When I look at the photo of my youngest son Jacob below and then at the many photos of children being currently shown on our TV screens who have died or who are missing, I am numb.
At these times our faith is severely challenged and probably rightly so. The question is asked, why do innocent people suffer? Yes, most of the time a finger can be pointed at the evil in ‘man’ for man’s own suffering. But when you look at the devastation caused by an earthquake, a tsunami, we look small and insignificant against such awesome power. And in our blame culture, even the Insurers can only say ‘an act of God’.
Terry Waite has written these words in the last few days…
‘When in my own life, I have had to face a limited amount of suffering, I have always refused to blame God. Rather I have recognised that, whether I like it or not, suffering is part and parcel of this world. Suffering is never easy, it is bitter and painful. However I can truly say that in some strange way it has drawn me closer to the mystery that lies at the heart of faith.
Personally, I believe that we shall never in this life truly understand suffering and evil. We shall know them, certainly, but never understand their causes. What I do know is that faith enables them to be transformed and gives hope.’
The three pillars that are intrinsic to our lives I believe are faith, hope and love, as the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
Faith in God who knows our suffering and who's love for us is wonderfully displayed through His Son.
(Romans 8:35-39) - (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (36) As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hope for a great future – eternal life, where ‘death’ is not the final page.
And Love - as we again watch our TV screens and see love being expressed in amazing ways.
'....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love'.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
You can't teach an old dog....
Without giving too much away a member of my family, who shall remain nameless, has entered the modern world with the purchase of a DVD player.
After watching a film one evening they’d reached the end of the movie and spent the next half hour trying to work out how to re-wind the film back to the beginning.
I’m sure there are many funny examples of this kind of technological conundrum for the ‘old dogs’ out there…
After watching a film one evening they’d reached the end of the movie and spent the next half hour trying to work out how to re-wind the film back to the beginning.
I’m sure there are many funny examples of this kind of technological conundrum for the ‘old dogs’ out there…
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
A Little Angel
My youngest son Jacob, who is 5, is very excited at the moment. He’s going to be an Angel in the School Christmas Liturgy next week.
It’s taking him over an hour and a half to go to sleep at the moment, every time he goes to bed. He keeps talking and singing to himself.
I have a lot of fun listening to him outside his bedroom door. Me thinks a star is born!
It’s taking him over an hour and a half to go to sleep at the moment, every time he goes to bed. He keeps talking and singing to himself.
I have a lot of fun listening to him outside his bedroom door. Me thinks a star is born!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
"Showtime"
We all went to see ‘The Incredibles’ yesterday. What a great must-see film for all the family. We all loved it! Check out the reviews.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Value
Here’s what I will be sharing tonight at our ‘Chatroom’ event for teenagers.
'I have in my hand a £10 note. No doubt you would all like to have this if I were to offer it for free to anyone who wants it. Even if I crumple it up, you would still want it as yours. If I were to grind it into the mud, or even tear it a little, it would still be very much in demand, because even now it still has not lost its value.
God looks at us, crumpled, and torn, and ground down by all that life has to fling at us, and still he values us, still he loves us.
There’s a guy in the Bible who was called Saul who later became known as Paul. He was known originally for persecuting the Church and having Christians executed. Then he had the ‘road to Damascus experience’ where God rescued him....saved his life!
He wrote these words...
1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown grace and mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
God loves us. Whatever our condition He takes our lives and saves us, restores us, sets us free. We can know his love and grace in our lives...it’s the best thing that could ever happen to us.
Paul also wrote these words...
Colossians 3:8-9 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Jesus as my Lord, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - rubbish! I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Jesus and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting and knowing Jesus - God's righteousness.
The greatest thing for Paul....KNOWING JESUS'.
'I have in my hand a £10 note. No doubt you would all like to have this if I were to offer it for free to anyone who wants it. Even if I crumple it up, you would still want it as yours. If I were to grind it into the mud, or even tear it a little, it would still be very much in demand, because even now it still has not lost its value.
God looks at us, crumpled, and torn, and ground down by all that life has to fling at us, and still he values us, still he loves us.
There’s a guy in the Bible who was called Saul who later became known as Paul. He was known originally for persecuting the Church and having Christians executed. Then he had the ‘road to Damascus experience’ where God rescued him....saved his life!
He wrote these words...
1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown grace and mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
God loves us. Whatever our condition He takes our lives and saves us, restores us, sets us free. We can know his love and grace in our lives...it’s the best thing that could ever happen to us.
Paul also wrote these words...
Colossians 3:8-9 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Jesus as my Lord, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - rubbish! I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Jesus and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting and knowing Jesus - God's righteousness.
The greatest thing for Paul....KNOWING JESUS'.
Want to Buy a Bus?
There are a number London Routemaster Buses up for grabs, around 200 in total. My father-in-law would love one…he’s a bus fanatic! Not sure my mother-in-law would appreciate one parked outside the house though.
Monday, December 06, 2004
It's Here!
The postman has made my day today.....the Return of the King DVD (extended edition) has arrived! Now to try and watch it, i.e. find a spare 4 hours!
'Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you.'
'Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you.'
'Earn it'
Great time in church last night. Roger Davies was with us from Hope City Church, Sheffield. He spoke about the things that constitute a good soldier.
2 Timothy 2:1-4 (1) You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (3) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (4) No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
One striking reference he made was a quote from the film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ where Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) utters his last words to Private Ryan - ‘Earn it’, in reference to Ryan’s life that they had just saved at the expense of most of his platoon. In comparison we were then reminded of Jesus’ last words on the cross, ‘It is finished’ or ‘paid for’ (Greek translation) - the price had been paid, in reference to our own lives being saved through Jesus’ sacrifice. Now because of the victory of the cross we can choose to live incredible lives by living for Him.
John 3:16-17 (16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
2 Timothy 2:1-4 (1) You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (3) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (4) No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
One striking reference he made was a quote from the film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ where Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) utters his last words to Private Ryan - ‘Earn it’, in reference to Ryan’s life that they had just saved at the expense of most of his platoon. In comparison we were then reminded of Jesus’ last words on the cross, ‘It is finished’ or ‘paid for’ (Greek translation) - the price had been paid, in reference to our own lives being saved through Jesus’ sacrifice. Now because of the victory of the cross we can choose to live incredible lives by living for Him.
John 3:16-17 (16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Shopping with the Wife
I've been Christmas shopping this week with Jane. We decided on the 2 pronged attack which meant we get more done in the time available......'Here is your mission if you choose to accept it!'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
