The Watershed-a parable from nature. Part One.

The writer and teacher Francis Schaeffer lived in Switzerland for a large part of his life and in one of his books (I did have a bargain set of his complete works, but they have gone in one of my periodic clear outs so I cannot check the reference) he gives a compelling illustration. Near where he lived there was a sharply defined ridge; through the winter it was covered in snow and had a uniform appearance - one blanket of snow. In the spring, though, as the thaw came the snow melted and what been one became two along the line of the ridge. The melted waters on one side joined stream that entered the river Rhone that flows into the Mediterranean. The waters on the other side followed their course to the Rhine ending up in the North Sea.
The picture is clear showing how things that are apparently unified and, indeed are impossible to differentiate at one stage, can end up in very different destinations. At this time of massive rapid change in the world in every sphere of life, I believe it is a watershed moment. In Christianity and Christendom where we can all be using the same words and seem to have the same aims and purposes we can start to see on what side of the ridge things are and where they lead to.

What a refreshing change!

Like most charitable set ups we spend quite a lot of time and effort finding sources of funding. This is a time consuming process: researching among the hundreds of trusts to find those who are not offended by the name of Jesus, who are not doing homelessness this year or do not give funds to anything in central London. Then, on finding a possible match there are never ending forms to fill in, the on line ones normally clearing all your information just before you are ready to hit 'send'. Not unreasonably the donor may want progress reports on how the money has been spent with ominous threats if a penny goes anything outside of their narrow focus. How delightful, then to find a sprinkling of Christians who set up trusts which they administer personally. We recently received a donation from just such a trust,  Pauline (LJC fund raiser and my wife) wrote a simple letter out- lining our work and asking for £500 towards our healing prayer service, back comes a cheque for £2,500 with a positive letter saying; 'spend it how you think most fit'.
True philanthropy is open handed, oh that there was more of it about. Do Christians need to waste time with stunts and arm twisting in order to support the Lord's work? When William Booth wanted to know the spiritual temperature of a Salvation Army Corps he would ask what the financial giving was like. We need to put our money where are mouths are.

Another new link- Great value and atmosphere when visiting the West End.

Word Tea Room Facebook page.

New Link-great rooms for hire in the West End of London.

.Link to LJC Meeting Rooms for Hire on Facebook.

Jesus Army-London Jesus Centre IT suite update.

Follow the link to this Westminster City Council site:
LJC IT News

Forwards.

The LJC is now approaching its third birthday and some of us have been living in the building for six years. I know it is very obvious to say time flies but it really does. Well, it does after you have gone through it, I know that the period of the refurbishment seemed interminable while it was happening but now it is just a dim, dusty memory.
A recent bit of reflection by the Community here helped me re-call the amazing way that God enabled us to obtain the building. It is truly remarkable that the Jesus Fellowship Church and Jesus Army Charitable Trust should have such a centrally located place for their work.
A good foundation has been laid in the Centre and many people are benefiting from its ministry. Material needs are met, housing and employment has been found for some, but, best of all, people find friendship regaining dignity and confidence. A good number of people have found faith in Jesus Christ and are in Covenant Membership with us, some of these are now exploring the possibility of living in Christian Community.
The big challenge ahead is how to keep the work moving forwards, reaching more people and offering a wider range of services. We desperately need more workers and more finance. Please stand with us in prayer to see this Kingdom work advance.

Catching up.

Having again failed to successfully up-load video I am resorting to words alone. We were not directly affected by last Saturday's events, although three helicopters droning over head all day got to be rather distracting. It was amazing to see on Sunday morning, around 8.00am how quickly everything was being cleared up. We enjoy great freedom to make protests or declare our beliefs (see the amazing MJA event every summer in Trafalgar Square, preceded by a march) it is very troubling when such freedom is marred by violence and damage to property. However strongly we might hold a view I cannot see that lawless behaviour helps; just laws protect society, a lawless society is one where the strongest and most ruthless will trample their way to the top. Perhaps the anarchist tendency should reckon up the cost of their behaviour: damage, police time, loss of trade to business(not just the ones they don't like) and a large amount of VAT.

Speaking of law and justice I recently was involved in supporting someone facing trial for a fairly serious criminal offence. One could not fail to be impressed at the fairness and humanity of the judge involved, the caring work of the defence lawyer and even the kind understanding of the prosecuting counsel. I do not suppose for a minute that it is always as good as this but we should look to the good standards in our public life to shame the bad rather than seek to denigrate everything in order to replace it with nothing.
The New Testament has quite a bit to say about the place of the authority of rulers which would benefit all of us whether rulers or those who are ruled.