The final part of our Christmas meditation quite rightly draws our attention to the Saviour. The word that God has spoken to Simeon was that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2:26). This was am amazing promise, but God proves true to his word. On the day that Simeon goes into the Temple courts, responding to the impulse of the Spirit, there he sees a young couple with a new born child. They have come to fulfil the ritual requirements of the Law, and Simeon immediately recognises, perhaps to his surprise, that here is the Messiah.
This is a moment of high drama, not only for Simeon, but also for Mary and Joseph. For the first time they will hear confirmation through the lips of another human being that the child born to them really is the Messiah. Their meeting is a divine encounter, another example of the intricate planning of the Sovereign Lord. It reminds us that God can guide our steps in the normal affairs of our lives, and lead us to people in whom he is already at work.
As we imagine the scene in our mind, we can identify three descriptions of the Saviour.
Firstly, the Saviour as a child. By my calculations the baby Jesus is now about 40 days old. He was circumcised after 8 days, and the purification ritual took place after 33 days (see Leviticus 12:3-4). Here is the wonder of the incarnation – God really did appear in human flesh, and not as a grown up but as an ordinary child, subject to all the normal laws of growth and development. He is carried by his parents into the Temple, and held in Simeon’s warm embrace. He is circumcised according to custom, and presented to God as a firstborn male (Exodus 13:1-3). These things are done for him, and to him.
What condescension on the part of God, to be so limited and restricted, to appear in such weakness and vulnerability! Here indeed is a humble God, and here in the form of the Christ-child is a humble King! What an example to us of true servanthood, of placing the interests of others before our own.
Secondly, the Saviour as a light. Simeon is thrilled to have seen the Saviour for himself, but is aware that is coming is not simply for him personally, but for the whole world. This salvation has been prepared ‘in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ (v31-32)
Isaiah the prophet had long ago spoken of the coming of the Messiah in terms of light. ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.’ (Isaiah 9:2) No-one lived more deeply in such darkness than the Gentiles, those in the contemporary world who knew nothing of the God of Israel. Now, through the birth of the Saviour, a new day was dawning when they too would be able to know God personally, and people everywhere would have the opportunity to be saved. There is no need for any of us to remain in darkness. The way to God has been opened up for us as well. God wants to shine the light of life into our own personal darkness.
But this was a wonderful day for the Jewish people too, for the Saviour was born through them. Their history and experience as God’s chosen people was reaching its climax at this juncture in time, and they can rightly feel proud of their heritage. All that remains is for them to welcome the Saviour and to recognise their Messiah. This we know, sadly, was not so easy for them, either then or now. The Saviour came to his own people, but remarkably, they did not receive him.
Thirdly, the Saviour as a sign. Simeon’s prayer moves imperceptibly into a prophecy as he speaks words of blessing to the holy couple. Not only will the Child bring salvation, however, he will also bring division. ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against…’ (2:34). People will have to decide about him; they will either be for him, or against him. To those who believe he will become a cornerstone on which they can build their lives; to those who refuse him he will become a stumbling-block. See 1Peter 2:4-8.
Each of has a choice to make. Will we recognise that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of the world? And will we take him into our arms (and into our lives) as Simeon did? Or will we reject him and turn away, as did the innkeeper?
Every Christmas we are reminded of the choice we must make. The carols we joyfully sing provide us with a way of responding: ‘O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.’
This is no easy choice by the way. Simeon’s blessing contains a warning to Mary. ‘A sword will pierce your own soul too.’(v35) She will know the pain that only a mother can feel as her son is rejected, scorned and crucified; but she will also know the joy of his resurrection and the triumph of the eternal salvation he obtains for the whole world.
‘The child’s father and mother marvelled at was said about him.’(v33) They were filled with wonder and amazement as they began to understand what was happening. Perhaps this Christmas we can ask God to restore to us the sense of wonder and amazement that should rightly accompany our celebration of the birth of Jesus?
Why not ask God to lift your celebrations beyond the material dimension and into the spiritual realm? Be blessed as you share in this special time of year with God’s people around the globe.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Christmas Blog 2 : The Sovereign, the Servant and the Saviour
This Christmas meditation is centred around the story in Luke 2:25-34 of the meeting of Simeon with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple. In particular our thoughts are triggered by the prayer of Simeon in v29-30: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you know dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation….’
His prayer is addressed to the Sovereign Lord, and we have seen in the first posting something of what that means. Now we think briefly about the ascription that Simeon gives to himself as the servant.
Simeon is described as a man of simple background, an ordinary person, perhaps getting on in years, but not one of the religious hierarchy – he is neither priest nor prophet in any official sense. This however does not prevent him from being a man of God, and neither should the fact that a person is not in ‘full-time’ ministry prevent them from being significantly used by God. His greatest moment comes at the end of his life, so there is never a time when God stops using us.
Simeon is a man of sound character, described as being both righteous and devout (v25). ‘Righteous’ refers to his outer life, where he was careful to live in accordance with God’s law; ‘devout’ refers to his inner life, where he is careful to maintain a living relationship with the living God. It is always important that we keep our outer life sustained by our inner life of devotion, and that our inner life finds expression in an outer life characterised by godly living and compassionate activity. This is what we mean by the word ‘integrity’: the integration of faith to daily life.
Simeon appears as a man of strong faith. He is ‘waiting for the consolation of Israel’ (v25). Remember it has been almost 400 years since God last spoke to Israel, and many had forgotten the covenant promises, but not the godly remnant. Simeon was amongst that small band who had not lost hope, but who eagerly awaited the coming of the Christ. Faith, remember is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Such faith is well pleasing to God, and we too are called to walk by faith rather than by sight (2Corinthiams 5:7) he exhibited a ‘passionate patience’ as he waited for the Messiah.
Simeon is clearly a man of spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit is upon him (v25), and he is hearing the voice of God through the Spirit. He is the recipient of a very special promise: that he will not die until he has seen the Christ. This is what motivates him and strengthens him. Furthermore he is sensitive to the Spirit, recognising his prompting and responding in obedience to the divine nudge to move into the Temple courts. Thus he arrives at exactly the right moment for a God arranged encounter with the young couple. How blessed we are to live in the dispensation of the Spirit, to know him as our Counsellor and Helper, to be led and guided by him! Do you long for a greater sensitivity to his workings? I know I do.
Simeon’s life seems to have been lived under the governance of God. The metaphor by which he lives is that of the servant, whose only desire is to please his Master. His whole life is at the disposal of the Sovereign Lord. He even sees the end of his life as being for God to decide. Perhaps he desires to be released from the trials of old age, but he knows he must be faithful to the end. ‘Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace.’ (v29) There is no fear of death for those whose lives are lived solely with a view to God’s glory.
What a wonderful example Simeon sets for us. And remember, he was living under the Old Covenant! We are living under the New with so much more spiritual resource available to us, and so many more reasons to offer ourselves fully to God.
Perhaps this Christmas, as we encounter the self-giving love of God afresh, we can be moved to offer ourselves again to him in radical, sacrificial obedience? Perhaps we can decide to live, not for the blessing we can receive so much as for the blessing we can be to other people – sound in character, strong in faith and spiritually mature? Then God will be able to use us to speak words of life to those we meet, as Simeon did to Mary and Joseph.
His prayer is addressed to the Sovereign Lord, and we have seen in the first posting something of what that means. Now we think briefly about the ascription that Simeon gives to himself as the servant.
Simeon is described as a man of simple background, an ordinary person, perhaps getting on in years, but not one of the religious hierarchy – he is neither priest nor prophet in any official sense. This however does not prevent him from being a man of God, and neither should the fact that a person is not in ‘full-time’ ministry prevent them from being significantly used by God. His greatest moment comes at the end of his life, so there is never a time when God stops using us.
Simeon is a man of sound character, described as being both righteous and devout (v25). ‘Righteous’ refers to his outer life, where he was careful to live in accordance with God’s law; ‘devout’ refers to his inner life, where he is careful to maintain a living relationship with the living God. It is always important that we keep our outer life sustained by our inner life of devotion, and that our inner life finds expression in an outer life characterised by godly living and compassionate activity. This is what we mean by the word ‘integrity’: the integration of faith to daily life.
Simeon appears as a man of strong faith. He is ‘waiting for the consolation of Israel’ (v25). Remember it has been almost 400 years since God last spoke to Israel, and many had forgotten the covenant promises, but not the godly remnant. Simeon was amongst that small band who had not lost hope, but who eagerly awaited the coming of the Christ. Faith, remember is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Such faith is well pleasing to God, and we too are called to walk by faith rather than by sight (2Corinthiams 5:7) he exhibited a ‘passionate patience’ as he waited for the Messiah.
