Sunday Thoughts

It has been a tiring week.  My sullen hulk refused to go out yesterday leaving me with no option but to watch football all day.  This was tiring, especially as the football was mediocre English stuff.  I struggled through two games and gave up halfway through the third.  However, I did have the joy of watching Kilmarnock beat Rangers the evening before, and that cheered me greatly.  Always good to see the Old Firm struggle.  

One noticeable change in recent days is the Conservative Party candidates refusing to mention that they belong to the Conservative Party.  Here is my own MP, and Foreign Secretary at that, not only dropping the word 'Conservative,' from his poster, he, like the rest, have changed the Conservative Blue to a peely-wally green.  Possibly this is to convince people that the ones who have given licences for hundreds of oil and gas rigs to appear in the North Sea are doing so for 'Green Environmental' reasons.  The water companies pumping sewage into the sea with no punishment possibly don't count here.

A simple con, which will fool many let's be honest, but not all.  Whatever this crowd of gangsters get up to a third of the English population will vote Conservative.  Why?  Habit, fear of 'socialism, because the 'Daily Mail,' 'Daily Express,' 'The Telegraph,' or the 'Sun,' tell them the Conservatives will stop foreigners coming here on wee boats.  They believe taxes will be lower, and they will benefit.  The majority are no longer fooled, but many will still support this gangster party.

Wiki

Daniel 7:9

‘As I looked, 

‘thrones were set in place,

and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow;

the hair of his head was white like wool.

His throne was flaming with fire,

and its wheels were all ablaze.

 10.  A river of fire was flowing,

coming out from before him.

Thousands upon thousands attended him;

ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

13 ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

**************

This Sunday the church I didn't attend, was considering the transfiguration of Jesus.  The time he took three disciples up a mountain alone, and was suddenly transfigured, Moses and Elijah appearing beside him.  This, strangely enough, is a moment I and others I think often ignore.  We read it and move on.  However, if we read the powerful description in Daniel we see where Jesus came from, thus we can no longer imagine him to be merely a 'good man,' but we are forced to accept him as God on earth.

The supernatural is missing from many churches these days.  Those who accept and believe it often forget it during the working day, yet it remains the real world, and this earth a mere copy.  

Jesus transfiguration frightened the disciples, how much more we when God moves in our lives.  When God interferes with our lives on earth it can be frightening, we cannot control him, the supernatural is above and beyond what we know.  Yet, the image of God seen on his throne, pure and Holy, surrounded by myriads of angels, yet offering his Son, the one to be worshiped, simply to save individual people here on earth.  The Love that is revealed as this Holy God reaches down to me and you, dies as a substitute for my sin and yours, and knows all the corruption inside, and there is plenty in me, is quite astounding.  To think that this Holy God wants someone like you and me to be with him, enjoying him for ever is a thought worth considering.

Albert Goodwin - The Rain From Heaven, All Souls, Oxford

 

Cancelled Truth

 

As mentioned the other day I have been banned from Twitter for standing up for the truth.  Naturally I appealed this nonsense and await a reply.  Until then I am banned, I suspect they will keep me waiting in the hope I delete the truth and save them the bother.  They are foolhardy if they think this.

However, while we await a known apparent infringement of their rules an email arrived informing me I was permanently banned from the 'Online Daily Mail.'  Tsk!  They did not even have the decency to inform me as to what I said wrong.  This is annoying.  I looked it up and wonder what could be the problem, possibly not agreeing with the Queens mob, possibly not agreeing with the Mail most days I suspect.  Anyway, that is one name that will not be seen again on the 'Mail Online' sadly.  

Of course I discovered another name I use there still works, three Brexiteers proved that tis morning, and so I am limited to using that one alone for now.  No more agreeing with myself to boost numbers...

The 'cancel culture' is an undemocratic movement, and when those strongly opposed to it begin cancelling those with whom they disagree it speaks volumes about them, and society in general.

Society is often confused, conflicted, and led by those who really care nothing for society.  This has left this nation with a browbeaten population, youth with much confusion as to what life they ought to be living, no belief in right and wrong, just an exaggerated expression of 'Me First,' and 'My feelings are important.'  The 'silent majority,' many of whom queued up to pay respects to their queen the other day are being let down by those who ought to lead them.  Politicians, church leaders, the media and whoever has a voice in society ought to be speaking truth.  This is not happening.  UK Politicians in government are owned by US Billionaires, and speak policy that benefits the rich, this is not leading the people, just the few.  Church leaders are taking the congregations with them under 'Stonewall' control. Jesus is forgotten, scripture ignored, the nation kept in ignorance by those who ought to proclaim Jesu crucified from the housetops.  The nearest we have seen this in recent days was the Archbishop speaking at the queens funeral, an almost proper sermon, so rare even from him, though she would have agreed. Those who consider men or women believing they were born in the wrong body browbeat any who rightly oppose them, nobody wishes to stand up to the mob!  Facebook and Twitter and other social media do not know how to cope, and just continue to gather data.  TV and press offer 'Bread & Circus's' while journalism and investigation is passed over according to whoever owns the works.  

Amos the prophet, saw such events many years ago.  The Lord himself loved the people, even though they had walked away from him and ignored him.  He sent many prophets but Amos sums up some of our day quite well.  The rich get richer, the poor do not get justice, and soon judgement falls. 

