Stewart Bloor's Blog

2007

November 13 2007

Warning - but no-one takes any notice

I play football on Monday evenings at a local leisure centre and last night as our games finished, the players were in the reception area and changing rooms when suddenly the fire alarm went off. But no-one paid the slightest attention to the deafening sound and they all just carried on as normal. We have all become so used to car alarms and burglar alarms going off that something like this is seen as 'just another alarm'.

As it happened, it was another false alarm; but one time it may not be. But of far more consequence are the warnings that the Bible gives about rejecting Jesus and his offer of eternal life. We can shrug our shoulders and carry on as normal, but one day we won't be able to do that. The time will come to all when we leave this earthly vessel and stand before God. That's why we need to take note of the warnings in the Bible and turn to him while we still have the opportunity. The scriptures say that 'We die....and then we face judgement'

November 3 2007

Looking beyond the exterior

I'm currently fishing the River Severn near Tewkesbury on a regular basis, and have got quite friendly with the farmer. Last week he brought me a big carrier bag full of pears, which he had just gathered from his orchard. On the outside they didn't look very nice at all - battered, rough and uneven; in fact nothing like the uniform, nice looking fruit that you see on the supermarket shelves. But once you actually bit into one, you really noticed the difference. They may not look the business, but the taste knocks the shop bought ones for six.

There's a message there for us. How often do we judge people by the exterior? We look at the outside and based on what we see, we start to form opinions of what the person is like. But the real person is not what we see on the outer but rather what is on the inner. Just like those Worcestershire pears, they may not meet the expectations of the world in which we live, but that doesn't matter. What really counts is the condition of our heart.

October 31 2007

One thousand young people on a Saturday night out - and not a policeman in sight

Imagine the scenario: One thousand mostly young people out on a Saturday night in one of Britain's cities. And not a single policeman in sight. Sounds like a nice dream, a vision of a utopian society? Well actually no; this was reality. And I was there to prove it, as last week I joined with a large number of youngsters who were in Derby to attend a YFriday concert. In fact the only 'crime' committed that night was that the Devil was robbed as we all glorified Christ.

We live in a society that will readily make fun of the Christian faith, where amongst other accusations it will be said to be out-of-date and irrelevant. But the fact that 1,000 people are on a Saturday night out and there's not even a hint of trouble - surely that is a fantastic witness to the fact that not only is Jesus alive, but when he comes to live in our hearts he truly does change our behaviour.

October 22 2007

Ten-tenths at peace

I am presently reading a biography of James Fraser, a pioneer missionary who worked in China at the start of the nineteenth century. In one passage he tells of a very simple old lady who sought him out and asked him to explain the way of salvation to her, which he did. After listening to his words, the lady said 'I feel at peace now. Ten-tenths at peace'.

Just reading those words blessed me so much as it totally encapsulates the way that we feel when we encounter the risen Christ. The Bible calls it 'The peace that passes all human understanding'. It's the peace that you can never truly feel outside of Christ, the sort of peace that many would say is not possible. But for those of us who have surrendered our hearts to the Lord, we know exactly what that Chinese lady was saying. Ten-tenths at peace - what a brilliant expression!

October 8 2007

The stench of sin

A couple of days ago I changed my car, and ever since, as soon as I open the door I can smell stale cigarette smoke. The previous owners were obviously heavy smokers and even though the car has been out of their hands for some time, the stench lingers. Of course it will go in time, and I am aiding and abetting that process with all sorts of fresh and fragant fluids.

But it got me thinking about sin. The only reason I can detect the cigarette smoke is because I am not a smoker myself; the sixty-a-day man wouldn't have the sensitivity that I have. And it's like that with sin; the person who is embroiled in it, doesn't realise a) the effect that it is having upon their life and b) the offence that it is to a holy and pure God.

And just like I have had to resort to drastic action to scrub the seats that have absorbed the smoke over the years, that is also what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary. He paid the ultimate price for our sin by the giving of his own life. But whilst my efforts will eventually rid the car of the smell, as far as sin is concerned, our endeavours will never shift it. Only the blood of Jesus can wash our sins away.

September 24 2007

Celebrating the diversity of the Body

On Saturday evening I was in a meeting with a fourteen-piece band, twenty-four hours later I was the speaker in a service where we had no instruments at all and sang without any music. Sunday morning I was in a pew and stained glass window environment, on the evening I was sitting in a carpeted chapel with comfortable chairs. The communion on the morning was conducted from behind an altar, where we kneeled and received the emblems; a few hours later I was sitting down eating a piece of standard supermarket bread and drinking juice that was bought from the same shelves.

We often hear about the unity of the Body (and rightly so) but one thing we don't talk about enough is the diversity that exists within Christianity. Of course, I am not praising diversity simply for the sake of being different. But there is a blessing in recognising and honouring the varying ways in which we express ourselves, whether musical, liturgical or otherwise. As long as we are born again of the Spirit and Jesus is truly being uplifted, where is the problem?

September 21 2007

Don't worry...it wears off after a while

I can remember when I first gave my life to the Lord, I was on fire! I also recall the day when I was told by someone in the church, 'Don't worry, it wears off after a while'. What a thing to say to a new convert; but if you knew the man, then if I tell you that 'negative' and 'discouragement' were his middle names, then you wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. He also said that being a Christian is a bit like marriage, it's all exciting at first but the novelty soon wears off.

