(the two legged friend that is)
It wasn’t from today’s reading (about the prodigal son and his even more prodigal father!) but rather from a reading from last week that I’d missed.
She concludes one section with this gem
The power of Job’s story is not that it replaces flawed theology with good theology, but that it shows that our questions are resolved, ultimately, in being met by God. (p. 66, Giving it Up)
I wrote recently that I’m working through Maggi Dawn’s Giving it up for Lent. It’s a series of Daily Bible Readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day and it’s really good. Not easy but good.
Elsewhere Maggi writes
Lent is about everyday matters: about re-grounding ourselves in the knowledge of our humanity, and our dependence upon God. And it is about living each day, in this earthed place, in a thoroughly human way. Not as superheroes, nor subhuman. Just being properly human, one day at a time.
I like that perspective don’t you?
In the book I’m on chapter three (third full week of Lent) which is entitled Changing Perceptions. It’s excellent. It’s meeting me right where I am because as I started lent I needed a fresh revelation of who God is and how I fit into the grand scheme of things.
The first three entries (Sun-Tues) this week are taken from Luke 15 – the chapter, you might remember, subtitled lost and found. It’s probably my favourite chapter in the NT and certainly God has used the narrative of the Prodigal Son again and again in my life to reveal who He is and How much He loves me.
Maggi though really opened up the second of the stories (the one about the lost sheep) to me this week. She reminded me that the 99 were actually not in danger (they were looked after by the other shepherds) but rather that it was the shepherd himself who put his life at risk when he went out to look for the one who had gone missing. That’s a real picture of what Jesus did for you and me- for all humanity though many fail to grasp that -as Maggi puts it
It’s a movement of ultimate personal risk for the sake of something lost almost beyond hope
And it’s really got me thinking.
I like Lent and this book has really been helping me in my journey with and to God.
(cross posted over at into the Bible)
Let God move you from captivity to celebration was the message bishop Zevi gave here in Finland last night.
He’s a dynamic speaker from Nigeria. More than that Zevi is a man who loves God and on whose heart God has put Finland. I am not sure how many times he has visited this nation, but I’ve been priviledged to hear him speak on several occasions including in the local methodist church because two of our former pastors invited him to share God’s heart with us. On every occasion I’ve come away blessed but challenged in a good way. I’ll never forget him bursting into ‘God rest ye merry gentlemen’ in the late spring one time, and his preaching on the need to come down from the mountain into the valley too. Best of all was his thoughts on ‘pressed down and running over’ 
Last night’s messages (my friend and I had thought it was one meeting at 4pm, but it turned out to be two with coffee in between) were a message of hope to the people of Finland, and Zevi radiated with the glory of God as he delivered the message. The meeting was hosted at Toivo (hope) II over in Kaskenkatu/Itäinenpitkäkatu, which I’ve never been to before, and it was encouraging (for me) to see so many older people being challenged and transformed by the message that God really does have a good plan for our lives.
I am so glad I went!
The winter here in Finland is always long. This year has been easier in some ways because there’s been so much snow (and therefore it’s been brighter) but nonetheless it’s easy to become depressed and discouraged because of the lack of light. I think that’s one reason why messengers like Zevi are so needed her. Last night he preached firstly about moving forward with God (and not being held back) …reminding us that the Israelites were trapped by the Egyptians and the Red Sea, only to see Almighty God part the sea and destroy the Egyptian army until it ‘was no more’. (The second meeting was about anointing but I’ll write a separate post about that)
I loved the way Zevi used the Gospel reading of Jn 5:1-14 (the miracle at the pool of Bethsida) to show how Jesus left the feasting to minister to someone in captivity. That man had been waiting for a miracle at the pool for 38 years and his plea for help had been rejected time and time again. Zevi made the interesting point that Bethsida had lost its power ‘just like some Christian churches today’ and that it only changed when King Jesus stepped in. His message last night was an encouragement to us all to let Jesus back in, and allow Him to take charge of our programme (including in the church but also in our own lives)
It gave me pause for thought.
