UK banks' retail operations should be "ring-fenced" from their investment banking arms, the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has recommended in its interim report.
The aim is to provide a safe separation between the risky, and previously reckless, casino style banking of the markets, and the boring High Street banking of the old school, run by people like Mr. Mainwaring (Dad's Army!!).
This safe separation is not meant to lead to a break up of the banks, as that is deemed too drastic. That treatment might kill the patient, apparently.
This led me to wonder whether we think we can deal with our own lives in the same way. Can we have one part of our lives where we live to please Jesus, and another part where we think we can get away with a risky and potentially damaging lifestyle? Is it possible to have a safe separation? But what would Jesus say?
'“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.' (Matthew 6.2)
Jesus doesn't see that it is possible to have a mixed economy, as our lives cannot sustain this sort of separation. '“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.' (Matthew 7.15-16a) It is not possible to be both harmless and harmful in the same life.
Today, let us seek to be integrated followers of Jesus, in which all of our life is given over to Him.
Best wishes,
Richard
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Monday, 11 April 2011
Peace or Division?
The African Union are seeking to bring the two sides in Libya together, and to broker a ceasefire. Time will tell whether they have been successful, but the signs are that the rebels will not tolerate any solution that leaves Colonel Gaddafi is charge. Division seems more likely than peace.
In France, while the vast majority from all sections of the country are in favour of the new law banning the wearing of the burqa in public, there will be some who will see this move as divisive. The stated aim is to bring peace and unity.
But Jesus made an astonishing claim, which we don't often take seriously. '“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.' (Matthew 10.34) What is he telling us? Surely Jesus is not telling us to get into fights with others. What about peace-making?
He goes on to reflect on the realities of whole-hearted discipleship. '‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.' (Matthew 10.35-39) These are tough words.
In her sermon yesterday, Chris Harrison pointed out that Jesus is not looking for conditional commitment from us - 'I will follow you if . . . ', or 'I will follow you when . . . '.
He isn't looking for a place in the rankings of our loyalties. He is either first or nowhere - before family, career, popularity or pleasure. That is the challenge he is setting out.
Are we ready for that sort of discipleship? The next 2 weeks, as we take time to read and reflect on the road to the Cross, will show us what He did for us, to deserve such a response from us.
Best wishes,
Richard
In France, while the vast majority from all sections of the country are in favour of the new law banning the wearing of the burqa in public, there will be some who will see this move as divisive. The stated aim is to bring peace and unity.
But Jesus made an astonishing claim, which we don't often take seriously. '“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.' (Matthew 10.34) What is he telling us? Surely Jesus is not telling us to get into fights with others. What about peace-making?
He goes on to reflect on the realities of whole-hearted discipleship. '‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.' (Matthew 10.35-39) These are tough words.
In her sermon yesterday, Chris Harrison pointed out that Jesus is not looking for conditional commitment from us - 'I will follow you if . . . ', or 'I will follow you when . . . '.
He isn't looking for a place in the rankings of our loyalties. He is either first or nowhere - before family, career, popularity or pleasure. That is the challenge he is setting out.
Are we ready for that sort of discipleship? The next 2 weeks, as we take time to read and reflect on the road to the Cross, will show us what He did for us, to deserve such a response from us.
Best wishes,
Richard
Friday, 8 April 2011
Testing, Testing
Over the last week, I have been at 2 conferences during which the sound equipment failed - and new microphones had to be deployed. How embarrassing!
'Testing, Testing' is what people often say to check whether a microphone is working. But the failure of the microphones was also 'Testing, Testing', in the sense that all concerned with the events were in a situation that they didn't choose - it was testing.
The Bible makes much of the fact that we all face testing times.
Things happen which are not of our choosing, and we are left with the consequences. How we respond to testing times will show what sort of people we are.
Moses reminds the people of Israel, after their 40 years in the wilderness, of this process. 'Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.' (Deuteronomy 8.2)
While we are in the midst of the testing desert experience, it is very hard to see what we are learning. But with hindsight - and the Bible gives us that hindsight - we can see how God has been at work in and through the tough testing times. 'For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.' (Deuteronomy 8.4-5)
Maybe you are in the desert, or someone you know is in the desert. I pray that we will all learn to trust the Lord, and not lose sight of his Big and Good Plan for us.
Best wishes,
Richard
'Testing, Testing' is what people often say to check whether a microphone is working. But the failure of the microphones was also 'Testing, Testing', in the sense that all concerned with the events were in a situation that they didn't choose - it was testing.
The Bible makes much of the fact that we all face testing times.
Things happen which are not of our choosing, and we are left with the consequences. How we respond to testing times will show what sort of people we are.
Moses reminds the people of Israel, after their 40 years in the wilderness, of this process. 'Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.' (Deuteronomy 8.2)
While we are in the midst of the testing desert experience, it is very hard to see what we are learning. But with hindsight - and the Bible gives us that hindsight - we can see how God has been at work in and through the tough testing times. 'For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.' (Deuteronomy 8.4-5)
Maybe you are in the desert, or someone you know is in the desert. I pray that we will all learn to trust the Lord, and not lose sight of his Big and Good Plan for us.
Best wishes,
Richard
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Mediation
Today sees a major change in Family Law.
Couples seeking a divorce must now work though the separation with help of the Mediation Service. Apparently, this will lead to much reduced financial costs being incurred, and the long-term family relationships will have much better hopes of being healthy.
When a mediator can bring people together, to solve a difficult problem, the mediator has to represent both sides fairly. With that trust in place, wonderful changes can result.
The New Testament makes much of the role of Jesus, as a Mediator of the New Covenant between God and humans. 'That is why Christ is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.' (Hebrews 9.15)
Hebrews also makes the point that Jesus is the perfect mediator, because he both represents God to us, and because he shares our humanity, he represents us to God. So we have peace with God through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. Living in the light of that makes all the difference to everything that happens to us today. It may be a beautiful day, but this is infinitely more beautiful! I shall seek to live today in thankful worship of his love and mercy.
Best wishes,
Richard
Couples seeking a divorce must now work though the separation with help of the Mediation Service. Apparently, this will lead to much reduced financial costs being incurred, and the long-term family relationships will have much better hopes of being healthy.
When a mediator can bring people together, to solve a difficult problem, the mediator has to represent both sides fairly. With that trust in place, wonderful changes can result.
The New Testament makes much of the role of Jesus, as a Mediator of the New Covenant between God and humans. 'That is why Christ is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.' (Hebrews 9.15)
Hebrews also makes the point that Jesus is the perfect mediator, because he both represents God to us, and because he shares our humanity, he represents us to God. So we have peace with God through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. Living in the light of that makes all the difference to everything that happens to us today. It may be a beautiful day, but this is infinitely more beautiful! I shall seek to live today in thankful worship of his love and mercy.
Best wishes,
Richard
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
No Perfect People Allowed
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
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
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
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