ALL CHANGE .. MIND THE GAP!

During December 2005 there were many reviews of the year, whether sporting, political, films, entertainment or just general news. As we go into 2006, we cannot help but be aware that all around us so many things are changing.

Environmentally there have been massive changes and the weather around the world has caused very real concern. We watched a programme called 'The year the earth moved'. It took us through last year and showed us the places around the world that had been affected by earthquakes, famine, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes - including parts of Great Britain.

Although off the front pages, we cannot help but watch with horror as the rescue and rebuilding of the Kashmir areas of Pakistan and India, that have been affected by the recent earthquake, keep on going. Many families have been changed forever by the tragedy of the earthquake and the news today is giving a great deal of concern as the winter snows come down with such force.

Politically there are changes as one party goes into this New Year with a new leader and another party is talking about the possibility of a change of leader, sooner or later. There are changes in legislation as both the House of Commons and Lords are discussing a variety of Bills that may or may not become law in the next few weeks and months.

Educationally there are changes coming as the Government announces more new measures as they try to make improvements in our schools and colleges. Already, a large number of members of Parliament have voiced their concerns about this proposed new legislation. The school inspection system has certainly changed from last September. We have recently learned that reading methods are set to change again, going back to methods used in years goone by.

These are just a few examples of the changes that have taken place and those that are in the planning stages, both around the UK and across the world. As people change, as situations change, as circumstances change, there is often a gap created and we find this very difficult to fill. Like the station porter, we hear someone call out "Mind the gap!"

There is, in each one of us, a spiritual dimension - a spiritual gap - that needs to be filled but, for many of us, we don't know where to turn. We look round to see if we can find God but, because we cannot see Him or feel Him, we don't believe in Him. So we go on our way but the unfilled gap is still there and this affects every part of our lives, even if we are not aware of it. Many years ago, Augustine said, "there is a God-shaped vacuum in every one of us which only Jesus Christ can fill." Having become a committed Christian when I was 11 years of age, I know that my 'gap' is filled and I am so pleased to be able to tell others that Jesus is still in the business of filling 'gaps' in people's lives, so making them into truly whole people.

This is the message that is central to Parkside Church as we welcome our own members and people from around the local community. We believe that the message of the Bible is as relevant today as it has ever been and we are committed to preaching and teaching that message through the coming year, although we package it up in different ways depending on the audience. We believe that the message of the Bible must be relevant to those with whom we share it.

We wish you a very happy New Year and pray that God will bless you wherever you are, in your homes, your workplace, your churches and your communities.

Any time you are in our area you will be most welcome to come and meet us and share fellowship with us as we worship God and learn from His Word.

Roger Purdom.
Pastor.
January 2006.

Parkside Evangelical Church

ALL CHANGE .. MIND THE GAP!

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