When I was a conference last weekend I heard the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David was offered King Saul’s armour to wear when he fought Goliath but when he tried it on he realised that he was not familiar with it and it would not help him do what he wanted to do. David took off the armour and went and collected 5 smooth stones from the stream and put these in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. He then used his sling to throw a stone at Goliath which brought him down and then David was able to kill him. David’s experience of being a shepherd protecting his sheep from lions and bears helped him defeat Goliath. Along with his faith in God. 1 Samuel 17:37 says “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

I was given the opportunity to speak about a ministry that I am involved in and passionate about. I began to feel nervous about this. But then I thought about the story of David and Goliath and this encouraged me to be myself using what was in my hand. I did not have to wear someone elses armour and be somebody I was not. When I did speak I was able to use my past experience of public speaking to make the vision plain so that others could run with it if they chose to.

Last night I was at a meeting when someone spoke about open faces. How it is important that we are able to live a life of love wherever we go and whatever we do. That people can see our care and compassion for them in our faces. As we reflected together on this we realised that we needed to spend time with God reading the bible, being honest and real with him in prayer and giving him praise. In the bible it speaks of Christians who have forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-7). They had done many good deeds but God was calling them back into the place of intimate relationship with him. As we receive the love he has for us we can then overflow with the hope we have in him.

In Colossians 3:13 it says that when we are chosen by God to live a life of love we should dress in the wardrobe God has picked out for us “compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (the Message) People can look amazing in the latest fashion but when they speak and act this beauty can be short lived. On the other hand you can have people that may dress very ordinary and yet their actions and words make them beautiful. The bible says that man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

What are you wearing? The bible speaks of being clothed in righteousness. It maybe that you think good deeds are enough. Christians believe that all fall short and that we need the mercy and forgiveness of God. We believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive us for all the things we have done wrong and make us clean. Jesus rose gain so that we can have a relationship with him here on earth and for all eternity.

The book of Jonah in the bible is a book that I would encourage you to read. There is a question asked that just jumped out at me and this is it “who is responsible for this calamity?” Chapter 1:7. In many ways this is the question that a lot of people are asking “how did we get such a huge debt?”, “Why is there such a need for food banks?, why are there so many evils that seem to flourish?….

The context of this question is a storm, a violent storm. The sailors on the boat are each crying out to their own god. They had even thrown out the cargo (their livelihood) as they were so fearful. Jonah was below deck, in a place where there was no action, not seen, asleep. The captain went to him and said “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.” (Chapter 1:5-6)

When the storm hits it is so easy to be in denial. To shut our eyes and hope it will go away. To not be responsible or engaged in helping keep things afloat. But ultimately people notice if Christians are not there. They are trying to do what they can do to help in the times we are in but it is all hands to the deck including Christians.

When the sailors cast lots to find out who is responsible for the calamity the lot fell on Jonah and this is what they asked him. “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” The sailors are wanting answers for the predicament they find themselves in. Why is it happening?

Jonah answers “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” The sailors response is they are terrified because they already knew that he was running away from the Lord because he had already told them. They ask “what should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” and Jonah says “pick me up and throw me into the sea”, into where the turbulence and danger is and “it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” He acknowledges that it is his lack of obedience in doing what God had asked him to do that had brought on the storm. How many people have been asked by God to do something and they have run? They have slept? They have hidden themselves from the action?

The sailors threw Jonah overboard and the sea grew calm and because of this the sailors sacrificed to the Lord and made vows to him. God revealed himself to them in the storm, in the shakings, in the questions.

Jonah himself found himself in a place of incarceration in a fish for three days and three nights. This time not below decks. Inside that place of limitation Jonah prayed to God. He then is vomited onto dry land and has a second chance to do what God has asked him too. Jonah obeyed and Ninevah got right with God including the King and his nobles, those in authority. Jonah has to take himself into the dark place and speak the words God had given him.

Jonah has an interesting reaction. He gets angry when God forgives the people of Ninevah and he then has to learn that God cares for all the people in the city and is concerned for their welfare. God cares for the people of the UK and other nations in the world and is concerned for their welfare.

