To watch or not to watch?

Every now and again a film, book or play is released that draws the call for a boycott from some Christians and Christian groups. To watch or not to watch - that is the question.

But if we believe that our Christian faith should impact every area of life, and make us distinctive, then the question 'to watch or not to watch' is surely a question we answer personally on a daily basis. But how do we come to an answer and how come my answer and yours may be different?

Two verses spring to mind that bring us to different sides of the debate. In John 17:15 we see that even though we are not of the world we are called to be a part of it. We need to engage with those around us. If we withdraw from our culture how will people see Jesus? Then Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent - hardly the description of your average Hollywood offering!

5 December sees the release of the widely anticipated and advertised 'The Golden Compass', clearly targeting the highly lucrative Narnia, LOTR and Harry Potter market. This is one of those films, that even though it is a children's film, has brought calls of a Christian boycott. Not so much for the content of the film but more because of the book on which the film is based, 'The Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman, the first in his 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. The concern is that unsuspecting parents will allow their children to see the film and they will then want to read the books.

Many who have read, or watched, C.S. Lewis' 'Narnia' stories, especially, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' will not have missed the Christian images and values that Lewis promotes in his writing, for Lewis was a Christian. Pullman, on the other hand, is an atheist - and he uses his writing to promote his beliefs. According to Wikipedia, Pullman is a supporter of the British Humanist Association and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. He has been described as one of England's most outspoken atheists. It is my understanding that towards the end of his trilogy 'god' is killed and a republic of heaven is established. Pullman says,

"We're used to the Kingdom of Heaven, but you can tell from the general thrust of the book that I'm of the devil's party, like Milton. And I think it's time we thought about a republic of Heaven instead of the Kingdom of Heaven. The King is dead. That's to say I believe the King is dead. I'm an atheist."

According to the Channel Four website review of the film, 'The subtext of the novels [His Dark Materials] is fiercely critical of religion - involving the overthrowing of God'.

But you may not pick this up from the film. Film makers after all are there to make money. And therefore making a film that would be potentially boycotted by Christians - particularly right-wing Christian America and the worldwide Catholic Church would not be a good economic move. Therefore many references to God and the church have apparently been stripped out, in favour of a more general attack on large powerful institutions.

Not long ago I blogged about Dawkins' 'God Delusion'. One thing we can be sure of is that atheism and secularism are not going to go away. If anything they are becoming more 'popular' - at least their public intolerance of anyone with a religious viewpoint is becoming more vocal and more acceptable. I have since got a copy of Dawkins' book - but not from Borders (who have missed out on all my Christmas shopping this year!) - but not read it yet. But I do not anticipate this book shaking my faith - certainly if the section on miracles is anything to go by!

But what should our response as Christians be? As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. The people we meet each day, and the children our children go to school with are soaking up an increasingly atheistic and secular worldview without even realising it. And films and books like this simply add into that melting pot. This is why I don't feel that a blanket call on Christians to boycott this film is helpful. Clearly every individual, and parent, needs to take what they believe is the right decision for them and for their family. But for those parents who feel that it is appropriate for their children to watch 'The Golden Compass' I would want to encourage them to watch it too (not necessarily together!) and read the books behind it. And then engage with their children and the bigger themes from a biblical perspective.

A Christian is a person whose mind has been transformed and renewed (Romans 12:2). Therefore we no longer think the world's way and so whatever we read and watch - whether Neighbours, Eastenders, James Bond or The Golden Compass - we should be aware of those messages that are not consistent with the Bible and our Christian faith. A Christian has had their mind renewed - not removed!

Our Christian young people will come across the atheistic/secular worldview sooner or later no matter how hard we might try to 'protect' them. And they need to know that their faith has nothing to fear. The atheist believes that God is dead. Sometimes I get the impression that some Christians believe that too and they are desperate to keep the secret hushed up. As if films like 'The Golden Compass' or 'The Da Vince Code' will bring down a faith that people have died for for thousands of years.

But people today do believe that God is dead - at least they live that way. Isn't the release of this film more of an opportunity than a threat? "You believe that God is dead? Let me tell you how I know He is alive."

Struggling with God

This week, in our preaching series ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ we are looking at yet another story that by the time you’ve reached the end you’re left wondering what it's all about and how it applies to me today. In Genesis 32:22-32 we read that Jacob is left alone and spends the whole night wrestling with ‘a man’. It turns out as we read on that this individual may be God or an angel (see for example Hosea 12:3-4). But then we are left with the question, ‘how can a 97 year old guy wrestle with God and seem to be an equal match?’ If ‘the man’ could dislocate Jacob’s hip with a simple touch, would it really be beyond him to overcome Jacob?

And yet, if we’re honest, many of us wrestle with God and God does not overcome us. What do I mean? God has given us free-will. God will never force you to do anything. Even when God commands us to do something we are free to disobey – but we must then live with the immediate and the eternal consequences of our actions. Let’s take baptism as an example, as we’re having a baptism service this week. Many of the people I speak to about baptism have known for a while, in some cases years, that they should get baptised. They know that baptism is a command of God for all those who believe and are seeking to live as disciples. Yet for one reason or another (sometimes fear of others, sometimes it is a sense of not feeling spiritual enough…) that decision to get baptised is put off and put off and put off. And they struggle with God. Yet God won’t make them get baptised. It has to be their own free-will choice – to reach the point where they submit themselves to God.

In the story of Jacob we see that submission in the willingness to declare his name (Jacob – deceiver) to God, and the willingness to take on the new name (Israel – he struggles with God) given to him by God. Names were very important in the OT days. To know someone’s name was to know something about them. To take on a new name was to take on a whole new character.

And when we submit to God we become an ‘overcomer’. As long as we hold on to our own will and plans God will not force Himself on to us. But when we submit to God we become those who will overcome the world (e.g. 1 John 5:4-5). But what does it look like to be an overcomer? In some churches you will hear that an overcomer is someone who has a good job, a nice home, a good family life, they have good health… This is what it means to be an overcomer from the world’s perspective not from God’s perspective! What is important in the world? Worldly things. But often in the Bible those who have overcome the world are those who are experiencing hardship and persecution for the sake of the name of Jesus. Think of Jesus and the apostles. Look at the letter to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Here we read the promises to those who overcome (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). The word ‘overcomes’ (Gk: nikao) might also be translated conquers, overpowers, prevails, triumphs, victorious. Revelation was written to persecuted and soon to be persecuted Christians as an encouragement to stand firm to the end and to stand firm even to the point of death. There is not the promise of worldly comfort in Revelation. There is not the reassurance that the Christian will find a home amongst the world. But there is the promise that for the one who overcomes, for the one who does the will of God, for the one who submits to God, there is an eternal future awaiting in the presence of God. And whatever hardships we might be experiencing now they pale into insignificance when compared with that future (Romans 8:18).

Being victorious in this life is all about dying to self (no longer doing what I want to do) and living for God (doing what God wants). Mark 8:34-38.

Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 25 November 2007.

The Thin End of the Wedge or a Bridge Too Far?

That is the question I am left with after a recent visit to Borders Books on Oxford Street. I had about 10 minutes to kill before a meeting so thought I'd browse the top sellers section (paperback). Picked up Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' and had a quick flick in the section on miracles. If the rest of the book is of the same standard then it is going to take a lot more than this book to convince me that God is dead! But that's not what got me going - after all Dawkins is free to write what he likes - and God is big enough to look after Himself. Standing back and viewing the whole section I noticed another area given over to 'The God Delusion', but this one a special Borders edition with a sticker on the cover advertising a free Christmas card inside. The card has across the front, 'O come all ye faithless'.

Since then I have been trying to decide what an appropriate response would be. Is this 'just a bit of harmless fun' or something that as a Christian I should take more seriously? A search of the internet has not revealed this particular marketing ploy being used by any other book seller. I can't imagine Borders mocking a major event in the Islamic calendar - they would be only too aware of what happens when you do that kind of thing. Yet Dawkins' book is targeting the idea of 'god' and religion, not specifically the Christian faith.

Some of you will already know that I emailed some friends to gauge reaction. I was surprised by how many responses I got. Some responses were short. Others were longer. Some were theological and backed with Bible verses. Yet these responses varied widely in what kind of response we should have as Christians. There were those who saw it as a bit of harmless fun. Others thought it might be offensive but to react would just lead to greater publicity - the very thing the publisher and seller want! Others recognised that we continue to see subtle attacks on the Christian faith, at the same time that other faiths and secularism are being 'promoted' in the name of a tolerant and multi-cultural society - but there was no clear strategy on how to deal with this. Should we simply accept this as inevitable and something that Jesus warned would happen to those who genuinely seek to follow him? Or should we think that the reason Christianity seems to be an easy target is because Christians never stand up to be heard? Or should we be concerned but recognise that there are more important things to protest about - injustice, poverty ...? Should I simply write a letter to register my concerns? Should we see ourselves as in a spiritual battle and not look to fight with the world's weapons?

As a result of the variety of responses I'm not really any further forward in knowing what to do. I guess my concern is that at some point there is going to come a time when as Christians we need to stand up and be counted - and if we're not careful that might be when it is already too late. Why wait until it is illegal to proclaim that 'Jesus is the only way to God'? Why not start making our opposition to the erosion we see of the Christian faith heard now?

One of my initial thoughts was to write to Borders telling them of my concerns and informing them that I would no longer be shopping with them - hitting them where it hurts (although my individual contribution would not hurt them very much!) But then I thought - what if the company that owns Borders owns Smiths, Waterstones and Amazon - where am I going to buy my books (other than Wesley Owen)? And then what about other retailers with unacceptable advertising campaigns or unethical practises? Could it ever get to the point where I can't buy anything from anyone!

It would have been a lot easier if the tube had been 10 minutes later and instead of having 10 minutes to kill I was rushing to make it on time. Where was I going? The annual conference of 'Christian Solidarity Worldwide'. Tomorrow (18 November) is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church ...

... and I'm worried about a 'Christmas card'.

Does it matter if I'm late for church?

Blogging, for some, is an opportunity to get stuff off their chest. A rant - if you like. This is not the purpose here. Over recent weeks I have tried to tie this blog with our current preaching series, but this week we're off on a bit of a tangent!

If God is outside of time does it matter if I'm late for church? First things first - I'll put my cards on the table. Culturally and personality wise there is only one answer to that question, 'yes, it does matter'. But does that necessarily mean that it's the right answer! (We all like to think we're right after all.)

As I've been thinking about this question it has opened up other questions, and no doubt you will want to add others that I have missed altogether.

Our starting point is going to be church. Why do we come together at all? Surely part of the reason is that we come together for mutual support and encouragement (e.g. Hebrews 10:24-25). We come together to build each other up. For those who are on time it can be a discouragement to begin a service with a mainly empty building. This is particularly true of those who have given their time in the week to prepare the first part of the service. They begin and look out over mainly empty seats. Those who are present are then distracted over the next twenty minutes as people come in and the building fills up.

I tend to think of putting a service together as preparing to take people on a journey. People enter the building all having had different experiences over the past few days. Some are happy, others are mourning, others are anxious ... During the course of the service people are led from that starting point to a place where they can experience God. It then makes it very difficult for people to reach the destination if they only entered the journey half way through. There should be a point at the beginning of the service to acknowledge the baggage we bring and to trust that to God. There will be a point of confession and receiving the forgiveness of God. But if you miss the first half hour you don't get the opportunity to deal with that 'stuff'.

I sometimes wonder whether the people who are regularly late for church are equally late for work. What does this say about our attitudes towards God and His church? To me it says that I don't need to make the same effort because it doesn't matter as much. And if we are always late for work - what kind of witness is that? As Christians surely we should be the best and most reliable members of the work force.

Another question to ask is 'why are people late?' Are they late because they need to get five buses? [That in turn raises the question - surely there is a church closer to home that you could attend - but let's not go there today!] Are they late because they rely on carers or else care for others and it is just not possible to be on time - it is after all better to attend half a service than no service at all. Are they late because they don't 'enjoy' the first half an hour of what we do in church - they just want to turn up for the sermon - or even just for the coffee and to see their friends afterwards! Are they late simply because God is not a priority in their life?

Of course there are always times when we will occasionally be late. Something unforeseen will happen. One of the children will be sick all over the car. A road will be closed because of a traffic incident. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about those people who are consistently late - those who are never on time.

Some people try and convince me that lateness is cultural - but so far I'm not convinced. I've taught in Kenya and the weeks when I was on duty the students were always on time for everything - including breakfast. That could not be said when others were on duty! We all have the ability to be on time. I guess the question is, does it matter if we're not; and should it bother me?

When you've got a few minutes, pour yourself a coffee and have your say.

[To have your say click on the word ' # Comments' below. Type what you want to say in the box that appears. Assuming you don't have a blogger account choose 'Anonymous' and then click 'Publish Post'.]

Choices, Consequences and Conclusions

Last week we thought about the God who chooses - this week we're looking at the fact that God gives us freewill and every day we have choices and decisions to make. Once we're a Christian we acknowledge that 'Jesus is Lord'. This means that we will want to do what God wants rather than what we want.

In the story of Jacob and Esau (we're looking at Genesis 27 this Sunday) some bad choices were made. We have already seen how Esau sold his birthright for a pot of stew - giving up the things that God had for him in favour of instant gratification. In this passage Isaac made some bad choices. Whereas Esau was careless, Isaac was senseless (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste as well as common sense!). All his senses made him suspicious that something was not right but he went ahead with the blessing regardless - why not just call in one of the servants who could see properly and ask him or her how this was before him?

