Did you hear about the notice outside a church building, which said, 'Only sinners welcome here!' ? Apparently, some of the regulars were most upset, as they mistakenly believed that they were better than those who didn't ever attend.
Much more engaging as a description of a church's welcome policy, and more in line with the approach of Jesus, is 'No Perfect People Allowed'. If that is true, then there is hope for everyone.
Jesus was often criticised for hanging out with the wrong crowd. 'Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!' (Luke 15.1,2)
Earlier in the story, Jesus had been attacked for the company he kept. 'But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark 2.16-17)
One of the dangers in 'religious circles' is that many people feel they must try to appear better than they are -as though we were in a moral beauty contest. But the Gospels show us that while we cannot deceive Jesus, nor should we try to deceive one another. It is much better for us all if we live by the maxim, 'No Perfect People Allowed', knowing that God's mercy meets all who turn to Him.
Great news.
Best wishes,
Richard
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Healthy Choices
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley says ministers will "pause" for consultation on a planned NHS shake-up in England - amid claims the policy is in "chaos". Some will see this as a healthy choice for the NHS. A pause for thought looks like a wise choice
Time seems to be needed in most walks of life to arrive at wise solutions to difficult problems. But our culture doesn't seem to be good on spending time on important matters. We would rather rush ahead and hope that the wheels don't come.
When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we can see that he was often very busy. 'One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.' (Mark 3.20) But he also took time to pray - when he could be away from people. 'Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.' (Mark 1.35)
I have to keep recalling that unless my spiritual roots are deeply nourished - which takes time - then my whole life will shrivel up and die!
I notice that I make sure I get up early on some mornings, in order to take exercise (swimming!). If I don't get up early, the exercise doesn't happen.
And if I don't make time - a healthy choice - praying and reflection doesn't happen either. I guess most of us have the same struggles!
Lets choose wisely for the sake of the health of our souls.
Best wishes,
Richard
Time seems to be needed in most walks of life to arrive at wise solutions to difficult problems. But our culture doesn't seem to be good on spending time on important matters. We would rather rush ahead and hope that the wheels don't come.
When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we can see that he was often very busy. 'One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.' (Mark 3.20) But he also took time to pray - when he could be away from people. 'Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.' (Mark 1.35)
I have to keep recalling that unless my spiritual roots are deeply nourished - which takes time - then my whole life will shrivel up and die!
I notice that I make sure I get up early on some mornings, in order to take exercise (swimming!). If I don't get up early, the exercise doesn't happen.
And if I don't make time - a healthy choice - praying and reflection doesn't happen either. I guess most of us have the same struggles!
Lets choose wisely for the sake of the health of our souls.
Best wishes,
Richard
Friday, 1 April 2011
April Fool!
Are you going to be an April Fool? Or will you spot the pranks and tricks being played today?
I will be listening to (and watching) news programmes looking out for clever 'April Fool' pranks. There was one on the Today programme before Thought for the Day, all about binaural radio, which sounded very like stereo sound!
The history of All Fools Day can be researched on Wikipedia, if you want to find out more!
In the Old Testament, the Psalmist is very clear that there are some people who deserve the title of fool. 'Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14.1) If we think that is a bit tough, the compiler of the Psalms (whoever that might have been!) repeats, word for word, that early psalm in Psalm 53. 'Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53.1)
One of Jesus' most memorable parables is usually called the Rich Fool, though one of my tutors at Theological College always called it The Poor Fool! This is all about the farmer who kept on building bigger and better, in order to store his increasing wealth. 'I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12.18-21)
These stark words from Jesus should be enough to make us reassess our attitudes towards possessions and wealth. But even the recent financial crisis hasn't done much to stop most of us being obsessed with things and money and stuff. Maybe the wisest thing we can do today it to look again at our relationship with God. Are we rich there, or poor? What will be we do about it? What needs to change?
Don't be an April Fool!
Best wishes,
Richard
I will be listening to (and watching) news programmes looking out for clever 'April Fool' pranks. There was one on the Today programme before Thought for the Day, all about binaural radio, which sounded very like stereo sound!
The history of All Fools Day can be researched on Wikipedia, if you want to find out more!
In the Old Testament, the Psalmist is very clear that there are some people who deserve the title of fool. 'Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14.1) If we think that is a bit tough, the compiler of the Psalms (whoever that might have been!) repeats, word for word, that early psalm in Psalm 53. 'Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53.1)
One of Jesus' most memorable parables is usually called the Rich Fool, though one of my tutors at Theological College always called it The Poor Fool! This is all about the farmer who kept on building bigger and better, in order to store his increasing wealth. 'I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12.18-21)
These stark words from Jesus should be enough to make us reassess our attitudes towards possessions and wealth. But even the recent financial crisis hasn't done much to stop most of us being obsessed with things and money and stuff. Maybe the wisest thing we can do today it to look again at our relationship with God. Are we rich there, or poor? What will be we do about it? What needs to change?
