Get on with it!

Sunday's ministry, has a 'get on with it!' feel about it. We're living in times of change which present a challenge to Biblical Christianity. We need to study the word, do some hard thinking and, above all, depend upon the Holy spirit to lead us into truth, recognising that truth is about reality. Following the Lord Jesus Christ is a way of life not a hobby!

http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/teachings/

Sunday Ministry: God's Umpire.

http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/meetings/teachings/?sermon_id=82

Ministry from Colossians chapter 3.

Bold Street update, plus: the cost of responsible citizenship.

We have had some positive visits to Bold Street despite some time out caused by recalcitrant gall stones. Last  Thursday was very encouraging with four New Testaments given away, Pauline having a group talk with some 'chuggers' and encouragement from various Christians. We also have Bold Street regulars and it is good to see a trust developing with vulnerably housed folks, street sweepers and Big Issue sellers.

Special plus item:

Coming home from a walk we saw a lot of take-away litter around a litter bin (this is common in Birkenhead due to an open design of bin and a lot of hungry sea gulls). Having put the litter in the bin I thought it would be good to tread it down a bit to help keep it in the bin. I had not thought this through: as the open top bin not only makes it easy for the gulls to get stuff out, but, also, facilitates the vast amounts of rain we have had recently to collect in the bin hidden by the rubbish. Our public spirited Rob energetically puts his right leg in the bin only to find it was in deep water. Result: squelchy walk home.

Ministry

http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/meetings/teachings/?sermon_id=75


Learning from Philadelphia and Laodicea.

The Big Issue.

Ministry from last Sunday.
The Big Issue.

Ministry.

Sunday ministry: 'The Common People heard Him Gladly.'
http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/teachings/

We are still here!

I regret to say I have been rather slack about posts...no excuses!
Our visits to Bold Street continue and there is always something that happens  that makes it feel worthwhile, and, we also know that many people see us and our text poster.

Today (1st September) we gave 5 New Testaments away and one of the 'Daniel Project' DVD's.

Soon after arriving a young Polish man came saying he needed forgiveness but wasn't sure how to get it as he came from the country of John Paul and he didn't think he could deserve it. This was a great opportunity for the gospel, we gave him a New Testament and he was concerned about having time to read so we told him to give God ten minutes a day and see what happens. He went on his way with some hope in his heart.

We do meet a lot of Roman Catholics, often sincere and with a fear of God but there is often a sense of guilt and no grasp of God's grace. It is a privilege to be able to point people to the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

A lady came with tears in her eyes and shared about a difficult time in her life and she had been told she would go to hell. She was also a Roman Catholic and was burdened by things she had been taught, I was able to point to Scripture and the loving nature of God. Her tears and repentance are seen by the Lord and I encouraged her to trust in the work of Jesus on the Cross. She seemed to grasp what she was hearing and we were able to pray together.

An American lady gave us some money 'for the work brother' and a couple of minutes later an Easter European  woman passed me a note saying she needed help so we were able to pass the money on.

It was also good to see a team of Christians going out to evangelise and they encouraged us as they passed by.

The seed, the Sower, the soil and the harvest.

Friday's session on Bold Street was rather more encouraging with several conversations and two New Testaments given.


Ministry from Sunday.

http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/teachings/?sermon_id=48

Scattering the good seed.

We aim to be in Bold Street in our usual spot (by the Reconciliation statue) tomorrow (Friday) morning from about 10.30 for a couple of hours.
We can have confidence in the 'good seed' of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our method may be 'weak' but our strength is in the Lord.

Update 12th May

We are aiming to be in Bold Street (near the 'Reconciliation' statue) this Saturday from 10 o'clockish for a couple of hours.

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." (Psalm 126:5)

A time for every purpose under heaven.

Although we do not want to be bound by weather there is no doubt cold, wind and rain are unhelpful for street work: soggy literature, creeping hypothermia and, most important of all, people are less inclined to stop. Our slow start spring seems to be bucking up so we hope to get out more regularly;  tomorrow we aim to be in Bold Street for a couple of hours from around 10.30 am.

.

A place that is loved.

