My Tree

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‘On each side of the river was the Tree of Life.’ Revelation 22:2

It’s not really my tree, it belongs in my neighbour’s garden at the bottom of my own garden. My garden is too small to have a tree it’s own. Yet what a comfort and joy it is to me. Trees are good for our environment but mine is good for my soul. As my garden is south-facing it also gives me some shade during the hot summer months. Because it stretches well above the ground it gives the birds a vantage point After sitting in the tree they come down and visit my garden. At this time of year the leaves are beginning to come back and soon it will be green and vibrant. By autumn the falling leaves will give nutrients to the soil below. On windy days I can judge the strength of the wind by the swaying branches. When the wind strengthens to gale force it is secure because it’s roots are deep.

As we know only too well, there were trees in the Garden of Eden. In spite of that we still have trees today, though many are being felled. In my country there was anguish when in an act of wanton destructiveness the sycamore tree in Sycamore Gap was felled. I’ve walked round that tree and used it as a destination point when walking along Hadrian’s Wall. When I was there I heard a rumour that they were growing another tree beside it for when it died of old age. Obviously that was only a rumour and it never had a chance to die of old age.

Rejoice and Pray

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‘Rejoice always, pray continually.’ 1 Thess 15-16

Just four words, but they encapsulate the essence of our Christian faith. To rejoice always goes against the trend of the world. How we love to moan and complain about everything – the weather, the government, our neighbours and even our friends. But there is so very much to give thanks for. The weather may not fit in with our particular plans, but God is still sending the rain and the sun. As the earth continues revolving, the seasons come and go in their due course. Even in times of extreme drought or flood, the true order will eventually be restored. Every act of worship should begin with praise and the acknowledgement of our blessings and God’s saving power.

Pray continuosly – God always hears our prayers and He does answer with His timing and not ours. He answers with His will and not ours. We think we know best but our loving Father always has our best interest at heart. He loves to have conversation with us.

Not Religious

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‘I really enjoy listening to this choir, because they don’t sing religious things.’ My friend wasn’t actually speaking to me but I already knew her opinion on religion. Nevertheless i was again saddened. In the past I had explained to her that Christianity was a relationship and not a religion, but my words hadn’t penetrated her mind. On this day in an audience of about 30 I knew there were about five people who had the same opinions as my friend.

There was no chance to respond but I spent the whole concert not listening to the songs but praying for my friend and others. Often replies to such comments are the not the correct thing and prayer is the only right reaction. I was saddened by the joy and peace my friends were missing and upset by their ultimate destination.

I might be the only person that my friend had who could point her to Jesus. What a responsibility! I pray that she may see the peace and purpose I have, but in the end it is God who will convict. As a work colleague once said of me many years ago, ‘ She’s not such a bad person considering she’s a Christian!’

See-Saws

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A few days ago we celebrated Palm Sunday. On that day in Jerusalem the crowds shouted ‘Hosanna’ and threw palm branches. It was a day of joy and triumph Then just a few days after, the cry turned to ‘Crucify Him’ as He was surrounded by the baying crowds and He was eventually let away to His death. Three days after that the tears and weeping turned into joy and rejoicing. Life was a series of extremes, right up or right down.

Life is the same today. There are times in the history of our countries and our own lives when everything is good. Then suddenly we find our nations and our own lives plunged into dispair. There is happiness in some countries and others places are plagued by war and death. Periods of calm and peace are followed by disasters. One can think of the book of Ecclesiastes, ‘Vanity, vanity, all is vanity,’

But this is not the final chapter of the story of life. A time is coming when there will be no more sorrow, no more ups and downs. There will be no more partings, weeping or death. A place awaits us in heaven, next to God and Jesus, a place of eternal equilibrium and stability.

Easter Sunday

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‘There would be no point in Christmas without Easter Sunday.’ I wrote these words to a seeking friend. A bit revolutionary, but I think it’s true. Jesus didn’t come to this earth to show us how to live or to heal a few of the sick, He came to die. That was the purpose of His coming, to right the wrongs played out in the Garden of Eden. The hymn writer says ‘He came to make us good,’ Yes, He was an example of a perfect life, but His perfection will not be a saving for us unless we accept His sacrifice.

