Vote on the day

In the news today, among many other items - the Sun reporters walk; the Tories have a 2 point lead; Mili B has published a negative poster showing exrayed broken bones and claiming the NHS is not safe without him and UIP faces the fallout from some questionable activity by one of its own. At least today we had no yellow alternative budget box pictured, gripped in Danny's fist, to sadden the heart. To sadden, not because of the content but because of the pitiful charade. Danny A is in coalition and accordingly Osborne's budget was Danny's budget too. Whatever happened to the doctrine of collective responsibility? Well soon the election will be with us and over. How very interesting will be the outcome. Those who claim to know, say it will be another hung parliament. Maybe it will be but the fact is we cannot know what a day may bring forth. On my doorstep this afternoon stood a Tory canvasser. A very pleasant chap. He remembered my position from last time (or his records were good and he had refreshed his memory before ringing the bell) and his, "I don't suppose you will change your mind," was right. How can I vote for a party whose leader breaks his promises and belittles those who do not hold his views and who has already indicated shifts in his negotiating stance with Brussels on a new deal before the promised referendum. Anyway, enough for now. Do let's exercise our democratic right to vote and pray for good members of parliament who will know what to do and who will vote accordingly, whatever their politics.

Hypocrites?

Alan Bennet says we Brits are hypocrites. He admits to being one as well, so I assume he would consider that disclosure qualifies him to make the allegation. Mr Bennet has taken pen to paper in a brief discussion as to our national weakness and how we are viewed by those from other countries. Apparently, some say we are mean as a nation, some say we are critical and others that we are moaners. For Alan, we are hypocrites. Are we really hypocrites as a people? The meaning of the word hypocrite used to be quite tightly confined to use in the context or those who falsely claimed piety. OED “A person who falsely professes to be virtuously or religiously inclined or to have feelings or beliefs of a higher order than is the case; a person given to hypocrisy” I am not so sure many claim piety these days. There seems to me to be quite a large section of the population glad to admit to self-indulgent and loutish behaviour alongside of which another large section claims no religious inclination or moral code they are following. In New Testament use the word is found in several places e.g. Matthew 23:13-15 13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." It is used to refer to those who are really putting on a face or playacting. Pretenders. Con-men. Mask wearers. It cannot be enough to just throw out such a broad condemnation concerning us Brits and just leave it to smoulder. By any rules of fair play, the indictment must be narrowed and proved. To pretend to be something we are not is one thing but to fail to exhibit all that you are all of the time, is impossible. If not showing all that we are is hypocrisy, we would all be guilty. However, living a normal life inevitably means limited self-disclosure to others because of lack of in depth relationship or limited time exposure in a relationship. We need to remember hypocrites are those who set out to deceive or lie to others in order to hide their own true nature, motives or intent. I am not at all sure AB has it right. Still, some of his plays are jolly good, assuming of course he meant what he wrote. Take care. I mean it.

Old news

I read some old news today, it went like this:- "If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still." It's old news that there are levels of authority. We do well to bear it in mind though, that there is One who is supreme and sees all. This helps us have a view that transcends the here and now. It gives us hope too because there is One who is completely even handed, whatever those in authority in the here and now appear to be. The same reporter had earlier written, "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." There is One aove all others who is righteous and who will do what is right. We can appeal to Him, first for ourselves and then on behalf of others when we see injustice. This time of year we remember the angels' message as the birth of Jesus Christ was being announced, "Peace on earth and goodwill toward men." So we ask for peace and goodwill for our own lives and for those who suffer injustice. It's not all bad news.

ECHR - no thank you

Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, near the German border in eastern France, is said to be beautiful. It is also the home of that European creation, the European Court of Human Rights. What a remarkable institution the ECHR is. Its judges, I learn, are not all qualified lawyers. That is not too encouraging, is it? Surely courts need to have learned and properly qualified lawyers as judges. It has a massive backlog of cases awaiting trial and I read it continues to make law way beyond its original remit. It has dictated that our Parliament must give the vote to prisoners. Our laws, made by our elected representatives declare prisoners do not have, nor should have, the vote. Leaving aside the pros and cons of convicted criminals curently in prison having the right to vote, the key issue to me revolves around the findings of the ECHR. That court seeks to usurp authority over our Parliament and our Supreme Court. Yesterday, I saw that Lord Judge (great name for a judge, a learned and highly qualified lawyer) our former Lord Chief Justice, had pointed out recently that our Parliament is sovereign and and that our Supreme Court is not inferior to the ECHR in Strasbourg. Great. Today I read that Lady Hale, the deputy president of our Supreme Court, has said that European judges have the right to overrule Parliament on the question of voting rights for prisoners. Extraordinary. We must not lose sight of the real issues. Assuming the report I have seen is accurate, voting rights are not the essence here. If any court has the right to overrule our Sovereign Parliament on any one issue, that court becomes sovereign. When the devil tempted Jesus, the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if only Jesus would bow down and worship the devil. Had the Lord done so, that would have been the end of the matter. To bow down and worship for any one thing is to place oneself in a subordinate position that becomes irredeemable. If we bow down and worship at the European Court of Human Rights, we will become slaves to that court and ultimately lose all right to independence.

