Crosstalk Reconciled to God through Jesus’ death on the cross (Hebrews 10:10)
www.cgcf.ie
Issue 20
• The parable of Jim and Mick • History of the Bible in Irish • Healing for victims • Happiness and joy • Teenagers’ stories • Christ is my oasis • Children’s page • Israel-Palestine • Imagine...
Crosstalk is a community outreach magazine published by Colin Glen Christian Fellowship Cuallacht Chríostaí Ghleann Chollainn
www.cgcf.ie
Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)
A warm welcome
Everyone is given a warm welcome on Sunday mornings in the Andersonstown Leisure Centre (dance studio), 11:00-12:20. We have meetings in homes during the week (Bible study, prayer, chat)—everyone is welcome at John and Elaine Duffy’s home on Wednesday evenings 7-9 pm, and to the Women’s Bible Group there too on Friday mornings 11am-1pm. No prior knowledge of the Bible is needed—just an openness to hear how God’s Word can be relevant to our lives today, and to join in the discussion if you like. See the calendar on our website for more details of events and locations. If you are just interested, or wondering if you might find us as a suitable fellowship to worship and serve God through, you are more than welcome to come along to any of our events or get in touch.
John Duffy (leader)
See our website www.cgcf.ie for more information, events, resources, and a brief introductory video.
What we believe
Our deepest needs, including true peace, joy, forgiveness and love, can only be truly met through us being reconciled to God. As Augustine said long ago; “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their peace in You.” Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) Jesus wants us to experience the fullness of life that only comes through receiving the Holy Spirit to renew us. Yet, our sin is a barrier between us and God. To resolve this, Jesus has died on the cross in our place, so that we can be forgiven by placing our faith alone in him. Many people want to know the peace of God, the sense of freedom and forgiveness from the guilt of past sins, a fresh start, a deepening knowledge of a loving God working in their lives, and assurance of eternal life. The key to receiving these is to trust in Jesus. He said; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus calls us to see our need of forgiveness, and to place our trust in him alone, no matter what our past has been, or what situation we find ourselves in. By the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are able to overcome sin, persevere through difficulties, and experience the peace and joy of the new life that comes only from God (Romans 5:1-11). Our source of truth and doctrine is ultimately only God’s Word, the Bible. See our website for more details, including frequently asked questions, and our internationally recognised statement of faith from the WEA.
About us
We are an independent Christian Fellowship with leadership and governance (inc. as a registered charity) from within the nationalist community. We have been around for a number of years now. While we have no formal ties to other organisations or churches, we have some good relations with Christians in other churches and denominations across both main communities locally. Although we are essentially a local group of people who have a love for, and desire to serve, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we welcome anyone from further afield to visit or join us. Within the nationalist community, there is a growing acceptance and understanding of different beliefs and outlooks, such as ours. Yet, an important point that people regularly bring up relates to identity and ethos. It deserves some comment. Some assume that because we have a different faith than most people in our community that we must be Protestants. This is not the case. It is not necessary to change your nationality, community, or politics in order to trust in Jesus alone and be a Bible-based Christian. Yet, above all else, our identity is in Christ. Also, while the labels ‘evangelical’ (which means gospel-based) or ‘born-again Christian’ (which means having a renewed heart by God’s Spirit) are generally intended to communicate biblical truths, within our community they instead tend to carry sectarian, political, or fundamentalist baggage (often from those heard or seen in the media and news) that is clearly inconsistent with our ethos and identity. To avoid confusion, we prefer to describe ourselves as just Christians, Bible-based Christians, or followers of Jesus Christ. We strive to be like our Lord and Saviour, as we try to follow him. Contact: John Duffy (leader) 42A Cloona Park, BT17 0HH Tel: 028 90600323 Email: johnduffy@cgcf.ie
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Main meetings: Everyone is welcome to Sunday mornings: 11:00am-12:20pm at Andersonstown Leisure Centre (dance studio). Also, to Bible Studies on Wed. eve. 7-9pm & Women’s Bible Group Fri. 11am-1pm, both at 42A Cloona Park, BT17 0HH
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Text prayer requests to Prayerline: 07938706552
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www.cgcf.ie
History of the Bible in Irish The history of the Bible in Irish spans a millennium and a half. Yet, in the land of Saints and Scholars, there were no published scriptures in Irish until the seventeenth century Anglican translations, with the first Catholic Bible published in the late twentieth century.
