Celebrity Big Brother!

It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, that I am not a fan of the Big Brother television show, or of any of the other, so-called, 'reality shows'. However, as I listened to the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4, this morning, I was impressed with the interview of Stephen Baldwin - actor and, according the information given in the interview, about-to-be producer - who took part in Celebrity Big Brother.

Some of the information that Mr Baldwin shared about his experience has certainly put me off appearing (as if I am ever likely to be invited!!). Temperature raised to a very high level during the night, so that inmates (?) awoke to find themselves drenched with perspiration; all of the food being removed from 'the house' for a period; no hot water for up to 24 hours - these are not my idea of a pleasurable experience!

However, what made Stephen Baldwin different was that, since inmates are apparently not allowed to bring a book with them, but are permitted one 'luxury item', he chose as his luxury a copy of the Bible! He was, I have discovered, converted (saved/born again) after the atrocity of 9/11. And, as it should do for all who have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, this affected his whole life. He is even paying a price as, apparently, some producers and casting directors have told him that there are those who don't want to work with him because of the outspokenness of his faith.

More positively, his appearance on CBB led to some interesting situations - casue for rejoicing for those of us who, likewise, love the Lord. The actress, Stephanie Beacham, was reading the Bible with him, and one of the other inmates, Alex Reid, made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus, during the programme.

Of course, one does not have to be a film star, and appear on CBB, in order to share one's Christian faith. Jesus made an unequivocal statement when He said to His disciples (now, as much as then!) "You shall be my witnesses ..." (Acts 1:8). This has been misunderstood, by some, as an instruction to be a Billy Graham, or a Luis Palau - evangelising the world from platforms and pulpits, in large auditoria, or sports arenas. That, however, is a specific gifting of God the Son, for His Church. (Eph.4:11). Being a witness is something that we are - either good ones, or bad ones! As I shared, this morning and afternoon, in Calderhead Erskine Parish Church: Shotts and Allanton, we are saved for both holy living, and sharing of the Gospel. For most of us however, its the different lifestyle; the different priorities; the different attitudes; that lead others to ask the questions that afford us the opportunity to share the truth of the Gospel in a more direct way. As Francis of Assisi put it: "Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words."

I trust that Stephen Baldwin will be greatly used, and encouraged, in his walk as a disciple of Jesus. But Jesus needs more than the celebrity few. He needs you, and He needs me, to ensure that the Gospel is proclaimed "... to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). May any ability we might have be exceeded by our availability in His service.

An official recognition of the efficacy of prayer?

Today’s issue of The Independent newspaper has a very interesting article – and almost half-a-page – headed “£10,000 grant for Christian police – who believe prayer can cut crime”. I hope that the headline grabbed the attention of many, and that they went on to read the article!

The Christian Police Association wants members of the public to “adopt-a-cop” by praying for the safety of local officers as they patrol their beats. The article recounts a couple of situations in which, it is claimed, the prayer support of local disciples of Jesus made a substantial difference in either the identification and charging of a suspect, or a drop in the instance of a specific crime (burglary, in the situation noted) within a particular area.

Of course, due credit is given to good police work but …!!!

Reference is also made to Street Pastors – the movement, founded by Les Isaacs, whose members patrol city streets into “the wee sma’ oors” (until very early in the morning, for those who require a translation!) http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/ They help drunken revellers; diffuse gang tensions; and, in conjunction with the local police officers, play a major part in keeping the streets safe.
As a (new) police chaplain, I had already noted the formation of a team of Street Pastors in my ‘patch’ as something in which I could possibly become involved. I will certainly be contacting the local representative of the CPA to find out if we might work together on that! However, any of us can start, today, to pray for our local officers – by name, for any whom we know at a personal level – and for Street Pastors wherever they may be operating. Neither group needs to know. It is enough that we play our part, and allow God the Holy Spirit to play His.

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy was to “…pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, for He wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (I Tim.2:1-4). As we support our police officers in prayer, who would dare to say that God would not only work in our areas, but also in the hearts of those for whom we pray?!

The sins of the parents!

There was a time, in the not-too-distant past, when the majority of the population of the U.K. would have been at least familiar with the Ten Commandments. The extremely disturbing reports of the two young brothers who were convicted of having severely assaulted two other children - almost killing one of them - and having forced them to commit sexual acts on each other have, rightly, caused many to ask what has gone wrong with our society.

There is no way in which such deliberately sadistic behaviour can be condoned, and these boys must now suffer the consequences of thoer actions - although I suspect that the victims, and their families, will suffer more, and for far longer. However, equally disturbing are the reports of the environment in which the perpetrators have been reared during their short lives to date. It would appear that these boys were regularly watching horror films - that would have had an 18 Certificate; that the elder of the two drank alcohol, and smoked cannabis; it has been alleged that they saw their father threatening their mother with a knife. They are reported as having climbed on to the roof of a building, stripped off tiles; and thrown them at passers-by; they were captured on video, throwing stones at a house.

