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‘I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy’

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‘I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy’

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Just reading John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way and got to this section where he writes:

So many Christians simply have no idea of the staggering immensity of God’s love for them and of that love’s power to transform them into a people of love, as well as bring them great happiness and lasting peace.

I recognized what he was saying here, and pondered on how one could create an image to visualize it. Thomas Traherne’s meditations provide some useful images. For example the ‘staggering immensity of God’s love’ or Infinite Love is imagined as an infinite spiral/fractal. Traherne refers to our soul’s as jewels as they are His treasures from his Love for us:  ‘That love’s power to transform them into a people of love’. So a scattering of jewels across the image.

Finally, to realize His plan to ‘bring them great happiness and lasting peace’ the cross, in a central position to represent its importance in His plan.  Of which Traherne writes:

The Cross is the abyss of wonders, the centre of desires, the school of virtues, the house of wisdom, the throne of love, the theatre of joys, and the place of sorrows; It is the root of happiness, and the gate of Heaven.

However the Holy Spirit has already created this image in the tapestry that hangs above the altar at cogs.

So I give thanks for the inspiration He freely gives us, and His ongoing presence and love in our lives of which we are often unaware.

Comer completes this statement above with the words:

If they [Christians] knew [this], they would undoubtedly do whatever it takes to make time to be with him.

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I had a picture on Sunday of a low archway. Jesus was inviting us through it but to get through it we have to bow down. He is Lord not us.

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"This is the call of discipleship - to go beyond simply teaching one another what to believe, and instead, teach the practices that will help right beliefs fully take root. The garden of our hearts cannot simply have a flowerbed "For Jesus." We must learn how to interact with him in the entirety of our garden and we need to learn tools to help us till the soil, tend the seeds, address the weeds and prune. This is the work that leads to a fruitful life." Jessie Miller (Cageless Birds)

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"Come let's build the wall of Jerusalem 

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"Come let's build the wall of Jerusalem 

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Nehemiah 2:18 MSG

They said, “We’re with you. Let’s get started.” They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.

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‘Forget the former things,’ [says the Lord,]      ‘do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!’ Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIVUK)

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The harvest is ready to be collected in but, I the Lord Your God will not give you any of the harvest, until the storehouse is ready, because if I did it the harvest would ruin. You need to get yourselves collectively and individually ready. That you can do your bit to not only invite people in to COGS, but we as a church will be able to get them in home groups and their children and young people into groups. If anyone doesn't want to be in a group introduce them to someone who can make a commitment to befriend them until they're ready to join a small group. Malachi 3 v 8 - 12.

I don't believe we're robbing God of money as suggested in this passage, but many definitely all are robbing COGS because they don't do anything to help the service happen, they just expect a good service and then go home. They don't even hang up a chair or anything. Church is not a show it should be a place of community and unity it should not be a passive activity!

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A Word for COGS shared at the PCC Away Day 13 July 2024

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A Word for COGS shared at the PCC Away Day 13 July 2024

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This a directional Word that suggests a new way ahead for our church.  However, all Words need to be tested and we need to discern together if this is really from God.

Word

Be assured of my perfect Love and continue to share my love with one another and those you meet in the world.  Always remember that my Love is unconditional, it is unending and it knows no boundaries.

But, be aware that I am a God of New Things, a God of change and renewal.  I ask you to journey with me into new possibilities and be prepared to leave the past behind.

Do not worry but be still and know that I am God.  Spend time in quiet prayer, getting in tune with my Spirit. Allow your spirit to Resonate with my Spirit and my loving heart.

Beware of seeing the world with material eyes, of labouring without vision.  Let me lead you on a spiritual journey.  Discover who you really are in me.  Living Stones being built together in Unity and Love, a royal priesthood and adopted heirs to the Kingdom.

But, In order to fully enter the kingdom of God you must lay aside material thinking and learn to see with spiritual eyes.

So dare to rise up on wings like eagles, leaving a material world view behind and be transformed, seeing the world from above from a spiritual perspective.  For I am Spirit.  Let my Spirit, that hovered over the waters at the time of the Earth’s creation, guide you as you learn to fly.

Trust me in this.  Let my love heal, restore and unite you. Then I will lead you along a new path

for I am the Way.

Richard

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In the greenhouse the plants grow. They are nourished.

It protects them from the storms, it strengthens them. It readies them to be planted out to face the world.

It doesnt stop things from getting in, a slug can eat away at it.

Disease can arrive due to the conditions.

Some get forgotten on the sidelines and dont get the water and food they need. They still produce fruit , but its not as good.

Some get scorched in the heat and fade away, while others thrive.

Church is our Greenhouse, do we feed and water ourselves to be ready for the garden? Do we have the right conditions to thrive in the outside world?

Can we show the beauty of God?

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2 trains - 1 express train 1 steam train

We are like the express train, get there quickly.

The steam train stops at every station -we need to experience more of God. More people can get on the train as it stops at every station.

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Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”