Shine like Stars

It's beginning to seem like a distant memory but a couple of weekends ago we were in Blackpool for the Baptist Assembly. The theme, taken from Philippians 2, but also picked up on from places like Daniel 12, was "Like Stars in the Universe" - the idea that as followers of Jesus our lives should stand out from all that is going on around us. 

The themes of light and dark run throughout the Bible and so there was no shortage of material for speakers to pick from. For now I'll leave you with just two thoughts.

Darkness is the absence of light - you can't turn darkness on or off. So for something to be dark you remove all sources of light. Jesus tells his disciples that we are the light of the world (e.g. Matthew 5:14). Therefore wherever we are, as disciples of Jesus, can't be totally dark - it is less dark because we are there.


A powerful image that one of the speakers mentioned was that of punching holes in the darkness. It is an image that comes from Robert Louis Stevenson, the author perhaps most famous for Treasure Island and Kidnapped. Stevenson had 'a thing' for gas lamps and wrote the following poem, The Lamplighter.

My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky.
It's time to take the window to see Leerie going by;
For every night at teatime and before you take your seat,
With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street. 

Now Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea,
And my papa's a banker and as rich as he can be;
But I, when I am stronger and can choose what I'm to do,
O Leerie, I'll go round at night and light the lamps with you! 

For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door,
And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more;
And oh! before you hurry by with ladder and with light;
O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him to-night!

It is also told that one evening when a young Stevenson was called for a meal he said he couldn't come because he was 'watching a man punch holes in the darkness'. Whether this is true or not I don't know, but Stevenson certainly described the lamp lighter as one punching holes in the nights is one of his essays written in favour of gas lamps and speaking out against the new electric lights.

Whatever the true source it is a powerful image of the follower of Jesus, as people who punch holes in the darkness and therefore allow the light to shine through.

Christian Aid Week

Today sees the start of Christian Aid week, 2013. Have you seen the TV advert yet? This little clip gives an insight in to how it was made (the advert itself is at the end).



I want to say a big 'thank you' on behalf of Christian Aid to all of you who sponsored me to run the London Marathon this year. So far the figure you raised is £2369 which when gift aid is taken into account comes to a brilliant £2624.50

If you've been watching the little film clips I put up each week in the run up to the marathon you will have some idea of just how much of a difference that sum of money will be able to make.

Hidden Treasure

This afternoon we went out and found a few geocaches. Here are a few pictures of one of our favourite caches ever.

It must be round here somewhere - at least this log provides a step up so we can look higher in the tree.

Cunning. Almost looks like a treasure chest - what with hinges and a lock.

A weekend in Blackpool

This time last week we were somewhere on the M1 or the M6 heading north to Blackpool for the Baptist Assembly. I'm not sure if there is an official way to describe the Baptist Assembly but it essentially the one time in the year when the 'baptist family' in the UK gets together. What happens? Lots of different things happen. There are large evening celebrations, there are small seminars, there are Bible studies, there are prayer meetings, there are a range of special interest groups that meet, there's the chance to meet new people, there's the chance to catch up with old friends, there's an after hours programme, there's a children's programme, there's a youth programme, there's the chance to hear stories of what God is doing here and abroad, there's food and drink, there's a swimming pool, there's the beach...

I haven't really had time to digest it all yet - but as a family we had a really great time. Arise Ministries did a wonderful job working with the children - helping them to engage with God in a real and meaningful way.

The overall theme for the weekend was 'Like stars in the universe', understanding what it means to live as people who punch holes in the darkness. But maybe more on that next week.

In the meantime I'll leave you with one photo and one song. 

I might not be able to read the words but I can dance