Blog Archives

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

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. burnsidechurch@gmail.com
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
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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

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

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

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
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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

Friday 22nd January 2021

22/1/2021

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to different versions of Psalm 77 sung in a variety of styles this week. A new one each day.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for strength for the residents and staff of our homes and units, that they would remain healthy, both physically and emotionally. We thank God for his guidance in all that we do, and pray we would have the wisdom and patience to commit all our plans to him.

Centenary
As the island of Ireland moves into a year of events to mark the centenary of the changed constitutional landscape, pray that these would provide an opportunity for honest reflection, positive civic engagement, and healing within communities.

Questions Answered About The Vaccine
If you have concerns or questions about the COVID Vaccines this is an interesting article. An infectious-disease researcher answers: Was the COVID vaccine developed too quickly? How is it different from previous vaccines? Are there ethical concerns with how it was made?
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/covid-vaccine-christian-unity/

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits a Roman Catholic Cathedral Part 2. (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. Today - His Mercy Is More.

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

The Herald
The new Winter edition of the Presbyterian Herald is now available to view free of charge as a PDF on the PCI website.
https://t.co/zvQzBGEShV

Ray Ortlund
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”
(John 1:5).
Jesus enters our darkness, shining most brightly there. And our darkness is no match for his persistently invading, successfully conquering light and grace and truth.
The darkness is losing.

Trump & Evangelicalism
Gavin Calver writes about the impact the Trump Presidency has had on church in the UK.
“Delighted to have written a piece for The Times on UK evangelicalism & the Trump years. Would love you to have a read. We are a good news people here to impact the UK with the Gospel. P.S. The headline should be evangelicalism not evangelism!” - Gavin Calver - Chief Executive of Evangelical Alliance

Remove The Plank From Your Own Eye (30 minute video)
Keep the kids entertained as Jovis Bon-Hovis explores some fun Bible stories and songs from Matthew! This week Jovis learns why it's important not to judge others when we all have faults too. Matthew 7:3-5

https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/197563

Trivia Question
Question From Thursday

Q. He may have been the oldest person in the bible but what momentous event happened when Methushael died?
A. The Flood (Count up the ages of all the main characters when they died and the age of Noah when the rain came and you will see the dates fit)

Question For Friday
Q. What did the woman pour on Jesus’ feet at the home of Simon the Leper?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:41
Jean 2:25
Derek 3:17
Frances 3:30

The Weekend Jigsaw will take a bit longer to complete.

Play the "Portrush Sand Dune Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f481a989c60

The Website that I use to produce the Jigsaw each day makes our Jigsaws available for anyone to complete and sometimes they highlight one and a lot of people try it out. So far just over 7000 people have tried this one and I don’t want to dishearten anyone (because it isn’t really about the time, its about the fun of completing the puzzle and seeing the North Coast) but this table shows the incredible times that people have logged for this puzzle so far.

1 Comment

Thursday 21st January 2021

21/1/2021

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to different versions of Psalm 77 sung in a variety of styles this week. A new one each day.

Let’s Pray For Ken Doherty (Chaplain, Mater Hospital, Belfast)
Give thanks that there is hope in the form of vaccines against Covid-19, and that the vaccination process has begun. Pray for all frontline medical staff, support staff in our hospitals, indeed all healthcare professionals, patients and their families.

Aughentaine Presbyterian Church
Give thanks for God’s care and protection and for how he has kept the congregation together despite Covid-19. Pray for wisdom and knowledge to navigate the months ahead.

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits a Roman Catholic Cathedral. (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.

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

Being Different
The lesson of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for 21st-century Westerners.
https://t.co/Al6rPowkG5

How Do We Cope With Suffering
Every belief system addresses the problem of suffering. But how does Jesus offer a unique hope? Listen to Presenter Vicky's chat with Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing on this episode of Life Issues. Available now on UCB Player.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21334/327897

Trivia Question

Perhaps this one was too easy for you.

Question From Wednesday
Q. How old was Methushael when he died?
A. 969

Question For Thursday
Q. He may have been the oldest person in the bible but what momentous event happened just after Methushael died?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:49
Jean 2:43
Derek 3:18

Play the "Portstewart Ship Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=076f675b6f1a

2 Comments

Wednesday 20th January 2021

20/1/2021

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
Two very different versions of Psalm 77 today.

Let’s Pray For Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann (Global mission workers, Malawi)
Give thanks for the publication of the book that Volker edited on the laity's role in the Malawian church. May the contributions help the church to reflect further. Pray too for good health for the Glissmann family.

Hungarian Reformed Church
Pray for the work and witness of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine which continues in different ways due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Doxology
Yesterday in the Tides devotional Dave Currie suggested we praise God using the Doxology and he suggested a few different versions. In case you didn’t get time to listen to them here they are.
1) Phil Wickham - Doxology/Amen
2) Upperroom - Doxology - a much longer version
3) Choral Version - Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Glen Scrivener (6 minute video)
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Garden Of Eden

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.

