Life & Faith Reflections

The lost son

2012-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

One evening this week I travelled with a friend to the K.C. Stadium in Hull to watch the Hull City v Doncaster Rovers football match. Being a lifelong Hull City fan, and also the chaplain to Doncaster Rovers, I found myself sitting uncomfortably on the fence! Both sides were in need of the points on offer, City to boost their chances of reaching the end of season play-offs, and Rovers to help avoid possible relegation. Despite the very cold temperature, the match was quite enjoyable, even though we didn't see any goals. City had more of the balance of play, but couldn't get the ball in the net. Probably the Rovers' manager was more satisfied with the point earned.

As my friend and I walked towards the stadium for the match, my friend was handed a leaflet. I imagined that it would be an invitation to a night club or similar venue. In fact it was a leaflet giving information about a young man who had gone missing in Hull city centre on the evening of 28 January. As we walked on, we noticed other (mainly young) people handing out similar leaflets. We then approached the entrance to the park in which the stadium is situated, and a middle aged gentleman offered us a leaflet. When we said that we already had one, he said of the man pictured on the leaflet, "he's my boy". I sensed a real feeling of sadness and anxiety in the man. He looked so alone and concerned. I wish now that I had taken time to stop and chat with him. I have certainly been praying for him, his family and friends, and his lost son.

As I have been thinking and praying about that family, the words of Jesus have come to me often. He said, "I have come to seek and save the lost". He told a story about a lost son, and how the father desperately longed for his son's return. When the son eventually did return, the father threw a party to celebrate! When Jesus spoke about the lost, he was talking about those people who have never experienced in a personal way the love of God their heavenly Father. God the Father longs that all people might know and experience his great love for them.

Last Tuesday, many family and friends of the lost young man were out on a very cold night, handing out leaflets which they hoped would turn up some information. They cared so much that they didn't mind getting cold. I wonder sometimes whether those of us in the Church have such a concern for those who are 'lost'.

A child's example

2012-01-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

As I was preparing for this week’s lunchtime service at Priory, I came across a moving and heart-warming story from America. It concerns a young girl called Rachel Beckwith. From an early age, Rachel appears to have had a very generous spirit. At the age of 5, she learned at school about an organization called Locks of Love, which uses hair donations to make wigs for children who have lost their own hair because of cancer or other diseases. Rachel then asked to have her long hair shorn off and sent to Locks of Love. After the haircut, Rachel announced that she would grow her hair long again and donate it again after a few years to Locks of Love.

Then when she was 8 years old, her church began raising money to build wells in Africa through an organization called charity:water. Rachel was aghast when she learned that other children had no clean water, so she asked to skip having a ninth birthday party. In lieu of presents, she asked her friends to donate $9 each to charity:water for water projects in Africa. Rachel set up a birthday page on the charity:water web site with a target of $300. She was a little disappointed that the total raised was only $220.

Then, on July 20 2011, Rachel and her family were involved in a serious motor accident. Although the rest of her family was unhurt, Rachel was left critically injured. Church members and friends, seeking some way of showing support, began donating on Rachel’s birthday page and donations surged past her $300 goal, and kept mounting.

When it was clear that Rachel would never regain consciousness, the family decided to remove life support. Her parents donated her hair a final time to Locks of Love, and her organs to other children. Word spread about Rachel’s last fund-raiser. Contributions poured in. One 5-year-old girl sent in the savings in her piggy bank of $2.27. When the donations page was finally closed, the total raised was a staggering $1,265,823, including donations from all around the world.

Scott Harrison, the founder of charity:water, commented: “What has been so inspiring about Rachel is that she has taught the adults. Adults are humbled by the unselfishness of this little girl.” And Rachel’s pastor stated: “Rachel wasn’t about words. She was about action. I think we could all learn from that. Small steps of loving sacrifice are the keys to unlocking big dreams.”

The Miracle of Life

2012-01-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

A regular feature of Monday mornings at Priory is the senior ladies keep fit group. If I happen to be in the church office on a Monday morning I generally pop in at the end of the session to have a cuppa and a chat with the ladies. When I walked into the hall this morning I was greeted with a chorus of "hello grandad!" Some of the ladies knew that a week or so ago my first grandson was born.

Max Joshua Clark was born at 8.53am on Sunday 8 January; I received a text message from my son Chris informing me of the news just as I was about to set off for church. Later in the day, Sue and I hot-footed it down to Leicester to see Max (not to mention his parents, Chris & Megan). The image shown is of Max when he was less than 11 hours old! For a very newly born baby he seemed remarkably attentive.

Though I had witnessed the birth of our 3 children, when I held Max in my arms I was bowled over again by the miracle of human life. I thank God for his amazing gift of a grandson. A few days later I came cross a video clip on YouTube which highlights just what a miracle human life is. I would encourage you to watch the clip here. We serve an amazing Creator God!

Getting rid of the clutter

2012-01-07T05:02:00.000-08:00

As the year 2012 arrived, the realisation began to hit home that in just a few months time we will be leaving Doncaster, when we move to a new place of ministry in Leicester. Although we are excited by all that lies ahead, it will seem very strange to leave a place and people we have come to love.

The experts say that moving home is one of the life experiences which can cause major stress. One element of house-moving which can be stressful is making decisions about which possessions (clutter?) we should take, and which can be disposed of in some way. I know that Sue and I don't always see eye to eye on such matters!

As I had a few days off this week, I did make a small start on preparations. I disposed of an old wardrobe (I took it apart and transported it to the tip), cleared a space in one of the bedrooms, and brought down a few boxes from the loft. I also began the process of sorting through some of the books which have been lining the bookshelves in my study. A number of them were brought when we arrived in Doncaster 11 and a half years ago, and have not been touched since. I have managed to fill 5 carrier bags full of books which I will be happy to give away!

One of the realities of modern life in the western world is the accumulation of "things", many of which we just don't need. If I can pass on some of my books to other people who might appreciate them, so much the better. In fact, one of my Christmas presents this year was a Kindle. This should mean that in the future I won't need to buy nearly so many books, I will simply be able to download an electronic version onto my Kindle - so not nearly so much shelf space required (nor luggage space when going on holiday).

As I have was thinking about all the items we have in our house which we don't really need, and could easily do without, into my mind came a verse from the New Testament book of Hebrews: 'let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.'

There are things which can bog us down in our Christian journey, and distract us from the path to which Christ has called us. Just as Sue and I will need to be fairly ruthless in deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, we, with God's help, need to lay aside anything which may be preventing us from living the full Christian life. Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea for a New Year's resolution!

Lord, forgive us

2011-12-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

I shook my head in sorrow and disbelief as I read the following report earlier today on the BBC news website:

“Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christian clerics over a turf war in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. Around a hundred priests fought with brooms as they cleaned the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas. Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.

Similar disputes have occurred in the past between different denominations in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born. "It was a trivial problem that ... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lieutenant-Colonel Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters. "No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.

Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another.

Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, has also seen similar incidents.”

A few days ago we celebrated the birth of Jesus. God’s Son came into the world to bring the good news of God’s love for all humanity, and to reconcile us to God and to one another through his sacrificial death on the cross. Not long before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus said this to his disciples, ‘If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples’. In other words, the most important element of a Christian’s life is God’s love flowing through them to others.

Yet in the very church which commemorates the birth of Jesus (and also in the church where his death and resurrection are commemorated), the so-called holy men, the Christian priests, are falling out and squabbling over territorial issues. O Lord forgive us! How many people, over the years, have been turned away from Jesus because of the behaviour of those who claim to follow him?

The apostle John pointedly asks, in his first letter, ‘if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?’ A very good question for us all.

The other side of young people

2011-12-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we held an Advent Quiet Day at Priory. Three of us had been talking, praying and planning for the day for some time. The idea was to offer an opportunity for people to step aside from their daily routines for a while and take time to be quiet, reflect and pray; a kind of antidote to the busyness and pressure of Christmas preparations.

The theme of the Quiet Day was "Stations of the Nativity". We set up about 8 "prayer stations" based on the story of the nativity, ultimately leading to the manger. At each prayer station there were ideas for personal prayer, reflection and response. I was very hopeful that many would want to come, and would greatly benefit from the experience. In reality, the turnout was about the most disappointing to any event I ever remember helping to organise!! Nevertheless, I think that the few who did come found the experience to be very moving and thought-provoking.

One of the prayer stations was on the theme of Rejection (based on the time when "there was no room at the inn" for Joseph and Mary and the baby). I had pinned up some images of people/groups in our society who are sometimes rejected (or at least feel rejected). People at the Quiet Day were invited to light a candle and pray for those who feel rejected in our society. One of the images was of a group of young people in hoodies.

The London riots earlier in the year are still very much in our consciousness. It appears that many of those involved were young people. The problem is that all young people tend to be tarred with the same brush. I was delighted, therefore, to read a report from the Youth For Christ (YFC) organisation, which revealed that a number of young people responded very positively in the aftermath of the riots. This is part of the YFC report:

In the aftermath [of the riots] many were quick to denounce England's young people as wholly self-centred, anti-social and opportunistic. But this was just one part of the picture. A counter movement saw groups of young people come together to clean up streets, help those in need and restore some normality to their communities.

The report goes on to say how teams of young people were on the streets offering help and assistance, and making a real difference in the terrible situations suffered by a number of communities. They helped clean up damaged shops, even offering to pray for those who worked there. In response, one shop assistant remarked, "that's restored my faith in people a bit. I might even go to church on Sunday." There are some truly wonderful young people around.

The prayer station after "Rejection" was "Acceptance and Inclusion". The message of the angels to the shepherds was of 'good news of great joy for all people'. God's love in Jesus is offered to all. He longs to forgive, and reveal his love to all people - including those involved in the riots!

The gifts that money can't buy

2011-12-13T12:30:00.001-08:00

When it gets to this time of the year, there’s one thing I really don’t look forward to. It’s certainly not Christmas itself - from my childhood years, I have always loved Christmastime. Undoubtedly the many happy childhood Christmases I experienced will have influenced my outlook on the season. It was a real highlight of the year when, as a family, we gathered round the Christmas tree on Christmas Day morning and opened our presents. My parents weren’t rich, and I don’t suppose the presents we received were of great monetary value, but they were warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.

I love lots of things about Christmas: the giving and receiving of presents, the time with family and friends, the special Christmas services, the lights, decorations, cards and shared meals. But the one thing I really don’t look forward to is trying to choose a present for my wife, Sue. If she doesn’t really appreciate a gift, she isn’t very good at hiding the fact - and most of the gifts which I have presented her with over the years seem to have fallen into that category! I’m still not sure what I will get her this year - any suggestions greatly welcomed! Come to think of it, maybe a book on “How to hide your true feelings!”

The media is full of stories of financial cutbacks, and how families and individuals are finding it hard to cope with financial pressures. A recent survey suggested that around 1 in 5 people in the UK expect to have to borrow money to pay for presents. I wonder whether we’ve missed something somewhere along the line. Is the amount of money we spend really the important thing?

Charles Swindoll, in his book “Growing Strong”, suggests that some gifts we can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value. Some of his suggestions: Mend a quarrel; dismiss suspicion; tell someone, "I love you"; give something away - anonymously; forgive someone who has treated you wrongly; turn away wrath with a soft answer; visit someone in a nursing home; apologise if you were wrong; be especially kind to someone with whom you work. He finishes by suggesting: Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.

Often the most precious and appreciated things in life really are those which money can’t buy.

Why?

2011-12-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

On my blog a few weeks ago I wrote about an occasion when the normally macho world of football gave way to some very human emotions; many were moved to tears at the news that the two day-old son of Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp had died. I didn't think at the time that a similar wave of emotion would sweep the game again so soon.

I was deeply saddened to learn last Sunday that Garry Speed, the the 42 year-old Manager of the Wales national side, had died. He was found hanged in his home by his wife early last Sunday morning. Tragically, he leaves behind his wife and two young sons. Over the past few days I have heard many people who knew Garry well asking the same question, "why?" No-one seems to know the reason he took his own life, and perhaps the answer will never be known.

So what was it that lead Garry Speed to take his own life? First thoughts were that he might have been suffering from depression. I was in a shop in Scarborough earlier in the week, and two middle aged men entered. One began a conversation with the other, asking what his friend thought of the Garry Speed situation. "I don't know what he'd got to be depressed about!" he said.

The truth is, depression can potentially affect people from all sorts of backgrounds and personal situations. On the face of it, Garry Speed had so much: a lovely wife, two great children, a job he loved and was successful at, popularity and respect, financial security. From what many people have said in the days since news of Garry's death, he was greatly loved and respected by all those who knew him. A number of those who knew him have been in tears this week.

It is probably true to say that all of us have thoughts and feelings in the deep places of our hearts which we may not feel able to share, even with those who are closest to us. But there is One who knows and sees the things we can hide from everyone else. As the writer of Psalm 139 states,

'You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.'

We cannot hide anything from God! Perhaps that might seem a bit scary, but how wonderful that God knows everything about us, even the things we try to hide and the things of which we are ashamed; yet still he loves us, and still he calls us to draw near to him.

If you are a person of prayer, please remember in your prayers Garry Speed's widow, Louise, and their two sons Ed (14) and Tommy (13), as they try to come to terms with their personal tragedy. May they somehow know the loving presence of Father God.

Everyone needs some Time Out

2011-11-24T11:52:00.001-08:00

Earlier today I had a meeting with Sue and Janet, two ladies from church. The purpose of the meeting was to continue planning for a "Quiet Day" which we are having at Priory on 17 December. After I had made tea/coffee for us (always the best was to start a meeting!) Sue produced out of her bag some Time Out chocolate bars. I must say that the chocolate went very nicely with my coffee.

The slogan on the wrapper was, "Everyone needs some Time Out". How appropriate, I thought, as we were meeting to plan a Quiet Day! The whole purpose of the Quiet Day is to give people the opportunity to take some time out from what can often be a hectic and very busy time in the run-up to Christmas. We are hoping to provide an oasis of quiet and reflection as a kind of antidote to the hussle and bussle of the season.

We are taking as our theme "Stations of the Nativity", and will be setting up a number of prayer stations where visitors can stop and reflect on elements of the nativity story. There will also be suggestions for practical responses and prayers. The final stage of the journey will be the manger itself. Just like the wise men, we will be given the opportunity to worship the Christ child. I am excited at the possibilities of the day, and how it might bless those who come.

To come back to the Time Out bar, there is, of course, a sense in which its slogan is a very Biblical one. Time out, or rest, is a God ordained element of life. There is an occasion recorded in the gospels when Jesus said to the disciples, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' We live in such a busy society, everyone rushing around, people in a hurry, no time for.... Even in the wonderful Christmas season we can become so tied down with planning and preparations that we don't allow ourselves any time to step aside from the rush, and focus on what really is the heart of Christmas - the birth of Jesus, God's Son.

We are not machines. We were not created to become workaholics. We need times out to rest and reflect.

The Lord works in mysterious ways..

2011-11-17T05:52:00.001-08:00

In a recent blog ("Strength in weakness") I mentioned our current state of uncertainty in that we knew that in summer 2012 we will be leaving Doncaster, but we didn't then know where we would be going. Now we do!

For 4 days last week all the Methodist District Chairs (the Methodist equivalent of Bishops) met together to make decisions about my future and the future of about 120 of my ministerial colleagues. They had before them a list of Ministers who will be moving in 2012 and also a list of vacancies in churches around the UK. Mainly because of family considerations, we had asked that wherever we were sent it should be somewhere within 2 hours drive of Nottingham (we don't have any particular connection with Nottingham, but it seemed to be a fairly central part of the country!) Although that ruled out some vacancies, is still covered a large geographical area.

Sue and I, and many of our friends, were doing a lot of praying over those days, that ultimately we would be sent to the place where God wanted us to be. I didn't feel particularly anxious, but I was eager to discover the result of the deliberations. Last Thursday evening I received a phone call from our District Chair who informed me that I had been matched with the Leicester West Circuit [in Methodist parlance, a Circuit is a group of churches in a particular area]. The following morning we received a phone call inviting us to travel down to Leicester to meet the folk there and visit the churches. So on the Saturday we visited the Methodist churches at Glenfield, Markfield and New Parks. In each church we met some of the people there, asking and answering questions.

Over lunch we met the Circuit Superintendent (lead Minister), then went back to one of the churches for a final meeting, this time with representatives from the three churches and some of the Circuit leadership team. It was a long and rather tiring day, but we enjoyed meeting the people in Leicester and seeing the area. We left it that Sue and I would do some more thinking and praying about the situation, as would the folk in Leicester.

During the course of the following 24 hours, Sue and I had a growing sense that this was indeed the place to which God was calling us; I felt a very real sense of excitement and anticipation about the future. However, we didn't yet know what the Leicester people thought about the matter! On Sunday evening we received a phone call from the Circuit, inviting me to become Minister in the Leicester West Circuit, and of course I said yes!

I still think that the Methodist system of moving Ministers around is rather strange, and in one sense I'm amazed how it seems to work. At the same time, I know that God is in control, and I am convinced that we are going to the place he is preparing for us. And one very great added bonus is that our first grandchild, who is due to be born in early January 2012, will be living only about 15 minutes away from our new home in Leicester - thank you God!

Inevitably some of our thoughts over the next few months will be towards our future in Leicester. Yet we know that there is still a great deal for us to do here in Doncaster. We know also that when the time comes for us to leave the area, and the people who we have come to know and love, it will be very hard. Ultimately, though, the best place to be is always where God wants you to be.

That's For You, Son

2011-11-09T03:59:00.000-08:00

For better or worse, I've been a football supporter for most of my life. I realise that there are people in the world who can't stand football (sadly, my wife is one of them!) Personally, I have found lots of enjoyment in football, though I do tend to agree with those who are of the opinion that football at the top level has lost some of its connection with ordinary supporters, not least through the vast amounts of money which the top players are paid.

