Verity Christian Fellowship

Mathew 4:2

For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry

To my understanding there seems to be a lot of confusion about lent and the virtues of giving something up for Lent. Lent is not mentioned in the bible. It was something that was instituted by the early church.
New converts were to be baptised at Easter, to mark their entry in to eternal life as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death. In order to prepare themselves they were to undertake a fast for forty days as Jesus fasted in the desert.

The point of fasting is not to make a sacrifice but a way of getting spiritually closer to God. During the period of the fast, time seems to stretch out and allow God in. It is this purpose of getting close to God that seems to have been forgotten in Lent and instead it seems to have become a sacrificial offering as we ‘give up’ something for God.

God says he does not want our sacrifices but our hearts. He wants a relationship with us not just obedience.

So this Lent, and it’s not too late to start, take some time out and reflect on God. Don’t just give up chocolate, but take some time to get close to the maker of the universe. Connect with the real purpose of Easter and that celebration on Easter Sunday will be all the sweeter.

Just to confirm this Sundays notices:

1. The panto meeting will be on Friday at 7.30 at Alana & Ians.

2. Our next community action day will be Saturday 28th March when we shall be holding a litter pick. All are welcome so bring some friends along to help. Meet at the community centre at 1pm for instruction. Finish about 4pm with tea & coffee.

I was sent this link by a friend. When you have a few minutes it is worth exploring.

Unlock the door with the key (drag the key to the lock).

When you enter the Garden, click on the little lighting bug and follow instructions.

Keep clicking as you go to make changes and experience everything. Click on each of the stones, on the fountain, the cross, the sticks, each of the scrolls. To start follow the firefly and click on it. After you are through with each page, click on the firefly to go to next page.

Enjoy

www.prayerforthenations.com/prayergarden/flash.htm

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it

Sometimes the world gets on top of us and we forget what is really important. The results of this can have a long lasting negative impact especially when it comes to forging relationships with our children. They are easy to push aside in the hustle of everyday life and the damage is easily done. However the damage is also easily repaired if we take the time to mend it. So for those fortunate enough to be blessed with kids the following is for you.

To My Child

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won’t worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won’t stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald’s and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children’s graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can’t handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day….

For thos who missed them and for those who just want a reminder, here are the notices given on Sunday.

1. Just a reminder that The Riding Lights Theatre Company are performing at St. Lukes on Friday 13th March. Should be a great evening and thoroughly recomended.

2. In the current economic climate, Blytheswood are having trouble sourceing clothes to send to Eastern Europe and have asked if we would help with a collection. So here is that chance you wanted to clear out your wardrobes for the new spring collection.

3. Church Council meeting will be on 12/03/09. 7pm at Ian & Alana’s

4. The first planning meeting for the panto will be on 20th March. 7.30pm at Ian & Alana’s

5. Following his statement at the AGM, Michael is to be supported in the ‘giving’ ministry by Alan and Pat. We pray for discernment and wisdom to be added to their generous hearts in the important work.

Psalm 139:1

‘O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me’

Have you ever had the feeling that God is laughing at you? I don’t mean in a nasty way but as a parent laughs when a child does something silly that they find amusing. Last night I definitely had the sense of having tickled God.

When I wrote the piece ‘pebble in your shoe’ I had no particular reason in mind other than to put something on the site. I had promised to keep it up to date. In fact I was wondering why the spirit had led me to write that piece in the first place.

However last night I got the e-mail from a friend in Canada about the silver smith. The common theme to both was about living with problems and how these can make us stronger. Sometimes coincidences have a purpose and I prayed and asked God if he was trying to show me something.

That was when I heard the laughter. You see the night before I had had a very sleepless night worrying about a problem we have. We moved to a new house early last year. We have had our first water bill which was enormous. We have discovered we have a water leak in the pipe to the house. This will cost over a thousand pounds to repair as well as all the disruption.

Our finances have never been in fantastic shape and since Christmas we have been making a concerted effort to get on an even keel. However every time we seem to save some, an unexpected event happens and we are pushed under water again. It had become so bad I was beginning to believe there was a curse on our finances. I prayed earnestly about it, hence the sleepless night.

So last night, when he had stopped laughing, God suggested I read my own words. I then counted my blessings –

1. My wife. Definitely my better half
2. My Family. I have a new grandson expected in a few weeks
3. Job. Glad to have one in the current climate
4. Running water. Perhaps blessed a little too much in this area
5. Somewhere to live. We do love our new house and thank God for finding it for us
6. Church. In this case for all our friends and support we get from them.
7. Health. We constantly pray for people who are suffering. Thank God we are both well.
8. Food. Some of the people we support in Africa don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We are not hungry and are well fed.
9. Faith. I praise God and am so grateful that he is in my life

The list was easy and put this tiny set back into perspective. I felt God is in charge and that as far as this problem is concerned ‘This too shall pass’

So an encouragement to anyone else out there who is struggling with a problem at the moment. God knows all about it and will see you through. Learn to laugh with him because he cares for you.