Resisting Change

Many in the medical profession have been resisting the changes due to be introduced through the government's NHS reform bill. 

In each case, they have good reasons to counter the arguments put forward by the remarkably opaque Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, whose inability to explain what he has in mind is becoming legendary.

The two sides in this argument are different not because one wants progress and the other wants the good old days, but because they have a different analysis of what needs to be done to strengthen the NHS.

The same might be said about the proposals from the government to redefine marriage. In a desire to emphasise equality, some think that a changed definition would solve the problems. Others take a different view. Changing the definition about marriage is not quite like changing the offside rule in football. 

If you want to resist this proposed change in the definition of marriage, please sign the petition in our Coffee Shop, or go online at www.c4m.org.uk

St. Paul encouraged his friends in Rome to resist some changes, but to welcome others. ' Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12.2)

As we can see, Paul sees that we should resist the changes from the world around us, but co-operate with the changes which the Lord wants to bring into our lives. Our thinking can be reshaped, if we spend time reflecting and thinking through what the will of God might be, in each situation. We would be changed, others blessed and God glorified. Sounds good to me!
Best wishes,

Richard

Salt Matters

Too much salt in our diet is bad for our hearts, and increases the onset of heart disease. 

Many processed foods have too much added salt, in order to 'improve' the flavour, and so get consumers hooked. It works as a marketing ploy. but kills the consumers!

Too little salt when the roads get icy, and we slip all over the place, and everyone complains that local councils haven't been doing their jobs.

Jesus spoke about his followers being like salt. ' “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.' (Matthew 5.13)

In Jesus' day, salt had several important roles. 

It did provide flavour for food, but more importantly, it helped to preserve food. Salted fish was an important food for many ordinary people, living too far from either Mediterranean Sea, or the Sea of Galilee, to obtain fresh fish regularly. 

Salt water also has remarkable healing powers, so that wounds bathed regularly in saline solution heal much more quickly.

Every day, we are called to be salty people, as we help to enhance the flavour of life for those around us. Helping others to count their blessings is a great gift. 

More challenging is our call to preserve our culture from going rotten. 

And wonderfully, if we are like Jesus, we can help to bring his healing to the sick and sad people around us. How salty are we? What can we do to become more salty?
Best wishes,

Richard

Proper Care

The spotlight has been on the quality of care and compassion shown to elderly patients in hospitals and care homes. Reports and experience tell us that, in some places, the care is wonderful, while in many other places, the care leaves much to be desired.

When things are not working well, family and friends are left wondering how this could have happened. People often feel angry and frustrated that loved ones are being badly treated, and there seems nothing that can be done to change the situation.

Jesus told many stories, and none of them was about hospitals and care homes. But he did address the issue of Proper Care. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.' (John 10.11-13)

However we may want to interpret and apply the story, Jesus identifies that when people are just doing a paid job, they often don't have a sense of Proper Care. So, when there is too much to do, they run away from their responsibilities. They are just hired hands. 

But the Good Shepherd is different. “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.' (John 10.14-15)

Today, all of us need to know the Proper Care of the Good Shepherd. I find it helpful to recall that Jesus laid down his life for me, and while there may be things in my life which are not what I would like or want, I am deeply reassured of his sacrificial love and care for me. I am blessed to know his Proper Care today. That makes all the difference.

Best wishes,

Richard

Power and Authority

President Putin has been re-elected, with many claiming it was a rigged election. His popularity is much diminished, and his authority seems to be slipping too.

In Syria, it is clear that increasing numbers of people are prepared to challenge the power and authority of President Assad.

In the US, while the voting continues to find a suitable Republican candidate, questions remain as to who might have the authority to become President.

Jesus spoke clearly of these issues, when his own disciples were behaving like the Republican candidates, arguing as to which was the greatest. ' So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.42-45)
We are so used to seeing the way power and authority are the focus of so much in the way people behave - politicians, business people, colleagues at work, family arguments and so on - that we too easily ignore what Jesus is saying. 

