Flames

The arrival of the Olympic Flame heralds the approach of the Games - only 10 weeks to go now. The prospect of that great event so close and so 'in your face' for so many weeks will thrill many and bring gloom to many too.

But flames are like that.

In the depths of winter, when we are trying to have some warmth in our front room, we burn some logs, and the warmth and sight of the fire and flames brings some relief! When we we say to a visitor, 'There's a fire in the front room', they may also be warmed by the thought.

But if someone emerges from the front room, screaming, 'There's a fire in the front room!', the reaction will be very different, as we rush to call the Fire Brigade.

One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is fire, and we may wonder why that is so. What sort of 'fire' does the Holy Spirit bring? Is it the comforting gentle fire of some logs going up in smoke, or is it a raging, out of control disaster?
Luke's account is striking. ' On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.' (Acts 2.1-3)

I have no doubt that the roaring wind was terrifying, and I guess the flames over people's were pretty startling too. 'What is going on?' will have been in many minds.

What happened next was not what they might have imagined happening, as they waited for Jesus' promise to be fulfilled. 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1.8)

John the Baptist promised the crowds around him that the baptism that Jesus would bring would be different from the water baptism he was offering. ' John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” (Luke 3.16-17)

John clearly links Jesus' gift of the Spirit with fire - fire to purify and cleanse - and not just to bring a bit of comforting warmth.

Perhaps, in these cold May days, we might reflect on how the Holy Spirit might make us more holy, and like Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

Waiting

For Chris & Debbie Rumsey, the waiting is over - Leah Alexandra was born yesterday, by C section - and they are overjoyed! Chris describes himself as 'going to be an emotional wreck for some time!'

But others families are still waiting for their baby to arrive.

Our culture does not like waiting - instant gratification is what many have been used to. Hence, the appeal of the credit card, which means i can buy what I want whether I can afford it or not. As we can now see, there is a price tag to that approach to life.

Among the last words of Jesus to his followers was a clear statement about the need to wait. ' On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 1.4-5)

As we shall learn, immediately after Jesus ascended to heaven - tomorrow is Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, and 10 before Pentecost - the disciples had 10 days of waiting. That time was well spent, as Luke tells us.

In our rushed and frantic lives, we all need to have times when we stop, and wait patiently for the Lord, as the Psalmist says. 

Peggy Douglas mentioned these words on Sunday, as she recounted how the Lord had encouraged her to read the Bible regularly. 'I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40.1-3)

This sort of experience is the gift of the Lord to those who learn to wait patiently, as opposed to those who wait impatiently, demanding action and attention. Such will never be truly satisfied.

Best wishes, 

Richard

All Change!

France has a new President, and all Europe wonders will it be 'All Change!' His visit to Berlin today will begin to reveal what may or may not change. 

Will there be 'All Change!' in the Euro-zone, as many fear? The financial markets are wobbling like a jelly on a plate as Greece and Spain seem to be slipping away from austerity and financial solidity. 

The disciples of Jesus are challenged to live a life of 'All Change!', as a result of the resurrection of Jesus. 'Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits' (Colossians 3.1) and 'For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.' (Colossians 3.3), and 'So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.' (Colossians 3.5) and 'Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.' (Colossians 3.10) 

Paul uses the illustration of changing our clothes - as I have done already today, getting out of my pyjamas and getting into my 'day clothes'. 

Though we are all used to it, we make the effort to get dressed every single day. But it is an effort. 

So it is with our living an 'All Change!' sort of life. It doesn't just float down on us, so that we find ourselves effortlessly transformed, like Cinderella after the Fairy Godmother sprinkled her with magic dust!

But we are, as Paul reminds us, co-operating with our Creator and Redeemer, who has the power available for us to live like Jesus today. That is such an encouragement. I trust we all have a wonderfully miraculous - even if very difficult - day today, as we live out the practice of our being 'All Change!' people.

