Remain

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John15:5,6

The word ‘if’ is very small, but has an enormous meaning. The dictionary defines ‘if’ as: on condition, provided, providing, presuming, supposing, and you can replace the word ‘if’ with any of these and keep the meaning and context the same. The verses are clear. We must stay close to Jesus in order to be able to bear fruit, or be productive. If we stray from Him, and these verses say that we can, we are in danger of hell fire. That is a loss of salvation, and I can see no other way to interpret or read these words of Jesus.

I don’t want to get into a theological argument, but instead want to emphasise the need for us as Christians to keep short accounts with our Saviour. Stay close. Be like Him. Remain in Him. To do otherwise opens us up to the dangers of a lost eternity, and let’s face it, none of us want that because we have the promise of heaven.

Jesus wasn’t talking to the unconvinced around Him, He was talking to those believers who were already committed to His ways, ie the disciples, and if they had to be counselled to remain in Him, then how much more we need to be careful how we treat our salvation. The prospect of heaven fills us with delight, but the very thought of hell is a serious matter. Jesus said it was serious, and I trust we don’t downplay the thought of hell as a bad joke or in a light and flippant manner.

Fake News

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John14:6

“Fake news” is sometimes also referred to as “alternative truth” although any similarity between them is non existent. President Trump brought the phrases to the fore as he tries to generate his own version of news and truth. It boils down to this: If President Trump says something, you can trust it as the pure truth. This alarms me because of the verse above.

No one likes bad things to be said about them, even if they are true, and the most powerful man in the free world is no exception. So when the media runs any article that he doesn’t like or agree with, he calls it fake or untrue. It then boils down to this: Who do you believe? If you say something long enough and loud enough, it will be trusted as truth. Donald J Trump knows this, and let’s be honest, this is a man who doesn’t like to be wrong. He made his empire by hard business negotiations with similarly hard businessmen. Can the same rules be used when governing a nation?

Here’s what my problem boils down to. If someone claims to be a ‘born again’ Christian, but links truth to things like the media, instead of a person like Jesus, there is something far wrong. Truth is found in the person of the Son of God, and this most basic of all truths has been missed. So my ability to trust that same someone with anything else is reduced to say the least, and it doesn’t matter who that someone is. Jesus knows all about fake news because He suffered from His own fake news and trial before His unjust crucifixion. So, I think He is well placed to judge what truth and justice are, and it will never come under the fake category. Another thought. If you profess to be a Christian, and use or peddle fake and misleading news to your own ends and benefit, God’s perfect justice will take care of it ultimately and eternally. That’s a lot longer than any 4 or 8 year term of office, and worth a long hard look in the mirror.

Our Own Good

Sometimes we do things for no other reason than for our own good. We don’t have to justify it to anyone because we think it’s the right and best thing to do. We don’t expect someone else to know better, and in a sense we don’t really care what they think.

Have you ever gone on a diet? Not because you were advised by a doctor, but because you thought you needed to shed a few pounds? What about giving up some sweet things, or bread, or starch, or fat? Something that you would benefit from and could see the difference in your waistline? What about cigarettes? We now know that nicotine is highly addictive, so what if we decide to do ourselves some good and cut down or even take all the help available to quit? It even has a spin off to our children and grandchildren who now don’t have to inhale our second hand smoke. Then there’s alcohol. Do you know, or have you ever been close to an alcoholic? One who will spend his or her last penny in the pub, while the kids at home go hungry? Do you think it’s a good thing for that person to do something for their own good? Ask anyone who has lived in a home alongside an alcoholic husband, wife, son or even daughter.

There are fifty two weeks in the year, but some would suggest that you can only do these good things within forty six of those weeks. The other six are out of bounds. Why? Because they are the Lenten weeks in the run up to Resurrection Sunday. If we do anything for our own good and those near to us in these six weeks, and you are a Protestant Christian who believes in the Reformation, somehow we are seen as having sold out to Catholicism by taking part in one of their rituals of giving something up.

I would suggest any of these actions taken for our own good, even during Lent, should be seen as a benefit, and certainly would not affect our standing before God, who after all is the only one who knows our heart, and when and why we are doing this small piece of personal good to and for our own body, and that of others around us whether it is Lent or not!

You want to do some good for yourself, or your family? Then don’t check the calendar first!

