Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2022]

Recently I had the need to fly across much of western and central Europe. In an experience unimagined by previous generations, it is possible to look down on the brown fields and hedgerows of eastern England, the blue-grey of the North Sea, the bulb fields of the Netherlands, the silver of Germany’s renewable energy installations, the white-capped mountains of Austria, the vast yellow plains of Hungary and the dark green of the Carpathian mountains in Transylvania, all in a matter of a few hours. Such a radiant range of colours; it would have been wonderful to see but clouds got in the way.

Nevertheless, clouds can have their own fascination. An endless variety of shapes and tones of grey can combine to evoke images that stretch the imagination. You can see fairytale castles, exotic animals and friendly or threatening faces, all made up of only water vapour. Clouds can be fickle, masking the warmth of the sun or promising rain that they do not deliver. How apt are the words that Joni Mitchell wrote in 1966:

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow
it’s clouds’ illusions I recall, I really don’t know clouds at all.

Clouds have significant roles in the Bible narratives. We read of them in the early verses of Genesis, in the book of Revelation and in about half of the books in between. There are benign clouds such as that which led the Israelites through the desert or those that bring rain to dry places but there are also more ominous clouds like those which herald the onset of a storm or God’s wrath.

Elijah sent his servant to look for signs that three years of drought were coming to an end, as God had promised. On the seventh occasion there appeared a small cloud on the horizon and Elijah knew that God would keep his promise^[1].

Job’s friend, Eliphaz, accused him of trying to hide his evil deeds below the clouds where God could not see him^[2]. Job responded that it was not that God could not see us but rather that we cannot see God. David explained it in these words

He made darkness his canopy around him – the dark rain clouds of the sky. 2 Samuel 22 v12

In Genesis we see that in the beginning, before the sun was created, the earth was shrouded in thick darkness. Only God was there. Later the Gospels tell us that the earth was again covered in thick darkness at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. Even the sun looked away. Could this repeat of the thick darkness be an illustration of God making a new start in his relationship with mankind?

The writer of Hebrews refers to a cloud of witnesses. We are familiar with the idea that a group of witnesses could be a crowd but the use of ‘cloud’ implies much more. Like water drops in a cloud, these witnesses cannot be numbered, and their presence should encourage us to persevere in our spiritual walk^[3].

In Revelation we read of the painfully thick darkness that will envelop those who reject God’s plan for salvation. How will they escape who neglect such salvation?^[4]

[1] 1 Kings 18 v44
[2] Job 22 v14
[3] Hebrews 12 v1
[4] Hebrews 2 v3

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 15/May/2022]

I have just completed a short training course at the church about how to use fire extinguishers to deal with fires. My initial reaction to being asked to take the course was that I didn’t feel I had much to learn. After all, I’d just recently done a similar course at work.

A few minutes into the course, I realised that I did have much to learn. I found out that there are different types of fires – 5 types, called A, B, C, D and F (why do they do that? I spent a lot of time wondering what had happened to E). Also, there are quite a few different types of fire extinguishers. Some can be used on almost all types of fire, some on only specific fires. There was an exam after and I passed, so now I am good to go.

It got me thinking, though, about life. You could argue that quite a bit of it is about fighting fires, which sometimes come at us thick and fast. There are times we try to use the same tactics for each situation that we face. We soon realise however, that just like the different fire extinguishers, we need different strategies for different situations.

Sometimes, if we use the wrong approach, we end up making things much worse. In fact, often it is clear that we are not extinguishing the fire but instead we are adding fuel to the flames. In Proverbs, we are told that there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is destruction^[1].

You could look at the Bible as God’s instruction manual on how to deal with all that we go through in life, and the Holy Spirit as the one who explains what the manual says in ways in which we can understand it.

Difficult situations (fires) will come our way. To ignore the truths held in the Bible, God’s word, is like ignoring the fire extinguishers placed at our disposal. To lack the humility to ask God for His Spirit to interpret and know how to apply what is in His word, is like refusing to read the labels on the extinguishers before using them and then wondering why the flames won’t go out.

It is interesting to see that God fills us with His fire within us, to help us deal with fires that rage around us. So, let us Trust in the Lord and lean not unto our own understanding as Solomon instructs us, again in the book of Proverbs^[2].

I can’t wait for the next course the church plans to run. It’ll hopefully provide inspiration again for my next article in ‘Yours’.

[1]: Proverbs 14 v12 NKJV
[2]: Proverbs 3 v5 NKJV

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/May/2022]

It was there all the time (but check your priority)

A few weeks ago, we visited Kew Gardens, and I took my new camera to record the event. It was a beautiful Spring day and I was looking forward to trying out various settings, and capturing a wonderful display of God’s creation waking up after winter.

Rather than shoot on automatic, I wanted to try out my own settings, so that I had more control over the final appearance of my images. We enjoyed a wonderful day, with me taking way too many pictures; I was so looking forward to reviewing and critiquing the fruit of my creative genius.

Unfortunately, as I opened image after image there was just total darkness, or at best a vague outline of who knew what? On checking, I realised I had set the camera to fully manual rather than my intended aperture priority. I hadn’t reviewed any of my images as I went along, and my heart sank, as I presumed that everything was lost.

