No Longer Hoping           Word on the Week                     15^th October 2022.

We are now entering the fifth week of our outreach entitled ‘What’s the Story’? The question raised this week is entitled “Is there Hope in the Face of Death”? Sometimes it is difficult to understand what exactly hope is.   Perhaps it will be shown up in relief, looking first at a situation where it is absent.

Our first home, after we married, was on the Noss peninsula in the North of Scotland.  Nearby, on the edge of the sea cliff stood the remains of Sinclair Castle.  It was built of red sandstone marching the rock to which it clung.   One of its claims to fame was a bottle shaped dungeon.    Prisoners were lowered into it by rope.   There was no way out.   Archaeologists brave enough to go down into it found, apart from bones, scratched on the sandstone wall the words ‘Nae (No) Hope’.

That example of no hope in the face of death is at the physical level.   The Bible takes us to a spiritual level where, whatever the physical circumstances, hope can still burn bright.

Job is an example of this hope.   He is struggling with the conclusion that his misfortunes are from God.   His love for God tries to cope with what he sees as injustice and he makes the memorable statement, “Though he slay me yet will I hope in him” (Job Chapter 13 verse 15).

There is a general type of hope that many adopt in the face of death.   This hope is placed on the way they have lived, with what is thought to be good sufficient to purchase the imaginary ticket to heaven.   It is at funerals that these deeds get an airing and no doubt the deceased merited what was said.

When Dick Keogh was on his way to mass he was stopped by a friend who has become a Christian.   The friend showed Dick the passage in Hebrews where Jesus offered for all time one sacrifice for sins and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews Chapter 10 verses 11 to 14).   Dick saw that Christ’s sacrifice had once and for all time made perfect those who are being made Christian.    Hope for the Christian is simply Jesus Christ.

He went on to write the popular tract “No Longer Hoping”.   What he had hoped for (a new heart) had happened (Hebrews Chapter 10 verses 15 to 25).

The last word should go to the hymn writer whose old hymn modern songsters will not let go of.   It was inspired by the Jesus parable of the wise man who built his house upon a rock and written by Edward Mote around 200 years ago.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,(person)
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Chaos at Creeslough                 Word on the Week          8^th October 2022.

The village of Creeslough was ripped apart by a massive explosion.   It occurred at 3.00pm yesterday.   It was one of the busiest times of the day for the filling station, shops and flats.   At the present time ten are dead and many injured.

Rescuing people has taken precedence over accident investigation.   JCB’s have been removing the lumps of concrete and rubble from the front of Applegreen Filling Station in a search for those trapped by what is thought to have been a gas explosion.

The village of Creeslough has been immortalised in the poem “The Emigrant’s Letter”.   It is a nostalgic piece with the writer looking back – “Oh it’s well to be you that is takin’ yer tay, Where they’re cuttin’ the corn in Creeslough today.

When the tower of Siloam collapsed killing 18 people, those recounting the incident to Jesus were inclined to the opinion that they were somehow worse sinners and deserved it (St Luke Chapter 13 verses 4 to 5).   Jesus regularly has compassion on those who suffer but in this case he firstly disabused the idea of the dead deserving their fate then, addressing the people directly, called them to repentance.

The random nature of accidents is a feature of a world gone wrong.   Everything is affected.   The daily newspaper confirms it.   The world is in a mess.   The Apostle John concludes his first letter by writing about the world order being under the control of the evil one.   He goes on to portray Jesus as the complete saviour for time and eternity (1 John Chapter 5 verses 19 to 20).

This leads on to this week’s question in the ‘What’s the Story’ campaign which could be paraphrased “What am I here for”?   The Apostle would say you are here to be born again.   Just as we all have a physical birth we require a spiritual birth to enter God’s kingdom (St John Chapter 3 verses 3 to 5).

Willie Still the preacher used to say we were on probation!   But that implies that we can do something to qualify for the Kingdom whereas Jesus has done it all.   Our task is to repent and place our God given gift of faith in Jesus atoning death.   So that we can say “In my place condemned He stood”.   And because He rose from the dead Jesus will ensure his death accomplished all he intended (2 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 21).

