From the Minister

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:15-16 (NIV)

As dusk draws ever earlier, the dark cold winter evenings draw in; we are once again reminded of the explosive time of the year of bonfire night. As fireworks shoot up into the night sky we are reminded of the explosions that once threatened to bring down parliament. We can be reminded as they explode of the “Dunamis” - the dynamic, dynamite of the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives that calls us to explode into celebratory life, colour, and sound for the Lord as we worship with Jesus’ light in dark places.

Recently it was great to see the dynamic Holy Spirit lead Nathanael Young to give his life-changing confession of faith, go through the waters of Baptism, and hear the words of God brought over his life.

It is the same dynamite Holy Spirit that helps us live and shine for Jesus in the dark places that the wilderness of life can carry us into. As we think of light in dark places we are reminded how we are called to shine in the dark on Halloween night with our light party.

As we think of light in dark places we are reminded of remembrance Sunday this month with its explosive echoes of the past as lives were laid down and sacrificed.

As we think of light in dark places we are reminded that our calling in Jesus is to shine Jesus’ light into our workplaces, our relationships, and our local community.

Let’s shine Jesus’ light so that we might glorify our Heavenly Father.

Blessings,
Stuart

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

At this time of year as we travel around we open our eyes to the autumnal changes of this vibrantly coloured season. A great movement occurs from the vibrant green of summer moving into the explosive rustic, burnished reds, yellows and oranges filling our landscape with a reminder of how generous God is through the blessings of seasonal changes. One of those seasonal changes that I have always loved is that of the horse chestnut tree with its wonderful spiky seed cases that bear the glorious chestnut with its swirling reddish, brown, shiny, shell that is synonymous with childhood games of conkers.

At the centre of both Melbourn and Meldreth are beautiful chestnut trees marking the centre of our villages with rich rewards for those young enough at heart to find an old boot lace, a bradawl (drill) and five minutes to spare for a traditional game of conkers. "Oh, that old chestnut!" I hear you cry.

This year perhaps due to us having a new golden retriever puppy in the family we have been on a number of walks that have led us to discover this autumnal treat. As we play this ancient game, laughter emanates from my children as strings entangle, misses occur and conkers split. As we play I am reminded in the chestnut’s seed case of the cruel nails that pierced Christ on the cross. As the strings violently entangle together, the terrible whipping torture that occurred to cross. As the conkers collide we are reminded of the bruising suffering Jesus suffered as he bore our sinful nature upon the cross. As the conkers split open victory and defeat are declared; we are reminded of the words of the broken Jesus crying out "It is finished." We are left wondering is this defeat or victory.

Yet as we discover another green, spiny seed case, we can be reminded of the tomb guarded and protected by the Romans. As a new conker emerges unblemished, shiny and new we can be reminded of the risen Christ unblemished, a new creation, risen, victorious, and alive having conquered (not conkered) death. As we spend time reflecting on creation this harvest, let us not forget the generous God who gave his life for us, conquered death and rose again as a new creation so that we might be new creations through Christ.

In this season of change we also look to the development of our youth programme. On the 25th September we see the start of ‘Youth Cafe Church’. This is a multi-media, discussion-based hour in the church with the sweet treats of a cafe! Our first theme is "We Predict a Riot?" Please encourage all the young people along 7-8.30 pm. We also have a team meeting to try and continue youth club (if you could help speak to Margie) and are planning a going-deeper study for our older youth following Soul Survivor.

Blessings,
Stuart

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Acts 2:42-44 (NIV)

As I reflect on this year’s Soul Survivor I again have been amazed at God's faithfulness as young people from Melbourn Baptist, Rilla, Margie, Bob and Mon and myself have experienced God's blessing in our lives.

Soul Survivor is a gathering that happens over three weeks in the summer offering the opportunity to camp in Shepton Mallet in the West Country, a good time for youth leaders and young people to build positive relationships in a safe environment, and above all spend time, as Mike Pilavachi (Founder and leader of Soul Survivor) reminds us, "Hanging out with God."

This "Hanging out with God" occurred twice a day offering great lively worship (Matt Redman led twice), preaching, and space to respond to God. This response included in our week about a thousand young people making a decision to follow Jesus, people receiving the ministry of the Holy Spirit and testimony of healings that occurred through the time of hanging out with God. It was great to see our young people being involved in this time, as they were prayed for and they had the courage to pray for others from other churches.

This week as we prepare for the youth service to give testimony of our time at Soul Survivor, my prayer is that the young people will have the courage to share what God has been doing in their lives whilst away, be encouraged for the future, and shape church life as their faith deepens.

As I reflect on the dynamic week Soul Survivor has been, my prayer for the future of Melbourn Baptist is that we see opportunities for us to "Hang out with God." To see people saved, for the Holy Spirit to minister and to witness healings. I hope as we move into the Autumn term focusing on prayer that we will again be amazed to see what God might do amongst us, what signs and wonders we might share.

Blessings,
Stuart