Happenings 7 May 2020

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Just thinking…

As we journey through the book of Job, it raises the issues of pain and suffering. In a book called ‘Letters Never Sent’, Ruth van Reken writes on this topic. Ruth was the daughter of a missionary couple, and she lived in Nigeria for many years separated from her parents. This was the beginning of a time of deep personal struggle which profoundly affected her relationship with God. She writes of this and other experiences of pain in her life.
"Finally, I had to make a choice to believe in [God’s] very character. I had to believe he was faithful and true and that he was good, no matter what it looked like. And I think that's what we really don't believe about God. We don't trust that when things aren't going my way he is still loving me, that he's still good, that somewhere in his plan there's a greater purpose - a greater good for me.… I find it incredible, almost paradoxical, that [pain and faith] can be so profoundly expressed in the one person simultaneously. We live in a world that seems to say God would never ask us to suffer, and yet we do suffer. For years I denied my pain and clung tenaciously to my faith - almost as a banner - to prove I had no 'problems'. But God showed me another way. This new understanding came to me one day in Liberia when my uncle had been in a motorcycle accident. He lay dying in one room of the hospital while I was with my cousin, who had also been badly injured, in another room. I had no idea how to pray. If I prayed for his recovery, would he ever walk or see again? Would it be my fault if he died, since I didn't have faith enough to believe he could ever be completely well? In the midst of this, I had an experience unlike any I've had before or since. Christ somehow took me with him to the Garden of Gethsemane where I saw him doubled over in deepest agony. Then he said to me, 'Ruth, I know what it is not to want the Father's will. Sometimes it is very hard. Because of that, I'm not going to push you through this, I'm going to carry you.' In the time of Christ's greatest act of faith, he endured the deepest pain possible. But his 'nevertheless' - the ultimate acceptance of moving on to do the Father's will - could only come after he wrestled with that pain, not after he denied it. That single understanding - to see the incredible paradox that I am able to wish the Father's will could be different, right in the middle of obedience to that will - gave me the freedom to begin my journey back to sort out the pain issues I had denied for so long.”

Some great reflections there, I think.

In Him,
Murray

This Sunday 10 May…

Developing A Faith That Doesn't Work:Kiwis are known for being pragmatic, but is faith always supposed to ‘work’? How do we develop a faith that is vital even though it may not bring ‘results’? (Job 2-3)

Small Group Study

Over the next four weeks, Murray will be running a small group study called Archaeology and Jesus. This will happen on Mondays at 11am. If you are interested in joining, please email the office.

Kids Programs This Sunday

Because of the lock down, there will be no kids program going forwards, but we are looking to provide some resources for parents soon.

RBC Sunday Services

You can always re-watch any of the recorded RBC Sunday Services including the Good Friday and Easter Sunday ones. You can do this from our YouTube channel by clicking here.

mainly music Online

Our gathered mainly music sessions for young children have had to be stopped due to COVID19, but we have taken it online, and are posting weekly sessions for you to watch. Check out our Facebook page for these.

Ignite Youth Group

Please contact the church if you would like to find out what is happening with Ignite Youth.

Home Groups

Wednesday Night Home Group
Home Group at the home of Paul and Ruth Ungemuth every second and fourth Wednesday at 7:30pm. Each week we share in supper, do a bible study and pray for each other. Will begin on Wednesday 13 February. Contact the office for more information.

Thursday Morning Home Group
Home Group in the church lounge on the third Thursday of the month at 10am. After morning tea we do a bible study and pray together. Contact the office for more information.

Young Adults Home Group
Every Thursday evening at 7:30pm. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us!

You can check out all our Sunday services during the lock-down from our YouTube channel by clicking here.