Life Magazine Issue 3 - Christmas 2010 Edition

Issue 003 | Christmas 2010

Why Christmas?

Acts of Random Kindness The Day After Christmas - Tsunami tragedy

Image source: www.istockphoto.com

Church in the community

christianlifecentre B r i n g i n g

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Life 02 PASTOR’S PAGE

answer. The unique truth about the Christian God is that he came to our world, ‘moved into the neighbourhood’. This Christmas churches all across our city will be bringing this reality to people Christmas is a time of year for all who will so easily be forgotten. kinds of fun and celebration that Yet it is not good enough for this are not normal at other points in to happen at Christmas alone. the year. The problem with this is that it can too easily blind us to When people ask the realities that surround us in the age-old question every other month – homelessin their suffering, ness, addiction, debt, family breakup, sickness, loneliness ‘Where is God?’, they and many other ailments of our could very easily be life experience.

‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.’ [1]

Christmas is no respecter of people’s circumstances.

It doesn’t decide by itself (as if it could!) to press the pause button on the significant needs of society, it simply masks them with glitter and revelries. Even in Charles Dickens' day the same was true. Ebenezer Scrooge eventually sees the reality of tiny Tim’s disabled predicament and generously assists Tim’s family with food and gifts with which to celebrate Christmas.

When people ask the age-old question in their suffering, ‘Where is God?’, they could very easily be answered, ‘He is with us’. This is certainly the Bible’s

answered, ‘He is with us’.

kids clubs, youth clubs and send out teams to meet people on the streets of our city offering hope for their addictions and a clear message of who God is and His amazing plan for our lives.

So where is God in our neighbourhood? He is being revealed through the proactive concern of people who believe in Him and are sharing His love every day. He is here, Immanuel, is the real message of Christmas. So have a fresh look, or even ask for help, and you’ll find Him. [1]

At Christian Life Centre we carry this responsibility all year round. Through projects and outreaches we run we are aiming to demonstrate that God is in our neighbourhood. Our ACTS project helps people furnish their homes with the basic things we all need to live. Our ARK project has this year provided children with school uniforms their families would otherwise struggle to pay for, as well as giving away essential food parcels. We operate mother and toddlers groups, friendship groups for the elderly,

John 1:14 The Bible (The Message version)

God in our neighbourhood by Stuart Blount

IN THE COMMUNITY Life 03

Acts of Random Kindness

by Denise Masih

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.”

Driving through Birmingham, it’s easy to feel that no real need exists in our community.

We often feel that people in this country are pretty comfortable many have good jobs, most enjoy the support of family and if all else fails we can receive help from the state if it’s needed. But not being able to see behind closed doors can deceive us into thinking that people never need help. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

As another Christmas approaches many of us will have been planning to ensure this is the best Christmas ever! The turkey will be fattening nicely, presents will have been bought

and invitations to dinner sent. What we do But many people will be experiencing a very different kind of Seeing the need in our community, Christian Life Centre some festive season. years ago set up the “ACTS” Right on our doorstep there project. Headed by Margie are people who, often through Owen, this ministry works with no fault of their own, end up social services and other orwith no means of providing for ganisations to help with the prothemselves or their families. vision of basic furnishings.

Perhaps mum or dad has been Margie has witnessed many made redundant, perhaps an cases where children sleep on adult can’t work due to a disabil- a mattress on the floor or where ity or perhaps a family have had adults have no means of buying to move home and their bene- the most basic of items such as fits have been stopped tempo- a kettle or toaster. Accepting rarily leaving them with no donations of good quality items means of support in the interim. as well as purchasing new Often they live in unfurnished items where needed, “ACTS” accommodation with little mon- (like the other projects operated

by Christian Life Centre) distribey for food or clothing. ute these to those most in need.

So for many in Birmingham, Still wanting to do more, this Christmas doesn’t stir thoughts of plenty. Rather, it’s a time of year the church set up two addidread, misery and sadness with tional projects to work with parents struggling to meet even “ACTS” and further help the vul“ARK-Food” and the very basic needs of their nerable. children, never mind providing “ARK-Clothing” launched in the luxuries such as toys and a summer with appeals to our special dinner on Christmas congregation for volunteers and Day. And for others it will be a for help with providing items of food and school uniforms. The time spent alone.

