Kindness - it's a characteristic of love.

In the home of the Roman centurion, Cornelius, Peter shared about the Lord Jesus. One of the things that he said about Him was that "... He went about doing good ..." (Acts 10:38). Jesus was, in fact, kindness and goodness personified, for He was full of God the Holy Spirit. When the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, we too will want "... to walk in the same way in which He walked." (1 John 2:6), and spend our lives ministering to others.

Let's face it - everyone can perform some deed of kindness each day. A pleasant greeting; an expression of sympathy; a visit to a shut-in person (perhaps with a couple of cakes to go with a cup of  coffee!); even a good book passed on to gladden another's heart. A lunch shared; an errand done; a word of affection, or encouragement. These are the kinds of things that are within the power of almost everyone. Larger opportunities may not come our way, but those smaller ones are almost always to hand.

I read, recently, of an Arab who was chauffeur for a lady travelling in the Holy Land. Noticing an obviously Jewish driver experiencing difficulties with his car, and having received permission from his employer, he stopped to offer assistance. It didn't take him too many minutes to realise that he didn't have the parts necessary to get the other car moving again, so, having once more sought permission, he invited the Jewish man to ride in the front with him so that he could take him into the city where he could get further help. 

After he left the Jew at a garage, the lady expressed her surprise at the kind treatment the driver had given one who, she had supposed, was his enemy! "I didn't know that Arabs were so friendly with Jews!", she remarked. The chauffeur's reply was accompanied with a joyous smile. "Things like that don't make any difference to me since I've been converted! The Lord Jesus wants us to treat everyone as we would wish to be treated."

Now I appreciate that one does not require to be a disciple of Jesus in order to be kind. However, those of us who have become identified with Him should be so filled with His grace that we constantly overflow with compassion and consideration for others. Writing to his fellow-believers in the Galatian churches, the apostle Paul declared that: "... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" (Gal 5:22-23). I have long contended that, if the apostle had been writing using modern punctuation marks (which he did not!), there would be a colon (:) after the word "love". You see, the word "fruit"is singular, meaning that there is only one "fruit of the Spirit". The other characteristics, I suggest, are ways by which that love is expressed! You may have noticed that one of them is "kindness"!

Will you seek to express love by acts of kindness, today? Will you? 

Misunderstood.

It is, perhaps, understandable that various postal authorities regularly raise the cost of postage. More and more people use the internet to send 'letters' (e-mails), and greetings cards (e-cards), and fewer use any form of "snail-mail". I have to confess to being one of the guilty parties. Even the annual newsletter that my wife and I have been sending out since I was licensed as a "minister of the Gospel" has been in e-mail form for many years.

Greetings cards are also now sent electronically. I normally use a particular website (https://www.crosscards.com/) that provides, for many occasions, cards that have a specifically Christian message. However, there is one Biblical text that is used on many of their cards, that I refuse to use! It is, I would contend, one of the most misunderstood texts in the Old Testament, yet it is frequently quoted by those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, and who wish to encourage someone who is going through a difficult time.

The text is found in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, in the 29th chapter, and at verse 11: "'For I know the plans that I am planning concerning you,' declares YHWH, 'plans for prosperity, and not for harm; to give you a future and a hope.'" What a lovely promise! Who but those are opposed to, and who totally reject, the Biblical record could fail to be other than encouraged by such words? There is only one problem - they do not apply, directly, to you or to me!

Hermeneutics is the discipline of Biblical interpretation (the word may also be used for other literary interpretation). It has one supreme rule - nothing should be interpreted out of its context. There is another approach to specifically Old Testament (Hebrew: Tanakh) texts. I also recall a preacher point out that the words of the Old Testament fall into three categories: those that apply to the nation of Israel for all time; those that apply to the nation of Israel at fixed times; and those that apply to all people at all times.

An example of the first category would be the command, regarding the Feast of Passover, in Ex.12:14 where YHWH instructs His chosen people, through Moses, "This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation you must celebrate it as a special festival to YHWH. This is a law for all time." (emphasis added). With regard to the second category, we might take as an example the word given to Joshua in Josh.11:6, where we read, in the context of a coming battle: "Then YHWH said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.'" For the third category, no better example could be found than nine of the Ten Words (Commandments). The only one that does not apply to non-Jews is the Fourth, concerning Shabbat (Sabbath) observance.

