Leadership Matters

Our recent General Election campaign, and the startling outcomes, have revealed again the central importance of good leadership. 

I didn't vote for the Conservatives, nationally or locally, but I can see that they were more able to present a compelling vision than their major rivals. And in Scotland, the SNP swept the board because they had a clear and simple message. Whether these respective visions can be turned into reality will be the challenge facing those in power. We shall wait and see!

Jesus was and is a compelling leader because he was very clear about his vision, that would change the world for good.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing 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)

Good leaders communicate a compelling vision to their followers, and Jesus was very clear about the task that his followers share.

David Cameron is getting on with the job of choosing his team, for Cabinet posts and other responsibilities. He will want them to share his vision of the future, and then work with him to deliver that vision in practice.

Jesus, too, calls us to share his vision, and he chooses us for that very purpose. ' I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15.15-17)

Jesus calls us to be his fruitful friends, so that others may be blessed.

I find that I need to be reminded of these basic facts daily - otherwise, I become taken up with my small (and often self-centred) projects and plans. But Jesus has a BIG PLAN that includes us, and he calls us to join him in this project - to love the world in his name. This is costly, as his ministry and death demonstrated, but the outcomes are secure, as his resurrection showed.

Just as Jesus is clear about where we are going with him, let us also be clear where we are going!

Best wishes,

Richard

Victory & Defeat

VE Day is a bittersweet reminder that the war in Europe ended 70 years ago. While the Allies could rejoice in their hard-fought victory, those defeated had little to celebrate. But in the years since then, through the hard work of French and German leaders, enemies have become friends and colleagues, and there has been a measure of stability in Western Europe unknown in its turbulent history. This particular 'Victory & Defeat' has produced many good results.

Today's election results, so far from what what predicted, has produced clear winners - the Conservatives and the Scottish Nationalists - and clear losers - the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. 'Victory & Defeat' here may be better or worse than the past, depending on your point of view. These next few years will be interesting!

Victory & Defeat is at the heart of the Bible's story. 

The illegal execution of Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem certainly looked like a disastrous defeat, but St. Paul tells us that it was a decisive victory.  'Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.' (Colossians 2.15) 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul again emphasises that the death of Jesus was God's way to win an outstanding victory over all the forces of sin and death, so that we can know peace and security, as we trust in Jesus.'If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.' (Romans 8.31-34)

In the light of this wonderful victory, Jesus calls us to be peace-makers in our day. Our politicians have the responsibility of making the future better for all in our nations, and locally, we can make a difference. 'God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.' (Matthew 5.9)

Best wishes,

Richard

The Growing Season

The peas I sowed with the grandsons are peeping through! It is the Growing Season!

But nothing is showing from the beans. I shall have to be patient.

The salad seeds, scattered around, shows signs of life, and the fruit bushes, planted in February, are looking healthy. 

So spring is springing, and there is plenty to do in the garden - because the weeds grow too!

We were looking at the growth of the first community of Christians yesterday. 

I was struck by Luke's comment.'And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.' (Acts 2.47)

This fellowship was marked by the way those involved were committed to knowing Jesus better. 'All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.' (Acts 2.42) When we learn more about Jesus, then we are in a position to know him better in our daily lives, Then we enjoy meeting other fellow believers, and find ourselves built up in worshipping together, and feeding together. 

This community took time to help one another. 'And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity' (Acts 2.44-46)

This miraculous generosity, shown in costly commitment to one another, revealed that this community had been transformed by the generous love of God. And when people like us learn to allow God's sacrificing love to reshape our lives, then other people will want to discover the secret of the lives they see so wonderfully changed.

So we can all play our own part in the growing season in our own lives and the life of our local churches.

Best wishes,

Richard

Going Green!

For a change, I am not talking about politics this morning! 

But when we look out of our bedroom window each morning, while enjoying a cup of tea, and reflecting on the day ahead, and lifting up our concerns to the Lord, we have noticed that it is the trees that are Going Green!

Spring is on the way, and the evidence for new life is everywhere to be seen. Being new in our home, we are not sure what will emerge in our garden. But so far we have been very pleased with what is growing. And we are trying to plant wisely, so that we are not left with too much work in future months. All the time, we must remember that given the right conditions, it is normal for plants to grow bigger. Going Green is how things should be.

