There are those who think that being a Christian is a sign of weakness. Some would go as far as to say that religion is a crutch that people use when life gets difficult.
The example Christians are called to follow is that of Jesus Himself. Jesus was outspoken and revolutionary: He changed lives. Ultimately He gave His own life so that we can live if we follow Him. If we do follow Him, He calls us, at times, to be as outspoken as Him. Christians are called to expose injustice and to stand up and speak as Jesus would: argumentatively but convincingly. And those Christians who feel called to evangelism, in whatever form, must talk about their faith in the open, often subject to ridicule.
I don’t know about you but I’ve never heard of a crutch that makes great demands of the user. Being a Christian can take real guts. Yes, the Lord Jesus does provide spiritual support, but think about those times when you have heard a conversation criticizing “bible bashers”, “religious creeps” or the “God squad”. The Christian must stand firm in the face of such opposition.
Many people choose to stay put in their cosy lifestyles, hiding in their peer group, afraid to speak out. But what about you? Have you got the guts to follow Jesus?
© KENTON SMITH – Moorley’s Print & Publishing
Billy
Graham once said “A Christian should so live that they would not be afraid to
sell the family parrot to the town gossip!”
As I write to you I am unsure where Freddie and I shall be going, but by the time you read this newsletter you will know where we are being sent. It is a waiting and a testing time.
I am currently away with college on retreat. It gives me plenty of time to reflect, to spend time with God and to think about the future. Where am I going? What does God want me to do? How can I serve him? It gives me time to talk to God and to listen to what he is saying to me. As we all know, we have two ears and one mouth and therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak, but somehow we seem to do it the other way round. Perhaps this weekend has helped me to realise that at times we all need to withdraw. We may say that our lives are too busy and there is not time to do that, then our lives are definitely too busy if we cannot give time to God. We need time to withdraw, a quite room, the park bench, wherever, but we need time with God, to renew us and allow us to move forward.
Christ’s invitation to each of us, ‘Come. Follow me’ is the beginning of many different journeys of hope. We all have a journey in our Christian life. We have to ask questions what does God want me to do? How can I serve him? I wonder, do we give time for God to talk to us, to listen to what he is asking of us. Jesus certainty spent time alone with God praying, listening to what God was telling him. We need to do the same if we are to grow in the love of God.
Each of us is called to follow Christ, and to do so wholeheartedly will require a genuine discernment and generous response to Christ’s calling.
I pray that as we start a New Year you will find time to reflect on your calling, to listen to God and hear what he is saying to you. It is an exciting time.
God Bless.
Debbie Borda
Official charity status has been applied for after the wonderful response last year in sending out goods and the 4X4 vehicle (Pastor Jackson sends his thanks).
Several areas of ministry in the
Thanks for all the help towards the
Plans are being made for a team of fourteen Thanet volunteers to go out at Easter. If you are able to help (as individuals or as a church) either to raise money towards a medical assistant’s wages or to provide basic medical supplies, please contact Andrew Millership (01843 293626 or millership@ukonline.co.uk).
Adding Paracetamol, plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream or other relevant lightweight supplies to your shopping list would be a simple and worthwhile idea – the team is willing to carry as much as they can get in their luggage!
2002 doubts and fears
12 Months of hurts
7 Days of Tears
6 Cups of Patient
5 Cups of Peace
4 Cups of Love
3 Cups of Joy
2 Helping Hands
1 large Heart
Put all the doubts and fears and hurts into a large saucepan, pour on the tears and simmer until evaporated. Add the patient, love, joy and large heart. Knead with the helping hands. Put on a baking sheet and sprinkle with peace. Cook with tender care, allow to cool and cut into 365 small pieces.
Wrap in gold foil and freeze. Warm and serve each day to the needy.
A bitter tear slowly makes its course down face
So cold, so sad, why do I come to this dreary place?
Angry thoughts, hatred, drift through my mind
Why you? A person I loved, so kind
I clench my fists, tight and fight back the stream
Wrenched from me, my future, you are my only dream
Walking on the beach, hand in hand
Foot prints like our hearts laid interwoven in the sand
Remembering surges pain and regrets.
Things unsaid, undone, I didn’t get the chance to say, I love you
Dreams, plans all my life forgotten, like the sand in a timer, time flew
I come to this place, so sad and cold
And I know it’s you again, I’ll never hold
As I wipe the moss from your name
Without you life will never be the same.
Anthony is an ordinary sort of bloke. To all intents and purposes, he is a normal member of society who goes about his daily business without causing any trouble or fuss.
He does believe that there is a God, but he doesn’t want to get involved in a Church as hew would be unsure about what they say or what would happen if he walked in one Sunday morning. So Anthony never gets round to it. Which is a shame really.
