Chatter: Newsletter 17th February

One of my worst habits is keeping the radio on at night.

It’s so much of a problem that I have a little underpillow speaker, so that even when my snores disrupt Janet’s sleep, BBC7 doesn’t.

Except, of course, that I don’t always remember to plug the speaker in…

So it’s quite odd that I fond background noise distracting, given that in the middle of the night it can lull me back to sleep… But, as time goes on, I do find it harder to ignore some sounds, particularly when I’m trying to concentrate on reading, thinking – or praying.

I suppose something similar afflicts a lot of people – they love music as a background to work, but if it’s someone else’s music, it suddenly loses its charm.

It also happens in church. During a service, we do several different things: some of the time, we aim to be very much “with” each other, worshipping our God together. At other points in the service, each of us needs to be, in some sense, alone with God. This is particularly true for me at three points – the last few minutes before the service starts, during prayers, and during communion.

And, while one of the great glories of St Martin’s is that we are a sociable and friendly church, I find that vocal sociability at these times distracts my already-flittering mind further from thoughts of God.
We’re often exhorted to make a “joyful sound” – perhaps, at times, a “joyful silence” would be much to the point…

Newsletter 10th February 2008, The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-31)

Tuesday home group met socially this week to enjoy pancakes on the eve of Ash Wednesday and to give some consideration to what our actions and responses will be during the next 40 days (Sunday’s do not count in Lent apparently), as we remember the time Christ spent in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan on at least three occasions.

Lent, a period of fasting and penitence is generally considered a time to give something up (chocolates and sweets being popular favourites) but this year we have been challenged to do something different:-

Firstly to read “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and then, by our own observations and reflections to discuss, in a home group forum (those who do not usually attend home groups are invited to come along - you might find you would like to stay) the deeper mysteries of reconciliation, forgiveness and inner healing in the three main characters of the book, the younger son, the older son and the father.

This book will confront our own life journey of struggles, fears, loneliness, dejection jealousy, anger or inner conflict but through the revelation of God’s delight in loving us individually despite our faults, it will challenge us to love as the father and to be loved as the son! Some powerful stuff and most probably interesting discussions.

Secondly The Bishop of Lichfield with Christian Aid is challenging us all to have “A Heart for Creation.” Each week in Lent we are asked to change something about our lifestyle to help in the fight to cut carbon emissions. There are six challenges: waste, consumer choices, energy savings, transport issues, water consumption and biodiversity. If each of us makes small changes then together it can make a huge difference.

Thirdly the challenge is from “Hope08” To do more. Do it together. Do it in word and action. Mike Pilavachi writes Hope in 2008 provides an amazing opportunity for all Christians to work together and make a huge difference on the nation. For more details look on webpage Hope 08.com.

Are you willing to take a challenge during this Lent and beyond?

God bless.

Lesley

Jesus' Disciples: Newsletter Sunday 3rd February 2008

Jesus wanted to make an impression on people that would change their attitudes and behaviour that would also impact on the whole world.

So what did he do? He called some fishermen to be his disciples. It was on the surface, an unlikely choice; they were ordinary men from an ordinary place and they were effective in gossiping about Jesus. They spoke breathlessly to the people they met about what an impression Jesus had made on them, and the word spread like wildfire.

There are six characteristics which are needed in those who would catch fish, which are also needed in a disciple who wants to attract people to Jesus:

1 They must have patience, not expecting immediate results.
2 They must have perseverance, prepared to keep trying to influence others until the results come.
3 They must have courage. The fishermen may meet a storm; the Christian disciple may meet a storm of opposition.
a. Courageous people risk their lives to do what is right. They also risk their reputations to do what is right.
b. Courageous people are bold in representing Christ. Boldness requires courage to press though our fears and do what we know is right. To gain that boldness you can pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to give you courage, look for opportunities in your family and neighbourhood to talk about Christ, realise that rejection, social discomfort and embarrassment are not persecution, and start where you are by being bolder in small ways.
c. Courage grows as we trust God. God is our refuge, our only true security. How often do we entrust our lives to other things – perhaps money, career, a noble cause or a lifelong dream? Our only true refuge is the eternal God, who always holds out his arms to catch us when the shaky supports that we trust collapse and we fall. No storm can destroy us when we take refuge in him. Those without God however must forever be cautious – One mistake may wipe them out. Living for God in this world may be a risky business but how much more shaky for those without God in their lives. Because God is our refuge, we can dare to be bold.
d. Courage grows from the presence of Christ.
4 They must recognise the right moment. The fisherman knows when to cast his net; the Christian must know when to speak and when to keep silent.
5 Next is the skill to choose the right bait for each type of fish. There are as many ways of coming to Christ as there are human beings, - we can’t expect a ‘one size fits all’ approach to attract the person we’re talking to.
6 Sixth, and last, fishermen must keep themselves out of sight. So must Christians. We’re not trying to draw attention to ourselves, but Jesus.

Jesus original disciples did their work in attracting us to him, and that’s why we’re here today. Now it’s our turn to be courageous. We’ve been chosen, as they were, but not for our own benefit; not so that we can sit back and enjoy being a Christian. We’re chosen for service, not privilege – we have a job to do. We must gossip about the gospel, and spread the good news about Jesus and his love. We need to be tactful and time things just right, as the fishermen learnt. Every word that we say about what our faith means to us is judged by others. If God means anything to you, you won’t want to keep it to yourself – you’ll want to share your own experience with others at the right moment.

God is calling to all of us to become fishers of men. Are you willing?

Every blessing,
Penny