Blog Archives

Friday 15th May 2020

14/5/2020

Tides
In tides today we are taken to Revelation 21 and John presents us with the vision of a new heaven and a new earth where there is restoration. This is a vital part of the Gospel message that we can often overlook because we think primarily about how the Gospel impacts our lives now. We think of the forgiveness of our sins and the transformation that the Holy Spirit brings to us now, but there is also a transformation that is to come, the Gospel continues to work and one day will restore this earth to what it was before the fall. In that day ...

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
Revelation 21:4

Daniel Kane writes in Tides today ...

The whole world is crying out for healing right now. Revelation 21:1-4 is the great promise of heaven coming down and transforming the earth...

... the resurrection of Jesus is the first instalment of all of this which is yet to come. It’s not all here yet, but is on its way.

This is the comfort that we have today.

New Skills?
Have you been learning any new skills during Lockdown?
Most of my learning has centred around video and websites, but a lot of folk have been using the time to bake, not wanting to be left out I tried a Wheaten Bread this morning. Looking at the picture it seems to be the size of a scone but I can assure you it is proper wheaten bread sized.
If you have been baking or trying something new during lockdown why not send me some photos so that I can share them on the blog.

Isolated World/Connected Church
The latest episode of the 'Isolated World / Connected Church' podcast. This week, Dez Johnston and Ruth Tormey chat with our hosts about how church leaders are supporting each other through the new challenges of doing church in lockdown.
https://player.lightcast.com/ygTO1UzM

Living With Loss
A website which contains many resources for anyone who has been bereaved, it is the personal journey of a lady Abi May who has experienced the loss of two children and is seeking to bring comfort to others. It is a website for personal help but could also be shared with someone who may find it helpful.
http://www.avalleyjournal.co.uk/

The Bible App For Kids
If you don't already have the Bible App for Kids, download it free from iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon, and interact with the complete set of Bible stories on the go! This is an incredible resource for teaching your child about God.

41 Bible stories just for kids
Kid-friendly navigation
Games and activities that help kids remember what they're learning
Touch-activated animations

Search for The Bible App For Kids on the app store on your phone or tablet.
There are also Colouring Sheets
https://bibleappforkids.com/parents/coloring-sheets
And a Video Bible Stories
https://bibleappforkids.com/parents/videos

Online Bible Reading
The Bible Society have a wonderful online resource to help us read the bible
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/read/

Faith In The Face Of Fear
Rev. David Moore, Minister of Knock Presbyterian Church, Belfast reflects on how faith remains in the face of fear in this time of crisis.
He writes -
Fear is a thief. It robs us of our joy and peace, leaving only anxiety and dread…
https://bit.ly/2LmcsYX

Jigsaw
I hope you enjoyed the NW200 Jigsaw yesterday.

We have had a few times submitted
Jean 4:39
Derek 9:00
Eric 9:46
Richard 13:01 (I don’t know how it took me so long)

Perhaps the most comprehensive comment yet on the Blog,
Edgar commented

Jean's time for today's jigsaw. 4.39
Year is 2016
No 13 Lee Johnston
No 34 Alastair Seeley
Windsock is on the beach.

As promised Bonus points and straight to the top of the leaderboard. Every detail correct. Very Impressive

Eric also commented - Very impressive but one detail not quite right. (See below)

Time for jigsaw - too embarrassed to reveal! (9:46)
Riders - No 13 Lee Johnston, No 34 Alastair Seeley
Year - 2016 (Kind of given away by the poster in the background)
Where is it? - At the houses of the former Cromore Halt at the Station Corner.

The Jigsaw for the weekend reminds us of the crowds that should have been here for the NW200, and as it is a Friday a few more pieces to keep you occupied.

Play the "NW200" puzzle here!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=12bbe918ba6d

Where Is It.
Congratulations if you guessed that the Windsock is located at the entrance to the Strand.
Some of you were confused because normally during race week there is a windsock up at Cromore, but this one was on the beach.

Where Is It?
You have all weekend to work this one out, so it is a little bit more difficult, Where Is It?

