Two shall become One

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Peter

Genesis is the first book in the Bible. It describes the majestic creation of the heavens and the earth by the power and wisdom of God. Then it describes the creation of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. They were created by God “in his image.” They had bodies and also eternal souls and enjoyed wonderful fellowship with their Creator.

Adam was created “from the dust of the earth” and worked in the beautiful Garden of Eden. His working pattern followed God’s activity in creation. Adam worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. He enjoyed the fruit which grew on the trees of the garden. This pattern of life was the model God intended us all to enjoy with a good work-life balance.

Then God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs. From the rib he made Eve and brought her to Adam who said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’ because she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and is united in marriage to his wife and they become one flesh.

Matthew Henry, the Bible commentator, says, “The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.” This is a beautiful description of marriage which has been the foundation of human life and society from the beginning of time. Through the sexual union of a husband and wife children are born and grow up in the security of the family.

Marriage brings a man and a woman into the closest relationship we can ever know. In marriage a man and a woman make solemn promises to each other to live together in an exclusive relationship of lifetime faithfulness and, so, two people become one. This is why problems in marriage are so deeply painful and lifelong love in marriage is so deeply fulfilling.

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Marie Colvin – a Witness for Truth

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Peter

Marie Colvin, the Sunday Times war correspondent, died last week in the besieged Syrian city of Homs as she was trying to retrieve her shoes so she could escape a Syrian army bombardment. Marie was with 5 other journalists who went into a building housing a rebel press centre in the district of Babr Amr. Other journalists were injured and a French photojournalist, Remi Ochlik, was also killed.

Marie was a courageous war correspondent. During her 30 year career she reported from Iraq, Sierra Leone, Chechnya, Afghanistan and the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka, where she lost one of her eyes. Her mission was to report the horrors of war, especially as it affects civilians, with accuracy and without prejudice. She said, “Covering a war means going to places torn by chaos, destruction and death, and trying to bear witness.”

Her work involved great personal cost. She spoke about the terror she experienced personally as she went on patrol with soldiers through the fields and villages of Afghanistan, “putting one step in front of the other, steeling yourself each step for the blast.” She saw some of her colleagues being severely injured and killed as they reported from war zones. Her last report was, “In Baba Amr. Sickening, cannot understand how the world can stand by. Watched a baby die today. Shrapnel, doctors could do nothing. His little tummy just heaved and heaved until he stopped. Feeling helpless …. Will keep trying to get out the information.” It was not long before her voice, the voice of truth, was silenced by a Syrian army rocket, probably targeted at her and other journalists reporting on the war. “In war, truth is the first casualty!”

2000 years ago men also tried to silence the voice of truth. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this world to bear witness to the truth which sets us free. He spoke the truth without fear for his own safety. He faced constant hostility from religious and political leaders who tried to silence him by putting him to death on a cross. Their hatred and opposition to him was irrational and ultimately futile. On the third day he rose from the dead and today he is loved and followed by millions of people around the world. He comes alongside us in our sadness and need in order to help, strengthen and, ultimately, deliver us. One day he will bring the truth to light and judge the world in righteousness.

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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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