crosstalk 5
DESCRIPTION
It’s a deal! What is it? From Dire Straits to Amazing Grace Is Iontach Grás'TRANSCRIPT
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
“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.
“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
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
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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.