Developing Endurance

Paula Radcliffe has had to retire from running. 

This is sad, as she has been such an amazing competitor, facing struggles and injuries, and repeatedly getting up and going on. As an endurance runner, she has shown remarkable endurance over the long haul.

I have been struck by how many of those who are competing in the present Games have commented that this has been their focus for the last 12 years. That cannot be said by those Gold Medal winning swimmers who are only 15 or 16! But competing at this level requires astonishing commitment and training. 

The contrast between the endurance shown by so many serious athletes, artists, musicians and actors and the rest of us who watch and are entertained is striking. Our 'instant' culture hasn't made it easy for us to develop the toughness shown by many in a previous generation.

There is so much in the New Testament reminds us that followers of Jesus are going need to develop endurance and perseverance, if we are to make it to the finishing line. On Sunday, Chris focused on the words from James. 'God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterwards they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.' (James 1.12) St. Paul also made this same point again and again. 'We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.' (Romans 5.3-4)

It seems that the Lord's way to train us to develop endurance and patience is to keep piling on pressures, which we find very uncomfortable. We often pray that the Lord would remove the problems - as it upsets our plans - but in His love for us, He sees that a godly character is more important.

While these weeks may be 'holiday' periods, every day is a chance for us to be be shaped by Jesus. I pray that I will learn what He wants to teach me today.

Best wishes,

Richard

Games Legacy

There has been much talk, and high expectation, that London 2012 will inspire young people to aspire to become something great, whether in sport or in any other field. 

Part of the original bid for the Games carried that determined message. The Opening Ceremony brilliantly carried that commitment, as seven young aspiring athletes were given the privilege of lighting the Olympic flame together. 

Investing in the future is essential, or else there will be not Games Legacy.

Our own Children's Holiday Club, so wonderfully completed yesterday, carried the same hope and desire - that children and young people would be inspired to aspire to become followers of Jesus, and find their lives transformed as they encounter Jesus. We had loads of fun and enjoyed many games and jokes. But our serious determination, as a church and community of Jesus followers, is to invest in work among children and young people. 

Jesus challenged his followers to make a difference, and to reach out to the crowds around. 'Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.” 

But Jesus said, “You feed them.” 

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there. 

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!' (Luke 9.12-17)

What is impossible for us - to have an impact on the lives of children and young people, and meet their deepest needs, is not impossible for Jesus - if we will offer to him the little we have. He can take it and use it to change people for time & eternity. What a legacy that will be.

Best wishes,

Richard

Growth?

I have never seen the comedy film, 'Honey, I shrunk the kids'. 

Some might say that George Osborn should be starring in a new film, 'Sorry, I shrunk the economy'!

The economic results published yesterday show that the last 4 years have seen what some call 'negative growth' - which is code to indicate that the economy has actually shrunk. 

Similarly, some farmers may find that this year they sowed more seed that they are able to harvest. 

Both the Chancellor and farmers can point to external factors for the poor performance in their particular field. The expected growth has been lacking.

Jesus told a brilliant story about a farmer whose results from his sowing were mixed. 

It makes several extremely obvious point - not all seeds produce good results - and it provides both challenge for hearers and encouragement for sowers. 'Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Mark 4.3-9)

Today, all of us may have opportunities to 'plant some seed', by the things we say, and the comments we make about issues in the world around us, or by the random acts of kindness which mark our lives. How those around us respond to the seed which is scattered is not our responsibility. But the story reminds us that there will be some great results, possibly from a minority of those we encounter. But those results will be highly significant. 

Knowing that to be the case, let us continue to spread the seed far & wide!
Every blessing,

Richard

Ready, Steady, Sow!

After the last 2 day's reflections, you may have been expecting 'Ready, Steady, Go!'. 

Today's surprise is that I have changed the phrase from that to 'Ready, Steady, Sow!'

During a wonderful walk last week in the Hampshire countryside, through fields of wheat and barley, I was struck by the long-term forward planning of the farmers. Not know that the weather might have done, they still sowed the seeds, expecting there to be growth and a harvest.

A large proportion of Jesus' parables feature some seed sowing and growing.

“The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”  (Mark 4.26-29)

During the summer holidays, loads of Christian groups run special activities which set out to sow the seed of God's truth and love into the hearts and lives of many children, young people, sports fans, older people and other groups.Hence, 'Ready, Steady, Sow!'

