When I was in my early teen years I attended a technical college in Perry Barr, Birmingham. I was not bright enough to pass for a grammar school so it was a vocational life for me. In the sixth form all students had to do a research essay as part of their final year and I did one on Warwick Castle. My form master took it to the common room where all the teachers met and they analysed it, and as a result a Mr Coldicot was commissioned to see me. He said they had discussed my future and believed I should apply for the senior art school in the city as I would be missing my vocation as an engineer.

At last someone saw something in me and I returned home triumphantly to my parents, chest swelling with pride, and relayed to them what I had been told. They pondered it and next morning said it was impossible as I had to go to work and add to the family income. Having reached 16 there would be no more schooling. I was crushed, but reluctantly accepted the inevitable; from that moment I hardly ever sketched again.

As I thought back on that episode in my early life I realised that if I had chosen another profession I would have been a graphic artist, and not too long ago devised a logo for a church. It was a simple cross with coloured boxes in each of the four spaces around it. They were coloured red, yellow, black and white. The idea came from the ditty, “Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight.”  There may be someone in the congregation who could develop that.

But, in today’s politically correct world it would be inadvisable to mention any of those colours as someone might be offended. I think someone will always be offended wherever you go and whatever you say; you can’t please all the people all the time. Anyone who speaks on race must be an idiot, so some think, and possibly I’m reaching for that title today!

In 1984 that I came from the predominantly white world of Solihull, into the teeming metropolis of London to Kensington Temple. It was my baptism into a multicultural lifestyle which I have come to love and enjoy and have done for the last 31 years. The years have been filled with interest in the forming of lasting and precious friendships with multicultural people. It is therefore with joy that we have sponsored and positively encouraged a cosmopolitan Sunday once a year with four main streams participating – African, Asian, Caribbean and European.

Until 2013, when we started two services, we had that Sunday about September time [after the holiday period] and a special day it was. It manifested particular cultures – rich and colourful, it kept alive national identities – pride and purpose, it released talent that would be otherwise dormant – gifts of nature and of the Holy Spirit and it showed the diversity yet unity in HICC – difference but not division. The scriptures come to our aid: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’ ” (Rev 5:9).

Our objective in HICC, formulated 27 years ago, is “to build a multinational community that worships God, walks in the light and witnesses unto Christ.”  It has stood that test ever since the church started, and now contains approximately 40 nations, possibly more – we are still counting. Across those cultural divides is a fraternity, engendered by the Holy Spirit, which welds people together. We do not emphasise division but unity. We do not try to westernise people but let the Spirit work grace in their soul, and create power in their life. They must be who they are in reality, for playacting is unspiritual. In HICC we allow that and rejoice in their uniqueness. The colour of a person’s skin is totally unimportant; we simply ask, “Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

 “A 31-year-old pastor in Mount Dora, Fla., recently set the record for the longest sermon ever preached. Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Fri., Nov. 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes. I have to assume he has no deacons at Cross Church, or they would have pulled the plug after an hour.

During the two-and-a-half day homiletical marathon, Zehnder preached through 45 of his own sermons and displayed more than 600 PowerPoint slides as he moved from Genesis to Revelation, highlighting the theme of divine faithfulness. Personally, I’d say having a church put up with a 53-hour message is a sparkling example of congregational faithfulness.

According to the Broward New Times, “To comply with Guinness World Record rules, Zehnder had to speak before a minimum of 10 people the entire time, and there had to be two independent witnesses to sign off on its validity and monitor his break times. To ensure these rules were met, church members formed groups to help out and rotated shifts, moving in and out in groups of 10. Some spectators stayed nearly as long as Pastor Zehnder. Toward the end of the event, hundreds of community members came to see him complete his speech marathon.”

The sermonic display was done as a fund-raising event to raise money for a local recovery ministry. (In my past churches, I suspect the folks would have given money to have me preach less, not more!) In addition to whatever spiritual benefit may have come from the lengthy message, the record-breaking sermon raised more than $100,000 for the local charity and drew national news attention [Michael Duduit].

