I want to preach a sermon series one day about the lost words of the current Christian dictionary. The words and concepts that riddle the scriptures yet are decidedly absent from the majority of believers today. My time has not yet come to do that but one thing has been on my heart for a long time now and was brought back to the fore by two things.
The first was when Mark Driscoll made reference to this lack in his first main session at the Newfrontiers Brighton Conference and the second was today when I began reading Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis again.
The concept that I am alluding to is Contemplation. Driscoll noted that far too many charismatics particularly do not have this as an element of their faith and Kempis, well he just writes in a way about the art of contemplating the wonder and person of Christ in all His manifold majestic perfection that it is obvious from my conversations and even my own life that current Christianity is experiencing a tragic dearth of this discipline.
There is far too much talk, action and noise which pass as the marks of ‘deep’ ‘passionate’ faith.
Deep meaningful talk and action, that which will make a difference to our relationships and our communities needs to stem out of a life marked with this discipline.
Why?
Well only when we look deep into the nature and person of Christ will we in any way begin to reflect Him.
Simon
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
3 Years Till Friendship
Last Wednesday my wife and I celebrated 3 years of marriage. It seems like such a short time, especially when I compare it to the length of time that some of the people that I am close to have been married. Yet, many, many marriages in this day and age do not make it to 3 years. For far too many people 3 years is just too long to actually ‘love’ someone, to move past that celebrity or reality TV show love and get to something that involves commitment and trust.
Please do not think for one moment that I am saying 3 years is the perfect length of time for marriage after which there is no divorce- I certainly am not.
In fact the reason I am writing is to just note something wonderful that I think has taken place in our relationship in the 12 months since our last anniversary (obviously). Before now, there were always one or two guys that I would have said were my closest mates, but now my wife has slotted wonderfully into that position. She alone has read the pages of my life to a degree that no other has; she alone knows my vulnerabilities and heart aches; she alone has touched the deepest parts of my soul and interacted with what lies in there: the good and the really not so good.
Ironically, this closeness, this shift has taken place in a season of real hardship, pain and loneliness for us. Yes, God has worked a miracle in our relationship to strengthen and deepen it so I can now lean so fully upon her and open myself up completely to her.
Marriage is a beautiful thing!
Simon
Please do not think for one moment that I am saying 3 years is the perfect length of time for marriage after which there is no divorce- I certainly am not.
In fact the reason I am writing is to just note something wonderful that I think has taken place in our relationship in the 12 months since our last anniversary (obviously). Before now, there were always one or two guys that I would have said were my closest mates, but now my wife has slotted wonderfully into that position. She alone has read the pages of my life to a degree that no other has; she alone knows my vulnerabilities and heart aches; she alone has touched the deepest parts of my soul and interacted with what lies in there: the good and the really not so good.
Ironically, this closeness, this shift has taken place in a season of real hardship, pain and loneliness for us. Yes, God has worked a miracle in our relationship to strengthen and deepen it so I can now lean so fully upon her and open myself up completely to her.
Marriage is a beautiful thing!
Simon
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Clear as Day
Just finished reading an article in the Daily Express (not sure if Christians in Middle Class Suburbia are even allowed to read it). The article was about a clairvoyant, Laura Day, based in New York. The image accompanying the article was a picture of her with Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston, two of her high profile clients. Apparently she has been intrinsically involved in a multi-million pound building partnership with an American firm and a Japanese one. Oh, and by the way, she earns around £250000 a year, I tell you what I am choosing to engage people with the wrong Spirit if all I am in this for is the money.
It seems people are very open to hearing from the ‘spiritual realm’ about their future; or, able to lean on someone who has this ‘direct line’ apparently to a source of power that can give guidance to those in need of it and are willing to pay for it.
Spirituality is more popular than ever.
In fact it is popular across every class within culture from celebs to those struggling to make it that pop into the local clairvoyant or tarot card reader to seek help in some situation.
Christianity must rise to its place as the only source of fulfilment for those with spiritual hunger. How?
In two ways I think:
1) Followers of Christ living out the abundant life that was promised to them by Christ and testifying in every context to the completeness there is now in their lives.