Meeting the need in our local community

Life 04

IN THE COMMUNITY

congregation overwhelmed the projects with their generosity, enabling a large number of food and clothing parcels to be distributed.

“ARK-Food” distributes parcels providing food for a three day period and where there is greater need the project leader, Sharmila Selvan, and her group of volunteers visit shops to purchase additional items. Containing food and personal hygiene items, these parcels see people through the toughest of times and can be the difference between people having food in their belly or having to go hungry ... and yes, these are people in Birmingham.

as many families and individuals as possible receive the help they need. Already, plans are in place to provide winter clothing packs for adults and children and to provide food to see people through the Christmas period. But at Christmas the projects aim to not only bless people with the essentials but to provide a few special treats as well, particularly for children.

Why we do it

1 John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or “ARK-Clothing”, which I lead, tongue but with actions and focuses on providing school in truth.” uniforms for families in the South Birmingham area. Throughout the Bible we are Thanks to volunteers involved told that we, as Christians, must with this project, over 30 chil- look after the needs of the vuldren in Birmingham went to nerable in our society. Followschool in September with new ing Christ’s example, we school clothes. This not only believe in demonstrating His had a positive impact on the love in a tangible and practical children, it also made a differ- way. We can’t sit back and witence to the parents - who are ness need in our community no different to any other parents without taking action; in giving in wanting the best for their chil- although we bless those we help - we are truly more blessdren. ed. It is not only a duty to give, As Christmas approaches, it is also a tremendous pleasure the ARK projects and ACTS will and privilege, and so we are be working hard to make sure ever grateful of the opportunity

we have to help others. As Christians, demonstrating the love and truth of Christ is what it’s all about. In providing food, clothing or furnishings we are saying: “I care about you,” “you’re not forgotten,” “Jesus loves you” and “our doors are always open.”

As a church we look forward to continuing our work within the community and contributing to the lives of those we live amongst. At Christmas, we hope to make this time more joyful for some of our neighbours who have little to look forward to. Working together with and for our community, we believe we can make a difference. As Sir Winston Churchill stated: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” [1] [1]

www.quotationspage.com/quote/2236.ht ml If you would like to support the work of ACTS, ARK-Food or ARK-Clothing projects we would be tremendously grateful for your donations. For further information, please contact the church office.

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Life 06 IN THE COMMUNITY

Praying with and helping drug addicts and alcoholics on the streets or praying outside a local brothel are just some of the activities that Teen Challenge members get up to when they are out on the streets at night in Selly Oak. “We are trying to reach out to people who have any type of life-controlling addiction – that could be a bad relationship or it could be gambling, but more typically it’s drugs and alcohol,’’ explains the team leader, Lynette, who has been with the Teen Challenge Birmingham group since it started in 2007 in the city centre.

Since that time, the group has worked in other areas, but has recently decided to move its activities to Selly Oak. “This area will be a challenge because there are a lot of students; but equally there are a lot of homeless people,’’ says Lynette.

“What we want to do is offer people a healing journey with God that starts when a person recognises that they have a problem and need help.”

Out on the streets in Selly Oak the Teen Challenge Birmingham group splits into

teams of about four people (both men and women). Wearing distinctive jackets with the group’s logo, the teams walk

day if the men want to meet up again and begin that all-important journey of moving from addiction to health.

“Sometimes it is difficult for people who volunteer with Teen Challenge to walk away from people on the streets because we are not about giving out food and bedding,” explains Lynette; rather, she says the aim is to get people off the streets and the streets interacting with men into programmes that offer help. and women that they identify as During my evening out on the being vulnerable. One of the first people we meet is a man streets with the volunteers, I who tells us his ex-girlfriend is a meet Gary [not his real name], drug addict who has stopped who explains that he got to him from seeing their daughter know Teen Challenge through for years. Hurriedly, he takes a friends of his who were on the card offered to him, with contact streets in Birmingham's city numbers offering help, and centre. He says that after meetthere is a feeling of hope that he ing people from Teen Chalwill pass on the card to a per- lenge he decided to give his life to God and that his life has son in need. never been the same.

