Dear Friends
Christmas is coming. At this time of year people often ask, "Are you nearly ready for Christmas?" The questions is often about Christmas shopping, getting the cards written and posted, preparing or buying all that extra food. When I am asked if I'm getting ready for Christmas I am never quite sure whether the question is about plans for Church services or preparations on the domestic front. The latter can be left a bit longer, but the Church preparations have to start early. So many people are involved. Singers, musicians and handbell ringers practise for weeks before taking part in services. People who arrange flowers and decorate churches have to start planning in plenty of time. There are numerous practical jobs that need to be done, and the more people there are involved, the more important it is to get started early.
So with all this going on it takes the pressure off when the tasks are shared. One task that is now being shared among the clergy in the South Notts Cluster is the monthly letter for the magazine. It makes quite a difference not having to compose a letter every month. I know some people are not so keen on the clergy taking it in turns, whilst others appreciate the fresh viewpoint that a different member of the Cluster team can offer. Personally, I enjoy reading the letters written by my clergy colleagues. This month Glenn has given us some food for thought, so do read his letter and ponder its message.
As for me, while the various preparations for Christmas are in progress, I am aware once again that long, long before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, God had been preparing the world for the coming of his Son. We think about that in Advent as we remember the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary the Mother of Jesus. These are key characters in the Bible, people who had a special part to play in God's plans and preparations. During Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we also think of God's plan that one day Christ will return to judge the world and to establish his perfect rule of justice and peace.
In the midst of your plans and preparations, as you get ready to celebrate Christmas, may you ponder the deeper meaning of the season.
I wish you love, joy and peace this Christmas and always.
Glynis Hetherington.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
December 2009 Vol. 31 No. 12
The Reverend Glenn Martin writes:
Dear Friends
Christmas is always a great time of the year especially for children, and at least for most people!!
However, for some Christmas is a sad and lonely time. Perhaps bereavement, loneliness, financial insecurity, ill health, immobility, can all play a part in making Christmas a tough time for some.
Of course Christmas is glamorised on the television, in shops, etc. and many who don't feel that glamour feel isolated, remote and dispirited by the season.
We perhaps have to remember the origins of the Christmas story. Nothing glamorous about the a baby born in a stable, on straw and seemingly accompanied by cows, sheep and the like. A distressed mother and probably somewhat anxious father; this is the way Jesus arrived in the world according to the gospels.
Yes over two thousand years later Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate this birth at Christmas thinking again about the story of Jesus and the journey and birth in Bethlehem. A seemingly timeless story with a timeless theme. God arrives and lives not in glamour but in the very ordinariness of life and being human.
Perhaps when we get some time to reflect, and if we feel negative about this time of the year and the season, then becoming aware that God is in all things and comes in the very simplicity of my life, then just maybe the season might become more significant, real and personal.
The story says God enters into human life in a very real, powerful, intimate but humble way and we are reminded He does the same today for us all.
May the true spirit of Christmas be with you and whatever your circumstances may you find peace and love in your heart and life this Christmas time. Remember Emmanuel God is with us... maybe this Christmas you may have a time and opportunity to spend time in church or in quiet reflection and find afresh the Lord who dwells in the very ordinariness of your soul, being and life, and find a very deep and real way to celebrate.
Every Christmas Blessing,
Revd Glenn Martin
Dear Friends
Christmas is always a great time of the year especially for children, and at least for most people!!
However, for some Christmas is a sad and lonely time. Perhaps bereavement, loneliness, financial insecurity, ill health, immobility, can all play a part in making Christmas a tough time for some.
Of course Christmas is glamorised on the television, in shops, etc. and many who don't feel that glamour feel isolated, remote and dispirited by the season.
We perhaps have to remember the origins of the Christmas story. Nothing glamorous about the a baby born in a stable, on straw and seemingly accompanied by cows, sheep and the like. A distressed mother and probably somewhat anxious father; this is the way Jesus arrived in the world according to the gospels.
Yes over two thousand years later Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate this birth at Christmas thinking again about the story of Jesus and the journey and birth in Bethlehem. A seemingly timeless story with a timeless theme. God arrives and lives not in glamour but in the very ordinariness of life and being human.
Perhaps when we get some time to reflect, and if we feel negative about this time of the year and the season, then becoming aware that God is in all things and comes in the very simplicity of my life, then just maybe the season might become more significant, real and personal.
The story says God enters into human life in a very real, powerful, intimate but humble way and we are reminded He does the same today for us all.
