DEAD ORTHODOXY

'He hated dead orthodoxy with a perfect hatred. "The living dog" of an earnest though faulty revivalism was in his opinion better than the "dead lion" of a heartless orthodoxy. Truth no doubt is truth; but the letter killeth: it is the spirit that giveth life. Water is water; but better surely is a cupful from the living well than a pitcherful from the stagnant pond. Dead orthodoxy is but the maker of decent graveclothes for dead souls. At best the teacher of lifeless doctrine is but the master tailor of pharisaism. Some men worship the truth of God instead of the God of truth. Dead orthodoxy is the worship of truth, and is the most subtle of all kinds of idolatry...Our evangelist was grieved to see men splitting hairs while souls were perishing. Are the disciples nodding and sleeping while the cause of Christ is bleeding at every pore? Are men piously wagging their heads because the Lord's work is nailed to a cross? Alas! it is even so.'

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist. Page 251.

THE LIAM AITCHISON MURDER TRIAL IS BEING HELD IN PRIVATE. WHY?

For years it has been illegal to carry a camera into a Scottish courtroom. I remember this from back in the day when I was a press photographer. I used to have to leave the kit in the car and come rushing out just before the end of proceedings to take my photos as the people emerged onto the street. That was allowed - but I had to wait until they were actually off courthouse property. Now, I ask you - what on earth is the difference between taking the photos of the accused/convicted inside or outside the courthouse? Thankfully, these days a glimmer of good sense has prevailed and they are currently considering permitting the televising of court cases. But we have the old problem, that because the status quo is what we've been used to, they they find it nigh on impossible to get out of it - even though they don't know why.

CENSORSHIP
I don't mind telling you - I hate censorship. To quickly define censorship in my own words: censorship is when an individual or group decides that they know best, and deliberately withholds the truth from others.

THE PUBLIC GALLERY EXISTS FOR A REASON
On the one hand, in this country we have a public gallery in every courtroom and the general public are welcome to come in and spectate if they wish. Also the names of the accused/convicted are available in the media. On the other hand, no cameras are allowed, so, of course, viewing proceedings on the TV is out of the question.

In America and other countries it is common practice to televise court cases. In America we had the famous trial of O.J. Simpson all over the TV. In Inverness the trial of two ordinary young men is held in private. 'Private' though, is not the right word, they should use 'secret'.

Why hold it in private - who or what are they trying to protect?

We criticise other countries for doing things in secret, and rightly so - particularly if elections are not held openly and fairly, or if we think they might be making nuclear weapons. We send inspectors to check on them because we don't trust them. We ought to preach by example, and allow justice to be 'seen' to be done as it ought to be - and not be hypocrites.

I much prefer the Biblical method: "...PROVIDE THINGS HONEST IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN." (Romans 12: 17); THEM THAT SIN REBUKE BEFORE ALL, THAT OTHERS ALSO MAY FEAR. (1 Timothy 5: 20).

Every detail of the trial of Liam Aitchison's murderers should be completely open for all to see - and televised - it's everyone's right. We all have an interest.

DIVISION

"WITH ALL MY HEART I PROTEST AGAINST WHAT I HAVE KNOWN - MEN RECEIVED WITH ALL WARMTH OF SIMPLICITY, AND QUIETLY LEADING UNSUSPECTING ONES AWAY TO THEIR PECULIAR VIEWS, LEAVING AFTERWARDS A LEAVEN OF DIVISION INJURIOUS IN ITS RESULTS...BLESS GOD FOR SCOTTISH CAUTION; BUT IT IS OFTEN AT FAULT...STEREOTYPED MODES OF ACTION, IF NEED BE, MUST BE LAID ASIDE, AND THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT MUST BE RECOGNISED...ESSENTIALS MUST BE HELD AS WITH A DEATH-GRIP; BUT NON-ESSENTIALS MAY BE SCATTERED TO THE WINDS.

"I ONLY RETURNED A FEW DAYS AGO FROM THE SEA-SIDE...I USED TO SIT AND MARK THE EBBING AND FLOWING TIDE. WHEN IT WAS OUT EVERY INEQUALITY IN THE SHORE COULD BE SEEN, HIDDEN ROCKS WERE LAID BARE, AND THE TANGLE-COVERED BOTTOM EXPOSED. WHEN IN, ALL WAS COVERED. THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE SEEN BUT THE BLUE SEA - THE ONE GREAT OCEAN. SO, WHEN THE HOLY GHOST SHALL PUT FORTH HIS ALMIGHTY POWER, A SUBJECT SUCH AS THIS WILL NOT BE RAISED."

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist, page 235 - 236.

ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.

Thanks to Peter Reynolds for this link.

WHAT IS THIS CHRIST-MASS?

It is important to point out that God's word gives us not the slightest idea of the time of year Jesus was born. This is not an accident. The festival which people call Christmas is completely man-made and has no place whatsoever in Christianity.

The event which Roman Catholics call the 'mass' is also completely man-made and has no place in Christianity.

The third commandment states: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain..." This means that to use the name of God in any way which he has not sanctioned is presumptuous and sinful, even blasphemous.

The Christ-mass festival has its origins in ancient paganism where revelry, gluttony, drunkenness and gift-giving was celebrated. Of course in those days it went by a different name.

It's nice to have a time of year when everyone is on holiday and comes together to have meals and socialize, but we err greatly if we try to drag God's name into it and turn it into a pseudo-religious festival.

By all means, give presents, eat well, enjoy - but please - let's leave God's name out of it - unless it's according to scripture.

CLIMATE CHANGE: TRICK, FRAUD AND DELUSIONAL NONSENSE

Thanks to Alasdair Martin for this link.

PYGMIES AT THE HELM AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE ICEBERG

The following is a selection of quotes from Max Hastings' article in today's Daily Mail.

"...Eurosceptics gleefully cheered at the notion that a prime minister has at last done the big thing, telling the Frogs and Huns to get stuffed."

"...Euro-enthusiasts - including most of the BBC's commentators - talk as if any responsible British leader must shut his eyes and vote with our 26 partners, even on a day-trip to hell. They are in denial about the ghastly predicament of the whole EU project."

"The Europeans want to preserve a gold-plated social model, to ring-fence themselves against the cold winds of the real world outside. However, they will fail."

"The worst consequence of Cameron's veto is likely to be that our EU partners will dismiss our views and, indeed, seek to punish us."

"The erratic President Sarkozy of France, who sometimes seems close to madness...His petulance and fevered efforts to escape looming electoral defeat at home, has worsened the crisis. We should pray nightly for his political demise in the spring."