Asia Bibi

**Alert: Some may be upset with the following post**

In the highly majority Muslim, Islamic country of Pakistan, a young Christian woman has been sentenced to death, held in death row for eight years, and her alleged crime was one of blasphemy against Islam. Happily her sentence has been overturned by Pakistan’s top court, but sadly her life is probably in more danger than ever before, and to top it off she has been barred from leaving the country where there are riots boiling over, demanding her death.

We are often told not to judge one bad incidence on all members of a faith group like the Islamic/Muslim believers. But when there are tens of thousands of people taking to the streets insisting that the death penalty is enforced on one woman, if not by the courts, then by their own hands, then that’s the same thing. Let me get this right. One slight Christian woman in jail for 8 years, and under the order of capital punishment, versus several thousands of marauding Muslims baying for her blood. Now tell me again why I shouldn’t judge the false religion of Islam when the odds against her are 50,000+ to 1, and believe they are all basically and fundamentally the same?

Asia’s husband is asking for asylum, and since they are not allowed to leave the country what do you think will happen? Yes, trial by mob rule when they get their hands on this innocent woman. They are already protesting carrying placards, showing her head in a noose. All the government needs to do now…. is nothing, and their little problem woman conveniently will ‘go away’. To Asia Bibi’s credit, in spite of all that has been happening to her, and around her, she has not renounced her faith. Doesn’t that strong, unwavering faith put you and me to shame? It should!

I am left wondering what the so called Christian countries are doing to help this woman and her husband. Probably not very much, and almost certainly the same as the Pakistani government. Not very much. It goes to confirm that we’re not much of a Christian country any more.

The Tattoo

When I was younger, the Tattoo was a precision military marching spectacle involving the massed pipes and drums of the Scottish Regiments set in Edinburgh Castle, and the sound would be guaranteed to find any hint of Scottish blood in your veins.

How things have changed. Now the tattoo is an image or words indelibly inked into the skin. This was once the domain of the old soldier or sailor returning from a foreign port. However for the ordinary man or woman either in the pew or the street, their view was that no self respecting person would do such a thing to their body. It wasn’t necessarily a religious thing, it was purely common sense and decency.

The celebrity community now proudly show off their many tattoos, and the more the better. Like sheep, the unthinking society follow and go astray. It starts with an innocent, small butterfly and progresses to more words and images, each one telling a meaningful story, or so we are told, until there is hardly any natural skin to be seen.

My question is simple. Why? In a strange kind of way, I can almost understand the faithless unchurched not responding to the whisper of a higher power, but I find it more difficult when a professing Christian is happily showing little or much body art, unless it was all done prior to their Damascus Road faith experience and couldn’t be avoided. I know what you might be thinking. There’s one of those old wrinklies having a go at something they know nothing about. On the other hand we keep hearing that the older, mature generation has something to give by way of wisdom and experience, but not on this subject? Maybe it doesn’t suit. Just giving my tuppence worth of experience based thought.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1Corinthians6:19NKJV

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1Timothy4:12NLT

Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord. Leviticus19:28NLT

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 1Timothy2:8-10

Extremism

We hear a lot about extremism in the news media, and it always refers to a form of hard Islam. It is called extremism for good reason, and rightly so. That kind of religious mindset has resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, and their only ‘sin’ was to hold differing views from the man holding the sword, who is all too ready to use it to end life. In fact life itself is not seen as precious and is used as a bargaining chip as they pursue their own ends. This is their faith, and no one will move them from it being right. In fact, theirs is the ONLY right way to interpret and use their so called holy book, they say.

Can I be controversial? If not, stop reading now and go no further. I notice that there are some within the Christian Church who see themselves as the keepers of the true gospel, and who will discuss, debate and argue with anyone who might see things differently. Oh deaths do not happen, at least not physically. However, what do you call it when a young tender life is deterred from ever thinking about taking Christianity seriously? That could be considered as a worse death, because it is eternal.

We know about those who promote ‘aggressive atheism’ and we don’t like them or their attitude. In a similar way, the ‘aggressive christian’ would never see themselves as doing the wrong thing, and would not hold themselves responsible for souls being lost. But they are misguided, and souls are being lost. There may be a way to counter this kind of approach, and that is to stand between them and the souls they put at risk. The thing is, the true message is as simple as it is effective. Show love. Real love. Unconditional love. After all, wasn’t it love that took Jesus all the way to Golgotha to die for us on the cross? We may not have to die to prove our faith, but we can show love. We ALL must, and should show love.

