tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78217360285512375592024-03-13T21:21:42.152+00:0020:20 & FusionThe vision?
The vision is JESUS – obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people.
You see bones? I see an army.Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-26116593102650195952008-08-18T12:49:00.005+00:002008-08-18T17:04:54.282+00:00Romania and Back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpRPFl16I/AAAAAAAAAA0/oTuSnvgjOn4/s1600-h/IMG_0381.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpRPFl16I/AAAAAAAAAA0/oTuSnvgjOn4/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235902155367765922" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I have tried putting Romania into words for you, but honestly its impossible! I could talk about the 22hr<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>journey there, the thunder storms which kept us in Church, trying to wash 19 people with very little water, trying to get 11 girls to sleep, the children at the kids club, painting ceilings and mixing concrete, horse and cart rides, BBQs, Amys 21<sup>st</sup> birthday, campfires, throwing up due to the terrible roads, the ‘natural spas’, washing dishes for 250 people 3 times a day, setting up a kids camp half way up a mountain, crayons melting in the sun, goats invading our clubs, listening to 125 boys singing ‘Awesome God’ at the tops of their voices in Romanian, each child we came in contact with, the families we stayed with, watching the sun set in Hungary as we travelled 10hrs back to start the long haul home, putting 5hrs in at Luton airport twice, Mafia, Empires, bug bites, 35 degree heat, or singing! I could talk about any of those things in depth but I think as a member of WPC I want to tell you that you should be more than proud of each and every person who was part of our team!</p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpRsiLItI/AAAAAAAAAA8/NfhibKPhw4s/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235902163272278738" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpSFP7TKI/AAAAAAAAABE/qLCoriguGQ0/s320/IMG_0745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235902169906629794" /><p class="MsoNormal">From the word go, we have had 19 people who have not caused any major problems, 19 people who love God and want to serve Him, 19 people who can make you scream but also make you laugh 2 minutes later, 19 people who were willing to let God use them for His work and now 19 people who have had their lives changed due to this Exodus team without a shadow of a doubt!</p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpS3s4A9I/AAAAAAAAABU/G_pLolTgyNY/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235902183449822162" /><p class="MsoNormal">In Romania, while all these things were going on, we had a tight community who prayed for one another, laughed with one another, cried with one another, made fun of one another but most importantly loved one another! I feel we have come to a point where we cant go back! The team was for sure the highlight of my trip, God changed lives in front of my eyes and I was privileged to be part of it.</p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/SKmpSbzyJTI/AAAAAAAAABM/XTb8b7dHsQs/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235902175962604850" /><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your prayers and support over the last 7 months, it didn’t go to waste, infact it was life changing! </p> <!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kate Hannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04308369966999988872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-46736057530586806092008-06-14T09:56:00.003+00:002008-12-09T01:51:59.670+00:00End of another year...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYxkvHJFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/rGtdoQ3GPcY/s1600-h/DSC00033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYxkvHJFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/rGtdoQ3GPcY/s320/DSC00033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211677171240084562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We had a Barbeque last night to celebrate the end of a great year with Fusion & 20:20. Good food, banter, some worship and a few awards! The nig</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ht finished as we chilled out around a </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">couple of fire-pits - hard to beat it!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am incredibly blessed to work with such a fantastic group of young people and look forward to things kicking off again in September!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYyiAdVlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Me7UlmpwB5A/s1600-h/DSC00022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYyiAdVlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Me7UlmpwB5A/s320/DSC00022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211677187687405138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYyNBw5qI/AAAAAAAAAEU/8qk_yN4B_og/s1600-h/DSC00026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYyNBw5qI/AAAAAAAAAEU/8qk_yN4B_og/s320/DSC00026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211677182055736994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYzBCFkcI/AAAAAAAAAEk/-d_Jd7pH3IQ/s1600-h/DSC00034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOYzBCFkcI/AAAAAAAAAEk/-d_Jd7pH3IQ/s320/DSC00034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211677196015735234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWluAZgAI/AAAAAAAAADk/faSTUa7pwo4/s1600-h/DSC00023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWluAZgAI/AAAAAAAAADk/faSTUa7pwo4/s320/DSC00023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211674768546824194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWmBGBkFI/AAAAAAAAADs/sJvg03Etia8/s1600-h/DSC00025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWmBGBkFI/AAAAAAAAADs/sJvg03Etia8/s320/DSC00025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211674773670694994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWmqtIEHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/FB8xngV-grM/s1600-h/DSC00028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWmqtIEHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/FB8xngV-grM/s320/DSC00028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211674784840552562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWnKIcE4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/ILhWsWW3Q0U/s1600-h/DSC00029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWnKIcE4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/ILhWsWW3Q0U/s320/DSC00029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211674793276609410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWnenjfAI/AAAAAAAAAEE/NUsERN4xT0Y/s1600-h/DSC00030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/SFOWnenjfAI/AAAAAAAAAEE/NUsERN4xT0Y/s320/DSC00030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211674798775827458" border="0" /></a>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-14020776707295885192008-04-24T15:31:00.002+00:002008-04-24T15:51:30.730+00:00Upcoming events...