Coronavirus Reflections #7

'What do you have that you did not receive?' 1 Corinthians 4:7

These words have been a blessing to me this week. There is so much to be thankful and what a comfort it is to know that everything we have has been measured out by God in the right proportions, at the right time.

It has been a blessing this week to have communications from friends updating how they are getting on in the lockdown. I had a lovely conversation with a Christian friend earlier in the week. Some people are just so full of joy in the Lord. Yesterday I received a parcel from a missionary friend which was a great encouragement.

Last Sunday I enjoyed watching a talk about missionary work in Mombassa recorded for a Sunday school class. We had preaching from Psalms and the bible study from Galatians again. In the evening I enjoyed watching some of Paul Washer's talks on Proverbs. We also met on Tuesday with a message from a local pastor from the temptation of Jesus.

Last night the All Souls Prom Praise was online to watch. It was lovely to hear some rousing hymns. There was an amazing pianist which caused me to marvel that the Lord created us with such amazing potential for creative ability and pleasure.

We held our quarterly osteopaths meeting on Zoom. It was good to have a chat with colleagues. I was humbled to realise that I was the only one still working. It is moving to see the deep effect the coronavirus has had on clinic life and the understandable distress of the practitioners. There were positive plans towards getting started again though.

It has been wet a lot of this week. It has done the garden good but more challenging for people in lockdown.

The prime minister returned to week and his partner gave birth to their son. The prime minister is gifted in inspiring confidence and yet showing compassion for the situation. There is generally some unrest in the nation about how we are going to get out of this lockdown situation - the schools are still shut and most people are either furloughed at home or working from home. It has been promised that plans will be revealed next week.

I started some more work this week doing some admin for another team in the trust. It is good for me to have a purpose each day. I've almost finished all the possible spring cleaning around the house.

It's good to have time for reflection and other pursuits. I've now learned 3 new piano pieces and am continuing to enjoy exercising regularly. I completed the bible study course on Pleasing God which I found very helpful. I've started studying Corinthians now. I find I get computer fatigue so it is nice to just use pen and paper to study.

I set up a tablet for my 95 year old friend to be able to watch sermons. She received it this week so hopefully she will get on alright. I may have said before how impressed I am at older friends embracing technology and their resilient spirit coming to the fore.

A man called Captain Tom completed a walking challenge in his garden in Marston and raised over 30 million for the NHS. He celebrated his 100th birthday this week so people sang happy birthday at the Thursday evening clap.

I stayed in all of this week after an upset tummy last weekend. It didn't really make much difference apart from I missed being able to get out for a walk. I'm hoping the step down plans will enable those of us on our own to be able to meet up with someone else.

There is much to be thankful for - friends, family, work, church, access to so many resources, peace and safety, health and so much more. We have all things in Christ.

Coronavirus Reflections #6

The Lord has been very kind in continuing to give us beautiful weather during lockdown. It makes a big difference that people can make use of their outdoor spaces.

There seems to be a restlessness developing as some people are becoming impatient to return to work. The government has not given plans for coming out of lockdown yet. Hopefully they will make some announcements next week before they loose control and the will of the people. The primeminister is due to return to work on Monday so maybe he will lead some clearer announcements.

On Thursdays more and more people come out of their houses at 8pm to clap for the NHS. This week a lady in the road opposite came out and played 'Somewhere over the rainbow' on her Cello which people seemed to enjoy.

I've continued to be productive around the house cleaning windows and painting the fence. I also started studying 1 Corinthians. I wonder how far I will get before we are able to socialise again. It's been good to spend more time in prayer and more intercessory prayer.

I started with some gastric symptoms yesterday which could be Covid so 7 days of isolation now for me, not that it will make any difference.

Last Sunday we had a good day with preaching in the morning, Galatians bible study in the afternoon and I watched a short sermon in the evening. I found 3 lots of full online services was exhausting  and was pleased to read an article this week that explained that it is a common phenomena to be exhausted after lots of online meetings.

On Tuesday we had a missionary meeting on Zoom which was very interesting.

Yesterday I collected my couch from my clinic so the room is all empty now and that is the end of the clinic in that setting. The government is giving grants to businesses who do not pay business rates - mine was confirmed yesterday.

I feel in the routine with this lockdown now - a daily routine incorporating exercise and piano practise and evening phone calls. The supermarket distancing is becoming normal. It stills slightly daring to go out anywhere at the moment!

I keep feeling so thankful for the way the Lord has blessed me with providing work, a few months ago my circumstances would have been so different. I'm thankful for the rest from commuting. Thankful for a garden to enjoy and nice places to walk. Thankful for a loving family and friends. Thankful for a certain hope and a glorious inheritance to look forward to.

