New Year Reflections

So what has changed?
Throughout 2009 what has happened that has made us take stock of our lives?

Reflecting is an important activity for each of us. In taking the time to look back and consider the past, we also think of the present and hope for the future. The past is important but can we live far too much in it? This is not a criticism or a rash desire to jump on ahead without thinking about what has gone before. Of course some of what has happened to us in our lives has formed us – made us the people we are and without a doubt events of the last year contribute to who we are today.

Just a reminder though – that what we have said and done in the last year have become other people’s memories. Have you ever really contemplated that? That what we say and do impacts others not just now but becomes their memories for the future. What a responsibility we have! How wonderful to know that we can provide others with wonderful memories. And of course without really saying "negative" memories too.

So as we approach 2010 ….

What has been the highlight of the year?
Who has been the person of the year for us?
How about the moment of the year?
What could have gone better?
What can we learn from the year?
What have we achieved?

All these things form us…

What are our hopes for the next year?
What do we long for?

And in all of this - we are reminded in this Christmas and New Year season that God expressed love for us in a very dramatic way? God stooped down tenderly and picked us up and God still does the same today.

As we reflect and ask the questions of 2009 can we ask where was God? And in the year ahead where could God be? If we seek, we can find God in all things and through all things. May you have a blessed and God filled 2010.

Advent Meditation - Christmas Day

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing


Readings
Isaiah 9:2,6-7
John 1:1-5
Galatians 4:4-7

Reflection
May you have a blessed Christmas. I hope the gifts we got for folks are well received—when did the tradition of gift giving start and why? It is difficult getting the right gift for the right person. What do you get someone that seems to have everything? The answer is…I have no idea (nothing doesn’t seem fair).
The best gift is free! It has been told in many different ways yet the best gift does not come from a shop, no queuing needed and no credit card details need be exchanged. A gift receipt is not needed. God's gift to us, in Jesus is free. God became one of us.
Today take advantage of this gift. God gave us his only Son! Perhaps this today with family and friends we will remember the gift God gave—what love. May we this day look for ways of showing that love to our family (even the ones who gave us the jumper we really would not like to wear in public) and give them little reminders of how much they are loved by us. Love your family and friends unconditionally, showing them the love that our God has shown us. Thank you God for giving us the most precious gift of all!

Prayer
We shout and sing for you have come to us
Angels dance as creation bows to the Lord of all.
God bring us Christ’s peace
Christ’s light
Christ’s love Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those we meet today – may you love radiate from us. We remember those needing to work today for the safety and care of others.

Advent Meditation - Christmas Eve

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
(Away in a Manger)

Readings
Isaiah 60:1-3
Luke 2:1-20

Reflection

A Saviour as a child…. a Saviour as vulnerable, as inconspicuous and unarmed as a child. A new-born baby cannot attack, cannot threaten, cannot kill. The world exhorts us to look up to the strongest but the birth of a child, a needy child, tells us it was not so for God. This small child will rescue, redeem, heal and restore.

We are on the very brink of the Nativity. Our sense of the power of the One coming has been stretched, challenged, recast over the last three weeks. And now the reality of that power begins to dawn more clearly. And what is astonishing about it, is that, unlike any power we know, this power is confident enough to be vulnerable. And that means confident enough in us to be vulnerable to us. What sort of power is it that allows itself to be so vulnerable? It is the power that heals, transforms and delivers— it is the power of God.

Come thou long expected Jesus. I am ready.

Prayer
Light of light, Lord of Lords and King of Kings
In excitement we approach the dawn.
Re-awaken in us the Spirit of grace and mercy that
we may receive you once again.
Bring peace to those who are in distress, peace where there is hatred. In your saving name Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for nations at war for whom Christmas is not still , silent of peaceful.
We remember our armed forces and their families particularly those who have lost loved ones through conflict.

Advent Meditation - Wednesday 23 December

Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”



Readings
Isaiah 11:1-9
Psalm 150
Titus 3:4-8

Reflection
When Charles Wesley wrote that Jesus came to give us second birth, he describes the greatest gift we could ever receive. We have the ability to live a life that includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Christ's coming and sacrifice meant that we all have this gift available to us. With this understanding of Jesus' birth, we are able fully to celebrate what Jesus was born to do. God was not responding to us because we had achieved a goodness that needed reward. From the heart of God comes an action that is motivated by compassion for a race that has gone very wrong and has lost its way badly. God had come among us to enable us to live in a very different way. To our shame, sin sometimes takes us by the hand and controls us in a completely destructive way. We are now to seek the things of God as a priority. We are now to become a people for God, and because of that, as the apostle Paul tells us, to “have no ambition except to do good”. We are put back on track.

Prayer
Lord Jesus light of the world
Born in David’s city of Bethlehem
Born like David to be a King
Be born in our hearts
Be king of our lives today. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for the fruit of God’s spirit to be evident in our lives and the life of the church.

Advent Meditation - Tuesday 22 December

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.”
(While Shepherds watched)

Readings
Psalm 23
Isaiah 42:1-9
Luke 15:1-7


Reflection
Shepherds are committed people, and by today’s standards, probably strange. After all who would leave 99 sheep to go and find the one that is lost? Who would leave all they know in search of those who have no hope and those who would wander aimlessly - who would do that? Who would leave the comfort of what is certain and
comfortable? Who would leave all they know? Who would do that?

Jesus brings a new idea of God. Our view of God is limited until this point. Jesus does not simply corroborate the notions of Greek philosophers, Hebrew rabbis and teachers of the law - he does more than that. He tells us, or better, shows us what God is like. God saw, God heard, God came and God lives.

Praise be to our God.

Prayer
Surprising God
May I, this season, again join in the adventure of seeking the Christ child.
May I again offer myself to you,
offering all I have been, all I am and all that is to come.
Praise you almighty God—for you are the same yesterday, today and forever. In you we trust.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those aid organisations who respond to the needs of others. Provide resource, wisdom and understanding.

Advent Meditation - Monday 21 December

Truth of our life
Mary’s child
you tell us God is good
Prove it is true
Mary’s child
Go to your cross of wood.
(Born in the night Mary's child)



Readings
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Matthew 4:17
Matthew 6:33

Reflection
Kingdom builders are history makers—moving beyond what the world says and embracing the full nature of God’s creation. Do you feel called to be a kingdom builder or history maker? Mary could have said no. Joseph could have abandoned the one he was betrothed to and walked away. But they didn’t - they said “Yes” and became part of His Story (Gods story).

