Waking up to the Heidelberg Catechism

I got confirmed in the Heidelberg (Ou Transvaal) DRC Klipkerk at 16. I really should go and look for the group photo - in our white dresses and hats!

Yes, there were the odd times my heart was moved to find God, but that was about it. 

As for the Heidelberg Catechism - that was nothing more than something to dodge.

Because the church happened to celebrate its 100th year, it was decided that exactly 100 young people should be confirmed as members.

Our Ds was old and deaf and we, wickedly mumbled our names and dates of birth so you can imagine and calculate........how many weeks it took poor him to compile the 100-name register!

For the remaining weeks we took turns to confirm our presence when our names were called out and after that...........sat right down on the floor.........under the school desk!   This uncomfortable position assured that we were invisible and all need to answer Heidelberg Catechism questions, eliminated.  

It was only many years later that I discovered how wonderful, wonderfully true, the life-changing truths in the Heidelberg Catechism are!

Hope t's blessing to you too.

Heidelberg Catechism.

Q1:  What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Answer

• That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Saviour,Jesus Christ. 
• He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. 
• He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. 
• Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Christopher Hitchens, the devoted atheist, diagnosed with cancer, speaks about his own mortality.

Mortality is a topic that concerns us all and the time has come for Christopher Hitchens - well-known atheist - to consider....

From "The Independent" - UK

"It has been only a few short weeks since the English-American journalist, author, professional controversialist and curmudgeon was diagnosed with an especially fierce form of cancer. And even those whom Hitchens has infuriated – and they are legion – will surely find it hard not to be moved by his plight today. He is 61 years old, has three young children, whom he had hoped to see married one day. In video interviews recorded in the last several days with CNN and The Atlantic he looks worn out and quite altered. "

"More people, he reports, are praying for his recovery than for his demise. Others are praying for him to see the light and save himself. He tells Anderson Cooper in the CNN clip that there is one web page that has identified 20 September as "Pray for Hitchens Day". But when prodded by both Cooper and Goldberg on the matter of his perhaps changing his mind on the absence or otherwise of an Almighty, he seizes the opportunity to make clear that no such thing is in the offing. If such a thing were to happen it would be because the illness had rendered him demented. "

Christopher's highlighted comment clearly states that to turn to God is to be demented.  The hard, proud heart does not budge even in the face of the terrors of death. 

More than the insult to Christians, is the insult to Jesus.

John 3:19  "This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil, hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

So, despite the scorning, let's pray that Christopher Hitchens, talented man that he is, will swallow his pride, be honest with himself and with God and come into the light......

For further reading, follow this link. in "The Independent".

The Japanese Mafia (The Yakuza), real-life experiences and a Mafia Member saved and changed by Jesus.

Within the last two months both our daughters with their respective husbands and our 4 grandchildren started new chapters of their lives in foreign (for them) countries.  Jason, Liesl, Joshua and Jesse are now experiencing new things in Auckland, New Zealand and so are  Michael, Isabelle, Josie and Evie also encountering many new things in Tokyo,Japan.  How we miss each one of them!

 

Mingled with the gnawing longing that stretch from the UK to New Zealand and to Tokyo, there are giggles too - such as those triggered by this July post by Isabelle.  It is about Michael's first visit to a gym in Tokyo and the gym staff's responses to his small tattoo. Ever since then, I've been wondering about the Japanese Mafia (The Yakuza) and today was the day I got an opportunity for fact-hunting - thank goodness it was not first-hand!

 

I spotted this bit in "English as second language" which broadened our understanding of Michael's gym-experience, and made us smile all over again.

Although tattoos have become mainstream in Japan as well as around the world it is not uncommon for public onsen (Japanese baths) and some capsule hotels not to admit people with tattoos as was my experience in Japan. Many of the older generation still associate tattoos with the criminal classes which may be the reason you don't see to many people showing them off in public places.

Izo's blog about her hubby's tat sounds  funnier as I read via Google that within the Japanese culture, the mafiosi are known for their intricate full-body tattoos of mythological characters, a sign of initiation into the mafia.  No wonder the Tokyo gym staff was alarmed.  Mind you, Michael has only a very small tattoo....?  

Our son-in-law does not exactly  strike us as a maffia gangster - surely Gordon would never have agreed to one of his daughter being married to a gangster!   Even though the tat  process is now done with modern tattoo guns, it can apparantly  take up to two years to complete - no wonder , just take a second look at those colours and patterns.

Before I type another sentence, please see, (by clicking the link in the next paragraph) please hear, please take onboard that Jesus saves everyone who calls on His Name and everyone who confesses with his mouth or her mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in his heart or her heart that God raised him or her from the dead - every such person will be saved, will not perish, but will receive eternal life. 
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that your confess and are saved.  Romans 10. 
This goes for everyone, whether you are squeaky clean and have to realise this will never be clean enough to buy reconciliation with the Father and eternal life, or whether you are a Mafia member, who are crossing your fingers that you have some good goals even though the means are highly questionable - or whether you just don't care right now. 
I dare you to listen to the following short video.

