Legacy

Two or three weeks ago I received an "Amazon Local" offer which included entry for two people to Barnsdale Gardens, together with afternoon tea, at a very reasonable rate.  My mind immediately went back to the days when the BBC programme Gardeners' World, presented by the late Geoff Hamilton, came from Barnsdale.  I hadn't realised that Barnsdale was not for from the town of Oakham, which is itself only around 25 miles from where we live.  Last Friday Sue and I travelled across to Barnsdale and thoroughly enjoyed both our walk rounds the gardens and our delicious afternoon tea!

Geoff Hamilton presented Gardeners' World for many years, until his untimely death in 1996.  He was much loved by the many who enjoyed his friendly and informative style of presentation, which was down-to-earth, honest and spiced with humour.  He was an early advocate of the organic approach to gardening long before it became more fashionable.  I must confess that I watched Gardeners' World much more often during the days of Geoff Hamilton, though I'm not sure how much I learnt even then!

It was a real treat to actually visit Barnsdale, with its 38 individual gardens on an eight-acre site.  Many of the gardens were originally devised and created by Geoff Hamilton himself.  I has a real sense, as we wandered around the site, that Geoff Hamilton's legacy was clear to see.  The organic techniques and principles which he used have been continued at Barnsdale.  DVDs of many of his TV programmes, along with his books, are still available for sale; a DVD was playing in the shop and it seemed rather strange to hear his gentle voice after all these years!  Geoff Hamilton's passion was to encourage and help others to experience the joy in gardening which he knew.  A foundation has been set up in his memory to assist students at his former Agricultural College.  Though he died some 19 years ago, his legacy lives on.

One element of my role as a church leader is to take funeral services.  A question which often crops up when thinking about a person who has died is, "what was their legacy?"  I find it a very challenging question, and I sometimes wonder what my own legacy will be.  In other words, what difference will the fact that I lived on planet earth make, both during my own lifetime and into the future?  Many years ago I started to write a book, based on some words of St Paul to the church in Corinth.  Paul uses the illustration of a builder; each person builds something with his life, and one day what we have built will be tested:

'No one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have - Jesus Christ. But there are various kinds of materials that can be used to build on that foundation. Some use gold and silver and jewels; and some build with sticks and hay or even straw! There is going to come a time of testing at Christ’s Judgement Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished.' (1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

I never did get very far with that book, but the challenge remains!

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see

From time to time I am asked to speak at school assemblies, and this morning I was at the local Hall School here in Glenfield.  It is always a pleasure to visit the school; the pupils are attentive and responsive to questions.  Each week the school have a theme, and assemblies are designed to fit in with the theme.  This week's theme was "Art", along with a quote from the famous artist, Degas: "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

That quote certainly got me thinking, as I tried to tease out what Degas might have been saying.  The reality is that a piece of art can 'speak' in different ways to different people.  Over the years Sue and I have bought too many paintings and pictures, and we certainly don't have sufficient wall space on which to hang them all.  I came across one which we bought very cheaply at a car boot sale some years ago, and decided to take it to school for the assembly.

I think that we bought it because we found it rather thought-provoking.  The scene is a fracture clinic, and features various members of the public as well as medical staff.  It seems to be one of those images where the longer you look at it the more you get out of it.  I find the expression of the person in the foreground particularly fascinating!

After ascertaining the children's responses to the painting, I then went on to develop the theme by telling the old story of Jumbo the elephant, which dates back to the mid-nineteenth century.  I don't have space to relate how Jumbo fits into the theme, but I ended my talk by pointing out that, just as the artist signed their name on the painting, so God, as it were, signs his name on our lives.  The Bible makes it clear that in every human being there is something of the imprint of our Creator, and that makes each one special.

In one sense, we could say that each person's life is a bit like a painting; all their friends, family and associates see an element of the picture, but no-one (other than God himself) sees the whole.  It's an interesting thought to ponder what others see when they look at the picture of our lives; more importantly, what does God see?

The power of words

One of my neighbours is very much into family history research, and since retirement has been undertaking family history research on behalf of others as a hobby.  Of course, family history has become a significant interest for many people; the popularity of programmes such as "Who Do You Think You Are?" is perhaps evidence of this phenomenon.  In consultation with my sisters and brother I decided to ask my neighbour to undertake some research into our family tree (hopefully there won't be too many skeletons in the family cupboard!)

I will be fascinated to see what the research comes up with.  If I could travel back to visit my ancestors from, say, 200 years ago, and manage to bring them forward to the year 2015, they would witness things totally beyond their comprehension.  I should imagine that modern day society would seem to be a different world from what they were used to.  The changes during those 200 years have been vast.  In many ways, the 21st Century is probably a far better period in which to live.  Yet at the same time there are ways in which we humans behave as badly as ever.  Just look at the news on any day and there will be countless examples of the dreadful ways in which we human beings behave towards one another.

