Saturday 9 November 2013

FIEC Leaders Conference

I have been involved in FIEC for over 16 years. I have worked for FIEC as a Church Planter and have been on their Outreach Team before the rejig 3 years ago. I have been on the inside of FIEC and on the outside of it. In 2010 my employment by FIEC ceased and the church I lead was not yet affiliated with FIEC.

The years I spent working for FIEC were good years. The staff were always very supportive. It's strength was always the gospel centred people. However, being on the inside track was always, very frustrating. I always felt strongly that FIEC needed to change and was much less than it could be. Strangely, virtually everyone I spoke to, including FIEC staff agreed. But FIEC, for all it's good was unwieldy. No-one seemed to know how to bring about change. I think one reason for this was the way FIEC was structured. It was not structured to be led.

However, change did come! Three years ago FIEC for a New Day launched. John Stevens was installed as FIEC Director, Trevor Archer and Richard Underwood followed his appointment as Director of Training and Director of PCT. Later, Andy Patterson was appointed as the Director of outreach which covered church planting.

I always had my reservations - not about the men - they are all great men, but the structure. I felt the main post should be Director of Outreach with training and PCT sitting underneath. 

The next three years was for me, 'be positive, encouraging and supportive, wait and see'. They were talking the talk but could they walk the walk?

Three years later, I am more than delighted to say that the FIEC Leaders Conference was everything and more than I expected. Any previous reservations I had are gone. FIEC has succeeded in establishing a DNA with a foundation that is Reformed Evangelical (thankfully no change there) and spear-headed by the gospel. 

FIEC has always been Evangelical, it has always been 'gospel centred' (I think), but the subtle difference now is that it is more contemporary Evangelical (demonstrated by its statements on Ecumenism and complimentarity and more recently the timely Statment on homosexuality and gay marriage! but as well as being gospel centred! I would say it is now firmly 'Gospel Up-Front and Centre!' It is unapologetically gospel motivated and gospel led. It seems less defensive and more offensive. 

Right now, for the first time, I really feel FIEC is home - and I love it! 

Great conference!

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Physical training is of some value, but godliness ...

The tomato plant provides a great analogy for today's meditation. When the tomato plant is young - that is before it has born any fruit, it is one of the most vibrant looking of plants, it is pristine and buzzing with life. It is full of health and attractive. Then it flowers - and again looks good, vibrant and brimming with vitality. The life and vitality, the bushelling growth are all exciting - but it is all about the fruit, the fruit is the really exciting part, it is what the plant is all about. If that plant should bear no fruit for all it's vitality - it is useless, a complete waste. 

However  - all of its strength and energy goes into producing the fruit. As a result, the rest of the plant quickly begins to whither and die. Leaves wilt and hang lifeless, the colour fades and the whole plant becomes a ragged mess, it doesn't look pretty - but it has an abundance of good fruit!  The vitality and life, vibrance and vigour are all gone, gone into bearing much fruit, and that is what pleases the one who will harvest the crop. 

People are like tomatoe plants. Those without Jesus will never produce the smallest bit of fruit, they know nothing of it at all. The best the people of the world can do is put all their energy into trying to stay vital, trying to keep looking young and fit. It is because they know nothing of fruitfulness that aging terrifies them and they do all they can to fight it because it’s all they have. But no matter how hard they try, the onslaught of age is unstoppable, eventually they die -fruitless. This is a sad, sad tragedy. The truth is, like a fruitless tomato plant, their lives have been utterly futile.

But we are Christians. We know that every plant that does not bear fruit is fit for the fire (Matthew 3:10) We know that God has given us health, vitality and vigour - not to be preserved but used to bear fruit. 

But many of us find it easy to slip into worldliness and act as if the vigour, vitality and 'looking impressive' is all we have. Like the world, some Christians put as much energy, money and time on looking and feeling good as people of the world! 

Let’s make the decision to not be like the world. Let’s not spend silly amounts of money on our appearance - trying to look good - it just sin’t that important. Let’s not waste too much time trying to keep ‘age-at-bay’. Let's maintain good health in such a way that speaks to the world that health is not our god - Jesus is. The humble tomato plant - like God's word teaches us, there is a cost to producing fruit - there is a price to pay and a death to die - the vitality of the tomato plant gives way for the sake of the fruit. This is the way of the Spirit.

What is more important to you? Where does the best of your energy, money, time and resources go? How much goes into bearing spiritual fruit? Do you even know what it is?

None of the above is to say we should not look after ourselves. We should, but not for selfish, worldly reasons. Paul says “Physical training is of some value...” (1 Timothy 4:8). This means exercise, diet, hygiene and maintaining good health is good and of real value, but the verse then goes on to say “... but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”. In fact, the value of ‘physical training’ and maintaining health - is for the sake of the gospel. If I am healthy, I can serve God! To the degree it serves God is the degree to which it is good.

Jim Elliot was a single minded missionary who paid the ultimate price for Jesus but bore great fruit. When at College he was on the wrestling team and was very talented at it. But consider this extract from the biography of his brief life.

"Was Jim enjoying the wrestling? It must have been fun to frustrate the national champion. But this was secondary to Jim. He was not wrestling because he liked wrestling, but because wrestling was a means to keeping his body fit and healthy and strong enough for missionary work ... He wrestled because of the discipline and physical fitness it required-characteristics that had direct relevance to his life goals. Any pleasure the activity may have brought him or anyone else was strictly an extra benefit."
Jim Elliot: Missionary Martyrs (Heroes of Faith) Miller, Susan Martins (pages 25,26)

Jim got it right! Many of us seem to have Paul the opposite way round. We act as though  'godliness is of some value, but physical training has value for all things, holding promise...". That is wrong!