All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. John 13:35

Imperfect Christians

Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. Romans 3:9-11 NLT

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. Romans 10:12 ESV

It is clear from Scripture that we are all sinners before an almighty God. In Bible times it was the Pharisaic Jews who claimed the high ground of being special, but we learn very quickly that Jesus died for all, whether Jew, or Gentile including those learned and clever Greek philosophers. Today we would think that it’s the Evangelical church goers who are the special ones, and we would look down on all those others, because they don’t measure up to the right (that’s our) standards. Nothing much has changed in the past 2,000 years, has it?!

Now as then, we are tempted (and we fail at this) to see ourselves as ‘above’, and those others as ‘beneath’ because they don’t act like us. Or speak like us. Or dress like us. Or give like us. Get the picture?

Since we have God’s Word telling us that we are all sinners, and that includes those inside and outside the church, why oh why are we so quick to decide how people should behave? Those people call themselves Christians we say, and yet they might: read the wrong newspapers, or listen to the wrong music, or watch the wrong movies, or mix with the wrong people, or their conversation is too near the bone. They might not swear or curse or take the Lord’s Name in vain, but we reckon they need to clean up their vocabulary.

With all that going on, we wouldn’t want to be contaminated, or for our friends to think we were like them, but we have to be seen to do something. After all, they are not a good example of what a Christian should be like. So, they leave that church because they didn’t address all the wrongs that were going on under their noses, and look for another one with fewer faults and better Christians. My question is this: Who does that sound like? For my part it is too close to the Jewish Pharisees of Jesus day. Too close. Let me ask another question, and I will not give an answer. Faced with these less than perfect Christians, what do you think Jesus would do? I will leave that with you to think about, and ponder.

Brexit Chexit

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

It’s fair to say that if you live in the UK, you will probably be fed up with all things Brexit. There’s the ardent get out of Europe now, and then there’s the group who are not so sure and want another chance to see if the rules can be changed to allow the ‘exit’ to be shelved.

The more I read, and become familiar with various strands of the Christian religion and faith, the more aware I am that there is a vast movement of people who want to exit their church right now. And then there’s the group who want the rules to be changed so that they can stay in the church, but on their own, unique terms.

So, where do you stand on the Chexit (Church Exit) question? Have you had enough of the whole Christian thing? Tired of Church and the influence Jesus wants to have in your life? Or would you prefer to stay in your local church, but would like to see the rules changed in a way that relaxes the need for those overly restrictive commandments and the words of Jesus on our way of life? In fact, on MY way of life?

Of course, there is the third way that doesn’t need or want Chexit. There is a fulness of life found in no other person or place than Jesus and His Church. The so-called commandments are not a stranglehold, but the words of a loving God who wants to protect us from harm. That’s the God we praise and openly worship. He is not a burden or a liability, but a welcome friend who always has our best interests at heart. We don’t think twice about saying ‘no’ to our children if we know it’s for their own protection and good.

One last observation. Next time you have to attend a funeral, take a look around and note those who belong to the Chexit crowd. They are the ones who have no assurance of sins forgiven or a place in heaven when it’s their turn to fill the coffin at the front of the church. By contrast, the others will be the ones who can thank their Lord and Saviour for the clear assurance of their place in Glory. So, Chexit? Who needs it when the truth is so clear?

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29,30 NIV

ABC

The leader of a UK main political party recently announced that he was standing down. At the recent General Election his party won more seats, with an increase in membership. So, why the resignation of an apparently successful leader?

Tim Farron is a Christian, and was not afraid to say it. He paid the price because the media hounded him to explain his views on homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion etc. which he had tried to keep separate from his politics. As a Christian, of course he is out of step with the mainstream secular, ‘godless’ society and the media made no bones about making him a target. I am forced to ask an obvious, but simple question. If Tim Farron was a Muslim or a Hindu would it have caused such a stir? Absolutely not (in my view)! Our once ‘Christian nation’ now adopts the ABC approach. That’s “Anything But Christianity”. We seem to take delight in running down anything or anyone “Christian”, but the same rules do not apply to other faith groups. Is that because Christians are an easy target for a lazy ‘put down’ by the media? After all, Christianity is based on love and forgiveness, not fighting, revenge, or jihad.

