Jesus at the Centre Network

21/07/2024

The more I go on the less I think that we can fix the problems of this passing world.

Yes, sometimes we can make a few things better - more food, more education, more money, more friends... and yet, somehow, the more things get superficially better, the more we are blinded to the deep rottenness under neath it all.

Joseph Conrad's little novel "Heart of Darkness" had a huge impact on me as a teenager.
I vividly remember getting to the end - "The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky—seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness."

It resonated with me.

The thin veneer of civilisation seems so fake - because people, all of us, are capable of such terrible evil and selfishness.

Why are masks, darkness and anonymity so dangerous?
Because then we do the evil that rots within us - when we think that nobody can know what we have done.

I've been a Church minister long enough to see that even the very "nicest" people are capable of crazy selfishness and evil.
People have a "mid-life crisis" and start doing the most selfish, evil things.
We can feel so sorry for ourselves that we will indulge the most cruel and crazy wickedness.
People will kill others when they feel threatened, frightened or just backed into a corner.
We imagine things that we could never share with others - things that would leave us ostracised from all decent society.

People who on the one hand talk about generosity - are the same people who go to great lengths to hoard up for themselves.
(Literally, in my experience, those who ask for the highest taxes are the very ones who know most about how to avoid taxes!)

I guess what I'm saying - at this time when more of us seem to get invested in what politicians might do to help - the Kingdom of God is NOT about the kind of things that politicians can touch.

Whether we live in a mess or a mansion, a hovel or a hotel...

Whether we are desperately hungry or desperately full...

Whether we worry about what to do with all our money & possessions or worry that we have no money or possessions...

Whether we are bitter because of all we missed out on or we are bitter because of all we got involved in...

What do we really need?

There was once a man who found out how to be content in every circumstance - whether at the bottom of a prison or at the top of prestige.

He said this -

"I consider 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 worthless because of the infinite worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

For Jesus, I have given up on everything else.

All the stuff that I used to think was the point of life, now I consider them sewage - so that I may get hold of Christ>

When I am found out - I want to be found in Jesus.

I don't want to end up with a bunch of achievements and possessions that are from 'doing the right thing".

I've learned that being right with God comes when I simply trust Jesus.

I want to know Christ.

That's it!
I want to know the power of His resurrection - yes... but I've learned that this comes only when I share in the sufferings of Christ.
So, I want to be just like Jesus in His death.

That way, as impossible as it sounds, I will end up being raised from the dead."

Philippians 3:7-11

25/05/2024

The lectionary reading for Trinity Sunday is John 3:1-17.

It begins with these words - "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night..."

A member of one "ruling council" sneaks in the darkness to speak to a member of THE Ruling Council.

This is surely intentional by the Apostle John - given how Jesus speaks in this encounter: - "WE - (in the Trinity, in the Divine Council) - speak of what WE know, and WE testify to what WE have seen, but still you people - (in your earthly religious council)- do not accept OUR testimony."

The way that Jesus refers to the Trinity with this plural language is important.

All of Jesus language in this lectionary reading is deep, intense and Trinitarian.

He is the Son of Man - sent from the Father full of the Spirit.

He is the One to be lifted up in the wilderness, embodying the serpent curse killing humanity - offering Himself from the Father, by the Spirit.

All ending with those words that Nicodemus first heard from the lips fo Jesus... but words that have been treasured by billions everr since:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through HIM."

This is what we will be exploring at St John's Leytonstone tomorrow morning!!

11/05/2024

Psalm 31 portrays Jesus on the cross, committing His spirit into the hands of the Father.

The psalm is a prophecy by David, foretelling Christ's experience at the moment of His death.

Through Jesus' trust in God, believers are taught to entrust themselves to Jesus in death, knowing that He has paved the way for a warm welcome into the highest heaven.

Psalm 31 portrays Jesus on the cross, committing his spirit into the hands of the Father. The psalm is seen as a prophecy by David, foretelling Christ's expe...

