Courtesy is a great thing!

 

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 a number of years. I try to visit them twice 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 wonderful 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. 

Significant Milestones

 

In recent years I have witnessed some significant milestones in life. Firstly, my old aunt of 90 years of age passed away. It was a wonderful release for her as she was sure of arriving safely in heaven when she closed her eyes in death. You may think this to be presumptive or ill-founded. My aunt was an intelligent person who had a career as a school teacher. Many years ago, she had become convinced that her sins needed to be forgiven and that humans are accountable to their Creator. Her hope was based solidly on the following verses from the Bible:

‘The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost,’ 1 Timothy 1. 15

Jesus said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life,’ John 5:24

‘The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,’ 2 Peter 3:9.

Blackpool - Pleasure & Poverty

 

The name of Blackpool, the Lancashire seaside town, brings to mind the many famous features that have kept the resort busy since the railway arrived in the middle of the nineteenth century.

The town, however, had humble beginnings, for it was a coastal hamlet in Medieval and Early Modern Times. Fleetwood was the main resort but its founder Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood went bankrupt. Thus, its decline led to an upsurge in visitors to Blackpool. This resulted in extensive development, generating even more visitors. Gas lighting arrived in 1852, water on the mains in 1864 and the town became the first municipality in the world to have electric street lighting in 1879. In 1885, the first section of the tramway appeared on the Promenade, being extended in later years. Blackpool became the only coastal town in the British Isles to have three piers.

This tremendous growth was brought about by the Lancashire Cotton Mill owners closing their factories for one week each year to service the machinery. Known as ‘Wakes Weeks’, each town’s mill would close for a different week. This provided nearby Blackpool with a frequent stream of workers and their families keen to enjoy a week away by the sea, The 1890’s saw the Blackpool Tower and the Grand Theatre opened. Along came the Golden Mile and the Pleasure Beach. The first Illuminations appeared in 1912,  extending the holiday season into October. Between the wars, Blackpool boomed, being a firm favourite with northeners, but by the 1960’s holidaymakers began to venture to sunnier places. The M55 motorway opened in 1975, making a day trip easier rather than a stayover.

Following the Manufacturers Guidelines

The family unit was designed to be the most basic unit in societal structure. The first humans (Adam & Eve) were created to be one cohesive unit from the very beginning of time. This is why the marriage relationship is under so much attack. If family and the key individuals who compose this domestic unit can be undermined and shown to be irrelevant then the basic building blocks of society will be destroyed and society is slowly dismantled. 

So what’s the issue - you may ask?  Is there a problem with society modifying itself or morphing into any shape the current generation fancies?

Jesus is coming again (soon!!)

 

On approaching the village of Moira (in Northern Ireland) from the M1 motorway, one cannot fail to see the words “THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH” inscribed in large, white letters on a stone wall. It was painted many years ago by a man with a love for the gospel and a burden for souls and its clear announcement has arrested not a few over the years and alerted them to the imminence and inevitability of this great event and the need for preparation as no one knows when the Lord will return.

Over the years since it first appeared so visibly and legibly on that wall, many headlines have been written which proved to be false, but the passing of time has not changed by one iota the truth of this statement found in the Holy Bible. The man who painted these words so carefully and skilfully was convinced that the Lord’s coming was near, and how much closer it must be now!

Have you made preparation for that event which will have a seismic impact on this world in a moment of time? Only those who are saved, who have trusted Christ, will be involved in the mass exodus of millions, dead and living, who will disappear when the Saviour comes back for His own as He Himself stated in John 14.3: “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”.

Many doubt if the Lord Jesus will ever come back: “scoffers” who ask derisively, “Where is the promise of His coming?” 2Peter 3.4. Even some who should know better, who have heard repeatedly from earnest preachers that “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven …” 1Thessalonians 4.16, and that it will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye …” 1Corinthians 15.52, have questioned if it is true! My friend, it is absolutely true and is the hope of every believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Five words that explain Easter

The message of Easter is summarised in five words -  "Christ died for our sins". 

The message is clear!

The person who died was Jesus Christ. His death took place roughly 1992 years ago outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. 

As we approach Easter, I wonder if you have ever stopped to think about this. Why did he die? Was it a miscarriage of justice? Was it just the result of an unfortunate turn of events?

The bad news and the good

 

We get a lot of bad news these days, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. Apart from international conflicts and worries, there is plenty to be concerned about here at home, with so many wicked things happening in what was meant to be a civilised society. We hear about disruptive behaviour and violence in schools, bullying in playgrounds and workplaces, neglect and cruelty to children in families, partners being murdered, physical and sexual abuse of children and vulnerable young people in care settings, knives and guns on the streets, overcrowding in prisons and more. Some public figures in sports, politics, and church organisations who should have set good examples do the opposite. Their behaviour is disgraceful and unlawful in financial, moral and sexual matters. Nowhere seems to be exempt. Promises to “clean it up” and “learn lessons for the future” are not convincing. It can be pretty depressing but be assured that God will ultimately deal righteously with crime and wickedness in His ways of perfect justice.