Is life just a game?

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Sports games and competitions are very important to many people. Still, others think they are only games and so don't get too serious about them.

It got me thinking! Is life just a game? From one angle, the answer is no, it is not, and it's a very serious undertaking. You only get one run of it, so don't mess it up. The Lord Jesus warned people about wasting their lives when He said, 'And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?', Mark 8. 36, NLT. You were created to know God, and without Him, this life and the next will be very pointless and hopeless.

Yet, there's a certain truth in the notion that life is akin to a game. Just as games are meticulously planned, so too is our life. The Bible teaches that our existence is not a haphazard occurrence, but a purposeful design. Each of us is a unique creation, born with the mission to know our creator, God. As Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly' (John 10. 10).

Books

Books have been published and produced for hundreds of years. Some people predicted their demise with the advent of modern technology, such as Kindles and other electronic devices for reading. 

However, as a visit to a bookshop makes clear, books are still being produced in large quantities in hard copy, both hardback and paperback. There are still vast numbers of people who love to hold a book and turn the pages, and many also find looking at a screen a numbing and difficult experience.  

Reading is vital for education and the gaining of information. The Apostle Paul, right up to the end of his life, maintained his reading regime as he asked, in the last letter he wrote addressed to Timothy, that books be forwarded to him and also the parchments (2 Timothy 4.13). The Apostle John, in a statement of hyperbole or exaggeration to make a point, said, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21.25). He indicates that we only have a sample in the Gospel accounts of the wonders and miracles performed by Jesus.  

Quit worrying

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Have you ever wondered how people could look at the same thing but see something totally different? Why do weather forecasters tell us there’s a 30% chance of rain tomorrow? Why don’t they just say a 70% chance of radiant sunshine?

In Bible times, twelve influential men were selected to conduct an analysis of the new country to be inhabited by their nation. They were assigned the task of looking at the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats of the land. A lot was at stake. This new land had been their dream land for quite a while. A million people had been promised a better life in a better land. They were in transition, having left their life-long homes in hope of striking it rich in a new homeland. Just now they were camping in a wilderness – not really the type of a place we would want to call home. The new land was still a dream for them.

So, the Leadership Team of Twelve set out on their mission. It did not take long for some conclusions to emerge regarding the possibilities and threats. However, they could not reach agreement on their findings and a majority report had to be delivered – not an unanimous one! The majority saw only doom and gloom in the new land. The minority report filed by Caleb and Joshua was upbeat and positive with a recommendation for immediate action.

Dietary Rules

Towards the end of November every year, the village of Oystermouth in Swansea shuts down to traffic for the best part of a day while the local populace come together to turn on the Christmas lights.  The actual event takes place just outside the church I belong to, so we usually open up to serve tea, coffee and mince pies to the locals.  As well as giving mince pies to those coming into the church, we also hand them out to those outside in the street.

A couple of years ago, we were approached by a member of the trading standards who told us that we couldn’t give the mince pies out the way we had been doing.  He went on to inform us that we had to have a sign on the tray stating EXACTLY what was in the pies.  

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but over recent years we seem to have become far more aware of the food that we eat, and the changes have all taken place in my lifetime.

River of Light Liverpool 2024

Last night I visited the River of Lights in Liverpool with my family. It was impressive. Here are some photos. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Stephen 

What is love?

Different people have very different ideas about what love is. Some people would describe it as a romantic idea of a feeling that they might have towards another, others would think of the almost unbreakable bond with a brother or sister, whereas some would think of the sacrificial love of a mother or father for their children.

Love can be a fleeting thing or last a lifetime. Love is shown in very different ways also. For some it is an extravagant gift, for others it is shown through a handmade gift. It can be demonstrated through loyalty or a demonstrable statement, it can be quietly providing or always there to listen in a time of need.

Some people make the great mistake of thinking that they show love by letting their loved ones get away with things. This never works, many people are selfish and if they get away with something, they will often repeat their misdemeanour, this often causes further hurt. 