Simeon is clearly a man of spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit is upon him (v25), and he is hearing the voice of God through the Spirit. He is the recipient of a very special promise: that he will not die until he has seen the Christ. This is what motivates him and strengthens him. Furthermore he is sensitive to the Spirit, recognising his prompting and responding in obedience to the divine nudge to move into the Temple courts. Thus he arrives at exactly the right moment for a God arranged encounter with the young couple. How blessed we are to live in the dispensation of the Spirit, to know him as our Counsellor and Helper, to be led and guided by him! Do you long for a greater sensitivity to his workings? I know I do.
Simeon’s life seems to have been lived under the governance of God. The metaphor by which he lives is that of the servant, whose only desire is to please his Master. His whole life is at the disposal of the Sovereign Lord. He even sees the end of his life as being for God to decide. Perhaps he desires to be released from the trials of old age, but he knows he must be faithful to the end. ‘Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace.’ (v29) There is no fear of death for those whose lives are lived solely with a view to God’s glory.
What a wonderful example Simeon sets for us. And remember, he was living under the Old Covenant! We are living under the New with so much more spiritual resource available to us, and so many more reasons to offer ourselves fully to God.
Perhaps this Christmas, as we encounter the self-giving love of God afresh, we can be moved to offer ourselves again to him in radical, sacrificial obedience? Perhaps we can decide to live, not for the blessing we can receive so much as for the blessing we can be to other people – sound in character, strong in faith and spiritually mature? Then God will be able to use us to speak words of life to those we meet, as Simeon did to Mary and Joseph.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Christmas Blog 1 - The Sovereign, the Servant and the Saviour
I really enjoy the Birth Stories, the accounts in Matthew and Luke describing the coming of the Saviour. They are simple and straightforward narratives, but constantly filled with wonder and surprise as The Great Event unfolds. Every year I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with the central characters, those ordinary, humble, godly men and women: Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and especially Simeon and Anna.
My thoughts this year have focussed on the story of Simeon and his meeting with the proud new parents in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke 2:25-34). By my reckoning this takes place about 40 days after the actual birth of Jesus, but I think we can still call it part of the Christmas Story. I am drawn to Simeon’s prayer in v29-30: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…’
Here we find three important strands drawn together – the Sovereign, the servant and the Saviour. This blog will concentrate on the person to whom Simeon directs his prayer, and his understanding of the God he so evidently worshipped and adored: the Sovereign Lord.
In Britain we are used to the notion of a sovereign who reigns because we have one, Queen Elizabeth II. She holds her position by right because of her royal descent. However, she does not rule because she has no authority to change anything. That part belongs to the Prime Minister who through Parliament can introduce laws and govern the country; but he of course does not reign because he is elected to office and can be voted out whenever there is an election. It is unusual for any one person to reign and to rule. Indeed, we can say that only God has such authority for he in both Sovereign (he reigns) and Lord (he rules).
The notion of the sovereignty of God is a fundamental belief of Christianity. In essence it means that God is in control of everything that happens, in the world of nations, in the church, and in our individual lives. He does this whilst still allowing us freewill, and by weaving together individual events (which may seem random) and a multitude of personal choices (which may not always be wise) into his overall plan and purpose. As God says through Isaiah, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so will it be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand… For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?’ (Is 14:24,27)
As we survey the various happenings in the Birth Stories there is a very real sense of God superintending and orchestrating events, like a director arranging a play, or a football manager employing match-winning tactics, or a chess grandmaster moving his pieces strategically. Things are not happening by chance but by divine design. Scriptures written long ago are being fulfilled before our eyes. A powerful Roman emperor makes a decision that causes God’s will to come to pass through the ensuing chaos and movement of thousands of people. Angelic activity increases dramatically as important news is communicated, and people have disturbing dreams that shape their responses. A star supernaturally appears in the heavens to herald a major event and provide expert guidance for distant travellers.
It is not just that these things happen, but that they happen together, according to a timetable. God’s plan has been set for centuries but in this moment it is coming to pass, when the world is ready. As Paul says, ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son…’ (Galatians 4:4) We are watching the Sovereign Lord at work, skilfully placing together the various pieces of the jigsaw.
But what does this have to say to us? It means firstly that our own lives are not at the mercy of chance or fate, but that there is a Guiding Hand overseeing seemingly haphazard happenings in our own circumstances. Yes, God is working out his plan for us, in his own time and in his own way, and we can rest in the knowledge that he is in control and knows what he is doing.
It means secondly that we need to live with patience, waiting for the timing of God. There is a right time for God’s promises to be worked out in our lives, and he will neither hurry nor delay. We must learn to adjust ourselves to the divine timetable.
Thirdly, if God truly is the Sovereign Lord, and if we recognise him as such, it means we must yield ourselves to his authority. We must happily take our place as his servants, and allow him to govern our lives. That was the way Simeon lived, and it is the way all who worship the Christ Child should live too. This will be the theme of our next posting.
My thoughts this year have focussed on the story of Simeon and his meeting with the proud new parents in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke 2:25-34). By my reckoning this takes place about 40 days after the actual birth of Jesus, but I think we can still call it part of the Christmas Story. I am drawn to Simeon’s prayer in v29-30: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…’
Here we find three important strands drawn together – the Sovereign, the servant and the Saviour. This blog will concentrate on the person to whom Simeon directs his prayer, and his understanding of the God he so evidently worshipped and adored: the Sovereign Lord.
In Britain we are used to the notion of a sovereign who reigns because we have one, Queen Elizabeth II. She holds her position by right because of her royal descent. However, she does not rule because she has no authority to change anything. That part belongs to the Prime Minister who through Parliament can introduce laws and govern the country; but he of course does not reign because he is elected to office and can be voted out whenever there is an election. It is unusual for any one person to reign and to rule. Indeed, we can say that only God has such authority for he in both Sovereign (he reigns) and Lord (he rules).
The notion of the sovereignty of God is a fundamental belief of Christianity. In essence it means that God is in control of everything that happens, in the world of nations, in the church, and in our individual lives. He does this whilst still allowing us freewill, and by weaving together individual events (which may seem random) and a multitude of personal choices (which may not always be wise) into his overall plan and purpose. As God says through Isaiah, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so will it be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand… For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?’ (Is 14:24,27)
As we survey the various happenings in the Birth Stories there is a very real sense of God superintending and orchestrating events, like a director arranging a play, or a football manager employing match-winning tactics, or a chess grandmaster moving his pieces strategically. Things are not happening by chance but by divine design. Scriptures written long ago are being fulfilled before our eyes. A powerful Roman emperor makes a decision that causes God’s will to come to pass through the ensuing chaos and movement of thousands of people. Angelic activity increases dramatically as important news is communicated, and people have disturbing dreams that shape their responses. A star supernaturally appears in the heavens to herald a major event and provide expert guidance for distant travellers.
It is not just that these things happen, but that they happen together, according to a timetable. God’s plan has been set for centuries but in this moment it is coming to pass, when the world is ready. As Paul says, ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son…’ (Galatians 4:4) We are watching the Sovereign Lord at work, skilfully placing together the various pieces of the jigsaw.
But what does this have to say to us? It means firstly that our own lives are not at the mercy of chance or fate, but that there is a Guiding Hand overseeing seemingly haphazard happenings in our own circumstances. Yes, God is working out his plan for us, in his own time and in his own way, and we can rest in the knowledge that he is in control and knows what he is doing.
It means secondly that we need to live with patience, waiting for the timing of God. There is a right time for God’s promises to be worked out in our lives, and he will neither hurry nor delay. We must learn to adjust ourselves to the divine timetable.
Thirdly, if God truly is the Sovereign Lord, and if we recognise him as such, it means we must yield ourselves to his authority. We must happily take our place as his servants, and allow him to govern our lives. That was the way Simeon lived, and it is the way all who worship the Christ Child should live too. This will be the theme of our next posting.
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Lost and Found
Not a great deal of time for creative thinking recently, so thought I would share a prayer meditation that I have written for the revision of my book, Rhythms of Grace. It's called Lost and Found and reflects how those of us in the evangelical and charismatic traditions sometimes feel:
Lost and Found
Here I am Lord
Caught in my compulsion to busyness
Trapped by my ambitions and my goals
A prisoner to expectations within and without
Living at speed
Rushing A to B
Locked in cruise control;
Living on the edge
Always on the go
Exhausted (but still strong!)
Worn-out (but who would guess?)
Lost in my activity (hope it doesn’t show!).
And longing -
For a better way to live
For something deeper
More substantial, solid, real
Longing for you if truth be known
For I have lost you in the crowd
I can’t hear you in the noise
I don’t feel your hand upon me like before.
But something stirs within me now
And hope wells up afresh
You love me as I am
And where I am right now
And I can simply be myself
In all my humanness
And let the Shepherd find this sheep
And hold me once again
No fear or shame or need to hide
But joy that I am found.
Lost and Found
Here I am Lord
Caught in my compulsion to busyness
Trapped by my ambitions and my goals
A prisoner to expectations within and without
Living at speed
Rushing A to B
Locked in cruise control;
Living on the edge
Always on the go
Exhausted (but still strong!)
Worn-out (but who would guess?)
Lost in my activity (hope it doesn’t show!).
