This brought to mind an image of the Holy from ‘The Orthodox Way’ by Kallistos Ware. He wrote that we can only understand the Holy spirit when we keep our hands open, when we try to hold on and grasp, it slips through our hands. How can we be open to the workings of the spirit if we try to hard to control its movements (thats my thoughts on it anyway). Lets pray we can all allow the spirit to work in us this lent.

a Lenten lunch with a difference - and a brand new transalation of the New Testament - a first. Both indications that not everyone is trying to gain the world. Many are walking in a different direction.

Luke 16:13 “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”  Mammon addicts, entraps, imprisons and enslaves.
But we belong to God.  1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Book of Common Prayer: “O God …whose service is perfect freedom…”  To serve God is to reign with God, for we are the children of God, and Romans 8:17 “…joint-heirs with Christ” to God’s heavenly kingdom.
Revelations 2:10 “. ..be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

How refreshing is it in a world of conformity to be confronted by a way of life which is so refreshingly different and exciting and fifilling!  We stand on the edge and let go of those things that the world tells us we need for our comfort and support. And what is there to catch us if we falter? The everlasting loving arms of our heavenly father! The challenge is are we prepared to let go and trust and live as kingdom people?

I have tried it and it works. It is actually very energising.Seeing a need, reaching out and including someone in however small an action is surely what we should be doing as Christians. Forget materialism; people matter.

This reminds me to give up the material things in life which are there to tempt and distract us.
Instead we should make time, even when life is difficult to talk to God and reflect. Find that regular time in the day that allows us to be with God and read the scriptures.
Deny ourselves of a luxury to spend time with him.
In my mind - material things can’t compensate for eternal life!

If we surround ourselves in our own security & comfort, having no care for god’s purposes, for which we are made, we miss our true destiny. Our gifts are given to build God’s Kingdom, even where we are; follow jesus’ plan and find what your life is for!
                    Richard

I feel the future is now. Contemporary society advocates acquisition of more and more material things. We have far far more than most folk in the world in material terms. We need to prioritise. What really matters is our relationship to God.

As I think about the verses we’re receiving I have an overwhelming feeling that I’m being told to turn my back on materialism. This also fits in with some private Bible study I’m doing where the verse tells us to avoid temptation. I have to put aside tings of this workd that don’t matter and focus on God’s word. Each time I say I haven’t got time I’m too busy I need to challenge myself about how I’m filling my time. Is it about God’s work or just the pursuit of worldy goods or self agrandissement.

I have to put my trust in God so that I don’t forfeit myself.

We must never forget that our earthly life is a journey to reach our ultimate goal which is to be in heaven.

We should not use religion to help us merely to achieve earthly goals, no matter how important they may seem.  To reach Heaven we must make sure that we are reconciled with God when we die, which means being reconciled with God every day of our lives, for we do not know the hour when we will be called.