Friday 12 March 2010

Life IS Great (Thank you God)

Friday has finally come and looking back at the week gone by I see so many highs and areas in which I can be really thankful and full of praise.

First and foremost, regardless of the amazingly silly thinking exhibited by people who are supposed to be leading a Christian faith, many of the BOPs (Bums on Pews) are reading their Bibles and believing that what was says two thousand years ago is not only relevant and real, but are the words of life.

Secondly, people I engage with are talking to God (this is called prayer in case anyone is wondering) and not only that but they are also listening too! What might shock some is that He's not only apparently speaking but what he is saying is being heard consistently among a number of people. Makes you think that there might just be a (just) God!

The third thing that makes me buzz today is the reality that we're seeing more men come to Christ. I have been worried that Christianity was becoming a 'pink' affair in that we have a high proportion of women and to this are adding the other pink group. Jesus and His message is a real man's message and, as one person so nicely put it, where I find myself at the moment is in the midst of a truly 'hairy assed Church'! God's message of love is effective and wonderfully relevant for men after all!

The fourth area of praise is that we are seeing people who have decided that despite the liberals and the  academic ivory tower dwelling clerics the message of God's love, as shown through the cross of Christ, is consistent and as valid now as two thousand years ago and many are retaining Scripture, Reason and Tradition as the test of orthodoxy (which denies the 'homosexuality as THE test' cobblers uttered by planktons on all sides of the argument). Whilst others seek to sell out and embrace lifestyles and other theologies in some sort of 'arranging deckchairs on the Titanic' exercise - the true Church continues and using its brains, engages with Bible and society, yet oddly comes out with different conclusions.

Praise God for 'ordinary' Christians. Being 'laos' (God's people, that is laity) is the greatest calling and the most blesséd place to find oneself and being faithful to that call is a blessing to God and to all people. What shame that some can gain recognition, academic and societal praise and in so doing deny the traditional tenets and standards of living of Christianity, thus causing others to fall along with them. Naughty shepherds but good sheep it seems is perhaps becoming the order of the day?

Life is great and God is wonderfull - His love (and His word) endure (unchanged and without need for revision) for ever!

3 comments:

JanetinTamworth said...

Life continues to be great, following the greatness of the past. Each generation has its best bits and its worst bits. Despite many things not being so good, eg lack of basic discipline and less structure to our every day lives, less people going to Church, not so many people around to help neighbours, there are the better things, eg, a much better attitude to disability , mental illness and the disadvantaged. Children today are encorouged to be more tolerant of others, the problem lies for those who live in countries who do not share our opportunities. I feel for those who live in countries where anything that deviates from the norm have such struggle to be accepted. Please pray for a more balanced world.

Vic Van Den Bergh said...

Indeed Janet - a more balanced world would be something to be desired.

Happy Birthday - missed you on Wednesday!

JanetinTamworth said...

Thanks! Had a great day! Life is Great! Thank you God!