Census sense

Here in the UK, yesterday was census day - filling in the 32-page document cataloguing how our lives have changed since ten years ago. There's been the usual furore about what questions are/aren't asked, with the government defending its position. But they're in charge, so had the last say.

Skip back 2000 years, to a different government. The rulers of the Roman Empire would have scoffed at the idea that they were being controlled by someone else. It was their idea to take a census - decreed by Caesar Augustus himself (Luke 2 v 1). They were in charge.

Or were they?

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel… (Micah 5 v 2)

The Lord had decreed that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem - and so the mighty Romans meekly did His bidding.

Passed...

Spotted this link on the BBC news website: "Kinky Granny among those who passed". Of course "Kinky Granny" grabs attention - but what caught my eye was "passed". Passed what? Her driving test? The citizenship exam? Her 100th birthday? No - it was a link to the monthly review of lesser-known people who've recently died.

But I still want to know what "passed" means. Is it short for "passed on" or "passed away"? If so, where to? Some pleasant place where the deceased meet loved ones and look down benevolently on this world as in The Lovely Bones? Or have they "passed" some kind of entrance exam, proving themselves good enough for "heaven"? Or is it simply that their lives have passed - been used up, finished, no longer existing?

If the BBC mean any of the above, it can only be because they don't believe Jesus' words:

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5 v 24

Ignoring the warning

I was underground, at Earls Court tube station, when the alarms went off. Then there was a recorded message: loud, forceful, attention-grabbing: "Due to an incident, all passengers must vacate the station immediately". For a moment there was silence. Then one elderly lady stood up from her seat and began to make her away along the platform to the exit. No one else moved - including me.

A few seconds later: "That was a test of our fire-alarm system. We apologise for any inconvenience". This time the announcement was much quieter - so much so that the old lady didn't hear it. Another passenger stopped her, and explained that she didn't need to leave after all - after which we all watched her make her way slowly back to her seat.

Why didn't I move? My first thought was: "Oh no, now I'll miss my flight", followed swiftly by: "I'll wait a moment to see if it's real or not". I didn't believe the warning - and my guess is that's why no one else moved either. Our default position was disbelief.

I wondered if that's true for people when they hear the warning message of the gospel. No matter how loud or clear it is - how forcefully proclaimed - their default position is disbelief. Maybe I need to pray that people will be like that elderly lady: that they will hear the warning, and respond to it.

Why pray to a motorbike?

A Royal Enfield 350 Bullet has become an unlikely shrine. The motorbike’s rider fatally crashed into a tree. Now both bike and tree form a thriving shrine in the Indian village of Chotila. Visitors pray to the bike, pour libations of alcohol, and tie red thread round the tree – all in the belief that doing so will ensure them a safe journey.

My first thought? It makes no sense to choose a bike someone died on as a talisman against unsafe travel.

But then I thought about the cross:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1 v 18)

Both the bike and the cross were instruments of death. But we can look at the cross with certainty and hope – Jesus has beaten death, and is the source of life for all who trust in Him. I won’t be praying to any motorbikes. But I will be thanking God for the cross.

Hearing the King speak

In the aftermath to the widely-acclaimed film The King’s Speech, an interesting side story has appeared. A 94-year-old retired policeman who served at the Sandringham Estate during the Second World War has a story to tell. While patrolling around the royal residence, he heard the king, George VI, through a window. The king was repeating the same words again and again, practicing his Christmas speech for the following morning.

It’s exciting to hear from an eye-witness (or maybe that should be an ear-witness?) to an important event. The UK press have picked up the story, as it gives personal interest to the events many have seen unfolding on the big screen. You can read it here.

It got me reflecting on other royal eye-witnesses – but this time to the King of Kings:

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts 10:39-41)

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  (Luke 1:1-4)

Peter was an eye-witness to Jesus’ words and actions. Luke investigated carefully to be sure that everything he wrote was accurate. And we have the confidence that the eye-witness records are accurate, because the Holy Spirit made sure they were:

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26).

Wonderful!

