The image is James (whose feast it is today) - who left his Father in the boat and with his brother followed Jesus, may we forsake all things of this world to walk to the heartbeat of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to proclaim God's love and life. Amen.
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Monday, 26 July 2021
Monday, 7 October 2013
Smoke and Mirrors: 'Flying Care Visits'
Last Saturday, passing a parked ambulance and fearing the worse I stopped and banged on the back door. Finding no one at home I went to check on one of the vulnerable people I knew in the block it was outside and found my worst fears realised as the front door was opened by a paramedic. After a quick chat with the the soon to be hospitalised person I left wondering how we might provide some more consistent care for them.
That afternoon I received a call from someone asking me to pop in and visit their ageing relative for a chat as they were struggling a little now that they were on their own. Of course I said I'd visit and this made me think about the earlier ambulance thing. Amazingly, yesterday at the Parish church I was asked whether I remembered one of the former members who was there when I was Curate. Having responded in the affirmative I was regaled with a tale of woe regarding their situation at home and the circumstances that led to their eventual move to an old people's provision.
It is right and proper that we help people to remain as independent as they can be in their own homes and yet this is a costly exercise that the state cannot, no - will not - pay for and so we come up with this touching base exercise, the twelve minute visit, that has attracted the label 'Flying Care Visit'. The person starring in the Saturday Ambulance visit was in receipt of this but had had the visits cut because of funding, a situation that meant they were due to be seen to be alive in the morning and again in the evening but the middle of the day visit was to be gone. Now, fortunately for them, they were poorly when the early visit was made and so help was quickly forthcoming but what would have happened had they been taken ill at say, eleven?
I'm concerned that we are engaging in the kneejerk response here and missing the point, which is that if we are to encourage and support those growing older or suffering from severe medical condition to stay at home then we, and here whilst I mean society knowing it will end up as Church, needs to be engaged and active. The provision of but a few different people looking in and checking on a more regular basis will provide companionship and a check in one and will avoid the situation before us - and I know that the funding isn't there to provide more visits and the desire (and ability) to pay is non-existent too - but perhaps the desire should be ours (the church).
The Bible leaves me in no doubt that I am responsible for the care and welfare of those around me and I know that if everyone who has tutted at the reports of Flying Care this morning committed themselves to be involved, to check on family, friends and neighbours we'd see an end to these stories and have a community too.
I write this knowing that I am as guilty as the next man (or woman - nothing sexist here) and would like to challenge those who are members of churches (and especially those who lead them) to call their fellowships together and see how they can make real what today they are bemoaning as lost.
James 1.27 talks about what 'real' religion (which is relationship and not rules) is in this way:
'If you think you're 'religious' because you use the right words and talk a good game then you're wrong. It's nothing more than hot air and has no value before man or God. What has value before God, and man, is that you reach out to the homeless and loveless; the old, infirm and the shut-ins as they live out their lives. And as you do, watch that you do not become, as the world is, hypocrites and seekers of a good self-image'
The reality is that the way we provide care is wrong and the greater truth is that it will not get better unless we use action rather than words - sounds like a call to the Church to me.
Or will we use smoke and mirrors too?
That afternoon I received a call from someone asking me to pop in and visit their ageing relative for a chat as they were struggling a little now that they were on their own. Of course I said I'd visit and this made me think about the earlier ambulance thing. Amazingly, yesterday at the Parish church I was asked whether I remembered one of the former members who was there when I was Curate. Having responded in the affirmative I was regaled with a tale of woe regarding their situation at home and the circumstances that led to their eventual move to an old people's provision.
It is right and proper that we help people to remain as independent as they can be in their own homes and yet this is a costly exercise that the state cannot, no - will not - pay for and so we come up with this touching base exercise, the twelve minute visit, that has attracted the label 'Flying Care Visit'. The person starring in the Saturday Ambulance visit was in receipt of this but had had the visits cut because of funding, a situation that meant they were due to be seen to be alive in the morning and again in the evening but the middle of the day visit was to be gone. Now, fortunately for them, they were poorly when the early visit was made and so help was quickly forthcoming but what would have happened had they been taken ill at say, eleven?
I'm concerned that we are engaging in the kneejerk response here and missing the point, which is that if we are to encourage and support those growing older or suffering from severe medical condition to stay at home then we, and here whilst I mean society knowing it will end up as Church, needs to be engaged and active. The provision of but a few different people looking in and checking on a more regular basis will provide companionship and a check in one and will avoid the situation before us - and I know that the funding isn't there to provide more visits and the desire (and ability) to pay is non-existent too - but perhaps the desire should be ours (the church).
The Bible leaves me in no doubt that I am responsible for the care and welfare of those around me and I know that if everyone who has tutted at the reports of Flying Care this morning committed themselves to be involved, to check on family, friends and neighbours we'd see an end to these stories and have a community too.
I write this knowing that I am as guilty as the next man (or woman - nothing sexist here) and would like to challenge those who are members of churches (and especially those who lead them) to call their fellowships together and see how they can make real what today they are bemoaning as lost.
James 1.27 talks about what 'real' religion (which is relationship and not rules) is in this way:
'If you think you're 'religious' because you use the right words and talk a good game then you're wrong. It's nothing more than hot air and has no value before man or God. What has value before God, and man, is that you reach out to the homeless and loveless; the old, infirm and the shut-ins as they live out their lives. And as you do, watch that you do not become, as the world is, hypocrites and seekers of a good self-image'
The reality is that the way we provide care is wrong and the greater truth is that it will not get better unless we use action rather than words - sounds like a call to the Church to me.
