BH Bulletin - Thursday 25 June 2020

Thought for the Day by Daniel Chapallaz (BH Member)

​Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in their abundance of chariots
and in their multitude of horsemen.
They do not look to the Holy One of Israel;
they do not seek the LORD.
(Isaiah 31:1)
 
Just a few weeks ago, my second year of Oak Hill ended. I am now faced with a long and quiet Summer. To use it well, I am attempting to read through some of Calvin’s Institutes. It seemed like a long and daunting task, and still does! However, currently 1 week in and I am enjoying reading what he has to say about prayer.
To paraphrase Calvin, he says:
“Cursed is anyone who tries to do something without seeking God for help”.
The actual quote is rather longer but can be read below if you’re interested! Calvin is convinced that we must pray about any and every situation, thing we do. Why wouldn’t we ask God to help us, even in the mundane tasks of life. Nothing is too small or too big to bring to him.
The words from Isaiah show that God is not happy when his people look for help outside of him. They went down to Egypt instead of looking to God. We can trust in our own abilities or in other people. But if we’re not trusting in God first then we must lay everything down and commit things in prayer to him. He loves it when we seek him. So today, why not try it? Why not pray that God will help you, even if you’re just doing a bit of gardening, cleaning or not much at all. Pray that God will give you strength to do it well, for his glory.
If you’re interested, here is the full Calvin Quote:
“Whatever we determine, speak, do, let us determine, speak and do under his hand and will – in a word, under the hope of his help. For all are declared accursed by God who, placing confidence in themselves, conceive and carry out their plans; who undertake or try to begin anything apart from his will and without calling on him.” (Book 3, Ch 20, Section 28).
​Daniel

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Book Review - by Lorna Melia (BH Small Group member)

​​Seven Lessons from Heaven,
Mary C. Neal M.D.
This is Mary Neal’s second book.  Her first, To Heaven and Back, described her near death experience on a Chilean River, when during a canoeing accident she was trapped under water.  She was conscious of Jesus with her, and this experience impressed on her how overwhelmingly God loves us – and how complete trust in him for our futures is the best foundation for life. 
 
In this, her second book, Mary shares further stories, of other people’s encounters with Jesus, and insights about how the truth about Heaven can inform our everyday lives.  I have been reminded of the passages we’ve been looking at in Daniel, where an angelic figure is seen, both in the furnace and in the lions’ den.  When Mary’s body was first pulled from the river some ‘Chileans’ inexplicably appeared, and assisted with the rescue, which she can only explain as angelic.
 
She encourages the reader to review their own lives for evidence – maybe less dramatic, but nevertheless equally persuasive – to live with absolute trust, and be on the lookout for the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  There is also a very good chapter on coping with bereavement – as she herself lost her son, subsequent to the accident.

​I have just finished reading this book, and it has given me a great deal to think about. 
Lorna

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Coffee and Chat reminder

This afternoon is the second Tea and Chat session this week on zoom that anyone can join. The session starts at 15.30pm and anyone who wants to partake will be very welcome.
The easiest way to join this is via the events page on MyChurchSuite.  If you don't have or are having problems logging into MyChurchSuite please contact the church office.   [email protected] or 01273 732965.  

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