art, Dada Surrealism.  In the evening, we took the train for Bologna. Camille found her bike and we walked to her place. I was surprised to see so many people out and about, chatting, drinking and eating pizza slices even though it was past midnight.

The following day, we got up at 11 and after a strong home-made coffee with no milk (!)we set out to visit, first the piazza Maggiore, a  huge square surrounded by Renaissance buildings. Then we looked at the two towers, the torre Asinelli and the torre Garisenda. The Garisenda tower was built  by Fillip and Ottone Garisenda in the early part of the 1100s. It was originally a height of about 60metres. The tower was reduced in size to its current 48 metres  in the 14th century  as it was in danger of collapsing. Later we went in the Basilica of San Petronio. Though it is the 5th biggest church in the world, its facade is not finished. The story says that in 2002, the basilica was the target of an unsuccessful terrorist attack. Five men, believed to have connections to Al-Qaeda, were arrested in connection with a plot to blow up the building. Another attempt, this time in 2006, was foiled by Italian police. Their reason was a 15th-century fresco by Giovanni da Modena that depicts a scene from Dante’ Inferno where Muhammad is shown in Hell being devoured by demons. 

As you can see, I love the ochre color of the medieval buildings.

Lectures are held in various places. However Camille and her friends' lecturer cancelled his as he was ill (said the note on the door)

Blessings. 

Have you become a Christian recently? Have you been a Christian for years?...

...then, this could be right for you. As I was wandering through the rejesus website I found this course Now a Christian designed for 'new or  lifetime Christian'. It seems really exciting. Why don't you join me and we could exchange impressions and comments! Yours in Christ. N.

Discovering Christianity.

Good news in Hixon.
We are getting ready to do a Start course that should start after Easter. I love the dvd and the activities. Personally, I think that Robyn and Phyllis are brillant and full of joy.
I invite you to pray for us while we are getting organised so that we utilise the resources for the best and that our group members (we are not sure who is going to come yet) discover the good news of Jesus. May the Lord give us strength and wisdom. In Jesus-Christ. Amen.

Heaven

A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. 
St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in." 
"Okay" the man says, "I attended church every Sunday" 
"That's good, says St. Peter, " that's worth two points" 
"Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to the church" 
"Well, let's see," answers Peter, "that's worth another 2 points. Did you do anything else?" 
"Two points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." 
"Fantastic, that's certainly worth a point, " he says. 
"hmmm...," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." 
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" 
"THREE POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!" 
"Come on in!"
Hubby did not particularly find this funny. Could it be because since the beginning of they year he's had to take five funerals and there are more to come!  There are more, worse and better here. Do you have a favourite joke? Let us know! Blessings. N

The school diary: a European blunder or a deliberate decision?

The Europa Diary of the European Commission   Each year, the European Commission publishes a European school diary for schoolchildren throughout the European Union. Three millions copies of the 2010-2011 version of this diary, distributed to schools for free at the request of teachers, have been edited.The current version of this diary does not mention any Christian feasts, but do give the dates of Islamic, Sikh, Hindu and Chinese feast days.It does not refer, for example, to Christmas, recently celebrated through all Europe.

Why is this omission unacceptable ?   - The role of Christianity in the European construction is an undeniable and historical fact. How can this diary pretend to inform teenagers about the EU, removing all references to Christianity, negating a religion that contributed so much to its construction and unity ?

- Christianity is the first religion in Europe. This oversight offends many people. The denial of something so important for them, the oversight of the values and beliefs they share, is intolerable.

- Christianity is not only a religious factor, but also a cultural and founder factor of the history and identity of many European Nation’s. Christian holidays, in particular Christmas and Easter, absent in this diary, are celebrated through all Europe by many persons, even non Christians.

Whatever the reasons of this oversight of the Christian holidays in the 2010-2011 Europa diary may be, with this petition, we ask :

- That the school diary, in its current version, may not be distributed.