In a sense, my football experience has been an image of life in general: there have been tremendous highs and lows over the years. As a lifelong supporter of Hull City I have lived through relegations, dismal performances, and a time when the club looked as through financial woes would drive it out of business. I have also had many times of celebration at wonderful performances, promotions and last minute winners.

Undoubtedly the highlight was the Wembley play-off final victory in 2008, a result which saw the Tigers achieve promotion to the Premiership for the first time in their history. What topped that weekend off (my first ever visit to Wembley) was that on the following day Doncaster Rovers (a team which I also support as the club chaplain) also achieved play-off final victory at Wembley. My best ever football weekend!

But I have to say that the emotion experienced at a recent Rovers' home match was deeper that anything I had previously experienced. One of Rovers' star players, Billy Sharp, had just experienced the tragedy of the death of his two day old son, Luey. It came as a great shock to everyone when Billy decided that, notwithstanding his personal tragedy, he wanted to play in the match.

Before the match kicked off, both sets of players stood in the centre of the pitch and, together with the supporters of both teams, offered a minutes' applause in Luey's memory. A hugely emotional moment. When Billy scored the opening goal of the match with a superb volley, there were great cheers and much celebration. Billy lifted up his football shirt to reveal a t-shirt underneath bearing the words, “That's For You Son”. It's a moment I will probably never forget. Even the national media took up this heartbreaking yet remarkable story.

At the centre of the Christian faith is a cross. A strange symbol, perhaps, as the cross was a place of suffering and death. It was on the cross that God's Son, Jesus, hung and died. God knows what it is like to suffer the death of his Son. Jesus died on a cross so that our sin could be dealt with. Through faith in him we know can know forgiveness, and have the assurance of eternal life. That's how much God loves us. When we look at the cross we discover God's message to us and to the world, “That's For You”

Good news is for sharing

2011-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

I was privileged to be invited to attend and take part in the recent unveiling of a Memorial to honour the Aviators of the former Doncaster Aerodrome. The Doncaster Aerodrome first opened in 1934, and operated until its eventual enclosure in 1992. It was situated on the site of the current Lakeside development; it is now quite difficult to imagine what the landscape must have looked like when the aerodrome was in operation.

I found the ceremony quite moving. A number of people with current or past connections with the world of aviation were present. The event was arranged through the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, which is based in nearby Dakota Way. The arrangements for the day were that we were to meet at the museum, before being taken by vintage transport to the site of the unveiling. I must admit that, although I was aware of the Museum's existence, and had often walked by it on my way to the Keepmoat Stadium, I was very surprised by what I discovered. There is much more to the Museum than I imagined. I described it to one fellow attendee as being rather like the Tardis - a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside! Certainly worth a more leisurely visit.

On later reflection, I wondered whether the Aircraft Museum might be one of Doncaster's "hidden gems". Perhaps if it was more widely publicised, a greater number of the local population might go along and be as pleasantly surprised as I was?

As I continued to ponder this theme, into my mind came the words of Jesus to his disciples (part of the teaching known as "The Sermon on The Mount"), 'You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Good news is for sharing!

It's so sad when we Christians, who have been given the task of sharing the best news ever (of God's love in Christ), seem so often be reluctant to do so. We live in a world where many people are hurting, lonely and anxious. Bad news seems to bombard us all the time. As one Old Testament character once said, “We have good news, and we shouldn't keep it to ourselves!"

Strength in weakness

2011-10-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

With most occupations, when someone feels that it might be time to move on to a new place of work, they usually commence the process by looking around for suitable vacancies. When they find such an opportunity, and are successful in applying for the job, they then give notice to their current employers, and in due course make the move. In general terms, this is how most new jobs happen. Not so within the Methodist Church!

For a start, all Methodist Ministers moving to a new place of ministry do so at the same time of the year (early August). Secondly, decisions about moving to pastures new have to be taken a very long time in advance (usually over a year before the move happens). And the third difference is that, to a large degree, the decision about where to move to is not taken by the Minister him/herself!

A while ago Sue and I came to the conclusion that God was saying to us that summer 2012 will be time for us to leave Doncaster. This means that we are currently in the process which will decide our future place of ministry. A list is produced of all the Ministers who expect to move in 2012, and all the Circuits [for non-Methodists, a Circuit is a group of churches in a particular area] which are looking for a new Minister at that time. Last week, Sue and I received a cd containing details of all the Circuits looking for a Minister. We have been reading through the info., hoping to find situations which appear suitable to what we hope to bring. And it ain't easy!

In a couple of week's time, the Chairs of all the Methodist Districts will get together and try to match up Ministers with vacancies. If things work out as hoped for, we should know within the next month where we will be moving to next summer!

It has been interesting reading through the profiles which have been put together by the Circuits. The profiles provide information about the churches etc., and also give an idea of the qualities which they are looking for in a prospective Minister. Reading some of the profiles, it appears that even the angel Gabriel might struggle to match the requirements! I am reminded of the time, many years ago now, when I first felt that God was calling me to the Methodist Ministry, and I kept asking myself (and God) how on earth I could be a Minister - I still wonder that sometimes!

I am encouraged by the words of St Paul, who wrote that God's words to him were, 'my power is made perfect in weakness.' The good news is that God isn't looking for supermen and superwomen. Indeed, he isn't interested so much in our ability as our availability. God looks for ordinary men and women who are willing to place themselves into his hands. Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things through God's power at work in them. Thank God for that!

So as I continue to read through the profiles, and am tempted to ask "how can I do that?", I hear the voice of God saying, "in my strength". In some ways it's an uncertain period, not knowing where we will be in a year's time. On the other had, we firmly believe that God has our future in his hands. With him all things are possible!

Who do you think you are?

2011-10-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Just over two years ago my brother, Phil, left the UK to become National Director of Church Army New Zealand. They do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I was delighted when he told us a while ago that he was returning to the UK for a couple of weeks.

One day last week, Sue and I travelled across to Manchester Airport to collect him. To cut a very long story short, we eventually met up with him some two hours or so later than expected. He had missed one of his connections and had arrived in Manchester via an alternative route. After being a little bit anxious at his non-appearance (and having been given inaccurate information as to his wherabouts by British Airways staff), it was a relief to see him. The bad news was that his luggage didn't arrive for another 3 days!

From Manchester we drove straight to Scarborough, where we spent an enjoyable 24 hours before heading home to Doncaster. Our route to Doncaster took us through Burton Agnes, which is the village where our parents were born and brought up. We had been told that some of our ancestors were buried in the village graveyard, so we decided to stop and have a look around. We found the gravestones of some of our aunts & uncles, and were also pleased to find the gravestone of our paternal grandparents, who died in the 1940s, long before we were born.

One of my favourite TV programmes is "Who Do You Think You Are?", in which famous people trace their family history. It is noticeable how often the celebrities find the whole experience very moving, and on quite a few occasions there are tears, either of joy or sadness. It seems that there is within every human being a need to understand our roots, and where we have come from.

The set Psalm for this Sunday was Psalm 139, which includes these wonderful words, as the psalmist speaks to God:

'You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb... You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.'

I really appreciate knowing about my human ancestry,and understanding something of my family roots. But far greater is the knowledge that I was created by Almighty God, who knew me before I was born and walks each day with me.

The Prodigal Returns

2011-10-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

As I start to write this blog, I am conscious that in around 12 hours' time I will (God-willing) be at Manchester airport, where my brother, Phil, is due to arrive after a more-than 24 hour journey from New Zealand. It is around 2 years since he left the UK with his family to take up the role of National Director of Church Army New Zealand. Although we communicate regularly via facebook, e-mail and the occasional Skype conversation, it will be good to see him face-to-face, and catch up with things.

On Sunday morning coming, Phil is due to take the morning service at Priory (I thought that we'd better make him work for his keep!); 3 of my 4 sisters are coming over for the service, and the other one will join us for lunch afterwards. One of the blessings of my life has been that of being part of a close-knit family. I am really looking forward to us being together, and there will be other opportunities during the 2 weeks Phil is in the UK.

One of the saddest development in British society during my lifetime has been the breakdown in traditional family life. The security of my childhood experience, with Mum, Dad and siblings sharing normal family life together (eating, outings, church, holidays etc) is not the experience of many today. I am not suggesting that there is only one model of family life, but the truth is that there are so many lonely people around, many of whom are desperate for love and companionship.

One of the images of church used in the New Testament is that of family. Of course, no church is perfect, but over the years I have witnessed many people, who were going through really tough times, finding strength to carry on through being embraced by the love, support and encouragement of fellow Christians. I have often heard people say, "I don't know how I would manage without my church friends". I and my family have experienced the care and support of fellow Christians many times over the years, and despite its failings, I love being part of the church family.

A statement I hear on occasions is, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." Of course in a strict sense that is true, as Christians in some countries in the world today are not ALLOWED to attend church, and that doesn't stop them being Christians. My observation, however, is that by not meeting regularly with our fellow Christians we can miss out in such a big way. Not only do we absent ourselves from the love, support, and nurture we might receive from others, but we deny ourselves the opportunity to support and care for others. The Christian life is about giving as well as receiving. If we never meet up with our fellow Christians how can we serve them?

The warmth of an embrace

2011-09-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

Within the past couple of days I have found myself embracing two ladies - neither of which were my wife! The situations in which these embraces occurred could hardly be more different.

The first lady had been seeking asylum in the UK for some years. Anyone who knows anything about the asylum system will understand that the application process can be long, tortuous and, at times, dispiriting. In most cases there are many ups and downs along the way, and there sometimes appears to be little compassion or understanding given to people who may have endured some harrowing experiences. In this case, the lady had been waiting for many months for the result of her appeal to be made know. When I saw her earlier in the week, the smile on her face gave me an indication that she was a herald of good news! When she told me that she had been given leave to stay in the UK, it felt natural to share in her joy with an embrace.

For the second lady, however, the word "joyful" would not be the first word one might think of when describing the situation she faced. After quite a lengthy period of increasing ill-health, her husband of more than 60 years had finally passed away. Again it felt natural to offer an embrace, but this time as an attempt to express empathy and love at a time of great loss.

I realise that not everyone is a "touchy-feely" type, but I firmly believe that in all sorts of different situations, an appropriate embrace can express far more than mere words.

One of the most well known of Jesus' parables is the parable of the lost (or "prodigal") son. The son demands his inheritance, and leaves the family home. He duly squanders the whole lot, and finds himself in desperate circumstances. Eventually he makes the journey home, unsure whether he will be forgiven by his father. However, we are told, 'When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.' The warmth of a father's embrace! The father was overjoyed, and welcomed his son back into the family with a party!

Jesus told that story to illustrate God's love for each of us. Whatever our past, whatever our background, whatever our failings, God longs to embrace us with his love. And the love he gives us is for us to give away. Is there someone you know who needs a hug?

A little cross

2011-09-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Back in 2004 a major movie, The Passion of the Christ, was released. Directed by Mel Gibson, and starring Jim Caviezel in the title role, the movie portrayed in a very graphic way the last 12 hours or so of the life of Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion. The violence was extreme, but probably not more than the actual reality of what happened around 2000 years ago.

Some time later, though I am not sure exactly when, I was in the Christian bookshop in Hull, and happened to notice a cross and chain which was one of the items being sold in connection to the movie. Having wanted a cross and chain for some time, I bought it. As I was walking down the street afterwards, I noticed something unusual about my purchase. Most often, when one buys a cross and chain, the chain will include a link which can be fastened and unfastened, allowing the wearer to put on and remove the item easily. However, I realised that there was no link in my chain - I just had to hope that it fitted over my head!

With a little bit of a struggle, I managed to put the cross and chain over my head, and it has hung around my neck ever since. Over the years it has become somewhat tarnished, but I have never thought about exchanging it for a new one. Yesterday I noticed that although the chain was still around my neck, the cross itself had disappeared! Presumably part of the metal of the cross had worn through, and it had fallen off. I may never know exactly what happened to it. What I now have is just an empty chain.

There is a danger in the church today, when talking about the Christian gospel, to stress the "nice" bits. We talk about things like the love of God, the peace and hope we have in Jesus, and the joy of Christian fellowship. But I wonder if sometimes we are guilty of avoiding the less easy bits. The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus lie at the very heart of our faith; if Jesus had not died on a cross, there would be no Christian faith. Yes, he rose from the dead, and is alive today, but there would have been no resurrection without the crucifixion. The amazing thing is that he died for us - so that we can be forgiven and know the assurance of eternal life.

And Jesus himself said that if we are to follow him we must first "count the cost". Yes, the blessings of following him are amazing, but the cost is great too - we must give our lives to him. The cross reminds us of how much God loves us. It also reminds us of the call for us to lay down our lives.

Keeping up Appearances

2011-09-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Keeping Up Appearances was a hugely popular 1990s BBC sitcom. It was centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket (who insisted that her surname was pronounced Bouquet!) Hyacinth's obsession in life was to present herself as a lady of refinement, who belonged quite clearly in the upper echelons of society. She desperately and continually looked for opportunities to climb the social ladder, despite being wedged in a working-class reality. Her attempts were regularly thwarted, not least by members of her own family who did not share her grand designs!

Last Saturday a few of us were involved in the Healing on the Streets ministry outside Priory in Doncaster's town centre. It happened to be the final day of the Doncaster St Leger festival. During our time outside Priory on Saturday morning, quite a number of people passed by who were obviously heading for their big day out at the races. Everyone seemed to have dressed up for the occasion; the women, especially, were resplendent in their outfits. The most noticeable element of their garb, however, was the massively tall high heels worn by some of the ladies. I do wonder how some of them managed to walk without doing themselves serious damage!

Why would someone wear shoes which were so obviously uncomfortable? I was talking this week with a friend who said that in her younger days her dad continually warned her about the dangers of high heels. She ignored his advice, and is now paying the price. Of course, it's all about appearances, something which our society seems to have become obsessed with. People spend small fortunes on trying to make themselves look good, not least through cosmetic surgery.

The reality is, of course, that the outward appearance of a person will never reveal who they really are. In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, God says to the prophet Samuel, "The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Martin Luther King was absolutely right when he said that the right way to judge a person is not by the colour of their skin (ie their outward appearance) but by the content of their character.

View from above the clouds

2011-09-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

I don't particularly enjoy flying (perhaps I ought to resist an attempt at humour by saying that it makes my arms rather tired!) Long flights, especially, can get rather wearisome, especially when I am not in an aisle seat and the leg room is restricted. Our recent flights to and from Spain weren't too bad, being only approx. 3 hours flying time each way. On the outward journey I was sitting in an aisle seat. Coming back, I found myself in the centre seat of 3. The benefit of this position was that I was nearer to the window, and therefore able to catch glimpses of the awesome sights from above the clouds.

The cloud formations were amazing in themselves. But flying above the clouds also has the advantage of remaining in the sunlight (unless it's night time, of course!) For most of our time in Spain we saw relatively few clouds. It was not surprising, however, that as we headed back to the UK the cloud formations began to make themselves known. As we flew over the clouds, I thought about those on the ground below. No doubt there were more than a few people complaining about the dull or rainy August weather! The perspective we had from above the clouds was completely different from what those on the ground were seeing.

I wonder whether there is something of a comparison to be made when we think of the human perspective in certain issues and how God sees them. There is no doubt that we all come up against difficult issues in life, situations and circumstances with which we grapple. Maybe we just can't understand why God would allow such a thing to happen.

I am reminded of a verse in the Bible, when God says, "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). I am convinced that there will be some things in life which we will never fully understand, because we don't see them from God's perspective. Ultimately, we have to recognise that God sees some things from a very different perspective, and so we need to trust that he knows best.

There will come a day, when we stand before God, when many things will become clear. St. Paul puts it this way, "Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." (1 Corinthians 13:12). I'm content to leave it there.

Spanish lesson

2011-08-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from a fortnight's holiday in Spain. We stayed at a little place called Bena Vista, which is on the southern cost of Spain, situated between Marbella and Estapona. There were 7 of us in the party, and it was lovely to spend some quality family time together. The weather, naturally, was pretty much wall-to-wall sunshine, and the swimming pool was very well used! To be honest, I usually prefer to holiday in the UK, but the benefit of going to somewhere like the Costa del Sol is that the weather is generally much more predictable. We returned to clouds and rain in the UK!

It was a visit to the local supermarket that set off my train of thinking. I noticed as we walked round that a number of products had the word "SIN" in the title. I took my camera along and managed to get a picture of one example, some cheese, which was titled "SIN LACTOSA". This means, "without lactose".

I found it interesting that the Spanish word "sin" means "without". I thought about how this fits in with the word sin as used in the Bible. Basically, what the Bible calls sin is anything which goes against God's will and purpose. When we choose to take a course of action which disobeys God's commands, then we sin. More than that, the Bible states that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). In other words, sin separates us from God, creating a barrier between us and God, leaving us, in a very real sense, without the intimate, close relationship with God which is his desire and purpose for us.

The good news is that Romans 6:23 goes on to say, "...but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." On the cross, Jesus died to pay the price for our sin. By accepting his sacrifice, believing in him, and committing our lives into his control, we are set free from the law of sin and death. We can live a new life, empowered by his Spirit. No more separation, no more being "without", but drawn into loving relationship with him and discovering our true purpose and identity. It's strange the thoughts that can come from a packet of cheese!

Reflections on the riots

2011-08-10T06:57:00.000-07:00

I have been deeply saddened by the events of the past few days. TV pictures of gangs of roaming the streets of London and other cities, ransacking properties, causing mindless damage, and setting properties on fire, have been very disturbing. Apart from the physical damage to properties, there has been deep psychological damage caused, not least to those who were innocently caught up in the violence. Many have lost jobs and homes. The consequences will be enormous.

