Ever felt you didn’t fit in?

“He reached down and took hold of me…he drew me out of deep waters.” Psalm 18:16

God has a word for us.When Jesus began his public ministry he used Isaiah 61 as a declaration of intent. The Old Testament furnishes many texts about the meaning of Messiah which he might have used: Messiah as King, Judge, Hero, Rescuer…Instead Jesus used a text which perfectly expressed the urgency of his compassion: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn…. A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”We meet in the anointing of Jesus. We are his body and we are directed into his ministry. And the calling that was upon him is upon us.And as we open our eyes to one another and to the community around us we see a whole world of pain: those with a feeling of inner emptiness or pain, the emotionally hurt or crushed, the broken hearted, those needing inner healing, emotional healing or the healing of memories. Also those struggling with the problem of anger, those needing to forgive others, those needing freedom from the negative affects that anger causes. Also those with mental problems, mental disorders, eating disorders and addictions such as: depression, anorexia, bulimia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, bipolar disorder, nervous breakdown, obsessive thoughts. Also those troubled in mind, suffering from demonisation, the demonised or demon possessed and those who are afflicted or influenced in mind by evil spirits or evil thoughts. When you consider the scale of this pain, we dare not rely upon our own resources, or intellect…. There’s just too much! And so we seek the Holy Spirit and we turn to the Bible.The Bible says, “Guard your heart with all wisdom, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs). The Word of God is full of deep and wonderful truth. Many Christian advise us to “guard our hearts” in friendships. It is indeed wise to guard both our emotions and our expectations. We must be wise, and not needlessly expose ourselves to hurt or disappointment.

Even those of us who have had wonderful families, perhaps Christian families, will know that no parent is perfect. We are always going to get let down or hurt at some point. Those of us who have come from more troubled backgrounds will probably have learnt that really you cannot live with your security based on people. Parents and other friends should be an encouragement to us; loving us and being a positive input into our lives. But when this is not the case, we can be devastated. How ever fortunate or not we are with the people we have around is, our security must be in God. He is the one who made us and who loves us like no one else could. Although it is very normal to look for encouragement and approval from those around us, we must not allow disappointment to devastate us if our hopes are not realised.

In this life, we need human companions as well as God for a companion (Genesis 2:18). If there is no one around you at the moment who is providing this friendship, at least in some way, then actively try to find it. Search for people, If necessary, move church or even where you live, researching where you might go. Life can become a constant test of survival, where you have no real choice apart from just to accept suffering and to stick it out.

God – The Rock, is secure

It can take time to know healing from our hurts and disappointments, and with this to trust God and truly place him as our security. Disappointment is a nasty enemy. We may hope for just simple, basic things in life. Maybe good friends, or a partner to share our live with. But our track record registers disappointment. However, we need not loose hope when we know God. We may not get all we want or hope for, and this is hard to accept when other people seem happy and are enjoying themselves.

With God, all good things are possible. If it is confidence you need, he can bring it, and if it is a miracle you need, he can answer your prayer. Don’t give up or loose hope, and do gain encouragement and help form where ever you can. If there is some sort of a spiritual curse over your life, which stifles you living in freedom and enjoying good things, then he can break it by his power (Colossians 2:13-15)

Grasping to hope

You may be in the depths of pain and disappointment. It may be of some hope to think that Jesus has always been through worse than us. Perhaps it is as if you are finding it hard to breath, such is the fear and depression that chokes you. Jesus must have experienced this and more as he suffered for us on the cross. We at least get to catch our breath, though we suffer.

When we feel very low or isolated, even very basic recognition from other Christians can lift us and bring us hope. It allows us a wonderful glimpse of God and of how life can be for us on earth. Sometimes we feel that we are hanging on for dear life. A friend once used an image to encourage himself. It was of seeing himself in deep waters, drowning. That’s how he felt at the time. He saw a helicopter – which represented Jesus, hovering over the water, and someone reached down to rescue him from the seas. This brings to mind Psalm 18:16:

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me, he drew me out of deep waters”.