04/05/2024

Simple Bible reading is vital. 😄

We might feel far from God and perhaps we are waiting to feel closer to God BEFORE we start reading the Bible...

BUT....

It works the other way round. 📥📤

The simple act of reading the Bible draws us towards the Living God - and the more we do it, the more we are attracted to the God of the Bible.

This is NOT about "studying" the Bible - with reference books and "tools". 🧐

No.

Just read it.
With simple dependence
- as if we weren't all that clever...
- as if we were more like children than "scholars". 🕵️🌟

Second, appreciate that the Bible is a "hyper-linked" text. 📧

It is full of cross references within itself.

Older texts predict future events... that happen in later books!
Writers intentionally refer to events and truths from other parts of the Bible.

Patterns in one book show up in other books.

It is a web of links that all centre on the lORD Jesus Christ. 🎯

The more our hearts and minds are open to this, the more we will get out of the Bible.

Do NOT get into that atomistic way of reading the Bible as if it each bit of the text is cut off from all the other bits🤢

Third, memorise the Bible. 😅

All of us can remember far more than we think we can.

Start with verses that really speak to us - verses that are easy to remember.

Build up a collection of "memory verses" - trying to remember something of the context around them.

Try to remember the chapter and verses too - so that you can more easily find and share these memory verses. 📌

Give your heart and mind good spiritual food to chew on all day.

Write God's mind and heart into the DNA of your own heart and mind.

Fourth, PRAY while you are reading the Bible. 🙏

As you read, take moments to talk to the original, ultimate Author.
Pray the words of the Bible.

Respond to challenges, encouragements and truths with simple, quick prayers - so that our Bible reading is a genuine DIALOGUE - a two-way conversation. 👥

In this video I talk about reading the bible, how hard it was for me, and the mindset changes I took to begin loving it.Email Me: [email protected] ...

23/04/2024

"There are 3 Heavens" - a MIND-BLOWING, HEART-LIFTING vision of reality.

The Rev Dr Paul Blackham narratives a mediation through the three heavens of the Christian Cosmos.LINKS//Subscribe to this channel to explore how the stories...

02/11/2023

https://www.facebook.com/onetruthproject

Here’s a daring question! Can the human heart void of Christ, truly understand and display genuine love?

If we do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, are we able to know what genuine love looks like? I’ve been challenged in my own life to consider if I have, and share, the love of Christ toward those who wish me harm, or who hate what I love and stand for.

Earlier this week I came across a very interesting interview that highlighted God’s challenge of love. The interview was from an ex-Hezbollah fighter, Afshin Javid, who (praise God) came to know our Saviour, the Lord Jesus. Afshin explained the life he had lived as an Islamic fighter, but went on to share how Jesus had met with him. The interviewer asked a very simple question at this point “what changed after that?” to which he replied “…It’s like being colour blind and then you see colours again and you realise the world is so much more beautiful…”

When we come to know Christ, our whole outlook on life changes. The way we see the world, the way we see each other, and the way we understand what it is to truly love those around us, whether friend or foe, is simply transformed to something we previously could not grasp. Our world becomes so much more beautiful, and full of colour; our imagination expands, and our senses awaken.

Without genuine love in our lives, (which means Christ Jesus dwelling with us), the anger and bitterness that resides in our hearts often blinds us. We are unable to see our own failings. We are unable to see our own sinfulness. In our relationships we see what we choose to see, make ourselves the perfect messiah, and when we do this, it leads us down a very bad path of destruction. Our own hate and selfish wants rely on our own understanding of the world and those around us, yet the Bible calls us to a much greater mind whose mindset is very different to ours, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5, and “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself” Matthew 12:30.

Without Christ in our hearts, there is no way to understand genuine love. Every Christian can testify to this, because we have a before and after salvation-experience. But if we are walking with the Holy Spirit in us, although we may, and will, often fail, as we battle our original state of being a human being, we know that genuine love has been given to us from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that love is offered to the whole world around us.

