Gone, Risen, Empty, Christus Victor, Death Defeated

Are you Alone?

Are you Alone?

When John asked me to do a slot for the lent blog, I really wanted to say no and yes at the same time. Yes to be a part of this wonderful time of sharing our personal thoughts and no as I wasn’t sure what I was going to write. The image of Jesus footprints in the sand came to mind. I hope you like my image, its title is The Journey Towards Healing.

I know Stacey has already used the footprint poem, so I searched to find an alternative, and found Leona Lewis singing Footprints in the Sand. The lyrics, seemed to say so much about life’s journey. Jesus’ journey to the cross required strength, but during those final footsteps, his faith never faltered, his belief stayed strong, what an inspiration to all who believe in him. The Gospels, tell us Jesus was sad and felt as though he was dying. He prayed at Gethsemane, to his father in heaven, Mark 14v35-36 “Father, if it is possible, don’t let this happen to me! Father you can do anything. Don’t let me suffer by making me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.

‘when the road gets weary, I’ll know you’ll be there’ the lyrics say.
I know, trust and believe, that when I need a friend, all I need to do is call on Jesus, He, will be there day or night, come rain or shine, He won’t judge us or condemn us, He will always be there, to carry you, you’ll find his footprints in the sand.

I hope you enjoy the song.
With God’s blessing
Tina.

What makes you think about God?

God created me.

God loves me.

He made me see his lovely creation. The stars, moon and earth.

He wants me to do good things, to live according to the Bible.

He wants me to honour him, respect others, be tolerant and be humble.

 

Jonathan B

After Palm Sunday

 

‘Days after’ are so often an anticlimax. So it was for Jesus. The apparent euphoria of Palm Sunday was replaced with days of verbal battle.

  

The first incident recorded in the gospels after Palm Sunday, was that of the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:v13-19). This is a figurative incident – an acted parable instead of a spoken one, like the final Last Supper, and Jesus was pointing out that despite the apparent enthusiasm of Palm Sunday, so many of the people were unfruitful in righteousness and spiritually dead.

  

This parable of a fig tree seems removed from our modern thinking but figs have had many uses over the years. They are still an attractive fruit, although we don’t have the same opportunity to enjoy them in the way people did in Jesus’ country and time. On the other hand, in my childhood ‘syrup of figs’ was a household item – a common laxative to ensure inner cleansing! (now superseded by many new products)

 

Perhaps we should, at this point in the Christian year, look at our own spirituality and fruitfulness. We could use this parable of the fig tree to ask ourselves about our own fruitfulness for Jesus, and also our need for his spiritual cleansing in these days after Palm Sunday, before the tragic and wonderful events of the coming weekend.

 

Cliff

Returning Home

In the story of Noah’s ark, (Genesis 8:8,9) Noah released a dove from the ark to see whether the water had subsided. However, the dove could not find anywhere to rest because there was water everywhere; the water had not subsided. Wearied with her wanderings, the dove at last returned to the ark as the only place to rest. The dove was very tired to the point that she might never reach the edge of the ark; but she struggled on. Meanwhile, Noah had been looking out for his dove all day. The dove had just enough strength to reach the edge of the ark, almost ready to drop when “Noah reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark.”  Notice, he stretched out his hand to bring the dove back to himself. This act of mercy and compassion was shown to the wandering dove.

Similarly, the prodigal son,(Luke 15:18,20) when he decided to return to his father’s house, “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around  him and kissed him.” Note here too, his father ran out to meet his son and with outstretched arms embraced his long lost son, who is now safe in the arms of mercy,compassion, forgiveness and love.

During Lent and this Easter season, as we contemplate the Easter story, the question is: are we ready and willing to return from our wanderings to the outstretched loving arms of our merciful Father who is full of compassion, ever ready to receive, to forgive, to reassure, and to comfort us?

Ray

Buildings

As may of you know I spend a lot of time dealing with buildings (and the people who use them). One thing that often strikes me is how much works buildings require doing to them to keep them working. We may be very good at making things but left alone gradually they will start to crumble.

Waling around a ruined building reminds me of this. Gradually as buildings are left unused God’s world starts to take over again.

The buildings we have constructed may be useful, they may be beautiful but they are nothing compared to the world that God has created for use to enjoy.

This photo reminds me of the great world that God has created.

David

Who cares?

 

We can not escape the news of the global financial turmoil the world is experiencing, at the moment. Governments and countries are collapsing, causing violent demonstrations in many cities .

