​Five Things To Pray in a Global Crisis
There are lots of “Five Things To Pray” books available and the latest one is Five Things To Pray In A Global Crisis”. I haven’t read this latest one yet but I cannot recommend the other books in the series highly enough. The books follow a very simple but effective format, each chapter is displayed on a double page spread and concerns a particular subject. A short passage of scripture is displayed along with five things to pray for prompted by the bible verses. Among the other books in the series there are, “Five Things To Pray For Your World”, “Five Things To Pray For Your Church”, “Five Things to Pray For Your Kids”. They are a great way to meditate on scripture as well as helping us to pray. 

You can read the introduction and two sample chapters here
Look Inside
The rather long link below will take you to the Good Book Company website where you can purchase the paperback or digital download.
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/five-things-to-pray-in-a-global-crisis?utm_source=UK+Newsletters&utm_campaign=de46d9c775-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_15_08_39_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c60f7994ea-de46d9c775-179694741&goal=0_c60f7994ea-de46d9c775-179694741&mc_cid=de46d9c775&mc_eid=b1f31a6b76
Here is the link to Amazon - It isn’t released on Amazon until Tuesday 21st April 2020
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Things-Pray-Global-Crisis/dp/1784985708/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Five+things+to+pray+in+a+global+crisis&qid=1587106984&sr=8-1

Psalm 23
I always take the approach, that when you hear something similar from two different places, it is time to sit up and listen. And in gathering everything together for this Blog this morning, Psalm 23 has appeared twice so I’m including it for our meditation. The Sample chapter from the “Five Things ...” book leads us through Psalm 23 https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/common/productfiles/praycrisis-Look%20Inside.pdf
And the file also leads us through a meditation in Psalm 23 along with some beautiful Colouring sheets for adults and a children’s activity.

Tides
Continuing the theme of resurrection, today the tide brings in the encounter between Jesus and Thomas. Thomas is usually associated with doubting, but we display similar tendencies each and every day. We know who Jesus is, we know the power of the Holy Spirit, but often we live practically as if Jesus and the Holy Spirit are just confined to the pages of an old book.
John Dickinson today reminds us, 
There is a higher blessing than to have proof, for Jesus said – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In Hebrews we read, 
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1


Blood Transfusion Service
The church halls will be used on Monday 20th April for a blood donation session, because of the Coronavirus restrictions, you will only be able to give blood with a prior appointment. Give thanks that even though we cannot use our building at this time, it is going to be used for this good cause. (Please Note - This use of the building conforms with the Government and PCI advice, and the Blood Transfusion Service have undertaken to disinfect the building after it has been used by so many people.) Please keep praying for all those who are providing Care and Key Services day by day, and also pray for their families who they return to each evening.

General Assembly Cancelled
A Virtual meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has voted to cancel this years General Assembly due to be held in June.  More details about this can be read at the link below.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/April-2020/Virtual-meeting-cancels-General-Assembly.aspx


These Three Remain - Podcast
The third episode of the “These Three Remain” podcast is available at the link below and explores how we can equip and support those from our congregations who find themselves on the frontline of this crisis. PCI’s Discipleship Development Officer Rick Hill is joined by Dr William Henry (Moderator), Karen Jardine (Public Affairs Officer) and Rev Christoph Ebbinghaus (Kirkpatrick Memorial).
https://audioboom.com/posts/7553374-003-supporting-people-in-the-crisis

Peter & Anna Crawford
Peter and Anna were due to move to Greece at the beginning of May, their latest Prayer Letter is now available, here is an extract from it.
Police Line - do not cross
Our morning walks by the river are a gift from God these days. The wide expanse of the water, the cloud formations, and … oh, the birdsong. We walk as far as the Police line that says go no further, (the decking at this point is not wide enough for social distancing) back to our lockdown life of working through zoom and skype like everyone else, but also having more time for praying and reflection and refocussing on the Lord. This latter aspect has been so refreshing, and we are grateful to God to have this place by the river, and to be able to stay on in Parque das Nacões for the time being.
The ‘police line’ also means now’s not the time to cross over to Greece. We had planned to move in the first week of May, and even had temporary accommodation there sorted out. Now we will wait and reevaluate again in mid June. For now God has given us plenty to do.
Anna is currently ‘accompanying’ a number of young women coping with the uncertainties and anxieties of life in lockdown. We have been able to have more regular times with ‘Sarah’, mentioned in our last update, and it has been good to see how much she is growing in her understanding of who Jesus is. Our Alta Cristã church plant group also continues to grow with pre-recorded songs and messages on Sunday, and a live interaction with prayer and Bible study on Wednesdays which Peter has been leading.

