Smart thinking, and privacy.

Vans are coupled back to back so that one driver can move two units. The power train uses the front wheels with rear being attached later. As I cycled by I did wonder if it was a spoof, until I saw thousands of pairs.

Smart thinking can throw up unusual ideas. There's a company exploring the storage capacity of electric vehicles. Why not use them as backup power supplies? Tot thousands of batteries together and they can supply substantial energy for those times when we all put the kettle on at the same time.

Jesus was a smart thinker. Take the idea of a day of rest. People of his day had gone all 'health & safety' mad about it. Work of any description was banned. What about healing people then? He put it very simply: rest was made for people, not people made for rest. They had things back to front, and he straightened out their thinking.

Confidence is vital in terms of respecting privacy, and allowing us to deal with things at our own pace rather than under public pressure. In my role I have many conversations, visits, and encounters which cannot be in the public domain. Some have misunderstood because much of my ministry is behind the scenes. But you can't have it both ways.

Parishioners wouldn't keep asking me for conversations if they then heard details broadcast to others. Many of those who wish to know what's going on in other people's lives find that they need privacy when facing challenges themselves.

At the end of May new privacy laws came into being. They can be summed up as everyone [whether big business or an individual] respecting privacy, and never putting anything in the public domain unless there's clear evidence of consent.

The Almighty Creator of the universe, who sustains it through his power, does not invade the human heart ~ he just gently knocks on the door waiting for an invitation. If God respects us, we should respect each other.

Questioning faith

I really appreciate those who challenge my faith because it makes it real. Without questions and comment there is no faith. In this case the conversation took place on a minibus trip back from Twickers. 'Jesus would be hopeless in an identity parade because few people recognised him. How can you believe he came alive again?' And of course retired police inspector Mike Rand is doing the asking!

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A couple walk seven miles with Jesus, but don't recognise him until he breaks bread and gives thanks. Is Jesus a dumb teacher? That doesn't fit with the stories he tells: Good Samaritan, Lost Sheep, Sower, and so on. Then he uses powerful images. 'Give me a coin. It has two faces, so there are two truths to consider.' Jesus here is identified through symbols. That's often how we convey deep bonds: a marriage ring, flowers, and sacraments; they are outward and visible signs of inward and invisible truths.

Mary doesn't recognise him, as she stares through her tears at the gardener. In just one word Jesus reveals his identity; he calls her by name. It's recognition through emotion. Smells can be extraordinary powerful triggers. It may be that a loved one died in early autumn, so the first hint of freshly decaying leaves brings vivid memories flooding back.

I've been listening to a podcast called 'Unbelievable?' on Premier Christian Radio. If you search for it and 'Mike Rand' you'll find all the links, and a local who honestly challenges a convinced Christian about evidence. I commend it to you.

Shaggy performed for Her Majesty's 92 birthday. He has some great lyrics to the track 'Keeping it real'. Doubts and questions help to keep faith real. They are a bit like a strand in a three cord rope. If you take away questions from Jesus' conversations you'd end up with very little. He loved debate, and so should we.

Updates

Updating software introduces all kinds of 'helpful' ideas. Wally has suddenly turned up on Google Maps, but I don't want to ask 'Where's Wally?' when looking for a route or location. Yes, it might be different if I was reading to a child. And then there are voices .... but I'm going to have a go at talking to one when I feel in the mood.

Of course I don't want to be a grumpy old man, because some of these new ideas will fly. There are fantastic apps I use regularly which really irritated when they first appeared. Things are always updating. You only have to look at the tunes of familiar carols; most are relatively new. Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge is broadcast to millions every Christmas, and it always has some new tunes.

Jesus used many illustrations, and was a powerful communicator. Some of his ideas are in common parlance today. 'Don't put new wine into old bottles' he said. We might update that to 'Don't put new software into old computers!' Sometimes the old technology can't cope; most machines are 64 bit today.

