Moving Forward

It’s now time to get down to some serious resolution thinking for the coming year, but before we do that we need to have a glance over our shoulders to see where we came from, and what has happened to affect our lives. Everyone, without exception, can see the past. It can be pleasant, and a great memory maker which will be relived time and again in the future. Or it can be a year which we wish we could forget, and perhaps forever be painful. The common characteristic for both bad and good things which happen to us, is that they will never be fully forgotten, no matter how hard we try.

However, the past can also be used as a measure of what we could and should do in the future. The coming year doesn’t have to be a repeat of the past one. Even good years can be made better, with God’s help. Making our next year better than the last, needs God’s help even more to guide and help us make our best decisions. So, as we stand on the threshold of this coming year, we can make it better than where we stand now.

Making resolutions can be a repetitive thing, re-making last years’ hopes all over again, so why not be different this year and include God in your thinking? Ask for His help in deciding which changes are realistic, and can be achieved, and not just pipe dreams. Maybe some resolutions can be seen as a ‘wish list’ instead of those things we are prepared to work at to make happen. That’s where our faith, and the reality of our relationship with God comes in.

For me it comes down to a heart felt and sincere prayer for help to make the next year different and better than before, but only made possible with God as my helper. That sincere prayer will stop me from making silly resolutions I can’t possibly keep, and allow me to be a better person as I lean on my Saviour, who is after all, an all powerful source of help.

Happy New Year as you move forward into 2012!

Pondering

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned... (Luke 2:19,20a).

The shepherds went back to work, and the stable was quiet. Mary and Joseph are left to themselves again. Have you ever wondered what was going through their minds? The clue is that Mary ‘pondered’, probably turning over in her mind the events of the past few months, culminating in the birth of her baby boy, and in her eyes, the most beautiful son in the world. She didn’t know all that lay ahead, and for any parent, that can be a blessing, but she was sure of her past. She had been visited by heaven itself, and was sure of His place in history.

It’s a good thing to ponder, and especially after the bustle of Christmas, and before the New Year. Your house may be quiet, and visiting family all gone home, so you have some time to think. This is a good time to ponder about anything and everything that affects you and your family. It’s not quite New Year, when we traditionally make those dreaded resolutions, but we can start to form our thoughts for what you want to happen next!

Mary pondered, and so should we. Mary was secure in her experience of God’s hand on her life, and we should be too. There is no better way to face the unknown, than with the certainty that God steps into the ‘fog’ with us, and has our hand. Mary’s life was never smooth, but she stayed secure in her conviction that her son was a very special visitor, and she was privileged to be His mum. She was there from the beginning, right to the end. She was the best example of a Mum we can have in this life, and worthy to be respected. And the world’s greatest story ever told, began when Mary pondered. So, while you can, as it is quiet, and with God’s help, get pondering!

(In memory of Godly mums past, and present, with thanks)

The Loner, the Lonely

Christmas is a jolly and happy time where we all have a perfect dinner, with perfect friends and a perfect family. That’s what we see all around us, on TV, in the movies, and in the shop window displays. This a time for people in minimal units of two. Couples and family units, but not on your own. It isn’t portrayed that way, and it’s not supposed to be like that.

I suggest there are two kinds of ‘singles’ out there at this time of year, each trying to melt into the background, but perhaps feeling a bit conspicuous. It is good to get them straight in your minds, because they are quite different groups of people.

The ‘loner’ is usually that way by choice. The reasons can vary, but they are ok with being on their own, as long as you don’t disturb their world by thinking you can help or change them by including them in your festivities. They will fully enjoy the evening, and enter into the meal, games and fun. However, chances are they will leave the party the same way they entered, still a loner, and content to be so. The Christmas get together will not trigger anything to make them want to be a different person. The loner is not lonely.

The ‘lonely’ on the other hand are usually in this condition through circumstance, some self made, and some not. Widows, orphans, military wives spring readily to mind, but that is not a complete list. You will know someone in that category yourself, or you may be one yourself. An invitation is a struggle to accept. Entering into the spirit of the party does not come easy, and they will often be there, but their thoughts are elsewhere. Strangely, this group of people will probably love Christmas, know the real reason for the season, and have many happy memories tucked away, but these same memories may possibly be the same reasons they cannot fully enjoy the festivities now. The lonely by nature are not loners, but may feel like it, especially at Christmas. Also, the lonely would wish their state to be temporary, but on the other hand, the loner would be content to stay as they are.

The good news is that both types can be treated in similar ways. With care and understanding. You will know people who obviously fall into each category, and all you have to do is treat them with Christian love, while accepting they look at the season through different eyes. Age is no restriction, and there will be folks in these groups from their teens through to older age. Some will even withdraw to their ‘own place’ to deal with that synthetic part of the season, and even be relieved when it is over. Beware of the lonely smilers, as these are the hardest to recognise, and so may slip under the net of your awareness. If you can’t understand this place, I am glad, because it means you are not in this number. So, be glad and enter into the Christmas season fully, and unreservedly. This is a special time, and always will be, in one way or another. So from me to you, have a Blessed and Happy Christmas!

Christmas 1981

I came across this old article recently, and thought I would share it. In memory of Margaret, and apologies to Karen and Heather. (First published in an IBM periodical.)

American’s Bible Belt, from David McLean, Raleigh, North Carolina.

We were looking forward to spending our first Christmas here in the Bible Belt of America, and my wife Margaret, two daughters Karen and Heather and I were very interested to see if there would be any differences in the way it was celebrated.

