The Walls of Tradition and Culture

Yesterday was a day of catching up with things that had been recorded.  First I watched a programme called Human Planet about how people survive in the most extreme circumstances.  This week's episode was about those who live within the Arctic Circle.  It showed how the Inuits hunted for food.  It had never occurred to me before but they have no fruit of vegetables as they cannot grow any produce on a land that is covered with ice and snow most of the year.  My thought was 'What about your 5 a day?'  We are told rightly that we should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to have a balanced diet but I had never thought about people who cannot do this.  Then there is the issue of hunting and killing rare sharks that live only in the Arctic waters and hundreds of birds.  But can it be wrong if it is in order to survive? 

The second catch up was a podcast on Martin Scott's blog of a recent visit to Sacramento.  He and his wife are currently living in Majorca and learning the language.  He spoke of their neighbour whom they could often hear with raised voice to her partner and said how he had learnt some Spanish words that he couldn't find in the dictionary!  But on the other hand he was so provoked by this same lady who would go out looking for people who needed help and doing what she could to help them. 

It is so easy to judge others according to what we consider to be right and proper.  What may be wrong for me may not be wrong for someone else.  If we can look past the outer veneer of our own culture and way of doing things, we will find that God is at work in some of the most unlikely places.  We don't always see this because we have built a wall around ourselves and consider that those who follow Christ must join us within the walls and fit in to our ways, habits and way of living.  One very important lesson I learned from living in another country is that some of the things that I had accepted as right and proper were not necessarily biblical but more English tradition and culture.  'Lord, help me to see others not as better or worse but simply different.  Help me to see past the customs and traditions to see as You see.  Man sees on the outside but You see the inside.' 

Who knows where I'll see God today?  Probably outside of the walls I have constructed in my life.

House or Home

 The thing about winter is that, although it brings rest and renewal to creation and gives way to spring and new life, there is also a destructive element to it.  Fences need to be strengthened and there is a patch of pointing in the brickwork that needs some attention to prevent dampness from seeping into the inside of the house.  Roof and loft areas need to be checked.  Repair and maintenance always seems to be ongoing - always something to do, inside or outside.

I love watching all those property programmes on TV - Homes under the Hammer, Escape to the Country, Location,location,location etc.  Some properties are beyond our wildest dreams while others are quite humble and ordinary.  But then I look at the news and see what happens to man made property when creation begins to groan and we see the effects of floods, earthquakes, war and unrest in the land.  And things seem to take on another perspective. 

Maybe it's because I have lived in many different houses and places in my life, that I can't quite understand people who are so attached to a particular building.  Of course there are memories that we wish to keep hold of;  there are untold stories and emotions connected to certain places.  We should enjoy the place where God has allowed us to be and be good stewards of the material things he has given us but also try to see things from God's world perspective.  

A house is a place to live but a home is a place of love and that can be wherever God chooses for us to be.  So as we face the necessary repairs, I try to keep focused on the real purpose for our being here - to live out the love of God and make a difference just here, whatever the bricks and mortar look like.

Sorting out

It's been one of those sorting out days.  I started this morning by making a list of 'to do' things, gradually ticking off the things I actually managed to get done - ironing, cleaning bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, sorting out rubbish and recycling.  I didn't finish my list but still have a sense of achievemnet for what I have done.

While sorting out the rubbish, I eventually threw away what had been a beautiful bunch of flowers. 

I had been given them for my birthday a couple of weeks ago - lilies and roses.  The roses had already died but I kept the lilies as long as I could for their lovely aroma.  I had put them on the table in the dining room (at the front of the house) so that you could smell them as soon as you walked through the front door or down the stairs. But sadly, today I said goodbye to them.  They didn't really smell very nice now. 

