Tag: God

Witness to God

nastursiums with water droplets. Light transforming darkness.
photo: Mr G

Martyrs – God’s witnesses

We probably don’t get as excited and inspired by stories of Christian martyrs as did the early Christians.
Of course, we in England, don’t have to face persecution for our faith in the same way that they did
—though many Christians throughout the world are imprisoned or killed for believing in Jesus Christ and living their lives as Christians.

Last Monday, February 16th, the Church remembered Janani Luwum , Archbishop of Uganda, who died in a car ‘accident’ in 1977. This proved to be no accident because his death was ordered by the dictator Idi Amin, the tyrant who found the opposition of the Christian Church to his harsh rule too much to bear. Janani was a voice Amin decided to silence so his death was arranged. He became one of the countless martyrs to the Christian faith in a century in which more Christians died than any other.

A martyrs’ death always inspired the Church in the past. Not only did it remind Christians of the costliness of discipleship, it also stood as a witness to those who believe that we too are to stand firm in our faith against opposition.
Today we may not live in a country where we shall be murdered for going to Church but there are many signs that Christianity no longer holds the place in British society than it did, nor is the Christian way of life all that popular. In a sea of indifference, witnessing to God is as powerful today as it was in the face of active persecution.

One of the most inspiring stories of martyrdom comes from the early days of the Church. In 155AD, St Polycarp was put to death by a Roman Governor because he refused to renounce his belief in Jesus. He is remembered today, February 23^rd. He had been Bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor for 40 years when the Roman Emperor demanded that Christians turn away from Christ and swear that only Caesar was lord. Polycarp refused and he made what has become a classic statement of faith:

“Eighty and Six years have I served Him and He has done me no wrong.
How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour. I am a Christian.”

Polycarp paid the price for his witness to Jesus and the account of his martyrdom swept through the Christian world becoming a strength for many others who faced persecution. He became what TS Eliot said in his play ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ – one of those who was used by God for his love of men, to warn them and to lead them, to bring them back to his ways.

Though we may not be put to death or imprisoned for our faith, it isn’t true for everyone today. There is plenty of evidence that people of faith suffer for what they believe and even in countries like the United Kingdom we are still called to a life of witness against a background of indifference, ridicule, unbelief , hatred and verbal opposition.
When we are up against it and our faith is under attack it is in the martyrs lives (and deaths) that we can find a strengthening of our own faith. We are reminded that ordinary Christians with faith like ours refused to deny that faith even when it was costly to keep it.

During Lent, Polycarp can be our inspiration too. We serve God because he has blessed our lives (and so done us no wrong but rather done us good!) and so we can be proud to call ourselves Christians. If during Lent we meditate on just how much good God has done for us and resolve, therefore, to serve him as witnesses in the world, whatever the cost, then Lent will become a time in which our faith is made more strong and when we are led back to his ways—the way of self-giving Love.

[Mr G. 23rd Feb 2026]

PS> Though this article is written from a Christian standpoint, other religions are called to witness to God and also to lead costly and sacrificial lives. Let all who love and are loved by God share in showing the meaning of that love to a world so desperately in need of it, and of God.

Thanks be to God

A wise friend once said to me that it only costs the price of a stamp to thank people for something they have done for us or a kindness they have shown to us. Saying Thank You can seem a small thing to do but it can make a world of difference to the person receiving thanks.
Today we might do this via email, WhatsApp or telephone but sending and receiving a greetings card is still rather special.

Kindness is something which is too often lacking in society and it’s all too easy to take people for granted.
That is particularly true about God. We take his love for us for granted and we can fall short of thanking him for his goodness to us.
That is something that I think as we approach Lent.

