The Water of Life

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Peter

Water is very precious and is vital to sustaining life. Our little planet is, as far as we know, unique in the universe because of the abundance of water. Yet the East of England is experiencing a serious drought. A record dry 18 months, with virtually no rain this winter, has left rivers and reservoirs at critically low levels. These are the worst shortages for more than 90 years.

Some countries in Africa are experiencing very severe drought so that people and animals are dying. Since July 2011, a severe drought, the worst in 60 years, has been affecting the entire East Africa region. More recently aid agencies have warned about serious problems, because of drought, in West Africa, including Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso. We pray that rain will come and people’s needs will be met.

In John, chapter 4, we read of Jesus talking to a woman by a well in Samaria. She had come, in the heat of midday, to draw water from the well. Fetching and carrying water was hard work then, as it is today for many women in the world. The woman had experienced many problems in her life, including several broken marriages, which had really hurt her. Jesus spoke to her in a kindly way, even though her first response to him was negative. He revealed a real love for her and addressed her deepest needs.

Jesus knew that the water from the well could only satisfy the physical needs of the woman and her family for short time but, using the image of water, spoke of the deep and lasting satisfaction which comes from knowing him. He told her that she had only to ask him and he would give her “living water”. He went on to say, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

All of us want to find deep and lasting satisfaction. We want to know why we were created and the meaning of life. The answer cannot be found in religion, but is found in knowing Jesus. Many people, from all nations, have responded to his love, demonstrated in his death on the cross for our sins. As they have come to him they have experienced a deep peace and joy, as the woman did that day, which satisfies their deepest longings.

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Truths by which to Live

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Peter

In the Western world we are experiencing a moral revolution. There is now a new morality. What has, for hundreds of years, been regarded as wrong is now right. What was right is wrong. Positive words are used to give the impression that this is all for the better. Promoting the new morality is “progressive”. Politicians tell us they are doing “the right thing.” This is not a claim to be acting morally but that they believe they are adoping the right policy to deal with an issue.

The new morality involves key words and ideas: “freedom”, “choice”, “equality”, “discrimination”, “phobic”, and “human rights”. Armed with theses concepts we can justify almost any action and can present anyone who disagrees as bigoted, out of touch or opposed to the onward march of “progress”. The new morality is intolerant of anyone who disagrees. Anyone who disagrees is attacked, denied the right to express their views and, sometimes, even criminalised.

But morality is fundamental to the lives of every one of us and to any society. Being honest matters. Being faithful to our husbands and wives is vital to social stability. Respecting people who are different from us is really important.To disagree with people of another faith or of another sexual disorientation is not “phobic”, but arises from our moral convictions and spiritual beliefs.

A Muslim may fundamentally disagree with a Christian who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, but he isn’t Christian-phobic, which means being afraid of Christians or Christianity. He just disagrees with them. Normally such a disagreement does not lead to violence. I have Muslim friends. Love and respect for one another transcend differences of religious belief and practice.

The new morality has no place for God or for absolute moral principles which apply to us all. But God has given us two great commandments, which embrace all the important principles of true morality. We are to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Love for God involves worshipping him, honouring his Name and enjoying the weekly day of rest he has ordained. Loving our neighbour means honouring our parents, not killing our neighbour or taking his wife, not stealing his possessions or telling lies about him, and not being jealous of what he has. Any individual or society which abandons these moral principles is like a ship adrift on the ocean without power or compass.

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The Servant Queen and the Servant King

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Peter

King George VI died on 6 February 1952 and his daughter Elizabeth acceded to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. I was a young boy at the time and remember the day because normal radio programmes were cancelled, including Listen with Mother! That day I did not hear the familiar words, “Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.”

Queen Elizabeth has now reigned for 60 years, the second longest reigning British monarch in history. She has won the love and respect of her own people and many people around the world. In 1999 Australians were offered a choice between Queen Elizabeth and becoming a Republic and voted for the Queen!

