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"God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."
(Psalm 46v1, Good News Bible)
(Psalm 46v1, Good News Bible)
20/04/2010
From Stuart
As I write this letter, I am humbled again by the out- flowing of your good wishes and kindness.
It is hard to not be able to do what you love to do with people whom you are truly blessed to serve, and I find myself again in this position. The Spirit of Community at Logie is truly God –inspired and it is that Spirit, That Holy Spirit, uniting and teaching, that we are about to celebrate at Pentecost.
Maybe the Church the universal Church that the world has been commenting on over the last few weeks in the media, needs to seek out the Spirit that can bring peace, reconciliation and understanding to all people.
None of us in the ecclesiastical world need to be defensive, we may need to be sorry, and we may need to learn how to be more gracious but defensiveness and aggression, suppress, I believe, the spirit of love that can unite all people and show the church an example of Christ.
As we approach Pentecost let’s think about the love that unites us and can inspire us to great things in God’s name. Let us seek that spirit so that we may understand each other. Let us seek that spirit so that we can open the wonderful minds God has given us. Let us seek that spirit that we apply the words and being of Christ to the modern and complex world in which we live, living in loving community takes a lot of thinking and giving, and we are learning that at Logie. May we pray that all Christians learn to grow in a community of understanding with the world in which we are called to serve, and the people in it.
From Stuart
As I write this letter, I am humbled again by the out- flowing of your good wishes and kindness.
It is hard to not be able to do what you love to do with people whom you are truly blessed to serve, and I find myself again in this position. The Spirit of Community at Logie is truly God –inspired and it is that Spirit, That Holy Spirit, uniting and teaching, that we are about to celebrate at Pentecost.
Maybe the Church the universal Church that the world has been commenting on over the last few weeks in the media, needs to seek out the Spirit that can bring peace, reconciliation and understanding to all people.
None of us in the ecclesiastical world need to be defensive, we may need to be sorry, and we may need to learn how to be more gracious but defensiveness and aggression, suppress, I believe, the spirit of love that can unite all people and show the church an example of Christ.
As we approach Pentecost let’s think about the love that unites us and can inspire us to great things in God’s name. Let us seek that spirit so that we may understand each other. Let us seek that spirit so that we can open the wonderful minds God has given us. Let us seek that spirit that we apply the words and being of Christ to the modern and complex world in which we live, living in loving community takes a lot of thinking and giving, and we are learning that at Logie. May we pray that all Christians learn to grow in a community of understanding with the world in which we are called to serve, and the people in it.
23/03/2010
From Stuart
Resurrection and eternity can be daunting words and concepts but this Christmas I saw them both in our house.
For the last 10 years I have said I would make tablet and treacle toffee just like my dad used to do on Christmas Eve, and the girls have been waiting and hoping and wondering.
This Christmas I was in the Co-Op at Causewayhead and found their last bottle of ginger Yule Ade. Well I got the hat trick!
On Christmas Eve I made ginger cordial, treacle toffee and tablet with ginger in it.
In our house this Christmas, a tradition was resurrected. The love that my dad shared, making every Christmas Eve personal, returned. Not only that, but I decided to make the rich and thick stew my mum used to make when it was cold outside and you wanted to feel warm and cosy.
It has been over twenty years since Roy and Rae Fulton were alive in the same kitchen, but this Christmas, in some way they were.
In these terms resurrection and eternity are not daunting but comforting.
This Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Word Incarnate, the Son of David, The Prince of Peace, the Son of Man.
This Easter we need to make real what Jesus was, resurrect his love and care, his forgiveness and hope. We need to make whom he was and is, real in the lives of those he loved…… Let’s do it
From Stuart
Resurrection and eternity can be daunting words and concepts but this Christmas I saw them both in our house.
For the last 10 years I have said I would make tablet and treacle toffee just like my dad used to do on Christmas Eve, and the girls have been waiting and hoping and wondering.
This Christmas I was in the Co-Op at Causewayhead and found their last bottle of ginger Yule Ade. Well I got the hat trick!
