Promises!

It's been an interesting week, certainly in the UK. These past days have seen the publication of the manifestos of the various political parties who are putting forward candidates in the forthcoming General Election.

Unsurprisingly, these manifestos are full of promises designed to persuade the unthinking voter to support a particular party at the polling booth. The problem, of course, as many of us who have been around for a fair number of years are aware, is that after the election, most of these promises are quickly forgotten. They are consigned to the dustbin of history. They are seldom actually implemented.

Is it any wonder, then, that so many people have lost all confidence in the political élite? If I make a promise to someone, and fail to keep that promise (and, I admit, this has occasionally happened!), I will not be surprised if, next time I make a promise to that person, they take it with the proverbial 'pinch of salt'!

God's Word, the Bible, is full of promises. Of course, we must note that there are two types of promise - conditional, and unconditional. In the case of the former, there are conditions that are required to be met before the promise is kept; in the latter, the promise is entirely due to the grace of the maker.

The (almost!)all-knowing Dr Google will be able to provide you with many lists of promises that are found in God's Word. However, permit me to share a few of my own favourites!

In Psalm 37, David is used to share three specific promise: "you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security."; "He (the Lord) will give you the desires of your heart."; "He (the Lord) will act." (on  your behalf). (vs.3-5) . However, if we look at those verses in context, we discover that they are all conditional: "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." (emphases added). Conditional promises!

In Matthew 6, part of what we refer to as "the Sermon on the Mount", the Lord Jesus goes through a long list of things necessary for everyday living (vvs.25ff). He points out that we have no need to be anxious about such matters because the heavenly Father is aware of what we need, and that "all these things shall be yours as well." (v.33). However, again, when we look at the context: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." (v.33; emphasis added). A conditional promise.   

Isaiah 41 has a wonderful promise, specifically for the Children of Israel but in the principle of which, disciples of Jesus may also take confort: "... fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." (v.10). Read the previous two verses - no conditions; all is of the LORD.

And we could go on, and on, and on. However, what I wish to emphasise is that Almighty God keeps His promises! Take some time to check out those that have been fulfilled - and be assured that those that have not yet been fulfilled, shall be! Indeed, we are living at a time when more and more of those previously unfulfilled promises are being realised. Praise His Name, He is not a mortal politician!

I leave you with one more promise, made by the Lord Jesus to His disciples: "In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2-3; emphasis added). Do you have that place ready for eternity? If you are truly His disciple (condition!), then you have (promise). If you are unsure, please act while you have time. As always, if I may be of any assistance, feel free to contact me using the e-mail address at the top of the blog.

So - IS homosexual sexual activity a "sin"?

I do try to produce my own posts for this blog, and have, only occasionally, reposted material from someone else. However, in a departure from that, I am posting a second offering from David Robertson, minister of St.Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee, as he writes much more eloquently than I. I have left the links that he provides as live links so that those who wish to follow up any of the points made may do so.

The post is, again, longer than those that I normally publish, but is well worth reading to the very end.

It's the burning question of the British General Election.   Our society is obsessed with sex, and especially homosexuality. Or at least that our journalists give that appearance. They seem to think that it is their responsibility and duty to ask any politician who is a Christian what they think of gay sex. Of course they don't ask Sadiq Khan, or any Muslim politician – but that’s another story!

This weekend they have been particularly busy. After the Tim Farron debacle, we have seen the resignation of the Conservative MP Andrew Turner, and Theresa May being asked by Andrew Marr "is gay sex sin?"

Tim Farron 

Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, expressed the view in a question-and-answer session in a local school that he thought homosexuality was wrong and dangerous for society. The Guardian  were quick to pounce.  This of course is to commit the unpardonable sin, the blasphemy against the Holy State. Our media are absolutely certain that to say gay sex is a sin, is itself the unforgiveable sin. Labour’s election chair immediately pontificated - “There is no place for bigotry and hatred like this in modern society and no one holding these views is fit for public office.”    Mr Turner has resigned. The thought police have done their job.

Amidst the general outcry and faux pas outrage as the shibboleth question of our culture is used to discriminate against anyone who dares to think differently, there have been occasional glimpses of sanity and light. Nick Cohen’s fascinating article in the Guardian on Tim Farron for example.  Defend Tim Farron, a True Liberal even if it makes us Quesy Amongst many other good points he pointed out the stunning hypocrisy of our politicians:

Jeremy Corbyn worked for Iranian state television and spoke at Khomeinist ralliesin London. Everywhere he went, he looked a willing collaborator with a regime that flogs and executes gay men, treats women as second-class citizens and imprisons trade unionists.

If Corbyn was questioned on this, which he never is, he might say he does not approve of every aspect of Shia theocracy. But he worked for it, and was paid by it, and never found the courage to speak out on Iranian television for the victims of its oppression. A liberal society that condemns one politician who bothers God, but gives a free pass to another who works for a queer-bashing, queer-killing regime is so lost that it may never find its way home again.

Teresa May was very clear on the Andrew Marr show. Is gay sex a sin? No.   She couldn’t answer why people use foodbanks but on that one issue she knew the answer. Pinknews, the Guardian and the Twitterati were waiting to pounce if she had got it wrong.

The "is gay sex a sin?" question is the shibboleth question of our culture. It is the equivalent to the “have you stopped beating your wife – yes or no?" question. You say yes and you admit to having previously beaten your wife. You say no and you admit to currently beating your wife.

How would I answer this question?   Let’s imagine…..

Journalist:   Is Gay sex a sin?

• What a fascinating question! In one sense I'm glad you asked it – because it appears as though you accept the whole idea of sin. Of course I'm not very sure what you mean by the question. Are you asking is gay sex harmful? Well you can go and do your own research and you will find that there are a considerable number of STDs and other harmful side-effects of gay sex. After all that's why we just had the Scottish government say they are going to fund the prep drug in order for it to prevent gay men who have multiple partners and engage in unsafe sexual health practices contracting HIV. But I suspect that's not what you're talking about.

