Still Quarrying 73 - Heart Monitor.

Last Friday I saw my heart.   It was like a large rubber egg bobbing up and down, inflating and deflating.  You’ll know what I mean if you have ever experienced an Echocardiogram.  That’s the thing that enables the medics to determine the size of your heart and how well it is working especially the valves.  

I’ve already spoken to you about the ‘heart’ from a spiritual perspective (SQ 71), the core of our being, the place where thoughts are born, where emotions are experienced, where attitudes are formed.  That came to mind as I was watching the grainy black and white image of the organ  that quite literally keeps me going.  I was taken back to the night I was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.   One of the vows I was required to take went like this:

‘Are not zeal for the glory of God, love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire for the salvation of men, so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements to enter into this Ministry?’  

The response expected is a definite: ‘They are!’  But how was I to take that ‘so far as you know your own heart’?  Well Scripture reminds us that we are ‘dust’, fragile beings, imperfect, flawed and sometimes our ‘motives and chief inducements’ will not stand up to much scrutiny.  The Psalmists, the Prophets and Jesus are constantly reminding us of the darkness that can emerge from the hearts of men and women.  So in standing before God and His people I confirmed that I had examined my heart and so far as I was able to say my motives and inducements were sound.   To put it like this, I wished to work for the glory of God out of love for the Lord Jesus with the desire that others would come to know Him as Saviour and Lord.  

That doesn’t mean that the need for the heart to be monitored ceases from that moment.  Remember  what the Psalmist prays:

‘Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’  (Psalm 139: 23-24).  

As long as we remain on this side of eternity it will be necessary for us to be be aware of what’s going on in the depths of our being especially  our tendencies to stray from ‘the way everlasting.‘   This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.  The night before His death Jesus made this promise to His disciples:

‘If you love me you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.’  (John 14: 15-17)

The Greek word translated ‘Counsellor’ here can also mean ‘helper’, ‘advocate’, ‘comforter’, ‘encourager’.  Put them together and we have a picture of someone who stands alongside another, especially in times of trouble,  and guides them according to the ways of the Kingdom of God.   In a sense, the Holy Spirit is our heart monitor.   He reveals the ways of the Kingdom as they are found in the Word, shows us where we have departed from them, and encourages us to make the changes that will enable us to be more faithful as followers of Jesus.  To be the kind of people who can say that as far as they know their own heart their main motive in life is to work for the glory of God, out of their love for Jesus and driven with the desire to share with the world what they have found to be true in Him.  

Still Quarrying 72 - God's Plan.

It happens now and then.  Suddenly the words of a song seem to crystallize in your brain.  So this morning, barely awake, I hear:

‘That’s the way God planned it

 That’s the way God wants it to be.’  

Where did that come from?   Probably that part of my psyche that will forever belong to the Seventies I am thinking.  Actually it was from 1969 and the singer was Billy Preston.  He is sometimes called the ‘Fifth Beatle’ because of his keyboard work on some of their later songs, notably Get Back.  But That’s The Way God Planned It was what we used to call a ‘hit’ in many countries and became Billy Preston’s signature song.  

He was a committed Christian and maintained his faith despite being sexually abused as a child and a troubled adult life which included a divorce, a struggle with his sexuality and battle with drug addiction.  You have to ask, is that the way God planned it?  That would be difficult for many people to accept but obviously Billy never let go of the conviction that through it all there was a loving Presence working out His good purpose for his life.   

But this doesn’t explain why his words came to me this morning.  I mean it must be decades since I last heard the song.  And I didn’t immediately connect it with Billy Preston.  I had to resort to Google for that.  Maybe it was because yesterday was a big day for planning.  Another clinic at the Beatson to arrange the final phase of my treatment  which will be a stem cell transplant.   There are quite a few procedures that have to be followed before we get to that point not least the ‘harvesting’ of my stem cells for the transplantation.  Thus the planning and along the way there will be committed professionals who will support and direct.  There is good reason then for me to be confident at that level.  But I know also that the ‘everlasting arms’ spoken of by Moses to his people (Deuteronomy 33: 27) are also supporting and directing.  God’s plan for my life will continue to unfold.    

