I know I haven't put up many posts this month, and I apologise for that. The main reason is that I was tired, but also I didn't actually do that much this month-mainly because I was tired. However, there were a few highlights of the month.
Quite a few were to do with human trafficking, which I wrote about in the last post. 'Nefarious' is an amazing film; I definitely recommend it. Have tissues at hand. And the praying on the streets was pretty powerful too.
In the middle of the month, our cluster did something a bit different. We went to a local care home to help out. Most people were spending their time chatting to the residents, and a few of us were painting benches. That was actually quite relaxing, and I quite enjoyed doing it. I had this nagging feeling that I should have been in the main room chatting to people, but I just couldn't manage it. I was far too tired. When I get tired, I find it difficult (well, more difficult) to talk to people, so at that point, the idea of talking to pretty much anyone was almost too much to deal with. So I painted benches. Which was nice.
And the other thing I have been doing this month is to get in touch with people I haven't seen for a while, mostly because they don't live anywhere near me-some in other countries. So I've sent a couple of cards and letters. Which was fun. And well received.
And that's about it for this month. Really, a quiet month.
Monday 31 March 2014
Tuesday 25 March 2014
Human Trafficking Is Not Okay!!
A couple of weeks back, we were just about heading into Race Week here in Cheltenham. For those of you who have no idea what this means, it's the week when the Gold Cup is held-usually the same week as St Patrick's Day. There are currently four days of races in the week, and for that week thousands of people come into Cheltenham, hundreds staying locally.
Now I don't know when Race Week first started, but certainly longer than I've been aware of it. I remember working there about 20 years ago. And for most of my life, it was primarily seen as a good thing; something to celebrate. Everyone I knew looked forward to it, and the atmosphere around town was generally happy. But in recent years, something has changed. The atmosphere is different, and local people stay away from the town centre during that week unless they really have to be there.
And, also, I have been made more aware of the rise in sex trafficking over that week. I only heard it mentioned a couple of years back, but I remember not being surprised. I'm not saying that it only happens here (for instance, it has been talked about around the Superbowl and the Olympics). That's why I didn't find it surprising. It makes sense to think that wherever there is going to be a large number of (drunk) people, this market will increase. Nor am I naive enough to think that it doesn't happen all year round, though that does apparently surprise some.
I got to know a bit more about it through the charity Hope for Justice, which my church supports. And, as a result, I joined the local Act for Justice group-which is their local support group. They have them all over the country, and there was quite a lot going on this month because of the races. First, near the start of the month, the church put on a showing of the film Nefarious, and the week after, there was a lot of prayer on the streets. On the Monday of Race Week, before the races started, we joined with the Gloucester Act for Justice group and prayed at the racecourse; and then, the next few days, various people from church went on on the streets in the evenings offering prayer to anyone who wanted it.
I went out with a group on the first day, and we had some interesting conversations, though no-one asked for prayer. We met some girls handing out leaflets about a lapdancing club (I think), who said they didn't want to be doing it; and we had a conversation with some very drunk Irishmen, one of whom showed us a picture of his 5 month old daughter. They changed their minds about going to a lapdancing club when one of the girls in the group pointed out that every one of them was just like his daughter once.
So, I've been thinking about the subject a lot this month, and thought it was about time I said something on here. It's gone quiet again here, but that doesn't mean the subject is closed. This horrible trade is still going on here, there, everywhere, and has to be stopped-so I thought I'd finish by giving you some ideas of what you can do to help. I would recommend that you watch 'Nefarious' at some point; but, there are other things you can do. Mainly by getting in touch with one of the organisations that deal with it on a day-to-day basis, and seeing how you can support them. Hope for Justice is based in the UK, but, internationally, Exodus Cry is a great organisation to get in touch with. They will let you know how you can help; pray, donate, campaign, but do something. And tell others.
Now I don't know when Race Week first started, but certainly longer than I've been aware of it. I remember working there about 20 years ago. And for most of my life, it was primarily seen as a good thing; something to celebrate. Everyone I knew looked forward to it, and the atmosphere around town was generally happy. But in recent years, something has changed. The atmosphere is different, and local people stay away from the town centre during that week unless they really have to be there.
