Accustomed to Darkness

"We don't hate sin enough to get upset at the wickedness and godlessness around us. Bombarded as we are by so much media evil and violence, we've gotten accustomed to the darkness" – C S Lewis

If you were at our church last Sunday, you will have heard Pastor deliver a thought provoking message. As part of his material, he used the quote above by C S Lewis. (You can hear this message by clicking on the link on the Welcome Page until the end of this week!) C S Lewis was at his height of writing in the 1950's, and if he was worried about our concept of sin then, it stands to reason as Christians, we have more cause to worry now.

Our world is bombarded by sin, and sinful lifestyles. We only have to cast our minds back a few years to note the difference in things which affect us most. Things like, movie content, explicit song lyrics, TV shows and yes even before the so called watershed time of 9pm, Newspapers with page 3 as their main selling point, pornographic magazines on open display in newsagents, the pop video which is now almost wholly based on sex, the rampant rise of HIV/STDs/morning after pill. I'm sure you can add to this list. The age group most likely to be influenced and affected in all of these areas are, yes you've guessed it, the young! Next question is, who has been responsible for putting young minds in harms way? Answer, the older generation who have sleep walked into their slow acceptance of sin and sinful lifestyle as being ok, and doing no harm!

I think we face a crossroads in our churches and in our nation, in that order. The responsibility of morality, and the law of right and wrong, lies with our churches. If we cannot trust them to preach and teach the gospel of Christ, something is far wrong. We should lead by example, and if that light is hidden, we have no right or ability to show sin for what it is. There is no doubt that some of our mainstream churches are having to face up to real challenges of morality. Some will fail. The chickens have come home to roost. We have let the rot go deep. I think we either lie down to the idea of sin being a serious problem to deal with and do nothing, or we each take some kind of responsibility to make a difference in our own lives, and those we influence. We all influence some others, be it among a large number of friends, or to a small family group. I wonder what others see us as? I wonder what they think of our tolerance of sin? Lastly, I wonder if we care enough? 

Books and Reading

Schools, colleges and universities around the UK are alarmed at the number of students who cannot read properly, and who certainly can't write in good basic English grammar. There is a certain age of person who can remember the strict teaching of written and spoken language. It wasn't easy or even likeable, but it was seen as important. Not now. It seems our schools system want the lessons to be nice and easy, and with little emphasis on simple things like spelling, handwriting or the written word.

We live in a world of the 'text message' and email, where a sub culture language all its own has emerged. The theory is, as long as it is understood, it is acceptable. The result is shorter, misspelled words, and an inability to string too many of these words together to make a sensible sentence.

My point? The inability of our youth (in general, not in particular, so please do not be offended) to write or spell, is due to another underlying cause. Reading, or to be exact, the lack of it. Reading a book is not an acceptable pastime, or hobby, and is certainly not cool. Why do you think libraries are closing down all over the country?

If books in general are not being read, in favour of computer screens, and 'text-speak', then it would follow that the Bible as a book is no different. Scripture is not promoted in schools, and in the face of falling literacy, the Bible must also be a reading casualty. Please tell me if I am wrong, but I fear the coming generation will know about the Bible, but will not really know the content and importance of the Bible! If that is true, and it is only a thought, we have much to fear in the future loss of our nation's moral compass.

To end on a positive note, the Bible can be downloaded onto smart phones, and tablets. I know of only one person who uses this in church to follow the Bible reading, although not in my own fellowship. I think this is a great idea, but is this a common practice? Please let me know if you use a smart phone or similar to read the Bible in Church? (By the way, the phone is switched off during Church, just in case you wondered!)

High Maintenance

You can easily see this in many people. Other people that is. And it can be quite obvious, if not to them, then at least to you and everyone else around them. The phrase can get dropped easily into our conversations, and it is very descriptive. No other words are usually needed to further describe the person, or the reasons that they are indeed 'high maintenance'.

These folks are hard to get along with, and sometimes will deliberately take a view or position just to put another person 'in their place'. They may even talk down to you in a way that you think would be unreasonable, and even about those in their own circle. They usually like to be heard, and taken note of. Should I also say they can be quite egocentric, or self-ish! It all is summed up in the old saying, “It's hard to love the unlovely”, and still these people don't see it in themselves.

