The angels went to Shepherds first. Shepherds. We have some rose-tinted concepts of shepherding - images of sweet, clean sheep and luscious grass. However, these guys are likely to have been real down and outs, really disconnected - really socially unacceptable.

Which made me think (as it does) of Shameless. I don't necessarily endorse all the shenanigans of the characters on the Chatsworth estate, but they represent a very real corner of our society, which in the Americanised version are best described as 'trailer-trash'. The middle-class church avoids gazing overlong in their direction...but God does not.

On the flip side, I am mindful that much of my last few months is concerned with meeting important influencers in colleges. And then we have the Queen's New Years honours list published today. With the announcements comes the opportunity to meet the sovereign herself. In the U.S. I'm confident invitations to hang out with the President are few and far between!

And here is the AMAZING truth of this season - despite the glitz and commercialism. God deigned to be born into a scene of poverty, and then reaches out to share this occasion with those regarded as beneath most classes - the Shepherds.

God has absolutely no agenda - he cares not for status or ability or achievements or odour or respectibility. He is foremost a God for all.

As we approach the New Year I wonder whether my human relations have caused me to ignore the enormity of this openness on God's part. Each and every day I am invited, not to the crib, but into the presence of the risen and ascended King - our Lord Jesus. Can you imagine, or even get your head round this?

Furthermore, as I think back over the last 12 months I am filled increasingly (certainly it gets greater each year) with a sense of shame and regret. There are so many times when I did not be all I could be. Why did I not avail myself of God's presence, his time, and his wisdom?

This coming year I want the invitation to the Shepherds to stay with me, to remind me that THIS DAY a Saviour is waiting to be with me, speak with me and dispense his advice, guidance and strength.

Happy New Year!!

Wise and cheerful Hugh

Today is the lesser festival of the intriguing character, Hugh of Lincoln.

There are two excellent (and brief) entries on Hugh on wikipedia and britannia biographies, which shed some light on his story and personality.
One particular excerpt jumped out at me:

"As a bishop he was exemplary, constantly in residence or travelling within his
diocese, generous with his charity, scrupulous in the appointments he made. He raised the quality of education at the cathedral school. Hugh was also prominent in trying to protect the Jews, great numbers of whom lived in Lincoln, in the persecution they suffered at the beginning of Richard I's reign, and he put down popular violence against them in several places."

The articles also alude to his diplomatic tact, allied to his gentle humour, which enabled him to have a close relationship with the English monarch. Indeed, at one point he is recorded to have playfully shook Richard I to thaw a bad temper. With the best will in the world, deference and decorum make me surmise our own archbishop is unlikely to have a similar relationship with our monarch! Hugh is also portrayed as a caring bishop who tended to the young, the sick and the old (and the dead!). He had a fierce sense of justice, which impelled him to risk his own life in the defence of Jews.

Today's readings are supplemented with 1 Timothy 6:11-16, in which Paul adjures Timothy to pursue: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Godliness, God-like-ness, might also be rendered Christ-like-ness. In Christ we are made holy and righteous, and we are to daily pursue this, knowing the condition of our hearts. But we move on from this to our lifestyle and our attitudes. Christ came to serve. I too am called to a life of service - to the rich, the poor, the sick, the imprisoned.

In Hugh we see practical examples of what this might still look like for us. Hugh saw himself as a servant of God's people - not as their Lord. There is, indeed, only one Lord. And Hugh's life points to Jesus: his servant heart. Can I claim similar?
- He honoured his appointments. Do I?
- He gave generously. Do I?
- He cared for the sick. Do I?
- He acted justly. Do I?
- He defended the persecuted. Do I?
- He visited his brethren. Do I?
- He chapioned education. Do I?
- He even laboured in the building of Lincoln Cathedral. Do I labour on God's church, seeking to leave a legacy while also offering worship?
- He was tactful and diplomatic. Am I?
- He was good humoured. Am I?

This day I am grateful for the collect for Hugh, which speaks of Hugh's "wise and cheerful boldness".

May we seek and be granted grace to live like this, day by day.

No smoke without fire

"For wickedness burned like a fire,
consuming briers and thorns;
it kindled the thickets of the forest,
and they swirled upward in a column of smoke" (Isaiah 9:18)

Sin is conspicuous. Certainly, we seek to hide it from God, from ourselves, and our loved ones; but sin leaves marks - stains. All too often in my life I have sought to conceal my deepest darkest sins from my wife, but through a combination of her knowing me very well, and changes in me, she knows - and God knows immediately.

This verse has struck me because of the saying, 'there's no smoke without fire', which is all well and good, and often misapplied, but in my life I wonder if people talk about my behaviour, my habits and wonder about what underlies it. I have often been in the habit of running late, but this has lately evolved into a lax attitude to informing people where I am, and what I am doing. I fear that in not working and living transparently, openly and fairly I am opening myself, and therefore, God to criticism.

This is no admission of guilt - but a sense of how my actions might cause people to infer things about my character.

Naturally, we should seek to please God only, but we are God's hands and feet.

This in turn prompts me to consider other points in God's word where reference is made to fire:

"See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and
the evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the
LORD of hosts" (Malachi 4:1)

"The work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose
it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of
work each has done" (1 Corinthians 3:13)

Both verses speak of a future day of judgement. A day Christians need not fear, for we shall not enter heaven, graciously, on the basis of our works. Instead, God will seek to test our works, our offering to Him. Sins and their record will be burnt away, but works of gold, silver, stone, etc will remain.

As I wander through my days, and as I reflect on the lives of countless Saints before me this All Saintstide, am I seeking to build with gold, or am living a life of conspicuous sin, where folk speak not of my godliness, but rumour on my character?

Truth cast to the ground

Daniel's visions/prophecies smack of a man who's eaten too much cheese before bed-time. They are peculiar and strangely at odds with the otherwise more straightforward nature of the Bible.

However, it seems important to accept the text as it is, and in that regard Daniel 8:12 seems clear: "Because of wickedness, the host was given over to it together with the regular burnt offering; it cast truth to the ground, and kept prospering in what it did".

The 'it' in the verse is one of Daniel's famous horns, who for the sake of brevity, can be accepted as a world leader, or movement.

In short, the host (the public, or some Christians) is given over to the horn, as a result of wickedness. This is a strange but compelling instance of God's word warning against falling away, or following after earthly leaders. In the context of Daniel 1-6, it suddenly makes perfect sense. We are to worship God alone, which is why the verse's reference to the 'regular burnt offering' also implies not only a going over of the people, but a ceasing of religious observance.

In an era which regards public worship with increased scepticism, we are to be bold in both our discipleship of Jesus, and the worship of him.

Yet, the burnt offering is more than worship - it is part of the ceremonial activity that meant Israel might be forgiven. Is there a worrying trend in society that seeks to remove the forgiveness of sins from God's remit to that of money, fame, wealth, or the Government. Perhaps when we follow the world, and its leaders, we also accept their view on sin - that we haven't actually committed any crimes. That we are not accountable to the maker and sustainer of the world?

Either way, the eventual outcome when we follow the world, and its leaders, is that scary place where truth appears to have been set aside. We need only think of X-factor, WMDs, the war in Iraq, cash for questions, political grandstanding in Oldham, etc, etc... When we really set ourselves to follow the world, we also commit to being shaped by its values. All too often that requires us to set aside the truth.

But yet...

But yet.

"It keeps prospering in all it does" (Dan 8:12)

We must hear God's word. Despite the ease with which people show allegiance to public figures, the pace with which religious observance is marginalised, and the shame of truths covered up, the world WILL prosper. And that is the greatest test - we do not measure things by results, or apparent results, but by God's word.

Do we today seek to follow Jesus, or the world?

Are we seeking to worship Him this day, thanking him for the gift of salvation?

And do we actively seek to cover up the truth - not only in the public sphere, but to our church brothers and sisters, to our work colleagues, to our family, to our spouse, perhaps to ourselves?

Owl City - In Christ Alone

This is a superb and beautiful version of the famous song, 'In Christ Alone' by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. Owl City is a young chap from Minnesota, whose song 'Fireflies' I've posted below:

Call the next witness - 5.The Witness of Abraham (26/9/10)

The Witness of the Father

Sunday 26 September 2010

The fifth part of the ‘Call the next witness’ series at Cafe Church.

John 8: 31-38, 48-59

Despite it being Back-to-Church Sunday we were continuing with the theme of 'Call the next witness'.

The outrage of the Jews was about Jesus' assertion that they were not free. They regarded their ancestry as freedom enough (although of course the Jews had been slaves in Eygpt, Babylon, and at that time, to the Romans).

Jesus, of course, is speaking about a freedom from Slavery to sin. Abraham is not an ancestral get-out.

Sin is something of a joke word in our society. Yet it resonates with all people - we all have an innate sense of wrongs we commit - what in reality is an action against God. The breaking of God's law of love leads to guilt, fear and death.

Following Jesus, however, is about 'continuing in his word', which in turn sets us free, and "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v.36). This is a freedom to be truly ourselves, who we really are. Jesus goes on to say that "whoever keeps my word will never see death" (v.51). This is as plain a promise of eternal life as one could imagine.

