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.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Sunday, 29 July 2007
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.
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.
Friday, 27 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.
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.
Friday, 20 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.
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.
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