Encouragement

THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND

(May 2, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan comment on some realities:

‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’ is a saying quoted every now and then. Particularly when we hear of certain nations – normally considered enemies, or could-be enemies, that no one ever envisaged working together – suddenly becoming friends against a possible new enemy.

Actually it’s ancient proverb going back to the 4th century BC, suggesting that two opposing parties can or should work together against a common enemy. Evidently, the first recorded use of the current English version was in 1884.

A classic example was the tension in WW2 Europe common between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. Both US President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were wary of Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union leadership. But despite their inherent differences, they recognised a need to work together to meet the threat of Hitler’s leadership and Nazi aggression. They developed foreign policies with an understanding that Soviet cooperation was necessary for the Allied war effort to succeed.

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LOST DREAMS AND HOPES?

(April 23, 2017) Maureen McQuillan brings a great encouragement …

When you were very young did you have dreams and hopes about what life had to offer you?

I remember as a little girl sitting on the doorstep of our small home in a little country town back in Northern Ireland and dreaming of travelling faraway and – well, many other things too.

I guess we all did something similar. But I wonder… perhaps life has had its disappointments and today you’re sitting somewhere looking back – with regrets.

The too hard basket
Perhaps those little child’s dreams and hopes of yours have long gone, maybe even been shattered. Today they’re in the too hard basket. Maybe you’ve been knocked off your feet by life’s hard knocks and it’s just too difficult to start dreaming and hoping afresh.

Maybe too many doors of opportunity have been slammed in your face, or you feel locked into in an unsatisfactory lifestyle with no apparent way out. You’re thinking: What’s the use of even hoping, never mind dreaming for something better?

And perhaps as you look in the mirror each morning, you realise yet again how time has passed so quickly and you wonder what you have really achieved in life. (more…)

DARE TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE…

(March 6, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan reminisce and share a challenge to dare …

An article in a magazine about movies/TV shows/comic characters grabbed our attention last week –taking us back to the fifties, yet speaking about a real need today!

In a day when some serious-minded Christians, including church leaders, are saying that we need a fresh revival, here was an article by the delighted editor about another revival, that of the renowned 1950s British comic book hero – Dan Dare.

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First Eagle, April 14, 1950

Okay… many, especially our younger generation and non-Brits will wonder who’s he? Who was Dan Dare? This editor (not an aged senior, by the way!) stated it simply – ‘Before there was the science fiction Quartermass, before Doctor Who, before … there was Colonel Dan Dare – Pilot of the Future.

Boldly going places
We can easily add that decades before Star Trek and the Klingons or Star Wars and Dark Vader, there was Dan Dare and his arch-nemesis, the evil reptile-looking Mekon of Mekonta, ruler of the Treens! Decades before James T Kirk ever declared the Enterprise’s mission to ‘boldly go where no man has gone before’ we who were kids in the fifties can reflect and boldly declare that Dan Dare has been there, done that! (more…)

GOOD SALT

(February 17, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share …

Ever watch some old movies (or current ones) or TV series such as The Darling Buds of May where Pop Larkin would pour heaps of tomato sauce over virtually everything on the plate? Usually one goes ‘Yuk’ in horror.

And what about people who pour far too much salt on their meals?

Salt consumption has increased during modern times. Every now and then we hear its usage being raised in conversation, usually a concerned ‘You take too much salt, that’s bad for you!’ Or we hear or read of some report of the health effects of salt associated with the consumption too little salt.

A mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, salt is used in food for both preservation and flavour. (Just as ‘good salt Christians’ are supposed to be – enriching this troubled world). (more…)

BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE’S A SMART WOMAN!

(January 26, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share a timely reminder…

Several years before the Afghan conflict, 20/20’s Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan. She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands. On a later revisit she observed that women still walked behind their husbands.

Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, Afghani women still maintained the old custom. Approaching one she asked, ‘Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?’

