The first time I read these verses I was

amazed! “I write these things to you who

believe in the name of the Son of God so

that you may know that you have eternal

life.”1 These words really challenged me to

look at my own heart, to look at my own

life, to see if I knew for definite, beyond any

shadow of a doubt, that I had eternal life.

After I left school, I got a job with an under-

taker. At the funerals I saw many heart -

broken people, who were hoping that their

loved one, who was being buried, had gone

to Heaven. They were all hoping, but none

of them actually knew.

Now, I said to myself, “What will happen

when it comes to my time to die?” I could

picture myself on my deathbed, only hoping

I would get to Heaven, and hoping I would

not go to Hell. Oh, how I longed to know

for certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that

I would go to Heaven when I died.

Many years later, I met a friend of mine

who told me that he actually knew for defi-

nite that he would go directly to Heaven

when he died. I asked him to explain how

he could have this assurance, and he told me

that he got it from reading and believing the

Scriptures. I read these wonderful words:

“…so that you may know that you have

eternal life.” I was amazed.

There is such a great difference between

hoping for something, and knowing the re-

ality. I read these words: “Jesus told him,

‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No

one can come to the Father except through

me’.”2 I could see that the Scriptures were

not speaking about religion, but about a

relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world that he gave

his one and only Son, that whoever believes

in him shall not perish but have eternal

life.”3 I noticed in this verse the words: (Continued on page 2)

C o l i n G l e n C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p

Number 8, June 2005

No longer hoping! 1

Breaking the Da Vinci code

1

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

3

It’s not about you! 3

New-look website 3

Contact details 4

‘Open House’ - Now every Wednesday

4

Marathon fundraising 4

Fair Trade! 4

Inside this issue:

Cross alk No longer hoping! Dick Keogh’s story

“If it sounds like hogwash, well, that's be-

cause it is - the purest fantasy” (Wall St.

Journal, Editorial). “It has already sold

more than eight million copies worldwide,

which makes it the fastest-selling adult

novel of all time” (New Statesman). “This

is one of those rare books that comes along

and makes you question everything you

thought you knew about religion, art, and

what you were taught in school. It's fast-

paced, enthralling, and simply impossible to

put down” (Booksense).

A conspiracy theory

What is it that makes this book receive such

mixed reviews? The author, Dan Brown,

describes it; “A renowned Harvard sym-

bologist is summoned to the Louvre Mu-

seum to examine a series of cryptic symbols

relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting

the code, he uncovers the key to one of the

greatest mysteries of all time…and he be-

comes a hunted man.”

‘The Da Vinci Code’ is more than just an

intriguing murder mystery. It’s a conspir-

acy theory that may make us wonder if all

that we have known about Christ, the Bible

and Church is wrong. One of the book’s

characters, academic expert Teabing, insists

that “almost everything our fathers taught

us about Christ is false” (p318). (Continued on page 2)

‘Breaking the Da Vinci code’ Dick and Mary Keogh

Believing Christ died -that's history;

believing He died for me -that’s salvation!

(Anon)

“ ‘The Da Vinci Code’ is a novel and therefore a

work of fiction.”

Dan Brown (author)

Page 2

(continued from page 1)

What should we believe? Some people will welcome the theories in

this book as evidence to support their rejec-

tion of God, the Bible and Church. Others

will be able to weigh it all up against what

they know they can trust, from the Bible and

other reliable historical sources. However,

some are more deeply affected. As one per-

son wrote; “Is the last 25+ years I’ve been a

Christian all a lie? … Now I am doubting if

there is a heaven, a God, and Jesus. Please,

help me! … I’m brokenhearted, confused,

and still crying.” Yet, no matter how emo-

tional we can be about our beliefs, we should

not be afraid to change them, if they are

shown to be untrue. We should firmly be-

lieve them, but only if they are true. So, is

Brown’s account worth believing?

The experts say…

In response, Professor Darrell Bock’s book

‘Breaking the Da Vinci Code’ has been

highly acclaimed by both Catholics and

Evangelicals. It is “a must for all who are

confused by Brown's portrayal of fiction as

fact”, says Prof. Craig L. Blomberg.

“Grounding his arguments in scholarship and

logic … Mr. Bock shows that Mr. Brown's

central contentions are based on evidence so

thin that calling them conjecture would be a

compliment” (Wall St. Journal, Editorial).

