Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
FFEEA ATTU URREESS TTH HIISS M MO ON NTTH H
M Miicckk PPoow weerr The Abortion Issue Pages 24-25
SShhaarroonn BBuurrrreellll ‘Inheritance’- Stories of Faith Pages 7- 9
Contents AN AMAZING TESTIMONY in SAUDIA ARABIA
Funnies Bits & Pieces of News Why & How do We Pray for Jerusalem? ‘Inheritance’ part 2 – Sharon Burrell Youth Weekend Away – with Pics! Thoughts on Alpha – Mick Mooney The Importance of Water – Yvonne Nixon Great News Update from IJM Sarah Donnelly Vigil for Life E100 – The Story so Far The Abortion Issue facing Irish Believers
YYoouutthh w weeeekkeenndd AAw waayy PPaaggeess 1111 -- 1188
Page 2 3 4 5 & 6 7-9 11-17 17 18-19 20 20 21 22-23 24-25
Welcome to this month’s eZine. Hope you enjoy it’s offerings! Please remember to email me at: ezine@dec.ie if you want to contribute to this newsletter.
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
AN AMAZING TESTIMONY - EXPERIENCING THE SALVATION OF THE LORD IN SAUDIA ARABIA
It was during the year 2005 that I received the wonderful revelation of Jesus as Lord and Saviour in Saudi Arabia. From my home in Ethiopia I travelled across the Red Sea to find work as a house-maid. My background was Orthodox Christianity but my heart at that time was hardened to the Gospel. Thank God that He loves me and in this Islamic country I became a real Christian. It was a completely unexpected when on a Friday evening that a friendly Moslem lady from Ethiopia asked me to take her to the fellowship of believers which was meeting in a certain district. Previously she had visited me with the same request which I had refused. However, because of her persistence, I reluctantly agreed to accompany her. As we entered the home the people were singing songs and praying to the Lord. Suddenly, in the service I started to cry. Then I noticed that my friend besides me was also crying. Now I understand that the Holy Spirit was touching our hearts. After the message the preacher invited any person to come to the front for prayer. I was the first person to respond and I was surprised that my Moslem friend followed me. Both of us that night really trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation with such joy and happiness. For so many years I had refused His love and now He was calling me with His precious voice. Praise His Name my life was changed forever. I had such a desire to experience His grace and was continually in prayer and reading the Bible. Gradually my ministry developed in discipleship of new believers. Our fellowship increased with many Ethiopians and local inhabitants trusting in Christ with even secret baptismal services. th Then suddenly, on Thursday 15 of December 2011, during the night, a number of police surrounded and entered the house. There were 35 young people (29 women and 6 men) praising the Lord. The police were making such noise and shouting all the time. They commenced to beat us with their sticks taking our Bibles with violence from us. Then they arrested and chained us and forced us into vans to an unknown
destination. It was a terrible ordeal. The police officers (men and women) tore our clothes from our bodies and we were standing there so afraid absolutely naked frequently striking us with their weapons. All the women were in detention in a small room. For punishment the temperature was like living in a freezer. After some days we all moved to another prison. In this horrible place there were criminals - drug dealers, thieves and murderers. What crime had we committed? Every day was a challenge because we were without adequate clothing and insufficient food. Tea was provided that contained a drug which made us dizzy and sleepy. They gave rice with dead insects and waste elements of mice and rats. We survived just by the grace of God. You can not imagine and I can not describe what actually happened in this awful environment. Frequently they would us beat with their sticks forcing us to read the Qur'an. When we refused they would strip us naked and move us into a very hot room. We were just like the Paul and Silas in the prison in Acts 16 with feet clamped in chains. Throughout this severe persecution and torture we were convinced that nothing could separate us from the love of God. Daily we proved the sufficiency of His grace in our hearts. Eventually, our brothers and sisters, in Saudi Arabia were able to contact various international organizations like Human Rights Watch and Christian ministries. Months later our friends were allowed to visit us in the prison bringing food and clothing and bottled mineral water. Through the international intervention on our behalf we were deported to Ethiopia without any of our possessions or financial assistance. We really thank the Lord for this freedom and this victory. Translated by Muleken Mammo who is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church - Addis Ababa. Now Meseret (which means 'Foundation') is living with her relations. She is studying the Word of God and proclaiming the Good News.