Please, click on this link to listen to a short video testimony of a previous Mafia member, Antonio Lorenzo, who called on Jesus, who confessed with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and who believed with his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.  What a transformed, liberated life!


A 2-sentence history of the Japanese Mafia:

Their origins can be followed far back as to the year 1612 when men known as kabuki-mono (the crazy ones), came to the attention of local authorities. Their odd clothing, style, distinctive haircuts and anti-social behavior gained the attention and nortoriety of mainstream society in Japan and around the world. 

In Japanese legal terminology, Yakuza organizations are referred to as bôryokudan, literally violence groups. Yakuza members consider this an insult, as bôryokudan is a term which can be applied to any violent criminal. 

The Yakuza is an all men's society, viewing women as a bit weak, cannot fight like men, not born to fight.  Yet, this woman is an exception.

 

Why the Tattoos?

1. It is common to depict their clan's crest.
2. A black ring is tattooed around the arm for each crime they committed.
3. Tattoos is a sign that they were unwilling to submit to the norms and rules of societies.

 14 facts about the Japanese Yakuza.

1. The Yakuza cannot be taken lightly. In Japan there are 110,000 active members divided into 2,500 families.
2. Their influence is more pervasive and more accepted within Japanese society than organised crime is in America.
3. Their influence is world-wide.
4. In addition to their typical acitivities associated with organised crime, they are well ensconced in the corporate world.
5. For the Yakuza it doesn´t matter which country you come from or from which class of society you belong to, it is not too hard to become a member of the 'New Yakuza'
6. The Yakuza are believed to be one of the largest organized crime phenomena in the world and have been around longer than the Sicilian mafia.
7. They mainly make their livings from unlawful activities, such as gambling, drugs, prostitution and extortion.
8. The Yakuza still see their role as that of taking care of those on the margins of society.
9. To a Yakuza member, the most important thing is courage.
10. They are prepared to fight to the death, rather than lose the battle and they must be willing to die for their boss.
11. It is generally believed that most Yakuza members come from poor backgrounds or are on the margins of society.
12. For many poor people the Yakuza have become like a family that protects them.
13. After the earthquake in Kobe the Yakuza arranged financial aid and even a helicopter for local people most effected by it.
14. Many local business see the extortion money as a form of 'tax' and the police are sometimes reluctant to become involved.

4 Parallels between the Japanese Mafia and the Christian Church.

1. The Christian church cannot be taken lightly. Sorry I haven't got the stats on hand. Christianity's influence is world-wide.
2. As far as it concerns the Heavenly Father who sent His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life,  it doesn´t matter which country you come from or from which class of society you belong to, it is not too hard to become a member of the Christian God's family.
3. The Christian Church has been around longer than the Sicilian mafia.
4. The child of God must be willing to die for their boss, Jesus their Lord and Saviour.

5 differences between Chritianity and The Yakuza - yes, there are some!!

1. The Yakuza see their role as that of taking care of those on the margins of society, but Jesus says we are to love our neighbour, who can be anybody from any layer of society.
2. Christianity cannot be reconciled to unlawful activities, such as gambling, drugs, prostitution and extortion.
3. To a Yakuza member, the most important thing is courage. But, a child of God is called to be like Jesus Christ and love binds all Christian characteristics, including courage, together.
4. The Yakuza are prepared to fight to the death, rather than lose the battle.  But the Christian knows that even if he or she loses a battle, that God is sovereign and, even if it takes time and process, that He will triumph.
5. It is generally believed that most Yakuza members come from poor backgrounds or are on the margins of society.   But there is a Heavenly Father who welcomes anyone from any background in Jesus, not only the poor and marganilised.

 

  

So......just for good measure and as a final PS,
here is an image of the anti-European Black Power Group, from New Zealand!

Jason and Liesl and others from other lands may be able to defend themselves

by claiming they are out of  Africa!

 
 

The Maori culture has a long tradition of tattooing, which dated back centuries until the Europeans outlawed it in the 1800s. These Auckland men belong to the anti-European Black Power Group. Their tattoos are a combination of traditional Maori tattoo art, called moko, and symbols picked up from the U.S. Black Power movement of the 1960s.Once outlawed, the tradition of tribal tattooing has undergone a recent renewal among the Maori people of New Zealand and other Polynesian cultures. Full facial markings, or moko, such as this Maori chief has, are the most common in New Zealand.

Dicovering on a country ramble whether God and His Book is a real bind or real liberty.

