Eternal Echoes

The stranger and the madman (Mark 5: 1-20)

They said he was mad, and to be quite honest he was, he'd been mad for years, not just a bit crazy in an amiable kind of way, but completely stark staring mad. I suspect that today he'd be on medication, possibly hospitalised, or worst case scenario he'd be in prison, where if he was lucky someone would notice that his rages were not only uncontrolled, but in fact they were controlling him.

But his story isn't a modern story, and his rages so terrified the towns folk where he lived that they had tried to control him with chains. Again and again he'd broken free, roamed the hills crying out his rage and his pain. He abandoned his clothes for they seemed to torment him as much as the chains had, and he no longer lived in the town, but slept fitfully amongst the tombs with only his ancestors for company

It was said that he was controlled and inhabited by an evil spirit. Perhaps he was….his life was certainly not his own.

That is how he was; at least that is how he was before the stranger came….

Afterwards he was sane, able to talk, and carry out a conversation. Sane and clothed, he no longer roamed the hills; his release from madness had left the townsfolk struck dumb, awed by the events that they had witnessed. A different fear accompanied them now, a fear created by the knowledge that something more powerful than rage had visited them. 

The stranger arrived in a boat that had crossed the narrow sea. The mad man recognised the presence of power as soon he stepped ashore, but he wasn't looking for release then, at least the thing controlling him wasn't. At first glance there was nothing special about the stranger, he was an ordinary looking man, but in him there dwelt an extraordinary power….

He spoke to the controlling thing, the power or spirit that was holding the man, and demanded that it released him….

It responded by begging to be allowed to enter a herd of pigs, and on being given permission, all hell broke loose on the cliff top, as the herd of quietly feeding pigs flew into a frenzy and flung themselves to their death.

For a while all was noise and horror, as the squealing and screaming of the pigs was accompanied by a rush of a powerful wind, coming it seemed from nowhere. Then as suddenly as the commotion had started it stopped, and all eyes turned to the stranger and the madman who were chatting together like long time friends….

This is no fairy tale it is a true story of a powerful encounter, an encounter with the extraordinary stranger whose words and touch reaches down through the centuries to touch, to heal and to release.

I don't suppose there is anyone listening to this story who hasn't felt bound and controlled by something….

I don't suppose there is anyone listening who hasn't longed to be released in some way….

Perhaps what we need is the touch of the extraordinary, powerful stranger...

Optional ending: In its original telling, the story ends like this;

"So the man went away and began to tell ....how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."

 

blooms along the way

blooms along the way
Originally uploaded by Sallys journey.

This one struck me to, something about blooming where you are planted, and something about growth in hard and unusual places.

interesting juxtaposition

interesting juxtaposition
Originally uploaded by Sallys journey.

This made me smile today, I like the irony of the solar panel fixed above the old fire place.

Friday 5- Trader Joes ( Grocery shopping)

 

 

 

Gals and pals on the West and East coasts, and a few spots in between, may know of Trader Joe's--a quirky, well-stocked, well priced semi-gourmet store that attains near cult status among some. I discovered it through my Aunt Judy, who always brought a couple of their desserts to holiday parties....The best was a chocolate ganache torte that had my four year olds begging for it (and among the only four year olds on the planet to know what ganache is, presumably).

My family has happily Trader Joe'd in southernmost California, up to the Northwest, and back down to southern Cal. And now we're really excited because today a brand new Trader Joe is opening up across the streetfrom our apartment. Wahoo! There are sure to be lots of tasty free samples on opening day and from now on we can just walk across the street to get a lot of our shopping done. I have a new spiritual directee coming tomorrow and she has already mentioned that she'll be stopping in on the way here, leaving me to be jealous cause I'll be spending that noon hour like, praying and preparing and study-vacuuming and everything, and won't be able to stop in till the afternoon.

So in honor of the new Trader Joe's, this week's Friday Five is all about food shopping.

1. Grocery shopping--love it or hate it?

 

It is an adventure as a tight budget should declare that we can't be too adventurous, but I have a keen eye for bargains, and look out for fruit & veg and fish in the bargain counters....

 

 

We often eat seemingly beyond our means because we have picked up a bargin, this weeks finds were a pineapple and fresh trout!

2. Who is the primary food shopper in your household?

 

Me- although anyone who spots a bargin is likely to bring it home.

3. Do you have a beloved store like TJ's which is unique to your location or family?

 

No

4. How about a farmer's market, or CSA share, as we move into summer? Or do you grow your own fruits/veggies/herbs?

 

Ah now you are talking, rural East Anglia grows a lot of the country's vegetables so we have lots of Farm shops and Farmers Markets as well as wayside stalls stocked by folk selling their excess crops from veggie patches. I would love to grow my own veg, but the garden here is unsuitable, and I don't have the time to really care for them so all efforts so far have been fairly fruitless ( please forgive the pun).

 

Another great thing about the location I am currently in is the accessibility of fresh fish, crabs and all other sorts of shell fish and many other fish are landed all along the coast here, when we sail we often bring something home.

 

 Landing a catch at Wells.