Some parents think that overlooking their child’s faults is loving, however this just creates spoilt children, who if uncorrected, will carry many of these faults into adulthood. 

We need to consider our behaviours. In Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12 we are told that, ‘There is a way that seems right to a man’. So, we may well have a notion that we can behave as we see fit yet be bringing harm to ourselves and to others. We need to be warned about it. God does this in the second part of that verse, ‘but its end is the way of death!’ That is a stark warning. God is warning us, because Heloves us, it might be 

tough love, but heeding the warning may well save us from eternal death. 

God has shown His love to us in other ways too, in fact, in Romans chapter 5 verse 8 tells us how He has demonstrated His most amazing love, it tells us, ‘Christ died for us!’ To die to save someone is a huge display of love and this is the perfect Son of God dying for us! The rest of the verse says that He died, ‘While we were still sinners!’ It would have been amazing if He had died for those that were attempting to live perfect lives, or those that had turned over new leaves, but He died for us while we were still sinning. Our sin offends God, He hates it, and even if we tried to be sinless, we would fail as we all sin. He still loved us and Christ died to save us. 

1 John chapter 4 verse 10 tells us what love is, but it is not our love for God. We should love God more, for He supplies us with so many blessings, some that we do not even realise, some we just take for granted. The verse expresses what love actually is, it is that He loved us. When I consider why God loved me, I really struggle to understand. What is loveable about me a sinner who offends God time and time again?

There is nothing that a righteous, holy God could love. Naturally I would go my own way and ignore God’s way, I would wonder away like a straying sheep! So why does God love me and love you with this immense, indescribable, extreme love? The answer has to be that He loves me because He chose to love me!

I have responded to the love of God and the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ to die for me, by trusting in His Son and turning from my sin to Him. I love Him because He first loved me. How do you respond to His great unconditional love?

DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (09/10/24)

Written by STUART SCAMMELL 

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Lesson from 'The Sun'

Recently, I heard a quote from a preacher who lived in the 1800s. His name was Charles Spurgeon. He loved the Bible and preached thousands of sermons from it. But more importantly, he loved the God of the Bible and believed in Him. 

I heard a quote about the Sun. Charles Spurgeon believed it was a significant part of God’s incredible creation. 

It is an incredible fact that the Sun, which our planet orbits, is 15 million degrees Celsius at its core and a mere 5,500 degrees Celsius at its surface. This vast, enormous ball of glowing gas produces more energy in 1.5 millionths of a second than all 7 billion humans will use in one year. Yet when we consider our planet, the poles are frozen, and the equator is almost too hot to live on, but we live on bands of the earth with the right temperature for life. If our planet was closer to the Sun, we would all burn up; if we were further away, we would all freeze. God has placed the world in precisely the right position for life. 

Coffee Chat

Two men, Mike and Graham, were talking together over a cup of coffee. Mike was telling Graham about how his brother had just died suddenly and had left a house full of junk that had to be cleared away.

“There was nothing of value there,” said Mike, “Stuart was always a bit of a hoarder and would never throw anything away. Magazines, books, records, Stu had hundreds of them.” Graham, who was a collector at heart, pricked up his ears.

“Books?” he said, feeling curious, “I don’t suppose he had any old books.”

“Oh there were plenty of old books,” came the reply, “but I’d never heard of half of them.”

“Really?” said Graham.

“Yes. There was one scruffy old thing – a Bible – somebody named Guten- something had printed it, but it was in some sort of old English that I couldn’t read”

“Not Gutenberg!” exclaimed the book lover in horror. “That Bible was one of the first books ever printed.  Why, a copy of it recently sold for over two million pounds.”

“Well this one wouldn’t,” said Mike with conviction. “It was ruined.  Somebody called Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German.”

I doubt if this story is true – although perhaps it is.  After all, people so often have something of worth within their grasp and fail to realise its true value. A Gutenberg Bible would indeed be a much sought-after prize and would sell at a very high price.

