Assassination and the law

As I understand it the assassination of Iran's General Qasem Soleimani is at first sight something that must surely be regarded as a violation of international law and by this act of aggression confers upon those who commissioned and delivered the act, the label 'terrorists!'.

Even though I am assured, and quite confident, that General Soleimani had indeed planned and commissioned acts of aggression in Syria and Iraq (and other places too perhaps) the action in which Soleimnai was killed can not be justified on the grounds of his tyranny and as no state of war exists and the General was on foreign soil and effectively hors de combat this is both a wrong and dangerous action to have taken. For as General in Chief, surely the President has set aside diplomacy and publicly placed on the table state sponsored acts of aggression.

Now I am of the mind that this has been the case in the actions of the Iranian sponsored involvements in Syria, where nationals who oppose the current regime have been killed, and also feel that there is enough suspicion to support the claims that Iranian involvement in Iraq has resulted in the loss of coalition life. That this is covert does not remove the warrant of international law or God's law. There is the case that 'tyranny' can be used as a just cause for such acts, I don't think that this applies here. Neither do I think the action can be considered to be 'preemptive or anticipatory self-defence' (unless the US can provide evidence that by removing this man from power as act of aggression (or terrorism) was prevented.

Some might say that there is evidence of belligerency (that is warlike or aggressive behaviour) on the part of Iran and so the act of assassination cannot be considered the be terrorism. The problem here is that so many motion pictures, historical books and first-hand accounts can lay the same charges as those Gen Soleimani was accused of at the door of US armed forces or agencies. If we take this as the case, what not precludes Iran for engaging in 'tit for tat' responses?

As a final thought, what of 'protected persons'? The European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism brings into view the fact that"a serious offence involving an attack against the life, physical integrity or liberty of internationally protected persons, including diplomatic agents; by means of bombs, grenades, rockets, automatic firearm or letter or parcel bomb is an act of terrorism.

As one who is concerned with maintaining the rule of law (something British forces do by abiding by the Law of Armed Conflict [LOAC] and keeping within the Rules of Engagement [RoE] and operating within the Geneva and other conventions and treaties) I am struggling with today's actions. Coupled with the jingoistic Tweeting of an American Flag by the President of the United States and the baying masses who champion acts that appear to be wrong, we find ourselves in a difficult moral situation today. The Bible offers us this thought in Exodus 20.13: "You shall not commit murder!" Taking a life in combat is to kill another person: A combatant. We, the British forces are taught that we are Lawful, Professional and always act Appropriately in all situations (Thats what LOAC, RoE, and the various conventions and treaties challenge us to be and do. Anything outside to that is the felonious taking of life and any act of murder removes from us any higher moral ground and removes from us our moral compass.

Even if this does not promulgate state-sponsored action, the potential for this to ignite a response from members of the Islamic faith against what is (erroneously in my opinion) labelled as Christian is great. It is an act that is in many ways the same as striking a tinderbox in a gunpowder store (which didn't work for Guy Fawkes and his covert strike team but might for others in today's context.

We should be circumspect when the conditions so dictate such action. Anything else is a recipe for something tragic and costly in terms of lives and the potential for peace. Dialogue rather than military engagement is always the preferred path, and when this fails is the time when I and those who wear uniforms are called upon to fix the mess politicians have made.

Please pray for the players in this tragic and sorry episode.

Please do not cheer at the demise of a life which appears to have been taken wrongly, for their is no victory for anything but the forces of darkness and the rule of stupidity.

Please reflect and, if I am wrong, offer me correction, and if not - work to bring about peaceful results from this sad and sorry situation. I will hopefully revisit and where necessary add sources - but in this splurge from somewhere in my head, I have not had the memory or time to do so.

Pax

No heat but plenty of fire

two great services today - the challenge of circumcision and being part of a family of faith is a really tough one for it makes calling a real issue and additionally turns us around to look at what it means to be family too.

Today was a privilege, I only hope I took the opportunities that were before me and did justice to the challenges today presented. Two different congregations and so two different, and yet in essence the same, messages in a day of challenges which saw late starts, later starts and no heating.

Commitment looks like turning up for a early service, especially when the weather is poor and the season cold - we need to cherish our early service congrations for they are not the old stalewarts but the bedrock! For those who came to the 'main" service in a cold church, this is another facet of commitment that deserves to be nurtured and treasured. How do we pastor our sheep and be the good shepherds God, and they, desire?