Jer.29:11 falls into the second category. The words are part pf a letter, sent by the prophet Jeremiah, to his fellow-Jews in exile in Babylon (vs.4-28). The exiles were being informed by false prophets that no more of their countrymen would be taken captive, and that they would soon return to Jerusalem. However, through Jeremiah, YHWH informs then that they will be there for 70 years (two full generations!), and that they should settle down, and even pray for the city and for its welfare; and that those left in Jerusalem would face calamitous times.

Thankfully, YHWH is gracious, and this is where the words of v.11 come in. YHWH is assuring His people that, even in this difficult situation; even although they have been accepting the words of false prophets (with whom He will deal!); even although the words of Jeremiah are, on the face of it, depressing; He has not totally cast off His people! The time of their punishment is fixed, and He has great plans for them. Of course, as is the case throughout the Biblical record, there is the requirement of faithfulness and obedience! He will gather them "... from all the nations and all the places ..." (v.14) where He has sent them - words that are receiving their final fulfilment in this age, but that do not apply to believers today!

So, don't be in such a hurry to use Jer.29:11 as some kind of panacea for any difficulty - even if it is self-inflicted! But, our God is still a God of mercy and of love, and of grace. So we may apply these words, carefully, to ourselves. In the Zondervan Study Bible, D.A.Carson comments on vs.11-13: "It is also a profound encouragement to contemporary believers who may feel cut off from God by their sins or by difficult circumstances." The important point to make is that not even Dr Carson is suggesting that we may, as some do, presume upon God's love, and grace, and mercy. He is not suggesting that we may, as some do, take these words to mean that we will be financially rich, always find a good parking space, lose weight without any effort, or otherwise reinforce our carnal notions of prosperity. We need to read (remember!) in context. That means coming to the Lord in prayer (v.12); and seeking Him with all of our heart (v.13).

Then we may discover, for ourselves that, while not all Old Testament promises are directed to us, there may be occasions on which they may be legitimately appropriated for us! We may discover more of the truth of Paul's words to the believers in Rome, that: "... everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures [the Tanakh!] and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope." (15:4). May it be so for each of us, that He might be glorified in our lives, and witness.

Start with peanuts!

What's your favourite snack? Personally, I don't think that I have what I would refer to as a "favourite" but, on my desk, is a container of peanuts into which I dip from time to time. 

I'll explain the link in a moment but let me, apparently, digress! God appoints us to places of service best suited to the talents He has given us. We are to develop our abilities, and diligently use our God-given opportunities, no matter how small they may seem to be. That would appear to be the main lesson in the parable of the talents, told by the Lord Jesus (Lk.19). If God wants to promote us, He will do it in His own way, and at His own time.

And now, the link! American botanist George Washington Carver (1864-1943) said that he once asked God to tell him about the universe. According to the botanist, the Lord replied: "George, the universe is just too big for you to understand. Suppose you let Me take care of that!"

Somewhat humbled (as one is in such a situation - I can vouch for that from personal exerience!), Carver then asked: "Lord, how about a peanut?" The reply of the Almighty was: "Now, George, that's something your own size. Go work on it, and I'll help you." Carver studied the peanut and, by the time he had finished doing so, he had discovered more than 300 products that could be made with that tiny bit of God's world!

There is, of course, nothing wrong with thinking big, and wanting to do something important. However, if we are disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, then we should bring all of our goals and plans to the Lord in prayer, asking that His will be accomplished through us. And we must be willing to start at the bottom, with little things, if that is His will for us.

In God's service, promotions to greater things go to those who are faithful in little things - to those who are willing to start with 'peanuts'. Never forget, it is a big thing to do a little thing well!

Such a little way to go!

The knowledge that circumstances are only temporary can be very helpful. This is illustrated by the story of a girl - we'll call her Mary - who told of the exasperating time she had experienced on a bus. "A big lady came and sat next to me," she said, "taking up so much room that she forced me right against the side of the bus. To make things worse, the parcels she was carrying kept bumping me in the face, and I had to keep dodging them!" Her young brother asked a not unreasonable question: "Why didn't you tell her to move over? After all, you were there first!" Mary replied, with a wisdom beyond her years: "I didn't think that it was worthwhile. After all, we had such a little way to go together!"