Coronavirus Reflections #5

A verse came on the daily calendar this week which it has been enjoyable to meditate more on:
to console the mourners in Zion—

'to give them a crown of beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified'

Isaiah 61:3

I was particularly struck by the garment of praise and the oaks of righteousness.

Last Sunday was Easter and we had a sermon on the resurrection, we also met to study the book of Galatians.

On Easter Monday I planted some seeds in the garden so it will nice to see them grow and develop over the next few weeks if all goes well.

This week the prime minister has come out of hospital, thanks be to God, and is recovering at home. Our former pastor went to glory at the beginning of the week. Our prayer meeting reflected on his passing.

The bluebells are looking lovely in the woods. It is a blessing to have nice places to walk so nearby.

I've continued working by telephone all week, it seems to work very well and many people have good motivation for exercise at the moment with plenty of time and good weather.

It's strange really some things seem to be getting easier - the regular daily routine, the method for going around the supermarket doing two lots of shopping, the routine of evening phone calls but somehow this week has seemed more difficult for the lack of face to face interaction. It was disappointing but not unexpected that the lockdown has been extended for another 3 weeks.

Many churches are taking advantage of online opportunities, running short evangelistic courses, seeing more people at their meetings, online Sunday schools and holiday clubs. There have been several online sermons and blogs about 'Don't waste your lockdown'. There is more time for Bible study and prayer but there are also many distractions. How wonderful it would be to see a bright shining church emerge from this full of zeal and no longer lukewarm.

 

Coronavirus Reflections #4

It has been a beautiful sunny week. This lovely Easter weather makes me think back to the lovely sunshine we enjoyed a year ago at Easter when I was camping.

How much of life we never realised was a privelege - to go in and out as we please, to freely enjoy the countryside, meeting with friends, to be able to sit beside my mother on the sofa, gathering to worship God together.

Last Sunday we again met on Zoom with a visiting preacher speaking on Palm Sunday, then an afternoon Bible study on Galatians. In the evening I went to another church by Zoom with a sermon on the Philippian jailer. I find Zoom meetings much easier to be a part of. Watching youtube on my own it seems much easier to be distracted and loose concentration somehow.  The queen addressed the nation in the evening, only the fourth time she has done this in extraordinary times.

On Good Friday I watched a service in Bangor at the same time as my friend and then we had a Zoom meeting in the evening.

We've had the joy of seeing wonderful answers to prayer for healing. The prime minister was in intensive care for a few days this week with the virus. Many in the nation prayed. The Lord has restored His health. Another friend went into hospital but was very soon sent home to continue recovering. Hundreds are dieing each day in the UK and several nursing homes have a lot of cases. The government continues it's daily briefings.

This week I've worked at home all week. I'm glad to be able to speak to others on the phone and it's good to have purpose in the day. It's already noticeable though that the work Whatsapp group is much quieter. I emptied my clinic room on Friday moving out of the premises I rented.

I've seen Tesco's with huge long queues going round the car park and down the road this week. I was thankful to choose a time with no queue. Most things are in stock now although there are very few eggs - the only ones left were Duck eggs.

I've been getting lots of household cleaning done and jobs in the garden. I feel concern though about the need to spend more time with the Lord and learn the lessons of this situation. 

Today is Easter Sunday - we remember our Risen Lord - the same, yesterday, today and forever.

And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. Mark 16:4 Let's look up and see our God and what he will do to bring glory to His name.

Coronavirus Reflections #3

How quickly we adapt as humans. This isolation is becoming a new way of life, not that I would like it to continue any longer than necessary, it is so unnatural. God created us to be social beings and living in communities, not isolated ones and families. I hope we never forget the blessing of being able to be together after this.

Last Sunday morning service went well on Zoom with a remote preacher, we managed the same again on Tuesday evening. Isaiah 26 on Sunday and Peter being released from prison in answer to prayer on Tuesday. It's good to be reminded of the Sovereignty and trustworthiness of our God and that he answers prayer.

The reminder of the frailty of life and seriousnsess of the virus has continued this week. Daily deaths have been increasing rapidly. A man in his 60s from my friends church died yesterday. A lot of medical staff have died.

This week I went to a 21st birthday party on Zoom. I've also transitioned to working from home, covering patient lists by telephone.There have been a number of issues getting the IT set-up but the IT department has been overwhelmed by demand.

The shops are laid out for distancing with a new one-way system around Tesco. There was no queue to get in when I went, more evidence that things are settling into more of a routine.

