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Littleborough Methodist Circuit
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From the
Minister’s Study THE LEGACY OF LOVE Part 2: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE?“Jesus said…as I have
loved you, so you must love one another” John 13:34
Words like coins can be in
circulation for such a long time that they start wearing out. The word love
as used in the English language has many shades of meanings. God in his
providence had the New Testament written in Greek, which is more precise
compared to English. The Greek language has 4 words for love: Eros, embraces
bodily beauty, sensual desire, from which we get the English word erotic (not
used at all in the New Testament); Stergo, mutual love of parents
and children, phileo, which carries the idea of friendship love or
attraction of people to one another, both inside and outside the family,
philos, simply means a friend. The principal word used in the New Testament,
however, is Agape which is divine love towards mankind, a Christian’s
love for other people. When
Jesus said in John 13:34…as I have loved you, so you must love one
another”, he used the word agape. The major difference between
Agape and the other three is simply this, Agape is unconditional love.
The other three are conditional, agape comes with no strings attached, the
other 3 can end due to changing circumstances, agape simply exists and never
ends. The other 3 require some level of emotional reward; agape flourishes
regardless, any reward simply enhances it but is not contingent upon it.
Agape requires
us to love one another at all times, regardless of what does or does not
happen. For marriage to last it requires a full dose of agape as Ruth Calkin
writes in her book: Love is So Much More, Lord : “Marriage means-
putting up with personality weaknesses, accepting criticism and giving each
other freedom to fail. It means sharing deep feelings about fear and
rejection. Turning self-pity into laughter and taking a walk to regain
control…Marriage means- gentleness and joy, toughness and fortitude, fairness
and forgiveness and a walloping amount of sacrifice. Marriage means –
learning when to say nothing, when to keep talking, when to push a little,
and when to back off. It means acknowledging “ I can’t be God to you – I need
Him too.” Marriage means – you are the other part of me and I am the other
part of you. We will work through this with never a thought of walking out.
Marriage, my love, means us!” That is what it means to agape one another
and much more. Human
relationships are built on three major fundamentals: commitment,
communication and compromise. So what does it mean to love others? How
can you know you love other people? Take the Test. The following are 10
questions to test your love for others. First: Do you have commitment,
compromise and willingness to communicate effectively with other people? Secondly: Do you
suffer patiently when others are being difficult? Thirdly: do you
refuse to envy others or anything in their life? Fourthly, how much
credit to do you give to others? Do you lower their expectation and increase
their appreciation? Do you believe in people even when they do not believe in
themselves? Fifthly do you refuse to treat people rudely? Sixthly, are
you kind to others even when they are not? Seventhly, do you refuse to
demand your own way? Eighthly, do you refrain from using threats or
uncontrolled anger? Ninthly, do you refuse to take pleasure when
something bad happens even to your avowed enemy? Tenthly, do you tell
people the truth graciously, even when it is difficult? If you find the above
questions a handful try the acid test: Do you love people regardless? Or
is you love conditional? Agape love is only possible from God who is
love. “We love…because God first loved us” (1John 4:19). Through
loving one another, the world will know we are Christians. Love is the
catalyst to the Great Commission. I (agape) love you all! Daniel The
Invisible Man I met the invisible man
yesterday. We were in town going into Smiths and he was just standing in the
doorway. Nobody else saw him—not my dad, my little sister or anyone else. He was
just standing there selling the The Big Issue in the North. As we
walked past he said quietly, “I am the invisible man”. Once we
were inside the shop, Dad bought a magazine that cost £3.30, my little sister
bought a CD that cost £10 and I bought two CD singles that cost £4 each. After
paying we went back outside. I wanted to see if the invisible man was still
there. He was still, invisible, nobody else had noticed him. Why not?
We had just spent £21 on ourselves and he was only asking £1. Why didn’t all
the other shoppers who were spending lots of money on themselves give just £1
to help this man get back on his feet? It
doesn’t matter how he lost his home, we could have helped him. I don’t know
why my Dad didn’t buy a magazine, because he usually does. May be the man was
invisible. E
Williams, age 10, from St. Luke’s school, Formby Upon remembering, Luke 10:32,
somebody went and bought a “Big Issue”! Food for thought:- You Christians have a document
containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world
upside down and bring peace to a battle torn planet. But you treat it as
though it is nothing more than a piece of literature. Mahatma
Ghandi When you were born, you were
crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your live so that when you
die, you are not the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. |
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The letters of Halcyon After re-reading C.S. Lewis’s
book, The Screwtape Letters, I thought it was time the good angels had
a turn. I offer the notes of a senior angel as he corresponds with a junior
angel. The
Third letter You are aware that humans exist
as male and female—not a single sex like we angels, and, indeed, certain
insects at significant stages. It is
commonly thought, among some angels, that the arrangement was created simply
as a source of humour for us—this is far from the case. Our
Great Father made the beautiful design as a picture of the relationship
between Christ and His Church. One young believer said, Jesus sees the Church
as: very attractive, knock-’em-dead, gorgeous!” The evil
Enemy has done all in his power to make people damage its beauty and imagine
that he thought of it first—very silly. As one
thinker said, “Marriage is not for the perfectionists!” Regards
Halcyon Contributed by DW Wilkinson Scientific Evidence on Faith Healing and Prayer Dr. Peterson of Oral Roberts
University in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a brain specialist and was doing research on
the relationship between the brain and praying or speaking in tongues. Some
amazing things were discovered! Through
research and testing, Dr Peterson found that as we pray in the spirit or
worship in the spirit (our heavenly language) there is activity that begins
in our brain. As we engage in our heavenly language, the brain releases two
chemical secretions that are directed into our immune systems giving a 35% to
40% boost in the immune system. This promotes healing within our bodies.
