Fabric

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Society is quite robust, and can withstand a lot, but have you noticed the recent onslaught of challenges to the fabric of our society? One thing to cope with at a time is bad enough, but when they come in groups, every one serious, we can see the signs of a crumbling community. Each one taken on its own is a full subject for a blog, but taken together? Can we survive? Let me list a few of these issues:

>>Same sex marriage, where we are being asked by all governments of all persuasions to embrace equality of gender, inclusiveness, and reinterpret or discard the Word of God. This has also found its way into the general church which is seriously debating whether to allow practicing homosexuals to be their ministers of the Gospel. The UK and Scottish governments have decided to legalise homosexual marriage. A sad, misguided and immoral decision.  

>>Unchallenged murder (known as mercy killing, right to die, or euthenasia) is in the UK news now where heart rending illnesses make an articulate man ask for the right that his wife be allowed to murder him under existing law. (The words of Law Lords, not mine.)

>>Legalising or relaxing hard drugs penalties which will allow heroin and cocaine to be brought into the open, thus decriminalising the users.

>>Legalising or relaxing prostitution laws in our towns and cities, so that the police do not come down so heavily on those who are just ‘working girls’ after all, or their users.

>>Relaxation of adult content which can be shown after the 9pm watershed on TV, after all what harm does it do? We are told there is no proven link between TV adult programming, pornography, and sex crimes against the weak and vulnerable.

>>Honour Killings in some Asian families, as seen in a current court case, and where we should remember that a few cities are advocating the introduction of Muslim Sharia Law in parallel with the established UK Law and Order legislation.

These are a few of my own thoughts. You may have others, but the worry for me is where will the morality our society be in 20 years, if the Lord does not return before then? What are we leaving for our children and grandchildren? All of these examples may not happen in the next 20 years, but be sure, some of them will. What will we do to stay this evil from happening? Let me leave you with a quote:
“All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”   
                 - Edmund Burke.

Olympians

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward Godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
- 1 Tim 4:7,8 NKJV

The Olympics are now upon us, and unless you have been living in another world, this fact will not have escaped your attention. These kinds of sporting events have been going for centuries, and were a big part of life in the apostle’s times. Timothy addresses this difference between Godliness and physical exercise, head on. Take note, he does not say bodily exercise is wrong, or that it should have no place in our lives or society. Many of us, myself included, could take more exercise, and better care of our bodies. The Olympic motto, “Faster, higher, stronger” is a reminder to all who take part that they have to be better than the last result achieved, whether by themselves or anyone else for that matter. It is important then to keep improving physically if any athlete wants to get a medal, and certainly that coveted Gold!

The Greeks were especially proud of their physical strength and that’s where the original marathon took place, and the race of the same distance has survived to this day. That alone tells me that the whole idea of racing against others, or even the clock is here to stay. However, having said all that, staying fit and healthy is not the most important thing. According to Timothy, there is a greater goal. It doesn’t matter if you are fast, slow, fat, thin, tall, small, young or old, this is a race you can be a part of, and the reward is greater than any Olympic medal. It is a crown! So, when I am watching these great athletes at the 2012 Olympic games, I will keep this verse in mind:

...the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
- 2 Tim 4:6-8 NKJV

Scotland's New Shame?

Sounds bad and speaking as a Scot, something I feel. Scotland has so much to offer and be proud of. From a welcoming people, to great scenery, the Scottish nation has a reputation for hospitality. But now we have added a shame which we cannot be proud of.

Same sex marriage will now be pursued by the majority SNP government, and it expects its wish to be in place for homosexuals to marry within two or three years. First we need to change the equality law. What? The equality law?? Yes apparently we live with an unequal equality law, so we have to make the law more equal now. Got it? No, neither do I! In spite of many thousands of people who made it clear they were against this change of law (64%), both at Scottish and UK level, and the objections of a cross section of major churches, ‘Wee Eck’, our First Minister has decided to push ahead regardless.

