The theme of the family service was ‘marbles’. Now, you may not necessarily think of this as a biblical theme and admittedly the connection is not immediately obvious. But we had a lot of fun as we explored the theme of right thinking and the peace God promises to those whose minds are fixed on Him.

First of all, the quiz. Mark took this, looking at some ‘crazy’ TV/film characters. How many of these can you name?

Maybe you are all better than I am at this, since I only named 2 of the many people! But, to put you out of your misery, the ones shown here are:
1) the Mad Hatter
2) Willy Wonka
3) Stacey Slater
4) Krusty the Clown

Then, the custom-written children’s song: Garry’s own composition, called ‘The Marble Song’. I reproduce the lyrics here (with full permission) as I have to say I think it’s pretty good to be able to get a Bible verse in a song about marbles! Can you work out the reference?

Found the reference? Yes, Isaiah 26:3 was the theme for the evening:
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

There was indeed a serious point to all this, but for now I will leave you with a photo of some people actually playing with the marbles they had won!

Garry continued his series on the Holy Spirit this morning, looking at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. Initially, we looked at how the Holy Spirit was involved in creation (‘hovering over the earth’ in Genesis 1:2, or, as the Message version renders this verse, ‘brooded like a bird above the watery abyss’), especially in breathing life into man (Genesis 2:7 & Job 33:4).

God’s involvement in each human life is what sets us apart from animals. Life begins at conception, with God breathing spiritual life into each person, who is made in the image of God. God gives us life and He also ends life. Psalm 31:15 reminds us that ‘my times are in Your hands’. The difficult topics of abortion and euthanasia arouse much controversy these days, but the Christian view is that all life comes from God and belongs to God, so that life is given dignity and purpose, even when we cannot see His purposes. We cannot presume to stand in the place of God, either by claiming we know which lives should not be born or by claiming we have the right to end life.

God the Holy Spirit is the creator and sustainer of life. May we have confidence in His providence and learn to trust in His unfailing love.

On Thursday we looked at the mystery unveiled in Ephesians 3, “the mystery made known to me by revelation”, as Paul writes. This mystery was previously hidden, but God’s Spirit has revealed it now, namely that “the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” All the divisions have been swept away; God has revealed His great plan of salvation, “his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The fact that God’s eternal purposes were so misunderstood (even in the heavenly realms) and yet prevailed gives us great encouragement in this walk of faith. “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory,” Paul wrote and we too need not be discouraged whenever we face sufferings, since God is working all things together for good to those who are called (Romans 8:28)

Finally, we looked at Paul’s prayer that we might know how long and wide and high and deep is the love of Christ and might know this love that surpasses knowledge — “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” If that seems beyond words, Paul reminds us that God is able to “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” and, amazingly, that is “according to his power that is at work within us“. We have an awesome God!

Stephen looked at two passages from the New Testament on Sunday evening, both demonstrating God’s presence with people.

The first passage (Luke 23:40-43) looked at the thief on the cross and how he came to know Jesus, being given the promise of being with Him in paradise. The second (Acts 7:54-56) looked at the martyrdom of the deacon Stephen, who saw ‘heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’ immediately before he was stoned to death. In both cases, the presence of Jesus made all the difference: the two men were not alone.

Jesus is near to us, to comfort, direct and guide us. As Ezekiel wrote, ‘The Lord is There’ (Ezek 48:35). His presence makes all the difference.

We ended by listening to the Casting Crowns’ song ‘Who Am I?’ This is a question which seems to have been recurring in various guises lately – Dave preached recently on a similar theme and I used this song last week in a PSHE lesson on the same theme as well! If you’d like to know the answer, watch the powerful mime and listen to the song at:

youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

Many thanks, also, to those who supported the Macmillan Coffee morning on Saturday. This raised £124. THANK YOU!

Dave continued our study of Ephesians 2 this morning, looking at the first seven verses in more detail.

He talked about the contrast between the natural man (one who has no relationship with God) and the Christian (one who does have a relationship with God through Christ.) The natural state is that of being spiritually dead. John 17:3 tells us that eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. God is the author of life and gives life, but before we know God, we are trapped in a circle of depravity and do not have life at all. We were, therefore, under God’s condemnation, but God did something about this situation!

Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Moreoever, not only has Jesus risen from the dead, we have been seated with God in heavenly places. We have died to sin (Romans 6:1-2) – not that we are now without sin (see 1 John 1:8), but we no longer belong to sin anymore; we are no longer slaves to sin. Now, we have a choice!

Now, because of God’s great love, mercy and kindness, we are alive to God. We have a new mind (Romans 12:1-2) and a new purpose. We are, indeed, new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we share in Christ’s exaltation and glory.

One thing that really struck me on reading Ephesians 2 is the graphic language Paul uses. I was especially struck by verse 3 (“gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.”)

‘Cravings’ reminds me of when I was pregnant and had some very weird cravings for food. One day I even bought a new frying pan so that I could eat pancakes (the old one had lost its non-stick!) I virtually lived on sweet and sour chicken when I was pregnant. I craved it so much I can still remember the feeling of yearning twenty years later!

The Greek word rendered ‘cravings’ by the NIV is epithumia. It means a longing (especially for what is forbidden) and can also be translated ‘lust’. I was also struck by the idea of the sinful nature having both desires and thoughts, which to me speaks both of emotions and reason.

Our old nature appeals to both our feelings and to our rational thoughts. We believe that by giving in to its cravings, we will be gratified: that is, we will feel happy, satisfied and fulfilled. But the sinful nature can never satisfy us. The only satisfaction that truly lasts is found in God.

We now have some great posters up in the community hall.

The verse is 1 Peter 3:10 in the CEV: “Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. “

The verse here is Psalm 4:8 (“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”)

This cute dog reminds us of Hebrews 13:6

And this maybe not-so-cute dog reminds us of Hebrews 10:23 (“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”)