All posts by Matt

Old Friends

Old friends; not ‘old’ but known each other for a long time. Now reflected in the west end show The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

“Old friends, old friends
Sat on the park bench like bookends
Old friends, the winter companions
The old friends
Old friends
Memory brushes the same years.”

We can identify with the image of good friends being like the support of two bookends. Father God knows how we need support in our loves, and he gives us family, relatives, and friends. God knows we need even more support to our spirit. Not just two supports like bookends, but three. God as brother, Jesus as our brother, and the Holy Spirit as our support and comforter. A tripod of support to our frail frames. A three legged stool of support and rest.

It’s important to know all three in mature balance.
To walk with all three in life yet they are as one.

One old friend, with you as the other ‘bookend’ to one day sit on that park bench with the heavenly views. In life you can write your own Bible bookend. Have you started yet?

Old Friends is copyright Paul Simon 1967/68.

Squeeze Invitation

Squeeze monthly posterWhy not invite a friend and come along to Squeeze on Sunday the 2nd of February at Herstmonceux Village Hall? Drop in at any time between ten in the morning and midday, you can tuck into a buffet breakfast, read the Sunday papers, do some crafts or just have a chat. All are welcome.

 

Baptisms

 

margaret-baptism
Margaret receiving prayer after being baptised.

We had the joy of opening the baptistry and welcoming two Christians into believer’s baptism by full immersion on Sunday the 12th of January. A great start to the New Year! Margaret and Bel both said a few words about how their journeys with Jesus had led them to this point. After the baptisms there was an opportunity for anyone in the Church to come forward to receive prayer, which many accepted.

bel-baptism
Bel coming up out of the water after baptism

Ford Every Stream

It seemed so simple at the time; just drive to the neighbouring town for a New Year’s Day family meal. But it had rained, and that rain was followed by more rain. Then more rain was added in brutal, unrelenting deluges. The streams turned to wide lakes across the fields and the roads we drove on. The depths and valleys filled and filled and the waters rose; stretches at first to 300mm deep, then to 600 mm, then deepening to 900mm. The car, in low gear, ploughed up to its axles, and becoming more and more laboured to stalling point, cut through the flood. To add to the problems, the spray and backwash blocked the driver’s view, blinding them.

But the paved and straight course to the drier road overcame, and isn’t life also like that? The problems mount and we seem to get in deep water. We can stop and sink, stranded and marooned by our circumstances.

As Christians we cannot ford every stream in our own strength, but the power of the Holy Spirit will take us through. When we are blinded, he will be clear sighted. When we sink, he rescues. As troubles come, he comforts. How? Often through others. Others in deed and word. Others sharing everything they had. Sharing their problems. Fording the streams together. It worked in the Book of Acts in the Bible. It will work for you now!

PS, one last thing to share: a happy New Year to you all.