Almost time...

John 7:1

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him.

A man condemned.

Already marked out

for persecution

and death.

Forced to continue his work

in secret

under the radar

out of the light.

But pushing on

with more to teach

and more to do

and more to witness.

Condemned

but unstoppable

in doing the will

of the one who sent him.

Condemned

but engaged with humanity

living in love and compassion

until the end.

A man condemned

Son of God.

Provocative

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Being provocative...

Not half hearted

Or ineffectually polite

but prodding

and encouraging

one another

to act in love.

And ever hopeful

of making a difference

Of causing a stir

Of pointing others 

to the God

who delivers promises

and who is worthy

of our worship and praise.

Provoke one another...

A work in progress

1 Peter 1:24 - 2:3

For

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

That word is the good news that was announced to you.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

Chapter 2

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Rid yourselves...

Old habits die hard

Salvation is for growing into

It's not instantaneous

We don't suddenly become saints

Growing into the gifts of God

and throwing off old ways

takes time

and practice

and a thirst

for pure, spiritual milk,

the food that will nourish

and sustain

our walk with God

into marvellous light

embracing the word of Gof

that lasts forever.

Do you want to be well?

John 5:2-6

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

Not one to make assumptions

Jesus asks: Do you want to be made well?

While others might think

that question out of place

or hypothetical

or just daft,

Jesus knows only too well

the complexity of human nature.

Not everything is obvious.

And folk make all sorts of choices

that aren't easily understood.

But Jesus respects choice.

Never one to impose

his notion of what is right and proper

Jesus asks the difficult question:

Do you want to be made well?

Do you?

A vision

Isaiah 65:19-21

I will rejoice in Jerusalem,

and delight in my people;

no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,

or the cry of distress.

No more shall there be in it

an infant that lives but a few days,

or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;

for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,

and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.

They shall build houses and inhabit them;

they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

A vision of healing and wholeness

beyond the war and carnage.

Of peace and planting

beyond the destruction.

Of fruitfulness

beyond the rubble.

A vision of life.

But how can we glimpse God's promise

through the dust of destruction?

How can we imagine God's future

in the burnt out ruins of a city?

How can we envisage longevity

when the lives of children seem so cheap?

How can we glimpse hope

in the midst of desolation?

Gods promise is for a world 

we cannot imagine

in a time we cannot tell.

Our hope is in a God

who delivers on promises.

What do you say?

John 9:16-17

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

Rumours

Gossip

Condemnation

Conjecture

Deemed a sabbath breaker

A sinner

But to the man who found sight

- a prophet

We, too, if we are of a mind

can see beyond

the testimony of others

can see beyond the rule breaker

and experience the healing of God

who created sabbath rest

and reveals to us

the things before our eyes

in a new light every day.

Let it be...

Luke 1:38

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Let it be...

Let me do your will

Even though that means

I'll be cast out

Ostracised

Gossiped about

Even though

some will hate and revile me

and others will shake their heads 

and feel sorry for me

Let it be...

For I am God's servant

And one day

when mothers need a song of protest

they will take up my song

One day

when women need strength

to break out of their oppression

they will take courage

from my story

Let it be...

For there is strength in weakness

and courage in obedience

and joy in surrender

Let it be

Transitional Growing Pains

Minister without charge

In June 2015, I felt called to pursue a new role in the Church of Scotland - that of Coordinator of a Pilot Project from the Panel on Review and Reform - Path of Renewal.

I saw, in the description of the Pilot, an opportunity to mentor other ministers and congregations in discerning opportunities and making room for mission in their parishes and communities- something I longed to do where I was then but simply didn't have the capacity to prioritise in a parish of 11,000 with 5 school chaplaincies and 90 funerals a year, where promised, presbytery planned, ministerial assistance didn't ever materialise in my 7 years in the charge.

Path of Renewal offers not another programme for Renewal but participation in a movement, creating space to discern and act on the leading of the Spirit to places in our communities where God is already at work.

Confirmation of the call came when I was offered the post, after interview and, a few hours later, as I conducted one of the local Primary School's end of term service, I knew that, by the time staff and pupils returned after the summer holiday, I would no longer be their school chaplain.

And so began a journey, through demission, into the strange territory of a minister without charge.

Reactions from colleagues were many and varied but mostly, disbelief that I would demit my charge and leave parish ministry.

