Bullying is so distructive and horrible but such an easy thing to do - a small comment can damage someone for years. This video made a big impact on me (and Perez Hilton by the look of his twitter!) and I wanted to share it.
I've heard Christians that have commented on homosexuality and bullying - that it should be expected and nothing can be done. That attitude is totally unacceptable and not what Jesus said or did at all. We have been called not to judge but to love, to meet people where they are at and not to bully or condemn. It makes me very angry to think that some have been giving Christians a bad name - we're not all like that.
Rant over... just watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkNn3Ei-Lg&feature=youtu.be
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Maybe a great magnet pulls all souls towards truth...
As humans we've been given the ability to think and converse and as such we are the highest of the animals. This is our biggest downfall as well as our greatest privilege.
As my closest friends will know I love to argue - I don't mean fight or abuse, just a good old-fashioned debate, I love to win! I try to use that passion to evangelise, to debate truth and I think that in itself is a gift. It helps me to research and come up with better answers to other people's many questions. The process of research, answering questions and debating issues has helped me to think through my own truth and decide what I actually believe.
I've come to the conclusion that everyone has that longing for truth to some degree and that is the gift God has given us - to reason, to decide, to discuss. The freedom of thought and speech should never be underestimated. The freedom of free-will is such a privilege and I feel God was very generous in giving that to us. Being a slight control freak I can't imagine giving complete control over to something or someone I had created! But that is love.
And that's why I love leading 18-30s - the random questions that come out of that group are amazing and its such a privilege. I love debating real issues with that group. The issue of free-will came up in conversation a couple of weeks ago, the idea that free-will should be taken away from some people when they commit sins so atrocious. We discussed that when a prayer is said for help in a horrible situation, God has to ignore that plea if it goes against someone else's free will. If that person is determined to commit the sin, God has to honour that; He has to respect free will.
That doesn't seem fair but I imagine it must be God's sadness everyday to see sin occurring and not to step in.
It reminds me of the C.S.Lewis book 'The Problem with Pain'. Lewis writes of this dilemma, writing that humans created objects like knives and hammers; it is our choice what we choose to do with these things. God cannot allow us to cut food with a knife one day and stop us using a knife to kill someone the next.
I think God is that great magnet that pulls us towards truth but I suppose some people resist a little too much.
As my closest friends will know I love to argue - I don't mean fight or abuse, just a good old-fashioned debate, I love to win! I try to use that passion to evangelise, to debate truth and I think that in itself is a gift. It helps me to research and come up with better answers to other people's many questions. The process of research, answering questions and debating issues has helped me to think through my own truth and decide what I actually believe.
I've come to the conclusion that everyone has that longing for truth to some degree and that is the gift God has given us - to reason, to decide, to discuss. The freedom of thought and speech should never be underestimated. The freedom of free-will is such a privilege and I feel God was very generous in giving that to us. Being a slight control freak I can't imagine giving complete control over to something or someone I had created! But that is love.
And that's why I love leading 18-30s - the random questions that come out of that group are amazing and its such a privilege. I love debating real issues with that group. The issue of free-will came up in conversation a couple of weeks ago, the idea that free-will should be taken away from some people when they commit sins so atrocious. We discussed that when a prayer is said for help in a horrible situation, God has to ignore that plea if it goes against someone else's free will. If that person is determined to commit the sin, God has to honour that; He has to respect free will.
That doesn't seem fair but I imagine it must be God's sadness everyday to see sin occurring and not to step in.
It reminds me of the C.S.Lewis book 'The Problem with Pain'. Lewis writes of this dilemma, writing that humans created objects like knives and hammers; it is our choice what we choose to do with these things. God cannot allow us to cut food with a knife one day and stop us using a knife to kill someone the next.
I think God is that great magnet that pulls us towards truth but I suppose some people resist a little too much.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
I was here
Songs 'speak' to me in a way the written word often doesn't and in a much quicker way. There have been many songs over the years that have meant a great deal to me and there's a fantastic song by Beyonce on her new album, called 'I Was Here', which has got me thinking:
"I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I want to say I lived each day, until I die
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see"
The song made me cry when I first heard it; a mixture of Beyonce's beautiful voice and the moment of realisation that this woman was singing my exact thoughts of that week. I have been thinking about my motives for doing the things I do in life and whether these are honourable or not. I work long hours because I ultimately love my job and want the best for the class of children I teach; I ultimately believe that what I do contributes to the greater good - it is a vocation. But what about those things that fill the rest of our time?
I love to be busy - I love to be rushed off my feet because I secretly believe that shows my life is worth something. I enjoy my free time and holidays so I can spend time with family and friends and most importantly my husband, but during term time I love the feeling that no time is wasted, no time is left to relax and rest on my laurels. I never moan about being over-worked because I wouldn't really want it any other way. It makes me feel alive.
But are these false motives? Do I love being busy because I can't stand to be alone with my thoughts and feeling idle? The things I do for God - children's work at church, 18-30s group - are these things really for me?
The summer holidays, six long weeks, are always a struggle for me. Its become a bit of a joke among my closest friends and my husband (with me initiating the jokes of course!) that I always cry at the start of the holidays. Everything stops - all church activities, work - and I can't bear the thought of emptiness - that I'm wasting those 6 weeks, that nothing is gained. In reality I soon enjoy myself, have a good rest and meet up with people I don't get a chance to see during work time. But initially the thought of all that free time scares me!
I know this sounds a bit pathetic and most people comment to me that they are rushed off their feet, juggling with family and work and find this really hard. I can well imagine this will change if I'm privileged enough to have children and know that I may not always feel this way.
I think my real motive is encapsulated in this song of Beyonce's; the idea that I want it to have mattered that 'I was here'. I don't mean this in a 'I want to be famous and have my name remembered for centuries' way as I would never want that - you cannot take that with you when you die, it is ultimately useless. But I do want to have mattered to the small group around me; my family and friends, my church - in any small way possible. What I think I have forgotten recently is how much God is involved in my plans and how much He wants to be involved in my plans. I seem to tell God of all the things I want to do, after I've started them and I expect God to help me, to bless those plans. I recently linked this to how I allow my class to behave at school. Occasionally children in my class will walk to the door of our classroom and tell me they are going to the toilet, or to get a drink, and I have to remind them that it is a courtesy to ask an adult permission to do those things, and not to necessarily expect a positive answer! I treat God in the same way - I go to the 'door' and tell God what I am doing, the plans I have made, rather than asking. I don't mean that we necessarily have to ask God's 'permission' but I do mean that we should first find out what God would like us to do in situations that are placed before us and how best we can act to show His light. The plans God has for us are super plans anyway and often much better than we had planned for ourselves!
This brings me nicely to the reading I read at my sister-in-law's wedding yesterday - Jeremiah 29:11-14:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
His plans are good and we have the choice to be a part of them - a great privilege.
"I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I want to say I lived each day, until I die
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see"
The song made me cry when I first heard it; a mixture of Beyonce's beautiful voice and the moment of realisation that this woman was singing my exact thoughts of that week. I have been thinking about my motives for doing the things I do in life and whether these are honourable or not. I work long hours because I ultimately love my job and want the best for the class of children I teach; I ultimately believe that what I do contributes to the greater good - it is a vocation. But what about those things that fill the rest of our time?
I love to be busy - I love to be rushed off my feet because I secretly believe that shows my life is worth something. I enjoy my free time and holidays so I can spend time with family and friends and most importantly my husband, but during term time I love the feeling that no time is wasted, no time is left to relax and rest on my laurels. I never moan about being over-worked because I wouldn't really want it any other way. It makes me feel alive.
But are these false motives? Do I love being busy because I can't stand to be alone with my thoughts and feeling idle? The things I do for God - children's work at church, 18-30s group - are these things really for me?
The summer holidays, six long weeks, are always a struggle for me. Its become a bit of a joke among my closest friends and my husband (with me initiating the jokes of course!) that I always cry at the start of the holidays. Everything stops - all church activities, work - and I can't bear the thought of emptiness - that I'm wasting those 6 weeks, that nothing is gained. In reality I soon enjoy myself, have a good rest and meet up with people I don't get a chance to see during work time. But initially the thought of all that free time scares me!
I know this sounds a bit pathetic and most people comment to me that they are rushed off their feet, juggling with family and work and find this really hard. I can well imagine this will change if I'm privileged enough to have children and know that I may not always feel this way.
I think my real motive is encapsulated in this song of Beyonce's; the idea that I want it to have mattered that 'I was here'. I don't mean this in a 'I want to be famous and have my name remembered for centuries' way as I would never want that - you cannot take that with you when you die, it is ultimately useless. But I do want to have mattered to the small group around me; my family and friends, my church - in any small way possible. What I think I have forgotten recently is how much God is involved in my plans and how much He wants to be involved in my plans. I seem to tell God of all the things I want to do, after I've started them and I expect God to help me, to bless those plans. I recently linked this to how I allow my class to behave at school. Occasionally children in my class will walk to the door of our classroom and tell me they are going to the toilet, or to get a drink, and I have to remind them that it is a courtesy to ask an adult permission to do those things, and not to necessarily expect a positive answer! I treat God in the same way - I go to the 'door' and tell God what I am doing, the plans I have made, rather than asking. I don't mean that we necessarily have to ask God's 'permission' but I do mean that we should first find out what God would like us to do in situations that are placed before us and how best we can act to show His light. The plans God has for us are super plans anyway and often much better than we had planned for ourselves!