Spend some time now to consider, have you stewarded your physical body well for the sake of the Kingdom? Do you need to begin to do so? Do you idolise your body or appearance over godliness?Does more of your energy go into your own body than godliness? Are you maintaining your body for selfish reasons or for the sake of the Kingdom. Pray and ask The Lord to give you wisdom and grace to make whatever adjustments are necessary that your energy may go into being fruitful for HiM.




Sunday 20 October 2013

Thrown upon the Rock - the best place to be!

This morning consider Colossians 1:23. I have included 21, 22 also for the sake of context.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[g] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.


In this verse is one very small, very important game changer of a word - did you see it? It is a very small word that has power to completely undo us. It is that little word ‘If”. From verse 21-22 Paul has been speaking about how God has (past tense) reconciled us to Himself through Jesus shed blood - but it all balances on that one little word - ‘if’. It all depends on IF we continue in the faith, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. In other words we don’t just hear the gospel one day and respond and get saved, but we cling to the gospel day after day after day. Clinging to it as a rock amid a tumultuous sea. Clinging onto it for dear life - literally. It is at the same time a rock of comfort and safety, but a rock of terror and fear.

Comfort knowing that on it we are safe, terrifying that we might fall off the rock. So we cling to it - not allowing ourselves to shift from it. This gospel rock is so precious, it is our only hope every single day. Those who have been truly saved will one day be revealed. The light of judgment will reveal it and there will be great surprise. Many we thought were not saved will be. Many we thought were saved will not be. The question is - are you saved? Who is saved? At least one part to that answer is found by looking at who is clinging to the gospel? Who is clinging to the cross? Who is glorying in the gospel? Who is finding all their joy in the gospel - who is reveling in it and worshipping God for it? 

There are those who take it for granted. They said a prayer a number of years ago. They go to church, they even got baptized, so they don’t worry anymore. They say - “God is forgiving and Jesus has died for my sin, I’m not so bad any more - I already put my trust in Him and got that out the way - I live a reasonably squeeky clean life - job done!” But those who truly know and rely on God’s grace tremble. There is the fear of God that drives them again and again to the gospel, to the cross singing in their heart the old prayer ... “Rock of ages, cleft to me, let me hid myself in Thee”. Do you daily glory in the gospel? Does the fear of the Lord cause you to tremble? Have you considered how dreadful a thing it is if your ‘salvation’ is not real? Or are you daily throwing yourself upon the rock, repenting, drinking in free forgiveness, full of praise, joy and thankfulness that He is your Savior and He is keeping you close to Him. 

Take some time now to reflect on your daily walk. What does it tell you about where you are at with Him? Do you have cause for concern? If so, come to Him now and ask Him to give you a heart that loves and values Him and the salvation He gives above all else. Ask the Lord to make Himself the treasure of your heart and keep asking Him until He has answered - and answer He certainly will. (Luke 11:11-13)

Thursday 17 October 2013

The grace of God

Consider the grace of God. For our sin, He - Jesus -  could have banished us to outer darkness in a moment. Most will be. He could have vent His anger and fury upon us for our arrogant rebellion and defiance of Him. But instead, in outrageous humility, He took on human flesh, entered our world of sin and suffering, lived a righteous life demonstrating for us what his Kingdom will be like - and it is truly to die for - and then allowed us to nail Him to the cross, to pay the price for all our sin, so that we could come back to God and find forgiveness, and begin to live in right relationship with Him and be heirs of his magnificent Kingdom.

This is the amazing grace of God! The outrage of God's grace is summed up in this great verse from the bible ...  'God who justifies the wicked...' (Romans 4:5). That is an absolute outrage! How can a righteous God be both righteous and justify the wicked? Only God could do that with integrity. Only Jesus would be willing to do that. Only Jesus does that. And Thank God He does,  because in those few words outrageous words are glorious hope for us all. 

How we should marvel and relish in this magnificent, deep, pure and soul satisfying goodness! How we should drink it in and worship Him for it. Giving Him all glory in all things, remembering the reason He did it.. He did what He did that He might be preeminent in everything! (Colossians 1:18). 

Determine today to return His amazing love for you, by giving Him preeminence in everything. Be a man/woman on a mission today. Make it your aim now, that everything you do today honors Him in the best way possible. Every decision, every attitude, every deed and every word you speak, do it in such a way that makes it as clear as possible that Jesus is your God and not the praise and esteem of men, not money or material things, not people, not education, not family, not career - make it as clear to all as possible that Jesus alone is your God, your savior, your joy, your prize, your passion, your everything. Live in such a way that it is clear to all that in your eyes, compared to Jesus, all other things are rubbish (Philippians 3). If you remember these things today and you will live well for your beloved.

If you don't yet know Jesus - man - you are missing out big time. Ask me and I'll tell you why He is so great and how you can know Him and why you - like everyone else need to know Him too.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Give thanks, There Is a Savior

In the last post we considered the greatness of the Son of God - Jesus. Today we will consider the outrageous reality of how we have related to Him.

We have rebelled against this glorious Jesus. The truth is, as unbelievers we totally disregarded Him or imagined on the day of judgement, that we would have a chance with our own righteousness. Perhaps we imagined we would have a bone or two to pick with Him. It is hard for us to begin to comprehend how ridiculously arrogant we have all been. 

We sinned against Him by disregarding Him and His creation. We have all shattered the first and most important command; "You shall have no other god's before me", yet we have treated God as though He is nothing at all. Or perhaps we treated Him as a servant, expecting Him to come running to our aid when we felt we needed Him, maybe we blame Him for all the wrong in our lives caused by ourselves and others. Whatever, just about everything else has been more valued and had a higher priority to us than God. We have all incurred the might of His anger. 

But this One we have so foolishly angered, is the only one who can save us from the might of His wrath or anger. He did this for us by taking upon Himself all our sin and it's consequences. There is a Savior! Praise God we can know forgiveness. Give thanks that Jesus has shed His blood for you and has taken away your guilt and expunged completely your sin. Come before Him now and even as you breath in, breath in His free grace, cleansing and forgiveness and give Him thanks.