He practised what he preached, and we would do well, in very area of life, to follow his example. he was able to live like that because he was secure in his relationship with His Father, and prepared to pay the price of willing obedience. How about us?
Best wishes, 

Richard

Good Morning

Our traditional morning greeting is full of hope. But there is more to this greeting that meets the eye.
I recall that Winnie the Pooh's friend Eeyore was not happy with this greeting.
 "Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it is a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he.
"Why, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, Pooh Bear, nothing. We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to it."
"Can't all what?" said Pooh, rubbing his nose.
"Gaiety. Song-and-dance. Here we go round the mulberry bush."

Poor Eeyore!
But there is something deeply rooted in our trust in God which allows us to be hopeful, in all circumstances. Some of the most encouraging people I know are those who have faced and are facing appalling troubles, and yet they are deeply joyful and hopeful.
St. Paul, writing from prison in Rome, and with the possibility of execution hanging over his head, gives us this advice. 'Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.' (Philippians 4.4-6)
Today's world news is pretty gloomy, and many families are under pressure, and face troubles that sap energy. But God's love for us has not changed, and Paul tells us to focus on this God, and to find our deep wells of joy and hope restored.
I am going into this day with renewed hope and joy, as I realise who is walking with me.
Best wishes,
Richard

Now but Not Yet!

At 6am, this morning, a half-asleep Betty remarked that it was very light, so what was the time! I checked the clock and went back to sleep.
Being into March, the mornings are lighter, and even some of our primroses are now in flower. In a week or two, William Wordsworth could re-write his daffodils poem, as he wandered lonely as a cloud along Bampton Way, and caught sight of our front garden. Unless, the approach of Mothering Sunday (or Mother's Day, if you are from the US) encourages children to pick some flowers for their mums!
But winter has gone, and while we are not yet into summer, we are on the way. It is 'Now but Not Yet!'
Much Christian theology and experience is in the 'Now but Not Yet!'
Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God, which He said had arrived. But then He also spoke of the future Kingdom, to be shared and spread by His followers. It is 'Now but Not Yet!'
At the end of Matthew's Gospel, which has presented Jesus as the true King, worshipped by all nations (the Wise Men from the East and so on), Jesus tells his followers, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)
Because Jesus is the King with all authority, His Kingdom is NOW. But we have work to do, under His authority, to extend that Kingdom, so we live with the Kingdom being NOT YET, even to the end of the age.
Living with that tension will shape how we follow Jesus these days of Lent. May we experience His presence and power, while we struggle with problems and pains.
Best wishes,
Richard

Exactly what it says on the tin

The other day, I served a guest at our home a mug of tea, but it was in a Horlicks mug. So I apologised that 'it was not what it says on the tin'. Fortunately, my guest understood my remark (I think!)
The series of advertisements, for assorted Ronseal DIY products, with 'exactly what it says on the tin' slogan are so well known that it has spawned a series of TV programmes and even a song with the same line. 'Does your degree do what it says on the tin?' was a Guardian article on careers advice.
As followers of Christ, are we what our label says? What sort of followers are we?
During Lent, I am challenged to think about this sort of uncomfortable question.
How wide is the gap between what I sing on Sundays, and how I live during the week?
Or to put it another way, does what I sing on Sundays help me to aspire to be closer to the follower of Jesus I would like to be?
The early Christians had exactly the same questions, and the New Testament writers provided helpful answers, and challenging teaching.
'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)
Clearly, the writer realised that we can all easily drift in our Christian lives. Hence, the repeated call 'Let us' - which is a call to helping one another to keep going.
I am so aware that I constantly need the support of other Christians if I am to keep going in the right direction. Meeting together, on Sundays, and in Small Groups, provides an opportunity for mutual encouragement, when we think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
If we did that, then we might we do exactly what it says on the tin.' Wouldn't that be good?
Best wishes,
Richard