Blog Archives

Friday 29th January 2021

29/1/2021

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we continue the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - As We Learn To Honestly Cry Out To God. Each day we are look at Psalm 10.

Psalm 10
Some versions of Psalm 10

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for all who are experiencing abuse in their lives - for children, young people, men and women; that they may find courage to seek out help. Give thanks for all those individuals and organisations who work tirelessly with survivors of abuse - following God's command to love one another.

Human dignity
Pray for Rev John Mullan and the members of a new Council for Public Affairs Panel on Human Dignity, that they would have the discernment and wisdom necessary to articulate the views of PCI on complex issues in the public square.

Morning Devotions From CARE
Each day CARE are providing morning Devotions. I don’t get them in time four that day’s blog but I will try to include the previous day’s video

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt asks is Lutheranism the True Catholic Church?. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Forbidden Fruit

Heroes Of The Faith - Rembrant
The great 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt lived a tragic and turbulent life. He is an unusual Christian hero, yet, by universal agreement, he is one of the truly great Christian artists.
Read J.John latest Heroes of the Faith blog
https://canonjjohn.com/2021/01/16/heroes-of-the-faith-rembrandt/

Living With It
Having moved out of 2020 into 2021 the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us. Even though hope of the return of a greater normality is on the horizon, we still find ourselves ‘living with it!’ Rev Peter Bovill, minister of 1st and 2nd Islandmagee congregations, reflects on living with new intentionality.
This blog article contains the challenging quote,
“Community is never found, only built”
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/January-2021/Living-with-it-Living-with-new-intentionality.aspx

Bible In 30 Minutes
EXODUS: What does Exodus teach us about the freedom we so desire? How does God prove to be truly in control of everything? Can this epic story of Moses help us today? Find out in this episode of the new UCB Podcast 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes!'
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/31345/333521

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:36
Jean 2:33
Derek 3:15

Another slightly more complicated puzzle for the weekend.
Play the "Portstewart at Night Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=10c2acaa6f12

1 Comment

Thursday 28th January 2021

27/1/2021

1 Comment

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we continue the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - As We Learn To Honestly Cry Out To God. Each day we are look at Psalm 10.

Let’s Pray For Tom Dowling (Irish mission worker, Kilkenny)
Pray for the online Bible studies, giving thanks for new people attending them. Pray for salvation. Give thanks that despite lockdown, God’s Word is not chained.

Donabate Presbyterian Church
Give thanks that God has sustained the church families in Donabate and Balbriggan and that online services have allowed them to continue to connect as a church family. Pray for home groups as they restart online. Pray for ways to reach and engage with teenagers during lockdown.

Covid
Pray that our Nation would repent of all sin and turn to God.

Morning Devotions From CARE
Each day CARE are providing morning Devotions. I don’t get them in time four that day’s blog but I will try to include the previous day’s video

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt talks to a Lutheran Theologian. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
They Were Naked And Not Ashamed

Check In And Chat
Age NI launched a Check in and Chat service last year .The service is for everyone who is over 60 in Northern Ireland, who may feel isolated or lonely during this time. Please call on 0808 808 7575 if you would like to chat to someone at Age NI.

Bible Books In 30 Minutes
Genesis: What's its purpose? How does it answer the fundamental questions of life? Why is the story of Abraham and his descendants still relevant for everyone? Find out in Episode one of 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes' now on UCB Player!
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/31345/330100

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:36
Frances 3:05

Play the "White Rocks Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2fb2b7cb39af

1 Comment

Wednesday 27th January 2021

27/1/2021

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we continue the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - As We Learn To Honestly Cry Out To God. Each day we are look at Psalm 10.

Let’s Pray For Csaba and Ilona Veres (global mission workers, Romania)
Give thanks for the partners who provided laptops for Roma children to access online education. Pray for the Diakonia staff who have an increased workload providing online schooling for marginalised children. Pray for open hearts to the gospel.

Myanmar
Pray for the people of Myanmar suffering due to the pandemic. Pray for the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar and Tahan Theological College which is starting its second semester of online learning.

National Prayer
On a Wednesday the thrust of the Blog is always towards prayer as we meet for prayer at 12noon via zoom. Send an email if you would like the link to this meeting. [email protected]
Today as the number of deaths from Coronavirus has passed 100,000 the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York have called on the Nation to pray at 6:00pm every evening. You will know that I (and many others) have been suggesting a need for National Prayer since this Pandemic began. I had hoped that our politicians would acknowledge their need of help and call the nation to pray but this is a good first step. Below is the letter from the Archbishops and links to news articles about the call to prayer. Unfortunately the reporting about the call to prayer concentrates more on the deaths than the prayer.
https://www.churchofengland.org/news-and-media/news-and-statements/coronavirus-archbishops-invite-nation-pause-pray-and-remember

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55820178

Church Of England Resources For Prayer
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/call-prayer-nation

The Letter From The Archbishops

coe_20210126_letter_to_the_nation.pdf
File Size:	150 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Morning Devotions From CARE
Each day CARE are providing morning Devotions. I don’t get them in time four that day’s blog but I will try to include the previous day’s video

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits a Lutheran Church. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
One Flesh

