Yesterday I visited a local garden centre with a friend. We were astonished to discover that the first product section inside the door was of Christmas items. They even had a stack of Santa hats awaiting enthusiastic buyers. Needless to say, we didn't buy anything in that section!
I looked at my watch to confirm the date, and yes, it was still July, the 26th to be precise. The previous day was five months exactly before Christmas Day itself.
Now I don't know about you, but I haven't started worrying about Christmas yet. I have been doing some advance planning, but none of that has reached beyond the 28th of November, the first day of Advent.
Advent is the time of year that has traditionally been allocated as the preparatory season prior to the celebrations of Christmas itself. Four Sundays, plus however many days there will be after that until Christmas Day, which this year falls upon Saturday. That makes Advent 27 days long, one day short of the maximum possible.
Back in April I was pleased that I would have almost four months to prepare to move my home and my job 250 miles North, from Edinburgh to Tongue in Sutherland. Surely that is a larger task than the preparations for our annual celebration of the birth of Jesus. Some folk would say four months was far longer than necessary, and I would have to agree.
So why do our shops think that they need five months to sell us what we need for Christmas? Do they want us to celebrate Christmas early? If we only need the three to four weeks of the traditional Advent period to prepare for Christmas, does that mean we can now celebrate Christmas on 25th August?
After last year's wintry weather over the Christmas season, some folk might welcome the relocation of Christmas from December to August. Here in Scotland, school children might get an extra two weeks of holiday. On the other hand, most English schools are already on holiday until the end of August. They could just absorb the Christmas holiday into the summer holidays. December would then be free for the new-styled Winter Festival, without any complications caused by Jesus showing up on the scene.
Christmas Celebrations - are they only for December 25th, or should we be celebrating Christmas every week, either on Sunday mornings, or whatever other day suits our modern 24x7 society.
Jesus is not so much the reason for the season, as the season is for the reason. Jesus is with us 52 weeks of the year, so let's celebrate Christmas all year round - 60x60, 24x7, 30x12, 52x7, 365x24, forever!
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Timekeeping
Isn't it strange how time seems to drag by on some occasions, and then on other occasions it whizzes along!
Five years ago I was excited at the prospect of my first ministry training conference closely followed by the start of my Divinity degree at New College. The prospect of five years of studying and training stretched out an unimaginable distance ahead of me. So much of the journey was unknown and yet to be discovered that there was a considerable amount of apprehension along with the excitement.
When I looked back on that period, after I finished my training at the end of November 2009, it seemed to have gone by quickly. Not as quick as a flash, but much faster than I had realised at the time.
Similarly, on April 25th this year, when the congregation of Melness and Tongue parish elected me to be their next minister, it seemed like it would be a long time until my ordination, which would be almost 4 months away. Those past 3 months have gone by quickly, and now the days are just ticking off, almost as if they were hours!
Now there are only 25 days until that momentous event. I wonder how fast they will go by?! I have already been involved in helping to decide some of the aspects of that day. Those who are making the preparations are also aware that there are not many days remaining.
Make the most of each day. We never know how many days there are remaining. We might think there are many, and then discover that there are few. We might think there is lots of time for those important people, those important decisions, those important actions. Too late, we can discover that we have run out of time, that the clockwork mechanism has come to the end of its wind.
The God who loves you enough to die for you, will never force you to do anything against your will. If you decide that you don't want to know Him, then He won't force himself upon you. Don't leave it too late. Don't wait until your energies have wound down, and the spring that drives you onwards has run out of puff.
Jesus calls you, o'er the tumult of life's wild and restless sea. Day by day his voice is sounding, saying come and follow me. (Words adapted from C.F.Alexander's hymn).
Five years ago I was excited at the prospect of my first ministry training conference closely followed by the start of my Divinity degree at New College. The prospect of five years of studying and training stretched out an unimaginable distance ahead of me. So much of the journey was unknown and yet to be discovered that there was a considerable amount of apprehension along with the excitement.
When I looked back on that period, after I finished my training at the end of November 2009, it seemed to have gone by quickly. Not as quick as a flash, but much faster than I had realised at the time.
Similarly, on April 25th this year, when the congregation of Melness and Tongue parish elected me to be their next minister, it seemed like it would be a long time until my ordination, which would be almost 4 months away. Those past 3 months have gone by quickly, and now the days are just ticking off, almost as if they were hours!
Now there are only 25 days until that momentous event. I wonder how fast they will go by?! I have already been involved in helping to decide some of the aspects of that day. Those who are making the preparations are also aware that there are not many days remaining.
