NEW LIFE APRIL 2009
Easter Issue 182
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GOOD NEWS STORIES
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GREAT DISCOUNT ON JADE GOODY’S BIBLE OF CHOICE – PAGE 8
DESPAIR... stock exchange traders watch markets plummet as the credit crunch takes hold
YOU WERE WARNED GOVERNMENT chiefs were aware of the possible collapse of financial institutions more than TEN years before the start of the credit crunch, New Life can reveal. FULL STORY – Page 7
Easter rush to find pew in Baghdad A CH U RCH is ex pect i ng a r ush of people to find a seat for Easter services. St George’s Church in Baghdad now has a congregation in excess of 2,000. A nd Ca non A nd rew Wh ite — dubbed the Vicar of Ba g hdad — sa id he expected the church to be extra busy this Easter and will have to squeeze people in! Canon White spends his time surrounded by soldiers. But it doesn’t stop his dedication to his congregation. He said: “I love them and they love me. I keep telling them that I can’t promise that any of them is not going to be killed next week, but what I can promise them is that God will not leave them, and neither will I.” Full story – Page 3
I was driven to brink by bullies A WOMAN was left with an eating disorder and a life of hell after being bullied at school. Abigail Robson, 26, ended up in a psychiatric ward after the vicious taunts. She said: “I started cutting myself in an effort to deal with my emotions, and ended up i n a ps yc h i at r ic ward. I was forced to leave University and go home to my parents.” But her life changed after she found God. Full story – Page 5
WHY EASTER’S SO IMPORTANT PAGE 2
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Issue 182
Facts on A time to remember the ultimate sacrifice Christian festival... Pagan traditions give us the English word Easter which comes from the word Eostre. The anglo-Saxon word for april was Eostre-monath (the month of openings). However, it should be remembered that Christians celebrated the resurrection of Christ long before the word Easter was used, and the word they used for the celebration was Pascha, which is derived from and linked to the Jewish festival of Passover. according to Bede, the English monastic historian, the English word Easter comes from the anglo-Saxon name for the month of april, which was known as Eostremonath in the angloSaxon tongue and since Pascha was most often celebrated in Eostremonath, the English Christians began calling it Easter. Bede also notes that the month was named after the anglo-Saxon goddess Esostre. Rituals related to the goddess Eostre focus on new beginnings, symbolized by the Easter egg, and fertility, which is symbolized by the hare (or Easter bunny). Many people think Easter Sunday should be like Christmas Day – held on the same day each year. The date of Easter Sunday is is the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon (PFM) date for the year. In June 325 aD astronomers approximated astronomical full moon dates for the Christian church, calling them Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) dates. From 326 a.D. the PFM date has always been the EFM date after March 20 (which was the equinox date in 325 aD). It is never held before March 20.
WHY EASTER IS SO IMPORTANT
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On the first Easter Jesus died and rose from the dead – and Christians have remembered and celebrated those events ever since.
Jesus was crucified after a terrible miscarriage of justice. He was completely innocent of any crime, but suffered horribly as he was flogged and then made to carry his own cross to the place of execution. The Bible explains that he died not for his own sins, but for yours and mine.
RESURRECTION After he died, Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb, but the religious leaders in Jerusalem knew that he had predicted his own resurrection and they were determined to prevent any of his followers hiding the body and claiming that he had risen from the dead. And so, a unit of Roman soldiers was given the task of making sure Jesus stayed dead! Four groups of four soldiers guarded the tomb day and night – until on
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the third day an angel appeared and frightened the soldiers so badly the Bible records that they “shook and became like dead men”. The angel rolled the stone away from the tomb – not to let Jesus out, but to let us see in. Jesus was not there, he had risen. And he appeared to as many as 500 of his disciples over the following days, before finally ascending into heaven. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. It has been disputed by many people down through the centuries, but never disproved. And it would have been simple for the Romans to simply point to the body. The fact is, it wasn’t there. And today up to two billion people find hope, peace and purpose following Christ. The Bible says that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, and every day more people make the decision to ask the risen Christ to make a difference in their lives. And he does, as you’ll read in so many stories in New Life.
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Things you can do this year 1. REaD THE BIBlE aCCounTS. nothing beats reading the story for yourself. Start by reading the last three chapters of the gospel of luke, chapters 22 to 24. It will only take you 15 minutes. If you would like to dig deeper, you can also read similar accounts in the other gospels (Matthew ch 26-28, Mark ch 14-16, John ch 18-20). 2. VISIT a CHuRCH on EaSTER SunDay. look for a church near you (see our church ads or look up details online at www.findachurch. co.uk). 3. PRay. life is of ten so busy that prayer gets crowded out and Easter is the perfect opportunity to
get away somewhere quiet so that you can draw closer to god. you can start with the ‘lord’s Prayer’ that Jesus taught his disciples at the beginning of chapter 11 of luke’s gospel. 4. FoRgIVE PEoPlE wHo HaVE wRongED you. Jesus gave an amazing example when he prayed for the very people who were crucifying him, and he also warned his followers that if they didn’t forgive others, god would not forgive them. 5. RECEIVE goD’S FoRgIVEnESS youRSElF. when Jesus died, the Bible says he paid the penalty for the sins of the whole
world – including yours. So you don’t need to carry them yourself any more. ask god to forgive you and invite Jesus into your life. 6. TRuST goD FoR HIS gRaCE. Someone has described gRaCE as god’s Riches at Christ’s Expense, which means that god blesses in ways we don’t deserve – simply because of what Jesus did. 7. TEll oTHERS THE gooD nEwS. Jesus told his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and that is what new life is all about. Tell someone that they can find a new life in Jesus today. you can also order copies of new life to give away.
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UK group’s Bible gift to Obama NEW President Barack Obama needn’t worry after a British organisation sent him a Bible. The Evangelical Alliance UK sent the White House chief a Bible after reports that one was mysteriously absent from his second swearing in ceremony. Obama will receive a copy of the Bible Society’s Poverty and Justice Bible, wh ic h h ig hlights 2,000 verses that speak of God’s attitude to poverty and justice. Dr Krish Kandiah, Director of Churches Obama i n M ission for t he Evangelical Alliance, said: “President Obama’s commitment to the scripture was obvious during his inaugural address, when he quoted Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, so when we heard he didn’t swear on a Bible the second time, we could only assume it was because he couldn’t find one. “We are sending him a copy of the Bible in case he is ever biblically caught short again. We are delighted that President Obama takes justice and poverty seriously.”
Cyber Bishop THE Bishop of Lichfield has entered cyberspace to tell officials that their first duty is to pray for their congregations. The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill posted a YouTube message to urge Christians to develop their “hidden inner life” of prayer.
