Tag Archives: Outreach

When You Feel Like Giving Up

You’ve considered and prayed about a situation or area of ministry. You’ve worked hard to do the best job you can. And still things go wrong. The situation goes from bad to worse. You wonder- why? Where is God in all this? Why isn’t God answering my prayers? What have I done wrong? Around that time thoughts of giving up usually creep in because it all seems too hard. But whatever the situation or ministry you are involved in, before you give up and decide it’s all too hard, read this story of the Samburu people in Kenya. Everyone, it … Continue reading →

What Can I Do? – Part 2

Yesterday we looked at the importance of prayer in helping the spread of the gospel message throughout the world and in certain areas in particular. What else can we do to help? If your church has a link missionary it supports, get their newsletter and prayer points. As well as praying for their needs write them a letter or email letting them know you are praying for them and finding out more of their ministry. It is easier to pray and support people when they are more than just a name. So get to know the people involved in the … Continue reading →

A Prayer For Each Day

In the film ‘Friendly Persuasion’ Eliza Birdwell’s response to the challenge, thrown out by Major Harvey, for the Quakers to become involved in the war, was to pray ‘The will of God be revealed and we be given the strength and grace to follow Thy will.’ This is a prayer each of us could each use to start each day. For like it or not we are all involved in a war. Our war is not against a flesh and blood enemy. Our war is ‘against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the … Continue reading →

Laziness- part 6- in Work

Today as we near the end of my blogs relating to laziness, I want you to stop and think about your attitude to work. Do you see it as a chore and do just enough work so you don’t get fired but you know you are not working to your full capabilities? Do you slack off with extra long lunch hours and tea breaks or work in a slipshod manner and not giving of your best? Do you waste your bosses’ time with phone calls and conversations not related to work? Or maybe you belong to the other extreme and … Continue reading →

Unlocking a Bible Passage – Part 2

Yesterday we looked at unlocking a passage of scripture and seeing how to apply it to your life. I hope you had fun going through Acts 3 and dividing it up. I’d love to see what some of you came up with. I’m sure there would be some similarities and some differences with what God revealed to me. Anyway here is mine from Acts 3 Divisions Acts 3: 1-11 Peter, in Jesus’ name and power, heals a lame man. Acts 3: 12-18 Peter seizes the opportunity to teach people about Jesus. Acts 3: 19-26 Peter urges his listeners to repent … Continue reading →

Books Can Provide An Opening

How do you choose what to read? And more importantly how do you choose what books to buy? Are you influenced by the opinions of others? In the February 11, 2008 Publishers Weekly published an article called Word-of-Mouth Top Book-Buying Decisions. It statistics which were the result of a survey among African-American readers. The online survey found most readers chose books recommended. In fact 55% bought books recommend by a family member or friend. In my case, I might read something recommended by a friend. More often though I search out particular authors I like or I read the blurb … Continue reading →

7 Ways to Make a Difference This Christmas

Christmas is almost upon us and, sadly, too many people see it just as a holiday and time of work rather than the celebration that it is. Those of us who know the significance and importance of this event need to be active and creative at this time of year. But what can I do you might be wondering. Let me give you some suggestions. 1. At this time of year many people who don’t normally come along to church will turn up at church or at carols. Pray for the message as it goes out whether through the spoken … Continue reading →

Bringing Joy

Sometimes it is so easy to bring joy into lives. I’ve just come back from singing with the choir at a Nursing home at Basin View, which is part of our local area. Yes, I know I’m on about singing again because it is something I love to do and it is so easy. We sang a selection of Christmas carols and songs as well as a number of popular songs from the years when the elderly residents were young- Songs like You made me Love You, If you were the only girl in the world, and Beer Barrel Polka. … Continue reading →

Are You Being a Mushroom?

We just picked our first home grown mushrooms. It fascinates me the way they grow in the dark. People aren’t meant to be like mushrooms and kept in the dark. Yet often that’s what some of us try and do with our Christian faith. Nicodemus tried to do this at first too, which is why this Pharisee came to Jesus by night. Although he recognized Jesus had come from God and that God was with Jesus, which was more than some of the other Pharisees did, Nicodemus still didn’t want anyone else to know he came to see Jesus, John … Continue reading →

All About Jesus and Life

Recently at church our minister started off by telling of a Sunday school teacher who decided to try a different approach to open her lesson. She gave some clues and asked the class to guess the answer. Her first clue was, ‘I am grey and furry.’ The class looked at her blankly No-one raised their hand. ‘I have a large black nose.’ Still no answer. Puzzled the teacher scratched kept adding clues. ‘I live in gum trees.’ No child answered. ‘I eat eucalyptus leaves.’ Finally one child tentatively put up her hand and said, ‘I know the answer should be … Continue reading →