tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27721503932385924492024-03-13T22:25:59.716+00:00Methodist on a MissionSome thoughts from an human, a husband, a follower of Jesus and a Methodist Minister.
Gareth Higgs is in his early 30's, married to Laura, and a dad to Joseph & Naomi. He loves Jesus and is seeking to encourage people to love and follow Him too through the mechanisms of the Methodist Church. Is this possible?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-64754684672722176552015-07-12T16:41:00.002+01:002015-07-12T16:41:26.327+01:00Abiding at the VineAfter a couple of weeks away in lovely Pembrokeshire it was always the plan to end my sabbatical on retreat again, using the time to draw deep from God, as if I was taking a deep breath of fresh air, before returning to the hectic pace of ministry. Circumstances meant that I was looking for somewhere in South Wales or the West Country, and via a google search or two I came across the inviting website of the <a href="http://www.thevine-at-maysfarm.com/">The Vine</a> set in the lovely Costwold village of <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hullavington,+Wiltshire/@51.5401486,-2.1641154,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x487170520b84f149:0xac9a943b4c43d219?hl=en">Hullavington</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_1IMaeFrBe5psujzKmGaOpaVINcXYg36TTLHgIxeHbc9QaxMzTZxN33ReObI8gEha-ZCb9PLiqo0WIc5_MtRk1mesBZaWH0jfZjxwZh8RJAPJg5ykUtYLq0Z5ZYno-ORGxjWlXJCrBc/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_1IMaeFrBe5psujzKmGaOpaVINcXYg36TTLHgIxeHbc9QaxMzTZxN33ReObI8gEha-ZCb9PLiqo0WIc5_MtRk1mesBZaWH0jfZjxwZh8RJAPJg5ykUtYLq0Z5ZYno-ORGxjWlXJCrBc/s400/IMG_9152.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
I was somewhat apprehensive about visiting a new place on my own and after a lovely but fairly 'full-on' fortnight away with two pre-schoolers, was expecting to need plenty of time to slow down to God's pace. I was pleasantly surprised. The accommodation at The Vine was akin to a luxury Cotswold B&B complete with a beautifully renovated little chapel and great coffee. It would be easy to turn this post into a trip advisor review (and a very favourable one it would be too), but the wonderful hospitality wasn't the whole story.<br />
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I had shared a little of my context with the curators of the retreat house and asked if they had any resources that would help me reflect on a happy and healthy pattern of discipleship and ministry for the next few months and years. They kindly lent me some books to read and far away from a good wifi connection I got reading and reflecting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5cfVAimtlHZujxxQA_mgy-AGi4eZybr-cAe04kLgMt0rSqPQ7hzn0sAXr0ta2_v6sJorkIbjScf6r9VEZNl5zP6SCT4YDPcYLIvXdt02liCLicpPibD-xDOJHuoKtPrCs-TXco0AZAk/s1600/41F2kHYFpUL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5cfVAimtlHZujxxQA_mgy-AGi4eZybr-cAe04kLgMt0rSqPQ7hzn0sAXr0ta2_v6sJorkIbjScf6r9VEZNl5zP6SCT4YDPcYLIvXdt02liCLicpPibD-xDOJHuoKtPrCs-TXco0AZAk/s320/41F2kHYFpUL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="209" /></a>I began to flick through few books but was struck by a particular one that seemed very practical, down to earth and had the largest print(!), called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leading-Empty-Refilling-Renewing-Passion/dp/0764207598">Leading on Empty</a> by Wayne Cordeiro. I recalled as I began to read that I had heard the author give a synopsis of the book on a DVD at a conference in Lancashire and was struck then by the simple and practical steps he had taken to recover from ministry burn-out. Here isn't the time to share some of the personal things about the renewed sense of what God has called me to and how that fits into where I am now, but in a very real sense I began to experience a taste of the renewal and restoration of my soul I had been so longing for throughout this sabbatical time. The issues of my life, over which I had yearned all sabbatical to know God's perspective and wisdom on seemed a lot clearer and that gave way to a sense of peace that I hadn't experienced for some years, that God was ultimately in control and was working out His purposes.<br />
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Richard Foster in his classic book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0340979267">Celebration of Discipline</a> talks of the need for all Christians to take some regular time on retreat, drawing away from the demands and distractions of life and drawing near to the presence of God in order to hear his voice. Im sure, this particular retreat was a right time, right place moment, but for those looking for a lovely, quiet, delightful retreat centre in the West Country, look no further than The Vine.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-69782592403572059102015-07-07T11:37:00.000+01:002015-07-07T11:37:02.336+01:00Library's and LindisfarneSo my record and journal of sabbatical life has fallen somewhat by the wayside. In this post I'm organising some thoughts I recorded a few weeks back when a good chunk of my time was spent at the Belben Library, <a href="http://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/">Cliff College</a> and then unexpectedly on Lindisfarne.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBc_XGUYR0NPK2Rz5avpYfrRl2EYEV6m4mXxlcH5dheLYdUX9pMq0m2lRegjV6isMMcedA-wan1XS6vUX8C4mr-3dEc_GhEQO-LXwWZnvzGPrGEQlnCqklQSvKtWND2MEnaTcDh0UqkM/s1600/Cliff_College.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBc_XGUYR0NPK2Rz5avpYfrRl2EYEV6m4mXxlcH5dheLYdUX9pMq0m2lRegjV6isMMcedA-wan1XS6vUX8C4mr-3dEc_GhEQO-LXwWZnvzGPrGEQlnCqklQSvKtWND2MEnaTcDh0UqkM/s1600/Cliff_College.jpg" /></a>In the unexpected spare time I had in May I began to put together a proposal for a PhD, working through Cliff College researching the relationship between the British Methodist circuit structure and growing Methodist churches. So I spent a number of days holed up in the Cliff College Library, reading and thinking about what it means for the Methodist people to express their ecclesiology (way of being church) in a way that is true to our heritage but relevant and appropriate to the missional context we find ourselves in. Being minister of a <a href="http://www.lmclife.org.uk/">medium large, fairly self-sufficient Methodist church</a>, struggling to fit into imposed circuit structures gives me a specific and particular lens with which I view the British Methodist circuit system - and it isn't favourable. Whatever the outcome, whether I end up embarking on a PhD or not, the space and time to read and think and pray was a welcome gift, and one that began to stir in me again the longings for the Methodist people to be renewed in faith and discipleship - a longing that had been so significant in my sense of call to ordination, but which had been somewhat lost over the last two years or so.<br />
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This time also reaffirmed to me how much I love study and reflection, how much I love wrestling with greater thinkers than I, and how much this energises me as a disciple and minister and how keen I am to ensure that in my return to full-time paid ministry, I want to guard space for me to read and think and pray. I'm sure this is part of the '...being transformed by the renewing of your mind' that Paul talks of in his letter to the Romans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nfKokJY5ekGFhu_8Cw8-_aCR0d4aonP5qttwzgn_3qb7Wx4KTCxC2fC18KwD3P-NbBc7AEjbG4ci5aihrgkEh5287xHhbN2xYjz7uhjb1sRsDcnr1P-0OrktwP_2VLl3RbORkTUmo5M/s1600/344821_m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nfKokJY5ekGFhu_8Cw8-_aCR0d4aonP5qttwzgn_3qb7Wx4KTCxC2fC18KwD3P-NbBc7AEjbG4ci5aihrgkEh5287xHhbN2xYjz7uhjb1sRsDcnr1P-0OrktwP_2VLl3RbORkTUmo5M/s320/344821_m.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Secondly, after a few days commuting to Cliff, an opportunity turned up, quite unexpectedly to have some retreat time on Lindisfarne at the <a href="https://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/theopengate/">Open Gate retreat house. </a> This turned out to be another precious and wonderful gift. I found it hard to switch off and relax into the slow pace of life there but found it, as so many others have done before, such a 'thin place' where the presence of God seems so rich and close. Where in the library at Cliff I had begun to sense my mind being renewed and here I began to feel my soul and spirit creaking towards some semblance of restoration. In going I was somewhat anxious about how I would fill my time, what would I do? would i spend the time yearning to get off the island in a mild claustrophobic panic? Actually the gift of time and space was quite wonderful. There was time to walk and enjoy the spectacular sea views for what they were. Time to enjoy the wildlife all around. Time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, and time to catch up or, perhaps 'catch down' to God's pace.<br />
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Once again, I was left reflecting on the pace of life that seems in tune with God, and the pace of life, characterised by manic activity that I so often lead. This has been an oft-recurring theme for this sabbatical and Im realising how slow a learner I am! But I left committed to living a life, and finding a rhythm that had far more space to encounter and hear the tender voice of God speaking to my mind and my soul, for after all, that voice is surely life and health and peace.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-10591303475564752362015-05-18T12:02:00.002+01:002015-05-18T12:02:21.550+01:00Reflections from Papua New Guinea - part 2As I said in my last post, I wasn't expecting to be writing from the relative comfort of the UK so soon and I'll share a little here about what led to my return so that anyone who's interested can read. After spending a couple of days at the lovely <a href="http://www.mapang.org/">Mapang Missionary House</a> in Port Moresby for a couple of nights and being hosted brilliantly by local United Church members, I flew the 90 mins or so internal flight to New Britain Island and Rabaul Airport where I would be greeted by my former colleague Garo (pictured) and his wife Dada.<br />
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Many people have asked about why I ended up in PNG in the first place. Well, for a number of years, Garo served in the UK church in Lancashire, while I was stationed there, even serving in the same circuit for two years. As I was planning my sabbatical I wanted to test a call to theological education as well as experiencing Christianity in a different culture. Garo, now back in PNG, serves as Principal of the School of Theology & Mission at Rarongo - the primary training college for Ministers in the United Church - and so this contact provided an opportunity both to teach and see a different cultural context.<br />
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As I arrived Garo informed me that there had been a few earthquakes in the area, likely linked to the increased activity of Mt Tavurvur - an active volcano on the island of New Britain. Having never experienced an earthquake I was a little apprehensive but was unsure what was really in store. <br />
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We headed to a local foodstore, as Garo and Dada were concerned for me to have as western a diet as possible - their constant thoughtfulness and care to me from the word go was quite remarkable - and it was there that the fun(!) really began. After a while in the store I heard a loud rumble and instinctively assumed it was thunder, it was the fact that the whole building was shaking and the shelves emptying their contents to the ground that made me realise in that this was something quite different. We ran from the building, still shaking at this point, as some of the ceiling fixtures came down around me, being one of the last to leave the building with the ground still shaking violently outside. It soon transpired that this was a significant earthquake - of greater magnitude than the recent ones - and one of the largest that Garo & Dada had experienced. It was significant enough to make <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/05/tsunami-warning-after-large-earthquake-off-papua-new-guinea-coast">international news</a> but thankfully there were no reports of casualties. A tsunami warning was issued but no major problems occurred.<br />
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For me this was a frightening experience. I've never experienced an earthquake before, let alone one that was so sizeable and I was shaking from the ordeal. Even recounting it now, nearly two weeks on, makes my heart race and the adrenaline kick in just a little.<br />
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We proceeded on to Rarongo, considering my options as I went. It was our guess, and no more, that this latest quake marked an escalation in the activity of the volcano - something that would pose a threat to many of the communities on the north of New Britain island. <br />
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On the basis of the information at the time and in the context of a frightening earthquake it seemed the most sensible decision to head back home fairly quickly in order to make sure I was safe and my family back home could be assured of my well-being. It was my guess that if the earthquakes continued, and if the volcano did erupt, having me around and needing to get me out of the province would have been a burden that the local people didn't need to have and so, it was thought best for me to return initially back to Port Moresby and then home. A couple of weeks on and that decision seems somewhat ridiculous. The earthquakes have continued but seem not be escalating and their scale is considerably diminished from the one I experienced. The staff and missionaries at the college are continuing as normal so it feels somewhat a considerable opportunity gone to waste. On the flip side, what I didn't want to happen was for the college to spend considerable resources on feeding and looking after me only for all this to go to waste just a couple of days later.<br />
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Nevertheless, my brief overnight stay at Rarongo enabled me to see the college, its beautiful setting- a rural village on the coast, just paces from the beach - and to meet some great people, however briefly. The care and love given to me by some of the staff of the college and Garo & Dada was quite something.<br />
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So this stay in PNG was a lot briefer than expected. My family are relieved I'm home, the love and affection from my two lovely children seem to bear this out! Im left with mixed feelings. Im glad to be out of the heat, I'm glad to have modern comforts again, but I am reflecting on my propensity to panic rather than to pray. My honest reflection (and my critique is of myself solely) is that I made quick, even possibly positive decisions quickly & decisively, (something I'm not prone too!) but I what I didn't do is to pause, pray and seek the mind of my Creator and Master. Unanimously Ive been reassured by godly and caring friends in the UK that my actions were entirely reasonable and I'm coming to terms with that, but how can I continue to encourage others to lean on the Lord even in the most severe of trials and to know His peace and wisdom if when push comes to shove Im unable to do so. If I had my time again, I may not necessarily have a different outcome, but I would hope to take a breath, pause, pray and seek the guidance of One whose will and wisdom can only ever be for my eternal good, whatever the earthly circumstances.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-19597901434620414622015-05-12T13:28:00.001+01:002015-05-12T13:28:08.192+01:00Reflections from Papua New Guinea - Part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o9Se6li5DsnD2tHURajXy2CH5O44HhEZmxAvWo5MwLQQDNappvTA5y_PTEgh4GgrmeWfO2XqoYfdL2oV9noqnbj-pjEiUU2dQTHq3Pb_Pu3AkSbT0OInch47UPFO5YQuGjXoN7rgP3U/s1600/Flag_of_Papua_New_Guinea.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o9Se6li5DsnD2tHURajXy2CH5O44HhEZmxAvWo5MwLQQDNappvTA5y_PTEgh4GgrmeWfO2XqoYfdL2oV9noqnbj-pjEiUU2dQTHq3Pb_Pu3AkSbT0OInch47UPFO5YQuGjXoN7rgP3U/s320/Flag_of_Papua_New_Guinea.svg.png" width="320" /></a>As many of you will be aware by now, I'm not in the Papua New Guinean bush teaching student minsters but back home in the UK largely feeling sorry for myself. I'll say more about that in my next post, but I wanted to share some brief and fairly simple reflections from my travels over the last week or so.<br />
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Firstly, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is so very far away from the UK! It looks far away on a map and on plane tickets when the relevant timings are set out before you, but it is quite another thing to spend nearly 2 1/2 days travelling to the place one is headed to. Nothing quite prepared me for just how long it would take to get there and back, but I made it courtesy of Singapore Airlines!<br />
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Secondly, PNG is hot & humid. The temperature was around 30* celsius while I was there and its a heat that comes with a high degree of humidity too that makes it feel even hotter than it is. For someone who naturally prefers the cold, it was something of a shock to exit the plane at Port Moresby and be confronted with the sheer wall of heat that is the pacific climate. <br />
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Thirdly, PNG is a land of contrast. Although my experience was confined to the capital Port Moresby, and a brief stay on New Britain Island, the gap between rich and poor is immediately evident. There are brand new 4x4 and SUV's driving the same streets that naked children live and scavenge on. The streets are dirty and sometimes unkempt, while pristine office blocks and high end hotels line them. This contrast is even more noticeable the further out from the capital one gets. The rural communities living in increasingly primitive conditions, yet each with cell phones - an essential point of connection to the rest of the world and essential services. <br />
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Fourthly, PNGers are lovely people! Although I must confess to being intimidated at first by the cultural differences, my experience of PNG people is overwhelmingly positive. In my brief time in PNG I met church officials and local church members and found them to be a delight. The small band of church members who looked after me for a few days in Port Moresby were a wonderful tribute to their church and nation as they ferried me left and right and looked after me with incredible generosity. Once again, the kindness and hospitality of the local people left a lasting impact on me.<br />
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Lastly, PNG is often referred to as the 'Land of the unexpected'. My last post was about the need to relax into God's purposes whatever they may be. I didn't anticipate being back to soon, or experiencing an earthquake - Im unsure as to what God's purpose in all of this is still - but the laid back culture of the pacific once again challenged my need to be in control at all times rather than go with the flow a little more. In the next post I'll share some more reflections about living in a vulnerable situation and the challenges faced by communities whose infrastructure is far less reliable than that in the west.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-88209808150306567822015-05-01T19:56:00.003+01:002015-05-01T19:56:54.037+01:00Don't Panic!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOmJvKJ2GUGvpj1nxncyP-zRDoFqbl6Lyd8KD5I5FD2icWR3Q5qHdtOtyAexTwiLAVwtVahEDM6rFjemfY8S7UrKXtQgdMBXLmfL6xM4cQGXwfbrFVSSZsGTEldDoqdBhrz6nUmBQGuM/s1600/bed+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOmJvKJ2GUGvpj1nxncyP-zRDoFqbl6Lyd8KD5I5FD2icWR3Q5qHdtOtyAexTwiLAVwtVahEDM6rFjemfY8S7UrKXtQgdMBXLmfL6xM4cQGXwfbrFVSSZsGTEldDoqdBhrz6nUmBQGuM/s1600/bed+picture.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a>Although it wasn't planned this way, the increasing theme of this sabbatical seems to be around the area of trusting God. I guess the whole theology of sabbath and sabbatical is fundamentally an issue of faith and trust. Right at the foundation of the world we are set an example of sabbath - of rest - by God himself as though He wanted us to know right from the beginning that non-stop frantic activity is not how God wants us to be or how He wants us to live.<br />
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Im not good at stopping and being still, not good at resting and so perhaps my faith and trust levels are not as high as I would like them to be. Its as though frantic activity, the need to be doing doing doing says to ourselves, to others, and ultimately to God that we are indispensable, He cannot do with out our doing. I remember a wise college lecturer saying to us that a day off was an act of faith - a statement that even when we are not exerting energy the world will not stop turning, for it is Gods work anyway not ours.<br />
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I think of all the people I have worked with who thought time off was almost a sin, a sign of neglect of God's work, rather than a statement of faith that says there is One bigger, greater and more able than I.<br />
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I write all this in the context of a week for us that has been full-on with frantic activity. I am due to fly to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in a matter of hours (writing this from an airport cafe) and although we had planned to have all our preparation done well in advance to enable us, maybe naively, to have a relaxed family week, we have been rushing from pillar to post to get VISA's sorted, borrow all sorts of things from friends, pack, re-pack, buy last minute essentials, collect items that need to be taken to missionaries stationed in PNG and etc etc. This has hardly been a week of rest and relaxation. I would love to tell you how I have quietly trusted God all along and rested in His peace amidst the various upheavals! Nothing could be further from the trust, as I have panicked, panicked, panicked!<br />
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I'm reminded of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kii9i9IhQVM">Corporal Jones</a> in the sitcom 'Dads Army' whose catchphrase of 'Don't panic' was almost always accompanied with frantic activity as he, yes panicked!<br />
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So to return to the beginning, this sabbatical is increasingly about learning to trust God when the plans I make seem to take another direction, to remember that I am dispensable and that He is big, is great and is Eternal. In the context of ministry, I need to learn that God is ultimately in control, and ultimately He is responsible for the outcome of His work. My task is to be regularly available, willing and faithful, and to have enough faith not to try to grasp the outcome for myself but to trust Him in all things.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-81316314460012959882015-04-22T16:56:00.001+01:002015-04-22T16:56:13.485+01:00Awe-some architectureLast week was mainly spent with my lovely wife being tourists in Barcelona. Its somewhere we'd always wanted to visit and a sabbatical was the perfect excuse to farm the kids off to the in-laws and hop-it overseas for the first time together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZGZ_tq60kJE4MqXFF3aWSwRyfsqgwasfRDwmU-kd09zcz5TUbD5W9Hmr4xljPiKPTinizM3WUEHn8WvrECuRPIB0TDedyiQZjQUarLY8WtMbXDgSoof2Ift7vqa889fM6i2PZWeCUKQ/s1600/sagrada-familia_58171_pgbighd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZGZ_tq60kJE4MqXFF3aWSwRyfsqgwasfRDwmU-kd09zcz5TUbD5W9Hmr4xljPiKPTinizM3WUEHn8WvrECuRPIB0TDedyiQZjQUarLY8WtMbXDgSoof2Ift7vqa889fM6i2PZWeCUKQ/s1600/sagrada-familia_58171_pgbighd.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>There was much about Barcelona to love, the climate, the culture, the art but what will really stick in our memories was the visit to Sagrada Familia - the stunning cathedral, still under construction, designed by Antoni Gaudi. Im not a huge architecture person, I enjoy historic buildings as much as the next person, a beautiful stained glass window may take my eye, but on the whole I'm usually left fairly non-plussed by buildings. The Sagrada Familia was different - I was encouraged to go by friends, but little could prepare me for the incredible awe-inspiring experience of being inside this masterpiece, built intentionally for the glory of God.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyAlZQ6VpAnysfViLV_PpS9yZvybaDecusUpcNEzE5tjTRoMmWI7CXLOb6k1VSb7JDHGu0W8ahJFAsm4DuO8sOmVkxaN5e2LXxbR03MBk8VMiNob4dfkMA23_1gSZDyxJaW-vPQZxmDI/s1600/o-STAINED-GLASS-SAGRADA-FAMILIA-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyAlZQ6VpAnysfViLV_PpS9yZvybaDecusUpcNEzE5tjTRoMmWI7CXLOb6k1VSb7JDHGu0W8ahJFAsm4DuO8sOmVkxaN5e2LXxbR03MBk8VMiNob4dfkMA23_1gSZDyxJaW-vPQZxmDI/s1600/o-STAINED-GLASS-SAGRADA-FAMILIA-900.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Im guilty of cheapening awe. My language and vocabulary regularly describe things or experiences as 'awesome' when they are far from that, often just mundane or ordinary. But this cathedral was different. A description and even pictures don't do it justice, (I've posted some anyway), this was a place that literally took my breath away as I experienced what Gaudi had always hoped and prayed would be the case - a glimpse of the glory of God.<br />
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I like space and stillness and this building was crammed with tourists all snapping away, yet still the overwhelming sense of the heaviness of the presence of the Lord was not lost - rarely, if ever, has a building, architecture, imaginative and creative use of light and stone, imagery and craftsmanship drawn me to close to the God of heaven and earth. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIcFA0vCqV03yY9LCty_YOfeSSKDfTLy11KWE_81l7a3G1379vkTr8r36f500gnRZVMofaRKWbjz7G1dwf_1Y13dqu0ZIvv8LSV4FQKaz0MfsrrTg-TryagzXTgWGWqXEU1gIBXZs-ow/s1600/sagrada-familia-window-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIcFA0vCqV03yY9LCty_YOfeSSKDfTLy11KWE_81l7a3G1379vkTr8r36f500gnRZVMofaRKWbjz7G1dwf_1Y13dqu0ZIvv8LSV4FQKaz0MfsrrTg-TryagzXTgWGWqXEU1gIBXZs-ow/s1600/sagrada-familia-window-1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>So this led me to reflect in the last few days, have we lost a sense of awe and wonder? I was certain that it was the Maker of heaven and earth and cathedrals that I was in awe of, His creation, His creativity, His innovation, His light, His glorious colour, His presence. But I'm surrounded by these things every day, yet I embody little in the way of awe. When we gather for worship there may be reverence, there may be deep-rooted integrity, there may be a longing and hunger for more of the Lord in our lives, but its a while since I was aware of being in awe and wonder at the goodness and glory of God.<br />
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So for me the challenge in these next days is to live with an increasing sense of awe and wonder at the glory of God - glimpses of which are all around us. Maybe the church would be a more spectacular place too, if we were able to regain a sense of awe once again when we gather intentionally aware of the presence of the King of all Kings.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-67308472686735403402015-04-12T12:24:00.000+01:002015-04-12T12:24:04.046+01:00Easter Comings and GoingsI spent Holy Week and Easter in and around Bath, the home city of Laura and I. I had always hoped that having a sabbatical over the Easter period would enable me to experience the journey of Holy Week and Easter as a disciple again as having led Holy Week and Easter services for the last 11 years has left me often feeling as if I had 'gone through the motions' somewhat. So I spent time in a variety of church settings, morning prayer at <a href="http://www.bathabbey.org/">Bath Abbey</a>, time with <a href="http://www.allsaintsonline.org.uk/">All Saints, Weston,</a> - a church we used to attend in our younger days - and the long walk of witness from Oldfield Park to Twerton Roundhill (see picture below), with all of them being opportunities to receive.<br />
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Perhaps though the most significant moment for me was during the Easter service at All Saints where a non-stipendary minister was sharing feedback from his own sabbatical. He shared that prior to his sabbatical he felt like he '...didn't know whether he was "coming or going"...' due to the combined pressures of his employment and his ministry. He went on to share that what he had realised was that ministry, indeed discipleship, is all about 'coming and going'. The contrast of coming to God for refreshment and renewal and being sent to 'go' to serve, witness and minister.<br />
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Im still pondering the significance of this idea for me and my own discipleship and ministry, but I do have a sense that it was a word from God for me to mull over. As I was reflecting and sharing a bit of this with someone this week they shared the observation that the Easter narratives are full of this contrast of coming and going. Jesus comes to Jerusalem, heads into the temple and then goes again. The disciples come to Jesus for the last meal, they go in fear at his arrest. Jesus' followers and friends come to the cross and go away in sadness in mourning. The same followers come to the tomb in sadness and grief and go sharing news of great joy. The same person I was speaking with went on to suggest that the tension of coming and going was also present within me - and I think they are right. I have the desire to come to God to find refreshment for my body and soul, to <a href="http://methodistonamission.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/drinking-from-fountain.html">drink from the fountain </a> but equally it seems that often I would do anything to find a way of avoiding this, as though Im running away from the source of healing and strength that I need.<br />
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In the next few days Im going to try and balance these two aspects of discipleship which are complimentary. I hope to spend time drawing near to God, but conscious that any drawing near is about me being changed, filled, resourced for the going into the world that God calls each of us to.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-6903326076716513612015-03-30T09:49:00.000+01:002015-03-30T09:49:38.904+01:00An Irish BlessingLast week I was due to take a tour of the Methodist Church in Ireland with a group called Inspire. (Inspire are about encouraging a missional discipleship based primarily around small group accountability groups that spur people on to enjoying a greater sense of the life of God. You can find out more about them <a href="http://inspiremovement.org/network/">here.</a>) The tour was cancelled but due to a number of arrangements already in place I still went to spend some time in Ireland with the Methodist Church there.<br />
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For me it was a great privilege and a real joy to be with them. I was hosted by Methodist Ministers and their families who kindly transported, fed and watered someone they hadn't met before, who essentially was on a glorified holiday. The welcome and warmth of the people was remarkable - this is something that, in my experience, seems to transcend the whole of the island of Ireland and is embedded in the culture, but was especially focussed in the life of the church. </div>
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Hospitality & welcome is something thats been high on my agenda for a while. It was a large feature of a piece of academic work a couple of years ago, and more recently at my church in <a href="http://www.lmclife.org.uk/">Derby</a> where I serve, we have focussed on welcome and hospitality for the last few weeks and talked about its power in evangelism and mission. To be treated so well by people to whom I was a random stranger was a powerful statement of the life of God flowing through these people. </div>
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St Paul in wrapping up His first letter to the Corinthians speaks of a visit of some fellow believers to the church in Corinth. He talks of what they might add to the Corinthians but goes on to say that </div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-16-18" id="en-NIVUK-28795" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "...they refreshed my spirit and yours also."</span></span><span class="text 1Cor-16-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 Cor 16:18</span></i></span></div>
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Although I spent much of last week being a tourist, seeing Derry/Londonderry (including a tour of the infamous Bogside and 'Free Derry') the spectacular Causeway Coastline, Belfast City Centre and a bit of Dublin, what really left an impression with me were the Irish Methodists themselves. I was left with the conviction that the British church has so much to learn from the Irish! There was, across virtually all the Irish Methodists I met a quite trust in God that pervaded everything they were. They very much refreshed my spirit! I was left reflecting on my own ministry and lifestyle and those of others around me. So often we communicate action, busyness, even dynamism and/or charisma, things that are attractive and appealing and, most often, good. But I wonder whether I communicate, a sense of deep resting in God and a humility that realises that I am nothing but for His gracious choice to use me for some reason in His work? I rarely see these attributes in myself and rarely see them in others who are in 'professional ministry'. It pulled me up short and reminded me of the simplicity of ministry - the call to walk humbly before God and see some of His transforming life flow out through me. </div>
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For this week, Im in Bath staying with family, but also trying to make space to humbly walk with the Servant King through this week of all weeks in the hope that once again my spirit might be refreshed and renewed as I gaze in awe and wonder at the Saviour on a cross who is risen again. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792813738846545229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-85607293754419713962015-03-23T15:34:00.004+00:002015-03-23T15:34:37.969+00:00Drinking from the Fountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatlD1eqvScjoHzs7tfyCSmRMSP-BR1kMRzFy6B7M98VuLDF4KtLnY3kCIPLAgWxOymiVyeW9ZBswBIQ89TMxvu40ep8scaFfQHwIyh0rtTF0yXxxZiFEsWcErWWeLpuLn4eAhpG_b9O3F/s1600/fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatlD1eqvScjoHzs7tfyCSmRMSP-BR1kMRzFy6B7M98VuLDF4KtLnY3kCIPLAgWxOymiVyeW9ZBswBIQ89TMxvu40ep8scaFfQHwIyh0rtTF0yXxxZiFEsWcErWWeLpuLn4eAhpG_b9O3F/s1600/fountain.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a>Last week saw the beginning of my long awaited sabbatical. Im in my ninth year of full-time paid ministry in the Methodist Church and as a gift the church grants us 3months paid leave for rest, reflection and recuperation. After a particularly intense 18months I have been counting down the days until this began, planning, dreaming and longing for a prolonged rest and space to draw breath and reflect on who I am and who God is calling me to be. </div>
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Ive been asking God for a few weeks for 'word' for my sabbatical - an image, a phrase, a scripture verse that I can keep coming back to for renewed focus and purpose in a time where much of the normal structure and rhythm has gone. At our church prayer meeting a few weeks ago, I was humbled as the group of 30 or so faithful saints gathered around me and prayed for me and my family as I embarked on this sabbatical. Two things came to mind during this time - firstly someone shared a picture of a waterfall (I imagine it to be similar to the one pictured) and she prayed that the sabbatical would be a time of standing under the waterfall of God's refreshing and renewing love. Secondly, I was reminded (probably connected in my subconscious) of the verse from the Psalms<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">'For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.'</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Ps 36:9).</span></i><br />
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I think these two images are a reminder for me and others that the source of all things good, the source of joy, the source of hope, the source of peace, indeed the source of anything that gives life is God Himself. He is the One from whom life and goodness emanate. Ironically, this is something I so often forget as I plod the path of daily discipleship let alone seek to exercise ministry in His Name. It leads me to ponder what life and ministry might really look like if I was better at drawing deep from the one who is called the 'fountain of life' and allow His love and grace to flow through me rather than trying to do do do in my own strength.<br />
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So my hope and prayer for the next few months is that I will learn to draw close and to drink deep from the fountain of life. The One who is the source of anything and everything good so that my soul and indeed every part of my being, is refreshed and restored in the bounty of His love. </div>
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For me, one place where I am able to sense God close, a thin place some may call it, is by the sea. Im so grateful to a generous church member who gifted me his beachside apartment for a week contemplating the view below. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uMy8wSCGowr0vlPEALrmljUi6SPPD1bMW8BZrpbhvmrJ8fcbzwow9XEk18L3S6Z8caFu-7WosrZc2eh8ZyyiMahyphenhyphenAwmqVorI_RpoWcSwX9DU_-5mD91ogh4IWjfjnTS-e9l_LiWowM3P/s1600/16-weymouth-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uMy8wSCGowr0vlPEALrmljUi6SPPD1bMW8BZrpbhvmrJ8fcbzwow9XEk18L3S6Z8caFu-7WosrZc2eh8ZyyiMahyphenhyphenAwmqVorI_RpoWcSwX9DU_-5mD91ogh4IWjfjnTS-e9l_LiWowM3P/s1600/16-weymouth-beach.jpg" height="228" width="640" /></a>So I pray that whether you are experiencing a time of rest, or whether you are in the midst of an incredibly hectic season, you too will know the closeness of the One who is called the Fountain of Life - the One who is the source of refreshment and renewal, the One who gives life to all who thirst for it. </div>
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I love coffee! I wouldn't consider myself an expert or even a connoisseur, but there is little I love as much as popping into the local Starbucks for a daily or hourly refill. In fact, in reviewing the budget at our church in Derby, we noted that in the first twelve months of my appointment there, the church coffee spend had doubled! (although Im not solely responsible for this!!). <div>
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Now far be it from me to lecture people on their lifestyle habits - no more than ten minutes in my presence would tell any new acquaintances that there were many areas of my life that need correcting and straightening out - but after a short time off sick with flu, I've inadvertently cut down on my caffeine intake quite severely. The results of this are quite interesting. </div>
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On the positive side I feel much more calmer. Ive noticed that Im more attentive to other people, I'm more patient with my two young children, I have less of a compulsion to fiddle with my phone or other device when I'm less active. </div>
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However, I notice that Im also less effective in some ways. The last 18 months of life have been a something of a whirlwind. Im in a demanding job, with a young family, and I've prided myself on my abilities to be on the ball, on top of a mountain of varying issues and now I can sense that my intensity is waning somewhat, my frantic (even manic) space has slowed and it seems I'm less productive. </div>
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I'm wondering whether the reality is that now I've virtually withdrawn a drug from my diet and routine, I'm just learning to function at a normal, more healthy level. Im wondering whether not being on top of everything, not being such a perfectionist is actually closer to real authentic humanity, and closer to the person Im meant to be. Im wondering too, whether even though I'm less productive, I may just be that more effective. Taking time to think and reflect and make good decisions, make timely pastoral interventions, sensitive to the needs of those around me, increasing the depth of that which I offer to others are all by products of a life less frantic and more calm. </div>
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As a Church Leader, I'm really concerned by the frantic pace of life for so many people. Im concerned that the Church colludes with this subtly (or not so subtly at times) and as an institution becomes even more demanding of people's time and energy. Someone once said to me that any institution is by its very nature psychopathic - in that it consumes all that it needs to survive. As I continue to serve in an increasingly dysfunctional institution known as the Methodist Church - I see this analysis coming true before my very eyes, and true within my own life too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9c4H-nSKLNjELLfzJsT2Hm2F2k62Rtk_E8GiV3YyKQHzhX_70-C6z12M_Wf8dWyTW9NCT3C0j7yksQG6jJtm7fs8-nzGMJH79u3tVts06yDUAFEViZ6owNxvRK8gEWCC9I_Yq6NifddT/s1600/58153971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9c4H-nSKLNjELLfzJsT2Hm2F2k62Rtk_E8GiV3YyKQHzhX_70-C6z12M_Wf8dWyTW9NCT3C0j7yksQG6jJtm7fs8-nzGMJH79u3tVts06yDUAFEViZ6owNxvRK8gEWCC9I_Yq6NifddT/s1600/58153971.jpg" height="200" width="167" /></a> Of course, when you remove something from a life, people ask what is to replace it. For me, I've tried to replace caffeine fuelled manic activity with a greater appreciation for the discipline of silence. Ive committed myself in this new year to making time to be still and silent for 15 minutes a day, as much as I can to try and drink in the wonder, the love, the majesty of who God is and what He wants for me and those around me. There's something about silence and stillness that centres oneself and brings us to an awareness of the presence of the Other like nothing else. My spiritual 'home' is in the charismatic tradition, where lots of loud activity is so often the order of the day, but just as the charismatic tradition seeks to hear the revelatory voice of God for todays church and world, so to does the more contemplative modes also. </div>