In fact, Jesus preached longer than that, he spoke for three years as his life ministry unfolded. Someone said “the best sermon I ever read was six foot three and covered in skin.” It is not so much the exegesis so written but the life so lived.  Noah spent 120 years building an ark which possibly, was the longest yet. Jesus said this: “For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you” [John 13:15].  Jesus’ life was his words. It is said that William Jay of Argyle Chapel, Bath, preached 1,000 sermons before he was 21 and a wonderful expositor he was for he left a legacy of brilliant sermons. Charles Spurgeon when he was 16 years of age, whilst on his way to church with his grandfather, asked who was preaching that morning. His grandfather’s reply was, wait till you get there, and when he did, his grandfather said – “you are the preacher today” and so the young Spurgeon stood at that tender age and spoke on “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious,” thus a life of golden-lipped oratory was launched.

Usually in a successful ministry the man is the sermon. Paul, after his conversion said: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. [1 Cor 11:1], brief and to the point, a hard act to follow! He also says: “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men” [2 Cor 3:2-3]. Our example speaks volumes and through our personality God flows by His Spirit. As we speak He enables, ennobles and energizes our zeal so people can catch a glimpse of himself. Often through our trials, as the stitching of our life is picked apart by extreme vicissitudes, the real treasure, His life, shines forth.

I suppose most ministers who have walked with God for a few decades could preach for 53 hours providing they had some sort of physical support. I see he used 600 PowerPoint sermon slides, and as I usually use a minimum of 60 or more for each sermon I preach, I could cover that in ten Sundays.  As there are 52 Sundays each year that would be 3,120 per annum – one year would do it! But, if I was not raising money for a worthwhile cause it would be pointless.

Early one Sunday morning I was cleaning up some vomit on the pathway to HICC from a reveller, who had drunk too much the evening before. A member who arrived early saw this and said her son, who accompanied her, would do it, but I persevered and finished it. I said if I can’t do this I don’t have the right to serve you from the pulpit. Preaching is in our works, and faith without works is dead. Preachers with calloused hands usually make good pastors!

The rise of the mobile phone and the development of social networking sites, resulting in the Facebook and Twitter generation, have led to a large increase in unhappiness and loneliness. The modern way of life for many young people has caused boredom to escalate. Never have there been so many words spoken and conversations made only for all that effort to have a negative return. As you walk down the street, pass through a store, stand at a bus stop or sit in a café, voices are raised in conversation; many seem to be speaking inordinately loud, as if their partner at the other end is deaf. The average monthly bill for my mobile is about £3.50; I would be worried if it were more! The scriptures say: “There is sin in the multitude of words.” [Proverbs 10:19]. The Living Bible translates it thus: “Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow! When a good man speaks, he is worth listening to, but the words of fools are a dime a dozen.”

35% of a recent adult survey shows that 16 to 24-years olds are bored with their lives; more than 28% of that age group said that it was loneliness that was making them unhappy. They also cite that only better or improving relationships could cure or solve their misery.  Three out of ten also said they were unhappy struggling to find a job and the same number thought they could find happiness abroad. When the whole survey was analysed of all age groups the average level of happiness was 6 out of ten or 60%, which means they are just over halfway to being happy! 63% of all age groups reckoned they needed to earn £40,000 to be happy. It probably wouldn’t make them happy, but why sour an already marginal life with negative talking? It was Bertrand Russell who said:  “To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.”

Winston Churchill, when reaching the end of his life said, “I’m bored with it all,” and he probably was, he lived a long time, did many things, reached his final destination, and had had enough, but possibly he was the greatest Briton who ever lived. I reckon when you get to that stage in life, life is virtually over. However, Jerry Bridges said, “Every day is important for us because it is a day ordained by God. If we are bored with life there is something wrong with our concept of God and His involvement in our daily lives. Even the most dull and tedious days of our lives are ordained by God and ought to be used by us to glorify Him. [Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts].

