Of Sirens, and Bellbirds!

The Sirens, in Greek mythology, were three sea-nymphs who lured sailors to their death with their bewitching song.  The hero, Odysseus, however, managed to escape their deceptive call as he sailed by, by tying himself to the mast of his ship, and having his crew block their ears with wax.  The Sirens were so distressed to see a man apparently hear their song, and yet escape, that they threw themselves into the sea, and drowned.

That story, we may safely accept, is untrue.  However, the following story, related by Rev. George B.Robeson, a former Acting Principal of Jaffna Central College in Sri Lanka, is given as accurate. Lost in the jungle, a man sought desperately to find his way to safety. His strength was ebbing fast as the insects and stifling heat did their deadly work. Suddenly he heard what he thought to be a bell tolling in the distance. Believing he was nearing civilization, he struggled bravely onward; but he never seemed to draw closer to the sound. Finally, he fell to the ground exhausted, never to rise again. The mysterious bellbird had claimed another victim!   Mr Robeson says many a traveller in the heart of the rain forest of Central and South America has been led to his death by the bell-sounding call of this seldom-seen bird. Many times this bird with its call entices people to get off of the path to seek out the sound. 

This, also, is all too true.   Satan employs subtle devices to ensnare the human race. Even as individuals seek to free themselves from the grip of sin, they are lead astray by the tempter’s “bell” ringing in the distance. “At last,” They think, “I’ve found a way of escape,” and so, following the call of the evil one deeper and deeper into the jungle of despair, they are eventually lost for eternity. 

Many are following the deceptive call of the sirens, or of the devil’s “bell-bird”, because it seems right to them. However Jesus, the Christ, Who declared that “No man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6), is the only One Who can lead us to the promised land of salvation and safety!

A work in progress!

One of my regular activities is commenting on online newspaper articles.  Such comments may be totally secular but, quite often, I have an opportunity to witness - in one way or another!  I have also become friendly with some of my fellow commenters, including one obvious believer who uses the pseudonym "Happy"!

A couple of days ago, I was disappointed by a comment made by Happy - and told him so!  He responded: "Sorry C.B.  As you can see, I am not perfect yet.  But the good news is God is still working on me!"

What a refreshing reply!  He is, of course, absolutely correct - and not only with regard to himself!  In spite of the claims of some - particularly high-powered American speakers - there is no such thing as 'sinless perfection' while we reside in our mortal bodies.  John makes this abundantly clear: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ... If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (I John 1:8,10).

It is said that, one day, Michelangelo entered his studio to examine the work of his students.  As he came to the work of one particular student, he looked at it for a long time.  Then, taking a brush, he wrote a single word across the canvas - "amplius"!  The word meant 'larger'.  The master-painter was not rejecting the work of his student for it exhibited great skill, and was as good as could be expected at that stage of his training.  However, the small size of the canvas made his design appear cramped.  It needed to be expanded.

Often, the Lord may have to write 'amplius' across the lives of many of His disciples.  Our spiritual outlook becomes confined; our vision of what God wants to do, in and through us, is restricted by our limited spiritual growth.  The Lord is aware of the progress that we have made - but He encourages us to keep expanding our horizons.  He wants to increase the dimensions of our spiritual lives; widen our outreach; strengthen our witness.  He's not finished with us yet; each of us is "a work in progress"!

Writing to the believers in Philippi, Paul gave them this encouragement: "... it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil 1:9-11).  He knew that they were "works in progress", but he wanted them to 'keep on keeping on' that theyu might bring praise and glory to Father God.

So, "... let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:1-2).

Sorry C B , As you can see, I am not perfect yet, But the good news is God is still working on me.!

Sorry C B , As you can see, I am not perfect yet, But the good news is God is still working on me.!

Sorry C B , As you can see, I am not perfect yet, But the good news is God is still working on me.!

Sorry C B , As you can see, I am not perfect yet, But the good news is God is still working on me.!

Back again!

Well, it's been a while.  I have discovered that PCs are like cars - great while they are working!  Sadly, just before my last trip to France, I lost my wi-fi connection and, as my ethernet cables are all safely packed away (!), I was depending on borrowed cables, and my wife's laptop.  On my return, I took it to PC World (under an extended warranty) but, when I got it back, I discovered that they had replaced the Hard Drive.  No problem re data - all backed up.  However, it has taken me forever (almost!) to reinstall software - and to re-upgrade to Win.8.1!

