Trees Grow!

Outside St. Andrew's Church, between the Car Park and the church, there is a growing tree. 

It has been identified as a maple from Norway. Already, it is tangling with our gutters. It will continue to grow, if we do nothing, to be about 40 feet high, and spreading to about 30 feet. It seems to be far too big for its present position! But something smaller, such as a dwarf flowering crab apple would look great in that place. Whatever we do to the tree outside St. Andrew's, we all know that trees grow.

Jesus told an interesting little story about a growing tree.

'“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13.31-32)

We may be very familiar with this little illustration, but at its time, it must have seem preposterous. 

On the one hand,there was Jesus, with a little and muddled band of followers, set on a course which would lead to his execution. On the other, he is talking about a global movement which illustrated the sovereign authority of God's rule being exercised all over the world. At the time, and in many situations since, the supporting evidence for such a claim was not very impressive!

Most of his apostles were executed or imprisoned, and the scale of martyrdom in the last hundred years has been greater than at any time in world history.

And yet, in the midst of this suffering,we have seen in our day that the growth of the world-wide Christian community is going on apace. And locally, we see signs of growth in our own congregation and fellowship, for which we thank the Lord.

Knowing this, I thank the Lord that this is his Kingdom, in which we all have a part to play.

Best wishes,

Richard

"Where have all the flowers gone?"

Pete Seeger, the folk singer who preceded Bob Dylan and others, has died at the age of 94. 

His songs from my youth struck a chord, as he spoke of the peace movement, social changes and destruction.

He asked questions, such as "Where have all the flowers gone?", following the blistering account, by Rachel Carson, in Silent Spring, of the devastation caused by the use of insecticides and herbicides by farmers.

In many respects, he was like prophets of old, on the edge of the culture, noting its blind spots. One of his most well known songs was 'Turn, Turn, Turn', based on words from Ecclesiastes, and re-released by the Byrds in 1965.

For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.' (Ecclesiastes 3.1-8)

Today, all of us need to know what season of our life it is, and to know the Lord's enabling to see, think, act and dream in tune with God's purposes for us today.

Best wishes,

Richard

"If only . . "

I think we all have regrets of one sort or another.

So while Edith Piaf's famous song 'Je ne regrette rien' is memorable, it doesn't sound realistic. Most of the people I know regret things that we have done or that have happened to us

How often we say,'If only . . . ' possibly depends on our temperament or situation.

Yesterday, someone said something very illuminating.

Having only been to St. Andrew's Church for Sunday worship 3 or 4 times, this person commented to a friend. 'If only I had come to church earlier in my life, everything would have been different.'

As I wasn't part of that conversation, I don't know what lies behind that comment, though I can make an educated guess.

In our cruel and impersonal world, as we are, to be in a crowd of people where the focus is on the goodness of God, and the reality of caring relationships with one another seems very attractive. How wonderful!

Others have said similar things to me. One persons commented that their confidence has grown since coming to St. Andrew's, or another, that they have managed to overcome long-term addictions. This is wonderful to see happening around and within us.

I recall the challenge that Jesus gave to his first followers. '“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)

What is striking in these familiar words is the implication that all the glory goes to God and none to the people shining as lamps in our dark world. And that is how it should be. 

We shouldn't be saying 'Look at me', which what our culture tells us to do. We should be always pointing deliberately towards the God who has changed us.

So how will you live today?

Best wishes,

Richard

Better Off?

David Cameron is doing all he can, at the Davos World Economic Forum, to present the case to show that almost everyone in the UK is better off now than they were. Meanwhile, Labour politicians are presenting the case that shows we are all worse off. Much of the argument looks at the interpretation of statistics from various sources. 

I am reminded of the comment, 'Politicians use statistics much as a drunk uses a lamppost, that is, more for support than illumination'.

But how do we become better off? 

Is it by rising income, or by growing generosity? Is it by seeking the good of ourselves, or the good of others? St. Paul observed the way Jesus behaved. 'You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.' (2 Corinthians 8.9)

To be truly better off, we need to be in step with the plans and purposes of God. That way, we become properly rich.

As Jesus himself told us, '“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)

In these days, when we are bombarded with the message that all matters economic are the most important things to consider, I realise that I need to keep checking where my treasure is. Have I let the world squeeze me into its mould, or am I following the ways of Jesus? A good marker will be whether or not I am being generous in attitude and action towards those that I meet.

So where is your treasure? Can you run the generosity check on yourself? That way, we can be properly 'better off'!
Best wishes,

Richard

Life or Death?

