Negotiation

The temperature is rising in the government and teachers’ camps as the proposed UK public service strike approaches on Wednesday. The one mantra being repeated by both sides is, ‘let’s get round the table and negotiate’. Negotiation is a nice cosy word, and thrown around carelessly. I think both sides need to look at the definition of the word. Teachers are our main means of instructing our children, and should know the meaning. Union leaders are protecting their own positions as they call for negotiations. The government say they will not move, and in fact may pull the present offer ‘off the table’. At least we all know the government position (like it or not).

Unfortunately, the thing that is NOT happening is negotiation. Each side wants to prove something, and has their own agenda. There is NO interest in ‘give and take’ to find a solution. There is only one show in town, and it’s mine, seems to be the theme.

Sometimes we just can’t negotiate. The teachers are a case in point, but they are not alone. We do it all the time. We do it with God when we try to tell Him how we want things to be done, and more importantly, what we will NOT agree to do. God is sovereign, and is not for turning. We cannot talk our way out of His will, no matter how eloquent we are, and how good with fancy words. Jonah tried it in the Old Testament, and we all know where he ended up for his troubles!

Wait a minute. If God is not for negotiating with, and the unions and Government are not for turning, is it fair to think our earthly friends also think they are some kind of gods (small ‘g’), and above the moral law that we all depend on? So, please no more false talk about negotiating when we all know it’s not meant. For my own part, I expect more from the teachers, who are in a position of respect and authority to the children and young adults they have in their charge. My opinion is not based on the teachers case for better pensions, but on their influence, and position in the community. I expect more from them, than I do from all the other public service workers. I expect better. Am I being unreasonable, or are the teachers being responsible?

Love, Care and facebook

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

There are a few definitions of love, but how does love apply to the church? My church. I believe in loving, and being loved. This is one of the greatest joys in this life, and cannot be faked! Everyone, without exception, wants to be loved, but we are not all able to love, or so it would seem sometime. I think this can spill over into our church life. We want to be loved in some ways, and are happy to receive anything which makes us feel wanted, or important. However, the other side of the coin is that we can’t always return the compliment, at least adequately. We live in a one way world of love!

The verse at the top is the oft quoted one, but it follows right after these words of Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” So it follows that our love has to copy the love of the Lord, and that can sometimes be a one way street from Him to us. I see this as a bit of ‘give and take’. Jesus gives, and we take, and we are happy to leave it at that. Loving back is a high calling, and I go back to my first thought that we all want to love, and be loved. God gives His love to us, mostly on a one way basis, and we in turn, are happy to accept this love from God, and we also take the same from our friends. How about giving back some love?

I do understand that this is an uphill struggle, but how about starting with something easier? Caring! We can all do that, can’t we? The trouble with both love and caring, is that they take us out of our comfort zones, and make us vulnerable. Coming from the West of Scotland, I was brought up in an environment where people were not so soppy as to show their feelings. That even applied to family life, and yes, church family life too. We can be happier to give some slight sarcasm to our friends, in the hope it will be interpreted as caring! Huh?? If Christians don’t show the way, who will? We are commanded to love one another. It’s not a suggestion, so can we get on with it please! Facebook might help  so look for ‘Port Glasgow Nazarene’ (that’s a hint!)...

Sleepwalking

He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Ps 121:3

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matt 16:18

God has always had trouble with His churches. You only have to look at the behaviour of the church at Corinth, and the several churches mentioned by John in his Revelation to see that churches are not perfect. In fact, some were clearly immoral. As the old saying goes, ‘If you find a perfect church, don’t join it, because it will not then be perfect’.

The two verses above are clear. God doesn’t sleep. He is a 24/7 God, and second, even the gates of hell/hades cannot get the better of it. Why then do churches not always flourish? And why do some fail? While we are at it, why are there some which go from strength to strength, and I am not thinking of the shallow, TV, prosperity gospel kind? No, I am thinking of those real, solid, Bible believing, preaching and teaching churches.

Since the Scriptures are inerrant in all matters of faith, the verses make us conclude that God delights in His church on earth. A thriving place of spiritual growth. So again, why do some fail, either gradually or suddenly. Actually, it is easier to see and understand the sudden failures, because the reasons will usually be self evident. Not so with the gradual failures. Why would God allow any church of His to fail anyway, whatever the speed?