At the beginning of her Diamond Jubilee year the Queen thanked people for their wonderful support and encouragement and wrote a message to the nation. “In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign.” She said she was looking forward to the future “with a clear head and a warm heart.”

In the New Testament we are exhorted to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” This is remarkable when you remember that many Christians, including the apostle Paul who wrote those words, died at the command of the Roman Emperor! Paul taught that “the authorities that exist have been established by God” and are “God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” Queen Elizabeth is an excellent example of a monarch who has whole-heartedly served her people. We thank God for her and pray that he will continue to bless her.

Even the best of earthly kings and queens reign only for a time, but Jesus Christ is the King of kings and reigns forever. He came into the world “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Living under his gracious reign brings true freedom and unmitigated blessings. His commands are always for our good. He loves us and protects us from all harm. We are glad to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen!”

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Corrie’s Story

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Peter

We have just celebrated Holocaust Memorial Day. The Holocaust was one of the most evil events in human history in which 6 million Jewish people were murdered by the Nazi regime. Yet out of those dark days amazing light sometimes shone. During the German occupation of The Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews from arrest and deportation in their home in Haarlem. In February 1944 the Gestapo came to the house and arrested Corrie and her family, but did not discover the 6 Jewish people in the hiding place. In September 1944, Corrie and Betsie were deported to Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany. They managed to stay together until Betsie died in December. Later that month Corrie was released, but really struggled to come to terms with Betsie’s death.

After the war, Corrie spoke in many places about the need to forgive in order to overcome the psychological scars of the Nazi occupation. In 1947 she was speaking in Germany when she saw a man in the audience whom she recognised as a guard from Ravensbruck. Immediately she remembered him in his blue uniform and cap with its skull and crossbones. She saw the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes on the floor and remembered the shame of walking naked past this man. She saw Betsie’s frail form ahead of her.

The man came up to her, thrust out his hand and said, “A fine message, Fräulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea! You mentioned Ravensbruck, I was a guard there, but since that time, I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fräulein, will you forgive me?”

Corrie described the massive inner turmoil she faced at that moment. “Woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me, and as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes, ‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried, ‘with all my heart!’ For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.”

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Courage and Hope in the Face of Adversity

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Peter

In a moving speech Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona’s first Jewish congresswoman, has announced that she is stepping down. On 8 January 2011 Gabrielle was the victim of an assassination attempt when she was shot in the head at a public meeting near Tucson. The gunman went on to kill 6 people and wound 13 others. Gabrielle, who is married to a former astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander, was awarded Arizona Family Literacy’s Outstanding Legislator in 2003. Since the shooting her whole life has changed as, first, she battled to survive and, then, showed tremendous courage in the long process of recovering from her terrible injuries.

Gabrielle said, “A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so, to do the best for Arizona, I will step down this week. I’m getting better. Every day my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much.”

Gabrielle is a great example of strength and determination in adversity. Sometimes things happen to us which devastate our lives and from which we can never recover in this life. We cannot go back to how things were but have to face a new and, often, very difficult future. Such experiences can crush us, but they can also be the means of bringing out amazing courage which is an inspiration to us all. We pray that each day the Lord will give Gabrielle and her husband the grace and strength they need.

Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, is the focal point of Christian faith. He experienced a depth of pain and suffering that no one else has ever endured. He died the agonising death of crucifixion and suffered the penalty our sins deserve. He was hated by his enemies and deserted by his closest friends. It seemed his death was the end until on the third day he rose again, as he said he would! He triumphed over sin and death. He is the greatest source of hope for us all, whatever life may bring to us. He gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. In him God promises us new life in heaven when he will heal all the sadnesses of this life and wipe away every tear from our eyes.

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Dying with Dignity

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Peter

An unofficial Commission has recently reported on the subject of assisted dying/suicide. The Commission was chaired by Lord Falconer, a former Justice Secretary, and was funded by Sir Terry Pratchett, the well known author, who has Alzheimer’s disease. The Commission was set up because those involved felt the present law, which makes assisted dying illegal, is “inadequate.” Most of the members of the Commission were known to be in favour of legalising assisted dying/suicide.