No go areas

No go areas are usually pretty unpleasant. It is reported that Tower Hamlets has seen hate crimes and some say there is a real danger that parts of the borough are becoming no go areas. Paris too has evidence of no go areas springing up. If this is so, it's not a new phenomenon. History shows restricted and prohibited areas crop up from time to time, somtimes on massive scale. Maybe there will always be no go areas in this broken world. We would not always be aware of them. Some such areas carry the banner, "You cannot enter here," or "you cannot do that here." There will be some threat behind the banner such as, "We will not allow that here," or "enter at your peril," etc. It is reasonable that our private dwelling place is a no go area in general terms. I don't just want anybody and everybody to enter, neither do you. My thought life too is something I want to manage and control. I reject many things that want to enter my mind including the dictats of the pc brigade. We face a problem. Open borders can make way for those who want no go areas. If I let their thoughts in, my own views and beliefs could soon be attacked and infiltrated. I will have counter concepts that want to direct my own mind thrown at me or imposed upon me, "You cannot think like that," or "you cannot believe that any more." Previously pleasant imaginings I relished, along with liberating concepts and beliefs I cherish, could soon become prohibited. Years ago, a bunch of folk called Jebusites told King David he wouldn't be able to enter Jerusalem. "The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." They declared it a no go area. David enterd and won a victory. No go became go. I have to admire those who take the city against the odds. We need to be vigilant and willing to keep things open as usual and rejct the imposition of no go areas, unless of course they are imposed under statute by those democratically elected to make laws for us.

Education, education, education

"Tests" on selected pupils worldwide show that British teenagers have been relegated from the top 20 rankings in the core subjects of maths, science and reading. Disclosed too, is the fact that students from Vietnam, Shanghai and Poland, among others, have a better grasp of these subjects. Well, well. Should we blame anyone for this? If so, who is to blame? Should we give credit to those who have done better? It's not necessarily that our students have not done as well as previously. Maybe others have improved greatly thus pushing UK students down the tables even though UK students have done as well as before in real terms? Ah that could be it. After all, general levels of IQ are not likely to have altered over the years. Presumably, teachers are as good as ever and presumably, teachers still know what bascis to pass on. There is a possible further view that appeals to me. For those of us who can read and have access to the news, it will hardly have escaped our notice that standards of behaviour have slipped in the UK education system. For example, it is reported that 25% of UK school children in the age group in question played truant in the two weeks before the OECD tests were held, whereas other countries recorded scores as low as 4% truancy for a similar period. Is it a surprise that those countires rank higher? Teachers have often been reported complaining quite loudly that a major part of their time is occupied with managing bad behaviour by students in the class room, to the clear detriment of other able and willing pupils. Ho hum. Without some serious reforms, we can look forward to further slippage in years to come. Let's hope there will be some folk around in the UK sufficiently well taught to read the results of future surveys.

Open all courts to public scrutiny at once

Today it is reported that Sir James Munby, the President of the Family Division  of the High Court, has ordered that he will personally hear the next court proceedings relating to the adoption of a baby taken from its mother at birth.

The facts of the case are disturbing to say the least. A baby taken from its mother who had undergone a ceasarian section by order of the court. The court had sat in camera it seems. She had then seen her baby taken immediately by social services. Her pleas were, it appears, not heeded.

Of course we do not have all the facts. There will be more than meets the eye. However, Sir James is right to demand there be transparancy in court proceedings. Any court that is acting openly and fairly has nothing to fear from independent scrutiny. It cannot be in the greater interest for any proceedings to be hidden away except very rarely and then only on the tested grounds of national security of the highest order.

Do you see any emerging trend here?