Monday 14 October 2013

Jesus is Preeminent


Jesus is great and Jesus is glorious ... beyond anything we can possibly imagine. He is the image of God. In Him is ALL the fullness of God. He created all things, including the opposing powers of evil*, and all for His glory. All this is telling us about how great He is. (Colossians 1:15-18)

But we easily miss His greatness. To help us understand His greatness we need to see it in context.

At the fall of man, God pronounced judgment upon the serpent. This set the stage for the rest of time, and the scene was one of an ongoing saga - a battle between good and evil with evil having power on its side. (Genesis 3:15)

Through the ages evil would seem to prevail, but in every generation God would raise up a faithful man, who in the face of evil would stand in faith, sometimes as a lone man trusting God like Noah and Abraham, at other times as a great and courageous warrior like David. Sometimes there would be a small number of faithful people - the remnant, whatever, one way or another God would preserve His people through His people. (Genesis 45:7)

But in the end, all these heroes, one way or another were temporarily defeated or tarnished by sin, and without exception, to a man, no matter how great they were, they were all confronted and defeated by the mightiest of foes - death. No-one could beat this merciless enemy. (Romans 5:12)

But at the fall the stage was set. From the outset it was made clear that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. That means the ‘Head’ of the serpent would be utterly crushed. The head of the serpent represents all the spiritual forces of evil, and includes the whole unbelieving community of humans in Adam. If the head is crushed - then all under the head, all the seed of the serpent, all belonging to Adam are utterly defeated, only to await final judgment. (Revelation 20:7-15)

In the fullness of time, the long awaited seed stepped onto the stage of History - but not in strength and power but weakness and humility - Jesus!

It was as though the great fixture of all time was about to take place - the serpent (and all the powers of darkness) vs the seed of the woman. They step into the ring. Get the picture - in one corner - Jesus, completely alone - even His Father has not showed up to support Him (not that His Father didn't love Him, but this was a battle Jesus had to fight alone - so that we never have to!) (Mark 15:34) -  against - in the other corner Satan Himself, plus all the powers of darkness, the unbelievers, sin and death. They are surrounded by an innumerable crowd all cheering for Satan.

Then just before the fight begins, Jesus says to the opposition - “I can beat you all with my hands tied behind my back!” They all laugh and mock. Jesus says, “Okay, first tie my hands behind my back, then relentlessly flog and beat me - I promise I will not retaliate at all, then tie my hands to a cross - and then nail them to the cross to make it even harder for me, and then do your worst. And without retaliating - I will smash you”. And so it was - just like that!

There, at the cross, in total weakness, all alone, single handedly Jesus smashed it. When He was as weak as He could possibly make Himself, Jesus KO’d all the opposition all at once and without the effort of throwing a single punch! (Colossians 2:15)

To all intents and purposes, this seemed like an uneven match weighted ridiculously against Jesus. But in fact, it was weighted the other way - JESUS, when as weak as He could possibly be, is gloriously greater than ALL other powers combined - FULL STOP!

The Bible tells us that no man can see God’s face (that is the fullness of His glory) and live. (Exodus 33:20) Remember Moses asked to see the Lord’s glory so the Lord protected Moses and then showed Moses just the back of His passing glory. But the Bible also teaches us that the greatest revelation of God’s glory took place at the cross. (John 17:5) 

It is as though, when it came to God revealing to us the greatest revelation of His glory that we could survive, He had to be very careful because to us His glory is very dangerous. So God took the smallest fragment of pure glory possible by appearing in human form and as insignificant as He could be whilst being true to Himself (Philippians 2:6-8) - and BOOM! The forces of evil, sin and death all defeated. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Just imagine - if Jesus came, not shrouding His glory and power in utter weakness, but instead showing His full power and glory in all His magnificence! Well the Bible tells us He is coming in power and glory. The Bible using imagery tells us that when He does, the earth will shake, the mountains will tremble and split and the people of the earth will beat their breasts in fear, running to the rocks to hide themselves (Revelation 6:12-17). Then, in power and glory He will judge the earth and all on it. No-one will escape, and His judgment will be both terrible and final. 

Those who refused to genuinely repent, trust in Him for salvation and bow to Him in word and deed as Lord, will be cast from His presence, into outer darkness forever and ever. But those who had faith, repented and joyfully bowed before His Lordship in word and deed - will enter the eternal joy of God Himself. (Jude 13, Revelation 21:14,15)

Halelleuia! What a Savior! Take a few minutes now to acknowledge His greatness, put your trust for salvation in Him again. Repent before Him again and bow before His Lordship.

*Jesus did not create the opposing powers of evil as such, but He created them good, like man, but He did create them with the potential to fall, and fall they did - and He knew they would fall. 

Friday 20 September 2013

Pleasing the Spirit!

Galatians 6:8
[8] The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

All of life is a Field!
Today, in all we do we will be sowing. But how will we sow today? To please the sinful nature or the Spirit? Sowing covers all we do so Paul says ...

"Whether you eat or you drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!"

Sowing to please Self
I find sowing to please self so natural and easy, I can just do it! Everything about it seems good...

  • It happens effortlessly - much easier than sowing to please the 'really hard to please Spirit'.
  • It is usually enjoyable too.
  • It promises payment or reward such as ease, pleasure, popularity, fun, food, advantage, satisfaction
  • I find it easy to all believe its promises. 

But God's word has torn off the deceptive veneer and nailed its real "profit" in these words... 

"from that nature will reap destruction"

Sowing to please the Spirit
I find sowing to please the Spirit is always harder work, and although I believe it is hard work, that 'belief' is a damn lie of the flesh!  'sowing to please the Spirit' is not hard. Jesus said the opposite ...

 "My yoke is easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls". 