Well, as I grew in the Lord I quickly came to see that not only had he given me a snapshot of where he was in the Lord, but also a reflection of his own marriage. And here I am, all these years later, not only still on fire for God but also still in love with my wife of over twenty years. So, the message is, don't listen to the knockers, the critics and the discouragers. Whether your faith or your marriage, neither has to wear off at all. In fact, get the first right and surely the second will follow.

September 20 2007

Throwing a drowning man a block of concrete

I was preaching in a church recently where I was talking about Jesus. Sounds pretty much in order doesn't it? Well, one elderly lady in the congregation didn't think so. The more I lifted up the name of the Lord, the more she got agitated; in fact she was puffing and panting so much at one stage I thought she was going to erupt like a volcano. To those who are born-again, the name of Jesus excites; but to the religious person - even though they may have attended church all their life - it is not sweet music to their ears.

Whilst in one sense, Christianity is a religion, it all depends on how you are looking at it. Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism offer religion but that's where it ends. Biblical Christianity offers much, much more than that, as through Jesus alone we find peace with the Father. Religion will never satisfy the deep longings of the human soul, only Jesus can do that. We are all drowning in a sea of sin and iniquity. Offering religion is like throwing a drowning man a block of concrete. Only Jesus can save us from our sins. And that's why I was preaching about him in the first place.

September 17 2007

Billy no mates no more - thanks to MySpace

There is a term we use in the UK for someone who has no friends - Billy no mates. Well I have recently discovered, providing you have a computer that is, that there is no limit to the quantity - or quality - of people that you can class as your buddy. I have joined the MySpace generation (www.myspace.com/stewartbloor), and in just a few days I now have 62 friends, although that figure is rising by the hour. But before I get carried away, a casual glance around the MS community reveals that some people have thousands upon thousands of mates. And the main man, who goes by the name of Tom must be the most popular figure on the planet because he currently has 201,353,198. That's enough followers to start a decent sized religion with.

But of course, the reality is that people often 'add' one another without even really knowing much about the other person. If I contact Tom and say 'Hello, it's me here, Stewart Bloor your friend', he wouldn't have a clue who I was, because you automatically get Tom when you join up. There isn't any relationship involved. But contrast that with God. The Bible tells us that he knows every single one of us. That's six billion people on the planet, and every one known intimately by Him.

It's nice to add friends on MySpace, but there is one friend that is more important than all the millions on there put together. And that's Jesus Christ. If you don't know him, make him your friend today. And there is immediate acceptance, you don't need to wait for him to log on to make a decision. The answer is yes, he wants to be your friend.

September 14 2007

I will build my church

My home fellowship (Tipton Family Church) has just taken out a half-page advertisement in a local magazine. The ad runs along the lines of 'Church is boring, stuffy and irrelevant? Then why not pay us a visit...you may be surprised!' Then there is a brief list of what we do, with times, website, contact details etc. But interestingly, the half page above us is occupied by a short article titled, 'My chapel'. It is written by an elderly man who reminisces about the Tipton church that he grew up in. He ends the piece by saying that it closed in the 1960's and then proceeds to quote a lengthy list of other places of worship that have also shut up shop.

And sadly, that's how many people see the church, as nothing more than a relic from history. But that is far from reality. And that's why TFC have taken out the advertisement, as part of an awareness campaign to let people know that not only are we here, but also that we are alive, exciting and vibrant. Jesus said 'I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18) and so that's why we want to talk about life and growth not decay and despondency. PS. You can check out the TFC site at www.tiptonfamilychurch.org

September 11 2007

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus

I was driving my eldest daughter to work this morning when we both noticed the car in front of us at the traffic lights; or to be more precise, the driver. Waiting at the lights she was looking in the mirror putting on her eye shadow. Well, you might ask, what's the harm in that. Maybe nothing, except that she continued to do so as she drove off as the lights changed green. Thirty metres down the road she then switched to mascara, and by the time we made the second set of lights and beyond she had also done her lipstick as well.

What was obvious was the fact that you can't drive and do something else at the same time; her car was all over the road, sometimes edging the gutter, other times almost crossing the white line in the middle. And it's not just driving where distractions come in and cause us to lose our focus. Our faith is the same, and that's why the Bible tells us, 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus'. (Hebrews 12:2). The believer that is totally focused is the one that will not be led astray from the faith. If we compromise then we will lose the way.

September 8 2007

Britain in moral decline

A survey of British people just carried out reveals that a massive 83% of us believe that our country is in moral decline. I am not surprised in the slightest at that response, because in spite of the spin that politicians and others try to put on the situation, people are not fooled very easily and all you need to do is open your eyes and see for yourself. You don't need a degree in sociology to observe that we are on a slippery slope.

But what is encouraging from the survey is that 62% of people believe that religion has a part to play in addressing the situation. In effect, this is a message to the church - wake up and start to do what you are supposed to be doing. So often we keep ourselves to ourselves and we hide our light in the corner. But there is an opening for us because as the world gets darker, then there is greater opportunity for the light to truly shine. Let's make sure that we grasp that opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.

August 12 2007

What happens when we compromise God's Word

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has just voted to urge Bishops not to punish pastors in 'faithful committed same-gender relationships'. It hasn't been that long ago when the same denomination decided to allow homosexual ministers to serve, but only on condition that they abstained from sexual relationships. This is what happens when we compromise God's Word, as we immediately start to walk a slippery slope.

It reminds me of the story in Genesis where it tells us that Lot 'pitched his tents near Sodom'. But before too long, he is actually living in the city. That is where compromise leads us, and as Christians we should be aware of the dangers of thinking we can accomodate sin in our lives. Sin desires to control us and the only effective way to deal with it is to turn our back on it. The moment we try to compromise, just like the ELCA have found, it wins the battle.