Manuscript era
The Bible was at the heart of the Celtic Church’s life, with manuscript production such as the Book of Kells or the Lindisfarne Gospels. While Irish initially remained mainly an oral language, Bible reproduction was exclusively in Latin. Yet, Irish was used in ministry and evangelism, such as Aidan’s mission to Northumbria, with King Oswald not only his host, but also his interpreter. While some scripture glosses (margin notes) in Irish have survived on Latin manuscripts, there are sadly no known Bible manuscripts available in Irish.
Print era
Queen Elizabeth I commissioned an Anglican New Testament to be printed in Irish, possibly to gain a lead over Scottish Presbyterians or to win over Irish Catholics. Initial translators were John Kearney, Nicolas Walsh, and MaoilIn Óg Mac Bruaideadha, followed up by Nehemiah Donnellan. However, progress was halted when printer William Kearney flitted with the printing press. William O’Donnell stepped in, helped in translation by Irish scholar Murtagh King and Domhnal Óg Ó hUiginn. O’Donnell published the Tiomna Nuadh in 1602/3. It was reprinted by scientist and philanthropist Robert Boyle in 1681. Hearing of Anglican Bishop William Bedell’s (1571-1642) Old Testament translation into Irish, Boyle also set about restoring the then aged manuscripts. Bedell had worked with Murtagh King and Séamus Neangail to translate the 1611 Authorised Version into Irish, with reference to the original languages as well as Italian.
Although opposed by some of his peers for his honesty, charity and promotion of the Irish language, Bedell was loved and respected by the Irish people. With the 1641/2 rebellion breaking out before printing began, Bedell’s health failed and he died after being held temporarily as a prisoner. Despite the severe and ongoing conflict, a rebel military company gave him the extraordinary honour of a military funeral. According to Bedell’s biographer, with bagpipe and drummer, at the grave they ‘fired a volley of shots over it, exclaiming “Requiescat in pace ultimus Anglorum”’ [Rest in peace, the best of the English]. With the assistance of Narcissus Marsh, Andrew Sall, and others, Boyle published Bedell’s Old Testament in 1685. Revised by Robert Kirke for Scottish Gaelic speakers alone, Boyle published the first complete Bible in Irish in 1690, An Biobla Naomhtha.
In Ireland, it wasn’t until the modern missionary movement in the early 1800s that Scriptures in Irish were reprinted in vast quantities. The first complete Bible for use in Ireland was also published in 1817 (1690 reprint). Yet, instead of simply promoting the gospel, in Ireland the Bible was often publicly used to oppose Catholicism. Despite some good intentions and relief efforts behind the scenes, in the public arena Bible-based anti-Catholic evangelicalism fuelled conflict across what had become a more distinct religious, ethnic, political and economic divide. This ‘second-reformation’ was opposed by Catholics/nationalists. Opposition to scriptures in Irish also did not help in the declining popularity of the use of the language. Yet, while the Great Famine (1845-1852) further contributed towards its decline, some of the Presbyterian Bible-based ‘Irish schools’ nevertheless had some positive impact on sustaining the language, particularly in the Glens of Antrim. Later, alongside the Gaelic revival, Catholic Bible publications in Irish began with translation of the Pentateuch (Gen.Deut.) by John McHale in 1861. Yet, it was Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (1927-) who published the first complete Bible translation into Irish for use in the Catholic Church in 1981, An Bíobla Naofa. As publisher, and main translator from the original languages, Ó Fiannachta also
got the nickname An Gideon Gealach (the Irish Gideon) for placing a copy of An Bíobla Naofa in every bedroom of bed & breakfasts and hotels in the Gaeltacht area of Dingle.
