What connects the following? A computer screen, people, sport, clouds, birds, Strictly ....!
The answer is that we all watch these - in varying amounts each day or week. We spend a great deal of life watching people or events and much else.
How well do we watch? Do we watch for entertainment, information, as part of our work, or to make a difference in the world?
Jesus was clearly very observant about people and nature, and spent much of his teaching using illustrations for his observations. He was good at watching.
So was Jeremiah, the prophet in Jerusalem in about 600BC.
Soon after he receives his commission, we read of this fascinating exchange. 'Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?”
And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.”
And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.”
Then the Lord spoke to me again and asked, “What do you see now?”
And I replied, “I see a pot of boiling water, spilling from the north.” (Jeremiah 1.11-13)
We may wonder what this is all about.
The footnotes tell us that the Hebrew for 'almond tree' sounds like 'watching'. The pot spilling from the north is more obvious.
But as Jeremiah saw and watched what was going on around him, so he learned that the Lord was watching too.
In our own day, we can be watching people and events, and asking the Lord to make things clear to us, so that we too can make sense of what we watch. Then, like Jeremiah or Jesus, we can speak and live in step with the Lord.
Best wishes with your watching today.
Richard
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Very Revealing
The 4 biggest internet providers (BT, Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk) are going to make it possible for people to opt out of watching pornography on the internet. This will be hailed by some politicians as making a great change. But will it?
Following a report by the Mothers Union (a Church of England voluntary group), Bye Buy Childhood
The proportion of pornography on the internet is staggering. 125 of all websites contains pornography, and it is estimated that 90% of 8-16 year olds have accessed pornography while 'doing homework'.
There are steps we can all take, not relying on the help of internet providers.
Jesus warned us about the power of thoughts and images. 'I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.' (Matthew 5.28-29)
He also warned us about the responsibility we all share in caring for children. 'One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! (Luke 17.1-2)
My prayer is that we can live conspicuously different lives, by what we value and by how we behave. That would be very revealing.
Best wishes,
Richard
Following a report by the Mothers Union (a Church of England voluntary group), Bye Buy Childhood
http://www.themothersunion.org/byebuychildhood.aspx, about the commercialisation and sexualisation of children, the Government promised to act. But these actions now promised are themselves very revealing, as they amount to little or no change at all.
The proportion of pornography on the internet is staggering. 125 of all websites contains pornography, and it is estimated that 90% of 8-16 year olds have accessed pornography while 'doing homework'.
There are steps we can all take, not relying on the help of internet providers.
Jesus warned us about the power of thoughts and images. 'I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.' (Matthew 5.28-29)
He also warned us about the responsibility we all share in caring for children. 'One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! (Luke 17.1-2)
My prayer is that we can live conspicuously different lives, by what we value and by how we behave. That would be very revealing.
Best wishes,
Richard
Monday, 10 October 2011
Partnership
In Government circles, talk of partnership brings mixed responses. They know they are in a coalition, but many might prefer to be one their own.
In many other situations, the problems of partnerships seem to outweigh the benefits. Watching the Europe's governments wonder how to address the financial problems of Greece and others shows how hard t is working with may partners.
But it seems to me that deeply embedded in the way the Lord works is partnership based. Thus, as humans we are called to work in partnership with others, and most astonishingly, we are called to be partners with the Lord himself.
'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, baptising 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)
We may be so familiar with these verses that we are not shocked by what they say. But we might have expected the risen Jesus to say - All authority is mine, as I have single-handedly conquered sin & death. So I will now, single-handedly, go on to win the world'.
But he doesn't.
He calls us into partnership with Himself, to change the world, one person at a time. What a privilege!
Pray that he will help you with your partnership with Him and others today.
Best wishes,
Richard
In many other situations, the problems of partnerships seem to outweigh the benefits. Watching the Europe's governments wonder how to address the financial problems of Greece and others shows how hard t is working with may partners.