Make the most of each day. We never know how many days there are remaining. We might think there are many, and then discover that there are few. We might think there is lots of time for those important people, those important decisions, those important actions. Too late, we can discover that we have run out of time, that the clockwork mechanism has come to the end of its wind.
The God who loves you enough to die for you, will never force you to do anything against your will. If you decide that you don't want to know Him, then He won't force himself upon you. Don't leave it too late. Don't wait until your energies have wound down, and the spring that drives you onwards has run out of puff.
Jesus calls you, o'er the tumult of life's wild and restless sea. Day by day his voice is sounding, saying come and follow me. (Words adapted from C.F.Alexander's hymn).
Sunday 18 July 2010
Wind
One of the hymns we sang this morning has intrigued me for a long time.
It was written by George Matheson, a Church of Scotland minister, who was also interested in science and engineering.
Part of the reason this hymn is often on my mind is that usually I struggle to find it. This is because the phrase I remember is not the first line so the index of first lines is no use!
However, after singing it on Sunday, I now have the author's name in my head, and even remember the hymn number in CH4, which is 534.
The first line is not very auspicious - "Make me a captive, Lord". It sounds a rather depressing prospect. But the idea is that being a captive of the Lord actually makes one free.
The line that sticks firmly in my memory is,
"it varies with the wind."
He is speaking of the heart, weak and poor, with no spring of action sure.
The symbolism is related to clockwork timepieces. In that year 1890, cheap clocks and watches would slow down as the driving spring relaxed and wound down. So the accuracy of the clock varied depending on how tightly wound was the clock or watch.
But to modern folk, the concept of something varying with the clockwork wind is not obvious. Most singers usually sing 'wind' as in which direction the wind is coming from, instead of 'wind' as in winding a clock. And of course, the wind does blow from varying directions.
But blowing 'wind' doesn't rhyme with 'find', which is the rhyming line. So it should be obvious that it's a winding 'wind', and not a blowing 'wind'. But that would assume people are paying attention to the rhymes of the lines (ha, that rhymes!)!
But a heart should beat with dependable regularity, a steady tick-tock, like a high-quality watch, not one which varies with the wind - the winding 'wind'. One's emotional heart should also be steady, focussed, calm, and controlled, peaceful - not varying with the wind - be it winding 'wind' or blowing 'wind'. Submission to the Lord, becoming His 'captive', provides a stabilising framework that helps one's heart to be regulated - like a good-quality clock or watch.
George Matheson's hymn is full of engineering imagery: manufacturing chain, power being low, glowing fire (necessary to power steam engines), driving machinery, unfurling flags, a monarch's crown, and clashing strife. Amusingly, a glowing fire needs a strong draught such as might be provided by a strong wind - that's a blowing 'wind' this time, not a winding 'wind'.
Anyway, enough of such polysemous ramblings. You may take from this lot whatever meaning you can find, or wind!
It was written by George Matheson, a Church of Scotland minister, who was also interested in science and engineering.
Part of the reason this hymn is often on my mind is that usually I struggle to find it. This is because the phrase I remember is not the first line so the index of first lines is no use!
However, after singing it on Sunday, I now have the author's name in my head, and even remember the hymn number in CH4, which is 534.
The first line is not very auspicious - "Make me a captive, Lord". It sounds a rather depressing prospect. But the idea is that being a captive of the Lord actually makes one free.
The line that sticks firmly in my memory is,
"it varies with the wind."
He is speaking of the heart, weak and poor, with no spring of action sure.
The symbolism is related to clockwork timepieces. In that year 1890, cheap clocks and watches would slow down as the driving spring relaxed and wound down. So the accuracy of the clock varied depending on how tightly wound was the clock or watch.
But to modern folk, the concept of something varying with the clockwork wind is not obvious. Most singers usually sing 'wind' as in which direction the wind is coming from, instead of 'wind' as in winding a clock. And of course, the wind does blow from varying directions.
But blowing 'wind' doesn't rhyme with 'find', which is the rhyming line. So it should be obvious that it's a winding 'wind', and not a blowing 'wind'. But that would assume people are paying attention to the rhymes of the lines (ha, that rhymes!)!
But a heart should beat with dependable regularity, a steady tick-tock, like a high-quality watch, not one which varies with the wind - the winding 'wind'. One's emotional heart should also be steady, focussed, calm, and controlled, peaceful - not varying with the wind - be it winding 'wind' or blowing 'wind'. Submission to the Lord, becoming His 'captive', provides a stabilising framework that helps one's heart to be regulated - like a good-quality clock or watch.
