Colin Sturgeon

Doreen Sturgeon has let me know it is Colin's 40th Birthday on Sunday. They do not have the same kind of friends network that others have, but they do have us. I know it is short notice, but it won't take much. If people could bring something like a small cake or a packet of buns and a bottle of sprite or coke etc, we could at least sing Happy Birthday to him and have something after church on Sunday night. Surely this is church!

 

He does not know we are doing this, so if you see him, say nothing.

 

Also on Sunday night we will have a guest speaker, Colin Morrison from New Zealand. I have met with him recently and I really warmed to him. He used to be a debt collector, in Portsmouth, England, and would have beaten people to force them to pay up (sounds like people we know!), but is now committed to leading people into freedom of debts by personal faith in Christ. He will share of his testimony and will share from God's Word. His wife Carole will also be with him. Please make them feel welcome.

 

So we're in for a great night - see you there (but don't forget Sunday morning - it will also be great).

 

Jack  

Weekly Contact 30 March 2009

Just a quick follow up to yesterday. First of all a huge thanks to those who made it to church yesterday. I now know quite clearly where I stand in terms of your support.

 

The message I brought on Sunday morning was the 4th in the series "Knocked over Sandcastles" with the subtitle "What Kind of Church are we building?" The main points in the message where:

 

1. We need to be sure of what we're building

2. We need to be sure what we are building on

3. We need to be sure who we're building with

4. We need to be sure we are growing the church with growing people

 

CD is available!

 

Gareth "Spud" Murphy brought an amazing passionate message. His passion cannot be transferred via an email, but those who were there got the best of it. Gareth spoke on "The Two Sets of Keys".

 

1. The keys to our lives - that we hand over to Christ

2. The keys to the Church that Jesus has handed to us

 

What are WE doing with those keys?

 

Hey, I know what I'm doing with them; and I know what Gareth is doing with them. I also know what a few others are doing with them, but what are you doing with those keys?

 

We want everyone in New Life to do the right thing with these keys, but if you don't, then I refuse to let your wrong use of these keys hold me back or hold back New Life City Church. We ARE MOVING FORWARD to the next level. You choose if you want to move forward with us.

 

I finish with my Bill Hybels quote, "The primary reason we were making significant progress was that we had enough people making bold moves". He did not say he had everyone making bold moves, but he had enough people making bold moves. That's all we need; we just need enough people; enough people to be willing to make bold moves; enough people to do the thing with the two sets of keys. It is quite obvious that not everyone is fully committed to the vision of New Life. My objective is not to get everyone on board; I gave up on that a long time ago! But my objective right now is to get "enough people" on board who will help New Life make significant progress. My focus will now be on those who will make up the "enough people"! Your response is to decide whether you want to be one of those "enough people".  

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack 

 

 

 

Splat Experience

I can confirm that we are planning to bring Marc Eckel of 'splat experience' to Northern Ireland in September. His painting presentations have been watched by 100's of thousands on YouTube. The other church have expressed an interest so far is Bangor Elim. If you would like to have him at your church to do a special event please let me know ASAP.

 

The dates at the moment are between 21 & 30 September.

 

The approximate cost will be between £600 and £650 for one event. This covers flights from the US for him and his wife, some basic food supplies, contribution towards accommodation, gallons of paint, a wall to put the canvas on, and a £300 ministry gift (or you can deduct this and simply do a love offering). You would probably cover the entire cost by taking up an offering to cover the expenses.  

 

We are looking for 4 other churches to sign up to this. If 5 or max 6 respond, the costs will be reduced accordingly.

 

Check Marc out at:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM392KMpfmA

 

God bless.

 

Jack

Photo's Needed

This does not apply to most of you reading this, but to some it does:

 

I really need to get the hold of some photo's showing the car park in Townsend Street before we took it over. If any of you have wedding photo's, going back before the fence was put up in about 2002, that shows the car park in the background, can you let me have these ASAP?

 

Thanks.

 

Jack

Weekly Contact 23 March

Sunday Morning

 

Well yesterday morning was amazing. Great turn out for the dedication of baby Seth McCurley. The praise and worship was once again awesome, as was the teaching afterwards! On behalf of Jason and Alison I want to thank all those who came out for this special occasion. The church was well packed.

