Freedom!!!!

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On the 8th of August in 1991, John McCarthy, Britain’s longest-held hostage in Lebanon, was freed after more than five years in captivity. He had been held hostage since April 17, 1986 – a total of 1,943 days.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

This scripture is a great call out to us to stand firm in the freedom that Jesus won for us on the cross.

In looking at images to go along with this post I can across an image which is taken from the ‘Freedom Wall’ on the west side of the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC. On the wall itself the following words are inscribed ‘Freedom is not free’. The freedom we have from the tyranny that the Nazi party was trying to impose upon the world, cost a great many lives. We enjoy the peace and freedom that was bought with the shed blood of so many war veterans.

As Christians, the freedom we experience in Jesus comes to us as a free gift, but it cost Jesus everything. It is his shed blood that paid the price for our freedom. Freedom from sin and our past, but more importantly, in the context of Galatians; freedom from the law. Freedom from having to make ourselves right with God by our own efforts; a task that is impossible, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. So “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Romans 3:20. The list of dos and don’ts of God’s law just show us how utterly flawed and sinful we are and how we are in desperate need of a Saviour, even “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6.

Paul is exhorting and encouraging the Christians in Galatia to not return to the performance model of trying to make themselves right with God by their own morality, but to continue to trust Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

As well as being set free from things by Jesus, we are set free ‘for’ things, namely ‘freedom’. The freedom here is the greek word eleutheria – ἐλευθερίᾳ. This word is used in 2 Corinthians 3:17 by Paul; “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom“, to convey the work and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Our freedom in Christ is one where we are no-longer slaves to sin, or slaves to legalism, or addiction, or fear, or our past.

We are free.

We are now adopted sons and daughters of the King.

Living a free life ‘FOR’ our King.  A life of freedom that demonstrates Jesus and the power of the cross for those around us.

In ‘Delirious?’s song ‘Jesus’ Blood‘ Martin Smith sings

There’s a secret I must tell
Of all the love I’ve found
And it’s hidden in my heart
The day you tore my world apart
Hallelujah, King forever, friend and Saviour
Jesus’ blood never fails me,
Jesus’ blood never fails me,
Jesus’ blood, Jesus’ blood
And this secret, it will run
To the corners of the earth
Where every woman, every son
Will carry high their chains undone
 Let us carry high our undone chains proudly and in gratitude to our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has won the victory and bought for us our freedom at such a great cost.

Taste the rainbow of fruit flavours!

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From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. – Acts 17:26-27

Soul Survivor 2016 photo 40On our last night at Soul Survivor we all dressed up in different coloured tops due to the fact that the last night was, as always, fancy dress night, and this year the theme was ‘Noah’s Ark’. So with that in mind, one of the young people on the trip had suggested we go as the ‘Rainbow’ that is mentioned in the history of Noah’s Ark.

We had gone through other ideas such as dressing up as big game hunters who would chase the people dressed as various animals, but the rainbow seemed great and it stuck.

So we gathered together for a group photo in our variously hued attire.

As I looked back at the photos from our recent trip to ‘Soul Survivor’ this one really stood out to me and I thought about the phrase from the ‘Skittles’ advert ‘taste the rainbow of fruit flavours’. It made me think of the above verse.

God has made everyone on planet earth so unique, and different and amazing. We are all like a rainbow, each reflecting a different aspect of God’s nature. Demonstrating to the world around us our great Creator’s divine fingerprints upon our lives. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

Also, a rainbow is “a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky.“ 

So too we can reflect and disperse God’s light to those around us. He has made us all to demonstrate His glory and Jesus said that, as believers and followers of His, we are to let our light shine. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

So let’s give people the opportunity to ‘taste & see’ the Lord’s goodness in and through our lives. Let’s let our light shine and not try to be anyone but the person that He created us to be.

Shine!

PS: For those of you who have never been to Soul Survivor, here’s a little taster of what it’s like – Soul Survivor Week A Highlights

Fear Not or Fear Knot!

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sh-fbWe are now on our 3rd day at Soul Survivor in Stafford.

We’ve packed, we’ve travelled, we’ve set-up camp, got ourselves registered and familiarised ourselves with the surroundings.