George Matheson's hymn is full of engineering imagery: manufacturing chain, power being low, glowing fire (necessary to power steam engines), driving machinery, unfurling flags, a monarch's crown, and clashing strife. Amusingly, a glowing fire needs a strong draught such as might be provided by a strong wind - that's a blowing 'wind' this time, not a winding 'wind'.
Anyway, enough of such polysemous ramblings. You may take from this lot whatever meaning you can find, or wind!
Saturday 17 July 2010
Wildlife Garden - 2
Last time I was telling you about all the different animals that had visited my garden over the past 24 years, and I thought I would let you know about the wild birds that I have seen in my garden too.
There are the usual culprits, robins, blackbirds, great tits, and blue tits. We don't see many sparrows, or starlings, but they have dropped in occasionally. There are nearly always a pair of dunnocks, which look a bit like sparrows, and they often raise a nestful of babies. Quite often we see coal tits at the feeders, when they can get in past the great tits.
We usually have a pair of wood pigeons, which sometimes nest in the tall thorn hedge at the foot of the garden. I've seen a collared dove, and occasionally a common pigeon too.
We get finches too, although not all the time. Green finches are probably the most frequent, and they always monopolise the bird feeder! We've had chaffinches too, and a couple of times I've seen a pair of bull finches on one of our berry bushes.
I think the most spectacular wild bird that has visited my garden was a sparrow hawk. We first saw it after it had pinned down a male blackbird. Needless to say, despite its struggles, the blackbird didn't survive. The sparrowhawk flew down the garden to eat it away from the house. One morning I saw a young sparrow hawk perched on the bird table - waiting. I think it waited in vain that time. I took a photo of it perched there, but I haven't managed to find it yet! The sparrow hawks have taken a few other birds as well, perhaps one of the wood pigeons, although maybe it was a cat who got that one. It's difficult to tell afterwards!
Well, that's the end of my wildlife summary for now. I'm sure once we head up North we'll see a whole new range of wild creatures. I'll tell you all about it in due course!
There are the usual culprits, robins, blackbirds, great tits, and blue tits. We don't see many sparrows, or starlings, but they have dropped in occasionally. There are nearly always a pair of dunnocks, which look a bit like sparrows, and they often raise a nestful of babies. Quite often we see coal tits at the feeders, when they can get in past the great tits.
We usually have a pair of wood pigeons, which sometimes nest in the tall thorn hedge at the foot of the garden. I've seen a collared dove, and occasionally a common pigeon too.
We get finches too, although not all the time. Green finches are probably the most frequent, and they always monopolise the bird feeder! We've had chaffinches too, and a couple of times I've seen a pair of bull finches on one of our berry bushes.
I think the most spectacular wild bird that has visited my garden was a sparrow hawk. We first saw it after it had pinned down a male blackbird. Needless to say, despite its struggles, the blackbird didn't survive. The sparrowhawk flew down the garden to eat it away from the house. One morning I saw a young sparrow hawk perched on the bird table - waiting. I think it waited in vain that time. I took a photo of it perched there, but I haven't managed to find it yet! The sparrow hawks have taken a few other birds as well, perhaps one of the wood pigeons, although maybe it was a cat who got that one. It's difficult to tell afterwards!
Well, that's the end of my wildlife summary for now. I'm sure once we head up North we'll see a whole new range of wild creatures. I'll tell you all about it in due course!
Thursday 15 July 2010
Wildlife Garden
Over the years we have had many wild birds and animals visiting or living in our garden. However, since the severe winter weather finished the garden has perhaps been rather less wild than usual - on the bird and animal front anyway!
I think our most unexpected visitor was a hedgehog. It was certainly confused too! It trundled rapidly round the edge of the grass, time after time after time. I don't know how it got into the garden, unless it had walked along the front pavement and then along the path by the side of my house. Clearly the hedgehog didn't remember how it got in either, for it couldn't find its way back out again. When we went to bed, it was still trundling rapidly round the garden. By morning time, it had gone.
On another occasion I found some small holes in the grass, about 2" in diameter. They appeared sporadically over a few evenings, and then I spotted the culprit - a fox digging for worms. I don't think there are many under the grass, which was just as well, since it kept the foxes away. Some of my neighbours were being bothered by the foxes too, so I put down some Keep Off smelly jelly, and the foxes didn't come back.
