iTalker » Sanctuary First

Finding God In The Ordinary

italker — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:05:56 +0000

Finding God in the ordinary! This is the theme we will be exploring through Sanctuary First this month. Please pray for the work of Sanctuary First. We’ve lost our funding and had to make a member of staff redundant, however we’re looking for ways in which we can keep the programme running. In order to solve our immediate problem we will be doing some re-runs of themes. However we’re looking at this as an opportunity to be even more creative. Those of you who regularly use the material of Sanctuary First will be hearing from us in the next few days. We hope to be able to explain how we are going to tackle this change of circumstance.

Anyway, back to our theme for the month. I like this theme. Its not the first time I’ve written about it, nor do I expect it to be the last. When it comes to thinking about spiritual things too often we miss the point because we’re trying to find the esoteric, or the hidden meaning. Too often we’re looking for an extra ordinary sign or miracle from God to help us believe. The thing is, it seldom happens that way. God is discovered in the ordinary everyday things of life. Jesus used the every day household diet of bread and wine to describe his presence. He took the ordinary and turned it into an extra-ordinary symbol of his presence.

The important thing to understand about God in the ordinary is that it often involves struggle and a great deal of soul searching and no doubt even a crisis of faith. It is as we live our lives through difficult situations, be it unemployment or a moral dilemma that we come to recognise where God is to be found.

I think we need to understand that having faith brings with it many unsolved questions. Reading Philip Yancey’s book “Reaching for the Invisible God” I was impressed with his chapter entitled ” Mystery of the Ordinary” In this chapter he quotes the 18th American Century Quaker Trueblood, ” If a man wishes to avoid the disturbing affects of paradoxes, the best advice is for him to leave the Christian faith alone.” In other words if your not up for living with holy tension don’t begin to follow Jesus. He continually asks us to do the impossible. To love our enemies, to turn the other check. He tells us we have to follow him, then he says, but you didn’t choose me, I chose you. Yes sometimes its confusing, and there is an intellectual struggling with faith as much as there is a moral struggle. Yet we find ourselves drawn into the life and love of Jesus of Nazareth and in the words of Luther we end up saying ‘ Here I stand I can do no other” If if i’m frustrated, even if its difficult, even if I don’t seem to fit into my church at the moment. The dye is cast. I guess its summed up for me in the words of a Bob Dylan song ” I’m Pressing On” Its as we press on through the ordinary we discover there is no ordinary, what was our ordinary, was also our pathway into the Kingdom. have a listen to Regina MCrary’s version of this song. Its absolutely inspiring. When she tells her story , it puts this song into context.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I came across this quote by Reinhold Neibuhr, ” nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime: therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good, makes complete sense in any immediate context of history: therefore we must be saved by grace. Nothing we do however virtuous can be accomplished alone: therefore we must be saved by love.” Now there is an interesting idea! Is it not out of the bounty of God’s grace that we are saved. So lets just keep pressing on with faith, hope and love in our hearts living through the ordinary times.

The Best Flyers or Fryers in Town ?

italker — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:03:26 +0000

Dispite the weather yesterday, we had a brilliant church barbecue at Beecraigs Country Park Linlithgow. I’m glad that so manyof the congregation put on their wellies and headed out for the park. its true what they say the best barbecues and the most memorable ones are always those that can survive the rain.

We had some rain but for most of the time everyone enjoyed the opportunity to be out in the fresh air getting to know each other and eating some fantatstic burgers. big thank you to the Discipleship group for organising the event. Douglas and Andrew and Martha all did a wonderful job. i was especially pleased to see such a good cross section of the congregation involved.

So it appears like everyone is looking forward to the next one. When will it take place? Maybe next Sunday if the weather’s good we could have a barbie in the church garden. What do you think Lilias? a great way to elcome our visitors from India. i believe they arrive with us on Saturday.

Talking of which if your around in the Church garden you may see one or two flags flying. In reality they are prayer flags from Sanctuary First. If you want to know more about them you’ll need to check out www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk Sanctuary First is an exciting online worship experience which we at St Andrew’s Bo’ness are developing in partnership with other congregations around the Scotland. There are literally hundreds of prayers on the site and numerous videos that I’m sure could be used by various groups in different settings.

We’re looking at the present moment for more people to join with us in the partnership and put on the Sanctuary First service in their area. The venue needn’t be a church in fact it would be great if it was some place other than a church. We’re also hoping that eventually we’ll be able to connect with some congregations from around the globe.

Meanwhile we’ll keep pressing on and once again a huge thank to all who worked so hard last night to make Sanctuary First so special.

Cross Spaced Shape

italker — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:10:05 +0000

If your reading this blog and live near Bo’ness why not make a date and come and worship with us on Sunday 2 May at 6.30pm and share in our next Sanctuary First Service. If you live on the other side of the planet why not log in and share with us here in Bo’ness as we stream out live our contemporary multimedia worship service. www.standonline.org.uk
Just press the live stream button.

