The Blog
Passion - (2010-03-03)
Passion!
It's a word that gets used in all kinds of ways!
A crowd cheering at a football match or moved by the music in a concert!
Watching a child walking for the first time.
Seeing a dream become reality.
Passion!
It is a word that evokes a response far more than a word like chair or wall!
Why?
There is so much wrapped up and connected with it.
Passion!
What gets you up in the morning? Besides the alarm clock on the other side of the room?
If you were asked to talk for ten minutes on something you really believe in, what would it be?
Passion!
Real passion impacts our priorities and purpose, at least would'd suggest it should.
True passion does not leave us detached! Consider a typical football fan; he or she throws himself emotionally into the game.
Passion moved God so much that He came in the flesh. He cannot be accused of remaining detached!
Passion took Christ to the cross - it is not by accident that many refer to that historical event as The Passion!
A passion for what? Or rather for whom?
For people like you and me.
Passion!
What gets you up in the morning?
This Sunday we begin a few weeks of looking at passion, investing our lives and resources, of serving.
Why not reflect on what do you have a passion for?
And what holds you back from such passion impacting your life?
Andy
So this is Christmas? - (2009-12-22)
So this is Christmas? What comes to mind when you hear that word?
Ever had a seasonal gift wish list as a kid? Or ever wanted to be a millionaire(whatever time of the year)?
Christmas wish list? So many around the world would love to have a regular decent meal, to live somewhere that war or terrorism does not threaten….
So this is Christmas?
Outdated titles or meaning for now in the 21st Century too?
How do you view Christmas? - (2009-12-15)
Small canals freezing over, a chill in the air, decorations hanging outside and inside homes, gifts being purchased, carol concerts happening, posters galore about Kerst in the shops(the next marketing target now that Sinta Klaas in the NL is over)….
Thanks giving - (2009-11-27)
On the road to? - (2009-10-29)
On the "Road to nowhere", so proclaimed the band Talking Heads quite a few years back. Yes I am showing my age! (bring back 80s music - only joking!!)
The song title is is an interesting life metaphor - can we be sure about life's destination?
A journey, a rollercoaster, an adventure, a game, a passing through.... what kind of metaphor comes to mind for you when you think about life?
As I am sat typing in our lounge there is a chess/checkers board on our floor from a game I need to finish with our son(he might just win!)
Sometimes I wonder if some people feel that we are like chess pieces, being moved around by an unseen hand in some kind of fatalistic way!
Or alternatively that every move is simply up to us but even then we do not know how it is going to really work out... all we can do is try our best?
How to view life?
Are we all just on this small bit of rock within the Milky Way, purely by random chance? Or is it true that we are beings, created with the potential to relate to God and for us to know purpose and wholeness? None of us are an accident,even if other people have told us that we are!
Can there be anything certain? What do you think?
At ICL during November we are focusing on a new series called "Walk the Walk!". We are going to look at some of the words and actions of Jesus Christ as recorded in the first few chapters of John's Gospel. Why not read this Gospel for yourself?
What do His words and life have to say into our everyday lives? What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? Is it about being like a chess piece with no choice or is it actually about something relational and living?
Christ declared that He came to give "life and life in all its fulness". I do not believe it is about being on a road to nowhere. Through Christ we can know God and His plans and purposes for our lives. The universe is not just some colossal mistake and life as we see it now, is not the full picture. Eternity is real, hence so is eternal life. But it is not just for one day, such a relationship needs to and can begin now.
You are not a fate-tied chess piece, be it a knight or pawn!
Why not explore more about what it means to Walk the Walk?
Andy
Thank God it - (2009-10-04)
"Thank God it's Monday!" Do we ever say that? Or are we more like that old song from Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats(do you remember them?)...
"Tell me why I don''t like Mondays!"
Work is not suppose to be a curse or a negative thing.
I dont know how you view the first few chapters of the book of Genesis and the concept of the 'fall' of mankind.
What is clear from these chapters - work was given as a gift before that Fall! It is not suppose to be inherently a negative thing!
Of course we live in an imperfect world, so there are...
colleague conflicts
labour disputes
difficult bosses
difficult employees
Credit crunches
exploitation by some companies of the poor and vulnerable
unemployment
people feeling stuck in jobs they just do not want to do!
Whoaah! Could be disheartening to just read that list!
Does Christian faith have anything to say into our work and study lives? Or is it reserved to songs and Bible readings on Sundays?
One early Christian writer wrote, "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters... It is the Lord Christ you are serving"
Challenging words, if you are a Jesus follower reading this blog, do you have that perspective on your daily life, including the work or study that you are involved with?
Does God care about what we do?
Is it possible to have a sense of God's calling and equipping wherever we are?
How does our faith help us to deal with difficult issues like work conflict situations?
How do we have a 'wholesome' view of life?
In God's eyes all things are spiritual. He does not view some things as 'secular' and therefore, since these things are supposedly 'secular'; He is not interested! Faith in Christ, if truly wholesome and living should work out into every aspect of our lives. It should not be shut away in a special inner compartment within us which only comes out on Sundays!
Questions, all kinds of questions.....
That's why over the next three weeks at ICL, we are looking at the theme "Work, Rest and Play".
Meanwhile why not take some time out to consider your work:
"Tell me why I dont like Mondays" ? or "Thank God it's Monday!"
Andy
PS helpful books - God at Work - Ken Costa, Marketplace Christianity, Fraser and Bickle
Now hear this! - (2009-09-24)
An opportunity to speak to the world.... that is what President Obama of the USA for instance had this week at the UN.
If you had such a platform, what would you say?
What are you passionate about?
What is your life known for?
Sure you may not get to make a speech in New York that is then reported on around the world.
You may not make national news or even into the local free paper that gets put through your door each week.
Yet what are we known for? Even if it does not make it into print?
When others meet us, what message do they get through our lives?
Is it good news or not?
Those who are followers of Jesus Christ are called to be different.
Not different as in strange or being a religious fanatic, not different as in disconnected from life...
Yet if it is true, that it is good news to have encountered Jesus Christ, surely our lives should reflect this?
This does not mean of course that we have to be known for always preaching at others!!
Is there enough evidence in our lifestyles which would prove us 'guilty' of being a follower of Jesus?
What is in your heart?
Is it in our hearts to be able to share about the claims of Christ with others?
Plus does our faith stir us about 'world issues' like poverty, human trafficking or the environment?
Once stirred, who knows to whom we might end up speaking to!
None of us may ever speak at the UN but we have a platform to speak into everyday.
It is our everyday lives.
What are we passionate about?
What are we known for?
Andy
Beautiful Day? - (2009-09-11)
"It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away"! So say the words of a song in the charts a few years back.....
It is a beautiful day, weather wise as I write. Sure Autumn/Fall changes are in the air but it is warm and still.
Yesterday was a wedding day for a couple in ICL. A time to celebrate, to commit, for two people to enter into covenant...
In one of the New Testament letters, marriage is used by the writer as an illustration of Jesus Christ and the church.
The church? What comes to mind with that word?
A building somewhere in your neighbourhood? An institution that may or may not have shaped your upbringing? Something out dated?
Or a community of people seeking to follow Christ in the realities of life?
Not people called out to live in some religious bubble or be 'holier than thou' but called to follow Christ.
Through Christ, a covenant relationship with God is possible and offered to us.
It cost Him everything in laying down His life on the cross.
In yesterday's wedding, the couple will made a commitment to lay down their lives for each other - it is no longer just about them as individuals but their becoming one.
The idea of close relationship with God may sound like something ridiculous or impossible, but is it?
If marriage is illustrative of the type of covenant God would make with each of us, what then?
What if it is true?
What then?
A beautiful day?
But hold on? What about 9-11, eight years on? Can we really claim it is a beautiful day? Surely not!?!
Does faith in Christ have anything to say in the face of such atrocities?
What do you think? How do you respond?
(At the very least, if you believe in prayer, pray for those still grieving eight years on!)
A beautiful day?
Yes, it is easy to write words on a blog, so easy.
But we cannot be closed off from this world we live in - both the joys and the pain.
In the midst of that, how do we see God's 'beauty come through?
Not simple questions to pose or answer but I leave this with us to ponder.
Andy
Blog - (2009-09-10)
We can see them virtually everywhere, hear them too. On paper, in email, through Facebook, Twitter. Out of our mouths and the mouths of others......