Individually and as a nation we cannot continue to live so far from a God who created us and who desperately wants us, so he can give us real life, a life that satisfies.  

How God cares, how Jesus weeps.

An Hour at the Cross

 

As normal on Good Friday we spent 'An Hour at the Cross' at St Paul's at 2 pm, this afternoon.  With an 'altogether 'service this morning, and a (short) walk of witness to the town centre for a short praise gathering in the sunshine, many of our lot did not appear this afternoon.  The bright sunshine took those with kids away, tiredness removed others, while I avoided the morning meeting so as to be at the 2 pm one, which is more important.

The last couple of occasions different people took turns to read a portion of scripture, the next read a 'reflecion,' then a 'response,' then a 'prayer.'  This year it was simplified and three persons only took these parts while we responded.

I have always liked such services as they require time for positive reflection, something normal church services do not allow.  It is as if we must get through it all quickly, no time to stop and consider.  Indeed, one man told me how he often stops during prayer but many in the congregation dislike this.  Possibly thinking is bad for them?  Today those who came clearly cogitated as we went through the booklet printed for this purpose.  Scanners and copiers are so useful in churches!  After an hour considering Jesus' betrayal, arrest, beatings, trial, opposition, and yet not one word justifying himself uttered.  Then there was his condemnation by the cheif priests, with finally Pilates 'passing the buck' by 'washing his hands,' and finally the crucifixion, not for his wrongdoing, but for mine and yours.

This is the Love of God.  

His love for people like ourselves who recognise how our natures are corrupt, just like everybody else's.  How God longs to love us, how he cried out to his people throughout the Old Testament, and how he cries out to each of us again today, no matter how bad.  Indeed even the Putin's off this world can be forgiven, if they turn to God.  Recognising our nature we recognise also that this death of Jesus was on our behalf, not his.  Death, and that on a cross, not something he wanted to undergo, instead it was something he went through out of love for us and his Father that he was willing to endure, and by this opened a way for forgiveness, new life with the Living God, and the hope of eternal life to come, beginning now!

Yes, in spite of the cooker dying while I made use of it, in spite of a possible new neighbour this week, in spite of gas and electric charges, in spite of my many failures, in spite of all this Jesus, God in human flesh, went to the cross for me and you.  So, not everything is as bad as it appears.

 

 

Points to Ponder

 

 

Isaiah:6:1.  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’

*****

Luke:5:1.  One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding round him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’

5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

************

I had a short, sort of polite, debate on twitter with a chap who claimed to be an atheist. However, in the usual manner of most atheists he did not declare this at first. On Twitter people often jump on Christian type posts and make a few points, often not worth commenting on. This one however, appears to be a genuine and in some ways a thoughtful individual, though how genuine is his claim to have ‘studied’ Christianity we have to take as read.

A quick look at his own timeline indicated the type of atheist posts that younger, often gay, men offer. Usually with Boris Johnson like short phrases to catch attention and defeat all arguments. Well, that’s what they intend.

The brief debate brought to mind Isaiah and Simon. Their experience reveals what many miss, the supernatural revelation of God. The study of scripture ought to bring the reader into the presence of the Living God, however, for many this is a wearisome affair, and the less sincere reader will happily accept interpretations that ease his life and end further study. For others such study may be seen as Historically worthy but God himself appears difficult to accept, many parts are confusing to a modern reader and therefore thrown out rather than an understanding sought.

Isaiah appears to have been a man of learning, well versed in scripture of the day, and he may well have been in the Temple when God met him. Peter likewise was brought up on Jewish beliefs and appears to have followed the Law as he knew it all his life. Though both had an understanding of God and his works in the nation it was when both men were brought up by the revelation of their sinful nature that they truly ‘Knew God.’ No more was he a distant figure, no more words on a page, he was God, the supernatural one outside of our experience and control, he was Lord indeed! Both men now knew this.

All believers have an experience similar to this. The circumstances may vary, it may arrive in one revelation or it may occur over time, but the personal meeting with the Living God changes everything.

Most people appear to live only in the here and now, no allowance is made for the supernatural. This is a fault we all made. We all once saw religion as unimportant, thus the church attendances fail, until Jesus turned up at our door and pointed out the difference between, what we once called the ‘righteous and the wicked.’ It was that moment when we realised for the first time that we are never going to be free of ‘wickedness,’ for want of a better word. Our nature is corrupt and we will stand before Jesus in judgement and can do nothing about this.

It is also at that moment when we can appreciate Jesus finished work on the cross. We can now understand that he took our nature when he gave himself on the cross for us. That he died to cover our sin, that he died in a personal manner for me! That sacrifice can be made available to us and our response has to be to give ourselves to him, or we have failed to comprehend our situation.

“We love, because he first loved us.”

The cold world of the atheist cannot compete with the warm loving but difficult life that Jesus has to offer. He is the centre of his world, we cannot control much yet the Christian knows that whatever the situation that Jesus is Lord and we see all too often that he is in control. This person Jesus is always with us by his holy Spirit.

This is not a religion, this is not fancy, often boring ceremonies, this is a relationship with a friend who is always with us, both now and forever.

