Monday 6 December - Tested to the Limit

Tested to the Limit

“These are the treasures of God” St Lawrence

Readings - Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 85 and Luke 5:17-26

Reflection

Helping my niece recently with her homework we investigated the life and death of St Lawrence. Martyred for helping the poor and those who were disabled. Prior to his death he was persecuted and killed for distributing the “church treasures” for which he was given responsibility, whilst serving under Pope Sixtus II. He was given three days to sort things out. When after the three days he stood in front of the Roman Court with the poor and disabled, proclaiming that these precious people were the “treasures of God,” he was tortured and killed. On the 10 August the Church commemorates the life of Lawrence.

Isaiah reminds us in his prophecy of those in exile in Babylon who were depressed and bitter. Some even questioned if God actually exists. They cry out “if he does then why does he not help us? Isaiah’s words ring out “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way (v3)”

Perhaps we have uttered the phrase “my faith is being tested” or “ I feel that God is giving me more than I can handle” or like the Israelites we may feel we are in exile in a environment where we struggle to find comfort and friendship. When these moments come do not be surprised - we are human but God gives strength. “Be Strong, fear not. Here is your God” (v4) Yes we are tested. Yes we have doubts. But always behold Emmanuel - God is with us.

Prayer
God of light—Give us freedom to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Let our light shine out for all to see by turning to those who call for our help.
Heal our world. Heal our past.
Heal our community and churches. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for those who respond to Gods call to work in our communities and in our world.

We remember those who sacrifice their lives for others.

Sunday 5 December - Shh

Shh

“Be Still and know….”Psalm 46:10

Readings - 1 Kings 19:11-13, Psalm 46, Mark 1: 35-39

Reflection

‘The Big Silence’, a programme recently broadcast on BBC revealed a fascinating insight into the impact that silence can have in our lives. Five individuals representing different outlooks on life, occupations and ages descended on St Buenos in North Wales for an 8 day silent retreat. With the exception of talking to their spiritual director each day they were expected to maintain complete silence.

Did they do it? Well some of them did - others initially used mobile phones or talked together. At the outset all but one said they did not have any kind of relationship with God. Yet by the end each had experienced something of God. They got in touch with their lives, their past, present and future in a new way. It was a very moving to see people embrace stillness and to have an opportunity to listen to and speak with God.

Mark’s gospel reminds us that Jesus frequently went and found a solitary place to spend time with God. Do we? When was the last time you found a time of stillness and quiet - a time when you could hear the tender whisper of God. May your soul be still and may you know that God is with you.

Prayer

Lord God, only you can see into my heart and know that under all the busyness of my life, there is a deep longing to make this Advent one that welcomes you more deeply into my own life.

As I reflect on this first week of Advent may I look ahead with an eager
expectation of seeing you in my world and hearing your word in my life.
Help me to be a peacemaker this Advent and to give special love to those who disagree with me.

Give me the strength and courage to forgive those who have hurt me.
Help me to free my heart from the prison of my anger and hurt.
In the name of Christ. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for those who are fearful of silence because of memories that flood their being.
We remember those whose lives scream out for silence - silence and stillness from the everyday life.

Saturday 4 December - Care for the Caregivers

Care for the Caregivers

“This is the way, walk in it” Isaiah 30:21


Readings - Isaiah 30:19-26, Psalm 147: and Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5-8

Reflection
The gospel reading of Matthew shows Jesus looked out over the crowd, and “his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” The Greek translation is dramatic “his intestines were stirred up” - he had a gut reaction as he looked and saw the people. The very people God sent him to care for, the very people he was to die for. And he cared right up to his final sacrifice—his own life.

Many people, moved with pity for those they love, become part time of full time carers. Let us pray today for those carer—that God will strengthen them and care for them as they walk in their chosen way.

And if you are one of those carers - thank you for your steadfastness, gentleness, patience and kindness. As you have given tirelessly to others, may God bless you mightily today.


Prayer
Gracious God,
Send me your grace this Advent so that I can prepare for your coming.
Touch my heart with longing so that I can better love and serve you and others.
Fill me with hope so that I can be transformed by your Spirit and so help to transform the world.
Give me peace of knowing that you came to share our human life and redeem us.
I remember those who care for others, may they know your strength.
May I also reach out to another person and show your compassion
In the name of Jesus I pray
Amen

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

Friday 3 December - A Greater Healing

A Greater Healing

“Have Mercy on us, Son of David” Matthew 9:27

Readings - Isaiah 29:17-24, Psalm 27 and Matthew 9:27-31

Reflection
The readings are wonderful. They sound amazing, perhaps almost too good to be true. A blind man healed, an orchard turned into a forest, moral evils checked with the unjust condemned and the tyrants and the arrogant gone.
In addition freedom from shame and all honouring God. If only these things could happen today.

