A Tomb with a View

 

There is a tomb with a view at the centre of the Easter story. A place of cold grief and bitter tears. A real tomb for a really dead man, not just somewhere for a swooned imposter to await rescue by his fellow conspirators. This is God's tomb, where God the Son tasted death for me. This is the devil's best, an attempt to wipe out the catalogue of miracles and mercy that Jesus wrote in Galilee and substitute his own pathetic offering of "always look on the bright side" and "did God really say..?" doubt.

It doesn't really surprise me that Jesus rose from the dead. He is the Lord of life after all, the creator of all that lives. What is amazing is that the broken body of Jesus lay shattered in this grave for as long as it did. There are all kinds of ideas as to what Jesus might have been doing during those days and nights, but for me the great miracle of Easter is that God entered human broken-ness at its lowest and darkest. Smashed by evil men, bloodied, crushed and discarded, - "this is my body, broken for you".

And the view from the tomb of Jesus is magnificent. Its light casts a quick flicker of hope over a place of suffering and pain, Golgotha or Calvary, and slowly expands towards the brilliant dawn that is already starting to change the colours we see only through our tears. Yes, this is God's tomb, but much more than that - it is MY tomb as well. For, in the words of the Apostle Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20). The old me is dead and buried, and just as Jesus breaks forth from the tomb outside Jerusalem, so I am set free by Christ from self, from having to impress others, even from the fear of death itself.

I am grateful that God knows what it feels like to suffer and die, and be laid in a tomb by weeping loved ones. I am glad that he understands my pain, and yours, and that he comes to us on our 'silent Saturdays' and dark nights of the soul. But I'm also rejoicing that the tomb is no longer in use as a grave. The Lord of life and glory could not be held by those chains of death. 

And here's an offer you won't see in many catalogues - it can be YOUR tomb as well! "Oh thanks Eric" I can hear you say "that's all I need on top of everything else I am suffering". But that's the whole point, this tomb is the place where you can lay your sufferings down, and your achievements, and stop trying to impress God and others. You can be identified with Jesus in His death also, and rise with Him to a completely new life! It may be Easter Saturday, but hey - Sunday's coming!

Have a very happy Easter!

Through Another Storm

Photos by Karen Langlois

Stormy seas near our home today. I love to walk near the shore, keeping well out of the way of the crashing waves, just smelling the salty breath of the angry sea. But I would not want to be out in a boat or travelling in these conditions.

It amazes me that the very same powerful blasts of gale-force winds provide an opportunity of a different kind to our local seabirds. They see these conditions as an occasion to celebrate! Soaring up into the grey sky, undeterred by the spray and spume, they frolic and play in the blasts of frosty air, gliding almost perfectly still at times.

The same storm that brings chaos and threatens life and safety to us provides these majestic creatures a reason to soar and rejoice. They know that when the storm does subside there will be new riches of food amongst the detritus thrown up by the maelstrom. Meanwhile the very winds that tear at our faces offer them the chance to get a bit of gliding practice in, like kids in white jeans and T-shirts arriving at their local skate park. 

Storms give us opportunities too. Tough times that make us afraid, cause us to stagger in our faith or confidence, may not seem like opportunities, but they can be. We can learn new skills in storms that can never be ours in millpond calm. Calling on God for His help becomes natural when the wind howls and we fear going under. Experiences of 'coming through' severe trials can change us, equip us, grow us. As St Paul writes, 'we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope' (Romans 5:3-4).

And there is food - spiritual nourishment - in what is left following a storm. Nutrients found normally at enormous depth are cast up on the shore of our souls by the surging seas of what we go through in life. I write about these in my book Through the Storms. Maybe they are some of the 'riches stored in secret places' spoken about in Isaiah 45:3. In any case, the great thing about storms is that they do pass, and better days lie ahead. 

'We will win - that's what we do!'

 I find myself a little misty-eyed as I write this, having just watched the Livestream of the funeral service for Captain Sir Tom Moore. It was sad to see only 10 people in the Bedford crematorium as I'm sure many thousands would have gathered in a cathedral to honour a man who has captured the nation's heart during this pandemic. There were around 22,000 devices watching the Facebook Live stream with me, and probably many more on other media.

Coincidentally I have also just finished reading his autobiography 'Tomorrow will be a Good Day' and feel like I knew the man very well. I was so impressed with his high sense of duty, decency, determination, (I am running out of 'd's!) combined with unrelenting politeness, perseverance in trial and positivity. I love the fact that at 90 years old he travelled on his own to Kathmandu in Nepal and hired a small plane to fly around the summit of Everest! Two years later he was back in India again, this time in the company of his daughters, revisiting his wartime haunts. Famous for his £38.9 million fundraising for the NHS during 2020, this great man seemed indestructible - but he never claimed it so, acknowledging the privilege he had been given in living so long.

