stjamesroad's posterous http://stjamesroad.posterous.com Most recent posts at stjamesroad's posterous posterous.com Fri, 25 May 2012 07:14:47 -0700 Firgrove Centre - Called to Care Course http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/firgrove-centre-called-to-care-course http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/firgrove-centre-called-to-care-course
The Firgrove Called To Care Course 2012.pdf Download this file

Nigel Bailey
nigelbailey@me.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Fri, 25 May 2012 05:46:41 -0700 Prayer - scary stuff? http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/prayer-scary-stuff http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/prayer-scary-stuff
This morning I am invited to reflect on passage from Ephesians 3:14-21  and Romans 12:1-2. The study unit that we are currently exploring considers the nature of our “being" - our characters, attitudes, motives and values. We consider how our "being" affects our “doing", and how our “doing" affects our "being".   Who we are and what we do are inevitably connected and one may change the other.

For example, seeing a change in someone's life as a result of an act of kindness or generosity may lead us to reconsider our own attitudes and motivations.  If we experience kindness, we may be more likely to be kind ourselves.  If this has a beneficial effect, then the act of being kind will reinforce that aspect of our character, and we are likely to be more inclined to repeat that form of kindness.

There is an element of this "beneficial circle of growth" in our faith too; in the nature of our relationship with God.  If our devotional life is non-exisent then our relationship with God is unlikely to flourish.  But, if we stop to pray, to open ourselves to God, we have the beginnings of a relationship.  The more time we spend in prayer, the more likely we are to be able to discern what God's will for us may be.  The more in tune with God's purpose for us we are, the more likely we are to develop that relationship; and the more we develop it, the more time we are likely to spend in prayer.

In Romans 12: 1-2 Paul invites us to "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will". 

And, in Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul prays the WE may be "strengthened in power through His Spirit in our inner being".

These are not just empty words - they cut to the heart of the transforming power of a relationship with God. It is a relationship that needs time to grow and to develop; time to mature; time for us to understand that it really can change our "being"; and that through changing our "being" it will also change our "doing". And through change comes growth.

Our personal growth as followers of Christ is inextricably linked with our growth as a church.  If we are in close relationship with God, then we are more likely to be able to discern His will for us. We are more likely to experience the renewing power of His Spirit; to be strengthened in our discipleship; to mature into more Christ-like people; to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The real question is - "Do we want to be transformed?"

This is as much a question for us as a church as it is for us as individuals. Are we ready to be strengthened and transformed?  Are we ready to be changed? Are we ready to be in relationship with God? Are we ready to fall on our knees and learn to listen, or are we just too afraid of what we may hear? 

Is earnest prayer just a little too dangerous? Will it bring us uncomfortably face-to-face with the nature of our "being"?  Would we rather just keep "doing" church than "being" church?

Your decision!  It's scary stuff this prayer thing!  It may change your life.

Nigel Bailey

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Wed, 23 May 2012 08:19:08 -0700 Pictures of God http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/pictures-of-god http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/pictures-of-god On Saturday a small group, studying Unit 6 of the Faith & Worship local preachers course, went down to Green Pastures in Poole.  We had a great time, enjoying serious talk and a few laughs too.  

This unit is titled "Picturing God".  Inevitably, we had some conversations about whether we think of God as male or female; do we have a physical image of Him; what images do we conjure up in our minds when we use that word - "God"?

It seems to me that any attempt to think of a physical image of God (other than as Jesus) is ultimately flawed and limited by the scale on which we live.  What are we, compared to all of creation?

Trying to picture God is like trying to "see" the wind - we can't see it, but we can see the effect that it has; it is inescapable; it is all around us; it transforms our world.

So, I put together a video as part of my assignment for this unit.  If you have the time, you can view it here - on YouTube. 

It last 7 minutes.  Close the curtains, find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and watch and listen. And think about the effect God has on our world, on your life...

Nigel

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Sun, 20 May 2012 05:49:26 -0700 SJR - Healthy Churches - 20th May - Outward Looking Focus http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/sjr-healthy-churches-20th-may-outward-looking http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/sjr-healthy-churches-20th-may-outward-looking Dear friends

Our 4th service in the Healthy Churches series is now available to listen to online - just click here...