After my late wife died I received a booklet though the post to tell me how to know that someone was dying, a bit late though it was, it was interesting. Three things become uppermost in their lives, a disinclination to eat, thus a weight loss, a loss of worldwide vision; an exploring mentality disengaged and a general loss of personal interest in current happenings. Thus a disinterest in anything. They begin to withdraw, almost like permanent boredom.

When she died I faced a lonely existence, for I had nursed her for 47 of our 54 years together and that constant care left its mark on me. I suddenly found the TV was on more as I filled the home with voices, any voices it didn’t matter, and I was repeatedly going out to Kingston near where I lived to walk and mix amongst society of all forms in many ways. I needed to fill my life with company and sounds, the quietness disturbed me. I had forgotten God and the sweet meditation that made my life what it was. I realised I was bored with having nothing to do, the object of my love, attention and pity had gone. I began to pity myself, a bad action indeed.

I turned to God, which was a wise move, and in that daily meditation found peace again. No one said anything of note that affected me except God’s living word. I gave myself back to seeking God, and found in the preparation of the living word for sermonising, relief and sanity again. All the talking, friendship and alliances mattered little, it didn’t reach the depths of my soul only God could do that. It was not in the multitude of words, but in the quietness of a sovereign God who dispensed His peace that passes understanding. Within six months I had found security in relationship with God Almighty again. Life could begin again, hope beckoned, my life was alive in the depths of interest sponsored by the Holy Spirit of visions beyond. Why not try it in the midst of your boredom and unhappiness.

In 2008 at a zoo in Munster, Germany, a gorilla named Gana gave birth to a male infant, who died after three months. The Daily Mail declared “Crowds thronged the zoo to see the grieving mother,” who looked stricken and inconsolable as she cradled her dead baby. But, sad as the scene was, it was the humans who cried for there is no scientific basis that animals can weep. “Years of observations by the primatologist Dian Fossey, who observed gorillas, and Jane Goodall, who worked with chimpanzees, could not prove that animals cry tears from emotion.”

It is true that many mammals shed tears, especially in response to pain, for tears protect the eyes by keeping them moist, for they contain antimicrobial proteins. However, Jeffrey Moussaief Masson and Susan McCarthy, authors of “When Elephants Weep,” admitted most watchers have never seen them weep. But Michael Trimble says “crying as an embodiment of empathy is, I maintain, unique to humans and has played an essential role and the development of human cultures.”

Babies can imitate facial expressions at two days and can cry, and often do, consistently in the first few weeks as their tears demand attention and establish a pattern of feeding behaviour with their parents. They can of course cry without tears as many parents have found out to their frustration. “As we get older, crying becomes a tool of our social repertory: grief and joy, shame and pride, fear and manipulation.”

Men cry less than women usually, and mostly at home, in the early evening, with a friend or close companion who also cries. It appears that women tear-up between 30 to 60 times a year, while men well up between 6 and 17 times per annum. Several presidents of the United States, in their presidential term, teared up in public. Sports personalities are also often reduced to tears after winning: man or woman, it doesn’t matter! Darwin concluded that crying occurred less in Britain than in non-Western countries, and it was determined that, across 37 countries, Americans, Germans and Italians are more prone to tears than Bulgarians, Chinese and Peruvians, and people from wealthier counties with moderate climates cry or admit to crying more frequently.

I like watching Andre Rieu who leads his orchestra playing wonderfully and entertaining the assembled crowds from country to country. Often the camera will pan over the audience and one can see that both men and women are reduced to tears at the music. This belies the often held theory that tears are a sign of grief or pain, although of course they can be and do underlie the story of life with situations that are inexplicable and almost unbearable; the death of a loved one, the loss of a company or the announcement by a doctor that we have cancer. Gross disappointment, fear of pain and abject loss of any kind.