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Bits & Pieces of News
Congratulations to Cliff & Marie Kirker, Margaret Hare & Pauline Copsey, on the completion of the first part of their Chaplaincy Course. Pictured here receiving their certificates.
A group from Church in Chains travelled to London yesterday (30 May) to join in the annual vigil protesting at the outlawing of independent churches in Eritrea since May 2002. Six Eritrean Orthodox clergy (pictured above) joined other Eritrean, British and Irish Christians to stand in solidarity with their fellow-Christians in Eritrea who are suffering greatly because of their Christian faith. Read a full report of the vigil at: http://www.churchinchains.ie/node/622
Next Sunday morning, 9th June, we will welcome Bishop Umar Mulinde from Uganda as our speaker. Bishop Mulinde was attacked with acid outside his Church by some extremists on Christmas Eve 2011, and has since been receiving treatment in Israel. He is an inspiration to listen to and has an exciting story to tell. Please pray for his safe arrival.
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Praying for Jerusalem There is any number of magnificent cities in the world. Which one comes to your mind? Paris Rio de Janeiro London Hong Kong
Istanbul Tokyo São Paulo Rome
Singapore New York Delhi
Moscow Shanghai Madrid
When it comes to matters of the faith, however, the most important city in the world has to be Jerusalem. Small in size compared to the places already mentioned, Jerusalem’s current population is less than a million. But it’s huge in terms of scriptural significance, being mentioned in the Bible over a thousand times if you count synonyms such as Zion, the City of God, etc.
crucifixion and resurrection. Close by Jerusalem (Bethany) is the location from which He ascended to heaven. Shortly thereafter, at Pentecost, Jerusalem was where the Holy Spirit descended, giving birth to the church. It’s also the site of the death of the first Christian martyr, and the location of the initial Church Council.
Thought to be six thousand years old, in the time of Abraham Jerusalem was ruled by Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18). This royal city was the capital from which King David reigned and where his son Solomon built the great temple. Here is the spot where the Old Testament sacrifices were legitimately offered. Jerusalem was also the hometown to many of the great prophets.
Bible students are aware that Jerusalem plays a key role in the end-times scenario, and that John even writes about envisioning “the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). In Psalm 122:6 David encourages his people to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem”:
New Testament pictures that come to mind obviously include our Lord’s triumphal entry as well as His May there be peace within your walls
“May those who love you be secure. God. But not all that many Christians know how to pray for Jerusalem. Why is this so?
and security within your citadels.” Many have probably never been challenged to do so. Another significant Scripture is 1 Kings 14:21, where we are told that Jerusalem is “the city the Lord has chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name.” We live in a day when large corporations place their names on sports stadiums such as Cellular Field, FedEx Field or Wells Fargo Centre. Now imagine back in Old Testament times God saying, “I choose to put my glorious Name on the city of Jerusalem.” That’s quite an endorsement! The same idea is found in 2 Chronicles 6:4-6, where Solomon says to the whole assembly of Israel, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, ‘…I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there.” This identical thought is repeated in 1 Kings 11:36, 2 Kings 21:4 and 7, and 2 Chronicles 12:13, 33:4 and 7, so it’s not as though some obscure idea is being presented. A corollary to this observation about God putting His Name on Jerusalem is that learning to pray for this city should enable a person to tap into the very heart of
Others might have attempted but saw no point in it. A few may have felt that praying for Jerusalem was like taking sides in the confusing Middle East conflict. To some the concept seemed like petitioning the Lord for some far-off place they couldn’t get their minds around—like praying for the moon! As you contemplate learning to how to pray for Jerusalem, see if you can answer any or all of the following questions. But this is important—let your response be from God’s perspective. • •
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What motivated you to put your name on this city in the first place? Were there times this attachment brought you great joy, and if so, when might be some of these examples? Where were you emotionally when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and the city and took captives off to Babylon?
