Reflections

The joys of moving house! Trying to be ruthless in clearing out stuff so that junk doesn’t just move from one place to the next, saying bye to good friends, watching strange people chuck all our belongings on to a truck… Then the added complications of the truck breaking down at one end, and not being able to fit down the road at the other end! (Fortunately both situations sorted without too much hassle for us – more so for the poor delivery guys!) Underneath it all both excitement about what God is calling us to, new opportunities and so on; but also a little apprehension: the niggling questions, the slight doubts and worries. Have we really got this right Lord? Can we really be of use to you in this place? Will we settle in and build relationships? etc. etc.

Compared to many of our friends leaving Ridley, Lisa and I were in a good position in that we were moving back to the area we think of as home, albeit a new part of it. We did feel very strongly God’s call to this place, an excitement about coming and that we would be made to feel really welcomed here, as we have been – thank you! But the whole process is still, to an extent, tiring and unsettling as we get used to a new home, a new area, a new way of life.

As I was thinking about all this I turned to the Psalm set for this Sunday: 139, and read of our God who knows us deeply, discerns our thoughts, searches out our path, is acquainted with all our ways, hems us in, lays his hand upon us, never lets us escape from his presence… Wow! God is in all of our situations, he is with us, and he can be trusted! When you get a couple of minutes read through these words slowly and just allow the enormity, the amazingness of what they say to sink in – and know that God made you, knows you inside out, knows exactly what you’re going through whether good or bad, and is with you no matter what.

Simon Elliott

13 July 2008

The Church has had some bad press recently, which can make us feel confused and unsettled. At times like this it’s always good to go to back to scripture and try to see God’s perspective.

How do we all live our lives worthy of our calling? Paul tells us to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” [Ephesians 4:2-3] He tells us such lives are characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, mutual forbearance and love. Jesus came into our world demonstrating humility by washing his disciples' feet. None was more gentle than Jesus, gentleness denoting a strength that is under control. Patience is longsuffering, the willingness to put up indefinitely with difficult circumstances or irritating people. Mutual forbearance, the kind of tolerance that God shows towards us and without which no group of people can live together in harmony. And love, thinking more of others than ourselves. When these five foundation stones are in place then we can enjoy spiritual unity. The unity of Christ’s body has already been secured through the Holy Spirit, we are called simply to keep it, as the verse above says.

Paul describes the basis of this God-given unity by the use of the word “one”. One Body – the one Church of Jesus Christ. Not only the people who go to church, not just our denomination but all those who belong to God through faith in his Son. One Spirit – The unity of Christ’s church is realized through the one Spirit who lives within us. One Hope – All Christians have the same hope of our heavenly inheritance. What can unite us more than the knowledge that we will all share in Christ’s glory? One Lord – No other person has the right to claim to be the head of the Church. In him alone is salvation to be found. One Faith – Because there is only one Lord there can only be one faith, one way of salvation. One Baptism – Our one faith is visibly confessed in one baptism. One God and Father of all – The Church can no more be multiplied than our one God and Father can be multiplied. The unity of the Church is as indestructible as God himself. We may be concerned about factions or disagreements but the bigger picture is that there is just one church of Christ. We already possess unity in the Spirit and we work towards unity in the faith.

Yes of course our leaders have to discuss and debate doctrinal truths but we can be assured that nothing, not even the gates of Hades will overcome the Church of Christ. If Satan and his fallen angels thought that God’s purposes had been foiled in the Garden of Eden or the Garden of Gethsemane, or anywhere else, then they fail to understand divine wisdom which has taken humanity far beyond the purposes of the first creation. We can celebrate and look forward to the day when we the church, the bride of Christ, in our fine linen, bright and clean, will be presented to our Lord Jesus Christ and I can’t wait!

Shirley Wallin

6 July 2008

Over this weekend the General Synod of the Church of England will be meeting at York University. I was elected by the clergy of Liverpool Diocese to be one of their representatives for 5 years in 2005. We stay in the halls of residence and eat our meals together: bishops, clergy and lay people alike. It is a very friendly atmosphere and there are plenty of opportunities to talk over issues in-between sessions (9.30-1pm, 2.30-6.15pm, 8.30-10pm).

Although we will be talking about many issues it is very likely that the most people will get to hear about Synod is about our debates on women bishops and the divisions within the Anglican communion of churches. This is sad but perhaps not too surprising as the media enjoy reporting conflict, disagreement and controversy. The people they will ask for their opinions are usually the ones from opposite ends of the spectrum! By their very nature debates encourage people to speak either 'for' or 'against'.

I often find myself listening and wondering what Jesus makes of it all. You may have seen Christians sporting wristbands with the letters WWJD? They stand for What Would Jesus Do? It is a daily reminder to them of Paul's words about Jesus: 'who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant' (Philippians 2:6-7).

So please pray that somehow this weekend General Synod will be a reflection of the character of Christ who was 'full of grace and truth' (John 1:14), an exhibition of the fruit of the Spirit: 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control' (Galatians 5:22) and a fulfilment of the command:
'make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace' (Ephesians 4:3).

Pray also that we will all get used to asking that important question on a daily basis: What Would Jesus Do?

Pete Spiers

29 June 2008

Matthew 10: 40-42

A couple of months ago I had to deal with a situation which I felt would overwhelm me. It just seemed to be a big black cloud, which I couldn't get through, and then I remembered something that different people had told me in the past, that you just take one step at a time. Break the situation down into smaller pieces and deal with what you can first and then it becomes easier because the problem becomes smaller.

I no longer have a problem.

