Hi

Just to let you know there's an article about my music ministry and new album on cross rhythms. Here's the link:

http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Angie_Lendon_Passionate_worship_from_Gods_quothidden_cityquot/32998/p1/

The Lord had laid it on my heart for some time to do more praise and worship in the open air.
For the past few weeks now the rain has been continuous and it was that drizzle rain that just soaks you through and through. I had planned on Thursday the 7th August as the date to do an open air at a Marina where many holiday makers gather. All day at work the rain kept pouring down non stop. I had prayed to the Lord from early morning that the rain would stop from 7pm to 9pm to allow the open air service to take place. I informed a few friends at work about the service and one said it does not look like it will go ahead now then Joe when we were leaving work at 5pm. I replied Have faith.
On the way home the rain continued to pour down relentless. At home I made the decision that it was up to me to believe what I had prayed for and to take a step of faith and go to were the service was to take place. I arrived at the destination of the marina at 7pm and the rain stopped and did not come on again throughout the 2 hours we were there. 3 believers were there and were 2 or 3 are gathered I am in the midst saith the Lord and we felt His presence indeed.
The gospel was preached and songs were sung and the sound bounced back of the large houses all around the marina. While I was preaching on the importance of Time a woman came up to me afterwards and said that she had been encouraged by the sermon. She had lost her son 4 years ago and this was the anniversary of his death. She was feeling down and had been walking around the marina looking for some encouragement from the Lord. It was a blessing to us to be there and to be used by the Lord to encourage this woman.
It was also a blessing and encouragement to me to know to always rely on the Lord and step out in faith and know that He will honour such.
Yes it had been a miserable day but now the rain was off and a soul was encouraged In her hour of need.
Upon reflection what a beautiful day it was !
God bless you my friends
Your brother and servant in Christ
Joseph beggs

            How Precious is your Bible

A ships mate once challenged a chaplain with this question.” How is it that you are always talking to my men about this Jesus of yours“. “Have you ever seen Him “,asked the shipmate sarcastically. “No I have never seen Him “,replied the chaplain in all honesty.” Then how can you tell a man to trust in someone you have never seen , I see no sense in that at all”, laughed the shipmate. ”Well replied the chaplain, when you head for a place of refuge in a storm, what sense is there in telling your men to let go the anchor when they cannot see the ground below the waves ?

“On what principle do you trust you ship and your very life to ground you have never seen with your own eyes” said the chaplain. “Oh said the shipmate we go by our chart that has mapped out the depths of the sea and the land below“. “Exactly replied the chaplain and holding up his Bible he said I too go by my chart and it is an Infallible one while yours is not“. “My chart tells me of the only sure ground of my salvation and the atoning work of Christ upon the cross“. “My faith like your anchor takes hold of this unseen ground and so rides out the storms of life in peace and safety“.

Be assured of your Bible my friends it stands not because of us or because of the world .It stands and has stood throughout the ages because it is the Infallible word of God. It has endured attacks from all quarters from Scientists from Politicians from Pop stars to Film stars and sadly even from ministers of God and after all attacks it stands still.

When we had some Ukranian brothers and sisters in Ireland this year speaking on the persecuted church they were very sad to see that some brothers and sisters were leaving their Bibles on the floor at meetings. One of our Ukranian brothers reminded us of how his brothers and sisters had died for their Bible .They had great respect for the word of God and would die for it rather than rip it or burn or discredit it in any way to get freedom. Many even died for it young and old .They reminded us that the floor is the place our feet walk on and that all the dirt from the world is on the floor and that if our Bible was precious to us then it should have a place of honour and respect in our lifes. If we loved our Bibles they would not be left at the lowest place but held with great love, preciousness and affection.

Treasure your Bibles my friends for many in this world have walked hundreds of miles just to have one of their own.

God bless you my friends

Your brother in Christ

joseph

The album launch gig is tomorrow, and all the preparation seem to have gone well.

We had a final run through the set last night - and its feels good.

And with things working out well, despite a few hiccups on the way, we can really feel the calling being placed upon us.

We're lookig forward to seeing as many people as possible at the gig, we should be on stage about 9pm, but the event starts at 7:45pm, doors open at 7:30pm.

So be there:

St. John's Church, St. Johns Road, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 - and admission is free, what could be better...!

