Pause for thought?
Do we ever behave like this?
Lets pray we don't.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Shaping the future
I'm just back from a great weekend with a group of our young people. We've had a great time learning from scripture, praying for each other, eating together, sharing the chores and a whole lot of laughs!
Workers wanted
One of the scriptures we looked at was Jesus instruction to pray for workers to help bring in the harvest. It thrilled me to think of how the young people were an answer to those prayers. How often do we pray and then forget to say thank you when they are answered? Personally having remembered on this occasion, I was delighted to be able to say a heartfelt thank you to Father for giving us such a delightful bunch of new co-workers.
I wonder who...?
This led me to wonder who God will bring into His Kingdom through Bethlehem Live? I think it's exciting to consider the possibilities!
I've been reading various books over this last few month that have reminded me of how Christians have changed the face of the world. We should not be surprised by this fact, but the sad fact is that many Christians suffer from poor 'self image', partly because the World and the Media in particular like to present us, at best as soppy wimps, and at worst as narrow minded bigots.
Equal and opposite reactions?
The extreme PC brigade don't help, when, in their efforts to undo some of the wrongs done to some ethnic minorities by racist attitudes, they tell Christians that our celebrating of Christmas is offensive. Sadly I've never heard of anyone from the 'PC-is-best' bunch tacking Satanists because their rituals are offensive to the minority called Christians. (Oops there I go again being a bigot, sorry Satanists we love you really....no really, we DO love you, it's the sin you are tangled up in that we hate.)
Christianity has played key roles in the development of; science, a legal system that aims to be just, democracy, art, music, literature, architecture, hospitals, social services, education, action against poverty.....I could go on. So, lets hold our heads high, the Kingdom we belong to has enriched life like no other Kingdom, and will continue to do so.
Who will God touch through Bethlehem Live, the next; Billy Graham, William Wilberforce, John Newton, or Robert Boyle? They may not be a genius, they may be from humble stock, but whoever they are God will use them to change the world they touch in some way.
Pray for 'Bethlehem Live' ask Father to add more workers to our number so that His Kingdom can advance, person by person, heart by heart, until the work is done.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Evolution Vs Creation
I've been reading and contributing a little to various sites where the debate between evolutionist and creationists has been raging. I find it fascinating to note that often in such debates people get very hung up on arguing they are right, and quickly stop listening to the other side's views. In short it gets very personal very quickly.
My position? I am a Christian, I believe God created the world, and broadly speaking I still have an open mind in whether the six days of creation are literal or poetic days.
I concluded, after much reading up on the subject from both the pro creation, and the pro evolution viewpoints, that it's a HUGE topic. So big that I can never hope to resolve it tidily one way or the other. Yes micro evolution takes place on an intra-species basis, but there is scant evidence for macro inter-species evolution, hence the various missing evolutionary links in the chain of evidence.
BUT, even if evolution does take place at those levels, all it does is challenge how we Christians have interpreted Genesis. The cosmological argument will still pose the question, how did the whole process start? Science, thus far, has no theory that explains the cause that led to the effect (Life!)
I concluded that if we Christians put as much effort into graciously sharing the gospel, as we do in debating this puzzle. If we lived out more fully the commands to forgive those who sin against us. If we did more loving people and acting on behalf of those who need us to act, then the world would be a much better place.
When we learn live like Jesus, then this intriguing debate on evolution vs creation will be put into it's true perspective, as a fascinating sidelight to life. Whatever the truth is the reality is that Christianity has nothing to fear from it.
Bethlehem Live will not succeed in bring people to a faith in God through our stubbornly arguing with them that our understanding of scripture is right, but people may come to faith if they are challenged by our love for one another and grace towards people who struggle with sin (as we all do).
Lets' pray hard, asking God to make us worthy carriers of His love and grace, for we can be sure that no argument fashioned by man can stand against that!
2 Cor 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
My position? I am a Christian, I believe God created the world, and broadly speaking I still have an open mind in whether the six days of creation are literal or poetic days.
