“Time constraints focus the mind wonderfully. As I shall be heading east in about four weeks time I have been considering the most important things I should be sharing before my departure.I believe that we have not yet fully understood the missional requirements that Christ has so clearly placed on us. It is so easy to be “scriptural” in areas that are important to US, but disregard the very same word of God in areas where we feel less comfortable. In fact maybe we feel too comfortable and hence do not want to consider the ramifications of the obligations put on us by Christ?The need to both share the good news and also to protect and look after the poor, hungry and disadvantaged in our society is repeated time after time in scripture. It is fundamental. It is unavoidable. It is essential.So, as the year unfolds, please set yourself goals. See how you personally can be obedient to Christ in these areas. Who is he calling you to help, one on one, face to face, not just with a check book? When people see Christ’s love in action they will listen as you share with them what God has done, and is doing, in your life. Social action and evangelism go together like bread and butter. It’s time to step up to the plate…Christopher+” 

Something a little bit different this week. NOT WWJD, “What would Jesus do?” Instead WWYD, “What would you do?”
 Think about the incarnation. If you were God (I know, it’s a scary thought!) how would you have chosen to arrive on earth? Be honest. Think about it.
 

There are many options, but the least likely is the one that God chose for his son Jesus. A baby. Totally reliant on others. Indeed the swaddling clothes show just how trusting he was. They are not like the modern day diaper. No. Instead the strips of cloth would have made Jesus appear more like a miniature mummy. Perhaps that is another reason we should take the Abraham and Isaac sacrifice story so seriously. Isaac was going to be tied down and sacrificed, totally at the mercy of his father. Jesus, many centuries later was at the mercy of his people, and as St John reminds us his own knew him not….

Christopher+

How many Christmas cards have you received this year?

How many email cards?

How many telephone calls?

Well, they are all nice…but not the same as a face to face visit. That is one of the things that is so special about Christmas…the fact that God paid us a visit…an extraordinary visit. He sent lots of texts and emails before of course…we call them the prophets. Yet then he came in person….and changed everything. WOW!!!!!

Have a blessed Christmas

Christopher+ & Kismet

Accept REBUKE and then REJOICE

Luke 3: 7-18 (19-20)

Traditionally the third Sunday before advent is known as “Gaudete” Sunday, from the Latin term for “rejoice.” That is right and proper as we have so much to rejoice in.

However, unless we learn how to accept correction and rebuke we cannot fully understand the concept of forgiveness. One of the most disturbing themes of the age which we live is the old gnostic lie that we can simply be whoever we want to be. Modern man perpetuates this fallacy by claiming that we must be true to ourselves even when we are out of sync with the clear teachings of Scripture. That is, of course, one of many reasons why so many people are keen to deny the fact that Scripture is God’s own word and without error or fault in its teaching. That is also why Paul, in his letter to Timothy, underlines the fact that Scripture is God breathed, and also that it should be used for rebuking and correcting and training in righteousness. John the Baptist took this seriously, and therefore failed even more reason for rejoicing.

Look at what St Luke says: “So, with many other exhortations, John preached good news to the people.”

As we prepare to celebrate the extraordinary incarnation, letters find time to take Scripture seriously, accept rebuke and correction, and then be prepared to rejoice in Emmanuel – “God with us”

The Rev. Christopher Seddon

Preparation is an easy word to say, but to do? That’s another story.

However, our faith demands action, not just words.

It demands action, Not just good intentions.

So how do we go about the changes that are so necessary? The answer is one that you know I go on about from time to time. Spiritual disciplines. Forming habits of prayer, of silence, of worship, of solitude.

How do we form habits such as these? By practice. Setting a time, a place, whatever is necessary to make sure that we daily follow a certain regimen until it becomes something that we do automatically.

So maybe you are saying to yourself, or indeed to your spouse, this sounds like hard work. Bingo! It is. It can be very hard, but then you will be taken by surprise when you realise you will struggle if you come upon a time when you CANNOT follow the discipline you have developed. The hard work will have paid off, and the dividends are huge!

Advent is the time to start. Dare to be counter-cultural, forego the festivities until Christmas, instead prepare, accept the hard work that repentance and change requires, then when the baby is born, the world turned upside down, celebrate in style.

Christopher+

No, not that! Anything but that…

I see you trembling as you move the mouse across the page…they want money again I hear you mutter…

And you are right! We do. But actually whose money are we after? Yours? No. Not yours.

That’s the fun thing about stewardship, we do not ask for anything of yours. Stewardship is all about God’s money, His Kingdom, his provision. We are told so many times in scripture that we brought nothing into this world, and we will assuredly not take anything with us when we pass on.

