Embedded Files
Rev. Andy Heber
April
April
Reflections from the Glebe House
“Nothing can ever separate me
from God's love and that's amazing!”
I heard a story once about a family of four who were driving along in their car one summer’s day when a huge bumble bee got in through the window. That would be pretty scary for most of us, but it was more so for this family as the little daughter was highly allergic to bee stings. If she was stung, she could be dead within an hour!
Realising the gravity of the situation, and with the little girl screaming hysterically, the father stopped the car, and when the bee bumped against the front window he cupped it in his hands. Holding it in his clenched fist, he waited for the inevitable sting before releasing the bee. As the bee buzzed around the car, the girl screamed in terror again until her father showed her the black sting embedded in his hand. His actions had rendered the bee harmless.
As we celebrate Easter Sunday and the joy of the Resurrection this month, it’s wonderful to know that Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross for us has drawn the sting of both sin and death. Because of his death we can know forgiveness from both our sin and the crippling guilt that goes with it; set free to know that God accepts and loves us because our sin has been dealt with. However, there’s more! Through his death and subsequent resurrection, Jesus has also conquered death and opened the way into heaven for us and all who believe and trust in him. As Paul puts it so well in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Knowing that our future place in heaven is guaranteed is possible for us all through faith and trust in Christ, and takes away so much worry, allowing us to live abundantly during our time on this earth.
And the outworking of this is again explained so well by Paul in Romans 8:31-39 when he makes the point that nothing can separate us from the love of God because God shows through his death on the cross for us that he is for us. Once we have committed our lives to Christ he promises never to leave us, and that can be a huge comfort as we all let him down far too often and also face the pressures of all that life throws at us. We may move, but God never does!
On Easter Sunday we will celebrate the best news this world has ever known. Make some time if you can over this month to ponder the wonder of his love and what he has done for you, and as one of God’s resurrection people rejoice and live within the wonderful and liberating reality of the cross and resurrection, knowing that Christ has claimed you for his own and that you are deeply loved. Happy Easter!
Andy
March
March
Dear Parishioners,
Get ready with your lemon juice for pancake Tuesday is only a few days away - March 4th. Yes, you will have had the nod from the supermarkets with the Easter Eggs on the shelves, in some cases even before Christmas! It’s astounding isn’t it?
Can it really be that time already, we have hardly had time to draw breath! TIME - a most precious and puzzling commodity. Most often there is not enough of it in a day; other times it is wasted, sitting in one spot, gazing at a square box in the corner! You can’t buy it, but you only have to be on the roads, in a traffic jam or a supermarket queue, to realise just how much people value it. The car right on your bumper that risks life and limb to pass on a narrow road. We have all experienced that. I have to admit to feeling smug when you draw up behind them at the next set of traffic lights. Why, you wonder, what was the hurry? If you know me, you will know that I am not a great respecter of this valuable commodity. My name in deaf sign language is - late. I have given Andy a few near heart attacks leaving things to the last minute. But REALLY I have never missed a service through lateness - honestly! Admittedly I am usually the last to arrive at a meeting. In fact I was really surprised when arriving fifteen minutes early (on ONE occasion!) to see the car park full already. I thought I had got the time wrong but no – people actually turn up before the allotted time!
So where is all this going? What is the relationship between time and our spiritual life? Do we see spending time with God - our Abba - a priority? Or would it be the last thing on our list? A few minutes at bedtime? As always, let’s look to our teacher - Jesus. Throughout His life Jesus prayed regularly, both by going into solitude and offering up prayers on the spot. We see that in crisis situations, for example the temptations in the desert and at the other end of His life and ministry, the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus constantly addresses His Father, both directly and by referencing. He had the immediate resource of His Father’s word at His fingertips. He had a close relationship with His Father - regardless of the emotions and the circumstances He encountered.
It’s true that well disciplined Bible study and prayer is a hard thing to do, but what better time to address this than in Lent. In reality, no activity is even necessary, just “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Move to a new level of trust in Him - it will be a life changer! God issues a challenge to us to get to know Him better, and we have such a blessing when we do this - remember His promise - “come onto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Don’t make your Bible study, your prayer life, your relationship with God your Father, just another thing to do. Make it your treat of the day and not a chore. The danger for us as churchgoing Christians is that we spend so much time “doing” for God - that we don’t leave enough time - just being with Him.
Our Lent course this year takes us deeper into our relationship with the Father as we explore His mercy, and helps us discover the simple truth that God loves us passionately, deeply and unconditionally. Knowing that, really knowing it, again it’s a life changer. But can we say the same about Him - do we love Him passionately, deeply, unconditionally? By spending time with God we are recognising that we not only need, but we desire, His presence constantly, not just His help! And when we draw from Him comfort, strength and wisdom, it helps us help others. Time spent with Him is not time wasted for we come away forgiven, restored, renewed.
Time is a precious commodity - so precious you can’t buy it! Don’t waste it. Time spent with Him is never wasted. Jesus’ whole life was time spent with the Father. When the enemy tempts you to pull away - and we are tempted day and daily - use the words of Jesus - look the enemy in the face and say “don’t you know I have to be about my Father’s business”.
Wishing you all a blessed and special Lenten time,
God bless,
Carol
Rev. Carol Harvey
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse