“Giant steps are what we take walking on the moon.”

I remember when I was young watching the Apollo 11 moon landing with my parents. On 20th July 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon and at the time I wondered how the third astronaut Michael Collins felt as he circled the moon in the command module on his own. As he orbited above, he was the most solitary human in the universe, out of touch with ground control for 48 minutes on each orbit, 240,000 miles from earth.

How did he feel about getting so close to the moon but not being able to walk on it? Folk remember Armstrong and Aldrin, but do they remember the less famous third member of the crew? These thoughts have often crossed my mind when films or features on the first moon landing have been in the media.

Michael Collins died recently on 28th April 2021 aged 90 and in one of the obituaries I read a quote from him when he said half-jokingly that he was,”the navigator, the guidance and control expert, the owner of the leaky plumbing - all the things I was least interested in doing.” He was also thought Aldrin, probably Nasa’s best trained Command Module Pilot. In fact, his role as Command Module Pilot was essential for the successful completion of the mission, as were the roles of Armstrong as Commander and Aldrin as Luna Module Pilot. All three had equally important and different roles to play as they worked together as a team.

It is the same for us in terms of our roles in the church and in the Kingdom of God. God has a unique and important purpose for each one of us. He equips us with different gifts and a measure of ministry, faith and grace (Romans 12,3-8) as He calls us to be His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) to minister His love to others through our words and actions. Each of the Apollo 11 astronauts had a responsibility to focus on their unique roles to achieve all they set out to do. It is the same with us.

 What we achieve for God as His ambassadors might never be recorded in the history books, but we will leave a legacy of eternal value. So, let me encourage you to see and realise how important you are to God and how important the purpose He has for your life is – both in the life of the church, in the lives of family and friends and in the wider community. Let me encourage you to focus on that calling (1 Peter 4,10-11) because when you do you will enrich the church (God’s people) and also minister God’s love to many other people!

Keith Saynor 11th May 2021

Oh no dropped it!.......

In 2008 the International Space Station celebrated its tenth birthday (20th November 2008). At about the time of the anniversary one of the astronauts working on the space station made rather an expensive mistake. Two of the crew were outside the craft working on some of the external joints when one of them dropped one of the tool bags. She was helpless as she watched about $100,000 worth of tools slowly float away from her into space. She later admitted she had made a mistake by not checking to see if her bag was tied down.

As I read the account, I reflected that the astronaut, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper has something in common with the Apostle Peter (John 18;15-27). The mistakes they made were very public and recorded for all to read. In the case of the astronaut, you can even watch it on the internet. With Peter it is well documented in the Bible. I also felt relieved that most of the mistakes I have made have not been so public. Fortunately for most of us this is the case and our mistakes do not make headline news!

Heide was forgiven and given another chance the following week when she successfully undertook another spacewalk to complete the work she had started before her unfortunate slip. Similarly, we can read in John 21 15-19 how Peter was given a second chance. Jesus not only reinstated him but commissioned him into rather an important leadership role for the early church. (check out all his endeavours throughout the book of Acts!) 

God’s dealing and his attitude towards Peter is the same for us. When we make mistakes and get things wrong, we can trust God that He will always forgive us (1 John 1:9). He will always show us grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:7, Daniel 9:9). It is good to know that He will also show us the same restoring love that He showed Peter. Because of this we can be confident that, despite our mistakes He will still partner with us and use us to fulfil the plans He has for us!

Keith Saynor 5th May 2021

The Risen Christ-Time to Celebrate!

Easter Sunday

In the Louvre Museum in Paris, France there is a painting of the scene of the cross. In the painting the stars are dead, and the world is wrapped in darkness. In the scene Mary Magdalene is kneeling holding her hands and lips against the bleeding feet of Jesus. We do not know if Mary did that, but we know she was there. Mary had witnessed her Lord and friend die in the cruellest way; for her the days surrounding the crucifixion had brought nothing but tragedy. 

So as Mary approached Jesus’ tomb on that following Sunday the last thing she expected was a party or celebration. Finding the tomb open and empty we find her weeping as she peered into the tomb. Two angels appear and ask her why she is crying. She replies, “They have taken my Lord away.”  Jesus appears and at first, she thinks he is the gardener. Jesus then calls her by name “Mary.” (John 20 v16) She cries out in Aramaic “Rabboni!” (Teacher). You can hear her surprise as her name is spoken out by a man she loved-a man she had helped bury! It is not often you hear your name called by an eternal tongue. But when she did, she recognised who was calling and responded by worshipping the risen Christ. In that moment, the Kingdom of God is breaking in as heaven touches earth and it is time to celebrate! 

The risen Christ appearing to Mary is both wonderful and extraordinary. It is wonderful as it is Jesus’ first resurrection appearance and it is extraordinary as it contains one of those moments in time and history when we realise that something has altered decisively, something had been achieved by Jesus’ victory over sin and death at the cross that was life changing, not just for those alive at the time but for every generation to come. A new relationship had sprung to life. 

Up to that point in time Jesus had spoken about God as ‘the Father’ or ‘the Father who sent me’ or ‘my Father.’  He had referred to his followers as his ‘disciples,’ ‘servants,’ and ‘friends.’ Now all that had changed. Recognise the power and unstoppable force of verse 17;” Go and say to my brothers, I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”  The disciples are welcomed into a new world, a world where they can know God the way Jesus knows God, where they can enter a relationship where they can know him as their Father. Like the story of a disgraced son exiled in a far-off country (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus has now broken through the exile and made a way back from the ultimate far country, a way back from death itself to the Father’s home where everyone who follows Jesus is welcome as a beloved son or daughter. This is the intimate relationship Jesus invites each one of us to enter with God our Father! 

Keith Saynor 4th April 2021

Finish the race strongly

Saturday

Had cricket existed in the New Testament era; I am sure the writers would have spoken of doosras, googlies and chinamen!  Sadly, for all there was no cricket and so they wrote about running. The word race comes from the Greek ‘agon.’ and it is from this that we get the word agony. The Christian race is the best one to participate in but is certainly not a jog, rather it is a demanding and sometimes agonizing race. It takes perseverance and a big effort to finish the race strongly. 

You may have noticed along the way that many do not finish in this fashion. Something has caused their heart to no longer be in the race and they will finish quietly.  You may also have noticed that some litter the side of the road. They used to be running, there was a time when they kept the pace but for some reason weariness crept in and they stopped. They may not have thought the race would be this tough or may have been discouraged in some way, and for some reason they have stopped running. For all these folks, unless something changes their best work is behind them.

By contrast, Jesus’ best work was His final work, and His strongest step was His last. We are encouraged to do the same; “Let us run the race that is before us and never give up.”(Hebrews12:1) The writer goes on to say that Jesus “held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him.”(v3) The implication here is that He could have “let go,” and given up. Despite temptation, accusations, being badly treated; some even tried to throw Him off a cliff! (Luke 4:29) He did not stop running. He endured until the end.

 Let me encourage you to do the same by focusing where Jesus focused; “on the joy that God put before him.” (v2) By focusing on the prize of heaven, He was able not only to finish the race but to finish it strongly. Let me also encourage you not to give up, to fall by the wayside but to focus and finish strongly. God will empower each one of us to do so and he will walk with us every step of the way!

Keith Saynor 3rd April 2021

The Valley of the Shadow of Death 

Good Friday

The English Poet John Donne once said,” Any man’s death diminishes me.” Author Max Lucado comments on this thought; “It’s as if the human race resides on a huge trampoline. The movements of one can be felt by all. And the closer the relationship, the more profound the exit. When someone you love dies, it affects you.” As a church we have been affected numerous times over the years by the passing of a member of our church family. Others have experienced the death of family or friends during that time. Many have experienced the slow walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4) When someone dies it affects us. 

The good news is that God is a good God (Psalm 25 7-8) and he will lead us through, not around the valley of the shadow of death. Dr Donald Grey Barnhouse told of the occasion of the death of his first wife. He and his children were driving home from the burial, overcome with grief. Searching for words of comfort for his children he found none. But then, a large moving truck drove by and as it passed its shadow swept over the car.  An inspiration came to the Doctor. He turned to his family and said,” Children, would you rather be run over by a truck or by its shadow?” The reply came “Well of course, Dad, we’d rather be run over by the shadow. That can’t hurt us at all.” Dr Barnhouse then said,” Did you know that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus …. in order that only its shadow might run over us?”

 Thanks to Jesus we know that our loved one are lifting their hands in worship, praising God and marvelling at heaven! We all face death but thanks to all that Jesus achieved at the Cross (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:23) we only face its shadow! We have the hope of eternal life and that one day we will have the opportunity to meet once more those who have gone before us.

Keith Saynor 2nd April 2021

A New Adventure in Existence

Thursday

A few years ago, I attended the funeral of a friend; a hero during the Falklands war in 1982 when he saved the life of one of his injured colleagues by carrying him out of a minefield. He was also a hero for many young people including the 50 he fostered over the years with his wife.  His sudden death reminded me of how fragile life is and caused me to reflect on its fleeting nature. Aristotle called death the thing to be feared most because “it appears to be the end of everything.” Shakespeare was even gloomier when he described the afterlife as “The dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns.”

Fortunately, these gloomy outlooks are eclipsed by the fact that Jesus defeated the power of death and brings us this wonderful promise; “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be where I am. (John 14 1-3 NLT) These are radical words with Jesus promising not just an afterlife but a better life. 

Aristotle was wrong; death is not to be feared.  Jesus gives each one of us the courage to make our final journey from this life into the next.  Charles Lindberg, the 1st person to fly solo across the Atlantic was someone who approached death with the same courage he had lived his life. His faith in Jesus resulted in him viewing death as “A new adventure in existence.”  My final reflection for my friend is that, like Lindbergh, he has been able to enter this “new adventure in existence,” with the same courage that he lived his life. For all who trust in Jesus, death is not to be feared. When that moment comes, He will take our hand and lead us into the promise of eternal life. (John 10:27-28)

Keith Saynor 1st April 2021

Jesus chose you over Death

wednesday

Over the last year Vinolia, Abigail and I have walked regularly through the grounds of Wellington College. We pass a lovely cricket ground where I once scored 96 whilst captaining Berkshire under 19’s. On one occasion as we were passing two memories came to mind. Firstly, I thought of the time I was playing Country Cricket at schoolboy level and was selected for coaching at the England under 15 Level. That was a time when I felt highly valued. Secondly, I remembered the time when I was not chosen to represent a football team. On that occasion I felt of little value. We can all probably think of times in life when we felt valued and other times when events or circumstances meant we felt of little value. Times maybe, where we were chosen and other times where we were rejected.

The good news is that God chose each one of us and as a result we can always feel valued despite the circumstances life throws at us. If you doubt my words let me take you to Jesus’ final prayer immediately after the conclusion of the last supper, the night of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion 

 This is the last time Jesus sees his friends before they abandon him. He does not lecture them or accuse them, instead he prays. What would you have done in that situation? Which words do you chose? It is worth noting that Jesus prayed for them. In this final prayer before He went to the cross, He also prayed for you! (John 17;20-21) As Jesus stepped into the garden you were in His prayers. As He looked into heaven you were in His vision. As Jesus dreamed of the day when we will be where He is, He saw you there. It was in the garden that Jesus made His decision; He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you. That is how much he values you! 

He went to the Cross for you so that you might enjoyed a fullness of life and the promise of eternal life (John 10;10)! God wants to be with you for all time; you are worth it! When you do not feel valued let me encourage you to visit Gethsemane; this is a place where the Lord reminds us that despite the circumstances of our lives and the opinions of others, what really matters is that God chooses and values each of us equally.

Keith Saynor 31st March 2021

Giving thanks with a grateful heart

Tuesday

When I was a child, I remember my Mum teaching me the importance of saying thank you and showing gratitude to others who help you. Reflecting on this recently my thoughts turned to the events of the Cross and the sacrifices Jesus made for me so that I may enjoy the fruit of the victory He won over sin and death at the cross(Romans 6:23). My response was to thank Him that I can enjoy the fullness of life and promise of eternal life that result (John 10:10). 

Luke 17: 11-19 records the account where Jesus healed the ten lepers whilst he was on his way to Jerusalem. As he entered a village in the border country between Galilee and Samaria, he was met by the lepers who called out to him “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  The appearance of lepers at that time repulsed most people and they would avoid them at all costs. Not Jesus, he engaged with them, had mercy on them and instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests. The account tells us that “they went, and while still on their way, became clean.” (Verse 14)

I would have loved to have witnessed this miracle! No treatment or medicine, just the presence of Jesus and his power resulting in complete healing. I would have loved to see the reaction of each of them when they were healed and to have witnessed the interaction of Jesus and the one who returned to say thank you.

The returning leper caught the attention of Jesus (verses 15-18) as did the absence of the other nine. The headline here is that God notices the grateful heart. Gratitude lifts our eyes from the things we lack so that we might see the blessings we possess. Gratitude changes our perspective; it is a child of grace and an appropriate response for all who know the blessings of God in their lives. Let me encourage you to make a list of all the things you can thank God for, assemble your reasons for gratitude and thank God for his kindness to you;” Always be joyful. Pray continually and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Keith Saynor 30th March 2021

Love is Kind

Monday

Following on from major heart surgery in 2016 my recovery took longer than expected because of a series of complications. During that time Vinolia and I were helped practically by several friends. For example, one of them looked after our garden and any maintenance in the house that was needed, and another came regularly to do our cleaning. I will always remember and be grateful for their acts of kindness.

