Really?

Way back, around 1970, while I was in training in Oxford I became student pastor in the Cowley Baptist church. Carol and I combined studying (me) and secondary school teaching (Carol) with pastoring a lively church.  We made many friends with some around our own age like Judith, who had come to Oxford as a community midwifery sister, having already experienced a full life of nursing service with VSO overseas.  Conscientiously she has kept in touch with us ever since.  That's the wonder of Christian friendship, like the old Baptist hymn goes: Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. Yes, Blest!

In 2021 she published her autobiography and sent us a copy. I was intrigued to look back for mention of her Oxford days. She describes how she came to the Cowley church and mentions Carol and me, describing how we were in our twenties like her and became good friends. She also gives a potted history of what I went on to do in ministry and about our family right up unto the present. And then she wrote: It was Michael and Carol who said to me "Why don't you go with the BMS (the Baptist Missionary Society) when I was talking about going back to Africa. Strange, isn't it? I had no recollection of that conversation. 

It's an action-packed story subsequently of Judith's service in Africa, with a clear love for the Congo and many missionaries who were there. (Apparently around a 100 serving in different ways!) Marvellous to read, with photographs too. 

Why do I mention this now? Because a few days ago Judith and her sister came by coach to visit Cambridge and I was able to spend a few hours with them. Some of the time seeing Cambridge, much of it talking about her life and the many friends we had in common on the BMS mission field. Blest be the tie that binds. Of course I had to ask her about that Oxford conversation. Were Carol and I really involved? Really?  Oh, yes, she said. That happened!

You never know when God can use you.

Remembering 9/11

Carol and I had moved to the US in 2000 one year earlier and were adjusting to the lifestyle (sort of).  I have kept a daily journal since 1996 and looking back I see that on Saturday September 8th. Carol and I had taken a packed UA flight to Columbus, Ohio. I was preaching at the large ABC church which strongly supported Northern Seminary, where I taught. Various friends we met, the Hampton Inn where we stayed, and the receptions we enjoyed are all noted, including the fact that the 7.45 pm plane on Sunday was delayed, not  leaving until 9.00 pm because of storms and we arrived home late.  

Reflecting on that weekend it was fairly typical of our lives that first year. Friends had told us that hopping on and off planes was like using buses. It was so easy. I remember one of our friends bringing a traybake of chocolate brownies right up the departure door, to wave us off.  In our first year I lost count of the number of flights we made. And of the freedom to travel all over the states as a new boy speaking at events and seminaries.

9/11 was a Tuesday. My journal reads: 6:30 work on sermon. Carol calls me. TERROR as Twin Towers collapse in front of eyes. Just awful. The President calls and asks me to lead prayer for the community 11.00- 11.35. (He is out of state) Meet for lunch Egg Harbor...try to work. Difficult. Calls from UK. I work on a new sermon. Phone Tony (worship leader) about Sunday service. 

On Thursday I started work on a new sermon on Psalm 46. I remember questioning whether a US preacher should step in at a time of national mourning. No, they wanted me as their current interim preacher, and besides Brits had died in the horror too.  What an extraordinarily sad frightening week it was. Everything seemed to have changed. Hate had shaken foundations. Harrowing personal stories began to emerge from families known to us. Sadness was everywhere.

Today I have been remembering those who died and left loved ones in such a dramatic hate-filled act. Focus remains on them and their families, and on prayers for a world riven by war and hatred. Jesus still reigns with his love and promise of peace, calling us to trust and work with him in his ultimate kingdom. But how tough faith can sometimes be.  Ps 46 is an obvious psalm: God is our refuge...therefore we will not fear though the earth give way...and the mountains quake. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.

It's true that life changed in the US from the point on. Certainly, a turning point in our new life in the US and an opportunity to grow in faith. 

Fun interlude

Last weekend some friends invited me for supper with soup and baguette, with the intention that I would make up a foursome to play mahjong.  Giving thanks for the kind invitation I explained that I had never played mahjong and, being ruthlessly honest, I wasn't really a table game person! It has never been Carol and my 'thing'.

Graciously they said that I should come for supper anyway, but added a note that they wouldn't be able to play the game without me. To entice me they suggested I google the game to become more aware (and enthusiastic). Actually, I had already googled it and been somewhat overwhelmed by the complications of its symbols and rules! I know that any mahjong afficionado reading this will be horrified by my casual attitude to what is clearly a great and serious game.

