I'm sitting here reading the online newspapers, though apart from a tragedy in Baltimore there is little actual news on offer, when I looked up for inspiration and found this! Here above me was the Saltire!
Clearly this is a sign, of what I am unsure. Possibly this indicates Scotland will defeat Northern Ireland in tonight's friendly match, possibly it indicates independence is round the corner, possibly it indicate two aircraft coming and going from Stansted almost hit one another!
I do not know.
Sadly, the air stream has moved the Saltire on elsewhere. No doubt Sunak passing by in one of his £600,000 helicopters saw this and destroyed it in a piece of tetchiness for which he is well known.
Englishmen have made use of such attitudes for a thousand years, but we are still here!
The tragedy in Baltimore has removed the Moscow outrage from the front page. Questions regarding why that occurred are ongoing. ISIS-K, the ISIS working in Russia, hates Christians, and believes all Russians, and indeed all Westerners are Christians. Of course ISIS hates everybody who is not ISIS, Muslims, Hindu's, Indonesian, Taliban, Iran, Shia's etc, almost the whole world, so it is easy for them to find a target. The Chechen war some years ago heightened their disgust at Moscow and this is not the first outrage that has occurred there.
Questions arise however, as to how four men got into the theatre with automatic weapons, dressed in fatigues and opened fire. The FSB, the Russian security service is very efficient, the US, among others had warned of an attack, and yet this was allowed to happen.
Some imply Putin was involved himself allowing the attack to take place to turn attention away from both the death of the opposition leader in the gulag, and the losses in the Ukraine war. Indeed one report speaks of men dressed in similar outfits, blue jerseys, blue jeans, with guns, hindering people attempting to escape. These may be conspiracy theorists but many questions have not been answered. Add to this the housing block demolished by bombs some years ago which was blamed on Chechens if I remember correctly, conspiracy theorists again wondered if the Stalin impersonator was responsible, it is like him, and human beings are worth little to Putin.
We await answers, though we may wait some time.
As it is Easter Time here is a quick look at the Holy Sepulchre, the place most likely to have been where Jesus was crucified and the tomb in which he may well have been laid. Constantine's mother led the way in identifying the places, and he built this structure over it, but a historical perspective is somewhat ruined by that. Worth a look however.
At this time of year there are lots of tinsel covered cards doing the rounds. The religious ones tend to feature a baby in a wooden crib, crowned with a yellow halo, as indeed are the loving parents featured beside. Three men dressed in ornate robes, presents in hand stand along side a handful of grubby shepherds carrying a lamb or two. From the child a glow emits, lighting up the stable and much of the world around, while high above a bright, huge, star glints as it lingers in the cloudless sky. A touching scene, much loved by many.
However, (the cynical bit begins here) this is not what happened.
Certainly we are told Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, certainly we are told there was no room at the 'Inn.' Clearly there was little money for this pair as Joseph could not bribe his way in. The implication of a 'manger' implies they found rest, either recommended by the 'Inn' or by themselves in a stable. Clearly also they remained there for some time, all this with Shepherds and Magi may not have taken place in one night, so they had permission from someone to remain there. Later, on the eighth day Jesus was presented at the Temple, the offering they gave was the cheapest, another indication of poverty. A young couple, she possibly 14, he only 20, trying to care for a child, yet without revealing Gods words to anyone. They both come across as worthy individuals.
This is not the picture we have on Christmas cards. This is a struggle, similar to many since and at this moment, who bring a child into the world with little resources with which to keep him. This one however, under the care of the Father God is born, after a long walk for Mary, no donkey for these two, and born in such wretched conditions. Unlike most in leadership Jesus started at the very bottom, and he was the one through whom this world had been created! The mother walking, nine months gone, from Nazareth to Bethlehem, up hill and down dale. Finding nowhere to sleep, giving birth in a stable, with or without animals. At least they would create warmth, and an interesting atmosphere. Alone, only the visit from the shepherds and the Magi is recorded, possibly Joseph went out to obtain food, possibly the stable owner cared for them while tending any animals. Then the presentation in the temple, the words from an old man and an old woman indicating the future, in a distinct manner, and then the warning to leave for Egypt and another long walk carrying the child this time.
No halo's, no false sentiment, just the Father's provision, childbearing, walking and an interesting future both Joseph and Mary were leaving in Gods hands. How would you cope?
The child went on to learn his dads business, to learn his people's history, and to teach for three years before being arrested, tried unjustly, beaten, scourged and crucified, while having committed no sin. He did not die by mistake, he, God in human form, accepted the Father's will as a way of paying the sin debt of all. He endured this for me, for you, and for all who would believe it. Not much sentiment there, just a loving God dying for his people, and one that wants us to believe him and rest in him. He will never fail us.
Jeremiah: 23:1. ‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,’ declares the Lord. 3 ‘I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord.
5
‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord,
‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.
Today's Sunday reading according to the CoE features Jeremiah and Luke. Always one from the old and one from the new testaments.
Sometimes the speakers follow them!
Not being able to make it today, a result of rain and rusty knees, I read these passages and guess what the visiting speaker today would have said. This is difficult as I have no knowledge of him whatsoever. Indeed, as I must acknowledge, I have no knowledge whatsoever!
One thing is clear from a quick reading here, as always it is not what we do, it is what God does that matters. The leaders have failed, it is the Lord who takes action. Sin is the problem, it is the Lord who deals with it, at least for those who repent.
