Life Long Legacy

1912 was a great year. The centenary celebrations of the launch of the ‘Titanic’, the greatest ocean liner of its day have just about died down. Of course the greatest ship also sunk on its maiden voyage when it struck an iceberg. There was another more significant event which was barely noticed. A baby girl was brought into a fast changing world, and grew up to survive two world wars, and the great depression of the 1930s. She took her place in the world of work and family life, and I came to know this lady in the 1960s. Ella Barclay, and her husband Bobby, were strong influences in my life, and this is my thank you for that living legacy.

Ella Barclay celebrated her 100th Birthday on 28 May 2012, with a card from the Queen, but most importantly, with her family around her. A large and loving family at that. I have often wondered what would be the best thing I could be, or leave with my family and friends. I think the example of a Godly life, like Ella’s has to be top of the list.

You see, to understand my feelings fully, I have to tell you a story. A true story. In the mid 1960s Ella was a respected and gracious lady who loved the teens in her church. She had a heart (and still does) for the young folk who were placed in her path, and loved them ‘for her Lord’. This was, and still is unmistakable to anyone who knows this special lady. One teenage girl, who came from a poor family, and from the ‘wrong side of town’, had started to attend the girls’ youth group, led by Ella. In true style, Ella witnessed about her Lord. Not in a high handed way, but by a loving example which was new and refreshing to the girls in the group, but especially to this one shy and apprehensive girl. The words spoken by Ella have stayed with me since then. “It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, God loves you”. The message was simple and found their mark on a hungry heart. That heart changed, and was to become my friend and wife. Margaret was never the same again. She had found her reason for living, and I was allowed to share it thanks to the Godly example of Ella.

So, to Ella Barclay, now a grand 100 years young, thank you for being you. No one else, just yourself, and for the loving heart you gave to many others outwith your own family. Your reward is here and now, but also right now, in heaven... all thanks to you. For my own part, I have so much to learn, but with examples like Ella to work from, I can see the way ahead. Oh, and the more important happening of 1912? Was it the sinking Titanic, or the heavenly heart? No doubt in my mind. The Titanic is a poor second place. My heartfelt thanks for a Life Long Legacy, go to Ella Barclay, a very special and Godly lady. What higher accolade could there be in the here and now of our troubled world, than the eternal effect on other lives?

First Love

.. you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Rev 2:3-5 NKJV

These few verses are usually used to highlight the state of the ‘backslider’, and the threat of judgement if they don’t repent. God does not want any to perish, but to come to repentance, and I don’t think it matters to God how you come, as long as you return. The action of returning and repenting is the most important.

But wait. There are other loves, and we have all experienced at least some, if not all of them. The obvious one is our first human love. The memory of that first boyfriend or girlfriend stays with us, even when we have moved on and found our special person. In fact, I would go as far as to say, we probably needed to move on. What about your first car? The love of a young man (usually, but not always) with his first car never leaves, but chances are he still drives, but not the same car. He had to move on. After all, the car wouldn’t last forever. Then there was your first small house or flat, where many memories were made, but we have moved on because it got too small, so we loved it and left it for something better, but we still live in a house! What about our first job, or the first kiss, or the first Sunday School teacher who spurred you on and gave you something to strive for? You could add your own ‘first love’ to the list.

The first love we had when we came to know Christ as a Saviour, can also change and fade with time. That can be normal and usual, as long as the flame does not go out altogether. If your spiritual first love is fading or waning, then the warning in the verse is clear. Repent and return to your first works. In all the other cases above, showing some of our first loves, and how we reacted when that first love faded, we had to move on for our own benefit and good. It is important in the normal phases of life, and so I leave you with this thought: What if your first love cannot be rekindled in the church of your youth, where you found Christ as Saviour? What then? Stay and flicker, or renew elsewhere? Big question, but with no easy answer.

God in Heaven

Have you ever heard expressions like “Good heavens” or “My God” or “For heaven’s sake” or “For God’s sake” or similar? Have they been used in a religious or non religious way? In what context have you heard them?

I was given this thought to ponder recently, by a pastoral student of scripture, who had been given it as a project. My first reaction was that these kinds of phrases are not used by Christians, but then I had to think again. I have heard these words used quite often by many, and sometimes even by Christians. Should I be concerned by this lax use of words like, “God”, or “Heaven”? You tell me!

