Belgrave South Baptist Church

December 22, 2024

Some seafaring prayers for the new year…

“Some things in life ebb as others flow,
and some things flow as others ebb.
Lord, let my praises never reach an ebb tide.”
~ David Adam

The following prayer is ascribed to Saint Brendan the Navigator before sailing across the Atlantic (late 5th century).
This is perhaps a prayer for all who set out on fresh adventures with God – and indeed the adventure of a new year…
Shall I abandon, O King of mysteries,
the soft comforts of home?
Shall I turn my back on my native land,
and turn my face towards the sea?
Shall I put myself wholly at your mercy,
without silver, without a horse, without fame, without honor?
Shall I throw myself wholly upon You, without sword and shield,
without food and drink, without a bed to lie on?
Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land,
placing myself under Your yoke?
Shall I pour out my heart to You,
confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness,
tears streaming down my cheeks?
Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach,
a record of my final prayer in my native land?
Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict?
Shall I take my tiny boat across the wide sparkling ocean?
O King of the Glorious Heaven,
shall I go of my own choice upon the sea?
O Christ, will You help me on the wild waves?

——————-
Whether an allegory or partially based on fact, Brendan’s story of crossing the Atlantic in small, fragile boats, stands as a metaphor for the journey of faith – risk taking but discovering God’s care and provision. May this year, 2025, be such a year for us…

Julian Holdsworth

 BSBC Pastor

December 15, 2024

In 2008 a movie was released by Sony Pictures. It was called Vantage Point and was a thriller starring Dennis Quaid (spoilers ahead).

It begins with the US President being assassinated.  In the movie we are shown the same 15-minute scene five times through the eyes of five different witnesses.  It is only after we have seen all five perspectives that we suddenly grasp with surprise what really happened.

In Revelation 12-14, something similar occurs. The events surrounding Christmas, the Cross and the Church are seen from the perspectives of Heaven, of Earth and the Church.

What do these chapters teach in their strange (to us) cultural and historical forms? They show us that Satan is putting up a fierce fight but is ultimately defeated.  They show us that the good news that is birthed into the world comes often at great cost for believers.  They show us that victories can be achieved here and now, in real time and space as disciples are made and cultures are transformed – we are not to hide from the battle waiting for the future but to engage actively.  But these chapters also teach that it is the final analysis that counts and we are to be those who, while not seeing things from every vantage point, are to be those who trust that ‘our present troubles are nothing compared to the beauty and wonder of what’s coming’ (Romans 8).   From time to time we may get glimpses of that other vantage point but in the meantime we pray and work and discern and see through eyes of faith to the coming day.

• The long-awaited Messiah came at Christmas.
• The church is to ‘bring’ that Messiah into every corner of the world.
• Like the Messiah, we may suffer too as we go into our world.
• That same Messiah is coming again to transform all creation.

While our present world problems may look at times, horrific, we have another vantage point.  It is this: we’ve read the end of the book and (spoilers!), God wins!

Let us hold on to this sure and certain hope – Jesus came and is coming again!

Julian Holdsworth

 BSBC Pastor