Issue 182
The fight to get into church - in Baghdad by Charles Gardner
A VICAR who has defied death threats to continue leading a large congregation in Iraq is looking forward to the thrill of Easter. And the biggest challenge he faces is fitting everyone into his St George’s Church, Baghdad, with increasingly less room for his ever-growing congregation, now well over 2,000. “Even now that I have three services on a weekend and I tell the people they can only come once, we still can’t fit them in,” said Canon Andrew White, also known as the Vicar of Baghdad. “Easter is the main event of the year and it will be really big. We usually start lent (the six-week period of contemplation leading up to Easter) with what we call the ‘Fast of Jonah’ – the ancient Bible prophet who brought the gospel to the city of Nineveh in present-day Iraq and had the people repenting of their sins and turning to God. He added: “Everybody repents in sackcloth and ashes, just as happened in those far-off days. And they are absolutely serious. “But from Palm Sunday onwards there’s a lot of rejoicing. We have a massive service in which they go on a procession around the church singing and praising God.” He acknowledged that there had been a drop in violence in Iraq, which he attributed to the excellent work being done by the Americans, but he added: “It’s still the most dangerous place in the world.” For example, he still has 20 soldiers guarding
Canon Andrew White, left, during a commmunion service in Baghdad him on his way to church, but that’s an improvement on the 30 previously required! As one who also works for the Pentagon – heading up their religious sectarian programme in which capacity he negotiates for the release of hostages – Canon White is constantly surrounded by soldiers. But he is committed to
Church’s destiny is secure thanks to bank’s flexibility WHEN Edinburgh’s Destiny Church needed help to buy a building for its rapidly growing congregation, Kingdom Bank provided the answer. And it was the second time in four years that the bank was able to step in to offer a mortgage solution that suited the church. Destiny Church started out in 1998 when it began life in a flat, before moving to a school in 2000. As membership started to grow, church leaders decided to find a building to allow the congregation to increase further. Pastor Peter Anderson explained: “It was an awesome move of God. We needed to find a building and I was in Leith, which is at the north of Edinburgh, and I prayed about our need.” Little did Pastor Anderson realise that his prayer was made outside the building which would later become the first real “home” of Destiny Church. The former Turkish baths – which had also been a cinema and Pentecostal church – was the perfect answer. “It was on the market for £250,000. Everyone at Kingdom Bank was extremely helpful. We bought the building, which seats 230 people, but we were planning on a bigger congregation,” said Pastor Anderson. Over four years, those plans came to fruition – and by 2006, more than 300 were attending Destiny Church. Pastor Anderson and his leadership team – mostly in their 20s – started to hold two morning services and realised it was time to find a new place to worship as last year, the congregation grew to beyond 400 people. Again, God answered Pastor Anderson’s prayers, but this time he was standing outside a 900-seat disused cinema. “The grace of God is incredible and this time I was in Gorgie, on the other side of Edinburgh, when I prayed that he help us find a new building,” said Pastor Anderson. As he walked past the former cinema, he didn’t know that it would soon be put on the market. With a price of £900,000, the building met the
staying there. “I love them and they love me. I keep telling them that I can’t promise that any of them is not going to be killed next week, but what I can promise them is that God will not leave them, and neither will I.” In doing his work, Canon White has to leave behind his wife and two boys in Hampshire.
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it’s sophiE so GooD... CORONATION Street bosses are putting Christ on the cobbles of TV’S best loved soap opera – and it’s American teen band The Jonas Brothers who are responsible!
Suddenly, Christianity is a hot topic in the Rovers Return, The Kabin and, more particularly, the Webster household, where youngest daughter Sophie has fallen head over heels in love with born-again believer Ben. She is already wearing a purity locket which is an outward sign of her pledge to remain a virgin until she marries. Bemused mum and dad Sally and Kevin – who have never known of such a lifest yle – a re a lready wea ri ng suitably worried frowns and this major storyline looks set for a long run. The couple – along with two other teenage newcomers – are at the cutting edge of a new Corrie era for so long dominated by the 40s and over. But this group, already dubbed CorrieK idz, w i l l demonstrate that the nation’s youth aren’t a bunch of tearaways, d ri n k i ng day a nd n ight a nd ca rr y i ng knives. Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie in the ITV soap, revealed: “I think the producers got the idea of Sophie finding religion from The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. “It is, of course, a big thing in America now to be proud of not having sex before marriage and I think they wanted to bring some of that to Corrie.
by Hugh Southon
“Corrie has moved away from the stereotypical Christian character. “Ben is cool, sexy and really popular so the idea is that we can show people it’s OK to believe in something and you don’t have to follow the crowd. “Deciding not to have sex is a very personal decision.” It was the Jonas Brothers (below) who ensured that purity rings and lockets were popularised across the western world. The group are all committed Christians who are managed by their father, a Pentecostal pastor. And 16-year-old Miley – who became a teen sensation after Hannah Montana debuted in 2006 – is another outspoken young spokesperson for Christianity. She, like the Jonas Brothers, is one of the Disney Channel’s biggest stars and counts a High School Musical 2 cameo appearance to her name. She has revealed her faith is the main thing in her life declaring: “I’m a regular churchgoer.” Corrie’s Brooke, 16, declared: “My boyfriend in the show, Ben, is young and gorgeous and we will be showing that you can be cool and Christian. “Just because Sophie becomes a Christian doesn’t mean she becomes all geeky.” Ben, who has already had the regular watchers dropping their jaws with the fullon “I love Jesus” lines placed in his mouth by the Corrie scriptwriters, admits he’s a clueless heart-throb. He said: “I’ve never thought of myself in that way.”
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A PenSIOneR believes God can bring back a man she fell in love at an airport 40 years ago. Regina Bradley, 72, has journeyed across the country in a bid to find the mystery admirer she encountered at Gatwick in 1968. Regina said the man was with a group of Welsh friends waiting for a plane when
he whispered ‘I love you’ to her across the terminal. She agreed to meet him in London later that night but was unable to find her way there. She has been looking for him ever since. But now, the retired headteacher believes for a miracle. She said: “I believe God will bring me a miracle.”
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Blair admits strong faith during US speech FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair laid bare his devout Christianity as he stood alongside Barack Obama to make a speech in which he mentioned God more than 30 times. Speaking to a packed hall of Washington grandees, Blair described his ‘first spiritual awakening’ at ten when his teacher knelt and prayed with him after his father had a stroke.
He then went on to poke fun at the expense of his civil servants and Alistair Campbell who famously told him ‘we don’t do God’. Four thousand guests packed a hotel ballroom for the event, including world leaders and hundreds of members of Congress. Blair said: “I remember my first spiritual awakening. I was ten years
old. That day my father – at the young age of 40 – had suffered a serious stroke. “His life hung in the balance. My mother, to keep some sense of normality in the crisis, sent me to school. “My teacher knelt and prayed with me. Now, my father was a militant atheist. Before we prayed, I thought I
should confess this. ‘I’m afraid my father doesn’t believe in God,’ I said. “‘That doesn’t matter,’ my teacher replied, ‘God believes in him. He loves him without demanding or needing love in return.’ “That is what inspires, the unconditional nature of God love... in surrendering to God we become instruments of that love.” FIGHTING BACK... Abigail Robson
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WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP
Atheist gives God praise... AFRICA – The Times writer Matthew Parris, a self-confessed atheist, has admitted God has done more for Africa than government aid initiatives. Parris, an award-winning writer, grew up in Africa and returned recently to cover a story for the Times. Afterwards, he said: ““Travelling in Malawi refreshed belief I’ve been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I’ve been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God. “Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. “These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.”
Bishop’s hope over cathedral
TO the outside world, Abigail Robson had the perfect life. She had a loving family, attended a great school and lived in a plush, leafy suburb. But behind closed doors, Abigail, 16, was being bullied at school and desperately unhappy. It affected her self-esteem so badly, she started to suffer from an eating disorder. Two years later at university, Abigail began to deliberately cut herself. “I started cutting myself in an effort to deal with my emotions, and ended up in a psychiatric ward. I was forced to leave University and go home to my parents,” explained Abigail, now 26. “I felt completely unable to cope with life and an utter failure. I spent the next year working in low paid jobs, but living and breathing my self-harm, never really engaging with the real world. My depression was so bad that I felt as if there were no hope.” What might also have surprised people at the time, was Abigail also considered herself to be a Christian.