I have adopted a simple approach to my voting pattern. I believe any political party can fund the Health Service, the Rail Systems and the Welfare and Social needs. It is only a matter of degree that separates them all. But not all of them have a moral or ethical mind. This is such a case. Same sex marriage panders to the lobby who shouted loudest. This is a political calculation, made for real Political Correctness only, and nothing to do with the benefit of the Scottish nation or its people in the long term. I wonder what this fundamental change of law will make to the lives and expectations of our children and grandchildren in say 30 years time? Maybe you are not concerned. For my part I am deeply worried that we are descending into a spiritual abyss. We saw the signs, but could or would not do anything about it.

A proud Scot? Not any more. In fact I am ashamed to be included as one of the nation who has betrayed God’s natural laws so blatantly, and so arrogantly. As of now, I am hesitant about my Scottishness. I do not want to be numbered with the transgressors. I expect to be labelled as homophobic. That is the way it goes now, and our once proud nation will bear down heavy on anyone who dares to disagree. After all, if the equality law on marriage which has stood the test of time for many hundreds of years will be changed so easily, it can be changed again. Do you really think it will be altered for the moral or spiritual good? No,neither do I. The Godlessness on Scotland has reached a new low. In case you are in doubt of God’s standard on this, I leave you with this short passage:

No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:8-10 NKJV

Why?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Matt 5:38,39 NKJV

It has happened again, and still shocks me on different levels. A young man in Denver, goes on a shooting rampage with a high powered gun in a cinema and sprays bullets into the crowd killing and injuring many innocents. At the risk of upsetting my many US family and friends, can I ask some searching and obvious questions? I am open to your thoughts, and want to understand. My questions all start with the word ‘Why’?...

Why is there such an acceptable culture of gun ownership in the US? It seems to me at least, that just about every adult owns at least one gun. That’s a lot of killing hardware.

Why do both Republicans and Democrats listen so ‘religiously’ to the gun lobby, but do not hear the cries of those ordinary citizens affected by gunmen?

Why do we hear the same reasons given, like “It’s not the gun that kills, it’s the mad or unbalanced person who pulls the trigger?” That same reasoning means that the US has many more unbalanced people than any other country in the world (30x more than the UK, and 280x more than Japan). Not much of a boast, but I have made many friends in the US, and I don’t really think there are more unbalanced folks there than here in the UK. I happen to think it is more than just the ‘unbalanced gunman’ theory. Could it have something to do with easy availability of guns in too many hands? Is it that simple?

Why is there still the same need for the “right to bear arms” since that was introduced to protect a very young America from British tyranny over 200 years ago? Brits are now one of the biggest tourist groups to the USA. (I think my attitude to US gun laws changed when Charlton Heston arrogantly brandished and raised a rifle like a toy, within striking distance of the US Capitol. He was not arrested, and the politicians did nothing. Did he think he was in a movie?)

Why do I hear and see an educated US columnist and writer say on TV in defence of the US gun policy: “A solution would have been if someone in that same cinema had a handgun, he could have returned fire”? Yes, I am sure I saw and heard it, but cannot believe the rationale of returning violence with violence. Is this the acceptable action of a Christian country? Which politician has the nerve to take on the gun lobby, and change the gun control laws? That will take a strong and true leader! Until then, the cries will be heard, “Someone stop this madness” and then, “Let us keep our guns”. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand these statements are incompatible. Sorry, but you can’t have both. Until the laws are changed, there is no reason to think it will not happen again! Or maybe, just maybe, most US Politicians and Citizens think the price in lives is worth paying to keep the loose gun control! Surely not!!    