Making decisions and choices can be difficult, especially when we want to do what God wants. An older, more mature Christian once gave me the following advice. According, Advice, Able, Available, Activate. Is the thing you're thinking about in accordance with the Bible? Have you sought the advice of older more experienced Christians - who can not only talk with you but also pray with you and for you? Are you able to do it? (It is unlikely God is calling me to apply be a brain surgeon (even if I can dress the part)!) Are you available to do? (If you work 9-5 it is unlikely that God wants you to respond to the request for a helper for the toddler group which starts at 1pm - unless He is also asking you to change working hours or job). Finally does it activate you? (Sometimes when I am talking with people and they start to talk about what they think God might be wanting them to do they 'come alive'. Their face, body language, voice etc become so much more expressive and excited. It's like someone has turned on a switch.

God has promised to forgive us for our mistakes (1 John 1:9), but that is not the same thing as taking away the consequences. In the story of Jacob and Esau we might think that Rebekah and Jacob got away with their scheme. But the consequences of Rebekah's plan was that the son that she loved was sent away to stay with her brother and find a wife - she thought this would only be a short time until Esau calmed down. But it was to be for years and Rebekah was never to she her son Jacob again. That was quite a price to pay. God does forgive us but sometimes we have to deal with the consequences of our mistakes.

One of the amazing things about this story is how through all the human scheming, deception and lies God is still able to work out His promises and purposes. These characters made unwise and ungodly choices and yet still the ultimate plan of God is worked out. God is at work behind the scenes. When we look at our lives and wonder with everything that is going on 'where is God in all this?' we can take encouragement that God is working out His purposes (Romans 8:28) - it's just we don't have a clue what He's up to or why He's allowing it to happen this way!

Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 28 October 2008.

The God who Chooses

In our Sunday morning series so far we have seen that God called Abraham from Ur and promised him both land and descendants. Abraham is content that the promise for land may be in the future, but obviously the promise of descendants needs to start being realised in his life time! This brought crisis number one. Both he and his wife were too old to have children - but God over-ruled and Isaac was born. Then Isaac needed a suitable wife - and God led Abraham's servant to Rebekah. Now, today, in Genesis 25 we find that Isaac and Rebekah are unable to have children - could this be it for God's promise to Abraham?

So Isaac prays and God answers (v21). I wonder how many times Isaac prayed before God answered. Just once? Every day? Isaac married at 40 (v20) but by the time Esau and Jacob were born he was 60 (v26). That's plenty of time for all kinds of doubts about the promises of God to creep in. That's a long time to hold on to your faith whilst living among nations who worship other gods.

In response to Rebekah's question (22) God reveals that He has chosen the younger twin ahead of the older twin (23). This is theme that we have already encountered in Genesis (e.g. Abel ahead of Cain, Isaac ahead of Ishmael) and a theme that will run throughout the rest of the Bible. David, the youngest of eight brothers will be king (1 Samuel 16). On into the NT we find that if we want to be first we need to be last (Mark 9:35). If we want to gain life we need to lose it (Luke 9:23-24). And that God chooses the foolish, weak and lowly things of this world to overcome the wise, the strong, the powerful and influential (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

When God chooses He does not choose as the world would choose. It is not like being picked for a team in the school playground - where those who are no good are left to the end, and even then no one wants to pick them. But God chooses those whom the world rejects because these are the kind of people who will allow God to work in and through them - the kind of people who will rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in them rather than on their own abilities and talents.

Listen to this message by Pastor Keith at Willesden Green on 21 October 2007

The God who Guides

I'm sure that most Christians would agree that part of what it means to be a Christian is that now you try and do what God wants rather than what you want. But how do we know what it is that God wants? In some things the Bible helps. For example, Matthew 5:44 tells us that we are to love our enemies...Mark 8:34 tells us that the life of the disciple is the life of self denial...Leviticus 19:15 tells us that we are not to show favouritism but treat everyone fairly...Leviticus 19:19 tells us that we shouldn't wear clothes made with two different kinds of material! Okay - so maybe that isn't as straight forward as some people would want us to believe. But what about those questions of guidance that the Bible has nothing specific to say - which university should I go to...should I get married...who to...which job should I take...where should I live...?

This Sunday morning we're looking at Genesis 24. I'm sure some of us read this kind of story and wish that God would guide us as clearly. I'm also sure that when some of us ask about guidance what we really want is a quick and easy fix - the guide to instant guidance.

In Abraham's story so far we've found him to be obedient to God, someone who believed God, someone who feared God and someone who would not keep anything back from God. I think that this is the backdrop in front of which God guides Abraham and his servant. Romans 12:1-2 reveals that discovering God's will follows self sacrifice, resistance to the ways of the world and having a renewed mind that thinks God's way (e.g. the first will be last ... death=life ... )

Then we find Abraham and the servant planning and praying, and the servant got on the road and started walking and praying. Sometimes we're paralysed by the fear of doing the wrong thing and so we end up doing nothing. But we should be proactive. In order to steer a vehicle that vehicle needs to first of all be moving somewhere. But as we push doors to see what will happen we must remember that God will never ask us to do anything that is against His word. Then we should remember that we were created for community and God invented the church - we're not here on our own - and there are other, wiser, older, more mature Christians that we can talk to about what wethink God might be calling us to. If they all think it is a bad idea then listen to them.

But the context in which we push doors, write letters, go to interviews, go on a date must be that Romans 12:1-2 attitude. If that is our heart attitude then as we push doors I believe that God will guide us and keep us from those paths that He wants us to avoid. Some people will say that it was a coincidence that Abraham's servant found Rebekah but there is no such thing as a coincidence with God.

Click here to listen to this message from Pastor Keith, 14 October 2007.

Tough Questions

This year our harvest appeal is once again going to support the work of BMS World Mission. BMS World Mission is the overseas mission branch of the Baptist church. To find out more about BMS click here. This year's appeal is called 'Higher Ground' and is going to support the work that BMS and local Christian organisations are doing in Indonesia following the tsunami of 2004 and the earthquakes of 2005. These groups are involved in reconstructing lives and communities as well as buildings and villages. To read more about the 'Higher Ground' appeal click here.

Natural disasters on such a massive scale always raise theological questions. 'Where was God?' 'Why did God allow it to happen?' I'm not sure that there are any really simple satisfactory theoretical answers to such huge questions that can be offered by those on the outside. Even to begin to find an answer requires a whole worldview - an understanding of the beginning and the end of all things, and then all that goes on in between.

I think that the most satisfactory answers come from those on the inside, who have experienced the turmoil first hand, who have struggled with the loss and the pain, and who have found that even in the darkness God was there. And whilst they may not have answers to their questions, their experience remains - God was there.

There is a sense in which each of us can only speak from our own experience. All I can offer is my experience. I know at the points in my life where things have been in turmoil, those points where life has hung in the balance, those times when I have asked 'why', there has been an overwhelming awareness of the presence of God and the peace that He promises.

But our experiences can encourage others for God is the same today, as He was yesterday, as He will be tomorrow. The Bible was written by ordinary people who God used. It relates their experiences and how they made sense of them. The Psalms provide responses to the highs and lows that life has to offer. Psalm 46 was written by someone who knew what it was like to experience turmoil and yet know that God is our refuge and help. How in the storms of life it is possible to 'Be still, and know that I am God'.

