Take heed all ye who pass by

 

Just off the south-west coast of the island of Jersey sits a lighthouse called La Corbière. One of its fascinating features is that there is a path linking the lighthouse to the coast, which can only be used at low tide. When the sea rises, the path is completely covered, leaving the lighthouse inaccessible and isolated in the sea.

Visitors to La Corbière will notice that at the start of the path out to the lighthouse there is a sign, which reads:

IN MEMORY OF

PETER EDWIN LARBALESTIER

ASSISTANT KEEPER AT CORBIÈRE LIGHTHOUSE.

WHO, ON 28TH MAY 1946 GAVE HIS LIFE

IN ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE A VISITOR

CUT OFF BY THE INCOMING TIDE.

TAKE HEED ALL YE WHO PASS BY.

This sign challenges the reader to “take heed” of two things: first, take heed of the danger of being cut off by the rising tide, and second, take heed of the honourable man who died to save a stranger. Likewise, the gospel message requires a twofold taking heed by us: of the danger that we are in, and of the blessed Man Who died to save us from it.

Cancer or Dementia - which is worse?

Cancer and Dementia – Which is the Worst?

Cancer and dementia are two terrible diseases, but which is the worst? Stephen Baker considers this question, and discusses our mortality.

If you would like to know more about Jesus Christ and the salvation and eternal life that is available through Him, contact us.

Is it Better to get Cancer Rather than Dementia?

Someone said to me recently that it would be better to get cancer than dementia_ Now I wouldn’t like to make the choice but I know where they are coming from. 

The prospect of beating cancer is higher than it ever was compared to the limited availability of treatment for people suffering from dementia. But having seen what friends have had to handle before they _beat_ cancer I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. 

Caught by his own camera

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

In recent years, many car drivers have installed dashboard cameras, so that, if they are involved in an accident, the footage can be used to help establish liability. The trend has also been taken up by some cyclists, who have cameras fitted, not only for use in case of accidents, but also for recording careless driving by motorists. The photographic evidence is then forwarded to the authorities, and those who pose a danger to cyclists can be prosecuted, even if no collision has occurred. A couple of years ago, a cyclist in Ireland successfully implicated two drivers by this method. However, to his dismay, the investigators, on examining his video, found that he too had been guilty of breaking the law during his journey, and he was prosecuted, along with the drivers he had filmed.

In the early chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul shows how people are guilty of having broken, not the laws of the road, but the Law of God: the holy, righteous standard that He demands of all mankind. In Romans 2.1-3, Paul addresses someone who criticises others for their misdeeds, but who, in doing this, is condemning himself, for he does "the same things". He states that God will judge everyone according to righteous principles, and that no-one should think that he will "escape the judgment of God". Like the cyclist, we may try to pronounce others guilty, but in so doing we are declaring our own guilt, for "there is none righteous, no, not one" Romans 3.10. "What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3.19,22,23. We are all "without excuse" Romans 1.20, and deserve "wrath, tribulation and anguish" Romans 2.9.

Tragedies - who is ultimately to blame?

We often hear of tragedies! They shock us and often produce an impulsive reaction. Earlier this year we heard the horrific news that an alligator had dragged a two-year-old boy into a lake at Walt Disney World. Disney closed all the beaches at its resorts. More than fifty law-enforcement personnel searched the lake. They eventually found the boy's body and presume that he drowned.

Some blamed Disney for not posting signs warning about alligators in the water. Others were quick to blame the parents. As with the boy who fell into a gorilla pit in Cincinnati, people on social media lambasted the mother and father who allowed their son to play in the water.

Why do we feel such a need to assign blame when tragedy strikes?

According to the United Nations, 437,000 people around the world were murdered in 2012 (their most recent report). However, National Geographic reports that 725,000 people die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Freshwater snails transmit schistosomiasis, which kills between 20,000 and 200,000 a year. Annually, snakes kill 94,000 to 125,000; scorpions kill 3,250; sharks kill six people. And there's no one to accuse for any of these tragedies.

It's human nature to blame others so we can maintain the illusion of safety for ourselves. I can say that I wouldn't have allowed my children into the Disney lagoon, but how many other times did I unknowingly put them at risk?

Obviously we should prevent every tragedy we can. But we should also admit that much of life is beyond our control:

•    "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes", James 4:14.
•    "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring",
Proverbs 27:1.
•    "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble", Matthew 6:34.

The same law of gravity that enables us to walk causes us harm when we fall. Alligators are essential to the Florida ecosystem but dangerous to humans. We cannot have natural laws without the consequences of these laws.

So control what you can and trust your Father for what you cannot. Make sure that the biggest danger in life, death, is covered so that when the unexpected happens you are safe.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, Acts 16:31.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Radicalised Christians!

In recent times we have all become familiar with a rather sinister word - radicalisation. After an act of terrorism, investigations will begin to determine how the terrorists were radicalised. A person is considered radicalised when they take the words of their prophet and their holy book literally.

I was wondering what a radicalized Christian would look like, someone who takes the words of Christ literally.

Would people in shopping malls or concert halls or school classrooms have anything to fear from radicalized Christians?

Radicalised Christians will love their families, their neighbours, and their enemies.

They will seek to save life, not to destroy it.
They will forgive those who wrong them, and bless those who hate them.
They will pray for their government and pay their taxes.
They will give honour to whom honour is due.
They will live sacrificial lives for the blessing and relief of others.
They will comfort those who mourn.
They will hunger after righteousness, show mercy, seek to be pure, make peace, will not kill, will not commit adultery, will turn the other cheek to those who smite them.
They will live their lives for the glory of God and for the welfare of their fellow men.
They will be thankful, kind, honest, faithful, pure and forgiving.
They will travel enormous distances and make huge sacrifices to share the gospel with others.
Their great motivation in life will firstly be love for God, and secondly love for their neighbour.

Do you know any radicalized Christians?

Written for Seek the Truth Bible Media by John Parkinson of Ballymena

For more information text the word INFO to 07747 101352 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.