Elsewhere in the book Captain Sir Tom spoke endearingly of his quiet Christian faith, perhaps in keeping with that of the awesome lady of his own generation, Queen Elizabeth, who knighted him at Windsor last year. 

When speaking of the Covid virus pandemic he said: 'Faced with a common enemy, we were all in this together - comrades in arms - only now the battle was against a virus. And just like the war, I knew that we would win. We always do in this country. It often takes time, but we win. That's what we do'. The battle against Covid is a global one, and we can forgive the old warrior boasting of his own land, but the sentiment and positive example is stirring.

What I also find heartening about the adulation and attention being given to this unassuming and very normal little man, is the amount of respect being paid to the fading generation of which he was part. If there is any silver lining to the dark storm-cloud of the pandemic, it may be that so many of us have sacrificed and worked together to save the lives of as many senior citizens as we can. In a time when older folk were at best marginalised and ignored, and at worst maligned, mocked and abused, by a world obsessed with youth and looks, it is gratifying that millions have paused to honour the passing of a generation that suffered greatly, who accepted duty and sacrifice with equanimity and yet hope, and who laid down foundations of Christian behaviour from which we would do well to learn.

Farewell, Sir Tom. May God bless and comfort your dear family.

Baring our Hearts and not just our Arms

I was grateful for a mild fever last weekend. It was the day after my second vaccination against Covid-19 and although it meant a few hours with a headache or feeling a bit out of sorts, this was a good sign. My immune system was working away, identifying, and reacting to, the vaccine, and it quickly passed. I am so thankful for the huge crowd of folk who have made this possible, from the scientists who rose to the challenge of producing this great weapon against the virus, to the doctors, nurses and front-line vaccinators who are offering it in Guernsey today.

Yet, it was my choice to respond to the phonecall telling me that, due to my medical history, I was being offered this injection now. I have friends who have misgivings about it. I respect them but hope that in time they will come to see that this is God’s gift to our communities. It is something to be grateful for and not to be afraid of. But it will still be for them to choose. I cannot bare their arms for them. Scientists have developed vaccines against a variety of diseases, but even in countries where these vaccinations are readily available, often free of charge, the diseases have not always been eradicated. The reason? People must choose inoculation to enjoy immunity. This vaccination campaign in Guernsey, as elsewhere, is not mandatory. The science has provided the gift, but we must each choose to receive it. I hope that when your turn comes, you will feel able to do so.

There is another virus at work in our society today. The Bible calls it ‘the power of sin’ and it leads to all kinds of social and personal distress and disaster. God’s solution is ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29). He has provided for us a way to be forgiven and to learn how to forgive. Through Jesus he offers us an intervention against both the power and the penalty of sin. But just as with Covid-19, everyone must make their own choice, baring not their arms this time, but their hearts. Without that moment of willing surrender, the process of healing and internal change cannot begin. But with it, a new life opens ahead of us, and God’s ‘new normal’ starts to appear.

 

Herald of Hope or Prophet of Doom?

Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

"Discouragement is both dangerous and contagious. It is one of the devil’s most potent tools, because it mutes truth and muffles hope. Do you tend to be a prophet of doom? How might you be a herald of hope instead?" These words in my daily Bible reading notes⃰, got me thinking this morning. How much am I encouraging others? What proportion of my interaction with others, whether online or in person, gives someone else support, confidence, or hope? (This is the dictionary definition of 'encouragement').

These are tough times. With regard to the pandemic, the way ahead is not yet clear, though there are positive signs. It is not likely that we will see significant inroads into death tolls and hospital admissions with Covid-19 until well into the year, but hopefully by Easter. Whether that leads on to the restoration of 'normal life' is less likely in the short term. Travel and hospitality are bound to be impacted by the last 12 months, and large gatherings and social events are probably going to be treated with suspicion for some time to come.

But - better days are ahead! History teaches us that. The Spanish flu epidemic of 100 years ago did pass off after 18 months or so, and without a vaccine. The devastation caused by the two great wars of the 20th Century was overcome in Europe. The terrors of SARS and AIDS took a dreadful toll, but are now fading in the face of advances in medicine and lifestyle.

I happen to be married to one of life's great encouragers! For nearly 50 years Diane has brought laughter, warmth, hope and encouragement to me, through some of the darkest times imaginable. From being at my bedside in dingy, Dickensian hospital wards in London, to holding my hand through long periods of unconsciousness, this lady chose to be a 'herald of hope'. I salute her for that, and want to be like her. 