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thought i would keep you informed of a couple of things that you need to get signed up for ASAP!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.summermadness.co.uk/images/top-logo.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.summermadness.co.uk/images/top-logo.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The first thing is Summer Madness which is happening from <span style="font-weight: bold;">27th June - 1st July</span>. If you are interested in going with our group then its important that you have <span style="font-weight: bold;">completed and returned a consent form (from me) with payment of £68.50 by next Friday 2nd May</span>. The reason for the haste is that after that date the price will increase to £73.50.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41443000/jpg/_41443679_ulster_rugby_logo203.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41443000/jpg/_41443679_ulster_rugby_logo203.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We are also planning to take a bus to the last <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ulster Rugby game</span> of the season against Cardiff Blues on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday 9th May</span>. Consent forms are available from me. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Places will be limited</span> so please return forms and money to me ASAP. Cost will be £5.<br /><br />Fusion (7-9pm) and 20:20 will be as normal this week so i will see you all there!<br /></span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-15011698413237865252008-04-10T09:07:00.006+00:002008-12-09T01:52:00.514+00:00Skiing - Italy 2008So I have been suffering from the back to school blues this week! It's sometimes hard to go back into the 'ordinary' world when you've had a break, or when you've been away! Some of us were skiing over Easter, and as soon as I sat down in class on Monday morning I immediately missed the crisp, cold air, the slopes, the craic, the community and, of course, the feeling of snow in your face as you tumble head first down the slope!<br /><br />Maybe most of all though, I missed waking up to the magnificent views of God's mighty creation!<br /><br />So if you have been feeling the same this week, enjoy these pics! If you weren't away, then just look and be in awe...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3cF69WqUI/AAAAAAAAABU/A2GDBELI24A/s1600-h/DSC01670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3cF69WqUI/AAAAAAAAABU/A2GDBELI24A/s320/DSC01670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187544340084730178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3hHa9WqWI/AAAAAAAAABk/zIbRVoD_UkE/s1600-h/DSC01660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3hHa9WqWI/AAAAAAAAABk/zIbRVoD_UkE/s320/DSC01660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187549863412672866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3ZZa9WqSI/AAAAAAAAABE/8e1CjuyliW8/s1600-h/DSC01657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3ZZa9WqSI/AAAAAAAAABE/8e1CjuyliW8/s320/DSC01657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187541376557295906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3cU69WqVI/AAAAAAAAABc/nS0__6mpcSM/s1600-h/DSC0163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R_3cU69WqVI/AAAAAAAAABc/nS0__6mpcSM/s320/DSC0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187544597782767954" border="0" /></a></div>Chris Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803260022388241192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-59919409839999196852008-03-10T14:11:00.003+00:002008-12-09T01:52:00.682+00:00Jesus in a Box...?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R9VD7D3PIUI/AAAAAAAAAA8/wNA_tu4M4E0/s1600-h/indiana-jones1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R9VD7D3PIUI/AAAAAAAAAA8/wNA_tu4M4E0/s320/indiana-jones1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176118028660580674" border="0" /></a><br />Do we ever put Jesus in a box? Do we restrict Him and hinder His work in us by the lack of our own imagination? Are we holding on to a traditional image of Jesus that we learned as children - gentle Jesus meek and mild etc?<br /><br />Let me tell you how I got to that point! The picture to the left is of the legendary Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones; the whip wielding, snake hating, Nazi fighting archaeologist! What does that have to do with Jesus and what I'm thinking about?<br /><br />Well, in John Chapter 2 v 15, we are painted a picture of a Jesus that differs from one you may have in your head...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Jesus wielding a whip? Throwing tables around? Maybe it is time we took another look at who Jesus was... Do you keep Him in a box?<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Chris Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803260022388241192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-85543006869244358342008-03-08T08:53:00.003+00:002008-03-08T09:31:19.773+00:00Spreading the fan baseHey wednesday adams just wanted to say I've been spreading your fan base here in South Africa. And also wanted to say sorry I never got to see the airing of the ATL show on tv cause they don't get those channels here for some reason!!! But when I get home i'll have to borrow someones copy. Raging I missed it!Sarah Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449396194713113718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-1380682222213647832008-03-08T07:55:00.002+00:002008-03-08T08:35:40.152+00:00God is everywhere<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Hey everyone, hello from S.A. I hear you may have heard my email last night. I hope everyone is well and enjoyed Castlewellen? God has been opening my eyes to his power and presence everywhere in South Africa. I have joined a church called Harvest Christian Church, it is just overflowing with God I can't wait to get to church every week. Last night though was the opening night of their on campus ministry and guess what guys.....it's called:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Twenty20Destiny | Campus Ministry</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">A Student Revolution Impacting the Nation by Bringing About Positive Change<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It just showed me how God works across continents, and it encouraged me so much and made me think of everybody at 20:20 at home. I miss all of you and look forward to getting back into WPC. For the first time I have truly understood what a church family is and it is the most wonderful feeling. Thank you all for your prayers I am safe and well and am making good friends here. God answers prayer! I joined a cell of girls from harvest and we've been discussing how to lead a person to Christ....What should you say when someone asks why are you a Christian or why should i become a Christian? So it has been really great as its something I have never felt very confidant in. <br /><br />Last night at the twenty20destiny night some of our friends were in a drama that I just have to get a copy of for you. It blew me away....the most powerful thing I have ever watched. I don't wanna spoil it but it was about how 'other things' can separate us from God. God spoke right to my heart that moment and said 'I've always been here, waiting for you, wanting to be with you. I've been trying to reach out to you but things of this world have tempted you away. Please come back to me, I love you.' I was brought to tears at how I always seem to put other things before God and I recommitted my life when they asked people to stand as I just wanted God, nothing else, nothing else can satisfy, and I longed for Him, His presence beside my all the time.