Just before we went off to Pembrokeshire, I harvested the first blackcurrants from our one blackcurrant bush. The remaining currants were not ripe, and I reckoned that they would ripen while we were away, and be ready for picking on our return.
How wrong I was!
On our return, there was not a blackcurrant to be seen. The birds had had a good time doing the harvesting for me. It was easy for them, because the bush was completely unprotected, and the birds were hungry.
One reflection is that the birds have saved me a job, and so saved me some time. 'Thank you, birds!'
But the other reflection is that it is risky to be unprotected in our spiritual lives.
St. Peter told his friends, facing tough times, 'Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.' (1 Peter 5.8,9a)
St. Paul teaches us how to be protected. 'Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.' (Ephesians 6.11-12)
Each of us, today, will face attacks from our enemy, the devil. He will not come to us with horns and a tail, but in and through the events around us and our thoughts within. But Jesus will protect us, as we keep close to Him. He is our defender and protector, as we keep close.
In order to protect my remaining fruit bushes, I have deployed some nets, which might be effective. We shall see!
Best wishes,
Richard
Monday 27 June 2011
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Growing Success
Growing petunias from seed to flower is a renewed experience for me. I used to grow lots of flowers for our tiny council house garden in Bolton.
But for years, I didn't get round to it.
For assorted reasons, I decided to have a go again this year. Sowing seeds, watching seedlings emerge, remembering to water them, then the fiddly job of transplanting them into bigger pots and so on - and all the while taking steps to ensure that once outside, the slugs wouldn't get them.
But at last, some flowers are about to show their lovely colours! How amazing that those tiny seeds, which look like dust, should produce something so beautiful.
St. Paul reflects on a different sort of Growing Success, when writing to his troubled friends in Corinth, who mistakenly focused on God's human servants.
'I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.' (1 Corinthians 3.6-9)
Paul makes two important points.
First, all growth comes from God Himself, who alone can generate the changes in people's lives.
The second is that while the human agents are less significant, it is nonetheless essential that sowing and watering takes place, otherwise there can be nothing for God to grow. God has made Himself dependent on human agents
At St. Andrew's, we have wonderful opportunities to be partners with God's great growth plans. But all of us have responsibilities to do what we can, in partnership with the Lord of the Harvest, to play our part, whatever that is.
What part are you playing? Are you praying that there may be God-given growth?
Best wishes,
Richard
But for years, I didn't get round to it.
For assorted reasons, I decided to have a go again this year. Sowing seeds, watching seedlings emerge, remembering to water them, then the fiddly job of transplanting them into bigger pots and so on - and all the while taking steps to ensure that once outside, the slugs wouldn't get them.
But at last, some flowers are about to show their lovely colours! How amazing that those tiny seeds, which look like dust, should produce something so beautiful.
St. Paul reflects on a different sort of Growing Success, when writing to his troubled friends in Corinth, who mistakenly focused on God's human servants.
'I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.' (1 Corinthians 3.6-9)
Paul makes two important points.
First, all growth comes from God Himself, who alone can generate the changes in people's lives.
The second is that while the human agents are less significant, it is nonetheless essential that sowing and watering takes place, otherwise there can be nothing for God to grow. God has made Himself dependent on human agents
At St. Andrew's, we have wonderful opportunities to be partners with God's great growth plans. But all of us have responsibilities to do what we can, in partnership with the Lord of the Harvest, to play our part, whatever that is.
What part are you playing? Are you praying that there may be God-given growth?
Best wishes,
Richard
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Lady Gaga's Misquote
Lady Gaga, the pop phenomenon famous for her extraordinary clothes and her startling comments, thrives on being outrageous. We have a lot to learn from her.
She has made many astonishing claims. In a recent interview, when asked whether she trying to get her followers to worship her, she said, 'It's more self-worship, I think, not of me. I'm teaching people to worship themselves. My message is simple and perfectly Christ-like - love yourself and love others.'
To Lady Gaga, this may sound very Christ-like.
But I recall some other things he said. '“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.19-21)
Jesus warns us against misplaced trust and he sees the dangers of putting all our eggs in the wrong basket. To focus on self-absorbed identity issues, as Lady Gaga demonstrates, will end in tears, as we collapse under the weight of unrealistic and unfulfilled expectations.
While we gaze at ourselves, and repeatedly ask, 'How am I doing?' and 'Who am I?', we are bound to be disappointed. But when our gaze is Christ-ward, and we know Him to be our treasure, then we will be secure.
Pray for Lady Gaga and other style icons. Their power of influence is massive.
Best wishes,
Richard
She has made many astonishing claims. In a recent interview, when asked whether she trying to get her followers to worship her, she said, 'It's more self-worship, I think, not of me. I'm teaching people to worship themselves. My message is simple and perfectly Christ-like - love yourself and love others.'
To Lady Gaga, this may sound very Christ-like.
But I recall some other things he said. '“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.19-21)
Jesus warns us against misplaced trust and he sees the dangers of putting all our eggs in the wrong basket. To focus on self-absorbed identity issues, as Lady Gaga demonstrates, will end in tears, as we collapse under the weight of unrealistic and unfulfilled expectations.
While we gaze at ourselves, and repeatedly ask, 'How am I doing?' and 'Who am I?', we are bound to be disappointed. But when our gaze is Christ-ward, and we know Him to be our treasure, then we will be secure.
Pray for Lady Gaga and other style icons. Their power of influence is massive.
Best wishes,
Richard
Monday 6 June 2011
The Right Time
Just as we finished our Outdoor Church service yesterday, the rain came. It was only in drips and light drizzle. But we had finished! And everyone helped with the clear up of chairs and equipment, and enjoyed the refreshments inside! What a miracle! It was the Right Time for the rain! And there was a good crowd to notice this miracle - God sorts out The Right Time!
