News Bulletin.

I have made no secret of the fact that, with regard to Covid-19, I am something of a "conspiracy theorist"! I am also what has become known as an "anti-vaxxer". Okay, I reckon that I may have lost a number of friends just by posting those two sentences!

However, I have not made those decisions lightly, and unthinkingly. I have made them because I have gone to the trouble to do some basic research of my own, and not simply swallow all that the politicians, and the mainstream media, have churned out - in the UK; in France; and, it seems, in the rest of the world!

When one checks, for example, the actual number of deaths that are attributable to only Covid-19, then one discovers that they may be less than what is experienced with influenza! I use the word "may" simply because it is difficult to obtain totally accurate figures from any source! Of course, I don't expect anyone to take my word for it! Do your own research. It could be a real eye-opener!

However, in the book of Deuteronomy, in the Tanakh (the Old Testament of the Christian Bible), and in chapter 7 is a far more serious warning that any given out about Covid-19 - and this one is genuine! I would encourage you to read vs 6-16. Overall, that passage is a positive expression of the blessing of YHWH. It expresses His willingness to help those who trust Him. But that's not the whole picture! In v.10 we read: He "requites to their face those who hate Him, by destroying them; He will not be slack with him who hates Him, He will requite him to his face." 

Did you catch that "News Bulletin"? YHWH alerted His chosen people to be 'on the lookout' - not for bad men roaming the streets, but for a good God Who will destroy all those who hate Him!

It's true. A virus, however harmful it may be, is far from the only thing to be feared. Much more fearful is Almighty God! Even although He is merciful, and full of compassion, His awesome holiness makes all other kinds of fear look mild by comparison. 

In Matt. 10:28, we have these recorded words of the Lord Jesus: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell." "It is not hell-fire we are to fear, but it is God; without the stroke of Whose justice hell itself would be no punishment, and Whose frown would render heaven itself insupportable." (Adam Clarke's Commentary). This is the God who is described, by the writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus, as "... a consuming fire." (Heb 12:29).

Just before I was about to publish this post, I received an e-mail that included these words:

"The God Who can speak the billions of galaxies into existence with the “breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6) is a God Who can cast ungodly men into eternal hell for their defiance and rebellion against “the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4)."

We may not like to face this sobering truth, but Almighty God will not always be patient with those people who have no love or respect for Him. That, I would suggest, is a "News Bulletin" that we cannot afford to miss - or to ignore!

A faltering faith.

Having succumbed to a bout of influenza, my time online has been severely curbed for almost a fortnight! I am still not "out of the woods", but want to publish a post or two before the month ends.

Earlier, in the post titled "Hype, or Hope?", I referred to a dear friend who has recently been diagnosed with what is, currently, inoperable cancer in both liver and a lung. I shared her admirable attitude that she is in a win-win situation. If the Lord spares her, she has more time with her husband and family. If He takes her home, she is with Jesus more quickly.

Just a couple of days ago, I was sent a video of the well-known Christian evangelist, Luis Palau.  He, too, has just been diagnosed with an advanced cancer - and his attitude is exactly the same! That, of course, is the way in which any true disciple of Jesus will face "the last enemy", knowing that the Saviour has already conquered it. (http://www.palau.org/luishealth for those who are interested.)

I've been reminded of a similar situation that I read about, many years ago. It's a true story told to illustrate a well-known Biblical record. In Matthew 14:22ff we read about the disciples, on their way across the Lake of Genneseret, in the face of rough waves and a strong wind. Then, "... in the fourth watch of the night [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea." (v.24). They initially thought that they were seeing some kind of phantom but, when He assured them that it was He, Himself, impetuous Peter cried out: "Lord, if it is You, bid me come to you on the water.” (v.28). The invitation was extended and, we read: "... Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus;" (v.29). However, "... when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”" (vs.30-31).

