The Merry Go Round

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The Merry Go Round

Contributed by SM

In this modern world with its problems there are some people who have lost hope, other people people doubting and some who hope regardless. And their concerns? For some it’s climate change. For many threats from disaffected immigrants, ebola in Africa, starvation in too many countries, and, yes, even slavery. Refugees in many numbers in camps wait seemingly forever to move on, while political feuds, fanatics in Iraq, power strugglers in Syria and other issues unmentioned worries are concerns day by day of others So are we being targeted specially in our time? Are we really meant to be getting it by the bucketful? Well, read this written by Bishop George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne and a famously brilliant British philosopher. He wrote it in 1721.

“I know it is an old folly to make peevish complaints of the times, and charge the common failures of human nature on a particular age. One may nevertheless venture to affirm that the present has brought forth new and portentous villainies, not to be paralleled in our own or any other history. We have been long preparing for some great catastrophe. Vice and villainy have by degrees grown reputable among us; our infidels have passed for fine gentleman, and our venal traitors for men of sense who knew the world. We have made a jest of public spirit, and cancelled all respect for whatever our laws and religion repute sacred. The old English modesty is quite worn off, and instead of blushing for our crimes we are ashamed only of piety and virtue. Our symptoms are so bad that, notwithstanding all the care and vigilance of the legislature, it is to be feared the final period of our State approaches”.

So it’s not new. Interestingly enough Wesley followed some years later and brought about a great revival and re-interest in Christianity.People flocked to Church. That was the end of that period of woe. But what to do when we are in the middle of trouble with little light? Let’s see what happened even earlier and how people coped. The Bible writer, Ecclesiastes has to say about life some thousands of years before Berkeley. He may not be famous but he does know a thing or two. There is a wryness, at times, about his observations which ring true. Consider these-

“Wisdom is better than weapons of war, often a single error spoils good strategy. A poisonous fly makes perfume putrid”:

““ Man knows not what is to be: who can tell him what happens when he is gone?”

“ Take shares in several ventures; you never know what will go wrong in this world.”

“ Remember your Creator when you are young, before evil days come…(and before)… the day when the silver cord is snapped, and the golden lamp drops broken,… when your dust returns to Earth once more, and your spirit to God who gave it.”

He argues that all human effort ultimately is negated by death,; to labour for great riches to leave after death to others is ridiculous; that few are remembered after death by their good works and, in a way, all human effort is temporary, unremembered and therefore vain. His final words might even be confirmed by the lack of detailed knowledge in our own families about the daily lives of those who preceded us – their sufferings and their joys. Read him for yourself – it’s easy reading. So what gives meaning to lour lives? Simply that Christ came from the Beyond, from God, and promised that where He was going when he left the Earth was where he he would take all those who believed in Him to be with him after they died. He even said to the thief on the cross beside him that the thief that day would be in Paradise with him. Jesus was acknowledging that the thief knew goodness which did not deserve punishment .and He was merciful.

Can any of this help you to cope? Berkeley with his measuring the world against his faith and making an assessment? Ecclesiastes with his acceptance of mortality and his always remembrance of God? Or the hope that Christ gives us all if we believe? If you would understand more discuss this with your minister, pastor or priest (SM)

“DOES GOD EXIST?”

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“DOES GOD EXIST?”

‘Contributed by SM

If you are asked to prove that God exists how do you go about it? Let me put it another way. How do you prove love or pain or hate? You may not be able to prove that any of these three exist (whatever that really means) but when they are present you know it. In short, the feeling you feel is private to you – so some experiences I can’t feel or know cause you to say what you say about such happenings. In other words, the experience is valid for you – no one else can feel or know them.

And so with your experience of God. Many Christians  assert, and continue to assert, that God works in their lives. Jesus said, “Seek and you shall find”. But where ? Where and how do you start? I can only point to that essential stillness wherein you experience the quietness within. And remember Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is within you”. He meant that is where God operates. So try it and talk to God. 

