Advent retreat

I am in Leicestershire looking at sheep through the snow and sleet which is falling. In the midst of the space has been reflections on Mary's Song, Zechariah's Song and Simeon and Anna's song. Our challenege is to write a poem or reflection on what we feel at Advent. For me this is hard especially with how I feel at the moment , nevertheless here goes...

It's all confused
It's all upside down

"Now let your servant depart in peace" - to what and why?

Simeon - Old, pious and just was drawn
to wait for Israel's consolation
as a watchman awaits the dawn.

Anna, she offered her widow's mite
praying and fasting in adoration
for many a day and many a night

Now I uncertain, frail and alone
Long to remember his favour and grace
As I humbly kneel before his throne.

So God calls me to put my dreams in his hands
releasing the grip that once held them
forever surrendering my plans

And as I lay them down at his feet
I turn not knowing
How, when I may be complete

So as I leave this place
and pray like Anna in hopeful expectation
that I this Advent may see your face.

2 December - King of Kings

Reading

Jesus replied, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent me being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.” Pilate said, “ So, then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” (JB) John 18:36-37

Reflection

Matthew’s Gospel begins with Iranian Magi from the Persian Empire (where the title king of kings was first used) seeking the infant king of the Jews (ch.2.2)- A king great enough to affect stars in their courses and bring the earths wisest to their knees. By the end of the Gospel Jesus reveals, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
But just in case, like Pilate, we become obsessed by power and glory, Jesus earths us in the need always to seek truth.

Prayer

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes
and lift them high
Thou cam’st a little Baby thing
That made a woman cry.’
George MacDonald (1824-1905)

Lord Jesus,
King of kings and Lord of lords
the only ruler of princes
Help me not to seek to possess truth
but to strive towards its goal

1 December - Cornerstone

Reading

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (RSV) Psalm 118.22-23
(See also Matthew.21-42 & Ephesians 2.20)

Reflection

I’d always imagined this stone to be a foundation stone, laid as buildings begin to take shape. But Paul and Matthew both give me the image of a final testing stone that either completes the structure or brings it crashing down.
To be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, I am led to reflect:

Whose are the lives I am building my own life on?

And to stand ready to be brought crashing down and reshaped by the Christ who comes

Prayer

‘O Christ, the master carpenter
who at the last
through wood and nails
purchased our whole salvation
wield well your tools
in the workshop of your world
so that we
who come rough-hewn to your bench
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty of your hand.’

(Prayer of the Iona Community)

1st Sunday in Advent - I am

Reading

“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (RSV) Exodus 3:13-14

Reflection

Our roots lie deep in the journey of faith. Moses, rooted in Abraham’s response, finds himself in the presence.

Knowing a name brings with it a sense of power and so Moses is keen to know the name he should use. But this reply takes him to depths and heights far beyond any time trapped deity of his owning.

Tell them “I AM WHO I AM” or “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” has sent you.

Prayer

Lord of Life
Beyond our conceiving
You reveal yourself
As only you can
Bring me again to hear you saying
Here I am in the birth of a babe
Here I will be
In the unfathomable abyss of Love.

Advent Meditation - The Wait is on

Daily reflections and meditations will be posted here - created by the Presbyters of the Warrington Circuit.

waiting

longing

anticipating

promise

preparation

Long Overdue

This is such a long overdue update - I am sorry. Tonight I have just come home from an evening at Latchford where we have learned and rediscovered again the joys of Methodism. In the midst of talking of structure and history we reminded ourselves of the love of God - a simple message yet one we are to be reminded of time and time again.

So what has been happening? Well there were the two Nun's in the back of the car situation (I'll tell you more if you ask nicely). Arguing with N-Power (arggg) I don't get angry often but these are pushing me to that point - do I need to confess do you think? The big question now is moral principle or pay up.. not sure yet what to do on that one. There has been new members at church (Latchford) 12 members, converstions about church at Chicago Rock, booking John Archer for 21 June 09 for Chicago and some sleep. So a busy time....

Seriously folks - on the N- Power issue do I push the moral, ethical responsibility they have of providing an effieicnt service or pay what is due..... hmm answers welcome.

