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Illegal to pray in Council meetings

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 11, 2012

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It was declared yesterday that it is now illegal to pray in council meetings. Traditionally at the start of council meetings in Bideford in the UK and presumably in many other council meetings around the country it was customary to pray at the start of a meeting. This tradition was presumably to ask for guidance from God in order that righteous and proper decisions would subsequently be made. Of course this tradition assumes that those who are in leadership actually believe in God but this isn’t the case these days. Ever since this country generally turned away from God there has been a resistance to accept anything to do with religious practices in whatever form that takes. Speaking as a Christian I have no problem with this trend. As far as I am concerned I don’t think the Church should raise objections to atheists and secularists who reject the imposed tradition of acknowledging God in meetings which are intrinsically to do with secular law.  As a Christian of course I would love it that everyone should acknowledge God as their Maker and supreme authority in our lives but I appreciate that isn’t the case and may never be. We cannot impose our own beliefs on everyone else but all we can do is to witness for God in the hope that those who don’t believe may turn to Him one day. As a once time atheist myself I fully understand the objections and if I was indeed still an atheist I would probably feel the same way as they do about religion. I can only say that I was once as they were. I don’t see it as a victory for atheism though, it is a loss for salvation for as a Christian I think atheists are rejecting salvation but don’t know it. There is no reason however that those who still wish to pray before a council meeting should not be able to do so in chambers, away from the secularists and atheists so as not to offend them and then meet up afterwards for the council meeting. This way everyone is accommodated and any friction is avoided. This is common sense though isn’t it? I’ll wager that no-one will think of this but rather try to argue instead. How stupid is that?

Shirley Anne

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The end of it all?

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 7, 2012

There have been many predictions concerning the end of the age or the end of the world. Even 2012 has been depicted at some point to be the end of the world. Every prophecy given by various people have failed to predict this event of course for we are still here! Many point to the ancient Mayan predictions or those of Nostradamus looking for the truth of the matter. A few years ago the world was teetering on the brink of self-anihilation because of the threat of a massive nuclear war between the then two major world powers but as it happened we were spared such a demise. The same threat still exists with the rise of the nuclear capabilities of some countries new to the scene of nuclear bomb manufacture. Some of these countries are considered unstable in their political views and war seems inevitable because of this at some time in the future. People are worried that the whole world will become so unstable that another world-wide war will be the outcome and will mark the beginning of the end. According to Scripture the world will not come to an end this way, it will not be destroyed at all. It isn’t the end of the world we should be concerned about but the end of the sinful age of man. This is what Scripture says on the matter…

Matthew 24

Signs of the end of the age

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2“Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

29“Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,    and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[c]

30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Not exactly a nice senario is it? Unless of course you are a believer………

Shirley Anne

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Forgiven and loved

Posted by Shirley Anne on January 18, 2012

English: David's Joy Over Forgiveness; as in P...

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Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[b]

5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

7You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;  sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

How great it is to be loved by the Lord my God, to know that my sins have been forgiven, even paid for. Without such a love and compassion I would be doomed. It is better to be a child of God and to be loved and forgiven by Him than to be outside of His forgiveness because of unbelief. Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” That name is Jesus Christ.

Shirley Anne

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They came from the east

Posted by Shirley Anne on January 10, 2012

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Star of Bethlehem appears (see Matthew 2:1-2). When Jesus was born, a star appeared over Bethlehem. Scholars today speculate whether the star was a meteor, a supernatural phenomenon, an alignment of celestial bodies, or a literal star. Many scholars believe that Jesus was born sometime around 4 BC to 8 BC. It is interesting to note that ancient Chinese astronomy records indicate that there was a star-like object hovering somewhere over the Middle East for several days in the year 5 BC, about 2000 years ago.

