I am sorry, but it is true. God made dinosaurs.
One aspect of religion that I have been thinking about lately is the age old argument of Creationism Vs Evolution. Dawkins would have us all believe that there is a massive issue with the two and how they don't work in tandem with one another. In fact, a lot of prominant Christians would also have us believe that the two cannot be mutually true. Let me start straight away by saying I am NOT a Creationist, I do not believe that creation happened as literally as Genesis states. Nor am I a scientist. I have not studied the in's and out's of biology to any level other than my GCSEs. So, why am I writing this post? Because I feel that I am a rational human being with faith.
Firstly, I am not going to deny the existence of something that is proven. Fossils have been found, dinosaurs existed, humans share DNA with Apes and such like. This is fact. When people turn around and blindly state that it is not true they make themselves look narrow minded and, in my opinion, foolish and thus make what they stand for look foolish too. Often I have been informed by non-believers that I don't believe in evolution because I am a Christian. That is simply not true, I am a Christian, yes, and yes, I also believe in evolution.
So, why is the account of the Bible creation so vastly different from what science knows to be true? There are many reasons
Some state that translation of the word "day" - some state that this word is not the literal 24 hour period that we understand as a day but simply a period of time. A section of existence. God operates outside of time, he is not bound by our simplistic human understanding of the passing of hours, a minute to us could be an eternity to God. If those 6 days of creation were actually 6 million years of creation then evolution fits. (that is a loose estimation when it comes to time, I am not well versed in science, as stated earlier, or how many million years ago the world was created)
Secondly, when the Bible was written there was a lack of scientific awareness. That is obvious. Progress has since been made and we have learned about different aspects of the past from what we have discovered with the modern tools and scientic anaylsis we have. People who wrote the Bible were looking at the past in a very different way to the way in which we see it. They did not have the tools or the understanding to make the theories we do so could only write as they saw. They saw the various animals that they had and concluded that they were as God created them. God did create them, time evolved them. The two are not counter productive as arguments.
Lastly, my translation of the Bible does not list any animal specifically at the point of creation. It does not say "God created an elephant, it was grey and had large tusks and floppy ears" - the translation I have before me simply states "Beasts of the land and sea and birds of the air" - the scope is wide open for what these creatures are. There is no mention of them being the evolved and domesticated creatures that we have today. It is not until much later in the Bible that animals start to be named as specifics. Sheep for sacrifice, clean and unclean animals appearing in visions, birds such as doves and ravens being used in Noah's ark. Creation does not state specifics about what these creatures were.
This is by no means a fact. This is just the ponderings that I have thought over the last few weeks. I have been listening to a lot of the arguments that Dawkins puts forward in his videos. The man may not know much about faith (although he speaks about it a lot) but he knows his science and in that aspect, he is worth listening to.
Science does not disprove the existence of God and his creation it simply is the study of his creation.
Monday 18 October 2010
Sunday 17 October 2010
Live to serve
I was prompted into writing this blog in response to my good friend Steve. He has spoken on his blog about his son taking the first steps to be an Alter server in the Church of England.
This is an old tradition that goes back to the times before the great schism when the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church broke apart and it is a tradition that has stayed in the high end of the Anglican church. I was brought up in a very traditional little village church and it was actually my fairly modern and forward thinking Vicar that suggested I become an alter server. I served very happily for most of my youth and when I came back to exploring my ordination I started to serve again, until my move to Christchurch.
Steve's son's tentative steps into the hierachy of the Anglican church lead me to wonder, what did I get out of serving? What has it done for me? I know with most church based work it is not a case of what you get out of it but what you put into it, but I wondered, there were other people on sidesperson duty that could deliver the chalice just as well as I was able to, the only difference was the attire. I wore long black and white robes similar to the vicar when I served and the other sidespersons didnt'.
Why did my Vicar choose me to be an alter server? These thoughts have been running through my mind lately and I think I have hit upon an answer.
As an alter server I learned a lot about the church. The way it worked, the rules, the traditions and ceremonies, the politics and the general nitty gritty involved in the day to day running of services. I gained an insight into the work of a Vicar which has stood me in good stead for my current journey. Perhaps my vicar saw something in me then that made him believe it would be useful to me in the future. Perhaps my sense of calling was stronger than I realised and was already being outwardly projected to other people.
I also learned a lot about myself, I learned that I was capable of doing some aspects of the services in church, I was able to stand at the front and speak words from the book of common prayer and lead people through the minefield of Christian lingo to affirm our faith and repent of our sins. I learned that people accepted me in that role and my place within the church. I was encouraged by those involved in church life, the vicar, the wardens, the other sidespersons and the congregation. They appeared to enjoy having a young face in the team and I was happy to be there.
