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Harvest Season

25/9/2016

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Harvest Thanksgiving is one of those times in the year when people take the opportunity to visit other Churches.  For some it is because of friendship connections, for others it may be the once in a year chance to return to a childhood church.  One of the privileges of being in ministry is that invitations are often extended to preach in other churches at Harvest Thanksgiving Services.  This year I have the honour of being asked to preach in two other Churches during the Harvest Season.  No matter which Church I go to at Harvest, I am always struck by the smells of creation and beauty of the displays.  Each one is uniquely crafted and individually styled.
    In Psalm 139 verse 14 we read “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Like the many floral displays we see in the Churches, each of us are wonderfully made by God.  He sees us for who we are and sees the potential in each of us and like the Psalmist we should also ‘Praise God’.  No matter where we are and no matter what we look at we can see the wonderful things that God has created and know that they come directly from Him.
    Do you remember the old black and white T.V.’s?  When I was a child I remember asking my Grandmother was everything black and white when she was growing up.  In Lamentations chapter 3 verse 25 we read “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”  God could have created a black and white world with no scents, no sounds, no tastes and where everything looks the same, but He didn’t.  Out of God’s goodness and grace He created a world full of incredible beauty and variety.  
    God’s generosity is also made known to us in His kindness and unfailing love.  As each of us are wonderfully made by God, He has made a way by which we can be made perfect in His sight.  Jesus dying on the cross in our place means that our sins can be removed from us ‘as far as the east is from the west…’ (Psalm 103:12).  Allowing God’s love to transform us means that we will be ready when God moves across the world in the final Harvest.
Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home. (Hymn 37)
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Do not be afraid

3/9/2016

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Some time ago I read a poem in Church at the end of a sermon entitled ‘Do not be afraid’.  Since then a number of people have asked me for a copy of it, so I thought this month I would print it in the magazine.
Do not be afraid
for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.
When you walk through the waters,I’ll be with you;
you will never sink below the waves.
When the fire is burning all around you,
you will never be consumed by the flames.
When the fear of loneliness is looming,
then remember I am at your side.
When you dwell in the exile of the stranger,
remember you are precious in my eyes.
You are mine, O my child;
I am your Father,
​And I love you with a perfect love.

Just before my Ordination 7 years ago, my Mum gave me this poem, and whenever I have a ‘wobbly’ moment I remind myself of these words.  I am not sure who the Author is, but for me, the last three lines of this poem are the most poignant.  Every one of us needs to be continually reminded of the Father’s perfect and all sufficient love.  When we doubt, when we fear, even when we are standing in the middle of a crowded room and still feel lonely, it is good to remind ourselves that we are God’s children and that He is our Father.
    In 2nd Corinthians chapter 12 we read about the Apostle Paul wrestling with something life was throwing at him.  We don’t know what that was, but it is troubling him enough for him to call it a ‘thorn in the flesh’.  However, amongst it all Paul comes to a realisation “…"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me” (verse 9).
    Paul realizes that no matter what he is going through in life, everything that he needs to sustain him comes directly from the Lord.  Each of us need to strive to have faith like this, we need to daily trust in the saving power of the Lord Jesus and live as Children of God.

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