So if the Lord's yoke is not hard, (the weary find rest!) why is our experience of sowing to the Spirit always harder work than sowing to please the sinful nature? The answer is, it is because our sinful nature is rebellious - it hates God and denies His truth - it is utterly faithless to His promises and actively works against the Spirit for self.

Like the proverbial mum in the supermarket trying to do the simple thing of paying for her goods (sowing to the Spirit) - but the wilful two year old is kicking off big time, screaming, laying on the floor, rebelliously arching his/her back and making it as hard as possible for poor mum to do the simple thing of paying for his dinner - why, because the toddler wants something else! That little toddler in those moments is raw flesh! It is not the sowing to please the Spirit that is hard, it is the rebellious flesh that makes the simple and good thing so hard!

The Diagnosis:
We cannot serve both 'Sinful Self' and 'the Spirit' at the same time. We cannot give in to the demands of the flesh and take on Jesus' yoke - we always choose one over the other.

The Remedy:
Paul writes to the Corinthians in 2 Corinth 4:10 & 11

"We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

and again ...

"For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake"

This is Paul's choicen, daily slaying the 'self', that is the 'flesh' because Paul knows that our flesh, like Esau of old, will quickly trade our whole birthright for a bowl of crappy lentils!

Have Faith:
Let's stop believing lies of the flesh and ook at the promise of God, allow it to stir your faith and move you to faith filled action ...

[9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

You will reap a harvest if you keep sowing to please the Spirit.

So Sow to please the Spirit
[10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Doing good to others, especially believes is a large part of 'sowing to please the Spirit'. But remember - we sow to please the Spirit, not ourselves. The service itself may not be pleasing to us.

What 'good' can you do today to please the Lord?

Dealing with that inward groan!
Perhaps you groan inside when you think of slaying self to serve or encourage someone. But that inward groan gives you a great, great opportunity. You get to be like Peter - after fishing all night and catching nothing, Jesus tells Him to ...

"put out a little from the shore and let down the nets for a catch" (Luke 5:3-5)

“Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Peter groaned inwardly at the thought, he would not do it for himself or for anyone else, but only for his Lord. It is great to look up to Jesus and say ... 

"I would never do this for myself or anyone else, but just because it is you that asks, since it pleases you, I will eagerly do it". 

We have the opportunity and the power today, to put a smile on our precious Lord's face. We, in all our smallness, weakness, cold heartedness and fickleness, can actually bring joy to the very heart of the Almighty, just by doing good! What powerful little creatures we are - by the grace of God!

So, let's use that power and do whatever good we can today, to all people and especially the household of faith! Let us be sure to do it for Jesus.

One more thing. When The Lord commanded Peter to lower his nets again, Peter did it .., 

"just because its you that asks"

Peter was not doing it for the catch, He wasn't expecting a catch, but ...

"just because' The Lord asks". 

Jesus told Peter He would get a catch, but that wasn't Peter's motivation. The subsequent catch was a wonderful and unexpected bonus! Let us not serve The Lord for sweeties we think we can get out of Him, but just because He asks, just because we know it is good to do good and it is good to please the Spirit. Then we will be more like Jesus! Then, at the "proper time" we WILL reap a harvest.

First comes the season to sow in faith, then later, at the proper time comes the season to reap. The poor farmer has no guarantee of a crop, perhaps the rains will fail? But for us, we have the guarantee of the Lord's word, we will reap a harvest at the proper time! Rest secure, there will be no failure on the Lord's part to bring this harvest about! So do good today and enjoy the Lord's pleasure in you this very day. One day, the sure bounty will be showered upon you, if not in this life, then even better, in glory!

Let us together, believe today the Lord unbreakable, indestructible, bullet proof word:

Your labour in The Lord is not in vain.

A-men! 

Thursday 29 August 2013

A Christian Response to the Syria Crisis

The crisis in Syria is mounting. The potential for military intervention is increasingly likely. The main reason why military intervention has not already happened seems to be 'due process'. If military intervention does happen. It is highly possible the whole region becomes destabilised.

How should we as Christians respond? Should we urge military intervention? Should we keep out of it, having burned our fingers in Iraq and Afghanistan? Surely something must be done to halt the appalling atrocities.

It seems to me, the best thing we as Christian must do is to pray. We must pray. 

1) Pray that the Assad regime and rebel forces repent of their atrocities.
2) Pray for wisdom for our government and the Lord's sovereign lead in public opinion.
3) Pray for relief to come quickly to the misplaced and suffering people of Syria.
4) Give generously to Tear Fund and other relief agencies.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it would be easy for us to criticise and form opinions, it could be easy to ignore the crisis and just get on with our lives. But many people are experiencing terrible suffering. Let us not fail to do what we can, we can pray, we should pray, we must pray.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Three Lies of Christian Convey

Whenever I speak to ordinary people about the Christian faith, almost invariably I find - to my own disappointment, frustration and dismay, they have believed three common lies about the church. To add insult to injury it seems it is Christians that have conveyed and impressed these lies on people. Now as if that is not bad enough, worst of all I am afraid that I myself may have been party to perpetuating these lies. So, what are these lies and what is the truth.

Three Lies

1) Rules and Regulations
Don't do this! Don't do that! 'Do's' and 'don'ts'. The Christians seem to have convinced people that Christianity is about a set of rules. But the Apostle Paul wrote ...


Colossians 2
[20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

The Apostle Paul is saying the dead opposite to what people have come to believe. He is clear, being a Christian is not about a load of 'do's' and 'don'ts'. In fact he argues that rules and regulations, 'do's' and don'ts' are the "basic principles of this world" - something Christians should have "died to". He also says in Galatians

[5:1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

And again He writes in 2 Corinthians

2 [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Of course we can debate the meaning of freedom - I'll do a blog on that some time, but whatever it means, it does not mean living a life bound by external rules and regulations.  The New Testament couldn't be clearer ... 

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.