August 4 2007

I don't want him anywhere near my team

'I don't want him anywhere near my team'. Strong words from the Birmingham City FC manager Steve Bruce, about a player that he was about to sign, but then decided not to at the last minute. Everything looked to be going well but then the player, Hossam Ghaly, decided he was bigger than the club and started making comments that didn't exactly do his cause any good. And in case you are wondering whether it is maybe Birmingham's fault, it has only been a few games back when the same player threw his Tottenham shirt on the ground and stormed off out of the stadium because he didn't like being substituted.

A really successful football teams is not one with big individual superstars who always act in a way that benefits them. These people destroy team spirit and sooner or later they go anyway, leaving behind them nothing but conflict and strife. It is better to have a team of average players, but working together for the common good than it is to have a dressing room full of egotistical prima donnas.

And in the same way, Christian work is about having a team spirit. We are not out to make names for ourselves, to carve out an empire that glorifies man. Instead we are to humbly recognise that we are part of the Body of Christ. We all have a role to play and no part is more important than the other. We may be the minister, the preacher, the worship leader, but we are not set above anyone else. The only one who is to be exalted is Christ.

August 2 2007

With friends like these...

Whilst researching on the Internet, I came across a Christian discussion board. I was interested in what was being said so I dipped in to take a closer look. However I came away very disappointed, as thread after thread, rather than encouraging people to grow in the Lord, actually did the opposite. Is the Bible God's Word? Not really...Is Jesus the only way to eternal life? Don't be so arrogant...One person even told how whenever they go into a hotel room they return the Gideon's Bible back to the reception desk!

Of course, Internet message boards are open to all, but the true Christian should also be careful about which ones they visit. We should never be looking to create our own little on-line ghettos, but at the same time, the Bible warns us about the company that we keep. Why hang around (even if it's on the Internet) with people who are going to discourage us all the while. The Bible tells us that 'iron sharpens iron' and so we need to get alongside those who will feed us Godly truth and enable our relationship with God to grow.

July 28 2007

Testing times

I went for a walk along a local lane, the first time I have been there since the recent floods that have hit the area. I have always thought of the surface there as pretty solid and well-built, but as I set off on my journey I was surprised. What I had considered as reliable and sturdy had been washed away, and chunks of tarmac were discarded along the side, with gaping holes everywhere. Whilst it had looked good before, the reality was that when the time of testing came, it was found wanting.

And in the same way, we can be cruising along enjoying the journey of faith, and we think that everything is OK. But it's only when the storms of life come that we truly know how we are doing in the Christian walk. That is one of the reasons why God allows things to come against us; it is only in time of adversity that we really know where we are. God doesn't tempt (that's the work of Satan), but he does test. And rather than struggle against the time of testing, allow it to be a barometer of our spirituality. It shows us that there is still work to be done.

July 24 2007

Looking like your owner

It's often said that dogs look like their owners (or vice versa!), and when you look around at people walking their pets there is certainly an element of truth in that. In fact the other day I was at the vets, and sitting on the chair next to me was a man and his dog. To say they were identical would be an understatement; they could have been twins! Their faces were so alike, even their bone structure was similiar!

And it got me thinking - do we look like our owner? If you are a Christian the Bible says that you are 'not your own, you were bought at a price'. The Lordship of Jesus means that we no longer live for self but live to please him. He is our owner, and as such we should take on his character in our lives in an ever-increasing measure. The resemblance to Jesus is not physical as per the dog and the man, but rather it is the inner man that reflects Christ.

It is a question we can all ask ourselves. How much of Him do we truly show in our lives? When people see us and listen to us, do they see a person that no longer lives to please themselves but instead is living for God? Be honest with yourself and reflect on that today.

July 2 2007

No-one tells me what to do

As I am sure we are all aware, from 06.00 yesterday morning smoking became outlawed in enclosed public places, including taxis and other such vehicles. Whilst I am personally 100% behind the legislation, not everyone feels the same way. In fact listening to a radio phone-in programme yesterday evening, one irate taxi driver said that he woke up early, so that at exactly 6.00 am he was sitting in his taxi parked outside his house smoking a cigarette!

Another caller said that they were so annoyed at the government telling people what to do, that they were actually going to take up smoking! Added to all the other like-minded callers, what came across was the attitude that 'no-one tells me what to do'.

Where does this come from? It comes from rebellious sinful human nature, and we find its root in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve went their own way and turned from God. And we are all affected to some degree by the stubborn attitude that came over on the radio programme. But there is an answer to the problem, and that is Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to deal with our sin, so that we don't have to live in rebellion, conflict and confrontation.

June 25 2007

The law of the Lord is perfect

The other day my wife and I were walking down a narrow lane round the corner from where we live, when a van came speeding towards us. Apart from the fact he was breaking the speed limit, he was also on his mobile phone at the same time (yes it was a white van man at the wheel). By the time he saw me, he swerved violently across the road but then nearly ploughed into Debby. At least one of us could have been wiped out in an instant.

That is why the government introduces road related laws, to ensure that people's lives are protected. The speed limit isn't set by someone who drives a 30 year old car that can't get above 20mph anyway, so is determined that no-one else does either. And the law about using a mobile wasn't introduced by a person with a grudge against phone companies.

Laws are there for a reason. Live according to them and benefit, break them and you suffer the consequences. And it is no different with God's law. People think the Bible is full of rules and regulations, as if God is some sort of killjoy who is determined to spoil our fun. But actually, as Psalm 19:7 tells us - 'The law of the Lord is perfect'. Obedience brings blessing, contentment and fulfillment, but rebellion also has its payback.

