The problem with iOS 6 and apple maps

Now here's a question. If a map does not show you a location does it exist or because the map says that it's not there does it not exist? Anyone who is into gadgets, phones, apps etc will be aware of the difficulties that apple have been facing over their new software up date for iPhones.

We all know that because apple maps do not show Jerusalem or the Brooklyn Bridge that they still exist. The fact that the map does not show them does remove them from the face of the earth.

My Point - it's simple, I'll get to the point. Just because Richard Dawkins, or the late Christopher Hitchens or intelligent (but not necessarily wise) men of their ilk say that God does not exist or that Jesus did not die on the cross or that Jesus did not rise from the dead cannot eradicate the fact that:

1. God does exist!
2. Jesus did live a sinless life, die on a cross to atone for sin and;
3. Jesus did rise from the dead on the third day and offer to those who are prepared to hear him, turn from sin and turn in believing faith to him, the forgiveness of sins.

Check your history about points 2 and 3 and search your soul, look at the precision of your anatomy, scientific discovery and the wonder of the world and universe for point 1.

God bless you. Seek the Lord, while he may be found.

Stephen

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Needless deaths - could it be different?

We are all affected when we hear of someone being murdered in the course of their work life. This is especially pertinent when the victims are people involved in public duties i.e. police, nurses, teachers, firemen etc. We feel that our freedom has been violated and we are more vulnerable as a result. The murders of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone are just the most recent examples of the violent and sick society that we live in. Sadly this is not a lone incident, as it is not long since we mourned the death of PC David Rathband who found life impossible to go on living after losing his sight  as a result of violent crime in July 2010.

Can we do anything to change the course that society is on or is it just something that we have to live with?

I know that what I believe is not popular but I believe that it is the truth. The Bible teaches that 'righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people". Our society is now so far removed from the word of God (the Bible) that the basic principles that govern behaviour and cultivate a good society have been lost. The reason we need laws, police etc is because we all have a bias to do what is self centred and wrong. Thankfully this does not manifest itself in the grosser forms of evil in every individual but we all do things that are wrong and have the capacity to do all sorts of evil.  The Bible states the case plainly when it says 'for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. God's standard is majestic and not just at the level of rule keeping and ticking boxes.  The bible teaches that the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked. This is the potential that we saw unleashed in these acts of violence.

What can we say then about good citizens like PC Hughes and PC Bone? They, like us, had a sense of justice, they wanted to improve society and they gave their lives to see that happen. As one of their senior officers promised when he was being interviewed his aim is to make sure they did not die in vain. My prayer is that they will succeed in this.

As I close can I give you some hope. Things can be different! This is precisely what the message of Jesus, his death and resurrection is all about. Christ died for our sins, he knew that we could not save ourselves or improve our society without his redeeming grace and forgiveness. He is willing to forgive those who confess their sin and accept his forgiveness. When this happens in the experience of the individual they become a whole new person, old things pass away, all things become new. Believe me, I have seen it in the lives of the most unlikely individuals.

Yes we do need great police officers on the beat, we need laws and law enforcement to prevent tragedies like we have witnessed reoccuring but we need to preach the life changing and soul saving gospel of Jesus Christ to reform the people of our country from the inside out.

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Busy Summer

It is over a month since I wrote a blog. Apart from going on a guilt trip I can't believe how the time has flown. The summer while not good for weather was excellent and exciting for me in so many other ways. I visited Cornwall to work with a Christian Youth Camp for a week, my wife and I went to Scotland for a week while I conducted Bible Studies at Family Holiday week. 

Locally where we live we ran a weeks Holiday Bible Club and enjoyed once again telling children about the love of God and the great Saviour that we have.

After all that I wonder how many people this summer took advantage of the opportunity to turn from their wrongdoing (we all do wrong) and to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. We as Christians pray constantly that people will do this.

There is an ancient saying in the Bible - "the harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved". I trust that saying doesn't apply to you.