 Reflecting on these actions I first thought of Jesus’ interaction with the thief on the Cross. In Jesus’ deepest moment of anguish as He takes on the sin of mankind and all the forces of evil what does He do? He enters a conversation with a thief; amazing! What a kind thing to do, what a loving thing to do! (Luke 23:43) The result of His actions; another soul was saved! 

I then thought of the Apostle Paul’s words “Love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4) as he refers to God’s love for each one of us. Author Max Lucado comments “The kindness of Jesus. We are quick to think of his power, passion, and his devotion. But those near him knew and know God comes cloaked with kindness.”  Nehemiah agreed with these observations: “You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness (Nehemiah 9:17). King David recognised the extent of God’s love when he exclaimed, “Your lovingkindness is better than life.” (Psalm 63:3). 

 I also agree with these observations. God’s love is reflected in various ways and Paul places kindness right up there towards the top of the list when he writes “Love is kind.” I have been the recipient of God’s kindness on countless occasions throughout my whole Christian life and I am very thankful to Him. I am also incredibly grateful to my friends who have reflected His love through their actions; kind hearts, I believe, are quietly kind. Paul challenges each one of us to be kind to others when he writes, “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it.” (Galatians 6:10) Let’s make the most of every opportunity that comes our way!

Keith Saynor 29th March 2021

Palm Sunday

Passing on the Peace of God

On 15th April 2013 we witnessed the worst of humanity when two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston marathon in Massachusetts, USA, killing 3 people and injuring or maiming over 170 more. We also witnessed the best of humanity as spectators and officials helped those injured at the scene and in some of these cases their actions helped save the lives of those caught in the two bomb blasts.

A radio interview broadcast during the week following the bombings also reflected these two traits of humanity. Colin Parry was interviewed and described how his 12-year-old son Tim had died on 20th March 1993 when the IRA bombed Warrington. However, since his son’s death, together with his wife Wendy, he has established a charity (www.peace-foundation.org.uk) to help young people and adults turn away from violence as a means of settling conflicts in their lives. The foundation has helped build friendship in place of prejudice and distrust. It works to support those affected by terrorism and conflict.

 As Colin spoke, his compassion and love for others reminded me of another who was born in an age of conflict, Jesus Christ. Jesus witnessed the best and the worst of humanity but was always full of compassion and love for others. He was able to minister peace into the lives of thousands of people he encountered when he walked on this earth and has ministered to millions of others over the last 2,000 years.

As Jesus journeyed with his disciples towards his destiny on the cross and with some of the last words to them, He said this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “(John 14:27)

 If you have been affected in any way by difficulties, trauma or turmoil let me encourage you to approach Jesus in prayer and ask Him to help you and to minister His peace to you, which is supernatural and one that “surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4 verse 7)

Keith Saynor 28th March 2021

Moving Forward in a Straight line

I recently watched the film ‘News of the World.’ It is set in 1870 just after the American Civil War and stars Tom Hanks as a retired Army Captain, Jefferson Kidd who now makes a living travelling town to town across the Southern States reading the latest news. On his travels he comes across a young girl who has been abandoned. It transpires that she is a German Immigrant who six years earlier had been taken by the Kiowa Native Americans after her parents had been killed by them in retaliation for white settlers’ crimes against their tribe. Then, six years later, the Kiowa family who had adopted her were massacred by the Federal Authorities. She had witnessed both events.

Captain Kidd, receiving no help from the authorities tells them ‘This little girl is lost, she needs to be home.’ He then takes her on a journey to find a relative of her German parents. It is a wonderful story of gaining trust as they travel. At one point despite the language difficulties there is a conversation where the Captain tells her she must ’move forward in a straight line,’ and she describes that with the Kiowa she was used to travelling in circular movements. After several twists in the story the captain adopts her as his daughter and the film has a wonderful ending.

It is a moving story of love and restoration following trauma, loss and sadness. It reminded me of how God helps each one of us to move on when we face similar difficulties. The Bible encourages us to trust God for when we do, He will guide us and make our paths straight (Proverbs 3 5-6) embracing us with His healing and restoration (Jeremiah 30:17). He helps us to move on from any trauma we have experienced. Also, when we trust God, like the young girl in the film, we find our home, a place to belong as He adopts us into His family as sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5, 1 John 3:1).

Let me encourage you to trust God and let him bring His healing and restoration in relation to any trauma or loss you may have experienced. Trust Him to help you move forward with Him and enjoy the sense of belonging as you find your home with Him as a dear child of God adopted into His family!

Keith Saynor 8th March 2021

God is still in Control

Corrie ten Boom used to say, “When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.” When things are difficult it is wise not to bail out but to draw closer to the one person you can trust to get you through: God

The Apostle Paul was someone who understood that despite all the difficult circumstances he faced that God was still in control, guiding and leading him.  He knew that despite all he had faced; the death threats, attempts on his life, the hardships, the shipwrecks and imprisonment that these were just the reasons to stick in there, to be patient and recognise God was in control

Next time you’re going through difficulties don’t allow fear and worry to creep in. Don’t jump off the train or give up! Just be patient and let God remind you that He is still the One in control. Remember what Jesus said; ”These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33

Paul understood this and wrote; “Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” — Romans 8:38 NLT

Jesus warns us we will face storms in life full of trials and tribulations but encourages us to take heart for he has overcome the world! He has overcome sin and death and given us a path to walk marked out by His love which leads to eternal life

Nothing can separate us from His love! No one can take that from you! Max Lucado once wrote “It’s not the absence of storms that set us apart. It’s whom we discover in the storm: an unstirred Christ.”

Paul discovered this as did King David when he wrote, “You have been my defence and refuge in the day of trouble.” Psalm 59:16

Let me encourage you not to give up but to draw closer to God knowing whatever situations you may be facing He is with you and still in control.

Keith Saynor 26th February 2021

Snow White, The Beatles and the Apostle Paul

I recently found a connection between the 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Beatles and the Apostle Paul. Any ideas what that might be? The connection centres around learning a secret. John Lennon’s mum used to sing the song ‘I’m wishing,’ from the film when John was very young, which contains the lines,” Want to know a secret? Promise not to tell, you are standing by a wishing well.” Those lyrics stayed with him and were the inspiration when he wrote the 1963 Beatles song,”Do you want to know a secret?” The Apostle Paul then writes about an important secret in Philippians 4 verses 11-13,

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

A secret is knowledge not commonly known and the Apostle seems to be drawing us in close to share his secret, something wonderful he has discovered and longs to share with us to help us. It is the secret of being content. He has learnt to be contentwith what he has and seems to be full of joy. This is remarkable because when he wrote these words, he had extraordinarily little. He was in jail confined in a prison cell, chained up and guarded 24 hours a day. So how was he content?

His focus at a time when he was severely restricted in so many ways was not on what he did not have or what he was missing, but on what he had and what could not be taken from him. He had eternal life, the love of God, forgiveness from sin and the assurance of salvation! For Paul Christ was enough and that is true for each one of us as well! What he had in Christ was far greater than what he did not have in life! 

The lesson he learnt is one we would be wise to learn as well in this season where we are facing restrictions in what we can do, who we can see and as we reflect on what we are missing out on.

What we have in Christ is enough. When we focus on Jesus, we can learn this same secret and we can learn to be content in all circumstances. Let me encourage you to do this and not focus on what you do not have. When our focus is on Christ we will be strengthened, and we will learn that as no one can take away our saviour, no one can take away our joy and we will be able to live a life of contentment. This is a secret Paul longed to share with us!

Keith Saynor 22nd February 2021

Follow the Star

Since the time when the Magi set off on their journey to Bethlehem to find Jesus, Christmas and travel have always gone hand in hand. We often visit friends and family or host them ourselves. I remember when I was small getting up at 5am on Christmas Day (never a problem for a child that particular morning!), and setting off with my Mum, Dad and Sister to visit and stay with my Mum’s parents. As we were travelling the 200 miles north to Liverpool, I remember the clear night sky and marvelling at the brightness of the stars. I also remember the increasing number of lights in the houses as expectant children were waking up and excitedly waking parents to open presents!

Matthew in his gospel gives more space writing about the Magi than he gives to the birth of Jesus. In doing so, I believe he is emphasising that their story is our story – we are all travellers on a journey; in order to find Jesus every one of us needs direction, which is given by God. He uses the natural world (Matthew 2:2) to get our attention (Psalm 19:1). The apostle Paul encourages us to open our eyes to see the reality of God (Romans 1:19-20); it is all around us. The star led the Magi to Jerusalem and it then took scripture to lead them to Jesus. The prophesy told them where to find him (Matthew 2:5) and then the star reappeared to guide them (Matthew 2:9). The sign and the word worked together to guide them to Jesus – shedding the light of Heaven on Jesus.

 They found Jesus as they took notice of the sign, believed the scripture and as a result found God. God uses every possible means to speak to us; nature, his promises and prophesies in scripture are just a few. He wants us to find him and to guide us daily. Let me encourage you to pray for signs from him, take notice of them, allow them to lead you to scripture. Let these leads you to humble worship (Matthew 2:11), be grateful and allow him to direct you along the road he has set out for you. 

It’s a journey where we can enjoy God’s love; peace, kindness and joy, it’s a journey full of hope as He is with us throughout this life and when we do reach the end, we will find that our journey with God will transcend death into eternity where He has a glorious home waiting for us! (John 14:2-4).

May you have a wonderful Christmas and experience God’s presence today and always!

Keith Saynor 25th December 2020

Healing in His love...

Musician and singer Jenn Bostic wrote the song "Jealous of the Angels," to honour her dad. Jenn comments on the song;” He passed away in a tragic car accident when I was ten years old. I remember saying that night that my one wish was to know that he was smiling down on me and that he was proud of me. That night I prayed. I prayed every night for two months that God would give me some sort of sign that my dad was smiling down on me. I didn't tell anyone what I was praying for, but I was believing God for a selfish answer. 

On Christmas Eve that year, my best friend in the world, who has been with me through everything, called me from Oregon at 7:15am in the morning to tell me about a dream she had had the night before. She said my dad was in her dream and said, "Please tell Jenn I'm so proud of her and that I'm at every one of her shows.”

The song has spoken to and touched many, many people. In fact, a recent version of her song was performed by Donna Taggart has had 45 million views online with 1.2 million shares. It reached Number 1 in the ITUNES USA easy listening chart and is among the 50 most downloaded songs of all genres alongside Adele, Kate Perry and Beyonce. Jenn further comments “God is using this song to touch the hearts of those who have lost loved ones, to comfort them and to help them heal. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. The stories kept coming, I cannot count on two hands the amount of people who have come up to me in tears after a show telling them how much "Jealous of the Angels" touched them and exactly who it makes them think of.” 

She sings in this wonderful song; “Longing for the day, when I see your face again. But until then God must need another angel around the throne tonight, your love lives on inside of me and I will hold on tight, it’s not my place to question, only God knows why, I’m just jealous of the angels around the throne tonight.” Amongst the emotions of sadness and loss of a loved one this is a beautiful picture of worship around the throne of God where loved ones who have gone before us stand surrounded by God’s love for them, safe in His present. It is a song that reflects the comfort that God brings us at times of bereavement. This Christmas, if you have recently lost someone close or have lost someone during any stage of your life, as you reflect on this and think of them, let me encourage you to listen to Jenn’s song (available on YouTube) and allow God to minister, hope, comfort, peace and healing to you. 

Keith Saynor 24th December 2020

Do not be afraid!

I remember once watching the ‘Four Hills Ski Jumping’ event from Innsbruck, Austria where the competitors hurl themselves down a steep slope of ice and then leap off high into the Winter Sky to hopefully land uninjured further down the mountain.  Each competitor is judged on the length of the jump as well as their style. At one point the camera angle showed just how steep the slope was and how far below the landing area was. After initially thinking this looks ‘fun’ that word was replaced by the word ‘fear’ as I imagined attempting to make such a jump!

 One of the messages that resonate from the Christmas story is “Do not be afraid!” (Luke 2 v10-11) Every year, Christmas is a vivid reminder that we do not need to be afraid; that fear is a burden we do not need to carry. We do not need to be afraid because we are not alone. Some folk view God as a distant and detached figure living across a chasm of time and space which is impassable. The problem is if this is your view of God it is all too easy to look around at the realities of life and feel isolated and alone.  The great news is that God has bridged the gap. The Christmas narrative shows us that and proves that divinity and humanity are not mutually exclusive, that indeed we are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) This truth is often forgotten.

To help refresh our memory and reinforce this truth, wrapped in a new covenant of grace heaven came to earth on Christmas Day in the form of a baby to announce that God and mankind are in this together! Christmas announces to each one of us that we are not alone or indeed abandoned; we are not foreigners or aliens in God’s eyes, no he considers us as family- part of His family! Even if this Christmas because of the current circumstances during this difficult season, you find yourself alone you can take comfort that God is with you, you are a loved son or daughter adopted into His family! (Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7)

Keith Saynor 23rd December 2020

FRIENDS OF BETHANY

Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions of people through her story of determination, faith and hope. At the age of thirteen, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her career as a rising surf star. However, one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and within two years she had won her first National title. In 2007, she realized her dream of surfing professionally Since then her story has been told in a bestselling autobiography and in the 2011 film ‘Soul Surfer’. Bethany is now involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation; ‘Friends of Bethany,’ which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging a broken world by offering hope to overcome through Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the shark attack she said, "Today I'm thankful to be alive! I look back and would not change that day otherwise. God can truly turn pain into beauty. We can grow through our hard times and overcome." Her story is one of hope which reflects the hope that the birth of Jesus brings for each one of us. This was the astonishing message announced by the Angels (Luke 2:10-14). Hope for mankind had arrived, as Andy Hawthorne comments in his booklet ‘The Gift of Hope,’ the Christmas story “is a story of real people and real emotion, fear, hope, pain and love. It’s the true story of God coming to earth and sharing our pain, of our God who got alongside the underdog, the illegitimate, the refugee, the poor, the homeless, and the disadvantaged in one fell swoop.” 

With the announcement of the angels to the shepherd that night the light of God shone into their lives bringing hope for all of them and for mankind. That same bright and steady light continues to shine to bring hope to individuals such as Bethany and for each one of us whatever our circumstances. 

Keith Saynor 22nd December 2020

Prince of Peace

Christmas for many is a time of reflection when we think of those who have gone before us. Some of you have lost loved ones this year and for others it has been further back. I have been thinking about my Mum and Dad and some of the wonderful Christmas’ I enjoyed as a child. As I was reflecting, I thought of one of the stories my Dad told me. He was a bomber pilot with 10 Squadron during World War II and he told me that one night they were on route to Essen when they were faced with a sea of flack ahead of them. My Dad thought “Nothing is going to get through that.” And so, he prayed that God would help them. He then described to me this feeling of calm and peace that filled the cockpit. They safely navigated through the sea of flack to reach they target. The only casualty was my Dad’s navigator and friend Dougie who was hit in his flying boot by flack. He was fine but the impact caused all the lining of the boot to fly everywhere and all over Dougie making him, in my Dad’s words look like a snowman! They then safely returned to Melbourne, Yorkshire where they were stationed. 

This same peace which my dad experienced that night was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before Jesus’ birth when he prophesised the birth of Jesus.   

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us.

   And the government will rest on His shoulders.

   And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

   Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The Angels also proclaimed this peace when they appeared to the Shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus; “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2 13-14) Jesus came as the Prince of peace; the embodiment of peace to minister that same peace to us (John 14:27).

 He brings the peace of God to us -the Hebrew word for this, ‘Shalom’ tells us that this peace is ‘complete, perfect and full.’ Jesus ministers this peace to each one of us. Whatever happens in this life to us, whatever troubles or trials come to us we can always turn to God who will gift us a wonderful gift to help us; he brings a spirit of peace. 

So, let me encourage you to put your trust in Jesus because whatever worries, fears, dangers or anxious thoughts come our way we can confidently go to him knowing that he is Jehovah Shalom; the Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24).

Keith Saynor 21st December 2020

Christmas may be different this year but God is still with us

Since March our journey has been very different as we have navigated through a difficult season with the COVID 19 pandemic impacting all of us in a variety of ways. As Christmas approaches there has been a lot of talk about how different Christmas will be this year. As I thought about this, I reflected on my Dad’s Christmas in 1944 when he was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3 on the German Poland border. He kept a log of his experiences and when you read it you realise that they were hungry and cold most of that winter and it was only the Red Cross parcels that kept them alive. I also remembered an interview I heard from one of the soldiers of the US 101st Airborne Division talk about his experience that Christmas at Bastogne in Belgium when they were cut off during the Battle of the Bulge in freezing conditions. He reflected that on any cold evening he would think of that time and how cold and hungry they were. 

The Lord often uses reflections like this to give me a perspective, help me to be thankful for all I have and to focus and trust him in the situations I face. Christmas will be different this year with the restrictions we face but most of us will not be cold or hungry and we have much to be thankful for. God is with us and He is the same God who was with my Dad in 1944. 

Someone asked me recently,” Where is God in all this?”  A good question,” Where is God when the storms of life crowd in on us?” I directed them to Matthew’s answer in his gospel. The disciples had been alone in a storm on the Sea of Galilee for about nine hours. Had I been one of them I may have asked; “Where is Jesus, is God anywhere near?” From within the storm Jesus answers, “Take courage it is I, don’t be afraid.” ( Matthew 14:27) Matthew discovered what everyone from Moses to Martha had found; that “the present tense” living Christ is with us in all the storms of life. Matthew saw Jesus in the waves and as we look closer, we too, will see Him right in the middle of our situation. When the storms of life strike God is with us.  

Let me encourage you to focus on Him, trust God and put your confidence in His ability to see you through this current season. Our focus on God and our faith in Him is our foundation to enjoy Christmas. Let’s do that by celebrating His goodness, faithfulness and presence with us, by worshipping and thanking Him for all He has done for us and continues to do for us!

Keith Saynor 9th December 2020

Trusting God’s timing

I played cricket for Windsor and Eton cricket club for many years. I remember once opening the batting in a league game when the opening bowler bowled me a half volley on my legs. I leant into the shot and played the ball to the leg side. I really did not hit the ball hard at all, but my timing was perfect and the flew towards square leg in the air. As I turned to watch the ball it just kept climbing, cleared the boundary for six runs and kept going way into the farmers field beyond the boundary. The shot was not about strength, force or hitting the ball hard; it was all about getting the timing right.

As I reflected on this memory I thought about the timing of the birth of Jesus. Why was Jesus born when he was? Why did He not appear earlier? The apostle Paul answers those questions when he writes “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4 NIV) The set time or fullness of time (NASV) refers to a time which has been appointed in advance for something to happen. Paul is telling us that the birth of Jesus came when everything was in place and lined up for His arrival.

So, what was set in place? Because of the conquest of Alexander the Great three hundred and fifty years earlier the known world had adopted Greek as the universal language. This was still commonly used during Jesus’ ministry on earth. Then with the rise of the Roman empire came a really good road network and postal system meaning that most of the civilized world was in reach when Jesus was born. The time was right for the good news of the Messiah to spread rapidly and less than one generation after Jesus’ crucifixion the disciples had carried the message to every country within the Roman empire. 

God’s timing was perfect in sending Jesus into a world desperate for a Saviour. His timing in perfect for us as well. Joyce Meyer comments, “God gives us hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in our lives, but He doesn't always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan.” Whether it is your hopes and dreams you are longing to see fulfilled or a promise or prophetic word you have received from God let me encourage you to trust Him for God causes things to happen at exactly the right time!  As the prophet Habakkuk once wrote, “But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” (Habakkuk 2:3).

Keith Saynor 3rd December 2020

Giving thanks for the small (and yet really not small) things in life

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book ‘Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community,’ “ We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.”

That statement is a prod for all of us to remember to be thankful to God of all the little things we have in this life. When we are thankful this creates and develops a heart of gratitude in us which leads to contentment with all we have and is one of the pathways that leads to peace.

The problem is that sometimes pain and the trials we face can obscure all the good things we have.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” There is another pathway here for us. When we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. Delight here embraces taking pleasure in God’s word and rejoicing in the many blessing and gifts God has already given us and leads us to this place of being thankful.

Every day is a gift from God. Each morning when we wake up, we can thank God for another day’s journey that He has given us to walk with Him. 

My experiences in life have taught me this over the years, even though I sometimes forget. I remember asking myself this question once, “What gifts has God given me that I may forget to thank Him for?” I made a list and amongst many things wrote; the air in my lungs, the hug of a loved one, clean water, a hot shower, food to feed my family, the kindness of others and a hot cup of tea- tea is always good! The list carried on with many other small blessing and gifts from God as well as some bigger ones such as the assurance of God’s love, some wonderful answers to prayer and the specific plan God has for my life.

In the week where our neighbours across the pond celebrate ‘Thanksgiving,’ let me encourage you to ask yourself this question;” What gifts or blessings has God given me that I have forgotten, or sometimes forget to thank Him for? Then make a list and from that thank Him for each one. When we do, we focus on all the good things and not what we do not have, this develops a heart of gratitude and leads to contentment and peace. As we delight in the Lord and give thanks, trust Him also that he will give you the desires of your heart!

Keith Saynor 25th November 2020

Dealing with disappointment

In ‘Great expectations,’ by Charles Dickens there is a character called Miss Haversham. If you are familiar with the book you will know that she was jilted by her fiancé just before her wedding. She responded by closing all the blinds, stopping all the clocks, leaving everything in place including the wedding cake to gather cobwebs and decay. Her wounds and hurt consumed her and she failed to move on from the disappointment she experienced.

Disappointment arises when what we hoped for or expected did not happen and can result in sadness and displeasure. Everyone will probably experience this at some point in our lives and for many of us on more than one occasion. 

What do we do when disappointment affects us? We are wise not to follow the example of Miss Haversham.  I would encourage you instead to follow the example of the Apostle Paul. At one point, Paul was had a vision to be a missionary in Spain, however he ended up in a Roman jail. Paul had a choice to make, unlike Miss Haversham, he dealt with the disappointment and continued to pursue the purposes God had for him from prison.

 As a result, he wrote the Epistles to Philemon, the Philippians, the Colossians, and the Ephesians. I am sure he would have done great work in Spain but because of the way he dealt with the disappointment he was able to move on and write those four letters that had such an impact at the time and have continued to do so up to the present day.

So how can we deal with disappointment and follow Paul’s example?

 First go to God who “heals the broken hearted” (Psalm 147:3) and ask for His help (James 5:13). He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7) and will bring healing to your hurts.

 Secondly as you approach Him do so with a humble heart. The Apostle Peter encourages us to “be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes.”(1 Peter 5:6) In doing so we make requests in prayer which are humble and full of hope.

Thirdly, we trust God that He knows what is best for us. For Paul his hopes were to go to Spain but as events took a different turn the purposes of God continued through Paul in a different way. Luke tells us in his gospel that “God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them (Luke 18:7).

So let me encourage you to go to God with your disappointments, approach Him with humility and hope and trust that He will help you to bring healing and to move forward, even if it’s in a way you never expected!

Keith Saynor 18th November 2020

Giving thanks for our freedom

A few years ago, I went to the Bomber Command Memorial which had just been opened in Green Park, London. The memorial stands as a fitting tribute to the 55,573 Bomber Command crew who lost their lives in the Second World War. Bomber Command suffered the heaviest casualties of any British unit in the Second World War, with nearly half its men lost. As I stood there, I remembered a conversation I once had with my Dad, a bomber pilot who flew 39 operations with 10 Squadron during 1943-44. During the conversation I asked him about his wartime experiences as a pilot and (after he was shot down) as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3.

 I remember him saying; “We knew we were fighting evil and that we were fighting for the freedom of our families, friends and country.” Few would dispute that the Nazi regime was indeed one of evil, especially when you read about the death camps, concentration camps and many other atrocities.

Each Remembrance Sunday I think about my Dad and many like him who made so many sacrifices so that we may enjoy the freedom we have today. On that day in services across this country the contribution of all the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts will be commemorated and we have the opportunity to give thanks for each of these men and women.

We can also give thanks and remember another one who sacrificed His life so that we might enjoy even greater freedom, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us and gave His life for each of us (Galatians 2:20) so that we might enjoy a freedom from death and guilt, (Romans 6:23) from slavery and addiction (John 8:34,36) and from fear (Hebrews 2:14-15).

 Jesus sets us free to know God (Isaiah 59:2), to live a life of love - for God and for others (1 John 4:19) and to experience change and transformation so that we can live the abundant lives He intended for us to enjoy and experience! (Galatians 5:22)

Let me encourage you  to remember and give thanks for all who sacrificed so much and this week  when you pray to spend time giving thanks to Jesus for the freedom He has won for us

Keith Saynor Remembrance Day 11 th November 2020

Hope is a look away

When you think of Jesus what image of Him comes to your mind? When we read the New Testament, we find Jesus was full of peace and joy, showing compassion, moving in power, and even weeping. Yet there is one image which may surprise you, where he is full of anguish and battling fear. It is the one where He is in the garden of Gethsemane in prayer. Matthew writes in his gospel that Jesus was incredibly sad and troubled as he contemplated all that laid before him; “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 26 37-38) Jesus is looking into the future and sees something so fierce and fear evoking that He calls for God to change the plan, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering.” (Luke 22:42) 

What do we do with this image of Jesus?  Firstly, we are wise to turn to it when we are feeling the same way. At times when we are stressed, full of anguish, sad and troubled and where fear raises its head this is where to go because Jesus understands how we are feeling , has compassion for us and can help us. Jesus battled fear and anguish on our behalf and overcame them. We can do the same as Jesus lays out a pathway here for us.

Secondly, Jesus honestly confronts fear and before turning anywhere else or to anyone else He turned to God His Father and asked Him to help and strengthen Him. Let me encourage you to do the same. Do not avoid life’s Garden of Gethsemane moments. Face them and ask God to help you.

Thirdly be specific in your request for help. Jesus asked Him to take this cup of suffering from Him and added “But do what you want not what I want.” (Luke 22:42) God will help you just as He helped Jesus. He did not take away the cross and He may not take away the situation causing you distress, but He did take away the fear and anguish. He will do the same for you. He may not take away the storm you are going through but He will minister His peace and rest to you as you face into the circumstances.

Writer Max Lucado puts it this way;” Don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it. Instead of carrying the world on your shoulders, talk to the One who holds the universe on His. Hope is a look away.”

Let me encourage you to turn your gaze to the image of Jesus of the garden, then call out to God for strength and to help you, pray to Him specifically about your situation  and allow God to release His power and peace into your circumstances and minister His love to you.

