I've made up my mind - don't confuse me with the facts!

Humza Yousaf is not someone about whom I would normally post - or even want to post!  He is a List MSP (i.e. not elected by the people, but put in place by the party, in his case, the SNP).  He has a Facebook page which, when I was directed to it yesterday, allowed comments.  Today, it would appear that such a facility is no longer available!

Mr Yousaf is obviously a supporter of the so-called Palestinian people - not surprising given his own apparent ethnic background.  His Facebook page - from what I read of it - swings between informing us that the Palestinians are down-trodden refugees in their own land (okay, he doesn't use those precise words, but I write better prose than does he!), and telling us what a fine fellow he is as he junkets around at the expense of the tax-payer (well, he is a politician!).

Yesterday, I posted some comments, including two links to YouTube videos, that provided an alternative perspective of the current situation in Israel.  I also commented on a number of Mr Yousaf's earlier posts.  Today, I received notification that my comments had been removed, and it was when I checked this out (it is true!) that I discovered that I was unable to redo them.

This would suggest, to me, that Mr Yousaf is:

(a) too biased to permit another viewpoint to be aired;
(b) too cowardly to allow an alternative voice to be heard;
(c) too uneducated to provide a reasoned response;
(d) all of the above.

If Mr Youssaf is an example of the Parliamentarians in Holyrood, then a 'No' vote on September becomes an absolute necessity.  I certainly do not want biased, uneducated, cowards representing me in the Scottish Parliament! 

By the way, one of the two video clips was at:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/07/islamic-state-to-fifa-cancel-the-world-cup-or-well-bomb-it

(Apologies that the 'hot link' appears not to work - but 'copy and paste' seems to do the trick!) 

The other has been taken down by BBC World (possibly a copyright issue), but gave the lie to many of the 'reports' coming out of Gaza - with graphics that are from years ago, and some that are not even from Gaza!

If you hadn't heard it before, you heard it first here!!!!

Priorities??

I'm gutted; devastated; despairing; and despondent.  I don't know how I am going to survive the next seven-and-a-half years (or even, of course, if I will!!).  Yes, you've probably all heard the news - England will not be hosting the 2018 World Cup (soccer!).

Those who know me will realise that the two opening sentences were typed with my tongue very firmly in my cheek!  I can't stand that particular form of football.  I'd much rather watch a man's game - rugby football - than a bunch of over-paid prima donnas prancing around a field and displaying their 'manly' chests if they happen to kick the ball into the net - well, as long as it's their opponents' net!  Actually, for those who might be interested, England are already confirmed as the hosts of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Sept/Oct of that year - and without a fraction of the over-priced hype that has gone into the defeated bid for the soccer equivalent.

Yes - £15 million worth of hype, at a time when the country is only beginning to drag itself out of recession.  I'm no economist, so am unable to provide accurate figures, but I wonder how many nurses, police officers, teachers, etc could have been retained in post with that amount of money!

And, it would appear, there is no gracious acceptance of the decision.  Oh no!  It must have been a stitch-up; the Russian mafia must have been involved; it's the fault of the BBC for airing a controversial edition of Panorama.  One gentleman, on this evening's Six o'clock News on the BBC even made a comment to the effect that England shouldn't apply again, until they could be certain that they would win!!

Of course, if we make idols of people or events, we are guaranteed to be let down.  There is only One Who can be depended upon; Who will never let us down; Who is faithful to the end.  That One is Jesus. The life that He gives is already paid for, by Him, on the cross at Calvary.  He demands your life, and mine, in return - but that's a trade well worth making.  As we approach the time when we celebrate His Incarnation, may we remember that a Christmas without Christ really is meaningless!  Give Him the priority on your life - you'll never regret it!

The final "Football Short"!

So, it's down to Spain and the Netherlands! Since I would be less likely to support the Spanish team (I have a lot more friends in The Netherlands!), I can at least let a Spanish player be the last of my 'Football Shorts'! This is Marcos Senna - a young man who has discovered that money isn't the answer to every situation. He would recommend Jesus - and so would I!

Nicola Legrottaglie

I love the little "Godincidences' that I spot from time to time! I had never even heard of Nicola Legrottaglie before I started to look for an audio clip for today. Indeed, I picked his name as much because I'd never heard of him, as for any other reason (I thought!). However, as I previewed (or should that be 'pre-listened to'?) the clip, I realised how well it connects with what I posted yesterday. Here is a young man who has already discovered what it means to "have the mind of Christ".

STOP PRESS! - Scotland win World Cup!!!!!!!

Well, who would believe it? But it's true. Of course, it isn't that World Cup (even I know that Scotland didn't even qualify!). However, it was an item on this evening's Reporting Scotland - and would anyone dare to doubt the word of Jackie Bird?!!

The World Cup that was won was, I am sorry to have to say, only the "Impersonating Elvis" one - won by a gentleman from Clackmannanshire. We didn't see his full act but, for my own money, the one who appears in the Friends series - before/after the advertising break - is actually much better!

But it did make me think. A prize for impersonating Elvis - the 'king' of pop(ular music of the time!). Paul, that prominent missionary/evangelist in the early Christian Church, mentions the idea of imitating on a number of occasions and, while the two words aren't fully synonymous, there is sufficient similarity to make a valid point.

Writing to the Corinthian believers, Paul says, "I urge you, then, be imitators of me." (I Cor.4:16). I could go for that! Being responsible for the planting of so many fellowships of believers; writing such letters as become books of the Bible - the very Word of the Living God, breathed through me; working miracles; testifying before kings and governors! Imitate Paul - that's something worth doing!