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Tue, 15 May 2012 03:56:30 -0700 Healthy Churches - Mark 4 online http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/healthy-churches-mark-4-online http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/healthy-churches-mark-4-online Those of you following the Healthy Churches may like to know that the recording of the morning worship on Sunday 13th May is now available online at www.stjamesroad.co.uk - just go to the Healthy Churches page and follow your nose...

Nigel

Nigel Bailey
nigelbailey@me.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Mon, 14 May 2012 14:08:50 -0700 SJR Notices WC 130512 http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/sjr-notices-wc-130512 http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/sjr-notices-wc-130512
Sun May 13.pdf Download this file

Nigel Bailey
nigelbailey@me.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Sun, 06 May 2012 12:37:07 -0700 Healthy Churches - Mark 6 http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/healthy-churches-mark-6 http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/healthy-churches-mark-6 What a great day at SJR today! A wonderful morning service led by Rev David Hill, with a challenging message that you can catch on the Healthy Churches page of the main SJR web site at www.stjamesroad.co.uk

We also had a superb Messy Church exploring the theme of the story of Noah. We have a gallery of photos where you can even see the Ark that Keith Dutton constructed and that was finished and painted by own very own Messy kids!

So visit the main site, listen to the service at your leisure and enjoy sme great photos of a very memorable day.

Nigel Bailey
Sent from my iPad

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Tue, 01 May 2012 10:13:49 -0700 New cell group for SJR http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/new-cell-group-for-sjr http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/new-cell-group-for-sjr Wish us well and pray for us - tonight I will be meeting with two of our members at SJR to set up a new Cell Group. The plan is to establish a small group that can meet regularly to help nurture people who are relatively new in their faith journey. It's intended to be a "safe place" where there are no "silly questions"; we can have frank and honest discussions about what we believe in and what being a follower of Christ is all about.

If you know someone who might benefit from this, let them know about it, or let me know. More details to follow after tonight, when we will have decided on meeting times/days, what, where and how etc.

Nigel Bailey
nigelbailey@me.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Tue, 01 May 2012 10:06:53 -0700 Yay! After five months and 6 engineer's visits SJR has Broadband! http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/yay-after-five-months-and-6-engineers-visits http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/yay-after-five-months-and-6-engineers-visits I thought the day would never come, but, finally, after may months of frustration the world's least efficient telecoms company has finally managed to string a wire across St James Road and connect our church to the inter-web-thing!

What can I do to celebrate? Perhaps I should cancel the order - just for the fun of going through it all over again... (or maybe not)

Thanks BT

Nigel Bailey
nigelbailey@me.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Tue, 01 May 2012 03:31:09 -0700 Service Recording - Healthy Churches http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/service-recording-healthy-churches http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/service-recording-healthy-churches I'm pleased to be able to announce that the first of our "Healthy Church" service recordings is now available online at the following address:

http://www.stjamesroad.co.uk/HealthyChurches/HealthyChurches/Mark3.html

The whole of the service is available to listen to should you wish to hear it again, or for the first time if you couldn't make it to SJR on 29th April. If you know someone who might want to hear this, but who is unlikely to be a subscriber to this Blog, then please do let them know.

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:00:36 -0700 A Healthy Church http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/a-healthy-church http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/a-healthy-church This Sunday morning sees the first of our Healthy Churches services; the first in a series of seven. We begin the series with the third "Mark" of a Healthy Church, namely "...seeks to find out what God wants".

So, if you have been in two minds about whether to come to this service, can I urge you to do so? There can be nothing more important to a church than knowing what God's will is for His people: When asked, Jesus said that the most important commandment was to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul, and to love your neighbour as yourself. The greatest sign of our love for our Lord is to be obedient to His will for us, and to do that we must first understand what that will is - what it is that He wants us to do.