Let me also encourage you to listen to the worship song “Stand in Your Love” by Josh Baldwin/Bethel and allow the Lord to minister to you as you reflect on the words of the song and this message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0toEk0EYT04

Keith Saynor 4th November 2020

rest in the presence of the shepherd

I have been looking at the whole subject of weariness over the last three weeks where my previous two messages encouraged each one of us to focus on our shepherd(Jesus) and rest in the safe pasture he has prepared for us. This state of weariness embraces an exhaustion of strength and patience where we have overdone things with not enough sleep. We end up with tired bodies, tired minds and importantly tired souls. The good news is that God is aware of this and He is there to help us. By early September I recognised that my mind was tired, and weariness was creeping in. It was a combination of things; the busyness of leading the church through this difficult season, putting the final touches to the book I have just written and getting it published and the other day to day responsibilities that all of us face in life. All good stuff but I needed a rest. So, we booked two short stays down on the south coast which were really good and where I found I could rest and be refreshed. It is possible in this busy world to forget how important rest is. I remember the days when all the shops shut for half day closing on a Wednesday and all day on a Sunday. Periods of rest were part of the culture but have been eroded of the years and with this, it makes it easier for weariness to impact our lives. God makes a big thing about getting rest. Of the ten commandments carved out on the tablets of stone which one occupies the most space? God uses five words to condemn adultery and four to denounce theft and murder. But with rest God emphasises how important this is for all of us in our daily lives by using nearly one hundred words. One of those sentences reads “In the six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.” (Exodus 20 verse 11 NKJV) His message to us here is clear. If creation did not crash when He rested, then our world will not fall apart when we rest. If we neglect that rest, we provide an open door for weariness to creep in and impact our minds, bodies and souls. To be healthy we need to rest That’s why His invitation to us is so important to come and enjoy the safe pasture Jesus our shepherd has prepared for us;” He makes me lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23 verse 2 NKJV.) God leads us, prepares a safe pasture for us and delights in and over us when He sees us resting, enjoying His presence in the place of rest He has prepared for us. This is one of His gifts to us. Let me encourage you to accept God’s invitation to regularly rest and enjoy His presence as He covers you with His love. If this is not part of the rhythm of your life you would be wise to adjust your schedule. When we do, we can enjoy the rest, refreshing and restoration He offers for our bodies, minds and souls and we will find that God will enable us to limit the opportunities that weariness has to creep into our lives. Let me encourage you to listen to the reflective worship song “You can just Rest.” by Jenn Johnson and Hunter Thompson. As you listen to this I would encourage you to sit or lie down, soak in God’s presence and allow Him to minister His truth and peace to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkfBHlTjrqg

Keith Saynor 23rd October 2020

Resting in the pasture prepared by the shepherd

Did you know that Albert Einstein averaged 11 hours sleep per night? I reckon I need 7 hours a night and with 8 I feel really refreshed. How many hours do you need for a good night’s sleep? We started looking at weariness in my last message. A state of weariness is one which embraces an exhaustion of strength and patience where we have overdone things with not enough sleep. We end up with tired bodies, tired minds and tired souls. One of the consequences of weariness is Insomnia. I have just read recent research on this which tells us that over 16 million people in the UK are impacted by this, nearly a third of the population with 22% struggling to fall asleep every night and a further 15% struggling to sleep once a week. 67% of those surveyed said they had interrupted sleep and 21% slept no more than 5 hours per night. The good news is that God is aware of this and He is there to help us Did you know that one other creature has trouble sleeping? Any ideas? Whereas most animals have learnt how to rest sheep have problems. For them everything must be right. No predators or tension, no bugs annoying them, and their stomachs need to be full. By themselves they cannot find safe pasture like this and they need help. They need a shepherd like it says in Psalm 23 verse 2 to “lead them” and “help them lie down in green pasture.” Without a shepherd they are unable to rest. Green pastures are not the natural terrain of Judea. Any green pasture found there is the work of a shepherd who clears the rough, rocky land, gets rid of any hazards and then irrigates and cultivates the land. The shepherd makes the pasture a safe place for the sheep to rest and sleep. This is exactly what Jesus does for us. Without a shepherd to help us we cannot rest either. He is the one as King David writes who; “makes me lies down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23 verse 2 NKJV David is saying here that Jesus allows each one of us to rest in His finished work, in the pasture He has created for our souls. He has removed for us all condemnation and sin and replaced these with grace and mercy in a place where we can feel safe as He protects us and ministers His peace to us. This is His gift for each one of us, “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 NIV Jesus wants us to enjoy the safe pasture He has prepared for us. Our shepherd invites us to enjoy this safe place in His presence where He will minister rest. Let me encourage you to trust God and accept His invitation. It means you will be able to put your head on the pillow and fall into a restful uninterrupted sleep, safe in His loving arms. Let me a encourage you to listen to the worship song ‘Safe in Your Arms’ by Josh Baldwin and allow God to minister His peace and rest to you. (the link for the song: https://youtu.be/ftplkbORYTg )

Keith Saynor 16th October 2020

Focusing on our Shepherd

Sometimes in life we are too busy, with too much on our minds and too little sleep. The combination of these factors means that we can become weary. Sometimes life itself, the circumstances and situations we find ourselves can cause us to become weary. The COVID 19 situation can over the last few months certainly has contributed to people feeling this way.This state of weariness embraces an exhaustion of strength and patience where we have overdone things with not enough sleep. We end up with tired bodies, tired minds and importantly tired souls. The good news is that God is aware of this and He is there to help usA friend once showed me a piece of white paper and said, “what do you see?” I answered that I saw a blank piece of paper. He then drew a dark dot at the centre of the white page and repeated his question. I replied a black dot. And that is sometimes our problem. Even though the page was still full of white all around my focus was on the dot We focus on the waves of the storm instead of the Saviour who is walking through the storm to come to help and save us. We focus on the need instead of the One who can meet all our needs. Max Lucado once put it this way; “We concentrate on the dark Fridays of crucifixion and miss the bright Sundays of resurrection.”The answer is to change our focus. King David understood this when he wrote, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”  Psalm 23 verse 2 NKJV Note here it says He makes, He leads. David is writing here that our Shepherd Jesus is the active one. He is the one in charge. He selects the trail and prepares the pasture. Our job as the sheep is to watch the shepherd. To fix our eyes on Him. With our eyes on the shepherd we can enjoy the still waters, His peace and His rest. Isaiah understood this as well when he wrote,” You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you.”  Isaiah 26:3Let me encourage you to do just that. If you are feeling weary during this time, this season keep your focus on Jesus and allow Him to minister His rest and peace to you. Let me also encourage you to listen to a worship song “Peace” by the Bethel worship team (link shown below) and allow the Lord to minister His peace to you as you listen.

Keith Saynor 7th October 2020

The Butterfly Effect

When you read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry you see his passion for the Kingdom of God: a vision of what the world would be like if God was king instead of earthly rulers. He did not introduce the kingdom as a political programme or strategy but went around spreading a culture of hope, compassion and healing amongst ordinary folk. He dismantled social barriers, prejudice and empowered the marginalised and poor with the intention, not to develop them into a militant force but into a community based on love.

Jesus’ approach to changing the world was similar to what today is known as ‘the butterfly effect.’ The principle is that a small change in one place may have a dramatic effect elsewhere.

One example I remember is from a previous church when a friend of mine witnessed to one of his friends. God met with this young man in a powerful way and he became a Christian. His experience was so good he started telling lots of his friends. One Sunday morning six of them turned up at church and all became Christians that morning. As a result, I started a small group with these young people. Week by week they attended and invited many of their friends. The group kept growing as many became Christians. All this started with my friend witnessing to one of his friends and God meeting and impacting his life.

In John 4 (verses 1-42) a conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan woman led to transformation in the lives of many people from that community. Similarly, in Mark 1 a deliverance (v 25) led to transformation of a whole town and then a healing (v 40-42) and subsequent testimony (v45) changed the culture of many communities.

Author David Tomlinson comments, “One of the applications of the butterfly effect for us is the recognition that decisions or actions we as individuals take, no matter how small, can play a massive role in determining the outcomes of our lives and the lives of others- even entire cultures.“  Yet sometimes it may seem to us that the things we can change are so small and minimal. However, when we partner with God, we can take courage because then, all things are possible and we can help Him impact people’s lives and change our community.

Anne Frank once said; “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  One way we can do this straight away is by partnering with God this Autumn and inviting someone onto our online Alpha course. The Alpha course has been impacting the lives of folk all over the country and the world over the last three decades. Only God knows the impact and butterfly effect of you inviting one of your friends or family come to Alpha. Let me encourage you to invite them and let’s see what the Lord will do!

Also let me encourage listen to the Tim Hughes song “God of Justice” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3NelRb1LY4) which, like the Anne Frank’s quote mentions that we can improve the world when we partner with God. As you listen to the song allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you as to ways you can do this. You may be surprised what God calls you to do and even more surprised at “the butterfly effect” that results!

Keith Saynor 7th September 2020

Love is Kind

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a member of the church on the telephone when he said he had to answer the front door. When he returned, he told me it had been Gunnel (another member of our church) at the door with cooking apples. During the same week as I spoke to other folk from the church; one lady told me that Gunnel had taken her Sunday lunch and another let me know that she had also dropped off a meal for her. The common factor was all three were poorly and Gunnel along with her husband Bev were showing them a lot of love in very practical and helpful ways.

Reflecting on these actions I thought of the Apostle Paul’s words “Love is kind”        (1 Corinthians 13:4) as he refers to God’s love for each one of us. Author Max Lucado comments “The kindness of Jesus. We are quick to think of his power, passion and his devotion. But those near him knew and know God comes cloaked with kindness.”  Nehemiah agrees with these observations: “You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness (Nehemiah 9:17). David recognised the extent of God’s love when he exclaimed, “Your lovingkindness is better than life.” (Psalm 63:3). I also agree with these observations. God’s love is reflected in various ways and Paul places kindness right up there towards the top of his list in Corinthians when he writes “Love is kind.”

 I have been the recipient of God’s kindness on countless occasions throughout my whole Christian life and I am very thankful to Him. When I think of Bev and Gunnel and their acts of kindness it caused me to reflect that kind hearts are often quietly kind. Paul challenges each one of us to be kind to others when he writes; “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it.” (Galatians 6:10) Whether we show kindness to another church member, a neighbour, a colleague at work or to someone else, let’s make the most of every opportunity that comes our way!

Keith Saynor 27th August 2020

You are not alone!

Psalm 23:4 “You are with me.”

Whilst working as a trustee for two Christian charities which were befriending schemes where their work involved helping to combat social isolation, I learnt many things. Two in particular remain with me. The first is that many of the clients saw no one from one week to the next other that the visitor from the charity. The second is in connection with those who had lost long term partners; they missed the human contact and the intimacy and all they wanted was for someone to give them a hug.

I learnt during those years that loneliness is not the absence of people, it is the absence of intimacy. Loneliness does not come from being alone but from feeling alone; feeling as if you are facing things alone. Feeling that you are facing the day alone, facing Illness alone, facing the future alone and facing death alone. Whether it comes when you are alone at home or in a crowd loneliness cries out, “I feel alone,” and comes with this question; “Does anyone care?”

King David knew what it was to be alone, to feel lonely. You discover this when you read his story and all that he wrote. At one point he calls to God “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” (Psalm 25:16) David made a discovery and it is this discovery God wants to show each one of us. David discovered that God was with him in a close and intimate way and so writes in Psalm 23:4,” You are with me.” He discovered that God is in heaven, that He rules and created the universe but that He was also with him in a close, personal, and intimate way.

David’s discovery is the message of scripture. The Lord is with us. That truth and revelation changes everything for us. You may be facing difficulties, but you are not facing them alone. You may be experiencing ill health, but you are not facing these issues alone. You may be facing an uncertain future, but you are not facing it alone. Even when you are facing death, you are not alone.

When fear comes, raises its head, and tells you that you will face the rest of your days alone you can turn to God and proclaim as David did “You are with me.” And as you do so, you will find that God answers that question; “Does anyone care?”  He is the one who is with you and the one who cares for you more than you realise.

Allow God to wrap his arms of love around you, when you do it changes everything and you will then make a second discovery; God’s love is perfect and “perfect love casts out all fear.”1 John 4:18 NKJV. The fear of being alone will go and you will be able to walk in a close and intimate relationship with God himself walking with you in every situation of life. Each day you can turn to Him and declare; “You are with me.”

Keith Saynor 12th August 2020

  Our Forever Home

August is a month of reflection for me. My Dad died on the first of the month 17 years ago, my Mum on 14th August 1993 and my Aunt (my Mum’s sister) on the same day in 2011. However, it is also a month where I can draw on the comfort and hope of God. For anyone who has had a recent bereavement or like me from some time ago, it is the second part of verse 6 in Psalm 23 that offers the comfort and hope that we will one day see those we have lost.

