Eternal Echoes

Bartimaeus encounter....

Throwing aside his cloak,

abandoning total

vulnerabilities last defense

he ran to the one

who knew

his real name,

the one

whose name he knew,

and they met

on the road

as others looked on,

and sight was restored

to the one

who could see...

What is behind this poem?

1. Bartimeaus literally means Son of Timeaus, he is not named for himself in the account, I like to think that Jesus called him by name.

2. Jesus is give two names. first Jesus the Nazarene, and second Son of David. The second name is called out by the one who was blind, hence the one who was blind saw more than those who could see. 

3. The cloak, a defence against the elements, perhaps echoing the defense of the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6). If so what does that say to us?

What I learnt from sailing today....

Today we went sailing, that is nothing remarkable or unusual, we try to go once a week in season, and have certainly mostly managed that since we moved in August. Today however we were the only ones at the club, it was very cold and although it wasn't too windy it certainly wasn't calm, we weighed up the risks ( well Tim did and I trust him) and decided to go. We rigged up the boat and changed into sailing gear and set off....

My biggest challenge was stepping into the boat, as we were preparing to set of some pretty stiff gusts came through, I thought twice, but Tim was confident all would be well, so after some hesitation I stepped into the boat and away we went. We had a blast, the best sailing we have had for weeks because the winds have been so light...

I did think twice though, and it would have been easy to hesitate and step back. I am glad I didn't! As I ponder this in the light of the last week where I have had to make some decisions that run contrary to my first inclinations, decisions whose outcomes I have no control over I am encouraged. Encouraged and reminded of stories and testimonies of faith that I have heard, people who have stood on the edge of a decision and dared to take the plunge into what seemed like difficult and risky situations and found that God was right there with them, not necessarily making things easy, but certainly making things possible.

Life is rarely easy, and we often have difficult decisions to make, sometimes the easiest but worst decision is to step back and play it safe. I am reminded of Peter stepping out of the boat (rather than in to it) to walk across the waves to Jesus who was calling him, and reminded that it just when he thought he was going to sink that he cried out to be saved and was saved. I am reminded that we all have different levels of confidence at different parts of our journey, that we all hit barriers where we say to ourselves "I can't do this", and yet somehow we find the inner God given resources to push beyond our comfort zones, to step out of or into the boat and to go for it! We may be able to know how things are going to work out, but just sometimes the risk is worth taking, and while this is something I already knew, I also needed reminding!

 

^31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

 

 

we see, but....

we see, but

through a glass darkly,

all of our clarity

shadows,

our wisdom

fleeting lights

floating  through

darkness’s veil

unformed by opacity’s

subtle distortions,

we strain to see

to be clear,

to understand,

and we need grace

to know ourselves,

to acknowledge

truth,

and love's liberating power,

for we see, but

through a glass darkly...

 

My true self; big pictures and details....

 

Out of the depths I cry to you O God,

show me my true nature,

my true name,

take me beyond the outer things,

below and beyond the surface,

beneath and above the excuses,

set me free to be myself,

my true self, 

my God created self,

my loved and beloved self,

let me hear you calling me

to be, and to become...

out of the depths I cry,

I cry to you O God....

 

Over the last few weeks I have found myself lost in details, learning names and getting to know people, finding my way around, sorting out who meets when and where, and filling my diary with appointments many of which will become recurring and therefore almost second-nature. Through it all I have tried to listen, tried to take in as much as I can, and to be honest it has been exhausting. One of the reasons for this is that I am a big-picture person, I like to step back and look to the horizon, to scan for possibilities and opportunities. 

Knowing that I am a big-picture person helps me to understand myself, and over the years it has helped me to come to appreciate others whose gift is found in the details, people who will ask questions that require precise answers, answers that need to be found, answers that folk like me  skip over optimistically assuming that all will fall into place. Over the last few weeks I realise that I have frustrated one or two folk, wonderful details folk because in many ways although we are seeking the same objective we don't speak the same language. 

I have come to really value details people, in fact I admire them in so many ways, but I am also aware that we need one another, and that we need to find creative and liberating ways of working together. This last week I have valued a couple of opportunities to stop, to reflect and to take in the view from a physical perspective, once in the Lake District, and again more locally walking on the beach, both of these reminded me that I also need time to step back and survey the spiritual scenery both within myself and with the churches that I am called to serve. When I take the time to do this the gift of the big picture becomes clearer and I am able to convey it to the details folk in a way that makes sense, not only that but I am able to then understand how the details fit it rather than drowning in them. I am thankful for a meeting with my Spiritual Director today as in many ways that helped me to clarify this for myself again; it's funny how you know something and yet need to be reminded!