Best wishes,

Richard

Monday Morning

Could you predict it? 

From the jaws of defeat an astonishing victory and success is snatched. The Blue Moon rises above the Red Devils, and while many are desolate, others are ecstatic.The same event produces contrasting reactions, depending on whose side you are on. 

Yesterday's conclusion to the Premier League will produce loads of comments, and much discussion amongst some. Others will wonder what all the fuss is about, while they get on with 'real life'! 

The resurrection of Jesus mirrors yesterday's final few minutes of the season - defeat turned into victory. For Jesus' followers, getting on with the rest of their lives produced a new challenge. Getting used to Jesus' presence with them, and working out the implications of their new destiny would be a lifetime's challenge. St. Paul described this new life in a startling way. ' This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5.17)

Jesus himself gave his followers a new commission, which was itself to be an extension of his victory over sin & death. 'This message must be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.' (Luke 24.47-48)

We are all caught up in this great enterprise, with the living Lord with us all along the way. This beats being a football fan, because we know we are on the winning team all the time.

Best wishes,

Richard

Planned Growth

I haven't spent much time in the garden recently, on account of the relentless rain. But I have noticed that some new plants are growing. What is encouraging is that these were plants which I grew from seed last year, and they have survived the ravages of slugs and snails, and may soon produce some flowers. Somehow, that process is very satisfying. The planned growth looks like it might have worked.

St. Paul spent a great deal of time preaching and teaching around areas we would call Greece and Turkey. He went, with others, expecting to see the seed of the Gospel taking root in city after city. Whole communities were affected as individuals and families encountered Jesus. Some questioned which stage in the growth process was the most important. Paul is determined not to take the credit! 

He wrote to his friends in Corinth about this process. ' 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.' (1 Corinthians 3.6-8)

This wonderful little passage reminds me that we work together as a team of people, all playing our part in helping others to come to trust Christ for themselves. As our 'Everybody Welcome' course has highlighted, everybody has a vital part to play. Our trust in the Lord, who alone can make the seed grow, is what unites us.

What planned growth are you involved in, in the lives of friends in your circle? We have the Hope week coming up, and much else to stir our faith into action.

May many be drawn to trust Jesus in the days ahead.

Best wishes,

Richard

Living True

Shareholder power has seen the boss of Aviva resign. There may be more companies whose behaviour enrages either shareholders or the wider public. Today's Queen's Speech holds the promise o greater power to shareholders, who will then have to exercise that power responsibly.

In a very different context, Uncle Ben (not the rice brand!) advises Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) that 'with great power there must also come great responsibility'. He is telling his young nephew that he must learn the lessons of 'living true'.

Of course, this is exactly what Jesus calls his followers to do. 

The Bishop at Sunday's Confirmation reminded the candidates (and the rest of us who were listening!) that part of our daily discipleship involved us 'everyday, seeking the Lord's guidance', about the direction and destination for our lives. 

'Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.' (Luke 9.23-24)

We spend much of our lives worrying about the details and trivia of life - what shall I buy, wear or eat. But first we must establish the destination and direction we will choose. We must ask ourselves 'whose will is to be followed?'
Jesus clearly sets out the direction and identifies himself as the One whose will must be first. This is challenging and yet cannot be avoided, if we want to those who are 'living true'.

Best wishes,

Richard

Rise & Shine!

Are you a morning person, leaping out of bed, ready for the new day? We used to own a large poster featuring Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, looking very gloomy, and commenting 'I think I'm allergic to morning!' His alarm was probably not 'Rise & Shine!' 

The writer of the Proverbs was aware that not everybody is a morning person. His comment might find en echo in many these days. ' A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!' (Proverbs 27.14)

On Sunday evening, I went to a Confirmation Service , where Katherine Crofts Gibbons was confirmed. The Bishop spoke of the call of Jesus to each of us to 'Rise & Go', following the example of the evangelist deacon, Philip. He was called to leave Samaria to go to the desert to speak to the Ethiopian Chancellor of the Exchequer. The full story is in Acts 8.26-40.

The Bishop made the point that the word for 'rise', which comes often in the Gospels, when Jesus healed or helped someone, is the same word used to describe his own resurrection. So followers of Jesus are called to share the new life of Jesus, every day, inspired and enabled by His Spirit.

So, St. Paul reminds his friends in Colossae, 'Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.' (Colossians 3.1-4)

If we lived like that, then we would truly Rise & Shine!

That would make a difference for all those we meet today. 

Best wishes,

Richard

Freedom

Margaret Thatcher famously said, "When people are free to chose, they chose to be free."

Chinese politicians may take a different view from  the Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, and Hillary Clinton is caught in the middle. 

But when we say, "I want to be free to do my own thing", we usually mean getting our own way, while ignoring the views and actions of others. My freedom usually has implications on the freedom of other people, particularly those closest to me.

People sometime misquote Jesus on this topic, for he said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." The suggestion is that any sort of 'truth' might have a transforming effect on our situation. But what Jesus actually said was different. ' Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32)

True freedom, as set out by Jesus, comes from our being close disciples of his, taking the trouble to make sure that we are faithful to his teaching and walking alongside Him daily. That will bring us true freedom. As Jesus went on to say, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8.36)

The greatest gift we can give to those we meet is to point to Jesus as the One who alone can give us the freedom for which we long. being a servant of Jesus Christ is what we were made for, and therefore is an experience of profound freedom. As St. Augustine prayed, Your service is perfect freedom. May that be our experience today.

Best wishes,

Richard

Spot the difference

How good are you at noticing when things are changed?

We can notice when the road markings are different, or the car park takes our money in a new way, but some things we easily miss.

Many a husband has been in trouble for failing to notice a different hairstyle.

I reckon most of us can tell if the food has either to much or too little salt in it.

Jesus told his followers that they should be different from the rest of the community.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.' (Matthew 5.13)

We know that salt adds flavour to food, and is used as a preservative, but what was in Jesus' mind with this illustration? This verse follows the challenging verses, known as the Beatitudes, in which Jesus sets out the attitudes and character of the life of those in his Kingdom. ' God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. ⁶ God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
⁷ God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.' (Matthew 5.5-7)

Jesus is setting out the values that God's future Kingdom will recognise as the right way to live. In eternity, people will not be greedy or deceitful, they will find their deepest hungers satisfied, and mercy will be over all. 

If the future is going to be like that, Jesus tells us to live that way now. And that difference is so startling, when compared with our present shabby lives, that we will stick out like salt does. The taste of salt is strong and instantly recognisable. Not much is needed to make a huge difference. So that is how Jesus expects is to live.

Quite a challenge - but what a destiny!

Best wishes,

Richard

Its raining again!

Its official. April was wet! it was the wettest April on record. 

And yet we still haven't turned the corner in terms of the drought, because we are still 5 months behind on rainfall. Like the nation's finances, it takes a long time to recover from severe drought or severe debt! 

Because of the hosepipe ban, 2 weeks ago I used some Christmas present gifts to help buy another water butt for our garden, so that the vegetables that I am planning on growing may be well watered, in spite of water shortages. 

Water storage is a key feature of many development programmes that St. Andrew's supports, particularly through our links with the Tearfund project in Kenya, run by the Diocese of Mount Kenya East.

The prophet Isaiah has a brilliant illustration about the effects of rain.

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
¹¹ It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.' (Isaiah 55.10,11)

This prompts me to ask three questions of myself and others. Am I regularly opening up God's word, so that it can do its work in my? And do I have a 'water storage' system in my life, so that I remember what it is that God has been saying to me in recent days? And have I noticed the fruit that his word produces in my life?

In the meantime, let us thank the Lord for the rain AND his word to us.

Best wishes,

Richard