“ … whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

If you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat!
John Ortberg

Don’t we just love to stay within our comfort zones, hiding behind our busyness and (over) commitments. I know I do.

Late last year, however, my wife and I stepped out of our boat (a comfortable life as expats in The Hague) and worked in a trash belt near Cluj-Napoca, Romania amongst the Roma gypsies for a week. We went with more than 60 members of our church (The American Protestant Church of The Hague (APCH)) via Dortmund and Wizz Air (!) to Cluj. Our home was a diaconal centre and although basic, seemed like a 5-star hotel after a day at the dump; however 2 days without water gave us a taste of what the Roma lived with daily.

We divided into teams: house building, house renovation, food distribution, medical and children’s work. I was in the 2-man renovation team which mended windows, fixed doors and patched walls of the small dilapidated shacks which the Roma families know as home. Through the day, as we worked, I could “zone out” the incredible poverty – the scantily clad children, bare foot in the rubbish and the mud; the filth, the dogs, the rats and the cockroaches but in the evenings back at the centre (and now as I write) the faces of the children came back to me and my eyes filled with tears at the recollection of the plight of these families. How can this be possible and in a European country?

Wisely we were instructed at the outset that we would be frustrated and saddened by our seemingly meagre efforts in light of so much need.

Indeed it was so. We could do little to change their lives but many of our lives would be changed by them.

The rubbish dump itself was like a scene from a post-nuclear strike: apocalyptic. The children cling to the garbage trucks as they enter the site so they might have first pickings from the truck’s load.

As the temperatures drop in the northern winter and the snows fall, I can’t help but wonder how they forage for food and recyclable goods in such conditions.

Yes, I have seen the BBC documentary of the organised Romanian gangs descending on our shopping streets; yes, I haven’t heard a good word said about the Roma and yes, maybe some of the criticism is well-founded but surely no matter what your political persuasion, social prejudices or knowledge about these people: it is a fundamental human right to have access freely to sanitation, education and medical attention?

If you’ve been thinking but hesitating about going on a mission trip, hesitate no longer; get out of your boat and pray that Jesus would be your guide and strength as you step out on the water and make mission possible.

www.proromi.nl
www.apch.nl/missiontrip

Love. Love. Love. All you need is love. If that’s the case why is it so hard for Christian men to say they love Jesus? I can understand a certain reticence to be too lovey dovey when trying to talk to non-Christian men about Jesus. I can understand focusing on different aspects of God for that. But Christian men? Christian men are often being told that they have been emasculated, that churches provide mainly for women and I wouldn’t argue with all this at all. But is there a case for reclaiming some words rather than trying to say them differently?

It seems to me that the love Jesus displayed was not a frilly, doily type of love but a love that drove Him to the cross. “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” said Jesus, and He should know. Jesus’ love caused Him to tell His friends that they showed little faith, to call one of them satan. His love caused Him to call out hypocrites, to upturn tables, to drive crowds into murderous bloodlust. His love drove Him to complete His mission by being tortured and nailed to a tree. His love was patient but it was also true, it was gentle but it was also fierce.

Maybe if we loved more like Jesus we wouldn’t have to convince people that it’s ok to love and be loved by Him. That’s the kind of love I can sign up to. John 15:12 ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’

The book of Genesis is full of large expanses of nothingness. The theme of nothingness seems to sit at the bottom of many chapters like an anchor dragging across the ocean floor. First there was nothing, and out of nothing, God created everything. Man and woman lacked nothing, but longed for everything. Adam heard of his wife’s first sin, and did nothing. When God questioned his creation on their actions, the couple claimed it was nothing to do with them. Cain’s half-hearted attitude to generosity was nothing like his brother’s love for God, and so he killed Abel, reducing him to nothing. Eve mourned the death of her son and the wickedness of Cain, and was left with nothing. God saw that apart from Noah, nothing good was left on the Earth, and brought a flood, destroying everything.