But it seems to me that deeply embedded in the way the Lord works is partnership based. Thus, as humans we are called to work in partnership with others, and most astonishingly, we are called to be partners with the Lord himself.
'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, baptising 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)
We may be so familiar with these verses that we are not shocked by what they say. But we might have expected the risen Jesus to say - All authority is mine, as I have single-handedly conquered sin & death. So I will now, single-handedly, go on to win the world'.
But he doesn't.
He calls us into partnership with Himself, to change the world, one person at a time. What a privilege!
Pray that he will help you with your partnership with Him and others today.
Best wishes,
Richard
Friday, 7 October 2011
Life & Death
The death of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers, and the man behind all the remarkably innovative iThings, has produced some astonishing responses. This is partly because of his own very public statements about his attitude towards his approaching death. Not many people are as candid nor as courageously wise about difference our certain death should make to our lives.
In a culture which prefers to talk of 'passing' or 'slipping away', his openness about death was refreshing. Much of this may have had its roots in his Buddhist faith and practices.
St. Paul had a pretty startling view of life and death too. 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.' (Philippians 1.21-24)
None of us knows how long we may live from today. We often think that 'one day' I will decide to make the good choices which will shape my life - but not yet! But unless we live for Jesus from today, deliberately and courageously, then we are wasting our lives and we will end up with regrets and sorrow. Today is the day to choose the right choices - because we may never have a better opportunity.
Best wishes,
Richard
In a culture which prefers to talk of 'passing' or 'slipping away', his openness about death was refreshing. Much of this may have had its roots in his Buddhist faith and practices.
St. Paul had a pretty startling view of life and death too. 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.' (Philippians 1.21-24)
None of us knows how long we may live from today. We often think that 'one day' I will decide to make the good choices which will shape my life - but not yet! But unless we live for Jesus from today, deliberately and courageously, then we are wasting our lives and we will end up with regrets and sorrow. Today is the day to choose the right choices - because we may never have a better opportunity.
Best wishes,
Richard
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Living Well
The Chief Executive of Sainsbury's was talking about their slogan - Live well for less - which is part of their response to the difficult times we all face. The Prime Minister will try to give a rallying call today to the nation (and his party) as we face tough times. he will tell us all to cut our debts, and learn to live responsibly!
Over the years, by contrast, we were encouraged to borrow and spend (so that the banks could get rich at our expense!). Now we are told that we have to swallow the medicine that tries to address the disease of our own greed.
St. Paul has a different remedy to our greed and different recipe for living well. '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)
Paul describes someone changing their clothes - throw off your old nature and put on your new nature - which would have been symbolised in the way baptisms were carried out in those days. The newly baptised would emerge from the water and be given a new white robe or towel, marking the spiritual change that coming to Jesus had brought about.
Merely telling us that we should be living better doesn't help us. But with God's Spirit teaching us and giving us new thoughts and attitudes can help us to show our God-given new nature in living well. What a powerful message this is! I am asking the Lord to help me to live like this today.
Best wishes,
Richard
Over the years, by contrast, we were encouraged to borrow and spend (so that the banks could get rich at our expense!). Now we are told that we have to swallow the medicine that tries to address the disease of our own greed.
St. Paul has a different remedy to our greed and different recipe for living well. '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)
Paul describes someone changing their clothes - throw off your old nature and put on your new nature - which would have been symbolised in the way baptisms were carried out in those days. The newly baptised would emerge from the water and be given a new white robe or towel, marking the spiritual change that coming to Jesus had brought about.
Merely telling us that we should be living better doesn't help us. But with God's Spirit teaching us and giving us new thoughts and attitudes can help us to show our God-given new nature in living well. What a powerful message this is! I am asking the Lord to help me to live like this today.
Best wishes,
Richard
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Guilty or not?
Amanda Knox prepares to fly home to the US after she and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were cleared of murdering the British student Meredith Kercher. The court has declared her innocent of that crime. The Knox family are obviously delighted, while the Kercher family continue to mourn the death of their daughter.