What have I not surrendered to God that I ought to have?
What I also found interesting what Zevi’s take on the man, who having been healed, picked up his bed started to walk home. … only to be challenged by the Pharisees. “Mr Man. What are you doing? Don’t you know it’s the sabbath? Go back to where you came from!” They would have sent him back to captivity but his response was that he was not going back, he was moving on! Only moments before Jesus had held out His hand to pull him from the pit and put a new song in his mouth and a spring in his formerly crippled step – and that has to be a challenge for us today too. To take the hand He is extending to us and allow ourselves to be pulled out of the miry pit (be it pulling us out of winter depression, a crippling disease, an abusive situation, loss of hope or whatever it is that binds us).
Zevi’s message was that God will restore the strength that has been sapped and that that is a cause of celebration. To that I can only say ‘Amen!’
The weather is just GLORIOUS at the moment. At night the temperature has dropped significantly (Friday night was about minus 12 C) but the sun in shining and it’s finally got some warmth again – so during the day the temperature has shot up and the sun reflecting on the snow – and the beautiful blue skies – have put a bounce back in my step as I walk the dogs.
I love it!
Just got home from a wonderful silent retreat! God is good. I didn’t find it so easy to hear God or even pray … but what ministered to me this time was the seeking God together in community (we were ten participants) and the feeling of being carried in prayer.
The retreat was very different from the one I was on this time last year. That’s in part because I am in a very different place spiritually, but also because the leaders were different. What I missed most was the silent Holy Communion. That impacted me so deeply last year. But what I got in return this year was the ability to communicate with God through a prayer-dance and movement. That was good. And I picked up a sketch pad and colours too.
Each of us were given a fresh flower (and vase) when we arrived. Over the three days my flower opened right up … I felt it was a prophetic picture of what God is doing in my life. I’ve been closed to everything for a few weeks (because of a huge disappointment) and but slowly I’m learning to relax and open up again – and I’m glad about that. It will still be a roller-coaster ride for some time, but best of all I know I’m not alone. Not only is God with me, but He’s given me fellow pilgrims to journey with me – and for that I’m truly grateful.
That’s always the BIG question for me … what next in and for the Kingdom of God.
Those of you who follow this blog know that I’ve been away from Finland for a couple of weeks in London, most of which has been a museum-shopping extravangza with DD in preparation for her 18th birthday in May. We had a lot of fun but it was exhausting too.
It was Samuel Johnson who said
When a man is tired of
London, he is tired of life.
and I have to agree.
I was in London for two weeks (DD ten days) and while we did something educational every day (a museum or tourist attraction) -as well as a lot of shopping- we barely skimmed the surface. There is so much to see and do still! We did three trips to the British Museum, visited the V&A, and the Natural History (to see the dinosaurs) … rode the London Eye, visited the London Dungeon,saw part of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Walked along the Thames a lot (especially the South Bank) a lot saw the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s, visited Southwalk Cathedral, Covent Garden Market etc etc.
For me the highlights have been mostly seeing DD’s face as she’s experienced new things, and also see her gain in confidence in dealing with a big city – she fitted in so well in SW1 and SW3 and mastered the tube pretty quickly even in rush hour! She really is a young adult already and I’m so proud of her!
Her favourite museum was the British Museum (though the guide on Friday when we did the Romans wasn’t up to par!) but I think the Imperial War Museum also had a huge impact on both of us!
There’s a great section about WW2 though kids’ eyes – and given that both my parents were evacuees (dad to Somerset and mum to Sheringham) – I found it really interesting too. A couple of years ago a friend gave our family tickets to the Lion the Witch and the Wardrom (first of CS Lewis’ NARNIA series) and it opens with a bombing raid and then the four kids are evacuated. When in London this time I finally got to see Prince Caspian (on DVD) and as you can see from this trailer … it starts in the tube (at the imaginary ‘Strand’ Station) which made me smile given how much we’ve used the tube and London busses this trip. Thank God for oyster cards and a maximum inner zone fare of about £6 a day!
