The Book of Joy

Last week, I completed my first walk since my recent 'adventure'. I joined the 'gerontocrats' - a group of older men from Broughton and area who go walking every Wednesday. Altogether about 20 of them, so they average 10-15 each week. I had been told that, given their age, 'nothing too strenuous'. Well that may have been, but Wednesday was certainly a challenge. Nearly 8 miles distance and 2,700 feet of climb. We climbed High Street, Knott and Kidsty Pike, so 3 more to my total of Wainwrights. But it was seriously exhausting for me, and I was well behind the field by the time we finished. I was stiff all over for 2-3 days afterwards, but at least this time I was properly equipped and didn't get lost, with an experienced band of fell walkers, many of whom have climbed all the Wainwrights at least once. It was a glorious day, fabulous views, awesome fells and lakes, and a real sense of achievement by the end. Unfortunately I can't go every week with this gang, as I have staff meeting, but I will certainly go again when I can.

We have spent a couple of days in Liverpool, which was restful; and also a joy to meet Jude back from the land of Oz, and to see all her photos.

On a visit to Newcastle recently, I went to spend some book tokens, not being too sure what to buy. One book jumped out at me, as one of my 'rescuers' had recommended it to me: 'the Book of Joy', subtitled 'Lasting Happiness in a Changing World'. Written by Douglas Abrams, it is an account of  a week spent recently in the company of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on the occasion of the former's 80th birthday. He records their dialogue, on finding joy in the midst of turbulence and sometimes of pain. As both have suffered much in their lifetime - the Dalai Lama through exile and the Archbishop in the years of South African apartheid - they have real and deep experience to share. Though both come from different religious traditions, they clearly have much in common, asserting the need for rigorous mental discipline, space for contemplation, and a desire to bless humanity.

I have found particularly helpful their 'Eight Pillars of Joy', which they expound as a form of positive thinking and blessing when faced with circumstances which might otherwise depress or oppress. The pillars are:

• perspective
• humility
• humour
• acceptance
• gratitude
• forgiveness
• compassion
• generosity

I look forward to reading more - and putting them into practice.

This evening, a confirmation at Dean. Two men from Broughton, who have recently come to Christ; and the wife of one of them who chose the occasion publicly to reaffirm her baptismal faith. Such a joyful occasion, especially as all 3 chose to share their testimony. It was significant that all three faith stories involved a wedding last year. In the case of the couple, it was their daughter's wedding - she and her now-husband is a Christian, and the whole service was filled with a strong sense of God's presence; in the case of the other, it was his own wedding last year (in mid-life) which started his journey. Makes you realise just how important it is to do these services well.

Harvest

It's been a while since the last blog. Away one weekend, and last week just no time.  It's been a bit quieter this week. The last couple of days have been a bit anxious as river levels have risen, but we seem to be safe so far and while more rain is forecast it seems more sporadic. The threatened hurricane on Monday has now been downgraded.

I have circulated this prayer. It seems to me that we don't always pray what is on our heart, so this is an encouragement for us all to do so. I believe God hears and answers, but of course the result is not guaranteed. So Paul, the chair of our Churches Together group, is one of several Christians involved in preparing a practical response to any further flooding. I don't believe in the 'power of prayer' but I do believe in the power of God!

Jesus, Lord of wind and rain,

Save our town from floods again.

Save us and help us Lord, we humbly pray. Amen.

Last Saturday, I met with my two 'rescuers' in Carlisle, and also spent some money on getting better equipment to protect me next time I go walking. It was good to meet them in normal circumstances. One of them is now officially retired from the Fire & Rescue service, having witnessed one horrific event too many, and struck down with PTSD. He is now qualifying as a hypnotherapist, and wants to use his skills to help others struggling with various kinds of phobias and compulsive behaviours. It was interesting talking to a couple of guys about male vulnerability.

Tomorrow is the last of our harvest services, where we have been encouraging our members to commit or recommit to giving, as part of their discipleship. It seems an appropriate time to do this, as we reflect on the bounty of God in creation. The particular theme I have in mind is that Christian giving is a kind of investment in God's future. We give, not because we expect some result or some pay-off, but because God will accept what we offer and use it for the purposes of his Kingdom, the results of which we may or may not see. This is counter-cultural, because we normally expect to see a successful out-turn for our investment. It is not usual to give without expectation. Nevertheless, we have made sure people do have the facts about the financial needs of our churches for the next 12 months.

Today, there was an open day at Broughton Church, to which we had invited local residents. The turnout wasn't great numerically, but there were some really good conversations. Slowly, I believe, we are reconnecting with the village.

Adventure!

Adventure seems to be the theme for this week. I have just returned, with Les, from a residential weekend at Rydal Hall, with 36 church members from across our new Grasmoor Mission Community (GMC).  It's been a genuinely exciting time, as we have shared with each other where we are, and where we're hoping to be as a Mission Community (MC). Nobody really knows what an MC will look like in the future; but it is an essential part of a county-wide strategy for mission and growth. This weekend was really about relationship-building, and imagining new realities. Very much only a beginning but at least I think it got us out of our own silos, and helped us to realise that 'church' is about a lot more than keeping the activities of a local congregation going. We have a 'divine commission' to bring the Good News of God's love to a tired, weary, fragmenting world so let's wake up to our responsibilities. It is an adventure - an adventure of faith and trust in the living God who calls us.

The other adventure is more personal, and one I shall never be allowed to forget! Last Wednesday, I went for another of my weekly fell walks, this time to Haystacks (incidentally, the favourite of the Alfred Wainwright, who listed all the Cumbrian fells. His ashes were scattered there.) I left in good time, in order to be home to prepare for an evening meeting. I still don't know if I actually climbed Haystacks, thereby ticking off another Wainwright, but I climbed something in that area! The instructions in my guide book were somewhat unclear.

After that, it all went wrong. Evidently, I followed a wrong path - I should have known, because it felt unsafe, going down beside a fast-running stream over loose rocks and stones. The rain was getting heavier; it was misty and the wind was getting up.  I arrived on a wide plateau, bounded by ravines either side and a sheer drop in front of me. Ironically, looking ahead in the far distance I could see Buttermere, where I was parked, and the very path I had walked up earlier. I just couldn't find my way down.

I tried several ways to get back up the way I'd come, but just couldn't find the path. I even tried climbing up rock to get there. I also made two or three attempts, going down gullies beside fast-flowing water, falling and losing my walking pole in the process, until I arrived at a sheer drop. So back I went.

By now, the rain was getting heavier, the wind blowing, and the light fading. It was also past 6pm: I should have been home 2 hours earlier, and we normally eat at 6. Les would be worried. I was absolutely soaked, and having been out for nearly 5 hours, with only a small bar of chocolate and a bottle of water, was very tired. Time to admit defeat: phone 999 for Mountain Rescue, and also phone home. Of course, no signal: out of range. In the course of my searchings, I came across a cave into which a crawled for shelter. There I rested, dozed a bit, prayed a bit and waited. Surely a helicopter would come soon??!!

I was really worried for Les, and also for the meeting planned for 7.30 - a particularly important 'Gathering' for members of all of our churches, for the opening of a new term. If I didn't get there, since I was leading it, the whole meeting would be distracted, concerned for my well-being, 'lost on the fells'.

Then I thought, 'why not send a text?' No good inside a cave, so go outside. Wind, rain, murk and gloom. And of course the text wouldn't send either. But way down in the valley below, I saw two figures with rucksacks, making their way up beyond the fell I was on. Grab the opportunity, I thought, so I yelled 'Help, help me...' and waved frantically. Wearing a dark green coat and black (not waterproof) pants, it might have been difficult, but they did see me; waved, and headed in my direction. I knew they wouldn't be able to get up, as I couldn't get down, but they shouted back 'go back the way you came; we'll meet you at the top.'

Not what I wanted to hear, as I couldn't go back the way I came. I'd been trying for ages. My legs had gone to jelly, my boots squelching and full of water; feeling cold and shivery. Nevertheless, their arrival gave me a sense of hope, so I set off back again. This time, somehow, though nearly dark (it must have been after 7pm by now) I found the path straightaway, partly aided by sheep (they turned up all over the place!) which led the way. Stumblingly, I found my way up, buffeted by wind, and very wet and arrived at the top. Now I was disorientated, with the dark shapes of several fells around me. I thought I could make out a track ahead of me so set off. The ground was boggy, as I splodged onwards beginning by now to be seriously anxious, as much as anything because I feared there could be 3 casualties, if the other two guys were still looking for me in these poor conditions. Mercifully, it was still quite mild, so by keeping moving, I wasn't that cold.