In the Taming of the Shew, Shakespeare says: “And if the boy have not a woman’s gift to rain a shower of commanded tears, an onion will do well for such a gift.” Thus to avoid dry eyes a widow would hide an onion in her handkerchief lest their bereavement was underestimated. Such manipulation is so sad for grief takes many forms, which no one understands. There was such a woman in Jesus’ day. As he sat at meat she burst in and wiped his feet with her hair as her tears mingled with the anointing ointment. Tears of joy for forgiveness extended, tears of happiness for a life changed and a new future ensured, tears of peace that she was made new and clean again. Hallelujah!

The whole basis of Christianity is one of common tears, for it is said in Psalm, 23 “He comforts me” that word ‘comfort’ means ‘to sigh with’ to reduce to tears if need be. Many times when praying for people in the services I find myself in tears as words seem meaningless such is their plight. To cry with is to comfort, little else is needed; compassion bestowed and sympathy extended realistically.

Jesus was touched by a man who had a son who threw himself continually in the fire, so He said this:  “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” [Mark 9:23, 24]. The tears did it. The child was healed.

Jesus was eprimanded by Mary and Martha because he had not come at their summons, asked where Lazarus lay dead, and seeing their grief and disbelief it is recorded that “Jesus Wept” [John 11:36]. Those were the tears of the Lord of resurrection; they believed in the ultimate resurrection in some distant time, Jesus was saying “I am the resurrection — NOW.”  He wept over their disbelief, my prayer is that He will have no tears except of joy because we believe now that He exhibits the power of resurrection and we believe it – our Lazarus’s will arise indeed.

A Chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, told of an incident that happened right after Flight 77 hit the Pentagon on 9/11. A daycare facility inside the Pentagon had many children, including infants   who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do.  There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants who would need to be taken out with the cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.

Just then a young Marine came running into the centre and asked what they needed. After hearing what the centre director was trying to do, he ran back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, “Well, here we are, on our own.” About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers.

The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the centre and down toward the park near the Potomac. Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing – they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the Old West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the parents could be notified and come and get their children.

The Chaplain then said, “I don’t think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men there.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.  The thought of those Marines and what they did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon.

Good news is rarely heard on modern newscasts, as it is filled with violence, death, greed, miss-planning, political unrest, savage hurt to one another, sexual indiscretion and financial exploitation. Cheer and good deeds seem to be a scarcity. It was therefore refreshing to read the above account and also on Christmas Eve to attend a service at Renewal in Solihull.  I met my younger brother who was there quite early, as I was, but my earliness was to secure a parking space!

He said he left home at 9:30pm which was unusual for he lives two roads away and would be able to travel the distance in about 5 minutes; the service wasn’t until 11:00pm. As he entered his car the Holy Spirit spoke to him and asked if he had his hospital card [he is Chaplain to several hospitals] he said yes and the Spirit gave him instructions to a ward and bay number in Solihull Hospital. As he entered he was greeted by a couple with their daughter who was severely ill and who attended his church. They were surprised and asked why he had come as they had not requested a Chaplain he said “God bought me here to pray for you” A monk three beds away heard this and requested David pray for him.

In David’s case good news follows him as he responds to the Spirit of God, and obeying His instructions arrives at situations of God’s making, never usually heard of but a catalogue of good and God in people’s lives.

On Boxing Day I was out shopping and noticed the sale of Christmas cards at half price for next year, so I bought some and realised I had inadvertently advertised I would be alive to send them – by faith, good news I thought. As we enter the New Year let us pray that we can impart good news and spread abroad joy and fulfillment in the lives of others. Pessimism is, unfortunately, our second nature, but with God “all things work together for good.” We’d better believe it! Many need help to realise that daily situations are optimized by God for our benefit and the blessing of others. Sometimes we can be accused of being a tad too confident for reason, but with God, why not?

Finally “‘what day is it?’ ‘It’s today’ squeaked piglet. ‘My favourite day’ said Pooh”.

I came across this in the daily paper:  “Rail instructions for a Yorkshire Charter day trip to Leeds: Each passenger travels forward on one leg and backwards on the other”!  Seems they must be standing still, or rocking on the spot. That’s what I hope I never do. It’s usually grandad who rocks in his chair, sitting quietly on the veranda in the evening of his life and of the day. Or, people under great stress issue nonverbal clues as to what is going on in their lives. Such repetitive behaviour like a metronome is calming as a person zones out, oblivious to the world and its anxiety. Apparently it stimulates the vestibular senses and is soothing.

