forgone conclusion

Where is the love?

2012-01-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

2003-that is when the song by the black eyed peas became number 1 in the UK, I was watching 'number 1's in the noughties' during the festive season and this is what came on-2003-that seems like a ridiculously long time ago-it reminds me of when I was in uni making up dance routines to this song as it played on repeat in the background of the gym (you heard...dance...don't worry, we found out the class was voluntary and we didn't go back-who has voluntary class anyways?!)

Where is the love? Great song and in every great lyric, there is a songwriter trying to portray what they believe to be true from the experiences around them! And I think we all agreed, didn't we, when they sang the line-'we only got-one world, and somethings wrong with it (yeah), somethings wrong with it (yeah), somethings wrong with the wo-wo-wo-world!'

Turn on the news, listen to the local gossip about the atrocities that have happened where you live, take a look at the history books! I totally agree with the black eyed peas that something's wrong with the world. I'm sure you would agree as well.

The only difference I imagine is in the solution! You see the bible agrees with this lyric-that something is wrong with the world! The world has been trying to come up with a solution; financial prowess-recession stuffed that one up! material goods-the horrendous events like the earthquakes and floods have put us into perspective with that answer.

The bible tells us that the problem with the world is not politics, money... The problem is sin-this selfishness we have, this independence we want from God! Let's face it, we are all selfish, we all look out for number 1! We want to cover our tracks when things go wrong-we lie! We want to go on to do better things without putting the work in regardless of anyone else-we cheat! We want things, more stuff-we steal! We sin!

You may say, actually I'm good enough without God, but then you are still saying you don't need him and are showing independence from him=sin!

The solution? Love!

God's love! God shows us his love in this-that even though we are sinners, he still died for us! What mercy, what kindness... what love! Even though we rebel, even though we are selfish, even though we want nothing to do with him-he gave his life so that we might not face the punishment this independence from him deserves, but we might have peace, and joy in an eternal relationship with the one true King if we trust and follow him. What grace, what undeserved kindness from the one true and living God-and grace is not earned, we don't and we can't do anything to earn it otherwise it wouldn't be grace! It is given from God and received from those who will accept it...it is free! Free for us but it is costly, as it cost Jesus his life! Free grace from a God who wants to free us from this bondage to sin! It is given from God and received from those who will accept...

I read this the other day; "The fact that you and I live is mercy. The fact that you still have a chance to turn to him is mercy. The fact that God has not scrapped the world for the injustices worldwide, the fact he has not scrapped the world for people mocking him is mercy. It is love."

So I plead with you-see this love for what it is-the solution to the world's biggest problem and our biggest individual problem-sin! What a God!

Where is the love? When you read of the death of Jesus, his death for you, for me, for the sins of the world-we see God's love shown through the death of himself come in the flesh, so that we may have life.... eternal life and not face eternal death!

In the bible, there is no description of good people and bad people, only people who accept Jesus as King and those who reject Jesus as king-which are you?

Check out the video below to see how awesome Jesus is:

IFES Ireland: The Christian Unions 2010/11 in photos

2011-06-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Marathon Highlights

2011-05-03T02:53:00.000-07:00

So, after all the training, after all the chat and hype, the big day had finally arrived! The 30th Anniversary of the Belfast Marathon and I was due to run.

After feeling my feet rub at 9 miles and getting cramp down the back of both legs after 17 miles-i have to say it was mentally and physically the toughest thing I think I have done! At one point I didn't know if I would make it but remembering all the kind donations and having loved ones there to cheer me on made it a memorable day!

I have been overwhelmed by the support, both financially and just from people's encouraging words, texts, emails etc. OVERWHELMED! The money raised to date (Tuesday 3rd May 2011 at 10.24 am) is a whopping £2,031.20, or £2,268.46 including gift aid! Unbelievable!!!!

Before you ask, my time was ' 5.13.39', room for improvement but I can now officially say I have completed a marathon-what's next triathalon-who knows but for now, sit back, relax and watch this short video of the my marathon highlights!

THANK YOU

Bin Laden Confusion

2011-05-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

After hearing the news yesterday and hearing of Osama Bin Laden's death and the announcement made by President Obama, I kept making a massive confusion, so hopefully this helpful video will help everyone out, the way it helped me out!

