Go! Sign Spring 2011 - Mag Issue 76

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Contents 3-4

Do you have time for God?

Happy Easter to you all! At Easter we remember and thank God for His son Jesus’ sacrifice, wiping away our sins, making us free and enabling us to have a deeper relationship with Him. Easter is a good time to think about God but what about other times? The theme of this magazine is – ‘Do you have time for God?’

5-6 Go! Sign Poll

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Time for God?

10-12 News around

Editor’s desk

the UK

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I would like to share something that I heard from Brent Allen, when he preached at Word of Hands at the beginning of April. His theme was ‘Too Busy...?’, which relates to our theme - ‘Do you have time for God?’ Brent used the Bible story of Mary and Martha, where Martha was very busy, while Mary was sitting next to Jesus to listen His teachings. Martha asked Jesus “Lord, don’t you care that my sister (Mary) has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me.” Brent challenged us with a question - Are you so busy doing things FOR Jesus that you are not spending any time with Him? The best way is to do things WITH God, putting Him first and letting Him be involved in what you do, rather than doing things FOR Him. Brent set up some encouraging acronyms - BUSY and JOY; Being Under Satan’s Yoke

Deaf Youth 4 Christ

17-20 News around

the World

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Tribute to Alex Buchanan

Jesus Offers Yokeless

Satan loves seeing us too busy with our work, life, ministries and so on. But Jesus wants to offer us time for rest and joy, freeing us from all these burdens. Just as He carried the cross for us, He will free us from our heavy yokes! Jesus asked Martha to consider her priorities and we, today, need to do the same for our daily life with God. I hope you will find this magazine interesting and encouraging as you prioritize your time with God. Go! and make time for God in all that you do! Esther Maycock (D)

GO! SIGN Christ in the Deaf Community Through

Growth, Renewal, Access, Churches and Evangelism Magazine Editorial Team: Karina Downing, Karen Gutberlet, Esther Maycock and Elizabeth Thomas-Morton Trustees: Franco Beschizza, Marlene Rayner MBE, Revd. Bob Shrine and Jonathon Bosman Council: Laurie Banks, Raymond Abernethy, Gill Behenna, John Delve, Bob & Gabi McFarland and Marlene Rayner MBE

Registered charity no. 1071830

GO! SIGN is the working name of Christian Deaf Link UK

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e v a h u o y o D ? d o G r o f time us! Be disciplined about God wants us to be like Jes cause being busy all the your time but be flexible be essed, worn out, negative time can make you sick, str after yourself, becoming dry and not bothered to look ding less time with God. or dead spiritually and spen “Be very careful how you As Ephesian 5:15–16 says, y, making the most of every live, not unwisely but wisel ys are evil (cruel).” opportunity because the da l influence on the world The telly is a very powerfu ery day without missing because people watch it ev that it feeds every mind a single day, don’t you agree r ssiping about soaps, horro with murder, dirty stuff, go d an ople including family and disrespect, affecting pe ssion etc., and distraction friends and causing depre

myself which is the priority from focusing on God. I ask Bible or TV? and is more attractive, the s time with God and keep Because Satan steals your ngs. you busying with other thi d new opportunities to spen So God wants us to make , e with the Bible, reading time with Him, quality tim ship with other Christians, studying and having fellow el, games, prayer, praise including sharing the gosp l habits so that your spiritua and worship, to make new healthier. life will grow stronger and y.” sters, both God and mone “No one can serve two ma Matthew 6:24

o to pray, g or u o y hen e do “But w m, close th er, th oo your r y to your fa our y a r and p nseen. And t you u s ha who i ho sees w ard w ,w father ivate, will re r p 6 do in w 6: atthe M ” . u d. yo ith Go w e y tim r give Qualit . Neve d o G on Focus im. H up on

Thank you Lord for giving us another ch ance to make new this year to make th opportunities e time for God. Get rid of the old/bad habi new habit in every ts and put a individual life. Please help us to encourag in love and to be lik e one another e Jesus in 2011. Than k you always in Jesu s’ name. Atinuke Tina Igbint ade (D), London

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Do you have time for

God?

My reflection on the theme of the magazine:

Who do you think is most likely to ask the question, “Do you have time for God?” Maybe you, for instance when you feel ‘dry’ spiritually. Maybe you attempt to hide in a church pew when a preacher asks this question or you seem to feel God asking you directly? This question reminds me somewhat of when I was a school boy facing the prospect of the teacher’s question, “Have you finished your homework?” Failure would mean a detention or to lose a good mark. Obviously I looked at this question in a negative way. It made me wonder why I reacted like that. Clearly it is an important question and it can be helpful if we can look at it in a positive way. To examine yourself is one of the important Christian practices in Paul’s mind (2 Corinthians 13:5). I do not think the question is just talking about prayer life but about our whole lives as well. Obviously prayer is one of those ways we can spend time with God but there are other ways, for instance we can spend time with God in our thinking, studying, work, family life, mission, etc. Prayer time is one of the Christian disciplines which help to maintain a relationship with God, as used by Jesus and by many men and women of God.

Jesus clearly encourages everyone to pray, “And when you pray…” (Matthew 6:5-7). He also further instructs, “This, then, is how you should pray:” (Matthew 6:9), warning against babbling, meaningless, eloquent words. Jesus teaches believers to call God, “Heavenly father”, because his death and resurrection provide forgiveness of sins and reconciliation for anyone who believes (Acts 26:18; Romans 5:11). Jesus warns his disciples that to ‘watch and pray’ are crucial practices for our spiritual lives, to maintain a relationship with God and to stand against temptation (Matthew 26:41). Theologically, prayer is one of our spiritual foods.

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Photos by Mell Oliver © 2011

Without prayer, your spirit is getting weaker and your awareness of your physical body and of difficult circumstances can easily become a stronger voice, conflicting with God’s voice for your life. On a more positive note, Christians are reminded that the Holy Spirit can aid us in our weakness. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26). Some people interpret this verse as referring to speaking in tongues but it is a mistake to focus on this function only. The Holy Spirit is much bigger than speaking in tongues and he can work in our spirits by creating groans that words cannot express in our beings, i.e. in our Christian struggles with present and future ages (e.g. the future age when the kingdom of God is fully completed at Jesus’ return). Of course speaking in tongues is biblical and should be encouraged if you believe. Today we hear of many tragedies through the TV news, e.g. political revolutions in the Arabic world, earthquakes, etc., about which we may find it difficult to pray. So ask God for help. As the psalmist says, “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray

to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” (Psalm 32:6). God can listen in times of difficulty and adversity. Let us have confidence in God’s word, saying that our prayers do change the world. As the angel Gabriel told Daniel, “As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” (Daniel 9:23). Dear Christians, you are highly esteemed by God. Will you believe and act? Lastly, does the theme question, “Do you have time for God?” imply a prayer time? I think not, it concerns other areas of our lives too: our time with God can mean praying, reflecting or meditating theologically on matters that face us daily. May I encourage you, reader, to examine yourself with this question from time to time as a way of cultivating your spiritual life and relationship with God, which is offered to you and made accessible through Christ (Romans 5:2). That is good Christian practice, I think. God bless you. Go! Sign Director, Laurence Banks (D), London Spring 2011 GO! SIGN

