THE Scriptures in James this week reminds us that we need to look after one another.
To pray for one another, to bear each other’s burdens, to be open and honest with one another, and when necessary, call people back to the narrow path of faith.
It is a core value of our faith, to love one another as Christ has loved us.
The problem for us as human beings is that we have blindspots.
We can be unaware of what we are saying and doing, and this hinders us from being able to be honest and open and truly loving.
Blindspots are areas of our lives that we are not aware of, but others may be.
We may think that we are open and honest, but people may experience us as being confrontational and over the top.
This makes us incongruent – what we say and what we do not match up.
To be loving we need to be congruent, and to be congruent we need other people to help us be aware of our blind spots.
All of us have them.
The question that needs to be asked is, “Who do you have in your life that helps you to be aware of your blind spots?”
People who you trust and who you will allow to name what is going on.
Have you ever had the experience where something that makes you bristle in another person is identified by someone else in you?
Our response to these times is important.
Louise Evans, in her book, ‘5 Chairs, 5 Choices’ explores five ways in which we respond.
We may judge others; judge ourselves; wait and begin to be curious; seek to be more self-aware and connect; and/or listen and consider the point from the other’s view.
Our ability to be congruent and to love one another hinges on our openness.
Victor Frankl in his book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ wrote: “Everything can be taken from man but one thing.
“The last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
SCHOOL holidays are in full swing and what a blessing it is with the reopening of the border bubble, allowing for more movement and holiday choices.
This ties in with Pastor La’Mont’s message of “living in thankfulness” last week, a reminder of how important it is to keep focused on being thankful.
‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.
Keeping thoughts on what is positive, giving power and strength to endure and have patience.
Our Sunday service continues online so tune in to our Grain Shed Church Youtube channel from 10am Sunday and enjoy God’s word, wherever you may be, whether in a lounge room, out camping, or like some, even having a picnic.
To keep up with what’s on around the Grain Shed every Wednesday Pastor Jodi and La’Mont get together, and on Fridays, be challenged with our Friday Devotions on our Facebook and Youtube pages.
Thank you to all who have already participated in the Samaritans Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.
If you or your business/organisation would like to be part of this to bless less fortunate children around the world it is not too late, the return date has been extended to October 20.
And if you would like more information please call us here on 5032 9449.
Boxes can be picked up Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm.
AT the time of writing this there have been no changes in restrictions on gathering for worship.
There is a limit of 20 people who need to be socially distanced and masked, even during singing, except while receiving Communion and morning tea!
Is there not a sense of the ridiculous in this?
As the AFL prepares to celebrate the Great Festival of the Grand Final, citizens of Perth will have more freedom to gather in huge numbers.
Being a Saint Kilda supporter I bravely watch football games, and the most astonishing bit of viewing was seeing each winning team leave the arena after very close, sometimes intimate contact, and don face masks to be safe while singing their club song.
Meanwhile Christians have not been permitted to celebrate ‘en masse’ the Great Festivals of Christmas and Easter, the latter now for two years.
But Christians have always found a way to come together since the joy and hope of the Resurrection.
When even two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, they are strengthened to stay the course as team members of the body of Christ.
Parishioners still have Wednesday 10am and Sunday 9.30am services, and this Sunday there will be the monthly one at 11.15am in All Saints, Nyah West.
Visitors are always warmly welcomed at Swan Hill Anglican Christ Church, but the limit of 20 inside the building means that, weather permitting, others may be able to socially distance on the surrounding lawns.
Pray that everyone will respond everywhere to “love their neighbour” and accept vaccination against the common enemy which is COVID-19.
