When I learn German, I enjoyed finding patterns in irregular verbs and had to learn from a table listing all the different tenses for these. Beginning with the infinitive, I would learn the different forms for that verb, listing the 3rd person singular in the present tense, imperfect tense and then the past participle (beginnen – beginnt- begann- begonnen, for example.)

There are, of course, plenty of irregular verbs in English which don’t follow regular patterns (especially in the past tense, which usually ends in -ed.) Shrove Tuesday reflects one of those verbs, with ‘shrove’ the past tense of ‘to shrive’, a verb meaning to hear the confession of someone, to assign penance to and absolve them. Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter), is also known as ‘Pancake Day’, from a tradition where all the fat was used up to make pancakes before a period of fasting in preparation for considering what it cost Christ to die for our sins. Shrove Tuesday is associated with self-examination, considering what wrongs we need to repent and what changes we can bring to our lives to develop spiritual growth.

In many countries, Shrove Tuesday is associated with carnivals. Whilst we think of these things as occasions for celebration with elaborate costumes and music, the root of that word is ‘carne’, meaning meat or flesh. A carnival literally is a ‘putting away of flesh.’

Paul urges us to ‘put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature’ (Col 3:5) and to ‘count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.’ (Rom 6:11)

I find we are not as comfortable with talk sin and mortification (the technical word for putting to death our earthly nature) as Christians in the past. We somehow feel it is demeaning to admit to sin and to seek to be ‘absolved’ of sin, believing only Christ can forgive us and there is no need to name sin before a priest. It is easier for us to keep thoughts of sin to the general without being specific, but then we do not know the joy of specific forgiveness. We like the festive aspects of carnival far more than the putting to death aspects.

James says, ‘Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.’ (Js 4:8-10)

As we perhaps eat pancakes today, it’s good to ponder the religious significance of the occasion and ask for God’s help in putting to death the earthly nature, asking for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives, for ‘those who belong in Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.’ (Gal 5:24)

S & G Electrical returned to continue work on the fire alarm today, working in the children’s room:

… and on the stage:

Tidying, touching up and putting fronts on the conduit also took up time:

We also got the clock back!

Guest speaker Yan Hadley spoke tonight on the voice of the Lord, taking a reading from Ps 29:3-9. God’s voice is a dynamic power which has been heard by His people throughout history: from Adam and Noah through to the book of Revelation, God has been speaking to people. This is not just reserved for ‘special people’, but all can hear His voice (see Jn 8:47, also Jn 10:27). Just as analogue radio stations had to be ‘tuned in’ to correctly hear what was being broadcast,however, we need to spend time with God to hear Him and must respond to His voice.

There are many ways in which God speaks to us, including:

1. through our conscience, which convicts us of sin and speaks to us of eternal matters (see Jn 16:13, Eccl 3:11). We are urged not to harden our hearts when we hear God’s voice (Heb 3:15,18), but need to deveop a tender, sensitive and responsive conscience, shaped by God’s word.
2. through creation, which speaks of God’s glory and magnificence (see Ps 19:1-2, Rom 1:19-20).
3. through Scripture, which is a living word that can come alive to us through the revelation of God’s Holy Spirit.
4. through other people, who can speak God’s word into our lives (through preaching, the gifts of the Spirit or even through ordinary conversations.)
5. through a variety of circumstances, with God being able to bring good from even uncomfortable, unusual and dangerous circumstances (see Rom 8:28).
6. through sovereign power, reminding us that what God opens or closes cannot be closed or shut by anyone else! (Rev 3:7) Jonah is an example of how God’s sovereign power can turn rebellion into repentance, using the most unlikely circumstances of a storm, a great fish and a minute worm! Saul of Tarsus is also a powerful reminder to us that no one is beyond God’s grace, for this hardened, hostile man who persecuted Christians was won to God by His sovereign power.
7. through prayer (see Jer 33:3, where God urges us to call to Him in the security that He will answer.)

We must, of course, use caution and wisdom when discerning the voice of the Lord, for the enemy can deceive us (see 1 Jn 4:1). We have to match what we believe we are hearing from God with His Word (Ps 119:105 reminds us that His word will light our paths and any ‘voice’ from God must not contradict Scripture) , with the witness of His Holy Spirit (Col 3:15) and with counsel from spiritual, wise and trusted friends. (Prov 11:14) We must also eagerly desire to hear God’s voice, asking Him to unblock our ears and help us to hear that still, small voice which speaks hope and peace to all.