Selfless Trust in God

Healing really can take time. However, we find moments of relief and hope, and quickly learn to take every bit of encouragement that we can get. There is so much hope and encouragement in the Word of God. Don’t ever loose hope when you know God, as he can restore and heal, and he will never leave you. If you do miss out in life, and do not get all that you hope for on earth, he will make things up to you in Heaven. Provision and healing will be made complete. God is perfect, and he will richly reward us if we are faithful, he will not deprive us of good things.

We are all on our way home to Heaven, and on the journey we can know the healing and power of Jesus in our lives. We can know comfort, peace and provision, as well as the privilege of serving others and sharing God with those who do not know him. Hold on, and hold fast to God’s hand. He will never let go. In a field of wounded soldiers, try to get up off your feet and help those who are in need around you. Follow the example of Jesus, and in so doing, know him more.

 

 

Thinking Allowed

Yes, but what do you think?

I remember meeting a colleague at one of those Vicar-conference- type things whilst some charismatic rumpus was doing the rounds (like a hawk in a dovecote), and he said to me without a trace of irony:  ”What do we believe about it?”

It’s so easy to toe party-lines… to put your brain into deep-freeze… or even simply to let your thinking follow the line of least resistance. It requires a conscious effort to “love God, with all your… mind”. But the truth is that thinking is allowed. It’s good for you.

OK. So having stated the thesis, let’s test it. Apparently, (Telegraph 16/2) senior Church of England bishops are concerned that last week’s Synod vote to allow the church rather than the Prime Minister to have the final say in choosing diocesan bishops may lead to disestablishment. Church Commissioner Peter Bruinvels said the Church was ‘weakening [its] constitutional place at the heart of decision making’, but Philip Giddings, chairman of the Church’s mission and public affairs council, claimed the Government was still ‘committed to establishment’.

In contrast, a UN report claiming that more than 60% of British people have no religious affiliation has called for the Church of England to be separated from the state as its current privileged position does not reflect ‘the religious demography of the country’.

Bit like the BBC hanging on to the privilege of licence fees?

Next week,  (according to Guardian 21/2) a delegation of Islamic academics and theologians are meeting at the Vatican to discuss the open letter A Common Word Between Us and You sent to the Pope in October 2007 which highlighted the similarities between the two faiths. That should solve everything shouldn’t it?

By contrast, it was great to hear  (Church Times 22/2) that churches in Bridgend County Borough are responding to the numbers of apparent suicides among 17- to 25-year-olds in the area. The ecumenical ‘street pastor’ initiative works in Bridgend town, where according to the Area Dean of Bridgend, Revd Michael Komor, they are ‘well placed to engage with the young people’. Churches in the deanery will open for a day in the next few weeks, offering a safe space to ‘ask the questions’ and the multi-agency suicide prevention group for the area will include a church representative. However Mr Komor questioned recent press coverage, saying it gave the impression that ‘you’d only got to live in the area’ to feel suicidal.  

So where does it start, this thinking business? Apparently, an incredible improvement in behavior and academic progress followes the introduction of a ‘Philosophy for Children’ course in 2004 (BBC Online). A Year 4 teacher from the school in Warsall, Beckton said that the course helped children in her class ‘listen and respond appropriately’, express ‘original thoughts’ and ‘demonstrate judgments based on reason’. The school has now produced a DVD Thinking Allowed to illustrate the success of the course.

If only thinking was allowed for people over the age of 9.

Yes, but what do we believe about it?

Life, Death and the Pursuit of Oscars

Interesting to notice in a recent magazine  the recent splurge of Hollywood films with a pro-life twist. Juno, described by the CEN reviewer as a ‘beautiful, life-affirming film’, is one of several where the leading character has an unwanted pregnancy but decides to keep her baby. In the case of Juno, she considers abortion but changes her mind when she is intercepted by a classmate on a pro-life vigil. The ‘crass’ and ‘raunchy’ comedy Knocked Up, the romantic fantasy August Rush and the drama Waitress all feature women who either decide to bring their child up or have the baby adopted. Perhaps -as Hollywood observers have been quick to point out- the trend could be as much to do with good storytelling as a change of mind, but affirming the sanctity of life is always good news, isn’t it?On the other hand, Juno’s by-line (“A comedy about growing up and the bumps along the way”) is about as trivialising as you can get.But this is the territory – with Corrie, Eastenders, and the rest (Hollyoaks? Skins?) – this is where our society does its moralising, its decision-making. And if the media makes an occasional  plug for what we agree is right behaviour, why gripe?

