Our harvest thanksgiving service this week was an opportunity to say thank you to God for many of the things that we so often take for granted. Even with something as simple as a glass a water - for so many people across our world this is something they can only dream of.
In Leviticus 19 there is a commandment that when you harvest your crops you should not go right to the edge of the field and anything that you miss or drop, you are not to go back for it - you are to leave it for the poor and those in the community who otherwise would have nothing to eat. That's what's going on in Ruth 2. Boaz, although a wealthy land owner, knows that what he has is a gift from God and it comes with a responsibility to care for the poor - because God cares for the poor.
This harvest it is good to be able to support the work that BMS World Mission are doing in Haiti. To get an idea of this work you can watch the following video.
BMS have been involved in Haiti in other ways too. They were instrumental in bringing a team of three athletes to the Paralympic games in London this summer - the first time Haiti has sent a team to the Paralympics. But more of that story later in the week.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Friday, 5 October 2012
A new fence
Over the summer we had a new fence put up at church. The old, very old, broken wooden one has been replaced with a new metal fence. It is a huge improvement. And so many people have commented on how much better it looks - from people just passing by as the work was being done, to parents in the playground at the girls' school. We've even had people from the local allotments provide us with plants for the flowerbeds as these are now much more visible with the thinner fencing.
The local community have noticed the new fence. Presumably they noticed the old fence too - but were too polite to comment.
Last Sunday we started our autumn preaching series. Between now and Christmas we're going to be looking at Leviticus. But we started in Exodus 40 with Moses setting up the Tabernacle.
The Tabernacle was the tent where God met with his people. The word 'tabernacle means 'dwelling'. In Exodus 40:34 we read that after Moses had set it all up as instructed the glory of God filled the Tabernacle. Later the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem, and in 2 Chronicles 7:1 we read the same thing - that the glory of God filled the Temple.
So when John speaks about Jesus in John 1:14 and says that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and that we have seen his glory John is letting us know that God now dwells with his people in the person of Jesus.
If we then skip forward a few more years to Acts 2 we read that after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension the disciples were together when there was the sound like a strong wind and fire came to rested on each of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. God no longer dwells in the tabernacle, or the temple. God no longer makes his presence known on earth in the person of Jesus. Now the presence of God is experienced in the disciples as they meet together through the Holy Spirit.
What has that got to do with a new fence?
Although God cannot be limited in any way, he often chooses to make his presence known through the local church (the people rather than the building). People will experience God through the local church. Whether that is on a Sunday morning, or through the care shown at a parent and toddler group, through a meal served at a homeless shelter, through a Christmas shoebox gift, through... through... through...
People notice a new fence. I wonder what else people notice about their local church. Do they see the glory of God? Do they experience the presence of God as he meets with his people?
The local community have noticed the new fence. Presumably they noticed the old fence too - but were too polite to comment.
Last Sunday we started our autumn preaching series. Between now and Christmas we're going to be looking at Leviticus. But we started in Exodus 40 with Moses setting up the Tabernacle.
The Tabernacle was the tent where God met with his people. The word 'tabernacle means 'dwelling'. In Exodus 40:34 we read that after Moses had set it all up as instructed the glory of God filled the Tabernacle. Later the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem, and in 2 Chronicles 7:1 we read the same thing - that the glory of God filled the Temple.
So when John speaks about Jesus in John 1:14 and says that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and that we have seen his glory John is letting us know that God now dwells with his people in the person of Jesus.
If we then skip forward a few more years to Acts 2 we read that after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension the disciples were together when there was the sound like a strong wind and fire came to rested on each of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. God no longer dwells in the tabernacle, or the temple. God no longer makes his presence known on earth in the person of Jesus. Now the presence of God is experienced in the disciples as they meet together through the Holy Spirit.
What has that got to do with a new fence?
Although God cannot be limited in any way, he often chooses to make his presence known through the local church (the people rather than the building). People will experience God through the local church. Whether that is on a Sunday morning, or through the care shown at a parent and toddler group, through a meal served at a homeless shelter, through a Christmas shoebox gift, through... through... through...
People notice a new fence. I wonder what else people notice about their local church. Do they see the glory of God? Do they experience the presence of God as he meets with his people?
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Father's Day
Sunday is Father's Day in the UK; and according to my diary also in the US and Canada. Fathers in Australia have to wait until 2nd September. If you are a father in a different part of the world then my diary is of no help whatsoever...
Seven years ago I 'celebrated' Father's Day as a father for the first time. But as some of you will remember things hadn't gone quite to plan or script!
Our new baby was just a few days old and fighting for her life in Great Ormond Street hospital. She had made progress over the last few days but there were still lots of massive questions about her future. Big questions like: would she regain consciousness, if she did would she be paralysed or would she have some limited movement...the doctors just did not know what the future would hold for her or for us.
It was a real encouragement to know that so many people were praying for her and for us. I can't speak for anyone else - but what I can say from my experience is that the 'peace that transcends all understanding' that Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:7 is a reality. Going through the 'darkest valley' I experienced the love and presence of God in such a real way [Psalm 23:4].
Our God is not distant, or remote, or uninterested...our God invites us to call him Dad. Whatever you're going through this Father's Day remember that God has promised to be with you - every step of the way. He is faithful and He can do more than we ask or imagine.
Seven years ago I 'celebrated' Father's Day as a father for the first time. But as some of you will remember things hadn't gone quite to plan or script!
Our new baby was just a few days old and fighting for her life in Great Ormond Street hospital. She had made progress over the last few days but there were still lots of massive questions about her future. Big questions like: would she regain consciousness, if she did would she be paralysed or would she have some limited movement...the doctors just did not know what the future would hold for her or for us.
It was a real encouragement to know that so many people were praying for her and for us. I can't speak for anyone else - but what I can say from my experience is that the 'peace that transcends all understanding' that Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:7 is a reality. Going through the 'darkest valley' I experienced the love and presence of God in such a real way [Psalm 23:4].
Our God is not distant, or remote, or uninterested...our God invites us to call him Dad. Whatever you're going through this Father's Day remember that God has promised to be with you - every step of the way. He is faithful and He can do more than we ask or imagine.
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