Steve Judd will be our preacher and our key Bible texts are:

1 John 3:16-24
Luke 10:38 - 11:13

You can find out a bit more about the Healthy Churches program on our website at www.stjamesroad.co.uk - the website will be kept up-to-date with information as we go through the seven Marks, and recordings of each service will also be available, just a mouse click away.

We look forward to sharing together as we explore what it means to be a Healthy Church.

Nigel Bailey
Sent from my iPad

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:08:14 -0700 The sad, bad world http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/the-sad-bad-world http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/the-sad-bad-world A client of mine kindly gave me a copy of "Focus" magazine today - it is a monthly science and technology periodical published by the BBC.  I was struck by the leading feature on the front cover, which was titled "Good to Be Bad" written by Luis Villazon.

The article is seven whole pages, written with only a slight hint of irony, trying to convince us that negative character traits are what will help us to succeed in this life; things like anger, lying, cheating, even "mild violence".  How sad that one of our "national institutions" would want to lend its name to such a distorted and frankly pathetic view of humanity.

It really comes down to what is seen as being a "success".  The analysis looks at how well people with different characters perform in areas like:

  • Career progression (blaming others makes us appear strong)
  • How much we earn (men are rewarded for their bad behaviour because it falls in line with with expectations of masculinity)
  • Financial negotiations (targeted, sporadic anger clinches the deal)
  • Finding "sexual partners" (Bad boys are.. better suited to get women to sleep with them)
  • Tendency to violence when drunk (Apparently people who are just a bit violent when not drunk are less likely to be really violent when they are drunk!)
  • Longevity (Heavy drinkers live longer than complete abstainers)

Obviously, we Christians live in a very upside-down world. Thank goodness that these are not the kind of performance issues that we will have to account for to our maker when eternity beckons!  I've had a pretty good look at the New Testament and I just can't see anywhere that suggests that being a successful human being has anything at all to do with our Corporate Ranking, bank balance, sexual proliferation; or even how long we managed to hang around to inflict ourselves on God's beautiful creation.

One day we will be called to give an account of ourselves; and the basis on which we are judged will be very different.  Patience, kindness, compassion, truthfulness, wisdom, generosity, love and a servant nature are far more likely to be on the list of desirable qualities.

For a full list of the gifts of the Spirit see Paul's letter to the Galatians - chapter 5, verses 22-23.

Given a choice between the world-view of Luis Villazon and St Paul, which would you choose?  That's a choice we must make as followers of Christ.

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:47:10 -0700 A great day at Netley http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/a-great-day-at-netley http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/a-great-day-at-netley Yesterday was a day of birthdays for me.  My mum's birthday, my brother's birthday, and the birth day for a new church at Netley.  This was a very special occasion - one of those times when you can absolutely sense the presence of God in the room; of His Holy Spirit touching the lives of those who had come to see and be a part of a whole new beginning. About 60 people celebrated joyfully, with God's word, prayer, with singing and with fellowship.  And it seemed right that it was pretty much in that order - that this new church should begin with the word of scripture; what could be more fitting?

We heard words from John 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well.  We heard of how the Samritan women was so moved by the words of Jesus that she left behind her water jar, ran to her home town and told everyone she knew about Jesus!  She must have been so excited; she certainly made an impact because the people came back with her to see Jesus.  And in the days that followed many people came to believe in Jesus as their saviour.  

And we heard from Paul's letter to the Christian community at Colosse in Colossians 4.  These were deeps words, filled with words of wisdom about sharing the Good News.

I am excited beyond words that God is moving in this place.  As I said at the meeting - God never left the building - He has been there all along, just waiting until the time was right; waiting for the workers to come and begin the work of gathering in the harvest.  I'm excited because I know that in the weeks, months and years to come, God will bless this place and that the people of this new church will touch new lives with the beauty of the Word of God.  I'm excited because people will be changed, families will be changed and the community will be enriched by His faithful people.

When Paul - this great evangelist and founder of churches - wrote to the people of Colosse, he asked them to pray for him too;  those who read his letter might have paused to wonder why Paul would need their prayers - surely it was the other way around?  But Paul reminds us that when we step out in faith to bring the word of God to new places, we are all part of a great work.  We are all part of a wider church, called to support one another in every way.

