Early in the eighteenth century, the Scottish poet Robert Burns adapted a poem written by ‘an old man’ and produced the well known song Auld Lang Syne which is sung throughout the world on New Years Eve when the final minutes of the old year fade out and clocks strike midnight and the New Year is welcomed in with great excitement. I am indebted to Wilkipedia for information and translation of Burn’s words into English to understand what the ballad is all about. It seems to convey reflections of courtship days laced with an abundance of supping ale. No wonder the sentiment is popular today when “Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matt 24:38) is widely practiced.
Sometimes it is good to reflect, to look back and contemplate the good times spent with family and friends, to think upon places visited during the past year and meeting new people. Of decisions that changed the direction of business interests, evaluating things that are of no consequence and dropping them to be freed up for better things.
In times past, businesses used to ‘Take Stock’ at the end of the year, whereas now in this computer age they are more likely to take stock at the end of each days trading.
Individuals respond differently when contemplating the recent past, some despair and see no light at the end of the tunnel, some choose to turn over a new leaf and make New Year’s Resolutions only to be disillusioned when will power breaks down. I’ve been there, I said I will stop drinking, stop gambling, stop swearing, good resolutions but like pie-crusts they are made to be broken, thankfully I then got converted to Christ and He dealt with all my bad things, He took them away and gave me a new life. That is the answer; it is not a new leaf that we need it is a new life, to be born again by the Holy Spirit.
It is true that many of us have been disgusted by the antics of Bankers and Politicians during 2009. Greed in the financial markets produced a global meltdown, resulting in thousands of families losing their homes by repossession, thousands losing their jobs when companies shed employees to avoid bankruptcy. What sticks in the throats of many people is that the Bank chiefs that got us into this mess are being paid obscene bonuses, and Members of Parliament who claimed obscene expenses are not made accountable for their actions. Reward for failure on the part of the bankers, and no dismissals for the slippery MP’s. is unjust.
Trying to be positive in looking forward into the New Year one cannot find much to cheer the spirit and give us the feel-good factor. Thankfully, the Word of God has everything we need to direct our lives in the right way and give us so many positives for our hearts and minds to dwell on that the peace of God acts as a sentinel, garrisoning the mind (Phil.4:7) even in troublous times.
In Luke ch.17:32 Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife” causing His listeners to reflect upon what took place when the judgement of God fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham had prayed specifically for deliverance for Lot and his family, knowing that God was not going to allow those wicked cities to continue in homosexuality, but destroy them with fire and brimstone. Prov.14:9 says, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” They did it then, they do it now. Lot’s sons-in-law mocked him when he warned them that God was going very soon to destroy those cities. They ignored that warning and perished the next day. Lot, his wife and two daughters were told by the angels not to look back as they were led out of the city, but Lot’s wife disobeyed, she did look back and was turned into a pillar of salt. How salutary is that for anyone reading this who is not saved? The hand of a messenger from Heaven was leading this woman, yet she perished! She looked back.
Previously in Ch.9:61 He said, “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The call of the gospel demands that Christ is Lord of all in everyone’s life.
The apostle Paul is a wonderful example for positive thinking in relation to the future. He said in Phil. 3:13, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” It is good to be objective, to have goals in life, particularly in the service of the King of Kings, knowing there is going to be a review and a reward for faithful service. Paul’s evaluation of what he was religiously, a Pharisee of some standing, he said a few verses earlier, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” To be prepared not only let go former things that men regard valuable, but to estimate them as dung and to dispatch them accordingly, to have a higher goal in view, to glorify Christ in every part of his life, this was his main objective.
As we enter a New Year have we got such ideals before us, “For to me to live is Christ, to die is gain”? Perhaps you are not a Christian, then read Luke ch.17 and see the parallel conditions of Noah’s day and Lot’s day in relation to our day and the coming of the Lord. Be warned you have not got long to get saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Happy New Year to all my readers and God bless you all and make 2010 a really blessed year for you.
Stan Burditt
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Happy Christmas
'Happy Christmas' A departed friend of mine used to say, ‘Happiness depends upon happenings but joy abides!’ I hear what he was saying because there is a difference isn’t there? Someone has possibly said to one of my readers today, “Happy Birthday!” and I join with them, have a good day, but what about tomorrow or next week?