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Go! Sign Poll

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texts to a Yesemail and con e 50/50 d via hav o No tribute wh n, Sig ! Go from ple peo Thank you to all 84 e for God?’ Here are the results: poll based on the theme, ‘Do you have tim

God 1. Most respondents do have time for sery?the Lord! Prai Centu Cenfortury t time 21s God in–21st in1.the have Do you

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Bible everyday, with you with God? ofoften you praythe do read 3. 61% 2. How another 18% weekly. 2. How often do you pray with God? the Bible? God? readwith youpray doyou oftendo Howoften 2.3.How 2. How often do you pray with God? 12 3

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it hard God in 5. Do you find 5. Do you find it hard to spend time with 5 3 22 18 4 18

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people struggled with 6. Top of the list was that with God? by work, being generally busy, closely followed . So some tough with God? mitm timeents to spend hardcom find itily and youfam al do 6. Why soci God? with time spend to God? find itdohard with time spend 6. Why do you to hard it find 6. Why sort out here. s3 to ritieyou prio 7

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7 11 11

8 11 8 60 60

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3

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No 30 mins

45 mins

Other: Various Sometimes2 hours No Yes 1 / 2 hours No times Sometimes Some No Yes

6. Why do you find it hard to spend time

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with God?

22

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45 mins

6. Why do you find it hard to spend time

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None

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s effort in your life? majority of you found itGodtake 5. The 5. Do you find it hard to spend time with our ause bec God with God? lives forday spend do you e time time each to4. mak How much 6.life? stioinnyour with God timeque on to hard tosspend chit1 lead you find y, whi 5. Do are so bus time with God in your life? your life? to spend

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3. How often do you read the Bible? you read the Bible? 3. How often3.do How often do you read the Bible? 12 12 9 3 12 12 1261 9 189 9 61 61 85 61 18 18 18

ry? 1. Do you have time for God in 21st Centu ry? Centu in 21st Godtime forhave time ry? Centu 21st in 1. Do you have God for 15 you 1. Do

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spent time in 2. It was good to see that so many of you important to have God Bible?everyday. It is so read the pray youwith often doer 3. How God? with pray 2. How often do you a close relationship with God.

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Lack of support from Christians Difficult to understand the Bible Family Social / Work God t of time with emeness Poor managBusyn Family / SocialWork / Social Family Busyness BusynWork Lack of support from Christians ess Bible ship the stand h / Fellow to Churc lt tohunder Difficu enoug Not attending Christians rt from suppo of Lack Bible the of support from Christians stand Difficult to under the Bible stand to under with God Lack ltNone Difficu t of time emen Poor manag Others God with God witht of t of time Poor managemen emen managing Poor h to Church / Fellowship enougtime Not attend ship /hFellow h Churc to h enoug h / Fellowship Not attending enoug ing attend Not Noneto Churc Others None Others None s Other

6. Why


As well as answering the poll, many people wrote comments to share. Here ar e the comments we received, which may encou rage or inspire you! /7 d 24 o G th re wi e. We a ut lif o h g ...God knows us as we are throu d (D)

ea Sara H

d and where we are in life an as we change He walks the journey with us and makes ke our faith real. When we ma e time for him, he fills our tim with his plans.

It is al God, gi ways good to talk to ve thanks to have time fo are or Him. It does Him, plead r doing whether you n’t matter whwith Him, pray a some ironing are busy, fo ere you about nd talk with or washing r example your o 5 minutes. A God, even i up, you can living wn for a bit nd another f it is for longer. withou time p I Herb t c G a o n d! ert K ’t imag ray on lein ine (D)

tant to impor alone s i t i ve od I belie with G way, e m i t ic spend n a legalist s i t te o u but n tly 30 min c a r it Joy Lear-Bernard (H) e.g. ex , but rathe elf and y s da (my every ow we versation... h s d depen ish our con other have The p fin rt and rmal way I o God) r h s . s e e o l r n p m ememayer diar i o e t e h e t p m s r i y so ber o the r. It and o mily, longe ther is a gem! Jean times wife, family ger with fa peop McNa s le in It enable y lon d m n d m e h n t a p e i s r God’ e p a w s d I ( t H I ) es e. s wo us to m m i i t s t i e t t i r r k! Som haps a sho times n really. Per m r e ffi m a o s io ms situat e Psal on the say that th nger than Sometimes I use house lo to t e r c Bible l a e a r s r u t g x co group to help one another and use other e son conte m n o me to help s o can h . whic s k, .. boo books, like a children’s this epend more d t i it is good have . es etim .. som that , s understand. Maybe I should add other s. However nship with the sea with or by . ing y io ion one or two Christian friends to go out walk gularl r relat e u situat r o d y e l and talk about God n tant aintai to go their house or go for a meal at the pub m impor e b ther. Sometime I ask hould and the Bible. Then later you can pray toge ) God s ks (D church or the house group to help e Ban Lauri me pray to be closer to Jesus. Rowanna Banaris (D)

For several year s, I often forgot to pray in the morning, almost everyday, and I got frustrated with myself unti l one day I decide d to write down on a piece of paper, “Pray in the Morning”, and posted it on the wall next to m y bed. It worked and helpe d me to increase in faith and confidence in my self everyday. D o pray first thin in the morning, g it is the most im po rtant thing in your day! It beca me a habit for m e and I did not need to look at th e wall ever again ! I always pray everyday in the morning and at night before I hit the bed. It is impo rtant to practice this will become habit that you will know then it you miss your pr by heart. If ayer time, then your heart will act as your consc ience. Amazing! Pra Prayer is key to building a relation ise the lord! ship with GOD... Theron Parker (D )

us about not too serio d n a e v ti a e God” l to be cr e “time with v a h n I find it helpfu ca e w k n, in fact h God”. I thin rship, talk, sig o my “time wit w , ce n a d . , can sing towards God d te c e ir anytime, we d re a earts long as our h anything as kinson (D)

Miriam Hod

Best w ay for the de people af is whe n w meet f e or hom e B stu dy. ible It is g o o d helpin in g deaf p e o to und ple erstan d the Bible a nd pra y as a com munit y.