Getting into the Christmas spirit starts early. As soon as Thanksgiving weekend is over at the end of November, the stores very quickly become like large scale Santa’s Grottos. Carols and festive music are played over public address systems, and sung by choirs assembled in the indoor shopping malls, and Santa Claus in a corner of each store to lure children and their parents. Even the houses and apartments get caught up with the idea that there is something special about the 25th December. Little Santas appear in gardens, and in some cases his reindeer too, all kept bright and warm with a 100 watt bulb! Some houses even have lights strung around the eaves and in each window.

It is not too difficult to get caught up in the seasonal fever, and our children not only enjoyed the traditional Christmas Day, but the lead up to the event with all the tinsel attractions provided as reminders to the season.

Unfortunately, it is easy to forget the real meaning and reason for Christmas, even in the Bible Belt, and for that reason it could be considered little different from home. This season is the celebration of the birth of a baby, who in the course of His life, death and resurrection changed the course of history, and many people’s lives.

Therefore for us, the church played a major part of the season, not only in attendance, but in participation by Karen and Heather in a musical presentation of events around the birth of this Saviour of the World.

Christmas Day was spent in the manner traditional to both countries. An early rise to watch the children open their presents which were placed under the Christmas Tree, and the rest of the day taken up with family games using the presents just opened, and of course the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings to make it a meal to remember for some time to come.

Somehow, even with all the glitter and tinsel of the festivities, on Christmas Day the real atmosphere and spirit of Christmas is there to be enjoyed by all who will accept and recognise the true meaning of the season, and that is true wherever you may spend it.

God Particle

The scientists are at it again. They have tried to limit God to a particle, better known as the ‘Higgs Boson’, which apparently is the physicist’s holy grail to the building blocks of everything we became, and everything else in the universe, occurring immediately after the theoretical ‘big bang’. Wow, what a mouthful! And what a lot to swallow for a Christian, who believes fundamentally in God, and His creative nature. Apparently this particle can also move faster than the speed of light... slightly.

This presently unproven theory gives the atheist something to grasp in their quest to prove once and for all that they are right. The only problem for me is, who put the Higgs Boson particle there? Does it just appear from nothing, or will they start looking for something else which made it appear? I sometimes think we are too ‘clever’ for our own good, and this is one such example. For me, this discovery does not disprove the existence of God. How can it? Since (not if) God is the source of all living things, why is it not also the source of this badly named ‘God Particle’? What about the verse in John 1:2-4 “He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind”.

My faith is left unchanged with this recent scientific news ‘breakthrough’, and I cannot see how it can disprove the very nature and being of our God, and therefore the reality of His Son Jesus Christ, who is the baby in the manger, and the whole and only ‘reason for the season’ of Christmas. Maybe then we should rename the new particle, the ‘Higgs Bozo’!

Pop/Rock

During youthful years of all generations, we all listened to the pop and rock songs and music of the day, and I stand guilty as charged. However, I think there is, and has always been a ‘dark’ side to the industry, and I can even relate to popular music from the late ‘50s onwards.

At this time of life, I no longer listen to, or even enjoy, modern pop or rock music, so do not follow this industry closely. However, there have been some cases recently where the music industry has shocked us with content of a graphic sexual, and violent nature which have hit the headlines. The past 40 years have seen a great change in what our young people listen to, and use as a backdrop to their lives. Like it or not, all music has an influence, and that can be for good or evil. Again, like it or not, these pop idols are role models to many who want to be just like them. Some will copy them to the detriment of their moral, and yes even physical beings. That’s a lot of negative influence over body and soul, and to me that’s a scary thought.

It transpires that the music industry is now being asked to regulate their output in the same way as the movie business, and introduce a censored age rating system. This would especially affect the music video releases, and I think this is long overdue. If you have chanced across any of the music channels on TV, you will have seen the scantly clad, cavorting men and women who sing and dance to devilish lyrics in a manner which leaves nothing to the imagination. How much further can this moral slide go, without intervention by government legislation, or by God Himself? Of course, this behaviour already happens in UK prime time TV on shows like ‘X Factor’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Both of these programmes have a list of complaints made against them weekly, for this reason specifically.

So, what can concerned Christian parents, grandparents, or teachers do? I think we can be more alert and aware of the content of the music being churned out, and listened to by our young charges, and take steps to make sure the offending programmes are not watched, nor music and lyrics listened to, in our homes at least. I know it is not considered progressive or PC, but why not trash the CDs/DVDs, and regulate the TV channels through the parental controls already available? Can’t do that? Too authoritarian? Well maybe, just maybe, those are the same channels and music we like to watch and listen to ourselves. What would that say about our own double standards, and more importantly, what would that say to our youth, and their moral compass? Are we guilty of saying one thing, and doing another? Is the moral failing of our youth partly our fault? If so, my own older generation has a lot to answer for! Which ‘rock’ do you base your life on?

Christmas Spirit

Christmas is not always what it seems. The TV and movie industries portray it as a happy, fun loving time of year, where we give and get more presents than we know what to do with, and everybody loves everybody else. Programs recorded for the season in July, show a lovely spirit of generosity and love. Right? Have you been out shopping, or driving around looking for a parking space recently. Whether you are in charge of a shopping trolley, or a car, the same thing applies. It’s every man or woman for themselves!

But what is the reason for the season? I can picture a lowly stable, where a loving Mum and Dad placed their new born son in a feeding trough and couldn’t see past just how lovely their baby looked. Like his Dad? Like his Mum? Whose eyes, or whose nose? They looked beyond their surroundings at their child, and wondered at his future. It may not have been the palace, but it didn’t matter, because this was their oasis, their haven of peace and quiet, away from the noise and bustle of the census crowds milling about outside, buying and selling, and jostling in the alleyways. Ok, so I am just an old romantic, and I don’t apologise for that, but I prefer my image of the first Christmas morning, to the commercial business it has become today.

