All washed up? #2

When the world says we are “all washed up” it means we’ve run our course, we have nothing more to offer. When Jesus says we are “all washed up” he means that the adventure is just beginning!

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5

Go on, read that passage again; slowly.

This is a dangerous lesson for us to learn from.
Have you read it again yet?
Well, lets do it again, this time changing the location and time. It is Sunday morning and you are in church. You are loving the worship and the presence of God because you are confident in your faith; you know God has rescued you; you know God will never leave you; you know that you are completely clean [eternally]; you know God guides you.
You also know that you put all of this knowledge into action; you may be part of the cleaning team, hovering the church each week, everyone knows that you are active and helpful in the church, or you may join in with the prayer meetings, you may have led a study or two in your house group, or preached on a Sunday or even given a prophetic word. Your knowledge of Christ is regularly poured out into vessels of your actions.
But then trouble comes; Jesus changes the rules, the rules we have subtly imposed. He whispers to you, YOU: “Get up. Look, no one has shown care to my pastor. I want him to know I care. Get up and go into the kitchen, and fill a bowl with water (it’s pleasantly warm from the tap in there). Take a towel and the anointing oil and go up to him. Kneel before him, take his shoes off, rinse his feet, dry them and anoint his feet. Do it for him and me. Please.”

Our response is easy: I can’t, that’s not expected of me. We are in the middle of worship. Pastor Andrew is about to preach in a minute the last thing he probably wants is me coming up to him with a bowl of water interrupting the flow of the meeting. Besides the bowl is used for dishes. I can’t touch the anointing oil.
All this rushes through our mind and we pray earnestly for Pastor Andrew but all we hear is the echo of His words: “Go…”

We are often [self] confined by expectations and conventions rather than released through obedience and service. Service is good in decent measures and at the right time. Reading the story again it is clear that Jesus got it totally wrong here. Washing of feet was done by servants, not by the head guest or even the host. That would be very inappropriate. Besides he also did it at the wrong time in the evening. The right time was when people came in, perhaps it would have been acceptable then, but instead Jesus chose to do after the meal when everyone expected a healthy and lively discussion led by their honoured guest (it was the Jewish way, it was why you met together for a meal; food is good but discussion better). But instead of allowing his words to be heard and revered, he bent down and began doing the lowest job. Jesus was doing the wrong job at the wrong time to the wrong people!
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17

Here are the prayer points for this week:
1. Rejoice because we are cleansed and redeemed, washed clean through the blood of Jesus.
2. Remember that Jesus washed his disciples feet and that we are also called to service. Pray that that you will remain humble in your service for your family, your church and your community.
3. Just as light shines brighter in darkness, pray that those in need of Christ we notice what He has done in your life; how he has cleaned your act up.

All washed up? #1

I'm back!!!!

Anyway here’s what we are doing at Bethel: We’re washing the church!
Why? Because we’re preparing for the paint, the colour. Before newness goes on the dirt has to be dealt with.
Whether you’ve been part of the church for a month or most of your life, chances are you know that you have been cleansed through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross; you’re clean and you rejoice [everyday] because of it.

This is our first week of work, of praying and painting. As we do all this we will be thinking about being “all washed up”; probably not learning anything new but excitedly exploring [full of joy and delight] what God has done for us as we work together to get the years of dirt off the walls.

All I have done for this series of ‘meditations’ is grab my concordance, look up the word “wash” and worked through the Scripture references. It has been great fun and so I hope you enjoy this week as you rejoice, pray and [hopefully] work towards the redecoration of the church.


“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Ps 51:7

We may be “all washed up” [because of the blood of Christ] but we don’t always lead clean lives. Just as dirty clothes soon overflow our laundry bin, sin easily ensnares us through a look, a thought, an irritation, negligence or exhaustion.
When King David wrote this Psalm his life was in a bad way. He is often described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’ and yet here we find him a husk of man having lusted after someone else’s wife, committed adultery, lied [professionally and personally] and arranged a murder. What was he thinking?!
Compared to all of this I beat myself up over seemingly inconsequential sins. But since I even struggle to forgive myself for sins as ‘small’ as these David does something crucial to survival that we can all learn from; he began to worship! When he had come to his senses [and it took him long enough] he went immediately to the place where he most often met God; in worship. In doing so his thoughts were quickly overwhelmed by God rather than sin.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Ps 51:1-2

Jesus said that we can have only one master (Matt 6:24). We have the habit of sitting in the presence of sin and writing to God asking him to send a cheque of forgiveness; instead we should immediately leave the house of sin straight away, run! Bang on God’s door [although it is always open] and you’ll discover you won’t need to beg for forgiveness (Luke 15:11-31).
David had done some awful crimes but while he had to deal with the consequences he was sure that God could clean him, transforming him until he was as white as snow.

When we are washed clean the effect will beat the Daz doorstep challenge every time! Enjoy your crisp whiteness.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Ps 51:12

What you will also discover once you have been washed clean is that you now have all the qualifications to lead others to the cleansing water and it won’t be hypocritical either because it is all Jesus, not us.