The abbreviation OMG is used often in texts, emails and social networking as a way to show surprise or amazement. If asked about it, you are answered with the remark that it means “Oh My Goodness” or “Oh My Gosh”. Really? Then there are those words which we use very carefully because they are a substitute for a swear word. They sound like one, and sometimes even rhyme with the offending word, and yet we excuse ourselves because we haven’t actually used the ‘bad’ word. Yes, maybe it is an excuse, but a poor one at that. Are we so intent on looking and sounding like the world around us, that we are prepared to stoop to their levels? I am not suggesting that you swear. No, I am suggesting that as a Christian, your language should be above that used by your mates.

There are religions which guard their god’s name to the death! That could not be said of the Christian faith, could it? I think we adopt the saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them” and so we let our talk degenerate to the lowest level. Do we think so lowly about our God, and His Heaven, that we do not care how we use His name? We can do no better that listen to the words of Jesus Himself. Are you up to the challenge, or do you think it doesn’t apply?

Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’  But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;  nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Matt 5:33-35

The Fork

...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

My experience as a lapsed hill walker, is that it happens eventually, and can be troubling. We reach a fork in the road, and initially we don’t know which way to turn. The fork doesn’t have to be a straight choice between good and bad. In someways that would be easier, but it can be a decision between two good choices, one better than the other, and you reach this place because you are undecided and unsettled. It can be the same in our spiritual journey. We have to choose, just like Joshua. A decision is needed, and it will affect you, but also your ‘house’. In Joshua’s case, that was his family, but maybe this time it’s another kind of ‘family’, and that’s what makes the fork in the road so difficult. A crossroads suggests a choice of at least three directions, but a fork means only one choice. Keep going the way you are, or take a new way.

From the verse in Proverbs, the direction will become clearer from trusting, leaning, acknowledging and letting God direct. Easier now? No, I didn’t think so, because this particular fork probably has the road you already know you should be on, and it means leaving the safe and familiar place where you are standing. I remember a preacher saying that a diver can stand on the diving board, but it’s only when his feet are in the air, that the dive can begin. It’s obvious, but has to be acknowledged.

It’s entirely possible that you or I have been standing at this same fork for a while, and can’t or won’t take that first step on the road you know you should be on. No amount of debating it, worrying about it, or further praying will make it better. You know in your heart what to do, and God has already made it clear, but you don’t have the nerve. Well not yet, but rest assured of this truth, the same fork in the road will still be there, and is not going away. If you or I don’t face up to it now, we will have to face it later on. Meantime, we mark time, and go nowhere, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. I think we will all agree, this is not a good fork in the road to be stalled.

Grand Old Duke

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Rev 3:15,16

Remember the good old Sunday School Christmas parties? One of the favourites was always, ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’, mainly due to the idea that you picked the girl/boy of your choice, and if you got caught under the arch, you had the choice of passing through, or stealing a kiss. The start of many a relationship which lead to marriage! But back to the words of the game. “When they were up, they were up, when they were down they were down, and when they were only half way up, they were neither up nor down”

God’s Word is a lot harder to read than the good old Christmas Party game verse, and we don’t like the verse because it is too harsh. Is it, or does it go to the heart of our call to be a Holy People? In earlier days, I was brought up to be in church when the doors were open, and that is a good thing, but it’s not where I am going with this thought. On a Sunday, we hopefully get ‘blessed up’ to help us face the rest of the week, so how about other days? Are we less than we should be on a Friday or Saturday night out? Is our language something we would never think of using in Church, or in front of our congregational friends? Do we let our eyes see images that God would not approve of, and our feet go where we try to leave Jesus at the door? (Of course Jesus is with us anyway, either as a friend, or through the Holy Spirit in conviction!).

When John wrote the words in the verse, he was speaking about a Church which did not measure up. I think we can all agree that we can all do better, whether individually or as a Church, but our God is the final Judge of our actions and intentions. Since our local churches are made up of individuals, one way to ensure we don’t incur the wrath of God in our Church is to live like a stick of lettered rock... the same all the way through the week, not just on a Sunday!

Cheeky Wee 50p

Living in Scotland makes me acutely aware of our national love affair with alcohol, and especially its abuse. It is deeply rooted in our culture, and now the Scottish Government are planning to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol of 50 pence. It seems that no one sits in the middle of this argument. You either recognise that it will help, or you think it won’t.