What are these things?
Words.....
On Old Testament proverb declares, "the tongue has the power of life and death".
Our words can build up or tear down.
Our words can unite or divide.
Our words can reconcile or create enmity!
Which will it be?
Never can we truly claim, "oh I could not help saying it!"
Yes there are those of course who are forced to say things under pressure or even torture.
Yet we do not mean that when we say that we could not help saying it.....
"Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" according to Jesus Christ.
What we say reflects who we are and those things which we are allowing to have prominence in our inner lives.
What do our words say about us? What is really going on inside?
Jesus had a 'little brother' called James. He probably wrote a letter that is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. There he writes of the tongue being like a small spark that sets off a large fire. Such a small part of the body, yet it can make great boasts and be very destructive. A bit later, James goes onto write about 'fights and quarrels' among people, about our having selfish motives. Again all so often such things are expressed through words.
Perhaps you have had destructive words spoken over you.....
May be you have been told you are a failure, you are ugly, useless, unwanted, an idiot, no good, unclean....
May be you've been told that God could not love you or may be you have told yourself that!?
It is like carrying an invisible rucksack on your back, weighing you down. Yet it does not have to be like this.
I really believe that we do not have to live under such lies, regardless of who such words came through.
Will we listen to what God has to say instead? Why not check out Psalm 139 for example?
There is freedom available in Christ.
Perhaps you have spoken destructive or unhelpful words over someone else?
What can you do to seek to rectify this?
Words are powerful! That is not some kind of psychobabble assertion, it is true!
Can we change the way we speak?
I believe with God's help, yes we can. Salvation in Christ is not just about some 'ticket for eternity', the root meaning of the word is about a much greater wholeness within each of our lives. Such salvation begins to impact from the moment we surrender to Christ. That includes impacting our words.
By His grace, yes we can change. It may not happen over night but it is possible to change, no exceptions!
Will we be those who choose to speak to others in a way that brings life?
Life or death....
This is the choice with our words.
Which will it be?
Andy
Trustworthy? - (2009-04-28)
Ever sat on a chair and it has given way? Or stepped on what you thought might be solid but it was not? I have had that happen to me a once or twice.
Ouch!
Has anyone ever promised you something but it is has not been fulfilled? How did it leave you feeling?
Ouch?
What about in the past year or so? Probably many people's trust in financial certainties have been shaken.
Ouch!
Is there anything solid, anything sure, anything certain anymore?
In this mix, sometimes it can be heard that Christians declare, "the Bible is trustworthy, it is God's word"
Whooah!
That's a big claim.
Just think of the consequences if it is true.....
The God who made the universe, has communicated into written form through other humans, things which are vital for us to know, things which are life changing....
Is this possible? Is there not a danger that the human writers get in the way?
How can a collection of writing composed over centuries, be the 'word of God'?
What do you think about the Bible?
Ancient and irrelevant? Or up to date and totally contemporary in its relevance to our lives now?
A song writer(whose words are recorded in the Bible) declared, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path"
Such light could even throw some freedom into your life if someone did promise something to you and you got let down. The Bible has much to challenge us on about forgiveness and being set free. Too many people are walking through life holding unforgiveness, resentment, anger....
A New Testament writer penned, "the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"
So I guess the Bible comes with a health warning - care needed, it might just challenge your life!
Ouch?
Why not read and see? Why not start somewhere afresh life Luke's gospel and see what is said about Jesus Christ.
Now there is Someone we can rely on!
But dont take my word for it - explore, investigate, be open!
Andy
PS If you are in the Leiden area, then May 3rd, there is a focus in the ICL Sunday Gathering on whether we can trust the Bible or....
check out the download on the website, which will follow after this date
In between? - (2009-04-23)
In between? Neither here nor there? Have you ever felt like that?
It might be something as simple as being on a journey and waiting in an airport lounge for instance...
Yet may be it seems to be how life feels for you at the present. One chapter seems to have closed or be closing but it is not fully clear as to what is next?
How do we live in such moments, for such moments come to us all?
It is part of the adventure of life.
Unsettling is a word that often describes how it feels.
Or perhaps...
frustrating or
scary or
confusing?
Towards the end of one of the Gospel accounts in the New Testament (John's gospel), there is such an occurrence - an 'in between'. Jesus's closest followers are neither here nor there! They have returned to where they grew up, in fact Christ had said to them to go to Galilee on an occasion he spoke to them after His resurrection (go with me on this one, even if you find rising from the dead a bit of a challenge to believe!)
So there they are.... on the shore of Galilee.
One of the group, Peter, says he is going fishing.....
The others join him. Are they hungry? Do they just need to relieve some of the tension? Are they 'clutching' at the familiar? We are not told.
But they are neither here nor there....
They have witnessed Christ brutally crucified but also seen Him alive again. Yet what next? How to now live?
You might want to read the account, it is in John 21.
What I will state here is that Christ does come and meet with them in the middle of the 'ordinary', right there in the 'in between'.
I simply want to write today, that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and so He desires to impact into our lives, in our 'in betweens'. We can trust Him and ask for the resources, wisdom and peace to help us during periods of change and even confusion.
One of the early Christians wrote, "no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'yes' in Christ" A phrase like this speaks about God's faithfulness. The same person wrote elsewhere of "the peace of God which goes beyond all human reasoning, guarding your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".
Such faithfulness, such peace is real for when life seems clear but also when it feels 'in between'.
Speaking of being 'in between', I need to get on to what I need to do next today......
Andy
Is it really about bunnies and eggs? - (2009-04-09)
Today as I write this blog, has felt like many other Thursdays - except of course there is an abundance of chocolate, fluffy bunnies and eggs.....
I saw them all in a supermarket just a while ago - including the Easter Bunny dressed up like a shop manager or was it round the other way?
That Thursday way back then, probably felt like just another Thursday to many. Though a festival was about to happen then as well.
It proved to be quite a night.
Ever felt suddenly betrayed by a so called friend? Let down by those you thought were close? Abandoned?
All in one Thursday night.
This is what happened on ‘that night’, the one when he was arrested. The trial that followed… well the mockery that was called a trial, had effectively found him guilty before it even began.
That Thursday which led to that Friday - you know the one that we call 'Good Friday'.
Crowds swell, crowds change - (2009-04-02)
Crowds.....
As leaders from the G20 countries have gathered, crowds have swelled on the streets of the capital city. Various messages have been proclaimed such as those concerning climate change, views on capitalism or the needs of the poor...
Do we ever think about such issues? How does faith connect with such matters? Does it? Can it?*
Crowds swell, crowds change....
Crowds can be swayed by the actions of a few.
In London, some within the crowd have incited violent protest - a scene that is sadly often a feature of some people at such demonstrations around the world.
Then what is remembered? The message or some of the so called messengers?
What of our lives? How are we communicating what we believe? With love, understanding, compassion, consistency? Or does the message somehow become 'lost' due to the messenger?
Crowds swell, crowds change....
He came riding into the capital city. There was an important gathering within the city walls, so sure, security was heightened. No cameras though for the crowd to play to, no helicopters hovering above keeping a watchful eye, no press conferences given to be beamed round the world on news updates.
The crowd... excited, expectant, expressive....
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord"
So echoed the words in the suburbs of Jerusalem that day, as He arrived - the King was in town. No Secret Service cavalcade but He had come!
Within days, the atmosphere was very different, things had turned ugly.
The crowd... assertive, agitated, aggressive....
Crowds can be swayed by the actions of a few.
So the stirring began: "Crucify Him!"
Crowds swell, crowds change....
Is that not a reflection of human hearts, of how we can all be? One moment speaking praise and the next, calling for blood!
What is known by many as 'Palm Sunday' recalls the day back in the 1st Century AD when Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem, on a donkey - a sign of the coming King (you can check it out in the Bible: Luke 19:28-40 for instance). Such entry was predicted centuries before by a prophet called Zechariah. Christ's humble entry showed that the revolutionary change that he was bringing would not be through violent protest or military conquest. Instead it would come by another means-
Within days, he would be crucified, a brutal, inhumane death....
Why? How? This is the One, the crowds called 'Blessed' as He arrived just a few days before.
Crowds swell, crowds change....
Crowds are made up of people just like you and me - our hearts, thoughts and loyalites swell and change too.
How do we respond to Jesus Christ, 'the coming King'? Dismiss Him as a 1st Century irrelevancy?