This appears to be on God's books as a season of nurture and for treasuring those who make up our churches. A season of caring for the newcomers and for raising the bar in terms of Bible knowledge and lifestyle choices for all who follow Jesus, the Christ.

Lord, help me to reach the lost and to treasure every encounter this year. Bring me divine appointments and make me slow to engage with the dross of everyday church life, choosing instead to be present at the partying that surrounds new birth and the discipline of our calling.

Help me to make my diary a tool that assists rather than a chain that constrains and keeps me stuck in the dungeon of excessive work. I have nothing to prove and nothing to give but my love and worship, help me to take more time with you and to calm the daily rush of oft unnecessary toil.

Help me to cherish being part of a physical family and to walk the centreline that divides the two, putting neither to the sword and fulfilling that which I should be doing and giving opportunities for that which I desire to be doing.

Church should be a party not a homework session - a place of love, acceptance, and tolerance. MY this be the reality for me and the people I serve and the church of which I am a member.

Hallelujah

The fool has said . . .

. . . In his heart, "There is no God!"

Yet today in the encounters this was clearly untrue for God, like many other things, is to be found should one have the eyes to see Him.

Many years ago whilst walking with a friend in the country I realised that they we seeing so many things I wasn't - or to put it another way - I was not seeing what they saw. I asked them how It was that they saw so much when I saw so little and was told that I had never learnt to look!

Isn't this the problem with our 'post. hristian' world today? In days past, accepting the concept and presuming the reality of God, people would have eyes which saw Him and His works. Today we have become blind to the things around us, choosing not to see (or perhaps they are merely unable) what is around them.

Today began, as ever with the daily Office and after some forlorn shuffling of paper saw an early Communion service. How is it that some fail to get excited by the psalms such that we are slowly seeing them exit from our worship? The very first thing we say in our midweek service is the Psalm - and some days we gasp and other days we dance, but we are never left unmoved. The temptation to cry, "Hallelujah," is immense and compelling in the extreme.

The creation of tosh as an outworking of our own desires and attitudes is so great. Never is this statement so true than when it comes to matters of belief for here we find the logically doubtful rubbing shoulder with the awe-inspiringly glorious!

Do I do that?
Are there irrational assumptions made alongside the Christian speaking esoterica which confuses and counfounds?

Recalling the essay thrown back because it was 'too theological' and my protests that theology was what it was only to be met with a rebuff which led me to realise that for my theology to be real I needed it to be done in less theological tones such that it could be read by the non-theological. A fellow student protested that it was 'dumbing down' and yet, although the theological terms allow one word where many would be needed, they also, in that one word, alienate and confuse.

So Lord help me to be an apologist (sorry, I meant 'give an answer for the hope that I have in Jesus, the Christ') and to engage with those who are both near and far off. Help me to explain the deepest truths simple, and the simple truths deeply. To make the difficult things of God simple and the simple commonplace.

Help me to visit friends and minister that same Grace that sets me free and makes us one; to never see a client but a brother or sister; to never hide behind the answerphone or the email but to engage as Christ engaged, and engages still.

Funerals and the visits, the legwork, the paperwork, are to be found in abundance and the grim spectre of those not laid to rest before the Bethlehem bit arrives is before us. The chairs, empty around festive tables, will shout of loss. O death where is your sting: O grave, where is your victory?

Nativities and Christingle, carols and mulled wine are racing towards us. Not my busy time, just my more visible time. And who will they see? Those who tell me they are busy rarely are! Those who are never seen are rarely seen working! Which is the truth for me (for many I know can take care of their own attitudes and rarely welcome question or observation from others) and how do I make it Your truth?

Lord, for the encounters had today - may those around me have find the Christ in some measure.
For the decisions and suggestions made today, may Your wisdom and life have been present..
Create in me a pure heart and an honesty that speaks in the silence.

May the Grace of God abound and the light of Christ be obvious in all that I do. Thank you for the meetings made, the Communion (and glow sticks) given and the good cups of tea received. Bring it on today and help me as I lay loved ones to rest I pray.

And may I touch the hearts of the foolish :-)

The reality of Remembrance

It seems to me that Remembrance, as found attached to a poppy, is one of the most misunderstood and misappropriated areas in which I find myself working.

Misunderstood because some think Armistice and Remembrance Sunday are all about glorifying war and engaging in jingoistic sabre rattling as we revel in having triumphed over our enemies.

