A LITANY FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

This Sunday we remember those who have died serving our country in both World wars, but let’s not forget those who have given their lives since. We MUST not forget. . . . . . .

Bruised and black clouds shed heavy tears on the fields of Flanders
fields become graveyards
in which were buried the flower of a generation.

AND GOD WEPT
FOR THESE WERE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds
shed heavy tears on the cities of Europe
of Japan,
cities shrouded in the dust of desolation
camps wreathed in the smoke of human cremations
people in confusion whispering - "Please God, never again".

AND GOD WEPT
FOR THESE WERE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds shroud cities
shopping streets
business centres
refugee camps
and people gaze on devastation
wrought by evil on innocence.

AND GOD WEEPS
FOR THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds
shed tears over a whole world
bowed – bloodied by battle
cowed and weary of war
her roads clogged by refugees –
with nowhere but earth to call home.

AND GOD WEEPS
FOR THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN.

m

God of life
drawing life and death together in Yourself
uniting the lost and the loving
be among us as we gather.

GUIDE OUR PRAYING AND LOVING
CHERISH OUR REMEMBERING
GOD, OUR GOD
WHO FORGETS NO-ONE.

God bless all who remember,

Penny

Going for Gold? Newsletter 10 August

GOING FOR GOLD?
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
I Cor.9:24-25
(The Message)

Paul asked believers to give up their own rights, to think of others first, and be whole-hearted in their focus to bring others to Christ. He asked Christians to deny themselves as they looked forward to future rewards. This was compared to a race, picturing the ancient “games.” The Olympics were already operating in Paul’s time. Second in popularity only to the Olympic games, the Isthmian games were celebrated every two years at Corinth. Athletes would come from all over Greece, and the winners of the games were accorded the highest honour. To get into the games, and especially to emerge as victors, required that athletes practice strict self-control. Typically, for ten months prior to the games the athletes in-training denied themselves many ordinary pleasures. Each put forth his greatest effort during the contest, setting aside all else in order to win the prize
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When Paul told the believers to be like those athletes, he didn’t mean that the believers were all running against each other with only one actually winning. Instead, he wanted every believer to run in such a way that they would win. In other words, we should all be putting the same amount of effort for the reward of God’s Kingdom that an athlete puts out to win a medal or wreath. Therefore, we must willingly practice self-control with a focus on bringing others to Christ because we are running towards an eternal prize. We have already “won”; the prize isn’t dependent on how we run the race. Because we are already assured of the prize, we should live for God with as much focus and enthusiasm as did the ancient runners at the games.

We must keep our eyes clearly focussed on the goal, running straight for it with purpose in every step, not allowing ourselves to be sidetracked or becoming lazy. We need to discipline ourselves in our Christian lives in order to stay in shape.

The time between a person’s acceptance of Christ as Saviour and his or her death is the only time when growth in Christ can occur.

Do you want to grow diligently and receive a reward from Christ on his return or be like the person who builds his or her life with shoddy materials, only to be saved “like someone escaping through a wall of flames?”

This week the 2008 Olympics at Beijing in China ended. Great Britain fared really well in the medals table, bringing home 19 gold, 13 silver, 15 bronze. making a total of 47, coming fourth overall. We are so proud of our team’s achievements, and look forward to the 2012 Olympics which will be hosted by London

Like all the athletes who trained hard and hoped to win gold for their country, are we prepared to put in the same effort for Christ who died for each one of us, so that we may live with him in eternity?

Love in Christ,
Penny

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

What Jesus' death on the cross really means (first published in Easter 2004)

You know the saying, he’s as hard as nails? Well we know that’s not literally true. The nails that were used to pin Jesus to the cross were probably rusty, blood stained and old. It was a horrible death – slow and agonising during which he went through all the human agonies – something we don’t like to think about, a stumbling block to our sensibilities, but the heart of our faith. A faith that proclaims that Jesus, both God and human, died for all of humanity. A death which was undertaken with strength, as he forgave others and promised everlasting life. A death which was endured with weakness, as he felt that God the Father had gone from him, as he felt sorrow and as he felt thirsty. A death in which Jesus trusted that God the Father would receive him back.

How often do we follow Jesus so that we may live in God’s strength? How often do we endure weakness apart from God? How often do we find that we must trust God even though he seems far away? As we struggle to do all these things, let us remember that Jesus, God’s own son, has struggled in the same way, yet without sin. And so let us repent and turn to Jesus.