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013 Matthew 27:45-54 Isaiah 2:1-5 •
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Under the edict of King Cyprus, some 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem. Was the response of those people a great encouragement to you? What was your thinking when the Romans captured Jerusalem and held it for almost four centuries (63 B.C. – A.D. 324)? What was it like for you when the people of this city crucified your only Son? The building of the Dome of the Rock was completed by Caliph Abd al-Malik in A.D. 961 and ever since it has been Jerusalem’s most conspicuous landmark. What are your feelings about this? For 400 years (1517-1917) Jerusalem was under the Ottoman Turks and the religion of Islam. Humanly speaking, that’s a long time. Did it seem that way to you also? The modern state of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. Do you think your followers make more of this than they should? How does the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 relate to the historic old city of Jerusalem?
When someone not that familiar asks you to pray concerning a given matter with which you don’t really identify, what usually happens? If you’re like most people, before long you forget that you were even asked. But if an individual you know and love makes the request, it’s taken much more seriously. That is why it is important from the start to attempt to understand God’s heart when learning to be an intercessor on behalf of Jerusalem. So if you quickly read through the previous ten questions and didn’t think all that much about how God might answer them, might it be good to go back and once again work through them? You really don’t have to know all that much history to come up with fitting answers. Another way to tap into God’s perspective regarding this special city is to meditate on passages in the Bible about Jerusalem. Here are some from various parts of Scripture to get you started. 2 Samuel 5:1-12 Psalm 137:1-9 Acts 2:1-47
Mark 11:1-19 Luke 19:41-44 Lamentations 1:1-17
Revelation 20:1-8 2 Chronicles 5:2-14 Isaiah 62:1-12
Even with a more informed understanding about this ancient biblical city, it’s not that easy for a contemporary gentile Christian in Denver, Memphis or Atlanta to pray repeatedly for the peace of Jerusalem. There has been little peace in Jerusalem past or present and future projections aren’t all that encouraging. This is not to say that one should abandon praying for Jerusalem’s peace. It’s merely an observation that it’s discouraging to keep talking to the Lord about a given matter when there is little indication that such prayers are all that effectual. A practical suggestion to help put emotion into your prayers would be to imagine what it would be like to pray for Jerusalem’s peace as if you actually lived there. In such a case you would probably say things such as, “Please stop the suicide bombings, Lord. We can’t even feel safe when eating out at a restaurant. And I’m tired, terribly tired of the daily rockets being launched against us. Then is it possible to live for a whole year without fear of a nuclear attack from somewhere like Iran? It’s all wearing on me, God.” As you see the news reported on TV or read articles about Jerusalem in news magazines or newspapers, attempt to read them as though you lived in Israel. Allow your sanctified imagination to help you become more than a dispassionate outsider. Finally, and most importantly, praying daily for Jerusalem automatically reminds us that someday Jesus will return and set up His Kingdom here on planet Earth. At that time He will rule over the world from Jerusalem. The Bible makes it clear, however, that this will not happen without the Jews being established in Jerusalem and all throughout the land of Israel. Satan knows what Scripture predicts and opposes these prophecies with a vengeance. Their fulfilment means his doom is sealed . If he can defeat Israel, he can at least delay the inevitable. It’s as simple as that. So our prayers for Jerusalem also need to always reflect our strong desire for Satan’s downfall and the ultimate victory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Jerusalem Prayer Team with Dr. Michael D. Evans exists to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem”. We pray for peace in Jerusalem because the Scriptures tell us to in Psalm 122:6.