For the complete story go here http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/loj1.htm

In the Bible it is said that three wise men/magi (magicians)/kings came from the east bearing gifts for a new king as was the custom in those days. It is because they saw a strange star in the west which was pointing the way to where he was that they made the journey. So many people do not believe the Bible and what it contains thinking it is simply a book(s) of fiction, story tales but that is because a: they probably haven’t read it, b: they couldn’t understand it, c: they haven’t studied it in its entirety. Not only is the Bible prophetic but it is also a good history book. For anyone who reads it properly and understands how it came to be, what it says about the future and how it is linked with the past and still rejects the messages it contains, for me, defies logic. The book is challenging and nothing in it has ever been refuted, in fact many prophetic messages have actually come to be, the rest remain unfulfilled for the time being. They await fulfilment in due course. People will believe anything rather than what the Bible says is true and will reject any idea that it might be speaking the truth. The Bible points to this fact itself. What does it take for people to believe? Obviously more than the story of three wise men travelling from the east to meet a new king. It takes a step of faith and a belief in God. It takes a belief in what the Bible says about Him. It takes a touch from the Holy Spirit but most of all it takes an open heart and a willingness to listen, then repent. God will do the rest. Some might just be influenced by a bright ‘star’ that doesn’t move!

Isaiah 9

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne  and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

 

Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984, 2011  by Biblica

Chapter 9 of Isaiah is a prophetic word written some 600 years before the account of the birth of Jesus and the above passage describes that birth. It is worth reading the rest of Chapter 9 which continues the prophecy.

 Shirley Anne
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Harsh words

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 31, 2011

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I have never believed that homosexuality (and lesbianism) was right and I have always objected to the association given between the homosexual community and specifically the transsexual community. The two are incongruous. These beliefs are based upon my faith as a Christian and what the teachings are on the subject as far as Scripture is concerned. God clearly states in several places in His word that these things are wrong but the gay community either chooses to ignore it or doesn’t believe it or tries to twist the truth in order to justify the lifestyle. Of course they may not believe in God in which case in their eyes there isn’t a problem. It amuses me when non-believers quote Scripture to defend themselves when they don’t believe in God or when they try to justify what they do by the use of Scripture as if it mattered to them. I do not have a problem with homosexual or lesbian people in the least but I do, as a Christian, have problems with their sexual behaviour which for Christians (and perhaps others) is unacceptable because it is in conflict with what Scripture says on the matter. What is objectionable is the fact that some quarters insist that the Christian Church accepts this behaviour as normal and allows acceptance of individuals into their midst without question. Christians are taught and it comes naturally to them to love their fellow-man but that does not mean accepting their sexuality and lifestyle. How can a Christian believer reject God’s word on the matter? It isn’t a question of love in the way that is often demanded of a Christian either. We get told that we should love those who are different as it is the Christian thing to do. Well it is the right behaviour to expect from a true Christian. However, loving someone doesn’t mean accepting their behaviour.

1 Corinthians 6

Lawsuits Among Believers

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Sexual Immorality

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[c]

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Footnotes:
  1. 1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
  2. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Gen. 2:24
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:17 Or in the Spirit 
    New International Version (NIV)Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984, 2011  by Biblica

Shirley Anne

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I must do what I have to do

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 28, 2011

English: Page 53 in Olney Hymns, the verses th...

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Many, if not all of my readers will know by now that I am a Christian. Many will think I am daft and beyond saving but that is because they think I should have the same beliefs as they do. In regard to everyday life in fact I do have all the same beliefs as they do but not in spiritual things. I was watching the news the other day and all those people who couldn’t wait to get to the annual sales, each looking for a bargain, This show me where their priorities lie. They are captivated by the material world, their idols are their possessions. It would have been better to them to spend their money and pay the normal price. In that way they would have been helping the economy but people are selfish and don’t consider what they do is selfish. They do not consider spiritual things either. The Bible has much to say on such things, Jesus said, ‘What shall it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?’ (paraphrased). Once I went along with the flow, once I was an atheist but now I am a Christian. Now that is a transformation! If anyone knew me as an atheist they would most certainly not be able to understand my transition to Christianity. Everything I once stood for just flew out of the window and something new and revealing flew inward to my heart. Some would call that unbelievable but I know different, I call it amazing grace. My transformation was really something that had to be seen to be believed. Once, totally against religion, totally against the idea of there being a God, totally against everything, against people,  against everything and yet at the flick of a switch, the toss of a coin, in a complete turnaround, I became a new person, a believer and one who puts her whole faith and trust in her maker, the one and only God, creator of all things, Yahweh. From that memorable day I have tried my utmost to be a faithful witness to God and the salvation He offers free of charge. How amazing is that? That He should give me a way out of my separation from Him is remarkable. None of us deserve such love but nevertheless it is there for all who would open their hearts to that fact. It is hard to change one’s beliefs and way of thinking and to be fair it does require a touch from God for anything to happen but for that to happen requires an openness to the fact that He exists and a willingness to invite Him in. God does not act unless invited for a special reason, He requires his creation to worship Him because they want to, not because they have to. So He leaves us with the choice. There are so many things to know, so many things that will be revealed, so many things to understand that will only be known by those who are willing to turn to Him. Once I was lost but now I am saved, once I knew nothing but now I know true love and have been given an understanding of God’s creation, His love and His purpose for all that He has made, which includes you my reader. I can do nothing to persuade you of this gem of truth. Of myself I am nothing but in God’s spirit I am everything for it is through God’s spirit that I reach out to you in the hope that you will consider His love. God sent His only begotten son as a sacrifice for your sins. Believe in Him and in the one He sent, Jesus, and you shall be saved. My hope for this coming year is that you will turn to God and see a better future, one far better than that you have now if you do not believe in Him. May the Lord guide you and teach you what you need to know. Let this year be a turning point in your life and see the difference it will make. Turn away from idolatry and turn to the One who can change your life for the better.