God Speaks Quietly

Have you ever heard a quiet voice
deep down within your being,
A voice so soft, still, and calm,
it stops and sends fear fleeing?

It comes in times of trouble,
when things appear most grim.
Other times it comes for no other reason
than to let us know it comes from Him.

God tells us things so simply stated,
it’s hard to misunderstand.
Yet the things He speaks go against the flesh,
but exposes His loving hand.

He sometimes gives us answers,
for which we desperately seek.
Other times, He gives the words
He wants us to earnestly speak.

Have you ever been utterly confused
not knowing which way to go,
Then suddenly the choice becomes so clear,
you wonder how you didn’t know?

Has there ever arisen a crisis,
leaving you anxious with an unresolved need;
Only to have things suddenly go into reverse
and from the crisis you’re freed?

Not only does God speak to us
in His still small voice,
He actively moves to accomplish His will;
giving us reason to rejoice.

That soft calm voice has given me peace,
each time I’ve been overwhelmed by fear.
When I listen closely, He always speaks
the exact words I need to hear.

And when I find myself in trouble,
He always hears my unspoken plea.
He comes in and sets things right,
and His perfect will I’m able to see.

I’m in a crisis as I sit and write this,
and it’s totally beyond my control.
The circumstances are overwhelming.
Yet, there’s peace inside my soul.

No matter what the outcome,
there’s one thing I’m certain of -
I’ve heard the quiet voice of God,
assuring me of His love.From Farida

Everything is spiritual -in its own way?

Everything –according to Rob Bell- is spiritual. And of course he’s completely right. It’s just a question of whether its bad spiritual or good spiritual.

And the wisdom to know the difference.

So can you help me here? Let me run some things by you and you decide which part of the good/bad spectrum they belong…. Treat it like a News Quiz with a moral twist.

Last week (31/1) the Telegraph reported on a Romanian Orthodox ex-priest, Daniel Corogeanu. He was convicted last year, freed pending appeal, and now jailed for seven years for the murder by crucifixion of a young nun who had symptoms of schizophrenia. She had been bound and chained to a cross and denied water for some days in a long-drawn-out ‘exorcism’ ritual. Corogeanu said that she was beyond salvation and claimed his action was justified.

Now I’m pretty sure that that’s bad.

But –bearing in mind the importance of us all getting along, and “doing the hard work of putting up with each other” (as The Message puts it somewhere)- how do you rate this new development in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: For the first time in its 100-year history the WPCU has concluded with a service in St Paul Outside the Walls, Rome with Pope Benedict XVI taking part with World Council of Churches general secretary Revd Dr Samuel Kobia, as well as about 30 other leaders of Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches. The week started in Graymoor, New York in January 1908 under the title ‘Octave of Prayer for Church Unity’. (http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6657).

Good, bad or indifferent?

Or Dr John Sentamu having a pint with the pope? (Well, not exactly). When Tony Blair had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, he gave him a gift, as is customary, a painting of Catholic convert Cardinal Newman. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was more down to earth. On his first trip to Rome to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Archbishop presented His Holiness with a special beer brewed for the occasion at Masham, North Yorks. The Pope, a Bavarian by birth, is said to prefer beer to wine and water. (The Guardian (29/1)

Or Rowan Williams expostulating on the Blasphemy laws? (I’m not even convinced that in our day and age blasphemy is an issue that can be dealt with by legislation). Delivering the James Callaghan Memorial Lecture in the House of Lords this week, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said the current blasphemy legislation was unworkable and should be repealed. Whatever replaced it should clearly signal what was acceptable, and have the effect of stigmatising and punishing the extreme behaviours, and cruel forms of speaking and acting, that silence argument. Church Times (1/2)

I guess it’s good  (but I’ll wait for your comments to be sure) to see two senior Catholic leaders, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Bishop Crispian Hollis, arriving in Zimbabwe earlier this week as guests of the Zimbabwean Catholic Bishops’ Conference following a visit to South Africa. They stressed the pastoral, rather than political, nature of their visit which nevertheless comes at a time when opposition within the country to the dictatorial regime of Robert Mugabe is mobilising.

