St Michael's Boldmere Blog http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog Paul's reflections Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:35:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 Pause http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=65 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=65#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:35:12 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=65 Hi readers.
I have decided to take a break from this blog for a few months.
If what I have written has been helpful / useful then do let me know.
Blessings.

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=65 0 18th April http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=62 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=62#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:49:19 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=62 Continue reading →]]> What does this week hold for you? Just another week of work and hopefully some time for play? Or is there time this week to really reflect and absorb what this week means in the light of eternity?

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and we saw Jesus arrive in Jerusalem. We are reaching the climax of stuff we have read about in some of the readings we have done during Lent from the Old Testament. Jesus is about to fulfil all of God’s promises and warnings in a way totally foreseen and yet not comprehended. The Gospels show us how important this week is in that they devote many chapters to it. The readings this week cover part of this story from Matthew’s perspective (if you get chance do read all of Matthew’s account).

We begin with a simmering pot. The various leaders of the day were unhappy with the procession yesterday and then we see Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple (what happened to being meek and mild?). Today and tomorrow we see different people try and catch Jesus out but each time he turns the tables on them. The pot is beginning to boil. By Wednesday the plans are being laid and the inside man is bought. Jesus gathers his disciples together to look back in the Passover but also to point forward in the new covenant. But this is no easy decision for Jesus. Thursday’s reading shows the struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest and then Peter’s denial. It is a long night than leads into Friday and mock trials and insults and beatings. Jesus’ loneliness is complete when on the cross he cries out – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? In the midst of an agonising death the weight of our sin, our wrongdoing, our selfishness is so great that the intimacy he shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit is broken. Jesus truly dies in every sense. But it is only Friday and Sunday’s coming! 

April 18th        Matthew 21:23 – 46

April 19th        Matthew 22:15 – 46

April 20th        Matthew 26:1 – 35

April 21st        Matthew 26:36 – 75

April 22nd       Matthew 27:11 – 54

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=62 0 10th April http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=60 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=60#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 07:33:10 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=60 Continue reading →]]> The end is nigh! This can be the image that we have of prophets, particularly Old Testament ones. Well we have reached that part of the Old testament which is a gathering of what are sometimes called major and minor prophets. However reading through these books one finds quite a variety of writings. Warnings, encouragements, praise, sadness, history, personal etc. At times the messages are clear, other times they are frankly confusing (though this is often due to the fact that we live in different times and cultures). Sometimes they are definitely for then, other times it is wonderfully ambiguous. Some are simply describing what is going on (a telling forth) whilst others are definitely for the future, either the future from then or even the future from now (a forth telling). Many have been linked with Jesus, which is where we start with Isaiah 53. Jeremiah (which contains more words than any other book in the Bible) follows and its theme is Judgement (which can be avoided by repentance). Many of Jeremiah’s predictions come true in his own lifetime and he saw the end of this ‘free’ people that had escaped from Egypt to come to the promised land. Daniel takes place not in Israel but in captivity in Babylon tells of an amazing group of characters who find themselves being asked to live in a way that compromises their faith. They find that delicate balance of remaining faithful to God but also living in the world. Hosea finds himself being used as an illustration of what God wants to communicate. His own family life becomes a symbol to convey God’s message to his people. Even the names of Hosea’s children represent part of the ominous message. There are many other readings from the prophets I could have taken, not least the book of Jonah, or the predicting of Pentecost in Joel, they are worth dipping into but can be hard going when done in large chunks. Locating them against history is helpful but not easy and some overlap each other in time. My final passage from the Old Testament contains one of my favourite verses – Micah 6:8. A challenge then and now of how God wants his people to live.

 April 11th        Isaiah 53
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053&version=TNIV

April 12th        Jeremiah 1
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%201&version=TNIV

April 13th        Daniel 1
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201&version=TNIV

April 14th        Hosea 1
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%201&version=TNIV

April 15th        Micah 6:1 – 8
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah%206:1%20–%208&version=TNIV

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=60 0 3rd April http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=57 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=57#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:06:56 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=57 Continue reading →]]> We continue with our Bible Reading Plan (read previous posts for more information).

Already in three weeks we have seen amazing stories. God has created heaven and earth and more importantly a people to know him and love him. Although they quickly went their own way he called a couple whose offspring would reconnect with him as their God and lead all peoples back to him. Yet again it seems the plan goes awry as these new people end up in slavery but God steps in and rescues and they set out for the promised land. They overcome great obstacles and we see the pinnacle in Solomon with the new temple and other nations drawn to this new country. Along the way there have been hiccups but nothing compared to what then happened as the country slips into civil war and splits and then vulnerable and away from God they are conquered first the north and then the south with the hint of a promise of restoration towards the end.