He came to bring change - real change, lasting change. Forgiveness, wholeness, restoration, peace, transformation in human lives.
He still does, even today all these centuries later.
Do you and I live in the good of this? Are we consistent in our response to Christ, how changeable are we?
Does He have a place in our lives or are we like someone in the crowd who has let Him simply ride by?
Andy
* I believe the answer is yes!
Can pain and good go together? - (2009-03-27)
What makes for a good blog? what makes for a 'good anything' come to think of it? A good conversation? Good progress in life, study, work?
I'd like to suggest that sometimes, one of the ingredients can be 'pain'.
As I write today, my mouth is feeling somewhat full of aches having had a wisdom tooth out (hopefully it is not out with the tooth, out with any wisdom!!!).....
The point in writing that is not for gaining any sympathy, but actually to say that in this case; whilst at present there is pain, it is actually for good...
You see two weeks ago when I went to the dentist with tooth and ear ache, it was seen to be that a tooth was causing problems with my gum.
A problem that without healing or removal would not go away.
Yet the good that has brought the solution has involved pain.
As you read this, what are you facing?
What has been on your mind?
How have your prayers been focussed? What is the situation that you desire to see 'good' in?
Does there seem to be pain involved? Perhaps it is even causing you to question....
Why?
Where are you God?
Does anyone care?
One of the things that I love about the Bible is that it does not avoid the realities of life. The Book of Psalms is a great example - all kinds of human emotions are expressed amidst the collection of 150 songs.
No 23 is well known to many - about the Lord's leading and rest even in tough times (you know - 'valley of the shadow of death' imagery)
Yet what of four songs later(you can do the sum to work out which one it is)?
The writer (David - who would become King of ancient Israel) expresses some real challenges that he is expressing as his enemies actively pursued his life. There are hints in the song of his own family rejecting him and his need to hang onto God. There is pain for David in seeking to see the good come..... At the end of the song, he composes these words......
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"
How about us, do we believe that to be true?
Easter is coming. Sure it will be a time for many to have a bit of time off work and even to indulge in some extra chocolate.....
(here's a side challenge, how about trying to seek out to buy 'fair trade'chocolate for this Easter?)
The real good behind Easter though is wrapped up in Christ not a chocolate egg.
His taking the wrongs of humanity upon himself on the cross was a massive thing.... sacrifice..... love........mercy........
A sacrifice that makes possible for all to be restored to relationship with God, through Christ.
It was good..... but whoaah - did it involved pain! Good Friday!!! That's quite a name for the day which remembers such love which cost Him so much!
The old phrase is a very well worn one and it is much travelled in its usage - "no pain, no gain!"
This is not a call for us to be 'martyrs', not a suggestion that we simply 'soldier' on with whatever befalls us. But let's not assume that everything that is painful is bad....
If you are not sure what you are facing, then why not pray? why not ask the One who went through such pain for us all? And chat it through with some others you trust too - God understands that we need each other - He did make us that way and hey, it might just be that you hear Him speaking through the words of someone else.
By the way if you need the name of a dentist who is good at pulling teeth out...........
Andy
More than a catchy slogan? - (2009-02-26)
Have you seen any catchy slogans recently? May be it is something that caught your attention in an advert or a shop window? A week or so ago, I was meeting with someone in a cafe.
In the WC area was some grafitti.
One saying was "Merry Crisis and Happy New Fear!"
Whooaah!
Be encouraged all who read that one!!! Mmmmm!?!
What 'message' is coming out of our lives to those in our families, our neighbours, those we work or study with?
Do our lives match the message?
Slogans can be fun and sometimes meaningful but often they are just verbal spin.....
What about out lives?
Some of the words that Christ said to those who would follow Him are these:
"You are the light of the world" (sounds almost slogan like!) He went onto add -
"A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before others, they they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"
If you are reading this and you would not count yourself as a Christian, I hope that you can find those whose lives will help you consider whether Christ has a relevance for 21st century reality.
If you are reading this and count yourself as a Jesus follower, how is the 'light shining thing' going in your life? Are you seeking to draw from His Spirit to empower your life to be such a light? That of course does not have to be all mystical, but rather is about seeing His ways worked out in the stuff of life.
How do we respond to the needs and concerns of those around us? Even to those things we see in the news? (speaking of which if you believe in praying, remember all the families caught up in the Turkish Airlines plane crash at Schipol)
For all of us, whoever we are, when someone thinks of or meets you or me, what is the message they are getting?
I'm off into the city - may be I'll see some more phrases designed to provoke!
Andy
What is your passion? - (2009-02-05)
During the night I woke up with the U2 song, "Pride: in the name of love" going round my head. It was there very strongly,even though I have not listened to that track for a while(though I confess I had one of their other albums on earlier).
The song is dedicated to Dr Martin Luther King Jr whose faith in Christ, quite rightly led him to see that all people are equal regardless of differences such as skin colour. But more than his just assenting to this, he was passionate about it! Let's face it, belief without heart change and action does not really mean much! As one New Testament writer penned, "faith without actions is dead". Even the devil believes in God, but so what? It does not mean he is positive about such a reality!
Dr King helped to bring about a revolution of change within the USA, a change that is still working through to this day. A change that sent ripples across the globe. Why? He had passion........ passion flowing from his faith in Christ.........
In the city centre the other day, I saw a student poster asking, "wat is uw passie?" (what is your passion?)
How would you answer that question? What gets you out of bed in the morning? (apart from falling out because the alarm is too loud and on the other side of the room...)
The same day I saw the poster, I was in the central library. Books are often a source for people seeking a passion and purpose, to learn and develop... reading is a good thing to do, whatever age we are.... Books can also express these passions...
I looked out of the window of the library and the contrast struck me of the modern architecture standing next to the Hooglandskerk(one of the two large church buildings in central Leiden). Such a church building would have dominated the skyline in times past. May be too, it caused people to look for a passion in life beyond themselves?
Many old church buildings now of course do not necessarily have congregations meeting in them (though the Hooglandskerk does). Many people, maybe you included, do not see Christian faith as bearing any relevance for passion, vision, dreams in the 21st Century. That said there are others who would seek to differ......
Martin Luther King Jr was one of those who did see the relevance of Christ's teachings and call on our lives. As did Mother Theresa in her work in the slums of Calcutta. As does Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa or Bono of U2 (though he would not necessarily wish to wear a 'traditional christian' label). All of them had/have passion. How about us?
What is your passion? What is it based on?
One of the Old Testament prophets(a man called Jeremiah) sought to speak out to the country of Judah(the part of Israel around the Jerusalem area). At one stage he spoke of some of God's heart: "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" Whilst it is important to see these words in the context given, the character of God does not change. He is faithful and His heart, I believe is the same towards us, if we will but turn and listen.
'Prosper' may not mean financial abundance necesarily, some kind of ' winning spiritual lottery ticket' is not l what I am suggesting in quoting this passage.
Do we believe that we can have passion in life? Do we believe that this passion can be shaped by God's leading? That we can prosper with His leading if we will follow?
Wat is uw passie?
Andy
A prayer partnership with God? - (2009-01-20)
If you could speak to the Creator of the universe, what would you say? What would you ask? Yet without trying to trivialise such a thought, is this not what prayer is? Seeking to connect with the God who made the whole of creation but is somehow able to hear from each one of us. How? Well the divine mathematics or physics of it all, is beyond any human working out.
Christ Jesus himself though called his followers to pray and even gave us a model for prayer, that many know as the "Lord's Prayer" (beginning 'Our Father....') Does prayer make a difference? I believe that it does. Or is it just a wish list? I dont think it is. Plus as with any communication, is it not suppose to be two way? Prayer is as much about us listening as it is thanking and asking.
Are there all kinds of questions, some difficult, ones even, about prayer? Yes of course, it would be lacking integrity to say otherwise.
Since there are so many questions, it would be an unwise idea to try and deal with it all in a short blog.
But I say again, I believe in praying and I believe He gives His Holy Spirit to help us pray.
What do you believe about prayer?
Earlier as a family we watched the inaugaration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the USA. Two times prayer was involved in the ceremony. Was that just for show or do people believe prayer makes a difference?
Do we ever pray for those in authority?
