tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132773242927209772024-03-14T04:30:31.439+00:00Christianity - A Way of LifeTrying to live life the Christian way - not easy but I love it. Some thoughts on the way.tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-19211824200404448422024-02-05T10:03:00.002+00:002024-02-05T10:03:14.985+00:00Bread of Life<p> I am currently reading a book by Andrew Wilson as a devotional. The last few days I have been reading a section on "Bread". Which got me thinking 😊</p><p>The thing is that today in most developed countries we can take or leave bread. Its not essential and in some cases we are advised not to eat it for our health. If we do eat it we have a myriad of choices. When we eat bread often its not in community but on our own, rushing through a day and grabbing a sandwich or sitting alone somewhere having a 5 min break from the day's activities.</p><p>Biblically, bread was essential as was the success of producing the crop from which it is made. To share or break bread with someone was (as Wilson says) to include them by sharing something essential to life.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7Rq5GPFSPfckYxRp6nH9UqFM1CWc-CbWUInzGpCujV6rVajXri58ANo1FcF9fxugY77T2w8RyXveBg5SbQtT_T9l03n72TlaH5JZn7MY777D83811CBQwKqF0ZQ8jUfte-tvy6BRHoU98Eh3JrF38PRghOb1WB45WPBmv0-lzZ93bqmrsiJJhsiduB4/s4896/P1080739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7Rq5GPFSPfckYxRp6nH9UqFM1CWc-CbWUInzGpCujV6rVajXri58ANo1FcF9fxugY77T2w8RyXveBg5SbQtT_T9l03n72TlaH5JZn7MY777D83811CBQwKqF0ZQ8jUfte-tvy6BRHoU98Eh3JrF38PRghOb1WB45WPBmv0-lzZ93bqmrsiJJhsiduB4/s320/P1080739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />What does it mean to me to share bread with others? Is it any more than just being hospitable? My wife and I like having people around for food or going to other folks' homes for food, especially our family. They are good times of sharing stories, hearing each other and re-bonding. We recently helped out on an Alpha course in the church we attend and they do Alpha with a full meal as we used to years ago before we tried to make the sessions shorter. The connections made during that series again made me think of the importance of sharing food or breaking bread with each other. We got to know each other, we recognised differences as well as similarities in understanding. A number of the guests asked Christ into their lives and all (some were already Christians) were deeply affected on the Alpha day. Connections made through sharing food.<p></p><p>So when I read in the Bible Joh 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty..."</p><p>How should I interpret it, given that bread today has a different sense of importance to those Jesus was talking to? Well taking communion, sharing or breaking bread with other Christians is like a shadow of what Jesus was meaning, I think. Its one time when a group of Christians share bread / wafers or water ever in common union with each other and with Christ. But I don't think it has the significance that this would have had when Jesus said it. Would "I am the food of life". Give us a better understanding? We all need food to survive and to grow and to live. We rely on those who grow and provide our food, however we buy it, cook it and eat it. </p><p>I am the bread / food of life, suggests to me that Jesus is something that we cannot do without for the life that God intends us to have. Our inner hunger and thirst met in full. Without him in our lives we are in some ways, empty, spiritually thirsty and hungry. When I eat with others, sharing food, time and care for each other, I will try to remember that in that simple thing, the one who is my "food and drink" is with us.</p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-43141586438315067752023-05-09T12:31:00.001+01:002023-05-09T12:31:32.661+01:00Pedestals<p>We heard recently of accusations of inappropriate behaviour against another well known Christian leader. And of course there is no smoke without fire, so many queue up to point out the dangers, some even applaud the apparent fall. In a society that seems to promote celebrity culture, the raising onto a pedestal, those who we "follow" or like to watch on the media, we also seem to almost revel in their all too often fall from it.</p><p>Have we considered that in some way many of us in the Christian church have responsibility for these situations? Myself included. I have listened to Mark Driscoll (of Mars Hill Fame) and his often encouraging and challenging teaching. I have attended Soul Survivor weeks with teenagers. I have followed and read Bill Hybels (Willow Creek). I have read and enjoyed so much from Hillsong whose founder, Brian Houston is under investigation for a number of things.</p><p>How many of us rush to buy the latest books by famous Christian speakers and authors? How many of us go to see the latest in vogue, Christian performers or get the latest Christian songs into our churches? In a way all of this is a part of the "celebrity" culture of the times in which we live. Like it or not most of us have bought into this, even if we don't like admitting it.</p><p>Now a question, has anything changed over the years, the centuries? The Church has a history of raising up those who stand out for their, piety, service, preaching, song writing, leadership, sacrifice. There are so many names - Mother Teresa, Spurgeon, Wesley, Smith, Whitefield, Luther, Augustine to name a few. Their work continues to help us think about our faith and to worship our God. In their day these were celebrities.</p><p>Are we forgetting that all humans are vulnerable, all can be caught up in the position that they find themselves in because of a gift they have? Some find themselves or even strive to be put on a pedestal. The fame, the accolades and the wealth that can come with that being perhaps attractive, but maybe the sense of reaching so many being the real draw.</p><p>I am reminded of the man Philip and then Peter encountered in Acts 8 ...</p><p>(Act 8:18-20) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!</p><p> A man whose worldly sense of gain, wanted to have the gifts of God for his own benefit. It was open and overt, often the seduction that comes from a rise in notice and fame is not so overt. But then the temptations that come with this lurk in the background until they overwhelm or just draw upon our own sinful desires. </p><p>It is not just those on the celebrity pedestal who are in danger of temptation. Anyone in any form of Christian leadership can fall foul of temptation. Pastors, Children's workers, Youth workers, Elders, Deacons, those in pastoral care, any with responsibility!</p><p>So should there be no "celebrities" in the Christian world, no book writers, song writers, leaders of note, no pastors or organisation leaders? I think there will also be those who are raised in this way because we all look up to those with such gifting's. However the real failing is that like so many film and pop celebrities, those who look up to them, us, forget to keep them accountable, forget to ask the hard questions like:</p><p>Was that appropriate? Does that action or activity honour God? Was that right? Are you behaving in your own life in an honouring way to God? Have you clear boundaries to protect yourselves and others? Are you accountable to others?</p><p>As Jesus told his disciples:</p><p>(Mar 10:42-45) Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."</p><p>To serve each other, we must each be accountable to each other. we must each be prepared to be asked and to ask the hard questions and not be angered by the asking, instead seeing this as the loving, caring desire of our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us stay in the right place and not succumb to temptation.</p><p>It saddens me that these falls happen and give the world another stick to try to bruise the church of Christ with. But as a closing thought, we need to pray for those called to lead, called to "great" things and if they fall, pray for them all the more as well for those impacted by whatever it is that they did.</p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-27886982255313090422023-02-16T10:35:00.002+00:002023-02-17T16:45:29.863+00:00Waiting and Timing<p> In my yearly read through of the bible (it doesn't start in Jan 😀), I recently got to the end of the Old Testament and reflected a little on the long 400 year gap between the last Prophet and the coming of the Messiah. God's timing is not always ours is it? We are also pretty impatient in our technology focused world, driven by instant messaging, emails and social media. I sometimes wonder how the people who were back in Judea felt at the long gap, had some given up waiting while others tried to tie down behaviour to "ensure " that they were ready and while yet others exploited the situation seeking power and position?</p><p>How good are we at waiting? How good are we at jumping the gun a bit and trying to make things happen when we believe God has given us a direction and things seem slow happening? We were reminded in church recently of the story of Abram (Abraham) and Sara (Sarah). Childless they were promised a son by God, but nothing seemed to be happening.</p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b>(Gen 12:31) The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."</b></span></p><div>How often do we like Abraham and Sarah try in our own strength to do what God has promised? In my experience that usually leads to problems, wrong directions and even heart-ache. Fortunately for Abraham and Sarah, God did give them the son who would be the root of blessing for all peoples, Isaac, even though they had produced Ishmael from a servant rather than wait.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpynDRqTfCM6x2Rp_yCOegqzbH2n-wWg_9JtjOlcRZkhbqrGSrE1UnBJPhCWS5Z2wl7e8wrLlUVR8oNRJ8H0w8wvGVSi_08BuzHnKqb_7wiF5MET-8NP-GgqJMKW6H2pKz3N1edd3Bpys5LnzJ-L0w3CfrgF4iNsOTVpKZRydyOxhVHozoJZwjqMsg/s2048/308544328_10101041914055547_1126821621162647252_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpynDRqTfCM6x2Rp_yCOegqzbH2n-wWg_9JtjOlcRZkhbqrGSrE1UnBJPhCWS5Z2wl7e8wrLlUVR8oNRJ8H0w8wvGVSi_08BuzHnKqb_7wiF5MET-8NP-GgqJMKW6H2pKz3N1edd3Bpys5LnzJ-L0w3CfrgF4iNsOTVpKZRydyOxhVHozoJZwjqMsg/w220-h293/308544328_10101041914055547_1126821621162647252_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>Nicola and I thought last year that we had the next phase of our lives worked out. Retiring from a church and job that we both loved in Essex and which we knew we would miss, but realising it was time to hand over to a new minister, we prepared. Sold our home in Sussex (4 times in 6 months) and prepared for living near the sea. A few weeks before our retirement the buyer pulled out leaving us with no choice but to return to our house in mid-Sussex and see what the future held. We are trying one more time to see if the move to the sea is on this year. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While I am convinced that retirement was to right thing and we are loving spending more time with family and grand-children we have questioned our plans for where to live. Does God want us where we have now returned to or is the move to the sea-side and a different adventure still the plan just not in our timing? We are enjoying being in the church here but continue to seek God's direction for what is next, here or the sea-side. His timing and plans are good and perfect, ours are often impatient and flawed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have just read Luke chapters 1-5 and the account of Jesus' the Messiahs birth. God did do as he had promised his people, just not in their timing and not in a way that they expected. Perhaps we need to learn patience and listening to God more than we have?</div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-35327035757011518522022-07-21T11:56:00.005+01:002022-07-21T11:56:58.148+01:00Changing Scenes<p> It has been a while since I last wrote, partly through lack of time and partly because my focus has been on other things. I was reflecting recently on the way in which the scenes of life change. Sometimes with our choices and at other times they are forced upon us. I imagine that the disciples of Jesus were shocked when he said he was going to die and probably even more shocked when it happened. But then while enjoying his risen presence and wondering what next? Was he going to restore the kingdom there and then in a way they expected? Once again Jesus shocked them ...</p><p>Act 1:6-9 Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. </p><p>Everything changing around them.