Thankfully, for me, life still stretches ahead with prospect, and the sunset hasn’t arrived.  Unfortunately, there are many people and churches who have already reached this stage and have decided that twilight is imminent. Once HICC starts rocking on the spot, it’s time for me to move on to another challenge. Someone said to me recently, “We have noticed tension in your preaching.” There is no tension or stress in the aged, they have reached contentment.  This must mean I’ve still got life!

But, let’s get serious.  I analysed that statement — did I have tension? — Possibly, but could it not be passion? What’s the difference? — Tension is stress, and stress is necessary for life.  Passion is a life aflame with feeling, and that is also necessary — combine the two — and you’ve got me. The tension of delivering God’s words in an understandable manner and a passion for God that dims not. I once asked a new person to the church, why they came, what had attracted them to the service? Their reply was interesting, it was “because of the passion in the preaching.”

We all have dreams, expectations and desires.  Many people never fulfil them.  We all look forward to inhabit the perfect life designed by God and don’t want to miss anything.  Time is getting short, days are racing ahead, there’s a hint, just a hint of dusk, and the Promised Land has many hills, rivers, coastlands and mountains to traverse.  Dusk is undefinable for there is no measure for when darkness has come. Half-light is confusing. In the apprehension of that discernment is a problem of perception and definition.

Sometimes I think that people and churches lose their positive outlook and the thankful spirit evaporates. In our own case we started at St. Cuthbert’s, a borrowed Anglican building, gained a lovely home at 205 Station Road — a four storey Victorian house built 1908, and then onwards to the Safari Cinema and eventually the new build at the 205 site. What a blessing that was and is. We may have forgotten the progress God has given us, and long for the leeks and the onions of Egypt’s thraldom. Whilst I’m reaching for the glory there are some who grumble at the present blessing.  They don’t want bigness, preferring smallness, content to rock on the veranda, watching the sun set on the whitened fields of harvest — it causes tension and arouses passion.

Peter, James and John were rocking backwards and forwards on Transfiguration Mount as they saw the glory in Christ, and wanted to build tabernacles — but glory must be also shrouded in humanity and be underwritten by mission – broken lives need divine intervention and improvement.  There are too many rocking starts in the modern church, back and forwards, all it achieves is a groove and the only difference between a groove and a grave is the depth! We must always be onward, for God said to Joshua “There is very much land yet to possess,” and so there is. We have no time to rock back and forth and induce soothing feelings of contentment, the fields are white unto harvest. There will come a time when physically we can do little more than rock back and forth, but now we have strength and should have purpose – the night commeth; watchman what of the night?

Fear is the black spot on the rose leaf of joy, the slag tip on the horizon of expectation and the limp in the onward march of life.  Fear blights, scars and cripples people’s lives to such an extent that they only live to half their full potential.  As the world approaches the end time when God will wrap up the ages like a folded garment, fear will increase: “men’s hearts failing them for fear…” [Luke 21:26] ‑ It is a sign of the times. But an angel appeared at advent season and said “Fear not”

It all began in Eden [Genesis 3:10] when Adam, sought by God, replied to his exposure with these words “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”  Sin is the root cause of fear and when it grips us it exposes us. The Bible tells us not to fear 365 times, one for each day of the year, so it must be commonplace in the routine of living.  It also implies that if a command is given then there must be an enabling power to perform.

Where FAITH is operative fear is bound to fail and it is one of several answers to this perennial problem.  Let us therefore consider the different types of fear and how we can deal effectively with them, so that we can live an overcoming Christian life. The normal Christian can cope with sorrow, a mild touch of depression and will battle with sin daily, yet in fear is an enemy that threatens peace and security.  It gnaws away at the inward man and erodes or rusts [Psalm 37:8] his life support down to dangerous limits.