Things come and go, life changes and sometimes what once was lovely and enjoyable has served a very useful purpose but we must move on. The trouble is we always want to hold on to what we have enjoyed hoping that it will continue to always be the same.  And then are disappointed when it doesn't have the same effect or appeal.  I love the quote from Bono when he says: 'Religion is what you've left when the Spirit leaves the building.'  I don't want the dying or dead leftovers.  I want life - the real thing -as Jesus puts it 'in all its fulness'.  So it's a case of sorting out what is no longer useful and doing away with it, even though it might have been good once but no longer serves the purpose - replenishing and renewal.  I thank God for what I had and experienced - all good and right at the time - and I move on in my journey.

Renewal

This photo was taken on Monday and is the first sign of new life in our garden this year.  It reminded me of something I wrote a number of years ago when life was a bit of a struggle.  I was doing an Open Learning course at the time and for one assignment had to write a prayer in the Celtic tradition.  I chose to write about the snowdrop.  The only words I have changed from the original are you instead of thou and your instead of thy. 



                                                             THE SNOWDROP

                                      God of Life, you give hope to me

                                      When all around is deathly white.

                                      God of Love, you show warmth to me

                                      When icy snows begin to melt.

                                      God of Creation, you speak to me

                                      Your world around me tells me of your truth.

                                      The small white flower that is so delicate yet strong

                                      Braves ice and snow to bring your message to me.

                                      Thank you, O God, because you remind me

                                      That hard times some day surely will end,

                                      That cold days will give way to warmer clime,

                                      That winter cannot prevent spring's resurrection.

                                      Thank you, O Father, God of Creation.

                                      In the dark, cold days you are with me.

                                      Thank you, O Jesus, God of Love.

                                      In your tender mercy you enfold me.

                                      Thank you, O Spirit, God of Life.

                                      In your everlasting faithfulness you renew me. 

Back in the garden

I have been so wanting lately to get back out into the garden.  There is so much I want to do so I was really happy when this afternoon I was able to sort out some plants and bulbs.  For about 2 hours the sun actually shone.  I had received from friends for my birthday a couple of lovely pots with plants for the patio and so this afternoon I was finally able to put them out and also to pot some other bulbs and plants ready to be transplanted in the garden at a later date when they have become more established.  There were irises, lily of the valley, red hot pokers, anemones and a few others. Hopefully in another few months the garden will be transformed in a blaze of colour.  I was just about finished when ... surprise, surprise, it started to rain ... again!  Never mind, I was very pleased with what I had managed to get done in the short space of time.

I am always amazed how the spring bulbs keep on growing despite the bad weather.  These are some daffs and narcissus that I planted last autumn.  All through the winter time, the place looks so desolate and barren and yet, seemingly out of nowhere, there is life.  I need to be reminded often that in times of waiting when apparently nothing is happening and all seems dead and lost, there are great changes going on in the dark, deep places.  It seems that more often than not, the miracles happen away from the glare of publicity, in the secret places.  The waiting and the coping with the darkness and cold storms of winter are necessary for the new life to flourish.  The barren times of waiting can be very hard but thank you Lord that spring is just around the corner!

What plans?

It's been one of those weird days. Normally on a Thursday morning I meet up with my sister and we spend the morning together. Sometimes we go shopping and sometimes just sit and drink coffee and chat about anything and everything, putting the world to rights. A couple of days ago she phoned to say we would have to give it a miss this week as something else had cropped up. So now I had a morning I could do something else.

I had received a number of gift cards for my recent birthday so thought it would be a good idea to go into town and see what I could buy and spoil myself. Then I would come home and sort out a couple of big pots I had also received from friends for the patio. I would go into town first as I needed to be home this afternoon to receive a delivery from the local farmers.

