Ben Askew
About Ben Askew
Posts by Ben Askew:
Take Time
All ages welcome at our free community cafe, open every Wednesday morning in term-time
from 10am – 11.15am.
Expect board games, puzzles, craft, toddler play, hot drinks, cake, space to ‘just be’ and a warm welcome. Westlciffe Hall, 2 Harlow Terrace, HG20PN.
The Same Attitude as Jesus – A life poured out
On Sunday 6th November Pippa spoke on Philippians 2:1-18 and encouraged us to have the same attitude as Jesus and live a life poured out for others. You can listen to the talk below or download the MP3 here.
Light of the World – a thought by Ben.
The end of October can feel quite murky: foggy cold mornings, dark evenings, all sorts of Halloween related things in our media, and lots of gloom in global and national news. It feels a great time to remember that Jesus said: I am the light of the world.
Light is a recurring theme in the gospels, often it is a description of Jesus, sometimes though it is a description of another faithful person, like John the Baptist. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells his followers: You are the light of the world. The gospels seem to imagine people gathering round Jesus: The Light, being filled with God’s light and then acting as lights themselves. In this murky season I encourage you to seek God’s illumination and look for simple ways to share it with others.
A simple breath prayer you could use: Jesus, you are The Light, Lord we are the light.
This Sunday – who could you connect with?
October has an extra Sunday, and so doesn’t quite fit with our usual patterns. How might you use the extra time to connect with others and build community?
There are lots of simple things you could try: meet a friend or another family for food or a drink, go for a walk with someone, try out 9am Communion and perhaps bring a friend, gather a few people to pray and worship together. Many of our young people will be at the Harrogate Church’s Youth Glow Party.
If you are around next Sunday see if you can make some time to connect with someone.
A Life Worthy of the Gospel
This Sunday Jen kicked off our Autumn series on Philippians. The reading was Phil 1: 1-2, 12-14 and 19-30 although you might find it useful to read the whole chapter.
You can download the whole talk here. Or listen on the player below.
Where does our help come from? A thought from Ben.
I lift my eyes up to the mountains’, says the writer of Psalm 121, ‘where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Ps 121: 1+2
I want to encourage you to lift up your eyes! At this time where so much of the news seems troubling, and might drag us down – lift up your eyes. Look to Jesus! This is not to deny the difficulties that are around us but to look at them knowing God watches over, offers help and turns disruption into opportunity. God is at work amongst us doing wonderful things.
How often a problem or difficulty has looked different when I have stopped and looked up, praying about the situation and worshipping God. Sometimes a surprising solution presents itself, sometimes the situation remains the same but the presence of God strengthens me to approach it in a new way. Sometimes in the moment I see God do something brand new. Look Up.
The first of our disciple journey statements, that I shared at The Feast is: ‘I experience God’s presence in prayer and worship’ How true would you say that is of you? This is a time to be seeking God’s presence. Do you have a daily moment when you look up and seek God on you own? If not how could you make one? Many of us use Lectio 365 app to help us fix eyes on Jesus in prayer.
Perhaps you already do that? Could you find another point in the day, or join with others to pray. Within Kairos we have created a new opportunity once a month to seek God together – the worship and prayer evening on the 4th Sunday. Its next week, Sunday 23rd October at 7:30pm, come and give it a try. We also pray at 9:30am at Westcliffe Hall, Monday to Thursday: you would always be welcome.
A couple of simple prayers: “Lord, increase my hunger and thirst for you.” “Lord let me become more aware of your presence today.” Carry them around with you, repeat them a few times today. Don’t let your eyes be dragged down. Look up! God is with us.
With Our Whole Lives
At the Feast on Sunday Ben shared a vision for the year, encouraging us to respond to this unsettled time by following Jesus with our whole lives.
You can watch a video version of the talk below or download audio only here: https://kairoschurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/With-our-Whole-Lives.mp3
You can find a copy of the giving booklet Ben mentions here or click here to find out more about giving to Kairos.
September Sermon – Season Change
On Sunday 18th September Ben shared a word for this new season we find ourselves in. Pay attention to foundations!
Ben was speaking from Matthew 7: 24-29.
You can download the talk here or listen on the player below.
September Sermon – With me.
On Sunday 4th September Ben spoke at our All Age Gathering on Matthew 28: 16-20. As we go to our everyday front-lines of work, school and home we remembered that God sends us and is with us.
You can download the sermon here. Or listen on the player below.