I suspect that you are asking is gay sex wrong or immoral? And again that is a very interesting question. Because it presupposes that there is right and wrong. Before I answer that question I would need to ask you if you thought there was any sexual practice that was wrong?

Journalist: I'm the one asking the questions. Why can't you just give a straight yes or no answer?

• And because I'm the one actually answering, I'd like to know what you are actually asking!   I suspect you're not really asking a question at all – you're just making an accusation, looking for a cheap headline, trying to stir up some kind of fuss. But given that you're an intelligent man do you think it possible that we could have an intelligent discussion? So could you answer my question? Then I promise you I'll answer yours.

Journalist: Obviously there are some sexual practices that are harmful and abusive and therefore wrong.

• Thank you. Again that is very interesting. How do you know? Who determines what is harmful and abusive? Is being married to 3 women right or wrong? Should you ask Boris Johnson or Nick Clegg if adultery or having multiple partners is right or wrong? What does that have to do with their politics? Why should sex with a 17 year old be right but sex with a 15 year old be wrong? Is bestiality wrong? Incest? Or sex in the middle of the street? Who determines what is right and wrong?

Journalist: Society and the law.

• But who are society? And who makes the law? By definition it would appear that the rich, the elite and the powerful are those who make the law. What if society decides one day that homosexuality is wrong, would that make it wrong? What if society decides that the Jews need to be removed? Or the Chinese enslaved? Or babies in the womb killed? Who determines what is right and wrong?

Journalist: Now we are getting way off the subject! What is your answer?

• Actually no. Now we are getting to the very heart of the subject and so I will give you my answer.

I am a Christian. I am an IKEA Christian. What I mean is this. I'm not a very practical person and so when I go to IKEA and buy a chair, I come home and I'm the type of person who counts all the screws, reads all the instructions and follows them to a T. In other words I obey the maker's instructions. To me that's the same with life. My basic position on homosexuality is this:

• Homophobia in any form is wrong for any Christian. Why should we be afraid of a sexuality - or indeed of any person or group of people? As a Christian I fear only God. I regard all human beings as made in the image of God and all are to be treated with love and respect whatever their ‘sexuality’. I know that there are many people who struggle with issues of identity and sexuality and I don’t think the solutions are as simple as people often make out. But to discriminate, bully or abuse anyone because of perceived sexuality is wrong.

• God made us as sexual beings and gave us the gift of sex to be used within the context of marriage, and only within the context of marriage. Marriage of course being between a man and a woman. This was done for mutual benefit, the procreation and upbringing of children, and the good of society. Any sex, of whatever type, out with the sacred bond of marriage is wrong. You use the word ‘sin’. Sin is that which goes against what God desires. It is not living up to his standards, or deliberately going against them. In a confused and broken world we are all sinners, whatever our sexuality. That's why we need the Christian gospel, but is also why we should not throw away the laws of God, including the laws on marriage, which are given for human flourishing and benefit.

• You may disagree with this. But you need to remember that this is the foundation upon which our Judaeo-Christian Western civilisation has been built. Please don't call me a bigot, or imply that I am somehow backward because I don't accept your ill thought out and ultimately harmful view of human sexuality.

• Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you have a fully thought out, through and worked out philosophy of human sexuality and what it means to be a human being? Maybe you have examples of societies where the Christian view has been rejected and those societies have flourished? Or maybe what you are proposing is some kind of liberal fantasy that is never actually been worked out in reality?

Journalist:   But what about Teresa May? She is a vicar’s daughter and a Christian. Are you saying she is wrong?

• She is completely wrong. And it’s not just me who says that. The orthodox Christian view is the view of the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, Islam and most Protestant churches, including at least officially the Anglican church (although I grant you that in the latter case that doesn't mean all that much!). I'm not in a position to comment on Theresa May's Christianity. For all I know it could be the cultural type, or the therapeutic deistic type, she may even be a confused believer.   I cannot judge her, but I can judge her comments.

Let me explain it this way. In the early years of the Christian church there arose a severe persecution by the Roman Empire against the Christians. Why? The Romans were usually pretty tolerant about different religions, so why pick on the Christians? It is because Christianity challenged the sexual, societal and political views on which the Roman Empire was built. Christians didn't kill their own unwanted children, they didn't sleep with whoever they wanted, they didn't engage in temple prostitution or other forms of sexual immorality. And when they were asked to bow the knee not only to Jesus, but also to Caesar, they refused. And so they were slaughtered. They could so easily have said we will bow to Caesar in public, but in our own hearts and in our own gatherings we bow only to Jesus. But they refused to do that.   Today modern Western society is regressing, not progressing, to a Greco/Roman/Pagan view of the world. Sadly there are many ‘Christians’ who are just going along with the flow, and many who either don’t see it or have just given in to the bullying and pressures that come from that. But not all of us have bowed the knee to Baal.

Journalist: But what harm does it do? Why not just live and let live?

• Again what a fascinating question. Because that is precisely what you are not allowing us to do. If a Christian does not accept your view of human sex and sexuality you mock, intimidate and bully in order to exclude. You won’t let us have our views (the views on which this society was built) and be involved in public and civic life. Remember the quote above ““There is no place for bigotry and hatred like this in modern society and no one holding these views is fit for public office.”  You call us bigoted and hateful because we uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ!

• To be honest it's not so much that we are concerned about ourselves – we won't obey you, whatever you say! In a world of illiberal conformism, we are the real radicals! We are concerned about the victims of a sexual philosophy (and I’m not talking here particularly about homosexuality which is only a minor part of this) that causes so much harm.   Do you know what the biggest problem in our society is? It's not whether people think gay sex is or is not a sin. It's the destruction of the family. The state will never replace the family as the basic building block of society. But the shallow, selfish and superficial view of sex as a recreational pastime to be indulged in by whoever, with whomever and wherever you want, has created chaos - especially amongst the poor. That's why we have so much homelessness, broken families, STDs, and even in the 21st-century the return of slavery in Britain - the vast majority of which is sex slavery. When I look at the sex obsessed, disease ridden, pornography swamped, perverted, cheap and abusive society we have become, where prostitution is now termed ‘sex work’, I don’t see a great deal of positive fruit from this new sexual philosophy – do you?