2) Judging and Condemning
Another lie we Christians have conveyed is that, Christianity is about judging people and condemning them. That's what Christians do. But again the Bible teaches the exact opposite ...

Romans 
[2:1] You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Jesus said ...

Luke 6 [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

3) Christianity is for the Good and Religious
Christians have also given the impression that Christianity is for religious people and good people. 

But Jesus said in The Gospel of Mark ...

[16] When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?”
 [17] On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The 'teachers of the Law' / Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day, they were very religious and thought of themselves as very 'righteous'. Notice though, Jesus is hanging out with ordinary people, sinners - that is people who know they are not so good, They know that when it comes to 'standards', they fail their own - let alone Gods! The average person in Jesus' day - due to life's demands and poverty, was not able to fulfil the meticulous demands set by the religious - they were busy trying to survive - so they were not religious, they were so-called "sinners".

In fact Jesus hung out with so-called 'sinners' so much that he got the nick-name 'Friend of sinners'. 

Matthew 11 [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”' But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

In fact the most scandalous thing about God, is, again as the Apostle Paul put it ...

Romans 4:5
However, to the man who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

The word 'work' in the phrase "does not work" refers to the notion that we win God's favour by doing good works. But God justifies the ungodly - not the religious, not the 'good', but sinners. Now I am not proud of being a sinner at all. Sin is selfishness. It is always sin that spoils.  But admitting I am a sinner is what makes me a 'Grace-case'!

So there you have it. If I have ever given anyone the impression that Christianity is about 'do's' and 'don'ts' - I hope I have set that record straight - it is the opposite - it is about freedom - particularly from rules and regulations!

If I have ever given the impression that Christianity is about judging people - it is not - the last thing a Christian should do is judge people.

If ever I gave the impression that Christianity is for good and religious people - and especially if I have given the impression that I think I am a good and religious person - I am sorry. The truth is, Jesus is a friend of sinners - and on that basis I am very proud to say, He is a friend of mine! 

The Royals


Whatever you think about the Royal family, they are becoming increasingly popular. It is debatable whether they bring more money into the country than they cost, so I guess that means we're not talking big profits or losses ... So who cares?

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy. But on the whole, I am glad they are there. Apart from the Olympics being here in the UK, there is not a lot that gets the nation out of their houses, onto the streets in joyful celebration - I think anything that does that is a pretty good thing and I'd rather pay a little and have it than not. Life in the UK would be a bit more bland without the Royals - there's little doubt about that.

It also strikes me as ironic, that our unelected monarchy, we can safely say, is loved by thousands, if not millions of Brits. But our elected politicians, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and the rest of the shady culprits - who loves them? Once you get past their own mothers  - well, in rolls the tumbleweed!

I think this is because the very reason politicians get elected is because of 'lowest common denominator politics'. In other words, they appeal to the widest number of voters because they are bland in policies, bland in character, bland because of political correctness and, well, just bland. When it comes to hi-def colour TV, well we may as well go back to black and white when it comes to politics, shades of grey are more than adequate. Unlike the monarchy!

Added to the irony is the fact that we give the power to our elected politicians who no-one really trusts or loves, or even likes, and we have rendered powerless our monarchy who, at least in the case of the Queen, seem principled and certainly loved by many. I guess it's best that way though.

So what about the Royal baby? Firstly the name? I go for George, quintessentially English.  But is this baby something to get so excited about? Well a new baby is always good news. Standing outside the hospital, Kate and William looked great with their new baby. I reckon that family unit will continue to be the best ambassadors we have. And who knows what this new baby will grow up to do? If His Mum and Dad continue to win the hearts of people, that could put the Royal baby (when he finally ascends the throne) in a very powerful position - especially if politics continues as it is, dead, dull, boring. Perhaps we as a nation will prefer a real leader?

My final thought concerning the Royal baby though is that I cannot help make the connection to another Royal baby who caused a very different stir when he was born. There was no bed in the hospital for him - there was no hospital, just a stable, no slick, black four wheel drive and baby seat, just a donkey, no lining of the streets with cheers and waves, no position of power, no advantages at all. This is how King Jesus was born. He lived in obscurity until the age of 30, working as a carpenter. Then from the age of 30 Jesus began His public work which ended three years later in his being tortured and murdered unjustly. That was 2000 years ago. And yet this King still reigns today. 

A monarchy always has the potential to be better than a democracy because a monarch can really rule and lead. If the monarch is benevolent, wise and courageous, a servant of the people, He will be loved and the country will prosper. If not, then it's bad news. That is the problem with a monarchy, it is dangerous because a good successor cannot be guaranteed, a democracy, sadly, is safer. The problem is human sin - it spoils everything!


So, if we could have a wise, benevolent, powerful monarch who is loved by and loves His people, but also who will never be succeeded - that is the answer that would resolve the issue of the inherent danger of a monarchy - that is what Jesus offers. I encourage you all, find out about Him, pledge your allegiance to Him.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Love Letter to a Lesbian

This is a letter by Jackie Hill to all the lesbians out there

Dear ______,

I just want you to know that I understand.

I understand how it feels to be in love with a woman. To want nothing more than to be with her forever. Feeling as if the universe has played a cruel joke on your heart by allowing it to fall into the hands of a creature that looks just like you.

I too was a lesbian. I had same-sex attractions as early as five years old.

As I grew up, those feelings never subsided. They only grew. I would find myself having crushes on my female best friends, but I was far too ashamed to admit it to them—let alone to myself.

At the age of 17, I finally made the decision to pursue these desires. I entered into a relationship with a young lady who became my “first.” The first time we kissed, it felt extremely natural, as if this feeling is what I had been missing all along. After her came another woman and then another woman. Both relationships were very serious, each lasting over a year.

I enjoyed these relationships and loved these women a lot. And it came to the point that I was willing to forsake all, including my soul, to enjoy their love on earth.