Rainer M

My husband has built a little prayer room in the loft for me. This really helps because when I go into the room I feel God’s presence straight away.

Debbie Harvey (H

)

iebach (D )

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Photos by Mell Oliver Š 2011

Time for

God? A summary of the discussion in the London Deaf Church, by two of the groups, on this topic: We started by thinking about the huge amount of time we have. There are 24 hours in the day, each with 60 minutes, making a total of 1,420 minutes every day. We accept that we sleep for approximately 8 hours a day, leaving 16 hours or 960 minutes – but this is still a huge amount of time for us to use. What do we spend all this time on? 7 GO! SIGN

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Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord by giving him your money and the first part of all your crops.

We thought about our week’s activities – not so much the things we have to do but the things we choose to do. How much time do we spend watching TV or a film (2-4 hours?), how much time using Facebook or other social media (1-2 hours?)… or what about going to a football game, spending time with friends, going shopping…? We could make a long list of all the things we choose to spend our time on. If we look at the list, we see we choose the things that give us greatest pleasure, the things that are important to us.

Matthew 22:37 & 38 Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment.”

Where does God fit in? We feel he should be at the top of the list and yet, we leave him to the bottom – to squeeze a few minutes of prayer in. None of these things are bad. God wants us to enjoy our lives – but he wants to be part of them – not just there when we need something!

We love because God first loved us. God gave everything for us. Our response of love is to commit our lives to him – if we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind that should be reflected in how we use our time.

We looked at the principle of tithing. Can this be applied to our time too? To tithe means setting aside the first 10% for God. Usually we apply this to money, but when we look at some Bible verses, it is not just money – God wanted his people to give him the first part of everything!

We cannot put God first unless we give him our time. Using the tithing principle, if we tithe our time – like tithing money – how much time would we need to give to God? Taking out the 8 hours of sleep time, that still gives us 96 minutes a day – just over an hour and a half!! Most of us would find that a huge challenge – perhaps because we think we should be sitting quietly, trying to pray. This is part of it, not all of it.

For example: In the OLD TESTAMENT – God commanded He should be FIRST... Exodus 20:1-3 God said to the people of Israel: “ I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves. Do not worship any god except me.” Exodus 22:29 ”Don’t fail to give me the offerings of grain and wine that belong to me. Dedicate to me your first-born sons.”

Jesus showed us we should still put God first... Matthew 6:33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Lyn said that she had a regular time with God – when she got up, she’d make tea, and take it back to bed, with time to read the Bible and to pray before starting the day. She stressed it was important not just to talk to God but to listen to him. Often we need to wait on God.

Andrew said the amount of time he was able to give to God depended on what was happening in the day. Often his prayers were focussed on the needs of the day. Albert likes to pray as he goes out and about in London. Olive always reads the Bible last thing at night and prays. After a little while, she drifts off to sleep, still praying in her spirit. But how about being creative in our time with God? We can be doing something as we meditate on a verse of the Bible, asking the Holy Spirit to be showing us his truth. We can be walking in the park, praying for each person we see who passes us by, asking God to bless our community. We can be at the Deaf club, making tea and praying a prayer for each person we serve. Every time we have a meal, we can take time to thank God for the food and for providing for us. Every time we travel, we can ask God to help us and keep us safe. We all agreed that we need special times, completely set apart for God, to be still in body and mind, to focus on God. But we also need an openness and awareness of God in our daily life and activity. So each activity becomes a prayer and everything we do is offered in praise of God. When we think about it, our life with God, what is it all about? Something to believe or a set of rules to follow? No, it is about RELATIONSHIP. If we think of the relationships we have, the important people in our lives – how much time do we give to them? When we are getting to know someone, we have to spend time with them. It is the same with God. We agreed to each look at our daily routine and to see where we can spend time with God regularly. The season of Lent, 40 days leading up to Easter, is a good time to try and set up new habits to help us as we follow Jesus. Spring 2011 GO! SIGN

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News aroun Week (EPLW ), The European Deaf Pastors/Leaders Christian 22nd – 28th January 2011, at Glenda Centre, Newcastle, Northern Ireland

As it is the annual custom, the European Deaf Christian Alliance (EDCA) organised the European Deaf Pastors/ Leaders Conference. It is our desire that we share with one another our experiences of our work for God in and around Europe, in order that each individual Deaf ministry will learn and grow. We hosted 52 Pastors/Leaders from various countries, both experienced and active participants in Deaf ministry, and gave them an opportunity to come

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together for fellowship, sharing and learning. The purpose of this conference is to bring people together from all over Europe. It is easy for people to become isolated and discouraged and over the week of the conference they can be built up in their faith and can gain new vision for the work they are involved in. This is a time when they can share their experience, learn from each other and develop as leaders.

On behalf of EDCA, I would like to say thanks to Go! Sign for paying coach costs, to TBF Thompson of Northern Ireland for helping some pastors/leaders with travelling expenses incurred in attending the EPLW, and to the OGLE Trust for their grant towards the cost of the EPLW. The theme of the week was based on Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these shall be added unto you.”


nd the 52 people from 21 different countries attended. 14 Deaf speakers, from different countries, preached. There were two afternoon workshops every day and at the end of the conference there was a day trip, sightseeing in Belfast, the most exciting place visited being the Titanic exhibition. Here are some comments from people who attended the conference: Thanks for your support, which gave me the opportunity to participate in EPLW in NI. The organisation of the event was very good, it was the best and most well organised week so far, with the sharing of the Word of God, preaching, singing and workshops.

© Photos by Keswick Min istries 2010

Also, it was good to see the beautiful city of Belfast and Newcastle and the mountains, which I really miss in my country.

through their work for God or they had increased their knowledge in their head. I challenged them – “Have you experienced me Thank you for helping God’s presence?” - and also with my travelling expenses, encouraged them to seek enabling me to participate God’s righteousness more. the y in EPLW and to enjo They were quiet for a while, teaching of the Word of then suddenly the Holy n lear d goo was it God. Also Spirit was moving among for g what people are doin them and touched them. At God in their own country. the same time I asked them to queue in a line and I laid The theme was really my hands on them, some challenging to me and of them were delivered, everyone else and helps healed, wept and rejoiced. me to serve the Lord better Praise God that He uses deaf among Deaf people in my people for His Kingdom. country. Bob McFarland (D) Legar Nicu (D), Romania The next EPLW will be in I praised God for His rich Rome, Italy, next year, 21st blessings upon us all and to 28th of January 2012. was thrilled to see young speakers on the platform. Several speakers, including me, spoke on the theme of Matthew 6:33. This year I felt that God wanted me to speak about “experiences” after I saw people at the conference saying that they had experience