June 9 2007

Living up to an image

I was in traffic yesterday when the queue of cars were joined by a Lamborghini. I only knew it was one because I read the name on the back of it, which in turn I only became aware of the car due to the commotion it caused as it stopped by the lights. A large of group of teenagers just stared and admired. Then as we pulled off from the lights, everyone along the road stopped and turned.

Now of course I am not making any judgment on the driver of the car, I don't know him or his heart. But I wonder how many of us choose possessions because they will get us noticed? Whether it be a car, a pair of sneakers, or even a mobile phone - when we make purchases are they based on practicality and affordability? Or is the most important factor image?

As Christians we don't need to live up to any image as far as worldly recognition is concerned. The only image that we need to conform to is that of Jesus Christ.

June 4 2007

Back to reality

I've just been on vacation for a week with my family. We had a great time and on a personal level I enjoyed spending a whole week with no computer, no Internet, no work, and even no fishing! But no matter what sort of break we take, we always have to get back to reality sooner or later. Vacations are great, but they don't represent the real world.

Whilst it is good to have a bolt-hole to retreat to from time to time, we have to be careful that we don't become escapists. If there is a problem or a situation that is before us, the only way to deal with it effectively is to confront it head on. We can run away for a week, but when we get back it will still be there.

May 23 2007

It was twenty years ago today...

...Sgt Pepper taught the band to play. Thus runs the line of the well-known Beatles track. And it was twenty years ago today that I took the hand of a pretty young girl from Tipton by the name of Debby Whitehouse and slipped a wedding band on her finger. And twenty years later we are going strong and looking forward to the next two-score years. Unfortunately though, the Beatles have long gone. They had far more wealth and fame than my wife and I could every possibly dream of, but none of it brought happiness or fulfillment. Ask either of us the key to a successful marriage and we will both tell you the same thing. Put Jesus at the centre of your relationship and make him number one.

May 16 2007

More important than life and death

For those who are football fans, you will be more than aware of the famous and oft-quoted comments made by Bill Shankly - 'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'*

It has been stated that he was half-joking, but nevertheless to many, football is the most important thing in their lives and often, all that they have to live for. It is no understatement to say that for some it is indeed a religion. I am a very keen football fan myself, proving my dedication with a season ticket at Molineux, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And tonight we have a massive game, one of those that will make or break your season. If we win, we are one step away from the promised land, the Premiership. If we lose, then we may as well have finished fourth bottom, because we will just be in the same position next season when it all starts all over again.

Of course I desperately want us to win, and of course I will be disappointed if we don't. But football has its place in my life and whatever the result, in effect it won't affect my life in the slightest. I am glad that my faith is in Christ who will never let me down, not a football team.

* Taken from Shankly.com

May 7 2007

If it's important to you, then it's important to God

The Bloor pets are more part of the family than just animals, and so when we lost Mr Big a week or so ago we were all devastated. Mr Big is a house ferret who sleeps in sock cupboards, goes for a walk on a lead and comes with us on holiday. In other words he is one of us.

It's a really long - and extremely interesting - story of how we got him back, but suffice it to say that whilst to many people he may just be an animal, everything is relative to your situation at the time. Of course there are those who are suffering far more horrendous things than losing a pet, but if you are hurting over something then for you at that time, your pain is very real no matter what it may be caused by.

So remember, although of course we have to be realistic and balanced about everything, then if it's important to you then it's important to God. Don't think that anything is too small to concern the Almighty with. If it bothers you then God is concerned too.

April 23 2007

Facing up to reality

It was my birthday the other day, and far from dreading it (after all, I am the wrong side of 40), I actually looked forward to it and enjoyed it very much. Some people go to extreme lengths to try to stem the inevitable tide of the years rolling by, including the drastic action of plastic surgery.

But no matter how many nips and tucks you have, all the money in the world cannot redeem one second of your life. Your face can look like that of a 25 year old, but if your age is 45 then that's how far you are on the scale of your lifespan.

What we should be doing is investing into that which is eternal. The body that we currently reside in will eventually die and decay, but the spirit lives forever. Not that we should neglect the body, far from it, but we do need to prioritise. And that means we should make sure the spiritual dimension is well looked after, so that when we depart this life, everything is in order. With all of us, the years are rolling by, and with each birthday it's one less until we meet our maker. None of us are getting any younger, and we need to face up to reality.

April 18 2007

Celebrating 21 years of ministry

I certainly don't make a fuss of it in the same way that we do birthdays and wedding anniversaries, but this is the time of the year when I came into Christian ministry. In fact I never even mention it to anyone, and most years I don't even think about it. But this year was special because I reached the landmark of being in ministry for 21 years.

That's a lot of sermons preached, phone calls made, people saved and believers blessed. It's also a lot of heartache, frustration and disappointment. Because that is the reality of serving the Lord. Jesus never promised us an easy life if we gave our lives to him, and just because we have the title of Rev it certainly doesn't become any easier.

But what I can say is that it has been a wonderful privilege and honour to be called by God. Called, not because of any special attribute or characteristic of mine, but rather because it was his will. You may never be called into 'full-time service' but that doesn't matter. We all have a job to do and all that we need is to find out what the Lord has called us to do and then to get on with it. Here's to the next 21 years!

April 13 2007

Friday the thirteenth

Today is one of those dates on the calendar that causes so much trouble for a lot of people - Friday the thirteenth. There will be those who will not even venture out of the house for fear of something happening to them, and even then they will be on edge for the rest of the day. Then there will be others, who whilst they will go out, will always be looking for something adverse to take place. And when the slightest thing goes wrong, it will be confirmation that Friday the thirteenth is indeed a cursed date.