One element of this which has been on my mind recently has been the way in which the level of personal abuse flying around seems to have risen enormously.  This is often seen on social media; for some reason, many people seem to think that it's OK to verbally abuse others, sometimes in the most revolting and vile language.  We so often hear people in the public eye offering destructive and judgemental words to others; the world of politics is one area where this can be very apparent.  Sadly, the Church is not always innocent in this respect.  Yet the Bible makes it abundantly clear that the words which Christians speak should never be destructive.  Here are a few examples:

'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen'  Ephesians 4:29
'Let your conversation be always full of grace.'  Colossians 4:6
'Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.'  James 1:26
'Kind words are like honey - sweet to the taste and good for your health.'  Proverbs 16:24

I like this Mnemonic:

Before you speak, THINK…
T - is it True?
H - is it Helpful?
I - is it Inspiring?
N - is it Necessary?
K - is it Kind?

How much better our world would be if we took time to THINK before we spoke.  I confess that I don't always manage it, but I know I should.  Words have power to heal or to hurt; we should use them wisely.

A priceless story

Some years ago I developed an interest in and love for old books.  One of the things which I enjoy whenever I get the opportunity is browsing a second hand or antiquarian bookshop. Often, when I hold a second-hand book in my hand, especially if it is 100 or more years old, I wonder about the story it could tell if a book could talk about its previous owners and its journey through the years.  If I happen to discover a particularly interesting book at a reasonable price I find myself sorely tempted.  My wife Sue would say that I have given in to temptation far too often (and she has a point).

I recently came across an online auction which listed as one of the lots for sale an English language Bible dating back to 1537.  Considering the fact that the first complete Bible in the English language was not published until 1535, the 1537 Bible was of real historical significance.  (Incidentally, the history of the English Bible is a fascinating, if at times very disturbing, tale - if you are interested, see HERE).

The auction estimate for the Bible was £200-£300, which although in one sense was a lot of money, for a Bible of such rarity and significance it was perhaps not unreasonable.  I was able to follow the auction online, and was astonished to see the price continue to rise until the winning bid was announced as £29,500.  Quite an expensive Bible!

The truth is that the Bible is far more precious than monetary value can measure.  Through the pages of the Bible we learn about God's plan and purpose for human life.  The Bible has been described as a love story, in which God continually seeks to drawn to himself in love a wayward people.  Time and again God offers his grace and forgiveness, and ultimately sends his Son, Jesus Christ, to make a way through which our relationship with our Creator can be restored.  

As the Holy Spirit brings to life the pages of the Bible, the Bible can transform lives.  I have heard a number of people give testimony, over the years, of how it was through reading the Bible they came to faith in Jesus, and experienced the new and full life which he offers.  Now that really is priceless!
 

Do we inspire?

The Methodist Church in Markfield has a walking group, made up mainly of church members who enjoy walking together.  Every month or so the group organises a walk somewhere in Leicestershire.  It is generally a fairly easy paced walk; the main aim is to enjoy the countryside and each other's company, rather than racing from A to B.  Some years ago the group decided that they would walk the Leicestershire Round walk in small stages.  It so happened that the very final leg of their journey was scheduled for earlier today, and Sue and I were delighted to be able to join the walkers on this occasion.

The final leg of their 'marathon' journey was the relatively short stretch from Shackerstone to Nailstone.  After a wet early part of the week, today turned out to be almost ideal for walking: clear, dry and warm but not too hot.  There were a few parts of the walk where the recent heavy rain had made the going underfoot very muddy, but on the whole the route was reasonably straightforward.  It was good to spend a few hours with friends in the Leicestershire countryside (ending, of course, with the obligatory - and very enjoyable - pub meal!)

On the latter part of our journey, we were crossing a field when we spotted, in the distance, the spire of the parish church of All Saints, Nailstone.  The spire can probably be seen for several miles around (for a great view see HERE).  Apparently the church dates back to the 14th century.  As we crossed the field towards the church, in my mind I tried to imagine how awe-inspiring the sight of that tower and spire must have been to the local inhabitants when it first rose into the sky. 

Perhaps in some way this great sight acted as a magnet, drawing people to worship.  The idea in the minds of many of the architects of early church building was to encourage churchgoers to recognise the awesomeness of God, and to inspire them to worship.  As I pondered on these thoughts, the question came into my mind as to what it is that inspires people in similar ways today.

Many of the old church buildings still survive today, of course, but people are no longer in awe of the height of church buildings because we now have so many much larger buildings in existence.  Yes, some church buildings are still awe-inspiring in their own way, and some still seem to hold that sense of the presence of God.  But it is important to remember that when the word 'church' is used in the New Testament it refers not to buildings but to people.