May be as you read this you are like the sailors. You worship other gods and yet you are asking why are these things happening? May be like Jonah you are comfortable and hidden and yet you know there is a storm going on. May be you feel disappointed that Christians have not engaged with what is happening around you or may have made things worse. May be you are a Christian and you have felt you should do something but you have been on the run…. Whatever you believe there is a message here of starting where you are, seeking truth, recognising the storms of life, taking responsibility, not being in denial and not running.

In the UK at the moment it is the lead up to the elections and people are not certain what is going to happen. There are people who I have spoken to who are weary and wary of politicians and just do not know who to vote for and if they will vote at all.

In John 8 we read of a woman caught in adultery. There were people who wanted to know what Jesus thought and his response was not to condemn the woman but to challenge those who intended to stone her. He said “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” When the people heard him say this they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest. Jesus then turns to the woman and says “where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” She replies, “No, Lord” and Jesus says “neither do I. Go and sin no more.” It is so easy to judge and condemn politicians and yet we all fall short.

In the book of Jonah we read of God’s call for Jonah to go and speak to the people of Ninevah. Jonah runs from this call and ends up in a fish before finally doing what he was asked and the people of Ninevah then got right with God. In the UK at the moment there are various campaigns encouraging Christians who feel called to join political parties and I wonder if there are people who are reading this who have been running from this call. They may be scared of speaking or even engaging with the big issues thinking that things will never change that their voice would not be heard and acted upon. It maybe even that you have gone through a wilderness period just like Jonah when he was in the whale. Maybe you have become hurt and disillusioned by being part of politics in the past and yet being involved in politics is something that you still feel a drawing to. It maybe that you have no call to join a political party but you know people who do have this call and perhaps you could consider encouraging them and praying for them even if their politics is not your own. Or it maybe that you don’t know personally anyone involved in politics but you can pray for those in government and engage with the political system on matters close to your heart by writing to your MP or contacting your local councillor. Perhaps you have felt there is no point doing anything as the problems and concerns you have seem so big…

At church recently my minister was speaking about grace and it struck me that grace could be broken up into g – race and as I thought about this it struck me that we need God in the race to help us through all the shakings and challenges of life. He gives us g -race when things get too much and his grace forgives us when we fail. If someone in a race has their shoe laces undone they are likely to fall and in the heightened noise of a marathon it needs someone running close by to let them know when things are not right so that they can stop, tie up their laces and heed the warning. In life this is true too. When we have God in our lives he can give us discernment when we are doing something wrong so we can stop and change our ways. If Christians do not run or engage in politics their voice of warning cannot be heard along with their voice of vision, creativity and strategy.

When we watch a marathon there may be metal barriers in front of us seperating us from the runners. It may be that you watch what is happening in the political arena and you know things are wrong and you should be participating. Sometimes participating is making cups of tea or just being around to encourage others. It is not all about power and ambition. It could be that the words said by a nobody could be a word in season to someone who can then take that counsel into the corridors of power but if we do not show up or take time to engage or to pray or write or speak with our local councillors or MPs then we have no say in decision making and our voice and concerns will not be heard. If we wash our hands and say this sin has nothing to do with me and let others do what they want without challenge then the phrase of Edmund Burke comes to mind “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do do nothing.”

I do not know what will happen in this election but the bible says make your calling and election sure. We do this by asking Jesus to help us live lives that are right and true. He helps us with the areas we struggle in and is patient and forgiving. He is not here to condemn but to help bring transformation in our lives. Then we in turn can bless others because we come not to judge but to share in the grace we ourselves have received so we can speak up for those who have no voice, stand up for justice and live lives of compassion and service.

I often find it interesting to look at the way a word can be broken up. One such word is Justice or Just ice. Ice can be defined as a state of coldness. Our attitudes can be cold too. There can be a hardening of our hearts. And yet true justice is when there is a warmth of compassion that causes us to act, to speak, to go, to pray for, to challenge, to care for, to embrace, to journey with and to listen to others

Isaiah 1:17 says “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”.

It is interesting that this verse from the bible says “learn to do right”. It is not necessarily our automatic response. It is something we have to work at and apply. The good news is we can “learn to do right” whatever our age. It is never too late.

Leviticus 19:15 says “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.”

I love how this exposes the tendency to either support the poor or the great. Here the command is to be fair. What a radical message.