</p><p>Most of us have been through big changes in our lives. More recently we have coped with COVID and the enforced season that this virus took us into. Many have recovered from it but the echoes are still there for some, isolation, poor health, the loss of loved ones.</p><p>Some of us cope with change better than others, some resist change at all costs. But change is inevitable and I think in some instances needed. We can get very set in our ways, comfortable in them even if they are not helpful to us or others.</p><p>Following Jesus comes at a price, because we align our lives with what he commands of us. Take up your cross daily and follow me! He calls us to give up to gain, calls to ministry are a good example, we give up a life which often we have loved and enjoyed in terms of work and finance, to take up a vocation which is often amazing but at times is hard work and difficult. As I look back I ask myself the question would I have chosen not to go into full time Christian ministry? My answer is no, I would not have missed my years in ministry for anything, for all of the cost to me and my family, the gain is beyond measure.</p><p>I know that throughout Jesus has been true to his word that he would never leave us, in fact gave us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate and guide. So now as I plan a change of season and retire later this year from full time ministry I can but wonder what surprises Jesus has in store for me next.</p><p>Whatever season you may be in or may face in the future, Jesus knows all about and will be with you. Trust in him and you will see it through. </p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-60645334735336068652021-12-19T08:28:00.008+00:002021-12-23T12:36:53.687+00:00Christmas with ....<p> Last Christmas many people struggled, some with the virus others just because everything that would normally be Christmas was not possible. Often its not until we strip back everything that we uncover things and we then get back to something more beautiful.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfLdQZZpFFClsIcxK3dn5Jjl2BGL4qhHBKUBFMPqbTJC6Pq_PbEwhv5txX0PSKY27uhFHdoQOK36MwAfnUtD4V-A_9Ht2urny6xGsCn5UFPUtdCcZQ1e8O62FKncbtL-yUfjcLumiZwFoYaQefTglrgm8uXqgDnggy3ZUAyxBR3vtYHWuVH9plubcz=s1240" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfLdQZZpFFClsIcxK3dn5Jjl2BGL4qhHBKUBFMPqbTJC6Pq_PbEwhv5txX0PSKY27uhFHdoQOK36MwAfnUtD4V-A_9Ht2urny6xGsCn5UFPUtdCcZQ1e8O62FKncbtL-yUfjcLumiZwFoYaQefTglrgm8uXqgDnggy3ZUAyxBR3vtYHWuVH9plubcz=s320" width="320" /></a>I am sure that many of us will have started decorating a "new" home, taking back wall papers and paint to bare walls only to find cracks, bad or worn out plaster or brick work, that then needs some serious repair or attention. But its not always bad news, sometimes it takes the clearing away of those things that hide the truth or the beauty, to see it. Most have heard of Pompeii in Italy, clearing away and excavating uncovered lovely murals on walls that had not been seen since the eruption. A restoration project in a Tudor mansion, uncovered Elizabethan paintings on the walls that had been hidden for centuries.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-pshGB3Y9J5DoxxNz-gTM1ug_9PwCMmMDj8hJENrsOdKrIDBCOhEY3MuhK6fGYITvZTliMcYLs2QbIbR0w0BEmW88Yn0xRUGdrsSl3E8O3To0zHK3ABLXxXpxE9GBoTMfDZC2_fseoFX8fE9q-Rr5_3w-q_IJSH2IbaoF6DSe4q0x8DqSYP4CAZj8=s1024" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-pshGB3Y9J5DoxxNz-gTM1ug_9PwCMmMDj8hJENrsOdKrIDBCOhEY3MuhK6fGYITvZTliMcYLs2QbIbR0w0BEmW88Yn0xRUGdrsSl3E8O3To0zHK3ABLXxXpxE9GBoTMfDZC2_fseoFX8fE9q-Rr5_3w-q_IJSH2IbaoF6DSe4q0x8DqSYP4CAZj8=s320" width="320" /></a></div>This Christmas, 2021, many will have to stay away from families and friends as they cope with infections of the virus and the need to protect others. As a result many Christmas parties, Church activities and family gatherings are either cancelled or reduced in size and numbers. We read in the news and social media of the distress and upset that this causes to business and people. Others are working extraordinary hours to handle the vaccination booster program. My wife had the virus early in December and has fully recovered, I got a +ve test on 17th Dec (result on the 18th), no symptoms initially but must now cancel our Christmas plans and rely on being present on-line in some of my favourite services of the year.<p></p><p>I was asking myself what makes Christmas? Has it been reduced over the years to a massive spending spree where, driven by current trends and social influencers, we rush to buy the right things, the right gifts, attend the right parties and events? Even the church celebrations can drift away from worship of the one that Christmas is truly all about, Jesus as we get tangled up in presenting shows and panto's and having various fund raising things in the hope that folks are more generous at Christmas.</p><p>Jesus, the baby, its almost like a fairy tale and for many it seems like that. Why would God, all powerful, all glorious, the creator of all things, majestic in power, why would God become a baby? Vulnerable and dependant upon others, it seems so strange. Yet in his humanity, his teaching, his life, he had a purpose. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A16&version=NIV" target="_blank">To build the bridge to God</a>, to pay the price of our wrong doing and build a spiritual bridge that all may cross. This baby as an adult, was crucified for us, rose again to give us hope for an eternal future. This is something to celebrate, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A8-20&version=NIV" target="_blank">just as the Angels did</a>, something to hold in our hearts, even if we don't have Christmas with friends, family, church, or work through it, we can still celebrate Jesus, God with us, God who loves us, God who wants us to know him.</p><p>Let me wish you a Happy and safe Christmas, where ever you are and what ever you are doing. Let hope for your future with God be a cause for great joy, laughter and celebration this Christmas.</p><p>I hope you enjoy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMiJzkjI8Y">this song</a> which I find helps me celebrate and reflect.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-39927315095817683432021-10-29T12:04:00.002+01:002021-10-29T12:04:19.360+01:00Love is ...<p>This week in our life group (bible study and fellowship group), we were looking at a passage that is very familiar 1Corinthians 13. The study material is the Bible Societies "<a href="https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/lyfe/" target="_blank">lyfe</a>" series, which we are finding really helpful. It got me to thinking again about what I mean by love and how we use the word in our everyday and how that might vary with what Paul was talking about.</p><p>Do you remember the series of "love is ..." pictures that used to circulate, which mostly connected with an emotional love? As I reflect on the ways in which I love, I can see that to a degree I express it in ways that show it. Telling Nicola, my wife that I love her and giving her a kiss is one way, although it works better if I do the clearing up, cook or fill the dishwasher. Giving a grandchild a hug and making them feel safe when they stay is another. Doing the things that I do noticed or unnoticed for others and for church, is yet another way.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3NmEKCkqodg/YXvT-yf4YXI/AAAAAAAABSk/7GqunsMqJ14riMy8KfqlTJEAZmBYQoyHwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3NmEKCkqodg/YXvT-yf4YXI/AAAAAAAABSk/7GqunsMqJ14riMy8KfqlTJEAZmBYQoyHwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="267" /></a></div>Do all of these indicate the same love or are they different? The book <a href="https://www.5lovelanguages.com/" target="_blank">5 love languages</a>, which to be fair focuses on human love in relationships with each other, suggests different ways we can show love to those we are in relationships with and that they can show to us. The key being that we are all different and it is really easy to simply show love in a way that we would like it shown to us. I guess that's fairly human.<p></p><p>This is something we use and refer folks to when preparing them for Christian marriage in our church.</p><p>But what about what Paul is writing, how does that work or is it different? To gain the context, its worth reading it as a part of the section in which it sits, rather than on its own <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+12-14&version=NIV" target="_blank">1Corinthians 12-14</a>. Taking aside that there are some controversial words in this section, I want to concentrate on what 1Cor 13 has to say about love.</p><p>The point is that it is about the use of spiritual gifts in a church context and not abusing them. There is no doubt in my mind that God blesses his church with spiritual gifts to build it and to encourage it, but at times our humanity gets in the way of using them well. At times some even "fake" such gifts, perhaps to big themselves up. 1Cor 13 gives us the key, they should be used with an attitude of love, agape love;</p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671">It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-NIV-28672"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.</span> <b>I</b><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-NIV-28673">t always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. </span>Love never fails. </span></div><p>What Paul tells us, I think, is that worship should include these gifts being used, but underpinned with a kind of love that means they are used as God would have them used, not perhaps as we sometimes want. If we check ourselves and our use of the gifts that we have been blessed with, with this, it will help us use them well and appropriately. The focus is on others and not ourselves, on God and not ourselves. When we also practice this love in our relationships it will grow them, enrich them and change us. This passage written for the church and its use of gifts, has application also in our relationships.</p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-42697158941338747612021-09-28T13:44:00.003+01:002021-09-28T13:44:52.237+01:00Worship Revisited<p>Hi, Again its been a while since I wrote anything. Mostly just too busy! But having a few moments today I thought it was time to continue with my faith related thoughts.</p><p>My current devotional read is a book by R.T. Kendall - <a href="https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/the-church/worship-and-hymnology/worshipping-god/" target="_blank">Worshipping God</a>. I thought I would refresh my thinking a little on the whole picture of worship and it was something I picked up a Untied 2019 (New Wine) and had on the bookshelf in my "to be read" section. </p><p>The whole COVID experience has also put a lot of pressure on how we do Sunday worship as church, and not all bad pressures either. However, I like to reflect on what God might be saying rather than jump at every new trend. Is online church way forwards or a hybrid as others are promoting? So earlier this year I started reading and reflecting. Possibly the biggest challenge so far has been where is the focus of my and the church I serves, worship?</p><p>We all know that often worship really means the songs or music that we use. I think most will know that this is only a small part of worship. Although I would also say an important part of worshipping together and I love music. I noticed that initially having no music in our online services clearly felt like something was missing. Adding online playlists while we worked out who could and would play from home online, helped people prepare and once we could have musicians from home and then later in church it really did help as we came together online.</p><p>Much of this has a focus on what we as church expect and want of services when we gather. Was this the right focus, making it all to draw folks together in their disconnected situations at home? Some liked it, some struggled. What if we were unable to meet at all in person or online, how would we worship God then? Would we cease until we could meet or is there something more?</p><p>Kendal suggests, and I would concur, that worship begins, continues and thrives through our personal relationships with God. It is this more than anything, in effect our daily, personal, 24/7 worship in prayer, bible reading, listening to God, that forms us for when we come together as church.</p><p>I think that when that is our devotional life, it is less important when we we come together what we sing and how we pray than the fact that we are. Whether its the latest popular Christian songs or hymns of yesteryear, live or pre-recorded, whether its expository prayer or prepared, liturgical or less organised services, the key is what we are bringing, ourselves, as people who are and do worship God. If the focus is what we want, we have got it wrong, I think. Our focus should be on Jesus and that I think comes through our daily worship.