So

I have been to ECG (Equipping, Calling, Going) conference at Southport where Heptagon led worship and the week previous to that to the Willow Creek Leadership conference.

Many things united these two experiences - some positive and a couple of other points which probably I won't share on this blog without further reflection. There were some amazing highlights though and many of them involved the dynamic of the team that I work with in Warrington.

Praising God for our co-workers is something we ought to do regularly - not out of building up of pride but out of humble gratitude to God;s purpose. I am grateful for my colleagues ... they know who they are.

Who are you thankful for?

which blog do you prefer

this one or the other brown version?

My favourite things...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... Just the kind of images you can count on if you purchase a delicate birthday card, and they certainly made their way into the lyrics of the classic Sound of Music songbook.

I wouldn't put wet flowers or mewling cats into my own Fave Things list. It'll be very obvious as you read my list below that I'm no songwriter. But I am grateful for:

a hug from a friend
a new song which sums up what I cannot ever express myself
singing in the quite a simple melody
sitting in the stillness
prayer
God's grace
Tom, Leah, Glyn and Owen

oh
and someone else cooking....

what are your favourite things?

Church in a Pub

Is it right is it wrong?
Church in a pub of course doesn't mean the pint as shown above. We are considering church at Chicargo rock - "a public house" in the centre of warrington - is that right or wrong? To me it just seems a God given opportunity offered generously to us...Please remember this possibility in your prayers.

Barn Dance

You put your left foot in your right hip out. What a hoot at the barn dance. I always thought I knew my right from left but I did get so confused. Move to your left five times then to your right 8 times walk 4 steps forward and point your toe. Walk 4 steps back and dozy doh. Then spin your partner round til they turn green then when you have done that move on to the next person. All this swapping of partners.

It was a great night though and boy can I doxy doh...

Lovely Song - just found

All I have and all I am is Yours
There’s nothing that I have on earth
that doesn’t come from You
I lay aside my pride and worldly worth
To serve You is the greatest thing that I could ever do.

For unless You build this house
I am building it in vain
Unless the work is Yours
There is nothing to be gained
I want something that will stand
When Your Holy fire comes
Something that will last
And to hear You say “Well done”
Giving Glory to You Lord
Glory to You Lord

So easy to desire what others have
Instead of seeing all the gifts that You have given me
So help me fan the flame which You began
And burn in me a love for You that all will clearly see

Another from anonymous

Where do all the socks go in the wash??

The things unknown

I don't know why I have been thinking about the unknown things of life and faith but for some reason I have:

a - What was the best thing before sliced bread?
b - Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one?
c - Why does your nose run and your feet smell?
d - Why do doctors call what they do "practice?"
e - Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but
when you transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?
f - Why do tugboats push their barges?
g - Why do we accept their are thousands of stars yet touch a bench that says "Wet paint" to test it out?

Why why why?

1 - Did Mary ever tell Jesus off for teasing his siblings?
2 - Did Jesus ever graze his knee and cry?
3 - What happened to Jairus' daughter after Jesus raised her from the dead?
4 - Did the young boy get in trouble for giving his loaves and fish away?
5 - Did the young son and older brother ever become friends again?

Life is full of the unanswered and uncertain questions - yet the most profound, mystery of all - Does God love me? is unequivocally yes - wow now that is amazing!

A beautiful Story.. one I needed to hear

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.
Time went by. The little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad.
“Come and play with me,” the tree asked the boy.
“I am no longer a kid, I don’t play around trees anymore.” The boy replied, “I want toys. I need money to buy them.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have money. But you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money.” The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily.
The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.
One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited. “Come and play with me” the tree said.
“I don’t have time to play. I have to work for family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?”
“Sorry, but I don’t have a house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house.” So the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.
One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted. “Come and play with me!” the tree said. The boy said, “I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?”
“Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy.” So the boy cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.
Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. “Sorry, my boy. But I don’t have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you.” the tree said.
“I don’t have teeth to bite.” the boy replied.
“No more trunk for you to climb on.”
“I am too old for that now.” the boy said.
“I really can’t give you anything. The only thing left is my dying roots.” the tree said with tears.
“I don’t need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years.” the boy replied.
“Good! Old tree roots is the best place to lean on and rest. Come, come sit down with me and rest.”

The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.