2 Comments

Thursday 14th May 2020

13/5/2020

2 Comments

Tides
Today Rev. Liz Hughes reminds us, from Romans 8, that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:35

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-38

Liz writes ...

Just reading this Bible passage always lifts my spirits ...

There is nothing in all creation, neither death nor life, nor Covid-19, nor any kind of loss or trouble which can separate us from the love of God in Jesus. Not today, not in the future, not ever.

Internet Issues
Just in case any of you are having internet problems at the moment, there does seem to be a lot of work happening along the roads by Openreach so you could experience some slow down when watching video via the internet. I certainly have been having some problems getting things onto the Burnside Website, so be patient.

The Blessing
You may remember last week I shared “The Blessing” which lots of churches across the UK had recorded, I also shared the South African version and the American version. Now lots of other countries have been doing the same and here is a compilation of some of them. It is such a beautiful song.

VE Day
Just over a week ago we commemorated 75th Anniversary of VE Day.
RAF Coningsby (@RAFConingsby) Tweeted a special 75th anniversary of VE Day message from their Station Chaplain; Reverend (Squadron Leader) Chris Carré.
Click here to view https://bit.ly/2WsdRnh

Lockdown - Hard To Cope With the Changes?
Finding change in lockdown uncomfortable? You're absolutely not alone. But this episode of 'Life Issues' from UCB with Paul Hammond might encourage you to approach these tough changes with a fresh perspective.
Click here to listen: https://player.lightcast.com/ycDN3cDN

UCB - Responding To Coronavirus
How do we respond to the coronavirus with a biblical perspective? Click below to hear UCB 2 presenter Chloe Wilson reflect on the article, 'Facing Coronaviris in Christ.' (Only 3:00 minutes long)
Click here to listen https://bit.ly/2WoYCvs
There are now buttons on the front page of the Website to allow you to easily access UCB Radio.

UCB - Discouragement
Sometimes it helps just to remember that characters in the Bible felt discouragement – just like we do. This sermon from Charles Stanley looks at the story of Paul – a disciple who certainly experienced discouragement!
Click here to listen:
https://player.lightcast.com/ygTM3gzN

Jigsaw
A few times from yesterday. Thank you so much for sending them in.Jean 3:36
Derek 4:18
Richard 11:09

Today would have been 2nd daytime practice for the NW200 and the first races would have taken place tonight, so the Jigsaw is especially for all you bike fans out there.

Try The Jigsaw
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=21407fc89f9d

Extra bonus points available if you can name the riders.
Straight to the top of the leader board if you know what year this is from.

Where Is It?
Quite a few folk guessed correctly that yesterday it was the Salmon House, if you were in any doubt here it is from another angle. thank you to everyone who sends in guesses.

Ending with a simple question - Where Is It?
Where in Portstewart would you find this wind sock? Is this slightly more difficult today?

2 Comments

Wednesday 13th May 2020

12/5/2020

4 Comments

Prayer
Today is the day that our prayer meeting always meet.

Most of the items in the blog today are therefore about prayer.

Why not take a moment or two to be inspired by the articles and then set aside some time to pray. Remember you can access the Virtual Prayer Room on the Burnside Website.
https://bit.ly/BurnsidePrayerRoom

Tides
Tides have also joined us with the theme of prayer today.

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
MATTHEW 7:7-8

Karen Jardine asks -

Has the pandemic changed your prayer life? Perhaps you’re on your knees like never before.

And then leaves us with the wonderful hymn, What A Friend We Have In Jesus.

More Prayer
Rise in prayer and religious service attendance to be met with a step up in our witness. According to research launched by Tearfund, and conducted by Savanta ComRes, many in the UK are turning to prayer during the crisis. A third of UK adults (33 per cent) have prayed since the beginning of the pandemic. What is our response to be?
https://bit.ly/2Wk0wx6

A Prayer For Those In Intensive Care
From Evangelical Alliance

Jesus' Unanswered Prayer?
Did Jesus have unanswered prayer? Did the Son of God, a member of the 3-in-1 Trinity that is God Himself, pray to the Father, and get rejected?
Read more here - https://bit.ly/2WL6jLh

