Someone’s Hand in my Pocket           Word on the Week           15^th May 2021.

There is the feeling that something is not right.   Perhaps the keys are gone!   It’s like someone has been in the house, nothing seems to have been taken but the uneasy feeling remains.

Once upon a time there was a safe place in the house where you deposited your ‘treasures’.   A favourite place would have been a writing desk with a secret drawer which could only be accessed by those who knew how to find it.

Today things that are precious such as photos, letters, family documents, family trees and such things, some of which may have been passed down from previous generations can be held digitally on the computer.   This gives easy access to them and prevents them being misplaced.

Business also has moved from the old filing room to hold copies of letters, emails and documents in storage on the computer system.   These can be easily referenced and ‘losing the file’ has become almost a thing of the past.

Ireland has made a name for creating data storage warehouses.   These modern data warehouses can improve analytics, collaboration, and security of the material they house.   The data warehousing landscape is changing with evolving data needs, such as hospital records carried on our HSE system and breached this week.

In the past hackers would test their skills against Company systems, either to steal confidential data or release a ‘worm’ which would wreak havoc with the system until it is neutralised.   The present cybercrime introduces malware which renders the system unusable. 

Those responsible for the malware hold the victim to ransom.   They use the latest virus, malware, spyware or ransomware and demand a large sum of money, usually in bitcoin, in exchange for the code which cancels the virus.

The current attack could be the work of Conti ransomware.   It can steal data as well as encrypt it.   That is what thieves and robbers do according to Jesus.   In marked contrast to Jesus they steal and destroy as a way of life (St John Chapter 10 verse 10).

The way of life Jesus offered is one of service.   It culminates in the cross where Jesus paid our ransom, which we were due as a result of our sins, to his heavenly Father.  St Mark quotes Jesus, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (in Chapter 10 verse 45).

The ransom Jesus paid for believers was infinitely greater than anything Conti can extract.   Praise God and trust in the work of Jesus.

Independence – the Holy Grail           Word on the Week           8^th May 2021.

From the age when humans begin to crawl the quest for independence begins!   Later it becomes “I will manage on my own”.   And later still changes to the unspoken “I want my own way”!

The current elections in Wales and Scotland are likely to see a strengthening of the Nationalist parties – each wishing to shake off the governing influence of England.   In these post steel manufacture and post oil extraction days the desire to go separate ways smacks of ‘biting the hand that feeds you’.

A similar attitude applies in Northern Ireland where the Unionist desire to remain attached to England ignores the many of the facts of geography and history.  

Of course there is a place for Patriotism.    Individual Nation States have much to be proud of.   It requires considerable ‘give and take’ abilities to get along with your neighbouring State to which the Bible would add the virtue of love!

Israel was never the shining example to the other Nations that God intended.   Moses quoted the prophesy given to Abraham that through his seed all Nations would be blessed (Genesis Chapter 12 verse 3).   But before this happened Israel was to occupy the land God gave them for the purpose of being a witness to the surrounding Nations who would marvel at the wisdom of the Mosaic laws and revere the God who gave them (Deuteronomy Chapter 4 verses 5 to 8).

It was through Isaiah the prophet that Israel was given the promise of a Servant who would be a light to the (Gentiles) other Nations (Isaiah chapter 42 verses 1 to 7).    There would also be a New Covenant in Jesus’s blood which fulfilled the Mosaic laws and made repentance and forgiveness available to the Nations (St Luke Chapters 22 verse 20 & 24 verse 47).

The bursting out of this ‘light’ is well documented in the Book of Acts.   In its global dimension mentioned in (St John Chapter 8 verse12) Jesus claims the title of ‘Light of the World’.   There are no excluded races.  Rich and poor are included.

The wonderful thing about light is that you cannot add to it.   It is complete!   Jesus salvation is complete (Acts Chapter 4 verse 12).   What we do have is light-blockers!     The Apostle John gives us our instructions as to how to deal with them and personally walk in the light. (1John Chapter 1 verses 5 to 7).  

Those called to govern need our prayers that they too may see the light and lead by their example so that there may be a harmony in these Islands which would make the world take notice that we are following Jesus.

Song of a Bird                            Word on the Week                    1^st May 2021.

