Every year at 3pm on the 25th of December our family put down the presents and turn on the radio to listen to the queen's speech, and wow this year we were blown away - the usual words of celebration of the year gone by, commending national achievements and encouraging persistence were seasoned this year with more than a mere cursory glance towards the meaning of christmas. Instead of drawing the focus down on the problems of our nation and the world, the queen preached the gospel, lifting eyes and hearts towards the only perfect solution to our struggles - Jesus Christ our Lord, Redeemer, Saviour and King. Whatever your views on the royal family are - it was awesome to hear a voice of authority in tune with God's heart and speaking his message. Have a look at these extracts:
Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: 'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.
God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.
In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin
And enter in.
Be born in us today.
It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
to Bethlehem via the Cotswolds
The journey to Bethlehem was long and challenging. Each night finding a safe, dry place to sleep, each day trudging the sometimes dangerous and slippery paths. Joseph took a heavily pregnant Mary to the town of his ancestors, but there was no hospital, no hotel, not even a home prepared to welcome this small family. The whole world oblivious to the saviour's arrival.
This advent, a knitted nativity beautifully made by a friend of mine has travelled the homes of Ashby and occasionally further afield. Different children have taken it home each night, and families have talked together about what the journey was like for Mary and Joseph, and what is like today for those who also do not have a safe place to sleep at night. They have thought about the marvellous hope that is presented at Christmas and prayed together that Jesus would be welcome here in our hearts, our families, our communities and our nation.
Do not despise the day of small beginnings - Jesus came into the world as a little baby, he welcomes little children to him. Sometimes there is a journey that has to be travelled before the promises are fulfilled, but don't despise the journey - it could be the start of something amazing.
This advent, a knitted nativity beautifully made by a friend of mine has travelled the homes of Ashby and occasionally further afield. Different children have taken it home each night, and families have talked together about what the journey was like for Mary and Joseph, and what is like today for those who also do not have a safe place to sleep at night. They have thought about the marvellous hope that is presented at Christmas and prayed together that Jesus would be welcome here in our hearts, our families, our communities and our nation.
Do not despise the day of small beginnings - Jesus came into the world as a little baby, he welcomes little children to him. Sometimes there is a journey that has to be travelled before the promises are fulfilled, but don't despise the journey - it could be the start of something amazing.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Communion thought
This was mentioned this morning in church as we shared communion together and really resonated with me. Maybe it's obvious but I wanted to share it! When we come to communion what are we supposed to be concentrating on?
Luke 22:19
This is my body broken for you. Do this to remember me.
that means we're not supposed to be remembering our sins, listing our failures and feeling condemned. No, we're supposed to be remembering Christ, keeping our eyes and mind fixed on him. His grace has already dealt with our sin, separated it from us as far as east from west. How awesome is our saviour - how great is his love and mercy. We don't live in condemnation anymore!
Luke 22:19
This is my body broken for you. Do this to remember me.
that means we're not supposed to be remembering our sins, listing our failures and feeling condemned. No, we're supposed to be remembering Christ, keeping our eyes and mind fixed on him. His grace has already dealt with our sin, separated it from us as far as east from west. How awesome is our saviour - how great is his love and mercy. We don't live in condemnation anymore!
Monday, 5 December 2011
Guilt free living
Here's a piece of wisdom from the breadmaker...
