GC the Pig

There was once a piglet named GC. He was a very fat little piglet who loved to travel around the countryside, visiting churches along the way. One day he paused outside a tidy little white-painted timber church. The sign outside the building read “God’s Church.”

A stately giraffe was mowing the lawn. Catching sight of the piglet, she switched off the mower and came to the fence.

“Good morning, Mr Pig.” said the giraffe. “What a lovely day it is today. Are you just passing through our town?”

“Well, I thought I might stay here for a while” replied GC. “I like visiting different churches, you see. My name’s GC.”

“Goodness me” said the giraffe. “So’s mine! What does your GC stand for?”

“Gossip and Criticism” said the piglet. “I love it. I can’t get enough of it. Especially in churches.”

“Oh dear,” said the giraffe, “that really won’t do at all. We don’t want gossip and criticism in God’s church”

“Well what does your name stand for then?” asked Gossip Criticism.

“I’m Grace Charity” replied the giraffe.

“I prefer Gossip and Criticism myself. The more you have of it the bigger and fatter it gets.”

“I don’t doubt it.” replied Grace Charity. “Look, I’m sorry, but we can’t let you in here.”

“I know” said Gossip Criticism “What if I had a name change? Something else starting with GC perhaps? What about Good Christian?”

“Just about everyone in our congregation is a good Christian” said Grace Charity.

“Greed and Corruption?”

“Definitely not!”

“I don’t know why you’re making such a fuss” said the pig. “At the last town they had no problem with Gossip and Criticism. They fed me every Sunday, most of the days in between and especially after church board meetings.”

“I’ve thought about it” said Grace Charity. “How would you feel about becoming Gentle Compassion?”

“Does that grow every time you feed it?”

“I think that if you make it a permanent change, you will find it will grow within you, especially in your heart.” said Grace Charity.

“You know what” said the piglet “I think I’d like to be Gentle Compassion. I think I’d like to be one of the Good Christians and stay here in God’s Church. And maybe if I give up Gossip and Criticism I can be a Good Companion too. Do you think so Grace?”

“I think you’ve made a good decision. I think in your heart you always wanted to be Gentle Compassion” said Grace Charity the giraffe. “Come on inside now and let’s have a cup of tea.”

Vashti

One of my favourite people in the entire bible is Queen Vashti, who appears briefly in the first chapter of the book of Esther. Vashti was summoned by her husband, King Xerxes, who had been carousing with his mates for a week, to put on her crown and appear in front of his guests to display her beauty. Even though she had been enjoying the benefits of life in the royal palace, partying with her own friends while her husband entertained his guests; and was no stranger to the sumptuous comforts of royal life described in this chapter, Vashti had the temerity to say “No.”

We are not really told the reason for this refusal but it seems likely that Vashti was reluctant to be viewed merely for her physical attributes. Given that the king’s word was law, she was probably aware of the seriousness of her refusal and the likelihood of retribution. I think she was a woman who took her self-respect seriously.

As a woman, I cannot help but be amused by the king’s consternation and referral to his wisest officials for advice as to what to do with his rebellious wife, and their fear that her conduct might be imitated by other women in the kingdom. On a more serious note, however, it does highlight the need for domestic accord and respect between partners in order for families, communities and nations to function effectively.

Vashti was banished from the king’s sight. According to Jewish tradition she was executed; other sources portray her as being held under house arrest. The bible does not elaborate. It is her departure that paves the way for the introduction to the royal household of Queen Esther, who was to save the Jewish exiles in the Persian Empire from annihilation. Esther too was beautiful and spirited and determined to follow the dictates of her conscience. Vashti was unafraid to deny the king. Esther boldly entered his presence without being summoned. King Xerxes must have wondered what was happening with his womenfolk.

I like to imagine that Vashti left the palace with a bundle of jewels, sold them and lived a life of adventure afterwards. Once again we see only a small picture of the whole, a glimpse of how one person’s decision had far-reaching consequences for the Kingdom of God. None of us are immune to having to make difficult choices, to risk offending someone by following our own standards or having to speak up and say “No way!” when somebody expects us to just follow their lead. When we are true to our values despite the consequences, God honours our choices in ways which we may never fully know or understand.