Hertfordshire (UK) Rambles - Walk 14 - Essendon and Little Berkhamstead.  
Sunday afternoon 8 August 2010.

Gordon and I have been noticing the very first autumn leaves. You know that niggly-nagly reminder that summer-time does not last for ever.  We both revel in  God's gracious consistencey and faithfulness as, for example, illustrated in the predictablility of the seasons.  How we would love to sit around a campfire and listen to many a real-life story  from you about our God and His love that endures for ever. 

This post is my personal  blow-by-blow account of walking in the Hertfordshire country-side a few days ago.  Really, of how much value would it be to you, to spend time reading it and looking at the pictures, if there are not further and higher inspirations than a late-summer walk in the English county of Hertfordshire.  Gordon and I both wish infintely more for you - than sharing this small adventure. 

So, two days ago, armed with a slim book containing 14 country walks, I set out to  teeny weeny Essendon village, 5 miles East of Hatfield, where we live.  Those first yellow leaves added a sense of urgency, to get going - before summer has vanished the next day!

Though my Gordon's knee does not allow him a long walk, we both hope that as you read and walk and find the clues, you will be pondering your own journey with a Shepherd who is very good, ie Jesus!

"From the church follow the lane which leads to West End, passing pretty houses and cottages, some adorned with the Salisbury crest, until the ancient pub of the same name is reached."

Well!  Do you think I could find that ancient pub in the teeny village - you can guess the answer.  Eventually a young man asked his nan, who has lived in the village for absolutely ages.  The nan's reply, "The pub is now private property"  No wonder!

"Just past the pub turn left down a signposted footpath. 

As you'll notice at a glance, this is not the most detailed map; the one in the book did not even depict the woodlands.   So I was ever so dependent on the words in the guide book and reading them carefully, not jumping to conclusions, not missing the keypoints, discarding wishful thinking - and following the directions.  It is impossible NOT to think of the Word of God and the Psalmist's heart attitude in the 119th.


OK I started off with a bang (after the first false start) and was delighted to see the kissing gate - sadly no-one to kiss right now.

"Go through a kissing gate and walk diagnonally right through the paddock here. Go through a gateway by a stile. Avoid the track coming in from the left and go slightly to the right over a stile to the left of wooden gates. Walk down the hedgerow on the left to another stile to the left of the wooden gate and there a wooden footpath signpost points diagnoally right over the field towards woods."


Straight away, I hit two snags with the instruction:  I found the gate, but no stile!  Instead a notice that shouts:  "Private" - implication:  keep out, keep off .  In the process for looking for this elusive stile, I found myself back at the first kissing gate - having come full small circle!!  NOT so thrilled to see the kissing gate this time, but at least I knew where I was.  Am I ever going to get going on this walk?!  Everything looked so non-descript and overgrown - there was no clarity no assurance, just the same instructions and the obstacle:  "Private" board.  This is what it looked like around there:
 

I took a deep breath and walked through the gate that beckoned me, overcoming the intimiating sign: "Private Property" - and IMMEDIATELY found myself in the right place - what joy - this is right, I'm at last truly on my way - after TWO false starts.  What obvious pictures these could be of those who start to follow Jesus - the Way and the Truth and the Life.
 

"Cross a stile in the fence and turn right along the cross track here which goes along the edge of the woods on the left.  Continue ahead through wooldand along a hede of yew on the left."

Gone is the searching, the stress and confusion and the lostness.  How glad I am that I know what a yew tree looks like!  There they are standing tall, majestically all along the cool, cool forest path as beacons of "your'e on the right way!"
 

"Cross a stile and keep on ahead through more open woodland following the well-trodden path."

  Aah, those yew trees on the left, the clear goal of the stile ahead and  the promise of a well-trodden path ahead - just what the Dr ordered:  a little series of certainties after all the searching.

 While I stick to the (liberating!!) instructions I can skip along the well-trodden path and delight in  the adjacent woodland without getting hopelessly lost.
Coming from South Africa, I deeply appreciate feeling safe and not scared.

"This path goes on downhill through branbles and scrub dotted with young trees, with lovely views over rolling countryside, then descends steeply through more woodland."

"The book" informs and warns - even so, I managed to get one small nettle-sting.  My own expectations overstepped the actual promise of rolling country-side.  In my mind's eye I was picturing ripe corn swaying in the gentle breeze, fields dotted by lonely stately oaks - but, come on!  The book said rolling country-side and views - that's it.   That made me think of God's actual promises and our padded expectations.
Here is a view of BURNT rolling countryside after the beautiful wood, then the strip of footpath overgrown  by untidy brambles and stinging nettles:

mmmmmm...?