Prayer Can Change Things
Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer during His earthly ministry. He prayed for Himself (see John 17:1–5). He prayed for His disciples (see John 17:6–26). With His dying breath, He prayed for His enemies (see Luke 23:34)
Read more here - https://bit.ly/35Ow7dq

Let’s Pray
Each week PCI give us a prayer as part of Let’s Pray - These Three Remain.
Here is this week’s prayer, In this moment - A prayer for faith in the face of fear

Faithful God,
these are frightening times we find ourselves living through.
It’s like our whole world is on edge;
a massive cloud has descended,
casting a great shadow over all of life,
and hiding you from our sight.
Fear spreads faster than the virus itself;
manufacturing worry,
multiplying anxiety,
making us nervous.
We stumble along by faith and not sight,
not because you have told us to,
but because we have no choice.
It feels like treading a tightrope,
sometimes we gain balance as we look to you,
but more often we waver unsteadily,
swaying in the clamour of the latest news and views.
Like that father in the gospel,
bringing his son to be set free from the spirit which tormented him,
we do believe,
because you are God,
because you have never let us down,
because you have the words of eternal life;
yet we need you to help us overcome our unbelief,
because we do doubt,
because our minds race,
because our hearts wander.
So, enable us to have faith in you in the face of fear,
to know our days steadied by it,
to find the inward strengthening of our hearts by it,
to discover our lives showing and sharing it.
For we ask it, believing and not doubting,
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Why God Doesn’t Answer Prayer
Why doesn’t god answer my prayers, someone might ask.
Well, one reason could be that God doesn’t do stupid things.
Read more here - https://bit.ly/2Wk0wx6

When Will Churches Reopen?
We simply cannot be sure, but here is an article from the BBC news site, looking at churches in England.
Coronavirus: Churches may not be back to normal by end of year
Read more here https://bbc.in/2xPmxui

Drive Through - Drive In Churches
The NI Executive in their plan released yesterday, mentioned the possibility of Drive Through Churches in the next step of easing lockdown restrictions. It will be interesting to see how all of this works out in practice. It does work in the summer time at the North West 200 Pits or The East Strand Car-Park in Portrush, but I’m not sure if it would be as helpful as Burnside At Home is proving to be, because even though we might all be together in one place, we wouldn’t be allowed to get out of our cars and talk to each other. We still would find it difficult to sing with each other and our outreach would also be limited to the people who made the effort to attend, rather than all the people who are now listening at home. I also wonder how many of us at present would want to leave our homes for a Drive Through service while most of the other restrictions still apply, or how well it would be accepted by our neighbours on a peaceful Sunday morning with a church service being amplified. There are a lot of things to think about, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Crown Jesus - Prayer For Unity
As we slowly come out of #lockdown this is important to #prayForUnity in the church. Without unity in our fellowships and across the #church family we are in trouble. Jesus predicted church growth but PRAYS for #unity. John 14-16

International Nurses Day
Yesterday we marked International Nurses Day with the thoughtful piece from Wilma, the Moderator has also praised the dedication & compassion of nurses on #InternationalNursesDay "I believe Florence Nightingale would have been proud of those who followed in her footsteps. A pride that is shared by my Church & those beyond its bounds”
You can read the full article here -
https://bit.ly/3bknE2Y

Jigsaw

Some times from Yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 3:42
Derek 5:17

Today’s Puzzle CLICK HERE

Where Is It?
Everyone who said the building at the car park on the Harbour Hill is correct. (William, Edgar, Derek). Thank you for the comments and the emails, it is lovely to receive your guesses. One responder guessed the Where Is It? correctly and then said, “Not sure what it was but i am sure you will tell us all tomorrow”. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not sure what it was, It used to have a cross on top and a red light which I always assumed was a navigation marker for ships, but I never knew for sure.
Where Is It? Today?

4 Comments

Tuesday 12th May 2020

12/5/2020

3 Comments

Tides
Today is the 50th Day of Lockdown and the Tides reading today reminds us that God, our Creator, our Redeemer, wants us to know how unshakeably safe and secure we are – now and forever.