5. What's the favorite thing you buy at the grocery store?

 

Fish and fruit see # 1

Free to dance… ( Acts 11)

I want to be a Barnabas,

a discerner of grace;

but so often,

too often,

I find myself

to be the

cynic…

 

I want to change,

to be the encourager,

the builder,

and equipper…

 

I don't believe

that Barnabas was

a soft touch,

he wasn't blind

or deaf…

 

He saw what others

could not see,

and heard what others

could not hear;

 

…for the rhythm of grace

marks out a soft beat,

and only the seekers

will find it…

…and they

will be free

to dance!!!

 

the need for vision....

If people can't see what God is doing,
   they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
   they are most blessed.

(Proverbs 29: 18; The Message)

 

I sat in a Church Council meeting last night listening to a familiar story; finances are squeezed at both Church and Circuit level, and the conversation turned inward as the group struggled to see how they might survive as a church for the next 5 years. There was talk of reducing the staffing levels by loosing a Minister, they are already loosing a staff team member as Tim and I move to Yorkshire this summer. The mood of the meeting at this point was bleak.

 

I am reminded of the story of the river Jordan which flows to first the sea of Galilee which is fertile and filled with fish, and then on to the Dead Sea where it stops because it has no outlet. The Dead Sea is well known for living up to its name! Churches have the capacity to be filled with life, bringing life to the communities around them. They also have the capacity to become places where the flow of Gods blessing is allowed to stop and stagnate, especially when the main concern is for the preservation of the status quo.

 

Some interesting hall marks of the church in question came to light when Harvest was discussed; Harvest is seen mainly as a time for fund raising, and although the service might be one of thanksgiving you might be right in wondering quite what we are giving thanks for.

 

There is a deep need for  vision; but it is not a new vision that is needed, instead there needs to be a refocusing on the love of God revealed in Christ. I am convinced that if the focus of the church is its own survival then it will perish. What it needs to grasp is the depth and width of the love of God poured out upon it, shown in the sacrifice of Christ, and then again in the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost....

 

The church needs an outlet, and that outlet can only be created by love. So how does a church get itself to a place where the love of God and the wonder of the gospel message is not its first concern? I wish I knew the answer and the solution, for I see a group of people stumbling over one another, afraid of the future and unable to look up and catch the truth of what God is doing amongst them, and what he wants to do through them.

 

I wonder how it is that we in the rich west are so blind to what God is doing, and then I remember the lines from Timothy Dudley Smiths hymn "spirits oppressed by pleasure wealth and care"; the western church is in too many places, and last nights meeting was a good example to oppressed by its own concerns, and its wealth (dwindling though it may be) to dare to seek fresh vision.... it cannot even see its way to making the Harvest celebration a free gift to the community.....

 

But I was complicit in the lack of vision, because I stayed silent, but I cannot continue to do so; for we have a God who can do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine, and so what if we get down to the last penny in the bank account.... and yes I realise that I risk going unpaid if that is the case...

 

But we need vision, we need to catch a fresh glimpse of God, we need to allow his love and his power to flow into out lives, we need to pray and not to procrastinate... so come on church, let the love of God compel you to action. Allow that perfect love to cast out fear. Consider your ways both corporately and individually; and put your hand to the plough without turning back for the Lord of the Harvest who calls workers into his harvest field knows what we need, and he challenges us to follow him!

 

Endings, and beginnings; lessons for moving on...

I find myself in a liminal space these days, much of my work is taken up with tying up loose ends and getting ready to move on. It would be easy to look back and form a list of "if onlys", or to take the view that all will be different on the "other side" of this space, for the grass is always greener. Experience however tells me that neither of those outlooks is helpful! I am preparing to move from the post of Lay Worker in the West Norfolk Methodist Circuit to the post of Probationary Minister in the Snaith and Selby Methodist Circuit.....

So I am pondering what my last six years in the Downham Market Area have taught me; these are in no particular order...

1. The importance of listening, to the people both within and outside the church in order to gain an appreciation for the local "character". Particularly important is the ability to listen to what people are not saying.

2. Following hot on the heels of that would be that change for changes sake is pointless and quite probably counter productive.

3. That the gospel will be received and understood quite differently by people living very short distances apart!

4. Listen..... again.... to God and to the people, and to God again...

5. That prayer, prayer and more prayer, even when there are no words is essential!

6. To make sure you get enough sleep and a day off. Too many Ministers boast of their long hours and glory in the fact that they do not take time off. My advice to these folk is get a hobby, get a life, be real and be human!

7. Never underestimate what can be achieved through a two minute conversation!

8. Never overestimate what can be achieved by a well thought out beautifully prepared document.

9. Did I mention listening?

10. Read, read the Bible and Newspapers and Theological books, but also read poetry and novels......

11. Look after yourself, diet and exercise are important! You can't love others if you neglect yourself... AND NEVER FORGET YOU HAVE A FAMILY/ HUSBAND/ WIFE/ CHILDREN/ FRIENDS....

12. Lay Ministry is under valued, I have been a paid lay worker for 6 years, and was extensively involved in lay ministry before that. The Church is full of gifted members and Ordained Ministers should never forget that. One thing that really annoys me is when Ministers ignore the talents and wisdom of Lay People and stomp all over people, I see it happen TOO OFTEN!-( if I ever show signs of this in the future you have my permission to point it out to me...) OK rant over!!!