Okay, that's my reason (excuse) for not having posted for so long - but I'm back on track as of now!

Of course, my difficulty, now, is in deciding a topic on which to post!  So much has been in the news since my last offering.  The ongoing advance of the so-called "Islamic State" in Iraq; the move of another Conservative MP to the UK Independence Party; the revelation that police failed to check valuable CCTV evidence in their investigation into the disappearance of teenager, Alice Gross.

So I am simply going to comment on something that I certainly haven't noticed in the national newspapers - or any other news medium, for that matter!

In the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus, we find these amazing words: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (13:8).  In a world that seems to be forever in a state of flux, those are words that must surely appeal to our innate desire for constancy.  The fancy, theological, word is 'immutability', and what it assures us is that the Lord Jesus is unchangeable.  He is One on Whom we may depend, regardless of our situation, or our circumstances.  He is not one thing today; and something totally different tomorrow.  He is not fickle, or vacillating, abandoning, today, the plan that He made yesterday.

That, then, means that the salvation that He offers to all who place their trust in Him - confessing their sinfulness and sins, and claiming His blood and righteousness as the already-paid penalty - is not just for a time, but is for all of eternity!  (To learn more about eternity, may I recommend my book, "Great Words of the Faith" - see the top of the page).

So much of the news that we read in the newspapers, or see and hear on TV and radio, is bad news.  But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News - indeed, it is the best news that any mortal can hear!  It is the news of sin forgiven, and a new life that is possible in, and through, that same Lord Jesus.

If you want to know more, please check out the "Do you need God?" link on the right-hand-side of the page, near the bottom.  Then go to the link above it (New Christian UK).  Alternatively, please feel free to contact me using the e-mail address at the top.  I will be delighted to offer what help I can. :-)

Yes? - or No?

It's okay!  I know that there is only a fortnight to go before the referendum on Scottish independence (= separation!), but this post is going to be in no way political.

I have just come across a post on Facebook.  It's from 'Jesus Daily' and shows a picture that is obviously intended to represent the incarnate Lord Jesus.  The caption above reads: "I CAME, LIVED, AND DIED, AND ROSE AGAIN FOR YOU. DO YOU BELIEVE ME? Yes or No"

That is, indeed, an important question.  It reminded me of the one asked by a man named Pontius Pilate, almost 2,000 years ago: "Then what should I do with Jesus Who is called the Messiah?" (Matt.27:22).   What will you do with Jesus?   

There are many responses to that question - too many for me to deal with in one post.  There are those who, like the Pharisees and the priests, with the support of a mob, merely want to get rid of Him.  He challenges their traditions; their lifestyle; their philosophy.  "Let's get rid of Him", is their response.  However, He is not so easily dismissed - as those 1st century Jewish leaders soon found out!

Others have no particular animosity towards Him.  Indeed, like Pilate, they may even have a grudging admiration for Him.  They like His teaching - as long as it isn't too radical!  They admire His courage!  They even suspect that He is more than any ordinary man.   But they wash their hands of Him (Matt.27:24).  They can't, or won't make a decision for Him - and, by default, have made a decision against Him!

However, in every generation there are those who, even as did one of those crucified with Him, recognise His Kingship, and seek the salvation that is available only through Him. They commence a life that is so different from the life they have formerly led, that it is referred to as having been 'born again'.  It's a life that is under His control.  It's a life that is not necessarily a 'bed of roses' - as those of His disciples who live in Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, and about fifty countries in the world today, well know.  If you wish to find out more about the persecuted church, please scroll down to the links on this page.  However, as so many of them testify, it's His presence in even the direst of situations that proves His promise that he would never leave, or forsake, His followers. (see Heb.13:5).

The final tally of votes on Sept.18th will decide the future of Scotland and, to an extent, the remainder of the current United Kingdom, for generations.  Your 'Yes', or 'No', to Jesus will decide where you spend eternity.  I know which I believe to be the more important decision!

Thank You, Lord!