May the true spirit of Christmas be with you and whatever your circumstances may you find peace and love in your heart and life this Christmas time. Remember Emmanuel God is with us... maybe this Christmas you may have a time and opportunity to spend time in church or in quiet reflection and find afresh the Lord who dwells in the very ordinariness of your soul, being and life, and find a very deep and real way to celebrate.
Every Christmas Blessing,
Revd Glenn Martin
November 2009 Vol. 31 No. 11
Dear Friends
We have 'done' Harvest and we are just about to 'do' Remembrance. This is the time of year when the church's seasonal calendar offers us a clear framework of thought; as we move from thanksgiving (for Harvest) through remembering to the waiting (in Advent) in readiness for the joy of the Incarnation. I am aware that in rural communities the reality of the harvest is much more visible with locally produced potatoes, garden-grown apples, and homemade jams. It makes the thanksgiving more immediate and more relevant.
We are now entering the 'Kingdom' season of the church's year. This is time when we remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. All Saints Sunday gives us an opportunity to remember those who have died, as we ponder on the mystery of the 'Communion of Saints'. We hold special services for those who wish to remember their own departed loved ones, and light candles in their memories. We take part in Remembrance Sunday observances as we acknowledge the part played by those men and women who offered their lives in the service of their country during times of war.
This is the official remembering. But often, those memories that are treasured the most are the private ones. Those thoughts that remember small acts of kindness, often unasked for, but given as a gift. Many people sent me cards, both before and after I had major surgery, but the one I treasure is a tiny red card with a heart on it, which read inside 'remember you are loved'. In the Bible, Jesus was aware of this. There is a story in the gospels of a woman breaking an expensive jar of perfume and pouring it over Jesus. His disciples were horrified at the apparent waste. She had poured out the equivalent of a year's wages for 'nothing'. But Jesus saw beyond the act to the love in that woman's heart and said that her act would be remembered. And it has been. You can find the story in Mark's gospel (Chapter 14: 3-10). We do not know her name - some have hazarded guesses at who she was. But we know what she did, and it has been remembered.
And we do well to remember. 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'.* We can and do learn from our mistakes. But let us also remember with gratitude those lessons learned from the past both from our own experience and the experience of other. Let us remember with gratitude those who died in the service of others. Let us remember with grateful thanks the lives of those known to us that we have loved. And as we remember and give thanks let us look forward to what lies ahead. We wait for the coming of the Christ child - God's greatest gift to us. Let us look forward in joyful antici[pation to God's goodness to us.
With my love and prayers.
Claire
* from 'Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense, Scribner's, 1905, page 284.
We have 'done' Harvest and we are just about to 'do' Remembrance. This is the time of year when the church's seasonal calendar offers us a clear framework of thought; as we move from thanksgiving (for Harvest) through remembering to the waiting (in Advent) in readiness for the joy of the Incarnation. I am aware that in rural communities the reality of the harvest is much more visible with locally produced potatoes, garden-grown apples, and homemade jams. It makes the thanksgiving more immediate and more relevant.
We are now entering the 'Kingdom' season of the church's year. This is time when we remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. All Saints Sunday gives us an opportunity to remember those who have died, as we ponder on the mystery of the 'Communion of Saints'. We hold special services for those who wish to remember their own departed loved ones, and light candles in their memories. We take part in Remembrance Sunday observances as we acknowledge the part played by those men and women who offered their lives in the service of their country during times of war.
This is the official remembering. But often, those memories that are treasured the most are the private ones. Those thoughts that remember small acts of kindness, often unasked for, but given as a gift. Many people sent me cards, both before and after I had major surgery, but the one I treasure is a tiny red card with a heart on it, which read inside 'remember you are loved'. In the Bible, Jesus was aware of this. There is a story in the gospels of a woman breaking an expensive jar of perfume and pouring it over Jesus. His disciples were horrified at the apparent waste. She had poured out the equivalent of a year's wages for 'nothing'. But Jesus saw beyond the act to the love in that woman's heart and said that her act would be remembered. And it has been. You can find the story in Mark's gospel (Chapter 14: 3-10). We do not know her name - some have hazarded guesses at who she was. But we know what she did, and it has been remembered.
And we do well to remember. 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'.* We can and do learn from our mistakes. But let us also remember with gratitude those lessons learned from the past both from our own experience and the experience of other. Let us remember with gratitude those who died in the service of others. Let us remember with grateful thanks the lives of those known to us that we have loved. And as we remember and give thanks let us look forward to what lies ahead. We wait for the coming of the Christ child - God's greatest gift to us. Let us look forward in joyful antici[pation to God's goodness to us.
