intheson's Xanga

Monday, September 28, 2009

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:49:02 GMT

Empty Ritual

I was reading an article in the Times yesterday by Sathnam Sanghera in which he was concerned that "Sikhism, the most modern and liberal of religions, is succumbing to fundamentalism".

What really struck me most was one of what he called Sikhism’s fundamental teachings, "that empty ritual is meaningless, and that believers should concentrate on things which really matter, namely ‘Nam simran’ (meditation on and awareness of God) and ‘Sewa’ (community service)."

As Christians, we have the Great Commandment where Jesus tells us we must, “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: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12: 30-31).

This could be regarded as very similar to ‘Nam simran’ and ‘Sewa’ although one fundamental element is missing in Sikhism – love. That is not to say that Sikhs do not love - I'm sure they do.

However my point is that love is missing from empty ritual. Going through the motions of institutionalised church ritual does not require any love, and has become quite simply a habit. If we are to really do what Jesus calls us to do in the Great Commandments, empty ritual needs to be replaced with intentional loving commitment to God and our neighbours. He loves us, but as I said in my previous post, we have to decide if we truly love him. Then we have to show that love to our neighbours and no amount of ritual will ever help us do this

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:00:41 GMT

Trinity - 3 in 1

I have over the years written many things about Trinity related ideas (see http://intheson.xanga.com:80/?nextdate=8%2f3%2f2005+18%3a31%3a1.293&direction=p)

However when a friend asked me about some of these ideas this week - this Sunday is Trinity Sunday - it got me thinking again. The link above goes to a page where I talked about 3 in 1 oil which cleans, lubricates and protects - a bit like God really. It got me thinking that the whole church could do with some 3 in 1. The old machinery, the old rules and regulations of the institutionalised could do with a bit of cleansing, and lubricating. And we as members within the church would benefit from this too!

However no amount of 3 in 1 will work unless we decide to use it. He comes so far to us but we have to make the final move. We have to decide. He sent His Son and His Spirit, but unless we truly welcome and receive Him we can't be cleansed, lubricated and protected.

Just think if we all accept Him the church could be a really well oiled machine - just think what we could do then - the sky's the limit as they say!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Sun, 18 May 2008 12:08:01 GMT

Trinity Sunday

Its been 3 months since I posted! I just have not had the time! However today I feel I need to share the following.

If you have read some of my very early posts on this site you will know that I have a certain fascination with the mystery of the Trinity. Today I was leading at Church. As I was preparing I decided to make reference to a couple of ways of communicating the concept of something that we can never fully understand.

I may have shared this before but I think it can be said again.

God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but ONE God. But if you add 1 + 1 + 1 they = 3! Difficult concept if you treat it logically, but then that's the mystery of God that we will never fully understand.

However if you multiply 1 x 1 x 1 you get 1. One God!

If you add yourself to the equation 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 you still get 1. That does not mean that you and I are equal to God! No way can that ever be, but we can be at one with God. We can have a personal relationship with Him.

If you go one further we can apply this to the Church. If we are all individuals (1) with gifts to use and we multiply with each other we get ONE.

1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1x 1

ONE CHURCH

MULTIPLYING and UNIFYING

No matter how many new individual, unique Christians you multiply into the equation the answer is alway
ONE CHURCH

We also shared communion today and the bread suggested another expression of the Trinity. Bread can be made from Flour, Water and Yeast. The flour (F), the water (S) and the yeast (HS), together create the bread of life. Amen

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:52:25 GMT

Kathryn

Today would have been the 30th birthday of my 1st daughter Kathryn. To find out more click on the shoes.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:47:47 GMT

Stalybridge Methodists are following .
Check it out at www.ashtonunderlynemethodist.org.uk

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:19:52 GMT

What a refreshing change!

The other day I had to deliver some newsletters from the printers to Word of Life where I work. Parking is always a problem! And so are the Parking Wardens! I had no change for the meter, but there is short period free parking on the street where I work. I prayed there would be some space and there was - three quarters of a space right at the end of the street before the no parking zone!