Can you see why I'm upset? I find your line of questioning and the general mockery and smug superiority of our cultural elites really depressing. You don't debate. You don't discuss. You assume, and in your blindness you cannot see the harm you are doing to all of us, especially the weak and vulnerable. Your middle class bourgeois morality inherited from Bertrand Russell, the Bloomsbury group and the so called sixties sexual revolution, may be fine for the wealthy, but for the poor and our society as a whole it has been a disaster.

I guess you have to answer to your bosses (I’ve had many journalists who have said that they can see my point and even basically agree with it, but they would not dare write anything outwith the party line – as you say ‘it would be more than your job is worth’! So much for critical thinking and freedom of the press!). But one day you will have to answer to a greater than your editor, or even than your peers and family.   One day we will all stand before God and he will ask us what we have done with all the tremendous gifts he has given us - life, beauty, music, art, sex, food, science etc.   And, because we suppress the truth by our own wickedness and think we can make it on our own; we will have to admit – we’ve screwed it up. We’ve screwed up our lifes, we’ve screwed up God’s planet and we have created a hell on earth.   Unless of course there is another way – which there is….and that is the way of Christ.

So sorry for the length of this answer – but yes given all that is said above – gay sex, like heterosexual sex outwith marriage, is sin – but its just one of many many sins we all commit. Anything outwith the revealed will of our gracious and loving God is sin.  To ignore this is like buying a petrol car and deciding that you can’t see any harm in filling it with diesel.   I know there are a lot more questions that arise out of this but that will have to wait for another day.   Thanks for listening to me….lets see how you turn that into a 100-word soundbite!

Footnote:   Of course the above conversation would never happen – because our media generally operates in a circular vacuum with little thought given to the deeper issues of life. Some day, somewhere, someone is going to make a stand and challenge the current zeitgeist…meanwhile we just pray and watch Romans 1 being acted out in our midst.

Apartheid?! In Israel?!!

This is the time of year when "Israel Apartheid Week" takes place. "Israel Apartheid Week" is an annual series of university lectures and rallies. The series is held in February or March. According to the organization, "the aim of IAW is to educate people about the nature of Israel as an apartheid system and to build Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns as part of a growing global BDS movement."

So is the State of Israel an apartheid state? The very use of the word conjures up pictures, in the minds of some of us, of South Africa, and the total segregation of the black population from those of Caucasian descent. We may think, also, of the southern states of the USoA in the 1950s and 60s, and the segragation that led to the Civil Rights Movement. If this is what is happening in the State of Israel, today, then that State deserves all of the condemnation that it receives.

"If this is happening ..."! Permit me to share some factual information about life in modern Israel - and then judge for yourself whether, or not, the accusation of apartheid holds any water. Here are just seven reasons that give the lie to any such claim - there are many more!

1. Voting. Israel is a multi-ethnic democracy. All citizens vote in elections on an equal basis. Israel's Arab minority participates fully in the political process.

2. Equal Rights. Minorities in Israel are guaranteed equal rights. Discrimination based on ethnicity is against the law, and the Courts are effective in countering unfair discrimination.

3. Integration. This is, of course, the total opposite of segregation!  Unlike apartheid South Africa, and the segregated southern states in the USoA, there is no segregation on public transport in Israel. Universties in Israel are fully integrated. Jews and Arabs work together; eat together; and live, side-by-side, in the same areas.

4. Economic gaps. Since the report of a Commission in 2000, Israel has been steadily closing economic gaps between Jews and Arabs; opening up the civil serice to Arab citizens; equalising welfare; introducing Arabic as a language to be learned, into Jewish schools; and improving access to higher education for all.

5. Arabic. Arabic is, in fact, Israel's second official language, and there is a thriving Arabic-language mass media, literature, and theatre scene.

6. Politics. There are twelve Members (MKs - the equivalent of UK MPs) in the current Knesset (Parliament). Arabs have also held Cabinet posts in the Government; and have served in the civil service, and the Supreme Court! Perhaps someone will remind me of any Arab country in which Jews are able to hold such high office! Oh, wait a minute! There aren't any!  On the contrary, those travelling on an Israeli passport are banned from Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen - even if they only wanted to enter for a brief holiday!

7. Popularity. In research done through Harvard University, 77% of the Arab citizens of Israel said that they prefer living in Israel to living in any other country in the world - and many of them back up that claim be serving in the IDF (Israeli Defence Force).

I have a very dear Jewish friend from the UK who has family living in Israel, and who visits the country frequently. When he does, I always receive a collection of photographs that he has taken during his visit. Many of those photographs provide, themselves, adequate proof that Israel is NOT an apartheid state. It is, in fact, as Nikki Haley, the new US Ambassador to the United Nations emphasised in her first news conference since taking up her post, "the one true democracy in the Middle East".

Let all who value truth be no longer fooled by the anti-Israel rhetoric that emanates from bodies such as the UN; by the attempts, by the UN and the strong Muslim lobby within its fold, to re-write history by denying the Jewish connection with the historic city of Jerusalem; by the false claims made by organisations such as the BDS (see the link above). Rather, let us be purveyors of truth that, by God's grace, it may triumph.

If we are praying people, let us pray regularly for the state, and the nation, of Israel. If we are disciples of Jesus, let us remember that He was born, in the flesh, into a Jewish family; that He was raised as a Jewish boy; that He lived and worked as a Jew; that He taught as a Jew; that He was crucified as a Jew.

And let us oppose anti-semitism wherever it raises its ugly head, by any means open to us.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

The title to this post is, as many will recognise, the first line of an old Negro spiritual - songs that were sung by African slaves in the cotton plantations of the southern states of the "New World" of North America.  The answer, of course, is that all of us were represented as the Lamb, slain from before the foundation of the world, hung on that old rugged Cross.

