Sincerity

I lost my faith when I was 18, probably mostly because I wanted to do my own thing without the conflict that you have when trying to live up to a religious faith.

They prayed for me

I was walking across the Market Place - busy on one of my many 'things to do'.

I stopped to chat to the people from the Vineyard Church who pray for people right there. And instead of the usual quick few words they insisted on praying for me. It was a real privilege to be prayed for.

O for a closer walk with God

We sang today a hymn today with words by William Cowper called 'O for a closer walk with God' It was old fashioned and more poem than hymn and very personal...

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

....

Baptism and Dedication

This morning there was not only a baby baptism but also a baby dedication. Baptism is a Methodist thing, and dedication is more of a United Reformed thing. So as one seemed more appropriate to one baby and one more to the other, that is what was done. In the dedication all the family gathered round, and a blessing was given by placing a hand on the baby's head.

Tolerance

Richard said it took a long time before tribes with their own gods came together and realised there was One God. Such a realisation should have been the start of greater tolerance. But it hasn't always worked like that. Moslems worship the one God and Christians too, but still they often look with intolerance on each other. We can be humbled by the faith of many Moslems and how they express it in their whole life. Even within Christianity there is intolerance between groups. It is not God that is separate but its our way of thinking, our way of creating hierarchies. We can only address our own intolerance as we find it.

Who Am I

Richard said this was the most important religious questions. It may appear selfish at first, but in truth finding the truth about who I am is an essential step for everybody. We are all unique and on our own journey.

Resonance

First sermon I've heard from Richard, on resonance. He stroked a Tibetan prayer bowl to make it sing. No amount of banging it, would create such a lasting sound. He said some energy in the church is creating resonance, like the warm welcome for people coming to church. And other things like the need to follow health and safety guidance, although important, did not create such a resonance by the amount of effort put in. So perhaps he will suggest other ways, like a fire Sunday which would then make it clearer. The aim of our life together is to share Jesus Christ with others. and his message. Jesus came across clearly with great resonance not though any great human power, but because what he said and did resonated with others...