Christmas Eve 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to these prayers fro Christmas Eve.

Before the video you might like to watch

Silent Night

To finish you might like to watch:

In the Bleak Midwinter

Wishing you a Happy and Holy Christmas

and 

The Lord's Blessings for the New Year

Rev Tim

Wednesday 23rd December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

I will be taking a break after Christmas so the next Prayers will be on 4th january 2021

I will however be posting a Christmas Eve prayers for the evening of 24th December 2020

Readings

Psalm 25

Malachi 3:1-4, 4: 5-6

Hymn: Oh Com O Come Immanuell   ( Singing the Faith 180)

Before or after the video you might like to watch

O come all ye faithful

Monday 21st December 2020 Prayers

Readings

Psalm 126

Luke 1: 39 - 45

Hymn: Tell out my soul   ( Singing the Faith 186)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Breathe of Heaven( Mary's Song)

Friday 18th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. 

Readings

Psalm 47: 1 - 9

Isaiah 2: 1-5

Hymn: Of the Father's love begotten   ( Singing the Faith 181)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Once in Royal David's City

Wednesday 16th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. 

Readings

Psalm 39: 1 - 13

Joel 3: 9 - 16

Hymn  Love came down at Christmas  ( Singing the Faith 210)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Hark the glad sound

Monday 14th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. Hopefully the problem with the videos has now been fixed

Readings

Psalm 38: 1 - 8

Isaiah 40: 1- 11

Hymn  Cradled in a manger meanly ( Singing the Faith 197)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Go tell it on the mountain

Friday 11th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. Hopefully the problem with the videos has now been fixed

Readings

Psalm 37: 30 - 40

2 Thessalonians 2: 1 - 3a,  13 - 17

Hymn  Come thou long expected Jesus ( Singing the Faith 169)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

The First Noel

Wednesday 9th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. Hopefully the problem with the videos has now been fixed

Readings

Psalm 37: 1 - 1 

1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11

Hymn   Hills of the north rejoice ( Singing the Faith 172)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

I bind unto myself today

Monday 7th December 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer. Hopefully the problem with the videos has now been fixed

Readings

Psalm 43

1 Thessalonians 4: 1 - 12

Hymn   Come let us praise the Lord ( Singing the Faith 43)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

When morning gilds the skies

Friday 4th December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer. Hopefully the problem with the videos has now been fixed

Readings

Psalm 39

1 Thessalonians 3: 1 - 5

Hymn   Give to me Lord a grateful heart ( Singing the Faith 520)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Abide with me

Wednesday 2nd December 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

It seems that the video function on the blog system is not working at the moment so I will have to just share with you some thoughts and prayers in written form at the moment.

So let's pray.

Loving God

We thank you for the gift of this new day.

When we look around us or out of our windows help us to see something of your creation,help us to feel your love surrounding us, help us to show that love in our daily comings and goings.           

We thank you that you are always with us even when we turn away from you by the way we live. Forgive us when we do this and help us always to follow in the ways of Christ.        Amen.

Here is a link to the hymn

Let us build a house

In this time of Advent I am going to try to read a chapter of Luke's Gospel each day. I thought I would share with you something form what I have read. Today it is Luke 2: 41 - 52

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travellers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”But they didn’t understand what he meant. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

There is not much in the Gospel accounts we have telling us about the childhood of Jesus. Here Luke seems to reinforcing who Jesus is even as he is growing up. I am drawn to the words of Jesus , " Why did you need to search, didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" We may search for God but sometimes forget to do so in the most obvious of places. At the moment not everyone can go to church to worship but when we can do we expect to meet with God there? I hope so because I believe in the worship we offer God is with us. That does not mean that we cannot meet God elsewhere. Sometimes it will be in what we see and experience around us , maybe in nature, sometimes it will be through what other people do, sometimes it will be in the silence. I hope that today you will find a place where you feel you can say I am " in my Father's house".

So let us pray

Gracious God

Today we pray that we may see you around us in the obvious as well as the extra ordinary.

We pray for our world; those places where there is war and injustice...(silent prayer). 

We pray for our own country , for our leaders and those who work in our emergency services 

(silent prayer). 

We pray for those who are sick today or worried because of the pressures of life caused by the pandemic we are in  (silent prayer).