This brings me nicely to the reading I read at my sister-in-law's wedding yesterday - Jeremiah 29:11-14:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
His plans are good and we have the choice to be a part of them - a great privilege.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Forever Reign
I wrote a while back now, about anxiety and how it had started to affect my life in negative ways and I wanted to share things I've learnt recently.
The summer months were a particularly bad time not because I was going through difficult times but because I was remembering them. Work is particularly difficult and I found that the thought of going back was much worse than actually going back - there were a lot of tears that week! Working as a primary teacher there is a lot of pressure and doing 60+ hours of work a week is still not enough. Thinking about it I don’t know how I cope really and I suppose the truth is I don’t cope very well! I have at least three headaches a week and don’t sleep more than five hours a night but I do cope.
It’s taken me a while to realise that when you allow negative thoughts to enter your mind and stay there, they do quite a bit of damage so concentrating on God’s words really helps. Knowing Bible verses to combat negative words is really the only way to get rid of them, not allowing yourself to think in a negative way. No matter how busy my day, I need to always make time with God to restore my soul.
The title of this post is the title of a song by Hillsong I discovered at New Wine during the summer that has really helped me to picture what knowing God might look like. What does it mean to have God ‘forever reign’? For me it means not letting negative thoughts course through my mind, not letting others’ opinions of me affect my identity but know and concentrate on what God thinks of me. It means securing my identity in Him and knowing that He loves me, has a purpose for me and forgives me. It means loving others without worrying who’s loving me.
“Oh, I'm running to your arms
I'm running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign”
I'm running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign”
Songwriters: Jason Ingram; Reuben Morgan
© shout publishing
© shout publishing
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Mirror Images
I've just finished this amazing short book and for those who might be interested in buying the book, I wrote a review on Goodreads:
"This is an excellent short book for any woman struggling with what they see in the mirror and how we perceive ourselves.
Arianna Walker looks at the rear-view mirror of the past, the dressing room mirror of the masks we wear, the full length mirror of self-image, the dance hall mirror of comparison, giving practical tips on how to beat self-doubt that starts with our thoughts. Biblically based, she discusses and uses testimonies of others as well as Bible passages that we can root our self-belief in rather than believing the lies we tell ourselves.
I was privileged enough to hear her speak on the rear-view mirror at the Detling Summer Christian conference and her use of analogies and images really help to understand concepts such as forgiveness, moving forward and poor self-image.
Every woman needs the compact mirror of God's word and this book!"
This book was so simply written but completely changed my outlook to my thoughts and the power they have over us. I was under the impression you couldn't control them!
My thoughts seem to let me down quite a bit really - I'm often negative about myself or worrying incessantly about what I have said, what others have said to me or how I should say things in the future! Lots of worry! But reading this book reminded me of all the good things I have learnt over the years, all the people that have been integral in my growing as a Christian and as a person.
I have been very lucky in that I became a Christian when I was 8 and it came naturally to me to speak to God like He was right next to me and knew everything about me anyway, so I decided I may as well share everything! Being quite a lonely but overly outgoing child (to mask the loneliness), I really needed a friend like God who was always there and loved me unconditionally. My childhood/teenage church perpetuated the idea of church as stale and irrelevant to the local community so by the time I left for university I had already left the church but still prayed to God. I was so lucky in who I met at university, during my course and through a local church, that I grew and grew as a Christian.
Those few years helped me feel secure in who I was in God - I knew how God viewed me through a wonderful one-to-one study I did with the student pastor at my university church. But reading this book, made me realise how much of my self-belief and confidence had been stripped away. Things I did well at my university church (lead a student home group, help lead children's ministry etc) I haven't done well at my local church. Being knocked back in my job and having tough times with people I thought were better, has really shaken who I am in God. I have been too quick to believe the things people say to me (and only the negative!) rather than the Bible.
One chapter in this book is dedicated to the compact mirror - the one we ladies sometimes carry in our handbags - that Arianna Walker names "the kind of mirror God's word is to our lives; always there inside our hearts in case of emergencies, or simply because we want to check something - easy to get to, often used. Just like you can't see your reflection in a mirror unless you look in it, you can't see your true reflection unless you look in the true mirror that is his word." When reading this chapter I realised how much I had stopped believing what good people were saying to me and what the Bible tells me. We can read the Bible all we like but if we don't act on it or believe it for ourselves it becomes like any other book.
James 1:22-25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
I realised I had been looking in the mirror of the Word and forgetting what I read about God's love, freedom for those who love Him and His forgiveness. The way to remembering these things is really quite simple - learn scripture. Learn verses that reveal His truth and can't be argued with. Any doubts, worries or anxieties that come to mind can be shut off with these verses of truth. I have memorised funny verses too (2 Kings 2:23-24 is always a good one!) and these help to keep things less serious!
I will finish on a song from 'The Bodyguard' with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner:
"Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to him belong
They are weak but he is strong."
Friday, 5 August 2011
Seeking first the Kingdom 4 & 5
Jesus is the bridegroom - this statement seems quite simple and one that many would have realised and known for a while as Jesus states this in Mark 2:19. What I found interesting in Darren Rouanzoin's next talks were the references to God too being our 'husband' and He will woo us back to Him (Isaiah 54:5-6). The Jews and Pharisees at the time would have realised what Jesus was saying: that He was God, that the prophecies about Him were true and we would have that relationship with Him.
God makes a covenant with us, just like a marriage vow and just as tenderly: "I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body" (Ezekiel 16:8). What I love is the stance of the 'marriage' between God and us and how it compares to human marriage. It is written in Hosea 2:16 that we will "call (God) ‘my husband’; you will no longer call (God) ‘my master". It is a loving relationship, not a relationship between master and slave; it is not so important that we do exactly what we are told but that we love our God and love others.
Legalism has completely destroyed love and misses the point entirely. Darren describes it as 'singing songs with a closed heart'. There are a whopping 613 laws in the books of Moses and these were broken down into further rules by the interpretation of the Pharisees in the Mishnah. For example, the commandment "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work" (Exodus 20: 8-10) there are 39 categories defining 'work' and what is not allowed on the Sabbath. Many of the issues the Pharisees had with Jesus were related to what He chose to do on the Sabbath. The point of the commandment is to allow us to rest but the Pharisees miss the point. They tried to define Jews (and we fall into this trap very easily) by what we do or produce. God says we are defined by who we are - He knows us. Holiness is not defined by what we do or don't do. We have been 'set apart', not by our own doing but by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus, when asked about cleaniness laws in Mark 7, replies: "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them” (verse 15) . He focuses on our actions and what we say, rather than what we eat, drink or touch. If we are motivated by love for God and love for others we will end up following the commandments anyway. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 when He says in Mark 7: 6-7 - "These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
The fruit of the Spirit "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23) comes out of our relationship with Jesus, with knowing that we are loved and have that loving relationship with our 'husband' the bridegroom. Our faith should not be dead but accompanied by actions not rules or laws (James 2:17).
God makes a covenant with us, just like a marriage vow and just as tenderly: "I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body" (Ezekiel 16:8). What I love is the stance of the 'marriage' between God and us and how it compares to human marriage. It is written in Hosea 2:16 that we will "call (God) ‘my husband’; you will no longer call (God) ‘my master". It is a loving relationship, not a relationship between master and slave; it is not so important that we do exactly what we are told but that we love our God and love others.
Legalism has completely destroyed love and misses the point entirely. Darren describes it as 'singing songs with a closed heart'. There are a whopping 613 laws in the books of Moses and these were broken down into further rules by the interpretation of the Pharisees in the Mishnah. For example, the commandment "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work" (Exodus 20: 8-10) there are 39 categories defining 'work' and what is not allowed on the Sabbath. Many of the issues the Pharisees had with Jesus were related to what He chose to do on the Sabbath. The point of the commandment is to allow us to rest but the Pharisees miss the point. They tried to define Jews (and we fall into this trap very easily) by what we do or produce. God says we are defined by who we are - He knows us. Holiness is not defined by what we do or don't do. We have been 'set apart', not by our own doing but by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus, when asked about cleaniness laws in Mark 7, replies: "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them” (verse 15) . He focuses on our actions and what we say, rather than what we eat, drink or touch. If we are motivated by love for God and love for others we will end up following the commandments anyway. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 when He says in Mark 7: 6-7 - "These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
The fruit of the Spirit "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23) comes out of our relationship with Jesus, with knowing that we are loved and have that loving relationship with our 'husband' the bridegroom. Our faith should not be dead but accompanied by actions not rules or laws (James 2:17).
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Seeking first the Kingdom 2 & 3
In the next talks by Darren Rouanzoin at New Wine LSE 2011 continuing the exploration of the Kingdom of God he shared exactly what the Bible says about the Kingdom and what the disciples would have expected or understood by what Jesus said.