Individuals might have a few friends during their life, but life’s events take them away, circumstances change and our control over them is feeble. The atheist, highly intelligent and hard working, often a caring person has only himself. The one who is brought by the Holy Spirit to see his need, understand his situation, and brought to the cross can face the world knowing he is forgiven and his friend Jesus will always be beside him and never leave him.

This only fails when we choose to go our own way or return to the empty world around us.

Jesus however, always satisfies.

 

 

The City of Abraham by Edward Platt

                                               Waterstones

 

At last, I have finished a book!  

Through no fault of my own books are piling up on the 'To Read' shelf.  I do not know where they have come from!  Some of them have been lying about for years it appears.  Others have bookmarks in them from long ago so they will have to be restatred, from the beginning I suspect, at some time in the future.  

However, I have finished this one.

Hebron is a very contested city in Israel held territory, taken during one of the wars.  To Jews it is the city in which David first ruled as King over the southern part of the land, then called Judah.  David reigned there after the fall of Saul and seven years later he became king over all of Israel both the northern kingdom, later called 'Israel,' and Judah.  The united kingdom settled and happy under King David, a time of joy and certainty under his rule.  This became divided after his sone Solomon died, the wealthy kingdom soon split into two once again.  

Hebron is important to Jews and Muslims as Abraham himself was buried in the cave nearby where a huge building now stands over the place considered to be the cave in which he was buried. Abraham as you know not only had Issac as a son, his grandson Jacob became the name from which Israel is known throughout the Old Testament, he also had Ishmael via Hagar and he is seen as the father of the Arabs. No Muslims in those far off days as you know.   

Today many Jewish settlers have moved in and built their Settlements over many parts of the city, including the highest point considered to be the centre of old Hebron, a city dating back eons into the past.

The writer, the typical English middle class trendy, goes to Hebron with the intention to avoid taking sides, as if!  Folk like him already have a leaning towards the Arabs however little they know or understand the middle east.  There again, reading the book it becomes very easy to take sides with the Arabs, the Settlers, protected by Border Guards, Soldiers and Police, do not make themselves attractive, and as I found myself in Israel eons ago, Israeli Jews are not that welcoming to tourists even though they depend on their money.  

The land some say is divided between Jews and Arabs, it is however divided much more than that.  The Israeli population are themselves divided into many factions, many on the right, many on the left, also there are religious Jews divided into similar factions. Add to that the division between those that came from Spain with those arriving from Russia, and then there are holocaust survivors, or indeed those who feel shame at avoiding capture.  

Likewise the Arabs have divisions, Fatah and Hamas, tribal divisions, those in Hebron from those in the North, all making the simple choice of who to support difficult.  All however, are trapped in a war zone featuring occasional outbursts of serious violence and constant daily stone throwing from one side or another, and always the others fault!  

Simple people claim there is a simple answer to the division in the land, reading this book I found a constant depression returning as there is no obvious answer to the mix.  Everybody has a claim, everybody is right, and everybody goes back deep into History for their claim.

Palestinians claim to have been there since time began, I am sure some DNA tests would reveal many indeed have history going back thousands of years.  However, so many have moved through this very small space, many remaining when the invaders moved on, it would reveal also a mixture of middle east heritage from many sides.  I wonder if such a test has been conducted?  Maybe the results were to inflamable to reveal?

The Hebrews certainly possessed the land from the time of Joshua, around 1200 BC possibly, until driven out by the Romansd after the war of 70 AD and the revolt of 135 AD?  Some Jews might well have remained though most were exiled.  

For well over a hundred years possession has belonged to the Jews, they clearly are in control, and yet it is possible for Jew and Arab to live together quite happily, there is a desire for this amongst many in Hebron and elsewhere.  However, on both sides others disagree, and all are armed.

The settlers are another thing altogether.  I had the idea settlers were mostly American Jews who considered themselves John Wayne fighting the Indians, and in Hebron this can be seen amomg many there.  The settlers do not come across as open-minded, considerate or lovable.  Indeed, their violent and aggressive behaviour would easily temp us to join with the Palestinians locals in throwing stones.  When one video was revealed though Israel TV indicating settlers behaviour in Hebron many Israeli's turned against them.  It also shocked the settlers to realise they did not represent all Jewish people.  

I naturally wanted to know more about the ancient Historical sites, however, the settlers have erected their homes above the main 'dig,' the part of Hebron David walked and many have ruled from.  There will be no 'digs' for many years.  

The Tomb of Abraham also turns out to be somewhat disappointing.  Although illegal to dig down underneath some have in the past gone down through tunnels and found ancient caves with bones and fragments, but sadly no proper modern archaeology can be conducted.  It will be obvious that with all the passing armies since Abraham was buried some 4000 years ago these caves, if indeed these are the correct places, will have been ransacked many times by the curious seeking riches.  So, another Historical site turns out to be not what it might be after all.  

I am just glad Hebron is Hebron, and this may well be the place David ruled but no work to prove this can occur these days.

The author attempts to talk to all people in the city, Arabs, Jews, even an occasional settler, and we see the human cost of what they call the 'occupation.'  We find soldiers, young, badly trained conscripts, bored, frightened by both sides, confused and angry, all hoping to go somewhere better than this.  The Police limited by the army, the army limited by settlers, the courts decisions often ignored, and the rule of law changing according to someones whim.