Blaise Pascal once wrote, ‘All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone’. We are, generally speaking, not good at being still. Ps 46:10 urges us to be still and know that God is God, but we so often try to fix situations ourselves, relying on our own strategies and strengths. These can help in some situations, but sooner or later we will come across a battle that is beyond us and the sooner we learn to trust in God, the better it will be for us! Waiting on God, being still and trusting in Him with quietness and confidence (see Is 30:15), is not a case of being passive or lazy. Eugene Peterson says that ‘prayer is the disciplined refusal to act before God acts.’ We have to learn to pray, to wait, to be still before God, even when the battle seems to be raging around us.

‘Lord, help me now to face this battle.
My strength has failed and my eyes can’t see
Through the waves of doubt that take me under.
In the chaos I hear You speak.

Be still and know that You are my God.
Be still and know that You are enough.
Though my heart is racing, still You’re in control.
Be still and know that You are my God.

You brought me rest in times of struggle.
I lay my head down at Your feet.
The storm in me that I can’t wrestle
Is calmed when I hear You speak.

You are faithful
And Your love endures forever
Yes, Your love endures forever
You are able.
In You I’ll stand forever
Yes, in You I’ll stand forever.’ (‘Be Still’, Jeremy Camp)

This morning’s sermon continued the ‘Battles & Blessings’ series, looking at probably the most significant battle in all of Israel’s history: the Exodus from Egypt. After Joseph’s death, the new Pharaoh forgot the debt of gratitude owed to his people and Israel entered a period of slavery (see Ex 1:8). God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt (Ex 3:1-10), with the next chapters Moses’s reluctance and the innumerable meetings and plagues which resulted when Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was so dramatic that the Israelites were commanded to leave, but just when things seemed to be going well for them, Pharaoh had a change of heart (Ex 14:5-9) and pursued the Israelites. With the Red Sea in front of them blocking the way and the chariots of Egypt coming up behind them, this was one battle that seemed beyond God’s people! (Ex 14:10-12)

Moses’s response to this dire situation makesl us sit up in surprise: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”’ (Ex 14:13-14) This strategy seems doomed to failure, but as so often in history, we see that God’s ways are not our ways and victories only come when we do things God’s way.

Don’t Be Afraid

Moses’s first response to the terror and panic the people feel is reassurance. ‘Do not be afraid.’ This is so often God’s word to His people (see Gen 15, Gen 21:17, Josh 1:9, 1 Chron 28:20, 2 Chron 20:17, Is 41:14, Jer 46:27, Matt 1:20, Matt 10:31, Matt 14:27). ‘Don’t be afraid’ is God’s word to us which helps us to stop our terrified noise and paralysed panic and enables us to listen to what He has to say.

Stand Firm

We’re urged to stand firm, not doing anything actively ourselves to save ourselves, but trusting in God to be our deliverer and saviour. Ps 20:7-8 says ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.’ If we simply stand – in defiance of the enemies of God but trusting in God as our deliverer – we will be surprised at what we will see. The standing has to come first, but then we will see (see Mark 11:24, 1 Cor 15:58).

Receive the Promise

Moses promised, ‘The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’ (Ex 14:13) We have to trust in God’s promises (see Josh 23:14), taking the long-term view (2 Cor 4: 17-18) and understanding that God is able to deal with our enemies. We don’t have to plot or take revenge; we simply trust God to fulfil His promises and pray for our enemies, as Jesus commanded us to. (Matt 5:44)

The Lord Will Fight For You

Moses repeatedly told the people that God would fight for them (see also Deut 1:30, 3:22; compare with 2 Chron 20:17). It’s a great thing to know that the battles we face do not have to be fought in our strength or with the weapons of the world. Instead, as we stand firm in faith, God fights for us.

You Need Only Be Still

Because God fights for us, we need only to be still. This is very hard for us to do. We are conditioned to be active, to be doing things from a young age. Activity is seen to be positive; resting and stillness are usually perceived as a kind of weakness, but Biblical not-doing, as Eugene Peterson reminds us, is neither sloth nor stoicism: it is a strategy. (Eugene Peterson, ‘Leap Over a Wall’)  As we rest in God (see Ps 46, Hebrews 4), we stop trusting in our own works and look to see what God can do.

The result was God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the Israelites’ deliverance from the hands of the Egyptians (Ex 14:15-31), resulting in a new song of praise and a new awareness of God in His majestic holiness (see Ex 15:11). The blessings that came from this battle still reverberate through history!

With an eye to the Dearne Community Arts’ Festival which will take place on 1 & 2 September at Dearne Playhouse, there are loads of opportunities to learn new skills and perhaps end up making something to exhibit at the festival. WEA are running a range of courses and free taster sessions in the area, some starting this week. So if you fancy having a go at crafts, digital photography, aromatherapy, creative writing or songwriting, come along to these free sessions and find out just what you’re capable of!