The airwaves have had a familiar voice singing out again, that of Andrea Corr. Confession, I feel creditability draining already, But I liked the CORR'S, yes their music. I did buy The live album “Corrs Unplugged”, although it was from a market stall on the beach of Penang, Malaysia so not sure The Corrs saw any of my money. Anyway, where did they go, they disappeared, the group broke up and some missed their brand of Celtic Rock.

But she is back, following her Sister Sharon, Andrea releases her solo Album “Lifelines” on 30th. She was interviewed on Breakfast TV this morning and asked why did she need to go of and learn French. “Because the fun had gone from performing, I needed a break, and now I am back ready to enjoy Singing and entertaining she answered with that lovely Dublin brogue. Sounds like as good a reason as any to me.

Getting a break would be lovely, to not turn up at work tomorrow, knowing the phone wouldn't ring and the boss shout”get yourself down here NOW! Or you could pull the duvet over your head and not be disturbed by the spouce asking” is there anything for the children's lunch DEAR> However wake up Brian and smell the coffee, we can't, few are in the Andrea Corr's situation where we can clear off for over a year and chill.

I was with someone today who has been forced to take a break, and already is feeling the benefit.

If we can't drop everything, and before the emergency forces on the brakes, should we not build into our days, breaks, even for a minute maybe five, an afternoon off leaving the to do list and go for a walk and coffee with a special person or a day away to enjoy something different. On Friday afternoon,I am for the golf course with 3 mates from Cregagh for the first Jolly Boy's Outing of the year.

Then it is so good many of organisation get the summer break, to refresh themsleves. For instance our Sunday School teachers get a well earned rest at the end of a busy year. Enjoy the break, the extra hour on a sunday morning.

The feed back centred on my ascertion that Jesus never said “we must be saved” I was emphasising that our western evangelical call to be saved, well, Jesus never actually used it. People did ask him who would be saved but Jesus never directly answered. He did use the word saved, but in the context of standing firm against temptation, different to what many christians mean today.

Then some asked “But what about night encounter with Nicodemus “- where Jesus actually does use the word Saved.- “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Was he talking about individuals or all of creation? It is a fascinating discussion between the two men. What does Jesus mean that whoever wants to see the Kingdom of God must be born of Water and Spirit. Do we then take it to mean that Water, Spirit and Jesus are all part of Conversion?

Does being born again not mean the same thing as being saved. Yes it could well do, but my difficulty was this. I had that moment of conversion, and then as instructed_ and I am thankful to God for those who where there at that time_ I read my Bible, prayed everyday, ( well most days} witnessed to others and took part in the life of the church, then why was I riddled with guilt when I missed doing these things. All those things were right, but not right enough. Was my Christian life going to be driven by a moment of conversion and personal piety. It was all too legalist, and I lost Jesus in the middle of it. It was more important to do the right things than meet the right person – Jesus.

So my discovery- It was this, 23 times in the Gospels Jesus said “Follow Me”

To all kinds of people, the rich, the working class fisherman and those in trouble- he didn't say ” are you saved” he said “follow me”

That was a real discovery _ that Jesus defined Christianity as following him. Now I was living with Jesus then and now. My christianity was defined by daily following of Jesus, So I found that liberating, as Jesus confronted Injustice so would I, as Jesus challenged religious rules, so could I, as Jesus brought healing, as Jesus prayed, as Jesus blessed, as Jesus forgave etc – you get the point. So it was a much greater experience, my faith was much wider. Do I beleive in conversion, yes, but I believe I need to keep on “working out my salvation” (Phil 2;12). That sounds like real conversion to me and Life in all all its fullness.

Think about this, which of these two people has God more opportunity of working through. A man who is in church most sundays, reads his bible regularly, and is seen as an upright citizen. He, however, has a issue. He demands respect from his family, and to get it, he uses violence to enforce his rule. On the other hand, there is a single mum with three primary school children, who sacrifices her life totally for the love of her children and prays every morning “Lord get me through this day” Church, no its the only day she has to catch up, so while the children get to sunday school, she would more likely sleep than listen. Who is following Jesus>

So please do not reqard me as a loosing my biblical faith, I am not, I am trying to be fair to what the Bible actually says.

Also Jesus did speak many times about His Kingdom and less so about Eternal Life and I want to say a few things about that.

I had been asked to conduct the funeral for a Seymour Street family member in Newtownards. I knew from the chat with the deceased mans family he was a “biker” But the knowledge of that could not have prepared me for the outstanding experience today.

At least 50 HarleyDs were outside the funeral home and men and woman of the Biker community were milling around. A number came into the service and respectfully took part in the worship and listened to the tributes to their friend. Then afterwards as we moved from the parlour to the grave the Bikers took charge. Attached to a Trike was a low traillor onto which was laid the coffin. Then leading us through parts of Newtownards the cavacade of roaring bikes stopped everything of normal life to an admiring standstill. The deceased was one of their's and as a community of friends and commrades they were giving one of their own, a send off appropirate to their lifestyle. It was so impressive but I felt out of it, not part of the community, but that was ok, infact it was a strange honor to be an observer of this group expressing there grief in their manner.

I also laughed as two teenagers on their mopeds quickly changed direction threatened by the sea of Harley D's.

Brian

Last night was a very well attended Holy Week service in Broomhedge, and Terry was beside himself at the numbers but less so when the numbers wanted to talk and talk and talk- but it was good.

The team had been wonderful yesterday helping clearing and disposing and being a wonderful example of servants. John spoke about that most difficult subjects- Forgiveness, oh the words ” Forgive us as we forgive, are so demanding of us, but then they were demanding of Jesus too! Strangley enough on a visit just after the service the issue of Forgiving came up and it is such a hard reality, that we know, but find it so hard. Need to keep on saying the words, massaging the heart and doing what we can to allow forgiveness progression.

I nearly gave some ladies a heart attack today- i offered to wash their feet, you could see the toes curling up in the shoes. but we had a helpful discussion, realising Jesus said unless we let him wash or feet he will have no part with us. he looks for humility, openess and acceptance of his ways.

I have had flu like symptons the last couple of days. I had a yellow fever injection about a week ago and the nurse said you might feel fluey within 7 days, she got that right almost to the hour. But what can one expect, it is a live vaccine into the body. so it should have an effect. To Spiritualise the illustration, sin is like that, a live virus causing all kinds of discomfort, upset and out bursts that are not good for us. The antidote, is coming in a couple of days, the one thing that can kill all know germs dead.

Shalom from the fluey place

They are a fine bunch, and have been willing to take on tasks of gardening, clearing and cleaning. Today they are going to be painting. Then, at the Holy Week service in Priesthill, we heard something more of the Spirituality. As an aside, boy was the singing something else last night. Anyway I hope you can get along some point this week to hear them

John spoke and asked the question “who is Jesus to you”around the question Jesus asked of his disciples “who do people say that I am” and as we know, first in line Peter answers ” you are the Christ” Then when Jesus begins to explain the implications of him being the Christ, death etc, Peter is not so sure he likes this, and is told to stop answering for Satan, and to get away. John affirmed that Jesus claim to be the Messiah was back up by his actions, that of resurrection, as ” without resurrection Christianity falls” So true.

Another Line from his sermon struck me- “was Jesus so egocentric and saw himself as th gift to the church” He drew the parallel, that we can sometimes think we are the gift to the church, that aspects of it would fall down without us. The basic facts might actually be right, that certain programmes, groups would not operate with specific, gifted leaders, but the true christian leaders would not begin to think like this. It's back to humility, back to seeing others better than ourselves.

So Shalom from the humble(d} place

Brian