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.