So plain, indeed, the Jews react passionately, accusing Jesus of being demon possessed. Once again they look to Abraham for their benchmark - he was dead, their great Father. So if he, the one chosen by God, noone else could expect to be exempt from the requirement to face death.

Of course, there is a sad irony here. For Jesus in promising life to us who believe, he knew that he would have to also chose death - when his life was such that it was not a requirement.

The most profound verse in Jesus response to the Jews accusation of madness is his reference to Abraham's hope: "Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad" (v.56). Abraham knew that his standing with God was purely a consequence of his FAITH, not in an inherent goodness. And the Jews mistakenly assumed that God imputed this same righteousness onto all Jews, by virtue of their racial credentials. In fact, Abraham knew that faith alone saves - faith in God. And Jesus has alluded to this - faith in him, and an adherence to his words - it is this that saves.

Abraham is testifying in his life that one would come who would bring righteousness to all men, and that righteousness is not ours, but Jesus', and we receive this as a free gift as we have faith. Jesus has mentioned elsewhere that prophets and righteous people longed to see him (Matt. 13:17).

The inheritance the Jews longed for was not to come through the law/the seed (the geneaological line) but in FAITH (Romans 4:13).

Application: I wonder whether this is a straight reminder to obey Jesus' words - to follow and walk in his way, rather than other religious leaders, however much they might be examples. This is a real challenge - do I daily seek to encounter and follow Jesus knowing that in him is true freedom.

The second challenge is the degree to which I can see how the ENTIRE Old Testament looks to Jesus!

And finally, am I pointing to this freedom, or do I get caught up in the worry of freedom of economic, social, conscience, speach, poverty, war, abuse or famine. These are noble concerns for anyone - and freedom for those oppressed in these areas is a calling on all Christians. But above these present concerns is the biggest battle of all - the freedom of our souls. Have I sworn allegiance to Jesus, and am I seeking to make this freedom known.

For truly, a society that is freed from sin, is a society free from all the terrors listed. Do I work to bring this sort of societal transformation? Do I point all I know to Jesus?

Call the next witness - 2.The Witness of the Father (5/9/10)

The Witness of the Father

Sunday 5 September 2010

The second part of the ‘Call the next witness’ series at Cafe Church.

John 5: 30-47

Paul Tudge, from Farsley, was leading the service in Paul Ayers’ absence, which was somewhat unfortunate given the complexity of the passage. Nevertheless, Paul encouraged those present to grapple with the theme of both the Father’s witness and our witness.

We used the song 'Why does my heart feel so bad' by Moby as our confession.

Come the sermon, part of the challenge was to consider the words of the poet Jude Simpson, 'You won't find Jesus on Myspace'. Although some people were somewhat puzzled as to what Myspace is: follow this link.

Paul's talk was fairly brief, desiring the groups to try and unearth some truths from the passage. To this end he gave us six questions:

1. Spend 3 minutes thinking alone. What do you speak about? Think of your conversations before the service began. What about the rest of today? What about last week? Try to put your words into categories e.g. work, hobbies, religion, domestic arrangements, chat about friends, Jesus, stories of the past, questions, arguments, ...
2. Share briefly what you have discovered
3. (esp vv 31-40) From what is in THIS passage what/who speaks about Jesus (testifies about him)? Nb. This is quite a complicated passage so don't worry about getting it wrong or missing something out!
4. How does your life testify about Jesus? How might it?
5. What question(s) do you want to ask about this passage?
6. What would you put on Jesus' MySpace page?

In our group, we found the passage quite confusing, however, here are some general conclusions.

Jesus is concerned to speak of himself (as a man) and Him (God). Jesus states that anything he (the man) says about himself is not true - it is God's (another v.32) testimony that is true.

This seems crucial to Jesus. John the Baptist's testimony is important and valid (vv.33-35), but it is not necessary. Rather God himself proves who Jesus is. Knowing Jesus was speaking to Jews his words are challenging, for he accuses them of not knowing God: "His teaching does not live in you, because you don't believe in the One the Father sent" (v.38).

It's this issue again of God verifying who Jesus is to us only when we take the step to believe in Jesus, which is more than Biblical knowledge (v.39) but relationship. It is the process of relating to Jesus that gives us the life (v.40) promised by Jesus.

The challenge is whether we allow God to testify to us about Jesus? Do we try to relate to Jesus on our own? This is a hopeless exercise (v.30)

Our walk with Jesus will be effective when done trusting God, for then God will testify to Jesus through and in us also. We do not testify simply by quoting Scripture (v.39), nor do we speak for ourself (v.43). We are asked to believe in the One.

Today - right now - am I actively seeking a personal, living relationship with Jesus? Am I seeking an encounter with him in my reading of Scripture? If so, am I then allowing the transformation of my life to give God glory, and the world the opportunity to hear God's testimony about Jesus - the way!

