Blog Archives

Monday 31st May 2021

31/5/2021

Beside The Burn
This week we begin a new series “How do we cope with James?” This week we ask “How do we cope with ... Peacemaking?” We all face difficulties in life and James has some great advice.

Songs From The Book Of James
The Gospel Coalition have produced a playlist of 100 songs inspired by the book of James, and I intend to share some of those songs each day on the Blog, but you can listen to the full playlist during the next few weeks as we continue our studies in this book. I have benefited greatly from listening to these songs over and over again as I have asked God to speak from His word.
You can stream the playlist on Spotify or on Apple Music right now.

Here are the songs for today with a little thought about their subject matter.

“Tethered to the Cross,” Danny O’Callaghan - It sounds like it should be an old hymn but is a recent composition.

Youtube Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq2dO6q3VUIbGS7l8qyXDSrTrU3iXS_-y
I’ll add the songs to this playlist each day.

Let’s Pray For Moderator
As the Moderator makes plans to visit congregations in person, pray that these meetings would be a blessing and demonstrate how the Presbyterian family in Ireland belongs together.

Naomi Leremore (global mission worker in Kenya)
Pray for wisdom and guidance for Naomi and the others on the team writing lessons for the Vacation Bible School on the theme of peace and conflict resolution. Pray too for the Covid-19 situation in Kenya, for those affected by the disease and those struggling with the economic consequences.

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 refugees and displaced people in the region.

Facing The Canon (28 minute video)
J.John speaks with Lauren Windle about recovery from addiction and her new book 'Notes on Love'.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Put Your House In Order

Your Suffering Will Not Last For Ever (3 minute video)
Two things are certain about suffering. The first is that in this fallen world, we are all bound to taste its bitterness in some form or fashion. But the second is that for believers, all our suffering will come to an end. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:4). Yet, as John Piper reminds us in this clip from Sing! Global 2020, we will still sing about suffering through eternity—not our suffering, but Christ’s.

Immanuel Nashville (1 hour video)
Dr. Russell Moore preaching the gospel at Immanuel Nashville on Sunday.

Explore Devotional
Explore have kindly made their June Devotions available for free.

june_devotion_2021.pdf
File Size:	1248 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 9:57
Eddie 11:28
Derek 11:55

Play the "Ballycastle Rainbow Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3963be7f0ee5

2 Comments

Friday 28th May 2021

28/5/2021

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week we pause from our studies in the Book of James and we continue our thoughts from Sunday as we explore our relationship with the Holy Spirit and Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Songs For Pentecost
This week some songs about the Holy Spirit for Pentecost.

Refiner’s Fire - Brian Doerksen
Revive Us Again - Andy Park
Take Us To The River - Robin Mark

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for the Taking Care Department as they support our congregations in the area of Safeguarding – giving advice on routine issues, concerns and complaints. Give thanks for all Designated Persons, who provide a vital role in each congregation, especially as they begin to manage the transition back to more normal church life. Give thanks also for our volunteer Trainers, many who have continued to deliver virtual training during these challenging times.

Fostering and Adoption
Give thanks for those willing to open up their homes to care for children and young people who may require short, or longer-term, foster care, or adoption. Pray that more people would come forward to offer this support as foster carers and adopters.

General Council
Pray for the Moderator, Dr David Bruce and the Clerk, Rev Trevor Gribben, as they participate in the meeting of the Church Leaders Group (Ireland) during the incoming week. These meetings have proved to be incredibly useful in discussing significant matters of mutual concern.

Council for Training in Ministry
Rev David Leach has been appointed as Professor of Ministry in Union College. David will oversee the training pathways of ministry students, as well as teaching some subjects such as preaching. Pray that the Lord will use David as he takes up his post in August, and pray for him and his family as their time in Union Road Magherafelt and Lecumpher comes to an end.

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

Fanning The Flame
Yesterday, Anne, Wilfred and Richard attended the PCI Virtual Fanning The Flame Conference, looking at how as Churches we ease out of lockdown. You can read about the initiative here https://bit.ly/3bYpBVI

Ethnicity In The Church
There are many conversations about ethnicity in the church today. I see a lot of anger. I see a lot of sarcasm. I see a lot of unforgiveness and mockery. What I don’t see is a lot of humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. https://t.co/k5UvBzcaeu

Compassion (7 minute video)
In order to represent Jesus, we NEED to be compassionate like he was. But that’s a tall order. So how do we do it? Be encouraged by this powerful message from UCB’s CEO, David L’Herroux.
https://t.co/wGPsY4902u

How To Meet God In The Bible
7 ways to approach scripture in order to meet God rather than just collecting information, checking a box, or doing an academic exercise https://t.co/k6zUqvdt7v

10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity
Rebecca McLaughlin
Equip your children to understand---and verbalise---what they believe! Questions often feel like roadblocks to young people---whether they are Christians, might consider faith, or think of Jesus as a fairy tale character. Using kid-friendly illustrations and biblical truth, McLaughlin invites readers to dig deep into 10 common queries about scriptural reliability, sexuality, diversity, and other topics.

https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 3:01
Jean 3:18

A slightly more difficult beach photo for the weekend.