Many of the trepidations and worries have been allayed:
Will there be enough space for all our tents
Yes, just about.

Will the food be alright?

Definitely; we’ve even had second helpings of the wonderful chorizo & chick pea stew (recipe to follow).

Will I enjoy the worship?

It’s been great so far, with amazing times in God’s presence led by the likes of Rend Collective.

Will I miss home?

Not really, having too much fun, even if I have to queue for the shower.

Phew!

It’s great how God really does mean it when He reassures us with His ‘Fear Nots’.

So many times in the Bible we are encouraged to ‘Fear Not’!

God, being the good Dad that He is constantly has to reassure His often fearful children to ‘Fear Not’. He knows that if we don’t ‘fear not’ we will end up with a ‘fear knot’ in our bellies. A big bundle of fearful and trepidatious feelings all jumbled up inside of us, making us miserable.

In the book of proverbs it says that “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1.

We, as children of God, and as the ones who have been made righteous in His sight through faith in the finished work of Jesus ought to have a real boldness and live in and by faith and not fear.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Romans 5:17 & “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

What is getting your stomach into a ‘Fear Knot‘ that you need to hand over to God so that you can rest in His ‘Fear Not‘?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

May you have a blessed week-end and remember…..

‘FEAR NOT!

Chorizo & chick pea soup recipe (as promised – cooks for 18 people so reduce amounts as needed)

Ingredients:

Olive oil, 4 onions chopped, 4 carrots diced, mixed herbs, 4 tsps garlic powder, 800g of Chorizo, 1 tsp of cinnamon, 4 tsps of Paprika, 8 x 410g cans of chick peas, 900g of spinach, 600ml of water.

Method:

heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the chopped onions and cook for 3-4 mins. Add the diced carrots, herbs, garlic, chorizo, cinnamon & paprika to the pan. Cook until the chorizo softens and releases its oil. Add the rinsed and drained chick peas and the 600ml of water. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for another 3-5 minutes with the lid off to reduce the liquid down. Then serve with some nice crusty bread.

-Enjoy!

Be prepared!

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scout-logo-e1321878674385Be prepared is the motto of the scouting organisation. It’s also the advice that Tim Gough gave to our amazing Redefiners last night in preparation for our trip to Soul Survivor next week.

Yay! On Wednesday 27th July we head down to Stafford for a fantastic God-adventure!

Anyway, in order to help the young people going to Soul Survivor to ‘Be Prepared!’, Tim created a great guide to all the dos and don’t of camping at Soul Survivor, including a pack-list, camping tips, a daily timetable and other important pieces of information.

Getting ready for going on a camping trip got me thinking about the children of Israel in the desert following their exodus from Egypt. They had to camp as they crossed the desert. In the book of Exodus it states that “ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” Exodus 40:36-38
They had to ‘be prepared‘ to pack up their camp and move whenever God moved.  They had to be attentive to God’s presence and direction and follow Him wherever He lead them in the wilderness.

They had to be prepared at all times.

There was also a sense in which there was no permanence to their travels in the desert.  There was no settling down and putting down roots until they entered the promised land.  They were nomads, looking for a land that God had prepared for them.

In encouraging the church in Corinth to flee immoral living, the Apostle Paul writes “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11.  He had specifically mentioned some of the failings and sins of the children on Israel as they wandered in the desert. However in looking at the journey they took I see an image of our lives as believers, as we follow Jesus.

Like the Israelites, we flee from ‘Egypt’ (the world) and are saved from the power of death by the Lamb’s blood (Jesus’ death on the cross), we cross the Red Sea, symbolising baptism, and then we follow the cloudy pillar by day and the fiery pillar by night (God’s presence), until we cross the Jordan (representing death) and enter the promised land.

Like the Israelites, we are to ‘be prepared‘ to follow God’s direction and leading.

Like the Israelites we are to be aware that we are living in temporary accommodation and journeying to the home that God has prepared for us. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13 & “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires,which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:10-12 both convey the idea of followers of Jesus being foreigners and strangers on planet earth, looking forward to the land that God has promised us.

c27872ccfd9ee42e8cb739a254d4deacIn the lifetime that God has given us on planet earth, are we building houses and putting down roots, or are we pitching a tent, being prepared to follow God’s direction, knowing this is not our home, but looking towards something greater that He has in store for us?