I awoke early with my mind set for the day. I had my plan and was waiting for my son to leave for work and then I would get in motion. NOT, as it happens! My son came downstairs hardly able to speak, croaking that he really felt he should take the day off work as he felt really poorly. So I made him a hot honey and lemon drink and he went back to bed. I suppose I could have gone out and left him but thought it better if I hung around and made him his hot drinks. He slept all day but thankfully by teatime he was feeling much better and got up in time to eat. Apparently they are typical symptoms of so called 'man flu' - go to bed and have everyone feeling sorry for you, sleep most of the day and get up when the food is ready! (Only joking - he really did look rough this morning)

So this morning I pottered around hoping to get into the garden to sort out my new pots for the patio - but as it was wet and miserable all day, that didn't happen either. Never mind I had a very chilled out day which I enjoyed to the point that after a spot of lunch I began drifting off in my very comfortable recliner when suddenly the door bell went bringing me back to reality. It was the delivery from the local farmers - the only part of the planned day that actually happened.

What are my plans for tomorrow? I'll wait til tomorrow and see what happens.

Value and purpose

This morning the TV presenter was interviewing a well known celebrity about a documentary programme he was involved in about physics. What may not be well known is that the well known comedian is qualified in quantum physics. It seems a long way from what he is more readily recognised for. In the interview he said that preparing the programme made him feel that his life had purpose again.

I know what he means but began thinking how we evaluate people by the jobs they do. I guess that in an evening after a day's work, when we just want to relax and escape the drudgery of life for a while, we may prefer to listen to a comedian than a scientist (depending on what you like of course) But being able to relax and smile is important in life and those who dedicate their lives to helping us achieve this I feel are doing a very worthwhile job.

How often I have been introduced to someone firstly by their name and quickly followed by their profession or trade/job skill. I once heard that someone had commented on an undergraduate's choice of boyfriend as 'Could she not have done better for herself? He 's only a ... ... ' I know that some jobs are vitally important but how often we value people wrongly because of what they do at work. Teachers are very important but so also is the dinner lady or the person who helps in the playground. For children travelling to school, the lollipop man/woman is so important. And surgeons would be lost without the after care nurses, hospital cleaners and porters and admin staff. Over the bad weather we have come to realise our need for the refuse collectors when they have been unable to collect down some streets. And so I could go on ... ... How often, even in Christian circles, do we see those who have some social clout being welcomed and fussed over more than the sole parent struggling to cope with life.

On a personal level, my two sons are so different in that one is very academic while the other struggled to finish school. He went because he had to but was so relieved when he could leave. One will always be paid more than the other and so will always have financial standing and status in society. As a mother and knowing how both worked as hard as each other - in fact I would say that at school the one who struggled applied himself more than the other - but the so called rewards in life being so different, I can't help feeling that life just isn't fair and that we judge people wrongly and put more importance onto things that in God's whole scheme of things are not that important. I pray that I will see people through God's eyes and accept that whatever they do, they have an important contribution to make to those around them. Looking at what the high fliers of the financial world have done to the world's economy, I would lean towards valuing the cleaners and lowly workers more. But that's another blog - maybe.

Perspective

A perspective is basically what you see from where you're standing. In art it is drawing in 2 dimensions in such a way as to see depth and distance. Of course your persepective can change depending on where you are standing.

I remember when I first passed my driving test and got my full licence - too many years ago to think about! But my license said that it expires in January 2011 when I reach a certain age. At the time I remember thinking, 'Well why on earth will I want to be driving at that age anyway?' A few weeks ago I received a letter from the Driving License Centre reminding me that my license was due to expire and that if I wanted to renew it for another 3 years then I needed to fill in the necessary form and sent it back to their office for confirmation. It's strange how my perspective has changed! Of course I want to renew and extend my license.

As a young woman, I could not have imagined how I would feel as the years progressed and held certain opinions about many things, not just about driving. But life is a great teacher and I have learnt many lessons. I have changed my perspective, point of view, outlook on a number of issues. How often do we hear people say that they have changed their minds about certain issues or that they don't think or believe certain things any more or they now do things differently.

I may elaborate on some of my own changes of opinion in future blogs but for now suffice to say that I have learnt to be less dogmatic and more tolerant because I know that over the years I myself have changed.