THREATENED She attended church and read her Bible most days. She would pray to God to heal her from her eating disorder and self-harm. “I thought being a Christian meant that you should automatically be happy,” she added. “All I knew was that I wanted to follow God but I had this big problem in my life, that even threatened to end my life. I couldn’t understand.”
by James Hastings There are no official statistics for people with eating disorders or who self-harm. Part of the problem is that those involved often go to great lengths to conceal what is happening in their lives. “You have feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment,” adds Abigail. “It’s quite often linked to trauma in childhood and things like childhood abuse, but just as often it’s linked to everyday stress - things like stress at school, exams, or stress at work, or even stress with children and being a mother - all those things which lead to really difficult emotions can cause someone to harm themselves, just so they don’t have to deal with the painful emotion.” She admits many people have difficulty understanding why someone would deliberately harm themselves. “It does feel quite odd that someone would do that, but if you think about it - if you’ve ever been in a temper and slammed a door or if you’ve ever bitten your lip to stop from crying or anything like that, it’s just a kind of escalation of that. So trying to think of it in a more basic way, it’s just a relief of tension, a relief of something painful.” Abigail says that during her darkest moments, she never stopped praying to God and believing in his power to help her. “My faith that God existed never swayed, but I always wondered when he was going to heal me,” she smiles. “It took me a long time to learn that his
healing power is not always demonstrated in immediate and miraculous ways. Counselling, medication, an understanding psychiatrist, and help from friends were all used by God to help me break free from the cycle of self-harm.” In 1998, Abigail was invited to attend a Christian counselling week at a place called Kainos in Gloucestershire. She admits she spent long periods simply crying, releasing all the feelings and emotions. Slowly, Abigail felt her attitudes to food and self-esteem change. “I knew God had broken into my situation,“ she explains. “Sometimes, he does this in a very dramatic way and I know many people are healed instantly. But very often, God works in us and with us enabling us to see his love. “In the Bible, the apostle Paul talks about having a thorn in his flesh. I know what he meant. “There have been times when I’ve prayed for mine to be taken away, and I know it happens to some people. “But I’ve now learnt that God has given me what is best for me.” Abigail now runs a counselling service for people with eating disorders or who selfharm. She lives a happy and fulfilled life, having not cut herself since 2001. She married John in 2004, and the couple live in Rugby, Warwickshire, with their two cats. “I thank God for bringing me to where I am, for walking with me and carrying me when I was too weak to go on myself.” For further information, go to www.adullamministries.org.uk.
Farmers ask for blessings Summit to tackle gang violence MEMBERS of the farming community turned out to a special ceremony at Howden Minster recently and asked God to bless them. The event involved an historic horse-drawn plough being taken
into the church by representatives of the agricultural community where it was blessed as a symbol of God’s blessing on all work on the land and the start of all good and honest human endeavours.
GANGS and violence will be discussed at an event in North London organised by Christian associations. Bite the Bullet Conference will take place at Westbury Avenue Baptist Church in on Saturday, July 4. Speakers are gang expert Professor John Pitts and former
gang members who have seen their lives transformed by God. There will be workshops to help parents detect if their children are involved in knife or gun crime, and to help parents and church leaders support young people who are caught up in such crimes.
KOSOVO – A bishop in south-east Europe has described how his new cathedral promises “a new beginning” for religious harmony in a region scarred by conflict. In an interview with the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Dode Gjergji of Prizen and all Kosovo said the Co-Cathedral of Mother Teresa, currently under construction in Kosovo, represents “a practical contribution towards reconciliation”. The cathedral in the capital, Pristina, will have a 6,200 square metre pastoral and cultural centre in the crypt area as well as a nearby multipurpose complex for use by Christian groups of all denominations.
Prayer plea for refugees
SRI LANKA – As fighting in Sri Lanka reached a climax this month, the Methodist Church in Britain has urged people to pray for hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians. Reports from the President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka have revealed the extent of the devastation. Rev Ebenezer Joseph said that 95 per cent of the seven congregations in the Wanni region had been trapped in an area now under control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Church leader’s call on Darfur DARFUR –Dr Daniel Deng Bul, the Archbishop of Sudan, has said that the British Government should increase its support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan to help bring an end to the suffering in Darfur. The Archbishop said: “We are crying to the international community not to abandon the CPA. If it succeeds, then the conflict in Darfur, too, will be resolved. The British, the Italians, the Americans, and the Norwegians need to step up now.”
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Issue 182
NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk
WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS
tune in In 2009, New Life will be working with Christian
media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.
explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org
Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.
the BiBle MAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.
The ABC of how you can become a Christian...
A Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
C
‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).
Commit yourself to living God’s way Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.
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Issue 182
BOOKSHOP OWNER SAYS PROPHECY WARNED HIM ABOUT FINANCIAL CRISIS 20 YEARS AGO
Foundation of economy will suddenly be shaken... F
oR three centuries, Lloyds of London developed a reputation for integrity and fair trading, but towards the end of the 1980s disaster struck, destroying that reputation.
It meant financial crisis for the list of Names. These are people who underwrite business transactions within the syndicates into which the company is divided. From the point of view of these investors, the pledge of money is relatively safe and will lead to profits from the transactions carried out by Lloyds. However, should there be a sudden financial problem, the money which was pledged would be called in. During the 1980s two things happened in Lloyds. First, there was a move to recruit more Names, and the small number of underwriters was greatly increased through the addition of many people who wanted both to acquire the status of being a 'Name' and gather some of the ‘easy’ profits. Thus, at the backbone of Lloyds of London by the late 1980s were thousands of new members of more moderate means. Secondly, there was an internal spiral of reinsuring. This is a process by which those who underwrite certain sums with some syndicates then take out insurance policies with other syndicates to minimise any sudden loss that the market brings. An enormous set of insurance claims came in from asbestos related policies in America. The assumption had been that these cases would take many years to settle in the American courts, but suddenly, settlements were being made and judges began to award huge damages to industrial workers. Liabilities at Lloyds threatened to exceed the reserves of the syndicates. Claims then began to come in from the Piper Alpha oil platform catastrophe in July 1988, followed by Hurricane Hugo and the Exxon Valdez disaster. Suddenly Lloyds was facing losses of billions of pounds and Names were called upon to pay what they had pledged. Many,
THE following extract from Earthquake in the City was written in 1997, years before the current financial crisis. It describes what could happen to the economy. Some of those events have taken place and sparked the credit crunch. Copies of the book – which was based on a 1989 prophecy, right – were sent to the Government in 1997. particularly among the newcomers to Lloyds, faced ruin. On November 5, 1991, Robert Maxwell was reported drowned at sea, having disappeared overboard from his private yacht. Shortly afterwards his whole publishing empire was seen to be collapsing. Maxwell had faced financial difficulties and fraudulently taken about £½billion from the pension fund of his relatively stable Mirror Group Newspapers. This sudden exposure was followed by complex court cases,
Published by JIAM. For details, contact 01702 390500
One day annual interest could be higher than the whole income and then America will be bankrupt
while 32,000 past and present employees were robbed of their savings. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw other major companies collapse in different ways. In 1990 Coloroll, the wallpaper and fabrics manufacturers, collapsed with debts of £400million. Polly Peck International, the fruit packaging and electrical goods company, crashed with £1.3billion debts. In
Government was warned about credit crunch GOVERNMENT chiefs were aware of the possible collapse of financial institutions more than ten years before the credit crunch began. The entire Cabinet – including the then Chancellor Gordon Brown – were sent the stark warning in a book about a prophecy, which pinpointed the way the crisis would unfold. Paul Slennett, a Christian bookshop owner, said God had revealed to him that City institutions would be shaken by a financial earthquake. Paul, from Southend, told New Life he
y children, the alarm bells are sounding all over Europe, for judgment is being spoken out over the nations. over your nation, Great Britain, a mighty earthquake is about to occur, an earthquake that will swallow up the whole City. Whole companies and city institutions will collapse in this earthquake, some never to rise again. My judgement that has been withheld for so long must now be unleashed on your nation in order that my church repent and lead this nation in repentance, for I am a righteous and holy God, just in all my ways, a God who longs to show mercy, but one who will no longer tolerate the unrighteousness of my dear church. It is out of love that I visit this nation with judgement – you know that this must always be the case.
1992, Mountleigh, a company dealing with commercial property, collapsed with debts of £590million. These were big organisations, but it is also reported that during 1992, on average, one small company went bankrupt every minute and a half. Meanwhile, in Europe, these and other instabilities at government level led to a constant strain on attempts to develop the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in Europe. It was beyond the ability of Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and the methods at
his disposal to keep the British economy stable enough to remain in the European mechanism. This is another clue to a vulnerable economy which can quickly go out of control. There are times when it is clearly shown that the best brains and the best machines and methods in the world – from a human viewpoint – are inadequate to the task of keeping the world economy stable.