For several years we have had a pair of field mice living in the garden, although clearly sometimes they die in the garden too! I recall my daughter, when just a few years old, appearing proudly at the back door, holding something gingerly by her finger-tips at arms-length. "See what I found", she said. It was a dead mouse! They stripped all the gooseberries off my gooseberry bushes one year, although strangely, not again - perhaps they decided they weren't so good after all! We have often seen them near the house, gathering the seeds the birds drop from their feeders. But they have never come into the house - which is a relief! But I've not seen our pair of mice since the winter weather - I fear they didn't make it through.
During that winter weather, we had a less savoury visitor to the bird table, a brown rat! I'm a bit colour blind, and I though it was a grey squirrel, with a rather thin tail. And then I got a closer look, and realised it wasn't a squirrel! I'm delighted to say that visitor has never been back.
Of course, we have had grey squirrels around the place, especially once I got enthusiastic with the bird feeding. But they too have been scarce since the winter. Maybe a fair number of them didn't make it through the winter either.
Cats, on the other hand, have not been scarce. Mostly they keep their distance, down near the bottom of the garden, but every now and again, one of them manages to catch one of the birds. A cat gets short shrift from me if I see it in the garden. Anyway, cats are not wild, although they might think they are!
We've had the occasional dog too, but always accompanied by their owner. I think our garden would be too boring for dogs, but maybe the cats would keep them amused! So our doggy visitors are not wild either.
But the wild animal I was most pleased to discover in the garden was a frog. For some years I've wanted a pond in the garden, to provide a place for frogs, toads, and newts, to live in. But we don't have a pond. So when I found the frog, I was astonished. They must be near water to live. So perhaps the old bird bath, or the occasional rain puddle, were enough to keep it going. I only saw it the two times. Once in the late evening, when it was dark and raining. The frog was on the slabs at the back of the house, and I nearly stood on it. The other time was in the daytime. A cat was playing with something on the grass - and when I chased it away, I discovered the frog, flattened against the grass, and playing hard to get. It sat still in the sunshine, while I got my camera, and then conveniently posed for a few shots before leaping away into the borders. You've already seen the 'posed' shot above, and I managed to catch it leaping off, as you can see below.
Well, I was going to talk about our wild bird visitors, but that's enough for today, so the birds will have to wait until another time.
I think our most unexpected visitor was a hedgehog. It was certainly confused too! It trundled rapidly round the edge of the grass, time after time after time. I don't know how it got into the garden, unless it had walked along the front pavement and then along the path by the side of my house. Clearly the hedgehog didn't remember how it got in either, for it couldn't find its way back out again. When we went to bed, it was still trundling rapidly round the garden. By morning time, it had gone.
On another occasion I found some small holes in the grass, about 2" in diameter. They appeared sporadically over a few evenings, and then I spotted the culprit - a fox digging for worms. I don't think there are many under the grass, which was just as well, since it kept the foxes away. Some of my neighbours were being bothered by the foxes too, so I put down some Keep Off smelly jelly, and the foxes didn't come back.
For several years we have had a pair of field mice living in the garden, although clearly sometimes they die in the garden too! I recall my daughter, when just a few years old, appearing proudly at the back door, holding something gingerly by her finger-tips at arms-length. "See what I found", she said. It was a dead mouse! They stripped all the gooseberries off my gooseberry bushes one year, although strangely, not again - perhaps they decided they weren't so good after all! We have often seen them near the house, gathering the seeds the birds drop from their feeders. But they have never come into the house - which is a relief! But I've not seen our pair of mice since the winter weather - I fear they didn't make it through.
During that winter weather, we had a less savoury visitor to the bird table, a brown rat! I'm a bit colour blind, and I though it was a grey squirrel, with a rather thin tail. And then I got a closer look, and realised it wasn't a squirrel! I'm delighted to say that visitor has never been back.
Of course, we have had grey squirrels around the place, especially once I got enthusiastic with the bird feeding. But they too have been scarce since the winter. Maybe a fair number of them didn't make it through the winter either.
Cats, on the other hand, have not been scarce. Mostly they keep their distance, down near the bottom of the garden, but every now and again, one of them manages to catch one of the birds. A cat gets short shrift from me if I see it in the garden. Anyway, cats are not wild, although they might think they are!
We've had the occasional dog too, but always accompanied by their owner. I think our garden would be too boring for dogs, but maybe the cats would keep them amused! So our doggy visitors are not wild either.