The woman looked her straight in the eye, and without hesitation said, ‘Land mines.’

Moral (no matter what language you speak or where you go): Behind every man, there’s a smart woman!

A great wife is still a man’s greatest asset!
Every guy should know this and fully appreciate his wife, give God thanks for her and pray for her regularly. Proverbs 31:10-31 Mge is still a great read! (more…)

ATTITUDE

(January 9, 2017) Maureen McQuillan reminisces …

An engine had failed and was taken into a nearby shed. No one could fix it. Then they brought in an older chap supposedly with some 50 years’ experience on such engines.

Younger maintenance men sniggered as the old pensioner hobbled around. Ever so slowly he inspected the faulty engine very carefully, top to bottom. After looking things over, this old senior reached into his tool bag and pulled out a small hammer. Then he gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine surged with power into life. It was fixed! The sniggering stopped.

Seven days later the owners got the retired engineer’s bill for 10K. ‘What is this!’ they demanded when the retiree answered their complaining phone call. ‘You hardly did anything. Send us an itemised bill.’

He did so. The new itemised account read:

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INHERITANCE – 2017, THE YEAR OF DISCOVERY?

(January 9, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on the inheritance we have in Christ …

Every good parent desires to leave an inheritance to their children.

Back in 1994 I (Robert) editorially covered a great Pentecostal conference in Seoul, Korea – I had the privilege and delight of being on the large high platform in the vast Yoida Plaza to view over a million Christians who had gathered from around the world to celebrate their Assemblies of God denomination’s worldwide 80^th anniversary.

That trip I learned many things about Korea and its people but a most important principle was discovered not in church but in the marketplaces! (more…)

NO MORE EXCUSES

(December 17, 2016) Maureen McQuillan looks beyond this joyous season …

No doubt all of us at one time or another has dreamed about whom we could become or about things we’d love to do for God. But then thoughts about circumstances, lack of education, experience or something else made us dismiss the idea altogether. Or we made all sorts of excuses or found ‘reasons’ why it just couldn’t happen.

And when we go down that track, we miss out on so much because we don’t go on to consider the possibilities in God. It seems that we don’t understand that Christians, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can discover abilities beyond our own natural skills.

A great truth to discover is that God’s Spirit can lift us above and beyond any excuse! (more…)

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY – OR IS IT?

(December 12, 2016) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share …

The traditional Deck the Halls Christmas carol of possible Welsh origin is heard on radio, in department stores, certain old movies (if you’re into watching them) and Christmas Morning Melodies theatre shows (such as the one we attended last week).

Overall this popular carol encourages us to be happy at this season of expressing joy with lines such as Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la… Sing we joyous, all together…

Yes, Christmas is indeed meant to a joyous time, especially for Christians and the church of Jesus Christ. Carol singing services began at the weekend and are generally well attended whether in local parks, churches or their grounds. The Christmas spirit is indeed evident in several other ways too… (more…)

LOOKING BACK? SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING MISSING?

(November 18, 2016) Maureen McQuillan reminisces …

Years ago Robert and I had the opportunity of a wonderful short break away from our busy ministry schedule.

Some thoughtful friends kindly arranged a stay in the Hepburn Springs area in a miner’s cottage that was over a hundred years old.

I admit to being a little apprehensive about what the condition of that old cottage might be, especially as the weather had turned quite cold.

Atmosphere
What we found was most unexpected!

Each room was warmly and beautifully furnished in Victorian period style, inviting seating in front of the open fireplace which had been set with logs and pine cones, ready for lighting (which we immediately put a match to!).

Panelled walls, lace and velvet curtains, a proliferation of old books (which Robert delighted in), ornaments, paintings, lamps and other items from bygone days gave the cottage a special touch and warmth. Welcoming music playing, fresh bread, fruit and farmhouse breakfast food on the table, even chocolates and a candle for a romantic evening, all added to the effect. (more…)

Connecting with You!

words of encouragement from us