Effervescent Faith

Thirty years ago, together with my wife and my colleague, Monica Cook, I started Sunrise Ministries (Rural Sunrise), now known as Rural Mission Solutions.  Over the years since then we have tried to help rural churches to be more missional. This was a logical objective since, with 12.5 million people in the rural areas, there are insufficient mission agencies but plenty of rural churches that could re-evangelise the rural communities of the UK.  But in 30 years we have barely scratched the surface.

The problem is that in the vast majority of village churches in the UK no one is excitedly sharing their faith with others. No matter what good ideas and programmes we promote through RMS, the bottom line is that people must be sufficiently thrilled with their faith in Jesus to not only want to tell others, but almost find they cannot help from doing so.

From my earliest days as a committed Christian, Acts 11: 19-21 has been a favourite passage. Luke, in writing his account of the early Christians introduces us the the church at Antioch (Syria) and the amazing missionary work that went on from that church, by explaining how the gospel reached Antioch.

The persecution of Christians in Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen, caused them to be scattered over a large area. But wherever they went they told the story of Jesus. While this was usually focused on speaking to Jews, some from northern Africa and Cyprus also told the story to gentiles. As a result, a great number of people in this, the third most significant city in the Roman Empire, turned to Jesus Christ. An exciting cosmopolitan church was established and the second half of the Acts of the Apostles largely records what happened in and from there. The Christians from Cyrene and Cyprus had an effervescent faith.

Effervescence is what happens when trapped gas in liquids can no longer be contained and bubbles over. You may have experienced it when opening a bottle of lemonade or champagne. The energy is such that it carries with it some of the content in which it was contained. Success in sport is often celebrated by deliberately shaking bottles and releasing a soaking stream of champagne.

So, the burning question this week is, “Have we lost our fizz?”. Have we become “still water” Christians? Writing to the Christians at Philippi, Paul states that one of the characteristics defining Christians is that we boast (or glory, joy, rejoice) in Christ Jesus. To me that describes effervescent faith. If we have realised that the Almighty God loves us, and that because of that love Jesus died for us taking our guilt upon himself, we should be thrilled. It should be impossible to keep it bottled up.

It intrigued me that one of the places that Christians had travelled from to talk about what Jesus meant to them in Antioch, was Cyrene. I wonder whether Simon, who was obliged to carry the cross for Jesus, had been involved in living out the faith in his home city. We sometimes speak of being touched by the cross, but here was a man for whom it was an actual experience. Have you been touched by the cross? Has it left a mark in your life? Once faith has been combined with the power of the Holy Spirit it always puts a fizz into our witnessing for Jesus.

The good news for still water Christians is that God is able make us effervescent. Clearly, what made the early Christians effervescent was the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. According to Peter on the Day of Pentecost, what had turned him into a bold witness for Jesus, is promised for all whom the Lord will call - even to our generation.

The task of reaching the world for Jesus will not be done by merely praying and asking God to do for us what he has asked us to do for him. It will not be achieved by faithful attendance at church, or even giving out the hymn books on Sunday mornings. It will only happen when ordinary Christians like you and me get excited about the gospel and filled with the Holy Spirit. If that happens there will be a serious risk of bubbling over with joy and irrepressibly sharing our faith with others.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Fill me anew. Fill me anew.
Spirit of the Lord, fall afresh on me.

Amen.  Barry Osborne 15th March 2019

Refusing the easy way

No doubt, entering the season of Lent will have provided you with the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the temptations of Jesus as he fasted in the wilderness.  Luke tells us that Jesus was tempted over the 40 days, while Matthew presents the temptations as coming at the end of his period of fasting. Both record the same temptations, and the responses that Jesus gave to them.  Both of the gospels record that it was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness, with Matthew telling us that the purpose he was so led was so that he could be tempted or tested by the devil.

I have found myself pondering on the significance that this experience had followed the moment where Jesus had been baptised and when God the Father had declared Jesus to be his Son.  We know almost nothing of the life of Jesus during childhood and early adulthood. Drawing on Scripture, early Christians defined Jesus as being both fully human and fully God. Luke’s account of the 12 year old Jesus suggests some awareness of his nature, but we also get a clear suggestion of the development of the human aspect of his unique nature.  We know that he had to learn obedience, and would have shared in the religious life of his family, and probably the family business. Prior to his baptism, could any self-awareness have not been fully formed?