The New York Times recently ran some essays under the heading ‘Happy Days’ and Todd May wrote the final one ‘Happy Ending’. The Opionator Blog issuing from that essay attracted over two hundred and sixty responses. I read the majority of them and was depressed by the lack of hope that the majority of writers expressed. Some prescribed their own fanciful thoughts of what they will do when they leave this world and pass into eternity. One contributor fancied that he would become an intergalactic traveler and if in his endless travels he ever came near to planet earth again, he would give it a wide berth.
’I sent some blogs (No.153; 247 and 248), the first read, ‘I’m sure that Todd May made preparations for his flight from Greenville S.C. to New York, whether for his personal needs or something to comfort his dying step- grandmother. The near-miss Empire State building would focus the mind on past, present and future aspects of one’s life. Reading the blogs thus far I am disappointed by the uncertainty expressed by many as to what happens after death takes place. King David wrote a trilogy of Psalms, 22 to 24, relating to the past (22), the present (23) and the future (24) Reading Psalm 23 he expressed a gratitude to God for His provisions throughout his life, but then looked forward beyond the valley of the shadow of death to dwelling with the Lord for ever. Now that is great and something certain. God bless you all.’
Happy ending signifies the aspiration of what exit from this life one will have, we have no control as to how or when we shall die, Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.” That time is in God’s hands. If a person takes it into their hands and commits suicide, it is a wrong decision.
W.T.P. Wolston related the following incident in gospel preaching in Scotland. The preacher was about to retire to bed and got on his knees to pray. As he was praying there came upon him a compulsion to go to the Headland to preach, which he quickly dismissed and got into bed. He could not sleep and the thought of going to the Headland to preach became more urgent, so out he got, dressed, and went up to the Headland. He shouted the text, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Then went home and slept. In the morning there was a knock on his door and a troubled woman stood outside. He invited her inside and she said, “Last night I was going to commit suicide and went up to the Headland to throw myself off onto the rocks below. I heard a voice as clear as your voice that said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” There was not another person there so I had to acknowledge that God was speaking to me, to stop me taking my life, and to recognize that my life was in a mess. Can you help me please?” I don’t remember what the preacher told her but I am sure that he had no difficulty in telling her that she needed to tell the Lord about her problems and ask Him to come into her life and be born again, for anyone that did this is a new person, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The lady was soundly converted to Christ, which for her was not just a happy ending to her troubles but a happy beginning of a new life, eternal life!
When Jesus was born at Bethlehem the circumstances and conditions were hardly conducive for His parents. The arduous journey from Nazareth to the City of David was not what a woman heavy with child would choose, but it was demanded of them, not only by the authorities, but also by the Word of God. Micah 5:2 reads, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” There are two Bethlehem’s in Israel, one near Nazareth and the other near Jerusalem, it would have been more convenient to go to the Bethlehem near Nazareth, but no, Christ had to be born in the City of David. Mary’s maternity ward was a stable, there was no place for them in the Inn, the crib that she laid her baby in was a cattle manger, no health and safety put in place for her. Before she was with child she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She trusted the Lord in conception and she trusted Him for the birth of her firstborn son. Many women would not be happy to undertake such a trial but she was and became “Blessed (to make happy) art thou among women” Millions of people have been blessed as a result of Christ coming into the world, myself included. Being a devout woman, Mary would have known of two other women in the scriptures who were associated with Bethlehem. She knew of Ruth the Moabitess who came to Bethlehem, married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of David. She also knew of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, who died in childbirth when she delivered Benjamin, near Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph would no doubt have to pass by Rachel’s tomb as they went down to Bethlehem. Did this bring anxious thoughts into her mind about her imminent confinement? Not a bit for God had already told her through Gabriel what her responsibility would be in raising her son. She could not have been happier, knowing that she was in the center of God’s will for her life and that of Messiah.