I know this - the question is do I live it? The answer if I'm honest is no - I don't. At lot of motivation for my actions comes out of guilt rather than out of love. I feel guilty that no-one has done the washing up...so I go and tackle the pile. Or I feel guilty that I've not worked hard enough on an assignment...so I resolve to try harder next time. Or I feel guilty that I've let someone down...so I buy them flowers. This does not mean that it is wrong to wash-up, work hard or buy flowers! The issue is rather the contract mentality which we apply to everything, and that we see our actions (or lack of action) as a breach of that contract resulting in a feeling of guilt. To become a christian is to become a child of God, a joint heir with Christ of all the riches of God's kingdom. And no good parent child relationship is based on guilt. Guilt makes us feel like constant inadequate failures where as love and discipline together builds character and creates secure Christians who are able to be more than conquorers through Christ! Next time you feel guilty that you've let God down, ask him to show you how his perspective and allow his grace to transform you. Rejoice that we don't live in a contract with God anymore - we are part of the family :)
I know this - the question is do I live it? The answer if I'm honest is no - I don't. At lot of motivation for my actions comes out of guilt rather than out of love. I feel guilty that no-one has done the washing up...so I go and tackle the pile. Or I feel guilty that I've not worked hard enough on an assignment...so I resolve to try harder next time. Or I feel guilty that I've let someone down...so I buy them flowers. This does not mean that it is wrong to wash-up, work hard or buy flowers! The issue is rather the contract mentality which we apply to everything, and that we see our actions (or lack of action) as a breach of that contract resulting in a feeling of guilt. To become a christian is to become a child of God, a joint heir with Christ of all the riches of God's kingdom. And no good parent child relationship is based on guilt. Guilt makes us feel like constant inadequate failures where as love and discipline together builds character and creates secure Christians who are able to be more than conquorers through Christ! Next time you feel guilty that you've let God down, ask him to show you how his perspective and allow his grace to transform you. Rejoice that we don't live in a contract with God anymore - we are part of the family :)
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The best of times, the worst of times...
So begins A Tale of Two Cities, (and if you thought me educated for quoting Dickens then I feel duty bound to inform you that despite several atempts I have never actually finished reading the book)
Why is it that often good times and bad times go hand in hand?A verse in proverbs says 'even in laughter the heart may ache.' I can start a week on top of the world and end it thoroughly miserable or visa versa. Is it that in the good times, we come under attack from satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy? Or is it that sometimes in the most challenging times of life we rely on our heavenly father more and experience more of his abundant blessing in our lives? Maybe it is not that the situations change but my attitude towards them changes. The other day I burnt a bagel and then in my atempt to open the window to avoid setting off the fire alarm I knocked over and smashed a glass vase. Looking back it was pretty comical, but at the time seemed like a chain of events out to upset me - and I reacted with tears. The truth was my reaction to the situation was detemined by the fact I was feeling miserable inside and who we are on the inside affects our behaviour on the outside. A few years back, the what would Jesus do (WWJD) wrist bands were all the rage, and it is a good thing to ask ourselves the question when we face challenging situations, but it is also important to remember that as Christians we have Jesus living in our hearts, and we have his Spirit speaking into our lives. We need to learn to tune our hearts and ears into his voice.
Why is it that often good times and bad times go hand in hand?A verse in proverbs says 'even in laughter the heart may ache.' I can start a week on top of the world and end it thoroughly miserable or visa versa. Is it that in the good times, we come under attack from satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy? Or is it that sometimes in the most challenging times of life we rely on our heavenly father more and experience more of his abundant blessing in our lives? Maybe it is not that the situations change but my attitude towards them changes. The other day I burnt a bagel and then in my atempt to open the window to avoid setting off the fire alarm I knocked over and smashed a glass vase. Looking back it was pretty comical, but at the time seemed like a chain of events out to upset me - and I reacted with tears. The truth was my reaction to the situation was detemined by the fact I was feeling miserable inside and who we are on the inside affects our behaviour on the outside. A few years back, the what would Jesus do (WWJD) wrist bands were all the rage, and it is a good thing to ask ourselves the question when we face challenging situations, but it is also important to remember that as Christians we have Jesus living in our hearts, and we have his Spirit speaking into our lives. We need to learn to tune our hearts and ears into his voice.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Friends
What I find hardest about moving to a new place, is that it takes time to build good friendships, and it hurts to be separated from the friends you already have a depth of relationship with. Of course in time, friendship develops and I am thankful for all of the friends I now have in this country and around the world, who have shared their life with me for a time, and as a result have impacted my life.
Depth of relationship is a precious thing, to be able to talk with a friend and know what they will say before it is said - but listen anyway, to walk for an hour in silence without anything being wrong, to share the closest hopes and dreams and trust they will be taken seriously, to cry about the small things without feeling judged, to laugh until you can't remember why you started laughing, to turn up for tea in scruffy clothes and not feel awkward. To love and to be loved.
It's not easy to get to this point, some friendships naturally develop depth more quickly others take years.
However, depth of relationship only comes with time and effort, and if you have this level of friendship with someone cherish it, nurture it, protect it. If not, well take some advice from Winnie the Pooh, 'You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.'
"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."
- Proverbs 18:24
Depth of relationship is a precious thing, to be able to talk with a friend and know what they will say before it is said - but listen anyway, to walk for an hour in silence without anything being wrong, to share the closest hopes and dreams and trust they will be taken seriously, to cry about the small things without feeling judged, to laugh until you can't remember why you started laughing, to turn up for tea in scruffy clothes and not feel awkward. To love and to be loved.
It's not easy to get to this point, some friendships naturally develop depth more quickly others take years.
However, depth of relationship only comes with time and effort, and if you have this level of friendship with someone cherish it, nurture it, protect it. If not, well take some advice from Winnie the Pooh, 'You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.'
"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."
- Proverbs 18:24
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Truth and Unity
I feel like God has taken a marker pen and scrawled two words across my heart, TRUTH and UNITY, and I am on what seems a difficult search to find them in churches.
Church A is dead church, they do lots but believe little. Nothing changes, year in, year out. The faithful attending congregation gets older and smaller as time passes. Church is based around social activities which seem like a good idea but are gradually squashing God out of the picture. God doesn't speak today, he certainly doesn't heal today, and people who say they have spiritual giftings are definitely deluded.
Church B is crazy church, 'we are spirit-led' says the sign outside. Led by what spirit you wonder on walking inside, these people are weird. Rocking backwards and forwards, crying, speaking in funny voices. 'We'll skip the bible reading again today', says the preacher - I think God has something else planned. People come and get caught up in the emotion, but without hearing God's good news they remain unchanged and eventually swap church for the next craze...no-one notices they've gone.
Church C is compromise church. Out to fit into the world they have compromised the core values of God's kingdom. They tone down God's awesome grace and power to make it more user friendly. They water down the gospel message, and avoid whole chunks of the word.
Where is the truth? Now these are perhaps extremes but it seems many churches contain elements of one or more of the above, though perhaps unintentionally. In every church I have visited or been part of I have found people are friendly, in each church the leaders are committed to seeking God's will for their church, they spend time each day in prayer and worship, they want to see God's kingdom come. Yet, there seem to be many different teachings (mostly backed up with bible verses) and many different views on how church should work. More and more church groups spring up - each dissatisfied with the attempts of others at church and often very vocal about this. Jesus prayed that the church would be one - yet the further we move from the day he returned to heaven the less unified the church appears. This is not to say that we should appear identical or that new churches shouldn't be started, but perhaps we should spend less time in petty squabbles between churches.
Church should be simple, I don't care what style of music you sing to, or even if you don't sing at all as long as it's worship (of God... not the church denomination or pastor) church is about family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and about growing the family...reaching the lost and pointing to Jesus. Finally church is about being the voice of Christ in the world, his hands and his feet. How can we do this without effectively without desiring to put down deep roots into God's word to know his heart?
I long for Christians to be people who seek the truth, people who take their primary teaching from the word of God, and in this society of broken families I long to see the church as one united family.
Acts 2: 43-47 'Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.'
Church A is dead church, they do lots but believe little. Nothing changes, year in, year out. The faithful attending congregation gets older and smaller as time passes. Church is based around social activities which seem like a good idea but are gradually squashing God out of the picture. God doesn't speak today, he certainly doesn't heal today, and people who say they have spiritual giftings are definitely deluded.
Church B is crazy church, 'we are spirit-led' says the sign outside. Led by what spirit you wonder on walking inside, these people are weird. Rocking backwards and forwards, crying, speaking in funny voices. 'We'll skip the bible reading again today', says the preacher - I think God has something else planned. People come and get caught up in the emotion, but without hearing God's good news they remain unchanged and eventually swap church for the next craze...no-one notices they've gone.
Church C is compromise church. Out to fit into the world they have compromised the core values of God's kingdom. They tone down God's awesome grace and power to make it more user friendly. They water down the gospel message, and avoid whole chunks of the word.
Where is the truth? Now these are perhaps extremes but it seems many churches contain elements of one or more of the above, though perhaps unintentionally. In every church I have visited or been part of I have found people are friendly, in each church the leaders are committed to seeking God's will for their church, they spend time each day in prayer and worship, they want to see God's kingdom come. Yet, there seem to be many different teachings (mostly backed up with bible verses) and many different views on how church should work. More and more church groups spring up - each dissatisfied with the attempts of others at church and often very vocal about this. Jesus prayed that the church would be one - yet the further we move from the day he returned to heaven the less unified the church appears. This is not to say that we should appear identical or that new churches shouldn't be started, but perhaps we should spend less time in petty squabbles between churches.
Church should be simple, I don't care what style of music you sing to, or even if you don't sing at all as long as it's worship (of God... not the church denomination or pastor) church is about family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and about growing the family...reaching the lost and pointing to Jesus. Finally church is about being the voice of Christ in the world, his hands and his feet. How can we do this without effectively without desiring to put down deep roots into God's word to know his heart?
I long for Christians to be people who seek the truth, people who take their primary teaching from the word of God, and in this society of broken families I long to see the church as one united family.
Acts 2: 43-47 'Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.'
Friday, 9 September 2011
Sofa so good
So after five years of being considered a northerner by many of my friends I have most definitely become a southerner...honestly the midlands does exist but apparently only to those who live in it! The move 'up north', despite the hours I committed to stressing about it, went remarkably smoothly. I have according to the local sedgefieldians moved to the posh end of the village, this means a one bedroom apartment in a little block of flats, which to me seems huge compared to the little one room basement flat I lived in two years ago. Magnolia walls and beige carpet throughout, with white paper lampshades, it is perhaps the epitome of the modern rented flat and being unfurnished I have entered the exciting world of owning furniture...
Buying a sofa is an interesting experience, from the second you walk into a shop you are judged, furniture village I wondered round for a good half an hour without anyone approaching me...clearly they had decided I was not going to be buying anything...instead the floor manager's eyes dubiously followed me round the store, it perhaps didn't help that Jonny commented loudly at regular intervals how expensive the shop was! SCS sofas was an entirely different kettle of fish. Here after ten minutes of being closely stalked by the overzealous salesman we made a hasty exit humming the mission impossible theme. In the end I have settled for a homebase sofa in a pretty teal colour, which will look lovely and hopefully make my lounge a little more complete, however, it has yet to arrive and I have yet to discover if they will deliver to a first floor flat - I may have just provided my apartment block with a communal sofa...
Buying a sofa is an interesting experience, from the second you walk into a shop you are judged, furniture village I wondered round for a good half an hour without anyone approaching me...clearly they had decided I was not going to be buying anything...instead the floor manager's eyes dubiously followed me round the store, it perhaps didn't help that Jonny commented loudly at regular intervals how expensive the shop was! SCS sofas was an entirely different kettle of fish. Here after ten minutes of being closely stalked by the overzealous salesman we made a hasty exit humming the mission impossible theme. In the end I have settled for a homebase sofa in a pretty teal colour, which will look lovely and hopefully make my lounge a little more complete, however, it has yet to arrive and I have yet to discover if they will deliver to a first floor flat - I may have just provided my apartment block with a communal sofa...
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Situation changer, attitude shaper
What is your first response when someone close to you experiences problems in their life...do you change how you treat them? Are you motivated by compassion? By anger? By fear? Consider the following people and imagine they were a close friend...now imagine they were a total stranger...would your response be different?
...I've been made redundant...again...
…I have a mental health disorder...
...I've just come out of prison...
...My partner left me last week...
…I’ve been told I'll never be able to have children…
…I’m seeing a debt counsellor…
...My son was arrested for rioting...
What affects what builds our first impression of others? Is it the clothes they wear? The way they speak? Their physical appearance? Their social connections? Their career? In truth it is most likely a combination of factors, mostly external factors...though these may well be influenced by the person inside. Our government, media, family and friends too often have a say in the attitude we approach people with…who we should trust, who we should spend time with, who we should invest in.
