A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Monday, 19 January 2015
Victory
Victory
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Winston Churchill.
As I look at the world today I see there is a need for a Churchill. Churchill stood up to what was perhaps the most evil person ever in the history of the world, Hitler. The war he was allowed to cause by the politicians of his day who tried to appease him, cost close to sixty million lives.
Today we have a very different kind of world war. It is however a world war. On all fronts. No country can attack it alone, not even the United States with all its power.
There need to be an international alliance of free nations that are willing to take the fight to the enemy in the same way the allies of World war two did.
For me war of any kind doesn’t really bother me. I look at what my mother and father went through. My father was in the army in many conflicts throughout world war two.
My mother was under the bombs of Hitler’s air force. From 1939 to 1945 she watched the bombs fall. She survived and so did the majority of people in Britain. Thousands did die but millions lived.
Bombs whether from an aircraft or delivered by suicide bombers cannot kill the majority of people. Each bomb however should stiffen the resolve of we the free people of the world to destroy those evil people who would attempt to destroy our way of life.
I as a Christian consider myself a man of peace but even Jesus said in the latter days there would be wars.
As a Christian I truly believe that a life turned over to Jesus can change not only that person but if enough lives are changed can change the world.
Unfortunately my Bible also tells me that people will turn away from God and there will be another major war.
I don’t know when it will be I hope we are not in the opening scenes of this war. For if the Bible is to be believed and I believe it should be. The war it talks about will be worse than world war two ushering a great evil into the world.
For me I know God is in charge. Even if it may not seem like it at times. I know ultimately where I will spend eternity. Do you?
Think about it.
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Winston Churchill.
As I look at the world today I see there is a need for a Churchill. Churchill stood up to what was perhaps the most evil person ever in the history of the world, Hitler. The war he was allowed to cause by the politicians of his day who tried to appease him, cost close to sixty million lives.
Today we have a very different kind of world war. It is however a world war. On all fronts. No country can attack it alone, not even the United States with all its power.
There need to be an international alliance of free nations that are willing to take the fight to the enemy in the same way the allies of World war two did.
For me war of any kind doesn’t really bother me. I look at what my mother and father went through. My father was in the army in many conflicts throughout world war two.
My mother was under the bombs of Hitler’s air force. From 1939 to 1945 she watched the bombs fall. She survived and so did the majority of people in Britain. Thousands did die but millions lived.
Bombs whether from an aircraft or delivered by suicide bombers cannot kill the majority of people. Each bomb however should stiffen the resolve of we the free people of the world to destroy those evil people who would attempt to destroy our way of life.
I as a Christian consider myself a man of peace but even Jesus said in the latter days there would be wars.
As a Christian I truly believe that a life turned over to Jesus can change not only that person but if enough lives are changed can change the world.
Unfortunately my Bible also tells me that people will turn away from God and there will be another major war.
I don’t know when it will be I hope we are not in the opening scenes of this war. For if the Bible is to be believed and I believe it should be. The war it talks about will be worse than world war two ushering a great evil into the world.
For me I know God is in charge. Even if it may not seem like it at times. I know ultimately where I will spend eternity. Do you?
Think about it.
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Toward Eternity
Toward eternity
“Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the last step, which will bring us into the presence of God.”
The Venerable Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley (29 September 1778 – 11 November 1841)
The one thing Christians those of other faiths and even atheist agree on is that from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity.
Some say life is a constant cycle of rebirth in various forms. Others say we will one day stand before a just and holy God who will judge us by the right and wrong we do.
The atheist would say that when life ends here, that is it for all eternity, life simply ends.
Christianity however makes some very distinctive claims.
We believe the apostle John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
We believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh that he came to earth to show man how much he loved him.
Jesus saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus also said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christians believe that we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That we must accept Jesus Christ into our life. That we must believe that he is the one and only Son of God that died for our sins.
That such a move is an act of faith on our part. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Not only do we believe the above but we go one step further believing the words of John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:,12,13.
The way I look at it if I as a Christian am wrong in my beliefs I have nothing to worry about because I have lived a good and happy life.
If I as a Christian am right however the consequences for those who do not believe are eternal.
Think about it.
“Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the last step, which will bring us into the presence of God.”