Although the isolation is becoming more routine I feel it is important to use the time to seek the Lord and plead for His name to be glorified through this and the protection of many lifes temporarily and eternally. When this first happened I was so moved by how the finger of the Lord had gone out against us, I pray I wouldn't become hardened to that conviction.

The week has ended with beautiful sunshine so it has been lovely to be out in the garden. This morning is beautiful ready to worship the Lord on this Palm Sunday.

Coronavirus Reflextions #2

Another week has quickly past with more of what we could never have imagined becoming the norm. On Monday the country was put into 'lockdown'. Everyone must stay at home. Only essential journeys and work are allowed. You can go out for one form of exercise per day.

Sunny weather has been helpful giving opportunity to spend time out in the garden and not feel so restricted.

Last Sunday was difficult, my eyes kept overflowing contemplating the new routine of Sundays alone but with periods of online connection. The service worked well on Zoom and there were other live sermons to listen to in the evening. It is good we have the technology to be able to join together. We used it for Tuesday evening prayer meeting and a social time on Thursday evening.

We've been continuing with work but just telephone consultations now. I got a laptop on Friday to be able to work from home. The service is being reorganised as the physio department will soon be made in to a ward and many staff need to go out to rehab people in the community and get them out of the hospital.

Lots more people are coming down with the virus. It feels close when you actually know people with the virus and some key public figures such as Boris Johnson and Prince Charles have got the virus. Deaths and number of cases are rising quite rapidly now. The government is building large temporary hospitals in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

America has had a rapid rise of cases this week and Italy and Spain are still seeing many more deaths. The virus is affecting all the world. I think the stats this week were that a quarter of the world is in lockdown - Surely this is the hand of God.

The supermarkets are still very busy with restricted numbers entering at a time. This leads to long queues outside all spaced out by 2m. I queued for 25 minutes to get into Tesco at 6am yesterday!

It's amazing how quickly we adapt, getting used to online Sunday school and church and speaking with friends and relatives virtually. It's a good second best but never as good as being present in the same room or face to face.

I've been enjoying having time to put my 'house in order' by tidying up paperwork in the office. Somehow with so many deaths expected it makes me feel like I need to be organised if anyone was left to deal with my estate.

I've been reading a book by Martin Lloyd Jones on Psalm 73 called Faith on Trial which is very helpful. I personally feel challenged to truly make the Lord the priority in my life and to value those things I have neglected - prayer, the gathering of the church, hearing the word preached, opportunities to serve. Praying that the Lord will save many through this and bring glory to his name.

I was thinking this morning that apart from the eseentials how little work will be going on today, the Lord's day - it will be more of a day of rest around the world than it has been for many years. May that cause many to hear the word preached and be saved.

Coronavirus Reflections #1

What a week. Coronavirus has led to a life that we could never have imagined. 2020 was always spoken about as a futuristic time when life would be so different and it certainly feels like we are in a surreal world today.

There isn't a home in the country that has not had normal life interrupted. I'm restarting this blog partly as a way to process all that is going on and also I think it is important to record these events in practical and spiritual terms.

The virus has been around for about 2.5 months, initially starting in China. As the problem escalated and spread to the UK I had little realisation of the immense impact it would have on our lives.

Last Sunday we were at church joking with our older friends about the potential that they would be quaranteened. Little did we realise that by the end of the week schools, restaurants, pubs, cafes and gyms would all be closed and as many people as possible working from home. There are no GCSEs or A levels this year. Students have suddenly finished their degree courses, children suddenly finished school. No time for goodbyes.

Many of my colleagues have closed their osteopathic practices this week. I closed mine yesterday and will be moving out of the office space in the next few days.

Quickly we have had to embrace technology. Meetings have been held online assessing the significant impact of the virus on professional life. Patient appointments are all carried out by telephone. The church now has an active Whatsapp group and this morning we will have church on Zoom, some of the children have attended a virtual Sunday school. I no longer see my parents face to face as I used to nearly daily. Now I see them on a small screen. They, like so many others, are in isolation keeping safe and relying on others to bring their food and supply their needs.

How thankful I am that this is in a generation where we have the technology to remain connected.

I am a high risk carrier as I mix with so many people through continuing to go to work so I generally stay in isolation at home so as not to become a spreader.

I'm not sure the reality has kicked in about how serious this situation is. Worldwide the problem is rapidly escalating. Our deaths are almost exactly mapping the numbers in Italy but 2 weeks behind. Italy is struggling to cope and some awful stories are coming out of the health departments there.

The NHS is rapidly recruiting the retired, non-practising and final year students and acquiring as much space as possible to prepare for what seems an inevitable overwhelming demand on resources.