“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” Or “…so the lost can find their way home.” Ps 51:13

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

1. Rejoice because we are cleansed and redeemed, washed clean through the blood of Jesus.
2. Remember that Jesus washed his disciples feet and that we are also called to service. Pray that that you will remain humble in your service for your family, your church and your community.
3. Just as light shines brighter in darkness, pray that those in need of Christ we notice what He has done in your life; how he has cleaned your act up.

Apologies for the delay...

Hi there

I have no doubt that as a long [or short] time reader of this blog that you are a forgiving sort of people. Of course you are. And so you will no doubt forgive me for not having updated this blog since the weekend. This is only because I have not had the time last week to jot down any thoughts etc. Sorry.
I am now preparing some for next week so that they will inspire us all as, those of us who can, are busy re-decorating the church.
So don't forget us and log back on Monday :o) see you then.

Andrew

Rabbit rabbit rabbit!

"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” Matt 6: 7-8

Jesus is so politically insensitive that our courteously accepting sensibility can easily be shaken by his words. Here Jesus dismisses the repetitive prayers of other religions [and even our own] as babble!

As we allow Jesus inflammatory words sink in it causes us to question our views on how prayer works. So what do we think prayer does? Do our prayers awaken God to our needs? As though God may overlook us or forget us if we don’t remind Him of our needs? The absurdity of this notion reminds me of the humorous taunts uttered on another hillside by Elijah.

No, our prayers do not awaken God to our needs, they awaken us to God’s provision!

Far too much of my time is wasted in prayer trying to awaken God when He is already awake and aware of my needs and acting to meet them! In fact I can be so consumed by ‘please here me’ prayers that I fail to notice God’s provision for me or what He has to say to me. I may be surrounded by the thunder of circumstances but there is the need for me to hear that ‘still small voice’ [not a timid voice but an intimate and empowering whisper].

I feel ten feet tall, able to conquer the world, when I hear loving words whispered intimately in my ear by my wife. I could be unstoppable if I would allow God to whisper, with an even deeper intimacy, into my heart!

It’s time to allow ourselves to be awaked in our prayers to God’s [earth shattering] whisper.

Gifts of intimacy.

All of chapter 6 in Matthew’s gospel seems to be about God giving to us; it seems to be the key point to the middle part of Jesus’ sermon. We are constantly being reminded of God’s generosity, forgiveness and desire to meet our needs.

"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” Matt 6:5-6

Of course there is a time for praying on the street corner but here Jesus is talking about the depth of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Just as with all relationships, our relationship with God is not formed in the public gaze like some spiritual Celebrity Love Island, it is formed in moments of intimate privacy.

If all of our time with God took place during a conference, or in church services or prayer meetings we may have an intensity about us but not any intimacy. For this essential quality we need to find time to be alone with God.

Sometimes this may seem daunting or even tough, not because of time constraints but because we dislike ourselves in some way; we simply aren’t comfortable with our own company. Or, all we can think about is how we have let God down, and so the thought of being the sole focus of his disapproving gaze would be too much to bear.
We cannot afford to hate ourselves when God has placed such a loving value on us!
I know that I don’t know what you know about yourself but I know that Jesus’ tender hands were pierced by cruel nails out of love [for you] not duty. When I think about that I have to change my view of myself and begin to look at myself from God’s perspective (His true perspective and not our projected one), and this always draws me into privately intimate moments with Him.
When we are alone with God is his face full of judgement? No, it is full of blessing and these not because of our achievements or successes but simply because intimacy brings gifts.

Guess which hand!

OK, here we are, back on that historic hillside in Galilee.
In fact we are uncomfortably close to areas that are shaking the world again today, but back then history was about to be shaken through life and not death; the disturbance was a [radical] new way of living. One fuelled with the purpose of God.

"Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” Matt 6:1-4

Jesus makes me smile when I read this :o)
But how does he pull it off?! How can he be so serious that the weight of his words still impact us today, and then say something so light heartedly funny without undermining what it is he is preaching?
‘Don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing’ Brilliantly funny and yet poignant!

Now, Jesus isn’t advocating a life of secrecy here, instead he is encouraging us to give while simultaneously making us question our motivation.
I mean, how many charitable acts would we really do if no-one [and I mean no-one] knew about them? If the person receiving it never knew it was you? If you couldn’t tell anyone? And if you couldn’t even congratulate yourself? I reckon our motivation would dry up fast.

I always remember my mum saying that my sister only seemed to give blood so that she could be congratulated for her selfless act.

Giving out of a desire to give rather than receive [even if it is just gratitude or pleasure] is tougher than you’d think.
Try queuing up to pay for your petrol and then spontaneously paying for the pump next to you as well, don’t give it a second thought. You’ll never meet the guy or know how they’d react. You’d talk yourself out of doing it wouldn’t you. Even getting recognition from the person receiving is enough to motivate us to give.

Quite a few years ago now, Ruth and I gave [what was to us] a large amount of money to a couple struggling to make ends meet. We didn’t want them to know it was us, or to even know how they reacted to it, and so we put it in an envelope and posted it through their door when we knew they would be out (well, in reality it wasn’t as simple as that; the measures we took to remain anonymous were, in retrospect, a bit silly - hopefully we pulled it off).

Jesus is simply saying do good when no-one suspects and no-one rewards you! What will happen is that God will reward you with more than you can imagine (and sometimes that is just to open your eyes a little more the splendour of who He is and what He has created)!!!