Little actions can make a big difference. The bible says “do not despise the day of small things”. And so when we get the choice and opportunity to respond in warmth to stand with those who are oppressed or marginalised I do pray that we will find the time and ways to help those who face injustice in whatever form it may take. Help us to connect with others to do this.

When we feel our heart is cold there is a wonderful promise in the bible. In Ezekiel 11:19 it says “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”

When we feel overwhelmed by the injustices we can echo the prayer in the Psalms “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2) This helps us get beyond thinking about ourselves and considering what to focus on and how to make a difference.

Jesus was moved with compassion. When he met a leper who was an outcast in society he did not reject him. He stretched out His hand and touched him and healed him. Our words, our actions, our giving of our time and resources can touch the lives of others that face injustice throughout the world.

If there is a charity you have always felt you should support or get active in maybe this is something you could explore further…

I once believed that you had to be sorted to serve and I tried to get a number of issues resolved with limited success. One day I realised I could either wait with no guarantee that these issues would be resolved or I could get on with life with my faults, failings and scars from the past trusting in a God who could work in me and through me. Ironically once I made that decision and began to get involved in the voluntary sector and church I began to change and the issues that seemed important diminished and my character and outlook changed. Doors opened to new things and I met people I never would have met and I gained skills and confidence. I began to see that God delighted in me and I did not have to be perfect.

What is the language of love? This question formed in my mind. I began to consider what learning a language entails. It takes effort, commitment and application. To sound fluent you need to work on pronouceation and possibly visit the country and live there for a while. To start with you may sound different or silly but by listening to correction and trying again then progress is made.

Living in the UK I have often heard the comment I do not need to learn another language as when I go abroad people speak English. We can so easily stick with the familiar and easiest option or hold a superior attitude. And yet even within different nations there are people who speak different languages and come from a variety of cultures and faiths.

Jesus when meeting a Samaritan woman in the bible had a conversation with her. So the language of love starts in relationship listening, learning and sharing. Being humble. Valuing and caring for everyone whatever their belief, background, gender or colour. There is no fear in love. Love is not about agreeing with everything and saying nothing. Jesus was happy to ask questions and challenge.

Love is not about knowingly letting someone repeatedly hurt you. I guess there may be times when we get it wrong just like when learning a new language. People get it wrong. I guess it is about learning and changing our behaviours. Sometimes this appears impossible and God is there with us in our struggles as our advocate and counsel. He is never the accuser. Sometimes Christians do not speak the language of love and this is sad and hurtful but God promises he is there for all that call on him. The bible says that people will know Christians by the way we love each other.

We cannot be accountable for other peoples words and actions but we can consider the words we speak and our hearts. We all fall short but Jesus had a language of love that broke convention and embraced the questioning, the outcast, the worker, women, the entrepreneur, lepers, the tormented, the sick and the religious. People he met as he moved from place to place and people who sought him out.

As we live and move we will hear all sorts of language. In the Second World War there was a Ministry of Information in the UK which regularly checked the morale of the people. It knew that this was important to help win the war. It is so easy to get depressed and cynical when we hear media reports or experience things but the language we then choose to use can either help things improve or make things worse. We can spread words that help or words that harm.

I feel challenged to consider carefully the words I say and to learn more about others for this is the language of love. People can speak many words but love is the thing that ultimately prevails. I have known words from others that have been like a healing balm and words that have been a cruel blow. The words of Jesus both in the bible and in my heart have always been life giving, healing and given me peace, hope, wisdom and comfort. The words of Jesus have helped me live differently, love others and receive and give forgiveness.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered! it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)

I want to learn more about love. To practice it in words and action with those I meet… Lord hear my prayer… Forgive me for the times I have spoken in haste from a place of judgement. May my words heal not harm. Amen

My dad loves gardening. Over the years he has spent time sowing, growing and harvesting. I have enjoyed the fruit of his labours. Sometimes I have been at a garden centre and seen plants that are wilting or past their best reduced for quick sale. I have never had the confidence to take them home but maybe I should? Sometimes you wonder whether it is possible for them to recover. And yet there are people who are “green fingered”. They just care for these plants and they are able to survive and thrive. In my house the only plants that seem to flourish are cactus! And yet I dream that one day I will be “green fingered”.

