From Start to Finish

I am flying off to Kenya tomorrow, for the first time in my life.

I am going, in order to be at the Opening of the Borehole, at the Talents Children's Mission, a home for boys orphaned by the AIDS pandemic. 

For a number of years, St. Andrew's Church has been involved in this wonderful work. Since we started to support this work, we have found ourselves wanting to play our part in doing what we can.

Reflecting on this development, my mind goes to some words from St. Paul, writing from prison at the end of of his active ministry, to his dear friends in Philippi.

'And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.' (Philippians 1.6)

Paul knew in his deepest experience that the God revealed to us in and through Jesus is a God who can finish the work He starts. That is a wonderful encouragement to each of us individually. But it also a great encouragement when we think about how He works in the world and specific projects like the orphanage in Kenya.

Each of us can play our part, as we deliberately and consistently offer ourselves to the Lord. How things end up, we do not know. But we can keep moving from Start to Finish, every day.

Best wishes,

Richard

Benefit Culture

The government is trying to change the culture in our nation, by addressing who gets support and help, for what reasons, and how much. 

Starting with the establishment of the Welfare State, in the aftermath of the Second World War, there has been an increasing proportion of national wealth spent on caring for the most vulnerable. In other countries, particularly in northern Europe, the proportion of national wealth spent on the welfare of others is even higher than in the UK.

But obviously, there isn't a bottomless pit of funds available. Some difficult choices have to be made, and some will lose out.

One of Jesus' famous parable raises some interesting observations about the deserving or undeserving poor. '“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.' (Matthew 20.1-2) During the day, the landowner hires more workers at 9, 12, 3 and 5, each time telling them he would pay them what was right. When it was time for payment, everyone received the same amount, which led to a great dispute. The response of the landowner is striking. '“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ (Matthew 20.13-15)

Of course, Jesus is not talking about how employers in the real world, or benefit agencies, may deal with people. 

But this reminds me that God's generosity to people like me is overwhelming, and having received it, I should learn to be generous in my attitudes and actions towards others too.

As we often say at St. Andrew's, a healthy church is a generous church.

Best wishes,

Richard

Marathon Matters

Well done, Julie Newsam, who completed yesterday's London Marathon in 5 hours. Julie has been raising money for teenagers suffering from cancer, and will happily take money from any who want to support her.

In the aftermath of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, many issues have re-surfaced about why some people choose to become violently aggressive to their host communities. Questions are raised about whether full legal rights should be extended to the surviving brother, or whether perpetrators of violence should also be seen as victims of their own trauma.

In a famous book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire argues that while oppression is obviously bad for the oppressed, it is also deeply damaging for the oppressors too. Everyone needs liberating from the effects of the inequalities in life, as we are all neighbours to one another.

St. Paul, reflecting on the divisions within the Corinthian church, comes back to our mutual interdependence, within the Body of Christ. 'In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honourable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honourable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honour and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad.' (1 Corinthians 12.22-26)

While some of the focus, from the media, may be on the winners and special-interest stories, the London & Boston Marathons remind us that we are all in the race of life together. As we run the race, we need our eyes fixed on Jesus, or else we will become self-obsessed, and lose our way.

Best wishes,

Richard

Who and Why?

In a difficult week for President Obama, let alone everyone else involved, the President responded to the Boston Marathon bombings by identifying two key questions. Who did this terrible act? And why did they do it? 

Speculation and conspiracy theories grow like a mushroom cloud, and fear lurks behind the possible answers. Finding the truth to these questions will help to deal with the trauma. 

There are other situations where we need to be clear about the answers to these sorts of questions.

On Sunday, St. Andrew's Church holds it Annual Parochial Church Meeting. While we will be looking at annual reports, and reviewing what we have done, as a church, we shall also be focusing on 'Who has been doing what?'  and thinking about 'Why do we do what we do?

When we are clear on that second question, we can be much more focused about what we do.

St. Paul wrote some startlingly helpful letters to his Christian friends, and they are a treasure trove to help us. 

In answering the 'who are you?' questions, Paul was very clear. 'Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.' (Colossians 3.1-2) People who are followers of Christ are not just members of another special-interest club. We are transformed people, caught up in the eternal purposes of the God of the whole universe, living a transformed and transforming life, where Jesus is at the centre. 

And that affects everything that we do. 'And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.' (Colossians 3.17)

Rather than limiting our vision for what we should be doing, this should enlarge it. 