What is the purpose of your life? Why are you here? Click on this link for a video message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZstH3iQ0Q

Shirley Anne

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The run up, the excitement?

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 20, 2011

Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea.

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This is the final working week before the holiday that is celebrated as Christmas. I say celebrated but in fact not everyone celebrates the day in accordance with its sentiments. When I was younger it was always the run-up to Christmas that was exciting, less so the day itself which always seemed to be a little of an anti-climax. Yes, the food, the presents, the giving and receiving, the family and friends were all good things to enjoy although the expectation had all but disappeared. I never was sure what that expectation was until much later in life. In those days I wasn’t a Christian and, like everyone who isn’t a Christian, my heart was set on other worldly things and having a good time. The message of Christmas never entered my thoughts. Christmas itself is a celebration that has hijacked a much older celebration or celebrations that were in existence long before. The early Church did not celebrate the birth of Christ for good reason, it wasn’t part of Scripture and therefore wasn’t a command of or from God. It was many years later that the early Catholic Church introduced the idea of celebrating Christ’s birth but to encourage people to join in the worship and subsequently become believers they introduced many of the artifacts and traditions of the pagan and mystic religions that people were drawn to at that time. So all the things which are now part of the modern celebration of Christmas have their roots in these non-Christian belief systems and really have no place in Christianity. Over the centuries these customs have become tradition and have become accepted as a right way to celebrate Christ’s birth. The early Church was warned to steer clear of the practices of ‘foreign’ religions by God Himself, not only in His word, The Bible (then the Old Testament) but also by His prophets. The New Testament follows in that same vein. The Church became corrupt when together with the celebrations instigated by the Catholic church, the ’festival of Christmas was declared to be celebrated as a normal practice by Emperor Constantine. Those who declared themselves to be Christians followed the practice through ignorance, mostly because the general population couldn’t read or write and relied upon the Church for instruction. It was only much later when people became more educated and were given the opportunity to read The Bible for themselves did they learn the true message it contains. However, old traditions were so ingrained that they remained and the celebration of Christmas went on unabated until today where it has taken on a whole new meaning, especially for the unbeliever. Notwithstanding, Christmas is not Scriptural and in fact goes against God’s will as a means to praise and worship Him for it is through Jesus Christ that we worship God. I look on in despair at the goings on in the Christian (so-called) world where believers still choose to ignore God in this instruction and think there is little harm in doing so. People may not think what they do is wrong and may even believe that it is perfectly alright to choose how they worship God but God says otherwise. Look at the mess that is the Christmas celebration. It has become hijacked itself being reclaimed as a pagan festival but is also now a totally commercial event coupled with old and new traditional values that have no root in God’s word or His will. What an obstinate and disobedient people we are. No, I do not like the run-up to Christmas as I once did and for reasons I once knew little about.

Shirley Anne

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Caught up in traditional ways

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 8, 2011

 

Detail - Glory of the New Born Christ in prese...

