Today a ban comes into force on the substance Mephedrone that has become infamous in recent days due to a number of related deaths. Like any right thinking person I welcome this ban and only wish it had happened sooner. However, there still is another substance, which is abused by many in our society, which is perfectly legal and yet destroys thousand of lives every year. That substance is Alcohol.
This weekend Alcohol fuelled teenagers will fight on our streets, destroying property and straining police resources. Doctors and nurses in our A&E departments will be inundated with the unconscious and injured due to Alcohol. Wives and children will wait in fear for a drunken husband and father to come home and beat the living daylights out of them. Some drink-fuelled madman behind a wheel will wipe out some unsuspecting innocent driver or pedestrian.
On Wednesday of this week Judge Eamonn King remarked at Limavady Magistrates court that 80% of cases that come before his court are drink related. Despite all of these things this substance is available in supermarkets, off sales and pubs across our land with limited restrictions.
From a Christian point of view the Bible has a lot to say about Alcohol and the vast bulk of it is negative and yet today in increasing numbers young Christians are starting to dabble with this dangerous substance. They should listen to the wise words of Solomon rather than the counsel of their compromising friends.
'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.' Proverbs 20 v1
Friday, 16 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Letting the side down
Sadly I find myself for the second time this week vexed by the goings on of God’s people in politics.
I refer to the court proceedings between Jim Allister (TUV) and Ian Paisley Jnr (DUP). As I watched the news last night I was saddened to see God’s children in such a situation. My wife hit it on the head when she remarked, ‘that’s Christians against Christians’. The apostle Paul rebuked the Church in Corinth for the very same thing when he said: -
‘I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?’ 1st Corinthians 6 v5-7
For me the key phrase in Paul’s comment above is his reference to the fact that this is done before the unbelievers. God’s people should been known for their love for one another and not for their animosity.
‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ John 13 v35
There is a sceptical world out there ready to hammer Christians and sadly many Christians who are in politics are bringing shame on the name of Christ.
We are never going to agree on everything in life or politics. There is nothing wrong with debating those differences in healthy political debate but let’s not turn it into a vicious personal war where brothers in Christ are tearing strips of each other in full view of the world!
I refer to the court proceedings between Jim Allister (TUV) and Ian Paisley Jnr (DUP). As I watched the news last night I was saddened to see God’s children in such a situation. My wife hit it on the head when she remarked, ‘that’s Christians against Christians’. The apostle Paul rebuked the Church in Corinth for the very same thing when he said: -
‘I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?’ 1st Corinthians 6 v5-7
For me the key phrase in Paul’s comment above is his reference to the fact that this is done before the unbelievers. God’s people should been known for their love for one another and not for their animosity.
‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ John 13 v35
There is a sceptical world out there ready to hammer Christians and sadly many Christians who are in politics are bringing shame on the name of Christ.
We are never going to agree on everything in life or politics. There is nothing wrong with debating those differences in healthy political debate but let’s not turn it into a vicious personal war where brothers in Christ are tearing strips of each other in full view of the world!
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
A Wrong Priority
So the election has been called and the UK will go to the Polls on the 06th May. Like most people from the ‘religious right’ in Northern Ireland I am very interested in political life and enjoy the cut and thrust of political debate.
However, amongst all of the excitement that an election brings there is also something about the whole thing that grieves me and that is the sight of people with wrong priorities.
At this time of the year I see Christian people motivated into action in order to support their preferred candidate, people who sadly are inactive when it comes to Christian service.
You can get them to a political meeting but not a prayer meeting, they will put up posters for a political position but not a gospel mission, they will rap doors encouraging people to vote when the election will come but not to warn them to flee from the wrath to come.
Often these people have a good motivation for what they do, they want to promote candidates who will take a strong stand on moral issues and that is fine. I am not knocking involvement in politics, after all Christians are meant to be the salt of the earth and we are to have a preserving influence on society. What I am knocking is wrong priorities.
Let us not think that we are going to change our nation by politics no matter how good our policies may be. Only the Lord can change our society for the better.
‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)’ 2nd Corinthians 10 v 4
The real battlefield is the place of prayer and the preaching of the gospel. This is where our priority should be.