The volume of birdsong has increased considerably since the mating season got under full swing.   The dawn chorus takes pride of place with the various species trying to out-sing each other.   There have been calm early mornings with virtually no wind to carry the sound away.   Oh for ears to differentiate the calls.   Instead my almost tone deaf ears simply appreciates the choir and cannot identify the solo performers!

Of course some songs stand out from others.   Take the Goldcrest for example.   It may be our smallest bird but the high pitch of its song “zi-zi-zee” is guaranteed to make the hard of hearing remove their hearing aids!  The penetrating sound can be heard echoing through the forest during winter.

Which reminds me of the debate we used to have with a “Twitcher” (bird watcher) colleague who, to support his evolutionary views, felt the need to maintain that birds only sang to attract a mate!   He could not bring himself to acknowledge that birds could sing for pleasure, least of all could he admit that they may be singing to the glory of God!    His evolutionary blinkers robber him of entering into the joy of their song.

That harbinger of the dawn, the cockerel gets a mention in the Bible (St Matthew Chapter 26 verse 34).   Normally it heralds the dawn which, in summer, is far too early to get up!  We had a very diligent cock who would sound the dawn alert if a car’s headlights picked out the henhouse as it turned in the dark!

Jesus obviously had an empathy with cockerels.   The one in High Priest’s Courtyard knew just when it had to crow at his creator’s command (St John Chapter 1 verse 3).   He crowed after Peter’s third denial that he ever knew his Lord.   He crowed right on que with shattering effects on Peter who had so brashly maintained that he would never deny Jesus.   His guilt crushed Peter who shed tears of remorse (St Matthew Chapter 26 verse 75).

After Jesus death and resurrection, the Lord reinstated Peter with a threefold questioning of his love in that famous conversation on the shore of the sea of Galilee.   Peter’s response (he could not appeal to his record) was to recognise the Lord’s omnipotence and say “You know all things; you know that I love you”.   He was then commissioned with the command to “Feed my sheep” (St John Chapter 21 verses 15 to 17).

The Apostle Peter learned his lesson well.   His life was spent in feeding the Word of God to his sheep.   In his letters he writes out of his rich experience of Christ – his Chief Shepherd – words that apply through all generations down to our day.   They are preserved for us in 1 Peter Chapter 5 verses 1 to 11.

Worshipping Covid              Word on the Week                 24^th April 2021.

A new priority has been established in the land.   It is to do with the Covid pandemic.   It has taken over the news bulletins.   The numbers of ‘new cases’ heads the statistics commanding fear and obedience.   To add weight, the daily death toll is revealed and a running total displayed.

Governments control of the disease involves actions which lie contrary to Christian practice.   The prohibition of meeting together, the avoidance of significant touch and the masking which prevents facial communication.   We have to obey rules which can be ramped up through 5 levels of severity and the law is being used to enforce them.

The aim is to save lives.   Those most at risk have been identified and have been vaccinated.   Now with the older cohort done vaccination has been distributed on an age basis with the oldest coming first.   By this means the entire population will receive the vaccine.   In the UK consideration is being given to the issue of a certificate recognising that you have been done.   In future the rules may state that only those with certificates can travel etc.

Here the ship of state, having cast off its Christian moorings, is floating rudderless, while funding weekly the bulk of the working population out of borrowed money.  Those receiving an income cannot work because the Covid rules forbid it. At present all hope is centred on the vaccines being effective over time and against variants of the disease.

There has been no recognition that we are made in the image of God with a life expectancy which extends beyond the grave.    This desire to keep the elderly population alive for another few years, however worthy, sits uneasily against the background of the government’s dallying with euthanasia.   And for the remainder of the country the preserving of life flies in the face of the legalisation permitting abortion where not even the dead are given a burial.

Where is God in all this?   He must know all about the pandemic – after all He permitted it!   Where is the call to prayer to call upon his mercy?   Where is the recognition of guilt before a holy God?   Where is the pleading of the merits of the blood of Christ on the altar which is Calvary? 1 Chronicles chapter 21 verses 13 to 27 is where a repentant King David caused a plague to cease.