Of course the media have been full of the story, and people have not been slow in coming forward with their solutions (often conflicting!); there has been no shortage of people willing to lay the blame. Those with wisdom, and any real understanding of the situation, however, realise that the issues are far from simple. It's easy to point fingers, but far less easy to come up with meaningful and lasting solutions.

It would appear from reports that many of those who have caused such problems in the past few days have been young people. What has happened in the lives of these young people which has led them to the point where they are willing to be part of such unprecedented violence and destruction? One very interesting and insightful question which was asked in a discussion in which I was involved was, "Where are the role models for young people in our society today?" Parents? I would imagine that the parents of many of those young people have been far from ideal role models. Football stars? Think about recent revelations concerning Giggs, Terry, Rooney etc. Royal Family? Consider the goings on over recent years, and one might consider that the Royal Family are not altogether the best role models. Politicians? Mmmm.. expenses scandals etc. might suggest otherwise. Media? News of the World revelations of recent times point in another direction. The Church? Sadly, even the church has so often failed to provide the kind of role model so desperately needed. Is there any wonder that young people are tempted to go astray when they see so very few examples of how to really live?

Someone said that "the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart". When a society dismissed God from its thinking the consequences become evident very soon. If only our nation would turn back to God and live in his way! I have been reading recently about the Welsh Revival of 1904/5 and how that nation was transformed in such a positive way. In God there is always hope for a better future in him. We as a Church must repent of the mistakes of the past and our bad example, and cry out to God to forgive us, restore us, and heal our land.

The Bible entreats us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" Let us also work and pray for God's peace in our nation and local communities.

Do they know how much you them?

2011-08-01T00:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I took two funeral services. Nothing out of the ordinary, perhaps, for a church minister. What did make me think, however, was that both the people concerned were men in their early 50s (both younger than me!) who had died very suddenly. Apparently healthy, their earthly lives had come to an end without warning. Perhaps it is harder to accept when a loved one dies without warning. On the other hand, the death of someone we love it is never easy to deal with, even when one is prepared. And many have said to me over the years that a quick death is better than a long, lingering one.

These funerals have certainly reminded me of my own mortality, and of the challenge to be grateful for and make the most of each day God gives. And how wonderful to know that if our faith is in Jesus Christ our eternal destiny is assured.

It is normal, when one has been bereaved, to receive condolence cards from family and friends. These often contain messages of care and support, and sometimes also reflections on, or memories of, the deceased person. The widow of one of the deceased men had written out some of the messages she had received from various friends of her late husband. He had obviously been very highly thought of. I must admit to thinking when I read them, "It would be great if things like this could be said about me!" I decided to read them out at the funeral service as part of the tribute to the deceased person.

My other thought with regard to these messages, was that I wonder if the deceased gentleman knew what others thought of him. Did he know how loved and respected he was by his family, friends and work colleagues? It was lovely that people took the trouble to write down these reflections on a card and send them to the man's widow. Perhaps even better if they'd taken the trouble to express the same thoughts to the man himself while there was still opportunity.

The destructive power of criticism

2011-07-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

A friend and I experienced an enjoyable day of cricket at the Headingley ground in Leeds recently. Yorkshire were involved in a hard-fought Roses match against their old rivals, Lancashire. Honours after the morning's play went to Yorkshire, who took several Lancashire wickets. It looked for a while as though Yorkshire were placing themselves in a very handy position for victory.

The early part of the afternoon, however, saw a Lancashire fight-back, with Yorkshire struggling to take the final few Lancashire wickets. At a time when the relatively young Yorkshire team needed some encouragement, a chap sitting a few rows behind us began to moan and complain in a rather loud voice. He obviously felt that he knew far more about cricket tactics than the Yorkshire captain, and could bowl far better than most of the Yorkshire bowlers! On and on he droned.

My mind went back to a meeting earlier in the week, where we had been looking at a passage in the Old Testament book of Exodus. The first part of the book relates God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But it didn't take very long for the people's joy to turn sour. The writer tells us, 'The whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron' (their leaders).

In our discussion on this passage we agreed that grumbling and complaining can be a very destructive force. It's so easy to be negative about things, but rarely does a complaining attitude bring about a positive outcome. I have experienced the destructive nature of such negativity on occasions over the years, and even, sadly, within the church. Yet we are told quite clearly in the New Testament letter of James, 'Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged'.

I playfully suggested that one way to reduce complaining would be to say that if anyone complains they should stand on one leg to do so! I think that might cut down the amount of complaining which goes on, though I'm not sure that the idea would catch on. Of course there are going to be times when we can quite rightly point out things we don't agree with, but I think that if we start by seeking out the positives, and try to be as encouraging as possible, it would make a great difference.

Sadly, Yorkshire ultimately lost a close match. Perhaps if my "friend" in the crowd had been a bit more encouraging to the players it might have helped them do better?

Triumphant Grace

2011-07-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Sue and I attended an antique and collectors' fair at Keddlestone Hall, Derbyshire. As I was browsing the contents of one of the stalls, I came across an old photo-postcard which has the image of "Alan Benson, Missionary to North China". The postcard had been signed by Alan Benson. There was a pin-prick at the top of the card, perhaps indicating that at one time a prayer supporter of the missionary had pinned it on a wall or board. I paid the requested £2 and determined that when I got home I would try to discover more about Alan Benson.

The internet was the obvious source for information, and I duly discovered a rather remarkable story...

Alan Benson did indeed serve as a missionary in China. In August 1940 he was arrested by the invading Japanese army, and accused of being a spy. He was presented with a written confession, but he refused to sign it as it was not true. He also knew that if he confessed to being a spy it would implicate others. Benson was therefore subjected by his captors to horrendous torture in order to try and extract a confession from him. He prayed for “grace and strength”; Psalm 71:1 became his constant prayer, 'In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.'

For seven weeks, twelve hours per day he was tortured, and suffered the most terrible abuse. Continually his captors would yell at him “confess, confess, confess!” Remarkably, he prayed for his torturers, telling them that he could not hate them, but that “I will pray for you each night that God will have mercy on you and pardon your sins and lead you to the Saviour.”

Even when he was not being tortured, he found it very difficult to sleep because of the pain he was suffering. On one occasion he asked God to remove the pain. When he rose from his knees he discovered that the pain had gone, and he danced around his cell in celebration!

After seven weeks, the torture came to and end. He was placed in a cell with some Chinese prisoners. They were all instructed to sit facing the wall and not to talk to each other. Nevertheless, Benson did get some opportunities to communicate with his fellow prisoners, and led several to Christ!

His wife had managed to get a Bible to him, and another verse which became special was Psalm 142:7, 'Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.' He was eventually freed, and he wrote a booklet, “Grace Triumphant”, in which he outlined his experiences. In summarising, he wrote, “Looking back over it all, I can truthfully say that it has been worth it all, and in and through it all God has surely been glorified and his 'triumphant grace' has carried me through every trial and testing.”

Alan Benson died in 1998. A remarkable man. I am so pleased that I discovered the postcard and thus revealed this fascinating and inspiring account.

The birth of a Nation

2011-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

I write this on Friday 8 July, 2011. I wonder how many people in the world realise that tomorrow will see the birth of the world's newest nation state. After decades of civil war with its northern counterpart, and a January referendum in which its 8m inhabitants voted overwhelmingly to secede, Southern Sudan will become the Republic of South Sudan.

No doubt there will be great rejoicing and an amount of optimism as South Sudan takes its place as a nation. Yet at the same time the nation faces enormous problems. It will take a long time to recover from decades of conflict which have taken the lives of over 1.5 million people. As thousands of families have made their way from northern Sudan to the south, so this has put great strain on already meagre resources. Water, food and other resources are in short supply.

Only this week I received a communication from aid charity tearfund, which is launching an appeal to support the people of South Sudan. Amongst the startling statistics are the fact that only about one quarter of the population have access to clean drinking water; less than 10 percent have access to a latrine; perhaps most sobering fact of all is that South Sudan is currently at the bottom of international rankings in terms of infant mortality; tragically, one mother in seven dies during childbirth.

I have found all this deeply challenging, not least in terms of how I should respond. I could make a donation to the work which tearfund is doing in Southern Sudan. I could certainly pray, because prayer does make a difference. I could respond in some other way, perhaps by seeing if there is some way in which I can join others in pressing governments and organisations who can make a difference to do something about the underlying issues of world poverty. One thing I do know, that I can't just close my eyes to the need (like the priest and the Levite did in the Good Samaritan story) - for that is not the way of the follower of Jesus.

No Pain No Gain?

2011-06-30T12:34:00.001-07:00

One of my birthday presents this year from my wife, Sue, was a "Sports Massage"! To be perfectly honest, I wasn't too enamoured with the idea when she first told me. I'm not too sure why I was so reluctant, but I was. Sue thought that after my exertions of running the Leeds 10K it would be good for me to have the massage.

The appointment was booked for this week, and I headed off in some trepidation. When the young man who was due to do the massage chatted with me beforehand, he seemed quite keen to let me know that a sports massage was unlike an ordinary massage, and could be "quite uncomfortable" at times. Those words didn't exactly put me at ease, but I obediently laid out and let him get to work!

I soon discovered what he meant, especially when he came to my calf muscles. It was all I could do not to jump up and run out of the room. When the man had finished, he gave me another warning that I would probably feel the after-effects for another couple of days! It certainly got me to thinking about the old saying, "No pain, no gain". I've said it myself many times over the years. I don't think that the saying is true in every situation, but it probably does have an element of truth about it. Certainly if I hadn't put myself through some fairly strict training (and some pain) over recent months I wouldn't have managed a P.B. in the Leeds 10K.

Maybe this gives us some insight into the apparently rather strange instructions of James in his letter in the New Testament: 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.' He knew very well that if life is always easy, a person's Christian faith can grow weak and flabby. It is in facing tough and difficult times, when a person's faith is tested and exercised, that faith grows stronger. Food for thought.

Not that I will be rushing back for another sports massage!

A goal to aim for

2011-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

In 1990 I undertook the "Coast To Coast Walk", created and made famous by the late Alfred Wainwright. The walk runs from St Bees Head on the west coast of England to Robin Hood's bay on the east coast, and takes in a rich variety of terrain and scenery. In the introduction to Wainwright's guide book to the walk, he writes:

One should always have a definite objective, in a walk as in life - it is so much more satisfying to reach a target by personal effort than to wander aimlessly. An objective is an ambition, and life without ambition is ... well, aimless wandering.

Yesterday was the 5th Leeds 10K, inaugurated by the inspirational late Jane Tomlinson, and continued since her death by her family. I have entered each one of the events, and never managed to complete the course in less than one hour. I was determined this year to try and beat the 60 minute barrier. My training over the year had gone fairly well. I have never been one to particularly enjoy running longer distances, but as my fitness has improved I have slowly begun to appreciate the runs more and more. Conditions yesterday were ideal for running, with some rain, and a fairly cool temperature. There is no doubt that joining with thousands of other runners, and being cheered on by people lining the route, was a great help and inspiration. I was beginning to run out of energy over the final 2 kilometres, but managed to keep going, and achieved a time of 55 minutes 52 seconds, with which I was highly delighted. Goal achieved!

There are lots of parallels one could draw between a 10K run and the Christian life. But the area which I have been thinking about relates to the whole issue of aims and goals. The difference is that in the Christian life it is God who, in a sense, sets our goals for us. The question is, are we listening to what he says, and are we up for the challenge. The good news us that he promises to be with us all the way, and give is the strength to reach the finishing line!

When is a weed not a weed?

2011-06-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

When is a weed not a weed? That is a question which has been exercising my mind recently. Not of earth-shattering importance, perhaps, but an interesting one nevertheless.

So what is a weed? According to GardenWeb, "A weed is a plant that is growing where it is not wanted." Sounds like a reasonable definition to me. But the reality is that most people are prejudiced against certain plants, and automatically think of them as weeds. Take dandelions, for example; they are actually quite beautiful in their own way, but most gardeners do their best to remove them long before they flower (probably because of the multitudinous seeds which appear after the petals!)

A couple of days ago I decided to take advantage of a break in the rain to mow the lawns. However, when I got to the front lawn I noticed that some lovely orange plants had appeared there. In reality they would be classed by many as weeds, but to me they were too beautiful to destroy. I decided that the front lawn would have to wait to be mown. I want to enjoy the "weeds" for a few more days!

A couple of weeks ago we had a poster at the front of church which read something like this: "Society's rejects are welcomed by God". One of our church members didn't appreciate the poster; she said that she didn't like to think of anyone being classed as a reject. I understand the point, but the sad truth is that many people do feel rejected by society, and the poster was making the point that those who are rejected by others will always be loved and welcomed by God.

Jesus demonstrated, through his public ministry, God's love for those who were despised and downtrodden in his society. He was severely criticised by the religious leaders, and even given the name "friend of sinners". And that's just what he was! Jesus went out of his way to show that God's love, grace and forgiveness are for everyone, regardless of their background, skin colour or status. All who came to Jesus in faith were welcomed. Those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus need to shown that same love and acceptance.

Overpaid prima donnas?

2011-06-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Generally speaking, professional footballers haven't got a great reputation. Long gone are the days when footballers earned very little, travelled to the games via public transport, and were very accessible to the general public. The phrase “overpaid prima donnas” can often be heard cast in the direction of the modern day pro footballer. Perhaps in some cases the description may not be too far wide of the mark. Much as I love the fame of football, I struggle to explain how any sportsman can be worth £200,000+ per week.

For the past 4 years or so I have been privileged to be chaplain to Doncaster Rovers FC. I am a lifelong football supporter, being brought up by my Dad to support Hull City. Being Rovers' chaplain has meant that I haven't been able to see my “first love” (in footballing terms) all that often, but it has nevertheless been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Apart from anything else, being chaplain to a football club has enabled me to see something of what goes on “behind the scenes”.

Being chaplain has given me the opportunity to meet some great people at the football club; not just the playing staff, but also the management, admin and support staff. I have to say that the rather negative image which I mentioned above has proved to be wide of the mark where the Rovers' playing staff are concerned. They are a great bunch of lads, and it has been my privilege to get to know them and spend some time with them.

Doncaster Rovers is a relatively small club, which is keen to get involved in the local community. The players give of their time to visit local schools and other organisations. Three of the players, along with other Rovers' staff, have recently travelled to South America to scale the Andes to the Inca Trail, at high altitudes of over 15,000ft; they will walk over 62 miles of rugged terrain on the roof of the continent. Their aim is to raise £50,000 for the NSPCC, and this during their “holiday” period. A great example of public figures using their influence for good through personal commitment. And a great reminder that we should never try to “tar everyone with the same brush”. If you want to discover more about the trek, click this link: http://www.roversincatrek.co.uk

Jesus said, “it is better to give than to receive”. He knew that, paradoxically, it is in giving generously that we receive; I am sure that the members of the team who are undertaking the trek will find that by giving of themselves they gain far more then they give.

Two little words which can mean so much

2011-05-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

The image on the right is of a sunset over Derwentwater in the Lake District. It was not, sadly, one which I took myself. Rather, it is the image on the front of a greetings card which I received in the post this week.

A couple of weeks ago I took a funeral service for a family, and they had taken the trouble to write to express their appreciation with a Thank You card. I do occasionally receive Thank You cards, but it is not a common occurrence. The fact that someone has taken time to sit down and write a letter or card means a lot. The two words, "Thank You" can have significant effect. To feel appreciated is something we all need!

I'm sure that I have mentioned this before in my blog, but I wonder how many of us feel thankful but fail to express that thanks. The problem is that there will probably come a time when it's too late, and the opportunity has been lost.

A few months ago I encouraged the folk in my churches to make a commitment to contact someone and tell them how much they were appreciated. I hope that they responded to the challenge. How sad if we have people around us who we really appreciate and yet we never take time to tell them! And it doesn't just have to be those we know. How about the cheerful check-out operator at the supermarket? Or the cheerie postie? Or our long-suffering wife/husband/friend? A few more expressions of appreciation will go a long way!

2011-05-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest privileges a person can experience in life is to be a parent. Being a parent is also one of the most daunting responsibilities a person can face! Sue and I have been blessed to have three wonderful child who, despite our failings as parents, have turned out to be young adults of whom we are very proud.

Looking the other way through the family line, I feel very blessed, also, with the family into which I was born. Dad died in 1991. There are still moments when I feel his loss deeply. He was a quiet man, but someone who was greatly admired for his strength of character.

Mum lives in sheltered accommodation near Chesterfield. My eldest sister lives nearby, and does a great job keeping a watchful eye over Mum. Although I don't see Mum all that often, I do speak to her very regularly on the phone. I was reflecting recently that I can't think of many people I have known over the years who were so utterly content with life as my Mum. Very often during our phone calls she tells me how content she is. "My faith and my family are the what matters to me" is one of her favourite sayings. Mum is not very confident with her walking, and she doesn't get out a great deal, yet she is so very happy with life. Her strong Christian faith, and the love and support of her family, are the two key elements which give her real joy and contentment. I am sure that if it were possible to bottle a little of Mum's contentment it would sell for a fortune!

The apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy, 'godliness with contentment is great gain.' In another of his letters he wrote, 'I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.' There are, no doubt, many people who have great riches in terms of what this world can offer, yet lack true contentment with life. Paul knew that true contentment doesn't really come from outward circumstances, or material possessions, but from the knowledge and experience of God's love in Christ. My Mum knows it, too.