Angels needed for Heaven’s Kitchen (Reverb @ StJohn’s Cafe)

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If anyone has watched the Gordon Ramsay programme ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, they will know, it’s hot in that kitchen and the pressure is on, on, on. I’m sure the chefs would love to be working in an environment where grace, love & support are extended to everyone involved in the cooking process, from head chef right through to the waiters and the washer-upper.

However, the television programme thrives on the tension, the anger, the upsets & the almost inevitable arguments.

In chapter 5 of the book of Galatians it puts “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy” in a list of actions of the flesh; the kind of actions and atmosphere we see in the aptly named “Hell’s Kitchen”.

In contrast to the acts of the flesh, the Apostle Paul highlights the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ as being: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Fruit is tasty to eat, it nourishes us, is full of energy and vitamins, and gives life and health to our bodies. I don’t think Paul chose the word ‘fruit’ by accident.  It was a well chosen word that conveyed how life-giving walking in love, joy, peace, patience etc. is.

God loves us and wants us to not only wait with expectant hope for heaven, but also for us to have a full, fruitful, productive life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

He also wants us to live a life where we let others know about this amazing life we have in relationship with God. Jesus wants not only for us to have life and have it to the full, but also for others to get in on the act too.

He chose us to be the ones to tell others. “

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” John 28:18-20

You might say that, you’re not great at sharing your faith with others, but, linking in with the culinary theme of this blog, you could help support the work of LLYFC by volunteering at our Saturday Cafe.

How does this help others hear about Jesus?

Let me explain.

At our regular Reverb Saturday Cafe @ St John’s Methodist Church on the high street in Llandudno we have a lot of people walk through the doors. People that might not otherwise grace the porch of a church with their presence. Their time and experience at the cafe is an opportunity for us to demonstrate God’s love to them by serving them in a way that demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit (see above) at work in our lives.

Also, the Saturday Cafe produces much needed finance for the work of Llandudno Youth for Christ in its ministry of taking the Good News relevantly to every young person in Llandudno and beyond. So by helping out at the Reverb Saturday Cafe, you are helping us to share the good news of Jesus with many other people.

We do have a desperate need for more volunteers at the Cafe over the summer months especially. On Saturday 30th July, 13th of August & 27th August we need volunteers to specifically help in the kitchen, working either a 2 hr or 4 hr session. If you feel like you would like to get your teeth stuck into being a spectacular chef with us at Reverb Saturday Cafe, or indeed in another capacity, such as waiting on, serving drinks, etc. then please contact us and let us know.

We really appreciate your help and hopefully as Ainsley Harriot used to say on ‘Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook’, we’ll be able to say along with you “Let’s start cooking!”

The LLYFC Summer Program

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It’s been an immense term at Llandudno YFC, and we’re looking forward to carrying that momentum through into the summer! If you are – or know someone – aged 11-18, then take a look at this years summer program below.

Events marked with an * require a permission slip, which you can download at the bottom of this post.

 

God, Games and Goats

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.26.58Every Sunday evening throughout summer (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th August) from 6-8pm at Ty Llywelyn Community Centre, LL30 1LA.

We’ll be getting together for a couple of hours, playing some top quality and brand new games, and having a short reflection with some Q&A. Twill be a fun night which will be dead easy to bring friends to!

 

Refresh – A Boho Sports Mini Festival*

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.27.19Wednesday 17th August, 12-4pm at St. David’s College, LL30 1RP.

Ultimate Frisbee, 9 Square, Wide Game, Camp Fire, Story Telling and Acoustic Music. It will be amazing! Do download a permission slip from the bottom of this page.

 

The Lock In*

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.27.32Tuesday 23rd August, 11pm – Wednesday 24th August, 7am at ‘The Garage,’ behind Gloddaeth United Church, LL30 2SY.

An all-night stay awake party with games, movies, teaching and worship. Always great fun – just try to stay awake! Download a permission slip from the bottom of this page.

 

Spark

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 17.28.13Saturday 27th August at Ty Llywelyn Community Centre, LL30 1LA.

Once again gathering young Christians together from across North Wales, Spark exists to network, support and stand with Christians from across the region. More details coming soon!

