Christmas

Hey Guys,

Due to Christmas events going on at Uni I am not going to make it to church therefore there will be no more posts until after Christmas so I just want to say:

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

See you next year


Amy x

Money

Hello,

Went to last CU central before Christmas tonight and the talk was about money, so I am going to start of with talking about how I feel about money. I feel that many people find money way too important, it's a big deal when really it isn't. You also spend too much of it and it's not that important nor does it make you happy.

The speaker started with asking the question what should money mean to Christians?

1 Timothy 6:5-11

"They think that religion is a way to become rich. Well, religion does make a person very rich, if he is satisfied with what he has. What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pulled them down to ruin the destruction. For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows."

This suggests that money is not the root to evil, however this is not true but it is part of whats wrong in the world due to greed but it is not evil.

John Wesley

The 3 points about money are

1. Earn all you can
2. Save all you can
3. Give all you can

One

There is nothing wrong with earning money as long as it is not at the expense of your coincidence, your health, your neighbour health and your neighbour's soul. The only real with money is if you love it more than you love God, basically there is an issue if you love anything more than God.

Two

When talking about saving money Wesley meant that you only use money for what you need but not putting money away for a rainy day although that is a good idea. Don't waste your money.

Three

There is always an opportunity to give. Why don't give away what you don't need, it doesn't have to be loads. When talking about giving it doesn't have to be money, could be cooking someone a meal or giving up some of the time and helping someone who needs it. Jesus said in the Bible that we are more 'blessed to give than to receive'.

Before the talk we sang 'Blessed be your name' which relates well to the talk as some of the words are about giving and taking away and we are all blessed by God.

Amy x

Baptism

Hello,

I know it's been a while but haven't made it to church since was ill, but back now.

Today was a Baptism service which was different, unusual and amazing. It had a wonderful energy to it. Before the service began they played the song 'Christ is Enough' which was inspiring and felt close to my heart that lets you know that God is with us.

Before the Baptism happen the people involved spoken about there experience which was inspiring. Both these stories were of abuse and addiction which they behind and found a new life in God.

Matthew 6:34

"So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add  to the troubles each day brings."

I feel that this quote is saying focus on today and have faith in God that tomorrow will be ok.

Luke 23:40-43

"Don't you fear God? You the same sentence he did. ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.' And he said to Jesus, 'Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!' Jesus said to him, 'I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."

These verses give the message 'Lord take away my fear, I may be fearful of life itself''. These verses also show that we want a truly intimate relationship with God.

2 Kings Naaman

A great man (Naaman) of power, wealth and influence but he had an illness (leprosy) which meant he was living with a death sentence so he traveled to a prophet of the Lord and hope to be cured. The guy took a letter from the King and his riches (wealth) with him to offer.

This can be applied to our relationship with God because sometime we bring what we can offer to God but what we think (imagine) bringing something to God may not be the way he would offer help, guidance. We need to stop depending on yourself but to have faith in God.

The prophet told the man to go wash in the river 7 times and once he did (7 times) he was cleansed from his illness. To wash himself he had to strip down to simple, poor clothing.

Therefore, we need to strip ourselves of everything and be made new (a new creation in Christ). This story demonstrates that Jesus came to save everyone not just the wealthy and healthy. Jesus washes away our sins like washing away his illness (leprosy).

"Bless it be the poor in spirit, they will inherit the kingdom of God." This links with the story because those that have stripped away everything and put the faith in God.


Amy x