The Kingdom of God is the sovereign rule and reign of God and is not an actual place but paradoxically it is in the place where God reigns. Darren described it as the 'ultimate reality', which supercedes all other kingdoms. It is what God intended the world to be in the first place. It brings life where there is death.
The Kingdom will never end nor be destroyed (Daniel 2:44) and amazing things will happen (Joel 2:28-29). We will be given new hearts and the Spirit will help us (Ezekiel 36:24-27).
He likened our relationship with the King and the Kingdom to marriage, which is often mentioned by Jesus to describe the relationship He has with us. We are His bride and He is the bridegroom. It would be silly and disrespectful (!) to carry on dating other people after we were married, we need to be fully committed to our spouse. Just like when we say 'I do' in the marriage service we need to do this with God - be fully committed. We should be fully immersed in Him all the time. We need to sign up and say 'I do'.
What I found interesting is the use of the word 'time' in Mark 1:14-15 - “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Darren explained that the Jews would have recognised this use of the Greek word for 'time' as a fulfillment of the prophecies mentioned above. That 'shalom' would come: peace, wholeness and healing - proof of the Kingdom and evidence it is present. The time is now.
We are called to be 'agents' of this kingdom, ambassadors. It is not about us, its about Him. How hard is that?! Going through hard times can make us very self-centred and me-obsessed but reading the Word, praying and listening can really help to keep us God-focused in this crazy world.
The Kingdom of God is the sovereign rule and reign of God and is not an actual place but paradoxically it is in the place where God reigns. Darren described it as the 'ultimate reality', which supercedes all other kingdoms. It is what God intended the world to be in the first place. It brings life where there is death.
The Kingdom will never end nor be destroyed (Daniel 2:44) and amazing things will happen (Joel 2:28-29). We will be given new hearts and the Spirit will help us (Ezekiel 36:24-27).
He likened our relationship with the King and the Kingdom to marriage, which is often mentioned by Jesus to describe the relationship He has with us. We are His bride and He is the bridegroom. It would be silly and disrespectful (!) to carry on dating other people after we were married, we need to be fully committed to our spouse. Just like when we say 'I do' in the marriage service we need to do this with God - be fully committed. We should be fully immersed in Him all the time. We need to sign up and say 'I do'.
What I found interesting is the use of the word 'time' in Mark 1:14-15 - “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Darren explained that the Jews would have recognised this use of the Greek word for 'time' as a fulfillment of the prophecies mentioned above. That 'shalom' would come: peace, wholeness and healing - proof of the Kingdom and evidence it is present. The time is now.
We are called to be 'agents' of this kingdom, ambassadors. It is not about us, its about Him. How hard is that?! Going through hard times can make us very self-centred and me-obsessed but reading the Word, praying and listening can really help to keep us God-focused in this crazy world.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Seeking first the Kingdom 1
At New Wine LSE 2011, Venue 2's morning speaker for the week was a new leader of a church in Long Beach, Darren Rouanzoin. Aged only 26 God has done amazing things through him and my blog post is just a way of sharing what I have learnt this week.
Starting off on Sunday morning he discussed the Jewish education system and how by the age of 10 all Jewish children know the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) by heart. At 10, those that were chosen carried on their education and at 14 those that were selected again went to rabbis to carry on learning, with the idea that they would be rabbis in the future. They would leave their families and homes to continue learning and dedicating their lives to God.
When Jesus selected the disciples and asked them to follow Him, I am always amazed that they simply left their homes and family to be with Jesus, would I have done the same? They belonged to a culture that was used to this but they had not been selected by the rabbis to continue their learning; Jesus was looking for a different kind of person, a heart that would simply follow and listen. They do not know or realise who He is until Mark 8 where Peter is asked by Jesus; they simply follow Him.
In Acts 4:13 the people around Peter and John had noticed that they 'had been with Jesus' and in Mark 3:13 onwards the calling of the disciples involved just that: we are called to 'be with Him' and then 'sent out'. Its so important that its done in that order but what does 'being with Jesus' require or mean? I think they tried to listen to His teaching and observed what He did and how He acted with strangers. They got it wrong a few times but they always tried. They spent time with Jesus and it was obvious to others, even when Jesus had ascended.
I hope that it is obvious when I spend time with Jesus and that I won't just keep my learning, and what I see, to myself. I have found this a very challenging thought this week especially as I was prompted again to act during this morning's sermon at my church. Although I definitely don't keep my faith to myself as I'm always harping on about church at the school where I work, I haven't really shown and done all I could to share my faith and what it means. I also attended a seminar about Jesus in the workplace while at New Wine and felt God was asking me to start a prayer group with the two other Christians that work at my school and show my faith through more acts of kindness. I could easily bake a cake and take it to work or make people cups of tea. It reminded me that focusing on the negative things that have happened to me at work really doesn't help and I thought back to the things I did do at a previous school I worked at. I was so known for my making tea for everyone that my leaving present was a cup and saucer plant pot! This is how I should be now not just when things are going well. Well the challenge begins!
Starting off on Sunday morning he discussed the Jewish education system and how by the age of 10 all Jewish children know the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) by heart. At 10, those that were chosen carried on their education and at 14 those that were selected again went to rabbis to carry on learning, with the idea that they would be rabbis in the future. They would leave their families and homes to continue learning and dedicating their lives to God.
When Jesus selected the disciples and asked them to follow Him, I am always amazed that they simply left their homes and family to be with Jesus, would I have done the same? They belonged to a culture that was used to this but they had not been selected by the rabbis to continue their learning; Jesus was looking for a different kind of person, a heart that would simply follow and listen. They do not know or realise who He is until Mark 8 where Peter is asked by Jesus; they simply follow Him.
In Acts 4:13 the people around Peter and John had noticed that they 'had been with Jesus' and in Mark 3:13 onwards the calling of the disciples involved just that: we are called to 'be with Him' and then 'sent out'. Its so important that its done in that order but what does 'being with Jesus' require or mean? I think they tried to listen to His teaching and observed what He did and how He acted with strangers. They got it wrong a few times but they always tried. They spent time with Jesus and it was obvious to others, even when Jesus had ascended.
I hope that it is obvious when I spend time with Jesus and that I won't just keep my learning, and what I see, to myself. I have found this a very challenging thought this week especially as I was prompted again to act during this morning's sermon at my church. Although I definitely don't keep my faith to myself as I'm always harping on about church at the school where I work, I haven't really shown and done all I could to share my faith and what it means. I also attended a seminar about Jesus in the workplace while at New Wine and felt God was asking me to start a prayer group with the two other Christians that work at my school and show my faith through more acts of kindness. I could easily bake a cake and take it to work or make people cups of tea. It reminded me that focusing on the negative things that have happened to me at work really doesn't help and I thought back to the things I did do at a previous school I worked at. I was so known for my making tea for everyone that my leaving present was a cup and saucer plant pot! This is how I should be now not just when things are going well. Well the challenge begins!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Sung Worship
I've just got back from New Wine LSE 2011 and had an amazing week; such an emotional rollarcoaster but also learnt so much about myself and God. I started the week in one place and ended in a completely different place (metaphorically speaking of course!) and wanted to share some of what I had learnt.
I attended Venue 2 in the mornings and Venue 1 in the evenings, partly to see the difference and as I was the only member of my church group going to Venue 2 I didn't want to be a loner all the time! I loved Venue 2 in the morning, was really able to let go of a lot of rubbish in my life, and loved worshipping there. Being on my own I could completely let go and not worry what people thought of me as I knew I wouldn't see them again after the week was up! The difference in worship music was only slight and I started analysing it in more detail as I kept crying in the mornings and not the evenings and wondered if I was going slightly mad!
The difference I found was that the music in Venue 1 was designed to worship God for who and what He is and I was able to really think about how amazing God is and how worthy of praise. I know that this is the primary purpose of worship: to give everything to God, to praise Him and not search for anything in return. But in Venue 2 the music was designed to worship God for what He has done. Now this is what upset me, what made me think so many times in the morning: I was so grateful to God for forgiving me, for holding on to me, for saving me and always being there to protect and guide me, I became a blumbering wreck every morning!
Is this ok in worship? To see that difference it made me wonder: should I be praising God for who He is rather than concentrating on what He has done for me?
I came to the conclusion that God knows me, that He is happy when I worship Him and there must be patterns and waves in worship so that it reflects our changing seasons too. God is constant and faithful, we are definitely not and sometimes our worship reflects our issues and gratitude rather than simply worshipping God for who He is. My worship this week in Venue 2 reflected how much I need God and how important He is in my life; giving myself to God completely meant letting go and relying on Him, it meant coming to Him humbly, knowing that I was weak, pathetic and so needed Him.
I attended Venue 2 in the mornings and Venue 1 in the evenings, partly to see the difference and as I was the only member of my church group going to Venue 2 I didn't want to be a loner all the time! I loved Venue 2 in the morning, was really able to let go of a lot of rubbish in my life, and loved worshipping there. Being on my own I could completely let go and not worry what people thought of me as I knew I wouldn't see them again after the week was up! The difference in worship music was only slight and I started analysing it in more detail as I kept crying in the mornings and not the evenings and wondered if I was going slightly mad!
