Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving

St. Andrew's Silver Jubilee weekend has been wonderful.

The planning team were supported by plenty of willing volunteers. The weather on Saturday was astonishing. Visitors came from far and near, from the past and the present. The Hog Roast stretched to all who came. The cakes were many and various. And so much more could be said.

As Andy Knowles and others re-told the stories from earlier times, I have realised how much we have for which to thank the Lord.

And being able to recount the goodness of the Lord has reminded me of the privilege it is to be part of our Church.

The prophet Isaiah has a wonderful comment to make as he looks back. 'I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done.

I will rejoice in his great goodness, which he has granted according to his mercy and love. He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” 

And he became their Saviour. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.' (Isaiah 63.7-9)

Life is tough for many people, for many different reasons. Isolation and loneliness are modern diseases which ravage communities. But many have discovered that God is good and loving, and that there is a community where love and mercy are experienced and known, and where forgiveness and a fresh start are possible.

We may all have our own particular favourite memory from the weekend. I was astonished, yesterday, to see the completed cube of duplo bricks, representing the length, depth, height and width of the love of God, put together by our worshipping community. I shall take picture of it today!Amazing!

Best wishes,

Richard

Who has the Power?

It is said that the Emperor Nero played his violin while he watched all Rome burn. He believed that he had ultimate power, so it didn't matter what happened to his city of empire. 

As Lord Acton observed, 'Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely'.

We are so familiar with the abuse of power in our world, whether it is from the rich and exploiting, or violent and destroying. But is that the end of the story?

Not if you know your Bible well enough to know that God is still on his throne, and in Jesus he has dealt with those who have stolen power. 

The Book of Revelation was written to Christians late in the first Christian century who were experiencing the destructive results of power abuse, mostly from the Roman authorities. But they are reminded that God is still sovereign. 'And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder.' (Revelation 4.2-5)

This vision of heaven, with the Lord God Almighty on the throne of the universe, will have brought great comfort to struggling Christians. 

The vision develops, when Jesus makes his entry on the scene. '“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.' (Revelation 5.5-6)

The worship of heaven then takes up a new song. 'And they sang a new song with these words: 

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. 

For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 

And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5.9-10)

Today, in all the mess and muddle of our daily lives, where many things don't work out the way we would want, we need to know that the ultimate power in the universe is held in the nail -pierced hands of Jesus. Knowing that helps me to carry on, trusting Him to make good on every promise.

Best wishes,

Richard

Travel Arrangements

With our Silver Jubilee approaching - tomorrow is the actual 25th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Andrew's Church - many people are finalising their travel arrangements. Inevitably, some plans are modified or amended, and previous ideas are adjusted.

But we are used to that level of flexibility. My own diary for today has been changed because of changing circumstances.

St. Paul found himself in the middle of a serious misunderstanding with the Christian communities in Corinth, when he changed his travel plans. There were some who were trying to belittle Paul in the eyes and hearts of the many in the church, because they believed that these changes of plan showed that Paul was not to be trusted. 

Paul's response is robust. 'You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” (2 Corinthians 1.17-18)

I am struck by Paul's assertion that he isn't fickle and happy to change with the weather. How important it is that Christian people are known to be trustworthy and reliable. Our faithfulness and reliability should be of the same order as God's. Paul is quite aware that people in the world do not live by that standard.

But he goes on to make an astonishing statement about Jesus. 'For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.' (2 Corinthians 1.19-20)

Paul sees a direct connection between what he preaches - Jesus - and the way he lives. And then he states that Jesus is the fulfilment of all the Old Testament and its promises for the future blessing of the people of the world. That is a staggering observation!

So, as followers of Jesus, our future destiny determined by Jesus, in whom all God's promises find their fulfilment.

But this has implications for the details of our ordinary lives too. That includes ordinary stuff like our travel arrangements, or the shopping, work, conversations and everything else we might be doing today.

Have a great day!

Best wishes,

Richard

Famous Last Words

When I was much younger, we used to learn the Famous Last Words of assorted people, including Admiral Nelson. Apparently, before he died, he said, "Kiss me, Hardy!" 

In Shakespeare's play of the same name, Julius Caesar died, saying, "Et tu, Brute!", to his oldest friend, Brutus.

