Feeling better today. Throat still a bit dodgy, and I still feel a little bit weedier than normal, but it's definitely getting better. :0)
I re-read the bit about Matthew Levi on the train. You know what else struck me? In all 3 accounts (Mt9, Mk2, Lk5), it starts with "As Jesus was going somewhere, he noticed Levi, sitting in his tax collector's booth." It started with Jesus going about his Father's work. Most crucially, Matthew only got called because Jesus noticed him. I mean he didn't notice Jesus. What if Jesus hadn't noticed him? (I know that's the wrong sort of question, but still...). This is an example of what Jesus describes elsewhere when he says "You didn't choose me; I chose you." I don't know that I like the thought that Matthew's savlation (and my salvation) is contingent on Jesus making a choice. It makes me feel very out of control - very insecure. The truth is, though, that I am out of control, and I should be jolly grateful that it doesn't rest with me (cos I'd mess it up). Jesus isn't just the means of my salvation, he's the motivation and the very origin of it.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Yesterday on the train into work, I suddenly realised that my throat hurt a bit. I felt worse as the day went on, and went home with a slight temperature and a general feeling of weediness. Fortunately, my lovely young wife is v. understanding, and was undemanding and supporting.
:)
<3
I manfully worked my way through the steak she cooked for tea :)
After tea, I just about managed to stay awake through an episode of "Jeeves and Wooster" (I had the first series on DVD as an anniversary present - did I mention my wife's overall loveliness?).
So today I was feeling about the same as I got up, but have managed, through sheer determination, grit and Great British Bloody-mindedness to haul myself up the the metropolis and into work. While sitting on the train, I dragged out my Bible, and read the bit where Jesus tells Matthew Levi to follow him. It's one of those 1-liners in the bible where the brevity of the account belies the enormity of the event. Matthew's sitting there collecting taxes, and when Jesus says "follow me" ... he does! What's that about, eh? I mean, I can see why a fisherman (Peter et al) would be prepared to give the wandering preacher business a go: fishing isn't top of the economic ladder, is it? But Matthew's a tax collector: not the most popular of occupations, true, but he must be raking it in, right? So in a moment he's basically chucked in his old way of life (well, chucked away everything, really), and gone out completely on a limb. And remember, he doesn't have our advantage of 2k years of hindsight; he didn't know that Jesus was going to be someone great. All the information he had was standing in front of him. And what he saw was enough to make him put everything on the line. He was a rich man. A rich man typically loves riches more than life. Matthew gave up his riches.
Why?
In my mind, this event marks out Matthew as one of the heroes of the New Testament. I hadn't seen it before today, but now he's one of my heroes because he didn't hesitate to throw away what he couldn't keep to gain what he couldn't loose. [Appologies to Jim Elliott]. I'm not like that. I like to know all the facts before I step away from my comfort zone. I don't want to be like this, and by God's grace I won't always be this way, but for now Matthew is my hero. :0)
:)
<3
I manfully worked my way through the steak she cooked for tea :)
After tea, I just about managed to stay awake through an episode of "Jeeves and Wooster" (I had the first series on DVD as an anniversary present - did I mention my wife's overall loveliness?).
So today I was feeling about the same as I got up, but have managed, through sheer determination, grit and Great British Bloody-mindedness to haul myself up the the metropolis and into work. While sitting on the train, I dragged out my Bible, and read the bit where Jesus tells Matthew Levi to follow him. It's one of those 1-liners in the bible where the brevity of the account belies the enormity of the event. Matthew's sitting there collecting taxes, and when Jesus says "follow me" ... he does! What's that about, eh? I mean, I can see why a fisherman (Peter et al) would be prepared to give the wandering preacher business a go: fishing isn't top of the economic ladder, is it? But Matthew's a tax collector: not the most popular of occupations, true, but he must be raking it in, right? So in a moment he's basically chucked in his old way of life (well, chucked away everything, really), and gone out completely on a limb. And remember, he doesn't have our advantage of 2k years of hindsight; he didn't know that Jesus was going to be someone great. All the information he had was standing in front of him. And what he saw was enough to make him put everything on the line. He was a rich man. A rich man typically loves riches more than life. Matthew gave up his riches.
