Parables.

Yesterday in church the speaker spoke about how we should be Christians and how its not just about turning up on a Sunday to be seen doing the right thing.

He Spoke about how we lived and how we are seen to people outside the church. the quote that was used in part of the sermon has slipped my mind (most things do), but it was basically to say that what we have and what we hear and learn should be shared to others that do know or need help to understand.

He also sad ''whats the use of a seed if its left in the packet?''. You need to plant a seed. Then feed the seed for it to grow and become strong.

Jesus spoke many times in parables and when asked why he told the parable of the seed. Some fell on the hard path and where eaten by birds. Some fell on rocky ground that grew but roots didn't get a good bed so the plant could not feed and died.

Some seeds fell on weedy ground and grow up strong only to be smothered by weeds and die. but The seeds that where sown in good soil grow and yielded a crop 100 times more than what was planted.

This was basically to help explain that words and teaching can sometimes fall on death ears, sometimes people will listen but not understand. Some will listen, understand but soon forget, and others will listen learn and grow and seek more learning.

Parables where a way Jesus could speak to the people around him to help them understand things. It was a way to make things simple and put in a context that the people of that time could relate to.

It has been suggested that I try and put Parables into today's understanding, so Over the next few weeks I'm gonna try and put some parables into terms we can all relate to.

The bible isn't out of date as some suggest. Parables are still as important today as they where 2000 years ago, but maybe some parables can be brought into today's understanding?

A Tradesman can do his job how he feels is the best way of doing it, but its not important. The important thing is that the end result is the same. So maybe its the same with Parables?????

The Green Cross Code.

Who Remembers 'The Green Cross Code'? It was an Advert about Road safety in the 70's / 80's.

The idea was to promote a safe way to cross the road, telling us to STOP, LOOK, LISTEN.

STOP at the side of the Road, LOOK both ways, LISTEN out for any traffic noise that may not be seen. ''and when your sure its safe to cross, do so calmly and safely''.

The man in the superhero like suit guided children across the road and stop people running out between cars. He was the character that made this campaign so cheesy and looking back a bit rubbish, but the fact is that many of us remember it so can only be seen as a great campaign.

Just this weekend someone said to me that maybe I spend to much time praying too and not listening too God. Praying is really important but if we pray and speak to God, then we need to listen too. you wouldn't have a conversation with somebody and not listen to what they had to say would you. Well I guess its the same with praying. We have to be open and listen to God to maybe get answers.

STOP and spend time talking to God. LOOK at what god has promised in the bible and LISTEN to what he says back. God always answers but the key to listening is to not have a plan or idea already printed in your mind.

Changes

Those who know me will know I get a bit hung up on rules, and the fact so many churches have different rules within there structure. And the fact that sometime the rule change to suite the situation we/ they find themselves in or to accommodate different people.

In the last year I have realised that rules of church don't have as much importance as the rules laid out for all of us in the bible.

I always remember hearing the ice cream van coming round just after dinner on Sundays where we lived as kids. Mum would soon say ''Not on a Sunday'' when we asked for one. This wasn't always just a christian value in times gone by, and looking a little further back in the history book we will see that most of the shops and work places would be always shut on ''The Sabeth''.

As People started to work more and different hours and things like international links needed to be kept the need for Sunday opening needed to start creeping into place's and the need for Sunday shifts came into play. The day of Rest for many had become just like any other.

Even the Church Sunday schedule started to be reduced to make Way for changing times. And the need for change hasn't been any different here in Felixstowe as the main employer The Port of Felixstowe has become a 24-7 Industry that goes on throughout the year.

OK. What is a good example of rules changing. Well I'm not sure how true this story is as i was once told different (but that one was dull and boring). But in history (know idea when) it used to be ''LAW'' for a Girl wanting to get married to have to spend the night with the King or another man of high status. and the letters F. U. C. and K would then be hung on the married couples door which stood for FORNICATING UNDER CONSENT of the KING which I'm told was where the slang for sexual intercourse came from.

Soon a King with values came into power and because he realised this rule was out of date and unethical he changed it so that the night of passion with the ruler of the state was whipped off and marriage certificates where given out' not to be displayed above a door but just to be kept as proof of the kings consent.