Tricks and Skills

2011-04-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is in tribute of the All Blacks amazing tricks and skills videos, so a few of my friends and I decided to record this-check it out!

Derren Brown-Faith Healer

2011-04-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

A brilliant mind, intriguing shows and all round entertainer... Derren Brown was on last night with his latest 'miracles for sale'

He started this show by stating that hope is the greatest gift of all, and as a Christian I totally believe this-Jesus gives hope!

But as a Christian, some people could say that we have to take everything that has a Jesus sticker on it and believe it to be true. But the bible tells us there will be false teachers and many frauds out there.

What Derren does so brilliantly is to take a 'normal' guy and turn him into a faith healer to show 'the industry' of faith healing for what it really is-fraud, deception, a trick!

The background is not to have a go at religion or God, but at the scam that is faith healing-taking money from people seeking hope and wrapping it up in religion.

For me, it is Derren Brown who is the real 'faith-healer' as hopefully it will show false teachers for what they are. Fascinating show, well worth a watch;
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/4od#3182173

Marathon Update

2011-04-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

On Monday 2nd May 2011 I will be partaking in (what apparently is) the toughest marathon course in Europe-but I will believe anything that makes this challenge sound better

Proper training commenced at the start of January; four months, over 285 miles ran (more precisely jogged), over 36,000 calories burned and a mental toughness developed, that i will need to finish this race.

As regards the support raising; taking all the money into consideration, there is £1,375.00 (this is including gift aid) which is 27% of the potential target!

You have no idea how thankful I am for all the finance, prayers, emails, messages, toots of your horn if you have driven past me while I'm out training, just genuine interest. I couldn't do it without, so THANK YOU.

If you would like to give there is still time, just check out;

www.justgiving.com/Philip-Howe

The influence of one!

2011-04-25T10:08:00.001-07:00

People's upbringing! Life! Experiences! Family! This sort of thing really interests me in the human race, and as a fan of watching movies, I combined the love of these two interests and came out of the video shop with W (the story of George W Bush) and Notorious (the story of Biggy Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G.)

Both films are worlds apart in the direction they take-w. takes us from the 'present day' situation and fills us in as we go, with this, sort of, to-ing and fro-ing. Notorious on the other hand just takes us chronologically through his life from a little boy right up until his death.

Now if you can't handle much swearing or the stereotype that all rappers are into is money and 'hoes' (not garden hoes, the other kind), then Notorious might get a bit monotonous.

But as I reflected on these two films, it really struck me that every person has an influence!

We all do... whether we like it or not. Like Ricky Gervais says in the office 'A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. One, a meaningful relationship, two, a decent job of work, and three, to make a difference. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do. Every day, we all do. It's how we interact, with our fellow man'

(also, this is why the blog has the heading 'forgone conclusion'-from the office)

The bible tells us we are made in the image of God..this should give us so much dignity, value and worth!!! but not only that, you have an influence!

So whether you are the only Christian in your workplace, university or school! Or the only one with a positive attitude in a crummy work situation or whatever it is-remember-you have an influence!

Look at George W. Bush-people may call him stupid (and at times rightfully so), but he became President of the United States of America. Notorious B.I.G. became one of the world's greatest rappers. Look at Jesus-the son of God-still being talked about today (I guess you would be if you had said and done all the things he had!)

So don't devalue yourself, remember the influence of one can bring about an influence to many!

Royalist tribute

2011-04-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

as a tribute to the royal wedding, check this clever advert composed by T-mobile!

The idea, I believe, is taken from another wedding video that is from America where a couple actual did something to this effect, to the song by Chris Brown called 'forever' (if you haven't seen it, have a watch)

Truth?

2011-04-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the good news about Jesus Christ-as a Christian, this is what I believe! This is truth and like that great film 'The Shawshank Redemption' says "the truth can set you free!"

check it out

Russell Brand's Booky Wook 2!

2011-04-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Marmite

that is the best way to describe this man-you either love him or you hate him!

and after telling my dad I read this book, it's safe to say, he is of the latter category aforementioned!

But it was the newsnight interview I got the opportunity to watch that really made me want to know more about the enigma that is Russell Brand!

if you haven't watched the interview, take a look;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9053238.stm

After the interest for his autobiography, this interview hastened upon me, the book did not disappoint. From his reputation, you would perceive that he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man, but from the book...you see he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man.