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‘Inheritance’ an Introduction In March of this year I completed a memory project in DEC called ‘Inheritance’. As some of you may know I attended DEC as a child, right through to my twenties, and was then in another congregation for some years before returning. On my return to the church I was struck by the faithfulness of the praying women in the church. I wondered if their faith and belief had sustained the church? Had the women in DEC supported and nourished our church over the years? What part have they played in its 100+-year history and how had they done this? What were their insights, their advice, and their stories? What wisdom do they have to impart? It was particularly important to talk to this generation of women, who I felt in the past had played more “background” roles and perhaps hadn’t been recognised for their faithfulness to the Lord. From the beginning this was never going to be a comprehensive study, and I am aware that there are other women I did not interview who have made immense contributions to the church, but I just wanted to give a sample of the faith, service, and perseverance using these six interviewees. As these are a very humble group I attempted to protect their anonymity by not using their names, but instead adjectives which I felt described them, though of course identities might become clear when you read their stories. I hope you are encouraged by these six stories, which are appearing in serialised form:
St or i e s of f ai t h
Story two : Prayerful
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of Prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman called Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house”. And she persuaded us.” Acts 16: 13- 15 Prayerful loved the Lord and knew that he loved her from the time she was very young, definitely from the time of junior school. She has a clear memory of waking up as a small child and kneeling on the floor of her room to worship Jesus. She also recalls asking her Mother about the wording on a picture which contained the words “Immanuel” and her Mother told her it was a name for Jesus. She had a happy childhood as a member of a vibrant, large family, but was touched by tragedy when at sixteen her father died. After completing her education at University with a post-graduate diploma in teaching, Prayerful met the man who she was to marry. She was busy raising a family and attending a local Roman Catholic Church.
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Over the years the church began opening up and laicising roles within its organisation. Prayerful became a reader and later she became a minister of the Eucharist, bringing Holy Communion to Catholic believers in nursing homes. During that time difficulties arose and she called out to the Lord and began attending charismatic renewal meetings. She had never owned a Bible, though there was one at home, but now had her own copy. Marvellous teachers would come to Sallynoggin, where meetings were held and people were encouraged to read the word of God for themselves and meditate and wait on the Lord and this was where Prayerful really grew in her knowledge of the Lord. Eventually there came a time when she questioned her faith and talked to the Parish Priest and say that she had some difficulty with the teaching within the Catholic Church. He was very nice and gave her a book on Catholic theology and she went back to him and he gave her a second one, but it still didn’t answer the questions she had. By that time she felt she really had to leave. This was not an easy decision: she loved the congregation, she loved the Parish Priest, and she loved the work she was doing there. But, after reading some of the third book, she went back to the Priest and said she really knew she had to leave, because she wasn’t in tune with what was being taught. Saying goodbye was difficult and the end came in tears: both hers and the Priest’s. She wondered where she would go to worship now and then the Lord led her to DEC, where she felt settled and at peace. She was worried about the reaction of telling her family about this decision and she quietly told each member at a family gathering that she was still serving the Lord, but as a member of another church. The Lord intervened when a member of the family said: “We know you and we know you wouldn’t make a decision like that lightly”. Her heart sang in gratitude at the way the Lord’s hand intervened in that situation. Prayerful then shared a number of private experiences in which the Lord’s hand has done miraculous work in her life, but asked that this would remain anonymous. God has taught Prayerful much from the Scriptures and her favourite passage is Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. I am constant in my affection towards you”. She also believes that Psalm 45: 2 paints a beautiful picture of Jesus: “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever” and believes Isaiah 19: 24 paints a prophetic vision about the children of Israel: “In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth”.
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Prayerful has also experienced a blessing from the Lord through movement and dance. She had learnt ballet as a teenager and loved it, but had left that behind after she got married. She began to exercise regularly at the League of Health and now is involved in this ministry in a Nursing Home and also within DEC. This has given her confidence and enabled her to use her gifts for the Lord’s purpose. Prayerful is also involved in intercessory prayer ministry, both in DEC and through the Lydia Fellowship, an international organisation. The background to the formation of this group is the mention in Acts Chapter 16 (cited at the beginning of this section) of Paul’s call to Macedonia, his subsequent imprisonment and spectacular release. There is a brief mention in verses 13-15 of an encounter with “a certain woman called Lydia”. She met with other women to pray and the Lord opened her heart to hear the Word of God and she opened her home to the work of the Lord. A ‘Lydia woman’ is a disciplined woman – praying and fasting on a regular basis - a woman of faith, getting to know God through his word and a woman of action – being sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Through meditation and waiting on the Lord they believe He leads them to mindful prayer. There can be no doubt that the Holy Spirit has guided and used Prayerful in her ministry in so many ways in DEC and in the wider community, both through her movement and arts work and prayer ministry. Who knows how marvellously the Lord has used her witness and commitment, particularly through the Lydia Fellowship to give expression to the work of the Holy Spirit in our times. There were Prayerful women in the time of Paul and there still are! Grateful thanks to
sharon burrell
Next month – Grace
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Youth Weekend Away – A Leader’s view by Chantelle Plunkett
Ross braved the idea of taking 4 leaders and 20 youth the whole way to the North Coast to go surfing at the end of April, and what a weekend we had! We began our adventure at 2:45 on the Friday afternoon, leaving a little early from school and waiting for Ruth to countless bags, tennis rackets and a whole lot of smiles. Making our way in convoy up the M50 and M1, we tried not to lose anyone with Ross's blue minibus leading the way.