Nothingness, emptiness, darkness and the great void cling to the creation story. I used to think it was just part of the Bible’s first book showing what God did to help steer sinners to freedom. However, the more I study Genesis, the more I see that something in God’s character longs to create his finest work out of the nothingness. He blessed Eve’s family line after they fell foul to selfishness. He restored the Earth after nearly nothing was left alive. He took ‘nothing’ and injected ‘something’. And when his creation took ‘something’ and reduced it ‘nothing’ God brought something else.

There are situations in my life where I see nothingness. There are people I’m trying to help who are addicted to nothingness. There are projects I have launched which seem to be heading into nothingness. And in my darkest hour, I am reminded to whisper; hallelujah. Because the God of the Bible rubs his hands at the murmurings of nothingness. He smiles at the great void and speaks life, in such a way that all memory of darkness becomes a punchline.

Those of us hunted by nothingness must remember that Eve rejoiced at the birth of her third son Seth. A perished Earth drenched in nothingness rose again under a rainbow of something good. And Jesus heart, pumping nothingness, beat again on the third day. Our nothingness will become a hallelujah.

In our moment of nothingness, we must remember. We must return to God’s Word which takes the notion of ‘nothing’ and smashes it across the gates of Eden. We have nothing, yet we have everything. We are hopeless, yet full of hope. We are dying, yet we live forever. To my friends who tell me they have nothing left, I can show them hallelujah.

After rediscovering the Bible’s first book, I have concluded this: Nothingness is a place where God is waiting to dance with you.

Alex

Dedicated to my brothers Lloyd and Lewis.

Some were heroes, others were righteous, and few were wise. But only two men walked with God. The account of Genesis has become like a childhood den for me these last few days. I have burrowed in and around the chapters like a small animal hunting for food. And what a meal I have received.

It seems to me that the creator of all things allowed human beings to contribute their own brushstrokes to his already perfect canvas. Much of their work started off as beautiful patterns with the likes of Adam, Abel and Abraham striving to honour their maker. But for every step of holiness that is taken in Genesis, a marathon of sinfulness is run on the same page.

“Why did you create humanity?” I asked the Lord, as I dwelt amongst the tragedies of God’s first book. “Noah and Enoch” were the responses I got from God’s mouth, the Bible.

Something about their lifestyle drew the favour of God. And though many people may think its our actions that please him the most, I see that God gave both Noah and Enoch wonderful descriptions before any major good deed was carried out. Noah walked with God before he built the Ark. Enoch walked with God before he was taken majestically to his place of rest.

So where does this leave you and me brother? As with all the men in the first account, we’re left with our own canvas. But if we chose to live with Christ as our chief artist, we also need to pick up a brush ourselves. And as we try to follow his lead on the portrait of our lives, maybe we could have similar epitaphs carved out about us. Maybe you and I can walk with God.

As 2012 wraps around us with its unique blots and blemishes, how can we keep our eyes fixed on him who paints so well? Lets glance at the blueprint.

Philippians 4:6-10

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The first time I entered a church for a ‘typical’ Sunday service, I was scared. Don’t get me wrong; I had been to weddings, christenings and remembrance services before, but going to church for no reason was something different.

It all happened around eleven years ago, and by this point, my wife Shelly had become a Christian at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon.

Unbeknown to me she had been taking our two children to Sunday school. However, this particular Sunday she was going shopping and wanted me to take them to church instead.

To be honest, I was reluctant to do this, but for our children’s sake, I agreed.

I can remember planning a strategy of how not to spend much time in church. My plan was to drop the kids off quickly, head to the nearest pub to read the paper, and pick the kids up afterwards.

I thought it was a foolproof plan but didn’t count on a fiery blond-haired woman welcoming me when entering the church. I entered the building with much unease. It didn’t help that my two children Tayla and Curtis ran off downstairs leaving me to be led by one of Shelly’s friends to a seat inside. I couldn’t refuse. It was so awkward. I would have felt more at home entering an adult shop or a casino in all honesty.