And of course, many of Jesus' parables made the same point.'Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” (Mark 4.26-29)

I love that line, where we are told that the farmer does not understand how it happens. Many are the times when I am astonished at what God does, and cannot see why things turn out the way they do.

But Jesus makes it clear that we should expect to see growth and expansion in the Kingdom ministry to which we are called. 

We know, from the earlier parable of the Four Soils, that some places yield good harvest more readily than others. But if we are prepared to do the hard work of breaking up the tough ground, then we should expect and plan for growth to take place.  

So while we get on with watering and planting in our new garden, I pray that the Lord will help us to be part of his growing Kingdom harvest.

Best wishes,

Richard

Leaders and Followers

During this General Election campaign, much of the focus is on the leaders of the assorted political parties. Every statement and action is scrutinised, and we are left wondering which leader is worthy of our attention. 

Living in a new area, and not being fully up to speed with the history of this particular constituency, I am uncertain where my vote might be most tactfully deployed. But there are still some days to go to find out how I might vote.

But the point of leaders is that they are supposed to be worth following. The leader with no followers is not much of a leader!

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews knew that that was true for those who were supposed to be followers of Jesus. 

Hence, he gave us this great exhortation.'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 honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.' (Hebrews 12.1-4)

Life is tough for all of us, in different ways. If we are to endure the struggles we face, Jesus is our best example and helper. He willingly went to the Cross, and rose victorious, and is now glorified, in the place of power and authority. So Jesus is supremely able to help us with our daily struggles.

He alone is a leader worth following!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Best wishes,

Richard

Liberators?

70 years ago today, British troops liberated the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. 

The report by Richard Dimbleby painted a terrible picture of the suffering of those who had survived, as well as the appalling conditions which led to 70,000 deaths. The British soldiers who reached the camp were themselves traumatised by their experiences. These soldiers were seen as liberators, by those who had endured such terrible experiences.

It made a stark contrast with assorted politicians announcing their manifestos, in the run up to the General Election next month.

I am reminded of the time when Jesus spoke at the synagogue in Nazareth, when he announced his manifesto for his ministry.'When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” (Luke 4.16-21)
Jesus clearly saw himself as The Liberator, whose role in life and death was to set prisoners free from the destruction that stalks us relentlessly. We are all in a battle that we cannot win, unless we are rescued from an outside agent. 

In God's mercy, we have begun to experience that liberation in wonderful, though incomplete, ways.

And having been liberated by Jesus, we now find ourselves enlisted in the Liberator's army, whose role is to go to the people around us, and point the way to freedom and liberation. That gives meaning and purpose to our lives, which in itself is profoundly amazing. 

Today, I pray that we will again realise that we have a great role to play in helping others to enjoy the benefits of being friends with Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

Waiting Painfully or Patiently?

Roald Dahl's 'Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' introduces us to the memorable Veruca Salt. She is a child of our culture, whose favourite saying, shrieked at high volume, is 'I want it and I want it NOW!'

She does not like to wait for anything.

Many of us are too much like Veruca Salt than we like to admit.

Today, between Good Friday and Easter Day, is a day for waiting. 

Yesterday, as we followed the first disciples of Jesus, we watched Jesus die, and saw where he was buried. But then there was nothing that could be done, so we filled our lives with ordinary activities. 

And then today, Easter Eve, is a day of painful waiting. So it was for the first followers of Jesus. ' As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.' (Luke 23.55-56)

I sense that Luke is telling us that the women, who had been so busy in dealing with the practical side of their grief, now found themselves compelled, against their will, to wait for a whole day, as required by the law. 

We often find being busy is a great antidote to thinking too much, or facing difficulties. And yet, the Psalms often tell us to learn to wait patiently.

'I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry. 

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.' (Psalm 40.1-2)

I am used to finding the quick fix to most difficult issues, so today is a day for me to learn that waiting patiently (=delayed gratification!) is the lesson the Lord would teach me. Am I willing to learn slowly?

Maybe you too are having to learn this lesson. 

I pray that we may continue our journey of faithful discipleship with the followers of Jesus. Our waiting will be rewarded.

Best wishes,

Richard

Facing Death

We were in Woking yesterday, for the two services to celebrate the life and mark the tragic death of Brian Colleer. They were both powerful reminders to me of the fragility of life and the certainty of death. 

