Stand or run?

The Bible is an amazing book, not least because it contains some wonderful promises. One of the promises, at first sight, however, doesn't seem that good. In the 16th chapter of John's gospel, as Jesus speaks to his disciples and warns them of some tough times to come, he states, 'In this world you will have trouble' (or 'tribulation' as the older translations put it). Now that doesn't sound to me like a very comforting 'promise'!

Some people give the impression that if a person makes the decision to follow Jesus, life for that person will suddenly become much easier and more or less trouble-free. There is nowhere in the Bible where that is suggested! In fact, the opposite is true. Jesus makes it quite clear that to become his follower is a costly business, and that being his follower will not immunise us from trouble in this life. The big question we face as disciples/followers of Jesus is: how do we react when the troubles times arrive?

In 2009 my little brother (in age but not in waist size!) Phil moved to New Zealand to become National Director of Church Army New Zealand. When news broke this week of the earthquake in N.Z. our first thoughts were for Phil and his family (my mother was soon on the phone to me asking if Phil would be ok!) Fortunately for Phil, he lives in Auckland, which is on the north island of N.Z. Christchurch, where the quake hit, is on south island. Nevertheless there are Church Army personnel in Christchurch, and the last I heard was that Phil was catching a plane to Christchurch to work alongside the Church Army folk there, in offering what help and support they can to those who have suffered through the recent terrible events. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his colleagues, and indeed with all the people of Christchurch who have been affected.

When trouble comes, we have the choice of facing it head on, or trying to run away and hide. The way of Jesus is to face up to troubles, to rejoice in the knowledge that even in the toughest of times he is with us and will never let us go, and to seek to offer support and encouragement to others who are experiencing hard times.

For better for worse

33 years ago today Sue and I tied the knot. I can vividly picture the snow covered landscape around the village church where our wedding took place. It was so cold, that when the time came for the "happy couple and their friends" photo to be taken, most of our friends had retreated to the comparative warmth of their cars! Though we've been through some really tough times in our marriage, I know that marrying Sue was about the best things I ever did, and I don't regret it for one moment.

On the basis that every relationship, however good it is, can be made better, Sue and I attended a "Marriage Unlocked" seminar in Sheffield last night. It was run by Care For The Family. The two presenters suggested 6 keys to a healthy relationship: 1. Be the best of friends. 2. Keep talking. 3. Argue well. 4. Communicate love. 5. Build intimacy. 6. Choose to love. There was a lot of interesting and thought-provoking stuff in there. I know that I am far from being a perfect husband, and that the old comment "could do better" certainly applies to me.

Of course marriage, like any relationship, can be hard at times. Relationships need commitment and need to be worked at. It was mentioned last night that about 4 out of every 10 UK marriages end in divorce. Whilst that is a really sad statistic, it does mean that 6 out of 10 marriages stand the test of time - surely something to celebrate! Priory, my town centre church, seems to be a church community which sustains marriage. Within the next couple of months we have two couples celebrating their golden wedding anniversary and three couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary!

So, 33 years and still going strong! I suppose that I ought to take Sue out to celebrate - I wonder what time the local chippy opens!

Life, Death, and ?

If I am at Priory on a Thursday morning, I like to spend some time with the members of the Priory Art Group. Although I did, many years ago, manage to scrape through my Art 'O' Level exam, I have never been under the illusion that I have a particular talent in that area. That said, I can still appreciate art (though I am under strict instructions from my wife not to buy any more paintings, as we don't have any spare wall space!)

I enjoy having a chat with the Art Group members; they are a friendly lot. It is interesting that there are occasions when some members come and go without ever getting their art materials out – they spend the time chatting! Personally I think that's a positive sign, and indicates that some strong friendships have developed in the group over the years.

This morning the atmosphere was rather subdued, with the news that two members of the group had died during the past week. One death was not unexpected, as the lady concerned had been ill for some time. The other death came as a shock, and was the result of an accident. For the families and friends of the two people concerned, it is a sad time. Parting is never easy, especially when it comes through death. The death of a friend or loved one brings us face to face with our own mortality.

It was Benjamin Franklin who famously made the point, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Even though we don't always like to face up to it, the truth is that for all of us a time will come when our heart will stop beating and our earthly life will come to an end. The big question is, “What, if anything, comes next?”

The promise held out by Jesus is that for those who believe in him there is the assurance of a life beyond this life, a life in the very presence of God, a life free from the pain and sadness of this earthly life. Whatever joy and blessing we experience on planet earth, it is a pale shadow of what is to come for those who follow Jesus. And what's more, the invitation to follow him is open to all!

The Vicar of Baghdad

I have recently been engrossed by a book by Canon Andrew White. He is vicar of St George's church in Baghdad, the only Anglican church in Iraq, and has thus become known as "The Vicar of Baghdad" (also the title of the book). Whilst living in Iraq, White has continued the work for reconciliation that he promoted during his time as Director of International Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. He is President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, which was established in 2005 as part of his reconciliation work in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole.

His work of reconciliation can be immensely frustrating, disheartening and dangerous. Even his very presence in Iraq endangers his life. The situation for the worshippers at St George's is one we would find hard to imagine. In September 2005 all of the lay church leaders were kidnapped and killed. A few months ago a deadly car bomb exploded near the church, leaving many congregation members dead or injured. Yet despite all the problems, difficulties and dangers, Andrew White presses on with his ministry of reconciliation.

He has a deep love for Iraq and for the Iraqi people. He regularly meets with key leaders from the region, both political and religious, and is very widely respected by people from many different backgrounds. He is even willing to meet with the people of violence in order to further the search for peace.

He is motivated and strengthened by his knowledge and experience of God's love in Christ, a love which is for every person. Jesus challenges his disciples with these words, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God.' I have been deeply moved and challenged by reading Andrew White's book. I might not be able to work for peace in Iraq, but I may well have opportunity to work for peace and reconciliation in situations and relationships which I meet from day to day. And that is a challenge for us all.