Giving Up Wine

Giving Up Wine

I was walking down the street when I was  accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby   looking  homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.

I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and  a sked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?'

'No, I had to stop  drinking years ago', the homeless woman told  me.

'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked.

'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.'

'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked.
'Are you NUTS!' replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!'

'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to  give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for  dinner with my husband and me tonight.'

The homeless Woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.'

I said, 'That's okay.  It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments,  and wine.'

 

 

WOW

Just to let everyone know that the united Walk of Witness arranged for Saturday 3 April has been cancelled, as has the Celebration service in the afternoon. The decision was taken on the basis that no one on the organising committee has any intention of doing anything half hearted and of doing anything that would be detrimental to the witness of the Church and its message. The other two on the organising committee are Jim Armour, Pastor at Bethel, and Jim Rea, Minister at Shankill Methodist. The following are their messages:

 

Hi Jack!
 
I want to assure you that I fully understand and so does Jim R.
 
To work it has to be right, otherwise it will be a religious joke and bring dishonour to the Lord, and I know that is something that none of us want.
 
We are not clowns for Jesus but Ambassadors, this road has had enough clowns down the years.
 
Brother Jack I am 100% behind you, now I will say no more because Jim is going to e.mail you on the matter.
 
God bless
 
Jim.

Hello Jack

I am reflecting on your email and have had a phone call from Jim. I hear what your heart is saying on this. I too share your concern. It would not be good to do something that would be poorly supported. I did have another concern and that was that you would be in the USA. I know you will not want to say this, but having been in the situ I know how much a leader is a driving force putting hands on the right people at the last minute and making sure things don't go awol. I am of the opinion that the walk and the service are integral. One would raise the awareness for the other-so maybe this is not the time. Just a thought what about looking at an event on Pentecost Sunday 23rd May?   

Jim   

 

Billy Haddock

Just to let you all know that the funeral for Billy's mum will be on Wednesday. There will be a family service at the home. I will be taking this. Then there will be a service at the Moravian Church on the Old Park Road at 1.30 pm. Details will be in the Telegraph tomorrow.

 

Jack

Weekly Contact 21 Feb 2010

After church today I was checking my email and Facebook. I saw a message from Pastor Dennis Goldsworthy, San Antonio TX, that said "Heading for worship and a time in His presence". So I wrote in response "Just home from worship and a time in His presence". That's exactly what it was this morning, it was a time of worship and a time in His presence. Come on folks, let's keep this going. "All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose", but if there is any room for improvement, and I think there is, it is when we work together for the good of those who love God, and equally for the good of those who do not yet love God, but someday will. The worship was awesome; the preaching was awesome (even I took notes!) and the fellowship was awesome both during and after the service.

 

Getting into the Zone of Silence: In this message I challenged everyone to get into this zone, not by joining a monastery, but by taking control of our tongues, based on James 3. The main points were:

 

When you're in the Zone of Silence:

 

        1. You watch what to say

        2. You watch how you say it

        3. You know there is power in your word to lift up or pull down

 

I fully recommend you get a copy of the CD and listen to this message again.

 

Thanks to the Hospitality Team for arranging Pizza etc afterwards and for giving the opportunity for extended fellowship. Lots of people took advantage of this. It's was great to walk around and chat.

 

Billy Haddock. Please continue to pray for Billy and his sister Winnie and the family circle on the loss of their mother. I will send details of the funeral once I know what they are.

 

FIST. We had a great night at FIST. Well done all you men for getting out. You were not disappointed. The men put on a good programme. We are looking forward to seeing the plans being unfolded each time we meet and to seeing the men of New Life developing together as they "Journey to the place of Maturity and Fruitfulness".

 

John Edwards. As I said this morning, you NEED to get out next Sunday to hear this man. He will speak a word right into your life and into the life of the church. He will be teaching on Sunday morning when he will also share some amazing and heart wrenching stories, and on Sunday night he will share his testimony that will probably rock your world. Please do not choose between these, but come out to both at 11.30 am and 7.00 pm. Please invite your friends and family.