I think we need to make the distinction between ‘the body of Christ’, and His ‘denominational church’. Since no church is perfect, it follows that some will be less good than others. Paul faced this problem head on, and his words are with us today as a help and guide for the way we live our earthly lives in preparation to be a part of the ultimate ‘body of Christ’ in heaven. Our concept of Holiness, and being wholly His, will play a big part of the success of any church. Of course, a good church cannot be measured purely by attendance, although this is usually a good thing. A healthy congregation will be able to support their pastor, provide for missions, while still actively keeping its local support for the needy. A goodly number of committed and Holy sanctified and 24/7 Christians are a formidable force against the forces of Hell.

That takes us back to the place we started. We, the earthly church, are the force which God uses to stand against the ‘gates of hell’. What an honour, and responsibility. Since these dark forces are strong, it also takes a strong church to take a stand against spiritual wickedness locally, and in high places. Are we up to the challenge? Would our lives withstand the scrutiny of the non Christian? Maybe we need some growth, both at personal and church level. That could mean thinking outside the box, but within the Word. Oh, it gets challenging and personal right there, doesn’t it? Looks like I should wake up, and stop sleepwalking!

Uncertainty

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.” 1 Cor 14:8-9

Have you noticed that all the financial commentators when they speak of the Eurozone Crisis, talk as if the markets are real people? They are not. One of the favourite quotes is, “The market doesn’t like uncertainty”. It is almost as if this ‘money market’ has feelings, and this uncertainty affects everything in the financial world. It can, and this uncertainty affects us all.

I feel there is an even greater uncertainty, and that is the voice used by faithful Christians. Take another look at the verses above. The theme is clear. Don’t leave anyone unsure of what you say or mean. As the old saying goes, “Mean what you say, and say what you mean”. These are wise words. We are good at hedging our bets, and the most obvious example is the reluctance of some of our churches to use their voice to speak up against the Government plan to recognise, respect, and yes, honour homosexual marriage in the same way as normal marriage between a man and a woman.

Of course, at our own daily level, we can also be ‘uncertain’ and deliberately, when it suits our own ends. Maybe our reputation would be shattered if we were certain in our talk. Maybe it suits us to only tell part of the story. Part of the truth, is deceit, and dishonouring to God, while at the same time protecting our own feelings, and how we think others see us. Some uncertainties would go almost unnoticed, but there are others if made clear, would affect our honesty and integrity, perhaps for ever. So, when the stakes are higher, we are more inclined to ‘give an uncertain sound’ to our words. After all, at that critical time, what have we to lose, except our Godly inheritance and integrity? So, is sitting on the fence really worth it, either at personal or church level?

Heaviness

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) or as the phrase is recorded in the King James Version, “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

The spirit of heaviness can come from almost any source, but usually from the actions or words of someone we love. We feel heavy, or down, or maybe in extreme cases even depressed, because we love. If we do not love, we do not feel. If we do not feel, we cannot have a spirit of heaviness. Maybe that is a reason or excuse for avoiding love, but I don’t think that is a good argument. The old saying goes, “Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all”.

The deeper and more you love, the greater the spirit of heaviness you are open to experience. I am amazed by the remedy given by Isaiah, to try praise! How can you sing praise when you feel so low, that you can hardly breathe? But that is our inspired advice. It is described as a ‘garment’, and to me, that is something to cover the whole body, and includes the spirit of heaviness. I reckon we can praise God in ways other than song. How about thanks for the good things we enjoy? How about good Christian family, and friends around us? How about the very person who causes you to feel heavy? Perhaps that is the hardest one, but I think the reason we feel heavy is due to the very fact that we love in the first place. How then can we NOT give praise for that person who made, or makes us love? Yes, maybe the verse is true after all. The only solution for our spirit of heaviness, is after all, praise in any one of its forms.

Hallowe'en

You will have your own thoughts. Call it Hallowe’en or Trick or Treat, you might love the night or loathe it. Christian adults can get all hot and bothered, or even in extreme cases, theological, when the topic comes up, and especially as the dreaded night approaches.

