Redemption in Les Miserables

I went to see the film ‘Les Miserables’ last week and it has had a profound effect on me, which I want to share with you.  Although it is billed as a love story and a comment on poverty and revolutionary politics in the period following the French Revolution, it is primarily a story of redemption. 

In one of the early scenes we are left breathless by the sheer grace and forgiveness of a Bishop.  He forgives the main character, Jean Valjean, and tells him to choose to live his life differently. This reminded me of the story of Jesus and the Woman taken in adultery.  When her accusers drift away, Jesus does not accuse her of her sin, but he forgives her and tells her to ‘sin no more’.  The Bishop is like Jesus, in not only does he forgive, but he gives Jean Valjean the means to live a new life.

From this moment, Jean Valjean is a completely changed man, and he decides to follow the way of truth and to help the unfortunate.  He soon has a crisis to face, when it looks like somebody else is to be condemned to imprisonment, as they have been mistaken for him.  This is a real spiritual crisis, as he is tempted to let the other man take the punishment for him, as he knows if he owns up, he can no longer give employment to many people and carry on the good works he is doing. 

Because of the example of the Bishop, Valjean can live a life of sacrificing himself for others.  He personifies Grace, whereas Jalvert, the policeman who hates Valjean, personifies Law.  In the film we see clearly that Law has its place, but Grace comes from a higher Lawgiver, as it is from God Himself.  Grace will triumph in the end.

As this film is receiving so much publicity at the moment, and thousands are flocking to see it, this is a good time to share with others these profound truths that God is a God of Mercy and of Grace, and that it is possible to leave behind your old life, and begin anew.

Poetry at After Hours Live

 

 

After Hours Live kicked off the New Year with a fantastic open-mic poetry evening. Poets from around Wisbech and the Fenland area came along and read poems by prominent published poets as well as poems they had written themselves. The forty-strong audience thoroughly enjoyed the literary entertainment as well as the superb ambiance of Octavia's Cafe. As always, the coffee was brewed to perfection and the cakes were sublime.

 

Matt McChlery, After Hours Live's organiser and promoter, used the oportunity to suggest the possibility of publishing an anthology of original poetry written by those who have attended After Hours Live poetry evenings as well as those from around the fenland area. All application forms that were available on the night were taken away - however you can download a copy from www.afterhourslive.org.uk  if you are interested in also taking part. Deadline for poem submissions is 1st April 2013.

 

Our next After Hours Live event is going to be held at Octavia's Cafe on Friday 1st February 2013 with our special guest Alan Vibes. Alan is a natural entertainer and does a great Tom Jones impression. He also sings Elvis, The Blues Brothers and other rock-and-roll classics. Do come along for a night of great entertainment with a twist of faith!

 

Spiritual Gifts

 

Our recent sermon series all about spiritual gifts has mentioned a lot of interesting points.

You can listen again to the podcasts live on our website here: http://dynamic.church123.com/podcast/ab523103-646a-41a3-a50f-8229c1086584

One of the main emphases has been that as a Christian believer, no matter your rank, position, or title - we are ALL called to use the gifts God has given us. It is not up to the 'minister' or 'pastor/preacher' to do all the work of the ministry. We have all been equipped with power by the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of the ministry.

God gives us gifts not just for ourselves but so that we can be a blessing to others. God will take our gifts and talents and make them 'more' than they are merely on their own. His anointing will be upon your gifts and will multiply them if used for His glory and for the benefit of others.

The Bible mentions some spiritual gifts in the New Testament as well as in the Old Testament. It is helpful to think of these as examples of what kinds of spiritual gifts exist - not as an exclusive list. They do indeed include gifts of teaching and prophecy but numerous other things can be included too: hospitality, musicality, modern technology (internet skills - blogging, etc), writing, knitting (eg. someone in our church knits for poor people in Armenia), helping etc etc etc - Do not limit what God can do through you.

Be who you are. God has made you an individual, a unique person. God has given you your spiritual gifts to be used by you, in the way he has made you to use them. Don't try to follow a 'formula' or the way that someone else does things. You are unique, just be yourself and be faithful to God. Ususally those passions and desires deep within you have been hard-wired in there by God. You already have some spiritual gifts within you that ate just waiting to be anitined by God and used for the good of others - be yourself in living your life for God, obeying what he prompts you to do and you will find that he has made you and equipped you to do just that!

Some questions for you to consider

Feedback and comments on this blog are encouraged and more than welcome. Here are some things you may want to think about and comment on:

• What are your natural desires and passions? What do you love to do?
• Can you find a way where you can use these giftings you already have for God?
• What do you think your spiritual gifts are?
• Should every believer be involved in the ministry of the church or should it be left to the 'pastor/preacher' at the front?

What do you think. Over to you . . .