And longing -
For a better way to live
For something deeper
More substantial, solid, real
Longing for you if truth be known
For I have lost you in the crowd
I can’t hear you in the noise
I don’t feel your hand upon me like before.
But something stirs within me now
And hope wells up afresh
You love me as I am
And where I am right now
And I can simply be myself
In all my humanness
And let the Shepherd find this sheep
And hold me once again
No fear or shame or need to hide
But joy that I am found.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Torches and umbrellas
Soon after we were married my wife and I became missionaries on the island of Borneo. As well as assembling a lengthy ‘kit list’ we were encouraged to take with us two essential pieces of equipment: an umbrella (for protection against sun and rain), and a torch (so we could find our way in the dark). Of the two the torch became the most essential. We were often in places with no street lighting and at night it was pitch black. There was always the danger of falling into a ditch or treading on a snake, both of which we felt it better to avoid as we made our way home!
The Bible is described as a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Over the years of my own spiritual journey scripture has played a formative part in making me who I am and in guiding my steps. Three scriptures in particular have had a powerful effect on me, shining the light of God’s wisdom and grace onto my own spiritual pathway.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1John 3:1
Like most people the early years of my Christian life were filled with enthusiastic activity, and to some extent my identity was tied into my ministry. As a pastor I found that if things were going well in church, I was happy with myself; but if things were going badly I was miserable and out of sorts. It is a common trap that many of us fall into – finding our identity in what we do, rather than in who we are.
Gradually over the years the truth of my identity in Christ began to dawn on me, and then the joyful realisation that not only am I God’s child, I am his beloved child – loved unconditionally, with a love that will never change or diminish, and which finds its source and its strength not in my performance but in the nature of God. This revelation came largely through reading Henri Nouwen’s wonderful book The Return of the Prodigal Son (DLT 1994), but also through meditating on scripture and learning in stillness to hear the Whisper of Love within my own soul.
What is the basis for your own identity? Your performance? Your status? Your success? Your relationships? Take a moment to remind yourself who you are in Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of your own belovedness to you.
For meditation: Jeremiah 31:3 Zephaniah 3:17 Jude v1 and v21 John 15:9 Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 5:1 1Thessalonians 1:4 2Thessalonians 2:13 and 16 1 John 4:10,19 Romans 5:8 Ephesians 3:17-18
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1Thessalonians 5:24
These words were written in the front of a beautiful leather Bible given to me by an aunt as we prepared to leave for Borneo. I didn’t realize the importance of these words initially, but they have come back to me time and time again over the years, reminding me of my calling and the fact that it is God’s work we are about, not our own.
It is so easy to seek to serve God in our own strength, isn’t it? We can be driven by our own enthusiasm, conscientiousness, sense of responsibility and will-power rather than the life of God. The result is that we are working for God, in the energy of self, rather than working with God, in the life of the Spirit. Failure and burnout are often the painful outcomes of trying to serve God with human energy, and we have to come back to the place where we recognize deeply within us that this is God’s work and he will do it, if we allow him to work through us. His faithfulness becomes the bedrock on which we depend, and his promise to enable us the ground of our confidence.
Can you identify ways in which you are tempted to serve God in your own strength? Take a moment to stop and pause, and realize that God wants to work in you and through you. Offer yourself to him to be an instrument in his hand.
For meditation: Zechariah 4:6, 1Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 13:20-21.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Moving from being self-dependent to becoming Christ-dependent can be a slow and painful process, but once we have made the transition we can learn to abide in Christ and our lives become much for fruitful. We are freed to serve God in a way which is natural and relaxed.
The key to abiding in Christ is to practice the spiritual disciplines, those ‘holy habits’ that keep us connected to him and allow the life of God to flow into us and through us. For me this has involved discovering the benefits of retreat, and the disciplines of stillness, silence and solitude. It has also meant becoming more reflective about my life, being more intentional about meditating on Scripture, and recognizing and responding to opportunities for contemplation (those God-given moments of awareness of God’s presence when the focus shifts form me to him).
Spiritual disciplines are never an end in themselves. Their purpose is to help us ‘abide’, to stay connected to Christ who is the true Vine, and thus to share his life.
What practices have you discovered that help you to abide in Christ? How might you be more intentional about the spiritual disciplines?
For meditation: Psalm 46:10 and 62:1, Mark 1:35, and 6:30-32, Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 27:4.
The Bible is described as a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Over the years of my own spiritual journey scripture has played a formative part in making me who I am and in guiding my steps. Three scriptures in particular have had a powerful effect on me, shining the light of God’s wisdom and grace onto my own spiritual pathway.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1John 3:1
Like most people the early years of my Christian life were filled with enthusiastic activity, and to some extent my identity was tied into my ministry. As a pastor I found that if things were going well in church, I was happy with myself; but if things were going badly I was miserable and out of sorts. It is a common trap that many of us fall into – finding our identity in what we do, rather than in who we are.
Gradually over the years the truth of my identity in Christ began to dawn on me, and then the joyful realisation that not only am I God’s child, I am his beloved child – loved unconditionally, with a love that will never change or diminish, and which finds its source and its strength not in my performance but in the nature of God. This revelation came largely through reading Henri Nouwen’s wonderful book The Return of the Prodigal Son (DLT 1994), but also through meditating on scripture and learning in stillness to hear the Whisper of Love within my own soul.
What is the basis for your own identity? Your performance? Your status? Your success? Your relationships? Take a moment to remind yourself who you are in Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of your own belovedness to you.
For meditation: Jeremiah 31:3 Zephaniah 3:17 Jude v1 and v21 John 15:9 Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 5:1 1Thessalonians 1:4 2Thessalonians 2:13 and 16 1 John 4:10,19 Romans 5:8 Ephesians 3:17-18
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1Thessalonians 5:24
These words were written in the front of a beautiful leather Bible given to me by an aunt as we prepared to leave for Borneo. I didn’t realize the importance of these words initially, but they have come back to me time and time again over the years, reminding me of my calling and the fact that it is God’s work we are about, not our own.
It is so easy to seek to serve God in our own strength, isn’t it? We can be driven by our own enthusiasm, conscientiousness, sense of responsibility and will-power rather than the life of God. The result is that we are working for God, in the energy of self, rather than working with God, in the life of the Spirit. Failure and burnout are often the painful outcomes of trying to serve God with human energy, and we have to come back to the place where we recognize deeply within us that this is God’s work and he will do it, if we allow him to work through us. His faithfulness becomes the bedrock on which we depend, and his promise to enable us the ground of our confidence.
Can you identify ways in which you are tempted to serve God in your own strength? Take a moment to stop and pause, and realize that God wants to work in you and through you. Offer yourself to him to be an instrument in his hand.
For meditation: Zechariah 4:6, 1Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 13:20-21.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Moving from being self-dependent to becoming Christ-dependent can be a slow and painful process, but once we have made the transition we can learn to abide in Christ and our lives become much for fruitful. We are freed to serve God in a way which is natural and relaxed.
The key to abiding in Christ is to practice the spiritual disciplines, those ‘holy habits’ that keep us connected to him and allow the life of God to flow into us and through us. For me this has involved discovering the benefits of retreat, and the disciplines of stillness, silence and solitude. It has also meant becoming more reflective about my life, being more intentional about meditating on Scripture, and recognizing and responding to opportunities for contemplation (those God-given moments of awareness of God’s presence when the focus shifts form me to him).
Spiritual disciplines are never an end in themselves. Their purpose is to help us ‘abide’, to stay connected to Christ who is the true Vine, and thus to share his life.
What practices have you discovered that help you to abide in Christ? How might you be more intentional about the spiritual disciplines?
For meditation: Psalm 46:10 and 62:1, Mark 1:35, and 6:30-32, Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 27:4.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Time to part with your household gods
An interesting incident in the story of Jacob caught my attention recently.
Just as Jacob and his family are preparing to leave Laban and return to the promised land, Rachel pauses for a moment and decides to take with her the household gods with which she had grown up (Genesis 31:19). We wonder why she did this. To prevent her father continuing in his pagan ways? Possibly; but most likely because she still was not fully convinced if Jacob’s God could be trusted.
When Laban discovers what has happened he pursues Jacob’s entourage, catching up with them in Gilead. There is a confrontation, and the issue of the household gods is raised. Jacob knows nothing, and Rachel cunningly hides them under her skirts, excusing herself from the search by saying she is ritually unclean (Genesis 31:34-35). Laban eventually departs and the convoy follows on, the household gods now integrated into Jacob’s family setting.
It seems to me that Rachel had a need for these pagan deities. She had grown up with them and was familiar with them. Most cultures have their equivalent – minor deities that protect the house and family members, promise success and ensure well-being. They provide a way of keeping control of the world, and we are all drawn towards anything that will make life as safe and happy as we feel it should be. Household gods don’t demand much, can be easily manipulated, and offer significant rewards. A nod of the head, a curtsey of respect, a mumbled mantra or a whiff of incense and they are onside. One or two may be vindictive little devils, but most are potentially dispensers of goodies. Why leave them behind in the journey to a new country? Surely it makes sense to bring them along as an insurance policy?
