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The Encourager - February 2003 | |||
| Pulling up the bucket |
Nigel writes about....Pulling up the Bucket
There is a phrase in the Old Testament which describes the Lord as "my strength and my song, he has become my salvation." The writer goes on to add that "with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation". I've never had to pull water up out of a well. I usually just turn on the tap and out it flows. It is easy, isn't it? But using a bucket on a rope to collect all the water needed in the course of a day and I know it would be hard work. I think I would value the water much more than I do presently. The idea of God's work of salvation being portrayed in images of water is a common one in the scriptures. Water refreshes, it cleanses and washes, it restores and transforms. As does the Lord God. Jesus affirmed this when he called out in the middle of the crowd, "if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him." The Psalmist declares his need of God in the language of basic animal instincts, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my souls pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."Psalm 42:1-2. How thirsty, or how desperate do you have to be before you call out to God in this way? We live in times of great uncertainty. The only sure thing seems to be that the threat of terrorist activity, war with Iraq and the fear which comes with these issues are going to fill the newspapers and TV screens more and more. Which is why we need to have God's perspective on all of life and not just those parts we consider "religious". If Jesus is the Son of God who was instrumental in the creation of the universe, then he will finish what he started. He will bring all things under his just and gentle rule. He will fulfil the plans and purposes of his heavenly Father and nothing will be able to prevent him. "Why do the nations conspire and the nations plot in vain?", asks the Psalmist. He proclaims that the Son of God will have the nations for his inheritance and the ends of the earth as his possession. We may be frustrated as what is going on in the world. We may feel angry as well as powerless at so many of the injustices we see and the suffering of so many people. But our task is to work with him in seeing justice in our own lives. Our task is to cry out to him to act according to his loving and just nature. Our work is to trust in the Lord, to take refuge in him and to be aware that he is the one, indeed, the only one, who can satisfy our hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Can you find the names of
16 books from the Bible in the paragraph below?
"I once made the remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu; kept people looking so hard for facts - and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph."
Women's World Day of Prayer
The Women's World Day of Prayer Movement will celebrate its annual Day of Prayer on Friday, 7th March 2003. This year's service comes from Lebanon and the theme of the Service is, "Holy Spirit, Fill Us". Lebanon is one of the smallest countries in the Middle East, less than half the size of Wales. It is an ancient land and is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible. This beautiful country, with its lovely coastal plain, high mountain ranges, temperate climate and famous cedar trees, lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea. The capital is Beirut. Lebanon is bordered to the north and east by Syria and to the South by Israel. Because of its strategic position, Lebanon has always been at the centre of world events - a passageway for all the great conquerors and their armies throughout history. Traditionally it has been a land of refuge and over the centuries became a melting pot of ethnic, cultural and religious groups, many of whom were Christian. Much of the country bears the scars of recent civil war and its shattered economy is not yet rebuilt. Spending power has become limited, and many young people have moved to the cities in search of better job opportunities. Just as God has blessed Lebanon with natural beauty, so this is reflected in the lives of the people. Despite all that has happened the Christians have held onto their faith. It is from this background that the women of Lebanon urge us to take up the cry of "Holy Spirit, Fill Us" and encourage us to reach out to God for His enabling power in all circumstances. Women, men, children, and young people from many different backgrounds and in more than 180 countries will be celebrating this Day of Prayer. May we invite you to join in a service in your own locality?
Registered Charity No: 233242
The Christian Women of Lebanon invite you to join them in prayer on
the theme of "Holy Spirit, Fill Us". Local services will be held at
the following times in the following venues:
11.00am Moortown Methodist Church 2.00pm St John's Church, Moor Allerton 7.30pm Shadwell Methodist Church |
GenR8 PS Watch out for the GenR8
2002 Review coming out soon. This is being published in time for the
Parish AGM, but advance copies are available on the website (www.stbarnabasleeds.org.uk/genr8/2002report.pdf)
DCC Report for February 2002
WYSOCS.
Scenes Unseen |
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