We admire Mary & Joseph yet at times we do not emulate their faith journey and courage. They were ordinary lay folk called by God and equipped by the Spirit. They trusted their inner experience of God and responded - and that response took them to Bethlehem and Egypt. When they were called by God, there was no mention of them having to “clear” this with the rabbis or teachers of the law. They just responded. There was no safety net or back up plan—they heard and they went. But what would the priests have said? Would they have tried to dissuade them—we will never know. What we do know is they responded to the greatest story ever told— will you be part of it too.

Prayer
Holy God, born in the darkness of night you bring us light.
Give us grace to live and grow in the generosity of your Spirit
that when all the trappings of Christmas have gone, you remain. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for all those who give of themselves in our church and community. We pray that God would inspire and equip them.

Advent Meditation - Sunday 20 December

Silent night! holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Readings
Psalm 46:10

Just one small reading to help us too be still.


Reflection
So we begin the final week of Advent.

In the silence of the night where do your thoughts go?

When all is quiet and you hear the ticking of the clock, the creaking of the house who and what do you think of?

Can the silent night be a holy one?

We have a few days left and it will be busy. So in the last week...
Be still and listen.

Quiet us, Lord, that we might be able to hear, over the noise of our busy lives, beyond the clutter of our Christmas preparations;

Help us to become still, even for a moment, that we might hear the herald of your angel voices: "Glory!" ... "Peace on arth" ...."Mercy".... "Reconciliation" "Joy!"
"Christ is born."

The message of the ages still rings out for those willing to listen. This is our desire. Open us that we might hear. Today ... Now.

Prayer
O lord of the silent night
you have given me my heart, mind and soul to wonder.
May I wonder again in the stillness.
Quiet us with your spirit that I may be still and know that you are God.
Amen

We pray for those who rush around unable to be still because of the demands of
others. Grant them peace.

Advent Meditation - Saturday 10 December

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
(It came upon a midnight clear)

Readings
Jeremiah 33:14-16
2 Peter 3:8-15

Reflection
Advent is a time of anticipation. We look forward to the season with the beauty of the winter, of family gatherings and a break from the every day. Though, for multiple reasons, many do not have these positive images of the Christmas season. One thing that brings hope is that this season calls us to a higher sense of being and purpose. No matter what our images of Christmas, together we can look forward to a renewal of God's message to us: Jesus.
This passage in 2 Peter talks about looking forward to renewal with a sense of anticipation. As the reader, we are met with images of anticipation for the carrying out of God’s promises in a world where the believers were still extremely persecuted. The author reminds the early Christians that God is not forgetful; rather, God is merciful.
The early church felt the urgency to restore God's reign on earth, and so do many Christians today. This passage should be encouragement for us. God will bring a new heaven and earth where righteousness will reign. The author means to reassure the believers. To God, "one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day." God is patient. Therefore, let your face shine! God waits for us, the beloved, to be reconciled to God.

Prayer
Reconciling God reign in my life, my past, my present and my future. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who are worried and anxious. For those who are hurt by waiting for news.

Advent Meditation - Friday 18 December

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
(O Little town of Bethlehem)

Readings
Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19
Micah 5:1-5

Reflection
In Micah 5:2-5, we are given the first hints of the impending birth of our Lord. The message first is to the people of Bethlehem, letting them know that, though they are one of many towns in Israel that could house the birth of our Saviour, they were the chosen one. Today, any small town in this large world could be worthy of his return, but Bethlehem was chosen—an ordinary town.
The message continues telling them that once the time is right He shall be revealed to the people of Bethlehem and the people of Israel. And He shall bring the Lord's message so all shall hear it and know it. This message will be one of Peace - a peace that passes the understanding of all - and it shall be with us until the end of time. As carols are sung and gifts are wrapped for friends and loved ones alike, we should remember the real reason for Christmas -- Peace, the Peace that our precious Lord and Saviour brought to us all those many years ago. After all it is hardly silent at Bethlehem at this moment.

Prayer
I depend on you so much. You are a rock for my belief and a sign of God's love.
Fill me with your praise! I want to sing your glory, filled with joy for the message of hope you send.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for the Holy Land for restoration and peace.

Advent Meditation - Thursday 17 December

Wise men seeking Jesus,
Travelled from afar,
Guided on their journey
By a beauteous star.

Readings
Psalm 54
Isaiah 43: 1-7
Matthew 2:2-12

Reflection
What’s in a name? Does our name describe anything of who we are? In some parts of the world the name given to a child may reflect the circumstances of birth. For example, a girl born into one of the indigenous groups of East Africa might have a name which means, “born at night” or “born when it rains.” (In which case in the UK there would be a lot of rain related names).

It was also common in Biblical times to choose a name that indicated something significant about the character of the person. Naomi, whose name meant pleasant, asked to be called Mara, meaning bitter, after her husband and two sons had died. When Rebekah gave birth to twins, the second born was grasping his brother Esau’s heel. So he was named Jacob, which means he grasps the heel, or figuratively in that culture, he deceives. And Jacob’s character was sometimes one of deception.
Jesus, too, was given a name that reflected his destiny, but one so unlike that of Jacob. Jesus was called Immanuel, God with us, indicating the purpose of his life. Jesus came to show us the face of God, to give us a clearer view of the will of God, and to help us understand the character of God. Jesus came to bring God’s truth to humankind, to be God with us, to provide the possibility of living life with hope, meaning and purpose, near to the heart of God.

Prayer
O God, whose nature is revealed in Jesus,
give us your spirit that our lives may reflect your character of love, hope and purpose in thought, word and deed. Amen.

Further Prayers
We pray for our neighbours whose names we do not know. May we reveal your presence by our words and actions.

Advent Meditation - Wednesday 16 December

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
(In the Bleak mid winter)

Readings
Psalm 40
Luke 2:7
Ephesians 5:1-2

Reflection
According to the Scripture, God no longer wants physical offerings. He wants to build his kingdom using the intangible gifts he has given his children. Filling up
Christmas stockings never got anyone into heaven. It is God's will for us to give the gift of love this season. He has commanded us to further his kingdom and he made this possible through his Son.

During the Christmas season, we work hard to please everyone, sacrificing a lot of time and money for the sake of holiday cheer. But does God require us to be so sacrificial that it takes away from the building of his kingdom? As children many of us were taught the true meaning of Christmas. We were told how God loved us so much that he sent his only son into the world in human form to be the ultimate sacrifice for humankind. As we grow older we may tend to forget this and modify our definition of sacrifice. Instead of sacrificing time doing things that will further the kingdom of God, we can become overly busy trying to fulfil the material needs of those around us. Is God pleased by this? Definitely not. Our relationship with God is not based on how much money we sacrifice for others. God did not save us because of anything great that we have done. God’s gift is free, priceless and everlasting.