And, also, I have been made more aware of the rise in sex trafficking over that week. I only heard it mentioned a couple of years back, but I remember not being surprised. I'm not saying that it only happens here (for instance, it has been talked about around the Superbowl and the Olympics). That's why I didn't find it surprising. It makes sense to think that wherever there is going to be a large number of (drunk) people, this market will increase. Nor am I naive enough to think that it doesn't happen all year round, though that does apparently surprise some.
I got to know a bit more about it through the charity Hope for Justice, which my church supports. And, as a result, I joined the local Act for Justice group-which is their local support group. They have them all over the country, and there was quite a lot going on this month because of the races. First, near the start of the month, the church put on a showing of the film Nefarious, and the week after, there was a lot of prayer on the streets. On the Monday of Race Week, before the races started, we joined with the Gloucester Act for Justice group and prayed at the racecourse; and then, the next few days, various people from church went on on the streets in the evenings offering prayer to anyone who wanted it.
I went out with a group on the first day, and we had some interesting conversations, though no-one asked for prayer. We met some girls handing out leaflets about a lapdancing club (I think), who said they didn't want to be doing it; and we had a conversation with some very drunk Irishmen, one of whom showed us a picture of his 5 month old daughter. They changed their minds about going to a lapdancing club when one of the girls in the group pointed out that every one of them was just like his daughter once.
So, I've been thinking about the subject a lot this month, and thought it was about time I said something on here. It's gone quiet again here, but that doesn't mean the subject is closed. This horrible trade is still going on here, there, everywhere, and has to be stopped-so I thought I'd finish by giving you some ideas of what you can do to help. I would recommend that you watch 'Nefarious' at some point; but, there are other things you can do. Mainly by getting in touch with one of the organisations that deal with it on a day-to-day basis, and seeing how you can support them. Hope for Justice is based in the UK, but, internationally, Exodus Cry is a great organisation to get in touch with. They will let you know how you can help; pray, donate, campaign, but do something. And tell others.
Thursday 20 March 2014
Getting Tired.
I am probably going to get increasingly tired as this month progresses. I can tell already that it is happening, as I'm making silly mistakes at work. Thankfully, God is gracious, and is helping me sort them out before they escalate. The reason for this tiredness is because the manager is on holiday. Which means that not only am I working more hours, but that I have more to do.
And not only that, but several days, I'm pretty much the only one in the shop. So, not only does that make it difficult to get a proper break sometimes, but I have to deal with all the problems. You'd be amazed how many problems there can be - maybe. All of them are caused by people not being co-operative; it seems incredible just how many ways there are of not being co-operative. Sometimes it seems like people are just doing things to be non co-operative, but that can't be right. I mean, who'd do that?
Anyway, because I'm tired, I'm thinking strange things - or at least different. I'm finding it challenging to deal with people; though that's nothing new. I'm an introvert, as I have mentioned previously; and that means that when I'm tired, I really prefer to spend time on my own. I sometimes think it an indication of God's sense of humour that He has put me in jobs where I have to deal with people all day. The point being, I guess, that in pushing against my weaknesses, I get stronger in those areas. Which has definitely happened - and is still doing so.
And the other line of thought I keep going over and over is whether I should be doing this. As I said, in some ways, this job appears to be playing against my weaknesses; but, not really to my strengths. So, if not this, then what should I be doing; if anything? And, more importantly, how do I get there? The two ideas that have been coming up again and again have been doing another degree (you know, just because), and writing. I have no idea how I would do the first; and the second I can do, but how do I make something of it?
So, that's what I've been thinking about and around. Without coming to any conclusions. Except that I keep coming back to the thought that God said this year would be about surprise; so I'm kind of hoping there's something in that...
And not only that, but several days, I'm pretty much the only one in the shop. So, not only does that make it difficult to get a proper break sometimes, but I have to deal with all the problems. You'd be amazed how many problems there can be - maybe. All of them are caused by people not being co-operative; it seems incredible just how many ways there are of not being co-operative. Sometimes it seems like people are just doing things to be non co-operative, but that can't be right. I mean, who'd do that?
Anyway, because I'm tired, I'm thinking strange things - or at least different. I'm finding it challenging to deal with people; though that's nothing new. I'm an introvert, as I have mentioned previously; and that means that when I'm tired, I really prefer to spend time on my own. I sometimes think it an indication of God's sense of humour that He has put me in jobs where I have to deal with people all day. The point being, I guess, that in pushing against my weaknesses, I get stronger in those areas. Which has definitely happened - and is still doing so.
