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"Where are you Lord? Why are you silent?"

 

St Matt's Online 21-28 June

A number of years ago my youngest Son was feeling particularly fractious and unsettled at bedtime. In an attempt to reassure him I laid on the floor beside his bed, reached up and clasped his hand. From my vantage-point I could see his hand and he in turn could see mine. Within ten minutes it had the desired effect; I could hear the sounds of deep breathing as he drifted off to sleep.


As my arm began to tire, I loosened my grip and freed my hand. Not fully conscious, he instinctively began to fumble along the side of the bed and reach for my hand. Once again I reassuringly held his delicate fingers until he relaxed, then once more I loosened my grip. 

If he was to suddenly open wide his eyes, he would just see his own empty hand dangling off the end of the bed. There would be no sign or evidence of daddy. But from where I lay I could clearly see his hand. Even in the dark as my night vision kicked in, I could vividly make out the details of his tiny fingers and the occasional twitches of his wrist as he exhaled. I could hear his short breaths slowly puffing like a train in the distance. Daddy had him covered. Nothing could enter or leave his bedroom without daddy permitting it. Of course, he was totally unaware of my presence, but daddy was there, keeping vigil, waiting, protecting and watching over him.

There are times when we feel the wonderful assurance of God holding us gently by the hand. But there are also those times when we reach out in the darkness. When we fumble along the side of the bed. When we feel totally alone and isolated. Where the cry of our heart is, 

"Where are you Lord? Why are you silent?"

I feel as if we’ve been through one of those seasons lately. When we think of all that’s been going on in the world over these last few months we might ask where are you Lord in all of this?

Yet even when we can't feel or see His hand, He sees us. He's got us covered. Daddy's there, even in the darkness and silence, keeping vigil, waiting, protecting and watching over us. This Father’s day, let’s celebrate the earthly father figures who have played a positive role in our lives. But let us also reach out for the Father who can always be trusted and never lets us down.

'My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip–
he who watches over you will not slumber' Psalms 121:2-3


Do keep this message handy and just click on the images below for all this weeks links.

Lots of love,

           Allen x

 

This Sunday

8am Worship Playlist

Lets begin the day with praise & adoration
8am Sunday Podcast

Paul & Allen discuss why and how to grow in the Spirit
 
9:15am Trent Vineyard

Worship & teaching this Sunday from Trent Vineyard
11am Tea Coffee Catchup
 
Boil the kettle, grab a few biscuits and join the team for an after service catchup. Meeting ID: 760 9224 5415
 
2pm Kids Church Live

Join us for Kids Church Live this Sunday at 2pm, as we continue look into God's Word - "The Shelter" - God's Word helps us learn how to have self-control and live wisely.
You will need:
Bible with a bookmark at Psalm 119:133 and an Umbrella - See you then!

 

This Week

11am Monday Mini Matts Live
 
Join Leanne for fun, faith & songs. Something for pre-school kids and their carers
 
10am Wednesday Living Hope Pt10
 
Allen continues a study of First Peter and thinks about the roles of submission and freedom in faith.
 
7:15pm Dynamic Prayer Meeting

Hope you can join us on Zoom as we wait on the Holy Spirit and pray for our community, nation and world. Meeting ID: 769 9104 7393
Keep checking our Facebook page for further updates

Keep Well
Keep in Touch
Keep the Faith

 
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