I think many of us unconsciously bring our ‘household gods’ with us when we become believers. We carry over into our new life attitudes and ways of thinking that reflect our old way of life. In particular our ideas about God are often shaped by our pre-Christian past.
For some – familiar with benevolent deities - this means a benevolent Santa Claus figure. As long as we do the right things he will deliver on the blessings. We expect God to bless us, and as long as things go well, we are happy in our faith. Trouble starts when things do not work out as we anticipated. Then it seems that God has failed us, and we are disappointed in him. We may throw a spiritual tantrum, stop going to church, withdraw our tithe, threaten to give up on our faith, slander the Almighty. There is no room in our lives for God to be God, or the idea that suffering might be part of his will for our lives, or the notion that we grow and develop most when our faith is challenged.
Others – remembering only vindictive deities - can only conceive of a God who wants to berate and punish them, who is never satisfied with their offerings, and who continually demands more of them. They are scared to put a foot wrong in case the sky falls in on them, constantly berate themselves for their shortcomings and imperfections, and never imagine receiving anything good unless they have first earned it. For them faith is a joyless burden, a heavy load of guilt and shame with no relief. Only fear keeps them believing in a God they are not sure they like anyway.
Peter says that we have been redeemed from the futile ways handed down to us from our forefathers (1Peter 1:18). We need to realise that this may mean revisiting how we think about God, and identifying any false notions that may have crept into our thinking, and which may distort how we relate to him. A.W Tozer wrote that, ‘Whatever comes into your heart and mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.’ If those thoughts are unconsciously based upon ‘household gods’ (whether benevolent of vindictive) it will inevitably mean our relationship with God is warped. It is worth asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any distortions in your own thinking about God.
The day came when Jacob had the confidence to challenge his family about their idolatry, and they responded by bringing out their idols (the household gods plus others) and getting rid of them by burying them under the oak at Shechem (Genesis 35:2-5). It was a powerful moment in the formation of the life of God’s people, resulting in a surge of supernatural power amongst them (v5). Death to all false notions of God!
Whenever we cast aside false ideas of God and embrace the God revealed to us in Scripture we move forward spiritually. We may no longer be in control, and God may no longer be ‘safe’, but he will be free to be the awesome God of Jacob in our own lives. You don’t need those household gods. Get rid of them.
Just as Jacob and his family are preparing to leave Laban and return to the promised land, Rachel pauses for a moment and decides to take with her the household gods with which she had grown up (Genesis 31:19). We wonder why she did this. To prevent her father continuing in his pagan ways? Possibly; but most likely because she still was not fully convinced if Jacob’s God could be trusted.
When Laban discovers what has happened he pursues Jacob’s entourage, catching up with them in Gilead. There is a confrontation, and the issue of the household gods is raised. Jacob knows nothing, and Rachel cunningly hides them under her skirts, excusing herself from the search by saying she is ritually unclean (Genesis 31:34-35). Laban eventually departs and the convoy follows on, the household gods now integrated into Jacob’s family setting.
It seems to me that Rachel had a need for these pagan deities. She had grown up with them and was familiar with them. Most cultures have their equivalent – minor deities that protect the house and family members, promise success and ensure well-being. They provide a way of keeping control of the world, and we are all drawn towards anything that will make life as safe and happy as we feel it should be. Household gods don’t demand much, can be easily manipulated, and offer significant rewards. A nod of the head, a curtsey of respect, a mumbled mantra or a whiff of incense and they are onside. One or two may be vindictive little devils, but most are potentially dispensers of goodies. Why leave them behind in the journey to a new country? Surely it makes sense to bring them along as an insurance policy?
I think many of us unconsciously bring our ‘household gods’ with us when we become believers. We carry over into our new life attitudes and ways of thinking that reflect our old way of life. In particular our ideas about God are often shaped by our pre-Christian past.
For some – familiar with benevolent deities - this means a benevolent Santa Claus figure. As long as we do the right things he will deliver on the blessings. We expect God to bless us, and as long as things go well, we are happy in our faith. Trouble starts when things do not work out as we anticipated. Then it seems that God has failed us, and we are disappointed in him. We may throw a spiritual tantrum, stop going to church, withdraw our tithe, threaten to give up on our faith, slander the Almighty. There is no room in our lives for God to be God, or the idea that suffering might be part of his will for our lives, or the notion that we grow and develop most when our faith is challenged.
Others – remembering only vindictive deities - can only conceive of a God who wants to berate and punish them, who is never satisfied with their offerings, and who continually demands more of them. They are scared to put a foot wrong in case the sky falls in on them, constantly berate themselves for their shortcomings and imperfections, and never imagine receiving anything good unless they have first earned it. For them faith is a joyless burden, a heavy load of guilt and shame with no relief. Only fear keeps them believing in a God they are not sure they like anyway.
Peter says that we have been redeemed from the futile ways handed down to us from our forefathers (1Peter 1:18). We need to realise that this may mean revisiting how we think about God, and identifying any false notions that may have crept into our thinking, and which may distort how we relate to him. A.W Tozer wrote that, ‘Whatever comes into your heart and mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.’ If those thoughts are unconsciously based upon ‘household gods’ (whether benevolent of vindictive) it will inevitably mean our relationship with God is warped. It is worth asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any distortions in your own thinking about God.
The day came when Jacob had the confidence to challenge his family about their idolatry, and they responded by bringing out their idols (the household gods plus others) and getting rid of them by burying them under the oak at Shechem (Genesis 35:2-5). It was a powerful moment in the formation of the life of God’s people, resulting in a surge of supernatural power amongst them (v5). Death to all false notions of God!
Whenever we cast aside false ideas of God and embrace the God revealed to us in Scripture we move forward spiritually. We may no longer be in control, and God may no longer be ‘safe’, but he will be free to be the awesome God of Jacob in our own lives. You don’t need those household gods. Get rid of them.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
The main meal of the day
It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Children preparing for a hard day at school, and busy parents going to work or looking after the family, need to begin the day with the right ‘fuel’ to keep them going. Some people surprisingly skip breakfast, but not me – it’s my favourite meal!
In the Christian life it’s also important to begin the day well, and for many believers that means time alone with God. Of course we can connect with God at any time, but it seems sensible to me to meet with God before rushing off into the day’s activities. This appears to have been the pattern for Jesus (Mark 1:35), and comes highly recommended by the Psalmist (5:3, 59:16, 88:13 and so on).
As a young Christian I was brought up to have a regular ‘Quiet Time’, and it remains for me a helpful spiritual practice. But how can we ensure that it doesn’t become a dull routine, something we do because we ‘must’? Here are four important keys:
(1) Rhythm - life works best when there is a regular pattern, and making time each morning to meet with God is a good habit to adopt. It doesn’t matter if you miss occasionally, but generally try and keep to the pattern. A rhythm makes it easier.
(2) Variety - it is the spice of life, and varying what we do in our time apart can keep it fresh and alive. Review your Quiet Time often. Be creative and imaginative.
(3) Place – create a special place where you can meet with God. A quiet corner of the house, a comfy armchair, a room with a view… make it ‘sacred’, perhaps with a small table for books, your coffee cup, a small cross or icon and so on. For some it may be outdoors - a special walk you take with the dog, a church you drop into on your way to work, a bench in the park.
(4) Purpose - keep in mind why you are doing this: to meet with God in a life-giving way. Aim to enjoy his company, express your dependency upon him as you begin your day, seek his will for your life. Don’t let any particular activity become dominant; you are there to meet with God.
With these four provisos in our minds, what then will occupy us during our Quiet Time? The most commonly found ingredients are Scripture, prayer and worship.
Scripture
The word of God is at the heart of the devotional life, providing sustenance for our souls. Jesus said: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). We need to develop effective ways to absorb the truths of Scripture.
Some follow a reading programme or lectionary, leading them through the whole Bible in a year or two in daily portions. Others enjoy developing plans of their own – reading steadily through different books of the Bible, following themes or topics, looking at Bible characters. A good number have Bible reading notes to guide them, or commentaries to provide understanding.
Sometimes I enjoy reading the Bible imaginatively, in the way of Ignatius, where we are encouraged to place ourselves into the Bible story and see it through the eyes of those involved. Another approach I enjoy is called contemplative Bible reading (Lectio Divina), where we read a short passage slowly and allow a word of phrase to speak to us, receiving it as God’s word to us for that moment and meditating on it.
The important thing is to try new ways of interacting with Scripture and not to become stale. Many resources are available on the internet, and for downloading as well. See for example: Quiet Time Ministries (www.qtmin.com), Crossmap Daily Quiet Time (www.dailyqt.crossmap.com) and BRF’s own Bible reading notes available for iphone (www.brfonline.org).
