Fifth Sunday

My apology. This should, of course, have been posted last Sunday and, indeed, the link was was sent out to those on the mailing list at that time. No idea why I failed to publish it at that time. However, "better late than never" - although, as my SS teacher, some 70 years ago, would point out: "Better never late"!

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Yes, it's another "Fifth Sunday" - the second for this year. Two more to go! Indeed I read somewhere that every year has four such months, but the specific months vary. Perhaps some clever person can confirm/deny this claim!

As is now usual, I wish to share something about the persecuted church and, of course, promote one of my own books, remembering that all royalties from purchases are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

Many years ago, I realised that I could not meaningfully pray for all of the 50+ countries in the world where, to a greater or lesser extent, disciples of Jesus suffer persecution solely because of their faith in Him. The Lord directed me to pray for three specific countries. One of those was Pakistan, and in this post I am sharing a bulletin from Release International that arrived in my Inbox today (Friday), and that concerns that very country.

"One of Release International’s partners in Pakistan cares for, supports and disciples those who have come to faith in Christ from a Muslim background, particularly those who are isolated because of their faith.

Our partner organises gatherings where believers are able to encourage one another and build one another up in faith and community.

Pray for the head of our partner organisation, who has had surgery following a stroke earlier this year. He considers it a miracle that the surgery was able to take place. Pray for complete healing and restoration.

Pray for Christians from a Muslim background in Pakistan. Pray that they would continue to grow in their faith. In particular, pray for two brothers who were recently baptised. They had previously been tortured for professing faith in Christ.

Pray for those living in a safe house provided by our partner; for continued good and fruitful fellowship. Pray also for the provision of an additional safe house in the coming months."

If you wish to learn more about Pakistan, please follow this link:

https://releaseinternational.org/country/pakistan/?utm_source=Emails+from+Release+International&utm_campaign=9491abf2c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_28_08_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-9491abf2c3-381802718

"Great Words" was my first publication in a series that was to be known as "Getting to know you". However, I eventually realised that the succeeding books didn't really fit well under such a general heading, and so I changed it to the "Faith" series, as that word is the real common denominator.

The book started off, in Bellshill St. Andrew's Parish Church (now U.F.Church) as a summer sermon series of 6/7 words that I realised many in my congregation didn't fully understand. The story of how they became a book is shared in the Introduction! One of those who endorsed the book wrote: 

"Brian presents his work as the long-term fruit of preaching and broadcasting.  His aim is to give simple explanations of key Christian terms for the 'ordinary Joe' who has no formal theological training, but who would benefit from a clearer grasp of basic Christian concepts.  He maintains a preaching style throughout, and illustrates his explanations from his own rich experience and wide reading.  Throughout the work, he challenges the reader to respond to his writing.

Rev. Dr. George J. Mitchell

Former Lecturer in Old Testament Studies, the Bible Training Institute"