Prayer focus for August :o)

As I said yesterday the fusion event is being postponed until November so that the fusion team can help out in redecoration work at Bethel. The plan was to also cover this period with a series of prayer points which accompany the work being done (as though we will be decorating with paint and prayer!). Here is an explanation of each prayer focus and it’s relevance to the work:

Washing (week 1). The first part of any redecoration is washing, a restoring; getting back to a clean surface. It may not be exciting but it is essential to the success of everything else that is done.

1. Rejoice because we are cleansed and redeemed, washed clean through the blood of Jesus.
2. Remember that Jesus washed his disciples feet and that you are also called to service. Pray that that you will remain humble in your service for your family, your church and your community.
3. Just as light shines brighter in darkness, pray that those in need of Christ we notice what He has done in your life, how he has cleaned your act up.
   
   

Intimacy (week 2). In this second week of the project no work undertaken. This is because the youth (the main driving force behind the work) will be away for a week long conference called ‘Audacious’. The hope is that they will enjoy the conference having an intimate encounter with God.

1. Pray that the youth will be focused on God as their main reason to be at Audacious.
2. That they would have powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit, and through this they would discover God’s purpose for them.
3. That they would be inspired to serve and to build the house @ Bethel upon their return. That they would be fired up to be God colours and flavours in their schools, families, colleges, work places as well as within their church.
   
   

Centre (week 3). The third week sees the work recommence and it is all the woodwork that requires glossing. This outlines the entire space and reminds us that we are out lined by Christ.

1. Pray that we will be a church defined by our unity in Christ rather than our differences in tastes etc.
2. Pray that as individuals in the church we submit ourselves afresh to the authority of Christ, allowing ourselves to be moulded into his likeness.
3. Pray that our very lives will bring Christ into focus for those around us, that our decision, our actions and our reactions will reveal Christ’s influence in our lives to other. And it will make then hungry for Him.
   
   

Kanvas (week 4). In the final week the walls will be painted and colour added.

1. We are living stones within the church and so pray that that our lives will be Christ revealing; for me to live is Christ!
2. Pray that in every walk of life in which we find ourselves that we will bring in God colours and flavours in all we say and do.
3. Pray that our boundaries will be expanded; that souls will be saved through our witness. That God will spectacularly build His church through us!
   
   

As I said before, I can only apologise for spelling canvas with a K and not a C but it was so that together all 4 prayer focus’ would have the acronym “wick”. I thought this would be quite good since it encourages us to remember that we are to shine the light of Christ in this city of ours. This is particularly apt since the redecoration work is being done now in preparation for the SHINE women’s conference in October which shares this as it’s theme.

Through out these weeks the blogs featured here will relate to these prayer focuses.

Practical FUSION.

Fusion has been hosted (under different guises) by Bethel Community church for nearly four years now. Each time more and more people finding it instrumental in developing their intimacy with their Lord and therefore their influence [for Christ] within their homes, families, and work. This has increased with each event and now fusion is regularly supporting [and therefore supporting] 10% of the churches in the City. Seeing God working so intimately in and through His church is worthy of thanksgiving!

The next fusion event was scheduled for late August however this has had to be postponed until November so that the fusion team can be engaged [in prayer and practice] in some hard graft. Bethel’s main church hall, which we have always used as a venue, is going to be completely redecorated in August since it is beginning to look a little rough around the edges as a result of everything that it is used for (including fusion!). Therefore the fusion team have decided to devote this late summer prayer event to the redecorating the host building [covering it both with prayer and paint] assisting the young people of Bethel (a.k.a. ABLAZE) who are taking the lead in this venture.

Does this mean we will be without a fusion prayer event until November? Not at all but it will take on a different guise. Over the month of August, while the work is being done, we will be engaged both practically in prayer.
Over this period I would encourage you to share in the prayer focus for each week. What is more, if you wanted a ‘thought for the day’ relating to each prayer focus simply log on to the fusion blog each day.

Week 1 (commencing 31 July)

– prayer focus: Washing
Week 2 (commencing 7 Aug)

– prayer focus: Intimacy
Week 3 (commencing 14 Aug)

– prayer focus: Centre
Week 4 (commencing 21 Aug)

– prayer focus: Kanvas

Now, I know that you normally spell canvas with a C and not a K but it was so that together all 4 prayer focus’ would have the acronym “wick”. I thought this would be quite good since it encourages us to remember that we are to shine the light of Christ in this city of ours. This is particularly apt since the redecoration work is being done now in preparation for the SHINE women’s conference in October which shares this as it’s theme.

Tomorrow I will tell you more about each weeks prayer focus.

The cry of FUSION.

Even though the August Fusion event has been postponed it is important to remember that Fusion is not an “end” in itself. Fusion is not one massive event; it is collection of small ignitions. A match is not made simply to be struck against a box, it is made to burn and ignite other objects (often end up much brighter than itself). Everyone has had a different experience in Fusion because it is ultimately [and intimately] you and God; that conversation is [and will always be deeply] personal. Fusion happens every day; from the moment you get up until the moment you fall asleep, our hearts cry out for fusion.

But one thing is for certain, Fusion is not an “end”, it is a beginning; a new ignition and its purpose is to touch the lives of others in new and varied ways. Each one of us is different but each one has an assignment given to us by God.