Prayer
In humility and in my humanness
I simply offer myself to you. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those struggling with finance this Christmas and those unemployed.

Advent Meditations - Tuesday 15 December

Just a blanket on the floor
Of a vacant cattle-stall
But there the child was born
She held him in her arms
And as she laid him down to sleep
She wondered - will it always be
So bitter and so sweet
(Thorns in the Straw - Graham Kendrick)

Readings
Luke 2:19
John 19:25

Reflection
Mary, the mother of Jesus in her life and obedience reveals a
passionate life of prayer devoted to God's will, and He chose her to bring the Messiah into the world. Her exhausting journey to Bethlehem, the terrifying flight to Egypt, watching and hearing her son and as an older woman wanting to hold her precious, dying Son in her arms portrays a life journey - a life dedicated and devoted to God.

“To love Jesus, to live for Jesus, to suffer for Him, to make him known and loved by all hearts, to consecrate to Him every motion of her own heart, that was Mary’s desire.” St Peter Julian Eymard.
“Bitter and sweet” the moment of grace as she held her child. I can imagine the scene - Mary and Jesus together and Joseph, the skilled carpenter walking to the feeding trough rocking it in its rickety unstable state; “never trust nails son. Never trust nails”. - Bitter and Sweet.

Prayer
God, you showed the world the splendour of your glory
in the coming of Christ born of the Virgin.
Give to us true faith and love to celebrate the mystery of God made man.
Give us grace to remember the full of extent of your sacrifice for it is bitter and sweet. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who are caught up with news of joy and news of sorrow.

Advent Meditation - Monday 14 December

As the night closes in, there’s a star at my window
that still waits and beckons at break of the day.
And this star shining bright
seems to call me to follow,
to leave on a journey and I must obey.
(The Carol of the Star - Andrew Rudd)

Readings
Psalm 18:24-30
Matthew 2:1

Reflection
The theme of journey is commonplace in the Christian tradition. We consider the life of faith as a journey, a pilgrimage—one which takes us to different places.

Sometimes the journey seems long. Isaiah tells us to “make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God.” What could that mean? Making straight the wasteland. Does it mean clearing away the debris in our lives, removing the barriers in our way, laying down the burden we carry? Mary at times may have felt like a burden—Joseph could have made the journey a lot quicker without her—but that wasn’t the plan. The journey by the shepherds and wise men could have been prevented by them saying “no” - but that wasn’t the plan. The plan for us is to grow in God’s grace. Jeremiah reminds us that God has plans for our lives—plans for a future. How will you respond? Would you have followed the star? Will you follow the star? And this year will you lay down the burden that has made the journey hard? God cares for you.

Prayer
Lord of all, you are a God who provides for us in our need.
As we travel through Advent help us to believe that you know what we need.
Give us the courage to listen to your voice and the freedom to open our heart to the graces you are offering
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for all who make a journey this Christmas. Those who we visit and those who visit us. At every door, in every home, may the reality of your presence bring the peace we long for.

Advent Meditation - Sunday 13 December

To You our hearts are open
To You our hands we raise
Come take the place
Of honour in our lives

Emmanuel
Our God is with us
Prince of peace
Mighty one
The ever-living God
(Together in this place of Worship - Emmanuel)

Reading
Psalm 63:4
Psalm 134:2
Philippians 4:4-7

Reflection

God’s calendar and timescales are not our own. The early church lived in the expectation of the imminent return of Jesus. John the Baptist came to people convinced of their superior status, Judgement would fall on the Gentiles yet the Sons of Abraham would escape because of their birthright. But John demanded that all repent - he did not preach in Jerusalem but the desert. The gospel is for all and we are called to surrender again our priorities and our prejudices in our calling and service of God.

Prayer
Lighten my darkness
Lord I Pray.
That I may radiate your glory to all I meet.
May my words and actions reveal your goodness
and grace preparing a way for your light to shine.
May my heart, life and being be open to you as you take the central place in my life. I offer myself afresh in Jesus’ name. Amen

Further Prayer
We pray for all who feel judged and ignored by others. We pray for our churches and our call to spread the gospel to all people

Advent Meditation - Saturday 12 December

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.


Reading
Psalm 78:70-72
Matthew 8:3
Hebrews 1:1-6

Reflection
The Lord God gave King David a significant reminder: I took you from following the sheep in the pastures, I have been with you everywhere you wandered and I will give you your own place and rest from your enemies. What a profound promise! And what does God want but our loving embrace. The joy of our salvation is the Prince of Peace, one who comes as a tiny infant in the humblest of circumstances, yet poised to set the world astir.Amidst the growing commercialism of Christmas - contrasted with the severe economic conditions of many needy people around the world - we must find the time and space to take Christ in. Pause for a few minutes during the busiest part of your day today and think about how God has taken you from the pastures and journeyed with you wherever you went. Then consider the ways that you can share God’s love with others. Sharing doesn’t just take financial form. It could be the gift of music, of friendship, or just listening. It might be down the church, having coffee, across the street, good friends or an unknown family, a simple gesture or a gift that stretches your resources. Receive the greatest joy by responding with a loving embrace.

Prayer
From the humbleness of my life, help me to grow and bloom and hear the words that will change the world. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for the Cathedrals of commercialism especially our town centre. May our town realise the true reason for the season. May we reach out in your name.

Advent Meditation - Friday 11 December

From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
by the spirit and a virgin's faith;
to the anguish and the shame of scandal
came the Saviour of the human race!
But the skies were filled with the praise of heav'n,
shepherds listen as the angels tell of the Gift of God
come down to man at the dawning of Immanuel


Readings
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 145
2 Peter 3:9

Reflection
The reading proposed for today from Samuel 2 lets us know that God is always with us. David thought he had to build for God a permanent home and God gently said no. Of course if you read the surrounding passage, you can find other explanations as to why God would not let David build his temple. However, God did not need a “real” home in order to be with the Israelites. He was with them all through history, he didn’t always give them what they thought they wanted, but he was always with them. Sometimes we think that the church building is where God dwells, but just as with the Israelites, God dwells in each of us. We are the church.
Also, this passage establishes an agreement between God and David that is realized in Jesus. Though David probably would have seen the promise to have a throne “established forever” as having a physical descendant on the throne throughout time, we have the benefit of seeing this promise through the New Testament, where we can match up prophecy and understand that the descendant of David is one man, Jesus, who will rule throughout time. Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise. God keeps promises.