Jesus broke all social taboo's - he touched the untouchable, he loved the unloved, he engaged with those on the fringes, he had compassion for everyone - regardless of race, gender, age, health, and status. He held faith in high esteem and despised pointless religious activity. He asks us to live with the same approach - to be his hands and feet.
Jesus never turned away anyone who came to him, he commended their faith, he met their needs, he ignored the voices around him saying ‘that’s not on the schedule, we’re too busy for that, or that person is a sinner, that person is unclean’. No-one was beyond the reaches of his love and grace, and even in his dying breaths he spoke words of hope to the guilty man being crucified beside him…’today you will be with me in paradise’.
Also significant to note is that Jesus never saw anyone’s problems as a permanent feature, the message was simple…If you come with the faith and expectation that Jesus can change your situation...then he will. He did not always act in the way people expected him too, but he always changed the situation for good.
The challenge for me is how do I treat others around me – do I see them the way Jesus does? Do I love them the same? Am I moved by compassion to help change their lives for good? Or am I too quick to look for the easy option out – to chuck a coin to the girl on the street rather than sitting down beside her and asking how I can help? Or to say ‘Jesus loves you’ to the gentleman on crutches rather than offering to pray for healing? Or do I always join my friends in church rather than having a conversation with the woman with five kids who has walked into the church for the first time and maybe inviting her and the family round for a meal? I want my attitude to be shaped by Jesus – to let my actions flow from the guidance of his Holy Spirit not from my fearful, lazy flesh. I want to be a carrier of good news and a situation changer.
...I've been made redundant...again...
…I have a mental health disorder...
...I've just come out of prison...
...My partner left me last week...
…I’ve been told I'll never be able to have children…
…I’m seeing a debt counsellor…
...My son was arrested for rioting...
What affects what builds our first impression of others? Is it the clothes they wear? The way they speak? Their physical appearance? Their social connections? Their career? In truth it is most likely a combination of factors, mostly external factors...though these may well be influenced by the person inside. Our government, media, family and friends too often have a say in the attitude we approach people with…who we should trust, who we should spend time with, who we should invest in.
Jesus broke all social taboo's - he touched the untouchable, he loved the unloved, he engaged with those on the fringes, he had compassion for everyone - regardless of race, gender, age, health, and status. He held faith in high esteem and despised pointless religious activity. He asks us to live with the same approach - to be his hands and feet.
Jesus never turned away anyone who came to him, he commended their faith, he met their needs, he ignored the voices around him saying ‘that’s not on the schedule, we’re too busy for that, or that person is a sinner, that person is unclean’. No-one was beyond the reaches of his love and grace, and even in his dying breaths he spoke words of hope to the guilty man being crucified beside him…’today you will be with me in paradise’.
Also significant to note is that Jesus never saw anyone’s problems as a permanent feature, the message was simple…If you come with the faith and expectation that Jesus can change your situation...then he will. He did not always act in the way people expected him too, but he always changed the situation for good.
The challenge for me is how do I treat others around me – do I see them the way Jesus does? Do I love them the same? Am I moved by compassion to help change their lives for good? Or am I too quick to look for the easy option out – to chuck a coin to the girl on the street rather than sitting down beside her and asking how I can help? Or to say ‘Jesus loves you’ to the gentleman on crutches rather than offering to pray for healing? Or do I always join my friends in church rather than having a conversation with the woman with five kids who has walked into the church for the first time and maybe inviting her and the family round for a meal? I want my attitude to be shaped by Jesus – to let my actions flow from the guidance of his Holy Spirit not from my fearful, lazy flesh. I want to be a carrier of good news and a situation changer.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Tea and cake or death
The title for this blog post comes from an Eddie Izzard sketch (have a look on YouTube if you've never seen it!) however, it also presents the options available to the British citizen today. Riot or drink tea (http://www.operationcupoftea.com/). I've been wanting to blog something about the events of recent days - but don't want to jump on the blamegame bandwagon nor to join the ranks condemning a failed generation. For the main reason that this is MY generation!! Yes an angry, lawless minority have caused havoc and destruction. They've ruined peoples livelihoods, damaged families and brought fear into society. But this is not a failed generation, any generation could produce such individuals...history tells us that! The real proof of what this generation, even this nation, is like is how we respond. Do we opt for despair, for fear, for anger...or do we refuse to be beaten - to unite our communities - to clear up and carry on? I could feel ashamed to be a young person in Britain today - but I choose to feel proud. I choose hope, I choose restoration, I choose to come out stronger not weaker...I choose tea.
There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. Bernard-Paul Heroux
There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. Bernard-Paul Heroux
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Toilet twinning
Check this out - get your loo an African penpal! Well not exactly but pretty close...
A donation of £60 goes to the organisations cord and tearfund and is used to build more lavatories, latrines, johns, bogs, loos, water closets or whatever else you call the place you go to powder your nose, spend a penny, do your business etc! In addition the money funds programmes to help improve hygiene and sanitation and ultimately save lives. In return you get a framed picture for your loo detailing the exact location of the loo you're twinned with to display proudly in your house.
http://www.toilettwinning.org/
A donation of £60 goes to the organisations cord and tearfund and is used to build more lavatories, latrines, johns, bogs, loos, water closets or whatever else you call the place you go to powder your nose, spend a penny, do your business etc! In addition the money funds programmes to help improve hygiene and sanitation and ultimately save lives. In return you get a framed picture for your loo detailing the exact location of the loo you're twinned with to display proudly in your house.
http://www.toilettwinning.org/
Friday, 5 August 2011
Reflections on reflections!
I like colouring in. There is something very satisfying about the simple task of taking a black and white image and adding colour to it. Recently I found a book of reflective prayers to colour and I painted the one below. Prayers like this are often taken lightly, casually and can be are dismissed as airy-fairy or overly religious. But look at what the words imply, it’s about seeking a life of purpose, a desire to not live in a Christian bubble but to actively be part of the world. Meeting others where they are at and loving them with the father’s heart. Compassion is tough, it can hurt and comes at a cost, but it results in action and changes lives. This is about a desire to speak truth and justice, making every word count for something, a cry for wisdom in a world that desperately needs it.
May my conversations be significant,
May my meetings be blessed
May my path cross the paths of others who love you,
May my path cross the paths of those who don’t know you.
May my touch be your touch of infinite gentleness
May my words be your words of wisdom
May my eyes see with your compassion.
May my conversations be significant,
May my meetings be blessed
May my path cross the paths of others who love you,
May my path cross the paths of those who don’t know you.
May my touch be your touch of infinite gentleness
May my words be your words of wisdom
May my eyes see with your compassion.
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Further rock thoughts
Thinking back to GCSE geography lessons I can just about recall the different types of rock sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Sedimentary rocks are soft and crumbly, igneous made from molten lava are much stronger. Metamorphic rocks though always intrigued me - formed when sedimentary or igneous rocks change chemical structure under intense heat and pressure. Humans too, can change under the pressure of challenging situations. The question is what determines how we react under pressure? Does it reveal our strengths or our weaknesses? I watched Invictus last week...it amazes me how Nelson Mandela could spend so long in prison and come out ready to forgive. Forgiveness, I think, finds its true meaning in demonstration. Mandela demonstrated forgiveness as he started the process of uniting a nation. Christ demonstrated forgiveness through his death on the cross.
How we react under pressure is often a reflection of the true people we are inside. One of my all time favourite songs is 'stained glass masquerade' by casting crowns. The song talks about the masks we often hide behind, particularly in churches, pretending everything is ok, closing off the hurt and pain and weaknesses in our lives. But we are not made to live like this - to settle for a life that looks good on the surface but is a mess on the inside! Jesus came so we could be transformed completely inside and out...it's a continuous process, as we open our hearts to him we are transformed more and more into his likeness.
Proverbs 3:27 says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." It's who we are inside that really counts, the people we are when no-one is watching, the people we are when put under pressure. Lets be people who dig deep into God's word like setting foundations into solid rock. People who are able to withstand pressure and come out stronger. And let’s be people who are real - not hiding behind masks but who are open to God's power that transforms lives and builds character.