However, as a Christian, I am not disturbed in the slightest. It is nothing more than a date on the calendar and is no different to Thursday the ninth or Tuesday the fifteenth. Bad luck - or even so-called good luck - is not something that I worry about. When you give your life to the sovereign Lord then you don't have to concern yourself with superstitious mumbo jumbo. However, having said that, let's not forget that there is indeed a darker spiritual world out there.

April 9 2007

Be thankful for what you've got

I was up nice and early this morning walking my dog round a local wood. The sun was out, the birds were singing and the sun was already quite warm. As I walked, I thanked the Lord for all the good things in my life. 'Thank you Lord for my family...for my good health...for my dog...for being alive'. There were so many things that I could detail, the list is endless.

But how many times, instead of focusing on what we have, we look instead at what we don't have. And rather than feeling good and uplifted, we get down and miserable. 'I haven't got a new car...don't have much money...can't afford a foreign holiday...wish I had a better house...etc', well we would all be pretty fed up if all we did was concentrate on what we haven't got instead of what we have.

One of the songs in my secular record collection is William De Vaughn's 'Be thankful for what you got'. And to make the point in a more spiritual way, we read in Philippians 4, 'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want'. Today, be thankful for what you've got.

April 6 2007

The darkest hour is the one before dawn

This is a popular saying, one that is used as an encouragement to those in turmoil. If you're going through a difficult time, don't give up; even though it looks dark, the sunrise is just around the corner. And indeed, the darkest hour is often the one just before the sun breaks through.

Two thousand years ago, things looked very bleak for the tiny group of pioneer Christians. The one that they had looked to and put their trust in for three years had suddenly been taken away from them, crucified and laid in a tomb. It was indeed a dark hour.

But little did they realise, that within a few days, he would be alive. The darkness would be no more. And if you are in a dark patch, hold on and keep trusting in God. He will bring you through.

March 26 2007

If the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed

We are currently acknowledging the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery here in the UK. Even though I have been to places like Ghana, and seen the very areas where slaves were taken in ships across the ocean, it is still hard to imagine the suffering involved. And whilst I am not attempting to detract from the horrific nature of what has gone on in human history, whenever I hear the word 'slavery' I am also reminded that it is used in the Bible.

The Bible talks about the slavery of sin and how it grips every one of us. And whilst slavery of the body and mind is an awful thing to happen to anyone, there is something that is far worse and which has eternal consequences, and that is when our spirits are bound and held captive by sin.

What a wonderful relief it must have been to so many people, who 200 years ago were told that they were no longer slaves and were indeed free. And what an even greater sense of freedom it is when we know that Jesus has dealt with the shackles of sin that bind every one of us. When he sets us free then we are truly free indeed.

March 22 2007

You don't need an introduction to meet with Jesus

Have you ever thought how close you actually are to meeting famous people? In fact you are probably closer than you realise, as I did when I started to think about it. For example, I know a Labour mayor, who will of course know his local MP, who will know the Prime Minister, who in turn knows the Queen. That means that I am just three introductions away from meeting HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

In the world of football, it's even less. Because of a friend who is a professional footballer, I am just two introductions away from the England manager and the captain of Liverpool. And it's just one introduction that would see me meet with people like Sam Allardyce, Graham Taylor and Steve Bull.

Not that I am on a path of pursuing the stars, but I'm sure you see the point I am making - how close we actually are to meeting well-known people. But what about Jesus? The Bible says that 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'. In effect we don't even need an introduction to meet with Jesus, we can just go direct ourselves.

March 14 2007

Do this in remembrance of me

I run a local football league, and this week we had the final of our cup competition. It is called the David Bloor Memorial Trophy, and is named after my dad who passed away in 2006. As a football fan, and a Wolves season ticket holder right up to his death, it is an appropriate way to remember him. So every time a cup game is played during the season, my dad's name is mentioned, and his life is remembered by all who knew him.

And in the same way, the Christian keeps Jesus at the forefront of their thoughts. We never forget what he did for us on the cross, and we never forget that he is still working in our lives at the present. Of course, we should think of him all the while, but it's when we come together to take communion that we especially focus on the cross of Calvary. 'Do this in remembrance of me', were the words Jesus himself spoke when he ordained the first communion service 2,000 years ago.

March 12 2007

The sun is shining, the birds are singing...

...and Wolves beat Sandwell Town 1-0 in our big local derby in a football match. As a passionate Wolves fan I was there, and the elation that I felt when the winning goal hit the back of the net was only bettered by the feelings experienced as the final whistle blew.

But unless you are a fellow football fanatic then what I am talking about will not make any sense at all. You will probably struggle to even understand why the thought of a group of men chasing a leather bag of wind around a piece of grass would even raise the heartbeat rate by one.

And in many ways, Christianity is the same. Unless you have experienced Christ for yourself in a personal way, you don't really understand what all the fuss is about. Unless you have become born-again of the Spirit of God then you will fail to appreciate the excitement that true followers of Christ enjoy. That's why Christianity is all about personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Anything less is just a poor second. And as with football, the ones who come second are the losers.

March 8 2007

Far more personal than a letter from the House of Commons

Opening the mail today, one letter caught my attention in particular. It had been sent from the House of Commons and was addressed to me personally. It doesn't take any guessing to know which envelope I dealt with first, as it's not every day I get mail from Westminster.

