Welcome to that busy time of year again! Somehow, despite my plans and ideas, Christmas has taken me by surprise. I have felt overwhelmed with all the Christmas chores, on top of expectations from my family and that's before I even think about end of term deadlines!

There are so many events and to do lists.

But stop!

Why do I need to feel all this pressure? It is then that I have stopped and asked myself what am I doing?

And God reminded me gently. To seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6.33). There is no need to allow the pressure in. Keep the focus on the kingdom of the King of kings. Allow His peace to reign.

I still haven't written cards, wrapped presents or even bought a tree! Yet thanks to God, I am calm. I hope you can feel His peace too midst the rushing at this time of year.

Be blessed.

Church in Caerphilly

Last week we witnessed the devastation caused by floods of Storm Bert. These floods have shaken communities across the country. Lives have been upended, and hearts left heavy with grief. For many of us, witnessing such destruction, whether in our towns or through news reports, it can feel overwhelming. The question naturally arises: where is God in the midst of this storm?

The Bible reminds us that God is not distant during times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” This verse speaks to a profound truth—God is not absent from our suffering but is actively present, offering comfort, guidance, and hope.

During the storm that struck the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were terrified as the waves threatened to engulf their boat. Yet, Jesus was with them, calming the storm with His words: “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). This story reminds us that while storms may rage around us, Jesus is always in the boat. He is the one who calms the storms of our hearts, even when the external chaos remains.

In the words of Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” I hope these words are a source of comfort and strength as we move forward together, trusting in the God who never abandons us, even in the midst of life’s most turbulent storms.

Church in Caerphilly

Building to the Blueprint

This week, I had the exciting task of assembling a new bike shed. When I opened the box and saw the instruction manual, I was overwhelmed and horrified at the 300 plus screws involved! The plans looked so detailed and complicated that I thought, “Maybe I could figure this out without the guide.” But as I started, it quickly became clear: without following the blueprint, I’d end up with a pile of parts instead of a shed. I started it on my own and I soon realised that I just couldn’t do it. So I asked Jez very kindly could he help me. Together we saw the plan unfold.

This reminded me of how Jesus gave us a "blueprint" for life through His teachings and example. Just like I couldn’t improvise the bike shed, we can’t “make up” the Christian life on our own. We need to trust and follow His instructions.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

He shows us that His Word is the firm foundation and reliable blueprint for life.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we’re reminded that:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

When life feels complicated or overwhelming, it’s tempting to try to figure things out on our own. But if we want to build a life that honors God, we have to lean on His Word and follow the plan He’s given us. Just like with the bike shed, when we trust and obey, piece by piece, everything will fit together in His perfect timing.

Let’s encourage one another to stay in the Word, pray for wisdom, and follow the “blueprint” Jesus gave us, knowing that He is building something beautiful in and through us.

Church in Caerphilly

Something came to my attention that you may already have seen yourself.

At Jesus's crucification in His last moment's it says in

Matthew 27:46 - About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ).

I've always thought that this was all about Jesus feeling the separation from the Father, being in extreme agony and carrying the weight of our sins before his death which is extreme and gruelling by itself, but then I realised that at that time he was surrounded by the religious leaders and many others who had rejected Him and they all would've known the scriptures well.

As soon as they heard this cry, their thoughts would have gone to a psalm of David

Psalm 22:1 - My God my God why have you forsaken me?

In verse 3 it says: Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

I highly recommend you read the whole psalm, but in verse 27 onwards is says:

The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations. Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.They will hear about everything he has done.

In those last moments when Jesus took His last breath He was still quoting scripture, declaring who He was and why He had come, directing people to the Father.

Matthew 27:54 - The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

I have no doubt that they weren't the only ones thinking this at that time and they wouldn't have even known the scriptures.

The challenge I have felt is do my word's, my action's, my life, point and direct people to the Father, all the time.

John 14:6 - Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

This is the truth!

I pray a boldness and a confidence over us all that we can stand up and be a people who believe and declare this truth.

Amen

Church in Caerphilly