Baby P

Some things make me feel sick.

This weekend I dont know if it was something I ate, or someone I touched. Whatever it was, I was contaminated and spent most of Saturday night and all day Sunday on, over or under the toilet!

Last week, what made me feel sick was the rash of stories about children being abused by parents or their friends here in the UK. "Baby P" as the story has been known, involved the brutalisation and systematic abuse of a little boy at the hands of his mother and, in particular, her boyfriend. Of course, what has made the whole thing worse was the fact that the child was under the watch of the local authority children's services, and ultimately the wrong decisions were made, which led to baby p's death.

Getting involved in such cases and situations can be both frightening and costly. Often, as the church, we want to help, but feel we can do so little.

The alternative to doing something is, however, doing nothing. If such abuse makes you feel sick, then the only righteous response is to get involved. "If salt loses its saltiness it is only good to be thrown on the fire" said Jesus. In other words, either I make a difference where I am, because I get involved, or I am good for nothing!

Our church has recently taken a step of faith to appoint a Family worker. The needs are huge, and perhaps you may ask "what difference can one make?" I have been overwhelmed by the support of the local schools and others to give support and training for our new worker. I am hopeful that we can make a huge impact in the community where we live. Salt needs to be applied to bring healing and savour to a broken and desperate world.

Maybe we wont make a huge difference, but then again, the alternative to doing someting is to do nothing.

Dawkins deluded?

On Saturday I picked up a copy of the Dvd of Richard Dawkins debate with John Lennox in Alabama last year. I have watched it twice already. Dawkins followers have been upset at the construct of the debate, feeling Dawkins was handcuffed and therefore unable at times to counter Lennox's arguments. However, it is worth pointing out that "Fixed Point" who hosted the debate, is a christian organisation, and Dawkins was given the first and last word. It equally says something for Dawkins that he was prepared to debate an evangelical Christian in the deep south of the USA in the Bible belt.

It is well worth getting hold of! Lennox is brilliant. I know him (though not well) and have had the privilege to hear him on a number of occasions. He is a Mathematician and philosopher of science at Oxford uni. Lennox is insightful, some of his arguments are cutting, and he manages that difficult thing in a debate of being direct and at the same time, incredibly gracious.

I remember a few years ago, as a young evangelist, getting into a debate (argument!) with some members of one of the 'quasi christian' cults (JW's, Mormons, Christadelphians). I was incredibly enthusiastic, fresh out of Bible college, and dreadfully naive! Not only did I not make any ground for the Gospel, but I lost the argument.

I am becoming more and more convinced of the need to "win friends and influence people!" The church is full of cliches and catch phrases like "People need to belong before they believe." Just because it is a cliche does not mean it doesn't contain a nugget of truth.

As we stand on the truth of Gods Word, and the Rock of Truth, Jesus Himself, may God help us to be less concerned about winning the argument, and more so about winning people.

Yes we Can

Reading Christian comments online on US Christian website, you would think that the American electorate had voted Satan himself into power!

We need to hold in balance the truths that Satan is the Prince of the Powers of the air (and therefore has great influence on this world and its systems, and on the other hand remember that the governments are ordained by God. It is our job, not only to contribute to society, but to pray for those in authority.

Barack Obama seems to be a man of humility, grace, vision, and purpose. These are great combinations. We need to pray for him. We need to be careful about the hype! The praise and glory being poured on Obama is only equalled by the vitriol and hatred that has been aimed at George W. Bush.

For us, this is a time for humility and Hope.

Change Has Come! What a great slogan. Change is what we need. Who knows what Obama's presidency will bring, but the rhetoric, vision, and goals are admirable. Listening to Obama is inspiring.

We believe that Change needs to come. Changed hearts, changed lives, changed priorities, changed families, changed communities.

But... real heart level change, change that lasts, change that redirects the course of a nation, needs to begin with the church. Bill Hybels says "the local church is the hope of the world!" "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, I WILL come and heal their land!"

Dear God - Please give us "Change we can believe in!"