Our mottoes and pulpit falls

The Rugby Baptist Church motto for 2013 is this:

Many are the plans in a human heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

The 2013 Pulpit Fall
(Click to enlarge)

Human beings get things wrong. As these examples demonstrate:

As we look back on 2012 and forward to 13 where did we get things wrong? In our relationships, our judgments, our actions our priorities? And where can we find help to do better in 2013? Here is one answer. The book of Proverbs is best seen as a textbook designed to educate human beings in general and young people in particular. Its purpose is to encourage wise living (1:2–7). The Proverbs divides into two main parts: a series of instructions and speeches by Wisdom personified in chs. 1–9, and collections of usually short proverbial sayings in chs. 10–31. As we work our way through 2013 may I suggest that we all take a look at the Proverbs again as the year unfolds. 31 chapters full of practical wisdom, spiritual insight and guides to healthy living. For at their heart they remind us of this vital truth: Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21. This powerful proverb reminds us that no matter what we might plan... no matter how confused or evil the purposes of some may be... God’s purposes ultimately prevail!

Michael I Bochenski, Minister.

This is the Rugby Baptist Church motto text for 2012

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phillipians 4:6)

The 2012 Pulpit Fall
(Click to enlarge)

George Herbert’s poem Prayer helpfully introduces the 2012 Motto Text here at RBC.

Prayer the church's banquet, angel's age,
      God's breath in man returning to his birth,
      The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,
The Christian plummet sounding heav'n and earth
Engine against th' Almighty, sinner's tow'r,
      Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,
      The six-days world transposing in an hour,
A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;
Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,
      Exalted manna, gladness of the best,
      Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,
The milky way, the bird of Paradise,
      Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul's blood,
      The land of spices; something understood.

Whatever joys or troubles we may face as 2012 unfolds let us never forget that “The Lord of all glory is only a prayer away”.

Michael I Bochenski (Minister)

This is the Rugby Baptist Church motto text for 2011

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
(Psalm 119: 105)

The 2011 Pulpit Fall
(Click to enlarge)

A preacher who was facing a long walk home at night-time tells the story of how he was once given a branch of lit pitch-pine to help his journey: 'Going two miles into a neighbourhood where very few could read to spend an evening in reading to a company who were assembled to listen and about to return by a narrow path through the woods where paths diverged, I was provided with a torch of light wood, or "pitch pine." I objected: it was too small, weighing not much over half a pound. "It will light you home," answered my host. I said, the wind may blow it out." He said, "It will light you home." "But if it should rain?" I again objected. "It will light you home," he insisted. Contrary to my fears, it indeed gave abundant light to my path all the way home...I often think, of the way in which doubting hearts would be led safely along the "narrow way." if only they would take the Bible as their guide, it would be a lamp to their feet, leading to the heavenly home. In the words of my good friend who furnished the torch, “It will light you home."'

Our 2011 motto text comes from Psalm 119 - the most comprehensive - and longest - of all the psalms. It is unique in the poetry of the Bible. Each section - and there are 22 of them - begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Hebrew being the language much of the OT was written in. What is more, each verse in that same alphabetical section also begins with that same letter. 22 such poems are then linked together to make a whole. Psalm 119 is then a mosaic of thoughts. Its subject matter ranges over blessings and curses, hymns and thanksgivings, confessions and assertions, laments and supplications, affirmations of faith and wisdom sayings. At its heart is the conviction that the Word of God is the decisive factor in every sphere of life. Almost every verse refers to this in some way. Different terms may be used but they all refer to the Word and laws of God : ordinances, testimonies, precepts, statutes, decrees, commands. There are references to experiences of hardship and persecution in this psalm and to experiences of joy and blessing. In all of this mixture, God’s Word brings comfort and strength to the psalmist. They are his most precious treasure, the source of his joy and delight, the goal of his knowledge and the standard for conduct through life.

As 2011 unfolds there will be many who will claim to be able to guide us through its joys and pain - economists, councillors, politicians and journalists among them. Here at RBC we have come to put our trust in Jesus Christ and the book that contains His teachings and is, indeed, all about Him: the Bible. And each year since the C17th when our church here began, we have opened this book to help people all over Rugby find the way home. In 2011 we will do so in a variety of ways. Through:

• Sunday Bible readings and sermons, using a popular lectionary to help open up a psalm,an Old Testament reading, a gospel passage and a New Testament letter for us each week of the year.
• Housegroups which meet in several venues across the town (and on various evenings) to explore God's Word in small home groups.
• Our midweek meetings where the Bible is often read and explained.
• Personal Bible reading schemes which are made available to those who want help in reading through the whole of the Bible.
• Regularly sharing news and information about Assemblies and Conferences, special speakers and lectures to help us all "...grow in grace and in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ."

