Happy New Year! – I guess for all of us, that greeting has especial poignance and meaning. 2020 was not what we expected nor wanted, and we enter 2021 with understandable trepidation. At CMM, time and time again we are led to Isaiah 43, which preceding the foundational (certainly to us!) “You are precious and honoured in my sight … I love you” (4), we see these thrilling words of promise:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” (2-3a)
Here is promise of his presence and protection, and we must engage with both. He has promised to be with us always, so no part of our lives need be without him. Knowing him is our birth-right right as Christians, and despite the restrictions imposed upon us we have many ways of staying in touch with our Lord and Saviour. Let’s not be a people who only cry out to him when we encounter difficulties, but make significant efforts to stay in touch daily, in fact moment-by-moment. This will not come naturally to most of us. If you are like me, the natural instinct will be to go-it-alone. No good! Do read Proverbs 3:5-6 on this!
Of course we all miss the gatherings in home groups, congregations and larger events, and long for such times to return. We at CMM miss you all so much! But there is so much online and the Lord has caused us to learn new skills and outlets. In my lifetime the church has never been so free from the physical boundaries of its buildings and traditional ways of operating. You will have seen how we at CMM are attempting to respond to this challenge.
Mary and I have taken to going LIVE AT FIVE on Facebook on my personal page, and there has been great interest and engagement with this. Do follow me if you want to see these. We also plan to release more videos over the next months, so do watch out for them to appear on the CMM YOUTUBE CHANNEL. By subscribing you get automatic notice of new additions.
HEART & SOUL has now been going for nearly three years, and we are greatly encouraged to occasionally receive comments following our broadcasts from listeners from throughout UK and further. Over the next few months we have a very exciting line-up:
- Jan 13 - Gavin Calver (Evangelical Alliance)
- Jan 20 - “Tough Talk” (Ex gangsters, offenders, power-lifters, bouncers, etc - led by Debra Mayo – 2 hours)
- Jan 27 - “Apostle” musical (Feast of Conversion of St Paul)
- Feb 03 - Rob Parsons (Care for the Family)
- Feb 10 - Nigel Lloyd-Latham (singer, song-writer)
- Feb 17 - Philippa Hanna (singer, worship leader, song-writer)
- Feb 24 - Paul Harcourt (National Leader - New Wine)
- Mar 03 - Simon Baker (Community Bible Studies)
- Mar 10 - Jeff Lucas (international speaker, author, writer, broadcaster)
These are mainly my 6-7pm guests, but Debra Mayo, Dave Stansbie and Graeme Russell will be bringing inspiring music and themes each week 7-8pm, and their sessions are a real blessing. They are a great team!
Listen each Wednesday (6-8pm) on www.brumsideradio.com repeats Thursday 11am-1pm)
We have now established a nation-wide network of REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES who will be aiming to bring CMM to the notices of local groups, churches, choirs schools, etc. Their local knowledge is vital in bringing CMM’s ministry and materials to a wider “audience”. Please have a look at the list.
- Is there a rep for your area? If so, can you help them by putting them in touch with local opportunities and openings?
- If there’s not a rep in your area do you know someone who might be suitable?
So lots to think, pray and act upon. We really do value your support, so thank you so much for standing with us!
Roger Jones
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