Out With The Old

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah43:18NIV

Putting the past behind us is easier said than done. We have a tendency to beat ourselves up over some of the daft things we did during the past year and so we become our own worst enemy. I have found that our true friends have already excused and forgiven us, but in the meantime we sulk in our own self pity. Do you recognise this characteristic? I think we all share it to some degree.

I like the thought that God is already doing a new thing in our lives. That’s a good reason to let go of the past. When God is at work on our behalf, He doesn’t do anything in half measures. He is complete, and thorough. I fully know and understand that we can’t always forget, but we don’t have to rake it up and sift through the rubble, do we? Being a God of Love, He will replace all the negative things in our heart with good, positive improvements.

You have heard the old phrase, “Let go and let God”, well here it is, all clean, shiney and sparkling for the new year. Why not take God at His Word, accept and apply this promise, and I include myself in this resolution too. Paul says it in Romans in a slightly different way. All those difficulties and hard times of the past year(s) will work together to complete His purpose and plan for your life (and mine too). You see, that is a promise for the faithful believers, and that’s us. Let’s go into 2019 with these verses in our hearts and minds!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans8:28NIV

Blame Culture

It is impossible to miss the current fashion of having to blame someone, anyone, for just about anything! It has always been rife in all things political, but it has now encroached into the lives of ordinary people.

There are the usual suspects and culprits: Different ethnic groups blaming each other for all sorts of wrongdoing. Opposing religions pointing the finger at each other for the rising state of bigotry in the country. The police for performing too many stop and searches on the most likely to offend, just because it’s viewed as racially targeted. The NHS for not doing enough to care for a patient when thousands are saved and healed every day. The ambulance crews who don’t get there as fast as we would like, but are still within their target. The lawyers for getting the well known criminal off on a technicality. It starts early in life, in the school playground when a goal is scored against your team and you blame the referee, and so it goes on through life. As we sometimes say in jest, “A big boy did it and ran away”, except it’s not so funny now.

It seems to help when we convince ourselves that any problem we have is always someone else’s fault! The saddest part for me is that some children and teenages will even blame their parents for the way they turned out and the bad example given as they saw it. Is it me, or does no one take responsibility now for anything they do themselves? To adopt a word from the USA, are we turning out a generation of ‘snowflakes’ who are offended at everything but responsible for nothing?

Do we have to constantly use the blame card? Is it possible that there are still people out there who will put their hand up and admit, “that was my fault, sorry” and with that small statement reduce the tension while at the same time increase their own priceless integrity in the eyes of others? Oh, and did I mention being a forgiving person is also Christ-like?

Jesus said, if you forgive...your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Unforgiveness?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV

This verse is normally used to emphasise the forgiving nature of God, and I am so very thankful that we have a loving God who forgives when we don’t deserve it. That is grace personified in the Lord Jesus. Can I ask you to bear with me as I take a different angle on this verse?

Jesus was being abused by His accusers in a way that we would see as horrific, and yet they were forgiven even though they didn’t ask for it. Why? I suggest it is because they “did not know what they were doing”. That’s the part that caught my attention, making me feel better and yet worse about our sins. Jesus forgave BECAUSE they didn’t know the significance of what they were doing. I suggest it follows that we cannot and indeed will not be forgiven if we DO KNOW we are doing wrong, and sin anyway.

Susanna Wesley, the praying mother of John and Charles defined sin this way: “Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.”

You and I must be very careful in our actions and behaviour because once we KNOW what we are doing is wrong, we may NOT BE FORGIVEN because we have known the truth of the gospel and turned our back on it. That is good news for the many who have never heard the gospel, but it is not good news for those of us who have heard and rejected it. It’s one thing for the Wesleys to believe this, but Jesus says the same thing in His own words, so we must be very careful when we recognise the truth of the gospel…..

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 ESV

What Makes The Difference?

There was a sinful woman in that town. She knew that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So the woman brought some expensive perfume in an alabaster jar. She stood at Jesus’ feet, crying. Then she began to wash his feet with her tears. She dried his feet with her hair. She kissed his feet many times and rubbed them with the perfume. I tell you that her many sins are forgiven. This is clear, because she showed great love. People who are forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:37-38, 47-48 ERV

Have you ever asked yourself what the big deal is about being a Christian? What difference does it make? And perhaps more important is the question, “What changes do others see in me?” Do they see me as approachable, loving, or forgiving? Let’s be honest, in this world many people desperately need the assurance of love and forgiveness.

