Isolation

We’re living in very strange circumstances. At present, our freedom of movement has been restricted, so that we can only head out of our homes if we’re working in essential jobs, seeking medical care, helping the vulnerable, and getting one form of exercise. We’re approaching the second Sunday of not meeting together in the church building. We’re not used to such restrictions, applied so widely and so stringently. And yet they are desperately needed, as we seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

When we consider the New Testament, we find lots of examples of physical distance and isolation. The early church, and especially the apostles, didn’t have the benefits of Facebook Live, or YouTube, or WhatsApp, Zoom and so many more technological solutions. Their technology was more basic, but was put to good use in combatting isolation.

John, in two of his three letters, says something similar: ‘I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.’ (2 John 1:12 cf 3 John 1:13-14) He has much to say, but longs for the day when he’ll see his recipients face to face to talk with them.

He was also familiar with imposed isolation, having been exiled on the island of Patmos ‘because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.’ (Rev 1:9). Even though he was exiled and far from his Christian brothers and sisters, he was ‘in the Spirit’ (Rev 1:10) and was joined by the Lord Jesus in all his glory. John’s isolation was used by God to produce the book of Revelation, a great encouragement to suffering Christians.

Peter addresses his first letter to ‘God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.’ Yet these scattered strangers ‘have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.’ (1 Peter 1:1-2) While they may seem small and insignificant in the world’s eyes, they are known and dearly loved by the Trinity.

The writer to the Hebrews encourages his readers to ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ (Heb 10:25) Some had obviously stopped coming together with other believers, not rating it high in their priorities. We’re looking forward to being able to meet together again when it’s safe to do so. Are there ways that we can encourage one another while we wait?

The author then demonstrates his own commitment to meeting together in the closing verses: ‘I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.’ (Heb 13:23) People in three distinct locations, all looking forward to the day when they can meet again in one place - Timothy, the author, and the Hebrew Christians.

Perhaps the best examples of physical distance and isolation come from the pen of the apostle Paul. Having written so many letters to so many different churches and individuals, we get a glimpse of the experiences he endured as he served the Lord.

One of his earliest letters was to the church in Thessalonica. He had been in the city, proclaiming the gospel, and had to make a quick exit when a riot began. From there, he had travelled on to Berea and then Athens, from where he wrote 1 Thessalonians. Here’s how he describes his isolation:

‘But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you - certainly I, Paul, did, again and again - but Satan stopped us... So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow-worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.’ (1 Thes 2:17-18, 3:1-3)

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians after planting the church there. His letter to the Roman Christians was different, in that he hadn’t been there before. And yet he couldn’t wait to come and see them. ‘I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.’ (Rom 1:11-12) It wasn’t that Paul, the apostle, would encourage these other believers. No, everyone would be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith as they met together.

Paul spent some time in prison, cooped up in a cell. Compared to Her Majesty’s establishments, his prison would have been ghastly. His apostolic ministry of preaching and planting churches had been stopped. His friends may have despaired. And yet even that time of confinement was a time of flourishing, productive ministry. His prison epistles were written at that time - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon - and they continue to speak of the encouragements Paul found even in prison.

As he reminds the Christians in Colossae, ‘All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.’ (Col 1:6) Paul is in chains, but the gospel isn’t bound! Even in confinement, the gospel is advancing: ‘Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.’ (Phil 1:12-13) That letter to Philippians, penned in prison, is the epistle of joy!

Paul’s letters were written because he was at a distance from the Christians he was communicating with. In most of his letters we find lists of names of people he is greeting and others who are sending greetings. Without modern technology, Paul knew these people by name, and was aware of their situations and circumstances, maybe even better than we do today.

In his second letter to Timothy, we hear of Paul’s most painful experience of isolation. ‘At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (2 Tim 4:16-18)

Facing the might of Rome, and the threat of the death sentence, Paul stood alone. Alienated and isolated, but not totally abandoned. The Lord stood at his side and gave him strength. In these days of isolation, we are never truly alone, even if there’s no one else in the house with us. The Lord is always with us, giving us his strength. But the Lord gives us much more - he also gives us hope. No matter what may happen to us, as we trust in Jesus, we have the promise of being brought safely into his heavenly kingdom.