June 26th. 1702 Monica Doddridge gave birth to her twentieth child, it appeared to be stillborn as were eighteen previous ones. The midwife set aside the little ‘corpse’ out of mother’s sight, but then she noticed a slight flutter in the baby’s chest, she smacked the baby and he let out a loud cry, and Philip was born. He wrote 48 hymns, one being ‘Oh happy day that fixed my choice on thee my Saviour and my God’ Philip Doddridge’s birth was a happy day for Monica, his new birth was better for him!
Have you had such a happy day? If not, why not receive Christ right now and have a Happy Christmas and a blessed eternity. God bless and a very Happy Christmas.
(this blog was written by Stan Burditt of Northampton)
The New York Times recently ran some essays under the heading ‘Happy Days’ and Todd May wrote the final one ‘Happy Ending’. The Opionator Blog issuing from that essay attracted over two hundred and sixty responses. I read the majority of them and was depressed by the lack of hope that the majority of writers expressed. Some prescribed their own fanciful thoughts of what they will do when they leave this world and pass into eternity. One contributor fancied that he would become an intergalactic traveler and if in his endless travels he ever came near to planet earth again, he would give it a wide berth.
’I sent some blogs (No.153; 247 and 248), the first read, ‘I’m sure that Todd May made preparations for his flight from Greenville S.C. to New York, whether for his personal needs or something to comfort his dying step- grandmother. The near-miss Empire State building would focus the mind on past, present and future aspects of one’s life. Reading the blogs thus far I am disappointed by the uncertainty expressed by many as to what happens after death takes place. King David wrote a trilogy of Psalms, 22 to 24, relating to the past (22), the present (23) and the future (24) Reading Psalm 23 he expressed a gratitude to God for His provisions throughout his life, but then looked forward beyond the valley of the shadow of death to dwelling with the Lord for ever. Now that is great and something certain. God bless you all.’
Happy ending signifies the aspiration of what exit from this life one will have, we have no control as to how or when we shall die, Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.” That time is in God’s hands. If a person takes it into their hands and commits suicide, it is a wrong decision.
W.T.P. Wolston related the following incident in gospel preaching in Scotland. The preacher was about to retire to bed and got on his knees to pray. As he was praying there came upon him a compulsion to go to the Headland to preach, which he quickly dismissed and got into bed. He could not sleep and the thought of going to the Headland to preach became more urgent, so out he got, dressed, and went up to the Headland. He shouted the text, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Then went home and slept. In the morning there was a knock on his door and a troubled woman stood outside. He invited her inside and she said, “Last night I was going to commit suicide and went up to the Headland to throw myself off onto the rocks below. I heard a voice as clear as your voice that said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” There was not another person there so I had to acknowledge that God was speaking to me, to stop me taking my life, and to recognize that my life was in a mess. Can you help me please?” I don’t remember what the preacher told her but I am sure that he had no difficulty in telling her that she needed to tell the Lord about her problems and ask Him to come into her life and be born again, for anyone that did this is a new person, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The lady was soundly converted to Christ, which for her was not just a happy ending to her troubles but a happy beginning of a new life, eternal life!
When Jesus was born at Bethlehem the circumstances and conditions were hardly conducive for His parents. The arduous journey from Nazareth to the City of David was not what a woman heavy with child would choose, but it was demanded of them, not only by the authorities, but also by the Word of God. Micah 5:2 reads, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” There are two Bethlehem’s in Israel, one near Nazareth and the other near Jerusalem, it would have been more convenient to go to the Bethlehem near Nazareth, but no, Christ had to be born in the City of David. Mary’s maternity ward was a stable, there was no place for them in the Inn, the crib that she laid her baby in was a cattle manger, no health and safety put in place for her. Before she was with child she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She trusted the Lord in conception and she trusted Him for the birth of her firstborn son. Many women would not be happy to undertake such a trial but she was and became “Blessed (to make happy) art thou among women” Millions of people have been blessed as a result of Christ coming into the world, myself included. Being a devout woman, Mary would have known of two other women in the scriptures who were associated with Bethlehem. She knew of Ruth the Moabitess who came to Bethlehem, married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of David. She also knew of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, who died in childbirth when she delivered Benjamin, near Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph would no doubt have to pass by Rachel’s tomb as they went down to Bethlehem. Did this bring anxious thoughts into her mind about her imminent confinement? Not a bit for God had already told her through Gabriel what her responsibility would be in raising her son. She could not have been happier, knowing that she was in the center of God’s will for her life and that of Messiah.