SPECIAL REPORT
WARNING... Paul Slennett with a copy of the book
was given the prophecy in 1989, but didn’t publish his book with co-author Clifford Denton until 1997 – a time of prosperity in the UK. He said while the prophecy was aimed at the whole church repenting in Britain, the book, Earthquake in the City, clearly warned that the spiralling greed, debt and people of the nation choosing money over God could lead to a financial meltdown. “The prophecy said whole companies and City institutions would collapse in the earth-
The prophecy in full M
7
My children, repent now before it is too late, for already the day of my return draws near and you must not be found wanting, like the virgins who did not fill their lamps with oil; but awake, my children, and be my watchmen, and speak with a prophetic voice of the judgement that is about to come upon the nations. If you repent and turn from your wicked ways, I will visit your nation, Great Britain, once again, not with judgement, but with revival power, and I will protect you from all the strategy of the enemy. In regard to Europe, come out of her, my dear children, for she will align herself with the Beast and the False Prophet who will arise and appear for just a short while. My children, take heart, for I am with you always. Do not give up, but pray without ceasing and see the salvation of your God.
All these things do not add up to a financial earthquake. They are warning tremors at the most. A mighty earthquake will disturb the whole foundation of the economy and come in a surprising and sudden way. Nevertheless, these situations give us some clues to instability and alert us to the fact that a financial collapse could indeed happen suddenly. The 1987 financial problems, including the effects of the physical hurricane, showed that the economies of many countries in the world are interwoven. What happens in one country can have a major effect on what happens in another. The American debt Look ing across the world, we see that, in America, national debt is a seemingly insurmountable problem. In February of 1996 the debt was admitted to be around $5,000billion. Even this figure is seen as under-estimating the problem when such national funds as Social Security are considered in addition. Since 1994 the debt has been more than 70 per cent of the nation’s annual income
(GDP). One day the annual interest could be higher than the whole income and then the nation will be bankrupt. Though America recovered from the 1987 stock market difficulties, a total collapse of the economy could come about. This would be followed, like a shock wave, by financial problems across the world, leading to another great depression, as in the 1930s. One sequence of events that could happen in America is a period of declining productivity, caused by very rapid inflation, followed by bankruptcy – a forecast made by some economists today. In an unstable world economy America will be vulnerable due to the large foreign ownership of US Treasury Bonds. If a situation arises where there is panic selling of these bonds in any one of several countries, this could send a shock wave through the American economy. In 1996 foreign governments and overseas investors held almost $1,000billion worth of America’s national debt in bonds. America could soon find itself in the situation of Proverbs 22:7, where ‘the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender’.
quake, and some would never rise again. That’s exactly what has happened,” he added. But despite warnings to the Government of 1997 – which was also highlighted in a Sunday Telegraph story that year – the caution was ignored. Paul said: “I’m not a financial guru, so the message I was given isn’t something I could make up. It is quite clear that the prophecy states what may happen to the financial world if warnings were ignored."
Gt Britain’s No.1 Evangelist. MELVIN BANKS
Almost everywhere he preaches a local revival breaks out! The Western society is collapsing but this is God’s man for this hour! They call him ‘the 21st Century Kenneth Hagan’. His anointed, biblical, soul-stirring, faith teaching is changing thousands. 100’s are being baptised in the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues. He is ending the stagnation in many British churches. He pastored possibly UK’s largest ‘rural’ church for 12 years and no-one died - he never had a funeral! JESUS IS PRESENT IN ALL HIS MISSIONS, DOING WONDROUS THINGS More miracles are seen in his meetings than in any other ministry or church (in Europe). The greatest soul-winner in the British Isles today - winning more British converts than any in 2009. Invite this evangelist and a Holy Spirit Revival will come to your church. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN. Revd. Melvin Banks, Crusade Office, 44 Monks Way, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3TT. Tel: 01249 655712.
Recently he held the greatest revival in Oxford for 100 years. ers spap New d it full- 0 0 ie carr to 100,0 s e pag
FOR MINISTERS
‘IT’S TIME TO RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE NOW’ ............................. £6.99
I would like a crusade with Melvin Banks. I want a revival and to experience this miracle ministry in my fellowship
‘OVERFLOWING LIFE WITH GOD’ His latest how to have new energy daily.. £6.99
Church name: ...........................
His great Pentecostal daily Holy Ghost reading book ‘SOAR IN THE SPIRIT’ ......
£6.99
...................................................
I would like to donate one book to H.M.Prison ....................................................
£6.99
Minister/Elder’s name: ...............
BOOK ORDER FORM
I enclose £.... .................(Payable to ‘Revival Healing’) Includes P&P. All discount prices.
...................................................
Name: ..........................................................................................................................
Address: ...................................
Address: ......................................................................................................................
...................................................
...................................................................................................................................... Postcode: ........................................Telephone: .......................................................... Please send me details of all Melvin’s other books (tick)
................................................... Telephone:................................. Small and large churches welcome to apply – send to the above address
6
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Issue 182
NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk
WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS
tune in In 2009, New Life will be working with Christian
media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.
explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org
Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.
the BiBle MAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.
The ABC of how you can become a Christian...
A Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
C
‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).
Commit yourself to living God’s way Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.
FREE
FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk
Issue 182
BOOKSHOP OWNER SAYS PROPHECY WARNED HIM ABOUT FINANCIAL CRISIS 20 YEARS AGO
Foundation of economy will suddenly be shaken... F
oR three centuries, Lloyds of London developed a reputation for integrity and fair trading, but towards the end of the 1980s disaster struck, destroying that reputation.
It meant financial crisis for the list of Names. These are people who underwrite business transactions within the syndicates into which the company is divided. From the point of view of these investors, the pledge of money is relatively safe and will lead to profits from the transactions carried out by Lloyds. However, should there be a sudden financial problem, the money which was pledged would be called in. During the 1980s two things happened in Lloyds. First, there was a move to recruit more Names, and the small number of underwriters was greatly increased through the addition of many people who wanted both to acquire the status of being a 'Name' and gather some of the ‘easy’ profits. Thus, at the backbone of Lloyds of London by the late 1980s were thousands of new members of more moderate means. Secondly, there was an internal spiral of reinsuring. This is a process by which those who underwrite certain sums with some syndicates then take out insurance policies with other syndicates to minimise any sudden loss that the market brings. An enormous set of insurance claims came in from asbestos related policies in America. The assumption had been that these cases would take many years to settle in the American courts, but suddenly, settlements were being made and judges began to award huge damages to industrial workers. Liabilities at Lloyds threatened to exceed the reserves of the syndicates. Claims then began to come in from the Piper Alpha oil platform catastrophe in July 1988, followed by Hurricane Hugo and the Exxon Valdez disaster. Suddenly Lloyds was facing losses of billions of pounds and Names were called upon to pay what they had pledged. Many,
THE following extract from Earthquake in the City was written in 1997, years before the current financial crisis. It describes what could happen to the economy. Some of those events have taken place and sparked the credit crunch. Copies of the book – which was based on a 1989 prophecy, right – were sent to the Government in 1997. particularly among the newcomers to Lloyds, faced ruin. On November 5, 1991, Robert Maxwell was reported drowned at sea, having disappeared overboard from his private yacht. Shortly afterwards his whole publishing empire was seen to be collapsing. Maxwell had faced financial difficulties and fraudulently taken about £½billion from the pension fund of his relatively stable Mirror Group Newspapers. This sudden exposure was followed by complex court cases,
Published by JIAM. For details, contact 01702 390500
One day annual interest could be higher than the whole income and then America will be bankrupt
while 32,000 past and present employees were robbed of their savings. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw other major companies collapse in different ways. In 1990 Coloroll, the wallpaper and fabrics manufacturers, collapsed with debts of £400million. Polly Peck International, the fruit packaging and electrical goods company, crashed with £1.3billion debts. In
Government was warned about credit crunch GOVERNMENT chiefs were aware of the possible collapse of financial institutions more than ten years before the credit crunch began. The entire Cabinet – including the then Chancellor Gordon Brown – were sent the stark warning in a book about a prophecy, which pinpointed the way the crisis would unfold. Paul Slennett, a Christian bookshop owner, said God had revealed to him that City institutions would be shaken by a financial earthquake. Paul, from Southend, told New Life he
y children, the alarm bells are sounding all over Europe, for judgment is being spoken out over the nations. over your nation, Great Britain, a mighty earthquake is about to occur, an earthquake that will swallow up the whole City. Whole companies and city institutions will collapse in this earthquake, some never to rise again. My judgement that has been withheld for so long must now be unleashed on your nation in order that my church repent and lead this nation in repentance, for I am a righteous and holy God, just in all my ways, a God who longs to show mercy, but one who will no longer tolerate the unrighteousness of my dear church. It is out of love that I visit this nation with judgement – you know that this must always be the case.
