Take a Step in 2012

Today is the first day of Fairtrade Fortnight 2012. What steps will you be taking this year to make the world a fairer place?

Pancakes

It's Pancake Day, otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday, which means that Lent starts tomorrow. A time of year when many people, even those who don't normally have anything to do with religion (except celebrating Christmas and eating Easter Eggs), decide to give something up.

Reading a thread on a running website today it seems that Lent is simply a convenient date, like New Year's Day, when we have the opportunity to make a change in our lives that will hopefully do us some good - like giving up chocolate or alcohol. A number of people thought the whole experience would be a lot more manageable when I pointed out that Lent, in terms of duration, lasts 46 days - but the 6 Sundays in Lent don't count in terms of fasting - as Sunday is a Feast Day, when we celebrate the resurrection, rather than a Fast Day. So technically speaking if you give up chocolate for Lent, you can still eat chocolate on Sundays. If you've given up swearing for Lent then technically you are free to swear as much as you like on Sundays. Of course if that's the way you're thinking...

So, are you giving anything up for Lent? Or are you going to use Lent as an opportunity to prepare for Easter by taking something up?

Here are two ideas. The first is from the Bible Society (see video below) and involves listening to the whole of the New Testament read in 28 minutes a day throughout Lent. The second, Count Your Blessings, involves reflecting on how fortunate we are in terms of access to resources when compared to so many in our world, and praying and contributing to the work of Christian Aid.

Betrayal and Denial

Imagine that you were on an interview panel interviewing candidates for a job. Obviously what you look for in a candidate is dependant on the job, but I expect that most of us would agree that when in comes to character we would be looking for someone who is trustworthy and reliable, someone who is not going to let us down, someone who is not going to give away trade secrets to our competitors.

But there is only so much you can tell about a person from an interview or a CV. Imagine what it would be like if you could know everything that the candidate had already done - and even more incredible - everything that they were going to do in the future. I'm guessing that not many people would be getting hired!

Jesus knew everything there was to know about his disciples when he chose them. He knew that Judas was going to betray him, and he knew that Peter was going to deny him (John 13:18-38). Yet he still chose them. He still loved them. He still washed their feet.

I wonder how many of us disqualify ourselves from serving God because of the mistakes we've made. We know about God's forgiveness, and yet we are unable to accept it for ourselves. God can forgive others - but how can God forgive me after the things I've done?

The disciples were ordinary people who made some pretty big mistakes, and yet Jesus used them. Let's believe the promise that when we confess our mistakes we receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9), and let's not allow our past mistakes stop us from believing that God wants to use us again.

I will rise

If you follow this blog you will know that Chris Tomlin is one of my favourite singer / song writers. Enjoy.