PJBelfast

In Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul states that he and his companions " worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:8).  Those who truly understand Eph 4:11,12  realise that the fivefold ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers are to " equip the saints for the work of ministry ."  Yes, the saints - ordinary everyday believers - are to do the work of ministry!  On the one hand there are a very small number of qualified and "called" people who have the privilege of being supported in "full-time" Christian ministry. The early disciples were indeed called from their everyday professions, some as fishermen, to lay it all down, so as to devote their energies into soul winning - or as Jesus said, to become "fishers of men."  On the other hand, there are all too many who spoil this, or as my friend says, "monetise the Gospel"! Ther

Dear Lord,  Thank you for the time this week to review the 2020 year that has been and time to anticipate with hope the year that's to come.  Lord, we remember with fondness those that we've lost, especially asking for your strength for  those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic.  Lord, we as a family, are particularly thankful for the recovery of our eldest son who was on a life support machine in ICU for three days. Help us Lord always to maintain an attitude of gratitude.  It's sometimes easier to complain rather than rejoice. It's so easy to lose perspective, particularly in a 2020 year in which we have had to socially distance and keep others at bay.  With the vaccines imminent we pray in hope that an end is in sight.  Help us Lord to not lose hope.  Amen. 

2020 - A year full of stressors I bought 10 Harlequin Rasbora fish last Saturday to add to my aquarium. These small tropical fish have a black marking on their side, in the shape of a lamb chop (see above) making them look quite distinctive. When I arrived home to place them in the tank (to acclimatise them), their distinctive markings had all but disappeared! So much so that my wife and I thought we'd been given the wrong fish! On returning to the aquatics store I was informed that they were " temporarily stressed " and their colour would return after 24 hours. Being transported and jostled had caused them anxiety and they'd temporarily lost their colour. Yes, a few hours settling in and true enough, their colour was indeed restored.  Stress can make us all lose our colour.   Life in 2020 certainly has been stressful for so many of us.  Job losses, social distancing, the isolation felt from lockdown are just a few of the added stressors we have all been l