The psalmist-king of Israel, David, was very conscious of that same truth when he offered the prayer recorded in I Chronicles 29.  By this time, he was about 70 years of age - something to which I can all-too-readily relate! - and had many memories of successes - and of failures; of joys - and of sorrows. But, as he prayed, he expressed his deep impression of the very brevity of life: "We are only strangers traveling through this world like our ancestors. Our time on earth is like a passing shadow, and we cannot stop it." (v.15; ERV). I am sure that, if that famous figure of old; that man described by God, in spite of all of his failures, as "... a man after My own heart;" (Acts 13:22), could have lived some segments of his life over again, he would have made different decisions, and conducted himself differently! He would have been more pure; more forgiving; more godly; less concerned with worldly achievements; with sensual pleasures; with the petty trivialities over which people quarrel. 

It was reported, today, in a newspapers, that "SCIENTISTS believe man is on the brink of having an average lifespan of 120 years after major medical breakthroughs." (Daily Express). However, even that is but a moment in comparison with eternity! We should, therefore, place the highest value on spiritual realities. My current "computer wallpaper" reminds me of "... the fruit of the Spirit ..." - "... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" (Gal.5:22). These are the attributes that we should seek to cultivate in our relationships with others. Remember, we have such a little way to go together!

I also received the following in a regular e-mail, today: "“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.” (Luke 16:22)

Many scholars believe that the episode reported in Luke 16:19-31 actually happened, that it is a true story. If it is a parable, it is not identified as such, and it is the only one in which the name of a participant is given. Christ related the story as if it were true. But whether history or parable, we can learn much from the contrast between these two dramatically different men, their deaths and destinies.

The rich man, of course, surrounded himself with luxury (v. 19) while Lazarus struggled each day just to survive until the next poverty-filled and pain-wracked day (vv. 20-21).

No one can escape the grave, however, and in the passage of time, both died. But, rather than reducing those two different individuals to the commonality of death, their differences actually are heightened. The rich man, “being in torment” (v. 23), was aware of the comfort of Lazarus in “Abraham’s bosom” (v. 22). The interchange between the rich man and Abraham, and the timeless instruction Christ gave, are well known.

Note also the contrast between “carried” and “buried” in our text. The beggar’s body was no doubt unceremoniously dumped into a pauper’s grave, while the rich man’s corpse was placed in a costly sepulchre and his funeral attended by many friends and mourners. But look beyond the earthly spectrum. While the rich man begs for mercy and relief from torment, the poor man’s eternal spirit is “carried” (literally “carried off” or “borne away”) by a convoy of angelic beings into the presence of God, where “now he is comforted” (v. 25). For Lazarus, and indeed for all who die in the Lord, “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54)."

Time, someone has said, is too precious to be spent; it must be well invested! How are you investing your time - today?!

At least I have a choice!

Working in the garden this evening, I checked the thermometer that is in the shade - 41C!   I brought out the one in the house, that was reading a comfortable 25C.  It rapidly moved to 41C.  I left it in the sunshine, just where I was working.  Before I knew it, it had reached 50C - the maximum for which it is calibrated.  However, it just kept climbing!  It stopped at what I reckon must have been 60C!!!  Little wonder that I was having difficulty working for more than fifteen minutes at a time!!

 However, I then thought of the hundreds, indeed, thousands, who must work in those kinds of temperatures without any breaks.  They have to do so because that is the only way in which they can earn even a meagre living; or because they are prisoners - many of them incarcerated for no other reason than their allegiance to Jesus the Christ, and their faithfulness in witnessing to Him.  I, at least, had the choice as to whether, or not, I attended to the work I was doing. They have no such choice.  I was able to stop when I wanted to.  They stop when they are permitted to do so.  I could enjoy a glass of fresh, ice-cold, water.  They can only dream of such a privilege.  I eventually came into a comfortable home.  They return to what may be little more than hovels; or to prison cells.

This all raises a very important question.  It's not a new question - I think of it every morning as I give thanks for, and ask a blessing upon, my breakfast.  It's a question that many have asked, and continue to ask.  It's the simple question: "Why?"

Why is it that I am so blessed, when others suffer in ways that I can barely imagine?  I wish that I had a nice easy answer to that one!  I don't!  David, the psalmist-king of Israel, wrote these words: "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." (Ps. 16:6).  That is really all that I can say.  I do not know the mind of God.  I recalled, this morning, an old couplet that may be known to some: "That Thou shouldst love me as Thou dost, and be the God Thou art; is darkness to my intellect - but sunshine to my heart"!