 

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

 

Pastor Jack    

NLCC "Epicentre"

Hi All.

 

This is to let you all know that Billy Haddock's mother passed away today. I spent sometime with him this afternoon and assured him of our support and prayers. Please keep Billy and his sister Winnie and the entire family in your prayers.

 

My thanks to everyone who came to the New Life Leaders' Summit today. Without me making any further comment, I got the following from Les Clarke and think it is worth passing on:

 

 

Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 10:25 PM

Subject: NLCC "Epicentre"

Hello there,
 
For me, today was another landmark day in the life of New Life.  I feel there exists a genuine and tangible desire or OREGO to chase after God, to carry out our vision and fulfil our potential.  Perhaps in the past we have been guilty, both individually and collectively, of not sustaining and raising the levels we have achieved but every church at some point could say the same I think.  This time it feels like we want "IT" so much more and once we get "IT" I truly believe we won't lose IT because we have so many strong hands, hearts and minds to keep hold of IT thanks to our desire for the presence of God and the working of the Holy Spirit.  
    I often have a lot of thoughts or even images of NLCC (I am not calling them visions because they are often very fleeting pictures in my head) and what it could be.  I usually just entertain myself with them because I probably lack boldness to dare to
believe this could be God but something hasn't left my mind for sometime now and confirmations seem to keep popping up everywhere. The recurring thing I see is an ariel view from above our church and its sphere of influence or the areas it impacts shown by rings emanating from an epicentre namely our church. Im not even sure if its our current influence I see or our desired or future influence...but it's like looking down onto a hotspot or volcano almost. Then the rings would ripple caused by a shaking from the epicentre or the church.  I have shared with a few people that there seems to be something brewing at New Life and that certain boxes containing us are about to be broken open just as Brian Longridge had said (and I wish I had been there that night-the whole box thing would have impacted me hugely!) but maybe this shaking is caused by the breaking of these "boxes", maybe not, it may well be something else. It may be because of "IT"!  But whatever causes the shaking, its coming from our church and it seems good! We may not yet be planet shakers or city shakers but what if we could shake our community because of the energy that flows or radiates from the epicentre, our church? We all know about the power of earthquakes and their devastating effect but what if our church caused a different type of quake that shook the heart and soul of our community for the Glory of God with an equally powerful effect?  I'm not saying this is what all this represents but maybe at the least some food for thought!  Jack's next message:- "Living in the Earthquake Zone!"        God Bless.
 
Les

---

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Stormont Hotel

Just to remind you that Mathew Barnett will be speaking this Friday night in the Stormont Hotel at 7.30 pm. 

 

This evening event is open to everyone. I would encourage as many of you as can make it along to get there early. Matthew Barnett will be a huge draw. I would expect the place to be well filled. John Edwards will also be there that evening. John will be leading the work of the Dream Centre in Belfast and will be speaking at New Life City Church on the last Sunday of this month, 28 February am & pm.

 

If anyone can give Sonia McClements a life please contact her direct. Her email is sonia79@hotmail.co.uk Thanks.

 

Don't forget New Life Leaders' Summit this Saturday Morning at 10 am. Subject "IT".

 

Have a great weekend. See you all on Sunday when the message will be "Getting into the Zone of Silence". Applications for men wanting to becoming Monks or women wanting to become Nuns will be at the door!

 

Jack

PRAYER NEEDS

The following two prayer requests are for children:

 

The first was sent by Tracey Seawright:

 

There is a little 2 year old boy in the local area who has leukemia - his parents have just received a report from the doctors saying there is nothing else they can do for him and they don't expect him to live much longer.  I'm so touched by this situation for obvious reasons but am heartened because WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS AWESOME AND ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL WE CAN ASK THINK OR EVEN IMAGINE!!!! Lets BELIEVE GOD for this miracle and see darkness flee and light and hope restored

FAITH MOVES MOUNTAINS !!