David Cupples highlights the hymn, “How Firm A Foundation”, and points out that verses 3 & 4 are based on Isaiah 43

Let’s Pray

Let’s Pray that as care homes become the new frontline in the battle against coronavirus, that God’s sheltering hand would be known among residents, his protection experienced by staff and his reassurance granted to family members unable to visit loved ones
http://bit.ly/2cgVbSa

Thank you to Wilma for the following piece on the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale.

Ministering Angels
Today is the bicentenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. She is considered to be the founder of the nursing profession, having created an educational system that would ensure nurses would obtain a professional qualification.

At the time of the Crimean war, when she arrived at the Scutari hospital in Turkey, she discovered soldiers were dying, not from their wounds, but from infectious diseases. Her priority was to control the spread. One of the first tasks was to have the entire hospital scrubbed! She became a pioneer in Cross Infection.

In the Scutari hospital as she toured the wards at night she was known as "the ministering angel with a lamp".

In Burnside church we have ministering angels, they have come to the fore in lockdown. Recently, I had a God planned encounter with two of them.

Many of you are aware of the sudden passing of my sister Roberta, she was known to many of you, and always enjoyed the fellowship in Burnside. I have been overwhelmed, by the support of many in sending cards, phoning me, or calling at the door to express sympathy. I have been upheld by prayer.

Due to the current situation it was not possible to attend the Crematorium for a service, however it was possible for the hearse to stop outside her house on it's way to Roselawn. My family members were able to follow it a short distance along her road. I received some pictures and a brief video. The sun was shining and I could hear the birds singing. I felt I was there! It was a very emotional time for me, in tears, I listened to the singing of the Aaronic blessing, which Richard had posted and I read part of Psalm 27. I phoned two long standing friends but got no answer. Then I saw a white van approaching in my driveway. It was two ministering angels, Ruth and Jim intending to leave a card. In tears at the door, I had found listening ears, and shared my grief. Ruth explained, they had intended to call earlier that day, but had been diverted by another matter. I thanked God for His perfect timing and those listening ears. Everything by Him is planned! Tides on Monday 11th reminded us to look for God at work in our circumstances.
Wilma

Prayer for Presbyterian Church In Ireland
Crown Jesus Ministries are encouraging people to pray for the various denominations in Ireland. This week the focus is on PCI and William Henry has recorded a short video (1:26) encouraging people to pray. You can watch it here.

VE Day
As the UK and other nations commemorated the 75th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’, and the ending of the Second World War on the continent, residents across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) care homes were also commemorating the anniversary – including Margaret McKeague, who turns 100 this week and served in the Voluntary Aid Detachment, or the ‘VADs’, throughout the war.
https://bit.ly/2xLpVGC

Keeping The Faith
How Christians in the Irish League are finding strength in God during coronavirus pandemic. Some of the Christians involved in the Irish League have spoken to the Belfast Telegraph about their faith during testing times.
https://bit.ly/2SMJJ3R

Thank You To Farmers

Rev Kenny Hanna writes that the current emergency casts a ‘cold shadow’, yet at the same time he is reminded of what CS Lewis called patches of ‘Godlight’ & how one patch of this ‘Godlight’ are farmers and how we are so thankful for them. Read more Here -
https://bit.ly/3fFiTnN

Virtually Keswick Convention 2020
Keswick at Portstewart may not be taking place this year, but we will be able to attend, Virtually Keswick Convention 2020! This is the Convention based in Keswick, The Lake District.
Christopher Ash will be the Bible reader for the week (July 27-31)
He will be speaking on ‘Hope in Jesus’ from the Psalms.
https://keswickministries.org/convention-2020/

Jigsaw Where Is It?

Thank you for sharing times for yesterday.

Jean 2:38
Derek 3:37

Maybe the Where Is It? yesterday was a little difficult if you are not a fan of the TV show, but it is of course Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) which we visited last year on holiday.