In October 2008, at the age of 19, my superficial reality was shaken up by a deeper love—one from the outside, one that I’d heard of before but never experienced.

For the first time, I was convicted of my sin in a way that made me consider everything I loved (idolized), and its consequences. I looked at my life, and saw that I had been in love with everything except God, and these decisions would ultimately be the death of me, eternally.

My eyes were opened, and I began to believe everything God says in his word. I began to believe that what he says about sin, death and hell were completely true.

And amazingly, at the same time that the penalty of my sin became true to me, so did the preciousness of the cross. A vision of God’s Son crucified, bearing the wrath I deserved, and an empty tomb displaying his power over death—all things I had heard before without any interest had become the most glorious revelation of love imaginable.

After realizing all of what I would have to give up, I said to God, “I cannot let these things or people go on my own. I love them too much. But I know you are good and strong enough to help me.”

Now, at the age of 23, I can say with all honesty that God has done just that. He has helped me love him more than anything.

Now why did I just tell you about this?

I gave you a glimpse of my story because I want you to understand that I understand.

But I also want you to know that I understand how it feels to be in love with the Creator of the universe.

To want nothing more than to be with him forever. To feel his grace, the best news ever announced to mankind. To see his forgiveness, that he would take such a wicked heart into his hands of mercy.

But with that in mind, we’re in a culture where stories like mine either seem impossible or hilarious, depending on the audience.

Homosexuality is everywhere—from music, to TV, even sports. If you’d believe all that society had to say about homosexuality, you’d come to the conclusion that it is completely normal, even somewhat admirable.

But that is far from the truth.

God tells us that homosexuality is sinful, abominable and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:8–10). But if I were to be honest, sometimes homosexual attractions can seem natural to me.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well.

You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal.

Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?

So which voice should you believe?

These temptations caused me to doubt God’s word. My temptations and desires began to become more real to me than the truth of the Bible.

As I was praying and meditating on these things, God put this impression on my heart: “Jackie, you have to believe that my word is true even if it contradicts how you feel.”

Wow! This is right. Either I trust in his word or I trust my own feelings. Either I look to him for the pleasure my soul craves or I search for it in lesser things. Either I walk in obedience to what he says or I reject his truth as if it were a lie.

The struggle with homosexuality is a battle of faith. Is God my joy? Is he good enough? Or am I still looking to broken cisterns to quench a thirst only he can satisfy? That is the battle. It is for me, and it is for you.

The choice is yours, my friend. I pray you put your faith in Christ and flee from the lies of our society that coincide with the voices of your heart—a heart that Scripture says is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Run to Jesus instead.

You were made for him (Romans 11:36). He is ultimately all that you need!

He is good and wise (Psalm 145:9). 
He is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

He is kind and patient (2 Peter 3:9). 

He is righteous and faithful (Psalm 33:4).

He is holy and just (1 John 1:9). 

He is our true King (Psalm 47:7).

He is our Savior (Jude 1:25).

And he is inviting you to be not just his servant, but also his friend. If lasting love is what you’re looking for anywhere else, you are chasing the wind, seeking what you will never find, slowly being destroyed by your pursuit.

But in Jesus, there is fullness of joy. In Jesus, there is a relationship worth everything, because he is everything. Run to him.  

Friday 14 June 2013

If there is an all-powerful God of love, why is there so much suffering in the world?


If God is the all-powerful, loving, just creator, how do we explain this world we live in with all it’s suffering?

This is an important question that most people ask. The Bible does give answers to the general question, but obviously not specific answers to specific questions. So that means, the Bible does tell us why suffering exists, but it does not tell us why particular people suffer in particular ways. This is a really important distinction to make because sometimes people ask the general question, but have particular instances of suffering in mind. So a person may have lost a loved one due to a drunk driver and feels deeply grieved, angry and confused. They ask, "How can a God of love allow suffering", but really they are asking why God allowed their loved one to suffer so unjustly in particular. Answering the specific with the general answer will not help that person.

The General Question
Why Does God Allow Suffering? - THE FACTS

1)There is suffering.
Death, disaster, disease and wickedness are a sad fact of life. All people suffer, some more than others. Many people suffer unbearably.
2) The Bible teaches that 'God is Love'. 
It is Love that's at the very core of God's being.
3) The Bible teaches God is all-powerful. 
This means He could end suffering once for all at any moment. God can intervene.
4) The Bible teaches God is perfectly just and hates all wickedness.
This means he is against all that is wrong and unjust.
5) The Bible teaches God is the sole creator of the world and all people.

God's World
The Bible teaches that when God created everything, he created it all very good. There was no suffering, sickness, disease or evil - nothing at all to cause sadness, hurt or pain.  It was absolute paradise - the perfect home environment for man. God’s world was a world that held together in perfect harmony. That is the world God created and ruled over. That was God's world.

Man's World
God never forces people to obey His rule. Isn’t it better that you can choose to accept or reject God? You don’t have to submit to his rule. He has given you the right to choose - which is why coercion is so wrong. The Bible teaches that the first human couple made their choice, and like the rest of us, chose to reject God as ruler. They wanted to be top-dog. They didn't want someone telling them how to live. They wanted to rule their own world on their own terms.

The Problem with Rejecting God
The problem is, God is entirely good and knows how to rule perfectly well. In rejecting God and His wise and good rule, we rejected the maker of all things, the only one who knows how to rule and reign and keep all things truly good. Man foolishly stuffed up big time. So now we live in man’s world under man’s rule without God’s good, powerful, loving and wise reign. It is the world under Man’s rule that is full of suffering, disease, disaster, evil etc. 

You may well object, “But disaster and disease, that's not Man's fault is it?” Well, when man rejected God, it was like we sacked the one person able to keep all creation in harmony. Without Him, everything is out of order, it’s as if we’ve thrown a spanner in the works. This explains why the world is as it is. but there’s more ...

