Five a Day?

How much fruit and veg do you eat every day?

The average British person eats 2 or 3. But we are relentlessly told that if we do not want to die young, we should eat 5 or more. Today's news carries confirmation that eating 5 a day will do us good.

Fruit and veg consumption is therefore good for our health and it seems an obvious thing to do.

Yesterday, the St. Andrew's Mission Team were planting fruit trees around the site of the new school being built by their host organisation. Each tree was also going to have a marker, to say who it was who planted the tree. 

It will take time, of course, before those trees produce life-enhancing fruit for the children of future generations. But it is wonderful to think that people from our Church have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, all in the name of Jesus.

The last chapter of the last book in the Bible, John's Revelation, has a wonderful image of fruitful trees. 

'Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the centre of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.' (Revelation 22.1-2)

This wonderful tree, the tree of life, brings that life to people relentlessly - every month of the year. And even the leaves are wonderful, bringing healing to the sick and dying nations of the world. 

Those who read that prophetic book in the earliest days will have immediately seen that the 'tree of life' is a reference to the Cross of Calvary, on which Jesus died. 

It is through his death, and victory over death revealed in the resurrection, that we may know life that is true life. Unlike ordinary fruiting trees, this tree is 'in season' all year. And it is good to see, in our own church, that people are coming to know and experience that life-transforming life of Jesus in their own lives.

As I look out on the broken world - Gaze, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Southern Sudan and many other places - I pray that God's healing love may come, and that the life of Jesus may be known. 

That is even more important than eating your own 'Five a Day'!

Best wishes,

Richard

Think Global, Act Local

Today, my Facebook page tells me of friends in many places around the world. Some are enjoying family holidays, while others live and work in California, Australia, Taiwan, and Kenya.

The team on our Church Youth Mission Trip to Kenya are into Day 3, and you can follow their daily blog at http://standrewsyouthwoking.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/day-2-in-kenya/

But how will all these global connections influence my actions here on Goldsworth Park today?

St. Paul had both a global view of his ministry, and was clear about his local responsibilities. In writing to the Church in Ephesus, he sets out God's global, even cosmic plan. 'God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfil his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.' (Ephesians 1.9-11)

But later, he describes what particular action he is taking, in order that his life is an active part of God's Big Plan. 'And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.' (Ephesians 3.6-7)

Today, by God's grace and mighty power, we too may find ways of serving him, as we seek to spread the Good News to those we encounter, wherever they may be.

Best wishes,

Richard

Civil Wars

Civil Wars are brutal. 

The levels of hatred and violence shown between communities that had a history of mutual co-existence has been shocking.

And yet, in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, much of the conflict is being stirred and encouraged by other larger nations nearby, making the local difficulties much more complex.

But St. Paul sets out a similar scenario when looking into the battles between good and evil experienced in the human heart.

'So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.' (Galatians 5.16-17)

St. Paul tells of this relentless internal conflict because we need to know we are in a battle zone.

Just as the Spirit of Jesus wants us to reflect his life, so our sinful human nature, driven by the world, the flesh and the devil, wants to lead us into all sorts of unholy patterns of thought and action.

Our only hope of victory comes from trusting God, by his Spirit, to help us overcome habits and patterns of living all too easily seen around us. 

Today, we need to do what Paul says -  let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

Best wishes,

Richard

Self Defence?

The torment in Gaza continues. 

Both sides, Hamas and the Israeli state, claim to have the right to defend their people, at the expense of the other side. Death and destruction, with its endless repetition and recrimination, follows. 

And we wonder can there be a better way, after all these years of hatred and desire for the removal of the others. 

But I see the same destructive cycle happening locally, when families unravel and relationships are broken. Children suffer from the foolish and self-centred behaviour patterns of the adults who should have the duty of care of their young ones. Family breakdowns have been happening for millennia, and the price is always high.

And always, the claim is that the bad behaviour is allowed because we are engaging in self-defence. But is self-defence the best way forward?

But St. Paul has another view, based on the teaching and example of Jesus. ' Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.' (1 Corinthians 13.5)

The more I reflect on these words, the more radical they appear. Ours is a culture that enjoys demanding rights and privileges. But this is not the way of Love, as shown by Jesus. 

