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Friday 23rd October 2020

23/10/2020

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘God Is With Us’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for all residents and staff in our Social Witness homes and units as they cope with the stress of regular Covid-19 testing. Pray for the Senior Staff Team as they deal with the additional workload generated by new procedures and guidelines. 


Public Affairs
Pray for those involved in the Council as they continue to contribute to important, ethical, public square issues that are ongoing – such as the Dying with Dignity Bill in the Oireachtas – now going to Committee stage.
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Frances On Friday
Every Friday, Frances shares a song that means something to her.
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O Soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see.’
These are the introductory lines of a Song composed in 1918 by Helen H. Lemmel, but their relevance to our present circumstances is such that they might have been written today.

Helen Lemmel was an accomplished musician who wrote more than five hundred Hymns and Poems. She remained active for God in her musical and literary pursuits until her death at the age of ninety-seven.

There are many Bible references concerning the importance of living our lives with a focused attention on Christ, one being found in Jeremiah 29:13 NIV ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’
As restrictions in association with Covid19 continue, or in fact are on the increase, we might feel a sense of despondency and despair, or, as the Song puts it, ‘no light in the darkness.’

Often this Song is introduced by using the opening lines of the first verse, which I quoted initially, but the first line of the Chorus is used on occasions. This reads, ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face.’Now that makes the outlook brighter!  Reading further, ‘And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.’   From despair to hope.

Let’s focus on these encouraging words as we listen to our Song today: ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus.’

Frances.

Sharing Our Faith (45 minute Audio)
Ever wondered how to share the Christian faith with people of other religions? Listen to this insightful interview with Joseph Steinberg – CEO of Christian Witness to Israel – for practical tips on how to share your faith with respect and godly truth!
https://t.co/Ir1ZZLJxXs
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Virtually Keswick 
Remember, you can still catch up on sessions from Virtually Keswick Convention 2020! Go to https://t.co/ZUAjxeVaSe and click on the Daily programmes and Events sections to view.
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:04
​Derek 3:22


This is the impossible weekend Jigsaw. It was taken on a stone beach, so have fun trying to complete this.

Play the "Impossible Stones Fri" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0d5e84e45584


Winter Is Coming ...
Some people can tell the seasons when they see the birds migrating, and yesterday there was a perfect V-formation of geese flying past. I only just managed a quick snap as they travelled on their way.
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But in Portstewart there is another sign each year of the changing seasons, and that is when the boats enter and leave the harbour. Thursday was the sign that winter is coming. During the circuit breaker this is the excitement for a Thursday in Portstewart.
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Remember to put your clock back this weekend
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1 Comment

Thursday 22nd October 2020

22/10/2020

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Community outreach worker: Lisnabreen
Christine Wilson asks us to give thanks for the creative ways they have been able to reach the most vulnerable during the pandemic. Pray for deeper relationships and more opportunities to witness. Pray for wisdom in dealing with increasing mental health issues.


Community outreach worker: Balbriggan
Josh McCance asks us to pray for the congregation in Balbriggan, that God would protect them in the midst of changing restrictions and that they would grow in their faith through the online Christianity Explored course and Home Group.
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From Tides Yesterday
This season may not feel particularly conducive to meeting together to worship as a whole church, but that shouldn’t stop us singing and kneeling before the Lord in our lives. #tidesdaily

The Balance Sheet Of Life
Thank you to Terry McMullan for sharing this with us today.
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Living In Exile (30 Minutes Audio)
What do you think it would be like to live for God in exile? This episode of 'The Bible in 30 Minutes' looks at the stories of Daniel and Esther and how they remained faithful to God even when exiled far from home. Listen now on UCB Player!
https://t.co/GsvlZX1r5r
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Sufferring (12 minute video)
Don Carson, @TimKellerNYC, and @JohnPiper discuss how suffering and trials prepare a man to preach. Although this discussions is primarily about preaching it is an insight into how suffering shapes us.
https://t.co/pDmwiFJ6lU

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw


Derek 2:50

Play the "55 Degrees Thur" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2d0a9adfb90b

1 Comment

Wednesday 21st October 2020

21/10/2020

0 Comments

 
Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘God WIth Us’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Wednesday Prayer
On Wednesday the theme of the blog is prayer.
Let’s Pray For Global mission workers: Kenya
The Cowans are based in Tuum, Kenya. Give thanks for the ongoing support of their ministry in the area and pray that many more people will experience God’s love and power.