And the other line of thought I keep going over and over is whether I should be doing this. As I said, in some ways, this job appears to be playing against my weaknesses; but, not really to my strengths. So, if not this, then what should I be doing; if anything? And, more importantly, how do I get there? The two ideas that have been coming up again and again have been doing another degree (you know, just because), and writing. I have no idea how I would do the first; and the second I can do, but how do I make something of it?
So, that's what I've been thinking about and around. Without coming to any conclusions. Except that I keep coming back to the thought that God said this year would be about surprise; so I'm kind of hoping there's something in that...
Sunday 16 March 2014
The Gospel According To Tom Wright
I've recently finished reading a book by Tom Wright, and am just about to start another. And when I was reading it, I was actually quite taken aback at what he was saying-although his ideas haven't really changed, just developed somewhat. For those of you who don't really know who he is, when I was at uni in the mid nineties, he was recommended as one of the top New Testament scholars in the world; and he still is today. And he's still a Christian. So that makes him worth reading in my eyes.
Which led to the reason I was taken aback. He is still known as a premier New Testament scholar, yet his ideas seem to be very little known. What I mean by this, is that although he probably wouldn't disagree with most of what is taught in churches; he thinks there is a lack of clarity over both what Paul taught, and who Jesus was. Who He is, God and the Son of God isn't really in doubt; but because we don't really understand His background and His role, we misunderstand (at least some of) what He said that is recorded in the Gospels.
So Tom Wright believes - at least, as far as I understand him. I've so far only read 5 of his books, and am reading a 6th, but what he says isn't something I often hear in churches. At least, not clearly expressed. And those ideas have definitely affected the way I think and understand some of the New Testament. For some time now, I've thought that my favourite verse in the Bible, the one I would say expresses what I might call the Gospel most clearly is John 10:10, and to my mind, what he describes 'the gospel' as is very much an expansion of what Jesus says here.
What he says Paul thought of as 'the gospel', and what he taught can be summed up quite simply. To Paul, 'the gospel' was that the God who created and loves the world had reclaimed His rightful place as ruler and king; that He had done this in and through the person of Jesus; and that the resurrection proves this. I see this as both simple and elegant; and cannot honestly see anything that anyone who knows Jesus could really disagree with, though they may question it. Which is fine - God isn't threatened by questions, and I'm pretty sure Tom Wright isn't either.
This is a good place to start, but it's where it leads that is really challenging - both in lifestyle and ideas. For instance, one of the first places it goes can be summed up in the phrase 'if Jesus is LORD, then Caesar isn't'. Which really means something to the early Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans, and by those being persecuted across the world today. But it also means something to us as well. If Jesus is God, and is king and absolute ruler, then nothing is as important as Him, and what He thinks. Nothing and no-one. Not a political party, or campaign, or desire for comfort or to be right, or our own opinions or ideas, are as important. So that 'if' is of primary importance; and if we choose to say we believe it, our beliefs and values should change. And will.
But that does not mean that we should ignore or not care about the state of the world; if anything, we should care more, be more involved. Partly because on a basic level, what He cares about we should; but also because the reason the world is in such a mess, why it basically doesn't work properly is because He isn't in His proper place. Tom Wright talks in places about the various ways people have seen the relationship between God and His creation, and shows 3 different ways, which can be referred to as pagan, greek, and hebrew thought. The first is that God is everywhere and in everything; the second is that earth and heaven are two very separate realms, which rarely interact; and the third is that yes, God is everywhere (He can't not be), but Heaven, where He rules, happens only where He is acknowledged as LORD. Once we accept the third description, we are left with a huge challenge; that of inviting Heaven to Earth. Or maybe building it. Something of each, I think. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we have that possibility - and responsibility.
So, I'll leave it there, hopefully having given something of a flavour of his ideas. I don't want to say much more, because frankly, I'm about at the limits of my understanding now. But I hope I've whetted your appetite to discover more; he's written plenty. I would suggest one of the best is 'Creation, Power and Truth', which is quite short, but powerful.
Which led to the reason I was taken aback. He is still known as a premier New Testament scholar, yet his ideas seem to be very little known. What I mean by this, is that although he probably wouldn't disagree with most of what is taught in churches; he thinks there is a lack of clarity over both what Paul taught, and who Jesus was. Who He is, God and the Son of God isn't really in doubt; but because we don't really understand His background and His role, we misunderstand (at least some of) what He said that is recorded in the Gospels.
So Tom Wright believes - at least, as far as I understand him. I've so far only read 5 of his books, and am reading a 6th, but what he says isn't something I often hear in churches. At least, not clearly expressed. And those ideas have definitely affected the way I think and understand some of the New Testament. For some time now, I've thought that my favourite verse in the Bible, the one I would say expresses what I might call the Gospel most clearly is John 10:10, and to my mind, what he describes 'the gospel' as is very much an expansion of what Jesus says here.
What he says Paul thought of as 'the gospel', and what he taught can be summed up quite simply. To Paul, 'the gospel' was that the God who created and loves the world had reclaimed His rightful place as ruler and king; that He had done this in and through the person of Jesus; and that the resurrection proves this. I see this as both simple and elegant; and cannot honestly see anything that anyone who knows Jesus could really disagree with, though they may question it. Which is fine - God isn't threatened by questions, and I'm pretty sure Tom Wright isn't either.
This is a good place to start, but it's where it leads that is really challenging - both in lifestyle and ideas. For instance, one of the first places it goes can be summed up in the phrase 'if Jesus is LORD, then Caesar isn't'. Which really means something to the early Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans, and by those being persecuted across the world today. But it also means something to us as well. If Jesus is God, and is king and absolute ruler, then nothing is as important as Him, and what He thinks. Nothing and no-one. Not a political party, or campaign, or desire for comfort or to be right, or our own opinions or ideas, are as important. So that 'if' is of primary importance; and if we choose to say we believe it, our beliefs and values should change. And will.
But that does not mean that we should ignore or not care about the state of the world; if anything, we should care more, be more involved. Partly because on a basic level, what He cares about we should; but also because the reason the world is in such a mess, why it basically doesn't work properly is because He isn't in His proper place. Tom Wright talks in places about the various ways people have seen the relationship between God and His creation, and shows 3 different ways, which can be referred to as pagan, greek, and hebrew thought. The first is that God is everywhere and in everything; the second is that earth and heaven are two very separate realms, which rarely interact; and the third is that yes, God is everywhere (He can't not be), but Heaven, where He rules, happens only where He is acknowledged as LORD. Once we accept the third description, we are left with a huge challenge; that of inviting Heaven to Earth. Or maybe building it. Something of each, I think. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we have that possibility - and responsibility.
So, I'll leave it there, hopefully having given something of a flavour of his ideas. I don't want to say much more, because frankly, I'm about at the limits of my understanding now. But I hope I've whetted your appetite to discover more; he's written plenty. I would suggest one of the best is 'Creation, Power and Truth', which is quite short, but powerful.
Sunday 9 March 2014
40 Acts
What are you doing for Lent, then? Well? I hope you are doing something, even if it's just giving up something like chocolate. I say 'just' because, although most people I know would find that quite hard (and I certainly would), it's not that difficult to figure out how to do-as long as you remember to do it. I remember once I gave up alcohol, and went out to a gig in a pub on the Friday after, and forgot until halfway through my first pint. So, I just decided to add 3 days at the end. More because I knew I could do it than anything else. Someone else I know has decided that giving up things is too hard, so this year she is going to make an effort to be thankful, and thank God for something or someone different each day. Which I think is a brilliant idea, because the point of Lent, as I see it, is to have time for reflection, to think about life and the things you take for granted.
So, I'm doing the same thing I did last year-the 40 Acts challenge from stewardship (hence the name of the post)...
...which is exactly what it sounds like. Doing something different each day that you probably wouldn't normally do.
The way it works is that they send an email each day, and you do what it says-or something similar. It isn't supposed to just make you do things, but rather think about being generous, and thinking about what you do and what you could do.
Last year I found one of the biggest challenges was remembering to look at my emails every day-which I'm already doing better at. And the other main problem I had was that I just don't have much money. So it's not so much that I don't want to be generous, but that I find it difficult to do. For instance, one of the suggestions one day last year was to pay for someone to go on holiday; which, clearly, was just something I couldn't do. I can't even really imagine having enough money to be able to do that. But I did find overall that it did make me think about being generous and stretching myself a bit-which is why I'm doing it again this year.
