CR5 Issue 154 March 2018 digital

Tim says "This is one of many images created
by dropping objects into a jug of water to get
interesting patterns. Using a table, backboards,
flashes and a willing assistant to drop the objects
it took a few attempts to achieve the desired
effect. It's great (if somewhat messy) fun, why
not give it a try? Vary the shutter speed until you
get the desired result."
DIARY
6th Monochrome Print Competition (2/3)
13th Street Competition (2 of 3)
20th "Tides and Tempests"
by Rachel Talibart
27th Colour Print Competition (3 of 3)
We meet each Tuesday evening (7.45pm for 8pm)
in Cameron Hall, Canons Hill,
Old Coulsdon.
Visitors £5 (refunded on joining).
Others First
“If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny
himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of
himself and his own interests]...”
Mark 8:34 (AMPC)
Perhaps you would agree that we live in a culture
of self-indulgence more than self-denial. At the
same time we love stories of people who sacrifice
themselves for others. Such stories inspire us, and
make us feel good as we watch them on TV from the
safety and comfort of our own living room.
In the bible book of Mark chapter 8 Jesus begins to
tell his disciples of how he must suffer many things
and be rejected and be put to death (verse 31).
Peter gets upset with what Jesus says, and Jesus
rebukes him, saying that Peter is not mindful of the
things of God, but the things of men (verse 33).
It is in this context that Christ explains the Christian
virtue of self-denial, which is one of the ‘things of
God.’
So what is Jesus saying? That Christians should not
enjoy themselves? No, that is not the thought. If
you would follow Him, he explains, then the story
of your life includes denying yourself. The Amplified
Bible, Classic Edition, which is quoted above,
expounds it well. Life is not all about you alone, and
what you might want, but it’s about putting the
interests of others before your own. “You, before
me”, is a way of expressing it. Your children first,
your husband first, your wife first, your parents first,
your neighbour first, your enemy first, etc.
What if we applied this concept to a paraphrase
of the famous love passage of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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How might it read? The person who, in Christ, denies
herself or himself is patient and kind; she or he is
never envious or boastful, never inflated with pride.
That person is not rude and does not insist on his
or her own rights or way, for Christ’s followers are
not self-seeking. He or she is not resentful, and
pays no attention to a suffered wrong. If you deny
yourself, you don’t rejoice at unrighteousness, but
you rejoice when right and truth prevail. She or he
whose life-story includes self-denial bears up under
anything and everything that comes, is ever ready
to believe the best of every person, hopes under all
circumstances, and endures everything. The Love of
Jesus in such a person never fails.
With Easter coming let’s remember the ultimate
example of all time of putting others first –
Jesus’ sacrifice for all humanity, followed by his
resurrection from the dead!
Prayer: Father, without the guidance of your Spirit,
how can I follow your Son, Jesus? Help me please,
to follow Him truly, and let my life story include the
virtue of self-denial that I may follow Jesus in putting
the interests of others before my own. In Jesus’
name. Amen
GCI Coulsdon Community Church meets at 11.00am
on Sundays In Coulsdon Community Centre Upper
Hall. For further information please contact Pastor
Brian Smith coulsdon@gracecom.church or
01798 813133. To receive daily e-mail messages
like this one please go to www.daybyday.org.uk
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