You can tell it is an autobiography as you can hear him speak as you read (not actually, it isn't like he is sitting next to you or that you get a free audio headset for him to read it to you!) But you can hear how he would say the lines, and as you read you are indulged in a smorgasbord of literary brilliance! (he mentions the word smorgasbord-and what a good word it is too-underused me thinks)

At times, however, it does read as a poor man's mills and boon novel, yet he lets you in! With lines like-'death' and 'saviour' It seems like an honest portrayal from a man who seems to have found the answer to his quest in the name of a person-as a Christian, I would like to say Jesus, but no, we find in the end it is the love of his life-Katy Perry aka Mrs Brand!

What I love about the book apart from the well-versed use of the English language, is the sheer honesty he gives on people, on events, on...well, his life! Great read, so I say well played Mr Brand, my interest was quelled and as I have done it the wrong way round-it makes me want to read 'My Booky Wook'...but this time I may bring my dictionary!

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

Now I never seen the original, but i did know about a mad hatter, a cat that smiles and a random rabbit.

So for me, with little expectations... it still didn't match up to the hype.

Great visual effects, and classic Tim Burton weirdness. Johnny Depp being in the film wasn't a surprise, since he and Burton seem to get on well with films like Sleepy Hollow, corpse bride, the more recent sweeney todd and even Charlie and the chocolate factory-which I feel Depp was harshly dealt with by critics who said his character in this was very similar to Willy wonka-when it really wasn't-just his randomness and weirdness.

The storyline just didn't capture me and it felt really slow throughout.

The plus side was I got to spend time with the wife.... and the vague idea I had of the rabbit, the mad hatter and cat was now something I had some sort of idea of.

If you have kids, it could be a good one with the 3d and all that.

Green Zone

2010-03-18T10:46:00.001-07:00

Matt Damon....what a legend, great actor (even if every time you say his name you can't get away from the drone way you say it that was gained from 'team america')

So with this new film Green Zone coming out, especially with the director being the same man that worked with Damon on the Bourne Ultimatum, made for anticipation to be at an optimum level.

With very little knowledge other than this before I arrived into the cinema seat-it was interesting to know that the topic of the film was very controversial and something everyone is bound to have an opinion on-the war in Iraq and the reasons for going out there-and this issue of WMD-weapons of mass destruction.

I loved the camera work-the unsteadyness of it all made for a very real approach and brilliant to watch and feel involved.

The issue for me however was on the issue of trust and authority. Who do we trust? why do we trust them? are they of greater authority? who tells us this?

As a Christian, I find this all very intriguing especially when every argument that people have against Christians comes down to-well, how do we know the bible is true? why trust it? is it of greater authority? how do we know?

The history books testify, the way the world works testifies, the way we are as human beings... and the bible itself testifies to its clarity in truthfulness. It's authority is supreme-over 60 books by over 40 authors spanning over 1500 years and yet one main storyline-God reconciling everything to himself through the redemptive story of Jesus Christ.

Even Green Zone testifies and makes us wonder, were our trust is and who we think should have authority over our lives....

And even if you aren't as sad as me thinking too much into... it's a brilliant movie, go see it.

Invictus

2010-02-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a film with great professional rugby and brilliant accents....don't go and see invictus, but if you do want to see a film with a great Nelson Mandela wave and a heroes story, invictus is the film for you.

A friend of mine always delights in telling me I'm not exactly Mr current affairs, but even with stories of Nelson Mandela (not exactly current affairs) I know the jist but even I could tell that at the end of the story it made Nelson Mandela to be the perfect person every country needs and Francois Pienaar as the captain of dreams that can do no wrong and everyone else in the story are basically idiots that come together at the end because of the inspirational pair.

Even with these faults, it was good to see the casting people involved in trying to get decent look a likes-some where better than others I must add.

Great dialogue and very inspirational...which is what they were going for I imagine,made for a good film, though slow at parts to emphasis rules of rugby for the non educated and to bring across the hatred of the blacks and whites (excuse me for not being pc at this point)

From a Christian perspective it was interesting to see a lot of talk about reconcilation, unity and forgiveness, with one of the tag lines for the film being -'he was in a prison for 30 years and being realised was ready to forgive the people who put him there'

It reminded me alot fo God's grace and how even though we don't deserve it he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile all things to Himself and to bring forgiveness for everyone ignoring the God that created them and cares for them. What a God!

