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Thought for May 2013

spice — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:40:25 +0000

Do you get dragged down when you’re around grumblers? Some people whinge and moan about just about everything and it’s infectious – we all start whinging and moaning in the company of whingers and moaners. Sometimes they’ve got a point but mostly they just need to think about the good things they have and get a change of attitude.

I was reading about the children of Israel in the Old Testament the other day. They had been brought out of Egypt by a series of miraculous events and were now on their way to the promised land and food was in short supply so they were wishing to be back in Egypt where they could have died without all the hassle! God provided manna but it didn’t take long for them to be moaning again and so quail turned up in plenty but the Bible makes it perfectly clear that this moaning and grumbling was not an acceptable way of behaving.

When Paul writes a letter to the Christians in Philippi he tells them to do everything without complaining or arguing. Changing to such a positive way of life is part of what it is about to follow Jesus – thank God He helps us and forgives us when we get it wrong. But that’s no reason to keep moaning. Let’s try for some grumble-free days this month …

Read it yourself Philippians ch 2 v14 and Numbers 11

Welcome to GodStuff.

spice — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:19:09 +0000

Welcome to the GodStuff page. We’re not in the business of shoving what we believe down your throat but why not check this awesome video out and, if you’re interested, read on…

If you want to talk with someone about what you see and read here, get in touch with Dot or Gary.

Thought for February 2013

spice — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:02:48 +0000

Jan 19^th turned out to be a very snowy day – but what a lovely time we had at Messy church anyway. It was lovely to welcome our surprise visitors who joined us after getting cold snowballing and snowman making. Our fish fingers and warm drinks, fun activities and reminders of God’s love and protection were just what were needed on such a cold day.

What I love about Messy church is the way everyone gets on and does their jobs so it all comes together as a whole. Someone sorts all the crafts out and tells everyone what to do – then they get stuck in sticking and cutting. Someone else makes drinks and cooks the delicious food. Someone else sorts out the music and songs, someone else the talk and prayers. Others welcome people and make them feel at home. Someone even cleared the snow this time – Woodrow has never had such a snow-cleared centre! Everyone working together at the things they’re good at. That’s the picture in the Bible of the church. It says we can’t all be an eye or else how would the body hear. Imagine if everyone were a hand – how would you walk? It’s good fun to think about which bit of the body you feel like on any given day! There are big toe nail days for us all. The point is that Jesus is the head and we can all work together for Him and it is good that we are all different. It is a great feeling to be part of it – so why not come and join us at the Woodrow Meeting rooms 10am – 12. Hopefully the next one on Saturday March 23^rd will have a spring feel to it!

Thought for December 2012

spice — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:38:23 +0000

Well – here it is again, just round the corner – Christmas – and a very Happy one to all our readers. At Messy Church recently in the Woodrow Centre we wished everyone a “Messy Christmas” as we considered how a Holy awesome Creator God had planned for his Son, Jesus, to come to us – to a world in a real mess. There was the whole mess of Mary and Joseph having to trek to Bethlehem just when they needed to be settled for their baby’s arrival. You know what it’s like when your plans get changed – it feels a complete mess. Then there was the problem of nowhere to stay in Bethlehem. Putting your newborn baby in a manger where the cattle normally feed – even if you scrub it up is probably not everyone’s choice. Jesus’ birth was in a messy place. Then there was the angels coming to tell the news to the shepherds of all people. They weren’t exactly the smartest business people of the day. They were a mess. In most people’s eyes they weren’t worth including in society. Yet it was to them – in their mess that God sent His message of hope to the world. God meets us in our mess but he doesn’t want us to stay in it. He holds out forgiveness and a way of life of love more worthwhile than anything we humans can dream of. It’s up to us if we want to follow Jesus’ way – your choice is for life not just for Christmas – even if it starts with a Messy one. Why else was Jesus known as the MESSiah?? Scrummy donkey poo – you should try Messy Church. Jan 19^th 10am for the next one.

Thought for July 2012

spice — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:09:09 +0000

Out watching the Olympic torch yesterday and privileged to know one of the runners carrying it. This was followed by a short Sunday service in someone’s garden reflecting on the race for life that we are all in. Not original but a good moment to stop and ponder. We were thinking that all who start the race of faith in Jesus and cross the finishing line are winners with God. Yet you need to run the race as if there was only one prize and you are aiming to win it keeping your eye on where you’re going i.e. following where Jesus leads. In other words, start living seriously – which does not mean incidentally living without fun.

Jesus offered life in all its fullness and that’s what the race gives when we run it giving our all. The loving relationships formed, the appreciation of creativity, the freedom of truth and honesty are all well worth combatting our selfish desires for in theory. In practice there’s effort involved – giving up “me time” when someone else needs us and being generous when actually we want to hug things to ourselves. And…

There were a lot of seriously enthusiastic viewers of the torch out yesterday. A one off fun occasion – a good community feel – chatting to strangers on the streets. What are we like? We can get out of bed to watch a bit of metal with a flame being carried round our country once in a lifetime but how much effort do we put into discovering and worshipping and living for the God of the universe. Hmmm…

Thought for June 2012

spice — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:24:11 +0000

Here we are – the weekend of many celebrations for the Queen’s 60years on the throne. Street party? Beacon lighting? Flag waving? Colourful pageants? There’s an air of community and being proud to be British! In a sense it’s an outward show – of what? Let’s take a moment to think about the King of Queens.