Play the "Beach Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=07c809fab00f

2 Comments

Thursday 27th May 2021

27/5/2021

1 Comment

Beside The Burn
This week we pause from our studies in the Book of James and we continue our thoughts from Sunday as we explore our relationship with the Holy Spirit and Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Many of you have been in contact this week about Robert Murray M’Cheyne and his hymn Jehovah Tsidkenu. In the Blog on Monday I mentioned that M’Cheyne had travelled to Israel and on his return encouraged the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to set up a mission to the Jews. Terry was able to tell me that in 1840 M’Cheyne was invited to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church In Ireland to speak about his findings in Israel and Dorothy dropped in a copy of his sermon, “Our Duty To Israel” which he preached on his return. You can read this sermon here - https://tothejewsfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Our-Duty-to-Israel.pdf

If you would like to find out more about Murray M’Cheyne there is a Website devoted to him.
http://www.mcheyne.info

Songs For Pentecost
This week some songs about the Holy Spirit for Pentecost.

Let The Heavens Open - Kari Jobe
Living Rain - Parachute Band
Place Of Freedom - Highlands Worship
Pour Over Me - Stuart Townend (From Songs Of Praise)

Let’s Pray For John McCandless (community outreach worker in Mountpottinger & McQuiston)
Give thanks for recent outreach opportunities, including ‘HUG IN A BOX’ doorstep deliveries, connecting with church community through activities via Zoom, and providing takeaway cooked lunches for over 40 people on a weekly basis.

Naas (Co Kildare)
Praise the Lord for keeping the congregation faithful to him and each other during the past year. Pray for the members as they look at living as believers in a world hostile to Christianity.

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

The Answer to the Big Questions of Life (5 minute video)
An extract from a talk by Dr. John Lennox from Sing! Global 2020

What Is Your Anchor in the Storm?
“Does your church sing any hymns that are honest about suffering, uncertainty, and despair?” A wise theologian once asked that question, and his words challenged hymn writers Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. They set out to write a song, like many of the great hymns of old, that would be realistic about the pain of life in this fallen world while expressing the confidence we still have in Christ. The result: “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor.” After the challenges of the past year, this hymn seems even more timely. It reminds us that Christ will never change, never forsake us, no matter how fierce the winds and waves. His cross is our “ballast of assurance,” forever proving that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38). Even in the storms of life, we can sing—because our Anchor will not be removed.

Heroes Of Faith - John Newton
Few stories in Christian history are more dramatic than that of John Newton, whose life demonstrates the title of his most famous hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’. J.John brings us the story of John Newton in his Heroes OF Faith Series
https://t.co/mRpluiouU8

Bible Books In 30 Minutes - Ruth (30 minute audio)
Why is the love story in the book of Ruth still so relevant today? Find out in this episode of 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes.'
https://t.co/LdYcZ5Gahe

Bible Trek (3 minute video)
Jesus and his disciples covered many miles as they followed the traditional rabbinic model where students would learn as they walked and talked with their master...
https://t.co/bKkHHCsCoP

Think of fanatical people.
They’re overbearing, insensitive, and harsh.
Why?
It’s not because they are too Christian but because they are not Christian enough.
They are fanatically zealous,
but they are not fanatically humble, sensitive, empathetic, or forgiving—as Christ was.
- Tim Keller

Abandoned As An Orphan
Pentecost wasn’t just a watershed moment of empowerment; it was a form of consolation. Pentecost shows us we aren’t abandoned on earth as spiritual orphans. https://t.co/JEhGfb1z4D

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:41

Play the "Strand Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1f1538b1da33

1 Comment

Wednesday 26th May 2021

26/5/2021

1 Comment

Beside The Burn
This week we pause from our studies in the Book of James and we continue our thoughts from Sunday as we explore our relationship with the Holy Spirit and Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Songs For Pentecost
This week some songs about the Holy Spirit for Pentecost.

Consuming Fire - Tim Hughes
Hungry - Kathryn Scott
Is Anyone Thirsty - Graham Kendrick
Let It Rain - Jesus Culture

Let’s Pray For Csaba & Ilona Veres (Romania)
Pray for Csaba’s support group providing spiritual and emotional support for the Diakonia’s palliative care team. Pray for the good news club in Mera which is now meeting again. Pray that each child would hear God speak through his Word, come to know the Saviour and grow in faith.

Pakistan
Pray for the people of Pakistan where Covid cases have been rising. Pray for leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan as they live out their faith. Pray for those being persecuted for their faith.

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

Dramatic Answer To Prayer
A Dramatic Answer to Prayer The Miracle of Dunkirk.
https://youtu.be/a8vyfp0aVHk

DIGITAL DISPATCHES
Watch the latest update from James & Heather Cochrane PCI Global Mission workers who partner with the Christian Presbyterian Church of Portugal.

European Missionary Fellowship
Latest Newsletter to help you pray for the mission - May 2021

https://inboxguru.s3.amazonaws.com/001-6c17183d-da03-4131-83c2-6a18af385bb8/Vision%20Magazine/Vision%20Magazine%20May%202021.pdf

Learn To Pray (46 minute audio)
All believers, Don Carson observes, learn to pray through imitation. And here’s a prayer to imitate. https://t.co/mrUqFeNWjK

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 Vietnam the 19th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here

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

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.