However, amongst all of the excitement that an election brings there is also something about the whole thing that grieves me and that is the sight of people with wrong priorities.
At this time of the year I see Christian people motivated into action in order to support their preferred candidate, people who sadly are inactive when it comes to Christian service.
You can get them to a political meeting but not a prayer meeting, they will put up posters for a political position but not a gospel mission, they will rap doors encouraging people to vote when the election will come but not to warn them to flee from the wrath to come.
Often these people have a good motivation for what they do, they want to promote candidates who will take a strong stand on moral issues and that is fine. I am not knocking involvement in politics, after all Christians are meant to be the salt of the earth and we are to have a preserving influence on society. What I am knocking is wrong priorities.
Let us not think that we are going to change our nation by politics no matter how good our policies may be. Only the Lord can change our society for the better.
‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)’ 2nd Corinthians 10 v 4
The real battlefield is the place of prayer and the preaching of the gospel. This is where our priority should be.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Beware of Dr Death
Anyone who follows current affairs can't but help notice the increased air time and newsprint coverage of the euthanasia debate. It would appear that the liberal media within the UK is determined to have a change in the law, making it easier for people to assist in the suicide of others.
Euthanasia champion Dr Philip Nitschke AKA Dr Death is visiting the British Isles at the moment to hold 'suicide workshops'. Like the abortion movement before them the advocates of euthanasia are using heart rending stories of human suffering to get their foot in the door and to convince our nation and ultimately our Parliament to change the law.
As sad as the circumstances are in many of the examples given by this lobby group we must always remember that life is a gift given by God, it is God's to give and it is God's to take away. We must never be tempted no matter how difficult the circumstances to play the part of God in the lives of others. Remember that clear commandment given to Moses.
' Thou shalt not kill.' Exodus 20 v13
This means that me must not kill others, me must not kill ourselves (suicide) nor should we assist others to kill themselves (assisted suicide). To do any of these things would be to break the clear command of God.
I really fear for our nation. I fear that it will be convinced by the arguments of the pro-euthanasia pressure groups and abandon it's historic landmarks just as it did with abortion. Pray that God will open the eyes of politicians of every party to the dangerous road of eroding the sanctity of life.
Euthanasia champion Dr Philip Nitschke AKA Dr Death is visiting the British Isles at the moment to hold 'suicide workshops'. Like the abortion movement before them the advocates of euthanasia are using heart rending stories of human suffering to get their foot in the door and to convince our nation and ultimately our Parliament to change the law.
As sad as the circumstances are in many of the examples given by this lobby group we must always remember that life is a gift given by God, it is God's to give and it is God's to take away. We must never be tempted no matter how difficult the circumstances to play the part of God in the lives of others. Remember that clear commandment given to Moses.
' Thou shalt not kill.' Exodus 20 v13
This means that me must not kill others, me must not kill ourselves (suicide) nor should we assist others to kill themselves (assisted suicide). To do any of these things would be to break the clear command of God.
I really fear for our nation. I fear that it will be convinced by the arguments of the pro-euthanasia pressure groups and abandon it's historic landmarks just as it did with abortion. Pray that God will open the eyes of politicians of every party to the dangerous road of eroding the sanctity of life.
Friday, 26 March 2010
Are you on solids?
We had a visit in work this week from a colleague who is on maternity leave. While chatting about her baby son she mentioned that they were trying to get him off the bottle at the moment and onto solids. This of course is an important stage in the development of an infant, if a child was to stay on the bottle and never get solid food then the child would never develope or thrive.
The same is true in the spiritual as it is in the physical. If we are to grow as Christians we need to get into the strong meat of God's Word. As our physical diet is important so is our spiritual diet. The Apostle Paul had to rebuke the Christians in Corinth for their lack of spiritual growth saying:-
'I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?' 1st Corinthians 3 v2-3
These Christians at Corinth were still like babies spiritually, they were still on the bottle. Imagine a Secondary School teacher observing a year 8 pupil taking a bottle out of their lunch box instead of a sandwich, the teacher would be astounded. Sadly there are many Christians, some saved for many years, and they are still sucking on the wee bottle.
Notice the characteristics of these immature believers, people full of strife, envy and division. It is a sad thing but our churches are full of baby Christians squabbling like toddlers over the toys in the box.