But while it may be considered a privilege to get such a letter, let's not forget that there is something far more precious and personal that is delivered to us every day of our lives. The Bible is the living Word of the living God, and every time we open its pages there is something fresh and relevant that we read. In fact, it is a personal letter sent to us by God, and quickened by the Holy Spirit as we read it.

So don't worry if you didn't get a nice fancy letter from the House of Commons today, you haven't been left out. God has something far more valuable and life-changing for you as you read His Word.

March 4 2007

Changing like the weather

The English are well known for talking about the weather, and it's hardly surprising. Yesterday afternoon I was in the backyard in my Wolves football shirt doing some jobs in the garden and enjoying the sunshine, and today we have heavy rain and gales. No wonder we use the expression that someone 'changes like the weather' to indicate that they are unreliable and cannot be depended on.

And whilst that may be true of some people, with God the opposite is fact. One of God's core attributes is that he is immutable - he doesn't change. That's why we can put our total trust in him, as he will never let us down or disappoint. I don't know what the weather will be like tomorrow, next week or next month. But what I do know is that God will still love me, be there for me and still desire the best for me. And that's a fact.

March 3 2007

Missing God because we aren't focused

I was out birdwatching, when in the distance I spotted two common buzzards, soaring over farmland. Buzzards are common in the area where I live, and so most birders wouldn't even give them a second look. However, I have the habit of always checking every bird that I see. The naked eye is good but sometimes it's worth taking a look with the binoculars - just in case.

And so as I focused on the buzzards I saw that the first one was indeed a common buzzard, but as I switched to look at the second bird, I found myself watching a goshawk. The difference between the birds is that the UK population of the former is about 60,000 pairs and just 400 of the latter. So you can appreciate why I got excited.

But if I hadn't looked closely I would have missed it, and thought it was just another buzzard. And how many times do we miss God because we aren't focused and tuned in? Probably far too many if we are honest, and that's why we need to be spiritually alert and instead of just scanning, we need to look properly. 

February 22 2007

Doing more harm than good

There I was minding my own business, when suddenly I was accosted by two street evangelists. I knew who they were as I had already spotted the big bold letters that they had painted on the backs of their jackets - JESUS. So when they thrust a piece of paper in my face and demanded that I take it, I knew it was a tract.

But still trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, I politely refiused, on the grounds that it would do more good in the hand of an unbeliever. I explained that I was a Christian myself, even clarifying that I was actually born-again. After all, as someone who has done a lot of evangelism over the years, I know only too well how everyone is a Christian when you ask them!

The fact I wouldn't take the tract really annoyed these people and they got quite angry. I had noticed another young man listening to the conversation and when he came over to join in, I became aware that he was actually a Muslim who had also been exposed to their aggressive style and had come back to have a go at them. At that I was able to let them get on with it and carry on with my shopping.

It is really important that we witness for the Lord, and in fact not enough Christians do it. However, if our approach and attitude is not right, then we can do more harm than good. If it was not for the fact that I am a believer already, I would have left those people with a really negative impression of the Christian faith. Don't let your witness be clouded by your attitude.

February 21 2007

Life is not about winning all the time

I love football and one of the things I do is run a local league. If you want to see what a person's character is really like, don't observe them after their team has won a game, instead see how they react when they lose.

When things are going our way, it's easy to have a good attitude and respond well. However, it's when the hard times come along that the real us comes through. That's why God allows difficult circumstances to enter into our lives, as it's only when something is under pressure that you see what is really there.

Life is not about winning all the time, sometimes we have rough periods. But it's how we react during times of adversity that we see what we are made of.

February 14 2007

The greatest gift of love -ever

If you aren't aware, today is Valentine's Day! It's the specific day of the year when people demonstrate their love for someone special by the giving of a gift. Sadly though, today's special valentine could well be tomorrow's ex-valentine, such is the fickleness of human nature.

However, 2,000 years ago on the cross of Calvary, mankind was given the greatest gift that we could ever wish for. The death of Jesus Christ upon the cross was God's way of not only telling us that he loves us, but also of demonstrating that love. The Bible describes it this way - 'the punishment that brought us peace was upon him'. As a result of sin, we deserve to be separated from God. But because of his love, Jesus took that punishment instead when he went to Calvary.

And whilst human love may grow cold, the love of God will never fade. He has always loved us and always will. Red roses will wither and chocolates will be eaten but the gift of God in Jesus Christ will always be powerful for those who come to him in repentance.

February 11 2007

How do you react to life's problems?

What a miserable, damp and foggy day it was. As I walked my dog along the lane and the fields, it was what could rightly be described as a depressing day. As I looked out for birds, I saw plenty of wood pigeons, but every one was sat on a branch looking very fed up indeed. However, in spite of the conditions, as I walked I heard continuous song from one particular species of bird - the great tit.

Even though it was a miserable winter day, the birds refused to look at what they saw with their natural eyes, instead they focused on the fact that spring is just around the corner. And they sang their little hearts out.

I wonder how we cope in the face of adversity? Are we like the pigeons, who basically give up? Or are we like the great tits, who refuse to give in, and in fact rise above the circumstances? The choice is ours.

February 9 2007

Just like the snowflake, you are totally unique

With the heavy snowfall continuing today, my wife Debby remarked how she used to love to look up at the sky when it was snowing when she was younger. So I tried it too! It's actually a great sight, as you watch the snow flakes descend through the air, as they make their way towards the ground.

Of course, the amazing thing about snowflakes is that no two flakes are ever the same. Well, that's the commonly held belief anyway, and no-one has been able to prove otherwise. As I looked up and saw thousands of flakes falling to the floor, the notion that every one is totally unique is an awesome thought.