Share your experiences as an encouragement to others.

Can you have too much of a good thing?

This Sunday evening we come to Nehemiah 10. In the previous chapter the people recognised their constant rebellion against God, even though God remained faithful. Then in chapter 10 they come up with a list of things they should do in order to make sure that something like the exile never happened again. In summary this list is: not to intermarry (30), keep the Sabbath (31), provide for the temple (32-34), bring the first-fruits (35-37), and bring their tithes (37-39). Many of these commitments were to ensure that the house of God was not neglected (39).

On a first read through, even a second, this seems like a good move on behalf of the people - certainly a step in the right direction. There certainly appear to be plenty of application points for the preacher to include for the people of God today. For example: a Christian should not marry a non-Christian; it is important to keep one day a week, preferably Sunday, special; it is important that a percentage of our income is given back to God, particularly to the local church, and that we give out of the 'first' things rather than what's left over at the end of the month...

So, why might this not be such a good list after all? It seems to me that it would be very easy to make a check list from this chapter. They are all things we can do and then tick off the list. They are things that we can quite easily make up further rules for - what we should and shouldn't do on a Sunday. Making sure that we give 10% (the tithe) of all our income to the local church. It is at this point that this starts to sound like the Pharisees of Jesus' day. One of the criticisms against them was that they gave 10% of even the smallest things - even their spices - but they neglected the more important issues of justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

It is not that we shouldn't do these things listed here, because in and of themselves they are good. The caution is not to allow ourselves to fall into the trap of thinking that our faith is about following a set of rules. So whilst giving 10% of our income to the local church is a good biblical minimum starting point, God is really interested in what we do with the 90% we keep for ourselves. It is good to keep Sunday special but if the rest of the week I am so busy that I don't have the time for the friend in need - haven't I missed the point somewhere?

Have your say - join in the conversation.

Listen to this message by Pastor Keith, from 7 October 2007.

Testing Times

Those of you who have read my profile will know that I used to be a secondary school teacher, teaching maths and IT. Testing was a regular part of that life - for the pupils, not me. Why did I test? One reason was to focus the pupils to actually do some work and review and revise the material of the last few weeks and make sure they understood it and could apply it. When this is done enough something should begin to stick. [I am still surprised at some of things I can still remember from school, even from my least favourite subjects such as English lit.] Another reason for testing, particularly as the pupils got towards the top end of the school, was to prepare them for the GCSE or A level exams. It was my practice to make my tests harder than the 'real thing' so that the pupils would be fully prepared for those exams.

But there are few people who enjoy tests. This Sunday we're looking at Genesis 22, the passage where God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his loved son Isaac. As I have been thinking about this subject there is a sense in which we are tested whenever God asks us to do something - will we obey or not? Ultimately this reveals the answer to the question, 'Do you truly love me more than these?' John 14 makes the link between love and obedience explicit: 'anyone who loves me will obey my teaching', (23) for example.

But why does God test us? Surely He knows the answer to those questions already, without the need to prove it. There are several answers to that question and we won't look at them all now. But here are two. You may have others that you want to add.

1) To encourage us! It is always an encouragement to pass a test. When we have come through a difficult situation our faith is strengthened and we are reminded again of the faithfulness of our God. Through the test we are often reminded of our reliance on God, our prayers are more urgent, and God proves again that He can be trusted.

2) To prepare us. God is not the only one who is going to test our faith. We have an enemy who will do that at every opportunity. Temptations will cross our path. We will find ourselves in situations where we ask, 'where is God in all this?' Think of the story of Job for example. The devil's charge against Job was that if all his worldly comforts were removed he would no longer acknowledge or worship God. But God doesn't want us to go into such a test unprepared. So He prepares us in advance so that we will stand through all such tests.

At school pupils endure tests because they have to. But those who go on into further education put themselves through the ordeal because they want to gain something - A levels, degree, other qualifications. As we go through tests in this life we endure the hardship because we know that the prize at the end is worth all the struggle now (e.g. Romans 8:18).

Grab a coffee and join in the conversation. Share your experiences. Ask your questions.

Listen to this message by Pastor Keith on 30 September 2007.

If it sounds too good to be true...

TV programmes like Watchdog and Rouge Traders drum in the message that if a deal sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Whether it be a special deal on a new driveway or hugely discounted prices on batteries, promises of tremendous savings usually turn out to be horror stories of broken promises. And there is another saying: 'once bitten, twice shy'. When we've been let down, when we've experienced broken promises we find it harder to trust again in the future.

But God can be trusted. When God makes a promise He will keep His word. Psalm 145:13 says, "The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does".

The Bible is primarily a story about God. And through the different stories we find that God can be trusted. We are currently looking on Sunday mornings at the stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God made Abraham a promise in Genesis 15 - that he would have a son; that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars; and that they would inherit the land. As we read through Genesis to Joshua and Judges we see the fulfilment, over hundreds of years, of these promises. God is faithful and He can be trusted.

Some of the promises in the Bible are specifically for an individual. The promises in Genesis 15 were for Abraham and his wife, Sarah. The promise of Joshua 1:5 was specifically for Joshua. The promise of Jeremiah 29:11 was for the exiles. But because the Bible is a living word, the Holy Spirit can take these promises and apply them to our lives (although not neccesarily). Other promises are general and conditional. They apply to anyone who meets the conditions. Romans 10:9 for example.

The important thing was that Abraham believed the promise of God. Do we have the faith to believe the word of God to us? To live our lives in the light of what He is saying to us. We live in an instant generation - we want everything now or earlier if possible. God's promise to Abraham spanned over 400 years - it was a part of God's bigger plan (see Genesis 15:16). We need to ask God to help us see the bigger picture as we wait for the fulfilment of His word.

Philippians 4:6-7, the promise of the peace of God that is beyond all understanding, is a significant promise in my life. At key points, life and death moments, God has given me that peace, without any reassurance that things would work out okay.

What promises has God made that are significant in your life?

To listen to this message from 23 September 2007 click here.

Can you have an Online Church?

Having recently entered the world of Facebook I joined a group that states, 'The purpose of this group is to prove that church does not need to be in a building, and its time to wake up to post Christendom!' Clearly the feeling of those who set up the group is that a group of people in an online 'community' can be just as much a 'church', as a group of people who meet in a building on a Sunday morning each week.

Whilst I was prepared to join this group and have entered into a number of discussions I am now convinced that there is no way that this kind of 'group' qualifies for the title church in any way, shape or form. That is not to say that it is not a valid exercise and will be beneficial, encouraging, helpful etc to some. I am also not saying that every group that meets together in a 'church' building qualifies for the title church.

I guess the deeper question is about what it means to be church and what are the minimum requirements for something to be called church. I would argue that one of the markers of a Christian church is that the believers come together to celebrate communion/breaking of bread/eucharist regularly. Obviously an online 'community' can't do that.