GROW UP!
'When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.' 1st Corinthians 13 v11
The same is true in the spiritual as it is in the physical. If we are to grow as Christians we need to get into the strong meat of God's Word. As our physical diet is important so is our spiritual diet. The Apostle Paul had to rebuke the Christians in Corinth for their lack of spiritual growth saying:-
'I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?' 1st Corinthians 3 v2-3
These Christians at Corinth were still like babies spiritually, they were still on the bottle. Imagine a Secondary School teacher observing a year 8 pupil taking a bottle out of their lunch box instead of a sandwich, the teacher would be astounded. Sadly there are many Christians, some saved for many years, and they are still sucking on the wee bottle.
Notice the characteristics of these immature believers, people full of strife, envy and division. It is a sad thing but our churches are full of baby Christians squabbling like toddlers over the toys in the box.
GROW UP!
'When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.' 1st Corinthians 13 v11
Monday, 22 March 2010
Courage of her Convictions
Congratulations to the Cookham B&B owner Susanne Wilkinson who turned away to Sodomite men from her establishment last Friday night. Mrs Wilkinson explained that it was against her policy to accommodate same sex couples in the same room.
Doubtless this brave lady will face the wrath of the liberal media for her stand and she may even find herself falling foul of the imorale 'Equality Act 2006'. It has been reported that the men who were turned away have reported the incident to Thames valley Police.
Pray for Mrs Wilkinson in the coming days.
'The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.' James 5 v16
Doubtless this brave lady will face the wrath of the liberal media for her stand and she may even find herself falling foul of the imorale 'Equality Act 2006'. It has been reported that the men who were turned away have reported the incident to Thames valley Police.
Pray for Mrs Wilkinson in the coming days.
'The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.' James 5 v16
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Diversion Tactics
The Roman Catholic Church has been somewhat under the cosh in the past few weeks due to the continuing child abuse scandal within her ranks. Only this week the Pope has decided to write a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics in an effort to restore confidence in the Church. The Catholic Primate of Ireland Cardinal Daly had to apologize this week for not alerting anyone about a certain abuser within the Churches ranks even though he had knowledge of the accusations.
If ever an institution needed something to divert attention from it's problem perverts the Catholic Church does. They must have had a brainstorming session over in Rome this week because it looks like they have found something to divert attention from bad news and get the faithfull back on board. Guess what? The Virgin Mary has appeared again! What a stroke of good fortune!
The Vatican has announced a commission to investigate the apparent daily appearances of the Virgin Mary in the Bosnian town of Medjugorge. According to reports on the BBC this afternoon the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to six individuals every day since June 1981.
Am I just sceptical or does it not seem strange that the Catholic Church chooses this week of bad headlines to announce this commission? After all these alleged appearances were first reported almost 30 years ago. I fear this corrupt organisation would do anything to improve it's public image.
We must realise this is not a church in the Biblical sense but rather it is a pagan, satanic cult masquerading as Christianity. Pray that the Lord will open the eyes of it's blinded adherents and may they find the only true means of salvation. Not Mary, not the Mother Church but the Lord Jesus Christ.
'Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' Acts 4 10-12
If ever an institution needed something to divert attention from it's problem perverts the Catholic Church does. They must have had a brainstorming session over in Rome this week because it looks like they have found something to divert attention from bad news and get the faithfull back on board. Guess what? The Virgin Mary has appeared again! What a stroke of good fortune!
The Vatican has announced a commission to investigate the apparent daily appearances of the Virgin Mary in the Bosnian town of Medjugorge. According to reports on the BBC this afternoon the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to six individuals every day since June 1981.
Am I just sceptical or does it not seem strange that the Catholic Church chooses this week of bad headlines to announce this commission? After all these alleged appearances were first reported almost 30 years ago. I fear this corrupt organisation would do anything to improve it's public image.
We must realise this is not a church in the Biblical sense but rather it is a pagan, satanic cult masquerading as Christianity. Pray that the Lord will open the eyes of it's blinded adherents and may they find the only true means of salvation. Not Mary, not the Mother Church but the Lord Jesus Christ.
'Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' Acts 4 10-12
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