Why should we be concerned with the changes in marriage or the redefinition of marriage? Why does marriage matter? In support of the case that marriage is right and appropriate only between a man and a woman, I want to call three witnesses to give testimony.

We live in an age described as ‘the now generation’ (Alvin Toffler). Everyone seems to want everything ‘now’. We've instant coffee, fast food, entertainment at the press of our fingertips, millions buying goods on credit that they can’t afford, sports teams expecting instant success from their managers, and many seeking gratification before the commitment and covenant of marriage.

A wet February night at 10:15pm. YES at 10:15PM!! The
latest showing at a cinema I’ve ever been to...and probably ever will. Despite the time of night you
never really noticed 1. Because the film was superb
and 2. Because the VIP seating in Maghera is excellent. Quiet, Reclining seats, armchairs and its only an extra £1! the only downfall is that it’s in Maghera.... I’m sure Maghera is lovely but it’s a wee bit off the beaten track. However, would highly
recommend the VIP cinema its superb at no extra cost.

Occasionally some married couples renew their wedding vows. They may do so for a variety of reasons, but their goal is to strengthen their marriage by renewal of their covenant.

My favourite bible character is Esther, the brave queen. Let me tell you a little bit about the story of Esther.

In January 2018 Rachael Denhollander was catapulted into the international eye through her powerful speech in the case brought before the American courts regarding Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics’ doctor, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. Perhaps you remember the startling account of her bravery and her strength in fighting for all victims of sexual abuse.  

Our family car used to boast several road maps of Ireland which were laboriously puzzled over each summer as the McCulloughs winded their way across incredibly small roads with a caravan and roof box attached (such roads were not conducive for Gameboys or reading). Perhaps for you, your memory of maps is the dreaded task of map reader on a Duke of Edinburgh excursion. 

At the three great annual festivals in Israel, God’s people would sing Psalms 113-118. Therefore Ps 113 would have been one of the psalms that the Lord Jesus would have sung in the upper room at the Passover meal on the night before His crucifixion. What is there in this Psalm that would have helped our Lord in facing up to what lay before Him?

In standing firm, the Algerian Church has become an example for other Christians in the region, especially those from a Muslim background. Algerian believers are “all Muslim converts, but they’re not afraid; they’re resisting” the forced closures, Youssef described. “They want to keep their churches open, so it has given a lot of hope and also shown to the world that it’s possible: They’re not only willing to believe but they’re also willing to suffer.”

The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of peace which is so rich, deep and delightful! Yet most people today tend to use the word peace in a very limited sense.

Storms are something we are very familiar with in our land. They are a regular occurrence every year sweeping in and battering our island. Storms are inevitable, not just meteorological ones but the storms we face in our Christian walk. Our circumstances are like the weather in Ireland, very changeable. Maybe you are in the midst of a storm right now.

Bulgarians have known oppression from many hands. In the late 14th century, the Ottomans conquered Bulgaria, and the country was part of the Ottoman Empire for the next 500 years. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria came under the influence of another major power, Russia. The People’s Republic of Bulgaria, as the country became known after the Second World War, was ruled by the Bulgarian Communist Party from 1946 to 1989. This history has resulted in a significant lack of trust in government, authority and outsiders.

Part 2

Covenant Renewal at any time or in any place must consist of a renewed pledge of loving loyalty and devoted obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Life is a journey - or so we are told. As a journey, life has a beginning, a middle and an end. A starting point, a direction of travel and an end point. It all sounds so simple and straightforward, yet, inevitably as the journey unfolds certain questions arise. Where am I now on my journey? How can I be sure I’m on the right path? What is my ultimate destination? – to name but a few.

Have you ever been abandoned, rejected or betrayed by someone, especially someone you knew, even by someone you thought was yourfriend? If you have, then you’ve shared a similar experience to David in this psalm, and there are lessons for you from the psalm. The background
to it is that King Saul, who had made himself an enemy of David, was set on killing him. David

He has strengthened her faith in fire, it is stronger than steel.

In her hands, a weapon like no other;

The Spirit of God and he is like fire unquenching.

She is untouchable, as His child, and she is in battle for him.

Opposition is rising, and though her ranks may fail

The battle has already been won,

Jesus Christ is victorious.

Covenants, covenant renewal and covenant commitment were major aspects of the First (Sixteenth Century) and Second (Seventeenth Century) Scottish Reformations. But where did our spiritual ancestors get this idea of covenanting?

Psalm 126 is to help us experience God’s restoring grace.  It is one of the Songs of Ascents, sung by the church in OT days as they journeyed up to the various feasts in Jerusalem.

Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria. It has an ethnically diverse population of around 5 million people. Pre-COVID lockdown days, Melbourne boasted in the title of being Australia’s capital of culture, coffee, fashion, food, education, and sport. It still is the home of the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Australian Football League (AFL). It still is home to 7 Australian universities and also five university satellite campuses. But where Melbourne was once known as the most liveable city in the world, pride goes before the fall, and it is now best known as the most locked-down city in the world!