May God bless you in your work and give you success in everything. Alla Kurg (D), Estonia

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News around the ion... Getting to grips with the book of Revelat

future? No, it is about giving tools to try and understand where such groups went wrong and how to apply the book of Revelation to our lives. Originally the Book was written to Christians suffering under Answer: the Roman authorities who were making 1 e The Beast of Revelation chapter 13 vers Christians in some places choose between worshipping Caesar or death! (see Such a monster has never been seen on Rev.2:10, 13). Revelation has always been earth. But Revelation is God’s inspired a book that has encouraged Christians to word to Christians. So what does it persevere with their faith during times of mean? Does the Beast represent seven persecution but in Britain today we are kingdoms or seven dictators or maybe it not living under a cruel dictatorship or is picture language for something awful facing such desperate circumstances, so that happens on earth? Has it already can we apply it to our lives? happened or will it happen in the future? how These are the kinds of the questions we Well there are many things we could have been discussing on the Eschatology say but I will mention just a few - and course for Deaf people and signers run for the rest you’ll have to ask that on Monday nights at LST (London School the course be held in your church of Theology, Northwood, Middlesex) and or your area! The Book of Revelation on Friday nights at MRC (Merland Rise encourages us to be overcomers Church, Tadworth, Surrey). , 11, 17, 26 & 3:5, 12, 21)

Question: What comes out of the sea has seven heads, 10 horns, a body like a leopard but feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion?

Photos by Esther Maycock © 2011

What is the course aim? Revelation is one of the most difficult books in the Bible to understand and has been wrongly interpreted many times. Some people attempt to predict what will happen in the future from Revelation. For example one leader William Miller calculated that the end of the world was sure to occur in 1843. When it didn’t happen he stopped his predictions but a lot of his 50,000 followers continued datesetting. From his influence developed the Seventh-Day Adventists and the Jehovah’s Witnesses who set more dates for the end of the world, one of which was supposed to be 1914. Is this what the course is for, to try and predict the

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(see Rev.2:7 of the anti-Christian imperial spirit that always seeks to dominate believers in Christ. The enemy today may not be proclaimed by a Roman Caesar but there are many dangers to be aware of that try to take over our thinking and our lives. There is the constant challenge of materialism, the temptation to make our life decisions on the basis of money only. Revelation has a lot to say about the economic system of this world – the famous 666 number is connected with this (Rev.13:17).


(Rev.18:4) and to be part of the Bride The time will come when kings and of Jesus, the LAMB. In the war traders will weep because no one inst the saints it is the LAMB buys their merchandize any more and aga who is the winner. This is the clear the system goes up in smoke. In less sage of Revelation. There is only than an hour, millionaires will become mes one Lord, one King of the Ages that bankrupt (Rev.18:11-18). all nations will worship (Rev.15:4). Revelation gives us a clear picture The false prophet of materialism ing ertis of certain victory of New Heavens today is the media and adv and Earth and the ultimate defeat propaganda that constantly tells or t of evil. Revelation has no middle us we need to buy this produc ly real to er ord in or neutral ground. Let us not be purchase that item backsliders but overcomers who go enjoy life… but Revelation tells us aks spe 18 on to reign with the LAMB for ever this is an illusion. Chapter and ever in the New Jerusalem. of the great city which represents a pts worldly, immoral system that tem David Flynn (H), Middlesex Christians with money, power, sex, pleasure and success. This should set our alarm bells ringing and warn us that the allure of pornography, movies, celebrity culture, fame, consumerism and such things can draw us away from our love of Jesus and turn us into lukewarm Christians. This picture shows the great city as a drunken prostitute riding on another seven-headed scarlet beast – that represents worldly power and dominates the kings of the earth (Rev.18:18) as Rome once did. The prostitute and the Beast wage war on Christians. Revelation encourages a very black and white view of reality. We are either on the side of the woman and beast or the side of the LAMB. The author calls Christians to come out of the great city Babylon

unity af comm d e d e h t at we, in allenge ething th his course has ch m o s d n a ink T e is great s really th me time. rs u o s u e r o d c a fo is r, m h “T out fo ay and . A very n crying healthy w out the end times a in it have bee e lb views, a saying ab long held the Bible is really at at MRC about wh urse indeed.” ay nights co id r le F b g a y in jo nd lp me en s (D) atte res to he li u t il ic W p in g t Mar showin ions”. David for in revelat t LST k rd n o a h w t n like to urse a e writte “I would about th Monday nights co re o m d n g w, led understa ints of vie ) attendin o (D p s d u n io la r r the va Karen Bo rse giving g tutor”. u o c d e c n and n ible-lovin arning sig ifully bala b t le u d a re n a e a b t o n h “A w atie e people remely p by an ext (H) one of the thre rd Carol Wa e course at MRC g th attendin Spring 2011 GO! SIGN

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D e a f Yo u t h How do we make time for God? In our busy lives, it is often hard to make time for God, we may talk to him when we need him, praying about important things but neglect the time to really get close to God and to know him better. We may be doing plenty of praying, about other people, needs etc, reading the bible researching for home group topic, projects we or others are doing, but the vital thing that we may forget to pray about is our own walk with God, and not giving God time to speak to us personally through his Word.

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It’s so important to have time with God, which will give us strength and most importantly build on a rock a solid foundation for us to live on. God has so much to say to you. But if you don’t make time away from the busyness of your day and spend time alone with Him, you won’t hear it. It can be hard to find time, especially if the enemy doesn’t want you to have time with God. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Matthew 26:41.

The Bible verse shows that we are humans and that we have flesh which will always distract us from spending time with God. That is a fact and we need to work on our relationship with God. Distractions can be anything and to name a few: Snooze Button!!! “Ooh let’s have 5 minutes extra in bed” can become into fifteen then twenty minutues extra, then you are dashing out of the door as you have snoozed too long and have little time to get ready.


4 Christ By Elizabeth Thomas-Morton (D), DY4C Editor

Email, Facebook, internet; They are so great, but sometimes you can plan to spend 30 minutes online but it easily becomes 2 hours and more, leaving you little time for other things, including your time with God. Work; becoming too focused on work, coming home late, less time with family and friends. We should ‘work to live’ not ‘live to work’!! Soaps, magazines; Enjoying TV and magazines in moderation is fine, nothing wrong with that but if you become obsessed with watching soaps and reading magazines, then that’s where you need to step back.

A picture: If a family never eats dinner together at the dining table, eating while watching telly or doing other stuff, they won’t really know a lot about each other, how their day was, what they are doing at school, who their friends are etc. But if the family makes time to sit down together, talks and listen to each other, they will know a lot more about each other. It is the same for us with God, we need to sit down and have “dinner at the table” with God!! Having time with him to talk, read, listen which is so important! 