According to Professor Ben Witherington

III, Brown's best-selling novel is “bad his-

tory, bad analysis of early Christianity, and it

misrepresents the Bible and the theology of

God that's in the Bible.” He added; “General

public knowledge about Christian history is

slim, making Brown's book seem scholarly

when it's merely clever fiction sprinkled with

fact.”

Just a good read?

Despite being

portrayed as

fact, the au-

thor himself

writes that;

“‘The Da

Vinci Code’ is

a novel and

therefore a

work of fic-

tion.” But

Prof. Bock

says; “Dan

Brown's book isn't an innocent novel…

There is something else going on here… at

its very core is an attempt to reshape our

culture and Christian beliefs.”

The best-seller! Our beliefs should be based on solid foun-

dations. And what’s better than God’s

Word, the Bible? Regarding its depend-

ability, the Apostle Peter wrote; “We did

not follow cleverly invented stories when

we told you about the power and coming of

our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-

witnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1v16).

Some of what we believe may indeed be

wrong. So, why not trust the Apostle Peter

and find out what is in the Bible for your-

self? Despite not being included in the

best-sellers lists, the fact is that it is still the

world’s best-selling book! ———————————————————–

For more information, visit these websites: www.rbc.org/davinci/ www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/ www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110004994 www.irr.org/da-vinci-code.html www.ignatius.com/books/davincihoax/

(Continued from page 1)

“God so loved the world…”. But did that

include me, I wondered? Then I found the

verse; “…the Son of God, who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”4 This was just

what I needed to read! God did love me

and, in fact, demonstrated the extent of His

love for me at the cross, there paying in full

the penalty for the guilt of my sin.

What a great challenge this was to me, a

man who had been hoping for many years

that by being religious, and by doing my

best, I could be saved. Now, for the first

time in my life, I was confronted with what

God said in His Word.

I reached out, by faith, to God, saying,

“Lord, I know I am a sinner. I thank you for

showing me clearly in the Scriptures that

salvation is a gift, which you freely give. I

am so grateful that you not only loved the

world, but you loved me enough to send your

Son, Jesus, to die for me. Thank you, Lord!”

Since that day, I now have a personal rela-

tionship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am

depending upon him. I have repented of my

sin, and have been forgiven. I am no longer

hoping, but now I know that I will be in

Heaven some day.

Turn to him right now in repentance, and

trust him to forgive you. Then you will be

able to say; “I am no longer hoping, but now

I know that I am going to Heaven, because I

am depending upon ‘the Son of God who

loved me and gave himself for me’.”

—————————————————————————————————–

1 - 1 John Ch 5v13, 2 - John Ch 14v6

3 - John Ch 3v16, 4 - Galatians Ch 2v20

Illustration from ‘The Book of Kells’ -

1200 year old Irish manuscript of the

four gospels in Latin.

“The Internet is a great way to get on the net!”

Bob Dole

Page 3

The Touch of the Master’s Hand by Myra Brooks Welch (1877-1959)

It was battered and scarred, And the auctioneer

thought it hardly worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

but he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,

“Who starts the bidding for me?”

“One dollar, one dollar, do I hear two?”

“Two dollars, who makes it three?”

“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going

for three,”

But, no, from the room far back a gray bearded

man came forward and picked up the bow,

Then wiping the dust from the old violin

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet

As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, “What now am I bid for this old violin?”

As he held it aloft with its bow.

“One thousand, one thousand, do I hear two?”

“Two thousand, who makes it three?”

“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Going and gone”, said he.

The audience cheered, but some of them

cried, “We just don't understand.”

“What changed its' worth?”

Swift came the reply.

“The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune

All battered and scarred with sin

Is auctioned cheap to a thankless world

Much like that old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,

A game and he travels on.

He is going once, he is going twice,

He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul and the change that is

wrought, by the Touch of the Master’s Hand.

We have recently finished updating our

website. It has a new look, with lots of new

content.

Have a look and let us know what you think

on the Guestbook or start, or join, a discus-

sion on the forum. Or simply listen to some

of the music, video or audio messages.

The content is arranged into six sections:

Homepage: Contains news, daily inspi-

rational reading links, audio readings, online

Bible search etc.

About Us: Contains an introduction to

us, details of what we believe, frequently

asked questions, as well as some biographi-

cal information on the leadership, etc.

Media: Video, audio, and printed material

which includes songs, old Crosstalk issues

and Bible study materials.

Interactive: Sign the guestbook, ask

questions of the leadership, start a discus-

sion on the forum, request some free re-

sources, sign up for our newsletter, send us a

prayer request, or contact us.

