COSTA Church

17/11/2011 by Rev Sarah.

On Tuesday I went to Edinburgh as I am taking a Clergy Course in Spiritual Accompaniment.  And being me, I hadn’t done all my reading.  Shocking I know.  So I parked up early and went into Costa Coffee in the Tescos right next to my course location.  The Costa is tucked away in the back corner of this Tescos and I took my seat and started my reading.  As I read though I felt God interrupting me, and making me look around.  As I did I saw a metaphor for how the church has become…

Despite being buried in the back corner of the supermarket, the surroundings were instantaneously Costa.  The comfy seats, the layout of the coffee bar and the decor.  Looking out from my safe seat I could watch people shopping and working whilst I enjoyed my Rich Hazelnut Latte (lovely) and read, surrounded by a few individuals doing the same.  We had all sat a respectful distance apart so as not to get in the way of each other, united by our common purpose of coffee and reading, but that was as far as it went.

It got me thinking about safe havens but then I saw a metaphor for the church.  Here I sit in my “comfy, recognisable, safe” surroundings doing my own thing with a bunch of relative strangers who are all doing their own thing, united by one thing, yet not interacting unless necessary, watching or ignoring the busy world only yards away.

The Church is in the world but a bit like Costa she sits on the fringes, watching or ignoring, but not getting involved.  It has become an US and THEM situation and if we are truly honest, we would rather be drinking coffee than in the midst of the chaos that is Tescos.  We would rather be in church looking after ourselves than out there getting our hands dirty.  Or we talk about getting out there but we are afraid of what might happen…

The Discipleship movement that is going on in Forth St Paul’s is about leaving the coffee shop and entering the supermarket and working with people where they are, rather than expecting the people to come into our coffee shop.  The coffee shop, the Church will always exist because we all need a coffee break now and again, and we need the planners looking out seeing what needs to be done.  But the supermarket was busier than the coffee shop and the real work was being done there.  No matter how plush the surroundings or how lovely the coffee - unless people have time or know that they need God they won’t come into our church.

Where do you find yourself?  Always drinking coffee but never out on the shop floor?  Do you want to get out?  Do you feel God inviting you to join him on the shop floor but you are struggling to figure it all out?  Don’t worry - when God invites you he will also give you purpose and identity.

Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God.  People only harvest what they plant.  If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin.  But if they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit.  We must not become tired of doing good.  We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. Galatians 6: 7-9 (NCV)

Let’s not give up and let’s escape the coffee shop and get down to the real work, knowing that the regular coffee breaks  we will share will be all the more special, and eventually the hard work will be rewarded.

God bless you this day and always, especially when you are working in his mission fields.

Love Sarah

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Sola Scriptura

03/11/2011 by Rev Sarah.

By scripture alone- the question I am pondering is which version?

Now before you think this is an argument about doctrine or how we interpret Scripture especially in relation to contentious issues that drive wedges into our relationships with each other and with God - it isn’t.  You are safe and can read on, though you might still totally disagree with me by the end…

If you raid your book shelves how many Bibles will you find and how many different versions?  As a minister you would expect me to have a few - I have the Good News Version(2), the New International Version (3), New American Standardised Version, the Dramatised Bible, The Message (only NT and Psalms version), King James Version (Christening Bible), New Revised Standard, New Century Version (Children’s Bible, Youth Bible and Mom’s Bible). And now I have modern technology I have an electronic one that can access around 30 versions.

At the weekend I saw a copy of the Masonic Bible (KJV) and I am sorry to say it made me chuckle.  I know, deeply irreverent of me and I am sorry.  The language for me was so archaic though and I tripped over a verse about mighty mischief which brought a smile, given the company I was in.  And then on Sunday night I was speaking with a Catholic friend at Alpha and we were talking about how each ‘religion’ is perceived by the other at times.  I told her that I didn’t even know the Catholics had their own Bible with that section called the Apocrypha until I went to University and I had to go find out what the Apocrypha is.  It wasn’t that I was brought up in a sectarian setting - in fact I am lucky that I have a great ecumenical background (which is why I struggle with the barriers that are so easily erected but that is for another day!).