CALL THE NEXT WITNESS

In John's Gospel there is a strong emphasis on witness. The writer is keen to make sure we know that those who testify about Jesus are reliable.

He also reminds us that the job of the apostolic church is to continue to witness to Jesus. The power to do this comes from the Spirit.

'Cafe Church' provides a safe space for us to practice witnessing to each other. We share food and drink, sit at table together, and have conversation with each other about the gospel and how it relates to our lives.

This is the blurb on the church flier for the latest series for the evening service at Pudsey Parish Church, in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. Cafe church is a fascinating beast. It is steadily becoming more defined, although it is a shame so few people come. The worship tends to be more intimate and prolonged. There is food provided at 6pm to give plenty of time to eat and drink before the service starts properly at 6.30pm, although tea, coffee, etc are available throughout. Here are the dates/themes/readings for this latest series:

29/08/10
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of John
Isaiah 33.13-22
John 3.22-36

05/09/10
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Father
Isaiah 43.14 - 44.5
John 5.30-47

12/09/10
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Bread
Isaiah 60
John 6.51-69

19/09/10
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Moses
Ezra 1
John 7.14-36

26/09/10
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Abraham
Nehemiah 2
John 8.31-38,48-59

03/10/10
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of a Healed Man
Nehemiah 5.1-13
John 9

10/10/10
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Apostles
Nehemiah 6.1-16
John 15.12-27

17/10/10
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Counsellor
Nehemiah 8.9-18
John 16.1-11

Call the next witness - 1.The Witness of John (29/8/10)

The Witness of John

Sunday 29 August 2010

The first part of the ‘Call the next witness’ series at Cafe Church.

John 3:22-36

Paul Ayers preached on two points:

1. Who John the Baptist is not
John explicitly states he is NOT the messiah (Jn 3:28)
Application: All people should point away from themselves to Jesus. Do I, by my actions, try and claim the glory for myself, failing to give Jesus the honour due him?

2. Who Jesus is
John points to Jesus as the bridegroom of his people. Three great claims:

a. Universal REVELATION (v. 34)
“The one whom God has sent [Jesus] speaks the words of God”
There is a fullness to the revelation of Jesus, both his words and life. There is no one else on earth we might turn to; it’s not ‘Jesus +’. The key word: UNDERSTANDING
Application: As revelation we can learn new things about Jesus and from Jesus, in his word. We should also be deepening our understanding of his thing. Are we receiving fresh revelations? Are we deepening our understanding?

b. Universal AUTHORITY (v.35)
“The Father…has placed everything in his hands”
(cf. Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-3)
Jesus has been given authority in creation, in judgement, but also in everything between. God in Jesus is at work in events now. The key word: PROVIDENCE.
We show our belief in God’s activity by a) Thanking Him, and b) praying to Him.
Application: Do we act in full belief that Jesus is in control of every circumstance, situation and crisis. Or do we act as though we are unwittingly tossed about by the storms of life waiting for heaven?

c. Universal SALVATION (v.36)
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”
Having eternal life is not a transaction. I turn up to heaven with a card proving that I believe Jesus and am therefore saved. I do not get saved because I had faith in Jesus. The act of believing in Jesus is the act of salvation, for it is by grace we are given the faith to trust Jesus. Key word: RELATIONSHIP.
Therefore, to have a relationship with Jesus is to be saved.
Application: Do I see my salvation as a by-product of my beliefs, or do I seek to cultivate a relationship with Jesus?

In conclusion, it is important that we are reminded that the words quoted above are John the Baptist’s. It is as though he is stood before us saying: “The one whom God has sent [Jesus] speaks the words of God. The Father…has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”. We are called to respond to this witness.

Journaling

I have been keeping a journal for many years, since I was about 14 years old. It has formed an invaluable place to record events in my life, record my feelings, and reflect on where I'm at. One thing I'm mindful of at present, is the general lack of spiritual content.

At the same time, I have received very little actual advice on how to journal.

To that end I've searched a little online and found a good rubric - SOAP - which has immediately helped me recognise how I should journal as a Christian. In part it is about recording what God has been saying to me, specifically in scripture, but I wonder also the degree to which I should be attentive to the changes in behaviour. Like observational scientists, sometimes it is true that a person who doesn't see themself and especially those 'sin triggers', they are more likely to repeat.

As I step forward with my journaling, I also recognise that there is an inevitable time commitment to recording more than just facts!

Prayer:
Father, I ask that you would help me learn to journal with more of an eye for what you are syaing, what you are doing, and what I am being called to do in service of you and others. I ask that as I journal you would stir me to action, walking each day with a deeper sense of my discipleship. Let me in all things attend to your voice, and may my childlike devotion be pleasing to You, my Lord, My Father, My God. Amen.