That is fusion; it is when we melt and cry “Lord, not my will but Yours be done.”

Postponed to be practical.

The next Fusion event was scheduled for late August but this must be postponed until November although Fusion will be involved in August in a practical venture (hence the postponement). I will tell you more about this soon but as a teaser [or taster] it has something to do with this [which is from lecture given by Charles Spurgeon]:

“Here are many candles uniting their brilliance; they all hang upon one support, and shine by the same light. May they not represent the church of Christ in its multiplicity, variety, and unity? These candles are all supported upon one stem, they are all giving forth the same light, and yet they are of all manner of sorts, sizes, and colours. A great way off they would seem to be but one light. They are many, and yet but one… Those who shine by divine grace are all one in Christ Jesus.
What a glory will there be in the one church when all her members shine, and all are one! May such a day come quickly! Amen.”

God’s will for me!

Have you ever seen a show on TV called CSI? This stands for ‘Crime Scene Investigation’ and so the show follows a fictional group of forensic investigators. I’m not a massive fan of the programme because it is so ridiculously over the top, but that is just one man’s opinion :o)

The characters on the show have an amusingly annoying habit of over abbreviating everything! I happened to turn on to CSI:Maimi (I think) the other day and was thoroughly amused to find myself completely lost as to what these characters were even talking about – their was barely a full word in their dialogue!

One such a abbreviation was C.O.D. This would pop up in conversation as follows: “So, what do you think of the C.O.D.?” It took me a while before I realised that they were referring to ‘Cause Of Death’. After I had begun to crack some of their other codes it made the show a whole lot more entertaining and comprehendible. In the end Helen (my sister-in-law) thought that it would be ‘cool’ to ridiculously abbreviate elements of our faith and so we entertained ourselves by asking each other was our C.O.G. was (Calling Of God).

It was hilarious until we noticed ourselves occasionally use this term of reference in genuine conversation! The other morning, for example, we found ourselves asking what our COG for the day was! While I was surprised by our genuine use of this ridiculous abbreviation I also realised that we do have a daily COG!

So what’s your COG?
Do you know what it is today? Do you think you don’t have one; like it’s a day off or something or you’re not important enough to received one?

This is [one of] your COG:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18

We are familiar with verses 16 and 17 (although we may not like them or apply them to our lives… at a cost) but I have certainly overlooked the importance of verse 18.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is our COG!
Not giving thanks when things have gone well (although this is also important) but to give thanks when everything has gone pear-shaped, when you’ve received no answer to prayer, when your heart broken or you’re feeling betrayed or in pain. Now, don’t think for a second that God is calling us to give thanks for these disastrous situations [that would be madness!], He is calling us to give thanks in them. What can fuel our thanksgiving in such situations? A certainty that He is for us, a confidence that He will sustain us, knowing that He will never ever leave us, and that our names are indelibly recorded in heaven!

But thanks be to God! - Part 3

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor 9:15

What is this indescribable gift?

It’s something truly amazing and unexpectedly complex.
The church in Corinth decided that God had made them ‘wealthy’. This is not to say that God had increased their income in any way; they simply reasoned that all their income was a blessing from God, and since He was their provision they could afford to be generous with it. This change of thinking and mixed with little financial savvy [no doubt, something we are all gifted with if we choose to exercise it – but our culture of instant credit doesn’t encourage us to] meant that they had become wealthy enough – even though their income had remained unchanged - to generously bless those in need.

Here’s the unexpected effect: Genuine brotherly love triggered a transformation in personal financing within the church, this overflowed generously which blessed God as a result of their obedience. Those whose lives benefited from this prayed for the church in Corinth, for their every need to be met. This too became praise to God!

When we truly allow Jesus to infiltrate our lives (even the most personally areas of our lives such as finances – letting him hold the purse strings!) indescribably amazing things happen. It causes people to glorify God and before long it can snowball around the globe…. and all that just from our wallet!
Now that’s indescribable.

“Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!” 2 Cor 9:12-15 (Msg)

But thanks be to God! - Part 2

In Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth he includes three amazing ‘…but thanks be to God!’ statements. I looked at one yesterday, and will look at another tomorrow.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Cor 2:14

We are surrounded by aromas all of the time. Some smells you may find gentle and relaxing while others are invigorating. Some will make you hungry while others may cause you to remember a days you had nearly forgotten. Some aromas will bring a smile to your lips while other a tear to your eye, but there is one thing that they all do, they silently invisibly fill the air.

If you have ever been in a lift when someone has let ‘one’ rip you will know how fast an aroma can fill the air. Or, so my wife claims, when we are sat on the sofa watching a movie, lost in the moment. Silently an offending force infiltrates the air until: “ANDREW!”
Naturally I am to blame for the offence! And if Ruth is being particularly dramatic she will leave the room gagging, trying to insinuate that her very life was some how in danger.

There are smells that I love, which fill me with such pleasure, and yet they turn Ruth’s stomach. There’s just no accounting for it but we do respond to smells differently; not that the aroma ever actually changes it is just because our sense of smell is ‘wired’ differently to the thoughts that it triggers.

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.” 2 Cor 2:14-16 (Msg)

But thanks be to God! - Part 1

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 15:57

In literature and film great villians are those who are too big or powerful to defeat; their presence makes for an thrilling adventure.

When I was little I used to love watching the Star Wars films for a couple of reasons. The first was because Darth Vader was a great villain. The most important quality to have as a villain is to be unstoppable; to have such a vast army at your disposal that it is impossible for anyone to imagine your power slipping.

Darth Vader ruled the universe; it was his decision whether planets and galaxies would continue to exist. More than that, the lives of our heroes were in his hands. Most movie villains are small and defeatable; they have limited power and limited influence. There is no genuine threat in that. With Darth Vader his very presence exuded the threat of defeat and destruction. He didn’t have to do anything and you were worried.

Ruth and I met Darth Vader once.
It was the day upon which I proposed to her [and she more or less accepted]. We were in Edinburgh for the day and so was a Star Wars exhibition, so we went along. At one point in the exhibition you are directed into Darth Vader’s chambers. Taking up the once-in-a-life-time opportunity we began walking gingerly around one corner and then the next. With each turn it became darker and darker until we found ourselves facing complete darkness. Unexpectedly our hearts were pounding and then all of a sudden, from behind us, we heard the most chilling of sounds; his unmistakably amplified breathing. We spun round to see his iconicly villainous figure stood there looking down on us. We instinctively backed away [the CCTV footage may claim that we ran].
That was the day that we came face to face with Darth Vader and got engaged.

The other reason I loved watching the films was because somehow our heroes won! And not just won either; this unstoppable villain was transformed and redeemed!

In life we do not celebrate villains in the same way because their power is real and their presence threatening.
Sin, death and guilt are a sinister trio of villains that dance in and out of our lives with chilling effect. We try our best not to even think about them because their power seems overwhelming. We find it hard to even imagine a world without them, but we hope for it [desperately]. However, in Christ we have the ultimate hero; his existence reminds us of our villain’s is defeated - even when it threatens to even overcome our very life, we know we have won!

“But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand. We're not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it's over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we'll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:
‘Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?’
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!” 1 Cor 15:51-57 (Msg)

Thanks be to God because we live [and perhaps die, but only for a time] in victory!

Futile and foolish.

Paul’s letter to the Roman church leaves us with a stark thought which may shock you.

In the opening chapter of his letter Paul describes a generation which knew God but wilfully ignored Him. Paul describes the generation in shocking detail (and it is even more alarming as to how relevant it seems today). But what is the most shocking aspect of all this is that right at the beginning of this list of ‘perversions’ [which not only harm our relationship with God but ourselves too] is not giving thanks to God!

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Rom 1:21

Our Pastor reminded us of this while he was preaching on Sunday. There is a difference between being thankful and giving thanks. Deep down we are all essentially thankful for what we have, but we are called to give thanks to God our provider; He is our [complete] provision.

What makes it worse still is that the more we refuse [or neglect] to give thanks to God, the more foolish we become. This stands to reason; if your car had broken down on the roadside, you’d be really stupid to ignore the AA man!

“What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.” Rom 1:21-23 (Msg)

When I think about this, three things spring to mind:
1) have I thanked God enough today for all He has done for me?
2) no wonder so many of the greatest minds mankind has produced all worshiped God!
3) how stupid would I be not to thank God for everything he does for me!

When ‘thank you’ is the hardest word to say.

At our church we have recently been thinking about how [often] we say thanks to God. Usually when we think about saying thank you it is because we have received something good which we can excitedly give thanks for. But there is an [often untapped] source of strength when we thank God in times of hurting as well as rejoicing.

As always it is a pretty safe bet to take our lead from Jesus. Look at what he does here:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.” Matt 26:26-27

This is at the Last Supper. Jesus knew [fully] what lay ahead for him tomorrow [and the following few days in the grave] and he knew that one of his close friends would betray him with fatal consequences. Despite this he gave thanks and genuinely meant it despite the pain. More than that, he shared his thanksgiving with everyone even those who would later desert and deny him.

How frail my thanksgiving seems in comparison to his!
Jesus let thanksgiving govern his life rather than his thanksgiving being controlled by his circumstance. What would Jesus do? He’d give thanks to God even though he was about to have all his friends turn on him and loose his life.
Our attitude should be the same as Christ’s and so let’s give thanks to our God!

All roads lead to Rome, but only one to Heaven!

I was reading my Daily Bible notes the other day and I was reminded why Jesus is so awesome! He is unique, he’s a one-off, he is the only way to the Father.

A scriptural review of Jesus and His uniqueness can help us stand strong in our belief that He is the only way. Jesus is unmatched in history—His very being cries out for us to entrust our lives to Him. Jesus Christ is:

Unique in substance: He alone is both God and man (John 10:30).
Unique in prophecy: No other leader’s life was foretold so clearly and accurately (Micah 5:2).
Unique in mission: Jesus alone came to save us from our sins (Matt 1:21).
Unique in birth: Only Jesus was born of a virgin (Matt 1:23).
Unique in ability: No one but Jesus has the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10).
Unique in existence: Jesus alone existed before the beginning of time (John 1:1-2).
Unique in position: No one else is equal with God (Phil 2:5-6).
Unique in reign: Only Jesus reigns forever (Heb 1:8).

