kduchurches, Author at KDU Churches

Praying together 30th October 2022

by kduchurches | Oct 30, 2022 | Pray Together

Luke 18: 9-14

Ephesians 1:11-23

‘Saint’ Defn. #1: a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith as being in heaven after death. Well, I’m not dead yet (or at least I wasn’t at the time of writing.) So that’s not me.

‘Saint’ Defn. #2: a very virtuous, kind, or patient person: That’s definitely not me

‘Saint’ Defn. #3: a sanctified person – i.e. someone – anyone – who sincerely confesses Jesus as Lord and accepts His salvation. Now that’s more like it.

It’s a perfectly valid tribute for us to sing ‘For all the Saints who from their labours rest.’ But we – the saints who are still alive – haven’t finished our labours yet. We have a Gospel to proclaim. So, Sister Saint and Brother Saint, let’s get on with it – and bearing in mind the heart-felt prayer of Theresa of Avila, in the power of the Spirit, let’s help make a few more.

Praying Together 23rd October 2022

by kduchurches | Oct 23, 2022 | Pray Together

Luke 18: 9-14

And the devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The essence of a good story is getting the reader to identify with the characters. There is no doubt that the story Jesus tells is a good one – but identifying with either of the characters is uncomfortable to say the least. We’ve no choice though – in fact we have to identify with both. (Well, I do, anyway.)

Sometimes (OK, often) I feel quite proud of myself. When I feel I’ve done something ‘Christian’. Giving to charity, perhaps. Or doing something that involves a little ‘self-sacrifice’. (Only a little, though – let’s not get carried away.). I might have taken time out to spend with someone I don’t really want to talk to, or who I find difficult. Rather like a needy child, wanting God my Father to notice and give me a pat on the back.

And at other times, I feel utterly wretched, because I’ve let Him down and gone my way rather than His way – behaving selfishly, saying something hurtful, walking on the other side of the road. I feel uncomfortable even to acknowledge my failure to myself.

By nature, I am a proud person, and I do want to do good. But I don’t want to act like the Pharisee doing it just for show or the hope of reward. Equally, I have to recognise that I am a sinner, but I don’t want to have to stand far off and be too ashamed to come to God in prayer especially in the awareness that I will never be sinless and never unashamed.
So what does the parable teach us? St. Theresa of Avila said that humility is living in the truth. Being aware of my pride, but trying to love as commanded; being aware of my failure, but asking and receiving forgiveness.

If we are searchingly honest with ourselves, fully aware of what we did and didn’t do, we identify with both characters in the story; but we can find comfort in knowing that we are loved for who we are – neither perfect or hugely flawed. We don’t stop doing right because of the fear of becoming proud – and we don’t let past failure stop us from living in His house. We’re His special children, and He will never leave us, no matter whether we be Pharisee of Tax-Collector.

Having said which, I find this poem helps bring me down to earth with a bump when I feel pleased with myself. It ought to be pinned on every vestry door.

In Church

“And now to God the Father”, he ends, And his voice thrills up to the topmost tiles:
Each listener chokes as he bows and bends,
And emotion pervades the crowded aisles.
Then the preacher glides to the vestry-door,
And shuts it, and thinks he is seen no more.
The door swings softly ajar meanwhile,
And a pupil of his in the Bible class,
Who adores him as one without gloss or guile,
Sees her idol stand with a satisfied smile
And re-enact at the vestry-glass
Each pulpit gesture in deft dumb-show
That had moved the congregation so.

Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928)

Praying Together 16th October 2022

by kduchurches | Oct 16, 2022 | Pray Together

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5

Are we there yet? (Title courtesy of Marjorie)

Just stop for a moment. Take a look around. How did you get to where you are at this instant in time? Now have a look into yourself, your heart and mind, and reflect on your journey in faith – how did you get to where you are in your relationship with Jesus? I suspect a combination of things, from childhood onwards. Our individual stories will be unique; but there will be a common element – the faith of every single one will have grown as a result of reading and/or listening to Holy Scripture.

The challenging question is this: has that growth stopped? Has your faith reached a terminus? are you waiting in hope for another bus to arrive? or are you enjoying the ever-changing view and new experiences from the front seat of an Intercity express?

When Paul writes encouragement and advice to Timothy, he makes it clear that the only way in which his pupil will be effective in his role in leading people to Christ is if he dedicated himself to continuous learning from scripture. The lesson is true for all of us. If people are content with their current knowledge, they will be open to believing all sorts of myths and legends, drifting far from the truth, just as athletes lose their strength if they don’t train every day.

Are we there yet? If you’re reading this, the answer is obviously no. But one day our learning will indeed be completed, when faith becomes reality and we, alongside all the other saints, cast our golden crowns around the glassy sea.

In the meanwhile, get your Bible out and leave it where you can use it as your travel guide to ride further up and further in. Everyday there are new things to see and learn. Get on the bus!

Praying Together 9th October 2022

by kduchurches | Oct 9, 2022 | Pray Together

Collect for Trinity 17

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: Teach us to offer ourselves to your service, that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord

Luke 17: 11-19

The story of the healed lepers is one which initially appears straightforward – but isn’t. At one level, it seems to be about ingratitude – and that is certainly an element of the intended message. The ten lepers are desperate – they are prepared to proclaim Jesus’ authority so long as it suits them – but once healed, they’re not interested in continuing to follow Him.

As the saying goes, there are no atheists on a battlefield. It’s as if God is just some sort of spiritual Paracetamol, to be used in desperate situations – but once the crisis is past, He is put back in the cupboard without a thought – until the next time.

Reading closely, however, there is another, more important, message; quite easy to miss if we only consider the ingratitude.

‘And he was a Samaritan … your faith has made you well.’

The Jews despised Samaritans, seeing them as half-breed heretics. The Samaritan leper wouldn’t expect to be healed by a Jewish teacher – and certainly not treated as an equal. Like the Jews, Samaritans believed in a Messiah who would be a prophet. Of the ten, he alone realises Jesus as much more than just a Jewish healer, as did the Samaritan woman at the well – and the parable of the Samaritan who helped the man left to die by robbers gives another example of Jesus’ universal love and ministry. For ‘Samaritan’ read ‘Everyone’.

It doesn’t matter who we are – Jesus offers healing and forgiveness to all who ask. In turn, all He asks is that we follow Him with love and service. Taking His Gospel for granted when it suits us is nothing less than a total rejection of who He is. There can be no greater insult.