With little hope of success, I loaded the files into Photoshop (other photo editing software is available). To my delight, as I changed some basic settings, the original data was transformed into recognisable pictures; with further tweaks, the photos were restored to the way I had hoped they would have been all along.

I wonder if this reflects our relationship with God? Even though things may seem totally dark, we are never lost. Eugene Peterson said ‘God loves you. He is on your side. He’s coming after you. He’s relentless’.

Too often, we want control, and it doesn’t work out. But our original design has been there all the time; we can be restored by the work of Holy Spirit, if we can just stop, take some time, and listen to His guidance, encouragement, and sometimes correction. When we align with His settings, we are restored to being image bearers of God. And perhaps it’s worth regularly carrying out a spiritual health check, just to check our priorities?

‘This is what the Lord says: stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’
Jeremiah 6:16 [NIVUK]

‘Whether you turn to the left or the right, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”’
Isaiah 30:21 [NIVUK]

‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.’
Romans 12:2 [NIVUK]

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 01/May/2022]

Psalm 133 v 1:

How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Recently 23 people gathered together in a Methodist Manse near Birmingham to celebrate being family. Some of us hadn’t met together for over 10 years or more, some of us knew each other well and met often, but we were together and very pleased about it.

Some were Christians, some were non-believers, some were vaguely interested in listening about Jesus but the common theme between us all was LOVE.

It was evident by the way we were with each other, the interest we had in each others lives, the giving and receiving of mutual affection, sympathy of each person for the other. It was like being in a perfect church – I loved it, but it was just for one day. We all accepted each other because of the love we had between us.

How glorious it would be if Church was like that too – like a mutual admiration society, where people would be drawn to each other for the simple reason we had the same Dad, which we have. Our Daddy God, loves His kids whether we acknowledge it or not, young or old, He is continually wooing us to love Him and each other more. By the love we have for each other people will know we are Christians.

John Chapter 13 v 34 & 35:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Have a happy and blessed week sharing His love wherever you go and whoever you’re with.
Every blessing!

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 24/April/2022]

At the end of my last article, I promised to update readers on my experiment.

The experiment essentially was this: how would God respond if – instead of speculating on things like the situation in Ukraine – I chose to leave concerns in His hands?

Well, almost immediately, I found myself much less obsessed with TV news! Although I still checked it at least once a day, I could easily turn it off (not something I’ve ever been able to do – just ask Chris!). Instead, I was now more concerned about the PEOPLE than the POLITICS.

I realised that I had been taking pride in posing as an expert on subjects I knew very little about. My ramblings were not only uninformed, they were also sinful! Sinful in that I was not focusing on what the Holy Spirit wanted me to focus on!

If Martin was right that recognising where we’ve been wrong is the first step towards personal transformation, then something was certainly going on inside me. I like the way Isaiah 2:11 reads in The Message:

People with a big head are headed for a fall, pretentious egos brought down a peg.

I don’t suppose folk will suddenly see me as a remarkably humble man! But I do know that my experiment was a success. God is willing and able to direct my every thought. Figuring out how He does that is ‘too lofty’ for me

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2022]

This thought was triggered by a brief e-conversation about the timing of Easter.

Conventionally, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March^[1]; this date corresponds to the March equinox. However, two different calendars are used in identifying Easter day itself; one calendar was established by Julius Caesar in 46BC and the other by pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars means that Easter can be celebrated on two different dates.

Neither is wrong, they are just different, and to understand why we need to know a bit of church history.

In broad terms, Christianity has three principal branches: Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. Historically, they evolved in that sequence, with the Orthodox church claiming a direct line of succession from the Apostles themselves. Orthodox churches predominate in eastern Europe and parts of Africa; as with most denominations they are also present in other parts of the world. Many sections of the Orthodox church continue to use the Julian calendar for ecclesiastical purposes.

The Roman Catholic church takes its leadership from a pope in Rome. It claims the apostle Peter as its first pope and retains a high degree of control in the areas of liturgy and church practice. Its adherents are global but predominate in southern Europe and South America. The Roman Catholic church follows the Gregorian calendar.

In the 16^th century, movements within the Catholic church started to question the supremacy of the pope as well as certain practices that were seen as inconsistent with Biblical teaching. This lead to the formation of protestantism, which was often violently opposed by those loyal to the Catholic church. In due course, the diversity of beliefs within the protestant community led to the establishment of many separate denominations, each with their own understanding of Scripture and their own preferred form of worship. In general, Protestant communities continue to follow the Gregorian calendar.

Of course, as Baptists, we would claim that our way of worship is derived from our understanding of the New Testament churches as described in the books of Acts, Revelation and the various epistles. For us it is largely a matter of convenience that we follow the local ecclesiastical calendar and celebrate Easter accordingly.

Does our claim to New Testament authenticity give us a valid reason for dismissing the liturgy and practices of those who are of a different persuasion?

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10 v16 [NIVUK]

There have been many attempts to define what Jesus meant when he said those words. Some argue for a narrow definition, others for a wider scope. Either way, the activities of Easter are more important than their date. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ allow us to look forward to the date when we will be no longer wrong and no longer different.

.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_of_Easter.

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.