Perhaps the following independent statistics will help you to understand my concerns. Courtesy of MedicineNet.com, the gun-related deaths per 100,000 people in 1994 by country were as follows:

• U.S.A. 14.24 (Highest in the world)
• Scotland 0.54
• England and Wales 0.41
• Japan 0.05 (Lowest in the world)

Going, Going

Gone! But when is the right time to recycle our old stuff? We do it all the time. We decide when something has reached the end of its useful life, and replace it with something new, and better, and younger. Things like our soft furniture gets a bit soft and saggy, so we trip off to the furniture store and get a new suite which makes us feel better, and fits in with the rest of the colours in our home. Meanwhile, the suite which has been part of your life, and is not ‘broken’ is put out for collection to be skipped. Then there is the TV. Recently, the UK has been rolling out the digital media, and many people have been eyeing the box in the corner, looking for an excuse to replace it with a newer, more modern set. The old one would still give service when used with a digital set top box, but we decide to recycle it instead. Off it goes to the skip to join our suite.

We can add other big ticket items to the list, like the family car. There’s another thing which has given good service in running the family around safely, but well, it is getting older, and there are other newer models on the market. So, the old car is recycled through the garage, to allow us to get a better car. What about that old mobile phone, the dated computer, sagging bed, or the noisy vacuum cleaner? There are other examples which could be added to the list.

What is the common factor which links all the things which get recycled? The answer is that they soon become forgotten. They are gone now, and have been replaced by something else, so they do not bother our thinking any more. The old saying “Out of sight, out of mind” comes into my head. So what’s your point, I can hear you ask? Just this: What do we do with those older people (yes people) who played a part in our early lives, and made such a difference that they were instrumental in changing our direction? Let me be specific, to our Christian faith, and spiritual life? There comes a time when they can’t be at church anymore, so they are out of sight. It is only a short step for them to be out of mind too. Then they are forgotten, replaced by other, younger workers in the church who have some value now. They are treated like the old sofa or TV. Not completely useless, but over time, they have been slowly going, going, and now are gone and forgotten.

Make no mistake, you and I will end the same way. We are usually only as good as our last active service, and nothing more. So, when infirmity or age strikes, and we get slower, we will be recycled. Such is the process of replacement. Of course, the old sofa and TV in question are still useful, but not to us. Right? Wrong! So very wrong!! As our young folks might say, “Go figure”! I will leave you with these words from Zechariah 8:4,5 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”

Football, Racism and Swearing

The UK court action against John Terry, brought by Anton Ferdinand, finished during the past week. For those living in another country, this action was brought because extremely abusive swearing and racist language was alleged to have been said by one against the other on the football field. One man is white, the other black, but the court had to decide what was acceptable or unacceptable regarding the language used. There was no doubt about the words, tone and attitude used. That was not in dispute. The whole incident was caught on camera, and expert lip readers were brought in to confirm what everybody already knew. Terry was charged with using verbally abusive and racist language against Ferdinand. The court case centred around the words ‘w**te’ and ‘b**ck’. Apparently the use of hard swearing is ok, but not when used to sandwich the other words we are not allowed to mention. Beam me up Scotty, I have had enough legal nonsense down here! When did common sense die, and what is going to happen to the family side of the game of football?

We, in the UK, have a strange legal system. A very complicated defence was used to show that one was only repeating what he thought had already been said to him earlier, and for that basic reason Terry was acquitted. I know of no one who thinks justice was served. A very technical piece of law was used and someone who should have been punished on the grounds of common decency alone (never mind morality or racism) walked free to do it all over again, and more importantly, influence our youth.

We try to give our children a good moral guide, and we trust those in some kind of public standing to help, but no! It seems that the higher up the sports celebrity ladder you get, the rules don’t apply. The same is true of people with lots of money to engage an expensive lawyer, or even teams of lawyers. I suppose my question boils down to this: Are we willing to allow our youngster’s minds to be polluted by gutter language, just because it comes from the mouth of a rich unprincipled, immoral, unethical, racist man, even if he is a rich sports  celebrity?