I became closer to God in terms of faith. I felt that I was working directly for him. I now know that all Christians are working for God (or should be striving to do so) but when I was younger I thought it was only the clergy that worked for God. The ceremony and tradition gave me a sense of value within the church, I was no longer just another young person, but one that had a set direction and I think this made me more open to the plans that God had lined up for me.
Most importantly though I learned the value of service. I don't mean delivering the chalice to people or leading from the front but genuine service, doing jobs for other people simply because it is a good thing to do. Being an alter server has instilled those values in me and I *try* to be good at service now. Life does have a tendancy to get in the way and I know that I have not always been the best server I could be - at home for example I would often shy away from various chores such as washing up. I suppose the main reason is that it was my family and I didn't feel that I needed to make any special effort there which is not the right attitude to have.
Since I have moved across to Christchurch I have tried to serve as best I can. I quite enjoy helping others and easing the load when I am able to. Sometimes it is difficult to serve without being detremential to yourself, sometimes you can do too much and wear yourself out or simply not have enough time for your own rest and relaxation. I think a lot of Christians can experience this "burn out" if time is not well managed. It all ties in with what we were learning about on our leadership course this week. Jesus spoke about not having to make oathes to people and simply letting your yes be yes and your no be no without putting in time frames and other stipulations.
If people ask me to do something I will do my best to get it done. I cannot promise it will be instant though. I think that serving in my little church in Granborough helped me to see how much serving others is appreciated and valued, after all Jesus was the servant king and I do wear WWJD on my wrist - what would Jesus do? I am uttetly convinced he would serve.
So, if you pop around, expect a cup of tea.
God Bless
This is an old tradition that goes back to the times before the great schism when the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church broke apart and it is a tradition that has stayed in the high end of the Anglican church. I was brought up in a very traditional little village church and it was actually my fairly modern and forward thinking Vicar that suggested I become an alter server. I served very happily for most of my youth and when I came back to exploring my ordination I started to serve again, until my move to Christchurch.
Steve's son's tentative steps into the hierachy of the Anglican church lead me to wonder, what did I get out of serving? What has it done for me? I know with most church based work it is not a case of what you get out of it but what you put into it, but I wondered, there were other people on sidesperson duty that could deliver the chalice just as well as I was able to, the only difference was the attire. I wore long black and white robes similar to the vicar when I served and the other sidespersons didnt'.
Why did my Vicar choose me to be an alter server? These thoughts have been running through my mind lately and I think I have hit upon an answer.
As an alter server I learned a lot about the church. The way it worked, the rules, the traditions and ceremonies, the politics and the general nitty gritty involved in the day to day running of services. I gained an insight into the work of a Vicar which has stood me in good stead for my current journey. Perhaps my vicar saw something in me then that made him believe it would be useful to me in the future. Perhaps my sense of calling was stronger than I realised and was already being outwardly projected to other people.
I also learned a lot about myself, I learned that I was capable of doing some aspects of the services in church, I was able to stand at the front and speak words from the book of common prayer and lead people through the minefield of Christian lingo to affirm our faith and repent of our sins. I learned that people accepted me in that role and my place within the church. I was encouraged by those involved in church life, the vicar, the wardens, the other sidespersons and the congregation. They appeared to enjoy having a young face in the team and I was happy to be there.
I became closer to God in terms of faith. I felt that I was working directly for him. I now know that all Christians are working for God (or should be striving to do so) but when I was younger I thought it was only the clergy that worked for God. The ceremony and tradition gave me a sense of value within the church, I was no longer just another young person, but one that had a set direction and I think this made me more open to the plans that God had lined up for me.
Most importantly though I learned the value of service. I don't mean delivering the chalice to people or leading from the front but genuine service, doing jobs for other people simply because it is a good thing to do. Being an alter server has instilled those values in me and I *try* to be good at service now. Life does have a tendancy to get in the way and I know that I have not always been the best server I could be - at home for example I would often shy away from various chores such as washing up. I suppose the main reason is that it was my family and I didn't feel that I needed to make any special effort there which is not the right attitude to have.