</p><p>As the old chorus says:</p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Turn your eyes upon Jesus</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Look full, in his wonderful face</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And the things of earth will grow strangely dim</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the light of his glory and grace</span></p><p>As I walked a beach in Dorset recently in the sunshine with the tide receding I found it a delight and a joy to praise God and rejoice that I am his and he is mine no matter where I am, who I am with or what I am doing. As I have spent more time in personal worship it has fuelled and inspired my leading of the church, preparing worship for Sundays and has brought a new sense of inspiration to preparing sermons.</p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-11293515429770623212021-05-18T15:00:00.001+01:002021-05-18T15:00:49.818+01:00Resilient Faith handles Curved Balls<p> Hi, I have been quiet on my blog for a few months now. Not because I have nothing to say but because I had no time to write it down due to some family issues that needed to be handled. In early February by dad died. Although we knew he was ill it was quite sudden. A definite curved ball that needed to be caught and fielded well. What with planning his funeral, we also needed to work out mum's future as she has a number of care needs, not least of which is dementia. A great help in all of this was my church leaders offering me as much compassionate leave as I needed. They took my curved ball and and helped me field it well.</p><p>As the last 3 months have evolved there have been a number of other curved balls to catch and my family team have done (IMO) remarkably well in catching and fielding them. So how does all of this connect with our faith lives?</p><p>Firstly, none of us is exempt from life's curved balls. The idea that being a Christian means a sort of fairy tale existence of having all we want, having lots of wealth, health and happiness, simply does not stack up in my understanding, with the bibles teaching and especially that of Jesus. Curved balls come at all of us.. Over the last year many, and that includes many Christians, have lost their jobs around the world due to the pandemic. Christians in war torn countries like Nigeria, Syria suffer the same loss of homes, livings, the same dangers as any others. Christians have died or been badly affected by COVID like everyone else.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UJyoJsSRKn4/YKPG0cKrwoI/AAAAAAAABNc/Ud--ZvNSbRwaXw2l-rwUKSFthfak-39KgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="768" height="208" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UJyoJsSRKn4/YKPG0cKrwoI/AAAAAAAABNc/Ud--ZvNSbRwaXw2l-rwUKSFthfak-39KgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Secondly, how we view our faith matters. Because it affects how we field the curved balls that come. James tells us that we will face trials</p><p>Jas 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, </p><p>Jas 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. </p><p>If we believe that nothing testing or difficult will come to us, then when it does it is likely to shake and even break our faith built on sand. If we know that testing will come and are prepared to rely on Jesus, no matter what, we will get through it, with our faith strengthened and our trust deepened. Our faith more resilient.</p><p>Facing dad's death and its consequences brought our family closer together, working out things between us, sharing the things that needed investigating or doing and sharing in those first 2 months looking after mum. Day by day I asked God for the strength, wisdom and patience needed. Day by day he gave it to me. God enabled me to conduct dad's funeral and help our family through a difficult day. </p><p>Don't misunderstand me. I don't hold that being a Christian is all about some sort of stoic resilience to the challenges of life. My experience has been one of great blessing from God, but not always in being wealthy or healthy. God has never left me without, always given more than I had any right to expect, but has also led me through some very difficult things in life and often in church life. My trust in Jesus and the direction of the Holy Spirit has led me through those times and made the faith that I have deeper and more firm through them. I believe these each have helped my faith in Jesus to be more resilient,</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-6712299581810205462021-01-26T16:48:00.001+00:002021-01-26T16:48:11.535+00:00Difficulty or Opportunity?<p> In most parts of the world this Coronavirus pandemic has been felt. Its impact varies depending upon the severity and spread, but here in the UK, we are into our 3rd lockdown and it looks like this year is going to be punctuated with yet more virus related restrictions and problems.</p><p>For many this has presented all sorts of difficulties and challenges, not least to Christian churches. Not well known as early adopters, churches can often be slow to respond to change at best and at worst drag as if they have an anchor buried in the ground. Perhaps we should be seeing things in a different light, after all if God is God, then God can work through any situation to bring good. </p><p><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=all+things+work+together&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">And we know that in </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bolder;">all</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bolder;">things</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> God </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bolder;">work</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">s for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.</span></a></p><p>It is challenging our ways of meeting, not being able to meet in person, its challenging our online abilities, its challenging the way our finances work, its challenging the way we make decisions, especially those with a congregational view of church governance. </p><p>But is this really an opportunity rather than a difficulty? Is it a chance to explore new paths on the journey? Is it a challenge to rethink our approaches and our ways which we have got so used to? Well that possibly depends upon how we approach things. For me the faith life has never been a controlled, everything nicely in its place journey, its had surprises, bumps and also fun and excitement. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57g-iCLyOhc/YBBFIXuhgXI/AAAAAAAABJ8/MpFIk5WYlZgUF6L2IuVKKrC6BDyiRnqbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201217_145615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57g-iCLyOhc/YBBFIXuhgXI/AAAAAAAABJ8/MpFIk5WYlZgUF6L2IuVKKrC6BDyiRnqbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201217_145615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last year when all of this started, many churches looked at online presence. We had never streamed or filmed our services. How could we do this, should we? Agreeing this was an opportunity to use the time well we talked to others who were more experienced in this and made choices. We used the empty church to do something that would never have happened normally, moved the sound desk area to a better place with a new enclosure and re-wired our entire audio visual systems as well as putting the church onto the internet. Much of this possible through the generosity of the church with skills, money and time. The result, we are much better prepared for the future, already able to link those who cant come with those who can and did when we were open for a while through the middle of last year. We also took the time to link our hall and chapel to enable larger gatherings in the future oh and re-carpeted the chapel. Not every church has the finances to do these things. Careful use of income and encouraging a sacrificial attitude to giving regularly enabled us to have some savings. but fundamental to our thinking was enabling the church to continue meeting in whatever way we can and spending what we had to achieve that. It has opened up opportunities for the future.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILRF_ohEzv4/YBBELONXiSI/AAAAAAAABJ0/TO7cjVbEVm85G_f2bpwJ5X02ltPH9GW9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4896/P1070270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILRF_ohEzv4/YBBELONXiSI/AAAAAAAABJ0/TO7cjVbEVm85G_f2bpwJ5X02ltPH9GW9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1070270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A23-25&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="text Heb-10-23" id="en-NIV-30157" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.</span><span class="text Heb-10-24" id="en-NIV-30158" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Heb-10-25" id="en-NIV-30159" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.</span></a></p><p>Finance is perhaps the most challenged area for many churches. Where a significant portion comes from the service collections or from hiring the premises out, that has caused big issues. Is this really a challenge to the way in which we support church ministry and staff? Perhaps more use of regular giving through the bank would help some? But does it really honour God that we, his church, rely on those outside of the church to provide for our activities? Is this an opportunity to re-think how we do this in church life. Let me use a simplistic if imperfect example - If a church was made of 10 couples 5 single people and 5 who have non church partners so might find it hard to give, and based upon the average household income (yes I know there are all sorts of reasons folks can't or don't but all examples have flaws) at a giving of 5% that would amount to £18K a year. There is the challenge on all Christians (including the churches IMO) to be generous to each other? Giving to support other poorer, embryonic and smaller adapting churches - the UK Baptist Union try to to do this through Home Mission, which could be better supported than it is (IMO). Opportunities abound.<br /></p><p>Another challenge to our Church lives is that of meeting in person, many I know struggle with this not happening, wanted to keep the churches open regardless of the potential increase in infection that might cause. I know of many churches where whatapp, Zoom, Teams and other online apps, used on mobile phones (which a large number have), pads, laptops etc, have increased prayer times and the numbers engaging in prayer. Many churches now able to go "online", some have seen a big increase in their attendance. Now we don't know the future impact of this, but there are many who do not come into church services who are joining online, and in some cases that has led to conversions to the faith and joining the church. Again there are many churches who cant do this technically. If we were truly generous could not those churches with the resources and technical expertise, help those which do not? </p><p><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">I have given them the glory that you gave me,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> that they may be one as we are one</span></a></p><p>I think this pandemic can be seen as a difficulty to be weathered and then we can return to the old "normal". I hope and pray, that this is not the case. That we will listen to the challenges, learn and adapt as we seek God for a new "normal" and embracing the opportunities. A new way to be the Church that God is calling us to be. To hold on to what is good and let go of what needs to be let go off. An opportunity to shine in a new and different way.</p><p>May God bless you as you and your churches struggle and face the opportunities that all of this time can offer.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-29537748651092588132020-12-11T16:54:00.004+00:002020-12-11T16:54:50.150+00:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In early December Nicola (my wife) and I put up the Christmas trees in the Church and the hall, ready for
them to be decorated. Nicola couldn’t help putting on the balcony Christmas
lights once again, before we left, just to look. There is something about lights like these
that remind us of what time of year it is and what we celebrate. Why? Well
perhaps because Jesus described himself as “<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208%3A12&version=NIVUK" target="_blank">the light of the world</a>” and also