It was right here that I again lost my way - terribly!   I had no reference point, doubted whether I could retract my steps, actually knew I couldn't and would get even more lost.   Was I heading for Little Berkhamsted - I was about to find out, not.  Just then, a couple came bouncing along the footpath, out of nowhere!  After 10 years in the UK, we are not ashamed to ask the way, or peer at a map with strangers - if they have time, they seem to enjoy it!  I was given a choice of continuing:  an easier way and an alternative more difficult one.  Friendly, clear, kind, and out of their own experience.  Then, "which part of SA are you?".  I tell them, Port Elizabeth and ask, "Have you been to South Africa?"  "Yes!" We exchange a story each of encountering a dangerous snake on the Garden Route (Puff Adder) and in Natal (Mamba).  And just in case, my fellow ramblers describe the UK snake grass and Adder.  And with a smile, assures me that the UK adder is not life-threatening.  Ahhh for GENTLE England and helpful fellow-walkers!

"Go over a bridge and straight on through a gap in the hedge.  Go ahead up the edge of a field with a partial hedgerow on the right.  At the end of the field go through a gap in the hedge to meet a broad cross track"

Thank you, author and book,  for assuringly definite clues that I'm on the right track.  Clues such as this wooden bridge - and for friendly fellow-pilgrims who know more than I do, patiently and with a twinkle in the eye showing me the way.  Confidence and faith regained I had courage enough to tackle the difficult route.

"Turn left for a short distance and watch carefully for a wooden signpost almost hidden in the woods on the right.  It indicates a bridleway with blue arrows which goes straight on and a footpath marked by yellow arrows wich crosses woodland."

At this point, I met a young family and we exchanged friendly greetings - we all seemed to be following the map and more or less knew our way.   I am reading every line, every clue in the book and make sure I don't go through a gap, cross a stile, follow a sign without checking again in the book.  The Bible gives us examples of kings and people who followed God with their whole hearts.

"Turn right along the narrow footpath through a strip of woodland.  Come out into a huge rolling field with a knot of trees in the middle and turn right up a thick hedgerow on the right"

"A knot of trees in the middle" - yes that is it!

The book said so - and there you have it: a knot of trees bang in the middle of a field, can't miss it, can you?  The author of the book has been here.

My courage to stick to the path grows in relation to these assurances.





A few little observations about well-trodden paths:

1. Bless all those who have gone on the path before.
2. Be generous in adding well-trodd-value to the right path.
3. Deadly paths are also well-trodden.
4. The right path can be pretty overgrown sometimes and it takes some hacking to find it - as you would mine for a diamonds.

Here is a picture of a not such a well-trodden path - adjacent were yummie ripe blackberries packed with VitC, small playful orange butterflies and  a jolly pub called "The Candlestick".

"Turn left past the pub along a pretty lane with lovely country views"

Being a sunny day, families and friends were eating pub-grub at the outdoor picnic tables.  This is all very well and pleasant, but for me, it was a bit embarrassing as the path emerges right there and all the walkers are in full view of the grazers and people-watchers. 

I got ever so close to taking the wrong "pretty lane" because I was feeling a real TWAT for taking so long to read the guide book, in front of those who were grazing and gazing.  I just wanted to walk away as soon as possible, rather than having my nose in the book in the public.  I pocketed my concern for what these strangers thought, had a good look, made sure and thankfully took the right "pretty lane".

"Turn left off the road down the bridleway - a broad rather rutted and muddy track through mixed woodland."

Though a pretty lane, it was long, long, long and I had to concentrate on keeping a focused look-out - and outlook - and not to miss the left gap into the woods.  After what felt like ages, I started to think and fret that I must have missed the gap on the left.  Despondency start to muscle its way in, and self-talk went this way and that:  it's silly to carry on, and just as I was ready to give us and turn back- there was that elusive gap!   A good time as ever for a rest, a drink, a munch and a telephone call to my soulmate.

Notebook, pocket Bible, camera bag and a mossy ex-tree to rest and peace that this is the right way.

I'm now skipping bits of the walk....all on track, until another patch of confusion:

Where's that row of pylons the book talks about - they are nowhere to be seen!  I walk on by faith through nettley and overgrown woodland, worried - looking for an unmarked opening to  the right and a large oak tree - through nettley and overgrown woodland.

"Then cross over a wooden footbridge.."

There....over there...is the wooden bridge!

"On either side of the tracks along most of its lenght are moss-covered banks with sign of old coppiced trees indicating that this route has been a well-used way for hundreds of years.  Ford over a tiny side stream and at a cross track marked by the remians of metal kissing gates ignore the left hand track which leads to a bridge and carry straight on, bearing left after a short distance to cross a second bridge.  Climb the steep bank on the other side and go up through the trees, then climb a stile and go up wooden steps to the road."

There's the old metal gate!!!!  What a delight to trod this well-used ancient path.