The difference I found was that the music in Venue 1 was designed to worship God for who and what He is and I was able to really think about how amazing God is and how worthy of praise. I know that this is the primary purpose of worship: to give everything to God, to praise Him and not search for anything in return. But in Venue 2 the music was designed to worship God for what He has done. Now this is what upset me, what made me think so many times in the morning: I was so grateful to God for forgiving me, for holding on to me, for saving me and always being there to protect and guide me, I became a blumbering wreck every morning!
Is this ok in worship? To see that difference it made me wonder: should I be praising God for who He is rather than concentrating on what He has done for me?
I came to the conclusion that God knows me, that He is happy when I worship Him and there must be patterns and waves in worship so that it reflects our changing seasons too. God is constant and faithful, we are definitely not and sometimes our worship reflects our issues and gratitude rather than simply worshipping God for who He is. My worship this week in Venue 2 reflected how much I need God and how important He is in my life; giving myself to God completely meant letting go and relying on Him, it meant coming to Him humbly, knowing that I was weak, pathetic and so needed Him.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Anxiety
I'm always accused of not sharing more about myself so thought I'd share something I've really struggled with for the last year, even if it is via a blog! I've been able to share these things face to face with people recently which has really helped and wanted to share my experiences as I know lots of people suffer these things in silence.
I have really struggled with anxiety, depression and worry for the last year, the last six months in particular. I've suffered with it on and off for years but have felt recently that there is no hope of me ever feeling differently. I have also started having panic attacks which are totally new to me and absolutely terrible. For months I've felt dead inside and nothing brings any joy or happiness. Guilt then starts because I feel I don't deserve my sadness; nothing has happened to me, no traumatic experience that would explain my feelings, just constant worry, constant unease and feelings of inadequacy.
It has got to the point where I cry nearly everyday at one point, normally at night, and my husband doesn't know what to do. I don't want him to feel, like I know he does, that he can't help me or bring comfort. He does, in so many ways, but I know he feels insulted and that it is a reflection of his character. It really has nothing to do with how I feel towards him as he has been fantastic throughout, he knows me so well and can bring so much comfort simply through a hug and showing me he is there.
Where is God in all of this? I think that's been the hardest part to live with. I feel completely devoid of any feeling towards God yet I keep plodding to church every week, expecting to meet God there. I know all this great stuff about God and I know He is there when I speak to Him, He occasionally speaks to me when I least expect it too. While in Austria on holiday a few weeks ago, I was standing on a bus away from family who were seated and just felt overwhelmed with sadness, that God was no where and I felt so alone in a crowd of people but God simply said - you won't find happiness in these things, only in Him. I knew it was God who spoke because it made such an impact it brought tears to my eyes to realise God was there and looking out for me. Most of the time when I pray I just get an image of a face staring back at me, with no expression and no response, possibly looking down on me as a mistake!
I know God is there and I do believe I have the gift of faith, in that my belief and faith in a God of goodness and love is always there, no matter what I go through. I know it is my fault He isn't close to me and something I need to work on in prayer.
I do feel such a fraud, in that I lead a home/church group and have responsibilities in church, but hopefully it will pass and the tears will go and I'll know that God has taught me so much through it.
I have really struggled with anxiety, depression and worry for the last year, the last six months in particular. I've suffered with it on and off for years but have felt recently that there is no hope of me ever feeling differently. I have also started having panic attacks which are totally new to me and absolutely terrible. For months I've felt dead inside and nothing brings any joy or happiness. Guilt then starts because I feel I don't deserve my sadness; nothing has happened to me, no traumatic experience that would explain my feelings, just constant worry, constant unease and feelings of inadequacy.
It has got to the point where I cry nearly everyday at one point, normally at night, and my husband doesn't know what to do. I don't want him to feel, like I know he does, that he can't help me or bring comfort. He does, in so many ways, but I know he feels insulted and that it is a reflection of his character. It really has nothing to do with how I feel towards him as he has been fantastic throughout, he knows me so well and can bring so much comfort simply through a hug and showing me he is there.
Where is God in all of this? I think that's been the hardest part to live with. I feel completely devoid of any feeling towards God yet I keep plodding to church every week, expecting to meet God there. I know all this great stuff about God and I know He is there when I speak to Him, He occasionally speaks to me when I least expect it too. While in Austria on holiday a few weeks ago, I was standing on a bus away from family who were seated and just felt overwhelmed with sadness, that God was no where and I felt so alone in a crowd of people but God simply said - you won't find happiness in these things, only in Him. I knew it was God who spoke because it made such an impact it brought tears to my eyes to realise God was there and looking out for me. Most of the time when I pray I just get an image of a face staring back at me, with no expression and no response, possibly looking down on me as a mistake!
I know God is there and I do believe I have the gift of faith, in that my belief and faith in a God of goodness and love is always there, no matter what I go through. I know it is my fault He isn't close to me and something I need to work on in prayer.
I do feel such a fraud, in that I lead a home/church group and have responsibilities in church, but hopefully it will pass and the tears will go and I'll know that God has taught me so much through it.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Guilt
Guilt, over apparently small things, has troubled me for years so I've been exploring what the Bible has to say on the issue. As my earlier post explored the issue of worry, I find they normally go hand in hand.
The issue of 'sin' in the Bible links to the concept of 'guilt'; if we keep 'the whole law and yet stumble at just one point' we are 'guilty of breaking it all' (James 2:10). There are no 'levels of sin', if we commit one, we are as guilty as someone who has committed two or more. I've always found this to be very unfair but an amazing illustration of God's grace. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard highlights this further when Jesus shows the workers who appeared last and completed less hours of work still get paid the same amount as the workers who have worked all day (Matthew 20). Grace works this way, no matter how late someone comes to Christ, no matter what they have done, they will have the same amount of grace and love from God as someone who has been brought up in the faith and been a Christian all their life. This seems unfair but actually shows the amazing love and generosity that God has for His people and how He is slow to anger and full of compassion (Exodus 34:6).
The author of Hebrews writes that we should have our hearts cleansed 'from a guilty cnscience' (Hebrews 10:22) and literally have 'our bodies washed with pure water' suggesting baptism as we are in the hope of new life by 'the blood of Jesus'. In Psalm 103 it is written that as 'far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions (sins) from us' (verse 12) which I love to hear - He no longer looks at our sin, we can leave it at the cross where it belongs. But us humans are quite keen to keep a hold of our guilt and be seen carrying it around!
My vicar has used this analogy a few times in his sermons and it links very well: we think we 'delete' our sin from our hard drive but just like a computer has a recycle bin we think 'deleting' our sin or asking for forgiveness, entitles us to keep going back to it, keep restoring it. When the psalmist wrote that our sins are far away from us he doesn't mean that we are able to access it, get it back, bring back the memory of it to cherish. We shouldn't be allowing ourselves to remember our sin and feel continually guilty for it; it is past and forgotten. Sometimes the consequences of our sins will be still around and prayer and forgiveness will be needed but generally when we sin and ask for forgiveness it is forgotten and dealt with.
I have been so used to feeling guilty or worried about what people say or think of me that I haven't spoken or acted, just in case! Once we are free in Christ nothing should hold us back, no worries or guilt is needed.
But what about justified guilt? What about when we genuinely do something wrong and offend or hurt people? I can feel guilty for days about things I've said or done but what should I being doing about it? I can pray and ask for forgiveness from God and the person I've hurt or offended but is this enough?
I remember a sermon by a rector at a church I attended for three years in Aberystwyth that really made me think about this. He said that he was driving past a car accident and did not stop and that this affected him for days. The guilt bothered him and no amount of praying for forgiveness would help. The issue, he said was that he should be affected by his guilt, that it should make him think about his actions and change his ways. He prayed that he would never willingly drive past an accident again or come up with excuses not to stop and help. Repentance should mean a 180 degree turn around, that we shouldn't keep making the same mistake twice or more. When he was in the same situation again he was pleased that he was able to stop and help.
So my prayer is now not just for forgiveness but if I'm in a similar situation again that I would be able to act differently and ask for God's help in this. Guilt is ultimately useless but it often leads us to assess how we can change and become more Christ-like. We shouldn't feel weighed down by guilt but completely free in the knowledge that Jesus died so we can know true freedom, without guilt.
The issue of 'sin' in the Bible links to the concept of 'guilt'; if we keep 'the whole law and yet stumble at just one point' we are 'guilty of breaking it all' (James 2:10). There are no 'levels of sin', if we commit one, we are as guilty as someone who has committed two or more. I've always found this to be very unfair but an amazing illustration of God's grace. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard highlights this further when Jesus shows the workers who appeared last and completed less hours of work still get paid the same amount as the workers who have worked all day (Matthew 20). Grace works this way, no matter how late someone comes to Christ, no matter what they have done, they will have the same amount of grace and love from God as someone who has been brought up in the faith and been a Christian all their life. This seems unfair but actually shows the amazing love and generosity that God has for His people and how He is slow to anger and full of compassion (Exodus 34:6).
The author of Hebrews writes that we should have our hearts cleansed 'from a guilty cnscience' (Hebrews 10:22) and literally have 'our bodies washed with pure water' suggesting baptism as we are in the hope of new life by 'the blood of Jesus'. In Psalm 103 it is written that as 'far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions (sins) from us' (verse 12) which I love to hear - He no longer looks at our sin, we can leave it at the cross where it belongs. But us humans are quite keen to keep a hold of our guilt and be seen carrying it around!