Prayer
If Scripture provides food for the soul, then prayer supplies us with oxygen. It is the way by which we commune with God, our core purpose when establishing a Quiet Time. Whatever else we do, we should reach out to God with longing and desire, speaking freely and honestly to the Lover of our souls.
Some are happy speaking to God in their own words (aloud or silent), whilst others enjoy the objectivity of Spirit-inspired and Christ-centred liturgy, joining the stream of prayer down the centuries. Most enjoy a mixture. I often base my prayers on The Lord’s Prayer, using each phrase in turn as a ‘coat hanger’ on which to hang other prayers. Occasionally I have done the same with Psalm 23, and the ‘armour passage’ in Ephesians 6:10-18. A framework like this stops my mind from wandering.
I love using the great prayers of the Bible too, and making them my own. Currently I am finding satisfaction in crafting my own prayers – taking the passage from my daily reading and turning my thoughts into a prayer, which I write down.
Some days we may have no words at all, which is fine; enjoy the silence, being still and knowing that he is God – a true quiet time!
Worship
Worship connects us to the Holy Spirit and is the way we drink the living water to satisfy our thirsty souls. By taking time to give thanks to God for his goodness, we cultivate a grateful heart; by dwelling on his greatness and glory we allow faith to grow within us. Worship enables us to express our love for God, and as we give to him our praise and adoration, his grace and strength comes streaming back to us, preparing us for all that lies ahead.
We have a family friend, over a hundred now, whose constant companion throughout her life has been the Methodist hymnbook, a source of great blessing and encouragement to her. The words of hymns and songs have a wonderful capacity to lift our spirits, to reach us when our souls are dry and barren.
We can listen meditatively to music as we sit, walk or drive - even as we do our chores – and our spirits can be in communion with God; or we can open our lungs in full-blown praise! Allow the glory of creation to inspire you as get out and about. Use your senses to encounter the living God in the world around you; be inspired by works of art, objects of beauty, the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Remember there is no right or wrong way to have a Quiet Time, and it should never be regarded as a burden or impossible demand. Hold it lightly, and yet think of it as the main spiritual meal of your day. And then, fortified and nourished by the grace of God, go out and live for Jesus in our needy world!
In the Christian life it’s also important to begin the day well, and for many believers that means time alone with God. Of course we can connect with God at any time, but it seems sensible to me to meet with God before rushing off into the day’s activities. This appears to have been the pattern for Jesus (Mark 1:35), and comes highly recommended by the Psalmist (5:3, 59:16, 88:13 and so on).
As a young Christian I was brought up to have a regular ‘Quiet Time’, and it remains for me a helpful spiritual practice. But how can we ensure that it doesn’t become a dull routine, something we do because we ‘must’? Here are four important keys:
(1) Rhythm - life works best when there is a regular pattern, and making time each morning to meet with God is a good habit to adopt. It doesn’t matter if you miss occasionally, but generally try and keep to the pattern. A rhythm makes it easier.
(2) Variety - it is the spice of life, and varying what we do in our time apart can keep it fresh and alive. Review your Quiet Time often. Be creative and imaginative.
(3) Place – create a special place where you can meet with God. A quiet corner of the house, a comfy armchair, a room with a view… make it ‘sacred’, perhaps with a small table for books, your coffee cup, a small cross or icon and so on. For some it may be outdoors - a special walk you take with the dog, a church you drop into on your way to work, a bench in the park.
(4) Purpose - keep in mind why you are doing this: to meet with God in a life-giving way. Aim to enjoy his company, express your dependency upon him as you begin your day, seek his will for your life. Don’t let any particular activity become dominant; you are there to meet with God.
With these four provisos in our minds, what then will occupy us during our Quiet Time? The most commonly found ingredients are Scripture, prayer and worship.
Scripture
The word of God is at the heart of the devotional life, providing sustenance for our souls. Jesus said: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). We need to develop effective ways to absorb the truths of Scripture.
Some follow a reading programme or lectionary, leading them through the whole Bible in a year or two in daily portions. Others enjoy developing plans of their own – reading steadily through different books of the Bible, following themes or topics, looking at Bible characters. A good number have Bible reading notes to guide them, or commentaries to provide understanding.
Sometimes I enjoy reading the Bible imaginatively, in the way of Ignatius, where we are encouraged to place ourselves into the Bible story and see it through the eyes of those involved. Another approach I enjoy is called contemplative Bible reading (Lectio Divina), where we read a short passage slowly and allow a word of phrase to speak to us, receiving it as God’s word to us for that moment and meditating on it.
The important thing is to try new ways of interacting with Scripture and not to become stale. Many resources are available on the internet, and for downloading as well. See for example: Quiet Time Ministries (www.qtmin.com), Crossmap Daily Quiet Time (www.dailyqt.crossmap.com) and BRF’s own Bible reading notes available for iphone (www.brfonline.org).
Prayer
If Scripture provides food for the soul, then prayer supplies us with oxygen. It is the way by which we commune with God, our core purpose when establishing a Quiet Time. Whatever else we do, we should reach out to God with longing and desire, speaking freely and honestly to the Lover of our souls.
Some are happy speaking to God in their own words (aloud or silent), whilst others enjoy the objectivity of Spirit-inspired and Christ-centred liturgy, joining the stream of prayer down the centuries. Most enjoy a mixture. I often base my prayers on The Lord’s Prayer, using each phrase in turn as a ‘coat hanger’ on which to hang other prayers. Occasionally I have done the same with Psalm 23, and the ‘armour passage’ in Ephesians 6:10-18. A framework like this stops my mind from wandering.
I love using the great prayers of the Bible too, and making them my own. Currently I am finding satisfaction in crafting my own prayers – taking the passage from my daily reading and turning my thoughts into a prayer, which I write down.
Some days we may have no words at all, which is fine; enjoy the silence, being still and knowing that he is God – a true quiet time!
Worship
Worship connects us to the Holy Spirit and is the way we drink the living water to satisfy our thirsty souls. By taking time to give thanks to God for his goodness, we cultivate a grateful heart; by dwelling on his greatness and glory we allow faith to grow within us. Worship enables us to express our love for God, and as we give to him our praise and adoration, his grace and strength comes streaming back to us, preparing us for all that lies ahead.
We have a family friend, over a hundred now, whose constant companion throughout her life has been the Methodist hymnbook, a source of great blessing and encouragement to her. The words of hymns and songs have a wonderful capacity to lift our spirits, to reach us when our souls are dry and barren.
We can listen meditatively to music as we sit, walk or drive - even as we do our chores – and our spirits can be in communion with God; or we can open our lungs in full-blown praise! Allow the glory of creation to inspire you as get out and about. Use your senses to encounter the living God in the world around you; be inspired by works of art, objects of beauty, the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Remember there is no right or wrong way to have a Quiet Time, and it should never be regarded as a burden or impossible demand. Hold it lightly, and yet think of it as the main spiritual meal of your day. And then, fortified and nourished by the grace of God, go out and live for Jesus in our needy world!
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Running to Win
We were doing a Lectio Divina on the story of the Transfiguration in Mark 9 when v2 stood out for me: 'After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, and they were alone.' Now I know that Jesus didn't have favourites,and that he loved his disciples equally, but there does seem to have been an element of selection here. I wondereed why he had chosen these three in particular to share a very precious moment with him, and not the others.
On pondering this question I came to the conclusion that he chose them because they were the most responsive of the twelve, and perhaps the most ready for what would be revealed to them on the mountain. And whilst we may be equally loved as children of God, our rate of progress in the Christian life is a variable, and we do not all move forward at a uniform pace. It depends on how we are responding to the knowledge and experience we already have.
My thoughts quickly turned to Paul's words in Philippians 3:12-13 : 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead,I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
Paul realised that he had a part to play in his own spiritual progress. He had to keep pressing on as if he were running a race, with the same determination and commitment as an athlete.
This thought took me onwards to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 : 'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Here the apostle suggests it is not just taking part that matters, but winning the prize. We are not competing against fellow believers, but we are competing against ourselves, and the tendency is to settle for bronze rather than gold because that demands less of us. Coming as these thoughts did during the Euorpean athletic championships in Barcelona helped me see the qualities a winning athlete needs, and the counterpart in the Christian life.
Desire is paramount. Do I truly want to win? Do I really want to know Christ, and to be effective in his service?
Discipline is vital. Can I give myself to strict training? Can I let go of lesser things, and make sacrifices in order to go deeper with God?
Determination is essential. Can I finish the race? Can I keep going to the end or will I give up at the first sign of difficulty, hardship, diappointment or setback?
I was particularly challenged by the British distance runner Mo Farah who won two gold medals. Before the event he had gone to Kenya for 3 months intensive training, living in simple surroundings in the hills with Kenyan runners who were actually far better than himself. He wanted to make progress and was willing to pay the price. His sacrifice paid huge dividends in his medal winning performance.
I don't know about you, but I want to be the best I can be for God, and with his help I want to press on for the greatest prize of all - that of knowing Christ Jesus, and being found in him.