At a time when so much in the world is dark and negative, life can exist in a state of gloom and emptiness.
That can only ever be part of the story. There are many things that happen which are much more positive. There are also people who make our lives happy and hopeful, joyful and full of kindness.
So, one thing which can help us to change the balance from despair and sadness to joy and gladness is to spend time on giving thanks. In particular we can use the period of Lent as a time of thankfulness to God.
At the beginning and end of each day we can identify something that has happened recently and for which we can thank God. Maybe write these things in a notebook which build up into a special kind of prayer book, or maybe use post-it notes.

We can offer our thanks in a very simple way. During a time of quiet, perhaps only a few minutes, you can tell God your thanksgiving. It may be for some personal action of God’s grace in your life or for something good that has happened to you or you may want to thank him for taking care of you through a difficult period of your life. You may simply want to thank him for the way he continually blesses you and holds you in love. It may be a thanks for what others have contributed to your life, or for a kindness to a friend or relative. It may be for a new insight into the working of God’s love and grace.

Basically we want to Thank God for his many blessings to us—blessings which far outweigh anything negative in our Life.
We continually rejoice at the way God showers his love and grace upon us and how God blesses our efforts to live out the Gospel and try to live a corporate and individual life of discipleship. We try to serve God as best we can and He guides, strengthens and rejoices in that service.
The Book of Common Prayer has a prayer of General Thanksgiving which we might pray. This prayer can gather your thanks to God. Here’s a modern version.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us
and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves
to your service, and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Or something quicker,
a prayer of Dag Hammarkjold (a former General Secretary of the United Nations )

Dear God,
For all that has been, Thanks!
For all that will be, Yes!

[Mr. G. February 14th 2026]

A Surprise of Creation

Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha austriaca)

These photos come from my friend, Gill Henwood.

Gill was tidying up her garden ready for Spring recently. –
“We found this in our damp dell whilst cutting back ferns to give emerging snowdrops more light.
This is a Scarlet Elf Cup (Fungus), A beautiful deep scarlet, hidden within the soft blush cup.
Vibrant colour, in a woodland floor of decaying twigs and leaves, and mosses.
Creation surprises us with unexpected delights. Rich red on a gloomy, cloudy, drizzling day.”

For more information, visit the Woodland Trust website, which describes the Elf Cup as ‘Mystical and cheery.’ Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. Their bright pops of colour brighten up even the darkest winter day.

Elsewhere we read that, ‘The Scarlet Elf Cup’ gets its name from folklore that says woodland elves use the vibrant, cup-shaped fungi as tiny goblets to drink morning dew or that fairies bathe in the rainwater collected in them. Its bright red colour against the winter woodland floor, combined with its delicate, cup-like shape, inspired these imaginative tales of mythical beings.

Elf-cups (a poem by Mr G)

Hidden beneath decaying leaves
forest debris moves.
Soil crumbles beneath finger and thumb
of creation’s constant action.
Earth changing shape as pale wintry light
penetrates the woodland womb
bringing to birth cup-like, colourful fungi
signs that winter prepares to herald Spring.
God’s creation always surprises us,
if we but look with open hearts
ever expectant to be captivated.

Yet look again – these chalices of winter dew
may carry Nature’s sacrament of new life
to waiting elves!

Mr G. 24^th January 2026

Seeking the Truth and Grace of God together

Photo from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Thoughts during The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Last week at a funeral, I met a relative of the girl who had died. It was a Christian funeral but he was a Muslim relative. He was amongst members of the family who came from France but he had been brought up in Algeria.
Despite the language and faith differences we managed to have quite a chat! Inevitably we touched on our differing faiths but soon found level ground when we talked about Abraham, known biblically as the ‘father of the nations’. The Muslim faith together with the Christian and the Jewish faiths all have Abraham in common. We can all trace our roots back to him which is why we sometimes refer to being Abrahamic in origin.
I always enjoy these chance encounters because, if we concentrate on what we hold in common, they are often very enriching. God, Prayer and worship are the bedrock of all our religions.

