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Proverbs 18:2

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions."

Who do you think of when you read that?
What personal moment does it make you look back on and cringe?
Who is the model of the opposite?
How should it shape the way we relate to other people inside and outside of the church?




Will the world still be here this Christmas?




Some friends of ours from Christchurch, NZ, have sent us their seemingly millionth email of the last 18 months entitled "we are ok!". We usually hear this before we are aware of an earthquake in their area...!

Interesting to read their accounts. The liquifaction (where the ground turns to liquid under pressure) sounds particularly terrifying. Fascinating from a gospel perspective to think of something so solid as the ground suddenly not being real for a few moments! So it got me thinking: what is real? And are we aware of eternal realities as we go about our daily business or do we look around us at the world and think it's all so solid that it's going to be there for ever, carrying on as it always has done. Because a mere earthquake can turn the ground to jelly. So imagine what's going to happen when God wraps up this damaged and wicked world and calls all people to account for the lives they have lived.

The school holidays have made my personal Bible reading times a bit sketchy (!) so I sometimes get a bit lazy in my thinking during this time. Life in our society is so comfortable and easy. Christmas is coming. Sure, it's all about Jesus, but actually all my time is going into planning and preparing the meal to end all meals for the day after tomorrow...

But I need to remember the bigger picture. We might not even make it to Christmas day. God might call an end to the world any time.

Our job as believers is to keep each other going until the last day of judgement. And also to call other people to turn from death to life, and to be rescued from God's anger by his wonderful kindness and generosity.

Jesus came to save sinners

"Here is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst."
(1 Timothy 1:15)



Christians sometimes have the reputation of being self-righteous, looking down at others. Let it never be so with us. At the very heart of all we're about is Jesus coming to earth to rescue us. And Christmas is a good time to think about how much we needed that rescue.

The problem is not just how much we mess up our lives. Whether we're in a total mess, or whether we look quite together outwardly, our sickening attitude towards our loving God casts a huge shadow. Have we loved him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Have we cared for him as we ought? The ultimate judge is not pleased. Yet he loves, and sent his Son, Jesus, to save even us, his enemies.

"And when I think that God his Son not sparing
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin."

Can you take it in? People like us ... loved so much. Praise God.

If you are reading this as someone who is not a church member, but a friend of ours, please forgive us if we keep trying to rope you in. But please understand - we're not doing it for our ego; it's because we are so astounded at the fact of Christmas, that Jesus came to save sinners like us, that we want others to know too. As someone has put it, we are merely beggars telling other beggars where to find bread. And what joy can be found in knowing what Jesus Christ has done for us!

Climate change: can it be stopped?


UN climate talks are drawing to a close in Durban. It is feared that India, China and the USA will find that time has conveniently run out before there is time to sign the agreements. Meanwhile, many people in poor countries are facing disaster, almost certainly because of excessive global carbon-emission.

The issues are extremely complex, and it would be silly to comment with so little insight. But closer to home, an interesting observation: fuel prices have rocketed; we are being told that supplies will start running low; and yet there are more 4x4s around than ever!

Here's the universal issue of the human heart: when push comes to shove, sinful people care for no-one but themselves. To illustrate - if there was a food shortage in Leyland, do you think people would hold back and share it evenly? Or do you think Tesco would be carnage until everything's been grabbed? It's the same with natural resources - if it's running out, I'll grab mine.

One of the most telling comments you hear is from older people who say, 'At least I won't be around to see it'. Is that how much people care about their grandchildren?

Sin. 'When things get tight, I'll grab what I can.' We should pray for the world leaders discussing climate change, that by God's grace much suffering would be avoided (1 Timothy 2:1-4). But we can't be optimistic about people's good will; the human heart is selfish (Galatians 5:20). Ultimately, people destroy one another. The best thing we can do in the face of these overwhelming issues is point people to Christ, that sinful hearts would be turned around. As we do that - the work Jesus gave us, Matthew 28:19 - we're doing the most significant work in the world.

Where have all the Mormons gone?

A while ago, we had Mormon missionaries all over us. They were calling at all our doors, and bumping into us in the streets, almost as if they were ... well, targetting us. They even visited Wellfield. But we haven't had any for a few months now. I hope they haven't forgotten us.

It's not that I enjoy the discussions, particularly, or that I like 'taking people on'. I don't. But my heart breaks for these guys. If they're not meeting Christians, what hope have they got of considering that what they're taught by their organisation might not actually be true? They're not allowed to doubt what they're taught - if they do, they might lose their salvation! The devastating irony!: they are not being led to salvation! If only they were allowed to engage with us, instead of being whisked off as soon as they start looking at the bible for themselves.

So, come on Wellfield - let's pray for new opportunities to connect with these young people who are so trapped. And let's be grateful for the "truth which sets us free".