Blog Archives

Monday 24th January 2022

24/1/2022

Beside The Burn
On Beside The Burn this week, we turn to Daniel and find out how we can live in this world while remaining citizens of the Greatest Kingdom.

Join me each week-day for a short devotional video including a bible reading and prayer to encourage us as we enter 2022.

Sunday Sermon
In case you missed it or want to listen again here is the bible reading and sermon from Sunday.

The Book Of Daniel (This is the film from last week that I mentioned on Sunday)
This is an excellent retelling of the story of Daniel, explaining how the various kings fit into the story. I highly recommend watching it. It lasts about an hour and a half and I will include the link each day this week so that you can watch it a section at a time if you don’t have time for the whole film. A higher quality version is available with a Amazon Prime subscription or can be rented from Amazon for £1.99.

Another Daniel Film
Here is another film of the story of Daniel.
I haven’t watched this one yet so I can’t comment on the quality.

Daniel An Overview (9 Minute Video)
Here is an overview of the book of Daniel from the Bible Project, as ever an excellent summary.

Bible Biogs (30 minute Audio)
From UCB a 30 minute radio summary of Daniel
https://chartable.com

Let’s Pray For Moderator
Pray for the health of our ministers and leaders across the church. Physically, mentally and spiritually, we are all in need of self-care. Pray for the Refresh programme in early February, which will encourage this for people in leadership roles.

Worship: Directed and set free
‘Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.’ Psalm 119:133.
As we worship today ask God to direct our daily living and set us free from sins that overshadow our lives.

Naomi Keefe (global mission worker, Brazil)
Pray for Naomi as she settles back to life and work in Brazil after spending time in Ireland over Christmas. Pray for God’s guidance for Naomi in the various aspects of her ongoing work and witness. Pray too for good health and safety for Naomi at all times.

South Sudan
Pray for the Christian community in Yith Pabol near the border with Sudan who were recently attacked by a group of Islamic extremists – at least 28 people were killed and over 50 houses were burnt down.

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

Paul Tripp
The Gospel: One Chapter At A Time is a resource from Paul Tripp, in which he summarizes each book of Scripture in a brief video segment and reveals how it points back to Jesus Christ.
2 & 3 John Summary

https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/064-2nd--3rd-john-summary

Facing the Canon (30 minute video)
The fourth in a 4-part series on the Bible; J.John speaks with Mike Beaumont about the Letters and Revelation.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 11:05
Eddie 18:54

Play the "Sunset Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3b930fba6406

2 Comments

Friday 21st January 2022

21/1/2022

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
On Beside The Burn this week, we turn to Daniel and find out how we can find blessing as we live a second choice life.

Join me each week-day for a short devotional video including a bible reading and prayer to encourage us as we enter 2022.

The Book Of Daniel
This is an excellent retelling of the story of Daniel, explaining how the various kings fit into the story. I highly recommend watching it. It lasts about an hour and a half and I will include the link each day this week so that you can watch it a section at a time if you don’t have time for the whole film. A higher quality version is available with a Amazon Prime subscription or can be rented from Amazon for £1.99.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
The New Year can be especially difficult for those with mental health problems. Give thanks for volunteers who staff helplines at this demanding time of year. Give thanks too for resources and television campaigns that promote the importance of seeking help and of talking through issues.

Education
Preparations are underway for PCI Talks Education at Assembly Buildings on Saturday 29 January. Give thanks for all those across PCI who serve in various roles in the education sector, and pray that this morning would provide an opportunity to encourage and envision all those involved.

General Council
The General Council is the most representative body within PCI after the General Assembly. Pray for its convener, the Very Rev Dr Noble McNeely, giving thanks for his wise leadership. Pray for its significant work in coordinating the activities of all its Councils, in addition to making responses on major issues which arise during the year.

Council for Training in Ministry
Licentiates, or assistant ministers, are placed in congregations to continue their training ‘on the job’. An important part of this is supervision by the minister of the congregation. Pray for these ministers as they meet to be trained in this vital role on Thursday 27 January. Pray for Professor David Leach as he leads this.