The Venerable Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley (29 September 1778 – 11 November 1841)
The one thing Christians those of other faiths and even atheist agree on is that from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity.
Some say life is a constant cycle of rebirth in various forms. Others say we will one day stand before a just and holy God who will judge us by the right and wrong we do.
The atheist would say that when life ends here, that is it for all eternity, life simply ends.
Christianity however makes some very distinctive claims.
We believe the apostle John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
We believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh that he came to earth to show man how much he loved him.
Jesus saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus also said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christians believe that we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That we must accept Jesus Christ into our life. That we must believe that he is the one and only Son of God that died for our sins.
That such a move is an act of faith on our part. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Not only do we believe the above but we go one step further believing the words of John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:,12,13.
The way I look at it if I as a Christian am wrong in my beliefs I have nothing to worry about because I have lived a good and happy life.
If I as a Christian am right however the consequences for those who do not believe are eternal.
Think about it.
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Freedom
Freedom
“Your freedom ends a moment before your fist hits a persons face”
Anonymous
Freedom is not a blank slate to do as we wish, for this would lead to anarchy and anarchy is not freedom.
Freedom comes with responsibility. The responsibility to respect the rights and beliefs of others.
Nelson Mandela wrote,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
While I would support the right of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo to exercise it’s freedom of speech. I would wonder at the wisdom of them portraying the prophet Mohamad in the way they did.
As a Christian I’ve seen lots of cartoons portraying Jesus in a negative way. It offends me but I certainly would not pick up a gun or bomb and attack anyone over it.
Still those involved with Charlie Hebdo knew to draw the prophet would cause trouble yet in the name of freedom of speech they went ahead with it.
Had they been respectful of the beliefs of those Muslims who believe it is wrong to picture their prophet in such a way there may not have been any funerals to go to.
Read the words of Nelson Mandela again,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
We should never, never give into terrorist or anyone who would restrict our freedoms. We should never let anyone use the gun to stop us criticizing what we disagree with.
At the same time we need to show respect.
I as a Christian understand what it is to have one’s beliefs come under attack. In Saudi Arabia the home of Islam, Christianity is not allowed to practice. Nor is it in North Korea and many other places around the world.
Christians die at the rate of one every four to seven minutes for their faith without them even saying a word in anger.
Yet true Christians still hold to their beliefs of, love of God, love their neighbour, love their enemy and even pray for their persecutors.
Likewise I believe as a Christian I need to respect the rights Islam to practice and I would never think to make fun of their beliefs.
Respect is the only way we can expect to have open dialogue with those whom we disagree. To make friends of enemies.
Certainly the members of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups do not believe in respecting the rights of others. They are nothing more that modern day Hitler’s intent on waging world war three. They are evil, oppressive and need to be destroyed.
We need to stand up to the terror threat coming from the extremist of the Islamic world. We need to be stomping them out. We need to be fighting against anyone who would restrict our freedoms.
No one should die for words on a page or a pen and ink cartoon no matter how offensive it may be.
At the same time however we should respect the beliefs of others.
If we do not respect the beliefs of others and use our freedom to mock and wrongly persecute others we become like those who would try to destroy our way of life.
In showing respect and love to those whom we disagree with we may just win a friend and ally.
It’s a delicate balancing act to be sure but we need to do it. In order to truly be called a free people.
Think about it.
“Your freedom ends a moment before your fist hits a persons face”
Anonymous
Freedom is not a blank slate to do as we wish, for this would lead to anarchy and anarchy is not freedom.
Freedom comes with responsibility. The responsibility to respect the rights and beliefs of others.
Nelson Mandela wrote,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
While I would support the right of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo to exercise it’s freedom of speech. I would wonder at the wisdom of them portraying the prophet Mohamad in the way they did.
As a Christian I’ve seen lots of cartoons portraying Jesus in a negative way. It offends me but I certainly would not pick up a gun or bomb and attack anyone over it.
Still those involved with Charlie Hebdo knew to draw the prophet would cause trouble yet in the name of freedom of speech they went ahead with it.
Had they been respectful of the beliefs of those Muslims who believe it is wrong to picture their prophet in such a way there may not have been any funerals to go to.
