Dear Friends
There is a lovely story of a Father watching his young son play in a sand pit. He had his cars and a little shovel and he was laying out roads and digging tunnels for the cars to go through. And as he dug he found a large rock in the middle of his sand pit – it was in the way and he decided to move it.
But he was a small boy and it was a large rock.
So he dug around this rock, and then he pushed this rock to the edge of the sand pit. Only when he got to the edge – there was a little wall to keep the sand in. And try as he might, he could not push this rock over this little wall. He pushed / shoved / struggled but in the end he burst into tears – and sat down utterly frustrated and defeated.
And his Father, who had been watching from the living roon window – when he saw his son crying, went out. And the Father said to his son – “Son why didn’t you all the strength you had available?”
And at this the boy creied even louder and said “BUT DAD, I DID. I USED ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD.”
“No son you didn’t use all the strength you had. YOU DIDN’T ASK ME”.
And at that he reached down and one hand picked up the rock and removed it from the sand box.
I think we at times can be a lot like that little boy.
When faces with problems, troubles and difficulties – despite all our efforts and hard work – we just don’t seem to be making the break through.
And like that liitle boy – we can become tired and frustrated, and even come to the point when we feel like giving up.
But we become like that when we try to do it all in our strength, and not in the strength of God.
And at times we just need to let God take control.
And that it’s not a question of – WHAT CAN I DO?
BUT – WHAN CAN GOD DO THROUGH ME?
Every Blessing
In the midst of the pressure and burdens of a busy life it is a very precious thing to be able to come aside to rest …..to allow yourself “space” with the Lord and a bit of “space” for yourself.
The need to come aside is essential for your well-being spiritually, mentally and bodily. A stay at the Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre at Crowhurst near Battle in beautiful East Sussex countryside can afford you the opportunity to allow the Lord to touch your life; to show you His love in a personal and corporate way, and to allow you to experience His healing touch and forgiveness, pain and weariness. To be still, to rest in His presence, to learn of the Lord’s love for you, are all part of Jesus’ healing ministry in this place.
There is also opportunity to enjoy gentle creative activities; to express yourself through painting; to enjoy walking; to share fellowship with others or simply just to rest and just ’be’. You will be well cared for in comfortable and peaceful surroundings, nurtured and fed well in every respect.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” “come”, he says. So please come to Crowhurst and find the rest you need. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
Rev Geoff Lackey
Director
(Published with permission of
Trevor Blackshaw & the Crowhurst Healing Centre.)
Having just spent five days there on a Prayer and healing Ministry. We can thoroughly recommended a saty and endorse the above letter from Revd. Geoff Lackey.
The staff are welcoming and so very caring, attentive to your every need. Elasticised trousers or skirts are recommended as delicious food is served to you on a regular (through out the day) basis.
If you enjoyed walking there are many paths to explore in the nearby countryside. The services led by Rev’ds Geoff Lacking and David Jacks are so inspiring and bring the bible to life.
As we attended for a specific course to help us on our Christian Journey in the Prayer and Healing Ministry, it fired us up as we felt God’s hand guiding us to find our own special areas within the Prayer and Healing Ministry Team.
Jenny, Rita and Lyn.
God has engineered many self-defence mechanisms into his creation. One of the most sophisticated of these is the Bombadier Beetle. These small creatures have an incredible self-defence deterrent for any predator that gets too close.
The have two separate organs in their bodies that generate Hydrogen-peroxide and Hydro-quinne. When mixed, these two chemicals spontaneously combust.
The beetle body has central chamber – a combustion chamber. If you pick one up or a frog fancies one for lunch, the two chemicals are introduced into the chamber in very rapid succession but the beetle simultaneously adds an inhibtor leaving the mixture safely primed and ready to go.
When the threat gets close enough, the mixture is jettisoned at 2000 pulses per second from a little tube in the posterior section. The tube can be aimed in any direction with absolute precision – backward, over the shoulder, under the belly, right or left.
With every pulse a catalyst is added to remove the effect of the inhibitor. As the material pulses out, the chemicals ignite in mid-aid at 1000 C (The boiling point of water). This is literally a controlled jet of fire. Everything has to be simultaneously orchestrated for the creature to do that. A miracle of God’s design in nature. Can you imagine these creatures having evolved, as some scholars would have us believe?