Over the last couple of weeks we have been looking at this verse, one of the most beautiful phrases ever penned; ”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV) Every word is like a precious gem. The second part of this verse tells us that one day we will live forever in the house of the Lord. Our current home is not a permanent one; “Our homeland is in heaven.” (Phil.3:20)

 I was reading of a couple who have adopted a little boy who, although he is only 3 years old he knows the difference between their house and the foster home from which he came. He tells everyone who visits; “This is my forever home.” One day we will all be able to say the same as God’s home is our forever home! Some years ago, singer songwriter Larry Norman released an Album entitled “Only visiting this planet.” There is much truth in that title. The Bible tells us that we have an eternal address fixed in our mind; God has “set eternity in the hearts of men.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11NIV)

Deep down you may recognise a feeling of being far from home; this is a God given longing that indicates you are have not yet reached your eternal destination. When you reach it there will be a party for your homecoming. Those who have gone before you, those loved ones who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus will greet you and applaud. That’s why even though this is always a month where I reflect, think of my Mum, Dad and my Aunt it is one where I am reminded of the hope that God gives from His word; I will one day see them again. This is the same hope you can draw on as you reflect on loved ones who have gone before you. Then after they have greeted you all noise will cease as God your Father welcomes you home. He will wipe every tear from your eye, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord - forever 

 As we conclude our reflections on this beautiful verse let me encourage you to listen to “Goodness of God” sung by Jenn Johnson which reflects the truths embraced in David’s words; “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV) and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3t6CdeiN1M

Keith Saynor 5th August 2020

Pursued by God’s Goodness and Mercy

Over the last couple of weeks we have been looking at one of the most beautiful phrases ever penned; ”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV) Every word is like a precious gem. We have looked at the words follow and surely. Following “surely” come two more gems “Goodness and Mercy.” The Bible describes us all as sinners and so we are in need of God’s mercy. We are also in need of goodness as our lives are fragile in so many ways. We need them both and we need them together

As F.B.Meyer once wrote; ”Goodness to supply every want. Mercy to forgive every sin. Goodness to provide. Mercy to pardon.” That’s wonderful; Goodness and Mercy follow a child of God every single day! These are words to turn to in times of difficulty, distress and grief. In fact, the whole Psalm is one to treasure in those times.

I was reflected on the 36 years I have been a Christian. God’s goodness and mercy have pursued me, followed me, chased after me all those years which is the meaning of the word to follow. My testimony bears witness to the truth that David wrote here. The very essence of God is good and he pursues us with His goodness. His mercy is a result of His goodness and has many facets.

Rick Warren: “God's goodness will provide and protect. God's mercy (unfailing love) will pardon and forgive. God's goodness will supply. God's mercy will soothe. God's goodness will help. God's mercy will heal. Goodness is the fact that God gives us good things in life that we don't deserve. Mercy means God holds back the condemnation we deserve.”

Think of the days that lie ahead for you. What do you see? Days at home on your own with young children? God will be at your side. Days of uncertainty? God will guide you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Days of difficulties? He will wrap His unfailing love around you.

David understood this, that God is good all the time and His mercy is there for us every day. The combination of these two gave him hope and God will minister that same hope to us.

Why did David never lose hope? Well, he writes this in Psalm 27 verse 13; “I would have lost hope, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” We can trust God that His unfailing love is constantly there for us and because of that we need never lose hope.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us-not some, not most, not nearly all- but all the days of our lives and whatever difficulties we may be encountering hope is with us because God is with us as he pursues us with His goodness and mercy; with His unfailing love. And let me conclude by encouraging you that you will experience the goodness of God in the land of the living and because of this there is no need to lose hope. God is with you!

Keith Saynor 31st July 2020

a firm belief in a sure God

Last week we started looking at one of the most beautiful phrases ever penned:        “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV) Every word is like a precious gem including the first word: “surely”

When the author David wrote this, he did not say “maybe” or “possibly” or “I think that goodness and mercy shall follow me.” He uses the word surely. This word is what is called an adverbial particle. Adverbial particles make an extraordinarily strong positive assertion of truth— David has a firm belief in a sure God. It is a word which speaks of certainty, where there is no doubt. In the face of all the discouraging and difficult things David had been facing at that time and even what he was going to face he believed in a sure God who makes sure promises and provides a sure foundation for life.

I became a Christian in 1984 at Luis Palau’s Mission to London at Queens Park Rangers football club. (which is ironic as I am a passionate Fulham supporter!) Since that moment I have found that firstly, every promise God has made to me over the years has been fulfilled. Even when I have had to wait over a long period of time, sometimes years, between the promise and the fulfilment every promise has come to pass. They have all been sure promises. What God spoke to me about has proved to be true. Secondly, since that moment of salvation he truly has given me a sure foundation to live my life, which over the years has made so much difference. 

I like what James says in James 1:1 when he describes God as the one “with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency.” (James 1:1) Our moods and minds may change but God doesn’t, our devotion may falter but God’s never does. He is a sure God and because he is, we can all say with absolute confidence that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Let me encourage you to put your trust in a sure God and know His goodness and mercy is there for you every day. Trust him to fulfil all the promises he has made to you and trust him for his timing in doing so. He knows with certainty what he is doing and the best time for you to see those promises fulfilled

Whatever difficulties and discouragement you may be facing let me encourage you also to trust God’s unfailing love. Let me also encourage you to listen to the worship song by Jesus Culture “One Thing Remains,”(see posted link)and as you listen, to reflect on my words and let the Holy Spirit minister God’s love, mercy and Goodness to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ

Keith Saynor 23rd July 2020

The God Who Follows

This week I read one of the most beautiful phrases ever penned; ”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV) Every word is like a precious gem. All the days of our lives we can experience the goodness and mercy of God. During those days what will God be doing? He will be following us. “Follow” is my favourite word in this verse; what a surprising way to describe God! We sometimes think of God remaining in one place enthroned in the heavens. However, King David, as he wrote this verse envisioned God, pursuing, chasing and tracking us down with His goodness and mercy.

A shepherd does the same, as he leads the sheep not from the front but by following behind. I learnt this when I worked on a farm in the school holidays when I was a teenager. One day I was helping the farmer shepherd about thirty sheep along a lane from one field to the next. We did this by guiding, watching and helping them from the rear until they had safely reached the next field.

The Bible describes God in this way on many occasions. From the third chapter of the first book we find God pursuing Adam and Eve; “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) With that question God began a quest for the heart of mankind which continues up to the present.

God followed the disciples into the storm(Mark 6:47-52), Lazarus into death (John 1:1-14) and Peter in spite of his failure, to the side of the sea of Galilee (John 21:1-19). God is the God who follows. He follows each one of us. Sometimes we miss him and do not recognise His help when He is near. But He comes, sometimes through the kindness of a stranger, the majesty of a sunset or the beauty of the stars in the night sky or the question of a child. Sometimes he comes through the commitment of a friend, a timely word or a hug.

On those days when you do not feel that God is close let me encourage you to trust your faith and not your feelings, to measure your value through God’s eyes, not your own, for you have a God who loves, follows you and pursues you with his Goodness and mercy all the days of your life!

Keith Saynor 15th July 2020

Knowing how the story ends changes everything!

A friend of mine once had a part in a local adaptation of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis. He was picked to play a dwarf who would be turned to stone with a group of other creatures by the white witch. He was young at the time. Now if you have never read the book or seen the film you will have no idea what happens in the end to those who are turned to stone. The person in charge of the play never told the children the story; he assumed they had all been read the book by a parent or all seen the original film.

My friend found himself thrown into the middle of a story with all sorts of creatures being turned to stone, the white witch appearing and causing all sorts of chaos. The use of a real massive Alsatian dog to play Maugrim, the wolf who was the head of the witch’s secret Police, did not help and he was terrified that he was really going to be turned to stone. All very scary for a young child! Indeed, for any child.

The problem was my friend did not know the end of the story and it was not explained to him that the stone statues being used as props had not originally been real creatures! He would not have feared the witch had he known she was going to be defeated and ‘good’ was going to win through in the end.

It is the same with our lives; everything changes when we know the rest of our story. As David discovered; ”God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”(Psalm 18:24 MSG) Self-help Guru’s backed up by TV Hosts and magazines encourage us to “look inside ourselves,” to discover the “text” David refers to but to do so is to look in the wrong direction. Our story indwells God’s story. This is one of the great promises of the Bible; “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”(Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG)

We are part of God’s story; it’s a story with purpose (Ephesians 1:11),with abundance (John 10:10) and one where we discover the unfailing and unending love of God; The Apostle Paul tells us, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 8:38-39) and it’s a story that ends brilliantly, transcending death into eternal life!

Keith Saynor 6th July 2020

LET’s Dance

I was watching David Bowie headlining Glastonbury 2000 on the television this week. One of his songs that he performed in the encore was his 1983 hit “Let’s Dance” which reminded me of something that happened to me a few years ago.

I was in the Bank in the queue behind an elderly lady who was chatting with the bank teller. They were busy talking about dancing when the teller turned to me and told me the lady needed a new dance partner and suggested I would be ideal! The lady who was in her 80’s thought this was a good suggestion and placing her hand beneath my shoulder blade and matching the other hand with mine started guiding me across the bank floor.

She gently led me as we danced to the unheard rhythm of the waltz. This was probably an amusing sight for anyone watching, and I could not quite work out if the smiles and laughter from other customers were from the joy of watching this expert dancer or were as a result of my clumsy attempts to follow her lead!

But as I learnt to follow her lead, I do believe I was looking less clumsy by the second! This lady had been dancing all her life and by the way she led me she was clearly an expert. It’s nice to be led by an expert, by a master in their field.

Jesus wants to lead us in the same way the lady led me across the floor of the bank. Our challenge is whether we will allow our Master, our Lord to lead us? King David writes: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9(ESV) and the prophet Isaiah comments; “Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Isaiah 30;21. (NIV)

The Lord invites us to move with him in the rhythm of his dance. Will you let him lead you? His invitation is open to each one of us; I love the message translation of Matthew 11:29-30; “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

As we enter another month in this lockdown season let me encourage you to keep following Jesus, keep seeking Him, walking with Him and allow Him to lead you expertly day by day.

Keith Saynor 1st July 2020

A flicker of hope

The tragic and very sad events of the weekend in Reading where a terrorist attack left three dead and others injured means that the relatives, colleague and friends of those murdered are facing into the impact of this tragedy and facing the loss of loved ones. They face a walk through the shadow of the valley of death (Psalm 23 v 4.) Where do you find hope at such times?

Reflecting on this question I thought of the words of the King David who wrote:

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, . . . When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:15-18 (English Standard Version) These are words that can help all who have to walk through the shadow of the valley of death as we will all face bereavement at some point in our lives. When tragedy comes without warning, when darkness threatens to envelop us, the one light left flickering is hope. Where do we begin to find this flicker of hope at such a time? We have to begin by believing and understanding God is a good God who is near and will help us.

King David came to this conclusion in all his difficulties when he wrote “You are good, Lord. The Lord is good and right.” (Psalm 25 7-8) There will be so much we do not understand during times of grief, but this truth means we can trust God to firstly help us face our sorrow. When someone you know dies it affects you. John Donne once said; “Any man’s death diminishes me,” and the closer they are to you the more it affects you. When death comes, we are faced with the disappointments of unlived tomorrows and unfulfilled dreams, we cannot deny or dismiss death, we can question it but we have to face it. King David faced the loss of his close friend Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:21-23) and David’s son Solomon reminds us that “There is a time to mourn.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4) During those times God brings comfort and gives us strength and helps us to face our grief.

Secondly, we can trust God to help us face into some of the questions that remain unanswered and will do so this side of heaven. we ask the question “why?” and sometimes the Lord just answers “trust me” Isaiah 57 1-2 tells us “Good people are taken away, but no one understands.” A good God will minister His peace to us as we trust him even though questions remain unanswered.

And thirdly we can trust God to help us by leading us through the shadow of the valley of death until we reach the other side. The Bible is the story of God helping his people at times of trouble, difficulty and loss. God helped King David and many others and delivered them through those times. That’s why David was able to write; “The Lord is Good.”

God will help us too. It may take longer than we would like want and is certainly not painless, but let me encourage you not to despair, but simply trust Him to help you face your sorrows, unanswered questions and lead you through the shadow of the valley of death.

Keith Saynor 24th June 2020

Keep looking up

One of the many things I learnt from my time in the Police force was that very few people ever look up when they are walking in a town. Sitting up on the roof of a building was always a good vantage point for observing folk down in the High Street and I was never spotted. When I was a sergeant and in charge of a plain clothes observation squad, I put this to good use. On one occasion we had information where a drugs deal was going to take place. We set up observations from the first floor of an adjacent office building and I was able to stand looking out of one of the windows  down over the street, confident we would not be seen as no one would look up. This was indeed the case and within 30 minutes the deal was taking place and we were able to successfully arrest all involved.

It would be nice to report that all Police work worked out as smoothly as that but unfortunately that is not always the case! However, as we enter week 13 of this lockdown period in this strange season let me encourage you to look up! As we observe at street level, we continue see the impact of COVID-19 and the unrest and violence that is going on at the moment. At street level we take in the news of all that is going on around us, we observe the condition of the world and it can all be very unsettling. If we only look at street level it is very easy to become anxious.  

Adding to these things can be troubles we face in our own lives; health problems, job concerns, troubled spirits, concern for others, these things and many others are very real in each one of our lives. In the midst of all this, we are wise if we lift our gaze upwards to God.

The psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven” (Psalm 123:1)  and also, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) As we lift up our eyes to the Lord we will find it is from Him that our help comes. And take note He also keeps His eyes on us, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” ( 2 Chronicles 16:9)

As we look up God meets with us, strengthens and encourages us and helps us in the situations we face; that is why it is good to keep looking up! As we do so we can draw on His love, grace, and on His power through His Holy Spirit and know God’s peace and joy.

Let me encourage you to lift your eyes from street level up upwards to God and allow him to deal with anxiety, call on Him for help and He will answer you and will minister His peace. We are wise if we keep looking up as He never takes his eyes off us and is always looking to strengthen and help us.