The health and science advisors have tried to hold back the spread of the virus by restricting movement. This strategy has been used with Italy but they are still in a terrible situation. The chancellor is pouring money into society in a way never seen before to help people to continue to afford to live. So many have lost work.

It is expected this situation could continue for months.This virtual, restricted way of life will soon become the norm.

This is a war situation. A worldwide war. Not country against country but every country against a virus. Many of us are being called up to serve our country and fellow citizens in the NHS. Many are being asked to preserve life simply by staying at home.

This is an unseen enemy. You don't know who are the asymptomatic spreaders. You don't know who will be most severely affected.

We need to respond with the seriousness that we would respond to war. Obeying the advice given to us to socially distance and isolate, not taking any risks. Praying for the safety of one another - those at risk, those serving on the frontlines. We know that many loved ones will be taken in the next few weeks.

I've wept several times this week - moved to see people closing their businesses, overwhelmed by the restrictions needed on society, stories of lives taken, sacrificies made and overwhelmed health workers - in summary, humbled before the hand of Almighty God.

I have been convicted about how glibly I read in the Bible about times when God judged the people and many died. Living in one of those situations is a harsh reality. In recent times I've been greatly concerned about the poor preaching in the churches and the lack of prayer and zeal in the churches and the great darkness in this land polluting the minds of young and old. The church had become lukewarm. God has acted. Freedoms have been removed, lives have and will be taken, life will never be the same. Yet still people mock the living God.

I've been thinking about how John the baptist and Jesus had that message they came with 'Repent'. My mind has also gone to the prayer of Daniel 9, crying out to God to have mercy. In my quiet times I've been reading Deuteronomy and we see again and again how the Lord God desires hearts of obedience. This generation has been disobedient and profaned all of God's holy law. As individuals, a church and nations we need to turn to God in repentance and faith and cry out to Him for mercy.

I enter into another week not able to imagine the course that it may take but trusting on the Lord God who is always with me and has promised me eternity with Him.

Daniel 9:3-19
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

A Great Legacy

This is a quote from a book I have found very helpfull on Prayer by O. Hallesby:

"It is written ' Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life' Psalm 23:6.  Verily the answers to your prayers will follow you, and none of them will fail to reach their destination.They are yours from the very moment you begin to pray in the name of Jesus, but they do not all reach you just as quickly.  And when you have prayed, it is not any more necessary for you to exert yourself to receive answers to your prayers than it is to exert yourself to receive letters which have been addressed to you.  They are brought by our efficient postal system directly to our doors.

This shower of answers to prayer will continue to your dying hour.  Nor will it cease then.  And when you pass out from beneath the shower, your dear ones will step into it.  Every prayer and every sigh which you have uttered for them and their future will, in god's time, descend upon them in a gentle rain of answers to prayer.

...

My friend, if you are not able to leave your children a legacy in the form of money or goods, do not worry about that.  And do not wear yourself to death either physically or spiritually in order to accumulate a great deal of property for your children; but to see to it, night and day, that you pray for them.  Then you will leave them a great legacy of answers to prayer, which will follow them all the days of their life.  

He who thus provides for his whole future life by child-like, persevering prayer will experience answers to prayer: not only in life, but also in death."

What do you think of Christmas?

That's Christmas (Short Film) HD from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.

Catching up...

Arrrgh, how did a month disappear without writing anything??!?!?  Have got a few posts in mind, so watch this space....

I had the joy of attending a baptismal service last weekend from my previous church in London.  It was lovely to see young people who I had seen growing up, taught in Friday club and worked with on activity week publicly testifying to their commitment to the Lord.  It is wonderful to hear of the different means God uses to call people to Himself.  There were 4 being baptised, 2 brothers aged about 14 and 17, another boy aged 17 and a girl aged 22, all different nationalities showing the worldwide reach of the gospel in London.  I will give a brief summary of their testimonies:

1) The girl was on a gapyear in Japan and was caused to realise there was a creator through being awe-struck observing the sea and considering how amazing it is and the ecosystems involved, she then realised she knew who that creator was and was caused to seek after Him.

2) The youngest boy was challenged when he nearly fell from a height playing a game on Christian camp, collecting hidden ribbons.  He realised that he didn't know where he would go if he had fallen and died, and was caused to turn to the Lord.

3) The brother was saved through the preaching of the word and family worship, a gradual calling and changing of his heart.

4) The other boy was saved through a challenge in a sermon at a Christian conference.

We do not know what means the Lord will use to save souls, but we can be encouraged that He does call and save in His own amazing ways and timing so we must be encouraged to keep on praying for those souls laid on our hearts.