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Minimal Guarantee
| As a church we endeavour to: |
| 1. LOVE |
| 2. ACCEPT |
| 3. FORGIVE |
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Holiday in Microcosm
Dave, my brother Frank his wife, Barbara, my sister Eileen and Alex and myself, six happy travelers, boarded the luxury Caravelle, coughing and sniffing from winter colds. We hoped our ills would disappear as we covered the miles to warmer climbs.
John, my son, said goodbye as he left us at our overnight hotel at Heathrow. We chatted over dinner, not knowing the country was being blanketed in snow. The carefully planned escape, from the predicted cold spell, didn’t quite go according to plan. We were thwarted by the elements as we were reminded we had no control over nature!
Our arrival at Terminal 5 presented us with an ever twisting snake of thousands of hopeful passengers. The snake was alive with conversation as each section repeatedly passed each other. The vocal Spanish lawyer, the desperate cricket fan who had a moment of elation as he spotted Darren Gough, the lad from NZ hoping for a flight to Scotland and the couple hoping to join their celebratory cruise ship. We spent over 12 hours queuing and another night at Heathrow, then we were at last en-route to Hawaii. The cold discomfort and problems of yesterday slipped away with the miles.
The warm sun and sea of Waikiki beach welcomed us, the people were friendly and open. We told one lady we came from London, “Wow!” she said “Queen Elizabeth lives there.”
Pearl Harbour memorial, gave us an insight into the sudden carnage that occurred there. We saw the remains of the battleship USS Arisona, the tomb of over 900 men. Auckland NZ. ‘City of Sails’ beautiful waterfronts, numerous islands and volcanoes.
We spent Sunday with our two nephews, their wives and six children. The following day the children were at school; we went on a harbour cruise and had a fish lunch at the quayside. Dave and nephew Duncan went AWOL to watch the cricket!
Onward to Christchurch NZ. We had a great time meeting the families of brother John and sister Marion, too numerous to introduce. Dave and I drew the short straw and slept on the blow up bed. Marion lives near the beach, the golf course and a short ride to the city - we took advantage of all three. We spent a day driving to Queenstown, we saw breathtaking scenery of lakes and mountains and a vast country side.. We stopped to take photo’s of Mt Cook, which was very impressive with its snow capped peaks.
While we were there we went on a jet boat, it skimmed the river, twisting and turning through the gorge which rose high above us. In open water the driver gave a signal and did a 360 degree spin, churning our tummies and spraying water over everyone. Marion and I slipped into a charity shop for a woolly hat, which came in useful.
Onward and upward - next stop Sydney. We met my cousin John, a great character. He used to work at ‘Talk of the Town’ (young people would not know it) in the early days of Bruce Forsyth. John has worked at Sydney Opera House for many years. We were able to go behind the scenes and see the way everything was brought together. We did the harbour cruise, a bit of island hopping and took in a bit of history. A visit to The Nelson, reputedly the oldest pub in Sydney, was a must.
We arrived in Cairns, this was to be a seven day chill out. We had an enormous apartment; after the blow up bed, Dave and I had the en-suite with the jacuzzi and dressing room! My friend Barbara is not a morning person! - she was sitting looking into her cup of tea, slowly turning it round and round. Dave had given her the sugar bowl - it caused a good laugh. So much for chilling out, we were soon off on the train through the rain forest, over gorges, past waterfalls and through numerous man made tunnels.
The history of the railway was very interesting, built around late 1880’s to take supplies to the mines. We returned later on the Sky Train travelling 7 kilometers over the rain forest. Another day we went to see the Coral Reef, it was amazing; no photograph could portray the life that moved there! We also saw amazing fish and a big turtle. At Cairns city there was an enormous lagoon, the size of four football pitches, the sea on one side and gardens with every facility for a wonderful day out. We did the botanical gardens. We saw crocodiles and snakes.
Cairns to Perth, a flight across Australia and our last stop. We stayed at the home of my school friend Doris. We went to the city, we saw a modern bell tower, where they have housed bells from St Martins in the Fields, given many years ago to Perth.