13. Taking time out to reflect is working!

14. Don't loose your creative spark, whether that is writing, music, painting, photography or something more unusual...

15.. Listen, and don't forget to hear, and to respond...

16. BE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.... and listen....

I hope that I can take these lessons and many other valuable lessons with me, and want to thank the kind folk of Downham Market and the surrounding area for being excellent teachers, either intentionally or inadvertently! I know that I haven't managed any of these things perfectly, and some only partially, but they are valued lessons and ones I want to take with me...

Clackclose Schools' Easter Service in the Methodist Church

The children and the staff have been amongst my best teachers.

Busyness and moving on...

It has been a long day, beginning with staff meeting and a quick diary check, then a school assembly, followed by lots of bitty stuff. I am trying to make sense of my study, recycling out dated paperwork and dealing with and sorting the urgent from the semi urgent stuff.

Tim is away at the moment working with a mission/outreach team who are walking through parts of Lincolnshire making the most of opportunities to chat with people they meet. They have been invited to eat breakfast in a pub tomorrow morning and will then simply wait to see what else the day brings.

The house is not empty though as Chris and his girlfriend Ness have arrived, they are going to be working with us around the Circuit for the next couple of weeks, taking part in the day to day stuff of ministry and also putting on a few events themselves. They have constructed a huge 3D cross which they are going to fill with lights. It will be really good to see how they use it in a creative alt worship event.

Jo and Jon are not home yet, Jo is simply enjoying some time with friends before coming home and working at the frozen foods factory again, Jon is hoping to find work in Lancaster before heading off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival again.

My mind is really on moving though, I spent a couple of days at the weekend with members of my new Circuit's leadership team. I joined them for a retreat day at the Peace centre in Tadcasterand was really impressed by the fact that their thinking was mission focused in the best sense of the word. In the meantime I am in the ongoing process of handing on the work I have been doing so that others will take it up, my post as a Community Lay Worker here is not being replaced, but in many ways the aim was to do ourselves out of a job by equipping others to step in, on the whole I think that this has been achieved. My last study weekend with ERMC is this coming weekend. Time to move on...

 

Looking into the wild flower meadow at Tadcaster Peace Centre

A prayer for Trinity Sunday

We call you Father, Mother, Creator,

Lord, Saviour, Friend,

Healer, Redeemer, Releaser, Equipper,

Spirit, Comforter and Guide;

but that is not enough.

You cannot be

contained by our words.

For you are all in all,

a mystery, three in one,

yet so much more than three…

 

We try to describe you,

but mere words cannot contain you,

and so we come to worship both

the God we know, and the God

yet to be revealed to and through us.

 

As we come today we offer you

our hearts, and minds,

our intellect, our deepest selves;

come Father, Mother, Creator,

Lord, Saviour, Friend,

Healer, Redeemer, Releaser, Equipper,

Spirit, Comforter and Guide.

Come, inhabit our praises,

fill our hearts and minds,

inspire and equip us,

don't let us leave unchanged.

 

AMEN

 

 

Image by Farid De La Osa

All are called- a short summary of my views on the call of all Christians…

Matt Stonehas asked me what my thoughts are on the general call to all Christians. This post is not a complete summary of my thoughts, but it is a fair reflection. First I want to say that I acknowledge that call, I believe that the Church is the Body of Christ on earth and that as such every member has a place and function, and this means that all are called to be disciples of Christ. Being a disciple of Christ means being committed to learning and to growing and to living out the faith that we profess. This in turn means that every member is a gifted part of the whole body. I am a Methodist, and Methodism has a long tradition of equipping the laity for ministry and service, but having said that I believe that we too have a lot to learn!

I believe that members of the Body of Christ (the Church) can function in and often excel in all of the gifts of the Spirit. I also believe that Ordained clergy have over many (hundreds of) years eroded the confidence of the members relegating them to pew fodder; this is not necessarily the fault of any one individual, but a situation that crept up on us, and into the training institutions and the psyche of the members. AND IT IS WRONG! I also believe that it is high time that that balance was reversed, and indeed acknowledge that this is precisely what is happening in some places, but am saddened at the slow rate of progress in that direction in others.

Is the role of Ordained Clergy unique, yes I believe that it is, it is a specific call to word and sacrament, a need recognised by the early church when they set apart some to be deacons in order to release the teachers to dedicate their time to prayer and to the word. (Acts 7). I also acknowledge that the apostles were not formally ordained at that point, but can make a case for how Christian Ordained Ministry began at that point; although we could also look at Israel's Priests here too.

Don't get me wrong though, I don't think for a moment that no-one else is called to preach or teach, for many are, and all are called to give a reason for the hope that they have (1 Pe. 3: 15). I do believe however that the ordained clergy have a unique role in equipping and encouraging the church to function, this role requires time and dedication to prayer and to the scriptures that others cannot give. It does not make the "priest" special that is simply his /her role. I have specific views about the sacraments which will keep for another time!