<br /><br />Guys I just wanna say God holds out His hand to us at ever step in our lives and it's our responsibility to put our hand into His and say 'God I trust you, not my will but yours be done'.<br /></span></span></span>Sarah Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449396194713113718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-91067070589272403822008-02-16T21:54:00.002+00:002008-02-16T21:58:47.943+00:00Castlewellan Retreat details...<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Here are the details for the Castlewellan Retreat next weekend! Apologies I forgot to print this off and distribute on Friday night!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">We will be departing from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Waringstown Presbyterian Church Car Park at 6pm on Friday 22nd February</span>.<span style=""> </span>We will arrive back at WPC car park on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday 24th February at 3.30pm</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONSENT FORM MUST BE COMPLETED & RETURNED TO NEIL</span><o:p></o:p><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things to bring:</span><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sleeping bag & pillow<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Warm clothing<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Older clothing for Saturday afternoon activities & late night ‘Capture the Flag’<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Towel & wash kit<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Bible, notebook & pen<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Snack Food:<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Torch & batteries<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sense of humour<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-8973758614514796022008-01-13T13:21:00.000+00:002008-01-13T13:35:00.850+00:00Goats, pigs, ducks, a bike and a tap...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.presentaid.org/page/home&source=A003837?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid%2BSearch&utm_term=Brand&utm_campaign=Present%2BAid%2BChristmas%2B07&gclid=CNPWjZOn85ACFQLilAoddjlarw"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.presentaid.org/content/ebiz/christianaid/element/mainlogo/logo.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We had our Christmas night out with Fusion & 20:20 before Christmas. We went to the Panto and had a great nights craic! I had decided that at a time of year when we spend so much money on ourselves it would be good for our young people to give some away to helps people less fortunate in other countries. So i gave them some advance warning that we would be taking donation in the hope that we could buy a herd of goats (cost £60) for a family in Afghanistan from <a href="http://www.presentaid.org/page/home&source=A003837?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid%2BSearch&utm_term=Brand&utm_campaign=Present%2BAid%2BChristmas%2B07&gclid=CNPWjZOn85ACFQLilAoddjlarw">Present Aid</a>. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of a group of young people mostly aged 11-18. The total raised was a fantastic <span style="font-weight: bold;">£211</span> which meant we were able to buy the goats as well as pigs for a family in Nicaragua, ducks for a family in Bangladesh, a bike for an outreach worker in Malawi and a water tap for a community in Nicaragua! How amazing is that! If you haven't visited the Present Aid website then you really should - use the link above. Maybe you could purchase an ethical gift for a friend or family member.</span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-37541909645334267452008-01-08T16:01:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:01.330+00:00I love Sunny Jims<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/R4OfGg57aqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/IbYKeCVgJFk/s1600-h/sunny+jim.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153137332902914722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/R4OfGg57aqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/IbYKeCVgJFk/s320/sunny+jim.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/R4OfGg57arI/AAAAAAAAAAs/1CrlucnsYjs/s1600-h/yule+fire.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153137332902914738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/R4OfGg57arI/AAAAAAAAAAs/1CrlucnsYjs/s320/yule+fire.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">At the grand old age of 33, I lit my first fire over the holidays. Not out of a burning desire to do so, but needs must and Marky was out! My lovely 95year old granny would be disgusted and horrified to hear that my fire-lighting debut was not until now! In the words of the late Lauren Cooper, I think she would say “Take the shame!” Yes I know it is quite shameful, but I’m not remotely a feminist and have always believed that lighting the fire is a man’s job, together with putting the wheelie bin out, mowing the lawn and venturing into the roofspace to retrieve Christmas decorations.....not all at once of course as that would be serious multi-tasking!!</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></div></span><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway, I was very cold, feeling both ill and sorry for myself and longed for the comfort provided by the cosy glow of a real fire. How hard could it be I mused and decided to give it a go. Well, first of all there was the horrible task of cleaning out the dust and ashes from the previous night’s fire. Very messy, especially when I decided to use the plastic dustpan and brush from the kitchen, thinking I was smart as it was wider and thus quicker. Well, not when embers are still quite hot from the old fire and the brush becomes very quickly unrecognisable! Duh! Is there any truth in that ‘dumb blonde’ notion? Mmmmmm? No comments please!