And the Revd Charlie Cleverley, Rector of St Aldate’s, a thriving charismatic evangelical church in the heart of Oxford, is claiming  non-Muslim residents will be driven away by the thrice-daily loudspeaker calls to prayer over the eastern part of the city proposed by leaders of a new mosque there. Mr Cleverley, who previously led a church in a Muslim area of Paris, said the ‘azan’ minaret call to prayer was ‘un-English’ and risked ‘ghettoisation’ of the area in years to come.  Source: The Times (30/1) .

So how do you vote? Cleverley or uncleverly? Does this “getting along” business include people outside the Church. I suspect so.

A group of evangelical C of E bishops has urged wavering delegates to be willing to attend the 10-year Lambeth Conference, which has been threatened by divisions over appointments of practising homosexual priests and bishops. They are urging support for the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Windsor Process in working towards resolution and unity. Church of England Newspaper (31/1).

Bad spiritual or good spiritual? What does God think of the Lambeth Conference striving for unity as the expense of doctrine? Help me out here.

I was interested to read of The Black Christian Leaders Forum’s (BCLF) appeal following a meeting last week with the Department for Children, Schools and Families for more black men to come forward to train as teachers who will be effective role models and mentors. Wale Hudson-Roberts, racial justice co-ordinator for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, agreed with the call but added that the profession needed more black teachers in senior positions to effect a change, and that teachers generally required training to better understand black culture, where assertiveness was often mistaken for aggression.  Baptist Times (31/1).

I vote a tentative good.

And finally, Respondents to the British Social Attitudes Survey 2008, which questioned over 3,000 people, concluded that marriage is fairly irrelevant, although stable relationships are important. The majority considered that there was no difference between being married and cohabiting, even when raising children, and two-thirds believed that divorce could be a positive step. This flies in the face of David Cameron’s affirmation of marriage and desire to halt the disintegration of the family as the key to mending what he describes as our broken society. Sources: The Times (29/1).

Strange to find myself with David Cameron on this one.

Demolishing the Obsolete?

I remember a sign in Cologne Cathedral saying: “This is not a museum.” Fair point, I guess, but when I read in the Catholic Herald of the £3m to shore up the ruins of Westminster Cathedral, I wonder if that news belongs as a piece of “Christian news” or does it belong in English Heritage Weekly etc? Westminster Cathedral, the UK’s premier Roman Catholic place of worship, could close within 10 years unless urgent structural repairs are carried out. The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, launched a £3 million restoration appeal on Wednesday. He said the Grade 1 listed building ‘is recognised as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and Byzantine art in the world. However, time has taken its toll and we must now take urgent action to ensure the future of this living house of prayer.’ Begun in 1895, the Cathedral draws some 4,000 worshippers each Sunday and has relied entirely on donations from parishioners.

I was interested to read  (The Times 15/1) of students of La Sapienza University (in Rome) forcing Pope Benedict to call off a lecture on the basis of his ‘obscurantist’ position on science. Some 67 academics also wrote claiming the visit was inappropriate. They felt ‘offended and humiliated’ –apparently- by a statement he made twenty years back shrugging off Galileo’s heresy trial as justified within the context of the time. ‘No voice should be silenced in our country least of all that of the Pope’ commented Prime Minister Romano Prodi. It’s a similar kind of picture isn’t it? Our buildings are museums and our leaders museum-pieces?

In Zimbabwe, truncheons were used by the state police to break up twenty Anglican congregations. Although the Province of Central Africa replaced Rt Revd Nolbert Kunonga with Dr Sebastian Bakare, the former bishop and ally of President Mugabe, he has refused to step down. On Saturday he said the country’s churches now belonged to a new ‘Church of the Province of Zimbabwe’. The police then issued circulars warning that only services conducted by priests loyal to Kunonga could be attended. The Archbishop of Canterbury condemned ‘unequivocally the use of state machinery to intimidate opponents of the deposed bishop’ and declared his support for Bishop Bakare. Dr Bakare confirmed that Anglican churches would again defy the ban this Sunday.