Built into every person is a self-preservation mechanism that ensures that they avoid foolish actions which would cause premature death. It is this God‑given safety device that helps us live out our natural life in a right kind of fear.   It is based on death, which underlies many of our fears.  This is a moderated anxiety that cautions us to behave in a manner which will assure our longevity.  Properly handled this type of fear can bring release and establish patterns of behaviour which will render living less hazardous.

Carelessness is a problem that can soon be rectified by an accident, and if a person were to fear the consequence of a road accident they would drive with more than a modicum of caution.  Natural fear if used rightly is not oppressive or dominating, but a necessary part of humanity.

 Although the Christian does not fear death, he does fear the process of death ‑ the pain of disease.  Where natural fear becomes a phobia it needs casting out in God’s name [1 John 4:18] the words mean to “throw out:” see [Rev.12:9; Mark 16:17].   It has become unbalanced and it is possible that demonic spirits are affecting it.

Thus, fear of sickness can produce symptoms that appear authentic and can also open a door for sickness to commence.  A slight pain is magnified and what was at first innocent becomes exaggerated into something terminal in our thought realm, and it is there where many of our fears have to be controlled, and as we put on the “mind of Christ” [Phil. 2:5; Rom. 12:1; Phil. 4:7,8] we will have victory over this enemy.

Unbalanced fears result in many side effects, which destroy and dissipate strength and ability and result in unhappiness. We feel a failure because we cannot cope, we become stressed coming under severe tension, losing our judgment and we cannot think properly. We also suffer from insomnia in varying degrees and become incapable of making decisions — our body begins to suffer.

Therefore we need to fight fear supplanting our natural fear with the fear of the Lord.  “The FEAR of the Lord is CLEAN enduring forever” [Psalm 19:9] “He encampeth round about them that FEAR Him” [Psalm 34:7]. “The fear of the Lord is a FOUNTAIN of life” [Prov.14:27]. Keeping the cup full [1 John 4:18; Psalm 23:5]; full of Jesus, full of love! [Phil.7, 8]. Cultivating God’s presence [Psalm 23:4; Isa. 43:5; Matthew 14:22‑35]. Nothing bad can live in His presence.

We need to dress in the amour of God [Eph. 6:13] especially the “helmet of Salvation” [Rom. 13. 12‑14; Eph. 5:18; 6:10] and set the alarm system [1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:16] to detect the intruding thoughts that are trespassing.

Lastly, we need to praise positively in all circumstances [Psalm 34:1, 4; 103:1; Heb.13:15; Hosea 14:2], remembering that God’s will is perfect and any circumstance in His will is always for our good [Rom. 8:31‑39].

Last Sunday I spoke about transition and as some missed it [23% were absent] I record it here. Incidentally in large London churches 23% is about right for normal congregational response, or lack of it, and even more in some cases.

When my dear wife died on January 11^th 2014 after 47 years illness and six months intensive suffering, I realised that not only had I lost my best friend but HICC had lost its senior pastor. She was a mighty force in the assembly. She was hands-on in many departments, and organised the whole place efficiently. It was then that I also realised that HICC needed a married couple because women see what men don’t, and she was invaluable at prophetic foresight and perception. Our pillow talk yielded a wealth of spiritual understanding. I could not at 80 form another relationship of such intensity and unity.

So, for the good of HICC I decided that transition should take place. I am still able to preach without any deterioration in thinking or preparation,  have enough energy and strength to continue and am able to speak and promote vision. That has not dimmed. I am 80 but look 70 and feel 60 so there is life in the old dog yet, but HICC must come first. My life has been a succession of giving things up for the good of God’s will. Why change now? I had set in motion two years previously such a transition, but human nature being what it is we believe all men are mortal but ourselves, nothing was really set in motion.