</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then i looked at the basket containing logs, broquettes, firelighters and coal, but hadn’t a clue where to start! So guys I decided to take the shame, swallow my pride and phoned my Dad for quick instruction. We then had a debate re possibility of it lighting without sticks and I refused to believe it wouldn’t. It had to. End of. Very shortly, my genius father had me making pretend sticks out of rolled up newspaper and carefully arranging with the coal (yes ladies this is why it’s a man’s job!) I struck the match and imagined my soon-to –be roaring fire. Well the paper burnt very quickly but the coal was completely disinterested and totally ignored what was going on! That was until I remembered about the aptly-named fire-lighters!! What mighty little beings! Just ready to ignite and burn powerfully so that even the stubborn coal couldn’t resist! Finally guys my fire lit and the coal, as it burned and glowed, provided such warmth, comfort and love to me!! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify">As I gazed at it with much happiness, I realised that God wants me to be a ‘fire-lighter’ for him. It’s his call to all of us who are so blessed to know him. He wants us to see those around us who need his warmth, comfort and most importantly love. A fire-lighter on its own is rather insignificant and ineffective. But ignited with the flame of a match, it becomes a powerhouse and so necessary to light that fire. That fire reminded me of church and 2020. When all the ingredients were there, playing their unique but essential part, the fire roared and was irresistible. It took effort to light it, and even dumb blonde mistakes made on the way. But the Holy Spirit is God’s flame that can light us and through us, help others ‘glow’ and receive hope of changed lives. Let’s be a part of it, at church, 2020 living solely for God’s Kingdom, being ignited TOGETHER by the Holy Spirit. Let’s be willing, for God to light us with his irresistible, overflowing love and offer His comfort and warmth to all those around us who are hurting, lonely or fearful . We all know someone who needs hope and love today and being in God’s vibrant, all-inclusive and victorious Kingdom offers that!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-560829900000864892008-01-03T10:37:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:01.821+00:00Happy New Year!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R3y77aNMexI/AAAAAAAAAA0/RzeJus_6qS0/s1600-h/CAAM-Portstewart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/R3y77aNMexI/AAAAAAAAAA0/RzeJus_6qS0/s320/CAAM-Portstewart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151198703126346514" border="0" /></a><br />Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had an exciting new year's eve, bringing the New Year in with style. I welcomed in the new year on Portstewart Strand and it was fantastic! In the dark all you could hear was the roar of the waves and the sound of footsteps on the sand!<br /><br />So as the new year begins I am drawn to think of the year gone by - and to remember the many ways in which God has been good to me, and the many times when I didn't deserve his goodness! There are so many blessings that come to my mind!<br /><br />And as I think on the year that is to come I see many things which I will face and struggle with. I need to lay these before an Almighty God, and believe that just as He was with me in 2007, so He will be with me in 2008!<br /><br />So let us pray for all that 2008 may hold: school and exams, starting university, new jobs, Fusion, 20:20, discipleship program and Romania trip, 20:20 weekend in February, holidays. The Lord holds all these in His hands. And as we look around the world and see conflict and strife we must remember, the Lord holds all these in His hands.<br /><br />So let us listen and hear the Lord say to me, and to you:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">'Fear not, for I am with you!'<br /></div>Chris Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803260022388241192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-35630901208671302362007-12-01T10:43:00.000+00:002007-12-01T10:49:37.124+00:00Patience...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the Patience video we showed last week in 20:20. I know some of you couldn't be there and I'm sure all of you would like to see it again anyway!</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4ftcU4yvk24&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4ftcU4yvk24&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've posted a couple of the thoughts and quotes i shared on Patience on my own blog so just </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://neilharrison.blogspot.com/2007/12/have-little-patience.html">click here.</a>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-25765168068571999982007-11-14T23:25:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:02.105+00:00Hectic weekend past...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's been ages since i have posted here but thought i would share a bit about the activities of last weekend! 20:20 celebrated the 18th Birthda</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">y of Jessy Stoddart on Friday night with a 60's party in the church hall! It was awesome craic and special mention has to go to the female leaders who put ex</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tra special effort in to their costumes as The Supremes. Alas i have no pictures of this to share with you but if anyone has some pics </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">then let me know!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIbCXwfhI/AAAAAAAAADM/LZ9WpSzUQA8/s1600-h/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIbCXwfhI/AAAAAAAAADM/LZ9WpSzUQA8/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132846198393175570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On Saturday we had a 20:20 Day trip to Dublin. The highlight of this was the Surprise Mystery Event! This had built up quite a suspense amongst the young people for the 2 weeks leading up to the trip and i don't think they were disappointed. We had booked the Viking Splash</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Tour, a trip around Dublin on WW2 amphibious (yes</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> land and water!) vehicles called DUKW's. Here's a few pics to give you an idea! All and all it was a great day's craic with the young people who </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">made it along!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIcCXwfiI/AAAAAAAAADU/vL3SKE9y4tc/s1600-h/IMG_0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIcCXwfiI/AAAAAAAAADU/vL3SKE9y4tc/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132846215573044770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIciXwfjI/AAAAAAAAADc/h5x-tLMASHk/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RzuIciXwfjI/AAAAAAAAADc/h5x-tLMASHk/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132846224162979378" border="0" /></a>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-76634144185096305212007-10-30T11:52:00.000+00:002007-10-30T12:24:56.680+00:00Thanking God for Shatterproof Glass. . .Have you ever done something really stupid only to later sit back and wonder why you did it? To recollect the events only to find that you can provide no explanation as to why you took a certain course of action? Perhaps this is a common feeling for some of us, but not for me. However, as of last week I can now be counted part of the club!