Bee Trouble

The bees, bugs and birds are in trouble. And this disaster may stretch to affecting our food and our lives.

As we know, the weather in the UK has been cold and wet for the last two springs at least. This has wiped out 1/3 of the bee population and many other flying insects and assorted bugs. And this has had a knock on effect on the bird populations. And if the bees are not around to pollinate flowers and food crops, what will we eat?

Hence the Government's important study being launched today into what might be done to reverse this terrible trend. 

But a parallel disaster lurks in the realm of our spiritual health. 

Just as bad weather affects the health of bees, which then affects the growth of plants, so relentless busyness (the equivalent of a cold and wet spring) means that we do not have the time to nurture our own relationship with Jesus throughout the week. 

If our faith is not pollinated by prayer and reflection - if we do not take time to keep putting Jesus at the centre of the direction and decisions in our lives - then we will wither and die spiritually. 

It doesn't happen immediately, but by slow and steady decline.

The writer to the Hebrews had some challenging advice. 'Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.' (Hebrews 10.23-25)

The tendency to drift is always present. But we can help one another by encouragement and challenge. Are you up for this?

For myself, I know that I have to keep putting first things first, otherwise my own spiritual life will wear. 

Just as our cars keep needing fuel and attention from the garage people, so our spiritual lives demand attention. 

Have you give yourself a 'spiritual MOT' recently? What action will you take to ensure that your live with Jesus is healthy and growing? If you need to talk to someone, please get in touch.

Best wishes,

Richard

A New Name

I was interested to note that Rupert Murdoch's News International Corporation (publishers of the Sun and the Times, amongst much else including the shamed and closed News of the World) is changing its name to News UK. 

Some might ask 'why bother?' 

The reason behind the change is to indicate that the organisation has moved on from all the bad publicity from the phone hacking scandal and the many court cases which will be taking place involving the likes of Rebecca Brooks, the former Chief Executive of News International. Relentless bad publicity can't be helpful for an organisation that makes publicity. Hence the new name. 

The new name should be evidence of a new character and a determination to leave the old ways behind.

This looks surprisingly like 'turning over a new leaf', and may even indicate a 'new birth'. 

When Jesus called people to follow him, they left their old life behind, and made a fresh start. I think of the statement of Zacchaeus, the crooked and hated tax collector from Jericho. After meeting Jesus, we read 'Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” (Luke 19.8)

Zacchaeus may have changed in character and behaviour, but he kept his old name. But many people who chose to follow Jesus, and were baptised into that new faith, took a new 'Christian' name to indicate their new loyalty and character. That is why many people describe their personal (as opposed to family) names as 'Christian names'. Sadly, they usually have little association with a life-changing loyalty and commitment to Jesus.

St. Paul describes the change that happens to those who put their trust in Jesus - whether or not they have a new name. '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)

Today, whether or not we have a new 'Christian' name, let us live a new Jesus-focused life that seeks to bring glory to Him, and benefit to those around us.

Best wishes,

Richard

Truth and Courage

Revelations about the undercover activities of the Metropolitan Police, in the Stephen Lawrence case, are deeply shocking. 

It must have taken much courage for this uncomfortable truth to be heard. 

What is startling to me is that a large body of people, also involved in this sort of activity, have managed to keep this shocking behaviour hidden and unknown for all these years. Calls for an appropriate public enquiry must surely lead to speedy and full exposure.

But without the courage of the truth-tellers, the lies will always win.

This was true in the Gospels too.

In John's Gospel, we see the relentless determination of the Jewish authorities to deny the obvious claims of Jesus. 

The truth about Jesus' identity is increasingly obvious to the man whose sight has been restored. But his claims about Jesus are relentlessly challenged by those in authority. It takes much courage, in the face of powerful threats, for the man to keep telling the truth.

'The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. 

Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” (John 9.15-17)

As the man sticks to his truth-telling, his understanding of Jesus deepens. But those who reject the truth reveal their increasing blindness. ' If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” 

“You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.' (John 9.33-34)

In our own experience, as we seek to tell the truth about Jesus to those we encounter, we will need courage and patient determination. Some will hear, and begin to see, but many will mock and attack what we know is the truth. But we are not on our own, for Jesus is the Light of the World, who can open the eyes of the blind. Let us pray that our courage in telling the truth will heal people of their own blindness.

Best wishes,

Richard

Who runs the show?

World news continues to throw out indicators of chaos and deception at the highest levels. The G8 leaders met, and revealed how difficult it is to agree about very much. They need our prayers.

While Edward Snowden is on the run from US authorities, who want to charge him with breaking the terms of his CIA secrecy contract, many of the rest of us are shocked to know who has been spying on us. 

In the midst of all this, we may wonder who runs the show, and whether we can have any confidence in our human leaders.

Unfortunately, such a cynical view may encourage us to withdraw from wider society, and this doesn't make it easy to play a positive role in serving our communities.