Prayer
God forgive me for promises and commitments broken.
Often the spirit is willing but the flesh is week. Help me to forgive others who have broken their promise to me. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for the homeless and vulnerable who struggle to find shelter. For those seeking asylum and safety to be met by “no vacancy“ signs.

Advent Meditation - Thursday 10 December

“Love shall be our token
Love be yours and love be mine
Love to God and all men
Love for plea and gift and sign”
(Love Came Down at Christmas)






Readings
Psalm 36:5-9
John 3:16-21
1 John 4:7-12

Reflection
Does love—to be true—have to be extraordinary? How does love for ourselves and others continue and develop? How does an oil lamp burn? With the force of its source or with gentle drops that keep it sustained and alight.

Jesus demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as the Good Shepherd. Advent is a time for kindness, thinking of others, and sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift. As God is love, let us be love also. Jesus is not far off but in us—in you. In your words, actions and being.

From the Gospel of John we hear: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

May we put Christ first in our lives, may we follow his footsteps, may we reveal his love to others.

Prayer
God in whom we live and move and have our being,
come teach us that you have made us your own.
You are not far from each of us,
show yourself to all who search for you.
That as you reveal yourself to us in Love we may reveal that Love to others. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for all who have shown us Christ and revealed your truth. We remember our church community that we may be inspired in new and bold ways to show your love.

Advent Meditation - Wednesday 9 December

“My Jesus, My Saviour,
Lord there is none like you
All of my days I want to praise
the wonders of your mighty love.
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength.”



Readings
Psalm 97
Isaiah 49: 8-13
Matthew 5:1-11


Reflection
How do you deal with discouragement? Do you ever feel alone or exhausted by being that seemingly lone voice that shouts out for justice? Have you felt the burden of standing up for what is right? Do you speak out for the oppressed, outcast, vulnerable, broken? Do you wait in eager anticipation for things to change? Do you ever wonder is it worth it?
I am sure if you have said yes to any of these questions, then you can sometimes feel alone in the task God has called you too. The longing and waiting for the change to happen can be heartbreaking. We all wait for something , in spite of technology and almost immediate communication - dependent upon your phone and service provider, of course!!!, we still find ourselves waiting. Waiting for that package to arrive, for that appointment or news of results, waiting in the queue that always seem to be the slowest in the supermarket. Researchers tell us we spend 5years of our life waiting inline, 2 years playing tag on the telephone and 6 months sitting at red lights (not sure they have been to Warrington though). That is 7 1/2 years waiting or getting aggravated depending on your personality. So now as we wait together for the world to change, perhaps our focus can be on our own immediate world, and the difference God makes. We could then always smile when we wait in a queue.

Prayer
Comforting God, restoring God help me again to sing your praise. Strengthen me that I may be a voice for the voiceless.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for our local church communities. May all who meet and worship together be inspired by the story of Christ again. That in unity we will strive for justice, love mercy and walk humbly before our God.

Advent Meditation - Tuesday 8 December

Unto us a boy is born!
King of all creation,
Came he to a world forlorn
The Lord of every nation.







Readings
Psalm 21: 1-7
Zechariah 4:1-14
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Reflection
We live in a world in which “bigger and better” define our expectations for much of life. We have become so enamoured of super size, super stars, and “high definition” that we tend to view life through a lens that magnifies what we expect from the world—and in doing so we tend not to see potential in small things. But as the prophet Zechariah reminds us (Zech 4:10), we should not "despise the day of small things," because God does some of his best work with small beginnings and impossible situations. God often begins with small things and inadequate people. 

It certainly seems that God could have chosen "bigger" things and "better" people to do His work in the world. Yet if God can use the small things, and reveal Himself through them in such marvellous ways, it means that He might be able to use me, as inadequate, unwise, and too often lacking in faith that I am.

Prayer
Patient, life giving God
through your grace that dawned upon humankind
enable me to open my life to you so that you may
dwell in me.
That I may abide and remain with you forever.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for all governments and local councils. Holy God inspire by your spirit that all who serve would do so with honesty and integrity. Bless all who serve others.

Advent Meditation - Monday 7 December

And to those who never listened
To the message of Thy birth,
Who have winter, but no Christmas
Bringing them Thy peace on earth,
Send to these the joyful tidings;
By all people, in each home,
Be there heard the Christmas anthem;
Praise to God, the Christ has come!


Readings
Acts 10:34-48
Philippians 2:1-11

Reflection
'Tis the season to be jolly - but what if you're feeling
anything but jolly? While Christmas is supposed to be a happy time, for many it is far from joyful. It is winter, it is often lonely and where is Christ in Christmas?
Christ is the source of healing. A primary focus of Christ’s incarnation and ministry was to bring wholeness to people. Not just physical wholeness – though he did bring that to many – but also spiritual and emotional wholeness. That is what God longs to give us more than anything else. And all of us are in need of that, because we all carry around injuries, either self-inflicted by our poor choices or inflicted on us through broken relationships, financial setbacks or physical accidents. It is these injuries that God longs to heal in our lives. They can cripple us, blind us, deafen us or make us bitter and unfit for relationships. However, the healing light of Christ’s love and compassion is at hand and can restore us to wholeness. We can walk, see, hear and love again. Let us be open to receive his light.

Prayer
Source of all that is light and life, truth and peace,
We have hope because your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies never end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
We remember those torn apart by fear, hatred, abuse, bitterness and scars of the past. May that same peace and hope bring justice, comfort and freedom. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for whom Christmas brings no peace on earth. For those who this year have been broken by relationships with others. We remember all Pastoral visitors who seek to draw near to others.

Advent Meditation - Sunday 6 December

Long has the world fought the song of the angels;
Heavenly music is drowned by a warring world
Yet hope burns a light, that shatters the night;
Turn your heart to the call of glory.
(Glorious Light)





Readings
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 34
John 1:6-8


Reflection
Light: it made possible the beginning of our existence, illuminates our everyday lives, and, in many forms and across faith traditions, is evoked in metaphor and often manifest in as a powerful physical sign of a divine presence on earth.

Our world is transformed by our ability to use light, because our ability to switch on the power of light, also gives us the opportunity to transform our surroundings and impact our future. We see by light, we light up the darkness in order to see, and we think of light as a source of energy and potential. Such is a description of Christ -- Redeemer, Illuminator, Light of the World.

In this Advent season, may the love of Christ shine into the darkness, and reveal the honest yearning in our eyes to see the face of God. That we may be filled with light and radiate God’s very presence to others.