27 May – 2 June
– Pray for new CU committees around the island doing leadership training with their staff workers in this period. Pray that they would grasp the vision of what it means to lead a CU, to give their studies, their friendships, their whole lives up in worship to God and seek him as a leadership team together.
– Pray for freshers who will start university in September. Pray that they would connect with their local CU over the summer and feel already a part of the family by the time they begin.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:19
Frances 2:33

Play the "Coast Path Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=07301412589d

1 Comment

Tuesday 25th May 2021

25/5/2021

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
This week we pause from our studies in the Book of James and we continue our thoughts from Sunday as we explore our relationship with the Holy Spirit and Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Songs For Pentecost
This week some songs about the Holy Spirit for Pentecost.

Jehovah Tsidkenu - The hymn from Sunday sung in a church setting.
Holy Spirit, Living Breath Of God - Keith & Kristyn Getty
The Blessing UK - You may remember last year for Pentecost, members of lots of churches came together to record The Blessing.
Holy Spirit How I Love Thee - Stuart Townsend

Jehovah Tsidkenu
I’ve had a few requests for the words to Jehovah Tsidkenu which we sand to the tune of My Jesus I Love Thee

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”
Jeremiah 23:5–6After walking with Andrew Bonar through some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Scotland, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, the early-19th century Scottish pastor, wrote these words in his diary on 3 March, 1834:
“Accompanied A.B. on one of his rounds through some of the most miserable habitations I ever beheld. Such scenes I never before dreamed of. Ah, why am I such a stranger to the poor of my native town? I have passed their doors thousands of times; I have admired the huge black piles of buildings, with their lofty chimneys breaking the sun’s rays—why have I never ventured within? How dwelleth the love of God in me? How cordial is the welcome even of the poorest and most loathsome to the voice of Christian sympathy! What imbedded masses of human beings are huddled together, unvisited by friend or minister! ‘No man careth for our souls’ is written over every forehead. Awake, my soul! Why should I give hours and days any longer to the vain world, when there is such a world of misery at my very door? Lord put thine own strength in me; confirm every good resolution; forgive my past long life of uselessness and folly.”
May the Lord put His own strength in us, that we might be used to glorify His name in Scotland’s schemes, and in poor communities across the world.

LYRICS
I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.
I oft read with pleasure, to sooth or engage,
Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;
But e’en when they pictured the blood sprinkled tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.
Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu—’twas nothing to me.
When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could I see--
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.
My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life giving and free--
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.
Jehovah Tsidkenu! My treasure and boast,
Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne’er can be lost;
In thee I shall conquer by flood and by field,
My cable, my anchor, my breast-plate and shield!
Even treading the valley, the shadow of death,
This watchword shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,
Jehovah Tsidkenu, my death song shall be.

Let’s Pray For Sharon Heron (deaconess, International Meeting Point)
Pray for the new Bible Study which has started in North Belfast. Pray for a man who has recently become a Christian and for the four/five new people who are wanting to learn more about God. Pray that they too will come to faith and for others to grow in their faith.

Mountmellick & Tullamore (Co Laois and Co Offaly)
Pray for the congregations as they enjoy meeting again in-person. Pray that they will be known in their wider communities as multi-national and welcoming churches.

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

New City Catechism
Q. Are All People, Just as They Were Lost Through Adam, Saved Through Christ?
A. No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith. Nevertheless God in his mercy demonstrates common grace even to those who are not elect, by restraining the effects of sin and enabling works of culture for human well-being.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/are-all-people-just-as-they-were-lost-through-adam-saved-through-christ/

7 Reasons To Reconsider Christianity
Many people assume that Christianity is simply a nice story for kids, a comforting crutch to lean on, or completely out of touch with modern life.
In this warm, honest book, Ben Shaw invites sceptical readers to think again. He outlines seven reasons why Christianity is worth considering—or reconsidering—not least because it offers some thought-provoking and rational answers to our deepest questions.
A must-read for anyone considering if there might be more to life.
The book is available here - https://thegoodbook.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?

Read an extract here -
https://thegoodbook.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0d4025231abf6935988f461f4&id=3ff16ab183&e=52694c0eb2

Fanning The Flame
Discover more encouragement on how we can 'Fan the Flame' on the PCI blog - https://t.co/6YpEcYQNCl

Rico Tice
Rico Tice has written a new book - Faithful leaders. In this short video he introduces the theme of the book.
In this short, punchy, challenging and at times surprising book, Rico Tice draws on decades of experience in church leadership to call fellow pastors and others with oversight of areas of church ministry to define success biblically, fight their sin, lead themselves and serve their churches.

5 Christian Clichés that Need to Die
These popular Christian clichés are well-meaning. They just aren’t biblical. 5 things that perhaps people have said to us that sound Christian but are not biblical.
https://t.co/ArqMoDCMGI

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:40

Play the "Strand Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2e2f9136890a

2 Comments

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