Newsletter: August, 2005

What is Wisdom?

One of the things that wisdom is not, is knowledge. While wisdom may have something to do with the correct use of knowledge at the right time, it is not knowledge itself.

In the Old Testament, wisdom has been given great importance and is personified as a woman. Wisdom is faithful and does not try to trap or endanger anyone. Wisdom offers a person a long life and teaches the fear of the Lord and is more precious than the finest of jewels and more to be sought after than the greatest of fortunes. The young King Solomon was wise indeed when he asked for wisdom. He asks for help that he might be a better instrument in the hand of the Lord. All the things he could have asked for, he doesn’t and because of that, God gives him all the things that he doesn’t ask for.

In the New Testament, wisdom is also very much to be sought after. James, in his Epistle, encourages his readers to ask God for wisdom. And in the urgings of Jesus, such as “Listen, then, if you have ears,” we have implied the need for wisdom. Wisdom is compared with treasure and much of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven is about treasure. The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field; like a pearl that is so beautiful it is worth more than anything else. And knowing that nothing else is worth more than the Kingdom of Heaven — knowing that is wisdom. Knowing that there is this treasure where moths and rust cannot attack and where it is safe from robbers, that is worth being wise about.

When everything we know has gone, vanished, when our words are silent, our possessions destroyed, there will remain still the Kingdom of Heaven and love of God. There is no greater thing that this.

No way will we ever attain wisdom, or receive it, or even begin to know what it is, until we start to admit our own failings and faults, our own weaknesses and sins. Unless we are honest to ourselves and honest to God about what he already knows about us, we can never hope to receive his wisdom.

Wisdom is to do with knowing what is true wealth and what is false. There are so many people today who outwardly scoff at God, who say, “He is not there,” or “He can’t hear us any more.” I think the silence is a sign of God’s patience. He has overcome the greatest enemy of all, he has defeated Satan and destroyed sin and death for ever. What we experience of evil in this earthly life of ours may bring us a great deal of suffering, but really it is the final thrashing death throes of an evil that is doomed to death by the victory won by Christ through his death on the cross and his resurrection.

It is a wise person indeed who recognises what is temporary and transient in life, whether it is power or wealth, influence or importance, talent or the latest music album. Jesus taught, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will added unto you...” but maybe not the music album!

Just as we think about the Kingdom of Heaven being like a person finding treasure hidden in a field, so we should remember the great secret of the Christian faith which Paul make know to us in his letter to the Colossians — Christ is is you. It is no use looking for Christ “out there” or “over here” — look for Christ whose Spirit dwells inside you. His is the small voice speaking to us in time of temptation and in time of need. His is the source of strength when like is more tough that it usually is. And when things are really so bad that we feel we cannot stand, he is the one who carries us through.

Real wisdom is knowing that Christ is here, within. Real wisdom is knowing this, and living life in the knowledge that we are in the presence of the King. Real wisdom is the humility of putting ourselves at God’s disposal and asking him to make us better instruments in his hands to do his work. Real wisdom is the knowledge that we have been given a job to bring God’s love to the people he loves most, and that means bringing God’s love to everyone, for Jesus came into the world because God so loved the world. True wisdom is not only knowing the love of God within, but obeying his command to share that love with others.

Let us not lose an opportunity, but let’s use the wisdom God gives, that others may also find the Christ within. And together, let us share the treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the love and peace of God.

adapted from a sermon by Tom Bayliss

KNITTING CIRCLE
We have several people now knitting little jumpers and would welcome more of you to join in. Any bright colours would be fine but please — no white wool (this is a sign of mourning in some parts of the world)
Abbreviations
K - knit, P - purl, st - stitch, beg - beginning, rep - repeat, cm - centimetres, in - inches, mm - millimetres. To fit chest cm 46 (51, 56, 61) - in 18 (20, 22, 24) Double Knitting x 50 gram balls 2 (3, 3, 3) BACK & FRONT (alike) With No. 3¼mm / size 10 needles, cast on 51 (57, 63, 69) sts and K7 (7, 9, 9) rows. Change to No. 4mm / size 8 needles and work in pattern as follows: ++1st row - (Right side) K. 2nd row - P 3rd to 6th row - rep 1st and 2nd row twice. 7th & 8th rows - K. These 8 rows form pattern. Continue in pattern until work measures 16 (17, 19, 22) cm, ending with right side facing for next row. ++ Keeping continuity of pattern, cast on 15 [ 18 22 26 ] sts for Sleeves at the beg of next 2 rows ( 81 [ 93 107 121] sts). Next row - K3, - pattern to last 3 sts, K3. Rep last row until work measures 25 28 31 35 ] cm, ending with right side facing for next row. Next row - K3, pattern 17 [ 20 24 28. K41 [ 47 53 59], pattern 17 20 24 28 ], K3. Rep last row 4 times more. Cast off. TO MAKE UP Do not press. Join side and underarm seams, then join cast off edges together, leaving sufficient free at centre for head to go through.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Some class photographs from the 1950s, 1960s and possibly 1970s at the Infants School in Englefield Green have come to light and are to be displayed in St Jude’s Church. Do come along on Saturdays between 1.00 and 4.00pm to have a look, to see if you recognise anyone and to have a cup of tea and a chat.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Matrimony:
(2nd July) Gary Richard Hall and Laura Fenn.

Funerals:
(6th July) Stanley Robbins; (20th) Keith Frederick Shaw.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CONFIRMATION
The Vicar will be preparing one more groups of candidates for Confirmation before she retires. The service will be in Guildford Cathedral on 31st October. This is an opportunity for both adults’ and young people (aged 10 and above). Preparation will be organised depending on individuals. Please let her know soon if you would like your name added.

CALENDAR FOR AUGUST 2005