However having said all that I struggle with all these versions of Scripture that come full of distractions.  There I have said it.  Shocking isn’t it?  I recently got myself a copy of the NCV Mom’s bible.  I needed a new one because my one had fallen apart with use (and yes it is in the bin).  When I read it the other day I found it hard to follow the actual Scripture because of all the inserts telling me as a mom how to interpret the passages.  And mom isn’t a typo. But at other times I know they will be very helpful because Scripture isn’t always easy to get into it.  My young people enjoy the Youth Bible because it gives some answers and challenges.

But dare I wonder if we are curtailing the richness of Scripture by trying too hard to speak for Scripture?  I find so many people want to put an interpretation on in - whether from our theological backgrounds, from culture,  from the sermons that do stick(!), or these wee inserts - that sometimes God struggles to break through the clutter.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for people engaging with Scripture - reading commentaries or thoughts for the day or whatever - in fact I encourage it.  But I want to suggest that before you drown a text in study, that you spend time with it, reading, re-reading and asking God to speak to you through the text.  Be prepared for surprises because when we stop putting our interpretation on it, God can speak to our hearts more deeply.  Sometimes he encourages us, sometimes he disciplines us, sometimes he calls us out, sometimes he invites us just to worship Him and we remember that we are his children.   And then when you read around the text, God can reinforce his message.

No matter which version of Scripture you read, whether it comes with inserts or is the KJV - as long as you can meet God through his Word - that is all that really matters.  For Christians Scripture must be the source we return to again and again because its message is what will sustain us during these days of upheaval and uncertainty, as long as we believe that God is ever present in it and uses it as a tool for communication and relationship building with us.

I believe it was Karl Barth who said (and this is about all the theology I remember!):

The Bible is not holy whilst it is upon the shelf gathering dust.  

It is only becomes holy when it is lifted down and read. 

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Luke 21:33 (NIV)

May God bless your reading today and speak to your hearts, regardless of version.

Love Sarah

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People watching

25/10/2011 by Rev Sarah.

Members of my extended family love to people watch. They enjoy drinking coffee in public places and ponder the stories of people going by. I on the other hand either imagine myself playing a role in a detective novel (paying attentioin in case i end up the star witness at a trial - yes officer, he was 6′ 1″, driving a blue car and had an unusual tattoo on his left arm, no his right arm!) or I ignore everyone in case I see something I have to get involved in.  At heart I am quite a scaredy cat.

But I am finding Christians very interesting at the moment.  Perhaps we could have a David Attenborough show dedicated to the Christians! Okay, maybe that is being flippant but we are fascinating at the moment. Or at least to me.  There are those who simply glow and have that inner joy that lights up the world around them.  I love watching them but wonder if they know about light shines from them.  Maybe they even even glow in the dark…

Today as I spotted another in the city of Edinburgh, I wondered what people saw in me.  I had never met this person before but in a room full of Christians she had a sparkle.  Now that is not to say the rest of us don’t but I know some of us need to find a duster! One thing I have found that really brings sparkle and glow to a Christian is a healthy prayer life - a deepening relationship with God that treats Him more than an acquaintance or problem solver.

Think of all the Christians who glow for you - who is the source of their light? Who is watching you glow (or not)?

For me, the glow is something of great beauty like a stunning landscape or work of art. I want to glow too, not for my glory but His.

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

May we all be beacons of light in this dark world.

God bless and let it shine.

Love Sarah  

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Giving God the credit

17/10/2011 by Rev Sarah.

We live in exciting times. Yes we do. And I don’t just mean because Christmas is coming, or the Olympics are around the corner or Strictly or X-Factor are back on our screens. Sorry I don’t know any good football references but perhaps you can think of some. I believe we live in exciting times because the Christian community is reengaging with its identity. All over the church, in almost every denomination we are having the conversations about who we are as the church.