Have a good week.

Stephen

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Olympic Issues

Few and Many​The London 2012 Olympic Games will no doubt produce some eye catching headlines of outstanding performances by athletes at their peak, but there has been one headline that the security company G4S would rather not have seen on BBC News UK. A copy of their 17th. July headline reads, ‘G4S's Nick Buckles regrets taking contract .’ The news item then leads with, ‘The head of security company G4S has said he regrets it ever took on the Olympic security contract, as he agreed it had become a "humiliating shambles”. The company may lose £50m from the £284m contract because it cannot supply enough security guards. Chief executive Nick Buckles told MPs that the military and the police would be reimbursed for providing personnel to plug the shortfall. But he said G4S planned to keep its £57m The shortfall of trained security officers present, as the ten thousand athletes arrived in their village, meant that the management were called to account before a government select committee. As a result of the fewness of trained security personnel the company was found wanting. They had contracted to have 10,000 people at the games and their venues. They have supplied 4,200 thus far. The Government stepped in and have placed 12,000 armed soldiers and 12,000-armed police to ensure that safety is maintained throughout.

Numbers are associated with the words few and many, few would indicate a small number and many, a large number, but these terms can be relative, for example, there are over six billion people on planet earth and few of them are born again Christians, but that ‘few’ could amount to tens of thousands.

A few statistics from the games giving large numbers, (1) The weight of the roof of the aquatic centre is 2,500 tonnes. (2) 2,247 tonnes of sand have been brought to Horse Guards Parade to provide a Beach Volley Ball court. How many grains of sand is that? (3) The BBC announced that there were 27.69 million viewers in the UK (what would the worldwide figure be?) for the opening spectacular at the Olympic Park on Friday 27th. July. There are other large numbers of people who volunteered to take part in the opening ceremony in the stadium, some of them children who enjoyed every minute of this once in a lifetime experience.

The previous Olympic Games held in London were in 1948. There would be few athletes that took part in those games still alive to witness the present ones. Only the elite few will win a gold medal and fewer still win more than one gold.  

Queen Elizabeth 2nd. has opened two Olympic Games, one in Canada and the present one in London, few people have had that privilege and responsibility.

The first mention of the word ‘few’ in the Bible illustrate what I have said previously. When Abraham’s servant was seeking a bride for Isaac, he was sure that Rebekah was the one that the Lord led him to. He convinced her parents and family that she should marry Isaac, they said, “Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.” Ten days against six months or a year were reckoned to be few. The first mention of many in the Bible is in Gen.17:3, “And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of manynations.”  The nation of Israel came through Isaac and a number of Arab nations have come through Ishmael, another of Abraham’s sons.

When Jacob was in Egypt he said to Pharaoh “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.” Jacob lived many years and upon reflection of those years he said that the bad days were few and far between. It was a bad day for him near Bethlehem when his beloved wife Rachel died. Also when his errant sons deceived him, inferring that Joseph was dead, when he was still alive. Yet Jacob said the evil days were few.

Peter said in 1Peter3:20, “The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”  Many animals were saved in the ark but only eight people, in anyone’s reckoning that was a small number.

Jesus said concerning salvation, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Are you among the few who are saved? Or are you among the many who are lost?

John said in his gospel, ch.1:12, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” As far as God is concerned He has made provision for many to be saved, there is no restriction as to who can be saved, the death of Christ has made it possible for anyone and everyone to be saved. He gave His life a ransom for many.

Hebrews 9:28 reads, “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Again we see from this scripture that the death of Christ is sufficient for any and many to be saved, and those who are saved have a wonderful prospect of being with Him in Heaven and also.when He returns to earth with His Church.

Some people have many opportunities to be saved and are not because they will not repent of their sin and believe that Jesus died for them. Others on few occasions hear the Word and believe and are saved. It is important to be saved, otherwise you will be lost.

God bless