A couple of weeks ago I went with a friend to see the controversial film by Mel Gibson ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Although I had read many reviews and seen several clips, nothing could have prepared me for what was nothing short of torture. The agonies that Jesus endured as he was beaten relentlessly, almost to the point of death, and then forced to carry his own cross were excruciating to watch. Yet he never complained or asked to be spared. He took our punishment upon his shoulders and asked his Father to forgive us. Such love he had for us.

Yet still our world does not turn and listen. Even now, the world spins round on its axis, but does not turn to look and see. Humanity does not turn to ask, in the midst of suffering, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’

Every blessing this Eastertide,
Penny

Reflections on Harvest (Published in October 2006)

Last weekend was our Harvest Festival, and it brought back memories of my first ever, at my primary school in north London. The centrepiece of the wonderful pyramid of fruits and vegetables piled up around the school hall was a great loaf of bread made by the local baker. It was in the shape of a huge golden sheaf of wheat with a little harvest mouse climbing around the wheat stalk.. These were the days when this display represented the fruits of people’s labour in their gardens and allotments – foods you could touch and smell. This was a ritual of gratitude that stretched around the world and back in time to a moment when an ancient ancestor felt well fed and was grateful. As the years went on the dire curse of the tin and packet would set in and the sensuality of natural foods would be replaced by packaging

Nowadays the whole consumer experience is a blur of feeling desire, want, pleasure, satiation, nausea and gross indulgence,- followed by a longing for austerity, and detox of mind, body and spirit, all in a matter of hours

Every day can be a Harvest Festival if we just stop and stock-take our lives. The fruits of our labours are all around us if only we stop long enough to look. That is because the society we live in through the medium of advertising and marketing wants us to focus on all the things we don’t have instead.

Nothing cleanses the mental palate like gratitude. We all take things like running water for granted; we all wake up in a dry, warm room under a dry warm duvet. How often do we say ‘thank you’ though?

I believe it’s time to evaluate the harvest festival of our own lives – there’s no end to the gifts that surround us. Let’s be thankful for all that we have, and not grumble about what we haven’t. Why not make a ‘thank you’ list?

Let’s face it, - there’s nothing in our lives that wouldn’t be considered a miracle in someone else’s.

God bless,
Penny

Putting things into perspective

I was reading a book titled ‘A Bundle of Laughs’ when I came upon this article about putting things into perspective, and it made me stop and think about how often we get impatient with folks, not knowing their circumstances.

‘Heavenly Father, help us to remember that the idiot who cut us up in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t cope with change is a worried 19 year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next term.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary-looking homeless man (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the supermarket aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savouring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she had back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive and show patience, empathy and love’.

Love and blessings to you all,
Penny

Where was God Today? (First published in July 2005 after the London bombings)

I had just finished my breakfast and was contemplating a relatively quiet day, when suddenly a newsflash came on the TV, - ‘London rocked by explosions.’ Immediately my thoughts turned towards Catharine, my beloved daughter. As many of you know, she is studying bassoon at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the City of London.

The story unfolded bit by bit. Firstly it was thought that there had been a power surge on the Underground, then we heard that a bus had been blown to pieces. My mind was in total turmoil. Where was Catharine likely to be? Normally she would have been travelling to Aldgate or Moorgate station to go to college. I tried ringing her on her mobile phone - no service. Then I tried all of her housemates. Their phones were dead. Eventually, I was able to leave a message on one of her friend’s mobiles. And then all I could do was wait.

After what seemed an interminable length of time, my phone rang. It was Catharine - she was safe. Tears of relief ran down my cheeks. I could only thank God for keeping her safe.

As the hours have passed, we have realised the severity of the situation. At the time of writing, there have been 37 confirmed deaths and over 700 injured. As the Prime Minister, Tony Blair said, ‘This is not an attack on one nation – it’s an attack on all nations and civilised people everywhere’. It was an awful day, but just think how much worse it must be for those who have lost loved ones, and those who perhaps haven’t been able to trace friends and family who were out and about at that time.

So where was God in all this? Paul talks about love and the good overcoming evil (Romans 12 9-21) and this was indeed evil of the worst kind. No it had nothing to do with religion, just evil misguided people. The vast majority of Muslims abhor and reject what has been done in the name of their religion; and we Christians must reject evil that is and has been done in the name of Christianity today and in the past. Love must and will overcome evil. Communities in London will be drawn together by this atrocity in fighting a common cause - terrorism. Love will conquer all in the end. But for now we rejoice and thank God for the safe keeping of our loved ones; but we must also mourn with those who mourn and we must seek to live in harmony with one another.

Love in Christ.

Penny and Peter

Thought on the Lord's Prayer

THOUGHTS ON THE LORD’S PRAYER

Lord, I cannot say ‘OUR FATHER’
if my Christianity has no room for other people and their needs.

