'Simply sliding into sin' - Weekly Reflection March 1st 2026

 'How does someone get involved with a person like Epstein, or for that matter, how does anybody get involved in any nefarious and immoral or criminal activity?

The Bible Project have just begun a new series of studies exploring the Psalms.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/41iEa26St75Jhp4w6jWLcr?si=91a1458178aa4a8b

 And Psalm 1 offers wisdom of how to live the good life, and yet begins by saying what not to do, starting with a negative. What we read is very illuminative of a process to slip into sin. .

Verse 1,

‘Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,’

Note the progression outlined here.  We begin by walking in step with the ‘wicked.’ Then we linger and stand, perhaps having that next level conversation and weighing things up. Then finally we find ourselves sitting down in their company.

Walk, stand and then sit.

The Psalm goes on to describe how to avoid this and the way to live the best life, a blessed life.

It is the person, ‘whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.’

Lent provides us with a good opportunity to check out the path we are walking along. To register in whose company we are spending time with. For us today, that will of course include those we engage with online or through social media channels or the things we watch on TV, or films, etc.

We need to monitor our habits and the patterns of our life.

We all have a framework or structure or a certain pattern to our lives. We may have not really thought about it, but we do, for the most part follow certain patterns, the way our days and weeks work out follow a kind of structure. Work, eat, socialise, exercise, study, or whatever. This is explored in some depth in Ken Shigematsu's book, 'God in my Everything' where he invites people to form a framework on which to build their lives and to create holy habits.   

Ken Shigematsu's own holy habits are deeply rooted in his personal experiences and teachings. He emphasizes the importance of a "rule of life" that supports spiritual growth and the cultivation of a deeper relationship with God.

And we know that to produce growth there needs to be pruning, adjusting, adding in an extra support if needed.

Left to themselves vines will simply grow wild and uncontrolled and be lacking in edible and useful fruit.

As a child for some reason, I was always fascinated by perspective. How two parallels line could continue side by side for ever. But introduce the tiniest dot in between and gradually they drift apart.  

Lent offers an opportunity for a realignment. (This can be done of course at any time, but Lent seems to add some gravitas with a call to repent, which means of course going a different direction, not merely feeling remorseful.)

And we have been chosen by God to be fruitful.

^‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…’  John 15.16

Aligning with Psalm 1, verse 3, ‘That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.’

Time to think about where you are walking, with whom you are talking and with whom you are sitting down with.

It is time to ask for more power, more love and more of God in our lives.

https://youtu.be/JW9SkRMtXTo?si=qjc10UFBNOPOWt7_

 

 

'Not from the World but for the World' - transcript of sermon First Sunday in Lent 2026

 Jesus is tested in the wilderness' - Matthew 4.1-11

Question – what links the story of Adam and Eve, the Hebrews coming out of Egypt and the story we heard today about Jesus going into the desert following his baptism?

They were all pushed out Eastward and into the desert or wilderness.

Adam and Eve having failed the test, Israel and Jesus now facing the test.

And when reading Matthew, it is important to note how he identifies Jesus as a new Moses leading people enslaved to sin out into a new Exodus.  This frames both the Israelites encounter in the desert wilderness, being tested for 40 years after passing through the Red Sea, and for Jesus, 40 days in the wilderness being tested, after he passed through the waters of baptism.  

Matthew is the Gospel for this year in the Revised Common Lectionary, and I can highly recommend the two short videos, from the Bible Project, giving an overview of Mattthew, much in the same way as with John’s Gospel that Alan encouraged to have a look at last week.

Gospel of Matthew Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 1)

Gospel of Matthew Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2)

A longer podcast is also available looking at this story in greater depth.  

Testing Jesus in the Wilderness

These three stories, Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden, the Hebrews being driven out of Egypt and Jesus after his Baptism being led out into the desert all carry a theme of power, prestige and provision.’

As an undertow to our reflection, I want to invite you to keep in mind the story of Jesus before Pilate, a story we will encounter during Passion Week. The story we find in John’s Gospel.

Pilate asks if he, Jesus, is the King of the Jews. Jesus answers by saying that his kingdom is not from this world. If it were, then his followers would be leading an armed and violent rebellion. ‘But’ ’Jesus says, ‘as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’

Jesus proclaims and embodies a message of a kingdom for this world but not from this world. In short, the good news is that things can be done differently. If you remember nothing else today, hold onto that truth.

