Nigel Rivers     4th December
This 'Letter to the Marlovian Church' was pulled together by Nigel based on our studies in Philippians and the post-it notes many of the church contributed at the meeting two weeks ago.

Jonny Ruffell     4th December
Recorded at Marlow's December family meeting, here are two preaches for the price of one: 5 minutes for the youngsters and a 7 minute challenge for adults.

Paul Wratten     27th November
Paul summarises the previous eight talks of our 'Letters From Then For Now - Philippians' series and then invites us to consider and write down what God has been saying to us individually.

Paul Wratten     20th November
The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote to the Philippian church, so it's remarkable that he was able to talk about being content (having peace) in all circumstances. Paul W discusses several aspects of peace including having inner peace and peace with others, with the help of a 16th Century nun.

Anthea Wratten     13th November
Anthea questions why we tend not to really 'press on' in our faith and asks us to think about what diverts us from wholehearted discipleship.

6th November

Nigel Rivers     30th October
How do we cope when life is unsure and we can't see the way ahead clearly? Do we need certainty? No, let's put our faith entirely in Jesus, not in our own abilities.



Uncertain Times by Nigel Rivers

Our confidence is in the Lord
The source of our salvation. 
But will that confidence survive
The meltdown in our nation?

When all around are gripped by fear 
And frightened by the view
Where will I look to keep my peace
If I don’t look to you. 

For it is only in your love
That I can stand protected
When investments let me down 
And confidence runs out of town 
When friends no longer stand their ground
And job security turns around 
War and sickness scream aloud
And evil publicly struts so proud
Jesus is nowhere to be found
The Holy Spirit’s gone to ground. 
From Father God I hear no sound
How can I stand protected?

The fog hides everything from view
The road ahead’s not clear for me
But as I give my heart, I know
You’re stretching out your hand to me

I want the light to see the way
As I walk into the gathering night
But in your hand that holds me close
I walk by faith and not by sight

That’s all I know, to hold on tight
And find my confidence in you
To choose to walk into the night
And know that you will bring me through. 

He is our fortress we will never be shaken
He is our fortress we will never be shaken
He is our fortress we will never be shaken
We will put our trust in God.

Phil Stewart     23rd October
Phil considers how the challenges Paul laid out in Philippians 2 apply to us in today's world in Marlow.



Going Down by Nigel Rivers

Going down going down
From the highest throne of all
Not grasping for position
But he embraced the fall
Not just to being human
He fell right past that place
And thudded to a painful stop
A slave flat on his face

Going down going down
To a life lived as a slave
A life given for others
Is that how I behave?
Do I seek out hiddenness
Do I want to be seen?
Am I comfortable with nothing?
Or do I want the American dream?

Going down going down 
It’s not what I deserve
I’ve worked hard to get where I am
I’ve no desire to serve. 
And then I look at Jesus
And ask what should I do?
How can I finally die to self
And let your love shine through?

So I choose to follow Jesus 
No matter how deep he goes
How much he serves in hiddenness
How much his mercy shows
And in his infinite embrace 
I choose to love like him
And know that Jesus going down
Put him on top again.

Andy Read     16th October
The Greek word we translate as ‘humility’ meant 'lowliness' in the Roman mind, but Andy explains that Jesus’ humility was rooted in the knowledge of who He was, and was anything but weak. Let's follow His example of service and honouring others.

Nigel Stock     9th October
Nigel explains one of the key challenges for us from Chapter 1: whatever happens, we must keep living our lives based on the reality of the gospel of Christ.

Anthea Wratten     2nd October
Anthea examines the Parable of the Sower from a different angle; perhaps the emphasis should be more on the extravagance of the sower than the condition of the soil onto which the seed falls.

Jill Stonehill     25th September
Jill examines why it is we can have such confidence in God; both in the power of His love, and in particular in our identity in Christ .... after all, we are citizens of heaven!

Andy Read     18th September
Andy kicks off a new teaching series which will see us working through Philippians. He overviews its main themes which we will explore over the weeks from now until Christmas. The talk was preceded by a reading of the entire Book by Anthea, Mick and Scott: that file is also available for download (by clicking the link above).

Colin Barnes     11th September
Colin speaks not about saying 'Sorry' but rather discusses the scriptural sense of the word i.e. explaining when questioned: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have". How can we respond when we get asked tricky questions about our faith?

The Lost Sheep
Phil Stewart     4th September
As part of this month's family meeting Phil brings some new perspectives on the Parable of the Lost Sheep.

The Blessing of Doubt     Slides
Emanuel Prinz     21st August
Doubt is rarely talked about in church but Emanuel argues that it's a necessary part of journey to maturity in faith, and therefore this talk is relevant no matter how long you've been a Christian.

HHHW12: Be Still - Hidden      
Anthea Wratten     14th August
Anthea wraps up the 'Holiness and Hope in a Hostile World' teaching series with a look at the 'Hidden Life' chapter of the 'Be still' book. She encourages us to keep pressing in on God, especially via our quiet times. If things have become dry, push on through; and well done for the progress you have made already.


Hidden in Christ

This is my place of safety
A place for me to be
Where all pretence is laid aside
And I can simply be. 

This is my place of wonder
Where questions fill the air
And go quietly unanswered 
Because I know you’re there. 

Because I know I’m hidden
The things that seemed so key 
Are suddenly insignificant 
They have no hold on me. 

Invisible in Jesus
Is where I long to be
Where only He can see me
And I feel his smile on me. 

This is my place of resting
When everything’s been done
I love to hear your whispering
“I love you child, well done”

This is my place of pressing on
Through every open door
From this place of deep contentment
I still press on for more.