The stakes are high in the Syrian peace talks. 

Both sides are determined to destroy their opponents, and do not seem to be concerned about the suffering of non-combatants. 

But the challenge they face is whether they are for the life or death of the wider society. Those facilitating these talks must be hoping that all sides choose the path that leads towards life.

Sadly, the battles raging in Ukraine, Egypt, and the wider Middle East also look as though all involved are determined to destroy their opponents, whatever the cost to their wider societies. These appear to be struggles to the death, with no one prepared to shift towards a mediating position.

The choices between life and death could not be clearer.

Interestingly, Jesus reminded his followers that in the end, the choices we face are stark.'“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.' (Matthew 7.13-14)

This reality needs to inform the way we live today and every day. Everything we do, and the way we do it, either helps or harms those around us. 

At the end of his long and testing ministry, Moses challenged the people of his day, with the same stark choice. '“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30,19-20)

May we all choose the life-facing difficult path today, and resist the easy slide towards the death-delivering slippery slope.

Best wishes,

Richard

Working Together

The Syrian peace talks look like they will start, though with no Iranians and few from the opposition side. As we know, there are several strands in the opposition side, and most of them cannot agree on how the future of Syria might look. The whole of the Middle East is in turmoil, and it doesn't look like getting clearer any time soon. 

But that same can be said about South Sudan and the Central African Republic, and many other places in the world.

It reminds me of the astonishing benefits we often enjoy, without knowing it, of collaboration between different communities in this country. We often complain about the way central or local government behaves, but the culture and framework of expected cooperation makes many aspects of life possible. We are used to people working together for the benefit of others, whether as volunteers, charities, or statutory bodies.

St. Paul had to remind the Christian communities in Corinth that they needed to learn how to work together with each other. 'The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.' (1 Corinthians 12.12, 13,27)

Our differences from one another in background, temperament, and experiences often make it difficult for people to appreciate and value one another. But St. Paul remind Christian people that we share so much, in our common faith in Jesus, that we can be helped, by his Spirit, to work together harmoniously, because each of us has a unique part to play.

The recent Joint Service (on Sunday evening) was a powerful reminder of how much Christians in Woking already do together. But our working together is rooted in a much deeper relationship that we enjoy, through our common faith in Christ. Today, I shall be looking at Christian friends, from whatever background, in a new light.

Best wishes,

Richard

Peace-making?

Today's news reminds me that making peace is a difficult process.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has invited Iran to attend preliminary Syrian peace talks in Geneva. This has threatened the active involvement of Syria's opposition, as well as drawing a warning from the US. After nearly 3 years of terrible conflict, leading to the displacement of millions of Syrians, these talks are necessary if peace is to be given a chance.

Hopes for peace in Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic are also very slight, in view of the astonishing levels of inter-communal violence from both sides.

By contrast, the trouble amongst the Liberal Democrats looks very slight.

But in every case, the difficulty of making real peace is profoundly problematic.

The Bible has many stories of people finding the journey to peace both difficult and possible.

Jacob & Esau had become enemies over the issue of the paternal blessing associated with being the first-born. But they did become at least partially reconciled. 'As he approached his brother, Jacob bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.' (Genesis 34.3-4)

Both men had been changed in their attitude towards each other, as the story makes clear. The past could not be undone, but their future didn't have to be shaped by the past.

The ultimate example of difficult peace-making is seen in the death of Jesus. ' For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.' (Ephesians 2.14, 16-17)

The costly peace-making of Jesus is what gives us hope in our relationships with one another and with God. I thank Jesus for what He has done for me.

All of us are called to be peace-makers, in our difficult and broken world. This is both difficult and possible, and requires that we keep close to Jesus, so that his mercy and grace may flow outwards from us. It is costly, as Jesus discovered. Are we willing to follow his example?

Best wishes,

Richard

Lights On?

After another stormy (and wet) night, there may be some people in the UK whose lights don't turn on this morning.

We were visiting some people yesterday whose garage lights didn't work, which made finding things difficult! But their darkness can probably be fixed quite easily.

We take for granted that we can usually get light at the flick of a switch.

But many people that I encounter are in darkness of one sort or another. If only it was as easy at flicking a switch, to help them to see that way out of their darkness.

The Bible is full of references to the way God brings light to people in darkness. From the very start, we read of God's capacity to overcome darkness.  

'Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.' (Genesis 1.3-5)

When St. Paul describes his own ministry, he refers back to this passage. '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)

I am constantly amazed that God, in his mercy, has shone his light into my heart and life. To be able to see God as I look into the face of Jesus is an astonishing miracle. As I read and reflect of the stories of Jesus, my mind is enlightened about the nature and character of the God who made me (and all the universe!) It is wonderful to know that this God, whom I can call Father, is active in the world, and in the lives of people all around me.

Today, I want to walk in the light of His presence, bringing his light and love to all that I meet.

That is also true for all of us, as we entrust our day into his care.

Best wishes,

Richard

"it's brightening up!"

On summer holidays, when the rain was pouring down, one member of our party would often say, "It's brightening up!" And it often did!

George Osborne and others may be reckoning that with the drop in the inflation rate (to 2%), that we will all share his enthusiasm far praising his own handling of the economy. Maybe he believes that 'It's brightening up!"

For myself, I have spent much time in recent weeks with people who have no sense of optimism, as their financial and family situations seem to get worse and worse. Debts and folly go hand in hand, and the vulnerable are preyed upon by the ruthless. For such people, there is not much sign of "It's brightening up!"

Hope is a fragile commodity, and Christian people are called to bring substantial hope to people struggling with darkness and despair.

A wonderful verse from the Book of Proverbs catches the mood. 'The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.' (Proverbs 4.18)

As followers of Jesus, the Light of the World, we too carry that brightening light with us daily, to those in the deepest darkness. I pray that we will bring that light-giving hope and life to people around us today.

Best wishes,

Richard

Whenever you see a Rainbow!

Did you see that astonishingly bright rainbow yesterday at about 12.30pm?

The sunshine was about to be engulfed in heavy rain, and there it was - startlingly coloured, hanging in the sky. 

It looked as though the crock of gold was somewhere in Horsell! But from Goldsworth Park's viewpoint, that would be about right.

I am sure many people have been able to study rainbows, and earn their doctorates from their studies. But at the level of popular imagination, rainbows are everywhere, and bring a sense of hope and beauty.

The Bible mentions the rainbow, in the aftermath of the Great Flood, as the Lord speaks to Noah. 'Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.” (Genesis 9.12-17)

In view of the recent rains and flooding in many parts of the south, it is good to recall that God is a promise-making and promise-keeping God, whom we can trust with all the big worries and fears that loom so large in our lives.

I recall, from many years ago, singing a short chorus about the rainbow, which had simple words, suitable for children of all ages. 'Whenever you see a rainbow, whenever you see a rainbow, whenever you see a rainbow, remember God is Love!' Great message from the God who made us and loves us.

Best wishes,

Richard

United, we Stand!

The peoples of the Middle East are deeply divided today over their responses to the death of Ariel Sharon. 

To many Israelis, he was one of the last of the founding soldiers and statesmen, from the original settlers, and will be honoured as such. But to Palestinians and others, who recall the killings in the Lebanese refugee camps, he was a brutal tyrant.

The deep divisions in the Central African Republic, and in Southern Sudan continue to deliver terrible suffering and hatred.

Closer to home, and yet with profound consequences, the Conservative Party is again deeply divided about Europe, and this story looks like running and running. 

In all these situations, some wise leaders may well see that it is important to work for stable and justly based unity. But how can unity be found?

In many respects, the world-wide Christian community is also deeply divided, and yet we all know that Jesus prayed that his followers would be deeply united. “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)

The unity for which Jesus prays is not just a convenient functional unity, but one which is deeply rooted in the nature of God. When we are far from God, and trying to run our lives for our own convenience and to meet our own selfish desires, then it is not surprising that we can find many things over which to argue and fight.

But once we have started to follow Jesus, and have become children of God, then our very nature is changed, and we discover new desires. And that profound new life-change leads us to be praying and working towards that unity for which Jesus himself prayed.

In all the troubles and tragedies we see in the world around us, let us also pray for Christians from all backgrounds to grow to be more profoundly united. The consequence of that will be more open to seeing the hand of God at work in Jesus and through us.

Best wishes,

Richard

"Listen Carefully!"

Memories of 'Allo, Allo' may come flooding back for some.

Or maybe, a teacher's comments to a dreamer in class.

Or a choir director to those not quite hitting the notes.

In our noisy and muddle culture, with so many sources of sound and information, my hunch is that not much listening goes on. 

The ancient prophets repeatedly instructed people to listen carefully to the word of the Lord. Isaiah's famous call was to preach to people who wouldn't listen. 

'Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” 

I said, “Here I am. Send me.” 

And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, 

‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. 

Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ (Isaiah 6.8-9)

When Jesus was teaching people, his repeated refrain was to encourage people to listen carefully, and then to take appropriate action. 