Misappropriated because every year the same old, same old, is dragged out and the white poppies are, less than proudly displayed, and the pascifistic mantras are made apparent in much that same way as crosses are used against vampires in the old Hammer horror films.

Yesterday I had the privilege of teaching children about Remembrance and one of the schools had made a wall of poppies that flowed along the wall of their hall and tumbled down to the floor, a la that which adorned the Tower of London, many bearing the name of a family member.There were, side by side, poppies looking back to the 1914-18 conflict and those looking to serving and recently served family members - and in doing this the children of Flaxhill School had made Remembrance theirs.

Without someone, something or somewhere to be remembered how do we spend those two minutes of silence?

Yesterday we spoke of books the children had read: Anne Frank, the Boy in Striped-Pajamas, Private Peaceful, and others, all came to the fore. Characters and accounts that put flesh on historical accounts and give the warmth of life to the cold hard statues that adorn war memorials. The small stories that capture the imagination and bring the perspective that sadnesses such as war demand. His too became something to focus upon in that endless two minutes of silence.

Yesterday we spoke of how war is never glorious and of how the word 'glory' relates to a place, as in 'gone to glory' , and means dead; and in this spoke of the lives lost by combatants and civilians alike. We reflected on the way that war changes society at large and individuals in particular, changing the way we live and think; women working in factories, people of different colours becoming officers, pubs having closing hours, men returning with limbs, lives and minds broken and disfigured; those who forlornly waited for a loved one's return.

We spoke of those left behind - and as we did, great grandads and uncles lost in WWI were reanimated; a grandad with a leg missing from a recent conflict walked in and took a bow, a young, fresh-faced twenty something passed by singing 'Tipperary', a fearful child from a refugee camp peeked around the corner of the assembly hall door to remind us that little has changed in conflict's ability to scar and scare.

This is what Remembrance is all about - making the promise that 'Never Again!' would be more than a trite phrase uttered at times like this but would, in the many lives lost so wastefully, be made real in the shadow of the act of Remembrance we have made.

In another school we talked of war and Remembrance in a different way, bringing the parallels of conflict in war with those playground spats that those in an infant school so often engage in as they begin to feel their way in a world outside of the home. We spoke of making peace and making friends, dialogue rather than decking our assumed opponent and expanded this into the world of silly and selfish grown-ups.

Making friends rather than creating enemies was the key - and as the locks turned in the minds of those five and six year olds the hope that seeds sown for seeking peace rather than conflict became a reality. But the ground needs to be filled and watered - and this is what Remembrance, if handled well, does!

And grandads and uncles and other relatives who had served all came forward and took a bow and stood before these tiny little pieces of humanity as they stood amazingly still and quiet for those interminably long sixty seconds (for two minutes would surely be an imposition).

This is Remembrance - an act that in itself works to end wars and yet, whilst the wicked still exist, acknowledges the fact that there is sometimes the need to have those who are willing to stand for others and March away and remembers those that have done so never to return.

We pray for the day when wars shall cease and all those departed this life shall see the resurrection and Jesus, the Christ's, return and until then 'We will remember them' and continue to work for peace.

One last school Christmas event

Having reached the end of the journey with the 'Finding Talent' report I am now free to read what others have said on it but there is something of more merit, of more joy and of more encouragement for me as a bit of a low key cleric - the penultimate school service of the Christmas period!

Tonight I will be celebrating Christmas with one of our local schools and as this nears:

I have to say that I have been blessed by tiny children singing 'Glory to God' and telling the age old nativity story through fresh eyes (the eyes of a 'Stable Rat').

I have done Christingle services with children and had the joy of seeing them pass by on their way home with their glowstick 'Christ lights' shining in the darkness (please Lord, may it shine in their homes and in the lives of all who enter them).

I have prayed, read Bible passages, blessed and sung my heart out in the old familiar carols.

I have sung strange songs from foreign lands and been challenged by people who wanted to substitute 'Father' when speaking of God for the term 'Mother' (and one person even wanted God as an 'it'!).

I have endured folk religion and struggled with odd understanding relating to God and His Son, Jesus, the Christ (and not all of it was from the clergy ;-) )

BUT

I have to say that Jesus, the blesséd babe of Bethlehem has shone through and I want to express my Christmas wishes to each and every person who passes by this place of madness that is my blog. So I thought I'd wish each and every one of you a blessed and peaceful Christmas and give thanks for Mary's 'Yes' - God made flesh - Immanuel.

