This short poem by Alasdair Livingstone (Christina Vaughan’s Dad) is not a cuddly-baby Christmas poem. It is raw, real and not at all sentimental.
It is an attempt to catch the reality of the scene on the day of Jesus’ birth. Written in free-verse, requiring rhythm but no fixed metre or rhyme. Enjoy and contemplate.
The Prince
Sunday evening’s sermon ‘A Child’ (Isaiah 9:1-7) by Simon Marshman is now available: http://bit.ly/1JcGrc9
Sunday evening’s sermon ‘A Sign’ (Isaiah 7) by Ken Noakes is now available: http://bit.ly/1lNRpj0
You can also view the map of the Assyrian Empire: http://bit.ly/1U1wZP6
‘Don’t play politics rather than trust in the Lord.’ – Ken Noakes
What part do we play in faith? How does that relate to the promises of God? All through the Bible it seems a person has a great deal to do – for example David didn’t wait for God to slay Goliath?
Living in faith means to live trusting in the one you have placed your faith. Christians live by faith in God through Jesus Christ as enabled by the Holy Spirit.
In that sense ‘faith’ is the basic requirement of the person of God. It is not that faith saves (Jesus does that), but that faith is the way the saved person lives.
What does that have to do with the promises of God?
Two good questions here. First one, ‘How do we decide God will keep his promise?’ – simple answer is that we don’t!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Now seriously, what good is that? Everyone knows that turkey goes much better than partridge for Christmas dinner!
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 Turtle Doves…
Now come on, if a Partridge is no use, then there is no chance two turtle doves will make the grade!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 French Hens…
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere – at least you can eat chicken – shame it has to be French!
Sunday’s sermon ‘Glory’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1HJkA0X
‘Worship is summed up in three words: the Lord reigns.’ – David Smith
Your ‘testimony’ is the testimony of Christ and what he has done in your life. As such for your christian testimony to be worth anything, it should be a testimony to Jesus using you as the example!
The Apostle Peter helpfully challenges Christians to be ready to speak about Jesus when he says:
‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ – 1 Peter 3:15
So some tips for writing your testimony…
Sunday’s sermon ‘Mission’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1XdlVUs
‘God is doing a work and he has a work to do in you.’ – David Smith
It is invitation time!
Christmas is coming, now the question is: who is coming to Christmas?!
For some of us the idea of inviting someone to celebrate Christmas with you is a no brainer. It is what friends do. If Christmas is important then it is important to have friends of all walks of life celebrating with you!
For some, this doesn’t feel so easy!
Here is a challenge – try to invite just five people to something for Christmas. (some would say, ‘just five’ – fine you invite more).
Inviting takes many forms and giving this some thought may actually present a myriad of possible ways to invite someone – and hopefully one of them at least would be manageable for you!
Want some tips….
churchcentralonline.com 