I am currently reading a novel in which the hero spends a lot of his time trying to work what his last words should be in order that they become famous.

I was struck by the last words in John's first letter to the community that he pastored, which was around the city of Ephesus. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.' (1 John 5.21)

Having spent most of the letter addressing the issues of the nature of God and how He loves us, the final warning comes as a bit of a surprise. But on closer thought, this remark takes seriously the astonishing flow of the Bible story, which sees people of all periods of history finding it impossible to keep away from anything that might take God’s place in their hearts.'

Human beings are so easily hooked on something they can see as their latest craze or idol. We so easily become addicted to focusing our attention on stuff or celebrities, or fashions or our own plans and ease. The list is endless.

Hence, the wise old man, who loves his people dearly, ends his letter with this startling warning.

I don't know what habitually replaces God in your affections and desires, but if you are anything like me and the rest of us, you will know where you are vulnerable. 

Like me, therefore, let us choose to have God at the centre of our lives today, and to dethrone all rivals. 

'Down with the idols!' you might want to cry under your breath.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Morning After

Last evening, a dozen members from St. Andrew's joined others in affirming their faith in Jesus publicly, at their Confirmation.

It was a great encouragement to see them do this and to hear words of testimony of how Jesus has brought miraculous change into their lives. 

As with all of us, the task of our being changed isn't over yet, but God is on the case! 

The Bishop reminded us all that disciples of Jesus are called to live their lives for him. Part of that call involves us in seeking to share our faith with others, in order to make further new disciples.

After the exciting public statement of being commitment to Jesus, the morning after feeling may be very different. Life's struggles haven't gone away, and the pressures and problems of modern living will continue to requires attention. How can we cope with these issues? How can we also seek to make disciples while struggling at the same time to cope with our own problems?

Having started out as followers of Jesus, like the early disciples, last night's disciples can take heart from these words from Jesus. 

'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 28.19-20)

In other words, Jesus is going to help us both to love for Him, and to be good advertisements for Him. The infectious attractiveness of Jesus-centred people will have an impact on those who meet them. And every morning after can be the same.

Best wishes,

Richard

New Homes

We all need to live somewhere. 

There doesn't seem to be enough new homes available. Politicians are promoting different ways in which people might find a suitable new home. This issue may become a defining difference in the years ahead.

It is striking that Jesus speaks clearly about where He is going to be at home. 'There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.' (John 14.2-3)

The preparation that is required, so that we can be welcomed into the Father’s home is his sacrificial death on the cross, which will make the way clear for broken people like us to find wholeness and completion.

But that is looking towards eternity.

Jesus also speaks of the way in which He will be at home with us now, as we entrust our lives to Him. 'Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.' (John 14.19-20)

We can understand that Jesus says that He is in his Father - because of their closeness of relationship. 

But when He tells us 'you are in me, and I am in you', this raises our relationship with Him to a different level. 

This means that He has made His new home in us, and we share all of life together.

As I face today's challenges, I am thrilled to know that I am not alone - for my friend Jesus is with me throughout the day.

I hope this brings you encouragement too!
Best wishes,

Richard

The 'Yes-No' Game - the secret of Wisdom

The older ones amongst us may recall the 'Yes-No' game on some TV game show in the black & white days.

But it occurs to me that we all struggle to say 'No!' to some things which we should avoid, and that makes saying 'Yes!' to other things more more difficult. Wise people seem to get it right. In our use of time, getting clogged up with the wrong stuff robs us of the ability to live fruitfully and well. How can we learn?

St. Paul was very clear in his directions to his friends in Ephesus. 'So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.' (Ephesians 5.15-18)

Three times Paul says, 'Don’t'. That is a clear 'No!', and is the mark of the person who is wise. 

There are many proverbs in our culture which tell us the same ting. 'Fools rush in', as the song says, and wonder why things turn out so badly. 'Look before you leap', 'try before you buy', 'count the cost' and so on!

Being wise requires that we act on each of those three 'Don’t' commands.

It takes time and determination to sort out what are the right courses of action. But when we open ourselves to the Spirit's wise and gentle wisdom, we shall find we are changed for the better. And that would be great!
Best wishes,

Richard