Then, I heard a voice shouting 'Hello!'  I turned to my left, and to my amazement, there they were. The two guys, with torches, only about 100metres away! I trudged towards them, onto the path on which they were standing. One of them gave me a big hug, and called me a 'silly old duffer!' The two of them then led me on down the path to the bothy where they had arranged to spend the night. One went on ahead to light the coal fire, and get things warm and ready, while the other guided me along the path from which they had come.

It turned out that they were both ex-servicemen. One a paratrooper and the other a marine! They had come well equipped for their own adventure, but my arrival had rather diverted them. As soon as they met me, I was given a handful of salted peanuts - which I love; at the bothy, I had a scotch egg (another favourite) and cheese and biscuits. Pretty much food heaven! And of course, the obligatory flask of hot, sweet tea. Meanwhile, I took off all my soaking clothes, and crawled into a sleeping bag and we waited. I felt somehow immediately among friends, and great conversation followed - as you might guess, some of it to do with faith and answered prayer!

I say we waited. Actually, I was all set for the night. We had all we needed for our comfort, and there was the promise of bacon butties for breakfast. The point was, the weather was so awful that to have risked going down to base would have been to invite injury so, although I knew Les would be really worried, it was better to arrive hours later but safe, than to put ourselves at risk. In any case, we knew the Mountain Rescue (MR) would by now have been called out so it was only a matter of time before they arrived. And, my friends predicted correctly, this bothy would be the first place they looked as it is where walkers head for shelter in emergency.

And so it was. About 9.30 the MR turned up, the first face I saw being that of Laura, a dedicated and influential member of Christ Church, Cockermouth, whom I know quite well. It was a bit embarrassing to meet her in such circumstances, but - hey - that's one of her roles in life!

I then had to make a decision: 'should I go, or should I stay?' I was genuinely torn, as to be honest I was enjoying the adventure! Then I thought, these 20 or so MR people had come for me; and I didn't think Les would be best pleased if, after all the consternation I'd caused, I actually chose to stay out all night! So, changing into clean, dry clothes, I set off with the team to their Land Rovers at the top of Honister Pass. It took about 40 minutes, in the dark and the rain, but felt so different with a confident team of people who were all so kind and friendly. At one stage, we crossed a stream which was ankle deep, with stepping stones. The stones would of course be slippery: 'just walk through', said one of them. 'You're already soaked. And you walk on water don't you?!'

Then it was back to the car park by Land Rover; and Laura drove my car back into Cockermouth, from where I drove myself home. Here, I was met by a reception committee of Les, Sue (our administrator), Adrian and John, my clergy colleagues, and John's wife, Sarah. It was a lovely welcome: I so much appreciated their support for Les, who had been incredibly calm throughout. Together we gave thanks to God for my rescue. It was about 11.15pm, about 10 hours since I had left!

Some reflections on the experience:

1. In a funny kind of way, the world seems to have changed since last Wednesday. This is partly because this was an unforgettable experience - and believe me, I will not be allowed to forget it, the number of leg-pulls I have already had about it! It has already become part of the story of my life. But much more importantly, I have become, in a totally new way, aware of how much loved I am, not just by family but even by those who do not know me very well. When it was announced at Wednesday's meeting that I was 'lost', apparently the wave of concern and affection for me was palpable. And I have certainly found this since me return, with so many hugs and warm greetings. I have been very moved by this, and am so grateful.
2. We hear often of 'the kindness of strangers', and this I have experienced in a very big way. Andy & Paul, my two rescuers, were unbelievably kind to me. This was meant to be a night of 'wild camping', which they both enjoy, and I made it rather more 'wild' than they expected. They were honest enough to admit that they had groaned when they heard my cries, and were tempted to ignore me. But they could not, and went out of their way - literally - to help me. Then, having got me to a place of safety, their care continued and I think they would genuinely have been happy for me to have spent the night there. I owe them both a massive debt of gratitude.
3. Of course, part of the crisis was of my own making for not being properly equipped. I have been told a few times now, never go out without a torch and a whistle even if (as I thought) it's only a daytime hike. You just never know. Then, make sure you wear clothing that is not only waterproof, but also visible in the dark, and stands out against the greens and the browns of the fells. Inside your rucksack, put all your valuables inside 'dry bags' which give them extra protection against the rain (or falls in the rivers!). Andy said he was going to take me shopping and get me properly equipped. I think I'll take him up on that.
4. The prayer of the righteous has great power in its effects (James 5.16)  I gather there was a perfect storm of prayer that night, as the word went round. Those who had gathered for the meeting abandoned their programme to pray; the word went round via social media and mobile phones. People prayed on their own and with others. Some prayed specifically for 'angels' and 'shelter', and God granted their request; others prayed more generally for my safe return. I believe it was prayer that prompted me to leave my cave when I did, to check mobile signal. Another ten minutes, and my rescuers would have passed by and I would have missed them. I am so grateful for praying friends and family; and I am also glad that I was the cause of people discovering once more that God does indeed answer prayer. Praise to his Name!
5. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me (Psalm 23.4). I'm sure that my own faith was tested in a new and dramatic way. As the realization grew that I was lost and in need of rescue, I turned constantly to prayer. Several years ago, in deep and dark depression, God asked me if I trusted him. I realised I didn't and hadn't; now was the time to do so, and I have tried to live more trustfully ever since. So, on those darkening fells, I prayed over and over, 'God, I trust you. Please rescue your servant. I know I still have a work to do.' I found myself singing hymns like Be thou my guardian and my guide/and hear me when I call/Let not my slippery footsteps slide/and hold me lest I fall. Naturally, I became anxious as darkness fell, and there was no helicopter (!) (I learned later that it was highly unlikely the helicopter would have come out in such conditions; and in any case, it's very expensive and reserved for life and death situations.) However, I didn't doubt for one minute that I would be rescued. It was just a matter of when and how. Would I spend the whole night in my cave? I didn't know. But somehow God would save me. He did - my Saviour and Mighty Deliverer. With faith strengthened like this, I feel emboldened even more in his service. As I said, the world seems to have changed somehow.
6. Finally, I have to say, there was something about the experience which I relished. I think it was about the challenge which took me beyond my normal limits, pushed my mind and body to extremes, to a place I have never been before - not just geographically. It has somehow made me more more inclined to take risks. Not stupidly or irresponsibly, lest once again I cause trouble for others; but with the realization that part of our human experience - and indeed part of our faith experience - is to get out of our comfort zone, and in so doing find that one's character is strengthened and new discoveries are made. And, if one fails, or needs picking up once in awhile, remember that it is also human to be vulnerable, to know one's need of God, and to be humble enough to accept the help of others - even, perhaps especially, that of strangers.

So, that is the story of my adventure.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to my God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40.1-3)

A Sense of History

I've had a couple of 'historical' experiences this week.  Following last week's heritage weekend, I decided to walk the conservation trail around 'old' Cockermouth last Wednesday. You do get a sense of an industrial past, with buildings that were formally mills or small factories; with houses to match, accommodating the various workers at the time. Much of Cockermouth is Georgian, 18th and early 19th centuries, corresponding roughly with what came to be known as the Industrial Revolution. We are fortunate that so many of our old buildings and streets have been retained.

Last night, Les and I went to see the film 'Dunkirk' at the Kirkgate Centre (one of the aforementioned 'conserved' buildings, though in this case rather later than Georgian.) I came away wondering what it was all about.  It was certainly ingenious, weaving together one week of the soldiers trapped on the beach; one day of a small boat, sailing as part of the flotilla; and one hour, of a Spitfire pilot, trying to protect shipping from enemy bombardment. The special effects were tremendous, making you feel you were really there. At times, making you jump. (Incidentally, the Kirkgate sound system was well up to this!)  But I couldn't help feeling there was something propagandist about the film, very British. So much so that one member of the audience tried to applaud when it was over.

When I spoke at last week's Civic Service, I spoke not just about heritage but also about hope. In preparation for next week's Mission Community weekend at Rydal Hall, I have been thinking about expectations. It seems to me that trying to recreate an image of an 'old England' is doomed to failure - and 'old church' is part of that. We have to think in terms of the work God is doing a creating a new heaven and a new earth. The key, for me, in terms of church, is that we really must expect more people to become Christians, turning to Christ, being changed from the inside out, instead of merely trying to get more people into church in order to perpetuate an institution. After all, in that period I referred to above, not only was there great social and economic change, but there was a spiritual change to go with it - otherwise known as the Evangelical Revival.