We look around the world and we ask deep questions of life. Why are they starving? Why does evil spread? What is wrong with this world? The prophecies spoken point to a world to come. To a hope. To a dream. Don’t we all dream? Maybe our dreams are limited to spending the Euro millions each week. Do you believe God can do immeasurably more than we dare dream? The manger tells us God can and God does.

Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador sought to help and defend the poor. It didn’t start that way, yet as his eyes, heart, mind and spirit were opened to the situation in his country he became a mighty defender of others. So dangerous was he considered by others that he was murdered by authorities whilst saying Mass. His words of freedom echo thy cry of Isaiah, Mary and Jesus. Words spoken turning things upside down. The lowly - exalted; the poor - rejoicing; those mourning - blessed and comforted. Let our dreams be God’s dreams for nothing is impossible with God.

Prayer
Lord God, Sometimes I am so blinded by the world that I fail to see you working.
Forgive me for the missed opportunities of rejoicing when I do not notice you.
In my struggles with life may I know your presence. Help me to grow in faith, that as I gaze on your presence I may truly see you. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray that we may see the needs of others, even unspoken and hidden. We pray we may see with the eyes of God and respond in a way that brings honour and delight to God

Thursday 2 December - Would you Pass?

Would you Pass?

“God’s love endures for ever” Psalm 118

Readings - Isaiah 26:1-6, Psalm 118 and Matthew 7:21-29

Reflection
Have you ever arranged an MOT? If you are a driver of an older vehicle the answer should be yes. How about a physical MOT? A health update where we are checked over. If not a vehicle or health, how about an annual check of gas or our electrics. Some things in our lives have to have the once over occasionally - so how about a spiritual MOT?

When was the last time you examined your prayer life, your spiritual discipline of reading God’s word. When did you last examine your giving of time and resources? When was the last time you were still and quiet in God’s presence? A day, a week, month or years? Do we avoid this? Not have time for it? Not see it as a priority?

Do we spend more energy on the physical world than our spiritual world? The foundations of our lives and faith need to be strong to withstand the storms of life. Yet too often, we busy ourselves with the external decoration. Advent is an excellent time to take stock.

Prayer

Help me O God to examine myself in the light of your mercy.
Give me patience and faithfulness to except the joys and delights which you offer.
Give me the willingness to embrace the changes I need to make to become more like Jesus.

Quiet my soul O God.
Renew me O God
Create in me a clean heart O God.
In the name of Jesus. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas

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.

Wednesday 1 December - Catching our Tears

Catching Our Tears

“You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows” Psalm 23:5

Readings - Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 23 and Matthew 15: 29-37

Reflection

God cares about us—our concerns are God’s concerns. Isaiah tells us that our cries will be wiped away. It reminds us of the reading from Revelation in Chapter 21 where a comforting word tells us that God will wipe away our tears from our eyes.

God promised through Isaiah a new earth, a new kingdom and comfort shown through the coming of Jesus. God promises in Revelation to wipe away the tears from every eye and bring in a new kingdom and a new earth at Jesus’ second coming.

Jesus’ first and second comings reveal the fullness of God and Gods kingdom in our lives and in the world. We touch the kingdom of God here and now – each time we acknowledge by word and action that God is the ruler in our lives. We touch the kingdom of God in this season of Advent as we reflect on the wonder of God’s plan. And we hold in our hearts the hope of touching the kingdom of God in its full reality at some point in our future.

Prayer
Comforting and strengthening God.
Grant me insight and faith to recognise the signs of your kingdom here on earth.
Help me to be a faithful member of your kingdom, serving you with heart and soul.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory
Forever and ever
Amen

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

Tuesday 30 November - Out of Dryness

Out of Dryness

"May Righteousness Flourish”

Readings - Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72 and Luke 10:21-24

Reflection
“A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” On the whole we do not expect growth from stumps—they are dry, barren and rootless. We dig them up and throw them away. But we have probably all seen a tree stump sprouting new life, new growth in defiance of the axe.