But the wild animal I was most pleased to discover in the garden was a frog. For some years I've wanted a pond in the garden, to provide a place for frogs, toads, and newts, to live in. But we don't have a pond. So when I found the frog, I was astonished. They must be near water to live. So perhaps the old bird bath, or the occasional rain puddle, were enough to keep it going. I only saw it the two times. Once in the late evening, when it was dark and raining. The frog was on the slabs at the back of the house, and I nearly stood on it. The other time was in the daytime. A cat was playing with something on the grass - and when I chased it away, I discovered the frog, flattened against the grass, and playing hard to get. It sat still in the sunshine, while I got my camera, and then conveniently posed for a few shots before leaping away into the borders. You've already seen the 'posed' shot above, and I managed to catch it leaping off, as you can see below.
Well, I was going to talk about our wild bird visitors, but that's enough for today, so the birds will have to wait until another time.
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Treasure
I spent today throwing out more old stuff. That process reminded me of many good times and many good friends. It made me realise that whether you consider an old item to be treasure or rubbish depends on your point of view.
On the one hand they are just old pieces of paper. On the other hand they contain information or images that trigger precious memories.
After my morning session of chucking out old paperwork, my daughter and I went round to see my Mum. Before we had been there long we had Mum's old photo album out!
It was great to see photos of my parents from the time they got married, and then photos of my brother and sister and I growing up. We also saw some older photos of my grandparents when they were newlyweds. We even saw my great-grandparents (whom I never met).
Jesus told folk not to store up treasure in barns or cupboards where rust could corrode and discolour or pests could eat and destroy. Instead, Jesus said we should store up treasure in heaven, where it would be safe forever.
Memories are sometimes too traumatic and painful and we try hard to forget them. But the apostle Paul encouraged his readers to remember the good things about their lives, things that are worth remembering.
In remembering - give thanks to God for his good gifts.
On the one hand they are just old pieces of paper. On the other hand they contain information or images that trigger precious memories.
After my morning session of chucking out old paperwork, my daughter and I went round to see my Mum. Before we had been there long we had Mum's old photo album out!
It was great to see photos of my parents from the time they got married, and then photos of my brother and sister and I growing up. We also saw some older photos of my grandparents when they were newlyweds. We even saw my great-grandparents (whom I never met).
Jesus told folk not to store up treasure in barns or cupboards where rust could corrode and discolour or pests could eat and destroy. Instead, Jesus said we should store up treasure in heaven, where it would be safe forever.
Memories are sometimes too traumatic and painful and we try hard to forget them. But the apostle Paul encouraged his readers to remember the good things about their lives, things that are worth remembering.
In remembering - give thanks to God for his good gifts.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Clearing Out
It is quite amazing how much rubbish we have accumulated in our house over the years!
As the days, weeks, and months, go by items are purchased, retired, or set aside in standby. Packing boxes get kept in case we need to return the item, or transport it elsewhere. Things that we enjoyed using get laid aside in favour of something new; laid aside for when we want to use it again - games, books, clothes, even a kitchen cupboard!
Yesterday we headed up into our attic and started disposing of things we know now we won't need or use again. A lot of it had got rather dirty with the dust and dirt that blows in under the roof-slates. We carted it down the loft-ladder, and then down the stairs, and loaded it into the car. The car was full - of rubbish - which we then took to the local Recycling Centre - cardboard, wood, metal, and some stuff that could only go into Landfill.
Sometimes it is good to take some time and clear out our lives. Get rid of what we don't need anymore. Throw out the things that are holding us back or causing confusion.
Questions and difficult issues can get pushed away and hidden so that they never get answered or resolved. Too often we fill our holiday time with busy-ness, instead of taking time to be still and quiet. I heard recently that one of my friends spent 6 days away at a silent retreat - no idle chatter, no conversation with friends, time to think, to read, and to pray.
Jesus interleaved times of great busyness and stress with period of stillness, peace, and prayer. Follow Him!
As the days, weeks, and months, go by items are purchased, retired, or set aside in standby. Packing boxes get kept in case we need to return the item, or transport it elsewhere. Things that we enjoyed using get laid aside in favour of something new; laid aside for when we want to use it again - games, books, clothes, even a kitchen cupboard!
Yesterday we headed up into our attic and started disposing of things we know now we won't need or use again. A lot of it had got rather dirty with the dust and dirt that blows in under the roof-slates. We carted it down the loft-ladder, and then down the stairs, and loaded it into the car. The car was full - of rubbish - which we then took to the local Recycling Centre - cardboard, wood, metal, and some stuff that could only go into Landfill.
Sometimes it is good to take some time and clear out our lives. Get rid of what we don't need anymore. Throw out the things that are holding us back or causing confusion.
