Cross Encounters

Well, there is the needle! There is also truth that it is a good way to serve our neighbour in public health.

We live in congregations - specific localities - and yet we say in the Creed all the time that the Church is global. We diminish the Church when we emphasise one over against the other - so finding good ways of living in the tension is part of being the Christian Church.

Life and living is truly a gift. But that thought implies a giver. As harvests come and go, that thought never goes away. What else might a harvest thanksgiving reveal?

Any history of a group of Christians reveals both the local and also the historical – a past which reminds us that we never ’create’ Christianity or the Faith – we only receive it – to be lived and to be passed on faithfully.

Our world is an amazing place and the journeys we can take in our minds likewise. And God is with us in both!

The question of silence and personal engagement in worship is a topic that arises from time to time. A few thoughts this week.

What’s so funny? Lots of things! But humour is tricky to negotiate and laughter can be both joyous and cruel. A reflection on living well with a laugh – or might I say ’laughing well’?

No, this is not the cry for some semblance of quiet by the Speaker in the House of Commons. Rather this is about knowing what is happening in worship and why. What we do when and why is important but not as important as knowing what God is doing when and why!

The mystery of Christian discipleship is that we relate to Jesus through faith which ultimately means that Jesus is beyond our senses and experiences - and yet he uses means - words, water, bread and wine - to reach us via our senses and experiences but we only receive him through faith. Christians thus can say that Jesus is with them even when their senses and experiences go ’What?!’

For the Christian, hope is faith grounded in Christ looking into the future – and that is its true power.

Christians and the world know that Jesus’ mother was Mary. What does that mean for us today? The many answers suggest that there is something about Mary!

What is the vibe of a thing, a person, or a relationship? A quintessence perhaps? We often live by vibes. In Christianity all vibes need to be anchored in God’s Word - all of it - not just our favourite parts - so that we don’t make God or Jesus in our image! And the starting point in getting a Christian vibe is the cross and empty tomb.

Why do we do what we do in Church? I think it is important that each of us know what is behind we way we react and behave. That is why the distinction between public doctrine and pious opinion is very important.

In the UK the devolved governments are lifting the lid on public worship – ’there are no restrictions’ is the summary. But how true is such a sentiment when we talk about Christian worship?

What did you think of when you saw that word? No doubt people and buildings and labels and possibly a chequered history. Such are not unimportant at all. But it is good to first remember that the Christian Church is an article of faith and a hidden reality. What we see should reflect that reality but we live ’by faith and not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7) and that makes ’Church’ very interesting i...

Faces are everywhere! People have them and we can even ’see’ them on inanimate objects. We so want to know and be known and faces are a good place to start. Of course this begs the question spiritually - Does God have a face? What would you say?

How do we deal with living when things don’t go as we wish? No doubt in many ways. However the best starting point is remembering that God is already with us in the moment and not far away ’waiting to be called’.

What are the issues today about faith and doubt? What should the Church be saying and doing?

Answers to that question might be found in philosophy, physics, and neuroscience. A cross and an empty tomb also shines light on the question.

God goes to great lengths to reveal Himself through the Word made flesh. Jesus points us to the Father - and together they send the Holy Spirit. Thus God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - don’t share this personal information for ego but because without this revelation we are truly lost.

We all have thoughts each day about life and living. The Good News of Jesus is the best news to help shape our thoughts.

There is a lot to learn – and to learn a greater appreciation of God and his means of grace. We are never alone.

Baptism - being joined to Jesus’ death and resurrection and in a new birth and new life - is critical for everyone because our journey is either being drawn to Jesus in Baptism or returning daily to Jesus and Baptism. That’s what living by faith involves and stops Christianity being only history a long time ago.

Knowledge is usually not enough to bring about change. What is needed is a reason or motivation. So when it comes to relating to God and to our behaviour that flows from faith, then what we need, above all, is the Gospel.

The Good News of Jesus is not just that he speaks to us but also that he moves. Everything to do with him is about him coming to us.