What’s your story then? Eh!

In his book [ '5 Stones' ] Peterson describes pastoral input to the flock as being like encouraging people to become storytellers. He uses the story of Ruth to illustrate this.

And her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you so that it may be well with you?  And now, is not Boaz of our kindred, he with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing-floor. Therefore wash yourself, and anoint yourself, and put your clothing upon you, and go down to the floor. Do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. And when he lies down, you mark the place where he lies, and you shall go in and uncover his feet and lie down. And he will tell you what you shall do. Ruth 3 v1-4 (MKJV)

Here there’s a very clear direction laid out by Naomi for Ruth to follow.  Just as happens to many believers as they work out their walk. Expectations and direction either biblically or culturally are plain and often simple. But look what happens.

And it happened at midnight, the man trembled and turned himself. And, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am your handmaid Ruth. And you shall spread your skirt over your handmaid, for you are a kinsman-redeemer. Ruth 3 v8-9 (MKJV)

It’s obvious that Ruth was obedient and submissive to her elder [ Naomi ] and to the law concerning widows and the kinsman redeemer, but, she was bold enough to insert her own story, her own longing, her own sense of identification with what the Lord was leading her through. Naomi hadn’t told her to say anything,  and Boaz only asked her name, but Ruth expressed her identity, her relationship with Boaz and her need and his responsibility.

In doing all this, in making that extra input, extra declaration, having boldness to speak out, in ‘telling her story’ from her standpoint, Ruth not only took her part in the greater story of salvation and redemption through Jesus -  her descendant – but also knew deeper fulfillment in knowing that she had contributed to and brought a significant part of herself to ‘The Story’.

This level of boldness, contribution, fulfillment and significance is lacking in many believers today. I know I’ve simply played the expected part for a long time without putting enough of me into my storyline. I feel that one of the things the Lord is doing with me as I submit to sabbatical is to cause me to recognise my need to engage myself in ‘The Story’ with boldness and reality as to who I am and what I  might bring.

The biblical quotations in this post have been cut and pasted out of e-Sword which I have had for almost a decade now. e-Sword is about the finest bit of Bible FreeWare that I have ever come across and I recommend it to you. 

IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISASTER – YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED

If you’re just visiting my blog, please ensure that you go to Dr Jest and read what he has to say.

I know I’m biased in favour of the medical profession, but I work with them on a weekly basis and have watched their workload and frustration grow to oppressive levels whilst they continue to do a fine job whilst defending themselves with both hands tied behind their collective backs.

Please get a firm understanding of how perilous the NHS is becoming.

Many commentators already feel it may be too late before implosion and collapse takes place.

Write to your MP, Radio 4 and the BBC.

It may soon be too late. ……. and I’m not joking for once.

Visit the NHS Blog Doctor [ see my blogroll ] too. Follow his blogroll. Get involved, you never know quite when you’re going to need your doctor.

A challenging visit.

Today, staff from one of my practices went on a visit to a Palliative Care facility which provides day-care services to patients suffering from cancer and other terminal degenerative diseases. The facility is just over five years old, came about through the fundraising efforts of the people of Moray and is a superb, highest quality, cutting edge resource. The staff are incredible in their dedication, depth and and application of any effort required to ensure that the care delivered is the best.

The Oaks manages to fit in every conceivable therapy or activity which has a proven track record in assisting sufferers and families/carers come to terms with their condition and impending death. The spiritual aspects are covered with chaplaincy input from a topper of a pastor who provides one-to-one support at least four days a week.

Clients are encouraged to put together memory chests as their way of reflecting on their life and leaving a legacy of treasured memories for their loved ones.

The saddest thing that I heard was how many people are unable to cope with being in the spiritual room which has a stained glass window and is considered to be too churchy.

At a time when they need the Lord the most, the church is perceived as unbearable instead of the mechanism by which the Lord has provided ‘able ministers of the New Covenant’.

How we have failed them…… ….. …. … .. . what is our legacy?

What would be in our memory chests?

I know that at least six of the group visiting today are practising christians. I’m going to have to ask them what they made of it. I know I’ve been challenged yet again.

Are you a tree?

Thanks to my friend and sister Pauline for this one.

The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”

Then the second tree said, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”

Finally the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,” and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, “This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, “I don’t need anything special from my tree… I’ll take this one,” and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
And knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second Tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and
Said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Please keep this moving… Pass it on so God may inspire more people on the way.

May your day be blessed and may God cradle you in the palm of His hands.