However, as you hold and sit deep into that truth, don’t begin to entertain the idea that this means Jesus’s kingdom is spiritual, other worldly, nothing to do with flesh and blood, nothing to do with the kingdoms, the power and the principalities of this world.

This world here exemplified by Rome’s bullying brutality demonstrating their power as they crucify Jesus as they had crucified thousands of others.

And Rome, is just the latest in a long line of such kingdoms who consider themselves to know how best to organise and run the world. 

Such as the kingdom of Egypt which out of fear had enslaved and brutally mistreated the Hebrews and who had been invited to settle in the land in the days of Joseph the Dreamer, until there arose in Egypt a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph and his descendants. (Exodus 1.8)

Eventually they are driven out East and into the desert to become a people peculiar to God and who will bear God’s name. And here, in their desert wanderings, it is provision that is front and centre. And God supplies them with water, bread and meat, all that they need, God provides for them.

In the Exodus story you will also read of power plays, trying to usurp Moses’ authority. And you will also read a story of devolved power as Moses’ father-in-law Jethro seeks to offer some guidance and wisdom. You can read that story in Exodus 18.

Power, prestige and provision.

Adam and Eve had provision, every fruit from the trees in the Garden was theirs to eat – with the exception of one tree in the centre of the Garden.

But this wonderful poetic story tells of their grasp for power.

‘So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.’

She saw, she desired and she took...

Epstein saw, he desired and he took - and in so doing misused the bodies of young girls and he gave them to others, who also ate!

Eve, we are told, saw that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.

And wisdom is indeed something to be desired. Lady Wisdom features regularly in the Scriptures and acts in a way that we might recognise as the work of the Holy Spirit.

However, the wisdom we are to seek is for this world, but not from this world but from God as the author, creator and sustainer of all life.

And it is a strange, shadowy creature, often referenced in appearance as snake, that beguiled Eve and led her into disobedience.

The same strange, shadowy figure who approaches Jesus as he is led into the desert by the Spirit, although this time we are not given any indication as to how the satan, or the devil was manifested.

But the tactic remains the same, the same lie, the same temptation, the same subterfuge.

Prestige, power and provision – Satan knows how to get these and knows how to beguile others to desire them and how to get them.

So, come on Jesus, if you are the Son of God, and you know you are hungry, your stomach has been rumbling for days now, well, simple, just say the word and these stones here will turn into nice, delicious bread.

But Jesus knows the Scriptures and leans back into them for an answer quoting Deuteronomy 8.3. ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’

Okay, so you know your Scriptures, well guess what, so do I, and here is a way you could demonstrate your power.  Go up to the highest place you can think of, let’s say the Temple in Jerusalem, after all, what better place to begin your so-called ministry. And you know the Psalms Jesus, and you know what is to be read in one of those Psalms, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ (Psalm 91.11-12) That would certainly bring you prestige, a name, fame and honour.

But you don’t mess with Jesus when it comes to the Scriptures and back comes the answer from Jesus, ‘it is also written do not put the Lord your God to the test.’  Here quoting Deuteronomy 6.16.

Okay Jesus, let’s cut to the chase. I can give you all the power, the prestige and the provision of all the kingdoms of the earth – if you would only bow down and worship me.

And hasn’t this one temptation tripped people up time and time and time again.

If only you follow this way or that you can have everything you have ever desired.

Or even more simply, you want something or someone, and you know that it is not yours to take or to have, and so you push that voice down, you allow the desire to overrule, and you see it, you desire it and you take it. Because I deserve it, because I am my own master, because no one dictates to me what I can or cannot do.

And Jesus, was Jesus tempted in this way – well certainly the writer to the Hebrews thinks so when he writes, ‘Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned.’

And back in the desert and facing this test Jesus once again leans back into the Scriptures and replies, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’   This time quoting Deuteronomy 6.13.

Questions, questions, questions.

How well do we know our Scriptures?

How good at we at leaning into them and rebuffing all temptations to walk the way of this world and not the way of God’s kingdom?

Jesus says in Matthew 13.51, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things that are new and fresh and things that are old and familiar.”