1992, Mountleigh, a company dealing with commercial property, collapsed with debts of £590million. These were big organisations, but it is also reported that during 1992, on average, one small company went bankrupt every minute and a half. Meanwhile, in Europe, these and other instabilities at government level led to a constant strain on attempts to develop the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in Europe. It was beyond the ability of Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and the methods at
his disposal to keep the British economy stable enough to remain in the European mechanism. This is another clue to a vulnerable economy which can quickly go out of control. There are times when it is clearly shown that the best brains and the best machines and methods in the world – from a human viewpoint – are inadequate to the task of keeping the world economy stable.
SPECIAL REPORT
WARNING... Paul Slennett with a copy of the book
was given the prophecy in 1989, but didn’t publish his book with co-author Clifford Denton until 1997 – a time of prosperity in the UK. He said while the prophecy was aimed at the whole church repenting in Britain, the book, Earthquake in the City, clearly warned that the spiralling greed, debt and people of the nation choosing money over God could lead to a financial meltdown. “The prophecy said whole companies and City institutions would collapse in the earth-
The prophecy in full M
7
My children, repent now before it is too late, for already the day of my return draws near and you must not be found wanting, like the virgins who did not fill their lamps with oil; but awake, my children, and be my watchmen, and speak with a prophetic voice of the judgement that is about to come upon the nations. If you repent and turn from your wicked ways, I will visit your nation, Great Britain, once again, not with judgement, but with revival power, and I will protect you from all the strategy of the enemy. In regard to Europe, come out of her, my dear children, for she will align herself with the Beast and the False Prophet who will arise and appear for just a short while. My children, take heart, for I am with you always. Do not give up, but pray without ceasing and see the salvation of your God.
All these things do not add up to a financial earthquake. They are warning tremors at the most. A mighty earthquake will disturb the whole foundation of the economy and come in a surprising and sudden way. Nevertheless, these situations give us some clues to instability and alert us to the fact that a financial collapse could indeed happen suddenly. The 1987 financial problems, including the effects of the physical hurricane, showed that the economies of many countries in the world are interwoven. What happens in one country can have a major effect on what happens in another. The American debt Look ing across the world, we see that, in America, national debt is a seemingly insurmountable problem. In February of 1996 the debt was admitted to be around $5,000billion. Even this figure is seen as under-estimating the problem when such national funds as Social Security are considered in addition. Since 1994 the debt has been more than 70 per cent of the nation’s annual income
(GDP). One day the annual interest could be higher than the whole income and then the nation will be bankrupt. Though America recovered from the 1987 stock market difficulties, a total collapse of the economy could come about. This would be followed, like a shock wave, by financial problems across the world, leading to another great depression, as in the 1930s. One sequence of events that could happen in America is a period of declining productivity, caused by very rapid inflation, followed by bankruptcy – a forecast made by some economists today. In an unstable world economy America will be vulnerable due to the large foreign ownership of US Treasury Bonds. If a situation arises where there is panic selling of these bonds in any one of several countries, this could send a shock wave through the American economy. In 1996 foreign governments and overseas investors held almost $1,000billion worth of America’s national debt in bonds. America could soon find itself in the situation of Proverbs 22:7, where ‘the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender’.
quake, and some would never rise again. That’s exactly what has happened,” he added. But despite warnings to the Government of 1997 – which was also highlighted in a Sunday Telegraph story that year – the caution was ignored. Paul said: “I’m not a financial guru, so the message I was given isn’t something I could make up. It is quite clear that the prophecy states what may happen to the financial world if warnings were ignored."
Gt Britain’s No.1 Evangelist. MELVIN BANKS
Almost everywhere he preaches a local revival breaks out! The Western society is collapsing but this is God’s man for this hour! They call him ‘the 21st Century Kenneth Hagan’. His anointed, biblical, soul-stirring, faith teaching is changing thousands. 100’s are being baptised in the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues. He is ending the stagnation in many British churches. He pastored possibly UK’s largest ‘rural’ church for 12 years and no-one died - he never had a funeral! JESUS IS PRESENT IN ALL HIS MISSIONS, DOING WONDROUS THINGS More miracles are seen in his meetings than in any other ministry or church (in Europe). The greatest soul-winner in the British Isles today - winning more British converts than any in 2009. Invite this evangelist and a Holy Spirit Revival will come to your church. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN. Revd. Melvin Banks, Crusade Office, 44 Monks Way, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3TT. Tel: 01249 655712.
Recently he held the greatest revival in Oxford for 100 years. ers spap New d it full- 0 0 ie carr to 100,0 s e pag
FOR MINISTERS
‘IT’S TIME TO RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE NOW’ ............................. £6.99
I would like a crusade with Melvin Banks. I want a revival and to experience this miracle ministry in my fellowship
‘OVERFLOWING LIFE WITH GOD’ His latest how to have new energy daily.. £6.99
Church name: ...........................
His great Pentecostal daily Holy Ghost reading book ‘SOAR IN THE SPIRIT’ ......
£6.99
...................................................
I would like to donate one book to H.M.Prison ....................................................
£6.99
Minister/Elder’s name: ...............
BOOK ORDER FORM
I enclose £.... .................(Payable to ‘Revival Healing’) Includes P&P. All discount prices. Name: .......................................................................................................................... Address: ...................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... Postcode: ........................................Telephone: .......................................................... Please send me details of all Melvin’s other books (tick)
................................................... Address: ................................... ................................................... ................................................... Telephone:................................. Small and large churches welcome to apply – send to the above address
8
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Issue 182
CROONER REVEALS FAITH Save money COMMENT on new Bible Right up our street
GREAT READER OFFER
CORONATION Street may not pull in the massive audiences that it used to, but it is still hugely popular. And the fact scriptwriters have now chosen to bring in a young Christian to the cobbles should be applauded. Let’s hope the script doesn’t veer off into ‘cult’ storylines, or reinforce ageold prejudices shown towards young Christians, which makes them out to be strange and to be avoided. The fact is Christians are all different characters and can’t be pigeon-holed. Instead, we hope the writers use this chance to show that by choosing a grounded young man to be Christian, it will help teenage viewers realise there’s more to life than White Lightning and idolising sex and money. The signs are good. They have already cast a handsome young chap who doesn’t dress in a weird way or speak in Old English when quoting the Bible!
Ignored at our peril THE Government was warned 12 years ago about the folly that our – and that of other countries – economy was based on. Gordon Gekko was wrong – greed isn’t good and the financially painful times we’re in now proves it. Maybe they dismissed the book Earthquake in the City and the prophecy it was based on as the rantings of a religious fanatic. But if that’s the case, they’re probably regretting it now. Whether you’re a Christian or not, try to pick up a copy. You’ll feel like you’re reading a historic document of the current times. But when you consider it was written in 1997 (something you have to remind yourself of constantly), you’ll realise that real prophesies are something you ignore at your peril.
BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown us. Romans 8:18 Editor: Peter Wreford Accounts: Helen Wreford Advertising: Barry Wilson
Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlife.co.uk Telephone: 0115 921 7280 Website: www.newlife.co.uk
We welcome your letters and comments regarding any of the issues raised within these pages. Write to the Editor at the above address. Back copies: previous issues are available while stocks last, at cover price plus £1.00 handling charge, inc. p&p, per order.
How my life is going with a swing BIG FAITH... Harry Connick Jnr
by Hugh Southon
ToP crooner Harry connick onnick Jnr has admitted that his spiritual life is bigger than anything – him and his career! Harry is the biggest thing in ‘swing’ since Frank Sinatra, and like the iconic singer, has now turned to Hollywood to star in new movie New in Town. And in a fascinating interview he declares: “Sometimes you are left speechless by an experience you have with your life or your art and you thank God for that and you say to yourself, that was a blessing. “But the spiritual part of my life is bigger than anything that I am and bigger than my art. “I think God is bigger than art and me and all of us. I know that the gifts I’ve received are from God, but I don’t try to dwell on a link between my art and my faith and my spirituality.
guided “I just try to be the art and try to do what I am supposed to do down here. I try to be guided by what I think is right. “When I pray, I don’t really pray for anything, I just try to do God’s will and do it the best that I can. “I think that’s what God would want me to do.” Discussing his character Ted in his new movie, Connick declares: “I think Ted is somebody who is a little bit down on his faith. He had been beaten up pretty bad with his wife’s death.”
Prayers for abused children CONCERNED church leaders are praying for the children whose deaths sparked the current probe into Doncaster’s child protection services. Doncaster Minster opened specially recently for those wanting to pray for the children.
One of the organisers, the Rev Mark Wigglesworth, said: “It seemed to a group of us that it would be good to provide an opportunity to pray for the children of our borough and for all who provide services to them.”
PUZZLE CORNER Sudoku
Crossword clues Across 1. Restricted (7) 5. Perils (5) 8. Detection device (5) 9. Villain (5) 10. The sheltered side (7) 11. Flightless bird of Australia (3) 12. Chasm (5) 14. Complies (5) 19. Prohibit (3) 20. Diplomatic (7) 22. Nimble (5) 23. Light beam (5) 24. Reside (5) 25. Boring (7)
New Life newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
Solutions on the left
Down 1. Food store (6) 2. Decoration (5) 3. Goals (7) 4. Fin (6) 5. Stiff (5) 6. Stage set (7) 7. Repress (6) 13. Dressing (7) 15. Perplexed (7) 16. Overseas (6) 17. Dialect (6) 18. Tusked marine mammal (6) 20. Test (5) 21. Lariat (5)
PEOPLE who are new to Christianity are being given a fantastic new bible to help them understand the faith. The Good News Bible was one of the first easy-to-read translations, and was chosen by reality TV star Jade Goody. Publisher HarperCollins has now launched the New Life Good News Bible, which includes a 64-page section of engaging articles that tackle controversial issues. This month, we include the article on the environment. HarperCollins is of offering ALL New Life readers the chance to save £2 plus FREE postage and packing on a New Life Good News Bible. Details are below.
ENV ENVirONmENT BeThis world is in a bad shape. Why? Be cause humans are always better at taking than giving; we’re always greedy for more, more, more. We don’t stop to think. We’ve hunted species to extinction just to make some quack remedy. rainforests have been decimated so that we can have nice garden furniture. We’ve filled the air with exhaust fumes to save a ten minute walk. it’s not what we’re supposed to do. Adam was put in the garden to ‘cultivate and guard it’ (Genesis 2.15). The Bible makes it clear that this is God’s world, not man’s. God’s the owner; we’re the caretakers. So humans are not supposed to exhaust the earth. The jubilee legisla legislation said that the earth should have every seventh year off to recover. We’re supposed to protect the rights of the poor – which means not ruining the land where they live to make a profit. And above all it means remember remembering that we don’t own this earth; we’re just leasing it from the owner. And one day he’s going to come back... T THiNk What does it mean to be a caretaker of the world? in what ways can we give something back to the earth? A ACT m make sure that you use environmentally-friendly products Just go for a walk. isn’t the world fantastic? TTo save £2 and order your copy of New Life Good News Bible at the special price of £14.99 (rrP £16.99) please call the HarperCollins Hotline on: 0870 787 1732 and quote Dept 282k. Or write to mail Order Dept 282k, HarperCollins Publishers, Westerhill road, Bishopsbriggs, Glasgow G64 2QT, enclosing a cheque made payable to HarperCollins Publishers. Free P&P for all Uk orders. Please allow 21 days for delivery.
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Issue 182
9
NEW LIFE CLASSIFIEDS post: New Life Newspaper, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ tel: 0115 921 7280 email: ads@newlife.co.uk web: www.newlife.co.uk
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HOLIDAYS B&B ISLE OF WIGHT Double & Single rooms available with own bathroom good walks & cycling Mooring facilities at rear tel,01983 8 8 4 6 61, 079 674 433 4 8 Em a il: cliveheathfield@hotmail.com (FV33) BRITTANY COTTAGE for holiday let. Secluded, detached, set in own grounds with pool. Sleeps 5 plus cot. Central Brittany www.your brittanyholiday.co.uk (FV65) CARMARTHENSHIRE, near Llanelli. Beautifully appointed and equipped bungalow. Outstanding coastal views. 2 ensuite bedrooms. Sleeps max 7. Tel 01554 758876. www.gowerview.co.uk (EI58) CALAHONDA COSTA DE SOL Spacious 3 bed 3 bathroom apartment sleeps 7. 25 minute drive from Malaga Airport. Close to all amenities including 5 minute drive to lovely beach. Garage parking with lift. Brochure & Rates 01543 480900 or whitbysmith@sky.com (FE71) CHRISTIAN HOUSE AND CHURCH SWAP House-swapping with Christians – an exciting and economical holiday! Info: 01728 663298 www.christianhouseand churchswap.co.uk (EV93)
A LAKELAND HOLIDAY begins at Thornleigh Hotel. Grange-overSands, overlooking Morecambe Bay. Ensuite throughout. No single room supplement. Bayview bedrooms. Lift. Chapel. Coffee Sh o p. H ighl y acclaim e d cui sine. Brochure: 015395 327 33. www.thornleigh-hotel.co.uk (CC71) LLANDUDNO. Beth Eden Christian Guest house with superb views overlooking sea and Snowdonia mountains. We welcome individuals, families and groups of up to 30. Times of fellowship and bible ministry. www.betheden.co.uk 01492 877057 betheden@btinternet.co.uk (CJ13)
THE HIGHBURY CENTRE , London. Christian guesthouse on quiet private road. Free on-street parking. Tel: 0207 226 2663 Website: www.thehighburycentre.org. (FD60) LONDON HAMMERSMITH Nice B&B. Comfortable, central, quiet family home. Direct line to all attractions, airpor ts/Eurostar. Double/twin £50p.n. Single £36p.n. Children’s reductions. 020 7385 4904 www.thewaytostay.co.uk (EH35) LOOE Catherine Park, Trelawne Cross, 2 Bed bungalow. Sleeps 4.Looe / Polperro 2 miles. Lovely gardens & views. Brochure: 01928 711837 s.nearey@yahoo.co.uk www.elmbungalow.cornwall.uk.net
HELP JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FIND CHRIST. For free literature write to Freedom Ministries, 28 Church View, Killamarsh, Sheffield, (CU26) S21 2FA.
PERSONAL CH R ISTIAN LI FE M I N ISTR I ES UK. Join free men and women. Start a branch in your area. Uniting Christians to fulfil the great commision to Go. Contac t Des for membership form. 07787 513235. www.despillingministries.co.uk (FR50) C O M PAT I B L E S . S i n g l e a n d Ch r i s t i a n? We w i l l h e l p yo u find love and arrange your first meeting Phone 0151 327 6229 (EL48) www.mycompatibles.com STOP DIETING and start living Biblically based weight loss programme. Suitable for groups and individuals. www.fitforlifeforever.org (CU29) 0845 223 3079 SINGLE? Christian Friendship Fellowship (established 1976) has much to offer. Full details info@c-f-f.co.uk, www.c-f-f.co.uk or (CS06) 01302 711007 TREASURE FROM THE HEART A women’s resource ministry. Find your place in God. Encouragement in facing life. 1-1 or group ministry. no matter is too big or small for God. Contact us today - tel: 07729 172003. tfhresource@yahoo.co.uk
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Issue 182
new lIfe classIfIeds WANT TO EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY, BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN? KEEP THIS PAGE TO HELP YOU FIND A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE...
ASHFORD Ashford Christian Fellowship Worship Centre, 23 Tufton Street. Sundays: 9.30-11am (inc. children’s facilities) & 11.30-1pm (no children’s facilities). Last Sunday each month: Healing & Miracles service: 6.30pm. Enquiries: 01233 334007. (CF57)
Bedford
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Great Barford Word of Life Church
meet Sunday 10.30 at the Village Hall, Fishers Close. Enquiries: Pastor John Best
01234 871475 CANTERBURY Trinity Community Church. Meetings Sundays 10.45am at St Stephen’s Junior School, Hales Place, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 459 785. (CA06)
CHATT E R I S F e n L i f e C hr istia n Church. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. King Edward Centre, Railway Lane, CHATTERIS. 01480 385001. www.fenlife.org.uk (EQ51)
New Life Community Church Fuller Drive
HUDDERSFIELD Elim Pentecostal Church, Grace Centre, 23 St Johns Road, Huddersfield HD1 5BW welcomes you to their Sunday services 10.30am and 6.30pm. TE: 01484 535 554 Web Site: www.huddelim.org.uk (EB18)
ISLE OF WIGHT – Manna Christian Fellowship. The Music Room, Bishop Lovett School, Appleby Road, Ryde. Sundays 11am and 6.30pm Tel 01983 564 845 (CB48)
LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Wednesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome. (CW05)
GATEWAY CHURCH LEYTON
Welcomes you Sundays 10.30am at Barclay School Canterbury Rd, London E10 www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Sharing Hope & Life
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RUSHDEN Full Gospel Church. High Street South, Rushden. A family Church that loves God, each other and those in the community. Sundays 10.45am & 6pm. Enquiries telephone: 01933 418 002. (DC19)
LEICESTER Na r b o r o u g h R oad Christian Fellowship. Meet at Manor House, Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome. (AB25)
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Where God Changes Lives!
RIpON Worship and Rejoice with us at the New Life Church, Water Skellgate. 10.30am Sundays. Info or Prayer. Phone 01765 604379. (EY00)
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ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs. Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm. Enquiries: 0161 282 6676. (CA09)
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LONG EATON Oasis Christian Centre, Derby Road. 10am & 6pm. Come and enjoy the dynamic worship and a warm welcome. God centred, Purpose driven, People empowering. Enquiries: Church Office 0115 9460463 (EL62)
SAFFRON WALDEN, New Life Church. Shire Hill. Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. For details call Pastor R Ellalasingham on 01799 506045 email: mail@nlpc.co.uk (FR19)
STEvENAGE pENTECOSTAL CHURCH Assemblies of God UK. Bedwell Community Centre, Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage. Meeting Sundays 10.30am. For details email Pastor: pete.cross@stevenagepentecos talchurch.co.uk or visit our web site www.stevenagepentecostalchurch. co.uk (FV22)
MAIDSTONE Welcome to Mangravet Church which meets at Grove Road (near Police HQ), Sundays 10.30am. Enquiries: 01622 664 940. (DP53) EDENTHORpE, near Doncaster Edenthorpe Pentecostal church, Edenthorpe Community Centre, Cedric Road. Sundays 10.30am & 6.00pm. Children’s Good News club Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.45pm. 4U Children school year 6-9 Fridays 7.15pm. Warm welcome to all. Enquiries 01302 882738. (ER50) ELY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIp A loving, growing, praying family church. Sunday celebration 10.30am. Enquiries phone: 01353 662 228. Email: info@elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Web www.elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Also Christian Bookshop 01353 667 004. (DU35)
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rainham School Girl’s (between Highfield Road & Derwent Way), Rainham
GiLLiNGham
Meet every Sunday 10.30am A warm welcome awaits you
For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410
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READING Assemblies of God Christian Centre (Mount Zion). Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30pm. Enquiries Tel: 01252 872 754.
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RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Morning Meetings 9.30am & 11.30am. Children’s Church 9.30am & 11.30am. Sunday Evenings 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. (CA36)
For a friendly, Christian care home in Great Finborough
SHANKLIN Isle of Wight, Living Waters Fellowship, 29, Victoria Avenue. Sundays 2.30pm (Service). Wednesday Home Group 10.30am (Bible Study). Thursdays 10.30am (Prayer) 7.30pm Monthly also Saturdays 7.30pm Monthly (Intercessory Praise & Worship). Enquiries & Newsletter (01983) 863683, livingwaters.iw@btinternet.com or livingwaters.iw@gmail.com. (CA52)
WAKEFIELD The King’s Church. Real People, Real Life, Real Answers. For more information contact Jonathan on: 07914137512 or www.christ4u. co.uk (FF63) (CA66)
Care Team Leader/Deputy Manager
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HIS IS A FULFILLING JOB for a committed Christian with a heart for frail, elderly people. We care for 20 elderly residents in Finborough Court, Great Finborough. Finborough Court belongs to Pilgrim Homes, founded in 1807 and renowned for its Christian ethos and loving care. The person taking over this post can expect full support from our experienced, friendly team. Applicants will have supervisory/senior care experience in residential care OR a nursing qualification (although the latter is not essential) and may have an NVQ at level 3 or above. The Care Team Leader has a key role within the home, leading the team of carers and deputising for the home manager when required. Is God calling you? To visit, and find out more, please contact: Rosie Hall, RN Tel: 0300 303 1450 Email: finborough@pilgrimhomes.org.uk
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Issue we’re not grappling with! A GrOUP of university student wrestlers meet to worship before every match. “We have prayer meetings before every match. They really help put our hearts in the right place so we go out not for ourselves, but in order to glorify God,” said Mark Johnson, head coach at the University of Illinois.
Issue 182
How I Tyke injuries in my stride LINVOY Continued from Back Page Professional Footballers’ Association team of the season. Darren’s career has taken him to Portsmouth, West Brom and Derby before joining Barnsley this season. In his spare time, as well as being a regular at church, he also is active in Christian charity Faith in Football along with fellow stars Linvoy Primus and Lomana Lua-Lua. He has raised thousands of pounds for Christian Aid and Oxfam through charity ventures. Darren urged any football fans reading to find the same happiness he has by giving their lives to
Christ. He said: “God wants to be a part of your life and help give you direction and guidance. Open your heart and allow God in. No matter what you’re going through, Jesus can come and make a difference. “My message has always been the same – when you know Jesus there is everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
11
PRIMUS
The inside track on faith in football
Do you have a question about faith or God that you would like to ask Darren? Send an e-mail to editor@newlife.co.uk and we will pass your questions on to him.
It’s time to FAITH OF GUNNER’S STAR INDISPUTABLE start using good habits
it’s all in god’s name EMMANUEL Eboue has handed his new baby boy a middle name to match his own devout Christianity – he’s called him God!
