Last Sunday we continued reading Paul's letter to the Corinthians, at the second chapter. Paul reminded the Corinthians that he had not used clever debate or sophisticated argument to convince people of the Good News about Jesus.
No, Paul gave convincing proof of the power of God's Spirit.
Before Jesus was crucified, he told his followers that the Holy Spirit would come upon them too. He said,
“When the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
Genesis reminds us that “God is Spirit, and God is Truth.” These are two of his characteristics, although He is more than just these.
Indeed, “God is”, is an even more fundamental characteristic of God. That is his Name. He told Moses, “I am is who I am.”
Genesis also tells us that God put something of himself into every human person. Genesis describes that something as “God’s image”.
Just like a TV image is not the full reality, so that ‘image’ of God within each human is only a glimpse of God. But that ‘glimpse’ is what leads so many humans to look for God.
Jesus encouraged his disciples not to depend on their own understanding, or on their own strength. God’s wisdom, strength, and power, are far greater than any human power.
Jesus was a man. Although he was also God, he had set aside all his Godly abilities. He was a man. A real man. Not a super-man.
He couldn’t do God’s work unless He had the Holy Spirit in him. That’s why his ministry started when he was Baptised by John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him.
Jesus told his disciples a surprising thing, a bit earlier in these Farewell Discourses in John’s Gospel. At John 14:12, he says, “I am telling you the truth: whoever believes in me will do what I do - Yes, he will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.”
It is an astonishing statement. That you, someone who believes in Jesus, will do what he did, and maybe even greater things than that.
When you look outside, you can’t tell how cold it is, unless you can see the signs.
When you look about you, you can’t see God, unless you can see the signs. The Holy Spirit shows us the activity of God. He ‘reveals the truth about God, and will lead you into all truth.’ (John 16:13)
Paul taught the Corinthian Christians to be open to the Holy Spirit, to allow Him to fill them full to overflowing, to be submerged in the Spirit, like being baptised in a running river of water.
The Spirit helps us to know God, to follow Jesus, and to help others to find God. It’s beyond and above our understanding.
Believe.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Monday, 11 January 2010
The Week That Was
On Thursday, I attended a Memorial service at my local church. My next-door neighbour had been ill for most of last year, and she died just before Christmas. She was a wonderful person. She and her husband were great neighbours and we will all miss them.
In the evening, my wife and I attended the Ordination of one of my training colleagues. He and I started at New College together in September 2005, and for most of the last 4 years, we have journeyed together, attending many of the same classes, and chatting most days. It was great to see him started in ministry at Stewarton: John Knox.
On Saturday, Liz and I went to visit one of the parishes I have applied for. We hadn't been able to see round one of the three church buildings on our previous visit, and it was nice to see the inside this time. As with the other two buildings, this one had some very attractive and distinctive features.
In the afternoon, we travelled through the snowy hills, for the ordination of another friend from New College. Although we did not know each other so well previously, during this past year, we have come a lot closer. He completed his training with the congregation where I had been on placement during the previous year. We share common experience, and it was nice to see some of my friends from that congregation who were also at his ordination.
The week seemed to whizz by so rapidly. It's been jam-packed, mostly with enjoyable and satisfying experiences, even although some them were to do with funerals.
God is good. He leads us through life from conception, through death, and beyond. Too often those ancient peoples of the Old Testament thought that God was an angry vengeful God. Jesus came to show us that God loves us. He cares for us and provides us with everything that we need, and far more than that.
God was there at the beginning of Time. He created Time. With Him there always enough time. Even until the End of Time, whenever that will be.
In the evening, my wife and I attended the Ordination of one of my training colleagues. He and I started at New College together in September 2005, and for most of the last 4 years, we have journeyed together, attending many of the same classes, and chatting most days. It was great to see him started in ministry at Stewarton: John Knox.
On Saturday, Liz and I went to visit one of the parishes I have applied for. We hadn't been able to see round one of the three church buildings on our previous visit, and it was nice to see the inside this time. As with the other two buildings, this one had some very attractive and distinctive features.
