Roger Aubrey

On the road again

Tomorrow I head for Cuba again. It's been just over a year since I was last there, and I am looking forward to my visit very much. I will be spending the week teaching at the Methodist Seminary in Havana. My colleague, Mick, and I will have nine sessions a day between us, Monday to Friday! It's a real privilege to go Cuba: the people there are incredibly friendly and receive us with open arms. I'll be back home on 9th November; until then, be blessed.

I leave with you with Sarah McLachlan singing 'Angel'.

Thought for the day

The only status quo worth maintaining is the will of God.

I'll be back

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

There is a beautiful, stark simplicity to these words of Jesus: 'I am going and I will be back.' He went. So he must come back. There is no need to worry or panic; he told us to trust him and not to allow ourselves to get disturbed and troubled (verses 1-2). He said he would go: he did. He said he will come back: he will. Jesus said it; I believe it; that settles it.

Good to be alive - Jack Rushton

This is an amazing clip. Jack Rusthon is a quadriplegic. You will laugh and be moved by him.

Friday wind down

Wind down with Craig Armstrong's 'Balcony Scene' from Romeo and Juliet.

Talking about me?

For the past few days I have been in Manchester, at Covenant School of Ministries, School of the Word. I have been teaching on 'Who is God?' Actually, it's better to say I was talking about God with the students there; they already know him very well. My task was to explain what the different names and attributes that God reveals in the Bible mean. It was a marvelous experience.

On the drive home to Cardiff last night I reflected on the past three days and why I had enjoyed it so much. It wasn't just the fact that I was back in the classroom, enjoying the dynamic of theological discussion, it was much more than that. Eventually I understood: for three days I had the privilege of talking about and to God himself, the One who makes sense of everything and the One who in reality it's all about. There is nothing more meaningful, because our relationship with and revelation of God affects everything else.

Sometimes our lives are caught up in the 'business' of God, things to do with God, rather than God himself. It's easy to fall into this trap, especially when one is involved in church leadership and ministry. The 'business' of church should never replace the reason for church: God himself. Now, I am not advocating that all we do as leaders is to sit and talk all the time about God. There is work to do. But getting the balance right is key: time spent with God will determine our effectiveness for him. John Wesley used to say that there was so much to be done in the day that if he didn't spend several hours of the day with God then he wouldn't get it all done. I think I know what he meant.

Weekend fun

Devote yourself

Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture. (1Timothy 4:13)

In this age of short, fast moving soundbites, preachers run the risk of beginning their messages with quick references to Scripture or read one or two verses to give their sermon some credence.

Recently, Tony Ling was with us here at All Nations. He began his message by reading Ephesians chapter one: all of it. Here is the recording: sit down, close your eyes and let the power of the Word of God, as it is read, penetrate the deepest parts of your spirit.

Listen here.

In God's Louvre

We are God's works of art, newly created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God planned and prepared a long time ago for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

The Mona Lisa is probably the world's most famous work of art. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, it hangs in pride of place in the Louvre in Paris. Those who gaze on it marvel at its beauty and multi-faceted originality. It is testimony to the genius who painted it. People stare at it for hours; academic papers by the truckload are written about it; it's the most recognisable and most valuable work of art in the world. When the Mona Lisa is discussed, conversation always returns to da Vinci: praise and adoration are heaped on him for creating such a masterpiece.

The Bible tells us that we believers are God's works of art. Our genius God has created billions of 'Mona Lisas': breathtaking, beautiful, original, beyond value, multi-faceted masterpieces. That's who we are; Christians are not cheap, tacky, mass manufactured prints. Each one of us is a work of exquisite art, created by the most creative Artist of all: our Father. And what makes us such works of art is that we have been re-created in God's image, to be just like him.

So, just as when people view the Mona Lisa their breath is taken away by da Vinci's evident genius, so when people see us they marvel at the Artist who made us - they give praise and adoration to God.

Philippines update

I know that many of you appreciate the updates that Noralv Askeland sends through from the Philippines. This one arrived yesterday; they have now been able to help over 20,000 people affected by the recent typhoon in Manila.

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