The Juggling Act

Do you ever feel as if you are juggling too many things at once? If you shout out 'YES', then you are in good company. Many people I speak to feel as if they are holding too many balls in the air and that some are about to fall. The question is: Which ones do we allow to fall? 

I am not able to really juggle to save my life, but I do juggle too many things, priorities, appointments, people, meetings to know that we all have a limit. When this happens, we end up grasping for the ones that seem the most fragile or important to us. 

I have found this bit of wisdom helpful in reflecting on this:

"Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered." - James Patterson

Joshua 24 - “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Living in Grace

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We must decide for ourselves!

It is clearly evident that Jesus' ancestors were a mixed bunch of people - some were godly and upright, but there were a few that were quite the opposite. Even in a short list of names we can see the diversity of these men (Matthew 1:8-9): 

"Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat (good guy). 

Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram (not so good).
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah (okay - better than his dad).
Uzziah was the father of Jotham (righteous).
Jotham was the father of Ahaz (very dodgy)".

No matter how good a King tries to be, it is still the responsibility of the people to follow God or not. Jotham seemed to be a man after God's heart, but many people stubbornly chose their own paths, ignoring his example.

"Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways." - 2 Chronicles 27:2

This is an important lesson for all of us: We can teach our family about the ways of Jesus, but in the end, we really must pray that they decide to follow Christ for themselves. We cannot have a 'personal' relationship with God on behalf of someone else.

Thought: When we stand at the manger this Christmas, we must each decide what to do with Jesus!

Living in Grace

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Acquaintance or friend?

“One of the very first things that occur through this learn­ing process is that acquain­tance­ship with God gives way to friend­ship with God.” - Richard Foster

How would you define the difference between an acquaintance and a friend? Would it be time spent together? Depth of conversation and stories shared? Trust and understanding? Having similar interests? Enjoying each other's company? 

When Jesus invites us to be his friends doesn't this make us different in some way? I can imagine being an acquaintance of God, because God has billions of people desperate to speak to him and know him. However, the idea of being a friend of God is hard to comprehend. It is beautiful, but still hard to grasp.

Richard Foster puts forward the idea that the more we journey with Christ (the path of discipleship), so this relationship transforms from one of casual acquaintance to deep friendship.

I know which one I would rather have - how about you? 

John 15:15 - "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Living in Grace

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Trust in the Lord

The words in the following Proverb are so simple, yet so hard to live out. However, if we manage to truly honour these words, then I believe that we will begin to see God's hand at work in our lives.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Question: Has there ever been a time when you have felt that your 'way' was the best way forward, but it hasn't worked out according to your plan? How did the situation end up and did God show you which path to take in the end?

John 12:44 - Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.

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Hiding from God?

Genesis 3:8 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

What makes us hide from the Lord?

In the Genesis account we see that for Adam and Eve it was their shame and fear of what the Lord would say about their sin. For us it could be many things, but we still often try to hide from God, when we choose to go our own way.

Thought: Perhaps we should not be hiding from God, but rather hiding in God.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

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Change ... slowly

 

"Change. But start slowly, because direction is more important than speed." - Paulo Coelho

Sometimes the changes we need to make must be taken quickly, or else we place our lives in jeopardy. For example, getting off a sinking ship - there is no time to debate whether changing vessel is a good idea or not :)

However, there are some changes we are called to make, that can begin slowly and then gather momentum. I think about the desire to practise Spiritual disciplines - it may seem unnatural or hard to spend 5 minutes in prayer, but the more we practise the discipline, the easier it becomes. Slowly, 5 minutes becomes 10, and soon, 20 and 30 minutes. The important issue is that change needs to be made and this is in the right direction. 

Thought: Are you being asked to make a change in your spiritual life? Can you start with a small change and then gather momentum?

Proverbs 8:10 - "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold."

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"Trust and start walking. We are not alone in the dark, our path will unfold as we move." - Paulo Coelho

Who is in charge?

I was getting rather stressed about today - how was I going to fit everything into the hours that I had? I felt flustered and a little out of control. My groans and prayers were on my lips as I went to sleep last night, and before I could even open my eyes this morning, I realised that God had undertaken to answer them. 