Since I have moved across to Christchurch I have tried to serve as best I can. I quite enjoy helping others and easing the load when I am able to. Sometimes it is difficult to serve without being detremential to yourself, sometimes you can do too much and wear yourself out or simply not have enough time for your own rest and relaxation. I think a lot of Christians can experience this "burn out" if time is not well managed. It all ties in with what we were learning about on our leadership course this week. Jesus spoke about not having to make oathes to people and simply letting your yes be yes and your no be no without putting in time frames and other stipulations.
If people ask me to do something I will do my best to get it done. I cannot promise it will be instant though. I think that serving in my little church in Granborough helped me to see how much serving others is appreciated and valued, after all Jesus was the servant king and I do wear WWJD on my wrist - what would Jesus do? I am uttetly convinced he would serve.
So, if you pop around, expect a cup of tea.
God Bless
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Born to lead?
Today I had the first set of lectures in the term at CML. We are doing the Leadership module.
The lecturer started with introducing the different styles of leadership that are prevailent in the world today and how each of them differ, we did a lot of questionaire tests to work out our own style and generally to assess where we are. But the most interesting and perhaps challenging part of today was when he said "Everyone is born with the ability to lead" - I am not sure that I agree.
As Christians we are constantly told about discerning what gifts God has for you. I remember being told over the years that not everyone is supposed to do everything. Some people don't play any instruments or have the ability to sing, so the chances are God is not going to call them to be worship leaders. Some people really don't do well with reading aloud and in front of people, so chances are God is not going to choose them to do Bible readings at cell/life groups or at church. But then this phrase comes in that we are all called to lead? Some people, I am afraid, are not born leaders. They don't inspire or motivate people, their gifts are not in time management or planning. Some people just lack charisma that is needed for leadership. It is not a bad thing, their gifts, no doubt, lay elsewhere but I just don't think it is healthy to suggest that everyone can be taught to lead because it is already within them somewhere.
The lecturer was also talking about influence and Christians infiltrating society in order to evengelise in a way that was not shouting from street corners with a megaphone and I full agree that Christians are called to influence people with their chosen way to live. The morals that go against the accepted secular norm in favour of a different way of life. I fully agree that influence is PART of leadership.
For example, if I were to buy a homeless person a cup of coffee because I felt that I should and that example caused a passerby to reconsider their stance on charity, that is influence. I don't think it is leadership. Leadership comes with a more hands on approach over a longer period of time. You have to be there to walk with people as they progress, you have to motivate and encourage in times that are difficult, you have to reward their success and share in their joy of achievement. This is a process that is on-going and could last for years (or until the end of a project)
I also agree that different leaders and different styles of leadership are needed for various times and varying socities and such like but I still don't think that everyone has the ability to be a leader.
Ultimately, it is in the hands of God. My personal faith would have me believe that God would never call you to do something that you are not capable of. Maybe there is a dormant and underlying seed of leadership within everyone he created that is awoken at the right point, for the right purpose and then is done. I don't know.
Just thought I would share my thoughts.
God Bless
The lecturer started with introducing the different styles of leadership that are prevailent in the world today and how each of them differ, we did a lot of questionaire tests to work out our own style and generally to assess where we are. But the most interesting and perhaps challenging part of today was when he said "Everyone is born with the ability to lead" - I am not sure that I agree.
As Christians we are constantly told about discerning what gifts God has for you. I remember being told over the years that not everyone is supposed to do everything. Some people don't play any instruments or have the ability to sing, so the chances are God is not going to call them to be worship leaders. Some people really don't do well with reading aloud and in front of people, so chances are God is not going to choose them to do Bible readings at cell/life groups or at church. But then this phrase comes in that we are all called to lead? Some people, I am afraid, are not born leaders. They don't inspire or motivate people, their gifts are not in time management or planning. Some people just lack charisma that is needed for leadership. It is not a bad thing, their gifts, no doubt, lay elsewhere but I just don't think it is healthy to suggest that everyone can be taught to lead because it is already within them somewhere.
The lecturer was also talking about influence and Christians infiltrating society in order to evengelise in a way that was not shouting from street corners with a megaphone and I full agree that Christians are called to influence people with their chosen way to live. The morals that go against the accepted secular norm in favour of a different way of life. I fully agree that influence is PART of leadership.
For example, if I were to buy a homeless person a cup of coffee because I felt that I should and that example caused a passerby to reconsider their stance on charity, that is influence. I don't think it is leadership. Leadership comes with a more hands on approach over a longer period of time. You have to be there to walk with people as they progress, you have to motivate and encourage in times that are difficult, you have to reward their success and share in their joy of achievement. This is a process that is on-going and could last for years (or until the end of a project)
I also agree that different leaders and different styles of leadership are needed for various times and varying socities and such like but I still don't think that everyone has the ability to be a leader.