If you are looking for worship that is creative and biblical, reflective and theological, participatory and challenging, then Sanctuary First may well be for you. During the month of May we are going to reflect upon the result of living in ‘ A Cross Shaped Space” each day. You’ll be able to down load all your daily Bible readings and prayers from the Sanctuary First site. We’d love to have you join with us and engage with this service. Here is a taste of some of the material you will encounter. Have a listen to this meditation A Cross Shaped Space

Now have a read at one of the reflections relating to the barriers we put up preventing us from moving through the cross. I wrote this with the story of the poor widow in mind who ended up giving her all at the temple treasury. it got me thinking about the times when we putup our weakness and poverty as barriers to trust and faith in God.

A POOR WOMAN AT THE CROSS SHAPED SPACE

It’s strange isn’t it?
We all do it.
We make excuses
I mean we use our
Perceived weakness
Like a barrier
to keep people out.
To hide from ourselves.
We use
the things
the feelings
the attitudes
we have inherited
to define us.
Then we say
Sorry I can’t
I’m hopeless
I’m different from you
I’m not educated
I’m poor
I ‘m schizophrenic
I’m homosexual
I’m single
I’m married
I’m just a partner
I’m working
I’m tired
I’m not in charge
I’d love to but ..
I can’t

Its strange isn’t it
Something
Clicks and you
Simply change
You do something
You go out on a limb
You make a promise
You give something away

That’s what I did
I literally gave my poverty away
I opened my purse
I gave all I possessed to God
I can still hear it clinking in the box
Two little pennies
I had no more excuses left
I gave my weakness away
I walked through
A cross spaced shape
Into freedom
I felt strong
For the first time
In my life.

Vine Trust and Sanctus Media

italker — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:22:08 +0000

VINE TRUST

We were at a brilliant Barbecue on Saturday in aid of raising funds for the work of the Vine Trust This was a real heavy duty barbe! Steaks all round! I believe they were bought at the auction in the Roxburghe Hotel last January. So the meat was put to good use to earn more money for the Trust.

I’d like to say huge thanks to Gordon Stewart and his team of helpers for putting on an excellent event. Of course the weather helped to make it an outstanding weekend.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Anyway here is a preview of the latest Vine Trust Video. We hope to get copies of this out to all the congregations within the next few weeks. Let me know what you think. If you’d like a copy contact the Vine Trust Office or drop me an email. Yes its another great production from SANCTUS MEDIA LTD

SANCTUS MEDIA

Talking about Sanctus Media, I had quite a creative day today working on the material to fill the new Sanctuary First website. We’re hoping to launch this new venture within the next few months however we need loads of content on the website to attract potential users to return on a daily basis. the theme i chosen for the first month is “Faith and Mystery” I think it is a rich seam to develop over a month. The following four topics with be discussed on a weekly basis.

1. The mystery of God

2. The mystery of Creation

3. The mystery of the Church

4. The mystery of Worship

I’ve made a start on the topic of the Mystery of God. part of the structure is to have a daily prayer based on the weekly topic and daily Bible readings centred around the theme. We hope to offer worshippers the opportunity to comment and reflection the weekly topic. Then one a month everyone will have the opportunity to meet together and share in an event centred around the theme of the month. If anyone feels they’d like to get involved with the creative writing side of this project please get in touch.

BOGLE’S PARAPHRASE

I will give you all the strength you need. I myself will even help you. In fact I will hold you up with my own hands. Isaiah 41.10

The Discipleship Challenge

italker — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:34:36 +0000

I’m not sure what happened last night. When making my post I lost the article entitled ” Discipleship Challenge”. So here it is back again. This is material which will be part of the Sanctuary First service on Sunday evening. The last time I made this post James invited me to set a 40 day challenge as part of the response to this article. Having considered his suggestion I’m going to rise to the Challenge. If you text on your mobile the word BIBLE 40 I will text to your mobile if you so desire a challenge that will be designed to help you grow in your Christian experience. You’ll receive your first text on Monday 4 May the cost will be £1.50 per week. Sorry we can’t keep the freebees going. I intend to use the blog over the next forty days to reflect upon the actions in which you will be invited to take part. I also hope that this will generate a considerable amount of interest and comment.

The article below is based on Christ inviting us into the desert place – to the place of testing, not so that we can fail but rather so that we can be toughened up to face the many difficulties that present themselves to us in our lives. Here is the audio version that people will hear on Sunday on the MP3 players. It is an edited version of the meditation below. I want to say a big thanks to Alec shuttleworth who came over during the week to record it, and of course thanks to Rae for her editorial skills. Both Rae and Alec added to the meditation. a lot Oh and James make you comment again so that we can get folks taking up the challenge! AUDIO

Come with me

Leave all this behind

Just for a short time

I know what your thinking

What is this place?