I concluded, after much reading up on the subject from both the pro creation, and the pro evolution viewpoints, that it's a HUGE topic. So big that I can never hope to resolve it tidily one way or the other. Yes micro evolution takes place on an intra-species basis, but there is scant evidence for macro inter-species evolution, hence the various missing evolutionary links in the chain of evidence.
BUT, even if evolution does take place at those levels, all it does is challenge how we Christians have interpreted Genesis. The cosmological argument will still pose the question, how did the whole process start? Science, thus far, has no theory that explains the cause that led to the effect (Life!)
I concluded that if we Christians put as much effort into graciously sharing the gospel, as we do in debating this puzzle. If we lived out more fully the commands to forgive those who sin against us. If we did more loving people and acting on behalf of those who need us to act, then the world would be a much better place.
When we learn live like Jesus, then this intriguing debate on evolution vs creation will be put into it's true perspective, as a fascinating sidelight to life. Whatever the truth is the reality is that Christianity has nothing to fear from it.
Bethlehem Live will not succeed in bring people to a faith in God through our stubbornly arguing with them that our understanding of scripture is right, but people may come to faith if they are challenged by our love for one another and grace towards people who struggle with sin (as we all do).
Lets' pray hard, asking God to make us worthy carriers of His love and grace, for we can be sure that no argument fashioned by man can stand against that!
2 Cor 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Bethlehem Live and Child abuse..Is there a connection?
The news headlines tell me; the authorities have ordered a review of child protection in England following the death of a 17-month-old boy, following months of abuse.
I feel a mixture of things as I ponder this sad news; sadness, anger, frustration. I struggle with hearing about it, while feeling powerless to ease the poor child's pain. I wonder how many other children are "at risk", and\or being abused as I write?
I can't see it...
From the coverage on the news it appears the authorities knew the youngster was at risk, but were allegedly duped by lies told to them. Which makes me ask if people trying to protect a child at risk can miss what is going on under their noses, what chance do we have of spotting abuse to children who no-one has yet logged as at risk?
Merry?
This sad news story contrasts starkly with the stereotypical image of happy families at Christmas, but the truth is that statistic tell us abuse won't take a holiday when Christmas rolls around.
What's this got to do with Bethlehem Live? Everything! Jesus came to rescue people from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to help people break free from the clutches of abuse - both the abused and the abuser.
There are many reasons why people abuse other people, but one of the most common is the fact that they were abused themselves. If no one breaks that cycle of being abused, becoming abuser the problem persists. Often drink, drugs , poverty and family breakdown play a part abuse. All of these are issues that Jesus can deal with.
Maybe, just maybe, someone who is being abused, or who is trapped in a cycle of abusing others might come to Bethlehem Live. Maybe Saturday December 13th will be the day they break the cycle with Jesus help.
Now you might doubt that such people will come to Bethlehem Live, and you may be right, but I can guarantee that people will come who need Jesus, people trapped in their own personal cages of sin. What odds would you give me that people with; marriages under pressure, fears about their job, health problems,debts they feel crushed by, will be there?
Of course we could hedge that bet by stepping out of our comfort zones and inviting them, couldn't we? The question is will we?
Let's pray asking God to make us bold to invite people! Let's ask our King to bring those in need to Bethlehem Live, so that they can receive the greatest Christmas gift ever!
I feel a mixture of things as I ponder this sad news; sadness, anger, frustration. I struggle with hearing about it, while feeling powerless to ease the poor child's pain. I wonder how many other children are "at risk", and\or being abused as I write?
I can't see it...
From the coverage on the news it appears the authorities knew the youngster was at risk, but were allegedly duped by lies told to them. Which makes me ask if people trying to protect a child at risk can miss what is going on under their noses, what chance do we have of spotting abuse to children who no-one has yet logged as at risk?
Merry?
This sad news story contrasts starkly with the stereotypical image of happy families at Christmas, but the truth is that statistic tell us abuse won't take a holiday when Christmas rolls around.
What's this got to do with Bethlehem Live? Everything! Jesus came to rescue people from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to help people break free from the clutches of abuse - both the abused and the abuser.