My vicar has used this analogy a few times in his sermons and it links very well: we think we 'delete' our sin from our hard drive but just like a computer has a recycle bin we think 'deleting' our sin or asking for forgiveness, entitles us to keep going back to it, keep restoring it. When the psalmist wrote that our sins are far away from us he doesn't mean that we are able to access it, get it back, bring back the memory of it to cherish. We shouldn't be allowing ourselves to remember our sin and feel continually guilty for it; it is past and forgotten. Sometimes the consequences of our sins will be still around and prayer and forgiveness will be needed but generally when we sin and ask for forgiveness it is forgotten and dealt with.
I have been so used to feeling guilty or worried about what people say or think of me that I haven't spoken or acted, just in case! Once we are free in Christ nothing should hold us back, no worries or guilt is needed.
But what about justified guilt? What about when we genuinely do something wrong and offend or hurt people? I can feel guilty for days about things I've said or done but what should I being doing about it? I can pray and ask for forgiveness from God and the person I've hurt or offended but is this enough?
I remember a sermon by a rector at a church I attended for three years in Aberystwyth that really made me think about this. He said that he was driving past a car accident and did not stop and that this affected him for days. The guilt bothered him and no amount of praying for forgiveness would help. The issue, he said was that he should be affected by his guilt, that it should make him think about his actions and change his ways. He prayed that he would never willingly drive past an accident again or come up with excuses not to stop and help. Repentance should mean a 180 degree turn around, that we shouldn't keep making the same mistake twice or more. When he was in the same situation again he was pleased that he was able to stop and help.
So my prayer is now not just for forgiveness but if I'm in a similar situation again that I would be able to act differently and ask for God's help in this. Guilt is ultimately useless but it often leads us to assess how we can change and become more Christ-like. We shouldn't feel weighed down by guilt but completely free in the knowledge that Jesus died so we can know true freedom, without guilt.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Worry
It's been quite a while since I've posted but thought I'd post about something that I've been consumed with this week.
I've really struggled to sleep and have been sitting up worried about a friend and his illness among other things and I've found the more I worry, the more I worry and the more neurotic I've become! If you allow yourself to worry to that extent, your mind feeds that worry and you worry some more!
Jesus knew what it was like to worry. One of the most important parts of the Easter story to me is the part before Jesus is arrested and He's in the garden of Gethsemane, praying. Luke records that it was like He was sweating drops of blood - that He was in that much agony and torment. He knew what was going to happen to Him and what it signified. He reminds us that we shouldn't worry because our Father loves us and looks after us; we have everything we need.
When worrying about others I seem to have made things worse and I definitely don't want to burden others with my worrying. In worrying I've tried to take control and tried to make sense of something that doesn't make sense. God only knows the answers and it requires a lot of trust to let go of worry and have faith that God knows what's best for us and knows what we need.
I really do want to 'count on His name' and trust that God knows what He's doing. Worrying is therefore ultimately useless.
I've really struggled to sleep and have been sitting up worried about a friend and his illness among other things and I've found the more I worry, the more I worry and the more neurotic I've become! If you allow yourself to worry to that extent, your mind feeds that worry and you worry some more!
Jesus knew what it was like to worry. One of the most important parts of the Easter story to me is the part before Jesus is arrested and He's in the garden of Gethsemane, praying. Luke records that it was like He was sweating drops of blood - that He was in that much agony and torment. He knew what was going to happen to Him and what it signified. He reminds us that we shouldn't worry because our Father loves us and looks after us; we have everything we need.
When worrying about others I seem to have made things worse and I definitely don't want to burden others with my worrying. In worrying I've tried to take control and tried to make sense of something that doesn't make sense. God only knows the answers and it requires a lot of trust to let go of worry and have faith that God knows what's best for us and knows what we need.
I really do want to 'count on His name' and trust that God knows what He's doing. Worrying is therefore ultimately useless.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
18-30s
I've just read my introduction to my blog that I started nearly a year ago and it made me smile! So many of the things I was after have occurred during this last year, it's amazing.
After New WIne in the summer I was determined that there should be more activities for my age group and I believed God was telling me to do something about it instead of moaning! Since praying about it, I found one of my best friends had been struggling with the same issue and had felt God telling him the same thing! We have both been praying about it and since then we've had several socials, sorted out prayer triplets and are starting a cell group in a couple of weeks. God is amazing!
I know that this is just the beginning now as we're sorting out only a part of the whole picture. Our group should be out there and not just about socials (though these are fantastic!).
Our church's vision is "Up, In and Out" - meaning up towards God (worship), in towards ourselves including growth, learning and relationships and out towards others in the community. We're getting towards the 'in' part just now need to work on the others!
What this has shown me above all else is the need for prayer - far too often I try to rely on myself instead of God as I worry that God won't use me otherwise! God is working in our little group and I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.
After New WIne in the summer I was determined that there should be more activities for my age group and I believed God was telling me to do something about it instead of moaning! Since praying about it, I found one of my best friends had been struggling with the same issue and had felt God telling him the same thing! We have both been praying about it and since then we've had several socials, sorted out prayer triplets and are starting a cell group in a couple of weeks. God is amazing!
I know that this is just the beginning now as we're sorting out only a part of the whole picture. Our group should be out there and not just about socials (though these are fantastic!).
Our church's vision is "Up, In and Out" - meaning up towards God (worship), in towards ourselves including growth, learning and relationships and out towards others in the community. We're getting towards the 'in' part just now need to work on the others!
What this has shown me above all else is the need for prayer - far too often I try to rely on myself instead of God as I worry that God won't use me otherwise! God is working in our little group and I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Jesus liked a party
Christians are so often labelled dull and boring and I wanted to point out that we're not!
Jesus liked a party - when the Pharisees and Jewish leaders were desperate to find a way to trick Him and kill Him, He planned how to celebrate the Passover; when His mother wished Him to help others at a wedding He turned water into wine (and not just a bottle or two but approx. 100 litres)!
When some of the Pharisees and John the Baptist's disciples were fasting some of them asked:
“How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast." (Mark 2: 19-29)
So why were parties and eating with friends so important to Jesus? One of the reasons outlined by Jesus in the passage above is quite clear: Jesus wasn't going to be around forever so His disciples needed to enjoy the time together. Another reason is summed up so well in the second commandment Jesus gives his followers:
'Love your neighbour as yourself' (Matthew 22:39)
Parties and dinners are the best way to reach others and the best way to show love; providing for people through food and support. Jesus put himself at the level of those around Him, He didn't act all high and mighty, He didn't condemn, He acted out of love by eating and drinking with friends. As a consequence people wanted to join in on the act and they gravitated towards Him. They felt at ease around Him and He personally cared for so many (the account of Jesus weeping when He hears of Lazarus' death highlights this). They were able to ask questions and He could easily speak what He needed to say to each person, to either quietly convict (as in the case of the Samaritan woman by the well) or to illustrate His wisdom through parables that the disciples would understand and that had been brought down to their level.
Jesus knew that building relationships with people was key to spreading the news of the Kingdom. Evangelism is so much more effective on a personal level; I have yet to meet someone that has been convinced of the truth by someone shouting from street corners. Loving your neighbour requires us to listen to others and to see where they are coming from; to imagine life through their eyes and meeting them at their level. This doesn't mean we dumb down or betray our God given characters, but we listen, help and support them, hopefully leading them to the truth on the way.
Jesus liked a party - when the Pharisees and Jewish leaders were desperate to find a way to trick Him and kill Him, He planned how to celebrate the Passover; when His mother wished Him to help others at a wedding He turned water into wine (and not just a bottle or two but approx. 100 litres)!
When some of the Pharisees and John the Baptist's disciples were fasting some of them asked:
“How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast." (Mark 2: 19-29)
So why were parties and eating with friends so important to Jesus? One of the reasons outlined by Jesus in the passage above is quite clear: Jesus wasn't going to be around forever so His disciples needed to enjoy the time together. Another reason is summed up so well in the second commandment Jesus gives his followers:
'Love your neighbour as yourself' (Matthew 22:39)
Parties and dinners are the best way to reach others and the best way to show love; providing for people through food and support. Jesus put himself at the level of those around Him, He didn't act all high and mighty, He didn't condemn, He acted out of love by eating and drinking with friends. As a consequence people wanted to join in on the act and they gravitated towards Him. They felt at ease around Him and He personally cared for so many (the account of Jesus weeping when He hears of Lazarus' death highlights this). They were able to ask questions and He could easily speak what He needed to say to each person, to either quietly convict (as in the case of the Samaritan woman by the well) or to illustrate His wisdom through parables that the disciples would understand and that had been brought down to their level.
Jesus knew that building relationships with people was key to spreading the news of the Kingdom. Evangelism is so much more effective on a personal level; I have yet to meet someone that has been convinced of the truth by someone shouting from street corners. Loving your neighbour requires us to listen to others and to see where they are coming from; to imagine life through their eyes and meeting them at their level. This doesn't mean we dumb down or betray our God given characters, but we listen, help and support them, hopefully leading them to the truth on the way.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Women in the Bible
On my way to Bath on my holidays, I've been reading Judges 4-5 and have been thinkimg about the role of women in the Bible.
