Crosstalk 5

4
Albert started drinking when he was 13, yet even as a boy he knew there was something different about the way he drank. He noticed quickly that he drank more and quicker than any of his friends, and he knew that he drank this way because it made him feel important and it helped him fit in with friends. Promises, promises... Although he became involved with peo- ple and things that weren’t right, God was never far from his mind, and he thought he could do deals with Him. He would get into difficult situations and cry out for help, promising God that he would change the way he was living his life. But he never lived up to his side of the bargains and his deals had to be re- negotiated many times. A new start After leaving school Albert served his time as an electrician and later got mar- ried to Hazel who hoped that marriage would change him. But it didn’t. Within a year he was drinking more than ever and still trying to make deals with God. Help! By 1995 he knew his drinking was out of control and had to come to an end. That year, before going on holiday to Spain, he met Arthur Williams who spoke to him about how he believed that God could step into someone’s life and bring changes for the better. On his way home on the plane Albert took his last drink. He arrived home on a Satur- day morning to find that Hazel had gone to her sisters. He knew he was in trou- ble deeper than he had ever been before, and that he needed help. His first in- stinct was to have another dink but in- stead that morning he phoned Ballyards Castle, the residential unit of the Stauros Foundation. As he spoke on the phone he broke down and confessed his life was a mess and that he needed help. The next day he went to stay at Ballyards Castle as a resident in August 1995. No going back Charles and Anne Uprichard, who ran the unit, talked to Albert about Christ and Christianity even though he told them he knew all there was to know. But Albert still couldn’t understand what God was about. He went to bed but couldn’t sleep. Eventually he opened a Bible and began to have a real conversation with God. The first thing he read was Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” That night Albert surrendered his life to God with all his heart and joined the straight path he believed God wanted him to walk. This time the deal had finally been agreed because, unlike all the other oc- casions, this one was on God’s terms. Passing it on As the very first resident at Ballyards Castle it is ironic that Albert has be- come the manager of the unit offering the same message of hope to others who, like himself, have discovered they are lost. The Stauros Foundation began in 1980 and minis- ters to people addicted to alcohol or other drugs and offers support to their families in Ireland and the UK. For more information ring 028 37527124. (Stauros is Greek for Cross) Colin Glen Christian Fellowship Number 5, November 2003 It’s a deal! 1 What is it? 2 From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace 3 Is Iontach Grás' 4 Amazing Grace 4 Inside this issue: Cross alk Albert and Hazel McDonald It’s a deal! Albert McDonald

description

It’s a deal! What is it? From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace Is Iontach Grás'

Transcript of Crosstalk 5

Page 1: Crosstalk 5

Albert started drinking when he was 13,

yet even as a boy he knew there was

something different about the way he

drank. He noticed quickly that he drank

more and quicker than any of his

friends, and he knew that he drank this

way because it made him feel important

and it helped him fit in with friends.

Promises, promises... Although he became involved with peo-

ple and things that weren’t right, God

was never far from his mind, and he

thought he could do deals with Him. He

would get into difficult situations and

cry out for help, promising God that he

would change the way he was living his

life. But he never lived up to his side of

the bargains and his deals had to be re-

negotiated many times.

A new start

After leaving school Albert served his

time as an electrician and later got mar-

ried to Hazel who hoped that marriage

would change him. But it didn’t.

Within a year he was drinking more

than ever and still trying to make deals

with God.

Help! By 1995 he knew his drinking was out

of control and had to come to an end.

That year, before going on holiday to

Spain, he met Arthur Williams who

spoke to him about how he believed that

God could step into someone’s life and

bring changes for the better. On his

way home on the plane Albert took his

last drink. He arrived home on a Satur-

day morning to find that Hazel had gone

to her sisters. He knew he was in trou-

ble deeper than he had ever been before,

and that he needed help. His first in-

stinct was to have another dink but in-

stead that morning he phoned Ballyards

Castle, the residential unit of the

Stauros Foundation. As he spoke on the

phone he broke down and confessed his

life was a mess and that he needed help.

The next day he went to stay at

Ballyards Castle as a resident in August

1995.

No going back

Charles and Anne Uprichard, who ran

the unit, talked to Albert about Christ

and Christianity even though he told

them he knew all there was to know.

But Albert still couldn’t understand

what God was about. He went to bed

but couldn’t sleep. Eventually he

opened a Bible and began to have a real

conversation with God. The first thing

he read was Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” That night

Albert surrendered his life to God with

all his heart and joined the straight path

he believed God wanted him to walk.

This time the deal had finally been

agreed because, unlike all the other oc-

casions, this one was on God’s terms.

Passing it on

As the very first resident at Ballyards

Castle it is ironic that Albert has be-

come the manager of the unit offering

the same message of hope to others

who, like himself, have discovered they

are lost.