What, where & when: View the

events calendar for up-to-date events infor-

mation, or the maps for directions.

Links: Some great links to other sites.

New-look website: www.cgcf.net

In Douglas Adam’s novel ‘The Hitchhiker’s

Guide to the Galaxy’ the answer is; “42”.

Rick Warren, in his book ‘The Purpose

Driven Life’ says, “It’s not about you.” What

is the connection? Both are answers to ‘the

ultimate question’, or ‘the meaning of Life’.

Warren’s statement is more correct than we

might first think. After all, in the Ten Com-

mandments (summarised as, loving God with

all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and

loving our neighbour as ourselves1), the focus

is not on us, but on God and others.

An old summary of Christian doctrine asks

(in modern paraphrase); “What is the main

purpose of life?” The answer is; “To praise

and please God, and to enjoy a

relationship with him, forever.”

No matter how fulfilled our lives

may be, they can never be as full of meaning

and purpose as when God is in charge.

If we are looking for meaning and purpose to

our life, we should put God at the centre. Af-

ter all, just like a musical instrument is to be

used by a musician, so too, our lives are de-

signed to be put into the service of God.

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion

of the matter: Fear God and keep his command-

ments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God

will bring every deed into judgment, including

every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”2 ———————————————————————

1 - Mark Ch 12v30, 2 - Ecclesiastes Ch 12v13-14.

It’s not about you!

“Before Fairtrade I was an exploited

worker. With Fairtrade I have become a small scale banana farmer

and will be able to send my children to school.”

Gabriel Salis (Costa Rica)

“Defend the cause of the weak and

fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed.”

Psalm 84v3

John and Elaine Duffy 42A Cloona Park Upper Dunmurry Lane Belfast BT17 0HH Phone: (028) 9060032 Email: info@cgcf.net Web: www.cgcf.net

‘Open House’ - Now every Wednesday

We meet on Wednesday evenings for Bible study and fellowship with tea,

coffee and a bite to eat too. Join us as we

look into the Bible to see what we can

learn from it, and how it is relevant to our

lives today.

Everyone is welcome - just turn up, or

ring for more details. Every Wednesday

7.30-9.30 pm (except during July).

We meet at 42A Cloona Park - Just off

the Stewartstown Road roundabout.

Fair Trade! The God of compassion

God sees all the injustice being done today -

not least the exploitation of people who are

already poor. As a God of compassion, we

know that he cares deeply for the poor and

underprivileged. In the Bible we read how

he protects them and how in the past he laid

specific rules down to guard against their

exploitation. He urged the wealthy people

to look out for them and their needs. There

are also many warnings regarding causing

injustice and ignoring the plight of the poor.

Unfortunately, exploitation of producers in

the developing world is very common.

Therefore, where we can, it is good to be

able to support fair trading.

‘Fairtrade’ labelling

‘Fairtrade’ producers receive a price that

covers the cost of production, as well as a

premium which is paid towards local com-

munity development projects, e.g. schools,

medical care, water supply. This ensures

fair treatment for the workers, focusing on

the poor in the developing world.

Products

Quite a number of everyday food products

are available, such as, tea, coffee, sugar,

chocolate, honey, fruit juice, wine etc.

There is also an extensive range of craft

items, from jewellery to household items.

Where to buy them

Not many of the local supermarkets that

were contacted carried Fairtrade products.

Safeways carries a small range while Tes-

cos, Sainsburys and the Co-op stock a sig-

nificant number of products. There is a

Fairtrade shop in the Spires shopping mall in

Belfast, where a mail order catalogue can

also be obtained. Supermarkets are gener-

ally open to stocking Fairtrade products, if

requested by consumers.

Buy ‘Fairtrade’ By supporting Fairtrade, you open the way

for more farmers to earn a fair price and live

with dignity.

—————————————————–- For more info, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk

See also; Proverbs 22v16, Leviticus, 19v9-10,

Proverbs 21v13, Exodus 23v11, Isaiah 10v1.

Marathon fundraising

The ‘Fairtrade’

logo can be

found on an

increasing num-

ber of imported

goods - usually

food.

Congratulations to Bojan

Koltaj and his team of relay

runners. They finished the

marathon in just over four

hours.

They also met and passed

their target of £750 to

provide free Bibles and

DVDs.

If you would like a free

Bible or DVD, contact us

by phone, email or post.

Contact Details: