Oh, how I love your law!

I first came into contact with the Bible soon after I was converted as a teenager. I found some Scripture Union notes that belonged to my sister, and started to read them. It was the beginning of a love affair with the Bible that is still going strong nearly fifty years later. I've used many Bibles during that time, and still have most of them. I remember each one fondly, in the same way that I can treasure memories of each car we've owned.

In recent days I've realised two things: (1) how much I really do enjoy the scriptures, and (2) how I long for other believers to have that same delight in God's Word. The scriptures have been a part of my life since before England won the World Cup (a long, long time ago!), and I've never tired of reading the stories and reflecting on the message. I love nothing more than to have the opportunity to teach them to others, to 'open up the Word' as we used to say, in the presence of those who are hungry for God. What a privilege that is! But I often forget that I've been studying the Bible for many years, at some depth, and that others have not had that opportunity. So I'm finding a desire growing within me to try and communicate to those younger than myself (most of the population!)something of the blessing that can come to us through God's Word.

Next year is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible, the much loved "AV". I've never been a big fan myself, having been reared on the RSV and now attached to the NIV, but this landmark gives us the opportunity to remind a younger generation of the rich spiritual legacy that we have in the Bible, which we must not lose. There is a new initiative in Britain being launched to mark the occasion, called Biblefresh. You can find out more at www.biblefresh.com. I want to do my part by holding some Quiet Days on the place of the Bible in the Christian life, and maybe offering a seminar on how to get the most from the Scriptures.

In connection with this I've just started reading 'Eat this Book' by Eugene Peterson, subtitled 'The art of spiritual reading.' He makes the point that the Scriptures are the primary source of spiritual formation, and says this: 'Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn to study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration to the Father, feet washed in company with the Son."

That's want I seek for myself, and for you as well. What place does the Bible have in your life? How does it shape your spirituality and affect your life? Do you still love God's Word?

Step off the pages, Lord

We've been studying Mark's gospel in our church for the past few weeks. It seems to me that Mark in particular emphasises the power of God that was at work in Jesus. He's writing, of course, from Rome the centre of political and military power at the time, and maybe his thought is to demonstrate that Jesus is 'another king' (Acts 17:7)whose power is far superior to that of any earthly emperor. Certainly his gospel story is full of healings, deliverances and miraculous events that amaze the whole population.

I've really enjoyed our studies, and preaching occasionally myself, but I've done so with a growing sense of frustration that we see so little of that power at work in our lives today. It's true we do see glimpses, and enough to make us believe it is true; but never quite enough to make us say 'WOW!' and stand back in utter amazement. The little we do see actually increases my frustration because I know that God is capable of far more.

Perhaps my sciatica, which has hindered and annoyed me since Easter, illustrates this frustration. I know that God can heal me, and I have prayed continually for his intervention, and so have others. I want to be able to give testimony to his power at work in my life, but so far, nothing. It isn't as if I am asking for something truly great. No, just an ordinary miracle, which even my faith can strecth to, and is well within the level of expectation created in me by reading Mark's gospel.

So I'm conscious of a 'disconnection' between what I'm preaching (all Biblical and accurate), what we sing in our worship (all inspiring and true), and what we believe as a church (evangelical and charismatic). And some words keep rising up in my heart as a kind of prayer whenever I'm holding Mark's gospel in my hands - 'Step off the pages, Lord, and come to us.' I long for the word to be made flesh today, in me, in our little congregation, so that the world can see that Jesus is alive, that he hasn't changed, that he is still at work today.

Since I've been in a poetic frame of mind for the last few weeks I've turned those words into a prayer poem, and share them with you now. And when God does heal my leg (come on, God!), I'll be sure to let you. And maybe write another prayer.

Step off the pages, Lord, and come to us
Be not confined a moment more
In history’s remembered past
Nor even in the sacred folds
Of Holy Writ, however blessed.

Step off the pages, Lord, and come to us
Be not restrained a moment more
Within our doctrine safe and sound
Nor even in our cherished ways
Of churchmanship, however pure.

Step off the pages, Lord, and come to us
Be not held back a moment more
Within our teaching clear and true
Nor even in our finest songs
Of worship free, however loud.

Step off the pages, Lord, and come to us
As living Lord and risen Son
Who’s with us now and working still
To save, to heal, to liberate
And glorify your Name before
A hurting world that needs your touch.