It’s apparently the time of year when British people book their main holidays… the murk and chill of January makes us long for sun, sea, and comfort.
Let’s face it, on a bone-chillingly freezing day on a Sussex salt-marsh, the appeal of the colour and glamour and luxury of an Italian gem like Portofino is simply ENORMOUS. Warm summer sun, warm summer sea, warm oranges and ochre shades on the buildings… the idea of a zippy launch or technicolour sailboat… the prospect of dolphins skipping through crystal waves… Am I selling the idea? Who wants to book tonight? Send me 10% as an inspiration fee!
Portofino residents are probably NOT thinking about booking a fortnight in Littlehampton. Hmmph.
Our minds yearn for a bit of indulgence, our bank balance winces, and we still have to do the laundry, cook dinner, and earn a living.
If only… Two powerful motivational words!
Can we harness the power of imagination for the other 50 weeks of the year? Holidays are fabulous, if we can afford them, and will do us good. What if… Another pair of powerful words. What if we put our energies, creativity, compassion and resources into transforming our local community? Or into volunteering to help a charity or relief project, or helping kids learn to read, or caring about the shut-ins and lonely…
Life can be about making a difference, or working for justice, or being compassionate. Now imagine what local communities of faith, prayer, and love can achieve wherever they are; or in partnership with other agencies and churches.
It puts feet onto the prayer Jesus taught us… “May God’s Will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”
I’m not saying we should have holiday dreams. I’m saying we shouldn’t JUST have holiday dreams…………….
God’s inspiring imagination has bigger dreams for us to grasp!
I love that delicious moment when we find ourselves at the edge of a passing storm… the sun peeks through, and a rainbow ignites. Arching across the skies, those gorgeous colours offer us hope.
Life will always have storms. But the Lord God gives us rainbows. Do we fear the storm- or celebrate the rainbow?
One encouraging phrase sometimes used during tough times is “This too shall pass.” It’s true enough- I have a 100% record of surviving bad times (so far). But that is small comfort when we have to face the harsh realities of sickness or grief, when we -or those we love- seem caught up in a tornado of trial or terror.
Jesus offered something more reliable: in Matthew 24:35 (NLT) he says:- “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
That promise shines like a rainbow against the darkening sky. A technicolour guarantee! Jesus speaks- and gives Life.
Later, in 1 Cor 13 v13, Paul commented that it all boils down to this:
“Faith, Hope, and Love shall remain- and the greatest of these is Love.”
Living in a seaside town means the pace slows down when the holiday makers go home at the end of summer.
Traffic levels drop off a bit, and the seafront changes character. The kid’s playgrounds shuts down, the crazy golf closes, and the pier goes quiet. I remember a time when the pier was longer, and speedboats offered high-speed rides- such a thrill. The more sedate could take a donkey ride, or hire a deckchair.
It’s as if the town takes a breath before next year’s visitors.
That’s a good thing for the town: and it is a good thing for people to do the same. Early morning at low tide, a huge expanse of wet sand is exposed, with scattered soft rocky boulders ruling over little briny lakes. The sand is patterned with ripples by the receding water. A few crabs, some seaweed, worm casts, not much else to take the eye.
Early low sun-rays turn the sand into a glaring bright mirror. Locals take the opportunity to walk the sands, exercise the dog, breathe deeply of the salt-tanged air. Precious time to breathe; solitary if you like, or friendly passing chats with the dogs (and sometimes the owners!).
How wonderful to set mind and spirit at rest.
Praying whilst walking can be helpful practice. Sharing your thoughts with God, acknowledging His Presence with praise, and even working through doubts, fears, or troubles.
Meditating on a few verse from the Bible (or one of the great themes of faith or theology) can be a real blessing. Take a breath- and inhale the gracious Love of God with every step. Imagine walking alongside Jesus beside the sea and share a conversation…
Here is one passage to meditate on to seek deeper Wisdom:
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:6-7
Take a breath. It will bless you- and bring you closer to Jesus.
This is a photo that surprised me… I was taking pictures at Mont St Michel, and concentrating on the low-tide water across the sands. Nice colours and reflections. I saw the heron and some gulls and used them in the composition, as one might!
