Being Generous? Look, See, Pray

God calls us to a spirit of generosity. This reservoir near Hennock in Devon stores an immense volume of water. A pumphouse below the dam is always rumbling as water is fed into the pipes that take it to the homes and businesses across the county. There are two other reservoirs nearby. All the residents have to do is turn on the tap and receive a generous supply.

Do you realise there is a battle in your mind over generosity? Some fight this battle all their lives. “If I give too generously, will I run out?” There can be an argument internally over responsibility vs generosity. It isn’t an easy decision.

It isn’t my place to prescribe the level of giving for other believers. That route easily leads to a legalistic bitterness where we grudge the gifts we do make. I can, however, realistically re-assess my own level of generosity- and seek to be what Paul describes as a “hilarious giver”… I will give to the One I love and who loves me.

2 Corinthians 9:7 states that “each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful (hilarious) giver.”

Jesus gives us a glorious principle to follow: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38. Do we think we can outgive God?

The Bible isn’t saying that we should give money IN ORDER TO RECEIVE more money (despite the error of some “health and wealth” teachings). We are challenged to generosity so that we are like God who gives everything, even to giving Jesus on the Cross.

Prosperity from God is connected to shalom-wholeness, the perfect peace of restored relationship with our Lord: becoming and being like Jesus. Limiting “prosperity” to money and possessions and fame is like selling a million-pound note for a battered old half-crown. (That’s 2 shillings and sixpence… or 22.5p in our terms).

God doesn’t deal in half-crowns… He gives us living crowns that we can offer back to Him in worship- casting our crowns before Him.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

That’s making me smile right now!

Trustworthy? Look, See, Pray

There’s something missing. “No Fishing” is plain enough. But for it to be a really good/funny photo, there should be a kingfisher perching or a heron standing next to the sign. Then I could sell that pic for a decent sum. (Even a seagull perching would do at a pinch.)

Modern editing software means I could insert a suitable bird, reasonably easily, although any little mistake would mean you’d spot the cheating. There are real experts in using Photoshop who could make a blended picture so good even I’d be fooled- and I took the photo in the first place.

The altered picture would be untrue, a lie, a misrepresentation, or even a scam (if I tried to sell the photo to the media).

Does that matter? It should do! If not, we decide by default that fictional pics are acceptable “truth”… Imagine if a photographer produced fake nudes- the harm that could do to the reputation and emotional health of the victims! (Please note any similarity to the recent judgement against Gr*k could be purely a coincidence, and is not necessarily my deliberate inference).

Regular readers will know that I try to acknowledge whenever animal/bird subjects have been photographed in captivity. Or I’d be guilty of making you think I’m a better photographer than I am, with fieldcraft worthy of a professional. I’m honest about it.

Truth matters. Honesty and integrity should be integral to our chosen lifestyle.

So when politicians or preachers “add bits in” to make a powerful headline… OR leave stuff out to change the story and unduly influence the audience… it is WRONG. No smart excuses can excuse the lying. It may be expedient to lie/exaggerate/falsify but it isn’t clever and it isn’t right.

You may say I’m showing naivety. Well, I’d rather be naive and enjoy a clear conscience! I believe we should be able to expect truth and integrity from people in positions of influence and power.

After all, as a follower of Jesus (admittedly an imperfect follower) surely I must take his words seriously. “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'” – John 14:6-7.

Is it always easy to understand and apply the truth of Jesus to every part of life? I wish!!! Sometimes I reflect Jesus a bit like the reflection of the sign in the water… Sorry about that. I’ll try to be clearer.

Jesus proclaims Truth. Our Accuser, Satan, is described as the “Father of Lies.” So when we’re listening to someone, who is closest to Truth? The sad fact is that we tend to become like the one we pay attention to… so truth IS rather vital. Who are we listening to- and how are they forming us?

On the Brink- Look, See, Pray

Balanced on the brink… two Canada geese on the weir-step of the River Wye in Bakewell. They have mastered the art. The top of the weir is narrow, slippery, and the current flows quite strongly- any person trying to cross would be odds-on for a cold bath. Kids sometimes try this sort of stunt, much to the alarm of watching adults. That’s because the adults recognise the risks.

Watching the river water cascade down the step is fascinating. Every now and again a duck will use the weir as a “down escalator” by lifting its webbed feet and sliding on the current and over the edge. I never saw any geese trying the same trick- but who knows?

It all reminds me of the perilous politics of brinkmanship. The Middle East is aflame (again) as a result of extreme leaders on both sides daring each other to “have a go.” Balanced on a slippery platform,

I don’t have expertise in international power-politics. All I will say about that is my concern for the innocents caught up in another war. That leads me to urge prayer for peace and justice; without God’s intervention the prospect of peace is vanishingly small. Do our prayers make a difference? I believe so.

This morning a phrase came to mind as we prayed at church. “We are the antibiotics sent by God to address the fever of the world.”

Christians who pray and act on their prayers achieve more than we realise. Our union with Christ makes us part of the Kingdom of God, and our words and actions are an expression of Jesus lived into the world. We pray out of compassion, and, if we’re honest, out of fear. But also out of duty: for our faith means we take an active position as peacemakers. Sharing the heart of God in the face of violence and tragedy, we intercede for all sides and trust that the Lord can in some way use our prayerful concern.