During the nest two months I witnessed the change that God had made in Shelly’s life. I knew I had got to the point where I also wanted to give my life to God. The walk towards God wasn’t an easy one, and the decision to follow Jesus wasn’t easy either, but now I wouldn’t want to be on any other path than the narrow one.

I soon learnt one of the most popular teachings in the Bible for myself. As the angel said to Mary: “Do not be afraid” so did the Lord whisper that same thing to me. Everyday I am discovering more and more what it means to live with God on my side. The Bible says that because I gave my life to Jesus, God is now “For me and not against me.”

I am sure that many more guys would jump at the chance to know more about this God.

Why not join us on the 21st of this month at the Forum Hall, Wythenshawe, Manchester, for a National Men’s Day in partnership with New Wine. It would be a great place for any blokes to take their first steps with their creator. It will also be a cracking event for Christian men to develop their walk with God.

Get yourself booked in here.

See you there guys.

Deano.

This year I’ll be reading the entire Bible. I say ‘reading’ but what I mean is ‘listening’ due to a quirky little programme on my iPhone. So, before I go to sleep I’ll be listening to a man with a deeper voice than Gandalf read to me. (That sounds a little bit weird but I can assure you it’s already the highlight of my days.) So far I’m just passed the story of the first families in Genesis.

I’m not going to boast, but I have read it before. I know what happens, when it happens and how it’s going to happen. However, the Bible has a unique ability to draw your attention to certain teachings which are stunningly apt for you at specific times.

I highlighted three big hitters and will be unpacking them over the next three weeks. The first lesson I was reminded of was at the heart of the tragic story of Cain and Abel.

Both brothers worked hard for God. Both brothers knew God was God. Both brothers made sacrifices to God.

However, Cain’s attitude was rotting inside his heart like a carcass abandoned in the wastelands. The thing that strikes me about Cain’s attitude also scares me. It scares me because I see this attitude in my own life and the life of many men around me. It’s the attitude that says: “I know”.

It’s the man who has every answer sewn up in his mouth before the other person has even stopped talking. It’s the man with a solid exterior and a glaze behind his eyes. It’s the man who always needs first mention and the last word. It’s the man who will not humble himself, yet speaks a lot about his weaknesses.

And yet God gave Cain a phenomenal opportunity to change things around. However, you can see in the short account below how Cain’s attitude was impenetrable.

Genesis 4:2-9

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

I prayed three prayers on day one of this year. The first was a result of reading the story of Cain and Abel.

My prayer was this: “Father, I have seen so much of Cain’s attitude in my own life, and in the lives of men around me. I want to be like Abel. Help me follow you closely, and point others to you.”

Peace.

Billy Graham turned 93 in November 2011 and is still as passionate about telling people about Jesus Christ, his Saviour, as when he first started to preach at crusade style meetings in 1947.

He is struggling with failing eyesight and hearing, but his evangelistic drive has not diminished, he still wants to get the message across. Recently he has used modern technology to preach in Spain and Portugal, two countries he was never able to reach when he was active in ministry. He has also just published a book entitled, ‘Nearing Home’.

‘Nearing Home’ will have much to say to us as we move through our senior years and from it we might learn how Billy has been inspired and guided through his life of Christian service.

He is confident that God still has plans for him and we can take this as encouragement that God can still use us at whatever age we are.

As we move through 2012, we may wish to reflect that:

• There is no retirement when working for God’s Kingdom
• God sees us as valuable to Him in His service whatever our physical state or age is
• He wants us to finish strong through the strength He gives
• He wants us to teach our following generations, so that they can teach their children and thus pass the baton from generation to generation to generation.

That is our task and challenge for 2012, so are we ready to pick up the baton and be Christ’s messengers?

It will be interesting and encouraging to hear your experiences.

