The weekend

I have managed to pull myself out of the doldrums about church – actually it was kinda put into perspective yesterday . A lovely man in our church collapsed at the end of the service , ambulance called and he began to look a good bit better once they got the oxygen on . A lovely  well respected Christian man , I guess hes in his golden years but you just think people will be with you forever.  Its not often there is a family who you consider 3 generations to be friends actually four if you count a baby. So many people hung about , obviously upset , many praying waiting to see he was ok . All churches have faults – a church is just a building without people – its the people who make it special by embracing God and being a family – My church is  my family  with God firmly at the head .

Not such  a good weekend with my eldest , so I would appriecate prayers about that . Especially that my words and actions are God led- Its hard to control your emotions and do/say the right thing  when your scared.

Open Doors- Iran

IRANIAN MARTYR’S LIFE HONOURED IN FILM

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.Colossians 1:9 [NIV]

Iran – Middle East

In December 1993, an Islamic judge in north of Iran condemned a zealous Christian convert from Islam, Mehdi Dibaj, to death. His crime was apostasy. Dibaj had already served ten years in prison.

Bishop Haik Hovsepian, the leader of Evangelical Christians in Iran, launched an international campaign for Dibaj’s sentence to be overturned. Haik’s campaign was successful, and Dibaj was released only a few days before his execution date.

However, in January 1994, Bishop Haik Hovsepian disappeared. 12 day later his body was found, it had been stabbed 26 times.

Since then several other Christians have been brutally tortured and put to death. Today, Iran is a theocratic republic of 69 million people. Many Christians are trying to leave the country because of local community pressure. They lose their jobs, cannot have higher education, cannot get married, and face persecution of many kinds. The government uses this pressure to weaken the Church which has existed in Iran since biblical times.

Please pray…

• For Micah, an Iranian believer. Please pray for his well being and that of his family. He has already spent time in prison but now faces another trial and an uncertain future.
• For the leaders of house churches and cellgroups who have great responsibility but are often new converts themselves with little experience.
• For all the people who are involved in literature distribution and seek to overcome huge risks to ensure others can read the Word of God.

Thank you for praying with us.

John
Communications Team

Church

Church was lovely today – Sunday school nativity – Bear of course chose to sit with me – he never takes part and sang his little heart out . He’s such a friendly out going child but just something about the thought of going up to the front and performing makes him anxious and he clings to me . The worst year was when a friend – his Sunday school teacher had bought some new costumes and had picked a wooly sheep for him especially – with his curly hair it was perfect . Just before we took them down to the church he decided that he didn’t like sheep and that was that, we tried to persuade him but he dug his heels in – for over a year if we where out in the car and past sheep – a little voice from the back of the car would pipe up ” me no like sheep” poor child traumatised.

So anyway the service was lovely , a mixture of traditional songs and worship and the praise band – I love Christmas services . You can shut out the world, forget the crazy people spending madly and just focus on what is truly important , Jesus – Perfect.

This afternoon I prepared the food for youth fellowship – we had a party and it went down well proving you are never two old for silly party games. Someone brought an electronic pass the parcel which I would love to get one – no more wrapping and all that waste and rubbish at the end was fab and a must for Bears party in the summer . Feel sorry for the teens obviously they are completely starved at home going by the amount of food they put away and felt slightly sick as some tried to see how many mallows they can have in their mouths – YF record is now shared at 22 – yuck.

Still waiting

One of my many flaws is that I have little of no patience- having to remind myself today ALL IN GODS TIME- not my own.

Still no word to see if I can start placement in the Doctors surgery oh the thought of having to start looking again. I only have 6 wks left before I am meant to have started and If I cant then I have to consider changing the modules of my course – well I cant do the placement module without a placement now can I . But this means I wouldn’t be considered a qualified counsellor when I finish I would still have to do the necessary modules which would mean more time at college.

Church on Sunday was hard work- My son was playing up and I didn’t hear a word of the sermon – in the end I had to take him out and we walked round the Church- he really hates this the idea is if hes quiet when we get to the door we can go back in otherwise we have to walk round again- It was freezing as I had taken my coat off so was glad that he promised to be good so we went back in and I was able to take Communion after all. Any annoyance I was feeling towards my son disappeared

Hebrews 10: 36 (NLT)

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

It would be great if my cat would share some of her patience as she will happily sit for ages waiting to pounce on the poor unsuspecting bird but not for her dinner- today I was not quick enough so I got a sore reminder who is boss in this house as she bit me on the ankle.

I do laugh when I hear my Dh shouting in the mornings ” Get off you stupid cat” One thing Tara is not is stupid because she always gets her dinner.

 

Church

What a day. It was our Sunday School Christmas Service which is always lovely, I was asked if I could help get the little ones ready as their is about 20 of them and not much time between a quick practice and the service. I have been through the safe guarding trust which all church members working with our youth have to go through, part of the churches growing awarness for child safety. I think Churches took a while to catch up on the rest of the population but most friends who belong to different denominations have something similar .