Prayer
Great God of Light
Shine in the dark places of this world
You are the Light of the world

Where there's hatred, shine love
Where there's injury, shine healing
Where there's darkness, shine light
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for teachers, local preachers,worship leaders, support workers and ministers that this season all may resound “let it be to me according to your will”

Advent Meditation - Saturday 5 December

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of Kings!


Readings
Isaiah 61:1-11
Matthew 3:1-12
Romans 13:11-14

Reflection
A hairy, often smelly, flea-bitten, insect-eating, sharp-tongued wilderness man. Not at all like the well-mannered softies that lived in the king's palace. But they were coming from all around to hear this John. Many would be so shaken by his message that they would be baptized.

John the Baptist was full of the Holy Spirit. That's why his words hit home with so many. But he knew there was a greater power and greater effectiveness than he could ever have. It was John's job to tell of the One to come, the Messiah, the One who would send the Holy Spirit onto those he baptized. One whose words and deeds would have even more impact than John's. One who John knew as friend and family, whom John had already come to respect and highly value, but hadn’t previously known as the One. The One was Jesus. Throughout His ministry, and in the early years of the apostles, after Jesus' death, Jesus and his followers would keep coming across people who had come to love God through John's work. Some who heeded John's call soon took up their crosses and followed Jesus. But John's call for repentance helps us prepare too, for John was just trying to get people to do what God wanted, and that's how anyone can be prepared for the presence of God-with-us.

Prayer
God our strength and our hope,
grant us the courage of John the Baptist,
to speak your truth and patiently walk the path of peace
For your name sake. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who live and preach the gospel across the world. Bless them O God in their mission.

Advent Meditation - Friday 4 December

Sing Choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God in the highest.
(O Come all ye faithful)


Readings

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Jeremiah 23:5,6
Galatians 5:22

Reflection

Are you good at excuses. "I'm sorry God, I can't go to church this Sunday, I'm too tired. I got back home too late Saturday night." "I'm not going to pray or read any devotional tonight because I'm just so tired. It's 3 a.m. and I just got done with Facebook, catching up on tv and I have to get up early tomorrow. I'm sure God understands how busy I am."

Those are some classic excuses we use to compromise with God about our spiritual time with Him. We may do that over and over again and we forget that God actually delights to spend time with us. When life just seems painless and we know exactly what we are doing, then it may seem that we don't need God’s guidance in every single day of our lives. Sometimes it takes a major incident to remind us what really matters in life. Sometime it takes failures to snap us back to the reality that we need God. When all the things we do just don't feel right, that is when we realise that we really do need our God. So, have you spent time today praising God for all you have in your life and for people He has given to you to share it with? That's what really matters and God is faithful in welcoming us each time. Faithfulness shown to us in the birth of Jesus.


Prayer
Holy God may we greet thee every day of our lives afresh
Grant us Your peace, restore our joy,
and lift our worry from us, so that we can live in a way fitting for the nearness of Christ.
Amen.

Further Prayers
We pray and praise God for the faithful people we know who show time and time again the grace, mercy and faithfulness of God.

Advent Meditation - Thursday 3 December

"Though and infant now we view him
He shall fill his fathers throne
gather all the nations to him
Ev’ry knee shall then bow down."
(Angels from the Realms of Glory)





Readings
Exodus 3:1-6
Psalm 19
Luke 2: 8 and 13

Reflection

Angels, From the Realms of Glory” first appeared as a poem in Montgomery's newspaper on December 24th 1816 - the weekly Sheffield Register.

An angel with a powerful transforming message what a role and responsibility that would be. Would you like it? I am not too sure. God’s messenger sent to unsuspecting individuals with life changing news. Would you have got the words wrong? Stuttered? Made excuses? Said “Oh Mary, it will be ok”?
I wonder if Angel Gabriel practiced what to say? I wonder if he tried different beginnings to the message - “Hi Mary” - too informal; “Greetings” - not quite right; “Peace be upon you” - bit religious. How about “don't be afraid”? That seems right given she will be petrified. Well it seemed to work as it worked with the Shepherds too. The angel did well—Mary heard, Mary responded—may we too listen for God’s calling and respond—remember it may come in unexpected ways.

Prayer
Holy God, the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she was to be the mother of your Son.
Though Mary was afraid,
she responded to your call with joy.
Help us, whom you call to serve you, to share like her in your great work of bringing to our world your love and healing.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the light who is coming into the world. Amen.

Further Prayers
We pray for all who receive unexpected and life changing news. News of joy and also that of despair. May Our God bless and direct them.

Advent Meditation - Wednesday 2 December

“My heart feels as if its going to burst with joy
In praising God, My Saviour who sets me free
Though I’m only unimportant in the world
A lowly servant My God has remembered me.”


Readings
Psalm 132:10-16
Isaiah 7:13-15
Luke 1:46b-55

Reflection
Mary's song is a song of enormous contrasts in almost every sentence: the magnificence of the Lord and the lowliness of his servant; mercy and fear, bringing down and lifting up, filling and emptying. And in a few weeks time, we'll remember the greatest contrast human history will ever know: the birth of a Prince in a stable. There will be no palaces in this Prince's life - no silken robes, no leisure time, no fine horses to ride, no sumptuous feasts. Instead, there will be the realities of poverty, hard work and, eventually, agonising death as a most common criminal. Does Mary know all this as she speaks her inspired words? It doesn't really matter if she knew then, because we know now. As we wait this night for the magnificence of the Lord to come again to our needy world, we can remember those contrasts and God's purpose in sending us a Prince in a stable.  

Prayer
O loving God,
Whose Advent we celebrate throughout this season and the journey of hope we remember.
Come renew our hearts and minds through the presence of Christ.
May we respond with grace and humility as Mary did to the calling you place upon our lives.“Let it be to me according to your will” Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for all who face difficult challenges in life.
Transforming God help, comfort and lead us as we offer ourselves to you

Advent Meditation - Tuesday 1 December

“Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God” she said
“My Soul shall laud and magnify his holy name”
Most highly favoured lady! Gloria


Readings
Psalm 72:1– 8
Zechariah 9, 9-10
Hebrews 10:5-10

Reflection
With the Annunciation of Mary and the Incarnation of Christ, God’s purpose and intention took place in the human, created order. The event, for which all humanity had longed, came to be in the womb of a human woman in response to her faithful submission. The mystery of salvation is begun. The life of God in man begins to take form.