There are many reasons why people abuse other people, but one of the most common is the fact that they were abused themselves. If no one breaks that cycle of being abused, becoming abuser the problem persists. Often drink, drugs , poverty and family breakdown play a part abuse. All of these are issues that Jesus can deal with.
Maybe, just maybe, someone who is being abused, or who is trapped in a cycle of abusing others might come to Bethlehem Live. Maybe Saturday December 13th will be the day they break the cycle with Jesus help.
Now you might doubt that such people will come to Bethlehem Live, and you may be right, but I can guarantee that people will come who need Jesus, people trapped in their own personal cages of sin. What odds would you give me that people with; marriages under pressure, fears about their job, health problems,debts they feel crushed by, will be there?
Of course we could hedge that bet by stepping out of our comfort zones and inviting them, couldn't we? The question is will we?
Let's pray asking God to make us bold to invite people! Let's ask our King to bring those in need to Bethlehem Live, so that they can receive the greatest Christmas gift ever!
Monday, 10 November 2008
Are we there yet?
I'm finding it hard to fit evangelism into my life at present.That might sound odd to anyone who knows me, as I'm very committed to reaching out with the gospel. But the truth is that at present I'm a bit too disconnected from the people I could reach out to.
My job currently means that I spend long periods of time on the phone or email to people, whilst sat at my desk at home. Consequently I rarely see anyone to chat to casually, other than the odd few minutes here and there as I bump into a neighbour as they walk from car to house or vice versa.
Off to the pub!
As a cell we've tried to resolve this common problem by holding the odd cell meeting in a local pub, but it proved almost impossible to hold a conversation on the nights we went due to a combination of overly loud music (Which is saying something as I have a reputation for liking my music loud) and a pub quiz-master who was determined that his voice would prevail over all others courtesy of the pub PA.
I pride myself (I know pride is dangerous) on witnessing in word or deed whenever I get the slightest chance, and I know from people's feedback that I usually manage to strike the right balance between delivering the gospel clearly without causing offence. So this lack of evangelistic opportunities is a source of much frustration and not a few grumpy prayers.
"Lord," I whine "what is going on? I've been praying for people for years now and still there is little sign of any impact! I have tried to be creative, I've worked hard to ensure that what I share is biblical, I've avoided all those horrible; are-you-washed-in-the-blood-of-the-Lamb clichés. What more do I need to do?"
The penny droppeth!
Of course I know the answer. I know that what I need to do is to keep on praying and to keep on trying. I know that the likes of the Westleys and Whitefield had long periods of seeing nothing happen, I know that Jesus spent most of his life in waiting and preparing. But none of this makes it any easier.
In recent months, the truth is that I have seen some slight glimmerings of the harvest growing...ever so slowly. God has blessed us with a burst of people being wonderfully healed, and I have been involved in events in other towns where people have been saved. But still I'm impatient and frustrated that it's not happening here in Bury as quickly as I'd like!
The view from heaven
Just as my frustration starts to eat away at my faith I catch a glimpse of things from God's perspective. As ever it takes me somewhat by surprise as the penny drops. God waited patiently for me, it was a sign of His love, that He did not zap me the first time I sinned, or the first time I heard the gospel and walked away with my heart hardened. Father waited until I was ready to trust Him. He worked hard over many years to soften my heart with His love - so I need to be patient whilst He is at work on other hearts that have become hard and callused through sin.
Farmers know that it's no use shouting at the wheat to hurry up and ripen. They know that their job is to patiently tend it until it is ripe and ready for the gathering. Like them I'll have to keep on doing what it's right to do until it's harvest time.
For some people Bethlehem Live may be harvest time, the time when they are born again. For others is will simply be a time of being watered and fed. Lord grant us the wisdom to know who is ready for harvesting and who needs patient feeding and watering, and please give us the love and the patience to wait for them as you waited for us.
My job currently means that I spend long periods of time on the phone or email to people, whilst sat at my desk at home. Consequently I rarely see anyone to chat to casually, other than the odd few minutes here and there as I bump into a neighbour as they walk from car to house or vice versa.