It was not long into the weekend (half way up at burger king) we realised we had forgotten something...the TV we would need to show the videos and PowerPoint for the talks...good packing Ross and Chantelle! Fear not though, God provided and Ross' friends Robert and Christine saved the day by bringing us a projector up north. They lived close by.
It was getting to be a long drive up north until we reached the coast road, where the sun was setting over the horizon and the waves were crashing onto the land. Everyone's head poked up and a bit of life reached us again. Having Leona Lewis's song 'A Moment Like This' playing in the background of this amazing view enhanced the scene so much more, obviously! It was breathtaking.
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We were greeted by Alan at the cottages who looked after us really well. Darren and Simon took 8 boys namely Andrew, Stephen, Jonny, James, Eric, Bradley and Matthew into the yellow cottage, while Ross took Jeremy, Wayne and Josh into his. Ruth had Elysia, Rebekah, Toni and Lilianna in the red house and Chantelle had Hannah, Savannah, Colie, Aoife, Ciara and Kim in the Bungalow. We used this as our communal house to meet together to learn, hang out and eat, yes all 25 of us!
Editor’s imagination!!
The houses were lovely with plenty of room imagination!! and a real buzz about them.
After a walk on the beach, a bit of banter and a night's sleep Ross, Jonny and Darren arose at 6:15 am to go to Tesco for the food for the weekend, thinking it opened at 7. However, an extra hour in bed would have been nice when they arrived to find it did not open until 8! After breakfast we had our first session together, looking at how God loves each of us just as we are as sinners. We saw how Jesus died for us even when we were at our worst, in Romans 5 v 8 and how we can as a result turn straight to. Ross explained that we can let guilt take over but that need not be the case. The cross wins! The rest of the morning was spent preparing ourselves for the day ahead - which included making 25 packed lunches, some of which the youth had never made for themselves before...there's a first time for everything! 11
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We set off in our numbers to the Giant's Causeway. Things had changed a little since Ross was there last and so we had a bit of trouble getting in, but after we all signed up to be educational members of the National Trust for a year, we got there! The views were spectacular and the electronic tour guides were very helpful! The sun was splitting the skies and the youth turned into photographers for the time we were there! We climbed the rocks and watched the waves crash into them. We ate our picnic in the car park before moving on to Portrush to brave the freezing sea of the North Coast! Unsure of what things were like in the boys changing rooms, I only speak for the girls when I say it was a struggle to get the wetsuits on. It was most definitely a team effort and great bonding time for all those involved before we even left the changing rooms. We made our way onto the beach and met Carl, our instructor. After a good warm up and quick briefing we were let into the sea to see what we could do. Everyone managed to 'catch a wave', some even standing on the board by the end of the lesson. Frozen at the end, we had had a blast but were looking forward to getting inside to put some clothes on!
We had another food delay that evening when we took the dinner order and Ross went to collect it, but ended up stuck behind a tractor in true country style while we waited patiently for him to return!
Dramatic reconstruction!
