Page 64 - Phonebox Magazine November 2014

Many today are deeply ambivalent towards spiritual questions. On the one hand, most people feel positive towards Jesus and
would like it if there were answers to the big questions of meaning and of death. On the other hand, they feel very negative towards ‘organised religion’, they suspect that taking the Bible seriously could affect their lifestyle in ways they wouldn’t like and they believe there’s no way of really knowing about ‘the God questions’. As life’s comfortable, exploring spiritual questions could be disturbing and there’s no real way of knowing either way, why give it much thought?
Given the cultural assumptions of our day this is understandable. If there’s no truth, only opinions, if the best I can hope for is to live a comfortable and fun life, then what’s the point of getting mired in empty, abstract irrelevant philosophy or dull, old fashioned, restrictive moralism? But what if the cultural assumptions of our day are wrong? What if there is a solid, convincing and winsome answer to the deepest questions of our life and death? What if that answer is not some abstract philosophical speculation but a real life lived in human history? What if that life could address our insecurity, fear and loneliness? What if that life could speak to the deep sense of meaninglessness that sometimes haunts our life, or the dark and cynical despair in our culture? What if that life had the power to undo our death?
Just for a moment, suspend your disbelief. Imagine all of this was possible: that you
could come to a place of believing that this person was deeply credible and satisfying, that you could face life and death with a strong, reliable, satisfying sense of meaning and hope. Would you be interested? How much would that be worth to you? What would you give in exchange for that hope? For what would you be willing to forfeit that hope?
This, of course, is the claim of Jesus of Nazareth. The Biblical diagnosis of the world which we experience every day is that on the one hand it’s wonderful beyond all telling, and on the other hand that it’s ruined and horrifically defaced. The reason for the wonder is that the world is intended to reflect its creator.
The reason for the brokenness is that humanity has rejected our creator and embraced evil. Jesus claims in his life, torture and execution to have gone head to head with evil. Evil has done its worst to him and killed him in a cruel, unjust and brutal way. But the hinge on which history turns is the claim that after three days he rose from the dead. If Jesus rose from the dead, then he’s overcome death. If death is the ultimate consequence of evil, then he’s overcome evil. And if he’s overcome evil then he has the power to overcome evil and death in the world, to transform my life and undo my death.
The life of Jesus and the resurrection claim to be historical events which can be investigated and tested. If this is true, would you be willing to consider it?
Olney Churches Together
The ‘Big Questions’
Rev Ian Field
GFS
FENCING SERVICES
GARDEN CLEARANCE
Remembering those who sacrificed their lives to bring us peace
by Claire Wood
I often wonder about how much we squeeze into each day. Many
have said that they struggle to fit everything in and would really like
to haveAsLoLmeHAtimReDoLuAt,NsoDmSeCpAePaIcNe,GaFcEhAaTncUeRtoESre:flect on what
Good quality, well
is actually happening, to enjoy the daily blessings, or perhaps the
please do use the drop off point at the baHckEoDf SGt Peter and St Paul’s E CUTTING
Patios, pathways, retaining walls, flights of steps;
Church. It’s a Big Blue Box that will be taken regularly to the depot.
opportunity to address an issue that has arisen.
Hard & soft wood available
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Archways, trellising, pergolas, bowers, decking;
Taking time out and enjoying the peace and space it brings is some-
The Churches of Olney .... your invitation
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Upright Fencing
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peace in our tro
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Ponds, water features, lighting.
All Carried Out ThFeoCrharisretialinabClheu,rfcrhiensdolfyOlney celebratePrthoefeirssciomnmalolynafanidth, and expresssteherviricweorcshailpl:with refreshing divCerosuitryt,eforoumslycoanttSeemnpsoibralery to
thing not to be neglected.
Yet the opportunities to enjoy peace, and to share freely with one an-
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other are blessings to be valued. Many countries across the world are
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devFasotraatefdribeynwdalyr panrodfoepspsiroesnsaiol ng,aardndenliivninggspeeravciceea,bly alongside
traditional approaches, and thought provoking Bible teaching. Come a0lo1ng9- w0e8’d lo5ve1to6ge3t t8o k7now you.MOB: 07740 715158
one another is just a dream. In our own country, we have in the past
please ring Rosemary on 01234 241053.
07801 434042
faced similar challenges. Yet today, we are able to enjoy our freedom,
More information is available from each Church, their leaders and
Harvest with a difference
• Pruning, turfing and planting • Patio cleaning and block
www.arotodesign.co.uk
TEL: 01234 881633
TAYLOR LANDSCAPES
• Shrub and hedge cutting, trimming and shaping
• Leylandi reduction and re- moval
because many sacrificed themselves to guarantee our peace and safety, an act of love that continues to the present day.
On Sunday 10th November at 10am there is a short service of Re- membrance with many of the local uniformed organisations in attend- ance at St Peter and St Paul Church Olney. This will be followed by a
websites.
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Every year the gathering in of the harvest is celebrated. For many
paving renovation
• Slab laying
• Garden clearance
• General maintenance and
there is still a strong connection with the harvesting of crops in our
fields, or even on a smaller scale the harvesting of fruit from our trees
and hedges, such as blackberries.
Giving thanks for the provision of food still remains a key part of our
Harvest service, as does the collection of
for the MK FoodBank. Many of the local schools also collect at this
time of year. Olney Infant Academy shared some of their thoughts
supplied and fitted
PAVING PATIOS FENCES
01234 714634 07816 097797
and gifts at the service on Wednesday 9th October.
GARDEN MAINTENANCE PATHWAYS CLEARANCE
It was definitely a family affair as can be seen from this photo.
The need for food provided by the Food bank donations, is greater 64 Phonebox Magazine
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debris removal service
• Gutter cleaning
• Quality fencing & trellising
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FIREWOOD SUPPLIES
than ever and is a year round need. If you would like to make a
donation at any time and struggle to get to Milton Keynes, then
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