So what should inspire people and draw them towards God?  It seems to me that what Jesus desires for all those who follow him is that each one of us might be so filled with his Spirit of love, and so moulded and shaped in Jesus' own nature and character, that we might be an inspiration to others and help to draw them to God.  In the words of Jesus: 'You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.'  And that is a great challenge for all who claim to follow him!

Memorial

One day last week Sue and I were part of a group on a coach trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.  It is a place which I had wanted to visit for some time, so when the opportunity came to fulfil the desire, I took it!

The Arboretum was officially opened to the public in 2001, though planting had begun some 4 years earlier.  From the website: "Since planting began in 1997, the National Memorial Arboretum has been a special place honouring those who have served, and continue to serve, our nation in many different ways.  It’s not a cemetery. It’s a place of life, represented by the 50,000 trees planted here, where older and younger generations alike can wander and wonder.  Covering 150 acres, the Arboretum has something for everyone. For some it’s a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy the trees; for others it's a peaceful and beautiful place to remember loved ones, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country."

When we arrived at the Arboretum, the guide informed us that to walk the whole site and see all the memorials would probably take around 3 days!  It was a lovely, sunny day, and we managed to visit a good number of the 300 or so dedicated memorials spread over the large site.  We began, however, by sharing in a short act of remembrance which takes place in the chapel at 11am each day.  The chapel itself was a fascinating place, with its symbolism reflecting various elements of the Christian faith.  I particularly like the wood carving depicting Jesus teaching children (though one of them isn't paying much attention!)

Many of the memorials, of course, are designed to remember those who gave their lives serving their country in the various strands of our Armed Forces.  There are also, however, a number of other memorials.  There were, for example, memorial areas for The Boys' Brigade, The Quakers, The Fire and Rescue Service, and the Post Office and other groups.  I certainly didn't get the feeling that there was any glorification of war (the chapel is named "The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness.")  Rather, there was a recognition of the great suffering caused by war, and a giving thanks for the many who have given their lives in different ways in service of their fellow men and women.

There are so many thoughts going through my head as I reflect on our visit (and I certainly want to go back some time), but I share two reflections.  Firstly, as one begins to comprehend the scale of the tragedy of the vast loss of human life, and so many young lives cut off in their prime, it is dreadful when we realise that we human beings seem so incapable of learning the lessons of our own history.  Every death remembered at the Arboretum tore a family apart and caused terrible wounds almost imposible to fully heal.  Yet as we look around the world today we see so many conflicts still raging; so many situations where human beings are committing untold acts of atrocity and violence against other human beings.  And we think we are so advanced!  God have mercy!

Finally, of all the memorials we visited, perhaps the most touching was the "Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity Memorial", which is a memorial to children who were either stillborn or died very shortly after birth.  Scattered throughout the garden are very many stones, each bearing the name of a baby who had died.  It was a heartbreaking and extremely moving experience, and it is hard to imagine what the parents of those children had experienced.  Like so many of the memorials, it gave cause to pause, reflect and pray.

I thank God that death is not the end of life.  Through faith in Jesus Christ we can have the assurance of life eternal in the presence of the God who created us and loves us.  'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'  Revelation 21:4.

Family ties

When my dad retired in 1984, he decided to organise and pay for a holiday for the whole family.  Bearing in mind the fact that my parents had 6 children, and by 1984 most were married with children of their own, it was no mean feat!  We had a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable week’s holiday at Wembury, on the south Devon coast.  As a family group we enjoyed the experience so much that we pledged to do it again every 5 years.

A few weeks ago we shared in the latest family holiday, renting converted properties on a farm on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border.  There were 33 of us in the group, representing different generations of the family, ranging from pensioners to toddlers.   (Sorry the image isn't great, but it's a photo of a photo; if you're counting, the photographer is missing!)

We had a great time together, including various competitions such as tennis and go-carting.  The younger members of the group especially loved the trampoline.  Being on a working farm was exciting, not least the opportunity to see new-born calves and other farm animals.

The only real down side was the fact that for the first time my brother Phil and his family, who live in New Zealand, were not able to join us.  Phil is currently battling cancer, but even if he had been fully fit it is doubtful whether they would have been able to travel over to share in the holiday.  We really missed them!

That leads me on to what was, for me, the most precious moment of the holiday.  Many of us have been praying for Phil for some time, but it was felt that it would be good for us as a whole family to gather together for a time of prayer for Phil and the family.  So one evening, we came together as a large family group to pray.  It was a very moving experience, and we felt that although we were separated geographically by some 11,400 miles, we were one with them in Spirit.

It is such a blessing to be part of a close-knit family, but more so in the knowledge that we are bound together not only by family ties but also by the Christian faith which many of hold very dear.  I thank God for the influence which our parents had on us 6 children, and how their faith has percolated down through the generations.