But that's enough from me. Get your coffee and join the conversation. What makes church 'church'? Can you have an online church?

Harvest Thanksgiving - or do we take our food for granted?

There are a number of themes in Nehemiah 8. We learn about the importance of the Word of God as we seek to live lives that are pleasing to Him. How the reading of the word leads to repentance and worship. How understanding and applying the word leads to joy. Of how we, like OT Israel are called to be a pilgrim people, a people who are not at home here.

But we are also reminded, through the Feast of Tabernacles, which we read more of in Leviticus 23, that we are to be thankful to our faithful God for His provision in the harvest. But living in a city, where our food comes from the supermarket, it is very easy to become detached from God as the source of our food

As someone who has just started growing some of their own vegetables I have been very aware of just how much we rely on God for a good crop. Too much rain, not enough rain, too many harmful insects, not enough of the right sort of insects...they all have an impact on the harvest.



Let us be truly thankful for God's goodness and provision.

A New Chapter?

Here in the UK we're coming to the end of the 'summer' holidays. This is the time when many children and young people begin to think about the return to school, college or university. And for many of them they'll be going to somewhere new: some may be starting for the first time ... others making the transitition from a relatively small primary school to a much larger secondary school ... And it can be an anxious time. I know when I was moving to secondary school rumours abounded as to what we could expect - and most of them were unpleasant!

The first morning of any new experience can be an anxious and nervous experience, even though it is often exciting and we're looking forward to it at the same time. Whether it be a new school, a new university, a new job, a new house ... there is an element of the unknown, and somehow we often fill the unknowns with worst case scenarios.

In Numbers 13 we read of how the people of Israel were on the borders of the Promised Land, the land that God had promised that He would give them. They sent in 12 spies to see what the land was like. And the land was indeed fruitful and good BUT the people are stonger than us, their cities are fortified, we'll never defeat them... And all but Joshua and Caleb forgot that God was with them. They said, "The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (14:9).

When we go into a new situation we need to remember that we do not go in alone. But God is with us to help us. He can take away our anxiety and give us His peace (Philippians 4:6-7).

Does God change traffic lights?

Here's a question that I was asked the other day. 'Does God change traffic lights?'

I think my response would be 'no - but He could if He wanted to'.

What is behind the question? I think there are some people who believe that if they are five minutes late for an important appointment God will make all the traffic lights green and then delay their train leaving the station by six minutes so they can still make it. But what about all the other people on the train who are now frustrated and six minutes late for whatever important things they have to do?

What does this say about our view of ourselves and our view of God. Who is the centre of our universe? Does the world revolve around me?

Then a second question. 'Assuming that God does change traffic lights and if you're approaching a junction and the lights change - are they more likely to go 'red' or 'green'. Speaking personally I think that they are more likely to go red, simply because I am always in a rush to get somewhere or do something, and it wouldn't hurt to sit quietly for a couple of minutes - an ideal opportunity to practice patience!

[I guess the proper answer to the second question is 'it depends - if the lights are amber then they'll go red, if red and amber then they'll go green'].

One final question for you. ''Assuming that God does change traffic lights and if you're approaching a junction and the lights are about to change to red why do you speed up rather than press the brake?

"It's a splendid day in the neighbourhood," cried Owl

The early Christians were committed to God and to each other. They were devoted to, among other things, fellowship (Acts 2:42). This is not a way that I would always choose to describe church in the 21st century. There was a time - and I had good reasons(!) - when I would turn up to church just at the beginning and leave right at the end, and that was it as far as my committment to fellowship.

Others hang around a lot longer after the service, and even have a cup of tea, but this too is a poor reflection of the fellowship that we read of in Acts 2.

Of course our understanding of community is very different today. We don't all live within walking distance of church. We may not know our neighbours. We might work unhelpful shift patterns. We may have more than one job. Your community might be those you work with, or those at the gym. You may even be part of an online community.

We were created to be a part of a community, and to grow in our faith we need to be a part of community. We learn from spending time with others and watching them. The best way to receive discipline is within the context of community and relationship. Our questions are answered by others who know us. Our interpretation and application of the Bible is kept in check by a community of believers. And this sort of meaningful community can't be formed in a few hours on a Sunday morning when we may not even speak to those who sit alongside us.

I'm increasingly convinced that for church to work everyone needs to be a part of a small group. It is within that context that we can eat together, get to know each other properly, pray together, care for each other, invite our friends, grow, multiply....

That's not to say that all those groups are 'house groups' in the traditional sense. But each person needs to belong to a group of no more than 12 people. On Sunday I'm going to ask three questions for group discussion and feedback (not everyone can answer all the questions):

1. I'm part of a small group because...
2. I'm not part of a small group because...
3. I would go to a small group, (or I'd enjoy my group more) if ...

Homework this week is to have a meal, or at least a coffee, with someone from your church that you don't know well.

Maybe you have good/bad experience of small groups, thoughts, comments...Grab a coffee and join the conversation.

A Great Weekend

Just in case you're wondering where I've been - we've just got back from a great week's holiday in glorious Devon, which also included my little sister's wedding. It was a really good day, even if I had to work for part of it!

The address was based loosely on Fast Food outlets and not so loosely on Ephesians 4:20-32. So here are a few fast food alternatives for a healthy marriage.

1. Feelings and Choices rather than Fish and Chips. (Eph. 4:23 and 2 Cor. 5:17)

So many people base their life decisions on little more than feelings. And this can have serious consequences on any relationship. For the Christian we are having our mind renewed by God and therefore should think differently. Love is a choice - not just a feeling.

2. Bedtime Kiss rather than Burger King. (Eph. 4:26)

It is important that within a marriage a couple do not allow themselves to go to bed angry with each other. There are times when neither will want to take the first step towards an apology and reconciliation but it is vital that someone does. As head of the home I believe it is the husband's responsibility to make that first more.

When we were not interested in God he made the first move sending Jesus to die for us - so when we make the first move towards peace we are in good company.

3. Practical Help rather than Pizza Hut. (Eph. 4:28)

We all need to be doing something useful with our hands and it is important that both husband and wife play an equal (not necessarily the same) role in the relationship. If something needs doing - then do it.

4. Kindness, Forgiveness and Compassion rather than KFC. (Eph. 4:32)

We need to be kind in all that we do, and especially in what we say. We need to be aware of the needs of those around us and act accordingly - Jesus often saw and had compassion. And forgiveness is vital for any relationship to be a success as we all make mistakes and get things wrong. Once again Jesus is our example - having forgiven us so much he asks us to forgive each other.

Following the service other suggestions were given to me. Keep Following Christ for KFC for example. Maybe you have others you want to add.

Do not be afraid

If we believed the media spin then we have more to be afraid of than ever before...shootings, stabbings, terrorist attacks... Some have even argued this week that this perception is being deliberately created in order to smooth the way for further protective measures to be put in place along with the resulting erosion of civil liberties.