And yet we see people on both sides happy to trade with one another, to use the markets, even to meet and discuss on occasions.  As always the majority just wish to get on with their lives and ignore the troubles around them.  It must be remembered that many Jews and Christians lived reasonably happy lives for generations amongst the Arabs, rare was the conflict.  So we must question why, since the end of the 19th century, has such a situation arisen?  Jews were found across the middle east, now none are found in Iraq, and others flee to Israel or the US!  

I think it would help if the author, Edward Platt, knew and understood the biblical  background better.  Another ignorant of Christianity, he quotes from the Authorised Version of the Bible (he calls it the KJV) even though venacular bibles have been around for 70 years, indicating his desire to put the bible down rather than learn from it, and his knowledge of Islam is similarly short.  Clearly he has made an effort to read what a Sunday School could have taught him but this however, has not opened his understanding of the people, the background nor the future of this land, which is a serious failing in this book.  

The book being published in 2012 is slightly out of date, nevertheless it gives an insight into the people of the land today, some idea of the Historical background, and, for me, a depressing knowledge that no easy answer can be found.  The book however, is worth a read, just to get one man's insight into the people living in this mix.  

God remains in control of this land, however, it is clear the people living there have not sought, or if they have sought, have not found his answer, to the situation.  If the Good Lord has indeed put the Hebrews back in his land we cannot remove them.  But are these his Hebrews?  Are they living his way?  Jesus is their Messiah and until they know him they will not find his answer for the land.  Until his Spirit moves there life will continue like this.  However, God is there, and when we see Hebrews turn to his Messiah Jesus en masse we will know that soon his Son will return.

 

Psalm 24

 

 

Psalm 24

My reading this morning led me to wonder about this God who created all things yet seeks wretched sinners like us.  The King of Glory in particular struck a cord for me.

v1-2. ‘The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.’ 

A reminder that God is creator, we are created, we and this earth belong to him alone. 

 

v3-6. Those who worship God can only do so when they reflect Gods holiness. 

So many churches today do not do this. I fail miserably.

 

v7-10. The King of Glory, Yahweh, the Lord almighty, he is the King of Glory. 

His Glory is his Holiness and his Love.  You cannot get one without the other.

 

This 'King of Glory,' one perfect in every way. His Holiness is not the empty holiness of humans who bear this title, his Holiness is real and powerful.  

Nothing that is unacceptable can approach him.  

Yet he reaches down to the sinful people on earth, the ones he has created, the ones who ignore him and fail to even consider his existence.  This God, this loving God is so desperate to gather people to himself to share an eternal existence with him.  

This God is so keen to have us with him he takes human form, spends some 30 or so years amongst us, unrecognised by the majority, and lays down his life on a cross just so we could be with him.  

And the majority still are unmoved.

God basically asks and requests, people to receive him.  

How low can a God go? 

This is Almighty God coming to his people and offering life abundant! What love is this that takes our place on the cross? He took our sin nature, and again calls us to turn around, offer ourselves to him and walk his way.

He himself will be always with us, why do we linger? 

Why do we hinder or doubt his love for us?  Why?

 

 

Sunday Blether.

Sky

Another weekend of rain where it is already flooded.  Terrible for those living in such conditions.  Made worse by the ignorant response of this government.  Boris still hides away making no comment.  I suppose he has their votes...
Rain and wind for us also tomorrow but nothing like that suffered up north.  I suspect many homes will be up for sale in the next year or so unless better flood defences are installed.  Whether this government will see these as urgent enough or indeed more important than any of Boris's vanity projects and spend money where it is required we have yet to see.  I would not place bets here however.

The streets were wet this morning as I awoke, around 5 am this morning.  Rising early is an indication Spring is close as the early morning get me up early.  The rain persisted for a while as I pondered the walk to St P's.  There was no choice for my lazy tired body and I decided to remain indoors while enjoying my own Spiritual time, reading the book, Jeremiah 27 & 28, and pondering on the result.  I also tuned in to our clever curate who broadcasts his sermon on his page.  Therefore I got that and was able to criticise in a holy manner while chomping on home made soup.  He also cannot disagree with me.
So often we read of people claiming they have had a 'spiritual' experience.  It turns out they have been out in the country, by the seaside or just away from the built up area for a while.  Good for them I say.  This however is not 'spiritual' but it is refreshing, recreating if you like as it changes our thinking by allowing us to wander amongst green places, or by a sea view hopefully not crowded with sunseekers.  I longed for such times when in London and still today look forward to Spring so we can get out and about.  This does not equal spirituality however that only comes from meeting 'spirit' either good or bad!  I was seeking to meet the good.

The problem with seeking the good is that it reveals how bad I am!  Therefore it can be a tough, rather than a pleasant time.  The good Lord has standards and each time I investigate his book these tend to appear.  This changes my behaviour, sort off and improves my life, but it is difficult.  Maybe I ought to join one of these modern liberal churches where they use a 'loose-leafed' bible removing pages they do not like or are making life hard.  The type that talk about 'Love' but ignore 'holiness.'  Easier on the life but such an approach does not bring you closer to Jesus.