The woman in this passage is a good example of the overwhelming love of God, and His total forgiveness. In a relatively short period of time she goes from being a social outcast, to being loved, forgiven, and a child of the Kingdom. What happened? The short answer is that she opened her heart in love to the Saviour, and forgiveness naturally followed.

Who do you and I need to forgive? Or let me put it another way, who is there that might need forgiveness FROM us? Can you think of someone who needs our love and assurance, or are we so ‘good’ that there is no one in that category? Think again. The chances are that we may have dismissed some needy person from our life, and that person is desperate for our forgiveness. How about the ones whom we avoid, or move away from because of their bad history just like the sinner in Luke’s account? The others round the table didn’t think her past lifestyle deserved that second chance, but thankfully Jesus did.

For me, the key lies in the words near the end of the verse: “People who are forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Your ability to love is directly linked to your capacity to forgive. So that person we have decided can’t be forgiven has cost us our love. Can we be happy with that? A better question would be: Is Jesus happy with us being like that?

Safe Place

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

There is something calming and soothing about this well known verse. Another translation says it like this “God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble.” Do you have a safe place? One where you can retreat to, and you won’t be bothered by some of those well meaning people who don’t seem to be able to help, and a bit like Job’s comforters? If we don’t have a physical place, I would hazard a guess that you do it in the recesses of your mind.

We all need a refuge, or as I prefer, a ‘safe place’ where problems can be met head on, without someone saying, “don’t worry it will work out”. I know they mean well, but there are times you need to sort things out on your own because you know in your heart that things will not just ‘work out’ by themselves. Some problems need to be faced, and tackled, not ignored.

It doesn’t matter what age you are, or how clever, we know deep down when a problem has gone on for too long and now has to be encountered and dealt with. No two people are the same, and no two problems are the same. Every person and problem is uniquely personal, and therefore needs our personal attention. This is exactly the time that you and I need that ‘safe place’ where God can be allowed to work and speak into our heart. In the silence of our safe place, we may find that the resolution is in our own hands. Do we need to forgive someone? I don’t mean only to say I’m sorry, but to go that step further and forgive? No one said it would be easy, but it might just be what is needed. Many times it doesn’t matter whose fault it was or who started it, we need to reset our life and relationship. I have found that when I retreat to that quiet place, and God’s will becomes apparent, He does not show me the problems that need resolved in my friend’s life, but shows me the failings that must be addressed in my own. God is good, and so where better to start than in our place of refuge that is God’s safe place?

Easy Way Out?

Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? Luke 5:23

Jesus had already decided what the greater need was, and had said this because of the great faith shown, and so the sick man’s sins were forgiven, but the Pharisees didn’t like that response. This wasn’t the first time Jesus was set up in a trap of words. If you can, put yourself in the Pharisees shoes. If you say something that is hard to prove, you have won the argument and come out on top. But if you back your claims up with something real and tangible, you will silence your critics, and that’s exactly what Jesus did. He stepped up to meet the needs of the sick man, both body AND soul.

Have you found yourself saying something that sounds nice, but there is no substance to it? How about “I hope you feel better soon”, or “I’ll pray for you”, or “Don’t worry, it will all work out, you’ll see”? In all truth and fairness, we are all guilty. Jesus, the great example, shows us the way. Don’t speak platitudes that don’t help. Do something to help the person. It may not be a big thing, but small gestures can go a long way to encourage someone who is hurting.

Why would we say something we don’t mean to carry through especially when it would mean so much to the other person? I think it would be to make ourselves look and feel better, and all the more so when we won’t be found out. Who knows if we don’t visit, or do a kindness, or even pray? Maybe not the person who needs that comforting word or action, but in all things, God knows. Is that not a good enough reason to follow your words through with action? James, the brother of Jesus says it clearly, and we would do well to heed his words.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15-17

Oh No!

To say I don’t like shopping is an understatement, so when I am pushing that shopping trolley round the supermarket, I am looking and hoping for a quick exit. Sometimes I will bump into someone and have a short chat, and that’s ok. Until last week, that is.