Now even Science starts with an act of faith. A chemistry student is told, “This is an acid – it will do so and so”. And he tries and  proves it. But the word “try” means something else as well as “having a go”. It also means “tests” in the sense of “test this for truth” or again, “test this for…” and so on. “Faith”, said Jesus, “can move mountains” and I know from real Life that improbable occurrences do happen – I really know it. So try it. It won’t be  always but they’ll happen at the discretion of God.

So, too, does Christianity start with a statement. Jesus said He was the real way to the Infinite Spirit which is God. He said He was the Truth when the question was asked, “What is Life all about?”, and He also said the life He offered was the real life that man was meant to have.

Well how do you go about “testing” it? Read Revelations Ch.3 verse 20, as the first step in an act of faith and see what happens when you do what it says. It reads, “Behold I (that is, Jesus) stand at the door (i.e. the door to your inner self) and knock: if any man (or woman) hear my voice and open the door (that is, asks me to come in to him/her) I will come in to him (or her) and sup with him (or her) and he (or she will sup) with me.”

Man was made for fellowship with God and chooses either God or fills that private area within with whatever else. There is no half way house. Jesus re-establishes the link for those who want to – not to prove God – but  for you to know and live in harmony with Him.

 Discuss this further with your minster or priest if it interests or intrigues you. (JSDM) 

Reflections on Western Society

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Reflections on Western Society 

[contributed by SM]

During a speech, former Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, referred to Pitirim Sorokin, 1889-1968, a Russian-American. Sorokin noted of the Russian Revolution: “During the first stages of the [Russian] Revolution, its leaders deliberately attempted to destroy marriage and the family. 

 Free love was glorified by the official ‘glass of water’ theory: if a person is thirsty, so went the Party line, it is immaterial what glass he uses when satisfying his thirst; it is equally unimportant how he satisfies his sex hunger. The legal distinction between marriage and casual sexual intercourse was abolished. The communist law spoke only of ‘contracts’ between males and females for the satisfaction of their desires either for an indefinite or a definite period – a year, a month, a week, or even a single night. In short, a variation on that musical play, “Anything Goes.”  Really? Does this ring a bell?

 The social chaos, which followed the policy, caused its abandonment later in the 1920s. It doesn’t take a university degree to see what this could do to the social values of Western civilization with respect to personal relationships and individual attitudes. Could it happen here? Is it happening here?

 Furthermore, one could be brave and state that in the West courtesy still exists. Certainly it exists but so does, increasingly, masculine aggressiveness (machismo) an example of which is the single, sometimes fatal, punch reported from time to time. Sledging in cricket is now accepted as a norm and the behaviour by some players of football needs no comment.

 In short, the death of courtesy in Western civilization is noticeable. So what is courtesy? Simply the social oil which facilitates good relationships between people and peoples. It is not the only catalyst but it is a necessary one. It is what Christianity calls “Love in action” – courtesy – respectful kindliness in behaviour…

 Without its presence relationships are endangered; bullying can potentially exist in workplace dealings; in the twilight world of crime enforcing extreme violence becomes the norm. It is useless to go on as you already know where the bully boys operate. The practice of courtesy – EVEN A SMILE — as a habit — would make a real contribution to harmony and safety in the community.  So?  Simple ….. GET WITH IT — TRY IT. You could be really surprised at its effect. Better still find out what being Christian really means!

 Been to worship in a Church recently? No? Try it – you might find the peace you seek. [Speak to a minister or priest if the above has interested you. – SM]

here

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A Charming Failure?

A ‘Think About This’ article written by JSDM

 “There is something innately charming about the ordinary folk who came in droves to see the charismatic preacher (Billy Graham): men in their dark suits and hats, women wearing frocks, hats and gloves, girls with their plaits and bobbysocks, clean-cut lads with short-back-and-sides haircuts, all in a conscious effort to look their best.”