As I turned on my phone this morning, a message came through asking to postpone one of my appointments - and another message offered some help during the recording of my sermon - and one of my appointments went way better than I have thought, freeing up time for unexpected surprises and delays. While, all of this was happening, I was reminded of this ONE IMPORTANT fact:

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, by God directs our steps" - Proverbs 19:21

This left me with the humble reminder that I am not in charge - God is! Hopefully I am able to remember this lesson the next time I feel as if the edges of life are falling apart.

Can you relate to this at all?

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Living in Grace

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Whose way is the best?

I was reminded again this week of a wonderful promise of God and how I am often blind to the ways of our Father. When things don't seem to be working out as I think they should, I am easily tempted to feel frustrated and disillusioned. However, God has already given us these words as wise guidance:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Here is another way of putting this same truth.

“I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think. (Eugene Peterson)

My humble advice to us all is to rather trust in God's ways - they are better than our own.

Living in Grace

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Facing the bear

"Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly." - Proverbs 17:12

Somehow I had missed this beautiful proverb. It is so true, especially if you consider the consequences of fools who are hell-bent on doing their own wicked things. I think that we would agree, that there are plenty of examples (of fools) around our world at the moment. 

By the way, a bear who has been robbed of her cubs is not a pleasant sight at all. The mother bear's rage would be so violent and aggressive that none of us would want to cross her path. 

So, these wise words teach us that the destruction of a fool is far worse than a heart-broken mother bear.

Luke 6:45 - A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

What do you think? 

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Who are we carrying the stone for?

I came across this lovely story that is told by Elisabeth Elliott. It challenges us on the question of why we actually follow Jesus. What are our true motives? Do we respond to God, because we think there is something in it for us or just because we love Jesus? 

“One day Jesus said to his disciples: “I’d like you to carry a stone for me.” He didn’t give any explanation. So the disciples looked around for a stone to carry, and Peter, being the practical sort, sought out the smallest stone he could find. So he put it into his pocket. Jesus then said: “Follow me.” Jesus led them on a journey. About lunch time Jesus invited them all to sit down. He waved his hands and blessed the stones and they all turned into bread. He said, “Now, it’s time for lunch.” In a few seconds, Peter’s lunch was finished.

After lunch, Jesus told them all to stand up and he said again: “I’d like you to carry a stone for me.” This time Peter said, “Aha, Now I get it!” So he looked around and saw a small boulder. He hoisted it on his back and it was very painful – in fact, it made him stagger. But he said, “I can’t wait for supper.” Jesus then said: “Follow me.”

Jesus led them on a journey, with Peter barely able to keep up. Around supper time Jesus led them to the side of a river. He said to them, “Now everyone, throw your stones into the water.” They did. Then Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Peter and the others looked at Jesus dumbfounded (even angry). Jesus sighed and said, “Don’t you remember what I asked you to do? “I’d like you to carry a stone for me.”

Who were you carrying the stone for?” – Elisabeth Elliot

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This is what is missing on most CV's

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) can give us a good idea of someone's skills, experience and general life context. However, there is something that is often overlooked, but should be an important criteria in appointing any person to a job... that is integrity! 

For me, this would the defining difference between 2 equal candidates (on paper). What is the underlying character of this person? When Nehemiah was appointing people to help rebuild Jerusalem he was very clear on who he was looking for:

"I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do." - Nehemiah 7:2

For the moment, we will overlook the obvious nepotism in Nehemiah's appointment of his brother, but his choice of commander of the citadel was based on 'INTEGRITY' and 'GODLINESS'. 

What do you feel about this? Is this important for you or not?

Living in Grace

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Today I tried to run the world...and I failed!

This piece of writing is so spot on for many of us. It hit me straight in the heart and I pray that God speaks to you as much as I felt him speaking to me. I am grateful to the book 'Souvenirs of Solitude' by Brennan Manning for this gift. 