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It is the season to be jolly, goodwill to all men, presents, family get-together, food, drink, parties all in the name of Christ. Ooops, sorry, did I infer that Jesus was the reason for it all? Yes, it is all very nice to greet people with a smile, wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year if it really is sincere and based upon Christ. The sad thing is few people include Jesus in their celebrations. That is one thing but did you ever consider that those you may be wishing these things may not support the festival maybe for personal reasons or for religious beliefs (such as myself). Not everyone is a Christian, some may be Muslims, some may be Jews, some may be Buddhists…..you get my drift…..but nevertheless people still insist on greeting others with this message. It is burnt into their memories, it is a traditional thing to do but it could be an insult to an unbeliever. Now I am a Christian, that is a follower of Jesus but over the last couple of years I have come to the conclusion that the way the mainstream Church celebrates Christ’s birth is unscriptural. Whilst it celebrates one thing it neglects others which are scriptural. The majority of people in this land would say they believe in God and Jesus and because their upbringing was based upon traditional things they assume it is the right thing to do. Tradition is very hard to break. It is like a bad habit that is hard to stop and the reason for that is because it is nice and gives us a sense of well-being. There is nothing wrong in having a good time of course, for those who enjoy it, like the majority of us, including me. A lady I did a job for recently, only a very small job, presented me with a Christmas card and wished me a happy Christmas. I had to tell her gently that I couldn’t accept the card and the reasons why I didn’t believe in the celebrating of Christ’s birth as it is celebrated in this country and elsewhere. Of course I celebrate His birth, I do it every day in prayer and the thought is with me all day long. I do not need to be told to have a happy Christmas, I do not need to have a card wishing me the same and sitting on the mantle for a couple of weeks only to be thrown into the waste bin afterwards. So please don’t wish me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I will not be able to reciprocate such a gesture in the same way. I want people to love each other under His banner of love. I want people to be nice to each other 24 hours of the day and 365/6 days of the year and not forget the reason they are supposed to be celebrating Christmas in the first place if in fact they believe anyway. It would be wonderful if we had a festival that wasn’t focused on Jesus. It would be filled with good things, food, drinks, parties, family and friends and all could wish each other well, but we already have one of those disguised as a religious festival. Then we could concentrate on Jesus all of the time, in the right way and for the right reasons. May God’s will be done.

Shirley Anne

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I hate this time of year, no, not the weather!

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 30, 2011

Despite it being very windy, occasionally raining and unusually warm, it isn’t the weather I dislike. In fact I love Autumn, No, it is the approach to Christmas. I hate the advertising on television which promotes and encourages unnecessary spending. Assumptions are made that everyone is looking forward to the day and accordingly promotes good times using carefully selected music and filming. Many people will be feeling left out of things because they are poor or have no family to share the time with, maybe some will be living alone. Whilst I do not agree now with holding Christmas festivities when once I did, I do realise that I am in the minority. I have written about this on several occasions here in the past year or thereabouts so I won’t re-iterate again. Christmas isn’t about the birth of a saviour anymore, it has become a hedonistic and lavish experience for most people. People will say that Christmas is for children and they want to make sure that their children enjoy the now ‘magical’ time with plenty of presents and good food. That wasn’t the original reason for celebrating Christmas. The real reason for celebrating Christmas although believed to be sincere is probably debatable in light of what Scripture dictates but nevertheless even that is ignored in favour of the modern empty version. The atmosphere surrounding the approach to the day is full of hype and is all commercially generated. It is all so false and without meaning. Is it any wonder that people do not believe in the true message that Christmas was supposed to convey? They want the tinsel, the bright lights, the food and drink, the ‘good times’, the short-lived season of ‘goodwill to all men’ and then return to their hum-drum lives the following week where none of the ‘goodwill’ goes with them. I see signs in the back windows of cars which read, ‘A dog is not just for Christmas, it is for life’, in an attempt to curb the practice of dumping the animal at the RSPCA once the novelty has worn off. Well ‘Jesus isn’t just for Christmas’ either but how many even consider that, or even believe it?Adorazione del Bambino (Adoration of the Child...

Shirley Anne

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Finality of death

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 14, 2011

Death found an author writing his life.. Desig...

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Ecclesiastes 9:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even their name is forgotten.
6 Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.

