Minister letter

 Dear Friends

At a recent service I posed the question ‘you haven’t lived until……..?    This was based on a radio quiz on the Heart FM breakfast show and I invited people during the service to text in the blanks.   My first surprise was how many people had mobile phones with them in Church and because there was not sufficient time to read out all the text messages in the service I promised to publicise them in Contact so here goes.   ‘You haven’t lived until ……..

• You have heard Ashley of BB snore!
• You have had your birthday
• You have seen Exeter City beat Plymouth Argyle
• You have eaten food
• You have seen the Northern Lights
• You have flown in a grab tutor and performed aerobatics
• You have been blessed with children and grandchildren
• You have done a belly flop while trying to dive
• You have accidentally walked into the wrong bathroom
• You have disobeyed your Guider and brought your phone to church
• You have been born
• You have prayed to Jesus
• You have had a long warm bubble bath
• You have been to the Falkland Islands
• You have been to Guide Camp
• You have had Philadelphia with sweet chilli sauce on it
• You have eaten Ben and Jerry’s straight from the pot
• You have been to St Thomas Methodist Church
• You have  ridden a horse
• You have indoor sky dived
• You have been hugged by my Dad
• You have joined the air cadets
• You have been to Kentucky Fried Chicken
• You have taken a breath
• You have met Andy of Air Cadets
• You have bungee jumped
• You have eaten chocolate.

It was good to welcome the St. Thomas Air Cadets to the service on that day and some of the text included their presence as also the Guides.  The responses say something about our level of understanding of the question.  Those particularly younger ones took it fairly literally about needing food to eat and air to breath others took it factually like bungee jumping or riding a horse and others more metaphorically.

I would want to say that you have not really lived until you have discovered the love of God and his forgiveness.  Many people carry burdens in life of unresolved guilt or a lack of love.   God sets us free to be ourselves and enjoy life in all its fullness.

Your friend and Minister - David