Standing Firm
From the moment my foot was run over, I was in a world of pain, both physically and mentally.
I was rushed to hospital and later I found out that I had crushed and fractured more than fifteen bones in my right foot.
As I awaited news about my injury I was sad because I realised that it would be some time before I could again walk, and that I would miss the mountain bike competition I was so looking forward to racing in.
I was also sad that I couldn’t go back to the church camp on which I had the injury, and I felt sorry for the driver who was at no fault.
But while I was on that hospital bed, I prayed that the sadness would go away and that everything would soon be sorted out.
The next morning I was taken to St George Hospital for more scans and to prepare to hear about the treatment they planned.
I stayed up there for a couple of days whilst living the dream with the free food and chocolate milks.
But soon I was told that after major foot surgery I’d be in a plaster cast for three months, and that it would be ages before I could run again.
I was pretty sad and I prayed in this time of struggle that God would give me strength to keep on going during the hard and intense times.
During this time my faith has helped me to be more reliant on God in the rough times and in the easy times.
At this time I hold onto these words from God in the Bible:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
OSCAR McNEILL
Coming up this weekend 24-25 August 2019
Humanly speaking, it’s baffling to try and work out just why the religious leaders were so threatened by the message of Jesus that they were comfortable to punish and even execute those who preached this ‘good news’.
And yet even through these tragic events, Jesus kept building his church, and this is exactly what we see as we look at the next instalment in our series from the New Testament book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’.
This Saturday and Sunday we’re looking at the remarkable message and courage of a man named Stephen, and we see how his word brought great jealousy and anger to the very people who should have welcomed him.
If you’re coming along with us this weekend, why not read Acts chapter 6 verse 38 to chapter 7 verse 60. The topic of the talk is ‘Stand up for Jesus’.
As well as the talk from the Bible, we’re going to hear answers to these questions that our people have asked via our response slips each week at church:
1 If we model our church on Acts 2:42 they why don’t we also share fully in our possessions?
2 Doesn’t Acts 4:32 suggest that the early Christians had no personal ownership of possessions?
3 Is Acts 5 the only place we learn that the Spirit is God, or does it reaffirm other teachings?
4 Would the flogging of the Apostles be the same as that which Jesus endured?
5 If we act independently due to our free will, then how can God have a plan for our lives?
6 How can we be more focussed on our relationship with Jesus?
7 What should we do if we become distracted from following Jesus?
So, what are you waiting for? Come and join us this weekend on Saturday night at 5pm (with kids’ program, hearty dinner, then youth group), or a more classic Anglican-style service at 9am on Sunday morning (serving delicious espresso coffee) .
Grace and peace, Jodie.
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