Off to the pub!
As a cell we've tried to resolve this common problem by holding the odd cell meeting in a local pub, but it proved almost impossible to hold a conversation on the nights we went due to a combination of overly loud music (Which is saying something as I have a reputation for liking my music loud) and a pub quiz-master who was determined that his voice would prevail over all others courtesy of the pub PA.
I pride myself (I know pride is dangerous) on witnessing in word or deed whenever I get the slightest chance, and I know from people's feedback that I usually manage to strike the right balance between delivering the gospel clearly without causing offence. So this lack of evangelistic opportunities is a source of much frustration and not a few grumpy prayers.
"Lord," I whine "what is going on? I've been praying for people for years now and still there is little sign of any impact! I have tried to be creative, I've worked hard to ensure that what I share is biblical, I've avoided all those horrible; are-you-washed-in-the-blood-of-the-Lamb clichés. What more do I need to do?"
The penny droppeth!
Of course I know the answer. I know that what I need to do is to keep on praying and to keep on trying. I know that the likes of the Westleys and Whitefield had long periods of seeing nothing happen, I know that Jesus spent most of his life in waiting and preparing. But none of this makes it any easier.
In recent months, the truth is that I have seen some slight glimmerings of the harvest growing...ever so slowly. God has blessed us with a burst of people being wonderfully healed, and I have been involved in events in other towns where people have been saved. But still I'm impatient and frustrated that it's not happening here in Bury as quickly as I'd like!
The view from heaven
Just as my frustration starts to eat away at my faith I catch a glimpse of things from God's perspective. As ever it takes me somewhat by surprise as the penny drops. God waited patiently for me, it was a sign of His love, that He did not zap me the first time I sinned, or the first time I heard the gospel and walked away with my heart hardened. Father waited until I was ready to trust Him. He worked hard over many years to soften my heart with His love - so I need to be patient whilst He is at work on other hearts that have become hard and callused through sin.
Farmers know that it's no use shouting at the wheat to hurry up and ripen. They know that their job is to patiently tend it until it is ripe and ready for the gathering. Like them I'll have to keep on doing what it's right to do until it's harvest time.
For some people Bethlehem Live may be harvest time, the time when they are born again. For others is will simply be a time of being watered and fed. Lord grant us the wisdom to know who is ready for harvesting and who needs patient feeding and watering, and please give us the love and the patience to wait for them as you waited for us.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
33 days until Bethlehem Live!
It's the night before remembrance Sunday, the day we stop to reflect and remember those who gave their lives to bring us peace. It's a sad fact that each year the list of names grows ever longer.
War is perhaps the most poignant reminder of man's fallen and rebellious state, God made us to live in peace with Him, but look what we have done, through our rebellion and selfishness. As we think about war and the consequences of war; and as we reflect on the many people who died to bring us peace and justice, let us resolve to re-double our efforts to tell people about Jesus.
Bethlehem Live, is a great opportunity to introduce people to "The Prince of Peace" himself. Let us pray that many surrender to Him and accept Him as their Lord and Saviour this Christmas.
- Pray asking Jesus to draw people to Him through Bethlehem Live.
- Ask Father to cause people to think about the big issues of life in the run up to the event.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to use you to move people along their journey of faith.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Countdown to Bethlehem Live - 37 Days to Go
The preparations for Bethlehem Live are now well underway, costumes are being chosen, lines learned and scenery painted. As things take shape the excitement is rising as people start to see how good Bethlehem Live will be. For example, last night,I was at a meeting where the market scene was being planned, and the enthusiasm was tangible as people organised what Jewish foods will be prepared to give the market that taste of authentic Israeli culture. I for one am now looking forward to the event with even more interest, as I look forward to tasting the goods!There's a lot of hard work to be done over the next few weeks to bring Bethlehem Live to life. An important part of that preparation is prayer. We need to keep firmly in mind that getting people along to have a good time and enjoy the event is only part of the plan, and that what we really want is for people is for people to receive the best ever Christmas present, as they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. We will not see this happen without prayer.
