Unfortunately our capacity to go online this Sunday 13th December has evaporated but we will be back next week Sunday 20th December.
Comfort Comfort
I think its true to say that we all would choose comfort over discomfort! For some of us our comfort comes in the form of a recliner chair with remote control in hand and our favourite beverage. For others it is comfort food such as chocolate or a big bowl of ice-cream drizzled with your favouirte topping and sprinkled with chocolate bits. For still others it’s the warm embrace and hugs of from people who stick with you. For others it’s the security of employment. Continue reading “Comfort Comfort”
Advent reminds us – ‘we are the hard evidence’
As we commence a fresh new year in the Christian Calendar – heralded by the Season of Advent, and attention is drawn again to Jesus birth, his coming into the world for the first time as a human being. Let’s remember that though born as human as you and I, Jesus demonstrated in his life what it means to love the Father.
Jesus life was a demonstration that convinced many that there was an alternative to the life they lived.
“In a world where the church exists as a minority movement …. The world needs to see what the Christian life looks like. People, who think God unnecessary, or just optional in life, need fresh images of how life is meant to be lived. They need hard evidence that following Jesus really makes a difference.” (p192) Coffey and Gibbs in Next Church
This Advent it is important to remember that, we are the only hard evidence our friends, family, colleagues and community are going to see that Jesus makes a difference. Those who do not know God, will only perceive the gospel as a feasible alternative when they have some positive personal experiences with people who do know him. This responsibility falls, without exception, to everyone who follows Jesus.
Weekly Pastoral Letter May 23
God is good!
I believe that the cornerstone of our strength – our strength in the Lord is the revelation that ‘God is good. Ps Bill Johnson has plenty to say about that in his book by the same title and before that in his book and eCourse ‘Strengthen Yourself in the Lord. This week I’ve included an extract from chapter 2 as I believe it is very pertinent to our well-being in or out of our COVID 19 season. He says …..
I believe that the reason many believers fall into the trap of fear and anxiety in the midst of crisis is because they allow the enemy to successfully distract them from the fact that they are prepared with tools they already have in their arsenal. It’s easy for us to feel blindsided by events that we did not expect; but nothing surprises God, which is why He prepares us for what’s ahead. Continue reading “Weekly Pastoral Letter May 23”