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Articles
This section contains the beginnings of articles on a variety of subjects written by members of the church. The idea is to produce a resource that will help us all in the daily challenges of living. They are in the process of development so please don't expect 'finished articles' - feel free to use the contact page to add your comments about any of the articles and it may be that what you write will be taken into account in the final draft.
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The blackboard
How do we remove those inaccurate negative beliefs which we hold about ourselves and replace them with the truth? Julie writes about a very helpful illustration of a blackboard which john shared with her.
How do we remove those inaccurate negative beliefs which we hold about ourselves and replace them with the truth? Julie writes about a very helpful illustration of a blackboard which john shared with her.
Crossing the chasm
The same two songs which prompted Susan's previous article caused Julie to think about the journey she has travelled with the Lord in this church over the past few years. Click the picture to read Julie's experiences.
The same two songs which prompted Susan's previous article caused Julie to think about the journey she has travelled with the Lord in this church over the past few years. Click the picture to read Julie's experiences.
Dealing with life's big disappointments
Susan has written some thoughts about how to handle life's big disappointments which were prompted by two songs we sang in church recently, 'Oceans' by Hillsong United and 'Your kindness' by Chris Spring.
Susan has written some thoughts about how to handle life's big disappointments which were prompted by two songs we sang in church recently, 'Oceans' by Hillsong United and 'Your kindness' by Chris Spring.
Called by God
Is there a difference between a career and a calling? What is a vocation? Julie shares her answers to these questions in the light of her current situation.
Is there a difference between a career and a calling? What is a vocation? Julie shares her answers to these questions in the light of her current situation.
Pearl's thoughts
Pearl has written some thoughts from her own experience about how to understand and help others.
Pearl has written some thoughts from her own experience about how to understand and help others.
How important is fellowship?
Having arrived late to church on Sunday morning and having to leave early made Julie realise again how important fellowship with other Christians is and how much we miss out on when we're not available to spend time with others.
Having arrived late to church on Sunday morning and having to leave early made Julie realise again how important fellowship with other Christians is and how much we miss out on when we're not available to spend time with others.
How big is your question mark?
Falling flat on her face recently caused Kelly to think about how we cope when things go wrong, and the importance of trusting the Lord.
Falling flat on her face recently caused Kelly to think about how we cope when things go wrong, and the importance of trusting the Lord.
Freedom
Julie reflects upon the freedom for which Christ has set us free and how we prevent ourselves being burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Julie reflects upon the freedom for which Christ has set us free and how we prevent ourselves being burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
The quiet voice
Kelly has written about a challenge her husband gave her at the beginning of the summer, to go deeper and hear the Lord, and the practical outworking in family life of rising to that challenge.
Kelly has written about a challenge her husband gave her at the beginning of the summer, to go deeper and hear the Lord, and the practical outworking in family life of rising to that challenge.
Thoughts on perspective
At the prayer meeting on Monday morning we talked about the importance of having an accurate perspective, on ourselves, our circumstances and life in general - click the picture of the spectacles to read.
At the prayer meeting on Monday morning we talked about the importance of having an accurate perspective, on ourselves, our circumstances and life in general - click the picture of the spectacles to read.
Digging out the roots
Julie likens digging an old, stubborn shrub out of her garden with the process of removing the negatives which reside within us, thus creating a wide-open space for God to fill.
Julie likens digging an old, stubborn shrub out of her garden with the process of removing the negatives which reside within us, thus creating a wide-open space for God to fill.
Sheep without a shepherd
Sheep require a lot of looking after and need a good shepherd. So do the people of God, both in Old Testament times and in the 21st century church. Read Jenny's observations on the need for strong church leadership.
Sheep require a lot of looking after and need a good shepherd. So do the people of God, both in Old Testament times and in the 21st century church. Read Jenny's observations on the need for strong church leadership.
Hearing God
Merle shares an important principle on how we can hear God speak to us, illustrated by a question one of her sons asked her.
Merle shares an important principle on how we can hear God speak to us, illustrated by a question one of her sons asked her.
Clouds
Claire shares lessons learnt from her readings in Exodus about looking to God for direction and trusting him, rather than trying to work everything out, because we belong to him.
Claire shares lessons learnt from her readings in Exodus about looking to God for direction and trusting him, rather than trying to work everything out, because we belong to him.
My year of change
Mary shares her experience of taking on board Tim's challenge 'Will 2018 be your year of change?' at the start of the year.
Mary shares her experience of taking on board Tim's challenge 'Will 2018 be your year of change?' at the start of the year.
Inner peace
Claire was encouraged recently by the thought shared in church one Sunday morning, not to compromise inner peace for the sake of outer peace. She shares her thoughts on this important principle.