It happened in a previous fellowship in which I was a part of the Leadership Team.  During a time of open ministry a young lady, who was a visitor, came to me for prayer.  As she looked up at me with a smile that seemed almost to split her face, I inquired as to any specific reason for prayer, and received the response, "The Lord has blessed me so really wonderfully, and I want to be able to really thank Him."  As I waited to discover the nature of such an obviously enormous blessing, she continued, "He has supplied me with a new pair of sandals.  Now, I just want more of Him!"

Although I knew that most, if not all, of those in the building at the time had wardrobes full of clothing and footwear, I didn't need to look any further than myself to realise how often we take so much for granted.  "A new pair of sandals" - and in Motherwell, in the middle of winter (it was January, as I recall)!  I felt strangely humbled, and honoured, to be permitted to pray with one whose heart was so full of thanksgiving.

There is much for which you and I, if we are genuine disciples of Jesus, can and should offer thanks to God - regardless of our financial, or material, circumstances.  There is the wonder of our salvation; the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit; the assurance of eternity in the Father's presence.  There is the family of the Church; the fellowship of the saints; the freedom to meet, together, with Him.  There is the written Word; the open door of prayer; the fruit, and gifting, of both the Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

It is the constant exhortation that we be thankful, and praise the Lord.  The Psalmists were full of such praise and thanksgiving.  So David sings out, "I will give You thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise You." (Ps.35:18), while the un-named writer of Psalm 105 encourages his listeners to "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His Name; make known among the nations what He has done." (v.1).  Paul, too, says that we should be "... always giving thanks to God, the Father of everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph.5:20).

Let us, then, be filled with thanksgiving that will lead to praise which, as He is "... enthroned on the praises of His people." (Ps.22:3), will bring us ever more closely into His Presence, there to offer to Him the worship of our hearts and lives.

And a suggestion:  Let us cultivate an attitude of gratitude at all times!

Truth and propoganda.

In 1918 US Senator Hiram Warren Johnson is purported to have said: "The first casualty when war comes is truth."  However, this was not recorded and, in fact, the sentiment was expressed a long time before, when Greek tragic dramatist Aeschylus (525 BC - 456 BC), stated that: "In war, truth is the first casualty." 

The current situation in Egypt - in which more than 60 churches throughout the country have been destroyed along with other Christian institutions, including 11 schools, an orphanage, a hospital and two Bible Society bookshops, as well as countless homes and businesses - may not classify as war, but it would seem that truth has already fallen.

Christians have, astonishingly, been blamed by the Muslim Brotherhood for the fall of President Mohammed Morsi, and the Islamists are thus waging a retaliatory war against them. It is, however, an utterly absurd notion that Christians, who comprise only around ten per cent of the Egyptian population, could have the clout to bring down a regime. Not only are they numerically weak, but they have also been marginalised and disadvantaged for decades, leaving them without the social influence necessary to inspire the popular movement that resulted in Morsi’s overthrow by the military. 

More than 22 million Egyptians signed the petition, organised by the opposition Tamarod ("Rebel") movement, calling for Morsi to go . There are only around eight million Christians in Egypt so, even if every single one, including children, had put their name to it, they would still have been significantly outnumbered by Muslim signatures.

So why are the Brotherhood blaming the Christians, and why are its rank and file members falling for such a blatant untruth?  

Firstly, it enables the Brotherhood to avoid having to admit that many Egyptian Muslims were opposed to its autocratic, Islamist rule. Secondly, it allows them to portray the military as pro-Christian and anti-Islamic, thus attracting more support among the Muslim majority for their cause.  Thirdly, it taps into the pre-existing contempt in which its supporters hold Christians, similarly to the Nazis’ channelling hostility towards the Jews in 1930s Germany. And fourthly, Christians, as a vulnerable minority, are an easy target, allowing the Brotherhood to wreak unbridled havoc and thereby destabilise the military-backed regime.