While we are at it, spare a thought for those who find this time of year difficult because of mounting debt, family upheavals, and sad memories to keep at bay. These good folks are not helped at all by our modern attempt at artificial happiness, but they can be lifted up by the baby in the feeding trough. After all, that same baby grew up and became the Saviour of the world. Our baby, our redeemer! Now that really is something to get excited about, and to celebrate. So from an old romantic, as you find the reason for the season in your heart, have a Blessed and Happy Christmas!

Language

TV comedy star Sir David Jason has hit out at the amount of sex and swearing that children are exposed to on modern television. His comments follow a BBC executive’s claim that crude language is acceptable in comedies because they are designed to cause offence and make viewers “flinch”. Sir David, who played Del Boy Trotter in the classic BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, said he finds it impossible to protect his ten-year-old daughter Sophie from sexual content and swearing on television.
Stripping

In an interview for the Christmas Radio Times, the actor said: “I try to protect what she sees on television, but you can’t. “Take the adverts. I was watching SpongeBob, a favourite cartoon of ours, but suddenly a scent advert came on with this girl stripping off as she walks towards the camera. “It’s done for mums but they forget a lot of girls are watching these powerful images.”

Boundaries
Sir David, 71, slammed modern-day comedians, saying, “Today they push down the barriers. Take the F word. It’s become commonplace.” The actor added: “There wasn’t much on the telly the other night so with Sophie and her friend we watched Laurel and Hardy, made in the 1930s, and these kids laughed like drains. “That’s humour – doing what funny people have done since comedy began without being edgy and pushing boundaries.”

Flinch
Caroline Thomson, the BBC’s chief operating officer, told a conference last week: “Yes. I watch comedy shows and flinch. But I think sometimes that is one of the points of comedy.” The BBC chief commented that there was an “enormous inter-generational difference about what is acceptable”. She added: “It is very tricky because language that will give you offence, won’t give me offence. And language which gives me serious offence won’t give my son offence.”

Swearing
But Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch UK, said the comments proved Miss Thomson was “out of step with her audience”. She added: “Ofcom do research every year asking if there is too much swearing on TV. “And more than 50 per cent of viewers say there is too much. “The idea that bad language in comedy is good – it’s not big, it’s not clever and it’s not funny.”

High School Alcohol

The latest report on the drinking habits of our young high school students makes for heartbreaking reading. It seems that there are some 11 year olds who drink more than an adult. The reports of regular drunkenness in early teens at weekends is staggering (literally!). The report has been conducted by a reputable study group, so is reliable, and covers England and Wales. The Scottish schools can not smirk, as I believe we are just as bad. But why? What has caused the epidemic of alcohol abuse in schools? Added to this, another report issued in December, says that admissions to hospital for alcohol induced liver disease in Northern England has increased by 100% since 2002! Did you catch that figure? It’s not a mistake, and tells a story of heartache and heartbreak in families across our nation. What went wrong?

How about these are suggestions? Just my own thoughts:

1. We as a society have succeeded in convincing ourselves that there is no morality, and you can do what you want, as long as it feels right, and you think it harms no one.

2. The church no longer has any influence in society, again because we have convinced ourselves that we are a progressive, secular and modern society, without any need for morality.

3. Adults have not been able to provide a good and decent set of role models. The role models of choice for teenagers are celebrities, footballers, and stars. Using these lifestyles as role models is asking for trouble, and a recipe for moral disaster. You only have to watch the news, or read the newspapers

4. Figures of traditional authority are held in distrust and ridicule. School teachers have had their authority removed, and now cannot discipline wrongdoing, even for serious incidents.

5. Parents are afraid to discipline their children for fear of being reported. So, kids have found that they have a very wide tolerance of wrongdoing. So much so, that they can get away with just about anything if they want to, and they know it.

Who has allowed this to happen? Answer, you and me, by letting our moral standards slip, because we bought into the idea that some so called clever-clogs and educated deceivers must know best. They have made sure we forfeited our birthright and blessing, just like Jacob for a mess of lentils. So, what did you expect of our young charges, or our national love affair with alcohol? It’s not all their fault, so why should we sound surprised?

I think it is time for churches to step up to the challenge, and teach and preach and live alcoholic abstinence. That idea will get me into trouble, probably from those who will say predictably: “I know how to drink responsibly”, or “Don’t lump me in with those people, because I am better than that”, or “The church has no right to preach abstinence, or tell us what to do”, or “Let me decide for myself when it is time to change my drinking habits”, or even “The Bible doesn’t tell me NOT to drink alcohol”. All of these arguments will be voiced by christians, and non christians alike. After all, the Bible doesn’t tell me not to drink, just to be careful how to use it, and what about Jesus’ miracle at Cana? These points may be valid, but neither can we ignore those passages which give dire warnings against the use of alcohol. Neither does the Bible give any direct commandment against things like, polygamy, smoking, gambling, movies to watch, and even abortion, but we do use the spirit of God’s Word to make our choices, not the letter of the law. That is using God’s Grace, and certainly not legalism! At the end of the day, it may depend on just where you place your own responsible Scriptural interpretation and lifestyle example to those who are watching, like our youth. That takes us back to where we started! I have refrained from quoting Scripture for each of these choices, but how about thinking on a related verse found in 1 Corinthians 8:9: Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

I think it is time for our church(es) to accept the challenge of abstinence, and step out of its comfort zone, and show some leadership. Our nation needs leadership. Of course it might involve us changing our own habits, and doing something different for the greater good of the weaker brother or sister. Now that is a Scriptural concept, and Christ like. Right?  

Unlike

It is the start of Advent, and a time of celebration for all who embrace the Christian faith, and the miracle of the Saviour’s birth. After all it is called ‘CHRISTmas’, and should be savoured and protected from the onslaught of the secular world who want to reduce it to a holiday season where Santa rules, and receiving presents is the only expectation.

