Magic or Illusion

September 30th, 2009

Steve Price is coming back to the Elim Church, by popular demand on Friday 16th. October - Sunday 18th. October. The last visit a couple of years ago raise the question, should a church be promoting ‘Magic’? The short answer both from me, David Butcher and Steve Price himself is a very definite NO!
Steve is not a magician and certainly does not invoke magical powers. He is an professional illusionist and a very good one at that. He mixes his illusions with humor and gently shares his faith in Jesus Christ.
Steve will be taking the assembly at St. Michael’s School on Friday morning. Then in the evening he’ll appear at the Oasis Youth Club in the Cornerstone Hall, Legg Lane, (Elim’s Youth Hall). Saturday lunchtime, we thought we’d be different and put on a lunchtime special commencing at 12 noon. Sunday he will be with us again. We are expecting some special guests providing some great musical interludes as well.
Don’t come for MAGIC, but come to me mystified as Steve goes through his fast moving show.
Need to know more? Phone me, Pastor David Butcher, on 01202 546921

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Easter Day

April 12th, 2009

Today we celebrate Easter Day, the origins of our actual festival really do not concern me. As a Christian, we look at this day as the day which gives us an eternal future. The following is straight an Evangelical Alliance email.

The Resurrection

We may not like it, but for the majority of folk this weekend won’t hold much spiritual significance. Even the old joke that ‘C of E’ stands for ‘Christmas and Easter’ church attendance doesn’t quite work, as the thoughts of most will centre on stopping the kids eating too much chocolate, worrying about family gatherings and wondering how to avoid the holiday traffic.

Given this, it’s perhaps not surprising that the Archbishop of Westminster’s attack on the Premier League for holding football fixtures on Easter Sunday hasn’t met with much sympathy. As one Guardian commentator put it, this is “church leaders intent on trying to impose the observance of the festival on others who frankly would rather watch the footie.” No doubt, we’ll all know people who share these sentiments.

Isn’t this, though, a fantastic opportunity to explain to people precisely why Easter is infinitely more significant than the football? Imagine if Christians up and down the country could get as excited and enthused about the story of the resurrection as the football fans cheering and screaming on Sunday. And even if football is not your thing, no doubt there are other interests that you can’t stop talking about. The resurrection, though, is surely the most remarkable story - and there’s so much we can say.

It’s the story of the impossible – a dead man rises. It’s the story of the ultimate triumph over evil, as God demonstrates his victory over Satan, and it’s the ultimate story of love and forgiveness. And the resurrection isn’t just a story that sits 2,000 years ago in history. It has meaning, power and hope for us today: meaning that should radically change the way we live our lives, power to transform the darkest situations, hope for even the most broken lives.

We’re called to proclaim the resurrection, but we’re also called to model it on a daily basis. The actions Jesus displayed at the crucifixion were radically counter-cultural: humility, service, sacrifice, gentleness, meekness and faithfulness to God in the face of extreme persecution – actions that caused those around him to discover who he was. When displayed in us, they can cause others to seek to find out why we follow Him. Such actions are often costly – they were for Jesus and we should expect them to be for us too. But ultimately, whatever the cost, because of Christ’s resurrection “in all these things we are more than conquerors,” (Romans 8:37) as the resurrection defeats evil and reveals God’s power. And it’s that same power that raised Jesus from the dead that is at work in us today. Now that is surely something worth sharing – and something that is worth getting far more excited about, even than the football.

Susannah Clark, Public Theology Researcher

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Passwords

December 14th, 2008

If you are using a computer often, you will have no doubt visited various sites, most require to register and have a password. That’s where my problems start. I tried to follow advice and not use the same password. Now I have sticky message slips all over the place. Each time I want to go onto a site, it is a constant battle to find the right one.

I thought of that as I opened up this blog site.

What we believe as Christians is the free access we have through Jesus to our Heavenly Father. God sent Jesus, and that is the rurth of Christmas, so that we could have unfettered access to the Father. When St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, he said, (Galatians 4:4) when the time was right, Jesus came to this world. Through Jesus, we are no longer slaves to the old law, but become children of God. No password, no exam to see if we are good enough, just Jesus the Saviour!

That’s the glory of Christmas, that God came down so that we might be lifted up!