We were all wrecked from the day we had but still managed to play some games, learn how to make bracelets and braid hair thanks to Lilianna, play cards and have great chat and banter together that evening before crashing into bed, apart from Ruth, who somehow managed to find her bed full of crushed crackers!! The following morning consisted of another communal breakfast before another great session from Ross, focusing on the misconception of how we think the bible is all about us getting to heaven, when really God is all about bringing his presence to us.
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We then rushed into a big clean up and made our lunches to set off to another beach for a lovely walk and to the famous Morelli's for some ice-creams. A play in the playground like the youth we are concluded our time up north before we went back to the cottages to gather our bags and say goodbye to our weekend homes before setting back to Dublin. Everyone was tired when we reached our halfway point again, and we all got something to eat or drink to re-boost our energy for the last leg. The leaders no longer had to follow Ross in convoy as it was a straight run home and we all knew our way, well all except for Chantelle who drove the wrong way out of the car park...not a good start; and the rest of the leaders had a right to be worried all weekend! We had such a great weekend and had a lot of fun together while God spoke to us to reveal so much more about himself. Thank you to Ross for all the organisation and for everyone for all the banter we had! Chantelle Plunkett
Youth Weekend Away – A Camper’s View
by Toni Childs
On Friday the 26th of April Youth Fellowship headed up to the north coast for a weekend away. We were all looking forward to this weekend and I speak for everyone when I say we really enjoyed everything this weekend had to offer. On Friday we all met up at DEC and packed up all the cars and got our picture taken before we began our 4-hour journey up to Antrim. We had to stop off on the way up to grab some dinner so we didn’t get up to the Ballylinney cottages until 7. When we got there the views were really breath taking, it was hard to believe that we were still in Ireland! We were situated in the middle of fields but it was right next to the sea the cottages couldn't have been in a better place. We rented four different cottages in the complex and the biggest one was where we had was our meeting space and where our Bible sessions took place.
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The first night we were there we got to decide what we would like to do so we all agreed that we would go for a walk. Ross
After the talk we made our lunches
brought us to a really quiet but beautiful
and headed off for the day. We
beach which was so pretty at night time, you
first went to the Giants Causeway
could see the houses and hotels in the
which was a really nice place to go if
distance all lit up. The next day we all got up
you are wanting to learn more about
and I have to say God really couldn't have
it and just see one of the many
blessed us with a more perfect day! It was
amazing creations in Ireland. it was
blue skies, warm and sunny. The first thing
so beautiful up there that you could
we did that morning was have breakfast and
spend your whole day there just
then we had our first Bible session I really
sitting and looking out to sea and
enjoyed the talks we had and I thought Ross
thinking. I must admit that seeing
did a great job on getting the point of his
the Giant’s Causeway would have
talks out to us. After the sessions with Ross
been my second highlight of the
I felt better with myself and felt, wow, God
whole trip.
really wants to be the centre of our lives and get us to understand that more and more.
The next place that we went was surfing! I have never been surfing before in my life! I was nervous at the start but after that I thought it was amazing, it was so much fun and just being able to do that with your friends is just perfect. This weekend away really has to be one of the best ones we have been on so far, I was sad leaving and I would love to go back some time soon!
~ Toni Childs
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Many thanks to Chantelle & Toni
Thoughts on Alpha A Big Thanks to all who prayed throughout the last Alpha Course. Thanks also to all those who cooked and cleaned! The course went very well, but then again, what does that mean exactly? It’s hard to assess the success of an Alpha course. We had 7 guests, some of whom were believers ( that I know of). The group times were ‘busy’ with all taking part. Please pray for those who came. We are planning another course for September this year. I have been thinking for a long time now about making some changes to the way we run the alpha course. While the DVD’s are very good, and we have never had any negative feedback, I feel very strongly we should plan to use live speakers and the DVD’s for the next course. More to follow. alpha@dec.ie I would also like to have a bigger team and get the whole church involved in inviting, advertising and running the next one. Please pray for all the plans and finances. Please let me know if you are willing to invest a few months of your time and gifts into this course. 17
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The Importance of Water
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Next to oxygen, water is the most essential element to human life; the body usually can’t survive longer than several days without water (maximum of 1 week).