No one in history is like Jesus. He alone deserves our trust, and He alone is the path to God.

That’s my King!

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
“Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.” Phil 2:5-11 (Msg)

You got rhythm?

What I love more than anything is Saturday morning before anyone else has got up. I find it truly relaxing; there is no need to get into work, breakfast can wait until I decide and I can enjoy God’s company without the interruption of clocking in time.

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly… "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt 11:27-30 (Msg)

Last week I took a day off work so that I could spend some time listening to God and getting some ideas for the next fusion event down on paper.

Even though I woke up at 6am, just as I would on a work day, it felt great. I had decided to spend the day in the church so that I did not distract myself because I imagined that would take me all day to get some ideas together, but that was not to be the case.

I began with a time of worship and prayer before spending some time reading God’s Word. I then began to put away a lot of the materials from the last fusion event (which I had not yet tidied up) so that they could easily be used by others in the church. Then Derek & Margaret turned up to clean the church, I had already decided to help them so I went and joined them. Margaret cleaned, I hovered and Derek tidied.
After all of this I sat down to work on fusion. I asked God what He wanted to do through the event and in no time at all His ideas were flowing; pages of sketches, notes and ideas quickly piled up before me. Even though I knew that there were still some loose ends in what I had I felt that God was saying that this was enough for today and so I packed up. Before leaving the church I got a bucket of water and cleaned some ketchup off the side door of the church (it had dried and so took more effort than I anticipated).
I got home just before Ruth so that I could prepare tea.
It was a fantastic day; I ended it more relaxed than when I started it!

We have just spent 9 days together with Jesus reflecting on some solid teaching. My head is reeling, I don’t know about you. But he is a tender revolutionary and will not put us through more than we can bear.
Keeping company with Jesus does not weigh us down, it lifts us up, it freshens us up. It reminds us how to enjoy life again.

The danger of answered prayer.

My parents live in Sussex, to pay them a visit it normally takes about 3 hours to drive there. Before I got married this used to be a great opportunity to think (mostly because my car at the time was bereft of a stereo thanks to the diligent hands of the criminal fraternity).

On one such journey I remember thinking about Jesus’ command to love:
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Love your neighbour' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:43-48

How can we love like this?

As I drove past consecutive junctions along the motorway this thought plagued my mind; the more I mulled it over the more I realised that I could not do it. It is not that I am an angry man that struggles to love anyone; it’s much worse. I think that I struggle with this command to love because I am apathetic. I can’t think of a single enemy that I hate, but worse than that, my [negligent] actions also reveal a shocking lack of [genuine] love.

Exhausted by my own weakness I prayed: Lord, show me how you love.

Without me being aware of God’s presence at all, He began to silently respond to my prayer.
At the time there was a gentleman that I worked with. He was a lazy manager doing only what he had to do, and even then with the minimal amount of understanding of what it was he was doing. That irritated me; what really upset me about him was his attitude towards his family. He was going through a divorce which seemed to be particularly unpleasant. His wife had cheated on him, for which there is no excuse, but from they way he spoke about her I am not surprised. What was worse still was that he had begun to take pleasure in poisoning his young son’s mind against his mother, taking great delight in winning each small ‘victory’. This emotional abuse of his son, for whom he was responsible, angered me.

As I drove along, oblivious [at that point] to God responding to my [frustrated] prayer, this man suddenly came to mind (possibly/probably by God’s prompting). However, instead of my rational loathing of him I found my heart and my mind consumed by an overwhelmingly unconditional love. It was uncontrollable because it was [definitely] not of me [but all of God]! At that moment I would have willingly laid my life down for him – honestly! I have never felt so strongly about something before or since. This love seemed to overwhelm me more and more until I felt I could handle it no more without bursting.

No more! I prayed.

As I reeled back from the experience (which I have hardly done justice here) I felt God say: That was only the beginning of my love.

Jesus, The Ultimate Revolutionary, calls for us [failed and frail as we are] to be perfect, but it is impossible for us to do this unless God fills us [completely]?!
That is the revolution; completely surrendered dependence on God. This is our strength and our shield!


I still have much more of Jesus’ revolutionary Sermon on the Mount to go; we have only just finished the first third of it!!!! But I am going to take a break because I have commissioned a number of guest writers to share their thoughts on the four elements of fusion [live, breathe, pray, change] leading up to the next prayer event in August.

Eye, eye!

Human nature seems to err towards relentless revenge, have you noticed that?
Remember when you were kids and one of your siblings would punch you on the arm? Now don’t tell me that you didn’t attempt to lay a barrage of blows on them in return. Therefore the concept of ‘an eye for an eye’ was radical, and yet, despite its imperfections, we still struggle to keep that simple law.

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.” Matt 5:38-42

Jesus is not saying here that we should act like people with no rights, not at all. He is saying that we should behave like people with the ultimate right, but choose to surrender it for the sake of those who do not deserve it. Now that is revolutionary!

But why should we bother; what do we get out of it?

Jesus is not simply telling us to grin and bear it; he is calling us to attack the enemy, to issue the death blow, to kick him where it hurts! In choosing to serve rather than retaliating we win a victory that is not available to us any other way.