Tempus fugit

2011-05-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

56 years ago yesterday, I was born! My Mum has told me many times that my birth was the cause of great rejoicing in the little village where my family lived. The news soon spread, "The Clarks have got a boy!" I have four elder sisters, and I think my parents had more or less decided that it was going to be their lot in life to raise a family of girls. Perhaps they decided to have another go, one last time. I'm glad they did! (Not sure what happened when my little brother was born around six years later!)

Some people don't like birthdays, especially as the years pass. I find that birthdays give me cause for a little reflection on my life so far. It has given me the opportunity to pause and give thanks to God for the tremendous blessings he has poured into my life in so many ways. I have a fantastic family, some great friends, a job I love, and the knowledge that God loves me and has a purpose for my life. Yes, I've experienced some tough times over the years, and my life isn't always a bed of roses, but I thank God for so much. I remember from childhood an old chorus which said "count your blessings" and that's certainly what I try to do.

I can never remember a time when God wasn't a big part of my life. I was only 5 years old when I first made a conscious decision to commit my life to Jesus, and I know that there has never been a single moment since then that he has abandoned me (even during the times when I did not acknowledge his presence). But I also know that there have been many times when I have failed him, and said or done things which have hurt God and other people. There have been lots of things in my life which I have regretted. Yet I rejoice that God is a God of grace, who offers forgiveness through Jesus. And I am constantly amazed by his love and grace even for me!

As I look back with thanksgiving, so I look to the future with confidence; who knows what God has in store for me!

Thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden

2011-05-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of days I have been reflecting on the news item which managed to knock Will and Kate off the media centre stage, namely the death of Osama bin Laden. There are a number of aspects which make me feel rather uneasy.

Firstly, President Obama's confident assertion that bin Laden's death has “made the world a safer place”. Has it really? Some experts suggest that it will only make radical Islamists even more determined to die for their cause. Does the death of bin Laden even begin to get to the root of the terrorist problem?

Another aspect which gives me unease is the admission that information on bin Laden's whereabouts was obtained by the use of what are euphemistically called “enhanced interrogation techniques”. Some would say that the word “torture” is a more realistic term. By using and approving of such techniques, are we not in danger acting in a way which we would roundly condemn in others?

When news first filtered through of bin Laden's death, there were some scenes of wild jubilation and rejoicing in the USA. Again, I must admit to feeling very uneasy at the sight of celebrating Americans. Of course, I can quite understand the fact that many Americans (and others) felt a sense of relief when a man who was apparently responsible for such terrible carnage and death could no longer instigate such acts. At the same time, I was moved to read the words of another famous American, Martin Luther King Jnr. (himself the victim of violence), "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate.... Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

I am reminded, also, of the words of St Paul in his letter to Roman Christians (themselves suffering violent persecution), 'Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.'

Perhaps I am raising more questions than answers, but then this is a very complex issue. One thing is certain, and that is that bin Laden will have to stand under the judgement of God, as will we all.

Final thought, and that is about bin Laden the human being. Probably when he was born his parents loved and cherished him, and did their best to nurture him. What was it in his life that led him to his way of violence and hatred? And how can we reach out in some way to those who are determined to follow in his footsteps?

God, how we need you.

Give and take - the key to good relationships

2011-05-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

There is much in the news these days of the increasing regularity of marriage breakdown. One local nightclub even advertises "divorce parties", which I find a very sad indictment on our society. Marriage isn't always easy, and every marriage goes through its rough patches. Remarkably, three separate couples at Priory, my church, recently celebrated 60 years of married life, and another couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. 230 years between the four couples!

In my experience (a mere 33 years so far!), there are certain trigger points which can, if we don't be careful, set off arguments between Sue and I. One of those used to be when we were on a long car journey and Sue was navigating. For some reason we never quite managed to get on the same wavelength. Fortunately the advent of satellite navigation systems has solved that particular dilemma!

We were faced with another potentially difficult area this week. Sue and I spent the past week at our flat in Scarborough. We have had it for quite a few years now, and although we decorated throughout when we first bought the flat, parts are looking a bit shabby and ready for redecoration. We decided that our post-Easter break would be spent at the flat, and that we would redecorate the main bedroom. Wallpapering has been another of the areas where, over the years, we have had our share of arguments.

We had several discussions over the choice of wallpaper, and it took quite some time for us to eventually make a choice. Sue agreed with my idea to go for a wallpaper mural on one wall. We had never done this before, and putting it up was a whole new experience for us.

To add to our difficulties, Sue had some kind of virus during the week. I'm not really sure why wallpapering has, over the years, caused tension between us. When we get on with it and work together as a team, we get on ok. The real problem probably lies in our different approach the job. I tend to want to get on with things asap, whereas Sue (quite rightly) wants to take time to do the job properly. In the end I guess that we managed to complete the job with a bit of compromise on both sides.

Just before Jesus was arrested and taken for crucifixion, he prayed for his disciples. His prayer was that they might be in unity and love together. He had already told his disciples that their love for one another would be a sign to the world that they truly were his followers. One of the key elements of love is the willingness to compromise; or, to put it another way, being willing to give and take. Sue and I don't always get it right, but we managed it (about) this week, and the job was done. Even the mural looked ok!

Is it because he loves us?

2011-04-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Good Friday. For many years, churches in Doncaster have marked the day with a Walk of Witness through the town centre on Good Friday morning. Good Friday is a hugely significant day, when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus on a cross, and its significance for us today.

One hymn-writer puts it like this:

We may not know, we cannot tell
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

Of course, the vast majority of people in Jerusalem on that day did not understand the significance of Jesus' death. And there will be many people, I am sure, who will see us on the Walk of Witness and wonder why. To some, Good Friday holds no meaning.

A young mum was telling me recently that her 6 year-old daughter asked her to explain why Jesus died on a cross. It's difficult enough explaining the cross in plain English to an adult, never mind to a 6 year-old! The mum was struggling to find the right words when her daughter said, "Mum, was it because he loves us?"

Thank God for children!

Growing younger?

2011-04-14T08:08:00.001-07:00

"You look younger every time I see you!" No, not a message for Cliff Richard, but believe it or not those words were spoken to me today! This afternoon I called to see an elderly lady whose late husband's funeral service I had taken a couple of weeks ago, and those were her parting words to me as I said goodbye after my visit. To be honest, it's not every day that I receive such nice comments! And to be fair, I'm not sure how well the eyesight of the lady in question is functioning these days. Nevertheless, it did give me a warm glow for a while.

Of course, the truth is that none of us can prevent the relentless march of time. Every 24 hours we find ourselves a day older. Despite the vast amounts of money some people spend on cosmetic surgery etc., "old father time" still has his way with our bodies. Whether or not we find it easy to accept, the fact is that sooner or later our ticker will stop beating and our time on plant earth will be up. Many people in the UK now live longer than the Biblical "three score years and ten". But earthly life doesn't last forever. Some of the big, soul-searching questions that it doesn't do any harm to ask ourselves, are, "What will my life add up to? Am I heading in the right direction? What will I achieve in my life?"

Some time ago the old wooden, falling-to-bits doors on our garage were replaced with a metal roller door. It was a massive improvement. A few days ago I went out to open the new roller door and I noticed a rather strange sight. A tiny snail had crawled up the door to about 3/4 way up. It was sitting there (if snails do sit, I'm not sure!) Unfortunately I don't speak snail language, otherwise I'd have asked it "WHY? What was the point of the journey? Are you sure you're heading in the right direction?"

I've no idea what happened to the snail, but at least it reminded me of some fundamental life questions with which I can challenge myself!

Putting off the inevitable

2011-04-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

I must confess to being someone who tends, at times, to put off the things I'm not looking forward to doing. I can be a bit of a procrastinator. One example is mowing the lawn, which I really don't enjoy. The winter period is helpful in this respect, as the lawn lies fairly dormant and there's no need for me to feel guilty that the lawnmower stays in its shed. But winter doesn't last forever, and spring, wonderful as it can be, brings with it the inevitable consequence of the lawn waking up from its hibernation and beginning to grow again.

I suppose that I've not done too bad to have been able to leave it until April before the lawnmower comes out. The last couple of weeks, with some lovely sunshine, have seen the lawn grow at a rapid rate. I realised that it would soon get totally out of hand - it was beginning to look like a meadow. So when I arrived home late this afternoon out came the lawnmower, and the job has been done. Until next week, at least!

My Dad was a gardener in his early working life. He always had a great knack around the garden, and he loved to spend time there. When Sue and I were first married he used to come round and help us with the garden from time to time. Sadly he is no longer around to help us. Dad seems to have passed on his "green fingers" to my four sisters, though for some reason the gift hasn't really come down to me.

There is something about gardening which I do like, and that is the fact that when you have worked in the garden you can see what you've done; usually your hard work makes a noticeable and pleasing difference. Yet there is also a reluctance in me to get out there, and the weeds keep growing. Maybe I will turn over a new leaf (pardon the pun) and make a commitment to spend some regular time in the garden. Maybe also I will try to be better at facing up to the things I don't like doing. After all, one can't put off the inevitable forever!

In our churches we are reading through Mark's gospel during the Lent period. Today's reading was from chapter 8 (of 14) and already the shadow of the cross has appeared, as Jesus began to prepare his disciples for what lay ahead (his arrest, suffering and crucifixion). As the time drew closer, it must have been a great temptation for Jesus to try to put off what he knew was coming. Yet he resisted the temptation, because he was totally committed to fulfilling the Father's will. He knew that his sacrificial death would open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in him. He truly is our example and inspiration.

Help, my internet isn't working!

2011-03-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

Sue and I managed a 2 day break in our flat in Scarborough at the end of last week. On the Friday, the weather was sunny and fairly warm for a March day. We enjoyed some outdoors time, and even had lunch sitting on a picnic bench outside a farm shop. Saturday was a rather different story, as the clouds had rolled in and a sharp easterly wind had sprung up. We did actually have lunch outside on the Saturday as well, but it was a very much quicker affair, and we soon moved on before the cold wind took too much toll!

One of the first things I normally do after returning from time away is turn on the pc and check my e-mails (sad but true!) I was shocked to discover that the internet was not working, so no e-mails and no surfing! I eventually worked out that the problem wasn't with the pc but had something to do with the connection between the Service Provider and the router. Even our computer guru friend Simon couldn't fix it! This kind of thing has happened on occasions previously, but usually for only a few minutes, or a maximum of a couple of hours, at a time. I began to fret - what on earth do I do without internet access?

To cut a long story short, communication was restored to normal mid-morning today, but it had been almost 4 days since I had been able to access the internet. I'm still not fully sure what caused the problem, but the main thing is that normal service has been resumed! I do wonder if we have become too reliant on our pcs?

This episode has also got me to thinking about the changing methods of communication in our modern society. I know that a lower percentage of my communication is done face to face, or even on the telephone, than in years gone by. I send and receive many e-mails each day. Whilst they are a very convenient method of easy communication, they have their limitations. There is no doubt that in recent times we have seen a communication explosion. But the question remains: are we losing the art of real communication? Is that part of the reason why many human relationships seem such a struggle?

I believe that my relationships with my family and friends, and most of all with God, are the most important part of my life. Communication is a vital element of any relationships, and communication involves both parties. I am resolved to play my part.

What are you building with?

2011-03-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Some years ago I decided to write a book. The central theme of the book was to be what I find a very challenging passage in the first letter of Paul to the church in Corinth. Basically, Paul is asking his readers to consider what they are building with their lives. From The Message translation, here are his words:

'Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you'll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won't get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn't, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won't be torn out; you'll survive - but just barely.'

Paul reminds his readers that one day we will all have to present our lives before God. The big question we all face is: what am I building with my life? Is it something which will stand the test?

We have witnessed in recent weeks the terrible devastation wreaked by earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. An event like that really does test the integrity of buildings in the earthquake zone. Some building have been specially designed to withstand earthquakes. Those that had not been so designed had little chance of remaining upright.

From time to time the passage from Paul's letter comes to mind, and I ask myself again whether what I am building with my life is worthy of placing before God. I know that God is not impressed by many of the values which are so cherished by our society today (wealth, power, status, possessions etc). What God wants is that we live lives which reflect the character of Jesus.

I was so impressed by the words of Helen Roseveare (see pic.) on Songs of Praise on 13th March. Helen served in Africa for many years, and at one time was arrested and beaten. Yet love shines from her face. She felt called to serve in Africa because at an early age she had "fallen in love with Jesus", and wanted to share that love with people in great need. At the end of the interview she said these words: "You should give the whole of your life to serve the Lord. There's nothing else worth doing. And when you get to the end, nothing else will count except what was done for him."

Such challenging words. Why waste time on things which ultimately don't count?

(Sadly, the book never did get written, but maybe one day!)

Don't judge a book by its cover

2011-03-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

'The English idiom "don't judge a book by its cover" is a metaphorical phrase which means "you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something, by its outward appearance alone."' So says Wikipedia, and on this occasion I think that Wikipedia is accurate (which is not always the case!) I was sharply reminded of the phrase this week.

As a church minister I am approached, on occasions, with people (almost always men) who have a sad story to tell. The stories seem to be variations on a theme, usually to do with having fallen on hard times, and usually finishing up with the need for help of some kind or other. It is my policy not to give money to anyone, particularly as one never knows how that money will be spent. I find it notoriously difficult to know how much of the story I hear is true, and how best to respond.

This week I met a man who told me a long and rambling story. I had plans for the afternoon, but I felt it right to sit and listen. I won't go into the story in detail, suffice to say that he asked not for money, but for help to find a bed and breakfast place overnight. He seemed to have very little by way of his own possessions (he had apparently been mugged and his back-sack stolen)

To cut a long story short, my new friend and I spent much of the afternoon trying to fins him a bed for the night. We called at several places asking if they had a room for the night, but when they took a look at my friend the answer was "no". It was clear that he was being judged on his outward appearance (which wasn't too bad, though his long hair and woolly hat maybe didn't help! After several rejections, I began to understand something of how Mary and Joseph must have felt when they discovered "no room at the inn".

I got to thinking about how we too easily judge people by their outward appearance. I know that over the years I have met people to whom at first impression I was not at all attracted, but when I got to know them over the course of time I came to value them greatly. Read the gospels and it becomes abundantly clear that Jesus never judged a person by how they looked. He always saw into a person's heart, and valued them as a unique creation of God.

This week's experience has certainly reminded me of an important lesson - "don't judge a book by its cover"

And yes, we did eventually find him somewhere to stay!

Releasing the chains of unforgiveness

2011-03-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

It is not often that I am brought to tears by an e-mail, but it happened today. When I last led a group to the Holy Land, we were privileged to be able to visit a group of believers in Jesus who are doing amazing things. I receive regular e-mail updates concerning their work. They are a wonderful example of how barriers can be broken down through a shared faith in Jesus Christ. Jewish and Arab believers worshipping together, demonstrating love for each other and for their local community. They are involved in some effective ministry with people in real need, and are blessed by witnessing God changing people’s lives in a wonderful way.

One such person was a young Jewish man. He is a former drug addict whose life was transformed when he met Jesus. He is now married to a German lady. They are involved in a number of areas of ministry. The e-mail I received this morning mentioned a movement in which they are involved called “Yad b’Yad” (“Hand in Hand”). The e-mail stated:

Every summer, Israeli Messianic [i.e. Jewish people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah] teenagers meet and bond with German teenage believers, with oversight by Jewish and German pastors. The ministry culminates with Jewish and German teenagers, holding hands two-by-two, walking through Auschwitz together. Tears of shame and unforgiveness are replaced by love, joy, acceptance and lifelong friendships.

How amazing! As I read those words, and imagined the sight, tears began welling up in my eyes. Forgiveness and reconciliation is such a wonderful thing - if only we human beings could learn to forgive! Desmond Tutu once said, “If you can find it in yourself to forgive then you are no longer chained to the perpetrator. You can move on, and you can even help the perpetrator to become a better person too.”

If we harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, the only person we really hurt is ourselves. The chains of unforgiveness hold us captive. When we forgive, we set ourselves free!

Stand or run?

2011-02-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

The Bible is an amazing book, not least because it contains some wonderful promises. One of the promises, at first sight, however, doesn't seem that good. In the 16th chapter of John's gospel, as Jesus speaks to his disciples and warns them of some tough times to come, he states, 'In this world you will have trouble' (or 'tribulation' as the older translations put it). Now that doesn't sound to me like a very comforting 'promise'!

Some people give the impression that if a person makes the decision to follow Jesus, life for that person will suddenly become much easier and more or less trouble-free. There is nowhere in the Bible where that is suggested! In fact, the opposite is true. Jesus makes it quite clear that to become his follower is a costly business, and that being his follower will not immunise us from trouble in this life. The big question we face as disciples/followers of Jesus is: how do we react when the troubles times arrive?

In 2009 my little brother (in age but not in waist size!) Phil moved to New Zealand to become National Director of Church Army New Zealand. When news broke this week of the earthquake in N.Z. our first thoughts were for Phil and his family (my mother was soon on the phone to me asking if Phil would be ok!) Fortunately for Phil, he lives in Auckland, which is on the north island of N.Z. Christchurch, where the quake hit, is on south island. Nevertheless there are Church Army personnel in Christchurch, and the last I heard was that Phil was catching a plane to Christchurch to work alongside the Church Army folk there, in offering what help and support they can to those who have suffered through the recent terrible events. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his colleagues, and indeed with all the people of Christchurch who have been affected.

When trouble comes, we have the choice of facing it head on, or trying to run away and hide. The way of Jesus is to face up to troubles, to rejoice in the knowledge that even in the toughest of times he is with us and will never let us go, and to seek to offer support and encouragement to others who are experiencing hard times.

