Survival Plan

While the Greek economy staggers onwards, no one seems to have a sensible survival plan for the people of Greece, nor its economy.
The same could be said for the terrible situation in Syria, which looks set to get much worse.
But some wonder whether the whole economic mess in the world can be fixed, especially by the very same people who caused the problems.
Wherever we look, things appear very bleak. After years of plenty, with feasting on every side, we now look to be heading for years of hardship and enforced fasting on every side. Do we have a survival plan?
The story of God's people is of God providing a survival plan.
From the earliest times, has been of a people facing hardship and struggle. Enslaved in Egypt, then set free only to wander for 40 years in the desert. Much later, exile and captivity, and prophets speaking of God bringing water to the desert. Years later, the story moves on.
'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 
During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Matthew 4.1-4)
God's survival plan for all of us, as shown by Jesus, is that we should be so deeply rooted in God's promises and provision for us that He enables us to survive. As we sang in Church yesterday, 'When i'm faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice' (watch this YouTube clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l8RVhxndYg

We see Jesus doing exactly this, and it made Him strong to live. His survival plan was what we need. So we need to read the Bible regularly, and learn to trust the Lord, by practice and habit.
Best wishes,
Richard

Fighting Talk

Politicians of all shades love to sound big & tough, giving the impression that they can fix whatever the problem happens to be. Fighting talk is the name of the game. But as we all know, words are cheap & easy, while action is much more costly and difficult.
All of us face troubles and challenges, and during Lent the focus for many is on exactly these struggles. Just as Jesus went into the wilderness to face his demons, so all of us have real and significant battles to fight.
We can talk about giving up chocolate, or cutting down on our alcohol intake, or fasting from watching too much television, but where the action is needed is on the struggle against temptation and sin.
The writer to the Hebrews has much to encourage us with.
'Since Jesus himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.' (Hebrews 2.18)
Jesus' identification and shared experience with human beings like us gives him the qualifications to draw alongside us in our struggles - whatever they are.
Having then described Jesus as our High Priest, who makes it possible for us to draw close to God who is holy and perfect, the writer reminds us of Jesus' sympathy. 'This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.' (Hebrews 4.15-16)
I am therefore reminded that whenever and however I face temptations and challenges today, I don't need fighting talk about my own determination to 'be strong' or 'sort it out', but I need to trust Jesus to make a difference. Crossing fingers won't help either, but trusting Jesus will.
Best wishes,
Richard

Testing Times

What else can go wrong?
First, I lost the use of my laptop - hence no messages for several days.
Then, my back has become twisted, as some of you noted on Sunday. Many thanks for your prayers and concerns.
And now it is Ash Wednesday, when we recall the start of Jesus' 40 days of testing in the wilderness. 'The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.' (Mark 1.12-13)
Imagining what Jesus went through is very testing in itself, as we have little grasp of what even 2 or 3 days of total solitude might be like. Interestingly, Mark says nothing of his fasting, nor of the specifics of his particular temptations. The parallel between Jesus' experience and the people of Israel in Moses' time, journeying through the wilderness, and being tested for much of that time, is very marked. They failed, but Jesus was faithful and true.
In what ways are we tested? Many & various, I would guess.
And what might we learn through the process? That all depends on how we respond. St. Paul had some straight talking with his Corinthian friends, reminding them there was no excuse for failing in our Christian living, because of the faithfulness of God. 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.' (1 Corinthians 10.13)
So let us learn to trust the lord, one day at a time, and find he brings us through.
Best wishes,
Richard
Check out the Tearfund Carbon Fast materials -

http://www.tearfund.org/en/get_involved/campaign/campaign_updates/campaignnews/cc_201111_carbon_fast_2012/

Being Counted

Two speeches this week have put Christian identity in the spotlight.
First Baroness Warsi, the only Muslim member of the present Cabinet, speaking in Rome to Vatican officials, highlighted the role of confident Christians (possibly code for involved Roman Catholics) in providing a stable and tolerant society.
The next evening, at Lambeth Palace, our Queen started her Jubilee events by drawing attention to the benefits deriving from the established position of the Church of England.
Both women celebrated the role of Christians in the public sphere. Our faithful presence counts and makes a difference.
The contrasting reality is that many of our brothers and sisters are fearful of being identified. It takes some courage to be be known and respected as a faithful Christ-follower.  I have known many times the crippling desire to be an invisible Christian, just in case I was mocked or thought to be 'uncool'.
Jesus spoke powerfully of the consequences of our being his followers. 'Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.' (Mark 8.34)
Part of the cost of being a disciple of Jesus is that we are willing to be counted as one of His followers. That does have a price tag. Being unwilling to be known as one of His followers also has a price tag! 'If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8.38)
Today, some of our young people are going away on the Youth Weekend. Please pray that they and we will learn how to live for Jesus in private and public, so that He is glorified.
Best wishes,
Richard