‘What would Jesus do?,’ the wrist band asks. Good guidance when we face a problem or decision is invaluable as we travel life’s journey. But as I also know heaven isn’t for good people, but for saved sinners. Yes, we’ve had Good Friday but thank God that it was followed by Easter Sunday. ‘Hallelujah what a Saviour.’ My Saviour.

Good Friday

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Last Sunday one of the youngsters asked ‘Why is it called Good Friday?’ There is nothing good about the arrest, mocking, beating, humiliation, pain and final death of Jesus. It was such a terrible day that the sky turned black and the temple curtain rent in two. It was not ‘good’ for those who wept and mourned and felt all hope had gone. We only call it good because we know there is an Easter Sunday; the disciples didn’t know that.

The actual ‘good’ had to wait until the Sunday, the day of resurrection. Meanwhile ‘low in the grave He lay.’ Today we see Good Friday in the light of Easter Sunday; there was no such joy when these events were actually taking place. We rejoice that Good Friday is not the end of the story, the grave is not the final resting place. Today we weep, Sunday we will rejoice and sing. ‘Up from the grave He arose.’ Robert Lowry

So Help me, God

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This phrase is often used in courts when people are witnesses or being sworn into a new position. We also sometimes hear it in normal conversation, said without any thought as to what the words mean. But it is something we could all say and mean every word.

Life is difficult, every day we face many challenges. Often we do not have the knowledge or experience to be able to cope. Throughout the Bible we are told that God will help us. He will guide us and all we need to do is ask. So many Biblical characters have received their help and guidance through God – Abraham leaving his homeland and travelling into the unknown, Moses facing a hostile Pharaoh then leading his people towards the Promised Land and Joshua being told ‘Be strong and courageous

How often must Paul and the other disciples have cried out ‘Help me, God.’ The same God is here for us today, so we can also cry out ‘So Help me, God.’

What Kind of Shadow?

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When I contemplate my coming week I feel a little anxious; there are three medical appointments, none life-threatening but health problems that need help or sorting. I have an appointment with my bank manager (though we don’t see bank managers these days, just their helpful assistants) My Christian friend needs encouragement to get out of the house and not just stay indoors. All my tact and love will be needed. The thoughts of these days ahead are casting a cloud over the present day and I give a little sigh.

Then I read Psalm 91:1 ‘Whoever dwells in the shadow of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty’, and I realise that the shadow of my coming week is one of apprehension but that the shadow of the cross is protecting me.

It is God’s promise that I have the opportunity to lessen or even remove worry about my slight problems. I am fortunate to have appointments and doctors and nurses to attend to me, many countries don’t have enough medical staff. By seeing my bank manager I will be able to cope with my finances better. By helping my friend Tanya to have a little outing, her life will be improved and our friendship deepened. I do pray that my coming week is more under the shadow of the cross of Jesus than the cross of apprehension.

True Focus

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To hear or see the news on the television is depressing. Around the world, troubles seem to be growing. There are nations fighting nations wanting more power or land. The numbers of refugees and displaced persons are growing. Volcanoes, global warming, tsunamis, drought; the natural world is groaning. Good news is not recorded news.

The health of some of my friends is worrying, some have cancer, some have memory loss. Families I know are disintegrating and some are grieving the death of a loved one. As the hymn-writer says ‘ Death and decay in all around I see.’

But am I looking in the wrong place? While not wanting to forget the troubles of the world, that is not where my focus must be. We have our trials while on this earth but my God is in control. By looking to Him we will be concentrating on the right priorities. ‘Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, think on these things.’ Philippians 4:8

The Master Potter

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‘The pot that He was shaping from the clay was marred; so the potter formed it into another pot’ Jeremiah 18:4

I’ve recently been watching on the television a series where amateur potters are in competition to find the best potter. Starting with just a lump of clay they make it into something beautiful. I’ve been fascinated as I’ve watched the clay become a set of delicate cups or a large chandelier. A shapeless lump of clay has been fashioned into something beautiful.

I’ve never worked with clay myself but marvel at the skill of others. While watching I realised I’m the lump of clay, being fashioned by the Master Potter. I started life wonderfully and beautifully made but it is only as I’ve progressed through the years that I’ve been fashioned and transformed. I hope some bits of me have been discarded – anger, jealousy, pride and other features. Some parts have been refined – patience, love, compassion, steadfastness.

I am not yet the finished work but ‘I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14