My BT Problem, Rugby Problems

This contained my BT problem.  This little box and the wire connected to it prevented me from receiving calls from people offering me tax refunds, changing bank accounts and allowing me to buy anti-virus supported by Microsoft.  All this, plus one or two nuisance calls - the family - because one wire was frayed and required replacing.
The new building next door has been awaiting connection to the mainline for some time but nothing could happen until the new telegraph pole (telegraph, what's that?) was installed.  That occurred Sunday and today the BT Outreach man arrived to plug them in.  Last night my great nephew contacted me via facebook, he is now an outreach engineer and he checked the line confirming a fault.  How he did this from near Edinburgh I did not ask as technology is beyond me.
Today I mentioned the fault to the engineer, made an online fault report, and almost immediately everything went dead!
You canny say they are not fast!
Within a short while all returned including the dead phone.
The men had installed the new line next door, found the corrupted wire, replaced this with new wire and all is well.  All in a mornings work.  Well done Outreach.
The internet and the football it contains, sorry I mean contact with friends and family it contains is important.  My life is lived through the web these days.  For instance when it went dead I had just found on Twitter a new relevant to the museum site concerning this area, the web is great for that.
So many good things but while it was down I was so lost I almost cleaned the fridge!
How sad can one get?
Of course now all is well I am not using the phone until tomorrow, when it is free for an hour...

Discrimination is rife in the world of Rugby Union Football.  One Australian player made a, somewhat rough, statement regarding the end for gays, atheists, liars, drunks and others when they die and meet Christ Jesus, reject the offer of life in Christ Jesus and Hell awaits.  This was a simple biblical statement certainly made in a 'straightforward' manner and has naturally brought upon his head the opposition of the gay lobby and the politically correct fear of the rugby authorities who do not wish anyone to attack them.  Israel Folau an Australian  rugby union international may well lose his position as the nations most important player because of his opinion.  In the rush to be seen as innocent of all charges his own team bosses are 'making enquiries' as to the matter.  I short washing their hands Pilate like.  Rugby is a man's game, especially in Australia, what a shame so few men lead the organisation running it and appear to be in charge of his own club.  
Folau has made it clear he will oppose any attempt to fire him from his rugby international contract, quite rightly, and we must now wait and see if the brave men running the game there will stand up for him and his right to free speech or run from the gay lobby and dump him.  
In England, Billy Vunipola, another rugby playing Christian, has defended Folau's right to speak.  He too now finds himself up before the authorities for offering biblical truth to the world led by the gay lobby that would reject truth.
We now live in a world in which biblical truth is pushed aside for 'political correctness,' that is the social pressure led by the gay lobby forcing the people to accept their demand to be accepted as they are, though no Christian has not done so, and bullying anyone, especially Christians who continue to point out God's views on the subject.  We are corralled into accepting their opinion and afraid to speak out against it.  Hitler's Germany had a similar approach to opposition.

What is the biblical view?
All men and women are born sinners, no-one will be saved on the day we face Christ Jesus, not one!
Therefore as we are totally lost God himself came down to earth in human form, lived some 30 years or so on earth facing the same problems we face, never sinned and gave up his own life after being hounded, arrested, beaten, ridiculed, scourged, and crucified, always offering forgiveness to his enemies, and dying on the cross as the price to pay for our, yours and mine, sin.  Our nature put him on the cross, only a perfect man can stand and none exist, Jesus, fully man and fully God took our punishment, was separated from his father, and the Father from him, so you and I could have an opportunity of salvation.
On the third day he rose again, he being sinless could not remain there, our sin could.
When he rose he offered 'repentance' the chance to change our ways and follow him and receive forgiveness and then by his grace the Holy Spirit who will lead us into a new life.  His life is hard but in the end glorious.  Even now it has its moments.  Nothing compares with knowing Christ Jesus, the living God!
Those who ignore or reject this offer then stand alone before God on that day that comes to us all, only their perfection will enable them to stand, and none are perfect.  One sin rejects us, how many have you?    
The chance of a new life is available, Folau and Vinipola have found this life and will suffer for it, all Christians do.  One day God will receive them through Jesus sacrifice, they wish all others, gays, drunks, liars, even politicians, to be save also, we have one life let us make the correct choice.

The Death of the Kirk

Anyone with even a slight knowledge of Christian churches who base their faith on the scriptures knows how easily such organisations can fall apart.  Two major problems constantly interfere with the intention to follow the master, one is satanic interference, the other human nature.  The real problem in all churches occurs because the members are all sinners!  All those who have experienced the Living God carry their human nature as well as his, the conflict is real and difficult.  Many things hinder, temptation, tiredness, circumstances, and the enemy.  Churches that begin well often split apart because theological understandings over minor items, such as music in church, forms of service and the like, cause one congregation to become two.  This is off little importance as long as bad feeling is not allowed to develop.  However when theological truths are involved churches must stand up and be counted.  This is never easy, causes much pain, but a choice has to be made to follow the Lord of their faith or another.