Following on from yesterdays post I thought about death and all that surrounds it. The verse above more or less says it all but it talks of this world, it talks of things to do with the flesh as much as it talks about the spirit. Those we knew in life who have passed into death know nothing, they have ceased to exist. There is a promise to be raised from the grave and into a new body and a new life for those who believe in God and have placed their faith, trust and hope in Jesus Christ but whilst even they lie in the grave it is as if they never existed. People do strange things at funerals, burial sites and memorials, acting as if they were in the presence of the dead when in fact they are completely alone! Watching part of proceedings surrounding the burial of Jimmy Saville recently I saw people applauding the passage of the hearse in which his body lay. Why the applause, why not simply a bowed head? Then it was told that he had requested to be buried at a 45 degree angle overlooking the sea so that he could look out over it! How preposterous is that? The man is dead, what possible reason is there to be buried that way, especially as he won’t be there to enjoy it? Ridiculous! I hear you say, ‘But it was his last request’, agreeing with the stupidity of it all. About eighteen months ago a Christian brother was cremated in a cardboard coffin. He realised that to spend such a lot of money on a wooden coffin only to have it burned was a silly thing to do and a unecessary expense for his widow. Now that is sensible. We place far too much emphasis on tradition instead of applying common sense sometimes. When we are dead we are dead, gone, final and it is pointless for those who live to continually mourn over their lost ones. Memories should be sufficient and indeed they are. Love those you love whilst you have them with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGDA0Hecw1k

Shirley Anne

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No other way…….

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 8, 2011

Salvation (The Cranberries song)

Image via Wikipedia

Many times I have written about salvation and the route to it and I will continue to do this as long as I take breath so I make no excuses for doing that here. This blog isn’t dedicated to my writing about God but occasionally I will do so. I have another blog (http://www.minkyweaselsmusings.blogspot.com) which I now dedicate entirely to that theme. I read many other people’s blogs and often their thoughts on what they believe about God (for those that do believe) and I have to say that their ideas about God, Jesus, heaven are far removed from what is written in Scripture. I wonder then where exactly do they get their ideas from? On what basis are they placing all their trust and hope for it surely isn’t what God Himself says. Below is a chapter from one of the books in the New Testament and in it are two verses which show just what it means to be saved and more importantly how to be saved (verses 9-10). Read the chapter and see how it compares with your own view then be honest with yourself and think again whether your plan to be at one with God is the right way or does God’s word change that view?

Romans 10

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”[i]

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]

20And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l]

Footnotes:
    1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
    2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
    3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
    4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
    5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
    6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
    7. Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
    8. Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
    9. Romans 10:18 Psalm 19:4
    10. Romans 10:19 Deut. 32:21
    11. Romans 10:20 Isaiah 65:1
    12. Romans 10:21 Isaiah 65:2

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984, 2011  by Biblica

Reading the whole Book of Romans will open your eyes to many things……..

Shirley Anne

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How many were hurt?

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 6, 2011

I wonder how many children were hurt by a firework last night?

It all started in 1605 when a group of Catholic men, one of whom was Guy Fawkes conspired to blow up King James 1 and his followers when the king went to open Parliament on November 5th. Queen Elizabeth 1 had passed laws which endeavoured to make people visit a protestant church on a Sunday. Catholics were not allowed to follow their faith and anyone found doing so were in danger of losing their life. When King James came to the throne the catholic population had thought he might relax the laws but in fact he made it even more difficult for those who were catholics. The group of men, led by Robert Catesby included Thomas Winter and Robert Winter, Christopher and John Wright, Thomas Percy and someone called Bates together with Digby, Keyes, Rookwood, Grant, Tresham and of course

The Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, Laing Art...
Image via Wikipedia

Guy Fawkes had purchased a house next to the Parliament buildings. The cellar of the house went partly beneath Parliament House where the king was to arrive. Guy Fawkes was the man who was to light the gunpowder stored in barrels in the cellar but he was discovered by soldiers carrying out the routine inspections of the cellars on the night of the 4th before the deed could be carried out. At first he wouldn’t disclose the others involved but eventually he was forced to speak and all the others were subsequently arrested or killed in the process. Guy Fawkes was placed in the Tower of London and was tried and convicted of treason. He was executed on January 31st 1606 at the age of 36. By way of a celebration King James declared that a bonfire be lit in every town on November 5th each year in commemoration of the uncovering of the plot.

