A message from our Minister

December 2009

As a child one of the thrilling moments at Christmas was, not knowing exactly what would be awaiting me when I woke in the early hours of Christmas morning. Every year until my teens my eyes would light-up and my face would have a grin like a Cheshire cat at the surprise of presents that would take my breath away. How did my mother do it? She managed to surprise me every year.

Where has the element of surprise gone in life? Is it that people do not appreciate surprises? Is it easier to ensure people get what they want, avoiding disappointment?

How do you select presents for your friends and family?

I prefer to seek out what I believe would be an ideal gift and present it without giving away what it is. Firstly there is nothing better than seeing a truly pleasantly surprised face light-up. It does require forward thinking and planning, but it is worth it. Secondly it causes us to discover more about the person as well as show how much you have thought about them.

When people meet Jesus for the first time their eyes light-up, their face produce an authentic smile and they are taken by a pleasant surprise as they receive the gift of eternal life.

Allow Jesus to be present this Christmas

November 2009

History is full of incredible people many of whom have contributed in making a difference, whether minor or major, resulting often in social change or political reform, changing the lives of millions of people in the present time and future. We do not have to think to hard to consider people like Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, to remind ourselves.

The bible offers us many character’s of ordinary people just like those I have mentioned, who without knowing it at the time became incredible people bringing great changes of benefit to so many other people of their time and for time to come. One of those characters in the bible was a boy, who became a man called David, who became a great King. When David was faced against the odds taking on a giant called Goliath, he did not look at the odds against him but trusted in the Lord God almighty who would be with him as he went against the odds.

When people with honour, security and obedience in God go against all odds to address issues of injustice and poverty, whether social or political, God will go with them and enable them to make a positive difference in society, today and for the future.