Money Talks

Are you shocked? Large amounts of money can gain access to David & Samantha Cameron!

While we may be surprised at the way this claim has been made, most of us are aware of the ways in which money is used to gain influence. We are often very critical of the corruption of foreign governments and cultures, but surprisingly blind to the ways money is effective in getting things done in this country. How we use our money, and use the influences we have, tells us a great deal about our values.

Jesus was far more realistic, and told his followers to get real in a startling story of corruption and greed. You can read this outrageous parable in Luke 16.1-9. But here is the punch line. ' And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. (Luke 16.8-9)

Jesus is clear that his followers have the opportunity to change the world around them. We all know people, and are involved in places where we have influence, by our character and abilities. Jesus reminds us that we can be those who benefit the people and communities around us. That is why we are doing all we can to publicise the events of Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter, so that St. Andrew's can be effective in making Jesus known in Goldsworth Park. That is why we are running a week of HOPE events during the Queen's Jubilee Week in June. 

This week, how are you using the opportunities that you have to influence the people in your circle? I pray that we may be as shrewd as possible to make a difference.

Best wishes,

Richard

Death by Drinking

David Cameron is wanting to cut the number of people killing themselves by binge drinking. The report, earlier in the week, about the rise in numbers of people with their livers seriously damaged , especially among the under 40s, adds evidence that too many people are drinking far too much alcohol. Death by drinking is a rising scourge.

In the earlier times, many groups in society, not only Christians, worked hard to highlight the dangers of the 'demon drink'. As whole communities were destroyed by drunkenness and the violence which went with it, many promoted the blessings of temperance and sobriety. In our own day, groups like Alcoholics Anonymous are very active in trying to help people put their lives back in order.

Obviously, this is not new. How serious are we about taking action to avoid this problem?

St. Paul, writing to his friends in Ephesus, indicates the better choice that followers of Jesus can enjoy. ' Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit' (Ephesians 5.18)

All of us may quite easily slip into drinking too much alcohol - and third or fourth glass of wine, another pint before leaving - and we may need help to get a grip on a dangerous habit. St. Paul's simple remedy suggests that wanting to keep close to Jesus, and wanting to be full of His Spirit, will keep us safe, so that we can be useful as Christ-followers.

Instead of 'death by drinking', we can enjoy a different sort of life, ' singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5.19-20) A life full of gratitude to the Lord, and taken up with how much He has done for us, will help to keep us sober, and able to enjoy life fully.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Budget

George Osborn may not have many secrets to share today, in his Budget speech. But he seems to have given plenty of thought, much of it in public, to discussing how to generate the required amount of income from tax, to pay for our expected national lifestyles.

We all know that there is a price to pay for goods and services. For instance, I enjoy swimming, and once I have paid my annual membership fee, it seems to be free. But it still costs, in time and effort, to go swimming. Working out what can be afforded is what setting a budget is about.

Jesus told his followers to be careful in setting their budget, as they set out to be his followers.' “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ (Luke 14.28-30)

Following Jesus is not something we can fit into our spare time, or enjoy as a minority interest, like a hobby. 

I enjoy listening to music, or doing  a bit of gardening. Following Jesus is not like that. It is whole-life discipleship, or it is nothing. Have you done your budget recently? I have found that facing this challenge has been very helpful for the shape and direction of my life.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Enemy Within

The people of France, in the wake of the shootings in the Toulouse area, are looking for the enemy within. It seems that there is a serial killer on the loose, who targets people from minority communities. 

The people of Iraq, after yet more sectarian bombings, face the horror of people from one community who wish people from the other communities dead. 

Many people in Syria fear that when their stable but repressive system is shaken, their very diversity will lead to terrible blood-letting, as diverse communities struggle for supremacy. They fear the enemy within.

But all of us face an enemy within, and we need help to deal with this powerful force for evil.

Jesus spoke of the dangers faced by communities divided against themselves.  “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.' (Luke 11.17)

But Jesus then applied this observation to His own ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. ' But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. (Luke 11.20-22)

In our troubled and divided world, we can all know that Jesus has the power not to destroy us, but to deal with the enemy within us, our spiritual enemy whose desire is our own ruin. 

Today, Jesus can set us free, to serve Him and our world. That is good news.

Best wishes,

Richard

What price?

One year on from the start of the NATO air campaign against the Gaddafi regime in Libya, and it is clear that many are still paying a high price for regime change. Over 8000 people are still missing.

In Syria, continued violence and bombardment leads to many paying a high price. 

The same is true in Tibet and other places around the world which fleetingly catch our attention, as communities seek freedom from oppression and tyranny. The price of freedom and change is very high.

As we approach the end of Lent, and follow Jesus in his journey to Jerusalem, we hear him challenging his followers. ' A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,  “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison, yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. ' (Luke 14.25-27)

Facing his own death, willingly giving away his right to life, in order to rescue us and redeem the world, he challenges us to a new direction for our lives - with Him as the focus of our devotion. That is the price He calls us to pay. 

It is clear that Jesus was not just making a fie sounding speech. he expects real followers to pay the real price. I ask myself what sort of follower I am. I pray that Jesus would help me to follow Him worthily.

Best wishes,

Richard

Clear Out

Spring Cleaning is in the air. There will a team working at Church tomorrow morning, removing cobwebs and much else. With the sun shining, we can begin to see things which might have been unseen during the darker days of winter. Our car looks like it could do with a good clean, and one day, I will make an effort on my study! Too much clutter doesn't improve the quality of life or work.

But most of us have far too much clutter in our lives, and we find it hard to know what to clear out. 

This is why the 40 day wilderness experience of Jesus is so significant for all of us. ' Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.' (Matthew 4.1-2)

Stripped down to bare necessities, we might discover what really matters in our lives. It takes time to think through priorities and often time is what we don't have, so we keep adding more and getting less able to cope adequately.

Jesus clearly responded cooperatively with the leading of the Spirit. We often resist. 

These days, we are called to face the need for a clear out in our lives. Stripped down, we will find ourselves better equipped to serve Jesus and the world he loves. Then we will rejoice with new intensity as Good Friday leads to Easter. Without the clear out, we will miss too much.

Best wishes,

Richard

Pain & Gain

There will be no glory and gain for Olympic athletes without amazing levels of committed training, causing astonishing pain and suffering. 'No guts, no glory' or 'no gain without pain' are the short versions.

Most of the rest of us may watch in wonder, from the comfort of our lazy lifestyles, and imagine that success came cheaply. But just 'turning up and hoping for the best' will not deliver success for any aspiring champion. The gold of success is mined deep in the dark of early morning training sessions, ruthless discipline and character-shaping determination. Aspiring champions are not looking for entertainment!

Jesus knew that the same was to be true for those who followed him seriously. He himself endured hardship and pain, on his way to the Cross. Why do we think our life might be easy?
St. Paul was of the same attitude, which helps to explain why his ministry was so effective. To his friends in Rome, he wrote about suffering and glory. ' And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.' (Romans 8.17-18)

Seeing this clearly may help us when we face troubles and trials of any sort. Instead of asking why the Lord has made our route so tough - why can't He smooth the path for us? - we should be asking for His strength that we may endure right through to the end. Our lazy and over-busy lifestyles do not equip us well for being tough disciples of Jesus. Toughness only comes when we have to endure discomfort for a long spell.

But we can be confident, because we see it worked out in Jesus' death & resurrection, that  what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 

This encourages me to keep going, in good company!
Best wishes,

Richard