A meditation on the physical body following surgery

This is my physical body, recovering

From the onslaught of the enemy

This body that You, O Lord my creator

Formed in my mother’s womb

You designed me, I was in Your thoughts

When You brought forth the trees and skies

Yet, from the first dark days of the fall

We have learned to be ill at ease

with our bodies

Have listened to the evil one

Who tells us to hate and misuse and abuse them

or to be overly proud and indulgent of them

These bodies that are meant to be

a reflection of Your glory

a temple of Your holiness

So I come to You in this time of recovery

As healing fills my physical body

With grateful thanks that you are restoring

the health that was taken away

That You are doing a good work within me

Your Holy Spirit,

as I sit before You

flows into my being,

Your wonderful, saving, forgiving

and healing presence

flows into my being,

Surrounds and encompasses me

I invite Your healing touch

for every part of me

From the hairs of my head to the soles of my feet

Every cell, muscle, tissue, fibre

Mind and body and soul together

You are the Great Physician, Father.

Lord Jesus, You have gone before,

and experienced every pain and fear

that we bear, and so much more.

Thank You that what was accomplished on the cross

was for our salvation

That we can know Your presence

and love You

Until the time

that these flawed bodies are exchanged

for heavenly ones

And we who falter and struggle in the shadows

We will see You face to face in Your glorious light.

Amen

This mediatation and the poem "A hand in the darkness" were written following cancer surgery in 2000. A diagnosis of cancer is always traumatic for a family. I am so grateful to God that His presence was with me throughout, lovingly demonstrated by my husband and children, extended family and friends, church family, schoolteachers and the medical staff at Royal Brisbane Hospital. I praise God for recovery and the gift of many more years with my loved ones.

Included

We live in a world that promotes exclusivity. It’s a pyramid shaped society, with room at the top for the certain few, with very many climbing up the various ladders to reach that apex. We talk about social climbers, ascending the corporate ladder, buying the upmarket address. The world tells us that if we can engineer ourselves into a position where we can feel superior to others by belonging to a small, select group, we have achieved something.

How different this was to the life and principles of Jesus Christ. He travelled throughout the land of Israel, preaching His message and performing His miracles to all who would follow Him. He ministered to noblemen and officials, shepherds and beggers. He loved people who were traditionally excluded by the general public and sadly, by those in religious life. He associated with lepers, women of dubious morals, taxmen, zealots, criminals, the poor and needy, sick and dying. He didn’t consider himself to be too important to make time for children.

Christians are the last people on earth who should feel exclusive. The bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) but that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8) There was nothing that anyone could do to make ourselves worthy of what we have received. What utter gratitude we owe our Heavenly Father for the price paid for our salvation.

Because we have been given such a gift, we owe it to the world around to share it with others. There is no excuse for becoming a small, select community that fails to care for the unchurched, both at home and overseas. We all have workmates, neighbours, family and others who are dying inside without the gospel.

And what of that new person who visits our church? Or the person who is sitting alone, week after week, in the pews, while we sit with our same groups of friends? What about the one who hurries away afterwards or stands alone in the courtyard, on the fringes while we chatter away unaware in our twos and threes, with cups of tea in hand? It’s quite surprising, when you share with people, how many Christians who love the church service are anxious about the social interactions afterward and feel isolated. It’s not a rare phenomenon by any means. Blessed are the ones who widen the circles and welcome others into their midst.

“He [God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9) God wants everyone to come into relationship with Him, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. How wonderful to be included by Him. He is inclusive and wants us to be likewise.

A Hand in the Darkness

Blankets wrapped around me
warm as your loving arms,
I stretch out a hand in the darkness,
Knowing tension and tiredness
yet cannot rest.
Feeling afraid and bruised again,
my energy drained
by the constant demands of time.
I stretch out a hand,
knowing You are there to take it.
Even in the night
You are the night-light, shining
brighter than the stars.
Your hand is in mine, comforting,
reassuring, energizing.
Your hand fills me with Your caring presence,
Streaming into my tired soul
and filling it with love.