Do you know what treasures you have at your disposal as an apprentice to Jesus?

Brothers and sisters, make no mistake there is a battle going on, every day we are being tested and tempted to enter the wide gate and to walk down the broad path.

Whether that’s at work, or by what we watch or engage with using IT. It’s easy to get caught up in the flow, which is very strong and we can easily find ourselves swept away, passing on that bit of gossip.

Sharing that story on social media that denigrates someone. Knocking of work early on Friday, especially if you work from home. Nobody is going to know, and everybody’s doing it anyway, what harm can it do.

How can we stand against this flow, to seek the narrow way, to offer alternatives that are solidly for this world, but are not from this world.

Well, here is one way that I want to suggest.

Every day during Lent as part of a spiritual discipline I would invite you to say out loud at least once a day, ‘Away from me Satan, for it is written; Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’

Maybe then, as we come to celebrate on Resurrection Sunday, we will be able to echo the words of St Augustine who said, ‘love God and do as you please.’

Because we have come to know that the best and most authentic life we can live in this world and for this world is when we ‘worship the Lord our God and serve him only.’

Let us pray…

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
 
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

This is my desire – and I hope it is also your heart’s desire…

To be in God’s presence, and to sit at His feet, learning, living and loving, to be and become just like Jesus.  

                       https://youtu.be/9bQY2komrnA?si=qH0rW-JEZ07NU0QX

If you would like to see the sermon in context then follow this link to watch the Service. https://www.youtube.com/live/wN2g47iuEqc?si=0_U6gUxb8XcModQc

'Fit for Purpose' - Weekly Reflection 15th February 2026

Despite having spent five years as an Apprentice Jockey, and being a runner, I am not a sporty type. Watching sports is not top of my list, although there are exceptions.

If it is major tournament in either football or rugby and England is playing I will try and watch the match. But not cricket, that I just can’t get any interest for at all. My two older brothers are keen sports fans, the eldest, who lives in Shaw is a keen Man United fan and hardly misses a match.  Conversation between them often sails right over my head.

However, I was watching some of the Winter Olympics the other evening. And great to see we have got a second gold as Great Britain's Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured Olympic gold in the mixed snowboard cross event.

What we were watching was the ski-jumping. The endless hours of gruelling training for a brief few minutes’ hurtling down the ski slope and hopefully the execution a perfect technical jump.  We have also watched some of the figure skating.  

Other disciplines however call for endurance like the Cross-country skiing, and there are now 16 disciplines in the winter Olympics 2026.

It is to the world of sports that Paul reaches when he wants to offer a metaphor for living the disciplined life as an apprentice to Jesus.

‘Everyone who goes in for athletics exercises self-discipline in everything. They do it to gain a crown that perishes; we do it for an imperishable one.  Well then: I don’t run in an aimless fashion! I don’t box like someone punching the air! No: I give my body rough treatment, and make it my slave, in case, after announcing the message to others, I myself should end up being disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9.25-27.  

The Ancient Olympics, ended when in 393 AD, the Christian emperor Theodosius I forbade the celebration of pagan cults, which included the Games. Nonetheless, the popularity of sports contests and cultural festivities continued in many Greek-influenced provinces of the Roman empire as late as the 6th century.

On a visit to Greece some years ago I did run part of the original running track at Olympia in Greece. However, not wanting to cause offence or get arrested I did wear clothes!

This Wednesday begins our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday. For many this will mean Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. Ideally, Palm Crosses from the previous year will be burned and the ash mixed with oil. This paste is then used to make a mark on the forehead usually accompanied by the words, ‘remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’  

However, it is a firm Christian hope that this corruptible flesh shall put on the incorruptible, as noted in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, ‘For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.’ (1 Cor 15.33)

More importantly our current bodies, even while subject to disease and decay, house the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our bodies are the temples wherein lies the Holy Spirit.

Shall I take this body and join it it to a prostitute asks Paul, ^‘Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!  (1 Cor 6.15)

In short matter matters to God, our physical bodies and what we do with them is important.

And when considering our bodies let our understanding expand out to include our mind, our emotions, our whole being, as holistic entities.

A few weeks ago I put our car in for an annual service. Hopefully this will ensure that it remains roadworthy and safe to drive.