Don't be an April Fool!
Best wishes,
Richard
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Front Line
Where is the Front Line, when we think about the police?
Will the police be able to deliver the service we expect from them, if the 20% cuts are implemented? The BBC reports that 'The chief inspector of constabulary says some police forces in England and Wales will struggle to make cuts without losing front line officers.' Of course, the argument will then move to agreeing who are the front line officers! How can the front line work efficiently, without adequate support and wise deployment? Those who make the big policy statements seldom seem to work out the details, and then we all wonder why things don't work our well.
In other areas of public service, the same arguments apply. In the Health Service and in education, the emphasis is on those delivering the front line service. It is assumed by many that only those on the front line are being useful. I doubt if this is true. Others are playing their part too.
Turning my thoughts to followers of Jesus, where is the Front Line? And who is serving on the Front Line? Who are full-time Christians, and who are the part-timers?
Just asking the questions identifies the difficulties which arise from this thinking.
When Jesus spoke of his followers as salt and light, he addresses this issue.
'“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. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.' (Matthew 5.13-14)
The point is that salt does not suddenly stop being salty - its nature stays the same, whatever the context. Unless it is salty, it is useless. And the lights that Jesus was talking about didn't have an on-off switch. The light was shining because it is light.
So, all followers of Jesus are on the front line today and every day. There is no such things as an off duty Christian. At no time in the day is it safe for us to think we can let down our guard, and be ourselves. Every moment requires us to keep close to Jesus. That is quite a challenge. Are you up for it?
Best wishes,
Richard
Will the police be able to deliver the service we expect from them, if the 20% cuts are implemented? The BBC reports that 'The chief inspector of constabulary says some police forces in England and Wales will struggle to make cuts without losing front line officers.' Of course, the argument will then move to agreeing who are the front line officers! How can the front line work efficiently, without adequate support and wise deployment? Those who make the big policy statements seldom seem to work out the details, and then we all wonder why things don't work our well.
In other areas of public service, the same arguments apply. In the Health Service and in education, the emphasis is on those delivering the front line service. It is assumed by many that only those on the front line are being useful. I doubt if this is true. Others are playing their part too.
Turning my thoughts to followers of Jesus, where is the Front Line? And who is serving on the Front Line? Who are full-time Christians, and who are the part-timers?
Just asking the questions identifies the difficulties which arise from this thinking.
When Jesus spoke of his followers as salt and light, he addresses this issue.
'“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. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.' (Matthew 5.13-14)
The point is that salt does not suddenly stop being salty - its nature stays the same, whatever the context. Unless it is salty, it is useless. And the lights that Jesus was talking about didn't have an on-off switch. The light was shining because it is light.
So, all followers of Jesus are on the front line today and every day. There is no such things as an off duty Christian. At no time in the day is it safe for us to think we can let down our guard, and be ourselves. Every moment requires us to keep close to Jesus. That is quite a challenge. Are you up for it?
Best wishes,
Richard
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Deadly Virus
Richard Dawkins and his friends have made much, in their attacks on religion, claiming that its effect on society is like that of a deadly virus. Their selective use of evidence, together with their misunderstanding of what practical faithful living looks like provides them with much material to use. And there are strands of recent legislation which seem to suggest that people of religious convictions need to be kettled, like violent protesters in recent demonstrations.
And elsewhere in the world, many Christian people are under pressure from governments and cultures which attack them in direct or indirect ways.
The infamous Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan have been used by unscrupulous individuals and movements to threaten and kill many from minority communities, including Christians.
How should Christians respond under this pressure?
Jesus teaches us an amazing response. '“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.' (Matthew 5.43-45)
So praying for those who make life difficult should be our first response.
The writer to the Hebrews gives some practical instruction, too. 'Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.' (Hebrews 13.3)
Many of us can also do something to raise awareness of the issues, by signing petitions, writing to political leaders and making the case for justice according to international standards, such as the United Nations Declaration of Human rights.
In these ways, we can shine like lights in our world, as St. Paul encourages us to do. 'Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.' (Philippians 2.13-14)
In these ways, we can live lives which bring health and strength to our muddled and complex world.
Best wishes,
Richard
And elsewhere in the world, many Christian people are under pressure from governments and cultures which attack them in direct or indirect ways.
The infamous Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan have been used by unscrupulous individuals and movements to threaten and kill many from minority communities, including Christians.
How should Christians respond under this pressure?
Jesus teaches us an amazing response. '“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.' (Matthew 5.43-45)
So praying for those who make life difficult should be our first response.
The writer to the Hebrews gives some practical instruction, too. 'Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.' (Hebrews 13.3)
Many of us can also do something to raise awareness of the issues, by signing petitions, writing to political leaders and making the case for justice according to international standards, such as the United Nations Declaration of Human rights.