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Maybe for someone reading this, the time may have come to set aside things which we think are propping us up, but actually are just perpetuating the problem (like an over-reliance on caffeine) and maybe you too, want to join me in the discipline (and it can often be a hard discipline) of slowing down to be still and know who God is, and therefore, see more clearly who we are. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-30325671445037531062014-04-03T23:25:00.001+01:002014-04-03T23:25:32.833+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kEiO-DBPA5vGd5XmlA895pxAwI7gy7NYSO9rnMTFnYxKcWKvMMEXZi_r4NQ4QkTPc9Bm42NdiB-AbUSt8nSv6PDkLieboW7QPc5g48vrkIoIKB8f0pqdKzc5FqbBNZrqMHkfTc5IhH3B/s1600/Bible+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kEiO-DBPA5vGd5XmlA895pxAwI7gy7NYSO9rnMTFnYxKcWKvMMEXZi_r4NQ4QkTPc9Bm42NdiB-AbUSt8nSv6PDkLieboW7QPc5g48vrkIoIKB8f0pqdKzc5FqbBNZrqMHkfTc5IhH3B/s1600/Bible+page.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I'm reading through Judges at the minute for my daily (or occasional - depending on mood, discipline, distractions, business etc) devotions. I'm reading without commentary or explanatory notes, just pausing when something strikes me.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Today I read Judges Chapter 17 and paused on v.6 'in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.' </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Now Chapter 17 of Judges is a curious chapter. After the narratives about the exploits of Samson and before him various characters, there is a stand alone story about a man called Micah. He appears to hold no leadership function in Israel, he's not a judge or King, just some random bloke who thinks that by paying for some ministry he will live in health and happiness. (v.10-13) </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I'm struck by the sense that all too often in my experience God's people continue to operate in a worryingly similar way. A faith that, on the surface at least, can often be expressed in a quasi-superstitious way where quid pro quo trumps the concept of faith believing in extravagant grace. All too often I've heard people justify their 'faith' in terms of how much money they have given to the church, or those who see the favour of God present, or future hope, as a reward for church attendance, faithful service or other good works. Surely such an outlook is at best faith mixed with superstition (I.e unless I do 'x' why will happen etc) or at worst heresy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">For me, the clue to Micah's curious outlook on faith/life is found in the afore-mentioned verse 6. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.'</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Without godly leadership to gently guide or steer God's people it is so easy to miss the mark and wander astray.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Good leadership is never oppressive, manipulative or domineering</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> but it does set a path for people to follow and calls them to maintain on a straightish road of discipleship in the midst of distractions and challenges. In my own UK Methodist tradition, we are increasingly re-discovering that one of the roles of the ordained person is to lead. There are many ways of expressing godly leadership, but it's vital to understand that the absence of leadership only leads to calamity, however naively it was pursued, or innocently it was embarked upon. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Good leadership is never oppressive, manipulative or domineering...'</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">To lead well, then may not be all about 'success' as the modern church all to often views, with pass/fail criteria largely based upon the building of bigger churches, but the test of leading well is surely to assess, what is passed on to others, an authentic Gospel secure in faith/grace partnership or a deviation from the wonderful story of God's grace which is always to sell people short of all that is on offer</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-66926307731932218982013-01-02T00:08:00.000+00:002013-01-02T00:09:21.588+00:00A Covenant for 2013... <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Today, Tuesday January 1st, 2013 I covenant myself again to the God who created me, forms me and to whom I owe my life. As I reflect on another year passed, I'm struck by the comfort I've eased into. I'm very much aware that my commitment to God sounds great from my mouth, but looks all so different in the choices I make and the energies that I exert. This is no guilt trip but a chance to commit myself to live as best as I know how for the pleasure and glory of King Jesus in 2013. <br><br>In the tradition that I've come from the place to do this liturgically would be at the end of a celebration where prayer and encouragement are offered once one has stood, or 'come forward' as a sign of movement in the soul. <br><br>I have no celebration here tonight, I have no prayer team or band playing Christian mood music, but in some small way, this is my public response to the altar call in my heart, which beckons me again, to live the dream of a life after God. <br><br>A few updates may follow at some stage, but I'm already excited to be following a bit more deliberately tonight and for the year ahead after Jesus. Anyone want to join me at the front? <br><br></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93rr8SD4hxrObjljGs2UExidYz9K0xTUxc1EDRwAEHGmMs0BO-HVu7CNt9TbqAK3o8zrQgPcdYGdV2dn00RnExVrStM0Y8vAZIAIsLts8ITFV6ESkoNRdoBhLD4aYi4bsopni3tQdlUrA/'></div></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-77378583253437174522011-11-24T09:41:00.001+00:002011-11-24T09:53:19.600+00:00Successful evangelism?Reading today about the wealth and wisdom of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9 and the visit of the Queen of Sheba. A few things began to bubble away in my head...<br />
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1) Solomon is successful. He is wealthy and impressive, the repeated phrase that never had such things been seen in Judah, shows that he was remarkably successful. Because of his success, he is sought out by the Queen of Sheba.<br />
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I've been wondering a fair bit lately about whether 'successful' large, slick, modern, churches are what God wants. Is this a representation of the Kingdom that is seen in mustard seed and yeast? But equally am aware that in a culture that is so aware of 'image' that to be impressive and successful and be seen to be full of life and making a real difference and impact can draw people to you to pick your brains or seek your input. This is what is happening here. Solomon's reputation goes before him and is therefore attractive to the seeker - in this case the Queen of Sheba. So maybe being impressive isn't so bad after all.<br />
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Except that...<br />
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2) Nothing changes in the life of the Queen of Sheba. She is impressed, she receives help it seems. She goes on her merry way, but there is nothing to suggest a challenge to transforming life and becoming a follower of the Lord, in contrast to other 'foreign' monarchs who acknowledge the power and goodness of God in thew OT. Is there not a danger in 'impressive churches' of being caught up in the 'impressive' and missing the real Kingdom moment of transformation? Isn't it so easy to consume and consume the great 'product' of a modern, slick church, and pass away without anyone noticing that nothing in you has been challenged or changed? Is the potential pitfall that people are impressed and even attracted but the presentation softens the hard Gospel call?<br />
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These are just questions which i have no answers to and am just posing really, but are worth considering. As a minister in a medium sized but growing church I am well aware of my ambitious streak which is very keen to impress and be noticed, but sense, for me anyway, the nagging voice of the Spirit challenging me to help shape communities that represent God's Kingdom and not human empires.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-7070184253049487742011-11-23T09:21:00.001+00:002011-11-23T09:32:03.146+00:00The crucial 'if'...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh5UQ2apXBQol0USk5bsIL_5LfdV-wVtNP2fRtAWR3lYe5bJYJdPH9RkEw01JEhoqbBPI2qu0WzyluzP8He_ptr182p9xrIDhLkAZmLLTAsJjZ0dabupH7CKdlxv5lqqi-oOxPkvKBWs0/s1600/ftm_hands2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh5UQ2apXBQol0USk5bsIL_5LfdV-wVtNP2fRtAWR3lYe5bJYJdPH9RkEw01JEhoqbBPI2qu0WzyluzP8He_ptr182p9xrIDhLkAZmLLTAsJjZ0dabupH7CKdlxv5lqqi-oOxPkvKBWs0/s320/ftm_hands2a.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
Continuing our travels through Scripture brings us into 2 Chronicles with a couple of things worth noting today.<br />
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1) the frequent refrain ' He is good and His love endures forever' appears a few times in the back end of 1 Chronicles and now in the early chapters of 2 Chronicles as well. Seems to be a regular liturgical refrain used by the people to acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of God.<br />
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2) More famously perhaps is the verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 "...if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."<br />
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Struck me afresh as i read this morning the power of the word 'if'. With all the means of grace we have , scripture, prayer, communion, fellowship - the onus is on us to take hold of that which is freely offered. It seems as I read this vesrse again that there is a longing in the voice of God, so desperate for His people to take up the opportunity that He gives.<br />
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This verse appears in the midst of Solomon dedicating the Temple and God warning Solomon and the people about the consequences of abandoning Him. Just because there is a temple doesnt mean the people will always be under God's favour - a lesson for us building-worshipping Methodists out there. In the midst of warnings of judgement comes a powerful 'get out clause' allowing God's people to draw on His grace and mercy rather than His judgement. But the key thing is it's up to us. If only we would appreciate all that is on offer for us. If only we would rediscover the power of prayer, if only our eyes would be opened again to the Might of our God, if, if, if,. If only, God's people would seek Him out for renewal and restoration, if only....<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-91656305601521218602011-11-17T09:56:00.001+00:002011-11-17T10:07:14.039+00:001 Chronicles...After eventually catching up on my reading plan and finding myself where i should be on the set day, here are some thoughts of mine from 1 Chronicles mid way through.<br />
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1 Chr 13:4 - David is discussing with the people whether to bring the ark of the covenant, the precious symbol of God's presence back to Jerusalem. Instead of ploughing ahead regardless, the community discuss and ponder and because "it seemed right to all the people" they press ahead. Surely this is one of the many forerunners of the Wesleyan tradition that we discern God's will in the community of God's people. If God is leading us such a way, we trust that the spirits of the saints, witness with what we are suggesting, or have a sense of a similar direction. The key of course is people, listening to the Lord when engaging in such a process.<br />
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1 Chr 13:10 - the anger of the Lord burning against Uzzah for seeking to steady the ark. On one hand it re-enforces the sacredness and pure holiness of God and the one thing that symbolises His presence that a mere mortal cannot just touch His holy ark, but on the other, Uzzah is only wanting to stop the ark from crashing to the ground - surely far more shameful?? <br />
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1 Chr 15:13 perhaps sheds some more light on the above - David and the people did not enquire of the Lord for directions for how to move the ark. A sobering warning to churches and Christian people everywhere, what harm is there in enquiring of the Lord in even the most mundane of decisions or processes?<br />
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1 Chr 15:29 - Michal doesn't take to David's celebrating and dancing. So often the case that those who are hard hearted are unable to embrace the joy of others so much so that it turns to resentment. This is seen in local churches up and down the land every week! Does a heart really given over to the Lord have the ability to embrace joyous celebration of God's goodness even if it isn't their style? I think so! Any Michal's in my church, watch out!<br />
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1 Chr 16 - great prayer of praise and celebration. Inspired me to preach a series - 'great prayers of the Bible'. Should tie in next summer nicely with our District's year of prayer.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-23436665010279216322011-10-05T17:21:00.001+01:002011-10-05T17:21:17.163+01:00Some musings from JudgesSo we are nearly a quarter of the way through the year of Bible reading although my little gold ribbon doesn't seem to reflect this as it marks of the number of pages read, but this week we passed through the whole book of Judges which was a fairly tumultuous time in the history of God's people.<br />
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Already posted some thoughts on Gideon, but the next main character to arrive on the scene is Samson. Love reference in Judges 13:25 where 'the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him...' Reminded me of time when as a child we visited someone or other and there was a huge dog lying in front of the fire asleep. I remember being intimidated by the size of this beast, but reassured when he seemed deeply asleep. I remember the sense of fear and apprehension i felt as it began to stir a while later and recall anticipating with frazzled fear the sense of being at the mercy of this powerful dog as it burst into action. Love that sense of Samson's power and strength beginning to be awakened by the Spirit of God. Love seeing that in people - particularly young, passionate men who are sold out for our King, when God seems to grab hold of their life and something powerful, even intimidating begins to stir as they begin to get ready for action.<br />
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Challenged and inspired by this one little verse.<br />
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What follows is some pretty horrific treatment of women as no more than sex slaves as Samson's wife is given to whoever at the party wants her and then another unrelated story of the abominable treatment of a young woman who is raped and murdered brutally. It is some small mercy that the shocking nature of her death serves as a warning and a challenge to Israel.<br />
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Sandwiched between these to women accounts is the curious narrative about Micah and his priest who installs gods for good fortune in his house and then employs a Levite to be his personal priest to the gods. [I cheekily wondered whether this is where the tradition of Bishop's chaplain's came from!!!!] But the point is, and still remains today how strong the pull of superstition and charms for good fortune remain on people, despite the clear biblical mandate to be rid of such things and trust fully in the ways of the Lord.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-6828915814173553712011-10-03T11:47:00.002+01:002011-10-03T11:47:56.786+01:00Memorial plaquesGideon is a hero in the eyes of Israel. He has won an incredible and most unlikely victory and been Israel's shepherd and leader for a number of years. Yet his fame goes to his head because not content with the knowledge of pleasing the Lord, Gideon demands goes about making an ephod from gold - a lasting symbol of his achievements, and surprise surprise all Israel falls down before it worshipping the gold object and forgetting the Lord who won the victories in the first place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3rZAMVLBUSengm1gSPYSVuPI_Ln5a4kRyN3Y3hkwopxfJ0omskSeDwFKxAVvX0HRgQSNzmQH48KqfxIEMZY0KZ_dNCrqKdTZIyI_CjvJ3_lNmsuVuNMf7sZSmUk9bJmx5OpRXDP4WRnE/s1600/Pat-Hudson-Plaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3rZAMVLBUSengm1gSPYSVuPI_Ln5a4kRyN3Y3hkwopxfJ0omskSeDwFKxAVvX0HRgQSNzmQH48KqfxIEMZY0KZ_dNCrqKdTZIyI_CjvJ3_lNmsuVuNMf7sZSmUk9bJmx5OpRXDP4WRnE/s320/Pat-Hudson-Plaque.jpg" width="320" /></a>Got me thinking though about memorials that occupy church buildings. Things that are put up or are given in memory of something with good intentions but become to quote Judges 8 'a snare to all the people'. A plaque marked on a certain chair, which binds the congregation from ever being creative with seating arrangements because one chair is 'my Ron's chair', or communion kneelers so inappropriate and uncomfortable for the congregation but cant be replaced because Ethel left them to the church... its surprisingly easy how these little mementos, or reminders of individuals end up becoming, well worshipped, to some degree or another and certainly restrict progress.<br />
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I wonder whether in a community where our giving should be so humble and quiet that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, whether memorial stones/plaques are ever appropriate in churches? I feel not really, because however, unintentionally, people end up repeating the mistakes of the Israelites in Gideon's time. These things become a snare, even an idol and distract from the One who should be the focus of the communities worship and decision making.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-69711424862694765222011-09-26T16:31:00.002+01:002011-09-26T16:31:56.116+01:00Joshua, son of nunSo i am now up to date with reading schedule having spent most of this afternoon reading Joshua. A few scattered thoughts...<br />
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Josh 1:8 - mediate day and night on the Book of the Law - good advice to fill our minds and souls with the word of God - not just reading but reflecting, thinking, praying it.<br />
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Josh 9 - Gibeonites come with a tempting offer and the Israelites accept making the fatal flaw of not 'inquiring of the Lord'. Wondered how many times i have made decisions in ministry on impulse rather than pausing to inquire what God's will is. Wonder how many churches make decisions based on anything and everything but God's will and wisdom, another sobering challenge.<br />
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Josh 10 - the sun stands still at Joshua's command. Powerful are the words of one under God's authority - even elements of creation obey the authority of God's command.<br />
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Josh 11:20 - "For it was the Lord Himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that He might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses." Maybe there will be more, but for me this is the most horrible verse of Scripture i have ever come across. Big struggles with it.<br />
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Josh 12:9-24 - a little less heavy - when listing the conquered kings why not just say 'one each' rather than list them all and individually mark 'one' next to them? Strange.<br />
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Josh 18:3 - Joshua's frustration at the tribes saying to them 'how long before you take up your inherited land'. I've felt a similar frustration in ministry many times with churches and individuals - why not just take what God has offered you! Don't be afraid, don't hang on the sides with fear and suspicion, - embrace what God has done for you!<br />
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Josh 21:45 'Not one of the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed, every one was fulfilled.' Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father...<br />
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Josh 24:14-15 Joshua sets down a clear choice for the people - serve God or idols. It's your choice but think carefully, turn from your wicked ways and trust in the Lord. Good evangelistic text again, ending with his own decision, 'as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.'Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-47750925950237855122011-09-26T12:49:00.001+01:002011-09-26T12:49:04.226+01:00late and guilty thoughts on deuteronomyI was deeply humbled and convicted yesterday when an older lady in one of my congregations came to tell me how much she was enjoying reading the Bible from cover to cover. I had no idea she had joined in the exercise as she isn't coming to our groups but is reading alone at home and being enriched by the reading. This lady is in her 80's, and currently full-time carer for her husband having little sleep etc as most of her time is taken up caring. Yet she has remained disciplined enough to stay up to date with our reading schedule. Me, O great leader that i am, am currently three weeks behind so have very guiltily read virtually the whole of Deuteronomy this morning with Joshua to go this afternoon.<br />
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So just a few spattering of thoughts on Deuteronomy...<br />
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There's a lovely feel to Deuteronomy - much of it is told in a story, as though Moses is sat round the fire late at night recalling the exploits of God and His people. It merges into laws and commands have-way through for a period, before returning to narrative about Moses. This is a pleasant alteration from endless regulations found in Numbers.<br />
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Deut 1:31 - lovely image of God carrying ~Israel like a dad carries his young son- something i'm able to relate to easily at the moment. Think this is the first point where there is such a sensitively described image between God and Israel. They are not just a group he orders about for their benefit, but a people He deeply feels for and cares about.<br />
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Deut 3:21 - any scholars around who have bothered to read this are surely gonna have to explain to me why the size of Og's bed is important??!!<br />
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Deut 3:24 - Moses utters a beautiful creed of praise before he pleads his case for the people. 'For what god is there in heaven or earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?<br />
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Deut 8:3-5 - God's loving discipline - taken out of context this passage and my comments could seem harsh, but we are introduced to the sense that God allows hardship and that sometimes that can be for our good. Not always is this the case, but too often we dismiss God's action or non-action in pain and distress because we (quite fairly) want it easier. There is much to learn of God's mercy and grace in the hard times. Although we wish it not for ourselves or others, so often as we experience difficulty we learn lessons we could never learn any other way, and see different facets of God's character we would never discover. Hardship can sometimes be a blessing.<br />
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Deut 9:6 - God isn't giving the promised land to Israel because of their great track record and their reward. He gives it out of grace. This is a great protestant, NT message which is great to proclaim - The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin from which we're saved to badly quote Archbishop Temple, but this verse seems somewhat at odds from later in Deut where God's blessing and giving of the land is totally dependant on righteous obedience. hmmm?<br />
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Deut 9:17 - the replacement tablets of stone is explained - they appear in Ex 20 but with no explanation<br />
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Deut 10:20 - lovely verses acclaiming the goodness of God and calling people in light of his mercy and compassion to obey and revere him. Good model, focus on God's goodness and request obedience based on his character, rather than frightened submission through fear and terror.<br />
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Deut 14:28 - tithing once again commanded, - good to learn how often it crops up in the law, so it isn't just an obscure verse in Malachi 3 after all. However, i've always been taught that all the tithe goes to the storehouse i.e. the church for the church to do good with it - but here Moses suggests giving directly out of tithe to poor, fatherless etc - challenges current practice for me.<br />
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Deut 13-15 - again any scholars who haven't given up in despair of my appalling exegesis - if you can tell me what the sudden fascination with deer and gazelle's are all about i'd be interested to know.<br />
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Deut 22:5 - cross dressing forbidden in strong terms. Strange how it seems to crop up in church pantomimes so often?<br />
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Deut 30:11ff - trainspotting verse - great evangelistic text - 'choose life'<br />
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Deut 33:27 - wonderful promise of God's everlasting arms underneath us as He is our refuge. Actually a promise given to an Israeli tribe but as its nice and reassuring has been adopted by Christians for ages.<br />
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Lastly Moses dies. Found it surprisingly sad. I watched Spooks yesterday and Tariq died and was sad as i like Tariq and have seen him over a few series develop as a fictional character. Something similar with Moses. Having spent most days of the last couple of months with him it was sad to see His passing and really poignant his death before entering the promised land. Loads of great lessons from Moses to learn about leadership and pastoring people - much to chew on and take hold of. Hope he's cheering me on as i seek to lead what very occasionally feels like a 'stiff-necked people!'Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-46815200395660227542011-09-05T17:43:00.000+01:002011-09-05T17:43:10.736+01:00Needles in a Haystack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm looking forward to Monday Bible Group tonight as i'm short on inspiration from this week's passages and need their help to spot the meaningful bits! We're trawling through Numbers, heading towards the end, but there seems to be very little actually going on. Doesn't help that for various reasons i read the entire weeks readings this afternoon rather than daily, but heh. Brief overview of the haystack and then the couple of needles i noticed...<br />
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More instructions for ritual cleansing before the strange account of Moses bringing water from the rock. Just goes to show the importance of following God's specific instructions and not just getting the general gist, as Moses failure to obey exactly to the letter means he misses out on the promised land.<br />
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Aaron, the first high priest has died, and his son Eleazar succeeds him and then the slaughter and divinely sanctioned killing begins. Arad, then Sihon & Og are the first to suffer at the hands of the advancing Israelites. Lots of problems with these accounts (and the many that will follow for me). Doing my best to extract some post NT meaning from these passages, i conclude that purity of land and community is really important for God who is displaying His holiness and awesome nature to these Israelites - not sure it cuts it really, but there we go.<br />
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Great story of Balaam's donkey and Balaam the wizard's prophecies and predictions before another census of all the people. Instructions on inheritance when there are no male heirs around, more offertory instructions, festival commands and lessons on the importance of keeping vows. The Midianites are then mercilessly slaughtered before Reuben and Gad ask for the land east of the Jordan. The reading for this week concludes with a fairly tedious list of all the places Israel camped in their forty years wandering round the desert. No descriptions though, just there, and there, and there...<br />
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Anyway to the needles...<br />
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1) Balaam - wizard, commandeered to the Lord's service to speak blessing over God's people even though his King hired him to put spells on them. After Balaam fails to curse the Israelites, his employer complains and Balaam replies, "...I can't say whatever I please, I must speak only what the Lord puts in my mouth."<br />
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Great line for preachers! Always good to be reminded that we don't bring before congregations a set of ideas and propositions, but our task is to speak into their midst and into their lives, the Living, current, word of God. Balaams attitude gives Him a great chance of doing so!<br />
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2) Joshua's commissioning - Moses' sees the potential for a leaderless people once he's died and remarks that without a successor to him, Israel would be like a 'sheep without a shepherd'. I hadn't realised that this was an OT phrase, i thought it had been made up by Jesus when he talks of labourers needed for the harvest field. For me, it makes the statement of Jesus all that more significant, He draws on a phrase well-known to His hearers, spoken by one of their heroes, Moses, to connect with the people of His time. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-76356346210493072892011-08-30T10:14:00.000+01:002011-08-30T10:14:26.181+01:00Every bit like local churchContinuing through numbers and realising how moany the Israelites are and how much patience and grace Aaron and Moses excercise. In fact, reading through chapters 11-18 felt like reading an account of local church ministry with its power battles, embattled, discouraged leaders, grumbling followers. Was struck by how similar the two were, God's people in OT and people that I pastor!<br />
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Chapter 11- 'I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets' - in other words, if only others would share the burden, if only others would share responsibility with me for hearing and delivering the words of the Lord, if only there were more people willing to help out with leading - any pastors ever felt anything similar?<br />
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Chapter 12 - opposition from Moses closest allies - Miriam & Aaron challenge his leadership and Miriam ends up regretting it, after coming sound very suddenly with a skin disease. how many pastors have struggled with even the closest and dearest losing faith in their ability to do what God wants them to do?<br />
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Chapter 13 - one that has always troubled me. I am not a natural optimist - i am hopeful and often full of faith but am keen to be real about challenges - after all, if we're up front about the real situation, God's help is often even more miraculous - and so feel a sense of connection with the spies that return and tell it as it is. Caleb though is far more positive - and i guess the issue here is not one of optimism/pessimism, but one of seeing the possibilities for God's action and being open to them.<br />
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As someone trying to sensitively and lovingly lead a church through transition for mission/renewal at the moment, we are about to embark on what seems for us quite a risk of establishing two morning congregations. Although i feel relatively convinced of God's hand on it, many are fearful and worried about the outcome. I guess in this particulalr situation, i feel something like Caleb (and Moses with grumbling congregants, but that's another issue) feeling as though able to see all the possibilities of God's action through taking a risk, where as others see the potential pitfalls and are unable to move past those.<br />
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Chapter 14 - More rebellion and dissent - yet Moses instead of having a huge sulk and going off to moan about the people that are failing to respect his leadership, knowing God's track record on dissent, immediately intercedes for them. A great lesson again for church leaders - pray for the trouble-makers - genuinely pray for God's hand to move in their life and bless them with good things... Love even when it hurts.<br />
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Chapter 15 - random insert it appears about offerings and the death of one who breaks the sabbath<br />
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Chapter 16 - more dissenters - this time swallowed up by the ground<br />
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Chapter 17 - Aaron's staff grows buds and then almonds as a sign of God's anointing for him as priest<br />