As I turned at the end of an aisle, I saw him but fortunately he didn’t notice me, so I backtracked up the aisle I had just come down for no other reason than to avoid this person I didn’t like or get on with. By way of explanation, we had a conversation a couple of weeks before, and it quickly turned into a debate, and then an argument. I don’t know who won, but I didn’t want to go through all that again, hence the evasive action. I must have looked suspicious as I peered round the end of each aisle in an effort to avoid this troublesome man.

I wasn’t the only person he had crossed. It had happened before, and now I was the latest casualty of his contrary opinions. If you said something was white, he would say it was black. You get the picture? I hadn’t seen him for a while, so let my guard down thinking he had finished shopping, and had left the shop and the car park. How wrong I was!

As I turned the last aisle I needed to get some shopping in, there he was facing me, and there was no way I could avoid him. My heart sank. I took a deep breath, and thought ‘Oh No, here we go’. The same determined look was there again. I could see it in his eyes. In a matter of a few microseconds, I felt my day was ruined. And then it happened. He reached out and touched my arm, and said softly, “I’m really sorry about the last time we met and how we left each other after that awkward conversation. I am so very sorry”. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I had spent over an hour avoiding this man, and could have missed hearing the benefit and blessing of his heart felt apology. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I had forgotten that he had thoughts and feelings too, and rather than wait for me, he had decided to take the step and apologise first. I ask you, who showed the most grace? Sadly, not me because while I held the grudge, my friend (because that is what we suddenly became) took the step of being vulnerable and taking the risk of me either ignoring his words, or even worse, giving him a piece of my mind.

We are firm friends now, and our conversations have been agreeable and cordial. What happened? While I bottled up my feelings, my friend prayed about his, and God showed the way of forgiveness, which is always better than holding the grudge. Always! I was the loser and my heart and actions showed this failing. It is no mistake that we are told by the authority of Jesus Himself:

“Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.” Matthew 6:14,15

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34,35

Forgiveness

And forgive us …..    as we also have forgiven. Matthew 6:12

Are we serious about forgiving those who might have slighted or wronged us, whether in a small way or a massively huge way? Don’t gloss over the question. Give it the consideration it deserves in light of the words of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer.

It is quite easy for us to wrong someone, whether deliberately, or even unintentionally, but it is another matter altogether to reach out in forgiveness, and importantly, to be sincere about it. There is the small matter of our pride which gets in the way, which means we will have to climb down publicly. The more people we have involved, the harder the climb down and greater the humiliation. We don’t like that, do we? I know I don’t.

If we are serious about claiming the name of Jesus, and calling ourselves Christian, we cannot ignore the words of Jesus which simply say, I will forgive you when you forgive your brother or sister. Ouch. Really? Is it that serious? It certainly is, and it will benefit us in ways we cannot imagine. After all, saying sorry releases you from the burden and guilt of unforgiveness, and lets you breathe easily again. Sure, your brother gets forgiven but I believe the bigger benefit is for the one who forgives!

Father of Lies

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:24

I am one of those who lived his teen life through the 1960s and that age when the devil was active in convincing the general population that love was free, and liberating. That can only be described as one of the biggest lies of the devil, and from the pit of hell. The trouble is, that there is a generation now who are older, and maybe a bit wiser, and who now know that how we love, and live our lives is important.

The UK has been rocked recently by the arrests of well known, household name celebrities whose past has finally caught up with them. Abuses of young girls and boys, at the hands of famous people, who had also bought into the idea of ‘free love’, and thought they were committing no crime by their abuses. If you lived through the 1960/70s you will know that Britain was branded as a prudish nation, and we were told we needed to be liberated. Satan was at work in the hearts of our nation, and his work was easy. It was easy because TV programs and movies reflected the happy side of flower power, and ‘no guilt’ love. For the purposes of clarity, read ‘sex’ for ‘love’ because we had been convinced they were the same thing, and a generation of young folks in the 1960s fell into the trap. That same generation are now seeing the results of that lie unfold before their eyes in the recent arrests of 70 and 80 year olds. Their ‘hidden’ and previously ‘acceptable’ behaviour has now crept up behind them and exposed the shameful truth as their victims find the courage to speak out.