The recommendations of the Commission were that, in certain circumstances, assisted dying should be legalised. If a person is over 18, has a terminal illness, and is not expected to live more than 12 months, they should be permitted to kill themselves, provided they are not mentally impaired and are able to make a voluntary decision. The person would also need to be independently assessed by two doctors before being given the medicine to end their lives. The Commission believed there was a “strong case” for this procedure to be legalised. Many people refused to give evidence to the Commission, including the BMA, who said the majority of doctors do not want to legalise assisted dying.

This is a very important subject for any civilised society. Since the 1967 Abortion Act was passed there have been 7 million abortions in the UK. Mothers expecting babies whom tests reveal have a disability are routinely encouraged to abort them so that the child will not become a drain on resources. Now it is being proposed, in the guise of being caring and allowing freedom of choice, that the terminally ill be helped to “die with dignity.” This is a serious issue for us all.

It is very important that we affirm the sanctity of every human life. We all bear the image of God and have an eternal soul. The way we care for the terminally ill and elderly affirms the value we set on every individual person. I have often witnessed the loving care of families and medical staff for those who are dying. When life is drawing to an end it means so much to be surrounded by our loved ones. The excellent care now available in hospitals and hospices eases the final days for many. Long may this loving care continue. How tragic it would be if the law allowed people to ask their doctors to give them a fatal dose of drugs so that they can commit suicide.

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Look up at the stars and not down at your feet

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Peter

Professor Stephen Hawking is a remarkable man and has won the admiration of millions of people around the world. He is a brilliant theoretical physicist and cosmologist and has demonstrated amazing courage and determination in the way he has coped with motor neurone disease for nearly 50 years. This weekend he celebrated his 70th birthday and was due to deliver a lecture at Cambridge to a distinguished invited audience. Unfortunately he was not well enough to be there but had pre-recorded his speech, as he always does.

The lecture was personal and moving as he described how he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21 and had been told he had only a few years to live. At first he became depressed because he seemed to be getting worse quite rapidly and there didn’t seem any point in completing his PhD. However, when it became clear that his condition was developing more slowly, and also he was engaged to Jane, who became his first wife, his spirits were lifted. Describing this change he said, “After my expectations had been reduced to zero, every new day became a bonus and I began to appreciate everything I did have.“

As he concluded his lecture Professor Hawking said, “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious, and, however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” His words reminded me of Johann Kepler, the great 17th century German mathematician and astronomer, who proved scientifically that Copernicus was right when he said the sun, not the earth, was the centre of our planetary system. As he studied the universe Kepler said he felt he was “thinking God’s thoughts after him.”

It is good for us all to look up at the stars and to be moved with awe at the creative wisdom and power of God. We do not have to be eminent scientists to appreciate this. All over the world people of every culture and language can see God’s wonderful visual aid, know that he is there, and worship him. Three thousand years ago King David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

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The Love that Gives

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Peter

As a New Year begins, and most of the news is bad, the story of Manoly Viravong and Veronica Buttigieg is wonderful and so encouraging. Manoly and Veronica met for the first time last summer at a mutual friend’s wedding anniversary party. Manoly, who has 2 teenage children, told Veronica that she had been waiting for a kidney transplant for 5 years. A close relative had said he would donate one of his kidneys, but had changed his mind. Manoly was on dialysis for 8 hours every night and the need was becoming urgent.

When Veronica heard Manoly’s story she said, ”Why don’t you have one of my kidneys!” In July, 2 months later, the operation took place and Manoly is now well on her way to recovery. Veronica said, “I barely knew Manoly but after talking to her, and hearing how desperate she was, I felt it was the right thing to do. We all knew that there was a chance I could die, but I wasn’t worried at all. I am a Christian and I felt that God said it was right. I had real peace about it because I knew it was what God wanted me to do. I felt completely calm.” Manoly says, “I can’t really thank her enough. We are very close now, like sisters. I’m really very grateful to her and I count my blessings every day.”

