in the SON

Battlelines414 recently had a rant on her blog about whingers. Geoffrey also did a post about time wasting whingers. Now its my turn to get something off my chest!

Geoffrey also challenges people not to do the things the way we always do, but to ‘DO THE NEVER’. This Christmas at the Salt Cellar where I work we are ‘DOING THE NEVER’.

This year we have purchased three massive banners and four very large posters from CPO proclaiming the real message of Christmas to put on the walls of the restaurant so that all who ‘enter in’ cannot fail to see them. They went up on Sunday and the feedback so far has been really positive all except for one volunteer - the permanent whinger!

This morning she collared me after prayers, telling me she did not like them. They are “too in your face” she said. “We need to be more subtle”. She went on to say, “Some people who come in here are not Christians - we don’t want to offend them.”

Lord give me strength (!!!!!) to be a risk taker and DO THE NEVER for You.

This week’s ‘Word for the Week’ by Margaret Killingray, from the licc comes close on the heels of my earlier post of Nov 1st about developing an ‘attitude of gratitude’, so I have simply copied and pasted her text below.

“Learning from Jesus – gratitude”
As Jesus entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance they called out, ‘Jesus, have mercy on us’. He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests’. And as they went they were made clean. One of them turned back. Praising God, he prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’

“Genuine gratitude is hard to express sometimes – not so much the almost automatic thanks that is part of everyday courtesies, but the deep response to some unexpected and undeserved gift

So why, I wonder, did the Samaritan prostrate himself at Jesus’ feet to thank him, and the others did not? Was it because he felt he did not deserve such blessing? Because he did not assume that he was entitled to healing? He was a Samaritan, a despised outsider, who may have felt an amazed surprise that he too was included in such blessing with the others - the extravagant blessing of the renewal of social and family life, denied to those with leprosy.

Does this help us to understand the difficulty we sometimes have in expressing gratitude for gifts of significance? A culture that tends to expect success and despise failure; that pities handicap and seeks perfect good looks; that pushes concepts of rights and entitlement a shade too far, will not always feel that gratitude is the appropriate response. The job promotion is only what we deserve; the successful operation is what the surgeons are paid for; the clever children have inherited our genes; the lovely house is bought with the money we have earned. Gratitude can sound as if we are undervaluing ourselves! (And when bad things do happen, we can allow resentment and a sense of injustice to make them worse.)

We can pay lip service to a gospel that tells us we are sinners who do not deserve the grace and mercy of God, and act as if we think such a gospel is our rightful due. Indeed, gratitude to those through whom the good gifts come, whether big or small, should be the natural overflow of our thankfulness and praise to God for all that he has done for us. If the nine men with leprosy had understood that they were just as lost and pitiable as the Samaritan, then they too might have returned to kneel in gratitude at the feet of their Saviour and ours. ”

Margaret Killingray

The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity
St Peter’s, Vere St, London, W1G 0DQ (t) 020 7399 9555 (e) mail@licc.org.uk Visit http://www.licc.org.uk/ for articles and events

Today was a beautiful, crisp, sunny Autumn day. When we came home from church I looked at the garden and the carpet fo fallen leaves, all yellows, oranges and browns. I decided that I needed to get out there and rake them all up, even though there are more to fall. It’s a job I don’t like.

Anyway I put on my fleece, gloves and a cap and out I went to rake them up. I raked them into several small piles around the garden. Then as I bent down to pick up the first pile I had this amazing feeling that God was right there saying,
“Look at all these leaves, different shapes and sizes, different colours, different textures, smooth to wrinkly. Some look young, some look old, some are intact, some decaying.”

I felt as though God was reminding me that we are all his people, all made in His image but all also unique, different colours, shapes and sizes, ages, gifts etc.

Then I was reminded about the text that we used in church today from Romans 12: 4 - 21

‘Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Love
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ www.biblegateway.com NIV

It was as though God was saying to me there in the middle of these leaves, “remember my word and apply it to your life, and not just on Sunday morning!” It was a good reminder, as far too often I tend to drift during the week relying on my own strength and not His.