At the child’s level, this is a great opportunity to dress up, act silly, and get a reward for telling a terrible joke, or singing an off key song. They are too young to see anything else behind the pirate costume, and the chance to fill their treat box in the house when they get home.

At the secular adult level, parents are concerned about their child’s safety, so will probably be following just out of sight of their charges, as they (with a big grin) ‘fleece’ neighbours of their chocolate stash.

The theologically minded Christian is a different matter altogether. If they have young children, and they push their displeasure of hallowe’en by discouraging participation, they risk two things. In the first place, they are at risk of alienating their own children from their friends. In fact they will effectively sacrifice their children for their own belief. Secondly, they will become known in the neighbourhood as a ‘strange’ or ‘odd’ person, who would not let their kids dress up, and not as a Christian. The witness has been compromised. Unfortunately, I see that as a lose-lose situation.

The Bible does talk about witchcraft, and the heinous sin that it is. It is an abomination before God, and violates the first commandment. Of that there is no dispute. However, let me leave a few thoughts with you. Do you personally know any witches or covens? Have you heard of any in your area? Do you personally know of any wrong doing, or law breaking by anyone who just might be a witch? No, neither do I. However, and it is a big however, there are elements of the day I do not like, and see as evil. How about those open witches and covens we see on TV and read about in the juicy tabloids? These people do exist, and they are anti-God in every way, and to be avoided. There are also the yearly menu of films on the children’s channels like Disney and Nickelodeon which are nothing short of horrifying and blood and gore offerings which do nothing to celebrate the fun side of the day. The innocence of their young lives are short changed by film and program makers who want to serve up as much horror as possible, and the more graphic the better.

So, where do I stand? I see nothing wrong in letting young children do a bit of harmless ‘guising’ with their pals (never alone) under the supervision of a loving parent, Christian or not, but making sure they know full well the reason for the next day in the calendar. All Saints Day on 1 November comes round every year, but it is not ‘cool’ to celebrate it, or even talk about it. This is the day that Christians should really be celebrating, and for all the right reasons. Did you recognise and celebrate THAT day?

Qantas

I remember in the 1980s, the USA Air Traffic Controllers went on strike to force their employer’s hands into giving them more money. The then President Reagan immediately sacked the whole lot, knowing there were many others, equally well qualified, ready to accept the pay and conditions which were the subject of the strike. Most of the workers tried to get back to work, and the rest were replaced, almost overnight. The strike was over, air traffic control was reinstated, and US national security was not compromised. President Reagan was hailed as a national hero by all, except the militant few.

Now another major strike has threatened Qantas, with the strikers thinking they had the upper hand of force. Not so. Qantas immediately grounded their entire fleet of aircraft until further notice, and the politicians are brought in to encourage negotiation between the unions and the airline company. Passengers are affected, the Australian economy is affected, and the very people bringing the action to this point, the union members, are affected. No winners and all losers. Or maybe not?

The balance of the dispute has shifted now, from the well paid strikers, to the company which pays their wages and provides their conditions. As happened before, I reckon there are many others who would be happy to work under these same terms and conditions. I say, give them a chance. Employ those who will not bite the hand that feeds them (literally). As a result, I think the strike may become much shorter than the unions thought, and show that the company has rights too. As in the UK, is it possible that the unions have too much power, and just need or want to flex their muscles now and again? Having said that, I fully understand the beginnings and need for workers’ unions, to stand against rampant poverty and abuse of the ordinary workforce, most of whom lived in squalor, and could not speak for themselves. You cannot say that about the present use of the strike tool by the present union hierarchy, can you?

Forgive? Yea, Right!

Robert Black was sentenced for yet another abduction, abuse, and murder of a wee girl. I don’t want to name any of them, but I counted four young girls all aged between 5 and 12 years, who died in horrific circumstances, and at the hands of a sexual predator of the worst kind. If you have a young girl in your family, or among your wider circle, you will feel revulsion, and yes even hatred for this subhuman specimen, who cannot be called normal by any standard, or stretch of the imagination. Even the best and most upstanding Christian, must feel a total hatred for this man, right?

