| Dear Friends, As I write this, we are just about to launch into Summerfest 2. The theme for Fest this year is ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ where we have been exploring some of the parables of Jesus. We would really appreciate your prayers as all three weeks are very full, with a wonderful intergenerational feel. We have launched the Scargill Podcast, which are reflections on life on Community – looking at different areas of our life together. You can find the link on one of the following platforms – please do spread the word. We are hoping this might be another way of encouraging people to think about joining Community here at Scargill. Episode 1 of Scargill Podcast: Why Community? There is a widespread restlessness and dissatisfaction with the individualistic and consumerist world we live in. Many are stressed and lonely. One of the hidden pathways out of this gilded cage is intentional community. In this edition of The Scargill Podcast we ask the question, Why Community? Phil and Di Stone, the leaders of Scargill, are in conversation with Rosy Fairhurst, a longstanding friend of the community. APPLE – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scargill-podcast/id1828472356 SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/show/5PtXm2oHEGtCgIxJefkgC7 CASTBOX – https://castbox.fm/vh/6688318 POCKET CASTS – https://pca.st/92r56yhc and coming soon to be on AMAZON/AUDIBLE The advert for the Director’s post will be on the website by the end of this month, as well as being advertised widely. Please be prayerful about this, and let people know who might be the right person for the ongoing Scargill Adventure! Here below, is Di’s latest reflection on the life of Rahab. Enjoy! |
| I’m in the middle of reading ‘a Lineage of Grace (five stories of unlikely women who changed eternity)’ by Francine Rivers. It is historical fiction building on a biblical foundation. Francine Rivers writes ‘These women were not perfect, and yet God in His infinite mercy used them in His perfect plan to bring forth the Christ, the Saviour of the world’. The first woman Tamar is a woman of hope, the second Rahab is seen as a woman of faith, Ruth a woman of love, Bathsheba a woman who received unlimited grace and Mary a woman of obedience. I was particularly taken by Rahab who recognised the God of the Israelites without having any first-hand knowledge. Rahab, a prostitute with an eye and ear for the king of Jericho, also knew deep in her heart that the Israelites worshipped the one true God. How? I think it is because Rahab was OPEN TO God’s Spirit. in fact, all these women seem to have been. Rahab not only knew about God she also experienced a certainty, that feels like the new covenant in Jeremiah: ‘I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts’. Rehab prayed to the God of Israel and desired to be counted as one of their people. She recognised that Jericho was going to be destroyed and so invited the two spies into her home. Salmon, one of the spies on his return said “Would the Lord not extend His mercy to anyone who yearns to belong to Him? I saw this yearning in Rahab. I heard it in her voice. She believes the Lord is God…..Could Rahab declare, truly declare that the Lord is the only God – the God of the heavens above and the earth below-if God had not written His name upon her heart?” And God is doing this today through the Holy Spirit. From Arab World Media we can read Taleb’s story (*name has been changed for security reasons). Taleb’s academic position required an understanding of various religions which took him on a journey that would reshape his spiritual path……’Since I’ve been praying, I’ve felt comfort inside of me…. I’ve almost finished reading the New Testament, and after that, I’m going to start reading the Old Testament. My life has changed completely. I’m a totally different person – I’m praying more, and I often sit in God’s presence. I love Jesus, and I will continue my life with him. I’m so thankful to God for the chance to talk with you (AWM Support worker), learn to pray and how to live with God.’ The Story of Rahab both excited me and put me to shame. Rahab has an extraordinary, unexpected personal relationship with God. In Hebrews 11, we read ‘It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.’ Rahab was open to the Spirit of God and tried to live a life of faith in what must have been very difficult circumstances. She was willing to be guided by God’s presence and power, actively seeking God’s will, listening for His voice, and allowing Him to transform her life. Sometimes our faith wavers and belief in the impossible is weak. But, in Mark Chapter 9:23-25, Jesus says to a father with a son who had seizures, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” and ‘Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” I found this poem, I’m not sure what you will make of it, but it gave me much to think about and very unexpectedly strengthened my faith and brought a wry smile, with the conviction that I will not sit ‘outside….on the cold Church steps’ but I will actively enter into the love of God freely given and cry “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief’. Oh me of little faith by Steve Green I don’t know God.. And since I be an empirical logical rational creature tis hard for me to fully buy into the concept of a supreme being who resides in a dimension forever beyond my limited grasp.. I don’t know God.. but I sure wish I did.. How comforting would it be to exist in a fortress of faith where belief in a force of benevolence would provide me a rock solid moral foundation.. Why can’t I shed these doubts? I’d fully buy into the faith program if I only could.. Instead I shiver outside agonizing alone on these cold church steps.. Too agnostic for my own damn good With love and prayers from Phil, Di and the Scargill Community. |
This was posted on 2 August 2025.