Just what's the problem with 'sin'?

There's a lot of heat being generated around the proposals to legalise 'gay marriage', just like there was around the Abortion Law, and no doubt there will be around Euthanasia Law eventually. As a Christian, these laws sadden me, because I know that my loving Father God would not be against them if they were not harmful to society as a whole.

But people have the right to do what they think is right. But is it right or wrong? And who decides?

Most people think that religion is about 'not sinning' ie not doing things or saying things that offend God. There may be an expectation of punishment for wrongdoing, and a reward for 'doing good'.

Jesus made it clear that the problem was not about who was 'sinning' and who wasn't. He knows we are all 'sinners', so noone can pretend he's better than anyone else.

Jesus made it clear that what was needed was someone who could save us from our sin - not point out which things are sin or not. And he offered HIMSELF as our ONLY option.

Then says to you and me, 'What are you going to do about me -Jesus Christ?'. Either believe in me, and you will be saved from your sin, or don't and you won't!!

Simple really! What will you do with Jesus? Dismiss Him with a sneer? Honour Him as a good teacher or prophet? Value Him as a healer? or will you accept Him as your Saviour - the Son of God who laid down His life, so we don't lose ours for ever.

Don't get hung up on what is sin, or who is or isn't sinning. But get dealing with Jesus. Find out about Him. Then believe. You won't regret it!

Celebrating 60 years!

It's pretty impossible to avoid the Diamond Jubilee events taking place this weekend, and it would be churlish to try to! We should honour any individual who has been in one job for 60 years, and shows no signs of retiring, even at the age of 85!! Can't think of any other occupation where this would happen!

I'm not a huge royalist, but there are a number of things about Queen Elizabeth 2 that I do admire. Her unstinting hard work and sacrifice on behalf of Great Britain, her warmth and friendliness towards everyone she meets -which has opened doors of welcome in virtually every country in the world; her dignified silence towards the media, and refusal to enter into any controversies - even those affecting her family; her love for her family. All these have been remarked on by many others, and I am happy to be counted among them. Well done, ma'am!

As a child of the 1950's, one of my earliest recollections is as a 5-year old, sitting all day in darkness in a pal's house, watching the Coronation on a 10" black and white television. An amazing and awesome experience for a  young boy. So, my whole life has had a backdrop of UK life, not only of the ever-changing political scene, and the rapid changes in society and in technology,  but also with the constancy of Queen Elizabeth, doing what she always does, and doing it well!

That constancy, that sense of continuity in an unpredictable, often violent, sometimes frightening, world, has brought a sense of security with it. And we want this feeling of security to last for ever! But, of course, it won't. One day, this wonderful Queen will die, and that security will have gone for good.

As a Christian, I have another monarch, who is also constant, also provides continuity, also sacrifices himself for his people, always honours family life, and rewards hard work. His name is King Jesus.  No longer the baby in the manger, or even the battered body on a Roman cross, but sat at the right hand of God the Father, with authority over all of creation.

In the Bible we read " Jesus Christ - the same, yesterday, today and forever'.  In a constantly changing world, which can frighten us or worry us, HE is unchangingly constant. HE will never leave us. HE is always there to comfort us. HE carries on each day, each year, doing what HE always has done - meeting with His people, directing them, challenging them, teaching them, loving them, smiling with them, encouraging them.

With King Jesus, we can celebrate not just 60years, or even 2000 years, but for ever and ever!!

Cometh the moment, cometh the man!

It is often true, that at times of greatest stress, someone appears out of the crowd  and performs heroic actions that are almost unbelievable. Tonight we saw a Chelsea football team, tiring, losing, and only minutes from defeat, lifted out of despair by an incredible goal from their 'star' centre forward, Didier Drogba. In the subsequent penalty shoot out, it fell again to Drogba to score the winning penalty, which he did, and Chelsea, against all the odds, are the new European champions. Extraordinary!

But Drogba, gifted though he is, cannot lift every individual out of times of stress, or despair, or hopelessness. The wonderful message of Christianity is that Jesus Christ can!!

'Cometh the moment, cometh the man' - when you think all is lost, and you are desperate for a hero, cry out to God. Jesus is only a prayer away to turn things round in your life and give you a new beginning.

Talented dogs

Watching the Britains Got Talent final was an unusually enjoyable experience. The fact that the most talented individual in Britain was a dog didn't seem to matter! The fact is that Pudsey was nothing without Ashley who had invested her love, her time, her patience in him. If she hadn't, he would just be another dog. Now he's a celebrity!

We all have talents and skills. Sometimes they remain hidden because no-one invested their love, time and patience in us. Often the opposite is true. "You'll never amount to anything." "You're useless." "You're a waste of space." And our talents remain buried.

Here's the good news. We have a Father God who will invest his love, time and patience in us, if we will let Him. Pudsey had to cooperate, however much Ashley wanted him to learn. We have to learn how to cooperate with God to bring the best out in us. Jesus showed us the way. He's still the biggest celebrity on the planet!

Do you know how good you can be? Ask God!