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Awarriorprincess posted about the fact that the word attitude is contained within the word gratitude. I have also had this thought for some time now and below is an article that we published in my church’s spring magazine this year based on the same the theme of developing an attitude of gratitude for what the Lord does for us. The words are derived from a UCB devotion. The graphic is my is my attempt to relate the theme visually to Jesus death on the cross for us all.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm goes off, thank you Lord that I can hear; there are many who are deaf.

Even though I close my eyes as long as possible against the morning light, thank you Lord that I can see; there are many who are blind.

Even though I put off the effort to rise, thank you Lord that I have the strength to get up; there are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you Lord for my family; there are many who are all alone.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the magazines and the menu at times is unbalanced, thank you Lord for the food we have; there are many who are hungry.

Even though my job is sometimes monotonous, thank you Lord for the opportunity to work; there are many who are unemployed.

Even though I complain from time to time and wish my circumstances were different, thank you Lord for the gift of life; there are people who are dying who would gladly change places with me.

Even though I make mistakes, stumble and fall, thank you Lord for the grace to get up again; there are many who did not make it.

Thank you Lord for these blessings and 101 others that I take for granted. Amen.

from ‘The Word for Today’,
the daily devotional of
United Christian Broadcasting.

Its not long off Christmas and my grandson Ben (below - 4 in December) has been watching his favourite DVD, The Polar Express. The other afternoon I was looking after him and together we sat and watched it again. I have to say that I also really like the film (movie).

Towards the end I was glad that Ben was cuddled into me so he could not see my eyes welling up with tears (yes it makes me cry). I don’t know if you have seen it or know the story, but basically its about a boy who on Christmas Eve has a dream about The Polar Express which takes children to the North Pole to see Father Christmas. There are bits all the way through which the more I see, the more I directly relate our journey with God.

Another little boy on the train who knows it all, who wants everything for Christmas and wants to be chosen by Santa doesn’t get chosen (self centredness & materialism?)

In the dream the boy picks up a sleighbell that has fallen off Santa’s sleigh and returns it to him. Then when he wakes and goes down to find the presents by the tree in his home, there is a little box and inside is the sleighbell. He knows Santa has been. He believes. He shakes the bell and can hear it ring, so can his sister. His parents ask him what it is and he gives it to them - neither of the adults can hear the bell.

By the way the cut out in the sleighbell is in the form of a cross.

I just can’t help but relate it to our journey with God. How in tune are we with God? Can we hear Him or is He getting fainter are we drifting away? Have we lost the ability to hear Him at all? In the film it says that at one time most could hear the bell but for some it has fallen silent, however the bell still rings for those who truly believe.

In the film the conductor says it doesn’t matter about the destination, the most important thing is to get on board. Do you truly believe and trust God? Are you in tune with Him? If you are you will hear His voice and He will lead you where He wants you to go.

As we run up to Christmas are you ready to accept the greatest gift from God, Jesus? Will you receive Him into your life?

Are You on Board for the journey?

Friday and Saturday I attended a Willow Creek Association UK video cast at St Peter’s in Bolton,of the GL summit which was held at WC a few weeks back. Wow! Some great presentations and

wisdom from Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley, James Meeks, Wayne Cordeiro (l to r above), and others, interspersed with some good worship, prayer and discussion, made for an inspiring, thought provoking, focusing and challenging two days!

I especially found Andy Stanley and Wayne Cordeiro challenging. Both talked about their own personal situations and how they had to take stock of the lives and ministry and how it affected their familes and their health. They talked of how the church had taken over their lives at the expense of their families.

Andy Stanley quoted Matthew 16:18 where Jesus say “I am going to build my church” and also Ephesians 5:25 where Paul tells husbands to love their wives like Jesus loves the Church. He said he used to pray that God would look after his family whilst he was giving all his time to church. However he realised that those two verses actually told him he had got it the wrong way round. He should love his family and put them first and pray that God will build and protect his church, which is what he says he will do. Andy said that he had ‘cheated’ his family but now he ‘cheats’ the church and works a set week and actually says NO!

Wayne Cordeiro’s presentation, called ‘Dead Leader Running’, was in a similar vein and talked about getting the balance right between family and church. He listed 5 points to consider for sustainable living:

Know what fills and drains your tank
Understand balance in life: your family is your ministry; they aren’t separate
Lead out of rest: schedule rest points, sleep on the ‘right side’ of the clock . The day begins as it says in Genesis, evening then morning.
Find a lightning rod: someone to sound off to - but not your spouse!
Be disciplined in daily devotions
He finished by saying that the goal is to go at a speed which keeps the flame alive. Not to run too fast and risk blowing it out.