The Lord creates, the Lord leads, and when we follow life is indeed life abundant. This, unfortunately, does not imply it will be easy. Christians suffer the usual diseases, famines, and life problems all others have. Christians also have sin within and have to fight sin daily in themselves. No 'Holy Willies' in the Christian Church. They also walk contrary to the thinking of the world. This causes problems with governments who wish to follow the world or just be obeyed.
This passage begins with a warning to those leaders in Jerusalem around 600 BC, he could just as easily have been speaking to the CoE Bishops now under the leadership of 'Stonewall,' and influenced by the worlds outlook rather than scripture truth. I wonder if their attitude is because far too many have a middle class, well educated Oxbridge background, and have risen too fast and too far in ecclesiastical circles rather than spend time on the ground at parish level, thus being removed from the man in the pew? Mixing only with our peers limits our understanding. This leads to the flock being badly led, God will take a hand once again, in the CoE as he has done in the past.
The Jeremiah story is amazing. A very reluctant young man, forced into a position he did not want, who stood up in public and proclaimed the 'Word of the Lord' to the unwilling citizens. Jerusalem had fallen far from Yahweh. From the King down corruption reigned, God forgotten, society ruined, murder, crime, corrupt judges, and few worshipping Yahweh. He spent many years loudly abused and opposed by the majority of the townsfolk, laughed at and ridiculed, and almost killed. Yet he preached on until the end when he was proved right. They still rejected him!
Because all people agree with a course of action, this does not make it right.
The people of Jerusalem were attacked by the Babylonians. They did not change their ways, and ten years later they were completely destroyed by the same Babylonians, and many were removed to Babylon itself, never to return. The Lord had spoken.
The present Anglican church has many who seek God, however, instead of following scripture they preach 'Love,' and 'inclusion,' and avoid 'repentance. Repentance, the giving our self over to follow Jesus. The CoE will end badly.
As is the case so often, when the Lord speaks into a situation it does not confine itself to the time, the whole old testament is looking forward to the Lords dealing with the nature we all possess, the Self, the sin sick self that puts itself on the throne and ruins life for all others.
I know about that.
Gods answer, 'The Lord, our righteous saviour.'
Luke 23:33. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' 43 Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
The Lord, a righteous saviour did arrive. He came at a time when a 'Messiah' of some sort was expected. He did not however, arrive as expected. Born, probably in a cave used as a stable, round the corner from everyone else, out of sight. Raised in an obscure, unimportant village way up north, a mere jobbing builder of limited income. Uneducated according to the 'Eton' standards of the Jewish leaders of his day, and a man indistinguishable from the crowd, yet here was the saviour.
After a short period teaching and encouraging repentance and faith in himself, this man from 'up north,' was then crucified by the Jewish leaders through the unwilling Romans. Fear for their position, fear that he was the Messiah, and demonic activity saw to the death of Jesus of Nazareth.
However, a closer reading of any of the gospel reports reveals Jesus, not as a victim of oppression but as one willingly laying down his self, taking the eternal punishment for the sinful nature we all share, and yet as he did so offering forgiveness and eternal life to all around him. Few, while six in iron nails are thumped into their hands and feet would offer such forgiveness. He was no victim like the two beside him, he was a man, fully God and fully man, laying down his life, his Self, for you and me, and all who would receive him.
By this means God, Yahweh, had dealt with sin for all who come to him in repentance, that is those who change their ways and 'follow' Jesus.' This is indeed a righteous saviour, one who did no wrong, upset those who do, and paid the punishment price for those unable to endure eternity separate from God.
Rising late I expected a decent quiet day. This was ruined by the banging of the plumber and his mate downstairs and the information that I was leaking! It was flat Number two that reported a leak a week or two ago. John and his mate came round attempting to locate leak. We looked under sink, saw nothing, behind washing machine and saw nothing, concluded it was Number 5 at fault and they were out. I heard no more until the banging today. In fact the plumber was at Number 1. they had a leak also, they thought it the boiler, the plumber thought the boiler was off anyway and replaced it. In doing so he realised I was leaking. On inspection, much better than before, a small but persistent leak was coming from around the U-bend bits. Having banged and thumped at Number 1 satisfactorily he wished to check mine, then look into Number 5's bathroom. He looked at mine, decided a refit was required, John will say rude words, I canny imagine what the landlord will say, and that is now in the process. More next Tuesday. Plumber goes to Number 5 who has gone out so he will be back next week also. More banging expected.
In the midst of all this I received a new scanner. A small device to transfer slides onto digital. A very good idea and something I have been wanting for a long time. The problem was they ranged between £50 to 80 and that was beyond me. The other day however, while scanning the Online Oxfam Shop I found one for £29. It arrived during the banging time and gave me something to annoy me all day. Once I had worked out how to make it work, once I discovered the lead from the plug is two feet too short, and once I had dusted down the old box of slides I discovered the colours have faded. Whether this was because of where they have been kept or simply age, it is 30 years since I went to Jerusalem, I know not but it was time consuming beginning to put them through the scanner. Some have been done, some are not very good, and yet I may get a couple of decent hots if I turn them into B&W when the colours do not succeed. Interestingly, among the debris in the box was an SD card. This contained photos from years ago which a previous owner had attempted to digitalise. Most of them are not very good, almost all upside down, reversed, but some are very good indeed and may be made use off. No siesta today, no decent food either, hopefully I will get a decent sleep now...
.JPG)