In the afternoon, we travelled through the snowy hills, for the ordination of another friend from New College. Although we did not know each other so well previously, during this past year, we have come a lot closer. He completed his training with the congregation where I had been on placement during the previous year. We share common experience, and it was nice to see some of my friends from that congregation who were also at his ordination.
The week seemed to whizz by so rapidly. It's been jam-packed, mostly with enjoyable and satisfying experiences, even although some them were to do with funerals.
God is good. He leads us through life from conception, through death, and beyond. Too often those ancient peoples of the Old Testament thought that God was an angry vengeful God. Jesus came to show us that God loves us. He cares for us and provides us with everything that we need, and far more than that.
God was there at the beginning of Time. He created Time. With Him there always enough time. Even until the End of Time, whenever that will be.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all my readers!
I hope you enjoy this last evening of the year, and of the decade. It's been an eventful ten years, and I pray that you will God's blessings during this next year, and the next decade.
I hope you enjoy this last evening of the year, and of the decade. It's been an eventful ten years, and I pray that you will God's blessings during this next year, and the next decade.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Merry Christmas
If you have been following my Advent blog, then you will already have seen our family Christmas card for this year.
But since more of my friends follow me here, I thought I would post it here too!
My wife Liz drew it, with the help of her friendly computer, and I am very impressed with her artistic endeavours. I can't draw anything, unless I'm using a ruler!
We wish you a very Happy Christmas, and we pray that 2010 will be a Guid Year for you and your loved ones.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Journativity
Two of my friends, John Pickles and Neil Urquhart have been part of a group at Fullarton Parish Church who have made a modern-day Nativity video called Journativity. It is filmed in and around their community and is a great 6m30s video. Above you can see a screenshot from the video, and I leave you to guess which one is John and which one is Neil. Click on Journativity to watch the video on YouTube.
The two music tracks (one after the other!) set a great tone for the action. The Journativity actors journey through the community, interacting with the people around them, until they all come together for the final scene. The actors carry pieces of the final set with them, and it all comes together in the open air, as people mill around, in the middle of their Christmas shopping, wondering what is happening.
Jesus. He is everywhere. Keep your eyes open. Gasp in awe and wonder, and rejoice!
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Weight off my mind
It's been a burden to me for the last few weeks, but I've not had any time to deal with it. I've had to carry it around despite the weight on my shoulders. Other folk haven't even noticed, and no-one has offered to help me carry the load.
I wondered what other people would think of me, but there was no time to do anything about it. Every morning I was reminded that I needed to do something. If I didn't then the problem would only get worse.
So today, I finally found space and time. I got on my bicycle and cycled over the hill to the barber's shop. He relieved me of that heavy load that had been pressing me down. He cut away what was no longer required. He released me from the worry and anxiety about what other folk would think. Now I am a free man.
Of course, although I am now free, my haircut was not. My wallet is considerably lighter than it was when I got up this morning. Although I have to say that the guy's prices are quite reasonable compared with prices in the city-centre.
Even in the barber's shop there was no escape from Christmas. Baubles were hanging from the ceiling, and there were silver stars hanging in the windows. Mind you, I was pleased to see that there was no Christmas Tree. I don't understand why we maintain that tradition, since the trees cost money, make a mess, and would be much better capturing carbon on the hills, than being turned into woodchip and compost.
There was even a free Christmas gift for customers. I enjoyed drinking mine, although I did have to concentrate rather harder than usual as I was cycling back home.
Christmas is all about giving. I have been giving that barber's shop my custom for around 30 years now. It was nice to get a present today as well as getting my hair cut.
I wondered what other people would think of me, but there was no time to do anything about it. Every morning I was reminded that I needed to do something. If I didn't then the problem would only get worse.
So today, I finally found space and time. I got on my bicycle and cycled over the hill to the barber's shop. He relieved me of that heavy load that had been pressing me down. He cut away what was no longer required. He released me from the worry and anxiety about what other folk would think. Now I am a free man.
