Rev. E. Anderson

This is a simple prophetic word given in order to bless and inspire you as you conduct your Christian life. They are intended to be helpful messages that will enable you to move on in your Christian life and service. Receive and apply them by faith and enjoy the results.

PROPHETIC MESSAGE

If there is one divine quality that the Lord would have you to really possess besides His love, it is His peace. Not only do you need to be baptized and blessed with His love and passion but to be immersed and inspired by His tranquil spirit so that in the midst of immense conflict and upheaval you know and retain a state of divine quietude within your being from which you live. He wills that you be in the place where nothing and no one can agitate and created a condition of restlessness. He not only speaks peace, He gives it in fullest measure so that it rules and controls all your life and service.

Stay Blessed,

Rev. E. Anderson

Rev. E. Anderson

WELCOME TO THIS CHRISTIAN WEBSITE

Welcome, if it is your first visit to the site. I trust that you will enjoy reading and noting the contents and benefit enormously from the material presented. If you visit often, thank you very much. It gives me some pleasure that what is presented is being of service to people.

If you will look at the left hand side of the page you will see a note, Select Category. Place your cursor there and it will give you a list of many categories on this site. Click on any subject and it will provide a lot of material relating to the subject. It is a library of contents that has been placed on the site for over three years. There is much material for you to see and look at.

I have been a Christian minister for over 50 years and am now engaged in retirement in encouraging all who are in the later stage of life to still be active for the Lord in releasing the spiritual potential still waiting to be released with much blessing. God’s will for us is that we shall finish strong and useful.

Dr. Francis Collins

‘THE EVIDENCE FOR JESUS WAS OVERWHELMING5

Top scientist finds faith through reading Lewis

Dr Francis Collins is recognised as one of the world’s greatest scientists. The former head of the Human Genome Project in America, he has been honoured for his lifetime contribution to human genetics research. However, Collins remains an enigma to some – notably those who embrace the sort of scientific atheism propounded by people like Richard Dawkins – because of his unabashed public testimony of his conversion from the atheism of his youth to the Christian faith. A significant step in Collins’ journey to faith was reading C S Lewis’ ‘Mere Christianity’ as he recounts: 

I did not grow up in a home where faith was practised. I was raised in a remarkable environment surrounded by theatre, music and the arts, but faith wasn’t really on the list of the things we talked about.

‘Hence by the time I was a PhD student at Yale I was an atheist. I had decided the only thing that mattered was mathematics and physics. As a scientist studying quantum mechanics and the like -1 became convinced that everything about the universe could be described by scientific equations.

‘However, when I changed to study medicine, the questions about death and dying – which up to that time had been rather hypothetical – became very real. You can’t be in that environment, sitting by the bedside of people who are facing the end of their lives, without it affecting you. I saw people leaning on their faith as a source of strength when everything else in life appeared to be crumbling around them.

‘In particular, I remember one afternoon a wonderful woman who was a patient of mine sharing her faith with me. She then turned and looked me in the eye and asked me, “What do you believe?” I replied I didn’t really believe anything of what she’d said, but it felt very thin. Now that bothered me because it made me aware that I’d made a decision about faith that a scientist should never make – I’d become an atheist without considering the evidence.

‘Being an atheist was convenient – not being answerable to anyone. It meant I could be surrounded by lots of temptations without having to worry too much about the consequences!

‘However, I realised that, among the important questions of life, the most important was whether there was a God who cares about us. So although I was still convinced at that time that atheism was correct, I went about trying to learn something about the faiths of the world. I got very confused until one day someone gave me a copy of a book by a fellow intellectual who’d trodden the same sort of path: ‘Mere Christianity’ by CS Lewis.

‘By the time I’d read the first chapter, all my arguments about the irrationality of faith lay in ruins. I realised my own conclusions had been those of a schoolboy rather than someone who’d given the matter serious consideration. That was very unsettling and I spent the next two years trying to run away from that conclusion.

‘Over the course of time, however, I became convinced that, just based on pure logic, it was more reasonable to believe in God than not to. But I also became very aware that you don’t get all the way to faith on pure logic – you have to make a personal decision. After many considerations about what kind of faith might appeal to me, the person of Jesus Christ loomed ever larger as I realised this was a person quite unlike any other. This was not just a man who claimed to know God – this was a man who claimed to be God.

I knew by now that God was in search of me, not just me in search of God, so after talking to many other Christians I knew -including scientists and doctors who I’m glad God put in my path – I ultimately felt that this was an irresistible conclusion. The historical evidence for Jesus Christ was overwhelming and the desire to give my life to him finally culminated on an afternoon hiking in theCascade Mountains. Here, surrounded by beautiful scenery, I could no longer resist, so I fell on my knees and gave my life to Christ.

‘Of course, when I say I am a Christian, it surprises people, because they assume that scientists would find it difficult to have co-existing within them a faith in a personal God. But to me, that is the unifying principle of who I am. As I have said, it’s not a faith I grew up with but it’s one I acquired at the age of 27 through a series of logical explorations as to whether or not belief in God is something that makes sense.