Elsewhere, another group “I am completely changed,’’ has met up with two men who admit that they are struggling he says, admitting that he has with drug and alcohol addic- had problems in the past. Now tions. One says that he knows it he says he is determined to be is hurting his wife and child. The an active member of the group Teen Challenge workers are and help reach out to people on able to give the men information the streets. “I think there is a big on where they can seek help, need for this work. A lot of peoand tell them that they will be ple need help and if they don’t out on the streets every Thurs- get it by, say, the age of twenty-

“Breaking the chains of addiction”

IN THE COMMUNITY Life 07

four they won’t have a life,’’ he lenge, please contact: 0121 243 1169 or 07930 875 925. concludes.

The evening with the Teen Challenge volunteers ends as it began – in prayer for all those that the group has interacted with over the course of the evening, that healing will take place and that their lives will be transformed.

Teen Challenge volunteers are on the streets in the Selly Oak area close to the Aldi car park every Thursday between 8-9pm.

Further information If you need help with an addiction, or if you would like to volunteer with Teen Chal-

It is one of the world's largest voluntary organisations offering help to addicted young people and adults (aged 18-40). The goal of Teen Challenge is to help free people from their addictions so that they can return to their communities spiritually, emotionally and physically whole. [1] [1] Teen Challenge pamphlet.

Life 08 CHURCH LIFE

Christmas Pro

Saturday 18th December - Carol Concert at 6.30p

An opportunity to celebrate the wonder and joy o

Sunday 19th December - Carol Concert at 6.30pm

An opportunity to celebrate the wonder and joy o (This programme is a repeat of Saturday evening)

Friday 24th December - Christmas Eve Communi

Saturday 25th December - Christmas Day Family

Sunday 26th December - Boxing Day Family Com

Sunday 2nd January - 9.00am, 11.00am & 6.30p

ogramme 2010

pm

of Christmas

m

of Christmas

ion at 9.00pm

y Service at 11.00am

mmunion Service at 11.00am

pm

CHURCH LIFE Life 09

Life 10 IN THE WORLD

The

Day After

Christmas

by Pearl Cooray

Monday 26th December, 2004 glorious sunshine, a gentle cool breeze, clear blue skies - a typical day in tropical paradise …

force that dragged with it bedrock, boats, vehicles and parts of broken buildings. Indonesia was the worst hit, followed by Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

Waking up early the day after a wonderful, tiring Christmas THE EXPERIENCE was unusual, but busier times were ahead as a week’s count“Several people down had begun for our wedhave died. Get ding! Much excitement! Cakes were being wrapped, hymn Dad, put some sheets were being printed, varistuff together & ous family members were arriving from overseas … leave the house 10.30am. The telephone rang. My fiancé, Michael, spoke in a frantic yet firm voice: “The sea is coming inland. Several people have died. Get Dad, put some stuff together & leave the house now!”

THE FACTS The tsunami in Sri Lanka was caused by an earthquake with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, on 26th December, 2004. This triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the surrounding coastlines of the Indian Ocean.

Approximately 250,000 people in eleven countries died.[1] Several thousand were injured and maimed by the destruction created by up to 10 meter high waves that swept inland with a

now!”

Time stood still in Sri Lanka as we began to come to terms with the tragedy that had befallen the region. Some 40,000 Sri Lankans had lost their lives and about a million had become destitute, their worlds wiped out in only minutes of nature’s fury.

Initially unaware of the catastrophic scale of the devastation, aid workers and those untrained who just wanted to be of help began to emerge across the small island. The Peoples' Church Assembly of God (PCAG) was one such group, mobilising teams into the stricken areas armed with dry rations and clothing, and the willingness to do whatever it took to make a positive difference.

Pastor Dishan Wickramaratne of the PCAG shared some moving accounts of people he knew who had personally experienced tragedy. He spoke of a mother of four who could only hold onto two of her four children when the waves came.

