A restless heart

In his book Jesus' plan for the world, Richard Rhor states "Coveting goods is what our entire culture is built on. Advertising creates desire after desire, salesmanship create false need through advertising and marketing that leaves us wanting things we do not need or really want". That's quite a bold statement but one we need to reflect on in the light of the sermon on the mount. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Make sure you're not satisfied is the message keep yourself in a constant place of dissatisfaction. Prayer is a way of keeping ourselves focused on what we really need, prayer helps us move through superficial desire to holy desire but doesn't always satisfy. It raises our consciousness of what we really need.  What we always need is God. It's always union, love, communion. Which is why St Augustine says "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God

The Journey from banking to the priesthood

My journey as a Christian began at a very young age though it wasn’t until I was involved with leading a bible study group that I became aware of my passion to bring Jesus to those who do not know him. At the same time I realised I wanted to encourage and nurture those who had come to faith. With a job in banking it felt natural to be called to the role of Treasurer. St Peter’s Maidenhead my home church for 16 years was where alongside helping to lead a bible study group I managed the church finances for a period of six years. Then God gave me a nudge to explore a period of study that for me would provide the knowledge I needed to confidently lead small groups.

A conversation with the Vicar led me to a period of exploration and discernment. I knew I was being called to something else, what that was I did not know. Looking after my family and my career in banking was uppermost in my mind and I had no reason to believe I was being called to anything other than a part time voluntary role in the church. That was to change after my first meeting with the Diocesan Director of Ordinand as it was then I felt God dropping heavy hints pointing towards the role I was being called to do. It wasn’t without fear and trepidation that I went forward for selection to the ordained ministry being completely open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit knowing this was a personal challenge but one I needed to leave in God’s hands. The outcome after three years of studying on the Oxford Ministry Course was my resignation from my job in banking, to the surprise of my line manager, to take up a full time title post as Assistant Curate at St Paul’s Slough.

With the coming to the 2012 Games and the end of my Curacy in sight, I was appointed to the role of Olympic and Paralympic Chaplain for the Diocese of Oxford helping the churches engagement with the Games. A very exciting and fulfilling role enabling the development of community projects integrating faith and spiritually with the world of sports. As an athlete I had completed three marathons during the past three years raising funds for various charities. I also find running a good way to de-cluster the mind whilst spending time with God in a way that is natural for me.

Looking back there is a sense of God wanting us to push the boat out in terms of the way we live and model the Christian life. Communicating the gospel is not easy but one of the first things that Jesus says to the apostles is ‘don’t be afraid.’The journey from banking to the priesthood is a pretty daunting prospect but if the local church is to be the hope of the world, it is only by stepping out in our own lives that we enable others to meet with and experience the promises and faithfulness of God. So today as I am Installed Rector of the Parishes of Hedsor and Bourne End I am very conscious that myself and family are entering another exciting phase of that journey. It's really about being ready to be surprised by God.

Revd Janet Binns

An hair-raising experience

 

Going to the hairdresser for me is an eventful occasion. Visits are no more than once every two to three months, usually a bit like the dentist I end up putting it off until something forces me to book an appointment. It’s often when there is a special occasion a family wedding etc. that I make an effort. Today was a case in point I made an appointment for the eve of the Service of Collation when I am officially installed as Rector of the Parishes of Hedsor and Bourne End. Unlike going to the dentist once there I find the experience therapeutic and stress free. There is nothing as calming as reading a magazine with the whirring noise of the hairdryer whilst the warm air penetrates every strand of your hair and scalp. The lady who does my hair and have been for the past five years originates from Zimbabwe, most of her colleagues are from Africa and they frequently speak their native language in my presence. I find it hugely engaging, listening to their stories (when they speak in English) watching their body language, the tuting, the uncontrollable laughter, the groans of discontent when they disapprove of bad behaviours but most of all the advice they pour out on each other. They all seem so natural, open, honest, willing to speak about their lives, providing support and encouragement, admonishing when it’s necessary and when they are unhappy about the behaviour of a friend, colleague or family member, whether they speak in English or not, I am left in no doubt of their extreme disapproval.

Although many work extremely long hours a recent survey puts hairdressing as the happiest job role to undertake.  I long for the experience of church to be as natural with a willingness to speak about our lives as openly. I long for Christians to be that supportive and encouraging with each other without fear of how we are perceived. Church life can sometimes be a place where there is a lack of willingness to share openly, eager to save the feelings of others and in many cases hiding our own.  The same life issues affects us all, sharing stories, laughing together, even the groans of disapproval and discontent provided done in the right spirit can be helpful in dealing with the stresses and strains of life.

 

You can do it too...