Tips on how to make time for God, Make an appointment in your diary. Wake up earlier in the morning and use the extra time to be with God. Spend time with God while driving to work. Take some time to sit in silence and listen to God. Write down what God tells you and your prayer requests and his answers. Just walk and talk to God as if He was walking right next to you. Write out your prayers to God. Get out of the house, there are plenty of distractions in the house! Get away from people for a while. Enjoy His creation by going for a walk, hiking or biking.

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world

News around the

Across the Atlantic Ocean Canada is the world’s third-largest country by land mass. It has a population of 31.1 million compared to 60 million in United Kingdom. The feeling of space is amazing. Kenneth was invited to speak at ‘Ontario Mission of the Deaf’ Retreat Weekend at Parry Sound which is north of Toronto and takes about 4 hours by car. Altogether 122 people attended the weekend. Kenneth spoke at 3 sessions with the theme ‘Building Your Character’. Some were moved by the messages and responded to God’s calling to live a godly life. Unexpectedly Janet was asked to sing in BSL. Most people were touched and blessed by the songs she signed. They asked her if she was willing do it again in their churches when we visited with them. Obviously God has opened the door for Janet’s ministry to song sign and used this to draw people’s hearts to Himself. We travelled on to Ottawa (capital of Canada) and stayed there for 4 days. One Thursday evening, 20 Deaf Christians met at a local restaurant to chat & enjoy fellowship then went to an old Deaf lady’s house for the meeting, where Kenneth ministered God’s Word. Of course they did not want to miss Janet’s song signing in BSL. It was a blessed evening indeed! Dean Hardy (D) is the leader of that Deaf church. Heand his wife (H) had 10 children (aged from 23 to 5)! We stayed with them one night. They were very generous to us and shared a lovely meal at a big round table.

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It reminds us of the Walton Family!! We love this family dearly. While we were there, we had an opportunity to visit Niagara Falls. We stayed there for 3 nights to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was such a relaxing and blessed time. We loved to see the amazing mighty waterfall – 39 million gallons a minute. It moved our hearts to see the awesome handiwork of our Almighty God displayed there. We could stay there and watch it for hours! We are grateful to God for bringing us there and we will store this precious memory in our hearts for the rest of our lives!

showed us around their farm, church and the Amish school. Their possessions and clothes are plain and simple as they are ‘keeping down with the Joneses’ in their community. We greatly admired their practice of sharing and supporting each other and their neighbours. We invited Moses to the Deaf church at Kitchener and were delighted he came. He understood God’s message clearly. Another time we went to an Amish restaurant (all the food was organic). It was a taste of ‘heavenly food’. We learned there are around 300 Deaf Amish who attend a Deaf Amish conference at Pennsylvania in USA every year. Kenneth ministered God’s word at Deaf Churches in various places such as Milton, Mississauga, St Catharine, Kitchener, Toronto along with Janet’s ministry of song sign. By God’s grace Kenneth also improved his ASL skills. We learned that there are 22 Deaf churches in Ontario.

One of our highlights was when we visited an Amish community, it was a wonderful experience for us. One Amish family had a son who was Deaf. His name was Moses aged 32. His hearing brother is the Amish pastor. His name is Luke. He wore the typical Amish clothing, a black suit and hat and and a white shirt. He is a very kind man. He and Moses

Six weeks in Canada was an incredible journey for us. During these weeks Kenneth was glad to meet 3 old friends from his school days at Doncaster and now they are Christians. To God be the glory! Kenneth & Janet Nuttall (D), Scotland


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world

News around the

Mission trip to

Russia

hered in a there. Sunday we gat n O f and preached ea D e m th o r fr fo d e te ic l. We star e for a serv ssia was specia andra hom ks e local le A , rs u o This time in Ru f o a letter from th udent ed st iv er ce rm re e fo ily w A m t . si fa rg a They After this vi St Petersbu rzamas to hold ere just in time. A th e to e er w m e co w to id s tten ng pastor, who sa L. had asked u God had forgo the local heari at to th d k ce in u th d o to tr d te ere in with him. e and had already star seminar. We w d conversation ut then we cam o B o . g le p ry eo ve p a f ea ad f. cold about the D pastor and h inar for the Dea in spite of the , m le se p eo ily p m f fa ea a D e ad ur visit encouraged th After that we h ditions. After o n co e er Th th . o ar in er atev ter the sem uch more weather or wh ged and are m ceived Christ af y an re n o ch le p e im st av eo h p te a le ve p e Fi iv uraged the Deaf peo d asked us to g eople are enco p an g e is n ri m th sa ea w h e sa e th r th h d pasto d to teac eaf people. active now. An the service an not rejected D d as h an t d h o g G u at ta the next day at I th . So and know in the evening , and le p not planned to the hearing eo p g n ri ea the h ye Chelny was n to ez n er ia ss ab u e N R th to in t ad we left for h A visi spoke ined and they mber 14 before jo ve o so N al n le O p . e d eo th p an er ia in the beforeh the Deaf it for them. Aft ili E. from Russ as ed V at p sl o h an is tr b e o h et ec we go Gre Russia we m interpreter w s where would pictures about u e d th ke as ed e w H o . n sh Chelny. As it church in Tallin service we also ission there. sit Nabereznye m vi r u so o al t u to o s u ab d to visit, and aske and spoke we had planned g s n ce ro la st p e as w th to ife f man w was so close ian family, the l. We had a Dea st el e ri w h th C as a to e d g er te in th o si o g g ent ed We vi been our stud we decided to and had stopp ad h sb u o h h e w d l th ir an t g u h f b a Dea in faith from us. t to the churc driving us and ied us to learn ur visit he wen o an p er ft m A . co h ac rc u rg ch us in St Petersbu . ours. It was min ce h n n ta ve en p se r re fo to g lin came etary had We were travel e bishop’s secr urs by train o Th h o e. id tw ts ly u n o o ad a rod is 25 degrees ay there. She h language st n r g Nishnij Novgo u si o o r fo tw y h it ad ion. . We met w a plan for us re l Deaf Associat for a long ca n lo w e o th kn from Arzamas f e o r av ai h e ch seminar ere whom we contact with th ssian at a family e visited the interpreters th u w R g n n ke vi o ri ar sp r in te s and in tely af So, I taught ple from the gs for two day in eo p time. Immedia en f ev ea e D th 90 in . More than Vitali drug addicts for the hearing cultural house ird day, to the their gathering th er e ft th A f e. o er g in th ed the even the gospel. city had gather centre. and preached as m ra d rehabilitation e is e m th th so e in d se te to n le se re p fortab lt a little uncom Vitali Many people fe church where st ti ap B e th d site eaf people message. We vi ctory where D fa a d te si vi e We preached. W e dramas there. m so d te n se re ip r homes. work and Vital f people in thei ea D y an m d also visite n we sckar-Ola. Agai Jo to n o d ve o ar there. Deaf After that we m inar for the a family semin ld o h to d a family sem d el her h ke et I g g to in e rn m were as o ca m es eir chair In the ght nearby citi people and th f ei et ea m g D o e fr to th le ed p et id eo m p ad dec Deaf and t day, on the . One couple h talk club on the nex f g n ea lo D l a for the seminar ca ad lo h e e rth day we in th the seminar w ple. On the fou ch ea eo p m d o le fr s ab es is divorced. After d d en day for ishop Vasili E. an asked for forgiv b e ey th th , h it em w th g n h ti wit gether. had a mee And we ided to stay to we went there. d la g ry other and dec ve as have Deaf he w l church would ca lo e th at th e Deaf. prayed terpreters for th 17 GO! SIGN Spring 2011 in d an e er th s missionarie