For better for worse

2011-02-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

33 years ago today Sue and I tied the knot. I can vividly picture the snow covered landscape around the village church where our wedding took place. It was so cold, that when the time came for the "happy couple and their friends" photo to be taken, most of our friends had retreated to the comparative warmth of their cars! Though we've been through some really tough times in our marriage, I know that marrying Sue was about the best things I ever did, and I don't regret it for one moment.

On the basis that every relationship, however good it is, can be made better, Sue and I attended a "Marriage Unlocked" seminar in Sheffield last night. It was run by Care For The Family. The two presenters suggested 6 keys to a healthy relationship: 1. Be the best of friends. 2. Keep talking. 3. Argue well. 4. Communicate love. 5. Build intimacy. 6. Choose to love. There was a lot of interesting and thought-provoking stuff in there. I know that I am far from being a perfect husband, and that the old comment "could do better" certainly applies to me.

Of course marriage, like any relationship, can be hard at times. Relationships need commitment and need to be worked at. It was mentioned last night that about 4 out of every 10 UK marriages end in divorce. Whilst that is a really sad statistic, it does mean that 6 out of 10 marriages stand the test of time - surely something to celebrate! Priory, my town centre church, seems to be a church community which sustains marriage. Within the next couple of months we have two couples celebrating their golden wedding anniversary and three couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary!

So, 33 years and still going strong! I suppose that I ought to take Sue out to celebrate - I wonder what time the local chippy opens!

Life, Death, and ?

2011-02-10T07:01:00.001-08:00

If I am at Priory on a Thursday morning, I like to spend some time with the members of the Priory Art Group. Although I did, many years ago, manage to scrape through my Art 'O' Level exam, I have never been under the illusion that I have a particular talent in that area. That said, I can still appreciate art (though I am under strict instructions from my wife not to buy any more paintings, as we don't have any spare wall space!)

I enjoy having a chat with the Art Group members; they are a friendly lot. It is interesting that there are occasions when some members come and go without ever getting their art materials out – they spend the time chatting! Personally I think that's a positive sign, and indicates that some strong friendships have developed in the group over the years.

This morning the atmosphere was rather subdued, with the news that two members of the group had died during the past week. One death was not unexpected, as the lady concerned had been ill for some time. The other death came as a shock, and was the result of an accident. For the families and friends of the two people concerned, it is a sad time. Parting is never easy, especially when it comes through death. The death of a friend or loved one brings us face to face with our own mortality.

It was Benjamin Franklin who famously made the point, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Even though we don't always like to face up to it, the truth is that for all of us a time will come when our heart will stop beating and our earthly life will come to an end. The big question is, “What, if anything, comes next?”

The promise held out by Jesus is that for those who believe in him there is the assurance of a life beyond this life, a life in the very presence of God, a life free from the pain and sadness of this earthly life. Whatever joy and blessing we experience on planet earth, it is a pale shadow of what is to come for those who follow Jesus. And what's more, the invitation to follow him is open to all!

The Vicar of Baghdad

2011-02-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

I have recently been engrossed by a book by Canon Andrew White. He is vicar of St George's church in Baghdad, the only Anglican church in Iraq, and has thus become known as "The Vicar of Baghdad" (also the title of the book). Whilst living in Iraq, White has continued the work for reconciliation that he promoted during his time as Director of International Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. He is President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, which was established in 2005 as part of his reconciliation work in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole.

His work of reconciliation can be immensely frustrating, disheartening and dangerous. Even his very presence in Iraq endangers his life. The situation for the worshippers at St George's is one we would find hard to imagine. In September 2005 all of the lay church leaders were kidnapped and killed. A few months ago a deadly car bomb exploded near the church, leaving many congregation members dead or injured. Yet despite all the problems, difficulties and dangers, Andrew White presses on with his ministry of reconciliation.

He has a deep love for Iraq and for the Iraqi people. He regularly meets with key leaders from the region, both political and religious, and is very widely respected by people from many different backgrounds. He is even willing to meet with the people of violence in order to further the search for peace.

He is motivated and strengthened by his knowledge and experience of God's love in Christ, a love which is for every person. Jesus challenges his disciples with these words, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God.' I have been deeply moved and challenged by reading Andrew White's book. I might not be able to work for peace in Iraq, but I may well have opportunity to work for peace and reconciliation in situations and relationships which I meet from day to day. And that is a challenge for us all.

Blood, Sweat & Treason

2011-01-24T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the privilege of attending an event in a church in Sheffield. Henry Olonga, the former Zimbabwean test cricketer, was sharing something of his life story. It was a fascinating evening, as the audience listened with wrapt attention. We heard about key elements of his life, from his birth in Zambia, to his parents' separation, to life growing up in Zimbabwe, his Christian conversion, life as an international cricketer and beyond. Olonga also has a fine singing voice, and he sang several songs during gthe evening.

Of course, Zimbabwe has had a very troubled recent history, and Henry Olonga related how he came to recognise the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Zimbabwean authorities. He had a growing sense that he could not remain silent in the face of what was happening.

During the Cricket World Cup in 2003, Olonga and team-mate Andy Flower took the brave decision to wear black armbands to protest against the policies of Zimbabwe's government, led by Robert Mugabe. He and Flower released a statement, stating in part:

“In all the circumstances, we have decided that we will each wear a black armband for the duration of the World Cup. In doing so we are mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe. In doing so we are making a silent plea to those responsible to stop the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe. In doing so, we pray that our small action may help to restore sanity and dignity to our nation.”

This act led to a warrant issued in Zimbabwe for Olonga's arrest on charges of treason (which carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe) and forced him to retire from international cricket and temporarily go into hiding.

Olonga made it clear in what he said that his Christian faith played a large part in helping him come to the decision to take such a stand, at the risk of his own personal safety. His action resulted in the end of his international cricketing career. As I heard him speak, I asked myself whether I would have taken such a stand. And that’s a challenging question. I’m looking forward to reading Henry Olonga’s new book, Blood, Sweat and Treason.

2011-01-13T08:34:00.001-08:00

In my last blog I wrote about a situation which one of my daughters faced with a burst pipe at her home during the severe December weather. To cut a long story short, the resulting damage was such that it forced her to move out of her rented house.

Thankfully everything worked out for good, as she was able to find a better house, and with the help of family and friends was able to get moved and settled in within a few days. I made the point that even bad things which happen in our lives can be turned to good by God.

Of course, the situation which my daughter faced, hard though it seemed at the time, can hardly be called a tragedy. I received an e-mail today which did relate a recent tragic situation, when a young man in his late 20s died very suddenly. I cannot imagine what a painful situation that must be for his parents and the rest of his family and friends. The family involved are a Christian family. Such cases as this truly test the reality (or otherwise) of a person's faith. It's easy to believe in the good times; the real test comes when the storms rage around us. I read a note from the mother of the young man, and was so encouraged (and challenged) by what she wrote:

"Luke’s family, his colleagues and friends, and church friends in Sheffield and Manchester, wish to thank everyone for their cards, messages, prayers and practical support which has made this tragic situation so much easier to deal with, and the comments are making people cry, laugh and feel blessed for having known Luke."

She ended the letter by quoting from St Paul's letter to the church in Rome: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". (Romans 8: 28. That truly is a wonderful example of faith which has been tested and has stood the test.

It's strange how things work out...

2011-01-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

I'm still experiencing the after-glow of a great Christmas. On Christmas day itself we had all our three children with us, two of them with their marriage partners. We attended Christmas Day service at church, which was fairly informal and a great way to begin the celebrations of Jesus' birth.

We opened some presents before church, the rest when we returned, as we waited for Christmas dinner. I had some excellent presents this year (including two sonic screwdrivers!) After dinner we played games and had many laughs together. A lovely family day.

On the Wednesday after Christmas we hosted the annual family party, when we welcomed around 25 members of our wider family. Although the day was hectic and noisy, it was another much enjoyed occasion.

The only sour note from the holiday period came when Caz, our elder daughter, received a phone call from her landlady in Llanelli to say that there had been a pipe burst in the loft of her house which had cased major damage. Naturally this was very upsetting for Caz, especially as her house contents were not insured! It was clear that the damage to the house would make it impossible for Caz to continue to live there. As a consequence, she had to cut short her stay with us and travel back to Llanelli, accompanied by Sue (mother-comfort is a great thing in hard times!)

To cut a long story short, within the space of just a few days they managed, along with help from church friends, to clear Caz's belongings out of the house (they were stored temporarily at church), find a new (and better) house, buy some new items for the house, and get Caz moved in before she was due back at school (where she teaches) today!

Compared with the disaster which this episode could have turned into, something of a miracle has taken place. Caz is so delighted with how things have worked out. I can't help thinking of a verse in St Paul's letter to the church in Rome, where he writes, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28). As we approach a new year, with all its apparent uncertainties, how fantastic to know that if we put our trust in God, he can weave even the toughest of situations into something good.

A question of priorities

2010-12-27T05:37:00.000-08:00

We've had a great few days over Christmas. The fact that two of our three children are now married adds a little complication to Christmas arrangements, with them having two lots of families to visit! However, it just so happened this year that we managed to be all together for Christmas Day itself.

After the Christmas morning church service we had Christmas lunch, then spent most of the rest of the day playing games (breaking, of course, for the Queen's speech!) It was great to be able to spend some time together as a family and have plenty of laughs.

Steph and Matt left Doncaster yesterday to travel over to Matt's family, and Chris and Megan left this morning to travel down to Essex to Megan's family. Caroline has gone over to Sheffield to visit friends, so the house seems very quiet indeed.

I woke up fairly early this morning and on my way to the loo I noticed that the door to the bedroom where Chris and Megan were sleeping was slightly ajar. I thought it was strange, but didn't think much more about it. I later discovered that they had been up and out early to catch the big sale at Next. They arrived at Next at 5am only to find a couple of hundred people ahead of them in the queue! Obviously people were desperately keen to grab a bargain.

A couple of weeks' ago Sue and I visited a gentleman who has asked for help with a certain issue. We spent some time with him and hopefully were of some help. During our conversation he said a couple of times, "I just don't have time to go to church." We hadn't raised the issue at all, so I'm not sure why he mentioned it (unless he feels a bit guilty).

These two incidents have got me thinking about the whole issue of priorities. The truth is that we can usually make time for the things we regard as priorities. I know people who spend many hours and considerable amounts of money travelling the length and breadth of the country following their football team. Why? Because for them it's a priority.

Jesus talked quite a lot about priorities, and did so in a very challenging way. In effect he said that if we decide to follow him, then he must become our first priority. No half measures! The year 2010 will soon be at an end. The coming of a new year is a great time to reassess our personal priorities. It's certainly something I'll be doing.

Winter but no Christmas

2010-12-19T07:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday a group of us sang carols outside Priory in the town centre. We sang from 8.30am until 10am, and despite the severe cold, the time seemed to pass very quickly. We went through a range of carols, but the most popular carols seemed to be the more upbeat ones (like "Come and join the celebration") because they invited a bit of movement which helped to keep the frostbite at bay!

Our singing can't have been too bad as people generously threw coins into the collecting buckets. Though there didn't seem to be all that many people around, we managed to raise over £170 in the 90 minutes. It will be split between Rotherham hospice (one of our church members works there), and Compassion, which is an international Christian child development and child advocacy ministry.

Our main purpose, though, wasn't to raise funds, but rather to try to remind those who were in the town centre what Christmas is really all about. Many passers-by were very positive, and one man came to tell us that he had phoned his mum so that she could listen to the singing on the phone! Another lady, however, didn't seem to appreciate our efforts. As she hurried by she turned to us and said, "what a load of rubbish!" I have a feeling that she wasn't referring to the quality of our singing but rather to the message itself, and I felt immensely sad for her. She reminded me a little of Ebenezer Scrooge with his retort, "bah, humbug".

The birth in Bethlehem around 2000 years ago of Jesus, the Son of God, was the most momentous event in history. So much so that it cut history in half! God stepped into our world to demonstrate his amazing love for us. How sad, then, that so many overlook the heart of the Christmas message. In the carol, "In the bleak midwinter", the write speaks of the glory of the Christmas story, and the joy of those who welcome Jesus into their lives. He then goes on to write,

And to those who never listened
To the message of Thy birth,
Who have winter, but no Christmas
Bringing them Thy peace on earth,
Send to these the joyful tidings;
By all people, in each home,
Be there heard the Christmas anthem;
Praise to God, the Christ has come!

My prayer is that this Christmas many eyes will be opened to the wonder of the Christmas story, and many hearts will be open to the love and peace of Jesus. I pray particularly for God's blessing on the unhappy lady, that she too will meet the One who can transform her life.

Coping with change

2010-12-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

An old light bulb joke goes something like this: "How many Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?" The answer: "What do you mean, change?"

I was talking with a member of another church recently and I asked how their fairly newly arrived vicar was getting on. One of the first responses was, "He's changing a lot of things." Just this evening I was reading an article in the Metro newspaper about the new format to the long- running BBC programme "A Question of Sport". I've been a fan of Q.O.S. for all of its 40 years, and I must say that I do have reservations about the new format, not least the fact that one member of each team is now a "personality" rather than a sportsperson. Time will tell whether it proves to be a good move or not (I still think that the BBC should bring back Arlene Phillips to the panel of judges for Strictly!)

The truth is that, for whatever reason, we often find change hard to accept. We struggle when what we have become comfortable with becomes different in some way - it can move us out of our comfort zone, which is difficult to handle.

One of the ways in which we can begin to come to terms with change is to understand that change is a natural element of life. As I look through the window I see that the snow, which has been around for nearly 2 weeks, is slowly beginning to melt away. In two or three months we will see signs of spring. I was looking at some old family photos recently, and it's abundantly clear that we have all changed a great deal over the years!

The other thing we can do if we are struggling to cope with change is to look to the One who does not change. We live in an uncertain, changing, and sometimes frightening world. Yet we can have confidence that in God we have a rock beneath our feet and a sure foundation for life. As hymn-writer Henry Francis Lyte so eloquently puts it,

"Change and decay in all around I see:
O thou who changest not, abide with me!

The personal touch

2010-12-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

For many years now we have written a Christmas letter which we include with the Christmas cards which we send to family and friends around the country. It gives a brief summary of the year from the perspective of our family. Quite a number of our friends do the same, and I enjoy catching up on news in this way.

A couple of years ago a friend of ours, who is also a Methodist Minister, wrote in his letter that he had personally delivered Christmas cards to all his church members. I liked the idea, so decided last year to try and do the same! I just about managed it before Christmas Day. This year I have an extra church for which I am responsible, so the list of visits has grown. It perhaps wouldn't be so difficult if all the church members lived nearby, but unfortunately that isn't the case.

I wrote the cards two or three weeks ago, and decided this Monday that I had better start delivering them if there was any hope of completing the task by 25th. My intention was to use the car this week to deliver some which were beyond walking distance. Unfortunately, the heavy snow of the last few days put paid to that idea: the car has hardly left the garage this week! At least I have now delivered all the cards for people who live within reasonable walking distance. I must have walked quite a few miles over the past few days. It has been enjoyable, and I have been very grateful for my wellies, though tramping through fairly deep snow can be quite tiring.

Of course there may be some reading this who are thinking, "wouldn't it be easier to simply post the cards?" And in one sense, yes, it would. But the benefit of taking them out by hand is that it adds the personal touch. I get the opportunity to chat with folk and spend a bit of time with them which I might not otherwise have.

The heart of Christmas itself demonstrates the personal touch of God. In his great love for us, he stepped into our world. The Message translation of the Bible puts John 1v14 like this, 'The Word [Jesus] became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.' Jesus came to reveal the Father's love, and invite us to a personal relationship with God. Now that really is something worth celebrating this Christmas!

Holding it all together

2010-11-26T12:13:00.000-08:00

This week I have been enjoying the comforts of the Willersley Castle Hotel in Derbyshire. It is situated in a very rural and stunningly beautiful setting (if you are a facebook friend you may already have seen a few images of the area which I have uploaded).

Willersley Castle is on the edge of the village of Cromford, which is principally known for its historical connection with Richard Arkwright, and the Cromford Mill which he built here in 1771. It also houses an extensive second hand bookshop which I much enjoyed perusing!

I should point out that I wasn't on holiday, but was attending a 4 day residential course on using multimedia in worship, run by Mike Bossingham of the Family Friendly Churches Trust. It is often said that people tend to have a much better memory of what they see than what they hear. Preachers and worship leaders are increasingly using modern forms of visual images in worship, and I thought that it was about time I learned a little more about the whole issue.

Of course, as with any training event, the proof of any benefit can only be seen in what happens as a result. I have been to several training events over the years at which I seemed to learn a great deal at the time but ultimately the learning was lost because it was not put into practical use. Hopefully this one will prove more fruitful in the long term.

One of the memories which I know will remain with me forever came at almost the last minute. We were preparing to pack up for lunch after the final session when Mike happened to mention laminins. I can't remember ever having heard about them. Wikipedia states that "laminins are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every tissue of an organism." Put simply, laminins are what hold us together and stop us becoming a blobby mass or falling apart! Remarkably, the image at the top of this page is what a laminin looks like. Remind you of anything? Paul's words to the Colossians come to mind:

'He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER.'

Ain't God just amazing?

I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa

2010-11-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

I recently received an e-mail from a friend, Nick, with whom I hadn't been in touch for a few years. We first got to know each other when I was a minister in Sheffield and Nick worked as a lay worker in the area. I remember one occasion, at a meeting of preachers, when Nick was trying to get them to understand that it's not particularly helpful to children and young people when we ask them to sing very old hymns with antiquated language which even adults sometimes struggle to understand. To do so, he got the preachers (most of whom were middle-aged to elderly) to sing a children's song, "I just want to be a sheep" There are some great actions to go with the song, and a good number of the preachers were very embarrassed at having to sing this children's song. Nick certainly got his point across!