I was really challenged by these two speakers, and resolved to change my ways in favour of my family who I know I ‘cheat’ in favour of work/church activities!

There was a brilliant interview with Bono by Bill Hybels which every Christian should see! Aparently it will be available to WCreek particpants soon - but it really should be more widely available.

He talked about Grace and the difficulty of grasping the concept.

He said that he has “no problem with Jesus but finds ‘Christians’ difficult.” I wonder why that is?

He called Aids the Leprosy of our age and reminded us that Jesus walked with lepers. He talked about Make Poverty History (One in the US) and told us that there are 2003 verses in the Bible which refer to the poor!

There is a DVD set of all the presentations available from Willow Creek which every leadership team should see. Some useful links below.

Willow Creek US www.willowcreek.org

Willow Creek UK www.willowcreek.org.uk

Andy Stanley www.northpoint.org James Meeks www.sbcoc.org

Wayne Cordeiro www.enewhope.org

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY www.makepovertyhistory.org ONE www.one.org

I have just finished reading ‘MY 30 DAYS UNDER THE OVERPASS - NOT YOUR ORDINARY DEVOTIONAL’ by Mike Yankoski, which is a devotional based on his time living on the streets in America, which he recounts in his book  ‘Under the Overpass’ .  

This devotional is a little book which every follower of Jesus should read, but beware - reading it could seriously change your life.

Check out his site @ www.undertheoverpass.com and check out the video @ http://www.30hourfamineblog.com/video.aspx

 

After posting the comments about the labyrinth (see Worship Sandwich below), I thought it might be good to invite you to take the journey if you have never done it before. Click on the pic above and then on the online labyrinth link. To start the journey click on no 1.You can move on at any time by clicking the next number. Several of the stages are interactive, such as the ‘holy space’ and ‘others’ .

 

Currently Listening
King of Kings, Majesty
Jarrod Cooper

Not available through Amazon, try 
www.wesleyowen.com

Worship Sandwich

Tonight at our leadership meeting of the church plant we had a lot of discussion about the form that our Sunday service takes. We are looking at continuing to serve our current members (traditional), 
to reach out to those who are seeking and those who are not even at the point of seeking (Cafe Church), and our Little Fishes and Big Fish time for kids up to 10 and their parents/grandparents etc (www.little-fishes.org) .

One thing that was raised was the ‘form’ that all these should take. A concern was raised that we try to use a traditional ’sandwich’ form of worship (hymn/song-prayers-hymn/song-reading-hymn/song-prayers-song-message-song), which needs to be rethought.

The point was made that there
has to be some form of order, some form of layers, thick or thin.  What format should this ’sandwich take’?
Could it be in the round?Or could be an open sandwich which changes from week to week?
When I looked for these images I was overwhelmed by the many different sandwich options there are. They all look so mouthwatering, but which is the most appropriate? Which will satisfy and feed us best?

I often feel that secular popular music has much to say that can be related to our journey. Many songs get me thinking about issues of how we reach out to people in our communities. The language we use, the way we behave etc., and I have used words from Coldplay and others in these pages before. Elton John’s single ‘The Bridge’ has been getting a lot of air time recently. Listening to the words I’ve been struck by the questions they pose, which seem to have a real application to what we are called to do as followers of Jesus, but which we quite often fail at.

I’ve seen the bridge and the bridge is long
…………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………..

Long enough to leave some of us behind

chorus:
And every one of us has to face that day
Do you cross the bridge or do you fade away
And every one of us that ever came to play
Has to cross the bridge or fade away.

Jesus is our bridge to the Father but not only do we have to accept him to cross over, we are also called to be his disciples and actively create bridges out into the community. But it can be a long hard and risky business.

Do we take the risk and cross the bridge, or do we settle for the easy life, fade away and get left behind?

To mix posts with more secular song lyrics (see currently listening, on my previous post), I hope we, “don’t settle for the path of least resistance - I Hope You (We) Dance” across the bridges!