Guess what happened? After a tasty supper the mahjong  tiles were opened up and spread over the table. Painstakingly the tiles were explained alongside the rules, with assurance that I would be helped every step of the way. As I created my wall and examined tiles, seeking to match some of them up my kind host, sitting on my right, explained I had some good ones and what we would be doing next. My presence required patience from the other three when each turn reached me. I wasn't sure how the process might end. I wasn't sure about anything! I was told to exclaim pung as I laid out three identical tiles and kong as I arrived at four. Tutored by my helper all the way, she would look at the remaining tiles and make suggestions. Suddenly, and to my surprise, she said that my last tile completed my group and I should declare mahjong.  Which meant I had won the round!

My host counted up the points. The highest total was 32 until he began totting up mine. Quite unwittingly I had combined some point scoring tiles. My total was 144. The others were gracious at my utterly undeserved victory. Utterly undeserved. 

It reminded me how grace works in the Christian life.  It really is amazing grace how the Lord works for us and brings us through.  It also reminded me how good it is to be with friends for a happy supper. .

Something you said

It was definitely odd. At one of the celebration tea tables at Arbury 60th. I took the last place where a couple of my friends were already seated. I introduced myself to the other five and the man sitting on my right replied with his name  Asking him about his story he happily revealed that he had worked as a cleaner at a large restaurant but was now retired with a mixed health story.  In pastoral mode I listened and occasionally chipped in when suddenly, with a jolt, he turned his head: ' You said your name is Michael. Is it Michael Quicke?'  'Why yes,' I admitted. I had to!

'I thought so', he replied. 'It was something you said that reminded me of something you used to say. I realized it must be you!'  'What was the something I said? I asked.  Genuinely interested. Do I have some vocabulary that could so definitely identify me? A rather disturbing thought. Well, he couldn't remember what particularly struck him - apparently it was just the way I spoke. 

And then it became clearer ' You married me at St. Andrew's St Baptist Church back in the mid 80's' he claimed. Then checking himself, he added: 'No, I think it was the associate minister who actually married us, but you were there. And that's why I know your voice.'

What an intriguing incident, reminding me of the distinctiveness of our voices. I know how much they convey who we are.  My younger son, Rob, a professor in the US, wrote a book: Finding your voice, in radio, audio and podcast production. Unusually he spends much time at the beginning helping students strengthen their self-understanding, encouraging them (by various exercises) to recognize qualities, abilities as well as limitations which contribute to unique personalities with distinctive voices. All adding up to reveal authentically who they are!  

Another reminder that how we speak and sound really matters!

A season

I have long been aware of God's seasons of blessing when a whole Christian community experiences joyful God- happenings. They happen in God's good timing - the Spirit blows where he wills! Last Saturday I was back at Arbury Road Baptist Church where 60 years ago we celebrated the opening of a new church building. I was 21 years old and I vividly recall elements of the story leading up to this event. Because my father was minister I could hardly avoid the event. So many factors coalesced into a glorious God season.

• a packed church fast out-growing the old premises
• commitment to pray for vision about the future, developing into possibilities of new premises to be built in gardens around the inadequate old building.
• sheer generosity - one of the members, who was an architect, designed a building (which still looks contemporary) and promised oversight of the building process as his gift to God.
• collective boldness in giving. My father held a 'Sit-In' when church members brought gifts and loans to him in dedication for the project (he did not know the financial details - that was confidential to the Treasurer who sat next door!)  What a great idea that I copied in two church projects myself)
• signs during and following of God's blessing as the congregation grew, with baptisms and launch of the first 'All-Age-Sunday School in British Baptist life. 

The day of opening shines brightly in my memory bank. Such excitement of a new worship area with real cause to worship inside it. What a crowning event in a rich period of congregational growth, resulting in the need for an associate minister to join the leadership team.

On Saturday a crowd enjoyed a celebration tea. I found two photographs: one of the old church in the snow in 1963, and the other in the week of completion of the new, with builders' rubble still piled in front. They've gone into the archives. Only 3 of us were there as witnesses to events 60 years ago, but what a time to celebrate God's goodness in a great past season of joy. I hope you can reflect on a season like that -maybe it's happening right now in your church!

