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On the Gallery pages are two photos of Blaenannerch Chapel near Aberporth in Wales.
The chapel is famous for being the place where the Holy Spirt came upon Evan Roberts during the 7pm meeting on 29 September 1904 and he was filled with a love for the message of the cross. That love would be the theme of the revival which he soon began to lead in Wales. In the history of the Welsh Revival, that night became known as "Blaenannerch's great meeting".
Jean and I were blessed to visit the chapel during a stay at Rhyd Country House Hotel which is just a short walk away from the chapel. In fact, if you are ever in the area and want to stay somewhere special, Rhyd Country House Hotel is the place. It is run by Nigel and Michelle Bruce who have two delightful children. Their restaurant uses local produce, is well known in the area and you will find the cuisine simply excellent. We have stayed there several times and intend to return as we like it so much. Contact details are http://www.rhydcountryhouse.co.uk Tel 01239-810566.
Anyway, Jean and I knew about the chapel but had never been inside. So, we took a walk along the road only to find the church locked. We took our photos and walked back towards the church gate when a gentleman from across the road came towards us waving a key. He had seen us looking around and had come to open up the chapel so we could see inside. Well, inside it was simply beautiful, so clean and well cared-for. The pew on which Evan Roberts sat that night is clearly marked and we both took turns in sitting on it. We both felt blessed to have been inside the chapel. Has anyone else been there?
Posted by : Mike and Jean on 01-09-2020 |
I went 15 years ago racking down my family history with my three young children. My gt grandparents are buried there and attended during the revival; my grandfather born in 1907 attended th Sunday school and I still have his Sunday school text books - v. Informative.
The spiritual history of this place is significant as I felt my daughters were intended to be present when the Olympic flame started out from Lands End - this is where my other gt grandparents originate. This was further confirmed to me when I found my eldest lived in jay Osgerbys house (he designed the torch) and had handled the prototype. (She rented his basement and taught his children music) getting my three daughters to Lands End was impossible til my Aunt died and the family erroneously planned the funeral on the same day! we were passed by the torch and then sat in the church of St John the Baptist (prepare ye the way) and I marvelled that God could have me reading Scripture in his house on such a day. The torch past the ice cream shop in Newlyn owned by the parents whose daughter got the first gold for the Uk too. And Usain bolt was born in Cornwall. Cornwall, Jamaica - but by gods design it's all linked in.
Posted by : Susan Houghton on 15-07-2014 |
I came across nine questions which a Christian should ask before seeking and joining a new church or Christian group. I believe the questions were formulated by the late Derek Prince and they are listed here:-
1. Do they honour and up lift the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. Do they respect the authority of Scripture?
3. Do they make room for the moving of the Holy Spirit?
4. Do they exhibit a warm and friendly attitude?
5. Do they seek to work out their faith in practical, day-to-day living?
6. Do they build interpersonal relationships among themselves that go beyond merely attending services?
7. Do they provide pastoral care that embraces all your legitimate needs?
8. Are they open to fellowship with other Christian groups?
9. Do you feel at ease and at home among them?
Of course, to pray and seek God for guidance is of overriding importance but questions such as those set out above are well worth bearing in mind.
Posted by : Mike on 05-03-2010 |
I would like an opinion about a pastor and his wife who has irreconcilable marriage problems. Both are in the ministry and has been married for 25 years. Is divorce an option ? The "normal" remedies has been followed. Talk, councelling etc.
Posted by : Heinrich Slabbert on 16-08-2009 |
Jean and I have spoken to and advised Christians over the years about this issue including those who contemplating divorce. Marriage has been designed by God. As marriage is a one flesh relationship between a husband and a wife, then the both the husband and the wife have been designed to work together in a way which will make the marriage run the way God intended. The marriage may get into difficulties where the husband and/or the wife act in a way which is not in line with His design.
We have a friend who, with his wife, counsel those who have encountered difficulties in marriage. He recently made the point that it is becoming increasingly common to hold the view that separation is virtually inevitable where the relationship breaks down. However, their experience, and ours too, is that a marriage can be saved where both husband and wife truly want to bring the marriage back into line with the way God intended.
We have put some of our own marriage counseling notes on this website in the Library section under Marriage Designed by God. Obviously we do not know what irreconcilable problems are involved in the case you mention but, in the notes, we have tried to deal with some of the things which are frequently at the root of difficulties. Sadly, if a husband and wife simply do not want to reconcile, divorce is the common alternative these days even amongst Christians, though we believe that God intended marriage to be for life - and to be a joy. It will be interesting to read what others have to say.
Posted by : Mike Adkins on 16-08-2009 |
A few facts about this case. Their marriage was strong, and then a few years back, the church where they were serving had a huge breakup. Some ugly things happened. This caused a lot of hurt. In the process of recovery the wife got involved with another man (member of congregation) The Family went to another church. The congregation did not know about this. The pastor forgave his wife, and the marriage though shaken survived. Because of this family leaving, the church suffered financially. The strain because of this, negatively impacted the marriage. Then the husband discovered "by accident" that his wife still harbored feelings for the other man. The husband does not want divorce, knows the scriptures and loves God, but the marriage is becoming a living hell. The husband wants to reconcile, but the wife blames everything on the husband. Communication is difficult. Strangely enough, the wife also does not want divorce!