For your Prayers (Peter and Anna)
For family as we keep in touch differently. So Sunday Easter lunch  becomes a family affair over Zoom. Please pray for God's continued hand of blessing and guidance, on  Colin, Sharon and Gabriel, and Judith and Alvin and wee Charles.
For guidance for Greece  that our move would happen in God's time, not ours. We are grateful that its not a rushed affair as it would have been had we moved in May.
For Luciana and George in Athens - friends who have now also become colleagues as they recently have joined ECM Ireland - as they help us in our practical preparations before we go.
For continued growth in our knowledge of this mysterious God who is moving in unusual ways during this current crisis.
For the conversations we continue to have with friends and colleagues, both in Portugal, and further afield in France, Germany, Malta and Greece that we might be an encouragement and blessing.

Colin Jenkins
Many of you pray for Colin Jenkins and his work in Cork with the Christian Seamens Friends Society. Colin gave an interview to Life FM the Cork based Christian Radio Station on 8th April 2020. To find out about his work with the mission watch the video below.

Farming Blog
Charlotte Stevenson has written a blog about, “These Unwelcome Times” which has been published by the Farming Life. Read the full article at this link
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/April-2020/Unwelcome-times.aspx
​
Food Deliveries
Alico Crafts 077 5916 6404 International Award Winning Cake Designer will deliver to Portstewart.

Colouring In
If you tried to access the colouring-in pages yesterday on your Mobile Phone, you may have been disappointed. Either go to a computer or try the link to the file below. (I am using parts of the Website creation software that I have never used before, and sometimes the technology doesn’t work as expected.)

Portstewart
Just in case you are missing Portstewart, this is how the coastal path was looking on Wednesday 15th April 2020.

Sunset
I’m sure many of you saw the beautiful sunset last night, I was so wishing we could go down to the beach again to take a photo, this one from our Garden will have to do. We are so blessed to be living in Portstewart at a time when many are confined to homes in built up towns and cities.

40
You will have realised by this stage that Psalm 40 and also the idea of 40 days have been in my thoughts a lot, before and during Lockdown. We have just come to the end of Lent and our 40 days with Trypraying - CatchingThe Wave, and now we enter another 40 days of Resurrection. Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days before ascending into heaven, and then 10 days later we have Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.​ - Acts 1:3
So let us not give up praying for Revival, but let us commit to the next 40+10 days and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will come upon our lives in Revival power. Tides will help us focus on the resurrection today.

Tides
In Tides today John Dickinson is writing about the encounter between Jesus and Mary at the empty tomb. Mary sees two angels but such is her grief that she barely registers who they are. But one thing thing changes everything, as John writes - 
“One word, spoken in a voice and cadence that she knew so well changed everything – her name on Jesus’ lips. “
Imagine the difference it makes today, to know that our name is on the lips of our Saviour. He knows us by name and he will not leave us.
Sign up to Tides here.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Resources/Prayer/TIDES.aspx​

CityAlight - Christ Is Mine Forevermore
This song is by City Alight - The same folk who brought us, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” It is a great reminder in these days of Resurrection that Jesus is with us and will not forsake us, even though we may look elsewhere.
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roQovDZeAWE

Changed Times
Thought you might like to see a few of photos that I took just before And after lockdown and see the difference that everyone is making and why there was such a large police presence on the North Coast over the Easter Weekend. On Easter Monday on our walk we were passed by 4 different police cars and two police motorbikes.
Lockdown was announced on Monday evening 23rd March by the Prime Minister.
We had closed the church building on Sunday 22nd March. 
Three Photographs below.
1) This was the beach on Saturday 21st March 2020.
​2) Sunday 22nd March 2020 Before Lockdown but Church buildings were closed, and cars are restricted on the beach.
3) Tuesday 24th March 2020 After Lockdown
​Stay Home & Stay Safe!