We continued to Kazan, five h ours by car. We the Pentecostal visited after church and th we had arrived e Baptist churc The Baptist ch it started to sn h. urch had aske an ow in Estonia d th e storm was so d us to come an the family sem strong that the d hold inar and we al St Pe way out of te rsburg was pra so invited the from the Pente ctically closed people costal church th for three days. ere. I preached in the Baptist C Praise God for hurch and on al l H is ca the next day in re during our tr Pentecostal Ch guidance and w the ip, for all His urch. Two peo isdom and for ple received C and two came th e H o h ly ri st Spirit. to repentance . Thank you for yo u r p ra yers and supp From Kazan w thanks to Surr ort! And many e took a train b ey Christian Si ack to St Peters and after 24 ho g n Fe llo En b w g u ship from la rg nd who have su urs on a train w p e were in p o rt St Petersburg ag ed o u r b tr y giving ÂŁ800. avel financially ain. We were as ked to stay, bu we took the bu t s to Tallinn on the same day w May the Lord b had arrived in e less you and p St Petersburg. rovide you A w ft ith everything er travelling we w seven hours . ere in Tallinn ag ain. The next d ay Margit and Vit ali Taks (D), Ta llinn, Estonia

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h g u o r h t e m i t s ’ d Go s e m i t hard

Keep . y d a e t s rm and fi d n a t s u know s o r y e e h c t n o i r s e Lord, y dear b h m t eless.” r s n o u e f r h k t e r v o e w “So s i in your ervice s s y ’s a d r w l o a L y bus o in the lt d u o y uld consu g o h n s i I t h a t th of Agnes, that no 15:58 ). But the ou (witch cause it ians

ge be a marab rough n langua y ig e s h ed me th t in e rn a g , a w y u t g li rd n a o prayed L la by nation nds, they f their first a n ie e ia is fr d d n s a a a h ti s C s . u Chri from I am a Nigerian ave me inherited gnes is a ported nd God g a p A u s e s u if s r w e in fo , n y devil. 3 m resist the arents. Ag istry, tailoring, ied in 199 he p r to r a e g m ra t u o r, I t co We g in the min g to deaf I prior to not me fo e r, re m e v fo e e n b , n n rs, li I said Nigeria educatio g counse wo maste e y t in e m iv g v f r g o in e s e n t b canno g is aliv nd girls, completio ological f am servin women a e a I e h d T d o r a G b fo y A r resent in e ‘M from niversity use moth werfully p U o o h g p d r n in e a v rd y e a r 1:3-4. bo and Semina e ll from le.’ James ils in our a re b c p h u t u a o r p t tr u o f o g o times ther d raising of Jos. We ned toge school an oncentrated r u t rd would re d n at the Lo eIc and h il God a t 5 h 9 d w 9 e 1 , s y s id ra in k give Ip ntry e dutie eart and h y to my cou Christian Mission on administrativ m le o y g cons the support m d teachin n to a a e g n g é founded in ra h m preac me cou how I af in N’dja ondered ies etc. has d w I w u for the de t l o s il n t S le y . r ork t ib B fate e minis ith daily w g w gnes in A e d , p n 8 Chad. Th o 0 c te t 0 a 2 ame would in July embers d at the s n a t re t o Suddenly n n 70 deaf m ible study and e d id at our c Agnes an oke. We d r ly b tr e k s e d ft a e a o d w g lo a r b . in h u o ut rvice n. time look thing abo orship se n ree childre o h t ti r n know any e u v Sunday w o re g raisin us, ran ry and its p lt o helped s a prima pressure h a fe I h w . y d e r s e t o n is hy h e T ap The min s! I cried w anion tional u ntil this h a p u c m m o o o v c fr a y y d a aw ared! M things school an totally sc m with y side to ow these ra ll m g a t ro a d p o n G g e e ithful b af trainin unwell. who had n to His fa t to nd 11 de e a w p s o il p n a p s h u a p to ew ed no ld the 43 deaf support m hat I should do. n? I decid staff, I ho re g d went il in h r c w a e d h and ent. knelt and ndere ur , o m o g e f w g in I o a h e t n y a m ith m eco eat an rsation w e v leadership ible camp is the t would b ? a n y h o tr c W is to al B the min see deep in The Annu rly. began to ildren and g the te I h it in c n b h e t c h a p T e . re ht of sw God three kid pel in medium saw a brig s r I o . u s G o O n s e io d h t t e ugh revela appen ce and deaf thro on my fa ll of this h I thought, who has e A it in d h s n a t h y r g t d li ere the coun ddenly an was tempted onder wh now. u s w s r a to e y n a t 5 r1 beg e from? A elp out? I m h existed fo a n c e a e c m rc o s u this so myself sed with vil when s I found I are bles by the de d me and gave e d n im a t s r e e d n h n ot Ag ite ma a friends vis r a quick recovery alom, Em g in r a 3 kids, Sh fo e e h me advic three are ell w Jossy. All te a ic n ommu and can c

