Advent 4. A time for re-shaping?

The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’ Luke 1: 19-20.

All I said was ‘How can this be?’ The problem is, it isn’t always as simple as what I say, or don't say. Gabriel read Zechariah’s heart and God reads mine (and yours). I can sometimes get away with saying the right thing (seldom with Maggie, never with God).

Lord maybe you’re inviting me … into silence? Maybe advent is about opportunity ….  to change in my heart what would be better re-shaped before I next open my mouth?

Clearly, the Zechariah who emerged out of silence was a different Zechariah than the one who entered it. Lord, dare I believe it’s in the silent place you find the room to really enable me to appreciate your re-creative power? 

Advent 3 How many skeletons in your cupboard?

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham …. Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. (Matthew 1: 1,5).

My mum’s done some work on our family tree. She probably hoped for the odd vein of royalty, but all she uncovered were a few skeletons. Records don’t do denial the same as relatives. So, I’m not surprised Matthew starts with the highlights … ‘David’, ‘Abraham’, oh and remember he is ‘Messiah’.

So why go and spoil it? Why even mention Rahab? Just stick with the father’s line. Forget one my great aunts was a lying prostitute. Imagine the pre-Christmas drinks party:

“Can I introduce you, this is my auntie pride, insolence & 'savagery”!

“And what do you do for a living”? !?!

Thank you Matthew: the extortionist-turned-pastor has just reminded me my family is one of grace and mercy.

Advent 2 Can you see in the dark?

Advent 2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Isaiah 9: 2-3.

Hindsight is great for seeing in the dark - certainly better than carrots! My pre-requisite for looking back is the light is back on. It’s easy, for me, reading these wonderful words at Christmas … Jesus is our ‘light of the world’ and everyone else is ****** 

However, Lord, right now it’s dark out there and I need to see the light. I’m humbled reading from Iraq “please pray for us, we never fear from such terrorist attacks” Looking outside-in the light is flickering, but not from their perspective. For them the light has come. They have seen a great light: Jesus. Please Lord, me too, right here, right now. May I take the next step according to your word. 

Advent 1 .... are you prepared to prepare?

‘there was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then had been a widow for eithy four year. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.’ Luke 2:36-37.

I’ve just seen the red ‘stop’ sign. I’m almost upon it. What do I do? On this occasion I slam on the brakes, other times (I confess) I’ve winged it, or not ... the speed points tell their own story!

Advent has arrived and 1^st December is upon us. Last year I rejoiced in taking part in a couple of life enriching Advent experiences and I thought ‘next year I’ll build on this’. Too late – time for preparedness has gone (again).

God didn’t leave preparing to prepare did he? God doesn't leave preparing to prepare does he?

I have. But it’s not too late to stop! Stop. Not do. Prepare for the next not-do-day. I need to prepare to prepare.

Would you let Ched Evans back on your team?

This week the news has highlighted Ched Evans will train with his former club, Sheffield United, following his serving of a prison sentence.
I listened carefully to the BBC Radio 5 live interview with Nigel Clough last evening. I didn't need to be overly discerning to hear his carefully crafted answers, which were governed by an awareness of the legalities and potential action against Sheffield United.
Ironically, I was en route to meet with the governing body of the Bristol Churches Football League and I began to wonder how we'd feel about such a situation - basically it boils down to would we let Ched Evans back on our team? Would I? As a Christian the answer to that question really needs to be a response to a bigger one ....'what would Jesus say'?
I've followed the story to the extent I've pricked up my ears whenever I've heard a report ... football, justice, re-habilitation for people convicted of crime are all things my antennae home in one, so put them together and I'm all ears. However, I was horrified to discover what comes up page 1 when you google 'Ched Evans'. Sadly, it reflects the tide of public opinion I'd been aware of, but not appreciated the shallowness and hypocrisy, until today.
So why would I accept Ched Evans back on my team?

I believe he has served the penalty for what he was convicted of. Otherwise, how can I argue elsewhere with a potential employee to offer a job to anyone previously convicted? For me, there's something about upholding our legal system and not trying to replace it.

