Tear Fund is one of the charities which St. Martin’s supports with its Mission Giving. At our Harvest Service we were made aware of the way in which Tear Fund is helping deprived rural communities in Cambodia.
Tear Fund is working with church-based organisations, such as the Wholistic Development Organisation, to provide agricultural training. In the last three years WDO has provided vital life-saving support to more than 18.000 Cambodians through mobilising local churches. In particular we heard about Mol and Tol who have received crop seedlings and agricultural advice; an invitation to join a community rice bank; a loan of chickens and a pig to generate income, a bicycle for the children to use to get to school and fish to breed and eat. Underlying this has been unconditional Christian love, support and acceptance for this family.
The wants and needs of these communities are the same, enough food to eat and the opportunity to generate income to improve their lives. This is in stark contrast to our lives where our wants are inessential to the basics of life but our needs are met. Let us be thankful for our situation but aware and supportive of those who are less fortunate than us.
At the Harvest Service the congregation generously gave £272.07 which will be added to our Mission Giving contribution of £1100.00. I will be sending your cheque for £1374.07 to them asking that our contribution be used in supporting their work to providing agricultural training in Cambodia so that the poor have enough to eat.
‘You care for the land and water it;
You enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
To provide the people with grain,
For you have ordained it’ (Psalm 65.9).
God bless
Lilian
Monday 20 September 2010
Treasures in Heaven
Treasure is used by Jesus to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like and to encourage us to think about building a treasure store in heaven. Treasure is easy to understand in earthly terms but I find it hard to define what treasure is in the spiritual sense. Given that we are assured of our place with God, not through our efforts but through the grace of Jesus, it is difficult to know what the purpose of this treasure is. Yet we are encouraged by Jesus to build up a treasure, where it lasts eternally.
These days it is normal for us to get points for using our credit cards and the more we use them, the more points we get. Is there a heavenly reward scheme whereby the more good we do here on earth, the more points we get in heaven? This, on the face of it, seems fair as we are rewarded in proportion to the good we do and some people may point to the parable of the talents to back this idea up. However, it leaves me with the feeling that there is more to it than that.
I would love to think that part of my treasure will be seeing family, friends and others in heaven and to know that somehow, despite my awkwardness and clumsiness, despite all my doubts and fears, I have played a part in encouraging them in their walk with God. It is always a miracle to me that God can take whatever I give Him and use it to encourage others in their faith. This not only gives me a deep sense of joy now, but it also encourages me to keep on investing through prayer and action.
I am no theologian and I could be totally wrong - usually I am (ask Jackie). However, whatever your idea of heavenly treasure is, the message I get from Matthew 6 is that it is good to keep on storing it up!
Yours in Christ
Martin
These days it is normal for us to get points for using our credit cards and the more we use them, the more points we get. Is there a heavenly reward scheme whereby the more good we do here on earth, the more points we get in heaven? This, on the face of it, seems fair as we are rewarded in proportion to the good we do and some people may point to the parable of the talents to back this idea up. However, it leaves me with the feeling that there is more to it than that.
I would love to think that part of my treasure will be seeing family, friends and others in heaven and to know that somehow, despite my awkwardness and clumsiness, despite all my doubts and fears, I have played a part in encouraging them in their walk with God. It is always a miracle to me that God can take whatever I give Him and use it to encourage others in their faith. This not only gives me a deep sense of joy now, but it also encourages me to keep on investing through prayer and action.
I am no theologian and I could be totally wrong - usually I am (ask Jackie). However, whatever your idea of heavenly treasure is, the message I get from Matthew 6 is that it is good to keep on storing it up!
Yours in Christ
Martin
Prayer Triplets
'For when two or three come together in my name, there am l with them,' (Matthew 18 v20)
At the recent away day, one of the suggestions for 'improvements' to current Worship and Prayer might be 'Prayer Triplets'. It's self explanatory in a way but you basically meet with two others to mutually pray for each other.
How? - You meet with two others of your choice and pray in confidence for each other.
Why? - Prayer triplets is a mutually supportive way of praying. It builds fellowship, prayer life in general, friendship and trust.
When? - It can take place as often as the triplet wishes, most groups meet weekly or fortnightly.
Where? - The venue and time can be of your choosing.
Please add your name to the sign up sheet at the back of church if you are interested, or if you would like to know more please speak to either of us after the service.
Yours in Christ
Margaret and Jane
At the recent away day, one of the suggestions for 'improvements' to current Worship and Prayer might be 'Prayer Triplets'. It's self explanatory in a way but you basically meet with two others to mutually pray for each other.
How? - You meet with two others of your choice and pray in confidence for each other.
Why? - Prayer triplets is a mutually supportive way of praying. It builds fellowship, prayer life in general, friendship and trust.
When? - It can take place as often as the triplet wishes, most groups meet weekly or fortnightly.
Where? - The venue and time can be of your choosing.
Please add your name to the sign up sheet at the back of church if you are interested, or if you would like to know more please speak to either of us after the service.
Yours in Christ
Margaret and Jane
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
