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.