Read the words of Nelson Mandela again,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
We should never, never give into terrorist or anyone who would restrict our freedoms. We should never let anyone use the gun to stop us criticizing what we disagree with.
At the same time we need to show respect.
I as a Christian understand what it is to have one’s beliefs come under attack. In Saudi Arabia the home of Islam, Christianity is not allowed to practice. Nor is it in North Korea and many other places around the world.
Christians die at the rate of one every four to seven minutes for their faith without them even saying a word in anger.
Yet true Christians still hold to their beliefs of, love of God, love their neighbour, love their enemy and even pray for their persecutors.
Likewise I believe as a Christian I need to respect the rights Islam to practice and I would never think to make fun of their beliefs.
Respect is the only way we can expect to have open dialogue with those whom we disagree. To make friends of enemies.
Certainly the members of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups do not believe in respecting the rights of others. They are nothing more that modern day Hitler’s intent on waging world war three. They are evil, oppressive and need to be destroyed.
We need to stand up to the terror threat coming from the extremist of the Islamic world. We need to be stomping them out. We need to be fighting against anyone who would restrict our freedoms.
No one should die for words on a page or a pen and ink cartoon no matter how offensive it may be.
At the same time however we should respect the beliefs of others.
If we do not respect the beliefs of others and use our freedom to mock and wrongly persecute others we become like those who would try to destroy our way of life.
In showing respect and love to those whom we disagree with we may just win a friend and ally.
It’s a delicate balancing act to be sure but we need to do it. In order to truly be called a free people.
Think about it.
Friday, 16 January 2015
The Way to Heaven
The way to heaven
Every so often I like to tell people what I believe is the way to heaven.
The following is what I believe, it is simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Next it come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for, The gospel of John states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus himself said,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are sins, be they the Pope, some evangelist in the media, a pastor of a church someone sitting in the pews, someone on the street or a criminal on the cross with Jesus. Everyone of us sins,
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately however like I said, salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Will you consider accepting Christ into your life today. If you are willing you can pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe in You. I believe that Jesus is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer in all sincerity I would suggest that you now find a copy of the Bible. There is a free down load called the ‘you version’ bible app that allows you to download various version of the bible. It’s a good app.
When it comes to the Bible there are a lot of translations, I personally use the New International version and the New King James versions. They are in modern English and easy to read. If your English is not that good then the easiest English translation is the Good News Bible.
I recommend starting in the New Testament. You don’t have to read a lot each day. A chapter is good.
When you come to a genealogy such as in the first chapter of Matthew you might want to skip it, although it shows the link between Jesus and those in the Old Testament.
Before you read, pray and ask God to show you the truths within the scriptures, ask him to open your understanding to what is written.
Also pray and ask God to direct you to a good church congregation. One that you are comfortable in.
Congregations vary even within denominations and where you may not be comfortable in one you may in another. So look around.
As these blogs are read all over the world I cannot recommend a specific church. I tend to recommend Baptist churches as they in my opinion tend to interpret the scriptures correctly and their method of worship is fairly consistent around the world.
In Canada I also know that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God are a good organization as are the Assemblies of God in the United States.
Please take sometime and consider what I have written above.
Ultimately the decision to accept Christ into your life is between you and God. All I have done here is place before you what I believe.
Please think about it.
Every so often I like to tell people what I believe is the way to heaven.
The following is what I believe, it is simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Next it come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for, The gospel of John states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus himself said,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are sins, be they the Pope, some evangelist in the media, a pastor of a church someone sitting in the pews, someone on the street or a criminal on the cross with Jesus. Everyone of us sins,
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately however like I said, salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Will you consider accepting Christ into your life today. If you are willing you can pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe in You. I believe that Jesus is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer in all sincerity I would suggest that you now find a copy of the Bible. There is a free down load called the ‘you version’ bible app that allows you to download various version of the bible. It’s a good app.
When it comes to the Bible there are a lot of translations, I personally use the New International version and the New King James versions. They are in modern English and easy to read. If your English is not that good then the easiest English translation is the Good News Bible.
I recommend starting in the New Testament. You don’t have to read a lot each day. A chapter is good.
When you come to a genealogy such as in the first chapter of Matthew you might want to skip it, although it shows the link between Jesus and those in the Old Testament.