Tree Surgeon

One of our neighbours has had two of the oak trees near their house pruned and all the small branches trimmed. The Tree Surgeons were up in the trees for 2 days, and the finished product looks very sad.
The home owners will get more light into their house and garden, and fewer leaves in autumn, for a time. But the oak tree will recover remarkably quickly, and new growth will be even more vigorous than before. That is because it has deep and healthy roots, which enable it to keep growing, whatever happens above ground.
Jesus spoke of 'My Father is the Gardener' - or we might say, Tree Surgeon. '“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.' (John 15.1-2)
At this stage, Jesus doesn't describe how increased fruitfulness happens. From observations of trees and bushes, his audience would know that the secret lies in the root system.
So that is what he then describes. 'You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.' (John 15.3-5)
Events happen in our lives which are like the visit of the Tree Surgeon, and some features of our life get pruned. It may be declining health or changed family circumstances which then leads to diminished options for us. But fruitfulness comes from good roots - close connectedness to Jesus.
If we put our focus on keeping close to Him, then He will produce the fruit we long for.
Best wishes,
Richard

On the Margins

Recent events have suggested to some, including Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, that Christians in Britain are being being pushed to the margins.
Research by the Evangelical Alliance made the same point, though I found it hard to recognise the symptoms which were their evidence. Maybe some feel under pressure and marginalised, while others do not!
What can we do about it?
In the new Testament, there was no special privileges or position for followers of Jesus. In fact, the prevailing wind was a strong blast of aggressive persecution or mockery. So St. Peter writes to the Christians he is supporting, encouraging good behaviour, whatever the weather.
'It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.  For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.' (1 Peter 2.15,19-21)
This is very challenging stuff, and teaches us what we might be unwilling to do. Fighting for our rights is so deeply ingrained in our culture, that we easily forget our responsibilities to shine for Jesus, especially when the going is tough.
So whether we are on the margins, or in the thick of shaping our culture, let us be grateful for the example of Jesus. 'He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.  Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2.22-25)
Jesus brings us in from the margins and welcomes us into the Father's home and family. That is a good place to be.
Best wishes,
Richard

Spring Thaw

After last week's cold, now we are getting some 'less cold' weather. Whether this is real spring, or just a pause before some more cold and snow, I have no idea.
But eventually, spring will come, and there will be daffodils and spring flowers in abundance, and leaf buds will break open, and we will all be astonished and amazed, as happens each year.
I am reminded of the scene in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', when the White Witch's sleigh can no longer slide easily through the deep snow, because 'This is no thaw, this is Aslan's doing.' When Aslan is on the move, the White Witch's days are numbered.
For Christian people, the resurrection of Jesus is the proof that God has broken the power of sin and death, so that all creation can rejoice in the new life that comes with spring.
St. Peter wrote to the dispersed and persecuted Christians of his day, focusing on what God has done for us in Jesus. Seeing this makes all the difference.
'All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. (1 Peter 1.3-4)
Today, we can all live with this eager expectation, and rejoice in God's amazing plan. We look back to the solid reality of Jesus' victory, and look forward to our priceless inheritance, so we can live moment by moment in the light of these two certainties.
Have a great day!
Best wishes,
Richard

Testing Times

News from Syria continues to be exceedingly gloomy. I have Syrian friends, and wonder what they are going through.
While the politicians wrangle, the NHS struggles to deliver their best dreams, and many staff and some patients experience difficulties.
There are also many families and individuals known to us where life is very hard at present, for many reasons.
In all these scenarios, is there hope?
St. Paul faced troubles of many sorts, and he learned a lesson or two which can inspire us too.
'We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.' (2 Corinthians 4.8-10)
Because Paul was able to relate his experiences of trouble and difficulty to the experiences of Jesus, he had hope that God had not abandoned him.
When we face what look like impossible odds, we can know too that was what Jesus faced, and after death came life.
Therefore, we need to entrust ourselves, with all our troubles and worries, into the hands of the God who sent Jesus into our world, to live, suffer, die and rise again for us.
May He bring us all hope, as we trust Him.
Best wishes,
Richard

The John Lewis way

With Waitrose on our doorstep, we probably know something of the John Lewis way. Staff members are also 'Partners', and receive their share of the company's successes. In the context of discussions about bankers' bonuses, the John Lewis way seems a much more acceptable way to reward good performance. Everybody (almost) in the organisation plays their part in it progress, and everybody is rewarded accordingly.
As many of us take part, at St. Andrew's, in the Everybody Welcome course, we are discovering, like John Lewis, that everybody is involved, in one way or another in providing a welcome, or not! We are all in this together, and have much to learn about doing our best, for the sake of those not yet our members.
This is what St. Paul taught his 'difficult' friends in Corinth, who were very happy to fall our with one another. 'If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad.  All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.' (1 Corinthians 12.26-27)
As we learn to be Christ's body, in practice as well as in spirit, we will discover that people are drawn to Him through us. And that is exactly what our Church slogan says. 'To know Jesus better, and so to make him better known.'
What a great privilege!
Best wishes,
Richard

Worry Buster

Most of us worry about assorted things.
Some are trivial, while other matters seem to deserve our best worries. We stay awake or go round in circles, make lists and hope things might end up OK. But we worry. Is there another way to live?
Jesus taught us that worry was fruitless. '“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?' (Matthew 6.25-27)
St. Paul showed his friends in Philippi how they could experience God's peace rather than the worries of life. 'Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.4-7)
If we follow Paul's pattern, we start with praise, taking time to count our blessings and only then getting on to telling the Lord about all our concerns. The end result will be God's peace taking hold of our lives. How good will that be!
How about trying this out? We will be blessed, and we will discover a different way to live.
Best wishes,
Richard

Dedication

Today, 60 years from the day that Princess Elizabeth became Queen, there are many references and programmes, and much literature to help us review these 60 years. The Queen herself has said that today she will dedicate herself anew to serving all the peoples of her kingdom and Commonwealth.
 While we look forward to celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with many others in June, it is worth recalling that we are celebrating her wonderful dedication, which has been lived out daily for all thee years. The Queen's sense of duty and privilege at having the responsibility to live for the sake of others has been crafted from plenty of hard work and an astonishing sense of God's call on her life.
St. Paul wrote to his Roman friends about how they should live out their lives in dedication to God's mercy in sending Jesus. 'And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.' (Romans 12.1)
If our dedication requires us to give our bodies to God, what might that involve? Paul goes on to describe the process we all need to follow, if we are to be worthy followers. 'Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12.2)
God's part is to be merciful, and ours is to respond in dedicating ourselves anew - daily! Our part is to resist the behaviour an customs of this present world, and God's part is to transform our thinking, so that we can live lives which please Him.
So today is a chance to have our thinking reshaped by the God who sent us Jesus. Let us be dedicated to this calling today!
Best wishes,
Richard

Promises

We know that politicians of all sorts make promises on which they often fail to deliver. That is one reason why people get used to being cynical about politicians' trustworthiness. That then leads to a low level of engagement in people bothering to vote and so on.
But many of us make 'promises', or commitments, often without thinking about the delivery side of the issue, and then later forget what was said. Words are of course easy, and actions are more difficult.
The Bible is full of the promises that God has made to people like us. Because it is a long story, we can also see how the delivery side of the issue shows up.
Yesterday, 2nd February, was the 'Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple', which happened 40 days after the birth of Jesus. Luke's account has 2 older people, Simeon and Anna, encountering the baby, when Mary & Joseph bring him to the Temple in Jerusalem, so that they can offer the sacrifice expected for a first-born male child.
Simeon's beautiful comments, known as the Nunc Dimitis (Latin!), have been sung in churches for nearly 2000 years. 'Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,  “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2.28-32)
The old man had this sense that God had kept his promise to send a saviour, who would be the light for people of all nations, and seeing the child, reckoned the Lord had kept his promise, so he could die peacefully and content.
To know that God is faithful and trustworthy will provide solid foundations for us, as we look forward to all the uncertainties of life. I don't know what today or tomorrow will bring, but He does, and He can be trusted.
Best wishes,
Richard

Remembering

Last evening, Betty & I spent some time looking over the pictures taken when we walked the 630 miles of South West Coast Path, some years ago. The scrapbooks had been assembled around the time we did the walking, but I had never spent time looking over the details of what we had done. Betty on the other hand, having put the scrapbooks together, knew every step of the way. as though she had been there recently! What I had forgotten, though I was there, she had remembered!
The Bible is full of reminders to remember, and we do well to learn to do this.
When Joshua, the new Israelite leader in about 1200BC is given his instructions from the Lord, remembering is at the heart of his charge.
“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.' For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.' (Joshua 1.2, 3, 5)
Joshua is reminded of the promises given to and through Moses, and encouraged that the Lord was going to fulfil those very promises. In all that was to come, the Lord was going to be seen as faithful and trustworthy. That knowledge comes from taking time to remember.
All of us can easily forget the Lord's faithfulness to his promises, and so we start to doubt Him. But when we take time to recall the journey we have been on, or learn of God's faithfulness throughout Christian history, then our own sense of trust grows. Remembering is good for our soul's health.
Best wishes,
Richard