On Christmas Eve I made ginger cordial, treacle toffee and tablet with ginger in it.
In our house this Christmas, a tradition was resurrected. The love that my dad shared, making every Christmas Eve personal, returned. Not only that, but I decided to make the rich and thick stew my mum used to make when it was cold outside and you wanted to feel warm and cosy.
It has been over twenty years since Roy and Rae Fulton were alive in the same kitchen, but this Christmas, in some way they were.
In these terms resurrection and eternity are not daunting but comforting.
This Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Word Incarnate, the Son of David, The Prince of Peace, the Son of Man.
This Easter we need to make real what Jesus was, resurrect his love and care, his forgiveness and hope. We need to make whom he was and is, real in the lives of those he loved…… Let’s do it
23/02/2010
From Stuart
We are in the middle of Lent, and I wonder how many of you have given up something significant for the duration. I have, in the past given up most of the usual suspects and I have found the discipline interesting and, often beneficial.
This year I have decided that my diet has had enough interference, so I have decided to persevere in putting some thoughts to paper. I have decided to “do” rather than “give –up”.
On that subject I am going to do something that I have not really done here before. I am going to ask for your help!
We are lucky, our church is busy and we have an eclectic mix of people, attending and enjoying our church fellowship.
We need your help and your ideas to help our family grow together.
There are lots of jobs to do, visiting people unable to get out, helping with the J-club and Club 1-2-6, singing in the choir, helping our new building project.
These are just a few things that need your help and your support, but equally as important we need to find more ways to serve the community, which is growing around us.
We do not seek to intrude into people’s lives, but we do want to meet their needs when we can. Our job is not, I believe to insist people agree with us, but rather to help them where we can in the name of the God of love. In doing this I think we may have some great fun and also find some deep satisfaction.
Please let me know of your ideas, your availability, your hopes and your dreams and we may be able to do some wonderful things together.
We also would love it if everybody who was coming to church might think of joining us. It would help us keep you in touch with what is going on, we would be honoured if you would consider this also.
At the back of the magazine there is a form on which you can offer to help or ask for more information about Logie, its activities and organisations. If you fill it in you can return it directly to me or put it in the plate any Sunday.
I hope this Lenten and Easter season is productive for us all and is a time for growing together in our walk with the God of hope, love and free grace.
From Stuart
We are in the middle of Lent, and I wonder how many of you have given up something significant for the duration. I have, in the past given up most of the usual suspects and I have found the discipline interesting and, often beneficial.
This year I have decided that my diet has had enough interference, so I have decided to persevere in putting some thoughts to paper. I have decided to “do” rather than “give –up”.
On that subject I am going to do something that I have not really done here before. I am going to ask for your help!
We are lucky, our church is busy and we have an eclectic mix of people, attending and enjoying our church fellowship.
We need your help and your ideas to help our family grow together.
There are lots of jobs to do, visiting people unable to get out, helping with the J-club and Club 1-2-6, singing in the choir, helping our new building project.
These are just a few things that need your help and your support, but equally as important we need to find more ways to serve the community, which is growing around us.
We do not seek to intrude into people’s lives, but we do want to meet their needs when we can. Our job is not, I believe to insist people agree with us, but rather to help them where we can in the name of the God of love. In doing this I think we may have some great fun and also find some deep satisfaction.
Please let me know of your ideas, your availability, your hopes and your dreams and we may be able to do some wonderful things together.
We also would love it if everybody who was coming to church might think of joining us. It would help us keep you in touch with what is going on, we would be honoured if you would consider this also.
At the back of the magazine there is a form on which you can offer to help or ask for more information about Logie, its activities and organisations. If you fill it in you can return it directly to me or put it in the plate any Sunday.
I hope this Lenten and Easter season is productive for us all and is a time for growing together in our walk with the God of hope, love and free grace.
12/01/2010
“Be careful what you wish for,” so often the advice of the sage, and never more pertinent than for those who wished for snow!
Yes it was beautiful, but that was vastly over-shadowed by the inconvenience.