On reflection I decided that a minister who was known to HICC and who visited regularly, usually annually, and his wife would be ideal for that transition, and he was approached and responded positively. However as I began to sell up in Hampton and move to Solihull, where I had originally come from 30 years earlier, things became untoward. The guy dropped out and I could not stay my move, contracts were signed, removal men arranged, moving home was certain and inevitable. It had to proceed.  This left HICC in the lurch, as they say, leaderless, except I am Founding Pastor and will remain so until I die, but living 110 miles away.

I now travel back and preach either once or twice a month, and fortunately Pamela drives me down. I will keep doing that until a new man is appointed. The executive council and cabinet are joined in unity to see HICC prosper and are behind me and for the church. They believe ‘things’ will pan out well in God. Thus, we wait and pray and seek God’s face, HICC is a miracle of growth and blessing and truly a multinational church; indeed a microcosm of heaven.

When I sought God to know if I should move and transition should take place I was motivated by His word. I came to London 31 years ago through a text: “The priests left the suburbs and their possessions and came to Jerusalem.” I now needed such a text so in my daily reading and praying over moving and transition this was His word: “Do all that is within thy heart, for God is with you.” [1 Chronicles 17:1]. If I had written that text myself and inserted it into the Bible it couldn’t have been more certain. Although I had read that text at least 62 times [once a year since I was 18] it had never registered. Behind all this is God, what He is doing I do not know, and how He will respond likewise, but He will not leave the place he has blessed shepherd-less.

Twenty years ago a visiting preacher, Ken Newton, a prophet, came to HICC and said “you are vanguard, the leader of the pack, and will initiate and innovate leadership in the area.” But the emphasis was that we were a warship not a cruise liner. The difference is quite strong. Those on a cruise ship pay for at least two things – a good meal menu and entertainment, and at the slightest sense of danger run for the lifeboats.

On the other hand on a battle ship everyone is staff, they have a good basic menu but with no fancy dishes, and are paid a minimal wage. When danger arises they stay in their positon and with the Captain go down if they have to, but have excellent accident and emergency facilities for they are in a war.

My question to you as we sail through this boisterous sea of transition is – which ship do you want to be on?  The battle ship has one objective, defeat the enemy, and those on a cruise ship: let’s enjoy ourselves. Often we cannot see the enemy because they are detected by radar and are over the horizon, but long range firing is essential for we fight not against flesh and blood but powers of darkness in high places. If we get injured, and life itself can often do that, we have [HICC] has, excellent emergency provision for healing.

“We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened.”
[2 Cor. 5:4]

It is interesting that Paul does not call our body a building, a church or a mansion but a tabernacle. The first tabernacle was a tent of meeting, and Paul was a tent maker. I had the privilege of being saved in the Full Gospel Tabernacle, Billelsey, Birmingham on 15^th January 1949. The thing about tents is that they have a roof but no foundations, because they are temporary structures. They can be moved, damaged, overturned and easily destroyed. We can do what we like with our earthly tabernacles but they are no better than tents; we can nurse, pamper, dress and adorn them and even idolise them, but they are basically dust and to dust they will return.

However, Paul distinguishes between soul and body almost as if we can live without the tabernacle, and we can, for he says “we that are in this tabernacle” because the soul is the man; the soul is the inhabitant. It is in it but not of it. It is immaterial, immortal, and capable of endless improvement. God is eternal and has no age, he does not grow old and was never young, and He is what he is; He is the ancient of days, always was and always will be.  We on the other hand cannot save the tabernacle for it is subject to decay, disease and death, but the soul can be saved; Jesus died for that very purpose. Thus a man can gain the whole world and lose his own soul.  To the body we show unending concern, we send for a doctor if we are ill, we employ lawyers to write our will and design and write-out our funeral requirements, but forget our soul.

So the question is what provision are we making for our soul? How will it be disposed of?  Where will it go when Jesus calls us in that eternal day; have we provided for it? The complaint described by Paul is that the soul does groan within the tabernacle “being burdened.” This or these burdens are numerous and easily described for life is a vale of tears, and oppression and opposition are constant and unremitting. For who is able to safeguard us against our personal failure, losses, accidents and family bereavements with hostilities. Being a person who follows God does not exempt us from trials for God does not prune the bramble but the vine, and the stones that build his tabernacle are cut and polished to perfection! Being a son of God does not release us from calamity, for he chastens whom he calls and His correction is for children not for strangers.