Giving for Life 2

Is there no end to the disasters afflicting the human race at the moment?  The hurricanes in the West Indies, now approaching the US (my mind goes back to the memorable holiday Les and I had in Antigua in 2014); the earthquake in Mexico; the continuing flood catastrophe in SE Asia; the starving and disease-ridden innocents of Yemen; and now the horrific ethnic cleansing in Myanmar of Ruhingya Muslims. I can only wonder why Aung San Suu Kyi has been largely silent on the matter, having admired her tremendously for years. Is she still under the influence of the military, one wonders? Desmond Tutu is surely right to break his silence on this matter.

I am currently reading the earliest writings of Amy Carmichael, missionary to India in the early 1900s, and a local 'saint', having lived in Broughton and been a product of the earliest Keswick conventions. She castigates Christians at home for their cosy missionary prayer meetings, while she and her colleagues are toughing it out 1000s of miles away. Yet what else can we do, so far from the places of such acute need? Give money for sure - and that generously.

Today, All Saints hosted a Civic Service with a difference, at the end of European Heritage weekend. It was different because a New Orleans jazz band led the worship. It was marvellous, completely transforming the worship. Everyone joined in with familiar hymns, some coming out of black slavery e.g. Just a Closer Walk with Thee and Down by the Riverside. I was thrilled to see a number of people, non-churchgoers, joining with such feeling in prayer and worship. It seemed to touch something deep within us all. In my address, I reflected on heritage and culture, and our contribution to it. One day, people will look back on what they have inherited from us!

'Giving for Life'

This week we have heard and seen the dreadful news of floods in Texas and SE Asia. I must admit, the scale and duration of these catastrophes make the Cockermouth experiences rather less drastic. The contrast between the American and Asian experiences couldn't be more striking. When Americans talk about losing everything, they still have resources, human and material, on which they can draw; when Nepalese or Bangladeshis or Indians talk about losing everything, that is literally the case. Where can they look for help? Christian Aid reckon up to 40 million people have been affected by the floods: that's two thirds of the UK population. Staggering. Let's all give as generously as we can to Christian Aid, or any other aid agency, to provide some kind of rescue.

Giving is our theme for the next month or so here. Time to review, as part of our commitment to discipleship. We are using some C/E materials from a programme called 'Giving for Life' - which I think is a great title. Giving is life-giving for others; and it is also liberating for us, as givers. The timing is deliberate for our Team. Having spent the best part of a year 'conversing' about our vocation as churches, we now consider how much we can each give in order to turn our missionary objectives into a reality. So as well as reflecting Biblically on the imperatives to give, as God has freely given to us, we also think about enabling our churches to grow in faith, in numbers, and in fruitfulness.

Here in Broughton, we are thankful for one particular piece of mission in the past week. A children's Holiday Club/Fun Day. This involved 'messy' crafts, Bible stories and song, games and activities. Great fun. And our first piece of intentional outreach to our villages. There was great support from church members here; and also from each of the other three churches. Joy all round, with an emphasis on the love of God for each child. Tomorrow, we follow up with a church service, hoping that some who came to the Fun Day will join us again.

God in the End

Another Wainwright ticked on Wednesday: High Rigg, starting at the lovely little church of St John's in the Vale and the diocesan youth centre there . Quite a challenging walk of 4 1/2 miles, though it felt longer - and certainly took longer than I expected, resulting in my failing to get home in time for an appointment!

I have spent some hours this week, with colleagues, on Safeguarding administration. Mainly trying to coordinate everything so we have all the paperwork in one place, and easy reference to see where all our volunteers are at in terms of their DBS checks etc. So grateful to Cath and others for helping with this.

But the big news of the week is the birth of the latest Butland - Jacob Christopher, born to Chris & Debbie yesterday afternoon, just after 4pm.  I love this particular picture, taken within minutes of his birth, which almost looks as if he's praying!

What made this birth stand out from the previous grandchildren is the running commentary we received via WhatsApp from Chris in the delivery room! So we knew exactly what was going on almost minute by minute, with pictures instantaneously. And here is a photo of the family received earlier this morning, when George and Chloe met their new brother.

Tomorrow we reach the end of the road - that is, the book 'We Make the Road by Walking'. It's chapter 52, having begun the book at the start of September last year. We have followed the story of God's salvation from Genesis to Revelation, and discovered that 'In the beginning, God...' (Genesis 1.1) and at the end, God's grace (Revelation 22.21).  Suitably, the Gospel reading is the story of the Two Sons (Luke 15). I'm sure when I was young, it was always 'the Prodigal Son', and the story ended with the feast upon the return of the younger son.  The elder son literally didn't get a look in. Now, however - thanks maybe to the writing of Henri Nouwen (The Return of the Prodigal Son) and the success of the Emmaus course, we realise there is a lot more to it.

Nouwen describes the parable as A Story of Homecoming and writes about his own experience, late in life, of finally knowing the Father's blessing, so that - blessed - he may be a father, able to bless others. For years, he says, he felt like someone on the outside looking in (the older brother) but was able to move inside (coming home), and look out. Pretty much matches what I also have experienced. Someone said to me only recently, he felt I should see myself as a spiritual father to others.

McLaren summarises the journey thus: '...we walk this road, from the known into the unknown, deeper into the mystery, deeper into light, deeper into love, deeper into joy (p320).

Spirit of Hope

The organ playing seemed to go ok last week. I managed not to make too many obvious mistakes, and people were very complimentary. I enjoyed it: so maybe I could maintain a certain level of competence to retirement.

Last Wednesday, I completed two more 'Wainwrights': Lord's Seat and Barf. Both gave spectacular 360 degree views at the top, and I particularly enjoyed Barf, as it overlooks the A66, which we travel often.  Looking down over it, and Lake Bassenthwaite beyond, was a marvellous experience. On the walk back, through Whinlatter Forest, I spotted a rainbow over the lake, which made my joy complete.

This week has been rather taken over by funerals: 8 in all! Although I only had a hand in 5 of them, they all needed to be organised and logged. The most moving was that of a 32 year old mother of 5, all under 12, whose death from lung cancer affected countless people. She belonged to Kings Church in Cockermouth, and the radiance of her faith had completely transformed her suffering so that her funeral (attended by 100s) was a wonderful witness to the love and mercy of God, with Jesus as her (and our) Good Shepherd.

Tomorrow's theme is Spirit of Hope, this time looking beyond death to the life to come. Our focus is on the book of Revelation, which our author invites us to consider not as a 'roadmap to the future' (i.e. to be taken literally), but rather as 'literature of the oppressed', for it is written for Christians at a time of intense persecution. It is a message of hope, intended to lift them above the fear and terror of their times to a new world which God is creating, where all things are made new. Thus, the key word at the end of the book is not 'wait' or 'not yet' but simply 'come'. For God wants us to be part of the new world which is being made even as we suffer and struggle with this earthly life.

Spirit of LIfe

When we were on holiday last month, I began to think about returning to organ-playing. Something to carry forward into retirement. Might even begin a new 'ministry'!  Coming home, I was met with the discovery that on Sunday, 13th (tomorrow) there was no one available at All Saints to play the organ. And I just happen to be rota'd there for that service. And, as it happens, not preaching - just presiding at Holy Communion. So, sooner rather than later, I find myself playing in public, moving from organ stool to altar table and back again. First time I've played in public for 6 years! I remind myself that this is an offering of worship no less than preaching or presiding at communion; and the time I would have spent preparing a sermon I have been using to practise the organ instead. Just hope the good folks of All Saints aren't distracted by too many uncertain sounds.

The theme in McLaren's book this week is death, and I must say he makes it sound most attractive, from the perspective of Christian faith.  In light of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can expect to experience death as a passage, like birth, the end of one life stage and the beginning of another (p306). On the other side, we can expect to experience as never before the unimaginable light or energy of God's presence. We will enter a goodness so good, a richness so rich, a holiness so holy, a mercy and love so strong and true that all our pride, lust, greed, resentment and fear will instantly be melted out of us (p307). You may imagine that dying will be like diving or falling or stepping into a big wave on the beach. You feel yourself lifted off your feet and taken up into a swirl and curl and spin more powerful than you can imagine. But there will be no fear, because the motion and flow will be the dance of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The rising tide will be life and joy (p308).

Seeing death in this way, we are freed from the fear of it and therefore able to live this life more fully.

Spirit of Holiness

Soon, I shall need a new theme, as our 'We Make the Road by Walking' (Brian McLaren) enters its final month!

