Ode to Autumn

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‘Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness.’ This line from John Keats is probably one of the best known lines of poetry.

What a blessing that we have the period of autumn in England. If life was always summer, we would tire of it. If it was always winter we would suffer from depression. We are blessed that we have the seasons.

Our life is also a series of seasons. We wouldn’t want to stay as a small child kicking a football around. We wouldn’t always want the anxiety of the teenage years. Nor would we want our children always living at home. We wouldn’t want our whole life to be lived as an old person. May we fully embrace whatever season we are in and thank God for it.

He has done everything well

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These few words appear in Mark 7:37, a comment from the villagers when Jesus had healed the deaf and blind man in the region of Decapolis. It is a thought we can echo when we think of creation. God was pleased with what He had made. Everything He has made and has done since shows that everything is done well.

It is still difficult to explain ‘act of God’ disasters. Humans and animals are sometimes born in what we see as not perfect. Mankind has brought many disasters on themselves by their acts of selfishness. In the hymn by Reginald Heber (1783-1826) From Greenland’s icy mountain he uses the line ‘every prospect pleases and only man is vile.’ Man is sinful and God is divine.

God Speaks

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In our present pandemic, God speaks. In Genesis chapter 1, we read ten times that God speaks. He speaks to the whole of mankind, but also speaks to us individually in our particular circumstances. In a sparkling cobweb or colourful autumn leaf, He speaks.

We hear His word giving us comfort and telling us not to be afraid. He says so many times in the Bible, Do not be afraid. As this morning I watched the dawn roll back the night clouds once again, I realised again that the God who is in control is saying, Do not be afraid.

Sunny Silloth

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Silloth in Cumbria is the nearest shoreline to where I now live. It has a reputation for being windy. therefore I was apprehensive when I went there last week. I chose a sunny day and Silloth didn’t disappoint.

The tide was in which makes anywhere look better. The sun caught the waves rippling over the stone steps as I looked to the Scottish coastline along the Solway Forth. Birds swooped and dived searching for their lunch. There was hardly a breath of wind. God knows how to create beauty.

I went towards the deserted forgotten harbour once filled with ships exporting grain from the nearby flour mill. A R.N.L.I. jeep was being loaded onto a trailer. I wondered what the story was. Were they packing up for the winter? Dog-owners rambled, couples strolled. It was one of those days when one says ‘God’s in His heaven, all’s right when the world.’ Then I saw the mask on every face; maybe not all was well with the world!

Friends

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At this time of threatened increased lockdown I am so thankful for my friends. Sometimes we contact by phone, texts or emails. Sometimes we are able to see each physically, maybe sharing a coffee, a meal a video church service or even a talk at the garden gate.

I trust my friends know how much I appreciate their friendship, which i hope enriches their lives as it does mine. Human contact and the hope it gives is what makes the world go round and saves our sanity.

During this period I have also benefitted by being friends with my Best Friend. I still treat God with the utmost reverence and awe but there is also an intimacy as He loves me.

Psalm 10

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I’ve been commissioned to write a short article on this psalm. In a nutshell, it boils down to ‘why do good people suffer?’

I’ve read round this subject quite a bit. This has been a problem since biblical times. The book of Job deals with it extensively, where his comforters are no comfort at all, and earn a rebuke from God.

Attitude to suffering can alleviate it. One holocaust survivor said he couldn’t change his conditions but he could change his attitude to it. Maybe that is what made him a survivor rather than a victim. .

As humans it seems to be ingrained in us that good behaviour should be rewarded by the benefits of this life. and that bad behaviour should be punished. But in actual fact, we have no rights. God doesn’t owe us anything. Everything is a gift from Him.

There is nothing I can write that has not been written before. There are no platitude I can produce. I’ll return to my books and trust in God to give me inspiration to write an article that honours Him.

A Different Church

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I was thinking this morning how different church is during this pandemic. We have not been able to meet in our buildings, we are scattered into our homes. We are relying on modern technology as we worship in our bubbles or alone. Wrongly, we feel sorry for ourselves.

Then I thought about the church the persecuted countries. Not only are they scattered alone or in bubbles, they also have to keep their worship secret. In North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia or Libya the price of worship can mean death. If secret worship is discovered in Pakistan, Eritrea, Sudan or Iran the punishment can be banishment. Christians are denied food, jobs and benefits.

In the western world our worship is soft and easy. Persecution is slight and I pray that may remain so. How can we help our fellow Christians? We can pray and give. Our God weeps with them.

Robert W. Gore

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The American engineer and scientist Robert W. Gore died a week ago today aged 83. He applied for various patents but his best known was for Gore-tex a waterproof/breathable fabric for use in sporting and outdoor gear. I personally have been thankful for this material in my hill-walking days.

Do we have a spiritual Gore-tex to protect us from the ‘darts of the devil? Are we prepared again the attacks of this world?

Yes, the Bible tells us ‘Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteous in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace ‘ Ephesians 6:13-15

Johnson Plans to Save Christmas

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I wasn’t aware that it had been lost. Pandemic or not Jesus still died for our sins. He still came to earth because He loves us. He is with us in this time and is suffering with us.

Politicians might think they are important but they do not have power over our God. Christmas cannot be cancelled. It will be different this year. More people than usual will be lonely; grandparents may not see grandchildren, and grandchildren may not se grandparents. But nothing will change the facts. Christmas is not cancelled.

I pray that more people will think deeply about Christian matters. We are in a mess, the whole world is in a mess. We can only look to God in our helplessness.

Hexham

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Met a fellow Christian writer at Hexham on Wednesday. An absolutely lovely day. We talked and talked but then we hadn’t seen each other for six months, so we needed to catch up. We had planned to walk round Hexham but then I became lazy and was enjoying the talk and meal so much, that i didn’t want to move.

I also travelled on a train for the first time for six months. Many restrictions in place. I wonder when and if we will ever get back to normal. Pandemics may come and pandemics may go but the Cumbrian and Northumbrian countryside is still beautiful, with autumn colours just beginning to appear.