So let us pray for this new church in Netley - for all those who have stepped out in faith and in love to begin this new work here.  That God may open doors for His message, so that they may proclaim the mystery of Christ; that these people may be filled with the Living Water of Christ, overflowing with His Spirit and bursting to share the Good News, drinking deeply of the water that will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 

Nigel Bailey
Treasurer and Financial Administrator, Southampton Methodist Circuit

Netleyopening

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Sat, 14 Apr 2012 03:17:54 -0700 Netley re-opens http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/netley-re-opens http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/netley-re-opens
Netley Methodist Church sadly closed in July 2010.  But our Lord is moving in amazing ways in Netley!  Just as we were about to sell the building, God had other ideas.  In the space of just a few short weeks our Partnership with New Community Church and City Life has once again helped to bring life back to a much loved place of worship.

On Sunday 15th April our partners from New Community Church will begin a new Act of Worship at Netley every Sunday at 5.00 p.m.  This first meeting will be a quiet affair - a chance to welcome God's presence in this place, to pray about the future ministry there and for new fellowship to flourish.

It is intended that this will be a true partnership between the Southampton Methodist Circuit and the Pioneer group of churches in Southampton. A number of people from New Community Church have already committed themselves to making this there new spiritual home and to bless and grow a new community of Christ in this place.

The community will be led by pastor Mark Simpson of New Community Church.  Methodist involvement is still being worked out, but it is out great hope that we will be able to be a truly active part of this community as it grows and reaches out to the people of Netley.

A formal re-opening will take place over the summer months, but for now, we wish them every blessing as we join them in this new ministry. 

Nigel Bailey
Treasurer and Financial Administrator, Southampton Methodist Circuit

Netleychurch2012


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:08:32 -0700 The Invisible Easter http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/the-invisible-easter http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/the-invisible-easter
As it's Easter Sunday tomorrow, I thought I'd take a look at what films are on Freeview that have anything to do with Jesus, the Cross the birth of the church - anything vaguely connected with the Easter story.  I have to say that I was disappointed.  The only film I could find that indicated any kind of acknowledgement of what this day is about was Ben Hur - not that that isn't a great film; I love it.  I actually have the DVD in my collection.

But where were all the other possibles? Films like... 

Jesus Christ Superstar
The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of Christ
The Gospel of John
The Greatest Story ever told
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus
Resurrection
The Robe
Barabbas
King of Kings

...not to mention a whole load of animated movies aimed at kids.

Perhaps there are a whole load of films of pay-per-view or Sky Movies that I don't subscribe to, but it seems to me that on this most special Christian Festival of the year, we as Christians are being overrun by the Easter Bunny and the Easter Egg.

A number of us from SJR have just returned from Spring Harvest in Minehead.  This was a great week of fellowship and learning.  At one point, during a morning seminar, we were told the true story of a young mum taking her toddler to pre-school.  As they walked past a church, the young boy looked up at a Catholic cross and asked, "mummy, who is that up there?"  Unable to tell her son the answer, the mother got to her destination and asked the other 24 mums if any of them knew.

So how many could give an answer - was it twenty; perhaps fifteen?  Surely at least ten would know?  Apparently, only one of these 25 young mums were able to put a name to our Lord who hung on the cross; who died for them; who gave his life that they and we might "live".

Whether this story is entirely accurate doesn't really matter.  What it does illustrate though, is the growing lack of awareness of the reality of the life of Jesus Christ and the Good News that He came to bring.  And it shows now even in our TV schedules; even at this most important time of the Christian calendar.

So perhaps it is time for us to make an effort to become more "visible" - perhaps Cardinal Keith O'Brien's idea that we should wear a cross every day is actually something for us to think about. 

And maybe next Easter, we might run an Easter Movie series and invite members of our local community along, so that they can see what Easter really is all about.

Nigel Bailey


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:47:18 -0700 Don't mess with marriage: video and briefing http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/dont-mess-with-marriage-video-and-briefing http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/dont-mess-with-marriage-video-and-briefing
Some of you might like to check out this video about plans to "reform" marriage, from Steve Clifford of the Evangelical Alliance...

