Teresa will continue the theme of reimagining, using resources developed by LICC
In the afternoon there will be a garden party for the 11 families that are part of the New Neighbours project in Colchester and the volunteers from the Colchester churches that have befriended them. This will take place between 2 and 6 at the Oak Tree Community Centre, Harwich Road
On Sunday 5th July we met at Victory Hall and explored the issue of creativity from the starting point of Joseph's coat of many colours. Teresa shared a dream which highlighted the difference between mediocrity and the colour, life and vitality that God's people should carry.
Creativity is a good thing and can be a way of worshipping our creator; whether it be art, music,drama, dance, making things, cooking or work. On Sunday we focussed on creative thinking. Two people can be aware of the same facts, one sees the problems the other the opportunities. This was illustrated by using optical illusions. People saw different things from the same pictures. Here's one example
Part of creativity is allowing God to redeem our imaginations. We looked at the account of the Samarian seige in 2 Kings as an example of 2 people seeing 2 very different things in the same situation.Simon talked about a recent film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" , based on a true story , where following a stroke a man was paralysed but learnt to communicate by blinking. He realised he still had his memories and his imagination and he drew on those to write a novel by blinking. For more information see Diving Bell and the Butterly (IMDB)
The prophetic can stimulate our imaginations towards the will of God
The LICC have a project called Imagine:
"How can we form disciples who are learning to be fruitful and to flourish; to live well with God in this rapidly changing culture; to engage compellingly with the people they meet?
Not primarily though any new resources or programmes, though they play a part. Rather by starting to recover a way of seeing. Seeing afresh the comprehensive scope of God's interest in us, and his purposes in his world. Seeing afresh the kind of life Christ intends for his followers. "
We ran a great Alpha in 2008.We began a new course on 1st July. It is not too late to join the course. Please call Allan on 01206 330806 for more information.
The format is quality food, a short talk from a DVD then discussion on the issues raised and questions arising.
Over 2 million people in the UK and 13 million worldwide have now attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations across the world.
Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away.
If you would like to receive our free text
messages, with prayer requests, latest news and other
urgent information please text KCS to 80480.
God is willing to associate Himself with Jacob. Not just with Israel ( his name after he was changed) but He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This encourages us in terms of our humanity. Jesus elevated and dignified humanity through the incarnation. We live with the understanding that we were made from the dust of the earth and yet were also made in the image of God.
We need to avoid the twin dangers of super spirituality that downplays our humanity or, on the other extreme a way of life that doesn't reckon on God intervening and acting in the here and now.
Jacob was a great example, in this scene where he worships while leaning on his staff. In his humanity he is old and weak, his displaced hip means that he needed a staff. It wasn't a lack of faith to lean on it. As he did so, however, he worshipped. He could worship whilst being totally aware of his human frailty but his human frailty did not stop him from worshipping. No mention of musical instruments on this occasion, ( nor in the first mention of worship in the Bible in Genesis 22)
Sometimes people cross their fingers, perhaps hoping for the best or excusing their consciences when telling a lie. In Hebrews 11 we read about Jacob's faith in the way that he blessed Joseph's children.
On Sunday 29th March we explored together, why, out of all of the notable events in Jacob's life, does the writer of Hebrews single out the blessing of Jacob's grandchildren? What was the significance of this act. Isn't this what any Jewish grandfather would do?
We have been able to find a transcript of an interview with Jacob on the day in question!
This may give a few clues?
So much of the pain, grief and suffering that Jacob experienced was down to the fact that he took the place of his older brother. Most (if not all) of this was down to his scheming, deceiving and manipulating BUT God had said, before his birth, that "the older will serve the younger". So it was a massive act of faith, on Jacob's part, to cross his hands and give the blessing of the firstborn to the "wrong" grandson.
Jacob had come to a point of believing that, despite all his sin, mistakes and deception, that God had prevailed. In the language of the New Testament "God works all things together for good" Romans 8:28
Life sometimes throws up those "oh no, not again" quandries. Let's be encouraged by Jacob who having weighed it all up, crossed his hands and trusted God.
There is another aspect to this, whch we did not explore on Sunday. Does God cross his hands?
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1: 26 - 29
Think also about the sermon on the mount and the story of the prodigal son. Doesn't our God delight to choose the very people we would least expect?
Next Time: Why did Jacob lean on his staff and worship?