Repent of letting RTE’s 6 o’clock news become your daily diet of fear and rules.   Rely on the God who answers prayer (despite our doubts that He will) as when Peter tried to join a prayer meeting which was praying for his release (Acts Chapter 12 verses 5 to 17)!

Jesus answered “Have faith in God” (St Mark Chapter 11 verse 22).

Well Woman Reimagined                    Word on the Week           17^th April 2021.

It was a hot day in Samaria when Jesus arrived at the well.   He had sent his disciples off to a neighbouring village to get food and was resting when a woman from Sychar approached the well to get water.

Jesus asked her for some water.   This astonished her as she was a Samaritan and the Jews had nothing to do with these mixed race people.

In addition, she was a woman.   It was just not the done thing to speak to a woman in public.   She had come to the well in the heat of the day to get away from people.   She was not good at relationships.   Apparently she had had five husbands so in this regard she was quite contemporary!

Whether the husbands had died or divorced her it had not dissuaded the current boyfriend.   However, living together does not constitute marriage as Jesus pointed out (St John Chapter 4 verse 14).   We could reimagine the scene happening today.

Jesus was not bound by tradition or convention.   He reached out across the gender gap to talk to her at the risk of being misunderstood by his disciples. His concern to present her with the Scripture over-rode the accustomed norms of the place.

There was the ever present problem of race.   The Samaritans stemmed from foreign people brought in by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Over time they intermarried with the Jews who had remained in the area.   The mixed race had its own culture and version of the Pentateuch!   

Today we are all too familiar with poor race relations.   The underdog seldom gets the respect they deserve.   And when it comes to justice, as in the case of George Floyd in Minneapolis, it can be a long time coming.

Jesus showed no ethic prejudice.   He was critical of tradition but rock solid in his belief that Scripture was the Word of God.

All this enabled Jesus to engage with the woman at a deep level.   The exposure of her sin should have meant that a Rabbi like Jesus would not talk, touch or drink from a vessel tainted by a such a Samaritan.   Yet Jesus was not bound by any moralistic superiority.    He showed her love and respect by inviting her to take the living water which had been spurned so often in the past (Jeramiah Chapter 2 verse 13).

In today’s terms Jesus was not deflected by gender, race or sinfulness from seeking her salvation by revealing himself to her (St John Chapter 4 verse 26).  

Death of a Duke              Word on the Week          10^th April 2021.

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh had been anticipated because of the increasing frequency of his hospital visits.   On his last visit, as he was leaving he came to the door of the hospital to meet some soldiers and hear the bugler play the last post!    He stood erect, negotiated the steps without a walking stick and looked likely to achieve his 100 birthday in a few weeks’ time.  

Alas it was not to be.   He died this week.   He had been Consort to the Queen for more than 70 years.   Our sympathies go to her.   He was her faithful shadow, keeping his place behind the Queen and being a support to her in the many-sided round of duties she was expected to perform.

Prince Philip was educated at Gordonstoun, a college in the Scottish Highlands founded by a German disciplinarian, Kurt Hann.   Its motto was “There is more in you” and Kurt saw it as his business to get it out of you!  Whereas Philip enjoyed his time there his son Charles, the Prince of Wales, found it difficult.   He described the school a “Colditz in kilts” alluding to the prisoner-of-war camp Colditz Castle in Germany!

Perhaps the most lasting thing which Philip did was to inaugurate the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, an outward bound challenge primarily for teenagers.   It had three levels; Bronze, Silver and the most arduous, Gold.  The Gold involved surviving for three days in remote countryside carrying tent, stove etc.   You could trace its origins to his time in Gordonstoun!

During his life Prince Philip’s love of nature led him to become involved in many “Saving the Planet” projects long before they became popular. 

His career in the Royal Navy brought him into action in WW11.  On land he was given the task of looking after the Crown Lands – a considerable number of farms and forests.  

There have been a number of references to the Queen’s Christian faith and its part in sustaining them through the long reign.  No doubt they were familiar with the Reformers teaching about the Crown Rights of the Redeemer.   There are two Monarchs; one is in the Palace in London the other is King Jesus ascended to the right hand of the majesty on high.  

