Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
I can never really decide if I like Valentine's day or not. I suppose if one day in the year actually stimulates some people to to actually open up and tell someone that they love them . . . it might just be worth it.
A lot of single people feel that their singleness is what makes them incomplete. I dont think so. God has a plan for us all and some will get married and some won't. I know that this can be hard for many people to come to terms with and maybe it is up to those of us who are married to actually try and help out a bit here. Do we make it easy or hard? How often do good friendships get wiped out because of relationships? How often do couples invite their single friends along to stuff? I know many people who are single and I do hope and pray that they get their desire . . . as long as it is in God's plan and will make them happy. How many people today are struggling to stay together?
So - my single friends - hang in there and wait for God to reveal his plan for you and to my married and coupled up friends - please be sensitive to your single friends and maybe this valentine day do something special for them as well as each other.
The cost of commitment . . . . .
Are you a do-er, a wait-er or a nev-er? Too many young christian adults today are wrapped up in their own lives, their own desires, their own job, their own family, that they find it hard to make time for God. It is a strange thing to think about. But the reality is that many of us see our busy lives as essential and God-related thinking gets relegated to the 'extra' time.
There is no doubt that following jesus has a cost. Maybe we dont get persecuted like those in other countries but we still struggle to meet that cost. Maybe God wants you to give him more time. Maybe he wants you more involved in his church. Maybe he wants you to actually DO something rather than just thinking about it and talking about it all the time. Myabe he wants us to stop with the criticism of the people who dare to take a risk and maybe jump off that cliff edge too.
Come on - do something . . . .
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Getting down when it counts
With reference to my last post on the site I thought I would continue the theme about prayer by quoting directly some text from Tony Campolo in the book Stand up and be counted (Page 128 Chapter 9) wrote this . . . . . .
Getting Down when it counts
Its up to us. Now. The means of seeing God’s will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven is on our hands, in our lives. But we can’t do it alone, as much as we’d like to. We need the help of our pastors, church leaders and others in positions of spiritual responsibility, for in some respects they are the ones who hold our destiny in their hands.
If we are going to be challenged as Christians and to challenge others too, we ought to pray for them, that they also will be open to what God would have them do. . . it’s the smaller, more intimate churches, where you know you’re a name and not a number where God is especially at work.
We need to pray for ourselves, our fellow church members and our church leaders, that with us they will catch the vision and help to further God’s kingdom on earth in our homes, on our streets, in our workplaces, in pubs – and in churches. The responsibility is awesome, for this is God’s work we are on, and this fact alone ought to cause us sober reflection and contemplation. Those who lead us in worship and head the ministry of God’s people have an incredible responsibility, for, as James warns, those who teach the word of God will be held more accountable for what happens to people than anyone else (James 3 v 1). For this reason alone we ought to pray and intercede for them, that when revival comes they aren’t just prepared but are also at the forefront of it.
In the Bible, the prophets arose because the people prayed for God to raise them up. When the children of Israel felt that they were living in a spiritual wasteland, they prayed that God would give them a prophet, and God answered they prayers. In Bible days, the revivial of a people and the renewal of the nation always began with prayer. Without prayer there were no prophets.
Its up to you!
Getting Down when it counts
Its up to us. Now. The means of seeing God’s will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven is on our hands, in our lives. But we can’t do it alone, as much as we’d like to. We need the help of our pastors, church leaders and others in positions of spiritual responsibility, for in some respects they are the ones who hold our destiny in their hands.
If we are going to be challenged as Christians and to challenge others too, we ought to pray for them, that they also will be open to what God would have them do. . . it’s the smaller, more intimate churches, where you know you’re a name and not a number where God is especially at work.
We need to pray for ourselves, our fellow church members and our church leaders, that with us they will catch the vision and help to further God’s kingdom on earth in our homes, on our streets, in our workplaces, in pubs – and in churches. The responsibility is awesome, for this is God’s work we are on, and this fact alone ought to cause us sober reflection and contemplation. Those who lead us in worship and head the ministry of God’s people have an incredible responsibility, for, as James warns, those who teach the word of God will be held more accountable for what happens to people than anyone else (James 3 v 1). For this reason alone we ought to pray and intercede for them, that when revival comes they aren’t just prepared but are also at the forefront of it.
In the Bible, the prophets arose because the people prayed for God to raise them up. When the children of Israel felt that they were living in a spiritual wasteland, they prayed that God would give them a prophet, and God answered they prayers. In Bible days, the revivial of a people and the renewal of the nation always began with prayer. Without prayer there were no prophets.
Its up to you!
Monday, 7 January 2008
A New Year Prayer
Do you believe in revival? Do you actually believe that God can change lives? Do you believe that He can change people? Do you honestly think that He can bring people close to Him? Do you believe that this is an act of making them 'Christianised' or 'decent'? Do you believe that God wants to share His love, His power and His Grace with more people than just you and me? Do you REALLY believe in revival? So, what are YOU going to do to help start the ball rolling? Are you going to actually do something? It's time to stop all the talk. Its time to stop sitting on your hands. Its time to do something different - to do something that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable. Its time to be part of the revival. Its time to believe that God wants to pour our His Grace and His Spirit over where we live and work. Stop making excuses. Start doing something.
It starts with a prayer. Use me. The second step is a prayer too. Be with me. The third step is action. GO with me!
If you REALLY believe that God wants to move in Northern ireland and in our local community - do something!
In Bible days, the revivial of a people and the renewal of the nation always began with prayer(Tony Campolo)
Start to pray. On your own, in pairs, in groups and pray that God would move. In addition to the Prayer Meetings in the church we have also started to get together once a month on Sunday morning to pray for our church, our leaders and our community. Why dont you join us? First Sunday of every month in the Committee room at 10.30am. (Next is Sunday 3rd Feb 2008)
Monday, 10 December 2007
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