When Black was sentenced, the child’s parents spoke outside the courtroom. Their message? That this man actually can be forgiven by a loving God, and accept Jesus as his Saviour, just as their young daughter had accepted her own salvation. These parents are either very, very Godly and live their faith daily, while tested by the most dreadful circumstances, or they are delusional and not thinking straight. I know that the Bible tells us to forgive, and that is the ultimate test of our faith, but Black? Really??

I hesitate to try to put myself in these parents shoes, because I have two treasured daughters, and two lovely granddaughters, but I fear I do not have the grace these parents show towards the man who murdered not only their wee girl, but others besides. He is a multiple abuser and killer of some of the most innocent and vulnerable lives on this earth, and shows no remorse. So, how can we forgive him? How can we do what it commands in the Bible? Are those of us who cannot forgive him, then not really to be seen as Christians? Are we worthy to own the name of Christ, if we cannot forgive the sinner under these conditions?

Deal With It

If something happens in your life that you don't like, but someone else does, you will be on the receiving end of the words, “Deal with it”. This happens to us all the time. It's just life, isn't it? And a biggie will be coming our way soon, so prepare yourself for having to 'deal with it'.

In all the most recent elections in the UK (remember them?) all the political parties, except one, stood squarely behind the need for marriage to be redefined by law. Now the Conservative Party, who were silent before, have come out strongly, very strongly, in favour of the redefinition. If you haven't caught the significance of this, let me say it another way. Marriage will be redefined by law in the UK to allow same sex couples to be regarded in every way equal to normal couples. I make no excuse for saying 'normal'.

I have many questions, but these have now become academic. It will happen. We will have to 'Deal With It' now. Not only do we have to deal with this question as a matter of personal conscience, but perhaps more importantly, all of our churches will have to deal with it, but in their cases, the law will be tested, and churches who do not fall into line will be prosecuted in line with the law of the land. On a personal level, I am extremely disappointed in the Conservative Party, who were the only party to give the impression that they were struggling with the question, but it now is very apparent they were gathering votes before joining the others in their joint agenda. I have to put that aside now.

If you belong to a 'Bible believing, evangelical church', you will soon be tested. Our churches will no longer have a free choice in how they preach the Word of God. They will have to preach in line with the State Government in mind. This sounds like the State control used in old Russia, China, and other non Christian countries. I think that is the crux of the matter. We are no longer a 'Christian Nation', so guess what, “Deal With It”.

A Good Death?

Can a death ever be good? Can it ever be welcome? There was dancing in the streets of Libya when the death of Muammar Gaddafi was reported, and a line up of rebels willing to take the ‘blame’ for killing him. After months of fierce fighting in a terrible civil war, the subject of a country's hate has been killed, and now is facing his creator, and maker. So, is there really anything to celebrate? What about his killers? Would they have blood on their hands? We have people in the UK and USA now asking why he was not brought to trial for his crimes. Maybe he would have been sentenced, and then given time off for good behaviour. (Sorry that bit of cynicism just slipped out.)

On another point, did you note that the self styled ‘king of kings’ (perhaps an Islamic taunt on the Christian community in the West?) who insisted that his people loved him, and would die for him, pleaded with his captors to set him free? He offered them great wealth in exchange for his life. It didn’t work. He had lost the faith of his people, after mistreating and abusing them for many years. It reminded me of the temptation of Jesus, when He was asked by the devil to worship him, in exchange for much wealth and kingdoms, which were not his to give. Is it possible that Gaddafi was a type of the devil himself? Just a thought.

In any event, one of the things which sets us apart from non democratic nations, is the rule of law. We lose it at our peril. Bearing in mind the evil of the man, it almost hurts me to say that even he was due a trial, by a judge and jury of his peers. We may mock the process at times, but without it, we become another barbarian nation. Had he been killed in a crossfire, or as a result of another’s reaction in self defence, that is one thing, but to be killed in cold blood, by a baying mob? Is that what we really think was right? I accept the world is well rid of Gaddafi, but does the method of his death, give us some idea of the underlying nature of the Islamic people of Libya, and the kind of democracy which may follow? I think there may be a difference in the basic value of human life, between the Judeo-Christian and Islamic Faiths.

Where will the ‘Arab Spring’ lead us? I may be alone in my thinking, but I don’t think recent events are anything to celebrate.