We now enter a quite different set of writings in the Bible (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes  & Song of Songs). These are often called Wisdom literature as wisdom is a key theme, referred to as a person at times. They are outside a timeline and date from different times but mainly are attributed to King David and King Solomon. I have not picked from Job as I think this is best read in one go, also there is so much in the other books. Equally I have not picked from probably the raciest book in the Bible – the Song of Songs. So what have I chosen?

Firstly Psalm 51 – a very personal piece of writing by King David when he is caught out after getting Bathsheba’s husband killed. This is a glimpse into what saying sorry to god should be about and a heartfelt prayer for restoration. It is as relevant today as then and in my life and your life. Then comes a hint of prophecy in Psalm 22. This is the writer pouring out there heart to God about their circumstances but within it we see so many echoes of Good Friday and the cross. Then in Psalm 104 I change the tempo with this great hymn of praise – enjoy. Proverbs is full of short pithy sayings, many of which have made their way into our regular speech. Here in chapter 16 we see a number of sayings about wisdom and what it means to be wise. Finally we have Ecclesiastes 3, again a passage that is familiar to many within and outside the church. Things come, things go but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).

April 4th          Psalm 22
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2022&version=TNIV

April 5th          Psalm 51
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2051&version=TNIV

April 6th          Psalm 104
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20104&version=TNIV

April 7th          Proverbs 16
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016&version=TNIV

April 8th          Ecclesiastes 3
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203&version=TNIV

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=57 0 27th March http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=55 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=55#comments Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:32:32 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=55 Continue reading →]]> We continue with our Bible Reading Plan (read previous posts for more information).

A slippery road! Kings and Chronicles overlap significantly in time but focus on different parts of the story. Whereas the previous books have been on the whole mostly positive with only some downers the reverse seems to be true from now on. Too often we read of the kings – he did evil in the sight of the Lord. In fact even while David is on the throne we see problems. The opening part of 1 Kings sees his sons falling out between themselves and with their dad. They have sussed out David’s weakness and get a young lady to wait on him. Even with Solomon established on the throne, yes there is peace but bad habits are beginning to creep in and after Solomon it really does go downhill and the country splits in two. Into this mix comes characters like Elijah and Elisha but even their influence seems only temporary or localised. We also see the other prophetic writings appear but more on those later. Basically the picture through Kings and Chronicles is a downward path that results in warnings from God and when they are not heeded there are dire consequences. Firstly the north (Israel) is conquered and then the south (Judah) sometime later is also conquered. So God’s people are again living under someone else’s rule and it is against this backdrop that the story of Esther takes place. As to the other characters I have chosen. Again they are all women to highlight the influence that took place and sadly many are not positive. Firstly we see Sheba come to see not just Solomon’s splendour but to hear his wisdom. This definitely seems the high point with God being given the credit. However just a few chapters later it has slipped and we see the need for Elijah who needs to hide and it is a woman who through God’s grace gives him shelter and food. Then we meet Jezebel who clearly is a bad influence and comes to a sticky end. Athaliah is a lesser known character who tries to grab power in the chaos and succeeds for a while. Finally Esther. In a book that never mentions God it shows how when a few listen to God then amazing things can happen. A good way to end this section.

March 28th     1 Kings 10:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2010:1-13&version=TNIV

March 29th     1 Kings 17

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2017&version=TNIV

March 30th     1 Kings 21:1-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2021:1-25&version=TNIV

March 31st     2 Chronicles 22:10 – 23:21

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2022:10%20–%2023:21&version=TNIV

April 1st           Esther 4

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%204&version=TNIV

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=55 0 20th March http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=52 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=52#comments Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:09:00 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=52 Continue reading →]]> We continue with our Bible Reading Plan (read previous posts for more information).

We move now into the more historical books. These are full of different characters both good and bad with a few ugly and good looking ones chucked in as well. We have stories of heroism and cowardice, betrayal and sacrifice. Here we see the freed people of God move into the promised land and there seems much to give thanks to God for. However early on various leaders think they know best and don’t do as God has commanded and so there are times of trouble as well as times of rejoicing. During all this the people think they have the answer and so request a king and so we see the enthronement of Saul followed by David and then Solomon. But these are far from settled reigns and there are numerous fallings out within and without. Certainly Solomon seems to be a high point as the land is largely at peace and the building of the Temple can happen. However there are cracks appearing.