On pondering this question I came to the conclusion that he chose them because they were the most responsive of the twelve, and perhaps the most ready for what would be revealed to them on the mountain. And whilst we may be equally loved as children of God, our rate of progress in the Christian life is a variable, and we do not all move forward at a uniform pace. It depends on how we are responding to the knowledge and experience we already have.
My thoughts quickly turned to Paul's words in Philippians 3:12-13 : 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead,I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
Paul realised that he had a part to play in his own spiritual progress. He had to keep pressing on as if he were running a race, with the same determination and commitment as an athlete.
This thought took me onwards to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 : 'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Here the apostle suggests it is not just taking part that matters, but winning the prize. We are not competing against fellow believers, but we are competing against ourselves, and the tendency is to settle for bronze rather than gold because that demands less of us. Coming as these thoughts did during the Euorpean athletic championships in Barcelona helped me see the qualities a winning athlete needs, and the counterpart in the Christian life.
Desire is paramount. Do I truly want to win? Do I really want to know Christ, and to be effective in his service?
Discipline is vital. Can I give myself to strict training? Can I let go of lesser things, and make sacrifices in order to go deeper with God?
Determination is essential. Can I finish the race? Can I keep going to the end or will I give up at the first sign of difficulty, hardship, diappointment or setback?
I was particularly challenged by the British distance runner Mo Farah who won two gold medals. Before the event he had gone to Kenya for 3 months intensive training, living in simple surroundings in the hills with Kenyan runners who were actually far better than himself. He wanted to make progress and was willing to pay the price. His sacrifice paid huge dividends in his medal winning performance.
I don't know about you, but I want to be the best I can be for God, and with his help I want to press on for the greatest prize of all - that of knowing Christ Jesus, and being found in him.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
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?
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?
Monday, 5 July 2010
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.
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.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Stilling my restless heart
Stilling my restless heart
Quieting my noisy mind
Slowing my frantic pace
I come
Alone
To meet with you.
Thirsting for your presence
Hungry for your love
A gifted longing for intimacy wells up;
Yearning to know you more
Desperate to hear you speak
As you call me, draw me and coax me to yourself.
Breathing slowly with unhurried calm
Gently I become aware
That I am loved
And leaning hard upon your breast
Rest for a moment
Allowing you to take the strain
Daring to believe that even I belong.
And now my soul content
Realisation dawns;
You are here
Surrounding, embracing, supporting, enfolding.
I am held, I can relax
Safe, secure, wanted, loved;
No fear, no guilt, no shame
No burden or unwelcome load
No pointing finger or condemning voice
Only warmth and joy
Acceptance, welcome, healing grace.
Transfixed
With time suspended
Union and communion
At one with you
Paused in this present blessedness.
And now the presence lifts
And I return refreshed,
Renewed, restored
To serve again with inner joy
From inward depths of love received
A river flowing full and free.
Quieting my noisy mind
Slowing my frantic pace
I come
Alone
To meet with you.
Thirsting for your presence
Hungry for your love
A gifted longing for intimacy wells up;
Yearning to know you more
Desperate to hear you speak
As you call me, draw me and coax me to yourself.
Breathing slowly with unhurried calm
Gently I become aware
That I am loved
And leaning hard upon your breast
Rest for a moment
Allowing you to take the strain
Daring to believe that even I belong.
And now my soul content
Realisation dawns;
You are here
Surrounding, embracing, supporting, enfolding.
I am held, I can relax
Safe, secure, wanted, loved;
No fear, no guilt, no shame
No burden or unwelcome load
No pointing finger or condemning voice
Only warmth and joy
Acceptance, welcome, healing grace.
Transfixed
With time suspended
Union and communion
At one with you
Paused in this present blessedness.
And now the presence lifts
And I return refreshed,
Renewed, restored
To serve again with inner joy
From inward depths of love received
A river flowing full and free.
Friday, 7 May 2010
Walking with a limp
I've had sciatica now for 34 days. In case you don't know, sciatica is a painful condition down the length of one leg caused by a trap sciatic nerve. It's not life-threatening, but it is definitely not life-enhancing either as it is uncomfortable and inconvenient. It is most painful when walking, and especially so when going down stairs, so I'm glad we live in a bungalow! But it has caused me to walk with a limp, and to identify with that wily Old Testament character Jacob in a new and deeper way.
I've always made a great deal about the fact that after his encounter with God at Peniel Jacob walked with a limp (Genesis 32:31-32, and see my post of 1st February). I've never read any commentary suggesting Jacob had sciatica, but I think he might have had! Anyway, there are some clear spiritual lessons to be drawn from the experience of walking with a limp.
First of all, it slows you down. Jacob had to ask his brother Esau to go ahead of him, and I find myself doing the same with my wife. We are so used to living a hectic life, and slowing down is never easy... until you walk with a limp, and then rushing is impossible. Which is no bad thing in the spiritual life, because it helps us to eliminate hurry from our lives and to live more contemplatively.
Secondly, it makes you humble, especially if you are a man. It weakens you, and undermines your physical capabilities. It takes away from your natural strength, and it is rather embarrassing to find yourself disabled, even for a short time. Pride is present in us all, especially men, and God opposes it. He reserves his grace for those who are humble.
Thirdly, it makes you dependent. Jacob is to be seen leaning on his staff and worshipping God (Hebrews 11:21), actions expressing his physical and spiritual dependency. I have so far declined my wife's kind offer to buy me a walking stick, but it is the proud, independent self that God has to weaken in us. We were made to live in creaturely dependence upon him, and this is the heart of the spiritual life.
Fourthly, it makes you vulnerable, not only because of the pain, but because we are incapacitated. I realised myself that if I had to run across the road to avoid the traffic, I probably wouldn't make it; or if I were confronted by muggers, I would not be able to flee. Sobering thoughts. Vulnerability is however a deeply spiritual quality. It is good to feel pain, albeit in a small way, so we can identify with others in real pain; to know limitations and weakness, so we can share with those who feel powerless. Most of all, to be vulnerable before God and admit our great need of him.
I have of course prayed daily for my healing, and so have others. People say it can take six weeks to recover. I don't know why I am not healed yet, but at least I have been able to understand Jacob a bit more deeply!
I've always made a great deal about the fact that after his encounter with God at Peniel Jacob walked with a limp (Genesis 32:31-32, and see my post of 1st February). I've never read any commentary suggesting Jacob had sciatica, but I think he might have had! Anyway, there are some clear spiritual lessons to be drawn from the experience of walking with a limp.
First of all, it slows you down. Jacob had to ask his brother Esau to go ahead of him, and I find myself doing the same with my wife. We are so used to living a hectic life, and slowing down is never easy... until you walk with a limp, and then rushing is impossible. Which is no bad thing in the spiritual life, because it helps us to eliminate hurry from our lives and to live more contemplatively.
Secondly, it makes you humble, especially if you are a man. It weakens you, and undermines your physical capabilities. It takes away from your natural strength, and it is rather embarrassing to find yourself disabled, even for a short time. Pride is present in us all, especially men, and God opposes it. He reserves his grace for those who are humble.
Thirdly, it makes you dependent. Jacob is to be seen leaning on his staff and worshipping God (Hebrews 11:21), actions expressing his physical and spiritual dependency. I have so far declined my wife's kind offer to buy me a walking stick, but it is the proud, independent self that God has to weaken in us. We were made to live in creaturely dependence upon him, and this is the heart of the spiritual life.
Fourthly, it makes you vulnerable, not only because of the pain, but because we are incapacitated. I realised myself that if I had to run across the road to avoid the traffic, I probably wouldn't make it; or if I were confronted by muggers, I would not be able to flee. Sobering thoughts. Vulnerability is however a deeply spiritual quality. It is good to feel pain, albeit in a small way, so we can identify with others in real pain; to know limitations and weakness, so we can share with those who feel powerless. Most of all, to be vulnerable before God and admit our great need of him.
I have of course prayed daily for my healing, and so have others. People say it can take six weeks to recover. I don't know why I am not healed yet, but at least I have been able to understand Jacob a bit more deeply!
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The search for tranquility
I read an interesting article in The Yorkshire Post this week, entitled 'Peace in our time'. It begin by recalling the pleasure people experienced as they enjoyed the unfamiliar sound of silence when air traffic was banned for six days due to the cloud of volcanic ash over the UK. Birds were heard to sing at Heathrow, and for a few days the volume of modern life was turned down.
The article went on to talk about the tranquility mapping project being undertaken by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Their spokesperson, Graeme Willis, says that tranquility is important for everyone, but increasing noise from traffic, aeroplanes, and rapid urban growth mean that it is harder to find silence these days.
Using a research method that identifies 44 factors considered the basic recipe for tranquility, Graeme and his team have mapped out the quietest (and the noisiest) places in England. They also want to campaign for a National Quiet Day to remind us all - at least for one day - what we are losing as we dash from place to place.