The deeply troubled world in which we live needs people who are passionate about making a difference, stirred up by the love of God for all. We are the people who could do that both locally and globally. Are we ready for this?

Best wishes,

Richard

Divided

Today's funeral of Baroness Thatcher will be well covered by the media. Her life and death have provoked an astonishing range of responses, with a passion which has astonished many. She divided people in their reaction to her.

But Jesus remarked to his own followers, Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.' (Luke 6.26) To be a significant leader of others requires the toughness to stick to the task in hand, and Margaret Thatcher was certainly tough. Sadly, many are the followers of Christ who don't have this toughness, and who try to please everyone, and end up denying their Master. Peter would know that.

In life and in death, Jesus himself divided opinions. 

At his own death, one thief was apparently unrepentant, while the other prayed, '“Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23.42-43)

The world is deeply divided over many issues. The weakest and most vulnerable are treated appallingly, in all societies. And yet Jesus came to bring hope and life to such. Not everyone believes that Jesus can make a difference. But I do. It is clear which side of the divide I am on. Are you clear where you stand?

Therefore, I need to remember which side of the divide I am on, particularly with reference to Jesus and his mission to bring hope and life to the broken people of our world. That is where my energy needs to go, rather than in spending too much time trying to say something clever about Margaret Thatcher.

Best wishes,

Richard

Running the Race

As we know, yesterday's Boston Marathon was turned, in a few moments, from a delightful carnival, with 26000 runners and huge numbers of excited onlookers, into an appalling example of senseless carnage. 

Many will wonder who did this and why, while many others will wonder if they can live safely again.

This coming Sunday's London Marathon, in which our own Julie Newsam is running, will be watched with increasing concern. 

For the thousands of ordinary people taking on this extraordinary challenge, and raising money for hundreds of charities, these events provide an opportunity for courage and generosity to triumph over hardship and suffering. We see human beings doing well for one another, and we can share their sense of achievement.

But we also have to note that the bombers are also people like us, whose energy and planning have gone into destroying lives and neighbourhoods. 

As a wise person noted, the same human spirit that produced the music of Bach & Beethoven also developed concentration camps and nuclear weapons. Human beings like us are often in a mess.

The writer to the Hebrews writes about the struggles of life. 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.' (Hebrews 12.1-2)

The writer notes that Jesus himself had to endure great hardship & suffering. He is well placed to help us in the struggles of life - whether that is an external issue, such as bad housing or no job, or a deeply personal tragedy, such as an addictive lifestyle or emotional breakdown. Because of what Jesus has done for us, in dying and rising again, He alone is able to rescue and restore us. In that hope, let us keep our eyes fixed on Him today.

Best wishes,

Richard

Jubilee

1988 was an interesting year on Goldsworth Park. 

For much of it, the builders were hard at work on the new St. Andrew's Church building. In October, with the job done, and most arrangements in place, there was the dedication of the building and commissioning of the people.

So, this year, 25 years on, is our Silver Jubilee.

We have plans in place to mark this special year, some of which will be unveiled on this coming Sunday. Make sure you don't miss out!

While the Bible doesn't have any Silver Jubilee celebrations, it does focus on the Jubilee Year, which was to be marked every 50th year. 'Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. This fiftieth year will be a jubilee for you. During that year you must not plant your fields or store away any of the crops that grow on their own, and don’t gather the grapes from your unpruned vines.' (Leviticus 25.10-11)

The key blessings of this special year were to be freedom for all slaves - freedom throughout the land for all who live there. That freedom will have made so much difference for those who had afllen on hard times in the past years. They would not be trapped in poverty, but given a fresh start again. There was no such thing as privately owned land, and all land was a gift, given, on trust, to the ancestors. So in the Jubilee Year, all families were to return to their roots, and recall God's generosity, and remember his gracious provision again. It seems that people had to take a break from their normal agricultural work, and trust God to provide for their needs - as they had had to learn, while in their wilderness wanderings.

My prayer is that in this coming year we all learn to trust our generous and gracious God more deeply. Some of this deepening in trust will come about when we learn from our own spiritual and family history. This takes time, but that is the gift that all of us have. How will we use our time?
Best wishes,

Richard

Friends

'Friends', the much watched and enjoyed TV series, sheds light on many aspects of how friends can support one another. Through the often repeated 236 episodes of foolish and childish behaviour patterns, humour (or should I write 'humor'?) keeps saving the day. I guess that is why it kept going for so long. 