Spiritually bored? Me?

Another excellent think from Deep Breath Ministries:

Have you ever been spiritually bored? If Jesus asked for a reason, what would you tell Him?

This is a tricky one for me - spiritually bored? What does that even mean, to start with, and then has that ever applied to me?

My initial reaction is 'no', for I cannot yet think of a time where the definition (so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness) has ever applied to my spiritual walk.

I am reminded of St John of the Cross and his writings on the 'Dark Night of the Soul' when God withdraws from a person, and normal spiritual habits are dry and disconnected from a person. This has never happened to me (although I have wondered if this lack is a sign of continued spiritual youthfulness and sinfulness, but also born out of a silly competitive streak - all that I've read makes me think the Dark Night is not a nice experience!)

It's fair to say that disinterest with God and his things almost always springs out of sinful behaviour, disobedience, and, frustratingly, human nature. It is not that I am bored by God; when close to him my life is full of colour and light.

Perhaps when I think about boredom, and I draw this conclusion, I should consider the second part of the question and honestly tell Jesus that I am weak, broken and sinful. Not that this is an excuse, simply an opportunity to be reminded how much I need Jesus. He is not a teaching programme or partner to become dissatisfied with, or a product to want an upgrade. My drift is my fault, and I should simply repent, and recommit to draw close.

Each day I need to be reminded of this need: that I need my Saviour.

Evelyn Underhill and the challenge of worship

"We spend most of our lives conjugating three verbs: to want, to have
and to do. But none of these verbs has any ultimate significance until it is
transcended by and included in the fundamental verb - to be."

Evelyn Underhill

Today is the commemoration of Evelyn Underhill in the lectionary, a woman I knew very little about, but realised that I have encountered her name recently. Richard Foster devotes a chapter in his excellent spiritual disciplines' guide, Spiritual Classics, to her. While I have limited time to write on her life and works (although an impressively erudite entry on wikipedia is not a bad place to start), I am deeply inspired by the entry Foster puts in, including two 'discussion' questions, and three suggested exercises (this, by the way, is why I love Foster's writing so much - he is so practical).

Underhill writes,

"The tendency of all worship...shows how strong a pull is needed to
neutralize the anthropocentric trend of the human mind; its intense
preoccupation with the world of succession, and its own here-and now desires and
needs"

I find this so encouraging, as someone who loves worship. Often I've heard people suggest worship is a wasteful distraction from the task of evangelising, being Jesus to the world. I've often agreed; after all, worship will continue in heaven for ever, so I've often assumed it is one of the pleasant foretastes of the hereafter.

However, Underhill challenges me to accept that worship itself is a prerequisite if I desire to draw close to God, for I am (by nature) focused almost entirely on my needs, wishes and dreams. I am selfish - my daily sins highlight this acutely. Worship then is not purely about adoration (although this is a valid element - giving God the glory that's his), nor is it about the pleasant feelings, the rush/thrill of the Spirit (although this too has value in assuring us of God's presence with us), but worship thrusts us into the heart of God - it works, gracefully, by helping me unclasp my heart, and reach out to touch God's.

When I consider Foster's question about obstacles to worship I can think of many, but one in particular comes to mind: my critical spirit. I am constantly thinking about the music, the sound, the band, the singers, the arrangement, the volume, the fact I'm not playing, the fact I think what is being done is poor...when the truth - the bare truth - is that I am not being hindered in my worship by anything externally, but purely as a result of my arrogance.

God is not a God to be denied access because the songs are played too slow, or too fast. For certain some music when done badly is an unhelpful distraction, but I must learn how to attend to God, in his glory at any time and any where, in any circumstance. The point being that 'times of worship' are a blessing for I've made the space in my busy life to worship God, and in so doing be changed. I choose to not worship when I'm like this.

When I think of favourite times of worship however I am reminded, often, of St Aldates and the experience of being both a musician and worshipper at the same time. I ahve often enjoyed return trips as it's refreshed my spirit. In all honesty it might simply have been the thrill of standing with so many other worshippers - where your voice simply blends with others, or is unnoticed if it drops out to silently pray. Songs that move me to tears.

But I am also acutely aware of the time after our daughter died, when singing was impossible - words were too hard to sing. Being stood with other worshippers was the difference. My wife and I chose to stand in the congregation, even when we couldn't bring ourselves to join in, partly through a sense of anger at God, sometimes we were overcome with emotion.

I still long for times of worship in church that are dramatically uplifting, where the music and the congregation come together to produce a sound that is by nature beautifully worshipful. I still long for extended worship, where there's space for me to simply receive from God's spirit as I'm stood in his presence - worship is our attempt to welcome him in. For sure he's with us always, but oh, how pleasant it is when he comes and moves amongst a congregation.