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:29,30 NKJV

Where is God?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

“Where are you God when I need You?” Have you ever thought, or prayed it? If we are honest, we will admit to it, and maybe often. I have. One thing is certain, it will have passed your lips on something important. Not a triviality, but at a time, more than any other, when you need an answer. So, we pray “Where are you when I need You God?” Not as an irreverent prayer, but one of deep feeling and anxiety. We need to feel that God is there somewhere, and on our case. My experience confirms that He is!

This is not the first time I have been reminded of this verse, and I don’t think it will be the last. It is a wonderful reminder, when we need it, that our God is on our side, and is working something good on our behalf. The nature of it, is that we only see the end result, when something shows and becomes tangible or visible. But before that, God had good thoughts for us, and was working on our case. he listens to our prayers, and starts to work for our good without us knowing, if we are genuinely in His Will.

How do we find out, or realise that God has been working in the background, and when do we realise our prayers didn’t stop at the ceiling after all? It comes in different ways, and at different times, to different people. All I can tell you is that I saw it again. The word of encouragement from a good friend at the close of the church service was a ‘word in season’ indeed, and found its mark in my heart. Then separately, hearing of a first church visit in many years, the sight of a worn Bible where it belonged, and being asked to pray before a simple meal. Not much you might think, not fancy, not expensive, but for me, priceless. A personal confirmation, right when I needed it, that God wasn’t hidden. And the verse? It was repeated to me with conviction, by one I had been praying for, and it was as much a blessing to me as it was to my friend.

There are times when we wonder if God is working in our churches, and perhaps we have good reason to ask, but isn’t the important thing that God is still working in people’s hearts? Individually, one by one, and occasionally in pairs and families. Thank you Lord for those You put in our path, and those you bless us with, and trust us to pray for! To those who reconfirmed my faith today, thank you. I believe God will continue to Bless those who trust in Him, whether at the start of a faith journey, or as an established encourager.

Good Shepherd

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, ...and when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:4,5 NKJV

I was drawn to this passage for a few reasons. There are three ‘lost’ messages of redemption,  in Luke 15and each one a treasure of truth. This time, the lost sheep caught my attention. Like you, I have heard many sermons preached on this passage, but sometimes something new jumps out at you. A nugget unseen before, and such is the Word of God. It may not be new to you, but I saw it afresh.

We call Jesus the ‘Good Shepherd’, so the name implies that there are other, not so good, or even bad shepherds. But shepherds nonetheless. Also, sheep are fickle creatures, and tend to follow the crowd at one extreme, and stray away from the flock at another extreme. They can’t be trusted to know their own minds, and so need a shepherd to keep an eye on them. That’s where the big difference lies between the bad shepherd, and our ‘Good Shepherd’, Jesus. I am glad for the shepherding of a God who cares.

The solitary sheep gets lost, or strays.  butoh does the shepherd know? The other sheep certainly don’t or can’t say, so we can’t rely on the other sheep to notice one is missing and speak up for it. In this passage, there is only one shepherd, and no backup. On a human level, the shepherd has to sleep (unlike our Good Shepherd) so we hawillllow for the straying sheep to go unnoticed for a while. However, there is no room for doubt in this parable, that as soon as the shepherd saw that one of his flock was missing, he went looking for it. Not because he was told to, not because it was his job, but because it was his calling. It was his sole responsibility, and he couldn’t delegate that to another. There was no other.

We are in the fortunate position that we know the end of the story, but ask yourself this: What would have happened if the Good Shepherd didn’t notice or care about the missing sheep? After all, he had another 99 safe sheep in the pen. The safe sheep far outweighed the lost one, so why did he bother? I think (for what it’s worth) that our Good Shepherd is not just doing his job, he is following his heart, and his heart could not rest until he had ‘laid it (the lost sheep) on His shoulders’ and took it home. Final thought: Is ‘home’ referring to a place in this life, or does it refer to heaven? The shepherd who secures both, is indeed a ‘Good Shepherd’. Before we jump to the obvious conclusion, who else do you think Jesus was referring to as the shepherd in this parable? The first answer has to be Himself as the ‘Good Shepherd’, and us as the sheep, but is there another level to the story? How about our responsibility as ‘Little, Trainee Shepherds’? Just another thought!

