Sharing some thoughts

Sometimes I say things which seem to damage my street credibility with some people. A while ago I admitted to someone that I watched Neighbours on television. Their look of amazement turned to laughter as I confessed I actually recorded it each day so I didn’t miss it ! Street credibility was a little knocked ! Also a little while ago I confessed to rather enjoying economics – it is quite a fascinating subject, though not particularly good for street credibility again ! Hopefully the economy is now improving and the results of that improvement will work their way through to all people in the not too distant future... But economies are likely to have good and bad times because they’re often very largely governed by confidence. Back through the disastrous recession and with banks in serious problems one of the major root causes was a loss of confidence, and for all of the complicated and detailed economic arguments one of the most important factors in a good economy is not met...

Today we’ve spent the day thinking about God’s gifts and celebrating some of the gifts and talents that we have in this church. The shape of the church is changing perhaps more radically than it’s done for many, many years. Change always breeds uncertainty, and perhaps a tendency to become defensive... And in times of change and reflection I think it’s good to think of the many gifts that God gives to us. As part of my diocesan role I run training courses and speak to groups about lay ministry – this evening’s service is being led largely by members of our own lay worship team here. One of the challenges that I still face is that people see lay people leading a service simply because the Vicar isn’t available or there isn’t a Vicar, but that is simply a product of our church culture – we have cultivated a culture of clergy led services and too often ignored the gifts and talents of people in the church... An insurance agent stopped by a large church in the hope of selling ...

Today we have a special of celebration in the parish – celebration, not for any particular anniversary, but simply to make time and space to thank God for all that he’s done and is doing in this church. It’s a chance to recognise the work that has been done to help build the kingdom of God here and further afield. I like the story about Mother Theresa who went one day to her superiors and said, "I have three pennies and a dream from God to build an orphanage." "Mother Teresa," her superiors replied gently but understandably, "you cannot build an orphanage with three pennies...with three pennies you can't do anything." "I know," she said, smiling, "but with God and three pennies I can do anything." There’s another story about a man who bought a house with an overgrown garden. The weeds had long since taken over the garden and it was a mess. But slowly the man began to clear the weeds and work on the garden and plant seeds. Final...

At some point in our lives all of us have to think about priorities. When I was young at this time of year my priority would be to work out how many cricket matches I could play in... if any of them meant missing time in school that was even better. Now, thinking about playing cricket isn’t such a priority. But we all have priorites, and sometimes those priorities will be juggled around appropriately. It’s often quite funny when our priorities get a little confused. There’s a story told of a couple going on holiday, standing in line waiting to check in their bags, when the husband said to the wife, "I wish we had brought the piano."  The wife said, "Why? We've got too many bags already!"  The husband said, "Yes, I know-- but the tickets are on the piano!" But back to priorities – and our readings today challenge us to think about our priorities in life. In the reading from Genesis (3:8-15) we heard the account of Adam and Eve hiding in the...