We extend our sympathies to all who mourn the loss of loved ones or are injured by yesterday’s explosion.   The greatest comfort of all is to know that one’s dearest whether alive or dead are safe in the arms of Jesus.   May it be so for many who sorrow today.  

Guilt and Shame             Word on the Week                     1^st October 2022.

Like the proverbial albatross around one’s neck, guilt and shame stick like glue.  It is easy to identify with the plaintive cry of despair, which is the strapline to this week’s searching question – “Will I ever be good enough”?

Many religions have arrangements which facilitate the temporary expurgating of guilt and shame.   These normally consist of a work of a religious nature to act as an antidote.     The idea being to erase the blots from life’s copybook and restore relationships with one’s God.

Biblical warrant for such behaviour is scant.   But the idea of being able to clean up one’s act is not easily removed.   From the earliest days we get the idea that being good will cancel out the bad.   If it was possible you would still have the problem that you do not know when you have done enough.   You don’t get a balance sheet!

The idea has gained a little credence from the miracle at Belshazzar’s feast when a hand wrote on the palace wall.   Daniel interpreted the words to read, “you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting” (Daniel Chapter 5 verses 26 to 28).   The idea of one’s goodness tipping the imaginary balance   in their favour is tempered by the killing of Belshazzar that night!   

If any are not persuaded and believe “there is some good in all of us” and that this supposed good must count for something the writer to Romans dispels that notion!   The all-encompassing words of Chapter 3 verse 23 “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” present the unpalatable truth.   We can only deliver short measure.   We are not capable of anything else!   We will never be good enough!

We have all been guilty of looking in the wrong place.   Unless our shame and guilt are borne by another we will take them to the grave.   The albatross remains in place.   

However, if by faith the albatross of my guilt and shame is seen to be taken by Jesus on the cross – His death becomes personal and I am forgiven (Isaiah Chapter 53 verses 8 to 11).   As the hymn writer puts it…

You Laid Aside, Your Majesty,
Gave Up Everything For Me.
Suffered At The Hands
Of Those You Had Created.

You Took All My Guilt And Shame,
When You Died And Rose Again.
Now Today You Reign,
In Heaven And Earth Exalted.                     

And because He lives all who believe in Him will live eternally (St John Chapter 10 Verse 28)

Is There Anyone Out There?   Word on the Week   24^th September 2022.

There is the amusing story of the rock climber stuck on the cliff face who called out “Is there anyone out there”.   A voice responded, “Let go!”   After a lengthy consideration of the reply he asked, “Is there anyone else out there?”

Many of us have heard the voice of God speaking through our conscience, telling us what we should do, only for us to look for a second opinion that was more to our liking!   

The question of the existence of an invisible God is the first of six key questions gathered in a survey of many people by evangelical churches.   These will be discussed across Ireland over the next six weeks.   They can be found in https://www.whatsthestory22.ie/

God has made himself known through his word.    God’s spoken word brought creation into being.   ‘And God said’ punctuates each phase of creation (Genesis Chapter 1).    The Spirit of God bringing life to what was created culminating with humankind (Genesis Chapter 2 verse 7).

Through disobedience sin entered the world.   There was also the promise of a Saviour (Genesis Chapter 3 verse 15).   St John begins his Gospel by describing Jesus as the Word of God in person just like us but without sin.    He was to show what God the Father is like so as to partially answer the question posed by the title to this blog (Chapter 1 verse 18).

Jesus showed us what perfect obedience to the Father looks like when he went to the Cross to redeem us from sin (Philippians Chapter 2 verses 5 to 10).   Our part is to surrender our wills to His will.  God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and faith in Jesus (2 Peter Chapter 3 verse 9).

Like our climber who needed to let go of the rock and rely on the rope to save him, we need to believe God exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 6).   The reward is knowing personally the one who “is out there”.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Yes, Prime Minister                   Word on the Week                    9^th July 2022.

The popular BBC comedy programme of yesteryear, Yes, Prime Minister, became “No”, Prime Minister this week as Boris Johnson ran out of credibility!   He resigned Office but as a parting gesture decided to stay at his post till a successor is appointed!