The greatest reason to encourage my own soul, and those of others, is the assurance that God is still in control of this universe and that He has a plan for its future. An old cliché rejoices that 'the future is as bright as the promises of God' and I believe it. God has an exciting plan for your life, and mine, and though it may involve passage through storms, the outcome is not in doubt. With Christ, better days are definitely ahead! 

⃰ https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/wordlive/god-will-save-his-people 

Lockdown sorrow hits last pocket of resistance in Britain

 

Guernsey is finally in lockdown once again - the last place in the British Isles to succumb to the 'second wave' of Covid 19. Just 4 cases of community seeding - positive test results with no obvious link to travel or isolating individuals -meant the island's government took the difficult decision today to immediately shut down everything, including places of worship, restaurants, takeaways, close contact services, non-essential retail, the whole shebang. Whilst this is sad and potentially very tough for businesses, it is the kind of strong leadership that has enabled several Asian nations, including China itself, to deal with the virus very effectively thus far (less the human rights abuses and militaristic elements of course). Cracking down hard, quickly and completely, for a period, and then opening up very carefully seems to offer a methodology worth following. Our prayer is that this method will be equally efficient here.

But we cannot overlook the cost to individuals as well as businesses. Low income families in tight accommodation without gardens will feel it keenly. People who can't work from home will be afraid as they go about their necessary work. Frontline staff in our small hospital and other medical facilities will be wondering where all this might lead. Thankfully, there is hope:

• The medics know this virus by now (better the devil you know etc)
• The vaccine rollout is going well, offering the best chance of beating it
• Last year's experience means there are now some treatments that work in extreme cases
• Guernsey's community pulled together remarkably well last lockdown and overcame in due course
• Better weather is on the way (good to see some sun today) even if weeks ahead
• Previous plagues have just subsided even without a vaccine (Spanish flu etc)
• God hasn't resigned and is still occupying a throne on high
• The Holy Spirit is in us and makes the presence of God real (love, joy, peace etc)
• The Word of God is still true and all his promises are 'yes and amen' in Jesus
• We have a glorious future in Christ - even beyond the grave!

So, as we re-join the rest of Britain in restrictions like social distancing and masks, which we had enjoyed being without for months, I choose to be grateful not fearful, and to hope, not complain. I also want to be a source of real encouragement to others. Thankfully, we can keep in touch in so many ways. But, I'll be honest, I hope it won't be at all long before we can meet together again!

A Thin Stream of Fear

‘Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.’  So said US author Arthur Somers Roche (1883–1935).∗ I reckon he was right. I have never been to see the Grand Canyon but it was apparently caused by a small water stream originally, which finally cut its way through solid rock! 

In the grip of a global pandemic there is plenty of water in the streams feeding our fears. People are using social media to lob their own bucketfuls of fear filled paranoia into the debates about vaccination, the virus and the uncertainties of our age. Frightened folk are being led astray by conspiracy theories that belong in medieval England not the western world of the 21st Century. But we are where we are, and whilst we can do little about the pandemic, we are each responsible for dealing with our own fear and worry.

I try not to let fear make the decisions around here! I know there are some dreadful things going on, but I choose not to let them disturb my present or determine my future. Fear and worry can be paralysing and when I face scary situations I choose daily to believe God’s promises and trust in His presence to see me through. When I do wake up terrified, or suffer a flashback from the past, I offer it up in prayer to a God whom I know loves me, and try to choose to move on. I don’t always succeed but I feel it is important to keep fear at bay and focus on God’s presence and promises.

Jesus spelled out a really helpful antidote to worry in Matthew 6:25-34. “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time" (v34). This is sound advice but not always easy to follow. What might make it easier is knowing how much we are loved. Once we know that, and remind ourselves of it daily, then the remorseless drip-feed of fears and worries can be gradually turned off at the source.

If somehow the tiny stream in the Arizona desert could have been damned and used for some other purpose millennia ago, the awesome depths of the Grand Canyon would never have been formed. Of course, the finger of God drew those imposing escarpments, even if He used the tiny stream like a crayon. And my fears may not seem significant now. The voice of the fearful conspiracy theorists might not appear much more than mischievous at this point, but if we don't deal with fear and worry at this early stage, things can get badly out of hand. Thankfully, perfect love does still cast out fear (1 John 4:18).

∗ Taken from WordLive by Scripture Union https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/wordlive/worry-antidote 

 

Whose side are you on?

Recent events in Washington, where the Capitol was assaulted and occupied, albeit briefly, in a violent confrontation, have shocked and saddened millions. Even fervent supporters of the outgoing President appear to have been stunned by these developments. Democracy itself is under attack. These scenes were reminiscent of 1930’s Germany and the thuggery that marked the rise of fascism in Europe. Thankfully in this case it appears to have caused a national reset, a sharp intake of political breath, and hopefully lessons learnt. 80 years ago it led to world war.

