This week's news seems to have been a catalogue of disasters. Tesco's value plummeted, France and other countries have seen their credit worthiness reduced which leads to potentially more problems with the Euro, and now a luxury liner has run aground with lives lost and many more traumatised. My own disasters this week are minor but have presented me with problems.
Both problems relate to poor diary management. I had booked meetings at the Congregational federation's offices in Nottingham on Wednesday then was reminded that there was a meeting of the Churches Rural Group in London I should be at! Fortunately, I was able to reschedule the Nottingham meetings for yesterday. The second diary problem relates to a clash of engagement in May. Early last year I promised to teach on a Salvation Army Safe and Sound Course in Sunbury on Thames, but suddenly saw that this clashed with a 40th Anniversary Assembly for the Congregational Federation in Dunfermline, Scotland! That one will not resolve so easily and it now looks as if I will travel to Scotland for the Friday and Saturday meetings then fly down to Heathrow Saturday evening to do an adjusted teaching programme on the Sunday.
Now that I run a synchronised diary on a smart phone this kind of slip up is far less likely. I am so annoyed with myself.
So did you do that study in Philippians 2: 19-30? Paul commends both Timothy and Epaphroditus. Previously in this chapter he uses Jesus as a model of attitude towards others. Note how both Timothy and Epaphroditus echo this. As if that was not enough he goes on in chapter 3 to use himself as a model. So here's the list of characteristics.
Timothy: (a) The NIV is not very good as it states 'no one like him'. Some translations use 'no one like minded'. The original Greek means 'of equal soul', with Paul comparing Timothy to himself. (b) Genuine interest in their welfare (the Greek term emphasises the genuineness). (c) He is not self-interested. (d) He has 'proved' his worth. This is the same word that we use for testing and trials. Timothy had proved his good character in the fires of adversity. (e) In the times when Paul wrote this letter sons would learn their trade by diligently working alongside their fathers in a kind of apprentice relationship. Timothy had been a good student in that kind of partnership. (f) Finally 'he served'. Timothy has a servant heart (see the opening verses of this letter).
Epaphroditus: (a) He is a brother in Christ. Nowhere in this letter does Paul set himself up as superior to anyone. Christianity knows nothing of superiors. (b) He is a fellow-worker or labourer. He was prepared to put in hard work for the gospel. (c) He is a fellow soldier. The Christian life and service will always involve a battle against the enemy of our souls. Epaphroditus was a man you would be grateful for if he was fighting by your side. (d) He functioned as a 'messenger'. This is the Greek word from which we get 'apostle'. He was sent under authority from the church at Philippi with a purpose which he faithfully fulfilled. (e) He had 'risked his life' in order to fulfil the task on which the church had sent him. This might refer to a particularly arduous or hazardous journey. The word translated 'risk' would equally mean a foolhardy gamble. In other words, he put his life on the line. (f) Finally, he was distressed not about his own ill health but because it had worried his brothers and sisters back at Philippi. He was upset because he heard they were upset on hearing he was ill. How's that for selflessness!
News in brief
On Sunday I led the service and spoke at Yelvertoft. In the evening Doreen and i went to Theddingworth chapel.
On Monday and Tuesday I learned that the chairman of the Churches Rural Group could not attend and needed to resign. Furthermore our guest speaker had cancelled at the last minute. I had to prepare material for the meeting on Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon I went to prison and was able to sing a little. (I am still a little congested so I have not got my voice back yet).
On Wednesday I travelled to London for the Churches Rural Group Meeting. It was a helpful occasion. I am now serving as chair of this group but a colleague has taken the secretarial work off me; this is a better situation. I then travelled home and led the Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft in the evening (Phil 3:1-14).
On Friday I travelled to Nottingham, firstly to explore how the East Midlands Area funds could be better managed to serve the gospel, and secondly to do some work on preparing for the Church Leaders' Conference following Easter. More work needed urgently on both tasks.
Today (Saturday) was almost entirely spent in admin related to the past week's activities.
Planned reading for University lost out in a week busier than expected. I am still waiting for one scrutineer to approve my research proposal. Another one has already approved it. All being well i start another course in February and will soon be able to engage in the actual practical aspects of research.
The coming week - key prayer points
Sunday 15th Yelvertoft meeting is taken by the Rev. John Harris.
Monday 16th - Some Sunrise Ministries administration and study.
Tuesday 17th - Gartree Prison
Wednesday 18th - Holiday at Home outreach activity in the morning and talking/singing at Open Doors in the afternoon (if I have a voice). Both events are in Market Harborough.
Thursday 19th - Bible Discussion Group and pastoral visits in Yelvertoft.
Friday 20th - Telephone Conference for International Congregational Fellowship planning a major conference for 2013.
Sunday 22nd - Yelvertoft.
The secret of a blessed life of service comes not from overworking but from overflowing! This pearl of wisdom was in a prayer prayed by George Downs, a Methodist Christian, prior to a meeting in a village called Zeal Monachorum. It proved a night to remember as the Holy Spirit answered his prayer that night.