Or will we use smoke and mirrors too?
Monday, 1 October 2012
James 5 - What an ending
Yesterday our time with the book of James (the oldest of the New Testament books as he was martyred in 62 AD) drew to a close and he left us as he has been with us - growing and considering our Christian life.
We've considered the many ways in which our faith needs to be worked at. Compared tongues with rudders on ships - both relatively small and yet both are able to lead us onto the rocks. We've thought about giving and having and being and at last, thankfully, have reached the end of the book and can relax.
Let's say goodbye to James as he signs off with a blessing and greets the brethren (as Paul would have done). What? No way, he’s going down with all guns blazing as he tells us just how powerful prayer is and how we need to be accountable to one another. How prayer is effective and being in communication with God is the perfect network as we engage in ‘Pray as you go, anytime (it’s as if He was in the room with you it’s so clear' communications mode. And the network – U3 (of course)!
Prayer is about relationship – for too many live their Christian lives by ‘faith’ and yet neither engage in conversation with the other party (GOD) or have an relationship with Him! Try living with someone who doesn’t communicate – it’s a recipe for disaster and people would say, “That’s not a marriage!” – and yet we, as Christians do the same in out faith life!
That what our services are – two-way communications sessions. We sing songs to Him (and He to us), we read His word (and he talks to us about them) We talk to him (a quick prayer is enough) and He talks to us – continuously throughout the service – or do we.
It’s easy to pray when there’s problems
Easy to praise when you’re happy
But if you’re sick – call the elders?
If you've sinned – call on one another!
If we need rain – pray like Elijah (well not at the moment perhaps).
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things but it is communication. It is about being in relationship. It is about communication and conversation – it’s gossiping to God and hearing wisdom too!
Now, when there’s two or more of us (which is all about being a legal witness) we are considered by some to be Church and have Jesus in the middle.
Now I know the power of prayer triplets – when three get together and pray and agree (which isn’t what it sounds like – it is about one-mindedness not uttering 'I agree with you' noises), when we share good and God bad and God’s salvation.
So if you're reading this (and some people do I reckon) then it's time to find two others and pray with them for people you'd like to see come and join with you in the struggle (and for some the struggle is church itself!). It's time to form a triplet and pray for that person with needs and praying expecting to see those needs met!
And going to church? One of the best reasons for going is share stories of successes and learn from the failure of others. You are being successful aren't you?
Pax
We've considered the many ways in which our faith needs to be worked at. Compared tongues with rudders on ships - both relatively small and yet both are able to lead us onto the rocks. We've thought about giving and having and being and at last, thankfully, have reached the end of the book and can relax.
Let's say goodbye to James as he signs off with a blessing and greets the brethren (as Paul would have done). What? No way, he’s going down with all guns blazing as he tells us just how powerful prayer is and how we need to be accountable to one another. How prayer is effective and being in communication with God is the perfect network as we engage in ‘Pray as you go, anytime (it’s as if He was in the room with you it’s so clear' communications mode. And the network – U3 (of course)!
Prayer is about relationship – for too many live their Christian lives by ‘faith’ and yet neither engage in conversation with the other party (GOD) or have an relationship with Him! Try living with someone who doesn’t communicate – it’s a recipe for disaster and people would say, “That’s not a marriage!” – and yet we, as Christians do the same in out faith life!
That what our services are – two-way communications sessions. We sing songs to Him (and He to us), we read His word (and he talks to us about them) We talk to him (a quick prayer is enough) and He talks to us – continuously throughout the service – or do we.
It’s easy to pray when there’s problems
Easy to praise when you’re happy
But if you’re sick – call the elders?
If you've sinned – call on one another!
If we need rain – pray like Elijah (well not at the moment perhaps).
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things but it is communication. It is about being in relationship. It is about communication and conversation – it’s gossiping to God and hearing wisdom too!
Now, when there’s two or more of us (which is all about being a legal witness) we are considered by some to be Church and have Jesus in the middle.
Now I know the power of prayer triplets – when three get together and pray and agree (which isn’t what it sounds like – it is about one-mindedness not uttering 'I agree with you' noises), when we share good and God bad and God’s salvation.
So if you're reading this (and some people do I reckon) then it's time to find two others and pray with them for people you'd like to see come and join with you in the struggle (and for some the struggle is church itself!). It's time to form a triplet and pray for that person with needs and praying expecting to see those needs met!
And going to church? One of the best reasons for going is share stories of successes and learn from the failure of others. You are being successful aren't you?
Pax
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Canterbury - Under starter's orders!
So here's the front runners
York (John Sentamu)
Coventry (Chris Cocksworth)
London (Richard Chartres)
Durham (Justin Welby), and
Norwich - (Graham James)
Perhaps not so odd is the fact that Slough Comprehensive and Oxbridge educated Welby is being mooted as having his nose in front as they come under starters orders. A good establishment choice and a sound man too!
Coming up on the inside is Liverpool's (James Jones) a bit of a favourite since the Hillsborough report.
Chris Cocksworth is up there with Graham James billed as a 'compromise' candidate (which must be a mixed bag for him).
Chartres is the orthodox candidate and Sentamu would (in my opinion) be exceedingly interesting and would make the communion (and the CofE) a very interesting place indeed.
But whoever it is that gets the nod, let's p[ray for the selection panel and the person chosen that the decision and the man is God's choice for our denomination here and worldwide.
Pax
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