Before you read, pray and ask God to show you the truths within the scriptures, ask him to open your understanding to what is written.
Also pray and ask God to direct you to a good church congregation. One that you are comfortable in.
Congregations vary even within denominations and where you may not be comfortable in one you may in another. So look around.
As these blogs are read all over the world I cannot recommend a specific church. I tend to recommend Baptist churches as they in my opinion tend to interpret the scriptures correctly and their method of worship is fairly consistent around the world.
In Canada I also know that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God are a good organization as are the Assemblies of God in the United States.
Please take sometime and consider what I have written above.
Ultimately the decision to accept Christ into your life is between you and God. All I have done here is place before you what I believe.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 15 January 2015
A Personal Note
A personal note
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her mid fifties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years however I’ve read about and heard of talented entertainers in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
Sadly our western society doesn’t seem to help the situation.
As I look around I see a great deal of emphasis on getting “things”. Materialism it seems is the god of the twenty-first century and the majority of people young and old seem to be buying into it.
Sadly materialism is a cold bed partner.
I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And have taken their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with a mental illness, specifically Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
It is my belief in God that has given me hope and purpose in life. Today fifty-one years after making Jesus Christ Lord of my life. I know I am a better person and have a hope that there is more to life than what we can see, feel and hear.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They recognize there is something missing in their life. For lack of a better phrase, “a hole in their soul”
A hole that the materialism and things of our modern world can’t fill no matter what they do.
They, to quote Wordsworth “in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.”
This should not be so because there is hope. Hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
To those who feel empty inside, to those who feel hopeless and can’t find meaning in life, the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
I know it takes a leap of faith to believe in Christ, but it is a leap that will change a persons life forever.
I know because I personally, and there are many, many like me, who have found fulfilment and joy in Christ Jesus.
Please think about praying and asking Christ into your life today.
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her mid fifties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years however I’ve read about and heard of talented entertainers in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
“We poets in our youth begin in gladness;
but therefore came in the end to despondency and madness.’
Suicide rates are on the rise in our western culture, as is clinical depression and other forms of mental illness. As someone who knows a great deal of mentally ill people I understand that mental illness is a very real illness that can lead to death at one’s own hand.Sadly our western society doesn’t seem to help the situation.
As I look around I see a great deal of emphasis on getting “things”. Materialism it seems is the god of the twenty-first century and the majority of people young and old seem to be buying into it.
Sadly materialism is a cold bed partner.
I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And have taken their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with a mental illness, specifically Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
It is my belief in God that has given me hope and purpose in life. Today fifty-one years after making Jesus Christ Lord of my life. I know I am a better person and have a hope that there is more to life than what we can see, feel and hear.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They recognize there is something missing in their life. For lack of a better phrase, “a hole in their soul”
A hole that the materialism and things of our modern world can’t fill no matter what they do.
They, to quote Wordsworth “in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.”
This should not be so because there is hope. Hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
To those who feel empty inside, to those who feel hopeless and can’t find meaning in life, the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
I know it takes a leap of faith to believe in Christ, but it is a leap that will change a persons life forever.
I know because I personally, and there are many, many like me, who have found fulfilment and joy in Christ Jesus.
Please think about praying and asking Christ into your life today.
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Come unto me
Come unto me
St. Augustine wrote,
“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden." St Augustine
The full quote St. Augustin is noting comes from the book of Matthew. Jesus is speaking and he says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
We live in a very demanding world. Our world particularly here in the west can be stressful life goes on twenty-four hours a day. Those in the corporate world are finding their employers are demanding more and more.
At the other end of society the poor are finding it hard to live. They are relying on food banks, and government handouts that are not enough to pay the rent, utilities and still put food on the table.
Even those that have jobs, jobs that pay minimum or just above minimum wage are having trouble making ends meet.
And that’s just in the richest countries in the world.
In third world, Africa, the middle east central and south America people are struggling just to live from day to day. Thousands are dying due to starvation and illnesses, not even counting the Ebola and other epidemics.
Terrorism and open war is affecting millions around the world.
Global society just doesn’t seem to have rest.
Still there is rest amid the chaos of world events. That rest comes from faith in Jesus Christ.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He calls.