What I can do is two-fold.  I can constantly thank Father God for His undeserved blessing and favour.  Indeed, I am certain that there are many who do not enjoy the material blessings that I enjoy, who are walking much more closely to Him, and are in deeper and sweeter communion with Him, than I will ever enjoy in my mortal body.  The other thing that I can do is ensure that I share the blessing that I have received, and continue to receive, with those who do not experience the same abundance of provision that is mine.  If you follow the links at the bottom of this page, there are some to a number of Christian organisations who work with the disadvantaged, the persecuted, the imprisoned, and who are able to provide much-needed material relief - provided that we who have so much are willing to support them in their work!

God willing, I shall be working in the garden again, tomorrow.  The indications are that it will be just as hot.  However, I shall not complain.  Rather, I shall give thanks to Him "... Who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy." (I Tim 6:17).  And I shall remember, especially, my brothers and sisters in the Lord who do not enjoy the privileges that are mine.  I am convinced that they will be closer to the Lamb, in Glory, than we who have so much here and now!

The Shepherd Psalm

Probably one of the best-known (or, at least, recognised!) passages from the written Word of God, the 23rd Psalm, was written under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit (II Tim.3:16, cf Mk.12:36) by David, the shepherd-king of Israel.  The following is not my original, but has been "doing the rounds" for many years.  I have no idea as to the identity of the original author, but if anyone can enlighten me, will be happy to add the appropriate acknowledgement.  It brings out many wonderful truths, from the Psalm, that I trust readers will be able to apply to themselves.

On this Valentine's Day, it is a reminder of what the love of God means to all who have committed themselves to Him, in faith, through the Lord Jesus, the Christ.


Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd: that’s RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want: that’s SUPPLY!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: that’s REST!
He leads me beside the still waters: that’s REFRESHMENT!
He restores my soul: that’s HEALING!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness: that’s GUIDANCE!
For His Name's sake: that’s PURPOSE!
And even 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: that’s A TRIAL! 
I will fear no evil: that’s PROTECTION!
For You, Lord, are with me: that’s FAITHFULNESS!
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: that’s DISCIPLINE & GENTLENESS!
You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies: that’s HOPE! 
You anoint my head with oil: that’s CONSECRATION!
My cup runs over: that’s ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: that’s BLESSING! 
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord: that’s SECURITY! 
Forever: that’s ETERNITY!

Faithful in little things!

Jeremiah is the prophet of the Old Testament who seems to get the worst 'press'!  It is true that his prophetic utterances do contain a fair bit of 'doom and gloom' - he lived for some forty years just before the people of Judah (the southern kingdom) were exiled to Babylon, and his message was, basically, "It's too late to avoid God's discipline, so accept it, and repent"!  Needless to say, such a message didn't find favour, and the prophet even ended up in prison!  However, there are also words of hope in the message and, in the Lamentation (a funeral dirge) of Jeremiah, are found some of the most wonderful words in the Old Testament: "The faithful love of YHWH never ends; His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lam.3:22-23).

Jeremiah also had messages from the Lord for individuals.  One of those was his own 'secretary', a man named Baruch.  It was the pastor and author, F.B.Meyer, who said: "Don't waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities that may never come; but faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention."  That, by the way, is advice that I certainly need to keep in front of me and that, I suspect, need to be heeded by many - especially disciples of Jesus!  We must learn to be content to work, diligently, where Father God has placed us, remembering that He is more concerned with our faithfulness (read Matt.25:14ff) than with what we might consider to be 'success'!

God's message to Baruch, through Jeremiah, received such a message.  He was a man of noble birth who had been kept busy transcribing that message of doom about Jerusalem.  But he was disappointed because his own dreams and aspirations were being thwarted.   Others were being promoted to more important posts in the royal court, while he was engaged in routine duties!  Perhaps he had expected that he would have been offered some noble position as a reward for his faithful service.  Instead, he was rebuked for not being satisfied with the task that YHWH had entrusted to him.  Through the prophet, YHWH spoke: "Are you seeking great things for yourself?  Don't do it!  I will bring great disaster upon this people, but I will give you your life, wherever you go." (Jer.45:5).

Perhaps that's a message for many of us. Perhaps we need to put down selfish ambition that the Christ may be exalted.  Perhaps we need to take the attitude of one of Jeremiah's prophetic successors, John the Baptiser, who said of the Lord Jesus: "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less!" (Jn.3:30).