How we react under pressure is often a reflection of the true people we are inside. One of my all time favourite songs is 'stained glass masquerade' by casting crowns. The song talks about the masks we often hide behind, particularly in churches, pretending everything is ok, closing off the hurt and pain and weaknesses in our lives. But we are not made to live like this - to settle for a life that looks good on the surface but is a mess on the inside! Jesus came so we could be transformed completely inside and out...it's a continuous process, as we open our hearts to him we are transformed more and more into his likeness.
Proverbs 3:27 says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." It's who we are inside that really counts, the people we are when no-one is watching, the people we are when put under pressure. Lets be people who dig deep into God's word like setting foundations into solid rock. People who are able to withstand pressure and come out stronger. And let’s be people who are real - not hiding behind masks but who are open to God's power that transforms lives and builds character.
Perspective, perseverance and perspiration
I took this picture last week on the edge of the black mountains in wales. As we were walking I commented that the dog on the the top of the hill up ahead was HUGE! Only to discover on reaching the top that it was infact not a dog at all but one of a pack of wild horses.
It's interesting how we perceive things differently depending on the position we view them from, for example, something beautiful from a distance may appear ugly close up or visa versa. From the bottom of the hill the climb may look easy - but half way up it often feels quite the opposite! Sometimes though we get to make a choice as to whether we will perceive people or situations in a positive or negative light. Seeing the good in something or someone difficult is never going to be an easy task, it takes patience and perseverance, it may mean behaving, speaking and thinking differently to everyone else. But it's worth it - to live with a positive outlook - to be a carrier of hope rather than despair - got to be good! And to be the one who sees potential when everyone else sees failure - that's the sort of person I'd like to be.
“Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles.” ~ Sir Thomas Browne
It's interesting how we perceive things differently depending on the position we view them from, for example, something beautiful from a distance may appear ugly close up or visa versa. From the bottom of the hill the climb may look easy - but half way up it often feels quite the opposite! Sometimes though we get to make a choice as to whether we will perceive people or situations in a positive or negative light. Seeing the good in something or someone difficult is never going to be an easy task, it takes patience and perseverance, it may mean behaving, speaking and thinking differently to everyone else. But it's worth it - to live with a positive outlook - to be a carrier of hope rather than despair - got to be good! And to be the one who sees potential when everyone else sees failure - that's the sort of person I'd like to be.
“Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles.” ~ Sir Thomas Browne
Monday, 1 August 2011
A life on the rock (not mere pebbles)
When designing this blog earlier this afternoon I was looking to put a picture of a small, manageable rock, one that could fit into the palm of your hand, as the title background image. I couldn't find one - what I found instead, as you can see, is a rocky mountain range - a far cry from what I had first imagined! But as I have pondered this I've realised it fits so much better with the meaning of having a life lived on the rock.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." - Jesus (Matthew 7:24-25)
You can't build a house on a rock that fits in the palm of your hand! If you placed the rock on the ground it would be a challenge just to balance on it...life as a Christian is not about a fine balancing act. It's not a case of constantly trying to follow a set of rules. It's not worrying each day that something or someone will knock you down. It's not living in fear of falling or failing. So why do we often live this way?
The Christian life is about walking in freedom and in total security. Knowing the constant love of the father, and the guidance of his spirit showing us the way to live like Jesus. It's a life built with solid foundations in God's word and promises - so that when challenges come you stand firm.
Stand on the beach and watch how the smallest of waves will scatter a pile of pebbles...I want my life to be lived on solid rock - not just perched precariously on a pebble...
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." - Jesus (Matthew 7:24-25)
You can't build a house on a rock that fits in the palm of your hand! If you placed the rock on the ground it would be a challenge just to balance on it...life as a Christian is not about a fine balancing act. It's not a case of constantly trying to follow a set of rules. It's not worrying each day that something or someone will knock you down. It's not living in fear of falling or failing. So why do we often live this way?
The Christian life is about walking in freedom and in total security. Knowing the constant love of the father, and the guidance of his spirit showing us the way to live like Jesus. It's a life built with solid foundations in God's word and promises - so that when challenges come you stand firm.
Stand on the beach and watch how the smallest of waves will scatter a pile of pebbles...I want my life to be lived on solid rock - not just perched precariously on a pebble...
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