 

The second is from Dickson Chisanga and relates to the young child of Chris & Rose:

 

Christopher and Rose asked me to ask the Church to pray for their son Joshua who is in the ICU ward at Royal Hospital for complete healing of the heart, lungs and kidney.

 

I know God reads our mail, but take a moment and pray for these little ones.

 

Jack

 

 

Weekly Contact 14 Feb 2010

Valentine Sunday was turned into Funday at New Life City Church.

 

I was so encouraged by the turn out, not only by our regulars, but it was great to see several new people at church, including several from the Falls community. This is a great sign and an encouraging sign. Some people want to give up when things are not going their way, while others continue to be motivated with the belief that if God is in it, then it's worth pursuing until the bigger picture is complete.

 

My thanks to everyone who participated today, even to all the men who got up on the platform not knowing what to expect. At least we gave the women a good laugh at our expense, and God knows, some of them needed a good laugh. Thanks to Jonathan, Craig and Gareth for bringing good words of encouragement; Jonathan to the singles; Craig to the Marrieds and Gareth to everyone.

 

Jonathan to the singles: Where you are right now is where you're meant to be. Do not allow society to put pressure on you or to put expectations on you that cause you to wish you were somewhere else or that you were with someone else, but make the most of where you are now. 

 

Craig to the Marrieds: Talked about "The Language of Love" as expressed in the following ways: (1) Time - how you spend time together; (2) Touch - how you have a healthy loving relationship; (3) Words - how you speak to affirm each other; (4) Gifts - how you appreciate each other; (5) Actions - how you do things for each other.

 

Gareth to everyone: We all need to realise that we are LOVED by GOD. If God had a wallet or a mobile phone he would have your photo in it. If we can accept that God loves us, we can then begin to love others. Because God has loved us, we can love each other. Because God has forgiven us, we can forgive others. Because God has been patient with us, we can be patient with others etc. As we see these things in God, people need to see these things in us.

 

Couple Honoured: We decided to honour one couple today, but did so as a token of our appreciation not only to them, but to the every couple and to every person who contributes to the life and growth of the church. After having read out several things about this couple, when I called out their names to bring them forward the whole church spontaneously stood to its feet and applauded. Roy and Paula Crawford deserved every applause. We blessed them with a gift from the church and would encourage both them and all of us to continue to work together in unity for the growth of the church and for the extension of God's Kingdom.

 

Prayer: We prayed for the parents of a couple whose son sadly took his own life during the week. We also prayed for Billy Potts' sister Eileen. Please continue to pray for these dear ones and for others within the church and our families who need to know something of the grace and mercy and the healing power of our God. You can pray on your own at home; you can meet with those who pray at City Life Centre on Monday mornings; you pray in Connect Groups; you can come to the Bible Study and Prayer Group on Thursday night at 7.45 pm; you can pray in your Teams. However or wherever, it really doesn't matter, but what does matter is that we pray one for another and encourage one another.

 

Leaders Summit:               NEW LIFE LEADERS SUMMIT

 

                                        Saturday 20 February 10 am - 1 pm

 

                                            The theme of the Summit is "It"

 

Next Sunday: 11.30 am Another exciting Service including Worship; Teaching; Communion;

                                           Pizza & Drinks etc immediately after the service; Please plan to stay behind.

                                           Cost £5 per adult; £2.50 Secondary School age; Younger are FREE

 

FIST: Next Sunday night at 6.30 pm.

 

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

 

Pastor Jack  

 

 

Craig Seawright in the News

Check out the story in the Newsletter today by clicking on the following link:

 

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/39INLA-robbed-my-father-of.6062118.jp?articlepage=1

Easter Saturday

Easter Saturday "Walk of Witness" followed by a Celebration Service at City Life Centre.

 

This event is organised by the Shankill Ministry Fellowship.

 

New Life City Church is very much a part of this and we desperately want you to be.

