The Spirit Conspiracy

I've been 'home alone' this week, while Les went with a friend to a Hymn Society conference in South Wales. While there, they visited Ffald-y-Brenin - a Christian retreat centre in the remote Welsh hills outside Fishguard. See www.ffald-y-brenin.org to get the story. Amazing experiences of healing and transformation for some who have been there. As I type this, I'm awaiting Les' return to hear about the week.

The week has been very full, and I realise when you're on your own, you have to make your own space as you don't have your spouse around to spend time with. To be honest, I have been watching Fawlty Towers on DVD at the end of the evening. Great way to relax, and I still laugh as if it was the first time of viewing.

There's been an interesting conundrum on the news this week, which I'm surprised (at least to my knowledge) no one has picked up. There has been the tragic case of baby Charlie Gard, whose parents are fighting through the courts to keep him alive with possible new treatments; while at the other end of 'life', Noel Conway (67) continues his legal battle for the right to die before he dies as a consequence of his motor neurone disease. It seems strange to me that, on the one hand, there seems to be no acceptance that such a poor quality of life (even in the best case scenario) should be a reason for nature to take its course; while on the other there seems no reason to hope that medicine can actually enhance life expectancy. In both cases, it seems to be more to do with 'my rights' than anything else. A complicated world we live in, where so much more is possible and complex choices need to be made.

Our theme tomorrow is 'the Spirit conspiracy' with an invitation from our author, Brian McLaren, to conspire with the Spirit to bless others. 'Conspire' means to breathe together, so the first consequence of this idea is the need for cooperation if the world is to be changed in a Christ-like direction. Conspiracy also implies secrecy, because of the risk of being found out. Secrecy features often in Jesus's parables (seeds, yeast etc) and I love that sense that, as Christians, we do not seek publicity but quietly speak and act to bring God's kingdom. The word also implies risk: it's a dangerous business, working together in secret, and sometimes being found out can be costly. Ask Tim Farron!