What do you do at your lowest?

Chibok: the Fathers' stories

In April 2014, over 200 girls were abducted by Boko Haram islamists from the Chibok High School for girls in Nigeria

The girls are still missing, their parents are grieving.

In this short film, three of the fathers of the missing Chibok girls talk about the pain of losing their daughters, and say thank you for the support they’ve received from around the world.

Thousands of Christians have been killed or displaced by Islamic extremists in Nigeria.

Militant Islamist group Boko Haram continue to terrorise the north and have declared their own caliphate (Islamic State), although President Buhari's campaign against them has had some success. 

However, Islamic Hausa-Fulani herdsmen, who frequently carry out cruel attacks on Christian villages in Nigeria's middle belt, are being given grazing land by the government taken from indigenous Christian communities, depriving Christians of their fields and livelihoods.

Read more about persecution in Nigeria

Fixing our eyes on Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, our beautiful Saviour who died for us,  is something that I should do all the time. I'd like to say, yes I do that Time after time, I wish I had fixed my eyes on Jesus, our saviour full of compassion and gentleness and also our King. So why not?

1 - I get distracted. When an annoying situation arises, instead of giving the burden to my Lord straight away, I try to sort it out myself on my own efforts..needless to say that it does not take long to realise that it is not working and none of it will be sorted. In fact, time after time, the Lord has shown me that it's only when I quit and i ask him to help me that the mountain disappears, for His glory. Just like that, yes but let us not forget the timing! In the Lord 's timing!

This takes us to number 2.

I forget about the timing. Essential, crucial. The Lord's timing is not ours. Why? well because we are not living in our final Kingdom. Though we are heirs with Christ, we are still in the world. 

3 A question of faith. Have you noticed that on some matters, we do not have any doubt, whereas on others, we are not sure at all. At the same time, someone in your family or among your friends will feel very different about the same matter. Their faith will be stronger than ours. Why? They believe what they read in the Word of God, they take it in their hearts and it's theirs forever. Not only that, they share it with us. It is so encouraging to meet godly people like that. You can tell they are on the rock. What they say does not move and they can explain it to you. When they say, the Lord is moving in this area of my life or in this town, you believe them. The Lord is at work in your life. Do you know it? Are you aware that the Lord is moving people, He is transforming others and all you have to do is to respond.

If you were in the valley of shadows, wake up, look forward, the time is coming when beautiful things are going to happen in your life, in all areas of your life. Trust in Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. 

Have a blessed week-end in Jesus-Christ Amen.

Be joyful!

Romans 12:12. 

Be joyful

Because you have hope.

Be patient

When trouble comes

and

Pray at all times

The apostle Paul reminds us that the one reason to be joyful is because we have hope as through Jesus-Christ we have peace with God (being justified by faith Romans 5:1). Somehow, life brings trials and tribulations of all sort whether they affect us personally or our beloved ones, including our dearest friends. How can we be joyful then! Well, trials refine us for the better. Comes to mind theses verses in Zecharia 13: This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" 

What should we do when we are tested ? 
Grumble? certainly not (I fail the test miserably then).
Be patient! Waiting on the Lord who knows what's best for us is advisable. This is hard enough to do! It takes time to accept a situation that you don't like and/or you don't understand. If this situation is self-inflicted, you may feel even worse. 

The prophet Isaiah 40:31 reminds us of a distinct advantage if we follow this advice!
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Ultimately, talking to our Father in heaven (praying) who listens to our cries is the answer!Notice the phrase 'at all times' not just we are hit by unfortunate circumstances or various troubles, but when we sail by fair weather! Knowing that God loves us and is watching us, we experience complete peace and we rely on Him fully. 

Peace with God

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have Peace with God,
through our Lord Jesus-Christ,
Through whom also we have access by faith into his grace
in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God
Dear friends, have a blessed Sunday.

Who is Jesus?