She had remembered with sadness the look on the faces of the two children she had let go and the moment they had been swept away. He talked of the AOG Church in Hambantota (South of Sri Lanka) which (pretsunami) had been surrounded by 800 family homes. Only 38 homes were found standing.

While there were countless stories of heartbreak, there were also numerous cases of miraculous survival. Dayalan Sanders, the Pastor of a Children’s Home located between the sea and lagoon in Batticaloa (East of Sri Lanka),

The Samaritan Children’s Home, Sri Lanka (used with permission)

IN THE WORLD Life 11

had just enough time to shout at the children, their carers and his own family to run for the motorboat docked in the lagoon. They took off at the same moment that the black wall of water enveloped the orphanage. The crowd on the dangerously overloaded boat (which had never started on the first pull of the starter cord as it had miraculously done that day) cried and prayed. Sanders then suddenly realised that they were heading toward a massive surge from the mouth of the estuary. This had the potential to inundate the small craft.

Raising his hand towards it, he commanded it to stop in the name of Jesus. “The water seemed to stall, momentarily,” he said. “I thought at the time I was imagining things.” Continuously praying, they made it to the other shore. Everyone survived.[2] THE GOD DIMENSION Christians believe that all the experiences we face have some purpose for our lives and are intended to test our faith in God. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:31 that when God finished creating the universe, He looked at it and saw that it was ‘very good’. It was a perfect

place where there was endless THE DAY AFTER life and happiness. When Adam and Eve misused their free will and disobeyed God, sin came into the world - and with it, God’s displeasure towards the earth and mankind, [3] which resulted in death and suffering.

God is aware of our every action (good and evil), and as every action has a reaction, irreparable good and evil consequences are allowed upon the earth. Sin = penalties. Choosing not to sin = blessings. In Romans 8 we read that creation ‘waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

For creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.’ [4] At the point of the original sin, God rebuked creation to a state of futility because of the effects of sin. But it is this same futility or confusion within us that is designed to cause us to cry out to the Creator, find God and through His endless grace and mercy, make Godly choices (by our free will) and find liberation from the lure of sin.

More than 1500 people died when the tsunami hit this train.

Copyright www.alisonwright.com (used with permission)

Tsunami. I never knew what it meant before it happened.

Now, it evokes a sense of desperate urgency. We thank God that we were relatively unaffected. Family and friends knew people who had lost their homes, loved ones, lives. The day after Christmas will never be the same again.

[1] http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/12/26/mai n_Editorial.asp [2] http://www.samaritanchildrenshome.org [3] Genesis 3:14-19 [4] Romans 8:19-21 (NIV)

Pakistan Floods Appeal The widespread flooding caused by monsoon rains at the beginning of August this year has killed more than 1500 people and affected over 17 million in Pakistan.

Over a million homes have been damaged or destroyed and millions of people have been displaced.

The British Red Cross has been helping survivors with food, medical assistance and shelter.

But help is still needed to support the relief effort.

Please contact http://www.redcross.org.uk for more information.

Life 12 CHURCH LIFE

church in the community by Stuart Blount

I

’ve heard it said, as I’m sure you have, that you don’t really understand how important someone is in your life until they are no longer there. I think this is true of the Christian church and in particular the role the church plays in its local community. If many churches were absent – it would be noticeable.

At the very core of the Christian faith is the call to social action. The message of the Christian faith is one of inclusion and not exclusion.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ [1] It is possible for many people to live completely unaware of the kind of needs that exist in their local community. Tim Chester writes: “Within walking distance of most urban church buildings in the UK, 10,000 people live. Each person has a name, a family, a history. This ‘typical’ community would look something like this: v1,200 people living alone (580 would be old age pensioners) v1,500 people who talk to their neighbours less than once a week v50 people who have been divorced in the last year v375 people who are single parents v18 teenage girls who are pregnant v150 women who have contemplated, or had an abortion recently v250 people who are unemployed v1,700 people living in a low income household v1,100 people living with mental illness v100 people who were bereaved last year v60 people who live in residential care v1,280 people caring for a sick, elderly or disabled relative or friend v2,800 people who have been the victims of crime

v40 people who are homeless v15 people who are asylum seekers [2] All across the UK churches are working together and individually to help, support and assist these people’s lives. Many churches run youth programmes, parent and toddler groups, kids clubs, luncheon clubs for the elderly, food banks, soup runs for the homeless, divorce recovery workshops, befriending programmes and so much more.

