Tuesday 18th March

Last night I was at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast at the healing service at which I lead worship once a month.  Its a very quiet and holy affair and I always love going.  As it was St Patrick's Day the talk was about Patrick and focused on the grace and courage he showed in returning to Ireland - the land he had escaped after having been kidnapped and enslaved there and treated pretty terribly for several years.   The speaker pointed out that it takes a special sort of person to be able to embrace the very ones who have inflicted pain.  He used the example of Nelson Mandela wearing a springboks jersey as he walked out onto the pitch to his first rugby game as President of South Africa.   I had in my mind the Queen and Martin Mcguinness shaking hands .  Those two gestures spoke so loudly to their respective deeply divided cultures and showed a new way.

It always takes someone to make the first move.  It takes someone to decide that they are not going to rest on their justifications and wear their victimhood like a crown.  It takes kindness and a generosity of spirit to make the gesture which tells others that past hurts are laid aside in favour of a better future.   It is not easy.
Jesus looks down from the cross at the very ones who have just nailed him to a piece of wood.  They are playing dice for his last piece of clothing.  They hate him and are only too happy to see him die.  Yet He looks down on them and asks God to forgive them.

We arent all called upon to make grand gestures which help to change the culture of a nation.  But we are all called upon to be generous of spirit.  To make the first move.  Be unnecessarily kind.  Extravagantly and unreasonably selfless.  Holding a grudge is just uncomfortable and means your hands arent free to take the gifts God is offering.  So this Lent lets examine ourselves and if there are things we could be doing to bridge gulfs and make things easier for others lets do them.

Monday 17th March

St Patrick's Day.

Still one of the most powerful prayers ever written.  Take a few moments to soak in this wonderful music today - turn it up loud! :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHWiAGpIP0

Sunday 16th March

I walk my dog Molly in various parks and places round about, mostly where I can let her off the lead so she can run about - preferably not too near water as she cant resist the urge to leap in for a swim .   One great place Ive found is just down the road in Ballynahinch - a riverside walk but fenced off so she cant get to the water.  ( Except she has found one spot where she can wriggle under the fence but I walk past that quickly and mostly she doesnt bother)

The recent stormy weather has wreaked a bit of havoc and in the past couple of weeks the tree surgeons have been along to tidy up the various fallen branches and remove one large piece of fallen tree which had obscured part of the pathway.  And whilst they were at it I noticed they had taken the time to do this.

All the trees along the pathway are covered in ivy.  It grows almost like a second skin around mature trees and of course if it is left unstopped then it will eventually choke the life out of its host.  The foresters had tackled the problem not by trying to dig the ivy out by the roots but by hacking a great chunk out of the middle of the stem thus depriving the upper growth of any sustenance.   A bit further on down the path is a tree which hasnt received this treatment

At first glance this speciman looks healthy and growing.  But in fact the only green visible is ivy.  The tree itself is pretty much dead.  For some reason no-one has seen fit to rid this one of its parasite and the ivy has strangled the life out of it.   As I was walking and observing I got to thinking about the words of Jesus in the parable of the sower

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Matt 13 :22

Just like the ivy covered tree we can get choked by stress and worry and anxiety.   The decieftfulness of wealth - well who hasnt been tempted by the seduction of ' stuff' and the availability of credit and the desire to keep up with the Joneses?    Worry is a killer.  It really does get a stranglehold on people and paralyses them .  It robs us of sleep and appetite.  It steals our joy in the moment and plants seeds of fear which grow only too quickly in the soil of anxiety.   Yet the Bible tells us not to be anxious.  
Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

and in Matthew 6 ( and Luke 12)  Jesus expressly commands us not to worry about what we wear, whether we have enough food in the cupboard or about what tomorrow might bring.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 