Cosslett Ó Cuinn (1907-1995) translated the New Testament (NT), titled ‘Tiomna Nua’ . It was based on the RSV and Greek, published in 1970 by the Church of Ireland and the Hibernian Bible Society (now The National Bible Society of Ireland) . Scottish Gaelic made independent progress, notably with the 1787 NT and 1801 Old Testament being published together in 1807, and a Catholic NT in 1875.
Digital era
Digital technology has provided a revolution for Bible reading/study. While some scanned printed Bibles can be viewed online, text-based digitised Bibles can be used with Bible software, or apps on a smartphone/tablet. Recently, ‘An Bíobla Naofa’, the NT and Psalms from the 1817 edition of the ‘Bedell’ Bible, and Luke’s Gospel from the 1970 O’Cuinn NT have been made freely available digitally (see links below).
Looking forward
Bishop Bedell was described as “the most faultless character in all ecclesiastical history” by historian Coleridge. Yet, like others, he made the mistake of presuming that anyone who accepted a Bible-based faith should also change their cultural/ political loyalty and be subject to the British crown. This way of thinking is sadly still to be found in many Protestant churches in the north, sometimes overtly, at other times unknowingly or unintentionally. This can deter many nationalists from engaging with the Bible. Yet, partly due to Vatican II reforms in recent decades, there is greater freedom to read the Bible within the nationalist community. Hopefully, with digital technology bringing easier access to the Bible, especially in Irish, it will increasingly become not only more accessible, but also more central to the faith of people across all communities in Ireland, whether read in Irish, English or other languages. JD Bibles are available (for free) in hundreds of languages, including Irish, for use on a PC/Tablet/Phone at; www.bible.com and www.bibles.org The booklet titled ‘The History of the Bible in Irish’ can be obtained in pdf (for free), Kindle, and print. For more details see; www.cgcf.ie/irishbiblehistory www.cgcf.ie
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Happiness and joy “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” is a popular children’s song. Pharrell Williams sings “Because I’m happy”. But how happy are we? Even those with a sunny disposition have bad days. What is happiness? For each of us it’s different things… family getting on well, that new pay rise, that new handbag or pair of shoes, that extra bit of leisure time, good health… Advertisers try hard to make us believe that happiness can be purchased. Happiness is an emotion usually directly related to circumstances that are currently happening. So when circumstances are good and going our way we feel happy. However, we need to keep feeding our desire for happiness if we are trying to be satisfied. In almost every developed country happiness levels have remained largely static over the past 50 years despite huge increases in income. We all know that money can’t buy you lasting happiness. When J.D. Rockefeller was asked how much more money was enough, he replied “a little bit more.” How do we get happiness? One of the ways is by giving it, by loving others. It is better to give than to receive. This provides long-lasting good feelings. One study found that “spending money on others actually makes us happier
than spending it on ourselves.” How about a happiness that doesn’t come from circumstances but is something deeper, longer-lasting? Is there such a thing? There is “joy”. The deepest joy is not dependent on circumstances. God is its source. It can only be found in him and it is a gift from him. “My husband and children make me happy but God gives me joy.” This is a quality of life and not simply a fleeting emotion. It comes when there is a deep sense of the presence of God in one’s life. This is not found in seeking joy but by seeking God. One cannot experience joy while being preoccupied with one’s own security, pleasure or self-interest. C.S. Lewis wrote “I doubt whether anyone who has tasted joy would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world.” Are we settling for happiness when we can have something deeper, more permanent, more satisfying? Happiness will leave us feeling unfulfilled. God never will. “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NLT) ED
The parable of Jim and Mick As Jim sat down to his Sunday morning breakfast, flicking TV channels for a good programme before tackling his DIY project, his thoughts turned to the occasional car passing by outside. Recognising some faces, he thought to himself, “Look at them going to church. A lot of them are hypocrites, nice on Sundays but different the minute they leave the church. I don’t need to go to church to be right with God. I can pray to God wherever I am. I don’t need religion. I’m not perfect, but I’m a good person.” He patted the dog, and tried another programme. At the same time, as Mick was on his way to church, he had mixed feelings. His first thoughts were, “God, I know I’m not good enough to even approach you. I’ve done wrong this week, again. I’ve been wrapped up in myself. I lost it at home and at work. I’m really sorry for all the times I messed up.” Then, as a smile slowly started to brighten up his face, he prayed, “But thank you God that you’re loving, merciful and forgiving. Thank you for the cross. Thank you that that’s where my sins were dealt with. Please help me to do better this week. And please help me to encourage someone at church this morning and to really worship you.” This modern-day parable is loosely based on Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. “Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else… I tell you, this sinner … returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9, 14, NLT) JD