One woman's testimony

Last week I read a fascinating story of one woman's conversion. She talks openly about her search for faith, the appeal of the community she would be joining, and the huge changes there have been in her lifestyle. At first glance this was like many testimonies I've heard from young adults who have come to faith in Christ.

But this woman hasn't become a Christian - she has converted to Islam.

I was struck by the seeming similarities, so I looked again a bit closer. Yes, many of the personal and lifestyle comments rang bells, but then I noticed what was missing. There's no mention anywhere of God. Her conversion is based on a community to join and a way of life to embrace.

How different to a new Christian, who has discovered the joy of forgiveness through Jesus, and the privilege of knowing God as their loving Father, and being a brother or sister of Christ.

A _____ is for life, not just for Christmas

While waiting at Heathrow Terminal 5 last night for a late missionary (delayed, not deceased), I decided to draft a blog on my iPad (ie: a pad of paper I own). You know those bumper stickers that say "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas"? I've realised that the same is true for hot-cross buns!

The shops are currently heaving with trees, decorations, stockings and cards - which will all disappear after Dec 25th. But the hot-cross buns that came out for Easter are still with us. They've become an all-year treat.

Wouldn't it be great if the same was true for people's view of Jesus. He's not just for Christmas (a baby in a manger) but for Easter (a man on a cross) and for all of life (the King who rules). Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas.

Unanswerable questions

The search engine "Ask Jeeves" has done a survey of the top ten "unanswerable" questions. Here they are, along with my suggested answers:

1. What is the meaning of life? To know the God who made us and loves us, and to have a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Is there a God? Yes! All creation points to Him (Romans 1 v 20) and all Christians should be pointing to Him too.
3. Do blondes have more fun? I don't know, but I've certainly had more people smiling at me since my hair went purple!
4. What is the best diet? Use up more energy than you eat.
5. Is there anybody out there? I'm a SciFi fan - but have to say that the most important person "out there" is God.
6. Who is the most famous person in the world? I don't know how "famous" is judged, but I believe that Jesus is the person who's had the most impact on the world, right down to the fact that we date our history from His birth.
7. What is love? "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (1 John 3 v 16)
8. What is the secret to happiness? Peanut butter. (Or Philippians 4 v 12 if you prefer.)
9. Did Tony Soprano die? Dunno - but even if he did, it was probably just a dream someone had in the shower.
10. How long will I live? I don't know, but the Lord does (Psalm 139 v 16), so I try to live for Him and look forward to the day when I will see Him face-to-face.

I'm certain you can come up with some better answers though. Do please add them as comments - I'd find them helpful and I'm sure others will too.

The triumphal entry

After years of waiting, the moment is nearly here - the arrival of the promised religious leader. His destination is known, published in advance, and his mode of travel as well. The faithful will flock to welcome him, shouting his praises and waving whatever comes to hand. For many, this long-awaited moment will be one to treasure and look back on fondly for years to come. The culmination of all their hopes. Maybe this is the man to bring a troubled country back to God.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9 v 9

Oh, sorry - did you think I meant the Pope?

Assembly line

Ok, so I'm a sci-fi fan - I admit it. (But I don't go to conventions, or own a Star Trek uniform, so that's OK.) And not only do I watch the films, but all the DVD extras as well. Yes, I know. Which is how come I've just seen how ILM (Industrial Light and Magic, for any of you non-Spielberg fans out there) used computer imagery to create a human body. They started by generating a precise 3D computer model of a human skeleton and built it up from there, adding muscles, attaching them correctly, and so on. The result is that you can see every bone rotate, muscle flex and sinew twist as the body moves. As one of the CGI specialists said: "We just followed the assembly guide".

Of course this took months of hard work, thousands of man hours, and gadzillions of computing power. And in the end, they didn't have enough computer power to make it perfect, so had to go for something that would "look perfect" on screen.

I couldn't help thinking of the author of that "assembly guide":

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139 v 14)

And of course, the Lord does it all without any computers…

Dirty-looking pebbles

What do young people aspire to be? Pop star? Footballer? Or maybe a supermodel...

