God's always got a bigger shovel...

God's grace is amazing, isn't it? Just when you think that God has poured out His blessing on you, something else surprises you. I remember when John and I were first married, we were struggling financially (even more than we do now!), and reading lots about the Biblical injunctions regarding tithing. I know it's not easy - never will be, really, but it is so very important. And one phrase I remember from that time - "however much we try to shovel back to God in terms of tithes, gifts and offerings, we can never out-give God, 'cos He's always got a bigger shovel!" Made me remember a very old hymn, which has been running through my mind all day: He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labours increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials He multiplies peace When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father’s full giving is only begun. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again Annie J Flint Pat's Thought for the Day: As we approach a New Year, with new Resolutions, how's about appreciating and valuing God's grace each day? And how's about finding secret ways to bless people? And why not try surprising God with your giving? As Creator, He delights in creativity!

God Almighty...

John and I have just quietly sat down this evening and watched a video of the film “Bruce Almighty”. A lovely story, with many moments that stop and make you think. If you’ve never seen the film, it’s worth hiring it, just to watch how Bruce (played by Jim Carrey, and to whom God gives Almighty powers - and the responsibilities of being God - for just 7 days) handles prayer requests! The sheer volume of prayers, from just one part of God’s creation, is overwhelming to him. I have a much-loved, somewhat dog-eared book, inherited from my Dad. It’s called “The Speaker’s Sourcebook”, a compilation of quotes and stories, edited by Eleanor Doan. I found this on “Prayer”; The Prayer of a Child “And Dear God, I hope You’ll also take care of Yourself. If anything should happen to You, we’d be in an awful Fix” And also; “Two people praying the same prayers anywhere on earth will raise a commotion in heaven” Today has been a day spent in prayer for Pastor Tony – for his surgery, the skills of the Theatre staff, and for those who now care for him as he recuperates in hospital. For all the family, close and extended, and for us as a church family as we respond to this need. I believe it has also heightened prayer for Neil Cooper, also seriously in continuous need of our prayers. There is an awesome power in concerted, agreeing prayer – it does indeed cause a commotion in heaven. And it is always good to remember that God can take extremely good care of Himself – He has never needed us, or anyone, or anything, for Him to exist, or for Him To Be All that He is. And All that He is, is All that there ever needs to be, for today’s prayers, and for all prayers Pat’s Thought for the Day; How effective do you honestly believe your prayers are? Another little quote from this book reminds me, “Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest Christian on his knees”. It is not how we pray, or even the eloquence of prayer that ultimately matters – it is just doing it. Thank you to all who today have done just that

Happy Christmas

Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful and God-Blessed Christmas, and looking forward to a New and Exciting 2006!

With love

John, Pat, Chris and Andy Kennett

Pastor Tony...

Not an easy day for us as a Fellowship. Tony, one of our Pastors, has been diagnosed with cancer. He will be setting up his own blog, linked from our Church website, very shortly. This is one of those brilliant times when you realise how powerful and supportive blogs and the dissemination of information can be, so let’s use it wisely, prayerfully and thoughtfully.

I guess there will be much to say over the next few weeks and months, but three things I will say right here and now.

Firstly, for Satan to attack in such a dirty, underhanded way probably means that something big is on the horizon for us as a Church. Satan is not omniscient – he cannot know everything, for that is an Attribute of God. However, Satan is aware of things in “The heavenlies”, that spiritual realm which often heralds moves of God. He watches that, and when he sees something powerful from heaven heading our way, we then become a prime target for anything he can throw at us. He will use whatever means he can to make us doubt God, to fear, and to feel that everything we have believed in is a lie. So remember; if he’s trying that hard, it’s because something big is on the move.

Secondly, how to respond. From my perspective, and from experience, when this kind of news hits, people don’t know what to say. But it is vital that the family are made constantly aware of our love and prayers. The thing that helped us as a family the most were the cards. Every day, somebody somewhere remembered to send a get-well card, a word of encouragement, a thought, a prayer. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to happen often. And every one of those cards were pinned up on a wall at home, a living reminder that we were not alone, nor forgotten. So if you ‘re wondering what to do, send a card. If you don’t know how to pray, just pray simply, and send a card, saying “I prayed for you today”.

And finally, our love and thanks go to everyone who signed up today for The Covenant Prayer Chain on the day of Tony’s op. The chain is now complete, with at least one person, sometimes two and occasionally three people praying every 15 minutes throughout the day. Chelmsford, you are a brilliant church, and I know that you know how to pray. Now is the time, though, to step up to the plate again, dig in our spiritual heels, and do battle for a very special family.