Deep divisions seem to be causing distress in Western democracies of all shapes and sizes. In Britain, the Brexit debate triggered intolerance, anger, and tribalism. And Covid is putting strain on governments and economies in unprecedented ways, leading once again to strong divisions of opinions and conspiracy theories. In all these things, the drive to ‘circle the wagons’ and listen only to voices like our own is very real. This is true for Christians as much as anyone, but we must resist the temptation to withdraw into our defensive bunkers. Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world, and neither should his people be, however strongly we might hold to political opinions of all colours. Neither should we allow fear to make the decisions around here.

In the Bible book of Joshua, chapter 6, the young zealot faced his greatest military challenge, the fight for the stronghold city of Jericho. The night before, he had a vision of a heavenly figure holding a great sword. Joshua’s question to this Divine being could almost have come from today’s America or Britain. ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ he enquired. The answer would have shocked Joshua. ‘Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come’ (v14). Is God for us or for them? Joshua would have presumed that God was on his side, not theirs, but he was wrong. 

Jesus came into the world to establish a new world order where love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy would triumph over evil, oppression and wrongdoing. The cross of Calvary is where God judged our sin, not the Capitol in Washington nor the Palace of Westminster, and he calls his followers to be people committed to a ministry of reconciliation. The real question is not whether God is on our side, or that of the opposition, but whether we are on the Lord’s side?

 

Hope at the End of a Long Climb

 

Getting to the start of the New Year called 2021 is like arriving at the summit of really tough mountain climb. You have sweated and struggled, felt like you were falling again and again, wondered if the steep cliff face would ever yield, until you stagger to the peak, still shrouded in storm clouds, and the joy of the moment is in the hope of better days to come.

Happy New Year! Did I hear someone say 'well it can't be any worse than 2020!'? It is hard not to be cynical and wonder what new plagues may be lurking on the other side of the summit, but cynicism never achieved much. In fact, I once heard someone say that 'cynics gnaw away at their own skeleton' - harming only themselves. No, I want to breathe the high mountain air and enjoy the view and walk on with hope and gratitude in my heart. I need not fear 2021 because God is already there, and he is still faithful. I want to share with you the words of the book of Lamentations in the Message version of the Bible, as I find them helpful this pandemic New Year:

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,

    the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.

I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—

    the feeling of hitting the bottom.

But there’s one other thing I remember,

    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

 

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,

    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.

They’re created new every morning.

    How great your faithfulness!

I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).

    He’s all I’ve got left.

 

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.

It’s a good thing to quietly hope,

    quietly hope for help from God.

It’s a good thing when you’re young

    to stick it out through the hard times.

 

When life is heavy and hard to take,

    go off by yourself. Enter the silence.

Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:

    Wait for hope to appear.

Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.

    The “worst” is never the worst.

 

Why? Because the Master won’t ever

    walk out and fail to return.

If he works severely, he also works tenderly.

    His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.*

* Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of the NavPress Publishing Group.

Strictly Obeying Orders

 I had plans. Big plans. It is Christmas after all. I certainly want to be at everything in my local church over this special season. I love the carols, watching the children's faces, sensing the sacred atmosphere, and speaking about the real meaning of Christmas from the pulpit. But, then came that dreaded four letter word. I was sitting in the doctor's surgery with my wife Diane there as witness. 'Rest' the GP said, 'do nothing at all'. 'What?' I replied shocked, 'you have got to be kidding me'. Her stern but caring look said it all. No kidding! My heart is struggling. 'Cascade angina' she opined. 'I want you to have your feet up watching Strictly Come Dancing'. My goodness, I would have to be ill to do that!

It's not just that I have had so much care and attention paid to my physical recovery from 22 years of agony that if I keel over this Christmas, would all be wasted. Nor is it just that I love my family so much that I owe it to them not to drive myself to an early grave. I think that God is trying tell me something about learning to lean on Him and enter into a rest which is important for us all. It may be inconvenient, but it is no less significant. 

Learning to rest in God and the work of Jesus on our behalf is a key Christian virtue. In the book of Hebrews we read "The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience." (Heb. 4:11 The Message) So, I want to obey and learn to rest.

I think God can 'do' Christmas without my help. With tongue in cheek I recall the line from Monty Python's film 'Life of Brian' which so shocked the Christian world in the late 1970's. "No, he's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy". Perhaps I need to deal with my messianic complex myself - the desire to always 'be there' for others.

So, it is going to be a quiet Christmas for me. But nothing and nobody can take away the joy and peace that I feel celebrating the birthday of my precious Lord. Just with my feet up.