Now of course God is not a Republican or Democrat or a signed up member of any other political party on the globe, even if it has 'Christian' in its title! God is not American, Russian, Dutch or any other nationality. Yet I believe that the Bible shows He is intimately interested in this world. He call us to partner with Him. Is that possible or just a pipe dream?
Yes, it is possible - in action, in standing up for what is right, for justice, for the oppressed. For some this will mean actively getting involved in politics, such as running to be a representative in Government or working for some kind of NGO or pressure group. Those who are His followers are called to be active stewards in this world and of course, to share about the life changing relationship and forgiveness and new life available in Christ. We are called to pray too, including for those in authority.
On this inaugaration day, I finish with these words,
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority...." (1 Timothy 2:1)
Keep praying!
Andy
Say a prayer or two? - (2009-01-14)
When you hear about someone praying or may be see it referred to in a movie for example, what does it make you think? Superstitious nonsense? A way of people making themselves feeling better? Escapism? Or as a way of truly connecting with God?
This coming week at ICL, we have our next week of prayer; where we give some extra time together to praying for this community, the nation and others. ICL is made up of people from all walks of life including science related work, journalism, education, law, ICT and finances, all believing that praying can and does make a difference! Have they all lost their senses?
Many people do believe that it is possible to connect with God in this way. Yes there are many questions with this and films like "Bruce Almighty" in a comical way touch on some of this. What do you believe about prayer? Am I serious about suggesting prayer, in this world of Middle East conflict, Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur to name just a few places? Yes I am. Not that prayer is an excuse to not stand up and act for justice and those who are oppressed!
Sometimes when I am praying, all kinds of thoughts can come into my mind, including occasionally, 'what are you doing? do you really believe prayer makes a difference?' Probably if we are honest, even if we believe in the value of praying, we can find all kinds of other things that seem important to do suddenly, when we might have been praying instead.
Of course we have our jobs/study to fulfil, family life to be part of, seeing friends and so on. None of these are wrong! Prayer is not about some kind of mystical escapism! It is not like you can say to your boss at work for example, "sorry I cannot do much today, I will be praying!" Say that too often and you will be praying for a new job!
One of the earliest Christian leaders, wrote to a group of Jesus followers in the Roman colony of Colossae to "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" ' Devotion' is a strong word - is that a good word for how we think about about praying? May be if prayer seems a completely 'unknown territory' or hard to do, it would be good to chat with others and ask them what they find helps?
Any call to prayer should not be something that loads guilt onto any of us. Prayer is the opportunity to seek to commune with the living God, to bring to Him our gratitude and concerns, to intercede on behalf of others and to listen. See it more as conversation rather than compulsion, as helping develop our relational contact with God rather than doing some religious duty!
Andy
Here we go! - (2008-12-28)
A New Year is upon us, another year gone by!
In many ways it has been quite a dramatic year. Many will focus on the economic changes which we are all having to walk through and adjust to. Some will celebrate it as a momentous year such as the election of the first ever African American President in the USA or the youngest ever Formula One racing champion winning in the last few seconds of the very last race.
The end of a year is always a good opportunity to reflect:
What can we be grateful for from 2008?
How have we grown in our lives?
Are there things that we need to keep working on?
(I guess the answer to the last one must be 'yes', unless we think we have 'arrived' in life!!)
So, how do you view the New Year coming?
In one sense I often think there can be some real hype with switching from one year to another. At one level, yes on Wednesday night we go from 2008 to '09. At another level, it is simply Thursday the next day! There is nothing 'magic' about the switch. There will be the same opportunities and challenges as the day before.
Where is our hope based for the months to come?
This Christmas time, we have focused on "Emmanuel- God with us" Is that really true? Is He? Or is this just something 'nice' to hear at Christmas amidst lights, decorations and a few carols to sing?
One of the other titles given to Christ, is the "Prince of Peace" . Peace is something that so much of the world community lacks. What about us? In what real tangible way can we experience peace in Christ? What does it mean?
I truly believe that the Christmas story is not a myth but speaks of God's care for and immediacy with mankind. He is trustworthy - at all times, in all circumstances (easy or hard). As I have quoted a few times in blogs over this past year - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever".
Yes a New Year is upon us, no doubt there will be all kinds of changes and challenges but He remains the same. There will always be hope, forgiveness, purpose, peace, love to be found in Christ.
Well worth reflecting on.
Happy New Year!
Andy
Any room in our lives? - (2008-12-17)
Have you ever tried to book a holiday last minute and found there was no where available at the place you wanted to stay at? Or worse than that I guess, would be having booked somewhere, turning up and finding you were not expected or the place did not even exist!!
A very simple phrase from the Gospel accounts has struck me afresh whilst preparing for the services at ICL this Christmas: "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7) It must have been quite an anxious time for Joseph and Mary that day; because unlike us; they did not know how it was going to sort out! Yet God's hand was at work. Likewise for some of us at present, may be there are circumstances that are causing us anxiety. We do not know how it is going to work out, presently there is "no room". One of Isaiah's prophecies declares that He is Emmanuel - God with us and that He is the Prince of Peace. Those are phrases not just for this time of year, but truth all the time.
So keep trusting and be open to God's hand in your life.
Is that really possible? I believe that it is. He is totally trustworthy.
There was no inside room available for Christ to be born in, that day in Bethlehem. Though the King of Kings, Christ was not born in a fancy palace with great public fanfare (though the angels had a good time, declaring God's praises in front of some shepherds). He was born in a little village that most people in the Roman Empire had never heard of, in a province they would never visit. Obscure is an understatement! What's more, His birth went by un noticed to them also, along with the majority of those living in Judea.
What about in our lives today in the 21st century, is there room for Christ? Is He central to our relationships, jobs, studies, priorities, finances and so on? Or is He at the fringes of our lives, a bit like being out in the manger? Is Jesus Christ some one who only has an obscure connection with our lives?
If He is to be central in our lives, what does this mean in reality?
Perhaps these are good questions for us all to reflect on this Christmas.
Lastly, it can be so easy to get caught up with all the presents, partying and so on at this time and into the New Year. Perhaps it would be good to take some moments to stop and ask, is there anyone that you could help or encourage this Christmas? May be it is sowing financially into a project for the poor? Supporting an orphan for instance through an organisation like Compassion International or giving to a relief and missions organisation like Convoy of Hope? May be buying some gifts for someone you know personally who does not have so much? If it is better to do so, give it anonymously and ask someone else to take it/send it for you. It could be as simple as writing someone a card to express your appreciation for them.
All those kinds of things can be quite straightforward to do but profound in their impact. Plus I think it is part of the call to make room for Christ in our lives.
Happy Christmas!
Andy
Peace on earth? - (2008-12-10)
Is freedom something we cherish or take for granted?
What of the freedom to openly celebrate the birth of Christ for example?
The very fact that you are reading this blog, probably means that you have a whole host of freedoms and rights that are easy to overlook. Freedom to look at whatever information you wish, freedom of belief, freedom of conscience and so on.
'Hold on', you could declare, 'where is this going? Christmas is coming - you should be writing about that. Write about the freedom and peace that Christ sought to bring! '
Well yes.....
but......
Do we really believe, pray and act towards such freedom and peace now, in the world we live in?
A poignant thing to ask when we consider atrocities such as happened in Mumbai recently....
The day of my writing this blog is the 60th anninversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR). Article 18 of this for instance states that everyone should have the right of freedom of religion and belief including the right to change one's religion. Yet there are still many countries around the world today where this is not the case. This Christmas time for instance there will be Christian believers meeting under very restricted conditions or even secretly to celebrate Christ's birth. Rather different from the country that I am writing this from!
One of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ, speaks of Him as "Emmanuel - God with us" but also as the "Prince of Peace". When the angels sang before the shepherds that night outside Bethlehem, they proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace to men on whom his favour rests".
Of course, very often, many people want to ignore the 'glory to God' part and just claim the second half of the declaration. That said, may be believers sometimes forget that God is interested in now, as well as in eternity. Yes Christ did come that we might follow Him, that we might be right with God, that we could experience eternal life. Yet the impact of that is suppose to begin now! That includes working for peace and justice. Praying and taking appropriate action.
This Christmas, it would be good for us all to re-look at the Gospel accounts and consider the amazing claim of God coming in the flesh and all that this means. God Incarnate - quite something to consider.....
Did Christ simply come to be an icon on seasonal cards or did He come to transform lives?