Hold on. If they can't see it in themselves, is it possible that we (you and I) can be high maintenance too, but in an area where it matters more? Are we tough nuts to crack for God? Do we make it hard for Him to work through us, because we are always telling Him how hard it is for us? (As if He doesn't know the truth already!) Do the angels whisper between themselves when our name is mentioned, “careful how you go with that one, they are high maintenance”. Ouch!

Wouldn't be me. Wouldn't be you, now would it?

Golden?

I can well remember the move we made early in our married life, from a flat on a busy bus route in town, to a bigger house in a village some 8 miles away. We moved for all the classic right reasons. A house with a garden, a better school for our daughters, and a smaller community. We loved it, but none of the reasons given were what hit us hardest. For the first week, we couldn't sleep well. The reason was the silence at night. It took a while to get used to silence, but once we were used to it, we loved it, and to this day, I still much prefer the quietness of village life, to the noise and bustle of town or city life. So for me, the old saying is true, “Silence is golden”. There is even a song about it!

There is another side to silence, however. Anyone who has been in any kind of relationship, or a close family will know that silence from the one(s) you love is the worst thing that can be done to you. It can be worse than an argument, or letting off steam, and any married couple will recognise that truth. The words “they're not talking to me” can be devastating. It tears at your heart, slowly but surely, and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets, and it may only last for hours!

We all live and survive in another family, the Family of God, so why do we have silences between close family? Do you ever feel that “they are not talking to me”? You may be right, because the Church Family is no different in this respect from our blood family, so there will be times when we don't communicate well. Now let me ask you this. Could it be that we are the ones not doing the talking when we should? Are we expecting others to make the move to speak, when we should be doing it ourselves? It is too easy to see the speck in someone else's eye, as Jesus taught, than to see something in our own eye.

“Not talking” in our own family or our own relationships is not good, and neither is it good in our Church Family. Maybe we should not continue to wait for the “others” to talk to us, maybe, just maybe, we should be doing the talking first! Sure, “Silence is Golden”, but only sometimes, and for short times. At other times it is heartbreaking! The challenge? On Sunday, when your Church Family gathers, talk to someone different. To those who will do that, or who already know this truth, thank you. I know God will Bless! 

London's Burning

You certainly cannot have missed the news reports of rioting, looting, burning, thieving, running street battles, civil unrest, murder on our streets? Did I miss anything? Their violence and terrorist activities (why can't they be referred to as terrorists when they are terrorising their own people?) is now being reported in several other cities across the nation. Everybody is asking why, and no one has any answers.

I know as a Christian, I am encouraged to lift up the fallen, and do good to them that hate, but.... really? Isn't the law there to protect the law abiding from the lawless? The civic leaders and politicians are starting already to spout platitudes. Saying things like, “We have to look closely at the situation”. And how about, “Lets not rush into any action”. Then there is the predictable “These poor people come from deprived areas, and need to be helped”. In other words, we have no clue at all how to handle the riots in the streets. Parliament will debate and discuss the problem! There are few people putting their heads above the parapet, and calling it like it is. These rioters are bad people. “Simple”, as the meercats would say. Lets try some other words like, evil, or angry, or lawless (now there is a word to get you Bible scholars going), or selfish, or hate filled, or maybe even sinful? Steady on now, we aren't supposed to say that last one! We are raising a generation of children and young people who know their rights, but know nothing about responsibility. We can't blame the police, but what about the parents? So what can be done?

How about these suggestions to try and quell the riots?

For a start, don't let them go too far before stepping in, then use the following steps progressively at 2 hour intervals if there is no change..

Impose a curfew of 8pm, and enforce it.

Use water cannon with bright indellible bright dye, high pressure hosing liberally on everyone who is rioting. Then the police can easily pick up the offenders later. When they get to court, and are sentenced, throw the book at them, and make the time in prison mean what is said, and not released for good behaviour after a quarter of the time given. As far as the 12 and 13 years old are concerned, treat them as adults, after all, they are behaving like adults.

Arm the police with plastic bullets. Oh dear, someone could get hurt, or even killed. Diddums! We can't have that in a city war zone now can we?

