The wells

I follow the McCheyne reading plan of the bible (commended to all so get hold of 'For the Love of God' by Don Carson) and have been going through the story of Joseph. There is lots of good stuff in it but I have been particularly struck by what it tells us about the soverignty of God. There is the most well known verse '...You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives'. This in fact refers to an earlier verse and comment by Joseph in Gen 45 where he says 'But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.'

So, the well of near death and despair actually worked out for Joseph's good (Gen 37) in terms is his character, family, his nation and the fortunes of Pharoah and Egypt. Isn't it funny though, how often we are thrown and panicked by the wells in our own lives. The mistakes and seemingly terrible circumstances were all part of the plan so beware it is at that moment that faith is in danger of taking a run. It is all gone wrong we tell ourselves -I am abandoned. The story rightly reminds us that even, and perhaps especially, God works his purposes though the wells of our lives.

So encouragement if you find yourself in a well and hear the words of the Saviour telling you 'Take courage! it is I. Don't be afraid' (Matt 14:27) .

Moving in

It is all quite a thing getting moved in. One of the greatest frustrations has been getting on-line and speaking to endless service providers. I am not a natural teccy and would rather read a book that play a video game so endless speaking to computer simulated voices to make my printer work or register my gas reading is enough to drive a man to insanity. Anyway, I am slowly getting sorted and have not yet gone completly mad but have certainly come close.

I have meant to share my holiday reads for some time so finally I get around to sharing them. I am what one might call a science dunce so I am quite proud of myself having read all 500+ pages of the new biography of Albert Einstein by Walter Issacson. I have decided to challenge my brain in understanding things that were left in a deep fog following my schooling. This is a tremendous work and opens up the life of one of the most extraordinary men of the last century. I think I could now have a stab a explaining the theory of relativity-very roughly! Also read 'Into thin air' the story of a fatal climbing expedition to Everest. Compelling stuff.

My quote of the moment is 'Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to there own facts' Douglas Moynihan

Now back to my sermon on Luke 12- Jesus bringing division. As our dear Principal used to say "Let us not shy away from the tricky passages". Thoughts on division- seems somewhat apt given my recent journey through college.....