Powers of Darkness
Most people want peace and love in the world - but everywhere, at every level their is anything but true peace. Instead there is unrest, fear, stress, anxiety and conflict at every level - within marriage right up to wars between nations. who would choose such a world? It is a world built on fear, mistrust and insecurity - that’s why we all have keys for our front door - no-one is safe and we all know it. The world is broken.

The Bible teaches that there is a malevolent spiritual force at work - Satan and demonic beings which are fallen angels. Without God reigning, these are at work in all kinds of ways to bring evil into the world. This is why we see so much suffering. This is the only way to explain war and unbelievably evil atrocities that happen. People who commit terrible atrocities are too often not insane at all. They are possessed and moved by evil.

Why Doesn't God intervene?
Ithe Bible teaches that god does intervene. The problem is, we don't see it. Think of those times you were driving and not paying attention - then just in the Nic of time you looked up and hit the breaks. 

But whatever, If God intervened to rid the world of all evil, he would need to rid the world of the causes of evil too, or the renewed earth would be quickly ruined. The problem is, we are the cause! God would have to get rid of us - He’d have to forever shut us out from His good Kingdom or we’d wreck it too - being shut out forever is what the Bible calls hell. God does not want you to go to hell because He loves you. God knows, as terrible as suffering in this world is, it is on average about 70 years max - it is nothing compared to eternity in hell. This is why God has not intervened in this way ... Yet.

The Great Exchange
But God has intervened. God came into our world, as a man - Jesus. He shared our humanity but unlike us, Jesus never sinned. That means He did nothing to contribute to any of the hurt, pain or ruin in this world. It means He always did what is good and right without exception. Basically, He alone was the perfect man.

The thing about Jesus though, is being perfect - he wasn’t stand-offish at all. Ordinary people loved Jesus and loved hanging out with Him, and he loved them too. Jesus loved to hang out with anyone who would accept Him for who He is.

So why was Jesus crucified? There is no doubt the religious leaders hated him, the Bible tells us also that “Satan entered Judas” who betrayed Jesus. Strangest of all though, the Bible tells us it was God’s will for Jesus to suffer! On the cross a great exchange was made possible. Jesus took the rap of God’s punishment for all our sin. In other words - in God’s judgement, everyone of us deserves to be crucified. But why?

Why is it so terrible to reject God?
To us, rejecting and ignoring God is not a biggy - but to God, it is the most terrible of all crimes. It is THE worst crime. Worse than any other crime you can imagine.

The reason it is so bad is because it is the one crime that enables all others. Had we never rejected God - this world would be paradise. But we have all rejected Him, so we are all responsible for all the subsequent evil. It really is a very serious crime. When we make out it is not a biggy - we just compound our sin.

So, we deserve the most terrible punishment - death on a cross - then shut out from God’s goodness forever - hell. But Jesus took our place on the cross so that we could take His in God’s Kingdom. This means, we can now come back to God, back under His rightful reign.  Jesus took all the rap for us!

God will not let evil continue forever. At the appointed time He will certainly return and rid the world of all evil. Those who have turned back to Him as their Lord will inherit their place in His eternal Kingdom where there is no more suffering or sadness of any kind, those who continue choose to reject Him, God will respect their choice and so they will get what they have chosen - a world without Him forever - that is hell. The choice is ours. Will you turn back to your rightful ruler, your maker and the only one who can save you from a lost eternity? 

But it’s not True - is it?
According to Jesus Himself, and the Apostles, Jesus has proved the reality of all this by rising from the grave. There is solid evidence for that. The only reason anyone would deny it in light of the evidence - is because they have closed their eyes and minds in already deciding, regardless of any evidence, there is no God

Check out my blogs on the resurrection.

Sunday 2 June 2013

Vision

Vision, Mission, Values, Strategy, Goals, Ministry Philosophy

It seems to me there is a great deal of confusion with these terms, so when I read lot's of churches Vision Statements, they are often clear statements (which is the most important thing), but they are not Vision Statements, usually they are Mission Statements etc.

Maybe I have just misunderstood things - wouldn't be the first time, or maybe there really is confusion and for once I am actually on the right track!

Here's how I see it ....

Vision Statement
This is a Statement that paints a visual picture of what we want to see. These statements, though not necessarily, can be quite lengthy statements, a side of A4 or more, or maybe half a page or a paragraph or two. The key thing is, it paints a picture that people can see. It is the 'being able to see/imagine it' that makes it a vision statement. If you can't see it, it is not a Vision Statement (VS). So VS cannot be 'concepts' but must be concrete. Neither can they be 'tasks' but pictures. It is a picture that inspires by firing the imagination. A great example of a vision statement would be Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have A Dream!' 

In that statement he paints a magnificent and inspiring picture, a dream that all can dream. In fact he paints two vivid pictures, one being the status quo ...

"One hundred years later the negro still lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity ... the Negro is still languishing in the corners of Americas society and finds himself an exile in his own land."

And he paints a picture of "the dream" or you could just as easily say 'vision' ...

"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day ... Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boy and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers."

That is vision! A vision statement may have all sorts of inspiring detail, hence may be lengthy, but will often be summarised by a shorter statement. However, it is a real picture in full blown technicolor. Something that people see and dream about. It excites and motivates. It is what keeps you going when the going gets really tough. It is the dream!

An example of a  Bible vision would be Revelation 21, note the added emphasis ...

[21:1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Another passage of scripture that could provide a 'vision' for a church is Acts 2 which provides an inspiring snap-shot of the early church...

[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

In my next blog we'll look at 'what is a Mission Statement'.

Thursday 30 May 2013

Why I refuse to TOLERATE GAY and MUSLIM people. #3

Ok, so if you haven't read blogs 1 & 2 of this series (see below) you probs need to, but otherwise, read on!