New house, new start

I have been thinking lately that I should start blogging again. It is now over 3 years since I last posted something here. Since then we eventually moved house in May 2009. We have done quite a bit of work on the house since moving in and are now tackling the garden. So here goes - new year, new house, new start.

A new year comes with the natural looking back and looking forward. Some friends have been talking about their 'to do lists' for the year ahead. I guess that at my age I don't really want to have a long list and feel pressurised into completing it. I may not be as quick and agile as I once was but there are things I would like to do and places I would like to visit. These past 3 years have been a time of waiting and now in this new year I have a sense that things may start to move again so who knows what this year holds - only God. And I just want to journey with Him and go where He wants me to and connect with those whom He has prepared for me to share this part of my journey with. I wonder what surprises He has prepared for me. I have a feeling that it's going to look different from anything I've experienced before. So here's looking forward to 2011.

The end of a season

I have, after quite a bit of thought, come to a decision. I believe that there are seasons in our lives and every season comes to an end. I have decided not to blog any more. I think it was beginning to take up quite a bit of time that really I felt I should be giving to other things. It is so easy to browse and browse and browse and in the end, spend more time than I intended. So today I am writing this as my last entry. This for me is the end of blogging - at least for some time.

Christian politics

I have just been watching the evening news. A statue of Nelson Mandela has been erected in Parliament Square in London and the man himself was there to see the unveiling. Certainly he is a man of politics with a difference.

After spending almost 3 decades in prison because he believed that everyone should have the same rights regardless of the colour of their skin, we all know how he was released and subsequently became the leader of South Africa. When I think of all he must have endured in those years of imprisonment, his political life after release is all the more amazing.

Instead of reprisal and revenge, he introduced strategies of reconciliation.

He is a man of absolute integrity in everything he does.

He is forthright, not mincing his words, but does not choose words in order to deceive, score political points against rivals or give an incorrect impression.

He doesn't lie but speaks the truth, even if it isn't popular.

He is approachable.

I tried to think of other political figures both in the UK and in other countries and tried to imagine them with those characteristics. Quite difficult - even for those politicians who claim to be Christians. Some would say that in politics, you can't display your own faith publicly and you cannot always live according to Biblical standards. There are other faiths to consider. It would appear that Nelson Mandela managed to do a pretty good job! What if ... ... all 'Christian' countries had leaders who really lived the Jesus way, then we would really make a difference for good in the world.

Blair Wingo

I recently listened to a powerful video I found on Sarah Rooney's blog. Click on the link to her blog and then on the video of Blair Wingo - Poet Missionary. I found it very thought provoking.

The changing shape of church

I've been doing a bit of browsing on the internet this afternoon.

A recent post on Martin Scott's blog tells of a research that suggests there are 111 million Christians outside of local church. The question asked is, 'Are they all in rebellion - or is there a (God) movement taking place?' Martin Scott is a very respected prophetic voice and he suggests a number of books on the subject. You can read his post by clicking on my links and on his blog for the post 'Books - or an excuse to ramble'.

I have also read how the church in China is sending out thousands of missionaries in twos to Muslim countries. And a report by Chris Mitchell on

CBN news

tells of hundreds of thousands of Muslims accepting Christ. You can click on the link to watch a video of the report. Many come to know Jesus through the internet and others have had dreams about Jesus.

Another website I like is http://www.god.tv/ It was founded by Rory and Wendy Alec.

The shape of church is changing!

Time for a smile

I read these in the August edition of Inspire Magazine. they made me smile so I thought I'd share a few with you. Hope you enjoy them.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

A backward poet writes inverse.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.

The guy who fell on an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

A plateau is a high form of flattery.

When she saw her first strands of grey hair, she thought she'd dye.