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Healing for victims Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom ran a home in Holland for victims of Nazi brutality. After speaking at a church meeting about forgiveness, she unexpectedly came face to face with one of her former concentration camp guards. He had his hand outstretched and was asking for her forgiveness. She froze. She already knew God’s forgiveness herself. Now, the former Ravensbrück guard explained that he too had placed his faith in Christ. In one simple motion, she could both forgive, and be reconciled to him. “And I stood there—I whose sins had again and again been forgiven—and could not forgive. I had to do it—I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who had injured us. ‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses,’ Jesus says, ‘neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’” “And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion—I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. Jesus, help me! I prayed silently. I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling” She mechanically stretched out her hand into his. Then, incredibly, she felt a healing warmth flood her whole being. With tears in her eyes, she cried “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart.” She had never known God’s love so intensely as then. But she knew that it was not her love. She had tried to love and forgive. “I did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Romans 5:5.” “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (NIV). Forgiveness brings healing Forgiveness is never easy. But it is worth it. Corrie Ten Boom wrote poignantly about the victims she helped; “Those who were able to forgive their former enemies were able to return to the outside world and rebuild their lives, no matter what the physical scars. Those who nursed their bitterness remained invalids. It was as simple and as horrible as that.”1 Nelson Mandella is also often quoted; “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness behind, I’d still be in prison.”
Research by social scientists reveals too that personally forgiving others has clear benefits on physical and mental health. When forgiveness occurs—alongside the valuable help and support of counsellors, family, support groups, and others—a deeper healing can be experienced.
Forgiveness is not always straightforward Yet, many find it difficult, if not impossible, to forgive while truth and justice are still not addressed. Their situation is not so clear-cut as Corrie Ten Boom meeting her former guard. Some would say, “If only I could meet those who wronged me—I think I would be able to forgive them if they accepted responsibility, admitted what they had done, and humbly asked for my forgiveness. Yet, they haven’t, so how can I forgive them?” For others, the truth of what happened is not publicly acknowledged. How can they forgive if they don’t know who is to blame, or if those concerned deny involvement? Or, where evidence gathered is insufficient, withheld, or fabricated? Further, how can a victim forgive when justice has been impeded, obstructed, delayed, miscarried, or where the punishment clearly does not fit the crime. How can they let go when the demands of natural justice still cry out for resolution? How can they forgive, never mind consider being reconciled or seeing restoration, while they live with the added pain of not seeing truth and justice served? Some just find it impossible to forgive at all. Private and public contexts for forgiveness The Bible teaches that Christians must personally forgive others, unconditionally, regardless of whether they have apologised, asked for forgiveness, or whether civil or criminal justice has been served. Personal forgiveness is not primarily about truth and justice, but about Christian character, and showing the love of God to others. The demands of truth and justice can be entrusted to the authorities and God to resolve. To forgive is to let go. Yet, it is perfectly consistent with biblical teaching to forgive ‘personally’, while not letting go of the ‘public’ demands of truth and justice. We