As it is alleged that the authorities knew about much, if not all, of this unacceptable behaviour, questions are also being asked about the part that the Doncaster Social Services played - or failed to play - in the situation. They, it has been reported, did not even act in accordance with legal requirements!

But, back to the top - the second of those Ten Commandments states that Almighty God does not "... leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but [punishes] the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generation." (Ex.20:5, NLT). This is not, as some might conclude, the statement of a capricious Deity. It is actually a statement of fact. Children learn by mimicking the adults with whom they have closest contact. That's how, in more 'socially-normal' families, children grow up able to speak and behave with some degree of acceptability. Sadly, far too many parents today - certainly in our "western" culture - blissfully unaware of the Second Commandment (or any of the other nine!), and content to abrogate all responsibility for the upbringing of their offspring, fail to realise the consequences of their own behaviour.

The declared policy of the Conservative Party to enhance, if elected to government, the status of marriage, is a hopeful sign. There will always, in a fallen world, be those who will be willing tools of the evil one, and he will always find work for them to do. May it be that this distressing case will cause people, not only to ask questions, but also to find answers in the right place - the written Word of God!

Euthanasia - again!

The resurrection of the attempt by Margo McDonald, MSP to bring about, in Scotland, the legalisation of euthanasia through her proposed Assisted Suicide Bill, and the many objections that I expect to hear and read will, doubtless, bring about the usual plethora of complaints that the 'religious right' are trying to impose their views and beliefs on the rest of society.

However, let's forget any religious/moral objection to this proposed legislation. Surely we must still recognise that its implementation would involve serious risks to public safety. A law that may be acceptable for a minority of determined, and self-relient, people - people like Margo McDonald, for whom I have a high regard - could easily result in others who are depressed, or suffering from feelings of guilt at the "burden" that they are imposing on their families, following the same course of action. In addition, the possibility of pressure from more unscrupulous family members could not, sadly, be discounted.

It may, of course - and probably will - be argued that the law would ensure that this such situations did not arise. However, it is my understanding of the proposals, as currently made, that there are almost no safeguards included. Even if more were to be added, we would already have set out on a very slippery slope. Baroness Warnock, a major proponent of assisted suicide in England and Wales, has already suggested, publicly, that people with dementia are wasting the lives of others, and the resources of the NHS, and should consider whether, or not, they ought to remove themselves as a burden on their families! Once we start to think along those lines, it becomes difficult to anticipate where the final line would be drawn. Look at what happened with the Abortion Act - designed to help the few who were the victims of "back-street" abortions but, within a relatively short period of time, having become, to all intent, abortion on demand.

As I pointed out when this issue was last raised by Ms McDonald, there are many actions in life, the results of which may be reversed. Unfortunately, euthansia is not one of them!

The Secretary of State for Scotland, and the B.N.P.

The following is a copy of a (as yet unpublished!) letter that I sent to The Herald newspaper. As the article to which it refers was published in The Sunday Herald, it may be that publication is being delayed until this coming Sunday. However, not all of the letters that I submit are published - and, to date, I have not been offered even a monthly column!!!!! (Anyone who has influence in The Herald is welcome to put my name forward!!).

Dear Sir,

It is with some astonishment that I read that the plan of the Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy, to counteract the threatened opposition by the BNP in his East Renfrewshire Westminster Constituency, is " ... to recruit Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups to fight what he described as the “abhorrent” far-right party." (The Sunday Herald, 17-01-10).

Is Mr Murphy prepared to stand up for the rights of these very groups whose support he is planning to solicit, against the further restrictions of the planned Equality Bill, now going through the House of Lords? The present law allows, 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. This I should point out, includes adulterers and fornicators just as much as active homosexuals/lesbians.

However, the Government's Equality Bill is an attempt to erode such exemption so that it will apply 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 the now-proposed exemption parameters, there are many churches who employ a deacon/deaconess; a youth worker; a church secretary; etc., whose terms of employment would certainly not fall within the terms of the 'new' exemption.

As if this is not bad enough, I am concerned that this will be just another push at the wedge that is rapidly marginalising Christianity in this country. If this is successful, the next potential move would be to have the narrower exemption apply to volunteers - Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade officers, Sunday School teachers, Youth Fellowship leaders, to name a few.

The track record of the present government, with regard to religious liberty, is not one of which they have any right to be proud. However, Mr Murphy will presumably seek assistance from anyone who might save his political skin, regardless of how he and his colleagues have treated them in the past! I hold no truck with the BNP; but the present Labour Party do nothing to give me confidence that, as far as Biblical Christianity (any other is a sham) is concerned, they would not be content to see its adherents suffer the level of persecution that is the lot of disciples of Jesus in more than fifty countries around the world.

Yours faithfully