We pray for other concerns we have today. (silent prayer).

Let us offer these prayers in confidence because we know we have a God who cares for us and

all that He has created.  Amen

Let us share in the Lord's Prayer.

Take care and keep safe

God bless

Rev Tim

Monday 30th November 2020 Prayers St Andrew's Day

Readings

Psalm 27

John 1: 35 - 42

Hymn   Called by Christ to be disciples ( Singing the Faith 660)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Will you come and follow me

Friday 26th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 33: 1-12

Daniel 7: 1 - 14

Hymn  Ye servants of God ( Singing the Faith 340)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Holy holy holy

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 30: 9 - 24

Daniel 5 : 1 - 28

Hymn  The right hand of God ( Singing the Faith 715)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Be still and know

Monday 23rd November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 30

Daniel 1 : 1 - 6 , 8 - 20

Hymn  Happy are those who find the grace ( Singing the Faith 500)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

 I give up

Friday 20th November 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 28: 1 - 9

Genesis 49: 1 - 10

Hymn  When all your mercies, O my God ( Singing the Faith 97)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Be still

Wednesday 18th November 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 26

Genesis 45: 1 - 5

Hymn  Jesus Lord we look to thee ( Singing the Faith 686)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Lord of all Hopefulness

Monday 16th November 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 25 1 - 7

Genesis 41: 53 - 42 :2

Hymn  Here as we kneel ( Singing the Faith 727)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Come let us sing of a wonderful love

Friday 13th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 24

Genesis 32: 22-32

Hymn  Here as we kneel ( Singing the Faith 521)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Morning has broken

Wednesday 11th November 2020 Prayers for Remembrance Day

Welcome to these prayers for Remembrance Day

Readings

Psalm 23

Matthew 5: 1 - 12

Hymn: We Pray for peace ( Singing the faith 719)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

O God our help in ages past

and /or

Nimrod

Monday 9th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 20

Genesis: 23.1 - 19

Hymn:  It is God who holds the nations   (Singing the Faith 705)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Abide with me

Friday 6th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings

Psalm 18: 1 - 6

Genesis 21: 5 - 20

Hymn: The day the universe was started ( Singing the faith 540)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

I am not alone

Wednesday 4th November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings:

Psalm 16

Genesis 18; 1 - 33

Hymn:   Pray for a world where every child ( 527 Singing the Faith )

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

When Morning Fills The Skies 

Monday 2nd November 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings:

Psalm 13

Hebrews 12: 1 - 9

Hymn:   God it was who said to Abraham (464 Singing the Faith )

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer

Friday 30th October 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings:

Psalm 9: 1 - 11

Hebrews 12: 1 - 24

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Father of everlasting grace ( StF 378)

Wednesday 28th October 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayers

Readings used:

Psalm: 117. 1- 2

John; 15. 17 - 27

Hymn: Christ is made the sure foundation ( Singing the Faith 677).

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

When Morning Gilds the Skies

Apologies I am a bit late posting today , for some reason the video took a long time to load up today :)

Monday 26th October 2020 Prayers

Welcome  to this time of prayer

Readings:

Psalm 5: 1 - 8

Hebrews 11: 1 - 7

Hymn: Let him to whom we now belong ( Sing the Faith 557)

Before or after the video you might like to watch.

Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us

Friday 23rd October Prayers 2020

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings 

Psalm 3: 1- 6

Hebrew 10:11-18

Hymn: May the mind of Christ my Saviour ( Singing the Faith 504).

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

The Wondrous Cross

Wednesday 21st October 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings used

Psalm 150

Hebrews 9: 15, 24-28

Hymn Teach me my God and King ( Singing the Faith 668)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Morning

Monday 19th October 2020 Prayers

 

Welcome to this time of prayers.

Readings today are 

Psalm 145

2 Timothy 4: 15 -17

Hymn: Captain of Israel's host ( Sing the Faith 459)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

When I needed a neighbour

Friday 16th October 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings 

Psalm 63: 1 - 9

John 11: 17 - 26a

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Be thou my vision

Wednesday 14th October 2020 Prayers

 

Welcome to this time of prayers

Psalm 150

A telling of the parables of the sower and wheat and tares

Hymn used For the fruits of all creation ( Singing the faith 124)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

We see the fruitful harvest

Friday 9th October 2020 prayers.