Slow Down to Praise

You know this business I mentioned in my last sermon - slowing down to praise God for his creation? Well, I shared in a delightful conversation with a friend I met in a local garden centre.  He mentioned how he had been transported back as a child to Birdlip Hill. My mention of this scenic viewpoint in the sermon had triggered memories of how his grandparents, who lived in a village near Gloucester, would take him up to drink in the same vista that I had described - with awe and wonder.  He told me how he, like me, can close his eyes and picture the breathtaking scenery above the Cotswold scarp, as the Vale of Gloucester falls away before your feet. Indeed, he thinks he may still have an old photograph!  To sit with hot chocolate and scone and share together vivid memories of the same glorious view of God's creation was a surprisingly good slow down moment.

The eclipse experience last week provided a more obvious occasion . Behind the new estate that has mushroomed behind our house open fields lie flat towards the horizon.  The moment of closest eclipse was around 7:08 pm in Cambridge, so I set out about 6:45 to walk through the houses onto the path that runs beside the fields.  I took my best sunglasses but was horrified to realize how useless they were. With my Fuchs Atrophy eye disease I am meant to avoid sunlight.  Just as I discovered this my kind church neighbours returned from vigil with their grandchildren. 'You should really use these eclipse glasses!', she said, holding out a pair of cardboard galaxarium eclipse glasses. What an idiot I felt when I donned them. The moon was moving ever closer, the crescent was narrowing. I could see it so clearly and safely.  

Walking to the path I found people strung along its length, looking upward. Groups large and small, couples, singles. Silent. Totally absorbed. Looking upwards.  I walked a little way along to find a space. The quietness had a quality of awe and wonder. Nearby a young woman was resting on her bicycle. She had no eclipse glasses and was barely able to look into the glare. I offered my loaned pair and recognizing that I was a harmless old guy she willingly took them! Her face was transformed with delight. It was near the time of maximum eclipse. Just wonder. Talk about slowing down to praise God for his creation. This amazing cosmic event before our eyes.  After a while she told me she saw the total eclipse in 1999 when she was a small child growing up in Greece. How unforgettable that was, and now a further experience was added. 

I know you can stare with wonder and not praise God, but how glorious to praise him when you are truly moved with awe!

Deadline met

Puff..puff..pant..pant! Yes, the Hebrews deadline for Encounter Bible reading notes was met. And just to prove the point, let me briefly summarize the last two chapters.

Beware entanglement (Heb. 12:1:-13) I had to confess that I got the balance wrong between encouragement and warning. Thrilled by the cloud of witnesses cheering us one I minimized the danger of 'throw off everything that hinders' (verse 1) which is the main issue. The whole point of the passage is to warn this young church that enduring in the Christina race is no easy thing. That's why the subject of discipline looms large in the rest of the passage.

My Utmost ( Heb 12:14--29) Like the title of Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest' this passage exhorts us to give our best energies to living in God's peace and holiness. Effort is needed for the consecrated life. Old Testament examples illustrate the challenge: Esau, an anti-hero, who traded his spiritual rights for good, and two mountains. Sinai, terrifying in its holiness because of God's presence,is contrasted with the 'divine' mountain of God's eternal kingdom in the new covenant. However joyful this gift is, we can never treat God's holiness lightly. He remains as holy judge.

Good practice (Heb 13: 1-16) I contrasted a list of Summer habits I had recently read (like hydration, sunglasses etc.) which was me-centred and rather trivial, with this list which focuses on doing good to others. How demanding each issue is. Nothing trivial here. Giving hospitality, befriending prisoners, integrity in marriage, right attitude to money. And, surprisingly, the famous verse about Jesus being present in every age(verse 8) is sandwiched between exhortations to respect godly leaders. And, as you would expect with Hebrews the need for boldness and confidence in worship rounds off the list. Jesus expects practical differences to show in our lifestyles.

Booster send-off (Heb. 13: 17-25) Respect for leaders emerges again as do a few hints about the reader's situation, though they don't provide enough clues for identification! But what stands out with memorable clarity is the benediction (verses 20,21) which gloriously crowns the letter. I love the picture 'the Great Shepherd of the sheep'. What a powerful God booster send-off , blessing us that by his Spirit he seeks to keep working through us for his glory. 

It's such a privilege to be invited to write notes for such a wide international readership. I am truly grateful as an old boy to have been given this opportunity, I really am.