Blog Archives

Wednesday 24th March 2021

24/3/2021

Beside The Burn
This week we continue week 5 of the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We go on a Journey of New Life with Jesus through the wilderness as the Holy Spirit takes dry bones and breaths new life.

Let’s Pray For Csaba & Ilona Veres (global mission workers in Romania)
Pray for the Diakonia nursing staff working in the pandemic and that many would be strengthened by the fortnightly support group which Csaba runs for them. Pray for the literacy classes and after-school programme which has restarted in Méra which Ilona is involved in.

Zambia
Pray for the leadership of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia as they continue to support their congregations during this time. Pray for the Zambian government as they seek vaccines.

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

The Hiding Place
Everyday we share another instalment of the film about Corrie Ten Boom Part 13

FILM CHOICE
This week I continue to suggest a film each day. These videos are free to watch but may take a little longer than the usual video to fully appreciate.
The Power Of the Persecuted Church (41 minute video)
In countries where Christians are persecuted and suppressed Christianity is increasing rapidly. This has happened for example in China and more recently, in the Arabic world. How do persecuted Christians see their life and faith? What is the secret of their success and why the number of Christians tend to rise in the middle of persecution?

Walk Talk Pray
Don’t forget about this resource from Evangelical Alliance which encourages us to pray for our local community as we get out and about more.

https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/reports/walk-pray-talk?utm_source=twitter+

Lament (3 minute video)
A spoken word, short film addressing the grief and challenges caused by the pandemic, and in sharing the message of hope found in Jesus Christ

Lament - A spoken word

Ruth (30 minute audio)
Having celebrated International Women's Day, we can look at the story of Ruth: why is her love story still so relevant today? How does this true story demonstrate that God can arrange coincidences? Find out in 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes.'
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/31345/343520

Is God Fair to Judge Us?
Rebecca McLaughlin says, “Most of us like to think we’re basically good people. We know we’re not perfect. We sometimes do bad things. But at heart, we think we’re pretty good.”
“So the idea that we might one day be judged by God doesn’t seem fair. But what if, at heart, we actually aren’t good?”
https://www.crossway.org/articles/is-god-fair-to-judge-us/

Piping Up Organ Concert at Temple Square (30 minute video)
Another organ concert from 1st January 2021

10 Days Of Easter
Remind yourself every day how much God loves you with 10 days of Easter-themed devotions from Our Daily Bread! Sign up today, and The Greatest Love reading plan emails will arrive in your inbox March 26–April 4.
http://go.odb.org/easter2021

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 India the 10th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/india/

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.

19th – 25th March
– From the 22nd March, CUI will be interviewing Staff and Relay Worker applicants. Please pray for discernment and for God’s clear guidance, and for people who with a deep love for Jesus and heart for student mission.
– Pray for Equip:Leaders on the 19th – 21st March, a weekend to fuel new CU leaders with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to excite them for a year of CU mission, and empower them to lead on campus.

24/7 Prayer Course
This week we continue the 24/7 Prayer Course with Pete Greig - a course which we took part in a couple of years ago on Wednesday evenings. The videos have been re-recorded and a couple more sessions have been added since then. Here is a link to this week’s resource guide.
https://prayercourse.org/session/contemplation/

Last week I accidentally skipped over Session 6 so we are going back to see it this week. Next week is the final week of the course.

Dublin City Mission
The latest prayer update from the Dublin City Mission

dcm_winter_2021_dcm_spotlight.pdf
File Size:	1008 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Prevailing Prayer (3:30 hour audio)
Another free Audio book from Youtube, Prevailing prayer from Dwight L Moody.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:52

Another one from the Lake District last summer.
Play the "Lake District Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=34b514632c09

2 Comments

Tuesday 23rd March 2021

23/3/2021

1 Comment

A Year Ago Today
It was a year ago today that the Prime Minister announced Lockdown measures. Today we have been asked at 12 noon to reflect and remember. As Christians we also have the greatest privilege of being able to pray today as we have been doing throughout the year.
Today on Tides Rev. Tony Davidson helps focus our thoughts on God’s word.
You can read Tides HERE

We also reflected yesterday on the Blog, read it again HERE

Let’s Pray For Michelle Stewart (community outreach worker in Cloughey)
Pray for making contacts, building new relationships and strengthening current relationships within the community. Pray that the church in Cloughey will continually be a witness and a shining light in the village. Pray for guidance for Michelle in all she does.

Dundalk Presbyterian Church
Thank God for his continuing provision for Dundalk congregation, and for his protection and peace. Pray that the members of the congregation will continue to serve the Lord and worship him during the pandemic.