Unfortunately, the Western media seems largely to have swallowed the Brotherhood’s narrative (aka 'propaganda') on Morsi’s removal. The Islamists have argued that he was elected democratically and, therefore, should not have been removed by the military in a “coup”; and they have claimed to be staging “peaceful” protests against his removal, which have been brutally and illegitimately broken up by the military. What has not been emphasised is that, although elected democratically, but he did not rule democratically; but used the democratic process to stage a series of power grabs in which he seized control of key institutions that should be independent, appointed his allies as regional governors, pushed through a contentious constitution, and ruthlessly crushed dissent. What has not been reported is that the sit-ins that were broken up by the military last week were characterised by calls for violence against the army, police and other state institutions. Nor has there been much mention, in the media, of the weapons the Brotherhood had in the sit-in camps and which they used against the army and police. Video evidence shows Islamists using guns and grenades against the authorities, and killing officers. There have also been reports of gross abuses being committed inside the camps, including incidents of rape and torture, and the murder of more than 80 people who were accused of being police informants or were trying to escape.

A long time ago, a Roman Official named Pontius Pilate asked the question, "What is truth?" of One Who was, with Pilate's permission, about to be crucified.  It's a question that still cries out to be answered - in Egypt as well as in many other parts of the modern world.

Of course, that crucified One is also the One Who could state, quite categorically: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No man comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6).   Only in Him will true peace be found.

Questions, questions, questions!

Questions are an important part of everyday life.  They are one of the ways in which we acquire knowledge.  Any parent will assure you that questions are a major part of the growing-up process of a child!  What’s that?  Why’s this?  When’s the other?

The Bible is full of questions.  The psalmists, and some of the Old Testament prophets, often asked questions of Almighty God, Himself.  Sometimes questions that many of us would consider to be downright irreverent! 

“O YHWH, why do You stand so far away?

Why do You hide when I am in trouble?” (Ps 10:1) 

“What are you up to, Lord?”, we might paraphrase.  “What are You playing at?”

“YHWH, how long will this go on?

Will You hide yourself forever?” asks Ethan the Ezrahite. (Ps 89:46)

“Where are You when I need You?” might well be our paraphrase in this case.

“How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither?” asks Jeremiah.  (Jer 12:4)

Or, as we might paraphrase that particular question: “When are you going to do something about the situation, Lord; when are You going to reveal Your mighty power;  why are You not acting according to my time-scale?”

The questions in the New Testament tend to be of a different order.  But questions there are.  So the disciples come to Jesus with a big question.  Some 5,000 men, together with women and children, are needing fed.  It’s getting late in the day; they don’t have a 24/7 ASDA down the road; what should they do?  “Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." And the disciples [asked] Him, "Where are we to get bread enough in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" (Matt 15:32-33).

Paul tells us of a question that he asked: “... to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I [asked] the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’" (II Cor 12:7-9)

Jesus asked questions – often very deep and piercing questions.

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”  (Matt 7:3)  Oh! That hurts!

In Acts 1:11, Dr Luke records a question from angels!  “So when [the disciples] had come together, they asked [Jesus], ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’  He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and [asked], ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.’"

But, I would suggest, the most important question of all comes from a man in Philippi.  Paul and Silas had been arrested and, after having been summarily beaten with rods, thrown into prison.  It was prison, Jim, but not as we know it – as Spock might have said to Captain Kirk.  Slopping out, or not having the vote, was the least of their worries! 

It was, we’re informed, the “inner prison” – dark, dank, dismal.  Their feet were fastened in the stocks.  These men were going nowhere.  Perhaps worst of all was the knowledge that they had actually done no wrong – indeed, the reason for the false charges brought against them was that they had done some good, by releasing a slave-girl from demon-possession but, in the process, losing her masters income!  There had been no proper trial; no examination of the evidence; no cross-examination by anyone acting on their behalf.

And what do we find these two men doing?  Having a Praise Gathering!  “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” (Acts 16:25).  The earthquake that followed that time of prayer and praise; the jailer’s readiness to commit suicide on the assumption that his prisoners would all have fled; and Paul’s shout that he should do himself no harm because all of his prisoners were there – in itself an amazing turn of events.  Imagine: a bunch of convicted criminals, finding their way to physical freedom open, but remaining in their cells!  The singing of Paul & Silas must have had a significant effect on each of them!

For the jailer, all of this provoked the most important spiritual question that any man, or woman, can ask: “... what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).  They hadn’t preached a three-point sermon with a PowerPoint presentation; they hadn’t spent the weeks beforehand distributing fliers, and organising “seeker-friendly” events; they hadn’t brought in the biggest, loudest Praise Band straight from their latest success at Spring Harvest.  All that they had done was work in Jesus’ Name; accept that all things really do work together for good for those who are the called of God; and united in prayer and in praising God.

