Time for praise and prayer and...?

I have just written my monthly article for the Yelvertoft Parish Magazine and posted a version of it on my "Reflections" blog if you would like to read it.  The theme is "Throwing Stones" and it focuses on this week's major news topic.  You can see it at http://barryosborne.blogspot.com/

I haven't managed to do as much writing this past week as I had hoped, but I have just had an encouraging response from an editor to a theological reflection I have written for Country Way.  This reminds me to give yet another plug for subscribers.  It really is a super magazine and a "must" for anyone who attends a rural church.  It carried all kinds of relevant information and ideas and is so worthy of a wider readership.

Doreen helped me get the mailing out for the Rural Evangelism Network after I had put together the news sheet.

We had two new members in the Prison Choir.  I had to run this on my own last Tuesday and had a bad dream about it the night before.  We had a serious work out but ended up with a lot of hilarity singing "Barbara Ann".  Is it OK for prisoners to have moments of fun?

The Coming Week
Sunday 10th - 9.00 service at Gartree Prison, Leics.   10.45 service at Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.

Monday 11th - travel to York where the Church of England General Synod is being held.  I am taking part in the launch of a special document entitled, "Responding Well" that focuses on appropriate action by churches to people who have been sexually abused at some time (whether within a church context or outside).  I will be speaking briefly within the presentation.  Please pray that we will get a good attendance at this lunch time fringe meeting.

Tuesday 12th - Gartree Prison

Wednesday 13th - School Assembly, Lubenham.  I should have been in on Monday but had to cancel because of the trip to York.  The head teacher kindly arranged this alternative as otherwise I would have missed the year 6 children who will be leaving soon.

Thursday 14th - 8.00 am Leaders Breakfast Meeting, Rugby, Warwicks.  Followed possibly by a trip to a village in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire to research an article on Youth Alpha in a village setting.

Friday 15th (provisional) - travel to Hastings ready for Saturday.

Saturday 16th (provisional) - joining friends at our previous church at Herstmonceux, East Sussex, celebrating their 200th anniversary.

Additionally, there are articles to write, and work related to the University Research programme.

A biblical reflection on time
In both Ephesians 5 and Colossians 4 Paul uses a phrase that the KJV of the Bible translates as "redeeming the time" and the NIV translates as "making the most of every opportunity".  These and some other scripture references have significantly my life which tends to be very busy and lived with a sense of urgency.  But these scriptures are not just about the fleeting moments (that is filling up the time); they are about how that time is used - responding appropriately to the opportunities they bring.

Some who like to play with New Testament Greek words emphasise that the word used here is kairos and not chronos.  The latter is about the sequential passing of time (a quantitative element) while the former is about significant moments within the passing of time (a qualitative element).  But to understand these verses correctly we need to recognise that within the passing moments there are many opportunities.  Simply sitting and waiting for the kairoi to appear is never good enough. Kairos does not wait around, for it is caught up in the passing of chronos.


A healthy appreciation and response to both is what the Lord requires of us.  What does this moment bring to you?

May God grant you a good week.

Barry