I know it’s hard to quote the above scripture to someone who’s hungry and suffering but it is true.
Christian organizations all over the world today are doing their best to provide the necessities of life to all people Christian or not. They do it in the name of the Lord without asking the person to convert to Christianity.
Even the small church I attend with just twenty-five persons does what it can to help the poor. We sent as much money as we can to two orphanages in India.
Christianity is very much a faith of deeds,
The apostle James said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
Francis of Assisi stated the true Christian lifestyle when he said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
We as Christians can find rest in Christ no matter the circumstances we live in. We know that despite what happens in this world God will give us strength to go through each day. That we will have that inward peace that cannot be taken away from us.
It is something we wish the whole world would experience and which the whole world can experience if they would only turn and accept Christ by faith into their lives.
Think about it.
St. Augustine wrote,
“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden." St Augustine
The full quote St. Augustin is noting comes from the book of Matthew. Jesus is speaking and he says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
We live in a very demanding world. Our world particularly here in the west can be stressful life goes on twenty-four hours a day. Those in the corporate world are finding their employers are demanding more and more.
At the other end of society the poor are finding it hard to live. They are relying on food banks, and government handouts that are not enough to pay the rent, utilities and still put food on the table.
Even those that have jobs, jobs that pay minimum or just above minimum wage are having trouble making ends meet.
And that’s just in the richest countries in the world.
In third world, Africa, the middle east central and south America people are struggling just to live from day to day. Thousands are dying due to starvation and illnesses, not even counting the Ebola and other epidemics.
Terrorism and open war is affecting millions around the world.
Global society just doesn’t seem to have rest.
Still there is rest amid the chaos of world events. That rest comes from faith in Jesus Christ.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He calls.
I know it’s hard to quote the above scripture to someone who’s hungry and suffering but it is true.
Christian organizations all over the world today are doing their best to provide the necessities of life to all people Christian or not. They do it in the name of the Lord without asking the person to convert to Christianity.
Even the small church I attend with just twenty-five persons does what it can to help the poor. We sent as much money as we can to two orphanages in India.
Christianity is very much a faith of deeds,
The apostle James said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
Francis of Assisi stated the true Christian lifestyle when he said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
We as Christians can find rest in Christ no matter the circumstances we live in. We know that despite what happens in this world God will give us strength to go through each day. That we will have that inward peace that cannot be taken away from us.
It is something we wish the whole world would experience and which the whole world can experience if they would only turn and accept Christ by faith into their lives.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Civilized
Civilized
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
Is mankind truly civilized?
We in the democratic countries of the western world like to think of ourselves as civilized and perhaps we are in many ways. But are we letting people down?
Recent events showing young men and women who have become radicalized killing and innocent people with the deluded idea they are doing God’s work, perhaps points to a flaw in our society.
Western society in particular is wealthy. Yet every western country has people that are living in poverty. They have youth growing up it seems without hope.
Governments are quick to give tax cuts to the wealthy but are slow in spending money on the poorest of our society. They even complain that there is not enough money in the governments coffers to pay for affordable housing for the poor, good education, and seeing the most vulnerable in our society have all the necessities of life.
As someone looking from outside the United States the country that people look up to, to stand up for our way of life, I see people in government that would deprive their own people of good affordable health care.
Here in Canada and all around the western world people are living on the street. Families are not getting enough to eat. Children in the richest countries in the world are going hungry.
One of the big concerns here in Canada now it’s winter with temperatures dropping below -30C without the wind chill is the lack of warm places for the homeless to go.
It’s a problem that I’ve heard talked about every year since I come to Canada and I’ve lived here fifty years.
It’s a problem that can be fixed relatively inexpensively providing there’s the political will from all levels of government.
Some youth of our youth. Those that are becoming radicalized seem to be looking at our society and see no hope. They are turning to gangs, and now even worse terrorist organisations to find a sense of belonging. To find a meaning to life.
I think it’s time each western nation. Each western government needs to look inward and ask itself how can I truly help the most needy in our society. And not by simply tossing them a few pennies out of political expediency.
We need to be giving all our youth hope.