These afflictions will never be joyous but often grievous, and will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness [Heb. 2:11]. In some ways we feel these privations and rebukes more than the world who reject His existence, and we tremble lest we are not sanctified, for we are within a divinely designed purpose. We must remember that those who follow Christ go without the camp bearing his reproach [Heb.13:13].  Thus the Christian life is an undeniable warfare, “for we wrestle against principalities and powers in high places and the rulers of the darkness of this world” [Eph. 6:12].

Not only is the soul burdened but it mourns over sin and pollution. Under God it embraces purity and abhors iniquity, for its reward is a tender conscience, but it feels that everything it does is spoiled, for although it loves the Holy Spirit it often feels it has grieved Him.  Yearning to tread a pilgrim path and live a holy life, yet is distraught by alien thoughts that mar the gospel of forgiveness. If that soul is ours we sigh with conviction and wish we were what we profess, but know that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin daily. We also know that nothing will satisfy us until we move in the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and that is possible — it can be now! “For greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.”  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all than we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” [Eph 3:20-21] and it does!

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks [Luke 6:45] and we who profess Christ say further “my meditation of Him shall be sweet.” [Psa.104:34] Therefore the tongue of those who love God will and must extol the immortal, it can do no other. To the sports fanatic, sport is his sweetness, to the miser it is money; but to those who are called and sanctified, their speech extols the Lord. Further, King David says “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” [Ps 139:17] Thus, God meditates on us. Mystery indeed.  Out of the abundance of God’s heart he speaks and we say in return “Unto them that believe he is precious.” There’s reciprocal wonder. When the Pharisees tried to stop the crowd proclaiming Jesus as king in the temple, Jesus said “if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out,” [Luke 19:40] and so they will in that eternal day. All creation will join the anthem unto glorified deity.

When Peter and John were forbidden to speak in Jesus name their reply was poignant, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” [Acts 4:20]. It’s no good placing or trying to enforce restraining orders on saints who have witnessed the saving power of Jesus. Out of the abundance of their heart they must speak, for all creation must cry His praise – “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;” [Ps 145:10-11]. David says again: “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” [Ps 51:15] Sometimes it is a struggle because the flesh hangs heavy and the soul is afflicted. When friends forsake and enemies mock, when grievous situations arise, saints will counter with praise to God, it is their natural diet, their consuming food. As Paul says: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” [Phil 3:7-9].

Martyrs through the ages have given up the world with all its delights as they walked the pilgrim way, making sacrifice; receiving frowns from friends, anger from enemies and sneers from neighbours, but for all that accepting those things for Christ. Is it strange that the language of heaven dominates their life here, and that the bible is their daily bread? It contains words of life and expressions of God’s love; it is the love-song of the bridegroom; therefore nothing and no one can be a substitute for Him but He can always be a substitute here on earth for anyone or anything.

There are special seasons in life when we are sick and we need a physician, when we are hungry we need food, when filled with the Holy Spirit we turn upwards to Christ and worship his dear name, name above all names. When the Holy Spirit touches us and reveals sin and causes judgement, then he becomes precious to us.  Precious as a forgiving saviour for all sins, who cleanses us daily in the fierce temptations and causal yielding? It is said a friend is born for adversity and we have one that sticketh closer than a brother, even Christ our beloved.  Can one wonder why he is precious for he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and in all afflictions he is afflicted [Isa. 53:4]?

Precious you say, for when eternity beckons he will carry us through the swelling tide to life itself. Whilst we are alive he made intercession for the transgressors for he allowed himself to be numbered with them, [Isa 53:12] thus securing our salvation.  He said we would be where he is [John 17:24], where the sun does not set and sin no longer has dominion, for he will turn the chamber of death into the gate of heaven. Hallelujah! Precious indeed.