Here's how it is introduced on their website:

The government has announced plans to change the definition of marriage by extending it to same sex couples. A consultation is currently underway about these proposals, but it looks as though the government is intent to press ahead with their plans, regardless of public opinion. 

Watch this video which explains why we think it’s vital that the Church stands up for marriage at this time, and why marriage is so important to society. We’re calling on the Church to tell the government that marriage is not something we should mess with – it has served us well through history and it is part of God’s plan for creation.

Nigel Bailey

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:21:21 -0800 Southampton Methodist Churches - Healthy Churches meeting http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/southampton-methodist-churches-healthy-church http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/southampton-methodist-churches-healthy-church
Healthy Churches in Southampton

Saturday 3rd March at Trinity Church, Totton.

Full "Irish" Breakfast at 8.00 a.m.
Start at 9.30 a.m.
Finish by 1.00 p.m.

This Saturday morning leaders, Church Stewards, "interested people" and just about anybody who has a concern for the future of the Methodist Church in Southampton will be descending on Trinity Church in Totton for the start of our Healthy Churches program.

Should I be there?  If you are reading this, then the answer is probably "yes".  You don't have to be a "Church Officer" or hold any "official" position - the only criteria is that you want to discover what God has in store for you and your church.

If you haven't heard about it, and are reading about it here for the first time, then I hope it isn't too late for you to come.  The  meeting will be the first step in a process being coordinated by the Southampton Circuit which aims to bring new life and hope to the future of Methodism in our area over the coming years.

The past few years have seen too many of our local congregations dwindle and close their doors, and this is part of our effort to fight back. So, PLEASE, come and see what is going on and what God is doing in our Circuit.

Come and help us make a difference

Nigel

Nigel Bailey
Treasurer and Financial Administrator, Southampton Methodist Circuit

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:32:05 -0800 Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/why-have-you-brought-this-trouble-on-your-ser http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/why-have-you-brought-this-trouble-on-your-ser
Numbers 11: 14 - I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.

It's February (in case you hadn't noticed), and that means that, for me, life gets even more hectic than usual.  I won't bore you with the details, but take my word for it, "busy" doesn't cover it!

The temptation is to just plough on, head-down, bulldozing your way through everything; throwing more and more time into resolving difficult problems and just getting through the volume of things that need to be done.  It is a strategy that may work for a while, but sooner or later, you can lose sight of why you are doing it.  And when that happens, you become bitter, impatient, frustrated and stressed.

It is exactly when are lives are so full of this clutter that it is crucial to take time, throughout the day, to stop and listen to what God is saying.  And when it is really getting too much, to be honest in our prayers with God and to say so.

In the past few weeks there have been a good few such occasions - times when I have just stopped and said to God, "... a little HELP, p-l-e-a-s-e!".  Many of us, who are involved in church leadership, will be able to relate to this.  It isn't always to do with "time"; it may just be a difficult situation that we don't know how to handle; the same problem coming round and round again; ill-health; family troubles - you name it.

Whatever it may be, there are times when it is important to recognise that Christian service is often difficult, and that we are not left to struggle on our own.  Like Moses in the desert, besieged by complaints and workload, it is OK for us to cry out to God and ask for help.  

In Numbers 11:11, Moses asks God, "why have you brought this trouble on your servant?" Perhaps Moses needed to learn not to rely on his own strength to complete the task that was given to him; he needed to understand that it must always be on God that we depend; it must be in God that we trust; and when we come to Him in need, God will provide more than just "a little help". 

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:46:20 -0800 Hearts awakening http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/hearts-awakening http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/hearts-awakening "Relentless" is the only way that I can describe how my life and the level of commitments has been over the past year (and more).  But today, (Sunday 22nd Jan 2012) I knew that I had a rare opportunity to simply go to worship and not be expected to lead, or be responsible for anything, in any way.  I felt that I could only do this by physically removing myself from my normal church and going elsewhere.