When checking the photos later, I realised there was a squabble going on between the angry heron and one bolshie gull. Beaks agape, they were swearing at each other (presumably in French) and generally being disagreeable.
Then this evening I was reading an article by Dr RT Kendall about forgiveness- especially if the other party isn’t sorry or repentant or forgiving.
Isn’t it hard to forgive when the opponent is being a ***** (insert rude word of your choice) and slapping them seems appealing?
Unless you are super-human, the answer is YES. It’s very hard.
But then Jesus never said following Him would be easy. Jesus under incredible pain and pressure on the Cross cried out “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing!” (Luke 23:34)
Not long after the Resurrection & Pentecost, the first Christian martyr was killed: in Acts 7 :59-60 we read- “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell into the sleep of death.
Whether the issue is about fishing rights like the gull and heron, or a deathbed act of forgiveness like Jesus and Stephen, the question of forgiveness is very real.
The Lord’s Prayer contains this statement: “Lord forgive us our trespasses AS WE FORGIVE those who trespass against us.” (see Matthew 6 v12-14). So, if we will not forgive… can we be sure God will forgive us?
That’s a big complex question, too big for a short post. What do you think?
Certainly, if we refuse to forgive another, WE will be the one hurt most… we injure ourself. Is the satisfaction of demanding an apology greater than the life-enhancing joy that comes from true forgiveness? Is there any act we can do that is more Jesus-like than to forgive?
A very British treat… a stroll along the pier. You can’t hide a pier! It sticks out very obviously.
What shall I do at this pier? Perhaps an ice cream, and then sit relaxing as the sea performs its gentle mesmerising dance. Afterward, at low tide, a walk on the sands- and a revelation. Underneath is very different- and not “pretty” even though there are strong patterns.
Girders, support pillars, tension bars. Strong enough to see off a hundred winters, countless storms, and (mostly) the lack of maintenance. Such a harsh and unforgiving environment- and such a careful design by the engineers. Our pier may look a bit scruffy, but it’s surviving and giving pleasure to many visitors. Still.
Now, let’s consider the structure that makes a strong character- more specifically, that supports an enduring Christian character.
Our foundation must be Jesus Himself. Eternal truth and love who took humanity upon himself, and displays God to the world. To spend time BY CHOICE in His Presence is key.
What practical pillars does a mature Christian life depend on? Honest trusting faith, submission and obedience, plus a growing Bible knowledge and understanding. Being an active part of a community learning and loving together is essential. All these things are strong supports.
Then there is humility, selfless love, a willingness to forgive and be forgiven. Praise and prayer, spirituality with integrity, developing self-discipline, the attitude of gratitude, and more- all these add up to a life that becomes worship.
When we look at a Christian we respect and admire, we may at first only see the “public face.” However, unless there is strength and resilience beyond the public image, their faith may be hollow… Look more deeply.
One of the greatest gifts a mature Christian can “give away” is to honestly reveal their inner soul, and the practices that support the whole person. I have been privileged to have had some great role models who have been open (even about their struggles). After all, no-one scores 100% all the time!
St Paul was brave enough to tell others to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11 v1).
Jesus put it even more simply: he said “Follow me.”
Twelve disciples spent three years sharing life with Christ. Eleven gradually built strong and faithful character. One betrayed Jesus.
How am I going to build my living faith today? That’s always a really good question. How would you answer it?
Some pictures move me on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. Wondering why this is so, I looked up a definition of art and found several. Like this one:
“Art is an expression of yourself, so create a mood with your description. Describe it as if the person were in pitch black and could not see it. Think about the feeling you want to express through your piece. What did you feel when you made this?”
I was experimenting with some old photos, and found some of Pagham Harbour nature reserve. The original photo was a bit dull- the ground was dark and featureless, the sky rather bland. A bit of tweaking made it better. Then I applied a “texture” filter, and suddenly the picture spoke. It became like an oils-on-canvas painting, and came alive.
What did I feel when I made this? Excellent question! It made me remember what I felt when I took the photograph. Quietness is a feature of the Reserve. The most noticeable noises are natural ones; the sound of waterfowl, the gentle lapping of the water. Cool gentle air moved enough to make me shiver. Curlews whistled nearby, and that always sounds mournful- or perhaps “plaintive” is the word I’m looking for.