Our Western nations in general, are (or at least were) mainly Christian, forming laws based on the principles contained in the Bible. Not so much now, as we are more than happy to use Christlike people fodder for comedians, atheists and naysayers. We should not be surprised, after all Jesus warned us that we would be criticized and insulted because of our faith, and he should know, after all He was cruelly tortured and murdered! Knowing what lay ahead, Jesus warned us with these words:

People will hate you because you belong to the Son of Man. They will make you leave their group. They will insult you. They will think it is wrong even to say your name. When these things happen, know that great blessings belong to you. Luke 6:22 ERV  

Who?

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’

Mark 8:29

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Mark 14:60-62

I was drawn to these passages because they refer to the knowledge of Jesus in a way not seen in many lives. In the first case, Jesus asks Peter who he thinks He (Jesus) is, and in the second passage the high priest asks Jesus straight out if He is the Messiah. Faced with a direct question, Jesus answers that He is indeed the Messiah.

We can see that Jesus is humble because He doesn’t go about ‘shouting’ about His Godhead. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to say what he thinks. I see this as an example of God in human flesh, asking if Peter has noticed the real person. Did Peter see God in Jesus? The answer is an emphatic yes, but it clearly shows the humility of the creator of the universe. In a similar way, we know that human respect is not automatic. It is conferred on us by others who see it as a worthy trait in our lives. Peter saw it in Jesus. We can also see that Jesus only answers the high priest when He could not avoid the question. Another example of humility.

What about us? As Christians, do we tend to shout our salvation to all and sundry, and even those who don’t ask and are not interested? Are we proud of our humility? What about Jesus’ example? Can we learn from Him? Unless we have the liberty of the Holy Spirit in the preacher’s pulpit, does it do our reputation any good when pointing to ourselves as though we deserve some respect? I don’t think so. In fact it would possibly have the opposite effect from the one we intend. Would it not be better to allow others to confer the respect if it is due, and honour us with the title bearing the name ‘Christian’? There is a sound ring to the name when conferred by others. Otherwise, it can have a counterproductive and shallow ring. May we be found worthy of His Name.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

The Christian Alcoholic

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,  and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Recently I have become more and more aware of people in the evangelical church who dabble with alcohol. I have also noticed cases where the little dabble takes the form of endorsement and the active condoning of almost any form of hard drink. This kind of lifestyle goes counter to the teaching of the Scripture.

Ah, I hear you say, but what about the first miracle of Jesus in Cana where he turned water into wine? If you read the story in full, you will not see any reference to Jesus either drinking the wine that was miraculously made, or suggesting that His followers should. Some in the church have hung their hat, and their argument on this miracle because it happened, and not because of the message in the story. The message is summed up in the words of Jesus’ mother Mary, when she said: “Do whatever he tells you”. Is Jesus telling His followers to make wine? Is He suggesting His followers should drink wine? No! The message is one of obedience, and one we would do well to follow ourselves.

The apostle Paul chose to abstain from some things he knew he could do, but he didn’t do them because the resulting example would have been contrary to the message of the Kingdom. But let’s go back to the title. We know that an alcoholic does not go out of his or her way to end up like that. We also know that every alcoholic starts out with a single drink. Are Christians exempt from this law of nature? Are there no alcoholics who risked it and lost big time? The statistics are the same. The risk and percentage of alcoholism is not determined by religion, social class, job, or gender.

So, here is my problem. Armed with this public knowledge, why would anyone take that first drink? Let me take it a step further. Why would any Christian, church leader, or pastor think that the example set is a good witness, even if they don’t succumb and become another sad alcoholic who risks losing a lot, and may even everything that is important to them, and to those who look up to them? Even Paul didn’t do some things because he could. Can any of us put ourselves on a higher plane? The apostle said it this way:

I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, and I do the evil I hate. And if I don’t want to do what I do, that means I agree that the law is good. But I am not really the one doing the evil. It is sin living in me that does it. Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is not spiritual. I want to do what is good, but I don’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do. I do the evil that I don’t want to do. So if I do what I don’t want to do, then I am not really the one doing it. It is the sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-20

Minority

Do you ever feel that your voice isn’t heard and that your life or opinion are not valued or important? I understand, but as I thought some more about it, I discovered that minorities can and do make a difference, some for good, but mostly for ill. Let’s take a few minority groups and see what difference they are making.