Also at the Imperial War Museum there is a huge holocaust exhibition. It is really well done and its impact is powerful. There are news clips, interviews from that time and from survivors, interesting things to look at and things that make you cry. DD spent far longer there than either my friend or I expected … and it made a huge impact on her. If any of you visit London this is well-worth doing.
It is true that when one tires of London it’s a sign that one is tired of life … but that said I did come home tired – very tired – in part because of all we’d done, but also becuase there was a transport strike here in Finland yesterday. It meant that there were almost no coaches or local busses -and I considered myself very fortunate to have got on one back to Turku very late last night after a wait of four hours. I arrived in Turku at 3 am to a welcome committee of hubby and three dogs at Turku cathedral! I’m always glad to see them but was especially so last night!
But what next?
Today’s been invested in being a taxi driver to DD and my inlaws (because of the bus strike), catching up with laundry and re packing my little case. Yes re-packing. I know I must be crazy!!!
I’m off to a silent retreat tonight (for 48 hours) led by Rev Henry Morgan (Anglican) from the UK. I have to admit I desperately need this time with God and am hoping and praying that He’ll show the way forward for me. It’s been a bit tough for me for a few weeks – though I haven’t felt able to blog about it – and to be honest I feel a bit directionless as to what to do now that I have finished my MA in theology in part because the doors that I felt God was opening for me here in Finland have been firmly closed again.
In my bag I have a couple of books (as well as my Bible) The first is Brian McLaren’s new book
which my friend bought for me the day it came out in the UK when we went to hear Brian speak at Oasis (church.co.uk) (don’t you just love their banner heading!!!) … and the second book is one I’m about to read and review. It’s called Restoration Road (by Mitch Kruse) and on the back cover it states
Regardless of where your journey has taken you, whether a sand heart, a stone heart, or a clay heart, your story is not finished. In fact, the next step always provides a new beginning.
Sounds just what I need don’t you think?
Back blogging on Saturday.
PS into the Bible has taken a bit of a break (unintentionally). I just didn’t have time to post while I was away.However, I’ve been reading Maggi Dawn during Lent. Her book Giving it Up is great – very challenging but so inspiring about what it means to be a Christian! Over at her blog last week she wrote
It’s a common misconception that Lent is about self-improvement. … [It]is not about giving up luxuries, not about losing weight or gaining other benefits, not about food per se, not about de-cluttering or Feng Shui or about ay other kind of feel-good, de-toxifying exercise. In the end, it’s about denying yourself some of the essentials of everday life in order to focus on the reality that we depend upon God for life itself; about re-aligning ourselves with God and his purposes in our world; about reminding ourselves that all we have is a gift from God in any case.
(emphasis mine)
it sounds rather horrific doesn’t it – IMPERIAL WAR – and I have to confess I wasn’t that keen on going to the Imperial war museum this morning before DD flew back to Finland -but I’m glad I did it was so good
we visited the Children’s War department -which was a child’s eye view of WW2. It was absolutely marvellous. There was so much to see – about the evacuation from London (and other big cities) , rationing, and so on.
We also spent a long time (about 2 hrs) in the Holocaust memorial … a stark reminder of the atrocities committed against the Jews (and others) by the Nazis. I took a school group to Auschwich several years ago as part of a Commenius exchange, and we learnt a lot. I’ll never forget the cramped quarters of Birkenhau and the shooting wall (so vividly displayed in Schindler’s List) but I have to say the exhibition in the IWM was very, very good.
We started our time there looking at the new exhibition which was about Caribbean men and women who fought in the British Army services over the years. What struck me most in that was the real racism that was prevalent in the forces. Many of them brought to the UK to be flight engineers, only to be told on arrival that they were not needed. Some things never change. In Robes last week we met a couple of eastern europeans who were here in the UK because they’d come here on a contract, only for the job never to materialise and they were stranded here without the means to get back home (and no actual physical home to return to)
DD left ok this evening. I’ll fly back on Tuesday.
Today we visited the Natural History Museum here in London. It has the most amazing dinosaur collection.