Ds2 was meant to be a shepherd but after the sheep last which he wouldnt do and still says hes doesnt like sheep I didnt hold my breath. I just dont get it loves dressing up , loves Church, did it in Nursery school on Friday and was a lovely King but wont do it in Church.

So I arrives early in Church the kids where having a little practice, couldnt find Ross everyone said he was about a minute ago but no sign. Found him him tearful under a pew so that is that I have told him he never has to dress up in church and hes happy with that.

The service was lovely the kids where really good but I did learn quickly not to close your eyes during prayers when surrounded by 2o pre school kids. 2 started fighting over a sheep unfortunaly there was a little boy in it at the time . One had grabbed his ears- luckily the sheeps not his own and anothe had grabbed the tail – great fun.

It was our carol service in the evening which was lovely, something very spiritual about going into the church by candle light. I tool Ds2 for the first as Ds1 was doing the presentation and Dh was doing the sound. He was so good i think memorised by the candles and then played quietly with my friends little 18mth son. Ds2 loves wee ones and id so good with them but this little boy is his favourite and it seems to be mutual – very cute.

Then after it was Connect the youth fellowship Christmas party – I can not believe how much food they ate I had got a mixture of chinese and pizza. I had also bought a cake , someone decided to brings buns and some one else had brought sweets- there was very little waste.

We had asked them what then wanted to do and they had picked some silly games . Pass the parcel and tying a ballon on their ankles the last one with a balloon the winner- never to old for a bit of fun. I was near sick after all that food they had a competition to see who could fit the most mallows in their mouths- gross.

A great day but glad its not like that every week. Not enough quiet to concentrate on God – looking forward to next week going to try and go to communion on Christmas Eve at 11.30.

Church Today

Well after not wanting to go church today I did and came away glad that I did. It was GB enrolment and although it is always well attended with a lot of visitors and non church goers it was truly amazing how many people came. They actually had to put chairs in the vestibule and I was thankful that are new sound system is up and running so the people could hear. The message was simple because of all the little children in church but no less important –that of giving thanks and remembering to thank God for all that he had done , a mixture of old and new , the choir and the praise band – wonderful I feel so lifted and THANKFULL

Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

Ten Healed of Leprosy

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

My weekend

On Friday night I went out with a group of friends for a meal ( well about 30) for a friends birthday- I think hes a bit shocked at being 30 but hey I would love to be 30 so told to stop complaining lol. It was nice for My husband and I to go out together , its been a while . A very healthy part of being a couple first and something we neglect.

Im feeling a good deal better and sometimes when your in a emotional state its only when things start to improve do you realise how bad they where- its been a tough year and I don’t want to say the worst is over because realistically its not and I have said it before only to find out I’m wrong. Plus there is those 2o hours counselling sessions to be done and my tutor has said she feels CBT would be good for me – scary thought.

My youngest son had a birthday party to go to on Saturday, my husband got the heating system sorted before going to Rugby and yes ULSTER won again – sorry wales lol. Both him and our rector would not have been happy bunnies if they hadnt. There like a couple of kids heading off.

Sunday was church and our CLB enrolment which is always a great service and its lovely seeing the kids taking part. They have a great band which always makes everyone sit up and listen . They parade on the twelfth day bring a little bit of God to the proceedings. The sevice was simple in keeping with it being a childrens service and we have losts of visitors as well as most of the kids come to CLB but not church- I think this happens in most organisations but at least they hear the word of God in CLB. It was about how things appear fine on the outside but dont work properly a bit like us when we don’t have God living within us and there was plenty of props to keep their attention.

We had visitors for tea, My cousin brought his fiance for us to meet and my Aunt and my Dad’s brother came too. Its seemed a bit rude that I had to throw them out to go to Connect but they do know I run the youth fellowship so didn’t mind. I made a chicken pasta dish – no not lasagna lol. So I have no idea what to make for colleges nights next week I think we are pasta’d out. This is what I bought them as an egagement gift

And the best thing this weekend was my Hubby got rid of the wet carpet out of my sons bedroom . a week on it was minging. And Im back on the net.

My weekend

I was a busy bee this weekend well the whole family was. On Friday I was looking after the little boy I mind and all the running Mums taxis service does. I started clearing my youngest’s room to get ready to decorate. I had already taken him to choose his paint , although only 4 I knew this was a safe bet as his fav colours are blue and yellow. He picked a lovely bright yellow and a lovely sky blue.

Saturday was an important day at church getting ready for Harvest, the church was beautiful. Each organisation is given an area to decorate and Connect my youth fellowship have the good shepherd window to do. I was really proud that some of the young people came to help and one of our young leaders. We did a flower display and had a bible and some bread and a ceramic goblet to represent holy communion. It was lovely. Then we helped with the other areas of the church which are pretty much free for all. Got home in time to make lunch and then stuck in to the washing and ironing I knew there was pretty little time the rest of the weekend.