I believe he should be offered his request for 'a second chance'. For me, there's something intrinsic to the gospel, which always responds to such a request.

I believe in rehabilitation. No way is this going to be an easy walk back into professional football. The easy route would be to slink away into obscurity. I want to work with anyone who is brave enough to stand up and be counted - there will be no third chance, can you imagine the headlines? For me, there's something about the need for a holistic response.

I believe in the need to highlight the horrors of gender based violence. I'm a big supporter of the new BMS project Dignity - refusing Ched Evans being on my team would not support this. For me, there's something about my integrity here.

I believe he is telling the truth when he claims his innocence of rape and someone needs to be prepared to believe in him. For me, there's a need to call the bluff of those who are pulling away from their previous so-called 'support' of Sheffield United. It's very sad when people take a look at the mud, which is being thrown and decide on the basis of not wanting their name, or product, to be associated in the same news item. For me, there's something about welcoming the outcast. Remember he was in the team.

Survival is not enough ....

I've been on holiday, reading Ezra and Nehemiah and facing the reality survival is not enough ...

Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:2 NIVUK)

Some survived, but ....

They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ (Nehemiah 1:3 NIVUK)

cf story of Ezra too:

Now honour the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.’ (Ezra 10:11 NIVUK)

NB this is where Ezra's recorded episode ends not where it begins.

Who can blame either group of people for thinking 'we just need to get through this', whether they be exiled in the strange land of Babylon, or the no longer the comfort zone home-land of Israel?

Certainly not Baptists who seem to have adopted a survival mentality. 

I'm hearing the same messages in different ways all over the place.

'We have enough money to keep going at this rate of deficit for the next X years .....'

'Our numbers have kept up more, or less (that last word is always worth further investigation) the same for the previous two Ministers.'

'We're looking for a sustainable future, so we won't be reliant on the giving to sustain our Ministry.' (usually equates to a full-time stipendary Minister).

My fear is, in too many places, we're settling for survival. 'Survival as and for what'? We could move to a financially sustainable model as a national (Baptist, but probably not exclusively so) resource with our present resources, in my opinion, which is not at all dependent on whether we maintain, or increase the number of churches, or not. We could continue down our trajectory to become a Union of Ministers, more than churches. We could maintain the number of academic learning institutions, which carry the Baptist name, whether we have any ordinands for Baptist Ministry, or not. We could maintain the organisation of a number of Baptist Associations, whether we maintain, or increase the number of churches, or not. Many churches will continue for a good number of years from now, whether anyone is added new into the kingdom, or not. 

If we started with 'why', when did we forget to keep asking the question?

street evangelism ... a forgotten tool?

A more recent friend, Steve Addison, has recently moved to London. Because he's an Aussie he hasn't listened to what us Brits have told him - that British people are very reticent to talk about faith and are best approached with caution! 

Read his blog for more of what follows ...

http://steveaddison.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/j/C022C78AF935CE24/7BDAC1D673D9E36E9A8E73400EDACAB4

Better still have a re-think about whether street evangelism can find a place in your individual, or church, busy schedule!

Michelle and I have been told British people don’t like to talk about faith and won’t respond to a direct approach. So we thought we’d find out. We’ve been walking around Bethnal Green, our local area, in the East End of London. Hi. I’m Steve and this is Michelle. We’re out praying for our community. We wondered, if God could do a miracle in your life today what would it be? And can we pray for you? We meet Afro-Caribbeans, English-born East Enders, Irish atheists, Bangladeshi Muslims and young white hipsters. Over 80% of people want us to pray for them. Most people who decline thank us for offering prayer but say they are doing ok. We haven’t had one negative response. Typically  people share a need. Pray that my friend Jo would come back to life. I went to his funeral last week. Pray for me I just lost my job and I’ve never been out of work before. I got out of prison yesterday. Pray I would be able to get back together with my partner and our son. We pray simply and briefly and then we say, Right now do you feel near to God or far from him Then most people open up.