We are also left to wonder exactly what was the significance of the Holy Spirit coming upon him at his baptism.  How much, I wonder, did those weeks in the wilderness have to do with deepening his understanding of who he was and what was his mission.  Jesus had to be fully human in order to die on the cross and to become the atoning sacrifice that John the Baptist suggested when he described Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.  

As fully divine he was able to rise from the dead as victor over sin and death. As fully human, he was vulnerable to temptations to use his power to satisfy his hunger, to act in a superior way,, or to take an easy route to reigning over human affairs.  His faithful resistance in the wilderness finds an echo in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the endurance of the cross.

It seems to me probable that there were costs that Jesus willingly paid throughout his earthly ministry, and the trials in the wilderness as that ministry began were just part of price of being our Saviour.  What a contrast to our own commitment and all too prevalent easy believism that characterises far too much of western Christian life today.

Doreen and I have been reading through 1 and 2 Samuel recently and I was struck by the account of David refusing a generous gift of land and materials for a sacrifice (see 2 Samuel 24: 18-25).  Gad, a prophet, had shown Davis he was to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  But when Araunah discovers why David had come to him, he offered to supply oxem and timber for the offering.  David responds, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”  He declined the east way.

It is not a sacrifice if it has cost us nothing.  Far from an irrelevant thought as we enter Lent which might bring a challenge of self-denial.  Paul reminds us that in the light of all that Jesus endured for us, we should surrender our bodies to be a living sacrifice to God as an act of worship.  Two hundred and fifty years ago, Frances Ridley Havergal sets out the price of true surrender of our lives to God in following Jesus:

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days.

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my love. My Lord, I pour

At They feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee.

That’s deliberately refusing the easy way.

Dear God, help me to show that I am serious in worshipping you and to resist the temptation to take the easy path, rather than the path you have set for my feet.  Amen.

Barry Osborne 10th March 2019.

Lost Passion

Doreen and I recently celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary.  Many will know that over the last few years she has suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.  In some ways, the woman I married all those years ago has changed so I have been learning to love her all over again.  We still enjoy many precious moments together, and she is as dear to me today as she has ever been. I thank God for that passion I feel that now enables me to serve and care for her.  Indeed, it is that passion that makes service a pleasure.

Sadly, these days, I hardly ever hear anyone talking about a passion for the lost. I find myself wondering whether the passion for the lost has declined because we have lost passion.  Where is the spirit of John Knox who prayed, “Give me Scotland, or I die”?  We might not have the faith or courage to pray for an entire nation to be saved, but, surely, we could adapt this prayer to the place where we live.

In a previous Praise & Prayer News I reflected on the way in which the three parables about the lost and found in Luke 15 (a coin, a sheep, and a son) contain many important nuances that demonstrate aspects of the gospel.  But the most important element of these three stories is the passion of the searchers. The shepherd is not content with his 99 but goes and searches, not resting, until he finds it. The woman sweeps the entire house diligently until she finds the coin.  The father who was abandoned by his selfish son, runs to welcome him back home. There is passion for the recovery of what was lost.

Back in the days when holding evangelistic missions was more common (I’m not exactly sure why they are now so uncommon), I sometimes heard people say that even if only one person was saved, it was worth all the effort and cost involved.  However, I reasoned that as long as there were still some who have yet to be saved, it was worth it! It was the fact that the sheep, coin and son were lost that justified the passion for their recovery.

In a recent conversation, the person with whom I was talking spoke about sensitive feet.  I discovered that, like me, she found walking over shingle on the beach unbearably painful.  The only way I can cope is to wear sandals. The apostle Paul noted that good footwear was an essential part of a soldiers readiness for the battle.  He likens this to the “readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (NIV).  This is a phrase that has proved difficult for many Bible commentators. Roman soldiers needed to be well shod in order to cover ground to engage the enemy.  Paul might have been implying that the gospel provides a strong foundation on which we stand. While I do not want to dispute that interpretation, the concept of readiness suggests an immediacy from the impact of the gospel, that finds a similar thought in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

The gospel that is the foundation of our faith should always be so continually thrilling in our hearts that we are always ready to share the story at any and every opportunity.  Passion for the lost is not something that is an unrelated emotion; it is a passion that has been stirred up by the impact of the gospel in our own lives. Such a passion will both stimulate and direct our prayers.