There has been so much publicity around this case that it is hard to realise that this is not a TV drama, but real life.
At all levels of public life, questions are asked about the guilt of people, ranging from England's rugby players, Premier league footballers, and politicians, to bankers, tax exiles, Russian billionaires and so on. Many hours of discussion and debate ask where guilt or responsibility lies. It seems to matter to us to know what makes someone else guilty or innocent.
But most of us do not live under the scrutiny of the press, and so we may think that how we behave doesn't matter too much. We may happily apply less stringent standards to ourselves, often justifying our own bad behaviour by assuming we are the special case.
The Psalmist had a different view. He knows that none of us is innocent, yet he finds mercy from the God who made him. 'The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. (Psalm 103.8-10)
To know that I am guilty, but have been graciously forgiven, leads me to want to live a different sort of life - being generous and hopeful for all that I meet today.
Best wishes,
Richard
There has been so much publicity around this case that it is hard to realise that this is not a TV drama, but real life.
At all levels of public life, questions are asked about the guilt of people, ranging from England's rugby players, Premier league footballers, and politicians, to bankers, tax exiles, Russian billionaires and so on. Many hours of discussion and debate ask where guilt or responsibility lies. It seems to matter to us to know what makes someone else guilty or innocent.
But most of us do not live under the scrutiny of the press, and so we may think that how we behave doesn't matter too much. We may happily apply less stringent standards to ourselves, often justifying our own bad behaviour by assuming we are the special case.
The Psalmist had a different view. He knows that none of us is innocent, yet he finds mercy from the God who made him. 'The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. (Psalm 103.8-10)
To know that I am guilty, but have been graciously forgiven, leads me to want to live a different sort of life - being generous and hopeful for all that I meet today.
Best wishes,
Richard
Monday, 3 October 2011
Dangerous Influences
Greece is having at startling effect on our lives - some we like and others we fear.
This astonishingly warm weather has its origins in the area of Greece & Turkey. We are enjoying this influence. But then Greek finances are appearing to drown the world's financial markets in despair, and the results are deeply dangerous to our chosen lifestyles.
Out difficulty is that we cannot pick and choose the influences to which we are subject. We can choose how to react to those influences. And in response, we can choose to build our lives on values and loyalties which have lasting significance.
Jesus illustrated this in his Sermon of the Mount. '“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?' (Matthew 6.25-26)
The winds of fashion blow all around us - influencing the way we think and behave. Watching an episode of the X factor over the weekend, again and again the contestants said - presumably set up by their interviewers - 'This is the most important day of my life. I really want this, as it will change my life for ever. If I fail, I will have to return to a terrible life.' All watching this deadly diet will find themselves believing the same drivel, and will be be increasingly driven by materialistic dream and hopes. But we can discover that our true value comes from being loved and nourished by our Father's care. What influences your life?
Thanks the Lord for his care for us.
Best wishes,
Richard
This astonishingly warm weather has its origins in the area of Greece & Turkey. We are enjoying this influence. But then Greek finances are appearing to drown the world's financial markets in despair, and the results are deeply dangerous to our chosen lifestyles.
Out difficulty is that we cannot pick and choose the influences to which we are subject. We can choose how to react to those influences. And in response, we can choose to build our lives on values and loyalties which have lasting significance.
Jesus illustrated this in his Sermon of the Mount. '“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?' (Matthew 6.25-26)
The winds of fashion blow all around us - influencing the way we think and behave. Watching an episode of the X factor over the weekend, again and again the contestants said - presumably set up by their interviewers - 'This is the most important day of my life. I really want this, as it will change my life for ever. If I fail, I will have to return to a terrible life.' All watching this deadly diet will find themselves believing the same drivel, and will be be increasingly driven by materialistic dream and hopes. But we can discover that our true value comes from being loved and nourished by our Father's care. What influences your life?
Thanks the Lord for his care for us.
Best wishes,
Richard
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