A visitor to our garden

Published by Ivan Foster on May 15, 2023

I would like to share a picture of a visitor to our garden on Friday 12th.

Here she is!

The ‘lady’ in question is a female ‘great spotted woodpecker’. I have been told that this is the furthest west in Northern Ireland one has been spotted.

Apparently, Ireland had an introduction of woodpeckers after the birds multiplied in Wales to a degree that fresh territory was needed and thus the short flight across from Wales to southern Ireland took place.

Ornithologists inform us that such a migration took place not that long ago after these beautiful birds became extinct here in the 17th and 18th century.

We are looking forward to her returning in the near future (she was there this morning at 8.20am) and perhaps bringing some fledglings along with her.

Sincerely,

Ivan Foster

Ezekiel: The ignored watchman

A series of messages by Rev. Andy FosterEzekiel was God’s watchman to the nation of Israel. In the first part of his ministry he warned of the sin of the nation and highlighted the consequences it had brought, and would continue to bring. He was largely ignored and dismissed.

In the second part of his ministry he proclaims messages related to the glorious future of the nation of Israel, restored by grace and redemption. Sadly, these messages are still often neglected and overlooked!

Click here to watch.

Why I have closed my account with SermonAudio
As of 30th May, 2017, I have requested that SermonAudio close my account. That has taken place and I no longer mount sermons there. Instead, my own website The Burning Bush will now house all my sermons. It has long been the home of my articles and news links. Gradually we will mount the 1376 messages I had on SermonAudio on my own site.
Statement by the Ulster Presbytery on attendance at the Roman catholic Mass
Statement by the Ulster Presbytery on the Pope's visit to the UK
The papal visit: Why we oppose it. A booklet explaining our opposition to the state visit of the Pope to Great Britain. Click on the link to read or download and print.
Biblical Protest and Witness Await Pope’s UK Visit By Richard Bennett
Ignoring sin...no basis for blessing. A plea to Free Presbyterians.
The Union with today’s Great Britain holds out no hope for the Ulster Protestant. Written at the request of the Belfast Newsletter and published in its edition of August 13th 2010.
Why should Martin McGuinness as First Minister alarm those who told us all that Sinn Fein had radically changed and was ready for Government?
A word to the distressed amongst God’s flock today - a word of direction and hope to those who have struggled
with the deep disappointment and sense of betrayal they have suffered and the despondency
which has settled into many a Free Presbyterian heart.
Ulster Crisis - 2006-2008 An account, given at the recent Congress of Fundamentalists at Foundations Bible College, of the distress felt amongst believers in Ulster during the controversy aroused by the decision of Dr Paisley and the DUP in 2006 to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Fein/IRA, a party which openly condoned murder and terrorism. A timely consideration for God's people in the light of more recent revelations in the political realm!
The gospel is no longer enough - a timely article by Rev Andy Foster on a dangerous folly embraced by all too many fundamentalist ministers.
What Peter Robinson once thought of the Sinn Fein/IRA man to whom he is politically shackled
Premillenial Protestantism
Lesson learned from 30 years in Christian education. The substance of an address given at the 2010 Annual Education Board Dinner in Lisburn, Friday 28th May, in the presence of Education Board members, teaching staff of the Free Presbyterian Christian schools and their spouses.
A message from a quarter of a century ago...which sheds light on our present circumstances. Christian Schools And The Future Of Free Presbyterianism. A message preached by Rev. Ivan Foster at the 2nd Seminar on Christian Education, held in Martyrs Memorial Church, Belfast, as part of the annual Easter Convention March 29th, 1986.