<br /><br />Why? Because last week, in a moment of blind stupidity, I ran full smack into a window. I was in a cafe and in such a rush to get outside I must have decided that the door was clearly not an option. The clever man goes for the window instead!! Now in my defense the window was very clean, and one could easily have not realised that it was glass and not air in that gap! Like I said, I have often tried to explain what went on in my head, but I can't - it's just one of those things I suppose! The bonus is, since I broke the window, no one else will be running through it anytime soon!<br /><br />But anyway, as I lay there half embarrassed to death and with concussion probably making up the rest, a thought came over me! Despite what's just happened I should thank God for small mercies:<br />- I had legs which enabled me to run, even into a window<br />- Had I required it, there was a hospital 2 minutes down the road<br />- I had friends around me who took care of me (while laughing hysterically I should add)<br />- I went home and had a bed to lie on<br /><br />So next time you're stuck outside in the rain, Thank God that we have enough water. The next time you complain about homework, Thank God that you can go to school. And should the unfortunate happen to you and you run into a window, say thanks to God for all the many things you still enjoy, and perhaps most especially, the gift of Shatterproof Glass. . .Chris Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803260022388241192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-764436590123344762007-10-12T09:47:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:02.279+00:00Prayer to an Omnipresent God. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/Rw9JoxdYJRI/AAAAAAAAAAc/PrK8Pr-q5t8/s1600-h/DSC01447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_THJuWk8aurk/Rw9JoxdYJRI/AAAAAAAAAAc/PrK8Pr-q5t8/s320/DSC01447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120392266163692818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">As some of you may know I was in Norway over the Summer and I thought I'd show you all a photo and share something that I learned! I think Norway must be one of the most beautiful places in the world - a fine display of God's artistry and creativity with Creation! In fact, surrounded by that Creation I felt the presence of God more than anywhere I've ever been! What was the natural response to that? I prayed, and it seemed like God was only an arm's length away! I was in a 'Cathedral' of Creation - whose walls were mountains and the floor was still water, and God was there with me! And yet, God was no closer to me there then He is right now! He was no closer then than He is when I'm having that crap day, when I feel like I couldn't be bothered, when the weight of the world is on me, when frankly God seems a million miles away! And so the next time you have one of those days, remember God and remember that He hasn't gone anywhere!!!!!<br /><br />I recently read a wonderful thought on why we pray and I thought I'd share it with you! It's written by an old guy called C H Spurgeon:</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;" >Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer that it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the holy exercise of prayer. Prayer thins the feathers of God's young eaglets, so that they can learn to soar above the clouds. Prayer readies God's warriors and sends them out to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. The praying believer comes out of his closet, even as the sun rises from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like an athlete about to race... Prayer equips human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives the peace of God to troubled souls. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >We do not know what prayer cannot do!"<br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />What a great thought! Why do we ever stop praying?<br /></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Chris Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803260022388241192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-55231698422404650732007-09-27T14:58:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:02.414+00:00Cheeky Monkey but Amazing Grace!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/RvvMTEx6h4I/AAAAAAAAAAc/JrRo_J-KE1I/s1600-h/DSC03150.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/RvvFhkx6h3I/AAAAAAAAAAU/K5cFM5wrPzE/s1600-h/DSC03150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114898982408718194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g-ii_WXRPb4/RvvFhkx6h3I/AAAAAAAAAAU/K5cFM5wrPzE/s200/DSC03150.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hi everyone, hope you like the photo of the naughtiest little boy I know, who also happened to break my heart completely this month by daring to grow up and be big enough for school. It made me sad because I love and miss him, yet on Sunday morning I was sad too, as I had to take him out of church for being bold…VERY bold!! But it’s forgotten as my missing him and love for him, far outweigh any frustration I might have had at his disobedience. That’s how it goes. It gives me a tiny glimpse of God’s AMAZING grace towards me and of course all of you too. We do so many rotten things which sadden God, but as the Bible promises, his love for us is far beyond what we can humanly comprehend and that love is constantly forgiving, accepting, nurturing and calling us.<br /><br />You know the friendships where you can completely be yourself and trust that your mate truly cares you? Well that’s how it is with God except in a much much greater way. When you believe that God desires your heart and loves YOU unconditionally…it changes you. What sort of mummy would I be if I didn’t give Zack a cuddle goodnight, even though I had had to tell him off beforehand? It just wouldn’t happen and God, as our Father, PROMISES to forgive us when we turn to him. No matter how ugly or rotten the thing we have done/said/thought, He will be merciful!<br /><br />Remember that today and don’t stay away from God because you feel you aren’t ‘good enough’ for him. None of us are without Jesus, yet Satan will lie and tell you God won’t accept you and love you…everybody else yes, but not you. That’s clearly not what the Bible says and it must hurt God when we believe that lie, instead of receiving his life-giving love. Believe Him and accept His immeasurable love!!!<br /><br />God bless you and bring on Friday night!!<br /><br />Love Jen xox</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-32861353913524434882007-09-15T08:30:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:03.387+00:00Leaders Retreat and Beach BBQ...Thought i would post up a few photos of the leaders retreat last weekend and the Beach BBQ last night to launch Fusion & 20:20 for the year. I've written a bit more about each of these on my own blog. <a href="http://neilharrison.blogspot.com/2007/09/3-great-fires.html">Click here if you are interested!