Amazing creatures

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104 v.24 (NIV)

God's workmanship is so amazing! He made a planet full of intricate, diverse and complex plants and animals. It's a joy to capture on camera a beautiful blossom, a busy insect, a shy reptile. This young banded blue-tongued skink was sitting on the wall in my native habitat garden this afternoon.

Church hurt : Euodia and Syntyche

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”(Philippians 4:2-3 NIV)

In the course of my life I’ve known many women named Ruth, Rebekah, Sarah, Anna, Deborah and Mary. I’ve never met a single person called Euodia or Syntyche. (There is in fact, a pretty pink-blossomed Euodia tree grown here in Queensland but I digress.) Some biblical names conjure up associations with grace, strength and beauty, but in the case of Euodia and Syntyche, the association is, unfortunately, with discord.

The short (4 chapter) epistle to the church at Philippi is one that resounds with joy and encouraging words- it only takes a quick read through to identify numerous Sunday school bible verses therein. Yet in his final greetings, Paul singles out a conflict between two women that was of obvious concern.

I do feel rather sorry for Euodia and Syntyche. These ladies were active in the life of the Philippian church, working hard for its purposes, when a rift had occurred. As with many of the people that are named in the Bible, we are only given a tiny glimpse of their lives and sometimes giant deductions which may or may not be correct are made from a little information. Whatever had happened between these two women, it was significant enough for Paul to have learned about it.

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche….” There is something tender about Paul’s words to these women, a far cry from the almost satirical references to the pair we may sometimes find in the comments of others. He understands the pain of hurt within the body of Christ. It is always unexpected and divisive. He emphasizes their contributions. They were not two silly women who had nothing better to do but fight. Sadly and ironically, their names were to be forever linked together, probably something neither of them would have wished for.

Paul acknowledges that there was a problem. This was not something to be swept under the carpet. He acknowledges that both women were working for the cause of the gospel and were Christians with their names in the Lamb’s book of life. Paul’s warning against false doctrine at the end of the preceding chapter is enough to indicate that this dispute was not in that sphere.

Paul states that they are to “agree in the Lord.”  There is a sense that they are to both focus on Jesus, rather than each other or the problems that had divided them. When studying scripture, it is always useful to look at the verses that precede and follow an item being studied. After declaiming the false teachers and those with earthly priorities in chapter three, in the first verse of chapter 4, Paul exhorts his friends to “stand firm.” Satan is at his busiest in the Christian church, for he knows that this is where his opposition is, not in the acquiescent world. Then, as now, quarrels cause  disunity and distract the individual and the church from its main task of spreading the gospel.

Now, as then, it may seem impossible to resolve a rift, such are the hurts and behaviours and personalities of the people involved. Yet Jesus said that the things which are impossible with men are possible with God. ( Luke 18:27; Mark 10:27 and Matthew 19:26). With prayer, humility and surrender, disputes can be used for God’s ultimate glory.

Paul also requests that the church assist Euodia and Syntyche to resolve their differences, acknowledging that this was not being done.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” says Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5. Paul asks a trusted colleague to mediate in the affair. The word “mediate” means to “carry between.” Unfortunately in some instances what is carried between folk in the event of a church dispute is slander and gossip.

We are given instructions, particularly in Matthew chapter 18, regarding the process of settling disputes according to Christian principles.  We are also provided with principles fostering repentance and forgiveness in the gospels. Sadly, the world is awash with folk who have been hurt in churches. Whole ministries exist to apply balm to the wounded. Congregations are ripped apart in rifts, ministry careers are ruined and lives shattered, sometimes by the words and actions of a very few. We cannot afford to trivialise or ignore quarrels.

Yet all is not lost. When we look beyond the quarrel of Euodia and Syntyche, the following verse scintillates: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). The chapter continues with reminders that our value is found in pleasing God, not man. Paul explains that we are vindicated by being gentle, praying to God and  experiencing His peace. We are to focus on the things of God – pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy; and to concern ourselves with doing His will. Then we will know His peace and joy that surpasses any earthly trials.

We don’t know what happened to the two ladies. Perhaps Euodia married, had seven children and purchased a network of flourishing vineyards, providing the church with much needed finances. Maybe Syntyche taught herself to read and write and undertook several missionary journeys to England. We do know that the church in Phillipi continued to grow and flourish, which is what they both would have wanted.

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