Yet also on this 60th anniversary of the UN Human Rights declaration, what are we doing to see peace come? Are we making the most of our freedom? Will we stand up for others?
And what place in our own lives does the "Prince of Peace" have?
Andy
PS For a bit more provoking of our thoughts this Christmas, why not check out the video clip on the front page of www.adventconspiracy.org ?
So what of Christmas? - (2008-12-04)
Now here is the weather...... As I type, it is snowing and rooftops and trees are turning white. Very appropriate some might say since Christmas is coming. What is the popular image? Baby Jesus in a cosy stable surrounded by shepherds and animals on a snowy night. It can make for pleasant covers of Christmas cards(if you like such pictures of course!)
So what of Christmas?
What do you really think about it? Over the next few weeks at ICL, we will touch on different aspects linked to the incarnation accounts. It is quite a claim, that God came in the flesh, that He became a human. Is it true? What do you think? Or is it just a nice myth to adorn cards along with some snow?
If it is true, what are the implications? Might be worth reflecting on that question - it could even change your life!
Preparing for speaking at ICL, I have been reflecting on the lives of Joseph and Mary and their response to the news that Mary was going to give birth to Christ. At face value, seeing as virgin births are not exactly an every day occurrence, the story potentially has in it all the makings of high drama more reminiscent of a soap opera!
Is it possible, that Christ truly was born of a virgin? Does it matter whether he was or not? What do you think? To stake my colours to the mast - I do believe it is true and not just a myth. Re-creatable in a scientific experiment? I don't think so but it is not intellectual suicide to believe in God's supernatural intervention. That said, of course there are all kinds of question marks that this can raise too. I do not want to deny that.
For now though, back to Joseph and Mary.......
Initially, Joseph clearly was not impressed with Mary telling him she was going to give birth to the Son of God. He was minded to divorce her(even when betrothed in those days, it could only be ended through divorce). Then he had a dream which changed his mind. Matthew's Gospel recalls - "when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.." He could of course dismissed his dream as his own imaginings but thankfully he did not! He took Mary to be his wife, more than likely aware that other tongues might still be wagging about Mary being pregnant before they were married. it was a real act of faith and obedience! It had a cost to it too!
Mary?
I think sometimes we forget what a massive thing this was for her. She was probably a teenager. She was looking forward to marrying Joseph and probably beginning a family. Then an angelic visitation changed everything! Pregnant! How? The Son of God!!! What would people say? Will they really believe the virgin birth thing? Yet, listen to the words she gives in the end; "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me according to your word" (in Luke's Gospel) That is a real act of faith and obedience! It had a cost to it too.
Us? Are we open to the Lord speaking into our lives? Is it possible that we can know His will? If yes, will we respond with faith and obedience? Are we willing to count the cost?
As to the snow outside, it looks like it is stopping......
Andy
Slow up to grow up? - (2008-11-19)
Have you ever had an enforced slow up? May be stuck in a traffic jam? The A4 here can be notorious for that or try out the M25 around London in the UK. May be you were waiting for an appointment that took longer to be called than you expected?
Today I have had to slow up due to having a bit of a bug! I will spare you the details and this is not a sob story coming!
What has it done to the day? Well I had to cancel some appointments but...
I had some more time for reflection and prayer. Though I confess my head has been a bit stuffed up for it to seem really profound! I have looked at some photos on google and spent some time smiling, laughing and reflecting on lots of great people that Helen and I have got to know since coming to ICL and the Netherlands. I even watched a street cleaner machine go past sweeping up all the leaves (how is that for a sad admission!).... But do you know what? Even that made me appreciate afresh where we live.
Taking time out to reflect is something we need to remind ourselves to do regularly. And not to leave it until we get ill and have to stop! It is why I have mentioned it in these blogs before and I will do so again in future.
The Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God". This is not some kind of self-actualisation mantra of us finding the divine within. Instead it is a call, to stop, to listen and to even reflect on who is God, what is His purpose for my life? Can I trust His words in my circumstances? Do I know His leading?
Being still can also help us to face up to things that are troubling us. To face fears even in our lives (that's the topic of the family service at ICL this Sunday). In another song in the Bible, the words go, "search me oh Lord and know my heart". Again this cannot happen through some kind of heavenly podcast download in a few seconds. We need to take time out.
May be for some of us, we need to take time out and slow up and consider the boundaries in our lives. Or the lack of them!!! The irony is of course, unless we start to put healthy boundaries in our lives, we will not have time to think about do we have healthy boundaries in our lives!! Too many people are living under too much stress. Some of this is due to having a lack of boundaries. How easy do you find it to say no?
On that front, you might want to check out www.cloudtownsend.com as a starting point.
It is in slowing up, that we can position ourselves to be able to pray and listen and get a sense of God's heart for our lives, for purpose, for vision. Some of this may come through creating space to chat with others you know and trust. What do they see as your strengths, your passions, your dream?
If you have been putting off taking such time out, then why not get hold of your agenda and begin to block it in?
If you take an empty jar and fill it with sand, when you come to put in rocks, these will not go! Put the big rocks in first and then fill with sand! What are the big rocks for your life? Put these in place first. Block them into your agenda. As someone has said, if you do not fill up your time, someone else will fill it for you! We all have 168 hours a week, it is what we do with these that will determine what the weeks are like!
If you are a Christ follower, I would like to suggest that prayer, worship and reading the Bible should be amongst the big rocks. If you are not sure how to make this work,ask others what works for them.
Dare I say it, experiment a little bit! For example, I have found that lying down on a pillow on our bed, whilst relaxing is not the best place to read and pray! Unless snoring is a special prayer language that is! Often I will pray whilst going for a walk (I have yet to begin snoring when doing this!)
There is much uncertainty in the world media at the moment. Much of our 'secure' financial world has come crashing down, since it was being built on a dodgy foundation called greed. It could be easy to react in panic and by being extra busy. Yet even here, perhaps we would do well to slow up, step back and get the bigger picture!
The financial crash by the way did not take God by surprise!
Well I am suppose to be slowing up myself so I am going to finish typing!
Andy
Lasting legacy? - (2008-11-11)
Earlier today (November 11th),I sat and watched the Remembrance Service in London; marking the 90th anniversary of the signing of the armistice at the end of World War One. In attendance amongst the many there, were the three remaining British veterans from that conflict. I am sure that 90 years ago; none of these three men would have imagined they would be such a focus of media attention and representative of all others they served among; including the many who died on all sides.
For most of us reading this, we are not called into military conflict, though of course many around the world are in such situations. Do we ever pause and take time to pray for such places? Or does conflict just become something we simply see on the news or read of in the newspapers? It can be so easy to become casual observers of what happens elsewhere in the world.
As I reflected on these three remaining British veterans from 1918, it caused me also to think about all our lives. Are we open to the Lord's leading now; not just to impact the present but also to leave a lasting legacy in the future?
These past couple of weeks on Sundays at ICL, we have touched on having revelation and vision from the Lord in our lives. As you read this blog, do you believe that is possible or is it something crazy to even consider?
A question......
Do we believe what God speaks over our lives?
Another.....
Do we believe that He even speaks?
To people like you and me....
There is a usually overlooked point about an Old Testament character called Joshua. In Numbers 13 it makes mention of the twelve spies who were sent by Moses to spy in Canaan - only two of these lived to actually see Israel enter Canaan forty years later - Joshua and Caleb. The rest did not due to unbelief.
Here in Numbers 13, it first speaks of Joshua as - Hoshea, son of Nun. Hoshea in Hebrew means 'salvation' or 'deliverer'. Yet a bit further on; almost as an aside comment; it is written, "Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun, the name Joshua" Joshua means 'the Lord saves' or 'the Lord delivers'. Do you see the difference? The Lord was the One Joshua could put his trust in, rather than just relying on his own abilities!
Whatever the Lord calls us to do, He speaks into our lives how He sees the future. Sure, you may not have a literal name change but if the Lord speaks vision into your life, He will also equip you.
So whatever your actual name is and its meaning; whatever it is that you or others have spoken over your life - look to the Lord and what He says.
Possibly you will never be in the situation where you are asked to lay down your life for your country. Yet there will be challenges, there will be things, that if you are going to step out in vision, that you will need courage and strength for.
Where will you draw that courage and strength from?
"Be strong and courageous" were God's words to Joshua.
What is He saying to you?