used a parable to explain that we, his Church, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A13%2D15&version=NIVUK" target="_blank">are to be lights</a>, which are not
hidden but shine for all to see. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COe_9ephMqU/X9OhmCQuEPI/AAAAAAAABIE/3k9jdzfRjz8sSaOYSVbawa7ogEElFtouQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201201_162946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COe_9ephMqU/X9OhmCQuEPI/AAAAAAAABIE/3k9jdzfRjz8sSaOYSVbawa7ogEElFtouQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201201_162946.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When the
times are difficult and things seem dark and hard, the light of the church, in
my understanding, should shine even more. Christmas is a time to remember the
hope that God has given through Jesus, the joy that comes from knowing him,
being a part of the light that shines and cannot be extinguished and the peace
that comes from knowing that this life is a part of life and not the end.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I love the
lights that we use to celebrate Christmas, I love the candles and the Christmas
trees, even if they are part of recent tradition. </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-aUJLK-XDg/X9OhmL4-90I/AAAAAAAABIA/kYuH6_Y4Kycc8112iYe72DNNU5vV9a1YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201124_163842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-aUJLK-XDg/X9OhmL4-90I/AAAAAAAABIA/kYuH6_Y4Kycc8112iYe72DNNU5vV9a1YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201124_163842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I like walking the streets at this time of year, seeing more and more houses being lit up with a huge variety of lights and <span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">tableaux's. And then there are our </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">high street lights which we help the local traders group raise money for each year. We almost didn't have any this year as we could not do any charity events. But people wanted the lights up, I think because it brings us a sense of joy and celebration to see them. Local </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">businesses</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> and individuals all gave towards this and we we able to put them up again. I think all of these speak of a
deep seated desire in folks to celebrate and they spark me into prayer and
rejoicing as I walk</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15b9P59ABTk/X9OhncP-PzI/AAAAAAAABII/x_mKWQawXbI_mPd8Nv9NddFwZynxQZEpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4896/P1070214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15b9P59ABTk/X9OhncP-PzI/AAAAAAAABII/x_mKWQawXbI_mPd8Nv9NddFwZynxQZEpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1070214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Various people from the church added to our decorations to prepare the church for the season. Today (11th Dec), we had our first Christmas service, for our toddler group, a Christingle, look it up if you have not heard of it 😊its simple but a great way to tell the story of Jesus to children. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Our church
celebrations this year will be different as we follow the many guidelines, but
we can still rejoice and celebrate all that God has done through the first
Christmas and the coming of Jesus. We can shine to our friends, colleagues, and
neighbours, so let’s be those lights in the best way that we can, drawing
others to the light of world at a time when the world needs light and not darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></p><br /><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-88362753974171082352020-10-20T17:58:00.001+01:002020-10-20T17:58:34.346+01:00The old or the new?<p>One of the things I have probably heard the most during this Coronavirus epidemic is "when can we get back to normal?" or "when can we return to the way things were?". I can completely understand the need to re-find some sense of comfort in being able to do things in the ways we had grown used to. For example in my case that might include:</p><p>Planning trips to see our children and grandchildren</p><p>Organising holidays well in advance</p><p>Meeting up with folks over a coffee or a meal</p><p>Sharing worship in person with the church</p><p>Catching up with the church over coffee after the services and in other meetings and gatherings.</p><p>Meeting all of the toddler group mum's, carers and children</p><p>...</p><p>The longer this lockdown or partial lockdown has continued and a few weeks has stretched into 7 months, so far, we still see no clear end to the situation and so what was thrust upon us by the rapid change has become a sort of new normal.</p><p>Jesus' arrival heralded a new normal for all people. No longer a normal of trying to win God's favour by observing strict religious codes and rules, but a new normal of inclusion in God's kingdom through Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. A new normal of Salvation by God's grace and not our observances and rituals. This new normal caused ructions, the religious of the day wanted Jesus out of the way, they clung to the old. Jesus' words about <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209%3A17&version=NIV">new wine in old wineskin</a>s certainly caused issues. I am not sure he meant the old was bad and the new was good, but more that a new way meant a new container, the old wouldn't be able to hold it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.psephizo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/img_4328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="800" height="232" src="https://www.psephizo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/img_4328.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I reflect a little on what has happened I can be sad at what I don't have and miss - the personal contact with friends and family, the buzz of church before during and after worship, the laughter and fun with the toddlers and so on. But I can also consider what is different and positive. Less meetings to travel to and so more time for other things (like speaking to church folks with real time given to it on the phone and not in snatched conversations with others waiting). Folks being able to attend services on Zoom who often work hours that make actually getting to church on Sunday hard. And then there is the on-line chats with our children and grand-children which are more frequent.</p><p>The old normal has some useful things to pull forward into the new normal but I wonder how much of the old we need to let go of and embrace the new a little more. Then perhaps it will not be so frightening but instead will become an opportunity to embrace new ways of doing things in all aspects of our lives and especially in our church lives.</p><p>God is more than able to work through each and any situation, after all church has survived two millennia so far and a good many changes have happened in the process. Maybe there is something for us in this embracing of the new, Isaiah wrote God's word to him down for us and maybe they are worth reflecting upon in the current situation. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043%3A19&version=NIV" target="_blank">"Behold I do a new thing".<br /></a></p><p><br /></p>tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-52629208464281391392020-08-21T20:02:00.000+01:002020-09-29T09:13:28.133+01:00A Rock in a world of confusion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I suspect that like me these last months have seemed like a sea of shifting sand. Different countries, even different parts of countries approaching this virus pandemic in different ways. In The UK we have England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales all taking slightly different approaches - perhaps a foretaste of what things will be like if and when some get independence? Each claim to be following the science, the mantra of the post modern world? Because politicians don't want the blame for any bad or wrong choices, its all down to the science. Yet the scientific community does not have all of the answers, there are different views on how it spreads, how isolated folks should be, heard immunity and so on.<br />
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The plethora of rules, regulations, guidelines and such is truly mind boggling and as a church minister it has proven both time consuming and difficult to navigate through it all, especially when we consider opening the church for limited congregations.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRE3MVPW3qNXk0KuZQUv_ILjm28H2YEAbX1oQ&usqp=CAU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rocks, sand and water in Saligo Bay, Isle of Islay | Islay ..." border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRE3MVPW3qNXk0KuZQUv_ILjm28H2YEAbX1oQ&usqp=CAU" /></a>Jesus told a parable about building our houses on sand or rock. And yes I know he was talking about faith. The question of what we have faith in is very relevant to the situation. My faith in Jesus has helped me to stand firm in this uncharted time. It helps me to take a more considered look at how to respond and how to get involved. For many of the world their faith in human endeavour and has been shown to be flawed, science is not the universal panacea, governments are flawed and make mistakes, the worlds economy lives on a foundation of sand, which it seems is very easily moved.<br />
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What has caused me even more thought is how easily the world economy can be pushed into melt down by a little virus. Perhaps it speaks to us about the fragility of the systems that we hold so firmly to? In the area in which I live I have been pleased at the response of people to giving up time to help others. Ensuring that those who have to shield etc still get their medication, shopping and a phone call to cheer them up.<br />
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I wonder if the real problem that this virus highlights relates to our ways of life. Is our travelling the globe with relative ease, our desire to do as we want, often without regard for the impact on the ecology of the planet or others, now getting some payback? It seems to me that some things are going to have to change or this has every chance to become a regular problem.</div>
tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-21469853082136945432020-06-09T11:08:00.000+01:002020-06-09T11:08:39.269+01:00How much are we worth 2?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last time I talked a little about how we value different people and different jobs or skills that society relies upon Over the last weeks we have seen events that suggest that some feel marginalised for other reasons and the protests, riots and looting that have followed are justified by some as expressions of anger against the injustices that they experience.<br />
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It led me back to reflecting upon how much we are valued or how much we think we are valued. In the face of an unequal society that various of course from country to country. Different forms of inequality present themselves according to culture, race and economics. In some countries we talk about the inequalities of the colour of skin. In others the inequalities of the shade of the colour of skin, in yet others the caste in which a person is born. In yet other countries it can be those who have power and those who are powerless. Yes, I realise that there are other forms of inequality and prejudice.</div>
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However in the cases above, there is, I think, another factor, economics. It seems to me that one of the key denominators in those forms of inequality and prejudice is that of economic access. The ideas of some being superior to others is nothing new, neither is the mighty ruling the less mighty. Throughout history it has been a factor in reducing the economic access for those in the "lower" orders, those less equal than others.</div>