Keith Saynor 18th June 2020

Let Go You are safe

A few years ago, I stood in a swimming pool a few feet from the edge of the pool. At the pool’s edge was one of my nephews aged four. He was crouching, ready to pounce.

He is going to jump but he is not quite ready as he thinks I am too close. “Go back, go back.” He commands. I step back two paces and he dramatically announces what a big leap he is about to make.” Again, go back some more!” he shouts as he readies himself to jump into my outstretched arms. I comment on his courage; “That’s very brave, remember it’s your first jump.” but then I move back a bit.

There seems to be a lot of water between him and me and I wonder if he is going to make it. He crouches, readies himself, but then pauses and says, “You will catch me won’t you?” I assure him that I will, and he takes off. In this airborne instant, his first jump into a swimming pool, I am his only hope for a safe landing.

Fearlessly he hurtles at me like and bizarrely shouts; “Bonsai maniac!” Who knows what that means in the mind of a four-year-old!  He has complete trust that I am reliable and strong and so will catch him and not let him fall under the water. He flies and soars through the air and I catch him.

Both of us laugh as his trust and my faithfulness join in that moment. An hour later he is still jumping! And still shouting Bonsai maniac with every jump!

The trust my little nephew put in me that day, mirrors the trust we can put in our God. In a world that is changing with so many uncertainties we can put our trust in a God who is unchanging and faithful ( Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Thessalonians 3:3) and because He is, we do not need to be afraid. We can know the Lord’s strength and be courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The Apostle Paul teaches that “God’s power is very great for those who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 1: 19 – 20) That’s an amazing verse! 

Next time you wonder if God can catch you, read that verse; the very arms that defeated death are the arms awaiting you. Next time you wonder if God can forgive you, read that verse; the very hands that were nailed to the cross are open to you. Next time you wonder if you will survive the jump think of me catching my nephew. If a little boy can trust his uncle how much more can we trust God, the eternal and unchanging Father. We can always trust Him as He is always faithful!

Keith Saynor 12th June 2020

”When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?” Psalm 11:3

In 1981 the body of a seventeen-year-old was found on the towpath in Windsor. She had been violently murdered. I was in the Thames Valley Police at that time, my shift was on duty on the day the body was discovered and one of my friends and colleagues was first on the scene.

The murder remained unsolved for thirty-two years. Advances in DNA analysis meant the case could be reopened in 2011 and this helped to convict the murderer who was sentenced to life in 2013.

Reading the reports, it was clear that the family of the murdered teenager had never recovered from this tragedy. A statement described the shocking, distressing, permanent effect on their lives and the emotional scarring that they had all endured. At least the conviction of the murderer all those years later could bring some closure.

Reflecting on this, I thought of Psalm 11:3-4;” When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?” David’s question is ours too. When illness invades, marriages fail, children suffer and when death strikes what are we to do? When injustice comes where do we go? Where can we find strength in the midst of life’s struggles?

Interestingly David does not answer his question with an answer. He answers it with a declaration; “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD sits on his throne in heaven.”

His point here is clear. God is unaltered by our storms, however severe. The storms of life may be crashing all around us, but God is on his throne in heaven. He has always been able to work in tragedy; to bring His peace and hope to people’s lives.

He did so in the lives of Biblical characters such as Joseph and Daniel. In their darkest moments God was working. He was present with each of them. He was able to lead Joseph from a prison cell to become Prime Minister and He led Daniel from his captivity, empowering him to become the King’s counsellor.

He will similarly lead each one through life’s dark moments; His love is one of restoration. He is still on his throne, still in control and because of this, even when everything under heaven seems to be coming apart, we need not fear. He is there for each one of us to bring His conform, goodness and love (Psalm 23 v 4-6) into the trials we sometimes face.

Keith Saynor 5th June 2020

HERE IS GOD

When ancient sailors sketched maps of the ocean, they often disclosed their fears. On the large areas of unexplored waters, cartographers wrote words such as “Here be dragons” or “here be demons”. If you drew a map of your world, which phrases would we read? Over the unchartered waters of the season we are in at the moment and into the unknown waters of the season beyond this one or onwards to the farther latitudes of death and eternity would your words display similar fears?

If so, take heart from the example of Sir John Franklin. He was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer of the Arctic: a Mariner full of courage. Distant waters were a mystery to him as much as they were to the other navigators. Unlike his colleagues he was a man of faith and consequently the maps that he drew were imprinted with trust. On them he crossed out the phrases such as “Here be dragons” and wrote “Here is God!”

Take note of what he wrote for you will never go anywhere where God is not! Our world looks quite different during this season, but God is still here, He is with us!

In the seasons to come you may face changes to do with your job, family, schooling or you may have to change location, even find yourself moving to another country. Whatever may come, let this truth be written in your heart- you can never go somewhere where God is absent! Jesus promises;” I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone but make sure it is just a visitor and does not make a home with you. Do not let it take up residence.

Remember it is what we do with fear when it turns up that is so important. Fear tries to steal away restful nights and joy filled day- meet your fears with faith; “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:35-37.) Write it down; “Here is God, He is with me and because He is with me, I can cross out fear on the chart and write faith.”

The words God spoke to Joshua are the words I believe He would speak to us today: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9)

Keith Saynor 28th May 2020

A BIG GOD

In the C.S.Lewis book Prince Caspian Lucy sees Aslan, the lion, for the first time in many years. He has changed since their last encounter. His size surprises her and she says “Aslan, you’re bigger.” He replies, “That is because you are older, little one.” She questions this;” Not because you are?” and Aslan responds, “I am not. But every year you grow, you fill find me bigger.”

And so it is with our relationship with Jesus. The longer we know Him, the longer we live in Christ, the greater He becomes in us. He is not the one who changes, it is us who change and as our relationship grows with Him, we see and experience more of His power, love and grace. We start seeing dimensions, aspects and characteristics we never saw before including his uniqueness. 

This was the experience of Peter, James and John. (Matthew 17 1-8) Accompanying Jesus they ascended Mount Hermon and witnessed his transfiguration (v2) as the presence of God radiated everywhere and from the cloud of God’s glory they heard God say “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (v5) Beloved means “priceless” and “unique.” Peter wanted to give Jesus, Moses and Elijah (who had both appeared!) equal honour but God would have none of it; Christ has no counterparts, there is none other like Him. Their perception of Jesus was irreversibly changed that day; in their eyes He grew beyond all recognition. As a result, they fell on their faces and worshipped God. In the presence of a big God there is nothing in this world to be afraid of. 

The hand Jesus extended to them on the mountain extends to us;” Arise and do not be afraid!” (v7) With a Messiah like this who could hurt them and indeed, who can hurt us! God is bigger than the storm we are facing at the moment, He is bigger than this virus. He is bigger than any challenge we may be facing. Our faith and confidence in God need never be shaken. He is here to protect us, minister His peace to us and will provide a way for us.

Let me encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to come, to be glorified and be magnified in your situation and the circumstances you are facing and also to respond in the same way as Peter, John and James did by worshipping Him!

Keith Saynor 18th May 2020

" Psalm 102:27 God is our middle C

He is our unchanging shepherd

Whilst sorting through some papers recently I came across my Grade 1 Piano Certificate in one of my files. I was 11 years old at the time and even though cricket and football would soon take my time away from piano practice I remember learning to read music, being taught about the notes, scales and the importance of knowing where middle C was on the piano. As I reflected, I was reminded of the following story author Max Lucado tells in his book “Travelling Light:” When Lloyd Douglas, author of books such as “The Robe” and “Big Fisherman” was at college he lived in a boarding house. On the floor above lived a retired wheelchair-bound professor. Every morning Douglas would pop in to see the teacher and ask the same question, “Well, what’s the good news?”  The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of the wheelchair and say “That’s middle C! It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat. The piano across the hall is out of tune, but, my friend, that is middle C.”In a world where we are faced with so much change, the most recent announced by the Prime Minister last Sunday where ‘stay at home’ became ‘stay alert’ in the fight against COVID-19, you and I need a middle C. Relationships change, people change, situations change and health can change. Singer/songwriter Ray Davies of the Kinks once wrote a song called “Life goes on” depicting the uncertainty and changes we face as the seasons roll by. The good news for each of us is that we can all know God (Yahweh) as our middle C; a still point in a turning world. Changes will come but the God who ruled the earth last night is the same God who rules today. Same convictions, same mood, same plan and same love for each one of us. You can no more alter God that you can disturb the flow of the River Thames by throwing a stone into it or throw a pebble into the ocean and hope the ripples will change the rhythm of the ocean. God is our middle C. He is our unchanging shepherd. (Psalm 23) His unchanging nature through all generations motivated the psalmist to write “But you remain the same:”(Psalm 102; 25 - 27)

“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.But you remain the same,
and your years will never end. 
The children of your servants will live in your presence;  their descendants will be established before you.” 

The unchanging nature of God is reflected by the writer of Hebrews; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”(Hebrews 13:7-9) Because God never changes, we can be confident to trust him and in doing so his still presence in our lives will help us day by day face whatever this changing world throws our way.

Keith Saynor 13th May 2020

By faith and not by sight....2 Corinthians 5:7

Jim O’Neil, a 65-year-old Pilot, was flying between Glasgow and Colchester when he had a stroke and his vision failed. Later he said: “Suddenly I couldn’t see the dials in front of me. It was just a blur, I was helpless.” After sounding a mayday alert, he was joined by Paul Gerrard, an RAF Wing Commander who flew to him and began talking to the stricken Pilot. The commander’s instructions were reassuring and simple as he shepherded him towards the nearest runway. Jim could not see the landing strip and would have to land by putting his trust in the Wing Commander, to land by faith and not sight. The Commander guided him down and on hearing his final instruction;” You are safe to land” he hit the runway and bounced up again. 8 attempts later however he managed a near perfect landing. The Wing commander had guided him down safely and Jim had trusted him to do so

The Bible tells us that Jesus is our shepherd. (John 10:11) He is the one who guides us and protects us. He is the one who lights our Path (Psalm 119:105)

Through times when we cannot see what the future holds, where it is obscured or uncertain Jesus guides us and lights the path ahead of us. Through times of difficultyHe does the same. Maybe it wasn’t a stroke that struck you -  maybe it was a tragedy, a sick child, financial pressures, a bereavement ,a divorce or another trial of some kind; during those times He is the one to turn to and trust.

During this uncertain season Jesus is the one to put our Faith in. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

He is with us in this season, He is here to not only guide us but to help us experiencethe promise of John 10:10; that we can enjoy an abundant life that transcends death into eternity

So, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) as He helps us experience His promise of an abundant life now and to have faith in Him as He guide us through this life until the time comes when He says to us;”You are safe to land,” as he then leads us into his wonderful promise of eternal life(John 3:15,16).

Keith Saynor 29th April 2020

God is still working

I was reading a story about someone who is the director of a highly successful conference. He coordinates a week of lectures, speakers, hundreds of teachers, and thousands of attendees. It is extremely hard to find anything wrong with the event although inevitably someone does. For that reason, the director always closes the final session with his tongue- in- cheek phrase: “If you look hard enough, long enough, you’ll find I’m sure, something to complain about.”

Adam and Eve did; surrounded by all they needed they were still discontent in the Garden of Eden. The followers of Moses did; instead of focusing on all the miracles God performed and His provision for them they still found enough to complain about. What about us? Do we focus on God, his plan for us, all that is good or the problems we encounter? 

Jesus said,” Your eyes are the windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!” (Matthew 6:22-23) He is talking here about the eyes of our heart- our attitude, our vision, our outlook to life. What we see defines who we are.He is encouraging us to see as God wants us to see: from His perspective. When we do so, we see Heaven’s hand working amid sickness, the Holy Spirit comforting the broken hearted and Jesus helping us each day.

When we look from God’s perspective (Colossians 3:2) we see with faith and experience hope breaking into our circumstances. We see the “Christ, who will sustain you to the end.”(1 Corinthians 1:7-8) and believe that Jesus “who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Our Saviour was serious when he said,” My Father is still working.” That phrase is found in the account of Jesus healing the man at the pool who had been crippled for 38 years.(John 5:1-14)The man then goes and tells the Religious leaders that Jesus had healed him. They not only object but start persecuting Jesus because He healed him on the Sabbath.

Jesus then says to those leaders “My Father is always at work to this very day and I am working too.”(verse 17) God is still at work and because He is the doctor’s prognosis offers only one opinion, the news reports are not complete and we have hope to see breakthrough in every situation we face!

I love John Piper’s quote:“ If you see things with the eyes of God, the Master strategist (who cannot lose because he is omnipotent), what you see in every setback is the positioning for a greater advance and a greater display of His wisdom and power and love."

That’s true for our lives, for our community and nation at this time in this difficult season. God is still working and we have hope to see breakthrough in every situation, every circumstance we are facing and to the see the advance of the Kingdom of God.