In these ways, we can shine like lights in our world, as St. Paul encourages us to do. 'Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.' (Philippians 2.13-14)
In these ways, we can live lives which bring health and strength to our muddled and complex world.
Best wishes,
Richard
Monday, 28 March 2011
Astonishing Growth
I have never seen it before!
In just over a week, a vast edible mushroom has grown on my windowsill.
It started when I bought a mushroom-growing kit 2 weeks ago. From a 'standing start', and with daily water-spraying, this large and ugly, but potentially delicious, fruit has emerged. The next question will be when do we eat it!
What has been astonish has been the rate of growth of this fungus. We have all probably seen the astonishing way in which toadstools in the wild (or the garden) emerge in autumn. With the right conditions, the growth rate is astonishing.
Jesus told stories about this sort of thing. He doesn't speak of mushrooms or toadstools, but of another fungus, yeast, in bread-making.
'He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13.33)
When comparing the yeast (a tiny amount) with the flour (a huge batch), Jesus is making the point that He expects astonishing growth in the impact brought about by his followers. Given the right conditions, it is natural for fungi to reproduce at a great rate. For fungi, the right conditions include dampness and the right temperature.
What are the right conditions for us to grow in influence and effectiveness in our day?
I guess, as Chris reminded us yesterday, we need a Christ-focus and connection, and the attitude of letting Jesus to work in us and through us in every situation. As we have heard often, the world is watching and hoping to see the life of God on view amongst ordinary people like us. That is very attractive.
I am praying that we help set the right conditions for astonishing growth to happen in and through us - to the glory of God.
Best wishes,
Richard
In just over a week, a vast edible mushroom has grown on my windowsill.
It started when I bought a mushroom-growing kit 2 weeks ago. From a 'standing start', and with daily water-spraying, this large and ugly, but potentially delicious, fruit has emerged. The next question will be when do we eat it!
What has been astonish has been the rate of growth of this fungus. We have all probably seen the astonishing way in which toadstools in the wild (or the garden) emerge in autumn. With the right conditions, the growth rate is astonishing.
Jesus told stories about this sort of thing. He doesn't speak of mushrooms or toadstools, but of another fungus, yeast, in bread-making.
'He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13.33)
When comparing the yeast (a tiny amount) with the flour (a huge batch), Jesus is making the point that He expects astonishing growth in the impact brought about by his followers. Given the right conditions, it is natural for fungi to reproduce at a great rate. For fungi, the right conditions include dampness and the right temperature.
What are the right conditions for us to grow in influence and effectiveness in our day?
I guess, as Chris reminded us yesterday, we need a Christ-focus and connection, and the attitude of letting Jesus to work in us and through us in every situation. As we have heard often, the world is watching and hoping to see the life of God on view amongst ordinary people like us. That is very attractive.
I am praying that we help set the right conditions for astonishing growth to happen in and through us - to the glory of God.
Best wishes,
Richard
Friday, 25 March 2011
Free Advertising
Free advertising is usually welcome.
George Osborne was presented with a wonderful free gift yesterday, as Sir Martin Sorrell of the world's biggest advertising agency, WPP, reckoned that the Budget had provided enough incentives for his company to move from Dublin, back to London.
The government will no doubt say that if their policies are good for WPP then the rest of us had better take note. The fact is that most of us are not worried about levels of corporation tax for international companies, but are more concerned over next winter's fuel allowance for the over 60s!
But the New Testament indicates many ways in which we can be part of a much more significant free advertising campaign.
Jesus tells his friends, '“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.13-16)
The light is not shining in order to get praise and publicity. People who are living lives that show the love and courage of Jesus are not being like that because they want praise - or that should not be their motivation! Instead, Christ-like lives are their own advertising - as God works the miracles in people like us. So today, all of us have the chance to point to Jesus - and He will make the most of what we have to offer.
Best wishes,
Richard
George Osborne was presented with a wonderful free gift yesterday, as Sir Martin Sorrell of the world's biggest advertising agency, WPP, reckoned that the Budget had provided enough incentives for his company to move from Dublin, back to London.
The government will no doubt say that if their policies are good for WPP then the rest of us had better take note. The fact is that most of us are not worried about levels of corporation tax for international companies, but are more concerned over next winter's fuel allowance for the over 60s!
But the New Testament indicates many ways in which we can be part of a much more significant free advertising campaign.
Jesus tells his friends, '“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.13-16)
The light is not shining in order to get praise and publicity. People who are living lives that show the love and courage of Jesus are not being like that because they want praise - or that should not be their motivation! Instead, Christ-like lives are their own advertising - as God works the miracles in people like us. So today, all of us have the chance to point to Jesus - and He will make the most of what we have to offer.
Best wishes,
Richard
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