The honourable thing would have been to go but Boris has never let honourable things get in the way of him retaining power.   Previously when things have looked bad for him along has come a crisis which has taken the focus off his troubles.   This week he himself became the crisis!

So what will become of him?   The 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers are meeting on Monday to consider changing the rules and have a second vote of ‘no confidence’ on Boris.   Having survived the first one in recent weeks the Rules of the House do not permit a second challenge within 12 months!  

When rule was made it was never envisaged that the resigning party would remain in office but hand over to the deputy Prime Minister who would take his place.   In order to dislodge Boris, we may see this rule changed!

So where do we look for a successor?   We do not have very far to look.   The Members of Parliament are eager to fill the top job each out for him/herself!

What did Jesus say when faced with the ambition of James and John, the sons of Zebedee (St Mark Chapter 10 verses 35 to 45)?  

The contrast between them could hardly have been more different.   He had come to give and to serve; they wanted to get and to rule!   Their selfishness was breath-taking; they wanted to sit at Jesus’ side bypassing the cross and entering the glory!

Of course they were after power.   Who isn’t?  It requires sanctified flesh to covet the lowest place.   They were still carnal, following the way of the world.  Hadn’t they given up lots of things to follow Him?   Now was the payback time!

They thought the cup and baptism that Jesus offered was some messianic banquet not suffering and the cross!    Their eyes were on the honour, security and power of the ‘ruler’ whereas Jesus was offering sacrifice, service and suffering.

In case any of his disciples have missed the point Jesus spells it out; “Not this way among you” (Verses 42-43).   He goes on to illustrate servanthood by paying for his people’s sins on the cross.   Thus liberated we are saved to serve.

Of course the Church cannot impose her standards on government but by adopting them and living them out, the world may see what following Jesus means.   The UK might even get a Godly Prime Minister!

Do not be like them.                   Word on the Week                    2^nd July 2022.

It was at the end of a Church Service when the visitor asked what words of advice I would give to her rather mature 12-year-old daughter.   I said “Don’t follow the crowd; Jesus never did” and that was accepted as a piece of homespun wisdom.

Her husband who had just read my WOTW which, if I remember rightly went rather bare on a major politician of the day.   I was quizzed, among other things, on the blog’s apparent anonymity.   I referred him to the website (Grace.ie/blogs) which he looked up and found the authorship exposed in rather large print! 

They formed an interesting trio.   They were over from the UK for some sort of legal conference.   His legal brain had caused him to ask me for my blog’s sources whereas his wife’s concern for her daughter’s future had led her on a more useful quest.  

All this happened many years ago but came to mind as I considered the Lord’s instruction, “Do not be like them”.  

It was addressed to the Children of God as they entered the land of Canaan and it was re-stated in the sermon on the mount (Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verses 13 to 15 and St Matthew Chapter 6 verse 8).   In the former it was to shun pagan gods and their practices and in the latter to avoid pretence in religion.

We live in days when Christianity only occupies a small part of many lands and false gods abound.   The latter make demands on their followers, which if they continue, will enable them to perhaps reach Nirvana.

Christianity, in contrast to all other religions, looks to God’s grace.   This is God giving us what we don’t deserve.  He invites the whole unworthy world to come to Jesus.  If we accept the invitation our hearts respond to the hearing of God’s word. We are then baptised into the Christian family (Acts Chapter 16 Verses 14 to15).

These baptised ones are those who “do not want to be like them” who do not want to follow the crowd choosing instead the narrow road.   It is not an easy road but it is where Christ lives (2 Timothy Chapter 3 verses 10 to 17). 

It is unlikely that I will ever know in this life how things worked out for that young girl but I would like to think that our conversation was a step towards a life changing faith in Christ.

Ulysses at 100                   Word on the Week             18^th June 2022

The book hit its century this week and shows no lack of vigour that might have been expected of one of such an age.   Written by James Joyce and published in Paris where he was living.   Its publication coincided with his 40th birthday.     

At first sight the book appears to be a chaotic jumble of events, some clear, others obscure.   Joyce somewhat mischievously said that he had “put in so many enigmas and puzzles into the book that it would keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant”, which would earn the novel immortality.  His prediction has come true for its first century!