For Paul, that would involve an executioner’s block. Yet the moment the axe fell, the Lord ushered Paul into his heavenly kingdom. For all of eternity, we will not be isolated or alone, because we will be with the Lord and all his people. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to all our feelings of loneliness and isolation.

These next weeks or months may be difficult. It might appear that there’s no end in sight, particularly if you’re on your own. But remember that you’re never alone - we have the fellowship of the church, and the Lord is with you, both now and for ever more.

Sermon: Luke 2: 8-20 Good News

You almost cannot escape the news these days. On the radio, there are news updates every hour on the hour on most stations. On TV there are the news bulletins, as well as the 24-hour news channels, constantly broadcasting the latest news. News is shared on Facebook and Twitter and all sorts of social media. And the good old newspapers are sitting when you walk into the shop. News is everywhere.

Now, if you happen to have avoided all the news in the last week or so, then you might not have heard that we had a General Election on Thursday, and Boris is back as Prime Minister, with a huge majority in the House of Commons. And as you can imagine, the news has been full of him over the past few days. He’s on nearly every broadcast, and on nearly every front page.

The people in power quite often make the news. We’re used to seeing their face and hearing their voice, as the news tells us what they’ve been up to. And, had there been newspapers about 2000 years ago, then it would have been exactly the same. The front pages would have been packed with photos and news about the main man in the Roman Empire - Caesar Augustus. He ruled the roost, and set the news agenda. And the big news was that a census was getting underway.

Everyone had to go back to their own town to register. Augustus said ‘go’ and everyone had to go, whether they liked it or not. No doubt the radio programmes and newspapers would be full of discussion and debate about the news of the census.

Now, I don’t know what you think about Boris - whether you think his victory is terrific or terrible - but have you noticed that so much of the news that we see or read is all bad? Whether it’s the volcano in New Zealand, the earthquake in Albania, break ins, stabbings, drugs and more - the news seems to be all bad news.

But out of sight of Caesar Augustus; and unnoticed by the Israel newspapers; there was something happening in Bethlehem that was totally amazing; something that was truly good news. But to tell you about it, I’ll need some newspapers.

You see, out in the fields near Bethlehem, there were some shepherds, keeping watching over their sheep. It was getting dark, and they were getting drowsy. Suddenly, there was something bright in the sky - brighter than a STAR or the SUN (now, I didn’t bring a copy of either paper with me, maybe for obvious reasons!). And what was it? An angel, a HERALD, bringing some good news for them - and not just for them, but for everybody.

So what was this good news? ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ (11)

You see, we all need a Saviour. No matter who we are; how young or old; how tall or short; whoever we are, we need a Saviour. That’s because we all have become INDEPENDENT of God - we tell him that we don’t need him; we don’t want him to be in charge of our lives; and we go our own way, doing what we want to do - independent of God.

But when we go our own way, we get trapped in sin. It doesn’t work out when we do our own thing. We get lost. We can’t change by ourselves. We need God’s help - and we need the Saviour God has sent.

The good news is that the Saviour has been born in Bethlehem. He is Christ the Lord. That word Christ means king (anointed one) - and so Jesus is our GUARDIAN. He saves us from our sins; he comes to be with us; and he comes to help us every day.

But the shepherds didn’t just hear about Jesus, the angel told them to go and see him. ‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ (12)

Before they started off on their journey, though, even more angels appeared in the sky, praising God, and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.’

Having heard the angel choir, and remembering their instructions, they set off into Bethlehem, like an EXPRESS - they weren’t going to stop until they found this special baby. Having followed their instructions to the (NEWS) LETTER, they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger just as they had been told. They took a while to GAZETTE (gaze at) Jesus, before sharing what they had seen and heard.

The shepherds wanted to TELegraph the good news about Jesus to everyone they met. And everyone they told was amazed at what they heard.