I must confess I have felt rather bombarded with Gay Pride broadcasting this week!  I need to understand, I know, the significance of the change in the law 50 years ago, which decriminalised gay relationships in private between consenting males over 21. With it began the long and continuing journey towards outlawing the sometimes vicious prejudice against gay people of both sexes. The thing that troubles me, however, is the evident assumption that sexual freedom and multiple relationships (sometimes with either sex, in the case of bi-sexual people) are somehow 'normal'. Which is why, for a long time, I have felt that Christians who get hung up on homosexuality are tilting at the wrong target. It is not homosexuality which is the enemy of faith, it is promiscuity and infidelity - the loss of the connection between sexual expression and committed relationship.

Today's title does not entirely match the subject matter of the relevant chapter, which makes the case for a fresh understanding of 'judgment.'  In common parlance, we make a close association between judgement and punishment as in a criminal court where a judge passes sentence. And when we 'judge' other people, there is a negative connotation. However, in the Bible, a judge is one who doesn't condemn but puts things right. The obvious example of this is Solomon in 1 Kings 3.16-28, where he is petitioned by a prostitute who claims that another woman has stolen her baby, having accidentally killed her own. Rather than judge the rightness of her claim, and possibly punishing the offender, Solomon's concern is for the child that he should be with his rightful mother. In modern parlance, this is restorative rather than punitive justice.

Just so, when we talk of 'final' judgement, this is not about God condemning and destroying the wicked, but righting the wrongs which have spoiled his creation. Likewise (says our author), hellfire is more about purifying than consuming.  This changes the way we see the trials and difficulties of this life...not as punishment for our wrongs but a refining fire to strengthen and purify us (p302). So we may have a better understanding of the direction in which this world is heading, under a just and merciful God; and a better understanding of how we might cope with our own trials and tribulations.

Spirit of Power

Today, I have been to the Cockermouth (Agricultural) Show - a major event in the local calendar.  It's the first time I have been, as in the past two years here I have been away on the day.  I entered another world - that of farmers, and real Cumbrian culture. And I loved it. We saw varieties of sheep and cattle being judged, and I learned from a farmer-member of one of our churches what the judges are looking for. Including, for example, 'a leg in each corner'! We saw show-jumping and Cumbrian wrestling, which is different from any other as the combatants must remain in contact with each other at all times, with arms around each other, and hands clasped. We also saw a large amount of very expensive machinery: tractors and implements, Land Rovers and other suitable vehicles for off-road transport. The most expensive tractor on view cost £80,000!

And of course we had to sample the brews of our own Cockermouth brewery, Jennings. Not that I haven't tasted them before!

Tomorrow's theme is 'Spirit of Power, and the key text is from 2 Timothy: 'God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and of self-discipline.' It reminds me of what is stated at a baptism service, that we should fight against 'the world, the flesh and the devil.'  Militancy is something that we tend to eschew as Christians these days, but I have always been impressed that Iona community members are encouraged to see themselves as 'soldiers of Christ' - fighting against evil and injustice in all its forms. We are not meant to be push-overs as Christians, and there are certain things we must resist, whether in terms of our personal morality, or in terms of social trends. For example, McLaren reminds us that there are invisible realities like racism, greed, fear, ambition, nationalism, religious supremacy and the like - forces that capture people and pull their strings as if they were puppets to make them do terrible things. (p256)

The Holy Spirit gives us the 'power' to stand against these things, inspiring compassion and understanding.  Nowhere is this more obvious today than in social media. This somehow seems to give people permission to give vent to a whole torrent of abusive and hateful language, which needs to be assuaged by bold, truthful, compassionate responses.

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!

Spirit of Service

A whole month has gone by since the last blog! This is largely because Les and I have had a fortnight's holiday up in Northumberland, which was restful and refreshing. We so much love that part of the country, with its wide open spaces and wonderful coastline. Once again we did the Farne Islands boat trip, and returned to Lindisfarne.

We also returned to Durham, where we met (can it be?) 47 years ago, and walked the city walls of Berwick for the first time. Maybe another North-eastern holiday next year? Perhaps back in Alnmouth, which we slightly preferred to the property we rented is Alnwick this year. Needless to say, Barter Books - a huge second-hand bookshop in Alnwick, was one of our first ports of call. Unfortunately, the box of books I intended to try and sell back to them remained on our kitchen floor when we left. So they will go to a charity shop instead.

Just before we left, we had a brilliant parish conference, where each of our four churches reported to members of the other three where they were at, in terms of our recent 'conversations'. I have to say it was one of the best meetings I have ever attended, with thoughtful, honest and colourful presentations from each church. There were 8 tables, and on each one were 4 sheets of paper, so members could doodle or write their thoughts and comments about each church in turn. Thus, each had 8 sheets of encouragement to take away with them for further thought, prayer and discussion.  Vision is emerging!

Today, we completed our 'Worship4Today' course, which has been running since last September. 20 people have seen it through to the end, and we are hopeful that in each church, this will lead to a refreshing and greater creativity in our worship, as well as the releasing of these wonderful people into their own ministry.

We are coming to the end of Brian McLaren's book. Tomorrow we think about how 'the Holy Spirit leads us downwards', in contrast to the upward mobility many seek in today's culture. Just today, I was reading how celebrity couples now seem to be trying to outdo each other in the luxuries they lavish upon their children, so that these little ones become part of the accoutrements of their parents' success. Learning to accept a lower place in society, to promote others rather than ourselves, to stand up for the weak and powerless - these are signs of the Spirit of God.

Spirit of Love: Loving God

I didn't intend for there to be such a gap between blogs. Life has been pretty full on since the end of May, and last weekend we were away in Liverpool, so my usual blog-time was lost. It was a great weekend though: time with George & Chloe, two of our grandchildren, and then (an early Fathers Day treat for me, my two sons and son-in-law) a visit to Haydock Races. I'm not an habitual race-goer by any means - probably only the 3rd or 4th time I've been to the races - but I have to say it's a fascinating experience. Very good for people-watching for one thing; and the whole atmosphere is very exciting. I set myself a strict budget for betting, and came away with 50% more than I spent. I'm quite good at this!!

Since I last blogged, there has been another terrorist attack in London, and the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower - and, of course, the General Election. Cumulatively, these have created a mood of profound unease nationally, a sense of being let down by government and those in authority. I can see the potential for widespread civil unrest.  The burnt-out tower block is almost totemic for a divided and unequal society. The trouble is that government just don't seem to get it. The Conservative Party's evident desire during the election for one-party rule showed a complete disregard for how that party is viewed by many in our population and an unawareness of just how divided we really are. The old binary system of government is surely over, and it is time for that hitherto dirty word 'coalition' to be rehabilitated. We urgently need a leader who has the integrity and the confidence to rise above the current divisions and offer a new kind of government. I'm interested that France seems to have managed just that!

In the past two weeks, post-Pentecost, we have been thinking of how the Holy Spirit inspires and fills the people of God. The Spirit both produces Christ-like fruit in us, and is the means by which we may live in the love of God. As Brian McLaren says, Life in the Spirit (is) being in love with God  - true aliveness indeed. I am struck by his analogy of a tuning fork, which when struck, produces a particular note. Put another identical tuning fork alongside it and it will start to resonate in precisely the same way, without any action on our part. Just so we 'resonate' with the love of God, if we walk in the Spirit.

How important it is that Christians live this life in a time of social unrest.

Whatever the Hardship, Keep Rising Up!

This week's title is ironically very appropriate after the horror of last Monday in Manchester. The story of the early church was filled with the experience of persecution and the most terrible torture and killings. You could say it was because of these rather than despite them that the Church grew. Hardship makes us bitter...or better.They lead us to breakdown...or breakthrough. If we don't give up at that point when we feel we've reached the end of our resources, we find a new aliveness, the life of the risen Christ within us. (McLaren p242)

Rather than write any more, may I point you to something my friend Helen has written, so poignant and so much better than anything I could write.  http://helenfaulds.blogspot.co.uk/.

I won't be blogging next week, as I am taking a week's leave.  Next time, I will record something of Pentecost, and the launch of our 'Grasmoor' Mission Community.  Go to
www.grasmoormissioncommunity.co.uk.  

The Uprising of Stewardship

Last Wednesday, I travelled down to London by train, to assist with the moving of my two aunts into care homes. It has been a difficult decision, reached after weeks of anxious deliberation, but at last they are now safe and cared for.