Buy the book on Amazon: Nearing Home – Thoughts on Life, Faith and Finishing Well

I have always been fascinated by the way men store money. Some men shove it loose in their pockets, some put it in wallets in their back pockets, my Dad had this funny little holder that stored pound coins. I loved the sight of that little holder and the chance that I might receive a pound coin from it. However, I’m a wallet man. I like a wallet big enough to accommodate all my money – notes and coins, and it always goes in a side pocket not the back one!

I have spent a lot of time, probably too much, thinking about the way we store our earthly treasure, but not enough about my heavenly treasure. The Bible tells me my body is Temple of the Holy Spirit, and to be honest my Temple has got a bit of an extension that it probably doesn’t need. Surely the Holy Spirit requires more room in the heart than it does in the belly. (Not that I’m massively overweight but there has been a noticeable expansion in the gut region in recent years.)

CVM’s Codelife contains twelve codes for life and one of them is about being fit and free from addictions. And it’s the fit bit that worries me. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want a washboard stomach and bulging biceps, but less Michelin man would be nice. And I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to suggest that our physical well-being can have an influence on our spiritual well-being. Certainly one of the reasons I am not as trim as I should be is my lack of self discipline.

Despite all of this I am not about to sign up to a ten week fitness plan or anything like that. It’s interesting that when we commit to working on our spiritual life we can do so in secret and even fake the results to some degree, if we commit to a fitness plan our success (or more likely failure) is on display for all to see. Although I am not committing to anything, I would like to be more thoughtful about my body and honour God with it. So if you bump into me after Christmas, come up and gentle slap my belly, if a wobble greets you would you kindly whisper ‘You shouldn’t be there mate.’

My son Curtis is 16-years-old and stands as tall as me. And every time I come home after being away for a week, he wants to wrestle. We both know not to fight in front of my wife, Shelly, because she cannot stand watching us play fight every week and has no idea why we would want to in the first place. I’ve tried to explain why my son and I feel the need to wrestle, but she still doesn’t understand it.

So, I’ve been thinking about it.

I can remember on numerous occasions fighting with my step dad when I was younger. It was just something we did. A bit like the family in the film ‘Police Academy’ where the dad and son are always trying to get one up on each other. I think it may be a way to masculinity and trying to find each other’s strengths and weaknesses through the process. I know with each time I fight with my son, he is getting stronger, and I have to come to terms with that. But we do have an unwritten code that we don’t punch each other in the face.

Lets be honest, its perfectly fine to have a man wrestle from time to time. And its probably very healthy to test each other. I love the story of how Jacob wrestled with God, and would not let go until he was blessed.

The fights between me and my son take place in a safe environment. I know that he isn’t going to start scrapping with Tom, Dick or Harry on the street, just as I didn’t when growing up, but I also know that he can defend himself when needed.

However, I need to tell you that as a Christian man, there is one fight I cannot avoid. Paul the Apostle called it the “Good Fight”. The fight for faith. The fight to discipline my own faith, and protect the faith of those around me.

So my challenge to you guys is simply this. In 2012, what will you be fighting for?

Merry Christmas from Carl Beech

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I have some great memories of Christmas as I was growing up.  I was walking the dog early this morning and I had a vivid memory of playing a king at the infant school nativity.  I can remember being dressed up in a blue velvet robe and plastic crown on my head and thinking I looked the business. I can remember feeling excited that it was Christmas … because that meant Quality Street, presents and staying up a bit later …

When I was 18 I met Jesus, that was in April 1990. That year Christmas seemed very different to me.  Sure, it still meant presents, time standing still, family and a great meal … but the underlying reason for the day was for the first time right at the forefront. In fact that year was the first time I went to church on Christmas morning.

I don’t know what this year has held for you … I don’t know what’s in front of you.  But whether it’s been good, bad or truly awful, the one thing we can be sure of is that Jesus is amongst us.  We live with a great promise of hope.

Isaiah 9 says;

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light!

For to us a child is born

To us a son is given

And the government will be on his shoulders

And he will be called

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Have a fantastic Christmas and a brilliant 2012…. And keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the bright morning star …

In other words: keep looking up!