Market Confidence

Lack of confidence is apparently at the heart of the economic woes being experienced across the world.
Markets are not confident that debts can be repaid or interest payments made, so they raise the cost of borrowing.
Investors have little confidence that they will earn a good return on their risk, so they keep their money safe. This lack of confidence then has costly effects all round the financial cycle.
What a difference is the way the Lord works. If we have confidence in Him, he promises to repay our confidence in wonderful ways.
The prophet Malachi told his hearers that the Lord promises a very good return on investments. 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!' (Malachi 3.10)
When His people trust him, have confidence in His promises, and 'invest' in His work, in whatever way, He promises to multiply their efforts.
It is wonderful to report that so far, the St. Andrew's Day Appeal has raised over £20,000. I have no idea who has given what, but together, the Lord has enabled us to be generous. Please join me in thanking Him for this good sign of our shared commitment to His work.
Jesus gives us a very clear principle, which translates into every area of life. 'Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6.38)
We now look forward to seeing the returns on our investments, in lives and communities changed through encountering Jesus himself.
best wishes,
Richard

The Great Escape

Many of us watched the classic Steve McQueen film, 'The Great Escape' in our youth. The story, the music, the acting and the motorbike stunts all contributed to its appeal. 
Tonight, on Channel 4, the story will be explored again, and found to be even more astonishing. Tragically, most of those who escaped were quickly recaptured, and then shot. It is remarkable what people will do to win their freedom.
Today's elections in Egypt, in a very different setting, show the same determination of people to win freedom from tyranny. As\Margaret Thatcher famously said in East Berlin, "When people are free to choose, they choose to be free."
The whole Bible story is about other great escapes.
Abraham escapes the idolatry of his homeland, in response to the call of the Lord to go to 'The Promised Land'.
Moses and the Israelites escape from bondage in Egypt, to wander in the desert and then arrive in the Promised Land.
Gloriously, Jesus provides the means by which we can enjoy The Great Escape, through his own great escape after death. When Jesus is praying, and is changed in appearance, his disciples see him talking with 2 men. 'And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.' (Luke 9.30-31)
The death & resurrection of Jesus make it possible for us to be free from condemnation and the fear of judgement.
St. Paul describes the difference between our previous prison, and our present freedom. 'For God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.' (Colossians 1.13-14)
So whether you watch Channel 4 this evening, or hum the Great Escape theme tune, today is a day to rejoice in the freedom which Jesus has made available for us.
Best wishes,
Richard

Thanksgiving

My diary tells me that yesterday was 'Thanksgiving Day' in the USA. Giving thanks (to the Lord) for their national survival at this time in the year goes back to the experience of the first 17th Century settlers, but it isn't something deeply embedded in our national DNA. 
By contrast, the British seem to be much more a nation of grumblers, fearful of how the future may turn out.
Christians are people who are called to be thankful in all circumstances. '“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3.17)
St. Paul reminds his friends in Corinth of the reasons for our gratitude. 'You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.' (2 Corinthians 8.9) 
Paul then goes on to link this to the practical business of giving money to support the needs of Christian ministry and care. 'You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.' (2 Corinthians 9.7-8)
As we approach our St. Andrew's Day Appeal, please pray that our giving will be in response to His costly giving, and that we will have much joy in our response.
Best wishes,
Richard

Gossip

You may know the old joke, "I don't gossip, but I can tell you someone who does!" The old form of gossip - literally word of mouth stories shared person to person - still happens. As someone said to me yesterday, 'You know what this estate is like. Stories go round like wild fire, and people believe anything.'
But modern forms of gossip are potentially even more dangerous. Stories and comments on Facebook and Twitter circulate far and wide and very fast. Friendships and families are being ruined daily by comments made in the virtual world. Is there anything we can do?
St. James, obviously writing about the old form of gossip, has some very sharp things to say. 'In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.' (James 3.5,7-8)
It would help us and other people if we spoke less about what we have heard from others. That is hard, as at times, being the first to pass on news gives us a sense of importance. But before we do that, we need to ask three significant questions.
Is it true? We must check the facts in any story.
Is it kind? Even if it true, we are called to be kind to one another.
Is it necessary? Often, we only pass on stories because we don't want to miss out on the buzz that comes from being the bearer of some juicy tale.
May we never have the reputation of being those who destroy reputations by what we say or share over the internet.
Best wishes,
Richard

Growth

The slow or stopped growth of the national economy is a great cause for concern for those who have been used to seeing steady increases in earning power and spending habits.
We almost always consider 'growth' in financial terms, while other dimensions of life are often ignored.
But what about growth in family relationships, or in community cohesion, social responsibility, fairly traded goods and so on?
Could we not become less focused on the 'me, me, me' aspects of life and instead think of how our lives impact others?
Jesus, as usual, is our leader in this. He taught about the way of life that his Father had given for him, and then he lived and died that way. '“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.' (John 10.14-17)
It is has been so encouraging, in recent weeks, to see how people at St. Andrew's have been growing in knowing the Lord Jesus for themselves.
The Confirmation Service last month, and the Christianity Explored Course which has just finished, have both shown people growing in their Christian faith, understanding and experience. This is wonderfully encouraging, and just what Jesus speaks about when he says, 'I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.' When new people join any church, these verses are being fulfilled!
Perhaps today, when we listen to yet more gloomy economic news, we can praise the Lord for the growth that He is producing in the lives of people in our church and area. And maybe we will commit to making that our aim too - to grow to know Jesus better, so that Jesus may be better known!
Best wishes,
Richard

Deja Vu?

What is going on in Cairo looks familiar. Ordinary people are protesting, and the military backed security forces are acting with considerable violence, as both sides did earlier this year. Has anything changed? This is deja vu!
Our present economic and political struggles are also similar, in very many ways, with previous problems. While we often imagine that 'this is new', the underlying features are pretty familiar. Deja vu again!
As one cynic wrote, 'There is nothing new under the sun' (Ecclesiastes 1.9), so that everything that humans do is merely a repeat performance of a previous tragedy.
However, there is another way of seeing the events of history. It is not all deja vu
The prophet Isaiah, writing to demoralised and dispirited Jewish exiles in Babylon, declares, as the mouthpiece of the Lord, ' “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.' (Isaiah 43.18-19)
The something new was to be the rescue of God's people from Babylon through the active agency of a foreign power - the Persians. The return from exile was granted by the new 'king on the block', Cyrus the Mede, in 537BC, after the fall of Babylon.
As we approach Christmas, we can recall that the Lord did something new in the birth of Jesus. Another something new can be seen in the ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The growth of the Church is another something new.
So let us be on the lookout today for other acts of God that are something new, and trust Him with the details of today.
Best wishes,
Richard

Work in Progress

The building work involved with the Elm Bridge improvements have been going on since early February, and they are not yet finished.
I have found it very interesting to see the various stages, and the 'work in progress' has been endlessly changing. But there has been chaos and upset for many - and how some have grumbled!
The latest reason for the grumbles are the car parks at the Leisure Centre, because we all have to walk a bit further than suits some people in a hurry.
However, when all done, it will be great!
I think of the vision that is painted for us in John' Revelation.
It tells us what the future, in God's hands will be like. 'Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
  I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21.1-4)
In the present, we endure the problems of the building site, with upset and pain and innumerable causes of suffering. Because we are living in a 'work in progress', nothing works as it should and everything ends up broken and ruined. But our present experience is not the last word. God has the Last Word, and we can be part of that.
Knowing that gives us reason to press on and endure all that gets thrown at us.
Best wishes,
Richard