Myanmar Update
Update from a HeartCry missionary in #Myanmar: "Our missionary has informed us that this afternoon there was a horrible shooting near his house. There were dead bodies in the city. They do not know how many dead bodies were there. I believe no government or even the devil can operate outside the permissive will of God. At the same time, I believe God answers His children’s prayers and He protects His people."
Read the Update Here. b
https://heartcrymissionary.com/mission-updates/myanmar-update-march-2021/

Thoughts On Tuesdays

Many of you now have a copy of Wilma’s “Thought On Tuesdays” which was produced to raise money for ZAP. Wilma sends the following message of thanks and below you can read an article which will appear in the local paper.

I would appreciate if you would inform Burnside members that £5400 has been raised by the circulation of my book in aid of ZAP (Zumba Action Project)
Please convey my appreciation to all those who helped circulate the book
The amount raised would not have been possible if had not been for the support and help of so many in Burnside.
Wilma Devenney

Read the press release below and in the file to the right.

burnside_report_on_wilmas_fundraising.pdf
File Size:	873 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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

Heroes of the Faith: With J.John
James Clerk Maxwell believed that because the universe had been created by God and that human beings had been made in God’s image, it was perfectly reasonable that we could – and should – try to understand the universe.
https://canonjjohn.com/2021/03/20/heroes-of-the-faith-james-clerk-maxwell/

Podcast Version
https://player.captivate.fm/e80220bf-0071-4e87-ac95-d261abfa1cef

New City Catechism

Who is the Redeemer?

The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/who-is-the-redeemer/

The Hiding Place
Everyday we share another instalment of the film about Corrie Ten Boom Part 12

Doubting Thomas (12 minute audio)
Ever related to Doubting Thomas? We all experience doubt sometimes, but Thomas was so much more than his nickname. Ben Jack from the @MessageTrust joined Vicky Gibbens on Talking Point to share more...
https://t.co/ac55ItcDkD

FILM CHOICE
This week I continue to suggest a film each day. These videos are free to watch but may take a little longer than the usual video to fully appreciate.
Jon Hus (51 minute video)
We have all probably heard of John Calvin and Martin Luther but there are many more significant characters involved in the Reformation. Today we have the story of John Hus.
A 14th century Czech priest and scholar, John Hus is considered one of the first Protestant reformers. His interpretation of scripture and his bold stand against church corruption would strongly influence Martin Luther a century later. Hus spent his last days as a prisoner in Constance on charges of heresy. During his imprisonment Hus formed an unusual friendship with one of his jailers, Robert Talio.

Before the Rebuild (4 minute video)
Not yet, but soon God willing, we will enter a different phase in this pandemic - a time of rebuilding. This week we consider three ‘R’s (repentance, reconciliation and relationships) in the context of foundations which the Church could help to lay before the great rebuild begins….

https://www.reimaginingfaith.com/think-friday/think-friday-before-the-rebuild/2021/2

Finding Peace
In this episode of TGC Q&A, @JohnPiper and @TripLee discuss the question, “How do I find peace when unsaved loved ones die?”

https://t.co/oRKIn0pq9Q

2 Samuel
What are the dangers of trying to run ahead of God? Can we hide our secrets from God? Find out in this episode of 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes' where we look at 2 Samuel.
http://ow.ly/EmyB50E1uWg

Piping Up Organ Concert at Temple Square (33 minute video)
Another organ concert from Wednesday March 10, 2021

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 3:02
Frances 3:48

Play the "Waves Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3cee90d8ad67

1 Comment

Monday 22nd March 2021

22/3/2021

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Peter & Jayne Fleming (global mission workers in Nepal)
Pray for them as they continue to support United Mission to Nepal and Kathmandu International Study Centre from Northern Ireland. Pray that they will be able to return to Nepal soon. Pray that UMN’s agreements with the government of Nepal will be renewed without further delay.

Syria & Lebanon
Pray for the work and witness of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, especially for their efforts to bring humanitarian aid and education to the many refugees and displaced people in the region.

One Year Ago Today
On the Monday 23rd March 2020 we started this journey together on “The Blog”
Click any of the dates to remind yourself of the early blog enteries.
It started off rather simply,
Monday 23rd,
Tuesday 24th and
Wednesday 25th
were just thoughts based on Trypraying and Tides.
But by Thursday 26th there were free Christian Audiobooks and a list of shops offering Home Delivery.
It would be a few more days (Wednesday 1st April) before pictures started illustrating the stories.
It was Thursday 30th April before the the first Where Is It? appeared.
But Does anyone know when the first Jigsaw appeared?

