Talks

Trauma, fragmentations and conflicts are all around us. Peace is much desired in many lives. How and where do you find peace? The bible says that the Lord is Peace, a holistic sort of peace: wellness, holeness, reconsiliation, safety, completeness. When Jesus gives himself, he gives peace, a peace that passes all understanding. We do have His peace and the closer we come to Jesus, the more this peace can grow. We don’t shine in our own peace, it is His peace that shines through us and can be a light that pierces the darkness around us. Therefore, don’t hide your light under a basket. It is Jesus you’re hiding if you do that. Let HIM shine!

Jono Wright and Martin Walker remind us of the beauty of the world our God has created and talk to us about the severe consequences of climate change.
What can we do to leave our children a future rather than an apology? They encourage us to be proactive in our stewardship, to use our talents well: to keep learning, to reduce, reuse, repair and to recycle. They also mention possible changes in diet (e.g. eat less meat, buy local) and transport methods.You don’t know where to start? It doesn’t matter if you start only small and/or imperfectly. What matters is that you DO START.

As part of our “Shining Bright in a Broken World” teaching series, Bob Goody spoke on “Shining Bright” - and how we make a difference in our world.  Everyone can SHINE where we are - referencing Matthew 5: 14-16.

If you missed it, or want to listen again - use the link below to hear how Bob unpacked the points of praying, letting your light shine and letting your words shine. Matthew 12: 34 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  Bob concluded with the Lord’s Prayer - Your will be done Lord!

Hope is dwindling in our world; fear and anxiety are spreading alarmingly instead. We, as Christians and as a church are not immune to this. We all experience personal trauma, but as a worldwide community we have all just gone through the trauma of Covid. Psychologists explain that even our physical bodies carry the trauma in many different ways.
Anxiety is the feeling of anticipated failure in advance.
Hope is the expectation of fulfilment or success.
We need to know the truth in order to be able to BE hopeful:
With Jesus, there is a better future
With Jesus, we have the power to get there
With Jesus, we can be flexible in order to get there
With Jesus we can overcome the obstacles that will be on the way
How can we CARRY this hope to the world around us? 3 Ways:
Introduce a suffering Jesus (Jesus is not unfamiliar to trauma in his body – the bible tells us He sweated drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane)
Point to heaven (Ultimately the best future there can be)
Provide and build community
Imagine how today could be if we begin to so this more and more….
To watch the service, go to Ashwood Facebook page and scross down to the broadcasted service on 25.6.23

After honouring Father’s and Father Figures and the dedication of two children Matt kicks off our new series “Shining bright in a Broken world.” This week his message is: “Shining Bright in a Broken world - The unrealised potential of kindness”.
The world is a dark and broken place – but Jesus told us to bring light to the world.  How can we “Shine Bright”?  Let’s start with KINDNESS!

Definition : “Kindness is a type of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistance or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.”

Matt suggests 3 different categories of kindness:
1.        Regular (but still beautiful) kindness
Day in day out, week in week out kindness – in our work place, in our schools, in the supermarket (!) and especially in our homes! So many different ways: giving gifts, spending time, helpful actions or kind words…
2.        Sacrificial kindness
Jesus said “love your enemies!” Ouch! He says don’t just be kind to those who are kind to you! This means being kind to those people who annoy us, or frustrate us.  Sacrificial kindness has the potential to soften hearts, bring healing and even bring some barriers down!
3.        Unexpected kindness
How can we be kind when nobody expects it? Just like the good Samaritan in the famous story that Jesus told.

Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see!  Let’s think about kindness this week.  Are there different or new ways you could be even more kind – and bring some extra light to those around you?