"Critics of last week's veto, such as Ed Miliband, talk as if David Cameron had a duty to stay aboard the euro-liner even as it races towards the iceberg, merely because none of the other passengers has got off."

"It would probably be best for Britain, as well as for the Western world, if the euro collapsed swiftly, the boil was lanced."

"Europe needs strong and far-sighted leaders, and instead is being guided by pygmies."

WHAT THE BOSSES BELIEVED

"THE BOSSES BELIEVED THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE SHOULD START AT THE BOTTOM, IN THE DUST."

The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart. Page 15.

Quite right too - changed days now though.

IRREGULARS - BUT TO WHOM?

"God has raised up not a few evangelists who go hither and thither. I call the majority of them irregulars, freelances, knowing no church, understanding nothing of parochial divisions, subject to no master but Christ, and, it cannot be denied, wielding a mighty influence on not a few."

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist. pp. 234.

WHICH IS BEST FOR THE CHURCH, PERSECUTION OR EASE?

"HOW SAD THE THOUGHT, THAT WHAT FAGGOT AND EXILE COULD NOT DO A CHRISTLESS FORM ACCOMPLISHED!"

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist. pp. 232.

Faggots were the bundles of combustible material used as fuel for the fires in which the Christian martyrs were burned alive.

BEST SUMMING UP OF SINGLE CURRENCY I'VE HEARD

WELL DONE DAVID CAMERON FOR HAVING THE GUTS

Well done David Cameron for having the guts to veto the horrible EU - I didn't think he had it in him. Great! Now maybe some others will also display a bit of bottle.

People need to stop worrying about likely short-term consequences and making careers out of compromise and just simply get into the habit of making a stand against bad ideas.

The European Union is one big bad idea. It's just a bloated and dishonest gravy train which seeks to impose its dictatorial will on everyone.

It is not the duty of any country to look after the interests of other countries - it is the duty of a country to look after the interests of its own people. If it was possible to turn the whole of Europe into a single state (country), then it would be fine - but it's not possible - Europe ain't America - a young country with it's various states all speaking the same language.

Interesting to see what happens next.

THE WRONG STUFF

When I heard yesterday about the jesting made of Liam Aitchison's murder on channel 5 programme The Wright Stuff I watched the clip. It was shocking. I could hardly believe that supposedly civilised human beings could laugh and joke in such a prolonged manner about such a thing.

Last night I had the intention of this morning recording the clip and posting it on this blog but they have obviously panicked and removed the offending clip - I shouldn't have procrastinated.

Anyway, it was shocking - they should certainly be punished.

This is yet another example of the effect the despising of God's truth has on people in general. The problem only grows. We must open our eyes. The Bible claims to be the truth of God. True or false. Great Britain was made great by believing in the Bible. How much sense does it make to despise it? What does that leave us with? It leaves us with nothing but utter hopelessness - if there is no God we might as well go and jump off the nearest cliff - why prolong the inevitable - and who has the right to find fault with us if we do?

If there is no God then there is no moral code - no moral law. This means that no one has the right to find fault with anything - It means Adolf Hitler was quite right, we are just pieces of meat. We haven't been created in the image of God after all - we just accidentally happen to be the "most evolved" animal. After all, Hitler was only being logical and following the path down which atheism inevitably leads - because there is no God then ultimately we answer to no one - therefore we can do as we please - total freedom to say and do as we like.

Or is it total bondage?

YOUNG MEN, YOUNG MEN

To the divinity students at the New College, Edinburgh (1867).

"YOUNG MEN, YOUNG MEN, DOWN WITH BOOKS AND UP WITH CHRIST! SOULS ARE PERISHING! UP, AND AIM AT SAVING SINNERS."

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist. PP. 220

A MAN IN THE PULPIT

"I WENT TO HEAR MR MATHESON. THE PLACE OF MEETING WAS CROWDED, AND I COULD FIND A SEAT ONLY NEAR THE PULPIT. THE STRANGER ENTERED. HIS MANNER AT ONCE ATTRACTED AND RIVETTED MY ATTENTION; IT WAS ALTOGETHER SO NOVEL TO ME. NEVER TILL THEN HAD I SEEN A MAN IN THE PULPIT, ONLY A MINISTER. IN HIS WHOLE BEARING THERE WAS A STRIKING ABSENCE OF ALL STIFFNESS AND FORMALITY. HIS PRAYER TOUCHED ME: NO INTRODUCTION, NO FORMAL CONCLUSION; IT WAS BRIEF, POINTED, DIRECT. IT WAS SO SOLEMN, YET SO TENDER. HEARING SUCH CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LIVING GOD I WAS DEEPLY SOLEMNIZED."

Duncan Matheson The Scottish Evangelist. PP. 212.

EXPOSE THE LIE

I enjoy going to the swimming pool here in Stornoway. Part of the pool is normally sectioned off for those who wish to just swim back and fore so that kids and the like don't get in their way. The pool attendants then place a sign at the end of the pool with directional arrows on it and the words 'swim clockwise'.

This may seem like a very innocuous and even useful rule. But it isn't. This is why.

If everyone following this instruction swims at the same speed then that's OK. But what if (like me and others) some wish to swim at a faster speed? If I am alone in this part of the pool it's OK, but as soon as anyone starts following this instruction things start to go wrong. Try to imagine one man obediently swimming round and round the pool and a faster swimmer doing lengths or even swimming clockwise like the other. To put it simply: it doesn't work - you unavoidably get in each other's way.

The answer is to simply not have the silly rule in the first place - people would just naturally sort themselves into lanes and avoid each other - problem solved.

Why am I saying this? Because the principle is exactly the same with regard to ordination of ministers. There is an un-biblical rule held to which is nothing but a barrier to many good and able men. This rule is based on a lie. This is the lie:

'God only wants those who have attained to a high level of academic education to be ministers.'

All I am trying to do is expose the lie, and then, we can all agree to drop the silly rule - problem solved.

WHY MINISTERS SO OFTEN SUFFER FROM INTELLECTUAL PRIDE

There is a part of my last post which I would like to enlarge upon. It is the part which describes the pride which ministers so often suffer from and seem to be completely blind to.

THE LIE

I believe the reason ministers suffer so much from this kind of pride is because the very things which they feel proud about (academic qualifications for instance) are the very things which are set down in the job description as being necessary for them to have if they are to be able to do the job.

As I have already pointed out, academic qualifications are nowhere to be found in scripture as a requirement for the ministry. In fact, if anything, quite the reverse is true (as previously quoted).

