Seeker

In this image a child reaches for the hand of her father. For me that is a lovely illustration of trust.  It looks as if father and child are walking. It may be that the child has no idea where they are going, but that's not a problem to the child. Daddy is here and Daddy can be trusted. How would you define trust? What about trust in God? What does that mean to you? About 4 years ago I wrote a post entitled What does it mean to trust God? In that post are some links that some may find helpful. Take a look and see what you think. Image Credit: mcdarius on Flickr, CC License

What does it mean to say you trust God? I suppose a lot depends on your concept of God. Earlier today I read The God in whom I do not believe.  It's a post well-worth reading. That got me thinking about the God in whom I do not trust. The God in whom I do not trust is the one who: provides me with a car parking place exactly where and when I want it, although I am able to walk a good distance; arranges things entirely for my convenience so I can have an easy life while others struggle just to survive; holds off the rain when I have an outdoor activity planned, even when the local farmers are desperate for rain; ensures I never experience failure, disappointment, pain or grief. I could go on but I hope you get the picture. Why am I thinking about trust and particularly trust in God? I've just signed up for a 40 day prayer journey about trusting God . This is part of the 'Prayer Works' project at the London Institute for Contemporary Chri...

Have you heard the story of the the young man preaching his 1st sermon? He mounted the pulpit, carefully placing the notes he'd spent so long preparing. Immediately a gust of wind blew his notes out of the open window. He laughed nervously and announced to the congregation, "I'm sorry. I've lost my notes. I suppose I'll just have to trust God." "I'll just have to trust God" is the thought that came to mind yesterday, when in the vestry just before a mid-week Holy Communion service, I discovered I'd left my carefully crafted 'homily' on the printer tray at home. Grabbing a post-it note I jotted down 1 or 2 words. The resulting reflection was appreciated by at least some of its hearers. The Holy Spirit can use our mistakes, including our forgetfulness. Some people can give a speech or sermon without notes. I'm not one of them. (Well I can, but I'd rather not - too frightening.) Some preachers prefer mainly to speak sponta...

The red and blue of Norway's national flag are said to represent freedom.  'Freedom' is a 'good' that Norwegians value highly. They take pride in the openness of their society, in tolerance and liberal values. All this must depend to a large extent on trust within their communities. Will this trust be destroyed by the dreadful destruction of human life and property in Oslo and Utoyah Island yesterday? I associate Norway with peace, probably because I've only visited as a summer holiday maker, touring its beautiful landscape, the last time 2 years ago for my nephew's wedding to a Norwegian. I don't associate it with fanaticism, urban bombings or mass shootings. Neither have the Norwegians, until now. They need our support and prayers. For another post about shooting the innocent see Shooting People

old olive trees in Gethsemane After Jesus' last meal with his friends he went out to the Mount of Olives, followed by his disciples. At the foot of the Mount of Olives is a garden - 'Gethsemane' (oil-press). There Jesus withdrew about a stone's throw from his disciples to pray alone. He was in anguish, anticipating the suffering to come. His prayer is a model of simple trust with honest request. He tells his heavenly Father what he really wants - to be spared the cup of suffering. At the same time he affirms his commitment that God's will be done. Here is Luke's version of his prayer: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." Luke 22: 42 I visited Gethsemane last October and was very moved by a prayer written in response to Jesus' prayer and engraved on a stone plaque: "O Jesus, in deepest night and agony you spoke these words of trust and surrender to God the Father in Gethsem...

Photo by Wade Franklin Trees grow their roots into the ground to find water. A tree planted by a stream is better able to survive summer heat or drought, than a shrub in a desert place. The image of a tree by the water is used several times in the Bible as a symbol of the person who trusts God. Nowhere is there a promise in the Bible that those who trust God will have an easy life. Lean times do come. The heat of all sorts of difficulties come. The secret of spritual flourishing through hard times and good is in the source of 'living water' for life. Streams of living water symbolise the life-giving God, source of all there is. The prophet Jeremiah gave his message through a tough period of time, political instability, economic hardship, fear of enemies. Much of his book has warnings of the doom to come, if people refuse to turn from evil ways to turn back to God. It also has beautiful pictures of hope in God. I love this one: "Blessed are those who trust i...