should still robustly seek or campaign for these, whilst caring for and supporting victims. So too, wrongs committed within church should not be covered up, but be publicly dealt with—not only by its process of justice and (where possible) restoration/reconciliation which Jesus taught, but by law too where appropriate.2 Even when these public processes are imperfect, we can ultimately rely on God’s final and perfect truth and justice on the judgment day. Yet, if anyone should ask for and receive God’s merciful forgiveness, like the camp guard, we are assured that justice will still have been served—the full punishment due having been paid through Jesus’ suffering on the cross. So, since public truth and justice will ultimately be served properly in the long run, we can forgive people personally. This is the case even in the absence of justice in the short term, or others admitting their guilt and humbly asking for forgiveness and seeking reconciliation. Victims also cause offence on occasions too. We need to both give and receive forgiveness. Being freed from the past through faith Whether from the ‘Troubles’, abuses, broken relationships, criminal activity, hate crimes, or whatever else, the scars will sadly always be there. There is no turning the clock back. But if we forgive at a personal level, we can experience some healing and closure, and move forward. It is so difficult, naturally—but, it is possible through faith. By God’s loving grace, all who trust in Christ can know that: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13, NIV). Bishop David Berege testified to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in S. Africa:3 “I am told there are two ways of telling our story. Firstly, to tell it compulsively and urgently, to keep returning to it, because we see our present suffering as the result of our past experiences. Or, secondly, we can tell our story from the place where it no longer dominates us. We can speak about it with a certain distance as we see it as a way to our present freedom. The past, ultimately, loses its weight and its power to trap us, and can eventually be remembered as one way in which we experience God as rich in mercy, overflowing with compassion and tenderness, God the Comforter.” JD
‘Tramp for the Lord’, Corrie Ten Boom, CLC, 1974, p53-55. 2 For a more thorough look at what the Bible teaches about how and when we should forgive others, see: www.cgcf.ie/forgiveness See also: Phil. 4:4-7, Rev. 21:1-4, 1 Cor. 4:5, Rom. 2:5-11, 12:14-21, Matt. 6:12-15, 12:36, 16:27, Mark 11:25, Acts 17:31, 1 Peter 2:24, Luke 6:37–38, 2 Cor. 1:3-5. 3 www.justice.gov.za/trc/reparations/reiger.htm 1
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Imagine... John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ was not only his best-selling single of his solo career, but has been classed as one of the all-time greatest recordings. In 2005 Canada’s CBC listeners ranked it as the greatest song of the last 100 years, while in the UK it came second only to Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles Book in 2002.
Its popularity is not only because it is a musical masterpiece, but because it strikes a chord in many hearts as it aspires towards the goal of ‘world peace’. Lennon’s lyrics encourage his listeners to imagine a world at peace where everyone gets along, where there are no barriers of borders or divisions of religion, nationality, ideology or greed for material possessions. Who would not want to live in such a utopian world, in a place where there is only joy, peace, harmony and life in all its goodness? Yet, throughout history, our various attempts to escape our problems through different belief systems, governments or economic systems haven’t been successful, including rejecting religion, countries and possessions. The common factor in their failure is the nature of people, not the systems we live by. The Bible teaches that we are all flawed with the tendency to sin, which is why different human attempts at religious thought or systems or forms of government etc. are always imperfect. Take away possessions and there will still be covetousness or greed in the human heart too. If we all just lived for today, would the world be a better place? The ‘eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ lifestyle promotes self-centred living for the present. If we were not answerable to God later on, there would be little deterrent to doing
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wrong now. We would end up in a much worse state than we are already in.
Imagine a God who forgives our sins, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)
Imagine, then, that there was a way of resolving our situation?
Don’t just imagine. Receive these promises by asking for God’s gracious forgiveness for sins, because Jesus Christ died on the cross to cancel sin. And trust God to keep his promises, now and for the future.
Imagine a world where people from all nations will unite together in harmony as one, “a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language.” God will be very close to them, “He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.” God himself “will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 7:9, 21:3–4, NLT). Imagine a God who renews our hearts, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT).