APOSTLE PAUL PARADED

The apostle Paul is usually dusted down and paraded as the chief example of why ministers must be highly educated. Another is all of 'the great, good and highly educated men which went before us and wrote such wonderful things etc.' Well, I would answer thus: as far as Paul is concerned, he was the exception rather than the rule when it comes these 'unlearned and ignorant men' whom Christ chose to use (Acts 4:13).

CURIOUS PRIDE

Many reading this will have come across at some point in their lives the curious pride which exists amongst 'academics' or 'intellectuals' or 'the learned' as they are sometimes termed. It can be quite obscene and outrageously arrogant, I mean, for example just watch the attached clip of Richard Dawkins:

Academics of the inferior kind (and by that I mean educated fools) are stuffed with pride and are continually blinded by the sense of their own importance. Though not for a moment would I argue that every highly educated man or woman is blinded by pride, I would argue that a very great number are.

Now, there is a text which is relevant here, it is this one:

'...THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.' (Luke 16: 15).

What does this verse mean? Here is my interpretation (for what it's worth): when Christ spoke these words he was rebuking the hypocritical pharisees (church leaders). The words preceeding this text are: '...you are they which justify yourselves before men...' This means that the things which the pharisees thought highly of and even used to justify their elevated positions before men were abominable to God.

Well, the one thing which the church leaders in Christ's time esteemed most highly and used to elevate themselves more than anything was their LEARNING.

The tradition is every bit as popular today as it ever has been.

Now, there is something which I must make clear, and it is what I am NOT saying. Because if I do not clarify this my opponents will predictably attempt to say that I am going to extremes and forbidding academics from entering the ministry. Well, I am not saying that at all. I am merely saying that Christ does not ask for what is highly esteemed amongst men from his ministers.

But he does ask for what is highly esteemed by God.

AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DEBT, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS DISCONTENTED, GATHERED THEMSELVES UNTO HIM; AND HE BECAME A CAPTAIN OVER THEM: AND THERE WERE WITH HIM ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED MEN. (1 Samuel 22:2).

This verse describes the men who joined themselves to David after he fled from the presence of King Saul who sought to kill him.

This verse is taken from the Old Testament, but it most certainly points us towards the New. The disadvantaged were drawn to David. Why?

David was a famous hero - he had slain Goliath the giant Philistine. But that was not the reason they sought for him. I would argue the reason was because he was righteous. They recognised that he was for God and that God was for him and in him. He had also been anointed by a prophet of God as the future king of Israel. The man of faith could read the writing on the wall, that there was no contest - the house of Saul was doomed and the house of David was set to prosper. If you fell in with David - you fell in with God. This, I would argue, is what motivated them - a desire for God. The same desire that drove Jonathan and David's powerful friendship - the same desire that drives everyone who truly seeks the Lord from the beginning of time to the end.

David is of course a clear type of Christ in these people being drawn to him. In Matthew Christ says: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." They fall into this category.

Another scripture this text brings me to is part of 1 Corinthians 1:

"FOR YE SEE YOUR CALLING, BRETHREN, HOW THAT NOT MANY WISE MEN AFTER THE FLESH, NOT MANY MIGHTY, NOT MANY NOBLE, ARE CALLED: BUT GOD HATH CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE WISE; AND GOD HATH CHOSEN THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE THINGS WHICH ARE MIGHTY; AND BASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND THINGS WHICH ARE DESPISED, HATH GOD CHOSEN, YEA, AND THINGS WHICH ARE NOT, TO BRING TO NOUGHT THINGS THAT ARE: THAT NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE."

For me, these verses sum up what is wrong in the professing church today. The problem is that they are ignored. Completely ignored. I have been attending church as a converted Christian for 20 years and I can only ever remember hearing the first sentence of these being preached on - and that only once. Considering these are some of the most important verses in the whole of scripture this is nothing short of scandalous. But it gets worse.

When I heard the sermon on the words, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (by a minister of my own denomination), the interpretation given was: "But it doesn't say none - it doesn't say none are called." Woah, I thought, talk about poor exegesis - that's as poor as it gets - completely reversing the emphasis. So now, the purpose of this vital piece of scripture is no longer to emphasise the fact that God focuses on the poor and disadvantaged - but to remind us to bear in mind that he does actually save some of the rich and privileged.

Far be it from me to deny that God saves some of the rich and privileged - but that is not the message of the verse.

So I would ask this question: Why are these verses never touched on in the church?

Is it because they condemn the attitude of the majority of ministers and professing Christians? For example, the professing church has been under the impression for centuries that only men that have attained a high level of academic learning can be accepted as ministers. This is not in the Bible - so where did it come from? Certainly not from John Bunyan and certainly not from the verses quoted. No, it came from nowhere but man's pride.

Ministers suffer from intellectual pride. They have a terrible weakness for thinking highly of their understanding of scripture, their ability to preach/expound, and of course, their personal academic attainments. I have come across this time and time again. It is also natural for men to want to be rich. There is a strong desire for this kind of prosperity in many professing Christians. These things are not compatible with the verses quoted. Hence the avoidance of them as they clearly proclaim an uncomfortable truth. A wonderfully efficient way of grieving the Spirit.

There are many verses which many professing Christians quietly wish were not in the Bible and these verses, I would argue, are high on the list.

If any of you were wondering why our churches are so devoid of spiritual life, I would offer this as a reason.

It all boils down to pride.

HE'S RIGHT

The following is a quote by Gene Simmons (member of rock band KISS) which I came across today:

'...he has little sympathy with the anti-capitalist protesters outside St. Paul's." What they're really arguing about is they don't have jobs - but there are plenty of jobs. It just may not be the job you want. Too bad. Start at the bottom, the way your mum and grandmother did, and work your way up... Never a lender or a borrower be. Avoid credit cards. Pay Cash. It's common sense. But people don't have common sense. They have greed."'

For those who don't know who he is, this is him:

Can you spot the 'leodhsach' coming through Donald Trump? If you didn't already know, his mum came from Lewis.

DAVID MILLIBAND REMINDS US HOW OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY HE IS

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15774291

Everyone and his dog knows how stupid it is to make a song-and-dance out of footballers being ignorant on the pitch, but what does David Milliband do? He paints this petty silliness as the cardinal sin. Talk about a wasted opportunity to show the sensible attitude and just dismiss it as the feckless nonsense that it is.

THE GREAT LEWIS FUEL RIP-OFF

Since moving back to the island in August after 10 years on the mainland, the first time I ever had to pay over £100.00 to fill my tank was my first fill-up back in SY.

Shocking. And again I say, Shocking.