Is there any hope?

 

I listened to an interview with the renowned artist Tracey Emin on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on the 3rd December. After having major cancer in 2020 and being told she would not see Christmas, Tracey is now recovering well following major surgery and treatment. She said, ‘I’m taking every day as it comes, I’m just so happy to be alive’. You could hear the joy and relief in her voice. Her surgical team call her ‘miracle woman’ because she was not expected to be alive to see Christmas. 

Tracey told us how that she is more balanced now, more cautious and feels like she has been forgiven and that a great curse has been lifted from her life. ‘If the choice was losing your bladder to survive and be happy – I chose to be happy’. She had a near-death experience, making her will and ordering her affairs, and then she was set free. ‘You prepare yourself and then receive a sudden reprieve. I will never ever take anything for granted again and I will do my best in every day, every moment. I’m on the cusp of something great’, she burbled joyfully. 

Hope has come to her. Hope is the Christmas message. I too came near to death, more than once, and survived. I made my will several times and wrote out my funeral plans etc. But that was not God’s plan for me, and I am grateful. I also feel that a great curse has been lifted off from my life, and despite my advancing years, I too can’t shake off the feeling that she describes that I’m on the cusp of something great! I see it happening in the church I serve. I have hope now, but it’s all because of Jesus and Christmas.

This pandemic has been awful. There’s a lot of darkness and despair around, but I take hope from hope, and from the message of Christmas. This is how Eddie Askew puts it in his book of prayers and poems called No Strange Land (p65):

I hope for hope, Lord.

The seeds of light sown in the darkness round your cross,

germinate, and flower and fruit

in the fallow fields of my small life.

My hope starts in your death and resurrection.

Continues in the certainty of your presence.

Fulfills itself in the clear calm confidence

of final victory.

For now, I cling to hope's small seedling.

Feel like cancelling Christmas?

 

Feel like cancelling Christmas? Maybe the early surge of Christmas mania leaves you feeling cold - perhaps sad. This year's Christmas celebrations are bound to be tinged with a certain degree of fear, if not disappointment. Can I hug my grandchildren? Well - no not in my case because our borders are tightly closed and they live across the sea. But can anyone hug their grand-anythings? Nobody wants to be the one who passed on the dreadful Covid-19 bug to the older members of their families. The British government may be declaring a 5-day break from the tightest of rules, but we all know that a spike of infections in January is no way to begin a 'happy New Year'.

And what of Christmas worship celebrations? No carol singing inside? Social distancing for any parents attending what Nativity displays may be put on? As the Prime Minister said 'T'is the season to be jolly careful!'

So do we cancel Christmas then? Not at all. This weekend we enter the season of Advent with perhaps more reasons than any since the Second World War to refocus our thinking on what really matters about the celebration. Of course we all love the trimmings, the glitter, the sense of being together, the food etc, but back of it all is the message that Christ came into a world full of trouble and sorrow. Born into obscurity, at a time of enemy occupation and oppression, to a couple facing major upheaval within a very short time of his birth.

The Christmas story is good news, but it is set against a backcloth of very bad news. All the children under 2 years of age in the district where Jesus was born were slaughtered by troops on a vicious blood-fest. He was only saved by his parents fleeing to an Egyptian refugee camp over the border. So, if you feel like Advent 2020 is coming at the wrong time completely, take heart. That's why Jesus came. To turn our despair to hope, and our distress to comfort and joy.

A Pandemic of Loneliness

 According to recently published research, in total, 45% of adults feel occasionally, sometimes or often lonely in England. This equates to twenty million people. Characteristics of people who are more likely to experience loneliness include: those who are widowed, those with poorer health and those with long-term illness or disability. 43.45% of the group reporting bad or very bad health are often/always lonely. There is no doubt that being chronically unwell isolates people.

I believe that isolation, although sometimes necessary to prevent the spread of disease, is itself a potentially dangerous experience. Solitude is one thing – where one seeks ‘aloneness’ for spiritual or psychological refreshing – but isolation can be a tool in the hand of our enemy and accuser, Satan. It may be forced upon us, but we must take practical steps to try and minimise any damage that may be caused. I speak about this, among many other things, in my book ‘Through the Storms; a manual for when life hurts’.

From the other side of the coin, I try to keep my eyes peeled for folk who may be lonely. A smile, a word of greeting, an offer of practical help, an enquiry if all is well, may each be a way of bridging the gap with someone who is feeling isolated and lonely. High rise blocks of apartments are deadly for this problem, hiding folk away and putting them in files and boxes. When folk do emerge, they are often wary and fearful. We need to find ways of taking an interest in others well-being without overpowering them or disrespecting their personal space. It’s a difficult balance, but the pandemic of loneliness is also deadly and there will be lives lost as a result.