Barry
Both problems relate to poor diary management. I had booked meetings at the Congregational federation's offices in Nottingham on Wednesday then was reminded that there was a meeting of the Churches Rural Group in London I should be at! Fortunately, I was able to reschedule the Nottingham meetings for yesterday. The second diary problem relates to a clash of engagement in May. Early last year I promised to teach on a Salvation Army Safe and Sound Course in Sunbury on Thames, but suddenly saw that this clashed with a 40th Anniversary Assembly for the Congregational Federation in Dunfermline, Scotland! That one will not resolve so easily and it now looks as if I will travel to Scotland for the Friday and Saturday meetings then fly down to Heathrow Saturday evening to do an adjusted teaching programme on the Sunday.
Now that I run a synchronised diary on a smart phone this kind of slip up is far less likely. I am so annoyed with myself.
So did you do that study in Philippians 2: 19-30? Paul commends both Timothy and Epaphroditus. Previously in this chapter he uses Jesus as a model of attitude towards others. Note how both Timothy and Epaphroditus echo this. As if that was not enough he goes on in chapter 3 to use himself as a model. So here's the list of characteristics.
Timothy: (a) The NIV is not very good as it states 'no one like him'. Some translations use 'no one like minded'. The original Greek means 'of equal soul', with Paul comparing Timothy to himself. (b) Genuine interest in their welfare (the Greek term emphasises the genuineness). (c) He is not self-interested. (d) He has 'proved' his worth. This is the same word that we use for testing and trials. Timothy had proved his good character in the fires of adversity. (e) In the times when Paul wrote this letter sons would learn their trade by diligently working alongside their fathers in a kind of apprentice relationship. Timothy had been a good student in that kind of partnership. (f) Finally 'he served'. Timothy has a servant heart (see the opening verses of this letter).
Epaphroditus: (a) He is a brother in Christ. Nowhere in this letter does Paul set himself up as superior to anyone. Christianity knows nothing of superiors. (b) He is a fellow-worker or labourer. He was prepared to put in hard work for the gospel. (c) He is a fellow soldier. The Christian life and service will always involve a battle against the enemy of our souls. Epaphroditus was a man you would be grateful for if he was fighting by your side. (d) He functioned as a 'messenger'. This is the Greek word from which we get 'apostle'. He was sent under authority from the church at Philippi with a purpose which he faithfully fulfilled. (e) He had 'risked his life' in order to fulfil the task on which the church had sent him. This might refer to a particularly arduous or hazardous journey. The word translated 'risk' would equally mean a foolhardy gamble. In other words, he put his life on the line. (f) Finally, he was distressed not about his own ill health but because it had worried his brothers and sisters back at Philippi. He was upset because he heard they were upset on hearing he was ill. How's that for selflessness!
News in brief
On Sunday I led the service and spoke at Yelvertoft. In the evening Doreen and i went to Theddingworth chapel.
On Monday and Tuesday I learned that the chairman of the Churches Rural Group could not attend and needed to resign. Furthermore our guest speaker had cancelled at the last minute. I had to prepare material for the meeting on Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon I went to prison and was able to sing a little. (I am still a little congested so I have not got my voice back yet).
On Wednesday I travelled to London for the Churches Rural Group Meeting. It was a helpful occasion. I am now serving as chair of this group but a colleague has taken the secretarial work off me; this is a better situation. I then travelled home and led the Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft in the evening (Phil 3:1-14).
On Friday I travelled to Nottingham, firstly to explore how the East Midlands Area funds could be better managed to serve the gospel, and secondly to do some work on preparing for the Church Leaders' Conference following Easter. More work needed urgently on both tasks.
Today (Saturday) was almost entirely spent in admin related to the past week's activities.
Planned reading for University lost out in a week busier than expected. I am still waiting for one scrutineer to approve my research proposal. Another one has already approved it. All being well i start another course in February and will soon be able to engage in the actual practical aspects of research.
The coming week - key prayer points
Sunday 15th Yelvertoft meeting is taken by the Rev. John Harris.
Monday 16th - Some Sunrise Ministries administration and study.
Tuesday 17th - Gartree Prison
Wednesday 18th - Holiday at Home outreach activity in the morning and talking/singing at Open Doors in the afternoon (if I have a voice). Both events are in Market Harborough.
Thursday 19th - Bible Discussion Group and pastoral visits in Yelvertoft.
Friday 20th - Telephone Conference for International Congregational Fellowship planning a major conference for 2013.
Sunday 22nd - Yelvertoft.
The secret of a blessed life of service comes not from overworking but from overflowing! This pearl of wisdom was in a prayer prayed by George Downs, a Methodist Christian, prior to a meeting in a village called Zeal Monachorum. It proved a night to remember as the Holy Spirit answered his prayer that night.
Barry
No comments:
Post a Comment