LIKE THE BANKS

Everyone knows about the mercenary rapacity of the banks posting obscene profits while every one else suffers. Well, this is exactly the same.

CARTEL

It is obvious that the people selling the fuel have all agreed that it would work against them to compete with each other as the inevitable result would be that they would have to drop their prices - they would all lose out. Better to agree to keep them up.

It is common knowledge that fuel retailers make a very slim profit margin - that doesn't stop healthy competition on the mainland. But it does here. Why? GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED.

NO MORE INERTIA

People of Lewis - are you listening? NO MORE INERTIA.

No more shrugging of the shoulders and hoping someone else will bang on the doors of these robbers - yes - ROBBERS. These people are in collusion - agreement - aiding and abetting.

OK people, what are we going to do about it? Let's get organised.

ABUSE OF THE LAW

Recently, I met someone who described to me an experience he'd had with the law here in Stornoway.

He was doing contract work for the largest employer in the Outer Hebrides and was having trouble getting his money, so he phoned them. In the course of the call he lost his cool and called the man a f****** b******. The police were contacted and my friend was charged and fined £450 for breach of the peace.

Now, this is an easy one. We don't have to be Einstein to see how wrong this is - charged with breach of the peace for swearing down the phone? Do me a favour! Not that I'm condoning swearing or anything - but would you call the police because someone swore at you during an argument?

The person who reported him is not the only one at fault, so too is the justice of the peace that fined him - who should have just said, "ma chrech sa chanich (Gaelic) - off you go, and don't be swearing down the phone at any more petty minded people."

The blame for this kind of thing really lies with our silly legislators who have long since deemed the hurting of someone's feelings to be the cardinal sin.

Makes you wish you were a judge sometimes.

A WARNING

I Have just received an email out of the blue, claiming to be from Google, informing me that I am the "lucky" winner of £500,000.

Now, I don't want to insult your intelligence, but if you get one, do the sensible thing - DELETE - it's a scam.

MORE MADNESS

Here's a link to the latest chunk of insanity masquerading as justice:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15333744

So a man has been jailed for 8 months for being a bigot. Surely this has made history. When was a man last jailed for voicing an opinion, however distasteful?

Right. I demand we trawl the records and find every person who has ever said anything bad about anyone and bang them up. We can start with the muslims that rant about cutting people's heads off. We can search the internet (that should turn up heaps), we can send out special agents to catch out their neighbours if they say anything wrong (you know, like the Soviets used to do). Who knows, maybe one day someone will invent a mind reading machine so we can really police thoughts properly and cleanse society of all the baddies - whoa, heaven on earth!

Oh dear, am I beginning to sound like a Nazi, or a communist, or the kind of bigots this legislation is meant to be against?

Oh, I forgot, it only applies to football supporters. So the rest of us are OK then - we can rant all we like and get off, scot free.

Isn't it strange that the biggest bigots of all seem to be the ones who shout loudest about bigotry?

For example:

In this case the biggest and blindest bigots are:

OUR LAWMAKERS.

SPONTANEOUS EVANGELISM

Earlier today, just before 5.30, I answered a knock on my front door. It was a couple of local Stornoway boys aged about 10. They were looking for my boys. It being the Lord's day I asked them if they knew the fourth commandment. 'No', was the reply.

'Have you heard of the ten commandments?', I asked.

'Something to do with church and all that,' said one.

I asked them if they believed in God. The muted answer was in the negative.

'Who do you think made you - do you believe that you grew out of a piece of sludge?'

'My mum.'

'And who made your mum?'

'Her mum.'

'And who made the very first mum and dad?'

A shrug was the response.

'It was God.' I said. 'Do you know which is the best-selling book in the world?'

'No.'

'The Bible. That's God's book, he wrote it, and it's all in there.'

'How are you supposed to read that - it would take ages.'

'You don't have to read it from beginning to end. The Bible is full of little bits of important information scattered all the way through it.'

I told them the fourth commandment tells us to '"remember to keep the Sabbath day holy." That means we aren't to ignore God and just go about doing whatever we want on the Lord's day, enjoying ourselves - God didn't create us to enjoy ourselves, he created us to enjoy him.'

'So what are you supposed to do, just sit in the house all day?'

'No, you go to church, to worship God, and other things. God is real, and you can know him. He lives inside you, in your soul. That's what a Christian is, someone who has God living inside them.

'We all have to die one day, and no one knows when that day will be. Do you know what happens when you die?'

'No.'

Well, our body goes into the ground and rots away, and the soul - the invisible part - goes to God, then we have to answer for our lives - did we ignore God or did we believe in him? And if we ignored him, well I'm afraid it will be very bad for us.'

'We go down', said one of them, indicating with his thumb.

'That's right - down, to the fire which burns forever - hell. But if we believe in him, the opposite is true - it's very good for us. And do you know the secret?'

'No.'

'You ask him. When you're alone, you pray to him and ask him to show you.'

That was the basic sum of our conversation which occurred at my front door in the Cearns today. We have only moments in those situations, you're striking while the iron's hot and you certainly don't have time to prepare your sermon - but oh, how wonderfully scriptural it is - spontaneous evangelism.

OH DEAR, OH DEAR, WHAT MADNESS IS THIS?

I have just read a report on the BBC News website that the police have arrested football fans in dawn raids for...wait for it: 'Breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice'. When did you last hear anything so stupid. It sounds like a dish on a cookery programme.

So religious prejudice is now a crime. And just in case we aren't aware of how heinous a crime it is, these dangerous individuals are apprehended at dawn by enough police to choke an elephant.

I remember being part of similar operations against terrorists in Northern Ireland.

Accompanied by the media for maximum publicity to send the message: 'We will not stand for this evil.'

In the good old days (not so long ago) people might give an idiot a piece of their mind, or failing that, just roll their eyes and move on. But nowadays, watch out - the Stasi's about - if you say anything naughty you'll get it - in spades.

What on earth has happened to our legislators, have they gone completely bonkers?

Yes. Absolutely. Long since.

It's common knowledge that murderers are allowed out of prison and secure mental institutions to murder all over again - it's been going on for years. There's so much of it in the media that people are becoming immune. But risk hurting someone's feelings - even the most wickedly depraved - and you'll feel the full force of the law.

Recently, Alex Salmond publicly proclaimed that the Lockerby bomber ought to be left to die in peace.

What, am I hearing correctly? Surely the man is mad?

Yes, mad - quite mad - beyond the pale.

Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15089088

This is what is happening to us:

"THEY WOULD NONE OF MY COUNSEL: THEY DESPISED ALL MY REPROOF. THEREFORE SHALL THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY, AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVICES." (Proverbs 1: 30-31).