The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
and He is the Lord of Lords

Now that’s my King!
David says
The Heavens declare the glory of God
And the firmament showeth His handiwork
No means of measure can define His limitless love
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing

He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful

That’s my King!
He’s God’s Son
He’s the sinners’ Saviour
He’s the centrepiece of civilisation
He stands alone in Himself
He’s august
He’s unique
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s supreme
He’s pre-eminent
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism
He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion

That’s my King!
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him
He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathises and He saves
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek

Do you know Him?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the master of the mighty
He’s the captain of the conquerors
He’s the head of the heroes
He’s the leader of the legislators
He’s the overseer of the overcomers
He’s the governor of governors
He’s the prince of princes
He’s the King of Kings
And He’s the Lord of Lords

That’s my King
That’s my King!
My King
His office is manifold
His promise is sure
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you
He’s indescribable
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t get Him off of your hands
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him

That’s my King!
He always has been
And He always will be
I’m talking about
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign

That’s my King!
Praise the Lord
That’s my King
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
The glory is all His
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
For ever
And ever
And ever
And when you get through with all of the forevers
Then
Amen

Prayers

The Miraculous Draft of Fishes. Acts of the Apostles.

In peace let us pray.
Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.
Risen Lord as we prepare to receive Holy Communion, we remember with humble thanks the sacrifice you made for us.

We pray for the Queen and the Royal family and especially this morning, we pray for the little girl born to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.

We pray for those affected by the earthquake in Nepal, especially those who have been injured, the homeless and all those who mourn the loss of loved ones, the orphans and the hungry. Lord of tenderness and mercy we ask you to relieve the burden of trauma, worry and pain from the victims of Nepal. We pray that they will find courage to rebuild their lives and their communities.

In our prayers, we remember the work of the aid agencies and volunteers working to help the people of Nepal. Lord of comfort and compassion, bless with humility those who work to relieve the pain and suffering of those affected in the Nepal earthquake, help them to deliver the basics of life and where there is despair let them bring hope.

Almighty God, Shepherd of the sheep, defender of the defenceless, we ask for your blessing on Elisa newly baptised into your Church Family. Hold her in your arms and bless her, shine your light on her path and let her always know her loving presence. Lord we ask you for your blessing on her parents, grandparents and God parents. May they always be ready to listen and to comfrot, to laught, to pray and encourage and to praise and throught their love for Elisa, may they receive your loving kindness.

Finally, we pray for ourselves, for our own discipleship, and in the presence of Almighty God, we take a few moments of silence to talk to him now...

As we work through the tapestry of life, we pull together the threads of our journey - the rich colours of success and shades of sorrow, the stitches of friendship and the design of our destiny. Almighty God, creator of all things, as we weeave through your pattern, let your light shine before us to show us the way; let your hand carry us in times of trouble or doubt and let your love embrace us, helping us to do our best to the glory of your name.

Merciful Lord accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus-Christ. Amen.

Wayne
Sandon Church, Mid-trent churches.

Hope and love sent to you

from all of us at messy church in Weston. Gill and her team of helpers prepared lots of activities to celebrate Jesus-Christ's resurrection.  Joy and laughter in this village hall, busy volunteers and happy children moving from an activity to another. If you haven't been to a messy church, give it go, come along, it's fantastic!

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy mothers having a chat

He is risen!

Have a blessed week!

When we struggle and all kinds of trouble come at our front door, it is best not to panic (easy said than done) and remember our heavenly Father's promises.  Romans 8:28 is one of them. 
I'd like to share with you another promise: The prophet Jeremiah says: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Courageous

Last night we watched a dvd, Courageous. The film 's come out some time ago so you may have seen it at the cinema.  If not, here is a summary.

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

I ordered the dvd on amazon a few months ago but never found time to watch it!.I really enjoyed watching this film, brilliant cast, excellent acting and above all inspiring. 
Have a blessed week-end.

I can do everything through Christ.