This is where your local church community can be a literal ‘God-send’. Its foodbank, or church cafe, or drop-in centre, offers real hope for lonely people. Our church runs the Alpha Course and it is well attended each time we run it, offering friendship and good food as well as helpful videos. Find out more about our next course (starting January 17th 2021) by emailing me at throughthestorms750@gmail.com.

Above all, you may be lonely, but you are not alone. Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. Hear the words again of Hebrews 13:5 from the Amplified version of the Bible: ‘for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!’. 

Fake News or the Father of Lies?

 

So it seems like a vaccine is coming! It may only be like the lights on an oncoming train approaching the station, but at least it is on the way. There are many hurdles to be overcome before it can be made available in our communities, but there is a real possibility now that it might be offered later this year or early next. But - many questions arise - is it safe and effective? How long will any protection it might give last?

I hope that when it is proven to be successful, safe and effective, that the vaccine will not be grabbed by rich countries and horded away from the millions in the developing world who will need it as much as we do or even more. The need is worldwide so the spread of the vaccine should be global too.

But there is a fear surrounding this vaccine that is not healthy nor helpful. There is an element of 'fake news' surrounding some of the conspiracy theories that are frightening a lot of people, Christians among them. We do need to be cautious of putting too much emphasis on one possible 'breakthrough' when the virus could mutate at any time - BUT vaccination is a gift from God. I repeat - a gift from God! The achievements of vaccination over the last century have been stupendous. Hundreds of millions are alive today who would not have been if it had not been for vaccinations. TB, smallpox, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio etc were all killers, and have been beaten or controlled by the 'vax' brigade. Science and technology are moving on apace, and whereas it may have taken a decade to develop a vaccine years ago that is no longer the case.

I am praying for the vaccine development teams daily. I have found out the names of some of the leading scientists on these teams and I pray for them to stay well, be encouraged and be blessed in their work.

Please don't listen to the lies surrounding the vaccination process. Remember that Jesus said that Satan is a liar and the father of lies, and there are loads of lies being promulgated on social media around this issue. I know we all have to make our own decision on this one, but I will definitely be in the queue.

Don't let fear make the decisions round here! Follow your peace instead and choose to trust our loving heavenly Father to bring this dreadful pandemic to an end.

Sailing into a Whirlpool!

 Some years ago I visited Niagara Falls in Canada and decided to do the typical tourist thing of taking a trip on the boat that travels beneath the mighty cataracts. The Maid of the Mist takes its expectant travellers right through the water screen. Those boarding this thrill-seeker's ride through the torrents are issued with cover-all plastic coats, which most just ignored as they seemed to be irrelevant on a hot and humid July day. Within minutes we were to discover how much we needed them!

The boat was pushed around by the thunderous downpour like a tiny toy being tossed into a washing machine. We felt helpless and exhilarated all at the same moment, and soaked to the skin. In those days of fairly pathetic cameras and even more derisory photo skills, I got very few shots of the experience, but I never forgot the sensation of being adrift in a maelstrom of raging storm-water.

In some ways it feels like that again just now. The UK is in various forms of lockdown brought about by a raging pandemic. The government changes its mind and its policies by the day, and seems to be on the run rather than running anything. Across the big pond, the mighty USA is divided almost completely in half, and there are very real fears of civil unrest in the wake of this disputed election. At the same time, Covid-19 is running riot across most of the Western world, from America to Europe and beyond. News is coming in of a fearful  mutation of the virus via minks in Denmark and the US which may herald a threat to any vaccine and a further surge of infections. We are swirling in a sink-hole of international problems!

BUT - and it's a big but - that impression was false on board the Maid of the Mist, and it is also mistaken today. There was a captain on the bridge of that frail vessel, and he knew where he was heading. He also knew the capabilities of that tourist boat, and when to hold back. At every stage his hand was upon the tiller, his eye upon the flood.

Read these words from the Lord and be comforted today. They come from the Amplified Version of the Bible, Hebrews 13:5. "He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!" 

If today you make Jesus captain of your destiny, and lord of your life, this present storm may not seem any less threatening or confusing, but the sense of peace and purpose he will give you will make a big difference.

Make Music with the Strings you have Left

 

Yitzhak Perlman was a great violinist who had suffered from polio as a child and walked with crutches and braces on both legs. During a 1995 concert a string on Perlman's violin suddenly snapped, and everyone in the audience could hear it. The great virtuoso stopped and gazed at the broken string as those in attendance that night wondered what he would do. Perlman closed his eyes, and after a moment of reflection, signalled the conductor to begin again. 

