Now, I hope all you young people are settled down in your new classes - this half of the term especially is the one where we meet new challenges and changes, and also opportunities to try something new. I've lost count of the number of students who have said to me recently - "I'm now learning the clarinet/recorder/saxophone/violin etc this term at school." (What a harvest of young musicians we could have soon!)

Changes and challenges - they come to everyone, even us old-uns. God didn't promise us an easy life if we believe in Him - far from it, but He did promise that He would be there with us in facing whatever the world throws at us.

I remember a little prayer that I used to have stuck on my wardrobe door. It said "Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that You and I can't handle together". I must say that praying that prayer every morning as I was getting dressed kept me going through some very tricky situations.

So, five months into the interregnum (is it really?!) perhaps it's time to take stock and check - are we still going in the right direction? Are we still allowing God to lead us, and to help us handle things? Are we still asking Him to?

When we stop relying on God for guidance and start to do things in our own strength, that's when Satan has a field day! He just loves to slip into the gaps and sow seeds of division. It happened over and over again in the early church, and St Paul had to remind people over and over again who was really the head of the Church! (and what things were really important).

So, make sure you've got your heavenly armour on, says Paul.

We need RIGHTEOUSNESS for a breastplate
(to protect our heart and keep it pure)

We need FAITH as a shield (to protect us from temptation)

We need SALVATION for a helmet (to protect our mind from wrong thoughts)

These are just a few of the things he mentions. You can read it all in Ephesians 6. (Paul also urges us to pray on every occasion, to keep alert and never give up!)
So, standing in God's strength, protected by His armour and His love, we'll not be afraid to try new things, or take on new responsibilities - will we? After all, we are on the winning side. "The battle belongs to the Lord" as the song says. And as we read in Revelation, the dragon's days are numbered thanks to St Michael and the angels!

So, let's encourage and strengthen one another, so that both inside and outside the church we can be "ready and wise to use the unexpected" (a hymn about taking RISKS for God - it's in A & M!)

It is lovely to see new friends in our church (and old friends coming back!) worshipping with us - we joyfully welcome you and hope you will enjoy being with us. In this colourful season, where we can see God's goodness all around, it's a good reminder to us that WHATEVER HAPPENS TO US, God's love is right there - above us, underneath us, before us, behind us, around us, and inside our hearts - if they are open and ready to receive.
PRAISE YOU LORD
with hearts, and hands and voices!
KEEP SINGING
Margaret C

1st October 2003