1 have chosen the cover picture of the Magazine this month for three reasons.   Firstly the man carrying the torch reminds us of the Olympic Torch, being carried as I write through all the countries who would be taking part in the Olympic Games later this Summer.   And as we all know this Torch, far from being a symbol of peace and harmony in the world, has high­lighted the differences between China and much of the rest of the world and particularly the way we treat our fellow human beings.   The unrest and protestations have been a great shame and fly in the face of the purposes behind the games, and yet it is also rather encouraging, in that it highlights just how willing people are to get involved in protests when they see oppression inflicted even on the other side of the world.   It seems that many people care enough about issues of justice to want to get involved, and that in an age when it is sometimes hard to find people who are willing to stand up and be counted. I think we should be praying that people will shout loud enough to be heard and taken notice of in China itself

The second reason for choosing the picture is that this month we celebrate Pentecost, and one of the great symbols of Pentecost is the flames that seemed to descend on the disciples of Jesus as they received the Holy Spirit.  This is one of my favourite festivals, as we remember that God still has power on earth.   Jesus might have gone back to heaven, but the Holy Spirit is still here empowering his followers.   We all know the vitality and wildness of fire, the warmth it puts out and the light it gives, what a great symbol of God's Spirit, still around in his world and equipping his present day disciples to do his work

And thirdly the Torch reminds us that we are torchbearers in our world.   We live in a world where people often don't want to know anything at all about our faith, where there is little respect or reverence for Jesus and with a media where it is taken for granted that people no longer believe.   Well, they are wrong, and it is important that people of faith carry the torch forward into the next generation.   If our wonderful network of local churches all disappear in the next twenty years or so, where will people turn to find God. How sad if our beautiful buildings turn into picturesque ruins just because we couldn't be bothered to spare an hour for God on Sundays or Thursdays. And it could happen

So Torches are important, the torch of the Olympics, depicting harmony amongst the people of the world, the flames of God's Spirit in the world, and the torch of faith which is our responsibility to take to the next generation.   I pray that for you this Pentecost will be an inspiring time and the torch of God's love will scorch you afresh with his life, light and power