For some they might have seemed very bleak and tragic occasions. But looking at Brian's death through the lens of the death and resurrection of Jesus, they were moments of life-transforming hope, rooted in the promises of Jesus to bring us home to the Father's house.

Our own culture is not comfortable with talking about death, or facing its inevitability. This may be why Holy Week and Good Friday are much harder for our culture to accommodate than Christmas. Rather than trying to find some way to include this story of death, everything is overlaid with chocolate!

But the four Gospels take much of their valuable space facing the death of Jesus head on.

As Luke tells about the Last Supper, where Jesus is surrounded by his closest friends, we cannot miss the references to the approaching death. 'Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.' (Luke 22.19-20)

Broken bread and poured out wine confront us directly with the sacrifice of Jesus.

He was clearly well prepared to face his own death, and he knew how significant that death would be. When praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus confronting the suffering he was about to endure. There is no place for bravado or cover up.  “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.' (Luke 22.42-44)

As I look on, as an engaged observer, I see that because Jesus faced his death, trusting his Father, so I may face the rest of my life, and my inevitable death, with my life safe in the nail-pierced hands of Jesus. There is no safer place in all of God's world. That makes all the difference.

Best wishes,

Richard

Leadership Matters

David Cameron has put the cat among the pigeons! Suddenly, the dreary election campaign (about which I wrote yesterday!) has taken on a new flavour.

I wonder how things will develop in the next few days and weeks.

Last Friday, I was meeting the leader of a local church in Banbury. He was telling me that he was planning to run some sessions for some of his church members, on the topic of leadership. I wondered whether he had seen the excellent 'Growing Leaders' course that has been so helpful to many Woking churches.

In the evening, I was at a very different event, and again our discussion turned to leadership within churches. 

My reflection is that the whole Bible can be seen as a training guide for those aspiring to be leaders.

As usual, Jesus shows us what is required.  "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 know that Jesus practiced what he preached, and was willing to lay down his life for our sake. That is our motivation for wanting to change the world, in his way, and not in the way of the world.

As we approach Holy Week, and the retelling of the story of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, trials, scourging, and crucifixion, we will do well to pray that we may be shaped by Jesus into his pattern. Then we will lead more like Jesus, so that we lead more people to Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

How will it end?

Have you ever read the last pages of a gripping thriller before you should have? Like many, I like to know how it will end, and I don't like too many shocks.

As Saturday approached, there was much excitement among fans of the Six Nations Rugby tournament to know how it all might end. As it turned out, it was much more exciting that any might have predicted. 

As we face the relentless approach of the General Election, there are many possible outcomes, which keeps the chattering classes chattering, while normal human beings are driven to despair! But we will discover the outcome one day!

This has been a tough week for many, and many of us have wept more than we thought was possible. 

Brain Colleer was a remarkable man, so full of gentle strength and generous love to a wide range of people. His love for his family and friends was obvious, and his influence stretched far and wide. His deep awareness of Jesus holding him, whatever might happen, was wonderful to see and know. So the events of last Wednesday, and their consequences have been deeply shocking. But my question - 'How will it end?' - stays with me.

The last chapter of the Bible - which we are allowed to read! - tells the wonderful story of how it will end.

'For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.' (Revelation 22.3-5) I can picture Brian enjoying this new and final experience already!

We were made to enjoy the presence of God, and to be fully alive. Just as the sun brings us warmth and life, so God will bring us such life that, in the present, we can only dream about. Because of Jesus, crucified and raised, as the Lamb of God, who has been through death, and who is now the source of our life, we can know with total confidence that our own death, and the death of those we love, need not be the last word.

St. Paul's glorious mountain top words in the middle of his letter to his friends in Rome say this so well. '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)

These words bring me hope, while the tears continue to flood my eyes, and while my heart is broken by the pain of parting.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Secret of Happiness!

Red Nose Day was another great success. Huge fun was enjoyed by many people, and enormous sums of money was given away to good causes. It looks like a win-win situation.

But this is not surprising. 

The New Testament records St. Paul passing on a famous saying of Jesus. 'You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20.35)

We know that Jesus was someone who practiced what he preached. He taught his followers that greed wasn't the way to live. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, he relentlessly showed a different way to live. 

'God blesses those who are humble,
    for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
    for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.' (Matthew 5.5-7)

For most of human history, it appears that it is the greedy who grab the earth - and then destroy it. The merciful find themselves at the bottom of the pile, and it is the ruthless and violent who win the battles, while 'justice' is something that the rich buy whenever they want to get their way.

But Jesus sees beyond the appearance to the deeper reality. Later, he speaks of a profound paradox, which is secret of happiness. 'If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?' (Mark 8.35-36)

The lesson here is that every day can be a 'Red Nose Day' for those following Jesus. Generous people are happy people. 

Best wishes,

Richard

"Show me!"

These are challenging times. 

Politicians are challenged to show that they will be able, in the future, to deliver on promises made in the past or the present. And of course, they cannot.

In our normal lives, we often face a challenge to show that we can deliver on some matter or another. 'Show me that you can do it!', whatever the 'it' may be. Or 'You said you loved me. Now show me!' And such challenges have their built-in self-destruction feature, because the evidence required may change with the weather. And then everyone is left ruined by the broken trust, and we are inclined to withdraw to lick the wound of our disappointed dreams. 

We see this happening at many levels - cynicism about politics, and broken relationships scattered across the land.

Is there hope to be had from any source?

As St. Paul traveled round the north east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, meeting people from many cultures and backgrounds, he was fearless in presenting the story of what God had done in Jesus, to meet our human desires for hope and security. The Roman Empire promised Pax Romana, which was peace of a sort, so long as you were ready to acknowledge the supreme authority and lordship of Caesar. Paul had a different story to tell.

'When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.' (Romans 5.6-8)

Paul is able to speak of the evidence of God's saving love, because it had already been shown in the sacrificing death of Jesus. What looked like abject failure and destroyed hopes showed itself to be conquering love. And, from our side, we need to keep our eyes focused on this great love for us that God has shown for us. Then we can say with confidence, 'God is good all of the time. All of the time, God is good!'

Every blessing,

Richard

Motivation Matters

Lurking beneath the questions about the supposed radicalisation of young Muslims is the deeper question about what motivates people to change their behaviour patterns in such a brutal and destructive manner. 

We know that many young people are looking for a cause that is worth living for, and James Dean was not the only teenager who was a 'Rebel without a Cause'. But we all need to explore the roots of our motivation to be the people that we are called to be.

St. Paul, in writing to his friends in Corinth, sets out a double reason for us to be motivated to be fully devoted followers of Jesus. Jesus loves us and He was willing to die for us.

'Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.' (2 Corinthians 5.14-15)

Paul points to the radical change that Jesus brings to those who take up his challenge. Motivated by his love for us, Jesus willingly laid down his life, in order that we might be thoroughly transformed - not living for self, but for Jesus. 

This may look like sacrifice to the outsider. But for those who choose it, this turns out to be the route to true freedom. Set free from a self-indulgent obsession with ourselves, we discover that we are able to serve those around us, following the pattern and example of Jesus.

I find that I regularly need to review my own motivation for living. Too easily, I become bogged down in the daily business of living, and too easily lose my sense of call to be under the controlling love of Jesus. Today is a good day to reset my course, walking with Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

Refreshed and Restored

Last month, my laptop was misbehaving. I was at my wits end to know what to do.

It is only one year old, so hadn't reached the 'terrible twos' experienced by many parents. But nothing I did, that usually sorted out its misbehaviour, seemed to work.

So I followed instructions from Windows Help and first attempted a 'refresh' process, and that made some improvements. I was then driven to restore it, by going back to a 'restore point' from the day before. I have never had to do that before. I was nervous, and wondered what might happen.

The results have been wonderful. All the junk has been cleared out, and behaviour is much improved. I now know what to do the next time it starts to misbehave.

It struck me that this was very much what can happen to us during the season of Lent. I know that my life needs to be refreshed and restored, and wonderfully, that is exactly what Jesus wants to do for us.

In the middle of his ministry, Jesus offered a most amazing series of invitations to the people around him. 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)

Many people I encounter are weary and worn out by the pressures and problems that they face. We take on responsibilities, and then find ourselves stretched to breaking point, and wonder how to survive. It is to people like us that Jesus speaks. He promises to come alongside us, and to share the burden, by being our yoke-partner, just like a pair of oxen pulling a plough. To know that every burden I bear is shared with Jesus makes all the difference. 