With my love and prayers.
Claire
* from 'Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense, Scribner's, 1905, page 284.
Monday, 21 September 2009
October 2009 Vol. 31 No. 10
Dear Friends
It’s often said we live in a compensation culture. Anyone working in any of the Public Services has to be very careful to fill in the right paperwork to ensure that any court case has all the evidence. We seem to be quick to want to blame someone.
Poor old Gordon Brown is being blamed for everything – Lockerbie prisoner release/Afghanistan/Credit Crunch/Swine Flu. I guess he realises this comes with the turf – maybe that’s why we have politicians – someone to blame. Car drivers will know that if you’re in an accident you should never admit blame – it’s always someone else’s fault.
Of course, God’s always getting it in the neck. The doctor tells you you have cancer, an earthquake kills thousands, a child dies. That all must be God’s fault, who else is there? What puzzles me is how quickly those who don’t give God a nod or a wink most of the time accuse him of any bad news. I guess that’s easier than the atheist who has no-one to blame – it’s all a matter of chance.
What worries me about all this is that we are losing sight of personal responsibility. We are so quick looking to blame others that we cannot see our own part. Jesus had something to say about this – something about a speck in someone else’s eye and a plank in your own. From the Christian viewpoint we are all responsible for our own behaviour and decisions. There will always be outside circumstances influencing us, but in the end we have to be responsible for ourselves.
There is also the aspect of collective responsibility. A child is killed by its carers – let’s blame the Social Workers or the Police. What about the neighbours? Who was keeping an eye out for that family? I know that’s not easy, particularly in the cities, but I think Jesus had something to say about neighbours as well.
Most of our church services begin with an act of Confession: “Almighty God… we have sinned against you and against our neighbour...” Notice the communal aspect of this. It’s not just me who has messed up – we’re in it together. I pray that we will rediscover that sense of personal responsibility and realise that we are also in community, looking out for each other in good and bad times. That for me, is a lot of what church is about.
Steve Osman
It’s often said we live in a compensation culture. Anyone working in any of the Public Services has to be very careful to fill in the right paperwork to ensure that any court case has all the evidence. We seem to be quick to want to blame someone.
Poor old Gordon Brown is being blamed for everything – Lockerbie prisoner release/Afghanistan/Credit Crunch/Swine Flu. I guess he realises this comes with the turf – maybe that’s why we have politicians – someone to blame. Car drivers will know that if you’re in an accident you should never admit blame – it’s always someone else’s fault.
Of course, God’s always getting it in the neck. The doctor tells you you have cancer, an earthquake kills thousands, a child dies. That all must be God’s fault, who else is there? What puzzles me is how quickly those who don’t give God a nod or a wink most of the time accuse him of any bad news. I guess that’s easier than the atheist who has no-one to blame – it’s all a matter of chance.
What worries me about all this is that we are losing sight of personal responsibility. We are so quick looking to blame others that we cannot see our own part. Jesus had something to say about this – something about a speck in someone else’s eye and a plank in your own. From the Christian viewpoint we are all responsible for our own behaviour and decisions. There will always be outside circumstances influencing us, but in the end we have to be responsible for ourselves.
There is also the aspect of collective responsibility. A child is killed by its carers – let’s blame the Social Workers or the Police. What about the neighbours? Who was keeping an eye out for that family? I know that’s not easy, particularly in the cities, but I think Jesus had something to say about neighbours as well.
Most of our church services begin with an act of Confession: “Almighty God… we have sinned against you and against our neighbour...” Notice the communal aspect of this. It’s not just me who has messed up – we’re in it together. I pray that we will rediscover that sense of personal responsibility and realise that we are also in community, looking out for each other in good and bad times. That for me, is a lot of what church is about.
Steve Osman
Friday, 21 August 2009
September 2009 Vol. 31 No. 9
The Revd Glenn Martin writes...
Dear all,
This time of year bring many surprises to us. Perhaps a happy holiday, somewhere different, something new. Maybe a wedding, sometimes the birth of a new member. Opportunities to see different parts of the countryside and experience the light nights and hopefully the summer warmth.
We all need some change and growth in our lives, otherwise we become static and fixed in ways which do not help us to grow and become healthy.
Reflecting recently on the Gospel readings in church it has much to say about healing and growth and change.