Instead, as St. Peter shows us, Jesus reveals the better way, in his own arrest and trial. 'Jesus is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.' (1 Peter 1.21-23)

We all have the chance to live out this sort of life today, because many things will happen, which might push us to retaliate in an aggressive and unpleasant way.

My prayer is that the beauty of Jesus may be seen in us.

Best wishes,

Richard

Death Rules

Today's shocking news from Ukraine, Gaza and many other places reminds us that the world is in a terrible state. Death seems to be winning!

So many news stories, from near & far, tell the story of wicked people doing terrible things, and many innocent people - such as the wormen & children of Gaza, or the passengers shot down over Ukraine, or the victims of the Srebrenica massacre of 1995 - suffer.

In this troubled world, how can we respond?

St. Paul also lived in a troubled world, and many Christians faced persecution and hardship. The Roman Caesar was the increasingly mad Nero. And yet Paul wrote the following.'Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 8.35-39)

Death looks powerful and we shall all face it. But stronger than death is the love of God, which has conquered death, decay, ruin and chaos. Today, we can all find ways to share that overwhelming victory with the troubled and worn people all around us. 

Best wishes,

Richard

Reshuffle?

David Cameron's Cabinet reshuffle has had the chattering classes chattering. As well as the obvious gender adjustments, many have seen deeper significance in his choices. Time will tell whether these changes prove to be good to Britain, the Tory party and much else.

Reshuffles and changes are happening all around us, some of it deliberately chosen by us, and others thrust upon us. 

Most of us are affected by the endless reshuffles in the NHS, in education (even without Michael Gove!), Europe, the Church of England, Goldsworth Park shopping centre (with the Costa Coffee coming). 

And maybe we are worried.

Jesus knew that his friends and followers were going to be upset over the coming reshuffle, following his death and later departure.

So he gave them deep reassurance - the implications of which we are all taking time to understand.

 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgement. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgement will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.' (John 16.6-11)

Jesus knew that his role was limited by his only managing to be in one place at a time - even with his resurrection body. But by sending his Spirit, Jesus could be close to all followers everywhere equally.

Today, each of us may enjoy the presence, power, purpose and peace of Jesus, brought to us by his Spirit. Then our lives can grow that fruit of changed characters and inspired lives that will glorify Jesus - and those we encounter on our frontline will be blessed.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Morning After

Over one billion people watched yesterday's late win for Germany. 

And locally, our Church barbecue was enjoyed by a large crowd - and it didn't rain! And we had visitors who came to enjoy the event - some I had never met before. 

The Peace Vigil at the Shi'a Centre on Goldsworth Road was also a remarkable first of its sort, bringing together Muslims and Christians from different backgrounds, as well as Jews, and others, united in seeking God's way forward for peace & justice in the Middle East.

And yet, cynics might say that nothing has changed. Injustice and wickedness seem to ruin lives as ever, and what is the point of trying to make a difference.

The reason I keep going is because of what God has decisively done to make a difference in this world.

 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.' (John 3.16)

Living in the light of this divine love, whatever the obvious evidence to the contrary, mean that I live with hope that God will always prove himself to be good. Learning to live by faith in such a God is what I am called to do. And that goes for all of us on the morning after.

Best wishes,

Richard

Slugs and Snails

The Number One Garden pest is the Slug. And Number Two is the snail! There is no surprise there.

I keep trying to find a way to trick them, so that my lettuce doesn't disappear down their throats. They seem to be winning in some places and losing elsewhere.

And then the pigeons have been eating our blueberries and destroying the bushes altogether.

All this reminds me that in seeking to follow Jesus, we are engaged in a relentless battle with the enemy of our souls.

On every side, every day, and in every way, we are waging a relentless battle with the forces of darkness. Some may face the struggle with addictive behaviour, or bad attitudes, or physical weariness, or debilitating health. Others may feel the Lord doesn't care, or that their Christian friends are ignoring them. 

How can we learn to fight back?