Ultimately, it is in the hands of God. My personal faith would have me believe that God would never call you to do something that you are not capable of. Maybe there is a dormant and underlying seed of leadership within everyone he created that is awoken at the right point, for the right purpose and then is done. I don't know.
Just thought I would share my thoughts.
God Bless
Tuesday 28 September 2010
My Faith
This is possibly going to be one of the most open and honest posts I have made on this blog so far. I am not saying that for any other reason that I think it is important. I am not trying to make a point or convey anything other than what I am currently feeling.
Today we had listening prayers at the vicarage. We have listening prayers every Tuesday morning, we are given a part to read from the Bible and then we sit in silence and contemplate it and listen to what God says and where he takes us from there. Today I was struck by one particular phrase that came to mind in my quiet time. "You cannot change the world until you first change your own world" and I knew instantly what it was about.
Potentially in 5 years time I could be a vicar, I could be leading a church somewhere in the country and facilitating the faith and needs of a whole host of people. Am I in a position at this moment in time where I feel capable of doing that? Can I cope with having a hand in other peoples journey with God when my own is still navigating past rocky patches and places where the brambles are overgrown and blocking the way.
When I was younger, around the age of 12, my faith was utterly unshakeable. Nothing could stop me in my belief, nothing made me question the existence of my God and nothing could provide an unanswerable quandry. I saw everything in black and white. This was right and this was wrong. There was no middle ground. I wish I had the first part of that back. I am pleased that I am now more relaxed in my faith and that I have a more personal relationship with God but I wish I could return to the time when my faith was utterly unwavering (although I would rather not return to my more militant and fundementalist views). Jesus said to his disciples that we all need to have faith like Children and I think for the first time in my life I really understand what that means on a personal level. It was much easier to believe when I was younger.
Suprisingly, one of my favourite films comes up with a good explaination of that. Dogma, while meant to be a frivilous look at the way the Catholic Church operates and a film that is not scripturally accurate etc, it does make one good point. A character states "Faith is like filling a cup, when you are younger the cup is very small and it is easy to fill. When you get older the cup gets bigger and the same amount no longer fills it" - I would not say that I feel spiritually empty or even that I am going through a wilderness time but simply that my affairs, spiritually, are not in order. I have not made enough time with God to develop my relationship with him, I've not listened well enough to what he has said. If I am totally honest, then I have, for some time, talked the talk without walking the walk.
When I was sitting in listening prayers today a song entered my thoughts. It was Silent Night, the version released in the 60s by Simon and Garfunkle. For those that have never heard it, they play a very simple stripped back version with the 6pm evening news playing in the background. The news is talking about murder, fires, destruction and chaos and all the time the angelic voice of Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon sing about heavenly peace in a beautiful and poigniant paradox. I was struck especially by one line "Sleep in heavenly peace" and I thought to myself, that is exactly what I am doing. I am allowing myself to slumber in my faith, to coast along in my safe little Christian bubble when actually there is a lot more going on underneath than I am allowing myself to be involved with. I am being challanged and I am ignoring it, I am being called and turning my back. I need to confront myself and the fear that I have and stand up tall in my faith again. I know that I need to deal with the issues that I have based on my personal development with Jesus and
just feel the love that is offered to me.
I can talk about the love of God, I can find the references to the mercy and the grace, to the awesome sacrifice, to the ultimate gift that has been given to me despite my many human failings but I cannot feel it. How can I show it if I don't feel it. My faith is very much alive and it is still, I hope, shining through in what I do, but I think, like the version of Silent Night, I need to strip back everything else, get back to basics and just immerse myself in the love of our Lord.
Prayers would be appreciated.
God Bless
Sam
Today we had listening prayers at the vicarage. We have listening prayers every Tuesday morning, we are given a part to read from the Bible and then we sit in silence and contemplate it and listen to what God says and where he takes us from there. Today I was struck by one particular phrase that came to mind in my quiet time. "You cannot change the world until you first change your own world" and I knew instantly what it was about.
Potentially in 5 years time I could be a vicar, I could be leading a church somewhere in the country and facilitating the faith and needs of a whole host of people. Am I in a position at this moment in time where I feel capable of doing that? Can I cope with having a hand in other peoples journey with God when my own is still navigating past rocky patches and places where the brambles are overgrown and blocking the way.