Reactions from the congregation were mainly expressions of hurt or declarations that they "knew I was destined for higher things" and no reassurance on my part seemed to convince folk that ministering with them was one of those "higher things" but that God had now called me elsewhere.

Demission involves leaving church, leaving home, leaving community - all, on their own, painful experiences.

Although we found a new place to worship, a place of welcome and nurture, it was a full six months before I could manage through the service without tears.

I simply missed the community of which I'd been a part and grieved that loss.

And, after six months grieving, I realised that I was also grieving a loss of status.

Who was I if I was no longer a parish minister? (Ironically, I had been ordained into Hospital Chaplaincy some 20 years before.)

15 years a Parish minister had subsumed my identity.

And then, at Easter, change began.

Archbishop Justin Welby, speaking into the revelations about his paternity, asserted: " My identity does not come from genetics. My identity is in Christ"

Hearing this was a turning point for me.

Post Easter, with these words speaking powerfully into my life, and pondering the post resurrection Jesus feeding his disciples on the beach, I began to emerge from grief to reconsider my identity in Christ.

It ceased to rankle quite as much when consigned to the bottom of a sign in sheet in Presbytery as a minister without charge - or when colleagues were dismissive of me as "a 121 person now". (Staffing the Institutional body)

Although, thankfully, I loved the new tasks in which I'd been involved, the training, the teaching, the mentoring, the travelling, I now felt able to embrace those in the new security of my status as a beloved child of God.

I thank God for conferring that status and for calling me to fulfil a new role in kingdom building.

But, as I moved out of parish ministry, I had no idea how long it would take to get the parish out of me - or how painful that journey would be. I have much more empathy with the Israelites in the wilderness!

Numbers 11:4-6

The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

 One thing is for sure - Demission is not for wimps!

   

Priorities

Mark 12:28-31

The First Commandment

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The first

and the greatest

but also the most difficult

Love

with all your heart

with all your soul 

with all your mind

with all your strength

And 

Love your neighbour 

Heart, soul, mind and strength

consume us.

This command leaves no room

for omission

but demands

wholesale embrace.

For nothing less

will do.

The first

the greatest

demands all.

Free?

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Simple words...

Simple message...

But a concept that sends folk off

into an unending spiral

of conflict

and doubt

and worry

and concern

and question

and debate...

Words that are used

for inclusion

and exclusion

for acceptance 

and rejection

So much for... and the truth will make you free.”

Pass it on...

Deuteronomy 4:9

But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children

The things we have seen

The truths we have heard

The difference we have known

are all for sharing

for giving away

for making known

for bearing witness

to the amazing love

and boundless grace

of God

Faithful

for all generations.

We are tasked

with passing it on.

Cold comfort

Jeremiah 12:5-6

God Replies to Jeremiah

If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you,

how will you compete with horses?

And if in a safe land you fall down,

how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan?

For even your kinsfolk and your own family,

even they have dealt treacherously with you;

they are in full cry after you;

do not believe them,

though they speak friendly words to you.

Sometimes

in our meandering through life

we need to hear

the voice of those

who do not agree with us

who will not readily encourage

or go along with

our wallowing 

or self pity.

Those who challenge

and incite us to do better

to "up our game"

those who provoke us

into becoming

better versions of ourselves

more courageous

more daring

the people we need to be

fuelled by the wisdom

of critical friends

and a God who demands

that, occasionally,

we bring our best selves

into the fray.

One of us

Matthew 13:54-58

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

Rejected

as one of their own

Written off

because "They kent his faither"

Restricted

Overlooked

Seen as an irritant

An offence

An upstart

Disempowered

by assumptions

and lack of expectation

Not so different today

and all the ways

we manage

intentionally

or unintentionally

to play down

to write off

to dishonour

and disempower

the Son of God

born among us.

Step by step

Exodus 17:1

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

Journeying by stages

Learning along the way

all the lessons

they did not even know

they needed.

Resisting at every turn

Longing for the safe and the familiar

- even the slavery and oppression

preferable over a changed landscape.

The effort of changing mindsets

of adapting to a new culture

deemed too difficult

too demanding

requiring more energy

than they were prepared to expend.

And so the wilderness stretched on

for generations

until there was the will

to embrace the Unknown

and to follow

the way of God

and God's faithfulness 

for every generation.

What it takes...