In this world there is lots of bad news. We don’t need to look very far to find it. We know only too well about the bad things that happen. But the TIMES are changing, and there is some really good news, because Jesus has been born - born to be our Saviour; born to be our King.

So when you get up tomorrow morning, and when you look in the bathroom MIRROR, remind yourself that Jesus came to this world because he loves you. And he wants you to be his friend, and to follow him, to make him your Saviour and your King. And that really is the best news we could hear this Christmas - good news of great joy for all the people.

This sermon was preached at the Family Carol Service in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday morning 15th December 2019.

Christmas Eve Sermon: Luke 2: 10 Good News of Great Joy

These days we seem to be bombarded by non-stop news. Just think for a moment - BBC1 and UTV each have a morning breakfast news programme, mid-morning updates, lunchtime news, news from 6pm-7pm, then more from 10pm onwards. You can hear the headlines every hour on the hour with most radio stations. Then there are the 24 news channels, and the news websites, constantly updated with new news.

We’re coming into the time of year when we get the review of the year, as programmes and papers look back at 2014. There are reminders of the news headlines we’ve lived through (and probably forgotten). News that is constantly changing brings many different events to our mind, for at least a moment, before something else takes its place in the headlines.

There’s lots of news around, but have you ever noticed that it’s mostly bad news? The Glasgow bin lorry tragedy; continuing fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and many other places. The spread of Ebola in West Africa. The aeroplanes, one of which went missing, the other shot down out of the sky over Ukraine. The celebrity sex abuse cases. And on and on it goes. Bad news after bad news.

With the advances in technology, we seem to be catapulted from one crime scene to the next, able to follow the events in a Sydney coffee shop hostage situation as they happen. The news keeps coming. The bad news keeps coming.

And that’s before we consider the local news, things happening in families and among friends and neighbours. When we hear of something bad having happened, and so often, we become overwhelmed by the flood of bad news stories. Where can we turn to find some relief? We might find ourselves saying with David in Psalm 4: ‘There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.’

David realises that we need the light of the Lord to see good. We need to know him to hear some good news. And that’s what the angels announced in the sky near Bethlehem on this very night. He says: ‘I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’ (Luke 2: 10) Here is some good news - and it’s not just for the shepherds on the hillside that night. It’s not just for those who met the shepherds as they dashed into town. It’s for us as well. It’s for ‘all the people’. But what is it? What is the good news?

‘To you is born this day...’ Just this afternoon, we heard word from Scotland of the birth of a friend’s baby. A Christmas Eve baby. We’re looking forward to meeting him in due course. Babies being born are causes of joy and happiness, but the angel goes on. You see, this is no ordinary baby. ‘To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah the Lord.’

So much of the bad news we hear is because of human sin. Pride, jealousy, coveting, selfishness is the driving factor for many of the headlines we see and hear. Sin drives us to want, to keep, to fight, to increase at all costs. But behind the obvious sins of greed and murder, we live in a sin-saturated culture. Every word, thought and deed is produced by a sinful heart. Every part of us is twisted by sin, the effects of the fall, the outworking of Adam and Eve’s original sin.

It’s inevitable that a fallen world finds itself with ‘natural’ disasters, devastating illnesses, freak accidents, as well as the wars and rumours of wars. But in this world of bad news, the good news rings out. Christ the Saviour is here. The one who comes to put right the things that are wrong; the one who suffers in our place to take away our sins; the one who gives up his heaven to save us from hell.

This is good news to sing about - just like the angels did. This is good news to share with all we meet - just as the shepherds did. This is good news to have and to hold on to - because it is for all the people.

I don’t know what your year has been like. I don’t know what tomorrow may hold. Even as the cycle of bad news continues, even as things seem to be getting worse, the good news is that Jesus loved us so much that he came to be with us, and to save us, so that we can be with him. Forever. Alleluia! What a Saviour!

This sermon was preached at the Christmas Eve Communion in Aghavea Parish Church on Wednesday 24th December 2014.

Goodbye Gazette?

We're coming round to the time of year when my subscription to the Church of Ireland Gazette is due. This year, though, I'm seriously thinking about not renewing my subscription. Could it be goodbye to the Gazette?

