Monday Spot (25 February 2008)
What is this thing called a leap year then?
Actually a leap year is a way of adjusting a slight inexactitude in God’s creation. You see, there aren’t exactly 365 days in a year, despite what might be the popular view. Neither are there 365.25 days, which would be the case if adding an extra day every four years was sufficient adjustment. In fact there are 365.24219 which means that occasionally a further adjustment has to be made. This is done by ignoring the leap year when it occurs on a century year which is divisible by 400. This is of no interest whatsoever to readers as it happened in the year 2000 and will not happen again until the year 2400. All that matters is that the ‘March’ of time will be delayed by one day later this week.
Major Drew
Major Drew led our meeting on Sunday morning taking again the theme of ‘Alone with God’, this week focusing on ‘Seeking God’s Forgiveness’. He chose scripture from Colossians 1:15-23 together with songs 17, 365 and 281 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 783, 1151 and 475 from Songs of Fellowship. The Singing Company brought us ‘A Child’s Prayer’ and the Songsters, ‘Breathe’.
As with last week a ‘Partners in Mission’ presentation was made, this week featuring the Army’ work in Mozambique. After 30 years of horrific guerrilla warfare there are significant church plantings taking place and corps are growing as a result of financial help. However, one half of the population still has to live on the equivalent of less than one dollar per day.
A new house built by the Army
A tent serves as a worship hall
Recognition was made of the extensive period of local officership served by Graham Hatton, most recently as Corps Treasurer but previously in other roles and a retirement certificate was presented representing 24 years of service.
Graham Hatton
In his message Drew began by reading a paraphrase of 2 Samuel 12:1-2 by Adrian Plass entitled ‘Nathan Rap‘. He asked us can we identify in our own lives how we shut out God’s voice when we want something badly enough? We sometimes struggle because of our lack of knowledge of God’s forgiveness. We live in limbo, so to speak. Understanding is crucial. Drew then referred to Psalm 51 which gives us helpful insights into God’s forgiveness. He continued David knew God but he still ‘messed up’. So do we! We can’t stop God from loving us, no matter what we do. We can’t ignore our sin but neither can we ignore God’s love for us. Our sin is ever before us and we must acknowledge it and seek forgiveness, which is total. We cannot bargain with God. He wants our brokeness so that He can rebuild it. Will you give it to Him?
At the end of the meeting a number of people made rededications to God in a very moving time of prayer.
Major Beverley
In the evening Major Beverley again followed the theme of ‘Big Questions of Life’, this time taking the subject of ‘Love’. Using a verse from Genesis (v22) she also used Mark 12:28-31 as the basis of her message. This was supported by songs 283, 474 and 499 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 1404, 707, 851 and 120 from Songs of Fellowship. The ‘Partners in Mission’ presentation was again made and the Band and Songsters provided the musical ministry with ‘Such Love’ from the Band and ‘I will call upon the Lord’ from the Songsters.
In her message Beverley dwelt on two aspects of love, namely faithfulness and sacrifice. She said the Scribe asked Jesus an honest question about what matters most in life. Asking questions is important because we need to understand the ways of God. The Alpha and Christianity for Life courses run at the corps are both forums in which questions are encouraged and we are never too old to learn. God id not primarily interested in us keeping rules, more that we should interact with Him and relate to Him. He wants our love. Love is undermined when there is a lack of truth and, therefore, we need to know the truth about God. God expects us to want to know about him and explore his truth. He asks us to re-order our lives with Him at the centre and He wants all of us; not one bit can we hold back. Does He have all of your life or are you holding something back? Tough question! Even tougher answer! Contact us if you need to know more.
Finally, let us revert to the theme of leap year. Perhaps a more important thought would be if we could all find a way to ‘leap’ forward in the development of our Christian faith thus reaching new horizons for God. If that was to happen, what a good year it would be!