And as we do this we will find that the Bible provides guidance and help to us all through all the changing scenes of life. Here are some examples that may be of help to you too as 2011 unfolds:

• When in sorrow 2 Corinthians 1:3 4; John 14:27
• When we worry Matthew 6:19, 25 34
• When God seems far away Psalm 139
• When we want rest and peace Matthew 11:28 30
• When we have become a Christian John 5:24; 1 John 5:11-12
• When we are lonely Psalm 27; Hebrews 13:5
• When people seem unkind Ephesians 4:32
• When we are discouraged Isaiah 40; Psalm 126
• For those who are bereaved Psalm 23; John 11:25
• When we grow bitter or critical 1 Corinthians 13

Christians are those who have found in the Bible - and through the Church where it is proclaimed - a faith to live by and a faith to die by. A living and personal faith in a living and personal God. The Bible will light us home.. but we do first need to open it to switch on the light!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Michael I Bochenski (Minister)

This is the Rugby Baptist Church motto text for 2010

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
(Psalm 57: 11)

The 2010 Pulpit Fall
(Click to enlarge)

After years of planning to save the planet the Copenhagen Environment Summit ended in failure with South blaming North and East blaming West and vice versa. And meanwhile the planet heats up, pollution levels continue with few meaningful controls and month by month more species of life on earth struggle to survive or - worse - become extinct.

On a global scale the world continues to witness the growing divide between the haves and the have nots. One half of the world's population (3 billion people) are living on £1.50 p a day. Think about it.

The UK economy is also in a mess. Some estimates suggest that as a country we are now over £800 billion pounds in debt. Successive governments have spent more money each year that they are able to raise by taxation. The shortfall has been bridged by selling bonds to investors at home and abroad. These bonds - known as gilts - have to be repaid in full and with interest. It is as if a huge credit card company out there has somehow been given the rights to much of the UK now and in the future. Whoever comes to power in the Spring - Cameron, Brown or either of them with a dose of Clegg - will face huge problems: how do we find new ways to tax UK citizens more at the same time as finding acceptable ways of cutting public spending radically?

And as for our industrial base you only have to consider the estimates of unemployment approaching 3 million and see the collapse of so many local industries over the years in and around the West Midlands to realise that the UK is badly placed to face this new decade. And with the threatened loss of at least some of London's crucial finance industry this is all the more true. And yet the motto text I have chosen for 2010 is a strong, clear and positive one:
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
(Psalm 57: 11)

The editor of what we now know of as the Book of Psalms linked Psalm 57 with the David stories in 1 Sam 22-4. Psalm 57 has traditionally been interpreted as David's response to a life-threatening situation - trapped in a dark cave expecting his death at any moment. For King Saul, a madman by this time, had taken three thousand of his finest fighting men with him to hunt down and kill David and his men. So much for all of God's promises to David. So much for his faith. It must have seemed an impossible situation. We find David's initial response to danger and difficulty in verse 1: 'Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.' Notice where David keeps his immediate focus even though he lives in difficult times. David's immediate focus was on God. David responded to impending danger by confidently seeking God's protection and help. Lesson one for 2010 from Psalm 57: in difficult times, focus on God.

The reason why David was able to keep his focus on God rather than on his danger can be found in v. 2. 'I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.' Why does David address God as "God Most High?" By addressing God in that way, David recognized that the God he worshipped is a God who has ultimate authority over heaven and earth. Lesson two for 2010 from Psalm 57: in difficult times, trust in the One who is God Most High.

David's third response is our motto text for 2010: verse 5 and repeated in verse 11. David's responded to difficulty and danger with an attitude of worship and praise. And how! Look at verses 8-10. David knew that the God Most High deserved the best praise and worship he could offer in good times or bad. Lesson three for 2010 from Psalm 57: when in difficulty continue to worship and to praise God.

It is easy to appreciate God's greatness during the good times. But this psalm teaches us to appreciate God's greatness during the difficult and dangerous times as well. In the caves of life. And so I invite you to affirm the words of our motto text through the good and bad bad news stories of 2010...through the new tax bills that are (probably)coming... through the vagaries of a British General Election and as our world tries to recover from the disaster of Copenhagen. And as personally we face 2010 with its opportunities and its problems large or small:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
(Psalm 57: 11)

Please pray and say it with me often as 2010 unfolds...

Michael I Bochenski (Minister)

Earlier mottoes and pulpit falls(Click images to enlarge)

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