Xenophobic and Homophobic?
Do my convictions expressed in the previous two blogs make me homophobic and xenophobic? On the face of it I can see it might appear so, which is why the bible tells us all, we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

Well, phobias have to do with fear, and I am not at all afraid of gay people or Muslimss. The gay and Muslim people I know are just like anyone else. They are a mixture. Being gay or Muslim does not make a person bad, evil or my enemy. I enjoy their company and friendship like anyone else's. 

Neither do I want to exterminate them, persecute them or deny them human rights. I want them to live free and happy lives.  But I do not believe as such, that theirs' is equal and valid to the biblical teaching on belief and practise.

If a school teacher asks her class, 'what is 2+2' and a boy answers '5' and a girl answers '4', and if the teacher then said to the boy, 'sorry, your answer is wrong', does that mean she is anti the boy? Does that mean she has some kind of prejudice phobia against him? Does that means she thinks he is evil? Does that mean she is condemning him? Of course not! The topics we are discussing are certainly more complex, but the principle is the same. 

Imagine a teacher was howeled at and maligned, labeled a rightwing facist every time she told someone they got the wrong answer, then people could not learn, even if the teacher was wrong she wouldn't learn but just be slapped down, and this is what happens in society. I believe gay lifestyle and Muslim doctrine is wrong in the sight of God, but I do not condemn them, I have no desire to vilify them or legislate against them. Neither do I affirm what they believe and do as equally valid to God's revelation, though I do affirm their right to choose.

I REFUSE TO TOLERATE GAY AND MUSLIM PEOPLE
But I will not yield to the pressure to bow down along with the herd, to the god of this age by TOLERATING them. I will tolerate a fart in an elevator, but I will not reduce my fellow man to an object to be merely 'tolerated'. The Bible teaches that all people, no matter what they believe or do, in fact, in spite of what they believe and do, are creatures made in the image of God. They are all of equal value, dignity and worth, and as such are to be loved - not merely tolerated. 

Love your brothers and sisters, Love your neighbour, Love Your enemies
The Bible teaches all the above. That means everyone is to be loved! To love is to care for and practically want the highest and greatest possible good for another, even at cost to self (and as Christians we need to remember that, our concerns are not primarily about our so-called rights)  I might not like everything my children believe and do in life, but I will always love them and want the highest, possible good for them.

It is the exact same principle at work here to Gays and Muslims., I want every Muslim and every gay person to live without persecution, fear or victimisation on account of what they believe or the choices they make. I want the greatest and highest good for them all and nothing less. 

But here's the thing, the greatest and highest possible good for them and anyone else is that they come to know the love of God and the salvation found only in Jesus. This is not a ball I can drop for the sake of being liked. To use our parent/child analogy, sometimes children kick off when they don't hear what they want from their parents. It is tempting for parents to cave in to children, weak parents do, but good parents hold their course, no matter how unpopular, despite being accused by their children of being nasty etc, and they hold their course because they love their children. 

That is why I must speak the truth, I cannot pretend that a gay lifestyle or Muslim doctrine is something God loves and celebrates. All Christians must speak the truth in love, hoping they will repent of all sin, turn to Jesus as Lord, know fullness of life and be saved from a lost eternity.

But if they will not turn to Him, then still I want the highest good and greatest happiness for them in this life, but at the same time I am genuinely and deeply sorry for them, that they will face judgement without hope and a lost eternity. I really don't want that for anyone. This is not phobia, nor is it toleration, but the love of God.

Why I refuse to TOLERATE GAY and MUSLIM people. #2

Ok, if you didn't read part 1 of this blog you probs need to, it is directly below this one. Otherwise, read on ...

According to the dictates of the God of TOLERATION, I as a Christian must be tolerant toward Gays and Muslims.

In practise what that means is, I must treat them equal in all areas of life. I must affirm their rights to believe and do as they choose and be who they are, and I must affirm what they do and what they believe, as equally good and valid as what I do and believe.

Well, I agree with some of that. I certainly do affirm their rights to choose what they believe and do, but I do not affirm that what they believe, and what they choose and do is equally valid as what I believe and do as a follower of Jesus.

Why do I say that? Well first consider Muslims and then Gay people.

Muslims
Anyone can choose to be a Muslim, or Sikh or anything else. I affirm people's right to choose and be what they want. But, what Muslims believe and teach are supposed to be 'Truth Statements'. In other words, they claim to teach what is true. 

This is the same for Christians. However, the two are not compatible. Either one is true and the other false, or both are false. What's more, Truth Statements are falsifiable, that is, they can be tested and assessed to see if they are true or not.  A good example would be that Muslims claim that Jesus was not crucified. Christians claim He was. The fact is, both cannot be right and so both are not equally valid. All the available evidence points to the clear conclusion that Jesus died on the cross. Therefore, what Muslims believe on this point is not equally valid at all. Therefore, I am right to say, what they believe is not equally valid.

Gay People
As a Christian, the Bible is my authority because, in its entirity, it contains the Revelation of God Himself. According to the Bible God made man for woman and woman for man. God designed Marriage as a single man and a single woman coming together as one, in exclusive covenant, life-long relationship. God, according to the Bible did not make man for man or woman for woman. People who claim He did, do not get that from the Bible, but base their view on some other revelation of God or their own personal opinion and conviction.

But as a Christian I am bound to the teaching of scripture, being persuaded that it really does contain the revelation of God Himself and therefore is above all other forms of authority.

Therefore, although I affirm a persons right to enter into gay relationships, I do not affirm sexual activity between people of the same sex as 'good' in the sight of God because according to the Bible it is not good in His sight and never could be. So basically, I have to choose, do I go with the biblical revelation of God or with popular opinion? I choose God.

Does this all make me xenophobic (fear of other cultures, people groups etc) or homophobic? I don't think so. There's a little more to be said before people judge me, otherwise I will have been prejudged! Leave judgement until after my 3rd and final blog on the subject, tune in tomoz.