Im very fortunate.  I come from a family or non-worriers.  I have no recollection of ever seeing either of my parents worried about anything until I was well into my adult life.  It was just not part of my vocabulary as a child and therefore I have grown into an adult who doesn't worry.  I know plenty of people who were brought up in highly anxious households and are highly anxious themselves.  There is definitely an element of learned behaviour in there somewhere.  However anxiety is actually fear and fear is a spiritual thing.  It is a powerful weapon of the enemy and it can get right into the marrow of our bones and freeze our hearts.   In the past my approach to people who are ruled by fear is to go looking for the roots.   Because there are always roots somewhere.  But this week, looking at the way the tree surgeons have dealt with the ivy, Ive started to wonder whether there's another way to tackle fear.   Which is to just identify some part of it where it is attacking the 'tree' and inflict a mortal blow on it.  Through prayer.  By using the sharp cutting blade of the truth of Gods word.  If we are to grow into the cedars of Lebanon and oaks of righteousness we need to be rid of our ivies of fear and worry.

Lord, I pray today that you would free your people from fear and worry. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on you in the times when the enemy is active, whispering doubts into our ears and painting dark pictures of possible outcomes in our minds.  Remind us of truth.  Plant us deep so that we can grow tall and strong in good soil and if we become entangled in weeds and ivy send along wise friends who can help to free us.  Disable all anxiety and grow peace and trust in and through us so that we can shine in a world which is terrified of tomorrow and living in fear.   Amen

Saturday 15th March

Im late in posting the blog today because I cant decide what to write about!!  Lots of competing thoughts in my head but none of them seem quite right.  So I am falling back on my daily reading which is from Psalm 51.  And the verses which particularly strike me as I read it today are

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

I have several friends who are going through separation and divorce at the moment.  And I think its safe to say that the experience has broken their spirits.  Knocked them sideways, pulled the rug, dealt an almost fatal blow.   Although the circumstances are different in each case, the results are broadly the same.  There are feelings of guilt, failure, anger, betrayal, loss, despair and fear.  All of a sudden the future is very uncertain.  The present is precarious.  There is the potential of huge damage to children and the aching chasm of loneliness stretches out to infinity.  The breakdown of a relationship is a devastating thing. And if we havent been through it ourselves we all know someone who has.  Or who is going through it right now.

What I love about the psalm is that David recognises he is utterly broken.  He has been caught by God in the act of adultery.  He has committed murder in order to try to cover up his sin.  All of his relationships are trashed and everything is a huge mess.  He is entirely at fault and God would be well within His rights to wipe him off the face of the earth.  But David knows God and he knows that he is loved.  Despite it all.  Without the benefit of the sacrifice of Jesus and John 3 :16  David understands that if he brings all of his mess to God he will not be turned away.

Churches ( thats us folks) can find it difficult to know how to relate to those who are divorced/divorcing/separating.  Its especially difficult if its happening right in our midst.  People inevitably dont want to be seen to be taking sides.   We struggle with the whole ' breaking of vows' thing.  Its messy and difficult and perhaps we think its the job of the pastor to 'sort it'.   But the reality is that relationships do break down  ( partly I fear because church is not at all good at supporting marriage and pastoring people through the difficulties which lead to separation in the first place)  If God can not only forgive someone like David, but bless and honour him then surely we can find it in our hearts to be kind, tender and understanding too.

Lord, its isnt up to me to judge.  I will never know the full story.  But it is up to me to love people, to care and show understanding.  I pray for my divorced, separated, shipwrecked friends today.  Thank you that you do not despise a broken spirit.  I ask that you would draw them close to you and heal the deep hurts. Restore trust and remove fear.  Provide finances and settle disputes.  Bring hope where there has been crushing disappointment and convict of sin where poor choices have led to the breaking of promises and of families.  Help me to be a good friend to those who are struggling and bless marriages with strength and perseverence and love.

Friday 14th March

It has dawned on me over the past few years in increasing measure that God always has a good reason for what He asks of us.

Take fasting for instance.

Jesus in the Gospels talks to His disciples about fasting as though it is understood that they will be doing it as a matter of course.  He says '  when you fast' , not  ' you should be fasting'  or ' if you fast'   But the Bible isnt really terribly clear about why we should fast.  It just says to do it.