Romans 5:6-8 ⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.'

Philippians 2:⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Even psalms like 96 talk about all peoples and all nations and how we will all one day realise who Jesus Christ really is whether we do now or not!

Then we really will be 'the world in union' under the one true and living God

Never mind Mandela being the hero-Jesus Christ is the real one who is the true source and shows true forgiveness and reconciliation

So go and watch this film and be inspired!

The Book of Eli

2010-01-29T01:40:00.001-08:00

'you don't understand'

those were the first words of the movie we heard as we entered the screening...because we arrived late. I was afraid that that would be it as far as catching up with the story but it seemed very easy to follow.

It is a post apocalyptic tale of when the world is in turmoil when things like water are a luxury-bad times, and even books! So this is were Denzil Washington comes in (although he looks slick you can tell hes getting on in years), he has the last bible on earth.

Enter the bad guy-hes been looking for this book because he wants to use it to control people through it. Just shows what happens when it gets into the wrong hands and is handled incorrectly.

As a Christian, someone who trusts and follows Jesus, i didn't walk into the film thinking it was going to evangelise to the world (even though movie mag Empire said that at times it felt like it was preaching, I didn't think so)-so I wasn't disappointed-with classic clique verses being used (if he had of mentioned 'as the deer pants for the water' I think he would have said them all), no mention of Jesus-the one whom this book is all about and a reference to faith being a special feeling rather than based on historical fact did grate me a bit but what did i expect?

What I did appreciate however, was the high standard it gave to the bible and alluded to the power the word has and leaving me with highly hypothetical questions such as-if you had the last bible on earth, would killing people to protect it be justified?

A great movie with the real gritty post apocalyptic feel through stunning background sequences and a fantastic set (at times I thought the screen wasn't as bright as it should be until I realised it was to get this feeling across), but for me they loved their slow motion camera a bit too much but I got over this annoyance through superb camera work for the death of a bird-and a fight scene at a house-superb.

The big thing about the film is the twist which is......well I'm not gona tell ya, not only because it would spoil it but because you should go and see it for this very reason-enjoy!

Daybreakers

2010-01-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

'sure it passed the time, didn't it?'

that is the comment that was said after the film finished so hopefully that will tell you what was thought it.

For me, having not got into the whole twilight saga, it was quite an interesting story line considering being a vampire was a central plot to the whole thing. But for me, the one character that kept you on the edge of your seat was Willem Dafoe-great one liners that kept you laughing the whole way through (even if they weren't meant to)-Steven Seagalesc some might say.

But with great considerations on what the vampire world would look like ten years on-it had interesting attention to detail, obvious parts were included such as no exposure to sunlight and teeth marks on the neck, but in this picture it included having a camera as a car mirror so the vampire can check themselves out, and also most vampires smoked with the whole immortality thing.

For me, it was an interesting mix of immortality (living forever, which everyone seems to want), yet when they have it, still hoping for a happy ever after-it just shows what immortality would be in this self-centered, damaged world.... not much being the answer-still looking for the answer to the main problems. (not lack of blood but self-centered ness)

As for the special effects, they went from incredible gore, to ridiculous bore and not really knowing at times if you were in a serious movie or a vampire spoof-all in all, it wasn't a great watch, but sure... it passed the time, didn't it!

Avatar

2010-01-10T01:41:00.000-08:00

Did C.S Lewis write this film?

that was the film posed to me as I watched the film. With ideas such as; hope, new world, service, prayer, teaching and training, hell, trust, relationship, rescue and many others-it does beg the question what director james cameron had in mind as he wrote the film.

What stretched my mind:

Was it that the leader of the rescue was both fully human and fully avatar (go with me on this)

Was it that once you have been born again you are part of 'The People'

Was it the training that got my mind thinking of apprenticeships and ministry and the importance of sharing life together while having the source of life at the centre

Was it the hostility shown towards 'The People' and their source of life-the way the world tries to rid the world of the true source of life

or was it wondering what James Cameron had smoked and drank to write the story of random blue people and to produce amazing special effects?

A man named Augustine once used the phrase 'visible words' and this film certainly got me thinking about so many different biblical themes in a visual, tangible way.