For many years I've been an avid reader of the Gazette. At a time in Dromore, there were only two copies came into the newsagents - one for the rector and one for me. It was an amazing source of information on the Church of Ireland beyond my parochial boundaries. I kept up to date on the events in exotic places like Clogher or Cork, Cloyne and Ross. I tracked clergy movements as appointments were made and retirements notified. The letters were infuriating and inspiring - sometimes both. At home home (if that makes sense), there were lever arch files stuffed full of back copies of the Gazette, carefully kept in order - now consigned to the recycling - because who really needs to look back at an old copy of the Gazette from the 1990s?

In recent times the Gazette has modernised its production. Paper copies still exist for some people, but for most, the Gazette entered the digital age. On a Tuesday morning the latest copy of the Gazette appears on my computer screen for my weekly fix of Irish Anglican news. I'll flick through it, read a couple of articles, check who has been appointed where and that's me done.

The way we consume news has changed, leading to challenges for the national daily newspapers and the local weeklies. The same challenge is facing the Gazette in the days of digital news and rss feeds. A high proportion of the Gazette's filler comes from press releases and news items which have already appeared in the previous couple of weeks on the Church of Ireland's news page, or from one of the diocesan news feeds. For that reason, the news in the Gazette isn't news anymore.

I tend not to bother reading the columns or book reviews. Occasionally there is a particularly heretical column highlighted by others which I'll read. The letters page seems to go round again and again with the same old stuff - retired rectors giving current ones stick for not doing their jobs the way they used to; researchers looking for information; and the odd tussle about the latest issue.

So is it really worth the money when I'm only interested in the appointments section, to see who is moving where? I'm sure if it affected me directly I'd hear soon enough, and if not, it probably doesn't matter.

I considered it fleetingly last year. This year it's looking more likely. After all this time, it could indeed be goodbye to the Gazette.

John Stott

The Christian blogosphere has exploded with tweets, Facebook messages and blog posts celebrating the legacy of the undoubted leader of British evangelicalism for the last fifty years. John Stott died yesterday at the age of 90, surrounded by family and friends as they listened to Handel's Messiah and 2 Timothy being read.

I only heard him preach once, just over five years ago, when he came to Belfast. Despite being frail, it was still incredible to hear his faithful teaching and passionate engagement with the text of Scripture and the congregation gathered before him. Nevertheless his legacy far exceeds his parish ministry in his one and only parish, All Souls Langham Place, through the Langham Partnership, his international speaking tours, and perhaps best known of all, his prolific writing ministry.

For many years I've appreciated his books, particularly his work on The Bible Speaks Today commentary series, as well as Basic Christianity and The Cross of Christ. In the past, I've reviewed some of his works, including The Cross of Christ and The Last Word, and have read something from his pen in each of the last five years, as well as the first volume of his weighty biography.

While there is a sadness at having lost such a godly gentleman, it is, as Mark Meynell commented, bitter-sweet, because of the unshakeable hope of the gospel. Truly 'Uncle John' was trusting in the Lord Jesus for salvation, and we can confidently say that he is at home with the Lord, in the joy of his Master.

Book Review: The Orange Order

This is a book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while, and I never got round to reading. Now I have, and I'm glad I did, to help gain a better understanding of an important organisation in the life of Northern Ireland and beyond.

Mervyn Jess, a BBC journalist and son of an Orangeman, had been covering the Drumcree dispute for years, and decided he wanted to understand more about the Order, so he embarked on this book, which came out in 2007. Through the several chapters, he discusses the order's origins, presents a broad sweep of its first two hundred years, probes the ritual, structures and membership, thinks about Drumcree, looks across the globe at the influence of orangeism, before presenting some excellent and insightful chapters centred on interview with an ordinary orangeman, Gerry Kelly (a Sinn Fein MLA), and Drew Nelson (Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland). He even includes a chapter on the Independent Orange Order!