Our gospel reading today comes just after Jesus has told us to take up our cross and follow him. When we read about all the wonderful things that Jesus did and the miracles he performed and the death he died, it can be quite scary to think that we may be called to do the same things and I wonder if I can.

So, this week do something for someone else who needs a helping hand and remember to tell them how much Jesus loves them.

Lord, thank you for your example. Help us to remember that you are with us and can help us show in small ways your love and kindness every day.

Amen.

Barbara Chambers

22 June 2008

Showing our allegiance to our favourite team or wearing club badges, can be a way of expressing our enjoyment of our sport or hobby and encouraging others to join in. The wonderful Dutch football supporters have turned our screens orange and some commentators have said that they seem to get as much enjoyment out of dressing up as they do from watching the football. The same can be said of the fashion conscious racegoers at Aintree or Ascot.

Showing our allegiance to Jesus on the other hand can sometimes be difficult and the symbol of the cross conveys a message about Jesus that is both challenging and life-changing. When we openly witness to the saving power of Jesus and his death and resurrection, we can expect to be challenged or ignored. The wonderful thing is that in demonstrating our allegiance to Jesus we too are showing that we are willing to take up our cross. Jesus said in Matthew 10:24 “whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”.

Will you speak out and show your true allegiance to the Lord Jesus. If we do he has made us a promise that we know we can be sure of. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my father in heaven.”

Alan Lewney

15 June 2008

“It was the famous conductor Sir Henry Wood who initiated the Promenade Concerts (“Proms”) in order to bring good music within reach of ordinary folk young and old. It was Bishop Michael Baughen’s bright idea to develop a Christian equivalent (“Prom Praise”). Since then it has gone from strength to strength under the brilliant leadership of Noel Tredinnick and had its 30th Anniversary Concert in 2007. It gives Christian musicians a unique opportunity to express through voice or instrument their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.”
John Stott
Rector Emeritus of All Souls, Langham Place.

“Prom Praise is a unique opportunity to enjoy praising God through classical music and also to be able to bring people who maybe have no connections with Christianity, to a concert, which they will enjoy as well as being introduced in a non-threatening way to the Christian world”
Fiona Castle

“Fabulous music, wonderfully performed!”
Sir Cliff Richard

Next Saturday (21 June) Prom Praise returns to the Philharmonic Hall. Many from St Luke’s are planning to experience Prom Praise. Tickets are still available (contact Eric Linford). The concert will be a combination of orchestra, soloist, choir (with about 20 St Luke’s members in it) with plenty of audience participation.

Thank you to those who are offering overnight accommodation to those members of the orchestra who will be joining some of our own musicians for an extravaganza of Praise and Worship at our 11 o’clock service next Sunday (22 June). The weekend will be finished off with a Parish BBQ before our visitors have to travel back to London.

An opportunity of good fun, good fellowship and good food! You are invited. Do come and be uplifted.

Eric Linford

8 June 2008

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind and Love your neighbour as yourself.
[Matthew Chapter 22 verses 37- 39]

At the beginning of Lent we launched the idea of Eco-congregation and encouraged the congregation to participate in ‘Carbon-Fast’ as part of our focus on the sacrifice made for us by Jesus and showing our care for each other and the environment, by taking up something that may mean a sacrifice to our daily routine or living. In actively living a life that cares for others we can see how the gospel can have an impact on our lives and those around us – not just those in our locality, our ‘next door neighbours’ but those living hundreds or thousands of miles away in different circumstances.

Recently I have taken the opportunity to spend some time in further reading and learning about Matthew’s Gospel, as Matthew seeks to show us that Jesus is Immanuel. Whilst Jesus did not preach on ‘saving the planet’ he did preach in his sermon on the mount that there are those who will find the narrow road and those who will not. There are divisions amongst society and we are challenged to renew our commitment to sharing the good news with others in many ways, not least through our actions and attitudes to each other.

God’s creation places on us all a great responsibility; we are stewards of this earth; called to care for his creation and therefore each other in a loving way.

Through the project of Eco-congregation we are asked to examine our own personal lifestyles and look at different areas of church life; do we praise God and thank him for his creation regularly? How green is our management of financial, catering and purchasing matters? Do we look at the Bible studies in our cell groups?

Our lifestyles continue to consume more and more energy so we need to reflect on ways in which we can love our poorer neighbours – what will you do? Are our decisions based on what will benefit us or do they demonstrate that our lives are committed to Christ?

Gillian Beardwood

1 June 2008

Water under pressure is dangerous. If you want proof tape up the spout of an old fashioned kettle and let the water boil. Know what I mean? Did you know our bodies are 70% water? Course you did!

I like stretching analogies and mixing metaphors. Here goes. Just like the kettle we need to have an escape valve for those times when our anger, our frustration and any of our other emotions get the better of us. By the way, aren’t people irritating? I do wish he would try to understand what I mean. Why does she leave it all to me? She does, he really does. On such occasions we let off steam but how do we? Go for a run, have another cake, go and do some of the Lord’s work with Jim or Jean, they understand me. Could be that we are ducking the issue here. We should be facing the problem that has caused us to fume.

Before we take communion we’re required to repair broken relationships. Jesus would like us to do this straight away, as quickly as possible. Wouldn’t it be good if we called round and saw Ann or Jack, better than phoning don’t you think, and talk to each other, pray with one another and then we can share those cream cakes you brought to share. I would have brought egg custards myself. They don’t get the appreciation they deserve. They really don’t.

We fall out with people so easily and need to get into a habit of recognizing the gulf and repair it as quickly as possible before either we or our friend or colleague discover the steps to reconciliation are steeper than we expected.

Richie Brown

this page was last modified on 18 July 2008