However, a little later in the same letter, he modifies this charge, and does so quite significantly! "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.(11:1). So the challenge, now, is not merely to imitate Paul who, as a mere man was, like me, still a sinner - albeit 'saved by grace'. Now the challenge is to imitate him, only insofar as he is imitating the Lord Jesus! "Who", we may well ask - as he does himself in his other preserved letter to the young Corinthian church - "is sufficient for these things?" (2:16)! To live a sinless life; to always be in the centre of the Father's will; to control the very elements; to give my life, as a willing sacrifice, for others.

Then, writing to the Ephesian church, he urges, "... be imitators of God, as beloved children." (5:1). Have you ever watched a child grow up? Adults have to be careful what they say, and do, in front of them - they are such imitators! We're seeing this, on a regular basis, with our grandson - and it's all part of the learning process! But to imitate Father God in this way! To imitate all of His perfection; to have the very mind of Jesus; to love with an everlasting love!

Paul makes other, equally challenging, references, to imitating - but that will do for now. It should be the goal of everyone who has entered into a living, and loving, and saving, relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus, to be imitators of the saving God. We may not win a 'World Cup'. But, as Paul reminded the Philippian disciples of Jesus, there is a prize! It's "... the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:14). It's the prize for imitating the King of kings! And that's a prize that lasts - not just for time, but for eternity. Let's go for it!

Mike McCurry

If I had realised how far the Netherlands were going to go in the World Cup, I would have held on to the brief testimony from Bert Konterman! However, I didn't and, not having any other Dutch players available, I'll come back home to Scotland. I could also mention that today's "Football Short" is from someone I have actually met!! While I was involved with Revival Radio, Mike McCurry was another presenter's guest, and I met him at the studio! Like all of us, he has found that life isn't always a bed of roses - either on the pitch, or off it. But he's discovered that the answer is in the One Who may not take us out of our difficult situations, but Who is always right there with us. I commend Him to one and all - Mike McCurry would do the same!

Gavin Peacock

In about eleven days' time, this 2010 World (soccer!) Cup will be part of history - some of which certain fans will want to forget! However, in order to emphasise the fact that it is just a game (although there was a famous manager who once stated that it is even more important than life or death - he's now dead, so may well have discovered exactly how wrong he was!!), here is yet another one minute (app.) clip - this time from former Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder, Gavin Peacock.

Here's a man who knows where the real excitement lies - and it isn't in scoring a goal!!

Kaka

The third of the "Football Shorts" (provided by Christian organisation, Audiopot) is about the player who goes by the single name, Kaka. His is actually one of the names that even I recognised! Of course, there is another Who is often known by just one name - the God-man Jesus. Knowing about Kaka is one thing - actually knowing Jesus is something totally different! Kaka would appear to be a fine example to follow - Jesus is the One Who, alone, can provide salvation, full and free.

I may never be within a hundred miles of Kaka - but Jesus is with me (and with Kaka!) always.

Bert Konterman

Here is the second of the Audiopot clips in which well-known soccer players tell something of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Personally, I don't have any time for that particular form of football - but I love to hear folk tell of their love of Jesus. Please take a minute to listen.

The World Cup!

Those who know me best, and who are aware of my total aversion to soccer (to distinguish it from both real - i.e. rugby! - football, and the American "wrap-me-up-in-cotton-wool" version!) may have rubbed their eyes when they saw the title to this post! However, there is no getting away from the fact that, whether or not one appreciates the sound of vuvuzelas, World Cup fever is upon us, and will be for a few weeks yet!

It was good, therefore, to discover on AudioPot - providers of Christian audio material - a number of brief messages from stars of "the beautiful game" who have discovered that there is much more to life than kicking a ball.

They only last for about one minute so, here is the first of a number that I hope to post between now and the Cup Final. Meet Cyril Regis!

Idle talk costs ...!!

Yesterday morning, in my position as a Force Chaplain with Strathclyde Police, I was involved in the annual Service of Remembrance for those serving officers and staff who had died during the previous twelve months. As my colleagues and I prepared for the service, radio microphones were issued to those who would need them. The understandable instruction was given that they should be switched off when not being used. "Don't worry," remarked one clerical colleague, "I don't want to do a Gordon" (showing, incidentally, how quickly and easily a new piece of terminology can become part of the language!). He was, of course, referring to the now infamous incident in which Gordon Brown - the previous Prime Minister of the U.K. - failed to switch his microphone off, and was heard by millions referring to a woman who had had the temerity to ask him a question that had not been carefully rehearsed, as "that woman" and "a bigot". There are many who would claim that that single act cost the Labour Party more votes in the ensuing General election, than any other.

I remembered it this morning when I heard on the radio news that the Chairman of the English Football Association, Lord Triesman, had been recorded making comments to the effect that the Spanish were planning to bribe referees at this summer's World Cup, while also offering their support to Russia's bid for the 2018 World Cup if they were to help. Lord Triesman has, subsequently, resigned from his position with the Association.

That's the problem when unguarded comments are made public! There can be embarrasment; shame; loss of position. It's why we should always be very careful what we say - regardless of who might be around!

In Matt.12:33-37 we find these words of the Lord Jesus recorded: "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." (my emphasis).

The point is that Almighty God hears every word that I speak; He knows every thought. To be caught, on a recording device, saying something that is later regretted may have temporal consequences; to speak in a way that is displeasing to the Lord, may have eternal consequences!

James wrote: "... if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring." (3:2-12)

Let us emulate the Psalmist: "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips." (Ps.141:3).