Does it bother me that this plan seems to include what I’ve been going through since March?  It certainly hasn’t been easy and in the circumstances that led to me being hospitalised a few weeks ago I was never so low.  But you have to remember the God who is revealed in Jesus.  He is not just the God of sunshine and rainbows but the God of Calvary when His love for the whole of humankind was revealed at its most profound.   In the sufferings of Jesus on the cross God made it possible for men and women to be forgiven, to be renewed at the deepest level of their lives and to face death with a steady eye knowing that a place in the Eternal Kingdom awaits.  That’s the way God planned it , the salvation of the world, and I know that whatever lies ahead for me even in the deepest darkness  the everlasting arms will never be withdrawn.  

Still Quarrying 71 - Having A Heart.

The cancer experience can turn up things you never expected.   The set-back that led to my spending a short spell in hospital raised a number of questions some of which might be resolved if I was placed on a Electrocardiogram Monitor.   This is a small gizmo rather like an ipod which you wear over a period of time, in my case 72 hours, which records how your heart is performing throughout your daily activities.   

If you look up any Bible Concordance you will find that the ancient people of faith were extraordinarily interested in ‘the heart’.  Not from a physiological or medical point of view however.  By and large, when we read of ‘the heart’ in Scripture this refers to a person’s inner being, the core of a person’s being, the place where thoughts are born, where emotions are experienced, where attitudes are formed.   If you like it is the ‘heart’ that directs the people we are and can work for good or ill.   The Psalmist Asaph observing the ‘wicked’ around him says:

‘From their callous hearts 

 comes iniquity;

 the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.’  (Psalm 73: 7)

Jesus takes this up in His teaching.  Speaking against the Pharisees and their obsession with traditions that have no basis in Scripture he says:

 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”  (Matthew 15: 17-20)

Here is Jesus again speaking about the ‘heart’ and how we know when it is in good order:

 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.‘   (Luke 6: 43-45)

We see the health of a person’s inner being in how that person is experienced outwardly.  In particular Jesus homes in on speech.  This is the ‘overflow’ of the heart.  We see the state of water in a tank by what comes out in the overflow pipe.  Similarly we see to the core of a person’s being in how their lives are outwardly expressed, particularly in their words which express opinions, priorities, attitudes.  The things that direct their lives and show the quality of their lives.    

From our perspective medicine in Jesus‘ day could rightly be described as primitive.  The people of His day would have been amazed that my heartbeat could be monitored over a 72 hour period on a small piece of equipment.  We are so much more advanced.   It is doubtful, however, if we are any further forward when it comes to spiritual health.  If it were possible to monitor our spiritual ‘hearts’ what would be the results?  Mind you, we have a monitor in God’s Word but more particularly in the person at the heart of that Word.   Jesus presents us not just with teaching but is also the embodiment of that teaching.   

‘Spirituality’ has become fashionable.  People who would nor profess faith in God describe themselves as ‘spiritual’ if they are sensitive, meditative, interested in ancient wisdom.  For a Christian our spirituality is our daily walk with Christ.  Has His teaching found a place in our hearts such that He is directing our priorities and attitudes?   This is surely what Paul means when he says:

‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’  (Colossians 2: 6-7)

People sometimes refer to the day when they gave their heart to Jesus.  That’s fine if it’s recognized that this is not a one off event but a commitment to live our lives in Him.    

Still Quarrying 70 - Everything New!

I’m told that my first visit to the cinema was a disaster.   Nothing would induce me to enter this darkened room where who knows what horrors lurked and no doubt embarrassed parents were forced to make a retreat.   Thankfully my grandson Busby is made of sterner stuff.  I was privileged to be present at his first visit to the cinema last Friday.  Not that I would have needed that excuse to see Toy Story 4 but it was great to see it with the undisputed Best Boy In The World.   And he behaved impeccably as you can see from the photo on the left.  I should say that the red eyes are a photographic quirk.   Actually, during the whole experience his eyes were filled with wonder.  That’s the way you want it to be with First Things.  