The journey both ways gave me some valued reading time: almost a whole John Grisham novel, and a theology book which has been sitting on my coffee table for months. By Walter Brueggemann, it is entitled 'Sabbath as Resistance - Saying NO to the Culture of NOW.' It's all in the title really. His claim is that our society is engaged in the fruitless, 'endless pursuit of greater security and greater happiness, a pursuit that is always unsatisfied because we have never gotten (sic) or done enough...yet. The gods...of market ideology...summon to endless desires and needs that are never met but...always require yet greater effort.' Just listen to all the General Election debates to realise the truth of those words! By learning to rest, to step aside from the urge always to do more or to do better, we become more fully alive. The 4th Commandment (about Sabbath) acts as a bridge between the first three - the worship of God - and the last six - concern for our neighbour.

If Sabbath is resistance to the Culture of Now, then I reckon giving is an act of defiance. Because the more we give, and the discipline with which we give, is a way of making sure that we are not enslaved by the desire to acquire.

So this week's theme is about stewardship - another 'uprising' in the community of faith after the Resurrection.  Put simply, McLaren says, stewardship is love in action.

The Uprising of Partnership

It's been a long day! Spent with participants in our Worship4Today Course, which has been running since last September. Today was workshop day: 5 of them, with hardly a space between them. Not surprising we were all pretty tired by the end of it.  The first workshop was on 'worship leading', where we distinguished between being 'worship leader' and 'lead worshipper.'  How to be offering worship along with the congregation rather than being their 'conductor'. If there is one word which I think summarises the way we 'do church' today it is the word together. For years I have quoted the saying, It is not the job of the people to help the vicar run the church; it is the job of the vicar to help the people change the world. In practice, that can be quite a culture shift in some places.

So we find that tomorrow's readings emphasise partnership, beginning with Jesus' instructions to his disciples to make disciples of all nations...The words were spoken to a group. Our main study tomorrow is of Acts 16, where Paul and Silas find themselves in Philippi, in prison for causing a disturbance. After a miraculous release (an earthquake of liberation) they are cared for by Lydia and her friends in her house-church. It is clear that the apostles can only fulfil their ministry because other Christians are fulfilling theirs. So, says McLaren, we are partners in an earthquake of liberation...injustice at every level of society will be confronted, and people at every level of society will be set free! (McLaren p232)

Last weekend, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York released a letter to help all Christians reflect on how they might approach Election Day, and consider the choices before us. You can find it via the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/

The Up-rising of Worship

I am not a great fan of boxing, but I do take an interest when there is a big fight, and a British boxer is involved. Consequently, I was fascinated by Anthony Joshua's success last weekend, especially as I had seen a documentary about him just a few days earlier. He seemed such a likeable person, well 'earthed', and surrounded by buddies with whom he could be a relatively normal human being. It was an historic contest, and he gained very many admirers not only by his victory but by the way he achieved it - coming off the canvas himself to do so. But I fear for him: everyone will now want a piece of him. He is already a multi-millionaire, with great prospects. Success is very enticing and has been the downfall of many from emperors to soldiers, from sports persons to media celebrities.

In his book on Ethics, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things the figure of him who was sentenced and crucified remains a stranger and is at best the object of pity. The world will allow itself to be subdued only by success. It is not ideas or opinions which decide, but deeds. Success alone justifies deeds done...The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard.

Bonhoeffer was writing at about the time that Hitler had over-run France, and forced the French to sign the terms of their surrender in precisely the same place and in the same manner that the Germans had had to sign the Treaty of Versailles in 1918. His 'success' was applauded by a great majority of the German people at the time, causing them to overlook the terrible actions Hitler had already perpetrated upon Jews, homosexuals, the frail and non-Aryan people. Success is intoxicating and causes people to overlook many evils which might otherwise be confronted.

Dare I say that this has something to say to our current political debate?

For the Christian, the worship of Jesus Christ is the only sure way to avoid the seduction of success. Not that Christians are necessarily immune from this seduction! We too can be caught up in the 'worship' of success; and can become competitive in comparing one church with another. And yet, if our worship is of Jesus as Lord, we will know that humiliation, insults, persecution and hardship are par for the course in the life of any disciple or fellowship.

'Worship' is our theme this week: the 'up-rising' of Jesus from the dead lead to the formation of a new community, who knew full well that identification with Jesus could well mean suffering the same fate as him. They also knew that to worship him would enable them to triumph over every trial and temptation. Just this morning, a Christian friend said to me that going for a drive in her car, playing a worship CD, made a real difference in helping her overcome difficulty in her life. Or, as our author puts it, The more we praise God, the less we fear or are intimidated by the powers of this world. (McLaren p225)

The Up-rising of Discipleship

It's been a great week! Full on, but so blessed.  We have had staying with us a group of 4 students from a Bible college in Uppsala, Sweden, which - amazingly - is part of a 3000-strong church there! They have been immensely humble and willing to serve, doing school assemblies, leading home groups, meeting with our youth group, and attending our Team AGM last Thursday. They have been prayerful on our behalf, and behind them stand a number of their friends back in Uppsala who have also been praying. We have felt the benefit!

Two highlights: last Wednesday, we had an open meeting at a coffee shop in the town, to which we had invited a number of people who had recently made enquiries to us, whether about faith, a christening or a wedding. In the event, 8 guests came along. Part of the evening was an invitation to write on post-it notes their questions, so they could 'grill-a-vicar'! The questions varied enormously from 'how might a church welcome a prisoner to church, on their release?' to 'is there a hierarchy in heaven? - Mother Theresa to a death-bed confession' to 'has Judas Iscariot gone to heaven - was he pre-destined to betray Jesus?!'  All very taxing and very thought-provoking! We did our best, in a relaxed atmosphere with coffee, cake and plenty of laughter. Already 5 of those present have signed up for our 'Start!' course next month.

On Thursday, we had our Team's AGM. Not normally a highlight in the year of any organization, but over the years, I have come to see its potential for celebration and forward-looking. As last year, we held it at a local hotel. About 60 people attended, and someone said afterwards it was 'the most joyous and celebratory AGM they had ever attended'! Our Swedish visitors also said it was a highlight of the week, remarking on the degree of unity between our churches, and a sense of 'honouring' one another from our different traditions. Certainly, I felt very thankful afterwards. Very few seemed in any hurry to leave.

Tomorrow we say good bye to our visitors, and we have a Team service together. We will offer a ministry of anointing to bless one another as we dedicate ourselves afresh to God's service. As it happens, our theme is 'The Up-rising of Discipleship', following the Resurrection, and we focus on John 21 where Jesus restores and commissions Peter following his denials. McLaren concludes: To be part of (Jesus's) uprising, we must be willing to fail a lot, and to keep trying. We will face long, dark nights when nothing happens.But we can never give up hope. He caught us in his net of love,so now we go and spread the net for others. (p.220)

The Uprising of Fellowship

It's going to be very hard to desist from political comment now that a General Election has been declared, but I'm going to try. Instead, I will try to give myself to more prayer for our nation and our world. I have such a sense of things getting out of control, it seems to be the only thing I can do. Certainly, no contributions to the debates from me will make the slightest difference!

The week after Easter always feels like an anti-climax. Usually I am on leave this week, but for various reasons this year I am not. Just as well really as we've been hit by a number of funerals. I have had three this week and two next, which have involved visits. In addition, there are two special events coming up next week to prepare for: an 'enquirers' evening at a local coffee shop, and the Team's Annual Meeting at a local hotel. Both require careful preparation.

In these weeks between Easter and Pentecost, our author maintains the theme of 'up-rising' - after the 'up-rising' of Jesus on Easter Day. That cataclysmic event changed everything, and resulted in the up-rising of a whole new community which over time has changed the world. And this community manifested a number of other up-risings which we consider from week to week. Today, the Uprising of Fellowship: how a scared bunch of disciples in an upper room became the earliest manifestation of 'church',

Their togetherness was key. Our Gospel reading tomorrow (from John 20) focusses on the story of Thomas, who cannot believe the message of resurrection because it is simply too good to be true. To his credit, though, he returns to the 'fellowship' of the disciples, even when he doubts, and is rewarded with the sight of the risen Lord. It's a powerful reminder to us of the need to hang in there, to stick with our brothers and sisters even when we have doubts and the going is tough. I like McLaren's description of fellowship: it's for scared people and for scarred people, and for people who want to believe but aren't sure what or how to believe. When we come together just as we are, we begin to rise again, to believe again, to hope again, to live again. Through fellowship, a little locked room becomes the biggest space in the world (where) the Holy Spirit fills us like a breath of fresh air. (p214)

The Uprising Begins

It's Easter Eve. It's been a tiring week, and we have an early (6.30am) start tomorrow. We have been focussing on the royalty of Jesus - a kingship and a kingdom not from this world. As international tensions increase, a massive bomb is dropped on Afghanistan, there couldn't be a more poignant moment to remind ourselves that it is through mercy and sacrifice that the world is won.