The words “innately charming” appeared in a recent article (extract above) on Billy Graham by a TV presenter. They could be judgmental as well as descriptive but can one judge the standards of another time? The clothing mentioned in the above paragraph, for example, was as normal in those days as is the “dress down” aspect of today’s custom of no ties, non-ironed trousers, rumpled clothes, torn and faded jeans and so on. Do we judge the dress of the Elizabethan era? As well, remember that most of those “well dressed” people were the war generation who grew up in the Depression. They conserved clothes and wore their “best clothes” – as expected – in those days, to such events. Those with a knowledge of that time would agree. Not to know that is to misread the scene.  “What’s acceptable and worn at the time“ applies to both eras.

More importantly, what were the results of Graham’s charisma? “Passing” seems the judgment by that writer – a non-continuance into the next generation. Was the transience of his message due to a failure in preaching done by a “slick preacher with movie-star looks and a sonorous voice”? That seems too easy an explanation – Graham could not achieve everything, surely, in one sermon to a massed audience. Follow up education was needed.  It was provided. Did the many, though, follow through or was the rally the beginning and the end – which I suggest it was. If the many didn’t attend what was their reason? Lack of time or inclination are possibilities. So many attendees would never have gone past the “God exists and Jesus calls you to know that” step.

As well there were the loosely connected people who did not know or could not teach/explain the essence of Faith, “Love one another” to their children.  Among them, were the many parents who stayed at home but sent children to Sunday school – a childminding facility on Sunday morning. Did the parents come later to worship with their offspring? Well, see the result to-day – empty pews.

So, if any hard-line view is taken of the Billy Graham campaigns then “parent-failure” has to be seen as a factor. As the parent so the child. Further, Christian educators of those days tried to “make it easy” to learn and discarded learning by heart/rote from the Bible and a little book called the Catechism with its question-and-answer method fell into disuse. That contributed to ignorance and the fall away in worshippers.

In Queensland’s Presbyterian Church the reverend gentlemen of the 1960s were told annually at their State Assembly that youth numbers were falling – that there was a real need to act. Did it happen? The words fell on deaf ears. That wasn’t Billy Graham’s fault.

Indeed, one can ask if theological colleges even now realise the need for high communication skills in students.

The “after Billy Graham generation” consequently – largely uninstructed and uninformed – went into a world of beguiling influences and of wonderful singers – the Beatles and suchlike – and welcomed the advent of the Pill in the 1960s. So the Pill was there, the Bible said, “Not before marriage”. Was “why” ever explained? Who won?  The Church?  No way, so the old Greek god Eros, with the help of the Pill, won by many lengths. Who was Eros?  Sex. You’ll no doubt see some aspects in the Mardi Gras which, this year, celebrates its start up 50 years ago – about the time we are referring to above. It is now described as “Australia’s greatest pageant”. It may well be.

The real question, though, has to be, did Graham fail or was it lack of skilled Church involvement/education/illumination as well as indifference by send-them to Sunday School parents and other non helping adults as well? By the clergy’s lack of communication skills? Billy Graham’s so called “pretty faith” lit the glimmer of belief in a lot of people but lack of extra fuel caused it to fail. 

 

There’s hope, though, tune into Jordan Peterson by clicking here – you won’t sleep!

[SM]

Having Trouble Praying?

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Having Trouble Praying?

Prayer is not an acquired art but is instinctive. We pray for help when life is just too much for us and, interestingly enough, pray with our whole being that we be heard – particularly when we are desperate and anxious.

Are there any rules? Strictly speaking there aren’t.  We do not have to be great scholars to speak with the unseen Spirit that is our Father. St Paul described the Spirit in these words:

            God, in whom we live and move and have our being.

So, just as we are surrounded by wireless and TV waves and have to tune in to make use of them so we have to tune into God, the Spirit, through prayer. And that word “prayer” simply means talking to Him.