1 Corinth

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in battle with spir itual wickedne ss in the My faith air and was resto I won the red bat each day , I found t , and I had a dre tle! One night prove yo hings ur trials. Y am which easier, as ou must God help I shall never forg re a li z e t e h d et. In my a to t m y e g o e u t r through faith will dream, I saw the tested lik my daily be Lord Jesu e gold is work. The s Christ tested in come to ministry fi re b e fore it be me and a is blessed through comes pu sk me our hard “Yves wh and prec re t r ious. The at do you ia I ls a a m n d a b c le to look want me h il o to do for d f re Israel had after Agn you?” I sa and the c to go thro n es id “Lord hildren a m let Agnes ugh a n y te sts before nd at the get back same tim t h to norma e e in y Then Jesu d to got o the prom administ l” work sh rative ised land and shep fe and lifted eld Agnes’ arm . w Very endured herding t he church th and were he while ma rough Ch up and ra r up. I woke s a ved ny others rist who n into ou strengthe ended r living up in the ns me! G room to s desert. W od is ee what h answerin ha ad g our pra difficult t happene yers, Agn ime you a tever d, there A is certain e re s g ly w facing nes was still s hile servin d leeping. can do so oing fine, and g the Lord I was give up y me hous , do not confused our faith, ehold ! But was jobs now k e confiden e t . r W p y that Agn ing. He is e give tha on t es’ healin to Almigh faithful u nks g will com p n t ro to y one day a G m His o is d for seein e (Revela e us thro t God’s rig tion 3:10 g ugh diffic ht time (James 1 ). ult times :12). serving H of im. If you are called to serve t he Lord y ou must

Pastor Yves Beosso, e Christian Mission for th Deaf Church, ena Chad. B.p 1827 Walia N’djam S) Tel: +235 6672 79 93 (SM o.fr Email: emcsourd@yaho yves_beosso@yahoo.fr

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Time for God wit

The Purple Party was held on Saturday 12th March 2011 at Riverside House in Birmingham to raise money for DMI (Deaf Ministries International). It was very successful and about 90 people attended. The theme of the night was PURPLE and everyone had to wear something relating to purple. People made a lot of effort, there was a hearing dog for the deaf dressed in purple; someone dyed their whole outfit, including shoes, in purple spray; two sisters dressed up to look like purple fairies and one girl zipped her whole body and face into a purple outfit and no one could spot who she was!

We raised a total of £1,388.11. We sold 90 tickets at £10 per ticket, making £900.00 and the rest was raised through raffles and competitions, including guessing how many mini eggs were in a jar and throwing £1 coins towards a bottle of Baileys (the closest won the bottle). Throughout the evening, there was entertainment, including a DJ to provide music, and a quiz. A buffet and drinks were provided and it was an opportunity to meet old and new faces.

We agreed to donate the funds towards Deaf children’s needs for education in the Third World. For the past year, World of Hands has already been sponsoring two Deaf children, providing for their education. We may have busy lives, making it challenging for us to find time for God and we may not have time to be involved with DMI but we can support them financially and that is why we held the Purple Party to raise funds for Deaf children. We may not be able to see how the children are doing or what ministry work DMI is doing but we trust the Lord to bless DMI with the money we have raised. There are people out there who are working with DMI and God can use

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h the Purple Party people from all over the world to bless one another. How? By “making time for God”, rather than being, “too busy for God”. People often use the word “busy” about their everyday lives, creating a negative way of thinking, feeling that they have no time to spare and spoiling their quality of life. I may need to practice what I preach in this article as I am aware that I am a “busy man” with many responsibilities, yet it’s very important to put Jesus first in your life, before anything, and for Him to be at the centre of everything too. If we fully rely on and trust Jesus for everything then the term “busy” will mean something more positive and bring blessings. With The Purple Party, we experienced ups and downs preparing for the night to take place, the event was cancelled in December 2010 because of the snow and some food had to be thrown away. We postponed it until March 12th and, by the end of the night, we had experienced an awesome time, blessed by the fund raising, knowing how much it will bless the DMI and how Jesus has been involved in this. Can our “busy” become our blessing? Jesus loves us so much that He wants

to have a “best-friend” relationship with us all and Jesus wants to become busy with our lives! How? We need to give Jesus our time, not our busy lack of time. We as Christians can become too busy and we need to question ourselves about what our aim and purpose is, is it wise? Is Jesus involved in it and are we feeling at peace about it? Is what we are doing good for our health, spiritually and emotionally?

Sometimes we (like me) are quick to say “YES” all the time and then we end up becoming busy people; we need to learn how to say, “Allow me to think about it, pray about it and speak to my wife and I will get back to you later”. Then we can make a clear decision. There is nothing wrong with saying “NO” because Jesus wants us to enjoy our life, to have quality time with people, so we can shine His love on them. If we are being too busy, we may lack the fruits of the spirit and the energy to show them! Also, being unable to say “NO” to anything may be stopping God’s plans for your life; sometimes we need to accept the challenge, go through the journey with Jesus, gain experience and learn from it, building up wisdom, Christ-like characteristics and skills and gifts.

Don’t let your “busyness” overtake your lives, causing you to lack quality of life and to miss the blessings and love coming from Jesus Christ. Remember this, we need to be building God’s Kingdom on this earth in ways such as donating to, and offering sponsorship through, DMI. We just need to think of the bigger picture and the most important thing of all is Loving and Having Time for Jesus! He is standing beside you, never leaves you or stays at a distance; it’s us who are wandering away, being busy and, maybe, dried up in our love for Jesus. We just gotta go back to our first love with Jesus, have TIME FOR JESUS and see that He is still there ALWAYS! Amen. We want to say thank you to those people who donated to DMI by buying the tickets, raffles tickets and prizes and also putting further cheques in the post too. Watch this space and the Word of-hands Facebook page for further events in 2012. God Bless You All. Jay Thomas-Morton (D), Birmingham

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Alex Buchanan Tribute to

quiet and humble servant but one of the true holy prophets We were first introduced to Alex Buchanan in the Deaf Christian Fellowship in the 1970s by the late Christine Wilkins, one of our team of workers. Alex was the Pastor of a church in Liverpool, which Christine attended, where she interpreted for a few deaf people. Christine was impressed with Alex and wanted me to meet him. Alex had a gift with words and would choose his words very carefully. He was a blessing in the DCF because he could adapt his language to suit deaf people. Christine invited Alex to her anniversary weekends in Manchester where a large number of deaf people attended. He was also invited to London and preached at the Deaf Christian Fellowship anniversaries there. In those days we arranged a Bible Training week every year for deaf people and Alex attended for a number of years as a guest speaker and his teaching was greatly appreciated. Alex would give bible teaching based on a theme and it was my privilege to sign and interpret his message. That was where I learned to appreciate his choice of words and his ability to simplify his language. Occasionally I asked if he would put the sentence differently and he would come up with a clearer sentence. We were very blessed there during those weeks. It became a holy place for us. Alex became more involved with us in the Deaf Christian Fellowship and eventually became a trustee and he was of immense help. Alex also taught us some important spiritual lessons. I remember in the early days at one of the training weeks, Alex wanted to pray over each deaf person and give some prophetic words. I felt responsible for the deaf brothers and sisters and knew them well, so I paid special attention to Alex’s words. I remember that for three of the men, Kenneth Nuttall, David Rayner and Bob McFarland, Alex prophesied and mentioned something which

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Alex Buchanan was specifically relevant to their lives. Alex quoted the verse for Kenneth that God had used to call him into the Deaf Christian Fellowship. Alex would not have known that but God revealed it to him and it confirmed to me that Alex had a true prophetic gift.