Finding Hope (6 minute video)
Adrian Adger was the minister of Clough and Seaforde Presbyterian Churches. Adrian and Karen's world was turned upsidedown when they were told that he has incurable cancer. In this series of short films Adrian shares some of his life experiences so that others will be encouraged and inspired to live their lives for God's glory by Finding Forgiveness, Guidance, Love and Hope.
Today Finding Hope

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits an Anglican Church. (remember this comes from an American perspective)

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/
North Korea
This week the focus is on North Korea the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Despite this there are about 400,000 Christians with between 50-70,000 in horrendous conditions in prison.
Read about North Korea here -
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/north-korea/

Interview with secret Open Doors fieldworker from Open Doors UK and Ireland on Vimeo.

Hear! Here! Burns Night
Tuesday 26th January @ 7pm
To mark Burns Night 2021, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Good Relations Team will host as part of our Hear Here Programme, an evening of discussion, storytelling, poetry and music with David Hume MBE (historian), Liz Weir MBE (storyteller in residence, Libraries NI) and An Corraiste. This will be an online session via zoom.
To register visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-burns-night-tickets-136819529897
Or email
bebhinn.mckinley@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Bible Society
The Word At Work Magazine is available to bring you up to date with the work of the Bible Society.

w_w_spring2021.pdf
File Size:	7253 kb
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Christian Unions Ireland

15 – 21 January
– Pray for the process of choosing and preparing new leaders to take over sometime this term. Pray that God would put it on the hearts of some committee members to serve for a second year.
– The University of Ulster campuses of Coleraine and Magee worked hard in the last semester to draw first–year students into CU communities. Pray those new CU members will courageously reach their classmates and friends with the gospel this semester.

SU E3 North Coast
Here is an update from Andrew Neill

Worship Outdoors
With more of us spending time outdoors this winter. Paul Hammond from UCB spoke to Rachel Summers about how we can use nature and the outdoors in worship. Listen now on UCB Player.
https://t.co/rqcyUG44cX

Trivia Question
Question From Tuesday
Q. Who is the high priest of Jerusalem who put Jesus on trial?
A. Caiaphas

Question For Wednesday
Q. How old was Methushael when he died?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 3:00
Frances 3:54

Play the "Portrush Harbour Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f98ea3ea6ee

1 Comment

Tuesday 19th January 2021

19/1/2021

Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to some different versions of Psalm 77 sung in various styles. A New one each day.

Let’s Pray For John McCandless (community outreach worker)
Pray for John as he continues to seek ways to share God’s love with people in the Albertbridge Road and lower Castlereagh Road areas of East Belfast.

Home Mission
Give thanks for the recent installations of Rev Philip Poots in Carndonagh, Greenbank, Malin and Moville, and Rev John Hanson in Ballyhobridge, Clones, Newbliss and Stonebridge. Pray that they will settle well into the congregations and begin to build relationships and minister to local people.

New City Catechism
This week in the New City Catechism.

Question 13
Can Anyone Keep the Law of God Perfectly?
Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/can-anyone-keep-the-law-of-god-perfectly/

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. Lift High The Name Of Jesus.

Glen Scrivener (7 minute video)
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
The Breath Of Life

Finding Out About Other Churches
Ever wondered what it is like inside another church?
Today Matt visits an Episcopal Church. (Please remember this comes from an American perspective)

Every Book In The Bible
UCB has released a new podcast! 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes' will take you through a whole year as we explore every book of the Bible! Listen to the intro episode now on UCB Player, where we look at why the Bible is worth reading and where to even start!
https://t.co/OaGCHGNidG

Going Slower
NEW BLOG Living with it - Living with a new rhythm
Rev Norman Cameron, minister of High Kirk in Ballymena, reflects on living with a new rhythm.
https://bit.ly/38zBNLq

Living With It
The power of the phone call, pressing into God, doorstep conversations, sitting still and creating family moments of discipleship. These were some of the things that emerged from this conversation between a minister, a deaconess and a youth worker as Rick Hill was joined by Rev Ben Walker (Saintfield Road), Joanne Dunlop (Hospital Chaplain) and Andy Lamberton (Exodus North West) to discuss how we can live with the circumstances we find ourselves, both in following Jesus ourselves as well as caring for others around us.

Trivia Question
From Monday
Q. Who takes Jesus’s body off the cross?
A. Joseph of Arimathea

Question For Tuesday
Q. Who is the high priest of Jerusalem who put Jesus on trial?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Frances 3:32

Play the "Elephant Rock Balintoy Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=18636d60b84a

1 Comment

Monday 18th January 2021

18/1/2021