Focus and Purpose

Quote from Matthew Parris, Times 28th November:

….there’s a different question about Tony Blair’s role [in Iraq] that still remains open. Did he act heroically — in the sense of the moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels and, rather than let the flow carry him, swim against compelling circumstances, knowing that he takes a serious risk for himself or his career? A case, at least, can be made for Mr Blair as a hero in this sense.

I like people who are clear in their actions, clear in their beliefs. I may not always agree with them, but I prefer the straightforwardness of their approach. You know where they stand. That was said of Margaret Thatcher too… someone who I feel totally opposed to, even today. But you knew where you stood. Decisions, in that sense, were bold, clear, almost heroic.

I have struggled to like Gordon Brown. Having been a fan of Blair, I have not been able to make the jump to Brown. What is it that I don’t like? His politics are not that different…. But when you begin to look at his politics, there are different. Very different.

Gone is the clarity. Gone the principled approach. No longer the ‘moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels’. In its place, politics with a small ‘p’. Everything is calculated to win a vote, wound the other party, keep the dissident MP’s in place. Fear of failure has replaced focus and purpose.

Will God Forgive?

I was privileged to speak at KingsGate church last week. Here's the talk:

http://www.kingsgateuk.com/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=37241&file_id=39977

A Result

I was in Liverpool the other week on business and was kindly taken out in the evening for a meal. We walked through the brand new shopping complex between the city and the docks. It's one of the largest in Europe and is called Liverpool One.

Everton football club have set up their souvenir shop in the Liverpool One complex. They have called the shop 'Everton Two'.

So the actual postal address is 'Everton Two, Liverpool One'. Wonderful!

I Will Not Be Analysed, I will Be Adored

These are the words theologian John Piper felt he heard God say to him at a key moment in his life. They are worthy of further consideration:

"I will not simply be analyzed, I will be adored. I will not simply be pondered, I will be proclaimed. My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized, it is to be heralded. It is not grist for the mill of controversy, it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will."

With thanks to adrianwarnock.com for the quote

Amazing Grace

The ship was breaking up. It was all he could do to hold on. Huge waves were crashing in. Parts of the planking on the starboard side were already smashed beyond recognition. The pumps were working flat out. Rocks were ahead and the sun was going down. The year 1748 looked to be the last year this young man would see.

It’s then that he prayed. Here he was, a slave trader, murderer. An atheist, an unbeliever; worse, someone that had spoken openly of his hatred of Christians. And he was praying. ‘Lord God, save us. Have mercy’…..

Twenty years later, John Newton sat in his study, next to the fire. It was a cold night. The wind was blowing so strongly, he felt it through the window frame, bringing back vivid memories of that night so long ago. How God had answered that prayer. Amazing.

Slowly he got up and moved over to his desk. Picking up a pen, he dipped it in ink and began to write…

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

John Newton’s incredible story can be read in ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Pollock.

Feast

I’ve just been looking at a few of our photos from our September holiday in Wales. The sun shone- somewhat unusual for Wales!

One day we were out in the hills, when a lady walked past. As we were looking out on the beautiful landscape, she said: ‘Spiritual food for the soul. Feast.’ And then she was gone.

And it was. Spiritual food that is. So beautiful. We discovered a hidden lake, high up in the hills. And we had the most amazing views of Cadaer Idris.





So here’s the question. Are you feeding your soul with spiritual food? For those with a Christian faith, how much dust is on your bible? For those that don’t believe or are not sure, when was the last time you sat down and looked at the hills of Snowdonia? Or the Lakes? Or the Downs? Or the Peak District? Or maybe just a walk in the local park?

Feast.

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it

.... so said Winston Churchill. And he did write it too!

This weekend sees Josh going off to College. His twin, Lois, will be off on a gap year to Africa soon. Time goes so quickly. Children grow so fast. It seems like only yesterday they were learning to walk and talk.

So if I want to write history, it has to be today. To leave it until tomorrow means someone else gets the pen and paper.