Talks

Our Special Guest Speaker - Stuart Bell explored what it means to be a healthy church, using Ezekiel 37’s vision of dry bones as a picture of how God brings life, growth and maturity.

He highlighted five key components:

1.    Structure (skeleton) – the frame determines the size of the body.

2.    Systems (Sinews/tendons) – the life flow of blood around the body. Love for one another.

3.    Style (Skin), Every Church has a unique DNA. Style or Skin which is unique.

4.    Spirit (the source of life), We need the breath of the Holy Spirit.

5.    Stature (Standing) – Healthy church has the ability to stand. An important posture.

Every person has a valuable part to play, with different gifts and abilities, and no one should compare themselves with others. Stuart encouraged us to be comfortable in our God-given identity and to connect meaningfully with our community. A healthy church grows in unity, love, maturity and service, equipping people to stand firm, deal with challenges, and make an impact in the community and beyond.

It was wonderful to welcome Annie and Francis from Malawi on Sunday morning, Annie gave us many examples on how the money we have donated over the years has made a difference in Malawi through her organisation “HOPE MISSIONS”.
Francis in his own unique style, reflected on the theme “Planted in the church and Rooted in Christ”. He spoke about his own story and how his decision to follow Jesus 44 years ago has shaped his life. He described God’s faithfulness through hardship, illness, ministry and danger, emphasising that choosing Christ does not remove difficulties but that God always comes though!
He stressed that Jesus was and is both God and Lord, and that through His death and resurrection we are reconciled to God and become His children. From Acts Chapter 2 Francis talked about being rooted in Christ means that we: read Scripture, pray, fellowship and allow others to encourage and strengthen us. Francis passionately encouraged us to ensure that we have made the most important decision in life to Follow Jesus and make Him our Lord and our Saviour.

On 19th July, our guest speaker - Paul Blundell (from Alive Church in Lincoln) finished our Rooted Series talking about the “Practice of Presence”.
He talked from Genesis 28, focusing on Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel. He began by describing how easily we can be physically present yet mentally distracted, often missing what God is already doing around us. Jacob arrived at an ordinary, unnamed place while running from his past, yet there he discovered that “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”
Paul emphasised that God’s presence is not limited to special locations or spiritual highs. God meets people in ordinary places, difficult circumstances, and everyday moments. The foundation of our relationship with God is not our performance, but His faithfulness. We do not earn His presence through good works; we receive it through His covenant love revealed fully in Jesus.
Using the example of Brother Lawrence, who learned to encounter God while working in a noisy kitchen, Paul encouraged us to practise awareness of God’s presence throughout daily life. Prayer, scripture, fasting, community, service, Sabbath, and witness are not ends in themselves but pathways to encounter God. He invited us to ask where God is already at work in our lives and which spiritual practices He is calling us to deepen this summer, so that Ashwood might become a community known for finding God in the ordinary and unexpected.

It was a delight to have our friend Joe Gisbey’s (CEO of Links) with us.  His message – part of our Rooted Series, was on The Practice of Sabbath. Joe describes Sabbath as the practice that keeps our spiritual “roots” deep in God, enabling us to withstand heat, drought, and pressure (“Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought…”).  God’s design for human flourishing through resting in him.  He quoted St Augustine of Hippo who said: “Thou hast made us for thyself and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”  Brilliant!
He traces Sabbath back to Genesis 2, in the creation story and described how God rested not because He was tired, but because creation was complete and good. Humanity’s first full day is a day of rest, meaning we are created to live from rest, not for rest. Joe emphasised that rest and creativity are not opposites; true creativity flows from a rested soul.
Joe talked about how consumerism and the endless pursuit of “just a little bit more” (Rockefeller) distorts our desires and exhaust our hearts. The practice of Sabbath (setting aside time, ideally 24 hours at the start of each week) is a counter‑formation practice—one that reorders our desires, quiets striving, and anchors our identity in God rather than achievement or material possessions.
Joe described Sabbath as “Sacred Architecture” a weekly rhythm of delight, worship, shared meals, walking, gratitude, intimacy, and time with God. Whatever is life-giving to your soul!  Sabbath becomes both a refuge and a reorientation, restoring the soul and grounding life in God’s presence.
How could you develop this practice of Sabbath to bring life to your soul each week to help you become more Rooted in God?

Sunday was “Fostering Sunday” in Ashwood and we had a special Guest Speaker – Zoe Bell! (Zoe is part of Ashwood but also works for 100 Homes in Nottingham).

Zoe spoke to us from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 – “We are all like broken jars of clay”.  She talked about the Japanese art of Kintsugi.  Where pots and vases are repaired using liquid gold – so the cracks become a beautiful feature as well as restoring the pot/vase to usable condition once more.

God does something similar with people lives and turns our brokenness into something beautiful too if we allow Him.  This concept is expressed also in the Hebrew word: “Shalom” which is often translated as “Peace” in the bible, which is true, but there is so much more depth to the meaning.  It also means:

- Wholeness/Completeness
- Reconciliation
- Well-being and Safety
- Active restoration
- Prophetic Hope

Zoe encouraged us to “Be OK with being a fragile pot”.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

As a church we are a supported of 100 Homes but more than that we want to help to play a part in bringing “Shalom” to the Fostering System which is currently broken itself.  If you’d like to find out more about how you could personally be involved you can!

On Sunday we had a special guest speaker!  Alex Stibbard (Anchor Point Church and also Betel Nottingham) spoke in the fifth part of our “Worshipping Church” series, on the “Worship of heaven.” Referring to the imagery that is seen in Revelation chapter 5. Here the author (John) describes a picture of unceasing, awe-filled worship centred entirely on Jesus who is “the lamb” —where countless voices declare His holiness, worth, and glory.
Alex reminded us that God always had a plan, and still has a plan today.  Jesus (who has a number of different names – the Lion of Judah and the ancestor of King David) is still on the throne today, and the worship of heaven is not just forward looking but also today.  He reminded us of the superiority, power and worth of Jesus – the reason that all of heaven worships Jesus – at the centre at it all, who has conquered the death.
Alex shared some of his personal and vulnerable stories from his own experience, with encouragement and application for us too.