 The demolition story goes on: (Church of England Newspaper 18/1): The government of Orissa state has supported last week’s torching of churches and Christian homes. A wave of ‘premeditated, pre-planned’ attacks by Hindu extremists has forced over 3,000 Christians to flee their homes and the CNI General Secretary, Revd Enos Das Pradhan, said the attacks were accompanied by the ‘utter collapse of the law and order machinery.’ The All-India Christian Council reported that 95 churches were attacked and the homes of 730 Christian families destroyed. Mr Pradhan appealed for prayer for Bishop Kumar Kayak and local Christians to ‘keep witnessing through their lives at this hour of oppression and atrocities.’

Are moral reservations also something that’s obsolete and worthy of wholesale demolition? According to the CEN Newspaper (18/1). The House of Lords has voted 2 to 1 in favour of plans to create hybrid human and animal embryos, despite warnings from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester. The experiments will involve injecting human DNA into empty eggs from cows in order to increase the pool of eggs available for research into diseases like Parkinson’s and spinal muscular dystrophy. Archbishop Rowan Williams told the Lords debate there were ‘major moral reservations’ concerning the plans. He was alarmed by the health minister’s use of the phrase ‘the human end of the spectrum’. Dr Williams also voiced concern at the lack of clear thinking as legislation ‘inexorably [moves] towards a more instrumental view of how we may treat human organisms’. Members of the group Christian Concern for our Nation wore animal masks as they demonstrated opposition to the Bill outside the Lords.

But take heart, there are other kinds of demolition at work, the magazine Christianity (Feb 08) carries a story about  a Christian-led education project that has won a National Youth Justice award after it slashed youth crime in a London borough by 58.5 per cent year-on-year. The Spark2Life programme received the team award for making an ‘outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime’ at this year’s Criminal Justice System (CJS) awards. Youth worker Dez Brown developed the programme in Wandsworth schools with the backing of police and the local education authority. Linked to school citizenship and PSHE courses, it combined a keynote talk with classroom sessions and a mentoring scheme in 13 schools. Following this success, Mr Brown hopes to take the programme to other boroughs and cities.

And finally, as thousands of debt-ridden families wake up to the reality of Christmas overspending, a Christian charity is offering churches the chance to come to their aid. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has produced CAP Money, a course featuring Alpha-type filmed talks, to help people budget their way out of hardship. CAP founder John Kirkby said they were launching the course ‘in response to the overwhelming demand for a simple, easy-to-follow money management course that will make a long-term difference.’ Alan Meyer, senor minister of Elim Community Church in Carlisle, said a pilot scheme they had run ‘had a fantastic response’. ‘We are looking forward to using it as an evangelistic tool because of the huge impact it is able to make in people’s lives,’ he added. Meanwhile, the Methodist Church has produced thousands of fake credit cards bearing the inscription ‘Buy L£ss, Live More’. The cards are designed as a reminder to fit in a wallet and carry the inscription ‘MARK 10:17-27’ in place of a credit card number. 

“Demolishing strongholds” and upholding values…. and the wisdom to know the difference?

NO-GO AREAS: The Gospel in modern culture

One wonders, post Jerry Springer: The Opera about the effective existence of any blasphemy laws. In terms of language: what constitutes a no-go area? But should we, nonetheless, give a cautious welcome to the new government promise to hold ‘short and sharp’ talks over plans to scrap blasphemy laws? Justice Minister Maria Eagle made the announcement in a Commons debate on the issue on Tuesday. Government whips had instructed Labour MPs to vote against Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris’s pro-scrapping amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. Dr Harris withdrew his amendment after the Government promised to bring forward its own amendments to abolish the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. Church spokesmen themselves recognise that the current law only covers Christian and particularly Church of England beliefs and, in practice, it is unlikely to be used. A C of E spokesman said debates on the crime of incitement to religious hatred had raised the need to review blasphemy legislation (BBC online (9/1). Would it not be better to reconsider the concept of blasphemy altogether?