"Lord, today I tried to run the world singlehandedly,
I tried so hard, Lord,
to take care of everything.
I took upon myself
all of the problems,
all the burdens,
all the worries of everyone who makes up my little world.
I tried so hard, Lord, and I accomplished nothing.
I'm frustrated,
frazzled,
and exhausted to the point of tears.
Nothing seemed to go right.

Lord, will I never learn
that you're the one
who runs everything?
That you're the one
who knows all the answers?
That you're the only one
who can carry
the intolerable burdens
we try to shoulder for ourselves?
That you're the only one
who can solve
the insoluble problems?

That you're the only one
who accomplishes anything of worth?
That everything depends on you?

Lord, sometimes I wonder why

you bother to put up with me.

Sometimes I wonder

if you're not sorely tempted

to take me by the shoulders 

and shake me until my teeth rattle.

I couldn't blame you if you did.

Thank you Lord,

for putting up with me today.

And thank you, Lord,

for doing things YOUR way!" - Brennan Manning.

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Here I stand - I can do no other!

It was on the 3rd January 1521 that Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Church by Pope Leo X. One of the main reasons for this was the way that Luther challenged the official Church doctrine on various issues. He was a man of principles and conviction, which led him to proclaim "Here I stand; I can do no other!" when he was ordered to recant his beliefs.

Although we may not be asked to make the bold stand of Martin Luther, but we will be asked (everyday) to stand for Christ. Sometimes we will face huge uncertainty and maybe even opposition, but we will be ask to commit to Jesus.

Matthew 24:13 - "but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

In what ways are you being asked to stand for Jesus today.

Living in Grace

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P.S. If you would like to support my writing ministry, please check out my Patreon site. Thanks for the willingness to support this ministry. All proceeds go towards the writing of new material, as well as making the content/books more affordable for the community. God bless. 

Re-imagining Church - part 2

Last month I wrote an article for Scripture Union magazine on Re-imagining Church. As I began to explore this huge topic I realised that I have undertaken a task that was larger than I initially thought. Thankfully, SU was gracious enough to let me explore the subject in a second part, which was released yesterday. If you would like to read the article please simply click this link. 

I do believe it's a worthwhile read and I would love some of your comments on what I have wrestled with in writing. Thanks and God bless. 

Stanley Hauerwas says it best when he writes,

“God’s truth is credible to the world only when it sees a community shaped by the truth … if the Gospel is to be heard, it must also be seen.”

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I will do something

I came across this insightful thought from Francis De Sales last week:

·     "The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not, “What a lovely sermon!” but, “I will do something!

      As I think about this quote it reminds me that all the "life-changing" sermons I have heard have called me to make a decision and then to act on it. If the truth be told 'lovely sermons' don't change lives - decisions that are inspired by the Holy Spirit change lives. 

      Is there a decision that you made that still needs to be acted on?

      Job 22:28 - What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. 

     Living in Grace 

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The meaning of the Cross

 

Today's Lent reflection is from Mike Shaw - thank you so much Mike:

"As a child I remember we learnt about good and evil at Sunday School. The 'rules' that God gave us for living were very important for us and I recall that the Cross became like my badge - the side I was on.

As an adolescent I continued to attend church, did confirmation, learnt about the Apostles Creed, began to increase my knowledge of the Scriptures and the meaning of the Law. As the way ahead widened and challenges increased, my resolve to remain faithful was still evident. The Cross continued to represent the side I was on.

As an adult, pressure began to build up from all sides. I felt it on my heart, from work in the Engineering profession and greater responsibilities. I experienced the good and bad, as well as the 'grey' in-between. Life was full of choices and big decisions to make. I sometimes wondered if it was an intellectual decision to remain in the Christian fold and to keep faithful through these tough situations. However, I realised it was God who made the seed grow in my life.

As the years passed and my knowledge of the Scriptures increased, the New Covenant opened up a new relationship with God for me. I knew I could pray directly to the Father and this was liberating. I followed this way and have seen the eventual outcome many times and have known what Joy is. The Cross reminds me of God's spiritual presence and His supernatural presence.

