Of all the seasons of the year springtime is my favourite.
As I walk Fin our dog, I love to see the new green shoots, the spring flowers and the blossom on the trees – all of which speak of our amazing creation and our amazing Creator. The rhythm of the seasons is wonderful and inspirational – even when we can feel rather down-in-the-dumps of winter blues.
1st March is the first Sunday in Lent: our annual opportunity to nurture new life in our own lives; to look for God’s spring-time in us; to focus on Jesus’ amazing life and sacrificial love: to take some time to think and pray in response to the challenges we face; to work out what God might be asking of us.
During Lent some of us will be taking up the challenge of “40 Acts!” – a global movement of Christians who want to see God’s generosity transform the world. This is an opportunity to allow our faith in Christ to change us and, into the bargain, to bring generosity and kindness to others – as God brings generosity and kindness to us.
If you’d like to join in, each day during Lent, you will receive a daily challenge, hear the story of someone who has given themselves in service to others and think about a possible response you can make. Their stories are inspirational, and the suggested responses are do-able!
The Bible teaches us that God so loved the world that he gave …– He gave Himself, His love, His service, His sacrifice. At the very heart of God is generosity and kindness – something that can be lacking in the world today.
40 Acts gives ordinary Christians, like you and me, a chance to be inspired by others example, to think about what we can do in Madeley and Betley and to see how we can share God’s love amongst our neighbours and our friends in realistic, practical and tangible ways.
Believing that God wants to transform this world (as he turns winter into spring), so let us see how we can join in. Details of the project and how to sign up to receive your daily email can be found at: 40acts.org.uk
May God bless you during this season of Lent.
Peter Chantry
Confirmation* – on May 10th.
Bishop Michael is coming for a service of Confirmation in Newcastle. If you are interested in being confirmed – please have a word with Peter/John
* Confirmation is a service for those who want to confirm their adult faith in Jesus Christ and to celebrate God love for them.