Many centuries later, a passenger boat was on a journey to Cleveland, Ohio, in the USA, when a terrible storm arose. Fearing that the ship would sink, all of the passengers, except one, gathered to pray (yes, there was a time when such a reaction would not have been remarkable!). That one elderly lady seemed to be totally unconcerned as she sat and quietly praised the Lord. When the danger had passed, some of her fellow-passengers asked her how she had been so peaceful in the face of her potential demise. "Well," she explained, "I gave birth to two daughters. One has gone to be with the Lord; the other lives in Cleveland. When our lives were threatened, I just wondered which I would meet first - the one in Cleveland, or the one in heaven. I would have rejoiced to see either!" Her unfaltering faith rested, with childlike simplicity, in the wisdom and purposes of her heavenly Father.

We may admire the response of Peter when the Lord Jesus invited him to walk on water. Soon, however, his original confidence gave way to fear, and he faltered in the crisis. Is it not true to say that most of us are like that?! Trusting Father God at first, our faith then begins to flicker when difficulties, and adversities, come.

May we be like that woman of an earlier generation; like my friend back on the UK; like evangelist Luis Palau; and have a faith that is firm - to the end! Remember, it's when we cease to look up that we begin to go down!

What a gap!

So, here I am!  It's Nov. 21st, and this is my first post since Nov.5th!  That is, by far, the longest gap between posts in the almost five years since I set up this blog.

The difficulties started with PC problems.   My laptop died - or, at least, there was nothing showing on the screen.  The estimate for a repair was so close to the cost of a new machine, that I decided to replace.  A visit to PC World had me coming home with a brand-new laptop.  Unfortunately, when I attempted to load my Office 2007 software, it was not accepted.  I planned to return to PC World, with my Office disk, and ask them to install it for me.  However, before I could do so, I had my first-ever bout of real influenza (not "man-flu".  I've had that many times!!).  I was in bed for almost a week, and had to force myself out, last Tuesday, because I was due to travel to France on the following day, and had accommodation and ferries all booked.  After exhaustive tests, it was decided that I had been given a faulty PC, and I returned home with a(nother) new one.

The rest of that day was spent in loading the car with all of the items I was to take to France (to the static), so the new laptop didn't even get out of its box!   The following morning - and beginning to feel a lot more like my usual self - I headed south to my overnight stop near to Dartford.  The next day, I drove to Dover, and embarked the ferry that took me to Calais.  From there, I drove to near Rheims, for my second overnight.

Everything was going according to plan, as I headed south to Bayas, on Friday.  Then, less than 10 miles from my destination (and having travelled some 1100 miles from home), I somehow managed to drive the car off the road, and into a gulley that is about 14' deep!   Not, I have to admit, the most exciting experience of my life!  Thankfully, I did not have as much as a scratch, and although the angle at which the car had come to a stop meant that I was unable to open the door, I did manage to wind down the window and crawl out (those hours in the gym were really paying off!!).

To cut a long story short, I managed to find help, and arrange for a breakdown truck to attend the scene - only to discover that two trucks would be required to ensure that the car didn't topple over completely as it was being hauled out!  From the garage, I was able to contact the Camp-Site owner, who kindly came to pick me up - along with what I thought would be the necessities!   Of course, I forgot the bedding, and had a couple of uncomfortable nights with packing protecting the pillow and duvet!

It was Monday before we were able to return to the garage, and make contact with my Insurance Company.  Then I had to contact another company, who represent my Insurers, to arrange a rental car for the duration.  That is going to be fun - at least on this side of the Channel - as I have never before driven a left-hand-drive vehicle!  However, I am awaiting a 'phone-call as I type, and my own car is to be repatriated and taken to a dealer in Cumbernauld for repair.

So, what does one learn from all of this?   I guess that the first thing is, in the words of the Scottish Bard, that "the best-laid plans o' meece an' men gang aft aglay."  The second, and more important, thing is that although my plans may often be upset, God is still in control.  His plans are sure and I can say, as the hymn-writer put it: "My times are in Thy hands; my God, I wish them there.  My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Thy care." 

That's the place of real peace.  I commend it to all who read this post.