Prayer Works

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, has spoken openly of the ways his Christian faith, and his habits of regular prayer, have made a difference in recent days. Many people have also found different ways to show their response and support, following the deaths of the two police officers,  Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes. Some by joining vigils, and while others have laid wreaths of flowers. But many have prayed.

Yesterday's BBC Songs of Praise, obviously planned long before last week's terrible events, provided an opportunity for Sir Peter to speak again of his prayer-filled life. There was also a piece about the 'Reaching our Commnuties' (ROC) organisation, whose Christian involvement with local Councils and the police is highly respected in the Manchester area. Their youth and community work is rooted in prayer and sacrificial service. 

When any of find ourselves moved to pray, it is often because we encounter something that deeply moves us, or a person for whom we care faces trouble of one sort or another. Then, we turn to pray, calling on God's mercy & blessing for the people or their situation. Learning to follow St. Peter's advice makes such a difference.  'Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.' (1 Peter 5.7)

We pray because we care, and as we give all our concerns and worries to the Lord, we discover that He cares for us too.

Part of our Bible reading yesterday, in church, focused on the praying of Jesus for us.  'Therefore Jesus is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.' (Hebrews 7.25) As we reflect on the constant praying of Jesus, it is amazing to know that he is praying for us, because he cares about us. I find that an astonishing thought. My cares, which in the scheme of things are pretty small, are enough to stir Jesus to pray for me. And what he longs for as an outcome will be much better for me and everyone else than my small-minded and often self-absorbed dreams. So today, I shall thank Jesus for praying for me, and ask that my will and life fits in line with his best will and purpose. That would be good!

Best wishes,

Richard

Good Idea?

Oil companies think it is a good idea to be able to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean, now that the ice there is much thinner than ever before. 

It is much thinner because the ice has been melting faster than ever before, on account of climate change. Why is this happening, we might ask!

Some might deny a link between human activity, including burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and melting ice. 

Others might also assert that they can do the drilling safely, and that accidents will be manageable. Previous oil spills have been disastrous, whether in the Gulf of Mexico (ask BP), or in Alaska, but the oil companies think they won't repeat those errors. Should we believe them?

Our own MPs believe that the United Nations should establish a ban on oil exploration in the Arctic. They don't believe it is a good idea.

Just because it is possible, doesn't mean it should happen.

Jesus told a story about a man who had a good idea, or so it seemed to him. '

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12.18-21)
Like the rest of us, the oil companies are being dangerously greedy, in wishing to get oil from the Arctic. It is not a good idea.

But neither are our greed-driven aspirations. Learning to live simply and without waste is a new skill that we should invest in. And developing a rich relationship with God - that is a good idea!
Best wishes,

Richard

Asking Questions

Following the appalling killings of two female police officers in Greater Manchester yesterday, many questions will be asked. They will range from the factual - who, what, where, when - to the deeper ones - why - and the deeper still - where is God in such times?

It is striking that the Independent Enquiry into the Hillsborough Disaster was chaired by James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool. It suggests that when there are big questions to ask, some people are more trusted with finding answers than others. In the Channel 4 news last evening,  the former editor of the Sun newspaper, Kelvin MacKenzie, repeatedly refused to answer questions about his role in the paper's coverage of the Hillsborough football tragedy 23 years ago.

Asking questions is a very human response to the world around us - from the toddler's endless 'why' questions, to the deeper wrestling we all experience as life turns difficult and complex.

In the Christianity Explored course, those attending are encouraged to ask questions. 'If there was one question which you wanted to ask God, what would it be?' A good number from our church have been through this course, and have discovered many of their questions being answered.

Jesus was a great teacher, and he often asked questions, to get people to think.

'As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8.27-29) This key event in the Gospels revolves around asking questions. 

Similarly, in the story of the expansion of the Christian community, told in the Acts of the Apostles, we come across many questions being asked and answered. For instance, an African returning home from Jerusalem asks Philip, the evangelist, ' Was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” (Acts 8.34) Philip has a few questions of his own, with which he starts his conversation. 'Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.' (Acts 8.30-31) Philips' question leads to a straight question from the African man, who wants his questions answered. That leads him, in a short time, to discover that Jesus is the answer to most of his question!

All of us have our own questions, which we need to keep addressing, as we seek to grow in our faith in the God who is truth. But we are also surrounded by friends and colleagues who have their own questions. If we can ask interesting and searching questions, with them, this may help them in their search for answers to life's big questions.

Best wishes,

Richard

Enduring Love

Ian McEwan's novel, 'Enduring Love', tells the tragic story of someone being hounded and stalked by a very strange stranger, who has become obsessed. When challenged about his behaviour, of course the stalker claims to 'love' the target, who in response has to 'endure' this expression of 'love'.

It is a great read, and throws light on the various ways in which we relate positively or negatively with those closest to us. In some ways, it is like a well-lit mirror, in which we can see ourselves.

The Bible tells of a different sort of love, which endures, and redeems and restores. We are called to experience and know this love, which is beyond knowing! St. Paul had a wonderful description of this love. 'Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.' (Ephesians 3.17-19)

But the Bible also reminds us that our love for God is often very transient. 

Speaking through the prophet Hosea, in the 8th century BC, the Lord says to his wayward people. ' “O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. ' (Hosea 6.4)

In response, the Lord repeatedly challenges the deviant behaviour of his people, and reminds them again and again of his love for them. In his love, he promises to deal with their problems, so that all may be well. ' The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.
⁵ I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.
⁶ Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,   as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.  My people will again live under my shade. (Hosea 14.4-7)

I am so grateful that the Lord's love for me and us is like this - which deals with our weaknesses, and longs to put us back together again.

Best wishes,

Richard

Offensive

The Muslim world is erupting with violent hatred towards the makers of an offensive film about Muhammad. People have been killed in Libya, Afghanistan, Egypt and elsewhere, and the violence appears out of control.

President Obama, Pope Benedict, moderate Muslim leaders and many others have appealed for calm, whilst also condemning the makers of the film. 

This terrible situation has emerged while many are remembering the furore caused by the response to the the publication of Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, in 1988. I recall the book burning taking place in Bradford, violent demonstrations in Bolton, where we lived,and the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, encouraging Muslims to kill Rushdie, leading to his 10 years in hiding, under protection.

Newspapers and TV are this week exploring those events, but they raise the question as to how people of faith should respond to the offensive behaviour of others.

When people are provoked and attacked, we accept that proportionate self-defence is allowable. In our culture, which values the freedom to comment and even attack the views of others, we also accept that we should not be gratuitously offensive to the views of others. 

There are responsibilities which come with genuine freedom. My freedom to express my views must be balanced by your freedom not to be attacked and diminished.

This is not a new problem.

Jesus addressed it in the most startling of terms, when he tlod his followers, ' “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5.43-45)

Our response to others must be rooted in the character of the God we believe in, who is gracious and merciful to all.

The Prophet Isaiah presents a wonderful vision of how this change in our behaviour would look, when we all seek to live under God's rule and mercy. 

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
    yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
 He will give justice to the poor
    and make fair decisions for the exploited.

 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
    and a little child will lead them all.

Best wishes,

Richard

New for Old

How new is your mobile phone? The latest iPhone 5 was launched earlier this week, with new and improved features. The battle between for market share the android manufacturers - Apple, Blackberry, Nokia and Samsung - keeps offering more and better functions, for more and more money!

Much of industry is driven by our desire for better products, and the history of industrial development tells the stories of astonishing improvements in manufacturing processes. All of our lives have been transformed beyond the wildest imaginings of our grandparents. They saw what happened, as machines replaced hand made products, and people left their villages to work in towns and cities. 

There are obvious costs associated with these changes, not least when accidents happen, such as the fire in the Karachi clothing factory this week, killing nearly 300 people.

But we cannot go backwards, even if we might dream of a quieter lifestyle in some rural idyll. We may holiday in the country, but globally, more than half the world's population now lives in town and cities.

The Jewish people of Jesus' day were confronted by someone who was offereing a new way to approach issues of faith in God. The religious authorities quickly saw in Jesus a threat, and started to plot for his death. But Jesus boldly stated that he had come to bring the new, and even if his opponents killed him, he was aware that new and old cannot co-exist. 'Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?” 

Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 

“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” (Mark 2.18-22)

In our own lives, we  are constantly faced with tension between old and new. Can we find renewal while holding onto safety and security? Do we long for stability, when Jesus calls us to risk-taking and vulnerability? Do we look for public approval while Jesus calls us to costly sacrifice? Today, I pray that I will know how to live the new life of Jesus, in a world that is dying to be saved.

Best wishes,

Richard

Truth & Justice

Many people in Liverpool are hoping.

Today's release of Government papers relating to the 1989 tragedy at the Sheffield Wednesday ground will bring nervous expectation. 