The worst thing which can happen to us - to be abandoned by God to perish in our sins.

WILL CHRIST SHARE HIS GLORY?

I've been having some communication with a Muslim on my facebook page. He believes that the Koran is a continuation of the Bible. This is standard Islamic doctrine.

It is of course, impossible. The single biggest obstacle standing in the way of that idea is Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 1: 23 we read:

"BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL, WHICH BEING INTERPRETED IS, GOD WITH US."

The Bible gives Jesus the place of God himself. That he is the only begotten Son of God. It is vital we understand the relevance of this title. It means he is God.

"GOD, WHO AT SUNDRY TIMES AND IN DIVERS MANNERS SPAKE IN TIME PAST UNTO THE FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS, HATH IN THESE LAST DAYS SPOKEN UNTO US BY HIS SON, WHOM HE HATH APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS, BY WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS; WHO BEING THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY, AND THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, AND UPHOLDING ALL THINGS BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER, WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF PURGED OUR SINS, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY ON HIGH..." (Hebrews 1: 2-3).

This doctrine of Christ is the one thing which clearly unveils the absurdity of the Muslim claim that the Koran is the continuation of Judaism and Christianity.

The Koran makes Jesus nothing but a man, a good man, a prophet even, but nonetheless - just a man - no different to you and me. How can this be, when the Bible states so clearly that he is God?

In 1Timothy 4: 1 we read of "doctrines of devils." Satan is a very bad theologian. This is typical of the kind of theology he has placed in the heads of poor unsuspecting sinners.

Why has God allowed him to do this?

"...BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED. AND FOR THIS CAUSE GOD SHALL SEND THEM STRONG DELUSION, THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE..." (2Thessalonians 2: 10-11).

What is the lie - I mean the really big one - the one big lie which Satan at all costs wants every one of us to believe? Isn't it obvious?

That Jesus is not God.

Nothing else - believe that one and he's dancing - on your grave - all the way to hell.

After the Christian is converted, God carries him as a new-born for a time. But only for a time.

In the natural world human infants are closely cosseted for many months.

Not so in the spiritual realm: the new Christian will shortly find himself tried: faith must be tried.

It is absurd to imagine faith without trials. It would be like raising an army during a war and leaving the soldiers to relax in their barracks while the battles raged around them.

After being converted on the Damascus road the apostle Paul soon found himself thrust well-and-truly in at the deep end, to the hazard of his life. He was happy about it.

Why was he happy about it?

The apostle Paul was happy about his afflictions in the gospel because he had his priorities right. If we have our priorities right we will also be happy if we suffer affliction for Christ's sake.

'...IF YE SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE, HAPPY ARE YE: AND BE NOT AFRAID OF THEIR TERROR, NEITHER BE TROUBLED.' (1Peter 3: 14).

In wars in this world men are awarded medals for valour. In the spiritual warfare we are also awarded medals, but not metal ones. If Christ had medals they were his stripes - his wounds and the experiences which gave them to him.

The apostles' awards and the awards of every suffering Christian are the persecutions themselves. They are gifts from a loving God.

'AND THEY DEPARTED FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE COUNCIL, REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME.' (Acts 5:41).

There are two kinds of Christian: the kind that rejoices in persecution for Christ's sake, and the kind that doesn't.

The kind that doesn't rejoice in persecution has his eye and his affections set on this world.

The kind which does rejoice in persecution has his eye on eternity. On Christ.

Which kind are you?

Which kind am I?

One thing's for sure - the day will tell.

But don't be a fool: don't leave it till then to find out that you've been deceiving yourself for all eternity. Don't leave it till it's too late. Don't leave it till you find yourself like the rich man in hell cursing his stupidity - or even worse - after a life spent preaching to others find yourself burning in that very hell which you warned others of (or should have been).

Don't be a fool: don't presume - be sure - make sure.

HEADACHE ONGOING

Yes, it is ongoing. I arrived back in Edinburgh yesterday on the bus from Inverness as I have to drive my car to Stornoway.

I considered taking the train, but wait for this - bus: £13.50; train: £42.00 - no brainer. I said to the woman at the desk, "forty-two quid! I'll just leave it." They must hear that a lot.

I mean, how daft can you get! Spending money sending trains up and down the country with empty seats. Even if they only got a pound for filling them it would be better than that. As someone recently said to me: "The country's run by idiots."

So are the trains.

The ferry left Stornoway at 7.00am and I arrived at the house at about 6.00pm - the worst part of the journey was the final bus run from St. Andrew's Square to Balerno - stop, go, stop, go, stop, go...

Wonder if the train would have been quicker?

So here I am in the middle of a booroch again trying to decide what to keep and what to chuck.

I have definitely done more enjoyable things.

The worst part is that I have a time constraint because my kids are being looked after by others.

THE VAN WENT WELL, NO HICCUPS... EXCEPT...

Except that is for keeping the ferry waiting.

I had booked online. It was late at night, so when I saw that there was no option for a van - only cars and motorhomes - I thought, "Och it'll be all right to put it down as a motorhome (as you do when you're from Lewis).

As I was about to drive onto the ferry I heard the cry "hoi - that's not a motorhome!"

I tried to explain that there was no option on the website for a van. So I just clicked the nearest thing, which of course was motorhome (same size, OK, a bit smaller). I was then told that if I had a van I should have phoned.

Now, how logical is it to offer online booking to people in this day and age and expect them to know that you have to phone as well?

How logical is it to have to phone and use a website anyway?

I was told that I was driving a "commercial vehicle."

I was eager to get onto the ferry, so I just obeyed instructions and payed the extra on my ticket (from £60 to over £100 - I didn't want to run the risk of not getting on). I had to run back and fore between the car park and the office a couple of times while the ferry patiently waited for me.

Afterwards, upon reflection, I realized that even though my vehicle is a commercial kind of vehicle, I was not using it commercially - I was using it to carry my own private goods.

I'm going to have to get onto them about this - I think I should get a refund.

The boat arrived in Stornoway at about 2.30 am.

Later, as the day went by I met people I know. We would converse about general things, and then inevitably (my fault), the conversation would turn to the gospel.

I bumped into an old schoolmate who is now an accountant and a professed atheist. We said hello and exchanged the usual pleasantries before the conversation turned to the things of God (we meet briefly like this on a Stornoway street once every few years and the conversation always follows the same format). He told me that there is no evidence for the existence of God. I told him that I think what he really means is "proof", and though there may be no external proof of the reality of God, there is a superabundance of evidence. That every human being is the greatest evidence of the reality of God.