 

Consent Forms:

Please bring / post / email them back to:

LLYFC,
Ty Llywelyn Community Centre
LL30 1LA

llandudnoyfc@gmail.com

Refresh:

Refresh Form 2016

The Lock In:

The Lock In Form 2016

 

 

Are you a MINION? And have you found a Gru worth following?

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On thursday nights at LLYFC we hold our ‘Reverb Space’  after-school drop-in.  During these evenings we sometimes hold a ‘cinema’ themed night.  Recently we had a ‘minions’ evening.  If you have ever seen ‘Despicable Me’, ‘Despicable Me 2’, or ‘Minions’, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

The ‘minions’ are loveable, if a little bit gormless, minions that in the films, follow and work for equally as gormless, it would seem, supervillains, such as ‘Gru’ in the ‘Despicable Me’ films.

For this evening our director at LLYFC; Tim Gough, created a short resource to share the gospel relevantly, using the ‘minions’ as the medium through which to explain the good news.  Please read and enjoy Tim’s great work.

Minions exist to follow someone else – and they are just not happy until they do! Minions will travel the world to seek out a leader to worship, adore and serve but – even though they try really really hard – they are just a bit pants at it.

They drop a T-Rex into a volcano, get a Caveman eaten by a bear and accidently shoot Napoleon up the backside!

We’re exactly the same, y’know (ish… not so much with Napoleon). We were made to love and serve and be in relationship with someone who wants the best for us. We’re wired to be ‘Kingdom People’ who live with an awesome King – just like a Minion!

We Are Minions Too!

The problem is that we’re also not great at finding the right leader. We might spend all day worshipping a football team, a TV show or an xbox game. Then the team looses (idiots!), the show gets canceled (or kills the best character, grrr!), or you complete the game and have to blow all your money on the next one!

It might be that we decide to put all our faith in a best friend, parent or teacher. But even they – with the best of intentions – can let us down or stand us up too!

Hearts get broken and our world crumbles for a while. Life loses its purpose and direction and we start to feel pants…again!

Is There Anyone Worth Following?!?

Jesus Christ says “Follow Me” nine times! He’s a pretty consistent dude, eh? But you’ve gotta ask: why should we? We’ve followed all kinds of things and people before and that hasn’t worked out. Why follow a guy who died thousands of years ago and doesn’t even have an Instagram account?!?

The thing is that, if you read Jesus’ stories, in not one of them did he ever do anything wrong. He was just ridiculously awesome all the time! He Cared for people, never stood them up, was totally loyal and completely loving. In fact the

Bible tells us that he was completely ‘without sin’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 – that’s how you’ll find it on google or in a Bible) – which basically means he was absolutely perfect!

He Took The Freeze Ray!

He also died, yes, but for us! He jumped in front of a bullet that was heading our way. Y’see we do sin. Aka: We mess up! We epic fail (just like those quirky little Minions!) and if there is a God out there who is completely fair minded, then we have to make up and pay for those sins. However Jesus (who was sent by that God btw) paid for us by dying in our place.

Jesus also didn’t stay dead! Because Jesus was actually God himself in human form (I know! Cool, eh?… and weird!), death couldn’t hold him. That means he’s still alive today – doing his God-thing and making sure the world keeps turning.

Finally… I can follow someone like that!

So following Jesus is just sensible! We all want someone to give our life purpose and meaning, we’re gonna keep looking for stuff to fill that gap, and Jesus is just, well, EPIC! He’s perfect, he died for us – proving how good he is; and he rose again from the dead – proving just how powerful he is. I want to follow him!

Doesn’t That Mean I’ll Stop Having Fun?

Jesus does’t think that you shouldn’t like football, xbox games, telly, or having best friends and family. He wants you to live your life! But he also just wants you to put him first out of those things, so he can take care of you and guide you.

Jesus also does’t promise to make our lives perfect. But he does promise “never to leave or abandon us” (Hebrews 13:5). He will be with us in our darkest times. We can always talk to him an he will always listen and always understand.

Ok! So How I Do It?