Posted by : Heinrich Slabbert on 17-08-2009 |
We attended a conference in 2008 where those who were running it referred to a four-line prayer which they had used in places like checkout queues, restaurants and other places where they had come across persons who were suffering from ailments. On sensing that a person was in some kind of pain, the conversation went something like this.
"Are you suffering pain in your body?"
If the person answered "Yes" the conversation continued:-
2Would you like to be healed of that?"
If the person said 'Yes' the conversation then went something like this:
"Alright, we like to pray with people for healing so pray this four line prayer after me."
1 This healing belongs to me. (The person then repeats it)
2 Because of what Jesus has done. (The person then repeats it)
3 I receive my healing now. (The person then repeats it)
4 In the Name of Jesus. Amen. (The person then repeats it)
The person is then asked "How is the pain now?"
We have used that prayer a number of times when doing on-street outreach and with Christians too and find that most people are prepared to pray the prayer. We have been encouraged and will continue to use it.
Those running the conference had used the prayer with non-Christians many times and reported healings which had taken place. They then continued the conversation by saying something like "The healing was God working on the outside. How would you like the Lord to work on the inside?" When the person said they would like that, it was possible to lead the person to receive salvation in Christ.
Although we have used to prayer a number of times we have yet to reach the point where we have been able to lead the person to the Lord there and then. However, while we continue to pray, there is the possibility for that to arise.
Thought it was worth sharing that.
Posted by : Mike and Jean on 27-10-2014 |
Forgiveness
I have been thinking again of seventy times seven in Matthew 18. As you know, that is how many times we are told to forgive the brother who sins against us - though I do not think the Lord was actually putting a limit here on the number of times we should forgive someone. I have to say that I cannot remember a particular brother ever sinning against me that many times though there will be others who have been treated dreadfully who might say that they can. Nevertheless, there have been times when I feel that someone has sinned against me and I have needed to forgive - and I know that people have needed to forgive me and it has been necessary for me to apologize.
One of the problems is that the act of forgiveness does not wipe the sin event from human memory. Even though God remembers sins no more it is not so easy for us to forget them. Therefore, even though I might have forgiven a person for the sin committed against me it may come back to mind again and again. I think that the "seventy times seven" principle can apply in such a case and forgiveness becomes a process. When the memory of it rises up in our mind again we affirm our forgiveness of it, and when it comes to mind yet again we affirm our forgiveness yet again and we begin to walk in a spirit of forgiveness. In time, the repeated act of affirming forgiveness wears down the hurt of it until the sin which was committed comes to mind less frequently. It may take many such repeats of forgiveness affirmation when the sin committed is associated with acutely painful memories. When it is finally worn down, it does not carry quite the hurt which was originally associated with it.
Posted by : Mike on 27-10-2014 |
Paul's Reasons in 1 Corinthians 14 for Speaking in Tongues
There are those who do not see the point of speaking in tongues but Paul is enthusiastic about the use of tongues in private and in church meetings. In 1 Corinithians 14 Paul he puts in writing the reasons for feeling that way.
1 1 Cor 14:2 Paul uses tongues to speak to God.
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no-one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. NIV
2 1 Cor 14:4 Paul uses tongues to edify himself
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...NIV
3 1 Cor 14:5 Paul wants us all to do it and so It is God's will to speak in
tongues I would like every one of you to speak in tongues...NIV
4 1 Cor 14:5 Because in the church it gives rise to interpretation which edifies the church.
He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. NIV See also verse 26.
Some might ask why doesn't the one with the interpretation simply bring it as a word of prophecy? The fact is, without the tongues being heard first, the one with the interpretation may not be triggered into bringing a word of any kind and then the church would not benefit at all.
5 1 Cor 14:14 Paul uses tongues to pray with his spirit.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays...NIV
6 1 Cor 14:15 Paul uses tongues to sing with his spirit.
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind NIV
7 1 Cor 14:16 Tongues can be used to praise God with our spirit.
If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? NIV
8 1 Cor 14:22-23 Tongues are a sign for unbelievers
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
The effect on unbelievers hearing many people speaking tongues at the same time in church may not turn them to Christ and it may even cause them to think the church is mad but it will certainly catch their attention! Their conclusion that Christians are mad will be changed when they hear prophecy or interpretation of tongues (which is akin to prophecy) see verse 24.
Interestingly lots of people speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost led to mocking from some bystanders - but it caught their attention to hear the Gospel from Peter.
Mike Adkins
Posted by : Mike on 27-10-2014 |
What do you at the Mannawords website believe? Are you part of a particular denomination?
Posted by : Anon on 04-03-2008 |
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