There's no doubt that his research has been impeccable; his contacts are good, both in terms of those interviews already mentioned, but also including sizeable chunks from other leading Orangemen, such as Jonathan Mattison and David Hume. A better understanding of what the Orange is all about comes through the book, as well as an insight into the discussions and debates about the future - between those who see it as a purely religious organisation and those who are pressing for it to be a cultural group and the Twelfth turned into the Belfast version of the Mardi Gras or Notting Hill festivals.

That being said, at times the book can seem to be a little repetitive. There were occasions when the history chapter and the influence chapter seemed to be rehashing the same material. There were also few surprises - although perhaps that was more because of my roots in Orangeism and my working knowledge of Irish history.

All in all, it's an interesting book, and one that will help people understand what the motives and drive of the Orange Order is, and it's a useful exploration of recent Irish history from a unionist perspective.

The Cover Up

The mainstream media are full of it. The social media are awash with it. Despite the best intention of the superinjunction, it appears that there's no one who doesn't know about the Premiership football player. An attempt to cover up wrongdoing by someone famous with plenty of money to pursue court orders and sue Twitter users. But it's not just famous celebrities who have something to hide.

All of us have things we're ashamed of, things we wish we hadn't said or done, things we don't want people to know about. Each of us try to hide them, to cover up our sins and pretend they aren't there. Even David, the great king, tried to do the same when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. He resorted to murder to keep his sin secret, only to be confronted by Nathan the prophet.

Having tried to keep it quiet, keeping silent, he felt the Lord's hand heavy on him, his conscience weighing him down. There was only one answer, only one way to deal with his hidden sin:

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

While David had tried to hide his sin from everyone else, and seemed to be getting away with it, he could not hide it from the one who already knew about it. The Lord sees all things, and knows the end from the beginning. Therefore the only answer was for David to not cover it up any more, but make a full, frank, and free confession of his sins. As David did not cover his sins any longer, he discovered an amazing truth:

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2)

When David uncovers his sin, he discovers that God has covered his sin. It sounds like a paradox, but it's what happens with us as well. As we confess our sins and lay them bare before God, we find that he has covered them, dealt with them, satisfied the punishment for them, so that they are no longer an issue.

We know, better than David, how our sins are covered - it's on the cross, through the precious blood of Christ, which settles our account, which clears our guilt, and which covers our sins.

It's one thing to commit sin; much worse to then try to cover it up. That famous footballer (whoever he is!) would be better discovering the power of uncovered sin which is covered by the blood of Christ.

Aghavea Appointment

This afternoon I'm pleased to announce that I've been appointed as the new Rector of Aghavea Parish in the Diocese of Clogher.



Agha-where? The parish is centred on the village of Brookeborough, in County Fermanagh, and we'll be moving westwards in August from my Curacy in St Elizabeth's, Dundonald. No date has been set for the Institution service, but I'll update the blog when it's all arranged.


View Larger Map

We're very excited about the move, and getting to know our new parish, with the big step from Curate to Rector, from big parish to smaller parish, and from city to rural setting. Our desire is to see the Lord Jesus glorified in the church and in the world, as we proclaim the good news and become more like Jesus.

We would appreciate your prayers over these coming months as we say farewell to our friends and church family in Dundonald and move to Fermanagh.

Seven Nation Army Stands Down

It was one evening in rural West Tyrone that I first encountered The White Stripes. I was working in Newtownstewart at the time, and had taken a wee trip up to Londonderry after work. On my way back to the village I was driving along in my blue Corsa, listening to Across The Line on BBC Radio Ulster. Medium Wave, because of the poor radio reception in the area.

As ATL often do, they were playing some upcoming releases, new music, and that's when the throbbing, unmistakable beat began. Even with the fuzzy Medium Wave reception, I knew it was a classic that first time I heard it.



Seven Nation Army will remain one of the best songs ever, which makes it sad that The White Stripes have announced they won't be making any more music. All that's left to say is, in the words of Abba, thank you for the music!

Underage

I can exclusively reveal that the new Archbishop of Dublin is... not going to be me! While it would be a quare move from first Curacy to Archbishop, it won't be happening. The Episcopal Electoral College meets today in Dublin to celebrate Communion, consider what is required in a bishop, and to propose and vote on the new Archbishop.

