Blog Archives

Monday 31st August 2020

31/8/2020

Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Amazing Grace’. Each day we develop the them a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Public Affairs
Give thanks for the church’s voice in the public square, asking God that he would give wisdom and the right words and ways to seek to bring his influence to bear on an increasingly secular society.
Pray for a growing recognition of the value and worth of God’s ways in society in general and many individual lives.

Moderator’s Service
Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, continues his weekly service of worship for the whole Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Recorded in the Weir Chapel in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, the Moderator will bring this service to the wider Presbyterian family during the summer months and into September. This morning he continues with the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, exploring the theme, ‘A church full of the Holy Spirit.’

The Trinity (1 minute video)
Mike Reeves give us a 1 minute introduction to the Trinity in the first of nine short videos.

Preparing For Tragedy (59 minute audio)
Cameron Cole delivered a message at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference titled “Preparing Kids and Adults to Suffer: Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy.” From Psalm 130 and his experience of tragic loss, Cole addressed the process of continuing to trust in Jesus through deep pain and suffering. He emphasized the importance of a rich, biblical theology to prepare believers to suffer with great hope
Listen to the talk or subscribe to the podcast here -
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/how-to-prepare-for-tragedy/

Sing Conference (Music playlist)
Complete Playlist of all the songs being used at this years’ Sing Conference with Keith & Kristyn Getty, which started over the weekend.
This is a great playlist of worship songs to listen to.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5eyuae5iKbtYL8go7yB4ip?si=k7UaP_zjRRGNUM5dNBDMWQ

St. Anne’s Bible Week
Beginning tomorrow evening, you can book your seat in St Anne’s Cathedral for this year’s Bible Week with Peter Lynas. The event will also be live–streamed on Youtube here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/downanddromorevideo
The bible teaching is all from Colossians. 7:45pm each evening.
Tuesday - There is no other message (Colossians 1:15–29)
Wednesday - Time to get real (Colossians 2:6–23)
Thursday - Pursuing holy wholeness (Colossians 3:1–17)
Friday - Love one another (Colossians 3:18–4:6)

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 9:25
Jean 15:21
Richard 16:05
Lynne 18:34
Derek 21:52
Frances 28:46

Last year we were basking in the afterglow of the The Open Golf
Play the "The Open" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0a3937c8c573

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Friday 28th August 2020

27/8/2020

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
Continuing the theme of forgiveness this week we turn to the Lord’s Prayer and find out how our forgiveness is dependant on us forgiving.

Frances On Friday
Every Friday, Frances shares a song that means something to her.

What do you say?’ are words often addressed by a parent to a child who is about to receive a treat, and children are usually quick to learn that the treat is delivered more quickly when they say ‘Thank you!’

In Luke 17:11-19 we read the account of Jesus on His way to Jerusalem when He encountered ten men who had leprosy. It is interesting that in Verse 12 of the NIV account of this story we are told ‘They stood at a distance,’ which is so relevant at present as we observe ‘social distancing.’
The remainder of the story relates to the fact that the men were healed, but only one of them returned to say thanks. Jesus asked, ‘Where are the other nine?’ and then added, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’

We learn from this that Jesus expected the other nine to bring their thanks, and surely this is important for us to remember today. Psalm 106:1 NIV exhorts us to ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.’

Katherine Kennicott Davis (1892 –1980) was an American former teacher, classical music composer and pianist who wrote ‘The Little Drummer Boy.’ Another Song by Katherine is ‘Let All Things Now Living,’ which uses the melody of the traditional Welsh folk song ‘The Ash Grove.’
The lyrics invite us to bring a Song of Thanksgiving to God the Creator who guides us on to the end of our days.

Frances.

Let’s Pray For Preparations For Winter
Give thanks for ongoing preparations in government and health provision to deal with the risk of increased infection from coronavirus during winter, asking that God would give greater readiness as the result of lessons already learned.
Pray that winter would not result in a second spike of coronavirus and that God would particularly protect the vulnerable and those with underlying health conditions.

J.I. Packer
After his recent death, today we have a few videos concerning J.I. Packer.

J.I. Packer (51 minute video)
Speaking about the need for personal holiness. This is an incredibly powerful message that I have listened to more than once over the years. Packer delivers the message in his own style with humility and authority.

John Piper Interviews J.I. Packer (1:15 hour video)
Continuing the interest in JI Packer today here is an interview conducted by John Piper.