‘If it doesn’t make sense, then I would not be able to do it. But after looking at those issues, I find absolutely no conflict between being a scientist who’s insistent on being shown the data before I will accept any conclusions, and being a person who has a strong belief in a personal God. To me, science and faith are areas of human existence which overlap in some ways, but basically look at the world in different fashions.

‘For me, as a scientist, to be able to blend those things together, so a new discovery takes on some eternal significance, is really gratifying and something that I would never want to be without. 

Rev. Paddy and Jennike Verver

Paddy held down various jobs before the call to Ministry, including managing a steak-house, selling domestic paving and working as a consultant for a major Bank. Paddy is a great teacher and revelator of the word of God, bringing ‘life application’ teaching on Sundays.

He is also involved in teaching Life Skills in various organisations in the city. He loves to read, watch movies, watch sport (rugby being the favourite), computer gaming, kayaking and suntanning (something which he does not get enough of since living in theUK).

He claims that one of the best places to be is standing behind the ‘braai’ (BBQ) grilling a nice piece of rump steak.

Jennike qualified and worked in accountancy, taxation and auditing in South Africa, before joining Paddy in full-time ministry about ten years ago. She has discovered her creative side and now does everything but accountancy . . . she does the creative stuff at church (website/media/adverts), the Women’s ministry and a whole lot of other everyday things. She loves reading, photography, a good movie with a slab of chocolate (yum-yum), most things creative and considers herself to be an ‘all rounder’. She also loves spending time with the 3 men in her life – her husband and 2 sons. Paddy and Jennike have 2 sons aged 11 and 14 who bring great joy to their lives and certainly make life challenging, fun, loud and messy!

BACKGROUND

Eternity Christian Centre Norwich is a vibrant and contemporary church of all ages and nationalities on the western fringes of the ‘FineCity’ of Norwich. If you are looking for a church that is relevant, inspiring (and absolutely not boring!) or if you have never been to church and are wondering where to start…then look no further! We love God, we love life and we can’t wait to meet you.

We have two Sunday meetings as well as other weekly church events which run from time to time. We also have various community clubs and events that run during the week and school holidays. Explore this website for further details.

Our Senior Pastors, Paddy and Jennike Venner, have been with us since July 2004, having previously pastored 2 churches in Cape Town, South Africa. They married in 1992 and have 2 sons.

In 2004 they had a clear call from God to sell up everything and move to theUnited Kingdom. This major journey of faith helped prepare them for the challenges, trials and joys of living in a new nation and running a church within a different culture. Paddy and Jennike have a passion to see lives transformed by Jesus . . . and changed forever…. to reach the lost and hurting, to teach them the ways of God so that they will in turn impact their world . . . and so the cycle will continue.

Rev. E. Anderson

FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE

A pastor was once asked to define “Faithful Attendance at Worship,” and this was his reply: All that I ask is that we apply the same standards of faithfulness to our church activities that we would in other areas of our life. That doesn’t seem too much to ask. The church, after all, is concerned about faithfulness. Consider these examples:

If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it faithful? If the paperboy skipped Monday and Thursdays, would they be missed? If you didn’t show up at work two or three times a month, would your boss call you faithful? If your refrigerator quit a day now and then, would you excuse it and say, “Oh, well, it works most of the time.” If your water heater greets you with cold water one or two mornings a week while you were in the shower, would it be faithful? If you miss a couple of mortgage payments in a year’s time, would your mortgage holder say, “Oh, well, ten out of twelve isn’t bad”? If you miss worship and attend meetings only often enough to show you’re interested but not often enough to get involved, are you faithful?

Rev. E. Anderson

The Living God

“But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.” -  Psalm 115:4

Are we following a blind god? Are we talking to a deaf god? Are we following a god without feet, thinking that we are going somewhere? Are we lulled by the illusion of progress? We must guard against letting the work of our hands become the object of our worship. The work of our hands is an offering to the true God— not a god in and of itself.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a living God. He has a mouth and a voice. When He spoke, the world came into being. At the very sound of His voice, the earth was created. When He speaks, the mountains tremble and the oceans roar. He whispers in a still, small voice, and our hearts are satisfied, filled with His deep secrets.

God has eyes. He sees us. He searches for us as He did for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He sees beyond what human eyes can see. He is not impressed with outward appearances. He is not intimidated by strength or size. His piercing gaze sees straight to the heart. He sees our innermost thoughts and senses our subde attitudes.

God has ears. When we cry out to Him, He hears and answers. He heard the cries ofIsraelin bondage. He listens to our prayers. He hears us.

God has hands. With them He fashioned us in the womb. He holds the uni­verse in the palm of His hand. He shelters us under His wing. With one wave of His hand, all His enemies are vanquished. His hands held Him in place on the cross, pierced with nails, fashioned by the work of our hands.

We follow a living God Who is present and active. Where do you see Him at work? You would do well to join Him there.

Rev. Rick Warren

GOD ENERGISES YOUR SERVICE TO OTHERS

Jon Walker 

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith2 -Ephesians 3:16–17 NIV.

