Debt crisis

It has been the constant theme of news reports, and the constant worry of many people - debt.  Many people have found themselves in over their head with no hope of ever getting back into the black.  This crushing burden has led some people to alcohol, drugs and even suicide.  The immense, intense pressure must be crippling to those involved.  The thought of some wealthy philanthropist coming along to bail them out would surely be a dream come true.

Special appearance

I hope you all have had a good Christmas, and that you take some time for serious reflection on the person who was born at Bethlehem and the purpose of that birth. 

Licence to kill?

I heard a very strange criticism of Christianity today.  A Muslim was responding to claims about Islam being a religion of violence, and he said in response that Christianity teaches violence because in one of the Lord's parables there is a nobleman who commands that his enemies be brought out and slain before him.  This, said the Muslim, shows that Christ taught His people to slaughter unbelievers!  If that is the case then for the past 2000 years Christians have been very remiss in fulfilling their obligations to their Lord.  However, the Muslim got it wrong!

Religious atheists

"Religion causes all the wars, all the fanatics etc. etc. If there was no religion wouldn't the world be wonderful!"  This is not only obviously and demonstrably wrong, but it leaves atheism with egg on its face.

Faith - strong but wrong, or slight but right?

I used to work with a lady who told me about how strong her faith was, and so it was!  I could never manage to believe what she believed!  Hers was the faith that is justly condemned by atheists (and by the Bible) - faith without evidence (a faith that atheists exercise often!)

Follow the signs. If you see the ruined temple you've gone too far.

Sometimes when you get directions they give you a landmark that is beyond your turn, and if you arrive at this landmark you know you've gone too far and missed your turn-off - it's time to look for a turning opportunity and go back.  It's a good thing when you've got something like that because it ensures you don't continue down the wrong road indefinitely.

He loves me, He loves me not?

I want to follow up on a similar theme from the last post about the issue of the love of God.  We saw that the love of God and the wrath of God weren't opposite, but what about the love of God and the hatred of God - surely they are opposite, are they not?

Build your own god?

I was speaking to a lady about the Gospel and I quoted a verse that speaks about the wrath of God (John 3 v 36).  She said, "Oh, my God's not a God of wrath.  My God is a God of love."

The pot calling the kettle black?

I recently heard Richard Dawkins encourage believers in God to grow up and stop believing in God just because the belief gives them comfort.

It's not true because I don't want it to be!

There is a difference between belief and make-believe, although some people don't seem to realise it.

Name calling

I read a very sad story some time ago about a man who felt a stabbing pain in his chest and he called the emergency services, but when the ambulance arrived at his house the paramedics waited 15 minutes before entering, and when they got in they found he had died.  Their delay probably cost the man his life.

Sorry, Christopher, wrong again

I have just watched Jeremy Paxman's (more than slightly sycophantic) interview Christopher Hitchens (can be found on BBC iPlayer).  Christopher shows again that he doesn't have a clear understanding of the Gospel and the God he so vigorously and vocally rejects.

What animal buries its head in the sand?

Apparently it's not the ostrich!  In fact, it's not an animal at all that does it, but many people do...

Where else would you get it?

I was interested to hear on a radio broadcast recently a former Wiccan talk about how and why he became a Christian.

N/A

Some people are a bit sceptical when they hear Christians say that certain Old Testament laws don't apply today - it seems these Christians are just picking and choosing what bits of the Bible they want to obey and what they want to throw out.