"Evidence of evolution you mean!"

I said to him, "look at these traffic lights. A very basic and simple design indeed. Yet you and I know perfectly well that they have been designed by someone. Can you honestly then look at a human being and behold the utter complexity of design and say it is evidence of evolution?"

Remembering that evolutionists preach that there is no intelligent design, that in fact there is no intelligence, supreme or otherwise involved in the creation of anything, living or not.

Strange, I thought the words "natural selection" meant decision making. That to "select" is the making of a choice - a decision, and decision making requires intelligence.

Hence: supreme being in control.

I told him I would argue that atheists are not so much people that don't believe, but more people who are determined not to believe and therefore make the conscious decision that they WILL NOT BELIEVE.

I would define atheism as: prejudice in its purest form.

We parted with our usual warm handshake.

I met another old school pal who was quite pleasant, friendly and even showed sorrow for my recent bereavement; but as soon as I mentioned the words, 'ah well, it's like the old saying: "those were the days." But y'know, there're better days to come...', he actually growled with rage - like a wild animal because he knew what subject I was beginning to touch on. I said to him, "do you not like preaching?"

He changed colour with rage, said, "no I don't!" and stalked off. End of conversation.

Challenges, they are good for us - we need them, that's why we're here - to meet them - so we can reap the rewards.

There is no greater work than the gospel - there is no greater challenge - there is no greater reward.

AT LAST...AT LAST.

At long last after much toil I am now leaving, finally hitting the road to Inversnecky, Hullapool and then the centre of the universe - The Lews.

The only ferry I could book the van onto was the one leaving at 11.00 tonight arriving at 1.45am - a well, another late night then.

MOVING HOUSE

Still haven't managed to leave. I'm a day overdue now. I was hoping to be in Stornoway for the kids starting school tomorrow, but I've given up on that. Sorry kids. Ah well, never mind.

MOVING HOUSE

As I'm grabbing a bite of lunch, I thought I'd give you a quick update.

I'm in the middle of a booroch just now. A real headache. I'm moving house back up to Stornoway (after being away for 10 years) and I'm having to do the bulk of it all by myself. I've been getting bits and pieces of help, but people just don't have the time to help as they would like to and this is a mammoth task.

I've quite plainly got far too much stuff and I'm trying to think of a way of cutting it down - drastically.

Easier said than done.

This is a close up of my van, just in case you see me on the road and you can toot.

WHAT IS BLIND FAITH?

Blind faith is believing something to be true just because we want it to be true.

Blind faith also works the other way round: believing something not to be true just because we want it not to be true.

"TWO RELIGIONS BASED ON THE SAME BOOK CAN'T EVEN GET ALONG."

Eddie Macleod on my facebook page makes a statement with a question mark: "The Bible fuels unrest fear and division?".

He also makes the statement at the top of this post.

In reply I would begin by quoting this:

"THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO SEND PEACE ON EARTH: I CAME NOT TO SEND PEACE, BUT A SWORD." (Matthew 10:34).

By making this statement Christ was telling us that there is an enmity which exists between the people who live for this present world and those who live for the spiritual world - the unseen invisible world.

That although Christ is the "Prince of Peace", yet through absolute necessity and by the very nature of the world the existence of this very peace causes the most bitter divisions possible between men.

To quote one man: "There's no bitterness like religious bitterness."

"BUT THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD: FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM: NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED." (1Corinthians 2: 14).

The Bible teaches that those who have not been given God's Holy Spirit have no understanding of the true meaning of it's message.

"BECAUSE THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE." (Romans 8: 7).

No man born into the world by ordinary generation has any desire to obey God. In fact, he is wholly opposed to him. By nature, we are all mortal enemies to God. And the thing is - we don't know it.

There are only two kinds of people: those who know God (or rather, are known of God).

And those who do not know God.

There are two kinds of religion: natural, and revealed.

NATURAL RELIGION is, just that, natural to us. It is the one which we like, the one which we are most comfortable with, the one we will invent if we don't find something which suits us.

It is where all false religion comes from, no matter what it's called - even if it's called Christianity. The problems start when men decide to take to do with the things of God, but leave God out of it - they don't consult the Author - or the book - and if they do consult the book, they leave bits out or change the meaning, or both. Either way, it's got to suit the carnal mind.

REVEALED RELIGION is something else entirely. This is what God gives to us. What he "reveals" to us. Fundamentally, we have no part in this. At first, we have no desire for God. Then God the Holy Spirit is sent, who works in our hearts to show us our sin and need of him.

Now this is the crucial part - he makes us willing - and much more than that - he gives us a desire which is so powerful that we will accept nothing less than the living God - personally. All this happens outside of the knowledge of the sinner - he doesn't know what's happening - until after conversion, then he can look back retrospectively.

The Bible is the crucial thing.

"...THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:

THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS. (2Timothy 3: 15-17).

FOR I TESTIFY UNTO EVERY MAN THAT HEARETH THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD UNTO THESE THINGS, GOD SHALL ADD UNTO HIM THE PLAGUES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK:

AND IF ANY MAN SHALL TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, AND OUT OF THE HOLY CITY, AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK. (Revelation 22: 18 - 19).

So now that we have established the most important thing - the place given to scripture - we can move on to answer the question.

As to the Bible fuelling unrest and so on, quite the contrary, if you believe what the Bible says, you will be most vehemently opposed to it.

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD." (Matthew 5: 9)

The unrest is fuelled by man's sinful heart - nothing else.

"TWO RELIGIONS BASED ON THE SAME BOOK CAN'T EVEN GET ALONG."

The story is the same. The fault lies not with God, but with men. It doesn't matter which camp we claim to belong to. The problems are always caused by the same thing: disregarding God's word. Mankind has a love affair with what is sensual, carnal and visual. Even in the things of God our nature lusts after visual gratification.

"THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, OR ANY LIKENESS OF ANY THING THAT IS IN THE HEAVEN ABOVE, OR THAT IS IN THE EARTH BENEATH, OR THAT IS IN THE WATER UNDER THE EARTH..." (Exodus 20: 4).

The reason God gave this commandment is because he knows our weaknesses, he knows that we have a propensity to the very thing which he condemns.

About the two religions being based on the same book: well they're not. I mean, the Roman Catholic side openly contradicts the Bible and even says that it is not the only rule to direct us.

The true protestant side (as opposed to the hypocrites) says that the Bible is the only rule.

