Many of you will have grieved as I have grieved over the breakdown in the peace talks in Geneva. Yet I was not surprised by the tactics of the government supported as it is by Russia. Going into peace talks while launching violent attacks on those who oppose them is not new; it is just tragic. It brought to my mind the verses in Jeremiah 6 and again in chapter 8 where false prophets are condemned for proclaiming, “Peace, peace when there is no peace”. In that situation God, through Jeremiah complained against the practice of putting sticking plaster on a wound that needed serious attention (symbolically).
I try to avoid political comment in these letters and the blog. My situation is somewhat compromised by the fact that I have Armenian Christian friends in the city of Aleppo in Syria – the one in the news at this time. They are biased towards the government which, for many years, protected the Christians in Syria. For them, against that background, the alternative must look bleak indeed. I wonder how many of them might be among the tens of thousands fleeing the city as the government forces supported by the Russians press their attack.
It is only a few years ago that there seemed to be peace in Syria. In the main the government and the President were popular. Investment in hospitals and education seemed to be a priority. All seemed well. Even the impact of the “Arab Spring” was fairly modest, and I was encouraged by President Assad’s immediate offer to moderate the work of internal security forces and move towards democracy. But that lasted only a few hours and was replaced by the warning of extreme bloodshed if those who opposed him failed to back down. How dreadfully his prophecy has been fulfilled.
The presence of IS and various violent forces that have since mingled with the more moderate opposition has brought carnage. Clearly, terrible things have been done by both sides and the cost of Russia’s intervention seems to be unspeakably dreadful. There seems little prospect of peace. The action on the ground (especially in Aleppo) while envoys talked peace is a cruel jest.
As always, there is more than one opinion in such situations. My Armenian Christian friends in Syria might not agree with my view of the matter; I do not know. But the clock cannot be turned back and nothing will ever be the same again in that country. I wonder how similar the situation there has been to what happened in Jerusalem when a sticking plaster was offered to cover up a deep and festering wound. Perhaps, after the conflict that Jeremiah foretold, Jerusalem looked much as Aleppo does today.
And does God weep? Weeping over the hatred and the carnage. Weeping over the thousands that flee the country, leaving all that was once precious to them? I believe the heart of God must be deeply moved. Oh, for a revolution of love and real lasting peace! May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven!
Jesus shows that the pathway to peace is not violence but loving sacrifice, commending his love to us in that while we were his enemies he gave his life for us (Romans 5: 6-8). A Hindu friend witnessed some unloving behaviour between professing Christians recently and, genuinely perplexed, asked me to explain how that could be. It made me think of Ghandi’s famous comment, “I’d be a Christian if it were not for Christians”.
While there is much that divides Christians, there is much more that makes us one. My own Christian tradition has no bishops but I rejoice over the planned meeting between the Pope and the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. It’s a great symbol. I rejoice more that, in the town where I live, Christian leaders and people express their appreciation and love for one another by working together for the glory of God. We are not seeking uniformity, but are living out the unity that is God’s gift and the consequence of receiving the same Spirit.
Against the background of Christ’s example and such practical fellowship as I have just described the failure of some Christians to live in peace hurts me when I see it. Jesus allowed for our fallen human nature when he said, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24-3,24).
If my life were the only ‘book on Christianity’ I wonder how many might be attracted to Jesus, and how many might have been discouraged?
A missing piece
In my last letter I encouraged people to click a link to send an email so that I would know that you had read it. But there was no such link! Many sent an email anyway, so thank you. Here is the link this time. This will open an email and all you need to do is send it. Thanks.
Seeking a new Children and Families Worker
Rural Mission Solutions is currently in discussion with someone and believe that she might be the right person to enable us to start re-building our work to encourage and enable rural churches to establish and maintain programmes for children where they can come to know Jesus and grow in faith. Please pray for guidance.
A Missing Chaplain
We are short one full time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Gartree where I also work as a part time voluntary chaplain. I work with a choir most Tuesday afternoons and lead some services occasionally on Sunday and Thursday mornings. This summer we shall also be losing our sessional Methodist Chaplain. My forthcoming retirement for the ministry at Yelvertoft was not so that I could do more at prison, but so I could do more in rural mission. However, we are facing a crisis. The post has been advertised several times. Please pray that whoever is God’s chosen person will hear the call!
Yelvertoft faces up to my departure
The church at Yelvertoft is currently considering a possible way forward. This looks very interesting and I ask your prayers please over the next three weeks.
Reminder of Seminar on Personal Evangelism
Online Seminar on personal evangelism is repeated this coming Monday evening (8th). If you missed the last one, click here to register. It will take place at 7.30pm and you can attend from the comfort of your home and for free. If you are not already confident in sharing your faith with others please book in. Please also encourage others to register.
From the diary
Sunday 7th Feb - 10.45 Yelvertoft; 6.00 Newton, near Rugby
Monday 8th Feb - sharing in the Fresh Expressions Rural Round Table in London. In the evening I will be running the presentation on personal evangelism.
Tuesday 9th Feb – HMP Gartree in the afternoon.
Thursday 11th Feb – Start of Lent study series on the letters to the churches in Revelation.
Saturday 13th Feb – sharing in an East Midlands Area Executive meeting with several mission projects on the agenda.
Sunday 14th Feb – 9.15 HMP Gartree; 10.45 Yelvertoft.
