Reflections on mini-CLAN Borders

I'm on my way to Southend andremembered my promise to comment on mini-CLAN.

Most people I have spoken to thought it was a success. Certainly the ministers involved were pleased with the response.

For me, the highlight was Kenny Borthwick preaching. He is the Church of Scotland minister in Westerhailes, a tough part of Edinburgh. When he talks of the kingdom of God, he speaks from experience. He has seen God work powerfully in people's lives - both "spiritually" and with signs & wonders.

But the most powerful message was Saturday evening. He warned that we don't get to heaven by looking good - that's legalism. Nor simply by being good - piety. When the Spirit makes us holy it must show in our love for others. Signs & wonders have their place but giving someone food or a listening ear is more important.

It's such a blessing and encouragement to see these CLAN guys emphasising foundations of faith whilst encouraging boldness in the Spirit.
(don't know if I explained that very well!?)

Hang-em all!?

I've just watched the Question Time special on the MPs' expenses scandal. My concerns over this affair have been justified.

I have no sympathy for any MP who has either broken the law or milked the system. But my personal experience of being misjudged and labelled according to other people's prejudices persuade me that the calls for all MPs to fall on their swords are both unreasonable and dangerous. In a difficult economic climate, senior journalists at a "respected" newspaper are deliberately drip-feeding the public with "shock, horror" headlines whilst using phrases such as "the breakdown of our democratic process" and "tarred with the same brush." This has led to a demand for an immediate general election, regardless of the consequences.

All of the panellists on QT have agreed that the system was faulty, and must be revised. All agreed that an independent investigation must be held. All but Labour called for a general election - but no one wants it now. The public mood is rightly angry, but that is no basis on which to make any serious decision about our future.

The Telegraph's comparison between MPs and benefit cheats (or any other "ordinary" person) is designed to inflame - but it is clearly nonsense. The necessary lifestyle of a Member of Parliament cannot be compared directly with any other, and as such some legitimate expenses will make no sense to a factory or shop worker - the people who will most likely vote out their MPs. In fact, the whole thing looks like an attempt to bring down the government - which is always risky, even if there are some good reasons for doing it.

From the first, I have seen this as a kind of revenge - and indeed a quick general election will allow the public to take out it's fury on the "political classes". But the Bible has strong words about revenge:
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.

This is an echo of Deuteronomy 32:35, and it's repeated in Hebrews 10:30

Certainly it's time the MPs cleaned up their act. It may even be time, as some QT panellists suggested, for major constitutional reform. But let's see the results of the investigations, so we know who is clean and who we can't trust. In the meantime, the current MPs should make such reforms as will allow a fresh start for the new parliament. Then we can get on with the business of climbing out of the recession, whilst looking at long term reforms.

(Just discovered this one here! forgot to publish it)

My story in 60 words

Following on from the Bible in 50 Words, we were asked to write a summary of our own lives. (Actually we had 60 boxes on the page!) Here's mine.

Born Seaside
Officers' Kid
Brother
Midlands
School
Bit
Reading
Thief
North
Leaky Roof
Tin Bath
Police Station
Birthday Move
Junior Soldier
Orange Jumper
Sister
11+ in office
Grammar School
French Trip
Ski Break
Stay Behind
Taxi
Bike
Drive
Imperial
2 degrees
Lenses
German Tour
Sittingbourne
Job
No Job
New Job
Marriage
Officership
Scotland
Essex
Schools
Scotland!
Funerals
Hills
Bereaved
Hope

The Bible in 50 words

At a recent Salvation Army singers' retreat, we were given the passage below:

The Bible in 50 Words
God Made
Adam Bit
Noah Arked
Abraham Split
Joseph Ruled
Jacob Fooled
Bush Talked
Moses Baulked
Pharaoh Plagued
People Walked
Sea Divided
Tablets Guided
Promise Landed
Saul Freaked
David Peeked
Prophets Warned
Jesus Born
God Walked
Love Talked
Anger Crucified
Hope Died
Love Rose
Spirit Flamed
Word Spread
God Remains

The Wanderer Returns

Hi! I'm Back!!

I apologise to my (rare?) readers for a prolonged absence. After a family bereavement we have just been plain tired - physically, emotionally and spiritually. I know it's good to express these things, but it's hard doing this to strangers when we're tired. Anyway, I'll do some catching up and then try to blog weekly again.