The governance of the State is in the prerogative of the former.  The latter however was instituted by Christ and owes its allegiance to Him alone (St Matthew Chapter 28 Verses 16 to 20).   In this day when everyone knows their rights it is good to be reminder of the prior right of the one who by His blood purchased men for God (Revelation Chapter 5 verse 9 to 10).

Ecce homo                       Word on the Week                     3^rd April 2021.

Ecce homo ‘behold the man’! (St John Chapter 19 verse 5).    Pilot had got himself into a predicament.   He wanted Jesus to look like weak, foolish and a poor creature.   In fact, he wanted to make him look pitiful.   He had him flogged and now Pilot allowed the soldiers to dress him in mock regal garments.   It was as an imitation of a King that Pilot now displayed Jesus before the mob calling out ‘ecce homo’.  He hoped that they would reckon he had suffered enough and permit his release.   

But there was a separate agenda going on here.   Jesus was in the process of ‘emptying himself’ as the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 2 verse 8.   This entailed Jesus stooping to the lowest place (Isaiah 53).   All his rights were set aside. He became ‘nothing’!

It was Pilot who was the weak man!   He was frustrated by Jesus’s silence during his interrogation.   Furthermore, his wife had sent a message to him stating that he was to have nothing to do with this innocent man (St Matthew Chapter 27 verse 19).  Apparently she had been warned in a dream.    This put more stress onto Pilot who now pinned his hope of release on the governor’s custom, during the Passover feast, for the crowd to call for the release of a prisoner among those condemned to die.

The High Priest and the Sanhedrin are the instigators of the prosecution.   The text says “it was out of envy” that they wanted Jesus crucified (St Matthew Chapter 27 verse 18).   They were envious of the crowds he gathered.   They were envious of the way he taught the people with authority.   They were envious that he could answer every question that was put to him with astonishing clarity.   Their trumped up reason for requesting the death penalty – that Jesus called himself King of the Jews and therefore was a threat to Caesar did not really concern them – Pilot knew all this!

At the start of Jesus ministry John the Baptist recognised Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (St John Chapter 1 verse 29).   His crucifixion was where the Lamb of God’s life blood ran down the cross as the sacrifice was completed.   

He called out ‘tetelestai’- it is finished; (St John Chapter 19 verse 30).   The ascent into the abyss was over. Atonement on behalf of sinners has been made.   The work he came to do has been accomplished (St John Chapter 17 verse 4). Assess to heaven is open by way of faith (Romans Chapter 5 verses 6 to 8).     Come to Him this Easter!

Ship Ashore                     Word on the Week                    27^th March 2021.

Few things capture the imagination more than a maritime disaster.    If the ship is big and its cargo highly visible, then it is newsworthy.   If, in addition, the ship flounders in the Suez Canal, effectively blocking it, then we have all the ingredients of a prime maritime disaster!  

This occurred on Tuesday when the MV EVER GIVEN apparently was blown off course when a 40 knot gust hit the side of the vessel.   Photographs show that the cargo of containers was stacked eight high above the deck and would present considerable wind resistance.   The ship, which is longer than four soccer fields, has been wedged diagonally across the canal, shutting the waterway in both directions.

Ships waiting to use the canal have accumulated at either end of it.   They total 213 at present.   Some may attempt the long route around South Africa but the cost of additional fuel, plus normal ships overheads incurred during the ten-day journey, would take make it unattractive. 

Freeing the vessel is going to require the removal of copious quantities of sand by dredgers and much pushing by five tugboats which are on the scene. Of course the spring tides are due tomorrow and will create an above normal high water level.   They are influenced by the gravitation pull of the moon and reduce in height as the moon waxes only to rise again at the next full moon.

This presents a small window of opportunity which the salvage crews will use to exert the maximum pressure against the side of the vessel coinciding with the high tide.   It is tempting to pray to the Lord that he might send a reduced version of Noah’s flood which got his ark to float in former times (Genesis Chapter 6 verses 13 to 22).

There are also storms which spring up suddenly and can put fear into experienced fishermen, in the Bible.  One occurred to the north in the Lake of Galilee when Jesus was crossing with his disciples.  As St Mark records “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was asleep in the stern. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?  Jesus calmed the storm showing that he has authority over nature (Chapter 4 verses 35 – 41).