I could have chosen many characters from these books of the Bible that go from Joshua to 2 Samuel. I purposely chose women to show that they are a key part of the story of God. We often know many male characters but the role of women can be overlooked. Not that all of them are positive. Just like men they can move God’s people closer to him or further from him. They may not always have had the key position of power but they were not without their influence. We start with Rahab, an unlikely hero. Someone on the margins, even living outside God’s laws, yet one whom God can reach and work with and so bring about his plans. Then Judges and Deborah. People often forget this key leader in the Old Testament was a woman. Just to make sure we get the point when a male commander isn’t sure about her words she tells him that he won’t kill the enemy commander, a woman will. Read the chapter to see what happens. Then we have a whole book dedicated to a woman. Another outsider who ends up being the great grandmother of the King of God’s people. Her faithfulness even in sorrow is a real example to us. In 1 Samuel we get an insight into Hannah’s desperation and her cry to God. Little did she realise just what would result from her prayer and the leadership her son would provide. Finally in 2 Samuel 11 we see a woman caught up in situations beyond her control. We don’t know if she purposely bathed to catch someone’s eye but once David had seen her he manipulated her and others to get what he wanted. Will it all end in tears – read on!

March 21st     Joshua 2

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%202&version=TNIV

March 22nd    Judges 4

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges%204&version=TNIV

March 23rd     Ruth 1

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ruth%201&version=TNIV

March 24th     1 Samuel 1:1-20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%201:1-20&version=TNIV

March 25th     2 Samuel 11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2011&version=TNIV

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=52 0 13th March http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=49 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=49#comments Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:29:07 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=49 Continue reading →]]> We continue with our Bible Reading Plan (read previous post for more information).

The first five books traditionally have been associated with Moses and certainly he is a key character in them as he leads the people of God from slavery to the promised land (but not into it!). This idea of journey is a regular feature in the story of God’s people. So our first reading this week starts with the father of many – Abraham and the beginning of his journey. The journey continues with his descendants who continue to travel and have many different adventures or mishaps as we see with Jacob. A key tale in the first five books is the story of Joseph forever linked with his technicolour dream coat. This story is important as it explains how for seemingly all the right reasons God’s people end up in Egypt that then leads to slavery and so to the book of Exodus and THE journey from Egypt to the promised land. However along the way there are many mistakes from all involved, including Moses, and so the journey takes much longer than was originally planned. The consequence is that Moses completes the journey and sees the land but does not enter into it. This sadly is true of so many that come and look into the land of the Christian faith. They see it, they know their need but either because they have left it too late or for other reasons they never enter into the true promised land, eternal life with God. As you read the passages this week, think about your own journey with God. Do you recognise his voice, his part in your life? Can you look back and see his hand in the many blessings you have? Is he calling you to a new place? Don’t leave it too long to acknowledge the call of God on your life!

 March 14th     Genesis 12:1 – 10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012:1%20–%2010&version=TNIV

March 15th     Genesis 29:14b – 30 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2029:14b%20–%2030&version=TNIV

March 16th     Genesis 40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2040&version=TNIV

March 17th     Exodus 18 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2018&version=TNIV

March 18th     Deuteronomy 34 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2034&version=TNIV

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=49 0 The Bible http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=44 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=44#comments Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:52:53 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=44 Continue reading →]]> Today I launched a Bible Reading Plan in church. This is connected with the 400 years of the King James Bible. Do go to this excellent site with videos for more information about the difference this translation made to the church, England and the world! (http://www.kingjamesbibletrust.org/the-king-james-bible/experience-the-bible-revolution)