Natural sounds too often get masked by “progress.” Engines, planes, radios, shouting and bustle. It’s almost as though we are afraid of silence, of any quietness, so that we have to go looking for it and leave our civilised mod-cons behind.
Why do I love the open air so much? Because I can slow down and listen, look round and take in the “art” that God made. It is a meeting-place free of distractions. An art gallery of beauty signed with the Creator’s mark- and He said of the world “It is good.”
I can’t know YOUR reaction to this picture. Does it make you feel something, make you take a second look? ! wonder… (Try opening the photo to full screen for more impact.)
God is present at all times and places… our problem is one of being un-receptive, or impatient, or preoccupied. We need to find the art, the places, and the open heart that allows us to encounter Love. After all, God has said that we WILL find Him, when we seek with all our heart…
This guy is a serious fisherman: he is passionate about his sport, has invested in the correct equipment, and studied his subject.
On top of that, he has the patience necessary to get results.
I find it fascinating that Jesus chose fishermen to be the first disciples. Used to a tough life, skilled at their trade, and unafraid of patient hard work- and obviously with an open heart, willing to listen. They hoped that God might do a new thing in their day, and encountering Jesus changed their lives forever.
Others listened to Jesus- up to the point where “following” was proving difficult, disappointing, and dangerous. Jesus even asked if his closest followers wanted to leave as well.
Peter answered on their behalf: “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69 The Message Translation)
Having such commitment and determination meant that those disciples would live at great risk- for a great vision, a purpose worthy of life and death. Many of them died violently.
Such obedient faith is much more than believing some facts about Jesus. It is be willing to go to great lengths in the expectation of world-transforming results: putting trust in the words of real eternal life spoken by Christ. Jesus went to a terrible execution so that all things might be reconciled to God. Another of the extraordinary followers of Jesus described Him in these terms:
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1 v17-20)
So, what is there that I will believe in, put into practice, and expect God to do through my life and passionate discipleship? The way I answer that question sums up what I might achieve through the presence and power of Jesus!
It still is a stunning memory. I glided above the tops of unknown mountains. Far ahead, the sun rose splendidly, and it felt as though I was being kept in the air by God himself. According to my memory, I was about 12 and this is the earliest dream that I have ever remembered. What a psychologist might say about an interpretation is best left to the imagination!
Enjoying a lovely childhood in a loving family, with few things likely to cause lasting trauma, I suspect that I was as ordinary as most 12-year-olds. Perhaps a bit more imaginative and expressive than some, and certainly cheeky. This was the year when I made my first conscious choice to believe in Jesus Christ and begin a life as a follower of his Way.
If my dream was a kind of vision-dream holding out the prospect of a straightforward and glorious life full of beauty and wonder (and no problems) then it has failed. Life isn’t like that- at least in my experience. That doesn’t make it valueless.
Ever since that dream, I have felt drawn to mountains: photos or paintings, word-pictures in books of adventures, and even the black and white TV trying to do justice to a world inherently colourful. The first time I saw a real mountain was in my late teens when a group of friends travelled in a knackered old Commer minibus all the way to North Wales. Here we climbed through mist and rain up the slopes of Tryfan to the summit. Damp and weary we looked out and the clouds concealing Snowden unfurled.
The reality of mountains is far more awe-inspiringly wonderful than any dream.
In the same way, the reality of fulfilled faith will exceed my best hopes- even my best imagination. My faith isn’t built on that 12-year-olds dream, though sometimes I wish everything would go as smoothly as my first “flight…”
I dreamed I was flying.
The Apostle Paul made an obscure reference to “being caught up to the third heaven” (see 2 Corinthians 12 v2). Bible interpreters and scholars have been wondering about that ever since. Really, we don’t know what Paul meant or experienced: the most likely explanation is that Paul felt lifted into the very presence of God himself. (That ties in with the known beliefs of the period.)
Paul refused to boast about this revelation, even speaking in the third person as if it had happened to somebody else: and he even talks about being given “a thorn in the flesh” (v7) to keep him humble. Annoyingly, we don’t know what this thorn was either. Suggestions have ranged from some form of chronic illness right the way through to a crabby mother-in-law!