Our own 'On Your Marks' Holiday club started yesterday, and we had a great time with the 30 or so children, and a great team of willing helpers. 

Meanwhile, down in the New Forest, the first Mid Wessex Christian Camp is taking place, under blazing sun and blue shies, with a good group of Goldsworth Park people involved. 

Later this week, others will be off to Dorset for another children's holiday, and then will come Soul Survivor and so on. 

While our role may be like the farmer, sowing seed, the growth comes from the Lord of the Harvest. So please pray that all that takes place will lead to effective and long-lasting growth in the lives of all involved.

Every blessing,

Richard

Steady!

Yesterday, my theme was 'Ready?' Today, it is 'Steady!' You might guess what tomorrow might be about.

As the racers are getting ready to launch themselves into their activity, there has to be a pause, when they learn to be steady. Many a false start has happened when the over-eager start too soon. Their aim is to get some advantage over their fellow competitors, but they may end up being disqualified altogether. Even the mighty Usain Bolt suffered that indignity.

So, being steady, before activity is essential.

The Bible makes this message very clear.

In Psalm 1, the contrast between the faithful righteous and the rootless wicked in made plain. 

Those who don't bother with God are described: They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. (Psalm 1.4)

By contrast, those who choose be close to God are stable and steady. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1.3)

The contrast is obvious, and it all comes back to having deep and nourished roots, which draw up the life of God into our own weak & feeble lives. 'they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. (Psalm 1.2)

St. Paul describes what we should be like, if we are deeply rooted and steady in our Christian lives. I find it to be a most challenging image.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.' (Ephesians 4.14-16)

Steady Christians are stable and fruitful Christians, not easily swayed and diverted by apparently new ideas. We all have a part to play in helping this process to develop.
Best wishes,

Richard

Ready?

Are you ready?
Ready for what?

The countdown to the opening of the Olympic Games is everywhere in most of the media. Even people not interested in all things sporting may have noticed! 

This week, at Church, we are running the Children's Holiday Club, with the title, 'On Your Marks!', which is how people used to get ready for old fashioned races.

But 'getting ready' is a major theme of the Bible.

For instance, John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus, with his preaching and activities in the Judean desert.

In his first letter, St. Peter reminds followers of Jesus that we must always be ready to be bold and confident witnesses, as we heard yesterday. 'And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.' (1 Peter 3.15b-16a)

Having a clear and concise explanation of our Christian faith is likely to require some careful thinking and practice. But the same is true for the athletes and others involved in the Olympic Games. Those who are ready are those who have prepared carefully.

We can be ready, as Peter tells us, if we think and pray about what we might actually say, when someone asks us, 'Why are you a Christian?' What would you say? What would you say about how Jesus has made a difference in your life? And how would you tell the story of his death & resurrection?

I pray that we will all learn to be ready, when such life-transforming moments come along.

Best wishes,

Richard

Climate Change

With the weather set for a change, from cold & wet to warmer and drier, we may think we have endured the worst. Maybe we are all dreaming of a lovely summer holiday period, with barbecues and outdoor parties and so on.

But wise heads are suggesting that 'we ain't seen nothing yet', as the effects of human-induced climate change bring more unsettled and severe weather in future.

As I wrote last week, we must be prepared to live as people who trust the Lord, 'whatever the weather'.

In ancient Israel, where of course the weather was usually hot and dry, with season rains coming in spring and autumn, the prophets were alert to interpreting the weather as the Lord's way of speaking to his people. In Elijah's time, there was a 3 year drought, as judgement on the wickedness of King Ahab, and his even worse wife, Jezebel.

In Hosea's time, however, the Lord promises a wonderful change in the lives of his people, when they learn to trust Him.

Early in his ministry, Hosea describes Israel's love for their Lord in graphic terms. First, the people declare their desire to put things right, with their own repentance. But the Lord sees through their shallow response.

Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”   

“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.' (Hosea 6.3-4).

But later in his ministry, Hosea brings more hopeful promise from the Lord, again linking this to their experience of altered weather patterns. 'The Lord says,

“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.
⁵ I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily;  it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.' (Hosea 14.4-5) 

Today, whatever the weather, may we know the deep refreshing love of the Lord. 

Best wishes, Richard