Lent provides us with a similar opportunity, to check how we are doing in our apprenticeship to Jesus.  Maybe to take something on, or to participate in some sort of discipline. And in no way wanting to be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, I do think it is good if we tell each other of our intention. It may be that you have discovered a great resource, and there are some fantastic ones on-line these days, or you may feel that you need to fast from something, IT perhaps, or some of the more familiar things like chocolate and alcohol or eating meat or even meals.

Telling each other will hold us to the discipline, and it may help if we are in somebodies’ company and we know that they are following a fast of some sort or other. Then, of course, it is great to share any useful resource we have found.

James writes, ^‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.’  (James 1.12)

And let me say that I will be following my usual discipline of fasting from alcohol. (With an occasional ‘relaxation’ as we do have our daughter’s and my wife’s birthday during Lent) 

There is a very particular reason why I follow this practise, but that’s a story for another time!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Sweeping Rooms & Carrying Water Pots' - Weekly Reflection 8th February 2026

 What’s one of the strangest things you felt called by God to do? How about fill up some water jars with 120 gallons of water (and no taps or running water) and then take out some of that water, presumably in jugs, and give it to the chief steward in charge of a wedding banquet.

This is the bare bones of the story we read of in John chapter two.  And note that John doesn’t call this a miracle but a sign.

A sign is something that points to something or to somewhere, therefore what could this sign be pointing towards.

John’s Gospel is in a very different style to Mark, Matthew or Luke, and in John 20.31 he tells us very plainly what his purposes is in crafting his Gospel in a very particular way. ‘But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.’  

One way to get a better understanding of the structure of John’s Gospel is to look at two short videos from the Bible Project.

https://bibleproject.com/videos/john-1-12/

https://bibleproject.com/videos/john-13-21/

Therefore, at one level this is a simple and lovely story of Mary wanting to help save this newly married couple from any embarrassment. An embarrassment that would have rumbled on in a small knit community. This is a story of Mary saying to the stewards, just do whatever he tells you. And this is Jesus in party mode! (See Matthew 11:18-19)

However, this is more, much more than that, this is John showing how Jesus inaugurates a new creation. John’s Gospel opening phrase is, ‘In the beginning…’ echoing the first words of Genesis.

This is ‘sign one’ with six more to follow, making seven in total, again echoing the creation narrative.

The sheer amount of wine produced speaks of an abundance, something that pointed towards the ‘age to come.’ That time when heaven and earth would once more be reconciled. 

Even the use of the phrase, ‘my hour has not yet come’ speaks into a pattern of further ‘hours’ each leading onto a ‘seventh hour’ – the hour when Jesus is crucified.

1. John 7:30: The authorities sought to seize Jesus, but “no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.”

2. John 8:20: “Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.”

3. John 12:23: Jesus finally says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” signalling that His imminent suffering and atoning work have arrived.

4. John 13:1: “Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and go to the Father,” highlighting the culminating point of His ministry.

5. John 17:1: In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus confirms, “Father, the hour has come,” tying His prayer for believers directly to the cross and resurrection.

I wonder what those stewards made of being asked to fetch and carry 120 gallons of water? Perhaps they were used to doing as they were told, but why follow these instructions from Jesus?

We can only guess, but they were obedient and that is surely our calling as well, to heed Mary as she says, ‘do whatever he tells you.’

And in doing that, carrying a jar of water, at one level a very ordinary and mundane task, but when put to the purposes of God has far reaching consequences. Much in the same way this story, at one level simple and homely, is freighted with so much more and acts as a signpost to God’s larger purposes and Jesus’ mission upon earth.    

This is well encapsulated in George Hebert’s poem, 'The Elixir' sung as a hymn.

Teach me, my God and King,
in all things thee to see,
and what I do in anything
to do it as for thee.
 
A man that looks on glass,
on it may stay his eye;
or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
and then the heaven espy.
 
All may of thee partake;
nothing can be so mean,
which with this tincture, "for thy sake,"
will not grow bright and clean.
 
A servant with this clause
makes drudgery divine:
who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
makes that and the action fine.
 
This is the famous stone
that turneth all to gold;
for that which God doth touch and own
cannot for less be told.