Jesus told a story about a lost sheep, and this week I have been out searching for sheep. Not real sheep, of course, but the cuddly toy kind of sheep. There are lots of cuddly toys about, but very few sheep! In the end I managed to buy two relatively inexpensive sheep on a market stall. You may be wondering why I have been sheep hunting? No, I haven't developed a sheep fetish, nor a sheep obsession. I want them to use in Sunday morning's family service.

The image of sheep and shepherd is used quite often in the Bible. Human beings are, on occasions, referred to as sheep. The prophet Isaiah writes, "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own." He is speaking about the human propensity to chose our own way rather than God's way (just look around our world today to see what happens when we chose our own way!) The good news is that God still loves us, even when we stray from his path. He sent his Son, Jesus, who spoke of himself as the Good Shepherd. Jesus came, as he said, "to seek and save the lost". Hymnwriter Robert Walmsley, in his hymn "Come, let us sing of a wonderful love", puts it like this:

Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
Why do they roam? Why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
Home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love,
Dwells in the heart of the Father above.

And I say Amen! to that (baa baa baa baa)

A time to remember

2010-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

This morning I attended the two minutes silence outside the Mansion House in Doncaster (Today is Remembrance Day; the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11 November 1918, to signal the end of World War One). It was a solemn and dignified occasion, though spoilt a little by the fact that the pa system was working only spasmodically, meaning that much of what was said by the Mayor went unheard by the majority of those gathered there.

I am always particularly moved by the contributions of those who have actually served in conflict situations, and especially veterans of the World Wars. One or two of the veteran standard bearers were struggling at times to maintain a hold on their standards in the strong wind.

A few months ago someone came into Priory asking if we had a plaque commemorating those church members who lost their lives in the First World War - I think that the person was researching family history. It seems that when Priory was redeveloped in the late 70s the plaque was taken down and stored away. After much searching, it was located, and will be restored to a position on the wall in the chapel at Priory. It is very poignant to read the names on the plaque: husbands, fathers and sons who never came back. What enormous pain and sadness for their loved ones.

According to Wikipedia (which isn't always the most reliable source of information), approaching 100 million people lost their lives during the two world wars. And the sad thing is that we human beings never seem to learn the lessons of history. The conflict and killing continues. How God must weep that we disregard his way of peace. In our lunchtime Bible study this week we were considering the world of Jesus, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." For all who know the peace of God in our hearts, that is our challenge.

The Archbishop, the footballer and a barrel of laughs

2010-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Reflections on a great weekend...

On Friday evening Sue and I attended an event at the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough, entitled “Sentamu By The Sea”. An almost full theatre listened intently as the current Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, shared something of his life story, and then answered questions from members of the audience. He really is quite a character, not at all the typical image of an Archbishop! He told of his very humble beginnings; how he was baptised as a new born infant because no-one thought that he would survive; his upbringing in a very poor family; his coming to faith at the age of 10 and subsequent passion for sharing the good news of Jesus; his training in law, and then persecution and imprisonment under Idi Amin, which led him to flee to the UK. He told the story with a mixture of humour and pathos. His message was both challenging and inspiring.

On our way back to Doncaster we called in to the Living Hope Church in Hull. As a life-long Hull City supporter, one of my heroes of a few years ago was former Northern Ireland international Stuart Elliott. It was a great joy to me, as chaplain of Doncaster Rovers, when Stuart signed for the Rovers two or three years ago. Although things didn't really work out for him at Rovers, it was great to get to know him during his time at the club. Stuart was well known as a Christian, and he recently made the decision to hang up his boots and become assistant pastor at Living Hope Church. Having a Sunday off gave me the opportunity to visit Living Hope and catch up with Stuart. It was great to see him and great to worship at the church. We were very warmly welcomed and felt very much at home. Clearly God is doing great things there, and Stuart is passionate about Jesus.

On Sunday evening we were with friends in Lincoln attending the first night of “The Seriously Funny Tour” with Jeff Lucas and Adrian Plass. It is a long time since I have laughed so much. It was wonderful to be reminded that a sense of humour is given to us by God, and it seems so sad that some Christians appear to have had their sense of humour removed! Laughter is great medicine. Interspersed with the humour were some very reflective and insightful moments. It was a privilege to be there.

Three very different events, each were blessed by God's presence. God is a God of rich variety, and so are his people!

No cuts with God

2010-10-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.” So said Mr Micawber, a character in Charles Dickens’ novel, David Copperfield (it is rather sad, and perhaps a little ironic, that Mr Micawber ended up in a debtor's prison!) It has become apparent over recent years that Britain, and many countries around the world, have fallen foul of the “Micawber principle”, and have racked up a mountain of debt.

Whichever party had formed the government following this year's general election, they would have had to face the task of dealing with the huge deficit. This week, chancellor George Osborne announced spending cuts which are likely to affect every person in the UK to a greater or lesser degree (Sue and I seem to have both born a year too late to avoid being caught by the rise in the pension age from 2020!) Although there have been many arguments about where cuts should be made, there are very few, if any, who argue that there should be no cuts of any kind. The basic truth is, financial (and other) resources are not without limit.

Faced with future uncertainty of this kind, how wonderful it is to know that there is no lack of supply where God is concerned! His gifts of love, grace, mercy, peace, forgiveness etc. are given in abundance to all who will receive. St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is particularly eloquent on this topic:

‘All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.’ (chapter 1 v 3)

‘In him we have ... forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.’ (chapter 1 v7&8)

‘Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.’ (chapter 3 v 8)

‘So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.’ (chapter 2 v7)

It was recently reported that forty US billionaires have signed up to pledge at least half of their fortunes to charity under a philanthropic campaign kicked off by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Yet even such riches are dwarfed by the riches of God, and the good news is that God loves to give - he even gave his only Son for us!

From darkness to light

2010-10-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Worldwide media attention has been focussed over recent hours on the San Jose mine in Chile. 33 miners had been trapped some 2000 feet below ground since early August. Over the long days and weeks since a major rockfall prevented their return to the surface, anxious families and friends have been hoping and praying that rescue attempts would ultimately prove successful.

From the early hours of this morning, dramatic pictures have been beamed around the world as, one by one, the miners were, at long last, winched to safety in a metal capsule measuring just 24 inches in diameter. Church bells throughout the country were rung as the first miner reached the surface; great rejoicing and celebration has been taking place. The rescue procedure, however, is slow, and at the time of writing there are still some miners who have not yet been brought to the surface. Their loved ones wait in hope and expectation. Isn't it great to have a good news story such as this as an antidote to our usual news menu?

I have been thinking how closely this story parallels the heart of the Christian gospel. The theme of the journey "from darkness to light" runs throughout Scripture. Just as the once trapped miners have been given what could be described as a new beginning, so that is just what we are offered by Jesus. St Paul writes of how through faith in Jesus Christ we become, as it were “a new creation”, and Jesus himself speaks of the need to be “born again”. It is perhaps best summed up in the first verse and chorus of a hymn written by Charles H Gabriel:

In loving kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

Refrain
From sinking sand, He lifted me,
With tender hand, He lifted me,
From shades of night to planes of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!

Just as the Chilean miners had the choice of whether or not to step into the capsule, so each one of us us given the choice whether or not to accept the offer of new life in Christ. The right choice is obvious, isn't it?

UPDATE: since publishing this blog yesterday, I have received an e-mail quoting the Chilean President's chaplain, Revd Alfredo Cooper. He says that it is clear that faith has been a big part of this whole drama, with many miners "finding God": "They're all wanting to testify to the Lord Jesus Christ. All 33 of them are saying that they found God in the mine. Five or six were already Christians and held services down in the mine. Many went down with no faith at all but they all say this: 'We were not 33 we were 34 because Jesus Christ was with us down there.'"

Frustration and patience - the game of golf (life)

2010-10-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

Golf fans from Europe and the USA were gripped this week by the goings-on at Celtic Manor, the Welsh home of this year's dramatic Ryder Cup match. Due to the heavy rain of the first couple of days, the match was carried over to an unprecedented fourth day, and what a day it proved to be! The final match saw Europe's Graeme McDowell up against the USA's Hunter Mahan. The overall match score was tied at 13.5 points each. McDowell needed to win his match to reclaim the Ryder Cup, which the USA had won two years ago. As the tension mounted, the nerves began to tell on Hunter Mahan, and McDowell claimed victory on the 17th green, much to the jubilation of the majority of the massed crowd of spectators.

I didn't see much of the match on TV. Unfortunately, as with an increasing number of sporting events, it was shown live on Sky TV, and so those of us without Sky had to either listen to the radio or watch the highlights on terrestrial TV later in the day (I could get on my hobby horse about this, but perhaps not today!) I happened to be paying a hospital visit when the match came to its climax, and I must admit to sitting in my car in the hospital car park for a few extra minutes as the drama unfolded. I'm not a big golf fan, but it was exciting to listen to.

I do own a set of golf clubs, but they rarely see the light of day. I have long since come to the conclusion that golf is probably the most frustrating sport to play. I have a friend from church, Denis, who is a member of a golf club and plays regularly. A little while ago he kindly (bravely?) invited me to a round of golf with him. I managed to eke out a spare few hours in the diary, and off we went. The reason I find golf so frustrating is that on some occasions I hit a fairly good shot and on other occasions I am embarrassed by my efforts! I did miraculously manage on one hole to get down in less shots than Denis. However, my inconsistency was show when I managed to get down in 5 shots on a par 4 hole (very good for a novice like me), but then on the very next hole took about 10 shots for a par 3!!

I was extremely grateful for Denis' patience with me. All the way round he offered encouragement and advice, without being overbearing. He commended my good shots and didn't criticise the poor ones. He was a good mentor and encourager, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day, even though I did suffer my fair share of frustration with my many wayward shots.

As I reflect on the experience, it seems to me that the way Denis guided and encouraged me in the game of golf is a good example to follow in the Christian way of life. The Christian life is a journey, but it is not one which we are called to walk on our own. When we commit ourselves to Jesus, we become part of his family, the church. It is his desire that we should be there to support, encourage and guide one another. Though I do get frustrated at times with church and some church people, I thank God for his church, and for the many brilliant friends who have helped, supported and guided me on my on the Christian journey. I pray that God will enable me to offer that same kind of help and support to others.

"Brother, sister, let me serve you..."

Beauty is more than skin deep

2010-09-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Most Monday to Thursday mornings I spend in the Church Office at Priory. When I arrived on Tuesday I headed, as usual, for the kitchen (making a coffee is always a priority on my arrival!) The kitchen was already a hive of activity, as a number of people were busy preparing for Restawhile, our shoppers coffee service which takes place each market day morning. I was somewhat surprised to discover on my arrival that I seemed to be the topic of conversation. Was it Sunday morning's sermon they were discussing? Perhaps some other element of my work as Minister of the church?

I was soon to learn that the topic under discussion was in fact my recent haircut! For many years now my lovely wife, Sue, has cut my hair (and saved me a small fortune in the process). My hair tends to grow rather quickly, and I find that once it gets beyond a certain length it becomes rather difficult to control. With this in mind I had asked Sue to cut it quite short, and that's exactly what she did! Although I have had one or two favourable comments on the new length, on the whole most people don't really appreciate it. Such is life, and anyway it will grow again very soon.

As I reflect on all this, I have been thinking about how often we judge people on the basis of outward appearances. We tend to make assumptions about people by what they are wearing or what they look like. And in the modern media age, looks and appearance seem to be everything. But is a person's outward appearance really what matters?

There is a story on the Bible about the prophet Samuel who is instructed by God to anoint a new king for Israel. Samuel visits a man called Jesse who lives in Bethlehem, and when Samuel sees Jesse's son Eliab, a tall, handsome, strapping fellow, he immediately thinks that he's found the man to be king. But God says to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16v7). God doesn't judge by outward appearances and neither should we!

The remarkable "Young Ones"

2010-09-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

BBC TV recently showed a remarkable series of 3 documentary programmes entitled The Young Ones, featuring six well-loved celebrities in their 70s and 80s spending a week living as though it were the year 1975. The six people concerned were Liz Smith, Sylvia Syms, Dickie Bird, Lionel Blair, Kenneth Kendall and Derek Jameson. They were brought together in a large house which was set out as if it was in the year 1975. The idea was to take the celebrities back to a time when they were in their heyday. By bringing back the memories of those times, the expectation was that “the body will follow where the mind has gone.”

A number of the celebrities were rather sceptical about the whole idea, and doubted that the week would lead to any significant physical or other improvements. They were each put through a number of tests prior to the week (physical and mental), which were repeated at the end of the week. I found the whole series absolutely fascinating. I had my own doubts, but was astounded to see how quickly each of the six very began to show improvements in their physical capabilities, some remarkably so. If you haven't seen the series, I strongly recommend that you do so while it's still available on BBC iPlayer!

One of the elements of the programme which particularly spoke to me was how the six were placed in an environment which was designed to present challenges for all of them. It was through meeting and often overcoming the challenges that they grew in confidence. Mention was made in the first episode of an experiment with rats. It was said that where rats were placed in an environment which was stimulating and difficult they lived, on average, 33% longer!

Speaking personally, I know that there have been times in my life when I have done my best to avoid difficulties and challenges! Yet the facts seem to suggest that actually facing them is, in the long term, good for us. And I begin to wonder whether part of the answer to the question “why does God allow us to go through hard times” has to do with the fact that he knows that by facing the hard times we can actually grow stronger. Whether that's right or not, the programme has certainly given me much food for thought as I contemplate the future and advancing years!

Not much of a welcome

2010-09-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I received in the post two vouchers entitling the bearer to attend, free of charge, a day's play at Headingley, the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. There were only certain days during the cricket season when the vouchers were valid. Because of various other commitments, I hadn't been able to take advantage of the offer until yesterday. In fact, yesterday was the final day on which I could use the voucher, so I took the opportunity to travel up to Headingley along with Eric, a friend from church. I have been reflecting on our experience of the day...

When we arrived at the ground we showed our tickets and went through the turnstiles. Metal barriers prevented entrance to the first large stand we came to. It was clear that we were not allowed to use that stand, but no explanation was apparent, and no directions were given to where we should go. We walked along that stand and found another stand where we were able to sit; we chose a spot underneath an overhanging balcony, as rain had been forecast!

Play had been due to start at 10.30am but when that time arrived there was no sign of the players. A little while later we heard the voice of the pa announcer. No word of welcome, no explanation as to why the match was late in starting. If you have ever heard the current West Ham United FC manager, Avram Grant, give an interview, you might be surprised to learn that the pa announcer at Headingley made even Avram sound enthusiastic! After a while, the announcer told us that lunches would be available at a certain part of the ground, but no directions were given for the benefit of the uninitiated.

After a while Eric offered to go for a cup of coffee for us. He asked a steward for directions, but the steward seemed uncertain. Eric ended up having to do a complete tour of the ground in search of the elusive refreshments stand!

The capacity of the Headingley ground is around 17,000. There was probably just a few 100 people there yesterday. I often hear cricket officials bemoan the low attendances at county cricket matches. I have to say that if the level of welcome we received (NOT) yesterday is a measure of the normal situation, I am not surprised. Everything was geared towards the long-term cricket lover who knows their way around. The first time visitor was ignored - maybe they don't expect first time visitors!

Sunday 26 September is "Back-to-Church-Sunday"; Christians around the country are being encouraged to invite friends, neighbours, family etc to come with them to church. I think it's a potentially great idea (apparently some 80,000 people did take up the invitation last year), but, having reflected on my Headingley experience, I am sure that if we are to invite people to our churches, we need to be absolutely sure that we are ready to welcome them properly when they come!

And I should say, finally, that despite the total lack of welcome we received at Headingley, it was still a great experience. There's nothing quite like enjoying a good day at the cricket!

Reflections on reflections

2010-09-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have for many years had great difficulty in trying to buy my wife Sue gifts for birthdays and Christmas which she really appreciates. It seems to become more of a struggle with each passing year. On occasions my attempts have clearly been abject failures. This year, I decided to buy Sue a subscription to the National Trust. Last week we were in (on?) Anglesey for a week's holiday, and decided to make use of our membership by visiting the National Trust properties in the area. During the week we more than paid for the year's membership!

Our favourite site was Plas Newydd house and gardens. The house is situated on the bank of the Menai Straight and has magnificent views of Snowdonia. The weather was lovely and sunny during our visit, and as well as the amazing views, it was a haven of peace and tranquility.

Another place which I had looked forward to visiting was Bodnant Garden, which covers some 80 acres. Although late August was probably not the time to see the garden at its colourful best, nevertheless we still enjoyed wandering through the various parts of the garden. I particularly enjoyed the lower part of the garden which has a stream running through. There was also a pool, with some beautiful reflections. I did take some photos (one of which is above), although photos never seem to recapture the full beauty of the actual scene!

I have always been fascinated by reflections. On a clear, still day, it can be difficult to tell from a photo which is the reality and which is the reflection. I have been thinking about how this relates to the Christian life, the life of following Jesus. God's desire for those of us who follow Jesus is that we should grow daily to be more like Jesus, and to reflect his character in our lives. How sad it is when those of us who claim to follow Jesus live lives which seem so far removed from the life of Jesus. The divided and hurting world in which we live desperately needs men and women who will reflect the Christlike life of love and compassion. As the songs says, "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me"

Reflections on a wonderful day

2010-08-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

It is a great feeling when something which you have been planning for and working towards for many months goes off well. Around 8 months ago my daughter, Steph, became engaged to be married. For much of the last 8 months the thoughts of Steph & Matt (her fiancé), and those of their families and friends, have been focussed on preparations for the big day. It used to be the case that the bride's parents did the majority of the arranging. These days, the couple themselves play a large part (for which I am very thankful!)