 Welcome to this time of prayer taken from the Methodist worship book..

Apologies but the video cut off too soon today so perhaps you might like to end with saying the Lords' prayer in the way you prefer.

Also perhaps you would like to choose your own hymn/ song for today.

I will be away fro a few days some the next Prayer will be on Wednesday 14th October .

Keep safe and take care

God Bless

Tim

Wednesday 7th October 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings used:  Hebrews 2: 5 - 18

Psalm 135: 13-21

Hymn: In the darkness of the still night (i Singing the Faith 109)

Before or after the video you might  like to watch:

Immortal invisible

A Service for Harvest . Sunday 4th October 2020

Welcome to this service for Harvest using material from The Methodist Church Charity All We Can;

As well as watching the video you might like to follow these links to some hymns and a short video from All We Can. You could start with  and end with a hymn, pause the video after the sermon to watch the clip form All We Can

Readings used are

Psalm 112

John 6: 1 - 15

Come ye thankful people come

We Plough the fields

All We Can Link

I will be back with a time of prayer on Wednesday 7th October.  God bless.

Friday 2nd October 2020 Prayers

 Welcome to this time of prayer.

I will be away for a few days so the next time of prayer will be on Wednesday 7th October.

Readings used

Psalm 113

Genesis 8: 1 - 22

Hymn: God, whose farm is all creation ( Singing the Faith 122)

Before or after the video you might like to watch.

We plough the fields

Wednesday 30th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings used

Psalm 131

Genesis 6: 5 - 22

Hymn: Now the green blade rises ( Singing the faith 306)

Before or after the video you might like to watch this version of

Now the green blade rises

Monday 28th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to the time of prayer

Readings used

Psalm 130

Genesis 4: 1 - 16

Hymn: New every morning is the love ( Singing the Faith 137)

Before or after the video yo might like to watch:

Morning

Friday 25th September Prayers

Welcome to morning prayer.

Readings used 

Psalm 8

Mark 4: 26 - 29

Before the video you might like to watch:

Going Home

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer

Readings used:

 Psalm 16

Romans 12: 1-8

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

You Say

Monday 21st September 2020 Prayers

 

Welcome to this time of prayer:

Readings used  are:

Psalm 119: 64 - 72

Matthew 9:  9 - 13

Hymn:  " Come Sinners to the Gospel feast".  (Singing the faith 401)

Before or after the video you might like to watch

Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

Friday 18th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings used

Psalms 95 and  63: 1 - 4 

John 13: 34-35.

Hymn: Christ whose glory fills the skies (Singing the Faith  134)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

A New Commandment I Give Unto You

Wednesday 16th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this brief time of prayer.

Readings used:

Psalm 118: 20 -29

2 Peter 3:1-7

Hymn: Praise to the Living God! ( Singing the Faith 87)

before or after the video you might like to watch:

The Lord is Coming Are You Ready?

Monday 14th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings used:

Psalm 11

Philippians 2:5 - 11

Hymn: I'll praise my Maker while I've breath; ( Singing the Faith 79)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

I watch the sunrise (StF 469)

Friday 11th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this time of prayer.

Readings used;

Psalm 128

2 Peter 1: 1 - 15

Hymn: Father, in whom we live. ( Singing the Faith 5).

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

New every morning

Wednesday 9th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to the time of prayer

Readings used 

Psalm 119: 73 - 80

1 Peter 4: 12- 19

Hymn: We give immortal Praise ( Singing the Faith 16)

Before are after the videos you might like to watch:

Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call

Monday 7th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to the brief time of prayer.

Readings used today are

Psalm 123

1 Peter 4: 1 - 11

Hymn: Praise the Lord who reigns above ( Singing the Faith 85)

Before or after the video you might like to watch:

Take my Life

Friday 4th September 2020 Prayers

Welcome to this brief time of prayer.

Readings used

Psalm 121

1 Peter 3: 8-12

Hymn: Let all the world in every corner sing ( Singing the Faith 57)

Before are after the video you might like ti watch:

By our love

Wednesday 2nd September 2020

Welcome to this brief time of prayers

Readings used:

Psalm 118: 19 - 29

1 Peter 2: 1 - 10

Hymn What shall I do my God to love, ( Singing the faith 516)

You might like to watch the following before or after the video:

Thank You Lord

To end, to reflect, to move on.