I am not surprised that there are those outside the church who like the idea of a Christmas without Christ, and so make it Xmas. That works for them, and is the overwhelming way Christmas is now written. What I am surprised about however, are those ‘christians’ (small ‘c’) who are happy to poke fun at the event from the sidelines, in the hope of been seen as progressive, modern, free thinking, and profound. Other main religions protect their faith as important, and significant enough to die for their beliefs, but these other people? They are the fifth column within the church who do no good to the overall cause of the great commission, or the sacred and holy birth we celebrate as truth.

I have found facebook to be a great way to keep in touch with like minded friends and share some common harmless fun, but in doing this you also come across some comments which are not only a surprise, but shocking, offensive and even close to heresy. Facebook has a ‘like’ button, but does not have an ‘unlike’ button, and I for one think there should be. The Advent season has started and we will be served up a diet of comments and argument about its irrelevance by the non christian community, but please, can we refrain from joining the masses? Can we stand up for our season? We are in danger of losing CHRISTmas to the secularists, so please don’t help them by peddling watered down parallel nativities. Replacing the baby Jesus, or any of the nativity characters by other people or objects only shows a lack of sincerity and depth. The fact is that christians who do this are only trying to be noticed, and are leading an unsuspecting, advancing fifth column. I see this as the most significant danger, and it comes from within our own ranks. Am I being over sensitive or do you think I have a point? Should I/we be worried?

Negotiation

The temperature is rising in the government and teachers’ camps as the proposed UK public service strike approaches on Wednesday. The one mantra being repeated by both sides is, ‘let’s get round the table and negotiate’. Negotiation is a nice cosy word, and thrown around carelessly. I think both sides need to look at the definition of the word. Teachers are our main means of instructing our children, and should know the meaning. Union leaders are protecting their own positions as they call for negotiations. The government say they will not move, and in fact may pull the present offer ‘off the table’. At least we all know the government position (like it or not).

Unfortunately, the thing that is NOT happening is negotiation. Each side wants to prove something, and has their own agenda. There is NO interest in ‘give and take’ to find a solution. There is only one show in town, and it’s mine, seems to be the theme.

Sometimes we just can’t negotiate. The teachers are a case in point, but they are not alone. We do it all the time. We do it with God when we try to tell Him how we want things to be done, and more importantly, what we will NOT agree to do. God is sovereign, and is not for turning. We cannot talk our way out of His will, no matter how eloquent we are, and how good with fancy words. Jonah tried it in the Old Testament, and we all know where he ended up for his troubles!

Wait a minute. If God is not for negotiating with, and the unions and Government are not for turning, is it fair to think our earthly friends also think they are some kind of gods (small ‘g’), and above the moral law that we all depend on? So, please no more false talk about negotiating when we all know it’s not meant. For my own part, I expect more from the teachers, who are in a position of respect and authority to the children and young adults they have in their charge. My opinion is not based on the teachers case for better pensions, but on their influence, and position in the community. I expect more from them, than I do from all the other public service workers. I expect better. Am I being unreasonable, or are the teachers being responsible?

Love, Care and facebook

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

There are a few definitions of love, but how does love apply to the church? My church. I believe in loving, and being loved. This is one of the greatest joys in this life, and cannot be faked! Everyone, without exception, wants to be loved, but we are not all able to love, or so it would seem sometime. I think this can spill over into our church life. We want to be loved in some ways, and are happy to receive anything which makes us feel wanted, or important. However, the other side of the coin is that we can’t always return the compliment, at least adequately. We live in a one way world of love!

The verse at the top is the oft quoted one, but it follows right after these words of Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” So it follows that our love has to copy the love of the Lord, and that can sometimes be a one way street from Him to us. I see this as a bit of ‘give and take’. Jesus gives, and we take, and we are happy to leave it at that. Loving back is a high calling, and I go back to my first thought that we all want to love, and be loved. God gives His love to us, mostly on a one way basis, and we in turn, are happy to accept this love from God, and we also take the same from our friends. How about giving back some love?

I do understand that this is an uphill struggle, but how about starting with something easier? Caring! We can all do that, can’t we? The trouble with both love and caring, is that they take us out of our comfort zones, and make us vulnerable. Coming from the West of Scotland, I was brought up in an environment where people were not so soppy as to show their feelings. That even applied to family life, and yes, church family life too. We can be happier to give some slight sarcasm to our friends, in the hope it will be interpreted as caring! Huh?? If Christians don’t show the way, who will? We are commanded to love one another. It’s not a suggestion, so can we get on with it please! Facebook might help  so look for ‘Port Glasgow Nazarene’ (that’s a hint!)...

Sleepwalking

He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Ps 121:3

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matt 16:18

God has always had trouble with His churches. You only have to look at the behaviour of the church at Corinth, and the several churches mentioned by John in his Revelation to see that churches are not perfect. In fact, some were clearly immoral. As the old saying goes, ‘If you find a perfect church, don’t join it, because it will not then be perfect’.

The two verses above are clear. God doesn’t sleep. He is a 24/7 God, and second, even the gates of hell/hades cannot get the better of it. Why then do churches not always flourish? And why do some fail? While we are at it, why are there some which go from strength to strength, and I am not thinking of the shallow, TV, prosperity gospel kind? No, I am thinking of those real, solid, Bible believing, preaching and teaching churches.

Since the Scriptures are inerrant in all matters of faith, the verses make us conclude that God delights in His church on earth. A thriving place of spiritual growth. So again, why do some fail, either gradually or suddenly. Actually, it is easier to see and understand the sudden failures, because the reasons will usually be self evident. Not so with the gradual failures. Why would God allow any church of His to fail anyway, whatever the speed?