 

Saturday 3 April.

 

1.00 pm Meeting at the Band Stand in Woodvale Park

1.30 pm Begin the Walk of Witness

2.00 pm Stop at the Peace Pole in Northumberland Street

2.15 pm Tea & Coffee & biscuits provided by New Life City Church

3.00 pm Celebration Service at City Life Centre (Programme to follow)

4.30 pm End

 

This is an event that New Life City Church should be involved in, not only for the Celebration Service, but from start to finish. This is an amazing opportunity for all churches within the Shankill that really want to do something to do so together. For New Life I would love to see the following happen:

 

1. As many of our people as possible should be at the Walk of Witness; including children in prams

2. All of our Departments/Teams should organise to go as teams as follows:

                New Life JC's

                Revolution Youth

                FIST

                GLOW

                Mini Bus with some older people (even from other churches) who could not do the walk

                Everyone else falling in behind

                We would need several Marshals responsible for New Life (need names)

3. All teams should provide some colour with Tee Shirts, flags, banners etc

4. Leo the Lion should be at the WOW and other Muppets if there are any!

5. We should have a Banner with New Life City Church on it & all our teams behind it

6. Our mini bus should be decorated: roof rack with name across both sides

7. When we get to City Life Centre, the Hospitality Team should go overboard with Hospitality!

                Tea, Coffee and biscuits

                A good welcome to the Celebration

                People shown to seats etc

8. Keep in mind this is a Shankill Ministry Fellowship event

                Keep lights on in main hall even during the worship 

                There will be no offering (our gift to the Shankill)

9. Although it is a Shankill Ministry event, all of our teams need to be in place to facilitate the event

                Hospitality Team

                Welcome Team

                Technical Team

                Worship Team (3 songs at start - 15 minutes; 1 song at the end)

                Drama Team (1 piece of drama running 5 - 6 minutes)

                As said above, programme will follow later

10. 5,000 booklets will be handed out, mostly in the 2 weeks prior to the WOW

                We need your help to give them out - we need volunteers.

 

It would be great to know how many are going. If you are a Team Leader can you let me know if your team will be involved and how many will be going. Let me know also what you are planning to do e.g. Tee Shirts; Muppets or whatever; be creative. Please also let me know as an individual if you are going to the WOW so I can do a head count.

 

Come on; let's get out of the box and let's get into the Zone.

 

Jack 

 

 

Weekly Contact 7 Feb 2010

If you can spell WOW backwards, that was how good church was this morning (at least that's what I think!). It's okay to say "that was good" or even to say "that was very good". God did! And as I look back to this morning's service, I just feel like saying "That was very good" or WOW backwards! Once again we had another good turn out, although several of our regulars were absent due to illness or work, while others, who say they belong to New Life City Church, were absent in a way that sadly has come to be expected. We can do no more than just keep encouraging people to join with us as we meet together each week.

 

After another awesome time of worship we heard briefly from several of our YWAM guests who have been attending New Life during the past few weeks and will be with us for the next few months. We also heard from Davy Nesbitt who shared the great news regarding his father's present situation. A few weeks ago he was extremely ill and was seemingly facing death, but is now home from hospital and is in relatively good health. We then prayed for Alan Murphy's son who was caught up in some serious situation last night. Alan called today to let me know that his son Clarke is well and is receiving the necessary help. Alan also asked me to thank the church for your support and prayers. So on his behalf, thanks. Surely this is how it ought to be.

 

The title of the message I brought was "Getting into the Zone of Freedom". This was a follow on from the last three messages, which were "Getting into the Zone"; "Getting into the Zone of Spiritual Maturity", and "Getting into the Zone of Servanthood". The main points of the message were as follows:

 

Freedom is not just a declaration; it's not just a song we sing or a Bible verse we quote, but freedom is a positive mindset; a conviction of confidence that regardless of the circumstances, you are free.