Some things to pray for
- The people you will invite!There is always the temptation to leave the inviting to someone else, yet you really are the best person to invite the people you know. Pray that each invitation is received well and that people come along and find the true meaning Christmas for themselves.
- The publicity. The press, radio and TV will be faced with lots of Christmas events they might report on, please pray that they see that Bethlehem Live has that certain something that offer them a better story. Also pray that people respond to the publicity, whether that's through the press or simply through good old word of mouth.
- The preparation. It's great to see some many churches joining together to play their part. Pray that things come together easily like pieces of a well designed jigsaw. Ask Father to bless the event and to give it a unique synergy, so that the whole thing exceeds the sum of it's individual parts.
- The perception. Pray that the whole event will find favour with the people of Bury. Pray that people enjoy it and that people's view of Church, Christmas and Christians is changed for the better as a result of Bethlehem Live.
- The present. Pray that people realise that Jesus came as the perfect Christmas gift. Ask Father that many would come and experience His life changing presence and be born again as a result.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
A hell of a way to go...
It does not seem very fashionable these days for churches to talk about what happens to non-Christians when they die. In part this trend is due to the fact that talking about people going to hell is not seen as very PC. In our multi-faith, multi-cultural world, the idea of saying to someone that their religion won't save them is frowned upon.
Such "hell and damnation" talk is often seen as intolerant if not arrogant, and some would decry it as having imperialist overtones, where the self-righteous Europeans seeks to civilise the rest of the world, by converting them to Christianity. However, if we take even a cursory look at history we will quickly realise Christianity started with non Europeans, and grew despite Roman imperialism, eventually subverting that imperialism to it's own advantage along the way. Not to mention the minor point the majority of Christians in the world today are neither white nor European!
Passing over the tricky bits?
The problem with ducking the tough bits of Christianity, things like; sin, judgement, death and hell, is that we end up presenting people with a fairy tale faith, where the ending is always happy. We all know that this is not a true picture of life, nor is it a true picture of the Christian faith. Real life is tough at times, we may experience some "Disney World" moments but they are few and far between. Real life is made up of grit, grime and tears interspersed with times of joy and laughter, there are rain clouds as well as the sunshine in the real world.
So as Christians we need to be prepared to talk to people about the reality of sin, death and hell, as well as grace, forgiveness and heaven. We need to allow God to show us how to handle these matters openly but with wisdom and grace, we want to show that we hate the sin, whilst loving the sinner.
Would you like water with that?
Christmas is a time when it should be easy to talk about God's love, but in doing so we need to be prepared also to talk about His righteousness. Many people know that Christians say that Jesus came to save the lost, but precious few people know what Jesus came to save us from, or why we need saving. This ignorance is largely down to the fact that for too long the Church has spoken only of God's love, and spoke of it as if justice and righteousness are side issues that don't really matter. The truth is that God is a God of love, and righteousness, and justice... So we water Him down at our peril!
The fact is that just like you and I, our friends, family and neighbours all fall short of God's standards of righteousness*. Consequently they will stand guilty and condemned before God, unless they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Their guilt will mean that they face eternity without God and the uncomfortable truth is that their destiny is hell.
Changing destinations
Thankfully we know that they don't need to end up there. As Christians we know that they can change direction. We know that with God's help and by His grace they can become heaven bound, with a guarantee of life without end. What's more we know that Jesus offers much more than "pie in the sky when we die", such is His love and grace that many of us can testify that being a Christian is about having abundant life here and now, what one writer called "Steak on the plate while you wait."
So let's not become so PC that we are scared to talk about the truth of the gospel. Let's be excited about inviting people to Bethlehem Live. Let's remember, it's as much about saving people from Hell, as it is about getting them into Heaven, and even above that it's about each of us having a relationship with God, that starts here and now and continues forever!
Let's renew our determination to pray for those around us who don't know Jesus. I know it's tempting to put it off 'till later, but the reality is there is no time like the present. Don't forget to take the time to listen to God as part of praying, there are things He wants to say to you to help you bless your friends.