But where to go?  I had one idea, Kate had another.  I prayed about it, and we did what Kate said!  We went to City Life Church in Swaythling.  And, "thank you, God", that we did.  I went with low expectations, and even a sense of guilt about not being at SJR.  But, from the moment I walked through the door, it was evident that I was there to hear from God.  That he was in every conversation, in every prayer, in every song and He was restoring and refreshing me spiritually.

Just last week I had preached about Saul's conversion and about Ananias, who was sent by Jesus to speak to him as he lay blind in a room in Damascus.  We sang a song that spoke about the passion of Jesus' love for us - 

His love is fierce
HIs love is strong
His love is furious 

And I thought of Jesus - appearing to Saul.  I thought of the words that He said to Saul - "Saul, why are you persecuting me?"  And I wondered, how Jesus would have said these words.  Were they just words, or were they said with passion?  Were they said with a quiet fierceness and with a quiet fury?  Were they said in a passionate rage?  Or were they the quiet words of one resigned to being beaten down?

And suddenly, in my heart, I could hear Jesus the Christ of passion, clear as a bell - "SAUL - WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME?!"  Paul was not a man to be easily diverted from his chosen course and it will have required more than a gentle nudge to change the journey he had set out on so completely.

Then we sang on... 

He is waking hearts to life
He is waking hearts to life...

And surely this is what he did with Saul - He woke his heart to a new life.  Three days Saul lay in darkness, not eating or drinking in a room in Damascus. And when he finally rose up and his sight was restored, he awoke to a new life.  His heart was woken to a new life.  The church was woken to a new life.

Back to City Life - And then a lady called Caroline gave a testimony; she had been healed of a terrible pain in her hip after being prayed over that week.  And the woman who had been hobbling around in pain just days before found herself walking miles to church this morning.  And as she walked she felt God telling her to stop thinking about her hip and to think about Him, and what He was doing in her life.  She looked up and saw a bright vision of Jesus on the cross.  And then she RAN - she ran to church because the Lord had touched her life in that way!

As she told her story, I thought again about Saul on that road to Damascus - I thought of the transforming light that had burst into his life on that journey to Damascus.

Then another lady spoke about a need for some volunteers to do some much needed work on a project the church was involved in.  30 volunteers were needed; 12 had stepped forward so far, but more were needed.  And I thought of Ananias, being sent to Saul in that room.  TWICE Jesus had to tell him to go.  There were people in that congregation who needed to hear that Jesus was still asking them to step forward and to serve Him in that way.

And so it went on.  Time and again, God's word was just jumping out at me.  A man, Roger, took time to pray with me - he sensed a need in me; he sensed a "question mark over my head" as he put it.  And his prayers were right on the spot.  And then the worship leader came and prayed with me and Kate at the end of the service - prayers for our own church and especially for the discussions we are about to have about how we come to worship God at SJR.

Dan Pooley came back from a "pulpit swap" part way through the service.  I can't remember everything he said, but one thing was that God gathers us together in worship, but He also disperses us.  And I thought about Saul and His persecution of the church in Jerusalem; that without Saul's actions there, and despite all their harmful intent, God used his persecution of the church to disperse the Apostles far and wide - that this led to the early church being spread far and wide, and ultimately to the gentiles and the whole world.

SO - I have no doubt that God was there with me in that place today.  It felt like he might just have well have nailed a huge sign to the front wall that said, "YES - NIGEL - I'm talking to YOU".  And it is a humbling experience.  My heart was bursting and tears were never far away.

So what was He saying?  I believe I know, and I believe that it has something to say about our journey at SJR.  I believe that it has something to say about our future as a church.

Our God, whose love is fierce, and deep and strong and furious - our God may sometimes have to break things for something new to grow.  Sometimes the soil must be turned if new seeds are to be planted and germinate and grow.

It is time for us to plant something new; even if we risk breaking what we have.

Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:02:50 -0800 FOCUS Program http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/focus-program http://stjamesroad.posterous.com/focus-program The FOCUS Program for Winter/Spring 2012 is now published on the SJR website:

Focus-jan-2012


Nigel Bailey



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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/793013/LinkEntrance.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjG8XmEKStP St James Road SJR St James Road