When I was younger, around the age of 12, my faith was utterly unshakeable. Nothing could stop me in my belief, nothing made me question the existence of my God and nothing could provide an unanswerable quandry. I saw everything in black and white. This was right and this was wrong. There was no middle ground. I wish I had the first part of that back. I am pleased that I am now more relaxed in my faith and that I have a more personal relationship with God but I wish I could return to the time when my faith was utterly unwavering (although I would rather not return to my more militant and fundementalist views). Jesus said to his disciples that we all need to have faith like Children and I think for the first time in my life I really understand what that means on a personal level. It was much easier to believe when I was younger.
Suprisingly, one of my favourite films comes up with a good explaination of that. Dogma, while meant to be a frivilous look at the way the Catholic Church operates and a film that is not scripturally accurate etc, it does make one good point. A character states "Faith is like filling a cup, when you are younger the cup is very small and it is easy to fill. When you get older the cup gets bigger and the same amount no longer fills it" - I would not say that I feel spiritually empty or even that I am going through a wilderness time but simply that my affairs, spiritually, are not in order. I have not made enough time with God to develop my relationship with him, I've not listened well enough to what he has said. If I am totally honest, then I have, for some time, talked the talk without walking the walk.
When I was sitting in listening prayers today a song entered my thoughts. It was Silent Night, the version released in the 60s by Simon and Garfunkle. For those that have never heard it, they play a very simple stripped back version with the 6pm evening news playing in the background. The news is talking about murder, fires, destruction and chaos and all the time the angelic voice of Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon sing about heavenly peace in a beautiful and poigniant paradox. I was struck especially by one line "Sleep in heavenly peace" and I thought to myself, that is exactly what I am doing. I am allowing myself to slumber in my faith, to coast along in my safe little Christian bubble when actually there is a lot more going on underneath than I am allowing myself to be involved with. I am being challanged and I am ignoring it, I am being called and turning my back. I need to confront myself and the fear that I have and stand up tall in my faith again. I know that I need to deal with the issues that I have based on my personal development with Jesus and
just feel the love that is offered to me.
I can talk about the love of God, I can find the references to the mercy and the grace, to the awesome sacrifice, to the ultimate gift that has been given to me despite my many human failings but I cannot feel it. How can I show it if I don't feel it. My faith is very much alive and it is still, I hope, shining through in what I do, but I think, like the version of Silent Night, I need to strip back everything else, get back to basics and just immerse myself in the love of our Lord.
Prayers would be appreciated.
God Bless
Sam
Sunday 26 September 2010
Celebrity Christian Culture
We live in a world of Celebrity. It is, in my opinion, unfortunate. We are constantly bombarded by news articles, television programmes, websites and entire magazines dedicated to "being a celebrity" - it has been linked with girls having negative images of themselve, guys feeling the need to use steroids to change their body, the rise in numbers of people with eating disorders, huge amounts of money spent on surgical body enhancement in order to be like these famous folk. It is a huge market, one that produces a lot of revenue for many people and one that a vast number of people buy into and lap up on a regular basis.
Perhaps more dissappointly it seems to also have infiltrated Christian culture. Rather than the Christianity being a good example to the shallow and superficial world of Celebrity it seems that Celebrity has managed to inflict it's own shallow and superficial stance on Christians.
Christianity seems to be having a revival with huge festival style meetings and speakers flown in from all over the world hailed as "The most dynamic and most creative Chrisitan speaker ever" or Worship leaders that have "Sold hundreds and thousands of albums worldwide". Many Christians speakers do so with intergrity and continue to use their time on stage before thousands of other Christians for the right reason, Jesus, and the message that he wanted delivered.
Sometimes, however, it does feel like some speakers are not giving all the glory to God, not speaking with humility that I believe should be associated with their words, not rooting their messages in scripture and generally missing the point. Fortunately they are few and far between and, like I mentioned earlier, the vast number of Christian preachers and speakers do have intergrity and genuine love of Jesus.
But who is responsible for the ones that don't? Is it totally their fault that they have been raised up onto a pedestal and start to believe their own hype and maybe even revel in their new found fame in their comfortable neich market? Or do we, as Christians, have a responsibility to monitor those that speak and deliver the word of God? Is it up to us to judge and speak out if there is something that does not feel right to us.