Always remember, that it is better to be faithful than to be famous!

A new look at the 23rd Psalm!

As we continue our prolonged move to France, there is a lot of clearing out being done (more, I must confess, by my wife than by me!).  In doing so, earlier today, I came across the following.  I have no idea from whence it came - it is just a printed sheet of A4 paper, with nothing else on it - but I reckoned that it is worth sharing.  I apologise, in advance, for any unintended breach of copyright and, if anyone does know the origin of the piece, and informs me, I will endeavour to obtain permission for publishing it here.  I should add that the original uses the AV/KJV; I am using the RSV!

The Lord is my Shepherd, - that's Relationship!
I shall not want; - that's Supply!
He makes me lie down in green pastures. - that's Rest!
He leads me beside still waters; - that's Refreshment!
He restores my soul. - that's Healing!
He leads me in paths of righteousness - that's Guidance!
for His Name's sake. - that's Purpose!
Even 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, - that's Testing!
I fear no evil; - that's Protection! (and Assurance! - added by me!)
for Thou art with me; - that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. - that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; - that's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil, - that's Consecration!
my cup overflows. - that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; - that's Blessing!
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord - that's Security!
for ever. - that's Eternity!

Of course, to experience the benefits, we must know the Shepherd!  If you don't already do so, but would like to know more, there are a couple of useful links further down the page and, of course, you are welcome to contact me at author@minister.com

The point of tension!

Yesterday, my wife and I drove down, via Manchester, to Maidstone, Kent, where we spent the night with dear friends prior to crossing the Channel (La Manche!) in the very early hours of tomorrow (Saturday), leaving at 0030!.

As we drove down through Scotland, and northern England, I was struck by the number of wind turbines that were standing there, in the calm, almost totally still, weather conditions, with not even a hint of movement from their massive, propellor-like, vanes.  I have always thought of these monstrosities as a blot on so much of the landscape, but now they were showing themselves to be absolutely useless.  They were not generating a single watt of electricity.  They were merely taking up space!

Of course, I am aware that, as the wind strength increases, then the vanes begin to turn, increasingly quickly (although, if the wind is too strong, then the turbines must be turned off, lest the vanes spin off and cause much damage!) and that they would, then, be generating power at a substantial rate.  However, with no force coming against them, they just stood there - achieving nothing!

I suddenly found myself thinking of so many "church members"in the affluent western church.  Looking important, as they make their way to their particular meeting-place each Sunday (or less often!), they are achieving nothing!  Their idea of the Christian faith is built upon social requirements, rather than upon a living relationship with the Creator, through the Son, in the strength of the Spirit.

Then I thought of those in what we refer to, simply, as "the persecuted church".  They know what it is to face up to challenge, to hardship, to adversity.  They have experienced, and continue to experience, the harsh wind of secular humanism blowing hard against them.  And the result?  They grow!  It is in such difficult circumstances that their trust in the Lord Jesus is purified - as gold in the refiner's furnace.

The last thing that I want, for myself or for those who are nearest and dearest to me, is the same kind of physical persecution that is suffered by my brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus, in North Korea; in northern Nigeria; in Iraq; in Iran; in a total of more than fifty countries around the world.  However, such persecution could well come!  If it does, I predict two things - (a) there will be droves of people who will leave the church (whatever the denomination) as quickly as they possibly can.  They will be those who like to look good, and who are content to stand up in the calm, but who have no personal relationship with the Lord, and no true allegiance to Him; (b) the church will grow!  This is the experience in countries in which disciples of Jesus are persecuted.  As someone has said: "A faith worth dying for is a faith worth living"!

A minister with whom I worked, a long time ago, had a background in engineering.  He was constantly reminding me that "the point of tension is the point of growth."  I have never been absolutely sure what that means in engineering terms, but I do know that is has been shown to be true in terms of church growth.   If, and when, real persecution comes to "the west", I trust that those who follow this blog (and its writer!) will be found among those who are, if necessary, "faithful unto death". (Rev.2:10).

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is one of the most famous passages in the Bible for good reason, but the following shows just how meaningful and powerful it is:

The Lord is my Shepherd
- That's Relationship!

I shall not want
- That's Supply!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
- That's Rest!

He leads me beside the still waters.
- That's Refreshment!

He restores my soul
- That's Healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness.
- That's Guidance!

For His Name's sake
- That's Purpose!

Yes, even although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
- That's Testing!