I don’t hear anyone say, “I’m going to open a cheeky wee bottle of Coke”, or Irn Bru, or Sparkling Spring Water. No, it is always, yes always, used in reference to a bottle of wine, or even a hard spirit like vodka or whisky. A party isn’t a party without alcohol, and the more the better. A restaurant meal out is not really complete without a visit from the wine waiter, and a “cheeky wee beau jolly”. I wonder why we have this fascination in Scotland? There are TV programs and presenters dedicated to telling us about the “fruity, full bodied, earthy, peaty, scented, etc etc, flavour and presence of their particular favourite bottle.

So, what’s the story in Balamory? On the other side of the scales are victims at A&E, filled police cells at the weekend, early deaths, and high school children who have swallowed the idea that a ‘wee drink’ is good, social, and very acceptable. That’s the story we portray, and so we shouldn’t be surprised that this younger generation will become the highest alcoholic generation ever! I wonder whose fault that is? Maybe you think it’s their own fault, and no one to blame but themselves. After all, I’m ok, and I drink responsibly, don’t I?

There are many groups who are happy to tell us how good a ‘wee drink’ is, and that it can be good for you, but what other independent groups are lined up on the other side? I accept that taking a ‘wee social drink’ is a personal decision, but have you noticed that the churches who once took a strong stand against alcohol, have melted into the background in the past few years? Mine included! Question: Is there a moral or ethical argument for abstinence from alcohol, or do we leave the “drink responsibly” lobby in the hands of the doctors, nurses, police and the courts? Should the church have a voice in the debate, and if so, who would that church be? Just asking......

All Over Now?

US President Barack Obama has ended months of hedging on the issue of gay marriage by saying he thinks same-sex couples should be able to wed.
He has become the first sitting US president to back gay marriage.
Mitt Romney, the Republican who is set to challenge Mr Obama for the White House in November's elections, promptly said he was against gay marriage.
In recent days, Vice-President Joe Biden and cabinet member Arne Duncan had expressed support for gay unions. (Courtesy of BBC News)

We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. I Tim 1:9-11 NIV

The US President is arguably the most important and powerful man in the world, at least politically. What he says in general, is listened to, and acted on by many  other leaders around the globe, so this news was shocking to me at least, but answered one of those questions which puzzled me and haunted him - he is certainly not a Muslim! It seems that none of the leaders in any nation use the Bible as a tool to guide their decisions, although the early US Presidents and UK Prime Ministers certainly did. Times and morality have changed at the very highest level. Does Ephesians 6:12 fit here? I for one think so.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Will the US as a nation follow the lead of the current President? I think yes, as will the UK (including Scotland, independent or not) and many other ‘advanced’ nations. But think on this: We may have lost this battle, but we know who wins the war! We also know the end of the story, so thank you, Lord. Question: Does this make me homophobic, or just not ‘Politically Correct’?

Right Hand

For some reason, the term “right hand man” or woman came to my mind, as I felt it must have had some significance to find its way into our everyday language. There are a few explanations given, but the one I favour is from the old military usage. The most important person in the fight would be on the front line, and vulnerable. His sword hand was his right side usually, and a subordinate was appointed to be his “right hand man”. In other words, he was to protect his superior’s right side, at all and any cost, even at the expense of his own life. So who do you think was the more important man now? I don’t know about you, but I am with the “right hand man”!

If you are right handed, losing that ability even temporarily, makes you vulnerable, and likewise for left handed people. We are very blessed if we have a ‘right hand man’ at our side who will be there through thick and thin by choice, and not because they have been appointed. I was also taken by the fact that it was only one person, not a few, so that single defender is a very important person, and as in the example above, I think that special friend becomes the more important one. Certainly the most needed in our own life in time of crisis or need. You are blessed if you have one, because not everyone has, and you cannot take it for granted. It will not have escaped your notice that Jesus is at the right hand of God, protecting us from the judgement we deserve, and giving us mercy instead.

If you have such a “right hand” person in your life, take a few seconds and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. It may be your spouse, parent, child, or closest friend. The common thread is that each one will stand with you, stay at your side, and protect you when you need it most. Be grateful if you have such a person in your life, and treasure them. In olden days the right hand man could not walk away from their responsibility, today (in life) that special person has a choice. Don’t do anything to make them desert you. You and I have that choice too, and we may need each other at some point, and maybe sooner than you think. I pray each of us will be a “right hand” person to someone today!