Well I have now come to the end of my time on sabbatical and will return to pastoral duties on Monday. During this time I have averaged reading a book a week as well as dipping into a few other tomes along the way.  Generally I am not a very fast reader, but reading almost everyday with a purpose seems to have helped me speed up a bit. I am still paying my " Homage to Catalonia" partly because I have been slightly sidetracked into reading at the same time  "The Long Walk to Freedom"  by Nelson Mandela after hearing him quoted in a sermon recently.

Reading both Orwell's fiction and non fiction I was struck by how relevant a lot of what he wrote still is, both in regard to relationships and politics. The poor and homeless he describes may not be around today, but there are still the poor and homeless. The totalitarian states he identified may be long gone, but there are still parts of the world where people are oppressed by the state. And of course there will probably always be plenty of overweight, middle-aged men around, hankering after days done by.

There is still lots more on Niebuhr that I want to read so that I can delve deeper into what he was saying and how it is still relevant to my faith and society today. The thinking of Niebuhr lead to an approach called "Christian Realism". This seems to steer a course between the over optimistic view of the world that believes  humans will keep getting better and one day solve every problem, and a pessimistic view that says we are all going to hell in a handcart and all we can do is wait for the final judgement when God will sort it all out.

What I have found really helpful is Niebuhr's unpacking of human sinfulness.  As I have understood it, and very simply put, humans need to acknowledge sinfulness not just in the bad done but also in relation to motives for doing good. When humanity recognises what Niebuhr identifies as the sin of pride then relationships between people and with God might just become more meaningful and honest.  Also when it comes to groups or nations there can be a tendency to seek to justify actions that are known not always to be good for some people but serve a particular cause.

The great hope I hear in Niebuhr is that in the end God will bring to fullness all things in the Kingdom of Heaven. Realism tells us that because this is beyond time and because all humanity is finite, we will not see it in our earthly life.  However that does not mean that we do nothing until the " Day of The Lord". This hope is the goal we always have before us as we work to bring love and justice to a fallen world.

I need to do lots more thinking and reflecting on all of this to make sure I have not got hold of the wrong end of the proverbial stick, but in our present times I think Niebuhr might have something to contribute.

So this will be the last of this type of blog. If you have followed the posts over the last weeks thank you, I hope they have been of some interest.

At the moment because of the on going coronavirus situation I am not too sure about what lays ahead. However I intend to post a brief video Monday, Wednesday and Friday sharing  some morning meditation /prayers. I will see how that goes for a start off and in the spirit of Niebuhr make changes if needed.

Orwell                               Niebuhr                            Extras

Loving God

We thank you for times when we can learn.

Learn about You,

Learn about each other,

Learn new skills.

We  thank you for the gifts you have given to us.

Gifts that are so varied.

Gifts we see in others.

Gifts other used to enrich our lives.

We pray for those who are prevented  

from learning or using their gifts.

We pray for a world where justice and love

overcome evil and hate.

We pray for all in need this day 

because of the coronavirus situation;

those worried about money or employment;

those recovering from illness due to the virus;

those who are lonely or fearful.

Gracious God may you love and comfort 

surround and up hold them;

and may you show us all

how to serve each other.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ;

Our Lord and our Saviour.

Amen

Coming Up for Air

In " Coming up For Air" George Bowling finds himself reminiscing on his childhood days as he reflects on his life as an overweight, middle aged, married man with new false teeth.  It is 1938 and we are treated to a narration about his life in Lower Binfield before the First World War. I was reminded of Laurie Lee's "Cider with Rosie" (written much later of course and based after the First World War not before) as I read about George growing up. He is so influenced by his memories and so fed up with his life at the moment that he decides to return to the place of his birth, believing that in some way this will rejuvenate / refresh him. Of course he has not been there in over twenty years and when he finally arrives......well let's say he leaves far from being rejuvenated or refreshed.