 

 

Sunday Night

 

Not to take away from the above, I was greatly disappointed with the very poor turn out last night. It was our worse attendance since we moved to Top House. I know it was Mothers' Day, but we had put on a special service hosted by Virtuous Women with guest speaker Yvonne O' Brien. Their efforts deserved a better response. I know one person and some children were ill, but many just made the choice to not come out. I want to thank Chara and the Virtuous Women team for putting together a good service and to Yvonne for bringing an excellent word.

 

I know that Sunday night was a one-off as most people are committed to seeing New Life grow and develop as a church that will impact the community, but perhaps it highlights the need to examine where we are. Next Sunday morning I will be sharing about our way forward as a church. I WILL NOT send out a weekly contact after next Sunday and the service will not be posted on the web site. If you want to hear what's happening and what's being said, you need to be there on Sunday.

 

I am not looking for responses to this email. I would rather see you on Sunday.

 

I finish again, for those who choose to be selective, with the words of Hezeki'ah the Jewish prophet who said, "come to the House of the Lord"; and Paul said in Heb. 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing".

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack 

Marriage Conference

'Cherish and Honour' Marriage Conference

 

Hi guys. I know several people have said they plan to attend this Conference, but I really need to have some firm bookings. It is important that as a church we support this event, but will also be really beneficial to all couples. Please plan to attend, but I would need to get a response so we have an idea of numbers for materials and catering.

 

The venue will be the Ulster Temple. The main speakers will be Roger and Laureen Traver who have travelled across the world for years speaking in many churches on the subject of relationships and marriage. They are from Colorado Springs. They will be joined by Tim and Meg Britton, also from Colorado Springs and are very good friends of ours. 

 

The dates are: Friday night 24 April and Saturday 25 April.

 

The cost is:     £20 per couple (that's for nathin!)

 

We need 50 couples to cover the costs. It would be great if 15 - 20 couples from New Life signed up for this weekend of excellent teaching and encouragement. This is for all couples, married or thinking about marriage.

 

This is another effort on our part as a church to provide you with teaching and resources that is helpful and practical. I can now only encourage you to do your part by making sure you take hold of this opportunity. You can begin to sign up by replying to this email.

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack  

Special Weekly Update

The following are two testimonies from the Sunday night Healing Service:

 

The first one is from me: My sister in law, Linda McKee, came out to church after I called her and invited her to the service. She had been given up for dead by doctors a few times during the past 9 months. She committed her life to Christ in the hospital and is convinced she would not be alive if God had not answered prayer on her behalf. I am likewise so convinced. She had major organ operations and is a walking miracle. She has been in a lot of pain and has been very weak recently. I said to Kathleen afterwards that as I was praying for Linda she seemed to have had an amazing touch of God on her life. She started to shake and it seemed like she was going to fall. I was being very cautious with her.

 

However, the next day, my brother called me and asked what we did with Linda? He went on to explain that the moment she was prayed for she felt the pain leave her body. He said she hadn't stopped working around the house since she was prayed for and that the pain was completely gone from her body. I spoke to him this morning and he told me the family are amazed to see her up on her feet so soon after having been in so much pain.

 

The second is from Margaret Boyd:

 