Pleasant Surprise

Like millions across the world, I watched at least part of the Murray v Federer Wimbledon Tennis Final. No surprise there, and no real surprise that Federer’s experience and skill came through to give him the coveted prize. I suppose my Scottish blood came through too, and I found myself rooting for Andy Murray. No surprise there either I suppose.

As a passionate Scot, and knowing my nation’s love affair with our national sport, football, what did surprise me was the different way the tennis athletes and fans alike treated each other. With much respect. Fans on each side, sat beside one another and didn’t fight. The players were determined on court, and like real sportsmen gave no quarter as each dug deep to bring out their very best. When the tournament was over, the two men praised each other’s ability sincerely. Andy Murray excelled himself on and off the grass, physically and emotionally. No cursing, only free running emotional praise for his fans. On top of all that, the hospital A&E departments were not run over with drunken, bleeding ‘fans’ who were the victims of supporters from the ‘other side’. This was another nice surprise, at least for me.

As I thought of all that, I couldn’t help but wonder about one of the unspoken effects of Glasgow Rangers Football Club being relegated to a lower Scottish Division next year, and what that might mean to the ‘Old Firm’ fixtures which will not now happen? No pitched battles on or off the field, no frightened wives or children as some fans (not all, so don’t get excited here) can’t take their bigotry and hatred out in quite the same way, no late night overtime in the local hospital A&E. The list could go on. All in all, a big plus for a sane and safe Scotland.

Which sport do you think can truly be considered as a family event? Which one would you take your young children or grandchildren to? I have already cast my vote. Yes, sport really can be entertaining, competitive, and compulsive viewing. My suggestion would be to extend the tennis season, and just keep sectarian football (not just Rangers and Celtic) in different leagues!
(Sorry no Bible verses for this post, but maybe you could suggest one!)

Dancing Hearts

Then David danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Sam 6:14 NKJV

I could never claim to be a dancer. Being brought up in a church, which in earlier days frowned on the physical contact of dancing, I was almost glad for the excuse it gave me not to dance! The phrase, ‘two left feet’ comes to mind, and in my case is very true. However, there are some people who seem to be able to ‘dance’ their way through their troubles, and I am not talking about a physical dance now. Have you noticed who does the best dancing? Having looked around me, and with some of life’s experiences under my belt, I noticed that even the most unlikely, disadvantaged ‘two left feet’ movers make the best dancers.

Putting my thoughts on this website is a privilege, and contact allows me to cross paths with some folks I do not know well, or whom I have never met. However, some of my new friends are inspirational dancers in their own right. I don’t want to embarrass anyone so a name is not necessary, but recently I have been blessed to have had contact from a ‘mad dancer’ (not my description)! Bearing a serious illness, which does not have a good future in human terms, this Christian dances through troubles, which are not small, and are not few. This ability to dance comes from God alone. I also have had personal experience of sharing life with another of life’s dancers who almost waltzed her way through big problems, as though they were not real, or did not count, but they were real, did count, and the dance happened anyway. That kind of dance is a witness to the power of a transforming God, and cannot be minimised.

This world is not our home if we claim Christ as Savour, but neither is our body. And while we are at it, our kind of dancing is not limited to fit or healthy bodies either. We can dance ‘to the Lord’ like David, and when we do, others will see and take notice. I have witnessed it before, and just this week I recognised it again. So, thank you God for allowing us to witness those believers who will dance anyway, in spite of many (human) reasons not to. Oh yes, I might still have two left feet down here, but I do plan to dance one day, just like the other David in the verse. Oh yes, what a day that will be for dancing hearts!