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As a teenager I read and was moved by the story that George Orwell gave us in "Animal" farm and the salutary comment "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others". In some countries being white may well give an unfair advantage over others. in others its that a person is born to a higher caste or is from a people group who have power over others (regardless of colour). The result is usually the same, I think, that some are denied full access to appropriate education, resources, opportunities and the ability to help themselves. It can also breed a sense of helplessness, hopelessness or a lethargy in groups and so one spark can cause the sorts of reactions we have been seeing recently around the world. Not that I condone riots or looting, nor the total ignoring of social distancing in the protests, but I do understand the frustrations that lead to this.</div>
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Politics, action groups and the like have not made a huge difference to lower castes, minority groups to those who live in townships, ghettos or are part of ethnic minorities where there are social groups who have vested interests in keeping them down. Human schemes can only go so far.<br />
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Far too many folks have, in my opinion, bought the philosophy which suggests that "I" have the right to live life as I see fit, "I" decide what is right and wrong, (mentioned by the New You Times journalist Samuel Freedman and quoted by Tim Keller in Walking with God through pain and suffering). Whether we are in some way privileged or underprivileged, that philosophy leads to justification of whatever action we take to achieve or maintain our goals.</div>
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Jesus offered a radical solution to those "outcast" or "subjugated" by the society in which they lived, the same offer is there today. In humanity there needs to be a heart change. A change so radical that some are prepared to give up privilege, power, economic wealth and social standing, so that others might take part in the wealth and opportunities that should be available to all. But it also needs a heart change in those under privileged as well. To see the world differently, to take the opportunities that education can offer and so take part in changing society rather than being on the outside. People rarely change because they are told to, in my experience, but faith in Jesus will and does change us all. It gives us hope that we can and in fact do make a difference.</div>
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To the one who tries to amass wealth or power Jesus reminds us that all will die and leave it behind. He tells us to sow treasure in heaven by what we do here in this life.</div>
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To the one who feels put down. Jesus included all that he came across even those from outside of the Jewish people that he focused on at that time.No one is beyond his love and grace. He gives hope to all.<br />
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To the one who stands apathetically by, Jesus says when you do not do it to the least of these, you do not do it to me.<br />
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The kingdom of heaven is not about something we simply hope for in the future when we die. Jesus tells us <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A21&version=NIVUK" target="_blank">that it is in our midst</a>. It is with us - Christ initiated it so that we could be a part. We all have choices to make - to live for ourselves or to learn to live for each other. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A29-31&version=NIVUK" target="_blank">To love our neighbour as we love ourselves. </a><br />
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I believe it is possible to make a better future for all. But it takes faith, love and the ability to sacrifice for others. The question for us all is will we?</div>
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-18039521965207922182020-04-24T11:37:00.000+01:002020-04-24T11:37:09.868+01:00How much are we worth?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi, as we continue in this period of self-isolation resulting from COVID-19 it has given me a little time to ponder the way we approach things, the value that we place on things and the need for some adjustments.<br />
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How many of us get caught out by shopping on the internet seeing a cheap "bargain" and order it.? Only to find that it's a fake shopping site or they send the incorrect item and try to get away with not refunding. In effect caught out by our desire to get something cheaper.<br />
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Reflecting on our current situation, it seems to me that the value systems that we have developed and embedded into our modern culture, have been thrown onto their heads. Our social standing, how much a person earns counts for nothing where this virus is concerned. Where we live and how well educated we are only matter in so far as the access they give us to protective gear and medical aid. How much money a person makes for their business, is totally irrelevant when what is needed are folks with specialisations that have long been undervalued in our society. In a society that wants to pay as little as possible for as much as possible, those with less voice, often the lower paid, are oppressed. We have seen the impact of zero hour contracts, we have seen the whittling away of money for schools, social services, hospitals, council services, care work and such. Now these are the things we need more than ever. These are the ones putting their lives on the line for the rest of us - nurses, doctors, teachers, care workers, refuge collectors, shop workers, delivery people ... yes its quite big list of mostly lower paid workers!<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I am not in favour of generating bloated organisations that waste money or of privatizing everything so that others can cream off profits, efficiency is important. I am wondering what value we should truly place on the things we need to help us cope with and overcome this virus and others like it that will surely come along? How many of us would be prepared to give up a lot more of our income to help fund decent salaries for these sector workers and the equipment that they need? Would we be prepared to pay more for the things we want or need to have them manufactured locally rather than in sweat shops in foreign parts or by people being paid a pittance for their work? Surely if nothing else this virus crisis should make us rethink and learn?<br />
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Value is important, above I question the value we place on things and people.<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20:27-29&version=NIVUK" target="_blank"> Jesus challenged his disciples about status and value</a>.We have just"celebrated" Easter, when Christians remember and rejoice at the work God did through Jesus on the cross and then through his resurrection. God wants to know us personally and to do that made a way through Jesus' sacrifice to wipe the slate clean for us, if we will accept it. Jesus put a value on each and every person, that value is the same in each case, because what he did he did for each of us, regardless of what we think or the world thinks we are worth. Graham Kendrick summed it up in his song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkVucYfcBCQ" target="_blank">Paid on the Nail</a>". It's worth a listen and spending a moment reflecting - how much are you worth?<br />
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During this period of isolation our church are meeting with "Zoom" - take a look at our <a href="http://www.harlowbaptist.org/" target="_blank">website</a> for info on how to join us (10.30am UK time). A song that has recently really encouraged me as I consider values and the value God has placed on me is this "<a href="https://www.harlowbaptist.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=435#" target="_blank">King of Kings</a>". I hope it lifts your spirits to know that God has placed a value on you, you are worth everything to God.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-38553384787663862962020-04-09T16:05:00.003+01:002020-04-11T10:43:33.011+01:00Fake News and Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The current Coronavirus epidemic seems to have generated a large amount of fake news. What is hard to understand at times is why folks make it up, perhaps people trying to get more likes or shares on social media. Maybe some just like to worry people and stir things up. What is even harder to understand is the willingness of so many to believe anything on the internet without checking its truth.<br />
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A stunning one was that somehow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/05/youtube-to-suppress-content-spreading-coronavirus-5g-conspiracy-theory" target="_blank">5G</a> was connected to the spread of the virus or that the virus was let out to mask the impact of deaths through 5G radiation. Several masts in the UK have been attacked as a result. The <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters" target="_blank">WHO</a> had to publish a list of Coronavirus myth busters which included:<br />
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<li>The 5G situation mentioned previously</li>
<li>Exposure to Sun or higher temperatures or low temperatures, does not kill the virus</li>
<li>You can actually recover from the virus</li>
<li>10 secs of holding your breath without coughing does not mean you are free from the virus</li>
<li>Drinking alcohol does not protect your from the virus</li>
<li> ... there are more in the web page!</li>
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Have we become so easily sold out to someones mistaken ideas and fantasies that we can no longer determine the truth from fiction?</div>
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Why does all of this interest me? As a Christian church minister I am often confronted with the opposite. Folks unwilling or unable to look at the "truth" of Jesus Christ, but instead pushing it aside as fiction or fantasy. Some accept that he was an historical character but not who he claimed to be, God incarnate, God with us. Perhaps it has something to do with the potential impact of believing something. Believing unsubstantiated internet stories on social media or in the press, has little if any cost to us, unless of course they are true. But if the accounts of Jesus are true, then its a very different story. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haA0Ir9cuhc/Xo85oPF6MFI/AAAAAAAABCo/wFpgI0-lYEEhjvOIRctySFlkZxk4LPyAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Easter%2B2014%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haA0Ir9cuhc/Xo85oPF6MFI/AAAAAAAABCo/wFpgI0-lYEEhjvOIRctySFlkZxk4LPyAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Easter%2B2014%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a>He calls us to change our way of life, to care about others with a higher regard than perhaps we have had. He calls us to worship God when we probably never did before. He calls us to develop a whole new world view, neither consumer capitalism based nor communist based. But an attitude of fairness, justice, love, mercy. Preferring the needs of others before our own. Often it requires sacrifices in our lives. So no its not an easy path. </div>
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Easter is the time of year when Christians remember and celebrate the events of the death and resurrection, the coming back to life of Jesus. Signalling a new way, a new agreement being made possible between people and God. In our church we invite folks to the Alpha course, to look into these in an open and reasonable way. Presenting what we as Christians believe and allowing folks to explore and if they want to to experience it for themselves. Hopefully shortly we will do an on-line Alpha for those isolated by the virus.(contact me if you are interested).</div>
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My hope is that more will want to explore faith in Jesus this Easter, without simply assigning it to the myth bin.</div>
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Happy Easter<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-55421119620470536062020-03-30T17:30:00.000+01:002020-04-04T14:29:23.601+01:00Finding Peace in the Storm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The whole world now knows about Coronavirus or COVID-19 as it is now known officially. Whether it is the countries that have had it and seem to have controlled it like China and South Korea, the countries like most of Europe, parts of Asia, Africa and America who now have it or those countries yet to have it. The storm of activity and cycle of fear, concern and panic that this has caused across the world is truly incredible. Our news media seeming to produce more and more failures of the system to provide what is needed together with more and more video clips from folks to add fuel to the flames.<br />