Why?
In my mind, this event marks out Matthew as one of the heroes of the New Testament. I hadn't seen it before today, but now he's one of my heroes because he didn't hesitate to throw away what he couldn't keep to gain what he couldn't loose. [Appologies to Jim Elliott]. I'm not like that. I like to know all the facts before I step away from my comfort zone. I don't want to be like this, and by God's grace I won't always be this way, but for now Matthew is my hero. :0)
Monday, August 02, 2004
The weekend was pretty good, but a bit full:
Cat & Richard pitched up on Friday evening (with dogs) to stay until Sunday. It was, as ever, nice to see them! Jones wasn't too happy with admitting Misty and Rowan to his territory, and there was a bit of fisticuffs (and not a little whining Friday night), but they seemed to pretty much sort it out by Saturday.
Sat. lunchtime, we (humans!) all headed out to "The Spotted Dog", for which Sarah & I had won a GBP 40 voucher in a raffle. We had a jolly nice lunch, and the total bill was only GBP 60, so we thought we did rather well. Definitely recommended. :)
Sunday was fun. Church was good. God was there, and I was prayed for by a number of people, inc. Mark, Dave (who anointed me with oil) and Uffuk. I wanted prayer about the whole fear / confidence thing - basically, I think God thinks it's time for me to be free of fear of man. nuf sed.
After church, I was priviledged to be a small cog in a logistical operation the likes of which we have not seen since Market Garden. A large clan, including 14 related people from church and a number of their relatives were off on a mega-holiday together. I went to Gatwick with the Kings, and drove their car back to TW. I now have to drive it back to Gatwick in a fortnight's time and leave a message for them @ left luggage. Their flight arrives at 02:30 or some equally uncivilised hour.
Interrestingly, their car is a Fiat Multipla (1.6 petrol, basic spec). We're wondering vaguely about getting a bigger car (as we're hoping for another child at some point), and we'd like to get a people carrier. Dave raves about his Multipla - perhaps we should look at one? Having one for 2 weeks is certainly a good opportunity to check out that option. :)
After scooting back from LGW, we had lunch with the NCT crowd. OK, but I would have preferred a nice nap!
Cat & Richard pitched up on Friday evening (with dogs) to stay until Sunday. It was, as ever, nice to see them! Jones wasn't too happy with admitting Misty and Rowan to his territory, and there was a bit of fisticuffs (and not a little whining Friday night), but they seemed to pretty much sort it out by Saturday.
Sat. lunchtime, we (humans!) all headed out to "The Spotted Dog", for which Sarah & I had won a GBP 40 voucher in a raffle. We had a jolly nice lunch, and the total bill was only GBP 60, so we thought we did rather well. Definitely recommended. :)
Sunday was fun. Church was good. God was there, and I was prayed for by a number of people, inc. Mark, Dave (who anointed me with oil) and Uffuk. I wanted prayer about the whole fear / confidence thing - basically, I think God thinks it's time for me to be free of fear of man. nuf sed.
After church, I was priviledged to be a small cog in a logistical operation the likes of which we have not seen since Market Garden. A large clan, including 14 related people from church and a number of their relatives were off on a mega-holiday together. I went to Gatwick with the Kings, and drove their car back to TW. I now have to drive it back to Gatwick in a fortnight's time and leave a message for them @ left luggage. Their flight arrives at 02:30 or some equally uncivilised hour.
Interrestingly, their car is a Fiat Multipla (1.6 petrol, basic spec). We're wondering vaguely about getting a bigger car (as we're hoping for another child at some point), and we'd like to get a people carrier. Dave raves about his Multipla - perhaps we should look at one? Having one for 2 weeks is certainly a good opportunity to check out that option. :)
After scooting back from LGW, we had lunch with the NCT crowd. OK, but I would have preferred a nice nap!
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