After telling the parable of the Sower (or the Soils), Jesus commented, '“Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Mark 4.24-25) The quality of our listening will have profound consequences, for good or ill.

So it is all the more wonderful that the Wise Men, who visited the child, Jesus, in Bethlehem, were tuned in to listen carefully to God's warning. 'They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.' (Matthew 2.11-12)

It seems that we can train ourselves to be those who listen carefully to the voice of God, so that we are always on his wavelength, ready to respond, moment by moment, to his leading and guiding. But we need to give ourselves to this relentlessly, retuning our receiving processes, away from the self-absorbed concerns which often fill our thoughts.

May you listen carefully today.

Best wishes,

Richard

On the Brink

Winter storms have driven some communities to wonder whether they will survive into the future. Changes in the Legal Aid system have led senior lawyers to claim that the Criminal Justice system is on the brink of collapse. Changes in the benefit system are making an increasing impact on the most vulnerable in our communities, and some wonder whether they are on the brink of survival. 

And at the start of 2014, many are reflecting on Europe 100 years ago, on the brink of the Great War.

And so I could go on.

How do we cope when we are on the brink of disaster and death? 

These are questions faced by faithful people for centuries. On the other hand, we are so used to a life of relative comfort and stability, that we are less used to facing these sorts of issues.

My mind goes again to the closing verses in Hebrews chapter 11, the great record of the experiences of faithful people down the centuries. 'Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.' (Hebrews 11.36-38)

It is startling that people who trust God have often had to face such terrible situations. Why did they not just give up believing that God is good and that faithfulness is what we are called to? Because in the midst of their troubles, they knew the goodness and promises of God. 'They were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.' (Hebrews 11.35) The astonishing climax of these stories includes people like us in the finale. 'All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.' (Hebrews 11.39-40)

We are called to live faithfully, trusting Jesus to be with us, because people like us are 'following Jesus where the need is greatest' (as the new slogan for Tearfund says)

Are you committed to this calling? I am, by God's mercy. Let's make a difference where we are, for the sake of those in need.

Best wishes,

Richard

Treasure Hunting

I used to love playing 'Treasure Hunt' games, following clues and trying to get to the finish before others. Most of us spend much of our lives on assorted Treasure Hunts, looking for acceptance, popularity, meaning, and stuff.

Following the global financial meltdown, there seems to be a greater interest in winning lottery prizes or finding ways to maximise our income. My inbox is bombarded with assorted schemes that might make me rich (though they are probably scams!)

But our obsession with treasure hunting probably tells us a great deal about our heart's deepest desires.

The story of the Wise Men, on their journey, following a star, is about people on a Treasure Hunt. 'About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2.1-2)

As they set out, they were clear that they were hunting for the new-born King, the real treasure, so they went well prepared for their journey's end. 'They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.' (Matthew 2.11)

So it is striking that from their treasure chests they were generous, because they had found the One whose coming brings real treasure to our world.

I am challenged by this story to wonder whether my treasure is Jesus or the many sorts of stuff that fixates our culture. It seems that when we learn to be generous with what the Lord has given us, whatever that is, that shows that we have ourselves experienced his grace and mercy, coming to us from his abundant treasure. Or as Jesus put it, 'Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.21)

Where is your treasure?
Best wishes,

Richard

Join the Dots

Do you watch that quiz programme, Only Connect? The one with the outrageous Victoria Coren (now married, and with an extra pat to her name!)

I guess you recall those children's puzzles, in which the dots are numbered, so that when the dots are joined up, in the right order, a picture emerges, of Father Christmas, a snowman, or whatever.

Making the right connection with the dots (the incomplete picture) is what determines whether the child (of whatever age) will discover what lies hidden or at least partially unknown. If the dots get joined up with little concern for the numbering system, nothing sensible will emerge. Try it and see for yourself. 

The Wise Men, who saw the bright star in the night sky, and who followed it faithfully, are good examples of people who joined the dots well. 'About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”  (Matthew 2.1-2)

In their own field, they were well equipped to take action. But more than that, they perceived the significance of this star, within their own culture and background, and were prepared to step outside their past experiences, to worship the new king.

As we know, their trip to Herod's Jerusalem was both enlightening (they were told to go to Bethlehem) and challenging (Herod made yet another dreadful decision).

But my prayer is that in our own lives, we will join the dots that the Lord presents us with in our daily lives, so that we follow His way into this New Year. But beyond that, I pray that the Lord will use us to be part of the join the dots challenges in the lives of others, so that too may join us in worshipping the King who is King of all.

Best wishes,

Richard