NKCC building - faith, hope and love at its foundation.

Today I went onto our building site at Springhead in order to bury something in the foundations of the NKCC building. I had been prompted to put something of value to myself into the spiritual foundation as well as the physical foundation. I decided to put some cards that were sent between myself, Kim, David and Kerry - aspects of love.
Alongside these in the box, was an earring given for this purpose by our friend, Faith Blatchford, who has continually encouraged us upon our adventure of faith, particularly in regard to our building.
Also hope that has been kept alive by God's goodness and faithfulness. We hope and expect great things of God.
Faith, hope and love - we lay these at the foundation of the life of North Kent Community Church.

As you can see from the photos, work on site is progressing and the houses around us give us an amazing opportunity to help create a wonderful community. For more details go to www.nkcc.org.uk/springhead

What an amazing summer

An amazing summer
What an amazing summer we have enjoyed in the UK. The Queen's Jubilee celebrations roused the nation and brought people together, the concert in front of Buckingham Palace with images actually projected on the wall of the palace, flags being waved, happy faces everywhere.
Then the Olympic Games - such amazing organisation on the part of the UK. Truly we are a great nation. As a family we had the blessing of attending a number of events. Kim and I were in the Olympic stadium for the evening when Team GB won three gold medals in less than an our, Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah. The atmosphere was likely nothing I have experienced before, waves sound rolling around the stadium until it reached a continuous thunderous roar. The celebrations were breathtaking and lifelong memories were made.
Following on was the Paralympic Games where amazing achievements were celebrated. People wanted to be part of the atmosphere, and tickets sold fast. I loved the reality that ability was being seen before disability.
The nation revelled in good news, celebrating affort and achievement. We lived in an environment of good news, cooperation, smiles, celebration and hope for that time. And People loved it.
It sounds like a job description for the church - create an atmosphere of good news, celebration, hope, joy and cooperation. That is the good news of the Kingdom of God.

What is the good news?

Recently I have been talking with my good friend, David Webster, and my wife, Kim, about the "Gospel".
What is the christian Gospel?
What is this good news?
We realised over the years that we have come to limit the extent of the good news in our christian thinking? For instance I was reading a christian magazine recently, that asked the question "When did you last have an evangelistic conversation?" I think I know what is meant by that, probably the question suggests an answer around the idea of when did we last explain to someone the plan of salvation, the concept of sin, forgiveness being born again. And that is a wonderful part of the gospel.
But is the gospel more than that?
I think so, the Bible talks about the good news of Jesus Christ, not just the good news of salvation. Jesus did more than forgive sins, he healed people, taught them, set them free from oppression, multiplied food, he ate and drank, attended weddings, provide wine. He did life in all its fullness.
Jesus simply was good news to all who wanted to welcome Him.
I don't want to limit myself with regard to the gospel - I want to display it in all its fulness as far as possible. Healing the sick, bringing liberty and hope to people, calming storms (in the workplace, in the home), being a source of joy and light.
As his light shines through us in greater measure, we will simply be good news. I don't want to try to include the gospel in my conversation, I want to be good news wherever I am.

One of the ways that God reveals his glory is through miracles. We have been singing "God let your glory fall" for many years, so it is wonderful to be in the environment of North Kent Community Church where we see and hear of miracles practically every week.
There is no doubt in my mind that we are living in very exciting days as Christians in the UK.
It is wonderful to see the recovery of Fabrice Muamba after his cardiac arrest; the whole nation was called to prayer by the football world (even Wayne Rooney on Twitter) and now the whole country has witnessed a miracle as stated by the Cardiologist who attended Fabrice.
God loves to heal people and he loves to answer our prayers. Our responsibility is to stimulate atmospheres of faith that enable the miracles to happen.
How do we stimulate faith?  Here are some ideas based around Biblical principles.

• By experiencing God's power 
• By hearing God 
• By receiving faith as a spiritual gift
• By spending time around people of faith
• By celebrating what God is already doing.