The Roman Catholic church grew out of the true church in the first few hundred years after Christ's crucifixion. They went they're own way and created their own rules and have evolved over the centuries into what they now are.

They hold to all manner of things which, to the Bible believer, are simply anathema: The Pope being the last word in everything (he is their Bible); that a sinful man (priest) can forgive your sins if you confess them to him; prayers to dead "saints"; that the Virgin Mary was miraculously conceived without a natural father (immaculate conception); when a Roman Catholic dies he goes to a place called "Purgatory", where he or she is tortured even for centuries if necessary to "purge" them of their sins. So money must be paid to the priests to generate prayers from them to move the person from Purgatory to heaven - the more money the more prayers. If your not a Roman Catholic - you go straight to Hell - because outside of the Roman Catholic church there is no salvation. And of course you have all the paraphernalia: crosses, beads, statues, holy water, ridiculous clothing and all manner of other things - too many to go into. It is a religion completely made up of superstition.

But the true church of Christ hasn't changed one iota, because the true church of Christ is kept by the power of God alone, and therefore cannot change. And the true church of Christ is invisible.

The visible church is constituted by all that profess to believe in Jesus Christ; but the invisible church are those throughout the world and over time who really do believe.

So, these "two religions" which are "based on the same book" are not, in fact, based on the same book at all - one is based on The Book - but the other is based on something else entirely.

And they are not even "two religions", because the false grew out of the true. And this is still ongoing - within the visible church you have those that know not God working away to remove what they despise most - the truth of God.

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER, EXCEPT THEY BE AGREED? (Amos 3: 3).

WHY CAN I SAY SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN?

Because we are judged on our latest actions, not on past reputation.

Especially if that reputation was built by others.

There is much which goes by the name Christian, but true Christianity is obedience to the scriptures. It is not about putting on a show.

It is not about mouthing prayers before others.

If our outward conduct is not consistent with the Bible - our rule - then we can legitimately be called so-called Christians.

"...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1Samuel 15: 22).

KID GLOVES DON'T WORK IN THE REAL WORLD

I'm on a train between Birmingham and London so I'm using it as an opportunity to update the blog.

In yesterday's Mail John Macleod wrote about the belt. He's against its use.

He begins his article by describing the history of its development, then moves on to give us various anecdotes which are examples of abuse perpetrated by ignorant people.

He offers us this quote: 'All it did was condition young people to accept violence in their daily life as a norm'.

Violence? Come on John, surely you know the difference between violence and chastisement? The modern understanding of violence is perpetrated by the kind of people currently rioting in England.

When a responsible person applies reasonable chastisement he does not abuse. He does it with the good of the miscreant in view. When God chastises us he does it in love, for our good.

'But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.' (Hebrews 12: 8).

'Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.' (Proverbs 22: 15).

There are many other texts in the Bible (particularly in Proverbs) which make the point.

I was belted all the way through school, from primary one right to the end. I believe the primary one beltings were wrong, but the rest? I conclude I deserved them.

Does it mean it is wrong, just because certain individuals choose to abuse?

This principle is fundamentally flawed.

I would argue (and I am far from alone) that this principle is the root cause of the current rioting.

The softly softly approach. Treating criminals with Kid gloves.

Idiotic.

Hug a hoodie eh? There's probably not too many getting hugged at the moment.

John tells us that the best way to punish bad pupils is to exclude them from the classroom - that this must be the 'ultimate sanction'.

I couldn't disagree more. In fact, I would say, rubbish.

I can tell you from personal experience that the sharp pain of a belting is a wake-up call and the public humbling included in it is a necessary part of the experience.

'Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.' (1 Timothy 5: 20).

Before the chastisement there is boldness, but afterwards the recipient is suitably humbled - which of course is a good thing (though I can remember a certain school friend to whom it seemed to make no difference - but he was the exception rather than the rule).

John finishes off his article with the words: "We now, rightly, raise our children in the absolute knowledge that hitting others, in any circumstances, is always wrong.'

John, this statement is extremely is dogmatic.

And extremely wrong.

What if we had applied this principle with Hitler?

What if you were to apply it with regard to being physically attacked, or in witnessing someone else in that situation.

John, kid gloves don't work in the real world.

I think the current situation in our country with regard to unemployment, even without the rioting constitutes an emergency situation. You must fight fire with fire. These rioters have crossed the boundary. They have made the decision to wage open warfare - always a dangerous decision to make. The government is more than entitled to remove the gloves.

Never mind opinions - necessity dictates - manpower on the streets is required. Use the army. And if the army is too busy with its other commitments, then bring back national service - far better than the dole - and useful too.

Richard Littlejohn got it right three pages later in the same edition:

'If there's poverty, it's spiritual poverty, moral poverty and poverty of ambition.'

VAN HUNTING.

I'm in the Birmingham area just now. I flew down here today to look at a Luton van with a view to buying it.

It was yet another reminder of man's sinful heart and why you can't believe a word of what many people say when they sing the praises of whatever their selling.

On the phone he told me that it was "a really good van." When I asked him what it had been used for, he said: "delivering furniture."

When I got there, I saw that the thing had no back door, was in rough condition, filthy, the battery was flat and the floor in the back was black with puddles of old engine oil and stinking.

His son told me that the previous owner had used it to transport second-hand car parts - old engines and the like.

Suffice it to say, I didn't buy it.

So, on with the search. I'm now looking at other adverts for vehicles between Newcastle and London.

I'll try to keep you posted.

What is great though (and most important) is that I was able to tell the two guys I met at the vehicle trader's yard (the owner's son and an employee) about Christ. And they were both receptive.

Initially they mocked and when asked about who they thought had made them, began to go down the "me mum and dad" route. When I asked them if they had ever read the Bible, the response was "No." I was then able to tell them about the importance of the word of God and the prominent place the Bible occupies in the world and so on. They were listening.

It made it all worth it.

Just think, I had to board a plane and catch three buses just to tell these two guys about the Lord - great.

I love this kind of evangelizing. Totally free, you are your own boss, the only restrictions you have are the ones which scripture gives you, and these we delight in. Not the un-biblical restrictions placed on us by so-called Christian organizations who's biggest concern is to preserve the cash flow.

The word of God tells us: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1Timothy 6: 10).

Many Christian organizations point a loaded gun at the heads of its missionaries, with the threat: "We'll shoot if you don't tow the line." Their bosses hold the gun and the world stands behind them with a severe expression.

The bosses of these so-called Christian organisations obey without a whimper. Why? Because they have no moral backbone - they are spineless.

Why are they spineless? Could it be that they are concerned about their own salaries?

Hmm, I wonder.