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Water makes up more than 2/3 of the weight of the human body- the brain is 75% water, blood is 83% water, bones are 22% water, muscles are 75% water, and the lungs are 90% water.
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Water is essential for the efficient elimination of waste products through the kidneys.
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Water regulates body temperature (through perspiration).
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Water serves as a lubricant; water forms the fluids surrounding joints and bones, providing cushioning for the joints.
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Water helps the body to absorb nutrients in the intestines.
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Water plays a role in regulating metabolism.
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Water forms the base for saliva (necessary for consuming and digesting food).
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Water carries nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body and facilitates all of the chemical processes which occur in the body.
DEHYDRATION •
A decrease of as little as 2% in our body's water supply can have harmful effects and cause symptoms of dehydration, such as daytime fatigue, excess thirst, fuzzy memory, difficulty focusing on tasks and simple math, lightheadedness and nausea.
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A reduction of 4-5% in body water can result in a 20-30% decrease in work and exercise performance.
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A 10% decrease in water will produce significant health risks. HOW MUCH WATER IS NEEDED DAILY?
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You need at least 8-10 (8 ounce) glasses of water daily; this is the minimum. If you exercise, especially in hot weather, you should double the amount.
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Start your day off by drinking 1-2 glasses of water every morning.
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Carry a water bottle with you.
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Drink water before you feel thirsty; if the thirst mechanism is set off, then you are already mildly dehydrated.
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Drink a few glasses of water before exercising, and drink several ounces of water frequently during your workout.
Water is plentiful, good for you, and for the moment FREE! DRINK UP!!!! With thanks to
yvonne nixon
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BREAKING NEWS UPDATE
Dear Mick, On Wednesday, our team in the Philippines were able to rescue two sisters before the girls were ever abused. This is my favourite kind of rescue story – when we’re able to stop the abuse from happening in the first place. IJM Cebu got a call from a government partner. A frantic mother had just received a terrifying text from her daughters. The girls said they were being trafficked to another city in the Philippines. They were desperate for rescue. Right away, IJM Cebu mobilised the IJM team in Pampanga, where the sisters were trapped and waiting more than 400 miles from their home in Cebu. Within a matter of hours, IJM was on the ground with the National Bureau of Investigation. The sisters were rescued and the suspected trafficker was arrested.
Our Field Office Director said the girls were “beaming” and so thankful at the police station. Now their mum is in Pampanga and they can celebrate freedom together. Yours gratefully,
Terry Tenenns Executive Director IJM UK, PO Box 9641, Bures, Colchester, CO8 5WY 0845 094 3109 | www.ijmuk.org | contact@ijmuk.org
If you weren’t out on Sunday evening last to hear Sarah Donnelly, it would be worth your while hearing her on CD (in the library). She is a young lady with a thumping big heart for God and a strong- very strong – desire to be involved in the rescue of enslaved women and young girls in Thailand. She shared her experiences of round one, and we all know whose coming out the loser in this bout!
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
Following the recent horrific murder of a British soldier on a street in Woolwich, many people have been left shocked and a little numbed by both the brutality and the sheer brazenness of the attack, which happened in daylight. Having read an article recently on the present obsession with recording images – ‘image-philes’ was the term used. I thought it was odd to see images of this soldiers’ demise, yet no men coming in to his rescue. Are we becoming a race of voyeurs? Happy to record, but not willing to engage? It’s a generalisation, I know, but it does make one think. May his family, friends, and comrades be comforted. Lord, help us to ‘do’ in this world and not just observe.
On Saturday, 8th June, there will be a Vigil for Life in Merrion Square, Dublin from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Government intends to legalise abortion in July, and a large attendance in Merrion Square is essential to oppose this. The vigil will send a clear, positive message about safeguarding the lives of mothers and babies in pregnancy. Posters will be provided on the day. Please spread the word to family, friends and anyone you know. To organise a bus or to get bus details please telephone (087) 266 8702.
