Where to go in tough times - CFN Newsletter Week 143

CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK NEWSLETTER 143

> Joni on the fellowship of suffering
> News:
> 82% say children shouldn't gamble
> Ulster StreetReach project gets formal backing
> TV cartoon series helps churches reach out
> Sites:
> Christian 'Band Aid' style single for tsunami survivors
> Medical/health resource site relaunch
> New musical based on book of Esther
> Marriage MOT: Make a will!
> You've got to laugh: Wulod you blveiee it?
> Members' Zone latest

> OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS WEEK

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> FROM THE EDITOR

Dear all

It's extraordinary to think that Easter's nearly on us, but I'm cheered today as I write this by some welcome sunshine and the sight of flowers starting to appear.

It's true, men don't always get particularly excited by crocuses, but to me it's a sign of hope and new life - just what Easter's all about. In our latest update we have plenty of encouragement for you - and lots to make you smile.

We've also got a great issue of Families Together about to be printed - so if you're not a subscriber to CFN, make sure you grab a copy at your local Christian bookshop or call 01903 602136 to make sure you get one!

May the power of the risen Lord fill you this Easter!

Russ Bravo
Christian Family Network
info@cfnetwork.co.uk
http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk

PS Christian Family Network is here to direct you to the best in parenting, marriage and family resources; to link you up with other Christian families up and down the UK; and to help you make the most of life as a follower of Christ - at home, at work, at school and college, at play and online.

Your feedback, positive and negative, enables us to develop CFN in the way that is most useful for you - so please tell us if we're off the rails or on the button!

And don't forget - if we can pass on material (sample copies of Families Together, leaflets) which will help you tell your friends and your church about CFN, just mail Lyn Bedford at marketing@christianmedia.org.uk and she'll be glad to help you out.

> JONI 

The fellowship of suffering 

It’s no use trying to fake it with the staff at Joni and Friends. They’ve seen me at my best, but also my worst.

There have been mornings when I’ve headed down the freeway to work fighting ‘the blues’ every mile of the way. Sometimes it’s a headache caused by my corset sticking in my side. Other times, it’s the weariness of simply waking up and going through the same old routine of having someone dress me and sit me up in my wheelchair.

There have honestly been days when I’ve pulled my van over to the side a mile away from the office just so I could pray to clear the cloud of discouragement. Once in a while I’ve parked in the handicap space at our office lot, turned off the engine, and simply ... waited. I have wheeled lickety-split through the courtyard, zipped past our receptionist, and made a bee-line for my office door, hoping no one would greet me with a smile and a “Good morning! How are you doing today?!”

My friends – mostly Francie, my secretary and Judy, my administrative assistant – know something’s wrong when they see my office door closed. After a minute or two, I hear a gentle knock. They know that after 34 years of quadriplegia – hey, I’m bound to have a few bad days. 

Sometimes Francie will simply press a tissue against my eyes and stand quietly beside me. Perhaps Judy will let me lean my head on her chest while she rubs the pain away in my neck. Whatever, it helps. My friends then open up, divulging their emotional shortcomings. We share a few problems, softly sing a hymn together, and after a few sniffles and one more wipe of the tissue, I begin to brighten.

“Onward and upward,” Judy will say with a pat on my back. When my office door swings open, I breathe a sigh of peace and relief. I am a part of the fellowship of suffering. And it feels good.

Isn’t it grand to share the struggles and tears, the consolation and the comfort, even the smiles when we are embraced by others in the fellowship of suffering? It’s a wonderful, inexplicable participation in the life and power of Jesus when we enter that camaraderie of sharing in his afflictions.

I’m not talking about persecution here; I’m thinking of the everyday battering and bruising we face as humans. When we suffer – no matter how small or great – we are never meant to suffer alone. That’s why there’s koinonia. We sense the comfort of Christ’s presence, the nearness of his help and solace – all through the loving touch of others who understand our hurt. We are changed as we share burdens and help each other carry crosses. 

• Read the rest of Joni's article in our Advice section at http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/advice.asp

> THIS WEEK'S NEWS

> 82% say children shouldn’t gamble 

The Government is ignoring a huge swell of public protest against allowing children to gamble on fruit machines, according to the Salvation Army.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> Ulster StreetReach project gets formal backing

The community action StreetReach project, run with local churches by Church Army and Summer Madness, has received formal recognition from four key church leaders in Ireland.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/resources.asp for the full story

> TV cartoon helps churches’ outreach 

Churches all over the UK and Ireland are finding a popular TV cartoon series is helping them attract new people into church. 

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> MARRIAGE MOT

> Check out our archived marriage tips in the Members' Zone, plus stacks more marriage resources at http://www.2-in-2-1.co.uk

Make a will

However much we may shy away from the idea, one day we shall die! Indeed two-thirds of all marriages only end with the death of one partner. Making a will need not be seen as a depressing or miserable thought, indeed ensuring that in the event of our death our loved ones are cared for in the best possible way is both loving and prudent. This is especially true at times of change in life, including the arrival of new members of your family!

Wills are often seen as the aspect of our lives which can be put off until later; the thing we do not really want to think about. Fewer than a third of us have taken the trouble to make a will, leaving it for our families after our death to guess at what we had intended or, even worse, to feel aggrieved at the outcome.

There are a variety of forms of will that you can purchase and download from Desk Top Lawyer - http://www.desktoplawyer.co.uk- which can be used for most of the circumstances you are likely to face.

Talking about death, and facing into some of the life choices the surviving partner and/or dependants must face, can actually be a good way of strengthening our relationship. It is often said: "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone"; contemplating that reality, and recognising the value there is in your relationship can deeply strengthen the love you feel for those around you - don't leave it too late!

> EVENTS

> YOU'VE GOT TO LAUGH ...

Typoglycemia

Don't delete this because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg - hevweor it's dwon to the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

> CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK THIS WEEK
(MEMBERS' ZONE) - http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/default.asp

> Advice

> Kate's Marriage advice - make a will!
> Eric Spellmann on keeping your PC hard drive happy
> New findings on the faith of those with Alzheimer's
> Joni on the fellowship of suffering

> Resources

> Moments with Mum, with regular columnist Elisabeth Corcoran
> The silent sermon
> A classroom tale

> Magazine

> The lowdown on what's in our great new Spring issue of Families Together

> News

> 82% say children shouldn't gamble
> Ulster StreetReach project gets formal backing
> TV cartoon series helps churches reach out

> News extra: Thumbs up for families - Budget response

> Top sites this week

> Christian 'Band Aid' style single for tsunami survivors
> Medical/health resource site relaunch
> New musical based on book of Esther

> Events: What's on near you

> Webwatch index: more than 700 sites categorised at your fingertips

> Site Search Engine: the easy way to trawl our 1,000-page plus archives

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