The same passion will motivate us to share the gospel with others.  Paul, who declares that he is “not ashamed of the gospel” also writes, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel”. Although it would be easy to suggest that such a passion would be expected in those called to be evangelists, I note that in Acts chapter 8, those Christians who had been scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution shared the gospel everywhere they went.  No wonder the church expanded so quickly!

Today, I search my own heart, and I encourage you to do the same.  Am I as passionate today about praying for the salvation of others, and about sharing the gospel as I have been in the past?  If I have lost passion, what caused that? How might it be recovered, if it has diminished? Actually, I experienced a recent stimulation while reflecting on the unique nature of God as completely divine and completely human.  He had to be completely human so that he could die on the cross, paying the price for our salvation. He had to be completely divine because God could not ask other than himself to make that sacrifice. Such is the love that planned and achieved a way of forgiveness and eternal life for me and you.

So, here are the hard questions:

• When was the last time someone was converted or came to faith in Christ in your church?
• If that has not happened for some time or is not happening regularly in your church, do you really care?
• How often do you pray for the salvation of others?
• When did you last share your testimony or a word of the gospel with others?
• Have you and your church diligently sought ways of sharing the gospel in a way that is culturally effective and draws people to Christ?
• How does the way in which your church applies its human and financial resources demonstrate a priority for sharing the gospel?
• If these questions are disturbing, what needs to be done about it?

May God grant us the passion to love as he loves, be prepared to sacrifice, as he was prepared to be sacrificed, and bring the good news to others as he did through his earthly life.

The opposite to passion is complacency, and the only difference between a rut and a grave is a matter of degree.

Barry

Opportunity Knocks

It is almost 30 years since this early broadcast talent show aired its last programme, so it’s probable that some of those reading this will not remember it.  I was amazed to discover that it began in 1949 - 70 years ago! I think Opportunity Knocks was a great name for a show that opened a door to a career for Les Dawson, Paul Daniels, Pam Ayres, Su Pollard, Freddie Starr, Mary Hopkin and many more.

But the title also speaks into two New Testament verses that speak about opportunity knocking (Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5).  In the Authorised Version it is translated as “redeeming the time” and more modern translations use “making the most of every opportunity”.  Opportunities knock for every Christian on a regular basis.  The trouble is that most of us fail to recognise them before it is too late.

The classic illustration from the Hebrew Scriptures is the story of Esther.  The Jews scattered among the Babylonian, and later Persian Empires were threatened with extinction.  One woman was the only person with a unique opportunity to change this. Having won an international beauty competition she had been appointed as Queen to King Ahasuerus.  However, grasping that opportunity could have cost her life.  Seeing the uniqueness of the opportunity as a gift from God, her cousin says to her, “... who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4 NKJV).  Esther stepped up to the mark and brought about a great deliverance.  She made the most of the opportunity.

I have always found the foundation for the great Hebridean Revival an inspiration.  Two ladies, housebound, had been interceding for the salvation of others when God revealed to them that a village evangelist from the Faith Mission should be sent for to conduct special meetings.  Despite at first seeming impossible, the women remained steadfast that Duncan Campbell should come. He did and the revival that changed the lives of thousands began. It might have been a different story had not the two women not have grasped the opportunity that limited mobility gave them to spend much time in prayer.

Many years ago, a dear Strict Baptist preacher, Mr Oliver from the village of Egerton in Kent, approached me to tell me that God had “given him a word to share with someone”.  He seemed to feel that might be me and I gladly received from him the message that had been given to Esther.  Knowing that you are acting within the purpose of God is a precious thing. At that time I needed assurance in my own ministry.  That encounter - grasped by Mr Oliver - has contributed greatly to my sticking with a vision for rural evangelism and I hope, one day perhaps, revival.