Church - not an island!

For those who have mailed me asking where I vanished to, the answer is 'nowhere' I merely took some time to step back and reflect away from the blog as part of a bit of spiritual discipline. It wasn't because I was too busy and it wasn't because I was sleeping in a hammock in the garden (brrrrr) - but what it was turned out to be fun and rather worthwhile.

I am struggling with Christians who seek to make Church work for them by means of one of the most powerful things known to man: The 'Someone else's problem' field.

This creation born out of an astute observation from the late Doug Adam's makes known something that is truly the most invisible thing on the planet - and this is perhaps one of the most effective curses acting against the Church today.

Let me explain:

I was recently made aware of a situation where some wrong action on the part of a leader from elsewhere was made apparent. When I asked what the person telling me was going to do about it, their response was, "Oh, I thought I'd tell you!"

"Fair enough," thought I as I asked them, "But why tell me, what can I do?"

The response was so very typical of Church as a breed of people for what they wanted was for me to do something about it because they, "Didn't want to get involved and especially didn't want to end up in some form of confrontation over it!" But of course, as a leader, it was OK if I did!

"But if you have seen it, surely you should address it," I said (feeling myself being painted into a corner), "After all, that's how the Bible tells us to handle it." 

But the person who had brought the complaint was going to have nothing to do with it. They knew that what they had seen was wrong but in the name of peace they chose to cover the sins of others and compound their own sins in the process.

I have to bring the bus to stop outside the book of Ezekiel's and looking at chapter thirteen make mention of the comment about those who seek to lead God's people (here they are 'prophets' but we can rely upon this as relating to all who are leaders - and those who follow - I reckon):

"'Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, 

and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, 

therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. 

Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, 

and violent winds will burst forth.

When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, 

“Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

My problem is that I, like the many others who see things and remain silent, may be found at time to lack the moral courage to make the stand I should. 

My problem is that when I have made the stand, the perpetrator of the wrong merely ignores any correction and continues in their wrong behaviour.

My problem is that when I have taken my complaint to those above me, they merely act as if nothing has been said and so add warrant to the wrong behaviour.

Finally, at the tip of it all I find the comment, "Oh well, that's not our problem is it, that's a problem for another church." The reality of course it that it is problem for the whole Church and to permit, or turn a blind eye to it, because it's, "Not our problem," is to permit the Church to be tainted and wrong and it is in this that we permit the Church to be hypocritical and wrong.

Never have the words, "Let those who have ears, let them hear," had some much relevance.

Acts 29 and Mars Hill Church

I was quite surprised and exceedingly saddened to read the statement from Acts 29  in which they distanced themselves from Mark Driscoll and the Mars Hill Church of which he is a part.

I always struggle with those who take joy in seeing relationships broken and ministries (and ministers) trashed for this honours no one and fuels only more separation and brokenness and the response from Mars Hill (who claim Acts 29 have been wrong in the way they have acted) doesn't seem to indicate that there's going to be any quick solution to this situation.

Living in the West Midlands I'm always stunned when people stop me and ask about issues like this because, and I mean this nicely, we are not in a place that's on the front burner when it comes to Contemporary Church and planting and the like - and yet stop me they do! They ask me about my views (which are usually 'dunno nuffink!') and seek to share the dirt over transgressions and the widely published and much-circulated rumours (which to be honest don't bless or enable me one little bit).

My plea regarding this situation is that we put ourselves in the place of the Acts 29 people, Mars Hill Church, the disaffected members, those who are baying for blood over stuff that was said many years back and Driscoll himself and having understood the issues (if we really need to) pray wisely for peace, reconciliation, restoration, healing and unity.

This is what interests me. We seek to honour God and bring reconciliation to Him and through this with each other - Simple really

So let's not take pleasure in this (or any other issues that might be found) but seek something higher and more honourable and get praying!

healing and reconciliation come through people praying

Made me Think: Faith and Peace

I have seen this image many times and have faced the question even more - and it's not a bad thing to ponder is it?

Looking forward to your answers and thoughts - especially in this, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity!

