The beauty of Courtesy

When I wrote this, I had just boarded a flight from Entebbe, Uganda, to Doha on my way home to Liverpool via Manchester. As some of you know, I have worked with a group of Christian churches in Eastern Uganda for the last four years. I try to visit them once a year, have weekly online Bible studies with them, and help co-host a weekly radio program. Every time I leave Uganda, some impressions are reinforced, and fresh impressions are made. For instance, I am always impressed by how gentle and courteous the average Ugandan is (apart from when they are driving, which is another story). Courtesy is a remarkable trait that doesn't cost you anything. In Uganda, it is normal for a child or a young person to shake hands (often using two hands) and lower themselves to the ground when greeting an older person. This is not an act of subservience but an expression of respect. 

In the UK, we must reteach our children to honour their parents and respect older people, their fellow humans and authority. I am not suggesting that every child in this country is disrespectful. Still, it is becoming a trend that erodes the structures of family, community and society. I don't see myself as that old. Still, many years ago, when I was going to school on a bus, if an older person boarded the bus (or a lady or a pregnant mum), we would be expected to stand up and offer them a seat. Even then, people began to resist that expression of respect and courtesy and would often say, 'Son, sit down; you are causing a fuss'. Recently, on the Underground in London, I noted the courtesy of a couple of young Asian men who gave up their seats for ladies - I was impressed.

The Lord Jesus Christ must have been one of the most courteous men ever. His kindness and respect for widows is well recorded, and his care for the vulnerable, the broken, and the hurting was seen regularly. Matthew records that He was 'meek and lowly in heart', and I find no note of disagreement from any who were around at the time. The picture of the Lord Jesus as a lamb points our thoughts to His suffering on the cross. It reminds us of His innocence (he was more than innocent - he was positively holy and righteous) and his gentle and flawless character.

Incredible suffering and pain is a test that often brings out the worst in most of us, especially if the way we are being treated is undeserved, unjust and unfair. But, it is in these times of suffering that the perfect character of Jesus shone the brightest. Think about how He treated those who executed him. He did not threaten them and did not use abusive language. There is no record of him swearing; in fact, it is recorded that He was more concerned about His mother's welfare than His own, John 19. 26, 27. It was a case of unbelievable suffering poured out on a man of unique and amazing character. I can't put it in the same way as the gospel writers. Reading their accounts in Matthew 27, Luke 23, Mark 15 and John 19 would be beneficial.

So, why did I start with the gentleness and courtesy of Ugandan people and end up talking about the character of Jesus? For this reason. We have lost sight of who we are - people created in the image of God. We should respect each other for that reason alone. I think we also are ignoring the pain and problems that come from ignoring God. Sin has damaged us, but the Lord Jesus came to save, heal and restore. The solution is found in the person I have just described - the Lord Jesus. Reformation in society starts with individuals. It's a problem of the heart and soul. The words of the Lord Jesus have been preserved for us so that we might have abundant life. As John the Disciple wrote - 'But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name,' John 20. 31.

All my own photos

Napoleon, Socrates or Jesus? Who would you vote for?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “If Socrates would enter the room, we should rise and do him honour, but if Jesus Christ came into the room, we should fall down on our knees and worship Him.”  Dr Luke, the writer of the third gospel account in the New Testament, would have agreed wholeheartedly with the French General.  

If ever a man wrote a book filled with good news for everybody, Dr Luke is that man. His key message is, "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save those who are lost".  He presents Jesus Christ as the compassionate Son of Man, who came to live among sinners, love them, help them, and die for them.  In Luke’s Gospel, we meet individuals as well as crowds, women and children as well as men, poor people as well as rich people, and sinners along with saints. It is a book with a message for everybody?  

Hubble Trouble!

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation to this very day. It was not the first space telescope but it is one of the largest and most versatile. Well known both as a vital research tool and as a public relations boon for astronomy, The Hubble telescope is named after astronomer Edwin Hubble. It is one of NASA's Great Observatories sent out to gather images of the distant stars and galaxies of our universe.

Do you really love people?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

There was a married couple who were disappointed not to have children of their own but they, and the husband, in particular, always claimed that they loved children.  They enjoyed having their nephews and nieces around their home and always thought they were good with children. 

They kept their garden very nicely, and it bordered on to a golf course along which they sometimes took walks.  One summer’s day, the husband was laying a concrete path to a gate that led onto the course.  He had dug out the footings and laid the boards along each side and had hired one of those machines that squirt the concrete into the right place and then spent a long time smoothing it out until it shone like glass. It was a wonderful job, well done, and he was so pleased with his accomplishment. 

COVID-19 - Who can you trust in this crisis?

There’s only one way to survive in this world today - trust in God! And, surrounded as they were by aggressive and powerful nations, there was only one way for God’s people, Israel, to survive in the promised land God had given them. The history of the children of Israel is pretty much a dismal record of how they didn’t trust their Lord. In fact their history includes a period in which they were kicked out of their land for persistently refusing to go God‘s way, but the flip side is that it is also an amazing record of God’s patient plans with people who fail big time and of God’s amazing willingness to use weak people who do trust their God. 

Celebrity Status - Acts 14

The story continues. Up until now in this book we have been reading mainly about Peter, Philip etc. The main players from chapter 12 of the book are Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy etc. God was working in many people's lives in many different ways - it is just the same today! If God is speaking to you through His word, there Bible, do not ignore it. To ignore God is dangerous and indeed can fatal.

This chapter from the Book of Acts covers a lot of ground, literally! Paul is travelling, as directed by God, so that the maximum number of people hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is interested in saving souls and he intentionally sends preachers to tell people His gospel. He still does this today, this blog is just one of the many ways that people hear the message of eternal life, through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

You might notice towards the end of the chapter that the preachers, Paul & Barnabas, are revisiting the places where people have become Christians to see how they are getting on and to help them develop and grow. Becoming a Christian is not a one off event and that's the end. It's the start of a journey and other Christians are willing to help as people make their first steps as new believers. 

Enjoy the read......

Acts 14Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6 they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7 and there they preached the gospel.

8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: 9 the same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.