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Our health services are or will be overwhelmed by the storm as it breaks upon them, we are told, as governments frantically prepare as best they are able. Many of us are now restricted in our movements and abilities to do what we usually do. Humanity seems to be to a degree adrift in a storm that is hard to control or to stop.<br />
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Most who have spent any time at sea know that the sea while it can be calm and beautiful can also be a tyrant, huge waves, rough seas boiling with foam and forcing ships to run before it rather than risk being broadsided.<br />
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Jesus' disciples found themselves in one of the sudden <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A35-41&version=NIV" target="_blank">storms</a> that can happen around lake Galilee. Panic appears to have been the order of the day "we are going to drown" they cried. Meanwhile, Jesus, was blissfully asleep in the boat, seemingly unaware of the problem facing them. The situation seemed well out of the disciples' ability to handle and so they woke Jesus. Two things happened, first Jesus told the storm <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Quiet! Be still!” and the storm calmed. The second was that Jesus questioned them about their lack of faith. Almost as if do you think I would let that happen to you? Perhaps it was a lesson they would remember later in life when other storms of life broke around them?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8iUPjSygWc/XoIcay1igdI/AAAAAAAABCU/bXy0m4tRTScex4idnlDe_8Y650SLJgyQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bowleaze%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8iUPjSygWc/XoIcay1igdI/AAAAAAAABCU/bXy0m4tRTScex4idnlDe_8Y650SLJgyQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bowleaze%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the current virus storm I am taking time to look for calm in the storm. Finding ways to help others be less panicked and fearful. None of us know for sure who will be affected, who will recover and who will not. But I hold to a hope in and through Jesus that helps me approach this storm with a calm optimism.<br />
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It has caused me to look for ways to help our church to face and start to weather the storm together, in prayer and in fellowship. Encouraging them to be creative in what they do and to ensure all are included in it. It has also given me more time to work on a deeper relationship with God in prayer and quietness. Through these I find the peace that I need to face this storm and any future storm. Jesus is my light, my hope and my joy. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjZBZv_771o" target="_blank">I hope you can also find that for yourselves and perhaps rise above the storm</a>.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-32597946520209271302020-02-14T12:51:00.000+00:002020-02-14T12:51:42.544+00:00Life Changing Choices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been busy since Christmas on a lot of things but one has given me a lot to think about. Planning for the future. In the not too distant future I have to make up my mind what to do about a couple of workplace pensions that I have. Do I take the money out and try and beat professional investors with making money on it? Do I play safe and go for an annuity? Do I take the tax free part now or can I hold off on that for a while? Talking to qualified financial advisors helped a bit but in the end, as often is the case, with these sorts of things, its down to my wife and I to decide what we think works best for us. As one, very helpful advisor said to us, if you had a crystal ball that told you the future it would make it a lot easier to decide. The thing we have found is that what might seem obvious as the start of this sort of planning is not so obvious once you get into it.<br />
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It got me thinking about the choices that we all face in life and especially the ones that faced the early disciples of Jesus, life changing choices. All of the early ones during Jesus' ministry left jobs behind and gave up security. Big life changing choices. Paul, once he got it, gave up a way of life and took to the road, risking all sorts of dangers. Many of the early disciples found themselves in prison or worse. Life changing and life shortening choices.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3AoiZm6wU8/XkaV6uTa5YI/AAAAAAAABBs/sGHLqOExkHUFODNQXucCoN2q1FR_CzdPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3AoiZm6wU8/XkaV6uTa5YI/AAAAAAAABBs/sGHLqOExkHUFODNQXucCoN2q1FR_CzdPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC02986.JPG" title="Ordination 2010" width="240" /></a>And yet all these years later people still make life changing choices to follow Jesus. To allow their lives to be changed under the guidance of Jesus' teachings and the work of the Holy Spirit. Life changing choices that can lead to worldly insecurity. I had never thought that asking Jesus into my life over 30 years ago would make such a difference, and yet I don't look back with regret, wondering what if that had not happened, what if I hadn't got involved in church life, what if I had not accepted the call to full time ministry which resulted in ordination in 2010?<br />
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For example our agreeing to nearly 3.5 years in Italy in the 1990's was a direct result of prayer and an opportunity that occurred a month later I had 24 hours to decide upon. Being at peace with the decision helped us go for it. It turned out to be a step on the journey towards full time ministry, but was also a great blessing to us as a family.<br />
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The thing is that often I find it easier to make these sorts of life changing choices when I involve God in them than when God is not. I guess because I have learned, and I am certain the early disciples of Jesus learned, God will guide us, but allows us to choose. My litmus test, prayer and asking am I at peace with this choice or not? We are applying that to the pension choices in the same way that we have learned to do in so many other areas of our lives (which we omitted to do at the start of the pension process, well no one is perfect 😊).<br />
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<span style="color: red;">1Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you</span><br />
For anxiety we can read cares or burdens, the things that trouble us or are weighing us down. There are times when we need resources other than our own to get through things or to help us make choices that will or could affect the rest of our lives, life changing choices. Jesus is there to be with us, guide us and help us find the way through.<br />
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This is a song that I have been listening to for a while that you might find helpful. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul5u-mPmCq8" target="_blank">"Lean Hard"</a>.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-1622969630782686352019-12-14T13:13:00.000+00:002019-12-14T13:13:04.574+00:00Christmas 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Christmas evokes all sorts of thoughts, memories, joys and sorrows depending upon our experiences, beliefs and lives. One of our local magazines asked local church ministers to reflect on a question each Christmas. This year it related to Christmas traditions. One of mine as a child, was that we waited, excited, for Christmas morning and being allowed to unwrap the presents left for us over night. It was always fun.<br />
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As we go through life we gain experiences. People we love die and we can no longer share Christmas with them, sadness, a good friend died on the 4th Dec this year and I will be conducting his funeral this coming week. We often spend a moment when the family are together to remember those who have left this life that we have known and loved. Then there are those who have come into the world - this year we had a new grand-daughter, Alice and my sister, Lynn had a grand son, Jacob. Children bring a sense of joy to the celebrations.<br />
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My wife and I spend time writing Christmas cards to those who we know both local and far away. I know that some feel that sending cards is "old hat". But I find that as I see each name, it invokes memories of times when we knew each a little better, things we did together. Memories are good things I find.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AUY6SO9zQc/XfTfEYhr7JI/AAAAAAAABBI/rFHXztlDE8sQTlMQfHkW-yTQYnyB5W33ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AUY6SO9zQc/XfTfEYhr7JI/AAAAAAAABBI/rFHXztlDE8sQTlMQfHkW-yTQYnyB5W33ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/stable.jpg" width="320" /></a>As a church minister December flies by in a flash with all of the activities - school concerts, Christingles, Carols services, community events and church events. I love it all, every one a reminder of what Christmas is all about, God's love expressed through Jesus. And yet the Christmas story is tinged with joy, hope and sadness. The baby that we rejoice over, came to save us through his death. Recently I saw a group of people come alive in faith in Jesus as result of what he did on the cross, joy has dawned in their lives, you might like to listen to this (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giKVGmMp94o" target="_blank">When love came down to earth</a>).<br />
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Whatever your past or present experiences I hope you have time to consider Jesus this Christmas; Jesus came because God loves you. If we can find room in our hearts he can help each of us find <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUFSxt7qkNw" target="_blank">peace, joy, hope and love</a>.<br />
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I wish you a happy and blessed Christmas, no matter what your experiences are or have been.</div>
tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-20313258982418742732019-11-23T12:06:00.001+00:002019-11-23T12:45:57.019+00:00Division and Chaos 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is an unusual posting from me as its not dotted with scripture, its more a reflection on a little division and chaos in the Christian world.<br />
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My last posting was on the division and chaos that I was reflecting upon in our society and politics. But as I have continued on this track I have found myself reflecting upon the nature of the Christian church in this age.<br />
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Reading some things on the web recently smd some posts of others commenting on things going on I wonder if I am in fact a product of a by-gone age. It would appear that if I take seriously the things I have been reading I am an infernalist, possibly callous, a homophobe and probably a few other 'phobes as well. In the Christian world we seem to have adopted the pugilistic, threatening language type of debate, that seeks not to have reasoned discussion and acceptance of difference of views. Instead it seems to seek to shut down any opposing view as inconceivably wrong and thus bigoted or phobic.<br />
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In one series of posts related to the ongoing discussion on universalism, or the idea that no matter if we accept Christ or not, all will eventually be saved, I was led to look deeper, to find that since my views differ from the writer of the book promoted, it seems my understanding is so flawed that I am someone who since I differ with the author on heaven and hell I am one who "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">To believe in it even in part . . . one must at some level have lost the capacity to distinguish clearly between love and spite</span>."<br />
Well that tells me.<br />
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Another series of posts related to the recent events around Churches together in England and their not affirming the appointing of a president who was in a same sex relationship. Both sides of the discussion got heated and I chose not to engage as I was more than likely going to be seen as a bigot or some such, because I hold to a view that marriage is between a man and a woman, what is now called a traditional view by some.<br />
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It seems to me that the church has more than adopted the mode of activity of our society in its "debate", putting off good, loving and honest discussion in favour of pushing aside anything we don't agree with using language that shuts down discussion and reason in favour of they who shout the loudest win the day. To some degree I think its bullying behaviour, frighten the opposition with accusations and language that shuts down rather than reasons. Just like out politicians and lobbyists.No amount of forceful language is going to change my view, in fact pretty much the opposite.<br />
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Having a different point of view, no matter how firmly held and researched and prayed through, counts for little when it comes to trying to engage in these sorts of discussion. As result I often don't bother, since it achieves little and simply seems to inflame rather than promote reason.<br />
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I accept that others have different views to me on scripture, how to read it and its interpretation, but why is it not possible for those same people to accept that I and others like me have opinions different from theirs that deserve some respect?<br />
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In many respects we seem to have become "of the world" rather than "in the world". In the end there is one Judge and we will all find out the truth, and there can only be one, can't there? God's truth. We will all be right in some things and wrong in others. We use words like justice and mercy to justify views and then act without either when debating with each other.<br />
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I seem to recall that Jesus tells us something that we should remember and seed our discussion with -<br />
Joh 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.<br />
Joh 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."<br />
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Here is a preview of a song for Advent, which brings us back to love.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-21445704129753974352019-10-01T18:01:00.000+01:002019-10-01T18:01:41.815+01:00Division and Chaos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over some months I have been pondering over and praying about the situation we in Britain find ourselves in. A referendum that managed a small majority to leave the European Union has caused major issues.<br />
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I was preparing for the start of a sermon series early in September and the series is working through Galatians. The thing that I began to see was the way in which division can come is not always from where you expect. Paul was trying to correct something that was affecting those churches and reading his other letters churches in other parts of the regions. Something that you might have expected from other faiths wanting to put the early Christian faithfully down or divide and conquer them. But no this came from within. Paul refers to those trying to add extra conditions into the simple salvation by grace that he preached in Galatians:<br />
Gal 2:4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.<br />
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Strong language - false believers, some who were trying to convince the Christians that they were not saved if they were not circumcised. And it got worse, later Paul took a stand against Peter who had bowed under pressure and it seems at that point would not share the Lord's table with "Christians" who were uncircumcised. What a state of play, polarized views, division. Fortunately the whole thing was sorted out by the church meeting together and discussing, praying and then agreeing the way forwards.<br />
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It got me to putting together some thoughts from my prayer and study for the division that the Brexit / Remain thing has caused in Britain. My conclusion - God was not /is not on either side in this debate, the church has not heard God's direction, in my opinion. This debate that has successfully done what nothing that I can recall in my lifetime has achieved - its divided churches, its divided political parties, its paralyzed government as MP's seem like infants in a playpen, all fighting to get the toys they want and no one managing it. I don't believe that God is in such division and chaos. But I know there is one who thrives on it, working in the background to sow discord and division - the same one who attempted to break Jesus away from his earthly task.<br />
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Mar 1:12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,<br />
Mar 1:13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.<br />
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The Christian church has an opportunity, if we can surrender our partisan views first, I think, to speak into the chaos and to encourage healing in this dire situation.To bring order to the chaos and to speak out on letting partisan views go and instead truly seek first the kingdom of God and then his direction for the country. We could set an example, but we might well simply remain as divided as the rest of the nation.</div>
tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-76752089666748445982019-07-25T15:54:00.001+01:002019-07-25T15:54:35.675+01:00A rock in a moving sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Change is a large part of life today, life can seem to be in a permanent state of flow, much as the sea is constantly moving in tune with the position of the Moon and its orbit..<br />
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A majority of the people in the UK want the change that will come with leaving the EU, hoping for a new "golden age". Sweeping away 40 years of working in one form or another with our European neighbours.<br />
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Our Prime Minister has been removed and replaced by someone, who IMO, should have taken the post last time and done what he said he was in favour of, getting the UK out of the EU.The last one lasted only a short while, I wonder how long this one will last, especially if he can't deliver on his big promises? And then what? More change.<br />
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Many saved for their pension over decades only to find that their pensions are no longer worth what they were led to believe. As they retire, life changes, money is more restricted, things taken for granted can no longer be.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8laMAeeC1s/XTm-6o44M_I/AAAAAAAAA_g/Css8Eh0XJwkBYslFYqgJo6dEK2dq7oT6ACLcBGAs/s1600/waves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="920" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8laMAeeC1s/XTm-6o44M_I/AAAAAAAAA_g/Css8Eh0XJwkBYslFYqgJo6dEK2dq7oT6ACLcBGAs/s320/waves2.jpg" width="320" /></a>As I write we are in a heat wave, some of the hottest temperatures recorded in this country, its almost too hot to do anything. I am used to walking up mountains with wind, rain and even snow. This year my mountain walk up Ben Nevis was in temperatures ranging up to 28deg C at the bottom.<br />
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Recently in my daily bible reading I have been working through the book of Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet who lived at a time of change as well. Israel, a powerful nation that had initially relied upon God to guide it and aid it had forgotten their roots and gone their own way. The result is that Isaiah warns them of the huge change that they will face in the years to come, the nation dwindling in power, attacked and overcome by other nations, the people would be capture and taken away.<br />
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In the midst of all of this, God gives hope, there will be a time of restoration and more, a time when a new way will be brought to them by God's anointed one, the saviour. In the massive changes that they would face a promise stood, a promise of hope, a promise of salvation, something to hold on to, a rock in a moving sea of change. The psalmist recognised that in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+62:5&version=MSG" target="_blank">psalm 62</a>.<br />
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Change is a part of life, sometimes it can be planned, sometimes it is unexpected and worrying. But in the changes of life there can be a constant, a Rock that will not change, an anchor that won't budge no matter the weight of the waves, Jesus. Jesus who asks us to build our faith on the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7:25&version=NIVUK" target="_blank">rock </a>that is a solid foundation for all things, him. God's promise to us that has been realised and made complete. My experience of faith in Jesus is that no matter what I face in life, no matter what changes, I face them better when I look to him for guidance, he has become the rock in my life that does not move and allows me to handle the swirling waters of the deep that life at times tries to engulf me with.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GGFb6LcX3U" target="_blank">The waters may break</a> around me but will not overwhelm me. I hope the same is true for you.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-71374055705827923292019-07-02T13:49:00.000+01:002019-07-02T13:48:59.974+01:00The Sower and the Soil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently I had been preparing for a family service at a local church which has no minister at present. Our church and this church work together on a project that we call Kidz Klub, aimed at 5-11 year olds, and I had agreed to go and speak at this service working with one of their service leaders. The subject "the Sower" <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MAtthew+13%3A1-8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13 1-8</a> is what we are using this summer for our Kidz Klub theme.<br />
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In preparing and then leading this service I found myself considering the two sides of the story that I was looking at. The first, the seeds and what happened to them, the second the sower.<br />
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We often read of decline in church attendance, falling numbers of believers and so on and over time churches have come up with lots of imaginative ways to try to attract people, some work after a fashion others seem not to work well. I asked myself are we more interested in numbers than we are in deep rooted disciples of Jesus who in turn will take their part in sharing the message of the gospels? Are we looking for quick apparent results rather than deep rooted faith that grows through discipleship and nurture?<br />
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The Sower parable gives us ways in which the seed, the word of God, is impacted by the ground in which it is sown:<br />
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The path - hard, unyielding on which nothing can take root, the seed lies there to be eaten by birds and so there is no impact. What in our lives, our churches, our communities would be the equivalent of the hard path? What prevents the words of God penetrating and taking root? In conversation we concluded that in such case we might need to take a concrete breaker with us.<br />
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The Rocky Soil - looks better than the path, the seed takes root, but underlying rocks prevent any real roots and so the sun scorches the young plant and it dies. How often do we see immediate and expressive responses to the gospel message only to find that shortly after the enthusiasm has gone and the impact has worn off. Perhaps we in church life need to help remove the rocks so that the roots can establish and the impact can grow?<br />
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The Weedy soil - Again this looks like an improvement, seeds grow and the result looks good. But life crowds in, pressures take charge and choke off any further development. Its sad but in my opinion its the state of many who go to church in this country. The solution, if there is one is two fold - sharing the need for the commitment to be disciples and to make it a priority but also churches need to be pro-active and imaginative in how they disciple.<br />