 

Freedom is not so much about what you came out of, but is more about what you've come into. The people of Israel came out of something, but they never went anywhere!

 

Freedom is lost when we allow our circumstances to enslave us

Freedom is lost when we allow our problems to be bigger than who we are

Freedom is lost when we allow life controlling issues to continue to control us

Freedom is lost when we allow a stubborn mindset to entrench us

 

Sadly there's a mindset that locks people into the past and prevents them from becoming the men and women of God who go forward and take the land regardless of the walled cities and regardless of the giants.

 

I finished by reminding us of what I believe was "prophetically" spoken over the church last week by Brian Longridge when he said "The devil has tried to box you in, but you must break the boxes". Let's not only step out of the boxes, but let's break the boxes and let's continue to tear down the walls that divide us so that we can continue to move forward together.

 

GLOW: Kathleen came home tonight after 10 pm! She said she had a great night with the women of New Life at their GLOW event with between 35 and 40 joining together. Well done ladies!

 

Events this week: I have to say that I am delighted there are several groups that meet on a regular basis whether it's the Monday Morning Prayer Group, or the Tuesday Night Connect Group (fortnightly) for women at our home, or the Wednesday Night Connect Group at Colin and Carole's flat for Bible Study and Prayer, or the Thursday night Bible Study and Prayer Group at City Life Centre, besides the youth and the children's gatherings and so on. There is plenty going on and I would encourage you to not isolate yourself, but to stay connected through these various activities, whether all or some.

 

Please keep in mind that this coming Thursday night there will be no Bible Study and Prayer Group, but rather FIST will be meeting on Thursday night. All men are invited to get along, to hear and contribute ideas about ongoing development and evangelism. Please make the effort men to get along and be part of the ongoing development of New Life City Church.

 

Next Sunday is Valentine's Day. There will be a special Sunday Morning Service at 11.30 to reflect this. Once again I encourage you to come along and encourage others to visit with us.

 

Email Connect Group. Twenty have signed up for this. If you would like to be part of this group please email Deborah McCurley at macdebbie@btinternet.com 

 

Matthew Barnett. I sent an email during the week. I need a response by tomorrow. Beyond this I will not be taking any more names.

 

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

 

Pastor Jack  

 

Matthew Barnett

1. To all Team Leaders: Matthew Barnett, founder of the Dream Centre in Los Angeles, will be speaking in the Long Gallery of Stormont Assembly Building on Friday morning 19 February at 10.30 am. This is hosted by Dr. Cecil Stewart of CCN and will be the official launch of the Dream Centre in Belfast. I believe this event will be worth attending as a Team. If you are a Team Leader and you would intend going along I would need you to let me know no later than next Monday 8 February so I can book all of us in together. I will not take it for granted you are going; I will not assume you are going; and I will not take names after Monday 8 February.

 

2. To Everyone: Please know that I did not set the rules for No.1 above; Dr. Cecil Stewart did. However, Mathew Barnett will be speaking that same night in the Stormont Hotel at 7.30 pm. This evening event is open to everyone. I would encourage as many of you as can make it along to get there early. Matthew Barnett will be a huge draw. I would expect the place to be well filled. You do not need to let me know you are going on the Friday night. John Edwards will also be there that evening. John will be leading the work of the Dream Centre in Belfast and will be speaking at New Life City Church on the last Sunday of this month, 28 February am & pm.

 

I finished off my last Weekly Contact by asking the question, "Who have you encouraged this past week?" Well, you still have a few days left in this week to encourage someone.  

 

Jack

 

 

 

Teen Challenge

Recently I sent info regarding evangelism training by Teen Challenge this coming Friday and Saturday. There are only a few who have said they would go along. This event is still open. In fact you can just turn up on the night or the day. If you can only attend on Friday night or on Saturday morning, that would be fine. Unfortunately I am not able to coordinate transport, which might make it a bit more difficult for one or two, but I would have to simply encourage each person to make their own way to the Elim Christian Centre in Alexandra Park Avenue.