It must be impossible to play a great symphony with just three strings but Perlman was undaunted. He seemed to be re-composing the piece in his head as he went along, inventing new fingering positions to coax amazing sounds from his three string violin.

The audience watched and listened in awe, knowing they were witnessing a truly groundbreaking performance. When the piece was over they exploded into appreciative applause. Mr Perlman smiled, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said "you know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."🕀

This is a time of great frustration and disappointment for millions, piled upon anger and grief caused by this dreadful pandemic. We are all curtailed in some way. Though here in our island home we are free of restrictions on our lifestyles and worship, the borders are closed and we feel keenly the sorrow of isolation from loved ones. 'Rock fever' is very real for some.

But - it is what it is. Restrictions are necessary in order to save lives. The instrument of our society is broken, so what kind of music will we make? Perlman's example reminds me of the book of Psalms, where although the writers were passing through deep trials and sorrows, they sang about their pain, and they sang about their God. Here, for instance, is one short song from Psalm 13:

How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

But I trust in your unfailing love;

    my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise,

    for he has been good to me.

In our disappointment and grief today, let's decide to make music with the strings we have left, not to obsess about the ones that are denied us in this season.

May God help and strengthen us all in this crisis. 

🕀 Taken from Joni Eareckson Tada, A Place of Healing (David C Cook, Colorado Springs, 2010) 102

Stuck in But not Stuck!

 

The police were at our door again this week. I say 'again' because they came a few weeks ago when I was in self-isolation before. Now, they parked their car ostentatiously outside our little home and one of the officers approached the door checking his clipboard. The neighbours must have thought they had been called to a 'domestic', or that perhaps there had been a break-in while we were away, but no, this was just a 'welfare check' during our compulsory self-isolation. Our only crime was to leave the island and return again, having visited a place soaked in viral degradation - JERSEY!

The fines levied on those who have broken self-isolation recently have been eye-watering - thousands of pounds per offence.  We are thankful to our neighbours and the wonderful fellowship at Vazon Church for the meeting of all our needs so that we have been able to stay locked away, but are really looking forward to being free in a few days if our test is negative.

Guernsey has taken the pandemic very seriously, as our police visit shows, and have, so far, been successful in keeping levels of infection very low (just one person at present). There is a price to pay though. Apart from the period of house arrest that returning travellers or visitors must endure, there is the sense of being cut off from the rest of the world. Families are forced to remain apart. We long for that freedom to return, though we accept that sacrifices must be made in the short term.

Thankfully, the word of God is not bound and prayer knows no borders. We can link up with folk in every nation to seek God's blessing and peace for them where they are. Dear friends battling Covid 19 infections in the UK, churches forced to close their buildings and shut down singing and much of their youth and children's work, pastors and their families facing destitution and even prison in countries where their faith puts them at the back of the queue for assistance. No, we may be stuck in but we are most certainly not stuck. There is a vital work to do, no matter how restricted our circumstances.

And how about you? If chronic illness or pain are keeping you away from others, or infection or the fear of infection limiting your ability to socialise, let this be a season of waiting on God. We will meet again, as Her Majesty famously said, but till then, remember the words of the hymn-writer Oswald Allen (1816-1878):

'When all things seem against us,

To drive us to despair,

We know one gate is open,

One ear will hear our prayer'.

The Eyes Have It!

 

Early in my broadcasting career I learned an interesting fact. Radio listeners can hear you smile! I try to remember that whenever I am on air today. Does the same hold true for face-masks? I wonder. Some folk say that you can still see someone is smiling in their eyes. In this photo that seems to be the case, but is it always so? I think that the widespread muzzling of populations, whilst a necessary precaution against the spread of infection, robs us of one very important feature of healthy life. The ability to give and receive smiles.

My wife has a friend in Wales, Sheila by name, and when we lived there they used to go out walking together. Sheila would often squeeze Diane's arm as strangers approached and say 'let's see if we can get one back!'. With that, they would both smile at the passer by and very often were met with indifference, but sometimes got rewarded in return! It's not just a virus that can be infectious - so can a kindly smile!

Despite there being drastic differences between human cultures and the way we express ourselves, psychologists have discovered that facial expressions have a degree of universality that transcends time and place. There are thousands of ways of moving the muscles in our faces to express and reinforce one of the six basic emotions: anger, disgust, enjoyment, fear, sadness, and surprise. 

And the most powerful and profound facial expression of them all? The smile.

Smiling is universally considered to be a way we display joy. It can communicate our internal world to people on the outside, and it can be a welcoming sign to new people. It speaks of security and well-being, and disarms the stranger with a hint of approach-ability and welcome.