On the other hand, there are some aspects that we should think about. One has to face up to what Martin Luther said, ‘Don’t lie to God.’ What’s the point? If there is something we should do and we don’t, isn’t the really straightforward thing to do is to pray for the desire to be put in to our hearts? Another could be the need to be definite. For example, it is not enough in our private prayers to say we have been sinful. We must face up to what sins we have committed. As God said to Job,  “… I will demand of you and you will answer.”  So simply say what it is that you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness.- and mean it.

Then, too, we have to remember that the whole family of human beings is, in effect, the family of God and we have to live in harmony with the rest of the family and that’s where the word “love “comes in – in this case meaning ” being considerate of,” and that  means simply being ”kind”.

 Life is like a picture at the cinema. We come in with the picture well on (when we are born) and leave before it is finished (when we die). Hence God’s purposes – and sometimes ours – are best served when our particular prayers are not answered. The action has already begun so can we really expect it  to be changed when it is in full flight? What best suits everybody seems to be the rule that applies and still allows for answers in particular situations.  Remember, the cup of suffering was not taken away from Jesus when He prayed in Gethsemane.

Prayer is not a means of escape but a means by which we are enabled to overcome and handle matters in all situations in life – overcoming in the sense of never being without peace within; peace which passes all human understanding and never being without the feeling of being in touch with God. And the last way we benefit is to have what we call Grace, a generosity of attitude and spirit which enables us to say, ‘Father, forgive them they know not what they do.’

If you are having trouble praying try talking to God as if He is sitting opposite you.

                                    – Adapted from and with acknowledgements to William Barclay.

If you wish, by all means talk to your minister or priest about anything in the above article. (SM)

LOVE – “Can Western Civilisation be saved?”

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    “Can Western Civilisation be saved?”

 “Western civilization has been transformed from the lovechild of Christianity and the Enlightenment into a malformed neo—Marxist culture” wrote Jennifer Oriel in “The Australian” 11/7/16. Then Paul Kelly in “The Australian” 15-16/4/17 stated, “Progressive morality is elbowing out Christian values… Christian tradition faces erosion …from … the failure of its churches and clerics (and)…Secularism and the rise of an alternative progressive morality.” The recent Census confirms these writings. So where to now? What’s ahead?

 

An old story tells how an “important–on-earth successful” man appeared at the bar of Heaven. St. Peter asked him what he did on earth and he replied that he had made a lot of money. Money!!! The whole of Heaven laughed. Why? Because he had missed the point – to love (like or being kind to) others was far more important than using a once only life just to amass money – necessarily left behind when one dies. Read some of the obituary notices in the press – what gets a mention – love or money?

 

Love is a Christian core belief. It matters in life and at life’s end – loving, being loved, and helping others. They all matter. So, if we don’t teach that to children, the “I want” or “I suits Me” attitudes will prevail. Those who cause domestic violence and road rage – as well as “one-hit fatal” punchers – are

 “I want” and “I suit Me” followers. If children imitate them and are not taught otherwise we will end up living among violent people – Barbarians.

Christ said, “Love (care for or be kind to) one another “and, also, that we had to tell others that, when we believed in Him, His death on the Cross negated our individual sins, and that the final destiny of Christians was to be with the God who created them. If not that,what’s the point of being born? If just to get power or money then, at the end it seems like a lot of worry and trouble for nothing.  Why, if it then means little?

 

Well, what if you object that Christianity wants you to believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Did He? Consider just one event. A disciple named Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night before Jesus’s crucifixion. Later, after having met the risen Jesus, Peter changed his whole purpose in life, taught others about Jesus, and was, finally, crucified in Rome. Why? What made him die rather than disbelieve that Christ was alive? But remember that there were others who saw Jesus alive.

.

In non-Christian Rome, Christians met at near dawn on a Sunday to know and encourage each other. They believed in God and in his Son, Jesus, as do Christians today. So, can the West be saved? Yes, if we teach our children to believe in Christ and the Christian way of caring for each other and our legislation in Parliament reflects it. Think about it.

 

           Speak to a minister or priest if you want to know more.  (SM)

Easter and When It Started

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A few years ago I had the privilege of visiting Israel. This, of course, was with the aim of visiting places important in the recorded events in the life of Jesus. Some places were busy with many pilgrims and this made it difficult to visualise or even think about the events which occurred there.

