Hennie's monthly blog for March 2012

Dear All,

Monday 5th March as I write, and it is pretty cold. Just got back from a funeral where everyone commented on how cold my hands were after shaking them - poor things! Where is Chanty? Probably comfortably snuggled up somewhere in the Vicarage, but not in study at present, which means definately somewhere she shouldn't be.......!

Cold though it is there are certainly signs of spring. This time last year I had just had my last service in my old parish, and was waiting for Pickfords Removals to transport me to Chester during the coming week. I can remember thinking what a good time it was to be on the move - spring being a season of new birth as the bulbs begin to push through the hard winter earth, and the blossom begins to appear bringing colour, life, and a sense of expectancy as we say goodbye to winter and look forward to spring and summer. This short month has gone quickly and of course we have also entered the season of Lent, which means springtime. As the buds open on the trees, and the nights lengthen, it is a spiritual season which calls for a greater openness to the word of God, and a conversion in every area of our lives.

Henri Nouwen, RC priest and theologian, once described Lent as, 'the season during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance'. We see this in creation as one day is warm and spring like, and the next cold and wintry; but spiritually also it is a time when the darkness and light within each of us can become locked in conflict. The temptations that Jesus was confronted with in the wilderness, confront us also in different ways, and often the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, especially if we are striving to walk with Jesus in this time of Lent.

Our sermon series both in the morning and in the evening continue to challenge us, as we become more aware of the cost of discipleship, and the struggle it is, as followers of Christ, to live in this world, but not of it. I want to give thanks to God for the wonderful evening of celebration we had recently when we witnessed 6 young people get baptised, publicly confirming their faith, and where I encouraged them not to be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, at home, at school, with friends, at college and uni. This Sunday at the 9.15 service, and at the Lighthouse, we looked at Jesus predicting his death for the first time (Mark 8: 31-9:1), and where he tells the crowds and the disciples, 'if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me..................... and if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels'. I suggested at the 9.15 service that a good question to ask ourselves this Lent, is, 'am I ashamed of Jesus and His Words in this adulterous and sinful generation?' If we are not, then how are we sharing the love of Jesus, and proclaiming His Word? In other words, how are we denying ourselves, taking up our Cross and following Jesus all the way to Calvary? And if we are ashamed of Jesus and His Word, then let us this Lent take the opportunity to allow Him into our lives afresh, praying that we might have in mind the things of God, rather than of this world.

Another 'word' for us this Lent has been to listen to God. Samuel said, 'speak, for your servant is listening'. We started our Lent Prayer course last week looking at contemplative prayer - a time to listen to God through His Word, the Holy scriptures. It was another evening of great encouragement and blessing, and I pray that God will continue to speak to us, as we make ourselves available 'to listen to Him' through this course on prayer, but also in our own personal times with God throughout this season of Lent.

I praise God as we see signs of new growth at St. Mark's as new people join the family of God. Let us also continue to pray for growth both spiritually and numerically, and also to see new birth, as people turn from their old ways of living in this world, and decide to follow Christ, and turning towards the Cross. Yes, the cross is costly, but when we do deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus, he offers us new life in all its fullness. A life where we are assurred of God's forgiveness, unconditional love, outpouring of his Spiritual gifts, and abundant grace - living in a season of new birth and new beginnings. Surely that is not something to be ashamed of? So this Lent as we fight the darkness and the light we remember that Jesus was tempted just as we are, but without sin. He is there for us, and with us, in the wilderness, on the mountain tops, and in the mundane of life - let us not keep him to ourselves, but knowing God's love go out share His love with others.

God bless you this Lent,

Hennie