And the final bridge - I sat on the steps, read one of the letters from THE BOOK (Ephesians).

How good that we don't have to get ourselves off to  a wood, or some exotic place, but that anywhere we can draw close to God and - joy of all joys - pleasure of all pleasures in His presence.

Thanks for trudging over paddocks, though gaps, alongside woods, through bramble and along pretty lanes - I trust you have spotted many a direct parallel to our journey as Christians on the road marked out for us by God's Word and God's Spirit and bought for us by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!"  Ephesians 1:3

How do we present ourselves: Rembrandt, Dürer and Christian humility.

Only last week, Gordon - the great and caring Gramps that he is - positioned himself on a provided chair in the London Science Museum's basement.  Instead of gazing at some of the Wrights' first-flight wings or the Apollo that circled (circled?) the moon, he had his warm grandfather-eyes on our grandsons, Joshua and Jesse, in the basement.  There you can find "The Garden" which is a child's paradise of water and activities that keep them engaged for literally hours. 

Liesl (our younger daughter)  and I walked through this kindly provided open door of being by ourselves as adults, and hopped onto the nearest Tube to explore the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square.  Liesl is far, far more knowledgeable about art than I am - so I happily followed in my daughter's  slip-stream.   We marvelled in front of so many masterpieces that I am compelled to return to one of daughter/mom-times together via this blog.  We lapped up world-class painting talent enhanced by our togetherness and conversations.

Today I am focusing in on two of Rembrandt's self-portraits in the National Art Gallery ( many others are distributed in other parts of the world).  And, then,  focus even closer in on the concept of how we present ourselves.  Much can be said - your comments are welcomed!  I gave it some thought in the midst of the ordinary things of life and restrict my few thoughts to one question, one conclusion, and one stunning mega, comfort.

Just in case you do not have time to read right to the end of this post, I would like to mention the three thoughts now:

1. How do we present ourselves to God in heaven, to our ourselves and to others?
2. Christians, saved by Jesus and grace, are to present themselves in humility.
3. From the Bible, Jude verse 24, 25 - a stunning promise for all those who have passed from death to life in Jesus:

To him who is able to keep you from falling

          and to present you before his glorious presence
          
          without fault and with great joy—

to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Amen!!

So then, how do you and I present ourselves to others?
Well, here are, first,  a few portraits of self-presentation - courtesy Rembrandt and Dürer.   Stand with Liesl  and I in front of two of Rembrandt's masterpieces in the National Portrait Gallery, London - also have a squiz at the third and see what thoughts theirs invoke in you!

This portrait shows Rembrandt at the height of his career, presenting himself in a self-assured pose wearing an elaborate costume in the fashion of the 16th century. It seems as if Rembrandt refers deliberately to his famous predecessors in this portrait, and thus places himself in the tradition of great 'Old Masters'.

This work was painted in the final year of Rembrandt's life and is one of his last pictures. He died on 4 October 1669 and was buried in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.

Rembrandt painted more self portraits than any other artist of the 17th century. The National Gallery has two of them, separated by nearly thirty years. In this late picture, the artist wears a deep red coat and a beret, his hands clasped before him. The viewer is confronted by his steady gaze. Rembrandt painted and etched self portraits throughout his life, but those executed in his final years, in which he presents himself in a reflective mood, are among the most poignant and challenging.

The Germans still tended to consider the artist as a craftsman, as had been the conventional view during the Middle Ages. This was bitterly unacceptable to Dürer, whose second Self-Portrait (out of three) shows him as slender and aristocratic, a haughty and foppish youth, ringletted and impassive. His stylish and expensive costume indicates, like the dramatic mountain view through the window (implying wider horizons), that he considers himself no mere limited provincial. What Dürer insists on above all else is his dignity, and this was a quality that he
allowed to others too.

Last night I finished reading the small book on "Humility - true greatness" by C.J. Mahaney.  My Lord and my God by His Spirit, my Counselor, guided me once again into humility, while also wondering about the Master Artists' portrayal of themselves.

How do we present ourselves in humility:

We keep in mind
God's active opposition to pride.
Pride's potency to destroy
God's merciful warnings

A definition of humility: Serving others for the glory of God.

What is greatness? Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

How do I cultivate humility?

• Reflect on the wonder of the Cross
• Acknowledge your need for God
• Be full of gratitude
• Cast your cares upon Jesus.
• Study the attributes of God
• Study the doctrines of Grace
• Study the doctrine of sin
• Laugh at yourself
• Identify evidences of grace in others, appreciate them and encourage others
• Invite and pursue godly correction.
• Respond humbly to trials.

I desire to go after humility in all my roles:

• as God's beloved child
• as a marriage partner
• as a parent
• as an employer/employee
• as a friend
• as a family member in God's church
• as an opposed person
• in every role!