At the risk of repeating myself, the aim of these updates each day is to provide an alternative perspective on the world, giving some hope when most of the media is pumping out despair. This blog is not going to keep you up to date with the latest news or statistics but hopefully you will find somethings that interest you.  You won’t be able to check out everything that I suggest so pick and choose whatever you want. Obviously I have not watched or listened to everything either, but I only recommend things that I think will be of a high quality that will build up your faith. I also try to include material that is suitable for all ages. So here are a few things for today.

The Story Of Easter
Children’s animation of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, there are two more animations to follow over the next couple of days to deal with other parts of the Easter Story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-39h0xYqdE

Easter Saturday
Over the weekend look out for various programmes on TV. 7:00pm Saturday 11th April on BBC2 is Easter from King’s College Cambridge. It's a little-known fact that Easter from King's is filmed at the same time as the better known “Carols from King's” each year, which is a good job, because otherwise it couldn’t have been recorded this year because of the restrictions.

Diary Of A Disciple
An Audio download of a re-telling of Luke’s Gospel for 7-11 year olds
https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/resource/diary-disciple-lukes-story-audio-all-chapters


A Selection Of Books About Prayer
These are all available from the Good Book Company at the link below but they should also be downloadable for kindle.
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/christian-living/prayer/audience-adults/?utm_source=UK+Newsletters&utm_campaign=a09c1a1d5d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_07_02_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c60f7994ea-a09c1a1d5d-179694741&goal=0_c60f7994ea-a09c1a1d5d-179694741&mc_cid=a09c1a1d5d&mc_eid=b1f31a6b76


A New Book on COVID-19 from John Piper
Anything that John Piper writes is well worth reading and this book about Coronavirus and Christ should be a good read. Here is the promotional description.​

On January 11, 2020, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reportedly claimed its first victim in the Wuhan province of China. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization had declared a global pandemic. In the midst of this fear and uncertainty, it is natural to wonder what God is doing.
In Coronavirus and Christ, John Piper invites readers around the world to stand on the solid Rock, who is Jesus Christ, in whom our souls can be sustained by the sovereign God who ordains, governs, and reigns over all things to accomplish his wise and good purposes for those who trust in him. What is God doing through the coronavirus? Piper offers six biblical answers to that question, showing us that God is at work in this moment in history.

Free to Download
In partnership with Desiring God, Crossway is pleased to offer all digital editions of Coronavirus and Christ free of charge, which includes:

The audiobook, available as downloadable MP3 files or via The Crossway Podcast

The ebook, available in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI (Kindle) formats.

​Find the downloads at the link below.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/coronavirus-and-christ-by-john-piper/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=02dbdbfb66-20200408+-+General+-+Free+Book+COVID-19+John+Piper&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0275bcaa4b-02dbdbfb66-283323045

Hope you are all staying safe. It is very strange as all these restrictions become more and more normal. Do share what you are doing during this time of social distancing. 
Today we have something to occupy your listening during the next few weeks ...

Radio Dramas
Commission Christian Programmers for Radio have been making broadcast quality drama programmes since 1975 which are used by radio stations worldwide such as FEBA, TWR, Premier, Downtown, UCB, FEBC and many local stations. They are a Northern Ireland company and have made their Radio dramas free of charge to listen to online. There are a few which are specifically for Easter but there are many more covering numerous biblical stories. 
http://radiobibledrama.com/

More Local Food Deliveries
Crusoes Coffee Shop -  £2 delivery, prepared meals and home made bread within 15 mile radius of Castlerock.https://www.crusoescoffeeshop.com/?fbclid=IwAR04XKi0WU1FMd5Vj0BgLxuGgYUUk_W25_ZBgZ0Dox

Easter Resources For Children
Lots of resources this Easter, to keep you and your family's faith alive and their eyes fixed on Jesus
https://www.cwr.org.uk/resources-1

Prayer Meeting
Today is the time that we normally meet together to pray as a church. I think that over these last few weeks we have released more than ever how important prayer is. Why not set aside an hour today to pray for this nation, the current crisis and for Revival. We usually pray from 9:30-10:30am but you can take an hour at any time today.