The quietest place in England? Northumberland (a score of +28.6), a place I love to visit for a break at least once a year. And the noisiest? Slough, just outside London and near to Heathrow (score -79.5). The part of the country where I live (South Yorkshire) came in at 49th with a score of -19.2. Am I surprsied? Not at all. We live with the background noise of traffic all the time, and today, the yapping of the dog next door!
The Bible has long taught us the value of stillnness and silence, both for the sake our health and well-being, and also for our relationship with God. We are fortunate in Britain to have many beautiful retreat houses, often in quiet country areas, so it possible for us to find those 'hot spots' of tranquility and to nourish our souls with quiet prayer.
Wherever you live, be aware of the drain upon your soul made by constant noise, crowded places, and a hectic pace of life. Try and find a quiet corner somewhere, and allow the silence to bring you to that place of tranquility. It will refresh your mind, nourish your spirit and heal your body.
'Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in the lonely places.' (Mark 1:45)
The article went on to talk about the tranquility mapping project being undertaken by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Their spokesperson, Graeme Willis, says that tranquility is important for everyone, but increasing noise from traffic, aeroplanes, and rapid urban growth mean that it is harder to find silence these days.
Using a research method that identifies 44 factors considered the basic recipe for tranquility, Graeme and his team have mapped out the quietest (and the noisiest) places in England. They also want to campaign for a National Quiet Day to remind us all - at least for one day - what we are losing as we dash from place to place.
The quietest place in England? Northumberland (a score of +28.6), a place I love to visit for a break at least once a year. And the noisiest? Slough, just outside London and near to Heathrow (score -79.5). The part of the country where I live (South Yorkshire) came in at 49th with a score of -19.2. Am I surprsied? Not at all. We live with the background noise of traffic all the time, and today, the yapping of the dog next door!
The Bible has long taught us the value of stillnness and silence, both for the sake our health and well-being, and also for our relationship with God. We are fortunate in Britain to have many beautiful retreat houses, often in quiet country areas, so it possible for us to find those 'hot spots' of tranquility and to nourish our souls with quiet prayer.
Wherever you live, be aware of the drain upon your soul made by constant noise, crowded places, and a hectic pace of life. Try and find a quiet corner somewhere, and allow the silence to bring you to that place of tranquility. It will refresh your mind, nourish your spirit and heal your body.
'Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in the lonely places.' (Mark 1:45)
Friday, 30 April 2010
Six Steps to Sabbath Simplicity
It used to be, when people would ask “How are you?” we’d often answer by saying, “Fine.” Even if we were not fine, we’d say we were, to be polite, I suppose.
These days, when people ask, “How are you?” the standard answer has changed. We say, “I’m so busy!” Even if we are not, we say we are. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because our culture believes that if you are busy, you’re important. You matter. You’re productive and significant.
It’s not wrong to want to be significant. We all want to know that we matter. And in fact, I believe, every person on this planet matters, because God loves them. Every person alive matters to God—even if they don’t believe that’s true, even if they don’t believe God exists. But if we don’t fully grasp God’s love for us, we keep trying other ways to feel significant. Mostly, we try to earn significance by accomplishment. But that doesn’t really work. If your life is really frantic, if your kids are overscheduled, if you don’t have time to just be, do you feel better? No, you just feel exhausted.
There is another way to find meaning and significance. And that’s what I want to share with you today. We’re going to talk about six ways to simplify your life, to find greater meaning and a deeper spirituality.
You’ve heard it before, but less is more. An over-schedule life injures our souls, and our relationships. So how can we begin to live in Sabbath Simplicity, which I define as a God-focused, sanely paced life?
1. Get real about the pace of your life. Before you can figure out the next step on your journey, you have to know where you are. How many commitments do you have each week? How often do you say “yes” when you really ought to say no? Write out your weekly schedule, along with the schedule of your family members. Is there any margin in your life—any downtime? Have you put your children in too many activities, so much so that they don’t have any time to just hang out with friends or with YOU?
2. Be honest about your motivation. If you are hurried and busy, have you thought about why? Often, we are restless—so we respond by getting busy. But the antidote to our restlessness is rest. Think about how you function if you are sleep deprived. Many of us are not only sleep deprived, we’re rest deprived. We don’t have enough time to relax, to connect with our loved ones, to nurture ourselves.
3. Value relationships over productivity. Our hurried lifestyle often isolates us. If we make time for rest in our lives, it enables us to reconnect with those we love. Your to-do list can wait, but relationships suffer if they are neglected. A Sabbath Simplicity life includes taking one day out of your week to put aside your tasks, and focus on spiritual and relational growth. Take a Sabbath day, where you spend time with people you care about, where you reconnect with God, with friends, with family.
4. Revise! So often, we get stuck in a rut. We take on too many commitments, we think we have to do everything and do it perfectly. Write down some specific steps to change. And remember that the only person you can change is YOU. What sort of rhythm of life would be healthy for you? Even if you can’t get the people you live with to join you, create some space in your life. Take a Sabbath day, even if your family does not. Make your home, and your demeanor, calm and inviting, even if you can only do that one day a week. Give yourself one night a week where you get a full night’s sleep. You’ll be surprised how resting one day a week will affect the rest of your week—you’ll not only be more peaceful, you’re likely to be more productive.
5. Take time to play. What gives you joy? We are often so task-focused that we lose our joy. Play is restful, and rest is playful. It rejuvenates us. Often, play engages us with others. Play can be creative—a hobby you enjoy. It can be silly—laughter has been clinically proven to help heal our bodies. Our family will often play board games—build this habit when your children are young. My kids are 12 and 14 and still love to play Scrabble or Monopoly with my husband and I. Those are rich family times. Rather than signing your child up for another sport that you have to pay for and drive them to three times a week, simply do something each week together as a family—go for a bike ride, or a walk. Visit a museum or a petting zoo, take a hike through a nature preserve or botanic garden. Be active together, instead of just enrolling in separate activities that scatter you.
6. Make your spiritual life a priority. Take time each day to pray or meditate, to read Scripture, poetry, or an inspiring book. Prayer is not just talking to God, but also listening. Notice where God is at work, notice where there are needs you can meet. Here is a sure way to deeper spiritual life: notice someone who is in need, and show that person kindness. Whether you bring a meal to an ailing neighbor or simply listen to a troubled friend, showing love is a form of prayer.
Keri Wyatt Kent is a speaker and author of seven books, including Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Learn more about her ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com
These days, when people ask, “How are you?” the standard answer has changed. We say, “I’m so busy!” Even if we are not, we say we are. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because our culture believes that if you are busy, you’re important. You matter. You’re productive and significant.
It’s not wrong to want to be significant. We all want to know that we matter. And in fact, I believe, every person on this planet matters, because God loves them. Every person alive matters to God—even if they don’t believe that’s true, even if they don’t believe God exists. But if we don’t fully grasp God’s love for us, we keep trying other ways to feel significant. Mostly, we try to earn significance by accomplishment. But that doesn’t really work. If your life is really frantic, if your kids are overscheduled, if you don’t have time to just be, do you feel better? No, you just feel exhausted.
There is another way to find meaning and significance. And that’s what I want to share with you today. We’re going to talk about six ways to simplify your life, to find greater meaning and a deeper spirituality.
You’ve heard it before, but less is more. An over-schedule life injures our souls, and our relationships. So how can we begin to live in Sabbath Simplicity, which I define as a God-focused, sanely paced life?
1. Get real about the pace of your life. Before you can figure out the next step on your journey, you have to know where you are. How many commitments do you have each week? How often do you say “yes” when you really ought to say no? Write out your weekly schedule, along with the schedule of your family members. Is there any margin in your life—any downtime? Have you put your children in too many activities, so much so that they don’t have any time to just hang out with friends or with YOU?
2. Be honest about your motivation. If you are hurried and busy, have you thought about why? Often, we are restless—so we respond by getting busy. But the antidote to our restlessness is rest. Think about how you function if you are sleep deprived. Many of us are not only sleep deprived, we’re rest deprived. We don’t have enough time to relax, to connect with our loved ones, to nurture ourselves.
3. Value relationships over productivity. Our hurried lifestyle often isolates us. If we make time for rest in our lives, it enables us to reconnect with those we love. Your to-do list can wait, but relationships suffer if they are neglected. A Sabbath Simplicity life includes taking one day out of your week to put aside your tasks, and focus on spiritual and relational growth. Take a Sabbath day, where you spend time with people you care about, where you reconnect with God, with friends, with family.
4. Revise! So often, we get stuck in a rut. We take on too many commitments, we think we have to do everything and do it perfectly. Write down some specific steps to change. And remember that the only person you can change is YOU. What sort of rhythm of life would be healthy for you? Even if you can’t get the people you live with to join you, create some space in your life. Take a Sabbath day, even if your family does not. Make your home, and your demeanor, calm and inviting, even if you can only do that one day a week. Give yourself one night a week where you get a full night’s sleep. You’ll be surprised how resting one day a week will affect the rest of your week—you’ll not only be more peaceful, you’re likely to be more productive.