It seems Jesus had at the heart of his ministry and Himself that desire to see people live lives of full potential and health and wholesomeness. He made a difference to people's lives and attempted to show them how a way of service, commitment and love can make a huge change and difference to them.
In these days of economic gloom, swine flu, underemployment, how we need to hear words and actions of a positive and transforming nature.
In the hands of Jesus it seems that is a promise.
I recently met a child at a wedding who asked me as I was about to take the service "Are you the king?" It brought a smile to my face and I had of course to reply that I was not the king!! However, on reflection I think I could have said, "Well, I am not the king, but I know one in my heart". The King of love.
My hope is we all become aware of our need to grow and receive some healing from this King and grow more into a community of hope, peace and love in ourselves, our heart and our service to one another wherever we live and move.
May your summer time be a good one and may you meet those who are about healing, transformation and bringing goodness, worth and love into your life.
God's blessing.
Revd. Glenn Martin
Dear all,
This time of year bring many surprises to us. Perhaps a happy holiday, somewhere different, something new. Maybe a wedding, sometimes the birth of a new member. Opportunities to see different parts of the countryside and experience the light nights and hopefully the summer warmth.
We all need some change and growth in our lives, otherwise we become static and fixed in ways which do not help us to grow and become healthy.
Reflecting recently on the Gospel readings in church it has much to say about healing and growth and change.
It seems Jesus had at the heart of his ministry and Himself that desire to see people live lives of full potential and health and wholesomeness. He made a difference to people's lives and attempted to show them how a way of service, commitment and love can make a huge change and difference to them.
In these days of economic gloom, swine flu, underemployment, how we need to hear words and actions of a positive and transforming nature.
In the hands of Jesus it seems that is a promise.
I recently met a child at a wedding who asked me as I was about to take the service "Are you the king?" It brought a smile to my face and I had of course to reply that I was not the king!! However, on reflection I think I could have said, "Well, I am not the king, but I know one in my heart". The King of love.
My hope is we all become aware of our need to grow and receive some healing from this King and grow more into a community of hope, peace and love in ourselves, our heart and our service to one another wherever we live and move.
May your summer time be a good one and may you meet those who are about healing, transformation and bringing goodness, worth and love into your life.
God's blessing.
Revd. Glenn Martin
Monday, 20 July 2009
August 2009 Vol: 31 No. 8
Dear Friends
August can be a carefree month, especially for those taking holidays or going on outings. For the younger generation, exams have finished, school has broken up and it is a time to meet with friends and have fun. We usually see more children and young people around in our villages or playing in the park. Parents have to make decisions about the age at which youngsters can be allowed out on their own, and how much freedom to allow them. Some older folk feel that their own childhood was more free and easy because there didn’t seem to be quite so many dangers when they were growing up. Some can recall long, lazy summer days when they were allowed to be out and about all day with their friends. Parents have always issued warnings about not talking to strangers. It can be difficult impressing that message on young minds, without making the youngsters too fearful or destroying their trust in adults. It is worrying when we hear about people in positions of trust who have abused children.
Organisations that are involved with those who are young and vulnerable have to put policies in place for their protection. This applies to voluntary groups as well as nurseries and schools. The Church is no exception. Clergy, Readers and licensed ministers have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. Leaders of groups and activities which children or young people may attend without a parent or carer are also required to have a CRB check. Our Safeguarding Policy has recently been completely revised and updated and has been adopted by the five parishes in our United Benefice. The policy is in accordance with guidelines issued by the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, and in line with Church of England policy. Doris Elcock, our Child Protection Co-ordinator, has led a training session for children’s leaders, to familiarise them with the policy. A further session is planned for those who help with young people’s groups. However, when all the safeguards are in place, adults still have a responsibility to be vigilant and not to be afraid to speak to someone if they have any concerns.
If you are a parent or grandparent and want to know about “child friendly” church services or any of our activities for the younger generation, please ask. If you can’t find details of the leader of a particular group, please ask me and I’ll put you in touch with the person who runs that activity.
I hope all of you – young and not so young – have a relaxed, happy and safe time this summer.
With my love and prayers
Glynis Hetherington
August can be a carefree month, especially for those taking holidays or going on outings. For the younger generation, exams have finished, school has broken up and it is a time to meet with friends and have fun. We usually see more children and young people around in our villages or playing in the park. Parents have to make decisions about the age at which youngsters can be allowed out on their own, and how much freedom to allow them. Some older folk feel that their own childhood was more free and easy because there didn’t seem to be quite so many dangers when they were growing up. Some can recall long, lazy summer days when they were allowed to be out and about all day with their friends. Parents have always issued warnings about not talking to strangers. It can be difficult impressing that message on young minds, without making the youngsters too fearful or destroying their trust in adults. It is worrying when we hear about people in positions of trust who have abused children.
