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.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
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 :)
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