For an in-depth  look at Christian love and humility, please follow this link to my friend, Laurie's blog.   On our return we found Gramps in one piece and the two grandsons so thrilled by their surrounds they did not beg for a snack, not once!

Six brief life-changing tips on raising obedient children

Here are a half dozen brief reminders on how to raise obedient children - from a post by by PJ and Ashleigh Smyth from Johannesburg, South Africa which can be  found by clicking on this link.

After a little discussion on Christian parenting this morning at our church's "Mums and Tots" play morning, I was referred to the "GodFirst" church in South Africa.  That was a good tip, Louisa, thank you!  We look forward to exploring the website further.  Who is busier than mums with littlies?   Our own children, who are now mums, leap to mind!  We share this post with them, giving thanks to our Lord for the love He has poured out in their hearts for Him, for their husbands and for our 4 grandchildrenL  Josh, Josie, Jesse and Evie.

It also give us great pleasure to share this post with you, dear reader - hoping it will be a big blessing to you and your children-in-training!


1. We are confident in our God-given parental authority: God has set parents in place as the primary authority figures in the lives of children. Hebrews 12 speaks of how discipline is actually a privilege of being a son. Don’t fear that your child will resent your discipline. On the contrary, they will soon realise that it is a sign of your love for them.
2. We never count to three: The counting-to-three routine undermines your authority and places your child in the driving seat. You are training him that essentially obedience is a negotiation and that he can determine the timing of his obedience. Train them to say ‘I must obey straight away’.

3. We model it by submitting ourselves to authority figures in our lives: Several times a year there is a clash between what my ‘boss’ is asking me to do and what my family and I would like to do. I always seize these opportunities to explain to my boys that ‘I must obey my boss straight away and with a good attitude’, and that although I would much rather spend Saturday morning with them, I must obey my ‘boss’ and rather go to that meeting.

4. We try not to exasperate our children (Eph 6:4). Avoid petty rules. Pick your battles. Be merciful and compassionate. When you are in the wrong say a sincere sorry to them. Also, make sure that you are giving them sufficient attention so that they are not compelled to rebel just to get some time and attention from you.

5. We use appropriate forms of punishment.
We discipline mostly for three D’s:

• Disobedience.
• Disrespect.
• And Destruction (of property…or your brother’s nose).

Punishment must be proportional to the offense, and also proportional to the stage of life of the child. If it is not then you will find that you exasperate a growing child.
Also, the mode of punishment must be what will best help the child. Different parents have more ‘faith’ for some forms of punishment than others, and different children respond differently to different forms of punishment. I acknowledge and respect that, although we have had continued success with the primary biblical form of disciplining children: a wooden spoon to their chubby bottoms.

6. We are convinced that it really is worth the effort. The joy of parenting increases dramatically when you have obedient children! And most importantly, you are equipping your children with the vital life-skill of obedience, which will stand them in good stead in their obedience to God, life, at school, and in the workplace.

Learning from "Who made God?" Author: Edgar Andrews

For a while now, I have been trying to work out a short statement in regard to why I, like hosts of  other Christians,  find the theory of evolution's explanation of beginnings so totally unbelievable.  And then...commuting home on the bus today, I came across this one summarising sentence written by a  Christian Physicist that nailed part of the argument.   Thank you so much Prof. Andrews!

What is not denied and what is denied:

What is denied
is not the occurrence of mutations and natural selection,
nor their ability to generate change,
but
the absolute power of mindless, haphazard processes to manufacture
the teeming life of planet earth
starting from
some primeval soup or elementary spark of life.

Honestly, seeing evolution is still at the hypothesis stage,  it certainly takes a whole bunch of faith to welcome it's claims on board. To my simple mind, its description of origins demands more faith than faith in a Creator God.

The more scientists (bless them all!) observe via their senses and amazing instruments, the more we see that our universe smacks of design. And the easier it is to believe "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1)


Gordon and I heartily recommend "Who made God?" to those who  firmly believe in the God of the Bible who exists: a real, personal God creating a real universe out of nothing - creatio ex nihilo.  
And we also recommend Professor Andrew's book to  those who prefer a theory that excludes God no matter how highly improbable it sounds.  How about taking up the challenge posed by a physicist?!

A young mother with terminal cancer talks about Jesus and dying

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by Name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you;
and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you.  Isaiah 41 :1,2

This week we have been made acutely aware again, of the brevity of life.  Our very good friend Gail,our age, has recently been diagnosed with cancer and after having to undergo and endure treatments, he has been diagnosed with further areas of cancer invasion and is terribly ill. 

This is Nia.

And then there is Nia who turns ten  in June who has Leukemia and after a recent relapse is back in Oxford Children's Hospital on aggressive chemo and other treatments.  Our dear friend is in America, geographically so far away - but we were able to visit cute Nia on Friday during a day-out to Oxford.