Mary allowed God to take her life - what a radical woman -she utterly surrendered to God’s purpose and command. “The power of the most high will overshadow you.” Which of us would like to be overshadowed? How many of us would completely surrender to God in a way that we become less as God becomes more and not for earthly riches – Mary, mostly highly favoured lady. Mary surrendered to God - do we? Will we allow God to overshadow us? Will we surrender to God’s love and care - care for others and for ourselves embracing what God has for us.

Prayer
Lord,
forgive us when we doubt your voice,
forgive our unreadiness to receive you,
make us attentive to your word and help us prepare your way.
Your way in our hearts and your way in the lives of others.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who seek to bring the hope of God’s kingdom to others in our community, our churches and the world.

Advent Meditation - Monday 30 November

Come thou long expected Jesus
Born thy people to deliver
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.



Readings
Psalm 130: 5-8
Malachi 3:1-4
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Reflection
During the recent postal strikes the level of people using recorded delivery increased. Users wanted proof of postage and the details given allowed them to track where their post was. Isn’t it amazing how God recorded the intention, delivery and effect of the incarnation?

In this season of Advent we begin to explore how God comes to us and of how God recorded supremely the act of redemptive love. We think and remember God’s first
coming into human history in the birth of Jesus. That God comes in the present moment and that God will come again.

Sometimes we long for God so much as the needs of our lives and the world press upon us. Life’s demands and the expectations of others can overwhelm us and we seek for God in it all. At the start of Advent what do you hope for? Do you seek a deeper understanding of God?. This season reminds us that our God is a God who comes to those who wait.

Prayer
Come thou long expected Jesus into the parts of my life hidden to others.
Come into the barren and hurting places. Come into the dry places that need refreshing by the outpouring of your love.
When I lack love and compassion, change me.
When I am impatient and frustrated, deliver me.
When I fail to see the goodness, help me to focus on you, the author and perfector of my faith.
Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who live, work and socialise with.
May the hope of Advent be present in our conversations and actions with
others.

Advent Meditation - Sunday 29 December

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times did give the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Readings:
Psalm 118:19-29
Isaiah 40:1-5
Luke 21: 25-36


Reflection

What does it mean to ask and pray that God would come?
“O Come Immanuel” is the cry of our hearts for the Messiah to dwell within our lives. What does it mean to watch and wait for Christ? Do you know how it feels to wait for a friend but they do not come?. Or to wish the time away or be anxious for something to happen and then it does not? Do you know how it is to be with someone so closely that you watch their every move, know their soul and anticipate what they are to say—that you know them so well that when they smile you smile, when they are sad you are downcast and when joyous you rejoice.

May we watch and wait with urgency and anticipation.

Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Prayers
Loving God. As I enter this Advent season, open my eyes
to see in new ways the delight and wonder of your love.
In the darkness help me to see the promise of light and peace.
In the cry of the hungry help me see the possibility of a world where all are fed.
In my own yearnings and weakness help me to see the
hope of Christ.

And in the eager anticipation of the coming of Jesus, may
I embrace the dawn of a new heaven and a new earth. Amen

Further prayers
We pray for all young people and children, our local schools and those involved in youth and children activities in our local churches.

Advent Meditation - Introduction

Introduction
Today begins Advent and with this in mind all within the circuit have been offered this advent booklet as a resource. I hope you will also find the online versions helpful.

I hope you will find meditations a helpful resource over Advent and Christmas. They are designed purely as an aid to help us to draw close to God in the busyness of this particular season. The form of our Advent prayers this year reflect on our desire to seek God the giver of gifts - supremely seen in the gift of Jesus and continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We all have very different lives and our pattern of worship and prayer is as diverse as we all are. This resource is based on both traditional and modern songs and hymns sung during this season, reflecting on a verse or line to help us focus on Christ. You may like to light a candle as a starting point. When God created the heavens and the earth, the first biblically recorded creative act was the
production and establishment of light, our Advent journey is a journey towards
that light – the light of Christ.

Can you pray for others during this time? Remembering particularly those for whom Advent and Christmas bring despair, fear and longing. And could you ask your neighbours if they have any prayer requests?

Could you pray with another person from church once a week during Advent?
Either in person or on the telephone—and perhaps using the booklet together.

For families this could be a special time together? If it is morning you pray for the day ahead. If the evening, then each could give thanks for some aspect of the day and also remember someone they have met.

I pray that this resource may help you on your Advent journey as we contemplate again the overwhelming love and grace of God dawning upon the world.
Jackie Bellfield—Advent 2009

Retreat - home again

Just come back from a wonderful 2 day retreat. Space, stillness, chocolate and wine all contributed to the relaxed nature of the time. Andrew and Wendy Rudd led the retreat so well and allowed through careful planning and exploration a time of peace and restfulness. Both amazingly skilled creative individuals - Andrew - poet, teacher, preacher, composer and musician is skilled at communicating through words, music and imagery. Wendy, a textile artist communicates and ministers God's love through major art installations, and has a capacity in a genuine heartfelt way, to reveal the mystery of God in dramatic ways. So ably led, we looked at various picture and icons - Andrei Rublev's icon of the Trinity, a stained glass image of Abraham and Issac and The Annunciation by Fra Angelico. In our times of stillness we were encouraged to write and reflect on our thoughts:

My reflection on Windows (not the computer version! or the delight of anticipated double glazing)!

I close my eyes and the world around me disappears
I am Silent, Still
Empty

I open my eyes and the world dances to life
I gaze across the grounds
to forest masses
under gray skies of swirling clouds

Windows are for watching
Square pieces of life form ahead
and there i see life
ever changing

The second came after reading Blue Iris by Mary Oliver (see the previous blog entry to view this)

And my heart panics not to be *

to be

to be

to be

to be

be

what does it mean "to be"?

my heart panics
as I do
*Taken from Mary Olivers poem Blue Iris

Blue Iris - Mary Oliver

Wow - what a poem

"Blue Iris" Mary Oliver

Now that I'm free to be myself, who am I?

Can't fly, can't run and see how slowly I walk.

Well, I think, I can read books.

"What's that you're doing?"
the green-headed fly shouts as it buzzes past.

I close the book.

Well, I can write down words, like these, softly.

"What's that you're doing?" whispers the wind, pausing
in a heap just outside the window.

Give me a little time, I say back to its staring, silver face.
It doesn't happen all of a sudden, you know.

"Doesn't it?" says the wind, and breaks open, releasing
distillation of blue iris.

And my heart panics not to be, as I long to be,
the empty, waiting, pure, speechless receptacle.

What is important?

