To the Cross

"For centuries in Europe, people debated the question as to whether there was a land beyond the western horizon, beyond the sunset. SOme said there was, others expressed their doubts. Then one day Columbus and his men sailed out from Europe across the vast Atlantic Ocean into the sunset. When they returned they could say, 'we've been there and we know'. In the same way, for generations people have debated the question of life after death. Some have said, 'Yes, there is life beyond the grave', others have denied it, 'No there isn't.' Then one day Jesus sailed out into that 'undiscovered country', and he came back, and in coming back, still says to us, in Isaac Watts' verse: There is a land of pure delight Where saints immortal reign; Infinite day excludes the night And pleasures banish pain. 'There is a heaven after death. I've been there and I know!' " (From 'Heaven and Hell' Bruce Milne)

My family and I are just back from a lovely few days in North Wales. Weather wise we were quite blessed, but from time to time there was a gathering of cloud (and rain!) on the hills. For some reason being near to clouds never fails to fascinate me. As they perched on the hills I was awestruck. I couldn't help but gaze upwards. After (Jesus) said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee", they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

The BBC are today reporting on an atheist camp - an alternative to the Christian Camps that happen throughout summer: "For the "centrepiece" of its scientific approach to religion the camp asks its participants to search for two invisible unicorns. The unicorns cannot be seen or heard, tasted, smelt or touched, they cannot escape from the camp and they eat nothing. The only proof of their existence is contained in an ancient book handed down over "countless generations". A prize - a £10 note signed by Professor Richard Dawkins - is offered to any child who can disprove the existence of the unicorns." This is of course indoctrinatioin of the highest order - the very thing that atheists like Dawkins complains about. It is implying that the only proof of God's existence is an ancient Bible - of course this is not the case. I have never seen any person change their lives around from violent robber/drug addict/theif/ to servant simply because they have ...

The orders from the head of the Church of England to 'prevent' catching Mexican Swine Flu in church: (1) Only the Priest may partake in the wine during the Lord's Supper (2) Those distributing bread should first wash their hands in a cleansing gel (3) All physical contact should be avoided during the church service at all costs What foolish panic!!! You might as well put out a notice "Don't come to church - you are likely to catch swine flu". It is effectively banning all social functions in church (especially where food is served), banning the laying on of hands for prayer, and more importantly banning full participation in the Lord's Supper. Why do I get the feeling that the leaders of the church have not prayed this one through and asked God for His guidance? Why do I get the feeling that Jesus is saying "Oh ye of little faith!"?

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off, it is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell . And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where "their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9: 43-48) From this teaching of Jesus we can see: (1) That Jesus certianly does believe that hell (greek - geenna) exists. (Indeed if there is no hell, as many churches are now teaching, Jesus suffering was futile!) (2) Jesus is asserting the fact that no one who has sinned can enter the kingdom of God. (Gulp! that's all of us!) (3) The fate of the sinner is so serious that it is worth endless sel...

Perhaps a strange question, but the way many churches talk (or refuse to talk) about hell, you would think he didn't. In the next few days I am going to remind people about the truth about Jesus' beliefs on this subject, according to the most reliable source - ie the Bible.

Question: What is the first verb in Jesus' great commission (Matthew 28:20) That is right we are told to "GO ... therefore and make disciples of all nations". Simple isn't it? Why then have we continuously expected people to 'come' to church, to come to us? Jesus' model for the Church is for the Church to Go! This verb should run through our veins, should be our reason for being, our very essence/DNA. It's about time the whole church got out there in the community to proclaim to the world the Good News of Jesus Christ. A church that is not continuously looking outwardly is dying inwardly!