The Stauros Foundation began in 1980 and minis-ters to people addicted to alcohol or other drugs and offers support to their families in Ireland and the UK. For more information ring 028 37527124. (Stauros is Greek for Cross)

C o l i n G l e n C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p

Number 5, November 2003

It’s a deal! 1

What is it? 2

From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace

3

Is Iontach Grás' 4

Amazing Grace 4

Inside this issue:

Cross alk

Albert and Hazel McDonald

It’s a deal! Albert McDonald

Page 2: Crosstalk 5

“Christ is either Lord of all,

or, He is not Lord at all.”

Hudson Taylor

Page 2

What is it ? Ken Allen

What comes into your mind when some-

one mentions sin - murder, lying, rob-

bing pensioners, child abuse? If so you

would of course be right. But in God's

sight sin is a much wider thing and yet,

in essence, something very simple. Let

me explain1.

Good enough?

A young man came up to Jesus and

asked him, "Good teacher what good thing must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good, no one is good except God? Obey the commandments."

"Which ones?" asked the young man.

"Do not murder, do not commit adul-tery, do not steal, do not accuse anyone falsely, do not cheat", Jesus replied.

" I have kept all these since I was a boy", said the young man, "What else do I need to do?"

Jesus said "You still lack one thing, go, sell everything you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me".

At this the young man went away sad,

because he was very rich.

More to life... Despite his wealth and power, and his

moral life style, the young man knew

there was something missing in his life -

he wasn't at peace about his future. Isn't

it strange that no matter what we have

or who we are we know there is some-

thing beyond this life? The question he

asked therefore was a good one and he

asked the right person - Jesus. However

he made several mistakes. Firstly he

thought he only needed to add some ex-

tra little good thing to all that he had al-

ready done to merit eternal life - he

thought he wasn't really that bad.

Jesus - Good, or God?

Secondly he failed to acknowledge who

Jesus was, the Son of God, the Messiah,

and not just a 'good' teacher.

Other ‘gods’ ?

His third mistake came when he said

that he had kept the commandments Je-

sus had listed. This was impossible,

everyone, apart from Jesus, has broken

most of the commandments, and often

many times2. Jesus, however, didn't ar-

gue with him. He simply presented the

young man with another opportunity to

see himself, as he really was - a sinner.

When he suggested that he should sell

all that he had and give the money to

the poor he was really asking him to

obey the first commandment. 'You shall

have no other gods before me'. One of

the 4 that he hadn't quoted. He was in-

viting him to give up the 'other gods' of

selfishness and love of wealth and fol-

low and obey him. Here the young man

made his fourth and most serious mis-

take, he walked away from Jesus, sad

and still in his sins - without hope of

eternal life.

‘My way’ or ‘God’s way’?

You see sin is simply failing to ac-

knowledge God as God by 'doing our

own thing' and, as a result, failing to be

the sort of person he requires us to be3.

God does not see some sins as unimpor-

tant and others as serious enough to

keep us out of heaven. All disobedi-

ence is sin and needs to be forgiven,

past, present and future. This can only

happen when we acknowledge that we

are sinners, in need of Gods forgiveness

and help, and turn to Jesus, the saviour

of sinners, in true repentance. That

was what the young man failed to do.

What about you, will you walk away?

1 Read the story as told by three of the gospel writers for yourself - Matthew 19v16-22; Mark 10v17-30; Luke 18v18-30. 2 Romans 3v23; 1 John 1v10; Psalm 5v5. 3 Exodus 20v6, John 14v21-22 and 15v14.

Page 3: Crosstalk 5

“There are some songs that make a difference

in your life, and that song makes a

difference.”

Johnny Cash

Page 3

The crowd of over 70,000 cries out for yet

another encore while almost a billion more

watch on TV in over 60 countries. The

occasion is Nelson Mandella’s 70th

birthday tribute concert at Wembley

Stadium, and he is still in prison in South

Africa in 1988. For over ten hours, Dire

Straits, Eric Clapton, Sting, Wet Wet Wet,

Phil Collins, UB40 and many others have

entertained the crowd. Then, as the last

act, opera star Jessye Norman comes on

stage in traditional African dress. Slowly,

she begins singing, without music;

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see…” As she sings the second verse, the

frenetic crowd is hushed. She continues;

“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace shall lead me home,” and thousands sing along

with her. As she sings the final verse, the

crowd is bathed in a powerful atmosphere

of sober reflection.

On the brink Jessye Norman knew the story of the

hymn writer, John Newton (1725-1807), a

barbarous slave-trader who became a

gospel preacher. As a young sailor, he

became hardened, coarse, promiscuous

and rebellious. He first followed the

example of other sailors, but then set a

worse example for them. He later wrote of

himself; “I stood helpless and hopeless upon the brink of an awful eternity.” Only

the thought of Mary Catlett, with whom he

had earlier fallen in love at first sight,

stopped him from committing suicide.