When we feel discouraged and empty, cut down and squashed may we remember that new shoots are always possible even from the most barren of situations. And for this growth roots are critical. Our roots are critical. This Advent let us care for our roots, feeding off the good soil of prayer and the written word as we wait to celebrate the arrival of the living word.

This living word arrived in the most ordinary of situations. Was he the only baby born in Bethlehem? Were the holy family the only family without room for the night? For all but his final three years, Jesus was content with an “ordinary” life.

Learning a skill, being a good family member, learning about his religious heritage—his roots. But it is impossible to believe that in this ordinariness Jesus did not find the presence of God. We too, can catch glimpses of God in the ordinariness of our own lives.

Prayer
Help me, Loving God, to stand bravely before this changing world and to see the shoots of life in everyday.
Help me to grow my roots deeply into your love.
In my despair may I find your hope.
In my darkness may I see your light.
In my loneliness may I know your presence.

The Lord’s Prayer.

In the name of Christ Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for all who seek to find meaning in their lives.
We remember those whose family relationshipsare strained and un co-operative.

For pray for all who struggle with issues of self esteem.

Monday 29 November - Hands to Reach Out

Hands to Reach out

"Swords into Ploughshares” Isaiah 2:4

Readings - Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 and Matthew 8:5-11

Reflection

In 1965 Pope Paul VI visited the United States of America for the first time and spoke at the United Nations. Making an impassioned appeal for peace he asked for an end to warfare. Before the gathered assembly and with the world listening he pleaded “let the weapons fall from our hands...you cannot love with weapons in you hands.”

Isaiah dreams of those who will “beat their swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.” Rather than war they will be called to cultivate land to provide for others. What a challenge for us today. Rightly so, we are called to challenge injustice and liberate the oppressed- we are called to fulfil the request to ensure liberty for all.

How can we offer the hand of friendship when our hands and lives are full with all that can divide? We may not carry spears and swords but the hands that should reach out to heal all to often become fists of anger and resentment. The hands that could reach out in concern are full of the pressures of our lives—this Advent what can we lay down so that we may reach out.

Prayer
Redeeming God,
May I surrender myself to you this day.
As I offer my plans, my dreams and ambitions, my anxieties and my fears may I be fully open to the prompting of your Spirit.
Help me, O God, to embrace this Advent and to use it as a time to expand and transform my life.
Help me, O God, to look for ways of cultivating my relationship with you and with others. Give me opportunities to show your grace and your mercy.
In your name I pray.
Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for all who are caught up in the
conflicts of this world. For those too scarred and scared to leave their homes. For those serving in armed forces and aid organisations. May they know Gods peace.

Sunday 28 December - Advent 1 - A Spiritual Advent

A Spiritual Advent

"To you O Lord, I lift up my Soul—Psalm 25:1"

Readings - Jeremiah 33:12-16, Psalm 25 and Luke 21:25-28

Reflection

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is considered to be the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown
Advent is also a spiritual journey that Christians take, through the truths of Scripture that point to the birth of Messiah, to a reaffirmation that he has come, is present in the world today and will come again in glory. It mirrors the journey of faith that Christians make after that moment of realisation and acceptance of who Jesus is, in that we take that first step of faith in commitment, continue hopefully to walk the road of faith and increasing understanding, and look forward to our destination, which is to be in his presence forever!

May you be more fully aware of God as you journey through Advent.

Prayer
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

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for all in our churches-those we meet through our weekly activities.
May we may reveal the light of Christ to them this Advent.

Advent Preparation

We often miss the power of Advent because, for so often, we are consumed by the demands of December. For many these demands mean additional busyness, for some - family pressures, yet for others the lead up to, and the season of Christmas, bring a loneliness rarely acknowledged and recognised by the busy world around us. The busyness may lead us to be distracted from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning.

The reflections which will follow over the next 4 weeks offer daily thoughts, prayers and meditations for Advent. I hope you will find the resource simple and friendly, challenging yet encouraging.

There is no need to rush or to do anything. It encourages you to “be” - to be the person God cherishes—for you to be yourself.

Advent is almost countercultural—the secular world around us is focused on buying and selling, rushing and worrying. It is one of the most stressful times of the year—guilt abounds in relation to visits, gifts:- “did I give as good as I got?”. “Did I invite the right people or miss someone out?” “Do I send a card to them? They didn’t send me one last year!” So much guilt and fear as we celebrate the birth of one who came to take away our guilt and fear.

What better time than Advent for us to become more aware of Christ’s coming to us. May each day of this Advent draw us more fully towards God with a renewed appreciation of Jesus’ presence in our lives.