As he is saying these words to us to us today, Jesus is [once again] exposing the enemy in our actions, but more than that; he strengthens us to take a decisive stand.
Our lap of honour is the extra mile, the kiss of [ultimate] victory is placed on the other cheek and our medals are on the jacket we give away.

WIN AS JESUS WON.

Can I trust you?

I’m not an avid fan of the show but The Vicar of Dibley does make me smile when I watch it. There’s one character in the show who stammers the opposite of what he means before coming out and saying it (to great comical effect): “Yes yes yes yes NO”.

This character of from The Vicar of Dibly seems to personify what Jesus is saying to us here as he continues to preach his life changing sermon:
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a letter of divorce.' But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
"Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say, don't make any vows! If you say, `By heaven!' it is a sacred vow because heaven is God's throne. And if you say, `By the earth!' it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don't swear, `By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Don't even swear, `By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, `Yes, I will,' or `No, I won't.' Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.” Matt 5:31-37

We are not really that far into Jesus’ sermon and already I am aware of how radically different the way of life Jesus is calling us to is from the one that I often lead. With Jesus’ words still ringing in our ears we become aware that God is calling for there to be a new degree of honesty in our lives.

I always remember a warning that my mum would occasionally give us: “If you don’t have anything sensible to say, don’t say anything.” A strange bit of advice that has actually helped me a great many times. Now, if only I could apply it more often :o)
You see words are important. We sometimes forget this because we are surrounded by them in books, magazines, newspapers, posters, signs, on the internet, they’re everywhere in fact; as a result it is as though they loose their significance to us. When it comes to the spoken word it is worse still; the air is full of radio and TV signals packed with chat shows covering some new inane topic of no significant value. Even our conversations loose sincerity the less we talk about things that matter to us.

God, however, is passionate about words.
He is the ultimate linguist; His eloquence creating everything. At their best our words can create images in our imagination, but God’s words actually create things! He said, “Let there be light.” and there was! No-one had even conceived light before God spoke it into being. The creative simplicity of that sentence is awesome. Similarly, when Jesus told a little dead girl to wake up people laughed thinking that his words were nonsense. But death on the other hand recognised the truth in Jesus’ voice and slipped away like sleep does as we wake in the morning.
Here is the rule: Truth creates, deception destroys.
(This is true whether it is us who has been deceived or if we are party to a deception).

Vows are created using words, and unless we are willing to adhere to them at all costs for all time, God’s advice is not to make vows at all. A vow is not a sentiment, it is a promise. People only trust us by how we are able to keep our promises.
It is the same with God. He takes vows very seriously. He therefore decides to trust us only in measure to the way in which we keep our promises [to Him and each other]. Flippant promised and rushed into vows are our down fall.
It would be better not to make a vow or a covenant if we can’t be trusted to see it through.

I recall one incredible church meeting in which I decided to dedicate the following day to God, to fast and to pray. My spirit was obviously geared up for this, excited by the prospect of intimacy with God. My body was less eager to remember my vow. In the end things came up and I did not fast. The effect that this had on me was that my spirit felt grieved (although because I had spent the day ignoring it I found it difficult to identify this as the source of my feeling); I felt torn apart inside and it was one of the worse days I can remember. Not that anything dramatic happened, but I was aware that I had cheated myself and God. There is a seriousness [which we often forget] in making a vow.

It hurts me to think that we are such a faithless people that Jesus was compelled [by the Father] to have to say this to us.

Smile, ‘cos this is gonna hurt.

What are we pursuing? God?
God is holy and therefore, if we want to be close to Him, there is a need for us to be holy too.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Pet 1:15-16
So, are we saying here that if we work at it hard enough we can become holy like God? No chance, not in a million years; it’s impossible! But with Christ [not just living but] ruling in our lives we can.

Take a minute, let this idea of Christ ruling in your life settle in.
Not just Christ living in us but having full authority; what he says goes [immediately].

Have you ever led a group of people that have not done what you have said? Boy, is it frustrating! (I won’t go into it further but it drives me nuts!!!!) But that is often what we do; we say to Jesus ‘you’re in charge’ and then we do our own thing. Imagine how much that must frustrate him; he wants to do so many amazing things in and though our lives but we frustrate him at every turn.

Now, let’s get back to Jesus’ sermon:
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye - even if it is your good eye - causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand - even if it is your stronger hand - causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matt 5:27-30

Recently, Ruth and I have been watching The Convent on BBC2 where a group of four ‘regular’ women are invited to spend 40 days living in a convent by their rules. On one occasion the nuns were discussing the Ten Commandments with the group of women and everything was going well until they touched on the issue of adultery.
Now adultery is pretty clear cut regardless of your religious persuasion, but one of the women who was a ‘free-spirited’ atheist wasn’t so happy with the definition being proposed. She was in a marriage where her husband was fully aware that she was also in love with another man. (While her husband seemed to ‘consent’ to it he was far from emotionally happy with it.) As a result she did not want to view her behaviour as adultery [which would cause her to consider the repercussions of her actions]. She spent the entire session trying to argue her case unsuccessfully.

Ruth and I watched her in stunned amazement, but in reality she is no different from us when we hear Jesus’ words. We become instantly defensive because it seems as though he can see our deepest secret.