5. Take time to play. What gives you joy? We are often so task-focused that we lose our joy. Play is restful, and rest is playful. It rejuvenates us. Often, play engages us with others. Play can be creative—a hobby you enjoy. It can be silly—laughter has been clinically proven to help heal our bodies. Our family will often play board games—build this habit when your children are young. My kids are 12 and 14 and still love to play Scrabble or Monopoly with my husband and I. Those are rich family times. Rather than signing your child up for another sport that you have to pay for and drive them to three times a week, simply do something each week together as a family—go for a bike ride, or a walk. Visit a museum or a petting zoo, take a hike through a nature preserve or botanic garden. Be active together, instead of just enrolling in separate activities that scatter you.
6. Make your spiritual life a priority. Take time each day to pray or meditate, to read Scripture, poetry, or an inspiring book. Prayer is not just talking to God, but also listening. Notice where God is at work, notice where there are needs you can meet. Here is a sure way to deeper spiritual life: notice someone who is in need, and show that person kindness. Whether you bring a meal to an ailing neighbor or simply listen to a troubled friend, showing love is a form of prayer.
Keri Wyatt Kent is a speaker and author of seven books, including Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Learn more about her ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Volcanic int-erruptions
I could have been writing this from Kenya, but in fact I'm writing it from home, because I'm not in Kenya. I should have been, but because of the air travel retrictions my flight on Tuesday evening was cancelled.
It was a topsy-turvy day. At first it looked as if my flight to Nairobi would be one of the first to leave Heathrow after the closures, and Virgin certainly gave that impression; but the news and media were saying there would be another blanket closure that day. My dilemma was this: should I travel down to London, and risk being stranded there late on in the evening if the flight didn't go, or should I cancel ahead of time and risk letting people in Kenya down if the flight went after all?
In the end, after talking it through with the organisers in Kenya, it was felt I should cancel. I felt really bad about this, but was somewhat relieved when later in the day all flights were cancelled anyway, so there was no way I could have gone. But what a day of uncertainty and confusion.
That particular morning I came across these words in the book of James (4:13-16) by chance.
Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
I don't know how you feel about the Icelandic eruption, and its effect on Western Europe, but to me it seems clearly another indication that God is speaking to us, and trying to get our attention. So many thwarted plans and so much confusion humble us, and remind us of the uncertainty of life. They encourage us to adopt a more God-dependent style of living, where we recognise the truth that although people plan their ways, it is God who directs their steps.
It was a topsy-turvy day. At first it looked as if my flight to Nairobi would be one of the first to leave Heathrow after the closures, and Virgin certainly gave that impression; but the news and media were saying there would be another blanket closure that day. My dilemma was this: should I travel down to London, and risk being stranded there late on in the evening if the flight didn't go, or should I cancel ahead of time and risk letting people in Kenya down if the flight went after all?
In the end, after talking it through with the organisers in Kenya, it was felt I should cancel. I felt really bad about this, but was somewhat relieved when later in the day all flights were cancelled anyway, so there was no way I could have gone. But what a day of uncertainty and confusion.
That particular morning I came across these words in the book of James (4:13-16) by chance.
Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
I don't know how you feel about the Icelandic eruption, and its effect on Western Europe, but to me it seems clearly another indication that God is speaking to us, and trying to get our attention. So many thwarted plans and so much confusion humble us, and remind us of the uncertainty of life. They encourage us to adopt a more God-dependent style of living, where we recognise the truth that although people plan their ways, it is God who directs their steps.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Where have you been?
You may well ask. I've neglected my blog over the last two months. Someone recently said that a blog should be updated every week, and I can see the point, but I don't think I would ever be able to keep that up and do all the other things I do. So at the moment 'intermittent' is the best I can achieve.
Anyway the silent weeks have in fact been very significant. We were looking forward to a two week holiday in Perth, Australia, with our son Alistair in February, followed by two weeks of ministry in Singapore. Two days before we left, Evelyn my wife had news that she has breast cancer. As you can imagine this was a real shock. We were advised that it would be OK to go ahead with the trip, which we did, and it was a marvellous time; but as soon as we returned Evelyn went into hospital for surgery.
I'm glad to report that the operation was successful, less invasive than we feared, and that they said there was no further trace of cancer. However, she will have a course of chemo therapy, starting next week - six treatments, one every three weeks. It will be a long journey for her.
What has been amazing to us both is how God has helped us through this period, and given us a deep sense of peace.
We have noticed the timing of God. Her operation coincided with a 'blank' two weeks in my diary, something that doesn't normally happen.
Then we were strengthened by the word of God, the beginning of Psalm 71 in particular for me, and Zephaniah 3:17 for Evelyn.
Added to this, the compassion and generosity of God came to us through our friends, both in Singapore and here in Ackworth, where we worship.
Finally we have been conscious of the presence of God, mediated to us through the prayers of his people around the world. Sometimes you can almost 'feel' prayer, and that is how it has been for us.
This is not meant to be a sermon, but a testimony. We are optimisitic for a good outcome, but are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Faith has to be worked out in real life situations, and it comes alive when we face difficulties; otherwise it lies dormant and can stagnate.
Anyway the silent weeks have in fact been very significant. We were looking forward to a two week holiday in Perth, Australia, with our son Alistair in February, followed by two weeks of ministry in Singapore. Two days before we left, Evelyn my wife had news that she has breast cancer. As you can imagine this was a real shock. We were advised that it would be OK to go ahead with the trip, which we did, and it was a marvellous time; but as soon as we returned Evelyn went into hospital for surgery.
I'm glad to report that the operation was successful, less invasive than we feared, and that they said there was no further trace of cancer. However, she will have a course of chemo therapy, starting next week - six treatments, one every three weeks. It will be a long journey for her.
What has been amazing to us both is how God has helped us through this period, and given us a deep sense of peace.
We have noticed the timing of God. Her operation coincided with a 'blank' two weeks in my diary, something that doesn't normally happen.
Then we were strengthened by the word of God, the beginning of Psalm 71 in particular for me, and Zephaniah 3:17 for Evelyn.
Added to this, the compassion and generosity of God came to us through our friends, both in Singapore and here in Ackworth, where we worship.
Finally we have been conscious of the presence of God, mediated to us through the prayers of his people around the world. Sometimes you can almost 'feel' prayer, and that is how it has been for us.
This is not meant to be a sermon, but a testimony. We are optimisitic for a good outcome, but are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Faith has to be worked out in real life situations, and it comes alive when we face difficulties; otherwise it lies dormant and can stagnate.
Monday, 1 February 2010
The Masculine Soul
Just home after an exciting weekend retreat with about 25 men. There's a lot of discussion these days about why men hate going to church - that it is a feminine environment, that men don't like to sing 'love' songs to Jesus, and that the talks are too pastoral and not challenging enough. Well there is some truth in this, but it is not the whole story. One thing that never seems to be addressed in discussions about the lack of men in church, or the low level spirituality of those that are, is the nature of what we might call 'the masculine soul' - the pride within men that also holds them back from a life-changing encounter with God.
I shared at the retreat from the life of Jacob, because of all the characters in the Old Testament, he most clearly illustrates the 3 key expressions of the masculine soul: (1) natural strength and a 'I don't need any help' mentality; (2) naked ambition and a grasping after success; (3) a complete lack of self-awareness.
We traced the course of his life to see how God shaped this most unlikely candidate for spiritual fruitfulness, using both 'process' and 'crisis' to bring him to a place of submission and usefulness. The process involved 20 years of hardship in a foreign land. The crisis centred on two dramatic moments of direct encounter with God, at Bethel and then Peniel.
In the end God got his man, albeit by striking his thigh and leaving him with a limp - the wound of love. Only then would his natural strength be broken and his stubborn will yield to the Almighty.
God is the God of Jacob, forever linked to an individual who epitomises the masculine soul, which is reassuring for us all. It means there is hope for us too in our rebellion and waywardness, and sufficient mercy and grace to subdue the Jacob in us all and bring the Israel to birth.
I shared at the retreat from the life of Jacob, because of all the characters in the Old Testament, he most clearly illustrates the 3 key expressions of the masculine soul: (1) natural strength and a 'I don't need any help' mentality; (2) naked ambition and a grasping after success; (3) a complete lack of self-awareness.
We traced the course of his life to see how God shaped this most unlikely candidate for spiritual fruitfulness, using both 'process' and 'crisis' to bring him to a place of submission and usefulness. The process involved 20 years of hardship in a foreign land. The crisis centred on two dramatic moments of direct encounter with God, at Bethel and then Peniel.
In the end God got his man, albeit by striking his thigh and leaving him with a limp - the wound of love. Only then would his natural strength be broken and his stubborn will yield to the Almighty.
God is the God of Jacob, forever linked to an individual who epitomises the masculine soul, which is reassuring for us all. It means there is hope for us too in our rebellion and waywardness, and sufficient mercy and grace to subdue the Jacob in us all and bring the Israel to birth.
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