Easter is a constant update of our ideas, of energy, of forgiveness which has extraordinary power to unlock new beginnings. It's an amazing festival celebrated every spring [autumn in the southern hemisphere], but every Sunday is a mini-Easter. In fact 'at all times, and in all places' [to quote the old prayer book] we should celebrate being an Easter people.

Forgiveness is just one facet of Easter, and it can bring new beginnings for terrorists [Good Friday agreement 20 years old], between family members, and [as the pope prayed] between countries and within countries that have not known peace for many generations. We need that Easter spirit.

warisacrime.org

Updating you on my teeth [March issue], and Fairtrade challenge to Sainsbury [August 2017]: I'm pleased with my first wooden toothbrushes, which seem to do the job well and are wearing OK. It also feels good not to be adding to landfill, where plastic toothbrushes die. It will be interesting to see how the wood burns when the time comes.

The Advertising Standards Agency [ASA] has upheld a complaint against Sainsbury for use of their Fairly Traded tile which is sufficiently close to Fairtrade so as to cause confusion. In round figures the latter is a partnership, while the former is 'big brother' supermarket chain imposing a structure because it knows best. We need justice for producers, so I strongly urge you to follow the ASA's lead and not be conned.

Easter updates should be regular, and motivate us to find the power to make a difference for good in our world.

Hiding, and recharging

There's generally something attractive about the young of any species, for example: chicks, cubs, and foals. The way they run for cover when there's a threat is endearing. It's a picture Jesus used when expressing both a rational and emotional response to those confused, misled, or in danger.

inductivebible.org

When it comes to God's love, going for cover is a sensible response at any age. Hiding under the shadow of his wing is a place of security, but don't worry because we soon emerge to face another challenge in life's adventure. Who knows what's around the corner.

When the Beast from the East collided with Storm Emma we had two days of winter: bread and milk disappeared from some shops; there was panic buying; neighbours turned out to dig paths, tow ambulances, spread grit, and call on those shut inside. It brought the best and worst out in us. It also showed how fragile our infrastructure is.

www.lovethegarden.com

Churches contain sanctuaries, places of rest and refreshment. Some have nest boxes providing the same in their gardens. Nature tells us we need safe places, and need to recharge our batteries. Why not join in one of many acts of worship to do just that?

You will always find a welcome in the Ridgeway Churches.

Wooden toothbrush?

Keeping our teeth, and planet clean are both vital. BBC's Blue Planet II showed vividly just how much the oceans are being polluted by mega-tons of plastic, from microbeads to rope, to bottles galore. How can you and I make a difference?

www.ecowatch.com

We need to make the switch go, to be persistent. What switch? The one that changes our behaviour, both individually and internationally. On her recent visit to China, Prime Minister May gave President Xi Jinping a copy of Blue Plant II. It contained a note that both countries should do their bit to phase out plastic. Iceland supermarkets have promised to do that in 5 years, and our government in 25 which is far too slow.

Each of us has purchasing power, which can make a real difference when it adds up. Fair Trade is a good example of that, and we encourage it through regular stalls at our Churches. What and how we purchase makes a difference, so what about cleaning teeth?

I enjoyed some banter in a local hostelry when I raised the issue. I've just bought my first wooden toothbrush, and I like its feel. When worn out I won't be adding it to landfill, where plastic toothbrushes die. Mine will join kindling wood to help me keep warm.

We did discuss whether a tooth brush could be made of pork scratchings! Once you have cleaned your teeth, you would eat the brush. Sounds great, but of course you need to clean your teeth again.

Jesus said we need to keep on working at what makes a difference. Keep on seeking solutions. Keep praying for inspiration and power for one another. I've been impressed by the Alpha course we've been running. The last session was on making a difference, and it reminded us of William Wilberforce who was determined to get Parliament to pass a law abolishing slavery. It took him about seven attempts, and he only succeeded a few days before he died.

Let's make a difference to clean up our planet.

Change! What change?