But of course fear is nothing new. And fear has been stopping Christians live effective lives for ages.

• Because we are afraid of what others think we keep quiet and go along with the crowd.
• Because we are afraid of the unknown our faith is neutralised and we never take that leap of faith and go on that missions trip, or volunteer to help in a new ministry.
• Because we are afraid of being out of control, especially of our finances, we are reluctant to say Jesus is Lord - allowing him to take control, because then anything can happen.
• Because we are afraid of making mistakes we don't explore our spiritual gifts and take risks.
• Because we are afraid of opposition and conflict we don't say 'no' when we should and resist leadership opportunities.
• Because we are afraid of sacrifice we always remain on the fringe of the church and never get involved.

But God wants to say to us, 'Do not be afraid...'. This phrase occurs 65 times in the Bible (then of course there are the 'Do not fear' and the 'Do not be anxious' references as well as many others. So why should this make a difference?

• Gen. 15:1 ...I am your shield... God protects and nothing can happen to us that he doesn't already know about.
• Gen. 21:17 ...God has heard... Prayer is effective because God hears. Therefore we need not be anxious or worried but experience peace (Phil. 4:6-7).
• Gen. 26:24 ...I am with you... Whatever the future holds we go into that future with God.
• Gen. 46:3 ...for I will... When God asks us to do something He will do it through us.
• Ex. 14:13 ...you will see the deliverance of the Lord... We wait for God's timing when everything will be sorted out.

These are just the first five (of sixty-five) 'Do not be afraid' references in the Bible. Here are the others:

Ge 15:1, Ge 21:17, Ge 26:24, Ge 46:3, Ex 14:13, Ex 20:20, Nu 14:9, Nu 21:34, Dt 1:17, Dt 1:21
Dt 1:29, Dt 3:2, Dt 3:22, Dt 7:18, Dt 18:22, Dt 20:1, Dt 31:6, Dt 31:8, Jos 8:1, Jos 10:8, Jos 10:25
Jos 11:6, Jdg 6:23, 1Sa 12:20, 2Ki 1:15, 2Ki 19:6, 2Ki 25:24, 1Ch 22:13, 1Ch 28:20, 2Ch 20:15,
2Ch 20:17, 2Ch 32:7, Isa 10:24, Isa 37:6, Isa 40:9, Isa 41:14, Isa 43:5, Isa 44:2, Isa 44:8
Isa 54:4, Jer 1:8, Jer 40:9, Jer 42:11, Eze 2:6, Eze 3:9, Da 10:12, Da 10:19, Zec 8:13, Zec 8:15
Mt 1:20, Mt 10:26, Mt 10:28, Mt 28:5, Mt 28:10, Lk 1:13, Lk 1:30, Lk 2:10, Lk 12:4, Lk 12:32
Jn 12:15, Jn 14:27, Ac 18:9, Ac 27:24, Rev 1:17, Rev 2:10.

Maybe you want to take a couple each day during the month of August and reflect on them. You may want to add your reflections and thoughts as comments below so that we can all benefit from what God is teaching you.

Listen to this message by Keith from WG on 29 July 2007.

Waste Watchers

What a week. This past week we have run a holiday Bible club for children aged 5-11 and, in my opinion, it has been great. In total we encountered 47 children, which is almost twice as many as last year - many of those children returning and bringing their friends along too.

We looked at stories of transformation: from nothing into something (creation); from water into wine; from darkness to light (healing of a blind man); from death to life; from sadness to joy. God was able to take impossible situations and transform them. And because Jesus came from death to life, and because he lives today he is still in the business of transforming lives. Jesus can transform your life today.

Acted out in front of the children each day was a drama. This was set in a lovely park - the church was transformed using a forest of artificial Christmas trees and smaller garden plants. But not long after the start of the week this lovely park had been ruined by litter etc. But soon those who visited the park began to clear it up and transform some of the rubbish into beautiful features - an old bath into a pond (equipped with large yellow duck).

Each day the children completed a craft activity, recycling old tubes, bottles, boxes...into desk tidies, musical instruments, picture frames...

We were also reminded throughout the week of the importance of looking after the planet and taking care of God's creation.

Tomorrow we have a funday, and then we wrap the week up with a family service on Sunday. At the beginning of John 21, Peter is feeling pretty rubbish - but Jesus transforms him, he turns him around. Jesus' death and resurrection makes it possible for our rubbish to be dealt with too.

Click here to listen to Keith at Camrose on 29 July 2007.

What's so amazing about 153?

If you do a Google search on '153' you will find all kinds of interesting properties of this amazing number. For example:

It is the 17th triangular number (1+2+3+4+...+15+16+17 = 153)

And for those who know what a factorial is we find that 1!+2!+3!+4!+5!=153

Then we find that if you sum the cube of the digits you get ... 153

(1^3 = 1x1x1 = 1, 5^3 = 5x5x5 = 125, 3^3 = 3x3x3 = 27. 1+125+27=153)

So what is the significance of the fact that the disciples in John 21 caught 153 fish? In my view - none whatsoever! It is just that it is an unusually large catch of fish and fisherman the world over like to tell you just how many, how long, how heavy their latest catch is. The significance, in my view, is that there were actually 153 fish in the net that morning.

But worrying about the significance of the number 153 draws our attention from the real question: 'what's so amazing about grace?'

This coming Sunday I'm looking at John 20:19 - 21:25. John's gospel is all about belief (20:31). But we know that whilst we may believe something we regularly mess up and let ourselves, others and God down. And then we feel guilty. But at the end of his gospel John wants to remind us of God's grace.

The disicples have heard from Mary that Jesus is alive and yet they are full of fear - and Jesus meets them in their fear and says, 'Peace be with you'.
Thomas refuses to believe - and Jesus meets him in his doubt and says, 'Stop doubting and believe'.
The disciples go back to their fishing boats and then catch nothing - Jesus meets them in their emptiness and provides fullness.
Peter had denied Jesus 3 times - Jesus reinstates him and says 'follow me'.

Where are you in your walk with Jesus? Are you struggling to believe that Jesus will want to meet you where you are because you have let him down again and again and again...

Jesus is not like us. He doesn't give up on us - no matter how many times we let him down. He knows everything. He knows how much we love him and how much we want to follow. Let Jesus meet you at your point of fear, doubt, emptiness, denial, ......

To listen to this message click here.

What on earth do we mean by 'heaven'?

If I was to ask you what you thought about 'heaven' how would you respond? How about the phrase 'Kingdom of God'?

'The Kingdom' was something absolutely central to Jesus' teaching. It is a phrase that is found throughout the gospels. So you would have thought that most Christians would have a pretty good grasp of what Jesus was going on about.

Let's come back to the concept of heaven.

Do you think of heaven as somewhere you go to when you die? You are evacuated there from this planet. You escape there from your physical body.

Or do you think about heaven as something that you can bring to earth now?