• The LGBTI group are less than 2% of the UK population, but speak with a loud and confident voice, and we all take notice. Governments change laws for them.

• Gay Marriage supporters have forced their way into the laws of the land because we have been convinced that they are victimised because they are not considered equal.

• Grown men who want to use girls and ladies toilets, and vice versa. Another minority who wants to be heard and we listen! Laws are being changed.

• Muslim fanatics who kill, rape and maim in the name of their chosen god, causing grief and terrorism across the world. They are not representative of mainstream muslims, however misguided, but still cause us to take notice of them.

• Voters in a referendum for National Independence who lose in a democratic process, but still loudly shout in disbelief “We were robbed”. Another referendum is planned.

• Court systems that protect the minority lawbreakers, and ignore the victims.

• Do you need to be reminded that some world leaders were in a minority, and yet did much evil. Despots like, Stalin, Lenin, Pol Pot, Hitler to name a few. It should be remembered that they were ALL atheists!

Armed with this very incomplete listing of how much attention a minority can get, and the changes they can achieve, what kind of noise should the Christian church make? After all, Christians and Christianity have now been sidelined in most areas of society, and are viewed as an official minority. It’s about time the mouse roared without apologising!

Committed or Practicing?

Committed or Practicing?

David Cameron reportedly says that he is a "committed Christian" without being a "practising Christian". Is that possible? There is a temptation to go with the political slant on this statement, because it would seem he is trying to please all, but satisfying none. That aside, is it possible to be committed to Christianity, but not practice your faith?

My first thought suggested that there could be a group of people who ‘believe’ in the major parts of the Christian creed, but don’t want to get too close because they know it can be uncomfortable and show up many faults (and there are many!). So we could have a large majority who are ‘committed’ but don’t think they have to go to church to be a Christian, at least in name, or practice their commitment.

My second thought was that there could be some church goers, who are actually ‘committed’ to their creed by going to church regularly, but like the others who may not darken the church doors, don’t want to be affected by the message of the gospel, so are not practicing their overt statement of faith.

There are the obvious examples of some groups who use the title ‘committed Christian’ to add some weight to their own program. I immediately think of the homosexual community who promote same sex marriage, who often say they are ‘committed Christians’, but do not practice what it says in the only given and accepted Word of God. Oh dear, I have used the trigger words for my internet troll friend ‘Anon’ to respond to that one, but there are others who do the same thing. I have heard it said that you can’t be a Christian and vote ( ) … you can fill in the blank. Then there are those who use Christianity to support their views on Capital Punishment, for AND against. We cannot ignore nations who go to war ‘in the name of their God’ (Christianity being only one faith group here) to prevent wrongs committed in other lands.

So, to go back to David Cameron, it is entirely possible that he is using (yes deliberately using) a form of words to make it appear that he is taking policies in the name of Christian principles, when in fact all such people are described this way by Timothy:

...treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Tim 3:4,5 NIV

Why?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35, and then John continues his theme.....Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 NKJV

I am puzzled, and not for the first time. Maybe you can help me to understand, so here is my confusion: The overriding theme of the New Testament of the Christian Gospel is love. Love for God, and the supreme love of dying for a friend. Occasionally, the news media carries the story of the extremes of the Christian faith, and the result is that we wring our hands, confess our sins and repent. We usually try to put our failings right, and we use the example of Christ to make ourselves better Christians. the problem is that church attendance in the UK is falling, and people are less likely to believe in God, as they once did. We have sad and unacceptable extremes in the Christian religion, but these are usually well reported and repentance offered.

Then the news media is also filled almost daily on Islamic extremists, or jihadists who have no scruples in taking hostages and life: that is any life (usually ‘western’) who can be used to further their cause. The ongoing situation in Africa where Muslim Islamists openly attack Christian churches, and then say that the loss of any infidel's life is worth it, and within their religious rights. All in the quest for a perfect Islamic state like Iran. You may also be familiar with the recent atrocities in Mali and Algeria where Muslim Islamist jihadists took hostages and their lives to further their aim. These people are truly terrorists in every sense of the word.