Of course the temptation is to become anxious about what might go wrong - there are so many different elements which go into the day. The weather forecast for the day itself seem to be constantly changing as it drew near. It turned out to be a lovely warm, dry day, with lots of sunny intervals, and I am sure that some stunning photographs will have been taken at the beautiful reception venue.

The wedding day itself was absolutely wonderful – all our hope and prayers were fulfilled. The church service was excellently led by a friend of the family, Garry Dawson-Jones. I was so pleased that Steph and I had decided that my role was to be father-of-the bride, and not officiating minister, not least because I spent much of the service in tears! Matt and Steph make a fantastic couple, and they are clearly very much in love. It was a real privilege to share in this very special day.

The only real hiccup was that the wedding car went to the wrong address. We had images of having to walk to church! We eventually managed to contact the hire company, but it became clear that we were going to be quite late at church. One of our friends, who was attending the wedding, agreed to come and pick up the bridesmaids, which he duly did. By this time the wedding car had arrived, so Steph and I set off shortly after. My only slight disappointment with the day was that the mess-up with the car mean that I had less time alone with Steph than would normally have been the case. I think that father and daughter time can be very precious. At least we had the car journey together!

Reflecting on the day, I feel tremendously blessed to be part of such a great family and have such loving, supportive friends. I am also so blessed by having three wonderful children, and now two equally wonderful children-in-law. All I can do is thank God that he has been so gracious to me. I pray that Steph and Matt will continue to experience God's blessing on their married lives together. In the meantime we remain here in the dull, wet UK, as they fly off to sunny places!

Roots and wings

2010-08-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

28 years and two months ago our second daughter, Stephanie Rachel, came bouncing into the world. It's hard to believe that in just a few days' time she will become Steph Wilkinson. Where have all the years gone? It hardly seems long since she was a cute, curly-haired toddler! Come to think of it, where have all the curls gone?

I remember hearing once that parenthood is about giving children two things: firstly roots, and secondly, wings. Giving them roots is about providing children with a secure family setting in which they can be nurtured, nourished, and helped to grow and develop: providing a firm foundation, particularly for their early years. Giving children wings is a recognition that there will come a time when they will want to fly the nest. Hard as it may sometimes be, parents need to be willing to set their children free to pursue new interests and develop new commitments.

I have been looking again at what Jesus said about marriage. He stated that marriage was part of God's original plan for human life: "in the beginning God made a man and a woman. That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife. Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together." (Mark 10v6-9). Parents have to recognise that once their children are married, their first loyalty and commitment is to their husband/wife, rather than to their parents & siblings!

In a sense, the role of a parent is not unlike the way God relates to us. As we read the creation account in the book of Genesis, we see a God who cares for, nurtures and protects. But God makes the brave decision to give man and woman free will. Ultimately they chose to disobey God and had to face the consequences. We see all around the world today the consequences of men and women choosing their own way rather than God's way. And yet the Bible speaks of the amazing love of God reaching out to sinful people, calling them back to him.

Wings can be used to fly away from parents, but they can also be used to fly back again. Steph may be flying our nest, but I'm sure she'll be back again from time to time! Anyway, I've got a speech to write....

Lesson in a tin can

2010-08-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

I make the journey into Doncaster town centre several times each week. I try whenever possible to walk into town rather than use the car. My normal route takes me across Town Fields, a 94 acre green site not far from the town centre. Generally speaking, it is a pleasant experience walking across Town Fields. One thing which I almost always have to face, however, is finding empty drink cans scattered around. On some occasions, by the time I reach the far side of Town Fields I am loaded down with cans I have collected on the way!

Apart from the fact that litter is one of my pet hates, I am concerned that when the grass is cut, any cans lying around are likely to get mangled up in the cutters, with the result that serrated cans are left lying around which children (or adults) could well cut themselves on. My journey across Town Fields one day this week happened to be the day when the grass was being cut. As I took my normal route across the newly cut grass, I came across several bits of can which had been cut up by the grass cutter, leaving behind dangerous jagged pieces of metal. I collected any I came across, but no doubt others were left behind.

There are plenty of bins around Town Fields, but for whatever reason many people seem to ignore them and cast their cans away without thinking of the consequences. Perhaps it is simply an illustration of the lack of concern for other people which sometimes seems to be a mark of modern society. "Look after yourself first" is a message we often hear. How different from the message of the Bible: 'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.' (Philippians 2.4)

Are you a ftcw?

2010-08-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

One of the blessing of being a church leader in Doncaster is that there are really good relationships between the various Christian denominations in the town and surrounding area. I belong to the local Ministers' Prayer Group, which meets at Christchurch every Wednesday morning from 7am-8am. I feel privileged to be part of a very strong network of fellow church leaders.

One of the ways in which we express our unity as churches is by meeting once each quarter for the City Celebration, when Christians from many Doncaster churches meet together to celebrate God's love. A few months ago, the quest speaker at the City Celebration was a man called Mark Greene. As people arrived at the venue, they were given a little red badge with the letters "ftcw" appearing on the centre of the badge. I am sure that a lot of people struggled to work out what these letters stood for!

I was reminded of the occasion this morning when I was reading from the New Testament the third chapter of Paul's letter to the Colossians, where he writes, "Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus" (v17) and "Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master" (v23).

Many years ago went for an interview with a lady at what was then The Methodist Missionary Society. I wanted to discuss the possibility of serving with the church overseas. It was a tremendously useful time for me, especially when the lady reminded me that, "You can serve God just as faithfully and effectively in your normal workplace situation as you can overseas".

Somehow in the church we have created the impression that those people who work full time for the church (ministers, missionaries etc) are in a category set apart. In fact, every follower of Jesus is called to be a "full time Christian worker" (ftcw). We all play a number of roles, whether in our family, our workplace, our community, or our church, and God is interested in the whole of our lives. Serving as a minister or missionary is, in one sense, no different from any other area of service. WHATEVER you do, says Paul, do it in the name of Jesus, and remember that it is him you're serving. What a difference it might make if every follower of Jesus saw themselves as a ftcw!

Grace, truly amazing

2010-07-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm sometimes asked what the difference is between the Christian faith and other faiths. One famous preacher (whose name, unfortunately, escapes me), replied to that question with one word: GRACE. An incident which happened to me a couple of weeks ago was a lovely illustration of grace...

Most weekday mornings I try to spend in the church office at Priory. Usually I manage to get home for lunch, but on this particular occasion I had stayed in town. I walked along to a nearby sandwich shop, and ordered a sandwich. As the lady behind the counter was preparing my sandwich, to my horror and embarrassment I realised that I hadn't any money with me! I quickly apologised, asked her to cancel the order, and prepared to leave the shop empty-handed. To my surprise and delight the lady said, "don't worry, you can have the sandwich and pay me next time you come in".

That was truly an act of grace. She didn't have to make the offer; I was not in a position to make a payment for the sandwich, and she couldn't be absolutely certain that I would return at some future date with the money due. Yet despite all that she let me walk out of the shop gratefully clutching my sandwich!

It seems to me that grace is something we can struggle to fully understand. There's a saying which we often hear these days, "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is". So when we hear that God offers us his unconditional love, we find it hard to believe. When we are told that Jesus died on a cross to pay the price for the things we do wrong (sin), we struggle to grasp the personal implications.

Many people have, deeply within their psyche, an understanding which tells them that they have to earn God's love, that they can't possibly be worthy of it: "why would God love me?" Yet the Bible tells us that we are all in the same boat; St Paul puts it like this, "everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard". Sin separates us from God, and by ourselves there's nothing we can do about it. But the wonderful good news is that Jesus has dealt with the problem: "Yet God, with undeserved kindness [grace], declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins."

No matter who we are, or what we've done, God's love, grace and forgiveness is available to us. Many years ago a slave trader by the name of John Newton, who had turned his back on God and was living a sinful life, experienced a wonderful transformation when God came into his life. The love, forgiveness and new life direction which Newton experienced caused him to pen the words to one of the all-time favourite hymns. Newton discovered what countless others have before and since - God's grace truly is amazing!

For a great performance of Amazing Grace click here.

And yes, if you're wondering, I did go back and settle my debt!

All those lonely people....

2010-07-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

A recent survey conducted on behalf of The Mental Health Foundation found, perhaps not surprisingly, that many people in the UK recognise that loneliness is widespread. Almost half (48%) are of the opinion that society is becoming lonelier in general. The results show that loneliness can affect our mental health, with two in five saying that they have felt depressed because they felt alone. The survey also suggests that in general, the younger you are, the more likely you are to feel lonely often, and the more likely to have felt depressed because you felt alone. These results may indicate that loneliness is especially a problem for younger generations, and that changes in the way we live and work that affect our relationships are having more of an impact on this age group.

I must say that I was not at all surprised when I first read the survey results. With increasing family and marriage breakdowns, and extended families rarely living in the same geographical area, more people than ever are living on their own. The days when one knew the majority of one's neighbours seems to be almost a thing of the past. In general terms, there is no doubt that people are becoming more isolated, which can lead to feelings of intense loneliness.

The Methodist churches in the Doncaster area are currently using the Healthy Churches material. Some time ago, research was undertaken to discover the key ingredients of a Healthy Church. It so happens that on this coming Sunday I am preaching on one of the marks, namely, "A Healthy Church operates as a community rather than functioning as a club or religious organisation".

Church is meant to be a lively, active, loving community of people, a real family of people journeying together in the exciting life of following Jesus. Church should be a community of where each individual is valued for who they are, and where good relationships are nurtured. Many people in our society value relationships and want to belong, but are resistant to joining organisations. As we recognise the increasing loneliness within our society, what a fantastic opportunity for us as church to offer a loving caring community to which people can belong. Are we ready to take up the challenge?

Graduation time

2010-07-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

I recently had the privilege of attending my nephew Michael's graduation ceremony at the City Hall in Hull. It is many years since I was last in the Hull City Hall. I have a feeling that the last time I was there was probably when I attended a Cliff Richard concert for Tear Fund in the late 70's!! Michael, along with 100s of others, was graduating from Hull University. Because his parents are in New Zealand, my sister Mary and I had the privilege of being surrogate parents for the occasion. It was certainly an impressive setting, and the ceremony itself was well organised and presented.

A graduation ceremony is a momentous occasion for a student. It is the culmination of several years of work. The graduation certificate which each student receives is proof that they have accomplished their goal and achieved the level of competence required of them by the University. For examinations, there is generally a pass mark which is set. If a student achieves the mark, they have passed; if not, they have failed.

It seems to me that many people have that kind of picture in their minds when they think of their relationship with God. There is appears to be a general feeling that life is a bit like an exam: if a person achieves a sufficient standard of behaviour, then God will accept them and allow them into heaven. Or, to put it another way, if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds we should be ok. There is, however, a big problem with this assumption, namely that the Bible tells us that none of us will achieve the grade, the pass mark. Why? Because the pass mark is 100%, and none of us, despite our best efforts, live perfect lives. If the truth be known, we fall far short of that standard. As St Paul writes, "Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3.23)

So is there no hope for us? Do we have no chance of being truly accepted and loved by God, or being allowed to share the blessings of heaven? The good news is that although we can't earn or deserve God's love or forgiveness, in Jesus Christ it is freely offered to us. Paul goes on to explain, "The free gift of God's grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free." (Romans 3.24). Sin separates us from God, it makes us fall short of God's standard (a bit like wrong answers on an exam paper). But by dying on a cross for us, Jesus has paid the price for our sin (like crossing out the wrong answers and writing the correct ones in instead!)

Perhaps the exam analogy has its limitations, like most analogies. But the wonderful truth is that we don't have to try and earn God's love, we simply have to put our trust in what Jesus has done for us. Through Christ we can enter into a brand new life, set free from the burden of sin and guilt. Amazing!

Me and Paula (don't compare!)

2010-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

I have a new claim to fame – last Sunday I took part in the same sporting event as Paula Radcliffe! We were both participants in the Jane Tomlinson Run for All Leeds 10K. It genuinely was a run (or walk) for all, with people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, shapes and sizes taking part. For me, it was something of a family affair, with my daughter Steph, her fiancé Matt, my sister Mary, my niece Helen and another niece's husband, Jonathan, all taking part.

For most people involved, the event was not a race; it was an opportunity to have fun and raise money for charity. Steph, Matt and I were raising money for the brilliant charity Malaria No More UK, and thanks to the generosity of many people we are well on our way to reaching our £1000 target, which will help save previous lives.

Although I say it was not a race, and in a sense we were not competing with each other, there was, nevertheless, the tendency to compare oneself with other runners, especially those who were going at a faster rate. There were a few occasions where a runner whose obvious advanced age or rather large size made it quite a shock when they sailed past me! When I approached that last couple of kilometres there was a rather large lady who overtook me, and my natural competitive streak led me to increase my pace so as to get to the finishing line ahead of her!

Yet the truth is that when, after the run was completed, I queued up for my t-shirt and goody bag, I was not asked how fast I had run or how many other people I had beaten. It was sufficient that I had completed the course. Yes, Paula Radcliffe completed the course far quicker than I did, (despite being 7 months pregnant!) But that didn't matter; I had completed the course, and accomplished my aim.

In the Christian life there is a tendency to compare ourselves with others. We can be tempted to envy those who seem better than we are at various things: witnessing, preaching, caring, or whatever. Yet God never wants us to compare ourselves with other people. We are unique individuals, and God has given us gifts and abilities which are different from those of other people. We ought to rejoice in who we are, and in the wonderful fact that God has called us to the race of the Christian life, and promised that he will give us strength to keep going to the end.

In Paul's first letter to Timothy he uses the image of an athlete when he writes, 'I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgement he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power.' If we each faithfully run the race of the Christian life to the end, we have waiting for us something far more exciting than a goody bag and a t-shirt!

They are worthy!

2010-07-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had the privilege of being present at an Methodist Ordination Service held at Chandler's Ford Methodist Church in Hampshire. It was only the second Methodist Ordination Service I had attended since my own ordination in Rochdale 19 years ago. It so happened that three of our friends were among the eight ordinands (two of whom appear in the image to the right, along with yours truly). The service began at 4.30pm, meaning that I only managed to see the first half of the England v Germany World Cup match, which in retrospect was perhaps not a bad thing!

The service itself didn't exactly get off to the best of starts: an elderly minister, who I am sure must be a clone of Victor Meldrew, told the gathered congregation of how solemn an occasion it was and that we should be very wary of showing unnecessary enthusiasm or exuberance! What a misery! Ordination services are meant to be joyful occasions, and not just the kind of "deep joy" which hides itself from public view. It is absolutely right that we should joyfully celebrate the call of God upon the lives of men and women. Thankfully, the service was indeed a joyful occasion, despite "Victor's" dire warnings.

I want to pick up on one element of the order of service, where the congregation are asked to give assent to the ordinations, and were asked the following question: "Do you believe and trust that they are, by God's grace, worthy to be ordained" With a loud and resounding affirmation [hopefully not too loud for "Victor"], the congregation responded "They are worthy!" It was a moving and affirming moment.

The truth is, though, that there are probably times when we all doubt our worthiness. I remember a lovely, prayerful lady in one of my previous churches. She lived out her Christian life in prayer and service of others, yet she struggled when it came to praying for herself - she didn't feel worthy to bring her own needs before God. I have known others who didn't feel able to come forward for Holy Communion because they didn't feel "good enough".

Of course, in one sense none of us are good enough, or worthy. None of us can earn God's love, or fully deserve it. Yet the telling phrase in the question which was asked at the Ordination Service was "by God's grace". God gives, not on the basis of what we deserve, but on the basis of his grace in Christ. More about grace next time. In the meantime, I pray for God's continued blessing on the ministries of Claire, Frank and Kim: "They are worthy"

Where is your citizenship?

2010-06-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege today of attending a citizenship ceremony at the Mansion House, Doncaster. Sue and I were there to support the Noel family who were receiving their certificates of British citizenship. What a long (and, at times, tortuous) journey it has been for them since they first arrived in the UK several years ago to claim asylum.

As a church, we have tried to support them through the process of asylum application: the initial acceptance; the subsequent refusal following a Home Office appeal; the terrible occasion of the front door of their home being broken in early one morning by Home Office officials who whisked them away to Yarl's Wood Detention Centre for deportation; the miracle of them being returned to Doncaster because one of the children had contracted chicken pox!; the many visits to solicitors; the further appeals; and ultimately the joyful news that they had been granted the right to stay in the UK. Now, the icing on the cake is their being giving British citizenship. What a joyful occasion!

It has been a great privilege to get to know the Noel family over the past several years. They felt forced to flee their home country due to persecution, but have had to endure some terrible situations at the hands of the UK asylum system. It has been heartbreaking at times to witness what this family have had to endure. Yet all through the long years of hopes and disappointments, struggles and difficulties, their Christian faith has shone clear. They have been unstinting in their trust that ultimately God would see them through, and their faith has been vindicated - God has worked a miracle!

Precious though their British citizenship is to the Noel family, I know that they have a citizenship which is of even more value to them. They rejoice in the words of St Paul, when he says in one of his letters, that for those whose faith is in Jesus Christ, 'our citizenship is in heaven.' Whatever trials and troubles we may face in our earthly life, we know that ultimately we belong elsewhere, and one day we will go home to Father. Hallelujah!

Vuvuzelas - love 'em or hate 'em?

2010-06-17T13:41:00.001-07:00

Football fans all over the world (including me!) have for a long time been eagerly looking forward to the start of the World Cup, taking place at the moment in South Africa (the first time the competition has ever been held in the African continent). To be honest, it's been a bit of damp squib so far: with one or two exceptions, most of the matches have been fairly unexciting. There have, however, been a couple of major talking points.