Organisations that are involved with those who are young and vulnerable have to put policies in place for their protection. This applies to voluntary groups as well as nurseries and schools. The Church is no exception. Clergy, Readers and licensed ministers have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. Leaders of groups and activities which children or young people may attend without a parent or carer are also required to have a CRB check. Our Safeguarding Policy has recently been completely revised and updated and has been adopted by the five parishes in our United Benefice. The policy is in accordance with guidelines issued by the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, and in line with Church of England policy. Doris Elcock, our Child Protection Co-ordinator, has led a training session for children’s leaders, to familiarise them with the policy. A further session is planned for those who help with young people’s groups. However, when all the safeguards are in place, adults still have a responsibility to be vigilant and not to be afraid to speak to someone if they have any concerns.
If you are a parent or grandparent and want to know about “child friendly” church services or any of our activities for the younger generation, please ask. If you can’t find details of the leader of a particular group, please ask me and I’ll put you in touch with the person who runs that activity.
I hope all of you – young and not so young – have a relaxed, happy and safe time this summer.
With my love and prayers
Glynis Hetherington
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Feast of St Peter and St Paul (June 2009) - Sue Waterston
Finally – a good news story!!! And on this feast day of St Peter and St Paul we celebrate: not just the good news of Peter’s escape from the chains which held him captive, but the wider connection between Peter and Paul: the personal intervention of Jesus in both their lives, freeing both of them from the chains (both metaphorical and real chains) which held them back from becoming the people that God intended them to become.
We all know that Peter was passionate about Jesus when he was alive – he gave up everything to follow him – and he was just as passionate after Jesus was crucified, died and rose again. Peter struggled to understand what Jesus was teaching him and his fellow disciples, and sometimes he did not understand – like the rest of us. He had a generous heart and he wanted to be close to Jesus for ever. Yet, again as with so many of us, when his own test came, he failed. For me, what happened with Peter is a real comfort because if Peter, the Rock on which Jesus built his church, this simple fisherman with a big heart, could fail and still be loved by Jesus then there is hope for everyone. We can know that our own failures will not separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus.
“Out of sight, out of mind” the saying goes. And it was when Jesus was out of his sight that this terror struck and the denials came so easily to Peter. Does that resonate with any of you? It does with me, so the lesson to be learned from Peter’s experience is always to have the Lord’s presence in our hearts and in our minds. That way at least we have a fighting chance of standing up for him when we are challenged. Not least because he is with us in that instant. And while sitting in that prison you can bet that Peter definitely had his heart and mind set on Jesus, even though he was probably frightened because of the terrifying circumstances in which he found himself, not least because of what had happened to James at the hands of Herod.
We are all familiar of the story of Paul and his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. What happened to Paul through a powerful experience of divine revelation which he encountered on that road to Damascus, was nothing more and nothing less than a complete transformation in here (heart) and a new understanding of what it means to have a personal and real relationship with the Lord.
Paul once wrote “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) and “For with God, nothing [is] impossible” for “he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Certainly after his personal encounter with the Lord nothing separated Paul from Jesus’ love: he was flogged 5 times, each with the 39 strokes; he was beaten with rods 3 times; he was stoned once and was shipwrecked 3 times (2 Cor 11:24-25). He repeatedly braved the dangers and weariness of long journeys on foot and spent many years in prison; but none of these things succeeded in separating him from the love of the Lord Jesus.
So what is it that connects these two men from such radically different backgrounds – the one a simple Fisherman and the other a highly educated Roman citizen? Jesus Christ. The Lord. Their Lord. Our Lord. This same Jesus Christ who appears to us in many ways that often we do not recognise nor understand until later on when we look back, and see that he was in the midst of all that was happening – good and bad.
The chains falling off Peter in that prison I think can be likened to the resurrection. Through God’s grace, Peter was freed from his imprisonment. When people, you and me, are in a dark place, it can seem like imprisonment. We feel trapped; there does not seem to be a good ending in sight to the difficulties in which we find ourselves. And sometimes this can go on for a long time. But hang on in there, because I can assure you – Jesus is there with you, in the midst of all the troubles. How do I know this? Because I and many others have experienced this.