What should we do with these ‘dirty old men’ who are now a frail shell of their former celebrity selves? God is certainly forgiving, but first we have to recognise our need, repent and ask for forgiveness. However, what do we as society do on a human level? We cannot sweep this disgusting behaviour under the carpet and ignore it, so they pay a human penalty determined by the courts. In the meantime their victims, who have lived with the abuses for decades have justice. What would you think if I suggested that in order to make their own progress, those abused, now older victims also need to forgive their abusers? Now that is a tough call. Could you do that? I wonder, could I??

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?

Still Not Easy

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

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

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

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

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

Be Sure!

...ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. Num 32:23 (KJV)

We are living in the age of the Court Injunction, and the Super Injunction, and these laws have been exercised a lot lately. These laws not only mean that journalists (and therefore you and me) cannot report what the court injunction is about, it also means they cannot even report that there has been any court proceedings at all!

Basically it's a news blackout, but only used by the rich and famous to protect their reputations when they have done something very wrong, but don't want anyone to find out. We all now know the name of the (in)famous footballer at the centre of the recent row, and his actions backfired on him. His name is everywhere! Twitter was his downfall, and the internet will also be the downfall of others who will try to hide from, and deny their lifestyle. Other so called celebrities, take note!

I well remember telling the bedtime stories to our girls when they were small, and the verse at the top somehow found its way into the 'moral of the story'! It seemed to fit so many of life's little dramas, and was always true. It would seem that some celebrities and footballers never had the benefit of Bible stories when they were small, or a moral compass either.

These celebrities have sinned 'big time' and now want to hide their sins equally 'big time' from the watching world, but in the words of the well known TV ad... “It don't work like that”! Like it or not, some of the rich and famous are seen as 'role models' by many of our youth, so where does that leave our following generations? Possibly with the impression that it is ok to do what you like immorally, and the law of the land will help you hide it from your family and friends.

We cannot afford to be smug, or too high and mighty. The truth is that we 'have all sinned', without exception, and regrettably with some sins greater than others. The great difference, however, is that we have a great High Priest or Judge, who will forgive, and forget those wrongs, never to bring them up against us.... ever again... when we confess them to Him! So, Christians are well aware that our sins do catch up with us, but we are also Blessed to have a great Saviour, who forgives when we confess to Him. For that reason I also really like this verse....

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)

Stones and Rocks

There have been a couple of stories in the press in the past days and months, and I can't help but make a connection between them. Westminster MPs expenses, and an Irish politician's indiscretions, which has affected her health, party, husband and family.


In the case of the MPs expenses, bad as it was, there was little element of the human drama or suffering behind it. Sure, some lost their jobs, but generally we felt they deserved it. Not so with the Irish member. This is a purely human drama, played out in the glare of open publicity. There can be no other result when you are in public office, and I don't think those involved would expect anything else to be the case. A sad and mentally ill lady has brought down her house of cards, and the debris lies all around her. Debris which is being picked up and used by others to their own advantage, either politically or personally. This event is even being used to bring down her husband, who, it can be argued has no part to play in his wife's personal behaviour, and bears a very heavy national burden on his shoulders. The end result in the Irish political scene cannot easily be guessed. It may be massive, but there are those who will play politics with this personal tragedy.


Where do the Stones and Rocks come into this, I hear you ask? What makes you think that people in public life are different from you or me? They have the same feelings, emotions and drives. Some extreme. Why are we so quick to judge them, when we are no different. In fact, if you go back to the MPs expenses scandal, some of the most vocal people were only silenced when their own expenses came to light! Then, and only then, they fell silent. We are prone to shout loudest when we think we are safe from judgement. I fear some of the people who are making the most noise over a personal tragedy, would be quietened if their own failings were known and broadcast nationally.


Why have we lost the ability to see that in some areas, 'there but for the grace of God, go I'? None of us are perfect, and some are less perfect than others. Now for the 'Stones and Rocks' as titled. How about, 'People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'? Or better still, a very famous and world changing person said when faced with people holding stones to throw at a woman who needed help, 'let him that is without sin cast the first stone'! There are times when bad people doing bad things need to be punished, but there are other times when good people do bad things and need to be helped, and yes even forgiven. 


Are we so bad ourselves that forgiving is beyond us?