</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photos of Leade</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">rs Retreat in Donegal</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuarAukooI/AAAAAAAAACc/YXMTMHgYvvo/s1600-h/IMG_0150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuarAukooI/AAAAAAAAACc/YXMTMHgYvvo/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110348265902350978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuargukopI/AAAAAAAAACk/FZnJhk4OsJs/s1600-h/IMG_0146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuargukopI/AAAAAAAAACk/FZnJhk4OsJs/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110348274492285586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuasAukoqI/AAAAAAAAACs/IkEsfoqvFlo/s1600-h/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuuasAukoqI/AAAAAAAAACs/IkEsfoqvFlo/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110348283082220194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Isn't this one fantastic!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Photos of Beach BBQ at Murlough...<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudkAukotI/AAAAAAAAADE/Czo8QmtpkuU/s1600-h/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudkAukotI/AAAAAAAAADE/Czo8QmtpkuU/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110351444178150098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudjQukorI/AAAAAAAAAC0/NJZGojgTCxg/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudjQukorI/AAAAAAAAAC0/NJZGojgTCxg/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110351431293248178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudjgukosI/AAAAAAAAAC8/6HIvjF9ADsg/s1600-h/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RuudjgukosI/AAAAAAAAAC8/6HIvjF9ADsg/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110351435588215490" border="0" /></a>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-19325750092471825752007-09-11T13:43:00.000+00:002007-09-11T13:54:05.501+00:00Fusion & 20:20 kicking off...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.botsblog.com/archives/images/beach-bbq.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.botsblog.com/archives/images/beach-bbq.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Hello there folks, Fusion and 20:20 will be launching this terms activities this Friday night with a Barbeque at Murlough Beach. We will be meeting at the church car park at 6pm and should return around 10.30pm. The cost will be £3. If you would like to come along then please download a consent form by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://waringstownpc.org/documents/BeachBBQConsent.pdf">clicking this link</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. This also includes my contact details so you can let me know if you are going by WEDNESDAY 12TH SEPT.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">See ya there!!!</span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-47362979262256095302007-09-03T17:30:00.001+00:002007-09-03T17:30:14.114+00:00Holiday Bible Club 2007<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/Cji7fuQwy1g' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/Cji7fuQwy1g'/></object></p><p>I showed this video of Holiday Bible Club at church on Sunday morning. Thought people would like to see it again so here it is! I've also put up the Youth Week video but i have put it on my blog:<br />www.neilharrison.blogspot.com</p></div>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-24574983474710055772007-08-08T10:56:00.000+00:002007-08-08T12:28:24.472+00:00Youth week...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Apologies for the lack of posting on this site in the last month but i have been away on holidays and at an SU Camp but you can read more about this by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://neilharrison.blogspot.com/">clicking here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Youth week (20th-24th August) is fast approaching and i wanted to inform you all that you need to get...<br />...<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">forms into me by Sunday 12th August. Please, please do this so i have an idea of what numbers to expect!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">If you want to see a programme and get an application form they can be downloaded from the church website by <a href="http://www.waringstownpc.org/pdfs/events-youth-week-form07.pdf">clicking here</a>.<br /><br />See ya there!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-44563286935210342222007-07-08T19:29:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:04.208+00:00SBSUSM07...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhURa7SJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/g4CbaqgTtPw/s1600-h/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhURa7SJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/g4CbaqgTtPw/s200/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085163561412151442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just got back from a weeks camping at the Kings Hall which could be described in 3 words - wet, tiring and wet! Yes the weather was pretty miserable at times but our guys are a lot of fun and no-one really let the rain get them down. We had to move our tents on Tuesday which seemed like a chore at the time but we got the opportunity to move them indoors w</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">hich meant all our gear was dry for the rest of the week which was a blessing!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhVBa7SLI/AAAAAAAAACE/8b1D4JnL8kk/s1600-h/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhVBa7SLI/AAAAAAAAACE/8b1D4JnL8kk/s200/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085163574297053362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All in all the whole experience was fantastic! The theme this </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">year was SBSUSM07 - 'Stand By, Stand Up, Summer Madness 07'. The challenge being posed throughout was whether we were going to be people who 'stand by' and be a spectator or 'STAND UP' for God and what He is </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">calling each of us to do. The key speakers this year were Bart Campolo and Pete Greig. Bart works in an inner city neighbo</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">urhood of Philadelphia with the <a href="http://www.thewalnuthillsfellowship.org/">Walnut Hills Fellowship</a>:<br /></span><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;font-size:100%;" > The Walnut Hills Fellowship is just a small group of inner-city neighbors learning to love each other and the rest of the world according to the teachings of Jesus. </span> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Organized in January of 2007, our primary program is a large weekly dinner party which provides both physical nourishment and spiritual encouragement to </span><span style="font-size:100%;">a growing assortment of neighborhood families and individuals. </span> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Future plans include local service projects, life skills training, academic support, personal counseling, group-building exercises, field trips, and other activities which will improve the lives of those families and individuals and help us grow together into</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> a genuine faith community. </span> </p></blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pete i</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">s the founder of the <a href="http://www.24-7prayer.com/cm/">24-7 prayer movement</a> that has swept across the world in the last 8 years:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">24-7 Prayer exists to transform the world through movements and communities of Christ-centred, Mission-minded Prayer.