Some years ago, out on the bike on a country path I was held up by a small dog.  It just stood there in the middle and would not move.  It was a case of who blinks first and having had a good dose of Clint Eastwood movies I knew it would not be me.   The owners arrived and were full of apologies: ‘He is only three months old.  He has never seen a bike before.  To him everything is new.‘   Those words stayed with me.  That’s what heaven must be like.  Everything is new.  

The Book of Revelation can be a challenging read but to be in it is to share visions the Apostle John was given of the world to come.  The veil is drawn back and we are given glimpses of the quality of life we will enjoy when Jesus’ great project is complete and the Earth is renewed.   Come in John:

‘Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”’ (Revelation 21: 1-5)

This is where the whole of human history is heading, to a place where everything that has ever made us cry is no longer part of our experience.   Not long ago I was deeply moved to see someone who has had her own share of suffering wiping the tears from the face of another.   This is what we have to look forward to.  No more death, mourning, pain.  No more reason for tears.  Jesus will make everything new.   Paul tells us that those who believe in Him have a foretaste of this in God’s gift of the Holy Spirit:

‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.’  (Ephesians 1: 13-14)

It is the Spirit who sustains us in this ‘old order of things’ where there is reason for tears.  It is the Spirit who brings us through to that Kingdom where tears are a distant memory, where all things are new.  

Still Quarrying 69 - Home.

Only if you don’t watch television, listen to the radio or read a newspaper will you be unaware that we are approaching the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.  A recent television documentary mentioned a game that was played by NASA officials in the days leading to the launch.  ‘If you are stranded on a desert island which of the three Apollo 11 astronauts would be your perfect companion?‘   Some went for the scholarly Buzz Aldrin and his monumental intellect.  Others spoke up for Michael Collins and the sheer quality of his character.  In the end, though, it was agreed that Neil Armstrong was the man who was most likely to get you home.

There is always something emotionally powerful about the idea of ‘home.‘   Frederick  Buechner has written a book entitled The Longing For Home.   One reviewer described it as Beuchner speaking out of his own experience ‘to illuminate our own understanding of home as both our place of origin and our ultimate destination.‘   This comes through in the movie Apollo 13 which tells the story of that aborted mission to the moon.    The astronauts gaze in wonder at the surface of the moon knowing that they will not land there.   The voice of the commander Jim Lovell breaks into the moment: ‘Gentlemen, what are your intentions?   I would like to go home.’  

People approaching the final challenge of death sometimes speak of ‘going home.‘   They don’t mean leaving the hospital or hospice.  They have experienced the power of Jesus’ promise that having passed through death to the Eternal Kingdom He is preparing a place for all those who love Him.  The night before He was nailed to the cross He told His disciples that He was going home to His Father’s ‘house’.   It was a house with many rooms and the promise was: ‘I am am going to prepare a place for you.’  (John 14: 1-4)  When it came the time for their final breath they would find a place prepared in the Father’s house.   The way to that place was to acknowledge Jesus as ‘the way, the truth and the life’.  (John 14: 6)   He was the One who would get them home.  

A character in Robert Frost’s poem The Death Of A Hired Man describes home as ‘the place where, when you have to go there,/They have to take you in.‘   In our humanity sometimes we receive people with reservation but for those who cherish the promise of Jesus there is the assurance of the Father’s welcome for the wayward son, the place prepared, suffering giving way to completeness in Christ.   And the wonder of it is, in the words of another character in the poem,  home with Jesus is ‘Something you somehow haven’t to deserve.’  

Still Quarrying 68 - Shine!

One of the frustrations of the last few weeks has been an eye infection, all the more so since it seems to be clearing up only to return with a vengeance.   Eyelids swollen,  sometimes glued shut with yuchy stuff, itchiness.  Thankfully at present a course of antibiotics seems to be dealing with it.   Just another consequence of a dodgy immune system.   

