We all know the value of helping out others. The truth is that this is part of being human, but it's also part of modelling good Christian community. In a sense we are called to look after one another. 

I am always so blown away when people help me out in a time of hardship and find that it's a real privilege to walk alongside someone else when the going is tough. 

But it's not just in tough times that we need to stick together. We need to be constantly looking out for one another, encouraging each other and walking this journey together.

Jesus said that people will know that we are his disciples because of our love for one another. That is what this is all about. Helping is witness; caring is outreach; walking the journey together opens the doors of the Kingdom of God so that we can tell others of the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

So let's strive to uphold one another. Let's give of ourselves in a way that uplifts others and also sets us free. 

Grace and Peace, 
Pastor David Auty 

Last week was manic for me as I rushed to get a big assignment done on top of normal life. This week so far has had little space either, and now I'm at Baptist Assembly for 3 full on days of "people overload" - actually that's not too bad since I'm a people person - however it does mean a growing list of "stuff" to do next week. 

For many of us life is full on. We struggle to get everything done. We have responsibilities and feel pressured by the seemingly never ending demand. Even so, sometimes I find myself thankful for times like this...I know, it sounds strange, but busy times often give me the "wakeup" call I need to step back and just be with God. To take a deep breath and find strength in his presence. 

For a lot of us the upcoming Christmas "silly season" will be a challenge in this regard. I just want to encourage you before it really hits: Let this time drive you into God's presence! Let yourself be strengthened and empowered by His grace and mercy! Let His Holy Spirit minister to your spirit - life and light. Let your joy be found in Him! 

What are you waiting for? You could start in Psalm 43. 

Grace and Peace, Pastor David Auty 

Recently I watched a couple of TED talks from researcher Brené Brown. She has spent 12 years looking closely at shame and vulnerability—you can watch her talks on our church facebook group. I want to talk about a couple of quotes of hers: 

“Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage” (Brené Brown) 

Contrary to popular belief, vulnerability is NOT weakness! Too often in our culture this is the way that it is perceived: “If I show my vulnerability then people will think that I am weak”. But in fact the opposite is true. It takes courage to allow yourself to be vulnerable, and it’s only out of that vulnerability that we can truly be who we are meant to be. Jesus was pretty vulnerable to allow himself to be at the mercy of the murderous crowd, but without that where would we be? 

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change” (Brené Brown) 

For years I have been reading and studying about “leadership” and “change”. One of the things that I have noticed is that the best leaders and the most innovative people are not afraid of failure (or at least they don’t allow their fear to stop them trying). They try, and if it doesn’t work, they try again! Just like the old saying: “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again”. 

But in order for us to do this we need to open ourselves up to the possibility that it may never work. We need to allow ourselves to be feel vulnerable—to let others really see us, and what we are doing, along with all the risk of disappointment, re-jection and judgement. 

It’s true that if we don’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable then we can numb pain and heartache. However it’s also true that when we do this, we also numb joy and the thrill of human connection. 

Christ came so that we might have life in all its fullness. Let’s not short change ourselves by living a life that is controlled by the fear of failure, or the lie that we are not good enough (“who do you think you are?”). Rather, let’s show our true vulnerability in surrender to Jesus—let’s allow his light, his life, his success—to be ours. Now that’s what I call really living!