NEWSLETTER
From:
Chris & Jean Nicholls
(August 2005)
1Now
faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This
is what the ancients were commended for.
Over the past months God has been speaking to me about cutting back on my entertainment work in order to step up on the outreach. It sounds very easy when put like that doesn’t it? The truth is that I have been wrestling with God over this for a long time. The outcome is that God has reminded me that He called me to serve Him and no other. I have looked down many avenues, yet I only have the peace that Jesus talks about when I allow my mind to submit to His will. God gives us a free will and I sometimes wish it wasn’t so. This might seem a strange thing to say, but others who have been in the same situation would understand where I’m coming from. For example, Elijah, a greater man of God than I am, had the same problem. However, God calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and it is to that, that we have a free will. This is going to be a big step of faith for me as I have come to rely, probably too heavily, on my entertainment as a major source of income. I have spoken with my Elders and members of my housegroup and all agree and feel it is right for me to do this. Please pray for Jean. She is rather nervous about my stepping out in this way, as we have known some very difficult times in the past. However, if?? God is speaking to me I do not want to be disobedient. So it will, as I say, be a step of faith.
I have prayed that if it
is God’s will He will show me and provide the necessary resources to serve Him.
It always sounds so mercenary when talking about serving God and the money
needed to do it. However, we all have to serve somebody in order to survive and
get our daily needs. My employer just happens to be God and He pays me through
those He chooses to. As He says: “The cattle on a thousand hills are mine to
give to who ever I want”. Everything we have belongs to God so who am I to argue.
I have supplied a chart to show how my level of regular support stands at the
moment. The chart shows what I believe is needed in order for me to maintain
this ministry in a full-time way. Obviously I am grateful for one-off gifts,
but it is always easier to plan ahead with regular giving. Such giving can
either be done through a standing order, as some are already doing, or better
still, through Stewardship Services, if you
are on a taxable income. This enables the government to support the work
through the reclaiming of tax that you have paid. You can read more about this
by going to Contact
& Support on the front page of the Website.
If you are already
supporting the work perhaps you could think about sharing this with a friend
and asking them to pray about being involved.
The plan at the moment is
that from September this year I will be working as part of Scripture Union’s
“Encounter” initiative in Eastbourne. I will be taking on more assemblies and
helping Martin Dodd by training others.
My open-air work, I feel,
is also to increase. I am not sure at this stage if this will be mostly in
Eastbourne or in other parts of this country. There are many people I know who
do open air work and it is possible that God may want me to work alongside and
to encourage them from time to time. Please pray about this with me and ask God
to make His will very clear. Whatever happens, I will be liaising with my
Elders, who will be overseeing my ministry. In this way I remain accountable.
I have already been doing
open airs this year in Eastbourne. I am sorry that I have no pictures, but if
you go onto the Street Talk
Page of my site you will
see a link that will take you to an album where you can see pictures of past
meetings.
Street work can be a bit
daunting as it always has the ability attract the yobs and the drunks. They
seem to be drawn to my sketch board like a magnet. At the meeting before last I
had this chap trying to focus on the sketch board with one arm wrapped around
his friend’s shoulder, the only barrier between him and the pavement. It was so
funny as he completely misunderstood my meaning. I spoke out during my message:
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where people, young and old, could
be safe?” I then go on to say: “We all want change, but before kingdoms change
we must change”. Before I could though this??, ten pints of lager in human form
piped up, “Anyone walking down the road with me would be safe”. This was some statement
coming from a person that was in no (delete ‘fixed’) state to even tie his
shoelaces. For the most part, I have to say, it is very good-humoured and I
just end up having a laugh with them. Trying to get into any deep and
meaningful conversation is pointless – although, you always hope that something
you have said has gone in.
It is always encouraging
when young teenagers come up, who remember me from having seen me in their
school. This seems to be happening quite a bit these days. It happened the
other Sunday evening whilst doing an open air with members from my own Church.
I do love these occasions. There are never any barriers and it is so easy to
talk to them about God. Many remember my talks from years back and they already
know where I’m coming from.
I am often asked if street
work is relevant in today’s society. If you have not already done so, please
have a look at the letter on my web site (Street Talk page). I found the letter the other day and it was such
an encouragement to me.
Family News
Our youngest daughter
Jenny got married on the 20th May this year to Gareth Jupp. He is a
great addition to the family. He can cook, knows a lot about cars and how to
fix them, can cut hair, which he learned from watching his mum cut his two
brothers and he can make a good cup of tea. When I realised all this, I knew he
was the man for my daughter. All joking aside, they are brilliant together and
we all get on terribly well. It proved to be a fantastic wedding, which cost me
more than Adam’s. With Adam it only cost a rib, but this was an arm and a leg
for me. I think Adam got off light!! To see pictures of the wedding Click
Here.
It was after studying these
pictures I realised the need to make a conscious decision to loose weight!! I’m
now going to the gym or should I say trying to go to the gym about three times
a week.
Jean and I were off to
Egypt in November with a number of friends. However, owing to the recent bombings a
number of the group felt a bit concerned so our plans have changed and we are
now heading for Cuba. Personally I am a man of faith and believe that as long
as God is with you, you need fear nothing. You can’t preach something and then
not put it into practice. This being said I do believe that it is also
important to take account of other’s feelings.
Please e-mail me and let
me know what you think of the new web site. I must say that I’m quite excited
about it all. I am also very grateful to David Ashley-Pain, from Frenchgate
Christian Fellowship, who has been a tremendous help in constructing my new
site. I just send all the info to him and he makes it happen. Also, a very big
thank you to all of you that have so faithfully supported me over the years. I
really want to make this work and I know that with your continued support and
encouragement it will. However I am always reminded of my duty to remain
obedient and faithful, as it is written:
Matthew 6
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
In Jesus name every
blessing.
Chris & Jean