But who was there, physically, on that day almost 2,000 years ago?  Well, there were the men who engineered His death - the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees were teachers of the Mosaic Law.  They ran the schools and synagogues and, in a sense, considered themselves to be the national conscience of the Jewish people.  They were men of high moral character.   Jesus, Himself, said "... unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:20).  They certainly had very strict attitude to life and their religious beliefs. They accepted the Scriptures (our Old Testament) as the Word of God.  Why should such men have wanted to destroy Jesus?  Simply because he was a threat to their status and authority!  They regarded it as their sole prerogative to keep the nation together spiritually, so when Jesus said: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6), they were angered to the point of scheming His death.  They are an illustration of how men who are moral and upright can go wrong!

Then there were the Sadducees.  They were a group of aristocratic priests who were not only the spiritual leaders of the people, but also statesmen.  At the time when the Lord Jesus lived out His incarnate life, they were more concerned about politics than spirituality, and went out of their way to maintain good relationships with the occupying Roman forces.  Concerned for their own position, they were concerned that Jesus might start an insurrection that would bring the might of Imperial Rome down upon them, and upon the nation.  The well-known words of their leader - the High Priest, Caiaphas: "... that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." (John 11:50), reveal the deep intent of their hearts.  They saw the Lord as a hindrance to their self-interest and self-concerns.  So, because it seemed to them to be expedient, they had Him nailed to a Cross.

This topic is going to take two posts, but permit me to mention one other person. He was not physically present at the crucifixion - but was instrumental in bringing it about.  His name was Judas Iscariot.  I don't know what a modern psycho-analyst would discover if he could have Judas Iscariot on his consulting room couch for a full session.  However, two questions surely arise when we look at this man - how could anyone who had know the Christ so well; who hard lived with Him, travelled with Him, dined with Him, listened to His teaching; do such a traitorous thing? Secondly, why would he do it for such a paltry sum of money - the price laid down for a slave!? (see Ex.21:32).  The only answer with which we may come up is that it was a mixture of greed, and attempting to 'force the hand' of Jesus. He may have travelled with the Lord, but did he ever enter into a genuine relationship with Him?  

In the very first sermon that I ever preached - almost fifty years ago! - I made the point that there were those who sit in church buildings, Sunday by Sunday, without any serious commitment to the Christ in their hearts.  They may persuade themselves that, because they have gone through certain ecclesiastical rituals, and have their names on a membership roll, that they are "Christians"! However, they are merely using the name, without any real relationship to the Lord.  Judas Iscariot would seem to have been of that ilk!

Of course, when we look at these people, we must also look at ourselves.   Perhaps at this mid-point of this Holy Week, we need to check who is in control in our lives. Does Jesus have full authority - or is He a threat to the authority we want to retain for ourselves?  Are we more concerned for our own position in society, than for His honour and glory?   Do we have a genuine relationship with Jesus - or are we depending on externals?  These are important questions.  They are personal questions.  They are questions that need to be asked - and answered - honestly!

The campaigning is over!

Well, as I start to type, there are only eight minutes left for the U.K. electorate to record their votes. The early evening news seemed to indicate that the turnout has been higher than in recent years but, understandably, we will not know for certain until all (or at least a fair percentage) of the counting has been done.

My personal problem was that the party with whose policies I was most in agreement did not have a candidate standing for election in my constituency. This, too, is understandable, as it is what is referred to as a "safe" seat (for the Labour Party). The one candidate for whom I might have voted as, for example, an Independent, was standing for a Party, most of whose policies I abhor.

However, I am all too aware that in many countries I would not even have the opportunity to vote; or that it would be a one-party election; so I am grateful for the element of democracy that assures me enfranchisement - although I do hope that there will be a change to proportional representation as soon as possible!

It has been my fervent hope, and prayer, that this General Election will see a vast army of men and women of faith and integrity returned to Westminster. Alan Storkey has written an interesting book entitled Jesus and Politics (a combination from which many would recoil!). In it, he states that "In order to be liked or supported, many politicians have traded their principles for acceptance by public, party, or peers." (pps 149-150). He goes on to state that "Amazingly, Jesus turns away, on principle, from every popular move." (p.150) "This is not a Man Who sets out to win friends and influence people. He does not need to be liked" ... "Jesus insists, 'Always integrity; never popularity'." (p.151)

By this time tomorrow, all will have been settled. God grant that integrity will have won the day, and that men and women, of whatever political hue, will work together to redirect this nation to walk in the paths of righteousness - for His Name's sake.

More promises (empty?!).

Having feared that my hearing was going, after listening to the early evening news bulletin in which Mr Ed Milliband - referred to as the "author" of the Labour Party's Manifesto for the forthcoming General Election - was making a speech, I went to the trouble of recording that speech later on this evening, and then transcribing it. My hearing is fine! These are Mr Milliband's precise words:

“We [i.e.the Labour Party] are the reformers in politics today; we are the people with the ideas of the future; because we are the people who say we can reform our economy for the future; we are the people who can say we can reform and improve our public services; and we’re the people who say we can reform and improve our politics.”

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but is this not a wee bit like me saying that I am the smartest boy in the class, because I can say that I am cleverer than anyone else? If this is the best that the Labour Party can produce - other than promises from a Party that promised the electorate a referendum on the new European Constitution, and used a change of name in order to renege on that promise (any promise about a higher rate of income tax has never affected me, so I confess to not having taken in the detail!) - then, although I have yet to be informed as to who most of my local ('safe' Labour) constituency candidates are, I will certainly not be supporting the Labour Party candidate who is standing for re-election.

An assurance that Labour will "rebuild the economy" also seems a bit rich coming from the Party, and the Chancellor, responsible for ensuring that this country was one of the worst-prepared for the global economic downturn. As an annual visitor to the "near-continent", I have watched the value of my pound sterling drop dramatically over the past three years. It was only three years ago that I could obtain €1.48 to my £1 from any High Street Currency Exchange shop. Now, I would be doing quite well if I could receive €1.10 - a drop of more than 25%. This, of course, doesn't only affect my holiday currency, but also things like the price of fuel at the pumps, with its knock-on effect on the price of goods in the shops.

