May 24th - then and now!

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate-street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, "This cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?" Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth them, according to the counsels of his own will.

After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations; but cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and he sent me help from his holy place. And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as under grace; but then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered: now I was always conqueror.

John Wesley's account of the transformation that happened to him on May 24th 1738 is by now a major part of Methodist self understanding. It was an experience whose ripples spread around the world.

May 24th remains special. This is not because we worship Mr Wesley. At times, many of us have problems with him. However, we recognise the Spirit that equiped him for the challenges of his day, continues to equip people for varied acts of Christian service. In the Bideford Methodist Circuit, we gather tonight for our Wesley Day service. At it, we will see certificates granted to two of Mr Wesley's preachers who have served their Lord for a long time in that role. Mr Ewart Cockram, who will be the preacher, has been a Methodist preacher for 60 years whilst Mrs Vivienne Sheriff has been a preacher for 40 years. Both continue to minister effectively to our people.

Yes! The Spirit who called John Wesley and a few days earlier his brother, Charles, is still at work today.

Alleluia!

I feel nauseous

Why? Because it seems that having been investigated for selling perrages, The Labour Party (which I belonged to for 15 years) has found a new way of fundraisng.

Can there be a lower moment in British politics than Mrs Blair auctioning a signed copy of the Hutton Report whitewash into the death of David Kelly.

Have these people no shame? To dance on the grave of a man hounded to his death by The Gov'ts viciously conducted turf war with the BBC, is frankly sickening.

Yes! I feel nauseous.

Testimony Service

Well my Testimony Service happened on Monday evening.And I think it was a good evening.

It was led by my colleague Rev David Gregory. Th prayers were led by my Superintendent minister, Rev Jane Ashplant (who after the service began a three months sabbatical) and the Probationers' Secretary, Rev Rob Blackhall. Our District Chairman, Rev John Carne preached an excellent sermon on the calling of ministers.

The testimony which I shared, addressed the things that held me back from responding to the call to ministry. These include my struggle with depression, my moments in which I have struggled with faith (in my teens I was ready to become a serious atheist and later I experienced a profound period of doubt against the background of illness of my father), and a feeling that the shyness with which I suffered in my youth and difficulties with coping with the dark things of life, made me unsuitable.

I shared how it was my time working for the church in the Isle of Man which brought healing to me.

Anyhow I contratsed how we live in a world in which all too often the people with power and influence are prepared to throw away those who fail or go astray. My hope is based in the God who welcomes us when we are at our worst or at our most broken. I feel that God's GRACE is all we have to offer the world. It touches us individually as a healing balm and it calls each of us to share it with those who feel unvalued. In Christ we all have value and need to live and to share it.

I will expand these themes in future postings when time allows. Anyhow the service ended with the presentation of a hymn book by Bideford Methodist Church and a warm time of fellowship.

I thank the people of the Bideford Methodist Circuit for the gift of this evening.

BBC interview wrong man

Yes, a man goes to BBC for an interview for accountancy job only for the Beeb to confuse him with an expert they intended to interview.

Watch an enjoy a Herculean effort at blustering through!

Boris the Magnificent

Tory MP Boris Johnson shows us that he can be the ball winner to take England to World Cup glory

Residential Training Review

Interesting post on future Methodist training from John Cooper who serves on the Methodist Council.

Inevitably there are losers but it seems that my old stamping ground of Wesley House has survived the review and will continue to offer residential training.

I do not know if this is the right decision but on a personal emotional basis, I am rather glad.

FA CUP

What a game! I couldn't take my eyes of the Liverpool vs West Ham game. It had absolutely eveything. It was certainly the best FA Cup Final for over a decade.

My only sadness was the outcome. I really wanted the hammers to win but I propbably should be grateful that liverpool won. You see, Junior is a passionate fan of Liverpool (when we lived on the Isle of Man we always had to stop off at Anfield on our way back from holidays which is hard for someone who supports the Mancunian Red Devils) and I think we would have had a pretty awful evening if West Ham had won.

Still, my appetite is whetted for the World Cup and next season.

Testimony Service

Monday night is a big evening for me. It is my Testimony service prior to ordination.At the moment, many thoughts are going through my mind and I am just a little distracted by thinking of the Christian Aid Service which I am leading tomorrow evening at the URC Church.

I would appreciate prayers at this time

Hazel Blears

Last night I watched the redoubtable Hazel Blears fail to answer any question put to her on BBC's Question Time. It was like watching a dalek programmed to spout the party line. I cannot believe that this woman is seriously a member of the Cabinet.

Now I think I understand Caligula's horse becoming a consul in Rome. Come O Goths and save us!

Technical Query

My postings often take hours before appearing. Can someone advise me how I can get them up quickly?

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup

A tardy reminder that has once more complied the Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup

Read and enjoy along with other items of John's rather indicidual sense of humour.

Was Jesus rich?

I was sent this pearl by someone who believes in prosperity theology. I am preparing a response but I would appreciate your input to what I regard as a distorted view of Christ.

Why did the romans cut up the seamless robe to share amongst themselves? A seamless robe was an extremely valuable garment then. NO seams, woven completely. The material would not have been cheap flax to be used to sell cheaply because parts of the material was divided up amongst the soldiers.

There was never any occasion when Jesus had to beg or borrow money.He could give and he always paid his taxes.

Jesus lived in accomodation that was able to sleep several people.

I base my comments on what God teaches about prosperity and little glimpses in the Gospels.

Do you think a poverty stricken, or even a working class man with little means would have received such attention in the Synagogue?

Was Joseph poor? How could he have afforded to travel away from Nazareth to register in the census and have the money to rent a hotel room. Remember- the stable birth wasn't by choice but necessity.

The treasures brought when Jesus was a little boy by the wise men, were they just three items? The bible never referred to the ''three'' but to ''kings'' or ''wise men'' bringing gifts of Gold Frankinscence and Myrrh; three TYPES of gifts.

Such treasures could not only have provided for Joseph's family's flight into Egypt but also a future of comfort in Jesus' upbringing.

Judas was the keeper of ''the bag'', in which money was kept for Jesus and his disciples. Judas we are told, stole from it. But it didn't seem to have affected Jesus' progression in his work.

Nope, I can clearly see that this marvellous example to all men was one who was very successful in all he did.Including business.

In fact, wherever he went, scribes, lawyer and priests and Pharisees all knew the this was ''Joseph's son''.

Could that be the equivalent of today, everybody knowing a wealthy entrepreneur? Who hasn't heard of Richard Branson or the Duke of Westminster? I think it is quite clear in the Gospels.

I have previously posted that I regard the teachings of Benny Hinn as as sign that the church needs discernment. Anyone on this prosperity teaching, it's over to you. What do you think?