Being a friend

Reading peppermint-filled piatas, by Eric Bryant, I've been reminded that the story of the lame man let down through the roof (Luke 5:17-26) has held a fascination for me since I was a child.  But I've never worked out why, and I'd set it aside so long that I'd almost forgotten about it.

It's a joy to be called back to the story - to hear again about the commitment of the friends who wouldn't let anyone or anything stop them from bringing their friend into Jesus' presence.

Isn't this the key to discipleship: being so concerned for another (it doesn't have to be a stranger, or friend a friend for that matter! - just someone who has a need) that we will to do that one thing that will bring them comfort, healing, hope, peace ...

Our own experience should tell us that once we are in Jesus' presence, he will do all that is necessary.  Ours is simply the task of being a friend.

Reflection on Flooding

I wrote this poem during prayer-time at Brighton UC, following the Queensland floods.

Water is life,
   and water is death;
Water is gentle rain,
   torrent and flood;
Water is calmness,
  and anger and violence;
Water is cleansing,
   but filthy, disease-ridden;
Water creates,
   it also destroys;
Water baptises,
   so must wash away
      all that destroys -
         the filth and disease
         the anger the violence
         the torrent and flood -
      to make us whole
   and bring new life
in showers of grace.