Welcome to the Spring NEWSLETTER, for 2009.
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Warmest Greetings to you all!
We would like to commence this newsletter by referring to "A homely happening" in the first chapter of John's gospel.
Two disciples heard him (John) speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?"
They said to him, "Rabbi, ... where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day. ... (John 1, 37-39 NKJV.)
We wonder whether it's too much to infer that this was the beginning of the church in embryo - in a humble home. Andrew and John would have had no idea as to the significance of this particular day: yet that evening, Andrew finds his brother Simon and says "We have found the Messiah!" (V41).
Simon would have been surprised beyond measure to have heard those words from his brother, and might well have retorted, "Where!"
Seeing the incredulous expression on Simon's face, Andrew might have hesitated over the next sentence: "Well it was ... in a house, ... you know - just an ordinary home."
And the invitation "Come and see" started it all.
The NIV. Translates that invitation as: "Come, and you will see". This introduces the future tense, which suggests that this was merely the beginning of what they would see.
We feel that God has been showing us the neglected ministry of home evangelism: opening our homes by inviting folk in in order to share with them the Good News about Jesus.
So often we hear people lamenting the fact that there are too many empty, unoccupied seats in church, and that maybe because there are easy chairs waiting to accommodate someone who is not yet ready to come to church.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was heard to say: "The church is not for sinners; the church is for saints, and it's up to the saints to go out and make sinners into saints."
Can we re-dedicate our homes that they may become places of invitation and illumination? (Let's answer that question on our knees!)
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Please, as the Lord prompts your heart, continue to pray for us as we travel the length and breadth of this land.
As a day of rail travel confronts me, I say to my heavenly Father: "What adventure awaits me today?" For instance, at the end of last October, I had to travel from Neath to Penrith which involved two trains. As my first train was nearing Whitchurch on its way to Crewe, we stopped mid-track. Our daughter Beth was chatting with me on my mobile. Suddenly, we both heard a train announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, we're sorry for the delay, but we have to inform you that the train is on fire!"
"What's going on, dad," shouted Beth. I assured her that this kind of thing happened every day; was meat and drink to me! (She rightly suspected some sarcasm.)
But all was well: the little fire was put out with the on-board extinguisher. But, of course, I missed my connection at Crewe, and had to travel to Carlisle - in the first class compartment where I was provided with food and drink for free! (Isn't God good!)
We don't have to have long memories to remember the snowy part of this winter.
It was on 1st February that I went with John and Norah Webster from their home in Wigan to their son and daughter-in-law's church in Huddersfield for the evening meeting. It was amazing just how many folk turned out that cold, snow-laden evening for my first visit.
After a great time together, we went back to David's for a bite of supper, leaving soon after 9.30. By now, the snow was really setting in, and our journey was to take us right across the Pennines.
The motorway was reduced to one gritted lane, and we were amazed and at times horrified to witness the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers. We got home at the end of a hairy, scary journey.
How we need to pray the prayer of Psalm 121: "The Lord bless thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
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Can you still remember Christmas, 2008? It seems to us that many people don't find Christmases particularly memorable, except perhaps for the wrong reasons. So many had 'flu, coughs and colds, some being laid low over the whole period of Christmas. Other folk, no doubt, sadly reflected on many past Christmases with those "Loved long since and lost awhile".
In the goodness of God, for us it was a wonderfully memorable time spent at the Torch Christmas house party held at the High Leigh Christian Conference Centre in Hertfordshire.
There were over seventy of us, with half of that number as carers and helpers, the other half being visually impaired or blind. But, what a cracking time we had!
There were opportunities for ministering the Word, for worship, plenty of singing and home bred entertainment, and of course, the feasting! People were there from Northern Ireland, Scotland, France, England: and we represented Wales.
There was great joy from beginning to end of the holiday, with never a grumble that we heard. Folk were cared for, gratitude expressed, and one special man who was blind, deaf and a wheelchair user had the most radiant face.
The Torch Christmas house party had, in the past, always been held at the Holiday and Retreat Centre at Hurstpierpoint in Sussex where the accommodation was seriously limited, with the problem that those who wanted to come were unable. So it was decided to look for a bigger place, and although many Centres were contacted, most were closed over the Christmas period. But the folks at High Leigh opened both their hearts and the doors to Torch, and to crown it all, two of the regular chefs gave their time and skills to the house party. We praise God for a wonderful time of fellowship.
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The ministries that we seek to fulfil are varied. The chief one is the preaching of God's Word not only in churches, but sometimes in prisons, schools, over-sixties clubs, and Torch Fellowship Groups. The ability that God has graciously given me is so useful in preparing audiences and congregations to receive the gospel.
Then, too, there are the ministries provided on DVD's, CD's, and books. In this connection, may we draw your attention to "Inspiration from the Internet" which we had re-printed during the latter part of last year. These are poems and stories culled from the Internet which we have edited, and which has already brought much blessing. (Already, I have enough material for "More inspiration from the Internet" which I am in process of editing.
A new CD is about to be launched by Easter called "It's all about Jesus". These ar medleys of hymns and choruses based on the various attributes of the Saviour: Jesus as Lord; Jesus as our peace; the name of Jesus, and Jesus as our Shepherd. With this CD, we are acceding to requests for enclosed words of the hymns and choruses so as to encourage worship as you listen.
Finally, may we try to express our thanks to you all for your continued fellowship with us both through your praying and your giving towards the work entrusted to us. We always try to reply to every gift sent, but we are mindful, too, that quite a number of you support us with a monthly standing order. Our appreciation is massive, and our thanks rises to the heavenly throne of Grace for your faithfulness.
We trust that this letter will be a blessing to each one of you.
"To God be the glory, Great things he has done!"
Yours in divine service,
MARGARET & PETER.
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