A bit close for comfort

Posted November 11th, 2008 by clare

I am still trying to digest last weekend's events. On Saturday St Barnabas hosted a day for women called 'Clothed with Joy' (see Psalm 30:11) followed by three services on Sunday at which Chad Dedmon spoke and prayed for healing. Many people came away healed, inwardly or outwardly, and many more were left with a lot to think about, myself included.

I know there are dozens of stories from these two days and I hope some of them find their way on to this website - if you were there and have one to share you can email us here - we'd love to know! In the meantime here's one perspective...

The main thing that struck me about Chad Dedmon (also known as the Doughnut Man - click here if you're wondering why) is that he prays and expects an answer. He quoted Jesus from John 14: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these...You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Jesus, he explained, shows what the life of a person who is right with God looks like. It's an example that's meant to be imitated, since he has made us right with God too. We can treat him like an elder brother to model ourselves on, rather than an alien being with special powers we can't attain to. He suggested that any normal believer should expect to see the sick healed and miracles happening through prayer all around them all the time. He went on to relate stories of miracles God has done through him, and followed that by praying for people to be healed in church - which they were, as far as I could see.

It was encouraging - and very uncomfortable. God suddenly got a lot closer. I could feel my faith struggling to rise to a place where I could pray for anyone sick anywhere - yet what a way to demonstrate the love of God. My housemate SarahJane had already brought it home by getting healed of severe bruising from a car accident just while she was worshipping at the women's day. She believed God could heal her, she'd already told me, and an hour or so later she was. My own faith started to look a little flimsy. I wonder how many of us perceive God as being just a little bit too far off, too disinterested, to respond to the things we pray for. Yet Jesus' instructions in John's gospel couldn't be clearer.

Ouch. I've got some more believing to do.

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The Club is 100 years old

On October 28th, 2009 brian800 says:

The Club is 100 years old this year. Originally called the Whitstable Yacht Racing Committee, it was set up by Fred Goldfinch, a wealthy local grocer and ship owner, laminate flooringand Alf Bates who had a Cycle Agency in Canterbury. To start, it was a loose association of local yachtsmen who enjoyed sailing together and it was not until 1904 that they decided to form a club, called the Kent Yacht Club, and acquire premises. bamboo flooring The first Clubroom was in a restaurant on Beach Walk near to where the Hotel Continental now stands. In 1906 the name was changed to Whitstable Yacht Club as the original title was felt to be too presumptuous. The Club took a room at the Tankerton Hotel on top of the slopes (recently converted into flats). This was not a satisfactory location and the Clubhouse on Sea Wall where the Club is still based was leased. It had originally been the Victoria Inn but at the time was a boarding house. ceramic tile In 1912, Dr Charles Etheridge, a local GP, was elected Commodore and he remained so for 40 years making him the longest serving Commodore of any Yacht Club ever.