Speaking of which, consider last week’s claim that multiculturalism and growing Islamic extremism have created ‘no-go’ areas in Britain which were rejected by the Prime Minister and questioned by other Christians this week. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Rt Revd Michael Nazir-Ali, (ABOVE, himself a convert from Islam), said ‘the ideology of Islamic extremism’ has ‘become a mark of acceptability’ to disaffected young Muslims. This has resulted in ‘already separate communities’ becoming hostile to those of a different faith or race. Prime Minister Gordon Brown denied this, saying ‘there are pressures’ but ‘I don’t accept that there are or should be [any] no-go areas’ (Well, he wouldn’t, would he?). The Bishop’s comments were supported by Barnabas Fund founder Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, but other church leaders were wary of undermining increasing inter-faith listening. Birmingham clergy spoke of ‘significant support’ and ‘friendly encouragement’ from Muslim residents and leaders. (Sunday Telegraph (6/1)

The No-Go areas are somewhat more explicitly drawn elsewhere. Kenya’s Christian leaders have spoken of continuing intimidation and the trauma of the country’s post-election violence that has caused many to be living in fear. Shem Okello, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of Kenya, said hundreds of people are still sheltering in police stations. Spurgeons Child Care Kenya reported that 14 of its mostly AIDS orphans had seen their homes torched. ‘Gangs of angry young people are threatening to burn the school’ where Spurgeons is caring for them, it said. While the Opposition Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga is calling for the President to step down, both the Archbishop of Kenya and the Kenyan-born general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Revd Samuel Kobia, have called for an urgent recount and investigation of the voting dispute.

Again, somewhat similarly, in Nepal: A Nepali parliament vote to abolish the country’s monarchy could reduce prejudice and marginalisation of Christians, the Dean of Nepal believes. Although the December vote must be ratified in April, if confirmed, progression to a secular state would safeguard the rights of the country’s minority faiths. For decades, Nepal’s growing Christian community has not registered its churches to avoid the risk of being turned down. Traditionally, the king was believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu, and Hinduism was the state religion. Under a republic, Dean Norman Beale believes many churches will seek legal recognition although nationalist prejudice against Christians is likely to continue.  (Church of England Newspaper 11/1)

Finally, a curious sideline in the Times (10/1) which begs the question ACCIDENT OR DESIGN?  A Labour backbencher’s motion calling for the Church of England to cease being a state church has been awarded the number of the Beast in Revelation!John Austin’s Early Day Motion was coincidentally (??) listed as number 666 on the House of Commons order paper. Bob Russell, a Liberal Democrat signatory to the motion, said it was ‘incredible’ that a number ‘supposed to be the mark of the Devil’ should have been given by chance. ‘What is even stranger is that this motion was tabled … when MPs were debating blasphemy’. Although the motion is unlikely to be given Parliamentary time, there is growing momentum for disestablishment according to The Times.  About time too, you say?  

“For such a time as this?” Biblical theology and the fate of leaders

The book of Esther contains that familiar line that that young girl came into the kingdom “for such a time as this.” The text lays out the simple Biblical theology that God is in charge of history and individual destiny. 

Well,  I believe it. I believe that God moves in history in judgement, in mercy and in covenant: just don’t make it too simplistic for me okay?  It’s a mystery.

In respect of this mystery, we ponder the assasination of Bhutto, an event that took  ‘ONE OF PAKISTAN’S BEST HOPES’ FOR AN END TO PERSECUTION.” It is clear that the murder of Benazir Bhutto is a major setback to Christian hopes for an end to persecution in Pakistan, according to human rights agencies reported in the Church Times today (4.1.08). Nasir Saeed, director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, said Ms Bhutto’s death is ‘devastating news’ for the Christian population in Pakistan. Ms Bhutto had promised to end persecution once she succeeded in returning to Parliament. Senior members of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, representing Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities, had accompanied her at her Rawalpindi rally. In the UK, Christian Solidarity Worldwide said Ms Bhutto ‘was viewed as one of Pakistan’s best hopes’ for a democracy ‘in which the rights of all religious communities are respected’.

