As we move towards Pentecost Sunday (31st May 2020) this week in tides we are finding out about the impact that the Holy Spirit makes in the life of a believer. There is a song to listen to, which declares that we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, built around a gentle tune, but we must also be aware that although the Spirit is as gentle as a dove, sometimes He rushes into our lives with great unexpected power, like he did among the disciples at Pentecost.
As Jane Nelson writes this week in Tides
The Holy Spirit is present in the lives of all believers, giving us courage and boldness to share the good news of the gospel in ways which connect with the people and cultures of our day.
We can’t do this in our own strength, but only through the enabling power of God’s Holy Spirit at work in our lives transforming us from frightened, fearful and forlorn people into faithful, confident and courageous followers of Jesus.
Wilma shares the following “Hymn Story”, perhaps you have a “Hymn Story” to share.
In life, sometimes, on hearing a hymn we are reminded of a certain situation or person. When I listened to Martin Luther's great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress” in the Virtual Prayer Room I was reminded of my nurse tutor Lilias Dodds. In 1972 I visited her in a Bangor hospital in her final stages of a long and testing illness. She quoted this hymn to me.
Wonderful!
Lilias knew all about THE MIGHTY FORTRESS. She went to China in 1925 as a missionary nurse on behalf of the Irish Presbyterian church. She endured many challenges including interment by the Japanese and in 1949 along with other missionaries, she was forced to flee China when the Communists took control of the country. She knew all about the trusted Shield and Weapon.
Such faith, such courage!
Lilias was an elder in Bangor West church. I attended her funeral service in January 1972. No more fitting words than those of William Walsham’s Hymn could have been sung -
For all the saints who from their lablours rest
Who Thee, by faith, before the world confessed
Thy name, O Jesus,
be forever blessed
To me Lilias Dodds was one of life's saints; not in any pious sense, but in its deepest sense, a friend of God. Her witness greatly influenced my Christian walk and nursing career.
Wilma
Rev Dr William Henry leads Sunday’s online service, continuing his series in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk.
Puzzle Time Why not try out this Jigsaw puzzle? It is possible to complete it on a mobile phone but you might find it easier on the larger screen of Laptop, Desktop or Tablet. When completed you will be told how long it took. Send in your times if you would like a little competition. Click the circular arrows near the bottom left to begin. Jigsaw Planet - Burnside Sunset |
Colin Jenkins who is the Port missionary in Cork with the Christian Seamens Friend Society shares the following image with us about a lighthouse on the Isle of Wight. Click the picture to enlarge.
The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar published a detailed plan for the easing of Lockdown restrictions. These obviously do not apply to Northern Ireland but they may provide some insight into what our Government will publish. You can read the road map here.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0501/1136167-road-map-details/
Lockdown
I’m not sure what day of Lockdown it is, but it is all getting a bit much ...
I have been told on more than one occasion while out walking taht I should be walking to the Barmouth, so Sunday was the day. It was beautiful with blue skies and blue sea and hard sand.
The last “Where Is It ?” was the little lighthouse at the end of the crescent. Here is another one for today.