I will fear no evil.
- That's Protection!

For You are with me
- That's Faithfulness!

Your rod and Your staff comfort me,
- That's Discipline!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
- That's Hope!

You anoint my head with oil,
- That's Consecration!

My cup overflows.
- That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
- That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
- That's Security!

Forever!
- That's Eternity!

On baptism and homosexuality!

More than thirty years ago, I was wrestling with the subject of water baptism within the Christian Church, and the appropriate subjects for that sacrament.  I was a parish minister within the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) - a denomination that held (and holds) that it was (is) acceptable to baptise infants on the basis of a profession of faith made by their parents. However, after much study, and soul-searching, I had come to the conclusion that the teaching of the New Testament was that only those who had recognised, and confessed, their sinful state; who had repented of their sins; who had deliberately and consciously surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; and had accepted the salvation that He had won for them on the cross at Calvary; were suitable candidates for water baptism.

My decision led to a period of almost two years before I accepted the inevitable and demitted (resigned from) my charge.  Less than a year later, I was baptised as a believer, on my own profession of faith, and gave up my status as a practicing minister of the Kirk.  None of this was easy!  I was married, with two small children, and in a 'tied' house.  We had very little in the way of savings (ministerial stipends were not known for their largesse!), and I believed that the Lord was now leading me into the teaching profession - requiring a further year of full-time postgraduate study.  Yet that same Lord provided for all of our needs - and blessed us abundantly over and above the necessities.

It was that experience that gives me, I believe, some authority to address the situation that is facing so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are still ministering in, and members of, the Church of Scotland.  The recent decision by the General Assembly of that Church to admit practicing homosexuals to the pastoral care of congregations goes completely against the clear teaching of the written Word of God. Accordingly, those who love that Word, and ministers who have sought - many of them for decades - to be faithful to it in their preaching and their teaching, face the same kind of dilemma that faced me all of those years ago.  

I understand something of the pain and anguish that they are currently experiencing.  I understand the brother who was only recently called to another congregation, and who feels that the Lord would not have called him there for just a few months.  I understand the members who are looking, in vain, for some clear guidance from the pulpit - I have heard of at least one believer who left her C of S service last Sunday in tears. She had gone to church expecting to hear something in the way of an observation regarding the acceptance, only six days earlier, by the Church of practising homosexual clergy; something by way of a response; something; anything. But nothing was said.

I also know that, when I stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ, it will be my faithfulness to Him on which I will be judged - not my faithfulness to a denomination, or even to a congregation, where such faithfulness goes against being faithful to Him!

When I was going through my own 'crisis period' a number of ministerial friends sought to provide me with help and guidance - usually quoting a selection of Biblical texts.  Without, in any way, belittling such texts, the words that probably made the greatest impression on me came from a dear minister friend (a Presbyterian!) in Australia.  Ian, in the course of a long, and lovingly-written letter, quoted these words, penned by William Shakespeare: "This above all: to thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man" (Hamlet, Act 1, Sc.iii).

The word of the LORD through the prophet Haggai may be seen to be relevant: "Thus says YHWH Sabaoth: Ask the priests to decide this question, 'If one carries holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and touches with his skirt bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?' The priests answered, 'No.' Then said Haggai, 'If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?' The priests answered, 'It does become unclean.' Then Haggai said, 'So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the Lord; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.'" (2:11-14; RSV).  In the vision given to the apostle, John, he hears a voice saying: "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Rev 18:4-5; RSV).

As I share the pain of brothers and sisters, I commend all of those words to them.  It is a laudable aim to seek to 'change' the Kirk from the inside.  I fear that it is, in the current climate, an impossible task.

Special Treat!

In just a few hours, our younger daughter is collecting her mum and dad to drive them into the great metropolis (aka Glasgow).  There we are to board a coach that leaves at 0300 hrs (!!) to take us down to Southampton.  This is in order that we may board a cruise liner to set off on an eighteen-day cruise in the Mediterranean!!  :-)

It's a special treat to each other in celebration of (now slightly more than!) forty years of marriage!  When we return, we may even start saving for our next one - in another forty years!!!