They do so without asking for a pat on the back, because such actions are at the heart of the faith we have. They are the things that Jesus did. They are the things that really matter in our society every day. If churches stopped such wonderful expressions of support and concern our welfare state would be so burdened it would collapse overnight. The message of Jesus to our nation comes with legs and hands and a heart that believes in the importance and significance of the individual.

Jesus wanted the opportunity to talk to people about truths and values that could transform their lives, but when they were hungry he fed them first and instructed his disciples to do so, and at least five thousand people were very glad he did!

This is the same concern that we at Christian Life Centre share. It is why our message comes not just with words but with actions that show people that they matter to us, quite simply because they matter to God. For more information on the ‘other’ activities of our church visit: www.christianlifecentre.com/#/reachingout/social-action [1] Matthew 22:37-39 The Bible [2] Tim Chester, Good News to the Poor: The Gospel and Social Action (Leicester: IVP, 2003)

HISTORY Life 13

W

hy indeed? After all, the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth hints that it is debatable whether He was actually born on December 25th, observing as it does that shepherds were “living out in fields nearby, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8) – something even those hardy souls were unlikely to have been doing on a cold, crisp winter’s night.

In fact, there is little evidence that the early Christian church celebrated Jesus’ birth as such. Only much later did the church in Rome declare Christ’s birth a ‘feast’ in order to appropriate the traditional Roman mid-winter festival of Saturnalia for more godly purposes (the winter solstice having also been an excuse for revelry amongst many of Europe’s pre-Christian cultures). Or, as St Augustine of Hippo said: “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it."

Furthermore, because many Eastern Orthodox churches still work to the old Julian calendar, Christmas in Russia and much of Eastern Europe is actually celebrated on January 7th.

Thereafter, one of the char-

acters whose image came to be most closely associated with Christmas in the medieval church was the fourthcentury bishop, St Nicholas of Patara, who had earned renown for his charity towards destitute children. [1] It is from the Dutch spelling of his name – Sinterklaas – and his appearance as captured in the religious imagery of the day that we derive our own modern-day Santa Claus – with flowing white beard, red robe, and bearing gifts for well-behaved children.

However, Christmas often remained controversial for many Christians precisely on account of its pagan origins, its celebration being outlawed altogether in England during the time of Oliver Cromwell – a ban that was eventually overturned upon the restoration of King Charles II in 1660.

And although the Protestant reformer Martin Luther had nothing against setting time aside to celebrate Jesus’ birth, even so he sought to re-brand the Catholic Feast of St Nicholas as Christkindl (German for ‘Christ child’, from where we derive the term Christingle).

Christmas only truly acquired its modern trappings during the nineteenth century.

For example, although the practice of decorating Christmas trees had long been popular in Germany, it took off in England too during the 1840s after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s Germanborn husband, introduced them to the royal palaces. At the same time, a nation whose new watchwords were family life and personal philanthropy found itself captivated by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with its heartwarming tale of festive generosity. [2] In 1843, Sir Henry Cole began marketing his own take on this renewed urge to proclaim the season by popularising the exchanging of Christmas cards.

Meanwhile, churches were resounding to The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen as a new generation of hymn writers sought to once more remind peo-

Life 14 HISTORY

ple of the ‘Christ’ in Christmas.