Because of time constraints (the book is 730 pages long) we will copy what others have stated.   “The novel’s stream of consciousness technique, careful structuring, and experimental prose—replete with puns, parodies, and allusions—as well as its rich characterisation and broad humour have led it to be regarded as one of the greatest literary works in history; Joyce fans worldwide now celebrate 16 June as Bloomsday.”

So now you have it and all resulting from Leopold Bloom’s walk through Dublin city on 16^th June 1904! 

In what appears to have been a spontaneous PR gesture Paschal Donohoe who chairs the group of EU Finance Ministers presented his EU colleagues with a copy.  A gesture which itself could be open to interpretation!

God also communicates with his people with words which, by his great goodness, have been bound into the Bible.   In it we learn that the Word was present “at the beginning” and along with the Father and the Spirit were the authors of creation (Genesis Chapter 1 & John Chapter 1).   Thus the Bible establishes the trinity.           (2 Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 14).

In order to redeem sinned man God broke into this world through the womb of the virgin Mary and took flesh without ever ceasing to be God.    As the God/man he made atonement for his people’s sins on the cross purchasing their pardon with his life’s blood (1Peter Chapter 1 verses 18 to 19).

All this is for the reader of this Book and the hearer of this Word may, by God’s grace, become partaker of the divine nature.   Consider the Apostle Peter’s words in the opening chapter of his second letter (verses 1 to 4).

“To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.   His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

Two books.   One embedded in this world.  In the other our Triune God reveals a way where-by sinner man can, by grace, participate in Christ’s nature.

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs   Word on the Week     11^th June 2022.

The Bible has been the source of numerous songs and has its own songbook – the psalms.   Many hymns have an autobiographical flavour. The writer sharing his experience in song.   We will look at John Cennick later.

Firstly, we go to Psalm eight where David celebrates the privileged place people have in the created order.   ‘O Lord our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!   You have set your glory above the heavens.   When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.   You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…O Lord our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth (quoted in Hebrews Chapter 2 verses 6 to 8).

The writer to the Hebrews then goes on to rejoice in the privileged place Christians have in redemption history.   Jesus is described as the founder of their salvation becoming a faithful high priest in the service of God to make propitiation for the sins of the people.   In his redeeming work, Satan is defeated and the sting removed from death (Hebrews Chapter 2 verses 9 to 18).

John Cennick (1718 – 55) piqued my interest when I learned he had to be passed over the heads of the crowd and in through a window to get to the pulpit to preach!   It was probably St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin or a neighbouring building.   At this time, he was an itinerant evangelist.              His writings are direct and to the point.

The more I strove against sin’s power, I sinned and stumbled but the more; Till late I heard my Saviour say, Come hither, soul, I am the Way.

In his teenage years he lived under a terrible sense of guilt.   “One day he was walking in Cheapside, London, the hand of the Lord touched me”.    His autobiography tells us that for the next two years he tried many things till one day he saw his failure and Jesus accomplishing salvation for him on the cross.

…Lo! glad I come; and thou, blest Lamb, shall take me to Thee as I am! Nothing but sin have I to give; Nothing but love shall I receive.

The last verse of the hymn could be termed prophetical, describing as it does, his occupation as a Moravian evangelist, for the rest of his short life.

Now will I tell to sinners round What a dear saviour I have found!                   I’ll point to Thy redeeming blood, And say, ’Behold the way to God!’

Platinum Jubilee                Word on the Week                       4^th June 2022.

It is almost a contradiction in terms.   Platinum represents 70 years whereas Jubilee in Scripture is 50 years.      However, over the years the word Jubilee has been added to other significant dates such as 60 years married is a Diamond Jubilee.

When Moses was given the celebration it was to be held every 50^th year.   It was preceded by seven sabbath years.   These consisted of six normal years trading followed by a seventh year where the fields lay fallow and rested (Leviticus Chapter 25 verses 3 to 7).   When a total of 49 years is reached in the 49^th year the ground is left fallow as usual.   What is grown by the land on its own can be taken to feed your family and livestock.