When I am bereaved, resurrection begins when I look at a photograph of the person whose loss has been so wounding, and the sight of it unexpectedly brings a smile of joyful memory rather than a reopening of the wound. When relationships break up, resurrection begins when I realise (unbeknown to anyone else) that for the first time in a long time I am enjoying something because I am me, not because I am half of a partnership. When redundancy comes, resurrection begins when I discover that I have done something different or new which genuinely fills me with the measure of my own worth rather than filling me with satisfaction at what my job is worth.
And those are just 3 examples. They are things to celebrate. So to finish I wish to share with you a slightly different version of the Footsteps story which I hope, like me, will fill you with hope and thanksgiving that our Lord is with us through everything.
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down a beach together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace...But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.
Now you pray: 'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You. ''That is correct.' 'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely..' 'Very good. You have understood everything so far..' When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.' 'Precisely.' 'So, Lord, was there a regression or something ? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.' There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. 'You didn't know? It was then that we danced!'
Amen
We all know that Peter was passionate about Jesus when he was alive – he gave up everything to follow him – and he was just as passionate after Jesus was crucified, died and rose again. Peter struggled to understand what Jesus was teaching him and his fellow disciples, and sometimes he did not understand – like the rest of us. He had a generous heart and he wanted to be close to Jesus for ever. Yet, again as with so many of us, when his own test came, he failed. For me, what happened with Peter is a real comfort because if Peter, the Rock on which Jesus built his church, this simple fisherman with a big heart, could fail and still be loved by Jesus then there is hope for everyone. We can know that our own failures will not separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus.
“Out of sight, out of mind” the saying goes. And it was when Jesus was out of his sight that this terror struck and the denials came so easily to Peter. Does that resonate with any of you? It does with me, so the lesson to be learned from Peter’s experience is always to have the Lord’s presence in our hearts and in our minds. That way at least we have a fighting chance of standing up for him when we are challenged. Not least because he is with us in that instant. And while sitting in that prison you can bet that Peter definitely had his heart and mind set on Jesus, even though he was probably frightened because of the terrifying circumstances in which he found himself, not least because of what had happened to James at the hands of Herod.
We are all familiar of the story of Paul and his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. What happened to Paul through a powerful experience of divine revelation which he encountered on that road to Damascus, was nothing more and nothing less than a complete transformation in here (heart) and a new understanding of what it means to have a personal and real relationship with the Lord.
Paul once wrote “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) and “For with God, nothing [is] impossible” for “he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Certainly after his personal encounter with the Lord nothing separated Paul from Jesus’ love: he was flogged 5 times, each with the 39 strokes; he was beaten with rods 3 times; he was stoned once and was shipwrecked 3 times (2 Cor 11:24-25). He repeatedly braved the dangers and weariness of long journeys on foot and spent many years in prison; but none of these things succeeded in separating him from the love of the Lord Jesus.
So what is it that connects these two men from such radically different backgrounds – the one a simple Fisherman and the other a highly educated Roman citizen? Jesus Christ. The Lord. Their Lord. Our Lord. This same Jesus Christ who appears to us in many ways that often we do not recognise nor understand until later on when we look back, and see that he was in the midst of all that was happening – good and bad.
The chains falling off Peter in that prison I think can be likened to the resurrection. Through God’s grace, Peter was freed from his imprisonment. When people, you and me, are in a dark place, it can seem like imprisonment. We feel trapped; there does not seem to be a good ending in sight to the difficulties in which we find ourselves. And sometimes this can go on for a long time. But hang on in there, because I can assure you – Jesus is there with you, in the midst of all the troubles. How do I know this? Because I and many others have experienced this.
When I am bereaved, resurrection begins when I look at a photograph of the person whose loss has been so wounding, and the sight of it unexpectedly brings a smile of joyful memory rather than a reopening of the wound. When relationships break up, resurrection begins when I realise (unbeknown to anyone else) that for the first time in a long time I am enjoying something because I am me, not because I am half of a partnership. When redundancy comes, resurrection begins when I discover that I have done something different or new which genuinely fills me with the measure of my own worth rather than filling me with satisfaction at what my job is worth.
And those are just 3 examples. They are things to celebrate. So to finish I wish to share with you a slightly different version of the Footsteps story which I hope, like me, will fill you with hope and thanksgiving that our Lord is with us through everything.
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down a beach together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace...But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.
Now you pray: 'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You. ''That is correct.' 'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely..' 'Very good. You have understood everything so far..' When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.' 'Precisely.' 'So, Lord, was there a regression or something ? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.' There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. 'You didn't know? It was then that we danced!'
Amen
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