However it's happening just too early for me to be considered. Three months too early, to be precise. You may not realise it, but there are minimum ages for deacons, presbyters (or priests) and bishops in the Church of Ireland: 23, 24 and 30 respectively. Here's what the Constitution says regarding the election of bishops:

12. At every meeting of an Electoral College there shall be in the first instance an informal discussion, after which any member of the College may propose a bishop or priest of not less than thirty years of age for consideration by the College. Each proposer shall state the age of the person proposed and shall give a summary of that person’s academic career and ministerial service. All voting shall be by orders, the bishops if they wish to vote voting as members of the clerical order. The President shall be entitled to vote in the same way as other members of the College. The voting shall be conducted in such manner as the President may determine, and may be repeated once or more often. Informal discussion may likewise precede the taking of any repeated vote. The President’s decision regarding any dispute as to the voting shall be final. The President may adjourn the meeting from time to time. (Chapter VI, Part I, Section 12)

Pray today for the college, the candidates considered, and the proposed new Archbishop.

HMV Face The Music

Another new year, another major UK music retailer is facing hard times. Two years ago the shops formerly known as Virgin Megastores, repackaged as Zavvi closed in Belfast and across the UK. This was the same time as Woolworths shut up shop, and things looked bleak for the UK music sector on the high street. At the time, HMV purchased some of the Zavvi stores, including Abbeycentre and (possibly) the Victoria Square shop, and HMV was (in Belfast anyway), the only major music retailer.

Almost exactly two years later, and now HMV are reporting problems, with plans to close 40 HMV stores and 20 Waterstones branches this year. While they haven't announced which shops will close, it's fairly likely some of these will be in Northern Ireland, which raises the question of where we'll be able to actually go and buy a CD in and around Belfast in the next year.

It seems that Apple downloads and Amazon mp3s and online shopping is bringing about a big change in the music market. Rather than having to go into town to actually buy a cd, now you can lie in bed, hear a song on TV and within a minute or so buy it, download it, and be listening it on your iPod. How can high street shops compete with that? Tough times are ahead, and not just for the staff who will be laid off as these shops close.

The Link

If you're interested in the kind of things we're doing at St Elizabeth's, you might want to have a look at The Link, our special Christmas publication with an eye towards the wider Dundonald community.

No News Is...

...good news, except if you're the BBC. Most of their journalists and newsreaders are on strike today in a dispute over pensions, meaning their news programmes and online news is on a skeleton staff, and being poorly updated.

Locally, in Northern Ireland, the BBC NI news website is normally fairly good for being up to date, but today, it hasn't changed since last night. What a chance for UTV to pick up some more viewers/listeners/readers for their news coverage. If only the UTV news website offered a mobile version which was easier to view on an iPhone...

So Long, Strangford; 'Ello East Belfast!

We're now in the run-up to the General Election on 6th May, and candidates have a few days left to decide if they're standing. This is our first General Election since we moved home, and already we're on the move again.

Up to now, Dundonald was part of the Strangford constituency (formerly represented by Iris Robinson MP), but before we get a chance to vote on Iris' replacement, we've been moved into her husband's constituency, East Belfast due to the boundary changes. Both Dundonald and the surrounding wards have been added to East Belfast, so as well as getting to know the constituency (which stretches from the Odyssey to Ballybeen), we'll have a new bunch of candidates to get to know.

Following the deadline of 20th April I'll have a full list of candidates, but for now, those confirmed include under pressure First Minister Peter Robinson (DUP), Trevor Ringland (UCUNF), David Vance (TUV), Naomi Long (Alliance), Mary Muldoon (SDLP) and Niall O Donnghaile (Sinn Fein).

Hating Haiti?

There has been considerable coverage of some 'Christian' remarks made by an American tele-evangelist, Pat Robertson concerning the recent earthquake in Haiti. They have been widely reported in the media, speaking on the alleged pact that Haitians made with the devil to free themselves from French slavery, and that the nation has been cursed since then. His broadcaster has later produced a statement saying that "Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath."