He hadn't change the Rules, people still needed permission of the King to get wed. But what he did do is change the system, or remove some of it to keep up with the moving and changing times.

The Church Views have changed over generations and things like shopping on a Sunday have become part of everyday life for everyone. After all what makes Christians different to everyone else when it comes to practicalities. What gives us the right to tell others its wrong.

As Churches make changes and put different systems in place or take some away this doesn't mean standards are dropping. And as long as we know that Gods rules set out in the bible can never be changed. The bible tells us to share the good news and feed the hungry and cloth the poor, and to encourage each other to seek Jesus in all we do....... surely then the only way to do this is to move forward with the rest of the world we live in. One things for sure God will never and has never changed.

We are More than Conquerors

My Nana Little sadly past away yesterday, and the News saddened us all greatly. But she was Old and over the past few years had gone down hill fast. She was still our Nana but yesterday we could start to remember the happy friendly strong Nana that we know in the past.

She was a Christian Ladie always playing a part in her Family and her church, with many friends and many story's to tell.

She was in the flood in the 50s and as a Young mother she had to deal with things that night that many could only imagine. She had two small children and sat up all night watching the sea reach almost to the top step while the kids (my Mum and Uncle where sleeping and my grandad was out on a nights Fishing unawarer of the flooding that was taking place.

She told us about the time during the War she was out walking, she watched a barrage balloon past over her head and told how she was so frightened she ran home to find a safe place.

She also had some great sayings like the time I asked her if she was scared of ghosts and she replied ''It the living you need to be scared of not the dead''. Or when she was late for something she would say ''Better Late in this world than early in the next''

I chatted with my sister and we laughed saying that she'll be in heaven now arguing with my mum and moaning at Grandad, and telling mum about all the kids and hoping to watch the Snooker Later on TV (Loudly).

It great to look back on family and friends that have Died. in the Salvation Army we say they have been PROMOTED TO GLORY meaning dieing isn't the end but the beginning of eternity.

I believe Ill be there one day and hope many more of my friends and family will be to, a place where there is no hurt no worries and no End.

What ever Nana is Doing now I know she is back to the way she was when she mad us laugh and mad us chips anytime you wanted.

Remember Death is not the End its the beginning of forever, I know my Nana has conquered the Grave just as Jesus did all those many years ago. because the same Holy Spirit that was in Jesus is in Nana Little and amazingly in many of us today that makes us able unbeatable and more then Conquerors

Share the News

Again I been getting comments about why I blog and how I find the courage to blog. I'm not sure courage is the right word. someone said to me that blogging like I do is an amazing thing as they would be to embarrassed to do it. but I'm just not embarrassed and don't get worried about what people say or think.

Ok, lets look at it another way, you go to a great restaurant and have an amazing dinner. You come away feeling good (if not a little full) and you say to someone the next day that its a great place.Why wouldn't you? you had a great diner great atmosphere and great service so you tell people about it.

The people you tell then have a choice to go and try it out themselves or just take your word for it. They may just even think you are maybe mad, as its not the restaurant they would choose to go for a meal. But would you feel embarrassed about telling everyone about something you liked and about the great food you had? No I don't think you would. and I don't think you need courage to tell people either.

The thing is that with all great things you want to tell people about it. Why wouldn't you. and that's the same as me.

I started blogging as a personal thing that only i would read (kind of like a release. But soon realised that why would i keep this great News top myself. Why would I not tell others about stuff I learn and hear, feel and see. Its not courage its truth.

People have a choice to read It or move on, people have a choice to seek it, or run the other way. That's the thing with God, he doesn't force himself on anyone but if you ask him in and seek him wholeheartedly he will be there.

Ok Ok blah blah blah. I'm going on again about this stuff again.... but I am amazed just how many people say to me, '' I wish I had a faith'' or ''I believe in something, just not sure what'' or the classic ''yer I'm sure god does exist, its just not for me''.
Is it that people are scared? well if you seek god and find he isn't there then theres nothing to be scared about. But is you seek god and find he is then again you have found the key that gives you HOPE, FORFILLNESS and ETERNAL LIFE.

''Im Looking to add Testomonies to the blog from people that want to tell it. this could be annonamously or not, and could be on video or just written. email me if you would like to share your story on here Garethdcook@hotmail.co.uk)