Andy
What has got your attention? - (2008-10-30)
Has anything ever really caught your attention? May be it was a scenic view whilst on holiday or even a sunset sky where you live? Perhaps it was a new product or a piece of food in a shop, if so did it live up to its appearance if you bought it? I confess to being attracted to some chocolate cakes in my time, that yes caught my eye, but did not live up to expectations!
Of course, with much of the world's media focused on the global economic situation, it could be this at present which has your attention. So how should we respond? Fear? What will be, will be? Stick our head in the sand? Hope the US elections will somehow begin to sort it all out? Emigrate to the Moon?
Faith?
Faith!?!
Whether in good times or bad times, for those who consider themselves followers of Christ; we are called to consider where is our focus; what has our attention? An early christian writer, penned, "we walk by faith not by sight" No, he was not saying faith is blind and ignores reality. Rather His mind and life were focussed on something; Someone in fact, greater than his circumstances. And this writer had experienced beatings, imprisonment, being chased out of towns and even stoning! That was surely enough to get his attention!!! Instead He focussed elsewhere, on Christ.
So is such a faith walk possible? In a climate of rapidly changing share values, bank insecurities and shaky economics; is not such an idea at best; somewhat naiive? I don't think that it is.....
Another early Christian writer, encouraged his readers to, "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" This is how we have faith, by looking to Christ. Consider Him - he went through the cross for each one of us. That dare I say, is far more challenging than anything most of us will ever face! He knew the 'joy set before him' - he had vision beyond the horrendous treatment he got when crucified for you and me. What is more, He came through the cross and out the other side! He can be trusted and so can His words.
He can be trusted?
And His words?
Yes...............
So where will our attention be in these days? Do global shakings, shake away any sense of vision for your life and impacting others? Who is the deciding factor - the Lord or what is going on with your bank account?
Your answer to has anything ever really caught your attention, is probably going to be...... yes! But....
What has got your attention today?
Andy
PS As a non-American, I would suggest that it would be good to be praying for the coming US elections; it is important for the world. If you are American reading this of course, then don't forget to vote too!!
Where are you looking? - (2008-10-16)
Have you ever put something away 'safe' and then when you need it again, you have got no idea where it is? I had one of those experiences earlier today. I went to where I thought the item in question was. No I could not find it. So I looked in cupboards, downstairs, in the roof, all over the place. Could I find it? No!
In life all kinds of questions can be in our minds. Perhaps we look in all kinds of places for the answers.
May be you are reading this and you say, "Oh I have looked in the cupboard labelled Christianity, I did not find what I was looking for there" I guess to that, I would ask, was the cupboard correctly labelled? Not everything that goes under the title 'Christian' always is the genuine thing. Jesus Christ's life is the focus to look at. Does He have answers, even if dare I say it, it seems to you that the 'church'does not?
So I would encourage you if you are reading this and have questions about life, do not dismiss Christian faith. Perhaps it would be good to look one more time.
May be you are reading this and you say, "Hey, I am a Christian, I believe it is true but what about.................... that I am going through?" Again I would encourage you, seek to focus on Jesus Christ and what He says about our lives. Do we actually believe we can truly trust Him? Do we actually believe He knew what he was talking about when He said things like, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God..." Or are words like these, more like a drawer in a cupboard that we feel we have tried and given up on?
May be you are reading this and in the past, you have put some of God's promises away 'safe'' in your life, but faith does not seem fresh anymore. Perhaps it would be good to re-visit those things again? We can all ask Him for a fresh start in our walk with Him. It may mean some heart searching, even saying sorry and receiving again of His grace. God's grace is His unmerited, unearnable favour but also His provision for us to be able to follow Him. Further, He promises to give us His Holy Spirit to enable us.
May be for some of us, we have allowed expectant faith to die a bit inside of us. Perhaps it is time to look again to Him? And if we feel that we cannot do this, be honest with some others about it.
Wherever we are at in life, I believe that part of God's answer into our lives can come through other people. What do I mean? Well to illustrate, with my losing what was needed this morning, Helen (my wife) was able to take a step back from it all. Part of the answer was in listening to her. I admit that sometimes I can be stubborn when I lose things!
Do not let anything like doubt, pride, fear of what others might say or anything else, stop you from being real. I believe that God wants to speak into everyone of our lives. A relationship with God is possible through Jesus Christ. There are answers for life in Him. But perhaps He wants to work through other people to help us find Him and what we are looking for? Will we be open today?
May be the answer we need is actually something we have already dismissed as possible. Look again! Why do I say that? Well to go back to the object I was looking for today. I did find it in the end. The items were inside an envelope within the box that I originally looked in!
Andy
Words! - (2008-10-07)
Do you ever get that desire to escape from the computer screen? As I type this, I am at one of those occasions! So it is just going to be a short blog this time, not that many words.
And speaking of words....
Towards the end of a letter called Colossians in the New Testament, you can find these words, "let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6) On October 19th at ICL, we will be touching on this verse as part of our last session in the series of Living lives of Liberty. But meanwhile, these are some challenging words to be be reflecting on. The book of Proverbs speaks of the tongue having the power of life and death. We can build people up with our words or we can in fact tear them down! Here in Colossians, the writer, Paul urges us to have grace in all our conversation. Sounds good, but what are we like at work for example when we are under pressure?
Salt for seasoning: salt in the right measure, helps to enhance and bring our flavour. Salt also of course has a preserving function too. Are our words bringing the right measure to others? What kind of flavour are others getting from our speech? And what do our words draw out from others? Let's not forget too much salt actually tastes disgusting!!
Who could you encourage for instance? Who could you stand up for with your words? Where may be others are worried by economic rumblings, could you speak out some words of peace and hope? What could you speak out this week?
I will not write much more on this now, but perhaps this verse is something for us all to reflect on this week, amidst all that we are doing. The good thing to note though too, is that Paul writes these words in the context of calling people to pray. We do not have to try and do the Christian walk on our own, we can ask the Lord for His help. I believe that can even include with our words (though of course we have a part to play in it all too!)
Hopefully that is an encouragement to us all, wherever we feel we are at in terms of Christian faith.
Time really has come to turn off this machine, so my words in this blog end.................. now
Andy
Variety, clarity, liberty! - (2008-09-22)
Cycling home the other day, I was reflecting on all the different types of people I was passing. Some were walking (Nordic style and otherwise), others were jogging or on their bikes. Of course, they were various ages, different ethnic origins and probably varying levels of fitness!
Humanity is incredibly varied! There is so much to celebrate about this. Different cultures, languages, ways of being. It is one of the many things that I love about being in an international church; that you get to meet people from all over the world but also work out together Christian faith in the 21st Century.
Are we all open to learning from others? Are we internationally minded? Do we keep up on the news, not just from our own country but also elsewhere? Perhaps we could all consider, who do we know that is from another culture, that may need encouragement or support today? For instance, many people who have come to the Netherlands for work or study or even asylum, can feel lonely or even disoriented. Will we reach out?
If you are a Jesus follower reading this, do you pray for other places in the world regularly? What about those from other nations who live in your neighbourhood or eho are your colleagues or fellow students?
Somewhere like Leiden, has so many nations represented. It is a great place to encourage people to consider the claims of Christ on our lives. Now may be you are reading this and would not count yourself as a Christian. Questions might come to mind like, "well if you are writing about such variety, what about all the different beliefs in the world?" "how can you just go on about Jesus?" These are good and valid questions. In one sense, I would ask such questions back again - why is it that Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the key to a life transforming relationship with God? what is it about Christian faith that is unique?
This is not to say that there are not good things spoken from within the other world religions. Also no one should be persecuted or discriminated against because they hold different beliefs. But those of us who count ourselves as Jesus followers, do know that Christ called us to express His love to others and to speak of Him as the way to relationship with God. We need to do this with love, gentleness and respect. It is about dialogue with others, not in your face monologue!!!
Is there variety of belief in this world? Yes of course, just as there is variety of people on the local bike paths. But Christians believe that in the midst of the variety of humanity and all the questions that people can have, that Jesus Christ brings clarity and liberty! "If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed", Christ declared. Do you know His freedom? If yes, are you living in the good of it and can others see it in your life? Christian faith is a call to truly live lives of liberty, in the midst of the variety of the world we live in. He is the One who brings true clarity!