Allow the police to use their batons. No, encourage them to use their batons. I am sickened by the tactics which allows our peace keepers to come under sustained attack and if they take a step towards the terrorists, they are criticised and shouted down. They are issued with batons, so let them be used. I am tired of hearing the police being put down and blamed. They did not loot, burn and murder!

Employ the military, armed and mean, who will not sit there and take it! And, all those arrested should be conscripted into the Army. If they want a fight, let them have it in Afghanistan. Lastly, don't listen to the bleating of the liberals who want to understand and 'hug a hoodie' as has been said.

(The suggestions above, are partly 'tongue in cheek', but only partly!)

I know many poor people who lifted themselves out of the lifestyle mess they were born into, and made a good and decent life for themselves, and their families. Don't you? So, what is the difference? The ones I know saw that something inside had to change, and they started there. The fault doesn't lie in the actions of others, it lies inside you and me. So lets not get caught up any more, on changing the environment, and start emphasising a change from the inside. Now where would we get that kind of help and teaching? Oh, how about the Church of God, and the change that forgiveness and salvation bring to the heart? I know, it is all a bit old fashioned, and out of date, but we are trying all the social engineering we know, and have been doing so for the past 40 years. It hasn't worked, so is it not about time to try something different? Well it's not really new, is it? It's more than 2,000 years old and has stood the real test of time, and never been bettered. The big drawback is that this plan means a conscious decision involving, going to church, worshipping God, putting others first, and being different, and that is scary. Think you can handle that internal revolution? It is not for the faint hearted, and you won't hear it from the politicians. Only you know the answer to that, and no one else!

Them or Us?

The news reporting of the massacre in Norway has shown up some startling, and fundamental differences between 'them' (the Norwegians) and 'us' (the rest of the world, especially the UK). I am having some problems understanding these, and wonder if you have too?

I have found myself in much awe and respect of the ordinary folks of another small country who have suffered an atrocity of mass murder at the hands of a possibly insane, probably evil, human being who was 'one of their own'. These folks have been described by such words as, “trusting”, “naive”, “patient”, “not angry”, “understanding”, “friendly and helpful”, “honest”, “strangely balanced”, “not shouting or yelling at the accused”, and many more positive adjectives.

So, what do we, the UK media do? We shove microphones and cameras under the noses of these good people and ask stupid questions of the surviving victims, like “How do you feel” and “Why don't you get angry”? All in the hope that they might weep or get angry. We seem to think that makes good TV viewing. Then there are the pushy journalists who keep asking why it took the police so long to get to the island after the massive explosion in Oslo city centre. As if we were perfect. We have just finished the investigation into the 7/7 London bombings, and guess what? We failed abysmally at the same things we are accusing the Norwegians of. Double standards I think.

I still respect the Norwegian citizens from the top down, and would only wish we could be more like them. Our probing, fault finding, negative, morally lacking, corrupt journalism is in shreds right now over the News International scandal, and we carry on as if we were still the only ones holding the principle of freedom of the press. We have no right to question another nation's grief, or how they deal with that grief, let alone try to look as if we are the balanced media of the free world.

Sorry, but that was bugging me.

But God!

Joseph said to them,”Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid, I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them, and spoke kindly to them.” Gen 50:19-21 (NIV)

You are ready to go out for the evening, and the phone rings. Your plans are left in tatters with news of something which changes everything. You go to the doctor for a routine check up, and leave the surgery knowing that life will never be the same again. A yearly visit to the school to get your child's report, results in you having to reassess their capabilities. We don't take too kindly to our plans being changed. Plans which we felt were for the best, and maybe even had prayed for. But who really knows best?

If you have never read the book, “God Meant it for Good” by R T Kendall, I would recommend you get a copy and read it cover to cover. It follows the story of Joseph, and the verse quoted comes from a key part of the narrative. Maybe you have never done this, but I have questioned God's leading, direction, and wisdom when He has stepped in and intervened in my life. Complaining does no good, and changes nothing. But I don't see the end from the beginning, and I don't see the bigger picture from God's viewpoint, so how can I possibly judge? Joseph was well within his rights to question God's judgement, but he didn't. He said, “but God meant it for good”!

It takes us a long time, sometimes a lifetime, to get to the point that Joseph reached, and he didn't even have the benefit of Jesus' life recorded for him as an example to follow. We do, and still we struggle! I am constantly reminded that I must “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk” if I am to be the kind of Jesus follower who can be called a Christian, by those who watch from the sidelines. Whatever happens in and around my life, there should always be a moment when I realise anew, “but God meant it for good”!