The Church of Scotland, 'The Kirk,' has seen many troubled days in the past.  Secondary items have stirred passions, financial mismanagement has not always been satisfactory and even a hotel acquired in Israel causes ructions!  These need common sense and an open mind to amend.  However when biblical truth is attacked and sin is tolerated openly and accepted by many the church is clearly dying.  For many years the Kirk has seen 'liberal' teachings find a home in the church.  Many who refuse or an unable to accept the 'Word of God' have watered down the Kirk until its relevance in nil for many in Scotland.  Instead of representing Jesus Christ to the world a watered down 'be nice to everyone' attitude prevails.  'Be nice' indeed, but that is not Christianity.  Obeying God ad his clear teaching is!  If we wish a satisfying life we cannot find it anywhere outside of Christ Jesus.  He is alive and the disciple must do things his way, not the worlds.  The world is full of 'nice people.'  We see them everyday, but nice people often care nothing for God and their hearts, like ours were, are focused not on him but on them.  We were like this, and all too often remain this way.  However I and those in the real church, one with no denominational borders, have experienced something greater than ourselves, Jesus is alive!  His way is perfect, mine, and societies ever changing fashions are not.

Yesterday after much struggling the inevitable occurred, the Kirk decided that it was acceptable for homosexuals to be a minister in the church going against Gods clear teaching.  In spite of 'academic' studies over the past few years revisionists have pushed through the 'gay' agenda and the Kirk has sat back and allowed this to happen.  What people do outside the church, whatever the denomination, is for them to decide.  If however they wish to represent Christ Jesus they must first of all belong to him, and then preach him and his word, not their own.  Clearly this is not the case here.  Sex is made for marriage between one man and one woman, not two men or two women.  The lie has sprung up in recent years that such a relationship is 'normal' and any objection is an attack on 'equality.'  Both are nonsense.  Such relationships are not 'normal,' and many know this to be the case, whether they care or not is another thing.  Outside the church this is not a problem.  What people do is their business and life is hard for many of us.  Trauma, bad family, inadequacy, natural tendencies and influence form others have all led us into strange behaviour.  Often we have enjoyed such but we know right from wrong, but follow the flow in our trial.  Many Christians have 'gay' tendencies, many have suffered because of this, all seek to follow their God even though this is hard for them.  It is hard for the rest of us 'normal' folks also, we have the same temptations and trials, and fail just as often.  However we all seek to do the right and follow the one who gave himself for us. 

Homosexual sin is no worse than any other, Jesus died for all, and his cry is for each one to find life in him, whoever they are and whatever their situation.  His love is not limited because an individual is 'gay.'  A meeting with him will however force us to know ourselves and seek to let him know us.  Changes will follow, slowly maybe, but his arms always await each one. 

The Kirk has rejected discipleship to follow the way of society around them.  Instead of changing society the Kirk has been swallowed up in the hope of being 'relevant' to this generation, not realising that the Lord of the earth is always relevant to each one.  In their desperation to be accepted by the world the Church of Scotland has moved away from God.  This leads only to death.  The enemies work has been, as always, subtle, slow and very effective.  The whisper in the ear "Has God said...?" has done its work.  Years of false teaching, liberal 'intellectual' thought, dating back to German theologians of the 19th century, has led to many losing trust in the scriptures and failing to study them and listen to those who have found them to work.  'Reason' and 'intellectual depth' does not change lives no matter how important they may be.  It is the work of  the 'Holy Spirit' alone that can enable faith, and that not always overnight.  This has been ignored and human thought lauded to everyone's loss. For those Christians who remain in the church the choice is simple, slide away with the rest of leave and form a new church trusting in Jesus to honour you for honouring him.  There is no real choice, it is either Jesus or society, the best or nothing.  All churches which have moved away from scripture have died, even if they still exist in form.  The assembly decision yesterday shows the Kirk is now dead, and no longer relevant to the Lords work.  How sad, Jesus, our judge to be, weeps.

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Voice of Nonconformity

Keith's Histories

I've been enlightening myself by reading through Keith Ives excellent history of the nonconformist church at the turn of the centuries just over a hundred years ago.  In England the term 'Nonconformist' was given to any who during the period of the reformation (which you may have heard about, it was in all the papers) refused to attend the Church of England services.  The church in Scotland had, naturally, a different approach to reformation, partly due to the influence of one of the leading men, John Knox, and also because Scots tend to make their feelings known if the situation requires this.  Free church and Nonconformity basically mean the same thing.  To study the late 19th century church position Keith Ives has concentrated on one forgotten man, indeed one I had never heard of until now.  Yet this man had an great influence on church opinions and indeed following this he also had some effect on the changes to British society through his contact with leading men, Lloyd George being the most important.  

William Robertson Nicoll entered the world as a 'son of the manse,' and not just any manse but a 'Free Church of Scotland' manse.'   In 1843 the 'disruption' ended with a third of the Church of Scotland leaving to form their own church, the way people of integrity do.  His father was content to minister in a small church in rural Aberdeenshire, satisfying his desire for knowledge by reading widely and giving a love of such knowledge and reading to his son.  William however desired bigger things and once qualified found himself a church in Kelso in the borders in which to expend his preaching talents and imbibe his listeners with evangelical truths.  His time there was cut short by a  variety of illness and stress and it was recommended he move south to what was termed, 'warmer climes!'  His lung was so badly damaged that he had to seek a very different kind of employment to feed his family.  