However, it is in the realm of ethics, morality, and equality, that the government of the past 13 years has fallen down hardest. The raft of anti-Christian, anti-Biblical, anti-family, legislation has been unprecedented. The hypocrisy of members - mostly from the Labour benches - who voted in favour of all of us being fingerprinted for ID cards, but who appear, themselves, not to be ready to lead by example, and voluntarily take up the offer now that such cards are available; who have agreed that our children are now documented on the government's ContactPoint database, but who can get their own children "shielded" for the sake of their privacy; who voted to exempt themselves from the Freedom of Information Act, all in the name of their "privacy" of course, whilst passing laws that erode all of our privacy, is almost beyond belief!

It is my fervent hope that, whatever the final outcome of the voting on May 6th, the disastrous outgoing Labour government will be no part of the government of the U.K. for many, many years.

Promises, promises.

As is only to be expected in the run-up to a General Election, the airwaves and newspapers are becoming bogged down with the promises of the various political parties as thet endeavour to gain the support of the electorate. Sadly, past experience shows that, once elected, most politicians disappear from public view - although the new lot will, al least, be denied the exorbitant expenses that so many of the last lot abused in such a cavalier fashion!

Of course, as Someone said - admittedly, in a different context - many years ago: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." (John 8:7). Not one of us can, in all honesty, claim to have faithfully kept every promise that we have ever made! We may sometimes have a valid reason for breaking our word, but we don't always keep it.

That's part of the wonder of Almighty God. He keeps every promise that He makes - whether it is a promise of blessing, or of judgement! He's a faithful God, and I commend Him to all who have not yet submitted their lives to Him in repentance and obedience. Unlike the majority of politicians, He'll never let you down!

An election is announced!

At last, the date of the General Election has been set. Having hung on by his fingernails, for as long as he could, Gordon Brown has been obliged to give the British people their say.

The political pundits are predicting a 'hung' parliament - with no one party able to command an overall majority. Personally, I have no idea as to how it will all turn out, and who will be 'in power' on May 7th. I do, however, recall the old saying: "Man proposes, but God disposes"! As one who believes, fervently, in the sovereignty of God, I have no doubt that His will and purposes are being worked out, as year succeeds year.

This, of course, does not absolve the disciple of Jesus from prayer. Especially in the light of the unprecedented number of members of the outgoing parliament who - for whatever reason - are not seeking re-election, it has been my own prayer, for many months, that the Lord would see fit to use this opportunity to raise up a veritable army of men and women of faith and integrity, who would work together, across Party lines, to His glory, and bring something of the fragrance of the Lord Jesus to the corridors of the Palace of Westminster.

Whatever the coming four weeks may bring, we may be certain that we will hear the usual plethora of promises - even from the party that promised us a referendum on the new European Constitution, and then reneged on that promise. But let those of us who claim to be disciples of Jesus, be faithful in our praying; use our vote, if we have one; and rejoice that, whatever the outcome:

"God is still on the throne; and He will remember His own.
'Though trials may press us, and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone.
God is still on the throne; He never forsaketh His own.
His promise is true - He will not forget you.
God is still on the throne."

Sleaze, greed, and stupidity!

Monday, today – but still no internet access. However, this provides my third posting while away for a few days, so that should keep me going until the end of the week – provided that I don’t post them all at the one time!

Yesterday’s breaking news, in the political sphere, was the allegation that a number of former government ministers, backbenchers, and a peer, have been ‘caught out’ in a so-called ‘sting’ operation by the Sunday Times newspaper and the Channel 4 television broadcaster. It would appear, from the clips that have been referred to on various radio and television news, and current affairs, programmes that the going rate for lobbying one’s former ministerial department on behalf of a commercial company, is between £3,000 and £5,000 per day. If I could find legal and ethical employment at even the lower end of that scale, I would only work a couple of days each month!

I regret to have to say, that I am unaware of any organisation that would provide me with that kind of income for the sort of knowledge, and experience, that I have acquired over my lifetime. However, what I do know is the absolute assurance of the provision, by my heavenly Father, of all that I need. Indeed, I have enjoyed far more than I need. I have been blessed in so many different ways that I wouldn’t know quite where to begin if I were to tell them all! I don’t know why I have been the recipient of so much blessing. I have not deserved it; I could not have earned it; I would never be able to afford it. Enjoying a time of fellowship with a very dear minister friend, just last week, I made the point that, if anyone deserved blessing, it is those in the persecuted church, who undergo such severe privation, and harrassment, and imprisonment, and torture, and death, for the sake of Jesus. I can only believe that Almighty God has a greater reward for them, in glory, and that all that He does will ultimately be seen to have been just and right.

But, back to the politicians. It is difficult to believe that such highly educated people should display such utter stupidity – especially so soon after the ‘expenses scandal’. One can only assume that, if these allegations are confirmed to be true, their insatiable greed ovecame their reason. This is just one reason why it is my hope, and for months has been my prayer, that at the forthcoming General Election, millions of voters will cast their votes, not for a ‘Party candidate’, but for a man or woman of personal integrity, regardless of the colour of the rosette. May it be that the Lord will use the unprecedented number of members who are, for whatever reason, not seeking re-election, to fill the Palace of Westminster with an army of those who will seek to put Him first in all things. Then we might see this once-great nation return to walking the paths of righteousness – to the good of the people, and to the glory of His Name.

PS Since typing the above, and watching the full Channel 4 “Dispatches” programme, two interesting developments have taken place:

1. The Cabinet Secretary, Gus O’Donnel, is reported as having looked at the behaviour of those involved, and concluded that there was no requirement for a wider investigation – as requested by the Opposition.

2. A meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party resulted in four of their colleagues who were involved in the scandal (including three former government ministers), being suspended from the Party.

Together, these developments surely beg the question: “If there is nothing even worthy of investigation, why would these four members be suspended?”

Is this the true face of Islam in the U.K.?