Some time ago Harry Goldman said,
“I would recommend that we straighten out a few things before we contemplate any interplanetary transportation system. Suppose a man from Mars should suddenly appear on Earth? I think it would be terribly embarrassing if he learned that a second-rate singer in a night club makes four thousand dollars a week, and a high-school teacher makes three thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars a year. This and many other things should be straightened out first if we intend to maintain our dignity when planet folks start visiting us.”
Harry Golden.
Western democracy is the best we’ve got yet tens of thousands of not only children but adults go hungry and live in poverty. This should not be so.
The situation is thousands of times worse in the developing world, in the third world. I can’t imagine what it is like to live in a refugee camp or live in the countries fighting Ebola.
Society needs to redouble its efforts to help the poor.
There are two quotes from the Talmud that I really like,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
The other goes like this,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
I believe those in government. Especially those who claim to believe in God will have the most to fear when they stand before God, because they have the ability to make a drastic difference in the world today.
And our world is truly in need of a drastic change for the better.
For me as a Christian I believe it is only by making real the teachings of Christ in the lives of all men that the world will be changed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
This is something our government leaders and we as individuals need to think about doing.
Think about it.
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
Is mankind truly civilized?
We in the democratic countries of the western world like to think of ourselves as civilized and perhaps we are in many ways. But are we letting people down?
Recent events showing young men and women who have become radicalized killing and innocent people with the deluded idea they are doing God’s work, perhaps points to a flaw in our society.
Western society in particular is wealthy. Yet every western country has people that are living in poverty. They have youth growing up it seems without hope.
Governments are quick to give tax cuts to the wealthy but are slow in spending money on the poorest of our society. They even complain that there is not enough money in the governments coffers to pay for affordable housing for the poor, good education, and seeing the most vulnerable in our society have all the necessities of life.
As someone looking from outside the United States the country that people look up to, to stand up for our way of life, I see people in government that would deprive their own people of good affordable health care.
Here in Canada and all around the western world people are living on the street. Families are not getting enough to eat. Children in the richest countries in the world are going hungry.
One of the big concerns here in Canada now it’s winter with temperatures dropping below -30C without the wind chill is the lack of warm places for the homeless to go.
It’s a problem that I’ve heard talked about every year since I come to Canada and I’ve lived here fifty years.
It’s a problem that can be fixed relatively inexpensively providing there’s the political will from all levels of government.
Some youth of our youth. Those that are becoming radicalized seem to be looking at our society and see no hope. They are turning to gangs, and now even worse terrorist organisations to find a sense of belonging. To find a meaning to life.
I think it’s time each western nation. Each western government needs to look inward and ask itself how can I truly help the most needy in our society. And not by simply tossing them a few pennies out of political expediency.
We need to be giving all our youth hope.
Some time ago Harry Goldman said,
“I would recommend that we straighten out a few things before we contemplate any interplanetary transportation system. Suppose a man from Mars should suddenly appear on Earth? I think it would be terribly embarrassing if he learned that a second-rate singer in a night club makes four thousand dollars a week, and a high-school teacher makes three thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars a year. This and many other things should be straightened out first if we intend to maintain our dignity when planet folks start visiting us.”
Harry Golden.
Western democracy is the best we’ve got yet tens of thousands of not only children but adults go hungry and live in poverty. This should not be so.
The situation is thousands of times worse in the developing world, in the third world. I can’t imagine what it is like to live in a refugee camp or live in the countries fighting Ebola.
Society needs to redouble its efforts to help the poor.
There are two quotes from the Talmud that I really like,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
The other goes like this,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
I believe those in government. Especially those who claim to believe in God will have the most to fear when they stand before God, because they have the ability to make a drastic difference in the world today.
And our world is truly in need of a drastic change for the better.
For me as a Christian I believe it is only by making real the teachings of Christ in the lives of all men that the world will be changed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiThis is something our government leaders and we as individuals need to think about doing.
Think about it.
Monday, 12 January 2015
A Note On Terrorism
A note on Terrorism
Jesus when asked
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
The world is going through some perilous times, with terrorist attacks all around the world. The world is essentially at war. Still it’s no different than any other war.
I was born in England just after world war two. My father served with the British army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany from just prior to the war until just past the end. A little over six years fighting against the Nazis and their allies. During that time he lost some close friends.
My mother lived in England throughout the blitz. Several of her friends died due to the bombings.