Anyway back to my plan. The idea is not to try and read the whole Bible or even large chunks of it. The main hope I have is that we get excited about reading the Bible. Too many of us, and I include myself, don’t read it enough. So I have chosen different passages that reflect different styles, different stories, some familiar and some not so. The idea is that between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday we will work our way through the Old Testament. During Holy Week we do the Passion Story and then from Easter to Pentecost we will ramble through the New Testament. The readings are designed so that you can do a little each day or as a whole at a weekend. Each week’s readings are sort of connected and so on the Blog each week I will attempt to explain my reasons and hopefully a bit of background. (There will also be a link so you can read them on the move.) You can also have them tweeted to you by following http://twitter.com/StMichaelsVicar.
There are many books to help us understand the Bible and I include some below but this is no substitute for actually reading the Bible itself. So have a go (there are just two readings this week):
March 10th Genesis 1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201&version=TNIV )
March 11th John 1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&version=TNIV )
Why these two – well where could I start but in the beginning! The Bible never sets out to prove God exists. Rather it shows God’s existence by what he has done and said firstly in the creation of the universe and in particular in human beings made in his likeness. This truth of God creating the world is not just an Old Testament idea but is firmly there in the New Testament as we read John. Here the writer makes even more explicit the idea in God all things hold together. Neither seeks to fully explain the how and that is not a debate that is worth addressing here. Instead they point us to a greater truth of the true source of everything and therefore the true source of life and peace and wholeness. The Bible will document the small things of life but here we see it documenting the great expanse of space and being and saying “Our God is an Awesome GOD!”
So start reading and do discuss with others what you find as we follow this Bible Reading Plan together!

PS. A few books about the Bible but there are loads out there.
(These are the Amazon links, other places may be cheaper)

How to Study the Bible for Yourself – Dr Tim LaHaye
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Study-Bible-Yourself-LaHaye/dp/0736916962/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298980385&sr=1-1

A Walk Through the Bible – Lesslie Newbigin
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walk-Through-Bible-Lesslie-Newbigin/dp/0281052530/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1298980107&sr=8-4

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth Gordon – D. Fee
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Read-Bible-All-Worth/dp/0310246040/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Being reprinted (available in next few weeks)
30 Days Book: A Practical Introduction to Reading the Bible – Nicky Gumbel
http://www.amazon.co.uk/30-Days-Thirty-day-Practical-Introduction/dp/1907950079/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298979971&sr=1-11

This is one from an excellent series that is all worth reading
Mark for Everyone (New Testament Guides for Everyone) – Tom Wright
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Everyone-New-Testament-Guides/dp/0281052999/ref=pd_sim_b_19

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=44 0 Do Not Worry http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=41 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=41#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:11:05 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=41 Continue reading →]]> Gav yesterday preached a great sermon about worry (go to the main website to listen to it!). In it he pointed us to a verse that gives us a massive pointer of what to do when we do find ourselves worrying – Phil 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Often when we worry we need something to refocus our minds. Simply saying do not worry is not enough. Prayer is a great antidote to worry and so I offer you this piece I came across when I was trying to thing about what to blog this week:
ASAP
Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
There’s work to do, deadlines to meet;
You’ve got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
In the midst of family chaos,
‘Quality time’ is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He’ll respond to all your needs
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=41 0 Desperation http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=39 http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=39#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:50:01 +0000 admin http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?p=39 Continue reading →]]> “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
How often have we uttered the words “if only”? But also how often have we done something about it. Sometimes it is easier to let things slide, to not rock the boat, to not stick one’s head above the parapet…
The woman in this story does do something but equally tries to be anonymous. She touches the hem or tassels in faith and then Jesus turns and challenges / encourages / heals.
The touching of the edge/hem/tassels refers back to Numbers15 which instructs such cloak to have tassels to remind the owner of the commands of God. Thus in this reference we see both the woman wanting to connect with God’s will and that Jesus was living under God’s commands. This extraordinary scene is not contrary to God’s will or plan but a recognition of the amazing power of God and all parties wanting to be under that majesty, might and authority.
And that brings me back to desperation. What I see striking about both these stories is people brought low by desperate situations. One a father having to witness what he sees as the death of his child and the other a woman having years of physical, emotional, and relational suffering. One seems to have come about suddenly the other long term but both are desperate. Sometimes it takes desperation for us to truly turn to God and sometimes things just simply get out of hand. But I don’t thing desperation is wrong, actually I think it is quite healthy in that it forces us to see our limitations and thus to truly become more dependent on God. Self-reliance is prized today and has its place but scriptures teaches and shows us that true life is actually one that is in dependence on God. Col 1:17 – in Jesus all things hold together. this passage from Colossians reminds that it isn’t just that God created the world and that’s it but that in and through Jesus Christ he made the world and sustains it. Therefore healing is about us aligning ourselves with Jesus be it physically, emotionally, spiritually etc. Jesus is the one we take hold of to be whole and we recognise that this is not complete until in death Jesus raises us to glory. But here and now we reach out from our own situation, our own desperation, and in touching, we not only seek God’s wholeness in our need but also submit ourselves to God’s will.
Amen.

]]> http://www.stmichaels.org.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=39 0