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Viewpoint from Rev Derek McClean 06/10/2023
 Rev Derek McClean
Minister, Cliff Park Community Church, Gorleston
I like a good ‘character/comical’ t-shirt. Recently I bought one which says, “That’s what I do, I read books, I drink tea, and I know things”. When you get to know me, it’s not long before you discover that I love to read. It’s a rare month when I don’t read at least 3 books, and I have fairly extensive tastes
One of my favourite authors usually causes people to do a ‘double take’, but he’s been a favourite ever since I read Christine (1983) as a teen. That, of course, is Stephen King. A while back, I read a biography about him. It was a fascinating read, covering the period up to the middle of the noughties
 One of the things which struck me was his reflection on the furore surrounding Desperation (1996). It was, for me, his most overt use of Christianity since The Stand (1978, 1990). People strongly objected to King bringing in God in such a way. King responded by saying: “While I don’t see myself as God’s stenographer, He’s always been in my books”
Now, there’s a thought. Overtly, or covertly, God is there in King’s novels. It might take a little more digging in some books, but King expects the influence of God to be seen in his novels. And there is our metaphor for life
This is also the theme of one of the most popular Christian poems of all time: Footsteps. In this the protagonist looks back over their life and finds that God has appeared to be absent at all the worst times. But He hasn’t been. God has been right there ‘carrying us’ through them
Martin Luther, considering the Crucifixion, referred to it as the ultimate example of “the hidden God”. God is there at the Crucifixion, but He is very hard to see
The Cross changes everything. Jesus died that we might be forgiven and have life with God. Jesus described this as life in all its fullness (John 10:10).
Stephen King is a complex man, full of weaknesses and generosity. Like any one of us. In one interview, he simply said that he has never lost his faith in God, and he finds life to be richer because of his belief
Why not come along to a Church service near you, and join us in our walk with God and find how rich and full life can be?
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