We are uncertain, desperate to hold onto what we know yet even more desperate to truly understand our faith. Is there more than Sunday mornings? How do I live out my faith in day to day living? Am I really saved and if I am how does that change my priorities? I am reading lots at the moment - whether scripture or any number of authors around the area of missional communities. Try Mike Breen, Alan Hirsch, or Hugh Halter for a challenging journey into discipleship and living our faith. Each one has their own take and when you come at all three you see the parallels and it becomes so exciting.

With every book I read I feel a deeper call to throw away the rule book (not Scripture) and think again. We have become programmed into following certain rules, abiding in certain etiquette and generally down playing our witness. We have become so swept up in statistics and performance indicators that we miss the real message of faith. Does that sound arrogant? It isn’t meant too - honestly. God isn’t about performance indicators or even bank balances - he is all about people and relationships. Look at what Jesus did. He ate with people (usually the down and outs of society), he taught unlikely students - check out his disciples or the woman at the well (a Samaritan), he hung out at parties and went fishing. Yes, he went to church (synagogue) but he did his learning and then lived it, becoming a powerful witness to Gods love. He challenged he status quo, he annoyed the leaders, he loved the unloveable, he cured the sick, welcomed the unchurched and developed the faith of those who would listen and comprehend even just a fraction. This is the God who knocks on the door of our hearts.

How much learning have you done over the years? What have you done with the learning? I always wanted to preach to a large gathering (thousands if possible). For a while I thought if I became a great preacher and worked my way up the (imaginary) ranks I might get there. Now, as much as I love preaching, what I really want to do is live a life of faith and hopefully still preach to thousands but only because Gods family grows that much that there are thousands who want to learn in order to live a rich faithful life. Faith is more than words. Faith is love in action - in our words, in our body language, in the time we give to another in need, in opening our homes, in embracing the unloveable.

Living our faith will bring huge sacrifices and I pray that I will practice what I preach. I recognise that change is happening and I am excited but not scared, because no matter what God is constant. There are thousands of people who need to meet the God who actually loves them and we will only do that we finally learn the lessons, and get off our soap boxes and start loving and living.

The huge realisation I came to tonight is that we are doing that in a myriad of ways but not giving God the credit. Jesus always gave God the credit - we don’t. Well not deliberately because culture makes us too self effacing. It is often said the church doesn’t sell itself and we don’t. So when you read this and think I am getting at you - I am not. I am encouraging you to reflect on what you have said and done this day, this week, that has shown others Gods love. And then I want you to give God the credit he deserves. That is the hard bit yet oh so important.

I want us to celebrate those moments when we have made time for others especially when it has cost us dearly. When we have bitten back the cruel retort because that is the Christian thing to do. When we have visited or phoned our difficult neighbour whoever that be knowing it will upset our routine or inconvenience us. When we have given generously knowing that our sacrifice will bring great joy to another. I could go on but I won’t.

Jesus said “whatever you have done for the least of my bothers or sisters, you did for me.” Celebrate and give God the credit in prayer and when people ask you why you did what you did. That is how we change the culture of the church and people’s perception of God.
God works with and through all who trust in him.

Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
God bless,
Love Sarah

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To love and be loved…

08/10/2011 by Rev Sarah.

Tomorrows theme (9/10/11) is Love with Holy Communion being celebrated.  And at the afternoon service we are using this reflection written by Eddie Askew in his book Many Voices, One Voice.  Eddie is an author I enjoy who always brings a fresh perspective.  And he shares his gift and abilities with the Leprosy Mission so if you are looking for more of his work, do pay their website a visit.

Be loved and then share that love today and this week and let’s change a little bit more of the world in love. 

God bless,

Love Sarah

 

 

Lord, can I just concentrate of your love, today?

So often, when I talk with you,

I concentrate on me, My feelings, My bruises.

I come to you breathless,

agitated from fighting all the ills

- real and imaginary – which people my world.

My world, Lord? Sorry, your world.

A world you built in love. For love.