Luke 13:6-9

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

A lot of manure

That's what it takes

Hard work 

And a lot of manure 

The willingness to graft

to do what we can

to provide the best possible conditions

to encourage growth and fruitfulness

And then patience and acceptance...

Patience to wait

on forces beyond our control

to play their part

to enhance and bless...

and acceptance of the outcome

whatever it will be

when another judges our effort.

Hard work

and a lot of manure.

That's what it takes.

Under construction

Matthew 21:42-43

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.

Faith is not ours to keep

not ours by right

or default

or heritage

Faith

that elusive

enigmatic

mysterious

bundle of becoming

is a gift

to embrace for a time

(for it doesn't remain static)

a way to live into

a hope to which to aspire.

a series of teachings

and truths

and beliefs

which gather

unassembled

and which,

just when it seems to make sense

just when it seems to have some coherence

or cohesion

falls apart

and the pieces

don't fit together neatly

ever again

but in their place

is a new set of building blocks

from which to put together

another semblance

another portrayal of belief

with which we can live for a time

until that, too must be given up

as more is revealed 

and as the kingdom of God

emerges

in the lived out

grappling with faith

that defies boundaries

but is evident

in changed lives

In changed communities

and in holding loosely

even giving away

what we imagine is ours

but belongs to God

and returns to God

when we surrender

our constructs

to the will

and purpose

of God.

Soak up life

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Soaking up the cool water 

of learning

Of affirmation

Of nourishment

The trickle of energy

that penetrates

that feeds

and sustains

Soaking up the cool water 

that calms

and reassures

that goes deep

and keeps on feeding

Soaking up the blessing

of trust

in one

who continues

to provide

feeding

and nourishment

and sustenance

just when we need it most.

Trust

Blessed.

Difficult words...difficult way

John 6:60-68

The Words of Eternal Life

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Jesus didn't exclude those who didn't believe

He involved them too

giving them opportunity

to keep on hearing the message

to keep on absorbing his example

to keep on being part of his life

Always holding out hope

The way of Jeaus wasn't, isn't easy

There are those who will turn back

Our role

is to keep on offering

those words of life

the hope of eternal life

lived out in the everyday

Spirit and life

for those who believe

Together

Psalm 133

The Blessedness of Unity

A Song of Ascents.

How very good and pleasant it is

when kindred live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head,

running down upon the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

running down over the collar of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

which falls on the mountains of Zion.

For there the Lord ordained his blessing,

life forevermore.

Abundant

Overflowing

Excessive

Running over

Extravagant

Anointing

Quenching

Restoring

Life giving

Outrageous

The sheer joy

of living together

in harmony with God

and with one another.

Blessing upon blessing.

Be kind

Luke 6:37-38

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

In the spirit of our generous God

we are called to be generous

To see beyond faults and failings

To go easy

To remember how often we get it wrong

and cut others some slack

And our generous God,

seeing our ability to forgive others

forgives us

with abundance

and blessing 

and love.

So hold back on the harshness

and try a little kindness

Today.

If you choose

Matthew 8:1-3

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

I do choose!

Be made clean!

The words of one

who always chooses 

life over death

health over sickness

love over fear

The one who chooses

to lift up the downtrodden

to free the captives

to honour the poor

to heal the sick

to restore the dead to life.

The one who chooses us

as companions on the way

disciples, 

charged with walking and talking alongside Jesus

charged with sharing

the good news of Christ

who chooses us.

Treasured

Deuteronomy 26:18-19

Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments; for him to set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and for you to be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

Praise

Fame 

Honour

Holy

In agreement

to keep the commandments

of our God

A promise

and a commitment

that goes both ways

and makes us

a treasured people

who belong to God.

What a notion -

that the God of all creation

treasures you and I.

To live and love as treasured people

keeping the commands of God,

to lean into that promise

would change our lives

and the life of the world.

What about you?

Luke 9:18-20

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

Whatever the crowds say

Whatever history records

Whatever religion teaches

Jesus asks:

What about you

Who do you say I am?

There's no falling back

on what we've heard

No reciting of what others have taught

But a challenge to express

from the depth of our being:

Who is Christ for you?

Choosing

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus says the Lord:

Stand at the crossroads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way lies; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, “We will not walk in it.”

Like toddlers

being directed

and assisted

to make good choices

Choices that will

set a path

for wisdom - 

The people of God reject

the wisdom of the ages

for a moment of defiance

And, turning their back

on all the hard won battles

of their forebears

they refuse to walk

in ways mapped out.

