May 13th 2026 

Good morning again,
Wednesdays come and Wednesdays go, each one different, but the same. The weather changes, the world around us changes, even we may change. But the spirit of God lives on, His promise never changes. Let us rejoice at all times, in all circumstances in the love of Christ. Amen. 
This Wednesday some of us will get together at Rookswood Road - 09:30 to 11:00 - for our small house group to begin a new chapter, nay not a new chapter but a new book to read and learn from. Paul’s letter to the Romans finished on a high last week. Today we look at Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth - 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 1. Join us if you’re at a loose end, you are most welcome. 
Now, it appears that there was some unrest among the Christians at Corinth. Paul sends some basic truths to guide them through these turbulent times by reminding them of the bigger picture. He begins by reminding them (and us!) of why we became Christians in the first place - it was in Christ’s message, His sacrifice and His promise. We are prone to forget aren’t we? He, Paul, appeals to us to put away our earthly allegiances. Let us not say we follow this preacher or that worship band. We are not Baptists (well we are, but stick with me here) we are not Catholic, we are not Anglicans or any other Christian fellowships - not to God we are not. We live out our faith in the best way we know how according to our upbringing, the people we’ve met on our journey and the churches we’ve experienced. One of my current soapboxes is to say “this is not the story or the picture”. The venue where we worship is not the most important thing. Jesus Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, this is what makes us special. Say “I am a child of God, I love Jesus Christ, I’m guided by the Holy Spirit and I am in fellowship with those that meet at …… church”. It’s very easy to proclaim our identity with the place where we worship ‘oh old so and so they’re Methodist’ as if that’s the most important identity. They are followers of Jesus no worse than us ‘Baptist’s’ and definitely no better than us (contrary to what they may think - that’s just my little joke!). I love the way Paul puts it ‘For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.’ and ‘But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong’. 
That is the story, that is the picture, we are Christians. 
Kim and I will be attending the annual Baptist Union conference (or AGM or some similar title, again that isn’t the story…). It’s in Harrogate, a drive of two and a half hours. I hope and pray that within the seminars, the meetings and other gatherings that the banner that flies says ‘look at what God is doing’ and not ‘see what the BU is doing, aren’t we great?’ Please forgive my cynicism, I truly hope I am wrong. It is Jesus that brought us all together and in God we trust. That is the picture, that is the story. Please read 1 Corinthians chapter 1 starting at verse 1 and/or join us at 09:30. You could even call in at Chill ‘n’ Chat between 12:30 and 2:30. 
God bless us, Amen.