There is heaven. There is a place that’s better than anyone could imagine, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9, NLT) ED/JD
Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine The conflict in Israel-Palestine is notoriously deadly, and divides not only the people of that land but also supporters of each group around the world. Since various initiatives over recent decades have not succeeded in establishing a lasting ‘peace’, it seems highly unlikely that ‘justice’ or ‘recon-ciliation’ could be achieved between these two peoples. Yet, this book provides a message of hope. Recon-ciliation is envisioned, and is taking place between some on each side, as they strive to work out the divisive issues of justice, the land, covenants (with God), and identity, towards their goal of genuine and practical reconciliation. Authors Salim Munayer and Lisa Loden are respectively a Palestinian Christian (Palestinian Arabs who believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour) and an Israeli Messianic Jew (Jewish believers in Yeshua/Jesus), both minority groups within their communities, and who live in Israel and the Palestinian territories. In this ground-breaking book, they provide a road-map for dealing with the theological, political and personal issues that divide followers of Jesus from both communities. Superficial ecumenism cannot robustly cover the cracks of such a wide and apparently intractable divide. Yet, with an honest attempt to see through their enemy’s eyes, both can shed more light on their own narrative and theology, as
well as that of the other. Undergirded with forgiveness, greater understanding can pave the way towards reconciliation with justice, respect and peace/shalom. After an agreed account of the historical facts of the conflict, each author presents their different historical narratives. Then, different introductions to Palestinian Christianity and Israeli Jewish identity, followed by their viewpoints on theological divisions (which are not as easy a read as the rest of the book), concluding with a roadmap towards a theology of reconciliation. The appendix ‘Stages of Reconciliation’ is also very helpful as a guide or template for engaging in crosscommunity reconciliation in other situations. It would also have been interesting to see how the theologies of Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Coptic, independent evangelical etc. each impact reconciliation, within the broad grouping of ‘Palestinian Christianity’ as a whole which the book takes. Reading the historical and theological background also provokes thought as to how a similar review of the historical narratives and theological differences of Christ’s followers in both main communities in Ireland might be helpful. Such bridge-building is not easy, but is possible by God’s grace. Individuals have bridged the gap privately. Also, Salim Munayer is the director of Jerusalem-based cross-community
reconciliation ministry, Musalaha. Its executive board has an equal number of Palestinian and Israeli community and church leaders, including Lisa Loden, with a vision to see reconciliation primarily among believers within both communities. They also work with others, including engaging in inter-faith dialogue with Palestinian Muslims. This brave approach is fascinating to read. It also shows how “Jesus himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), not only with God but with each other, as his followers demonstrate that in Christ they have more that unites them than what otherwise divides them. JD For more info on the book, see: www.throughmyenemyseyes.info For a challenging alternative response to Christian Zionism, see the documentary film website: www.withgodonourside.com
‘Desert Encounter’ group of Palestinian Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews with Musalaha reconciliation ministry; www.musalaha.org
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Christ is my oasis My first impression of God was that he was going to put me in Hell. I lived my life without God, going to church when I was young because I was forced. I knew nothing about Christ other than that he died on the cross. I started drinking when I was very young, aged 13, which spiralled into chronic alcoholism within several years. I got into a lot of trouble, being in and out of prison, in and out of hospital. It did me no good at all. I tried church but nothing clicked – I felt nothing in a spiritual sense. But something inside me was always crying out, even when I was drinking. I knew someday that it would take something to help me get off it. I tried various things, but nothing worked. I was living homeless in the streets in England and here. Street-drinking is a dangerous game – you need your wits about you. When I was about 40 I had a prolonged period of illness, and started crying out to God. But nothing happened. I remember asking my Ma if she’d support me if I tried to get off the drink again one more time – she said yes. I got down on my knees and prayed to God for help. There was no spectacular experience – I don’t know what happened, but the desire for drink left me completely. Looking back now, I believe that it was God who helped me. Up to that point, I must have committed every sin going. Over fifteen years later, I was still searching for God. I started to read the Bible and ask questions about Christ. I listened to Christian family and others explain about their faith. I saw how happy and assured they were, which struck me as something I’d like to have. I got to know more about what God says. I began to understand Christ, and the significance of having him in my life. I understood more about myself, what I’d done. I learned a lot about people, about humanity.