Since his days at Aberdeen University Nicoll had contributed articles to the press.  This had continued ever since and once in London Hodder & Stoughton, who had known him for some while, offered him a chance to work as an editor.  So began his influential time ad editor of the 'British Weekly,' a religious paper that he made the leader amongst all such press of the day.  For the next thirty or so years Nicoll was in the centre of theological debate, attempting to hold on to biblical truth while also allowing many teachings, mostly from Germany, to influence both himself and his readers.  In the middle of the 19th century some in German universities decided to use a variety of 'criticisms' to investigate the truth of the bible.  This normally ought to be encouraged as the truth has nothing to fear, however man's 'reason' cannot understand the book God has given us unless it is also open to the supernatural and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Too many 'discovered,' to their own content, mistakes, changes, alterations, that suited their understanding. Such teachings have influenced people ever since, in spite of alternative views being offered.  Nicoll himself was so impressed that he gradually began to ignore the Old Testament altogether and began to concentrate on the cross of Christ, the centre of Christianity.  However it is not possible to drop half the book, and much research has backed up much of the history of the OT.  This debate added to the Darwin evolutionary theory which caused many believers to wonder what was truth.  

Many leading men of the day were swayed one way or the other, it appears even some of the leading lights, often men who wrote in Nicoll's paper, took extreme views, some so extreme they soon were moving elsewhere.  Such debates could not be new to a man brought up in the Free Church of Scotland.  The 'disruption' left many men without a manse and their congregations without a church building.  Soon after this another conflict arose and some left to form what became known as the 'Wee Free Church of Scotland!'  A walk along the bank of the River Ness in Inverness shows some 16 church buildings there.  The ones mentioned plus Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, Methodist, Reformed, Presbyterian and so on.   Most arising from theological disputes, some from pride, the great killer.  Should this be?  Not really, but heresy will always arise, and secondary things, such as infant baptism, music and the like cause some to meet with like minded people, nothing wrong in this.  Paul and Peter both had early disputes with those of the Circumcision Party, who thought all Gentiles ought to become full Jews.  Later Gnostics, Arians, Pelagians etc became points of discussion.  This has been a constant theme as both man and demon wish to turn us away from the central importance of Christ's finished work on the cross.  Small things often cause division to our shame. 

As time passed and his influence grew Nicoll became involved with politics!  His other great love had been literature, which I regard as mere story books, and he had placed much emphasis on reading 'good books,' and gave such space in his paper, introducing stories in the copy also, not unusual at that time.  However the political side became a good escape from theology as the nonconformists were always the leading light in reforming British society.  The state church rarely motivated change.  The early leaders of the Liberal Party were almost all nonconformists of some sort, and even the Labour Party front men were from working class chapels as opposed to state churches.  This aided the introduction of pensions under the Liberal government of 1909, a time when Labour exchanges and unemployment 'dole' money also appeared.  Many improvement to society occurred at that time, and Nicoll and the 'British Weekly' was in the centre of developments.  Exactly where Christians ought to be today!  

However the nonconformist churches were  beginning to appear as middle class Liberals rather than evangelicals.  While many trade unionists were from the churches the majority of the working class were not.  The rise in wealth from the 1850's onwards had been made on their backs.  Pit and mill, shop and farm found many now literate workers who considered they had the same rights to a better life as their so called 'betters.'  Therefore their vote went to the Labour Party as it grew, and more so as Nicoll, who had been Knighted for his 'services' had given full support to the war effort once that broke in 1914.  After the war the Liberals were tainted by coalition with the Conservatives who followed their normal practice of throwing workers on the dole in a time of austerity, while remaining well fed and warm themselves.  'Homes for hero's' never arrived as the Tory chancellor claimed there was no money in bankrupt Britain.  

The free churches were also tainted as middle class, theologically dead, and people seeking a new satisfaction in life after the war sought refuge in pleasure, if they had the money, and socialist politics if they had not.  The nominal dropped the church, those confused by fifty years of debate wandered elsewhere, and Nicoll must take a share of the blame for this.  He had been one major instigator in moving into the political sphere, he had encouraged what was called 'believing criticism,' and the people had moved away with no certainties to depend on.  William Robertson Nicoll never lost the centrality of the cross, but he lessened the hold of this for many.  Either the book was true or not, if the OT was a doubt why not the NT?  In academic circles such debate can continue with little damage, the man in the street often requires more easy to read information.  The failure to explain, the lack of dependency on the Holy Spirit guided by scripture, the more people became confused.  

Nicoll died in 1926, the free churches had lost their flocks after the war, and many of the members had given their lives for that cause believing it to be fighting for freedom and for God!  Sadly the Germans also had similar ideas.  It is important not just to read the bible but also to study it.  To understand the main biblical doctrines and apply them to life each day.  Far too many during Nicolls time did not do this, attending because everyone else did, reading the book sparsely, and understanding little.   The free church has never recovered.  The state church in England is a mess, with 95 per cent non evangelical and with agendas unknown in ancient times.  The Church of Scotland is heading the same way, and for many years the leading men had little belief in the supernatural God.  It is the minority that know him.