And whilst you consider God’s hand in history and the fate of leaders, think  about Mike Huckabee’s surprising win in the early stages of the US Presidential election (Times 4.01.08). It is reckoned to be the all-important evangelical vote that has swung behind the chirpy Baptist pastor. Evangelical Christians played a critical part yesterday in electing Baptist minister Mike Huckabee as Republican candidate in the first step of the US presidential nominations, pushing Hilary Clinton into third place. Evangelicals constitute some 30 to 50 per cent of Republican voters in Iowa’s 1,780 caucuses and Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, became their default candidate. Mitt Romney, Huckabee’s main rival, outspent Huckabee by 15 to one and was expected to win the vote. But Protestant campaigns criticising Romney’s Mormon faith and informal church networking appeared to have weakened his support. Neither candidate is likely to fare so well, however, in next Tuesday’s elections in New Hampshire, where voters are more secular-minded. Interesting to consider though?

Leaders generally suffer the reverse fate, as expressed  in the condemnation of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connnor’s remarks on the Polish Catholics in the UK.  Representatives of UK’s Polish Catholics have attacked the cardinal  for voicing fears that Polish immigrants are creating a separate church in Britain. The Archbishop of Westminster said he hoped ‘those responsible for the Polish church here’ and Poles themselves would integrate into local parishes ‘as soon as possible when they learn enough of the language’. But Grazyna Sikorska of the Polish Catholic Mission said the remarks were offensive to her community and left her feeling ‘violated’ and ‘spiritually raped’. A spokesman for the Cardinal moved to mend the rift. He praised the contribution of the Polish community to the Church’s life but appealed for ‘closer collaboration’. (Daily Telegraph 31.12.07). 

Conservative Anglican leaders are planning their own Lambeth alternative to be set up in Jerusalem.  Plans have been revealed to stage an alternative summit for bishops who decide to boycott the Anglican communion’s official conference in July. The website of Global Anglican Future Conference says the communion is close to breaking up over the consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson. The Jerusalem summit is designed to offer ‘fellowship and care’ for up to a third of bishops who might not attend Lambeth because of Archbishop Rowan Williams’ resolve to invite bishops from the church’s American province. Concerns about Lambeth have also been raised by the Bishop of Manchester, who is planning to attend. While criticising colleagues who plan to boycott the event, Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch is dismayed that there are no plans for a major public debate on the issue of gay clergy. Unity would not be achieved by sweeping the controversy ‘under the carpet’ he wrote in Crux, his diocesan magazine. For such a time as this…. leaders give clear signals as to where they stand.

In an interesting contrast, the Archbishop of Kenya has urged church leaders to ‘make a passionate appeal’ for ‘calm, peace and brotherly love’ and to join in prayer and fasting in the wake of violence that has claimed 250 to 300 lives. The Most Revd Benjamin Nzimbi said he was ‘in mediation’ with supporters of President Kibaki and his challenger Raila Odinga. After the election Mr Odinga accused the President of election fraud and EU monitors said the counting process ‘lacked credibility’. A wave of attacks upon members of Mr Kibaki’s Kikuyu ethnic group has about 100,000 people to flee their homes. Roman Catholic priest Fr Paul Brennan in Eldoret said churches are packed with refugees and four or five thousand have taken refuge in the region’s cathedral.

And finally, a poll of members of the Church of England General Synod has revealed widespread discontent with the position of religion in public life. More than half said Gordon Brown’s government is failing to support Christianity in the UK, but there was even deeper disappointment in the role of schools and the BBC. Here 81 and 92 percent of members respectively felt religion was being let down. Only the Queen was praised for her defence of religion in public life with eight in ten synod members supporting her. For such a time is this….

ANTICIPATING GOD’S FUTURE

A message by Robert L. Cobb“What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens.”  So said 19th century politician Benjamin Disraeli.  At every new year the experts try to determine what will happen in the forthcoming months: politically, economically, and socially.  The tabloids take it a step further.  They consult astrologers and psychics who predict the future for the new year.  Christians know that the future is not seen in the stars, or in the subconscious minds of so-called psychics.  Even the brightest and best minds can not predict what 2008 holds for us.  Humanly speaking, we would do well to remember Disraeli’s quote. But spiritually speaking, we should be wise to our immediate future.  In Matthew Chapter Sixteen, Jesus chides the Pharisees and Sadducees for not discerning the times in which they lived.  They were better at weather prediction than Bible study.  Likewise, many Christians today live in ignorance of God’s mighty workings because of Bible neglect.  What are some things we can anticipate God doing in 2008?  Are there any clear-cut answers in the Scripture?  Where will we be this time next year?