 

Plumbing

The paper says, "Rain or showers." We would have never expected that, after all it's only Wimbledon fortnight.

Of course, the rain is very welcome. Most of the time. At least hosepipe bans look as if they are over for this year at least.

Now, water leads to plumbing, dunnit? 

Plumbing? After a hectic time in the forest, it was a competition to see who could get to the tap for a drink of cold water first. No ice cold coke to hand in those far off days. Generally I got there before my younger brother. Oh what a selfish thing! Still sometimes he would overcome me with craft, "Bag first at the water tap," and of course honour demanded I yield.

Imagine never thirsting again. No need for taps, washers, fresh water pipes, filters, water companies, reservoirs, filtration beds etc. you get the picture. Imagine rivers of living water flowing from within you. Never thirsty, waters of life flowing from you to others. Imagine. Want that? Are you thirsty enough?

So what am I on about?

If you want to know, take a look at John's gospel in the New Testament, chapter 4, verse 14 and John 7 verses 37-39.

Have a great day.

Action now please!

Today, again, the papers are championing the enforcement of restrictions on the internet providers so that our children will be protected from porn filth. Good.

Labour have jumped on the band wagon and why not? Cameron can and should do something now.

For the sake of those who are vulnerable, I hope we will soon read of strong action and that change is afoot.

Hear, hear.

Reading the paper and listening to radio 4 could leave you believing we are on the brink. Europe will implode in 10, 9, 8 ....... . The end is nigh! That kind of thing. I read today Europe speaks German and Merkel and Cammeron don't agree. My paper was in English.

Politicians and economists espouse different views and routes to salvation. The wonder Euro must be saved. More importantly, it is heralded from Brussels and elsewhere that the great Europian Experiment must not be allowed to fail.

Oh the vanity of it all.

Doubtless, the Euro will fail one day. Some think that there will be a refined eurozone of 10 nations. Time will show. Have a look at the news in the Bible in Daniel chapter 7. What do you think?

We have no need to fear; for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"(NIV) Rom 10:13-15

The great thing is that there are many who have been sent to proclaim the good news.

In these days of doom and gloom, I say, "Find a lively church and hear the good news every week. Start this Sunday."

Looters are scum

On a T shirt staring back at me from my paper last week, I read, "Looters are scum." I don't accept that "scum," is the right word.

If we ran with the OED., scum can be: "a layer of dirt, froth, impurities, or other matter, forming on the surface of a liquid," or, "Dross rising to the surface in the purifying of a metal," or "Worthless despicable people," etc. etc.

Are the looters a layer of dirt? I don't think so. Were the looters going through some sort of purification by fire? I don't think so. Is anyone worthless? I don't think so. Can we more accurately define them? For sure.

Here is my starting point. All humans are fearfully and wonderfully made. Looters included. All humans have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Looters too. All humans can be forgiven and made new through Jesus Christ. Looters also.

So I define looters as, "Humans who have done wrong but for whom there is still hope of redemption through Jesus Christ."

Do I approve of what they did? No. Do I excuse them? No. Can I justify their behaviour from any view? No. They did wrong and properly face punishment.

I just don't accept they are scum.

Secrets?

Emblazoned accross the front page of my paper today was news that a judge has extended the secrecy laws protecting aTV star.

I am broadly in favour of the English legal system and common law in particular. Judges have been extending the boundaries of our common law for many years and often with great results in terms of justice and common sense. Yet today I think we see a judgment too far.

Doubtless for the shamed culprit, secrecy brings some sense of thankfulness. May I indulge in a little conjecture? Can you see someone possibly thinking, "Phew, that was close. I got away with it. Hope the gagging order works."

Of course for now, the pressure is off for him. One big problem. What happens in time will be exposed in eternity, unless the record is expunged.

One old time prophet said, "Be sure your sin will find you out." Still, we know that sin can be forgiven and in eternity the slate can be wiped clean.

I also remembered this old but current news: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Revelation 20:12 (NIV)

For now the TV stars identity is secret, apart of course to the select circle who are cognizant of the facts because of involvement as participant, lawer or judge.

This side of the grave the facts may stay well and truly "gagged" away. We shall see. More importantly, will the offence be forgiven and removed from the eternal record? I hope so.

Sunshine

According to the weather forecast I have just read, it's going to be wet or dry tomorrow (don't you just love precision?) and sunny on Wednesday. Great. I love the sunshine.