God empowers you to successfully do everything he asks you to do. He transforms you inwardly with a growing desire to serve others, and then he gives you abilities to use in carrying out that desire.

The Holy Spirit within gives you the ability to tune into God, to hear him, listen to him and talk with him. God didn’t create you to fail; he created you to succeed once the Holy Spirit energizes your abilities and empowers your efforts.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the small stickers on many computers that say, “Powered by [this brand of chip].” In a sense, you have the “God-chip” powering your life as a follower of Christ. You are empowered by the one and only Holy God, who’s placed his Holy Spirit within you.

Without the God-chip, you simply cannot succeed in the things God calls you to do. With the God-chip, you’re guaranteed to succeed in all God’s called you to do.

GOD CONNECTS WITH YOU THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” – Ephesians 3:16–17 NIV.

GOD ENERGIZES YOUR MINISTRY AND SERVICE TO OTHERS. In faith, believe God enables you to succeed. Tell God your fears and ask him to replace your fears with faith.

Denis Kigongo

NEW YEAR RANG IN MY NEW LIFE

FOR many people, New Year resolutions mean going on a diet or joining the gym.

But for Denis Kigongo Victor, it meant nothing short of gain­ing a completely new life.

While family and friends were partying as the bells chimed midnight, Denis fell to his knees and cried out to God.

Denis, 37, who now lives inTaunton,Somerset, remembers the moment he gave his old life to God and got a new one in return.

At the time, he was a young man living in a small village inEastern Uganda.

“I was 19, but even at that age I knew I was wasting my life,” he said.

“I was always getting into trouble, usually after drink­ing too much and just mess­ing around. I didn’t have any ambitions and never gave much thought to my future.”

As the fireworks crackled out­side his bedroom window, Denis rose to his feet with a sense of joy and peace that he had never known before.

Growing up poor as one of 11 children in ruralUganda, life was hard for Denis.

At school, he got involved with a bad crowd and soon he

HELPING OTHERS… Denis Kigongo and the clinic he set up in his home country,Uganda was spending his days drinking and roaming the streets with his gang.

It was then that Denis met a woman missionary called Pat. Unlike the religious people he was familiar with, Denis felt able to relate to Pat.

She encouraged the teenager to go to church and much to his surprise he enjoyed 4&ft-service.

“I started to love praying and reading the Bible. It was as if God was guiding me and giving me direction.”

When he saw an advert in a magazine for a Christian youth course inEngland, Denis decid­ed to apply. He felt it was nothing short of a miracle when a letter arrived a few weeks later inviting him to come to the UK.

Now based inBritain, Denis has returned toUgandato open a clinic where villagers can receive basic healthcare that they can’t afford to pay for.

And last year he led a volun­tary group of 12 dentists fromPlymouth who provided free treatment.

Whether working with local youth inTauntonor helping out at the clinic inAfrica, Denis says he owes everything to that New Year’s Eve when he called out to God.

“I run African drum classes where I teach young people about rhythm and beat. I tell them how the whole universe is pulsating to a natural rhythm that was set going by God.

“It needs a Creator, the same Creator who heard me over the noise and partying one New Year’s Eve and changed my life forever.”

For more info on the clinic in Ugandaor to make a donation, go to www.suubiclinic.co.uk

Rev. E. Anderson

THE CHURCH WITHOUT COMMITMENT

Emerson Colaw tells about doing some work with his church’s nonresident membership list. He wrote a letter to one family that had been very active in his church.

A letter came back saying, “Mr. Colaw, we now live near a university campus and we go every Sunday to the chapel service there. They have unusually fine music . . . they have nationally known preachers ever Sunday morning.” And she added a note he didn’t think necessary. “We had not heard such preaching as that before. The children are being taught in church school by seminary students.” And then she ended, “But the best of all there is no membership, no pledging, and no women’s society asking me to work. So if you don’t mind, we’ll just leave our membership atHyde Parkand continue to enjoy what we have here.” No involvement, no bother. No crosses. 

Rev. John Maxwell

The Law of Aaron Replaces

Taken from the John Maxwell Leadership Bible

Exodus 32: 1-6

While Moses spoke with God on the moun­tain, the Israelites began to wonder just where their leader had gone. It didn’t take them long to look for a new leader, at least for a season. As they gathered around Aaron to request his help in making a golden calf, they violated the first of the Ten Commandments they were about to receive.

Although Aaron’s convictions lagged seri­ously behind those of Moses, the people begged him to take charge. Why? Probably be­cause of the Law of Respect. Once Moses pulled his disappearing act, the people looked for the next strongest leader to take over. They did so because:

1.  PEOPLE ARE LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. They always need a leader; Jesus said so (Mark 6:34).

2.  PEOPLE FOCUS ON IMMEDIATE FELT NEEDS. They struggle with delayed gratification.

3.  PEOPLE SUFFER MEMORY FAILURE. They al­ways ask: What’s the leader done for me lately?

4.  PEOPLE ARE INSECURE. They begin to worry without abundant signs of hope.