I cannot say ‘WHO ART IN HEAVEN’
if my attention is focused only on earthly things.

I cannot say ‘HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME’
if I, who am called by your name, am not holy.

I cannot say ‘YOUR KINGDOM COME’
if I fail to acknowledge your sovereignty in my life.

I cannot say ‘ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN’
unless I am truly ready to serve you here and now.

I cannot say ‘GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD’
without doing an honest day’s work and without considering the needs of those less fortunate.

I cannot say ‘FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US’
if I harbour grievances against my bother or sister.

I cannot say ‘LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION’
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say ‘DELIVER US FROM EVIL’
if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice and evil in my society.

Lord, I cannot say ‘THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY’
if I do not submit to Christ as King, if I fail to trust you to act in my life, or if in pride, I seek my own glory.

And finally, I cannot say AMEN
unless I can honestly say, come what may, this is my prayer.

“Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God” – Edwin Keith

“When I pray, coincidences happen, And when I stop praying, the coincidences stop” – Archbishop William Temple

“Before we can pray,’ Lord, Thy Kingdom came’, we must be willing to pray, ‘my Kingdom go’” – Alan Redpath

Let’s be honest with ourselves, - how often do we go through the motions of using this beautiful prayer which Jesus himself taught us without really thinking what it’s about? Keep this with your Bibles as a reminder.

God bless,
Penny

Honour Thy Father

Ephesians 6:2 ”Honour thy Father and Mother. This is the first commandment that has a promise with it – then everything shall be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth”

Our life begins with the union of a man and a woman, our earthly Father and Mother. Our earthly father figure we most come to know as Daddy. I was privileged to have a wonderful Daddy for the first 43 years of my life. When my Daddy passed away, it was a very heartbreaking, sad day. Although he is no longer here, I thank the Lord that I was able to “know” such a wonderful, kind, giving man who always put others before himself. I have those memories from the days spent with my Daddy to last me a lifetime. Not all are so well blessed.

Do you want to make your Daddy’s eyes light up with joy on this Father’s Day? “What can I get” is usually the first thing that comes to mind on special days such as this, but from experience, a present is not always what a parent looks for from a child. They want your love, a visit or maybe a phone call if you can’t be with them. Daddy loved his cards and gifts, but he would demonstrate that the love shown to him meant so much more. Why not take time out to call your Daddy or go to see him and put a sparkle in his eyes? You will be glad you did in years to come when Daddy is no longer there in your presence.

We also have a heavenly Father who is there regardless of whether we have a natural father in our lives or not. He will never leave or forsake us in our need. Every child wants a Daddy he or she can look up to, maybe sit on his lap, share the day with him and just know he will be there when we need him. For those not so blessed, there is a Father who is always there for us, never judges us, and loves us more than anyone.

Remember that regardless of our age, to our parents, we are always their “child”. To God, we mean so much that he had his only begotten Son lay down his life for us. (John 10:14)

Every blessing,
Penny

The Test of Love

You have my Father’s blessing; come, enter and possess the kingdom that has been ready for you since the world was made. For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger you took me into your home; when naked you clothed me; when I was ill you came to my help; when in prison you visited me. Matt.25; 34-36 NEB

Reading a magazine, I found a definition of love that I confess had never occurred to me before. It helped me clarify the concept I had of this magnificent and useful feeling. The writer said, Love is giving.’ I was very surprised, because every time I wanted to define what love was, only examples of people showing love would come to my mind.

The above verse confirms this definition. God gave away the most valuable possession He had. It was not easy to decide to send Jesus to accomplish the mission of saving the human race. God knew it was a risky undertaking. His Son would have to suffer persecution, jealousy, betrayal, desertion, mockery, beating, and crucifixion. But God loved us so much that he overlooked all these.

The best definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13, the ‘love’ chapter. I t is the ideal love, the love of God. This is the kind of love we should long for in our lives. How am I loving others? How am I giving to others? I realised that I was very selfish indeed. I was giving very little, and that does not mean the giving of money, but rather, giving of myself – volunteering, sharing interest in and care for others, giving a listening ear. The list goes on….

When Jesus was on earth, He mingled with the people. He taught, healed, and cared for them. He walked long distances to answer the prayer of a mourning heart. Jesus visited people in their homes, even if they had been labelled as sinners. For Jesus the most important thing was to give.

If Jesus came today, would He find me a loving, giving woman, a woman who really knows Him and shares His feelings, values, and priorities for others?

Lord, teach me to love – to give - as You have loved.

Penny Wheble