Who Is The Holy Spirit (3:36 minute video)
A short lesson from JI Packer

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:51
Derek 5:19

Now would anyone like to try the Friday Jigsaw?
I always say the Friday one is more difficult and will take longer, but this one might be nearly impossible.
The puzzle features Alfie (our friends’ dog) who is hidden in a field.
Enjoy the puzzle but don’t waste your whole weekend.
Play the "Alfie" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3712d03181f0

2 Comments

Thursday 27th August 2020

27/8/2020

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Beside The Burn
Continuing the theme of forgiveness this week we turn to

Let’s Pray For Global Mission Communication
Give thanks for the ways in which PCI’s global mission workers have been able to maintain communication with congregations at home during the coronavirus upheaval, enabling sharing together in the fellowship of the gospel and prayer.
Pray for ongoing work in developing digital communication between global mission workers and congregations at home to enable more effective sharing of news and deeper support for the work.

Outreach at the Bandstand.
Some of you may remember Darren & Yvonne Lennox who joined us a few years ago for our Children’s Outreach. They are involved with an outreach on Saturday. Gods Handiwork Puppet Ministry and Reality Gospel Band is at the bandstand 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday.

Has Christianity Done More Harm Than Good?
(7:36 minute video)
Glen Scrivener and Sam Chan discuss whether or not Christianity has done more good than evil in the world throughout time.

Free E-Book The Gospel
Download the ebook The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ free of charge today. This book helps us experience the power of the gospel and see the beauty it creates as we allow God to transform our beliefs, perspectives, and practices. This book is part of the Building Healthy Churches series, which aims to help us fulfill biblical commands and love our church as Jesus does.
The Gospel

Songs Of Comfort For Anxious Souls
A playlist compiled by the Gospel Coalition of about 180 songs that will bring us comfort.
Find the playlist here on Spotify
Just read about the playlist here https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/songs-comfort-anxious-souls/

Free Audio Book
God Is Able. I think I forgot to mention this month’s free audio book, there are still a few days to download before a new book is available on Tuesday.
Got an IMPOSSIBLE situation? The anxiety it brings can wake you in the middle of a needed night’s sleep and then stalk you in the middle of broad daylight. It can sneak up on you and cast a cloak of fear and concern over your shoulders that you can’t seem to shake no matter how hard you try. It can take you down. Squash all hope. Stop you in your tracks. IMPOSSIBLE. IMPENETRABLE. UNCHANGEABLE. Maybe so . . . until God gets involved.
https://christianaudio.com/free/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:40
Frances 4:00
Derek 4:50

Play the "Ballycastle" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=28ce200b1a32

Where Is It?
Yesterday the Where Is It? was on the lower promenade Portstewart. There seem to be rocks being collected in several other places around the coast.

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Wednesday 26th August 2020

25/8/2020

2 Comments

Beside The Burn
Continuing the theme of forgiveness this week we turn to the Lord’s Prayer and find out how our forgiveness is dependant on us forgiving. Matthew 6:12,14,15

Alexa Open Burnside Church
If you have an Alexa enabled device you are now able to listen to the Burnside podcast by saying “Alexa Open Burnside Church” The latest Podcast will then begin to play. Friday to Monday you will hear Burnside At Home and Tuesday to Thursday you will hear Beside the Burn. You can also ask Alexa to pause or play a previous episode. To set Alexa up simply click on the link below and then click ENABLE.
https://amzn.eu/0DpNsxK

Moderator’s Service (45 minute video)
I forgot to include the Moderator’s service in the Blog on Monday, so for those of you who missed it, here it is.
Read about the service here

Moderator's Service // Sunday 23 August from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.

Wednesday Prayer
On Wednesday the Blog focuses our thoughts on prayer. I hope the following articles and video will encourage you in your prayer.

Let’s Pray For Community Life
Give thanks for the bonds of community in streets and towns that have been strengthened through response to the coronavirus and lockdown, asking God that life in closer relationship might be maintained.
Pray for daily opportunities to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, so showing God’s love in visible and practical ways.