Another aspect of this whole "Christian Celebrity" culture is the obvious hawking of books, cd's and dvd's. I don't have an issue with people writing books and asking people to pay for them, likewise with CD's and DVD's but I object to the constant barrage you get, at some Christian events, of the phrase "You can buy this... this is avilable for... for a bargain price of..." and having the stalls to sell them right there in the tent. Jesus kicked over tables and stopped people trading in the temple, is this really that far removed? (Perhaps the main difference being the lack of corruption in the Christian marketplace)
Sorry, somewhat of a rant there but I think I needed to get it off my chest. It is hard to become a well known Christian speaker and not be given many compliments on your ability to communicate and speaking from the experience I gained in the entertainment industry, it is very hard not to let constant encouragements and praise coupled with compliments and applause inflate the ego just a little bit.
Perhaps more dissappointly it seems to also have infiltrated Christian culture. Rather than the Christianity being a good example to the shallow and superficial world of Celebrity it seems that Celebrity has managed to inflict it's own shallow and superficial stance on Christians.
Christianity seems to be having a revival with huge festival style meetings and speakers flown in from all over the world hailed as "The most dynamic and most creative Chrisitan speaker ever" or Worship leaders that have "Sold hundreds and thousands of albums worldwide". Many Christians speakers do so with intergrity and continue to use their time on stage before thousands of other Christians for the right reason, Jesus, and the message that he wanted delivered.
Sometimes, however, it does feel like some speakers are not giving all the glory to God, not speaking with humility that I believe should be associated with their words, not rooting their messages in scripture and generally missing the point. Fortunately they are few and far between and, like I mentioned earlier, the vast number of Christian preachers and speakers do have intergrity and genuine love of Jesus.
But who is responsible for the ones that don't? Is it totally their fault that they have been raised up onto a pedestal and start to believe their own hype and maybe even revel in their new found fame in their comfortable neich market? Or do we, as Christians, have a responsibility to monitor those that speak and deliver the word of God? Is it up to us to judge and speak out if there is something that does not feel right to us.
Another aspect of this whole "Christian Celebrity" culture is the obvious hawking of books, cd's and dvd's. I don't have an issue with people writing books and asking people to pay for them, likewise with CD's and DVD's but I object to the constant barrage you get, at some Christian events, of the phrase "You can buy this... this is avilable for... for a bargain price of..." and having the stalls to sell them right there in the tent. Jesus kicked over tables and stopped people trading in the temple, is this really that far removed? (Perhaps the main difference being the lack of corruption in the Christian marketplace)
Sorry, somewhat of a rant there but I think I needed to get it off my chest. It is hard to become a well known Christian speaker and not be given many compliments on your ability to communicate and speaking from the experience I gained in the entertainment industry, it is very hard not to let constant encouragements and praise coupled with compliments and applause inflate the ego just a little bit.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
20s Cell
So, last night was the first meeting of the 20 somethings group from Chorleywood church. In an aim to give people a place to progress to at the end of the youth programme and also to make sure that the uni students have somewhere they can go with people of a similar age when they are back in the area between terms, this group has been setup with an aim to do worship, Bible study, discussion and general social activities (BANTER)- the group is currently nameless.
There were many people there last night. However, it will soon reduce in number as the students head off to various years of university life. Some of them for the first time. The vision is that there will be a sort of buddy system where those of us that will be regular in attendance will feed information on to those at uni. This will keep them very much in the loop and part of the fellowship.
Last night we examined 1 John Chapter 1. What I was struck by in this chapter was that it was based on experience. This was a letter from John, a man who had actually walked side by side with Jesus, spoken to him face to face and shared bread with him, saying that he would not be complete in his joy until he had shared it with others. Were three says "What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ"
An amazing verse. John who experienced Christ first hand, on a personal level, wants to share that experience with us so that we too may be part of the fellowship. Not just an addition, not just a number to add to the people who believe but an equal partner in the fellowship. Not only that but the fellowship is also between God and Jesus. We are allowed, through the word, to join with the intimate and unending relationship of Father and Son. One of unconditional love and infinate wisdom.
The rest of the chapter has a focus on Jesus as the light of the world. With him there is NO darkness and if we too want to announce that we walk in the light then we actually have to do it. There is no chance to hide in the shadows and be in darkness in our hearts and minds and simply pay lip service. Doing so is a lie and it was really interesting to read that the end of the chapter stated "If we say we have not sinned we make him (God) a liar and his word is not in us"
Not only is it deceptive to ourselves to think we are blameless and sinless but to announce it is to suggest that God is wrong when he says we are sinful. Jesus made it very clear that all have sinned and only in the acknowledgement of that and choosing to walk in the light of Jesus, joining in with that fellowship shared by God and Jesus, do we become purified by his sacrifice.