Yesterday, we had a Walk of Witness through the town. It is something that Churches Together here have done for several years, but this year there was a new development. Taking 10 'Stations of the Cross', we connected them with different parts of the town as the Walk wended its way, with 'Jesus' carrying his cross. Our aims were to unite together around the suffering and death of Jesus; and to make the most of the opportunity to 'tell the story' to our neighbours.

At each station, a different church group offered their own interpretation of the scene. Here are some photos of the day.

Peter's Denial

                                                Clowns demonstrate the theme of mockery

 Riverside Walk

 Along Main Street

Gathering on the Memorial Field overlooking the town.

We were delighted that, at the gathering for worship at the URC on Main Street, over 120 Christians from different churches were present. We hope for a similar number on the field in the morning to celebrate Easter!

So to the Day of days tomorrow. The day that changes everything. Our writer, Brian McLaren says this: It's not just that Jesus was resurrected. It feels like we have arisen too. We were in the tomb of defeat and despair. But now - look at us! We're truly alive again. So might have spoken the first disciples. And so might we?

Peace March

The most recent atrocity in Syria, the use of nerve gas to afflict a large number of men, women and children, has horrified and appalled the world. Except, it would seem, President Assad who continues to afflict his own people without shame or regret. President Trump has apparently reversed his foreign policy over night, in moral indignation at what he has seen.

Such news brings into sharp relief the kingly authority of Jesus, the revelation of which is at the heart of the Palm Sunday story tomorrow. In fact, much of the Passion narrative from this moment, through the trials, to the notice at the head of the cross seems preoccupied with this theme. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, there is unrestrained joy because of all the miracles they have seen. The people realise the distinction between the kingly rule of Jesus and that of Roman imperialism. Whereas earthly authority seeks to subdue and dominate, the Kingdom not of this world brings mercy, blessing, freedom and hope.

For now, as 2000 years ago, the two kingdoms continue to co-exist and are frequently in conflict. The question for us is 'will we have Jesus as our king?' For he is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. This was the problem for the people of Jerusalem all those years ago: to enthrone him in their hearts meant that they would be in conflict with both Roman authority and Jewish Law, both of which demanded a full allegiance.

So as well as asking whether Jesus is king over us,we have to ask ourselves who or what else claims our allegiance. And are we prepared to pay the price of enthroning him? I am currently reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. In the mid-1930s, Bonhoeffer is wrestling with this very question as Hitler's National Socialism gradually gains the ascendancy in Germany. In an astonishing sermon in January 1934, preaching from Jeremiah, Bonhoeffer  says: The triumphal procession of truth and justice, the triumphal procession of God and his Scriptures through the world, drags in the wake of victory a train of prisoners in chains. May he at the last bind us to his triumphal carriage so that, although in bonds oppressed, we may participate in his victory.

He sees Jeremiah as God's prisoner, and identifies himself with that status. Of course, he was to die a martyr's death as a result. Maybe, in the tyrannies of this present world, more such 'prisoners of God in triumphal procession' may be called for.

...to be alive is to learn what makes for peace. It's not more weapons, more threats, more fear. It's more faith, more freedom, more hope, more love, more joy. Blessed is the one who comes in the Name of the Lord! (McLaren p186).

The Choice is Yours

It's been an unusually full week, including a visit to Liverpool just for the day on Friday. We were returning to the parish in Everton we left 23 years ago! The man who was Head Teacher in those days has died, and left instructions that he'd like me to take his funeral. At the start of the service, I felt quite overwhelmed, not just at losing someone to whom I was professionally quite close for several years, but also also at standing where I had stood for so many years in the past, seeing familiar faces, still recognizable after all this time.

Preparing the sermon was an interesting experience, as I reflected on the 1980s. What changes we had to negotiate then. It was the 'Hatton' era, of a Militant City Council versus an intransigent Tory Government, with Merseyside Churches caught up in it all, striving for the soul of Liverpool, under the firm and inspirational leadership of Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard. I recalled the introduction of LMS - Local Management of Schools - when for the first time, governors were entrusted with their own budget and a variety of new powers. This thing called a 'computer' arrived on the desk of head teachers, and a whole new era had begun. Almost overnight we said goodbye to hand-written ledgers and typewriters; soon we would have wireless telephones too. Gordon and his colleagues had many changes to negotiate.

Today is Passion Sunday, and we are coming towards the end of Lent. With it comes the last in our series on the Sermon on the Mount. It's unlikely this was the sermon as preached - no means of verbatim recording in those days - but we can be confident these are the very words of Jesus which Matthew has compiled for us. As they stand, Jesus has:

• raised our aspirations, telling us whose company we should seek: the poor, the justice-seekers, the peace-makers, the pure in heart etc
• challenged our previous assumptions, calling us to a new righteousness - indeed, perfection like our heavenly Father
• warned us against making a show of our religion, teaching us how to give, to pray and to fast
• identified 3 enemies of spiritual growth: greed and acquisitiveness, worry and prejudice and demonstrated how to overcome them

Throughout, as noted last week, we have been reminded of our heavenly Father. Christian discipleship is a relationship not a religion.

Therefore, we have to make a choice: to follow a narrow way rather than a broad one, to build on rock rather than sand. As it happens, my reading from Henri Nouwen this morning was on the same theme: The core message of Jesus is that real joy and peace can never be reached while bypassing suffering and death, but only by going right through them.

Last night, Riding Lights Theatre Company was in town, with a performance of Crosslight - reflecting on the discipleship of Peter. It was profoundly challenging and moving. One memorable scene was when the apostle John insists on recounting what happened at the cross, since Peter had deserted. It was only by facing what he had tried to avoid that he could eventually find hope to live again. The final words? - 'Follow me.'

Why We Worry, Why We Judge

We have completed the 4 church annual meetings. Just the big one to go - for the whole parish - on April 27. We called at the hotel this week to firm that up. Looking good. We hope for a really celebratory occasion, with worship and food as well as the business.  All 4 meetings went really well, with a really positive sense about them: hopeful and forward-looking. There aren't even any financial worries at the moment, though we do need to do stewardship renewal this autumn.

I've been thinking a lot about the terrible violence at Westminster this week. I certainly felt more vulnerable on Wednesday when I heard the news. Strange, when it happened so many miles away. I keep thinking about that man, Khalid Masood. What drove him? It's the question everyone is asking. The latest information suggests that he acted alone, and that there was no apparent reason for his act of violence. To me, it seemed like desperation. A few facts about him: he apparently never knew his birth father; he was a black kid in a very white area, and suffered frequent racial abuse; he had several relationships with different women, and fathered children; he changed his name several times; he had several convictions for violent crime;he converted to Islam and came under the influence of jihadists. Some 'experts' have commented on an apparent identity crisis, which seems to be key in trying to understand him. Anger seems to have been a dominant emotion. My question is, 'did he know he was loved?'

I've been reflecting on this in preparing for today's sermon from Matthew 6 & 7.  Once again, we have several references to 'our heavenly Father', as they occur throughout the Sermon on the Mount. 'Your heavenly Father knows...' (Matt 6.32) has always struck me as a key verse. And in 7.11 we learn that 'our heavenly Father gives good things to those who ask him.'  Once again, we learn that life in Christ is about relationship to the Father.

In today's reading, we have learned of three distractions which lead us astray from the Jesus Way: greed (hoarding treasure), worry and prejudice. What they all have in common is that they cause us to lose focus, to be earth-bound, concerned about the future, projecting the worst of ourselves onto other people, thus preventing us from knowing the love of God. This too is about identity. Knowing ourselves to be God's children. If Adrian aka Khalid had known this, might things have been different?

Your Secret Life

It's the season for church Annual Meetings. We got off to a great start at Bridekirk last Tuesday, with a number of things to 'celebrate' from the past year. These included

• a new all-age service monthly
• increase in numbers of children and young families - the school connection
• a large crib service at Christmas
• growing confidence of young people
• the 'Conversations', led by our curate, John
• revival of bell ringing
• the Explorers Club in school
• the start of Youth Alpha
• the hospitality of Bridekirk for a number of Team events, such as Worship4Today, marriage preparation, AgeUk lunch club and baby club

I have a sense of St Bridget's recovering its birthright as a monastic foundation - only in the modern sense - with prayer, learning and hospitality to the fore. We have two more annual meetings tomorrow (Sunday) and another on Tuesday. Then the 'big one' - for the whole parish - at a local hotel at the end of April.