So what is important and crucial in life? Pondering on this it is clear that what is important to me may not make the top ten list for someone else. Acknowledging and recognising that is perhaps crucial in any ministry. Yet what is crucial is how we make others feel. "People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel." Unknown

The Acts of the Apostles describes Barnabas as a 'good man, full of faith and the Holy Spirit'. He was born in Cyprus and died in Salamis in the 1st century. His Jewish parents called him, Joseph, but after selling all his property and joining the apostles in Jerusalem, he got a new name: Barnabas, meaning "a man of encouragement."

In our lives, we all have feelings of weakness and weariness - none of us like these circumstances. We do not enjoy such experiences. These periods of helplessness, powerlessness and vulnerability have removed all our strength and make us prone to despair and self-pity. In the midst of these real experiences, the culture that we live in aggravates the matter. We grew up in a culture where criticism is the rule. We have been traumatised by criticism. Even if we grew up in a very encouraging family, the world outside of our homes does not have encouragement as a way of life.

When we encourage, we do not have to be gushing about another. Or to be too patronising. Encouragement is a sincere affirmation. When we criticise, we look for what is negative and find it so easy to give others the benefit of our opinion. On the other hand, encouragement is seeing what is positive and good and expressing it as readily as the tendency to criticise that is always with us. Criticism is the fastest way to stop another person from doing wrong; encouragement is the fastest way to make another person expand their good work.

Encouragement is remembering. You see, when a good thing has happened like a little improvement or a small change, when we express them as words of encouragement, the little development becomes fixed in the mind of the listener, and thus the likelihood of repeated success becomes greater. It makes a person take the next step to a new additional process of growth.
Barnabas did the same thing. He encouraged and thus he built communities of faith. We are built-up by a culture of trust and of consolation. We need a new culture in the world of positive reinforcement. With encouragement, we seek what is more. After all, we were made, not to destroy, but to build people.

Love abounding more and more

Today at our staff time of worship I read Philippians 1 reminding all gathered of the truth of the words "that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight". What is this love - Love for God, our neighbour, ourselves? This can be a hard challenge and today, with varying emotions, I have wrestled with.

So with those emotions swelling up inside I sat a listened to a beautiful song by Keith & Kristyn Getty - new words to a familiar song. Believe me this was saving grace today.

What grace is mine that He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night to find my distant soul
And from his scars poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live and in his name be known

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him

What grace is mine to know His breath alive in me
Beneath his wings my wakened soul may soar
All fear can flee for death's dark night is overcome
My Saviour lives and reigns forevermore

So I will go…

(to the tune londonderry air - or danny boy as it is also known)

It has been a while........

I am starting to feel the itch to blog again. It might or might not be a regular thing, but at least I think I can start posting some new material here.

So why the gap? Partly a busy summer and yet a bigger part was knowing what to share and what not too if that makes any sense. There has been the intense joys over the last few months but also the moments of questioning and today was the day I thought I would begin the blogging expedition again.

Yet today.. after a few days with a bug and feeling increasingly disappointed with a few things I thought why not put pen to paper - or rather cursor to screen.

Is the theme and subject of disappointment something we avoid or minimise? After all we do have our hope in God. One thing that is common to all humankind is suffering and disappointment. Perhaps all of us have suffered varying degrees of heartache, but certainly all of us have known what it is like to be downtrodden and disappointed. So the question for the Christian is not if suffering and disappointment will come, but rather how will we respond when it inevitably knocks on our door? And what happens when it does - do we paint on our perma-grin like a clothing accessory and join in the chorus of the faithful with the liturgical response "I'm fine" when asked the quesiton of how we are. Are we given permission to speak out in truth to another to verbalise our frustrations and our fears?

I think we have to first recognize that suffering and tragedy are a central theme in the Bible. We don’t have to look further than Jesus to figure that out. When we ignore this fact, then we don’t know how to help each other. We end up giving each other pat answers and trite religious expressions that not only offer no comfort whatsoever but really make things worse.

So then how are we to respond? What is God’s answer? I think there’s only one place we can find comfort, and that’s in the sovereignty of our God. God is in control and for that I am eternally grateful. Please forgive me I am not being trite or pious it has just worked for me again and again and again. So when i cry, scream and shout at the heavens then there is peace because in giving I receive and then my shouts turn into praise.

When I am disappointed God is near.

When I struggle God does not.
When I am weak God is strong.

Just been thinking

Well I have been thinking..... hence the picture of the coggs - could not find one with coggs and smoke. I am leading worship tomorrow for our staff gathering - we meet each week and have worship together. I have been led to think about encouragement and considered Psalm 100:3

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

I heard this story once - A school teacher recounted the times when sometimes the young students would have a quarrel amongst themselves, one would inevitably come running to her crying “So and so called me stupid!” The clever teacher would always reply, “Well — are you stupid?” Without fail, that little red-faced, button-nosed three or four year old would ponder for a moment, shrug back, look up at her and timidly say no. Well, okay then — so go and play! And just like that, the quarrel was over and playtime would resume as if nothing happened.

We need to take a lesson from those little students we need to remember who we are! We’re not stupid — we’re not ugly — we’re not defeated — we’re not useless!
On the contrary! We are fearfully and wonderfully made! We are loved and cared for dearly! We’re victorious! We have a divine purpose and calling to fulfill today!
Let’s not allow anyone to dictate who or what we are! God has already made it very clear who we are — loved, cherished and adored........ so there.... God bless

Is it help I am nearly forty?

Is it really help I am nearly forty? You know I am not so sure. No disrespect to those of friends of mine who are over 40 - you look great. But it feels really weird. If 50 is the new thirty then I must be 20....... what do you reckon?

Why it is weird I don't know. Has life turned out as I expected? As the exit door to my thirites approach what does it mean? 40 isn't really so bad except for the small fact that now I have got to be 40.

So I thought I know I'll look at Psalm 40 but the words "but I am poor and needy" jumped out and it didn't really help. So back to the drawing board and for a short time there was the consolation that my twin is also 40, though of course she reminds me that I am 7 minutes older than her.

There are of course some good things about being 40 (originally I had typed thongs which if you know me maybe inappropriate) it's just they take sometime to come to mind.

I will think though even more over the next week and a half until the day itself..... is it time for a change.

I think it is. I think it’s time for change that I can believe in. I think I am the change that I have been waiting for.

God in a box?

A small boy was at home with his Mum after coming home from Sunday school. Sat at the table he looked around the kitchen.

“Mum, today we learned that God is everywhere. Is that right?” “Yes, my love” said his Mum “God is everywhere.”

