Emerging from lockdown?

I was recently asked to name an unexpected blessing which I had encountered during the coronavirus outbreak.

I have reflected on this and perhaps the most striking thing is that I feel unusually calm. As I wash my hands for the umpteenth time, I’m still singing Richard Bewes’ hymn based on Psalm 46, which goes to the tune of the Dambusters March:

God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble,
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change …

I think this has penetrated to my inner being (singing hymns and worship songs is a good way to teach ourselves about God), especially the word ‘Therefore’. Knowing that God is our strength and refuge enables believers to rest secure in God and to trust him in good times and bad.

As we begin to emerge from lockdown (at least for a while), I find myself wondering what we can learn, thinking of Biblical characters who experienced a ‘lockdown’ of sorts. One such was St Paul, who was literally imprisoned several times and also described the period before his conversion as being imprisoned by sin.

As Paul emerged to new life, he wondered how he should react to the new-found freedoms he experienced in Christ. His conclusion (Romans 6.2 etc) was that “By no means” should he abuse his new-found freedom. Our situation is a very different context, but I think the guts of our answer should be the same: we should enjoy and not overstretch or abuse the freedoms we have. (Even as I type I find myself agreeing with Professor VanTam’s words in a recent Downing Street Briefing.)

As we move into the next phase of response to coronavirus, my hope and prayer is that we will use freedoms responsibly, knowing both the freedom and security that God gives and the limitations He urges for the choices we make.

Wishing you God’s best,

David

Holy week

For many people, Holy Week is a time of fluctuating emotions as we reflect on the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. It begins with an ‘up’ on Palm Sunday, then works through the trauma and ‘downs’ of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, before ending with the incomparable ‘up’ of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Day.

This year, more than any other in most of our lifetimes, it is a doubly strange time. All around us, people including our Prime Minister are struggling with coronavirus, and dealing with its consequences such as lockdown. At times like this, it is good to remember that we have a God who has endured the worst of trauma and understands our situation, however grim it may be. More was written about the traumatic last week of Jesus’ life than anything else He said or did (see John’s gospel chapter 12 onwards to discover more).

Whatever you are experiencing at the moment, you have a God who understands, hears, and is with you in it all. Jesus died on Good Friday to defeat death and sin, and rose on Easter Day to bring new life. I pray that you will know this new life for yourself.

On this website, I will post a video reflection on Good Friday and another on Easter Day. I hope you find these helpful.

Wishing you God’s best,

David

Where is God in all this?

Recently this question has been occurring to many people. It’s a natural question to ask. I believe the answer is ‘right in the middle of it’.

Psalm 46 points to this. It begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear …”. The word ‘therefore’ is the key to understanding the psalm. It is because God is the psalmist’s strength and refuge that he does not have to fear. Indeed the psalm goes on to repeat in verse 7 and verse 11 that God is “with us”. The psalm was written centuries before Jesus but points forward to Him - after all, Jesus’ nickname was ‘emanuel’ which means ‘God with us’.

The verse on the posters outside St John’s at the moment is also taken from this psalm: “Be still and know that I am God” (verse 10). In the current crisis, many of us have no choice but to be still (and housebound), it is in this context that we are reminded that God is God, and we are not. Let us resolve to know Him.

Wishing you His best,

David

Church@home for families - Sunday 29th March

As we can’t meet together this morning, here are a few more ideas for families to engage with today.

Games

I am…Find out the sticky notes, each person has a sticky label on their forehead with a character, person or animal written on. The person wearing the label does not know what it says but must find out by asking other people questions that can only answered the answer yes or no. For example, ‘Am I an animal?’ ‘Am I fierce?’ etc. Or have a game of Charades where each of you have to act out a character, person or animal

What does your name mean? Does your name have meaning? Jesus means ‘He saves’, Immanuel means ‘God with us’, Let us know…Also what names can you think of to describe God & Jesus, maybe write them down and share a photo

Exploring and responding to the bible & God

Read the story of the woman at the well

It’s found in the bible in the book of John chapter 4 verses 1 to 26

Jesus (a Jew) meets a woman from Samaria (sort of like the rival town) at a well. The woman has made some wrong choices, but Jesus tells her that he is the ‘living water’ who can forgive her and help her, and ultimately in verses 25 and 26 that he is the Messiah, the anointed promised deliverer from our sins, the one who will go to cross for all the wrong choices we make.

Draw or paint or collage

Using what ever creative materials you have at home, to create a picture of thanks to God (keep some resources back for our next challenge though, more information coming soon!) We’d would love to see pictures

Sing out loud (Youtube)

Our God is a great BIG God!

Revd David Price our vicar has posted on Youtube a short reflection on these verses in John, so here’s a few idea’s of things to do with children to explore this passage slightly. David talks about the church being the people, not the place. We can think about, learn more of and praise God where ever we are. Also in these strange times where we are maybe physically drinking that bit more water, we can also spend time with Jesus the water of life, who promises to be with us and help whatever we are going through.