Now here is my puzzle. Why is it that the Christian faith of love, repentance and forgiveness is failing, with church numbers in decline, but the active and involved Muslim Mosque population is on the increase? I would have thought that the good base of that religion would desert in droves, so as not to be associated with terrorist activities. After all, these extremists are a very significant part of the Muslim faith group. This much I know (as far as anything can be known) if anything even close to the level of murderous activity was levelled at the door of the Christian Church, there would be very few Christians left to attend any church of any denomination.

So in a nutshell: Why does a barbaric religion grow, but a loving religion fail?

Christian?

“Right wing, Christian fundamentalist, extremist terrorist” is the way the media is reporting the perpetrator of the biggest single massacre and loss of life in Norway for over 50 years. He succeeded in bombing a large part of the Oslo city centre which houses government buildings, and then, dressed as a policeman, made his way to a Labour Party youth camp on the small island of Utoeya where escape would be almost impossible. He had a captive victim group to empty his guns on.

We are well used to seeing reports of Islamic extremism, and the terrorism they embark on around the world. We may even be getting used to it. But how can those words at the beginning of this piece be used in one phrase to describe a Christian? Not only has this 32 year old Norwegian man changed the face of a very peaceful nation, he has been successful in giving the media a description of a 'mad Christian'. Almost immediately, there have been tweets and facebook comments coming out against the Christian faith and religion in general. Who can blame them?

Anyone who does not know Christianity, or only knows about it from a distance, can be excused for thinking Christians are no better or different from Muslims when it comes to terrorism. How does this square with these words of Jesus from the sermon on the mount?...

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: Matt 5:9-13 (KJV)

Like you, I am still coming to terms with the horror of this event in Norway, carried out by a strange and possibly deranged young man, but please let's not get confused in our minds about what Christianity is, and who a real Christian tries to be like. Jesus is not a terrorist, or extreme, or a right wing fundamentalist. He is the “Prince of Peace” (Isa 9v6), so cannot be blamed for the atrocities. Unfortunately, I can easily see the media latching on to an easy target, and tarring us all with the same broad brush. Suddenly, we have earned the same description as extreme Islamists, and one which will last for a long time. This man has made more than two horrific attacks, and will be judged for them all. Some on this earth, but all in his final judgement, unless of course he repents!

Winners and Losers

A Christian bed and breakfast owner faces legal action after she turned away a gay "couple".

Their claim for damages in a civil court is being brought under Labour’s Sexual Orientation Regulations 2007, which make it illegal to refuse service to homosexuals, and is being supported by Britain’s leading civil liberties group, Liberty. A letter before action sent by Liberty’s legal director this week claims: “Your unlawful treatment of my clients resulted in considerable embarrassment and humiliation to them both and they seek compensation from you for the injury to their feelings.” Mrs Wilkinson, who lives in the Swiss B&B in Cookham, Berks, with her husband, Francis, took a booking from Mr Black in March this year for a double room assuming he was married. When he arrived with Mr Morgan she told him it would go against her conscience to allow two men to share a bed, so she repaid them their £30 deposit and they left. She said at the time: “If they had gone to a hotel I think it would probably be different, but this is my house, we live here with our children - it's our home that's the difference.”

Her views were later backed by Chris Grayling, who was then the shadow home secretary, and when his comments were reported in a Sunday newspaper it triggered a political storm that may have cost him a post in the new Cabinet. Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute, a lobby group that has previously supported Mrs Wilkinson, said: “There seems to be this view that religious conscience comes bottom of the pile. If there’s a clash, religious people lose every time".

So, who are the winners and losers here? Seems clear to me. 

Winners-

The feelings and embarrassment of a gay 'couple'.

The Liberty Group who have a lop sided agenda of civil liberty, and seem to decide for themselves which liberties to protect. Certainly not the Christian or religious liberty.

Political Correctness.

Losers- 

Christians and other religious groups in the UK.

Christian faith, feelings and convictions which are (were?) the bedrock of our legal system.

Normal (yes, I said normal) Family life. 

Precedent of law. If allowed this time, it will be allowed all the time.

Chris Grayling MP's career

Morals declining even further, and at the hands of our 'own' legal system

The security and sanctity of your own home.