Where am I going?

I’m going to help you to

take the discipleship challenge

I heard you say you wanted to move to a new place

You said you wanted to find a cross shaped space in your life

`I wonder if you really meant what you prayed

I know you’re very busy

Watch your footing

There’s a huge

Chasm on your left

Lots of loose stones

Falling debris

Its easy to drop

Ideas

Hopes

And even dreams

In this place

Once they fall over the edge

They’re gone

Can I say something to you

When you move round the corner

I will have to leave you on your own

Look I’ll be with you

But you won’t see me

You have to face your own struggle

You know there is a voice of evil in this place

Within you

When it speaks you can choose to obey it

Or challenge it

If you do nothing

You will end up obeying the voice

Keep your eyes on the path

Don’t try to see my face

We will meet one day

But Its my feet

you need to look after at the moment

Feet washing is something I’m into

Just follow my footprints.

Come closer

I want you to hear this

I don’t want you ro misunderstand.

There are basically three fundamental temptations

And I suppose seven deadly sins

These are common to every human being

In life – its as simple as that

You humans are not all that complicated

I made you I should know

Funny complete things often come in 3s and 7s

Anyway

You have choices to make

It boils down to

Popularity

Wealth

And

Love of self

Discipleship is all about

Serving others and denying self interest

Do you know the problem with most relationships?

People love themselves

Their image

Their look

Their sexuality

Their singleness

Their definition as sexual beings

The greatest denial of love

Is to make love to yourself

It is to exclude the other

The greatest lie is to believe

You must love yourself first

Before you love another

The truth is if you love yourself

You will leave no room to love another

Discipleship turns everything on its head

Makes for an upside down world

It suggests its only when you love another first

That you come to love the self

You know It sounds impossible to love someone

You don’t know – but its not

True love is not based on knowledge

Its based on unconditional acceptance

To truly love is to make that someone

An indispensible part of your being

It is to deny self love

And embrace service

It is to lose yourself and find your meaning

In caring for an unknown child

An unknown beggar

An unknown person

Your about to turn the corner

Get ready to make

Your choices

A Poor Woman in the Right Space

italker — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:27:18 +0000

I was thinking we all make excuses. We often use our vulnerable sides as an excuse>It stops us dealng with issues. I was thinking about story Jesus told about the woman who put twopence into the offering. I started to thinkk maybe she was hiding behind her poverty. Allowing it to imprison her free spirit. Too oftrn ot suits us to say we can’t do something even when we know we can’t and we’re oftrn quite relieved.

Its strange isn’t it
Something
Clicks and you
Simply change
You do something
You go out on a limb
You make a promise
You give something away
That’s what I did
I literally gave my poverty away
I opened my purse
I gave all I possessed to God
I can still hear it clinking in the box
Two little pennies
I had no more excuses left
I gave my weakness away
I walked through
A cross spaced shape
Into freedom.

Puppet People and Sanctuary First

italker — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:04:44 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

I was telling you all how I enjoyed Christmas. i was especially impressed by the latest ministry that is being developed out of the church. the Puppet People. thanks to Hugh O’Brien and his inspiration earlier on this year we now have our very own little puppet ministry. I think they did a brillant job of Christmas Day have a look and tell me what you think? Puppet People So I’m now looking forward to the next presentation. I’m hoping we’ll be able to use this group to make the children’s address come to life on a Sunday.

SANCTUARY FIRST

Believe it or not this Sunday evening we’ll be putting on the Sanctuary First service. The theme this month is “A WAKE UP CALL” the service is going to be based around the passage in Revelation 3. This is the letter to the church at Sardis. This community finds itself being rebuked because it is something its not. I always think this is such a challenge to all of us who try to keep the church relevant. We need to be careful that we are not simply promoting programmes to look busy rather than being engaged with effective ministry. Here is the opening part of the liturgy. Its meant to cause you to think. I’m posting it as a kind of trailer, perhaps to coax you to come along or at least loh=g in on the net next Sunday at 7.00pm

“Music playing to reflect imminent danger. On the screen the clock is ticking. There is an interplay between the world on the screen and the ticking clock. Finally the music stops and all that is heard is the ticking of the clock. Then suddenly an alarm breaks the silence!”

A WAKE UP CALL

Narrator Speaks

We’re on the edge of disaster .

We’re facing economic, ecological, spiritual and moral bankruptcy.

We watch on like people in a dream.

We’re asleep.

We’re snoring

Ignoring

The clock ticking

We only have one life

And we sleep through it

And we gamble with it

Like poker players in a game

We each hold a hand

We throw away the best cards

In search of the charmed suit

Only to find we hold a busted Flush