Dear Friends

First and foremost – The team at Turning the Tide hope you had a wonderfully blessed Christmas and wish you a peaceful and happy New Year.

Thank you so much for all your support through 2007; we are constantly aware that we could do nothing without your faithful partnership through prayer.

Too often during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season we forget the purpose of the holiday. Here’s what some young people have to say;

“It is about giving. Did you know that when you celebrate Christmas you celebrate Jesus’ birthday? Jesus is the most important thing in my entire life.”…..Madison (9) Indiana

“Christmas means thinking about Jesus and all the characters involved in the story and also spending time with my family.”…..Lucy (9) England

“What does it mean to me? I used to know, but I’m not sure anymore. Jesus Christ was born on this day so it must mean that this is a day for peace and love. After 9-11, all I want for Christmas is for everyone to be happy because even Osama should be happy on Christmas (I hate him!) But if everyone isn’t happy I won’t be either.” …. Teisha (12) Germany

“I’m an ordinary teenager and just being real. Christmas is shopping and buying new clothes and shoes. “….Whittier (17) California

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Once again we had an amazing time at the last TTT prayer meeting. Jon saw a picture of small empty cups and had the impression that each of us was represented by a cup and we were cups which were ready to be filled. Maisie also had the picture of an “undercurrent” (- Definition: A current flowing underneath another current at a different speed or in the opposite direction). Her thoughts on this were that as much as we may think we know what is expected of us and what is happening around us, the Lord has his own plans and His ways are not our ways. Similarly the undercurrent is not visible to the naked eye but it is working in the background, often very powerfully.

New Beginnings have a charm that invigorates the spirit, the whole world looks at a new year as a new beginning, a fresh start to change things about life or start new projects or activities and resolutions – I must lose weight, I must set a bible schedule and so on.

One thing about resolutions is that they should not be too ambitious, but they should be idealistic: They should not concentrate on physical life, but they should focus on your spirit and its health. Godly matters are more important than fleshly. And sometimes priorities should focus on the messes in our lives. Wounded relationships, neglected business and family ties may require attention and resolution before you can enjoy the peace and abundance in living God’s promises. This year may we encourage you to think about ways you can serve the people in your life and the people of your community. Honouring God is far more important than, your weight, or your fitness. Openly confessing to God is more important than your Bible reading schedule.

We wish you the happiest of New Years. We urge you to join us in taking stock to see how we can best honour God in the months ahead. If we all set priorities to encourage one another, we will be a blessed people whose joy will testify to the world that God is our hope. Let’s join together in celebrating a new beginning of our personal spiritual lives in God.

We eagerly anticipated this New Year and the fresh start it brings. It is all about reflection too. We are grateful for what the Lord has done and shown us in the last year and are extremely excited about the many blessings that are going to be bestowed on us, as we seek to see our God turn the tide of what is happening to today’s young generation.

Comments and Suggestions

Your feedback is extremely important to us. If you have any news, a prayer request, compliment, suggestion or concern about TTT, please let us know; we’d love to hear from you.

And last but not least…

Here are the dates of our next few Prayer Mornings in 2008:

Wednesday, 16th January

Wednesday, 13th February

Wednesday, 12th March

All are from 10 a.m. until noon

At St. Luke’s Church, Old Shoreham Road, Brighton, BN1 5DD.

You’re most welcome to join us for some or all of this time.

Please would you pray anyway, even if you can’t join us?

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your support; it means a great deal to us and more importantly for the God we seek to serve.