HI PASTOR, I FOUGHT WITH MYSELF IN MY SEAT ON SUNDAY NITE, ABOUT GOING UP & GETTING PRAYED 4 AGAIN, THEN 2WARDS THE END TOOK THE PLUNGE. I KNOW SATAN DONE EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER 2 KEEP ME FROM CHURCH ON SUNDAY RIGHT UP UNTIL 6.35PM, & I JUST JUMPED IN2 THE CAR ANYWAY. AS U KNOW IVE BN GOING THROUGH A BAD TIME DUE 2 THE M.E PREVENTING ME FROM GETTING OUT & ABOUT ON MY OWN, I HAVE A LOT OF SYMTOMS DUE 2 M.E, NOT JUST THE EXHAUSTION OR PAINS ETC. HAVE M.E 15YRS 12YRS AGO I TOOK PAINS UP & DOWN MY SPINE, WHICH PAINKILLERS DIDNT TAKE AWAY, HEAT EASED IT BUT ONCE I MOVED AWAY FROM IT, IT WAS AS BAD AS EVER. HAD XRAYS TAKEN ETC IN HOSPITAL, 12YRS BACK & THEY TOLD ME I HAD WEAR & TAIR OF THE SPINE. DAD & ME CAME OUT OF HOSPITAL LAUGHING AT BEING TOLD AT THE AGE OF 31 I HAD WEAR & TAIR OF THE SPINE, HE'D SAID 2 ME LOVE I WOULD LOOK OVER IT IF U WERE MY AGE. MY OWN DR SAID PROBABLY PART OF UR M.E WHO KNOWS. CUTTING A LONG STORY SHORT FROM MONDAY LAST WEEK IVE BN IN AGONY WITH MY SPINE EVERY DAY, PAIN KILLERS NOT WORKING HAD HEATED PAD ON MY SPINE, WHEN I MOVED AWAY FROM IT I WAS NEAR IN TEARS, KEEPING ME AWAKE AT NITE ETC. ON SUNDAY NITE STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH PASTOR JOHN WAS 2 AWAY FROM ME, & SO WERE U AT THE TIME. I COULD FEEL A LOVELY FEELING IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CHEST, & AS IF THERE WAS A MAGNET

AT THE BACK OF ME DRAWING EVERTHING THROUGH, IT WAS A LOVELY FEELING, I DIDN WANT IT 2 GO AWAY, I WASNT SURE IF I FELT THE PRESENCE OF SOMEONE STANDING BEHIND ME AT THE TIME, & LATER ASKED COLIN & DOREEN B4 I GOT PRAYED 4 WAS THERE ANYONE STANDING BEHIND ME, & THEY SAID NO. I HAVNT HAD ANYMORE PAIN IN MY SPINE SINCE SUNDAY, PLUS ON & OF LAST WEEK IVE HAD PAINS IN MY CHEST WHICH I ALSO HAVE HAD 4 YEARS. THE LORD MUST OF BEEN WORKING ON THE HEALING OF THE PAIN IN MY CHEST & SPINE JUST B4 PASTOR JOHN PRAYED 4 ME, AS MY SPINE HAS BN GREAT SINCE & NO PAINS IN MY CHEST AT PRESENT.. THANK GOD. JUST HAVE 2 CONTINUE THE PRAYING 4 THE HEALING OF THE M.E ONCE & 4 ALL.

I DEFINITELY FELT THE LORD AT WORK THROUGH THE HEALING SERVICE, WITH MY CHEST & BACK, YET SATAN DONE WHATEVER HE COULD 2 TRY & PREVENT ME FROM MAKING IT 2 CHURCH IN THE FIRST PLACE. THOUGHT ID LET U KNOW 2 ENCOURAGE YOURSELF & PASTOR JOHN, THAT SUNDAY NITE WAS NOT WASTED, THE LORD WAS AT WORK.

 

Let's thank God for these, but please keep Linda and Margaret in your prayers. Pray for complete miraculous healing for both of them.

 

Jack

Weekly Contact 16 March 2009

Sunday's are so good that even I am looking forward to them each week! Yesterday was another day to savour as we opened our hearts to worship and to receive the Word of God, and in both we were not disappointed.

 

Sunday Morning: I spoke on 'Knocked over Sandcastles' Part 2. The main points in this message were: when your sandcastle get's knocked over, or when the storms come...

 

1. You are not alone

        (a) Because you are not the only one to have sandcastles knocked over

        (b) Because there is always someone there to encourage you

        (c) There is always someone to pray for you

 

2. Jesus (your Great High Priest - Heb. 4) is always there for you

        (a) He is there to encourage you (John 14:18)

        (b) He constantly prays for you (Heb. 4: 14) That's 1 - 4!!!

        (c) He enters your storm (Matt. 14:25)

        (d) He comes to you in your darkest moments (Matt. 14:25 the 4th watch of the night)

        (e) He walks on your troubled waters (Matt. 14:25) because all things are under his feet

 

3. How it all ended

        (a) The wind died down; the storm ceased (Matt. 14:32)

        (b) The men in the boat (the disciples) worshipped Jesus (Matt.14:33)

 

Sunday Night: Continuing with our March Specials, Pastor John spoke on "The God of Wholeness". Reading from Eph. 1:15 - 23 and from Heb. 13:8 he reminded us that people need to know that Jesus is still alive and that he is the same today as he was yesterday. He went on to show that God is not only interested in any one part of us, but that God is concerned about the whole person.

 

1. He is the God of the spiritual: Bringing Forgiveness; Salvation and Eternal Life.

2. He is the God of the physical: Bringing wholeness to our minds, finances and relationships.

3. He is the God who brings wholeness to Body, Soul and Spirit

 

Afterwards there were quite a number of people who came forward to receive prayer. This was a very special time as we believe people were not only anointed with oil and prayed for, but were touched in their bodies and their lives by the power of Almighty God.

 

St. Patrick's Day. Those who were there last night heard from Chris Tripp and his team, mostly from Southern Ireland, share how they led 29 to faith in Christ over the weekend. They will be leaving the flats on St. Patrick's Day at 10 am to go into the city centre to witness prior to and during the march. They have invited anyone who would like to join with them to be at the flats before 10 am. This is a great opportunity to get out with them and be involved or just stand back and learn.

 

Mother's Day: The morning service will be a Special Dedication for baby Seth McCurley. We are looking forward to a packed house and to joining with Jason and Alison as they give thanks to God for Baby Seth and as together we dedicate him to the Lord.

 

The evening service will be a Special Mother's Day Service. Again we are expecting a full house and would ask that you do your part to make this happen. Virtuous Women is responsible for the service and will be involved during the event. The guest speaker is Yvonne O'Brien, from Charis Bible College (Andrew's Wommack's college in Belfast).

 

This week's Bible verse: Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."

 

The answer to last week's question: Even though some gave me a measurement... it's a hole! It has nothing in it! It's empty! Like some people's heads! I'm not mentioning any names, but she sings well and plays the guitar well!!!

 

This week's question: There are 5 apples in a basket and five people in a room. How can you give an apple to each person in the room and yet leave one apple in the basket?

 

Again for those who choose to be selective! Hezeki'ah the Jewish prophet said, "come to the House of the Lord"; and Paul said in Heb. 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing".

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack 

Pastor Jack's Test

Let's see how you do with this. You will be truly amazed:

 

Think of a letter between
A and W
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Repeat it
out loud as
you scroll down
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Keep going
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Don't stop
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Think of an
animal
that begins
with that letter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Repeat it
out loud
as you
scroll down
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Think of either
a man's or a woman's
name
that
begins
with the
last letter
in the
animal's name
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..

Almost
there
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now
count out
the letters
in that name
on the fingers
of the hand
you are not
using to
scroll down
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Take the
hand you
counted with
and hold it out
in front of you
at face level
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Look at your
palm
very closely
and
notice
the
lines
on
your
hand
.
.
.
.
.

Do the lines
take the
form of the
first letter
in the
persons name?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Of course they

don't !
.
.
.
..
.
Now smack
yourself in the head,
get a life,
and
quit playing
stupid
e-mail games!
.
.

Read Carefully and Prayerfully

Some say that David Wilkerson (a man I respect greatly) predicted 9/11 in New York, but I personally have never found any evidence that backs this up. I have read from people who say he did, but I have never seen what he was supposed to have said. However, several weeks back I suggested to Kathleen that she should start to buy extra food each week and to put it away, because who knows, the way things are going, food might become scarce for a while. She has done this a few times.

Now I am not sending this out to scare people. I am not even saying I agree with him. Each person must make up their own mind and should respond to this as they see fit, but keep in mind that God will not let the righteous perish. If you decide to take this seriously, don't go overboard, and make sure the food you store is non-perishable (tinned food etc). If nothing happens, you will still have a stockpile of food you can eat when things get better, and if nothing else, you will help the economy by spending some extra cash. 

Don't forget that when America sneezes, the rest of us catch the cold! Pastor Jack.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

AN URGENT MESSAGE

I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message to all on our mailing list, and to friends and to bishops we have met all over the world.

AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US.

For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires—such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago.

There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting—including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God's wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written,

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3).

God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations. He is destroying the secular foundations.

The prophet Jeremiah pleaded with wicked Israel, "God is fashioning a calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh, turn back each of you from your evil way, and reform your ways and deeds. But they will say, It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart" (Jeremiah 18:11-12).

In Psalm 11:6, David warns, "Upon the wicked he will rain snares (coals of fire)…fire…burning wind…will be the portion of their cup." Why? David answered, "Because the Lord is righteous" (v. 7). This is a righteous judgment—just as in the judgments of Sodom and in Noah's generation.

WHAT SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS DO? WHAT ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE?

First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster.

As for our spiritual reaction, we have but two options. This is outlined in Psalm 11. We "flee like a bird to a mountain." Or, as David says, "He fixed his eyes on the Lord on his throne in heaven—his eyes beholding, his eyelids testing the sons of men" (v. 4). "In the Lord I take refuge" (v. 1).

I will say to my soul: No need to run...no need to hide. This is God's righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take—trusting that he will deliver his people even through floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds.

Note: I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose.

God bless and keep you,

In Christ,

DAVID WILKERSON

Weekly Contact 9 March 2009

I have to say I was very encouraged again to see a good turn out at both services, especially Sunday Morning. There was a real sense of God walking among us and ministering to each person depending upon their situation and needs. I really have to say, not for the purpose of upsetting people, but for the purpose of trying to motivate people, that only those who are there will get it! Please believe me, this is not only for the church's benefit, but is also for your benefit. The church needs you, but you also need the church. I want to thank those who regardless of their other commitments and sometimes difficulties, they nonetheless make it along to church on a regular basis. The church only truly grows when we grow together, and so do you!

 

Sunday Morning: We began the services by praying for Mark Wells, who plays the bass guitar on the Worship Team. Mark has been really ill during the past few weeks. We also prayed for the families of the soldiers who were shot dead on Saturday night, and for the others who were wounded. After this we welcomed in the presence of God with another amazing time of worship. Afterwards, as I began to open up God's Word I sensed an eagerness and an openness to receive the message, which made it so much easier to deliver. I spoke on "Knocked Over Sandcastles!" I don't know yet, but this might become another short series! 

 

We read from Luke 8, the story of the disciples crossing the lake with Jesus when a storm almost sank their boat. The main point of the message was to show that we all get caught up in building our sandcastles, but there are storms brewing around us, and that lurking somewhere in the background are those who are willing to knock our sandcastles over. However, I made the point that when storms come; the storm is not about the sandcastles we are building; the storm is not even about those who caused them or about those who knocked our sandcastles over; the storm is about us; it's about how we react and how we come through at the other side. We looked at the following:

 

1) Who Storms Come To:    All of us (disciples, several times; Paul, the Apostle)

 

2) When Storms Come:       (a) When we step outside of God's Will 

                                                    (Jeremiah prophesied this; Jonah experienced it, as did Ananias & Saphira) 

 

                                               (b) When we are in God's Will

                                                    (Joseph; John the Baptist; Stephen; the disciples were in the boat,

                                                        because Jesus told them to get in!)

 

I finished by throwing out the challenge that perhaps some have been responsible for knocking over someone else's sandcastle, and if that's the case, it is time for an apology. IT'S STILL NOT TOO LATE!

 

Sunday Night: Craig Seawright brought an excellent word entitled "You're all going to die soon, so seize the day!" He spoke of how most people fear death, even some Christians, yet Paul had NO fear of death. In fact Paul desired death because he knew he would then be with Christ, but he also desired to remain for the sake of others and for the purpose of completing God's will for his life.

 

Craig talked about death as "The Tale of Two Bodies" where we exchange our old body for a new one; where God takes the old body and "does it up" and makes something new from it. He demonstrated this process by using two coats and by loosing loads of sweat under the heat of the platform lights as several times he went from one coat to the other, putting off the old and putting on the new; demonstrating death, the resurrection and the rapture.