New Album
We have just begun recording new songs for a new Stairway album, there is no release date yet as we are still very much in the beginning stages. Rodney Matthews has done the front cover artwork for the album, and it's a cracker! You may remember Rodney provided the artwork for our debut CD 'No Rest : No Mercy back in '93. We'll keep you fully informed with developments.

All the best

Graeme.

Following the success of the Minack and Flambards

Cornwall worship will be taking place at John Wesleys Ampitheatre

Gwennap Pit next Saturday at 4pm

Mark Grove will be leading the Worship with

 n-courage Worship .

with testimony and speaker . Free admission

for all details check out www.cornwallworship.org.uk

Boy has it been a crazy time! We had the launch of the new album and it went really well! Great turn out and lots of new friends made!

The tour is shaping up well and i'm looking forward if not a little apprehensive about juggling home, work and ministry! Still God's in charge and He's opened the doors so I lean on Him for strength.

You know I'm so in awe of all that God is doing in my church! There is an overwhelming sense of going to the next level and we had an incredible meeting this morning with the power and presence of God so tangible it was amazing!

I sense God calling me/us closer into the secret place even more and I beleive this is pivotal to all that He wants to do in us and through us! I am such a Martha but i'm determined to spend that time with Him no matter how small!

Be blessed and know that you are loved and cherished!

Angie
xxxxxx

Hi there,

Its taken just 4 months of preparation and a time locked away in the studio but our first album, "Let me live..." is done, and loaded up. There will also be physical CDs at the gigs, so come along if you can and pick one up.

There is a bit for everyone, from pop/rock to ballads, to hard rock, to funk. Give it a listen, read the lyrics, download what you like, but most of all give us your feedback.

Its early days in our ministry together, but there is a lot was feel empowered to achieve. Helps us find the right way - and maybe invite us to share with you.

We (the church) are in a time of transition, as has been stated by many leaders in recent times, and need to find or take our position in God's kingdom.  It is very important in these times to be where we should be, to know who we are in Christ and to move forward.

So why is it so hard to move forward?  I find that it is so easy to move backwards; to return to where I came from is far less difficult than to go where I've never been.  Embarking on something fresh and new is typically harder than continually conforming to the old and "normal."  Why is it that the hump you get over when moving forward is not there when moving backwards?  "Bumps in the road" seem to become flat and smooth ground when a regression takes place.

This may seem like a, "Well, duh!" type blog, but I just want to know who else is in the middle of a mega-trying transition right now concerning the plan of God and how it is being dealt with.  One thing I hope we have all decided is that there is no way we're turning back-- we will finish the race.

Hope to hear from you!

Let's Go Up,

James

                        The greatest Gift

In eastern lands the story is told of the great Shah Abbas who delighted in mingling in disguise with the common folk of his realm. Once dressed in wretched rags he descended to the lowest part of his palace, where one of his humblest servants sat tending the furnace. Each enjoyed the others company and over the days the furnace tender shared his meagre lunch with his companion .Days passed and weeks passed as each sat in the others company. Over time a deepening friendship developed though the servant had no idea of his new found friends true identity. At last the Shah revealed his identity and waited ready to grant whatever petition the servant might ask of him but the servant sat silent gazing upon the Shah in wonder.

Finally the Shah spoke and said ,Haven’t you understood ?” “I can make you rich and noble, I can give you a city, I can appoint you as a great ruler. “Have you nothing to ask ?”.

“Yes my Lord I understand the furnace tender replied You have left your glorious surroundings to sit with me in this dark place, to partake of my coarse fare and to care whether my heart is glad or sad.”

You can give me nothing more precious than that you have given to me already.

“On others you may bestow rich presents but to me you have given yourself, it only remains to ask that you never withdraw this gift of your friendship”.

Now my friends If we look to Christ and reflect on this story we can see one who came down from the glory of Heaven One who gave all on the cross of Calvary One who walks beside us each and every step of the way. One who comforts One who listens and one who meets our every need.

We to can truly say to Jesus as the furnace tender said to his Shah , but to me you have given yourself, it only remains to ask that you never withdraw this gift of your friendship.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

May God richly bless you in the days that we have left in this life and may you know his presence and joy and peace every step of the way.

Your friend and brother in Christ

joseph