Increasing change is the norm
The date of old photographs can often be determined by fashions being worn: man-wigs, flared trousers, beehive hairdos, turn-ups. But now there're several fashion changes each year, so dating today's pictures won't be easy.

www.heritagecostumes.com

Recently our capacity to communicate has increased amazingly, with new platforms coming on stream, and some morphing out of all recognition. So the norm is rapid comms evolution. The first mobiles were enormous, with batteries fading quickly. Now what could be done on a laptop a decade ago can all go through a smartphone, which can do many more things besides.

The rate of change in previous generations was slower. For example, telephones used pulses to dial up numbers through automatic electromechanical exchanges introduced in the 1900s. These operated until 1970s, when tone took over. That's the same technology for decades, which would be impossible today. There are amazing Artificial Intelligence systems just around the corner.

Some things can't change
The truth is just that, true, so it doesn't vary. At a time when fake news abounds, I don't think we need worry. The truth will outlast fads. It doesn't mean that we should sit back. I'm increasingly impatient with those who waste God given energy and time, because we'll never get it back.

Things that don't change aren't necessarily boring; they're reliable. My heart sinks when software decides to update, because I'm not quite sure if everything will still work. The truth never needs updating, but we do need to remind ourselves what it is!

Ecclesiastes is great
I remember first reading this little book from the Old Testament. At the time I was fed up, and sitting on a South Wales beach. When I read Ecclesiastes I felt better because the guy who wrote it seemed quite depressed, and I didn't feel as bad! Out of his questioning of what's really worthwhile in life, he comes up with some real gems: 

'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die ...

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; ...

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace'. 

polygonblog.com

For years I puzzled about the stones, throwing them away one time but gathering them another. Make your mind up! And then it dawned on me. What is the right policy at one moment in time, might have to be reversed later. Imagine if we said pulse phones are forever, well we'd still be in the telecoms dark ages.

God's timing is key, and one of the skills we need is reading his signals. Reinhold Niebuhr put it this way:

O God, grant us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Good News or fake news?

Same old challenges?
Every Christmas a mega-bucket-load of new data flies around as we connect up new devices, and keep in touch. It's amazing how the internet copes! Apparently keeping the bitcoin currency going is using more electricity than is used by some entire countries. So you might be surprised if I hold the view that we don't really face new challenges.

@AndrewAlmack

Rubbish in leads to rubbish out, and Good News in will always produce Good News output. As Jesus put it, 'a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit [Matthew chapter 7, verse 18]. How we pass the information around might be new, but messaging isn't. What we have to do is check things out, so we don't get conned by fake news.

Someone told me he received a letter informing him that his confidential information had been shared, and inviting him to send all his personal details so they could be kept secure!! You couldn't make it up could you. Thousand have received the same scam.

Check clothing
'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves', said Jesus [verse 15 in this intriguing chapter].  The fable of Little Red Riding-hood tells the same. Having just eaten up your Granny, you'll be quite safe with me. I know I've got big sharp teeth, but ...

Then there are those who want their cake, and want to eat it. The Brexit negotiations constantly flag up that there are still some who think we can exit the European Union, and keep all the benefits. There's so much fake news or promises. Could get you down, couldn't it.

And now for the real story
There's far more Good News about: new beginnings through forgiveness; the gifts of love, laughter, beauty, adventure, and so many other delights in the little details of life. I remember enjoying the privilege of talking about a funeral with a frail man who knew that life's energy was ebbing. 'I don't want someone burbling on about things I've done. No, just say a huge thank you for the gift of life. I like that!

So as we head into another Spring, at whatever speed, may we enjoy the abundance of Good News that shout out with shear joy: Thank you for life, and the Life of this world. Gail Ricciuti's prayer expresses it far better than I can.

For all things bright and beautiful,
 for all things dark and mysterious and lovely,
 for all things green and growing and strong,
 for all things weak and struggling to push life up through rocky earth
 for all human faces, hearts, minds, and hands which surround us,
 and for all nonhuman minds and hearts, paws and claws, fins and wings,
 for this Life, and the Life of this world,
 for all that you have laid before us, O God,
 we lay our thankful hearts before you.
In Christ's name. Amen