Another Special One

“Hearts footballer Craig Thomson has been placed on the sex offenders register after pleading guilty to two charges of indecent behaviour. The 20-year-old was also fined £4,000 for his lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour towards two girls, aged 12 and 14, over the internet. The 20-year-old footballer was kept on by the club despite admitting sexual offences against two young girls.”

It seems our game of football is in the news, and for the wrong reasons yet again. We have a backdrop of alcohol abuse, and sectarian chanting to cope with already, and as if that wasn't enough, we now have a row over a convicted paedophile who initially would not be sacked from his Scottish Premier Club, Hearts of Midlothian. The club management supported him fully and therefore endorsed his behaviour.

Two (could there be others?) under-age girls were groomed on the internet by Thomson and will now be coming to terms with their stupid internet encounters. They could have been much closer to other more damaging actions by him. The fans wanted the player sacked. The girls' parents wanted him sacked. The main sponsor withdrew and wanted him sacked. A leading children's charity wanted him sacked. Like the three 'wise monkeys' the club could not see anything wrong with keeping the player on their books, after all, 'he was a good footballer' they said.

What does it take for football clubs to take ownership for their problems, whether by their staff, or fans, and do something about it? The latest news is that Thomson has been suspended, well that is a start. They now need to apologise to the fans and parents, and try to distance themselves from their initial foolhardy support. If our so called 'beautiful game' is going to improve as a family sport in the UK, the clubs, players and fans will have to take some responsibility, and not just nod knowingly on the sidelines, which we are very good at already.

As Christians, shouldn't we take note of the lives of celebrities and 'stars' and shine a light on their indiscretions? After all, like it or not, they are role models to many young people in our society. We desperately need more good examples for our youth, and it seems that these are in short supply right now, especially in football. 

Voting Intentions?

Thursday 30^th June 2011, sees yet another chance for the people of Inverclyde to cast their votes, this time as a result of a by election caused by the death of the sitting MP, David Cairns.

For the Christian, voting is not an easy business. My own simple thinking is that most of the political parties do not set out to do us harm. To an extent, they all want the NHS to work properly and better, they all want our education system to improve, and they all want better safety and reduced crime. It is reputed that even Hitler got the trains to work on time in 1938. So what is there between them?

Simply put, I try to see which person and/or party is most likely to react morally and ethically to life's other issues. You know, like legalising marriage for homosexuals. And how about those liberal minded (not necessarily the political party) folks who want to bend over backwards to protect the rights of the criminals, instead of the victims? Then there is the scourge of alcohol and bigotry in our region. Who will take a stand on the side of common sense and not play politics with the issue? How about knife crime? Who will be clear about who the victim really is, and not constantly emphasise the bad upbringing a knife user has had?

You may know I have always advocated the use of our right to vote. It is our democratic heritage which was hard fought to win for us, so we should not 'opt out' because we can't be bothered. Voting is an obligation which we should embrace, after all it usually only comes round once every 4 or 5 years. Don't put your cross against 'the usual suspect' because that's what your family has always done, but put your cross where it matters most, morally. That's where your own cross may partly reflect the values of another Cross, and the one who hung there. After all, He is our only real advocate and representative!

A Real Test

Millie Dowler was 13 years old when she disappeared 'in the blink of an eye' as the detective put it, in 2002. Nine years later, her killer was in dock and found guilty of murder. It was not his first. He was in prison already for similar crimes... another two murders!

The court representatives, barristers, defence and prosecution lawyers all knew the man in the dock was a serial killer, but his defence took his time in trying to break Millie's parents, especially her Mum, by suggesting that the young teen was depressed and a problem. So what!!! It turns out he was doing his job of defending a killer, and if it meant dragging Millie's already grieving Mum through the fire, he didn't care. Even to the point of directly causing her to collapse under the weight of his vicious questioning, and being carried out of the courtroom. All he was thinking about was his fee. At this point, I am beginning to question who was worse, the killer or his defence lawyer? Seriously.

As a Dad to two girls, and a Granda to four, two boys and two girls, I think I would be in great danger of losing both my temper and my salvation if any of them came to harm in that way, by a cynical and calculating killer and his complicit lawyer. A killer without remorse, and a lawyer without scruples or morals who are well matched is a dreadful combination.

How would I be judged? I think in this life, I would have sympathy and support. Lots of it, but what about my ultimate judgement? On the same theme, how will a merciful God judge a Mum, Dad, and Sister, who did not see justice done, and only wanted their beautiful daughter and sister's killer to suffer as she had, “an eye for an eye”. They want the ultimate price to be paid by the killer, who instead will live out his days getting hot meals, entertainment, exercise, and 3 star prison treatment, while they live without their very loved one.