Out of chaos, order. Out of disaster, hope. Perhaps, even, out of the dis-ease of violence there can emerge a just peace.

We are not standing on the brink for the thrill of the ride! But we are here in the Name and authority of Jesus, Prince of Peace. Lord, in your mercy, heal our world. Amen.

Unexpected- Look, See, Pray

I don’t want to go on and on about it… but we’ve had a surplus of rain recently. There have been local floods (an inconvenience rather than a disaster) and the ground of Sussex is very soggy.

My photo shows what can happen if prolonged rain or a severe storm hits a mountain. Alpine weather is volatile!

Normally this is a small stream, trickling gently through the rocks. Overnight it changed. A sharp thunderstorm played “night light” music with flashes and booms- the next morning, the stream was a raging torrent. I used a slow exposure time of one-fifth of a second, which has recorded the water as pale veils ripping down the slope; spray “varnished” the rocks so they glistened moistly. The speed and power of the waterfall was quite intimidating (and the noise was high decibel).

How do we cope with the unexpected? It gives new motivation! Sudden and dramatic change, possibly a threat, dealing with the consequences of circumstances beyond our control?

Pretending we aren’t affected is silly. Relying on the time-honoured “stiff upper lip” of English stereotype may soften immediate panic, but doesn’t help us regain control. It also tries to hide vulnerability. Claiming exemption from consequences/suffering through faith may sound spiritual, but has little scriptural support!

Both Old and New Testaments promise that God will be with us:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5

In the words of Jesus himself: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Christian discipleship is about walking in the way of Jesus, seeking to grow closer to Him, and acting out the same kind of actions as Jesus. Even a brief read through the Gospels will show that Jesus did NOT evade the trials and tensions of life. He faced danger and treachery; he confronted the proud and comforted the struggling.

His last hours must have felt like the impact of a terrible storm, yet his love for humanity allowed him to face the Cross, even Death.

One final thing about waterfalls… further downstream, the water will bless many. The fields will be enriched, the thirsty assuaged, and Life will spring from the torrent.

So it is with Jesus: the life taken on a Cross gained Resurrection and became the hope of all the ages and all the world.

God-who-is-with-us stays alongside; Life bubbles up from within. Two final scriptures offer the most wonderful hope in the Universe:

John 7:38-39: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Revelation 22:1-2: “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Living water, the water of Life… the deluge of grace to the thirsty heart & soul. Drink deep!

Rainbows- Look, See, Pray

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.”

Time to Breathe- Look, See, Pray

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.

Becoming Aware- Look, See, Pray

Cooler moist air, early angled sunshine, and a spider’s web becomes an artwork: its fragility set off beautifully by the smooth solid rose-hips adding hints of colourful, warm, apricot.

Eureka! The kind of web that when not lit up can be walked into by us as well as bugs which then enlivens mornings with an impromptu outburst of spluttering interpretative dance.

Suddenly all the delicate structure of the engineering of a web is plain to see. How did spiders ever learn to do that?

The complexity of a garden eco-system is astonishing. So many creatures taking part in the interweaving dynamic of Life. Then the plants that provide beauty, food, cover and more. From ant to tree, there is a place for everything. Most of the events in our gardens happen without our awareness. Life and death conflicts go on in the grasses, the soil, and the air. Hidden birds burst into song (which we sometimes fail to notice- that is surely a crime!).

Becoming aware of the life around us is important. It sets us in the proper context as part of our home, our community, our world.

We will see, hear and smell things that lift our consciousness, and even open us on a spiritual level. Respect for creation often leads to a deeper respect, a reverence, towards God. Theologians talk about God being “immanent” – being present in and sustaining life- and this means God can be encountered in and through the stream of life we are part of. Grace roosts in our treetop, waiting to fly down to our shoulder.

As we step into our home, into our garden, onto our day’s journey, we are on holy ground. God is present, and through encountering His Presence we participate in holiness. We are “set aside” for a holy purpose which can be worked out wherever our day takes us.

My day started with a spider’s web. And I sensed the pleasure of Jesus as I photographed it, and as I started to write about the experience. God is here, as He always has been. Now, I am aware.

Psalm 113:4-6

The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?

Why “Art”? Look, See, Pray

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…

Glacier Bay- Look, See, Pray

I wonder when those snowflakes

started to pack on the mountain.

All individual, geometric perfection,

blown by the wind into corners

and crannies and drifts.

Long, slow years sitting

with snow on your shoulders,

pressing, pressing, pressing

until a layer of ice

became the memory

of another winter gone.

Year on year, snow on snow,

ice under pressure finding

strength in numbers and depth.

So many patient winters…

Deeper ice, living blue,

layered with grit

from rocks carved out

with glacial stealth…

Now at the sea, salt and cold,

where glaciers calve

plunging deep,

spray hurled high.

A swift transition.

Years invested in icy weight,

foreshortened to weeks

as the ice shrinks

diluting the salt sea

with ancient snowmelt.

All nature moves to an end.

Spectacle of wondrous cold.

Spectre of an Ice Age foiled.

Mighty, majestic, doomed.

Only God could have dreamed this:

River of ancient ice,

sculptor of peak and vale,

inspiring awe in mere Humanity-

that yet plays “god”

and melts history

in a senseless rush.

(c) Richard Starling, 2023.

Photo: Glacier Bay, 2016.

Finding the Unexpected- Look, See, Pray

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.

A blessed New Year to you.