31/10/2023

Today is the first day of Allhallowtide. All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween, is a feast that began in the British Isles which has spread all over the World. It was also called the "First Day of Winter". Michaelmas, taking place at the end of September, marks the beginning of the year's final harvest. This final harvest comes to an end at Halloween.

People looked at all the food they stored safely in their barns and silos, and this reminded them of how safe their souls are with Jesus. The season was filled with mockery of Satan's powers. In the West Country, people would carve grotesque features of devilish forms into gourds and later pumpkins to serve as their lanterns. People would dress up as spiritual beings, as if they were dressing up to mock a conquered foe.

People also believed that the Fey came out and could be seen. In many older translations of the Bible, you may be familiar with some Fey, such as the Satyrs or Unicorns although more modern translations often miss these out. Readers of the Ethiopian Synaxarion, the Tewehedo's official saints' calendar, will be familiar with them as well. The celebration of Christ's victory over the Devil was thought to calm these creatures enough for them to brave the wider world. If you want to know more about Medieval and Ancient Christian beliefs about the Fey mentioned in this article, see this video by the Rev. Dr. Paul R. Blackham: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=766476377562627&__tn__=F

Nevertheless, let us not lose sight in all the secular celebrations that make the Fey and demons the main focus of this feast. Let us really bring home the true meaning of Halloween: Jesus has won, and He is keeping us safe...

ℭ𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔠𝔱
Christ Our Lord You suffered and were tempted. You are powerful to come to the aid of those who are assailed by the devil, For you are the support of Christian people. O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand those who trust in Your Name. Deliver them from the Evil One, and grant them everlasting joy. ᴀᴍᴇɴ.

𝔒𝔯 𝔢𝔩𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰:
From goulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties And things that go bump in the night Good Lord, deliver us! ᴀᴍᴇɴ.

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29/10/2023

Bible Sunday! Did you do anything special to promote bible knowledge and learning? ⛪️ 📖

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

25/09/2023

Lord God,
who gave to Lancelot Andrewes
many gifts of your Holy Spirit,
making him a man of prayer and a
pastor of your people:
perfect in us that which is lacking in
your gifts,
of faith, to increase it,
of hope, to establish it,
of love, to kindle it,
that we may live in the light of your
grace and glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
AMEN.

- Collect from the Church of England

25/09/2023

As followers of , we know that our with Him is immersed in . the Father loved us so much that He sent , to shed His blood for each of us on the cross. He desires for us to be back in relationship with Him because He is the heavenly Father, and longs that we become His children.

Do relate to in the same way?
Does Allah see his followers as his children?
Can Muslims call themselves “children of Allah”?
Is the relationship between Muslims and Allah immersed in love?...

No. No. No and no.

Sadly, Muslims believe that Allah does not accept those who call themselves "Children of God” - Q5:18. Instead, Allah's followers call themselves "slaves of Allah". (Note, in English translations of the Qur’an, the word slave is often changed to servant. But the meaning refers to one who is in total submission, as a slave to a master. This theme is repeated throughout the Qur’an, Q.39:36, 2:186, 3:182, 7:32…).
How opposite is this title to the Christian understanding of being God’s children. The whole message of the is from enslavement to sin, a loving relationship with God and the value of all human beings. We submit to our Creator, the Lord of Lords and King of kings, not because we are forced into it through slavery, but because of love and gratefulness for what Jesus has done for us. We become voluntary slaves of God out of love, in the same way that we seek to serve others by putting them first.

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to , and the result is life.”- Romans 6:20-22. Wow compare this to Allah, whose enslavement of people is like human slavery of others, suppressive and controlling, whereas God gifts us with goodness and eternal life. Choosing to serve the Lord gives us freedom in all that is good and kind and life-giving.

Where Allah enslaves, Jesus sets free. This is a great topic to bring up with your Muslim friends, and a great opportunity to share with them the freedom you have received from sin in Christ Jesus.