Often our wishes are only about us and for very short term.
When we stop to think about a lot of what we think we want, we may discover that our selfishness can indeed hurt others, our short-term thinking can do us damage when we view the larger picture.
If this is true in our lives when only we are involved, it is also true nationally and internationally.
“Look before you leap,” is an old saying, but that does not mean it is untrue.
We live in a world where a few have much and many have little, we live in a world where much of life is disposable but there is nowhere to safely put the rubbish. We live in a world where some people can get what they want and what they need, while others must watch loved ones die because they cannot achieve what is necessary.
In 2010, let us think about what we wish for; consider how we plan our lives and the meeting of our needs. Other people are involved, some of whom we will never meet. May we prayerfully dream about tomorrow, that in our hopes and in our decision making, love may guide us.
“Be careful what you wish for,” so often the advice of the sage, and never more pertinent than for those who wished for snow!
Yes it was beautiful, but that was vastly over-shadowed by the inconvenience.
Often our wishes are only about us and for very short term.
When we stop to think about a lot of what we think we want, we may discover that our selfishness can indeed hurt others, our short-term thinking can do us damage when we view the larger picture.
If this is true in our lives when only we are involved, it is also true nationally and internationally.
“Look before you leap,” is an old saying, but that does not mean it is untrue.
We live in a world where a few have much and many have little, we live in a world where much of life is disposable but there is nowhere to safely put the rubbish. We live in a world where some people can get what they want and what they need, while others must watch loved ones die because they cannot achieve what is necessary.
In 2010, let us think about what we wish for; consider how we plan our lives and the meeting of our needs. Other people are involved, some of whom we will never meet. May we prayerfully dream about tomorrow, that in our hopes and in our decision making, love may guide us.
24/11/2009
Janus, the Roman God had two heads, one looking to the past, and the other looking towards the future.This magazine bridges the time span between the end of one year and the beginning of another. Like the Roman God it has to have two perspectives.
It never hurts to look back, in fact it is really foolish not to, even if the view is painful.
2009 has brought a lot of questions to this world, especially in the realm of finance and economics. It is tempting to lay blame and to try and find a “one dose” solution, but both are foolish and impractical. Many people have waxed lyrical about why but none of that can turn the clock back.
We do know that greed had a little to do with it, we do know that not only the speculators and the once wealthy have been hurt but that the innocent and the needy have had to bear more than is fair, as usual.
Looking forward we, as a society, maybe need to find a way to make sure vulnerable people do not lose from the speculation of others. Maybe this should be done before we try to find ways to be as wealthy as we were.
Maybe that would not attract enough votes for many of our politicians but it would show a compassion that I think God calls us to.
Last year too many people died in Afghanistan and in conflicts throughout the world. Conflict resolution has never been more talked about. Yet in little ways we let conflict fester from vaguely racist, or anti Islamic jokes to letting division and argument remain too long in our homes and our relationships.
Maybe we need to look into a new year where we are determined to be the peace- makers, in the little and the big ways. Too often we try and find fault before we find common ground.
I believe our calling is to understand what divides us so that we can fight for justice above preference or culture.
Next year will be full of mistakes and triumphs, like this year, but maybe we should work hard to let the triumphs for peace, justice and understanding win for a change. May this be so not just in the big things where we may feel powerless. May it also be so in our daily lives where we are called to be a powerful influence of love and hope by the Child in the manger and the God who calls us to be the good in this world?
Have a blessed Christmas and may we all be further inspired to bring light into 2010.
Janus, the Roman God had two heads, one looking to the past, and the other looking towards the future.This magazine bridges the time span between the end of one year and the beginning of another. Like the Roman God it has to have two perspectives.
It never hurts to look back, in fact it is really foolish not to, even if the view is painful.
2009 has brought a lot of questions to this world, especially in the realm of finance and economics. It is tempting to lay blame and to try and find a “one dose” solution, but both are foolish and impractical. Many people have waxed lyrical about why but none of that can turn the clock back.