It seems the Corinthians were fascinated by visions and dreams, and Paul does his best to stop them from fastening onto an exciting tale. Paul uses his own experience to point them to an important truth. Whatever our knowledge, gifting, or experience, whatever our strengths or our weaknesses, we are called to be servants of Christ and to love others in every way we can.
When we are young, we often behave as if we were immortal, acting without regard to risks and dangers. Then comes that moment in life where the first serious illness, accident or loss invades our being. We suddenly must grow up. Christian faith isn’t a divine insurance policy against the unpleasantness of life. Knowing “God is with us” is not the same thing as saying that “only good things should happen to us.”
Since I started with my dream, I want to finish with a snapshot of my experience in Christian ministry.
As a newly-trained pastor I rather hoped the Kingdom of God would be demonstrated forthwith through me! I am glad that my first church was full of patient and kind Christians. During the 30 years of active ministry there were times of blessing, times of difficulty, and occasionally we all wondered where God had gone. Part of my life became learning how to deal with chronic illness, and how to develop a lifestyle that had some rhythm and grace evident in it.
Dreaming of flying is all very well, but there can be bumpy landings.
Without in any sense wanting to equate my life or ministry with that of the Apostle Paul, I think I have learned one of the lessons he did. Perhaps this will be an encouragement to some of you reading today: yes, “God is with us…” and the words of Jesus to Paul and the Corinthian church remain equally true now. Jesus said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (v9)
I never know what I will find on the beach. Low tide is my favourite: as the sea retreats, the sand is sculpted into sinuous shapes by shifting waves. Shellfish leave their mark. Plants of strange forms and unexpected colours are there to admire- like this white “tree” standing out boldly against the sand and sky-painted rivulets.
Some tides bring in rubbish, old tins and perennial plastics. I suppose we might say the flotsam and jetsam of 2021 has largely been junk!
When the opposite happens, though, we have memories of beauty, love, courage, and service.
Concentrating only on the rubbish is unhealthy. Most people have found 2021 hard and hostile, and we’re glad to see the back of it. Whatever your experiences this year, will you try to find one (at least) moment of joy and life to remember- and give thanks God for that?
Looking ahead… no-one is master of tide or weather. But a simple prayer for us all:
“May you find life in unexpected places.”
Keeping our hearts, eyes, and ears open for those special life-affirming moments, we may meet a person, embrace an opportunity, fulfil a hope… and may the God of Hope grant you inner peace and an everlasting love.
There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes Ch. 3 that states “God has put eternity in our hearts.” May the year 2022 bring us hope, peace and joy- and may we find life where we don’t expect it.
In between two storms… a walk along the beach at low tide, as the ebbing tide left seaweed decorating the sea defences- and the gulls lined up facing the wind.
When resting, the gulls usually face into the breeze. Its helps give lift at take-off. Presumably, they can also observe coming changes better.
Bob Dylan, prophet of change since the 60s wrote this: “May you have a strong foundation when the winds of change shift… and may you be forever young.” The pace of change hasn’t slackened. It often seems the “old” are left behind by the youngsters. The best people to fix your computer or mobile are probably the grandkids!
It’s often tempting to take shelter from the wind. Doing so may be comforting, even cosy, but we can lose our vision and awareness. Change that is coming will come! The difference is that we can’t prepare for unexpected change- but seeing the signs early means we can adapt in time.
Our church is facing the winds of change. After the lockdown society is coming to terms with a different world, and we are trying to see the best ways to serve our community now and in the future. We had a really exciting gathering this week, flagging up local opportunities, and exploring creative ways we can respond (and even take the initiative). The Bible often used the image of “wind” for the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus said “the wind blows where it wills…” when talking to Nicodemus about a change of heart, of a new life (see John 3 v8).
In the Old Testament, Isaiah saw a revelation of God that changed his life- because he responded “Here I am. Send me.” I wonder what the Lord may reveal to us? How we might we choose to respond: “Here I am, send someone else…” or “Send me.”
If we aren’t willing to face the winds of change and be messengers… who will?
Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT) “It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Look, See, Pray 