Can I judge this family as being wrong, or sinning in their anger and loss? No, I can't. I don't know how I would react in the same situation, and I hope God will protect all my family from harm, and me from ever having to decide whether forgiveness is a price I can pay. In the words of the old saying, “There but for the Grace of God, go I”.

Stonewalled!

It is happening right under our noses, and we are all complicit in its success. As a Christian, yes even moral, nation we are sleepwalking into a dark eternity. That's just a cosy way of describing hell! There are many things in western 'civilised' society which go against the fundamental and basic teaching of the Bible, but for the most part we can rise above them by maintaining our own Christian walk, and belonging to a church which espouses Christ's teachings. Hence the name 'Christian'.

In Scotland we are all aware of the ongoing debate inside and outwith the national Church of Scotland to allow homosexually practising men to be ministers, and therefore by definition hold any position of leadership and authority in that Church body. Now, the background rumblings within the Church of England about homosexual bishops has been raised for discussion. We have the two biggest Churches in the UK which comprise well over half of Church membership and attendance, discussing the acceptance of homosexuality within its leadership.

Of course there is a debate. Have you followed any of the discussions? The CoS has centred around the teachings of it trying to be 'inclusive'. Take note of that word when you hear the subject being debated. On the other hand, the CoE has centred its talk around the word 'celibate' for homosexual bishops in a long term civil partnership. The word I would use is 'semantics'. That's playing with words, usually to make your own point.

Make no mistake, both of these churches WILL allow and embrace homosexuality in their ministers and bishops. There are some very basic and human reasons for this. The law of the land favours equality, and this is a well tried legal definition. To go against the law opens you and the church to litigation. The church would lose! Also, many ministers know only one vocation, and their church buildings and manses are owned by the 'general church'. To separate themselves from that body may make them jobless and homeless. This is no small problem for a young 'normal' minister with a small family.

While all this 'debate' is going on in our mainstream churches, with much navel gazing and hand wringing, the homosexual activist group, Stonewall is dancing, punching the air, and shouting 'result'!

So, what to do for the Christian person and church who want to follow the way as described within scripture, and see homosexuality as a clear sin? At the risk of making some good people angry, here are my suggestions, based on the familiar text:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor 6:17-18 (KJV)

Leave the church, either now, or later when the decision is formally made. Make it clear by 'telling the truth in love', why. Trouble is that even churches will play the waiting game, and play footsie with the devil, just to keep its business going. That is already in evidence.

Don't have your church government body unaware of your strongly held views. If they don't know directly from you (not through your minister only) they will be happy to assume you are 'with the program'. Take a stand. Your own stand.

Find another, maybe smaller church, which has not been sucked into the secular argument. This may be an independent church or mission, which still believes and practices the Bible as much as they can.

Contact your government representatives, MP, MSP (or country equivalent) to let them know they have a bad law. We, that's you and I, let it get this far, and it will not change overnight if at all, but that is not a reason for doing nothing.

Too strong? Oh sorry, I didn't mean to offend, just bring the whole discussion back to the place it belongs... the Bible. In the meantime, make no mistake, we (Christians) have been Stonewalled!

Still Not Easy

Ratko Mladic (there has to be a clue in his name?) is finally in dock in the war crimes court in The Hague, for atrocities to humankind, genocide, and murder of unarmed civilians, including women and children. Thousands of them! I can't get my head around what makes a man (or woman for that matter) hate so much, that he can justify it in his heart. The people who were killed were Muslim. He is 'Christian'. Ouch!! Take note when you watch the trial on TV. This is the story of a religious divide, and a sectarian war they are talking about. The festering hatred between ordinary men and women erupted into war of the kind which defies reason.

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt 5:44 (KJV)

I have neither excuse nor reason. I know the verse which tells me to turn the other cheek when abused too, but 'Rat'-ko? Surely he is in a different class? These verses don't apply here do they? Whether we like it or not, these are the words of Jesus, and we know He understood what He was talking about. After all, He suffered unspeakable torture too, and for us. But this time we are talking about a ruthless, arrogant man who thought nothing of the blood that was on his hands when the atrocities were being perpetrated in his name, and under his command. Because of my human weakness in judging this man, I also like the way Paul puts it when he says: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”. Romans 12:18 (KJV). I think Paul must have known how we must feel on a human level, especially about things like this, and people like Ratko Mladic.

No, it is not easy to forgive. As the old proverb says, “To err is human, but to forgive is Divine”. Wise words. May God grant us (me) the strength to be able to forgive, and not to look for the worst in people. Paul completes his words in the verse above like this: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”. Romans 12:19 (KJV).