 

prayer, vulnerability and the power of God....

Over the last few weeks I have noticed something significant about ministry in the town centre of Blackpool, New Central Church has a Coffee Bar and many folk come in, some are local, others tourists, some of those tourists are Methodists seeking out a Methodist Church ( we do that!). Others though are folk seeking a bit of peace away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre and promenade, I've adopted a stance of lurking in the coffee bar with intent and chatting to people, many of those people happily share some of their life story with me, and many of them welcome the offer of prayer or a blessing. I am not surprised by this, partly because those who come in know they are coming in to a church coffee bar, but also because I firmly believe that many people are open to a touch from God.

What has surprised me however is the effect that all of this has had upon me, I find my faith strengthened, and I can genuinely point to answered prayer from a young man who wanted prayer for his driving test to someone who wanted prayer for healing. Earlier this week I had the privilege of praying for a church member, we prayed for his healing, and as we did so we experienced the presence and love of God in a powerful way.

This has been echoed for me in North Shore Church a little way along the coast from New Central, again opportunities to share in the lives and stories of others have opened up naturally and powerfully. Yet in both of these places, maybe particularly North Shore there is a vulnerability, the vulnerability of being called by God but not being sure that we have the strength to step into that calling, and through this God is working, and that is wonderful...

Lord have mercy upon us... 

Be the strength in our weakness, help us to hear your voice, help us to follow you...

Blessing for new wedding rings:

It's one of those weeks, I have 3 unusual services to take along with 3 more "normal" ones, whatever "normal" is...

***********

We gather today with **** and **** to celebrate their marriage, to give thanks for the years that have passed, and to pray for the years ahead.

( The couple name some memories)

As a symbol of their continued commitment they have chosen to give and to receive new rings. The rings are a sign of the love that they share; they are symbols of eternity without beginning or end, they are symbols of purity, of love freely given, and love freely received.

 

Loving God bless these rings we pray as symbols of love and union between **** and ****, may they be reminders of hope and commitment, may the givers and receivers be strengthen by your grace.

 

Loving God bless these rings, and bless **** and ****, in their continued life together.

 

(The couple exchange rings)

 

1. **** receive this ring as a symbol of my continued love for you and commitment to you. I give thanks for the years that have passed and look forward to the years to come.

 

1. **** receive this ring as a symbol of my continued love for you and commitment to you. I give thanks for the years that have passed and look forward to the years to come.

 

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. The blessing of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. AMEN.

Liturgy for claiming a new name...

I will use these prayers as a part of the liturgy on Sunday following a sermon based upon Isaiah 62: 1-12. . In this instance it is for a member of the congregation who is transgender, but I can see other times when we might use this.

It is not something entered into lightly but after much prayer and listening, reflection and meditation. We are all on a journey towards wholeness and while I know some folk will disagree with this I offer it anyway;

 

********************

 

Loving God, in Jesus you came,

to the powerless

to the nothings and the nobodies,

to the deaf, the lame, the blind,

the mournful and the grieving,

and the broken-hearted ones too,

you came and you gave them a new name,

you named them beloved, cherished and honoured in your sight.

 

To the whole world you came,

and you come still, meeting us on our journeys

finding us and seeking us in the muddle and the mess of life.

 

Loving God, today we come to you claiming your promise that all are welcome, that none should be turned away, we come freely as we are and without fear knowing that in you: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female for ALL are one in Christ Jesus.” In the light of your promise we acknowledge our need of you, our need to receive your love, our need to receive your grace.

 

We come with your servant ******, giving thanks for the journey of awakening that has brought her/him to this moment, for his/her place amongst your people, and for his/her gifts and calling to serve you.

 

Today ***** claims his/her new name.

 

We hold before you our companion. Bless him/her with a new measure of grace as he/she takes this new name before you. Write him/her again in your heart and on your palm, and grant that we all be worthy to call ourselves Christians, for the sake of your Christ whose name is Love, and in whom with you and the Spirit we pray. AMEN

 

By what name shall you be know?

 

My name is  *******

 

YOUR NAME SHALL BE ******

 

****** Bear this name in the Name of Christ, share it in the name of mercy, offer it in the name of Justice and of Love.

 

CHRIST IS AMONG IS MAKING PEACE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. THE PEACE OF CHRIST LIVES AND MOVES AMONG US.