Next Moderator
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) announced on Thursday the names of four ministers that will go before the Church’s 19 regional presbyteries on 1 February, when they meet to select the all-Ireland denomination’s next Moderator.
Read more here

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
He Who Has Ears Let Him Hear

Paul Tripp
The Gospel: One Chapter At A Time is a resource from Paul Tripp, in which he summarizes each book of Scripture in a brief video segment and reveals how it points back to Jesus Christ.
1 John Summary

https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/063-1-john-summary

How To Evangelise Effectively
Canon J.John has spent decades equipping the church to share the gospel. Here he explains how to start a conversation about God and overcome fears or inadequacies
https://www.premierchristianradio.com

There Can Be Hope in Grief
Sooner or later, we will face grief as a loved one leaves this life. The question is not whether we will grieve; the question is how.
Alistair Begg teaches at Truth For Life
https://www.truthforlife.org

Freedom - Hillsong
No more chains on me
Now in Christ I live
Thank you Jesus
I am free

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Eddie 2:41
Jean 2:42

Sometimes the Jigsaw Website features one of our puzzles and lots of other people try to solve it. Today’s puzzle has already been attempted over 5000 times the fastest time so far is 3:26 so that is something to aim for.

Play the "Dunluce Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3bdc70837a29

2 Comments

Thursday 20th January 2022

20/1/2022

2 Comments

Let’s Pray For Graham Stockdale (prison chaplain – Maghaberry)
Pray for Graham as he continues to provide pastoral care and reaches out to prisoners and staff. Give thanks and pray for those who have committed themselves to following Jesus, many of whom continue to struggle with the legacy of their pasts.

Carndonagh, Greenbank, Malin and Moville (Co Donegal)
Pray for these congregations as they continue to navigate the pandemic, prioritising discipleship in church life. Pray too for their minister, Rev Philip Poots.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Come To Me All You Who Weary And Burdened

Paul Tripp
The Gospel: One Chapter At A Time is a resource from Paul Tripp, in which he summarizes each book of Scripture in a brief video segment and reveals how it points back to Jesus Christ.
2 Peter Summary

https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/062-2-peter-summary

Re-surrender
“It begins with a decision, but then this life with Jesus, actually becoming a follower of Jesus and yielding to more and more means ‘resurrender’.”
Whether in the northern or southern hemisphere, these same skies unite us, all of God’s children, as many as the stars in the sky, just as the Lord promised Abraham. It is under these same skies that Christ’s church, His body on earth, exists today. Though separated by oceans and borders the mandate of Hillsong Worship continues under these same skies. One in heart and spirit, unified in mission and cause—to glorify the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to build His Church, and to serve His Church with the new song. New From Hillsong.

You Must Be Born Again
This message from John 3:1–21 titled You Must Be Born Again from Tim Keller was given at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Trees At The Heart Of Creation
Andrew Peterson and Tim Mackie (of the Bible Project) present a talk titled “The Trees at the Heart of Creation” from 2021’s Hutchmoot: Homebound, in both video and audio form:
https://omny.fm/shows

Refreshment for Harder Days
All of us have surely found ourselves in a spiritual valley when we expected to be on a mountaintop. Perhaps when we least anticipated it, physical fatigue set in, or we received discouraging news, or a besetting sin returned to plague us. Troubling circumstances in our lives often converge, precipitating a change from faith to fear
https://www.truthforlife.org

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:23
Eddie 2:56

Play the "Arcadia Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2b42d6f365d9

2 Comments

Wednesday 19th January 2022

19/1/2022

2 Comments

Let’s Pray For Naomi Leremore (global mission worker, Kenya)
Pray for Naomi and her colleagues on the Theological Education by Extension team. Pray that the new mentorship course will be well used throughout the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and be a useful tool in reaching out to and discipling teenagers across Kenya.

Pakistan
Pray for leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan as they live out their faith in Christ. Pray for strength and protection for Christians suffering persecution in Pakistan and around the world.