In recent months, my own ministry moved into a situation that limited me.  Like the women in Hebrides, my ability to travel far and wide has been curtailed by illness.  It is not my illness but that of my wife who now needs virtually 24/7 care. But this has presented an opportunity to be grasped.  We, in Rural Mission Solutions, had already begun using the internet to provide webinars, or online seminars. Following the first few faltering steps, and with the aid of my good friend and colleague, Gordon Banks, we are running an increasing number of these event, and steadily building a valuable library of videos that inspire and encourage a growing number of Christians in rural churches to boldly share their faith in ways that are simple yet effective.  Limitations physically have provided a fantastic opportunity to grasp.

At present every webinar attracts scores of people but we have capacity in our webinars to welcome up to 1,000.  Consequently, just one webinar lasting 30 to 45 minutes can (and is) reaching many more people that a face-to face seminar.  In addition to this there are all those who use our resources on YouTube. Just such an opportunity presents itself to you on Saturday 26th January from 9.00 to 9.30 when Gordon and I will be presenting a webinar on simple ideas for mission for rural churches (and others) during the months of Spring.  Already the number of people registering to attend this event (advance registration is essential) is steadily increasing. If you are not otherwise committed, please grasp this opportunity as it knocks in your life.

I welcome every opportunity to share the gospel message and teach the scriptures.  One special opportunity is in prison at HMP Gartree where for a few hours each week I work as a part time voluntary chaplain.  A few days ago fourteen men in prison for life, grasped the opportunity to spend 45 minutes drawing precious truths out of the letter to the Hebrews.  The spiritual hunger and enthusiasm is remarkable. As questions are raised, prisoners help one another to understand biblical truths. Many of the Christians explain to me that they were in slavery before their sentence but now they are free!  While fully acknowledging the seriousness of the crime that resulted in a life sentence, they daily grasp the opportunities God gives them to live out and proclaim the gospel that changes lives.

Every day God will give you precious opportunities.  Apparent setbacks and problems are only new opportunities if you look for them.  I know that many who read these words are already seeking to make the most of every opportunity.  I want to encourage you. If you have not been aware of the many opportunities God has been giving you, please pray that he will help you to see and to grasp them for every day in the rest of your life.  Who can tell what blessing this might bring. It could change your world.

Barry Osborne - 19th January 2019

Facing a Risky Future

There were four of them.  Their dreadful disease had rendered them outcasts from society, shunned by anyone who saw them, and forced to live outside their city.  They had survived on meagre scraps for several weeks, but even that was drying up because of the siege.  They faced a difficult decision.

Even if they could find a way to get back into the city, the siege was so effective that there seemed to be no food there.  People were starving.  So trying to get into the city was pointless.

Staying where they were was equally pointless.  Sure, they had managed to survive in the past, but now they faced inevitable decline and certain death.

The only other option was to move out towards that which was the source of their problem - the enemy encamped around the city.  It was dusk as they set out.  Perhaps, they thought that the fading light would hide the consequence of the disease from which they suffered.

The strange thing was that at precisely the time these men set out for the enemy camp, the enemies heard a sound like that of two armies coming towards them.  They fled leaving all their supplies behind, so the four men ate what they could and also passed on the news to those inside the city, thus bringing an end to the famine.

While this could well be a contemporary story from any one of the parts of the world affected by warfare, in fact it can be read in 2 Kings chapter 7.

My experience in rural mission leads me to conclude that this biblical story has contemporary relevance.  Far too many churches seem stuck in a situation of decline.  Some realise that very soon the church could cease to exist.  But what can be done?  We cannot turn time back, so no matter how much we might desire a return to “the good old days” when churches had better attendances.  Going back to where we were before things got this bad, is not an option.  Neither is staying with things the way they are, facing ultimate demise.

Like the four men, we need to face up to what appears to be threatening us, and - also like them - take the risk that comes with change.  Many churches that have done so, have experienced a reversal in their circumstances, but it comes with a cost.  The cost is that we have to be willing to leave the comfort of the old familiar ways, and the familiar structures of our church services and meetings.  But you probably know that the final words of a dying church were recorded as “We have always done it this way!”

