"FridayReflection"
16th February 2024
'Gary Bastin offers'
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WHAT TO WEAR
When it is autumn, I would expect to see the green leaves turning yellow and orange and falling from the trees.
However, there were some signs of my favourite season.
I saw an abundance of conkers, from the many horse chestnut trees near to our house.
When I was young, I loved collecting as many conkers as I could, much to my mum's delight!
I would fill buckets and tubs with them.
In the school playground we would play 'conkers'.
There were a variety of things I did to prepare my conkers for battle: soaking them in vinegar, heating them in the oven and storing them in the airing cupboard.
I always hoped this process would harden them up and give me a champion conker, but it rarely did!
There was another thing that I did during autumn.
I put away my t-shirts and shorts and started wearing a jacket when out and about.
The seasonal transition is marked for me by a change in my wardrobe!
In his letter to the Colossian Christians, the Apostle Paul wrote about them putting on something different...
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
That's some garment!
What interests me is that Paul gave them a choice.
They had to actively decide to put on these virtues.
In other words, they didn't just happen.
I believe the same is true for us.
We too have a choice in how we want to be clothed - how we interact with people in our day to day lives.
Jesus can help us, but we have to decide to 'wear' these.
So how about this:
Each morning as you get dressed, say a little prayer, and 'put on': compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love.
Be mindful that you are 'wearing' these.
Ask God to help you to actively demonstrate them as you interact with people throughout your day.
If you do, I'm sure that those around you will notice this kind of 'wardrobe' you display!
God bless you ><(((*>
Gary Bastin -
Hope Community Church leader
Hope Community Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance (UK) and agrees with its Basis of Faith.
We are a family of churches across Basingstoke and the surrounding area.
We love God, we love each other and we love our town.
Having grown from a single church into multiple expressions in different locations, we all share a common history, vision and oversight.
Contact the Rector
The Revd.Nic.Edwards
The Rectory,
Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE,
Northampton,
NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 - 815496
(Can be accessed from the mobile device)
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E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Contact the Benefice Office
Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE, Northampton, NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 830373
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Mon., Tues., Wed,, Thur., Fri.
9:00am to 11:30am
For Baptism bookings (Christenings)
to arrange an appointment please contact
the Benefice Office.
For Wedding bookings:
please contact the Benefice Office to arrange
an appointment.
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