Since those days it has been customary to celebrate with fireworks and unfortunately in the past many children have been injured through their mis-use. Many organised events are held by local authorities so there is no real need to continue selling fireworks to the general public. Perhaps one day it will become law but in the meantime we have to be careful that our children are not maimed for life because of carelessness.

Shirley Anne

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I’m so glad

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 1, 2011

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, ...

Image via Wikipedia

The other day I received an email from a local supermarket encouraging me to shop early for Christmas and showing me what was on offer in their stores. I have no problem with promotions like this when I can simply move them to the trash can, which is where they end up anyway with me. This time I opened the email and saw the amount of goods they had on offer, not because I wanted to see them but because I wasn’t sure what the content of the email was. Either way it got binned. Having seen what the message was about made me think of all the years previously I had worried myself silly wondering what to buy family and friends for Christmas. Now I no longer have that problem as I ceased celebrating Christmas in that fashion last year. In fact I don’t celebrate it at all in any way now. It is my own choice based on what I believe to be consistent with my faith. I rely upon Scripture, The Bible, for instruction and although I haven’t got it all right I am endeavouring to do my best. The main point of contention is the fact that the whole ‘Christmas’ thing is a man-made affair and has no foundation in the Christian faith and teachings. There are other festivals which I think should be celebrated as Jesus Himself did but we neglect them. Many people, including Christians, are not aware of this fact and prefer to do their own thing, especially non-believers. I used to be concerned that people didn’t celebrate Christmas as a festival commemorating the birth of Jesus (even though it wasn’t on 25 th December) but rather indulged themselves in a form of hedonism and forgot all about the message in the Christmas season. Christians celebrate the fact that their Saviour was born and He later paid for their sins. Others think it is the ‘season of goodwill to all men’ but really have no idea on what that means if anything at all. The idea of giving gifts at Christmas stems from the Biblical  account of Christ‘s birth where the wise men (astrologers, mystics, kings of the Orient, whatever title you choose) gave gifts to the babe in the manger. In fact Jesus was a little older by the time He actually received any gifts. It was the custom to bear gifts to any new-born king and so a normal thing to do. Not everyone was given the same treatment but the practice has become the norm by the traditions of men. It is nice to receive gifts from anyone of course and at any time but to make it as being an essential part of what is in fact not a recognised festival nor recommendation in Scripture is a recipe for unnecessary hardship for some and a worry for others. Christ Himself would think it absurd to show love in this way, if love is the intended motive in the first place. A nice gift would be one given to someone in need, done anonymously and whenever that need arose, not because it was Christmas. I want to celebrate the birth of my Saviour so I do that every day of my life, giving thanks to God for His wonderful gift of life, the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for the forgiveness and payment for my sins. I have no need to stuff my face with rich food and wine, worry about buying presents and leave my purse lighter when I can use that cash for a more noble purpose. I expect people will wish me a merry Christmas but I shall not return the blessing. I shall probably give them a different message, more pertinent to the reason behind the birth instead. If I get any cards or emails wishing me the same I will not reply in kind. Yes, I am so glad I don’t need to worry about such things. As I write this the television is on and on the program they are discussing what they will be doing for Halloween. I worry about that!

Shirley Anne

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So you think you have lived before and will be ressurected again?

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 30, 2011

The Mystery of the Resurrections Mentioned in the Bible

 article by Good News Editor

Does the resurrection from the dead seem like a mystery to you?

The Mystery of the Resurrections Mentioned in the Bible

Source: Photos.com

Paul brings clarity to this often-overlooked biblical truth while acknowledging human mortality: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order. Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians:15:22-23[22]For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.[23]But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.).

Paul describes an order of resurrections commencing with “those who are Christ’s at His coming,” which Revelation:20:5 refers to as “the first resurrection.” An order of resurrections commencing with one called “the first” means there are subsequent and sequential resurrections—and indeed these are described more fully elsewhere in the Bible.

A first resurrection for those who are Christ’s

Paul describes the first resurrection, of those who have been Christ’s faithful servants at His coming, this way: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians:15:51-53[51]Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,[52]In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.[53]For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.).