Still when they talked about the war it wasn’t about the bombings although it did come up from time to time. What they did talk about was the good times. The fun they had.
Life continued on. Yes the bombers came over dropped hundreds of tons of bombs blew up houses, put huge craters in the road and killed people, but life went on.
Not only that but it brought people together. It made them more determined than ever to defeat their enemy.
The terrorist today may not be using high flying bombers, but the bombers they use still kill innocent people. At the same time life goes on and each bombing or act of terrorism brings the peace loving people of the world together.
Especially it seems since the beginning of the twentieth century our world has become a cold, cold place.
Materialism has it seems replaced true faith as the religion of choice. People have turned far from God. Many young people such as those who have turned to terrorist groups seem to be disenfranchised with the western world in particular.
It’s no different from world war two when Hitler seen the pain, suffering and impoverishment, the treaty that ended world war one left Germany and its people in. Hitler used all the negatives the western democracies had imposed on Germany as a rallying point. Promising the German people prosperity and a renewed pride in themselves. Not only that, he at least in the beginning delivered.
Sadly his hatred of the Jews and others dragged the German people into destruction.
ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and other terrorist organisations will sadly bring their followers also to destruction.
As a Christian I believe there is a solution to the problem or terrorism. Faith in God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The principles of Christ, Love for God, for ones neighbour, and even ones enemy are essentials to the building of a fair and just society.
These terrorist claim they are from God but they are not.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
These terrorist groups today are not of God they are the work of Satan. If they were of God they would recognize the rights of the individual. They would be showing love to their fellow man, not sowing hate.
And here’s something else for those who would say they are from God but are not, to consider,
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:43-47
Think about it.
Jesus when asked
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
The world is going through some perilous times, with terrorist attacks all around the world. The world is essentially at war. Still it’s no different than any other war.
I was born in England just after world war two. My father served with the British army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany from just prior to the war until just past the end. A little over six years fighting against the Nazis and their allies. During that time he lost some close friends.
My mother lived in England throughout the blitz. Several of her friends died due to the bombings.
Still when they talked about the war it wasn’t about the bombings although it did come up from time to time. What they did talk about was the good times. The fun they had.
Life continued on. Yes the bombers came over dropped hundreds of tons of bombs blew up houses, put huge craters in the road and killed people, but life went on.
Not only that but it brought people together. It made them more determined than ever to defeat their enemy.
The terrorist today may not be using high flying bombers, but the bombers they use still kill innocent people. At the same time life goes on and each bombing or act of terrorism brings the peace loving people of the world together.
Especially it seems since the beginning of the twentieth century our world has become a cold, cold place.
Materialism has it seems replaced true faith as the religion of choice. People have turned far from God. Many young people such as those who have turned to terrorist groups seem to be disenfranchised with the western world in particular.
It’s no different from world war two when Hitler seen the pain, suffering and impoverishment, the treaty that ended world war one left Germany and its people in. Hitler used all the negatives the western democracies had imposed on Germany as a rallying point. Promising the German people prosperity and a renewed pride in themselves. Not only that, he at least in the beginning delivered.
Sadly his hatred of the Jews and others dragged the German people into destruction.
ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and other terrorist organisations will sadly bring their followers also to destruction.
As a Christian I believe there is a solution to the problem or terrorism. Faith in God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The principles of Christ, Love for God, for ones neighbour, and even ones enemy are essentials to the building of a fair and just society.
These terrorist claim they are from God but they are not.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
These terrorist groups today are not of God they are the work of Satan. If they were of God they would recognize the rights of the individual. They would be showing love to their fellow man, not sowing hate.
And here’s something else for those who would say they are from God but are not, to consider,
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:43-47
Think about it.
Sunday, 11 January 2015
A Lesson terrorist need to know
A Lesson Terrorist need to know
T.H. White wrote,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos.
But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate.
On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
What T.H. White wrote is as true when applied to the terrorist of 2015 as applied to Adolf Hitler in 1935.
These people think they can impose their idea of an ideal life on people. They cannot. No one can impose their will on anyone.
These men, these terrorist are misguided. Hate and force can never change people. Only love can do that.
Sadly in our world today love is lacking. These young men and women who join terrorist organizations will never change the world in any meaningful way.