When Samuel anointed David king way back when in the Old Testament, he had to decide between 8 brothers which one God had chosen for King. As he approached the task, he was looking on the physical appearance of the guys before him – he was after all human and that was all he could go on. Then came the words from God; “Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.” Hmm… and so… Samuel went through 7 handsome strapping lads before he got to the youngest. In fairy tale land he would have been ugly and a weakling to add to the story but actually, the youngest looked the part as well. When Samuel looked at David, God spoke directly to Samuel – this is the one – and so David was anointed ready to become the next King. It took a while to make it to the throne mind you.

Quite scary that idea – God looking at your heart – there’s no fooling Him with your motives, pretences and outward shows. Quite reassuring too if you know God is loving and forgiving and wanting to help you.

Our Queen deserves a great celebration of the real servant heart she has shown. She’s been a shining example of hard work strengthened by her faith in this loving God who looks at the heart. Happy celebrations – enjoy!

Read for yourself 1 Samuel 16

Thought for May 2012

spice — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:02:32 +0000

Freedom from things that trap us and hinder us. Hmm… that was an interesting place to stop last time. What may those things be I wonder? The Bible says “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles , and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The writer to the Hebrews (ch 12 v1 if you want to read it for yourself). So what race – where are we going? The next verse tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in the race of life – which is just as well because otherwise we’d be running all over the place. Sum Jesus’ teaching up and we’re back to loving God and loving others. So we need to get rid of the things that stop us doing that. Well now … let’s think… it will be different for you of course – or maybe not that different.

Stuff? busy-ness? addictive technology? gossip? shopping? sport? appearance? and then there’s the obvious stuff – lies; debt (back to shopping); nicking things – even small things; murder – or just plain hatred and unforgiveness, jealousy.

It’s all too much – life is unravelling. Where do I start?

One day at a time – talking to God – praying He will show you what to do and say and how to be, just in this one day. Ask for his forgiveness, work at the things he shows you that are wrong. He will change you one thing at a time, one day at a time – as long as you persevere and keep your eyes on Jesus. He knows what it’s like to live on the planet. I wonder what parables he would have told using computers? The Lost Mouse??

Thought for April 2012

spice — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:06:58 +0000

HAPPY EASTER!!

It is Easter Monday as I write this and yesterday was EASTER DAY. Last month we ended with the idea that we can enjoy God’s forgiveness – and Easter Day is the great celebration of just that. Holding the justice and love of God in balance is something only He is able to do – it’s too big for our human brains to get our head round – and we often disagree with God in what we see as His way of dealing with it. How dare we with our track record?

We really do live in a beautiful world (created by Him – according to the Bible) and we’ve not done too well. It’s really popular at the moment to appreciate that we are using up the earth’s resources and that the greed of wealthier nations is causing poverty and starvation. Then there’s war and violence – we are all shocked by what we see on the news.

But before you go into tut tut and excuse mode, let’s just start to be honest about our own lives. Greed, pride, impatience, jealousy, lust, lies – none too pleasant sounding words and that’s only for starters. Facing up to the mess we make of our own daily humdrum lives is a starter, and the good news of Jesus is that he wants to help us out – big time – beginning with taking the punishment we deserve for all the mess we’ve made – thank you Jesus.

He has open arms – we are forgiven – run into them and feel His love. Tell Him you are sorry. The Creator of the world is also a good Heavenly Father. And then what? He wants to work at life with us – wanting us to be free from the things that trap us and hinder us. More of that next time… HAPPY EASTER!

Thought for March 2012

spice — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:27:22 +0000

What is forgiveness? A child the other day told me it was “saying it’s OK and meaning it”. You see people on TV – and you probably know a few – who are very bitter because they can’t forgive someone some really awful thing that has happened – and we can’t really blame them – how would we react under the same circumstances? Then you see the deep peace coupled with sadness over those who do forgive – and you wonder where their strength comes from.

Take the young foreign student who was “helped” recently when he was injured only to find those “helping” were stealing from him. His understanding of his attackers’ situation led him to offer words of forgiveness that left the rest of us amazed at his graciousness – but he so had it right.

When Peter asked Jesus how often he should give, he wasn’t talking about some nameless attacker, he was talking about people close to him – people who should know better – people who should have learnt by now. Jesus’ answer told him to stop counting – forgive and keep forgiving. There’s a challenge worth taking up – if we forgive others then they may learn to forgive me and I don’t know about you but I need it some days.

If you’ve failed on the whole giving up chocolate thing for lent, try giving up grudges – for life! You’ll have God on your side – ask for His help. God’s forgiveness is there for us too – even when other people can’t forgive us, but that’s a whole new thought …

Read for yourself Matthew 18 v 21 and 22

Thought for February 2012

spice — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:23:33 +0000

OK – so I’m a few days late with this post – but today is 6^th February and it is exactly 60 years ago since the Queen came to the throne. Congratulations your Majesty! Her coronation was of course in June the following year.

At St John’s all age worship yesterday we enacted the story of Josiah the King – the 8 year old who led the kingdom of Judah for 31 years – only half the time our Queen has reigned. When he was 26 he discovered the book of the Law in the temple while they were repairing it. Josiah was horrified as he read how much the people had fallen away from the standard that God had set them. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind and love your neighbour as yourself was at the heart of it.

Sometimes we shrug our shoulders at the wrong stuff that goes on in our society. We keep our head down and hope that it’s not so bad – but some of it is bad, horrible and we need to change it – starting with me – and you if you’re reading this. It’s no good pointing the finger at someone else. Face up to your own grot. Lie? Jealous? Hate? Deceive? Do you even think about God half the time let alone worship him? Josiah faced the worst – and sorted it. He started with himself and then asked everyone else to join him in a new pledge to the covenant.

Our own queen said this: “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed.” (Remember that at Christmas when you were full of turkey?)

“God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.”

Thank you Your Majesty.

Read for yourself 2Kings ch 22 and 23