Watching the London marathon on television today served as a reminder of the many years  I've sat at home with thoughts of running it one day.  It's certainly a great feeling knowing that it's no longer a thought, I actually did the training and run the race, not once but five times. Of course the first race is the one that mean the most to me, I remember the excitement, the nerves as I waited on the start line. Questions such as what will be like? How long will it take? How will I cope mentally as well as physically, raced through my mind. That night I had very little sleep and before long I was there at the start ready to go. As I ran along the streets of London with so many people cheering us on it was the most amazing feeling, I was on cloud nine. Crossing the finish line in the mall three hours eighteen minutes later I was elated I had achieved far more than I dreamt I was capable of, surpassing my own expectation.

It is good to reflect because when you do it's extremely humbling to grasp the extent of God's grace, without which none of this would be possible. I am grateful for the encouragement of fellow runners, family and friends who got behind me giving advice and support. The huge crowds that line the streets come rain or shine are always a huge surprise but a great source of inspiration to all the runners. So today a big cheer to everyone who ran, if you feel inspired get your trainers out start training and you never know it could be the start of something that could change your life.

 

Prayers and thoughts for all affected by the Boston explosions.

I am a person not a number

It’s interesting how certain phrases are etched in our minds. In banking a common phrase people used was ‘ I am a person not a number’,  and  of course we’ve all had the call centre experience when all that seem to matter is not you the person but the number, and in some circumstances the call goes no further without it. To run a race competitors are allocated a number and you are unable to compete without it. Thus for the duration of that race you become that all-important number and some people will call out your number to encourage you at various points of the race. As a priest an important and legal aspect to the role is a license from the Bishop. So here again the all-important number.

Yesterday I visited a 93 year old church member in hospital and as I walked into the room his initial reaction was one of surprise, this baffled me a bit. During the visit to my continued bemusement, he kept saying 'I know how busy you are I don’t want to keep you'. It got me thinking about the role of a Priest and how it is perceived by others. Are we seen as people frantically running around doing a number of tasks fulfilling the requirements of a role - the license or because we really care? And of course it has to be because we care.

This morning whilst out running, for the first time in a while I listened to my favourite motivational CD by Matt Redman, 10,000 reasons.  I know that there are more than 10,000 reasons why Jesus cares about us and equally there are more than 10,000 reasons why we should care about others.

Numbers, licenses or whatever is needed in our jobs to fulfil administrative or legal requirements are of course necessary but it is the care, love, encouragement, compassion and kindness that we afford each other that makes all the difference.

 

Feeling self satisfied

The training session outside Windsor Castle last Tuesday evening was pretty gruelling. Hill training of 7 x 600 meters with a one minute rest  up the slope to the Castle Gate and back, proved extremely painful. You may say why would anyone want to put themselves through this level of intensity. I have to say I came away feeling very self-satisfied and as we chatted jogging back to the club so did everyone else. Running with a group of people provides competition that stretches, companionship that encourages and friendship that motivates. I am an advocate of regular exercise, I believe it's good for well-being, maintaining equilibrium whilst building up our mental and physical stamina. We also need spiritual exercise which is good to keep us centered on our deepest values. A good discipline around prayer keeps a well balanced perspective on priorities. On my latest run listening to an audio book I was challenged to spend time considering what are the things that are most important to me. I believe these to be authenticity, respect for others, loyalty and determination. I spoke earlier about feeling self satisfied and although some might say it's not exactly an abiding Christain virtue, I believe it's ok in certain aspect of life, because it is this that then help us to be self-less when it matters, putting others first knowing that God will take care of us.

Is Running in the Cold Bad for Your Lungs?

Have you ever been warned not to run in the cold because you will breathe in cold air and it’s bad for you? Perhaps you've even thought it yourself: At what temperature will the cold air damage your lungs? This morning I decided to test the theory as I set out on my 15 mile run in Windsor Great Park on one of the coldest run I have had endure for a long time. Actually I was fine, breathing out of my mouth and in through my nose I didn't experience any problems with cold air reaching my lungs. On my return with frozen figures, I took to the internet to find out more. Research shows that runners are not in danger of freezing their lungs, even in the coldest places on Earth such as the North and South Poles. Thanks to our body's brilliant design and adaptability, air reaches body temperature by the time it greets our lungs.

That said, cold dry temperatures can cause irritation in the airways.  Shortness of breath, chest tightness and a cough, can manifest itself in those who are less aerobically fit, suffer from exercise-induced asthma, or are currently suffering from a respiratory illness.

To prevent the runner's cough induced by cold, dry air, the advice is to wear a scarf or balaclava over your nostrils and mouth, this will help with the recycling of warm air.  The bank robber look may not be the fashion statement you were going for, and is usually only recommended at night when no one can see you. And if you decide not to go to this length, be assured, your lung will not be frozen. If you're in doubt or feeling under the weather, don't run. One day's rest won't cost you a thing but a couple of weeks off with pneumonia might.