I first visited Liverpool in the 1970's and  it has had a place in my heart since then. When I was asked to come and support a church plant in Liverpool after 10 challenging years setting up and running a church based community centre in central London it was not a difficult decision to make. I now live in Birkenhead so I am not only an immigrant but also a 'plastic scouser' by adoption. I live near the river and as the ferries move off from the Woodside terminal they is always a quick blast of 'Ferry Across the Mersey' from the p.a. so I often hear the words:"This land's the place I love" and I do too. The World Heritage waterfront, amazing quality of light, rich variety of museums and galleries, lovely parks, great shopping centre all contribute to an outstanding city but there is more. Beyond the physical, what makes the area so special is the people with their warmth, reality and humour. So I was very moved yesterday to hear the verdicts at the Hillsborough inquest finally lifting the cloud of prejudice, lies and scape-goating that has hovered over the city for 27 years.
I hope this will mark an end to the unhelpful stereo-typing that enabled the spread of lies to gain credence so quickly. Liverpudlians do not hide their failings and are the first to make fun of themselves. May the families find healing through the verdict. As was shouted in the court: " Hallelujah!" and "God bless the Jury!"

A member of our church survived the disaster, as he was close to being crushed he called out to God, was physically saved and came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ here is a link to his testimony:

http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/meetings/teachings/?sermon_id=8http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/meetings/teachings/?

Bold Street thoughts.

Witnessing on Bold Street on Thursday gave me opportunity to reflect a bit as I watched the people passing by. There is always an interesting range of fashions, hair colouring, tattoos and original styles that are obviously the result of quite a lot of effort and thought. Human beings are very varied physically and culturally, all of which makes life more interesting and reflects the creativity of  God, the natural creation is vastly varied with all sorts of  means of survival, breeding and a sheer extravagance of life and colour. Of all creatures human kind has more choice and opportunity for invention, shortly we have to choose about our membership of the European Union (leaving Europe is not a choice unless we can  get towed away somewhere). The debate currently focuses on economics, jobs, borders and other important but secondary issues. Surely the key issue is sovereignty? Do we want our democratically elected parliament to make decisions that are then over ruled by the 'Colleagues' in Brussels? Lord Steele expressed it clearly, if a little indelicately, by saying:"Can we vote the b*****s out?"

As Christians we need to look to the Bible for guidance, Paul, when addressing the philosophical and politically aware Athenians, gave a clear picture of;
 a) the unity of mankind as created by God (" has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth"),
 b) the times and borders of the nations ("and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;"), and,
 c) His purpose in arranging things this way ("That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him,")
Reference: Acts 17:25-27.

The move towards amalgamation leading to  a one world globalism is a dangerous delusion that echoes the events of Babel: "And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do."
Reference: Genesis 11:6.

New Ministry.

Link to Sunday's ministry: The Glorious Gospel.
http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/teachings/Rejoice in the Glorious Gospel

Grand National Day.

Evangelising on Bold Street was not very fruitful from the point of view of contacts, but we received encouragement from Christians. It was also very interesting from a cultural point of view, I have never seen so many sharps suits, improbable women's shoes and imaginative hats (fascinators?) . It was quite a challenge getting into Central Station to go home. Liverpool folk do like a celebration although the toll of dead horses and £200 million gambled does rather take the edge off it. We also had a very good chat with one of the Gladstone (Christian book shop and cafe) trustees.
We are looking forward to doing more evangelism as the weather improves.

Saturday 9/4/16

The sun is shining. We should be in Bold St. from about 10.30.

God is faithful.

Weather looked rather dubious this morning, and Storm Kate was forecast, however Pauline had faith that it would stay dry till noon. Things looked rather slow until we prayed and in the last half hour three people came up with the determined look that we have seen before. Two ladies had spotted the John's Gospels and a young man asked for a New Testament, may the Lord bless them as they read.

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life in his name." (John 20:31)

Saturday: Bold Street, Liverpool.

Bold Street seemed quite quiet for a Saturday but we gave two New Testaments and some other literature away. Conversations with Roman Catholics, who were keen to read the Scriptures, were positive. A couple of young men, whom we had spoken to some time ago, stopped for a chat; it was good to catch up with them and they are enthusiastic about their faith in Jesus.
We thank the Lord that whenever we go to Bold Street we do make worthwhile contact with people apart from the visual witness to all those that pass by.