Influence or Reflection?

The following story was released on the Christian Institute website, and shows a disturbing trend.

“Popular soaps EastEnders and Emmerdale are set to launch three more homosexual characters between them in the coming months. Homosexual lobby group Stonewall has previously boasted about its influence on TV soaps – citing one character who wore a campaign shirt from the group. ITV soap Coronation Street has already caused a storm of controversy with its homosexual characters – and some of its former stars have expressed doubts about its growing number of same-sex plotlines.

Last month art critic and TV personality Brian Sewell hit out at the excessive number of homosexuals, transsexuals, and teenage lesbian characters on Coronation Street. Mr Sewell, also attacked the same-sex storylines on EastEnders. He said soaps were being used as “sexual propaganda”. In May former Corrie star Nick Cochrane, who played Andy McDonald, commented on the number of same-sex storylines on the soap. He said: “Would one road in a working class area generally produce that number of gay people?””

There has been a long dispute over whether the media (especially TV) influences society, or just reflects it. I have already cast my vote on that issue long before this particular article was published. I would draw your attention to the bold type phrase in the release above. I have no doubt that homosexual groups, like Stonewall, have a clear, direct, and unambiguous agenda. They don't shy away from stating it, and are happy to repeat it as often as they get the chance. Their role in society is to 'educate' us into accepting that their way of life is not only good, but desirable. They don't want to stop at equality, they want to be superior. They are a protected species, a bit like the 'cuckoo'. At this point you are possibly thinking that I am that over-used word, 'homophobic'.

Like you, I also know that there are some very 'nice' homosexuals, but 'nice' does not equal 'right'! The Bible tells us to love the sinner, but not the sin. I also believe as moral and ethical Christians, we should be trying to balance the scales quite a bit. Stonewall does not have a monopoly on truth or justice, nor is it holding up any shining light for our youth to follow. Unfortunately, my views are open to be seen as intolerant and wrong in the eyes of the homosexual community, but am I allowed to call them 'abnormal' or 'unnatural' or 'sinful'? Apparently not, so the scales of debate are unbalanced. As unbalanced as Stonewall itself has helped to make it.

So, as a nation of addicted TV 'soap' watchers, what are we going to do? Will we stop watching Emmerdale, Eastenders, or Coronation Street? If not, why not? It is difficult to defend. If we don't, I suggest we are condoning and supporting not only Stonewall, but the very abhorrent and immoral lifestyle they represent. What about the moral scales of right and wrong? Are we going to be happy to leave them alone for another while, and pretend the problem is not that big? That is not a question for a nation, or even a street, it is a question for you and for me. It has become personal! Another question for you; who really are the intolerant extremists in our society?

Granted?

We all take something, or someone for granted from time to time. They are there in the background, and we know how much they do for us, and for others, but we assume they know that we know and care. But do we? Are we not guilty of taking them for granted? It happens in business, in our families, and even our churches. I don't think we mean any harm, and certainly would not want anyone to take us as insensitive either.

Every now and again, something will happen to prompt us to be more aware of others, than ourselves. That little 'push' is sometimes all we need to remind us that we are not alone. And neither are those we care about.

It is no coincidence that church folks are referred to as 'The Family of God'. It is also no surprise that when we pray, we don't always know what form the answer will take. There are occasions when we pray for someone, or a situation because we just 'feel' it. No surprise there, after all, families will often know there is something wrong, but can't put their finger on what it is. So it is with the Family of God. We may direct our prayers as we see fit, but God knows better than us how to answer, and when! Is it important that we get all the facts right when we pray? No. Is it important that we let our Family know that we are praying? Yes, I think so. It gives encouragement, and that is a two way street. By praying for each other, we are also supporting each other.

So, next time you 'feel' the need to pray for a situation or a person, and yet you don't have all the facts, don't be put off. Go right ahead and leave that prayer parcel at the door of heaven. Jesus will pick it up, and take it straight to the Father, who knows exactly how to respond, and the right time to answer. So, for my quiet friends, thanks for reminding me of the honour we have of praying for each other, and not to take my Family of God for granted.