I think we need to make the distinction between ‘the body of Christ’, and His ‘denominational church’. Since no church is perfect, it follows that some will be less good than others. Paul faced this problem head on, and his words are with us today as a help and guide for the way we live our earthly lives in preparation to be a part of the ultimate ‘body of Christ’ in heaven. Our concept of Holiness, and being wholly His, will play a big part of the success of any church. Of course, a good church cannot be measured purely by attendance, although this is usually a good thing. A healthy congregation will be able to support their pastor, provide for missions, while still actively keeping its local support for the needy. A goodly number of committed and Holy sanctified and 24/7 Christians are a formidable force against the forces of Hell.

That takes us back to the place we started. We, the earthly church, are the force which God uses to stand against the ‘gates of hell’. What an honour, and responsibility. Since these dark forces are strong, it also takes a strong church to take a stand against spiritual wickedness locally, and in high places. Are we up to the challenge? Would our lives withstand the scrutiny of the non Christian? Maybe we need some growth, both at personal and church level. That could mean thinking outside the box, but within the Word. Oh, it gets challenging and personal right there, doesn’t it? Looks like I should wake up, and stop sleepwalking!

Uncertainty

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.” 1 Cor 14:8-9

Have you noticed that all the financial commentators when they speak of the Eurozone Crisis, talk as if the markets are real people? They are not. One of the favourite quotes is, “The market doesn’t like uncertainty”. It is almost as if this ‘money market’ has feelings, and this uncertainty affects everything in the financial world. It can, and this uncertainty affects us all.

I feel there is an even greater uncertainty, and that is the voice used by faithful Christians. Take another look at the verses above. The theme is clear. Don’t leave anyone unsure of what you say or mean. As the old saying goes, “Mean what you say, and say what you mean”. These are wise words. We are good at hedging our bets, and the most obvious example is the reluctance of some of our churches to use their voice to speak up against the Government plan to recognise, respect, and yes, honour homosexual marriage in the same way as normal marriage between a man and a woman.

Of course, at our own daily level, we can also be ‘uncertain’ and deliberately, when it suits our own ends. Maybe our reputation would be shattered if we were certain in our talk. Maybe it suits us to only tell part of the story. Part of the truth, is deceit, and dishonouring to God, while at the same time protecting our own feelings, and how we think others see us. Some uncertainties would go almost unnoticed, but there are others if made clear, would affect our honesty and integrity, perhaps for ever. So, when the stakes are higher, we are more inclined to ‘give an uncertain sound’ to our words. After all, at that critical time, what have we to lose, except our Godly inheritance and integrity? So, is sitting on the fence really worth it, either at personal or church level?

Heaviness

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) or as the phrase is recorded in the King James Version, “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

The spirit of heaviness can come from almost any source, but usually from the actions or words of someone we love. We feel heavy, or down, or maybe in extreme cases even depressed, because we love. If we do not love, we do not feel. If we do not feel, we cannot have a spirit of heaviness. Maybe that is a reason or excuse for avoiding love, but I don’t think that is a good argument. The old saying goes, “Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all”.

The deeper and more you love, the greater the spirit of heaviness you are open to experience. I am amazed by the remedy given by Isaiah, to try praise! How can you sing praise when you feel so low, that you can hardly breathe? But that is our inspired advice. It is described as a ‘garment’, and to me, that is something to cover the whole body, and includes the spirit of heaviness. I reckon we can praise God in ways other than song. How about thanks for the good things we enjoy? How about good Christian family, and friends around us? How about the very person who causes you to feel heavy? Perhaps that is the hardest one, but I think the reason we feel heavy is due to the very fact that we love in the first place. How then can we NOT give praise for that person who made, or makes us love? Yes, maybe the verse is true after all. The only solution for our spirit of heaviness, is after all, praise in any one of its forms.

Hallowe'en

You will have your own thoughts. Call it Hallowe’en or Trick or Treat, you might love the night or loathe it. Christian adults can get all hot and bothered, or even in extreme cases, theological, when the topic comes up, and especially as the dreaded night approaches.

At the child’s level, this is a great opportunity to dress up, act silly, and get a reward for telling a terrible joke, or singing an off key song. They are too young to see anything else behind the pirate costume, and the chance to fill their treat box in the house when they get home.

At the secular adult level, parents are concerned about their child’s safety, so will probably be following just out of sight of their charges, as they (with a big grin) ‘fleece’ neighbours of their chocolate stash.

The theologically minded Christian is a different matter altogether. If they have young children, and they push their displeasure of hallowe’en by discouraging participation, they risk two things. In the first place, they are at risk of alienating their own children from their friends. In fact they will effectively sacrifice their children for their own belief. Secondly, they will become known in the neighbourhood as a ‘strange’ or ‘odd’ person, who would not let their kids dress up, and not as a Christian. The witness has been compromised. Unfortunately, I see that as a lose-lose situation.

The Bible does talk about witchcraft, and the heinous sin that it is. It is an abomination before God, and violates the first commandment. Of that there is no dispute. However, let me leave a few thoughts with you. Do you personally know any witches or covens? Have you heard of any in your area? Do you personally know of any wrong doing, or law breaking by anyone who just might be a witch? No, neither do I. However, and it is a big however, there are elements of the day I do not like, and see as evil. How about those open witches and covens we see on TV and read about in the juicy tabloids? These people do exist, and they are anti-God in every way, and to be avoided. There are also the yearly menu of films on the children’s channels like Disney and Nickelodeon which are nothing short of horrifying and blood and gore offerings which do nothing to celebrate the fun side of the day. The innocence of their young lives are short changed by film and program makers who want to serve up as much horror as possible, and the more graphic the better.