Evelyn Underhill was a mystic - looking constantly for ways in which we might better appreciate the beauty around us - to seek God's presence - to seek a profound 'union' with Him. I long for the daily pursuit of this presence.

I shall in the meantime, worship with fresh vision - looking for God alone, and doing so in the hope it might make me more into his Son.

Streams of Living Water

Have finally picked up 'Streams of Living Water' by Richard Foster today - a steal from church for 50p. Am delighted to have the chance to read it.

Already I've been challenged.

To what extent, day by day, do I allow my reading and meditation of Jesus' life in the gospels to affect my day-to-day walk:

"We are, to be sure, reconciled to God by Jesus' death, but even more [!], we are 'saved' by his life (Rom. 5:10) - saved in the sense of entering into his eternal kind of life, not just in some distant heaven but right now in the midst of our broken and sorrowful world." [italics original] (Foster 1998, p.3)

One of the formation questions Foster suggests we use is about our encountering Jesus in scripture. I have often thought on the simple song "all of the Bible has Jesus in it" as the framework for this question, but perhaps I am too naive and slow-to-learn to commence answering this question - or seeking to find an answer - without first learning to place a premium on time spent reading the gospels to see what Jesus was like and how I can imitate his life to find freedom in my own. I love this idea that in imitation I can be 'saved' in this life - reminds me of Psalm 103.

As I continue to read this book, I will devote more time to the Lectionary readings that place me in the gospels. And I will ask - how should I shape my life to better imitate Jesus.

REFERENCES
Foster, R. (1998) Streams of Living Water. London: Harper Collins

Advice for life?

I am so grateful that God has given us plain, home-spun, common-sense. Today I finally started to chat to a colleague on my teaching course about their relationship situation.

She's happily seeing three separate guys, enjoying their company and time, but nothing serious. However, she was clearly in a quandry worrying about the fact several of them were being 'needy'. As we chatted it became quite obvious, to me, that my friend was uncertain about whether to pursue these relationships.

I appreciate that for Christian girls the first criterion used when evaluating the potential of a possible suitor has to be, first and foremost, their love for Jesus. Do they submit to Him as Lord? If this is a negative then, sorry, it's a non-starter.

My friend is a Sikh though, so my advice was simple - use two questions to check a guy:
- How does he treat his family, specifically his mum? and
- What are his friends like?

These two questions when answered honestly, remembering that men engaged in the chase are prone to chamelion-esque changes to personality in order to impress a girl, will provide a pretty fair assessment of a man's character, which is, ultimately, more important than his bank balance, looks, ambition, car, or anything else.

As I asked these two questions I felt tremendously relieved. Firstly, I was not offering specific advice; no cliched pros or cons for one or another friend she was seeing, nor was I given a tale from my experience. Put simply I provided two questions that my friend could ask and come to her own conclusion. Secondly, God gives Christians the capacity to understand the human condition better than some. It is a responsibility of ours to dispense Godly wisdom that will ensure friends and family enter into peaceful lives.

I was greatly encouraged by God to have been used in this simple way. I welcomed the opportunity to serve.

Stewarding our time

This evening at cell (the healthy church type, not the bombing type) we have continued our churches theme of Stewardship, focusing on the use of our time, talents, and treasure/tithe. Our welcome question tonight asked us to roughly calculate the proportion of our time we spend on various activities: Sleep, Work, Leisure, God-stuff (praying, reading Bible, worshiping), Chores, and other.

The findings were NOT surprising. Here's a summary of our conclusions:

1. We do not get enough sleep - none of us.
There are, of course, several schools of thought about the merits/demerits of having long lay-ins at the weekend, versus the regular settled habit of sleeping the same amount/getting up at the same time every day. While we agreed lay-ins are nice, there was the clear sense that we should be trying to be more habitual. Whatever our position on the pattern of sleep - we all accepted that we would operate much better on more sleep.

2. We seem to be habit-averse.
There is the odd belief in the group that Habit = Boring. While we happily accept the need to take regular exercise, have regular habitual sleep, we are less inclined to think this way spiritually.

3. We spend little time on our own

4. What do I have to show for my spare time?

5. We spend a small fraction of our time with God, or in God-stuff.
I wonder if we should seek to tithe our time? 10% of our day would be 144 minutes - 2 hours and 24 minutes - imagine our days looking like that?

6. Not enough exercise

7. We don't actually watch that much TV.

8. Our lives are far more full of leisure than we let ourselves recognise.
We moan lots about work, but in truth our group of friends spend lots of its time relaxing, often together.

