Three needs.

"Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess. I thank the Lord that I've been blessed with more than my share of happiness." sung the late Ken Dodd.

Someone has claimed that there are three things that a person needs in order to be happy! These are:

1. Something to do - some meaningful work, or some way of helping others;

2. Someone to love - someone to whom we may give of ourselves, such as a spouse, a child, a friend;

3. Something to which we may look forward - perhaps a holiday, a visit from a loved one, improved health, the realisation of a dream.

It is probably true that these things may provide at least a temporary happiness. However, as we get older, and physically weaker, we may find it more difficult to do the things that we were able to do so easily when we were younger. As we get older, some family members and friends are no longer there. I know that more and more of the deaths of which I learn are of those who fit into those categories. As we get older, it can become more difficult to go on holiday; loved ones are no longer able to visit; our health tends to deteriorate; it is too late to realise any dream that has never been fulfilled.

However, lasting fulfilment may be found - in a relationship with the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

1. Something to do - if you are a disciple of Jesus, you have been been gifted through God the Holy Spirit to serve the Saviour by serving others in His Name. "... love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour." (Rom 12:10).  We are also commanded to spread the Gospel message around the world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matt 28:19-20).

2. Someone to love - We love God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit* - because He first loved us (I Jn.4:19). And, of course, we love others: "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God." (I John 4:7).

3. Something to which we may look forward - one day (perhaps sooner than many realise!) we who are His will be welcomed into the nearer presence of Father God, where we will enjoy eternity* with Him, in a place that has been especially prepared for us (John 14:2-3; Rev.21:3-4). We shall see the Lord Jesus and - wonder of wonders - we shall be like Him! (I John 3:2). Now all of that (and there is more!) is certainly something to which we may look forward!

For joy (which is,in fact, much better than mere happiness!) that does not depend on age or circumstances, Jesus, the Christ, is all that we need. I warmly commend Him to you.

* the Trinity, and eternity, are both dealt with in "Great Words of the Faith" (link above. Remember that ALL royalties now go directly to the bank account of Release International, in support of the Persecuted Church - as do those on my other two books.

Being Jesus-like.

I'm no fan of Ed Milliband, Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in the UK House of Commons.  I disagree with his, and his Party's, basic policy of 'spend your way out of debt' - which has always seemed to me to be the equivalent of 'eat your way out of obesity', or 'dig yourself out of a hole'!  However, whatever the actual truth of this week's Daily Mail article concerning the late Mr Milliband, Senior, I join even the Prime Minister (for whom I have little other than contempt) in applauding said Ed for his spirited defence of his father.  I know that, if anyone were to attempt to besmirch my own late father, I would do all in my power to defend his memory.  I would expect no less of any loving son (or daughter) and, in that single episode, Labour may not have gained a vote, but their leader has certainly risen a notch in my personal estimation.

Mr Cameron has, of course, been in the news this week as the Conservative Party Conference was held in Manchester - sometimes described, by those who live south of Watford, as "the North"!  Indeed, I recall, from many years ago, a Conference that was organised by The Evangelical Alliance.  As a minister, and member of the Alliance, I received an invitation! :-)  Unfortunately, the event was taking place in London, so I was not in a position to attend.   Some months later, I read that the Conference had been such a success, and demand had been so great, that it was going to be repeated "in the North".  Before I read any further, I started asking myself where it might be - Glasgow; Edinburgh; Perth; Dundee; perhaps even Aberdeen, or Inverness?   You've guessed - Manchester!   I did write a strongly-worded letter to the EA, and that was that ... ... ... ... until some years later when I was invited to be a speaker at the annual Spring Harvest event that was held, for a few years, in Ayr.  At a pre-event meeting, speakers were all asked to introduce themselves.  When it as my turn, I did so.  Immediately, one of those from the front said "Ah, you're Brian Ross.  You know we still think about you, and your letter, every time we plan anything in Manchester!"   'Nuff said! 

Anyway, back to Mr Cameron.   In a radio interview, he was asked if he knew the cost of a budget-priced sliced loaf.  He hadn't a clue!   He went on to say that the reason he didn't know is because he has a bread-making machine, for the use of which, he even purchases a premium-priced flour.  One Opposition MP is quoted as saying, "He is so out of touch, he is almost a parody of himself."   It's difficult to argue with that!  Apparently, Mr Cameron's good (Eton) friend, the Lord Mayor of London, commented that he knew the price of a good champagne!   "With friends like that ... ... !!!

This week, I see a lot more of Jesus in the Jewish Labour leader, than I do in the "I'm a Christian, just not a very active one" Prime Minister.  Jesus was concerned for the honour of His Father.  As we were reminded, in Wishaw Baptist Church, on Sunday, that model prayer that He provided for His disciples begins with the words "Hallowed (holy; distinctive; separate) be Your Name".   He also knew what it was like to be one of us.  He took upon Himself human flesh becoming like us in every respect, "yet without sinning" (Heb.4:15).

He is a Leader Who is worth following, whatever the cost.  He gave His all for you, and for me.  What are we prepared to give for Him?

Just a Little Sin

Many parents are hard pressed to explain to their children why some films, music, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them -- to see, listen to, or read.

One parent came up with an original idea that is hard to refute.

The father listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular PG-13 movie. It had their favourite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great. It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex -- they don't really show it. The language is pretty good -- the Lord's name is only used in vain three times in the whole movie.

The teens did admit there was a scene where a building and a bunch of people were blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't anything really bad. Even if there was "just a little" stuff wrong, the special effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed.

However, even with all the justifications the teens made for the film, the father still wouldn't give in. He just said, "No!"

A little later on that evening the father asked his children if they would like some brownies he had baked -- knowing they loved brownies? He said that he'd taken the family's favourite recipe and added "just a little" something extra. The children asked what it was?

The father calmly said that he had added "just a little" dog pooh. However, he quickly assured them, it was "just a little" bit. All the other ingredients were gourmet quality and he had taken great care to bake the brownies at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.

Even with their father's assurance that the brownies were of almost perfect quality, the teens would not take any. The father acted surprised. After all, it was "just a little" part that was causing them to reject the brownies.

He said he was certain they would hardly notice "just a little" bit of dog pooh he had put in the brownies. Still the teens held firm, and would not try the brownies.

The father then explained to his children how the film they had wanted to see with "just a little" bit of bad stuff in it was just like the brownies. Satan tries to enter our minds and our lives by deceiving us into believing that "just a little" bit of evil won't matter. The truth is "just a little" bit of of pooh makes the difference between a great treat and something disgusting, which is totally unacceptable.

The father went on to explain that even though the film industry would have us believe most of today's films, with "just a little" bit of bad stuff, are acceptable for adults and children, they are not.

Now, when this father's children want to see something that is of questionable material, he merely asks them if they want some of his special dog pooh brownies? That closes the subject.

Put the film you or your children really want to see to the ultimate test. Would you be comfortable taking Jesus with you?