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Chapter 18 - concludes this little exploration of church leadership when God affirms to Aaron that his priesthood is a gift. In all the hassle and things that cause weariness of body and spirit, ministry is such a great gift. To be able to work for the Lord, full time, seeking His mercy and grace amongst a broken world, is a great privilege, always good to be reminded of that.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-50751616551727844752011-08-27T20:32:00.000+01:002011-08-27T20:32:02.862+01:00A few thoughts from numbersTrawled through the counting of the Israelites clan by clan and heading further into Numbers and a few things of note that i thought was worth commenting on...<br />
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1) Chapter 5 - the origins of the compensation culture - so actually a prevalence of mitigation and personal injury compensation didn't originate in the States, it came from the Hebrews, who were commanded to make a generous retribution for theft, injuries etc in order that the person was compensated fully. Next time, i hear a fellow Christian bemoan the compensation tendancy in a bible study or fellowship group - i'll send them back to Numbers 5.<br />
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2) Numbers 7 - 89 verses of various leaders bringing offerings for the consecration of the altar. Gets a bit tedious after a while to be honest, but remembering a theme from our away day today of everyone playing their part and how valuable that is. Even the small triangle can be significant in a musical masterpiece. Every gift is valued and recieved and adds to the importance of the whole. A helpful reminder - although its stretching the brain and spirit to extract this from this chapter!!<br />
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3) The cloud over the Tabernacle - love this sense that the Israelites have of moving at God's command alone. Reflecting how much i plan and strategise in ministry (not altogether bad) but also, how little i help people just to wait and see and follow God's leading. I'm so keen to get decisions nailed and plans in place - perhaps the culture of the ancients was better at this - just waiting and responding to God's leading. In Mansfield some years ago where i worked for a local church we were involved in the establishing of a town-wide prayer gathering. The first meeting went well, but instead of planning another we decided to wait until the leader felt it was right to have another one. He cited this passage - Numbers 9 - as his inspiration. Yes, there were times when publicity didn't get through and occasions when meetings were called at short notice, but there was a deep sense of the cloud of God's presence whenever we gathered and some significant results came, i'm sure from that prayer meeting movement. Perhaps in my ministry, i'll look for opportunities to wait and see where and when God leads, in some cases less planning, more waiting and swift obedience and see what the results may be.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-26033835150754174042011-08-24T15:08:00.000+01:002011-08-24T15:08:23.575+01:00Set apart for the LordNow into Numbers and the census that fills the first four chapters and beyond. Not much that i've noticed of any significance in the records of clans and families so far apart from the tribe of Levi being set apart for service of the Lord. The Levites are tasked with the maintaining the tabernacle and tent of meeting, and providing the priests in order that worship can take place. The Levites by their selection to this role become in many sense the spiritual descendants of Aaron the high priest of Israel.<br />
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Only couple of thoughts are how privileged i am to be set apart for the Lord in terms of my employment. I don't believe that i have a special priestly ministry that makes me different from any other Christian, but i do have the privilege of being given a liveable wage to work and pray in the communities that i'm placed in. In this very functional but important way, i am set apart for the Lord, i am a Levite.<br />
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But then, aren't all God's people levites? Are not all God's people spiritual descendants of Aaron called upon to offer worship and intercession on behalf of our communities and our world? Aren't all God's people set apart as citizens of heaven, called to shine like stars in the universe, standing out, living differently from the world at large, because we are set apart to serve the Lord. If this is the case what on earth would the church look like if we took this seriously? How can we live set apart but not isolated and as hermits?<br />
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Amazing that out of seemingly dull passages time and time again, God gives plenty to think about.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-74167031223285185852011-08-12T09:57:00.000+01:002011-08-12T09:57:34.120+01:00Aarons breastplateBack to work today after ten days or so away hence the lack of recent blogs. I have been reading my Bible however, and out of the many things one could comment on - the wrap up of the Joseph story, the call of Moses, the exodus, ten commandments etc. the thing that struck me the most was the Exodus 28:29-30.<br />
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Undoubtedly, this is clouded by my sense of affiliation with Aaron the priest as i too am the religious leader of two communities, but even so it is remarkably special. Aaron's breastplate is made of all sorts of finery - it is a mix of all sorts of jewels and gems and its monetary value alone must be spectacular, let alone its appearance or significance to the community. I'm not all that fussed about the jewels though. What matters most to me, are the two sentences of conclusion to the description of the breastplate. Aaron is a key man in a key role. he was priest of the israelite community, he was the charged with officiating at all the key moments as a representative of God. But in order that Aaron never forgets this role, the other way, representing the people before God, he sees that his breastplate is a symbol of all Israel. In fact, he views it as whenever he wears the breastplate he wears the names of the whole community over his heart before God. What an awesome statement. Whenever Aaron prepares for the finery and ceremony of his duties, he recalls that he performs all of these things with the people symbolically placed over his heart.<br />
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Now i'm, not into dresses and vestments etc at all, i'm a low churchman and proudly so, but to think that next time i slip the piece of plastic into my shirt collar i'm not just a representative of God and God's people but that actually i am to carry them in/over my heart before God's presence is a wonderful, precious and awesome responsibility.<br />
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Undoubtedly, this is a huge challenge for me as to my prayer life, but also to just being aware that i am charged in the aaronic tradition, to carry the names of 'my' communities before God, in His presence, over and within my heart.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772150393238592449.post-4466370016898780992011-07-25T19:06:00.000+01:002011-07-25T19:06:45.941+01:00Racing through the generationsAfter a few days of not being very well i am catching up on my reading before tonights Bible Reading Group and so here are some very basic and general thoughts on Genesis 29-41!<br />
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Their's a lovely romantic story about how far a man will go for the love of a woman as Jacob ends up serving years on Laban's farm to win the hand of his daughter Rachel. But yet again, things never go smoothly. Why anyone ever trusted an oath or promise made to them is beyond me, because they seem to be broken left, right and centre when it suits. Laban is at fault this time - happily taking Jacob's loyal service for 7 years and then negating on his promise of Rachel's hand in marriage in return. In the end he gets Rachel, accompanied by younger Leah for the promise of 7 more years labour. Jacob settles for this as his love for Rachel is so strong.<br />
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Lots of sons follow as well as the inevitable envy and rivalry between two competing wives as to who can produce the best dynasty. Jacob negotiates a parting with Laban, they agree and lo and behold! Jacob tricks and deceives Laban completely and makes off with the best flock.<br />
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after much messing around Jacob and Laban agree on what seems like a fairly serious and binding agreement before Jacob heads off to meet Esau who he first plies with gifts and blessings to try and win his favour. If it wasn't clear to me before, it is now, that Jacob is incapable of speaking to anyone straightly and honestly. His way is to deal with flattery and manipulation, never wanting to upset anyone but deceiving them afterwards. A totally damaging way to deal with people.<br />
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Jacob then wrestles with God, a strange and mysterious story - often used as a symbol for our intellectual and emotional wrestling with God over tragedy and doubt before the grand reunion with Esau - who incidentally seems rather non-plussed by all the over-the-top gifts and just wants to make up. Again Jacob agrees to meet him again in a little while and then does the opposite.<br />
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Another disturbing account in Chapter 34 involving the rape of Dinah and the honour killings to avenge the shame. But not before a pacifying agreement has been reached with the town for their conversion through circumcision and then during their recovery the place is ransacked.<br />
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Jacob recieves a change of name to Israel, at Bethel, where he consecrates himself to meet with God in a clear and deliberate way - challenge for us today when we gather for worship/prayer perhaps? - then we trot through Esau's descendents before reaching one of my heroes of the OT - Joseph.<br />
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Joseph in a nutshell:<br />
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- greatly gifted lacked grace to go with it - sometimes we can have too much gift for our level of grace!<br />
- sold for pieces of silver - wasn't someone else treated the same way<br />
- served faithfully in whatever situation he was in - God wants our best wherever we are<br />
- in face of temptation flees doesn't dally with it<br />
- in prison - grows in grace - acknowledges that any interpreting abilities he has come from God<br />
- faithfully delivers messages from the Lord even when they are hard<br />
- but tries to help his own cause rather than let God's time overrule<br />
- eventually wins out after learning that all the glory and honour for his abilities go to God<br />
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God's purposes working out despite his servants best efforts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0