One of the sad facts of our modern 'western' culture is the decreasing numbers of couples who manage to achieve their Ruby wedding anniversary.  Of course, it's all to do with (a) relationships that are based on little more than a physical infatuation (aka 'lust'); (b) a lack of real commitment, that leads to divorce being seen as the easy way out of whet maight well have turned out to be a temporary difficulty; (c) failure to communicate with one another, in any meaningful way [the occasional 'grunt' across the breakfast table - even assuming they sit down to have breakfast together - doesn't count!]; (d) a lack of something truly cohesive in the relationship; (e) rushing into marriage without fully understanding the need for (a) to (d).

This, I would maintain, is the benefit of a truly Christian marriage (which is not the same as a so-called 'church wedding'!).  With Jesus at the centre of the relationship, any cracks are soon mended.  In Mills & Boon and the like, an 'eternal triangle' is a disaster - him, her, and the other (wo)man.  But when the eternal triangle is husband, wife, and the Lord, one has a recipe for genuine success.

I am more grateful than I can ever say, for the wife the Lord gave to me all those years ago - for her love, faithfulness, support, encouragement, and companionship. 

We may be heading towards the realm of "Darby and Joan", but I'll happily spend another forty years with her, if the Rapture is delayed, and we are spared that long.

PS  No further posts until we return - but please feel free to look over some of the past ones; and to listen to some of the audio messages at revcbross.blogspot.com

The STD bombshell!

I recall the excitement when STD was introduced to the U.K. I mean, of course, Subscriber Trunk Dialling - the means by which one no longer had to go through the operator at the local telephone exchange in order to be connected to a particular number.

However, those letters eventually came to signify something much less exciting. Another memory is of being in Glasgow, and seeing a large bill-board at the site now occupied by a major shopping centre. There were two notices on it. The first one provided the contact details for a clinic for those who thought that they might have contracted one of the sexually transmitted diseases - venereal diseases as they had been previously known - and encouraging them to do so. The other notice, in a classic example of unfortunate juxtaposition, showed a buxom Glasgow housewife, complete with coat and hat, a big smile on her face, and a well-filled shopping basket in her hand. The accompanying caption read: "I got it at the Co-op"!!! I have to admit that I was very wary about entering a Co-operative store for some time afterwards!!

One of today's UK news items concerned the statistics from the Health Protection Agency, which recorded almost half a million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases in 2009, mostly among the young - data that confirms this country’s unassailable position as Europe’s trailblazer in sexual irresponsibility.

What so many of those who contract these diseases do not seem to realise is that, while treatment is apparently much easier and quicker today, there are long-term consequences. On this morning's Today programme on BBC Radio 4, the point was made that they can cause infertility. It was also affirmed that some of the diseases - gonorrhea was specified - have developed a growing resistance to the treatment provided. And it should never be forgotten that STDs can cause other physical problems - and may even be transmitted to an unborn child!

But why should there be such a high incidence of STDs in the U.K.? Or, to put it another way, why is there so much sexual activity among young people in particular? The benefit system has, almost certainly, a part to play. Too many young girls seem to think that having a baby is the beginning of a career in which the state (i.e. the tax-payer!) will provide everything that is required. The attitude to alcohol must also, surely, bear some of the blame. The apparent desire of the previous Labour government to have sex education given to children who were barely out of nursery school - the mechanics, without any refernce to the morality - may have made even those children who might have held back from active sexual intercourse more curious about it. The loss of the stigma that unmarried parenthood used to have. The list could probably go on, and on!

So, is there an answer? Of course there is - but who, in authority, is going to listen? We could start by actually prosecuting those who have sexual intercourse before they are 16 years of age - and maybe even raise that to 18 years of age. It's a law to which a 'blind eye' has been turned for too long! We could insist that fathers - whose identity may be verified by the use of DNA samples - be responsible, financially as well as any other way, for their offspring. We could then cut back on welfare support such as a flat, a brand-new buggie, cot, clothing, etc., etc.

Yet even all of that would only cut down the incidence of STDs - and of abortion! The ultimate answer is even more radically reactive. I don't want to get too personal, but when the AIDS epidemic was recognised, many people went to clinics just to check their condition. Neither my wife nor I bothered to do so. There was a simple reason for that. Each of us had remained chaste until we were married to one another; and we had remained faithful to each other since then. Therefore, there was no way in which either of us could have contracted any type of STD!

It's the Christian way! Paul writes to the young church in Corinth, a city that was, in those days, infamous for its sexual immorality: "Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don't you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, 'The two are united into one.' But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body." (I Cor.6:15-20)

Abstinence before marriage, and faithfulness within it, really is the only answer. How sad that it is rejected by so many!