9. Time with family?
Not many of us could refer confidently to time spent at the dinner table

10. We find it hard to remember how we spend our time!

Some thoughts following on from this:
- We enjoy time spent in God's presence, but we don't do it as we're frail and broken
- Do I, by my choices, send a message to people that they're not loved?
- To some extent there is a place for the vow of service/simplicity when thinking about stewardship. We would use our time and talents more effectively if we undertook to serve people each and every day. A vow of simplicity would best enable us to approach money in a Godly manner.

CHALLENGE:
1. How is my use of time?
What changes are needed? Am I aware of where my time goes?
2. How could we corporately better use our time to sacrificially serve others?
In the community: are their clubs, needs, projects we could undertake? In church: needs to be met (balanced against our talents)
3. How could we corporately serve God more?
Speaking to others about the Good News.

Movements

'Movements' was my last theme and I'm reminded of a great song of the same name by a new exciting band called 'Rend Collective Experiment'.

The lyrics for the song can be found on the Kingsway site.

Here's the song:

The presence of the Holy Spirit

This morning's readings continue in Luke (which we'll now continue with until 31 July when we reach the end of chapter 24), but repeats the passage we covered at the annunication.

Yesterday I met with two brothers to pray and used five formation questions taken from Richard Foster's book 'Prayer', which in turn he has taken from Wesley as a means of promoting vital growth. The purpose of the meeting was just this - to promote vital growth.

One of the questions is - What movements of the Holy Spirit have I experienced?

I must confess to finding this a difficult question to answer. Not least because on a day-to-day basis I do not find myself either trusting God for present empowering, but also I do not exercise the spiritual gifts God has given me.

It is interesting that Gabriel informs Mary that "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). It is the Spirit who will cause Mary to conceive - it is not just that the Spirit will rest on Jesus (thus making Him holy), but that Mary herself will require the empowering presence of God to help knit together this child. The word 'overshadow' has negative connotations. I think of how one might refer to a good performance being overshadowed by either a better performance, or a bad situation.

However, here the idea that Mary's efforts will be overshadowed by God's efforts are cause for celebration.

And yet in my life, day-by-day I cannot say that I am overshadowed by God's presence?

When I think about all that I'm called to do each day, the people I need to serve, the prayers that need praying, the temptations to face, and the raw physical energy demanded - how do I ever think I can continue in my own strength? Why do I not actively seek movements of the Spirit?

Seeing compassion

It is not very often I read all three readings at an office and find clear links, but this evening's Evening Prayer has three wonderful post-Easter passages.

Firstly, we are reminded of Phinehas (Ps. 106:30), who features in the book of Numbers. Just as God is calling the Israellites to a life of godliness, to come apart from others, there is sexual immorality with the women of Moab (Num. 25:1). Now I'm not going to launch into a detailed diatribe against sexual immorality. The purpose of the reference to Phinehas' story (Num. 25:1-13) in Psalms is as one who "interceded".

I've never thought of intercession as something we do, so much as something we pray. But perhaps this verse is a challenge. Do I love God enough and has he so transformed my life, and am I gripped by his love for me and the world, that I understand as I pray how I am the answer to my prayer. Or in this case, that I am the answer to God's will.

Solomon in Song of Songs (another book that has much to say about sexuality!) writes words for his wife:
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" (SoS 6:3)

Crunch time - do I honestly know that I am my beloveds? Do I believe that God loves me? Where is evidence of God's love?

We see it in Jesus - who died for us. But also in his life. The widow's son at Nain experienced his compassion:

"When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her "Do not weep." (Luke 7:13)

As strange as this may sound, I don't think we act as outrageously, as Phinehas does, because we do not know the real depth of God's compassion for us. Compassion means: feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another. Jesus had compassion for this woman. God has compassion on us; on me. The Psalmist is recounting God's saving faithfulness - which is matched by Israel's unfaithfulness.

Today, am I aware that the cross and resurrection is born out of God's great and wonderful compassion for us. Do I know that this compassion springs up from his love. And that when we truly know this love, our lives will become intercessions for others to know this.

Video of Leonard Ravenhill

This is more of a reminder for me to use YouTube to review some of Leonard Ravenhill's sermons, but here's something for you to view:

Weeping

Despite the season (Eastertide is upon us) I am continuing to make my way (once again) through the powerful book 'Why revival tarries' by Leonard Ravenhill. For the record, this is not a book to recommend for casual Christian-lite reading. This book was recommended to me by a great pastor and friend, with the intention, no doubt, of causing me to shake.

It is available from amazon, but I advise with caution.