The Ninth Day of Christmas - Nine Fruits

Forget all that five a day stuff - here's a NINE (from Galatians chapter five) that could change your life! They, the Fruit (not fruits) of the Spirit, look like this:

1. Love,
2. Joy,
3. Peace,
4. Forbearance
5. Kindness
6. Goodness,
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness, and
9. Self-control

So what are they?
 The 'Fruit of the Spirit' (not fruits) is the remedy to all the stuff that is referred to as the 'Acts of the Flesh', which are also found in chapter five (verses 19-21):

Sexual Immorality, Impurity and Debauchery; Idolatry and Witchcraft; Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, Fits of Rage, Selfish Ambition, Dissensions, Factions and Envy; Drunkenness, Orgies, and the like.

Having listed these  'Acts of the Flesh' (recognise any in your life?) Paul continues:

'I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control - Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.'

So in a nutshell, the nine fruit of the Spirit are the very things we'd love to see in out lives and the lives of those around us - and the good news is that you can, all you need to do is talk to the wholesaler ;-)

Three little words that bring peace

Working on the theory that it's always good to know your sources, I found myself standing before a fair number of people and preached using the words of an unknown author!  But the words were not only sound but also fit the situation and audience to a tee. The words, a paraphrase of Hebrews 12. 11-15, went something like this:

'No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a right life, for those who live wrongly will not see God or be seen as His.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble or corrupt you and corrupt many.'

Here indeed is a passage that has it all:

Discipline - submitting oneself to it, taking it on as a lifestyle choice (for discipline is a decision) and using it on ourselves to help us to achieve.

Perseverance - When things get tough and the journey is hard and the conditions tiring - grab on, hand on and don't let go. Keeping on Keeping on will bring the desired prize.

Peace - Is the balm that heals wounds and mends situations. Living rightly and rightly with others makes philosophies real and hold up a mirror to God in our own living.

The world is at war with itself because these three attitudes are missing from the lives of so many within it. So often these small seeds are swept away by the hardness of heart and the howling breath of discontent. Today, will you hear His voice I wonder?

Now who said that soldier never get to hear God's word ;-)

Happy Wednesday :-)

No peace for the wicked!

But plenty of distractions though!

The daily office reading today leads us to Isaiah 48 and there we find that wonderful expression:

‘There is no peace’, says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’

What would we consider to be the greatest problems people have these days?

It isn't  jobs (although there's few enough of them about!);
It isn't relationships (and there are more than enough of them and not all are exclusive!);
It's not even money (and some will never have enough of it regardless);

The greatest need I encounter is that of  peace.

Now Jesus, in John 14, tells us that He gives us His peace. A peace that the world cannot understand nor overcome. The problem, for some, is that there is a bit of a catch in the words that precede this promise:

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

Better still are the words that follow this promise though:

"I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Today, as the Church remembers the life and ministry of John of the cross I am reminded of these words:

“Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to his good pleasure and rest in him.”

Living in God's peace doesn't mean the stresses and strains of daily life are taken from us, nor does it remove us from the encounters and circumstances that trouble us, but (as 1 Corinthians says of love) it builds a habitation for us in the storms of life; a shelter where we can find that presence of God in our own little sacred space.

As Christmas rushes in and the pressures of buying presents pushes out God presence; and the strains of preparing for guests (or to be a guest) make their demands we think of those who will face their first Christmas without a loved one at the table; as we proclaim the prince of peace's coming we look and see a world where peace is a rare blessing (I have an answer for that though).

May the Peace of God and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit touch and bless us all.

Pax

Remembrance - A time for peace

The Bible tells us (in Ecclesiastes 3: 1 -9):

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

As Armistice Day and remembrance Sunday collide we, as a nation, come together to pay our respects to those who have served this nation and to remember, and honour, those who have given their lives in the defence of this land and in pursuit of peace.

Today is not about 'glorifying war' (although some will trot out the same old complaints that it is);

it is not about nationalism, jingoism or posturing (although some might seek to make it so);

Today we remember that 'those who would seek peace must first prepare for war' and thank God that men and women do this and are willing to put their lives on the line to make peace a reality - not just in our own island but wherever the call comes to defend the weak, oppressed and threatened around the globe.

As you stop today, please remember in prayer all those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.

Pray for those who wait at homes whilst their loved ones served on operational tours and deployments around the globe.

Pray for the staff and patients of the RCDM (Queen Elizabeth Hospital), DMRC (Headley Court) as they seek to care for those injured in serving this nation.

Pray for those who mourn the loss of loved one, family members, friends, colleagues and comrades.