So, where do I stand? I see nothing wrong in letting young children do a bit of harmless ‘guising’ with their pals (never alone) under the supervision of a loving parent, Christian or not, but making sure they know full well the reason for the next day in the calendar. All Saints Day on 1 November comes round every year, but it is not ‘cool’ to celebrate it, or even talk about it. This is the day that Christians should really be celebrating, and for all the right reasons. Did you recognise and celebrate THAT day?

Qantas

I remember in the 1980s, the USA Air Traffic Controllers went on strike to force their employer’s hands into giving them more money. The then President Reagan immediately sacked the whole lot, knowing there were many others, equally well qualified, ready to accept the pay and conditions which were the subject of the strike. Most of the workers tried to get back to work, and the rest were replaced, almost overnight. The strike was over, air traffic control was reinstated, and US national security was not compromised. President Reagan was hailed as a national hero by all, except the militant few.

Now another major strike has threatened Qantas, with the strikers thinking they had the upper hand of force. Not so. Qantas immediately grounded their entire fleet of aircraft until further notice, and the politicians are brought in to encourage negotiation between the unions and the airline company. Passengers are affected, the Australian economy is affected, and the very people bringing the action to this point, the union members, are affected. No winners and all losers. Or maybe not?

The balance of the dispute has shifted now, from the well paid strikers, to the company which pays their wages and provides their conditions. As happened before, I reckon there are many others who would be happy to work under these same terms and conditions. I say, give them a chance. Employ those who will not bite the hand that feeds them (literally). As a result, I think the strike may become much shorter than the unions thought, and show that the company has rights too. As in the UK, is it possible that the unions have too much power, and just need or want to flex their muscles now and again? Having said that, I fully understand the beginnings and need for workers’ unions, to stand against rampant poverty and abuse of the ordinary workforce, most of whom lived in squalor, and could not speak for themselves. You cannot say that about the present use of the strike tool by the present union hierarchy, can you?

Forgive? Yea, Right!

Robert Black was sentenced for yet another abduction, abuse, and murder of a wee girl. I don’t want to name any of them, but I counted four young girls all aged between 5 and 12 years, who died in horrific circumstances, and at the hands of a sexual predator of the worst kind. If you have a young girl in your family, or among your wider circle, you will feel revulsion, and yes even hatred for this subhuman specimen, who cannot be called normal by any standard, or stretch of the imagination. Even the best and most upstanding Christian, must feel a total hatred for this man, right?

When Black was sentenced, the child’s parents spoke outside the courtroom. Their message? That this man actually can be forgiven by a loving God, and accept Jesus as his Saviour, just as their young daughter had accepted her own salvation. These parents are either very, very Godly and live their faith daily, while tested by the most dreadful circumstances, or they are delusional and not thinking straight. I know that the Bible tells us to forgive, and that is the ultimate test of our faith, but Black? Really??

I hesitate to try to put myself in these parents shoes, because I have two treasured daughters, and two lovely granddaughters, but I fear I do not have the grace these parents show towards the man who murdered not only their wee girl, but others besides. He is a multiple abuser and killer of some of the most innocent and vulnerable lives on this earth, and shows no remorse. So, how can we forgive him? How can we do what it commands in the Bible? Are those of us who cannot forgive him, then not really to be seen as Christians? Are we worthy to own the name of Christ, if we cannot forgive the sinner under these conditions?

Deal With It

If something happens in your life that you don't like, but someone else does, you will be on the receiving end of the words, “Deal with it”. This happens to us all the time. It's just life, isn't it? And a biggie will be coming our way soon, so prepare yourself for having to 'deal with it'.

In all the most recent elections in the UK (remember them?) all the political parties, except one, stood squarely behind the need for marriage to be redefined by law. Now the Conservative Party, who were silent before, have come out strongly, very strongly, in favour of the redefinition. If you haven't caught the significance of this, let me say it another way. Marriage will be redefined by law in the UK to allow same sex couples to be regarded in every way equal to normal couples. I make no excuse for saying 'normal'.

I have many questions, but these have now become academic. It will happen. We will have to 'Deal With It' now. Not only do we have to deal with this question as a matter of personal conscience, but perhaps more importantly, all of our churches will have to deal with it, but in their cases, the law will be tested, and churches who do not fall into line will be prosecuted in line with the law of the land. On a personal level, I am extremely disappointed in the Conservative Party, who were the only party to give the impression that they were struggling with the question, but it now is very apparent they were gathering votes before joining the others in their joint agenda. I have to put that aside now.

If you belong to a 'Bible believing, evangelical church', you will soon be tested. Our churches will no longer have a free choice in how they preach the Word of God. They will have to preach in line with the State Government in mind. This sounds like the State control used in old Russia, China, and other non Christian countries. I think that is the crux of the matter. We are no longer a 'Christian Nation', so guess what, “Deal With It”.

A Good Death?

Can a death ever be good? Can it ever be welcome? There was dancing in the streets of Libya when the death of Muammar Gaddafi was reported, and a line up of rebels willing to take the ‘blame’ for killing him. After months of fierce fighting in a terrible civil war, the subject of a country's hate has been killed, and now is facing his creator, and maker. So, is there really anything to celebrate? What about his killers? Would they have blood on their hands? We have people in the UK and USA now asking why he was not brought to trial for his crimes. Maybe he would have been sentenced, and then given time off for good behaviour. (Sorry that bit of cynicism just slipped out.)

On another point, did you note that the self styled ‘king of kings’ (perhaps an Islamic taunt on the Christian community in the West?) who insisted that his people loved him, and would die for him, pleaded with his captors to set him free? He offered them great wealth in exchange for his life. It didn’t work. He had lost the faith of his people, after mistreating and abusing them for many years. It reminded me of the temptation of Jesus, when He was asked by the devil to worship him, in exchange for much wealth and kingdoms, which were not his to give. Is it possible that Gaddafi was a type of the devil himself? Just a thought.

