Helensburgh Parish Church - Meditative Reflections

When was the last time that you were stopped in your tracks by something which filled you with awe? I imagine that, around Jesus, such incidents happened fairly regularly. Of course, often the feelings aroused rather than awe (at least on the part of the authorities) were outrage and anger as Jesus defied convention and took liberties with the rules. As always, however, he has an answer for his critics and puts them firmly in their place. "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" proving that it's his power and not the form of words which give life and health. I have a four year old granddaughter who lights up my life. I am privileged to spend part of every week with her and, even more than with my own children, I am struck by the sheer miracle of her. Her personality and character – so new to this world. Her learning and development — so rapid and engaging. Her joy in life – so simple, unaffected, delighted in very

JOHN 21: 10-14 (GNT)   10  Then Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11  Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all; even though there were so many, still the net did not tear.  12  Jesus said to them, "Come and eat." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord.  13  So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish. 14  This, then, was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.     Chapter 21 of John's Gospel is replete with imagery and echoes from the previous 20 chapters, and these few verses are perhaps the most obvious. Even here, when Jesus already has fish and bread by the charcoal fire, he invites the disciples to bring what they have caught. Jesus is not 'doing to' the disciples but 'sharing with'. It is an invitation to meet w

"What will we do with our spare time"? That thought was the heart of an essay published in 1930 by the economist John Maynard Keynes. In it Keynes proposed that within a hundred years, technological and economic advances would bring humans to a point where we would need to work no more than 15 hours a week! It has been more than 90 years for this to come to fruition. However, technology, instead of creating mire leisure, has made us busier than ever. Our days are and, while everyday tasks like travel and meal preparation take less time we're still in a hurry. One striking incident David's life shows us how to stay steady in this perceived need for haste. When David  was fleeing from King Saul (who was trying to kill him), he asked the King of Moab, "would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me"? (1 Samuel 22:3 ). David had his hands full. He was trying to escape Saul's murderous pu

Lord, help us protect your trees, and all creation, not just because they are part of your world, but because they hold together your land, which protects our neighbours from floods and landslides. Because they are a sign that life is near, and water, shelter, and sustenance is possible. Lord, would we see a tree and be reminded of your goodness, faithfulness and provision, and would we remember our responsibility to care for creation. Amen

When children are little, a great distraction is to sing songs with them. It is a useful tool to combat boredom on a car journey. It is also a way of alleviating fear or stress in difficult situations. An example is the song during a thunderstorm from the musical 'The Sound of Music': "I simply remember my favourite things, and then I don't feel so bad."  Singing is sometimes simply good fun, and many songs these days appeal to the imagination of the young. At other times there is something deeply spiritual about singing. A famous opera singer once said that a singer needs "a big chest, a big mouth, 90 percent memory, 10 percent intelligence, lots of hard work, and something in the heart." The last part makes all the difference! Often when people say outside church, "I enjoyed the service today", they follow it up with, "I love these hymns." There is unity in joining our voices together to praise God. Though fellow church members may

' Learn to do right;seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.'  (Isaiah 1:7) What would a Christia society truly look like? Would it be one in which everyone goes to church? One in which we all read the Bible every day? One in which worship music tops the charts? If we follow God's word, a Christian society would be one that is free from inequality. One in which people looked after each other with kindness and compassion. Christianity is more than church numbers: it's about justice. To build God's kingdom is to lift up those who have been cast down. Without doing that, we are missing the whole point. Old and New Testaments both are emphatic with this ( Deuteronomy 27:19 ; Amos 5: 21-24 ; Matthew 7:21 ; James 1:27) God of justice, have mercy on Your church. We recommit ourselves to Your will : the will that says "seek justice and defend the oppressed"