Andy
Passed its sell by date? - (2008-09-12)
Ever bought anything passed its sell by date and then regretted it? Earlier I was in the city and saw some 'bargains'' which were out of date. I pondered going for it but in the end I decided against it.
In areas such as fashion or music, clothing items or music styles can just as easily be 'out' as they can be 'in'. What is trendy one minute, is positively out of date a few months later! Sometimes our kids hear the 80s music we play on occasions and even to the ears of a 10 year old and a 7 year old, it does not quite fit in 2008!! We must be getting old!!
Sometimes it can be heard to be said, "faith, that is out of date now.... we have moved on..... science has proved it is all false" I remember being out to watch a soccer match on a big screen in the city and I got chatting with a strange. When he found out what I do , he said, "I cannot believe people still believe in that kind of thing". It was an interesting conversation that followed.
But is faith out of date? Are science and faith mutually exclusive? If yes, then what of the many scientists who do believe in a Creator?(even if not defined as say Christians would view God).
There is much misunderstanding all round about the language of science and also, for want of a better word, theology.
I actually think it is really interesting to hear all about the Large Hadron Collider at the CERN project in Geneva. I don't begin to claim that I understand all the intricacies of it, but I am picking up on some of it. And no I do not see any contradiction - whatever is found is not going to necesarily fully answer the question of how the universe was formed. And it certainly will not answer the question of why.
At ICL, we have been looking together over the past few Sundays at a 1st century letter written to an early group of Christians. "Now that is out of date!"you might argue. I'd actually say the opposite. And amongst the claims of the letter is that through Christ the universe was made and in Him it all ultimately holds together. This is not denying laws such as those of thermodynamics or gravity but nor does it mean that scientific laws show there is no God. There is not a need for one to exclude the other!
The letter goes onto claim that all was created not just by Him but also for Him. Now that really is quite a claim. If it is true, what are the implications of this? What bearing would it have on our lives?
Scientific, philosophical and theological debate all have their place. There have been various philosophical arguments put forward for the existence of God and just as many counter arguments. But for Christians, whilst this should not all be ignored, the starting point is Jesus Christ. He is the One as recorded in John's Gospel who said , "If you have seen me you have seen the Father" . In this letter we have been looking at (called Colossians), it speaks that "in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." God in the flesh, amongst mankind. Not just some detached Creator or even impersonal universal force but a God who cares intimately about humanity. Does such a statement throw up, "what about...? " questions concerning our world? Yes it does but I believe there are answers too though that is not the focus of this blog.
The same letter goes onto say that, "you have been given fulness in Christ". Christianity at its core is about a relationship with God through Christ. It is not primarily a belief about, but a connection with, a surrendering to. Many claim even today (and some are scientists even!) that this same Jesus, has transformed their lives now in the 21st Century. It is good news to follow Christ, it is about liberty!
So amidst news reports about sub-atomic particles and increasing coverage that there will be of Darwin's writing with important celebrations happening next year, do not just think straight away that faith is out of date. And if you think science disproves faith, I'd encourage you to re-consider, is this actually true?
Time for me to go and eat some in date food!
Andy
Living lives of liberty? - (2008-08-29)
Here in Zuid Holland, the school holidays are almost over. But do you remember back to those days when your summer break from school came around? That feeling probably of 'holidays here we come' ! How must someone feel who for instance has been wrongly charged in court or even falsely imprisoned but is then released? Liberty must feel so wonderful. Or a country freed from an oppressor..... The list could go on.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word 'liberty'?
Through September and into October at ICL, we are thinking about the theme of 'Living lives of Liberty'. Jesus Christ declared that if he "sets you free then you will be free indeed". Elsewhere one of the early Christian writers declared, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom".
Are such declarations of liberty, your view of Christian faith? Is it one of life changing freedom? Or for you, is it more a dogma of rules that bind and hold people back? If the latter, what has caused you to reach such a conclusion? Does it actually fit with the presentation of Christ in the Gospel accounts?
Many Jesus followers claim that it is a life of freedom. May be you are reading this and you count yourself as a Christian. Do you sense His freedom in your life?
Are there things that can help us to consider whether or not we are living lives of liberty? I believe that there are. We are going to touch on some of these from a 1st century letter to a group of Christ followers, who lived in a city that was called Colossae. This Roman city is long gone, only a few ruins remain today, but this letter has some very relevant things to say into our lives. May be you would like to check out Colossians for yourself over the next few weeks or if you have never done so, read a Gospel such as Matthew or Luke. If you do not have a Bible, modern translations can be found online, in all kinds of languages.
Freedom in Christ is not just for each of us personally, in the sense of it being kept to ourselves. This freedom is suppose to impact the world around us. Relationship with God should shape our relationships with other people. Christian faith is not about religious escapism - the Bible abounds with declarations of God's concern for justice, for the poor and the oppressed. Do we have such a concern for others? But the Bible also declares that true ultimate freedom in each of our lives can only come through Jesus Christ and asking him to be number one, to be "Lord" .
Now some might say, 'lordship' suggests servitude, oppression, slavery even. But herein lies a paradox, by submitting our lives to the lordship of Christ, we are released into true freedom. Too vague to be relevant to 21st century life? What do you think?
Andy
Going for gold! - (2008-08-18)
During the past two weeks, whether you have been on holiday, at home or at work, you probably have not failed to notice that the Olympic Games are happening! Usain Bolt for example leaving the opposition behind in the 100 metres sprint mens' final, Michael Phelps making Olympic history and winning 8 golds and China's continuing to dominate the medals table (36 golds at the time of typing this).
Athletes from so many nationalities have mixed in determination, passion, focus, discipline and hard work to achieve in these games. If you are like me (I am not exactly that athletic!!), I have felt tired even just watching some of the events. For example, how do people row that fast, for so long? Awesome!!
The New Testament makes various references to the walk of faith being like a race and encouraging us to finish the race. The kind of Bible verses that you might expect me to quote with reference to the Olympics. But instead, the verse that has been going round my mind a lot whilst away on holiday, is this: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for people" (Colossians 3 v 23)
Many if not all the Olympic competitors will not cease to be athletes when the Games end. They will be training and competing in other competitions. Every day, they will be doing things related to their passion, even if it is something as simple as continuing to eat right.
In this Bible verse I have quoted, we are being encouraged to throw our lives into what we do. Sure that may not be as a swimmer or sprinter, what we do might never appear on TV or on a website.... but do we serve with passion? do we serve with purpose? If you are a Jesus follower, who do you work for? Of course, your employer pays your salary and you have a job to do, we all need to show respect to those we work for. But this verse cuts to the heart of the matter and says, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord!
If we could all really get hold of this, what would it mean in our work situations?
Work is not suppose to be a curse. Adam was working in the Garden of Eden before wrong entered into the world - work as a reality did not come about as a result of wrongdoing! Admittedly, work can be distorted and perverted and become a curse - modern day exploitation such as human trafficking of women, who are then forced to work as prostitutes is but one awful example. It is right that we seek to stand up over such issues.
I write again - work is not suppose to be a curse but rather a place in which we can serve the Lord with passion and wholeheartedness. Why not take some time out to reflect on what does serving the Lord mean for where you work? If we really bring Christ to the centre of our jobs, is there anything that we will need to change? Are there ever situations, in which you feel a conflict with your faith or you ask yourself, as a Christian, how do I react in this part of my job? Do you ever talk with others about how they work out their faith in their work situations? Are we praying for our colleagues? Do we take time to show genuine concern for others at work?
How can our lives at work be a pointer to faith and its relevance for people's lives? Lets face it, for most of us, we are not employed to talk about God! So how do we share our faith at work with integrity? Do our colleagues see a difference in our lives? Do they know that we are followers of Jesus?
How do we respond to situations on injustice and wrong in the workplace? Are you facing some dilemmas at work even at present? If the Lord has called you there, then there also must be a 'God answer' for your situation. It is not reasonable to be called by the Lord to work somewhere and then He leaves us to just get on with it, no help, no answers.... Perhaps part of your answer is to chat with some others you trust about the dilemma and ask for their counsel.
Why is it that people who go on 'missions' trips or plant a new church for example, get prayed for; but people in everyday jobs often do not? Surely that is wrong! Everyone who is a follower of Jesus is in "full time ministry" - I do not recall Christ saying that on certain days, we get time off from being one of His followers! Or that some vocations/jobs/places of study are spiritual and that others are just secular!! There is not a place in real Christian faith for splitting life up by such distinctions!!