However, within those 236 episode, for instance, serial sexual encounters are presented as normal, and careful students have noted that 86 of these take place, and are brushed off as though they were like catching a cold. This presentation of 'normal life' has in consequence shaped how many people now think they can and should live.

Is there a better model for friends to guide them in their relationships with one another? I believe so.

The disciples of Jesus had grown close to one another, and after the death of Jesus they were traumatised. One of their number, Judas Iscariot, had led to Jesus' arrest, which had led to his death. In the normal pattern of Roman executions, his closest followers would have anticipated their own arrest. They were fearful, together. 

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.' (John 20.19) That experience was not something enjoyed by all the disciples. 'One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 

They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” (John 20.24-25)

How did the friends of Thomas behave? Did they ignore him, or dismiss him? We cannot know for certain. However, 'Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”  

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.' (John 20.26-28)

It seems very likely to me that the reason Thomas was with his other friends on that second Sunday evening was because his friends made sure he was there. They played their part in ensuring that he too could meet Jesus.

It seems to me that this is a role we can all play, as we care for friends and family members, who, for many reasons, may have dropped out of regular participation in Christian worship. 

I know that I owe a great deal to those Christian friends who have supported me when it might have been easier to ignore me. Lets all play our part, for the sake of others.

Best wishes,

Richard

Legacy

Everyone has an opinion about Margaret Thatcher, and many are being aired and argued over. In life and in death, she divided people. 
Her many triumphs and achievements came at a cost. 
Her legacy continues to shape this country, and many will be the books written about her.

St. Paul had an eye to the legacy that he might leave behind. In saying his farewell to the leaders of the Christian community from Ephesus, he highlights his own life's ambition. 'But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.' (Acts 20.24-27)

All of us, in the purposes of God, have 'work assigned to us by the Lord Jesus', as Paul would say. We need to discover what that is, and give ourselves wholeheartedly to that. My hunch is that it will be not very different from Paul's, in that all Christians are called to share the Good News of Jesus to those around us. That legacy has eternal consequences - unlike most of the rest of what fills our lives.

So the death of Margaret Thatcher has made me ask some searching questions. So what legacy do I want to leave behind? How will people remember my contribution to their lives?

Best wishes,

Richard

Convictions

Margaret Thatcher is being remembered as a politician whose life was driven by her fundamental convictions. 

Somewhat surprisingly, after her first General Election victory, she quoted the saying of St. Francis of Assisi, 'Make me an instrument of peace.' 

But unlike many other politicians, she had the courage of her convictions, and was determined to put those convictions into practice. She was also able to see when she had been wrong, as over the Poll Tax.

It makes me wonder whether followers of Jesus have the same level of courage over their convictions. 

I am both challenged and encouraged by St. Paul's comments about where his deepest convictions lie. ' For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” (Romans 1.16-17)

This conviction shaped Paul's life and it should be shaping mine too. There is no other medicine out there that can fix this broken world, and the lives of the broken people that I meet daily.

But how can we be tough enough to keep living by our convictions? Paul had the answer for that too! '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 8.38-39)

To know that we will never be abandoned by the Lord, and that He will be our guardian and guide, will help us stick to our convictions about the direction and destiny of our lives. 

Today, I ask myself the following questions - and I guess Margaret Thatcher asked herself these questions too!

What are my deepest conviction? Do I have the courage to put them into practice, whatever the circumstances? Who am I trying to please?

Best wishes,

Richard

Welfare State

In the last week, many aspects of the Welfare State have been changed. Just to make life even more interesting,  the tax system has been changed too. 

As in all such changes, there will be winners and losers. While the Government states that its aim is to reduce the deficit in our national budget, everyone has an opinion as to whether the right people are paying for the reductions. 

It is striking that when the Israelites left Egypt, after 400 years of slavery, they were told to behave well towards all. '“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. 

“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume. Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.' (Leviticus 19.33-36)
Social cohesion would come when people were treated well. Instead of the 'down on foreigners' slogans of our day, there was to be a generosity of spirit, rooted in the memory of their recent slavery.

In the New Testament, we find the same challenge to be generous within the growing diverse Christian communities. 'Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.' (Romans 14.1-4)

We are all different in background, experience and prospects, and so we need to learn how to be a Good News community to all we meet. If we can offer a genuine welcome and place of safety to all, then we will be able to help one another to grow to know Jesus better. And the welfare of all would be sustained.

Best wishes,

Richard