God has also introduced self-defence measures into his written word – the Holy Bible. Vats amounts of time, effort, money and resources have been wasted in attempts to disprove, discredit or destroy the Holy Bible. All have failed.
The Bible is the most attacked of literary works and no one has been lied about as much as God has. God’s word exposes everything that is false. It usually gives more than one reference to any issues in question.
The problem with deception is that it can be so close to the truth – a ‘virtual reality’, the ‘appearance of truth’. Mankind is a mass of contradictions – ideas, opinions, philosophies, theories, hypotheses, “ologies”, myths etc.
If counterfeit banknotes are circulating through the system, they are usually quickly identified by those who know the genuine notes so well that the deception is halted.
The same applied to counterfeit and false religion and
teaching. Knowing the genuine article (the Bible) will always expose the false.
Scripture states that “God cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “It
was impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
To Tackle the issues of reincarnation, scripture states that “Man is destined to die once and after that to face judgement” (Hebrews 9:27).
The ancient Hebrews had insights into science that could only be revealed by the Spirit of God – “He stretched out the North over the empty place and hangeth the Earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7 – AV)
Ray Baines
Thirty-eight churches were represented with several people from each church, at a meeting at the Winter Gardens on Saturday morning Sept. 13th.
There were a real ‘buzz’ around the hall and the enthusiasm shown was a real tonic. The concept of the festival is to portray out togetherness to the community – to enjoy ourselves- and to promote HOPE over the week leading upto Pentecost. Many ideas, activities and projects were suggested. We ask you to pray for this event – not occasionally – but daily because we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all our plans. The finale of the week will be held at Margate Football Stadium well known personally (not yet decided) present.
Heaven Father we thank you for Thanet Festival of Hope. We pray that all the churches in Thanet will take part and that we will all grow closer together.
May the people of our isle see a welcoming active, loving church that is full of hope and through all of our various activities may the love of Jesus show through.
Amen
Web Sites:
www.prayer@thanetfestivalofhope.org
Sharing of Ideas
If you wish you may send your ideas to the Grapevine. We will then pass them to the the Thanet Festival of Hope on your behalf. We do ask you to keep
praying and talking about this wonderful festival, it could so easily increase the membership of your church.
THANET FESTIVAL OF HOPE 22nd-30th
There was an air of excitement and enthusiasm in the Winter Gardens when the Idea of the Festival of Hope was put to the Representative of many churches of Thanet. What a wonderful Idea a chance to share our faith in Jesus with the people of the Island to see that we were not dull and boring. That we can still enjoy our lives in our walk with the Lord.
It will take a lot of planning, a lot of work and support by all. It will take a lot of money, but I am sure God will provide. And a lots of prayer.
So lets in our prayers include the Festival, the planning, the support that is needed, that the money will be forthcoming and that every Church will play their part and many will be prepared to help.
So that the people of Thanet willsee a welcoming, active, loving church that is full of hope and that through all of our various activates the love of Jesus shows through.
Yes let us pray for the Festival, but let us remember also that Prayer in the Christian life is not to be reserved for emergencies, but is to be vital and regular part of our life.
Prayer to the soul is as breathing is to the body. It sustains and invigorates the spiritual life. It is part and parcel of Christian Life.
So let us pray every day.
God Bless, Eddie.
We now have a drop in coffee morning at Garlinge, for any one who wants company, some one to talk too; some were to meet a friend. For the older members of the village to have a rest before walking back home from the shops. It is open on Wednesday mornings from 10 O’clock till 12o’clock.
The Church is continuing to open every Friday morning from 10 o’clock till 12 o’clock for any one who wishes to come in and pray or just sit in the quiet of the church.
THANET O.W.L.S.
Po Box 239, Margate, Kent CT9 5GL Telephone 01843 299999
Thanet O.W.L.S. needs more listening volunteers
Have you though about being such a volunteer? If you are a good listener, and would like to fined out about our work, you are invited to an Open Evening that is being held at St John’s Community Centre in Margate on Monday 6th October at 7.30pm. Some of the volunteers will be there to talk about the work they undertake in the community, and light refreshments will be available.