 

He explained there are three ways to die:

 

1. Eviction from the body through sickness, accident or some other calamity

2. Departure due to the cessation or the completion of our purpose (Paul, "I have finished the course")

3. The Rapture where in a moment we shall be changed (it's like the whole death and resurrection experience rolled into one experience that takes place faster than the speed of light)

 

Craig finished off by reminding us that God wants to replace our fear with his peace. He spoke of Solomon who had peace in all his borders. He talked about the need to have peace in the following four areas:

 

1. Peace with our Leaders: obey and submit; democracy castrates leadership

2. Peace in our finances; so get rid of materialism. Money is for loving others, not for more stuff

3. Peace in our relationships; so get rid of offense. Giving offense is like giving poison; taking offense is like drinking it

4. Peace in your marriage; so get rid of selfishness (I wonder how many men went home and made their wife a cup of tea afterwards!!! - No need to respond to this, I don't need to know!)

 

Next Sunday Night: Pastor John will be speaking on the subject of healing. There will also be an opportunity for prayer and ministry. If there is someone you know can benefit from this please invite them along.

 

Teaching CD's will be available for these Sunday nights at the end of the month. These will include Jonathan's; Craig's; John's and Gareth's. These will be in a pack of 4 and will cost £8.00. The one on Mother's Day will be done separately and will cost £2.50. The series I did recently on Prayer: When God Says No; When God Says Yes; Why Prayers Are Sometimes Not Answered is also available in a nice little pack for £7.00. If you want to email an order I can have it ready for you.   

 

Thursday Night: This week is Advance. We will be looking at "Advancing Leadership in the Church". If you are involved in any department within the church you are expected to make the effort to attend. This is part of your training for reigning! But even if you are not, you are still invited to attend as you will also benefit from the teaching.

 

This week's Bible verse: Proverbs 10:9. "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

 

Pool competition. Congratulations to the New Life Pool Team who had entered a competition hosted by the Ulster Temple. The won the competition, beating last year's winners in the final. Well done lads.

 

Big Alan's birthday. This bit is NOT going to Alan as this is a big secret. Not his birthday, but the surprise party. This will be on Tuesday 17 March at Top House at 7 pm sharp. Please do not say anything to him about it, but plan to be there at 7 pm sharp.

 

The answer to last week's question: Thomas Dexter Jakes

 

This weeks question is: Just to make it a bit more difficult please give the answer in square feet: How much soil is there in a square hole measuring one metre by one metre by one metre?

 

Again I finish by encouraging you, as Hezeki'ah the Jewish prophet said, "come to the House of the Lord"; and as Paul said in Heb. 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing".

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack  

India calling

I am forwarding Johnny & Heather's report from India. Please read it and remember them in prayer. A little email to encourage them would also be appreciated I'm sure.

 

Hi Johnny Heather.

 

Glad you got your vehicle back. Let's stick to the main roads now! We hope you do not get affected by the change of weather. Heather, I would have liked to have heard "the other story" after Johnny preached on the Sunday morning!

 

We pray for your well-being in all things.

 

God bless.

 

Jack & all at New Life.

 

Dear Prayer Partners

 

Please find attached our latest newsletter

 

Be blessed

Johnny & Heather

 

Weekly Contact 2 March 2009

Sunday Morning: Yesterday was a very difficult milestone in the life of New Life City Church, particularly Sunday morning. I want to thank those who were present for your patience with me, as I took time to say what I felt needed to be said. Between my initial "comment!" and my message I spoke for about 1 hour 15 mins. I have deeply appreciated the overwhelming response regarding my openness on Sunday morning. It seems that people have taken on board the principles contained in what I shared and have expressed their commitment to applying these principles to their own lives. Here are portions of "some" responses:

 

"Jack, I was really moved and convicted by today's lessons. I don't pretend to know what brought about your message this morning but, God really moved me today leaving me humbled, fearful, sad, confused and hopeful, WOW!! Can you really feel all that at once? lol." 

 

"Hi Pastor. What an amazing day at church today".

