October 2010 Minister's Message

 Created on Friday, 24 September 2010 14:11

Dear Friends,

I am sitting in my church office writing this letter and I have just noticed blackberries growing outside. For health and safety reasons there are not many things that we still pick and eat but blackberries are in my view the nicest. It is also a reminder that we are now moving into the autumn season with its beautiful colours and we will soon be celebrating our harvest festival as a church and supporting the work of the Waterside Foodbank as well as needy people in Pakistan and Africa.

Along with the luscious and sweet fruit also comes the thorns and the brambles which can cause havoc in a garden. This reminds me of God’s harvest of lives where people come to know just how much they are loved by Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit begins to grow in their lives. There is so often however a tangled bramble of pain, suffering, conflict or issues which is not easily untangled.

I have a deep desire for more people to come to know the Lord but also that over time they would also know His wholeness and peace (or Shalom as the Bible calls it) and this really can only happen in God’s timing. Perhaps I need a reminder that this wholeness is not something that I can organize or plan but needs to be sought and received.

The Bible says "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
(James 3:17-18)

As in our last church magazine you will read of so much going on and so many exciting opportunities - but in it all I pray that you will receive from God the gift he has which is perfect for you and that it will take root and grow as you trust him more and more.

With best wishes for the month ahead.
Yours in Christ

Eddie