Amazing evening and one that spoke to me on a very personal level. For a long time I have felt that I am simply paying lip service to my faith. I have been scared to stand out from the crowd as a Christian and I have lacked the courage to want to encourage others to listen to what Jesus has for them so that they too may share in something that has improved my life tenfold. I hope that this year I grow in my relationship with God. I have, in recent years, taken him off of my spiritual speed-dial. He is not the first person I turn to when I am happy, when I am sad or in need. He should be. I should glorify him in all that I do and I really believe that this year is going to help me do that in preparation for further ministry.
Your prayers would be appreciated.
There were many people there last night. However, it will soon reduce in number as the students head off to various years of university life. Some of them for the first time. The vision is that there will be a sort of buddy system where those of us that will be regular in attendance will feed information on to those at uni. This will keep them very much in the loop and part of the fellowship.
Last night we examined 1 John Chapter 1. What I was struck by in this chapter was that it was based on experience. This was a letter from John, a man who had actually walked side by side with Jesus, spoken to him face to face and shared bread with him, saying that he would not be complete in his joy until he had shared it with others. Were three says "What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ"
An amazing verse. John who experienced Christ first hand, on a personal level, wants to share that experience with us so that we too may be part of the fellowship. Not just an addition, not just a number to add to the people who believe but an equal partner in the fellowship. Not only that but the fellowship is also between God and Jesus. We are allowed, through the word, to join with the intimate and unending relationship of Father and Son. One of unconditional love and infinate wisdom.
The rest of the chapter has a focus on Jesus as the light of the world. With him there is NO darkness and if we too want to announce that we walk in the light then we actually have to do it. There is no chance to hide in the shadows and be in darkness in our hearts and minds and simply pay lip service. Doing so is a lie and it was really interesting to read that the end of the chapter stated "If we say we have not sinned we make him (God) a liar and his word is not in us"
Not only is it deceptive to ourselves to think we are blameless and sinless but to announce it is to suggest that God is wrong when he says we are sinful. Jesus made it very clear that all have sinned and only in the acknowledgement of that and choosing to walk in the light of Jesus, joining in with that fellowship shared by God and Jesus, do we become purified by his sacrifice.
Amazing evening and one that spoke to me on a very personal level. For a long time I have felt that I am simply paying lip service to my faith. I have been scared to stand out from the crowd as a Christian and I have lacked the courage to want to encourage others to listen to what Jesus has for them so that they too may share in something that has improved my life tenfold. I hope that this year I grow in my relationship with God. I have, in recent years, taken him off of my spiritual speed-dial. He is not the first person I turn to when I am happy, when I am sad or in need. He should be. I should glorify him in all that I do and I really believe that this year is going to help me do that in preparation for further ministry.
Your prayers would be appreciated.
Saturday 18 September 2010
3D - First Thoughts
Last night was the first 3D event of the term. 3D is based at St Andrew's church in Chorleywood and is a combined meeting of the young people from St Andrew's and from Christchurch lead by Bob (our youth minister) and Con (St Andrew's Youth minister)
The day yesterday started with a lunch at Bob's house so that we could meet Con and his team of interns. They also have three people working with them on the youth side (St Andrew's also have three interns for the children's ministry - so six of them do the same job that Jon, Fiona and myself do - but St Andrew's is much bigger!)They have a great team working with them. Ally from Scotland, Becky from Doncaster and Gemma who is from Bournemouth and doing her second year of internship with St Andrew's. There was a good atmosphere which I think was helped by the fact that Con and Bob grew up together and have been close friends since then. When your leaders have clearly bonded so well it filters through. Also, everyone is friendly and sociable which helps!
So, the main event. Fiona, Jon and I were a little late arriving. Not because we are tardy or disorganitsed but simply because we have to come straight from the children's group FFF at Arnett Hills School - so by the time we have packed up and driven across to 3D we miss the first 20 minutes or so. This time is used for the young people to socialise and generally get to know each other. There is a tuck shop, places to chat, Nintentdo Wii and Playstation. The interns and leaders mingle and filter through generally helping to welcome people.
The evening started with a game of getting to know the new interns from both churches. We were made to lay down on rolls of wall paper and were drawn around by the youth. They then had to use our outlines to create a wrestling persona for us. The group of girls that decorated me gave me gangstar pants and lot's of bling. After much chuckling and banter we started a worship session. Gemma was on guitar with a young chap (don't know his name) on a single drum. There is something about stripped back simple worship that I still find very appealing.