Sunday ministry.

Here is link to last Sunday's ministry from 1 Timothy.

http://http://www.ainsdaleevangelical.org/meetings/teachings/

Update.

We went to our usual spot in Bold Street on Thursday and, although it was unusually quiet, we had a very positive time. Soon after arriving a young Christian couple came and encouraged us, with the bonus of the husband saying how much he liked my glasses.
Three people took New Testaments, all of them seeming very determined and eager to get one.
I had a good conversation with a man who had had some contact with the Watch Tower organisation; he had some honest questions on various issues and listened very carefully to Scriptural answers. He was grateful for the chat and went away looking rather more peaceful.

I shall aim to update on Saturdays unless something newsworthy happens before.

New Birth Day.

Today is the 42nd anniversary of my conversion (and of Pauline, my wife). It has been 42 years of good things, and tough things; advances and retreats... the failures have been ours-the victories are the Lord's. We have had times of excitement and opportunity, and times of being set aside. Our journey has caused us to live in many parts of England and to meet many wonderful people. In it all our testimony is God's faithfulness and the continuing wonder that Jesus died for us, and the Holy Spirit lives in us, teaching and guiding us.
I remember being told that young Christians are always excited but they will calm down and become 'reasonable'; well, I am not less excited now than I was, 'first love' does not have to die as we keep pressing on 'toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:14).

                                           Us 42 years ago (with our two sons and a neighbour)

Looking forward.

After a break (visiting family in New Zealand, overcoming jet lag, and then flu) we are now looking  forward to getting out on the streets more regularly. We went to Bold Street (Liverpool)  last Saturday and we gave away two New Testaments and two Gospels of John. We intend continuing to go there regularly but would like to expand the range of locations. We have a new vehicle which is usable as a base so if anyone who reads this knows of good spots with parking, reasonable volume of people passing without obstructing anybody: do get in touch with your suggestions.

Run the Race (Hebrews 12:1-3)

I have never been very keen on sport but, I remember running in a race at school when I was about eight years old. I set off with a will, running as fast as I could. I suddenly realised I was on my own, so I stopped and looked behind me, only to see the rest of the field running towards me and then passing me. By the time I got going again they had all crossed the line!
I also remember hearing some PE teacher say that you need to set your sights on running as if the finishing line was ten yards further on than it really is. So it is with the spiritual race: as we age it is tempting to ease off with a 'nearly there, I've done my bit' sort of mindset. I believe it is time for more of Paul's attitude as in 1Corinthians 9:24-27: not running uncertainly.

Thoughts from the Other Side...of the world.

I am writing this in New Zealand where it is summer and morning, as opposed to the UK where it is winter and the middle of the night. Here cold winds blow from the south and warm ones from the north. This sudden reversal of normality coupled with the remoteness of these lovely islands makes one reflect. In these days we are seeing massive shifts in popular thinking on many topics. There is a change in accepted morality and a refusal  to acknowledge anything outside our own thoughts to govern our conduct:"If it feels right do it!"

I arrived here as the new Star Wars film was released and it seems that the dualistic, pseudo mystical myths of Hollywood have become our source for human spirituality. Of course, the real purpose is making lots of money.

Meanwhile, those who speak for religion use platitudes to advocate peace where there is no peace, and a 'God' made in our image with teaching that owes more to Lennon's Imagine than the Bible.

A recent Vatican video shows representatives of four religions (no Hindus or Jedis) holding symbols of their faith: a Buddha statue, prayer beads, a menorah and a fair haired baby doll. The message is that we are all one and worship one God, but there is no God in Buddhism, Allah has no son, and while there is real common ground between Judaism and Christianity, the centrality of Jesus as the Messiah is not yet agreed. Where is the cross? The real message is of man's sinful nature (why is the world such a mess if we are
 basically good?) and God's gracious remedy for sin: the atoning death of Christ confirm by the resurrection.

The hope for the world is in the Gospel, we must see that the "...God of this world has blinded the eyes of them that believe not" (2Corinthians 4:4). 2 Peter 3 gives a picture of our day and warns of the coming judgement,telling us that God's patience is so that we might repent and be saved.

There is a glorious future for those who trust in Jesus Christ, will you be in it?