Down and out in Africa Newton became a slave trader between

West Africa, the West Indies, America,

and England. After taking fever in Africa,

he was abandoned, becoming so ill that he

was even mocked and pitied by the slaves.

He managed to work as a slave trader

again, but he was still a hardened sailor

with a conscience nearly extinguished.

Yet, some near death experiences

continued to focus his thoughts on God

and his own evil lifestyle.

Safe haven in Derry In 1748, the ‘Greyhound’ limped across

the Atlantic from America through fierce

storms. After nearly being thrown

overboard by the waves, Newton began

to turn to God. He found a Bible and

other books on the ship. There he

learned that God saw him as the sinner he

was, that Christ had taken the punishment

on the cross that was due to him, and that

God, out of his immense love, was

offering him forgiveness and a new start.

Four weeks later, the battered ship sailed

into Lough Swilly and Newton stayed in

Derry while the ship was repaired.

Abolition of slavery He felt like the prodigal son who

eventually came to his senses and had

returned to his father. Yet, for some time

he struggled with sin, returning to his old

lifestyle and trade. But with more reading,

and fellowship with another Christian, he

increasingly followed Christ’s example

and teaching. He then fulfilled his long

held dream of marrying his beloved

Mary. Confined to land by illness, he

grew in his faith and later became a

minister. He counselled a young MP,

William Wilberforce, who later

campaigned for the abolition of slavery.

Together they highlighted the brutal and

ungodly trade and as a result ‘The

Abolition of Slave Trade Act’ was passed

in 1807.

Two great truths Looking back over his life, he would call

himself a ‘wretch’, and praise God for his

‘amazing grace.’ Shortly before he died

he wrote; “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Saviour.”

To find out more, read his book; ‘Out of the depths’ by John Newton (Kregel Publications).

From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace John Duffy From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace John Duffy

Page 4: Crosstalk 5

Open House

We meet on Friday evenings at the address above, for prayer, praise and a Bible study (tea & coffee too). Join us as we go through the Bible to see what we can learn from it, and how it is relevant to our lives today. Everyone is welcome — just turn up, or ring for more details. Every Friday 7.30-9.30 pm

The Uniqueness of Christianity

For a free copy of our tape “The uniqueness of Christianity”, or for an alternative tape in Gaelic, contact us by phone & email etc. You can listen to them both on our website.

Colin Glen Christian Fellowship

John & Elaine Duffy or Ken & Olive Allen c/o 42A Cloona Park Upper Dunmurry Lane Belfast BT17 0HH

Phone: (028) 90600323 Phone: 07870 184117 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cgcf.net

Visit our Website

For past issues of ‘Crosstalk’, Christian web-site Links, free stuff, etc, go to: www.cgcf,net

Jesus said: “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters.” John 7:38 NIV

The Uniqueness of

Christianity

(J.B. Nicholson)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun refuse to shine;

But God, who called me here below, Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun.

This hymn first appeared in “Olney Hymns” as “Hymn 41, Faith's review and expectation” The scripture reference was I Chronicles 17v16-17. Verse 7 was added later, but not by Newton. The popular short version has verses 1,2,3 & 7.

Amazing Grace John Newton

Is Iontach Grás' John Newton

Is iontach grás - nach binn an fhuaim! A shlánaigh trú mar mé.

Do fuarthas mé nuair bhíos amú; Bhíos dall ach dom is léir.

'S é'n grás' a mhúin dom uamhan croí

'S grás’ scaip m'eagla uaim. An grásta sin dob' ola chroí San uair chreid mé ar dtús.

Is iomaí saothar, baol is dol

Trí'r thángas slán folláin. 'S é grás’ a thug mé slán 'n fhaid seo

'S an grás’ a threorós slán.

Do gheall an Tiarna maitheas dom 'Na Bhriathar dóchasáim.

Mo Sciath is mo Chuid ‘sea É Ar feadh mo shaoil de shíor.

Nuair theipfeas ionam neart mo ghéag

Is 'thiocfas críoch mo shaoil 'S agam a bhéas laistigh den fhéil

Fíor bheatha aoibhinn síor.

Leáfaidh an domhan mar shneachta as Is tiocfaidh smúid ar ghréin

Ach Críost bhí liomsa féin abhus Beidh liom go saol na saol.

Nuair bheimid thall deich míle bliain

Geal-ruithneach mar an ghréin Beidh oiread ama 's bhí ar dtús L'aghaidh cantain mholtaí Dé.

R. Seaghrún Mac Éin a d’aistrigh.