We spent a day on Rottnest Island, no cars, unspoilt coves and beaches and home to the Quokka (Google it).[I did!] We saw lots of Kangaroos - they come out at dusk to eat the grass. We did the Aussie thing, lots of BBQ’s! On our last night we had dinner with the family overlooking the Indian Ocean watching the sunset. The main reason for our holiday was to meet with friends and family, we certainly did that! We saw some wonderful examples of our diverse world; one would have to experience them to fully appreciate the wonder.
It was great to be home and see the family. Baby Alphie is a sleepy chubby chops, and Harvey has two teeth. Our little garden was a joy to behold, lush green grass, colourful spring flowers and the heady fragrance of Hyacinths.
Thank you Lord for all Your blessings.
Val King
In the Hot Seat - Andrew And Nadine White
Andrew and Nadine, thank you for agreeing to share with us about your lives. But where do I begin? The first thing which comes to my mind is your obvious love of the Lord and your close relationship with Him, which shows so very much in the way in which you care for people. So, when and how did you both come to know Jesus as your Lord, Saviour and Friend and what difference does being a Christian make in your lives?
Nadine: I have been going to church for as long as I can remember – initially with my neighbours and then, from the age of about 8 on my own. I was christened as a child but my parents rarely went to church (although they met at a church youth club!). I remember hearing God’s voice very clearly when I was 10 years old. It was during a Brownie parade service at the Methodist church in Buckinghamshire that I went to. I can picture it now – sitting at the front because I was carrying the flag, praying the Lord’s Prayer out loud and hearing a voice during it, as if endorsing what I was saying. I knew at that point that God was real; he had chosen to speak to me! I didn’t talk to anyone about it in case they thought I was being silly, but it was very special to me and I knew I was a Christian!
When I moved to Erith at the age of 13, I could not last many weeks without knowing that I wanted to go to church. I took myself to the local church where I soon got involved playing clarinet in their new music group, which was to play regularly on Sundays in worship. I stayed there until I met Andrew (at the tender age of 17!). It seemed silly not to spend time together on Sunday mornings so I started going to North Heath BC with his family.
Andrew’s parents were great encouragers and, for the first time, my faith was being nurtured. I went to Mission to London at Wembley and heard Luis Palau in 1985 and made a personal, ‘adult’ commitment. That said, it was after that when I messed up big time…. But that’s for another time. Having always recognised my baptism as genuine (even though I was a baby), I later chose to become a church member through Declaration of Faith.
Being a Christian is not always easy, but I thank God that he brought me through some tough times. My aim is to ‘quietly shine’! - To live out my faith through caring for other people wherever they are at.
Andrew: Mum’s family have 4 generations of preachers! I grew up at the Northend Mission, where everyone in the family did something! The Boys’ Brigade was central to me learning more about God and I made a decision to follow Jesus at the age of 15 having heard Steve Chalke preach. I can look back and see my early years as part of a spiritual journey – Sunday school leaders and a lovely Christian teacher at primary school all helped me explore ‘what’s this all about?’
My time at university was important as I worshipped in a lively church and specifically heard God’s call to ministry there – I didn’t think that it would take 18 years to come about. My desire is to be (both as an individual, as a couple, as a family and in the fellowship) “distinctly different”, so that others will want to know about Jesus.
Two obvious gifts which you both have – musical and working with children - immediately spring to mind. Would you tell us a bit about these?
Nadine: I have always had a love of music. I started playing the recorder when I was 5, then had clarinet lessons and have taught myself to play the piano – that’s why you hear so many wrong notes! I believe my musical ability is a gift from God and want to be able to use it to honour Him and help others to get closer to Him.
Andrew: I love singing, playing the trumpet and the piano – for me, this naturally flows over into worship. I am a big kid – I’ve survived 22 years as a professional teacher solely on this!
I believe I am right when I say that Nadine was not too sure whether Andrew was the one for her! Where did you both meet and how did it come about that you are married to each other and have three children – Benjamin, Timothy and Sophie?
Andrew: We met in the back row of Erith School’s orchestra – Nadine didn’t like me at first because I was too loud, but always wearing shiny
shoes eventually won her over!! We both dreamed of children in our marriage, but when Benjamin (now 14) was born with a rare syndrome, everything we had dreamed of had to be rethought. Although we had a child, we still grieved. Like many couples we also lost twins a year before Timothy (9) was born. Convinced that our third child would also be a boy, means that Sophie (6) has brought added delight – we understand that teenage girls are easy to nurture and control!?
What about your work life?
Nadine: I’m one of Bexley’s specialist teachers leading a team of 6 supporting pupils with specific difficulties. I specialise in assessing students for exam concessions. (Andrew’s comment – this is Nadine’s ‘ministry’; she is gifted in it, is used by God through it, and sees positive changes in pupil’s and staff’s lives as a result of it)
With three youngsters, is it a silly question to ask you whether you have time for any hobbies?
Nadine: I enjoy DIY projects – currently tiling a bathroom. I love being in the garden, working or sitting on a sun-lounger!
Andrew: I have a train-set in the loft (as all normal people do), I love reading and researching military history.
Do you have a favourite Bible verse?
Nadine: Psalm 121 “I look to the mountains – where does my help come from?…”
Andrew: All of the Psalms and Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb – I chose you; before you were born, I set you apart.”
We love being back at BBC and look forward to serving God and you here in the years to come – “In royal robes, I don’t deserve, I live to serve Your Majesty.”
South Africa
I recently went to South Africa for two weeks to visit family and friends. It was wonderful to see them all again as I had not seen a few of my friends for some time and it was great to see familiar faces from the past. I was quite nervous whilst having my luggage checked on arrival in Johannesburg even though I knew that I had nothing to fear.
Although it is a beautiful country, it really is sad to hear about all the crime and corruption going on especially in government.
You may recall that in September last year we prayed for Kevin, who was shot in an attempted hijacking and died a week later. His brother, Craig, told us various things relating to this; e.g. the police could not be bothered to do anything about the crime scene; also, if anyone draws out £1,000 (approx. (£70) or more, they have to sign a declaration at the bank agreeing that the bank is not responsible for their life. They are hoping to move to Australia this year and can’t wait to leave.
The thing that jumped out at me most was that I noticed so many churches everywhere. Also, one day we went to Port Elizabeth, and on our return I saw at the side of the road, at regular intervals, that there were these signs and each of them had one of the Ten Commandments on it. It was lovely to see the word of Lord being shown like that.
There is a farmer is South Africa who is also a minister and his name is Angus Buchan. Once a year he hosts a men’s conference on his farm in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Last year they were expecting 20,000 men and 60,000 pitched up. This year they are expecting 200,000.
My parents live in the Eastern Cape and it is extremely dry at the moment and the water levels in the dams are very low. Angus Buchan and a number of farmers in the Eastern Cape got together to pray for a rain and a week later, whilst I was there, they had a fair amount of rain. In a local newspaper, the headline went something like this “God Answers Prayer for Rain.”
Sue Jackson
Our Pastor’s reflections:
As I saw the last of the leaders and deacons out of the door following a long meeting and made my way into the kitchen to put the kettle on I reflected on the evening’s events.
Do you find it hard to switch off if you have had a stimulating conversation late at night? I do. My thoughts were very positive; in fact I was feeling that was the best leaders’ meeting I have had so far! I had spent most of the evening listening. Yes, listening! Each of the ministry team leaders had been sharing their vision for the coming year. It had all been full of life and faith. We have a great bunch of leaders; pray for them and see if there are ways you can be supporting them in the various aspects of the church’s ministries.
I think what blessed me most was the way Heather (leader of the worship ministry team) so quietly and unassumingly shared what she felt God was saying to her about priorities in worship. “WORSHIP is the most important ministry,” she declared, “all the other ministries flow out of our relationship with God and our worship of Him.” She’s right! Pray for our worship team as Sunday by Sunday they seek to lead us into the presence of our Heavenly Father.
We will have an opportunity of a special evening of worship on Sunday 26th of this month when Krzysztof will be leading us. Do come and invite your friends.
Frank Payne
God's Ambassador
Have you ever wondered about what is going on in the world, or what the world is turning to? Do you always criticize the lawless society that have forgotten the heart beat of God – love.. or do you spend most of your time thinking why, why, endless questions; if this is the case, then you are not fulfilling the purpose of your calling nor exercising the power vested on you as God’s Ambassador.
The Ambassador of God is a law abiding citizen of Heaven, a positive thinker, problem solver, peace maker, a messenger of the gospel. God’s Ambassador is in the world, but not of the world, except if you want the prayers of our Lord Jesus in John 17 to be of no effects on you!