This video clip was sent to me, by e-mail. It makes very interesting watching! Note that the speaker is not some extremist Islamist with a desire for martyrdom, but a minister in the current British government! Note, also, his projections with regard to the British parliament! How many "Wake-up" calls must we receive?

Gordon Brown and the Chilcot Inquiry.

"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth".

These, as many have suggested, are the missing words from the Public Inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq, that is chaired by Sir John Chilcot. This certainly appears to be the case with the 'performance' given by the current British Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown, M.A., Ph.D. Not having been placed under oath, this selfish, self-centered, man was free to come out with spin, half-truths, and suitable statistics. Unfortunately, others had already given evidence that flatly contradicted this despicable man's claims. Furthermore, Admiral Lord Boyce and Lord Guthrie, former chiefs of the defence staff, have both accused the prime minister of being "disingenuous" during his testimony.

Given the choice between believing distinguished military men, and the totally undistinguished (in any sphere) Mr Brown, I know who I believe. No contest, really!

Mr. Brown should have spent a little more time in the Classics, where he might have discovered the story of the boy who cried 'Wolf!' Had he done so, he would realise that he has told so many lies that now, even if he were to (miraculously) tell the truth, no-one would believe him.

It is a sad reflection of the condition of U.K. politics, today. Sadly, there still appears to be a tribal instinct that is rampant throughout the country, so that the next government is assumed to be either Conservative or Labour - with the only other option being that of a 'hung' parliament in which a Party (or Parties) unable to gather anything like enough votes to form a government themselves, suddenly acquire an influence and importance far beyond any popular mandate.

Is it too much to expect that, at least, the majority of the British electorate might actually vote for candidates rather than Parties? I continue to pray that, at the coming General Election, with an unprecedented number of members standing down (having realised that the 'gravy train' that they have been happily riding - in some cases, for many years - is at the end of the line!), a vast army of men and women of faith; of honesty and integrity; will fill their places. I trust that many will join with me in so praying.

The Pope (again!) and Jim Murphy, M.P.

It is interesting, at least for those of us who are domiciled in Scotland, to note that the Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy, is reported as wanting to "play the religion card to win votes" (The Scotsman, 23-02-10). This, of course, is the same Mr Murphy who, last month was reported as aiming to counteract the threatened oppostion of the BNP in his East Renfrewshire Westminster Constituency, by uniting " ... Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups to battle the party, which he described as 'abhorrent'." (The Scotsman, 18-01-10).

However, it should be noted that this is also the same Mr Murphy who was apparently happy to support the present government in its attempts to add further restrictions to the Equality Bill - thankfully blocked by the House of Lords - that would have removed the right of, e.g. churches and other Christian organisations, to refuse to employ persons who do not share their core beliefs, in particular those whose sexual conduct is contrary to the teachings of the Bible (see my post: 02-02-10). This I should perhaps have pointed out, includes adulterers and fornicators just as much as active homosexuals/lesbians. This same Mr Murphy appeared to be happy to erode such exemption so that it would have applied only to those whose employment wholly, or mainly, involves the leading of worship, or the promotion/explanation of doctrine. Apart from the fact that even a full-time parish minister spends a considerable amount of time in areas such as pastoral work that are outwith those proposed exemption paramenters, there are many churches who employ a deacon/deaconess; a youth worker; a church secretary; etc., whose terms of employment would certainly not have fallen within the terms of the 'new' exemption, had it gone ahead.

The track record of the present Bitish government, with regard to religious liberty, is not one of which they have any right to be proud. Since the Roman Pontiff was roundly criticised for daring to comment, adversely, on the Equality Bill, and other restrictive legislation introduced by Mr Murphy's party (The Scotsman, 02-02-10) with, to the best of my knowledge, no public support offered by Mr Murphy, it would appear that the latter will seek assistance from anyone who might save his political skin, regardless of how he and his colleagues have treated them in the past! To see a photograph of him, in Tuesday's newspapers, holding the Pope's hands and gazing with such reverential devotion into the Pope's eyes, makes me think that his middle name must be 'Hypocrisy'. No surprise there!

Time for change!

"Time for change" was the slogan that was, to a large extent, credited with gaining Barack Obama his success in the United States Presidential election. As we in the United Kingdom anticipate a general election during the first half of this new year, it would appear that it is definitely time for change. At the latest count, approximately 160 members of the House of Commons are planning to stand down - many of them shamed into doing so by the scandal over the fraudulent use of the expenses system! (By the way, I have been pleasantly surprised to have heard little mention of "Expenses-gate"!).

This situation - that, a couple of years ago was totally unforeseen - means that there will be a similar influx of "new blood". That, in turn, means that there will be an opportunity like there has not been before, for those of us who believe that our nation has lost its way over recent decades, and that it is not only financially, but also morally, bankrupt to encourage, and vote for, candidates who will stand for Biblical truth before party dogma.

It is my hope - and has been my prayer for some time - that disciples of Jesus, all over the U.K., will become involved in the forthcoming election. Let us be prepared to go out of our way, to inconvenience ourselves if necessary, to question the candidates in our respective constituencies with regard to moral issues, as well as legal and financial issues. Above all, let us be a praying people and claim the promise that "... if My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (II Chron.7:14) And please note that it is the people of God who are to act, in order that the whole land might be healed!

Of course, we must keep in our minds the thought that the return of the Lord Jesus, heralding the end of time, may be very close. So, even as we act in accordance with, and in obedience to, the revealed Word, we must always echo the words of the same Jesus, as He agonised in the Garden of Gethsemane: "... not as I will, but as You will." (Matt.26:39)

Hypocrisy – Copenhagen style!

I should immediately make clear that the heading is not a reflection on the Danish capital city, but rather on the ‘Climate Change Summit’ that was held there, and that has just ended. But why the references to hypocrisy? Simply because I saw so much of it surrounding the conference – in itself, it would appear, somewhat hypocritical as the decisions that were made (such as they were) were allegedly the result of some ‘back-room negotiating’ by just five major countries! It reminded me of my days in education when, from Council level, down to school level, staff were often consulted – and then promptly ignored!