So we are all called to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, whatever it is that we do. Work, study, being a parent at home (which is work too), in retirement... whatever it is, wherever it is. In this sense, we are all called to go for gold! And whether you count yourself as a Jesus follower or not, I hope that there is something in this blog for you to reflect on.
Who could you encourage this week in his or her life situation?
Andy
PS A very helpful book on faith and work is "Marketplace Christianity" by Robert Fraser, New Grid Publishing
Worth saving? - (2008-07-30)
Have you ever eaten a meal and wished that there was some more? Or even that you wished you could save some for later on? Actually sometimes we have done that, put it in the fridge but then forgotten about it. Of course when re-discovered it is not really a desirable item again!
What about a favourite item of clothing or a pair of shoes that are getting worn, in fact, more than worn out? Are you reluctant to throw these out, do you do your best to save them? I can be a bit like that sometimes with some things. Or how about those old cassette tapes that we all have? - the sound quality is dreadful, the tape runs slow but we want to save them all (we have a shoe box with a number of tapes like that in it from the 1980s!!)
As I type, in the background, files are getting saved to a disk. Why? Very simply it is because the files are important and are worth saving.
The summer can be a good time to reflect and consider what is of real value and worth to us. What are the people or things that are most important to you? Are we giving our time to these? Is there anything that we are giving time to, that could actually do with being deleted from our lives rather than saved? Are we sowing positively into our family, friends and colleagues? Do we need to embrace anything new? Does the welfare of others feature highly in our thinking? Where, if at all, does God fit into our daily lives?
At ICL, we have been reflecting on things that we consider always worth saving, always worth giving time to - these core values are expressed in four words: real - family- simple- passion. You can read about these values on this website. And if you have missed any of the talks, why not check out the downloads section?
God puts such high value on people, that the Bible declares that, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Through Jesus, all of us can have a relationship with God. This is not an option just for some but He will not force Himself on any of us. A computer file has no choice about whether it gets saved to a disk but God has given us free will. And yes that does raise all kinds of questions about humanity's freedoms, can God intervene?, where do miracles fit in to all of this? and so on. What is your response to such questioning? May be something to reflect on and do some reading about.
Christ ultimately gave His life for us since we have such high value to God. When the Bible speaks about us 'being saved', it was not simply to create a nice sounding religious phrase. It has so much richness in it, it touches on God's grace, love and forgiveness, that because of Christ we can be restored to relationship with the God of all creation! Quite a bold claim!
Saved from what? 'Can we really believe all that 'sin' stuff in the 21st century?' 'Is that not all rather out of date?' 'Who are you to say that I have done wrong anyway?' The Bible is clear - "all have done wrong and fall short of God's glory and are made right freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" To state that we have all done wrong, is not to put anyone down or bring condemnation. That is not the point. Christian faith is about a liberating relationship with God not pious religious judgments on people's lives.
'Made right freely by his grace' - if we count ourselves as followersof Jesus, are we living in the good of that? God invested His best to bring us all freedom. We were that precious to Him. People are all worth saving. One early Christian writer called on his readers to 'live lives worthy of the calling you have received'. Being a Christian is not just about tacking on some basic beliefs to our lives, but it is suppose to be all embracing, life changing and our lives are to reflect His grace at work within us. Is that evident in our lives?
Perhaps for some reading this though, you have been questioning are you really worthy of God's call? Is God really interested in you? Has becoming a Christian really made a difference? The same Christian writer says elsewhere in the New Testament, "we are God's workmanship", that is quite something to reflect on. He is at work in your life.
Well it's back to checking these files I have been saving and then I might go and look in the fridge and see what is in there to eat! I hope it tastes okay!
Andy
Is anyone interested? - (2008-07-25)
Is there anyone out there? Is anyone interested?
It's a hot afternoon here in Leiden and I am sat outside in the garden typing. Admittedly the keyboard is getting a bit hot now, as am I. So I may be making a tactical retreat indoors very soon!
As it is the summer, many of those who are a regular part of ICL are away on holiday. So is there anyone left reading this? (if you are on holiday and reading this - get off the computer, you are suppose to be relaxing!!!)
Everyone whoever writes a blog or puts things on their facebook site or similar thing, probably wonders sometimes is anyone reading, is anyone out there? No don't worry this is not some kind of appeal for all kinds of emails to say 'Andy, we are reading, it's okay'. Rather, I would like to ask some questions - when we hit tough moments, do we believe there is 'anyone out there' ? With the questions and debates of life, do we consider that anyone is ultimately interested?
Christians speak of and believe in a God who is intimately interested in this world. In the midst of all the inexplicable things that come across us personallty or through the news, do we believe a statement such as "God is love"? This was penned by one of the early Jesus followers; is it true and does it have any relevance to our lives in the 21st century? Can the possibility of a relationship with God because of Christ, really speak into a world of global warming, financial strain, rising food prices and fuel cost jumps? Or is Christian faith just some kind of escapist relief from the pressures of the real world?
Is there anyone out there? Is anyone interested?
Billions are being spent searching for extra terrestrial life or to try and re-create the moments of creation at the Big Bang. Some scientists and mathematicians work hard to try and find the universal law of everything; that ceratin something which will answer the mysteries of the universe once and for all. Exploration is part of human psyche but sometimes I wonder, if such efforts are more of an uphill struggle than the Alpine stages of the Tour de France!! But I don't write that as some one who is anti-science! Being a follower of Jesus does not mean that you have to be mindless!!!
is there anyone out there? Is anyone interested?
The Bible asserts that the answer is yes. However long ago the universe was made and through whatever mechanism, God was there. More than that, He has been revealed in the flesh through Jesus Christ. The One of whom it is said that He is "the same yesterday, today and forever". Many, many people claim that knowing Jesus Christ has transformed their lives, that yes there is One who is ultimately interested!
Time to go indoors - if you are interested, it is too hot out here now!
Andy
On the Beach! - (2008-07-14)
When was the last time you went to the beach? Did you go in the sea, walk on the sand, make sand sculptures, sit in a cafe? Hopefully most, if not all of your times on the beach have been positive.
Mind you I reflect on one of our first times on a beach after we moved to the Netherlands, was at Scheveningen. The kids were bouncing on trampolines when the skies opened up. We were drenched very quickly. Not perhaps the most relaxing beach trip ever, though it will always be remembered and it was a good introduction to the changeability of the weather!
Over the next four weeks, at ICL we are looking at a series called "On the Beach" . We're going to be have some time out together to reflect on ICL's core values. You see normally on a beach, it is an opportunity for time out. So we want to have some time to reflect as a congregation and whether the core values we have are flowing in our lives.
How about each of us? Will we take some time out the reflect on our lives? What will we read this summer for example? Who will we spend time with and learn from?
One ancient song writer penned, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139 v 23 and 24) For that to really happen, it is not just a quick fix. This is not a drive through at McPrayer for a quick take away word with the Almighty! Will we make the time to listen to Him?
Last Sunday, the talk was 'The battle for our worship' - what we give 'worth - ship' to? That which we consider worthy of our attention, we give time to! So where does God fit into that? Not that I am suggesting we have got to lock ourselves away for hours everyday to pray. Your boss at work might be asking where you are for example! But nonetheless, if we want to truly reflect and hear from God, we do need to give space and time for this, as well as staying open to being aware of God throughout the day. 'Practising the Presence of God' by Brother Laurence is well worth read on this topic - a monk who had his head screwed on the right way! Not sure what that means? well may be read the book and reflect on it!
Of course you may be reading this and not consider that hearing from God is possible, nor that our reflecting could mean we would be any the wiser about what He wishes to say. In fact is there even a God out there? Can I encourage you to take time out too? Why not read one of the Gospel accounts in the New Testament such as Luke? Ask questions, read round..... If there is a possibility that there is a God who made the universe but more than that, calls us to follow Him and know His leading in our lives; is that not worth taking some time out to reflect on?
This Sunday coming(20th) by the way, 14.30, you'll find ICL on Katwijk beach(meeting opposite the white church on the boulevard) - last one in the sea buys the ice creams!!!!
Andy
Real Family... Simple Passion
Believe it or not?
New series beginning - March 14th - 11am
This week's topic: Why does it matter what we believe?
(10am - Perspectives - a response to atheism and are science and faith in conflict?)
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