Matthew 25:40

It is very cold - the snow is still on the ground and many pavements remain treacherous.

At yesterday's Ladies Fellowship we had 14 present - about 75% of our usual turnout - they are a tough bunch, even though most are aged 75+ [only 2 of us under 60!] Our speaker was a representative of The Bridge- a project in Leicester which gives out soup and warm clothes to the homeless and rough sleepers.

Keith spoke very movingly about the work they do, and how their concern is not just to provide hot food and warm gear- but also the good news of Jesus. He said many of these people are relatively young, having left home as teenagers due to breakdowns in relationships, and he talked about "Bringing Home The Prodigals"

I think that one of the things I found hardest to deal with was the information that our local City Council will only open up emergency cold weather provision for rough sleepers WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW MINUS 4°CENTIGRADE! That is unbelievably cold- way colder than my fridge.

Right now, when the major news topic is the cold weather, let us do what we can to support groups like The Bridge, and Street Pastors - who are out there demonstrating practical Christian love.

If you are reading this, then you are probably in a warm home, in front of a PC, and have had a meal this evening, and have a bed to climb into later. Steph and I were discussing faith & works the other night. Here is Peterson's translation of James 2.

You come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast! You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.