Questions and difficult issues can get pushed away and hidden so that they never get answered or resolved. Too often we fill our holiday time with busy-ness, instead of taking time to be still and quiet. I heard recently that one of my friends spent 6 days away at a silent retreat - no idle chatter, no conversation with friends, time to think, to read, and to pray.
Jesus interleaved times of great busyness and stress with period of stillness, peace, and prayer. Follow Him!
Saturday 10 July 2010
Growing Pains
Sometimes I wish that the plants in my garden would grow a little less enthusiastically - especially the weeds!
We've had a few periods of rain in the last couple of weeks, which is in contrast to some parts of south-west Scotland and north-west England that are now under water restrictions such as hosepipe bans. Here the plants have responded enthusiastically.
I had been thinking for a few days that the hedge between our front garden and the street was going to need cut soon. Today the rain that had been forecast finally arrived. The droplets of rain on the hedge shoots made them all flop about and look even more overgrown.
We are hoping we might have visitors tomorrow afternoon. So if it is still raining then I don't want them to get soaked off the overgrown hedge. So the hedge had to be cut today - and it was still raining.
Ah well, I said to myself, I used to go sailing every weekend and get soaking wet - and that was sport and it was fun. Cutting the hedge is not in quite the same league - but I did get soaking wet!
It would be nice if the plants and animals in the world would grow and behave the way we want them too without us having to put in so much effort. If the fence surrounding a field with sheep in it has just the smallest hole, you can guarantee that one of the sheep will find it. And then all the rest, like sheep, will go astray, and follow the first one out of the hole and down the road.
Yet when it comes to obeying the rules - we humans are not too good at it. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, we don't even keep our own rules, never mind the rules imposed upon us by government.
Some people like to think that they are good people. They obey the rules - well the important ones anyway. They are nice to people, instead of being nasty - well most of the time anyway.
Jesus said, "Why do you call me 'good'? No-one is good except God alone."
When we are tempted to grumble about plants, animals, or other people, being pesky and causing us trouble - let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.
We've had a few periods of rain in the last couple of weeks, which is in contrast to some parts of south-west Scotland and north-west England that are now under water restrictions such as hosepipe bans. Here the plants have responded enthusiastically.
I had been thinking for a few days that the hedge between our front garden and the street was going to need cut soon. Today the rain that had been forecast finally arrived. The droplets of rain on the hedge shoots made them all flop about and look even more overgrown.
We are hoping we might have visitors tomorrow afternoon. So if it is still raining then I don't want them to get soaked off the overgrown hedge. So the hedge had to be cut today - and it was still raining.
Ah well, I said to myself, I used to go sailing every weekend and get soaking wet - and that was sport and it was fun. Cutting the hedge is not in quite the same league - but I did get soaking wet!
It would be nice if the plants and animals in the world would grow and behave the way we want them too without us having to put in so much effort. If the fence surrounding a field with sheep in it has just the smallest hole, you can guarantee that one of the sheep will find it. And then all the rest, like sheep, will go astray, and follow the first one out of the hole and down the road.
Yet when it comes to obeying the rules - we humans are not too good at it. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, we don't even keep our own rules, never mind the rules imposed upon us by government.
Some people like to think that they are good people. They obey the rules - well the important ones anyway. They are nice to people, instead of being nasty - well most of the time anyway.
Jesus said, "Why do you call me 'good'? No-one is good except God alone."
When we are tempted to grumble about plants, animals, or other people, being pesky and causing us trouble - let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.
Thursday 8 July 2010
Making rough places smooth
One of my friends suggested that the Old Testament verse Isaiah 42:16 would be an encouragement to me, and it is! It reads:
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (TNIV)
We are moving out into country that is new to us, but the Lord will lead us. There are many unfamiliar, narrow and twisting paths, but the Lord will guide us. During the long winter nights, the Lord will shine his light and turn the darkness into light before us. He will make the rough places smooth, and the photo above shows a good example of one of the rough places - the Ben Loyal range to the South of Tongue.
The Lord God will do these things. He will not abandon us.
Sometimes life seems too rough and we want God, someone, anyone, to make life easier, less rough, smoother. But God's ways are not our ways. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8, TNIV)
God will give us strength to travel whatever path He sets before us, if we continue to walk in his ways. "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31, TNIV)
Turn away from the ways of the world and follow the Lord's ways. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. He is a faithful God. You can trust in his love - forever!
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Lost Sheep
The Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha challenged the lifestyle and beliefs of the people of Israel. From King Ahab down, the people had turned away from their allegiance to the God who had revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. Instead, the people had decided to worship a more convenient god. The only problem with this new god was that it wasn't real - it was just a make-believe symbol fronting for the priests and the royalty.