I notice that Jesus told us that we would face troubles. 'Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.' (Mark 10.28-30) Did you notice the mention of persecutions?

So in our journey with Jesus, we will be blessed and troubled at the same time, as our enemy would wish us to be discouraged and demoralised. 

So I will keep on sowing lettuce seeds, and keep looking to God for his encouragement and hopefulness.

Best wishes,

Richard

Disgraceful Cover Up!

Politicians are getting very flustered about the possibility, which has already been alleged and condemned, that there was an active paedophile ring in Westminster in past decades. We shall all hear much more about this in the following days, and I guess we may find it all very shocking. 

We were reminded yesterday, by Paul Bryer, the Archdeacon of Dorking, that many of us have also engaged in a disgraceful cover up. In reminding us that followers of Jesus have to 'Go Tell' of the resurrection of Jesus, he also told us that 'not a lot of people know that' (as Michael Caine would say!). We could discuss the percentage of Waitrose shoppers who do or don't know that Jesus is alive, but the focus of our activity and very being should be on telling others of the message of the living Jesus.

But the truth is that ordinary Christians like you and me have not been very forthright about telling of a living Saviour. Our cover up of this foundational fact is a serious omission, verging on the disgraceful.

St. Paul put the story simply.'I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. ' (1 Corinthians 15.3-8)

As the Archdeacon reminded us, unless we are solidly rooted in the astonishing victory of Jesus over death and decay in all its forms, the Church of St. Andrew's has no reason to exist. 

If we forget to share the very reason for our existence, we are forgetting to focus on God's love and mercy. It is the story of God's grace and love which the world is dying to hear, and we need to find effective ways to share that story with those around us. The people we shall meet today, on our Frontlines, all need to know that Jesus is alive.

Best wishes,

Richard

Guilty and Good News

Today, Rolf Harris & Andy Coulson will be sentenced, having been found guilty of the crimes of which they had been accused. 

Much soul searching has no doubt taken place, and many others, especially in the case of the apparently affable and friendly Rolf Harris, have had to wonder how to think of him, in the light of this new information.

I spend a lot of time - more than I am used to - with people who have had serious dealings with one statutory agency or another, ranging from police and social services to the job centre or rehabilitation agencies. And then many of the rest of us find that without having to scratch very deep we discover that we also are in a fragile place. So pointing the finger at others is not a helpful response to the troubles that we all face.

I would hazard a guess that it is fair to say that none of us is sorted, and that all of us are in a mess of one sort or another. At least that level of honesty means we don't have to pretend to be better than we are.

And that is why the Good News of Jesus is such Good News. 

St. Paul was passionate about sharing that Good News all around the Mediterranean Sea. ' When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ' (Romans 5.6, 8, 9)

To receive God's unmerited love and mercy, and find new hope and life changes everything. Paul set the contrast starkly when he said,'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 6.23)

Today, we all live as those who are guilty of ignoring God's will for our lives, and yet who are given a second chance (and many more too!) to come back into friendship with God. That is wonderful good news - worth sharing.

Best wishes,

Richard

Fruitful Growth

We arrived back from holiday last Friday, and the grass in the garden looked more like a meadow. And all the fruit bushes have been hard at work producing fruit of various sorts. Some has now been harvested and enjoyed. 

But the growth happened without us watching what was going on. A natural process, that had been managed earlier in the year by the gardeners, has been effective. 

It sounds surprisingly like what Jesus described.'“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.' (John 15.1-2)

But I am also aware that this process of becoming more fruitful as followers of Jesus is one which continues relentlessly throughout our lives,as we cooperate with Him. 

St. Paul describes that process of transformation in a wonderful passage, when writing to his difficult friends in Corinth. Having been describing how we can read the Scriptures without seeing what is there, as though our minds are covered with a veil, Paul then says that when we turn in faith and trust to the Lord, that veil is taken away. ' So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.' (2 Corinthians 3.18)

Just as we can all tell if someone has spent some time soaking up the sun - they have either gone pink or look weather-beaten - so when we take time to focus on Jesus, He changes us, and makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

And that means fruitful growth in us and through us.

How astonishing!
Best wishes,

Richard