2) The church teaching the truth of man’s estrangement from that Spiritual being who alone can fill the void that is so very evident whenever they give a moment’s thought to it. And, of course, how faith in the person of Christ who ‘redeems’ us from this certain estrangement.
It seems people are very open to hearing from the ‘spiritual realm’ about their future; or, able to lean on someone who has this ‘direct line’ apparently to a source of power that can give guidance to those in need of it and are willing to pay for it.
Spirituality is more popular than ever.
In fact it is popular across every class within culture from celebs to those struggling to make it that pop into the local clairvoyant or tarot card reader to seek help in some situation.
Christianity must rise to its place as the only source of fulfilment for those with spiritual hunger. How?
In two ways I think:
1) Followers of Christ living out the abundant life that was promised to them by Christ and testifying in every context to the completeness there is now in their lives.
2) The church teaching the truth of man’s estrangement from that Spiritual being who alone can fill the void that is so very evident whenever they give a moment’s thought to it. And, of course, how faith in the person of Christ who ‘redeems’ us from this certain estrangement.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Struck
I like many have been to the Newfrontiers Conference in Brighton, England, and like almost everyone else was gloriously inspired by the preaching and teaching. But another thing struck me while there and I thought I would just share that.
During the worship, which was lead with absolute grace and awareness of the guidance of the Spirit (Well done Simon Brading), the consciousness of the work of Christ inspired by His love for me has come upon me with real force.
When I think about all that I can tend to be distracted by (life situations, leadership, ministry, personal development) it seems that God has reminded me in these days of the wonder and gratitude I actually have towards Christ for His atoning work on my behalf. ‘Atoning work’ you may ask, well let me explain…
The holiness of the person of God demands that justice towards any form of evil must be shown. The love of God means He wants to make a way for those who are ‘unholy’, deserving of justice, to enter relationship with Him. We, stuck in ‘unholiness’ are unable to enter this relationship because we deserve just punishment for our wilful rebellion to God. Enter Christ as an obedient perfect substitute (His life for mine) to take on Himself the punishment for sin I deserve. This enables me, by faith, to accept this work (the work of atonement) of Christ on my behalf in order to receive the rewards of His life and obedience: a righteous standing before this Holy God.
This baffles me, why the most glorious, beautiful, loving being would give His life for me, offer me His righteousness in exchange for my sin.
What love is this, so divine
That demands my soul, my life, my all.
Simon
During the worship, which was lead with absolute grace and awareness of the guidance of the Spirit (Well done Simon Brading), the consciousness of the work of Christ inspired by His love for me has come upon me with real force.
When I think about all that I can tend to be distracted by (life situations, leadership, ministry, personal development) it seems that God has reminded me in these days of the wonder and gratitude I actually have towards Christ for His atoning work on my behalf. ‘Atoning work’ you may ask, well let me explain…
The holiness of the person of God demands that justice towards any form of evil must be shown. The love of God means He wants to make a way for those who are ‘unholy’, deserving of justice, to enter relationship with Him. We, stuck in ‘unholiness’ are unable to enter this relationship because we deserve just punishment for our wilful rebellion to God. Enter Christ as an obedient perfect substitute (His life for mine) to take on Himself the punishment for sin I deserve. This enables me, by faith, to accept this work (the work of atonement) of Christ on my behalf in order to receive the rewards of His life and obedience: a righteous standing before this Holy God.
This baffles me, why the most glorious, beautiful, loving being would give His life for me, offer me His righteousness in exchange for my sin.
What love is this, so divine
That demands my soul, my life, my all.
Simon
The Man!
I find myself often struggling with the effeminate imagery of Christ that is perpetuated by, well by the church really. I rarely hear a rallying war cry to follow this warrior like figure that conquered sin through an obedience that no other man could have had the guts or strength to fulfill. This man really is a legend, He is a great man to follow! Of course love permeates every thing He does, but let us not forgot what a glorious man Jesus was. Here just a brief reminder from Scripture in the book of Revelation
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Simon
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Simon
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