</blockquote></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><strong></strong></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bart and Pete both love Jesus and shared practical teaching on how we can all live that love o</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ut and affect the communities we are a part of.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhUha7SKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/dj9tWD9QD9Q/s1600-h/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhUha7SKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/dj9tWD9QD9Q/s200/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085163565707118754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This teaching was a great lead in to Streetreach as 2000 young people were scattered in teams </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">around 31 locations around Belfast. Our group of 30 young people were sent to the <a href="http://willowfield.down.anglican.org/">Willowfield area</a> of inner east Belfast. During the 4 days there we were involved in running a Kids Club, street clean-ups, gardening, visiting the elderly and detached youth work.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This was the first experience of practical mission for most of our young people and they were amazing as they carried on loving and serving people through tiredness and rain even when they didn't feel like it!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhVha7SMI/AAAAAAAAACM/XQv_e5C3AUg/s1600-h/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIhVha7SMI/AAAAAAAAACM/XQv_e5C3AUg/s200/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085163582886987970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Streetreach finished on Saturday when all 2000 people gathered at the City Hall and marched 3.5 miles to the Kings Hall - this was an amazing experience and a privilege to be a part of. In a country where 'marches' have been such a devisive issue it was wonderful to be part of a march declaring God's love for EVERYONE. Of course it was no surprise that the rain came on for a while du</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ring the march but when the rain stopped there was a beautiful rainbow across Belfast (you can see it in the picture to the left) to remind us all of God's love and His promises.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIjjRa7SNI/AAAAAAAAACU/cRVYpx3qlKU/s1600-h/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RpIjjRa7SNI/AAAAAAAAACU/cRVYpx3qlKU/s200/Summer+Madness+%26+Streetreach07+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085166018133444818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So that's it over for another year, or is it? The challenge for us all really is that Streetreach is never meant to be 4 days per year but a lifestyle of showing God's love to others that we seek to live out EVERY DAY in the communities in which we live - with our families, friends, schools, jobs, neighbours etc.<br /><br />So what are you going to do? STAND BY, or STAND UP?<br /></span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-10494722242721573502007-06-26T10:59:00.000+00:002007-06-26T11:13:22.026+00:00Birthday greetings...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Happy-Birthday-Chimp-Note-Card-C11765288.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 272px;" src="http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Happy-Birthday-Chimp-Note-Card-C11765288.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Birthday greetings go out today to the one and only Beau of the Ball...<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">SIMON HUTCHINSON!!!</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, that's not the only Birthday we have this week because tomorrow we will be celebrating for...<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:180%;">TYRRELL ARNOLD!!!</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div></div></div></div>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-25965219910113313162007-06-23T08:58:00.001+00:002008-12-09T01:52:04.977+00:00Posh Dinner...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZPbWv1I/AAAAAAAAABM/PVOIr2lEe4o/s1600-h/boys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZPbWv1I/AAAAAAAAABM/PVOIr2lEe4o/s320/boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079185602056208210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last night was the Annual P</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">osh </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dinner for Fusion & 20:20 held in Edenmore. We had 60 people in atten</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">dence with a great mix of both age groups and leaders. Everyone looked fantastically well as I'm sure you will agree from the photos, and I think everyone had a great night.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After the meal </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">the l</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">eaders gave out awa</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">rds to various young people for a variety of things. There was a Beau & Belle for Fusion & 20:20 voted for on the night by the young people. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This year these were awarded to </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZfbWv2I/AAAAAAAAABU/6l3wY-eBexA/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZfbWv2I/AAAAAAAAABU/6l3wY-eBexA/s320/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079185606351175522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Simon Hutchinson </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and Natasha Moffett (Fusion) and Callum McCandless and Rhea Lyttle (20:20). Other funny </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">awards including 'leader obsession awards' and 'we t</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">alk too much but don't </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">know it awards' (have a guess at who won these!) were also given out as well as some awards for leaders.