For my part, I must be willing to be taught, led and directed by Jesus, so that he is carrying what is too much for me, and I am discovering the deep rest that he alone can bring. Then, like my laptop, I will be refreshed and restored. 

Why not try it for yourself?

Best wishes,

Richard

"Who am I?" - a question of identity

The media are full of information and speculation about what has happened in the life of Mohammad Emwazi to transform him from a student in West London to a notorious killer in IS. 

While many of us have been through crises of identity, as teenagers or later, we are intrigued how this young man has turned out the way he has. The same questions arise whenever there is a terrible mass killing somewhere in the world.

The Bible tells many stories of people who struggle to know their own identity. 

In several stories, names are changed, as people grow into their new God-transformed identity. So Abram becomes Abraham and Jacob become Israel, Simon become Peter and Saul become Paul.

During Lent, we recall that Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness, and Luke & Matthew tell of the challenges he faced from the devil.'During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4.3-4)

The key challenge that comes from the devil are the words,  “If you are the Son of God.' This is a direct attack on Jesus' identity.
As we know, this time in the wilderness came immediately after Jesus had been baptised by his cousin, John, in the Jordan river.

' After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3.16-17)

At the very start of his public ministry, Jesus is reminded most powerfully that he is dearly loved by his heavenly Father, and that he is equipped to live out his calling by the Spirit's presence. Secure in that identity, he was able to face all the challenges that the devil could throw at him. Eventually, his calling would take him to Gethsemane and Calvary, where he willingly laid down his life. But he was secure in his identity, and therefore able to trust his Father's call on his life.

All of Jesus' followers can know the same security that Jesus enjoyed, if we will focus on these facts - 'God loves me and God is with me!' This sets us free to lay down our lives, for the sake of others.

Then, unlike Mohammad Emwazi, who seems to be trying to find himself in his killing of others, we will be able to bring life to those around us, after the pattern of Jesus. What a privilege!

Best wishes,

Richard

What are you looking for?

How are you going to vote in the General Election? What are you looking for?

We can imagine that all those in the political process are looking to get enough votes to shape the future of this country. How they do this is presented to us relentlessly.

For instance, Ed Milliband is suggesting that tuition fees for university students should be reduced, and that the difference might be made up from taxing wealthy pensioners. Most other political parties take a different view. 

Who will pay for the rising costs of health and social care? Will it be from bankers' bonuses or mansions taxes? Again, there are many options, of which we will hear much over the next few weeks.

All these different policies are designed to convince us that one party or another can give us the future we are looking for.

There is a fascinating discussion in John's Gospel, following the feeding of the 5000, in which Jesus tells the crowd to readjust their objectives. 

The crowd is curious to know where Jesus has been, and ask him how he got back to Capernaum. The conversation shows that Jesus is trying to get them to think about more serious matters. 'So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” (John 6.24-27)

Jesus sees that the crowd were just looking at surface issues, such as settling an argument about how he got back to Capernaum, from the scene of the feeding miracle. He notices that they did not understand what the miracle signified. His rebuke  - But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food - is something which strikes home for me, when we seem to spend so much time focusing on the daily business of getting through assorted practical stuff. 

Jesus challenges his hearers and us to raise our sights to a much higher target. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

So today, while there are practical things to be done, and I need to make up my mind about voting in May, my energy should be focused on eternal issues. Or as the Lord's Prayer says, 'Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.

Best wishes,

Richard

Working Together

The £6bn health and social care budget for Greater Manchester is to be taken over by the region's councils and health groups, so reports the BBC today.

Many have been calling for these two warring factions to be brought together, locally and nationally, so that in working together, clients and patients benefit. 

We all wait to see whether these hopeful ideas turn out to become a working reality.

Much in the approaching General Election will be made of this issue.

Jesus spoke much of the need for his followers to learn to be those who are defined as people who are good at working together.

 “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)

Jesus was not just praying for a cosmetic unity, but for deep and costly united identity, which reflects the very character of the God who is seen most clearly in the sent Jesus - sent to serve, live and die.