Meanwhile, we move on with the formation of our new Mission Community. We have a number of building blocks now in place, and an open meeting on 30th to share these with the wider churches. There is a real sense of growth in the air, thanks be to God.

Tomorrow, Matthew 6.1-18 - part 3 of the Sermon on the Mount. Last week's passage ended with the exhortation to 'be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.' On reflection, I think this has the sense of becoming perfect, since it is the result of our growing, deepening relationship with our heavenly Father. It's as if Jesus now says, 'and here's how' - by naming 3 practices by which we grow towards perfection. These are giving, praying and fasting, the result of which, respectively is our growing in generosity, forgiveness, and joyfulness.

If we want to change the world, says Jesus, don't start with some programme or religious practices to impress. Start in the secret place: we have to be the change before we can see the change.

A New Path to Aliveness

Like many other people, I have been deeply saddened by the decision of Bishop Philip North to withdraw his acceptance of the post of Bishop of Sheffield. It's the second time he has had to do this: previously he withdrew from the bishopric of Whitby before becoming Bishop of Burnley. The reason was the same both times: he came under great pressure from many CofE clergy and lay people because of his opposition to women clergy and bishops. Coming from a strongly Catholic tradition, he simply believes, for reasons of Scripture and tradition, that to ordain women as either priests or bishop is not merely wrong but actually impossible, because (I'm putting it crudely) the grace of God is not available for this purpose.

Now I happen to disagree with him, as many others do, but the fact is that he belongs to an honourable tradition within the CofE whose conscientious and theological objections were recognised when the General Synod approved women's ordination.  It was accepted then that 'traditionalist' clergy and bishops would not be discriminated against because of their views. It seems an absolute betrayal of that agreement that Bp North should have been subjected to such personal attacks by those who champion female equality. You end up thinking who is discriminating against whom?

There have been many testimonies to the Bishop's care and affirmation of women clergy in his present diocese (Blackburn), despite his views; and he is well known for his outspoken views on urban deprivation and the failure of the Church's mission is such places. We have lost a potentially great church leader, and one wonders where he goes from here. It cannot be said the he is anti-women. There is nothing personal about it: he simply cannot accept that their ordination is acceptable before God. This goes beyond present-day concerns about equality.

The disturbing thing about this is the inability of the Church to uphold its own agreements. What will happen in future if the CofE agrees to gay marriage, but clergy are not to be forced to take such a ceremony on grounds of theological objection? Will their refusal be construed as homophobic, and will they be subject to the same vilification as this Bishop?

Back to the Sermon on the Mount.  This week, we have studied the rest of Matthew 5, where Jesus informs his disciples that unless their righteousness surpasses that of scribes and Pharisees they will not enter the Kingdom of God. He then goes on to take a number of examples of  Jewish teaching, with the formula, 'You have heard it said...but I say...'  Thus demonstrating that he is not denying the truth of the Law but supplementing it. I like McLaren's suggestion that  religion is a kind of road to nowhere: ok, so you have fulfilled various legal demands and challenges, as have many before you, but then what?  The disciple is to have his or her eyes set on the road to a further destination, which is not marked out by rules and regulations but simple obedience to Jesus and his word.  Jesus ends, 'Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.'  Lift your eyes!

A New Identity

So Lent begins again. I am sure it is meant to be a joyful time as we let go of some of the things which preoccupy or enslave us, and make space for our own personal desert.  After all, the word 'Lent' comes an Old English word meaning 'spring'. It's spring-time for the soul!  Growth, renewal, new life bursting forth culminating in the exaltation of Easter.

We begin a new section in We Make the Road by Walking. McLaren gives it the title Alive in a Global Uprising: his take on what the message of Jesus, his death and resurrection, were all about. And on Sunday, we begin a Lent series meditating thoughtfully around the Sermon on the Mount.  This Sunday, A New Identity is the theme. reflecting on the Beatitudes.  The values of the upside-down Kingdom of God. As McLaren puts it: …if we want to be his disciples, we won’t be able to simply coast along and conform to the norms of our society. We must choose a different definition of well-being, a different model of success, a new identity with a new set of values.

This is very much in keeping with Lent, as choosing the way of Christ over any other way is something we affirm, much as Jesus chose God's way in the desert, rather than the tempter's.

Memorable Moments

Spare a thought for Claudio Ranieri - the recently sacked manager of Leicester City. Last season, a hero in a fairy tale that took his club to the Premiership title; this season presiding over a club threatened with relegation. If ever there was evidence that professional football is no longer a sport but a business, this is it. Leicester City FC plc is a failing business so a head must roll. No matter how successful you have been a mere matter of months ago.

Apart from that, there is an interesting observation to be made here about coaching and leadership. The same person, who can rescue an enterprise from obscurity and lead it to success, is not necessarily able to lead it to a sustainable future. A different skill set is required. The same might have been said of Winston Churchill, an heroic wartime leader, but rejected in time of peace.  It is also true that many clergy would prefer to lead a small struggling church than take over a large, successful one from a previous incumbent.

This Sunday, we suspend our series from We Make the Road by Walking, and use the readings for the Sunday before Lent. As it happens, the Gospel is the same as the one we took 2 weeks ago including the story of the Transfiguration. A memorable moment in the life of St Peter, on whom we are focussing during Lent and right up to Easter. Tomorrow, rather than reflect on the Gospel reading, we reflect rather on Peter's own testimony in 2 Peter 1.  Here, he describes that mountain top experience as a kind of preview of the glory which is to come when Jesus returns. He sees it as authenticating his own confession to the divinity of Christ. He sees it as a vindication of all that the Old Testament prophets taught.

So he encourages his readers to wait patiently, knowing that the Scriptures are trustworthy and that the Lord will indeed reappear and be manifested in glory, just as he remembered on the mountain. I guess that takes us back to Ranieri, and leading from success. Part of the challenge for leadership in any context is to hold a vision for what the future can look like; but if your best days are possibly behind you, what is there to look forward to?

This is why we need to see everything we do in the context of eternity. The best is always yet to be, however 'glorious' our days on earth may have been!

Making it Real

Did I forget to do a blog last week?! Only just realised.

Last week I had been away again, this time on a residential training conference for Mission Community leaders. Mission Communities (MCs) being the county-wide strategy here for developing networks of churches, the better to reach every man, woman child with the good news of Jesus Christ. It was a very useful week, in lots of ways. There was a significant degree of hope in the room, notwithstanding that none of us really knows what a MC will look like!  There is no blueprint: it's up to each group to work it out for themselves. One key feature common to all, however, will be the necessity of far greater and deeper collaboration between ordained and lay people to 'be' church where they are. These old divisions must dissolve, in favour of a full-blown New Testament view of diverse ministries of many kinds.

After two weeks of several nights away, it's been good to be home-based again. However, there was still an 'away-day', also with MCs in mind. This time it was our own MC: we have a steering group of a dozen people charged with working out what our network of 14 churches, in town and country, will look like.  We did an exercise together, 'building' a MC out of various blocks. What would be the components of our MC?  Examples were: a variety of ministries, creative new acts of worship, engaged and engaging youth church, and a dedicated social life!

In the course of our discussion, we found ourselves again asking 'what do we mean by mission?' I don't know how many times I have been in a group trying to agree a suitable definition! Rather than spend the rest of the day trying to do so again, I found myself impromptu coming up with a simple one: God beyond the walls. Would that serve as a suitable container within which to put the concept? 'Walls' of course refers to the physical building of church (how often does 'mission' become 'getting people in' rather than getting Christians out?!); but the word also refers to the psychological, spiritual and social walls we tend to put up, differentiating ourselves from others 'not like us.'  Jesus spent so much of his time, his mission, reaching out to 'others.'  And we need to go wherever the Spirit of God takes us to share his love, grace and mercy.

Tomorrow's reading from Mark 2 shows just what Jesus was like: forgiving people their sins, preaching to crowds of people whom the Pharisees regarded as 'riff-raff' (the Message translation), eating with tax collectors and 'sinners', calling such people to discipleship. His mission was beyond the walls both of synagogue and social/religious convention.

McLaren concludes, With Jesus, faith is where it all begins. When you believe, you make it real.

Jesus and the Multitudes

I've been away on retreat for most of the past week, gathering with friends from the Aidan & Hilda Community. We meet annually at Shallowford House, the retreat house of Lichfield Diocese, near Stafford. Quite a long drive, but worth it - even with the West Coast mainline not 100 metres from the building!