In any event, one of the things which sets us apart from non democratic nations, is the rule of law. We lose it at our peril. Bearing in mind the evil of the man, it almost hurts me to say that even he was due a trial, by a judge and jury of his peers. We may mock the process at times, but without it, we become another barbarian nation. Had he been killed in a crossfire, or as a result of another’s reaction in self defence, that is one thing, but to be killed in cold blood, by a baying mob? Is that what we really think was right? I accept the world is well rid of Gaddafi, but does the method of his death, give us some idea of the underlying nature of the Islamic people of Libya, and the kind of democracy which may follow? I think there may be a difference in the basic value of human life, between the Judeo-Christian and Islamic Faiths.

Where will the ‘Arab Spring’ lead us? I may be alone in my thinking, but I don’t think recent events are anything to celebrate.

Well Done!

There are many verses in the Bible that I love, and it is hard to pick a favourite, but for me, one in my ‘top ten’ would be:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21

This verse works for me on two levels. Firstly, it is always good to hear that someone thinks you have done something well, and that is especially true if the words come from the lips of a loved one. Some parents are good at doing this with their children, but not all! Some married couples are good at this with each other, but not all. Some friends are good at this, but not all. Get the picture? We all like to be appreciated, but we don’t always rise to the occasion ourselves, do we? In our culture, we may be more inclined to make a sarcastic comment, with a wry smile, in the hope that the recipient will see it as a compliment. It’s not quite the same as a ‘well done’, but it gets us out of the ‘problem’ of appearing soppy.

Secondly, I like this verse because of the reward that goes with it, contained in the words “Come and share your master’s happiness.” The thought of doing so well in this life, that Jesus’ reward is to spent eternity with Him, and therefore your loved ones, makes this a great part of the ‘Well done’! The King James Version puts it this way, “Enter into the joy of the Lord.” Now for me, that makes it worth the effort to be an encourager, and make sure I tell my friends and loved ones, “Well done” when it is deserved, and often, because of the reward which is inherently linked in the verse. Now think about the verse another way. What harm do you think it will do, here on earth, or in heaven, if we don’t speak our encouragement with a ‘well done’? I would suggest the harm caused would be immense, immeasurable and possibly with eternal consequences!

So, don’t be afraid to tell your friend(s) or loved one(s) that they have done something well. Encourage them. There is an earthly reward, right here, right now, but yet another, and greater reward to come.

Save Dale Farm?

As a Christian, and wanting to believe and do the right thing, I am flummoxed by the eviction of travellers who have been living illegally for many years, at Dale farm, Basildon, Essex. The cry going up is, “Save Dale Farm”, but save it from what? Eviction is the first and obvious answer, but what is behind it?

Should the families of Dale Farm be exempt from the law? No. Should the residents be able to change the law? Maybe, but this has been tried in the highest court in the land, and failed. Should the residents be offered another place to set up camp? Yes, that has been done, to a site just a few hundred yards down the road. Should the council offer a house to live in, instead of a caravan, for the young families? Yes, and that offer has also been refused.

So, it is plain to see that the residents are in the wrong, on all counts. The local council has to be congratulated in their patience, and offers of help. After all, this has taken 10 years of patient negotiation and legal process, to get to this stage. The eviction did not come out of the blue, even though you could be forgiven for thinking this, by all the media attention given. The police are also doing a difficult job in an almost impossible situation. It’s not their fault!

Back to the question, “why?” My own feeling is that the travellers want to make a point, and are prepared to do what they can, and to go down fighting, literally! Think about this. If a group of squatters took over your home, and it took 10 years for the law to be applied, what would you think? Meanwhile, other neighbours and ‘friends’ join the party in your home. What if your home was not looked after, or kept in good repair? Would you be happy as you waited for the courts to decide to evict the squatters? I know I would not! Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul make it clear that we should obey the government, and give to it as required. It is worth remembered that Jesus and Paul lived in and through Roman occupation, and yet the principle of civil obedience is given as our example.
Based on all of this, I believe the travelling community are in the wrong, have had long enough to reconsider, and should be moved on. The use of force has been made necessary by the actions of the travellers themselves. To put it in plain speak, they only have themselves to blame!

ASBO Network

I am getting a bit fed up with the posting habits of some of my facebook 'friends' or more likely 'friends of friends'. I joined facebook a bit reluctantly, to get, and stay in touch with old friends from 'way back, and to that end I have been successful. So, what's the problem? The social network has become little by little, another way of showing how anti social we have become.

So, I am an old fuddy duddy. I don't mind being called that. What I do mind are mindless facebook posts and images which are in bad taste certainly, but bordering on pornographic, with innuendo, and very bad language. I don't choose to stay in that kind of company, and can certainly understand the odd expletive in a conversation from a friend, or relation. But, and it's a BIG BUT, to take the time to write it down takes a bit of deliberate thought, and I don't think it is all in silly mischief, or meant as a bit of fun.

It has been said that billboards are a mirror of the morality of a nation. Well, I am beginning to think that social networking sites like facebook, are also a mirror of our nation's morality. Yes, the lion's share of postings are good natured and a bit of fun, but we all know when it has crossed a decency line. Or do we? Apparently not by everyone after all. I am very close to shutting down my facebook account, but as a start have scaled down my settings to the bare minimum 'friends only'. I have also made it clear that any such postings will result in that person being removed from any and all visibility on my account. It's part of my personal profile.