If your church did not see numerical growth in 2018, you need to ask why.  Churches that are static (not to mention those in decline) are contrary to the experience of the vast number of churches throughout the world.  It ought not to be tolerated.  Usually, the cause of a church becoming static or in decline is resistance to change.  Such is the state of resistance to change in many churches that when I am asked, “Why don’t people come to our church?” I am tempted to say, “Because of the people who are already there!”  This is not because I would want them not to be there, but because I long that they would become instruments of change.

Being willing to let go or to move aside is vital.  Holding things tightly under a control that denies change is a death sentence.  Of course things might be done differently, or at different times, or on different days, but it’s worth the risk.  Staying as we are, when that means we are gradually declining, is not an option.  Some will say, “There is noone to take over if I give up!” but is there an honest willingness to let go and step aside?  Sometimes, it starts with a willingness to let change happen.  I know that it’s hard.  My experience in three episodes of pastoral leadership of churches, has always involved those who have been faithful becoming willing to allow (or even encourage) change.  But where this was combined with love and prayer, we saw God at work in ways that might have been hard to imagine.

So, as we enter 2019, please do not sit still.  If you are not seeing God at work through all you do at church: take the risk.  Are you willing to be open to God doing new things in new ways?  If not, is it time to re-dedicate yourself to God who brings life and change wherever he is welcomed.  Give yourself to earnest prayer that anything and anyone resisting change (no matter how sincere their motives) will be changed or moved.  The work of salvation is far too precious to be hindered.

Make 2019 a year for taking calculated and prayerful risks for the sake of the gospel where you live.  Please!

Barry Osborne - 27th December 2018.

Are You Ready?

OK, it’s time I confessed:I’m one of those people who leaves everything to the last moment.  I usually arrive where I am expected, but only just in time. Far too much is left to the last possible moment - or even later.  I can trace this back into my childhood. I lived close to my primary school but was late almost every day. Apart from one day I never had a reasonable excuse.  That day I had no excuse,my teacher was so shocked by my honesty on the matter that he awarded me two house points!

We have moved into the season of Advent as run up to Christmas.  I’m sure that you know that this is about being prepared for the coming of Jesus.  We should all be standing on tiptoes looking expectantly for Christ’s return.

A few years ago I wrote a revised version of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins for use in a school assembly.  I thought I would add it here, with apologies to any who have heard it before. Versions vary slightly.

George, Henry and John, Mary, Jane and Sue were six young teenagers and friends who lived in the village of Opting-Under Water.  One day, the girls had been browsing the Internet, looking for anything about the Spice Girls when they discovered that David and Victoria Beckham were planned to be attending a special event in a village not far from where they lived.  There was no way they would be able to go but they worked out that there was a strong possibility that if they were traveling from their home in Holland Park, they would have to pass right through their village.

They knew the date, and the time of the event, but could not be sure what time they would be arriving. Mary thought it would be a good idea to camp out at the roadside in the village to see if they could spot the car,probably a limousine, she thought.  So it was agreed to meet up in good time to see if they could spot the Beckhams.

The next day, at the appointed time, the six friends met up at an ideal place where there was a green close by. The boys had brought a football, in case they could get it autographed by David, thought this seemed quite unlikely.  The girls had brought three large banners they had made themselves with words such as “Victoria we love you” written on them boldly.

“That;s a really good idea”, said Henry, “Why didn’t we think of that?”

“Because, as you know,” replied Sue, “Everyone knows girls are smarter than boys.  It’s all about preparation. We spent several hours last evening making these.”

Henry just shrugged.  Experience had taught him that arguing got him nowhere.  Instead he suggested that they had a kick-around to while the time away.  So the boys set up a goal with their jackets and played football while the girls settled down at the roadside.  They had chosen an excellent situation as they had a good view a long way down the road to a bend in the direction from which the Beckham’s would be coming, if they came at all.

After a while the boys tired of playing football and joined the girls.  All they had seen was ordinary cars, some vans, five large lorries and Mr Ford’s tractor and trailer.  John noticed that the girls were getting packages from their backpacks. As the girls unwrapped sandwiches, the boys realised they were feeling hungry.

“Are you going to share those?” enquired John.  

“Certainly not.  We only just have enough for ourselves.  You should have come prepared.”