After that terrible event, when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death, South Yorkshire Police and others repeatedly shifted the blame onto Liverpool fans. It appears there was a concerted cover up, in order to deflect attention from the role and responsibility of the police. But when the truth emerges, justice can become available to those who have lost so much.

Without truth, there can be no justice for grieving relatives. What may bring hope to some will also bring fear and worry to those whose actions will be seen to have been at the root of the disaster and its deliberately warped aftermath. Even after 23 years, this brings hope to many.

Jesus told his followers to be encouraged and hopeful, because the truth will be known, and God's justice can be trusted.

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.' (Matthew 10.26-28)

Because God is the God of truth and whose justice can be trusted, ultimately we have nothing to fear from those who may twist the truth and pervert the course of justice. Our refuge is God himself, as Jesus went on to say. ' What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.' (Matthew 10.29-31)

In our own lives, iinstead of being torn apart by the untruth and injustices around us, and being shredded by the pain they cause, we can find release and freedom, as we entrust ourselves into the hands of the God who cares for us. That is good news and the way to freedom.  

Best wishes,

Richard

Less is Better

I am no great fan of George Osborn. 

It seems his economic policy could be summed up as 'Less is Better'. In a culture which is obsessed with More is Better, having less is tough and seriously difficult for those who cannot feed their families or care for sick and elderly relatives. The upcoming Conference season will have plenty more to say on this topic.

What is interesting is that Jesus seemed, in a very different setting, to teach and live the 'Less is Better' approach. He warned about the dangers of wealth and attachment to stuff. ' “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)

An incident when he was visiting friends illustrates how this principle can be applied even more widely than to money and stuff. 'As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10.38-42)

Martha was too much distracted by all that she was doing for Jesus, so she couldn't focus on what Jesus could give to her.

I find that is an easy mistake to make! Too busy to stop and listen, learn and take in. So, Jesus says to Martha and me (and maybe you?!), 'Less is Better'. We all need to learn to work out what fits this description -  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. 

Best wishes,

Richard

The Morning After!

The party's over. 

The 6 weeks of feasting on extraordinary sporting endeavours have ended. 

For many, 'hang over' may best describe how they feel.  

While particular memories may linger longer, and while there may be changes in the way we perceive people with disabilities, 'back to normal' is how it will be. The daily routines, with the long slog towards Christmas, through whatever the economy and politicians throw at us, will now become our daily diet. 

So what will our diet be? More entertainment and excitement, or endurance through tough times?

The Old Testament addressed exactly this issue, when the Israelites had had all the excitement of escaping from Egypt, the miracles of the Red Sea crossing,and the destruction of the Egyptian army. Then they were faced with the long hard slog through the Sinai desert, with little food and limited water supplies. They started to grumble, and complain that the Lord had left them. Some wanted to return to Egypt and slavery, as there they were well fed (so they imagined).

The Lord who had delivered them had a different lesson for them to learn. Moses reminds his followers of these times. 'Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.' (Deuteronomy 8.2-3)

Whatever we are facing these days, we also need to learn that our deepest nourishment comes from attending to what the Lord wants to say to us. Without time for reflection on his Word, through Scripture and often in community with others, we will starve spiritually.

What is your 'Morning After diet?
Best wishes,

Richard

Who cares?

Despairing people, who face disappointment after disappointment, often ask 'Who cares?' 

Life doesn't seem fair and bad luck appears to follow some people relentlessly. When all hope that things might turn out better is a cruel dream, we easily give up trying. We may convince ourselves that it may be our fate to fail, or whatever language that comes easily. At the same time, we may find ourselves confronted by advice from others, that tells us how to get out of the mess we may be in. We may then agree with Oscar Wilde, who said, 'All advice is bad, and good advice is worse!'

In these situations, I often return to a favourite verse from the hard-won experience of St. Peter, who knew a bit about failure and disappointment. ' Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.' (1 Peter 5.7)

So the answer to the pained question, 'Who cares?' is 'God cares!'

To know that God cares about me tells me first of all that God knows about the details of my life. That is an astonishing and wonderful fact. Every event and issue which I face is already known by the Lord who made me and sent Jesus for me. So it makes sense to unload the problems into His large and loving hands. Worries are not doing me or the problems any good - so I have to keep learning to give them all away.

Then, wonderfully, the Lord is able to provide wisdom and help, encouragement and support, so that either progress is made, or the issue returns to being a molehill rather than a mountain.

My prayer is that we all learn to take St. Peter's good advice - and so grow in trusting the Lord in each day's struggles.

Best wishes,

Richard

Back to School

Many children will be returning to school - or starting for the first time - in the next few days. After a rather wet 'summer', it is ironic how nice the weather has become in the last week or so. Better dry and warm, even for school days, than cold and wet!

People of all ages will also be expecting to start new courses, whether for their own interest, such as the thousands of older people who have enrolled as U3A students, or those seeking qualifications to help them find employment.

And in the background, education remains in the news, as Michael Gove and others press for changes which may or may not be helpful.

As well as formal or informal education, both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have inspired people of all ages to take exercise more seriously.And that is a learning experience as well.

Now, of course, Jesus was a great teacher, and his followers were called disciples from the very start. A disciple is one who learns, and Jesus made it quite clear that all of us who profess to be Christians should be learning from him daily, so that our lives are shaped to be like his. Some of his most demanding words are these. ' “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!' (Matthew 10.24-25)

What Jesus is looking for in his students is a willingness to become like Him. He doesn't want students who are out to impress others with their cleverness. Rather, humble and sacrificial service is the measure of a good student. ' Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10.43-45)

On the night of his own betrayal, arrest and first trial, Jesus is still teaching his disciples, by word and deed. After washing their feet, he tells them, ' You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.' (John 13.13-17)
I trust that all of us will learn to be good students, as we follow our Lord & Master, whatever it costs. 

Best wishes,

Richard

Lost!

That which was lost was not an 'I', but an 'it'.

In fact it wasn't just an 'it' that was lost but an 'IT it'!

Yesterday morning, I could not find my favourite and most useful memory stick. I use it most days, to transfer files from one computer to another, and this particular 'IT it' has made my life much easier. But this 'IT it' was lost. And because it was lost, I was feeling very lost as well.

I knew that I had had it on Sunday, and I recalled where I had last used it. 

By searching through the papers on my desk - an interesting experience - and going through the assorted pockets in the clothes I was wearing on Sunday evening failed to produce what I looking for. The longer it was lost, the more lost I felt, as I wished to do some work on some of the files that were saved onto that memory stick!

When, for the third or fourth time, I explored the pockets in my fleece, there it was! I felt relieved and rather foolish, as much time and effort had been wasted in the combined lostness of the memory stick and me. But it reminded me of the stories that Jesus told.

' “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! ' (Luke 15.4-7)

While losing memory sticks is frustrating, Jesus reminds me and the rest of us that many people are also very lost. 

We are all surrounded by many friends and family members who are lost in that they don't know Jesus personally, and are in the dark about eternal issues. But help is at hand, especially when the friends of Jesus help their lost friends to find Him and in so doing, they are found by the Good Shepherd. As our slogan at St. Andrew's says, our aim is 'To know Jesus better, and so to make Him better known'.

At the end of this month, on 30th September, 'Back to Church Sunday' provides an opportunity for any of us to invite friends to give church attendance a try. Next month, our Christianity Explored course will start, and this has proved a great way for people to discover who Jesus is, and why He came. 

And all of us can play our part in helping the lost get found. How exciting!
Best wishes,

Richard

Are the Paralympics fair?

Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius caused controversy by questioning the blades used by his Brazilian rival, who defeated him in the 200-metres final. He claims that the winner of the 200metres was running on longer blades than are allowed. The official referees have said the race was within the rules established to ensure that athletes compete fairly against others with similar disabilities. 

At the heart of the Paralympic movement is a desire that all sorts of people with all sorts of disabilities can compete against people with same level of handicap. For most of us, the commitment and determination of these athletes is astonishing. 

But in all competition, the desire to win and the contrasting experience of losing produces their own challenges, which can overwhelm those taking part.

St. Paul, in writing to his troubled Corinthian friends, reminded them that the athletes of their day also had to compete with commitment in the games. ' Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.' (1 Corinthians 9.24-27)

For all who are following Christ, we need to be determined in our training - which requires daily dogged discipline to keep close to Jesus - so that every day we are living for Jesus and not for ourselves. 

While we need to be thoroughly committed, we can take encouragement that the Lord Himself is committed to helping us reach our potential. 

In yesterday's 'Starting Out!' service, Daniel reminded us of 6 great promises from God. 

Here are 2 of them. 'Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13.5-6) The clear warning behind this promise is if we get distracted by a love for money - too easy for all of us - we will not know the closeness of Jesus.

And to keep us going to the end of the road - ' And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.' (Philippians 1.6)

So let us run today's race, trusting Jesus to keep us close, and with our eyes fixed on winning for Him.

Best wishes,

Richard