Defeated?

It may appear that David Cameron has been defeated by yesterday's Commons vote. Enough MPs from all parties voted against following the Prime Minister's lead, so there will be no immediate reaction from the UK to respond to chemical weapons attacks in Damascus. 

Following lessons learned from the Iraq disaster, I for one am very relieved at this apparent defeat. 

But I wonder whether this defeat will turn out to be a victory not only for common sense, but also for the common people of our land, who have mostly believed that politicians don't listen to our views. 

Tony Blair and his government didn't listen in the days leading up to the Iraq invasion, but this time, David Cameron has.

My mind quickly moves to another apparent defeat, which turned out much better than it was expected. 

Luke tells the story with great skill, as he describes the sense of defeat and hopelessness. 'The stranger asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” 

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 

“What things?” Jesus asked. 

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.' (Luke 24.17-21)

The apparent disaster of the crucifixion left the followers of Jesus devastated. But the story didn't end there, as we know. 'As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”  And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” (Luke 24.30-34)

From this story I learn that whatever I am facing, God has a better ending in mind to anything I can imagine. Difficulties, defeats, disasters, despair and death will not have the last word. Jesus has defeated death and decay, and is alive to walk with us through today and all our tomorrows.

Let us set out on today's journey with hope in our hearts and a smile on our faces. That will bring Good News to all we meet.

Best wishes,

Richard

Good Lord, deliver us

While posturing politicians seek approval for their actions over Syria, I pray the refrain from the ancient English Litany, 'Good Lord, deliver us'

I find it ironic that on the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's great 'I have a dream' speech, we are witnessing the prospect of an appalling nightmare developing in the Middle East. 

King longed for the day when people would not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. What we may well witness in the aftermath of a response to the chemical weapons attack in Damascus is that people in the already deeply fractured Middle East will no longer be judged by the content of their character, but by the label of their religious or ethnic affiliation. 

Jesus warned his disciples, “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.' (Mark 13.12) We will see more of this

While many of the populations in Syria and beyond want nothing more than a decent life, free from oppression and injustice, they find themselves caught between brutal tyrants and religiously deviant terrorists, with both sides willing to do anything to keep or gain power.

Thus it was in the time of Jesus, which is why Jesus wept over Jerusalem. 'But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.” (Luke 19.41-44)

There are situations I encounter daily which could lead me to tears. People are trapped, and seem unable to see the way to deliverance. That is why I pray, 'Good Lord, deliver us', for in our weakness, I know from whom true deliverance may come. Will you pray too?

Best wishes,

Richard

What Next?

Will there be a reaction, from the US and others, to the chemical gas attack in Damascus? 

And if there is, what will happen next? 

And will this bring peace and justice to the peoples of Syria?

It isn't yet clear whether those calling for some response to this appalling attack on civilians have a plan about what to do.

We can only hope that lessons of other 'interventions', in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, have been learned.

All of us are often confronted by difficult situations, which either make us want to intervene, to make things better, or make us feel helpless, as we can see no way forward. 

Asking the 'what next?' question may help us be more effective than a rushed response.

In difficult situations, Jesus taught his followers to pray, trusting the good purposes of God. One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”  (Luke 18.1-8)

The judge in this story sounds very much like Bashar al-Assad. And some of his opponents are not much better. 

It is striking that Jesus highlights God's determination to see justice done, as his people pray relentlessly for his will to be implemented.

So my prayer, especially in the many situations where I cannot see the way forward, is 'May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.

And then I must learn to trust the Lord who loves passionately to answer this prayer.

Best wishes,

Richard

Hopefulness

The news from around the world is very grim.

I don't know who gassed the victims in the Damascus suburb.

I don't know what might happen in Egypt.

I don't know how people might deal with the consequences of terrible choices.

Can we live with hopefulness while at the same time knowing that there is plenty of darkness around?

I think so, and fortunately for me and others, darkness is the context within which the Christian story comes to birth.

'The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.' (Isaiah 9.2)

Or again, 'Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8.12)

And because of Jesus brining us the light of life, we can live different sorts of lives. 'The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armour of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.' Romans 13.12,14)

Living as those who live in the light, while surrounded by plenty of evidence of the darkness in the lives of those around us, means we will stand out as different. That very difference will bring hope to the hopeless and provide the possibility of change for those we encounter. 

My prayer for today is that others will see that, with Jesus, the future can be better than the past, and that the past does not need to dictate how the future happens. That should make hopefulness a reality for all.

Best wishes,

Richard

Harvest Time

Fruit growing, on a small scale, is one of my hobbies.

This year in our garden has seen a bumper harvest of loganberries and blueberries, for whatever reasons. Almost all have been picked, and most have been frozen, awaiting time to eat them in one form or other. This year's fruiting loganberry canes have been cut away, and next year's canes have been tied up, in preparation for next year's harvest!

Red Currants and gooseberries are all picked, and frozen, and the bushes pruned for next year's harvest.  

The apples have to wait for several weeks until they are ready. And while we wait for them, we shall start raiding the hedgerows for the free harvest of blackberries!

But I learn many lessons for my life of following Jesus from this enjoyable activity.

Jesus spoke of fruit growing as a model of the work of God in our lives. '“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.' (John 15.1-4)

One of the most formative periods in my life was shaped by my reading and reflecting on these and the following verses over a period of several months.