Those raised and changed to immortality at Christ’s return will live and reign with him for 1,000 years: “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them . . . And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation:20:4-5).

The glory of those who have “put on” immortality puts them permanently beyond the grasp of death: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power” (verse 6). These will be endowed with life eternal in the likeness of Christ (1 John:3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.), attaining the destiny of those who remain faithful—to “bear the image of the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians:15:45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.). This first resurrection, with those in it learning God’s way and being made immortal before the rest of the world, is called a “better resurrection” (Hebrews:11:35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:).

A second resurrection for those who never knew God or Christ

What about those described in the book of Revelation as “the rest of the dead” who “did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation:20:5). Who are they? And what will become of them?

First, “the rest of the dead” constitute all those who were not “Christ’s at His coming” and fall into two broad categories—those who died never truly knowing Christ, and those who have already willfully rejected Him as their personal Savior. These are two very different categories of people, facing two very different destinies.

The first group, who died without ever having known Christ, is described standing before the throne of God in a second resurrection: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened” (Revelation:20:12).

The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision by God in which he saw vast numbers of long-dead Israelites come back to life as flesh-and-blood human beings. In this vision, “breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel:37:1-10[1]The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,[2]And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.[3]And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.[4]Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.[5]Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:[6]And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.[7]So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.[8]And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.[9]Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.[10]So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.).

“Then,” God tells them, “you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and performed it” (verses 13-14).

A merciful God, not willing that any should perish, reaches out to all those to whom the “books” of the Bible had never been open (in terms of understanding) and brings them back to life to offer them an intimate relationship with Him by putting His Spirit in them—a powerful demonstration of a merciful God so unwilling that any should perish that He reaches into the grave to offer life to the unsaved masses.

A final resurrection for those who ultimately reject God

But a merciful God, to be perfect, must also be just. Those who have knowingly and willfully defied the mercies and commandments of God in their lifetime even after coming to know God and His truth face a very different destiny in a final resurrection—that of the second death: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation:20:14).

The unrepentant incorrigibly wicked of past ages meet their Maker in a resurrection to receive justice through a second death in the lake of fire, from which there will be no resurrection.

The biblical teaching on the resurrections provides hope, destiny and justice for all. There will be three resurrections for three distinct groups of people—each in their own order, each in their own time through the power of a perfectly merciful and perfectly just God not willing that any should perish. To learn more about these resurrections, with far more complete biblical explanations, download or request our free booklet What Happens After Death?

Copyright Good News magazine http://www.ucg.org/

Shirley Anne

 

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Is it really?

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 27, 2011

CometDiagram
Image via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia

Today, tonight (Sunday, Monday), who knows exactly? A comet dubbed the doomsday comet passes the Earth but at a distance of twenty-two million miles. Hardly worth mentioning I would have thought but people have been forecasting doomsday events for many years, one guy keeps proclaiming new dates when his previous predictions haven’t materialised, well obviously, we are still here! Many times in history people have tried to predict our demise to no avail. Why they thought they could predict such an event is open to debate. Perhaps they had  ‘a vision’, perhaps they ‘looked into the stars’, perhaps they worked it out mathematically but an event like the end of the Earth is impossible to predict with any accuracy. Another prediction, not concerning the end of the world but the ‘end times‘ have been pondered for centuries.  In Scripture we read about the end times in both the old and new Testaments, even Jesus was asked by His disciples when those times should appear. Jesus replied that it was not for them to know the end times but only God knows when they will happen. It is all forecast in prophesy. It is written that there will be signs indicating the onset of the beginning of the end times with various stages happening over a period of time. It isn’t describing the end of the world as a planet but the end of man’s rule and a new beginning for mankind. There will be many signs pointing to that new era, worsening attitudes, rise in sinful behaviour, famines, earthquakes in diverse places, wars and rumours of war among many other things. If we get destroyed in the meantime by some stray comet, asteroid or off the beaten track planet it will be because God has changed His mind but that He will not do, His promises are true so if He says something is going to happen you can be sure it will. Don’t look for signs in the skies, even though there will be those too at the return of Christ, rather look at the signs around you, the state of the world, the wickedness of man and the unbelieving people.

Shirley Anne

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