Then something happened. I felt God say to me that I should not to be worrying if I was saved or not, but to get on with it and have nothing to fear, but have assurance of forgiveness. I realised that Christ’s blood on the cross had covered my sin. I felt relieved and thanked God. I thank him every day. Every day belongs to him now. Whatever comes my way, I trust that he’ll sort it out. If you believe in him, you’re never alone. Now, I don’t have to face the consequences of what I did in the past. I used to feel guilty, deservedly, but now I feel forgiven. The hand of God eases the pain of the guilt of the past. He has taken it all for me. I have honestly forgiven my enemies from my heart too – I pray for them. I used to fear, big time, what they might do to me – I know what they’re capable of. But now I trust in God and I don’t live in fear any longer. In the past, family had turned their back on me, and I on them. But now, my relationship with my family is like my relationship with God – it is blooming. I want them all to know the peace and happiness that I have with God. You can have your down days, but you get down on your knees and pray and you feel lifted. I had never trusted in love or happiness before, but was always suspicious or insecure of others who loved me. But now, God has told me to trust love, which I can do now. I can say that I love others now, and mean it. In my drinking, psychiatrists or doctors could do nothing for me. Christ has done it all. Christ used to be a taboo subject. But I’m not embarrassed or ashamed to talk about him now. I’m looking forward to going to be with God, whenever he says so.
I got down and confessed everything that I could remember to God and asked for forgiveness. I didn’t feel God’s forgiveness then. But I felt that he was for me, protecting me from all that was coming back and haunting me.
I was in the wilderness. I was to Hell and back, as low as a man can go. But now I’m in an Oasis. Christ is my Oasis.
I prayed a lot of times asking for God’s forgiveness, sometimes with the help of others. Yet, I always doubted if I was saved. I was curious about what I needed to do to be right with God.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, 13, NLT)
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Jimmy
Jesus said...
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30, NLT) The one Jesus tells us to come to when we are weary and burdened is him. When you truly believe and accept this profoundly simple invite, it releases and liberates you from ever again putting all your trust in the wrong place, only to find yourself disillusioned, discouraged and confused when whatever or whoever you have put your faith in fails to live up to expectations or falls short of acceptable standards. In as much as others point us to Jesus, they can be channels of God’s blessing. But we shouldn’t look to other people or institutions themselves for the hope and help that comes from God alone. Ten years ago I became a believer in, and follower of, Jesus Christ, finally accepting him as the only one I ever need to look to for God’s love and forgiveness. This invitation is not addressed to a few, or some, but to all regardless of who you are, what you’ve done, or where you’re from. It still stands today, many years after it was first issued. So, if you’re burdened, weary, confused or lost, with nowhere or no one left to turn to, turn to him, just where you are, because he loves you. K
Prayer
The Apostles John and Paul tell us that whoever simply trusts or believes in Jesus alone will receive God’s forgiveness. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT). “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22 NLT). Jesus told a story of a man who prayed a simple prayer and was accepted by God (Luke 18:13-14). If you would like to ask for God’s forgiveness, you can use this prayer, praying sincerely and meaningfully: Dear Father in heaven, you know all about me and my situation. I am truly sorry for my sins, where even my best efforts do not reach your standard of holiness. I accept that I deserve your judgment, and that on my own there is nothing that I can do to improve myself enough or make up for my sins. Please forgive me. I know that I can be forgiven because Jesus suffered and died on the cross in my place, for my sins. I know that you will accept me because of your great love for me. Please heal me from the brokenness of the past. From this moment on, please help me to trust in the risen Jesus, not only as Saviour, but also as Lord of my life. Thank you for the Holy Spirit in my heart to give me the strength and guidance I need to do your will, and to teach me from your Word, the Bible. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your great love and forgiveness, my new relationship with you, my new life in Christ, and for the certainty of eternal life with you for ever. www.cgcf.ie
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A free, short course that makes managing your money simple Budget... Save... Spend... The principles taught by our trained Money Coach in this three week course have proven to be effective for thousands of people over the last ten years: 1 How to build and live on a budget. This is the cornerstone to managing money well. 2 The CAP Money system, which will help to simplify your money and make it understandable. 3 Focus more on using cash than credit cards.