At various times Elijah and Elisha came in for criticism, condemnation, and on occasion were even under threat of death. But they refused to tone down their message, or compromise on what God had told them to say. In the end the God they worshipped was proven to be the true God who acted amongst and around his followers.
Jesus also caused offence to the religious, royal, and military authorities of his time. He was obedient to God's inner voice whispering to his spirit. No-one could stand against him, until he laid his life down, in obedience to God.
When Jesus was raised from the grave, once more God proved the reality of his existence. The followers of Jesus had been hiding in despair. They began to disperse to their homes - giving up their hope that Jesus would somehow rescue them. When Jesus appeared amongst them after his death their despair was converted into exuberance and jubilation. Jesus was alive - and God was truly God.
Jesus told the story of the Lost Sheep. Ninety nine sheep had been counted into the pen at the end of the day. But one sheep was missing, out in the dark and the cold, at risk from bears and lions, lost and alone.
The shepherd might have decided that 99 were enough and that it was foolish to risk the safety of the 99 sheep, and his own health and safety, by venturing out into the dark with only a flickering lantern to guide his way. But Jesus' shepherd does precisely that, and returns rejoicing that he had found the sheep which was lost.
It was same message that Elijah and Elisha had given to the people of Israel long ago. God calls us to relate to Himself personally. He does not want us to follow some set of rules as if somehow that would engender a loving relationship. He does not want us to relate to Himself via an intermediary like a priest or minister, as if we could relate to God via a proxy. He does not want us to run around after convenient make-believe gods that would allow us to live the way we want to live but can't actually help us when we find that our way doesn't work.
Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus, all called the people to turn around and abandon their false gods and re-discover the one true God, who has proven Himself to be real, down through the generations, and even in this day today.
Go on, stretch out your hand and your heart to the One who calls you to be his child. He loves you. He will never abandon you nor fail you. You can trust Him - forever!
Tuesday 6 July 2010
On High
It is a sign of affection, respect, and gratitude, for those who gave their lives in defence of our country, that communities often erect memorials to the fallen.
Such memorials are often in prominent places, perhaps in the centre of the village, or on top of a hill, or overlooking some beautiful scene.
The above photo is of the Banavie War Memorial near Fort William. In the background you can see the peak of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. My sister took the photo earlier this year.
The Cross on the memorial symbolises the hope that those who fell will find a place in the Father's house. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
In loving God and loving our neighbour we fulfil the two commands that Jesus said sum up God's direction for our living. We cannot do it in our own strength. Only with God's Spirit within us can we love one another like God loves us.
"God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16)
Monday 5 July 2010
Whiter than White
My new church is very old but now that it has been painted it looks very new again!
It reminds me of the occasion when Jesus and two of his disciples went up a mountain. At the summit Jesus met with God. To the disciples' eyes Jesus became too bright to look at. Matthew, the efficient tax-collector, just says that Jesus' clothes became bright. Mark describes Jesus' clothes as whiter than a bleach can bleach. But Luke, the sophisticated doctor, says that Jesus' clothes flashed or dazzled, using a word that elsewhere is used to describe the dazzling flashes of lightning!
St Andrew's church certainly looks very bright, and I expect that when the sun shines brightly, anyone standing next to it will have their eyes dazzled!
On the other hand, we often use white paint to cover up the dinginess underneath. In the case of this church, the walls had become rather dull and shabby, stained with the passing of the years. You can see what they looked like in my photo below, taken back in March (2010).
But what lies underneath now is hidden from view. The church looks as if it has always been so beautifully white. It is clean and spotless - untarnished.
It looks the way we would like to be - clean, perfect, spotless, unblemished, shining bright. Yet we know what we are like inside, in our secret places, or even in the sight of our friends and family. We are not the person we would like to be.
No matter how much we try to cover up our inadequacies and failures, God knows what we are like, really, truly. But the wonderful Good News is that God still loves us.
What's more God gives us the perfect coat of Jesus to wear. He took our place on the Cross and gave us his dazzling white robes to wear. When God looks at you and me, He doesn't see the dirt underneath. Instead He sees the glorious, dazzling, white robes of Jesus.
Each one of us is offered the Son's (and Daughter's) place beside the Father, in his house, at his table, for ever.
Go on, put on the Son's robe today. You don't deserve it, but it is held out for you to put on all the same. Become a daughter or son of God today.
Sunday 4 July 2010
Twenty One!
I remember being 21 years old, although I've lived another time and a half since then! It was not only the time when I received the keys to the door, but just a few weeks later I became a married man - and I still am.