Jigsaw puzzle for today.
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1834fbbe94d0

Where Is It?
I’ve been blogging now for the most of Lockdown, we have had jigsaws and a Where Is It? for the last week, then yesterday, for a bit of a laugh, I included a less than flattering holiday photo of myself in the Jigsaw, and yesterday was the one day that PCI decided that they would share our little blog with the rest of the Presbyterian Church. So not only did the normal readers get to read the Blog yesterday but the rest of the church at large were pointed towards it. Every other day there has been a nice picture of Portstewart for the Jigsaw and an obscure photo of Portstewart for the Where Is It?
Yesterday Me On My Holidays!!!!!

Where Is It?
(Today it is definitely in Portstewart)

3 Comments

Monday 11th May 2020

11/5/2020

1 Comment

Monday
Today is Monday, and this is the week of the year when many traditionally complain that they can’t get out of their houses, while many others of us put on a raincoat and go and stand around the triangle. This year the roads are not closed but everything else is. We are entering week 8 of lockdown and David Thompson in Tides today provides us with some encouragement if we are feeling weary. Of course not everyone is weary with Lockdown, some people are coping well, but these words are still a great comfort.

Tides
David writes

The coronavirus is such a big thing to us, but not something by which God feels at all overwhelmed. He sits on high reigning over all the earth. He can bring about change at will. Every night he brings the stars out to shine. And he reminds us that he hasn’t lost track of our situation. Even though he is the everlasting God he cares about us and our personal circumstances. We might be tired and wearied by it all, but he isn’t. He promises strength for each day, power in our weakness. So let’s refresh our hope in the LORD, renew our strength, run again with perseverance.

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, … 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-30

We Will Fear The Lord
What is our response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, this hymn written as a response says we should Fear The Lord. Perhaps this is not the message that our modern world wants to hear, but it is timely advice.

Moderator’s Service
As churches across Ireland remain closed today, due to the current Coronavirus emergency, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr William Henry, begins a short four-part series of sermons entitled ‘Hope beyond lockdown’.

Recorded in his home congregation, Maze Presbyterian earlier this week, Dr Henry said, “I’ve entitled this series ‘Hope beyond Lockdown’ as I will be focusing on things that are important to all of us a church. They are the things that we miss because we are in a period of lockdown and are the aspects of church that we should be desiring to get back to. Indeed, it is the hope of these experiences that creates the desire to be church together.”

Keswick Convention
The Talks Library is now online. You can find a great selection of Convention talks from previous years - for free. Enjoy! These are the talks from the Convention in Keswick.
https://keswickministries.org/talks-library/

Gifts And Cards
Ben and Hannah Dunnett produce gifts and cards in modern eye catching designs. Each design is created around a verse or even a passage of scripture. Check out their range of products.
https://www.benandhannahdunnett.com/new-arrivals/

PCI Online Services
Churches in PCI, continue to provide a wide range of online resources to their congregations – including services on a Sunday. To visit an even increasing list visit the website https://bit.ly/2zNRMqo

The Pandemic’s Hidden Human Trafficking Crisis
The coronavirus has created more people vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers—and the world is unpreparedness to protect them. A fascinating article on how the Coronavirus Pandemic has impacted human trafficking.
https://buff.ly/3aQiNpZ

PW
For those of you who are missing the PW Annual conference, outgoing PW President Karen Craig reflects on her year in office and incoming President Heather Clements (you may remember Heather speaking at our last morning service in Burnside) looks forward to what lies ahead.
https://bit.ly/35yKvXp

Jigsaw
Well done to everyone who completed the jigsaw on Friday.
First entry came from Jean 11:52 - well done, faster than I have been able to do it.
Late entries from the Craig family
Jenna 3.16
Jason 4.19
Julie 6.15

Jenna’s Time 3:16 (very biblical)

Where Is It?
Well done to everyone who guessed that the bench was at , half way along the path from The Crescent to The Strand. You can see it in context here.

Jigsaw Where Is It?
Today I am combining the Jigsaw with the Where Is it?
All you have to do is complete the Jigsaw and tell me where the mystery person is.
(Clue - It is not in Portstewart but you should still recognise the building)
Apologies for the shocking nature of the photo.

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3ce1f8e6f34c

1 Comment

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