*Romans 3:23
Such "hell and damnation" talk is often seen as intolerant if not arrogant, and some would decry it as having imperialist overtones, where the self-righteous Europeans seeks to civilise the rest of the world, by converting them to Christianity. However, if we take even a cursory look at history we will quickly realise Christianity started with non Europeans, and grew despite Roman imperialism, eventually subverting that imperialism to it's own advantage along the way. Not to mention the minor point the majority of Christians in the world today are neither white nor European!
Passing over the tricky bits?
The problem with ducking the tough bits of Christianity, things like; sin, judgement, death and hell, is that we end up presenting people with a fairy tale faith, where the ending is always happy. We all know that this is not a true picture of life, nor is it a true picture of the Christian faith. Real life is tough at times, we may experience some "Disney World" moments but they are few and far between. Real life is made up of grit, grime and tears interspersed with times of joy and laughter, there are rain clouds as well as the sunshine in the real world.
So as Christians we need to be prepared to talk to people about the reality of sin, death and hell, as well as grace, forgiveness and heaven. We need to allow God to show us how to handle these matters openly but with wisdom and grace, we want to show that we hate the sin, whilst loving the sinner.
Would you like water with that?
Christmas is a time when it should be easy to talk about God's love, but in doing so we need to be prepared also to talk about His righteousness. Many people know that Christians say that Jesus came to save the lost, but precious few people know what Jesus came to save us from, or why we need saving. This ignorance is largely down to the fact that for too long the Church has spoken only of God's love, and spoke of it as if justice and righteousness are side issues that don't really matter. The truth is that God is a God of love, and righteousness, and justice... So we water Him down at our peril!
The fact is that just like you and I, our friends, family and neighbours all fall short of God's standards of righteousness*. Consequently they will stand guilty and condemned before God, unless they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Their guilt will mean that they face eternity without God and the uncomfortable truth is that their destiny is hell.
Changing destinations
Thankfully we know that they don't need to end up there. As Christians we know that they can change direction. We know that with God's help and by His grace they can become heaven bound, with a guarantee of life without end. What's more we know that Jesus offers much more than "pie in the sky when we die", such is His love and grace that many of us can testify that being a Christian is about having abundant life here and now, what one writer called "Steak on the plate while you wait."
So let's not become so PC that we are scared to talk about the truth of the gospel. Let's be excited about inviting people to Bethlehem Live. Let's remember, it's as much about saving people from Hell, as it is about getting them into Heaven, and even above that it's about each of us having a relationship with God, that starts here and now and continues forever!
Let's renew our determination to pray for those around us who don't know Jesus. I know it's tempting to put it off 'till later, but the reality is there is no time like the present. Don't forget to take the time to listen to God as part of praying, there are things He wants to say to you to help you bless your friends.
*Romans 3:23
Monday, 3 November 2008
Good times
We had a great time at the Bethlehem Live prayer meeting tonight!
Now hands up all those reading this who think, how can you have a great time and be at a prayer meeting? I'm willing to bet that there are a few of you reading this who feel that way if you are being honest?
It was a good meeting firstly because of the lovely mix of people who were at the meeting. It was great to see so many folks there, many of them new to me. People who had come from a variety of churches, but all there with one common intent, to pray and make Bethlehem Live go well.
Secondly it was good because the presence of God was tangible. There is something about churches coming together in unity that brings with it a blessing. Tonight it would have been hard to ignore the fact that God was making Himself present amongst His people.
I used to worry a bit at times, that God's presence was just something that believers created out of a sanctified imagination, but recently I've had that concern pushed firmly back into perspective. A group of us went to form a team at a Mind Body Spirit fair at the G-mex Centre.
We went to pray for people who wanted or needed prayer for healing or any other reason. The vast majority of the people who came onto the stand for prayer were not Christians. They were people who by and large had no model for what happened when Christians pray, other than the model gleaned from "Songs of Praise", or the odd trip to church for a funeral or wedding.