Lockdown
Do you remember what Lockdown was like when it started a year ago?
A friend posted this list while we were in the midst of the first lockdown, because he wanted to remember what it was like. It is by no means complete, many of the measures are still in place, but it is incredible how quickly we forget some of the details.

Diesel price was £1.12
Petrol £0.99
Schools closed (except for key worker’s children)
Self-distancing of 2 metres becomes normal practice.
Tape on the floors at supermarkets and others to help keep 2 metres from each other.
Limited number of people inside supermarkets, with long queues waiting to enter.
One way system in supermarkets with no going back for forgotten items.
Non-essential shops and businesses are closed.
Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.
Entire sports seasons cancelled or postponed.
Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
People struggle to make it home from other countries as flights are cancelled.
Cruise ships are unable to dock as Coronavirus spreads onboard.
Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
Churches are closed.
Graveyards closed except for funeral services.
Numbers at funerals severely restricted and wakes not allowed.
No gatherings of 2 or more (except with people from within your own household).
Unable to socialise with anyone outside of your home.
Children's outdoor play parks are closed.
Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.
Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towels, no hand sanitiser.
Shelves are bare.
Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitiser and PPE.
All non-essential travel banned.
Fines are established for breaking the rules.
Police patrolling the streets and calling swimmers out of the sea on the Strand.
Nightingale Hospital set up to cope with the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
Visiting stoped in Hospitals and Care Homes
Press conferences daily from the government.
Furlough introduced, the government to pay 80% of employees wages where businesses cannot continue to do so.
Press briefings broadcast on TV every day, with updates on numbers of new cases and deaths.
Hardly anyone on the roads.
Elbow Bumping becomes a thing.
Key workers are concerned about going to work.
Medical workers are afraid to go home to their families.
Supplies of PPE are limited.

A Year Of Lockdown
A lot has changed over the last year, here is the Strand

Getty Family Hymn Sing
In case you missed it on Sunday or simply want to watch it again here is the Getty Family Hymn Sing for St. Patrick’s Day

Ballyclare Male Voice Choir
Also the Concert by Ballyclare Male Voice Choir from Sunday

Jasmine Morris
A couple of weeks ago we congratulated Jasmine on being appointed leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra. Here is a recording for St. Patrick’s Day made by the Orchestra and introduced by Jasmine.

J. John
Facing the Canon this week is Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Plagues Of Biblical Proportion - A very timely message today.

The Hiding Place
Everyday we share another instalment of the film about Corrie Ten Boom Part 11 MONDAY

Piping Up Organ Concert at Temple Square (30 minute video)
An organ concert from Wednesday March 17, 2021
Program:
1. Sinfonia from Cantata 29, “We Thank Thee, God,” BWV 29 (Bach)
2. “Prelude on a Swedish Folksong (Värmeland, the Beautiful)” (Cundick)
3. “Come, Come Ye Saints” (arr. Elliott)
4. “Slane” (arr. Elliott)
5. Concert Variations on the Austrian Hymn (Paine)

Faith (25 minute video)
Want to have a deeper faith in God and His Word? Watch this episode of Gifts of the Holy Spirit as Jonathan Conrathe explores how faith comes to us and the different types of faith that we can receive when we invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

https://t.co/kT98kjhKNf

FILM CHOICE (51 minute video)
This week I continue to suggest a film each day. These videos are free to watch but may take a little longer than the usual video to fully appreciate.
John Wesley
The faith that sparked the Methodist Movement

Statement From PCI
On Friday the Presbyterian Church In Ireland issued a statement expressing “grave concern” at proposals to allow the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to give direction to Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, over the head of the Northern Ireland Executive.
You can read the full statement at the end of the Blog today.

Discover Portrush
Discover Portrush have organised a series of online events this week. They go live each evening at 7:00pm on their Website.
https://discoverportrush.com/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 14:37

At the beginning of Lockdown the play arena at the crescent was taped off.

Play the "Crescent Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=17c9421aceaa

Grave concern’ at NIO proposals
Statement Issued By PCI on 19 March 2021

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has expressed its ‘grave concern’ at proposals to allow the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to give direction to Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, over the head of the Northern Ireland Executive.

In a statement it said, “The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s General Council Standing Committee, meeting today (19 March), noted with grave concern the proposal of the Secretary for State for Northern Ireland to seek powers to give direction to Northern Ireland’s Department of Health.

“To do so at a time when the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive is functioning, represents a serious undermining of the devolved settlement, when there is already significant tension regarding other aspects of the way Northern Ireland is being affected post Brexit.

“The Presbyterian Church in Ireland objected strongly to the Westminster government previously imposing laws on Northern Ireland that removed the protection of the lives of unborn children. This damaging step was taken over the heads of our elected Assembly, with the excuse given that the devolved institutions were not functioning at that time. No such excuse for the undermining of devolution can be used at this time.