There is another new word creeping into our vocabulary, and it is 'fraped', which is a combination of the words, 'f'acebook and 'raped' and I see it being used more frequently recently. This is what is meant by taking over someone else's facebook page when they are not looking, and posting something which would horrify the owner of the account. I have a couple of concerns with this. Firstly, making the comparison with the worst thing that can happen to a girl, and comparing it to posting a malicious sentence, is a bad use of language, not to mention common sense, and demeans the agony experienced by too many girls in our culture. Not funny. Secondly, I am not convinced that all of these posts are put there by a third party. Maybe there is a bit of personal mischief going on, under the guise that someone else did it, and they are not to blame themselves.

Finally, I apologise if you have seen anything on any of my pages which you find offensive, in any way. If it happens, please let me know and I will take care of it. Due to the way I use the system, you may see something like that before I do, and have time to delete the post and the person. Rant over!

Tough Call

Question: Should I attend a same-sex wedding/civil ceremony of a relative/friend?

I said it was a tough call. So what would you do? Would you not attend out of embarrassment, or conviction (Christian or otherwise), or attend because you agree with the principle of same sex union, or don't have the 'nerve' to say no? This question originated in a recent Christian periodical, and not from someone making mischief. This comes from a heart that wants to do the right thing in this secular world, but also in the sight of a Holy God. Yes, it's a tough call!

The UK and Scottish governments are in the process of a consultation which will probably result in the definition of marriage as we know it, being changed to include homosexual marriage. It has already happened in other countries, so the same question is relevant to many.

Due to the topical significance of the question, I am interested in your thoughts, but not just your thoughts, your reasons too. That can be in support, or not. One thing is sure, we will be faced with making the decision sooner rather than later. 

In Hiding?

Fact 1 There are many people in prison for doing bad things, and the only reason they are there is because they were caught or found out.

Fact 2 There are many people free in society (and church), still doing bad things, but haven't been caught (yet).

Numbers 32:23 - “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

Galatians 6:1 - “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

Feeling smug because you are not one of these people who have been caught? Or proud because you think you have never sinned? Either way, you show yourself to be out of the Spirit of the Beatitudes. Perhaps we should always be aware that, “There but for the grace of God, go I.” The verses quoted above show that we are all liable to sin, and therefore be caught in sin, but as Christians should we not be as good in the restoration of a contrite soul, as we are in talking about them, and condemning them?

I love the verse in Romans Chapter 8:1-2 which says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” To me that means a sinner, that's all of us, through contrite repentance, can be fully forgiven by a loving God, who will not condemn us. Psalm 51 tells us, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (I think the key words are, 'contrite repentance'.)

Is it not our collective, compassionate, Christian duty to try to do the same?

Ten Ways to Love

1. Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18)

2. Speak without accusing (James 1:19)

3. Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26)

4. Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9)

5. Answer without arguing (Proverbs 17:1)

6. Share without pretending (Ephesians 4:15)

7. Enjoy without complaint (Philippians 2:14)

8. Trust without wavering (1 Corinthians 13:7)

9. Forgive without punishing (Colossians 3:13)

10. Promise without forgetting (Proverbs 13:12)

Shared Campus

This small phrase caught my eye, and was a source of great encouragement to me. My old high school is involved in a project which will see a purpose built high school, jointly shared with the town's other high school. The significance is not lost on anyone who has lived in the West of Scotland, or like me, was born and educated there.

In the summer of 2013, Port Glasgow will open a shared high school campus, where Non Denominational and Roman Catholic pupils will be taught. True, the whole campus is still divided in certain areas, to 'protect the ethos' of the individual establishments, but large sections are open to all pupils to mix, mingle and eat together. In my book, that's progress!

Scotland in general, and the West of the country in particular, has suffered from sectarianism for far too long. I have always thought we could tackle the problem if we put our minds to it, and here is a very obvious big part of the solution. These young students have the first chance in the town to think of themselves as a single body, and not as 'us and them'. Can you imagine the benefits this simple step could have in years to come? Let's do the same thing all over Scotland every time a new school needs to be built, or an existing one extended. Congratulations to the forward thinking of the faith leaders, and the education authority for having the courage of their convictions. We should get behind the change, and help in all and any ways we can! Yes, I am encouraged!

Information or Transformation

Subtitled: Law or Grace?

Gal 1v14 - “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

Philippians 3:9 - “...and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

I can remember the 'older, glory days' of the church. Pews were filled, singing would have inspired you, prayers were powerful, and the body of Christ in the church was united in the great commission of reaching out to the world. Great days, and impossible to forget. These days helped form my convictions and gave me a strong feeling of right and wrong. All parts and all ages within the church were growing, and healthy. That made it a secure environment to learn and grow individually. Having said all that, I and many others like me are victims of our early church life. How can that be, I hear you ask?

The years after WW2 were full of church growth, true, but something else grew, and that was the 'law'. To be more descriptive, it would be the rules, some written but some unwritten, but all were expected to be obeyed. Do you remember being allowed to have a Sunday walk, but not allowed to play with friends? Not doing school homework on Sunday? Not taking the bus on the Lord's day, so walking to church? No mixed bathing/swimming? No TV, and therefore no cinema, because it supported an immoral industry? A dress code to promote modesty, but resulted in the 'frumpy' look for the ladies? Ladies did not wear trousers! The list could go on.

The youth of that day, had a tough time when change came along. Somehow, the bad habits we had been warned against, became the norm. How many good Christians do you know who go for a walk on Sunday, or any of the other things listed earlier? I would reckon all of the things listed, are being done today and no one bats an eyelid. Look at the two verses above again. The same person, Paul, describes how he lived by the laws, but that was BEFORE he was changed by faith. The change which transformed his life, and gave us most of the New Testament, was brought about by a personal encounter with Jesus, and the faith which followed. It had NOTHING to do with the rules he followed religiously.

Question: How many Christians do you know who came to sound faith in Christ because of the 'rules' they obeyed? I know what my answer is!