Warden's Notes

Last Updated on Sunday, 15 April 2012 17:06 Written by David Taylor

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15th April 2012

What a sermon we had from young Josh Skidmore. Josh is about to enter a new phase of his life, and is showing a clear calling on his life. I'm trying to find out how to put sermons onto the web site, if I can do that for Josh's sermon it is well worth listening to.

What a fantastic period of worship. The worship group lead us really well into the presence of God.

And going on in the background, service to the community of Penn Fields, which we rarely hear about. That is what church is about, its doors open to everyone at anytime, and when they can't or won't come in, we go to them. There is a surprising number of hurting people out there who will benefit from God's healing touch.

It was a priviledge to be at church, and to be part of church, today.

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9th April 2012

Easter was very good. There was fellowship with other churches in the parish at the 5:00am service on Easter Sunday, as well as at other services in the lead up to Easter. There was fellowship with other churches in Wolverhampton at the March for Hope on the Saturday. There was fellowship with all those who came to the many different services we put on.

This is a very bitter-sweet time of the year. We specifically remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, but also that with His sacrifice we have the joy of a living, loving relationship with God the Father. Thank you Jesus.

And thank you to all who worked hard in all the many tasks to help us to celebrate in this very positive fashion.

God Bless you all.

6th April 2012

I watched a programme on television a couple of nights ago about Artificial Intelligence, there was an interesting piece towards the end where the presenter was describing how mankind has started to realise how complicated intelligence is and how it works. Essentially, and apologies to anyone who understands these things, computers have overtaken humans in their ability to perform calculations, which includes mathematics and comparing things. However, when it comes to understanding, learning and creating things there seems to be a long way to go before a computer can do them. Then two robots were demonstrated that showed that they were creating a language between them, based on exchanging information.

Whilst all of this indicated that perhaps computers were not that far away from doing those things that we think of being human, and animate, it also raised a fundamental question for me that seemed not to be on the agenda of the programme makers. There were creators of the robots, computers and other wonderful machines that were presented in the programme. Someone took metal and plastic, added instructions in the form of a code, and then let them get on with it. There was an occasion when one of the robots fell over, and the human creator was on hand to pick it up and start it off again.

Its not new to compare all of the above actions to a creator God. But perhaps society should not be too quick to dismiss the creator God as not necessary for our understanding of who we are, and where we come from and are going to, and why we are here.

2nd April 2012

Our car broke down last week, the result of an inconsiderate driver forcing Alison off the road at Chapel Ash. But that isn't what I wanted to talk about today. Taking the car in to the garage and having it repaired brought to mind the need to have a car regularly serviced and repaired, because you don't know what may happen to it, and when it will be critical to have it available. Which lead, obviously, to the need to have our lives regularly serviced, and when necessary repaired. We just don't know when something may happen to our lives. Most of use do exercise and eat sensibly and look after our physical lives. But few look after our spiritual lives.

This Easter, why not have a spiritual service, go to a church service and properly listen and taken part?

26th March 2012

I have been reading 'The Rise and Fall of Charles Edward Stuart' by Margaret Forster over the last few weeks and finally finished it this morning. Generally a very good read, I do recommend it. I was interested to read in her conclusion the following summary of his relationship with James, his father.

"He (Charles) withdrew from his father's love through pique and he never did a more stupid thing. Simply, James' love was a gift Charles could not afford to be without because no one else who knew him so thoroughly offered it to him. His rejection of his father's love was one of the saddest aspects of his character."

To be reading that in the lead in to Easter just astounded me. Our father in heaven, God the father, knows us thoroughly, he knows all our thoughts, words and deeds; he knows our aspirations, hopes and desires; he knows our worries, concerns and fears. And yet, he loves us enough to do all that was necessary to ensure that we can have a real relationship with him, here and now. No questions asked, no protracted trials, no revenge. All God asks is that we acknowledge him and ask him to come into our lives. All we need to do is say "Here I am, father. I want to know you more. I recognise that Jesus has made this conversation possible. Show me that you know me anf have heard my prayer."

If you haven't said those words, then it is possible that in 200 years time someone will say of you, "Their rejection of the father's love was the most stupid thing they did." Don't wait, respond today.

23rd March 2012

I was in Saint Philip's yesterday (Thursday) to do a few warden type things around the building, checking that all was ok, especially with the plumber. Whilst there Busy Bees was in full swing, and what a joyful place it was! There were lots of people there, and the children were full of energy. The children's laughter was intermingled with their singing a song. There presented to me were the joys of spring and viewing everything as fresh and new. Busy Bees is doing a great work, for the mothers, fathers and carers as well as the children. Blessings to Viv and the team.

Laugh today. David.