Deborah is quite clearly a woman to admire here; she leads the Israelites and they 'went up to her to have their disputes decided' (Judges 4:5), showing she is a woman of wisdom and sound judgement. She plans to lead part of the army to the river, to help Barak by putting the opposition into his hands. Instead of seeking the credit herself, she wishes the leader of the army to lead the Israelites to victory and use her talents for the benefit of them all, rather than her own gain. The next part always makes me smile - so many times I act the same way! Barak says to Deborah: “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go." She then explains she will do as he wishes but she must therefore take the credit. This completely epitomises the phrase 'behind every good man is a good woman'.
The next woman in the story is Jael, the wife of Heber, who lures Sisera (Commander of the opposing army) into her tent and once he is asleep she drives a tent peg into his skull. Barak then appears and is told.
In the next chapter, Deborah and Barak praise God and sing, venerating Jael who is said to be a blessing. She is admired for her craftiness and is clearly a strong woman. Deborah and Barak are obviously considered equals now as they have equal prominence in the song of praise (although poor Barak doesn't appear to have done much)!
I like the idea that the women in the Bible teach, lead, give council and take action as this is how it often is in the church as well as secular society. Women shouldn't feel limited but at the same time should not feel that they need to imitate men. I can't see myself personally acting with as much violence as Jael does so it is pleasing that women in the later parts of the Bible are leaders but often in more subtle ways. The women mentioned by Paul continue the good work the twelve started and start churches, lead and are praised for their hospitality and wisdom.
There are no stereotypes in the Bible and men and women do not need to have clearly defined roles. At the same time, men and women should not deliberately try to act in ways that go against their natural character or personality. I think the church is stepping in the right direction now concerning gender issues - but it's always an interesting debate!
Deborah is quite clearly a woman to admire here; she leads the Israelites and they 'went up to her to have their disputes decided' (Judges 4:5), showing she is a woman of wisdom and sound judgement. She plans to lead part of the army to the river, to help Barak by putting the opposition into his hands. Instead of seeking the credit herself, she wishes the leader of the army to lead the Israelites to victory and use her talents for the benefit of them all, rather than her own gain. The next part always makes me smile - so many times I act the same way! Barak says to Deborah: “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go." She then explains she will do as he wishes but she must therefore take the credit. This completely epitomises the phrase 'behind every good man is a good woman'.
The next woman in the story is Jael, the wife of Heber, who lures Sisera (Commander of the opposing army) into her tent and once he is asleep she drives a tent peg into his skull. Barak then appears and is told.
In the next chapter, Deborah and Barak praise God and sing, venerating Jael who is said to be a blessing. She is admired for her craftiness and is clearly a strong woman. Deborah and Barak are obviously considered equals now as they have equal prominence in the song of praise (although poor Barak doesn't appear to have done much)!
I like the idea that the women in the Bible teach, lead, give council and take action as this is how it often is in the church as well as secular society. Women shouldn't feel limited but at the same time should not feel that they need to imitate men. I can't see myself personally acting with as much violence as Jael does so it is pleasing that women in the later parts of the Bible are leaders but often in more subtle ways. The women mentioned by Paul continue the good work the twelve started and start churches, lead and are praised for their hospitality and wisdom.
There are no stereotypes in the Bible and men and women do not need to have clearly defined roles. At the same time, men and women should not deliberately try to act in ways that go against their natural character or personality. I think the church is stepping in the right direction now concerning gender issues - but it's always an interesting debate!
Saturday, 9 April 2011
My name is written on your hand
I've recently downloaded the new Tim Hughes album from iTunes and I have been listening to 'Counting on Your Name' which I first heard at the New Wine conference in the summer.
It starts with the line: 'My name is written on your hand, you've called me your own.' The image that conjures up is amazing - to be so loved by God that you are His only priority or concern, to have such a deep relationship with Him, is unimaginable.
God loves us so much, we only have to remember Christ's death on the cross to know this. But what do we do with this love? We forget it - we make idols out of our lives and the things that concern us: careers, families, possessions. These things need to be given over to God, not so we can do without but so we can show our complete trust in Him; He loves us and does not want us to go without unnecessarily but when we trust in Him we get everything we would ever need.
Paul writes to the Philippians that he has learned to be content (4:11) and I have been studying this very idea in my personal Bible study. I am rather content with my life, I couldn't really ask for a better one and I know I am very lucky for the things I do have. What I wonder about is do I really 'count on his name'? Do I rely on Him for everything or just when I need help and comfort? Do I think more about my own needs rather than those around me?
We are so loved so that we can share that love with others - not in an airy fairy way but in real practical ways. Worship should lead us to really act and love others, not just being thankful that we are that important to God.
It starts with the line: 'My name is written on your hand, you've called me your own.' The image that conjures up is amazing - to be so loved by God that you are His only priority or concern, to have such a deep relationship with Him, is unimaginable.
God loves us so much, we only have to remember Christ's death on the cross to know this. But what do we do with this love? We forget it - we make idols out of our lives and the things that concern us: careers, families, possessions. These things need to be given over to God, not so we can do without but so we can show our complete trust in Him; He loves us and does not want us to go without unnecessarily but when we trust in Him we get everything we would ever need.
Paul writes to the Philippians that he has learned to be content (4:11) and I have been studying this very idea in my personal Bible study. I am rather content with my life, I couldn't really ask for a better one and I know I am very lucky for the things I do have. What I wonder about is do I really 'count on his name'? Do I rely on Him for everything or just when I need help and comfort? Do I think more about my own needs rather than those around me?
We are so loved so that we can share that love with others - not in an airy fairy way but in real practical ways. Worship should lead us to really act and love others, not just being thankful that we are that important to God.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Suffering
This is quite a difficult subject for me - precisely because I don't think I suffer that much, if at all. I know the main arguments for suffering - that approximately 80% (according to an stats expert) of suffering is a result or consequence of wrongdoing either by ourselves or someone else. The other 20% is what is difficult to explain I feel. Natural disasters, cancer, genetic illnesses etc cannot be explained by the consequence of sin, like perhaps other suffering can.
I have an understanding that natural disasters occur because of the fallen nature of the world we live in, that God's plan for the world was thwarted and when Jesus comes again we will have a perfect creation, just like God planned. A documentary I saw about the tsunami in Asia several years ago explored this further; a Christian geologist explained that the world had to follow its natural laws that God had created, that the world also has free will.
I like this argument, I understand it, what I find difficult is prayer.
Where does prayer come in? Why are some people healed and others not? This is what bothers me - I think I'd rather believe in a God that doesn't heal at all, than a God who picks and chooses who He heals.
Any 'suffering' that occurs, always teaches me something or gives me something I can use to help others. I've been taught patience while applying for jobs, taught perseverance when things were tough at work - I really believe suffering teaches us many things and builds character. The amazing thing I've noticed is that people who suffer daily, those living in slums or poverty, are happy for the small things they do have and have such a sense of family and community that I think we lack over here. I think this is why prayers of healing seem to be answered so quickly in comparison, they have such a need whereas perhaps our needs are much less.
A very good friend of mine has been struggling with a muscle wasting illness for some time and has had prayer for this, every week at church and many people have been praying for him regularly. I used to pray everyday for him but have now been quite lax in this, and feel extremely guilty, that I don't have the faith that he does.
I have started again and will keep going, perseverance is key I think. I have to keep the faith :)
I have an understanding that natural disasters occur because of the fallen nature of the world we live in, that God's plan for the world was thwarted and when Jesus comes again we will have a perfect creation, just like God planned. A documentary I saw about the tsunami in Asia several years ago explored this further; a Christian geologist explained that the world had to follow its natural laws that God had created, that the world also has free will.
I like this argument, I understand it, what I find difficult is prayer.
Where does prayer come in? Why are some people healed and others not? This is what bothers me - I think I'd rather believe in a God that doesn't heal at all, than a God who picks and chooses who He heals.
Any 'suffering' that occurs, always teaches me something or gives me something I can use to help others. I've been taught patience while applying for jobs, taught perseverance when things were tough at work - I really believe suffering teaches us many things and builds character. The amazing thing I've noticed is that people who suffer daily, those living in slums or poverty, are happy for the small things they do have and have such a sense of family and community that I think we lack over here. I think this is why prayers of healing seem to be answered so quickly in comparison, they have such a need whereas perhaps our needs are much less.
A very good friend of mine has been struggling with a muscle wasting illness for some time and has had prayer for this, every week at church and many people have been praying for him regularly. I used to pray everyday for him but have now been quite lax in this, and feel extremely guilty, that I don't have the faith that he does.
I have started again and will keep going, perseverance is key I think. I have to keep the faith :)
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Priorities
I often joke with my husband about his job: he works at least 70 hours a week and it never seems to be good enough for the management team. Though he doesn't like this side of his job, he has got to the point where that's all there is for him; work defines him. He gets easily wound up about this as he has always wanted to change it; to change his prorities.