The story of Manoly and Veronica reminds us of the wonderful love of God. One of the best known verses in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Many people think that the message of the Bible is about God telling us what we should do. But Christianity is not about what we do, but about what God has done in giving us his Son. The Christian life begins for each of us when we gratefully receive Jesus as our Saviour.

We can never repay God for his amazing love in Jesus, but when we receive him as our Saviour, our hearts are filled with love for him and overflow in love for others. That’s why Veronica gave her kidney to Manoly. She had experienced God’s amazing love for her in Jesus and wanted to show that love to Manoly. This is a love we can all know and show.

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The Death of Kim Jong-il

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Peter

The people of North Korea are in mourning following the death of their leader, Kim Jong-il. Many people have filed past his open coffin as the nation has been “engulfed in indescribable sadness.” Kim Jong-il’s son Kim Jong-un has already been installed as his father’s successor. Kim Jong-il was presented to his people as a father-figure and demi-god – all-powerful and benevolent.

What legacy has Kim Jong-il left? His rule has been repressive for the people of North Korea, who are very poor. Shortly after he came to power in 1994, a severe famine, caused by his economic reforms and poor harvests, left an estimated two million people dead. His regime was guilty of human rights abuses and developed great military power, including nuclear weapons. Today many cannot afford to buy food or to heat their homes. Since 1948 a Demilitarised Zone has divided North and South Korea. Families have been separated. Some people have escaped from North Korea to China, at great risk to their lives. No doubt Kim Jong-il was very rich, but now he has died and left this world naked, as he entered it, and has stood before the living God.

How very different the reign of Jesus Christ is! He is the greatest of kings, yet he was born in humble circumstances and never even owned a home of his own. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The kingdom Jesus established has spread throughout the world, embracing people from many nations. The empires of the world have come and gone, but the Kingdom of God has continued to grow.

Living under the lordship of Jesus Christ brings great blessings. He freely accepts us as we are, and forgives all our sins. He promises to be with us always and to help us in every situation. He gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. At the time of the 1994 famine some Christians wanted to help the people of North Korea by sending them food. They also wanted them to know that Jesus loved them. So they sent many sacks of food into North Korea and put a message on each sack, “With love from Jesus“. Many of the people who received the food were full of thankfulness to Jesus, of whom they had never heard before, because of his love for them.

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A Son has been given

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Peter

Around the world this week many people will celebrate Christmas and remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Many will attend a Carol Service to sing familiar carols and hear Bible readings about his birth. Parents will go to see their children taking part in nativity plays and playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men. Deep in the subconscious minds of people, many of whom do not attend church regularly, there is a sense that the birth of Jesus is significant and is more than a nice story, and they are right.

Centuries before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah spoke about what would happen and explained its meaning. He said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The birth of Jesus was the pivotal point in history and even our calendar reflects this.

The events surrounding Jesus’ birth are simple yet amazing and wonderful. Mary, a teenage girl, conceived a child when she was betrothed to be married to Joseph. She was a virgin and had to endure misunderstanding even from her beloved Joseph at first. The baby in her womb had been conceived supernaturally by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was a human being, but also truly divine. He was God’s son who was given. He had always existed as the Son of his heavenly Father and now came as God’s gift to the peoples of the world.

This child, who was so vulnerable at first to those who tried to kill him, was a great King. He established a kingdom which has spread through the whole world. Last year I attended a conference in South Africa attended by more than 4000 Christians from 197 countries of the world. All of us who were there have experienced God’s love in Jesus Christ. We gladly live under his gracious rule now and look forward to being with him in heaven for ever.

We can all learn something from the children’s nativity plays. We not need to be powerful or clever to know Jesus Christ as our Saviour. In fact these things often become barriers to true faith. God gave his Son, Jesus, so that all who come in childlike faith to him will have life and have it to the full.

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