 

"Hi Jack, I really wanted to encourage you after the service today, but sometimes it's easier to send a message than do it face to face...  I truly strongly felt the Fathers love..."

 

One person shook my hand after the service and said, "Jack, I don't need to say a word!" And neither he did!

 

However, let me say this: while I deeply appreciate all of the encouraging comments, written or spoken, the fact is yesterday was not so much about me, it was about the church. And, as I said then, so I say again, "I can preach it to you, but I cannot live it for you". It's now up to each person to respond in action to what was said.

 

Now, rather than giving you the notes at this point, as I normally do, we will make CD's available next Sunday on the last three Sunday morning messages: "When God Says No"; When God Says Yes"; and "Why Prayers Are Sometimes Not Answered".

 

Sunday night: What about the Youth Worship Team? Man they were amazing! Well done, especially to those who really are young! Musically and vocally you are to be commended and encouraged. We hope to hear from you again soon. Thanks also to Tracey for doing a Virtuous Women's presentation last night on the Creativity of God and the challenge to us to likewise be creative. During the month of March a different speaker will present a message each Sunday night. Last night it was Jonathan's turn. His message was on "Experiential Faith". Based on Psalm 34.8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good", Jonathan munched his way through a pear while talking about a man who munched his way through an apple! I don't know how this will look on his report sheet to HQ as he works his way towards Ordination!

 

Anyway, it was an excellent and a challenging message. Now again rather than me give you the notes that I took I will do two things (1) Make all five Sunday night messages during March available in one pack at the end of March (2) Copy below an unedited email I received from Mark Crothers on Jonathan's message as follows:

 

During tonight's service I was making some notes on what Jock was speaking. I just want to share some of the things God put on my heart. In regards to the mountain top experience...

"Taking faith from the mountain to the valley"

1. In order to take faith from the mountain top back to the valley you first have to climb the mountain.
2. The journey up the mountain brings with it different experiences to the person prepared to make the journey.
3. The mountain top provides a breathtaking view of the valley.
4. The mountain top is the highest place in the valley. To see the top of the mountain one must look up.

At the top of the mountain you face a life changing choice. How will I return to the valley? The journey down is always quicker than the journey up. When you reach the top are you prepared for what awaits you when you get back to the bottom?

God then went on to challenge me that if the answer to the previous question is YES then one thing remains to say; get back to the valley, the fight, the street, the office, the home, the place of reality where we live and breathe. Wherever your valley may be, go, get there as quick as you can.  I also wrote in my notes, REMEMBER…

When you get to the valley, the experience of the mountain top is just as real as the more common experiences found in the valley. So live in the joy found on the mountain top. Stand firm in the faith that lifted you out of the valley in the first place. Strive to lift others to reach the mountain top in their lives.

God in the midst of a Christian is a mountain top in the midst of a man.

A Christian in the midst of the world is thus a mountain top amongst the people. They are:
• An example of a higher calling
• A better way of living
• A witness of Christ himself
• A sign post towards heaven

God then reminded me that; the Christian who conquers the mountain is still just a work in progress. They are a clay jar in the making being moulded by the hand of the potter and shaped for an eternal purpose.

So will YOU be a mountain top in the midst of the valley, or the valley in the midst of the mountain? Mark C.

Next Sunday night: Craig Seawright will be speaking.

 

Thursday Night: This week it's the turn again of Virtuous Women. Ladies - the pampering starts at 7 pm! So don't worry about getting your hair done and your face fixed (or is it your hair fixed and your face done? I don't know!). Anyway, get along by 7 pm and invite your friends.

 

The answer to last week's question: None of them! Because bananas don't grow on coconut trees! Although some people seemed to think they do! Some said the squirrel and some said the giraffe!

 

This weeks question is: What does the TD stand for in TD Jakes?

 

Here's an extra question for the fun of it: How many Irishmen does it take to rivet a window on a ship? See the answer below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The answer is FOUR! See why below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again to those who do what Hezeki'ah encouraged us to do, which is to "come to the House of the Lord" (he might have met with his fellow worshippers on Saturdays; we meet on Sunday's!)

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack