Who has power?

Who has power in Egypt? The demonstrators fear that President Morsi has become a tyrant.

Who has power over the Press? Our Parliament will be trying to tackle that one, after the Leveson Enquiry has reported.

Today, 30th November, is St. Andrew's Day, and many Christian people mark this day as a day of prayer for the missionary work of the Church.

Prayer may appear to be a quiet activity that brings benefit for those engaged in it - because it is may clear the mind or calm the soul. 

But few people see prayer in the way that the Bible sees it.

Some famous quotations may reveal what assorted Bible writers think of prayer.

St. James, the brother of Jesus, writes, 'The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.' (James 5.16-18)

Earlier he said this, 'Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.' (James 5.14-16)

For James, the place of prayer is the place of power. 

Yet we pray so little with any understanding of the effectiveness, the power of prayer.

Jesus spoke often of our need to be people rooted in prayer. 'I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.' (John 15.15-16) If we want to be fruitful in our mission & ministry, we can only be like that if we are deeply rooted in prayer. 

These effective prayers are all connected to our relationship with God through Jesus, and His mission in and through us. Our prayer, at its simplest, is 'Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'. Unlike our usual prayers, which seem to focus on our comfort and problems, these Jesus-focused prayers are on God's glory. 

So today, St. Andrew's Day, let us give ourselves some time and space to pray for the mission & ministry of our Church. I am attaching the prayer bookmark which was available last Sunday, to help us use our time wisely and well. For we are in the place of power when we pray.

'Let us pray'

Best wishes,

Richard

Who is watching?

Nervous politicians and media people await the Leveson Report on the press. 

Can media moguls be trusted to regulate their own money-making ventures? 

Should there be more control over a free press?

And what about 'public interest' and public scrutiny?

History has shown that the public love to gobble up scandalous stories about famous people, whether or not they are true. It sells papers and much else besides.

In the changed world, where 24 hour news is available from many sources, each with its own flavour or bias, checking on facts, rather than chasing rumours generated by Twitter or Facebook, is an increasingly impossible job. Who watches the watchers? Who can be trusted? What can we believe?

How do the rest of us cope?

Obviously, the Bible doesn't address these issues directly, but it does speak clearly about lying and gossip, and not believing someone because they happen to be rich.

Paul was very aware that Christian people should live differently from the surrounding culture. 'So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 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 3.5-10)

Paul's list of things we should have nothing to do with covers our modern obsessions with being greedy for the latest scandal, delighting in seeing the reputations of others destroyed, passing on scandalous allegations, and imagining the sexual failures of others, whether it is Silvio Berlusconi, or someone else. 

It seems to me that we all have to learn self-regulation, whether or not the press get muzzled. We are being watched by those around us, and we have a chance to live to higher values, refusing to wallow in the gutter with those who make money from it.

Best wishes,

Richard

Transplant Surgery

A nephew of mine had failing kidneys, and after some months on dialysis, he received a kidney from one of his brothers, who was a good match. The willing sacrifice of the one brother and resulting gift of life for the other has been wonderful to watch.

The surgeon who performed the first successful kidney transplant, in December 1954 in Boston, Joseph Murray, has died, aged 93. He removed a kidney from one identical twin, Ronald Herrick, and gave it to his sick brother, Richard, whose life was extended by 8 years as a result. All other organ transplant surgery has developed from that breakthrough. Dr. Murray described his life-giving work as a prayer.

Joseph Murray was a deeply religious man, who will have known the Old Testament prophecies about our need for radical heart surgery. 

The Bible's diagnosis of the human condition  as preached by the prophet Jeremiah, is not hopeful. '“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?' (Jeremiah 17.9) When people repeatedly show in their lives and their behaviour that something is deeply dysfunctional within, a radical solution is needed. The prophet Ezekiel describes what God alone can do for us. 

“When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.' (Ezekiel 11.18-20)

That promise has been fulfilled through the death & resurrection of Jesus, and in the gift of His Spirit. God alone can make us new from the inside out, and with our new heart, which is designed to beat in tune and in time his heartbeat of love and compassion for those around us, we can live as servants of others, for Jesus' sake. What a precious gift is that!

Best wishes,

Richard

Deal or Divide?

How do we get on with those who are different from us, especially if they are quite close? 

Several news stories identify the difficulties we face, living in a world where there are many problems.

Negotiators are meeting in Doha, to try to sort out a deal on Climate Change issues, while thousands in Britain are facing floods and much more rain.

Regional elections in Spain have revealed the separatists desires of the Catalan people who want independence from Spain. These pressures are worse because of the problems in the Spanish economy.

Tory strategists fear the effects of UKIP on anti-Europe Tory voters. To avoid this, one Tory strategist to suggest the need for a deal with UKIP. 

And then there is the recent failure of EU leaders to agree a budget for the EU. Those who are net contributors (= the rich!), don't want to support the net benefactors (=the poorer nations), so they want to cut the EU budget.

In all these situations, trying to negotiate a suitable deal with people whose situations may be different is going to be troublesome.

St. Paul had to address this issue many times, within the context of the growing and diverse Christian communities all round the eastern Mediterranean.

To the  Christ-following Galatians, he laid it on the line. 'Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.' (Galatians 6.14)

To his Roman friends, he was equally clear. 'Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God’s law.' (Romans 13.8) But what does this love look like in practice?

To his very troublesome Corinthian friends, in his famous 'Hymn to Love', he set out the practicalities of Christian love. 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.' (1 Corinthians 13.4-7)

In Christian history, we have a very poor record of dividing from those with whom we disagree. It is easier to please our own supporters, rather than making a deal with other Christ-followers who are different from us. Paul's words 'Love does not demand its own way' challenge us all to work out how we can work for that unity which Jesus longs for us all.

Today, we will all come across trying and difficult situations or people, some of whom may well be fellow Christ-followers. Working towards and Christ-honouring deal may take time and patience, but we are called, by Jesus himself, to that style of living.

Best wishes,

Richard

Is the Earth round?

Is the Earth round, rather than flat? 

We know the answer is 'Yes!', even though there are still a minority of people who believe that the Earth is flat.

'Should the Church of England have women bishops?' 

The vast majority of people, inside and outside the Church, know that the answer is 'Yes!', even though a small committed minority have managed to block progress in the short-term.

Many people have been deeply distressed by the General Synod vote earlier this week, and many wonder how the Church of England nationally, and possibly locally, can continue its mission and ministry.

I take encouragement from assorted Gospel stories, which show Jesus facing far worse struggles, and yet continuing to present a message of Good News to those ready to hear.

Again and again, those stories feature women, who demonstrate qualities of insight, courage or sacrifice not seen amongst the powerful men of his day. 'Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12.41-44)

This wonderful story reveals a simple and sacrificing trust on the part of the poor widow, which challenges the way most of us live our lives, protecting ourselves from too much inconvenience, when others may need help. 'A tiny part of their surplus' is what we often give, as a tip in a restaurant, after a nice meal out. It is barely worthy as a description of the offering of our lives, in the Lord's service. It is a woman's example which teaches this. 

This pattern is repeated throughout the Gospels, and most significantly around the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. 

It was women who were there watching Jesus die, and it was women who took the message of the resurrection to the unbelieving male disciples of Jesus. Without these faithful women, there would be no Good News for men like me to pass on.

I am constantly meeting people, like us, who are in the midst of a culture that is deeply troubled and bleakly despairing. The Good News of God's love and mercy, revealed to us in his sending Jesus for us all, is the only Good News available that will bring hope and a future.

While disappointed and saddened about the synod vote, I am more convinced than ever that we have a mission to accomplish, which will bring the change for which God longs, both within the Church of England and in individual lives. I hope you too are convinced of this!

Best wishes,

Richard

Minorities Matter

No women bishops, for some time!

It was the votes of just three people that decided the General Synod process yesterday. Several of those who voted against may well be friends of some of my friends!

Should we be shocked and saddened at that? Yes and no!

While the overwhelming majority within the Synod and outside are in favour of moving to ordaining women as Bishops (and it will happen), a small minority are deeply fearful.

I happen to think they are wrong to be fearful, but they voted and acted as they did out of fear.

Should they be ignored and overwhelmed by the majority? Probably not.

I am surprised at my views, because they have changed - not about women's ministry and being bishops - but about concern for minorities.

St. Paul spends a lot of time, in his long letters to Rome and Corinth, dealing with the conflicts between the strong and the weak members of those various fellowships. While he identifies himself with the strong, he makes it clear that the way the strong live should be shaped by the concerns of the weak. 'Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.' (Romans 14.1) 

The issues over which the Roman church was arguing ranged from whether Christians should avoid eating meat, to whether some days were more spiritually special than others. 

Instead of being critical of one another, Paul reminds us that we all claim to be servants of Jesus. 'Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.' (Romans 14.4)

Rather than having endless critical debates, Paul reminds his friends and us that we all face the Lord's judgement, and in that light, we should avoid being destructively superior. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.' (Romans 14.12-13)

Keeping our eyes open to what matters deeply to others, when that view is held because of their love for Jesus, even if we believe they may be wrong, should help us to keep our unity secure. 'For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.' (Romans 14.17-19)

So, this is why my attitude has changed towards those friends of mine who have taken a different view about the women bishop issue. Because minorities matter. We need to be radical in seeking to include people who are different from us.

Do you think this makes sense? Let me know!

Best wishes,

Richard

What Matters?

Gaza, gas prices, and and gas about gaiters.

Today's news reminds us of the dangerous fragility in the Middle East. To people caught in the midst of the slaughter and suffering, or fearing rockets from their enemies, we may imagine our own responses.

Further comments about energy prices will occupy some in government, while all of us hope for lower bills.

And then the gas about gaiters - my way of focusing on the debate about women bishops.

The Church of England's General Synod will be finally voting on whether women may be appointed as Bishops. This has been a long process, with delays to try to turn opponents into supporters. A two third's majority is needed amongst all three 'houses', that is the bishops, the clergy and lay people, so it is by no means certain what the outcome may be, in spite of the support of both present and future Archbishops of Canterbury.

I pray that there will be a clear majority in favour, so that we can get on with what really matters, in the life of our Church.

When St. Paul was in prison in Rome, facing the prospect of his own death by execution, he reflects on the mixed motives of other Christians. Some were hoping to make his life more difficult, while his friends were seeking to support him. In that context, he makes some startling remarks.

It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.' (Philippians 1.15-18)

For Paul, what really matters is that Christ is being preached, so that other people get to hear. 

In the life of our own local congregation and fellowship, there are many issues which may concern us. Our Gift Day on Sunday, so that we can pay all our bills, is significant. But the context in which we need to be solvent is so that we may be equipped to 'make Christ better known' to the many of Goldsworth Park who do not even know that there is a Church here.

Pray with me that we may be good at spreading the Good News.

Best wishes,

Richard

Real Lives

"That was inspirational!", said one of those who heard the powerful personal stories from the real lives of people in our Church, yesterday afternoon.

As part of the Christianity Explored course, two people who did the course last year told how their lives had been changed, over time, by their encounters with people and God. 

A chance encounter with a stranger, who said 'Read your Bible. Read your Bible. Read your Bible.' started a process of conversion, and much more besides, for one person. 

In another real life, a chance decision to go for a walk, past the back of Waitrose, led, over the weeks, to becoming a regular member of St. Andrew's, and clearly being changed by the Lord.

What might have looked like 'chance encounters' were part of God's wonderful work in the real lives of ordinary people.

St. Paul describes his approach to living his real life in his letter to his troubled Corinthian friends. 

'You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.' (2 Corinthians 4.5-6)

God is in the business of shining his life-giving light into the real lives of  people of all sorts. 

Our job, in our real lives, is merely to point to Jesus, and as people look at Him, then, miraculously, they see more than a man, for they glimpse the very glory of God. Knowing the glory of God, and submitting our wills to His will and purpose, brings us life and peace and joy. But it doesn't mean we have an easy life. Paul goes on to speak of our weaknesses. 

'We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 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 4.7-10)

Today, all of us will encounter other people, all of us with real lives. The thrill and opportunity which we all have is so to live for Jesus in all our encounters that others may see Jesus in our real lives.

At St. Andrew's this evening, at our 'Friends or Enemies' evening, when my two Muslim friends come to share their real lives with us, it will be great if, as we learn from them, they might learn from us.

Best wishes,

Richard

Obviously Different

Chameleons have the capacity to disappear into their own background. This is very useful when trying to avoid being eaten by hungry predators. 

Many other animals have developed camouflage, to give them protection. The survival of their species obviously depends on not being wiped out by other animals higher up the food chain. To be obviously different from their background would be very dangerous.

There are many reports of Christians being persecuted and under pressure from their neighbours or co-citizens. This is the case in Nigeria, Pakistan, Indian, China, Sudan and many other places. 

In Britain itself, there are some commentators who are speaking of the pressures from militant atheism and secular society on ordinary Christian behaviour and values

In these difficult settings, how should Christians respond? 

Should we try to merge, chameleon-like, into our background, and appear like everyone else, or should we aim to be obviously different?

Jesus told his first disciples that should stand out - not like a sore thumb, but like lights in a dark place. ' “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.14-16) Such behaviour, while not being explicitly Christian, may lead people to notice and ask questions.

St. Paul follows this thought, in his letter to the Philippians. ' Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.' (Philippians 2.14-15) Again, this sort of behaviour is not 'in your face' and aggressively explicit in its Christian allegiance, but it requires that Christ-followers know that we are always on show, with never a day off.

At St. Andrew's, in our desire to make a difference locally on Goldsworth Park, in the name of Jesus, we engage in several activities which we hope will point towards Jesus. 

Our Coffee Shop, providing a welcome and great food and drinks, is a great way to show that Christians are both ordinary and extra-ordinary. The Toddler Groups, Toddlers Service, and so much else that we do aims to show that being a Christ-follower is a great way to live. And so we could go on.

Tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, our Serving Saturday activities and prayer together, aims to show that we are obviously but not awkwardly different. Please join us, if you can, so that together we can be seen as obviously different, in order to help others come to know Jesus for themselves.

Best wishes,

Richard

Are you happy?

We might all like to know what makes people happy, or contentedly joyful.

A long-term study on the lives of people, followed for over 70 years, has revealed many insights, including indicators about what makes people 'happy'. 

It turns out that 'happy' is the wrong word, because that sounds too much linked to events and self-indulgent excitement. The quality they were studying is much more to do with being content and enjoying good relationships and being involved in community activities. Significantly, wealth or poverty made little difference. At root, people who live their lives in relationship, with an outward focus, where they are making a difference for others, and who know and have known what it is to be loved, are those who live longer and are deeply joyful.

While all this is very interesting, it brings into sharp relief other studies which have shown that British children are among the most unhappy or depressed and sad in the world. What is it that these children are lacking, which leads to their attitudes and values? Clearly, too many homes and families are not the centres of love and life which we might imagine.

Jesus addresses these deeply significant issues in the Sermon on the Mount. 

Have we noticed how radical his words are, and how challenging to the consumerist values of our deeply troubled times? 

'“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) 

If we took these words seriously, we wouldn't get obsessed with buying ridiculous quantities of Christmas presents, would we?

Jesus concludes his comments about what people worry about - is it me or is it God's will - ' “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.' (Matthew 6.31-33)

Jesus calls us to live radically different lives, which might bring hope to the despairing, and wholesome relationships to those who are lost. Are we prepared to take this challenge? The people around us are dying for hope and life. Will we bring them these, rather than being obsessed with the latest gadgets?
Best wishes,

Richard

Shoebox Target

Imelda Marcos was famous for her obsession with shoes. 

Presumably, she had loads of shoeboxes. 

In our house, we have a few empty shoeboxes, which could be useful.

Operation Christmas Child, organised by the Samaritan's Purse charity, has been providing Christmas presents to needy children in over 100 countries for the last 22 years. In that time, a staggering 94 million shoeboxes have been donated, delivered and enjoyed. Their target is that, this year, they will reach the 100 million milestone.

That would be wonderful, and we can all play our small part in this practical and generous work.

But why is it called 'the Samaritan's Purse'?

The name comes from the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan, who behaved generously and mercifully towards the beaten up man he encountered on his journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. '“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ (Luke 10.33-35)

As the Samaritan paid money to the innkeeper, we can safely assume that he had a purse, from which he provided for the needs of the injured man.  

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (Luke 10.36-38)

Therefore, if we want to do what Jesus says, we also need to make use of the resources which are available to us - an empty shoebox, and some time and a few pounds - in order to provide for a Christmas present for a poor child. How simple and possible for many of us to take part.

Details of what we need to do to fill a shoebox are on the leaflets available in the Coffee Shop, or at http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/

Best wishes,

Richard

A New Commandment

It was very messy.

There was in-fighting, argument, leadership challenges, betrayal and pumped up claims of loyalty. Most people seemed to be playing to the crowd, and jockeying for position.

I am not talking about the Government, the BBC, or even the Church of England. I am describing the Last Supper that Jesus held with his friends. 

And yet in that context, we read, 'This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15.17)

Justin Welby, the next Archbishop of Canterbury commented, when asked how he might address the divisions and arguments within the Church of England, and the world-wide Anglican Communion, that he didn't want Christians to agree with one another, "but to love one another and demonstrate to the world around us a better way of disagreeing." This is what Jesus has called us to do.

Or, as we heard yesterday, 'Jesus loves me' and 'Jesus loves you' needs to be applied as 'Jesus in me loves you'. Every person we meet today is loved by Jesus, and many do not know it. Every other follower of Jesus is loved by Jesus, as much as we are. 

Today, we will all find situations where the love of Jesus needs to be applied - to people and problems. We have the opportunity to be practical, as we obey Jesus' New Commandment.

Best wishes,

Richard

Remembrance

Early November has many opportunities for us to remember people and events from the past. 

On November 1st, All Saint's Day, we recall our own place with all those, living and departed, from throughout the world,  who have been faithful believers in God. What is startling at this stage in the story is that there are more Christians alive today than ever before in the 2000 years since Jesus lived and died and rose again.

On 2nd November, All Soul's Day, the focus is particularly on those who have already gone to glory. 

On 5th November, British people recall the Gunpowder Plot, when Guy Fawkes and others attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and the King and his counsellors.

And on this coming Sunday, 11th November, we recall those who have suffered as a result of wars.

Unless we take all this remembering seriously, we risk losing our sense of the debt we owe to those who have sacrificed and endured on our behalf. 

Jesus himself told us to make sure that we remember him, in and through what he sacrificed for us. 

St. Paul gives his account of what happened at the Last Supper. 'On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” (1 Corinthians 11.23-24)

Because so much depends on what Jesus achieved in his death, providing forgiveness and fresh start for broken people like us, we need to keep looking back to where it all started. 

But we also need to learn to look forward to the end of the story. 'In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11.25-26) What happened outside the wall of Jerusalem, as Jesus hung and suffered there not only brings us forgiveness, but points forward to the end of time, when all wrongs will be righted and when God's love and mercy will be seen to have conquered, when 'God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21.4) Knowing this is how the story will end gives us courage to keep right on to the end of the road, as the song says!

So, as we remember the death and sacrifice of many brave people, we also need to focus on what Jesus has done for us. Thjs will reshape our attitude and lives for today and every day.

Best wishes,

Richard

Destiny

Some will see the US election result as a matter of destiny, whatever that means.

Others will be grateful that President Obama has another 4 years to deliver on his hopeful dream of providing a better life for the downtrodden and exploited poor within his own country. 

These are difficult times for all sorts of people, but the poor (or the 'under resourced', as some now call them) usually suffer much more than the comfortable and rich. The prophets of old, such as Amos and Micah have some startling words to those who only care for their own kind. 'Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!”
² The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness: The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses.
Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook!' (Amos 4.1-3) Amos was a brave man, and his words came true, when Samaria fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC.

But Jesus was equally 'on the side of the poor'. He spent his time with the downtrodden and marginalised, and set about changing their lives and destinies. At the end, while hanging on a cross, he kept up his ministry of hope and help.

'One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹ We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23.39-43)

I am so grateful that we have this little account of Jesus making a difference, in changing this man's eternal destiny. He asked for help, and Jesus promised him a new home.

All of us can play our part in changing the destinies of people we meet. A kind word, and promise of help, pointing to Jesus, and people are then put in touch with the One who can change destinies and lives. What a privilege.

Best wishes,

Richard

Autumn Leaves

Our US cousins call this season 'fall', but we still call it autumn, a word derived from the Latin, autumnus, meaning mature or harvest.

For most of us, autumn is the time when the leaves change colour and fall to the ground, awaiting the wind or human agency to move them somewhere else.

The beauty of autumn leaves derives from the breakdown of the internal green colouring, chlorophyll, and the development of other pigments, which have lain dormant so far, or been masked by the overwhelming green. The colours develop much better, when the leaves have experienced proper cold autumn nights that come with clear skies.

Each species develops its own autumnal appearance in different ways, giving us the beautiful palette of colours that are showing so brightly today. 

Paradoxically, the beauty derives from ageing and breakdown.

St,. Paul, not writing about autumn leaves, makes a profound point about the changes that are taking place in the lives of those who follow Christ.

'That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.' (2 Corinthians 4.16-18)

St. Paul's reminds us that while the physical processes of decay and death are relentlessly working away in our lives, something else is also taking place. For those whose lives are rooted in the promises made to us through Jesus, something of far greater beauty, permanence and significance is also developing, within us. 

We can choose to focus on what we are losing, in physical terms, or focus on what God is growing is us, which is getting better and better - a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! That is why St. Paul is so upbeat, in the face of troubles, because our troubles will not last for eternity, while our rewards are eternal. 

So today, as I look at the beauty of the autumn leaves, I shall thank the Lord for the deep work he is doing in me and others, as we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever!

Best wishes,

Richard

What now?

The Downton Abbey series is over, for the time being. 

What will happen next, not only in that much watched series, but in real life?

Some will buy the DVDs of the last series, and start watching their favourite episodes again.

Some may book onto a P&O Cruise, as they will have watched those appealing advertisements and taken the bait.

Others will have that holiday romance afterglow, when something wonderful disappears when normal service is resumed.

But in the real world, UK & US politics has plenty to keep us glued to news channels.

And then there is our own lives.

How will we live in these next days? Where will we find our direction and destiny?

The prophet Jeremiah, not known for bringing good news, tells his audience of the most amazing 'what now?' scenario imaginable. 

'“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbours, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” (Jeremiah 31.33-34)

This ancient prophecy, given as the Babylonian armies were massing against the tiny nation of Judah, and its strikingly beautiful capital, Jerusalem, is astonishing. Since the time of Moses, 700 years previously, Jewish people had been aware of their ancient covenant with the LORD, their God. The religious rituals and moral life had been shaped by this relationship.

But Jeremiah, and the other prophets had showed that their lives had been barely affected at a deep level. Sadly, too much of their relationship with God was cosmetic and only skin deep. But now, a new depth and reality is promised, where lives are changed from the inside out.

And that is what those who have come to know God's mercy in and through Jesus know in their own experience.

We have a personal knowledge and experience of the LORD God Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Moses, David and the prophets, because the Spirit of Jesus brings the life of God into our own lives. And we know real life-cleansing forgiveness, through the death of Jesus, rather than the ritual cleansing provided by regular Temple sacrifice.

All of this gives us a new direction, and promises us a secure and eternal destiny.

That is truly God News, that we may wish to share today!!

Best wishes,

Richard