Stillness

What does stillness sound like? How does it smell? A random question I suppose but nonetheless an important one. Important as stillness involves everything about us.

For some stillness and silence is to be avoided. As though the very thought is deafening. For others it is but a dream and hope and even for others a place they long to escape from.

What is stillness?

The psalmist extols us to "Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is this where God is? I wonder if in today's vocabulary we would use the phrase "chill out."
Though the phrase chill out can have negative connotations of telling someone to "calm down" or "stop blowing a gasket" to ease someones temper and our own avoidance of dealing with a situation.

Perhaps the command “be still” — forces us to think that we are finite, and that God is infinite. If that is the case for us then, can we relax in God's presence and allow God to be .... to be God?

So where do we run to for stillness? Where is the safe haven or safe place to hide? If you were running for your life where would you run too?

What stillness and silence has taught me is that our lives are useable by God. We do not always have to be doing, or effective, or successful (what success is? because that measure changes everyday)just transparent, open and vulnerable. It is then that God takes it from there. God being creator, sustainer, redeemer, healer, lover and much more....

So may we find a moment to "Be Still, and Know thatI am God" Psalm 46

For God’s past provides calm for our future.

Do you remember?

Readings from the Good Friday Service this morning at Bold Street Methodist Mission.


Do you remember a man who had dreams of what might be:
that people would be set free from ideas and images about God that enslaved them?

Do you remember a man who had his moments of breakthrough,
when it must have seemed his dream was being realised:
the times people really listened and responded,
the men and women who were prepared to walk with him and support him?

Do you remember a man who learned of the cruel death of his cousin? He got into a boat, seeking a lonely place, where he could be with his friends to absorb the shock, to grieve quietly, and to calm the feelings of powerlessness and frustration and fear for his own future.

I wonder what he prayed about that night?
I wonder what helped him leave that lonely place and go forward to confront life, rather than retreat into isolation and safety?

Do you remember a man whose dream was shattered:
who broke down and cried over what could have been,
who knew the pain of failure and powerlessness,
who knew what it was like to feel broken and terribly alone?

Do you remember a man who knew he was going to die:
who gathered with his friends knowing it was for the last time,
who spoke to them about what he really believed,
who wanted them to remember him and to keep his dream alive?

Do you remember? Do you remember?

Yes God I remember.

I remember a man called to serve
I remember a man enthused to serve others
I remember a man who wept over a friend
I remember a man who touched and healed
I remember a man human like me
I remember a testament to love.

I remember.

I remember.

Do you remember a man crucified?
He was abandoned by his friends, taunted, despised,enduring a shameful and agonising death.

Do you remember a man who turned to another,even with his last breath to speak words of comfort and assurance?

Do you remember a man who looked upon his own beloved Mother, with a gaze reminding her of a stable and a promise of “let it be to me according to your will”?

Do you remember? Do you remember?

Yes God. I remember

I remember the word made flesh
I remember a man whose faith in all he believed was tested to the limit.
I remember Jesus the expression of God’s love.
I remember Jesus.

I remember
I remember

We remember all of this

First time ever.....

Well for the first time I have done it. It caught my attention, I was interested, I sought, pursued and got it.... Yes there it was advertised on TV - this wonderful new desert and so off I went to a local, well known supermarket, asked an assistant for help and purchased the product - well to be honest 6 of them.

So the advertising worked. It caught the attention of my taste buds and I responded. Well done to the advertisers.

So what do we advertise? What message do we portray by our actions and words. Ephesians 5:1 commands us to be imitators of Christ and scripture provides many examples of what we need to do in order to be imitators. How are we doing on the following?

Loving your neighbour (even those who park in your space)
Visiting the imprisoned
Setting captives free
Healing others
Feeding the hungry
Forgiving and accepting forgiveness
Allowing others to care for us whilst we care for others
Going the second mile.. the list in endless

How are we doing? I know I can do much much better.

Credited to Francis of Assisi the phrase “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” reminds us how we can reveal Gods love to others by who we are and what we do (along with what we say) - also by things we don't do and say.

In Acts 4:13 we read "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The scribes and pharisees (religious folk) were academically intelligent people. Having heard the apostles speak with such authority, boldness and conviction they discovered the reason for this boldness. Clearly, not a result of their education, given that Peter and Johns education focused on the craft of fishing. No, their boldness was not from the self-sufficiency of knowledge, but from the Spirit of the living God. Peter and John had been with Jesus and that was enough. Yes they got it wrong (Hallelujah because we all do)yet they also made a difference.