As an old man (in my 90's), I fully understand that God's way of communicating with us is through the Bible. The love of God is on display for all humankind to see - we don't need any language to communicate this. This is what the Cross of Christ means to me."

Living in grace

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A reason for Lent

As we come to the start of another Lenten journey I wanted to share some reasons why I like to use this time to reflect on my relationship with Jesus. I need to make it clear (again) that Lent is not something we 'have to do', but it is a very helpful practice that keeps me focused on the cross of Christ. Let me start with this quote from Catherine Doherty first:

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation."

So, Lent calls me to the following:

1. To Remember I am mortal and that I am called to honour God with my every breath.

2. To remember that Jesus died for my sake and that by choosing to follow him I am aligning myself with his call, values and life.

3. To remember that life is busy and it easily distracts me from the things of eternal value. By pausing for a moment, each day, I am drawn back into the world of Jesus and am choosing to ask myself 'kingdom' questions.

4. To prepare for the experience of Good Friday and Easter Sunday is essential for me. This weekend marks the cornerstone of our faith and to stumble into the weekend seems sacreligious for me. Just as I spend months training and preparing to run the Comrades Marathon, so I feel I need to do something significant in my walk with Jesus. Lent offers me a space to do this.

5. Lent reminds me that I am part of a global Christian community and God is interested in us as a "Church". My personal response to Jesus is shaped by those around me and this also impacts upon my call to serve God in the world.

I hope this makes sense. Let me know the reason why you choose to mark Lent (or even why you choose not to)

Living in Grace

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Love is a tough decision to make

This time of the year brings a lot of reflection on love, romance and relationships. I was reminded again today that LOVE is a definite choice that we make. Sure, it can also be prompted by initial feelings or something along those lines, but we still need to choose to Love on a daily basis. This goes for all our relationships! 

Seth Adam Smith wrote: "Our society places a lot of emphasis on feelings. We are taught that we should always follow our feelings and do whatever makes us happy. But feelings are very fickle and fleeting. Real love, on the other hand, is like the north star in the storms of life; it is constant, sure, and true. Whenever we're lost and confused we can find strength in the love that we have chosen."

Almost every act of genuine love in the Scriptures involves someone making a sacrificial decision and then following through with committed dedication:

I think of Ruth choosing to go back with Naomi. 

Joseph's love for his family, even after they left him for dead. 

Jesus as he begins his lonely journey towards the cross.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - John 15:13

Who do we need to love today?

Living in Grace

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Trying to figure God out

I had a stranger pop past the church today asking a few deep questions. One of their genuine struggles was trying to figure out why God would allow certain things to happen in our lives. I didn't really have a neat, short answer for them, but tried my best to help them figure out where God was in the mystery of life. As 'God-incidence' would have it, our key verse from Ecclesiastes 11 alludes to something along similar lines:

"Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." - Ecclesiastes 11:5

The part of the reading that says 'the mystery of the tiny baby in a mother's womb' also relates to the miracle of how breath enters into the body of a baby inside a mothers womb. Some translations actually say as much. 

In truth, we just have to realise that there are too many things that we can't understand and may never figure out. Such is life! As we head further into 2021, I know that I will not figure God out, but I can get to know God more and more. 

Knowing who God is helps me to trust in the uncertainty of the events that unfold all around me.

Living in Grace

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Many eggs in one basket

Last year taught us many valuable and harsh lessons. One of them could have been not to put our hope in only one thing, because that could be snatched from us at any time. The old saying goes something like this: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." This usually applies to financial decisions, but it can apply to a lot of other things too.

Coming back to the wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, we note a similar sentiment from him. 

"Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.
2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead." - Ecclesiastes 11:1

For me, these words of wisdom speak about a few key things:

1. We need to work hard and in time we will hopefully be rewarded.

2. Dividing your "investments" in a few options is very wise

3. Risks and uncertainty lie in the future

4. Security for the future relies of wise decisions in the present and the trust in God's provision for the present.

May God bless you with the wisdom of Solomon as you begin this new year.

Challenges lies ahead, but God is with us.

“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” - Zig Ziglar

Living in Grace

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