Final Reflection
Could you be a missing piece in God’s plan somewhere? When did you last offer yourself to God’s purposes? Is there a missing peace in your relations somewhere? What do you need to do about that?
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.
Barry
I try to avoid political comment in these letters and the blog. My situation is somewhat compromised by the fact that I have Armenian Christian friends in the city of Aleppo in Syria – the one in the news at this time. They are biased towards the government which, for many years, protected the Christians in Syria. For them, against that background, the alternative must look bleak indeed. I wonder how many of them might be among the tens of thousands fleeing the city as the government forces supported by the Russians press their attack.
It is only a few years ago that there seemed to be peace in Syria. In the main the government and the President were popular. Investment in hospitals and education seemed to be a priority. All seemed well. Even the impact of the “Arab Spring” was fairly modest, and I was encouraged by President Assad’s immediate offer to moderate the work of internal security forces and move towards democracy. But that lasted only a few hours and was replaced by the warning of extreme bloodshed if those who opposed him failed to back down. How dreadfully his prophecy has been fulfilled.
The presence of IS and various violent forces that have since mingled with the more moderate opposition has brought carnage. Clearly, terrible things have been done by both sides and the cost of Russia’s intervention seems to be unspeakably dreadful. There seems little prospect of peace. The action on the ground (especially in Aleppo) while envoys talked peace is a cruel jest.
As always, there is more than one opinion in such situations. My Armenian Christian friends in Syria might not agree with my view of the matter; I do not know. But the clock cannot be turned back and nothing will ever be the same again in that country. I wonder how similar the situation there has been to what happened in Jerusalem when a sticking plaster was offered to cover up a deep and festering wound. Perhaps, after the conflict that Jeremiah foretold, Jerusalem looked much as Aleppo does today.
And does God weep? Weeping over the hatred and the carnage. Weeping over the thousands that flee the country, leaving all that was once precious to them? I believe the heart of God must be deeply moved. Oh, for a revolution of love and real lasting peace! May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven!
Jesus shows that the pathway to peace is not violence but loving sacrifice, commending his love to us in that while we were his enemies he gave his life for us (Romans 5: 6-8). A Hindu friend witnessed some unloving behaviour between professing Christians recently and, genuinely perplexed, asked me to explain how that could be. It made me think of Ghandi’s famous comment, “I’d be a Christian if it were not for Christians”.
While there is much that divides Christians, there is much more that makes us one. My own Christian tradition has no bishops but I rejoice over the planned meeting between the Pope and the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. It’s a great symbol. I rejoice more that, in the town where I live, Christian leaders and people express their appreciation and love for one another by working together for the glory of God. We are not seeking uniformity, but are living out the unity that is God’s gift and the consequence of receiving the same Spirit.
Against the background of Christ’s example and such practical fellowship as I have just described the failure of some Christians to live in peace hurts me when I see it. Jesus allowed for our fallen human nature when he said, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24-3,24).
If my life were the only ‘book on Christianity’ I wonder how many might be attracted to Jesus, and how many might have been discouraged?
A missing piece
In my last letter I encouraged people to click a link to send an email so that I would know that you had read it. But there was no such link! Many sent an email anyway, so thank you. Here is the link this time. This will open an email and all you need to do is send it. Thanks.
Seeking a new Children and Families Worker
Rural Mission Solutions is currently in discussion with someone and believe that she might be the right person to enable us to start re-building our work to encourage and enable rural churches to establish and maintain programmes for children where they can come to know Jesus and grow in faith. Please pray for guidance.
A Missing Chaplain
We are short one full time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Gartree where I also work as a part time voluntary chaplain. I work with a choir most Tuesday afternoons and lead some services occasionally on Sunday and Thursday mornings. This summer we shall also be losing our sessional Methodist Chaplain. My forthcoming retirement for the ministry at Yelvertoft was not so that I could do more at prison, but so I could do more in rural mission. However, we are facing a crisis. The post has been advertised several times. Please pray that whoever is God’s chosen person will hear the call!
Yelvertoft faces up to my departure
The church at Yelvertoft is currently considering a possible way forward. This looks very interesting and I ask your prayers please over the next three weeks.
Reminder of Seminar on Personal Evangelism
Online Seminar on personal evangelism is repeated this coming Monday evening (8th). If you missed the last one, click here to register. It will take place at 7.30pm and you can attend from the comfort of your home and for free. If you are not already confident in sharing your faith with others please book in. Please also encourage others to register.
From the diary
Sunday 7th Feb - 10.45 Yelvertoft; 6.00 Newton, near Rugby
Monday 8th Feb - sharing in the Fresh Expressions Rural Round Table in London. In the evening I will be running the presentation on personal evangelism.
Tuesday 9th Feb – HMP Gartree in the afternoon.
Thursday 11th Feb – Start of Lent study series on the letters to the churches in Revelation.
Saturday 13th Feb – sharing in an East Midlands Area Executive meeting with several mission projects on the agenda.
Sunday 14th Feb – 9.15 HMP Gartree; 10.45 Yelvertoft.
Final Reflection
Could you be a missing piece in God’s plan somewhere? When did you last offer yourself to God’s purposes? Is there a missing peace in your relations somewhere? What do you need to do about that?
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.
Barry
No comments:
Post a Comment