It seems in my joking that the roles have changed. I am now doing 70+ hours a week on my job and am still deemed not good enough. My husband has become the cook in the household and does more around the house now than he ever did and I am either leaving the house a mess or leaving it for him to do. Where did I go wrong?
I've really struggled to have quiet time with God for weeks (I've said it now) and my job defines me - they tell me I'm crap and I believe them. I wake up at 6 so have no time in the morning to pray and get home about 7 and do more work. Where is my time for God? Why am I having such a hard time? I think these go together; cause and effect.
The problem is I don't really know how to turn it around. I know I need to spend time with God, otherwise my hard day becomes even worse but spending less time on my work may mean I lose my job.
I will turn it around though and only God can help.
It seems in my joking that the roles have changed. I am now doing 70+ hours a week on my job and am still deemed not good enough. My husband has become the cook in the household and does more around the house now than he ever did and I am either leaving the house a mess or leaving it for him to do. Where did I go wrong?
I've really struggled to have quiet time with God for weeks (I've said it now) and my job defines me - they tell me I'm crap and I believe them. I wake up at 6 so have no time in the morning to pray and get home about 7 and do more work. Where is my time for God? Why am I having such a hard time? I think these go together; cause and effect.
The problem is I don't really know how to turn it around. I know I need to spend time with God, otherwise my hard day becomes even worse but spending less time on my work may mean I lose my job.
I will turn it around though and only God can help.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
The still small voice
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV) "The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
I've always struggled to hear the 'still small voice' of God and keep expecting it to be loud and obvious - I know that isn't God's way but it would be a lot easier!
Recently, I've felt a bit out of things at church - I'm not doing as much as I used to be and I feel a bit of a failure in some areas but I think maybe God is telling me that's my time to be fed and 'listen' very carefully. I've always run about doing things when really I need to pray and listen.
I've been keeping a prayer journal for a while now and it really helps to look over it and see how many prayers that God has answered and said 'yes' to, that I can now tick off. I have started to use it to record any 'words' I hear, however small about myself or others. Its amazing how often God reinterates and repeats himself too, just so we can get the picture! In my last post I mentioned that God was pointing me towards certain Bible passages - they came up again in church today too - just to check I had heard the first time!
How do we know if we are called to do something? This is something I've never been sure of and to avoid doing nothing I've done everything in the hope that I will find something I'm naturally/spiritually gifted in. As a naturally quiet person I'm always fighting against what I would do naturally (which is hide!) and 'have a go'. Now I find there is nothing...
Someone in church spoke to me this morning, not sure if what they would say would be relevant to me, but it was. They didn't know anything about what I was worried about. They said they felt God was saying I was doing fine and 'he's really chuffed.' - that made my day.
I've always struggled to hear the 'still small voice' of God and keep expecting it to be loud and obvious - I know that isn't God's way but it would be a lot easier!
Recently, I've felt a bit out of things at church - I'm not doing as much as I used to be and I feel a bit of a failure in some areas but I think maybe God is telling me that's my time to be fed and 'listen' very carefully. I've always run about doing things when really I need to pray and listen.
I've been keeping a prayer journal for a while now and it really helps to look over it and see how many prayers that God has answered and said 'yes' to, that I can now tick off. I have started to use it to record any 'words' I hear, however small about myself or others. Its amazing how often God reinterates and repeats himself too, just so we can get the picture! In my last post I mentioned that God was pointing me towards certain Bible passages - they came up again in church today too - just to check I had heard the first time!
How do we know if we are called to do something? This is something I've never been sure of and to avoid doing nothing I've done everything in the hope that I will find something I'm naturally/spiritually gifted in. As a naturally quiet person I'm always fighting against what I would do naturally (which is hide!) and 'have a go'. Now I find there is nothing...
Someone in church spoke to me this morning, not sure if what they would say would be relevant to me, but it was. They didn't know anything about what I was worried about. They said they felt God was saying I was doing fine and 'he's really chuffed.' - that made my day.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Street Pastors
For those of you who don't know what Street Pastors do I would really recommend their website: http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/ where videos and news items highlight the wonderful things they do.
It was first brought to my attention when I read an article about the initiative which had started in London and had helped bring crime rates down in the local area. Street Pastors generally walk the streets and help people who are out and about of a Friday evening and may be a bit worse for wear. They are famous for carrying flip flops, for girls who have taken their painful shoes off, and lollipops for that sugar rush that might be needed especially if you've gone out without a coat! They talk to people, build relationships with regulars and generally help. They are aided and known by the local police and bouncers of clubs/pubs so are working with and not against local authorities.
David Burrows MP has praised the Street Pastors initiative saying:
"Street Pastors is about Christians rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in practically responding to the problems of crime and safety. They are like beacons on our streets and I want to see them shining brightly in every constituency."
While praying for them at the church I attend, last night I kept getting Bible references that I didn't know. I could just sense that I should read Ephesians 5 which highlighted to me that that is what we are called to be: "Light to the world" as we were once in darkness and are now "light in the Lord." This is what these fantastic people do: we Chrsitians should be known for getting ourselves dirty and living a life of service that reflects Jesus rather than staying in perfect churches that are known as being unapproachable.
It struck me a couple of times that I was really privileged to be able to pray for them last night and see the hard work they put in; and God was very good: I was worried that I might get a migraine as I suffer from chronic headaches (recently getting 2/3 a week) and any change in sleep routine, blood sugar level or distance between my head and neck when I sleep, all trigger them. So going to bed at 2 was a worry but I prayed about it and I don't have a headache this morning - very pleased about this!
I really enjoyed last night so thanks to all those street pastors out there: you are brill and I'll keep praying for safety and protection on the streets where you shine :)
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Love is an Orientation
Andrew Marin writes:
"Church is a place to give rest to your soul, a place of gathering where anyone should be able to come and involve themselves with a community of believers who are joined by a common faith in the Lord Almighty. Church is believers - transparent, real and raw."
The Church of England in general, has become a place of perfection, a place without sinners, which is completely different to the church of close gatherers that Jesus surrounded himself with. The Kingdom of God is not for those who have lived a perfect life on earth as David's relationship with God shows. David was a sinner; an adulterer and a murderer (indirectly), still God calls him 'someone after my own heart'. David was centred on God and followed Him. Lot's wife on the other hand, chose her possessions and the life she had grown to love. The Kingdom of God is for those who have shifted their mind frame away from earthly things onto God. The people surrounding Jesus (his disciples, the Samaritian woman, Mary Magdalene etc) were sinners, who appreciated the 'living bread' Jesus was offering them.
When someone asked Billy Graham why he still hung around Bill Clinton after the sex scandal broke out, he replied: "It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love." We are all called to love.
In the book 'UnChristian' a group of 16-29 year olds were asked how they perceive the church. They replied:
Anti-gay (91%)
Judgemental (87%)
Hypocritical (85%)
They are some figures!
I'm lucky I belong to a lovely church which I don't think embodies those characteristics but there are some people in all churches who believe it is their job to judge and condemn. It isn't.
Andrew Marin describes a photo frame he has on his desk which has no photo but just a single mustard seed. Everyone that comes across it stops to think why he would have such a thing on his desk. He uses it to show we are like that mustard seed. "We are unable to establish ourselves, dependent on the intervention of Another, not in control of ourcircumstances but hopeful that God can bring us through them."
We all need God and we all need the fellowship of others in a church, full of people that don't judge us, who are not perfect and are all struggling with sin in different ways. Its time we shared rather than judged or criticised.
Friday, 25 February 2011
The Doctrine of God - The Trinity
It starts with discussing the difference between the Jewish and Christian idea of God and how Jesus allows us to know God from within, on the inside, whereas the Jews had only ever known him on the outside. 'All partitions are (now) torn down, no more divisions.' Jesus' death has helped us to be risen up to God 'in the heavenly realms', able to stand in the presence of God the Father, through union with Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What the Jehovah's Witnesses believe in is called Economic Trinitarianism which means that the Son and the Holy Spirit came out of the Father, in time, not in eternity. This separates the Bible into sections - Old Testament is the time of the Father; the Gospels are the time of the Son and after Pentecost is the time of the Holy Spirit (although the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the time of the Holy Spirit has now ended).
The book argues that the Trinity, though not mentioned as a concept in the New Testament, has its roots in the Bible. Jesus instructs his disciples to baptise 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 28:19). This is mirrored in his own baptism when all three are present (Father-voice; Son and Holy Spirit-dove). His disciples would have been baptising while Jesus was alive and after, before the manuscript was written, implying that it is the norm. In Acts 8 someone was only baptised in the name of the Son and this was considered inadequate, the Holy Spirit was needed too. We can fall into the trap of singling out one member of the Trinity so forgetting that they cannot be separated.
Paul refers to the Trinity (or the three persons) with varying order - another way of showing that no one particular person of the Trinity takes precidence over the other. All three have particular purposes and roles, though God cannot be divided and to say that the Holy Spirit possesses one quality that the Father or the Son do not have would be wrong. Co-inherence is the theology that all three persons occupy the same divine 'space', so to see God is to see all three at once. All three are therefore involved in the crucifixion but God is not dead - though they all suffered, it is in Christ's humanity that he dies. It was the son who offered himself as a sacrifice to the Father and it is the Holy Spirit who now makes that sacrifice effective in the life of the Christian. Jesus enables us to have a relationship with the Father so points to himself and the Father. We are therefore in the 'image of Christ' as sons and daughters of God.