Church Flowers:
Thank you to all who donate to the church flowers. They always look wonderful and add so much to the atmosphere of our church.
Harvest Supper
We are very fortunate at our church that each year we are able to enjoy a lovely harvest supper, but it is thanks to Vera Ward’s hard work (helped of course by Reg). So I would like to offer my thanks for all you both do. Our supper was of course followed by a good friendly game of Bingo.
Ron
On Sunday 7th September it was our pleasure to welcome two very nice people on holiday from Derbyshire. They where invited to our coffee morning where we learned that the lady had lost her husband last year and that her 12 year old grandson is presently in hospital having been run down by a car. So I ask you to remember her and her grandson in your prayers. We look forward to seeing them return next year.
The most destructive force in the Universe is gossip.
Snow in Spring A leaden sky And snowflakes falling Sifting down through tender green. Yet the earth is warm and vibrant. Hot for long this dazzling scene. Where the wayward wind is blowing. Snowflakes whirling, falling, swirling. Whitening where
all was green
Have you seen the film Flatliners? It’s about a group of medical students who one by one are put to death and then are resuscitated before brain death sets in. It turns out that each of them, when dead relives an experience from earlier in their lives when they had done something wrong.
In the film, they solved the problem of being haunted by their experiences by atoning for them. Atonement is making amends for an error or deficiency apologising in some way.
Let us imagine for a moment that we have to atone for those times in our lives when we have hurt somebody else. Let us recall all the times when we have done something unpleasant. Imagine then all the times that we have said something unpleasant, even after provocation. We can never know how much hurt we may caused others. Can you imagine how much atoning (apologising in some form or other) we would have to do? If we are honest with ourselves none of us would be able to atone for all our wrong, our sin, because there is so much of it.
We are all weighed down by our sin. When Jesus was crucified He, who was the only sinless person to have ever lived, was able to take all our sin upon Himself .Jesus has atoned for all our sin if we accept His action.
Do you want to be free from the errors in your past? Do you want to not have to worry about any future mistakes you may make?
If so, take time to sit quietly and ask Jesus to help you.
©KENT-SMITH-Moorley’s Print & Publishing 0115 932 0643
We are really excited in Enniscorthy as Enniscorthy Christian Fellowship moves to becoming more of a church, it is so encouraging to see a group of Christians being formed, who enjoy meeting together, to worship God, learn more about Him and enjoyed each others company.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for the situation regarding all the suicides in the Slaney, amazingly there has not been a single one since – Praise The Lord – but do keep praying.
From Stephen
Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, pardon where there is discord,
unity. Where there is doubt, faith. Where, there is despair, hope. Where there is sadness, joy. Where there is darkness, light.
To All
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our friends at Union Church, for all the good wishes and love and support you have shown us over the years. The last service we attended though emotional, was a lovely send off and the gifts and cake were really appreciated.
We are looking forward to our new life in New Zealand, but will never forget you all and shall certainly be back to see you.
All our love.
Philippa, Chelsea and Charlie.
To my brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers in Christ – of Unio Church, Margate.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today I’m in front of you like never before. I’m now in prison in Holland. Not because I’m a criminal, burglar – nor because I’m a drug dealer or someone who goes against law and order. I’m in prison because when I first arrive in Europe, I was fingerprinted by the Dutch authorities as an asylum seeker, to have my life saved and to be educated – in order to be a useful man for society in general and for my own interests.
In my early days in England, God Almighty led me towards the Union Church. My first day in your church was just amazing as God allowed Rita to talk to me and to introduce me to the man who later going to become my father forever. That man is Rita’s husband, Simon.
Through Rita and Simon, I became one of yours in the Church – but most important, I became a Christian.
I want today, through this letter to thank every single person in Union Church, Margate. I will never forget what you did for me, all the affection, the kindness and most important all the support you gave me in order to help me to go back on track. God Almighty bless you all for that.
I love the UK. I love the people of the UK. I love your language. I love to be with you and I wish to be with you forever. But today it seems like my dream has completely vanished, as I’m suffering in prison in the heart of Amsterdam in the middle of Europe. I’m still astonished that I was snatched from you (my family in Union Church), from Rita and Simon the lovely couple who put up with me for almost a year – who loved me like their own son.
I’m still speechless because I don’t understand why I was snatched from the school compound in England to the prison compound in Holland.