So, if the face-mask is hiding this basic tool of communication and warmth, even in part, how can we replace or supplement it? Well, I suppose one way would be to look for opportunities to do random acts of kindness. To serve in humble ways, and in honour preferring others. Our social media posts should reflect our smile, not our scowl. Our words should be well-chosen to sift out negativity, gossip and grumbling. I read this in the newsletter of some missionary friends this week:

"I choose to turn from complaint, from seeing all that is wrong and lacking, and to acknowledge - even more, Oh Spirit of God, to celebrate - how you are at work in our work, in our church, in our lives (taken from Teach us to Pray by Gordon Smith)".

For God's sake - smile more please! And for your own sake too. It can make all the difference.

House Arrest

 I am under house arrest. Following my short trip to Newcastle in the North East of England I am now enduring at least 7 days of self-isolation, plus however long it takes for my Covid-19 test result to come back. Thankfully, if the result is negative, I will be released next week, but in a few days the NE of England will be reclassified as high risk due to an upsurge in cases, and I would be required to isolate for the full 14 days if I had traveled then.

I can pace around the garden but must not leave the premises. Yesterday the door bell rang. I opened the upstairs window and called out 'hello?' only to find a burly police officer standing outside. 'Just a welfare check' he claimed. 'Tell it to the marines' I thought, remembering the half a dozen folk who have been fined up to £10,000 for being caught outside their homes in the last few weeks.

In many ways, of course, those of us who have known chronic illness over the years, have been here before. 'Welcome to my world!' you might say. Long-term illness and pain isolates you. It cuts you off from human comfort and touch. Robs you of the joys of fellowship and the ability to go out and enjoy the outside world. And it's hard.

This isolation, without the right to an hour's exercise and no ability to go and buy goods at all, reawakens my sympathy for those who have been shielding during this pandemic. But it also clarifies for me the immense frustration that the Apostle Paul must have felt during his two year house arrest in Rome. Not only could he not go out for exercise, or attend church at all, he may well have been chained to a Roman soldier for much of the time as well!

Yet it is possible, even likely, that he wrote his famous letter to the Philippians during this period. It is an epistle marked by joy. The word recurs again and again. He prays with joy (1:4), rejoices that his chains have given him opportunities to share his faith (1:18), and chooses rejoicing in God instead of grumbling and complaining (2:17-18). He expresses joy at the gifts people were placing outside his door (4:10-14), and he not only expresses his own joy in God, but he urges folk who know Christ to 'rejoice always and again I say, rejoice!' (4:4).

So, I am going to try and treat this period of compulsory self-isolation in a more positive way. If you are shielding, or know someone who is, thank God for modern technology that keeps us in contact with others, and use it to be encouraged and to cheer others on. But, if you, like me, are tasting the long weary challenging days of house arrest, then I can do no better than recommend the letter Paul wrote from his Roman first century AirBnB.

After all, 'I can do all this through him who gives me strength' (Phil. 4:13).

Just Breathe

 I once forgot how to breathe. I had been given a much stronger dose of an opiate painkiller in a skin patch format - Fentanyl - many times stronger than conventional morphine. As in the cases where people overdose on this drug, either intentionally or otherwise, the patch suppressed my breathing mechanism. I very nearly died that day. A friend who was a nurse coached me how to breathe until the ambulance arrived, but the simplest and probably most reflex action of my life, breathing, had become a stranger to me. I will never forget the relief of being able to breathe again.

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease. It also attacks the immune system and other aspects of the body's defences, but it is as a lung disease that it has become notoriously efficient. This makes it terrifying to watch sufferers struggling for breath, and survivors left often unable to catch enough breath to speak. A colleague of mine, who survived a potentially deadly attack of the virus and a spell on a ventilator, was advised to do breathing exercises as part of his recovery. He said that the medics also advised him that good breathing etiquette was one way of preparing to be able to face the onslaught of the disease. Whether that is right or not, we don't use much of our lung capacity most of the time. It is good to stand up straight, exhale fully and then inhale to a fuller extent than we normally do.

We need to breathe spiritually too. The Holy Spirit is pictured as God's breath or as a gust of wind, to help us to realise how much we need his presence and power in our lives. In the original picture of God's creating power he is said to have breathed into the nostrils of the first human being and he became a living being. Some believe this is the moment when mankind received its soul or spiritual nature. Whatever, we are spiritual beings and we need God like we need to breathe.

I would never have imagined that I might forget how to breathe. Illness put me into that vulnerable place and I barely escaped with my life. There may be many reasons why we might forget how to have a spiritual life - illness can be one - but there's no time like the present to put that right.

Years ago we used to sing 'Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew'. That still makes sense as a prayer today, especially in the time of a breathing pandemic.