Old age is when you really know your Way but just don’t feel like moving.
Whoever walks one yard towards God Will meet God running towards them.
How often we intend one thing and it turns into another!
It should take the edge off disappointments to remember that in many of the
things that go wrong. God surprises us by letting them turn out right in
the end.
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, and Luke in his arrangement of the Acts of the Apostles, make it clear that, above all, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem. They were there to celebrate the festival of the Giving of the Jewish Law to Moses. They were there to remember that, once, God spoke forcefully to his people.
The book of Acts does not speak of the ministry of all the Apostles, but concentrates on two, and follow them:- Peter in the early days, and Paul in the later chapters. We know, from passing references and from the various letters, that others were at work. Luke wants to set out clearly the work of the Holy Spirit, and his aim is not to make plaster saints of Peter or Paul, but to show how God moves powerfully in the lives of his people, taking them into new experiences and the new areas of the world.
This month we celebrate the Tercentenary of the birth of John Wesley, who certainly was a firebrand whom God used to set the flames of revival burning across the world. In the same way that Paul’s conversion has been a striking image for Christians down the centuries, so Wesley’s witness to “a heart strangely warmed” has rung bells with people down through the passing years – speaking of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those “who are called Methodists”, and many others.
But though we are right to commemorate the fresh impetus given to the Christian faith in the eighteen century, just as the Jews wanted to celebrate the founding events of their faith, Pentecost is about the Holy Spirit speaking in the world today. It is the day when the unexpected happens, - when the Gallilean fisherman speaks to the gathered company of “believers” – not just Jews, but people from every land who have come to Jerusalem to find out more about God – and changes the lives of thousands.
For us, it is the day when Joel Edwards, a voice from another culture, and a different branch of the church, comes to speak to our community.
Will the people who are searching for God be there? Only if the people of God who are already committed to following in his Way are there, too, to support, encourage and follow up the words that are spoken on this new Birthday of the Church. Once, God spoke forcefully to his people. May he do so again this month.
Every blessing Harry.
There are times when I should speak about Christ – at a
meeting, to my children, to someone who thinks God is a myth. But I stand
there and let the chance pass. How can I, a lover of Christ, do this? Then
I think of Peter. Three times he denied his Lord, yet he became one of the
staunchest of the Apostles. So I pray that the Holy Spirit will give me
courage and the words to say – next time.
But we do not seem to celebrate, as we should. A Birthday, a time to Celebrate, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the anniversary when the disciples became the New Church, full of life and power. Different from the fearful slaves that they were, now filled with the spirit.
The Holy Spirit is for all – all that repent and trust God completely, who accept that Jesus Christ died for our sin, and accept Jesus Christ into their lives.
Pentecost is a time of celebration for the gift of the Holy Spirit, a time to take stock, a time to top up our walk with God.
Top up with the power and the strength from the Holy Spirit, not just ourselves but also the church and all churches the world over – so we can all grow in our walk with God and our work for the Lord.
So let us not neglect this birthday but celebrate, giving thanks for the wonderful gift of the Holy Sprit.
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us (Romans 5.5).
God has created new life in us so that we may build the kingdom.
God Bless Eddie
This dedicated to the best mum in the world, it’s just my way of saying thank you.
I don’t know when I laughed so much, when I was with you
Yor patience and understanding, I’ve always had even if you
Didn’t understand the things I do
Love unconditional to me you gave
From troubles and pain you always came to me to save
I wish there was a way I could thank you for all you have done
I am honoured when I call you mum
I love the way you try to help even when you didn’t understand
Sand
I have to say this some how in my poem to you
I love you
I have taken you for granted for too long
You mean so much to me know, I don’t think I’ll realise how
much you do,
Till you’re sadly gone
Love from Ann-Marie
A BUSY EASTER
What a wonderful Easter we had at Garlinge this year. On Good Friday a short service in Church for those who wished not to go on the walk of witness. This was followed by hot cross buns and coffee for all. Then off on the walk. What a wonderful way to let people know the Churches together in Westgate, Westbrook and Garlinge, are alive, out on the street giving witness. I found the opportunity to evangelise was good speaking to a number of people. I was rather taken back by some of the younger peoples answers to what day it was? “O Friday” was their answer. Is this a sign that the church is not taking the message of God out to the people enough?
On to Sunday at eight o’clock in the sunken Gardens. For The Sunrise Service. The number grow every year and this year we had the Salvation Army band to lead the singing and Major Bishop to give the address. A great start to the Easter Sunday Celebrations. Then it was breakfast in the Church Hall for those who wished. Followed by our Family Communion Service.
Easter is not just another Bank Holiday, but a time when we remember and thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus. Who died on the cross for us on Good Friday. And who’s resurrection we celebrate on Easter Sunday. A time when all should remember and celebrate as much as at Christmas time.
Thanks to all who help in any way to make it a glorious Easter.
God Bless Eddie
The word crowns success.
God crown faithfulness.
Open your ears to God before
you open your mouth to others.
Every word we say on earth is
heard in heaven,
The character of your child
tomorrow depends upon what
you put into their hearts today.
Lord when we are lonely we will try to remember that
when you hung from the cross and had given your beloved mother to the care
of your Apostle John. You accepted the loneliness of the world since time
began. We will try to remember as well the love you poured into the world
by that loneliness. And by dying on the cross for us that we might have
life eternal. And in remembering and in seeing more clearly the depth of
your love, may we offer our loneliness for those who have forgotten and
filled the world with pain.
A Prayer when lonely