Birthdays

When I was young, birthdays were always very special. As I get older they seem to come around all too quickly. The birth of a baby is very special, particularly the moment when a new life begins with all the potential that life could have. Our own births were unique. We are all very different from everyone else. That is the miracle of life.

The church has a birthday. Each year we celebrate the feast of Pentecost which is an old Jewish feast. The date varies as it is always seven weeks after Easter. The feast was originally a time to give thanks for the harvest and for the Ten Commandments.

After Jesu’s resurrection and subsequent ascension (forty days later) into heaven the Holy Spirit was given to believers on the day of Pentecost and the church as we know it today was born.

The Holy Spirit sounds a bit spooky, but He is simply the spirit of Jesus coming along side each of us. If we believe, He will become part of our lives. He brought so much life, power and love into the first believers that many others wanted to join. The Holy Spirit is who has enabled the church not only to survive, but to grow and grow over the last two thousand years.

As children, we were told if you want to become a Christian – you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart. What that actually means is this:- if we believe in Jesus (Romans chapter 10 verse 9) and choose to follow him, the Holy Spirit, or the spirit of Jesus will give us strength to live for God. We tend to mess things up! If you look at church history there are many examples of that. God in the form of the Holy Spirit helps get the church back on track. He helps us to be sorry, to forgive, to be more compassionate, to be patient, he even gives us insight and He fills us with joy.

As Pentecost approaches let’s all say “Happy Birthday” to the church and celebrate all the good that Christians have done under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit down through the ages.

The church will always have a future because the spirit of Jesus gives it new life in every generation.

Lent - a time of preparation

In June 2014 my daughter Helen got married. For at least 12 months before the event, plans and preparations were being made. In life, the greater the event the more necessary the preparation.

Helen and Tom’s wedding day was perfect in every way. It was on the 21st of June, the longest day. The sun shone from dawn to dusk. We arrived at St. Cleer parish church in an open topped camper van, perfect in the hot, sunny weather. The church is an amazing place for a wedding. Keith conducted the service with reverence, grace and dignity. He had a wonderful way of including everyone in the marriage ceremony, whatever their faith. Many comments have been made since about the wise words that he spoke. Our family will always remember the marvellous service he had conducted at such a difficult time in his life. As most of you will know his wife Val was seriously ill in hospital and he had left her bedside to conduct the wedding. The wedding was to be his last before Val’s death. He had given to us during his saddest time, so that our family could experience our happiest time.

Lent is a time of preparation for the most important event in Christianity. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even though it was God’s plan that His Son would die for us, it is so sad that we humans should choose to kill God’s Son. He had spent three years of his life giving hope to a people that had lost their freedom, healing people who had no hope of recovery. It seems that the raising of Lazarus was the miracle that finally caused the Jewish leaders to seek Jesu’s death. Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were Jesu’s friends; He often stayed with them when He journeyed to Jerusalem. When Lazarus was taken ill and subsequently died Jesus was not there. Four days later he arrives and after talking with Mary and Martha He weeps as He approaches the tomb. He commands that the stone be rolled back and calls the dead man back to life. You would think all would believe after seeing this, but not so. A chain of events lead to the high priest saying, “that it is be better for one man to die for the people than the whole nation to perish.” John 11 v50

Jesu’s saddest time became our happiest time; His death was to deal with all the consequences of mankind’s rebellion towards God. The cross became the bridge between earth and heaven.

His subsequent resurrection brings real hope to a planet that is cursed with certain death. We have many reasons to celebrate this Easter. Let us remember we are not alone. Jesus the Christ is alive.

Light in the darkness

As I write this I am aware of the daylight hours increasing. This is especially helpful when I am walking my dog Millie early in the morning. The way the seasons follow one another is very helpful and can teach us much about life. Life tends to have its own seasons and sometimes we can be in a period which can only be described as winter, a time when there feels like there is no hope – the warmth has gone out of life and darkness appears to be all around. Several years ago, when I was in such a place in my life, I was thankful for the person who reminded me that spring always follows winter. The snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and lambs in the fields, all these remind us that winter is in retreat and spring is on the way.

As we look at the world today we may feel there is no hope for us as the human race with so much hatred, selfishness and uncertainty all around. The Christian message is one of hope in any situation. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. Whatever is going on in our lives we have a God in Jesus who can help us. One who understands; who has walked this earth with all its disappointments and pain.

Whatever season we are in, whether life is dark, or light, or somewhere in between, the words of the Bible can help. It is the only book that never goes out of date. Psalm 119 verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.

Let us make time for Him in each day. He will always give us hope and even when we don’t get the answers that we want, He has promised that He will never leave us. Jesus went through the darkest time ever so that we could have real hope. Hope that will last for all of eternity.

Love to you all :)

Light in the darkness