- That the future 2011-2012 diary explicitly mentions Christian holidays.

I have signed the petition, if you want to join me, click on this link. 

Medley

I don't know about you but I have found it very hard to get to a routine after the Christmas-New Year break. I thought that I was very good at cramming everything in a day, the important and the trivial. Somehow, it is not working so smoothly..and I am running after time....

Last week I was reading Exodus and tonight, I found this picture.. of course it is silly but hey why not!

Yesterday I went to the doctor as I wanted to find out why I keep having pins and needles night and day almost continually.. I still don't know why as I had to have a  blood test and they will 'investigate'..so we shall see..
Last night, I was reading Job 12 and I share the following verses that struck a chord in my soul
Job 12: 9 Who doesn’t know that in all these, the hand of Yahweh has done this, 10 in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? Not only the Lord's power is awesome but in view of what happens in the world or near us, it is so reassuring to know that He who is holy and loving, is in charge. What do you think? 
Blessings, 
N.
Your sister in Christ.

Too young to care

Tonight, I watched on ITV 1  the last programme in a series looking at childhood. The journalist Jonny Maitland I quote, hears the remarkable and courageous stories of children as young as 12 who have to juggle school work with the pressures of being a full-time carer. It was heart-breaking to see how much those loving children had to do, looking after their parents and as it was said, without complaining about it. So brave! 
It's estimated there could be over a million children in the UK who care for a sick or disabled relative.
This 'hidden army' of young carers is faced with huge levels of responsibility which can force them to grow up much quicker than their peers – effectively ending their childhoods early. What was upsetting is that they would not tell the social workers about their difficult situation for fear that they would be taken away from their family. 

It’s thought that at least one in twelve school children has a caring role, yet there's growing concern that these children are not receiving enough support to cope with their situations.
And in an exclusive survey – carried out by the Children’s Society for the Tonight programme – we look at the impact that young carers’ responsibilities have on their lives.

Peace on Earth? - Answers in Genesis

Peace on Earth? - Answers in Genesis

Happy New Year 2011

Wishing you all a very happy and blessed New Year 2011. May the Lord pour his blessings on you, your family, your friends and your church.Yesterday we also celebrated Steven's 60th birthday and  it was lovely to have lots of family members with us.

I will post some photos later as time is ticking..and my brain needs a rest! Blessings.

Silent night

I thought that like me, you would enjoy Silent night beautifully interpreted by Gemma-Dawn Shaw. Raised in a single parent family with 3 brothers and a sister, Gemma found it hard to understand the role of God the Father. Although she grew up in church, Gemma developed an incorrect understanding of salvation. “I thought I had to be a good person first then God would accept me as a Christian.” It wasn’t until the age of 21 that Gemma made a real commitment to God with a biblical understanding of salvation by grace. “When I realised that I could commit myself to God and the Holy Spirit would change me then all the pressure seemed to go away.” You can read on more about her on her website.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Blessings. Yours in Christ. N.

Nativity paintings...do you have a favourite?

This painting, the only surviving work signed by Botticelli appears to be complex. I have read that it does not simply represent the traditional events of the birth of Jesus and the adoration of the shepherds and the Magi. Rather it is a vision of these events inspired by the prophecies in Revelation. 

This painting was done by Correggio between 1528 and 1530.  I like the way Mary holds her son Jesus affectionately. However I am not sure why Joseph is so far away from her.

Nativity painted by FRANCESCO DI GIORGIO MARTINI in 1475 on wood. It can be seen at the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Siena (Italy)The Nativity with two angels, Sts Bernard and Thomas of Aquino is the only signed work of the Sienese master. 

I think that this painting by Philippe de Champaigne is my favourite as it shows Mary and Joseph's love and adoration towards Jesus. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12
I also recommend a very interesting website called the Web Gallery of Art 
So do you have a special Nativity painting? Let us know.
Blessings. N