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Good soil - Well prepared, well looked after soil leads to seeds that grow into wholesome and productive plants, disciples who in turn will be productive in the Kingdom, drawing many others to faith in Jesus and so bring glory to God.<br />
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The point of this? Christians are called to be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A18-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">sowers</a> and I see that as a challenge. The church can blame its decline on lots of things - cultural change, lack of time, money, resources, too many alternatives for people other than church and so on..It can try to mimic culture with an entertainment based attitude to worship and its services which may well attract people but do they become disciples? Perhaps what people need is a church that is authentic in its message, living it out as well as preaching it, a church that does not try to mimic and adopt its culture but challenges it fearlessly. A church which is focused on preparing the soil of peoples lives to receive the seed, the word of God, sows it and encourages it to grow and be fruitful.<br />
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Oh, I think I read something about that kind of church in the bible.</div>
tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-83256043627359715292019-05-24T16:18:00.005+01:002019-05-24T16:20:33.500+01:00All the way my saviour leads me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Those who know me know that I am a lover of all sorts of music and especially church music. I enjoy much of the modern church music produced through Hillsong, Bethel, Worship Central and New Wine as well as many older Hymns and chants.<br />
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The main thing for me is not the age of the song, it's rhythm or who wrote it but does it at the moment of singing inspire me to want to go deeper in worship to the one who fills and sustains me? As I sing I often find myself transported in my spirit to a different focus from where I was. Often helping me see things in different ways or just being able to let something go that was troubling me. Depending upon my state of mind, busyness and such, different songs affect me.<br />
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Last year I went to a worship concert of "Rend Collective" a fantastic evening of singing, worship and connection with my saviour through the music as well as some lovely times of reflection.<br />
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Recently I was thinking of using a modern take on an old hymn in a service, only to find that my music team struggled with the way it had been scored, they knew the older version. I gave way, I have to admit a little grumpily. But it really would not have worked well.<br />
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Then as I prepared for opening a church members meeting at a church I am helping out during a ministerial vacancy, it came to mind again, but in its traditional version. Hmm! It stuck, It was exactly right as I listened to it.<br />
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<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zxi1zAqavo" target="_blank">All the way my Savior leads me</a>,<br />What have I to ask beside?<br />Can I doubt His tender mercy,<br />Who through life has been my Guide?<br />Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,<br />Here by faith in Him to dwell!<br />For I know, whate’er befall me,<br />Jesus doeth all things well;<br />For I know, whate’er befall me,<br />Jesus doeth all things well.</li>
</ol>
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Jesus leads us if we will listen, his leading is often gentle, sometimes we listen, sometimes we just don't hear. The Psalmist in Psalm 40 reflects on being given a new song to sing even when they were in dire straights "Psa 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him."<br />
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The hymn reminded me that my saviour was in charge, leading me and the church so that any concerns I might have could be let go. Later as we sang it as part of the meetings opening worship, I was once again transported to that place of peace and wonder - All the way my saviour leads me ...<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-47139589170146608172019-04-02T14:22:00.001+01:002019-04-02T14:22:37.416+01:00Wrath and Mercy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks back I was reading during my quiet time in the morning and came across a comment by a writer on the subject of God's wrath.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.eden.co.uk/kings-cross/" target="_blank">"</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.eden.co.uk/kings-cross/" target="_blank">If you don’t believe in a God of wrath, you have no idea of your value"</a>. Initially this seemed hard but the more I considered it the more it made sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All too often, Christians that I speak with, prefer to stick with the New Testament, Jesus, the disciples and the theme of love as shown through Jesus. The Old testament is at best treated with </span>cursory<span style="font-family: inherit;"> interest at worst it is put aside. Perhaps a sad reflection on our society and culture, which seems to want to make things after their own image, even God.</span><br />
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For me there is a problem in leaving the Old Testament out of the picture and not wanting to engage with a God who does show anger, who we are told pours out his wrath at the sin of humanity. A number the prophets talk of God's wrath at sin, the sin of his people, who chose their own ways rather than God's. The impact over time was that the nation of Israel became degenerate, broken and self focused. In effect choosing to do whatever seemed OK at the time. (When I look at our culture I see many of the same traits). <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel7%3A8&version=MSG" target="_blank">Ezekiel</a> for example, tells us that God's wrath was to pour on his people as result of this.<br />
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What is God's wrath all about? Well it seems to me that it is about the effect of sin. Sin not only is a choice to go against God's ways, it has consequences, one person's wrong doing will affect others. For example our collective attitude to discarding our rubbish - often not in rubbish bins, affects others as it pollutes our towns and cities and even our hedgerows, land and seas. Most of us drive vehicles and most of us use them regardless of distance or need. These pollute, whether using "so called" clean fuel (Electric) or fossil fuel (petrol, diesel) they cause environmental damage - the energy source has to come from somewhere! So when we use them without consideration and damage the planets Eco-systems, what are we doing? When we live lives that are so self focused it leads to the attitude of work till we drop, being busy all of the time, filling every moment with doing. No wonder we suffer extreme stress and mental and physical illness. Not what God intended and hence his best for us is that we take regular rest to regenerate our energy and to help our well-being.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei8gNVmlyKg/XKNgW8NBVDI/AAAAAAAAA6E/tq7FgsI4eiEYkg7D89A7ARYJ4YeLm2_2wCLcBGAs/s1600/Passion_Jesus-in-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="353" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei8gNVmlyKg/XKNgW8NBVDI/AAAAAAAAA6E/tq7FgsI4eiEYkg7D89A7ARYJ4YeLm2_2wCLcBGAs/s320/Passion_Jesus-in-garden.jpg" width="320" /></a>What God created was good, what we do is often not so good and in fact causes serious harm. Now I begin to get it. God's wrath, at least in part, is perhaps related to the impact of sin on everything. We are told that the price of sin is death, ours! Pretty harsh stuff. Measuring sin and its impact multiplied by humanity, past, present and future would be too difficult to compute. But God knows that computation and instead of wiping us out, God's love for us wins. All of that wrath was taken up and drunk by Jesus - read the account of the garden of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A36-46&version=MSG" target="_blank">Gethsemane</a>.<br />
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All of the price of all of that sin, all of that wrath at that sin, taken and transformed by Jesus, through love, God's love for us. Love that means that if we accept the free gift of God, we are forgiven, restored to relationship with God, through Jesus. Wrath and mercy meeting through the life changing, live saving work of the cross. And our value? Beyond price I think.<br />
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tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913277324292720977.post-54166983557121678592019-02-16T12:31:00.001+00:002019-02-16T12:31:05.561+00:00Status and Servants?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Status and how others see us, have become primary things in the lives of many today. Job titles or church titles, honorific or actual are often far too important to many. Maybe there is a sense that if "I am called some grandiose thing, others will respect me more"? Maybe its about self value and having a title that gives us a better sense of value and worth?<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7J9zzRTHnM/XGgBAmEArsI/AAAAAAAAA5o/UunKeQ2eXkE6ZhngUaQM9k9L1VNxETSZACLcBGAs/s1600/ethnic-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7J9zzRTHnM/XGgBAmEArsI/AAAAAAAAA5o/UunKeQ2eXkE6ZhngUaQM9k9L1VNxETSZACLcBGAs/s320/ethnic-hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I wonder in Church life how we see ourselves and others? I can recall when we lived in Italy one person in the church "owned" a particular role in the small church community that we attended. As result of that persons desire to hold on to that position and apparent authority, no one else was prepared to get involved with that. In other church situations I have come across both those in leadership and those who are not, cherishing titles and roles.<br />
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Maybe the question we all should ask ourselves in whatever roles we perform in church life is simply for whom do I do this? Me? The church? The people in the church? Christ?<br />
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If as Peter tells us:<br />
1Peter:2-9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.<br />
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Then all have a part to play, all are as Paul says, heir to the kingdom, co-heirs rather than heirs in some hierarchical scheme. different parts of the same body with different functions but all needed. It is all too easy to use models of leadership which are more authoritarian, verging on dictatorship and when not challenged, assume that everyone else is OK with that.<br />
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Jesus showed his disciples a different way of looking at church and our roles, he <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A14-17&version=MSG" target="_blank">washed the disciples' feet</a> as a demonstration of what he meant. And his response to being questioned about rank in the kingdom of God was even more astonishing, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A42-45&version=MSG" target="_blank">learn to be a servant</a>. In effect serve others and you will be great in the kingdom.<br />
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All of us who follow Jesus, need to take this on board, no matter what role we have in church life we would do well to note Jesus words and perhaps couple them with the sacrificial love that Christ tells us of, so that what we do is then a joy and a delight. Why? maybe because then we will no longer do things to seek acclaim, a special place, a pedestal, in fact seeking nothing at all in return for serving Christ's church and people in whatever capacity he asks of us. We simply serve as Christ has asked us to.<br />
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Then notice, status and position will count for nothing, all and everything we do will be for Him who loved us enough to die for us, expecting nothing in return from us but in the hope that we might accept him and love him as he loves us. We can have no higher value than that.</div>
tmayesinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17203524762345995689noreply@blogger.com0