Lord Street, Liverpool - Old and New

Lord Street, Liverpool. 

Lord Street is one of the main streets in central Liverpool, England that historically formed the city's main shopping district. The street is relatively short at less than 300 metres in length, it joins onto Church Street to the east and James Street alongside Derby Square and the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts. The majority of land to the south of Lord Street is occupied by the Liverpool One complex, whilst the likes of Cavern Walks and BHS are located on the north side of the street.

Lord Street was named after Lord Molyneux and was originally called Lord Molyneux Street.The title 'Lord' in 21st century Britain reminds us of someone who has been honoured. The Bible states that the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of honour and praise. This is because he 'suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God', 1 Peter 3:18. The scriptures warn that if we do not bow before God in this life that we will definitely do it in the next  - 'that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Phil 2:10,11.

May I remind you that the Lord Jesus Christ 'died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures', 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. Would you trust Him and make Him Lord of your life today?

Collecting wood for a bonfire in July!

Ballyduff, Northern Ireland - Preparing for the 12th

I have just come back from speaking in a local church in Ballyduff in Ulster. To most of us that means Northern Ireland or just Ireland but to the people who live in that part of the province it's Ulster. Look at the picture that I took. They are preparing and collecting tyres and wood for their annual bonfire on the 12th of July. What commitment! I could hardly take it in! 

Most of us find it hard to understand the mindset of people who hold on to their traditions with such veracity. Nothing seems to divert them from the task of celebrating an event that took place hundreds of years ago. 

If you follow this blog you might be asking what has this got to do with Liverpool? A good question!

Here is the reason. When I was in Ballyduff I met a lot of people who love Liverpool - I can't blame them; it's a great place. Their love however was for one of the city's famous football teams. I am not letting out which one it was, you can guess. The devotion for their favourite team equalled their commitment to their preparations for their annual bonfire. 

My question to you is this? Is there anything that you would show that amount of commitment to? What would you risk everything to preserve or uphold? In my view none of the things that I have talked about in this blog rank high enough in my list of priorities to give them that level of commitment. I do however have one thing that is at the top of my list - my faith in Jesus Christ. One of the early Christians said about the Lord Jesus that he is 'the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me' (Paul the Apostle). One of the great missionaries from England of a past generation said this 'If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him (C.T.Studd).

What are you living for?
What would you die for?