Ok, Lord, I'll try, but it's still not easy!

A Personal Insight

The following article was written by a family member and good friend, who has personal insight into the Church now at the centre of the 'gay minister' (can those two words go together?) debate. His thoughts are worth digesting, and well written. I have replicated it here with his permission. My thanks to Norman Graham for nailing the issue, and addressing the core of the problem.

“Gilcomston South Church of Scotland in Aberdeen has become the first Church of Scotland to move towards holding a vote on whether to leave the mainstream Church. This is after the General Assembly voted to allow the ordination of gay ministers.

Before his death, Gilcomston South was the Church where Rev William Still ministered for 52 years before his death. I heard him preach there myself and was touched by his grace and care to steadfastly and carefully preach the Word of God consistently and faithfully. He knew how much rested on it not only being taught from the pulpit, but on a life lived expressing its truths, didn't shirk away from the 'tough passages' and diligently practised the prayer life, both personally and with his congregation, which he knew was utterly critical to both personal and communal growth as a Church, and in reaching out to those in Aberdeen and further afield who did not yet know God's love in their lives.

The love he had for his congregation, and their respect for him was obvious. His Church was one of the stalwarts, maintaining Biblical roots at a time when liberalism and its danger was rife throughout the Church of Scotland and that influence still causes it to wander far from its roots. Christianity does not have 'love' per se, at its core, but 'God's love'. Those are two very different concepts and only one sets us free to live as God intended us to, whilst the other sounds impressive but, having no moral core to anchor it, shifts with the winds of change blowing through each society, meaning different things at different times with no steadfast moral compass.

"Love" means whatever we want it to mean. "God's love" is rooted in His Word, displayed definitively through His character, revealed to us in Christ and practised, admittedly frequently imperfectly, by His people. The errant ways of God's Church will always be counteracted by looking, not necessarily to those who make decisions apparently in His name (feet of clay), but through the clear means whereby God has communicated to us, His Word, the Bible, interpreted prayerfully and wisely. Where this world and elements of the Church depart from God's Word as their moral compass and source for life and living, we respectfully depart from their association. We do so explaining carefully and in a respectful manner why it is necessary. God will honour those who honour Him and God will continue to reach out to those who reject Him with love and mercy. When I despair of the Church, I remember my own relatives and loved ones who now rest in Christ's presence and take courage in the fact that they watch over us encouraging us to continue in the same pathway they walked, ever looking to God's love and direction.”

For Such a Time as This

These words are found in the book of Esther, where the name of God is not directly mentioned, but where His hand of care and providence is shown in abundance. Esther was in a strange land, and must have wondered why she was there? This was not of her choosing, and her circumstances in a sense out of her control. We can all identify with that sentiment at times, with very few exceptions.

There can, and will be, times when we find ourselves in a strange place, physically, mentally, but perhaps more importantly, spiritually. That's when doubts creep in, and you question your own worth. That's tough. You may even question your worth in God's eyes, and that's tough too. The truth is that we are all important. No, essential, in God's eyes. After all, that's the whole reason we are here on this earth. To be a part of God's family, because He created us for a purpose, and that purpose is to commune with Him.

That is hard to see sometimes, and we can lose sight of the 'bigger picture', where we have a loving God who knows our worth, even when we don't. And loves us anyway in spite of our failings and shortcomings. Oh, the title? I have found that help and encouragement can, and will come from different people, and at different times, but the most important encouragements always(!) come from another person who is part of the big family of God. Denominations don't count in God's Kingdom, just broken people who hand over their lives to His care, and make no mistake, His care is good care!

The moral? Don't give up, because you may be there for that one person 'For Such a Time as This', just like Esther, and look at the difference she made in the history of that great nation.

Jew Bashing

It doesn't seem to have changed over the years. The Israeli nation has to endure the backlash of public opinion when anything (yes I mean anything) that happens includes all things Arabic. In the driving quest for a two state solution to the middle East conflict and tension, any time Israel stands up for itself, the world media takes the sides of the other. It doesn't matter who, as long as they are against the Jewish nation, and people. Well it seems that way to me.

I think it all came to a finish after the holocaust in World War 2, when they were almost wiped out, in and around Germany, but no! It carries on. From Bible times until now, the nation of Israel has had to fight their own battles, with very few allies. In the past few days, some Arab terrorists, louts and yobs try to storm the Israeli border with Syria using petrol bombs, sticks, stones and sheer numbers in their thousands, and think they can do it with impunity. After all, the watching world is on their side. Some of the youths involved are scarcely out of Primary School, and determined in their hatred for anyone or anything Jewish. 