Twenty one is half of another significant number - 42. Douglas Adams posed the question, "What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?", and 42 was the answer (sorry for spoiling the secret if you are currently reading the book!). I wonder why he chose the number 42, but maybe it was because it is twice 21.
My daughter became 21 yesterday. She has had door keys for some time now, but the day was nonetheless a significant one. Next year we'll all be in different places, and we don't know what life will bring.
She'll have finished at university by then, and she has a lot of work ahead to earn a good degree. I pray that she will know the blessings of God during the year, studying well, learning well, writing well, and living well. And not only for the year ahead, but for the rest of her life.
Twenty one years ago the year was 1989. Can you remember that far back? I remember I had a two-year old son, and a day-old baby! Did you have a plan for what you would be doing 21 years hence, i.e. doing today?
I certainly did not think I would have left electronics and changed over to work as a church minister. Perhaps it's just as well we don't know what lies round the corner - or we might turn around!
But now that I have got round the corner I am looking forward to what lies ahead. When we feel apprehensive we doubt that we can come through the challenges we face. But when we recall that Jesus goes before us, and with us, and clears up after us, then we can face the challenges with confidence.
I am looking forward to the next years in ministry. I might not reach 21 years as a minister, but I know I'll be with God for all my years, and beyond!
Twenty one is half of another significant number - 42. Douglas Adams posed the question, "What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?", and 42 was the answer (sorry for spoiling the secret if you are currently reading the book!). I wonder why he chose the number 42, but maybe it was because it is twice 21.
My daughter became 21 yesterday. She has had door keys for some time now, but the day was nonetheless a significant one. Next year we'll all be in different places, and we don't know what life will bring.
She'll have finished at university by then, and she has a lot of work ahead to earn a good degree. I pray that she will know the blessings of God during the year, studying well, learning well, writing well, and living well. And not only for the year ahead, but for the rest of her life.
Twenty one years ago the year was 1989. Can you remember that far back? I remember I had a two-year old son, and a day-old baby! Did you have a plan for what you would be doing 21 years hence, i.e. doing today?
I certainly did not think I would have left electronics and changed over to work as a church minister. Perhaps it's just as well we don't know what lies round the corner - or we might turn around!
But now that I have got round the corner I am looking forward to what lies ahead. When we feel apprehensive we doubt that we can come through the challenges we face. But when we recall that Jesus goes before us, and with us, and clears up after us, then we can face the challenges with confidence.
I am looking forward to the next years in ministry. I might not reach 21 years as a minister, but I know I'll be with God for all my years, and beyond!
Thursday 1 July 2010
School's Out
Since 1992 my wife and I have been taking our children to or from school, or overseeing their school activities, and encouraging them with their homework.
Today it all comes to an end as our youngest finishes at High School. Not only will he undergo the school tradition of leaving through the ceremonial doors, he will also receive his first school prize, for Engineering Technology. He certainly takes after his mum and I in his interest in engineering.
We can get used to things always being there - like the local school, the corner shop, the post office, or the church. We use them when we want to, and we ignore them when we don't need them.
But if the school, the shop, the post office, or the church, is threatened with closure, then everyone pays attention. We want these community institutions to be there so that we can use them whenever we want to.
After today, our youngest child will have to ask for permission if he wants to get into the school. Two of our nearby post offices closed down recently, causing an outcry in the community. Who knows what will be next? The well-used slogan 'use it or lose it' applies to many things, maybe even the local church too.
At times of crisis the church offers people comfort, peace, and answers to life's difficult questions. But through the church, God offers people much more for our everyday living too.
Your local church, you don't want to lose it, so use it!
Today it all comes to an end as our youngest finishes at High School. Not only will he undergo the school tradition of leaving through the ceremonial doors, he will also receive his first school prize, for Engineering Technology. He certainly takes after his mum and I in his interest in engineering.
We can get used to things always being there - like the local school, the corner shop, the post office, or the church. We use them when we want to, and we ignore them when we don't need them.
But if the school, the shop, the post office, or the church, is threatened with closure, then everyone pays attention. We want these community institutions to be there so that we can use them whenever we want to.
After today, our youngest child will have to ask for permission if he wants to get into the school. Two of our nearby post offices closed down recently, causing an outcry in the community. Who knows what will be next? The well-used slogan 'use it or lose it' applies to many things, maybe even the local church too.
At times of crisis the church offers people comfort, peace, and answers to life's difficult questions. But through the church, God offers people much more for our everyday living too.
Your local church, you don't want to lose it, so use it!
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