When Jesus left the beauty of heaven it was not to have a pleasant stroll in the pleasing climate of Israel and occasionally dropping the odd pearls of wisdom for us to pick up. He came to confront the enemy [our enemy], eye to eye. When Jesus confronts sin it was never going to be pretty [for sin]; it was going to be a blood bath – but it was Jesus’ blood that was shed not ours!

I fail myself [and my Lord] with a thousand looks every day.
It hurts my heart perhaps as much as it does God’s, but the more I fail to confront it the more it hardens my heart. A hardened heart always leads to a heart attack, and the same is possible spiritually.

Here is Jesus’ revolution: love life, abundant life – run from everything that destroys life.

The seriousness of sacrifice.

Over the past few days I have been working through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and it’s been awesome. It seems in fact that going through a bit one day at a time is too fast; there is so much to take in!
But I’ll carry on regardless :o)

A Christian lady that I work with is [for some reason that I couldn’t really grasp] is attending a garden party at The Palace; rubbing shoulders with Royalty and all that. However, to attend she must wear a hat. Not already owning the required headwear to match her dress she went along to an outfitter in Pontypool and paid a small fortune for a very elegant sounding chapeaux indeed. If her description is anything to go by I’m sure that she will blend in perfectly to the regal location in which she will find herself.
I jokingly suggested that she could also wear it to church each week; the thought nearly tempted her :o)
Laughing about it afterwards it made me think about the church tradition [which seems so bizarre to me] which meant that women had to wear a hat to church while the men were expected to wearing their ‘Sunday best’. I have no doubt that they must have all looked very smart indeed but I am sure that one of the inadvertent side effects was that it encouraged us to put on a religious front; to look the part rather than play the part. You could play the rouge all week but look the part on Sunday – everyone would be none the wiser!

At that historic hillside Jesus’ revolutionary teaching knows no boundaries as he begins to tear open the comfort of our church existence: "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matt 5:23-25

Jesus is calling us to a level of self awareness that we are rarely comfortable with; by being conscious of how other people react to us. He is not saying that we are responsible for people’s reactions, but we are responsible if something we have said or done unnecessarily offended someone, and we knew about.
Here is the revolution: Obedience is better than sacrifice. Jesus is saying if you know that someone has something against you don’t play at church, it offends God [deeply]. Your ‘sacrifice of praise’ becomes a wail in His ears, an unpleasant screeching. God is far more interested in how we live than how we sound, how we behave [to one another] than how we look. Here, right now, Jesus is challenging us to do something dangerous; to be honest before God. Why is this so eagerly avoided? Because it sometimes means that we are exposed before others; to leave our sacrifice and go apologise for an offence that we did not mean to cause shows people that we are not perfect. However, in doing this we honour God through our obedience rather than mock Him by retaining our mask.

On another occasion Jesus reiterates this in John’s gospel record: “The time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.” John 4:23 (NLT)
Or, if you prefer, this is how Jesus’ voice sounds in The Message: "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.”

This may make you feel uncomfortable, after all what will people think?! But rather than being revealing it is in fact releasing.
I remember one church meeting we had in which this came into play spontaneously during the worship. A few people discretely went to speak to others and soon they were worshipping arm in arm and one friend of mine, realising the significance of this, even had to leave the meeting [but most people were unaware of this] to find the person they had to speak to. They had to explain, of course, why they had suddenly turned up unannounced, but what a releasing act of worship this was!
That is the revolutionary church that God is looking for; this is the sort of church that [we should be creating because it] will shake the very foundations of our city with the presence of God!

Hail the revolution! Here comes God’s rescue!!!!

Don’t loose your rag.

I’m sure that you have all been to a theme park in your time and seen some spectacular roller coasters. Or even less spectacular ones at the local fair on a bank holiday. Before you can get on the ride you have to pass the height test; you have to be taller than a specified height. It’s painfully clear cut; if you don’t reach the mark you can’t get on. There is no point trying to wear platform shoes or high heels in an attempt to qualify, it won’t wash. You either measure up or you don’t.

As Jesus continues with his sermon it is as though he is measuring up all of our lives and we know that we are wearing platform shoes!

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” Matt 5:21-22

No-one ever said that it was going to be easy being a Christian; it is not a cop-out option for the faint hearted.
Having found our freedom as slaves to righteousness, Jesus now says that sticking to the letter of the law is not enough. What he proposes is something truly radical and so impossible to achieve that we must fully rely on God. He tells us not to just avoid murder but we must even steer clear of the cause of it; attitudes of hatred, superiority, judgement [in a negative sense].

I have no doubt that, just like me, you have these words stinging in your mind because you can recall an angry outburst, a muttered criticism and a casual curse that you have been responsible for (sure, you can argue their justification but the point is that they came from your lips, your heart).
Surely Jesus is being unreasonable; so far he has upset, overstretched and confused his audience and now it is as if he is saying that none of us can qualify! But that is not at all what he is saying. Here Jesus is saying that under Moses’ law we had to show self-restraint (and on the whole we are all comfortable with that because we are still in control) but under this new ‘law’ we must be reliant upon God (and this feels uncomfortable because we surrender control into God’s hands). But this is what our faith is all about. We are called not to live but die; die to self each day as we take up our cross.

Jesus heightens the bar but in doing so he opens up a way in which we are also lifted.