Of course, although I am now free, my haircut was not. My wallet is considerably lighter than it was when I got up this morning. Although I have to say that the guy's prices are quite reasonable compared with prices in the city-centre.
Even in the barber's shop there was no escape from Christmas. Baubles were hanging from the ceiling, and there were silver stars hanging in the windows. Mind you, I was pleased to see that there was no Christmas Tree. I don't understand why we maintain that tradition, since the trees cost money, make a mess, and would be much better capturing carbon on the hills, than being turned into woodchip and compost.
There was even a free Christmas gift for customers. I enjoyed drinking mine, although I did have to concentrate rather harder than usual as I was cycling back home.
Christmas is all about giving. I have been giving that barber's shop my custom for around 30 years now. It was nice to get a present today as well as getting my hair cut.
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Spreading Out
Since I turned 30 I've had a problem with Spreading Out! My wife developed the same problem around 9 months earlier, although for her, it was caused by the impending arrival of our first child, my son Peter!
In my case, I started a new job around that time. My wife Liz, and son Peter, both needed more of my time to look after them and the household. My wife's grandparents also needed our care, although by then they had moved into a nursing home on the other side of the city.
I had no time to play golf, or to go sailing, and life turned into a mad balancing act, trying to keep all the plates spinning, without dropping any to the floor.
I started putting on weight - eating too much, and not exercising enough. It's not an uncommon problem these days. At that time I managed to keep my waist from outgrowing my 32" trousers (the 30" trousers of my 20s never stood a chance!).
In recent years, while I was studying at New College, I again gave my waistbands a severe testing. However, I managed to get my degree before I suffered any wardrobe malfunctions! During the summer after I graduated, I managed to lose half a stone (7lbs, just over 3kg). My trousers were well pleased!
When I started my Final Placement last September, I was a bit alarmed at the amount of scones and biscuits I was consuming. However, I figured that if I scaled back, or even missed out, lunch on the days when I was eating too many cakes and other goodies, then I might just be able to keep my weight from exploding!
And so it turned out. In fact I've actually lost a few more pounds of surplus waist-line. Now I'm a sylph-like 10st 2lbs, or 142lbs US-style, or 64.5kg metric!
This month of unemployment might have been an opportunity to slim back even more, but it's the season of Christmas, with coffee mornings, mince pies, and the traditional Christmas Dinner.
I'll be happy if I reach January 3rd still able to get into my preaching suit!
In my case, I started a new job around that time. My wife Liz, and son Peter, both needed more of my time to look after them and the household. My wife's grandparents also needed our care, although by then they had moved into a nursing home on the other side of the city.
I had no time to play golf, or to go sailing, and life turned into a mad balancing act, trying to keep all the plates spinning, without dropping any to the floor.
I started putting on weight - eating too much, and not exercising enough. It's not an uncommon problem these days. At that time I managed to keep my waist from outgrowing my 32" trousers (the 30" trousers of my 20s never stood a chance!).
In recent years, while I was studying at New College, I again gave my waistbands a severe testing. However, I managed to get my degree before I suffered any wardrobe malfunctions! During the summer after I graduated, I managed to lose half a stone (7lbs, just over 3kg). My trousers were well pleased!
When I started my Final Placement last September, I was a bit alarmed at the amount of scones and biscuits I was consuming. However, I figured that if I scaled back, or even missed out, lunch on the days when I was eating too many cakes and other goodies, then I might just be able to keep my weight from exploding!
And so it turned out. In fact I've actually lost a few more pounds of surplus waist-line. Now I'm a sylph-like 10st 2lbs, or 142lbs US-style, or 64.5kg metric!
This month of unemployment might have been an opportunity to slim back even more, but it's the season of Christmas, with coffee mornings, mince pies, and the traditional Christmas Dinner.
I'll be happy if I reach January 3rd still able to get into my preaching suit!
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