Cora Cora Sherlock Deputy Chairperson https://www.facebook.com/VigilforlifeIreland
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
E100 – The Story so farfar-
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
Almost halfhalf-way there! 23
Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
The Abortion Issue Facing Irish Christians An article by
Mick Power
Recently the elders were invited to sign their names to a letter addressed to the Irish Times by Aontas, the Association of Irish Evangelical Churches, with reference to the abortion debate. We felt it appropriate to participate with those making a stand on the issue and so we agreed to sign the letter. The letter was published in that newspaper on Monday, May 13th 2013 and was co-signed by the leaders of 15 other Christian Churches. I include the text of the letter below as it appeared in the paper. Sir, – Aontas, an association of Christian Churches in Ireland, is alarmed at the prospect of abortion being legislated for on the basis of the X case judgment. We agree fully that all life-saving treatments must be made available to a woman during pregnancy, but the X case provides for abortion in the case of the (threatened) risk of suicide and it is this that gives rise to our concern. We believe firmly that legislation based on the X case judgment must not be enacted for the following reasons. 1. The X case judgment was flawed because no medical evidence was considered during the case. 2. The psychiatric evidence brought before the recent Oireachtas hearings firmly and clearly showed that abortion is never a treatment for suicidal ideation. 3. The recent vote at the Irish Medical Organisation annual Conference rejected the call for the liberalisation of abortion in Ireland. 4. In spite of recent tragic events in Galway, Ireland is one of the safest countries in the world for pregnant women. This is the case because present Irish medical practice seeks to treat both patients, the woman and her unborn baby. 5. Any legislation that allows for abortion because of threatened suicide will be abused. We only have to look at our nearest neighbour, England, to see this fact clearly demonstrated. 6. The recent revelations from the taped conversations with two Labour TDs, printed in the Sunday Independent, shows that those on the so-called pro-choice side of the debate see this proposed legislation as only step one in their ultimate campaign for abortion on demand. The Fine Gael proposal of inserting a”‘sunset clause” into any legislation fails to face the reality that if such legislation were passed, there would be no going back and any review of the legislation would do nothing to alter that reality. We believe that life is precious and no society should fail to uphold this principle. – Yours, etc,
(Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/debate/letters/the-abortion-debate-1.1389102?page=2)
When I spoke to the church on Exodus & Joshua a few weeks ago as part of our E100 series, there were several important issues that I came across in my studies but time didn’t allow for me to go into any great detail on the pulpit about some of them or to mention others at all. I regretted this as there are things happening in our society which I believe these portions of Scripture address directly.
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Monthly eZine Issue 2 June 2013
In particular there is one passage in Exodus 21 which has been used to inform the debate on abortion in Judeo-Christian circles of thought. I’d like to submit for discussion my opinion on what the Bible teaches about this subject from this passage and also to give a personal perspective on the topic. In this way I hope we can engage in a conversation on these issues that is informed and respectful. We would do well to remember that the Lord is gracious and compassionate and that his love is unfailing in all circumstance to us all. The particular verse I would have liked to consider is Exodus Ch. 21 vs. 22. If it is looked at it in two different translations it will help to see where the issue arises. First, the New International Version: If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. (NIV) 22
And then, the English Standard Version: When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. (ESV) 22
I have found out that in the original language the noun “yelad” refers to “child” and the verb “yasa” refers to a “going or coming out”. Also, as I understand it, in the Hebraic mindset there is no possibility of a “premature” birth for that would suggest that God can be surprised by events that happen in time and space here on Earth. For this reason, I believe that this passage makes it clear that God is as concerned about the life of the unborn child as he is the pregnant mother and that every human life is sacred and of infinite value. I can say “of infinite value” because God paid the infinite price of his own dear Son’s blood to redeem the sin of every human being born and unborn.
Recently my cousin, who is herself congenitally deaf, shared a link to a video with me on Facebook. It’s called “a Mother's Inspiring Video About her Blind Baby Boy”. My comment was “What a powerful statement on the value of every human life! If only we all could love so faithfully... ” When you have a few minutes, look it up and see for yourself. There is some lovely worship music playing in the video – you might like to have the volume up! (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=516617738404700) with thanks to Mick Power
Well that’s all we have for this month. Be blessed as you advance the Kingdom of God.
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