But it is not usual for Jesus to do a miracle to free an enormous ship which has been designed more as a testimony to man’s greed than to seaworthiness.   The storms that blow today on the bridge of the MV EVER GIVEN are more likely to require Jesus help with repentance and forgiveness between the owners and the ships command; and they may be in short supply!

Spring Equinox                Word on the Week                     20^th March 2021.

It’s that time of year that only happens twice when night and day are approximately the same length.   This is the March equinox.   From now on the days get longer and the nights get shorter – and don’t the birds know it!

The bird song moved up a few decibels this week, helped by the warmer weather and absence of wind.    The notes from some birds such as the Goldcrest belie their tiny size.   The shrill high ‘zee-zee-zee’ is guaranteed to persecute the wearer of hearing aids!

Chaffinch, Robins, Blackbirds and Coal Tits, to name but a few, are in full voice while the Blue Tits are busy house hunting!    They visit the nest boxes which have been idle since last Spring.   They are not easy pleased as both male and female need to agree with the location!

The magpies that successfully bred at the top of the Scotch Pine last year are also prospecting!   In folklore they are an unwelcome bird creating dissidence amongst the other garden birds.   Their fondness of eating their eggs is one of their less endearing qualities.   One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for a birth is one of a number of Magpie poems!

On the ground natures palate is rich in colour.   At first sight there seems to be a preponderance of yellow.   The primroses and daffodils stealing the show.   However, if you mix in the purple heaths with the blue hyacinths and the crocuses coming through the ground ivy there is a feast for the eyes.

Perhaps it’s the hellebores that in white or purple dress create the wow factor.   They modestly hang their heads concealing their beauty till its discovered by the gardener.   Betty’s preference is for the stinking hellebore – a misnamed plant for sure!   It is evergreen, its dark green leaves, sprouting from a thick stem. The flowers are green also but a lighter, yellowish shade; drooping cup-like shape. Lovely, but there is better.

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord …” (Psalm 27 verse 4).

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature
O thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honour
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Beautiful Saviour! Lord of all the nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honour, praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be thine.

A Royal Mess                  Word on the Week              13^th March 2021.

Family life in the 21^st century is not an easy business but when it has to be lived out in the full glare of the monarchy everything must take on a larger than life appearance.    Harry and Megan’s interview on Monday night had an estimated Irish TV audience of 725,000.   Not bad for an interview!

The couple had a tough assignment.   They had decided that royal life was not for them and had sought to put together a part-time post.   In it they would cut out most of the functions but keep the perks.   The perks that the interview highlighted were titles and security.   The latter gives an insight into the sort of life that goes with fame and the anxieties that attach to the name of Windsor.

Megan did most of the talking and delivered the two ‘bombshells’ well.   They were the charge of racism (Megan is of mixed race) from the palace and lack of help when Megan felt suicidal.   The interviewer, Oprah Winfrey, has a sphinx like face which betrayed little emotion.  She extracted the maximum impact from the interviewees words by using minimal words and subtle facial inflections.

Megan’s father, Thomas, when asked what he thought of the interview said “Megan has ghosted all of her family on both sides”.   ‘Ghosted’ according to the Oxford Dictionary is explained by the statement ‘being ghosted is one of the toughest ways of being dumped’.  

Piers Morgan’s claim on Good Morning Britain that he “didn’t believe” her when she said she had suicidal thoughts and failed to get mental health support from within the royal household. It cost him his job.   Piers clearly values free speech more than the job he has held down for a number of years!

Will it sink the monarchy?   For all its faults the monarchy, since Brexit, is one of the few assets the UK have left.   The Pomp and Circumstance are coveted by EC. The Queen, who has the task of reconciling the matter, has maintained contact with her grandson Harry.    She is a godly person and will realise that before reconciliation can flow there is the hard work of repentance and forgiveness to be worked out on both sides.

All this depends on a willingness for those involved to want it to happen.  The prodigal son would never have returned home if he had not been hungry (St Luke Chapter 15 verse 17).   It may be some time before Harry gets hungry and at age 94 his grandmother will want the process to keep moving!

Families have the power to inflict the maximum hurt or the maximum good on one another.   May God give them the desire to sort it out.