Naomi Campbell is in the news this week giving testimony at the war crimes tribunal of Charles Taylor, ex-dictator of Liberia. I guess that's what happens when you mix with the rich and famous. Initially she denied everything. Then tried to avoid being a witness. Now, in court, she has admitted being given three "dirty-looking pebbles" but says she didn't know who they were from (a statement likely to be contradicted by other witnesses next week).

I guess not so many are aspiring to be her right now. But what really caught my eye was a comment in today's Times:

...I say, laugh not at Naomi, for you laugh at yourself. Inside all of us is a good side ... but we know it's really just a thin facade. Because underneath there is our secret self, the one we hope no one will discover: the side that is childish, petulant and self-absorbed. (The Times, 7/8/2010, p21)

Hmm... If those "dirty-looking pebbles" were cut and polished they'd reveal themselves to be sparkling diamonds inside. But if our hearts are cut open - our "secret self" revealed - the opposite is true. The Times columnist may not know it, but Jesus said it first, and much better:

...from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. (Mark 7 v 21-22)

If that was the end of the story, we'd be wretched people indeed., for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3 v 23) BUT, as Romans 3 goes straight on to say, "and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3 v 24)

Without Christ, we are the opposite of those diamonds. Our hearts show what we're really like, the bits we hope no one will ever know about. But through Christ, we can have the joy of forgiveness. If we trust in Jesus, God looks at us and sees the purity and perfection of His Son. And one day He will welcome us into the new creation. Now that's really something to aspire to.

Purple prose

For three years this blog page has been black - chosen, I thought at the time, for its striking impact. Having just returned to blogging after a long gap, I realised how very... black... it looked. As black as my mood. Black as my thoughts. Black as the daily battle with depression. So...

I've gone PURPLE! :0)

Not that the depression is over - it's not, the battle rages on. But no matter how gloomy things get, the Lord is sovereign still and I can trust in His goodness. And that feels purple to me, not black.

And don't worry, I won't be blogging about depression all the time. Sometimes, yes, since people tell me it helps them understand those of us bonded to the black dog. But also odd musings, thoughts on children's and youth work, and stuff I couldn't help noticing. Starting with…

Three bits of post arrived together this week. A bank I no longer bank with told me details of their new overdraft limits (which I'd never used). A building society I do bank with offered me a loan (which I've never had or wanted). An electricity company told me how much I'd save by using direct debit, but based it on a family of four in a large house, rather than my minimal usage in my solitary flat. My reaction to all three was that these people hadn't bothered to find out anything about me, though they all had the information - so the letters went in the bin. And then I started wondering…

Do we do that with our Christian literature or events? Do we give girly tracts to women who hate shopping? Do we invite a neighbour to hear a Christian sportsman when they prefer gardening? Do we tell a bereaved friend about God's justice, when what they need right now is compassion? I was struck by how angry I was that those three institutions didn't bother to check who I was first. And challenged not to do the same when reaching out with the good news about Christ.

PS Yes, the photo IS deliberate!

Thank the Lord for winter

I'm reading a cracking book at the moment: Grace People by Michael Baughen. In it he traces God's covenants from Genesis right through Scripture. So I've recently been thinking about the 'Creation covenant' in Genesis 8 v 22:

'As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.'

I've always loved the seasons, because they're such a physical reminder of God's faithfulness. They also mean that Harvest and Christmas and Easter keep coming round again, like old friends, with all the fantastic opportunities they provide to thank God and tell others about Him.

But it suddenly occurred to me this week that God's creation covenant means I should also be thankful for the nights getting longer, evenings darker and clocks soon to change. This is a tricky time of year for me, especially since my depression is back in deep measure (which is why this is my first blog for two months). As winter comes, I and many other depressives fear that our minds will grow darker too. But the coming darkness can be a reminder as well - that God is keeping His promise to all creation. Until that wonderful day when Jesus returns, 'summer and winter, day and night will never cease'. How good to be reminded of the faithfulness of our God!