Adding to the difficulty was the erection of churches over places mentioned in the Gospel accounts. The traditional place of the manger has, for example, a magnificent and beautiful cathedral, which is a tribute to the faith and devotion of those who erected it. Similarly in Cana where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding. My surprise from this visit lay in the size of the flagons which held something like 20 gallons each.

In the Cathedral surmounting the traditional tomb in which Jesus was laid after the crucifixion the crowds were so numerous that joining the queue meant standing for at least an hour and a half added to which the continual movement of other visitors inevitably detracted from the solemnity of the moment. No, I didn’t join the queue. I did my best to see, at a distance this revered place and left.

Elsewhere, significant sites were easily visited such as where Christ faced trial, where He was imprisoned, the road along which he carried the cross to Calvary and the stations of the cross (recorded events/happenings).

Golgotha or the Place of the Skull turned out to be a rugged cliff face in which two holes represented the eyes, a jagged hole the mouth and rocky protrusions evocative of a face. The ancient olive trees in the garden of Gethsemane stood silent . There seemed little doubt they could have been there when the momentous events of the first Easter took place.

Nearby was a small entrance to what is called the Garden Tomb. This is believed by many to be the actual tomb in which Jesus was laid. One has to bend to pass through the entrance into the space beyond. Here in the small area involved were two, as I recall, rocky shelves. On one of these is believed the body of Jesus lay briefly from Friday until Sunday morning. Undoubtedly one felt that this could well have been His tomb. And so I, as did others, stand in silence remembering. And then, turning to leave, one saw the words written above the entry/exit hole.  They were –

                                    He is not here He is risen.

 (By all means discuss the implications of this article with a minister or priest. SM)

http://www.bible-studys.org/Books of the Bible.html

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This Book has been fenced off in black. Many homes have a copy but it is rarely read though it is the most powerful book one can ever read. Many know about it but that’s all – yet it is the key to why we’re here and where we’re going. It has often been recommended by the oddest people and brandished in the most obnoxious ways. Some have died so that it can be read.  To start at the beginning is to become lost before you even get to the New Testament. Stay with me for a bit of help.

Did you know there was an Old Testament and a New Testament? Start again – what does the word “Testament“ mean? It simply means “Agreement”.  With whom?  With people. Between God and the people of ancient Israel and now us. And there were several agreements by God with them – which they couldn’t keep. Well, there’s a start! The Old Testament records the efforts and failures of those times. It’s best to read it as a history of God looking for and making several arrangements with the human beings He has created.  And that’s what the word Covenant means –New Covenant means New Agreement.

Here’s a short way to help you to get a bird’s eye view of the Old Testament.  Go to the New Testament and read the section entitled ”Hebrews” .The loud and clear message from that section is that the main figures mentioned there had FAITH- an unshakeable belief in God and that God cared for them enough to send His Son as a human being into the world.

 Now read the section entitled “John” in the New Testament to know what happened to Jesus and what his crucifixion meant for us. In short, He made it possible for us to have a direct relationship with God. That’s why we   say, “Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

This can help -double click on this link – it’s easy to find your way:

http://www.bible-studys.org/Books of the Bible.html

As suggested, a brief encounter is to read Hebrews and John and get into a new relationship with God for your inner peace and the promise of everlasting life. Try it – you deserve it.

(If you wish, speak to any minister or priest about this– SM)

Reflections on Western Society

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During a speech, former Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, referred to Pitirim Sorokin, 1889-1968, a Russian-American. Sorokin noted of the Russian Revolution: “During the first stages of the [Russian] Revolution, its leaders deliberately attempted to destroy marriage and the family.