Lo and behold in the past year researchers have come out of the woodwork to tell us that fasting is actually really good for our health.  It lowers cholesterol, alters blood pressure ,maintains a healthy weight and reduces some cancer risks.  So when God says to fast He is not wielding a stick and being a dictator.  And it is not only for our spirituality - to focus us on prayer and our inner life.  He actually genuinely does really know what is good for our health!   And of course if we were all only eating for six days a week instead of seven would we solve the world food crisis??   I have no idea but I suspect it would help

Same with being thankful in all circumstances ( see yesterday's blog).   Psychologists tell us that our mental health improves when we focus on the positives.......  God knew that already.   And what about the sudden craze for mindfulness?  Doesnt drawing aside to be alone, closing the door and spending time ' be(ing) still and know(ing) that I am God'  provide us with those very same benefits?

I think sometimes we still tend to view God as a bit of a hard taskmaster - especially when it comes to the rules and regulations He gives us for living.  But if we were to follow His plan and live by his rules would the world be in the mess its now in?   I was watching the Sport Relief programme last night - where celebrities went to live with the hungry poor for a week and see what it is really like to depend on foodbanks etc.  In every single case bar one, the families were in crazy amounts of debt.  One person was paying back a loan at 15,500% interest !!!!!  Loan sharks and payday loan companies are holding people to ransom up and down the land.  Yet God expressly forbids us to charge interest on loans and sets out repayment methods which prevent people getting into long term entrenched debt.  ( Deut 23.19   Exodus 22;25 ) If we dont do it God's way we get into trouble.

God is interested in every area of our lives.  From sex and relationships to money and food He knows how we work, what we need and what is best for us.  He has given us a manual - the manufacturers instructions called the Bible.  If we ignore His instructions for life we pretty soon find everything is going to pot.  So this Lent let us get back to basics and take the opportunity to retune ourselves again to His word.

Lord,   thank you that everything You do You do for a reason.  You are not illogical, and when You require us to behave in certain ways it is for our good and the good of our society and world.  Help me to live true to Your word even where what You say cuts right across the ' way people do things these days ' .  And when we dont understand why, let us do it anyway just because You have said it and we trust You.

Thursday March 13th

I had a very annoying day yesterday.

It started when I got to my first Jo Jingles venue to discover that the usual room was occupied by someone else and so I had to set up in another place which was time consuming and inconvenient.  Then my ipod refused to work.  Luckily I had CDs with me as back up so used those but that meant I had to significantly change what I was doing and make it up on the spot.  The children didnt notice but I was stressed.    I was then running late and had to dash across town to the next place but when I left the first place I couldnt find my car keys!!!!   Found them after a bit of running about and got to the next place with seconds to spare to find the only parking space was a very awkward one indeed.   Managed to wriggle the car in leaving it half on the kerb! Arrived in the very nick of time sweating.  Worked out a way to fix my ipod but it involved a bit of jiggery pokery and a bit more stress.    Oh my goodness what a morning!!!  And all of that on only one cup of coffee  :-)

The Bible tells us to give thanks.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5.18

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Eph 5.20

It seems evident from these passages that we are to be thankful for everything.  All of it.  For the changes in plans and the broken equipment and the lost keys and the lack of parking spaces and the lateness and the stress.

For the cancer and the fibromyalgia and the unemployment and the divorce

Really???    Thankful??

I can probably stretch to being thankful for my day yesterday.  Ive passed enough car accidents to know that sometimes the stupid annoying delay can make the difference between being being in the smash or not.  Im prepared to concede that Im not the center of the universe and sometimes stuff happens to me for the ultimate benefit of someone else.  I also know there are lessons I need to learn.  Like patience , like being well prepared, like keeping my keys in my pocket and not setting them down in random places...

So perhaps I can say ' Lord, it was an annoying day, but thanks anyway.'

But what about the serious illness?  Can I really be thankful for that?  Or the relationship breakdown?  Or the tragic loss?  Is it really possible to be thankful for ALL things, in EVERY circumstance?