Claire was encouraged recently by the thought shared in church one Sunday morning, not to compromise inner peace for the sake of outer peace. She shares her thoughts on this important principle.
Steps into February
Following on from her New Year thoughts, Cathy writes about the importance of understanding our 'inner stories' and how the Lord has encouraged her and given her a firm place to stand.
Following on from her New Year thoughts, Cathy writes about the importance of understanding our 'inner stories' and how the Lord has encouraged her and given her a firm place to stand.
New Year thoughts
Cathy shares her thoughts as she took down her Christmas decorations this year - the realisation of God's Fatherhood towards us and the things which can hinder us living as his children.
Cathy shares her thoughts as she took down her Christmas decorations this year - the realisation of God's Fatherhood towards us and the things which can hinder us living as his children.
The Christmas tree
Julie shares her dilemma over whether to have a Christmas tree this year and the lessons she's learnt about valuing herself and others.
Julie shares her dilemma over whether to have a Christmas tree this year and the lessons she's learnt about valuing herself and others.
The value of being still
As Christmas approaches Jenny reminds us of the importance of being still and taking time out.
As Christmas approaches Jenny reminds us of the importance of being still and taking time out.
The Winchester Bible
A recent visit to Winchester cathedral caused Julie to reflect upon our devotion and commitment to the Lord.
A recent visit to Winchester cathedral caused Julie to reflect upon our devotion and commitment to the Lord.
Changing seasons
Julie writes her thoughts on the changing seasons of life and God's faithfulness throughout the changes we experience.
Julie writes her thoughts on the changing seasons of life and God's faithfulness throughout the changes we experience.
Getting rid of the rubbish
Julie has shared her thoughts in response to the teaching on Sunday 11th June, including its practical application to a challenging house move.
Julie has shared her thoughts in response to the teaching on Sunday 11th June, including its practical application to a challenging house move.
Ouch!
A broken tooth recently reminded Julie of the importance of sorting things out quickly and not allowing ourselves to become unsettled or distracted from living the lives God has called us to.
A broken tooth recently reminded Julie of the importance of sorting things out quickly and not allowing ourselves to become unsettled or distracted from living the lives God has called us to.
Am I a loser?
Jen shares a special moment from her teaching experience and lessons learnt from entering the children from the school where she teaches into a local skittle ball tournament.
Jen shares a special moment from her teaching experience and lessons learnt from entering the children from the school where she teaches into a local skittle ball tournament.
Inward or outward-looking?
Phil shares his thoughts on the concern over polarisation within churches between those who seek depth and community and those who focus is upon outreach, which can lead to superficiality. He bases his thoughts on his experiences of HCC - a fascinating read!
Phil shares his thoughts on the concern over polarisation within churches between those who seek depth and community and those who focus is upon outreach, which can lead to superficiality. He bases his thoughts on his experiences of HCC - a fascinating read!
Thoughts on purpose
Phil has written his thoughts on finding his purpose in response to John's article, 'Purpose - making sense of it all'.
Phil has written his thoughts on finding his purpose in response to John's article, 'Purpose - making sense of it all'.
Groundhog day
Kelly encourages parents not to give up when pushed to the limits of their patience by their children's behaviour and shares her own practical experience of dealing with tantrums.
Kelly encourages parents not to give up when pushed to the limits of their patience by their children's behaviour and shares her own practical experience of dealing with tantrums.
Lessons learnt in a storm
Stephen was caught in a recent, ferocious storm as he was out walking. He writes about his experience and what he learnt about 'untested faith'.
Stephen was caught in a recent, ferocious storm as he was out walking. He writes about his experience and what he learnt about 'untested faith'.
The puddle in the corner!
Julie shares what she is learning about living in freedom and how the way she views her Melancholic temperament is changing as a result.
Julie shares what she is learning about living in freedom and how the way she views her Melancholic temperament is changing as a result.
Handling loneliness
How do we handle loneliness? Julie quotes from a recent article in the UCB Word for Today and shares her own thoughts and experiences.
How do we handle loneliness? Julie quotes from a recent article in the UCB Word for Today and shares her own thoughts and experiences.
Dark grey skies ahead!
'I often wonder if the Lord gives us an image in His natural world of what our walk with Him will be like.' Jenny writes about an experience of walking her dog in bright sunshine in one direction but towards dark storm clouds as she returned home and the insight it gave her into our walk with the Lord.
'I often wonder if the Lord gives us an image in His natural world of what our walk with Him will be like.' Jenny writes about an experience of walking her dog in bright sunshine in one direction but towards dark storm clouds as she returned home and the insight it gave her into our walk with the Lord.