( we continue to share the peace and to celebrate Communion together).) 

 

 

This painting is from a series of paintings entitled " “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision" more on this can be found here.

Sources for Liturgy as follows:

Dirt Mess and Danger by Glendon Macaulay

Liturgical naming right for a transgender church member.

a strange glory....

in the muddles,

in the mess,

in the demands,

in the torn lives,

and shattered hopes,

in the tears,

in the torment,

in the hunger,

in the cold,

in the pain filled eyes

whose questions

run deeper than

any answers

i might offer,

i find you, and

i find in you 

a new beauty

a strange glory,

an unfathomable mystery,

i hear you calling me

beyond myself,

to follow you,

will you give me

the grace, and

grant me the strength

to answer your call...?

i cannot do this alone...

image by Sieger Koder

beyond the them and us syndrome....

Dear Church,

yes I am writing to you again, writing because I hear your desire for renewal and growth, I am also writing because I need you to know that I do not have a quick fix solution to bring people flooding through our doors. Let me burst a current few myth bubbles; "they" are no going to come if we install a data projector and install a screen, "they" won't come because we have decided to replace the organ with a worship band. "They" might come to a special event if you invite "them", but it is unlikely that "they" will come again on Sunday morning....

Oh and while we are talking about Sunday morning I'd just like to say that I think we've blown its importance out of all proportion especially when we measure our successes by Sunday morning attendance, or use it as a barometer of our health.

I wonder if you'd come with me through the doors to meet "them", your friends, your neighbours, your children even, these are the  folk who don't come. It is easy to criticise "them" in our meetings and gatherings, but when you get out there amongst "them" the picture is quite different. You'll find you know "them", that you understand "them" and even dare I say that you like "them".

So maybe the question is not so much about how we get "them" to come, but more about how we share with these friends and neighbours and families of ours the miracle and mystery of a living relationship, our living relationship with God. I think you will find that most of your neighbours won't want to argue the finer points of doctrine with you, but they'll probably accept a helping hand and even a prayer in a time of need. Or maybe it will be the other way around, maybe the gracious and humble way that you accept their help will speak to them....

Be confident in your relationship with God, it is not about knowing all of the right answers, we'll never know all of the right answers, but it is about the mystery that we are loved and accepted by the creator of the universe who knows us through and through with all of our faults and flaws. It is about the peace that passes understanding in the most difficult of circumstances, the light that shines in dark places, and the hope that will not let us go even in the face of adversity. 

Here is a wonder that we too often forget, Jesus ministry and mission did not stop at the cross for he overcame death and was raised to life, fullness of glorious resurrection life, and this is the life that he invites us into. And while we so often remember that the cross is where all of our wrongs are forgiven, I wonder how often we focus upon our unworthiness and forget that the cross is where all of our guilt (often self imposed) and shame is also cleaned away. I wonder how often we wear masks, brittle and hard masks of self sufficiency because we feel that as Christians we should have it all together. I wonder if sometimes we have worn them for so long that they have become a part of us. I wonder if we are aware that our friends and neighbours and children, "they" see something false in us because we are not being true to ourselves or before God.

So here is the challenge, lets not focus on attracting folk with technology and trying to be up to date for we'll fail there anyway. Instead lets focus on living out a life of love, let's focus on being Jesus disciples living with our own brokenness in a broken world and seeking to make a journey towards wholeness and daring to invite others towards us. Let's dare to become again a living and vibrant community of faith able to live with our questions and the questions of others. Let's become a people who celebrate life in all of its richness and diversity, let's value one another for who we are, learning to love God, others and even ourselves as we journey together. Let's not worry about Sundays but rather seek to live this celebratory life everyday, let's learn to be our true authentic Christian selves with our friends, family and neighbours, lets stop referring to "them" as "them" and work towards becoming us for we are all on a journey.

Maybe we need to stop fretting and worrying and start being, maybe when we seek for  renewal and growth in ourselves we'll begin to see our lives touch the lives of others. Maybe as we seek to  be generous with our lives. we'll prompt people to open up with God, our generous Father in heaven.

light....

how often do

i shelter behind

walls of my own making,

acknowledging only

a portion,

receiving

a partial blessing?

how often do

i hide in dark corners,

recoiling from

lights fullness,

preferring

a shadowed

existence?

and yet I am

called and drawn,

wooed and wowed

by her wonders,

to turn from the shadows,

 throw open the windows, and

tear down the walls....

+

to find myself

immersed in light....