I went to the movie to experience the 3d, to see good special effects and avoid the fact it was about blue people but as the movie went on, my mind was racing with various ideas and being part of God's people, sadly for me, I really got into the story line and so came out with the experience of 3d, saw unbelievable special effects and loved the blue people.

Seeing is believing, and I suppose this rang true for me with a lot of hesitation and doubt before seeing this picture, but I was not disappointed by the end.

Whether you like blue people or not, this is a movie to definitely watch on the big screen with those geeky looking glasses on, it could get your mind racing about so many things, not just the phenomenal graphics and design, or it could have you wondering what Cameron was smoking when he wrote it?

Either way, it beats sitting in and talking more about the weather....

Sherlock Holmes

2009-12-30T01:26:00.000-08:00

An entertaining night, a captivated audience, loveable characters, was I at the panto this cold winters night...

...o no i wasn't....

i was at Guy Ritchie's new film-Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law-which was very much a clash between the cluedoesc story line of the Da Vinci code or national treasure (thats a good thing in my eyes by the way), the action of Indiana Jones and the slickness of the Bourne series.

What resinated with me during this film was its search for answers-a quest we all like to go on and Sherlock Holmes did not disappoint.

With such references as being raised from the dead, the reading of Revelation 1:18 (the villian comparing himself with Jesus) and a constant battle between a faith response or fear response, it felt very much like a deep search for answers.

Along with the classic story line of the bad guy plotting for world domination (again, another way he tries to compare with Jesus me thinks), it really made me ponder about being around at the time when Jesus came back from the dead and the faith or fear response many people would have had-was it magic, just a trick.... or something more. Sherlock Holmes looks at his search for answers logically and tries to figure it out-something we should all do really if a man claims to have come back from the dead-so fair play to the old chap!

The costumes were timeless, the landscape scenes were epic, the slow motion clips were awesome, the camaraderie and humorous narrative between Holmes (Downey Jnr) and Watson (Law) all the while the music bringing you into its era made for great viewing.

As for the end... what the search for answers came to (whether taken from a biblical point of view or from this film alone), well....

that's elementary, my dear Watson!

Law Abiding Citizen

2009-12-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

Everyone likes to think they know the difference between good and bad.

Everyone likes to think they have a good sense of justice.

That's what makes this movie so appealing-plus it has a great story line and great cast but for me, it was Gerard Butler who made the movie.

Watching the film with a Secular worldview, you see what the world likes to think-everyone has a good vibe of what good and bad is and if they ran the world, it would be all good and no problems-or even worse, we would end up like the singer Lemar with his song 'if there's any justice in the world, i would be your man, you would be my girl' (i think there's more pressing issues)

Watching the film with a Christian worldview, we all like to think we have a personally sound view of right and wrong and that we are in the right and are effectively 'law abiding citizens', but looking at the world and watching this film we see that deep down there is something fundamentally wrong with us.

The bible tells us its sin, I just wonder what people who don't have a relationship with Jesus make of this weird worldview, because in the film you are on the main characters side-even though he effectively is doing what we would classify as wrong, but yet you feel on his side at times-it doesnt make sense.

Thank God for the bible and telling us what is fundamentally wrong with us-a deeper issue than doing right and wrong or even right versus wrong but sin, and how justice for this messed up world is really achieved-at the cross-with Jesus (human-to be our substitute, and God to sort it out) taking the punishment we deserve for our sin-and not in our own redemptive plans or revenge.

In the end, it makes you question justice and right and wrong, great film, great cast, great questions brought out from it-go and watch it!

Reality Check

2009-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided to join the revolution that is twitter...not because it interests me that much but because it seems to me that the God's people can't get left behind in the technological age, to keep up to date with what the world is at and because we need to raise up talented people who can make the internet a useful tool for the Glory of God rather than the glory of mindless rubbish (like blogging you may say) or for the glory of porn which has obviously made its mark in this technological age.

When thinking about Twitter, it got me thinking about facebook, bebo, hotmail and I'm sure you can think of all the other social networking websites you can get involved in, but it got me thinking.... do we need a reality check?

People, including myself it has to be said, add themselves to these sites and put across their personal information and how they want to be portrayed, however, it lessens the importance of relationships...i mean how many times have you been out but most people are on their mobile phones even though they are in a room full of real people?

