It has been a while since I got a new phone. I got one yesterday and it was rubbish so this is a less advanced one but I am enjoying it. I hope to write more later. Particularly about a lovely experience at Housegroup on Wednesday.

This is the first post for a while. I would like to say that this is something down to my laziness but I don't think it is completely down to that this time. I have been under attack. Life is still great and God is still with us but I haven't been able to get to church for ages. Every time we get to go, something goes wrong. Leak under the sink this Sunday, baby banged her head last. Couldn't get to church the Sunday before etc. It sounds dramatic to claim that the enemy is attacking us but I genuinely think he is. I am pleased that he is doing so in a way, I suppose it shows that we are getting to him and we are doing the right thing. Something that I have done today is enter a competition to have a photograph on a calendar being made by the Bible Society. I sent in a couple of photos related to a Bible verse.

The verse I feel this goes well with is 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Sometimes, I forget this but here it is! Thank you Lord

Matthew 9:17
Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

Not a clue. No idea what this is saying. Looking at context perhaps Jesus is saying that it is important to do the right thing at the right time.

I shall think some more. Sorry

Matthew 7:24-27
The Wise and Foolish Builders
7:24- 27 pp — Lk 6:47- 49
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."


I'm struggling with this one. Which part is Jesus' words? Are his words the house or the rock? Normally I'd have said that it was the ground but that cannot be the case. In both stories here Christ's words have been heard and yet the ground changes.

Maybe the words of Jesus are the framework by which we are supposed to live. They're the house as it were. Within our houses we find family and joy and love and life. If they're not built on proper ground then even the best quality house will fall.

Does this mean that success depends on our actions? I don't think so. It's not a difficult choice is it when one must choose between a rocky firm ground and sand. This simple choice means we can enjoy the thins that Christ wants to give us.

We need to put into action the words of Christ. If this is the case then our house will be in a firm foundation. So whilst the words of Jesus themselves don't make up the ground on which the house is built, following them is.

The next question? What are the words of Jesus? What does he ask us to do? Not a lot. Come to him and accept him for who he is and that's enough.

I have had a good time over the last couple of days, finding, marking and highlighting all of the parables in Matthew. Such a good time that I decided on doing those in Mark and Luke too. There are loads fo them and I am looking forward to thinking about them and praying through them. I did the first yesterday and I was surprised. I didn't really think that there were parables in the Sermon on the Mount but there it is, Matthew 5:14-15.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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.
I enjoyed reading this and although it is short, I saw something new. Something that I have not seen in it before. Yes it is about being a witness for the faith and showing the hope that we have but I found myself drawn to the second part. If, as I often do, we imagine that the person carrying out the action in the sentence is God, then he is lighting us as lamps. We have a definite function and we need to be aware of this. Perhaps this function is based in a particular location or within a particular group of people but it is a function nonetheless. Being a witness isn't something that we just do, it is something that we do for a purpose. That purpose is mission and that mission is to share God with others, put yourselfs out there to show people what God is like says Jesus. The Message puts it so wonderfull when it says
“14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
The issue for me, and something that I need to think about is, which particular hilltop (rather appropriate given my current setting!) has God put me on?

A short passage here but I am going to say that this pieces lea me think of how I communicate with others. How often am I in touch with those I love or miss? Not nearly enough.

Tonight I am going to email my old church.

My next task with reading the bible is to read all of the parables in one of the synoptic gospels. I shall draw which one out of a hat …

Matthew

Darn there's a lot of them!

I had a look at Wikipedia which seems as good a source as any to get the references from. 22 of them. That's enough for six months' posting at the rate I post!

Philippians 4:10-20
Thanks for Their Gifts
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It's been a couple of days. Lovely days but I need to stay focussed.

This is a nice little passage. All too easy to see it in one of two ways. Either it can almost be dismissed as Paul starting to end his letter and say goodbye. Or it is about giving/being happy with your lot.

I don't feel it is either. I think this is more about seeing even more of Jesus on these pages. Paul is prepared. He is happy and he is content. He knows that his time is limited and he's ready to meet Jesus face to face.

What it reminds me of slightly is that wonderful poem The Soldier by Rupert Brooke. That poem is one I've taught in classes for years and there's always one question - is the author scared of dying and if not, does he want to die? Of course he doesn't want to die. He loves life and here we see Paul is the same.

Sadly, the lens through which we see the poem is clouded by what appears to be the futility of the sacrifice of the poet. He died in vain in a dusty corner of a forgotten front in a brutal war. What was the point?

There is a section of society which would say that Paul shouldn't be willing to die for his beliefs. They're wrong. Paul shines out from this passage. He is ready and he is content. Despite being in prison, he's free! He is as free as a man can get and he is free in Christ. This is glorious and to God our father there really should be glory for ever and ever.

Amen