Made it!

John has fixed the problems in Oslo, and got back home this evening – a day earlier than planned.

I have survived the last manic 10 days, and hopefully, can now wind down to the 25th…

Andy’s back on the weekend, and all seems well with the world….

I must be missing something……

Silly Season...

It’s Silly Season - With A Vengeance.

That time of year when so much has to be done “in the run-up to Christmas”, and I have managed to get thoroughly caught up with it this year. Take this last week, for instance…..

Last Sunday morning John flew out to Oslo on business. On Monday morning we had a really busy time at Oaks and Acorns ( the playgroup I help out at), and then we went straight from there to do some shopping for the Oaks and Acorns Christmas party next Monday. From there I went back to my sister and Mum’s’ house. I enjoy wrapping presents, so offered to help them with their presents. What with stocking presents and all, I ended up wrapping around 85 presents before finally leaving late Monday night.

I expected John back earlier on today, but in fact things went pretty well, and he managed to scramble a flight home for Tuesday night. Brilliant – except that I was supposed to be down at church attending a masterclass in present-wrapping ready to help out at The Meadows this coming Saturday ( as if I hadn’t already had a fair bit of practise at wrapping the night before). Dashed home – John was home around 8.30 pm.

Wednesday – John has to work up at BBC Television Centre all day – and half the night as well – finally getting home just before midnight. Meanwhile, it’s silly season at work, and of the 5 hours I was scheduled to spend with 5 clients, only 2 turned up, plus a third cancellation got changed into an assessment session. I ended up having to stay there the whole time, as my 2nd and 4th clients had cancelled, but I had to do sessions 1,3 & 5.

Thursday – John gets a very early e-mail from Norway – the system has crashed, and it’s looking like he will have to go back to Oslo in the next few days. I try to go to the Ladies Bible Study, but once there, ended up spending most of the morning session with a lady in great distress. I think God had set it up, though. Then struggled with some photocopying, as the 2 copiers I had access to both wouldn’t work. Went into town to buy some more stuff for the Party bags at Oaks next Monday, and ended up getting the copying done at the local Staples store. Went from there to drop off the party fillers to Mum, only to discover that she had been hoping I might drop in so that she could run her sermon for next Tuesday’s Christmas Lunch at our Luncheon Club past me. Won’t spoil it for anyone, but they’re in for a treat, and it was a great pick-me-up in the middle of the day. Dashed home, got a meal in the oven, then off to the night shift at work. Came home to John having not only done the Tesco shopping _ I had expected to do it tomorrow, although in fairness, John usually does this every week, provided he’s physically in the UK….. as well as some beautiful roses from him…

Tomorrow is baking day for the party, and more food shopping with Rhi – hopefully with a night off…

Saturday is Christmas wrapping in the Meadows, after getting our Christmas tree from the local Garden Centre. Decorate it in the afternoon, followed by a friend’s birthday party….

Sunday – probably at both morning services, and my niece is singing a solo at the Nursery Nativity at 11.15…. then it’s a quick lunch before getting John off to Stansted again…then back to the evening service and start setting up for the party on Monday morning…

Monday – getting John’s car off for it’s service, before then going to church for party day… then scheduled for a haircut at 1 pm, home for a few hours, pick up John’s car, then spending a few hours with a friend who needs a little help with a psychology essay….making sure I’ve sent off an e-mail to Andy – it’s his 19th birthday today….

Tuesday – work, 4 clients, Group Supervision, dash home and get ready to host our Small Group Christmas Social…

Wednesday – work, 5 more clients…then crash………………………..

Silly Season – With A Vengeance…..

Pat’s Thought for the Day:
And in my spare time……. In my spare time I try to remember that God entered our world with the minimum of fuss, no trappings or trimmings, and very simply. And that somewhere in all of this madness I need to make sure I talk to Him, spend time with Him, and re-charge my spiritual as well as physical batteries. For in all the busyness, the Creator of the Universe is waiting, just for me…..

Andy's Birthday coming up....

It will be Andy's 19th birthday in a week's time - on 12th December 2005 to be precise. It is his first birthday away from home, as he will not be coming home for Christmas until 17th December.

Anyone out there fancy dropping him a line to say happy birthday? His e-mail is andy@kennett.org.

If you fancy having some fun with free e-mail cards, I use three great sites - links below
Hallmark cards
Canadian Bible Society
Christianity Today

Thanks

A Funny for you all.....

Came across this the other day

The Silent Treatment

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00AM. Wake up."

Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.