Starting out with Edinburgh Preaching Group

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Today I started my journey officially with Edinburgh Preaching Group. Today doctrines are all signed and my first training is complete. I have three preaching appointments for the calender. A rather productive morning. The first one is in December, then the others in the new year. Prayers for these appointments, churches and this preaching ministry is most appreciated.

Follower of Jesus, non-conformist, preacher, poet, blogger, graduate of Highland Theological College, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, Learning Assistant (ASN) Outdoors. Late diagnosed Autistic.

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This Weeks Top of the Posts

Death and Nativity

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Even death is going to die! Silent night, perhaps not. Holy word, holy life for certain. Born to live, born to love, born to die. Nativity Angels sing, demons tremble, kings panic, wise ones give, shepherds rise. Calvary Angels sing, demons tremble, kings panic, wise ones weep, sheep scatter. Eternity  Angels sing, demons tremble, kings panic, wise ones kneel, found sheep liberated. And death, o death, sting vanquished, swords to ploughshares! Death, o death swallowed by victory! Even death is going to die!
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Essential

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Written in the depth of the Pandemic: "I am essential!"    The preacher roars in his hundred dollar suit.  His hundreds strong holy huddle of pew warmers burst into an applause of rapture as they prepare for the second offering.  The TV channel switches to pre-recorded "Tele-Evangelist mode".  The cheers echoe through the giant money making machine.  Like an idol his image flashes across giant screens in the auditorium.    As he speaks he suddenly remembers his brother across town.    In an old tin tabernacle the gentle shepherd speaks to his flock.  "I am not essential... Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain."  He says this while ministering in a soup kitchen as he serves the needy.  Later that day he plans to do food drops and work in a care home.  At evening prayers his prayer would be as he helped refugees at the docks and prisoners in the cells.  Then at night he would minister on the streets as a practical pastor to the needy a
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Holocaust Memorial Day 2024

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Some grave news from  The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and The Quakers: Not that I want to be alarmist, but the UK is at "watch" level on Genocide Watch ...  Targeted Groups:     Gypsies, Roma and Travellers,     Refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants,     Muslims and Jewish people, and      Trans people "Since 2010, the U.K. has become increasingly hostile to minorities, with the government and far-right parties demonizing refugees, immigrants, and the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community. GRT people face high levels of normalized racism and discrimination. The government has now passed a law that not only cracks down on protests but also criminalizes aspects of many GRT people's nomadic identity and way of life. Additionally, the government has made multiple attacks on the rights and safety of refugees, including by signing a deal with Rwanda to offshore asylum processes for refugees considered "illegal." In the 2010s, the policy to cr
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Take Heart: A Catechism

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Take Heart A Catechism By David Holdsworth  FREE DOWNLOAD Authors Note: There are many good Catechisms available. But, somewhere along the line Christians in many parts of the church at large seem to have lost this age old practice of simple instruction in the format of questions and answers. In no way is this little contribution meant to take away from good Catechisms already written, but rather to be a compliment to them. This is a simple way for me to share the good news with others. It is my hope that you the reader or listener may find biblical help from the simplicity of the good news. I have included biblical proofs as standard so you may go and examine the scriptures (and indeed your heart) for yourself. Pax et Bonum. (1) Q. What comfort may be found for the believer? A. A heart that need not have trouble or fear. One that can rely on God in troubled times and that can glorify His name.  Proofs. John 14:27, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 50:15 (2) Q. What message does scriptures give to tho
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Children of Abba

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    But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 19:14)   Children of Abba lift your eyes to Him.  He knows our hearts. He is Father. We are sons. Heirs of His grace.   He knows we work hard in trying times. He has known days of toil. Days of labour.   He knows we get burntout at times. He wept over Jerusalem and in the garden. Jesus wept.   He knows our tiny mustard seed faith faulters at times. He knows what it is to be tempted. Yet He endured.   Our childlike hands must join His as He guides us to safety.  Become childlike not childish.   Our weakness will fade like mist as His strength becomes our strength.  Become childlike not childish.   Our Abba, Our Father.  Lift your eyes to Him.   (A devotion originally written for team forum while working at Redwoods Caring Foundation with slight adjustments).           
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A Stand

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The lone figure emerges from the mist, his long white beard blows in the wind. A peculiar sight for guard and prisoners alike. Soon more emerge as the old man advances. 7, 14, 21...soon a hundred unarmed saints. 'What do they want?' 'Who are they?' 'Are these the followers of Jesus?' 'Surely not, or they like others would sing louder as screams echo from death train.' 'No, no my brother it is them.' 'Why have they come?' The lone figure pushes gunmen aside. 'Can't go in there!' Guards cry. Heeding them not he stands in the midst of the prisoners. Eyes of surprised prisoners, Eyes of dumb struck guards, Eyes of bold congregation standing at the gate.'What will he do?' 'What can he do?' 'Tomorrow to death camp we go.' But then... Lifting up holy book he roars prophetically the words of Ruth 1:16, 17. A thunder of applause within and outwith the gates. Gates that will not prevail. Guards disband for the W
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Suffering

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Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  I just don't know?  Free Will and The Light All pilgrims suffer daily Worship God anyway Not a twisted king   Absolute power hungry Micro managing  Free will is our choice Humans, angels, and demons Creatures and nature  Yes, troubles will come  Not all use free will for good   Lasting negatives World variables  There are good things and bad War: light and darkness Troubles since the Fall Freely, wilfully humans sin Treking east of Eden It's not all judgement Who sinned, man or parents? Born blind for His work Tool of redemption  Not suffering judgement  Jesus eye opener  Light of the world Miraculously heals a man.  Was blind, but now I see. Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  Only He surely does *** This poem is based on the following article that I wrote: I don't have all the answers. In fact, the truly faithful answer to some questions is "I just don't know," and that is the faithful answer.
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International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 5th March 2024 & Link Party

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"International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of striving towards a world free from the spectre of nuclear weapons and war. This day not only highlights the urgency of disarmament but also emphasises the importance of fostering a global culture of peace and security." -  Maunders In celebration and hope of a better world please share your favourite pro-peace links as we pray and petition for peace. You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter
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Some Thoughts on The Miraculous

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I was given a challenge to look at scripture, not through the eyes of a cessationist (someone who feels the supernatural gifts were only for biblical times), but as someone who thinks the Holy Spirit is still active in that area today. So after reading some scriptures in this way I discovered three things - Suffering is expected. I am not a cessationist. It is OK to ask why. This is the notes from a presentation I was asked to give on that very topic: IT IS OK TO ASK WHY Never stop asking. Rebekah, Moses, Israel, Gideon, Naomi, Nehemiah, Job, The Psalmists, David, Asaph, Heman, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, The Disciples and Jesus all asked why. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" SUFFERING IS EXPECTED  Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors. Equally true is that faith anchors the soul. If we get that miracle or not, it is up to God. Our job is to be faithful in the little things. God dispenses miracles as He sees fit for His own glorious purposes. Sometimes miracles
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Testimony

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Grace Alone. My heart yet afar off. Christ dies for me. My heart drawn to Him. Christ rises for me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart broken. Christ comforts me. My heart angry at, the world, the flesh, the devil and even to my shame family and Him whom I have pierced. Christ calms me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart yearning for a better world. Christ encourages me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. Lonely, My heart blessed with a beloved. Desiring a child, My heart blessed with a baby. My heart blessed with family. Grace Alone: Be still and know that I am God. *** Based on my Christian Testimony. Some verses of note -  John 3:16 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we ar
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