Are we trying to get away from facing up to reality, reality of life, reality of this world, reality of God, reality of eternity... do we need to put the laptop, computers and mobiles down? do we need a reality of check?

rules rules rules...

2009-05-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

'The year of living biblically' seemed like a very intriguing book that a non-Christian friend of mine had told me he had been reading and so he told me he would lend it to me. Thankful he has and I am currently reading through it. I have to say it is a very well written book (not that I'm a scholar by any means) and a lot funnier than I had first perceived.

'Angels and demons' just came onto our cinema screens last week and I was busting to see it. I'm not one of these people who thinks we should boycott them because they might have something nasty to say about Christianity but to watch them (not get obsessive about them) but to see what the culture is telling people.) And I have to say, it was a great movie.

But these two combined, the reading of this book and watching 'angels and demons', it just reinforced one thing; Christianity is all about rules rules rules. I know some of you will read this and say yeah, but in angels and demons it is dealing with the Roman Catholic church, but I would reply, when you see the film they use phrases that portrayed Christianity... people in today's world might not see the difference.

As funny as 'the year of living biblically' is, it just reinforces rules rules rules, nothing else. That is what is demanded when living for God... apparently, to abide by the rules, to play by the rules, to know the rules.

But the good thing that became evident at the end of the movie and is becoming evident as I make my way through the book, is that old line of wisdom 'rules are meant to be broken' because that is what is shown in the end.

Regardless of what rules people try to live to, ultimately we all fail. The bible tells us 'therefore no-one will be declared righteous (made right with God) in his sight by observing the law(these rules), rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.'

The fact that we all fail at rule keeping should show how far from God we really are, how much we rebel against him and should make us 'conscious of sin'

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not rules rules rules but grace grace grace (undeserved favour, ill deserved favour, kindness).

Let us tell people that to be made right with God, it is not a life of do do do, but a life of done-because Jesus done it all through his life, death and resurrection and by trusting Him, he takes our sin, we gain his righteousness and so we have a right relationship with the one true and living God. Let us tell people about our gracious God, that we 'are justified freely by his grace' so that films like angels and demons and books like 'the year of living biblically' will not win by promoting this false gospel of rules rules rules.

'Inclusivity'

2009-05-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I trust and follow Jesus Christ. I have heard alot recently of the term 'inclusivity', and how we should be inclusive, for example to allow people in openly homosexual relationships to be involved within leadership of the church.

First thing to say is that the bible is the word of God and is the ultimate authority, secondly, according to Romans and backed up everywhere else in the bible is that we all rebel against God-Romans 3: 23 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' and so we are all on the same playing field when it comes to God-we can't get to him without help, so he came to us...which brings me to my third point, Jesus first words in Mark's biography are 'repent and believe the good news'.

The Christian life is shown through repentance-which means a complete turn around, turning your back from rebellion to God, this doesn't mean that we're perfect but it does mean a life time of pledging allegiance to the one true and living God who can forgive us for this.

The problem with the term 'inclusivity' when it comes to Christianity is that it doesn't involve the term repentance and tells people to come into leadership regardless of their lifestyle...I am not saying I am perfect, but someone who is in an openly homosexual relationship hasn't repented. It would be like having the president of the sky diving society being someone who has never sky dived....it doesn't make sense.

I have friends who struggle with homosexuality, I have friends who struggle with heterosexual lust...I myself am one, but it doesn't give me the right to use the term 'inclusivity' to pass over it.

A word that closely follows this term 'inclusivity' is the word 'love', I agree we all need to love everyone. But we cannot compromise the truth for the term 'love', in the same way we can't compromise 'repentance' for the term 'inclusivity.'

I once heard the story of a dad, whose son threw a hammer threw a window... he was a loving dad, but does that mean that he says, don't worry about it son, or does he set him straight and tell him he shouldn't be doing things like that? No one would think the dad loves the child less, but with the latter he wouldn't be compromising truth for love.

As Christians, we are to speak the truth in love, remembering the first words Jesus spoke, 'repent and believe', he also said 'no one comes to the Father except through me', that sounds pretty exclusive to me... and since he's the only way to eternity, we better listen and tell other people the same, after all, it is eternity and the eternal God we are dealing with!

WELCOME

2009-05-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

well, hello there, welcome to the thoughts of me....please feel free to comment on anything I say and hope you enjoy....let the fun begin...