Points For Prayer

Christian Unions Ireland

22 – 31 January
– Pray for ongoing recruitment of ISM Team: We are absolutely delighted that Heledd Job will be joining our ISM team as a staff worker in Dublin next September, but please pray that God will continue to lead, provide and guide more and more people to expand our team across the island.
– Please pray for Ulster University Belfast as they think through and plan what an artistic mission week could look like next year on their wonderfully creative campus in February

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has released the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2021.
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/

This week the focus is on Afghanistan the second most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about Afghanistan here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/afghanistan/

Evangelical Alliance
A new year prayer - Perseverence

EMF
The Latest edition of Vision Magazine from European Mission Fellowship is available to read at the link below.

emf_vision_magazine_january_2021.pdf
File Size:	7396 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:41
Jean 3:08
Derek 3:23
Frances 3:38

Play the "Portstewart Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1713c7179ca7

2 Comments

Tuesday 26th January 2021

26/1/2021

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we continue the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - As We Learn To Honestly Cry Out To God. Each day we are look at Psalm 10.

Psalm 10
Some different versions of Psalm 10.

Why Mourning Can Be Good For Us
We are thinking about Lament on a daily basis, and in this article Paul Tripp writes about how the process of mourning can be very helpful.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-mourning-can-be-good-for-us/

Let’s Pray For Eleanor Drysdale (deaconess in Wellington, Ballymena)
Pray for the mental health of all involved in pastoral care during this time of lockdown as more people than before are now being impacted by Covid-19, directly or indirectly. Give thanks for the strength God gives us and that his mercies are new every morning.

Ballina, Ballymote and Killala Presbyterian Churches
Pray for these home mission congregations, for wisdom and strength for the minister Rev Molly Deatherage and the kirk sessions during the pandemic.

New City Catechism
Did God Create Us Unable to Keep His Law?
No, but because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and unable to keep God’s law.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/did-god-create-us-unable-to-keep-his-law/

Morning Devotions From CARE
Each day CARE are providing morning Devotions. I don’t get them in time four that day’s blog but I will try to include the previous day’s video

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt talks with an Evangelical Free Church Pastor. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Leaving and Cleaving

Unrestricted (5 Minute Video)
A five minute video from SU helping us think about the Pandemic. Helpful for all ages.
From SU -
“This is the second of our ‘Unrestricted’ video series
Again, to be used in Post Primary Assemblies, Church Services, SU groups, Youth Groups, RE Lessons and beyond. “ Do Not Be Anxious
To access use/share the full video, Click here:

Being Human (30 minute audio)
A podcast from Evangelical Alliance with Peter Lynas & Jo Frost this week looking at Choice, Contracts and Cancel Culture. This Podcast has an incredible discussion on marriage with some of the most surprising statistics on marriage and divorce I have ever heard.
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/being-human/season-2/episode-5

Where Is It?
Yesterday we had a where is it, it was a house being demolished for a new development just above the public toilets in Portstewart.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:33
Jean 3:09
Derek 3:21
Frances 3:48

Play the "West Strand Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=03a4be998e7d

2 Comments

Monday 25th January 2021

25/1/2021

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we continue the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - As We Learn To Honestly Cry Out To God. Each day we look at Psalm 10.

When Storm Clouds Gather ...
If you missed the sermon from Sunday you can watch below

Psalm 10
Again this week we have some different versions of Psalm 10 (Our Psalm of Lament)

Let’s Pray For Peter and Jayne Fleming (global mission workers, Nepal)
Pray for them as they keep in contact with Nepali colleagues online, despite time differences. UMN and KISC face many challenges including working effectively, keeping staff, maintaining finance, working with government officials, and keeping people safe.

Middle East
Pray for National Evangelical Synod of Syria & Lebanon as it continues to reach out in many practical ways to people, including to the internally-displaced and refugees, all more difficult due to Covid-19.

Church Services To Remain Suspended
The full statement about the continued closure of Church Buildings
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/January-2021/Covid-Church-services-to-remain-suspended.aspx

J.John
Join me on Facing the Canon as I interview another inspirational guest. Facing the Canon this week is Robert Glover, author of As Many As The Stars. #FacingTheCanon
https://t.co/q57LnoBhvs

Morning Devotions From CARE
Each day CARE are providing morning Devotions. I don’t get them in time four that day’s blog but I will try to include the previous day’s video

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits an Evangelical Free Church. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns.

I Missed You
Below is a powerful song by Doug Gay a Scottish Theologian who is a Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow and has taught preaching to ministry students for the past ten years. I don’t have a video to accompany the song, but it captures the sense of loss that we have when we miss someone whither through death or Covid-19 restrictions and looks forward with hope to the “Gathering!”

i-missed-you.m4a.mp3
File Size:	9786 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Bone Of My Bones

Unrestricted (5 Minute Video)
A five minute video from SU helping us think about the Pandemic. Helpful for all ages. Do Not Worry
From SU -
“This is the first of our ‘Unrestricted’ video series
Again, to be used in Post Primary Assemblies, Church Services, SU groups, Youth Groups, RE Lessons and beyond.“

Portstewart In Snow
Some Photos of Portstewart from Saturday.

Where Is It?
We haven’t had a where is it? for a long time, so for one day only ... Where Is It?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 7:23
Jean 11:05
Derek 12:34

Play the "Portrush Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=338ef3fc4f05

2 Comments

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Friday 29th January 2021

Thursday 28th January 2021

Wednesday 27th January 2021

Tuesday 26th January 2021

Monday 25th January 2021

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