The statement concluded by saying, “The Presbyterian Church calls upon the Secretary of State not to take the step he proposes and to let the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly seek to find a consensus way forward, in line with the principle upon which devolution is founded.”

1 Comment

Friday 19th March 2021

19/3/2021

0 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week we continue week 4 of the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus as we embark on a Sacrificial Journey with Jesus

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for the work of Specialist Services as they endeavour to deliver services in these
challenging times. Pray for those individuals in need of treatment for their addiction and those being released from prison. Give thanks for Thompson House, Carlisle House and Gray’s Court and for the dedicated staff teams.

Education
Give thanks for school leaders, teachers, assistants, support staff and governors and for all their work in connecting with pupils over the past year and in making the school environment safe. Pray the return to in-classroom learning would be smooth, with enough energy, creativity and stamina to keeping going for another term.

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

The Hiding Place
Everyday we share another instalment of the film about Corrie Ten Boom Part 10

Spiritual Gifts (40 minute audio)
On this episode of Let’s Talk, @MelissaBKruger, @JasmineLHolmes, and @JackieHillPerry discuss whether spiritual gifts are tied to natural giftedness, and whether they only show up only after conversion.
https://t.co/OjnzIH1FfC

Hope At Easter
Angelina Cowan, PCI global mission worker in Tuam, Kenya, shares some pictures of what hope filled lives look like amid the realities of life in Christ in Kenya.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/March-2021/Hope-at-Easter.aspx

Presbyterian Historical Society
The talk on ‘Old Belfast Presbyterian Churches in Belfast’ by Tom Hartley originally planned for 2020 as part of the annual Lecture Programme of the Presbyterian Historical Society had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus emergency. In this presentation Tom traces the history of 13 lost Presbyterian Meeting Houses in Inner City early 19th Century Belfast. (Please note the distinction between “Presbyterian” and “Presbyterian Church In Ireland” This talk covers lots of different “Presbyterian” churches.

Not Born Ready
When it came to being our high priest, Jesus wasn’t born ready. He was born as a helpless infant who needed to grow in wisdom and stature. True, the incarnation was absolutely necessary for us to be saved, since our high priest needed to be human to represent us. But sinners like us don’t just need saving; we also need sympathy. And sympathy requires experience that Baby Jesus (or Teenage Jesus, for that matter) didn’t yet have.
Read more here.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-high-priest-training/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 2:48
Jean 2:54

Play the "Diamond Portstewart Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=19221f7ac86d

0 Comments

Thursday 18th March 2021

18/3/2021

1 Comment

Re-opening Of Church Buildings
Yesterday PCI took the decision that church buildings could re-open from Friday 2nd April 2021 for in-person services. This means that we will have a church service on Easter Sunday at 11:00am in Burnside. We will still be social standing and therefore have limited capacity although there will be a video link into the overflow in the Church Hall. Masks must be worn while inside the church building and social distancing maintained outside. The Church building will also be well ventilated but at least we are moving into milder weather. More details will be provided over the next couple of weeks.

Missing Not One (The Perfect Love Of Christ) | Immanuel Worship
We imagine God keeping count of our every sin, missing not one. But in Christ, He is erasing our record of sins and writing in the record of Christ’s virtues, missing not one.

For The Beauty Of The Earth
Thank you to Frances who has found another version of the hymn from Sunday with the words I was looking for.

Let’s Pray For Christine Wilson (community outreach worker, Lisnabreen, Bangor)
Pray for Lisnabreen church family as they seek to meet the many spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health needs of the local community. Pray for their new Doorstep Ministries, seeking to offer practical help and resources to those in greatest need.

Drogheda congregation
Pray that online services and ministries will encourage people in their faith and be a means of witness for the gospel. Pray for plans to celebrate Easter through church services and a holiday Bible club online.

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

The Hiding Place
Everyday we share another instalment of the film about Corrie Ten Boom Part 9

The Rusty Gap
Have you become rusty at sharing your faith? Gareth Black writes a word of encouragement.

https://www.solas-cpc.org/the-rusty-gap/

Isn’t Teaching Your Faith to Your Children “Indoctrination”? (3 minute video)
Andy Bannister answers this question.
https://www.solas-cpc.org/isnt-teaching-your-faith-to-your-children-indoctrination/

God’s Providence
In this short extract from his new book, John Piper discusses the hard to fathom subject of God’s providence.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-divine-providence/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 2:40
Jean 3:06

A puzzle from our trip to Keswick last summer.

Play the "Derwentwater Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=26b1d4ded50f

1 Comment

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