Independence

After yesterday's presentation from the Scottish Nationalist Party, the people of Scotland may be beginning to understand what talk of independence may mean. The details are complex and probably poorly understood by most. 

Those presenting the case for rejecting the independence view have a much easier job. Fear of the unknown will drive many to vote 'No' to the independence question.

As Margaret Thatcher famously said, when visiting West Berlin, 'When people are free to choose, they choose to be free'. Might this mean being free to choose to be independent?

The Bible tells the story of many people wanting to establish their own freedom from tyrants and foreign domination. 

Again and again, Jewish people were under the control of Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks or Romans. Their nationalistic aspirations were relentlessly crushed. And yet, perhaps surprisingly, their national identity was shaped by religious laws and cultural taboos. 

St. Paul, writing to the Galatians, reminds them that Jesus has made it possible for us to find true freedom. 'So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.' (Galatians 5.1)

True freedom comes as we learn to break away from religious legalism, and learn to trust Christ to keep us in the right path. 

But that does not mean we can live independently from the good and loving rule of our Creator God. 

There were clearly some in the area of Galatia who thought freedom & independence meant they could live anyway they chose. 'For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Galatians 5.13-14)

Today, we have the opportunity to serve one another, not to be independent of one another. How will that show itself for you?
Best wishes,

Richard

Autumn Harvest

The apples in our garden are still ripening! 

In spite of my best efforts to see whether the apples on our tree are ready for picking, they seem to indicate that they would like to stay on the tree for a bit longer. 

I didn't know that some apples are not ripe until December, but there they are, looking red and shining, happy in their autumnal beauty. And these late ripening apples, one quarter of the whole harvest, remind me that people ripen at different rates too. 

Spiritual maturity isn't something that is determined by age. Something else needs to be going on.

St. Paul, in writing to the new Christians in Colossae, reminds them that developing fruitfulness is something we should expect. 'This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.' (Colossians 1.6)

At our Church Council meeting last evening, we spent some time, in pairs, looking at this verse and the life of our Church. We were looking for signs of fruitfulness, especially in changed lives. It was most encouraging to notice more children in Sunday School, more people coming to worship regularly, more activity in the Coffee Shop, and much else. Some are involved in the Growing Leaders course, and are finding that very helpful.

Because this is God's work, and he is able to bring about real life change even in people like us, we can be thankful to Him, and entrust ourselves to help us all to keep growing towards maturity.

What is the change which you would like God to bring about in your life? Pray for that, and look for ways to join Him in his work. It is never too late to grow towards maturity.

Best wishes,

Richard

Friends or Enemies?

The deal between Iran & the 'West & the Rest' has put the cat among the pigeons. While those involved are very pleased with themselves, both Israel & Saudi Arabia, unlikely bed-fellows, are annoyed with the US, with whom they thought they had a deep and lasting friendship. 

It looks surprisingly like a playground argument, even though we know the issues are much bigger. Friends are falling out and becoming enemies, while enemies look like they might become friends. We shall have to watch this space.

This reminds me of what is at the heart of the Christian understanding of the way that God deals with people like us.

He takes all the necessary steps to turn his enemies into his friends. He takes the initiative, and invites us to benefit from all He has done to change everything. 

St. Paul sets it out as follows. 

'God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.' (Romans 5.8-11)

Paul reminds us that the motivation for this astonishing process is the 'love which drew salvation's plan', as the old song goes! This love is not just some warm and tender feeling, but it leads to costly and sacrificial action. It is startling how often Paul focuses on the death of Jesus - sending Christ to die for us, the blood of Christ, the death of his Son. It will do us well, today and every day, to keep recalling that our new life in Christ comes at a great price. Therefore, today and every day, we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Best wishes,

Richard

What a Day!

Like many others, I recall where I was when I heard the news of the assassination of President Kennedy. In the immediate aftermath, we school boys thought it would lead to a World War, and annihilation.

Like many others, the death of CS Lewis passed me by at the time, though I knew of the Narnia books (my mother read them to us), and had had to read Mere Christianity at school. In the years since, I have come to love his wisdom and clarity.

Looking back 50 years is quite shocking in many respects. 

The world has changed hugely, and many of the fears from those days are thankfully past. The Soviet block has gone, and China is much more open. But the instability in the Muslim world brings plenty of reasons for concern.

How can we face such a changing and fear-inducing world with responsible living? 