Free love was glorified by the official ‘glass of water’ theory: if a person is thirsty, so went the Party line, it is immaterial what glass he uses when satisfying his thirst; it is equally unimportant how he satisfies his sex hunger. The legal distinction between marriage and casual sexual intercourse was abolished. The communist law spoke only of ‘contracts’ between males and females for the satisfaction of their desires either for an indefinite or a definite period – a year, a month, a week, or even a single night. In short, a variation on that musical play, “Anything Goes.”  Really? Does this ring a bell?

The social chaos, which followed the policy, caused its abandonment later in the 1920s. It doesn’t take a university degree to see what this could do to the social values of Western civilization with respect to personal relationships and individual attitudes. Could it happen here? Is it happening here?

Furthermore, one could be brave and state that in the West courtesy still exists. Certainly it exists but so does, increasingly, masculine aggressiveness (machismo) an example of which is the single, sometimes fatal, punch reported from time to time. Sledging in cricket is now accepted as a norm and the behaviour by some players of football needs no comment.

In short, the death of courtesy in Western civilization is noticeable. So what is courtesy? Simply the social oil which facilitates good relationships between people and peoples. It is not the only catalyst but it is a necessary one. It is what Christianity calls “Love in action” – courtesy – respectful kindliness in behaviour…

Without its presence male-female relationships are endangered; bullying can potentially exist in workplace dealings; in the twilight world of crime enforcing extreme violence becomes the norm. It is useless to go on as you already know where the bully boys operate. The practice of courtesy – EVEN A SMILE — as a habit — would make a real contribution to harmony and safety in the community.  So?  Simple ….. GET WITH IT — TRY IT. You could be really surprised at its effect. Better still find out what being Christian really means!

Been to worship in a Church recently? No? Try it – you might find the peace you seek. [Speak to a minister or priest if the above has interested you. – SM]

You Can Be Changed Utterly

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The poet, W.B. Yeats, has a most expressive line in one of his poems, “Easter 1916”, which says simply: “All changed, changed utterly.”

Everything is changed and changed utterly in our world from what it was.

Few people think much about our living in an era seemingly indifferent to the Christian message which was embraced widely by those who went before us. Christian faith has been decreased by the great flood of blood in World Wars I & II and the embracing of different ways of looking at what we call reality. In other words, we are in a Post Christian era. You can see it in the lifestyles depicted in film and TV and in society itself – an eat, drink, and go-for-it life. 

Everything is changed and changed utterly.

Christian standards are irrelevant. Everyone decides what to do for him/herself. If you are a Christian OK but don’t expect the world to act or look at things the way you do. Christians think and act differently because Christians march to a different drum from society at large.

Everything is changed and changed utterly.

Why? Because of the good news.  Hear it and get to grips with the heart of Christianity – the gospel (which means good news). But what is it? What is the good news?

SIMPLY THAT JESUS SAVES – BUT FROM WHAT?

From Hell? What and where is Hell? To answer simply – saved from DESPAIR where the Latin origin of “despair” means de = without & spiro = I hope or spirit. And, without limiting its meaning, you know that life without hope (despair) can be hell for some people. So we can be saved from that because Life is not a cosmic joke – ending in nothing.To be changed from Despair to Hope is to be changed and changed utterly. To be in-spired (or inspirited) is to get a life –to be changed utterly.

UTTERLY?

Christ rose from the dead – that validated his message and changed everything in life utterly and forever. He is not still on the Cross. He is not still there sacrificing His life for any shortfalls in our behaviour (our sins) by giving his life to offset them. He is not still in his tomb. He is not dead. He is risen – ALIVE and now with God. People saw Him, ate with Him, talked with Him. His friends recognized Him by voice and face.

Dare to believe He did all that and is alive now. Then…pray and ask Him into your life and you will be changed utterly. You will have Hope that where He is you will be. What goes on in the world will pale into insignificance besides that Hope. Worry? Trouble? Sickness? Yes, still around because we are human. But, whatever happens, we go on as believing travellers in time to finally meet Him.

Dare to ask Him into your life? Try it. Talk to any minister if you wish and if you haven’t got one try ours at (07) 3831 7458                   [SM] .