 I.   Anticipating God’s Grace  -He Will Save!

We know that God works through human witness to win the lost.  Some may say they believe in God’s saving power, but their actions speak differently, but the following verses are still in the Bible: 1Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.We have not passed unknowingly into a new dispensation in which God has ceased saving by grace through faith.  He is still convicting!  He is still drawing! He is still saving!  I remind you of the story of David and Mephibosheth in which David said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?”  In the parable of the great supper, the servant reported back to his lord, “Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room.”    God would have us anticipate His grace in 2008.  There is yet room in the House of God!  There is yet room in the Family of God!  There is yet room at the feet of Jesus! 

 II.  Anticipating God’s Goodness  -He Will Bless! 

In John 11, Lazarus was seriously sick.  Mary and Martha, in verse three, send for Jesus.  They knew the nature of Christ.  They knew that He loved Lazarus and wanted the best for him.  We focus on Martha’s unbelief as Christ confronts her after Lazarus’ death.  But what of her great statement: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.”  She anticipated the goodness of God.  She anticipated a blessing.  Certainly, the passage teaches us that God is in control even when we may not understand His purposes.  But we should anticipate the spiritual blessings that God promised us in this Age of Grace. Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ

:III. Anticipating God’s Guidance  -He Will Lead! 

So many people today don’t know what to do or where to turn.  Christians, too, seem to have trouble finding their way.  This should not be true.  The believer has One who leads him.  “He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”  He led Moses to the back side of the desert and then to confront the Pharoah.  He led Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, & Daniel.  He will lead us as well.  

IV.  Anticipating God’s Genius   -He Will Speak! 

Young Samuel heard the voice of God in the house of Eli the priest, but was not anticipating it.  He misread the voice and thought it came from Eli.  Eli made him aware that God was speaking to him and afterward he said, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”  God will speak to us in 2008.  Hen speaks through the preaching of His Word, if we have ears to hear.  He speaks through personal Bible study, if we enter into it seeking His voice. 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. 

V.   Anticipating God’s Governing   -He Will Rule! 

Is God at work in the affairs of humanity today?  Doubters and scoffers say “no.”  They ask, “How could God be active in the world today with such pain, suffering, and sorrow?”  Those questions are answered when we consider the sin question and man’s continual disobedience to God.  But there is no doubt to the child of God that He is providentially working today.  Psalm 59:13 says “… that they may not be: and let them know that God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.”   And Psalm 66:7 says “He rules by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations..”  God rules over nations and people. Psalm 89:9 says “You rule the raging of the sea: when the waves rise, you still them.”  So we see that God rules over the weather and natural things.   Psalm 103:19 tells us  “The LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.”  There is no aspect of the earth that God does not totally control. Ephesians 1:8-10  He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:God rules in our lives as well.  He has a master plan that He is working out in our lives.  He is conforming us into His image.  He is making us like Him.  Submit to his moulding.  May 2008 be a year that God works tremendously in your life!  

VI.  Anticipating God’s Glory   -He Will Come!

 I do not say with any authority at all that Christ will definitely return in 2008.  But I  do say that He will come  –at some point in time –of His own choosing.  Charles Spurgeon, when asked if he thought Christ might return soon, said, “I think not!”  After repeating this answer numerous times, someone finally got up enough nerve to ask him, “Doesn’t the Bible command that we anticipate Christ’s coming?  Why then do you say, ‘I think not!’?”  Spurgeon answered, “Because the Bible says, ‘in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh’. Believers have looked for Christ’s return for over 2000 years.  It seems silly in the eyes of the skeptics for us to anticipate Christ’s coming even still.  John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 2 Peter 3:3-4  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.John closes the book of Revelation with these words,  “He who testifies to these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”  Like generations before us, we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!  It could be in 2008!  So?   We don’t need to read behind the experts in the fields of economics, culture, or politics to know what 2008 holds.  We don’t need to consult the psychics and astrologers either.  The child of God needs only to consult his Bible and be available to the call of God on His life.  May we be that kind of servant in 2008!