In the evening I went with a friend to see a concert being held in a church it was in aid of SU Cape Town and God’s Golden Acre a HIV/AIDS program which I hope you will have a look at, not my usual kind of music but it was fab and the singer Jonathan Veria( his site appears to be down) was very entertaining. If you ever get the chance to see him I really can recommend it .

Sunday morning service was lovely we had a visitor Speaker , she preached on when God comes to gather his harvest, very appropriate. They we held our harvest lunch which went down well. well worth my suffering driving in with potato salad and a tossed salad in the car . Even with the window door my eyes where watering the onions and scallions were so strong. But lunch went really well and everyone seemed to enjoy it. There was just time to clear up before our praise service in the afternoon. My daughter played guitar in the band along with a group of young people who are being taught by our praise band. Its so important that we encourage our young people to take part in church life and to feel a sense of belonging. My eldest son helped his Dad with the AV system I’m really proud that he has found a place in church for himself- indeed he goes for confirmation in the spring so I’m just praying for his commitment.

I got fish and chips on the way home, something I never do on a Sunday I enjoy Sunday dinner too much but really there wasn’t any time for anything else. I suppose I should have had something prepared but I don’t know when.

Then I was out to visit my Dads church which is an Elim pentecostal church- very lively as two friends where getting baptised. It quite normal for people to go there as they have a baptismal pool which is unheard of in a church of Ireland church though someone told me there was a new church being built with one. So a couple of Anglicans , about 7 young people from Elim. 2 from another Pentecostal church( cant remember which one) and one Roman catholic -isn’t that wonderful , all coming together to be Baptised in the water of salvation.
Sometimes when I have had a busy weekend I realise I have been too busy for God iykwim but happily this wasn’t the case this weekend – I feel truly blessed by God.

Church today: Shout To The Lord

1oth Sept 2006

Church today was brilliant, I came away feeling lifted and so close to God just how it should be. Our praise band was back after the summer break and I so enjoyed the worship. Normally it takes a couple of weeks to build up the numbers again but there was as many at the first as there was in May. Soon as many will be coming to this service as the traditional service which sadly often leaves me feeling empty. Plenty stayed behind for tea of coffee all getting to know each other a bit better rather than dashing off. For me that’s what church is all about, the whole package. It’s about praising God, praying, the worship, renewing ourselves for the week ahead and fellowship with my church family. The sermon continued on the fruits of the spirit , he told of meeting someone on holiday in France who turned out to be the son of a family friend and how his said wife said sure doesn’t he look just like his father.By receiving the gifts of the fruit of the spirit surely the greatest thing someone can say or think about us is that we have or try to have the qualities of our Father . We sang lots of my fav songs t but this one hit home especially
Shout to the Lord ( Listen)
by Darlene Zschech

My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
Nothing Compares to the promise I have In
YOU!
(chorus)
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
(chorus)
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!

 

My Faith , My Church

On a brighter note I was asked by my Rector to write an articule for our church magazine , this will be the forth in a series of different people writing about their faith and church, so here it is

My Faith, My Church .I wasn’t brought up knowing God. I never went to church or Sunday school and I guess I’m not most people’s idea of a church of Ireland member. However growing up for some ‘strange’ reason I always spoke to him though I didn’t really know who I was exactly talking to. Romans 1:19 (NLT) For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. I came across this verse quite recently and it explains why although I didn’t know God by name I was always aware of his presence. Through some really difficult times God’s presence was the difference between surviving and falling.So I can honestly say my Faith means everything to me , with It and Gods hand in my life I wouldn’t have anything worthwhile .I became a Christian at the age of 14 but wasn’t ready , there was too many things hidden and ignored in my life . God doesn’t want us to bury hurts he wants us to allow healing and this can mean visiting painful memories and allowing him to work in us, moulding us and making us whole.So finally at the age or 32, 18 years after I first became a Christian I was baptised in church along with my daughter. Its a long journey but its one that if I stop then I stop growing, stop leaning on God and stop listening to that small still voice which still some days isn’t very quiet. I think when I was 14 I wanted “something” to fill my life now God is my life and through him I have received so much.Attending St Paul’s plays a big part in my faith, for a number of years I went on a Sunday till the next Sunday, I didn’t ‘belong’ I just went. The last couple of years I have become more involved in church and really can’t recommend it enough. It’s like my relationship with God the more I put in the more I am richly blessed. I said at the beginning I’m probably not a lot of peoples idea of a church of Ireland member I love the praise and worship of the 10 0`clock service even with the distraction my young son I am lifted so much by it, Gods presence is so strong. At the same time I respect and value the tradition that is held dear by so many. I truly feel St Paul’s is part of my Family but if I ever feel too comfortable them I’ll have to question what am I doing wrong or want does God want me to do next.