Well, I suppose at the end of the day it all comes down to the question of whether we trust God and His love for us.   Do we turn to God in our difficulties and sufferings or do we turn away from Him.?  Do we hold on in the dark and hang on to the promise that one day all suffering will end and there will be no more tears ? Do we trust that we are so valuable that Jesus paid the ultimate price by dying for us to buy us back from Satan and give us as a gift to His Father - and that if He has done this for us then will He not also freely give us all things?  It's not easy.  Im no expert.  And to be honest I've only had to face a couple of crisis times in my life when everything was very dark and difficult and I cant say thankfulness was upmost in my mind.  It is so counter-intuitive its almost mad.   But I have seen it.  I have seen people going through horrible things who retain the ability to praise God.  Who are able to see the spiritual benefits and growth that comes through trials and storms. People who are able, in the midst of incredible sadness and pain, to shine with gratitude for the little they do have and spur others on to press in.  Im not there yet by a long chalk.  But its something to aim for.

Lord,  I want to be a more thankful person because Your word says that this is what You want for me. Forgive me for how easily I moan and whinge.  Forgive me for being negative and focusing on the difficulties instead of looking up and filling my vision with You.   During this time of Lent help my gratitude to grow. Let me be one who is quick to thank people and slow to moan about them.  And regardless of what my circumstances might try to tell me, let me never forget that You loved me enough to die for me. And if You loved me that much then You only have my good in mind.  Everything is for a reason.  You are in control. Thank you.

Josh Groban singing Thankful  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoygmylt2iM

Wednesday 12th March

I met Simon in school.  He was a nice lad and we got on well and had a bit of a laugh, so when 30 years later I joined Facbook and found him amongst my school friends I added him to the list and we said hi .  I read some of his posts.  He reads some of mine.  And thats about the extent of it really

Every year Simon gives up something for Lent.  Usually its alcohol.  And he writes regularly about the trials and temptations of being alcohol free for 40 days ( dont get me wrong, he's not an alcoholic but he does like the odd pint after work and glass of wine at the weekend)  But this year he decided to do something different.  This year he is doing a ' good deed' every day of Lent.  So far he has played in a charity football match, given blood and taken his work colleagues out for lunch , planted trees and bought food for a homeless person.  Im very inspired by what he is doing.  Its a joy to read all the imaginative ways he is finding to bless people this Lent.

Simon is not a Christian.

Not as far as I know anyway.   So why is he ' doing Lent' ?

I have no idea.  He presumably thinks its good to take time out to think of others.  In previous years he has probably recognised that there will be some benefits ( both physical and emotional ) to giving up alcohol for a while.   He has probably been influenced by traditions which encourage the giving up of things for some part of March/April.   And he is a thoroughly decent bloke.

The world is full of people like Simon.  Full of decent, kind, thoughtful people who want to do their bit.  People who are disciplined and self controlled and generous and ..... well..... nice.   So whats the difference between Simon and me?   Whats the difference between how I live my life and how he does?  To someone on the outside looking in, who is doing the better job?  Probably him to be honest :-)

The difference of course is Jesus.  I dont know what Simon's motivation to do good and to be kind is, but mine is Jesus.  My reason for observing Lent is not to lose weight when I give up chocolate - its so that every time I miss chocolate or think about it, I remember that God is more important to me than chocolate and I turn my focus towards Him for those moments.   My reason for observing Lent is not to do good deeds to be nice and to make myself feel as though Im doing something meaningful - its to remember how much Jesus has loved me , to spend time being filled to overflowing with that love and then spilling it out to others around me whenever and wherever I can.


Lord, thank you that the world is full of decent, good kind people like Simon.  They are all made in Your image and carry the hallmarks of heaven.  But Lord, without knowing You their righteousness is like filthy rags and all their goodness wont buy them eternal life or a future spent with You.   Help us to live in such a way that people see the difference.  The difference between the good and the best.  Help the world to see Your power, Your glory, Your justice and truth and mercy in us.  This Lent help us to be more concerned with our inner lives than external displays of sacrifice.  Bless Simon as he does something kind for others every day over Lent and dont let him miss the true significance of the culmination of those 40 days on Easter Sunday. Amen