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!

I Have The Plane

The plane is in the air, and under the capable hands of the co-pilot, who has shown every skill and competence during the flight so far. He is feeling good with himself, because this is the furthest and longest he has had control of the plane, and he might even get to take it the full journey and do the final descent, and ultimately land the jet safely. He is feeling pleased and almost smug.

The pilot has been watching during the journey, and sees things differently from the co-pilot. He then breaks the silence, and the dream of his partner, and utters the words, “I have the plane”. The controls are then passed immediately to the senior pilot, with the co-pilot responding, “You have the flight”. The safety of the passengers is now in the hands of the more experienced. Both pilots know the rules. Both pilots have already agreed the discipline, because after all, they are both professional airmen, with the ultimate goal being the safety of the passengers.

We love to be in control, and there are times we get too cocky, thinking we have it all 'in our own hands' and don't need any help. We are making the trip ourselves, and without any external help. Then Jesus sees our heart, steps in, and says, “I have the plane”. What do we do? Do we argue with the Senior Pilot and refuse to pass control, while still trying to stay on course by ourselves, perhaps putting the others we have responsibility for, in danger? Or, knowing the Senior Pilot, do we immediately hand the controls of our 'plane' over willingly, in the full knowledge that He knows best? Like you, I know what we should do but we are not always good at doing it willingly. In the meantime, those around us we love, are in danger until we finally hand over the controls of our lives.

After all, if anyone can land our plane safely, we know it is the Senior Pilot, right? Even Jesus had to hand control over to the Father, his own Senior Pilot.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22v42