Pray that indeed peace will be a reality for those lands where conflict, wickedness and war are a reality.

And today, I (along with many with whom I serve) will be remembering especially WO2 'Pez' Thomas who lost his life in Afghanistan, praying for his nearest and dearest, those with whom he served and giving thank s for those who have now returned.

(Anti) Social networking

Today has been interesting in that it began (as it almost always does) with my doing my daily office and then I found myself faced a friendly, helpful and effective BT telephone technician who had come to resolve the lack of telephonic communication in the Vicar's palace. The problem was that as he sought to resolve the main issue he had to remove the internet from the house and this posed certain challenges in that I usually get the office, tea (and toast) and communications out of the way before the kid's start school as this leaves me a free day to be out and about and engaged in vicaring stuff and this intermission has thrown me totally out of kilter.

One of the biggest areas of fuelling combative engagements between friends, families and casual acquaintance alike is that of the blesséd (and I don't mean that in 'church speak' way) social networking kind. I am finding myself increasingly called on to resolve or otherwise mediate in conflicts that have been fuelled by unguarded comments that fuel smouldering wicks which are then fanned into flame by the flapping of (electronic) tongues.

In Ephesians (4: 26 - 27) we find the wise (and comforting) words:

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity."


It's not wrong to be angry (I wish more believers were at times) but the way that we manifest and manage it carries great potential for us to sin. We need to deal with it before it becomes something toxic. The command that we deal with it before the sun goes down and another day beckons is wise and valuable advice indeed.

Anger, even when it is 'righteous anger' (which is rarely righteous) is not always wrong and yet the way we handle it is invariably not only destructive and the means by which increased separation and conflict occurs but is also the mans by which we can fall into sin. Even when we might have initially been a victim rather than perpetrator!

We have three sorts of anger on the menu:

'thumos' - that flash or outburst of anger that comes, explodes and leaves us often than feeling a bit stupid;

'orge'  -  the lingering hurt and resentment that begets a 'get even' mentality and the desire for vengeance and revenge that grows, like a cancer, in our society, and;

'parorgismos' which brings combine the two into a union that just builds and grows to impart a vengeful, bitter hatred that damages target and source and, more often than not, those around the situation.

If we let our anger flash over we may cause additional damage for rather than correct or respond in the right way we often find the words (and means) we choose inflict increased damage and greater separation. What we need to do is deal with the issue before it has a had the opportunity to become something more damaging and divisive; something that honours God and makes true our claim to be 'Christian'.

The 'not letting the sun go down on our anger' is a call for us to get up, get out and get resolving whatever it is that is at the root of our anger before it descends into that parorgismos anger that places everyone in the wrong!

But it is better to try and deal with a wrong (real or perceived) in a balanced and timely manner for in this way all sides of a potential conflict can be brought to a place where resolution is found. Anger can be good but when it is left to create discord and damage both parties then is is sin. Seeking to correct wrongs and right situations that cause division is doing good but that which isn't is sin!

And this is where social notworking (sic) comes in. There has been some happening that has bruised and wounded another person and before you know it, the situation appears as a post. Then friends of the offended person will jump in to offer them sympathy and confirm the fact that 'they are lovely' (including in the conversation how the other person is a bitch or 'always does' whatever the perceived ill is! The person so named enters the fray and their friends then point out how the previously assumed 'good' person is nothing like and before you know it there are many people taking side, pointing out previous situations and engaging in  more of the thumos encounters.

So here's my plea (tea drunk and funeral to be written up so I'll keep it short):

When you have a disagreement, please deal with the person you disagree with:

i. face to face - if possible,

ii. voice to voice - because people don't always read emails and posts with the same meaning you had when you wrote it; and because a message on an answerfone doesn't always come across as it would were you dialoguing.

iii. By written means if you can spell out exactly what you mean in an unambiguous manner.

But

NEVER with a flash of anger that strikes out against the person who has angered you such that it wounds them and those who read it and draws them in to take sides and get down and dirty alongside you.

Peace is the key and balance and a timely (and restorative) response are the way to achieve this. The tongue is a powerful thing indeed but the electronic pen and social networking are indeed mightier than the sword.

Happy Friday

The Spiritual Influence

A couple of weeks back at the annual conference of the Christian Broadcasting Council, Michael Nazir-Ali issued a warning regarding totalitarianism and the threat it represented with regard to conscience. The reality is that it is neither threat, nor 'encroaching' danger, but a clear and present reality as we see both private and public life legislated, regulated and generally controlled.