Some time ago, I came across this little gem: “Christians worth their salt, make others thirsty for the water of life”.  

As you and I, who claim to be His disciples, go about our daily business, may we be found faithful to Him Who has called us.  May we be always ready to do good, that He might receive praise.  May we be found with a prayer on our lips, and a song in our hearts.  May others be convicted by our very presence with them.  May what our colleagues see of Jesus in us, make them thirsty for the relationship that we enjoy.  Then God the Holy Spirit will create, in their hearts, the right questions – and prepare them to receive the right answer: Jesus, the Christ.

And all to the glory of His eternal Name.

A man has died!

Amazingly, when I listened to the BBC radio news yesterday morning, I was not regaled with further irrelevant minutiae concerning a young couple who had entered the holy state of matrimony on Friday of last week!  Rather, it was the news that Usama bin Laden had been killed by a team of US Navy SEALS, and hastily (although with all due respect, in Islamic tradition, for the body) buried at sea, in order to ensure that there would not be any shrine - any focus for the faithful to venerate.

A couple of thoughts came to mind.  First of all, I realised that a man had died - and millions were rejoicing at the news.  Now I am not for one moment, condoning the atrocities behind which bin Laden is alleged to have been the master-mind.  Nor am I saying that he did not 'deserve to die'.  However, as the mother of a Scotsman who died in the World Trade Centre pointed out, bin Laden's death doesn't bring her son back to her.  Indeed, the manner of his death - without even the show trial that was afforded to Saddam Hussein - does raise important questions that I hope others will ask (and to which, I hope, they will find honest answers!) in the coming months! 

The other thing that caused me to think was the constant reference to 'evil'.  I find it interesting that the world's media, which seldom seems to have any time for spiritual matters, should jump so quickly on to a rolling band-waggon and use a term that is spiritual in its meaning.  But what is evil?  Surely, just as darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of good.  By that measure, which of us can claim to be totally untainted by evil?  Evil is, in Biblical terms, the result of sin.  The Good News is that sin has been dealt with on the cross at Calvary.  There, Paul tells us, Father God "... made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor 5:21; RSV).  Through that atoning sacrifice, we may be reconciled to God, and the work of making us more like Jesus may begin.

The sad thing about Usama bin Laden is that it appears that either no-one ever told him about the salvation that is readily available to all who will confess their sinfulness, and place their trust in Him; or that, having been told, he rejected that amazing message.

A Happy New Year!

Yes, as I commence my typing, there is only an hour and a quarter before the bells ring out at midnight (GMT), and a new year commences.

Many folk will be thankful that the old year is finished.  It's been a difficult one - pain; bereavement; injury; redundancy; whatever.  The new year provides a sense of fresh hope - regardless of what the financial forecasters are predicting!

There may be others who will be sorry that 2010 has become a part of history.  It's been a good year - an addition to the family, whether through birth or marriage; an unexpected promotion; the successful completion of that degree course; finding gainful employment after maybe years of enforced idleness; losing some of that surplus weight; or, again, whatever!  Their hope is that the new year will bring more of the same happiness that they have experienced in the old one.

The only thing of which any of us may be certain is that it will bring change.  The increasing restrictions brought about by the government's austerity measures (at least for those of us in the U.K.); the decreasing mobility as age takes its toll on our bodies; the climatic conditions - whether because of man-made global warming, or because of a natural cycle in our planet's history.

Augustus Toplady knew what he was talking about when, in his well-known hymn Abide with me, he writes "Change and decay in all around I see.  O Thou Who changest not, abide with me."

That's where the disciple of Jesus has a major benefit.  For it is of Him that the writer of the letter to the early Hebrew followers of the Way says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb 13:8).  In a world of change, He is the unchanging One; in a world of flux, He is the sound and stable Rock; in a world that is in decay (Second Law of Thermodynamics), He is the Giver of Life (John 10:10).

It would be my hope that everyone who reads this post goes into (or has gone  into, if you are east of Greenwich!) 2011 in the company of the Changeless One.  If He is your Saviour and Lord, then you have a genuine Constant in your life - He Who said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5).  I commend Him to each and all.