Monday Spot (28 June 2010)
As temperatures move nicely towards 30 degrees Celsius it is lovely to experience the warm summer weather. Who says it always rains for the Wimbledon tennis fortnight!
Who will win?
Perhaps neither, who knows? What we can say is that, whether it is Rafa or Roger (or even Andy), it will not happen without a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. Commitment that leaves nothing to chance and by which everything is focused on the task ahead. Perhaps some of us thought like that when we first made our own Christian commitment and were reminded, yesterday morning, by the enrolment of Fiona Pennington as a Junior Soldier and the commissioning of Chloe Sales-Butteriss as a Junior Musician (Singing Company), both ceremonies conducted by Major Drew.
Fiona
Chloe
Fiona finds the desk a bit high!
with JS Sergeant Kate Boughton
The meeting, led by Major Drew McCombe included songs 10, 323, 371 and 218 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 1076, 897 and 480 from Songs of Fellowship. ‘We are marching in the light of God’ was an excuse for the youngsters to parade around the hall in World Cup supporter style with flags and musical instruments (thankfully no vuvuzelas).
Did I really do that?
The Singing Company brought ‘Give Thanks’ and the Songsters, ‘If You would be Strong’.
Major Drew McCombe
A number of our recent Sunday morning meetings have been themed on the subject ‘what would Jesus say to……….?’ and we have included Prince Charles, John Terry and Billy Graham amongst our subjects. Yesterday we brought the topic ‘home’ with ‘what would Jesus say to YOU?’ and Drew used John 3:1-15 as the basis for his message. He said:
When Jesus spoke to people he did not seek out the important members of society. He spoke to ordinary people just like you and me. I wonder, if he spoke to you, what would he say? There are many possibilities we might quote but we will consider just one thing, ‘you must be born again’. A new start – or a new life to start with? Quite a distinction. So what does being born again mean? It is necessary for our salvation and our spiritual well-being. Nicodemus took this seriously and sought to apply it in detail but Jesus encouraged him not to be buried in this but to make sure he did not miss the point. His relationship with God was paramount. It is strange that we do not have to teach children how to be naughty. They can do this by themselves. But we do have to encourage that relationship which makes them want to be good. Only God’s spirit can do this for us where our relationship with him is concerned. The nature of new birth is foundational in scripture. It is the supernatural act of God. The changed life is a miracle. You MUST be born again.
The afternoon saw the annual Service of Remembrance at Medway Crematorium in which the Band and Songsters took a prominent part and on which we will report separately.
Medway Crematorium
In the evening, led by Major Beverley McCombe, songs used were 741, 293, 488 and 745 from the Salvation Army Song Book, supported with 168 and 895 from Songs of Fellowship.The Songsters contributed ‘Trust in Jesus’ and the Band ‘Be Thou my Vision’. A meditation on music around the cross was also included with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. Personal testimony was again a feature.
Major Beverley McCombe
The message, based on John 20:24-29, was delivered in three separate parts on the topic of ‘Knowing Jesus – in doubt’.
Under the heading ‘Doubt God’s Love’ Beverley said:
How could Christ really love me? If we could understand this a lot of our doubts might disappear. Yet he demonstrated his love for us by dying for our sins. Why? We may often feel we are not worth loving but his love does not reside in us but in his character. He loves us but not the sins that we commit and sees beyond the exterior of our natural state knowing what he can do with us. He can recover this image through his grace.
‘Doubt His Resurrection’ brought the following thoughts:
Thomas doubted the resurrection although he had been with Jesus for three years. He was full of doom and his hope seemed to die with Jesus. He did not believe even though the disciples pleaded with him. He needed proof and Jesus provided it. Thomas at last recognised Jesus and eventually became an outspoken advocate for God. So how did ‘doubting’ Thomas become this strong believer? He came with his doubts to Jesus and asked for help. So can we, and when we do God will respond as he did to Thomas.
Finally ‘Doubt His Power to Transform’ suggested:
Many generations of Christians have found it difficult to learn about faith. Jesus walking on the water provoked a reaction at a time when Peter’s faith was growing. He was learning that Jesus could do extraordinary things for him. Jesus asked him ‘why did you doubt?’ There was no reason for his faith to fail but it did because he took his eyes off Jesus. Our own faith will only come from keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Christ, thinking about him and relating to him. If we keep our focus on Jesus others will also be drawn to him.
Despite the very hot day there seemd to be quite a ‘buzz’ around he place with well attended meetings and good fellowship.
Next Sunday (4 July) there is a change to the already published plans. The evening meeting will be held at the Emmaus Church Centre, Clover Street, at 6.30pm and the following week (11 July) the evening meeting will be in our own hall at 6pm.
The Ladies Fellowship Summer Cruise is getting nearer. On Wednesday 14 July everyone is invited to join the ladies on the Kentish Lady for a three hour cruise on the Medway. A picnic box is included in the price which is £18 per person. Contact us if you are interested.
Have a good week and enjoy the sunshine (if you live in the UK that is).