Keith Saynor 24th April 2020

LOVE NEVER FAILS

Reflections for Easter Week

Easter Sunday

“He is not here; He has risen”

What is the craziest announcement you’ve ever heard? I heard one a couple of years ago whilst waiting to take off at Delhi Airport. The pilot announced we would soon be taking off and invited passengers to join him in ascending to seven miles up in the sky in a plane (the size of a large house) to fly at a speed of just over 500 m.p.h. No one on the plane took much notice but what if you had never heard such an announcement before? What if you had lived a hundred years ago and had somehow time travelled forward to be sitting on the plane? Then you might view the announcement a little differently! You might feel like the woman who heard this announcement three days after Christ died on the cross; “He is not here. He has risen from the dead as he said he would.” (Matthew 28:6 NCV)How conditions had changed since the previous Friday. The crucifixion was marked by sudden darkness, silent angels and mocking soldiers. At the empty tomb the soldiers are silent.  An angel speaks and light erupts all around. (Matthew 28 1-4) An angel invites them to “come, see where his body was lying.” (V5-6 NLT) Can we trust this invitation of the Angel to “come and see”? The empty tomb never resists honest investigation. Jesus’ opponents never challenged that the tomb was vacant. There was no rebuttal from the Pharisees. How also do you explain how Jesus’ followers were transformed from those full of fear (John 20:19) to those, who after the resurrection were full of boldness? The reason was not power for they gave all the credit to Christ, it was not greed for they made no money and it was certainly not popularity as most were killed for their belief.  Only one explanation remains: a resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you have any doubts about the apparent craziness of the Angels announcement and about the empty tomb – take another look at the disciples, study their stories ,their lives, their adventures and the amazing things they achieved in the name of Christ!

Keith Saynor 12th April 2020

Saturday

Death no longer has the final word

Ernest Gordon entered World War 2 in his early twenties as a robust Highlander in Scotland’s Argyle and Sutherland Regiment. But capture by the Japanese in the jungles of Burma meant months of backbreaking labour, daily beatings and slow starvation. He was now ravaged by disease and     dying. In the death camp at Chungkai it became survival of the fittest with selfishness apparently a necessity to avoid death. Gordon resigned himself to death by disease as the better alternative to life in Chungkai.

However, something wonderful then happened. Two new prisoners in whom hope still stirred were transferred into the camp. Although sick and frail they had a higher code. They shared their meagre meals and volunteered for extra work. They cleaned Gordon’s ulcerated sores and gave him his first bath for six weeks. His strength slowly returned and with it his dignity. Their goodness proves contagious and Gordon started to share his rations and treat the sick. He even gave away his few belongings. Other soldiers did likewise. Over a period of time the atmosphere of the camp softened and brightened. Sacrifice replaced selfishness. Soldiers held worship services and twenty years later, when Gordon served as Chaplain of Princeton University, he described the transformation with these words: “Death was still with us-no doubt about that. But we were slowly being freed from its destructive grip…. selfishness, hatred…and pride were all anti life. Love…self-sacrifice….and faith, on the other hand, were the essence of life…gifts of God to men. Death no longer had the last word at Chungkai.” 

Because of Jesus’ sacrificial love for each one of us (John 15:13) death no longer has the last word in our lives. God’s love transcends death. As a result the Apostle Paul was able to write ‘Love never fails.’(1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV) – it is permanent and will last forever (NLT), will never die (MSG), will never end (RSV) and is eternal (TEV) – God’s love for us never fails and as we embrace His love more and more( I John 4:19) we will be able to show that love to others in increasing measure!

Keith Saynor 11th April 2020

Good Friday

Freedom from Sin and death

A few years ago, I went to the Bomber Command Memorial which had just been opened in Green Park, London. The memorial stands as a fitting tribute to the 55,573 Bomber Command crew who lost their lives in the Second World War. Bomber Command suffered the heaviest casualties of any British unit in the Second World War, with nearly half its men lost. As I stood there, I remembered a conversation I once had with my Dad, a bomber pilot who flew 39 missions with 10 Squadron during 1943-44. During the conversation I asked him about his wartime experiences as a pilot and (after he was shot down) as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3. I remember him saying; “We knew we were fighting evil and that we were fighting for the freedom of our families, friends and country.” Few would dispute that the Nazi regime was indeed one of evil, especially when you read about the death camps, concentration camps and many other atrocities.

Each Remembrance Sunday I think about my Dad and many like him who made so many sacrifices so that we may enjoy the freedom we have today. On that day in services across this country the contribution of all the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts will be commemorated and we have the opportunity to honour and give thanks for each of these men and women.

 We can also honour, give thanks and remember another one who sacrificed His life so that we might enjoy even greater freedom, Jesus Christ. Good Friday is a good time to pause, reflect and thank Him for what he has done for each one of us. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us and gave His life for each of us (Galatians 2:20) so that we might enjoy a freedom from death and guilt, (Romans 6:23) from slavery and addiction (John 8:34,36) and from fear (Hebrews 2:14-15).   Jesus sets us free to know God (Isaiah 59:2), to live a life of love - for God and for others(1 John 4:19)and to experience change and transformation so that we can live the abundant lives He intended for us to enjoy and experience! (Galatians 5:22)

Keith Saynor 10th April 2020

Thursday

Freedom in Forgiveness

Chrissy’s funeral took place on a Friday. She had become a Christian 10 year earlier and was a member of a Church in South Wales led by a friend of mine. Chrissy was a ‘larger than life’ character, a rough diamond whose presence, to quote my friend “filled the room.” Her life had not been easy. Her youngest son had been in and out of prison, her middle son suffered with mental health problems and her daughter had been murdered whilst Chrissy herself was in Prison. However, Chrissy had encountered the transforming power of God’s love over the last decade of her life and she was someone who understood forgiveness. 

Revelation of God’s forgiveness was the starting point for her own transformation and my friend described to me a time during worship one Sunday morning where the Holy Spirit met with her. In that moment the Lord reminded her of all she had been forgiven and she knew she needed to forgive her daughter’s murderer. Imagine the emotions and turmoil if that was your daughter; your child who had been murdered. Forgiveness was a process for Chrissy, which when complete freed her from the ongoing hurt and pain, releasing her into the freedom that only comes from God. She had experienced forgiveness from her Lord Jesus Christ who then empowered her to forgive another who had caused her so much damage. 

 Phil Greenslade writes “Thankfully, the searching ‘forgive as’, in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6 v 12) is turned by the gospel into an empowerment; ‘forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgives you’.(Ephesians 4 v32)” As Gerald Sittser points out; “Forgiveness empowers us to transcend the situation so that we can listen, learn, love and serve even when offenders show no sign of remorse or change.”  Forgiveness does not make the act right, but it does release us from the ongoing hurt.

During this season we have time to reflect not just on what is really important in life (please see my Blog 28th March 2020), but also to ask ourselves this question; “Do I need to forgive someone who has hurt or wronged me?” If the answer to that question is ‘yes’ let me encourage you to do just that and ’May the Lord give you the strength and empower you to forgive those who have wronged you and may you know His grace, peace and freedom.’

Keith Saynor 

9th April 2020

Wednesday

Jesus in the rubble

Following the attack on the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001 Frank Silecchia was one of the volunteers working his way through the wreckage hoping to find people still alive. As a construction worker he made his living making things, but in his search as he found forty-seven dead    bodies, he was just trying to make sense of it all. Then he stumbled upon a symbol- a twenty foot steel beam cross in a chamber created by the collapse of Tower One. The cross stood, independent of human help, upright in the chamber with numerous smaller crosses surrounding it lying on the floor. They later discovered that the beams of the large cross came from two different buildings, forged together in the fire. It stood as a symbol in the shards; a cross found in the crisis. At the time someone commented; “We asked, where is God in all this? The discovery of the cross dared us to hope that He was right in the middle of it all.”  

Can the same be said about all our tragedies? Where is God when the storms of life crowd in on us? Matthew gives us the answer. The disciples had been alone in a storm on the Sea of Galilee for about nine hours. Had you been one of them you would have been forgiven for asking; “Where is Jesus, is God anywhere near?” From within the storm Jesus answers; "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."(Matthew 14:27) Matthew discovered what everyone from Moses to Martha had found; that the living Christ is with us in all the storms of life. Frank Silecchia saw Jesus in the rubble, Matthew saw him in the waves and as we look closer, we too, will see him right in the middle of our current situation as we seek to deal with how this current COVID-19 crisis is affecting us and our families. When the storms of life strike God is with us. At that moment, it’s what happens in you that will determine what happens to you. At the first sign of a storm, remain calm and maintain your trust and confidence in God’s ability to see you through it. 

Keith Saynor 8th April 2020

Tuesday

Being there for the needy

When Francis of Assisi turned his back on wealth to seek God in simplicity, he stripped naked and walked out of the city. He soon encountered a leper on the side of the road. He passed him, then stopped and went back and embraced the diseased man. Francis then continued on his journey. After a few steps, he turned around to look again at the leper, but no one was there.

For the rest of his life, he believed the leper was Jesus Christ. He may have been right. Maybe the words of Jesus’ sermon recorded by Matthew on that last Tuesday before the crucifixion came to mind. These are words that gauge a heart by a person’s concern for the undesirable; “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house.  I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 5: 35-36) One of the signs of those who follow Christ is their love for the least. Good people doing good things; for when we do good things for others, we do good things for God.

Jesus lives with the forgotten and the ignored and amongst those who are ill. If we want to see God, we should go to the broken and the beaten and there we will see Him. His promise is to “reward those who truly want to find him,” (Hebrews 11:6) and His plan is described in verse 40 of that last recorded sermon in Matthew; “Anything you did for even the least of my people, here, you also did for me.” During this season where COVID-19 is having such an impact and we cannot physically visit or go to others we can still connect with them in other ways. There is a thin line between social distancing and social isolation which is impacting many. Let me encourage you to telephone or otherwise contact someone you know who is on their own through the many forms of social media available to you. This really will make a difference during this unusual season.

Keith Saynor 7th April 2020

Monday

Jesus, our fixed point, our compass

Wednesday 17th April 2013 marked the funeral of former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. How will she be remembered? She certainly had the ability to provoke strong opinions in her lifetime and now it seems in death. Following her death, she again divided the views of our nation as she did in life. Strong support and outrage have polarised thoughts on subjects such as the miner’s strike, the Falklands war, Greenham Common, Hillsborough, trade unions, the pole tax riots, Europe, issues of racism and of course her varied political and economic initiatives. Her term in office was certainly eventful.

In one of her speeches in 1993 she said a leader needs; “stars to steer by, a fixed point in the heavens and a compass to guide you.” Maybe not in her thoughts at that time, but for me, that statement pointed to another person whose life and death still divides opinion, Jesus Christ. During Mrs Thatcher’s term in office I discovered that it is Jesus who provides that fixed point and compass to bring guidance throughout life. Whatever your opinion on His life and death, Jesus will always be remembered for His kindness, goodness, mercy, grace and patience. We are wise if we follow His example of loving and helping others; then our goodness will outlive the grave and we will be remembered beyond our final breadth.

Keith Saynor 6th April 2020

Palm Sunday

Sit down with Him 

The first journey Jesus took with his followers was to walk 90 miles from Jericho to Cana. They took time to make this journey because they had been invited to attend a wedding (John 2 1-11). Jesus’ purpose in attending the wedding was not to turn the water into wine, that was a favour for His friends, His purpose was not to show His power or to preach a sermon. I believe Jesus attended the wedding so that he could spend some time with His friends and have some fun. He was accused by some of being a blasphemer and a heretic and was branded as a radical.   However, Jesus was never accused of being arrogant or unapproachable. Jesus liked people, liked food and enjoyed the company of others. As a result, people liked him and found him approachable.

A preacher once asked his congregation; “Do you realise how much God really likes you?” That’s a good question.  Jesus does not change. He is just as approachable today. He still likes to spend time with his people and enjoys our company.  Revelation 3 v 20 states; “Here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” The preacher used the expression that Jesus wants to “sit and sup with us” Jesus’ offer is there for each one of us.

This made me think of the song “Sit down” which had been a big hit in the 90’s for the band “James.” Some of the words of the song made me wonder if the author had been thinking of the verse in Revelation: “Those who feel the breath of sadness sit down next to me. Those who find they’re touched by madness sit down next to me. Those who find themselves ridiculous sit down next to me. Love, in fear, in hate, in tears sit down next to me.” There is a lot of truth in these lyrics. Whoever you are and whatever life is throwing at you at this time, Jesus loves you and His invitation is for you to come, sit down with Him and spend some time with Him. If you respond to His invitation you will discover how much He really does like you. Let me encourage you, as we enter Easter week to sit with Jesus, spend time with Him, pray and hear what He has to say to you.

Keith Saynor 5th April 2020

Some of you will remember the story of the 33 Chilean Miners who were rescued after being trapped for 69 days, 700 metres below the surface following a rock fall. The headline for the BBC news report on 14th October 2010 read; “Miners clock off 69-day shift from hell.”

It is clear from reading the news stories that such a traumatic experience has caused many of those involved to reflect on what is really important in life. Perspectives have been changed. The sister of one of the miners commented; “I’m going to give him a really good kicking. He said the mine was crying (a term miners used when rocks fall from the roof of the tunnels) and he went in anyway. How stupid is that? Hopefully, this will teach us not to chase money but to be humble and treasure our friends and family instead.” Her brother had not been due to work that day but had accepted a double shift at double pay. A nephew of another miner, after celebrating his uncle’s rescue said this, “In this world we worry so much about insignificant things, while these 33 men were trapped underground just trying to survive. Maybe it’s time we all started concentrating on the vital things of life and these two months have shown everyone counts.”

Jesus would agree with both these comments on what is really important. This current global situation, which is full of trauma and anxiety for many helps us to focus in this way also. Let me encourage you to read Jesus’ teaching and perspective in Matthew 6 v 19-24 on money, Matthew 6 v 25-34 on anxiety, Matthew 18 v 1-6 on humility and John 15 v 9 -17 on friendship and loving others. As you do allow the Holy Spirit to minister; to bring hope and peace in place of any discouragement or anxiety you may be feeling and to bring a perspective on what in life are the things that really matter.