With that the three hungry boys decided to hurry home and bring back something to keep them from starving.

Hardly had they left when Jane jumped up excitedly, pointing down the road.  “Look!” she exclaimed with what was a squeal of excitement. “It’s a posh car.  I think it’s a limousine. Get ready everyone.”

The girls stood in line, banners on display and waved madly as the car swept past them.  Then,,,, they could not believe it…. the car stopped and began reversing towards them. As it came to a final halt beside them, to their delight David Beckham stepped out and opened the door for Victoria.  The girls screamed and jumped for joy. 

“Hi!  However did you know we would be coming this way today? She enquired.  The girls explained how they had seen it on the Internet and worked out they might come that way.

“How long have you been waiting?” David asked. The girls told them everything and were rewarded with autographs and selfies on their mobile phones.

All too soon David checked his watch and suggested that they had better leave if they were to arrive on time.  The Beckhams climbed back into the car and it slowly drove off, disappearing from sight round the bend at the other end of the village.

It had just disappeared when the three boys returned.  Boy, were they cross with themselves!

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).
Barry Osborne - 1st December 2018

Hard Butter and Church Services

A recent experience of Bed and Breakfast caused me to think about how those of us who lead or preach at church services prepare. Not for the first time, I found myself struggling to spread butter, apparently fresh from the fridge, onto toast. It refused to spread. What was worse was that my effort resulted in the toast being spoiled. While there was good reason for keeping the butter in the fridge, it was of little use to me at the table. Of course, melted butter would have been of little use also , but if only it had been softened a little by the time I wanted to spread it.

I began to wonder what thought processes had taken place in the kitchen. Did they, I pondered, want me to be impressed with the fact that they kept the butter in the fridge, or that they kept the fridge temperature extra low? Had they considered whether it would be fit for purpose when it arrived on the table? Might they not have thought about it at all? After all, the butter is always kept in the fridge! Was there a ‘Chef knows best’ attitude?

So, let’s compare the church service to breakfast and the sermon to the butter. We might have carefully prepared each item ‘on the plate’ to our own satisfaction. The contents may have been freshly prepared (not as an old friend used to describe second-hand sermons as ‘cold meat with warm gravy!’). We may have arranged the different items carefully and attractively on the plate. We may have cooked them just the way we like them. But, have we carefully considered whether the members of our congregations will find them enjoyable, easy to digest, not too much but just sufficient.

It is all too easy for the chef to know best what makes a good breakfast, and to impose the set menu on the guests. At least I was able to swap black pudding and fried tomatoes for some baked beans. But I would so have liked to have been able to spread that butter on my granary bread.

A few days after my B & B experience I attended a men’s breakfast where my fried egg was not quite fried. Again, it made me think about how much effort we put into preparing a meal for the congregation. Could the hymns have been selected better? Might our prayer have been better if we had shortened it by two minutes? Might the sermon have been improved with a relevant illustration?

The sad fact is that some of us enjoy leading worship and preaching, but risk not thinking through whether what we are serving is what is wanted as well as what is needed. Far too often over my 50 plus years of sitting in churches I have come away uncertain as to the point of the whole service. Was there actually a purpose behind it all or was it merely an exercise to give the minister something to do!

I quite like the advice given to public speakers: “Say what you are going to say, then say it, and then say what you have said”. In other words, have a clear purpose behind what you are doing, and be clear about what outcome you expect.

So, if you are preparing the meal for next Sunday, please make sure that everything is properly cooked, chewable, and digestible. Make sure the butter will actually spread!

I suppose I could have sent the butter or the half-cooked egg back to the kitchen with a polite request that they do something about it. After all it should have been prepared with the customer in mind. Send it back to the kitchen?!! How would I feel if members of the congregation provided some honest feedback? What if someone said, “I learned nothing new today”, or “I got lost halfway through your sermon”, or “I missed the purpose of this morning’s meeting?”!

It is always helpful to get feedback on the reflections in these Prayer & Praise News. The last few have been quite challenging. I probably enjoyed writing them, and I hope they have not left a bitter taste. Writing for an invisible audience is rather different from taking a service or preaching a sermon, but I hope that some found the butter spreadable. Dolet me know please.

Barry - 9 November 2018.