From the New Testament clearly there is a future aspect of the Kingdom of God, but there is also a present aspect (e.g. Jesus talks about the KoG as being already 'upon you', Matthew 12:28, within the context of exorcism). It is this present aspect of the KoG that we sometimes lose sight of.

So often when we watch the news we are confronted with situations that may be described by some as 'hell on earth'. But, what would 'heaven on earth' look like? What would it look like in the community where I live?

I believe that environmental issues are important - not primarily because of the raging debate on global warming, but because God has given us this planet to care for, rather than to destroy. Is there rubbish in heaven? I'd say 'no'. So, where in my community are there areas where there is excess rubbish - and if I clear that rubbish away how does that relate to the present coming of the KoG? Will there be pollution in heaven, leading to health problems? Again, 'no'. So how do my attempts to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions (e.g. walking and cycling rather than driving, using public transport rather than my car, using energy saving light bulbs...) relate to the coming KoG? And what about the multitude of other ways that communities and lives can be transformed by the people and the power of God?

Hey, it's been a long day and my brain's done - I'd appreciate your comments.

Click here to listen to Pastor Keith: "I'm a Christian - get me out of here". Willesden Green. 15 July 2007.



For more detailed article on the Kingdom of God click here

Getting Dunked!

I'm excited this week, because this coming Sunday (15 July) we are having a baptism service at one of our church centres, Willesden Green Baptist Church. Your first question may be 'what is a baptism service?' Well, to the casual visitor it would look as though a number of individuals go into a pool of waist deep water at the front of the church, and are then dunked by two of the pastors, and then they come out of the pool totally soaked from head to toe.

But what actually happens? Well, a number of individuals go into a pool of waist deep water at the front of the church, and are then dunked by two of the pastors, and then they come out of the pool totally soaked from head to toe!

But why?

There are a number of possible answers to that question but the only one we need is that Jesus expects and commands that everyone who wants to follow him will be baptised (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus assumes that all his disciples will be baptised - just as he himself was baptised (Matthew 3:13-17). Throughout the New Testament we read that when a person became a follower of Jesus (a disciple of Jesus, a Christian) one of the first things that happened was that they were baptised with water (e.g. Acts 8:26-40). The only condition seems to be that the person is a believer in Jesus.

But what for?

Baptism is full of symbolism.

1. Baptism symbolises that when a person becomes a Christian 'their sin is washed away'. A Christian is a person who recognises that they have messed up and they want God to deal with the rubbish in their life, (which God can do because of Jesus' death and resurrection), and that with God's help they will try and live by God's priorities rather than their own.
2. When a person goes down into the water they are identifying with Jesus' death and burial - acknowledging that his death was for their forgiveness.
3. They are also recognising that they have died to their old way of life - doing what they wanted.
4. When the person comes up out of the water they identify with Jesus' resurrection, believing that Jesus did come back to life because he was God.
5. Just as the old way of life has died, they are raised into a new kind of life - where they live for God. So the things that are important to God are now important to them.

Baptism also symbolises that a person is now a part of the Church (e.g. Galatians 3:26-29). This was obviously a lot more powerful image when a person was baptised on the same day as they became a follower of Jesus - often today a person can belong to a church for years before getting baptised.

If you are a follower of Jesus and you have not been baptised I would ask, 'why not?'

Here are some of the answers I hear:

1. I'm not ready.
Not ready for what? Are you a Christian? If you answer 'yes' then I'd say, 'well then get baptised'.

If you are waiting until you have your life as a Christian sorted (by which you mean: I read my Bible every day, I pray every day, I go to church every week, I resist that temptation ......) you will never be ready. To grow as a Christian is a process, and it can only be done with the help of God, and for God to help us we have to be obedient, and what has God asked of us...to be baptised. Baptism is the next step in 'getting your life sorted', not something to be done on graduation.

2, I'm afraid of water.
I don't hear this often but with prayer I have known that fear overcome.

3. I have a medical condition.
Whilst we most often practice total immersion other methods are just as valid for those who for medical reasons cannot be immersed in water.

4. I don't have any spare clothes with me!
We'll see if we can get you some.

5. I'm embarrased or frightened.
Jesus died for me and you on the cross. If we really believe that, won't we do anything for him - even if it means the people at work or school laugh at us? (See Mark 8:38).

Do you have other reasons, questions, comments? Join in the conversation and add them below.

To hear Pastor Keith teaching on Baptism click here. (Willesden Green. 15 July 2007)

Believing and Doing

When you know someone well, or when you spend a lot of time with someone you don't need them to tell you what they believe - you can work it out by watching what they do.

You don't need someone to tell you whether or not they believe a chair will hold their weight - if they do they'll sit down, if they don't then they'll remain standing.

If we believed that God saw everything we did, and that He heard all that we said, and that He even knew what we were thinking then why would we behave one way when our boss/spouse/parents were watching but behave totally differently when we're 'alone'?

If we believed that this world was not all that there was and that there is another life that will last for ever then why would we be so attached to the things that we accumulate here?

If we believed that people without Jesus were going to hell then wouldn't we do more about it?

Belief is very important to John, the guy who wrote the fourth gospel. The whole reason he wrote all that stuff down was so that we might believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:31). And this belief is important because it changes everything - it is the way to life, to eternal life (3:16), to an abundant and full life (10:10).

This week (Sunday 8 July 2007) we're looking at the death of Jesus (John 19:28-42). John believes that Jesus is the son of God, and yet he knows it is important that we believe that he really did die on the cross. Yet, even though he was killed, he was still God, he was still in control (e.g. fulfilment of Scripture in 36-37). And if John's first readers had any doubts it would have been possible for them to find an eye witness and check it out.

Many people today don't believe anything much about Jesus. He is of no interest to them, and they see no relevance for their lives. When we talk about 'doing evangelism' all too often we think of programmes or training that will allow members of the church to argue convincingly that Jesus died on the cross for their sin and that he rose back to life three days later...

In this passage of John there is an eye witness who simply reported what he saw. If we turn over a few pages to Acts 1:8 we learn that we are called to be Jesus' witnesses. A witness simply tells what she has seen. A witness relates their experience. And that is all that evangelism really is. It is about me telling my friends what difference God makes in my life.

The time will come when it will be appropriate to talk about the fact that Jesus really did die and that he really did come back to life - but most people don't want to know about history - they want to know about your-story, they want to know, 'yes ... but does it work?' When it comes to what God is doing in your life - you're the eye witness, your testimony is true and you testify so that others may believe.

For reflection and comment:

What does your behaviour really say about what you believe?
What is God doing in your life - and who have you told about this?

In John 19:38-42 we read about two guys who are described as secret disciples - but can you be a disciple in secret?

International Sunday

The first Sunday in July is traditionally our International Sunday. (This year our International Meal is next Saturday on 7 July). But what is an International Sunday and why have one?