June 26th. 1702 Monica Doddridge gave birth to her twentieth child, it appeared to be stillborn as were eighteen previous ones. The midwife set aside the little ‘corpse’ out of mother’s sight, but then she noticed a slight flutter in the baby’s chest, she smacked the baby and he let out a loud cry, and Philip was born. He wrote 48 hymns, one being ‘Oh happy day that fixed my choice on thee my Saviour and my God’ Philip Doddridge’s birth was a happy day for Monica, his new birth was better for him!
Have you had such a happy day? If not, why not receive Christ right now and have a Happy Christmas and a blessed eternity. God bless and a very Happy Christmas.
(this blog was written by Stan Burditt of Northampton)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tragedy from flooding
The recent flooding which has overtaken the region of Cumbria again over the last twenty four hours is quite distressing. Many of the folk in the area were aware that the floods were coming and were trusting that the defense mechanisms that had been put in place since the last period of flooding would be effective. Sadly for many this was not the case.
I had a friend phone the day before the floods to ask us to pray. He was not only asking us to pray for him but for his neighbours. He said that he had peace that his God would hold him up if the worst came. He is a believer, he lives for the next life having turned from his sins many years ago and lives today in the joy of salvation and with the prospect of heaven when life is over. My friend wanted us to pray for his neighbours as he was not sure how they would stand up to such severe disappointment and distress once again.
If everything in your world was to go wrong how would you survive? Are you living for something that is of lasting value. Have you come to realise yet that this world is passing and all it has to offer will be finished one day. The Bible says 'he who does the will of God remains for ever'.
I had a friend phone the day before the floods to ask us to pray. He was not only asking us to pray for him but for his neighbours. He said that he had peace that his God would hold him up if the worst came. He is a believer, he lives for the next life having turned from his sins many years ago and lives today in the joy of salvation and with the prospect of heaven when life is over. My friend wanted us to pray for his neighbours as he was not sure how they would stand up to such severe disappointment and distress once again.
If everything in your world was to go wrong how would you survive? Are you living for something that is of lasting value. Have you come to realise yet that this world is passing and all it has to offer will be finished one day. The Bible says 'he who does the will of God remains for ever'.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Stability
The Liberal Democrats Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor, Dr. Vince Cable, presented this analogy of the British economy at their 2009 Conference, “Our economy has experienced a massive heart attack, with the banks at its centre. It has survived in the Intensive Care Unit and is now showing signs of life thanks to modern economic medicine.” I heard him in a more recent BBC interview use the same form of words with this addition, “it is now stable” Both Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer were no doubt comforted with those additional words, having had months of anxiety, waiting in the proverbial corridor outside the IT Unit with their bunch of flowers and a get-well card, longing for recovery! The question is, “Has this recovery got lasting stability, or is it still shaky?”
Earthquakes often cause buildings to be unstable and collapse. There is rising concern about the increase of frequencies that quakes are occurring in the South Pacific, particularly those under the sea bed. Tsunamis have happened recently in American Samoa killing 150 people and Yahoo News reported on Oct.8th. ‘Indonesia's port city Padang was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake last week, killing 704 people and leaving 295 missing, but the health minister said the toll could reach 3,000.’ This increased activity of the Australian Plate and the South East Asia Sunda Plate has had a de-stabilising effect among the residents of the islands affected.
Instability in marriages and family life is a mammoth problem in society, often caused by selfishness, resulting in infidelity, with spouse and family emotionally scarred and hurt for life. Sometimes these upsets can tip the balance of the mind and drastic actions happen resulting in loss of life. Children often get caught up the ensuing breakdown of marriage, and sometimes an unbalanced parent kills them.
Drugs, alcohol and gambling addiction can upset the equilibrium of an individual’s life and their immediate family. Many a home and family have been decimated by those sad habits.
A chemical can be de-stabilised by introducing another chemical to it. The Atomic energy power plant at Chernobyl became unstable in April 1986 with disastrous consequences, a Wikipedia extract reads, ‘The operation of the reactor at the low level of power with the small reactivity margin was accompanied by the instability of the thermohydraulic parameters and possibly by the instability of neutron flux.’ Electrical Engineers died at the plant in the ensuing explosion and thousands of others have either died or been poisoned by the radiation fallout.