They choose to forsake

the lessons learned at a cost

to forge their own paths

to who knows where

replacing the promised

rest for their souls

with a weary stumbling 

and searching

to chart

a new and untested route.

Such has been the choice

of people in all ages - 

to forsake the ancient

to make their mark

on a brave new world.

And which of us can say

that we, given the choice

would have chosen

any differently

any less recklessly

preferring to find our own way

than trusting the way

of hard fought wisdom?

Reluctant

Jonah 3:1-3

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. 

Sometimes it takes a while

for the message to get through.

Sometimes it needs time

to sink in.

To be confirmed.

While there are other times,

when it's not our understanding

that is slow

but, rather, our willingness

to follow through,

to act on what we discern.

There's nothing wrong with our hearing

but our spirit is reluctant.

Sometimes we get a second chance.

But at other times,

the moment is lost forever.

How will we know

unless we listen carefully.

Unless we rein in our restless spirits

and follow the way

our Creator reveals?

How will we know

what might have been?

We trust in the God

of second chances.

But just now and again, 

hearing and responding

first time around

unlocks amazing potential...

Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Holding on to hurts

and resentments

carves a channel

that erodes our wellbeing

Like a river charting its course

or a stream burrowing its way

through a valley

slowly

persistently

making its mark

leaving a scar

gradually deepening

claiming more and more space

until it becomes

a part of the landscape

nigh impossible to reroute

or diminish

or change course.

Making the work

of forgiveness

all the harder.

And all the while

those from whom 

we withhold forgiveness

retain power over us

and continue to wound

perhaps in blissful ignorance

and almost certainly

without a care.

And our hurt is compunded

and the fire of our resentment

is stoked and banked up

by our inability

our refusal

to forgive.

All the more senseless

when release

is within our power

and healing 

is within our reach.

Forgiveness

a gift for ourselves.

The least of these...

Matthew 25:37-40

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Who are the least of these?

In your community,

whom would you consider

the least of these?

The ones we are to feed

and clothe

those who thirst,

those whom we are to see free

from all manner of bondage.

Those who are estranged from loved ones,

and crave our company.

The least of these

live in our community

hang out in our neighbourhoods

populate the places we frequent.

They do not wear convenient labels

so that they can be easily identified.

They do not present themselves

for our ministrations.

Identifying the least of these

means we have to get beyond

the faces we see

elicit the stories

behind the facades,

strike up conversations

and build relationships

with the least of these

in our communities.

And then we can set to work:

Feeding the hungry

Quenching thirst

Welcome the stranger

Clothe the naked

Visit the sick

Free the prisoner

Serve God in the least of these.

The image of God

Matthew 4:1-2

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.

Still the tempter comes

on the days when we are hungry

Hungry for rest

Hungry for affirmation

On the days when we've lost sight

of the One in whose image we are created

Still the tempter comes

whispering lies

sowing doubt

stealing joy

obscuring the truth of our identity

as beloved children of God

in whom the divine spark of the Creator

was planted before birth.

Still the tempter comes

to push that truth away

and render us needy

setting us at odds with one another

out of touch with the wonder

that resides in our core

- that we are fearfully and wonderfully made

by the God whose image dwells in us

by the God whose love for us knows no bounds

by the God who invites us to claim our birthright

as beloved - created in the image of God.

Still the tempter comes...

On his way...

John 4:49-50

The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.

Believing 

Believing the word

Believing the word enough

to go on his way

in faith

expecting healing

Trusting

that Jesus would deliver

whatever he said.

How does such faith come?

From seeing?

From hearing?

From hoping?

From recognising

one whose words

are promises.

One whose actions

exceed expectations.

One who invites us to share

and, listening, inspires hope

and offers healing

as we go on our way.

Not for ourselves

John 4:27-30

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.

 Come...see a man..

They came and saw the Messiah

This woman

who came to the well in the noonday heat

to avoid her neighbours

was the same woman

who led her neighbours

to the Messiah.

Transformed 

by her encounter with Jesus

she recognised

that the gift she had been given

was not just for her

but for her community too.

Her transformation

was to transform

the life of her community.

The people

and the encounters

that we are given

are for the life of the world

beginning in us

to transform the world

Come...see a man...

Come...meet the Messiah.