This Christian element would remain a powerful thread in celebrations of Christmas well into the twentieth century, as would its caroling message of “peace on Earth and goodwill towards all men”. Indeed, perhaps the most remarkable demonstration of these enduring qualities was that famous occasion on Christmas Day of 1914 when British and German troops put aside their rifles and climbed out of their trenches to exchange beer and chocolate upon the frosty expanse of No Man’s Land. [3] As secularism and consumerism have become the attending forces of today’s society, so the festivities have increasingly degenerated into little more than a month-long ‘Saturnalia’ of shopping, partying and carousing. So when a Japanese department store allegedly featured a nativity scene with Father Christmas nailed to a cross [4] it was widely viewed as a telling instance of how confused other cultures have now become about the true meaning of Christmas to people in the West.

tians in the way that, say, Ramadan is for Muslims. And when church ministers condemn big retailers for opening their stores on Christmas Day, it is not because some unforgivable act of blasphemy is being committed. Rather it is to express sadness that our modern society is so obsessed with trivia (such as acquiring new gadgets in the sales) that we can’t put aside even one day a year to reflect upon more abiding matters – such as savouring and strengthening the bonds of friendship and family, or rededicating ourselves anew to acts of kindness towards those in our midst who are less fortunate than ourselves.

And, most important of all, to reflect that over two thousand years ago (whether precisely on December 25th, it matters not) God elected to step into our sinful, suffering world and – in an act of grace and love so breathtaking To be sure, Christmas is not that even Chrisa rigidly instituted act of vital tians can strugreligious observance for Chris- gle to take it in –

became incarnate as Jesus, the baby in the manger, who would one day volunteer Himself up to die a most cruel, atoning death on a cross. And by that death and subsequent resurrection, we may be set free from all our sin and shame.

[1] William J. Bennett, The True Saint Nicholas, (Howard Books, 2009).

[2] Les Standiford. The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits, (Crown Books, 2008).

[3] http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/chri stmastruce.htm [4] http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christma s/cross.asp

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LIFE QUESTIONS Life 15

Questions At Christmas How can I stop my children from focusing only on presents at Christmas time?

This is a very good question - but I have to say that I really enjoy giving and receiving presents!

One answer is to look at charity catalogues where the “gift” bought is something useful to a family in a Third World country and choose a gift as a family.

However, the best gift we can give our children is time spent with them and the building of happy memories. For example, do you have a family Christmas tradition? We have an advent candle, plus we decorate the tree together and choose the Christmas dinner menu; another family I know always buys and plays a board game. Time spent with each other is priceless and is often what is remembered long after the “latest whatever” has gone. Perhaps you could discuss with your children a family activity as part of your Christmas plans, and make arrangements and plans together.

Kay Walker Children's Worker Christian Life Centre

How do we know that the birth of Jesus was real and not just a story?

Aside from the reliable witness of the Scriptures that the birth of Jesus Christ actually took place in history and time, there are external sources that offer further evidence of Jesus’ physical birth.

For example, early Jewish and Gentile sources such as the Mishnah, Josephus, Thallus, Serapion and Tacitus give strong proof that Christ once lived in Palestine and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

Ironically, Jesus’ humanity - unlike his divinity - is not a subject of great debate. The human Jesus seen in Scriptures and history is not a ghostly apparition but a real person whose life and works constitute a strong foundation for all those who through faith believe in Him.

Emmanuel Sule Assistant Pastor Christian Life Centre

Life 16 WHAT’S ON

christianlifecentre Sunday Services 9:00am Worship Service including communion and a Children’s programme 11:00am Celebration Service including Youth & Children’s programme 6:30pm Celebration Service including prayer ministry

Would you like us to pray for you?

For healing, your relationships, your finances, your work God cares ... and so do we ...

Please email us with your prayer requests to: prayerneeds@christianlifecentre.com

Church:

At the junction of Bristol Road & Langleys Road 900 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6HW

Offices:

2-6 Frederick Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6PB Ph: 0121 471 3677

Frequent Buses: 11, 61, 63, 76, X62 & X64, or programme your satnav to B29 6HW

Are you strong enough to handle criticism?

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Think aminute

Theodore Roosevelt

If you have enjoyed this magazine and would like to know more about Christian Life Centre or about the Christian faith in general, please feel free to e-mail us at: magazine@christianlifecentre.com or contact the church office.