So where are we to be imitators of Christ? The answer whilst hard is simple - everywhere... workplace, home, gym, street, shops, even in church!

Let us therefore, purpose ourselves to be imitators of Jesus .. and to make a difference whilst we can. Yes we will get it wrong on this roller coaster journey of life. Sometimes we will stumble yet in these moments God can pick us up, dust us down and set us off again.

Be imitators of Jesus it can make a difference.

Brokenness

“Melt our Cold hearts let tears fall like rain
Come change our love from a spark to a flame”
Graham Kendrick – Beauty for Brokenness

This week is Homelessness and Poverty week. Perhaps you knew maybe you did not. As we consider the needs of others are we becoming immunised and sanitised to the needs of our world and community. Images are beamed directly into our homes of broken lives and lands almost daily and I wonder "are we affected and infected by the desperation of others?" Are statistics of poverty, homelessness and brokenness mere fragments of our imagination - sadly no behind ever statistic is a person - desperate, scared, lonely and vulnerable.

It is of course hard, desperately hard, to slight the plight of others when we are broken ourselves. We avoid the issue - paint on a smile and say the words "I'm fine" whilst inside we are screaming "why don't you notice." Do we avoid because there is no support? Avoid for we feel we have failed? Avoid for being condemned and judged? How heartbreaking that is.

Henri Nouwen wrote in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, that "it is often difficult to believe that there is much to think, speak or write about other than brokenness". I am not sure how often I have heard this preached about or taught about in our churches - oh how we avoid it. Charles Dickens wrote "We need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts".

The bible provides us with so many stories where tears have been shed.
Hannah poured out her soul to God in prayer over her barrenness. Micah wept in prayer for God’s people. Jeremiah wept in prayer over the sin and pain of God’s people.
Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” The woman washing Jesus feet wet them with her tears, Jesus wept for his friend and there are more.

In a beautiful book "My utmost for his highest" Oswald Chambers suggests "Prayer is the falling of a tear." In that case we pray alot don't we.

Jesus, God incarnate, was the man of sorrows. Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows [pain], and acquainted with grief . . . ”.
Not removed and not remote but in the midst, centre of our pain and our world.

So in our brokenness we come to worship and surrender. In our brokenness we come to the source of healing the one who shines light into our lives that we may show light through the fragments of the cracks in our lives to others. Friends may you know the healing light of God's presence.

Questions, Questions, Questions

Can you imagine the conversation?

Jill: I just don't understand the attraction golf has for men.

Mary: Tell me about it! I went golfing with my husband one time, and he told me I asked too many questions!

Jill: Well, I'm sure you were just trying to understand the game. What questions did you ask?

Mary: I thought I asked legitimate questions...like, "Why did you hit the ball into that lake?"

There have been many funny questions asked in ministry - some more easy to answer than others. Why was Samson so strong? One child answered before I could, ‘anabolic steroids’, he said - a good answer I thought. One particular difficult question asked by a child: "Where does your lap go when you stand up?" I did manage that one ok but it makes you think! There was also the one about Jesus and the cross and a smurf (if you really want to know I will share it sometime).

Of course the major question asked by young and old alike is Why? Why has this happened? Why me? Why now? Why them? How I long to be able to provide palatable answers to such heart-wrenching questions asked in this vein, but in all honesty most answers fail to satisfy. Fail to satisfy, because nothing I can say can provide the healing, release and answer people really need at this time. What is it we want when we ask these questions,? A fix? For it all to be well? To change the course of what is happening?

So many have attempted to provide glib answers in my own past when I have asked why?
For example:

I promise it will be ok? It wasn't.
It is the cross you have to bear? Gee thanks (but I'd prefer some help to carry it).
You will be stronger for it? Brill - a good one - but at the moment .... (you can fill in your own words here.)
I will pray for you? Thanks this is great - (really) - but I could do with a hand too.
And from one couple who were, incidentally, ill themselves, “You need more faith." I simply asked them how they were and they mumbled and walked away.

In the whys of my life the most help has come from those who have shared the journey, cried along the way and have shown me Christ. No glib answers, no false promises - just an ability to be God in that situation. To point me to God who is faithful, constant and dependable - who never abandons and never disowns.

In all honesty, I have found more healing in wrestling with these questions with those who are close to me than in finding the answer I longed for. If that makes sense?
So Why? I have no idea but I will journey with you until the answer comes our way.