And developing that, I thought of the human race. With a population in excess of six billion on the earth at the moment, every single person is an individual and special in their own way. We are all known by God, and even if we think that no-one cares about us, he does. Next time you are feeling sorry for yourself, consider the snowflake. Just like that small piece of snow, you are totally unique.

February 8 2007

We can hide sin, but only Christ can take it away

After such a mild winter so far, today the area was brought back to earth big-time when we had a serious dumping of snow overnight. Life has to go on and dogs still need exercising, and so at lunchtime I took Twinkle for a walk to a local lane around the corner. Surrounded by urban living, it reflects that - rubbish, litter and so on - and is not what you would call a 'beauty spot'.

However, as the snow had fallen everywhere and was quite thick, you saw none of the mess. Instead the whole place was covered in beautiful pure white snow. However, beneath the surface it was still there, and will once more reappear when the snow melts.

It reminded me of sin - which is to be found in all mankind - and how people will do all sorts of things to cover it. They may use good works, giving to charity, and they may even be religious people. The outside may indeed look good. But inside sin still reigns, just as it did the day that Adam and Eve fell from grace in the Garden of Eden all those years ago.

No matter how we try to dress up the outside, one day we will all stand before God. And just like the snow melts to reveal the junk, our lives will be exposed to the penetrating glare of a God of judgment. That's why we need Jesus Christ. When he died on the cross 2,000 years ago, he paid the price for our sin. Outside of him we will always be found wanting, but when our trust is in him as Lord and Saviour then we pass the test. And not because of what we have done, but rather what he did at Calvary.

February 4 2007

The firecrest is elusive no more

In my last blog entry I wrote about the elusive firecrest. Well I am happy to report that it is elusive no more! And although I only had limited views of it, the fact remains that I saw it. I know I sound like an 'anorak' but the feelings of joy that I experienced when I connected with it were what you describe as mountain top ones. Yes, I was excited to say the least.

However, what I felt was nothing compared to the day over twenty years ago when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. To my dying moments I will never forget the elation that flooded my soul, as I knew what it was to experience the love of God. From that exact moment my life was turned around and I have never looked back since.

There have been many highs in my life since, but none will ever compare to the one that came when I entered into relationship with the living God. I can recommend it to anyone!

February 1 2007

There is nothing elusive about Jesus

A bird called a firecrest has recently been spotted in our area, so having a couple of hours free one morning this week, off I drove to the area where it has been seen. The area is a track and has lots of ivy covered trees along it - ideal habitat for a firecrest, which is a winter visitor and definitely one to try and see if it is local.

But for two hours I walked up and down looking in vain. I saw lots of goldcrests, which are very similar and more common. And every time I saw one with my naked eye, there was a certain amount of excitement - until I got the bird in the view of the binoculars and realised it was just another goldcrest.

But whilst the firecrest may be secretive, there is nothing elusive about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'. What a wonderful statement that is. And whilst I experienced disappointment on my hunt for the bird, no-one who seeks after Jesus will encounter anything but total satisfaction.

January 28 2007

Hold on - spring is on its way

I am keen birder, and although I'm not in the 'twitcher' category, I do treat it as a serious hobby. Yesterday I was out locally in pursuit of grey partridges, a species that has seriously declined in recent years. Walking the paths on the area of farmland where I was, I encountered another bird that has suffered a decline - the skylark. You do get to see them all year round, as they are resident birds and so don't migrate.

But what was pleasant about the birds that I came across is that so many of them were high in the sky, singing as they fluttered over the fields below. The sound of a skylark singing high above the ground is one of those sounds that instantly reminds you that spring is not that far away. Even though we look around and see the signs of winter everywhere, the dreary and depressing times won't always be here.

In the same way, we go through difficult times when we feel that there will never be a way out. But one thing that the Christian always has is hope. Hope drives us on in the darkest of nights, hope tells us that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you're going through a winter experience, then hold on -spring is on its way!

January 26 2007

Tolerance, acceptance, approval and endorsement - the slippery slope of disbelief

There has been a lot of talk in the news this week about gay adoption, prompted by the Catholic Church's refusal to go with the government's line that homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt. And of course, as would be expected, many have used the situation as another opportunity to attack the wider Church, and in particular our views on homosexuality.

Even in my short lifetime, I have seen how things have changed as far as homosexuality is concerned in this nation. From a position of general intolerance, it shifted to tolerance. And because we live in a democratic and free nation, I am prepared to tolerate those whose views and lifestyles are very different to mine. I take the view that whatever people get up to 'behind closed doors' is their business - to a point of course.

But we didn't stay at tolerance very long, and soon we moved to acceptance. And whilst I do have some sympathy with that level of view, the problem is that when we start to accept something then it is given the seal of approval. And that's the next stage that we moved to, where homosexuality was seen as normal and just as valid as heterosexuality. And the slippery slope continues to the present day, and is evident in the gay adoption row, where now we have not only endorsement but also so-called gay rights being forced upon us whether we like it or not.

The world is always telling us as Christians that we are always trying to force our beliefs upon people. But what about the world forcing its disbelief upon us?

January 25 2007

Scavengers and freebies

Scavengers. Now, that's not a very nice way to talk about people is it? But that's the word they were using on the news this week to describe folks who flocked to a Devon beach to see what they could gather, as all manner of goodies turned up from a floundering ship just off the coast. On the news I saw people with BMW car parts, motorbikes and even barrels of alcohol.