They had no idea what would happen as people prayed for them in a quiet, simple, unemotional way. Yet time after time tears flowed almost from the moment we began to pray. The presence and love of God were powerfully present on the stand, yet we had none of the usual "props" that people might see as triggering an emotional response.
In fact at times the atmosphere was just the opposite, there were times when things were very quiet, at other times, other exhibitors were performing with loud distracting music. Yet the presence of God, as sense of peace, love and intimacy with the almighty remained firmly in place.
If you'd asked those, non-Christians prayed for at G-mex, can you have a good time at a prayer meeting? The majority would have given a very simple, very honest reply - yes you can!
Please pray for Bethlehem Live, that the same presence of God would be tangibly close and felt by all who visit the event.
Now hands up all those reading this who think, how can you have a great time and be at a prayer meeting? I'm willing to bet that there are a few of you reading this who feel that way if you are being honest?
It was a good meeting firstly because of the lovely mix of people who were at the meeting. It was great to see so many folks there, many of them new to me. People who had come from a variety of churches, but all there with one common intent, to pray and make Bethlehem Live go well.
Secondly it was good because the presence of God was tangible. There is something about churches coming together in unity that brings with it a blessing. Tonight it would have been hard to ignore the fact that God was making Himself present amongst His people.
I used to worry a bit at times, that God's presence was just something that believers created out of a sanctified imagination, but recently I've had that concern pushed firmly back into perspective. A group of us went to form a team at a Mind Body Spirit fair at the G-mex Centre.
We went to pray for people who wanted or needed prayer for healing or any other reason. The vast majority of the people who came onto the stand for prayer were not Christians. They were people who by and large had no model for what happened when Christians pray, other than the model gleaned from "Songs of Praise", or the odd trip to church for a funeral or wedding.
They had no idea what would happen as people prayed for them in a quiet, simple, unemotional way. Yet time after time tears flowed almost from the moment we began to pray. The presence and love of God were powerfully present on the stand, yet we had none of the usual "props" that people might see as triggering an emotional response.
In fact at times the atmosphere was just the opposite, there were times when things were very quiet, at other times, other exhibitors were performing with loud distracting music. Yet the presence of God, as sense of peace, love and intimacy with the almighty remained firmly in place.
If you'd asked those, non-Christians prayed for at G-mex, can you have a good time at a prayer meeting? The majority would have given a very simple, very honest reply - yes you can!
Please pray for Bethlehem Live, that the same presence of God would be tangibly close and felt by all who visit the event.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Who is responsible for this...?
Well done to all of you who remembered to pray for Her Majesty the Queen today!
Puzzled?
Even as I write I can see the frowns. Is it some special occasion? Has something tragic happened to someone in the royal family? No, don't worry it's nothing like that. I've just been reading from the book of Timothy (lights start to go on in the minds of those with a good memory for matters biblical), in particular I've been reading about prayer. 1Tim 2:2 exhorts us to; Pray for everyone, "for Kings (Queens!?)... and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth...."
"God save our..."
So now you know why I congratulated those who remembered to pray for the Queen, Now we could have an interesting discussion about how much authority the Queen actually has in a parliamentary democracy, but the reality is that she still does command a great deal of respect and not insignificant influence both nationally and internationally.
We could have a further interesting debate on the separation of Church and State, but like it or not Her Majesty is still the head of the Church of England. As such the Queen and her family play a role in shaping how Christianity is viewed in the UK and beyond. That role has no doubt diminished, but not yet disappeared. So as you can see she's in need of our prayers.
Of course the Queen is not the only person in authority. I wonder how many of us have sat and watched the news of the unfolding global financial crisis, seen how the impact of greed is now starting to impact millions of ordinary people. I'd be willing to wager that many of us have commented on the failings of such and such a chancellor, governor or prime minister, and perhaps we were even right in our criticisms, but have we prayed for them?
Who's to blame?
Reading the news and pointing the finger of blame is such a nice easy game, it's much easier than reading the bible and kneeling to pray. I mean running a country is so easy, any one of us could do it,and if only we could manage the trick of turn hindsight into foresight we'd all be brilliant.