With this going on I am more than usually interested when I come across any mention Jesus makes of eyes as he does in Luke 11: 33-36:

 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.  Your eye is the lamp of your body.  When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

We tend to think of eyes as ‘receivers’.  We open our eyes and we receive impressions of the world around us, we receive printed words and painted images, we receive light and darkness.  Jesus, however, is thinking of eyes in a different way.   He is speaking figuratively, of course, but he is saying that eyes are ‘transmitters’.  They are not so much receiving as giving out a message.  They are showing the kind of people we are.

I have to confess that over the years I have had to work at this to unravel it but in the end I believe I am being challenged to think about where my eyes go in the course of my life.  If they are looking to God, seeking to be close to Him, seeking His truth, living my life according to that truth, then my personality will, as Jesus says, be ‘full of light’.   If, however, my eyes are fixed on others who make claims to ‘truth’ and seek to establish my priorities, shape my values and direct my behaviour then my personality will, as Jesus says, be ‘full of darkness.’  

As always happens with Jesus’ teaching there is in the end a choice to be made.  He says: ‘See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.‘   Those things that you may have received as ‘light’ concerning priorities, values, directions - where have they come from?  Are they truly ‘light’?  If they have not come from the Source of all light then they are darkness.  So Jesus is sounding out a warning: ‘Be careful out there!  It is God’s will that you be ‘full of light’, that you be ‘completely lighted’.  He wants you to be like that lamp in your front room that sends out nothing but light.‘   

Paul picks this up in his letter to the Christians in Philippi who he says are living in ‘a crooked and depraved generation’ but in which they are called to ‘shine like stars in the universe’.  They do this as they ‘hold out the word of life.’  (Philippians 2: 14-16)   As they have received the light through the Gospel, as the truth has made an impact on their lives, so they must show this light in their preaching and their living.  

It’s bad enough when my physical eyes are not up to the mark.  But this has been a time for me to consider something far more vital to my wellbeing.  What about those spiritual eyes?  Where are they going?  

Still Quarrying 67 - Satisfied.

Psalm 90 carries the name of Moses ‘the man of God.‘   He calls to mind a God of light and darkness.   He is the Creator ‘who brought forth the earth and the world’ (v. 2) but He is also the Extinguisher of life according to His purpose: ‘You sweep men away in the sleep of death.’  (verse 5)  Also, imperfect and broken the man of God has experienced the judgement of God: ‘You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.’ (v. 8)  And he acknowledges God’s sovereignty over the years of every person’s life:

‘The length of our days is seventy years - 

 or eighty if we have the strength;

 yet their span is but trouble 

 and sorrow,

 for they quickly pass, and we fly away.’  (v. 10)

If it ended there we would wonder where is the hope, where is the motivation to go forward in faith.  But the man of God is praying, he is looking to the God he knows and while he continues to keep company with Him there will be hope and faith.  

The God he knows is a God of compassion (v. 13) and he is convinced it is that compassion which envelopes all his days and makes his life purposeful.  From God flows the wisdom that  guides him in the ways of goodness and truth and steadies his inner being in the face of life’s challenges.  (v. 12)  He is led to the conviction that God is his ultimate need expressed in his plea:

‘Satisfy us in the morning with 

 your unfailing love,

 that we may sing for joy and

 be glad all our days.’  (v. 14)  

Lord give us grace to make this prayer our own!  Whatever else brings us satisfaction in life  Lord make us clear in our minds that ultimate satisfaction for our inner being is to be found in You alone as You have revealed Yourself in Jesus.   Charles Wesley knew this and expressed it in a hymn:

‘Thou, O Christ, art all I want;

 More than all in thee I find;

 Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,

 Heal the sick and lead the blind.’  

It is in Christ that the ‘unfailing love’ of God is revealed, to be seen and experienced.    It is in Christ that we learn of God that ‘He loved us from the first of time,/He loves us to the last.‘   He stand even in the midst of our worst of times and brings the assurance through His death and resurrection that we are loved  and will be loved to the end.  

The man of God ends his prayer with the wish that God will enable His people to joyfully tell His story through all the generations:

‘May the favour of the Lord

 our God rest upon us ;

 establish the work of our hands for us - 

 yes, establish the work of our hands.’  (v. 17)