We do know that greed had a little to do with it, we do know that not only the speculators and the once wealthy have been hurt but that the innocent and the needy have had to bear more than is fair, as usual.
Looking forward we, as a society, maybe need to find a way to make sure vulnerable people do not lose from the speculation of others. Maybe this should be done before we try to find ways to be as wealthy as we were.
Maybe that would not attract enough votes for many of our politicians but it would show a compassion that I think God calls us to.
Last year too many people died in Afghanistan and in conflicts throughout the world. Conflict resolution has never been more talked about. Yet in little ways we let conflict fester from vaguely racist, or anti Islamic jokes to letting division and argument remain too long in our homes and our relationships.
Maybe we need to look into a new year where we are determined to be the peace- makers, in the little and the big ways. Too often we try and find fault before we find common ground.
I believe our calling is to understand what divides us so that we can fight for justice above preference or culture.
Next year will be full of mistakes and triumphs, like this year, but maybe we should work hard to let the triumphs for peace, justice and understanding win for a change. May this be so not just in the big things where we may feel powerless. May it also be so in our daily lives where we are called to be a powerful influence of love and hope by the Child in the manger and the God who calls us to be the good in this world?
Have a blessed Christmas and may we all be further inspired to bring light into 2010.
27/10/2009
Thank you; thank you all for all your good wishes, cards and gifts when I was unwell. I was really moved by your concern and I am aware that this is probably the only way I can be sure to respond to all your kindness. Being unwell is far from pleasant, but it eventually gives you time for some reflection and that is always a good thing. To stop in your tracks and appreciate all the good in your life is wonderful and to have a time to re-evaluate how you spend your time and re-assess what is most important is invaluable. We spend too little time with the ones we love, we devote too much time to things and not enough to people, and we react more than we realise to the world around instead of considering it more. Watching patience and care work, as harassed nursing staff deal with difficult patients, gives you an insight into how the world could work. Seeing people of all backgrounds relate when thrown into the same situation, mixed with pain and fear, shows you that people can get on! Seeing what a difference the care of loved ones makes to people who are really ill and afraid gives a new insight into Jesus talk of love and his acts of healing. I am not prescribing a dose of hospital, or surgery for any of you, but maybe a few minutes to stop and smile at the love in your life and the difference that makes. Maybe then we could stop and think how much better life would be if we gave that love a little more time each day.
Thank you; thank you all for all your good wishes, cards and gifts when I was unwell. I was really moved by your concern and I am aware that this is probably the only way I can be sure to respond to all your kindness. Being unwell is far from pleasant, but it eventually gives you time for some reflection and that is always a good thing. To stop in your tracks and appreciate all the good in your life is wonderful and to have a time to re-evaluate how you spend your time and re-assess what is most important is invaluable. We spend too little time with the ones we love, we devote too much time to things and not enough to people, and we react more than we realise to the world around instead of considering it more. Watching patience and care work, as harassed nursing staff deal with difficult patients, gives you an insight into how the world could work. Seeing people of all backgrounds relate when thrown into the same situation, mixed with pain and fear, shows you that people can get on! Seeing what a difference the care of loved ones makes to people who are really ill and afraid gives a new insight into Jesus talk of love and his acts of healing. I am not prescribing a dose of hospital, or surgery for any of you, but maybe a few minutes to stop and smile at the love in your life and the difference that makes. Maybe then we could stop and think how much better life would be if we gave that love a little more time each day.
25/08/2009
Update
The Rev Stuart Fulton is now back with us and we look forward to his letter next month.
Update
The Rev Stuart Fulton is now back with us and we look forward to his letter next month.
09/06/2009
From Stuart
Will it be a good summer? The answer to that question, in regards to weather, may or may not have a drastic effect on many of us, but as we all know the answer is out of our hands. On the positive side; at least we cannot be blamed. We can feel free to grumble about the rain. We may even reach the point where we complain we cannot sleep because of the heat (some chance), but we are powerless, not just by assumption, but in fact.
