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Dear Friends

Today marks the Two Year Anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. Please remember in prayers those suffering loss and the many still trying to live in the aftermath of this horrific event in their lives. This includes thousands in the local area as well as many who have been involved in aiding and supporting victims. Below is something I wrote a year ago and felt it was appropriate to share on this anniversary …

Loss and the associated grief is a vey private affair yet it is played out most often in public. It is always unique because every relationship is unlike any other. Though we suffer loss once we do not become immune to it. Faith in God enables us to go through the darkest of times but it is not an inoculation against the reality of loss. Death is part of life, loss is not something we get over like the flu but something that changes who we are in some way. For the Christian we are comforted that our loved one is with the Lord but that still leaves us at a loss. Why? Becomes a recurring question. Death always comes too soon. It cheats and robs. It’s a hideous thing, a monster.

“I see people, as they approach me, trying to make up their minds whether they'll 'say something about it' or not. I hate if they do, and if they don’t.” C. S. Lewis

There are no clever words or phrases we can say. Loss is not just going to go away. Our presence might irritate, it might be kindly received but it is not about us it is about the person that is grieving. We have no answers to give but an arm around the shoulder, a warm hug, an acknowledgement that the person is in pain is all good. None of this on it’s on will effect a ‘cure’ but together they do provide some support. Helping practically, like cooking a meal … washing the dishes … getting the shopping, can be a real support.

The person suffering loss just needs you to be that loving friend. Don’t disappear from their lives because you don’t know what to do, or what to say. “I’m aware of being an embarrassment to everyone I meet” C. S. Lewis (A grief Observed) wrote when talking about his own loss.

Ultimately the Christian is comforted by their relationship with God. They are warmed by the understanding that death will be overcome.

"But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”( 1 Corinthians 15:51-55)

Dear Friends

Today sees the birth into the UK of the latest upgrade to electronic communications with the launch of 5G in several of our major cities. This latest generation of technical advancement is being heralded as the a big step speeding up communication between devices, giving much faster download / upload speeds on mobile devices. All designed to help us do more, receive more and at a faster rate.

Monday sees a holiday here in the UK. Originally this late Spring holiday was always the first Monday (called Whit Monday) after Pentecost but some years ago was changed to a fixed date. Pentecost Sunday, 9 June this year, marks the beginning or birth if you like of the Church. It is the day Jesus promised would happen after his ascension to heaven; the day when God poured out his Spirit for all believers to receive. He told his closest followers not to start their mission until this had happened. Why? Because the filling of the Holy Spirit in their lives would be the biggest upgrade they would ever have. “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized withwater, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4,5

They became empowered in a new way to share the Good News, they begun to see people helped, healed and impacted by God through their efforts and the impact was immediate. The Church is not meant, Christians are not meant to just take the words and actions of Jesus as an example. Sure they are to do this but only led, supported, comforted and empowered by the Holy Spirit in their lives. This was the open secret as Christianity grew rapidly. The Old Testament words given by God to Zerubbabel as he faced an impossible task come to mind; “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies…” Zechariah 4:6. The church grew exponentially, is still growing throughout the world, by the presence, by the outworking of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

In Acts 19 the Apostle Paul encounters believers in the thriving city of Corinth. In teaching them he discovers something, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Verse 2 and so not just informs them but makes sure they receive the Spirit then. Today there are still many believers who have not heard of the Spirit or experienced the infilling of the Spirit but can. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for… So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:9-13

It's 16yrs since 3G was launched here in the UK, 7 since 4G and many struggle to get that – try getting it where I live – 5G will again mean some have yet maybe most don’t. However the empowering of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life is within the grasp of every believer you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-39

Dear Friends

Last week was an many of you will know ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ with people of all types sharing their experiences especially some often in the public gaze. It is so good to see people opening up and allowing others to think it’s OK to speak about these issues. Stress is something we all experience yet when it gets beyond the helpful kind that allows us to function it can become a gateway to ill health. We can all carry burdens with us that are too heavy to carry. Jesus says hand it to me, Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”

I think stress getting to great can be an early warning sign for us so here are a few things that following Christ has taught me;

Recognise it – anxious, depressed, can’t make decisions, not sleeping well, irritable more easily. It happens at key events in your life; marriage, bereavement, exams, moving house, changing jobs. (see above for main causes)

Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “Never stop praying”)… we often speak to everyone but God. He is the source of all life, hope, comfort, faith and love. These days we think hard about the source of what we eat and drink because where things come from matters! Worship God; looking up from our world can enable God to lift us up and give us the proper perspective

Psalm 100 – A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Do something because pray is not enough! (Yes I really said that.) Speak to someone as voicing our issues can bring us to a place where we make a change.

Make changes … this might mean taking regular breaks, managing your diet, taking up a hobby etc., because removing yourself from the stressful situation is often not possible. You are not a robot. No is often a good word to learn for those who take on too much. Even Jesus said he needed to be alone; to spend time praying etc.

Spend time in God’s word and let yourself be renewed in mind and body. Allow God’s Word to direct your paths. John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." (NLT). Paul writes in Ephesians 4:23 “let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”

Dear Friends

In the darkness everything things seems more difficult and scary. Yet this was darkness like no other. An inky blackness, so real could you almost hold it in your hands, had engulfed everything, not after sun down but at the brightest part of the day. From noon until three in the afternoon the land was draped in inexplicable darkness. That 'Good Friday' must have seemed like the end of all things to many people.

As a kid it puzzled me why people call this day 'good'. To me it was a disastrous day in the history of the human race. I could understand why the universe would stop, the sun would hide and all things could fall apart as Jesus was unjustly killed. But 'good' to me it was most definitely not! Mark 15:33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

 What I failed to understand was that the end of all things was to turn into a God inspired re-boot of the whole universe. Not only was Jesus nailed to the cross but all our sins, sorrows, hurts, diseases, anger and pain was as well. Even death was destroyed that day; wiped out in the blackness of those hours.

 Just three days later Jesus was no longer laid in a tomb. He had risen from the dead, alive like never before and with it all things began again. It was not enough for God to make the human race in his own image. No he wanted us to share all he has, to be become his children enjoying the benefits of a family member. The old had gone and a new world woke up that morning. A world in which all our trying, pleading, crying, hopes. failures and striving to be worthy were gone. In the new dawn all can be forgiven, made clean, made new, be born again as brothers and sisters of Christ. If you like the virus of sin was destroyed in this re-start. We can rest in what he has done and begin to live out lives in the knowledge of our new heritage and a Saviour who will never leave us or abandon us.

 Good Friday is good because it was the end of the rotten old order of things. Thank God for the day...and thank him for Easter Day and the new life all can have in Christ, simply by accepting his invitation.