February March 2008

The Road Ahead

I remember as a child walking along country lanes and wondering what was round the next corner or going on holiday getting excited looking for my first view of the sea. I think one the reasons I still love to holiday in Cornwall is that you never know when you will come to another lovely little cove. However, it can be rather different these days as GPS navigation systems show us the route ahead and a friendly onboard computer voice tells us when to take a turning and warns of hazards ahead. Very comforting but it takes away a little of the anticipation.

Perhaps you have often wondered what's ahead of you - not the road ahead - but rather your future, the road you are travelling in life. The thing is, it's a bit different in life, we often want to see the way ahead but it's not possible. Instead we just have to walk the road and in some way try to cope with all that life throws at us. Don and I have been walking a difficult road over the last six months not knowing quite what the future will be but we have relied on the guidance of God who has not only been our GPS but also our strength and peace.

At Christ Church we have also been looking at the way forward: to be a welcoming family church; to reach out to those in need; to help foster Community Spirit and tell others of the love of God. During the last year we have been developing ways to do this by hosting family events and services, providing teaching every week for our children, setting up a pastoral care group, organising our Community Christmas Tree Festival and inviting people to think about what faith means in today's world. We have also been discussing how we can develop our two old buildings both in need of refurbishment. After having an offer for the Church Hall and months of discussions with Church authorities we have eventually decided to sell the Hall and use the money to improve the facilities at the Church site to replace those lost by the Hall. So the road ahead for the Church is both exciting and full of anticipation but we feel that in the future we will have a building which is warm and inviting with facilities for a variety of events. As we journey along this road we will look to the experts but also to the guidance of God for support and to show us the way. We do hope you to will be able to give us your support as we take this step into a new future for Christ Church.

In the meantime we look forward to walking the journey towards Easter starting with our Pancake Party and then our Lent course. Lent is a time of reflection as we remember that lonely walk that Jesus made towards the cross. He suffered all that just for us - that we might be forgiven and by his resurrection receive the gift of eternal life. Do join us to explore the wonderful mystery of Christ's passion.

I pray for each one of you as you travel the road into the future that you might know New Life in Jesus and guidance and strength from God.

Every Blessing

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Be strong and Courageous . .

Did you manage to get a ride on the Nottingham Eye? Don and I went into town on the tram and it happened to be the first day that the Eye was open. As soon as I saw it I knew that Don would want a ride and I was already feeling a little scared inside,

Lots of people were queuing and Don was keen to join them. It looked so high and the gondolas so small. Apparently it had taken a week to erect - I looked around: it did seem quite solid. I took a deep breath and said, "Ok". I must say there was sense of excitement in the queue - people of all ages wanting to view the city. Eventually our turn came and we started to move towards the top - I was holding on to Don's arm even though I couldn't have possibly fallen out.

It was a beautiful clear day: the views were fantastic right over the city. The whole experience was very exhilarating and I am so glad that I beat the fear. I enjoyed it so much that I went on again when our son came to visit! Just think I might have missed the whole experience if I had given in to my natural caution.

In life we often have to do things that make us fearful, like having an injection or going to the dentist even though we know it's good for us.

Maybe there are other times when we are apprehensive and it stops us experiencing new things.

In the Bible we read about Joshua who was also feeling apprehensive. At the time Moses had just died and Joshua was charged with leading the people of Israel into the promised land. He was thinking "This job is too big for me" But God said to Joshua "Be strong and courageous . . . . for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ( Joshua 1) . By trusting God for help and strength Joshua led the people out of the wilderness into Canaan.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy many centuries later also said "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." ( 1 Timothy 2:7). I have had to remind myself of this verse many times when I have been tempted to duck out of something that was rather daunting.

It reminds us that God will be with us in every situation, he will help us conquer our fears if we put our trust in Him.

So . . . . Be Strong and Courageous!

Every Blessing

Joan

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