Therefore, as God’s Ambassador, you cannot do as the world does, or else you will end up doing the following:
- Talking like the world – Prov. 12:25
- Thinking and reasoning like the world – Phillipians 4:8
- Dressing like the world – 1 Corin. 14:40
Every God’s Ambassador has been given a ministry of reconciliation; therefore God is waiting for you to make that positive and fruitful move to impact lives positively and make sure the world knows that God is the only Source for human existence!
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation”.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)
May God bless you.
Lola Aladejana – Peace Haven
History of the Easter Egg
“To keep a Christian perspective of Easter in your home, please note the following research that can help you explain the history of the Easter egg to your children.
The earliest Christian history of the Easter egg tradition is found approximately 50 years after Jesus’ resurrection. Bright red-coloured eggs were simply exchanged as gifts as a symbol of continuing life and Christ’s resurrection. The red colour was an intentional Christian tradition commemorating the blood of Christ. The red Easter eggs in Christian history were originally used when two friends met on Easter day. The two friends would know to tap their eggs together and one would greet the other with the words, “Christ is Risen!” and the other would respond, “Christ is Risen Indeed!” Then the eggs were eaten in fellowship.
In the Reformation years, the church instituted the custom of breaking the Lenten fast with hard-boiled eggs. The eggs were brought to the Easter morning service, and the priest blessed them saying, “Lord, bless these eggs as a wholesome substance, eaten in thankfulness on account of the resurrection of our Lord.” Our main focus must always be that our children meet Jesus in a personal way. If an Easter egg will bring Jesus alive to a child as a symbolic illustration, we should rejoice in the revelation of Jesus and His Resurrection to our children!”
MY TESTIMONY - Beradette
this testimony was read beautifully by Bernadette during an evening service on her birthday in February.
“The name I was given when born was Janet, but you all know me as Bernadette. I chose my name because I loved the stories told about a girl called Bernadette, who became a Saint after seeing many visions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
I have a brother. My family life was far from easy. Part of my school life was spent at a convent as a live in student and it was there that I began to know more about Jesus.
Jesus became my best friend. Through the nuns I wanted to become a Catholic and I took my first communion on 19th March 1975. After my mother and sister died I found myself sharing my Christian life between St Peter’s Church, in Woolwich, and here at Belvedere Baptist Church. I so love to hear about God’s love for me and whatever troubled place I find myself in He is there to help me.
Through my cousin, Tony, my two church families and my carer I am able to cope much better with my life. My reading, as you can tell now, is getting so much better. I love to talk to the Lord; yes indeed He is my Saviour. I always find myself thanking Him and asking Him to help others as He has helped me.
Each year I manage to save up and go to a Catholic retreat in Scotland, where I feel even closer to St. Bernadette, My Lady and her precious Son, Jesus, whom I love so very much. Yes, there are times when I feel lonely, sometimes frightened by life itself, but I know and love the Lord and the Lord loves me for myself.
Thank you Lord Jesus for being in my life.”
Bernadette
Trade (In)Justice!
A little while ago, during a period of open prayer, I mentioned tax evasion by multinational companies, cheating the poorest countries of the world of income that is morally theirs. So, how is this done?
An article in a recent Christian Aid magazine has explained this quite simply: ‘Many companies use transfer mispricing and false invoicing to ensure that the bulk of their profits are declared in countries that have low tax rates, rather than in the country where those profits were actually generated. Both forms of tax evasion involve the deliberate manipulation of prices at which goods and services are bought and sold, within or between firms, to ensure that most profits arise in countries with low tax rates, such as tax havens.’
Christian Aid has calculated that these two forms of tax evasion together cost poorer countries around £115 million in tax revenues each year, which is about one and a half times the total amount of aid given by the rich countries to poor countries each year. If this money was honestly declared, it would unlock vast and sustainable levels of additional income to these countries that could make a real difference to their ability to develop; to fund basic education and schools, improve healthcare for all and other public services that we take for granted. Christian Aid is launching a campaign to combat this immorality. If you are internet friendly, please take the time to read about this at www.christianaid.org.uk/tax.
Thank you.
Derek Fraser
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