“So he is in the car?” “Yes Son”
“And in the house?” – “yes”
“And in the kitchen” – “yes love” said his mum wondering where he was going with this one. “God is everywhere”
“Hmm..” said the small boy as he got up. He moved towards the fridge and opened the door “is God in the fridge?”. Not quite sure what to say his mum said “Yes” so the boy quickly shut the door and said “got him.”

I was thinking about this over the weekend but over the last few days my thinking has taken a different turn. In exploring my own relationship with God and the revelation of God to us and our ability to understand God I wondered if God has put him/herself in a box? God has given us knowledge, both through Creation and through the Scriptures, but this is not complete knowledge - it is only and exactly what we need to know about God. We are told no more than we need and no less than considered beneficial.

Whenever we study God, we need to acknowledge that God defines the limits of our study. If we wish to know God truly, we must be willing to allow God to reveal to us what God wants us to know, with the freedom as to how it is revealed. Whilst we have a treasure trove we do not know everything – such is the mystery.

I guess God is not in a box – as surely our relationship changes with our context and the fluidity of God’s love seeps through anything which attempts to confine it.

We have the scripture to allow us to attempt to understand, but how far can our finite minds understand an infinite God. God is revealed through scripture in a way we attempt to understand. How can our language define the indefinable – how can our finite language do justice to what is infinite. There are no adequate words but what a delight that through a spirit of humility we can approach God’s word though always remembering there is so much more - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In Psalm 131 David affirms that there are some things that He can never understand. “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.” David’s response is important. “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
May we be quiet, be still and know our God. For the infinite God revealed himself in Jesus and we can have confidence that “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)

Is God in a box? That depends? Where have you placed God?

Meetings..meetings..meetings

“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23 - 25


I have been thinking alot about meetings and of course the variety of them. Part of this thought process was stimulated by a work experience student who was considerably surprised by the number of meetings we attend... so this led me to think. Firstly, our meetings should be worship by that worthy of God. We gather at a meeting in order to hold tightly to the hope God has promised us. Meetings should be used to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. The idea is not to stop meetings but rather to use meetings as a source of encouragement, an opportunity for teaching and especially a call to Godly action. Somehow perhaps I have missing the point.

Before any meeting I have started to contemplate the following:

Is God invited? This is about priorities. More than a perfunctory prayer or devotion, this question is a spiritual challenge: Are we vigorously seeking to follow Gods will?

Do you know where you’re going? This is about organization. What will you accomplish? Is there a clear agenda to follow? Are you prepared to answer reasonable questions?

Are the committee members with you? This is about communication. Does the committee have enough information? Is everyone participating in a healthy and creative discussion?

Will the meeting end with smiles or frowns? This is about encouragement. Does the meeting end with the anticipation we are following God’s will for our church?

And of course is there cake and coffee for no other reason that hospitality is a gift in which we share with one another.. What do you think?

Oh Thomas - the doubter

I so identify with the disciple Thomas. Is it because we are both twins? Is it the doubting? The questioning? I don't know what it is but I am right there with him. "My Lord and My God........."


Everyone but me,
where was I?
that I should miss this grace?
My grief,
I could not be consoled by the others
it drove me to the streets
to the edge of the city
to the temple
to find my twin for understanding
hoping for a sign.

What did Jesus say?
What did Jesus promise?
Healing so many and yet this has to be so.
I feel a little betrayed - YOU promised.
Maybe Judas understood more than me, more than the others.
Are we wrong?

I couldn't stand there at the cross,
to watch as my hope was destroyed.
I shrank into a corner of deep despair and heard your words
"My God.. My God,, why have you forsaken me..."
"It is finished"

How can I trust, how can I believe?
The others say they have seen you.
"Peace," they say. "He is alive."
I merge from the shadow and seek the proof I desire
They scorn me for that - but did they always believe? Or did they need to see?
Why is more asked of me?
I need to see--no, I need to touch
I need to hear your voice again
speaking to me---to ME.

They call me the doubter, ME
but didn't they all doubt at some point?
Peter on water? Philip with the loaves
counting away wondering how all can be fed.

God I've made mistakes, too many mistakes
and if it is true all I can count on is your forgiveness
"My Lord and My God"

Contemplation of Easter

On Thursday metal thrown onto the table. Try and imagine the noise of 30 pieces of silver and 3 nails as they clattered on table and over the floor.

Metal - one a payment to Judas the other a payment for us.

On Friday - three denials, three crosses, three nails and the threefold love of God -Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the Central Partnership has been challenging and emotional. There are so many dramatic events throughout Holy Week for us to consider. It began on Sunday with the Triumphal Entry, the cleansing of the temple, teaching on a variety of subjects, and leads to eating with friends and then crucifixion. The Last Supper is key to setting up the events to follow. Among other things, the Last Supper was Jesus’ last opportunity to directly minister to his disciples before his death and resurrection. So what did Jesus teach at this final gathering?

The Gospel of John goes into the most detail about the Last Supper, spending five chapters recounting Jesus’ words and actions that evening (more than he does describing the rest of the Easter story!).

What stands out the most in that story? For many readers, Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet is the most striking event in the entire account. So on Thursday gathered in the upper hall at Bold Street we remembered. We sang, chatted, ate and drank together, hands were washed and we remembered. Leaving the building in darkness we met at Latchford the following morning.

It was Oswald Chambers who once observed that drudgery is the truest test of genuine character. Foot washing was a lowly job, an oft-recurring job due to sandals and dusty streets—a job for a servant. But here, the menial task was instead performed by the master, their teacher—the Son of God.

And the influential truth of Christ’s identity is that He still does what is analogous to washing soiled feet: our deepest sorrows He feels, our sorriest actions He accepts, our smallest prayers He hears—our every transgression He forgives, our dusty, tired hearts He washes.

And so on Friday we meet at the foot of the cross. We heard the story, sang the familiar hymns, reflected and cared for each other. What did we remember? Jesus is on his way toward the Cross. His disciples have fled and he is alone. Alone to face the wrath of the Roman Empire and the fury of the crowd. Alone and feeling abandoned by God. Yet not alone for all of humanity walks with him. We stumble and fall as he did. We are abused and spat upon. We feel despised and rejected - by ourselves, by others, by our world. Free us from our prisons and bring us new life

God who created us suffers because of us
God who died upon the cross suffers for us
God who dwells with us suffers with us
And in God’s suffering we find hope

God, you suffering brings us salvation
Without you the horrors of human suffering would be unbearable
Your story of life, death and resurrection gives life meaning
Your suffering frees us from our prisons

May we live this day in the knowledge of your pain
May we live this day in the assurance of your love
May we live this day in the hope of the resurrection.