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

Paul Tripp
The Gospel: One Chapter At A Time is a resource from Paul Tripp, in which he summarizes each book of Scripture in a brief video segment and reveals how it points back to Jesus Christ.
1 Peter Summary

https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/061-1-peter-summary

Why We Pray
Sometimes, when a person starts to understand Reformed theology and the sovereignty of God for the first time, it can confuse her prayer life. If God has already determined what is going to happen, why pray? Yet God’s Word commands us to pray! The Bible clearly doesn’t see a contradiction between God’s absolute sovereignty and the fact that he works through our prayers.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/lets-talk-podcast/lets-talk-why-we-pray/

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 Malaysia the 46th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/malaysia/

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.
17 – 23 January
Coleraine CU have endeavoured to develop their small groups into missional gospel hubs this year and have been running a series of ‘Go’ nights to invite non–Christian friends along. Pray small group members continue to be welcoming and missional as they build towards an Events Week in week four of this semester.
Pray for Sally in the CUI office as she works with our two sets of auditors (NI and ROI) to complete the audits of both sets of annual accounts for the end of February.

World Watch List
The World Watch List 2022 is launched on Wednesday 19 January – sharing the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, and equipping you with the information and stories you need to pray for, support and share the stories of the persecuted church.
You’re invited to a World Watch List prayer webinar tonight at 8.15pm to pray for Christians living in the top 10 countries where following Jesus costs the most.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk

Chinese Christians & The Winter Olympics
The Following is from Voice Of The Martyrs
As the eyes of the world turn toward Beijing and the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, we invite you to join believers around the globe in praying for our Christian brothers and sisters who are suffering persecution at the hands of China’s Communist government.

Though they aren’t considered Olympians, many Chinese Christians walk or bicycle great distances to deliver the gospel, lift countless boxes of Bibles for delivery to new believers and endure great suffering for the name of Christ — even in Chinese prisons and concentration camps.

We invite you to join Christians around the world who are using the Winter Olympic Games, hosted by China’s Communist government, as a daily reminder to pray for Christians in China. Add your name below to indicate your commitment to pray for persecuted Christians in China each day during the Winter Olympic Games.

Here are two specific ways you can pray for Chinese Christians during the Olympic Games:
= Pray that pastors and church leaders will stand for biblical truth despite government pressure to compromise.
- Pray that Chinese believers will be encouraged, experiencing unity and fellowship as members of the body of Christ.
Click the link below for more ways to pray and to join Christians around the world who are committing to pray for China’s Christians during the Olympic Games.

More Ways To Pray
https://etools.vomusa.org/

Blue Monday
Monday past is known as "Blue Monday". Have you been hit by mid-January blues or are you loving 2022?
No matter how you're faring (or how your resolutions are holding up) take a moment to recommit your year to our good God with this special prayer for 2022.

"Prayer gives us permission to leave circumstances undone. We can entrust them to the God who watches over them and never blinks." (John Onwuchekwa)

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:12
Eddie 2:39

Play the "Portstewart Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3466794d772a

2 Comments

Tuesday 18th January 2022

18/1/2022

2 Comments

Let’s Pray For Roberta Irvine (deaconess, Greystone Road, Antrim)
During the covid-era vacancy, pray that members would not just ‘tread water’ spiritually, but would take discipleship and disciple-making even more seriously. Pray they will rise to the challenges of the era and area, with cultural intelligence and biblical, servant lives.

Cahir (Co Tipperary) & Fermoy (Co Cork)
Pray for members of the congregation as they engage in outreach ministries. Pray in particular for the continued efforts to reach out to young people.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
My Name Is Legion For We Are Many

Paul Tripp
The Gospel: One Chapter At A Time is a resource from Paul Tripp, in which he summarizes each book of Scripture in a brief video segment and reveals how it points back to Jesus Christ.
James Summary

https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/060-james-summary1

New Book
The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life
What is the Bible and how is it relevant to me? This book is the perfect read for anyone asking those questions in the 21st century. The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life helps readers see how the narratives and themes of the Bible connect to their own lives.
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk

Coastguard Appoints First Ever Full-time Chaplain
A full-time chaplain has been appointed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the first time in its 200-year history.
Reverend Tom Ebbens, who will be based in Cornwall, has been appointed to the position after a pilot project.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-60009141

Faith Communities Vital To Pandemic Recovery
Government and Christian leaders discussed the church’s role in Covid recovery at first ChurchWorks summit. On Tuesday, 11 January, more than 80 individuals representing a wide range of church denominations, Christian charities and government came together to discuss ways in which the church and policymakers can work more collaboratively in 2022.
https://www.eauk.org

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:42
Eddie 3:17

Play the "Tea And Ice Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1c41cf6b7a8c

2 Comments

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