This is not always the case. Sometimes we can determine, or help to determine, the things that go on in this world. Sometimes we underestimate the effect we can have in the world and in the lives of others. By taking time to be kind, we can brighten lives and give people hope. By standing up for what is kind and good, we can inspire others to do the same. By letting people’s prejudice go unchallenged, by ignoring selfishness and injustice, we can, often without realising it, contribute to injustice to the world.
We may not be able to control the weather, but with God’s help we can begin to make our world a little better day by day.
Have a great, life changing summer!
From Stuart
Will it be a good summer? The answer to that question, in regards to weather, may or may not have a drastic effect on many of us, but as we all know the answer is out of our hands. On the positive side; at least we cannot be blamed. We can feel free to grumble about the rain. We may even reach the point where we complain we cannot sleep because of the heat (some chance), but we are powerless, not just by assumption, but in fact.
This is not always the case. Sometimes we can determine, or help to determine, the things that go on in this world. Sometimes we underestimate the effect we can have in the world and in the lives of others. By taking time to be kind, we can brighten lives and give people hope. By standing up for what is kind and good, we can inspire others to do the same. By letting people’s prejudice go unchallenged, by ignoring selfishness and injustice, we can, often without realising it, contribute to injustice to the world.
We may not be able to control the weather, but with God’s help we can begin to make our world a little better day by day.
Have a great, life changing summer!
01/05/2009
May message from the Manse
From Stuart. At the end of this month the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland meets on the mound in Edinburgh.This yearly event never loses its importance for the life and work of the Church, but it has seemed to lose its appeal to the national media over recent years. In my adult life, you could watch it live on television, or selected highlights late in the evening. I fear,for the moment,those days are gone.I feel it is a shame that we seem to have lost national relevance.
It is an incredible shame that the revolutionary and life-changing message that Jesus lived and made dynamic during his ministry does not fire many imaginations these days, nor does it attract the attention of governments the way Jesus did whilst he was around.
Jesus found a way to include all people in his opportunities and stand up against the closed minded and legalistic of his time. His call of love and gift of grace are timeless; yet, we the church have difficulty communicating these today it would seem!
At the General Assembly this year , it would be wonderful if the Church made Headlinesas it championed the cause of all people regardless of race, gender, nationality, creed or orientation. It would be wonderful if our voices spoke loud about the greed that has framed the collapse of the world economy.
One American politician is saying some sensible things and challenging some long held conventions. Maybe it is time for the Church to speak the words of Jesus, inclusive words of love and forgiveness, words that cause healing and make the unjust uncomfortable.
If we say the words and live what we say, maybe sometime in our lifetimes people will look forward to what we have to say.
More importantly, maybe people will look to the eternal words of peace and hope that are incarnate in the ministry o Chirst of which we hold some guardianship.
May message from the Manse
From Stuart. At the end of this month the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland meets on the mound in Edinburgh.This yearly event never loses its importance for the life and work of the Church, but it has seemed to lose its appeal to the national media over recent years. In my adult life, you could watch it live on television, or selected highlights late in the evening. I fear,for the moment,those days are gone.I feel it is a shame that we seem to have lost national relevance.
It is an incredible shame that the revolutionary and life-changing message that Jesus lived and made dynamic during his ministry does not fire many imaginations these days, nor does it attract the attention of governments the way Jesus did whilst he was around.
Jesus found a way to include all people in his opportunities and stand up against the closed minded and legalistic of his time. His call of love and gift of grace are timeless; yet, we the church have difficulty communicating these today it would seem!
At the General Assembly this year , it would be wonderful if the Church made Headlinesas it championed the cause of all people regardless of race, gender, nationality, creed or orientation. It would be wonderful if our voices spoke loud about the greed that has framed the collapse of the world economy.
One American politician is saying some sensible things and challenging some long held conventions. Maybe it is time for the Church to speak the words of Jesus, inclusive words of love and forgiveness, words that cause healing and make the unjust uncomfortable.
If we say the words and live what we say, maybe sometime in our lifetimes people will look forward to what we have to say.