But what, at the end of the day, determines value? The Bible in our story would have a great value but only because somebody, somewhere, truly wanted it for its rarity or its antiquity.  Something’s worth is represented by what someone is willing to give for it.

So if you want to find something of true worth, just go and look in the mirror.  For God places a great value on you as an individual.  The Bible – not just a Gutenberg, but any Bible – tells us that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son.  Although the verse speaks of the world as a whole, the giving was on a personal level.  God gave His Son to die a shameful death on the cross because He loved and valued you and me as an individuals.

I repeat what I said earlier - Something’s worth is represented by what someone is willing to give for it.  If God gave His Son for you, think how precious you are to Him.

DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (03/09/24)

Written by STEPHEN TRESEDER 

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This is your Life

Those four little words came as a surprise to so many celebrities when caught by Eamonn Andrews and his “Red book” back in the 1960s. 

Those of a certain age may recall that all the research for each programme was done under a  heavy cloak of secrecy, so that, when the “victim” was finally caught on camera, it came as a complete surprise.

All that remained in each programme was for the person under the spotlight to be escorted to the TV studio to have their story told to the viewing public through friends and acquaintances.

This is your life!  

But what, exactly, is life?

Future proof living

Do you have any plans for today, the next few days, weeks, months or later on in the year? What are you looking forward to most? Do you have a special birthday coming up? Do you have an engagement party or a wedding to look forward to, maybe? Do you have a holiday planned? 

Where does God fit in to any plans that you have made for a future date? I once heard this excellent advice a few years ago: “Plan as if Christ’s return were years away but live as if it were today.” Can I ask how do you respond to that advice? 

It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” He also said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” These are wise words and reinforce the quote I have already shared with you. 

North Korea

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We know little of the real truth about the country of North Korea so to begin to understand this very independent country one needs to go back over a century. Following the Donghak Peasant Revolution the Great Korean Empire came into being in 1897, but Korea was strategically very important to Japan, who annexed the country and for years enforced its occupation in a ruthless way. 

Protest demonstrations took place but the military and police fired into groups of Korean Christians singing hymns. Christian leaders were nailed to wooden crosses to die. Police beheaded small children, besides burning down churches. It may surprise some that Korea was once considered a christian country and up to the Second World War was an active mission field. The Japanese did seek to counteract the growth of christianity by its pagan Shinto religion. The north actually had more christians than the south of the country but later the division of the nation saw many christians flee to the south.

The Japanese rule over Korea ended at the close of the Second World War. Korea then became governed as two countries according to a plan put in place by the U.S.A. The border being drawn across the 38th parallel on a map. thus dividing the nation into north and south. This was considered to be a temporary arrangement, the people having a desire for the country to be unified again. This sadly was not the case and tension between both sides led finally to the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 involving not only Koreans but the U.S.A. Britain, France, China and the then Soviet Union. The war was one of the most devastating in history and finally ended in an armistice in what is known as the Demilitarised Zone, that still divides the two countries today. North Korea continues to claim that they are the victors and annual celebrations coupled with a wealth of constant propaganda continue to declare this.

England v Slovakia - saved by the Bellingham!

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Winning a match at the last minute can be viewed in two ways. You could say what a pathetic team; they only won by the 'skin of their teeth' and were just lucky. Or, you might say - 'they kept pushing', 'they got there in the end', 'they shone when they needed it most' - 'they showed their colours' when they needed to or 'when push came to shove' they won! 'Saved by the Bellingham' is the latest idiom used to describe the last-minute success of the England Football team based on the well-known phrase - 'saved by the bell'.  

The phrase 'saved by the bell' is used when someone has been saved by the timely intervention of something or someone or when one has been rescued from difficulty at the last second (source - www.gingersoftware.com). 

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So, where did the phrase come from?

