Over the winter I have been enjoying the gentle game of bowls at the Men’s Fellowship on a Tuesday night.  While it may appear too sedate for some, I can assure you that it is a game of some skill. You never quite know where your ‘perfectly delivered’ bowl will end up. The aim of the game is to finish close to the jack. An errant bowl can, however easily wander off the mat, pull up short, or roll on past the jack. It may even hit an obstacle on its way. Even worse is when you are close to the jack and you get a nudge – or a whack – from your opponent’s bowl.

Life as a Christian is a bit like a game of bowls. We have the aim of staying close to Jesus but sometimes we can ‘wander off the mat’, or hit obstacles as try to live our lives without Him. We may go too far or even pull up short and let others deflect us from our path. While we all have to contend with many issues in life, there is one constant, Jesus. He stands, His hand outstretched, offering us rest and bringing us peace!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41 v 10

Mervyn Orr

Editor, Wellington Record

We have been challenged by Alistair over the past few months to develop as a ‘Close to Home’ congregation. While it is easy to consider ourselves as part of our own family, we must also appreciate the bigger family to which we belong. That of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. God has made promises that He will be faithful to us, promises that He will be our God and that we will be His people. We must realise the depth of the meaning of this. As brothers and sisters in Christ, part of His family on earth, we must learn to love each other as Jesus loved us. We are to be content in every circumstance and realise we have each been placed exactly where He wants us to be. In His plan all are equal, even though we may be quite diverse in many ways. Let us, then, develop a nature aimed at encouraging, nurturing and building each other up. Always remembering that He dwells among us and that we are part of His people.

Some contributors to this magazine have openly discussed very personal issues in their lives. We thank them for their willingness to share so candidly with us. As a ‘Close to Home’ congregation our responsibility is to stand with them, offer our support and show our love, understanding and care.

Mervyn Orr

Editor, Wellington Record