In the bible it says sow the word in your heart so you will not sin. Store up while you can. When you sow something it is hidden. It takes time for germination and for growth before a harvest. Many times the counsel of the bible has helped me through difficult seasons. Yesterday I was praying and it struck me that it is important not to delight in evil but to delight in the Lord. It is easy to get fascinated with and drawn into stuff that causes harm rather than good. To have a fascination with darkness not light. To germinate a seed you need the right atmosphere. A few years ago I was thinking on this and I just had this understanding that prayer changes the atmosphere that brings the growth. As we pray our hearts change and so do our responses. As we grow in understanding about the love of God and how he forgives us we are able to forgive others. As we grow in understanding how God values us our confidence and assurance in who we are in Him grows and this helps us in our daily lives. And then comes the harvest. The fruit of care of others. Of sacrificial love. Of wisdom in the face of difficulty. Of good and right relationships. Of people being cared for and for them to be able to have dignity and opportunity to give too in spite of their challenges touching in turn other people’s lives. Of unity not uniformity. Of creativity and energy. Of loving our enemy. Of going through persecution in whatever form it may come. Of peace in frailty. Of challenging injustice. Of lives encountering the love of Jesus.

I was never good at sewing at school. I was the one who never every made an item of clothing and always struggled to thread the sewing machine. And yet years later I found myself doing a textile art foundation. I smile to think on this. And in my house is a wall hanging I made using a variety of techniques both by hand and by machine! God did more than I could have ever asked or imagined and in the place of failure he worked his resurrection life.

We may not all have green fingers or even a garden to grow things but Jesus takes the areas of our lives that have died or withered as well as the bits that thrive to make something beautiful. The question is will we not only give him the things we are good at but also the things that are not our best or for which we are ashamed of so that we may encounter his grace, life and forgiveness growing in the knowledge of his love?

Recently I had the joy of going along to some community days which had been organised by local churches where I live over the course of a week. At one of these days I met someone who shared they carried shame for something they had done and who asked for prayer. As we prayed one word came strongly into my mind. This was the word “forgiven”. Total, absolute forgiveness. Paid in full. And I spoke this word gently over and over, along with some words from the bible that came into my mind. “He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”(Romans 8:1). As I spoke the word “forgiven” in love, along with these words from the bible, God did a work with the person I was praying with, and afterwards they said they felt so much lighter and their face was radiant.

The load of guilt and shame is a heavy load and Jesus says “come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When Jesus encountered the woman who was caught in adultery he said to her “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). He did not say remember your past and be condemned. And he said to her accusers “he who is without sin .. cast a stone..” (John 8:7) and one by one they dropped their stones. We all fall short. The message of forgiveness is life transforming, healing and brings freedom. As we come to know how much Jesus loves us and what he did for us on the cross we can encounter this forgiveness.

Time and time again over my years as a Christian I have heard of lives turned around by the love of Christ. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. I know in my own life God has worked as I have said sorry and changed my ways. It is when we know how Jesus has forgiven us that we then find it easier to forgive others. As we take the plank out of our own eye and deal with what is in our back yard there is a shifting and God works to help us do what we thought was impossible. Forgiveness is never condemnation. Condemnation is not of God. God is kind and wants all to come to him and encounter his forgiveness and love.

A few weeks ago I went to a prayer breakfast in a city not far from where I live. As I walked there I passed a church that was not my tradition but reminded me of a dearly loved grandfather who had been committed to that denomination. I noted there was a service of silence later that day and I just felt I should go if I had the opportunity. The prayer breakfast was on a subject close to my heart and I was challenged by all that was shared and it was good to pray with others. I then had a coffee with two delegates that I had never met before and was inspired by the stories of a living God at work in their lives.

I then went to the service of silence and during this time I was challenged to do nothing out of vain ambition but to make it my ambition to seek God and what he would ask of me. I was deeply challenged. It was like having open heart surgery and exposed so many of my motives and agendas. And yet it was a relief to be found out. Woe is me for I am undone for I am a man of unclean lips…. I looked later at Philippians 2:3 says “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others”.

I am trying to ask myself the question what is my motivation? At times it is like a spotlight that reveals bits that are not so beautiful and yet as I give these bits to God and ask him to give me a servant heart and consider others this helps me discern his will and what to do. We can chase so many things and they can become meaningless a chasing after the wind. It is not about achieving but surrendering all we are into his service that others can be touched by his love through whatever we do whether at work, at home or in the community.