And though at times it seems out of balance,

like the wheel wobble of an old car,

you built it in love.  Made it for love.

 

I thank you Lord, for all the evidence I see.

Not in abstract debate or routine sermon,

three points, every Sunday, six feet above my head,

but love at work.

Love in the tender eye, warm hand stretched out.

The empathy and sweet sorrow of shared pain,

as one stands by another.

I see the beauty of your love.

Honey light warming the stony ground around me.

The generous breeze of love,

blowing in every corner,

lift the dull dust of routine

to make life sparkle once again.

Polishing the worn corners of my life until they glow.

 

And love’s particularity  I see.

Making me one with you.

Not as some fragment of a computer database,

but just as me.  Made in your image.

Cared for. Treasured. Unique.

And, Lord, I see the cost of love to you.

No easy option, bought with small change.

But sacrifice, free given.

The cost was life, for life.

From you to me.

I take it, Lord, your life, your love,

and hold it to myself. 

I’ll live in it today. 

And pass it on. 

 

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Our heavenly home

03/10/2011 by Rev Sarah.

My mum shared this wee tale with me and I am passing it on to you.  It comes from some daily readings from around 20 years ago!  My mum recycles…

The author of the daily reading notes has been talking about how faith, hope and love are the building materials which we send before us into eternity:

The story is told of a man who died and went to heaven.  Arriving at the Pearly Gates, he was asked his name and, after identifying his name in the Book of Life, an angel escorted him through the streets of heaven.  As they walked together down the different streets, the man said to the angel: “where are we going?” The angel replied: “We are going to the dwelling place that has been prepared for you.”

As they walked, the man looked at the magnificent dwelling places that were all around, and wondered just which one had been prepared for him.  Eventually they came to a small, rude and tumbledown abode at which the angel stopped and said: “Here is where you are to spend eternity.” The man was taken aback and said: “Surely - not this.  Why couldn’t my home be like the beautiful mansions we have just passed by?” In solemn tones the angel said: “I’m sorry, but we did the best we could out of the materials that you send up.”

Of course it is just a story and there is no theological basis for it but it certainly caught me by surprise.  What if our home in heaven was built out of what we sent up - everything that enters heaven must go through the refiners fire - and we know that faith, hope and love will survive when we read for 1 Corinthians 13 - “But surely these three remain, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.”

If you were building your heavenly home with faith, hope and love, what kind of home would it be?  A mansion because you are generous with love, full of hope and convinced in faith or a tumbledown shack because you withhold love, drown hope and faith flickers like a candle in a draft?

The most powerful witness I have seen recently is from one so convinced he has met God that his very life sparkles with love, hope and faith.  Even the dourest of Christians has not yet put him off.  We forget so easily that our very attitudes of faith, hope and love are far more important than even the words we use to tell others about Jesus (or evangelise) or the fact we turn up every Sunday at God’s house.

In our imaginations let us build mansions and every day send up the bricks required by loving more, believing more, hoping more - knowing that God not only builds the mansions, he provides the bricks.

God bless,

Love Sarah

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Motivation

26/09/2011 by Rev Sarah.

I have been thinking and praying a lot recently about motivations. What motivates me to preach every Sunday? Or perhaps that should be who motivates me? The Church of Scotland like any institution is full of rules and procedures, and whether we agree with them or not we have them because the human condition demands it. Society is full of rules and laws, etiquette and social norms. Boundaries that are either known for definite or are affectionately known as the unwritten rule. The Church of Scotland even has rules regarding Sunday morning worship and you must report it if your service doesn’t go ahead!

There is a real danger that our life of faith is motivated by an institution and not by God. Not that the institution is important but when we bow to the institution and not God we are in trouble. Sometimes we are so caught up maintaining the institution we lose sight of God.

One church I like in the States has as it’s tag line We love. We make disciples. This morning it dawned on me what that meant. Yesterday in church we spoke about the great commandment in the all age message and used the great commission for call to worship and asked the question by whose authority do we do things?