Can the Bible help us? I believe it can, as we seek to listen to God's word.

The Psalmist was confident, in spite of the present political weakness of ancient Israel, of who was running the show in the world of his day. Looking back, he is confident of God's supreme authority over all.

  'Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
    Shout to God with joyful praise!  
For the Lord Most High is awesome.
    He is the great King of all the earth. 
He subdues the nations before us,
    putting our enemies beneath our feet. 
He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance,
    the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he loves. (Psalm 47.1-4)

St. Paul, in very different circumstances, made the same point. 

'Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.' (Romans 13.1, 4)

These words are remarkable, when we know how much Roman authority made life difficult for the first generation of Christians. 

For the Bible is also clear that all authorities have a tendency to abuse the power and responsibility entrusted in them, and so it is legitimate to hold authorities to account. 

But as I face my week of work, I am encouraged to know that all authority is in the nail-pierced hands of the Risen Jesus, who longs that people like us trust him to live his life through ours. In the mess and muddle of our world, followers of Jesus can make a difference.

Will you make that your prayer?

Best wishes,

Richard

Go Together

The violent civil war in Syria appears to be both deepening (by the use of chemical weapons) and spreading (by the involvement of Lebanese Hezbollah fighters). All the fault lines in the Middle East are coming apart, and ordinary people suffer. 

Sadly, we see this sort of division and hatred all around the world. 

Protests in Turkey continue, and claims that Turkey could be the model for progressive change in the region start to look unbelievable.

In many regions of Africa, inter-tribal hatred and violence simmers below the surface, and governments seem unable to address issues of corruption.

Can the peoples of the world be brought together, for the benefit of the most vulnerable?

The call of Jesus challenges all of us to leave behind our own petty agendas, and to take up his transforming programme. 'One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveller’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.' (Luke 9.1-3)

Yesterday, I was struck by Jesus' call to us to 'Go Trusting'. In today's verses, disciples of Jesus are reminded that the world will not be changed if we rely on 'our stuff' - “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveller’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.' 

Jesus, by his commission and authority, provides what is needed for the mission and ministry that lies before us. 

But crucially, the disciples of Jesus are called to 'Go Together' in their new work. 'So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.' (Luke 9.6)

When Christian people learn to work together with other brothers and sisters from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions, then the world starts to see God's world-transforming plan in action. Jesus prayed for his disciples, the night before his own death. ' “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.' (John 17.20-21)

When we learn to 'Go Together' with Christians all around the world, then God is glorified and people blessed. My prayer is that the IF Rally on Saturday will bring change for the poorest in the world.

Best wishes,

Richard

Go Trusting

60 years ago, our Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey. 

Since then, she has served the people of Britain & the Commonwealth, in fulfilment of the trust that was given her by God to serve her people. She has shown us what it looks like to 'Go Trusting'.

Today's service, in Westminster Abbey, will remind us of our own calling to serve God and one another, and to 'Go trusting'.

The first followers of Jesus were also called to 'Go Trusting', by Jesus. 'One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.' (Luke 9.1-2)

As they went on their mission, sent by Jesus, they only had his words of commission to go with. 

They had to 'Go Trusting' that when he said he had given them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases, he really did mean what he said. 

All Christian people are sent with the same basic commission - to go 'in the name and authority of Jesus', so reshape the world around us according to God's Kingdom values. That is what it means to 'Go Trusting'.

We will meet people today who need to know that Jesus can make a difference in their lives, as they experience his forgiveness and care. Jesus' BIG idea is to use people like us to make this difference. 

To do this, we need to Go Trusting Jesus to make the difference we need to see.

Best wishes,

Richard

Healthy Eating Week

Another survey of children's eating habits reveals some amusing ideas. 

Some children believe that 'Fish' fingers come from chicken, and cheese from plants. But following the horsemeat scandals and other recent food scares, we can understand some children being confused!

While many may know what constitutes a healthy diet, and that eating breakfast is reputedly good for us, such knowledge does not automatically lead to wise behaviour. Choices and habits often fly in the face of well researched evidence, because we all find it easier to be lazy, greedy, selfish and destructive. 

Jesus had quite a lot to say about a healthy diet. 'Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.' (John 4.31-34)

There is startling humour in the way John tells this story. 

Jesus is teaching about a well nourished soul, rooted in doing the will of God, and the disciples are wondering if Jesus has had a secret binge from an unknown admirer!

In our food-obsessed culture, we do well to take note of Jesus' words. “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.'

How serious are we about having our soul's nourished by the God who made us? Such nourishment cannot be had from a spiritual microwave meal, or from the equivalent of spiritual junk or fast food. Reading, reflecting and responding to the will of God, as encountered in Scripture, will provide us with  life-transforming nourishment. Otherwise, we are running on empty. Not a good idea.

Best wishes,

Richard