So, what are you doing..?
So, I'm doing the same thing I did last year-the 40 Acts challenge from stewardship (hence the name of the post)...
...which is exactly what it sounds like. Doing something different each day that you probably wouldn't normally do.
The way it works is that they send an email each day, and you do what it says-or something similar. It isn't supposed to just make you do things, but rather think about being generous, and thinking about what you do and what you could do.
Last year I found one of the biggest challenges was remembering to look at my emails every day-which I'm already doing better at. And the other main problem I had was that I just don't have much money. So it's not so much that I don't want to be generous, but that I find it difficult to do. For instance, one of the suggestions one day last year was to pay for someone to go on holiday; which, clearly, was just something I couldn't do. I can't even really imagine having enough money to be able to do that. But I did find overall that it did make me think about being generous and stretching myself a bit-which is why I'm doing it again this year.
So, what are you doing..?
Thursday 6 March 2014
Prayers Please
So, this post is a direct follow-on from the last one. It's a bit short, and I did think about having the two together; but I think it's worth having this one separately. At the end of that, I said that I'd written it down for two reasons-so I could get it clear in my head, and so you could help me-if you wish to.
Now, obviously, the easiest way is to ask me when you speak to me how things are going, and to encourage me in them; but the second is this:-to pray. Again, if you wish to. I'm not demanding anything of anyone, but if you do remember me when you read a blog post, I appreciate that.
So, the first thing was relationships. I'm not quite sure what to ask for here, as it's at least as important that I change as that the relationships go better. So praying for me to work on my relationships, and relationships in general; but also, that others respond. But, I guess also, that I don't take it for granted when things do go well. I realise that to a certain extent I can't control what others think and do; so, just because something is going well at the moment (which may or may not be down to my actions), that doesn't mean it's going to keep going well. Or that other things will go as well. And just as much that I don't get down whe things go badly.
And then the future. Well, if God is going to surprise me (and a few things have happened so far this year that were definitely a surprise), I can't ask for prayer for anything too specific, as I just don't know what is going to happen. So, mainly that I will keep being open to what God wants, and keep paying attention to Him. The other thing to pray about is my finances, which are rarely in a great state; but, probably, if He wants me to do different things, chances are that's going to cost money. I know He can provide, but along with the idea of not taking things for granted, I'm asking for prayer about it.
That's really, I suppose, resolutions two and three together. So, the only other things I want to say are that I have been given a copy of 'How To Win Friends And Influence People', which I'm working my way through; which, I guess may help with relationships. And that I have been having some wild ideas about the future recently; some of which are probably doable, and some, well, aren't. At least right now. And, finally, thanks, in advance. For whatever prayer you do. I'm confident it will make a difference.
Now, obviously, the easiest way is to ask me when you speak to me how things are going, and to encourage me in them; but the second is this:-to pray. Again, if you wish to. I'm not demanding anything of anyone, but if you do remember me when you read a blog post, I appreciate that.
So, the first thing was relationships. I'm not quite sure what to ask for here, as it's at least as important that I change as that the relationships go better. So praying for me to work on my relationships, and relationships in general; but also, that others respond. But, I guess also, that I don't take it for granted when things do go well. I realise that to a certain extent I can't control what others think and do; so, just because something is going well at the moment (which may or may not be down to my actions), that doesn't mean it's going to keep going well. Or that other things will go as well. And just as much that I don't get down whe things go badly.
And then the future. Well, if God is going to surprise me (and a few things have happened so far this year that were definitely a surprise), I can't ask for prayer for anything too specific, as I just don't know what is going to happen. So, mainly that I will keep being open to what God wants, and keep paying attention to Him. The other thing to pray about is my finances, which are rarely in a great state; but, probably, if He wants me to do different things, chances are that's going to cost money. I know He can provide, but along with the idea of not taking things for granted, I'm asking for prayer about it.
That's really, I suppose, resolutions two and three together. So, the only other things I want to say are that I have been given a copy of 'How To Win Friends And Influence People', which I'm working my way through; which, I guess may help with relationships. And that I have been having some wild ideas about the future recently; some of which are probably doable, and some, well, aren't. At least right now. And, finally, thanks, in advance. For whatever prayer you do. I'm confident it will make a difference.
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