'Voice of Nonconformity' speaks to us today about the danger of following trends rather than Jesus himself.  Biblical study is a must for anyone who wishes to know God through Jesus his Son, but there are many wide theological roads that lie open to the unwary.  Read, study and think, would have been William Robertson Nicolls suggestion, use your brain, but I fear he himself was entrapped by fame, politics and position while struggling with theological disputes.   

       

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St Peter's

As I pushed my way through the crowds in the market today I passed a few African types proffering leaflets.  These were regarding their recently established church.  I pondered when they first arrives a while ago quite what made them settle in this town.  For a start I found when I came here some time back that this was a very 'white' English town, a surprise to me after twenty years in Notting Hill!  Why did a small group of Africans begin a church here?  Today there in fact two 'African' dominated churches, and one of them at least contained several illegal immigrants.  This was exposed at a social evening when a young lady indicated in mid conversation that she worked for the Customs people, turning around she noticed half the crowd that were behind her had disappeared!  The churches no doubt are genuine enough, but some amongst them may have a different view of their 'social' role.  Possibly that is why they began their own church rather than do the obvious an check out those already up and running.  The point I am aiming for is almost here so yawn with your mouth shut.


Churches begin for a variety of reasons.  English churches often began on pagan spots when the Romans were around, wooden churches were raised under the Saxons, the Normans altered those with stone, later many Lords decided to build their own, to stop them mixing with the lower orders I suppose.  A variety of reasons saw 'parish' churches and non conformist churches to develop.  Theological differences and Pride often split churches causing new ones to emerge, as indeed did personal ambition.  In Victorian days 'Livings' as they were called, were often controlled by the most powerful man, or organisation, in the district.  Anthony Trollope wrote about the infighting of the Mid Victorian Anglicans in his delightful book 'The Warden,' and several others that followed.  We have reached the point at last, sip coffee, sit up straight and listen.  St Peter's Church came into being because a rich woman fell out with the vicar of the parish church.  That is why the building stands there, in what was once a field on the edge of town!  That is the crux of this tale.

Miss Frances Wakeham was the daughter of the Rev Perryman Wakeham, most probably vicar of St Michael's the parish church.  Certainly the house in which she resided, 'Marshall's' was very large, with an extension added in 1850 that was bigger than most houses in the area at the time, and vicars in those days were very well off indeed.  The vicarage opposite the church, mentioned some time back, possibly arose when this lady moved into her Big House, set in the mid century in pleasant gardens of some size. This lady, as was common in that age, most likely knew her social importance.  Indeed she also was a granddaughter of a man who had once been Dean no less!  However there came a time long after her father had gone the way of all vicars when a dispute arose.  The residing vicar of St Michael's wished to 'move tombs' for reasons not stated, possibly hygienic or to improve the grounds, although this is unclear. Whatever the disagreement it appears she lost out, and possibly revealed the reason she remained a spinster all her life, her personality, her attitude.  Maybe she was indeed to be found in a 'Trollope' novel?  It was said she claimed she would 'Pay the vicar back,' and her Christian commitment was such that when she died she indeed did do this! 


The blessed lady left £4500 (and this is 1893 we talk about) to the church.  However she did not give it to the parish but ensured it went elsewhere.  Now this town actually is two separate towns joined as one in the 19th century. The Roman road that runs through the town separates the two halves and the parish to the north came under an Anglican 'peculiar.'  A what?  It appears the way Anglicans run their organisation means that a church is tied to a local cathedral, the home of a 'Bishop.'  However for historical reasons that are two complicated to understand the northern parish, under St Mary's, belongs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and is described as a 'peculiar,' as indeed are many Archbishops. Quite what he wishes to do with it is not made clear.  However the money was provided specifically to establish a new church.  


Now spiteful Frances, (Can I call you 'Fanny?' What.....Oh!) realised that St Mary's is some distance from the Roman road and the parishioners required a new church nearer the road, especially as the town was growing apace.  The English way was to have people attend a local parish church rather than the nearest.  To prevent some slipping over the border into St Mikes parish she arranged for a new building close by.  By insisting the church was built within two years or the cash went elsewhere she ensured a rapid building process would follow.  The first service took place in 1897, in a building designed for growth.  Holding some three hundred seated, but designed for alteration to 600 when the time came, St Peter's now has a strange, indeed ugly, look.  The interior they say is excellent, but I have to take their word for that.  An effort has been made to ensure the grounds are neat, and the rain has enabled the plants at least to flourish.  Much of the land once given (half an acre 'given' by one Mrs Southcott) has been sold for housing, and that of a decent quality.  

As with all things life changes in ways not expected.  The church continued but the growth did not. The population stopped growing, War arrived and changed attitudes to all things, the cash to add the tower, let alone the expansion, never materialised.  The church was left with a stunted look on the outside, somewhat similar to many houses I noted built in the thirties back home.  Nowadays this 'Anglo Catholic' church attempts to play its part in the town.  The bells ring when folks get married, services are held, and a vicar has been appointed once again.  The crowds however do not come.  A church cannot be established unless the good Lord sets it up himself.  Man's ambition, personal desire, theological debates, and pride, as here, are not good grounds for God's Kingdom.  He himself must inspire the creation of a church, not a dispute regarding tombs.

The Dean who laid that must have been strong!

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