Thoughts on the Church

Hey folks,Hope you are all doing well. Have been reading pretty extensively on the Church recently and want to offer some thoughts and observations that have come out of that reading.To start with, I would like to offer you the following quote by John Stott which comes from his book 'The Living Church':'We need more radically conservative churches: "conservative" in the sense that they conserve what Scripture plainly requires, but radical in relation to that combination of tradition and convention that we call "culture". Scripture is unchangeable, but culture is not.'

An important question

Friends,

After you've read the following question, I invite you to take 5 minutes or so to just stop what you're doing and reflect & pray - I guarantee that you will find this beneficial.

How big is your God ?

Walking on water

Matthew 14:22-32 - where Jesus walks on the water - is a very well known passage. But it struck me today in preparing to preach on this passage that I've very rarely heard Peter being commended for the faith he initially exercises. Isn't it amazing that Peter demonstrates that he remembers what Jesus did in Matthew 8 - where he calmed the storm - and as a result says to Jesus 'Lord if its you, tell me to come to you on the water.' Peter recognises that if indeed this was Jesus, his seemingly impossible request would become possible.

And what happens, Jesus says, 'Come' and Peter steps out onto the water and walks towards Jesus. Here we see simple faith, simple trust & simple obedience. Nothing complicated - Jesus says come and Peter obeys. Of course, we all know what happens next and the important lessons that come in verses 30 onwards, but next time you read through this passage; may I humbly invite you to pause when you get to the end of verse 29 & just note the wonderful simplicity of Peter's obedience; the kind of obedience that Jesus wants to see in our lives.

A special mention

There are some people who leave such an impact on our Christian lives that we will always be grateful to them and to God for the way they have influenced, impacted and inspired us. I'm sure we can all think of such people as we reflect on our own Christian walk.

One such person that has been hugely influential in my Christian walk and development is John Greenshields who is the senior pastor of bridge of don baptist church.

John is someone who is quite simply, a man after God's heart, and his wisdom & godliness have blessed so many people.

Whilst I'm still in reflective mode having finished college, I must thank John for helping Sarah & I discern God's call on our lives and for his prayers & support throughout college. Although I don't think I deserved the compliment which follows, I must say that it's the highest compliment I've ever had - 'Mark, I can tell that you sat under John's ministry because when you preach, you preach just like John.'

Of course, the comment was exaggerated as my preaching is nowhere near & may never be near the calibre of John's, but to be mentioned in the same sentance was a huge compliment.
So why am I telling you all of this?

Today it was announced in the morning service at BOD that John will be taking up a position with the BU of Scotland in October. As a former member of BOD, I would publicly like to thank John for everything he's done at BOD which would be far too much to list in this entry. He will be greatly missed, but one thing's for absolutely sure, God has done amazing things through this man of God and the work which John has put in will hold BOD in good stead for many a year.

John, may the Lord truly bless you in your new position - the BU is going to be abundantly blessed through your ministry.

Thank you & God bless you my pastor & brother in Christ !!

A thought for the weekend

Phil. 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength