25/03/2020

Are you rejecting God because of x,y,z reasons, read on...

Forgiveness is available to everyone 
Chris Sparkes reflects on Hosea
When I was a child my Dad’s word was law.  I don’t mean he was dictatorial, unkind or unfair, but back then Dads were the head of the household, that’s just how it was.  I was always sure I was deeply loved and if I had a problem I could tell Dad about it. If, however, I had done something wrong I was equally sure Dad would be angry, he would tell me exactly what he thought of what I had done/not done and probably impose some sort of punishment as a reminder not to do it again! Through this process I was never ever in any doubt I would be forgiven and restored to dad’s  good opinion.
To own up and face embarrassment and the consequences of my actions, or not? That was the question. Would the punishment be worse than the guilty secret?  Would Dad love me anymore if I owned up? Point 1:Secrecy – Dad probably already knew what I had done and sorted it out in his mind before I ever plucked up courage to admit it, so there was no secrecy. Point 2: Love – I don’t know what it would have taken for Dad to stop loving me, but childhood mistakes probably weren’t among the most heinous crimes. I also knew in the back of my mind, that Dad would think better of me if I admitted the mistake, rather than keep it from him. 
The whole of the book of Hosea is seemingly a very strange story. God is trying to get the prophet Hosea to understand what the people of Israel have done in rejecting or forgetting God. Also, what then happens when they persist in going their own way.  By chapter 6 of Hosea the people of Israel were beginning to see that to own up and say sorry to God couldn’t be any worse than where they were.
They knew they couldn’t continue as they were.  They also knew they had to own up to God, and face the consequences of his anger. They did know that God would restore their relationship once they were back on the right path.
When I talk with people who won’t acknowledge God, the conversation sometimes turns on the fact that they feel they cannot turn to God because they are not ‘good enough’ They believe that because of something they have done wrong they cannot be forgiven by God. It is a hugely liberating discovery that God doesn’t work like that. 

Forgiveness was paid for in the blood that Jesus shed. Today anyone can be forgiven, no matter where they've been or what they've done. Amazing grace!

19/03/2020

There is no one like You!


Everybody wanna be like you they Want power and praise like you but See there is no god like our God There's no one like you Who gave their life like you and Who paid our price like you see There's only one god that's our God There's no one like you. Who can touch like you Or heal us like you do We stumble and we stray Til' you always get us through Who makes all things new And comes to our rescue Death, hell, and the grave They could not conquer You became just like me To unlock and set free This prisoner that was deeply wounded and redeemed The me I could not see Everybody wanna be like you they Want power and praise like you but See there is no god like our God There's no one like you Who gave their life like you and Who payed our price like you see There's only one god that's our God There's no one like you. Some may worship things But what joy do they bring? They try and hide the stains But can they set us free See where would we be Without Calvary A king upon a tree So the whole world can see You became just like me To unlock and set free This prisoner that was deeply wounded and redeemed The me I could not see Everybody wanna be like you they Want power and praise like you but See there is no god like our God There's no one like you Who gave their life like you and Who payed our price like you see There's only one god that's our God There's no one like you. Healer, father, saviour Counsellor, friend, provider Was, is and forever That's why I just wanna be where you are I'll travel life with you no matter how far [x2] ... Became just like me To unlock and set free This prisoner that was deeply wounded and redeemed The me I could not see Everybody wanna be like you they Want power and praise like you but See there is no god like our God There's no one like You Who gave their life You and Who paid our price like you see There's only one god that's our God There's no one like you. There's no one like you, there's no one like you, there's no god like our God There's no one like you. [8x]



06/03/2020

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight

Last Sunday on the 1st March 2020, 
we enjoyed hearing a series of mini-talks on Hebrews 4:12-16

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Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Talk on Hebrews 4:12 by Roy Carter



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Talk on Hebrews 4:13 by Caroline Carter 


Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have such a great high priest
 who has passed through the heavens, 
Jesus the Son of God, 
let us hold firmly to what we profess. 
Talk on Hebrews 4:14 by Catherine Chambers


Hebrews 4:15 
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Talk on Hebrews 4:15 by Derek Chittick


Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Talk on Hebrews 4:16 by Steven Abram


01/03/2020

Fellowship treat!


Method for chocolate brownie hearts!



  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / gas mark 6. 
  2. Put the butter and the dark chocolate into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water and let everything melt together gently. Remove from the heat and leave it to cool a little.
  3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk the eggs and both sugars together until thick.
  4. Next, add the chocolate mixture to the beaten eggs mixture and fold together. Be gentle so the mixture stays airy.
  5. Add the flour and baking powder and fold once more.
  6. Pour into the prepared tin. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. You want it to stay quite soft and moist in the middle, so they should be springy to the touch and set on top, but if you insert a skewer into the centre, it should come out sticky.
  7. Take out of the oven and cool for a few minutes in the tin before turning out and cutting into hearts with a heart-shaped cutter. This is best done while the brownies are still warm.
Ingredients

175g salted butter
175g good dark chocolate (at least 70%)
2 eggs
85g caster sugar
65g demerara sugar
100g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder


Put the kettle on and enjoy after the service !!