Immanuel Baptist Fellowship is a very diverse and multi-cultural church. Each International Sunday we recognise and acknowledge each country where those who attend originate from. Last year there were over 50 nationalities represented across our four centres, from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. What I want to know is where are those from Antarctica? If you're from Antarctica and you're reading this blog then if you're ever in London you'd be more than welcome at one of our centres - please make yourself known to us - you may be the first from your continent to visit us. [Visit http://www.ibfchurch.org.uk/ for details of where to find us].

Each of us is shaped by the culture(s) in which we grew up. For many people it is not until they leave 'their culture' (maybe to live in another country, or leave home to go to university etc) that they realise that there are lots of other people who think differently about things, and do things differently. This makes life in a multi-cultural church both exciting and challenging - for there is plenty of scope for misunderstanding (and therefore potential for upsetting and offending people without even realising it). This begins as soon as you walk into the church. Some cultures are more reserved than others and therefore a firm handshake is all that is needed by way of a greeting. Others need a hug and a kiss on each cheek. As you can see the potential for upset is already there, and we have only just got through the door of the church. One person feels offended because they were only given a handshake - "don't they like me or something?" Someone else is made to feel totally uncomfortable as their 'personal space' is infringed.

But what are we to make of culture as Christians? There is a sense in which Christianity is always 'counter cultural' - there are things in every culture that are not in line with God's will. But I believe that there are also things in every culture that do demonstrate something of the truth of God. Therefore all of us need to allow 'our culture' to be transformed by the teaching of Jesus. That doesn't mean that we will end up with all Christians only having one culture. It means that the 'good' in our cultures will be celebrated whilst the 'bad' will be confessed and changed.

Our International Sunday reminds us that we have an incredibly creative God. He made us all different. He gave us different personalities. And He wants us to rejoice and celebrate that. And so on our International Sunday we celebrate our differences and look to learn from one another - this is part of what it means to worship a God who is creative and diverse. And at the same time we wonder that through Jesus it is possible to become one family - and yet not to lose those qualities that make us different.

Some questions for reflection (and comment):

What in your culture needs to be celebrated by the church?

What in your culture needs to be challenged by the teachings of Jesus?

Carbon Footprints

I'm still looking at the Old Testament book of Ruth ahead of our church weekend away which starts tomorrow evening! It's amazing how a story that took place about 3000 years ago can still speak today.

So what have I been looking at this afternoon? My Carbon Footprint! How do you get from Ruth to Carbon Footprints you may be wondering. In Ruth chapter 2 we read about a guy called Boaz whose faith clearly touches every area of his life - including business and economics. In the Old Testament God gave laws which would ensure that the poor and the foreigner were provided for - for example when you harvested your wheat you were not to harvest right to the edge of the field but you were to leave a border so that the poor could come and harvest grain there in order to have enough to eat. Or when you picked grapes from your vineyard once you've been through it once you are not to go back and check that you've not missed any grapes - these were to be left for the poor.

So where are the Carbon Footprints you may still be wondering. For many of us who live in 'the west', the 'developed world', the 'first world' or whatever you want to call it, we make choices that have a negative effect on the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people. In 2000 world leaders made some committments aimed at halving world poverty by 2015 (called the Millennium Development Goals). This summer we are half way to 2015 - but we're not half way towards meeting many of these goals. Micah Challenge is one group that is continuing to encourage us to put pressure on our governments to fulfil their earlier committments. And one area of importance is the need to reduce domestic carbon emissions.

According to my visit to an online carbon footprint calculator (there are others - I just randomly chose this one) my personal carbon footprint is about 4200 kg CO2 per year - which is slightly below average. (Some of the values I put in to the calculator were guesstimates). The cost to offset this would be about £30 for tree planting in Kenya or hydroelectric projects in Brazil.

But what to do about reducing that footprint? First thing would be to get the bike back out of the garage where it has been since November!

Then we come onto the whole area of Fairtrade - but don't get me started - that's a whole other blog. If you want to talk re-cycling great - the wormery is going well. After almost 2 months the liquid fertiliser is now being used on the various vegtables growing in the garden.

I'm not a surgeon - I just spend a lot of time in hospital!

Some of you may be wondering about the story behind the photo - well you'll have to continue wondering. I'm not a doctor and have no inclination to be one - an episode of Casualty a week is about as far as I go on that front. But my daughters are trying their best to ensure a better than average knowledge of the workings of paediatric intensive care departments within the best hospitals in the UK.

This last week we've been at the Royal Brompton for heart surgery on our youngest daughter who is only 11 weeks old. She is recovering extremely well, and we give God thanks. The doctors have commented on how well she is doing so soon after such a major operation. But then we should not be surprised because so many people have been praying for her and for us. We know of people in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America - and if you've been one of them 'Thank you so much!' But thankfully the answers to our prayers are not dependant on the numbers of people praying (just as they're not dependant on the length of our prayers etc.) but on the God to whom we pray. He is the Almighty One.

I guess many of us experience times in our lives when we ask the 'Why?' question of God. Certainly when our daughter was diagnosed we asked 'why?' We know that God is able to heal, so why have to go through an operation?

We praise God that our daughter is doing so well, but acknowledge that some of you may have prayed for family members who were ill and they died. And for you I guess the 'why?' question is that much more pressing and answers much harder to come by.

I have been reading the Old Testament book of Ruth this last week, especially chapter 1 where Naomi loses her husband, her sons don't produce grandchildren, and then her two sons die: leaving her with nothing in a foreign land. And yet her faith in the God who provides is so strong that Ruth wants to leave her home to commit herself to Naomi's God - to trust herself into His care and to trust Him for His provision. Which is remarkable when you consider Naomi's testimony to this point (famine, death and loss).

Someone has described life as a tapestry - with a beautiful picture being created on one side, but knots and tangled threads on the other. At times all we see is the underside, the back of the picture. Faith is not necessarily seeing the 'right' side. Faith is believing that there is a right side even though I can't see it.

No doubt Naomi asked the why question. But more of that another time...

Pentecost Sunday - Acts 2:1-47

Imagine what it would have been like to have been there on that Pentecost day when the promised Holy Spirit filled those believers as recorded in Acts 2. What would it have been like for them, and for those in the crowd - who had never seen or experienced anything like it before?

But of course part of the celebration of Pentecost is the fact that we can experience something of that 'first' Pentecost, as we experience God pouring His Spirit on us, as He has promised to do on all believers. [Note that Pentecost was a Jewish festival long before it became a Christian celebration (Leviticus 23:15-22). So whilst Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, strictly speaking this was not the first Pentecost.]

What is the purpose of the Jewish festival of Pentecost (Shavot)? [Add your comments].

But what are the true signs of the presence of the Spirit in the life of a Christain? Speaking in tongues (4), signs and wonders (43), evangelistic success (41), prophecy (17-21), sharing your possessions with the poor (45), devotion to prayer (42), eating together (46)........ ?

When you think of someone as 'filled with the Spirit' where do you look for the evidence of this? What leads you to the conclusion that they are Spirit filled? Is it gifts (e.g. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4) or fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), or a bit of both or something else? Why not add your thoughts and comments below?