Keith Saynor 28th March 2020

AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY TO COMBAT THE CURRENT STAMPEDE OF FEAR

I was reading some recent research on the increase of fear through the media which stated that it had increased nine-fold over a six-year period. Even before the global spread of COVID-19 the bad news was taking its toll; we are the most worried generation that has ever lived. Now, with the current situation we are being bombarded with fear through certain media channels; there really is a stampede of fear out there.

Let me encourage you not to get caught up in it; let’s stay calm. Whilst recognising danger let’s not be overwhelmed by it, whilst acknowledging threats let’s refuse to be defined by them.  How? – By being numbered among those who hear a different voice, God’s. Let’s incline our ear upwards. When we turn to our maker we will fear less. Courage does not panic; it prays. Courage listens and it hears Christ’s voice bring comfort to those who are in hospital or unwell, those who are currently self-isolating and into every avenue of fear.

When Jesus came to His disciples when they were caught in a physical storm, He said; ““Be of Good cheer. It is I, do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

When we listen, we will hear the voice of God calling to us “Fear not!” and instead of fear we can experience His peace and courage! Let me encourage you be prayerful at this time and as you are praying remember to pause and listen to what God wants to say into your personal situation.

Keith Saynor 22nd March 2020

Finding Peace in the storm by WORSHIPPING

A times of crisis is often a trigger that brings change. This is relevant for us now as we find ourselves affected by COVID-19, not just nationally but globally. It has set us on a path where, for the moment, we are having to live our lives differently. During such a season our sense of peace can be lost amidst the trauma and stress that seems to surround us.

The disciples once encountered a physical storm which produced a storm of doubt and fear in them. What strikes me about this passage (Matthew 14:22-33) is that after the storm they worshipped Jesus (verse 33). They had never, as a group, done that before. They did not worship when they witnessed the dead girl being raised to life or the healing of the woman who had been ill for 12 years(Matthew 9; 18-26) or when Jesus calmed the previous storm they were caught in (Matthew 8: 23-27), so why now? The reason, I believe, was because this time they were the ones being rescued, they were the ones being saved from the storm that threatened to engulf them and take them under. As he came to rescue them at the eleventh hour, they did the only thing they could do; they turned to God and worshipped Him, realising that He was their Saviour.

Jesus said “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

When the storms of life come on us, surround us, it often is at these moments that there seems to be no way out, no exit point. At such times and it is true for this current storm, we cannot rely on our careers to help us or on our status, or even fully on others. We are only left with one option: God.

If we call on God, genuinely cry out to him, he will come to us and in the midst of the storm we will see the Saviour. Jesus will come to us as “The Prince of Peace” ( Isaiah 9:6) and will bring calm to the chaos. In the midst of suffering we often get our clearest view of God. So, let me encourage you to come and worship God at this time and as you do so, allow Him in the midst of all the chaos and fear to minister His peace to you.

Keith Saynor 20th March 2020

  Stay Close to the Father

A few years ago, my wife and I toured California and Oregon for our honeymoon. The week after we returned, I was on a training course at the Kings Arms (the church not the pub!), Bedford and was interested to hear one of the speakers relate his experiences of a similar holiday he had undertaken with his young family. With his wife he informed their four children of the forthcoming trip and there was much excitement. However, a few days later when they were visiting a nearby town to Bedford his four-year-old asked him;” Dad is this America?” At that point he realised that his son had no idea where they were and could not understand the concept of visiting different parts of California. He realised that when they toured, he would have no idea of where they were from one day to the next!

So, he gave his son this one instruction;” No matter where we are on this trip, wherever we go just stay close to me.” Reflecting on this I thought life is like that sometimes. We can be in a season where we don’t really know where we are, what the next few steps are for us or where they will lead us. If you are in a season like that now or when you experience such a time you would do well to follow this wise advice to stay close to your father; not your earthly father as in this story, but your heavenly Father.

Jesus came to reveal God as our Father (Luke 15:11-32) and told us that he would not leave us as orphans(John 14:18). As a result, we are adopted into the royal family of heaven as sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4-6) and are embraced by the Father’s love (Romans 5:5)! Whatever season you are in right now and wherever your journey takes you let me encourage you to “Stay close” to God, your Heavenly Father.

Keith Saynor 4th March 2020

Looking past the dust

For some time, I have felt that the Lord has been teaching me to pay attention to the things that catch my eye, to look out for the things He wants to show me. I recently read a marvelous story about a little girl who entertained herself by playing with a beam of sunlight shining through her bedroom window. ’Look Mummy’ she said, ’Isn’t beautiful?’ She then began explaining all the things she saw as she played with the sunbeam. ‘It’s an angel’s gown and I’m fixing the hem,’ she said. ‘Now it’s like a film projector, and I can make actors appear on the wall.’ She continued excitedly, ‘Now I’m pretending it’s a magic slide! See how my hand glides down the surface?’ On and on the little girl went, telling her mother all the delightful things she saw in the sunbeam. Finally, as the little girl went out to play with a friend, the mother stood alone in thoughtful silence looking at the sunbeam. ‘And to think,’ she said to herself, ‘a moment ago all I saw was dust.’

Many times, throughout scripture God chose to speak through things in the natural realm. One example is the innocent lamb slain (Genesis 22:8) as a sacrifice for the guilty sinner; pointing to a time when the sinless Son of God would be crucified so that man might be saved (John 1:29). Another is the manna (Exodus 16:4), which was given fresh every morning, and which foretold the ‘Bread of Life’ sent down from heaven to renew us daily (John 6 31-35).

God continues to speak to us today through natural things. He knows the way we think and so he often shows us something that triggers our thoughts that way. The key is the association we make between what we see and what God is doing or saying. Like the little girl, we need only look past the dust to have the opportunity see the fullness of all God wants to show us. To help us to do so we would be wise to follow the example of David; “I am always thinking about the Lord, and because He is so near, I never need to stumble or fall.” (Psalm 16:8) It is a healthy thing to be thinking about the Lord as then everything in which we involve ourselves offers up the opportunity to discover new things about God and makes it easier to pay attention to what he may be showing us.

Keith Saynor 5th February 2020

Revealing God's treasure within us

Although he did not realize it when Saul was walking along the Damascus road it was a journey of purpose far different to that which was in his mind at the time. T. D. Jakes comments on this passage; “God has a way of transforming your life and turning it around for His glory (Acts 9: 1-9 ).” When he woke up that morning, Saul had no idea that his life would be absolutely transformed that day; that he would become the Apostle Paul. His temporary loss of sight was the start of a journey from darkness to light where he was given great vision from God which would impact countless others along the way. God began to reveal the hidden treasures (Isaiah 45:3) within Saul as his encounter with the light transformed everything for him. Similar to Saul's story, God has hidden his treasures within each one of us which have the potential to transform our own lives and the lives of others. As we journey with God this year, I believe He is asking us to be expectant for all that He will do in us and through us  and to “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Keith Saynor 3rd January 2020

“I’ll be home for Christmas”

Yank,a Military magazine published weekly during World War Two credits Bing Crosby with accomplishing more for military morale through one song  than anyone else in the era. The song was released in 1943 entitled “I’ll be home for Christmas.” It was a lyrical letter from a Soldier far from home to his family, saying that he will be home for Christmas. He asks them to prepare all his favourite things for his homecoming even if his longing for home is only in his dreams. The song was subsequently recorded by more than 130 different artists. This song resonated to so many people maybe because it was about reunion and a longing for home and close relationships.

Like no other time during the year Christmas seems to rekindles a sense of longing for many people; sometimes for things we once had and have lost and sometimes for things we have never had. Sometimes we don’t know what we are yearning for! Perhaps the longing we feel at Christmas is not surprising. Jesus was born into a world longing for a Saviour. The bright star announcing Jesus’ birth stood out brightly against the Jerusalem winter as a light defying the darkness of broken fellowship. God calling his people into a new Covenant with him from a position of separation as the original relationship with his people had been disrupted and broken. The story of Jesus’ birth is one of family reunion as God, our heavenly Father shows the lengths he will go to, to be reunited with the ones he loves.

 Best of all, His love calls to you this season. Whether or not we recognize what we are longing for our spirits long for a reunion with God. He is calling us and showing us the way home this Christmas. This year as you find yourself moved by the beauty and richness of the season let me encourage you to pause and   listen for the voice of your heavenly Father whispering your name. He is calling you into his presence. Whether this is the first time or you have lost count of the times he has drawn you closer to him he calls you into an intimate relationship where you will discover a fullness of life (John 10:10) that will one day transcend death into Eternity!

Keith Saynor 24th December 2019

“NO RIFF RAFF ALLOWED”

Had Basil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers fame been in charge of the guest list for Jesus’ first birthday, there is one group of people who would not have been invited. You may remember on the Invitation to the Gourmet Night he held in his Hotel in Torquay he included the words “No riff raff allowed!”  If you are aware of cultural standing in Judea all those years ago you will know that the Shepherd were the “riff raff” of society in Jesus’ day. They were the invisible lower class and yet these were the folk that God sent the Angels to (Luke 2:10-12).

They were the ones directed to meet Jesus. The Christmas message is that the good news is for all people; where grace is concerned there are no different classes of people. This fact is both empowering and comforting. All are welcome at the Birthday celebrations. The story is also a prompt to remind us to make room at our tables, our celebrations for the “Shepherds of Our Community;” to help others who may be in need this Christmas .Whatever your personal circumstances you have the ability to help those around you. It might be that you can bring in extra food to the foodbank, contribute to the special offering on Christmas day for the Native American children in Arizona we are supporting, spend some time with someone who has suffered bereavement recently or simply write an encouraging letter. There are many in our community who need hope and comfort and we are the ones empowered to help them. People whose lives you touch will be blessed and in doing so, you will be too! 

Keith Saynor 23rd December 2019

Endless love to redeem and rescue

 (A defence for a Fairytale of New York)

One of my favourite Christmas songs is ‘Fairytale of New York,’ by the Pogues, written by Shane MacGown and featuring both MacGown and Kirsty MacColl on vocals. This year one BBC DJ tweeted ’Radio, let’s ban Fairytale of New York this Christmas,’ and refuses to play it on his show. In doing do I believe he has missed the message of the song which after 30 years is considered by many to be the best Christmas song ever.

Dorian Lynskey comments in his article in the Guardian (6th December 2012); “Once upon a time a band set out to make a Christmas song. Not about snow or sleigh rides or mistletoe or miracles, but lost youth and ruined dreams. A song in which Christmas is as much the problem as it is the solution. A kind of  anti-Christmas song that ended up being, for a generation, the Christmas song.” So why is this song about lost youth and ruined dreams so popular with so many people over such a length of time?

It’s a song written about mutual friends living in New York in the 1940’s. One is homeless, and one is a heavy drinker. They have argued, disagreed and fallen out with one another. The song is a duet causing the listener to think of lost dreams, disappointment and missed opportunities.

 Lynskey comments;” The song's brilliance is sealed by its final verse when MacGowan protests, "I could have been someone", and MacColl shoots back: "Well, so could anyone." Then MacColl accuses, "You took my dreams from me," and MacGowan responds, with all the warmth he's been withholding: "I kept them with me babe/I put them with my own." So, in its final iteration the chorus is no longer a tauntingly ironic reminder of better times but the tentative promise of reconciliation. "You really don't know what is going to happen to them," says MacGowan. "The ending is completely open."

This is a song of hope for all; the outsiders, the underdogs, for those with broken dreams, the disappointed, the ones who have messed up, for those who have lost hope and for those who have been beaten down by life. It’s a song that connects emotionally with its listeners, one at Christmas  that can be related to. It’s a song that relates to folk dealing with difficulties.

It’s a song that reminds me that God left the Majesty of Heaven for all of us to help us with all life throws at us, to bring hope and open up options and opportunities for us. This starts when we are reconciled with God; “ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5;10-11).

Jesus came to restore our relationship with God the Father.  All things are possible when we respond to his offer of reconciliation, as we are able to enter into a wonderful intimate relationship with God, draw on the endless love he has for us which will help us in our relationship with others; to bring              reconciliation in those relationships where necessary ( 2 Corinthians 5:18) and to love others ( Mark 12 30-31). From this moment on your life has an ‘open ending.’ With God we have endless opportunities;“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Keith Saynor 20th December2019

THE INVISIBLE GOD BECOMES VISIBLE

Reflecting on the events surrounding Jesus’ birth I thought of the words of the Angel who appeared to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

How special would Mary have felt at that moment chosen by God for that purpose! Then there would have been that wonderful moment when she looked into the face of her baby, her Son and her Lord; His Majesty! She was looking at the face of God Himself. Incredible! What is even more incredible is the thought that at that moment in time, at that point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what He is doing is a teenage girl in the humble surroundings of a smelly stable!

J John describes Christmas as “the time and place where God pulls back the curtain so that we can see His face. The invisible God becomes visible; the unknowable God becomes knowable.”

 The babe of Bethlehem, Immanuel, “God with us;” (Matthew 1:23) God came to communicate and connect with us so that we may enter into a relationship with Him, to enjoy the fullness of life and promise of eternal life that He offers to each one of us (John 10:10) He is the God who comes to be with us which means that , like Mary, we too can gaze into the face of the God of all creation and call Him our King, our Saviour and our Lord! 

Keith Saynor 12th December 2019