The Arsenal defender loves kids and his third born will be reminded every day of his life just what a life of faith has meant to his father. The Gunners midfielder – who prays every day – has needed every bit of his belief in Jesus Christ over the past few months as he has suffered at the hands of his own fans. And he admits that December 6, 2008 is a date he will not forget in a hurry – a day when his faith was required to ensure he kept his perspective. It was his comeback after a fiveweek lay-off with a knee injury, but he was short not only on match sharpness. The harder he tried, the worse it became and his misery was completed when he effectively dispossessed team-mate Kolo Touré and then passed straight to a Wigan player. The game was delicately poised at 1-0 and the crowd howled like a pack of wolves. Arsène Wenger decided that Eboué had “completely lost his confidence”. He felt compelled to substitute him. When t he boa rd went up i n the 89th minute, the supporters cheered. Eboué describes what
by Hugh Southon
happened as “my worst moment in football”. His career at Arsenal flashed before him. He said: “I went straight home and when I got there I went straight to my bedroom and I closed the door. “The next day, I didn’t want to go back to the training ground. But my friends, Kolo Touré, Adebayor and Song, they came to my house. They had tried to call but my phone was off and so they came straight over; they helped me.” His faith also kept him strong when Bacary Sagna was signed – a player who was always gong to put his own position in the team under threat. He said: “If you have got another player, you try to give more than him. Sometimes I am not happy but that is normal. If I play, I say: ‘Thank you God,’ and if I don’t play, I say: ‘Thank you God.’” Eboué’s faith is not the only thing that provides him with perspective. When he was 13, he was “absolutely devastated” by the death of his father and he rarely fails to pay his respects when he goes home to Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s capital. He said: “It hurts very much, but God has taken him away and I must now look after my brothers and sisters and help them. “God has given me strength and good health to continue to look after my brothers and sisters.”
THAT’S MY BOY... Emmanule Eboue whose son has ‘God’ as his middle name
do and where should I be?’ ‘Then Kingsley came to me out of t he blue, a nd told me a job was coming up after it was announced Philippe was leaving to go to France. “Kingsley said he wanted me to be his right-hand man, I prayed with my wife. And I just knew I had to get out there again.”
GOLFerS at Burghill Golf Course might decided to “putt” their trust in God when they reach the sixth hole. The players will find a board advertising the Church of england’s Hereford Diocese.
INSPIRED Diocese spokespe rson A n n i Holden sa id: “We hope players will not be put off their strokes, in
If Bible study sounds boring, it’s not. Without it we won’t know how to behave
Harry’s game!
I’ve faith in return Holy in one at course! Continued from Back Page an avenue I said I would never go down. Before I was asked in February, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. “I was doing some grassroots coaching but I knew I had to get my teeth into something. ‘I said: ‘Lord, just show me, what is the right thing to
IT’S one of those sad facts of life that it’s always far easier to pick up bad habits than good. Un less you a re a Ch r ist ia n you won’t necessarily understand why that is so. Let me tell you the reason – just as there’s a God who wants only good things for your life, there’s also a devil who wants you doing the most vile things. Trying to improve ourselves is a hopeless task. As many who have committed their lives to Christ will tell you, he’s the one who can do that permanently. But let me try to help a little – fix the word ‘habits’ in your mind and think of it in this way: Hang out with people who have a strong belief in God, who will encourage you to change your bad points. Allow what you may call your conscience to guide you because that is usually what the Bible describes as the Holy Spirit. He comes alongside and tells us the right thing to do! Bible study: If that sounds boring let me prom i se you it ’s not – and without look i ng i nto t he Good Book we are neve r goi ng to know the right way to behave. I nt i m a c y i s a key word i n a ny relationsh ip. You get to know God in an intimate way when you pray and let God talk to us. One of the greatest evangelists of all time, Billy Graham, when asked how he knew God existed said, “because we talked to each other this morning”. Tell people the greatest news of all time – that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and when you give your life to him he will save you from going to hell. Socialise with Christians – they are the people who can help you get things sorted in your life.
fact we hope they will feel a little inspired. “We decided it would be a good idea to advertise all our churches to the local and visiting golfers. We hope it will remind golfers of the presence of the church in the beautiful county in which they live. “We’ll see how this goes and would welcome other suggestions for signs and other venues where we might advertise.”
I’M not surprised that Harry redknapp looks likely to lead Spurs to survival. I was with him for years at Portsmouth and he’s absolutely top class. He left Portsmouth whilst I was on loan at Charlton but it didn’t surprise me the north London club came for him. J u st w a it u nt i l t h e summer when he gets his own team together in the transfer market. Spurs are a club t h at ’s w a ite d ye a r s to m a ke the impact they should and Ha rr y is the man to ensure they do it. A f te r t h at I hope he achieves his ultimate ambition – to manage england. Linvoy was talking to Hugh Southon
DON’T MISS LINVOY NEXT MONTH
Issue 182
DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST NAMES IN LINVOY PRIMUS WRITES FOR NEW LIFE ABOUT FAITH AND FOOTBALL
12
SPORT GUNNERS STAR EBOUE PROVES THAT IT’S ALL IN GOD’S NAME
ALL THESE BRILLIANT STORIES AND MORE ON PAGE 11
Daz has a bright idea to tackle injuries DEFENDER RELIES ON PRAYER InjurIes are no problem to Barnsley defender Darren Moore, who believes PrAYer can make him better. Moore, a rock at the back for the Reds this season, is a devout Christian who revealed the physio’s table isn’t always his first port of call when he picks up a knock. He told New Life: “The Bible says that because Jesus died we can be healed. I’m a firm believer in healing. Even in football, injuries can occur but at the same time we have the Greatest Physician and his name is Jesus Christ.” Darren reckons he sees people healed regularly at his church, Renewal Christian Centre, near Birmingham. He added: “There’s one woman in the church band who was riddled with cancer and there was really no hope. But we prayed for her and now she is totally fine. I’ve seen people with sight problems healed and people with all kinds of sicknesses and pain testify of a miracle.” And whilst Darren is a regular at church, his faith means more to him than attending on a Sunday.
He added: “This is a 24-7 thing for me. Just as you build a relationship with your partner or your wife, you have to build one with the Lord. He wants to be with you through the good and the bad times.” But the 6ft 3in centre-half hasn’t always been a believer. In fact, he only turned to God after current Bradford City assistant boss Wayne Jacobs invited him to a Christians in Sport meeting back in 1999. He recalls: “I had grown up in a Christian household and would go to Sunday School but didn’t understand the true meaning of God and Jesus. As I progressed in football, I didn’t give it much thought. “Even though I had become a professional footballer, I had doubts that I wasn’t good enough. But after I attended that meeting I became a Christian and I realized that God loved me, it was an amazing experience. “I learned that God loved the world so much that he gave his own son to die for us, and I am a part of that world. It struck a chord in me. I couldn’t believe that someone loved me that much.” After finding God, Darren enjoyed a successful campaign at Bradford, even being selected in the Continued on Page 11
TYKE-ING NO CHANCES... Darren Moore puts his faith in prayer
Pic courtesy of Barnsley Chronicle
I’ve got faith over decision to return by Hugh Southon JASON Robinson is on his way back to Sale Sharks as head coach – and the former England hero has revealed the decision was steered entirely by God! Born-again Christian Robbo, who achieved iconic status in both codes of the game, will take up the role from next season after a hugely successful playing career with the Premiership outfit. The former England and British and Irish Lions back had been searching for a new challenge following his retirement from playing after the 2007 World Cup. And the lure of reJason Robinson turning to Sale and working under Kingsley Jones, who will succeed Philippe Saint-Andre as director of rugby, proved impossible to resist. Robinson – one of the highest profile Christians in world sport – always in insisted that every decision he makes will be guided by God. He returned to England duty as a player only after insisting that he would wait to hear from the Lord before making ANY decision. Eventually he did and became a hero all over again in the World Cup and once again he placed his future in the Almighty’s hands before making the emotional return to Sale. He said: ‘My faith played a massive part in me coming back. It was important for me to make sure I’m doing the right thing. “I pray about all the decisions I make but I knew God was leading me down Continued on Page 11
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