Many countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others would love to see some stability return to their troubled nation, with peaceful conditions enjoyed by all. The endeavours of World Leaders with their multi billion-dollar schemes are falling far short in accomplishing this, money and might cannot achieve the elusive resolve to the immense problems troubling the earth at this time. This will have to wait till the return of Christ to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus said in Matt.7:24, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
When faith is placed in Jesus Christ the Son of God He gives you eternal life, and not one saved person will ever be lost, eternal life is eternal life, that life is founded upon the Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:28 reads, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” A salvation that can never be lost, a Kingdom that cannot be moved, this is the ultimate stability that anyone could ever possess. My dear reader have you got this salvation, are you in Christ’s everlasting Kingdom? If not, why not? Why not do it now as you read these words, just bow to Jesus Christ and confess Him your Lord and Saviour, repenting of your sin, turn to Him now!
Matthew’s text assures us that when our life is fixed on Christ it will never flounder, our feet and faith are firmly planted on solid ground, whereas David shows us that we have something to sing about with an overwhelming heart, trusting One who will protect us all the way home to Heaven.
We are living in a world that is crying out for peace, where there is no peace. Ever the Saviour left this world He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Paul said in Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Have you got it? God bless.
Written by Stan Burditt
Earthquakes often cause buildings to be unstable and collapse. There is rising concern about the increase of frequencies that quakes are occurring in the South Pacific, particularly those under the sea bed. Tsunamis have happened recently in American Samoa killing 150 people and Yahoo News reported on Oct.8th. ‘Indonesia's port city Padang was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake last week, killing 704 people and leaving 295 missing, but the health minister said the toll could reach 3,000.’ This increased activity of the Australian Plate and the South East Asia Sunda Plate has had a de-stabilising effect among the residents of the islands affected.
Instability in marriages and family life is a mammoth problem in society, often caused by selfishness, resulting in infidelity, with spouse and family emotionally scarred and hurt for life. Sometimes these upsets can tip the balance of the mind and drastic actions happen resulting in loss of life. Children often get caught up the ensuing breakdown of marriage, and sometimes an unbalanced parent kills them.
Drugs, alcohol and gambling addiction can upset the equilibrium of an individual’s life and their immediate family. Many a home and family have been decimated by those sad habits.
A chemical can be de-stabilised by introducing another chemical to it. The Atomic energy power plant at Chernobyl became unstable in April 1986 with disastrous consequences, a Wikipedia extract reads, ‘The operation of the reactor at the low level of power with the small reactivity margin was accompanied by the instability of the thermohydraulic parameters and possibly by the instability of neutron flux.’ Electrical Engineers died at the plant in the ensuing explosion and thousands of others have either died or been poisoned by the radiation fallout.
Many countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others would love to see some stability return to their troubled nation, with peaceful conditions enjoyed by all. The endeavours of World Leaders with their multi billion-dollar schemes are falling far short in accomplishing this, money and might cannot achieve the elusive resolve to the immense problems troubling the earth at this time. This will have to wait till the return of Christ to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus said in Matt.7:24, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
When faith is placed in Jesus Christ the Son of God He gives you eternal life, and not one saved person will ever be lost, eternal life is eternal life, that life is founded upon the Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:28 reads, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” A salvation that can never be lost, a Kingdom that cannot be moved, this is the ultimate stability that anyone could ever possess. My dear reader have you got this salvation, are you in Christ’s everlasting Kingdom? If not, why not? Why not do it now as you read these words, just bow to Jesus Christ and confess Him your Lord and Saviour, repenting of your sin, turn to Him now!
Matthew’s text assures us that when our life is fixed on Christ it will never flounder, our feet and faith are firmly planted on solid ground, whereas David shows us that we have something to sing about with an overwhelming heart, trusting One who will protect us all the way home to Heaven.
We are living in a world that is crying out for peace, where there is no peace. Ever the Saviour left this world He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Paul said in Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Have you got it? God bless.
Written by Stan Burditt
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