Verity Christian Fellowship

I was giving my son a lift home from work and we were listening to a church service on the radio. They read out the Lord’s Prayer using the modern form. In our church we mainly use the more traditional form with thee, thine and trespasses.

He asked why they kept changing it. I replied that it was just to keep the words up to date so that it would be relevant to everyone and they would understand it. That the meaning behind the words had not changed. But, he said, had not someone added something to it as it was not the form quoted in the bible. This is true, I believe it was Henry VIII who added the bit about ‘for yours is the kingdom, power and the glory etc.

My son was surprised at this. Henry is not known for his faith. He is actually remembered for his disput with the church of the time. I answered that in fact he was a very devout man and like most people at the time had a very strong faith which we would be amazed at if he were alive today.

This made me think – his faith may have been strong, but it is his actions we remember him for. We like to think that we have a strong faith – but it is our actions we shall be remebered for. Do our actions bear witness to our faith? What will be your legacy?

As some of you know I have recently started helping out at something called The Butterfly Club. This is like a youth club for people of all ages with learning difficulties and disabilities. I have found this to be very easy and rewarding and when I look at the people attending I see a very happy bunch of people who despite their problems, just want to enjoy life.

Some people however seem to have trouble with this group and after helping once or twice say ‘I can’t cope with them’ and stop helping. The truth is it is themselves and the fear within them they cant cope with and that fear stops them being able to communicate on a one to one level

I can understand this fear. I have experienced it myself. At work I sometimes have to attend corporte functions and dinners aimed at making new marketing contacts. I find this very difficult and I don’t know what to talk about and how to start conversations with new people. I feel out of my depth and the fear rising in me.

This is a time when I have to ask WWJD. Jesus had the ability to talk to all kinds of people, the poor and disabled, the disinherited, those just making a living, as well as the rich and powerful. He spoke to all on an equal footing because of his confidence in who he is. He spoke with love to all, whatever their position.

That is perhaps what I have to remember. Rather than being afraid that peope will see through me I need to remember that I have God as a father and Jesus as a brother and learn to speak with love. Then perhaps I can learn to cope in those difficult situations.

This week’s talk was about the effects of anger in our lives. This is something that has affected me personally as I have noticed recently that I have become less tolerant of others and have been losing my temper more often. This is something I have been aware of for several months and have not been happy about but seemed powerless to do anything about it. However God finally seemed to have had enough of my behaviour and brought it to my attention last week.

The specific points he drew me to are that getting angry can open a door to let the enemy into your life and that anger is not listed as one of the fruits of the spirit. The Bible acknowledges that we will get angry but says ‘don’t let the sun go down with you still angry’. We may experience a temporary rage but we must learn to control it and to quickly forgive. Remember that in the long run getting angry never solves anything and usually just ends up making things worse. Remember to make your words sweet and light as you never know when you may have to eat them.

Putting this into practice may not be easy and will take practice but if we could all do it then it could solve a lot of problems in the world.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

This is to confirm that the AGM will be held on Sunday 1st February.

After the service the men shall prepare lunch which shall be followed by the AGM meeting.

This will be your chance to discuss all proposals for the church for the next year.

The agenda will be:

1. Review of 2008
2. Appointment of leadership
3. Proposals for 2009
4. Diary for 2009
5. AOB

Remember this is your chance to comment about how we operate as a church so if you miss it, don’t complain!