I don’t want to complain too much, please, you in Union Church are my new family. I want to ask you please to pray for me so that God Almighty would take control of my life and would help me to come back to you.
My mother and all my family are crying day and night in Africa because they know that I’m in custody – detained in prison.
My life is a daily nightmare. I’m overwhelmed by misfortune but what can I do?
The authorities here in Holland said they are going to send me back to Africa because I did not tell the truth when I first arrived. They don’t want to understand that I was misled by fear, I panicked, I wasn’t prepared to ask for asylum. I’m afraid for my life if they send me back to Africa now. I feel like I’m going backward in this jail. Everything I studied at school started to vanish. I’m scared of this place; we only have 2 hours of “fresh air” per day, the rest of the time we are locked inside. The quality of food is approximate; sometimes I have to eat the rest of the food belonging to other prisoners. Why I’m going to die? Because I’m asylum seeker? I don’t deserve what is going on now in my life. Even if I die, you in Union Church Margate are going to be my family in Christ forever. God bless you all. From prison, Remy Taile (alias Jeremi).
I want now to apologise from the bottom of my heart because I did not tell you the truth as well. Forgive me brothers and sisters in Christ. I was also afraid that, if you knew the truth about my life’s journey, your sympathy and love towards me would simply stop.
I hope you understand my fear. You are a blessing, you citizens of the UK and Europe are really blessing. So please, I wish you should help those who are hopeless and trying to survive like me.
I hope this letter is going to be delivered because I’m writing it from jail and I don’t know how I would manage to send it to you. I don’t know how many years I’m going to be in prison here in Holland.
Once more, God bless you all at Union Church – Remy.
To all my friends, brothers and sisters at Union Church, Margate.
I have received many of your letters and cards here in jail, you can’t imagine how delighted I am each time I have one of your cheerful cards of letters. May God bless you and our ministers for what you are doing for me.
I want to tell you how proud I am to be one of yours within the larger family of Union Church. I have answered some of your letters individually. I will keep in contact with each of you.
By the way I would like to say thank you to – Jenny Baxter, for being one of those I can rely on. Debbie Baynes, the lovely woman who amazed me by saying she doesn’t like chocolate. Pam, who scared me with the British weather. Anna and her parents for preaching to young children every Sunday. Jean Manton, the wonderful lady who always look so strong. Elsie Weir, the gorgeous lady who always looks so young especially in pictures. Emily Baynes, Maureen, with whom I used to talk about computing. In fact a special greeting to the whole of Union Church.
Here in Holland, from behind the walls of this prison, what I can see of the weather is that we are having an early Autumn this year.
Last week, I was so poorly, woke up at dawn and could not get back to sleep, then a minister here in prison asked if I would like to write a prayer. I dared not refuse and I wrote this –
God Almighty let us speak only one language and have one law and order for everyone, like it used to be.
Father God don’t let our differences dictate how we have to live on earth. God let us have one Nation, one Citizenship: “Citizens of the Earth”.
Lord, help and allow us to build a tower, but not a Tower of Babel, let it be a tower of love, the embodiment of freedom and piece in the world. Moreover, please God let the Tower of Love be the new beginning of mankind.
God I ask you all this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From Tolle Remy (Jermi)
Debra Miles, we are delighted to hear you have now completed your T.L.S. course, well done. Debra is shortly to be to be presented with her certificate acknowledging that she is an accredited Lay Preacher. It is hoped to arrange a special service on Tuesday 7th October. Please make a note and come along to support Debra. She achieved this result despite a lot of anxiety in the early days, remembering the problems of little Samuel, she is to be congratulated. Lets show her pleased we are.
Luke Dyer for gaining 5*B’s and 3*C’s. Luke will now be going to Thanet Technical College to study Graphic Art. Well done Luke!
Our sincere thanks to Moria and Douglas for the many hours they have spent cleaning the equipment and returning what we need to the storeroom, and for overseeing the new kitchen which is a real joy.
Thank you all who helped in any way towards our Harvest Festival Weekend – to those who organised the supper and to Caroline for planning the quiz and for those who brought gifts.
Prayer
does not require eloquence but earnestness.
Correction
does much, but encouragement does more.
No
one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hands.