PJBelfast

Date #4 of 12 has been a great success. We got the train and it couldn't have been more handy - two minutes walk to the venue, the Doyen Bar/Restaurant, just opposite the King's Hall. "Fruity" Gins like Ha'penny Rhubarb and Zymurgorium Sweet Violet were a pleasant change to the rather yummy Belfast Jawbox gin. It was garnished with a squeeze of lime and honeycomb, with ginger ale. Experimentation is part of the fun. The mini brioche burger buns (duo of beef sliders) and Cashel blue cheese arancini were also a great recommended food pairing. It's been a blast. Gerry White the founder of Jawbox Gin has given us the backstory behind the success of our local Kircubbin Gin, letting us sample the new pineapple and rhubarb varieties. Well, it's Gin O'clock and time soon for the return train at Balmoral for a fish supper at our Holywood foodie destination the Ruddy Duck, famous for it's beer battered fish. Keep an eye out for the NI Gin Festival,

Today is Maundy Thursday. It commemorates Jesus' institution of the "Lord's supper" also known as 'holy communion." It commemorates the foot washing of the disciples and the last supper of Jesus, with the apostles, as described in the Gospels, prior to His betrayal, death, burial and resurrection. Maundy means "commandment," reflecting this commemoration as a commanded Christian ordinance. I'm reminded of a hymn from my childhood - great words for the greatest day in history... Up from the Grave He Arose - Instrumental https://g.co/kgs/ xL1s6k 1 Low in the grave He lay—   Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day—   Jesus my Lord!  Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose!   Hallelujah! Christ arose! 2 Vainly they watch His bed—   Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead—   Jesus my Lord! 3

The HOTS team Yesterday was my first morning actually participating with our H.O.T.S. team - Healing On The Streets. Such a friendly and gregarious bunch of people. Our church, Lagan Valley Vineyard, have a fully trained H.O.T.S. team who meet in Lisburn on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month between 10am til 12 midday. We gently engage passersby in conversation, inviting them to sit on one of our half dozen or so folding wooden chairs for personal prayer. We meet in the pedestrian precinct outside the Bank of Ireland in Lisburn. A massive banner with the word HEALING is erected clearly indicating what we are about. Before we start, our team drop to their knees in a circle of prayer, inviting the Lord Jesus to demonstrate His healing power when we pray for people. People's Response People were on the whole receptive, with several keen to receive prayer for themselves, or in proxy for other family members. Many didn't have the time while others outrightly rejected