Freedom of thought and expression

It looks like there are many more losers than winners here. So, how much lower do we allow the morals of our nation to sink? How about the gutter? Is that far enough before there is some kind of reaction at grass roots level? One thing is certain, if this goes ahead in Liberty's favour, it confirms that PC has gone mad and is now the 'new morality'. After this, we can expect almost anything immoral to be allowed, and legalised in the UK. Is that really what we want?

NHS Muslim Medics and MRSA

Muslim doctors and nurses have been allowed to opt-out of NHS hygiene rules in a move that has been blasted by critics as double standards. Critics compared the opt-out given to Muslims to cases of Christians being marginalised by the NHS. NHS guidance to curb the spread of superbugs in hospitals states that staff must be “bare below the elbow”. But Muslim staff have been given an exemption to the rule and will be allowed to wear disposable over sleeves instead.

Sikh doctors and nurses have also been told they can wear a bangle around their arm, as long as they push it up when treating a patient.

Former Conservative Minister Ann Widdecombe said: “Minority groups are unquestionably getting more sensitive treatment than Christians and this is yet more proof.” And Dr Andrew Fergusson of the Christian Medical Fellowship, which represents 4,000 doctors, said that “Christians in health care seem to be particularly vulnerable at the moment”. The move was also slammed by an anti-superbug campaign group. MRSA Action UK’s chairman said: “My worry is that allowing some medics to use disposable sleeves you compromise patient safety because unless you change the sleeves between each patient, you spread bacteria. “Scrubbing bare arms is far more effective”, he added. Since 2007 many hospitals have insisted that staff involved in patient care wear short sleeves at all times. The move came in an attempt to combat superbugs, such as MRSA.

The special treatment given to NHS Muslim medics treating patients with the superbug MRSA surprises me. Yes, the Muslims are certainly being treated very differently to their Christian counterparts, but it is more than that. I know these superbugs are smart, but it appears that they can tell the difference between Muslims, and all nurses of other faiths! It's as though the risk must be lessened when you are being treated by a Muslim. After all, it stands to simple logic that our NHS wouldn't put patients at risk, now would they?

Now the serious part. These are deadly superbugs, and not to be treated lightly. The NHS has been trying to improve hospital cleanliness, and insisting on a policy of the staff being bare below the elbows, especially when dealing with superbugs, so that it reduces the risk of transferring infection from sleeves. It also makes the washing of arms and hands easier, and isn't that a key to keeping MRSA under control? That seems reasonable. Why, why, why then it is ok for some nurses to have to adhere to the strict hygiene rules, but not others? The answer is really very obvious.

We don't want to upset our minority groups. It's as simple as that. Patients will live or die with the risk while the NHS bosses play the PC game. Ann Widdicombe got it right when she said above,  “Minority groups are unquestionably getting more sensitive treatment than Christians and this is yet more proof.”  

I suppose the key question is, "will the superbugs give preferrential treatment to the Muslim medical staff?". Answer, absolutely not, so why allow it? Know what? I think the NHS (like lots of government bodies) are 'feart' to tackle the obvious problem! Apparently, equality is not enough!   

On Yersel' Chris Grayling MP

The UK shadow Home Secretary was recorded as saying it should be quite acceptable for Bed and Breakfast establishments, run by Christians, to refuse the custom of gay people. As they say in this part of the country, '..on yersel', Chris..!


My comments on our parliamentarians in this blog are usually less than complimentary, but here's one who knows where he stands on the general issue of rights. Gay rights yes, but also other people's rights too! It's about time someone stood up for the ordinary good, and dare I say clean, living people in our country. This is the shadow Home Secretary speaking, apparently, 'off the record' but it gives a flavour of the opinions of the man who could be the next senior government figure in the Home Office. I for one, am encouraged. 


I am not against gay rights. Lots of people live abhorrent lifestyles and they have rights. But we should not forget (and sometimes I think we do forget) that ordinary people, Christians included, have rights too. All too often the opinions of the minorities are respected, but at the risk of the majority, just in case we might offend them! There is a well known poster advertisement which reads in big, bold letters, 'People are gay. Get over it!' One of my responses, and not the only one, is that ... 'many more people are NOT gay, so accept it', and quit bleating when one of these people expresses their opinion. That's allowed too.


Democracy and free speech in our country allows me to express my feelings, but pity help it if someone 'important', like an MP says the same thing. Now we watch as all the 'Civil' rights activists get all uncivil, and even righteous. Now there's a contradiction!