 

Hope this works for you.

 

Jack

 

 

Weekly Contact 1 Feb 2010

I believe this is such an important email.

 

What another great day at church yesterday! Thank God that January, regardless of the cold, was rich with the presence of God and has been such a good start to 2010. We should not only look forward with anticipation to the rest of this year, but should also work with great determination (Orego) to ensure we make the most of this year. We can sing, but we must work. We can play, but we must work. We can pray, but we must work. We can preach, but we must work. We can have Bible studies, but we must work. We can attend Connect Groups, but we must work; and we must do so with determination. All of these things mentioned are important, but all need to be combined for the purpose of fulfilling our vision to reach the lost; to grow the church; and to develop mature believers.

 

Sunday morning: Jonathan spoke on the subject of "Orego", which means "Desire", "Desperation", Determination", and "Longing" etc. Based on Psalm 142 he showed that sometimes desperate needs make us desperate for God and that desperate needs make us do desperate things in order to get to God, as with the woman who pressed through the crowd to get to Jesus in Mark 5.

 

He went on to make the following points:

 

> The difference between achieving and just getting through is Orego = the determination to succeed.  

> There is unfulfilled potential because of a lack of Orego; a lack of determination; a lack of desperation.

> We will not succeed just because we have a good worship team and good preaching etc;

> We will only succeed because we have Orego = desire; determination; longing etc (Psalm 42v1)

> We can fool ourselves like the rich young ruler, but when we're challenged we lack Orego.

> Our desire should not only be for ministry, but for the presence of God (Ps. 42 As the deer pants...)

 

Sunday night: Brian Longridge was with us all the way from the Philippines. Once again he challenged the socks of us as he talked about his work among lepers. He showed us some horrific photographs of members of his congregation who were badly disfigured as a result of leprosy. Brian said that Jesus is not only in the church, but that he walks among the poor and the hurting, and at times you can almost see Jesus looking at you through their eyes.

 

He shared with us regarding the commencement of a "24/7 House of Prayer and Worship", showing again the need to truly connect with God and then, from this, reach out beyond the walls of the church to connect with the world, and to do so as those who truly represent Christ. He made a comment, which I believe was truly prophetic to New Life City Church, as follows: "The devil has tried to box you in, but you must break the boxes". Brian then moved to the keyboard and began to sing "prophetically" over the church. This means that instead of speaking over the church, he sang over the church what God was putting on his heart at that moment. The core of this was a question, "Why are you here?". He then sang a song before speaking to us from 1 John 4v7-12. He shared with us that no matter how much we say we love God, love is not love until it is given away.

 

I again want to thank everyone who participated in the delivery of both services and everyone who came along and participated as worshippers. There was a really good turn out at both services. Believe me, this is much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

This week. I have attached the Newsletter in case you did not get one. This shows most things that are planned for the week, but let me highlight a couple:

 

Prayer & Bible Study Thursday at 7.45 pm. We spend 20 minutes taking a look at something from God's Word. Last week Robert Ballard (YWAM) brought an excellent word from Ezekiel 1v10 "Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle". He showed how these represent different portraits of Jesus and how they coincide with the different presentations of Jesus in each of the four gospels. After this we prayed for various needs within the church and for others that were brought to us. So why not plan to be with us as we study and pray together.

 

Next Sunday 11.30 am Morning Service for worship, teaching and communion.

                           7.00 pm GLOW for all our women and friends

 

PRAYER: Please continue to pray for the church; for family members who are ill, some very seriously; for situation known and unknown. My week is often taken up with meetings and reports and emails, and with visitations to those in need at home or in hospital. This past Friday I was involved in a very serious situation that seemed to be life threatening, but God intervened in an amazing way. All I will say is that the person involved is not a stranger! So it's good to pray for one another.

 

My last thought: In recent weeks I have encouraged you to encourage each other. Who have you "encouraged" this past week?  

 

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

 

Pastor Jack