All of us can be fruitful in our spiritual lives, so long as we remain connected to Jesus throughout our days. While His life flows freely in and through us, we will be channels of blessing and life to all around us. And that is Good News indeed.

Best wishes,

Richard

Building New Homes

New homes are in the news.

The Middle East peace talks, between Palestinian and Israeli delegations, will have to address the issue of the new homes being built on the Palestinian West Bank by Israeli settlers. One person's new home becomes a problem for another person.

In the UK, very few new homes are currently being built. Yet the Chief Executive of Legal & General says that his huge company has plans to invest vast sums in building new homes for the younger generation. This might bring hope to the thousands who cannot afford a new home under current conditions. But there will be those who feel their 'green and pleasant land' is being destroyed by becoming a housing estate!

Much of the Bible story is about slaves and exiles finding a new home as part of God's generous gift. 

The prophet Hosea, writing at a time of when kings and leaders were not giving a godly lead, provides a great promise of future hope. 

'For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion.

And when I roar, my people will return trembling from the west.Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria. And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord.' (Hosea 11.10-11) Home was not a particular place, but a people who were glad to be under God's rule and authority.

Jesus described himself at the Good Shepherd, who would bring the lost sheep home. '“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.' (John 10.14-16)

For all of us, our true home lies in being with God, as revealed to us in Jesus. At the end of time, we have this promise to which we can look forward. 'I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He 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 21.3-4)

Today, I want to thank the Lord for this wonderful promise, which beats all the promises of politicians and business people. Home is with God!

Best wishes,

Richard

Justice Delayed

HMRC, the government department which deals with tax and customs issues, has published a list of those who owe them large sums of money. Most are identified as criminals who have failed to pay for their activities. 

In the old days, they might have been identified as pirates or smugglers. But HMRC knows who they are and in many cases they also know where they are. But they have to play a waiting game, while they are currently living outside the reach of British law. 

In their cases, the claims of justice have been delayed.

Jesus spoke of the delayed justice that all of us will face one day. In particular, Jesus warns us about the words we use so thoughtlessly and, we imagine, cheaply. 

"And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12.36-37)

In previous generations, people took these words of Jesus so seriously that they set up monasteries where the vow of silence was taken, in order to limit the words spoken.

In our noisy and chattering culture, where words pour forth in every medium available, much is said or written, that is worthless and hurtful. But Jesus reminds us that all of us will one day face the judgement seat of God, where shall have to give account of our lives. 

We would do well to reflect on what we say and how we say it. If it isn't true, kind or necessary, we had better not speak.

Have a quiet day!

Best wishes,

Richard

Hope of Change

Can the people of Zimbabwe expect some changes for the better, while Robert Mugabe is still alive and in power?

Can victims of child abuse expect justice, while some in the legal profession describe them a predatory?

Can people who have no qualifications and little work experience expect to be able to find life-enhancing work in the present economic climate?

How can hope for change lead to change?

These questions lurk in my mind, and drive me to consider the role of followers of Jesus in these bleak times.

But these are not questions unique to our own era. 

Over 2500 years ago, life was bleak for faithful followers of The Lord, the God of Israel. But the prophet Isaiah spoke of hope of change. 'The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 

For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. 

The government will rest on his shoulders. 

And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' (Isaiah 9.2,4,6)

Isaiah is clear about the despair and hopelessness of his own times - darkness, slavery, burdens, oppression. 

How little has changed for so many. 

But our hope is not in human interventions, and the onward march of economic progress. Instead, we look to the intervention of God, as revealed in and through Jesus, to bring light, hope and change. 

Words from Jesus confirm what he alone can bring to us. 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)

This is a great message to pass on to the many hopeless people we will meet. It is a great word to apply to our own lives too! Thank God for Jesus today!

Best wishes,

Richard

Good News

I received an email last evening from a friend in Australia. 

I used to teach him both biology and chemistry, when I started teaching back in 1972. More significantly, he also started joining others in a little Bible study group.

He was reminding me of an event, 40 years ago, when God changed his life around. It turns out that August 3rd 2013 was the 40th anniversary of his conversion to Christ. From those small beginnings, he has gone on to serve Jesus, teach in churches around the world, and be a shining witness to the transforming power of God's love.

Locally, we have seen plenty of people with deep problems and broken lives finding their way to St. Andrew's Church. As Chris Harrison often prays, 'Thank you, Lord, for trusting us with these people!' But it is the power of God in us and through us that can bring hope and change. How can it happen that lives can be transformed?

There are great lessons to learn from seeing how others have discovered freedom and Good News. The ancient faithful Israelites knew their need of God's power and protection. 

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. 

The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 

Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 

Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124.2-8)

All of us are in a difficult world, and many are like a bird, as the psalmist suggests, in the hunter's trap unable to break free. It doesn't matter whether the trap is an addiction to drink, drugs, the latest gadgets, shopping, our image or anything else. The enemy of our souls doesn't mind what useless idol gets us trapped. But it is only by God's power that the trap is broken, and we go free.

And in that freedom, there is no shame and no condemnation, because of what Jesus has done for us. And that God News is worth sharing.

Best wishes,

Richard