There is always a temptation to look back to the time when we were younger and wish for a return to those days, especially if things are not going the way we want then to. I can remember being brought up in a large church with all sorts going on. An early memory is watching Woody Woodpecker films in a Sunday School hut one Christmas Fair. We had drama groups, a large youth club, which I ran for a while and the beautiful modern church was always full on a Sunday. For whatever reasons its not like that now and I am not too sure that trying to return to those days of my childhood will bring the outcomes wanted. Like George we might find that things have moved on too far and what we thought was still there has gone forever.

The Methodist Conference this year voted to adopt a new strategy for Evangelism and Growth. 
see:

Evangelism and Growth

It will be interesting to see how this works out , but I am sure will be forward and not backward looking. The reality is that we cannot go back to the way things were no matter how good it might have been, and just because something worked back in those days it does not mean it will work for today and tomorrow.

There is an episode in the book that really struck me. It is when George is at a lecture given by an anti fascist speaker. Remember this is 1938, a time when the British Government was appeasing Nazi Germany and people like Churchill were considered warmongers. Yet in what Orwell writes in this novel you can see a real understanding of what was going on at the time. Orwell had grasped the dangers of what was happening in Germany and it seems to me uses his book to express his concerns as he writes it in late 1938 early 1939. It just got me thinking about some of the injustices that are happening today and how we might express our concerns. At the meeting George goes to the anti fascist speaker appears to be very vitriolic seeking to work up hatred in the audience towards those he believes are not just wrong but evil. Now this speaker is obviously right to oppose fascism and stand against it, but is the way he does it the right one?  I wonder whether it can be easy even today to fall into the trap of acting in just as bad a way as evil people by the way we oppose them. I am reminded of the words of Jesus to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors, but what does this mean in modern day reality? How can we oppose what is evil and seek justice and still love those who are evil?  What happens if there is a clash between love and justice?

As I am starting to understand a little more of Niebuhr's thinking the question of Christian love and justice is a interesting one. He seems to recognise that sometimes coercion in society of some type is needed to attain justice. This might go against a pure view of loving our enemies as actions are taken to stop them from doing whatever it is that is wrong. In an ideal world where every one treated each other with love this would not be needed but the reality is that we do not and never will live in an ideal world this side of the Lord's return. It seems to me that Niebuhr points to justice as being the highest form of love; so probably through seeking justice we can still love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

I really enjoyed reading "Coming up For Air" , perhaps because I am an overweight middle aged man. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted I am off to pay my  "Homage to Catalonia".

Loving God

We thank you for all the good memories we have;

for the smiles they bring to us,

for the support they give us.

Help us to use our memories to look to the future

with hope in our hearts

so that we can find new ways to follow and serve You.

We pray for those parts of the world where there is a need of justice,

and for those who are standing up against

and speaking out against injustice.

Help us to find ways to express our concern for justice

that shows Your love for all creation.

Guide us in what we do and say

so that the glory may be Yours

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ

Our Lord and Saviour

Amen

Money and Pride.

The main character in Orwell's "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is Gordon Comstock. Now my feelings towards Gordon are a bit ambivalent. In one way I can admire where he is coming from, in other ways I find him infuriating. The story is about his attempt to shun the "money god" of society as he sees it. This means he gives up a "good" job to work in a bookshop for little money, rents a cheap room and settles down to be a writer. Although he has a book of poems published the truth is that his poems are not cutting the mustard, so to speak. Throughout the story he often lapses into bemoaning his situation stating that is all because he does not have money. Now my admiration is for his principled attempt not to have money at the centre of his life and his attempt to find happiness without depending upon it. The problem is so often money is needed to ensure that happiness. He is so principled that for much of the story when he is in need he refuses the help of Rosemary, his girlfriend, and Ravelston, his well off friend who runs a magazine; although he does constantly "borrow" off his sister Julia. When he does come into some money he blows it in one nights revelling, taking these friends out and insisting on paying for everything. In his attempts to spurn the "money god" Gordon ends up living in a hovel, working in a 2d lending library on 30 bob a week. (In today's money around £105, working at around £1.90 an hour). He can live this way and to some extent his pride keeps telling him that it is what he wants, but it is a living that seems without a future, without hope.

What is infuriating is the way he treats the woman who loves him, Rosemary, and his good friend Ravelston. His pride will not let them help him and the way he often treats them makes you wonder why they stick with him at all. Rosemary even manages to get him his old " good job" back, but he still does not want it.

