Sun shinning, birds singing. Via my study window, I am enjoying a warm breeze today - where has the rain gone?
Tomorrow we have a wedding at Millhams Street. Hope the weather stays fine.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Friday, 10 February 2012
Whatever the weather...
Bridges is our Thursday morning event which runs each week especially for people who are on their own to pop in for a coffee and chat. This week the team were on hand again to welcome people and, despite freezing weather with a temperature of -0.5 C, Heather was outside in the town with her board encouraging folks to come in for a warm up. Heather, you are a star!
All are welcome to pop in any Thursday morning between 10.00 and 11.30 a.m. - we would love to see you.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Stonework and gardening
This week our stone mason Mark Lillywhite has been on site fitting some of the stones to the west-facing tower window. These include some really beautiful carved capitals. Pat and Dudley have also been hard at work clearing undergrowth in the garden. It's looking great!
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Life after death?
Tomorrow is Good Friday. It's a day on which Christians remember the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross where He carried our sins away. We will have a service in the morning at Millhams Street, to breakbread and worship the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth.
Jesus died for us. The righteous for the unrighteous. In our place, He died to bear our sin as our subsititue, enduring the wrath of God that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. All who call on the Lord will be saved.
They laid His body in a new tomb carved in the rock and a large stone was rolled over the mouth of the grave. A guard was posted. The disciples mourned.
On the first day of the week, Mary found the tomb empty and was told by an angel that Jesus was risen. He was not dead but alive. Death could not hold him.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus had made it plain that He had authority to lay down His life and take it again. He had done as He said. God raised Jesus from the dead.
Life after death? Believe it, for resurrection is only for those who belive in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. He ever lives. Death has been defeated.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, decide today to turn from your sin and ask God today for forgiveness and new life. God bless you as you decide to follow Jesus.
Let me know of your decision and if you would like, I will email you some information to assist you with the next steps in your Christian life.
Jesus died for us. The righteous for the unrighteous. In our place, He died to bear our sin as our subsititue, enduring the wrath of God that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. All who call on the Lord will be saved.
They laid His body in a new tomb carved in the rock and a large stone was rolled over the mouth of the grave. A guard was posted. The disciples mourned.
On the first day of the week, Mary found the tomb empty and was told by an angel that Jesus was risen. He was not dead but alive. Death could not hold him.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus had made it plain that He had authority to lay down His life and take it again. He had done as He said. God raised Jesus from the dead.
Life after death? Believe it, for resurrection is only for those who belive in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. He ever lives. Death has been defeated.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, decide today to turn from your sin and ask God today for forgiveness and new life. God bless you as you decide to follow Jesus.
Let me know of your decision and if you would like, I will email you some information to assist you with the next steps in your Christian life.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Cleansing - turning - changing
After Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowd, He went to the Temple and observed what was going on. Being evening He went to Bethany and stayed there overnight.
According to Mark's account, the next day He returned to the Temple and, "Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." Mark 11:15-16.
Radical. The following day He was challenged by the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders who demanded that He disclose His authority for such actions. The answer Jesus gave was completely unassailable. You can read it in Mark 11:29-30.
The Temple was cleansed of ungodly commerce; the tables were turned upside down and the money changers were left scrambling to gather up their coins. Jesus had authority to do what He did but it is possible that Malachi gives us similar authority to sort out worship. What do you think? Look at Malachi 1:10.
It may be we are shocked to see that worship of Almighty God had reached such a low point in the centre of things, right there in the Temple in Jerusalem, that worship was nothing more than a money making pursuit for many.
Maybe we can see some parallels though. Perhaps our worship could do with being cleansed or turned upside down and changed. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sometimes we become a little too familiar with the sacred. May God the Holy Spirit be pleased to visit us afresh and keep our worship pleasing to Him.
According to Mark's account, the next day He returned to the Temple and, "Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." Mark 11:15-16.
Radical. The following day He was challenged by the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders who demanded that He disclose His authority for such actions. The answer Jesus gave was completely unassailable. You can read it in Mark 11:29-30.
The Temple was cleansed of ungodly commerce; the tables were turned upside down and the money changers were left scrambling to gather up their coins. Jesus had authority to do what He did but it is possible that Malachi gives us similar authority to sort out worship. What do you think? Look at Malachi 1:10.
It may be we are shocked to see that worship of Almighty God had reached such a low point in the centre of things, right there in the Temple in Jerusalem, that worship was nothing more than a money making pursuit for many.
Maybe we can see some parallels though. Perhaps our worship could do with being cleansed or turned upside down and changed. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sometimes we become a little too familiar with the sacred. May God the Holy Spirit be pleased to visit us afresh and keep our worship pleasing to Him.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Meltdown
We have to agree that the events in Japan are terrible for them. We have prayed for their help and will continue to do so. Elim Relief Association has made an appeal for financial gifts to go to relieve the suffering. Anything given will be used wisely and I know Elim has a policy of making sure gifts are only administered by trusted partners, so we are confident those in need will receive what is given.
If you want to give, you can contact Elim HQ via the link on our website.
It is little consolation to acknowledge that tragic events have occured throughout history. Today's crushing calamity demands present relief.
It is a fact of our being that we do not know what a day will bring. There are some things so hard to understand that questions may arise as to why a God of love allows such to take place. However, we learn from those who have gone before and we are encouraged by the words of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
The challenge the Japanese people face is daunting and we pray much help will soon be on hand from as many as possible. Some have already gone to help from the UK and other nations are providing assistance too. There is so much that needs to be done.
In the midst of all that we see occuring, there are some things we can bear in mind. God has promised not leave us or forsake us. In it all He is there. He has shown Himself as the God of love, sending His Son Jesus to die on the Cross to bear our sin away. The gift of eternal life is ours through Jesus Christ and we can call on Him today and be saved.
The sudden way unexpected events can overtake anyone, gives us cause to consider our ways. Jesus will return. We do not know the day or the hour. It will be sudden. May we be ready for He has called us to watch and pray.
Speaking of eternal life, the letter to the Romans tells us plainly, Rom 10:12-13
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (NIV)
If you want to give, you can contact Elim HQ via the link on our website.
It is little consolation to acknowledge that tragic events have occured throughout history. Today's crushing calamity demands present relief.
It is a fact of our being that we do not know what a day will bring. There are some things so hard to understand that questions may arise as to why a God of love allows such to take place. However, we learn from those who have gone before and we are encouraged by the words of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
The challenge the Japanese people face is daunting and we pray much help will soon be on hand from as many as possible. Some have already gone to help from the UK and other nations are providing assistance too. There is so much that needs to be done.
In the midst of all that we see occuring, there are some things we can bear in mind. God has promised not leave us or forsake us. In it all He is there. He has shown Himself as the God of love, sending His Son Jesus to die on the Cross to bear our sin away. The gift of eternal life is ours through Jesus Christ and we can call on Him today and be saved.
The sudden way unexpected events can overtake anyone, gives us cause to consider our ways. Jesus will return. We do not know the day or the hour. It will be sudden. May we be ready for He has called us to watch and pray.
Speaking of eternal life, the letter to the Romans tells us plainly, Rom 10:12-13
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (NIV)
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