©Nigel Rivers August 2022

Jonah's Dedication     7th August

Alistair Bullen     31st July
Al considers what Paul expresses in 1 Thessalonians 5 about how we should relate to people around us, particularly those in authority in both secular and church environments.

Paul Wratten     24th July
Paul considers why we sometimes find it so difficult to go deeper with God, with the help of some parables from Peter Rollins. Will you accept the open invitation?

Nigel Stock     17th July
Nigel considers Paul's exhortation that we should live as though Jesus's return is imminent, and encourages us to be alert but also not to get distracted in trying to work out when or exactly how it will happen.

Nigel Rivers     10th July
Nigel encourages us to cultivate a habit of wonder and to be aware of barriers which can prevent us doing so i.e. distractions, busyness, dissatisfaction and disappointment.

Jill Stonehill     3rd July
From our latest special family meeting: two talks about the parable of the Wise and Foolish builders for the price of one - one version for kids, one for the grown-ups. How strong and deep are your spiritual foundations? (Click on the title above to Listen Now).

Jonny Ruffell     26th June
Perseverance requires repetition, it means not easing up even when we don’t see results, and persevering makes us stronger. Jonny challenges us about whether there are areas of our life in which we need to persevere (more): is there a project that's incomplete, or a relationship that's been neglected? Have we stopped praying for someone because of unanswered prayer, or promised to help them but never actually got round to doing so? (Sorry, no video version this week. Click on the title above to Listen Now).

Colin Barnes     19th June
Let's abound in love, not living in lust, lawlessness or legislation, and let us aspire to inspire others through our love for everyone we meet.

Ken Baird     12th June
Ken is pastor at Newfield Community Church, and here the speaker at the Churches Together service in Higginson Park on Regatta Sunday. God's not so interested in our personal comfort, but rather in fixing the broken. Let's work together to bring the lost home. 

Anthea Wratten     5th June
Anthea reminds us that we're all welcome at the feast, but who will we invite to come with us?
 

Paul Wratten     29th May
The Apostle Paul stated that the Thessalonian church was his "crown, glory and joy". Paul Wratten encourages us to reinvigorate our longing for church, to renew our commitment to one another and also to recommit to praying for each other.
 

Andy Read     22nd May
Andy considers the use of scripture in quiet times, likening it to a telescope which can help us to look back, forward, up, in and out.
 

Nigel Stock     15th May
Nigel encourages us to drink, to breathe, to be still and to imitate God.
 

Keith Grafham     8th May
Do you have regular quality time, ideally each day, when you're quiet before God, to connect with Him and to hear His voice? Keith encourages and challenges us all to do so. We all need 'chair time': It's about rhythm / regularity / being intentional, and also about encountering / responding / intimacy / revelation / action.
 

Andy Read     1st May
Andy kicks off our new teaching series Holiness and Hope in a Hostile World (based on 1 Thessalonians). Is it possible for the Christian faith to survive and thrive in a world that’s indifferent at best and hostile at worst? What does such a faith look like – at home, at work, and in other places where Christ’s people find themselves? And what kind of church does it take to sustain that vision?
 

Colin Barnes     24th April
Colin explains that the lessons learned by the disciples on the road to Emmaus are key to each of us entering into the promise of Jesus that “Greater things you will do” (John 14:12)
 

Paul Wratten     17th April
What do you see in the story of Easter - really see? Paul explains why this is so important - because what we understand about Jesus' death and resurrection will shape every aspect of our life.
 

Keith Grafham     10th April
Keith encourages us to bring God's salvation to others by allowing Jesus to transform us in every part of our lives. Let's consistently spend more time in the quiet place so that He can do just that.
 

Jonny Ruffell     3rd April
Jonny encourages us to share Jesus from the heart. And let's be kind not just to one another and the people to whom we are close, but even to those who we disagree with.
 

Colin Barnes     27th March
We were created to represent God on earth, so learning to host his presence is vital. Colin considers what this means and what helps us do so.
 

Alison Hopkinson     20th March
Ali discusses what it means to be set apart, and the kind of servanthood to which we are called. Let's go deeper with God so we know with clarity how He wants us individually to respond.
 

Geoff Wilson     13th March
Geoff looks back over the last 100 years and asserts that despite the awful situation playing out in the Ukraine things the world has got better in so many ways in that time.
 

Nigel Rivers     6th March
Nigel speaks about new and old wineskins, challenging us to think differently. Has "in or out" theology been restricting us, and hampering God working through us? Does He want us to work with people or groups that don't fit in with our traditional ways of thinking?
 

Phil Stewart     27th February
Phil encourages us to ensure that we make space for rhythms of Rest, Celebration and Generosity in our busy lives.
 

Andy Read     20th February
Andy examines the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness following His baptism and explains how we can apply His responses when we ourselves are tempted.
 

Colin Barnes     13th February
We're free to live for God, and to make choices: and this doesn't mean life will be storm-free, but no matter what happens, God is always with us. However, will we choose safety or adventure?.
 

Paul Wratten     6th February
Paul kicks off our new reading and teaching series 'Living The Story In a New Day' with a look at Matthew 1 & 2. God wants to build the biggest human family possible, and has invited us to help make that happen. Walking in faith is rooted in our belonging to Jesus.
 

Nigel Stock     30th January
Nigel emphasises the simple truth that the depth of our love for Jesus is far more important that what we understand and believe intellectually (as important as that is). What does Jesus mean to you?
 

Continuing on from Steve Clifford's message at last week's River Together, Paul considers what it means for us in River Marlow specifically, and how to run the race well. (Sorry, no video version this week).

At the meeting formally marking the day when River Church became four River Churches, Steve asserts that now is not the time for settling down, but rather there is plenty more to come, so let's run together.

Anthea encourages use of the Examen Prayer to reflect in a structured way on the last 12 months and set ourselves up for 2022.