This got me thinking about two things, money and pride.  I wonder whether a point Orwell makes through Gordon is that we are all caught up in a world where money really does make it go round and it is very difficult to try and live as though this were not the case. The reality is that we all need money to live, and a certain amount of money to live to a certain standard. 1 Timothy 6:10 says this:

"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." (NLT)

This is often misquoted saying money is the root of all evil. Well it does not say this. The love of money and craving for it is what is wrong and leads people away from faith in God. Why? Well because this love and craving takes over and replaces a love and craving for God. In this sense I think Gordon has got it right. Where he gets it wrong for me is with his pride.

I am beginning to find out  more about Niebuhr's view that pride is one of humanities greatest sins. Pride can be a type of attitude that sees what you are doing as being in the right and can have an element of self righteousness about it.  In some ways like money it can become the centre of who you are. Gordon believes his way is so right he refuses the help of others or even to consider their feelings. He refuses to compromise in order to make things better for himself even if it makes those who love him suffer. I wonder whether pride can get in the way of developing healthy relationships with others and with God.

So what happens to Gordon in the end? Well you will need to read to book to find out, but one thing I can tell you is that he does " Keep the Aspidistra Flying".

Now on to "Coming up for Air".

Loving God

We thank You that You provide for all our needs.

Help us to use the money we have and earn wisely;

help us not to make money our master 

but a servant in our lives.

In those times when we find pride creeping

into what we do or what we believe,

help us to see things in the light of the Holy Spirit,

so that pride does not come between 

our relationships with others and with You.

We pray for those who are in financial difficulties today;

perhaps because of what is happening with the economy

due to the coronavirus situation.

We pray that they may find the help they need,

and that we may all show a generosity towards each other, 

just as You are always generous towards us.

Amen

Life long learning?

This week I read "The Niebuhr Brothers for Armchair Theologians", or to be more exact the parts on Reinhold Niebuhr. His brother Richard had some different views and I do not want to get myself mixed up between the two, working out what Reinhold is saying is enough for me at the moment!

These types of books can be very helpful as they give an overview of someones life and thinking. You can also see how someones thinking has evolved in the course of time. This is certainly true of Reinhold Niebuhr, and towards the end of his life he wrote, "Man's Nature and His Communities", a collection of essays where he revisits and even revises some of the ideas he had developed in earliest writings.

There can also be a problem with such books if once read people think they are now an authority on the subject. As it is said a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.  It can lead to picking the part you like to support opinions that you may have. In modern times it seems that both Democrats  and Republicans in America have cited his thinking to support one position or another.

One of the reasons I am probably finding reading Niebuhr hard going on occasions is because what he writes is not just opinion, but based on careful thinking, experience and a deep understanding of humanity. Before expressing an opinion on a subject it is perhaps wise to find out as much as we can about it and even have some experience of it.

In "The Road to Wigan Pier" what Orwell writes is based on just such experience. Early on in the book he describes going down a coal mine in the 1930s. Now I have been down a coal mine a few times at museums but it was nothing like what Orwell describes. What I learnt from his description was that even before getting to the coal face the miners had to walk/crouch/crawl at least a mile along the narrow tunnels. Orwell finds the experience exhausting and likens the effort needed in doing this to climbing a small mountain before and after a days work. He makes the comment that it is only because miners work so hard that others can lead the comfortable lives that they do. This is because at the time everything in an industrialised nation depended on coal. Today coal is not as important in this way in Britain, but there are still people like those miners of old, perhaps in different parts of the world, who work very hard so that we can lead comfortable lives.

Loving God

We thank you for the gift of learning. 

For those who teach us in different ways.

We thank you for all the different resources

there are to help us learn.

Help us to use what we learn to grow

into the people you want us to be.

When we have the gift of 

knowledge and understanding,

 guide us to use it wisely, 

for the good of others 

and not for selfish ends.

Today we pray for people across

the world who work so hard

so that we can live in comfort.

We especially pray for justice

in the work place so that all 

may have a fair days wage for

a fair days labour.

As the Methodist Conference meets

over the next few days;

we pray that your spirit will guide

it in the decisions it has to make

and uphold those in 

positions of responsibility.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ

Our Lord and Saviour.

Amen