 

Why has this happened , I hear you ask. Doesn’t He care?

 

Jobs are being lost with little warning bringing uncertainty and anguish to many families. Doesn’t He care?

 

People are losing their homes. Doesn’t He care?

 

Children are going to bed hungry. Doesn’t He care?

 

Whole communities are collapsing. Doesn’t He care?

 

Or is it because He cares this is happening? Is this our plague or flood? Is this our wake up call because too many of us have turned away from God? 

 

Is it because of the greed and growing inequalities between the have and the have nots ?

 

Is it because of the so called ‘developed world’s’ obsession with the value of ‘stuff’ and not with core values?

 

 

Locally, the credit crunch has touched many in our community and families. Plans made for the future may now be in doubt.  For the first time, many families are experincing uncertainy. Who cares? – God cares:

 

 

1 Peter 5:7 Throw away all your worry on him, because he cares for you.

 

 

Matthew 6:25

Thats why I’m telling you to stop worrying about your life-what you will eat or what you will drink – or about your body- what you wil wear. Life is more than food isn’t it and the body more than clothing?

 

 God Cares  Artist: Sounds Of Blackness

Sometimes I cry but why
When I have someone so near
Who cares for me
Sometimes I doubt
The things I don’t understand
That’s when He comes and holds my hand

[Chorus]
God cares all about you
And He’ll be there to see you through
And when no one will comfort you
He’ll care about you
God cares all about you
And He’ll be there when you’re feeling blue
And When your life has broken you
He’ll care about you

Sometimes we think that we
Have to make it on our own
You feel so alone
That’s when He says I am here
So wipe away your tears
Don’t cry
For I am standing by

[Chorus]

When your life is tossed and driven
Like an angry sea
Fret not yourself
He said believe in me
Now it was said
Your weeping may endure for one long night
But oh in the morning
Everything will be alright

[Chorus]
 
He cares about the grass that grows across
He cares about the flowers that bloom in spring
He cares about the sun to shine above
He cares about the moon that shines at night
He cares about the way we live our lives
He cares about the way we treat each other
He cares about the ones who have gone astray
He cares

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra

 

 

His Hands

One Sunday a few weeks ago I was pouring out a cup of tea in Carey Hall when Paul approached and asked whether I would like to contribute to the lent blog and I said yes. Paul then explained it was about “what God means to you”. My immediate thought was “everything”, but then I thought, “Hmmm. Where do I begin?” I was aware that the 4^th April was a little way off and I would have time to reflect. As the time was approaching I had ideas and thoughts sort of whizzing around and thoughts as to whether anyone would want to read it or whether it would be “good enough”. As you can see, panic was beginning to set in!

The image I had in my mind was of Jesus’ feet and hands being nailed to the cross as he took upon himself all of our sin; so that we may be forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. The gospel of John tells of when Jesus attended the Feast of Dedication at the temple and he is asked who he is. (John 10:27-30).

²⁷My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰I and the Father are one.

Just reflecting on this amazing promise helped my panic fall away and again be aware that no matter what happens in life or how I may feel it is our Lord Jesus who is in control; it is in his hands. Josie Lynn

family love

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Outnumbered.
Family Guy.
The Simpsons.

What do they all have in common, apart from being programs watched by many? They are all portray family life, its ups and downs, things which strain their relationships. While they are often designed to make the audience laugh, maybe the underlying themes are one which some of us can relate.

The bible gives many examples of families: Noah and his sons, Joseph and his many brothers, King David and the many generations of his line.

The church is made up of many different people, each making up a different part of the family. Whether it the embarrassing family member keen to share stories which, in your opinion are better let in the past, or the annoying sibling who seems to want to wind you. Deep down, you know that your family would not be the same without them. No matter how divided you feel, we are united in one faith. We are “brothers and sisters” in Christ and while siblings can often disagree, they can be the source of laughter, joy and advice too.

At explore over the past few weeks we have had guest appearances from members of our church family and found out a bit about their Christian journey, and it made me realise that everyone has ups and downs [one of those things that you already know but is quite reassuring to know you’re not on your own!]and in those situations when we are at our lowest, God can be our “refuge and strength”, he never leaves us, no matter how lonely we feel. Our doubt is one of our imperfections, but God never gives up on us.

hannah b

ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

31Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[a] 32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.

33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!” ). 35At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

this just says to me that everything is possible through jesus
i love jesus

luke shaw