But God has always been one who delivers at The Right Time. Things happen by His will and permission. St. Paul tells us this about the most important event in history - the 'Christ Event', as theologians call it. 'But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. (Galatians 4.4) Jesus came at the Right Time in terms of human history and development.
It is so good to note the hand of God in our daily lives, as things happen at The Right Time. It means we can rest in his sovereign oversight of our lives. We can rest ourselves in His plan for our lives, and 'Reach Every Single Target' which the Lord has for us.
Whatever happens today, may we rest ourselves in His Hands.
Best wishes,
Richard
But God has always been one who delivers at The Right Time. Things happen by His will and permission. St. Paul tells us this about the most important event in history - the 'Christ Event', as theologians call it. 'But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. (Galatians 4.4) Jesus came at the Right Time in terms of human history and development.
It is so good to note the hand of God in our daily lives, as things happen at The Right Time. It means we can rest in his sovereign oversight of our lives. We can rest ourselves in His plan for our lives, and 'Reach Every Single Target' which the Lord has for us.
Whatever happens today, may we rest ourselves in His Hands.
Best wishes,
Richard
Friday 3 June 2011
Food Poisoning
It is clear that some food in North Germany has caused a large number of people to get very sick, and some to die. The outbreak is very localised, and so far the source has not been unidentified. However, many in the wider population are fearful of being poisoned by eating the wrong food. Sales of salad vegetables in Germany have slumped, and the knock on effect will be felt all through Europe.
Understandably, while we need to eat to live, none of us wants to be poisoned by what we do eat.
A similar dilemma faces all of us in our spiritual lives. In Jesus' day, there were many laws and regulations that serious religious people were expected to observe about food hygiene and hand washing. The assumption was that 'uncleaness' was something by which we could be polluted. It seems obvious that what we take into our lives has a startling effect on our spiritual attitudes. But Jesus challenges that view.
“It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
(Mark 7.20-23)
But St. Paul reminds us that we do have a responsibility to take care of what we think about, and in what direction we allow our thought life to travel. 'But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.' (Colossians 3.8-10)
On every side, today, we will be faced by deadly temptations, that could poison our thoughts and bring shame to our profession as followers of Christ. Internet pornography and office gossip, lust and lies, could seep into our thinking, if we let it.
May we take sensible avoiding action today, to feed wisely and well on the living Christ.
Best wishes,
Richard
Understandably, while we need to eat to live, none of us wants to be poisoned by what we do eat.
A similar dilemma faces all of us in our spiritual lives. In Jesus' day, there were many laws and regulations that serious religious people were expected to observe about food hygiene and hand washing. The assumption was that 'uncleaness' was something by which we could be polluted. It seems obvious that what we take into our lives has a startling effect on our spiritual attitudes. But Jesus challenges that view.
“It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
(Mark 7.20-23)
But St. Paul reminds us that we do have a responsibility to take care of what we think about, and in what direction we allow our thought life to travel. 'But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.' (Colossians 3.8-10)
On every side, today, we will be faced by deadly temptations, that could poison our thoughts and bring shame to our profession as followers of Christ. Internet pornography and office gossip, lust and lies, could seep into our thinking, if we let it.
May we take sensible avoiding action today, to feed wisely and well on the living Christ.
Best wishes,
Richard
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Up or Down?
Our daily news diet tells us of people going from 'hero to zero' in a moment - because their reputation or image has been ruined. Some people's finances go the same way - and there is great nervousness.
But most people are trying to work out the best way to climb the greasy pole, or win in the rat race, without it seriously damaging their health, or destroying the lives.
Some try to buy their way up - we often call that bribery, and it is deemed illegal! But in other cultures, it is expected that gifts accompany contracts and so on. But the aim is always to get a bargain that will deliver the best deal. The world of politics, FIFA, and much else seems to run this way.
But Jesus shows us a completely different way. Tomorrow is Ascension Day, when we recall the return of Jesus to heaven, following the 40 days after Easter. St. Paul reflects on that transformation, when writing to his friends in Philippi. Paul points out that Jesus didn't get the glory of heaven by some shady bargain, but by willing and total sacrifice. These are some of the most profound words in Scripture.
Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2.5-11)
The lesson for us is that in the Kingdom of God, the ways of the world are not to be applied. We are called to follow Jesus our Saviour as example and model. We are not to fight for our privileges, or demand our rights. We are called to serve others, and leave God to sort out the pecking order in due time.
What a relief! This way will be much more exciting, as we see God working astonishing miracles around us, for which we didn't bargain!
Best wishes,
Richard
But most people are trying to work out the best way to climb the greasy pole, or win in the rat race, without it seriously damaging their health, or destroying the lives.
Some try to buy their way up - we often call that bribery, and it is deemed illegal! But in other cultures, it is expected that gifts accompany contracts and so on. But the aim is always to get a bargain that will deliver the best deal. The world of politics, FIFA, and much else seems to run this way.
But Jesus shows us a completely different way. Tomorrow is Ascension Day, when we recall the return of Jesus to heaven, following the 40 days after Easter. St. Paul reflects on that transformation, when writing to his friends in Philippi. Paul points out that Jesus didn't get the glory of heaven by some shady bargain, but by willing and total sacrifice. These are some of the most profound words in Scripture.
Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2.5-11)
The lesson for us is that in the Kingdom of God, the ways of the world are not to be applied. We are called to follow Jesus our Saviour as example and model. We are not to fight for our privileges, or demand our rights. We are called to serve others, and leave God to sort out the pecking order in due time.
What a relief! This way will be much more exciting, as we see God working astonishing miracles around us, for which we didn't bargain!
Best wishes,
Richard
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