St. Paul expressed this 'working together' identity in a different way. '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 baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.' (1 Corinthians 12.12-13)

I am very aware that there are many different sorts of Christian churches, and many different sorts of people in these churches. It is all too easy for us to keep ourselves separate from one another, and sadly that is what we often do.

But to be effective in reaching out to those who do not know Jesus, from whatever background, it is increasingly important that we start working together at all levels - praying, planning, serving, caring - so that the world may see Jesus in his compelling attractiveness.

During this Lent, will you pray with me that we see this happen?
Thank you.

Best wishes,

Richard

Band News again!

This week's news has been dismal

When we look at the Russia-Ukraine war and the struggles between the Greek government and the EU, we see nations struggling for dominance or survival.

On top of that, the continuing violence in the Middle East and further afield does not inspire any signs of hope. The summit called by President Obama, addressing the issues of radicalisation among Muslim young people in Europe and the West has been long on analysis and very short of useful strategies.

And then we have the HSBC scandal and the apparent failures of many to do much about it all.

In Jesus' day, he was also surrounded by relentless bad news. 

'About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.' (Luke 13.1) And at a more personal level, we read,' One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.' (Luke 13.10-11)

For most people in Jesus' day, there was little or no good news to be heard. And yet Jesus challenged that perception, and changed that by announcing Good News.

His challenge was not just to make a few things a bit better, but to announce God's rule breaking in. By word and deed, he brought about change. 'When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!' (Luke 13.12-13)

In his stories, he hinted at the growing change which would be experienced. 'Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.” He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13.18-21)

All of us are called to follow Jesus, in challenging the hopelessness of people around us. 

Hope comes from putting our lives in the hands of the King, who was willing to have his hands nailed to a cross, to die and then rise again, as the conqueror of all that would bring bad news to destroy our lives. 

That is quite a change from the relentless bad news we see all around!

Best wishes,

Richard

Getting down to work!

Yesterday, I started a new project! 

The previous residents at our address were not keen gardeners, so they laid large quantities of slate chippings. In order to grow some rewarding fruit, I need to remove the thick layer of slate chippings, so that I can plant fruit bushes. There is plenty to do, and I am hoping local people will want to make use of the slate chippings for their gardens, and so take them away from our garden!

Removing what I don't want is going to be harder than planting what I do want. But this is how it is in our lives as well.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. We are challenged to work towards removing what we don't want - lives blighted by sin and failure - in order to grow to be more like Jesus.

St. Paul often reminded his friends of this basic spiritual battle, which remains with us throughout our lives.

'Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.' (Ephesians 4.21-24)

To be constantly changed, to become more like Jesus, requires our constant cooperation with the Spirit of Jesus. As the song says, 'One day at a time, sweet Jesus.'

May we all engage wholeheartedly with Jesus in this hard work!

Best wishes,

Richard

Beautiful Feet

Many people I know are not impressed with the beauty of their own feet. Wearing ill fitting shoes in the past, in order to fit in with fashions, have often had a terrible effect, leaving their feet mis-shaped and very hard to live with. All this makes walking difficult and painful. Not very beautiful!

But the Bible has an evocative description of people who have beautiful feet, and that without having bothered with expensive pedicures!

'How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
    the news that the God of Israel reigns!' (Isaiah 52.7)

What makes these feet beautiful is not some inherent natural beauty - well shaped and elegant, with proportions right and toes that seem the right length - but what these feet allow the owner to do and say. In those days, all news had to be brought by human agents - with or without the help of animals like horses or camels. All news was brought be people who traveled, possibly long distances, in order to bring the message.

These days, we can use so many different platforms for our messages - from computers, phones, tablets, letters and even human contact. 

Most of our modern ways are very fast - whereas the ancient messengers had to invest lots of time to get their message across.

I am challenged to think of the ways in which I might use any and all of these to bring the good news of peace and salvation.

But I am also challenged to think of the content of the Good News which I am commissioned to share. 'Peace and salvation' isn't on everyone's wish list! Most people I know seem too busy chasing one thing or another - even the retired ones - to find genuine peace. There doesn't seem to be a quick fix for any of this. 

So it may be that the lesson from the text is that we have to walk slowly up mountains and across difficult paths, like messengers of old, to tell the stories of God's good activity in the lives of people like us.  

Best wishes,

Richard