Mirror, mirror

What does it mean to be made 'in the image of God'? (Genesis 1 v 27) I recently read that this means that God's people are to be like mirrors, reflecting God's image to the world around us.

* What is God like? - look at His people to see His reflection.
* How does God feel about poverty, or greed, or injustice? - look to see how Christians react.
* What matters most to God? - look to see how His people spend their time and money.

In children's and youth work, I'm always trying to help people to be Bible-centred - to teach God's Word faithfully, and to allow it to shape the way we work with young people. But our 'teaching' must be matched by our 'reflecting'. Paul taught this to a young leader nearly 2000 years ago:

'Watch your life and doctrine closely.' 1 Timothy 4 v 16

It's just as true today. What kind of mirror are you? What kind of mirror am I?

Character building

There's an interesting article on the BBC news website at the moment about whether it's possible to build character. You can read it here.

The assumption of the article goes as follows:

'What makes people do the right thing rather than the wrong one? What makes us bad or good? The answer is a mixture of our genes, our parents and our peers - these are the ingredients of our character.'

Hmm... Doesn't that imply that we are not responsible for any flaws we may exhibit? It's not our fault - it's our genes, parents, friends... The Bible says otherwise. My pride, selfishness and laziness all grow from my sinful nature. But wonderfully, God is at work in His people, by His Spirit, to make them more like His Son.

'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.' Galatians 5 v 22-23

Now that's what I call character building!

The three groanings

I've just been doing some typesetting for Explore Bible reading notes. I found the following comments on Romans 8 v 18-27 so inspiring, that I had to copy them here!

Paul is inviting believers to stop concentrating on present problems and fix their sights instead on future glory. That’s where the three groanings come in—they are not grumbling kind of groanings, but longing-for-glory groanings.

CREATION GROANS (v19-22)
The creation around us is in a terrible state. Man’s sin has ruined what was created perfect. It is groaning in pain, like a woman in childbirth (v 22). But why is it groaning like this? Because it is longing for the future. Even the creation is straining its neck, eager for the time of freedom and glory for the sons of God (v 19, 21). The groans are evidence that glory is ahead!

BELIEVERS GROAN (v23-25)
Of course we aren’t perfectly happy yet. We’re not yet in full possession of the salvation that is ours! We must wait patiently, expectantly, confidently (that’s what ‘hope’ means, v 24). Christians have the ‘firstfruits’ (v 23)—the Holy Spirit in us is the down payment of the full harvest; but we groan in painful longing to know the full glory and freedom of sons of God.

HOLY SPIRIT GROANS (v26-27)
In struggling we’re actually in tune with the Spirit of God! If we think we should be on cloud nine all the time we’ve got it wrong—the Holy Spirit is groaning along with us as we struggle in prayer, hardly knowing how to cope and what to pray in our sin-soaked environment. He understands, He helps us, He secures God’s approval of our feeble cries. But it won’t be too hard—pray through v 18 until you agree!

Isn't that brilliant - and SO encouraging! You can find out more about Explore Bible-reading notes here.

A new identity

Today I got a new computer. A MAC Mini - very yum. The good news is that it came with different software than I've used before - and suddenly I can do exciting things like adding bold or italics to my blogs (my previous machine didn't let me do this for some reason).

But sadly, although my Mini MAC is new to me, it's not really new. One of my colleagues has been using it for months. And (again for a reason I don't fully grasp) we can't change the identity on it. So... every time I log in... instead of logging in as Alison, I now have to log in as Andre!

Hmm... It makes me glad that my identity in Christ isn't so fickle.

'Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.' 2 Corinthians 1 v 21-22

So... I guess I may have to get used to being called 'Andre' - but I'm thrilled that my relationship with God through Christ is certain and sure for all time.

Curse or cure?

This may be a well-worn way of explaining Jesus' death on the cross - but I came across it the other day, and hadn't heard it before, so thought it might be new to you, too.

