Sunday, 29 January 2012
Freedom
Preacher spoke on freedom and all the gods that can keep us captive ...
money, sex, power, TV, (internet), religious legalism. The list can go
on. But he said by following them we become enslaved. Following God is
freedom as not slaves but family....
Friday, 4 November 2011
Vain Words
My brother has written a book for kindle so I downloaded a kindle
reader and read his book. Then I went on to look for other books. John
Wesley's diaries were under £1 so I got them too and started to read and
was suprised what a good read they are. On a boat to America Wesley
realises despite all his Christian piety that he is afraid to die, and
compares that with some German Christians who seem ready and full of
faith. He asks their pastor about the contrast ...
The pastor responded, “I must first ask you one or two questions. Have you the witness within yourself? Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit, that you are a child of God?
Wesley was suprised and did not know what to answer. The Pastor noticing it asked "Do you know Jesus Christ?”"
Wesley paused and then answered, “I know he is the Saviour of the world.”
To which the pastor replied, “True. But do you know he has saved you?”
Wesley responded, “I hope he has died to save me.”
Wesley writes in his journal afterwards, “I fear they were vain words.”
The pastor responded, “I must first ask you one or two questions. Have you the witness within yourself? Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit, that you are a child of God?
Wesley was suprised and did not know what to answer. The Pastor noticing it asked "Do you know Jesus Christ?”"
Wesley paused and then answered, “I know he is the Saviour of the world.”
To which the pastor replied, “True. But do you know he has saved you?”
Wesley responded, “I hope he has died to save me.”
Wesley writes in his journal afterwards, “I fear they were vain words.”
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Handing on the Mantle
This morning I joined with the Friends (or Quakers) at the Abbey Centre.
I normally go to Trinity. Today the Revd Diana was taking the service and I like her enormously. Revd Richard is very ill and so we have other people filling in. Revd. Diana was there today speaking on 'handing on the mantle'.
I could have gone to the civic service at St Helens - it is the first one since I ceased to be a town councillor. Returning from the dog walk I did see them parading down East St Helen Street but walked on. The mantle has passed on to others after all.
As I was setting off to the Friends the Salvation Army were just about to start, and I said hello to the Officer at the door, thought for moment I should try them, but walked on.
I went to the Friends and sat quietly. "Walk humbly with your God." At times I am far from humble. "Time to seek God in the stillness." My mind is so often so busy and distracted. Time to be told by someone who stood up to speak that love is seen best in bad circumstances. "The greater the darkness, the greater the light of love" she said.
I normally go to Trinity. Today the Revd Diana was taking the service and I like her enormously. Revd Richard is very ill and so we have other people filling in. Revd. Diana was there today speaking on 'handing on the mantle'.
I could have gone to the civic service at St Helens - it is the first one since I ceased to be a town councillor. Returning from the dog walk I did see them parading down East St Helen Street but walked on. The mantle has passed on to others after all.
As I was setting off to the Friends the Salvation Army were just about to start, and I said hello to the Officer at the door, thought for moment I should try them, but walked on.
I went to the Friends and sat quietly. "Walk humbly with your God." At times I am far from humble. "Time to seek God in the stillness." My mind is so often so busy and distracted. Time to be told by someone who stood up to speak that love is seen best in bad circumstances. "The greater the darkness, the greater the light of love" she said.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Day by Day
Reverend Richard said that the following verse would be prominently displayed through this year...
Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
clearly, dearly, nearly... was a natural progression to be followed every day.
This was the start of the annual dedication service. Instead of singling out the people who lead junior church, and other areas, Revd Richard said that all of us who have some part to play in young people's education, or whatever, should commit ourselves to do this in God's way.
Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
clearly, dearly, nearly... was a natural progression to be followed every day.
This was the start of the annual dedication service. Instead of singling out the people who lead junior church, and other areas, Revd Richard said that all of us who have some part to play in young people's education, or whatever, should commit ourselves to do this in God's way.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
To know Jesus
Today the preacher said to get to know Jesus it was not enough to study or read books.
After reading and study we would only know Jesus from the outside. To know Jesus we must do as he does and act as he says.
It was not a new idea but, perhaps because of the preacher's sincerity, it struck me as something new.
After reading and study we would only know Jesus from the outside. To know Jesus we must do as he does and act as he says.
It was not a new idea but, perhaps because of the preacher's sincerity, it struck me as something new.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Soup Kitchen
This morning the service was led by Revd. John Rowland (Kennington) with a talk by Mrs Smith from the Oxford Soup Kitchen.
About 20 years ago Mrs Smith saw a bright light, rather like Saint Paul. Out of the light she saw a man with with tattoes on his face, picking bits from the rubbish bin. She asked 'Lord what can I do' and she heard a voice or idea say 'Soup Kitchen' and so for 20 years she has run a soup kitchen for people who have nobody else to turn, those who society has given up on.
The John Rowland spoke powerfully on Costly Grace, quoting the bible and Dietrich Bonhoeffer ...
About 20 years ago Mrs Smith saw a bright light, rather like Saint Paul. Out of the light she saw a man with with tattoes on his face, picking bits from the rubbish bin. She asked 'Lord what can I do' and she heard a voice or idea say 'Soup Kitchen' and so for 20 years she has run a soup kitchen for people who have nobody else to turn, those who society has given up on.
The John Rowland spoke powerfully on Costly Grace, quoting the bible and Dietrich Bonhoeffer ...
Sunday, 7 November 2010
talk to Jesus
A very simple message today at church. All you have to do is believe. And what does it mean to believe. It means to wake up and talk with Jesus. It means through the day to talk with Jesus. It means at the end of the day to talk wth Jesus. Know that he is with you and share your life with him. He has loved you. He has saved you. Just believe.
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