Then the trumpets sound throughout the land and proclaim the year of Jubilee.   This would usher in a time of restoration when each one returns to the family property. The over-riding understanding is that the Lord owns the land and we are tenants or stewards.   If this was understood and accepted today wars would cease overnight!

During the Jubilee year debts are cancelled and again no harvesting takes place. Only sowing for the following year is permitted.   Provision is made for those who become poor.  Lending without charging any interest is extended to him.   No one was to sell themselves into slavery.  Instead they were to be treated as hired workers until the next year of Jubilee when they could go free.  

There were plenty of trumpets blown in London this week to announce the 70^th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.   This set in motion four days of celebration of what is the longest reign of any British monarch.    There have been street parties in many towns and cities where the common factor was the lighting of a beacon to mark the event.

In the Bible, a book which the Queen frequently quoted from, Moses was concerned to ensure the poor were looked after (Leviticus chapter 15 verses 35 & 39).  

Here is an anecdote from a Jewish Magazine recalling the Queen’s visit to holocaust survivors back in 2005.

‘It was the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the Queen was meeting a group of Holocaust survivors. When the time came for her to leave, she stayed. And stayed. One of her attendants said he had never known her to linger so long after her scheduled departure time. She gave each survivor – it was a large group – her focussed, unhurried attention. She stood with each until they had finished telling their personal story. It was an act of kindness that almost had me, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in tears… It brought a kind of blessed closure into deeply lacerated lives.’

So often royalty seem like pieces on a chess board – to be moved around to suit their handler’s requirements at that particular time.   It is good to recognise the Queen’s ability to weigh up a situation, as she did in her visit to Ireland in 2011 and make the appropriate response when the opportunities arose.

The British national anthem has the line ‘long to reign over us’ which has been fulfilled.  Let us pray that the request expressed in the opening line will come to pass.

Gardens without Borders                    Word on the Week           28^th May 2022.

You know summer has come when the media proclaims the opening of the Chelsea flower show!  This week long event is a logistical triumph.   Many entries come from round the world.  Keeping their flowers alive and coming to their peak for Chelsea is no small task.

In all there were 39 gardens and 80 nursery floristry represented. Some 13 were selected to be show gardens.   These average an amazing 3,125 plants!  Transporting and creating these gardens takes place the week before the show opens.  The best in show garden came from Ireland.

The trends are towards wilding from the wild kitchen garden with edible fruits, flowers and herbs to one showcasing a natural re-wilding of landscapes.  This one confined itself to using plants grown in these islands.  Following the reintroduction of beavers in south west England there was a water feature with beaver dams.   All of which provoked Monty Don of BBC’s Gardeners World to question if this was really a garden at all!   Perhaps a new class incorporating fauna needs to be created!

Queen Elizabeth, who is a patron of the show, was present in her version of the ‘popemobile’!   This being her Platinum Jubilee there were many floral tributes including one of her profile in flowers on a platinum coloured background.

For the record the plant of the year was voted to be the Semponium ‘Destiny’.  My choice would have been the Irises of which the blue is my favourite.

Returning to more pressing matters the Plantsman’s Ice Garden provided a warning of global warming.   It centred around a 15 ton 2.5m cube of ice symbolising Siberian permafrost.   The cube gradually melted during the week providing a cool water supply of melt water for the surrounding Siberian irises.

Designed by Joe Swift, the BBC Studios Our Green Planet & RHS Bee Garden is buzzing with inspiration for gardeners to help protect bees and other pollinators in their own green spaces. With a design based on a bee wing, the garden shows how easy it can be to create a beautiful space that is great for pollinators too.

When the Lord God planted the first garden he designed the prototype for all the gardens that were to follow (Genesis Chapter 2 Verse 8).   Weeds, the emblems of our sins, destroys it’s beauty.  With the atoning work of Christ on the cross for our sins the possibility of a renewed garden arises.   This time the living water Jesus spoke about (St John Chapter 4 verses 10 to 14) flows through it removing the curse and healing those who respond to Jesus’s invitation to drink i.e. trust in Him.   His promises are true.