We also watched part of a talk called Hope by an American Pastor called Louie Giglio (although I may have spelled his name incorrectly) - there was a point in my life where I didn't like Mr Giglio. In the late 90s he was the most quoted person at all Christian events, it seemed that you could not believe without approval from Louie Giglio or if you had not heard him personally. My thoughts were unfounded and I guess I just resented the fact that there are lots of fantastic speakers who seemingly were not getting a look in. However, his talk last night on hope when we have reached rock bottom and how easy it is to blame God for the troubles in our lives was really good and rather inspirational. Just looking around the room you could see how well the youth were listening and connecting with it. Some of them I knew were in that rock bottom place, others I have not met yet and don't know where they stand, but there was definate connection with the words in that room.
Con stood up after and prayed. He also said that if anyone wanted to be prayed for to hold their hands out to signal to the leaders in the room that they wanted prayer. We then had to move around and pray for them, for whatever was on their minds and on their hearts. I come from quite a conservative traditional church originally and although I have had hands layed on me and prayers spoken over me and I have, in turn, prayed with other people and for other people, I had never actually been one to administer prayer in that sense. It was a Baptism of fire (no pun intended) and I just really had to rely on God to give me the right words to say so that those I prayed for felt that their request had been met.
It was a really good experience. There was definately some high emotion flying around and I don't know who has been affected in what way but the leaders all prayed later when the youth had departed that whatever had started there that evening could continue through the term, year and years to come.
Just wanted to share a little insight into what happens at 3D - Declare, Demonstrate and Deliver - attempting to promote church in a way that young people find easy to access.
God Bless
Sam
The day yesterday started with a lunch at Bob's house so that we could meet Con and his team of interns. They also have three people working with them on the youth side (St Andrew's also have three interns for the children's ministry - so six of them do the same job that Jon, Fiona and myself do - but St Andrew's is much bigger!)They have a great team working with them. Ally from Scotland, Becky from Doncaster and Gemma who is from Bournemouth and doing her second year of internship with St Andrew's. There was a good atmosphere which I think was helped by the fact that Con and Bob grew up together and have been close friends since then. When your leaders have clearly bonded so well it filters through. Also, everyone is friendly and sociable which helps!
So, the main event. Fiona, Jon and I were a little late arriving. Not because we are tardy or disorganitsed but simply because we have to come straight from the children's group FFF at Arnett Hills School - so by the time we have packed up and driven across to 3D we miss the first 20 minutes or so. This time is used for the young people to socialise and generally get to know each other. There is a tuck shop, places to chat, Nintentdo Wii and Playstation. The interns and leaders mingle and filter through generally helping to welcome people.
The evening started with a game of getting to know the new interns from both churches. We were made to lay down on rolls of wall paper and were drawn around by the youth. They then had to use our outlines to create a wrestling persona for us. The group of girls that decorated me gave me gangstar pants and lot's of bling. After much chuckling and banter we started a worship session. Gemma was on guitar with a young chap (don't know his name) on a single drum. There is something about stripped back simple worship that I still find very appealing.
We also watched part of a talk called Hope by an American Pastor called Louie Giglio (although I may have spelled his name incorrectly) - there was a point in my life where I didn't like Mr Giglio. In the late 90s he was the most quoted person at all Christian events, it seemed that you could not believe without approval from Louie Giglio or if you had not heard him personally. My thoughts were unfounded and I guess I just resented the fact that there are lots of fantastic speakers who seemingly were not getting a look in. However, his talk last night on hope when we have reached rock bottom and how easy it is to blame God for the troubles in our lives was really good and rather inspirational. Just looking around the room you could see how well the youth were listening and connecting with it. Some of them I knew were in that rock bottom place, others I have not met yet and don't know where they stand, but there was definate connection with the words in that room.
Con stood up after and prayed. He also said that if anyone wanted to be prayed for to hold their hands out to signal to the leaders in the room that they wanted prayer. We then had to move around and pray for them, for whatever was on their minds and on their hearts. I come from quite a conservative traditional church originally and although I have had hands layed on me and prayers spoken over me and I have, in turn, prayed with other people and for other people, I had never actually been one to administer prayer in that sense. It was a Baptism of fire (no pun intended) and I just really had to rely on God to give me the right words to say so that those I prayed for felt that their request had been met.
It was a really good experience. There was definately some high emotion flying around and I don't know who has been affected in what way but the leaders all prayed later when the youth had departed that whatever had started there that evening could continue through the term, year and years to come.
Just wanted to share a little insight into what happens at 3D - Declare, Demonstrate and Deliver - attempting to promote church in a way that young people find easy to access.
God Bless
Sam
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