More importantly, maybe people will look to the eternal words of peace and hope that are incarnate in the ministry o Chirst of which we hold some guardianship.
31/03/2009
The Easter Message
There is nothing more frustrating, frightening or enraging than injustice. When you know something is going on that is wrong or unfair there is a natural compulsion, I think , for us all to want to make it right.
If we are not engaged then there is a natural compulsion to pretend it is not happening. When I was working as chaplaincy advisor to the prison service, I tried to pretend asylum seekers were nothing to do with me until my wife forced me to see clearly.
To be personally involved with real people who are being hurt by rules, which exclude the reality of other people’s lives, is life changing.
On my last visit to the States to visit Sally and the girls before they moved over, I discovered what it was like to be pulled out of the line and taken to a room to be interrogated. In my case it was a mistake but, for a moment, or maybe longer, I was petrified.
When British customs officials on our return from Crete treated the girls, and Sally, poorly, I was incensed. It took all of that to make me realise that injustice does still exist, even in the country that I love.
When I think of enormous pylons shadowing the tranquil beauty of our church and the surrounding countryside I am beyond appalled.
In all these instances I had to have others show me where injustice was, for it is my natural reaction to accept authority without question.
I cannot imagine the chagrin of Jesus’ mother and the disciples as they watched him crucified.
The story of the gospels tells us the disciples were moved by fear to inaction, but the reality of the resurrection brought life and hope to the situation.
The reality of the resurrection tells us that love cannot and will not die.
The reality of the resurrection tells us that it is our job to make that love live in this world.
As we enter another resurrection celebration, it might be good to look at our world, our country, our towns and even our families. In looking we need to ask; “Where can love and justice make a difference?”
Sometimes love needs to speak in strong words. It needs to speak in strong words to combat injustice, cruelty and thoughtlessness wherever it exists.
Our eyes need to be open, we need to be aware as the Church, so that wherever we are involved we can make grace grow, make God’s way grow.
The world is full of things that need to be better, may we always have open minds to hear the cries of the needy. The world is full of things that need to be better, may we always be willing to speak out and act in the name of Christ, the Christ that rose again and lives for ever.
The Easter Message
There is nothing more frustrating, frightening or enraging than injustice. When you know something is going on that is wrong or unfair there is a natural compulsion, I think , for us all to want to make it right.
If we are not engaged then there is a natural compulsion to pretend it is not happening. When I was working as chaplaincy advisor to the prison service, I tried to pretend asylum seekers were nothing to do with me until my wife forced me to see clearly.
To be personally involved with real people who are being hurt by rules, which exclude the reality of other people’s lives, is life changing.
On my last visit to the States to visit Sally and the girls before they moved over, I discovered what it was like to be pulled out of the line and taken to a room to be interrogated. In my case it was a mistake but, for a moment, or maybe longer, I was petrified.
When British customs officials on our return from Crete treated the girls, and Sally, poorly, I was incensed. It took all of that to make me realise that injustice does still exist, even in the country that I love.
When I think of enormous pylons shadowing the tranquil beauty of our church and the surrounding countryside I am beyond appalled.
In all these instances I had to have others show me where injustice was, for it is my natural reaction to accept authority without question.
I cannot imagine the chagrin of Jesus’ mother and the disciples as they watched him crucified.
The story of the gospels tells us the disciples were moved by fear to inaction, but the reality of the resurrection brought life and hope to the situation.
The reality of the resurrection tells us that love cannot and will not die.
The reality of the resurrection tells us that it is our job to make that love live in this world.
As we enter another resurrection celebration, it might be good to look at our world, our country, our towns and even our families. In looking we need to ask; “Where can love and justice make a difference?”
Sometimes love needs to speak in strong words. It needs to speak in strong words to combat injustice, cruelty and thoughtlessness wherever it exists.
Our eyes need to be open, we need to be aware as the Church, so that wherever we are involved we can make grace grow, make God’s way grow.
The world is full of things that need to be better, may we always have open minds to hear the cries of the needy. The world is full of things that need to be better, may we always be willing to speak out and act in the name of Christ, the Christ that rose again and lives for ever.
