In many ways I have got out of the habit of watching much tv. I catch the odd programme but rarely watch a series. An exception was made this week for Big Chef takes on Little Chef. In this programme, legendary chef, Heston Blumenthal agreed to develop a new menu for the ailing roadside diner. Occasionally, on the trip to North Wales, Nigel and I will stop at the Little Chef in Builth Wells. It is a habit and not a good one at that. For year Little Chef has been synonymous with poor quality, over priced food. It is the sort of business that the Americans can do easily and that the UK has failed abysmally to imitate.
The food the Heston produces is often extremely complex using unique ingredients and processes so to watch him assist a company that had no pans and did all its cooking on a griddle and in a microwave was intriguing. The jury is still out on whether the experiment will work but it made fascinating tv. Due to its dire service and food, Little Chef has become bankrupt. Whilst it has been bought out by venture capitalists, the British public have still to be persuaded that the brand has any value. They have fallen so far behind what is expected of them.
My reading of Galatians continue and I am now on chapter 6. In the NIV version of the bible it is headed Doing Good to All. The opening of the chapter is very interesting. Paul, who at times can seem hard effectively continues his campaign against legalism into the area of sin. Old covenant often called for harsh punishment but the message of Jesus is "Let him without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7). So he encourages them to restore sinners "gently" In many ways this was and is a controversial message. So often it is easy to be condemning when sin becomes evident. However, there is no doubt that affirming people in their sinful state is also not on option. In a church that believes in grace this is clearly important. Grace and self-control are essential partners. As people are convicted of their sin they need to be helped to walk into God's plans and purposes for their lives.
He also cautions those that seek to help them not to be dragged into their ways. So often as we work alongside someone we can believe that we are immune to their issues. This pride is a weakness that the devil can exploit. Additionally when dealing we deep issues there is the potential for co-dependency.
RD Laing in his classic text Self and Others quotes Rabbi Kabia "more than the calf wishes to suck, does the cow yearn to suckle" When we agree to help someone we need to examine our own motives by asking the question. 'Whose need is this meeting' Ultimately we are not God and should not try to replace Him!
Comments