Greetings to all Level10 members and friends!
This week, Jude & I are enjoying a mid-week in Mullion, Cornwall with my family.
Yesterday, we visited the National Trust estate Penrose near Helston. Whilst having a coffee break in the café there my family jokingly said to me – how can a writer of letters to the church be such a sinner? A fully justifiable comment it has to be said!
Let me try to explain. There have been fundamental events in my life that have changed my whole course and direction bringing joy, peace, and fulfilment. My first and greatest event was receiving Jesus into my life and knowing personally God’s love and salvation. The second greatest was God giving my soul mate – my wife Jude, and subsequently our family. The third was discovering date slice! Thick crumble coated date slice, truly a slice of heaven!
So why the accusation you may well ask? You see I’m not into sharing my date slice, it’s simply too good, especially from this café. So, observing my reaction when my soul mate trespassed and pilfered my date slice, caused their justifiable remarks! Surely this will be a DATE to remember. Add in my stress of waiting for a second time impatiently at the back of a queue of six people when I can see only two pieces of date slice left on sale. This increased my sense of condemnation to a higher level – truly this date slice will never be forgotten by my family.
The Bible tells me all have come short of the glory of date slice! SORRY I should have quoted: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3 v 23). How wonderful as followers of Jesus Christ it is to know when we come short, when we fail, our sin can be forgiven. We can be renewed and know the joy of forgiveness.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1 v 8-10)
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5 v 8)
Let us be free, fulfilled and fruitful. In my humble opinion, date slice is heavenly, but far better is to: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” (Psalm 34 v 8)
Our God is exceedingly good, faithful and forgiving.
God bless you all! Much love from Cornwall, see you on Sunday.
Terry (elder)