After all, has anyone ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?

So, as we plan to see what contribution St. John’s is going to make for the Lord’s  budget for the universe in 2008, remember that you are simply a custodian of God’s gifts, nothing more, and it’s time to re-assess exactly how you are going to fulfil the trust He has shown in you.

Be blessed in your giving (back).

Christopher+

Ok. A quiz… 

Name three places where the fifth commandment is mentioned in scripture… 

Probably the first question should have been “What is the fifth commandment?”, but I shall let you off this time… 

Most of you probably found the Exodus text…maybe a few remembered the Deuteronomy version…but what is the third? 

Clue: New Testament 

Second clue: St. Paul mentioned it in a letter. 

No more clues…see if you can find it. 

As you all know this is especially relevant at the moment with Kizzie and me moving to England. Obedience is at the very centre of this decision, and that is very freeing and affirming. It makes me understand even more clearly the fact that the Torah is a wonderful, not a fearsome, thing. 

I pray that you will all be able to look forward expectantly for what the Lord has in store here at SJA, as well praying that the Lord use the two of us powerfully in his Kingdom work. 

With great love 

Christopher+ & Kismet

“Thank you” seems to be the hardest words…

Yes you have heard it before but Reg Dwight, better known as Sir Elton John lived in a town only five miles from where I grew up…and no, he does not have my autograph!

Many moons ago he suggested it was really hard for anyone to say ‘SORRY”. I do not disagree. However, in our present age we often find it just as hard to say thank you to one another, let alone to God.

At a time of celebration it is maybe seen as inappropriate to express any negative thought. Yet I have to. At a time when we should be on our knees praising God for his amazing provision for us, instead I am hearing much murmuring, muttering and general negative vibes. How sad. It has been said that “Ingratitude born of short-sightedness never gives way to gratitude for blessings visible everywhere. Furthermore that ingratitude is a sign of grave spiritual sickness.”

I would ask each one of you to take a long hard look at your attitude to the blessings we have had showered upon us. Take time to reflect and then do two things. Firstly, tell God how grateful you are. Secondly, commit to encouraging your fellow members, looking for the best in them and delighting in their growth in the Lord. Bear with their shortcomings. Learn to trust your leaders.

Solomon, long ago , said:” “A cheerful heart is a good medicine; a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

Come to that feast and be prepared to be surprised by joy.

Christopher+

How easily we can fall into this trap! One minute we are thinking straight, our theology is good (or so we think), and all is well with the world. Then,. Suddenly, things change dramatically. Another crisis hits us between the eyes, we are reeling. During the day we battle to keep afloat, and then at night…no sleep, lots of worried tossing and turning.

Faith can seem so very hard in those situations. Yet Christ knows this. He knows and understands our vulnerability and weakness. His response is always amazing compassion.

Yet he does not just talk about the Kingdom he has ushered in. He demonstrates it to us, just as he did in the first Century A.D. Instead of giving lengthy talks about who He claimed to be, he showed everyone by healing and loving his own.

Next time you face bad things happening in your life instead of desperately  trying to mould God into who you think he needs to be, allow yourself to let God be God, look around and see that even in what seems to be overbearing darkness God is busy and doing exactly what needs to be done.

Christopher+

Baptism is a sacrament that seems shrouded in mystery. The doctrine of baptism will always keep theologians and others engaged in discussion for days:

WHO can be baptised?

WHAT happens when someone is baptised.

WHERE should they be baptised

WHEN should someone be baptised (enter the argument on Child baptism!)

HOW are they baptised?

WHY is the question that sometimes leaves folk stumbling…after all the thief on the cross was promised entrance into paradise that very day, and he clearly was not either immersed or even sprinkled!

It seems to me that Baptism is just a wonderful out pouring of God’s grace. God inviting us, God welcoming us into his family…As always it is God’s action not ours…and God offers us the universe. What is needed from our side? To repent, that is to accept Christ’s agenda, delight in Him as our Lord. Anything else? Yes, to trust Him.

Canon Michael Green a delightful evangelical member of the Church of England who spoke at last winter’s AMiA conference describes baptism as God handing over to us the deeds to a mansion. What we do with them at any given time is up to us. Some never set foot in the mansion. Others only go into the front room, rather than enjoying the riches available in other parts of the house. Some only accept the invitation very late in life, others occupy it from early on.

A question then for those reading this who are already baptised. Have you really accepted the gift that God has made available to you yet? Have you taken possession of the mansion, or are you still sitting on the fence surrounding it? Think about that, and, as you welcome William into the Church family on Sunday, and ask the Lord to help you take the next step and truly claim Him as your Lord.

Christopher+