My favourite things

Psalm 34:8 says:

Taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Every day we can thank God for giving us our five senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste – to enjoy his wonderful creation. 

As the years roll by, some of those senses may not be quite what they once were. Our eyesight may need help, our hearing occasionally requires a repeat – “Pardon?” – and our taste buds can become rather selective. And for some of us (me included!), touching a full head of hair is now a thing of the past! Yet our senses can still bring gratitude and treasured memories whether you have faith in God or not.

These are a few of my favourite things: 

• Sight: An early morning sunrise lifting above the horizon and chasing away darkness. 
• Sound: A robin redbreast singing along Bletchenden Road, serenading my walks. 
• Touch: The soft, velvety ears of Tai, my sister and brother-in-law's dog – when he stays still long enough! 
• Smell: Freshly baked buns from my late grandmother's kitchen in Rushmere. I always arrived at exactly the right time! 
• Taste: A latte coffee and a warm cheese scone with melted butter. 

Hmm! What are some of your favourite things? Perhaps today we might pause to taste, feel, listen, smell and see that the Lord is indeed good. 

Prayers and best wishes, 

Pastor Robert and the Church Family

Photo by Federico Respini on Unsplash

Guaranteed to Last?

Have you ever noticed how guarantees and warranties on cars and household appliances often seem to run out just before something goes wrong? You buy something with reassuring promises of protection and after-sales care, only to discover the guarantee expired the very day you needed it! Cars are much the same. However reliable they may be, sooner or later they need servicing, repairs and the occasional MOT to keep them on the road.

Perhaps that is simply part of life. Things wear out. The same, of course, is true of us. As the years pass, many of us become aware that our bodies are not quite as dependable as they once were. A few more aches and creaks appear and appointments to check or fix things begin to feature more regularly in the diary.

The apostle Paul understood this reality well. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he compares our earthly bodies to tents — temporary homes that gradually wear and weaken. Yet Paul writes not with despair but with hope. He reminds us that God offers a promise that does not expire and a guarantee that never runs out.

Paul says that while our earthly “tent” may age, God has prepared something lasting - eternal life with him, free from pain and suffering. And, he says, God has placed his Holy Spirit within believers as a “deposit”, guaranteeing what is still to come.

In a world where promises can disappoint, that may sound a bold claim. Yet Christian faith rests not on avoiding life’s struggles, but on trusting in God’s faithfulness through them. Whether, you have long held faith, are simply curious, or have questions about life and hope, you would be very welcome to join us at Headcorn Baptist Church on Sundays or during the week.

Prayers and best wishes, 

Pastor Robert and the Baptist Church family.

Image by Suman Sarkar from Pixabay

Forget me not

As I was recently enjoying a walk in the warm April sunshine, I was reminded again of the beauty of the countryside around our village. Strolling along Church Walk, I came across a delightful carpet of forget-me-nots. These charming little blue flowers are wonderfully true to their name - once planted, or even self-seeded, they tend to flourish so abundantly that you are unlikely ever to forget them! My late mother, who was a keen gardener and especially fond of forget-me-nots, certainly found that to be the case.

From a Christian perspective, forget-me-nots offer a gentle reminder of God's goodness and faithful provision in our daily lives - not only in times of joy, but also in seasons of difficulty, from which none of us is exempt. Although we may sometimes forget God, He never forgets us. King David encourages us in Psalm 103:2: 

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Taking time to notice and appreciate the beauty around us can help us remember God's many blessings - His forgiveness, healing, redemption, and steadfast love. It prompts us to praise Him and give thanks, knowing that He is faithful and will never leave us nor forsake us.

And even if you do not follow the Christian faith, the benefits of spending time outdoors, enjoying the sunshine and the countryside, are well known. Fresh air, exercise, and the beauty of nature are gifts we can all appreciate.

Prayers and best wishes, 

Pastor Robert and the Church family.

Photo by Kat Banachowicz on Unsplash