WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 So we're starting a new series, and this is Ruth and Loss. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:09.919 And Andy was telling me just before the service started 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:12.720 that he had met the author, Ian Coffey, 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:17.240 at Spring Harvest in France, where he led a week, 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:19.379 and he was very impressed with him, 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:21.580 and that's why he recommended the book. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:24.440 So it comes with high recommendations. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:29.940 So could this story be actually what's happening now? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.619 Some 4,000 years later, Naomi, husband and two sons, 00:00:37.100 --> 00:00:40.659 refugees in Moab due to a famine in Israel. 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:47.700 Now, the experts don't actually know why there was a famine in Israel. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:51.299 It could have been drought. 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:55.480 It could have been terrorist activities wiping out the crops, 00:00:55.620 --> 00:00:57.340 or it could have been a bit of both. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:00:59.420 But there they are. 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:03.860 They left Bethlehem and went into Moab. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:06.420 And do you know where Moab is? 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.359 Well, I can tell you because I looked it up. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:13.960 It's to the east of the Dead Sea 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:17.939 and was the country that some of Lot's children developed. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:23.579 And you may remember that Abraham gave Lot the choice of lands 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:26.379 when they separated after an argument, 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:29.900 and Lot chose the fertile lands of Jordan. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:36.780 So the sons marry local girls, not Jewish girls. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:39.120 Husband dies. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:40.620 Sons dies. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:41.680 No children. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:42.659 Grandchildren. 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:47.140 So, say, it could be just like what's happening today. 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:50.959 And after about 10 years, 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:55.599 Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem as famine over 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:59.179 and wants to leave her daughter's-in-law in Moab. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:03.299 But one stays and Ruth goes with Naomi. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:06.719 Naomi feels at total loss, 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:09.099 and the women of Bethlehem said, 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:10.620 Is this Naomi? 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:14.979 In these words, there was an expression of amazement, 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:19.079 not so much at the fact that Naomi was still alive 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:20.840 and had come back again, 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:25.340 as at her returning in so mournful a condition 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:27.479 as a solitary widow 00:02:27.479 --> 00:02:32.919 without either husbands, sons or grandsons. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:35.219 And that's why she replied, 00:02:35.839 --> 00:02:37.079 Call me not Naomi, 00:02:37.579 --> 00:02:38.780 which means gracious, 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:40.719 but Mara, 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:45.539 which means the one who has experienced bitterness. 00:02:46.779 --> 00:02:47.599 And as an aside, 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:50.919 there is no mention there of how Ruth feels. 00:02:51.619 --> 00:02:54.099 And I expect she felt very isolated. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:58.239 So, let's leave Ruth and Naomi 00:02:58.239 --> 00:03:00.419 having just returned to Bethlehem 00:03:00.419 --> 00:03:03.579 and in a desperate state for a few minutes, 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:06.319 whilst I tell you a story of Charity, 00:03:07.019 --> 00:03:09.299 who lives in Malawi, 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:12.139 one of the poorest countries in the world. 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:14.939 And this is in her own words, 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:17.159 as posted on Facebook. 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.579 I enrolled at African Bible College 00:03:21.579 --> 00:03:23.900 for my first year in 2010. 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:26.780 Three years later, 00:03:27.079 --> 00:03:28.479 I dropped out 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:32.199 because I had not been able to pay school fees in time. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:35.240 Three minutes later, 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:37.560 I got pregnant out of wedlock. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:41.359 I went through a lot the next three years that followed. 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:43.680 I hit rock bottom 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:45.659 and I hit it hard. 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:48.859 I was homeless most of the time, 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:50.859 broke to the bone, 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:53.579 no relationship with Christ 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:57.019 because I hated him for letting my life suck. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:00.579 I was in a physically abusive relationship 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:03.219 before I became a single mother. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:06.019 I had no hope. 00:04:07.139 --> 00:04:09.579 Many told me my future was ruined 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:12.379 and that no man would want to marry me 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:14.300 because I had a child now. 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:17.780 I was called a disgrace, 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:19.100 loose, 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:21.139 and other weird names. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:22.920 I lost weight. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:26.040 I went through suicide attempts. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:28.259 Depression was my friend 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:30.379 and I was just lost. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:33.160 But God, 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:35.280 he had different plans. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:39.419 He surrounded me with amazing people 00:04:39.419 --> 00:04:41.539 who shared my pain, 00:04:42.219 --> 00:04:43.419 who supported me, 00:04:44.019 --> 00:04:45.939 who gave everything they could 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:47.459 to get me out of the dark, 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:49.619 dark place I had found myself. 00:04:50.559 --> 00:04:53.419 They allowed God to use their time, 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:54.599 their money, 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:56.619 and homes to help me. 00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:58.980 I got better, 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:01.899 kept a job for more than a year, 00:05:02.540 --> 00:05:04.660 and found hope in Christ again. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.860 In August 2016, 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.060 I went back to finish my schooling. 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.959 June 3, 2017, 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:18.899 I graduated with a bachelor's degree 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:21.019 in mass communications. 00:05:22.219 --> 00:05:24.000 I don't know about you, 00:05:24.739 --> 00:05:26.239 but the God I serve 00:05:26.239 --> 00:05:28.879 does everything in perfect timing. 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:31.199 Ladies and gentlemen, 00:05:31.299 --> 00:05:33.959 I am not a college dropout. 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:35.919 I am a graduate. 00:05:37.799 --> 00:05:40.120 And I have an update 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:43.279 because my son and daughter-in-law 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:46.599 and their children live in Malawi, 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:48.539 and they're over here at the moment. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:51.419 And they were one of those 00:05:51.419 --> 00:05:52.740 who supported charity 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:55.379 and are continuing to do so. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:57.659 And she's working now, 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:59.039 selling T-shirts, 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.199 but she wants to do something different. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:04.120 She has plans to set up a retreat 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:05.779 to support women 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.399 in abusive relationships 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.759 and is trying to get funding. 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:12.279 I'm now going to put some pictures 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:14.240 on the screen of her graduation. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:17.099 And perhaps you could remember charity 00:06:17.099 --> 00:06:18.699 in your prayers. 00:06:20.419 --> 00:06:22.240 And there she is 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.740 with my son and daughter-in-law, 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:26.879 smiling. 00:06:29.099 --> 00:06:30.419 And the next picture. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.819 And there she is with her family, 00:06:32.979 --> 00:06:34.279 and you see her little daughter 00:06:34.279 --> 00:06:35.779 down at the bottom. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.439 And the next picture. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.360 And there's the daughter, 00:06:41.719 --> 00:06:44.219 who I understand is a bit of a handful. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:48.099 And the final picture. 00:06:48.659 --> 00:06:50.699 And there she is again with her family, 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:52.319 looking very happy. 00:06:53.419 --> 00:06:54.360 So, say, 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.779 perhaps you could remember her 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:57.259 in your prayers. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:58.139 So, 00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:03.319 returning to Naomi and Ruth, 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:04.959 the story continues. 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.279 And Ruth marries Boaz, 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:09.180 a relative of Naomi, 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:11.039 and she has a son. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:13.860 And he was called Obed. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.039 I digress again. 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:20.500 While life for Naomi improved, 00:07:20.599 --> 00:07:21.480 having a grandson 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:23.000 and a roof over her head, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.459 and charity is looking forward 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:26.100 with hope 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:27.800 to be able to do God's will 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:28.660 in her life, 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:30.300 there are others 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:31.060 who have tragedy, 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.420 who have tragedies, 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:34.579 who can't see a future. 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:38.360 The news is full of such people 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:41.199 as the Greenhall Tower block fire, 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.540 terrorist killing, 00:07:43.220 --> 00:07:44.920 those caught up in war, 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:48.720 and people in day-to-day lives 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:49.600 who have suffered 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:51.879 individual tragedies, 00:07:52.080 --> 00:07:53.520 which they find hard 00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:55.220 to overcome. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.420 And I ask the question, 00:07:58.860 --> 00:07:59.800 what can we do? 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:01.139 What can we offer them? 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.879 I think there are three things. 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:05.720 We can offer them love. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.060 We can offer them our prayers 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:09.819 and our support. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.060 And I make no apology 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:14.600 for reading again 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:17.079 what Archbishop John Sentineau 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:19.000 said on Prayer for the Day 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.199 on Radio 4, 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:22.000 just after the tragedy 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:25.439 in Manchester. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:27.340 And he said, 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:29.079 until earlier this week, 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:30.600 I had not heard 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:31.759 of Ariane Grand, 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:33.139 and I must admit 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:34.279 I hadn't either. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.879 But I suspect 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.919 it's a bit more like 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:41.480 in my days 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.960 and perhaps some of your days, 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:44.419 when the Beatles 00:08:44.419 --> 00:08:45.799 first hit the scene, 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:48.079 there was a lot of enthusiasm 00:08:48.079 --> 00:08:49.059 for them. 00:08:49.719 --> 00:08:52.119 And so that's what my thing. 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:54.599 And he didn't know 00:08:54.599 --> 00:08:55.759 that she was so popular 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:56.519 with children, 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.659 but I do know now, 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:00.859 and that her fans call her 00:09:00.859 --> 00:09:02.219 the Arianeater. 00:09:03.359 --> 00:09:04.799 Her fans went joyfully 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:05.839 and expectantly 00:09:05.839 --> 00:09:07.539 with their parents 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.019 to see her in concert 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.439 in Manchester Arena. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:13.320 And soon after the bombing, 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:15.660 she responded by saying, 00:09:16.300 --> 00:09:17.500 broken from the bottom 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.580 of my heart, 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:20.520 I am so sorry. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.080 I don't have words. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:24.720 Yesterday, 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.580 she announced 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:26.240 she will hold 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.240 a benefit concert 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.220 for the victims 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.140 and their families. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:32.280 Our world is in pain, 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:34.020 groaning and longing 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:35.200 to be liberated 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:36.800 from futility 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:37.599 and hatred. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.579 The deliberate targeting 00:09:40.579 --> 00:09:42.139 of innocent children, 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:44.199 adults and their families 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:46.139 with a calculated 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.519 and callous equation 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.219 of evil 00:09:48.219 --> 00:09:50.639 demonstrated that hatred. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:53.259 A deliberate act 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:55.059 contorted and twisted 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:56.659 within the framework 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:59.599 of a brutalistic ideology 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:02.219 that exists outside 00:10:02.219 --> 00:10:03.659 the understanding 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.939 of shared humanity. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.779 My hearts and prayers 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:08.919 go out to the family 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:09.860 and friends 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:11.199 of all those 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.919 who were murdered 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:12.600 and injured. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.719 One of the fundamental 00:10:15.719 --> 00:10:17.219 laws of physics 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:18.740 reminds us 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:20.139 that for every action, 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:21.779 there is an equal 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:23.459 and opposite reaction. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.740 It's a law 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.360 that such jihadists, 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:28.539 the purveyors 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.480 of these heinous 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:30.519 criminal acts 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:31.339 across cities 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.399 and continents, 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.480 fail to understand. 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:37.500 Within minutes 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.100 of the bombing 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:38.920 in Manchester 00:10:38.920 --> 00:10:40.180 and the attack 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.780 in London, 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:41.980 that law 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.139 was demonstrated 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.560 by the emergency services 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:47.440 and countless acts 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:48.680 of love and kindness 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:49.960 by many. 00:10:51.040 --> 00:10:52.780 I experienced it myself 00:10:52.780 --> 00:10:53.560 at the vigil 00:10:53.560 --> 00:10:54.720 in Albert Square. 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.900 The opposite reaction 00:10:56.900 --> 00:10:57.940 to the actions 00:10:57.940 --> 00:11:00.259 of these evil men 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.679 a lone bomber, 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:03.740 a coming together 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.480 of love. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.500 The love 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:07.659 that we have witnessed 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.919 stands in dark opposition 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:11.379 to the evil 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.000 that sought 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.980 to taunt it. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.080 It's a love 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.000 that is heard, 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.039 often heard, 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:17.840 and read 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:18.460 at weddings 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.559 and funerals, 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:21.100 that great hymn 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:21.700 of love 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:23.100 from 1 Corinthians 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.379 13. 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.080 The love 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:28.059 which contends 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:28.919 with tragedy, 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:31.000 endures hardship, 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:32.659 is steadfast 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.699 in difficulty, 00:11:34.339 --> 00:11:35.399 and in the end 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.419 wins out. 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:38.219 That strong 00:11:38.219 --> 00:11:39.839 and long-lasting love 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:41.459 that carries people 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:42.239 through both 00:11:42.239 --> 00:11:43.000 good times 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.719 and bad, 00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:45.199 the love 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.419 that many waters 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.639 cannot quench 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.199 or blow apart. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.679 The pain, 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:52.239 grief, 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:53.659 righteous anger, 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:55.179 and the consequences 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:56.799 of these evil acts 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:59.480 will endure for years 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.519 in the lives 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.059 of those 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:01.719 who have lost 00:12:01.719 --> 00:12:02.620 loved ones. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.139 But the hatred 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.919 that inspired 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.240 that criminal act 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:08.339 will lose. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:09.899 It will not have 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.899 the final word. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.539 And as Martin Luther King 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:14.559 Jr. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.819 once remarked, 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.139 darkness cannot 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.439 drive out darkness. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.439 Only light 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:21.419 can do that. 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:22.959 Hate cannot 00:12:22.959 --> 00:12:24.240 drive out hate. 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.639 Only love 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.679 can do that. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:28.479 And in the opening 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.719 verses of John's 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:30.159 Gospel, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.459 in him was life, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.860 and that life 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.579 was the light 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:35.500 of all people. 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.539 The light shines 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.379 in the darkness, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.459 and the darkness 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:42.019 has not overcome it. 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.740 And so, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.839 I contend 00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:47.199 it's our responsibility 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:48.559 as members 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.519 of the Church 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.519 to support 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.679 those in need, 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:52.819 those who have 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.679 lost hope 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.980 and can't see 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:55.620 a future. 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:57.980 It will not 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:58.840 be easy. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.840 And to come back 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.939 to Ruth, 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:03.939 if you look 00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:04.519 at the beginning 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.819 of Matthew's Gospel, 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.439 it says, 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.319 a record 00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:10.539 of the genealogy 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.740 of Jesus Christ, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.779 the son of David, 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.319 the son of Abraham. 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:16.139 Abraham was 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.419 the father of Isaac, 00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:18.779 Isaac the father 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.559 of Jacob. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.939 It goes on, 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:21.860 then it says, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.519 Salmon, 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.480 the father of Boaz, 00:13:25.459 --> 00:13:26.179 Boaz, 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.919 the father of Obed, 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.159 whose mother 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:29.919 was Ruth. 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.519 Obed, 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.279 the father of Jesse, 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:34.959 and Jesse, 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.539 the father of King David, 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:38.919 and David, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.079 the father of Solomon. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:42.779 And the genealogy 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:45.299 finishes with Jacob, 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:47.259 the father of Joseph, 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.879 the husband of Mary, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.620 and who was born, 00:13:51.079 --> 00:13:52.479 of whom was born Jesus, 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.939 who is called Christ. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.120 So God does work 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:58.000 in mysterious ways. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.339 Finally, 00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:01.479 just a little extract 00:14:01.479 --> 00:14:03.259 from this book 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.259 of her story. 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:06.199 It's called 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.099 Jill's Story, 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.740 and I think you will 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.679 recognize where 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.559 it comes from. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:13.399 Jill Fairway 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:15.319 saw two of her children 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.619 die from a rare 00:14:16.619 --> 00:14:18.439 metabolic disease. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.059 The disease 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:21.019 doesn't show 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.019 until the children 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:24.139 are about three, 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.879 and by that time, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.159 their first child, 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:27.619 Katie, 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.699 was diagnosed. 00:14:29.359 --> 00:14:30.259 They already had 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.299 their second child, 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:31.819 Tom, 00:14:32.479 --> 00:14:33.419 who also had 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.039 the syndrome. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.379 Katie died 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.279 aged 11. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.779 Tom survived 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.539 until he was 15. 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:43.299 Jill and her husband, 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:43.679 Eddie, 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.819 nursed their children 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.720 to the end, 00:14:46.579 --> 00:14:47.980 and out of their 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.039 personal pain 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.000 of loss, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.259 something beautiful 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.019 was born. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.339 I met with Jill 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.519 when she invited me 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.120 to speak 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.839 at a special service 00:14:57.839 --> 00:14:59.139 for the organization 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:01.419 that she and Eddie 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.159 had founded, 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.600 the Southwest 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.039 Children's Hospice. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.539 We met to plan 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.100 the event, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.319 and Jill told me 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.659 her story of loss. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:14.439 At one really dark time 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.279 in their journey, 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.019 with two terminally 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.899 ill children, 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.879 she had woken Eddie 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.220 in the middle of the night 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.120 and exclaimed, 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:24.240 we are going to take 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.639 all this pain 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:27.199 and do something 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.079 good with it, 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.600 and they did. 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.539 Today, 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.319 there are three 00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.600 children's hospices 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.919 serving in the 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:36.019 Southwest of England. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.159 in 1995, 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.120 Little Bridge House 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.379 was first to open 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.179 in Barnstable, 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.679 Devon. 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.259 This was followed 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.480 by Charlton Farm 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.220 near Bristol 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.740 in 2007, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.860 and Little Harbour 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.960 in St. Austal, 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.419 which opened in 2011. 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:57.579 Millions of pounds 00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:58.219 were raised 00:15:58.219 --> 00:15:59.019 by a couple 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:00.539 who didn't like 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.679 public speaking, 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:03.899 and scores of families 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.879 have been helped 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.579 as their dying children 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.699 have received love 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.399 and care 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:10.240 in their last months 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.939 on earth. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.179 Taking pain 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.539 and doing something 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.419 good with it, 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.939 it sounds like 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.419 a good way 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.219 to deal with loss. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:23.519 So, 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.700 perhaps I can leave you 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.700 with that thought, 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.759 and the thought 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:28.100 that out of 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:30.560 Naomi's 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.920 and Ruth's tragedies 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:33.879 came a great 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.820 genealogy, 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.980 that from that 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.040 came King David, 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.440 and it followed up 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.060 to Jesus. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:40.600 Amen. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:40.740 Amen. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:40.779 Amen. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:40.800 Amen.