Today I've read chapter seven and once again Ravenhill refers to the importance of tears:

"I am increasingly convinced that tears are an integral part of revival preaching. Preacher brethren, this is the time to blush that we have no shame, the time to weep for our lack of tears, the time to bend low that we have lost the humble touch of servants, the time to groan that we have no burden, the time to be angry with ourselves that we have no anger over the devil's monopoly in this 'end time' hour, the time to chastise ourselves that the world can so easily get along with us and not attempt to chastise us" (Ravenhill 1979, p.65)

It may seem strange to focus on tears at the beginning of our Easter season. But when I've considered the shift from the darkness and self-examination of Lent with the joyful 'alleluia's' of Easter I am convinced that all Christians must see the light of Christ bursting from the tomb, and ask whether that same light is bursting forth from our lives. Are we so innured to the world that we do not have hearts aching to share the Love of God. Do we chastise the world? Do we speak out about the love God has for the loveless?

I must confess that I am merrily carrying this good news around with me, and remain remarkably unmoved that so many people I know are in darkness. Why is this?

It's Ravenhill's final rebuke in the paragraph that stings: "This is the time... to chastise ourselves that the world can so easily get along with us and not attempt to chastise us"

Amidst the joy of Easter can we seek to translate our joy into prayerful tears?


REFERENCES
Ravenhill, L. (1979) Why revival tarries. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers

Lament

Lent is not over until Easter day. There remains time to examine our lives and find God's guidance.

At our cell last night the astute point was made that, for some, Lent is a time of self-reflection and examination, which in turn leads to changes from Easter. Rather than give-up or take something up for Lent should, we not have the approach that Lent is a time to discover, through prayer and Bible study, those things that need permanent change.

The readings for evening prayer yesterday (Tuesday of Holy Week) included the following:

'Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say:
"We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven"' (Lamentations 3:40-42)

'My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees' (Lam. 3:49-50)

As Jesus draws closer to the cross, and we are confronted with the enormity of His sacrifice, we must consider afresh those sins committed which are placed on Jesus. An unexamined life is not a life at all.

In a world that is so emotion averse, or more specifically, where negative emotions are shunned we must be a people that live close to tears and joy. Jesus, reports Luke, comes to Jerusalem to joyful acclaim (Luke 19:28-40), but is immediately driven to tears when he looks upon the city (Luke 19:41ff). Do we have this attitude? Are our tears heard by God, and seen by demons? Do we weep for our sin, for the sin of our loved ones, and our nation?

Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday. Many of us will be propelled along until Easter is upon us - will we grasp the opportunity to come to the cross, stop, be quiet and resolve to submit our lives to God?

Annunciation implications for feminism

As I've been reading around on the topic of the annunciation I have profoundly moved by the following two articles:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TopicIndex/47_Abortion/3528_The_Baby_in_My_Womb_Leaped_for_Joy/

http://julieclawson.com/2010/03/25/silence-women-and-the-annunciation/

Genuinely thought-provoking on two fronts:

1. Is the annunciation implicitly stating that women are just vessels? Is there something overtly rape-like with God's activity here?
2. To what extent do the texts concerning Jesus (and JtB) in the womb stand as pro-life texts? The John Piper article has a fantastic reference to The Didache!

I'm certainly warming to the idea that churches should speak out more on the matter of life choices.

Annunciation articles

I've found this useful article on annunciation. Like me, the spirit is very much one of protestant reclamation:

http://blog.christianhistory.net/2010/03/from_jesus_to_mary_and_back_ag.html#more

Enjoy!

The Annunication

I was amazingly struck yesterday at the importance of reflecting regularly throughout the year on the humanity of Christ.

The Annunication sounds so Catholic it may seem peculiar to try and claim back the passage from Luke 1 for protestant ears, but there are clear messages for us in 2010.

Jesus is THE superlative.
Just listen to the things Gabriel says about Jesus:
- He will be GREAT
- He is THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH, THE SON OF GOD
- He will sit on THE THRONE OF DAVID
- The throne will be GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD
- He will REIGN FOREVER
- His kingdom will HAVE NO END
- He will be HOLY

This message is so important in Lent. Just as we turn our faces to Jerusalem and consider afresh the betrayal, the denial, the Last Supper, the sham trial, the cross, His death, and His resurrection, it is crucial we remember who Jesus is.

However, Jesus is a man.
I am struck by the physicality of Gabriel's message. Mary knows she is a virgin, and she's bright enough to know that sex is a prerequisite for babies. But Gabriel is clear - she will conceive, she will have a baby.

What more dependant image is there than a baby. It's easy sometimes to think of Jesus the GREAT, the WISE, the POWERFUL...but here we are reminded that he is just a MAN.

To this end Jesus is a more perfect mediator - he shares my nature, which makes his sacrifice all the more profound!