I worked with a guy once who, after leaving the firm we were at, was made redundant by his new employers in no time at all. His attitude was good and he was a hard working accurate chap. No fault on his part, just the way it was at the time.

We met up for lunch in town one day when he was looking for work and he introduced me to a soup he regarded highly. Honestly? It was good.

Afterwards, we walked along the Strand heading for Trafalgar Square and chatted about things in general and his situation in particular. The sun was shinning and it was warm but not too hot. Frank (his given name), waxed lyrical about the way the sunshine made everything seem better. Like some beneficial intoxicant, it had a soothing and encouraging effect on his mood. I disticntly recall being amazed at his optimisim and buoyant demeanour and hardly credited the sunshine for his frame of mind. I was about 21 at the time and Frank was in his 50's.

Well, now I'm older. There's no doubt, the sunshine doth perk some folk up! Trouble is that if our inner man is lifted by the sun, that same inner man will fare poorly when the sky is overcast.

You will have heard of SAD. A condition some are diagnosed as having and that is countered with the aid of a sun lamp.

I read some old news that is releveant today and that, although old, is new to the first time hearer, viz. Paul the apostle prayed for the Ephesian believers in terms that related to the inner man but had nothing to do with sunshine:-
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (NKJ)

Since the sunshine is here today and gone tomorrow, or the next day or the next (at least in the UK) it is preferable to rely on the Holy Spirit to lift us and keep us from gloom.

That's the way to do it.

Hand-me-downs?

England beat Scotland at rugby last weekend. Great. Tindall was injured so came off. I expect Zara was concerned as she was at the match and would have known he was hurt.

Today I read that an acquaintance of Zara P's was wearing a coat identicl to one that Zara wore in 2007. The article intimated that maybe she had loaned or even given the coat to her chum. Suppose she had, I can't see the problem.

It's a great thing to be able to pass on a perfectly good piece of clothing to a friend or relative. I am sure that when I was small I wore clothes that had been my older brother's and I distinctly recall my younger brother passing on several good suits to me a few years ago.

Charity shops thrive on the basis that generous folk give good clothing to be sold, whilst wise others shop and buy bargains galore. Maybe not hand-me-downs but for sure give-em-aways! I recall John the Baptist gave this advice, " John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."Luke 3:11 (NIV)

I suppose Zara is watched closely by the fashionistas because she is of royal lineage and maybe especially so at the moment since she is soon to be married. May she be able to ride the media interest as ably as she manages her horses.

Handing things down is a fact of life. Without this activity we would be impoverished. For example, I was handed down details of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Receiving that information transformed my life and world view. In turn I hand that news down as often as I can and I have seen how different ones have been helped by it.

The activity of handing things down or passing them on, is so widespread, we might even say it's universal. Many hand down advice and practical aid in all sorts of spheres of concern and need. Passing on information, instruction or material goods can be of great benefit to the recipients. Where we can help, let's do so without any strings.

What's important?

I read some things today that caused me to consider what's important? Mountains out of molehills. You know what I mean. Majoring on the minors. Why does it happen?

Well, I guess it's to do with an individual's perception of what's important. For some, the time of the last bus is very important, and for others it's the lack of an ethnic presence in Midsomer Murders.

I own up. At times I find appalling some of the views publicised through the major media outlets. We seem to be losing our way. I think we need to get real. Is our society really without clarity of vision or do we just allow the latest loudest voice to hold court?

Let me give you some examples of matters that are worth addressing urgently.

Today thousands are grieving in Japan. Tonight millions will go to bed hungry. This month in some nations, many girl babies will be destroyed because girls are not regarded as valuable as boys. In our own country, people are losing jobs, companies are going into bankruptcy and plenty of children are being deprived of the loving input of a responsible father or mother. Our A&E departments are overwhelmed at weekends because of the increasingly high numbers of alcohol related injuries and accidents calling for immediate attention. Prisons are bursting at the seams and we have created a welfare monster that nutures the work-shy and irresponsible, on an equal footing with the deserving needy.

Thankfully there are folk who have dedicated their lives to helping those in need and various bodies and individulas do speak up for the oppressed. Meantime, and in stark contrast, there are plenty of voices straining to be heard as they utter a deluge of molehill sized complaints and expend adrenalin on minor issues.

Anyway, must dash, got to catch the last bus.

2011 Census

Here we go again. Census time. Why do they bother? This is a rhetorical question by the way. Please don't email me with the usual socio-political nonsense that big brother rolls out every 10 years as an excuse for being nosy.