Amazingly, this secretion is triggered from a part of the brain that has no
other apparent activity in humans and we don’t use it. It is only activated
by our Spirit-led prayer and worship. We need
to pray in our prayer language more than we have ever before (Source
Paul Cliff via Michael Priestley) I’d rather see A Sermon than hear one I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than only tell the way The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear Fine counsel is confusing, but, examples always clear The best of all the preachers are the men who live their
deeds To see good put in action is what everybody needs I soon learn to do it if you let me see it done I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast
may run The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do I may or may not understand the high advise you give But there is no misunderstanding on how you act and how
live Anonymous Mirror, Mirror….. Even in
fairy tales, the mirrors do not lie. So
beware the question you ask Particularly
the question “why?” The
mirror sees what it sees And will
unblinkingly reply: “YOU” Even in
fairy tales, the mirrors do not lie. So beware
the questions you pose, Particularly
the question, “Who?” The
mirror knows what it knows And will
always speak true: “YOU” “Who”,
you might ask, “Would a man die for an enemy?” Or a
king choose to be skewered to a tree, Or a God
opt for such bloody human agony?” “Who,”
you might inquire, “could be worth so much?” Who so
loved to be salvaged at such a price? Who so
evil to require such costly sacrifice? The
mirror of course will not lie The
Mirror will always speak to me And will
unblinkingly reply: A Poem by Mark Green, Executive
Director of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity |
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News round and
folk News Derek and Jean Ackroyd who
celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on 20 June. May God continue to
enrich your lives together and the whole family of God. Martin Priestley has been
on a university mission in Japan. A steady flow of emails kept the prayer
partners informed and encouraged intercessions for his short-term service
overseas. He was supported in several ways by Smithy Bridge Chapel. Farewell:- Took place
on Sunday July 13, at Smithy Bridge Church to two very special people, who
are moving on from their posts in the church, Rev Gill Berry to full time
Chaplaincy, at HMP Buckley Hall, and Ruth Bradbury—the Pais worker, who moves to University
studies. Ruth has not only left an impact in our area, but has also a further
claim to fame, which is well worth noting. A large painting completed during
her Sixth Form studies graces the Youth Chapel in Manchester Cathedral. Turn
right, just inside the South Entrance, and you are in the chapel. Christ is
shown being worshipped by a teenager—a portrait of one of Ruth’s friends. In
another sense, both Jesus and the young person are inviting others to join
in. Appreciations
and presentations on behalf of the Smithy Bridge Chapel were made by the
senior steward Ian Brazendale who thanked them both for their ministry and
presented each with a gift and farewell card. In her farewell speech Gill
thanked the congregation for their support and spoke briefly about her new work
at the Prison. The farewell service included a service of baptism comprising
of a baptismal party of over 50 who helped fill the chapel to near capacity.
It was, lovely family occasion when young Sam was baptised by the Rev Gill
Berry. What a fitting finishing touch to her ministry in Smithy Bridge! We
wish you well Gill. The service was followed by a Faith Lunch. Dave Bilbrough Concert was well
attended at Dearnley Chapel on 10th July. It was a wonderful site to see the
chapel nearly full. It was attended by Christians from all churches. Most
amazing besides Dave’s guitar expertise and singing was his wife Pat’s
wizardry with percussion. Peter the UCB Northern
representative spoke about their work and the charities the concerts
supported. £559 was raised on the night and presented by the Circuit
superintendent minister to the UCB representative. Special thanks were
expressed to Pat Schimückle who co-ordinated the event yet again and Sheila
Hawkwood, Kath Hill and the rest of the catering team. GEORGE WILFRED
MAWSON 1923–2003 It was with deep shock and great
sadness that we all learned of the sudden death of George Mawson. George came
to Dearnley about ten years ago to participate in the Monday club and after
making friends with May started attending morning worship. George was a quiet
pleasant man who kept himself to himself, always known to talk about his
vegetable patch at home in Birch Avenue. George
won many prizes for his leeks, cabbage, turnips etc when he entered the
Wardle-Smallbridge Horticultural Show. One person was heard to say last word
“Our market won’t be the same this year without George’s vegetables.” To say
George will be sadly missed is an understatement. We offer George’s family
and May our thoughts and prayers. We thank God for all the memories George
leaves behind. Rev. Jack Leach |
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