Because our Heavenly Father is ready and waiting for us to approach Him, to talk to Him. So all Anthony has to do is to go into a quite room, by himself, and talk to God – to pray. It doesn’t matter what he says as long as he means what he says: some of the most honest prayers have started with “God, I’m not even really sure if you’re there but…”
The beauty of approaching God like this is that nobody else needs to know unless Anthony wants them to. And if he wants to know a bit more he can get a Bible and read about Jesus, God’s son: most Bibles in the shops these days have an introductory guide included. He can keep it to himself until such time as he wants to tell somebody else.
But then he has already told somebody else hasn’t he. God has listened to him.
When Anthony starts out on the road to find God, he doesn’t have to shout it out from the rooftops because God can hear him wherever he is.
© KENTON SMITH – Moorley’s Print & Publishing
ANOTHER YEAR ANOTHER CHRISTMAS
The wrapping as gone in the bin, the decorations have been taken down and put away for another year. The stockpile of food which so many seem to have at Christmas has been disposed of and so much of it in the dustbin. Where has the caring for those in need gone?
How many gave a thought to the real meaning of Christmas, what are we celebrating the real reason for joy.
The small baby in the manger the Son of God and why he came fully human and fully God.
That, ‘God so loved the world that He gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’ (John
And we know Jesus did not come just to show us what God is like and live a perfect life. He came to remove the barrier between God And us.
To bear the full punishment for our sin. The cry from the cross ‘It is finished’ Not a cry of defeat, but a cry of victory. The way back to God is now open and it’s open to all now before it’s to late.
We lived in a time of darkness with the threat of war hanging over the world a time when all who have turn from Jesus who think more of material things and of their self than caring for those in need, should think now of looking to God’s shining light and answering his call. Choosing to follow Jesus Christ as our lord.
So as we go into a New Year let those of us who have let Jesus Christ into our life’s pray for all who have turned from the Lord and for the peace of the world for all.
May the Peace and Love of God be with you God Bless EDDIE?
Please pray for those of our church who are unwell in pain or lonely and for all who are in need:-
For Eunice Blackstock who has now returned home after her long stay in Summerlands. We pray she will be able to cope with being at home, that all goes well for her and that she will be much happier and settle in her own home.
Bob and Cherry Buchanan as Bob takes
the long journey to
Wendy Miller waiting for the results from the consultant.
Betty Whyatt who is feeling to unwell to get to church.
Marion and Ken Stephens as they are finding it more difficult to get to church through poor health.
Let all pray for peace in our troubled world and all who are in need for Gods healing love and peace to be with them, but let us not forget in our prayers to give our thanks to God for is many blessing and the joy we share in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Demeiza Houses Christmas card £154.00 NCH Carols by Candlelight £70.00
Christmas Day Collection £146.00
Total for Demetza Houses £300.00 Open Christmas appeal £61.00
As
well as our
Every
second Sunday of the month in the afternoon at
And on the fourth
Sunday in the month at
A big thank you to Betsy, Ruby Iris Jones, rev Boxer and Reg for visiting me in hospital. Ron has been a real good friend by visiting hospital and at home several times. Also Murice has been a good friend visiting often both placed.
Many thanks for the lovely flowers from Denise, Ron and coffee morning friends.
What a surprise, God Bless.
Ellen.
I would like to thank you for all the prayers you and the
members of
Cathie Fox.
Second week in the month by Rev Boxer. All welcome.
Many of our members need our prayers. We lost our deal friend Ron Howes – a lovely man who came from St Stephens church and did so much for the church. Sadly, after being well cared for at Mrs Lee’s home in Cliftonville he passed on. Let us keep praying for his wife.
Bert Lilliot is also in a home at Westgate. Dorothea visited him every day until her leg operation but is now unable to visit him or come to church.
Ivy Blogg has been in hospital and is now in a nursing home in Broadstairs. We hope see will be cared for.
Ellen Wells has a leg operation and returns home on the 6th having received wonderful care.
Grace Wainwright is in hospital.
To all members with problems- let us hope that 2003 will be a better year.
Ron Love
At our last service by Reg Ward it
was nice to welcome Margaret Sutton’s family from
Many thanks to all who gave a donation to the Demeiza House children’s hospice. Although less than last year, we raised £80. Thanks to all who gave the money.
Our coffee morning is at
The flower rota for this year is now on the notice board. Please put your name down. If you can’t get them yourself, see Ron and he will get them for you.
Ron Love
Dear all, I have just had a list of donations for the surgery given in my mum’s memory from Waterhouses, the undertakers. I would like to say thank you to you all for your kindness in remembering her. I know see would have been pleased that we have been able to help the surgery. The doctors and nurses were always so kind to her and my dad. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful 2003.
Love from Rosemary.