The Value of Just One Life

We live in an amazing country, where human life is valued immensely. As many of you are aware my daughter was involved in a head on car crash in October. As a family we have been so thankful for the wonderful care she and her husband have received, and after three months their recovery is progressing so well, that they are starting to resume normal lives.

So what are we thankful for?

People at the crash site who just stopped and did whatever they could.

The mobile phone network, enabling the emergency services to be alerted quickly.

The police for their care and helping to keep everyone safe.

The first responders and ambulance crews, who help the casualties at such a crucial time.

The fire and rescue service, who skilfully and safely enable people to be released from unbelievable carnage.

The Emergency Department, which swiftly diagnose and put in place the intervention needed to save lives and limit the long-term effects of the trauma.

The surgeons and their team for their ability to repair fragile human bodies.

For the ongoing care of the nursing staff who are there 24/7.

For those who take time out of busy lives to visit, or message, or pick up the phone.

For physiotherapists and all who help with rehabilitation.

For the support of family and close friends, without whom we could not carry on.

And so the list goes on and on.

We value human life, and I am so thankful of that, which is why we all want the NHS and the emergency services to be even better and to be funded well.

We are also thankful for so many people across the world who pray and lift up to God those who are in great need. Personally, I am thankful to the Plymouth Street Pastor who on the night of the accident prayed all night long (and has faithfully prayed since).

Lastly and most importantly to The Lord God of heaven and earth who in his mercy helps us in our time of need. He is never far away, and we have been aware of his presence and intervention at crucial times.

I am determined to start a new decade with a more thankful spirit. Looking for the good in one another. Thanking God for the value of even one life.

May we all be more thankful for the many blessings of living in our nation.

All the best for 2020 and beyond.

Martin

"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"

A pastoral letter for those who are finding it difficult to celebrate Christmas.

In the middle of October my daughter was involved in a head on car crash on the A38. Every day since we have been travelling to hospital to visit her. It seems to me that the whole world is getting ready for Christmas except us. Normally I am as caught up in the excitement of the preparations as anyone else, but this time the pain of life has got in the way.

This has made me think about all the people who aren’t able to look forward to Christmas this year. Perhaps they are ill or have a sick family member. Maybe it’s because of grief or relationship breakdown.

My prayers are for everyone who has heartache and heart break this Christmas. That they will not be alone, that others will reach out and care. That God will be with them in their dark times.

May the Christ child who was born in a dark, cold, lonely manger come alongside us right now and walk with us through the tough times ahead. May the Jesus of the cross who knew pain and rejection give us hope for the future. May the God who said, “I am the way the truth and the life” lead us into life everlasting.

Martin

I'm a Celebrity - Get me out of here!

As I write this the ITV series, ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’ is just beginning. Each year a dozen celebrities spend up to three weeks in the Australian jungle living on rice and beans, eating all kinds of hideous bush tucker food, going through various trials and struggling with being away from all the modern comforts of life. Why do they do it? Well, they are paid a lot, plus there is normally a boost to their careers. Most of the contestants express that being away from social media and all the comforts of life actually have many benefits. They are able to get in touch with themselves; there is less stress and they learn the value of teamwork and friendships. They struggle most of all with missing their close friends and family.

Recently there was a programme on Channel four called, ‘The British Tribe next Door’. The programme makers decided to build an exact replica of Scarlett Moffatt’s family home right next to a Himba tribal settlement in the Namibian desert. One of the main things to come out of the programme was our reliance on “stuff”. One of the Himba ladies said, “Scarlett, why have you got so many shoes?” The Himba’s simple way of life and pursuit of happiness through working together and even the whole family sleeping together in their one room huts is a challenge to our constant accumulation of more things.

Maybe as Christmas approaches with the pressure for more food, more things, more, more, more, it is time to think back to the first Christmas and the birth of the son of God. Born in a borrowed stable, lying in a cow’s feeding trough, visited by unfamiliar shepherds, brought gifts by mysterious men from the East, driven out of Bethlehem as a refugee to avoid being a part of genocide.

This poor insignificant family brought up the most influential person who has ever lived on the planet. Take some time this Christmas, put aside all the “stuff” just for a while and think of him – Jesus the one who said, “I have come that you might have life. Life in all its fullness.”

May the stress and busyness of Christmas not hinder you from finding Him and finding time to relax and be yourself with those you love.

Martin