delicious thoughts for March 14th from 08:10 to 08:10:
Ben’s Blog
Thank you to everyone – too many to name – that has loved us so beautifully – just a few days but so much love, love, love. Thank you God – I love you God and I love your people.
Hannah Dyke
Hannah Dyke has cancer. She’s a young mum and naturally speaking the outlook is bleak. Hannah and her husband Ben belong a church in York that is supporting them with practical love and prayer. Alongside the chemotherapy this will go a long way to improving her chances of overcoming this dreadful disease. There’s a Facebook group for all those who want to put their faith on the line. It’s called “I’m believing for Hannah’s Healing”. Ben is also writing his blog to keep people up to date or perhaps just to work through his own journey in this traumatic time.
I have a friend in Belfast – my age – who’s going through treatment for an inoperable brain tumour. He’s called Ian Smith. I’m praying for him too. He’s the Director of Mission for the Church Missionary Society in Ireland. Ian lived in York for many years – his son, Luke, still lives here and is also a very good friend of mine. Like Hannah, Ian is supported by his faith and the prayers of his many Christian friends.
Both of these people deserve to live, so of course I will pray that they survive these illnesses. But I am not God and I don’t know what the outcome will be. Neither am I a doctor and my knowledge of their conditions is limited. But I know the human body naturally heals itself, fights off infection and creates new tissue to repair damage – and that the process is helped by hope, love and support. If prayer brings faith into action then it too on my list of ways to help them.
That’s why I can join the Facebook group for Hannah’s healing. It’s not some blind optimism but the belief that prayer works alongside the natural and medical processes at work in her. If you have faith please join your prayers with ours and bring Hannah and Ian before God. Each one brings a little more grace into their situation.
The Alpha Course
I am deep into organising a couple of launch events for The Alpha Course in York – hence the low activity on this blog recently.
The first is on Saturday at Kit Kat Crescent the home of York City FC. Alpha is sponsoring the match which is preceded by a lunch for invited guests. There still tickets available for anyone who wants to bring a friend to hear about The Alpha Course. £20.00 all inclusive – meal and match which this weekend is against Salisbury City. Available from The Parish Centre of St Michael le Belfrey, York. 01904 624190.
The second is at York City Screen at 7.15pm on Tuesday 23rd September. Refreshements, a York City Gospel Choir, some films and a short talk. Tickets £6.00
The Alpha Course is a ten week course to explore the Christian Faith in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Meal, talk and discussion. The course at St Michael le Belfrey starts on Weds October 1st 2008 at 7.15pm. To book click here
If you could ask God any question what would it be?
Sign from above for city club (From York Press)
A CHURCH has used the renaming of a refurbished York nightclub to put out its own message.
A poster outside St Edward’s Church on Tadcaster Road declares: “SALVATION… more than a nightclub.”
But the marketing people behind Club Salvation – formerly Nexus – in George Hudson Street reckon God moves in mysterious ways.
Following my earlier rant about Salvation – the club – placing a promotion outside The Salvation Army it’s good to see another York church getting in on the act. But it’s one of those eternal dilemmas. At what point are you just creating more promotion for the event you object to. Two sayings come to mind. Imitation is flattery and All publicity is good publicity.
The fact still remains Salvation is not found in a Night Club.
Originally uploaded by Dawnriser
There’s new night club opening in York. It’s called Salvation. This morning I noticed this phone box advert for the new club sited right outside the Salvation Army.
I had already sounded my own Hurumph about the use of the name Salvation for a night club, but there’s something cynical about the juxtaposition of the club and the church in this commercial way surely designed to exploit the real Salvation of the Christian gospel.
It looks set to insult the fervent faith of members of the Salvation Army. These honest, disciplined, tee total adherents of the Christian Faith stand in stark contrast to the debauchery, drunkenness and licentiousness that defines the city’s nightclubs.
I’m reminded of a new testament scripture that says of Jesus Christ “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
So I leave you to judge – if you needed Salvation which would you go to – the night club or the church?