This morning I read Tom Utley in the Mail. He wrote of the, "Distinctively British attitude to bureaucracy - the feeling of resentment and suspicion, coupled with an urge to be facetious and unco-operative, that seizes us whenever we have to fill in an official form." Not every form surely? The census, maybe. Definitely for some. Are we sure it's a, "Distinctively British," attitude by the way? I thought the French were very plainly against bureacracy and full of resentment and suspicion when it comes to governmental prying. They still build their baracades and dump fish and meat at the slightest provocation don't they?

I have looked at the census form and already I'm concerned and find an element of Tom Utley's definition rising up within.

I have to tick a box on page 3 to tell them if my, "partner," usuallly lives with me. I do not have a partner. I am married and have a wife. Partnership as an aspect of marriage is a reality but marriage is more than a partnership. What is the matter with the bureaucrats? Why do the form draftsmen (or would you prefer draftspersons?) constantly yield to the social engineering pressures that seem to have infested our administrative institutions like some mediaevil plague.

What ever happened to the recognition of the institution of marriage and why, oh why, don't they use the word spouse anymore? I suppose it might offend those who are not married but live together as though they were. The form's use of, "partner," does not preclude the inclusion of the word, "spouse."

It seems that whatever approach we take, we mustn't say anything that might just highlight the differences of status that still exist.

These distinctions still matter today. They may not be around for too much longer if Cameron, et al have their way but as at now, marriage is a distinct and legally recognised relationship and should be acknowledged by all, including the government's census gurus.

Well Tom, I will fill in my form because it's right to uphold the rule of law but where the form is flawed, I will manage its intrusions.

Sex education

Not new news but "news" again nevertheless. I read it today.

It seems some of those who are in authority and supposedly exercising wisdom on our behalf, have just come up with yet more explicit material to feed the nation's five year olds. Many will agree that this is unsuitable material for such young children.

We learned about the magic suit of clothes by virtue of the song broadcast at times on the BBC. Long before that song, there were blind leaders of the blind. Nothing is new under the sun. In the song, the crowd and the king couldn't or wouldn't admit the truth.

This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Still relevant for us. Well, whilst attempting to handle this topic and arrive at a satisfactory standard and level of material, it would be well for us all to heed the warning in Matthew 8:6-7:-
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (KJV)

Educate but don't offend the little ones. Protect the innocent.

Today I read that, "Manufacturers," (whoever they may be) say they have discovered an ingredient derived from chilli peppers, that could be added to any pudding or treat and that will help burn calories.

The wonder extract is labelled dihydrocapsiate. It is supposed to speed up the body's metabolism, thus burning more calories. Of course, to the battling slimmer, this is an attractive notion. "Chocolate that will help me lose weight because it has a magic ingredient." Wow.

Seems the ingredient is not new, actually, and has already been used and distributed in pill form at least.

It's a funny old thing but as long as mankind has been around, we have tried to have our cake and eat it. Just one big problem, God has ordained an inviolable rule, you reap what you sow. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Gal 6:7 (NIV)

We reap what we sow. Always. Always. Always.

Sow wheat - guess what, you reap wheat. Sow sweet peas - yep, you get sweet peas. I love em.

The rule extends beyond agriculture. If we sow unrighteousness, we reap the harvest that brings. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23 (NIV)

If we sow faith in Jesus Christ God's Son, we reap eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Enjoy your chocolate anyway but remember to sow the right things.

The news today from Libya is that some are laying down their lives for the hope of a better tomorrow.

History shows us this scenario is not new. Many have given their lives for others, or for their cause, or for whatever.

Shortly before He died, Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 The amazing thing was that because He loves us, He died on the Cross for us even while we were enemies of God and steeped in sin and rebellion. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8
(NIV)

I don't know what the future holds for Libya or Muammar Gaddafi. I trust the sacrifice is worth it.

Today I am mostly having a day off. I will read the news but already I have heard the new Labour MP say the result sends a message to Mr Cameron that his measures are not working and his cuts are wrong etc., etc. You know, all the poorly thought through verbiage we are so used to.

It's tragic that some members of parliament seem so poor in their analysis and somehow conveniently seem to ignore the facts when it suits.

This new chappy has followed the party line I guess. It's a line that denies the incredible crisis created by his party's usual tax and spend excesses.

Ho hum. To borrow from a famous song sung by Marlene Deitrich, "When will they ever learn, when, will they ever learn?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ptqXqjsZw&feature=related