I can understand a nation making sure their sovereignty is not breached or abused, ever again, and taking every step possible to maintain the safety of their citizens. They are doing that, and in the face of an illogical and unreasoned world view which stands against them every time. It seems they can do nothing right. In the recent case, where reports say 10 to 20 people were killed, the immediate blame was placed on the Israeli Army. That was even after they had used a loudhailer to warn the would be intruders, and used smoke bombs, and then tear gas, before the order was given to aim at the feet and legs of the oncoming 'terrorists'. The world media jumped at the news of people killed in the unlawful act of breaching another nations borders,before knowing the whole story. But that's not new for a media who support the Palestinian cause in everything they do. 

The truth, like oil in water, rose to the surface later. It turns out that the people who were injured and those who died, did so because they were in a mine field, where the mines were activated and detonated by the very molotov cocktails they were throwing. In other words, they died due to their own actions, and the action of their supporters. Strangely, this was not reported in the media in the same way as the story where the Israeli soldiers were given the blame. 

I just like a level playing field, with each one treated fairly. Can we possibly do that for Israel? Not everything they do is wrong, and I for one am tired of hearing otherwise from our so called balanced reporting media. (Notice I didn't even mention the fact that the Nation of Israel is God's chosen people, according to the Bible.)

Carers

In the past few days, TV screens in the UK have shown footage of secret filming by the BBC of abuses in a Care Home for the physically and mentally challenged who only know this place as their 'home'. The subject is 'carers' but the perpetrators of the abuses shown cannot take that title. Carers earn their name, by the way they look after their charges, and the name is worthy to be given to many in the eyes of the wider family who trust their children and siblings and parents into their care.

I have some knowledge of local Care Homes. Both my elderly parents benefited from loving care given by paid staff. I have good and caring family who have been, and are still involved in the care of the less fortunate in later years. They would rightly be horrified at all and any abuse meted out to unsuspecting residents by so called 'care staff'. Thankfully, this kind of abuse, by these kinds of people, are few and far between, but that does mean we have an excuse to do nothing to make sure it cannot happen again.

Our culture and laws are based on Christian values, so we have a responsibility to the vulnerable in our society. Not necessarily to do the excellent work of 'hands on caring', but to watch where abuse happens, and stand up against it. Jesus described us as 'the salt of the earth' and warned us against losing our savour. Yes, we like the “God is Love” approach, but we should also be in fear of the same God who judges our actions, and inactions. Unless the ones guilty of this reported abuse repent (now there's an old word!), they will suffer a terrible punishment. I can still hear the words of a special and true carer saying, “If we don't speak up for them, who will”? Good question!

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matt 25:40,46 (KJV)

Home

There usually comes a time, even when you are having a great holiday, whether long or short, you just feel like 'getting home', and nothing can shift the feeling. I have felt it on many occasions, and invariably the feeling only settles when I actually get to rest in my own place. My own chair. My own bed. My own family and friends. This is no reflection on the place you had been staying, or even the folks you spent your vacation with. It's an unshakeable and unmistakeable feeling. An itch that has to be scratched.

The first time the words truly hit home to me was from the lips of a great Christian man. A Godly example, and the greatest earthly influence on my life. In later life, Dad suffered from Parkinson's Disease, and took his illness with grace. He didn't grumble or complain about his lot, or ask us, or God, why this had fallen to him. However, there came a point when he had his eyes firmly fixed above, and said to me, 'I just want to go home'. Naively, and in my human thinking, I started to explain why he couldn't go home yet, after all, his treatment had not been completed. With a wry smile, tinged with a mixture of anticipation and yet sadness, he repeated with all the strength he could summon, "No, I want to go HOME"! There was a difference. It was etched on his face. I knew instinctively what he meant, and yes, he is really home now.

I have heard those same words since then, and have known what they meant, first time. Maybe you have too. Always spoken by Saints of God who can feel the tug of a loving God, saying to them, unmistakeably and personally; “It's time to come Home now my child.” My own prayer is that I will have enough grace to walk this life in humility, with all the ups and downs allotted, and still be able to say, "I want to go Home" when that unmistakeable tug pulls at my Spirit. Strangely, even from this vantage point, on this side of heaven, and with no desire for it to be soon, it does not strike me with fear. On the contrary, the concept of a waiting Heaven, with all the glorious benefits to be gained, can only be good. I acknowledge our Pastor's teaching on this truth, and I know it is a subject close to his heart too. In the meantime, slowly and surely, the words "Live Ready" take on more and more meaning!

The question is simple: “Where is your Home”?

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:20-21 (KJV)