Act 33 - Hats Off

If there's one thing 40 acts has highlighted, when it comes down to it, it's nice to be nice. It benefits you and more importantly other people. If we were all just a littke bit nicer the world might look an awful lot different. This is all summed up in the gospel reading that goes with today's act:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

  Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ 

(Matthew 22:34–40 NIV)

As I believe that is the central message of our faith it seems like an appropriate place to bow out of 40 Acts. I'm off to Easter School this morning - 5 days of education followed by 3 days of retreat. I'm back on Easter Day, but will be stepping back from social media until then.
I hope you have a blessed and peaceful holy week, feeling God's presence alongside you as you walk through the days until next Sunday.

Act 32 - Anon

Are we any good at performing acts of generosity from which there will be zero reward? Is part of what feels good knowing other people will think well of us? Churches are full of plaques, plates and engravings which tell us which individuals donated the money to pay for beautiful windows, the new font, the organ restoration etc.
Are we really ok with only God knowing what we've done? There's so many issues Jesus wasn't clear on, but charity isn't one of them:

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

(Matthew 6:3–4 NIV)

Act 31 - Beeline

Got to admit today's act made me feel very uncomfortable. I'm a card carrying certified introvert so the thought of talking to strangers fills me with anxiety. The exception to this is in my work. I don't know whether this is because I feel completely comfortable in my work environment, probably much more comfortable than any strangers I encounter there, but I also wonder if it has something to so with being in uniform.
I've often thought about how my social anxiety will impact upon my ministry once I'm ordained- will the dog collar - the uniform - actually help rather than hinder?

His disciples said, ’What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, “Who touched me?” Dozens have touched you!’ (Mark 5:31 The Message)

Act 30 - Margins

The most recent assignment I completed (as part of a trio) was about the marginalisation and demonisation of those receiving welfare. So much current political debate revolves around our benefit and welfare system and those on welfare are vilified in the media. Much of the immigration debate revolves around what those entering the UK are "entitled" to.
The assignment was to look at what the bible says about this issue and therefore what the church should do. There's lots of interesting stuff in Mosaic law about providing for those without means but I go straight to the gospels and Jesus on this matter:

Matthew 25:35-45

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Act 28 & 29 - Show & Tell & BOGOF

Got behind for the first time, which isn't bad going when I think about how hectic the last 2 weeks have been.

I have to be honest I couldn’t think of a skill I have that I could share with someone else, or something useful to write about that without it sounding like false modesty. I'm a pretty average girl who has never shone at any particular thing, and I'm really ok with that. Our culture teaches us that we're all special, and in terms of how God sees us that's true, but it's also ok to just be average, to not "be the best". Of course if anyone would like the loan of my husband with one of his many amazing skills it can be arranged!
My own greatest skill is passion and enthusiasm, a love of and duty towards the things I do, especially my work. I don't know how to teach that but I believe it can be infections, reflected in the fact that about 7 nurses who were students under me have gone on to work on my unit.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

(1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Being a disorganised duo, as we are, we often lose things and end up buying another, part of my intended post-training blitz and de-stuffing of the house is to give away anything we have two of.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. (Matthew 25:35 NIV)

Act 27 - Worth the wait

I have no idea where it came from - might have been a tv show - but I once heard that to see what a person is really like look at how they treat a waiter.
At work I have a lot of time for the people who appear to do the most functional jobs- especially the domestic staff and porters. It's amazing what spending a few minutes learning people's names and chatting with them can do to make them feel valued- they're working as hard as anyone else but rarely with the same recognition as the health professionals I work with. Every single person in our organisation is as important as each other- if just one area of staff were missing the place would not function.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  

(John 13:14–15)

Act 26 - Bake on

Today I was absolutely gutted to not get my bake-on on. All day I had planned to make brownies but it never happened, and then I ran out of time to pop to the shop. What my disappointment helped me do was focus upon how difficult it will be to do 40 Acts when I go to Easter School from the 19th up until Easter Sunday. So I'm planning an Easter school generosity kit- cards, treats, booze, pens...whatever small thing I can think of to spread generosity. We're in a tricky place course-wise; weariness has set in. We have the weight of responsibility and accountability knowing we'll be ordained in 3 months, yet still have assignments and tutorials to complete. Then there's the practical stuff such as getting vestments and organising the appropriate paperwork. TLC is required, so Easter School generosity here I come.