Prayer For Prime Minister
The worrying news was given last night that the Prime Minister Boris Johnston has been admitted not only to hospital but to intensive care. We need to pray for him as he will need to recover fully before leading the country again. We also need to pray that a prominent leader will either pray for the country or call the country to repentance and prayer. Scott Morrisson, the Australian Prime Minister, (who I have no idea about his character or his politics) has prayed for Australia and the world. You can listen to his prayer at the link below (It is a terrible quality video but you can still hear the prayer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPFxE4ykLZA

Presbyterian Herald
The April edition of the Herald was written before the Corona Lockdown, but was not printed or distributed. You can now read it online for free, production of the Herald has now halted until further notice.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/document.issuu.com/200327195346-d6516a0dd8a2dc63cabb3c2169b5c6b5/original.file?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIATDDRE5J7RFYL5QFX&Expires=1586203962&Signature=q%2BWW6V6HsdLi8j2uj2OzZdm9xkA%3D
Or 
https://issuu.com/presbyterianireland/docs/presbyterian_herald_april_2020
Other editions are also available for a charge.

Where Is God In A Coronavirus World
John Lennox has written a short book about the current crisis, it is now available from The Good Book Company. It is available as paperback or digital download, you can also read Chapter 1 for free on line.
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/where-is-god-in-a-coronavirus-world

CEF Holiday Bible Club
CEF have organised an online Holiday Bible Club for Children all this week.
Join us at 3PM on Monday 6th April for our first ever online Easter Club! Head to www.cefireland.com/easterclub to download and print an invitation and a name badge for your child/children!

Day 36 - Trypraying 2020
Daring - What is God asking us to do today that would be daring? A phone call that we need to make to someone? A change in our activities that would all us to wait upon the Lord. A message/bible verse that we need to share with someone?

The start of another week of Lockdown, but it is amazing how connected we all are through the Holy Spirit, especially through the time of prayer on Sunday afternoon between 3-4pm. Some of you have said how meaningful it was to know that there were hundreds of others all praying at the same time. Let us Keeppraying as I say below. This update is a little later this morning as I was sorting out a few details for a Good Friday service and I have a real surprise for the Burnside regulars on Friday night. I hope you are all staying safe and keeping well, remember if there is anything that we can do as a church to help you please let me know.

Holy week readings
if you would like a Set of readings to cover this Holy Week, there are three PDF files at the end of this blog for you to download, The first 2 are for Adults and the 3rd is for families. Take your pick they will guide your thoughts this week and encourage you in your prayers.

The Biggest Story
During Holy Week, Crossway is offering free streaming access to The Biggest Story: The Animated Short Film through April 12, 2020. Based on the best-selling book by pastor Kevin DeYoung, the 26-minute film was created to show kids how stories in the Bible connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/free-to-stream-the-biggest-story-animated-video/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=c2cb067094-20200404+-+Marketing+General+-+COVID-19+Gospel&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0275bcaa4b-c2cb067094-283323045

Trypraying - Keeppraying
The Trypraying 40 days of prayer is coming to an end on Easter Sunday, but this is no time to stop praying, it is a time to keep praying. There are many apps that will help you pray.
The one I use to organise my prayers is PrayerMate - search on your App Store, it is a great way to organise your prayers and you can also subscribe (for free) to mission organisations and PCI to get the latest Let’s Pray update.
Also try searching for “Prayer Ireland’ on your App Store, articles about prayer and a calendar where you commit to pray for 15 minutes at a particular time on a particular day. You can see how many other people have committed to pray at that time as well.

Day 35 - Trypraying 2020
the theme this week is purposes, and began yesterday with the promise -
“In the last days God says, ‘I will pour out my spirit on all people’.”
Today is Day 35 and the them is Liberating, how if we trust in Jesus, he can enable us to do what seems impossible.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14


Choose a Hymn/Song/Psalm
I thought it would be interesting if we could encourage each other through this little blog. I know that many of you are reading each day, so in the comments below why not write the name of a hymn/song/psalm that you like that deals with fear. You can add a reason why it means so much to you if you want, but the name of the song is the important part. We will maybe try other topics over the next few days if we get a response.