Afterwards we walked to Knightsbridge to visit Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Both are a bit overwhelming to be honest though fun too in a way. When we came back ‘home’ we made pancakes with fresh fruit and ice-cream and then I collapsed into a hot bath to relax my aching muscles. It was lovely.
We’re staying at our friends’ home in Vauxhall/Lambeth and it’s lovely to be here for a zillion different reasons one of which it gives me a new and fresh perspective on life. There are a lot of homeless in this part of London. When I first visited here back in November I was a bit shocked to see men and women of all ages sleeping outside (usually on a piece of cardboard under one of the railway arches here) and it broke my heart.
When in my 20s I got involved in politics because I saw poverty (in Mexico) like I’d never seen it before and I couldn’t equate that with my picture of God. Years later I realised that politics wasn’t the answer and moved closer to God and the Church again … and today I continue that pilgrimage to His heart. No disrespect meant here but I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that all too often in the west we play church rather than become church … and that’s why being here in London (and meeting Christians from the Lambeth -Vauxhall Parish) has been refreshingly good for me! Last Sunday the Methodist minister preached a sermon that Bono would have approved on. Better than that the Christians here are learning to live out that message.
tonight was a brilliant example of that. The local church of St Peters hosts Robes every Monday. Homeless guests can come in for the evening. They get a bed for the night (everything is made ready for them – comfortable blow up mattress and covers, towel etc.) and a super meal cooked by a volunteer as well as breakfast on Tuesday morning. Tonight I was privileged to help out at Robes. I stuffed duvets into covers, and made beds and had a little girl (aged about 5-6) as my assistant. Best of all was the opportunity to sit down and share the meal with the homeless guys. Many are from Poland and Latvia, but there were a few English guys too.
Folks this is what being a Christian is all about. Doing out bit to make poverty history, and to challenge injustice where we find it … yes here on our back doorstep.
I’ll go back to Finland changed and no, not because I shopped in Harrods today either!
London is pretty good (note understatement) though I think I’ll come back to Finland in need of a holiday!
As I last wrote DD and I headed off to the London Dungeon yesterday.
Which reminds me … funny email …
Hi we noticed you were blogging about the London dungeons yesterday, would it be possible for you to include a link on your blog post to the London Dungeons website, http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/london/en/ using the text “London Attractions – The LondonDungeon” or something similar, hopefully other people who read your post can then find some information about our attraction
Since we had a really fab time .. I’m happy to send you all over there! It is scary (but not impossibly so) and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards we walked to the Tower of London to see Traitors’ Gate for real.
Today it’s more walking … along the South Bank (cold but sunny today) … and to the British Muesum by 11.30am. That’s when they have the tour of the Ancient Greek room. Yippee. (wonder if they’ll read my blog and ask for a plug too!!)
Then Covent Garden and at the end of the day Jack the Ripper (guided walk) calls. We’ll probably take DD to see Piccadilly Circus on the way home. If we can still walk.
See ya!
Remember the song London Calling? I think it was the Clash who sang it … it’s in the Billy Elliot film too (which I watched this weekend on a girls’ night with a couple of young women from church!) .. anyway I’ve had the song in my head ever since. Quite appropriate really – since London really has been calling.
DD and I arrived here late last night and we have been busy ever since
Today we walked along the north bank of the Thames (through SW3) to South Kensington (about 5 miles away from where we are staying) and spent a couple of hours in the V&A (Victorian & Albert Museum), then jumped on a double-decker up to Tottenham Court Road to hit Oxford St. I’m no shopper but it was a lot of fun. My only purchase was an umbrella -because, you’ve guessed it – it’s been raining here in London.
Tomorrow it’s the London Dungeon and sightseeing near Tower Bridge. I want to walk over the Millennium Bridge. DD will also go on the London Eye later this week with my friend. They are both looking forward to that a lot. The forecast is better for tomorrow and Saturday so I think they’ll go then and I’ll get to explore my home town a bit more then. It’s a lot of fun.
Also on the schedule this week
will keep you posted …
e-mail:
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