Dear Friends  -  I had the day all worked out!…. 

After an earlier than usual start to allow me the time to complete my chaplaincy duties at the YMCA, I had picked up my Cambridge students from their house, in good time to make the 10am mid week communion service at Holy Angels Salford. After visiting a church further afield in Clifton, before then making our way back to hear a presentation on the Heartedge movement at Sacred Trinity Church, I drove the students back. A free 20 minutes in the late afternoon allowed me to mow their front lawn (don’t ask!), before setting off home, to prepare for that evening’s PCC. However, en route, I popped into Lidl Salford, which as well as stocking loose almonds (unlike its Longsight counterpart), was also going to be the shop whereby I could use my 10% off coupon which was due to expire at the end of the day. The trolley was loaded higher than usual (well… I do like to make the most of any discount!), but there was room to add some ice cream for Jed, so I phoned him to find out his favourite flavour. And then… disaster! In the midst of our conversation, my phone died: no power, no coupon to redeem, no saved bank cards to use. My phone, devoid of power, previously my diary, planner, wallet, communicator and computer (and so much more), was no longer any use to me.

In our Sunday sermons at church, we’re now approaching the end of a series spent in the first half of Paul’s letter to the Romans. From Pau’s perspective and experience, it was clear our lives do have purpose, have immense use, and are equipped with the power of Christ’s spirit. As he writes (and echoing similar sentiments expressed in Ephesians 1):
If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. 

Things indeed may not always be straightforward for us, despite our best intentions or pre planning. However, be assured that we are provided with all the power and support that we require!

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Hope you all are doing great, and this will find you all well. I was reflecting back when I visited Pakistan, in August 2018. At that time was going to start my Theological study in September but before that, we decided to see our family and especially our parents. At that time things were not clear at all as I resigned from my NHS job, my kids were small, and Shahbaz was unable to work permanently because of my study. Many other plans were in our life that were not clear at all. However, there was a peace always in my heart, that this is God’s plan, and He loves me so much and He will never harm me.
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As I am going to visit my parents and other family members again after six years, I have reminded myself again of this verse from Jeremiah 29:11
 
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
Thinking back and recalling my past has reassured me that God always has, “plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. I just want to encourage myself and you all not to worry or be anxious about anything and always remember that God loves us, and the plan God has for us is always great.
 
Thank you, God, for answering our prayers, and a BIG thank you for your prayers for Susan’s recovery. Praise God she is back to the toddler group and ready to lead from September after the hard time she had during the treatment. Once again let’s remind ourselves and say it loudly this line with me please (if you can)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
Could you please remember our family in your prayers while we go to see our family in Pakistan.
 
With lots of love, prayers, and blessings, have a blessed summer holidays/
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Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends  -

Over a large part of yesterday, I was glued to my computer screen. It wasn’t as though the subject matter was initially enthralling (although to my surprise, as the hours went by, it became more so). Indeed to be truthful, I entered the Zoom meeting both grumpily and reluctantly, questioning as to whether this enforced requirement of 3 hours of my time was both justified and necessary, and was it indeed going to positively impact me in the future.

My mood wasn’t helped by the leader of the meeting who threatened dire consequences for anyone who was tempted to look away from the screen with their attention elsewhere, even for a second. However, 180 minutes later, as I pressed the 'leave' button on the screen, (as recently a number of high profile politicians and even the Archbishop of Canterbury have also done), I was glad I had attended and completed my on-line Speed Awareness course! A means by which the prospect of points on my driving license was removed, and where also I was further equipped for the task of being a better driver in the future.

Over the course of the last few weeks, the adults in our congregation have been spending time in Paul’s epistle to fellow Christians in and around Rome. We’ve been thinking through the means by which their (and our) past, current and future failings can and have been settled through the death and resurrection of Jesus. No fine paid, no course forcibly attended; simply a required acknowledgement that we find our forgiveness and new life only in Christ, with a cleansed license, to start and indeed continue our journey with Him.

Of course on that journey there are new things to learn and discover. Just as I with 40 years or so of driving experience still had new things to learn yesterday, as Christians we never have got things totally worked out, and there are always  new challenges, encouragements and insights to receive. Paul’s letter to the Romans (as we will continue on Sunday in chapter 8) moves on to share how the Spirit is there to equip us. May we indeed be open to all that God has for us, in our journey through this life He has given us.


Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear friends and families,
 
I was reflecting on only one verse from Psalm 42:5 and was questioning to myself which I am going to share with you too.

Why am I so sad?
Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my saviour and my God.

When we are disappointed; we need to look inward. David asked, ‘Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?’ We need to admit how we feel. We can’t deal with what we don’t acknowledge. We need to ask God to show us the root of the problem. Is it pent-up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue? Be open to what He reveals because John 10:10b says, I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.
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We live in a driven, stressed-out society, we can change; we can be joyful if we choose to.

“The choice is in our hands”.

The Shepherd of our soul will never leave us nor forsake us; in Jesus’ mighty name, I pray.
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With lots of love, prayers, and blessings.
 
Rev Kathreen Shabaz