NOT Sold

This afternoon I received a phone call from our estate agent to say that the investor who was buying our flat has pulled out. So now we have to put it back on the market and hope it sells quickly or we may lose the house that we were hoping to buy. We put an offer in and it was accepted but if the owners think they have to wait longer they may decide to sell it to someone else. Again we trust that God will work all things out according to His purposes. There are moments when things get taken out of our control and we just have to trust Him. It's being in a place of 'not knowing' that can be difficult. We don't know if we'll be able to sell quickly. We don't know if the house we want will eventually be ours or if we will need to look for something else. It's as if life has been put on hold - a sort of suspended animation. Like I'm holding my breath and don't know when I can breath out.

Encouraged

I was truly blessed this morning by something I heard at church. A young Church of England vicar has recently been assigned to Yeovil with a remit to investigate new ways of being church in the 21st century. He came to share with us this morning something of his heart for our town. Town plans are to build many new homes in the next few years creating 3 new housing estates. Then David (the young vicar - Rev David Keen) posed the question about what we as the Body of Christ will be doing about the situation. Will we just stay where we are and suggest people travel into town to congregate with us or are we going to move out into the new estates?

I was greatly encouraged when he then went on to say that yesterday he and other church leaders from a number of churches in the town had met together and had agreed about working together on the issue. (Leaders of different denominatins actually agreeing to really work together in a non-denominational way? That's a good place to start!) They want to see people from across the churches working together in the new estates to find out particular needs and finding solutions to those needs. Not to build a church building, but to meet peoples' needs. It's not about them coming to a church building. It's about us being with them where they are in the community.

He also continued saying that all the leaders agreed that they shouldn't be planning too far ahead but seeking God's guidance in what HE wants to be done, when and how. We really need to pray that the enemy will not be allowed to thwart this vision or try to creep in with human plans and projects but it will indeed be Heaven to Earth directed. You can click on David's blog to find out more about him. I went home greatly encouraged.

An Inconvenient Truth

Yesterday I sat and watched the documentary film by Al Gore 'An Inconvenient Truth'. It is truly convincing the scientific data that he comes up with. I was already convinced of the reality of Global Warming and the effect of CO2 emissions but if I hadn't been then this film would have persuaded me. It is a 'must see' for anyone and everyone who cares at all about this planet. He doesn't just tell us the problem but also a solution that is possible for each one of us to live out in our everyday lives. We can each and all make a difference.

My niece has just given birth to a daughter and I don't want in the future for her to look at me and ask 'Why didn't you do something?' You can find out more by clicking on

An Inconvenient Truth

Sold

This afternoon we sold our flat, after being on the market for less than a week! When God moves He doesn't hang about! So now it's all systems go to find somewhere for us to live. They say that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences in one's life. But when God gets moving you don't have time to get stressed. I must admit that I haven't felt stressed. I reckon that if this is God's idea then why should I worry - He'll have it sorted.

An evening with Godfrey Birtill

I have just returned from a wonderful evening worshipping with Godfrey Birtill. Right at the start he said that our churches need to be delivered from 'lovely times of worship'. He referred to Paul and Silas in prison when they began to worship God and sing His praises. Then the earth trembled and the gates were opened. The jail keeper was so afraid he wanted to commit suicide. We know how the rest of the story tells us how he and his whole family came to accept Christ as Saviour. Godfrey with a smile commented, 'I don't think Paul and Silas went on their way that night saying, "Well that was a lovely time of worship!"'

So much of our worship is just singing 'nice songs' and wanting a kind of 'feel good' factor. It can so often be only about us and what we like and how we feel. For Paul and Silas, worship was about shaking the foundations of strongholds and opening the gates to let in God's power.

We spent the next 2 hours really worshipping. I reckon some foundations of enemy strongholds were shaken tonight.

For Sale

Today the estate agent came to write down particulars about the flat and to take photos. After he had finished, up went the board outside. The other board is for our neighbour who is also selling - but his has only one bedroom while ours has two. So now we are officially selling our home and only hope that it won't take too long before someone wants to buy it - and we can move to wherever God has prepared for us. Exciting but a bit scary. I guess it's all in His hands and in His timing.