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Remembrance

November 9th, 2008

I’m typing just as the clock turns midnight. That brings us to Sunday 9th. November, Remembrance Sunday. (The actual day being the 11th. marking the day and the time when the First World War ended. The 11th. Hour of the 11th. Day of the 11th. Month.)

Many years ago I found myself in hospital on Remembrance Sunday, kidney stones put me there but I really was just the walking wounded. Missing church fellowship and communion I thought I would go the the chapel for the service. I have to say that I came out of that service wishing I had never gone in!

The minister, who I did not know, commenced the service with great pomp and splendour and the words, “Our prime purpose of meeting together this morning is to remember the dead!” Well I have to say that while I  always honour the fallen in my own church service on Remembrance Sunday, my prime purpose is to remember the one who defeated death, the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Just before Jesus went to the place of execution, Calvary, he joined his disciples at the Jewish Passover feast. We know that as the Last Supper. In a very moving way, Jesus broke the bread and took the cup, his words were, “Do this in remembrance of me.” After that he was arrested and tried and finally put to death on the cross. Thank God, the story does not end there, for we know that on the third day, Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

We do honour those who have died in war, who gave their life in the service of their country… for you and me. BUT, take Christ’s victory over death out and we have nothing other than a dead comrade. The Bible is very clear that if we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, there is the reality of eternal life!

Thank God, that on this Remembrance Sunday we can remember the one who brings real life to the darkest moments

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Not Again!

August 10th, 2008

I wonder how many have uttered those words, “Not again” when they have switched on the television. The favourite programme, even the news having been replaced by the Olympics. Seemingly not everyone is interested, yet without doubt, it is the most prominent event right now.

Life can be like that. Our priorities are certainly not the things that might stop the people next door in their tracks. Yet there are times when we just cannot imagine that those around us wouldn’t be interested in our little world. But it’s true, even Jesus himself said that he wasn’t accepted in some places.

Our world right now needs Jesus, the problem is that folk have that void in their life but look anywhere rather than ‘traditional religion.’ My suggestion is, rather than look to religion, you look to Jesus Christ, who changes people. “Oh no, Not Again” Is not an option, our needs are great, only Jesus can meet them.

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Wow, what a weekend!

June 15th, 2008

The weekend’s not over yet and yet there’s a few of us who are really tired. Andre’ Kempen has been with us again and we have had a great time. Funny thing is, it has made us understand that no matter how ‘religious’ a community, how little time there is to spare for God.

Someone commented how  many people made sure they walked onto the other side of the street, rather than come close to where Andre’ was playing. Another person said they were amazed how many people simply refused to accept a leaflet/invite.

The message of the gospel is not complicated and there are time when for some people it is too simple. It is the message of the creator God loving His creation so much, He sent His only Son Jesus He made a way for sinful mankind, to come back to God, by paying the penalty of sin on our behalf.

Our world seems to be a place where so many have no time for God, yet the Bible is clear that we need God. Cross the road, ignore or even shout down the messenger, yet the time will come when we stand before God. There can be no crossing the road then!

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Busy…Busy…Busy

June 9th, 2008

Sometimes we can use that little four letter word as a huge excuse for doing very little. I suppose the truth is that we are a much busier world.

I was up very late last night and while I was working, the television was on, almost as wallpaper music. I watched with half an eye the Canadian motor race, can’t remember what followed but then came onto a programme which diod make me look a little bit more. It was all about Sunday Schools in the past. It covered an era of my childhood and reminded me of what it used to be like.

Frankly, there certainly seemed more time to be ‘normal’ in thos days. Things that gave great pleasure were more easily achieved. Kids went to Sunday School and enjoyed it. Now everything is rushed and levels of spirituality, which gave standards certainly was in place in society. Now the pressure of work and ironically the pressure of pleasure seem to dominate.

At the church this week we are Busy… Busy…Busy. A special friend of the church is back again. Andre’ Kempen, a remarkable musician from South Africa is with us again. It was booked without us knowing at the time that it is the same weekend as Wimborne Folk Festival. Thousands will pass right by the church and we are planning to do short and sharp sessions outside, if the weather holds. Saturday night will be a ‘concert’ and Sunday worship in the morning plus our Sunday evening service (the Sunday evening is being held in Shamrock Court’ a sheltered housing scheme.) So for us it will be very busy.