Jesus wept at Lazarus' grave - ponder the moving scene.  We would dearly love to be faithful in earnest prayer, with our Saviour's tears, for our friend, Gail and  for Nia and for their families. Having nursed our son Michael to the end of his young life, the ravages of cancer are all too familiar to us.  How easy it is to get caught up in the events of our lives and lose touch with the pangs of the pain and the concerns and the suspense of the suffering and those around them.

So, with these reasons in mind, we listened to a video talk by Rachel at a Women's event  hosted by Westside Church at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond, BC, Canada on March 4, 2009.


Here is the link to the young mother telling her story of dying with cancer.
Rachel  took the  opportunity to share her hope in Jesus Christ, as a terminal cancer patient.   What began as a small talk to her church women’s group became an event attended by over 600 women and was an experience that left many with a desire to discover more about Rachel’s journey and faith and Jesus.

In addition to the audio link, we also include the bulk of a blog entry/letter by Rachel, written with exceptional honesty about her own experience of dying  Our motivation for both the link and the letter is certainly not to pander to a macabre curiosity about death, but to grow in being sensitive and full of love to those who are dying, to increase in genuine sympathy and be a lot more prepared for our own deaths.  May we all move closer to being more skilled at being tender and  thoughtful and wise and informed friends to those who are going through deep waters.

We trust you will read this blog in that spirit and that, like Rachel, you too will not die alone, but have Jesus Christ your Good Shepherd right there with you when your own time has come to pass through the waters and the rivers and the valley of the shadow of death.  You will find 4 steps in Rachel's video talk which points to how to be ready to die.

Rachel wrote as follows on April 20th, 2009 and died in Jesus early July 2009.

Dying is hard




I’m not sure what I thought it would be like but I think I hoped it would be easier than this. But, admittedly, I’m not that tough.




First of all, I’ve never done it before and there’s no one around who’s done it before to ask how to do it well. You have to prioritize and plan your days, weeks, months, without knowing how much time you actually have. You have to find the balance between complaining so that you can get relief and not complaining so that you don’t annoy all the nice people who are trying to help you. All this, I am learning, I am not that good at.




I went to bed the other night feeling ok but woke up an hour later with searing pain in my head. If it didn’t sound so odd, I’d say that I can feel the cancer growing. My face went more numb and I had crazy pain in my jaw and head. The cancer has spread to my shoulders too so those ache often as well. I took some pain medication and it’s subsided somewhat but was then wide awake and couldn’t stop thinking about how this is all going to go down. Will it be fast? Slow? More painful than it is now? I ask but there are, of course, no answers.




The last couple of weeks have been a bit more rough. More bad days. Fewer good days. I’ve had some more radiation on my other hip and my sternum where the cancer has spread and was causing discomfort. I usually get a little “bounce” a few days after the radiation when the nausea and fatigue from the treatment have worn off. Today was one of those days - kind of.
Dying is hard. And now I better understand some of the things people struggle with as they near death.




I remember my grandmother who, at the end of her life could not move, see or hear very well and wondered what Jesus was waiting for - why wouldn’t he take her home now? I understand how she felt. I remember my grandfather, who died just last year, as he patiently endured our entreaties to eat, our constant asking of “How are you feeling?” or our efforts to make him more comfortable. I understand how he felt. And then there are the moments where the kids ask, “Mom, how come you got cancer?” Those questions, of course, are the hardest.




Although I do very little these days, the one thing I do is pray more. I’ve never been a great person of prayer, to my shame. But when I’m lying awake at night or trying not to throw up or just alone in bed - I pray. I pray because it is the only useful thing I can do. And, that said, it is a very good investment of the time I do have. I pray for Neil. A lot. How grateful I am for him and for strength to endure what is being asked of him. I pray for Quinn and Kate - while I still can. And I pray for the many people that God brings to my mind in the midst of my darkness.




So all that to say, I’m not very good at this. I am trying though. And when I think of the end, of how hard dying already is, and of how hard it will be for those I love when I’m gone, these are the verses that come to mind:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”
Isaiah 43:1-2

Dying is hard. But not as hard as it could be.

Who has the ultimate say in the future of the UK government after 6 May 2010

Would you please, please pray for the UK election taking place tomorrow, Thursday 6 May 2010?

This is where we live: in the small county of Hertfordshire.

Voters (30-40%)  admit that they are undecided as to who to vote for.  We count ourselves as part of that statistic.  Ok we do not fancy Communism, for eg, but it does make one wonder about Democracy and how it is that the the future of a good few year's goverance is subject to weak, weak, weak chance of making a good judgment and decision! What is the worth of a personal political opinion based on scanty party manifesto's.  To have our “own political views”, we all, obviously, need true information.  Whicih we get where?