24/02/2009
Message from the Manse
We are now in the period of Lent. Lent for many has become synonymous with giving up something for 40 days. I suppose it is a little bit like New Year resolutions, except it is only for days and there is a chance of success.
I have given up loads of things over the past few years but each time it has been a period that made me long for what I know I would get in 40 days. Such a period of fasting, for me just made the thing I gave up more glorious in my mind, as I approached the time I would enjoy it again. I am not sure how helpful that was!
I have always preferred to think about Lent as a period for self-examination and understanding, a time when we can actually concentrate on being better people, or growing as individuals.
At present, society in the west is going through a time of introspection about how we deal with things like credit and banking.
We are going through this period, because for many, lives are facing hardship and uncertainty.
Such introspection often comes after the horse has left the door well behind on its “Bolt”.
So often, our own self-examination follows that pattern. We only tend to ask why when something less than good happens.
I agree with the church ancients on this one. I think it is good to regularly examine why we do things, just for the sake of wanting to improve, rather than in a sense of regret for what has passed.
Why is a wonderful word that can address so much.
Why do we need to be wealthier?
Why do we need that?
Why are we right and they wrong?
Why did my family always do it that way?
Why is it better to forgive?
Why is it wrong to judge?
Why?
Sometimes the question and our addressing of it is more important than the answer.
This Lent as we meet it, now in the middle, let us ask ourselves these questions.
Message from the Manse
We are now in the period of Lent. Lent for many has become synonymous with giving up something for 40 days. I suppose it is a little bit like New Year resolutions, except it is only for days and there is a chance of success.
I have given up loads of things over the past few years but each time it has been a period that made me long for what I know I would get in 40 days. Such a period of fasting, for me just made the thing I gave up more glorious in my mind, as I approached the time I would enjoy it again. I am not sure how helpful that was!
I have always preferred to think about Lent as a period for self-examination and understanding, a time when we can actually concentrate on being better people, or growing as individuals.
At present, society in the west is going through a time of introspection about how we deal with things like credit and banking.
We are going through this period, because for many, lives are facing hardship and uncertainty.
Such introspection often comes after the horse has left the door well behind on its “Bolt”.
So often, our own self-examination follows that pattern. We only tend to ask why when something less than good happens.
I agree with the church ancients on this one. I think it is good to regularly examine why we do things, just for the sake of wanting to improve, rather than in a sense of regret for what has passed.
Why is a wonderful word that can address so much.
Why do we need to be wealthier?
Why do we need that?
Why are we right and they wrong?
Why did my family always do it that way?
Why is it better to forgive?
Why is it wrong to judge?
Why?
Sometimes the question and our addressing of it is more important than the answer.
This Lent as we meet it, now in the middle, let us ask ourselves these questions.
21/03/2008The Easter Messsage
Easter is the big celebration in the Church.I know that as far as the retail stakes are concerned Christmas wins by a lot,but Easter defines us as the Christian Church
The Easter message is what the Church is all about, but sometimes that message gets lost.It gets lost because we concentrate too much on what it might have been like to actually see it,and not what was meant by Jesus truimph over death.
When I hear about the pain that lives in people's lives,when I see the pain that exists in our world, when I visit grief stricken families,I thank God for the Resurrection of Christ.
I thank God for what that resurrection means in its deepest and most meaningful sense.Love cannot die; hope cannot be extinguished.
God brings to this world through Jesus Christ,his life,his death and beyond, a hope that means we always have a choice. We can always decide to love
If we decide to love, we can alter things, change things, be the body of Christ.
When we hear about pain, we can bring comfort. When we see a world torn by hate and a desire for retribution, we can speak words and act for reconciliation. When we see the grief of a family, we can help them continue the love they feel they have lost.
We can be a resurrection Church and live resurrection lives because Christ is risen and love is not dead.
So, if it does not hurt you, have some chocolate, gather your family close, forgive the silly things that separate you, love each other and have a wonderful Easter. Stuart.