The widely accepted belief is that 'saved by the bell' originated as an expression about people being buried alive. The concept was that if someone was unconscious and mistakenly pronounced dead and buried, they could, if they were later revived, ring a bell attached to the coffin and be saved. This theory, while plausible, is not without its uncertainties. There's no concrete evidence that anyone was ever saved by these coffins or that they were ever used, and there's a similar lack of evidence that the phrase 'saved by the bell' was ever used in that sense before it had been used in other contexts.

Football

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It seems that sport and in particular football, namely soccer, has taken on the form of religion.  Someone once remarked that his local football club was his church and the manager was his god.  It is remarkable that chasing a ball around a pitch should bring about such great excitement but when all sport is analysed in its basic form it all seems absurd.  Years ago things were not taken quite so seriously and sometimes whole teams were reluctant to even turn up to play. 

In 1891 Blackburn Rovers were due to play Burnley but the pitch was covered with snow as it had snowed heavily for three hours before kick off.  Very few spectators had turned up and the Blackburn Rovers’ team did not really want to continue with the match.  In the first half they did not put in much effort and by half-time were down three nil.  The interval seemed to go on for much longer than usual but eventually the Blackburn Rovers’ team turned out but as they straggled onto the pitch there were only seven of them.  The others had decided not to bother.  Ten minutes later the Rovers’ captain created a violent incident and was sent off.  This led to the other Rovers’ players deciding to do the same and walked off the pitch. This just left their goalkeeper someone by the name of Mr Arthur who rather heroically stayed at his post.

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The referee who was named Mr Clegg waited to see if any Rovers’ players might return but after some minutes there was no sign of them and so play resumed.  The Burnley team bore down on the Rovers’ goal and it would come as no surprise that in no time at all the ball was in the back of the net.  The goalkeeper insisted that they were off side and that the goal should not have counted.  This seemed to be accepted by the referee but then he decided to abandon the game. The match that had started with selfish reluctance had ended in chaotic shambles.  

We might think this is an isolated example and restricted to the sports arena, but so often in life similar things occur.  We can too easily act selfishly wanting the best for ourselves and an easier life and using any method to obtain it.  We too often think of ourselves first, then we may have concern for our family or friends but more than that very few would bother and as for God so often He does not feature in our thoughts at all nor influence our behaviour.  Selfish reluctance to do anything that does not profit us can lead to a life which is unfulfilled and declines into oblivion.  

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This is so different from the attitude of the Scottish athlete, Eric Liddell, a great sportsman who played rugby for Scotland and ran in the 1924 Olympic Games.  He was willing to sacrifice the opportunity to have a gold medal because principle was more important than status.  He wanted to honour God by obeying His commandments and so refused to run on a Sunday.  This caused consternation amongst the British team and organisers but he was insistent.  He would not compromise his Christian principles by running on a Sunday in his usual race.  Eventually a place was found for him to run in the 400 yards, which was run on a different day, and so he won his gold medal.  It was remarkable.  Later he went to China as a missionary and was interred by the Japanese where he died of a brain tumour in one of their camps.  The end was not sadness but glory.  He believed and every Christian also believes that in Christ death is not the end but the gateway to Heaven.  It is to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.  Liddell’s refusal to compromise principle revealed his true Christian faith.  He has been rewarded in the presence of God. May that be our blessing.

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DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (17/06/24)

Written by PAUL YOUNG 

Helen Cadbury

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Many associate the name Cadbury with chocolate confectionery, but one of the family members was Helen Cadbury, who founded a business far different from the business of making chocolate confectionery.

At the age of twelve, she came to know the joy of having the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. Having repented of her sin and put her faith in Christ, she wanted to tell her school friends that they, too, could have Him as their Lord and Saviour. She did this by placing a Bible on her school desk. A Christian group grew from this, but they found that heavy Bibles were difficult to cope with in the playground. So the girls had pockets sewn into their dresses so that they could carry a small New Testament. Within a few years, the group had sixty members under the name of the Pocket Testament League. Members promised to read part of their New Testaments each day and tell others how to be saved by repentance and faith in Christ.