People of no faith make decisions regarding faith and the part it plays, or more accurately doesn't play. People with little, skewed or no obvious moral standards make rules and decide what is right. What we have is the blind and insane driving the bus and ruling the asylum respectively!

The outworking of this is, as Nazir-Ali rightly says, that we are no longer in a free society but in "An ideology that is seeking to impose its views on us.” Were we in a free society we might have a hope, but this hope is gone as we lose the moral and spiritual values that once valued what was good and right for the hedonistic, self-serving secular society that many crave.

We no longer value that which is good. We no longer have a respect for the sanctity of human life. We know the price of everything and the value of nothing and thus have become shallow and cynical (Thank you Mr. Wilde, just as you rightly identified it!).

We are driven by fear and the desire for a 'quiet life', hence the fact that none will challenge the more aggressive forms of religious group and yet will stand tall at the weak and meek groups, like the Christians. Our society picks its fights and denies that which might make it stop and look in the mirror.

Failing families? The answer is to give the family a place of pride and to offer it support. The traditional parents (married and working at a life-long bond), children brought up in a stable and loving environment (which is about relationships, not income, educational standards and possessions. Oddly, from within this comes a nurturing that encourages aspirations and a culture of self-development and attainment.

Criminal Activity? As unpopular as it seems, there is an answer to this. 'STOP IT!' So many of those I meet today have a morality that supports and defends 'dodgy' ways. The ends justify the means and who cares if the rules are just a little broken as long as we get what we want?

Life? I listened with interest and despair at a broadcast where families spoke of the 'kindness' of euthanasia. It was kind on them because they didn't want to keep visiting. It was kind on them because it was costing a great deal to keep the focus of the care being cared for. It was kind on the aged relative, because their 'useful' life had come to an end and they were no longer in possession of a 'quality of life'.

Faith brings a commonality of purpose and a value for life. Christian faith has done that in the UK for a very long time and I have come to the conclusion that the erosion of Christian values and the decline in our society with regards to family, vales, standards and morality appear to me to be the result of the other.

Faith brings a tolerance (it's people looking for an excuse for their greed who use 'religion' as the reason for war). Faith isn't about being religion but is, in the Christian context, about having a relationship with the Maker and a respect (and tolerance - that word again) for others.

This is why people can burn Korans. This is why people murder and plot evil. They don't know the Maker - they just want things as they, and the god of their making, want them - and this is death.

Pax

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin . .

Hans Küng on peace, "There will be no (global) peace among the nations without peace among the religions. To have peace among the religions there must be dialogue between them." I would continue . .  To be able to dialogue we need both a common framework of ethical standards, mutual trust and respect (haven't even touched upon theological interpretation or practice).

Moving from world peace to a smaller scale consideration; If those who claim to be Christian (let's not even extend this to other faiths) cannot agree ethical standards and exist in a state of limited trust and respect  regarding other groupings or denominations what chance is there for the world?

I have spoken with people who tell me that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them (meaning their fellowship) to be in partnership with the CofE because of the goings on in American Anglicanism (by which they mean the ordination of homosexuals) and the lack of leadership and by this they mean 'Biblical leadership' from the über pointyhead (i.e. Rowan Williams). Not only that but others, who they assume will be doing the leadership thing at local levels, seem to be either saying nothing relevant about Biblical Christianity or are taking positions which cause even more distrust and unease.

The time is coming when some fellowships will, I am sure, look at the CofE and its excesses rather than the local clergy and their fidelity to the Word, and act against it. Many of the BOPS (Bums on Pews) are beginning to find a marked and obvious distrust of the CofE and feel that it stands against the faith that they have and weakens the position of Christians and Christianity.

The time has come to cease issuing comments over 'regrets' and begin to issue clear and Biblical directions. To have pointyheads claiming that two views supporting totally opposite realities can exist coherently in one body is to misunderstand that great theologian Montgomery Scott (AKA 'Scotty') in that, "You can't mix matter and anti-matter!" We can have a broad church but it needs to be a Christian church as well.

Perhaps Williams needs to consult that other religious leader, Arsene Wenger, who is doing a fair job of having a team who are up there and doing something attractive. Oh that we could say that!

Right, third meeting of the day done, tea finished - off we go again . . . .