Kindness

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So often we remember and comment on the times that people have been inconsiderate or unkind to us. We seem to be good at holding grudges. But in actual fact we receive more kindness than we ever care to remember. If we stop to recall the acts of consideration shown towards us, they are probably more than we can count.

Think of the door that was held open for us even when we were slow; or the driver who didn’t cut us up at a roundabout or one who didn’t beat us into a parking space which they might have claimed for their own. Consider the person who sends us an encouraging letter or thanks us in a text.

As a Christian we have a chance to pass these kindnesses on in the name of Christ. It’s just a matter of thinking of others first and not ourselves. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy for Mary and Martha to welcome Jesus, especially if all His friends came along as well. They showed kindness out of love.

I Know the Owner

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This is the time of year for visiting stately homes. I’m the kind of person who is always intrigued by the rooms which are not open to the general public. I want to know what is behind those locked doors and to learn more about the owners. Of course, I can’t; they’re private.

When I once visited one of the mercy ships I was allowed to go into the private places because I was friendly with a member of the crew. I felt quite smug as I was able to see what others in my party were not able to see. And yes, it was fascinating.

I believe that when I get to heaven there won’t be any private areas or forbidden spaces. I will be welcome everywhere because I know the owner.

90

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Even in these modern times, it is an achievement to reach ninety years of age.The only person who I know who has managed this is my friend, June. Her name is no surprise as that is the month in which she was born. June is absolutely loved by everyone; some people are like that. When June’s husband, Roger, was alive, who shared a birthday with her, I used to visit them at this time of year with a small birthday cake. Roger is no longer with us but a large crowd from church came to celebrate her reaching her ninetieth birthday.

As well as being notable missionaries in India, they were the parents of five children, now all serving the Lord in various parts of the country, Their’s is and was lives worth living.

Legally Correct

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As I’m moving house in a few weeks time, I’ve just been to see my solicitor to sign several papers. I was struck with the professional way the young lady dealt with everything. Each step was carefully explained to me and I only signed when I fully understood and nothing was left to misinterpretation. It seemed legally correct to me with no loopholes.

It is just the same with our God who made a contract with us that Jesus would be sent as a Saviour to free us from our sins. His death was to do what we couldn’t do for ourselves. But it didn’t come to pass in a haphazard way. Biblical scholars will tell us that the whole of the Old Testament points to the coming of Christ. As we read page after page we will find that various prophets have foretold of the event. Nothing was left to chance; each prophecy was fulfilled. It was the most meticiously planned event in the whole of history.

I can be Heard

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As you might have read in my previous blogs I recently watched my local football team play at Wembley on a very large scene with dozens of other supporters. The noise level was off the scale. I wonder how blind Bartimaeus was heard over the clamour of the crowd. ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.’ ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.’

However hopeless the situation seemed, Bartimaeus was not going to give up but Jesus was able to hear a whisper or even feel a touch to the hem of His garment. ‘Call him,’ said Jesus. My Bible says the blind man leapt up and came to Jesus but I’m sure his friends guided him. ‘What do you want me to do for you?, Jesus asked. Obviously Jesus knew what the man wanted but He wanted to hear him say it.

Jesus says to us ‘What do you want?’ He will hear us even when we answer through torrents of tears or through clenched teeth. He will never miss our call for help. May we all ask ‘Lord, open my eyes, I want more spiritual awareness.’

Win or Lose

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Following the thought of football matches, although my team is in a winning streak at the moment, I know that won’t last and at some time we will be losing matches before we get back to winning them again. That is the manner of sport – some you win and some you lose

Our trust in God is not like that; we are always on the winning side. Things will not always go our way, but they will always go God’s way. God has our best interests at heart and He will ordain everything for our good. This will include dark days and weary ways as well as triumphant times and days of blessing. We need in the darkness to remember what we learned in the light and in the light to remember what we learned in the darkness. This will keep us on God’s even keel.

Change of Plan

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I recently had a train journey which went anything but smoothly. Because of a train derailment further up the line, I was directed to another route where I had several changes of train. My plans for the day were in disarray. Then to keep myself calm and while away the time I began to think of people in the Bible whose plans were changed, big time.

Paul set out on a journey to persecute Christians which was his normal practice. Before the day was out he had fallen on his knees, gone blind, was not able to complete his journey and was given a new name. That rather puts my train delays in the shade. I was not injured in any way, had retained my sight, did eventually complete my journey and kept my identity throughout.

Like Paul, God turned my plans into small adventures for His good. Cancelled trains mean crowds of people. Before I was even able to get on my first train I managed to grab the only empty platform seat and I found myself sitting next to a friend I hadn’t seen for months. She was able to tell me of the progress of a mutual friend who had been involved in a car accident. Later that day she was able to pass on my good wishes to the injured friend. I was then introduced to a further friend of hers also waiting for non-existent trains. As Christians we had a lot in common and were able to talk about Christian matters. Very small incidents but I was able to go on my way rejoicing. Potential frustration was turned into satisfaction. God had gone before.

Christian Writers

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Last weekend I went to a Christian writers’ conference in Stirling. What a joy is was to meet fellow Christians face to face, those who were Christians as well as writers. We had a brilliant speaker, worthwhile discussions and a time of great encouragement.

Isolation is one of the dangers of this age. Loneliness is a growing problem. Covid and increased technology are a couple of the reasons. We have got out of the habit of meeting together. Zoom and the telephone are of value but nothing beats a hug of handshake. An increased lack of mobility can be a problem for some and a valid reason for not meeting with others.

Singing in the bath might sound good but singing with others in a packed church or hall is far better for us. Podcasts, videos and other ways of hearing God’s word are good but much better to listen to a sermon surrounded by others, with a chance to discuss it with fellow worshippers. The Bible gives us guidance. In Ecclesiastes we read ‘Two are better than one’ and in Hebrews 10:25 we also read ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,’ So thank you to the Scottish Fellowship of Christian Writers for being intentional and allowing us to meet face to face.

Communion

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In Luke 22:19 we read’Do this in remembrance of me.’ Nowadays this supper and instruction goes under various names ‘Breaking of Bread, Eucharist, Last Supper, or Communion depending on the type of church where we worship. Whatever the title the ceremony is still remembering our Lord and His sacrifice for us. We read the account of this meal firstly in Luke 22:7-23 and again in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 .

This is a covenant between God, us and each other which is good when we actually take the elements together. Without the shedding of blood there is no healing. Jesus had to shed His blood for our healing. Love and justice meet at the cross.

There are times when we make the ceremony something we have to do when all that is necessary is to receive. As requested we need to remember. This service is a reminder. There are not many commands that Jesus gives us, but this is one ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’

Goliaths

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From time to time Goliaths appear in our lives. appear in all our lives. We are faced with insurmountable problems, worries and disasters which are quite ”insurmountable.’ I’m not a person who naturally worries a lot but when these concerns arise I do my share of worrying. Being a person who likes to be in control I keep thinking of solutions. Usually there are none. Night-times seem to be for scheming and not for sleeping.

I need to take a leaf out of David, the shepherd’s, life. He didn’t scheme or plan or have sleepless nights. I wonder if he worried at all when he faced the giant Goliath. Reading the psalms that he wrote later in his life I imagine he was completely calm. His trust was solely in God. ‘I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel,’ he cried ‘It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves.’