On Beside The Burn this week, we turn to Daniel and find out that God Rules The Earthly Kingdoms. These are chaotic times that we are living in. We are approaching two years since the first lockdown and we are still struggling to see any sort of normality in the distance.
For those who expect government to have all the answers, one disappointment comes after another, and while we watch one government expecting a collapse, the disintegration happens elsewhere.
We may use that word “unprecedented” to describe what we are experiencing, but as we turn to Daniel we see that there is nothing new under the sun.
This week Daniel interprets another of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and Nebuchadnezzar discovers who is really in control of his kingdom.
All of these have been mentioned on the Blog before but you may have missed them.
The Book Of Daniel
This is an excellent retelling of the story of Daniel,
Free on YouTube or a higher quality version is available with a Amazon Prime subscription or can be rented from Amazon for £1.99.
https://youtu.be/FYDvYkbnabk
Another Daniel Film
Here is another film of the story of Daniel
https://youtu.be/xtwy-cLpoi0
Daniel An Overview (9 minute video)
This is an overview of the book from the Bible Project.
https://youtu.be/9cSC9uobtPM
All the previous Episodes of Beside The Burn on Daniel
https://burnsidechurch.weebly.com/blog-bstb/daniel-beside-the-burn
Lent this year begins on Wednesday 2nd of March and covers the 40 day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. This year we are going to take the 40 day journey exploring the lives of 40 significant but perhaps often overlooked women. Each day on Beside The Burn we will read a bible passage about one of the women and consider their part in the Easter Story. The 40 women can be found in the book “40 Women - Unseen Women of the Bible from Eden to Easter” by Ros Clarke. Like our journey at Advent it isn’t essential to have the book but you will probably find it a helpful addition.
You can order “40 Women” at any good bookshop or online.
It is available as a download on Kindle - £5.69 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From Amazon in Paperback -£7.75 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From 10 of Those in Paperback - £8.49 - https://www.10ofthose.com/
If you would like me to order you a copy which you can pick up in Burnside please email me or tell me on Sunday or leave a comment on the blog. (Cost £8 for ease of calculations) You can read the first 3 chapters at either of the Amazon links above.
Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Please pray for Margaret Miller who joined the Council as Disability Services Manager covering Caroline Yeoman’s maternity leave. Remember her as she undertakes the line management of all our Disability Services and settles into her role. Give thanks for Caroline and the safe arrival of baby Pippin. Politics As the countdown to the next Assembly election begins, give thanks for those who seek to serve their communities by seeking elected office. Pray that debates in the public square would be marked by dignity and respect. General Council Give thanks for the administrative staff who work in Assembly Buildings, in support of the seven Councils of the General Assembly. Ask God to encourage them in all they do. Council for Training in Ministry The Council convener is Rev Nigel McCullough, minister of Hill Street, Lurgan. Pray for Nigel as he ministers there, and devotes the time needed to the work of the Council. Pray that the Lord will give him energy and wisdom, and that he will be filled with, and led by, the Holy Spirit in all that he does. |
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Feeding The 5000
Open Doors are encouraging us to pray for Afghanistan this Month.
More Details Here - https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/afghanistan-prayer/
Friday 11 February
Islamic groups across Asia have been emboldened by the Taliban’s victory. And it’s possible that extremism, especially in South East Asia, could be on the rise. Experts say that terrorist groups Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf and other factions previously connected to Al-Qaeda could be encouraged anew to take action and incite terrorist attacks within the region. Muslim hardliners in Bangladesh have also been strengthened in their resolve, so much so that they’ve publicly declared that they’ll travel to Afghanistan to join the Taliban’s ranks.
Pray for the Lord to confuse their plans – pray that extremism will not spread in South East Asia and beyond as a result of the Taliban’s newfound rule.
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Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross?
In his interactions with others, Jesus often got straight to the point. His call to discipleship in Mark 8:34 is no exception: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Discipleship equals self-denial and cross-bearing. Period. But what does Jesus mean by “deny himself”? https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/deny-yourself-cross/ |
Psalm 34
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 2:16
Derek 2:24
Eddie 2:50
The usual difficulty level for a Friday
Play the "Portrush Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=222621858009