Act 25 - Word Up

A few years back my friend Ellie bought me a notebook and at the bottom of each page was a verse from scripture. One really struck me, it was a verse I'd never paid attention to before:

Psalm 37:24
Though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds by the hand.

I love this.
Why do I love it so much? Because it tells me it's ok to mess up and it's ok to get things wrong. None of us can ever be perfect, and that's ok, because no matter what happens God has our back, so things will never be as bad as we think.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

Act 24 - Stand

Something I love about social media is the ability to highlight causes that otherwise might go under the radar, or help people to think about something right under their noses in a different way. Many of my friends probably think I over-share about stuff I'm passionate about and I'm certain I've been 'unfriended' because of it. Mostly I like to think my friends are like-minded people who share my thirst for social justice.
Today my parent, Anna, a local activist and transgendered woman, is giving a talk at Manchester University about her passion for justice. It would be great for folk to go along (1pm at St Peter's House) - it might explain where I get it from!

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV)

Act 23 - Last Rolo

Today's act speaks directly to my confession last week that I have way too much stuff and my desire to 'de-stuff' my life and give away what I don't need...but what will I struggle to part with? Which are the things that I don't need but find comforting to have? If I'm honest there's probably very few things I own which are necessary but in our culture we are not good at travelling lightly through life. My desire is to streamline and simplify. I don't want my legacy in this world to be a housefull of stuff my kids are left to deal with, things that I can send back out in the world that other people need or can use.

[Jesus] said to them, ‘… life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ (Luke 12:15 NIV)

Act 22 - Essentials

Not sure if this fits the act but today we brought home 2 rescue dogs - Frankie and Benny. What could be more essential than a home? These boys needed it and we wanted to give it.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12)

Act 21 - Global Warming

I have a house full of stuff, including clothes, and there's still boxes in the loft we didn't unpack when we moved 8 years ago. My challenge to myself, after I finish my studies, is to de-stuff the house - give away what we don't need - and lead a more streamlined and stuff free life. I'm going to extend this to accepting the 40 Acts challenge of not buying any new clothes (except essentials- underwear, priest vestments, work trousers) for 12 months. I'll let you know how quickly I fail!!

‘You shall not covet.’ (Exodus 20:17)

Act 20 - Beam

It's incredibly difficult to remember to smile all the time! I'm sure some folk have faces that naturally look serene and content, but the amount of times I've been asked "you ok?!" (when I'm merely resting my face) is ridiculous. Yet when, like today, you make a concerted effort to smile (particularly fun whilst doing the weekly shop) it does make a difference. Some folk of course do think you're a little odd but mostly what you get is a smile in return.

Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! (Philippians 4:4 NLV)

Act 19 - Daily Grind

I spent most of today driving. I did try and be generous whilst driving - I'm not always very generous behind the wheel (one reason I have no christian symbols on my car!). When I listen to the long list of accidents and delays on the radio - and especially when the weather is as unpleasant for driving as yesterday - I wonder how much our lack of generosity to fellow road-users contributes. We don't always view other drivers as being just like us, we tut and judge but rarely put ourselves in their position. Where are they going? Why are they rushing? And what if they're driving in a way we find frustrating? We're so focused on our own little bubble- where are we going? How long will it take? - that the people we're sharing the travelling space with become inconveniences.
Despite the weather and tight time frame my drive yesterday was actually ok, because taking the time to drive more generously made me more chilled and prepared to face whatever happened on the journey. I'm sure there's a sermon in this somewhere!

‘He will reply, ”Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”' (Matthew 25:45 NIV)

Act 18 - Fair Enough

Fairtrade for might began yesterday. If you follow the link below you can read up on why this matters:
Fairtrade fortnight
Each of us expect a fair wage for the work we do, and a fair price for products we produce - why shouldn't our brothers and sisters around the world get that too?

‘Who is my neighbour?’ (Luke 10:29)