Again and again, I find myself drawn to the Psalms, where the writers and poets reflect on their world in the light of their faith in God. 

'Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home! 
Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.' (Psalm 90.1-2)

This Psalm was turned into the hymn, 'O God our help in ages past', by Isaac Watts, which we always sing at Remembrance Sunday.

'Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him. 
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease. 
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armour and protection.' (Psalm 91.1-4)

We do well to recall that God is God, 'through all the changing scenes of life' (which is another favourite hymn, written by Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 34).

Today, I go forth into the day trusting the God who made me and has good purposes for me. That makes all the difference.

Best wishes,

Richard

Gettysberg 150

Abraham Lincoln's short speech, known as the Gettysberg Address, was spoken 150 years ago today. After the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, his speech set out the path for the future unity and democracy of the United States. Again and again, since then, politicians and citizens from around the world have reflected on what he said.

Followers of Jesus and those interested in what he said have reflected on his famous words, especially those that seem to set the agenda for our actions and thoughts. 

In the synagogue on Nazareth, Jesus set out his own agenda, which have become formative for his followers. 'When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, 

that the blind will see, 

that the oppressed will be set free, 

and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.” 

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” (Luke 4.16-21) 

Jesus clearly saw himself as the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises of God's activity to bring change and hope to a broken and hopeless world.

The rest of the Gospel sets out how Jesus engaged with his contemporaries, and how some accepted his invitation, and how some rejected it.

We live in a similar world, and the medicine of the Good News is still needed by those we meet today.

It is startling to think that every generation needs to hear, understand and respond positively to the words of Jesus, for the history itself will not bring about the changes we need.

The same is true, of course, of Abraham Lincoln's words. Great historical oratory needs to be applied and followed in each generation. Otherwise, why bother to remember it?

Best wishes,

Richard

Legacy Issues

Those planning and delivering the London Olympics and Paralympics always hoped that there would be a great legacy from their efforts. A committee of members of the House of Lords wonders whether their dreams will be fulfilled.

It is much easier to talk about making profound changes in the ways the general public might engage with sport at all levels than it is to make it happen. 

We know that from our own lives. 

We may resolve to go to the gym, or to walk more often, or to use the bike, but I wonder what the reality is. For myself, I only seem to manage to go swimming twice a week, which is fewer times than I would like.

Translating words and dreams into action is a struggle we all live with. How can we be changed? 

What legacy will there be from those of us who seek to follow Christ?

It is striking that St. Paul often reminds the young churches to which he writes his letters that God is in the business of changing lives. 

In his letter to the young church in Colossae, Paul says, 'The Good News is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. 

...... the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. 

The way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.' (edited highlights from Colossians 1.6-10)

As we grow to know Jesus better, and learn to live as people of faith shown in active obedience, we will be changed by God. Paul repeatedly uses the idea of fruit growing - which takes months and years to happen. The fruit of Christ-like lives is the legacy that we should expect to see in our lives - in ordinary acts of kindness and patience, mercy and courage.

Best wishes,

Richard

Rebuilding Lives

News stories from the Philippines reveals the extent of the damage and destruction following the typhoon. Whole communities look like so many matchsticks, with people climbing over piles of shattered houses. It will take time to rebuild both homes and lives after the devastating power of this storm.

Friends at Tearfund continue to encourage us to give what we can to enable them to play their part in meeting the needs both for immediate relief and longer-term reconstruction. See the latest link.  http://www.tearfund.org/en/news/philippines_typhoon/

More locally, there are plans drawn up by Woking Borough Council to rebuild the Lakeview Social Centre. Over the last 9 years or so, this centre has been the base for community-building activities, such as youth clubs, toddler groups, IT classes and much else. The new plans propose a two-storey building which will be able to accommodate far more community-building activities. People's lives have already been transformed and rebuilt through what has happened in the past. But we want to do more and better.

In order to get as much local support as possible for this project, the Lakeview Community Action Group, of which I am the Chairman, is planning to deliver a letter to every household on Lakeview, starting tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm. Please join us if you can.

As we know, St. Andrew's Church is about rebuilding the lives of people caught up in the storms of life. It is wonderful to see what God has been doing in recent months.

I often recall the words of Jesus. 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)

In my life, and in the lives of many that I know, Jesus has brought rest, refreshment and renewed life and hope. Each of us needs to be restored and rebuilt, so that we can play our part in rebuilding the lives of those around us. 

Best wishes,

Richard