But what really got me more than a little bit annoyed was learning of the cost of this massive ‘jamboree’. I am reliably informed that almost 150 private jets were used to ferry delegates to and from the conference – and I suspect that that that does not include the fuel-guzzling Boeing 747 on which Barack Obama and his entourage arrived. Some 1,200 limousines were hired for leaders (but I would be surprised to discover that others travelled by bus!) – some of them having to be driven hundreds of miles from Sweden and Germany. The cost should be measured, not just in cash (in whatever currency), but in the pollution that was caused by all of that unnecessary travel. Unnecessary for two reasons:


1. There are less polluting forms of transport! Even H.M. the Queen (yes, it really is One!) was seen boarding a train to travel from London to Sandringham for the Christmas break. I am no ardent royalist but, if it’s good enough for H.M., it should have been good enough for the rest – including the current heir to the throne!


2. In an age of technological advances such as the one in which we currently live, there could have been a video link-up with every capital city, or seat of government, in the world. Think how much that would have reduced the carbon footprint of the conference!


As a follower of Jesus, I believe that I have a sacred duty to exercise proper stewardship of this planet on which Father God has set me. Indeed, I believe that the church, as a worldwide entity, missed out in taking the lead in such matters long before the Green political parties made it all so fashionable that every politician, and his granny, jumped on to the ‘green bandwagon’.


“The earth is YHWH’s, and everything in it; the world, and all who live in it.” (Ps.24:1). As a race, I believe that we will have to answer for the ways in which we have abused, and exploited, God’s world. It will take a determined effort on the part of individuals to make any real difference – not the political posturing of those who seem to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think (see Rom.12:3); those who may already “… have received their reward in full.” (Matt.6:5).

Thinking about tomorrow!

So, Mr Darling has given us a preview of the way in which he sees the U.K. finally dragging itself out of the current economic situation over the coming years! I watched some of his delivery of the pre-Budget Report - and was astounded at the glib way in which he spoke of what the (present) government would be doing. I also watched the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, give as good a response as I have heard from him. I was particularly pleased that he was able to pick up some "sleight-of-hand" on the part of Mr Darling when he apparently compared different sets of figures as if they were the same!

I was reminded of the inspired words of James, in his letter to the Church at large. "Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil." (4:13-16)

All the indications continue to suggest that the Labour Party will lose the General Election - that must take place within the next six months - and what the Chancellor has done is to leave something of a "poisoned chalice" for his successor, whoever that may be. Indeed, as I listened to all of the "difficult choices" that had had to be made, and noticed that they wouldn't take effect until after the election, I had the almost perverse desire that Labour would win another term in office, so that the British people would see the true extent of their mismanagement, and that they might inherit their own 'scorched earth'!

At times like this, I take refuge in the Sovereignty of Almighty God. I believe, firmly, that He is in ultimate control. It's the belief that sustains members of the persecuted church - to whom what we in the U.K. endure would be a pleasant picnic on a beautiful summer's day, in comparison with their suffering. May I suggest that you follow the link

http://www.freegao.com/index.html?refnum=

watch the re-enactment (top right of page), and discover something of what has happened to just one Chinese lawyer? It makes me very grateful that I have not, as yet, been called upon to pay that sort of price. Let those of us who claim to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ be faithful in our support of our brothers and sisters who, so constantly, bear in their bodies, the marks of the Jesus.

Freedom of speech!

One of the more commented-upon news items of the past week was the decision of the BBC to invite Mr Nick Griffin of the British National Party to be a panellist on this week’s edition of Question Time. The programme was underway by the time I switched on but, from the part that I did view, I suspect that it did Mr Griffin and the BNP no harm at all! My reason for arriving at this conclusion – unwelcome as it will be to many (myself included) – is that the programme appeared to be a ‘have-a-go-at-Griffin’ opportunity for both the other panellists, and a large section of the audience.

A long time ago, a very gracious man quoted to me the words attributed (wrongly, I believe) to the French revolutionist, Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This, it seems, is an idea that was foreign to most of the audience, and conveniently forgotten by some of the panellists – in spite of their occasional protestations to the contrary!

My concern is that the very way in which most of the programme came across as a concerted attack on one member of the panel will have provided him with something of a ‘martyr’ persona. This, in turn, may have a certain appeal to the traditional British attitude of supporting the underdog!

Of course, someone has said that a country gets the politicians it deserves. Perhaps the U.K. has so increasingly turned its collective back on its Judaeo-Christian heritage that it is merely reaping what it has sowed (see Gal.6:7).

“…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” (II Chron.7:14). Let us pray!

Promises, promises, promises!

So, as the highlight of the Labour Party Conference, we had the Prime Minister promise a range of ‘new’ policies and ideas. The English (and Welsh?) are going to have free personal care for the elderly – already provided by the Scottish government; there is a promise of a referendum on a proportional representation form of voting in General Elections – but there are various methods, not all of which are as fair as might at first seem to be the case; there is a promise that where a Member of Parliament is found to be financially corrupt, or guilty of some other wrong-doing, constituents will have the right to “recall” him/her – but, of course, if party leadership, and Parliament as a whole, had even a modicum of courage, they would ensure that such dishonourable members be sacked, and a by-election called immediately.

And so the speech went on. Plenty about what a new Labour government would do if it were to be elected to a further term of office. What was strikingly missing was any reference to “the end of ‘boom and bust’”; to the broken promise of a referendum on the European Constitution/Lisbon Treaty (being voted on today, for a second time, by the Irish – because ‘Europe’ doesn’t like it when anyone says ‘No’!); to the sale of so much of the U.K’s gold reserve – when gold was at its lowest value; to cash for honours; to the doubling of Council Tax (except in Scotland where the Scottish Government have held the rate for two years); etc., etc., etc.

The bottom line, it seems to me, is that Mr Brown is not a man who may be trusted with regard to any promise that he might make – least of all promises made just months before he is obliged to go to the country in a General Election!