Now don't get me wrong, I think that our politicians, captains of industry and the financial powers should be held accountable for their actions. I think that they should be rewarded when they get things right and penalised when they get it wrong. But in these tough times I realise that we need to accept some of the blame too.
Fire and forget?
We vote people into office which is good, but too often we don't shoulder the burden of our responsibilities after that. Too often we just vote and then we simply leave them to it. Scripture takes a different view, scripture tells us to pray. When we don't pray can we blame those in authority when they go off the rails, or is it our job to uphold them in doing right through prayer?
Follow who's example?
Many of us would love to see revival in the Church, and a spiritual awakening in our country. How sad would it be if that revival came and we trained up millions of new believers to follow Christ as we do, and continued to neglect what scripture teaches? We could have a country that was much more Christian in it's make up, and still have a government and economy that was shaped by forces other than God.
Let's Pray. Father forgive us for not praying for those in authority or one another as often as we should. Help us to support those who shape our nation and our economy through our prayers. Give us wisdom to know how to pray for them, that they might have wisdom to make the right decisions. Amen?
So today, as you listen to the news, or read your newspaper, take a moment or two to pray for those involved in the stories you read. Ask yourself if I don't pray can I really expect things to improve?
Puzzled?
Even as I write I can see the frowns. Is it some special occasion? Has something tragic happened to someone in the royal family? No, don't worry it's nothing like that. I've just been reading from the book of Timothy (lights start to go on in the minds of those with a good memory for matters biblical), in particular I've been reading about prayer. 1Tim 2:2 exhorts us to; Pray for everyone, "for Kings (Queens!?)... and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth...."
"God save our..."
So now you know why I congratulated those who remembered to pray for the Queen, Now we could have an interesting discussion about how much authority the Queen actually has in a parliamentary democracy, but the reality is that she still does command a great deal of respect and not insignificant influence both nationally and internationally.
We could have a further interesting debate on the separation of Church and State, but like it or not Her Majesty is still the head of the Church of England. As such the Queen and her family play a role in shaping how Christianity is viewed in the UK and beyond. That role has no doubt diminished, but not yet disappeared. So as you can see she's in need of our prayers.
Of course the Queen is not the only person in authority. I wonder how many of us have sat and watched the news of the unfolding global financial crisis, seen how the impact of greed is now starting to impact millions of ordinary people. I'd be willing to wager that many of us have commented on the failings of such and such a chancellor, governor or prime minister, and perhaps we were even right in our criticisms, but have we prayed for them?
Who's to blame?
Reading the news and pointing the finger of blame is such a nice easy game, it's much easier than reading the bible and kneeling to pray. I mean running a country is so easy, any one of us could do it,and if only we could manage the trick of turn hindsight into foresight we'd all be brilliant.
Now don't get me wrong, I think that our politicians, captains of industry and the financial powers should be held accountable for their actions. I think that they should be rewarded when they get things right and penalised when they get it wrong. But in these tough times I realise that we need to accept some of the blame too.
Fire and forget?
We vote people into office which is good, but too often we don't shoulder the burden of our responsibilities after that. Too often we just vote and then we simply leave them to it. Scripture takes a different view, scripture tells us to pray. When we don't pray can we blame those in authority when they go off the rails, or is it our job to uphold them in doing right through prayer?
Follow who's example?
Many of us would love to see revival in the Church, and a spiritual awakening in our country. How sad would it be if that revival came and we trained up millions of new believers to follow Christ as we do, and continued to neglect what scripture teaches? We could have a country that was much more Christian in it's make up, and still have a government and economy that was shaped by forces other than God.
Let's Pray. Father forgive us for not praying for those in authority or one another as often as we should. Help us to support those who shape our nation and our economy through our prayers. Give us wisdom to know how to pray for them, that they might have wisdom to make the right decisions. Amen?
So today, as you listen to the news, or read your newspaper, take a moment or two to pray for those involved in the stories you read. Ask yourself if I don't pray can I really expect things to improve?
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