So, just like a Minion who has found their Gru – lets follow Jesus! That means that we need to accept his friend request and click like. We do that by praying a simple prayer (I’ve written an easy one out for you on the back if it helps!). Praying is not a magic trick, it’s just talking to Jesus just like you would to anybody else – you can do it out loud or in your head. He’ll always hear you! Give it a try…

Hi Jesus…

Thanks so much that you love me and died for me. Thanks for taking the bullet for me. Thanks for loving me even when I’m a bit pants. Thanks for sending me a friend request. Thanks for wanting to know me!

I’m sorry for all the times I’ve been a bit rubbish. I’m sorry that I’ve ignored you until now and looked for other things and people to follow. Please forgive me.

I accept your friend request. Please hang out with me every day. Please help me to follow you, learn more about you, talk to you and trust you as I walk through life. Help me live life to the full!

Amen (that’s just a classical way of saying “Yup, I stand by what I just said!”)

Fab! So What Now?

It’s not easy following a guy that you can’t physically see! So here are three things that will help you keep cracking on!

1. Find a Christian friend or Youth Leader (get on google and look for for Church Youth Clubs in your area) that you’ve started following him.

We all need friends to help us out with these big choices.

2. Learn more about him in the Bible. You can download a Bible App (YouVersion is a great choice) or go online (Biblegateway.com is pretty good).

The Bible is actually a library of 66 books – hard to know where to start! Look in the contents for, or google the book of Mark. That’ll be a great start! If you like poetry and music, then maybe check out Psalms too!

3. Pray! Talk to him! Tell him what you care about, what you’re doing. Share with him your questions, your fears and your dreams. Get to know him by chatting!

Ask him to be with you, bring him your questions and remember to say thanks too – he’s worth it!

“Search for the hero inside yourself…”

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In chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we see the great list of ‘heroes of the faith’. A long list of people who did amazing feats due to their faith in God.

“who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:32-39.

These guys were the original superheroes. The Spirit of God empowered these believers to do amazing things. Samson was so strong he killed a lion with his bare hands and his strength was so amazing that it brought the house down; literally (see Judges 16:23-31). Enoch was the original ‘beam me up Scotty’ guy. The Bible says that he was “walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.” Genesis 5:24. Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Talk about a fire exit!

Just a quick glance through the pages of the Old Testament and you can see what our awesome God can do with ordinary lives that are lived in faithful obedience to Him and His call.

In Hebrews the author states that even though all these amazing things happened as they walked in faith, “none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:40. Wow!

What was that better thing? What was promised that they were waiting for?

in one word – Jesus!

The Messiah. God’s appointed King to come and deliver His people from slavery to sin and death.

Jesus is the promise fulfilled. Jesus is the better thing.

The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that; “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3. Followers of Jesus are encouraged to press on and keep on following in obedience, even when it gets tough, even when it gets difficult. Like the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, followers of Jesus can, by obediently following Him in faith, be used by God to do amazing things.

Look at the lives of people like Charles Spurgeon, William Tyndale, Sundar Singh, Adoniram Judson, Brother Andrew, Corrie Ten Boom, Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce, John Wesley and Mary Jones to name a few.

People that have gone before us and left a blazing legacy of faith, like Elijah’s chariot racing through the sky. Even today, there are men and women who have answered Jesus’ call to come and follow Him. Men and women who are, by their obedience, transforming the world around them with God’s love. People like Heidi & Rolland Baker, John Kirkby, Andy Hawthorne, Canon Andrew White, Reinhard Bonnke, and Rachel Gardner.

Let us today, inspired by the lives of other Christians around us, and the lives of faithful God-followers that have gone before us, do like them and follow God and His call on our lives.

Who knows whose life will be transformed and changed by your simple act of obedience.

 

“Let the little children come to me”

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Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

nspcc-headerOn the 8th July in 1884 the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded in London.

This all came about because of one man; Thomas Agnew a business man from Liverpool visited New York on a trip in 1881 and whilst he was there, he visited the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (founded in 1874, and the world’s first child protection agency). He was so taken with the work they were doing, that he returned to the UK inspired to provide similar help for children in Liverpool. So in 1883 he set up the Liverpool Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (LSPCC).

Soon, other towns and cities followed, and in 1884 the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (London SPCC) was founded by Lord Shaftesbury, Reverend Edward Rudolf and Reverend Benjamin Waugh.

