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.

There’s no such a thing as a Free lunch.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

The title of this article is a fairly common saying that suggests you can’t really have something for nothing. Even to obtain that which is allegedly free can incur hidden charges, perhaps small and inconsequential, but still, it proves the item is not completely free. Recently, I saw a health course that was advertised as free; the word ‘free’ appeared several times in the paragraphs, introducing the contents and benefits of signing up for this essential, must-have information. At the end of the advertisement, however, in very small print, it was revealed that it was free only for the first month and thereafter you were obliged to pay a monthly fee to receive the remainder of the course.

My friend, salvation is absolutely free; you do not have to pay a penny or give God anything in exchange for this priceless possession. Salvation is not for sale; it is a free gift obtained without money or price, to be received instantly by an empty hand of faith. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6.23.

Take your pick!

 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

Typically we associate the words ‘Take your pick’ with shopping: we might see it written on a confectionery counter, or hear it spoken by a shopkeeper as he or she encourages us to select items from a pile of fresh fruit. This short three-word statement reminds us that we are continually making choices: in the supermarket, in the clothes shop, deciding which holiday destination to go to, which make and model of car to purchase. On many levels, we make selections throughout our lives. Sometimes we make the wrong decision or are advised incorrectly to take a certain course of action but often we can change our mind and in many cases, the consequences are not serious anyway. There are, however, occasions when the wrong choice can be fatal or at least life-changing and irreversible and so great caution is essential and detailed knowledge of what is at stake.