In Revelation 1 the parallel between God the Father and God the Son are shown quite clearly. In verse 8, it appears God the Father is speaking: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Jesus then appears to say in verse 17-18: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death." In the passages it is very unclear who is speaking, showing that Father and Son are interchangeable and reflect each other in what they say and do; they share the absolute power of God without losing their identities. The Holy Spirit makes the vision possible (verse 10) and each letter to the different churches ends with: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
This book has highlighted where I was going wrong before - in separating the persons of the Trinity to discuss who is the most important and who has final authority. It doesn't matter - the three persons can't be separated: to see one is to see them all.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
The Trinity and Jehovah's Witnesses
I have been meeting up with two Jehovah's Witnesses for a few months, with a great friend who lets me join in, in all their debates. Yesterday we focused on the kingdom and who Jesus really is and what they seemed to be saying is that Jesus is God but not equal to God the Father.
They were quoting scripture left, right and centre to support their view. Here are a few examples:
John 14 v28: Jesus says: "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."
Matthew 24 v36: Jesus says: "No-one knows about that day (the last day) or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
1 Corinthians 11 v3: "Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."
They quoted a few others which I can't remember off the top of my head, but I left the meeting feeling like I'd let down the side - that I couldn't come up with enough arguments to 'knock 'em dead' with. I argued that many times Jesus says that He and the Father are 'one' and that if you see Jesus 'you see the Father'. I quoted Philippians 2 v6 onwards: Jesus "who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness... he humbled himself..." I felt this showed that Jesus was God but had to make himself nothing and a servant in order to accomplish what His Father had told Jesus to do.
The way I see it is that Jesus is God but He had to make his role 'lesser' than God to show other's how to live (prayer etc) and fulfill his purpose. In Corinthians Paul is not saying that women are lesser than men and Jesus lesser than God but he is saying who the final authority goes to. While Jesus was on earth the final authority goes to his Father in Heaven and on earth the final authority in a marriage goes to the husband (I am definitely not saying women are inferior to men, just that a head is needed. A good husband always listens to his wife and considers her opinion when making decisions for them both). While on earth Jesus would not know about the last days and He was saying that this does not concern Him while on earth. While on earth the Father is greater than the Son. It is all a matter of purpose.
The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was the first created (before Adam and Eve) and is therefore the first, the beginning and the Alpha (Revelations 22). They believe this explains why Jesus was at the creation of Adam and Eve. I do believe that Jesus has always been there.
Now this is where I show how amazing God really is. While worrying about this during Sunday service and thinking about what a failure I'd been the day before, God speaks to me through the sermon. Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation of our faith: Jesus is 'the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me' (John 14 v6). My vicar even says he has changed his sermon in the evening service to talk more about who Jesus really is!
I may not be able to argue and explain all things (to my satisfaction!) but at least I know who the cornerstone really is and no one can take that away from me.
They were quoting scripture left, right and centre to support their view. Here are a few examples:
John 14 v28: Jesus says: "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."
Matthew 24 v36: Jesus says: "No-one knows about that day (the last day) or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
1 Corinthians 11 v3: "Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."
They quoted a few others which I can't remember off the top of my head, but I left the meeting feeling like I'd let down the side - that I couldn't come up with enough arguments to 'knock 'em dead' with. I argued that many times Jesus says that He and the Father are 'one' and that if you see Jesus 'you see the Father'. I quoted Philippians 2 v6 onwards: Jesus "who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness... he humbled himself..." I felt this showed that Jesus was God but had to make himself nothing and a servant in order to accomplish what His Father had told Jesus to do.
The way I see it is that Jesus is God but He had to make his role 'lesser' than God to show other's how to live (prayer etc) and fulfill his purpose. In Corinthians Paul is not saying that women are lesser than men and Jesus lesser than God but he is saying who the final authority goes to. While Jesus was on earth the final authority goes to his Father in Heaven and on earth the final authority in a marriage goes to the husband (I am definitely not saying women are inferior to men, just that a head is needed. A good husband always listens to his wife and considers her opinion when making decisions for them both). While on earth Jesus would not know about the last days and He was saying that this does not concern Him while on earth. While on earth the Father is greater than the Son. It is all a matter of purpose.
The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was the first created (before Adam and Eve) and is therefore the first, the beginning and the Alpha (Revelations 22). They believe this explains why Jesus was at the creation of Adam and Eve. I do believe that Jesus has always been there.
Now this is where I show how amazing God really is. While worrying about this during Sunday service and thinking about what a failure I'd been the day before, God speaks to me through the sermon. Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation of our faith: Jesus is 'the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me' (John 14 v6). My vicar even says he has changed his sermon in the evening service to talk more about who Jesus really is!
I may not be able to argue and explain all things (to my satisfaction!) but at least I know who the cornerstone really is and no one can take that away from me.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Making the world Christian
Some issues that have been bothering me in the news, have come up in blogs recently too, so thought I'd share my opinion on trying to make the world conform to our beliefs and attitudes.
Same-sex 'marriage' has come up time and time again and I might be a bit controversial here but I don't really mind! I believe marriage should involve God and that the most successful marriages have God as the third strand ('A cord of three strands is not quickly broken') but not everyone shares our views. I do believe that the world would be a much happier and successful place if our laws reflected God's laws but it is very unrealistic to expect people who do not share our faith to follow the same laws.
Same-sex partnerships and the legality that goes with it allows the couple to have the same financial rights as a heterosexual partnership, which I fully agree with. The trouble occurs when we try to negotiate the Bible around current social trends and allow same-sex marriages in a church of God. They don't go together as easily as some would like to hope and although Jesus didn't discuss the issue himself, the rest of the Bible is quite clear. This does not mean, though that we judge or harm others; Jesus did the opposite of that Himself and He had every right to (judge I mean!).
How far should we inflict our moral code on society? It is obvious it leads to a better place but I do believe laws have to reflect current society and not just Christian society.
It is interesting - I believe we should be light and salt in society in a much more subtle and potent way - by how we live and NOT by judging others. We are called to be in the world but we 'are not of the world, even as I (Jesus) am not of it'.
Same-sex 'marriage' has come up time and time again and I might be a bit controversial here but I don't really mind! I believe marriage should involve God and that the most successful marriages have God as the third strand ('A cord of three strands is not quickly broken') but not everyone shares our views. I do believe that the world would be a much happier and successful place if our laws reflected God's laws but it is very unrealistic to expect people who do not share our faith to follow the same laws.
Same-sex partnerships and the legality that goes with it allows the couple to have the same financial rights as a heterosexual partnership, which I fully agree with. The trouble occurs when we try to negotiate the Bible around current social trends and allow same-sex marriages in a church of God. They don't go together as easily as some would like to hope and although Jesus didn't discuss the issue himself, the rest of the Bible is quite clear. This does not mean, though that we judge or harm others; Jesus did the opposite of that Himself and He had every right to (judge I mean!).
How far should we inflict our moral code on society? It is obvious it leads to a better place but I do believe laws have to reflect current society and not just Christian society.
It is interesting - I believe we should be light and salt in society in a much more subtle and potent way - by how we live and NOT by judging others. We are called to be in the world but we 'are not of the world, even as I (Jesus) am not of it'.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
What keeps me going...
After an amazing weekend at Center Parcs with New Wine 18-30s Retreat to Advance I had perhaps the worse week in my professional career.
After starting a new job in a local primary school in January, I have been observed three times and labelled 'inadequate'. They were surprised after my interview lesson being good and my last school insisting I was outstanding and I know I am much better than that label but it has been quite tough to continually hear this :(
While I was singing at church during the evening service it dawned on me... if this was all there is, if progress in my career and all the trappings of the world were all that there is, I would be seriously sad. But, I know the truth, that there is a God that cares, that He doesn't believe I am inadequate, and if He wants me to continue at this school, like I believe He does, He will help me.
The one thing that has kept me going while I'm there is the children from church who attend the school. They regularly give me hugs as they see me round school and call me Mrs Kelly! Even a child, who attends a children's group I help at, has come up to me at school to check that I am enjoying it there!
I luckily don't need to find my worth in my professional career but it would be nice to at least be deemed satisfactory in my teaching career!
After starting a new job in a local primary school in January, I have been observed three times and labelled 'inadequate'. They were surprised after my interview lesson being good and my last school insisting I was outstanding and I know I am much better than that label but it has been quite tough to continually hear this :(
While I was singing at church during the evening service it dawned on me... if this was all there is, if progress in my career and all the trappings of the world were all that there is, I would be seriously sad. But, I know the truth, that there is a God that cares, that He doesn't believe I am inadequate, and if He wants me to continue at this school, like I believe He does, He will help me.
The one thing that has kept me going while I'm there is the children from church who attend the school. They regularly give me hugs as they see me round school and call me Mrs Kelly! Even a child, who attends a children's group I help at, has come up to me at school to check that I am enjoying it there!
I luckily don't need to find my worth in my professional career but it would be nice to at least be deemed satisfactory in my teaching career!
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