Course info:
For the date and location of the next course, visit our website:
www.cgcf.ie/capmoney
To book a place:
Our coach will not only guide you through the process in each 1-2 hour session, but is available to help you build your budget, and answer questions.
Ring: 028 90600323 Email: capmoney@cgcf.ie
The course is free of charge and includes a Money Management Pack with a personal budgeting tool. (You do not need to share any personal financial information to do the course.) Advance booking is essential.
Christians Against Poverty www.capmoneycourse.org
THE REAL
JESUS
FAQS
QUIZZES
PRAY21
THE WHOLE
STORY VIDEOS
DOWNLOADS
GET HELP
Life is messy. A lot of the time it’s hard to know which way to go. The ‘tools’ links on the website knowmystory.co.uk could provide loads of help. Check them out – and allow God to write the most compelling story imaginable with your future. knowmystory.co.uk
“KnowMyStory is a movement of young people who are simply sharing their personal stories. All of us have stories. The people in this website speak honestly, about the human experience, the triumphs and struggles. These stories give hope. There is one common denominator here. HOPE found in God. Whatever you believe, or don’t believe, we believe these stories can encourage you. KnowMyStory is true stories, of young people who have been through hell, lost their way and struggled with finding meaning and purpose in life. Against all odds, they found new life, real hope and courage to speak out. They will not be silent. These are their stories. They will be a light.”
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Crosstalk issue 20
Children’s Page
Colour in
The lost sheep. Jesus told a story about when one sheep wandered off and got lost, the shepherd went off to search for it. He was overjoyed when he found it and brought it home. (Luke 15:3-7) Jesus is... (write the first letter of each picture below to spell the words)
Jesus wants to be our Shepherd. We are important to him. Jesus is someone who cares for us, helps us, loves us and guides us. If you have a Bible, L P D have a read of Psalm 23 A O Q (The Lord is my G E V Shepherd). F K R I J T Z C G Z X A P N O T D E F C E M V E Q E E Bible app for kids P W O Download for free at E R G www.bible.com/kids G T Y
E X V E U T O P L X H T B X K
Y B B K R G F G T X M S O L A
X F E O C C S S D L K O D R P
F W P P D Q Z H R O X L X C P
Y M Y K G Z E E E T S T R N G
I B F U S I Y E H L P G G U D
R J I Q K V E P P W A K F X F
U D C Y F Q Z D E L V H B Q G
E K U A G P J D H C A R E N V
L A I C E P S E S V B H C D Y
O H F C A A E F F D T K L B L
L P H S V M K O K F H W L Z S
Find these words in the Wordsearch CARE GOOD GUIDE IMPORTANT LOST LOVE PROTECT SHEEP SHEPHERD SPECIAL
Children are welcome at our children’s ministry each Sunday 11:30-12:20 (during the service which begins at 11:00) in the Andersonstown Leisure Centre (parents/carers need to bring them). www.cgcf.ie
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Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Free offers New Living Translation (NLT) Bible - in readable modern English.
Our Daily Bread - Inspiring daily reading devotional booklet. Know My Story - Book Of Hope - Teenagers’ stories and message of hope. Two Ways To Live - Booklet on God’s plan of salvation from the Bible. Calendar - latest edition with Bible verses in both English and Irish. E100 Bible Reading Challenge - Reading list of 100 essential Bible passages. No Longer Hoping/Nílim Ag Súil Feasta - One man’s story of how he became sure that he was going to heaven, and no longer simply hoping to go there. To receive any or all of these by post or to collect in person, contact us by phone, email, website or post (as stocks last, over 18’s only, within UK/Ireland). Contact: John Duffy, 42A Cloona Park, Belfast, BT17 0HH, 028 90600323, info@cgcf.ie www.cgcf.ie Facebook/Twitter: ColinGlenCF
Free Digital Bibles Visit www.bible.com on a PC, or download the Bible app for phone or tablet.
Hundreds of Bibles are available in many different languages, including the Irish Bible ‘An Bíobla Naofa’ and the NLT English language Bible shown above. See also www.bible.com/kids for the children’s Bible app.
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Crosstalk issue 20
www.cgcf.ie