When Jesus died on the cross, He was cursed:
'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." ' Galatians 3 v 13

But we can get rid of the 'S' from curse, because Jesus defeated 'S'atan and dealt with 'S'in. As a result, Jesus becomes our cure. If we put our trust in Jesus, He makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be friends with God.

The name 'Jesus' is often used as a swear word, a curse. But He came to die, to cure us from the results of our sin.
What is Jesus for you? Curse or cure?

A chat about coffins

Have you designed your coffin yet? An article from this week's BBC News magazine looks at the latest options for personalised coffins - bright colours, stickers, photos or even a bespoke coffin in the shape of your favourite thing (tram? plane? piano?). The article is fascinating - and so are the reader's comments afterwards. Most focus on the here and now, and how a personalised coffin can help turn a funeral into a celebration of someone's life. Only a couple raise the question of what happens after death.

This could be a great discussion starter - with your youth group, or maybe just over a coffee with your mates. What do they think of the idea of decorating coffins? Would they do it, and if so what designs or shapes would they choose? What would they want their coffin to say about the life they have lived? You could print out some of the reader's comments, and ask if they agree or not, and why? Why do they think almost all the comments focus on here and now, rather than what happens after death? Whether you then leave the subject open, for people to muse on, or choose to develop it further is up to you. Christians have a certain hope that death is not the end, and that we have a wonderful future in the new creation to look forward to. Maybe a chat about coffins will give you an opportunity to explain this further.

You can read the article, and reader's comments, here.

Brushing up on your Bible reading

I once heard a speaker say that reading your Bible every day is like brushing your teeth - you don't always feel like it, but you do it because you know it's good for you. Do you agree? Or does this dismiss Bible reading as mundane and boring?

Should we be bored when we read God's Word? Not at all. This is the Living Word of the Creator God, through which He reveals Himself to us. That's awesome!

Are we sometimes bored, though? Most of us, if we're honest, would have to say Yes. Daily Bible reading is a discipline many of us struggle with. Which is why I find the brushing teeth analogy helpful, because I know it's good for me to do it daily. If you don't brush, your teeth rot. If you don't read your Bible, your spiritual life starts to rot, too.

BUT
I've found the answer to boring battles with the toothbrush. I now have an electric toothbrush which rotates, vibrates and even tells me when my two minutes are up. Brushing my teeth has become FUN!!! :)

So... the question is... what's the Bible-reading equivalent of an electric toothbrush? If we truly believe spending time daily in God's Word is vital, but we struggle to actually do it, are there things that can help? Here are a few I've tried:
1. There's a wide range of Bible-reading notes out there, so I like to try something new occasionally - but do look for something that will help you engage with the Bible text, rather than just share a few thoughts.
2. Reading big chunks at a time. (This is easiest in a lighter translation such as The Message, rather than the ESV!) I prefer to read through whole Bible books anyway, to get the full picture of what that book is saying.
3. Try using children's or family notes. (Yes, I'm serious!) If the notes handle the Bible well, they'll still point you to the main point of the passage, and you'll certainly have fun! When I do this, I like to also use it as a prompt to pray for any children and/or families I know who are using the same material. I do this every year with the Advent Packs we produce at Good Book, and pray for the families in the UK and beyond who are doing the same.
4. If you're up for a challenge, why not commit yourself to reading through the whole Bible in a year? (Are there parts of the Bible you've never read??) In my own experience, the best way to do this is to get others involved too - either a group of you all committing to the same thing, or asking others to check up on you. I once told 400 people in a New Year service that I was going to read the whole Bible that year, and asked them to check I did it. That worked a treat!
5. Read it with someone else, rather than just on your own, and then discuss and pray about what you've read.
6. Instead of an electric toothbrush, how about an electronic Bible? If the fun of reading a passage online, via your PC or on a palm pilot will help you keep doing it, then go for it. You can get lots of electronic Bible helps too, with maps, dictionaries etc.
7. Be honest with God that's you're finding it hard, and ask Him to help. He will.
8. Read it while cleaning your teeth. (OK, I haven't really done that one - I was just checking to see if you'd read to the end of the blog.)