Psalm is 104:26-end was a recent lectionary reading.
"Countless are the things you have made, Lord"
I see this in the great variety of ways that we live across the world. I have often thought about the richness of different cultures. I now know (and give thanks for) something more of the breadth and much more of that richness - not least the strength of the human spirit when not cosseted by the luxuries I take for granted (safe water, 24 hour electricity - in the Indian villages the power is off for 1/3 of the day 8 think. The electricity was put on especially because of our visit in the village, being turned off at midday. In Chennai it is unreliable which can cause havoc for eg a wedding reception, though we did not experience any significant cuts.)
The church of the Madavaram Pastorate in the state of Andhra Pradesh:
"Countless are the things you have made, Lord"
I see this in the great variety of ways that we live across the world. I have often thought about the richness of different cultures. I now know (and give thanks for) something more of the breadth and much more of that richness - not least the strength of the human spirit when not cosseted by the luxuries I take for granted (safe water, 24 hour electricity - in the Indian villages the power is off for 1/3 of the day 8 think. The electricity was put on especially because of our visit in the village, being turned off at midday. In Chennai it is unreliable which can cause havoc for eg a wedding reception, though we did not experience any significant cuts.)
The church of the Madavaram Pastorate in the state of Andhra Pradesh:
I also give thanks for (no particular order):
- The prayerfulness, encouraged by regular 'please pray for me' and the desire for prayers of blessing from pastors at every opportunity. We talk about 'arrow prayers' sometimes. This makes them more corporate and part of normal a conversation. This prayerfulness is evident in daily moments of turning to God rather than in having more 'prayer meetings' than most churches in the UK (at least, I wasn't aware of much difference in the latter regard. I did note with interest that each church leads prayers at the Diocesan centre for one day a year, food prepared by the centre (the Laity Centre referred to previously.)
- Other small ways in which the Christian community are reminded of their identity day to day, e.g. the valuing of 'Christian' names, church calendars, the use of the sign of the cross for blessings, vibrant publicity for events, very public welcomes for guests of the church, taking Bibles to church, etc.
- The sense of history, not only of Indian history, and the missionary legacy (recent and back to the times of the early church) but also as part of the Christian community over time (in the valuing of 'Christian' names.). In a not unrelated context, Newbigin, Proper Confidence, 35, writes, "To give the family name, as has been customary in the past [in the developed world], would identify the individual by reference to a history and a society. But this is not acceptable. the self is an isolated monad which can only be understood from within itself. Thus the inward journey becomes much more fascinating than the exploration of an external world, and psychiatry becomes a dominant element in society."
- The witness of 'one church', especially in the small communities where there is literally one church. The reality of the decision - am I in Christ or out of Christ (do I worship at the Temple or the church)? - has a down to earth reality.
A village church (the only one I believe in the village)
- New friends and fabulous hospitality (this was our being greeted in the village:)
- The prayerfulness, encouraged by regular 'please pray for me' and the desire for prayers of blessing from pastors at every opportunity. We talk about 'arrow prayers' sometimes. This makes them more corporate and part of normal a conversation. This prayerfulness is evident in daily moments of turning to God rather than in having more 'prayer meetings' than most churches in the UK (at least, I wasn't aware of much difference in the latter regard. I did note with interest that each church leads prayers at the Diocesan centre for one day a year, food prepared by the centre (the Laity Centre referred to previously.)
- Other small ways in which the Christian community are reminded of their identity day to day, e.g. the valuing of 'Christian' names, church calendars, the use of the sign of the cross for blessings, vibrant publicity for events, very public welcomes for guests of the church, taking Bibles to church, etc.
- The sense of history, not only of Indian history, and the missionary legacy (recent and back to the times of the early church) but also as part of the Christian community over time (in the valuing of 'Christian' names.). In a not unrelated context, Newbigin, Proper Confidence, 35, writes, "To give the family name, as has been customary in the past [in the developed world], would identify the individual by reference to a history and a society. But this is not acceptable. the self is an isolated monad which can only be understood from within itself. Thus the inward journey becomes much more fascinating than the exploration of an external world, and psychiatry becomes a dominant element in society."
- The witness of 'one church', especially in the small communities where there is literally one church. The reality of the decision - am I in Christ or out of Christ (do I worship at the Temple or the church)? - has a down to earth reality.
A village church (the only one I believe in the village)
- New friends and fabulous hospitality (this was our being greeted in the village:)
- The clear sense of what it means to follow Christ in a non-Christian culture.
- A lifestyle uncomplicated by materialism
- The desire for mission and evangelism, taken forward with fruitfulness. I note Lesslie Newbigins words (see yesterday's blog) in this regard.
- A biblical faith across, insofar as I observed it, across the traditions.
- My beginning to understand Hinduism
- The Autos, that somehow seem to navigate safely through the traffic.
- Tender Coconuts
- Gnat bite cream
- The leadership of the Bishop of Madras
- The witness of missionaries and the widespread appreciation of them in the Christian community.
- And much besides.
What a vibrant life, something of which I find summed up in this image from the Bombay Circus in Chennai (flamethrower etc.)
- A lifestyle uncomplicated by materialism
- The desire for mission and evangelism, taken forward with fruitfulness. I note Lesslie Newbigins words (see yesterday's blog) in this regard.
- A biblical faith across, insofar as I observed it, across the traditions.
- My beginning to understand Hinduism
- The Autos, that somehow seem to navigate safely through the traffic.
- Tender Coconuts
- Gnat bite cream
- The leadership of the Bishop of Madras
- The witness of missionaries and the widespread appreciation of them in the Christian community.
- And much besides.
What a vibrant life, something of which I find summed up in this image from the Bombay Circus in Chennai (flamethrower etc.)
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