Five years later Parliament passed the first ever UK law to protect children from abuse and neglect in 1889. This was a great triumph for the organisation and the culmination of their many years of tireless effort in changing the way society in Victorian times saw and treated children. By 1889, the London SPCC was renamed the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children due to having many branches now that covered Great Britain and Ireland.

It’s work did not go unnoticed and Queen Victoria became its first Royal Patron in 1895 when she granted the organisation its Royal Charter.

It has continued to champion the rights and welfare of children in the UK, often with hard hitting advertising campaigns.

We see that from the above quote from the gospel of Matthew that children are important to God. Another time where we see Jesus’ heart for children is when the disciples are asking about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child to him and explains to the disciples that “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:3-5. He goes on to sternly warn that “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

Another charity that cares for the needs of children is ‘Compassion‘, which has as its motto, “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.” Just like with the NSPCC, Compassion was founded by the work of one man.  Rev. Everett Swanson made a ministry trip in the 1952 to South Korea to comfort the American troops, whilst he was there he grew increasingly troubled by the sight of hundreds of war orphans living on the streets, abandoned by society. Out of his desire to save the lives of these children ‘Compassion’ was born.

Its amazing what God can do with one man or woman who responds to God’s heart and call to seek and save the least, the last and the lost.

Do you feel that God is calling you to help with the work that we do at LLYFC?

If you like the Rev. Everett Swanson or Thomas Agnew want to help make a difference in the lives of the young people in North Wales, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

God bless.

“Goleuni Y Bywyd” – The Light of Life

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PCW logoThe quote that is used as the title for this Blog post is taken from the logo of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, which itself refers back to the start of the Apostle John’s gospel.

Each year they hold their ‘General Assembly’, the largest gathering of members of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.  It meets over three days in July, normally at Aberystwyth, however this year they are holding their meetings at Eglwys Unedig Seilo in Llandudno.  The General Assembly includes daily worship, lectures and business sessions, during which the representatives discuss and vote on key matters affecting the church.

On the first evening of the ‘General Assembly’, Llandudno Youth for Christ has been given the privilege and responsibility for organising and arranging the worship and Bible readings for the night, with many of the young people that attend our different events taking part in this.

We have a fantastic speaker for the night; Andy Hughes the national director of Urban Saints Wales will be bringing us some great wisdom from the Bible.

Saint-y-Gymuned-logo-colour-300x220It is so great for us to be able to give back to a church that has given so much support to the work we do. A church that has faithfully supported us with great volunteers, in prayer and with much needed finance.

Thank you to everyone in the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

It is so great to see a church that is faithfully continuing to follow the mandate that God has put on it. On their website the PCW state that “The purpose of the Presbyterian Church of Wales is to worship God and spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.“

The church was formed out of the Welsh Methodist Revival that revitalised Christianity in Wales during the 18th century. The men that God used in this awakening were people such as Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris and the great hymn writer William Williams Pantycelyn.

Looking over the history of the church, it is great to see how they have always sought to share the good news of Jesus Christ in a relevant way. Reaching out to Wales and beyond with God’s love.

In 1837 they opened up a school in Bala, which in 1839 became a ministerial college.

Today Coleg y Bala is now the ‘Children and Youth Centre of the Presbyterian Church of Wales’

In 1840 the Foreign Missionary Society was established in Liverpool to send missionaries to India, and in 1978 the PCW joined the CWM (Council for World Missions). Also in 1978 Pamela Turner became the first woman to be ordained as a minister within the PCW.

So 152 years after their first General Assembly in 1864, which met in Swansea; we are delighted to be able to share such an important evening in Llandudno.

We will be meeting at Gloddaeth United Church, Chapel Street, Llandudno, LL30 2SY, at 6pm. There will be worship, Bible readings, and an inspirational message from Andy Hughes, in English and in Welsh. We hope you will be able to come and show your support for LLYFC and all of the young people that will be involved in the event and also for the work of the Presbyterian Church of Wales as it continues to share the Good News of Jesus in an engaging and relevant manner.

light_saltAs the Apostle Paul says “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.“1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Let’s keep sharing the good news to those around us, and we hope to see you at Gloddaeth United Church  on Sunday 10th July at 6pm.