Sweeping rooms, carrying water pots or whatever we are going to be doing this week let us offer it all up to God as a sacrifice of our hands and in simple obedience that he may take our offerings and use them for his greater purposes.  Which is no less than the full and complete redemption of the cosmos. Allow that to sink in the next time you attend to a simple task!

Always remember we follow the one who turned water into wine not as a simple miraculous party trick but as a sign to God's greater purposes and promises.

                             https://youtu.be/xyh8lu-csJw?si=78KIGqMTg7kfHklY

  

'Don't worry, be happy.' - Weekly Reflection 1st February 2026

 This morning in Church we were asked what worries kept most people awake at night. Apparently Premier Inn had conducted a survey and the top answer was money.  We were exploring the whole theme of worrying and its negative effects on our lives. It robs us of peace and joy, and it can affect our health in all sorts of ways.

Jesus of course warns us against worrying in the Sermon on the Mount.

‘Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns— and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Matthew 6.25-27

I remember when I was working for Church Army at a Conference & Holiday Centre in Central London.  The staff met for prayers every morning and on one morning we read this passage in the King James version which renders verse 27 as, ‘Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?’

This made us smile because one of our staff had started to visit an elderly man who lived across the Square (Eccleston Square, near Victoria, London).  She had become involved with 'Help the Aged' and been asked to visit this elderly gentleman and check to see if he was doing okay. This passage made us smile because his name was Mr Cubbitt, a descendant of Thomas Cubbit who designed and built several of the fashionable Squares around that part of London.  By her concern she had added a ‘cubit’ to her life.

And there’s the rub, when does concern tip over into worry?

Remember ‘Don't Worry, Be Happy’ Bobby McFerrin

Ain't got no place to lay your head somebody came and took your bed

Don't worry be happy

The landlord say your rent is late he may have to litigate

Don't worry

Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha

Be happy

Look at me I'm happy

That all sounds wonderful and the song is itself is very catchy (a favourite of our eldest son’s when he was a small boy). 

I get what Jesus is saying, and I get what St Paul is saying in Philippians 4. 10-12, ‘Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.’

I even get what Bobby Mc Fern is trying to say, I grew up in the era of the Hippies.

If you sense that I am floundering around here it is because I am still trying to gain an understanding on when concern becomes worrying.

Concern is good because it motivates us and moves to action.

Imagine that a prisoner is wrongfully imprisoned, or is scared because of violence, or is suffering. Surely it would be nonsense to say, don’t worry, be happy.

And perhaps that’s part of the answer. Concern yes, worry, no. Added to this a concern for others, especially if I have any kind of responsibility for someone else.  

(And here I am immediately thinking of a story Jesus told about a man going down to Jericho who was robbed and beaten up)

I intend to do some more thinking around this and for starters I found this helpful description.

Concern and worry are two emotions that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences. Concern is a feeling of interest or care for someone or something, usually accompanied by a desire to help or take action. It is a more positive emotion that stems from genuine care and empathy. On the other hand, worry is a more negative and anxious emotion. It involves excessive thinking and dwelling on potential problems or negative outcomes. Worry often leads to stress and can be detrimental to one's mental well-being. While concern is rooted in compassion, worry is driven by fear and uncertainty. (For more see https://thisvsthat.io/concern-vs-worry)

Carry this definition into Jesus’ teaching and it all begins to make more sense. With this clearer definition I can monitor what I am feeling and ask that question. Is this a concern or am I worrying?  Is this about the other or about me? And there is nothing wrong with having concern about yourself, in fact, it is very important.  Remember Jesus’s summation of the law, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love your neighbour as yourself – if you don’t love and care for yourself….

The bigger question that is hard to answer is, how do you stop worrying?

Well perhaps the answer does lie in Jesus’ teaching. We need to learn to lean into Father God as a loving Father who cares and loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. When worry keeps us awake at night let us not  simply try counting sheep but rather talk to the Shepherd.

I would also add that this can find a practical expression when we are in a loving Faith Community who with mutual ‘concern’ for all members of the body seeking to ensure that everyone has all that they need. (See Acts 4.32ff)

Concern motivates - worry debilitates. 

Your 'neighbour' needs your concern, but you do not need worry!

'When I need a neighbour where you there?'

https://youtu.be/quBKGeg8_hw?si=hVu1daxv1Kf3Z1SG