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A great night was topped off by live music provided by Kris, Jamie and Tom and it was good to see everyone showing off their moves </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">on the dance</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZvbWv3I/AAAAAAAAABc/eNNXoWM7_Lc/s1600-h/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzkZvbWv3I/AAAAAAAAABc/eNNXoWM7_Lc/s320/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079185610646142834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> floor!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So that's the end of Fusion & 20:20 for this academic year which is very sad but </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >we</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> look forward to picking the programmes up again in September!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Next Friday we will be heading up to the Kings Hall for <a href="http://www.summermadness.co.uk/">Summer Madness & Streetreach</a>! </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This year we have 50 young people attending </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Summer Madness and 35 are staying on for Streetreach! </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Last year there were 3 from the 20:20 age group who did </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzmtPbWv4I/AAAAAAAAABk/EL7WF_51upA/s1600-h/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzmtPbWv4I/AAAAAAAAABk/EL7WF_51upA/s320/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079188144676847490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Streetreach and it had an amazing impact on their lives and faith so I'm very </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">excited to have so many doing the programme this year because the impact on them will be awesome!<br /><br />So apart from the logistical nightmare involved in being responsible for 35-50 young people for 9 days with little sleep and poor hygiene, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am extremely excited about the next fortnight and very thankful to God for all he is doing in the lives of young people in our church.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzmtfbWv5I/AAAAAAAAABs/PMHNTQeA72M/s1600-h/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnzmtfbWv5I/AAAAAAAAABs/PMHNTQeA72M/s320/Fusion+%26+2020+Posh+Dinner+2007+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079188148971814802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Please pray for all of us - leaders and young people - over the Summer Madness & Streetreach experience.<br /><br />All that remains to be said is to wish a<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO<br />CHRIS THOMPSON!!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-21334714985936768092007-06-13T17:19:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:05.370+00:00Few things to remember...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This Friday night is the last night for Fusion & 20:20 this academic year. Don't forget 20:20 are splitting into boys (meet in Youth mobile at 8.45pm) and girls (meet at Rigmarole upper room at 8.30pm) for the first half of the evening. We will come together for worship and some food at 10pm. Please try and make it as it should be a special night!<br /><br />Also don't forget about the Posh Dinner for Fusion and 20:20 at Edenmore on Friday 22nd June. There are still about 15 tickets left so bring your money this Friday night to secure your place! If you haven't paid the full ticket amount yet then please do that this Friday too!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.waringstownpc.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3slc7IG5tKc/RnAoY_bWvvI/AAAAAAAAAAc/2SdaEO3SdP4/s320/waringstown-presby-logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075601189854691058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Finally i just want to draw your attention to the new website for Waringstown Presbyterian that was launched last week. Click on the logo to the left to access the site and check it out!<br /><br />See you all on Friday night!<br />Neil<br /><br /></span>Neil Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862895490851688551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821736028551237559.post-13477091237908993862007-05-29T15:06:00.000+00:002008-12-09T01:52:05.462+00:00How does God WOW you?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/RlxSvrYRuSI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EHAlptgxfqc/s1600-h/DSC00345.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070018259564214562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m2Mvj9aACmU/RlxSvrYRuSI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EHAlptgxfqc/s320/DSC00345.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> I think after Christ, my biggest passion is travelling and thankfully Ive been able to do plenty of that over the years. On Saturday night my friend and I were sitting looking up at the Eiffel Tower (as you do on a Saturday night) and surrounded my thousands of people from all over the world who had clearly travelled to see this sight. She turned to me and asked <em>'What do you think?'</em>. The typical response would have been<em> 'this is class'</em> but yes even though I tought the Tower was big, it was well constructed, it looked amazing at night when it lit up and sparkled, I wasn't WOWed!<br /><br />You can argue but I believe that being WOWed is when your heart skips a beat, when you think 'is this real?' and then realise it is, when all around is blaaahhh and all of a sudden out of no where God blesses you.<br /><br />God WOW's me through His people and His world. I've realised as I've travelled that God chooses to speak to me through the folk I meet and the natural beauty I've seen in mountains and sunsets.I dont have to travel to the other side of the world for this to happen! I hear kids in my class talk about God and I sit back, smile and think <em>'wow, thank you God for letting me hear that today'</em>, I lived with a lady who was blind and going through chemo for the 4th time and never once did I hear her complain and I always thought <em>'wow, God you blessed me by putting me in her family'</em>, I stand in the middle of you guys at 2020 during worship and think <em>'wow, God these kids love you',</em> and I get texts, notes and emails from you girls and again think <em>'wow, thats exactly what I needed to hear right now, thank you God.'</em><br /><br />One of the most memorable times in my life when God WOWed me was the Winter Retreat. I was WOWed by your attitude, your maturity, your fun, your openness, your faith and your witness. You guys blow me away, and God has such BIG plans for every single one of you. God WOW's each one of us differently, in His own wee way!<br /><br />How does God WOW you?</span>Kate Hannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04308369966999988872noreply@blogger.com2