The Wind will run out of breath

I love this picture of Fraserburgh harbour looking out to the breakwater. The contrast is stark from what is clearly rough weather beyond the breakwater wall and the relative calm inside the harbour.

It brings back some great memories of my younger days. When a storm hit we would drive down the breakwater as the waves crashed over engulfing the car. If you hit the brake you were chicken.

Sometimes we live in an incredible storm when the wind and waves of life crash into us. I love the story of when Jesus and the disciples were caught in a storm. A word from Jesus and the Bible records this:

The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. - Mark 4 v 39

With Jesus on board we can be sure that the "wind will run out of breath."

Overcautious

‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that!" - Matt 25 v 26

Jesus tells a story about 3 entrepreneurs that were given some finance to develop businesses and make money. Two of them were successful and doubled the investment. One of them didn't even try, hid the money and handed it back unused.

Jesus response "Its criminal to live cautiously."

Honestly I am a cautious person.
If investing money I'd go for the cautious fund.
My often used word with my kids, Be careful!
Cautious people like me tend to see the risks before others.
So maybe I could be the guy in Jesus story who plays it ultra safe scared of what I could lose.

That maybe OK if is my own gifting or assets but God doesn't want us to play it safe with His gifts. He gives us gifts to use not to admire or protect. Anything he gives us only finds its true fulfilment when used to make a difference in another.

There is no need to let fear dominate our behaviour when God's gifts are at stake. The risk is diminished because of the giver.

What Jesus found memorable

You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she has just done is going to be remembered and admired.” - Matt 26 v 13

What I often find most memorable in Jesus life:

Healing the sick
Raising the dead
Walking on water
Calming the storm
Feeding 5000 with a picnic box
Turning water into wine

What I sometimes find memorable in church life:

Great worship
Awesome music
Inspired preaching
Big numbers attending

What Jesus said would be remembered as long as the gospel is preached:

One simple act of worship where a thankful forgiven soul takes their most valuable possesion and "squanders" it by pouring it over her saviour.

Time to reasses my view of memorable.

Building Update

Although mostly obscured from view because of our contractors hoarding, much has been happening on our building plot.

It turned from a green field into a mud bath but this week things really started to take shape when the steelwork arrived.

Here is a short video. (Song: This City by Elevation Church)

New Building Update from Billy Ritchie on Vimeo.

Unannounced Guest

Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. Matt 24 v 46

One of the great things about growing up in a small village when I did was that so many people had an open door policy. You didn't have to use the words, "lets do coffee", you just turned up and did coffee. Well it was more likely to be tea back then St Arbucks had not been invented.

So very often we had unannouced guests in our house. The door would open and you would hear a familiar voice say "is er onybody in". Maybe thats why I seem to remember our house always being spotless and we always had home made cakes in the cupboard. My mum was always ready for someone to drop by at any time.

I'm not really sure I am ready for Jesus to drop in any time i'd feel more comfortable with a bit of notice!

Steelwork arrives

Big day at MKCC. The steelwork arrives for our continued building project and finally something starts to rise out of the ground.




Looking across what will be our foyer onto the Auditorium beyond.

Paul's View on the prosperity Gospel

“I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion.34 With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me.35 In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’ - Acts 20 v 33

Seems to me like Paul hadn't quite signed up for the "prosperity" Gospel as it is today.
He didn't desire an Armani Suit or Rolex watch.
As a bi vocational volunteer church leader he filled the known world with the message of Jesus as well as supporting his missionary team.
He didn't use his fame to attract riches but used his influence to help the vulnerable and voiceless.
He preferred to follow the example of our servant saviour rather than twist His words for selfish gain.

Plan B

Heard yesterday a bout a new book being released by Pete Wilson in a couple of months that really took my eye.

Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesnt Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?

This video explains more.

Plan B from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

I have already pre ordered it and you can as well here