They may think that in dying for there misguided cause they are dying a martyrs death. They will however wake up in eternity to see their just and righteous judge is Jesus Christ the son of God.
Only true love can change the world. Napoleon said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Hate and force of arms will never change the world. No one can force their will on another human being successfully.
Only love can change the world and...
Think about it.
T.H. White wrote,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos.
But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate.
On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
What T.H. White wrote is as true when applied to the terrorist of 2015 as applied to Adolf Hitler in 1935.
These people think they can impose their idea of an ideal life on people. They cannot. No one can impose their will on anyone.
These men, these terrorist are misguided. Hate and force can never change people. Only love can do that.
Sadly in our world today love is lacking. These young men and women who join terrorist organizations will never change the world in any meaningful way.
They may think that in dying for there misguided cause they are dying a martyrs death. They will however wake up in eternity to see their just and righteous judge is Jesus Christ the son of God.
Only true love can change the world. Napoleon said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Hate and force of arms will never change the world. No one can force their will on another human being successfully.
Only love can change the world and...
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
Think about it.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Hell in a Handbarrow
Hell in a Handbarrow?
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a smaller house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching the message Christ intended them to do.
It is a message I believe if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world and for some of us, myself included, we have had a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth.
Sadly I believe we are entering what the Bible calls the end times and the apostle Paul tells us that in the end times. A time when God will eventually judge the whole world.
Paul describes the last days like this,
"...There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
Think about it,
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a smaller house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching the message Christ intended them to do.
It is a message I believe if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world and for some of us, myself included, we have had a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth.
Sadly I believe we are entering what the Bible calls the end times and the apostle Paul tells us that in the end times. A time when God will eventually judge the whole world.
Paul describes the last days like this,
"...There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
Think about it,
Friday, 9 January 2015
Je SUIS CHARLIE
JE SUIS CHARLIE“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemollor.
Martin Niemoller spent from 1937 to 1945 in Nazi death camps narrowly escaping death. He experienced first hand what it was to see the freedoms of others and his own freedom restricted.
Hitler was in the twentieth century the quintessential purveyor of evil. The war he started cost close to sixty million lives, not counting those he killed prior to the war.
Today the world faces a new threat. Terrorist who would restrict the beliefs and freedoms of all who disagrees with them.
Like Hitler these terrorist have been allowed to grow because the democracies of the west did not consider them a threat and firmly believed in freedom of expression, even if they disagreed with what was being said.
Now twelve people have been murdered in France by a group who while claiming to be people of God are nothing but evil men.
Not to long ago here in Canada two men killed two Canadian soldiers in the misguided belief they were doing God’s will.
Around the world there have been dozens of terrorist attacks all by men claiming to be of God but are doing nothing more than the work of the devil himself.
I admit as a Christian I know little about Islam. The few Muslims I’ve met and worked with are peace loving people, who have accepted me for the Christian I am.
I also admit I know little about the magazine that was attacked. Only that it tended to be irreverent and poked fun at everyone irrespective of who they are.
While I may not agree with what the magazine prints. I do respect its right to freedom of speech, because restricting the speech of anyone or any group is the start of a slippery slope that will end in restriction of freedoms of us all. Nazi Germany proved that.
I also know there is only one way to end the hate of this world. Through the love of Christ. Hate and force cannot change the minds of people.
Yeshayahu Leibowitz wrote,
“You can ‘t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel. If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another. It has to come from within.”
-Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Judaic scholar and professor of biochemistry, quoted in
“Of Thorns, Idols, and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990
Napoleon Bonaparte who certainly knew what it was like to try to impose his will on the world said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Terrorist like ISIS and others may try to conquer the world. May try to impose their will upon people but they will never win because they use force. And force cannot truly change the hearts of men.
Today scattered around the world in every nation there are over two point two billion Christians. We Christians are the largest faith group in the world and we continue to grow despite being the most persecuted group in the world.
We have reached almost a third of the worlds population and we have done so through Love of God, Ones neighbour and even one’s enemy.
The terrorist of the world filled with an ideology of hate and lust for power will never understand it. It is for that reason they will ultimately fail.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
It is such love, the love of Christ, that will ultimately change the world. Not force of arms or hate.
Think about it.
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