What a blessing he was to us all. We thank God for his wife, Flora, who attended various meetings and a Bible training week with Alex where she made a significant contribution to the ladies present. We thank God for Alex’s life and ministry and his example as a spiritual warrior. Bert Barritt (H), York - former DCF leader In the 1970’s I met Alex Buchanan for the first time at the Bible Training Week for Deaf People in England when I was living in Belfast. I travelled to hear his preaching with Bert Barritt interpreting. I will never forget the experience with God’s blessings there and it was the first time for me to learn about prophet/ prophecies. At that time, I always thought that there were only prophecies in Bible times and not today, but I was wrong – God does still speaks today through his servants. God gave him a word for me through prophecy to meet my need and touch my spirit and heart. I still have a prophecy written by Alex in my treasure, for it is not out of date and sometimes I read it from time to time when God reminds me. I looked back at the grace of God, we have apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) at my time when I was young man. Prophecy is God speaking to us today to stir us up to seek God’s guidance. Alex often stirred many people up to be mature Christians. His favourite theme was “To be like Jesus.” Pastor Bob McFarland (D), Leicester We have known Alex and his wife for many years, we knew him as a great man of God, who we loved and respected. Roy and I came to know them when we first joined the DCF group at Jubilee Chapel, Liverpool in the 1970s, led by Christine Wilkins. We never forget that day how the Lord led us to that place and to meet wonderful Christian people. Once a month Christine led a small deaf meeting on a Sunday afternoon, then we would have tea together and in the evening we joined the interpreted service in the Chapel where Alex was the Pastor there. It was a great privilege for us to have the teachings, guidance and love of a great humble man of God. Not only in Liverpool but other places like weekend conferences and DCF Bible week. Margaret and Roy Hulse (D), Liverpool We had the privilege of knowing Alex for over thirty years, although we did not see him very often. We soon realised this was a man who knew God intimately and lived to please Him in everything he did. Alex

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was someone who always encouraged us, no matter what was happening in our lives. He always helped us look away from our difficulties and pointed us to God the Father. A powerful word Alex gave us many years ago was “Keep bashing on”. At the time it seemed a strange thing for Alex to say to us, and we were a bit disappointed at his word of encouragement for us, but looking back it is clear he had heard the Lord’s word for us and we are still living in the strength of it today some twenty years later! We enjoyed listening to Alex expounding God’s Word. He had a simple and direct way of making the Bible come alive and relevant to everyday life, and he was not afraid to bring a prophetic word in the middle of a sermon – he certainly kept our attention when he preached. Alex, to us, was a man of great wisdom who showed us how to live for Jesus in all circumstances, without complaining. Our lives are so much richer for having known him. We miss him but we know he is now with his beloved Lord. Eugene (D) and Jean (H) McNamara, Manchester

To me, Alex was a godly man, a man who was actually a citizen of heaven on earth. He lived on earth as if he was in heaven. The words from the Lord’s prayer, “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” rang true with this man. I first met Alex when I was in my mid twenties. He was our main speaker at our annual Bible school week for deaf Christians. I was at a crossroads in my life to do with work, and Alex did not know me at all. I sat opposite him at one of the meal times and felt rather shy and inferior alongside this man (he was absolutely human, I must add, but there was something about him that made me stand in awe of him!). Alex looked at me and said, “I don’t think you are in the right job, and God has something better for you”. I fumbled in agreement, amazed that he knew my heart. Within a year I was out of the Civil Service and working amongst deaf children at the Mill Hall School! One of the best changes I had made in my life, thanks to Alex! When my dear husband, Paul, died, Alex sent me the most wonderful email only 4 days after Paul went on to be with the Lord. This email was just like a letter from God of which the words are too personal to mention here, except that it was full of comfort and hope and I knew there and then that God really did care for me. For all who knew Alex Buchanan, I am sure we have nothing but gratitude and praise for him as he touched so many lives. Thank You, Lord! Jannice Floyd (D), London Alex had a gift of speaking prophetically; straight to the hearts of people about the heart of God. I remember how he helped me to overcome my insecurity and doubt when I was young. He was a lovely man and I feel very privileged to have met him personally. By Laurence Banks (D), Middlesex, Go! Sign Director


GO! SIGN is published three times a year. The aim of GO! SIGN is to support and enable Deaf Christians through Christian Network, Outreach, Equipping, Teaching and Evangelism.

My spiritual grandparents!

Roy and Jeanie were my spiritu al grandparents. I had known the m both my whole life and always app reciated their wonderful and caring nat ure. I grew up being very inspired by them both in faith and life. They bo th loved Jesus incredibly and were alw ays an example of God’s amazing lov e for others. I am very thankful the y were a part of my life for 27 years and will always treasure them both in my heart. They helped me in my journe y to finding Jesus when I was 11 years old and taught me so much abo ut Christ through our weekly Bible stu dies and

our Deaf Church. They were excellent teachers and showed such com passion for the lost. Their lives were alw ays full of adventures and were abo ut proclaiming the word of Christ . I will miss them dearly. I am so tha nkful for the many memories I have of them both. They have been the mo st warm and loving ‘grandparents’ and it has been an honour to have sha red my life with them. “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious on to you.” Numbers 6:24-25. Lizzie Ainsworth (D), Donca ster

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Next issue 77 The theme of the next issue of the magazine will be...

Trinity of God Please could you write an article or story about your experience, testimony, or any biblical point of view or theology on the theme, “Trinity of God”. It can be something to teach people to understand more about God from different religious views, or sharing your experience of understanding about God. If you have something to share, please write to: GO! SIGN Editor (Esther Maycock) 21 Newton Wood Road Ashtead, Surrey KT21 1NN A new DVD - ‘T he Unwanted Tramp’ from G now! It is just £ o! Sign Cross D 4, including p rama is availab ostage, to pla le ce s within the UK The clip is abou . t a tramp, releas ed from prison acceptance bu , who searches t is faced with for love and h at red and rejectio Then when his n by those arou true identity is nd him. revealed, it is a challenge to ev Curious to know er yone. what has happ ened to the tram please contact p? If yes, the Go! Sign O ffice (see detai back cover) to ls on the order a DVD.

Or email to her: crazyerm@hotmail.co.uk

Deadline by

27th May 2011 Spring 2011 GO! SIGN

26



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