This year, we have been reflecting on the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and the life of Martin of Tours a century or so later. It has been challenging and refreshing. One of the sayings from the desert was 'Go to your cell, and your cell will teach you everything'. That, of course, is not a prison cell but the quiet place or room - just as Jesus taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6.6).  Consequently, we were encouraged to spend some of the time alone in our rooms, just waiting on God. It's a bit scary in some ways - you don't know what to expect - and of course you are left alone with your own thoughts. Personally, it has been a disturbing yet revealing time, and a time to be reassured once more of the Father's blessing, even with all my imperfections.

More wisdom from the desert: Do not desire to be listened to and you will have peace. Hmm!

This week, our theme is Jesus and the Multitudes. One of the characteristics of his life on earth was his gracious dealing with crowds of people (like sheep without a shepherd), many of whom (lepers, prostitutes, demon-possessed, tax collectors) would have been regarded as unclean and beyond the pale for many in his day. Conversely, Jesus had harsh words for those who set themselves apart as morally righteous or superior, never associating with the likes of those others. Part of the adventure of faith is to face the challenge of who we are: morally superior, righteous, or - recognising our own failings - being ready to meet with grace any who feel themselves unworthy, excluded or beyond the pale.

In these days when we are only too conscious of divisions in society, it is particularly important to know where we stand.

Jesus the Teacher

I'm reading an extraordinary book at the moment: Fear, by the explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Really, that man has no right to be alive, given the stories he tells of his life! Even at school (Eton) he was an adventurer and risk-taker, and so he has continued. Makes me realise how sheltered my life has been. Interestingly, even after so many hair-raising adventures he remains afraid of heights and...of spiders! The book explores the psychology of fear, and how to overcome it. It recounts many adventures of his own, but also stories of other people in history or on the contemporary scene who have known fear and triumphed.

One of the stories he tells is of one Fredrick Stanley Arnot, known as 'the little (David) Livingstone'. In the late 19th and early 20th century he was one of that band of intrepid missionaries who went to the African interior, both to explore and to evangelise. His fellow Scot, Livingstone, had been a neighbour and hero of his, and he determined to follow his example. He gained the Gold Medal of  the Royal Geographical Society for his discovery of the true source of the Zambezi River - some miles from where Livingstone believed it to be.

You can read the facts at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Stanley_Arnot, but this doesn't really do justice to the nature of his encounters with African tribesmen. In order to gain the trust of tribal kings, he had to witness the most terrible acts of savagery and brutality, no doubt fearing for his own life. Yet he went on to lead a band of missionaries who established churches, schools and clinics in what we now know as Congo, Angola and Zambia.

We talk a lot about mission these days, but when you read stories of men such as Arnot, you realise the true cost.

Tomorrow, our four churches come together at Christ Church.  The theme is 'Jesus the Teacher', and we look at the parable of the Sower. In so doing, we reflect on the Kingdom of God and what we discover about it from this and other parables. At the service, we will take the opportunity to encourage everyone to take their part in the mission of God. We may not be called to the same acts of heroism as men like Arnot, but it is the same mission. And there is a cost. In particular, with annual meetings on the horizon, we need to remind everyone that governance is a vital part of mission if anything is going to last. The Sower would have had to purchase or otherwise obtain his seed before he could scatter it! The local church needs to manage well its resources for the work of the Kingdom.

Good News!

Yesterday, Les and I completed our 5th Wainwright. Ok, so it was only a baby one - Ling Fell - but still a sense of achievement, and some glorious views from the top on a clear day.

Tomorrow, we take a break from Brian McLaren's book, to conform to the readings the rest of our Mission Community are using, from the Common Lectionary. The Gospel reading actually follows on from last week's very well. From Luke's account of Jesus's encounter in the synagogue at Nazareth, Matthew takes up the story with his move north to Capernaum, and Peter's home.  Here, Jesus goes walkabout, announcing the Kingdom, calling people to repentance, teaching in the synagogues, preaching and healing. Along the way he collects his first disciples.

We see Jesus now doing what he said he had come for in his Manifesto last week.

'Mission' could be described as outside-inside-out.  God's kingdom breaks in 'from above', leading to an inward transformation, which in turn drives the disciples outwards to do what Jesus did - fishing for people. The Good News is just too good to keep to ourselves! And it is demonstrated in practical ways, where darkness is turned to light - fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about Galilee. Incidentally, I like the Message translation of disease in Matthew 4.23 - the bad effects of their bad lives.

Tomorrow is a special day for the 14 churches of our proposed Mission Community, as we exchange ministries. A preacher, lesson-reader and pray-er go from their own church to another, both to experience a different kind of worship and to offer a different kind of ministry. The object (mainly) to strengthen the bonds of fellowship between us.

Join the Adventure!

It's been a good week, with two particular highlights. On Thursday, our 'Hub Team' (i.e. leadership team for our 4 churches) had a day away together, just catching up on where each church is at and taking time out for prayer. Then today, we had another of our 'Worship4Today' seminars, which I normally lead with a colleague but today was led by one of the authors, Helen Bent - an excellent musician and teacher. The session took us on a journey through the history of church music, and ended with us singing together a variety of music from Anglican chant to one of the latest worship songs. There was a golden thread throughout which joined us with those godly men and women who have gone before us, now offering their worship in music on a farther shore.

I think that tomorrow is especially significant in our preaching series. Having traced the story of God's salvation through the Old Testament to the birth and baptism of Jesus, we arrive at the crucial word 'Today'.  Jesus has gone home to Nazareth (Luke 4.16-30), takes the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and reads the first few verses of chapter 61. Then he begins, 'Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.' Not only are the hearers indignant that this carpenter's son is apparently claiming to be Messiah, but his mandate (the Nazareth Manifesto) makes clear he is a compassionate healer and merciful redeemer, not a political activist. He brings good news to the poor, release to captives, sight to the blind, release for the oppressed. In other words, people not like those likely to be found in synagogues! Not surprisingly, Jesus is driven out but escapes (this time) with his life. As John would put it, his time has not yet come.

It makes you wonder what is the mandate of the followers of Jesus today. Are we also wanting to recruit Jesus to our cause, or are we with him? As Abraham Lincoln put it, My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side. I am currently reading a book called Dirty Glory, by Pete Greig, who founded the 24/7 prayer movement some years ago. Some of it makes your hair stand on end as, in response to prayer, present-day disciples of Jesus have found themselves carrying out precisely the same manifesto as Jesus in the most unlikely places from clubbers in Ibiza to pimps and prostitutes in Mexico.

Commenting on this passage from Luke, Pete Greig says The call to justice and mercy is the inevitable consequence of a call to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. And he quotes the Emperor Julian who complained bitterly in 362 about Christians' care for the neediest in society: Those impious Galileans not only feed their own poor, but ours also...Whilst the pagan priests neglect the poor, the hated Galileans devote themselves to works of charity.

To join the Adventure of Jesus is not just about personal salvation; it is also about the salvation of the world. God's ultimate purpose.

Jesus Coming of Age

Already we are a week into 2017. It will be a year of many changes and challenges, and I am excited at all that God is doing among us here.  We have issued a pastoral letter to every member of our four churches, in which we have emphasised the word 'together'. Using the analogy of fell walking, we have likened our churches' journey to that of an organised hike or ramble as distinct from a number of individuals all following different routes.  We don't all have to be moving at the same pace, but we do need to be going in the same direction!

Over the next few months, we hope that the 'conversations' conducted in each church will start to result in some concrete actions, leading us all deeper into fellowship with God and each other, and leading many others to turn to God perhaps for the first time.  I am particularly concerned that we devote ourselves to prayer. I was struck yesterday by Paul's mention of Epaphras, who is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured (Col 4.12)  May we learn to wrestle in prayer, and long to see that particular request fulfilled in each other and many more!

I guess the Eastern mystics whom we remember at this time of year provide a good analogy. We don't know how many 'wise men' there were, but together they followed a star (their vision) which led them to worship. Ultimately, all our endeavours as Christians and churches should lead us to bow the kneel before the One who is Lord of all.

Tomorrow's readings in our series enable us to reflect on Jesus' baptism, which launched him on his public ministry. In a sense, it was his 'coming of age.' The point about this is that he had not yet begun his work, and yet his Father was 'well pleased with him'. McLaren comments, ...in that relationship there was an invitation to us all, because Jesus taught that all of us could enter into that warm and secure parent-child relationship with God (p110).  The trouble is that our default seems to be that somehow we have to earn God's love and approval. Yet, our best prayer and work for God proceeds from that relationship, and deepens it, rather than being a condition of it.