The common denominator with all of those that turned up (and people came from all over the country) is that they all wanted a freebie. People love it when they are getting something for nothing and it certainly brought out the worst in human nature, as fights developed as folks tried to grab what they could.

It is said though, that there's no such thing as a free lunch. And the bottom line is that in this case the police said they would be investigating, as it was in fact a case of stealing. So what appeared to be a gift on a plate actually had a catch to it.

However, 2000 years ago, Jesus died on the cross and rose again to present to mankind a genuine free gift. And one with no strings attached either. The offer of salvation, although it cost Christ everything, is presented to us as something with no cost. I took that gift when I was 22 years old and I can honestly and most sincerely say, that it is the best present I have ever received in my life.

January 24 2007

The Bible is the ultimate authority

We've been to the hospital a couple of times with Miriam since she fractured the bone in her foot. Russell's Hall Hospital is enormous and has so many departments, each one specialising in its own particular field. If you have a fracture you don't go to maternity, and if you're having a baby you don't need the eye department. What you do is go to the place where they can help you with your particular problem.

And we can apply the same logic to life in general. If you want advice on something then go to the manufacturer and the handbook. It will tell you all you need to know. If you have problems with a Rover you don't read a Vauxhall manual and vice versa.

And that's why if we truly want to find out the meaning of life and how we should approach it, we go to the creator. The manual he has given to mankind contains all that we need to know. It's called the Bible and we ignore it at our peril.

January 22 2007

A father blessed by his teenage daughter

This last weekend, my youngest daughter Miriam fractured a bone in her foot. Hobbling around on crutches, even getting from one room to the other at home was a difficult task. Therefore I asked her if she wanted to go to Church on Sunday, expecting her to say that she would rather stay at home.

Well, you can imagine how blessed I was when she said that she wanted to go. What a blessing it is for a father to hear that from his teenage daughter! In this day and age when there is so much negativity surrounding the younger generation, it is certainly right that we highlight things like this.

But my blessing is nothing compared to that which our heavenly Father experiences when his children choose his way instead of their own. Every time we say 'no' to unrighteousness and 'yes' to God, we really do touch his heart.

January 19 2007

Obedience brings blessing to the heart of God

I like dogs, but I love Bedlington Terriers. That statement sums up my feelings exactly, and so it will come as no surprise if I tell you that I have a pet Bedlington called Twinkle. At seven months old, she is still a puppy and so still learning.

Of course it goes without saying that she absolutely adores going for a walk, and it's been a real pleasure to see how she has responded in such a positive way to training. Walking her this week I had her off the lead, when ahead I spotted a dog training class taking place. Now one thing Twinkle likes is to play with other dogs and so I saw this as test of where we were in terms of obedience.

So, still keeping her off the lead I whispered firmly but gently 'heel' as Twinkle walked alongside me. As we walked past the other dogs she was absolutely desperate to run to them, and you could see that she was in a dilemma. Does she follow her natural instincts or does she obey her master? Well, I can report, and not without a certain amount of satisfaction, that she chose the latter.

That scenario sums up how our relationship with God works. He hasn't shackled us, instead we do have a free will. Yet at the same time, God longs that we choose obedience instead of going our own way. And when we do, what a blessing it brings to the heart of God, knowing that we have gone his way instead of our own.

And of course, God isn't a spoilsport. He knows us and he desires the best for us. Just like my desire for Twinkle to obedient isn't based on some ego that I have to satisfy, knowing that she does everything I say. No, it's because I love her and I don't want her to run into roads and other such things, which she would do if she followed her own instincts.

January 18 2007

A seat in heaven with my name on it

I am a very keen follower of Wolverhampton Wanderers, to the extent that I have a season ticket in the section of the ground known as the South Bank. Just this week we won our FA Cup replay against Oldham Athletic, which meant that in the next round we host our rivals from down the road, otherwise known as Sandwell Town, amongst other less polite terms.

Well of course, as you can imagine, everyone wants a ticket. These local derby games could sell out many times over. But the reality is that only a limited number of people will be able to get in and watch the game. Many will be doing all sorts of things to get a ticket, and there will be large amounts of money offered by people who will be desperate to be there.

But today I did a very simple thing. I drove to Molineux and picked up a couple of tickets, one for me and and one for Miriam my daughter, who is also a season ticket holder. I knew those tickets were there, I knew they had our names on them and I knew that no-one could sit in the seats that belong to us.

In many ways, that's what being a Christian is like. Because of what Jesus has done (not what we have done) then our places in heaven are guaranteed. The Bible tells us that if we have given our hearts to Christ, then our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. No-one can muscle in or push us out, that place is ours. I'm happy that I have a season ticket at Wolves, but that doesn't compare to the assurance that when I depart this life I am going to heaven.

Making the most of every opportunity

January 17 2007

Those who know me well, will be aware of the big part that angling plays in my life. Recently I have been fishing on the local canal system quite a lot, and so when you are in one place on a regular basis you get to meet the same people. One such person is a man who walks his dog and always stops by for a chat.

I was there this morning and he said to me these words, 'I have walked this canal for years, and I've seen fishermen come and go, but I've never seen anyone at peace with the world like you are' Well of course I couldn't let the opportunity go without letting him know the reason why! And so I was able to share just a little, but enough!

And that's what the Bible means when it tells us to 'make the most of every opportunity'. As a Christian living in twenty-first century England, I'm more used to doors being firmly closed as far as witness is concerned. But when I sense that one is slightly ajar, I will certainly take advantage of that. The follower of Christ should always be looking for opportunities to share their faith with others, because through our witness they too can be exposed to the love of God.

Spirit led and organisationally driven