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James's blog

Inclusion

28/2/2018

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Sorry everyone ... due to the snow Nick's visit has been cancelled. We will rearrange for a later date.

​Tomorrow  we are privileged to welcome Nick Bundock to our church meeting. He has a vital story to tell and I am delighted that he is coming.
​We are going to think about sexuality and inclusion. It's not about the rights and wrongs of same sex-marriage or same-sex activity. It's about our desire to create a place where people can safely be themselves, no matter who they are or what they do.
​I often preach about love. I do this because Jesus stressed its importance. His apostles agreed, claiming  that whoever loves has obeyed that whole law and that God is love. Our faith is not about obeying a set of rules; it is about expressing the love of God.
​You are invited to share in this discussion. 


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Gentleness and respect

22/2/2018

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This week I want you to practice being gentle. Try to treat people as Jesus would treat them. Try to tame any desire you have to hurt someone. Try to control your anger. Be nice to people.
​But before you try it get this: Jesus won. He was gentle and meek. He was crucified. He forgave the people who killed him. He trusted his life to God. And he won. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
​So let's practice gentleness in church. Let's practice it when we meet those who treat us badly. Let's make those who do not like us ashamed of their behaviour; not to hurt them but so they may be won over for Christ.
​Take a moment to think before you send that email. Stop talking if you feel you are get angry. Count to ten before you speak. 
​On Sunday we will be looking at the second half of 1 Peter 3 which teaches us about gentleness and respect. Let's learn together.



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You are what you are at home

16/2/2018

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It's time to get practical. Our Bible reading this Sunday is about our behaviour at home, at work and in our dealings with those in authority.
​The remit is simple: we are to live such good lives that we win people over, not by mithering people into faith but by the sheer quality of our lives. Wives are to win over their husbands by the sheer quality of their lives. Husbands are to treat their wives as equal partners. Workers are to do their work well and behave well when they are treated badly. We are to respect those who have authority over us for the Lord's sake. 
​This is a huge challenge but we can do it.  
​Peter highlights some amazing truths as he urges us to do these things ... that a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in God's sight ... that we are all equal partners with God ... that Jesus is the shepherd and overseer of our souls ... that we can entrust ourselves to God ...  that while we are to respect all people we need only fear God. The more we grasp these truths the more Christlike we will be.
​Church helps us to concentrate on the wonderful truths of the gospel so we can go out and live good lives.  Let's gather expectantly this weekend.
​


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A chosen people

9/2/2018

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There are big dangers in thinking  that we are 'special.' It can make us feel arrogant or superior.
​So here's my advice: when the Bible says, as it does, that the church is special take it as a challenge. As the apostle Peter put it, a challenge to live such good lives that people around us will have to give glory to God. 
​We are not special because we are better than other people. There are many who are better than us. We are special because we have got to know God through Jesus and he is teaching us how to love God and love our neighbour. The church is here to be a growth centre for that sort of love.
​We are here to show we are special by the things we do. We can do this because we are a temple of the living God. More about this on Sunday.


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