How different from Jesus. His promise is that He will be with His people always (Matt.28:20) – and countless numbers have proved Him down through the centuries. He also promised difficulty and trouble – and whether in the relatively safe ‘West’ or in one of more than fifty countries world-wide in which disciples of Jesus are persecuted, imprisoned, and killed, this promise has also been proved to have been kept. That’s why, when I read the promise that He will return – next time, not as a helpless infant, but as the glorious King – I have every confidence that that promise will also be kept.

Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!

Persecution ahead?

For many years, Christians and others have complained, in different ways, about Pakistan’s notorious 295C blasphemy laws. These laws have been abused, on a regular basis, in order to gain property; settle old scores; or simply harass non-Muslims. One of the major problems is that the law allows a complaint to be made – and it is up to the accused to prove his/her innocence!

How grateful those of us in the ‘West’ should be that we do not live under such a draconian law! But, if the European Commission (the unelected body that, effectively, runs the European Union) has its way, it would seem that the EU is preparing to adopt a similar set of laws! The EU Directive on Equal Treatment, that is currently making its way through the system creates a frightening threat to free speech and the free exercise of religious conscience. If executed in its current form, the Directive increases inequality for Christians – and members of other religious-belief communities – and places perilous restrictions on believers expressing their faith. If implemented, it is certainly expected to increase censorship of Christian expression and Government-sanctioned persecution of Christians in any of the member-states of the EU!

Rather than attempting to rehearse the situation in writing, I have downloaded a video from CCfON (Christian Concern for our Nation – www.ccfon.org ) in which Prof. William Wagner explains the situation with clarity and passion. It’s less than 15 mins long – and well worth viewing (and listening to, of course!).

For years, disciples of Jesus have been warning that the persecution that is seen in over fifty countries around the world, could reach the so-called ‘Christian West’. This directive, if written into law, could well be the catalyst that would turn that prediction into reality. If ever there was a time for disciples of Jesus to be intercessors for the nation, this must surely be it! Let us "pray without ceasing" (I Thes.5:17) - but let us also be prepared for the revealing of "the man of lawlessness", "the one who brings destruction" (II Thess.2:3).

P.S. I have discovered that I cannot create a direct link to the video. Please go to http://www.ccfon.org/ (copy and paste!) where you will find it under the heading "TV & Radio Media centre"! Apologies!

Brown's beliefs!

I have just listened to a recording of an interview by Premier Radio, with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. (You may listen, too, at http://www.premier.org.uk/). I was moved to add a comment to those already on the website, and am happy to share it with anyone who logs on to this blog. It will, of course, make much more sense to those who listen to the interview!!

"Like so many of our modern politicians, our current PM appears never to have been involved in real life - a real job that doesn't depend on 'spin'! Interesting that when asked about the Alastair Campbell statement that "We don't do God", he referred only to his 'values'. As has been said,he appears to have no idea as to what a true disciple of Jesus really is. He doesn't agree with the privatisation of religion - but won't discuss his personal standpoint! I wonder, too, if the Archbishop of York agrees that he is one of GB's best friends?

The young lady sounds as if she is a lovely person - Mr Brown needed to be interviewed by someone who would ask the awkward questions about broken promises (Lisbon Treaty); sending our young soldiers to die in Afghanistan in order that the people there might have the opportunity to vote, while refusing to go to the country and allow the people of this nation to have their say; MPs who have defrauded the taxpayer being allowed to remain in Parliament so that they can receive gold-plated pensions, and hefty 'golden handshakes'; etc., etc.

How will many of us remember him? Not as J.K.Rowling apparently will, but as the man whose economic policies have taken this nation into a recession that effects the voters much more than any politician; who has allowed bankers to make millions, while holding the Old Age Pension at a ridiculously low level (so much for the dignity of the aged, to which he refers); and one of the worst PMs that we have ever had.

Nick is right - Mr Brown is merely trying to garner some votes for one of the most discredited governments in the history of our nation. I can only hope, and pray, that believers are not conned by this epitome of hypocrisy."

Presbyterian Brown?

Recent reports on the unenviable situation in which Gordon Brown (currently Prime Minister of the UK government) finds himself, have made barbed comments with regard to his Presbyterianism, and his alleged Christian beliefs.

However, as I frequently point out to pupils, there is a great deal of truth in the old adage that “Words are cheap”? The very Jesus Who is the Centre and Foundation of the Christian faith said, in the context of discerning character, that “You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles.” (Matt.7:16). The words were originally spoken about false prophets but, surely, they are applicable to others as well?!

Mr Brown’s actions, both as Chancellor of the Exchequer and as Prime Minister, do not, I would suggest, stand up to very much scrutiny. Whether it be the ‘robbing’ of pension funds, or the abolition of the 10p rate of Income Tax; his support for the illegal invasion of Iraq, or his failure to ensure adequate equipment for the forces who have been sent there; his failure to support the Ghurkas, or his apparent support for some of his fellow-members who have blatently fleeced the British taxpayers; his actions have not been easily seen as compatible with the teaching of the Carpenter from Nazareth!

As far as Presbyterianism is concerned, the basic difference between that denomination and some others is, not as much doctrinal as governmental. Presbyterian churches have a structure that has the basic ‘power’ in the pew rather than in the pulpit. The clergyman is referred to as ‘the minister’ because he is there to serve (minister to) the congregation; and the various courts of the church take their power from those below – in spite of what the grandees of the General Assembly sometimes seem to believe!

It is in the Episcopal churches that ‘power’ cascades from ‘the top’. In this sense, Mr Brown’s government has been consistently, and increasingly, episcopal. “Listening to the people”, has been a convenient sound-bite – but the lack of a referendum on the European Constitution/Lisbon Treaty, in spite of a manifesto commitment, shows that the people’s clearly-expressed wishes have been totally ignored.

However, the coming days may well illustrate that Mr Brown has failed to read – or, at least, understand – the injunction of Paul, in his letter to the followers of Jesus, living in 1st century Corinth: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” (I Cor.10:12).