If you like rules, written or unwritten, here are the only ones I think we need:
Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength;
love each other,
Love yourself

Everything else will flow from here - whether it is making disciples, setting up missional communities, healing conflict, bringing justice and peace, and so on. If these elements are not flowing from us as individuals and churches then we need to go back to the love equation and reevaluate.

No wonder Jesus called it the Greatest Commandment!

Ask yourself how do you fulfil the greatest commandment? Love for God and his people motivates me to preach again and again and more. Love keeps me rooted in a broken presbytery (it is no secret we have issued). Love is so powerful. Read 1 Corinthians 13 again.

And if that sounds too soppy for you tell God:
We love because God loved us first.

For God so loved the world he sent his one and only Son that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Love never ends!

Perhaps we need to ask as individuals and as institutions the question put so beautifully by the black eyed peas - where is the love?

For we forget at our peril the church is meant to be the bride of Christ and is not the ultimate image of love?

God loves you, me and his Church.
Let’s love Him back and change the world…
God bless
Love Sarah

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The Tandem Bike Ride

07/09/2011 by Rev Sarah.

Below is a parable which likens the Christian life to a ride on a tandem bicycle.  Is God on your bike, and if He is, does He have the front or back seat?  I really identify with this parable and feel that God is sitting in the front of my bike - a scary yet wonderful predicament.   

As a child, I loved bikes.  From the beginning I enjoyed the races.  But how does a little girl win the right to join the biggest race of all?  At first I saw God as a judge who would determine whether I was good enough to enter the race and if my efforts merited a prize.  I was quite sure I would recognise God if I saw Him, but I didn’t know Him that well.  Later, I recognised He was the coach who had taught others how to ride.  He explained that life was like a bike ride.  He made me see that life was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back seat helping me pedal.  Man, this was great!  I could control the bike, but He gave me the power to really move!  One day I took the corner too fast and powerslided on the gravel, crashing painfully.  That was when He suggested that we change places.  The race has never been the same since.  With God providing the power and the steering, the race of life is very exciting!  When I had the controls, I knew the course I would take.  The race was sort of boring and predictable.  I always took what seemed to be the shortest distance to the finish line.  But, when God took the handle bars, He knew the long cuts, up over the mountains and down into deep valleys.  I would have never ventured in these paths, let alone at break neck speeds!  Sometimes it was all I could do to hang on.  Even though God provided all the power needed, He still said that I should pedal.  I became worried and anxious and asked, “where are you taking me?”  He laughed and didn’t answer.  I had no choice to but to trust because you can’t get off a moving bike.  Very soon, I forgot my boring life apart from the tandem bike.  Even when I was scared there was a thrill about this ride and I was calmed when He reached back to touch my hand.  God took us racing through our homeland where people I had never met gave us gifts for the way.  What great joy to have them share a cool drink when we paused to rest.  Then we were off again.  He said, “give the gifts away because they weigh too much and will slow us down.” So I did, and as we travelled through foreign lands we taught and fed hungry children.  For some reason, each time we gave away a heavy parcel, we received back more than we gave, but the burden on our bike still grew lighter and lighter.  I did not trust Him at first because I was sure that if He controlled the bike, He would wreck it.  But, you know, I found that He not only provided power and direction to the journey, He also provided special ability to race, because He built the bike.  He knew exactly how much to lean into a curve and how to jump over high rocks.  At times, He made the bike just fly.  And I am learning to just trust and pedal through the strangest places.  I am beginning to enjoy the view, the cool breeze on my face, and my delightful constant companion.  It’s like I love my companion more than I do the bike or the race.  And on those days when I think that I cannot keep riding any more, He just smiles and says…”Just trust me and pedal!”  (Anonymous author with Sarah Ross edits) 

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Conversations with God

31/08/2011 by Rev Sarah.