Should I park and risk it? After all I was only going to be 5 minutes!

I pulled up and got out to see how far I was over the the limit. Back wheels on the double yellows! Not good and just then I notice the Parking Warden walking down the street. When he got to me I asked him if I would be OK. He looked and said pull up a bit closer to the car in front. I did as he said. Back wheels still not in parking area.

He said he was going off duty and if I was only 5 mins I would be OK. I know the guy and he knows me from seeing me around the area. However I was a bit concerned that if he was going off duty, who was coming on - would they be as understanding? He said he did not know.

Then he said to me, "If you are only 5 mins I'll wait here for you before I go off duty. That way you will be sure to be OK."

This guy was no ordinary parking warden! He was a saint and answer to prayer! I shot off down the road, to the top floor of a 4 storey building (no lift) and back again within the 5 mins. He was still standing there with a big smile on his face. I thanked him and he grinned again and said "no bother". I told him God would bless him for his act of kindness beyond his duty and he grinned and walked off.

I got in my car and drove home thinking what a nice man and what a refreshing change it was to be treated as a human being and not a someone just to give another ticket to.

God bless that lovely man!

Monday, December 31, 2007

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:18:35 GMT

A Hope for the New Year

Last Christmas Marjorie bought me Donald Miller's 'Blue Like Jazz'. I read most of it quite quickly but then got distracted and never actually finished it until a couple of days ago. As we start 2008 I would just like to share a couple of quotes from the book with you.

'He (Jesus) gave His life for me, in obedience to His Father. I truly love Him for it............the difference in my life came when I realised that Jesus didn't just love me out of principle; he didn't just love me because it was the right thing to do. Rather there was something inside me that caused Him to love me.'

Miller finishes the book saying, 'I want Jesus to happen to you the way he happended to me. I want you to know Jesus too..........if you haven't done it for a while, pray and talk to Jesus. Ask Him to become real to you. Ask Him to forgive your self-addiction, ask Him to put a song in your heart. I can't think of anything better that could happen to you than this. Much love to you...........'

I think that is a good reminder to us all whether we know Jesus or not to commit ourselves anew to Him at the start of a New Year. Here's hoping you sing a new song in 2008! And sing it out loud so it reaches those who need to hear it!

Click the logo to go to Hope 08

Wishing all who read this a very Happy 2008 with much love in Jesus

Check out Donald Miller's site @ http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/

Monday, December 24, 2007

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:26:49 GMT

Happy Christmas everyone

click this link for a cool yule tune http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:17:44 GMT

Two ways to live

I was checking out some websites for some info and came across 'Two Ways to Live' which is produced by Matthias media.

It is a simple but challenging introduction to the choices we have to make about how we live our lives, and the part that God plays. Its useful as a reminder for those of us who follow Jesus and also good to recommend to those who are seeking. Click on the link below check out the 'Two Ways to Live'

Monday, October 15, 2007

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:43:52 GMT

God is in Control

Just a few weeks ago I decided to resign my job (28 hours a week) at the Salt Cellar after 6 and a half years. I won't go into the reasons, save to say that it was not an easy decision, but one that I felt I had to make. I have not severed the link completely though and still do some things for them such as the prayer letters and website (www.saltcellar.org.uk) .

I had already made some enquiries about another part time admin post (15 hours), with a local Christian mission organisation and got the job. Then a friend gave me details of another admin job (15 hours) for Ashton Methodist Circuit. I applied a couple of weeks ago and last Thursday was interviewed and offered the job.

So I now have 2 very different jobs which add up to 30 hours of work, both with a degree of flexible working, some of which can be from home.

My leaving the Salt Cellar has also given an opportunity to one of the volunteers who needed to get back into work. Although I have to say that was not my reason for going. I was sad at leaving the Salt Cellar but I now realise that God had other plans for me and the person who has taken my place. I pray that we can do our jobs in a manner which will help to both enrich and develop His Kingdom.