Later, I thought about the many conversations and dealings I have had with those of other faiths. For example, I support a small charity named, Abraham’s Children in Crisis, which touches the lives of a group of children and young people living in the West Bank of Israel. Most are Muslim but there are no barriers and some are Jewish.
They are supported in their education and medical care by Christians here in Britain.
I know their names; what they look like; how they are struggling and how they support each other. I thought of them often during these troubled times. In a small way I try to share their fragile lives.

Some time ago now I was at a wedding which was a double one – in that it was held first in London at the Cyprian Orthodox Cathedral because the husband was an Orthodox Christian. We then travelled to Kolkata for a Hindu ceremony because Rumi was of the Hindu Faith. Both ceremonies were fascinating and very moving. I was enriched by the experience . One of my special Internet blog friends is KK who is also an Hindu so I feel a sense of closeness to him because of Rumi’s wedding.
Another Rumi has a special place in my life because I am deeply inspired by his poetry. He is the famous 13^th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic.Within Christianity I have discovered and engaged with many differing believers in Jesus Christ, whom we claim as our Lord and King.
My own journey of faith began with its roots partly in Roman Catholicism. I was then sent to a Methodist Sunday School and I am now a strong adherent to the Anglican practice of the Christian Faith. Who knows where I’ll end up!

I am pondering these thoughts because this week, followers of Jesus Christ are keeping Christian Unity Week.
Many things have happened throughout our history to divide us and even within particular denominations there is much brokenness and need for repentance but there is, at heart, a God who loves us and cares for us as His children.

It sometimes feels that what gets in the way of Unity – the sense that we are united as all God’s children- is because every church or group seem to think that they alone have the truth.(Bit like some world political leaders just now!)
How false is that!
I think that’s why I love and respect what the former Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, says that only in heaven is there Truth. On earth there are truths. God is the only real truth and all over the globe people are seeking to answer that profound question of Pilate to Jesus at his trial – what is truth?
Truth on earth, Rabbi Sacks says, is not, nor can it aspire to be, the whole truth. It is limited, not comprehensive; particular, not universal. What propositions conflict is not necessarily because one is true and the other false He suggests that the difference is because we are coming at something from different angles but both are only part of the truth
I believe that we can only look to God for the real answer and anyone who claims to hold THE truth exclusive of others, is bound to be mistaken. We can only learn truth if we listen to others and share our insights with each other and, of course, listen to God together in prayer.
There is so much to learn and be excited by the story of people’s journey of faith and the joy and encouragement that brings to my own journey. We all have so much to share with each other and so much to discover about God.

There is much in Judaism I admire and there is much in Islam that I respect. My Hindu hairdresser in the North taught me a lot about prayer in the family. I love the joyful and convincing hymn-singing and biblical insights of the Methodists. I like the ritual and devotion of the Roman Catholic Church. I love the ceremonies of High Anglicanism; the intellectual honesty of Anglican theology; the exuberant praise worship of our evangelical brethren.
I draw strength from Celtic insights into the sacredness of places and people; I enjoy the simple rhythm of Taizé; I find enrichment in ancient prayer forms like the Labyrinth; I adore the Orthodox Liturgy.
I am reduced to silence by the witness of monastic places like Bec in Normandy, where prayer is the breath of the place;
I like the simplicity of worship in a quiet rural church and my heart soars during Anglican Cathedral Evensong. I am loving being spiritually fed by Pope Leo!
I find talking and listening to other believers fascinating.

And God is in all that and in much, much more. He is bigger than all our concepts of Him or He would not be God.
Wide Vision goes with deep exploration. God is always teaching us something new.
Evelyn Underhill spoke of all our differing expressions of faith as ‘Chapels in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit’. I like that.

We are all part of the Universal People of God. What gives any church real authenticity is if, in the words of Michael Ramsey, we are filled with the grace-giving presence of Jesus Christ. Grace-filled churches have no need of labels. They simply reflect God and so try to live in close friendship with GOD, the giver of Grace and Truth.

[Mr G. 2oth January 2026]