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It's been a long time since my last entry.Where have I been?-'Around and about' is the easiest way to answer that one!
We have survived our first winter in West Tyrone and now we are coming into what I think is the best time of year-not only because of the promise of better weather but because it is perhaps the most important time of the Christian calendar-EASTER.
Easter is a time when 'hope springs eternal' and our thoughts are directed forward to the future.A future we believe as Christians that will never end.There is much in this life which reminds us of conflict and decay,but Easter assures us that new life is waiting to spring forth again.
There has been a lot on the news lately since Monday 26th that promises a better future for this part of the world.Let's hope and pray that those expectations can be fulfilled,but let us also remember that it was Jesus who came into the wilderness of our dying world and brought us deliverance and healing and life.
I'm slowly finding out that everybody 'around and about' is related to to somebody else!But then that would be right-We are all brothers and sisters 'in Christ' .Since coming here I have had a phrase prominent in my thinking which just seems to be sticking.'The closer we are to Chist the closer we are to each other.'
A recent survey showed that 84% of people wanted a less materialistic
Immanuel means ‘God with us’.God came to live with us so we could live with Him.Will we make more time for Him this
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus,our Immanuel.
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Luke1vv26-38
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Prayer for people-
those who live on their own
those who miss loved ones at this time
those who will receive our ‘shoeboxes’
those who work in hospitals and homes during
those who will be travelling long distances.
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A very happy
Monday evening saw our final harvest service for 2006 when the Rev'd Mack Strange from Florida was the guest preacher.As with all the 10 services that I have been to the service was very well supported and we had a great message from Mack based on 'hands'.He said you can tell a lot from people's hands.As a minister who shakes hands each week ,I would agree.
He also said some people were a little surprised as to why somebody would want to come from Florida to Fermanagh-he is based in Irvinestown! Can't see much difference myself between the wetlands of the 'Lake district' and the Everglades,(give or take a few degrees.)
People also ask me-'Why come to Castlederg from Devon?'
My daughter and family are in the process of moving back here also after 6 years in Yorkshire and the news is that house prices in N.Ireland are catching up very fast on England.A spin off from the peace process probably.
I'd like to make a prediction-Just picture it-'Castlederg a great little shopping town with cafe's and restaurants situated alongside a beautiful river which is a mecca for fishermen from all over the world.Riverside walks stretching from Ardstraw through Castlederg to Killeter. '
Why not? But whatever happens, always remember 'The grass isn't greener in Florida or Devon or anywhere else.The grass is greener where you water it.'
Please feel free to respond to anything and I will endeavour to get back to you.
Paul says 'I have learned to be content ....' Philippians 4v11
Geoff
Castlederg Harvest was last weekend and the young people did well in their various presentations to the church.We are blessed here in the circuit to have so many children still attending.Having worked for a number of years in an inner city environment the opposite was often the case.Yet still there were faithful people who gave of their time and talents each week.
This week on travelling around I have noticed how it can be very wet in one area,all day and five miles up the road 'bone dry'.We can't really predict where the rain is going to fall!
Likewise we can never predict how God's Spirit will move.
Sunday began our Harvest celebrations at Cavandoragh.The children sang well and we had a repeat performance on Monday evening when we had Rev'd Mervyn Ewing as our guest speaker.It always surprises me when the Lord works in a situation and gets us to think along the same lines in preparation for an event.I don't know why I am surprised but this happened again this weekend on a couple of occasions-Praise the Lord!
This week I have 3 assemblies and it is nice to see that this area is so well blessed with good schools.Teaching is not easy today with an awful lot more admin and pressure of expectations.If you've never thanked a teacher before for their work with you or your children -do it this week.It could make a big difference.
Castlederg have their harvest this weekend and the junior church has been preparing well for that time.On Sunday evening I will be getting the guitar out of storage to accompany Linda.Definitely 'Plan Z'.
Geoff
This week so far has encorporated a number of visits,preparation for the Harvest services,school assembly at Killen,bowls at Castlederg,a tutorial on website admin and installation of bedroom cupboards in the manse.
We also had some news from our previous church about a birth and unfortunately a death.
Life goes on.Nothing stays the same for long these days.Killen is getting a new school-completion probably Sept next year.It is good to see a small community like that not only surviving but growing.Cavandoragh is the first Harvest and we are looking forward to what will be our first one here.
The tail end of hurricane 'Gordon' is 'chucking it down' outside and the derg river looks like bursting its banks.Quite a change from last weeks fine weather
On my visits I always seem to get a cup of tea plus and biscuits/cakes.I have always believed that you can't 'fatten a 'thoro-bred',but the hospitality of Castlederg circuit is going to put that one to the test,I think!
If anybody out there wants some more 'info' on anything during the week,please respond.
Geoff