Below is a poem written by one of our young people in the church.  I have her permission to put it up here and I hope you enjoy reading it.  What is your conversation with God at the moment?  I am having a lot of conversations with Him at the moment because we are on the brink of something truly amazing but it is going to be hard work.  Some people will come along for the ride and be changed for ever (the disciples); some will try and upset the grand plan (Judas Iscariot) and fail; some will become distracted or disillusioned and will leave (those who thrive on 7 day wonders and then find something new) and some will be changed along the way (like Saul who persecuted the church then became one of its most powerful influences).  However I read Isaiah 46 last night and I was struck by the following verses:

⁴ Even when you are old, I will be the same.
Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
I will carry you and save you.

⁵ ”Can you compare me to anyone?  No one is equal to me or like me. 

No matter what happens God is always there and there is no-one who can replace Him.  Let’s embrace God’s will today and become like the disciples - following where God leads.  Have your conversation with God today.  What is He trying to tell you?  That he loves you, wants you and you have a purpose in this world?  You are God’s child and He loves to talk. God bless. Love Sarah

Conversations With God

I stopped and stood and listened
To the voices in my head
Saying do this, do that, do everything
But I ignored them all instead.

There was this single voice
That stood out from the crowd.
It gave me what I needed
To rescue me from myself

“The path you’re on is dangerous,”
The voice called out to me
“Follow the path I call you to,
Follow the path of light.”

I looked within myself
And asked what shall I do?
Do stay with the path I’m on,
Or do I change the road I take?

The voice called out again,
“I only ask you listen To what I call of you
The path your called will change your life
Will lead you to your light.”

I looked once more to the lightened path
And saw what I was told
The path before me looked dark
And dangerous to behold

I stood and thought for a minute
And thought about my life,
And chose the path I had been shown,
The path engulfed in light

By Laura-Jane Sinclair.

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The Benefit of Walking

23/06/2011 by Rev Sarah.

I went a-walking today.  Yes with a brolly!

It was fascinating actually.  I went with the primary purpose of visiting a family at the other end of the village regarding baptism.  I have downloaded some material on discipling and huddles so I was plugged in on the way over.  It was quiet anyway and no one was really around, and it rained.  Plus true to form I was running tight for time.  So on the way over I heard wonderful statements that told me I wasn’t the only wondering what the church of the future will look like.  I visited the family and for various reasons the visit was done in twenty minutes.  On the way back the sun shone - yes it does shine in Forth.  I spoke to a lady cleaning weeds out of her driveway, I dropped a letter through a friend’s door, had a twenty minute conversation with a wonderful gentleman from the Gospel Hall tradition where I told him I believed God is working hard in Forth, and we talked about being saved.  We also talked about our families and prayer.  From there I walked on home listening again to stories of imitation and oxen.  Then I saw a couple arrive home who I have been supporting as they help another ‘interesting’ character in the church.  I spoke with her for 20 minutes, reassuring and making her laugh.  Then a beautiful church attender P7 turned up and needed reassurance that High School would be okay.  Some cuddles later and she was off with a smile.  I left at 1:40pm and got back at 3:40pm.  And the actual reason for leaving the house took twenty minutes.  How much I would have missed had I driven over.  If I hadn’t stopped to speak to these people - who would have encouraged each of them?  I challenged one, supported another and made her laugh (she thanked me for that!) and reassured a little girl.  (Forgive the vagueness but I don’t want  to embarrass anyone!)

Now before you think I am getting all big headed - honestly I am not trying to blow my own trumpet.  But I do want to encourage you to think about the people you met today.  Or did you rush around and miss out on something wonderful?  Normally I am always rushing and Sunday morning still lies unwritten (again!).  However I have to wonder if today the Lord went walking with me?   I believe so.  Jesus liked walking - rarely he takes public transport though donkeys do feature a couple of times in his story.  As much as rural living requires the car - can I suggest that walking has more benefits that saving the environment and your health?

To the wonderful people I met today thank you because I came away challenged, supported, laughing and reassured.  For whatever we give we receive back tenfold.  I sit here with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.

“But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 NCV

Enjoy a walk and reap the benefits. I am going back soon to visit the family - I wonder what might happen during that walk.

God bless you,

Sarah

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