The first concerns the ball which is being used. Called a Jabulani, it is slightly different manufacture to the balls most teams are used to. Apparently it is lighter, and also rounder! The problem with it is that it is at times proving very difficult for the players to control. A number of goalkeeping errors and wayward shots have been blamed on the ball!

The other major talking point has been the proliferation of vuvuzelas. They are a kind of plastic horn which, when blown, emits a fairly tuneless whine. Watch or listen to a game from this World Cup tournament and apart from the commentator, more or less the only other noise is the constant vuvuzela whine. Apparently, many viewers and listeners have complained about this constant noise. I must admit to the noise driving me up the wall at times. There have been occasions when a goal has been scored and the cheering of the supporters has been drowned out by the hum of the vuvuzelas.

FIFA, the world governing body, has stated that on no account will the vuvuzelas be banned. Much as I dislike the noise, I believe that FIFA are absolutely right in their stance. The vuvuzela is part of South African football tradition, and what right do we have to try to ban it?

God's creation displays an amazingly rich variety, not least in human beings. The world would be so boring if we were all the same. How good it would be if, instead of complaining about anything we don't like, or standing against what is "different", we were able to rejoice in variety and differences and respect traditions other than our own. But please don't bring any vuvuzelas to the Keepmoat Stadium!

Ben A'an - the effort was worthwhile

2010-06-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

I recently enjoyed a great week's holiday in the Trossachs area of Scotland, along with my wife Sue, our daughter Steph, and her fiance Matt. We stayed a few miles from Callander. The weather was fairly good, the midges were few in number, and the scenery was stunning.

Near to where we were staying was a "mini mountain" (or a big hill!) named Ben A'an. One day, all four of us decided that we would climb at least part of the way up Ben A'an. The early part of the route is through forest, so apart from trees etc. there isn't all that much to see. Sue doesn't really like uphill routes, and after a while, with lunchtime approaching, she and I made the decision to head back. Steph and Matt decided that they would press on. Despite the fact that Steph was wearing flip-flops, they did eventually reach the summit.

Steph and Matt returned home a day earlier than Sue and I. After they had set off on their homeward journey, I decided that I would make the attempt up Ben A'an (Sue declined my invitation). The sun was high in the blue skies.

For quite a bit of the journey, the trees hid the outside world from sight. Even when I had cleared the treeline, it was difficult to see the summit. Each time I arrived at what I thought might be the summit, another one appeared in the distance! It was hard work at times, not least because of the heat of the sun. I stopped every now and then to have a break and enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere.

Eventually I did reach the very top, and the stunning views certainly made all the effort worthwhile. To sit at the top of Ben A'an was an experience I won't forget for a long time, and I've got the pictures to prove it! It reminded me that though we have struggles and tough times in our Christian lives, our ultimate destination will make all the effort and hard work absolutely worth it. What's more, we have One who walks every step with us.

The fragility of human life

2010-06-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

During the day I have been following on the news some of the tragic events which have been unfolding in Cumbria. At the time of writing, details are still fairly sketchy, but it appears that a Derrick Bird, a self-employed taxi driver, has killed 12 people, injured many more, and then taken his own life. It is hard to imagine what would lead someone to take such dreadful action which has impacted the lives of so many in such a terrible way. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and injured, and all those affected by the day's events.

This is another vivid reminder of the fact that human life is very fragile. I am fairly sure that none of the 12 people killed will have woken up this morning realising that today was their last on earth. I wonder whether the gunman himself woke up with the intention of creating such havoc and ending his own life?

The following is a quotation which a friend has posted on facebook, which seems particularly apt: “It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.

Life is very precious. We should be grateful for each new day, and never take life, or its Giver, for granted.

Instant communications: all good?

2010-05-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that we live in an age of instant communication. I attended a conference recently, and it was very noticeable that at break-times many delegates were quickly on their mobiles, trying to catch up with the latest news! I sometimes wonder what would happen if we had a mobile-free day – would the world grind to a halt?

I can think back to the days when the the early mobiles appeared – they were the size of a house brick, and almost as heavy. Only rich and important people had one then. Nowadays, it seems, just about everyone has a mobile, including school children. Even when mobiles became more readily available, I resisted the temptation to own one for several years. I eventually capitulated, though even now I don't use my mobile all that often.

I agree that the fantastic advancements in communications has, in many ways, been a tremendous blessing. Last week I was able to see and talk with my brother and his wife (who live in New Zealand) using my laptop and the blessings of Skype. It was an amazing experience, and I still can't work out why it doesn't cost anything!

The drawback with instant communication, of course, is that it can be really difficult to find some quiet time, time alone. We can easily get so caught up in a hectic, busy, noisy lifestyle, that we struggle to get any real quality time to think, reflect or pray. We read in the gospels that Jesus often went by himself to lonely places to pray. He didn't then have the mass communications that we experience, but he was always in great demand. He knew how important it was to “get away from it all”.

I love getting up early in the morning when all is still relatively quiet. It's a great time of the day to pray, reflect, and prepare for what's ahead. That wouldn't suit everyone, but it's certainly a pattern that helps me. I try not to get sucked into the pattern of over busyness – it never did anyone any good!

Gordon Brown: from the ridiculous to the sublime

2010-05-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

What a couple of weeks it has been for Gordon Brown! Whatever one's political opinions, one has to feel some sympathy for the man. Probably the lowest point of the election campaign for Mr Brown came in the hours following his meeting with a member of the public in Rochdale: 65 year-old Gillian Duffy, a lifelong Labour supporter.

Following the public conversation with Mrs Duffy, Gordon Brown returned to his official car, not realising that his lapel microphone was still live. During his subsequent conversation with one of his aides, Mr Brown called Mrs Duffy a "bigoted woman". It was a PR disaster.

Whatever we thought of the incident, I guess that many of us were thinking about times when we have let words slip from our lips only to instantly regret them. But as we all know, once the words are out, we can never get them back. Certainly Mr Brown seems to have regretted his words, and he even had to visit Mrs Duffy personally to apologise.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for Gordon Brown over the past few weeks. The weight of Prime Ministerial responsibility seemed to weigh very heavily on his shoulders; he seemed to be tired, and almost ageing before our eyes. What a contrast, however, with his demeanour once he relinquished office; it was almost as if we could literally see the weight being lifted from him (at least David Cameron has Nick Clegg to help him shoulder the burden!)

I've never really been a big Gordon Brown fan, but I was tremendously impressed by something he said in Downing Street before he made his was to see the Queen to hand in his "resignation." In saying what a privilege it had been to serve the country as Prime Minister, he made the point that being Prime Minister had been his second most important job. The first? It was, he said, that of being a husband and father. Brilliant! Let's hope that the nation gets the message (not least David Cameron and Nick Clegg).

Time is precious, people are precious

2010-05-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

A few months ago our future son-in-law, Matt, was surprised to see a magazine called "New Wine" lying on our coffee table. He said to Steph, "I though that your parents were teetotal?" In fact New Wine has nothing to do with alcohol, rather it is a network of churches and believers across all denominations who share similar values of Holy Spirit empowered worship, teaching and ministry.

For the past few years, Sue and I have attended the New Wine Leaders Conference in Harrogate, and will be doing so again later this month. At last year's conference, we were asked to pray particularly for a situation which had arisen in the family of one of the New Wine leaders, Mark Melluish. Mark's young son had fallen 20 feet off a balcony, and his life hung in the balance. In the latest New Wine magazine, Mark writes the following:

The refrain that went through my mind as I stood over his limp little body was: "Why didn't I play football with him when he asked for a kick around this morning?" I had responded with "Not now son I'm really busy." Everything within me wished that I had kicked a ball around with him for 15 minutes. We're so thankful that he's now almost fully recovered."

Then I read the following in a recent Care For The Family e-mail: You have fewer than 1,000 weekends between your children being born and them turning 18. If your child is 9 years old, you have less than half of those weekends left. So, make the most of [every] opportunity to build an even better relationship with your child.

Sadly, I can remember occasions, when our children were young, when they wanted to talk and I preferred them to be quiet so I could watch a favourite TV programme! How sad it is when we neglect precious opportunities to spend quality time with those closest to us - our family and friends. The sobering thing is, we can never get that time back. As for me, I am determined to redouble my efforts to make the most of every opportunity. Some things in life really are important!

Football uncertainties: will your anchor hold?

2010-04-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

For the past three seasons I have been privileged to be the chaplain to Doncaster Rovers FC, my local club. Having been a lifelong football fan, it has been great to be able to see something of what goes on behind the scenes at a football club. On the whole, it has been a great three years for the Rovers. In my first season (2007/8), they reached the League 1 Play-off final at Wembley Stadium. As a double bonus for me personally, in the same season my home-town club, Hull City, also reached the Championship Play-off final at Wembley. So, having never been to Wembley in my life, I was blessed to be able to visit the famous stadium twice in the same weekend, and on both occasions saw my team achieve a famous victory!

I guess that many people imagine that the life of a footballer is very glamorous. When we hear of some of the top players being paid over £100,000 every week we can't help but feel that they have a cushy number! Yet, in my experience, the life of a footballer involves a great deal of uncertainty. However popular and successful a footballer is, he can never take that success and popularity for granted. A serious injury can overnight bring a footballer's career to an end. A loss of form can mean that the player is no longer wanted by his club. It is public knowledge that a number of the current Rovers players are out of contract at the end of this season (only two games away, now). For those players there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over their footballing future.

Of course, footballers are not the only ones who face uncertainty in life. With the current credit crunch etc., many people face uncertainty about their jobs, their finances and a whole host of matters. It is interesting that in the last two funerals which I have taken, one of the hymns has been the hymn which begins with a pertinent question: "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?" Most of us, at some stage in our lives, will face storms, difficult times. The big question is, do we have an anchor which will prevent us being dashed against the rocks and destroyed? The chorus of the hymn goes as follows:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

The only unshakable foundation to life is Jesus Christ. If our trust is in him, we fill find that even the fiercest storms cannot shake us. And that's great news in a very uncertain world!

PS To listen to a version of the hymn try here.

Brown, Cameron, Clegg & Jesus

2010-04-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

This week has seen the launch of the manifestos of the various political parties, though political commentators have been quick to point out that the British public doesn't exactly seem very excited by the prospect of a General Election! Many people appear to have been turned off by the shenanigans at Westminster over recent years. Even politicians themselves concede that their standing and reputation in the eyes of the public is at an all-time low. Perhaps the long-awaited TV debates between the three main party leaders will engender some excitement, though the events themselves appear to be very closely stage-managed affairs.

Manifestos are designed to act as a statement of principles and intentions. I wonder how many people actually take the trouble to read through the various political party manifestos? And can we trust what is in them, anyway?

The gospel writer, Luke, records an incident at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. It takes place in Nazareth, where Jesus spent his formative years. In the local synagogue, Jesus reads a passage from the writing of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come." There is a sense in which Jesus was here presenting his personal manifesto. He is anointed by the Spirit of God to fulfil the role and ministry which God the Father had called him to. He came to set people free from the curse of sin and death; his path which would lead in due course to his own crucifixion and death (and subsequent glorious resurrection!)

As we listen to the words of Brown, Cameron and Clegg, we have the choice to accept or reject what they say and the promises they give. It is the same with Jesus. He offers us the gift of new life through faith in him; he says to us, as he said to the first disciples, "follow me." But the response we make to Jesus is of far more significance than the response we make to the party leaders. As the apostle John says in his first letter, "God has ... given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life."

Choose life!

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

2010-04-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

On Easter Monday afternoon we had a family trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, near Wakefield. It was my first visit. The YSP is in the grounds of Bretton Hall. From 1949-2001 Bretton Hall was home to Bretton Hall College. As well as the hall itself there are extensive grounds. What was particularly interesting to me is that in the late 40s/early 50s my Dad worked as a gardener at Bretton Hall, and lived in a property in the grounds, along with my Mum and 4 elder sisters (before I arrived on the scene!) The single story property where they lived still exists, although it is now a gallery. It was quite a strange feeling to visit a place where my family lived before I was born. I guess that some of the trees in the gounds would still be recognised by my Dad if he was still alive. I suppose that it's a bit like visiting the Holy Land and knowing that there are some places which have remained virtually unchanged since the time when Jesus walked there.

As for the YSP itself, it is perhaps most well-known for its Henry Moore sculptures, which are situated in various parts of the grounds. It also has extensive indoor areas where various artists exhibit their work. The vast majority seem to be of what one might call the "modern art" variety, which, to be honest, isn't really my cup of tea.

We did spend a little while in one of the exhibition areas and (again, to be honest) I wondered what anyone saw in the pieces of art - they just seemed to me like things a child might have thrown together in a hurry! Yet there did appear to be people who studied them with interest and seemed to appreciate them, which reminded me that we see things in different ways - beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

That led me to think about human beings. There may be some people who we find it very difficult not to dislike, and others who we do our best to avoid. Yet as followers of Jesus we need to remember that in God's eyes every single human being - man, woman and child - is precious and loved.

Knowing the One to give thanks to

2010-03-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

The writer of Psalm 106 begins his psalm with these words, "Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Last week I had a very interesting conversation with someone who holds an influential business position. It transpired that our work backgrounds are very similar - we both trained, worked and qualified within a professional office of Chartered Accountants. That's where our "career paths" took very different routes: he is now a CEO of a very well know local organisation, and I am a Methodist minister!

As our conversation progressed, he asked what led me to become a minister. The answer is really very simple: I was responding to God's call on my life. It was whilst attending a conference in Sheffield in around 1985 that I felt very firmly that God wanted me to offer for the Methodist ministry. I many ways I felt ill-equipped for this major life change (and sometimes still do!) However, over all the years I have been a minister (I'm now in my 20th year), even when things have been really hard, I've known that God was with me to give me strength and guidance. Despite my many shortcomings he has been gracious!

In answer to the question about what led me to become a minister, I talked about God's call on my life, and about my faith in him. As I talked about my own personal faith, the person I was speaking to stated, "that's something I don't have". Having been brought up in a Christian family, God has always been part of my life; I can't imagine life without him!

As the conversation progressed, the man talked about how much he enjoys his work, how he has a lovely wife and children. He seemed genuinely happy with his life. And yet, I thought to myself, how sad, so much to be thankful for and he doesn't know the One to thank!

All good things come from our wonderful God - it is good and right to give thanks to him.

United we stand

2010-03-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Each year, the Churches Together in Central Doncaster group organises a series of Lent talks in the period leading up to Easter. Generally, an invited speaker comes to lead the meetings, on a theme of their choosing. This year we have had several different speakers, all from the Focolare movement ("an international movement, inspired by the gospel, working for unity.."). Naturally enough, the theme they have chosen has been unity.

I had been asked to lead the opening part of last night's meeting, and I began by quoting from John Wesley's sermon on "The Catholic Spirit", which deals with the subject of Christian unity. Wesley quotes the words of Jesus to his disciples, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." In other words, the identifying mark of those who follow Jesus should be the love that they show towards one another. Yet Wesley goes on to admit, "Even amongst Christians it is difficult to fine people who love one another in obedience to Jesus' command."

One of the hymns I had chosen for us to sing was a hymn by Charles Wesley (John's brother), "All praise to our redeeming Lord". I chose it because it speaks of the call of Jesus to walk with him and with one another in love. However, I have always had a problem singing one of the verses of the hymn,:

Ev'n now we think and speak the same,
And cordially agree;
Concentred all, through Jesu's name,
In perfect harmony.

The big problem with that verse is that I've never experienced "perfect harmony" in any church I've ever been involved with! However, I have come to realise that I can sing it, not because it is yet accomplished, but I sing it in the hope and prayer that we Christians will pray and work to achieve Jesus' desire for us - to love one another as he loves us.

As I came to introduce the hymn at last night's meeting, I was all set to mention the difficulty I have with this verse, when I suddenly realised that in the Baptist hymn book (we were meeting at Doncaster Baptist Church), the verse is omitted! Maybe the editors thought it was too difficult to sing!

Yet, as the speaker said at the Lent meeting, as we draw closer to Jesus, so we draw closer to each other. In a divided and hurting world, there is a tremendous need for Christians to demonstrate the love of Jesus.

When tragedy strikes

2010-03-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

Each Tuesday at Priory we have a lunchtime service. This week’s service took the form of a “Songs of Praise”. The lunchtime service regulars had been invited to choose their favourite hymn. One of the hymn choices was an old favourite, “What a friend we have in Jesus”, written by Joseph Scriven. Joseph Scriven was born in Banbridge, Co. Down, Ireland. In 1845 tragedy entered his life when his fiancée was drowned on the night before they were to be married. The grief-stricken young man moved to Canada. There he again fell in love, and was due to be married, when the young woman suddenly fell ill of pneumonia and died.

When tragedy strikes, we have the choice of either blaming God and turning away from him, or turning to him for strength to carry on. Scriven chose the latter, and devoted the rest of his life to helping others. Some time later he wrote a poem to comfort his mother, which he called "Pray Without Ceasing". It was later set to music and renamed, becoming the much loved hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". The hymn is a great reminder that whatever happens in life, in Jesus we have a friends who will never desert us.

Steven Curtis Chapman is a well known Christian singer-songwriter. He, too, experienced tragedy when his daughter Maria died. I have recently bought his album “beauty will rise”, which arose from his experience of loss. It is an amazing album, in which Chapman so beautifully explores the issues of pain, loss, anger, despair, hope, faith. Out of all the questioning comes the ultimate message of the album, hope will rise.

Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t make us immune to hard times, but it does mean that we have One who will see us through. It’s hard to pick out one track from Chapman’s album, but try this one: “Jesus Will Meet You There”