Now.....................how very good and assuring it is that our God works out His purposes - HIS purposes - His PURPOSES - and that He is good and His love endures forever.  And somehow He can achieve His plans through voters who are so betwixt and between!

Gordon and I have been paying fair attention to the debates, analyzers communication through many forms of the media, but still, like many others, we battle to discern and make a clear choice. Uncertainty is a feature of this election, thus the leaders and campaigners' pounded the streets - some right through the night.  We have tried to assess and discern, while trying to remember who said what on which taxes, on the EU and immigration and the Recession and how to deal with the rich bankers - added to hospitals, age-care and education.  Do we vote tactically, for the party or for the man?

Many say there hasn’t been an election in their lifetime in which so many voters are just not certain where they or the parties stand – and no wonder, given the turbulence of the economy and the unusually slippery tactics of politicians across the board.  Disconcerting.

Here's the dilemma:  many of  the uncertain voters will stand in cubicles tomorrow and draw crosses.  Here is the crunch: many of  those crosses will determine the leaders of the United Kingdom for the next few years.

(A few  BBC interviewees said that when they are in the voting cubicle they believe the right decision will "come" to them!)

How wonderful and assuring and thrilling - and what real security -  to have our confidence in a Sovereign Lord .  He works all the time and He works all things together (just consider what a magnificent influence that is).  He works everything together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.  He holds sovereign sway over the universe, the world and the UK elections tomorrow.  He is the Ancient of days - no lack of experience there!  Our God reigns and His purposes will not be frustrated.

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.   {Prov 21:30-31 RSV}

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

 
Please see  Some key issues to keep in mind when casting a vote. for further information.  Prayer makes sense- and to go and vote tomorrow - because as Christians we are convinced of God's sovereign and wise sway over the UK and all the kingdoms of our world.

We and the whole country are very curious to what the outcome is going to be - nobody knows - oh, SOMEBODY does know!  And before that "Somebody" there is splendour and majesty; strength and joy in His dwelling place.  Ascribe to the LORD, oh families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His Name."  1 Chronicles 16.

For an indepth Christian view on how to vote, we strongly suggest "How should Christians vote" bethinking.org

Christians in Britain today live in a collapsing culture in which God’s moral law is openly
flouted. Things will not get better unless this is addressed. The only lasting and real solution to
the problem of man’s sin is uniquely providedin the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel denies that there can ever be political salvation in this life. Nevertheless, we are to pray that our authorities would provide freedom for the Gospel and freedom for Christians to live“peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We are to pray that the governing authorities will fulfil their Godgiven
mandate and govern according to God’s moral law (Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14).


The General Election provides an opportunity for Christians to speak out and play their part.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.Proverbs 19:21

Some key issues as we vote in the 2010 UK election tomorrow

Tomorrow morning we are off to the polling station at our nearest school to participate in the  UK 2010 election.   My soulmate, Gordon and I are familiarising ourselves with some of  the Christian principles to keep in mind, together with whatever information we were able to gather. The political leaders' and parties' manifesto's were/are criticised for lack of facts.

We received these welcome vote-reminders in email-format this evening from "Christian Concern for our Nation".  (See a link to their website at the end of this post).



 

Final election message:

Please remember the three key issues as you cast your vote

The polling booths open in less than 24 hours. As you consider how to vote, please remember the biblical vision of what makes for a peaceful and prosperous society and to value God’s wisdom over that of any political leader. Please also continue to cry out to the living and life-giving God that He might have mercy on this country and raise up godly leaders.


As the campaigns come to a close, we continue to underline the vital importance of three key areas. We do so not because they are the only issues of interest to Christians but because they are fundamental to the very foundation and fabric of our society and because they are currently under relentless attack. The ‘litmus tests’ of the future shape of the society that we and our children will inhabit are:

1. The protection of the most vulnerable in society—especially those at the earliest (unborn) and final stages of this life. (Christians make an enormous and positive contribution to serving the needs of the marginalised. We long to see justice for all and our concern for arguably the most vulnerable—the unborn and those nearing death—naturally flows from this).
2. The promotion of the family, biblically and traditionally understood, as the basic building block of a healthy society.
3. The proclamation of Jesus Christ as the only ultimate hope for our nation.

Despite the fact there are many wonderful politicians doing great work within each of the biggest political parties none of the parties now publicly support the biblical position on all three of these issues. This makes voting decisions harder and underlines the importance of voting in light of the commitments of the particular candidates in your constituency.

The issues at stake are so significant, that we believe that candidates’ positions on them outweighs other considerations—whether party loyalty or sympathy on matters such as economic, environmental or foreign policy.



For really useful information re Chrisitian issues in the UK, please refer to Christian Concern for our Nation