Global mission workers: Kenya
The Reids are based in Olkinyei, Kenya. Pray for the Maasai they work among, that God would strengthen them and allow them to stand firm despite the schemes of the enemy.
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Time To Pray
The Church of England has a prayer App and a Podcast - Time To Pray which provides help setting aside a time each day to pray and worship God. Both can be accessed at this link.
https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps/time-to-pray
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8 Keys To A More Powerful Prayer Life
World Vision have many opportunities to sponsor children throughout the world, but they also provide these 8 keys to a more powerful prayer life.
https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/keys-powerful-prayer-life-2020

Prayer For Prisons Week
Last week (11th-17th October) was Prisons Week. A week of prayer for prisons. It is still possible to use their resources to pray.
https://prisonsweek.org/home?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Prisons&utm_term=&utm_content=

PCI Refined Blog
2 Articles from the blog.
Rev David Thompson, Secretary of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness, reflects on how present unwelcome feelings of powerlessness, and the anxiety they bring, might be a means of God refining how we lead.
http://bit.ly/31p1M4t


Rick Hill, PCI Discipleship Development Officer, reflects on the discipleship challenge in this present moment and some of the questions it raises for us as followers of Jesus and his church in times of trial.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/October-2020/Refined-discipling.aspx
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw


Janice 1:36
Derek 3:14


Play the "Dunluce Castle Wed" puzzle!
Jigsaw Planet - Dunluce Castle Wed
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0 Comments

Tuesday 20th October 2020

20/10/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘God With Us’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Deaconess in healthcare
Heather McCracken is a deaconess in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. She asks us to pray for healthcare workers in hospitals and hospices, that God would give them strength for each day and foresight as they make decisions.


Deaconess in healthcare
Pray for peace in the healthcare system in the midst of the unknown and that Heather and others working in healthcare would be able to share the hope of Christ with staff and patients.
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The New City Catechism On Tuesday
A New Catechism to help us understand the foundations of our faith.


Question 2
What is God?
God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-is-god/
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Content In Christ (17 minute video)
How can we be content in Christ, even when it feels like EVERYTHING is falling apart? This episode of DiscipleshipXP looks at how the apostle Paul found contentment in Jesus – and how we can find contentment in Christ too! Watch now on UCB Player.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/200504
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Greeting Cards
I’ve mentioned the cards produced by Ben and Hannah Dunnett, before on the blog. They have just released some new designs with a few for Christmas. If you are looking for something different but meaningful why not check them out.
https://www.benandhannahdunnett.com/new-arrivals/
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Jigsaw
Play the "beach" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3af1c86f9554

0 Comments

Monday 19th October 2020

19/10/2020

0 Comments

 
Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘God WIth Us’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

God With Us
Watch the service from Sunday HERE.

Let’s Pray For Leaders in Training
Rev Elias Agola from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa has been supported by a PCI grant to complete a Masters in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University. Pray for Rev Agola as he returns to Kenya today and applies his knowledge to the Kenyan context.


Peace building
Pray for PCI’s partners who are working on peace building, particularly the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan. PCOSS work in very challenging circumstances, seeking to bring peace and reconciliation in a country whose short history has been plagued by civil war.
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Moderator’s Service
Continuing his weekly service of worship for the whole Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, nears the end of his journey through the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Today he explores the theme, ‘A battle-ready church’.
Recorded in Belfast in Assembly Building’s Weir Chapel, Dr Bruce looks at Ephesians 6:10-17, where Paul writes about the spiritual battle Christians face together as the church – and the armour provided to fight it effectively.

Children’s Book Series
Andrew Peterson (who wrote the worship song, Is He Worthy) has written a series of fantasy books for children. They would make an excellent present for younger folk this year.
Here is an interview with Andrew in which he talks about the meaning behind the books.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/wingfeather-andrew-peterson/
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4 Keys To Dealing With Conflict (3 minute video)
When was the last time you had an argument. Guidelines provide this short devotional to offer an alternative.

Rejoicing in Christ
How can we have joy even in times of suffering? Watch this powerful episode of Discipleship Explored to understand what it means to rejoice in Christ and learn how the privilege of prayer means that we can invite God to transform our anxieties into rejoicing.
https://t.co/5jxH8yznXX
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 14:47

Play the "Portrush" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=006ddad6d4b7

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