At the moment, the curate is on holidays, that's right, lying back watching the world go by. But it is amazing the ways when we are still, when we relax what we can see and hear. At the moment, in my reading I am amazed by the idea of the Joy which we have as Christians, how we can express that Joy in what we do and say but also simply how we interact with people.
Take for example, the tall ships - They were an amazing sight docked at the harbour in Belfast - allowing people on, the buzz about the city was great. What really got me excited was not the things that you really think - the fairground rides, the buzz about the city, the difference in the city since the last time they were here 18 years ago, the fireworks. No, the thing that really got me were the real life stories which were highlighted on the Eamon Holmes BBC programme - the stories of people of all ages, abilities who were on the ships taking part in the adventure. One commented we've been through the storms and the thing in the people on the shore have no idea the great adventure we've been on!
Another commented that the race had changed their outlook on life. It would have been very easy for those young people to sit back and do what the rest of us landlubbers did and relax at home but they took the challenge, they stepped up and said, even though I know little about sailing, I want to do this. What an adventure they have been on. The parallel is there for all of us, The adventure of faith, the adventures which await us as church, the call to go out and do something is there, are we going to take the challenges as they arise - they are all around us, some are easy flat calm, others are big cross - atlantic sized adventures.
Being around people, friends who are passionate about mission, about encouraging christians to get on with the job, of experiencing the world wide church is indeed contagious. We have such an amazing message to share with others and it is the greatest adventure and it is centred upon the joy which we hold in Christ.
Today, in 2 church services, sitting in the pews I have been reminded of the hope we have in Christ which is central to what I do from day to day whilst in ministry.
Firstly, this morning we looked at Ephesians and the idea that we are called to rejoice as the early Christians did with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The whole issue of worship and the reminder that we do these things in continuity with the ancient israelites - ancient words ever true.
Then, this evening I sat through the most amazing exposition of 1 Cor 12 about the Christian hope of resurrection and how essential the doctrine is to the faith. Why Jesus had to be raised from the dead, and the implication that we will be raised as well. Basic stuff but really foundational. Delving into the common objections - spiritual v's physical resurrection very well handled by the preacher... food for thought!
So there we go ... some thoughts from the curatage.
This week holds more adventure,
House Cleaning,
Visitors round for meal
Holiday Bible Club 2 evenings
God is good :-)
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