In This Moment A Prayer For Going Back To School
God our heavenly teacher,
thank you for the gift of learning,
that enables us to grow in wisdom and stature,
in relationship with you and others.
We pray for school life as it resumes again,
after months of lockdown and the long summer break.
Be with governors, principals, drivers, cleaners and others,
who have responsibility in arrangements,
for the smooth running of the school day.
Be with teachers and classroom assistants,
as they help pupils settle again into learning.
Be with parents, grandparents and carers,
as they gently help loved ones readjust to the return of school.
Be with children and young people,
as they renew relationships with staff and peers,
embrace new rhythms and routines in familiar places,
pick up the threads of the curriculum again -
remembering what they have learned before,
and quickly making sense of new knowledge coming their way.
Be especially with those in crucial exam years,
taking away fear of months of learning lost,
giving confidence in what can yet be gained.
Help whole school families grow in these days -
physically in their new environments for learning,
mentally as new thinking is required,
emotionally as strains and stresses have to be negotiated,
socially in community with one another,
spiritually as they recognise God at work among them.
Lord Jesus,
whose teaching amazed and astounded,
with its stamp of authority,
and left its lasting mark on many lives,
hear these our prayers for our schools this new term.
Amen

Prayer In The Psalms (39 minute video)
Timothy Keller preaches on the Psalms as the prayerbook of the Bible in this pre-conference message at TGC’s 2016 Women’s Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Any thing by Tim Keller is well worth listening to.

"How can I improve my prayer life?" (6 minute video)
The first of three videos from author Dr. Donald Whitney about prayer from answers in Honest Answers

"What is the purpose of fasting? (6 minute video)
Is God more likely to answer your prayer if you fast?"
Dr. Donald Whitney answers in Honest Answers

"How do you pray without ceasing?" (6 minute video)
Dr. Donald Whitney answers in Honest Answers

Christian Aid Prayer
A prayer guide from Christian Aid for Lebanon and Nicaragua
View the Guide here

christian_aid_prayer_sheet_august_2020_0.pdf
File Size:	363 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Peter And Anna Crawford
Peter and Anna have arrived in Greece and send the following prayer requests
For your Prayers
For 'Sarah' - we are regularly in touch with her back in Lisbon. Her struggles with her job and studies continue to be a challenge for her, but she is staying strong in her faith.
For Language Study - just now we have started in Greek with Danae, who is so helpful, and we hope to enrol later in more formal classes.
For Family visits - we are looking forward to Colin visiting, and then Sharon with Gabriel. As coronavirus cases are increasing, please pray that things will work out as planned, and that it will give them a clearer sense of what life is like for us as parents now.
Buying a Car - just as God helped us with the eventual sale of our car in Portugal, we would ask for God's guidance in buying another vehicle to suit our needs here in the city.
Making Friends - as we connect up with Christian workers and ministries in and around Athens, as well as neighbours in our building and others, please pray that God would make us a "light to the nations" as we lay our lives open for Him.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Janice 1:46
Frances 4:01

Play the "Portrush" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=08b24fb406df

Where Is It?
Yesterday evening we were out for a walk and discovered a snake of stones. Where Is It?

2 Comments

Tuesday 25th August 2020

24/8/2020

1 Comment

Beside The Burn
Today we continue our studies around Forgiveness and we come to 1 John 1:9.

Let’s Pray For Care Homes
Give thanks for the way in which God has enabled greater normality to return to life for those living and working in care homes, asking that he will continue to keep them infection free.
Pray for wisdom in improving the care sector and using extra finance allocated wisely so as to improve the support given to the elderly and most vulnerable in society.

Cast Your Cares (3 minute video)
A scripture memory song based on Psalm 55:22

Riots In John Piper’s Neighbourhood.
Many of you will know John Piper from reading his books watching him preach on Youtube or seeing him at New Horizond. John lives just a couple of miles from where George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis. Read the fascinating story of why John and his wife live in such a deprived area. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/riots-john-pipers-neighborhood/

Bible Biogs (30 minute audio)
Episode 25 Focuses on Isaiah
• How did an overwhelming vision of God colour everything for him?
• To what extent was he given a glimpse of someone’s life in the distant future who would change history forever?
• Why is this prophet the most quoted in the New Testament?
Listen here -
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21333/296295

How Does the Gospel Answer What the Muslim Truly Longs For? (1 minute video)
In this video, Glen Scrivener explains how Jesus reveals a God that doesn’t just call us to correspond to him in submission but calls us home as sons and daughters

Jigsaw

Play the "Titanic" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0738c83f2e9a

1 Comment

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Monday 31st August 2020

Friday 28th August 2020

Thursday 27th August 2020

Wednesday 26th August 2020

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