Interested? Give me a ring on o1202 546921 for more details.

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Red Tape

May 17th, 2008

Just a brief note tonight, I seem to have been typing for hours already.

Life seems to be blighted with what we so often call RED TAPE. Massive of documents and reports for just about everything, much of course is vital in the world we live in today.

One of these time consuming forms I have been working on this week related to the Child Protection measures, which have to be in place for any church children’s or youth group to function. One issue involves identity, being certain that people are actually who they claim to be.

It doesn’t matter how well we know people, it is a criminal offence if we do not see the actual documents. A couple in the church, good friends, people we know well, produced their birth certificates. “Sorry”, I had to say, “Not good enough, these are copies.” (Provided by the registry office but still copies.) The only acceptable birth certificates in this case are originals issued not more than 12 months after the birth.

RED TAPE might frustrate us and even cause us problems but when it comes to the Christian’s identity in Jesus, just take a look at what the Apostle Peter wrote.

1 Peter 2:10 (New Living Translation)                                                                                                       ”Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”

I like that, no RED TAPE, no forms to fill in, just real acceptance by God through faith in Jesus Christ!

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Gazumped

May 10th, 2008

The dictionary definition means to make a higher offer. “Gazumper” the noun has its origin in the 1920s (in a sense ’swindle’) and comes from the Yiddish meaning to overcharge.

I have just been Gazumped and it’s not a very nice feeling. It was not huge, but still painful. A garage at the back of my house which I had tried for 5 years to rent, became available. I was told the price and was amazed, so I queried it. “No that’s the amount per month.” Then when I went to pay the price had amazingly doubled. I discovered that another neighbour had offered more! Not nice, but I suppose that’s life.

Thinking about it, I thought of a price I simply could not pay, totally beyond my reach, yet Jesus Christ stood in my place. His offer of Salvation is the greatest FREE gift, and yet it comes with a demand of taking up my cross daily. (Sacrifice to his purpose and will for my life.) That price is clearly spelt out in the gospels and the one thing I am certain of is, that there are no hidden charges or the fear of being gazumped.

On a different tack, this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, when the early Church was formed at the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. BBC Songs of Praise this week looks back on the history of the Elim Church. We trust that their presentation shows a good clear picture of the work of Elim. We in Wimborne, have been holding a week of prayer, to coincide with the ‘GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER’ on Sunday 11th. May. We certainly do believe that God hears and answers prayer in 2008

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Not everything goes right

April 26th, 2008

Sometimes Christian believers seem to have the wrong impression… that because they are a Christian, because of their relationship with the Lord, everything MUST go right. WRONG! We live in the world, even if we use that expression but not of the world. In that real world, we all have the uphill struggles like anyone else. Yes of course we all pray, we bring the most practical of things to God and I believe that if nothing else, He gives us the strength to cope.

Yesterday, (to illustrate my point) was about as frustrating as it could get. An early appointment was followed by taking my little ‘run-about’ car for it’s MoT. It failed, although not in a big way. I had made an appointment to meet someone while the car was being tested, he had forgotten that he was at the hospital for a check up. - So wasted an hour, reading the “Echo” in McDonalds.

Then early evening it was time to launch the boat for the season. Despite my claims that it is a luxury cruiser, it is just a 15ft. fishing boat and two of us can do the job. That went quite easily and although all the family were expecting news that I had falled in (again) I remained dry. Back to the tow car. Couldn’t find the house keys nor the church keys, thought I must have left them with Maureen. No they were not! Later in the evening I  suddenly  remembered. I had put them in a ’safe’ place on the boat, together with my wallet, money and cards. Ten o’clock last night, with a torch and waders, I was chugging out in the tender to the mooring to retreive them.

All of that is trivial, compared to some of the things Christians face from day to day, I used that story of my day just to illustrate my point. - We live in a real world, have the same real problems that everyone has, the same financial, illnesses, the same old-age problems. The great difference, I believe, is that through faith in Jesus Christ we have a realtionship with our heavenly Father that others simply do not enjoy. I believe that by the Holy Spirit of God, we have His presence with us each step of the way. I believe we can and should call on the Lord, whatever the difficulties, small or large. I believe He does hear and answer prayer.

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