Robin

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matt 6:25-27 NIV

The robin is a special bird, and a constant reminder of one of the Godliest men I ever knew, my Dad. I have been known to talk to a robin at close range, and even felt they were listening. Untrue of course, but nice to have as memories. When I look out of my window, I can often see a robin sitting proudly, on the top of a stand pipe, looking around for food, or maybe company. I could watch this part of God’s creation for ages.

This section of scripture is used to emphasise the need for us not to worry, but maybe there is another lesson. I wonder if the birds of the air know there is a God who looks after them? That is a deep question, but one thing is sure. God knows for certain that the robin is there, and the Bible says He looks after them. If we take that a step closer to our own life’s application, we may not know or acknowledge God in our lives, but that does not stop that same ignored God, working on our behalf and looking after our needs.

Makes me think about the new (not really so new) atheism fronted by very learned professors like Richard Dawkins, who take every opportunity to malign and decry any kind of religious or spiritual faith, and especially Christianity. He may not recognise that there is a God, but the fact remains that our good God knows about every atheist, and loves them anyway. What a gracious God. Mind you there is a big difference between God’s love for the unbeliever, and his ultimate judgement for rejecting Him. Love and judgement is a balance that is only safe in a Holy God’s hands, and certainly not ours.

Square

… but our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20,21 NIV

I must admit to being ‘square’ in today’s world. For the benefit of any younger readers, that’s an old word for being ‘uncool’. I am of a generation of the ‘square’ I suppose. Now in my 60s, I am also a child of the 60s which was an age of change, where attitudes and morality started to take a seismic shift away from morality, church and Bible teachings. At the time it didn’t seem like a lot, just a little at a time, but moving nonetheless. I think it is safe to say that we are now reaping the whirlwind of the actions of my 60s generation, and the things we lived through and accepted.

It is vastly different world now. I live in a changed environment, a changed order of morality, and a vastly changed attitude to God, and His Word. I feel square, but perhaps more importantly, a square peg in a round hole that doesn’t fit, and neither do I. That’s another way to say I am a misfit. I have inconvenient corners, which do not rub down too easily, if at all! There is an old gospel song of the 60s which says:

This world is not my home I'm just a-passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Maybe that explains my square peg shape, and the reason I don’t fit here. That may be true, but according to Scripture, and the old song, I will fit in heaven!

Why Church?

Good question. Especially when churches in general get such a bad press. There are places of ‘worship’ which are more social in outlook, others which are closed to outsiders who do not have a letter of recommendation, and all shades in between. However, ‘worship’ is the key word, and is something to be enjoyed by everyone who names the name of Jesus from any denomination, and not just a select few. Church is, or should be, a place where like minded people meet to recognise that God means something to them, and while they worship, they also do their best to care for, and get along with each other. After all, we will share eternity with a very large family, not all of whom will go to our church, or denomination.

I suppose the underlying question might be: ‘Why my church, and not another’? Is it because I was brought up there? Or my history is tied to this church? Or maybe because I can see my friends when I attend? Perhaps the message is challenging, or the singing is roof lifting? It has comfy seating, and clean toilets? There are programs for all ages, and everyone feels so welcome, even visitors? I can park my car or walk safely to the meetings? The services are enthusiastic, and the spirit of God is evident? Did I miss anything?

Now here is the dangerous question. In an age when churches struggle, and need more members, why should any person give their time and support to their own particular church? Is there a neat formula for a successful place of worship? I don’t think so, but I can’t help but think we have to make every soul count. Oh, did I say ‘soul’? Yes, when all is said and done, that is at the very heart of why we choose a church, and in order to feel a part of a thriving church, I have to think we must see evidence that souls are important. If not, we are maybe going to the wrong place on Sundays. I believe that church is many things to different people, and what suits one person, may not suit another. It is about the whole package, with an emphasis on the essential life changing work that Jesus did on the cross, and does for us now. If that does not make us different and better people, and our church does not tap into it, maybe we should be looking for another place of worship. After all, we will not be asked any of the trivia questions asked earlier, but only if we believed in the gospel enough to try to make a difference, and were truly able to worship among real friends, and in spirit and in truth. Anything else is selling ourselves or indeed our faith, short. Thankfully, we still have a choice!