This my friends, is contrary to God's will. We will not profit by it.

It's a cash gun. And the bullets remove the cash (the salary) by dispensing with your services.

If you are biblical, that is if you simply obey the Bible and tell people that what they are doing or believing is condemned by its writings - look out - you will suffer.

It's the last thing men want us to say: but the first thing God wants us to say.

It's the most scriptural thing we can do - revealing sin - sin: the thing which comes between us and our creator. The thing which condemns us to hell forever.

The gospel of the present day:

"YOU MUST NOT CRITICISE: YOU MUST NOT SAY ANYONE'S BELIEF IS WRONG."

Some Christians go as far as to call it "wisdom." That it is "wisdom" to "just go along with it." An ex-(paid evangelist) colleague actually used those very words when I criticised a silly un-scriptural rite which we witnessed in a London church.

The trouble is, they seem to be willing to "just go along with" pretty much anything at all.

Phew! The gospel of expediency. The gospel of material prosperity in practice.

This is nothing new. They crucified Christ for it.

For criticising it, that is.

"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin." (John 15: 22).

But hey, don't worry - "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5: 12).

My friends, I can tell you, it's liberating. It's the most liberating thing in the world. To be freed from the constant fear of the possible removal of your home and salary just for saying the wrong thing (actually the right thing) to the wrong person.

The fear before hand, because of our lack of faith, can be tremendous. But the feeling of liberation afterwards is wonderful.

I know - I've been there.

I am there.

Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime.

COMMONS DEBATING THE DEATH PENALTY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14400246

So they're going to debate the restoration of the death penalty.

Very good. I hope they restore it because God commands us to have it.

Genesis 9:6 "WHOSO SHEDDETH MAN'S BLOOD, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED: FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE MAN."

Romans 13:4 "FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD [the magistrate, or the law of the land] TO THEE FOR GOOD. BUT IF THOU DO THAT WHICH IS EVIL, BE AFRAID; FOR HE BEARETH NOT THE SWORD IN VAIN: FOR HE IS THE MINISTER [servant] OF GOD, A REVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOETH EVIL."

The problem is not so much that many non-Christians are against capital punishment, but that many professing Christians are.

I mean, sensible Christians agree that the only rule to direct us is the Bible - the word of God.

A professing Christian (a man employed as a missionary) told me that he works in prisons and that he knows convicted murderers who have been converted to Christ and that if they had been put to death then they would not have been converted - hence he is against the death penalty.

This is an example of what is wrong with the professing Christian church (and the world).

Putting our wisdom before God's.

Cobbling something together in our own head instead of seeking what God says.

Man's fatal problem - making assumptions.

Proverbs 23:4 "...CEASE FROM THINE OWN WISDOM."

YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT.

What is man's biggest problem?

Man's biggest problem is making assumptions.

The sinful heart of man - the carnal mind, has an agenda. The agenda is that it wishes certain things to be true and certain other things to be untrue.

That fact alone isn’t the worst of it. We go further – much further. We act on our silly desires and put the cart well and truly before the horse.

We make our desires our yardstick – we make them the acid test for what is true and untrue – what is right and what is not right. We have a quick scan of the things we come across in life and we make our assumptions based on what we like and what we don’t like – nothing else.

A worse foundation for belief you will not find.

In Genesis chapter three we find Satan (the serpent) tempting the woman.

She knew very well that what he said contradicted God’s word. She also knew very well who God was. So what motivated her to act as foolishly as she did in choosing to believe Satan’s lies?

Simply this: she wanted them to be true. And that sinful desire was all-consuming.

Let us not underestimate the power of sin to deceive.

She wanted so much for them to be true that she took the fateful step – she made the great assumption.

And from that moment on, every member of the human race (bar one) has continued to make assumption upon silly assumption based on exactly the same rotten foundation.

You don’t need me to tell you that if you go through life assuming things to be true just because you want them to be true, without having any good reason to believe them your house of cards will come crashing down. The facts bear it out.

So why do it with the things of God?

Because life in this world won’t let us do it. If we try to live like that (as some do) life will turn around and bite us. Common sense is king in the physical world – whether we like it or not – political correctness or no political correctness.

But with the things of God, the unseen, the spiritual, there is an idea of distance and time. So man makes his assumptions based on his desires. By nature we afford ourselves this false luxury. We decide what the truth is and believe it. Everything in our imaginary garden is lovely. Square peg, square hole – done and dusted.

It's like having our cake and eating it.

If only life was so simple. Have our cake and eat it?

We need to wake up and smell the coffee.

“BUT THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD: FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM: NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

WHAT IS A HATE CRIME?

As we see from the news reports, it can be uttering something which touches anyone’s cherished ideas in a way in which the person does not like.

You know the script – if I say, “Homosexuality is a sin” I am in trouble. I will be arrested and convicted of a “hate crime” and have a criminal record.

IT IS NOT OPEN TO DISCUSSION. DEBATE IS NOT PERMITTED.

This is not just stupid, it is not only absurd, it is social engineering and evil. It is a subtle form of what we today call fascism. It may be more subtle, but it is most certainly fascism.

Fascism is intolerance of different opinions under penalty of law, (or forcing people what to think). And therein lies the difference: fascism (or plain old bullying, which is what it is), only becomes this when actions are taken under law to enforce these opinions.

If no action is taken it is merely an opinion, and regardless of how abhorrent it may seem to others, it is only that, an opinion. A thought in the head, a word in the mouth, a vapour in the air: in and of itself - harmless. And this is the crucial thing: in this world - legitimate to hold.

FREE SPEECH IS GONE.

As Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

This is a basic principal of democracy.

IF THEY HAD THE MEANS THEY WOULD ARREST YOU FOR JUST THINKING THE THING.

The jails would be full.

This principal is precisely what a previous generation resisted to the death when they fought against Hitler and the Nazis.

When Margaret Thatcher was asked for her thoughts on religion, her reply was simple:

“Choice.”

She was right.

God places a choice before us, he says:

"I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO RECORD THIS DAY AGAINST YOU, THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING: THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, THAT BOTH THOU AND THY SEED MAY LIVE." (Deuteronomy 30: 19).

He doesn’t force us.

But he does make us willing.

How to solve the Edinburgh tram problem.

At the risk of sounding arrogant, I would like to make a statement.

The statement is this:

I know how to solve the famous Edinburgh trams problem. It's very simple:

Forget trams. Fit cable cars instead.

They are far more logical, fun, very nifty, and very importantly - cheap.

Click the link below and watch the video:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14055490

I emailed Edinburgh council about this today.

Hope they listen.