Just one person, yet the publicity his words have generated, and the negative repercussions for the image of Christianity in the media have been widespread. Perhaps Robertson should have followed the line that Jesus used when asked about freak occurrences and 'natural' disasters in his day.

1There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:1-5)

The crowds must have assumed that because the Galileans died in a horrible way, they must have been notorious sinners. After all, according to popular wisdom, your life and death is a straight reflection of your character. So if you die horribly or early, then you must have been a terrible sinner, whereas those who live into their hundreds are the most righteous. To which Jesus says - nonsense!

Suffering is not (always) a result of specific sin - we saw that when we preached through the book of Job. Sometimes suffering just happens - God is on the throne, but suffering is not related to specific sins - we live in a fallen world, things are not how they should be, disasters happen.

Similarly, it seems that in the recent Jerusalem news bulletins, people were talking about a tower which had fallen at Siloam in the city. Eighteen people lost their lives, but they weren't the worst sinners in the city. They weren't singled out for their sin.

In each case, Jesus refutes the popular understanding of sin leading to punishment in such a direct manner. The tower falling wasn't a consequence of their sin. The earthquake in Haiti was not because Haitians are the worst sinners in the world. Rather, what has happened to them may also happen to you: No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13, 3 and 5)

The same words are repeated twice. Disasters happen. Unless we repent, we will likewise perish - maybe not in an earthquake along with thousands of others, but one day sin will catch up with us. One day each of us will die - are we ready for the day, because, as Jesus makes the point, it could be sooner than we imagine. Are you ready for your own death?

If you don't want to hate the Haitians, but instead want to help them, check out heARTs for Haiti at the new Facebook page for the art sale being organised to help relief efforts.

have a heART for Haiti

Like just about everyone else, I've been watching the news footage from Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. Shocking pictures, as we see once again the unruly power of the groaning pains of the creation as it waits for re-creation and the freedom of the glory ofthe children of God. So many lives lost, so much devastation.

The aid response has been swift - £12 million given in the UK in the first two days, yet so much more needs to be done. In St Elizabeth's, we're having a retiring offering today and next week for the work of the Disasters Emergency Committee. Meanwhile Faye and Cathy have a crafty way to help the victims. They're organising a sale of art, photography and crafts to raise money for Haiti. You can did more information over at their Flickr sites: Faye and Cathy. I'll keep you updated here on the blog as well.

Here's To You, Mrs Robinson

It was a sad, devastating day yesterday in the Northern Ireland news. We don't normally catch the evening news, but for some reason, we saw both the National and Local news bulletins on the BBC.

The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson MP MLA, appeared on a video broadcast from his home study, reading a prepared statement following the publication of a statement from his wife and Strangford MP, Iris Robinson. He talked about her attempting suicide following an inappropriate affair, and the struggle this has placed on their marriage, but that they are working through it.

It appears that someone was going to break the story, so the Robinsons pre-empted it with their own statements. Peter Robinson appeared as a broken man, grieved and pained by his wife's infidelity, and the consequences of this. We need to be praying for the family, who are local residents here in Dundonald, as they seek to rebuild trust and their marriage together.

A terrible situation. Local politicians and the media have thus far been sympathetic and have pledged their support for Peter and Iris in these difficult days. Yet some have been critical of Iris Robinson since her criticism and condemnation of homosexuality back in 2008. They see this as her comeuppance for those remarks.

Yet there has been one bright moment in the midst of the despair. In her statement, Iris said: I grieve that I have damaged my profession in Christ, but I am comforted that He was able to forgive even me. Later, in Peter's statement, he said this:

I love my wife. I have always been faithful to her. In a spirit of humility and repentance, Iris sought my forgiveness, she took responsibility upon herself alone for her actions and I have forgiven her. More important, I know that she has sought and received God's forgiveness.

I only ask if people feel they must judge her, that they find within themselves, as I have done, the gift of doing so with mercy and compassion.

The language of mercy, forgiveness and grace has been used, and forgiveness has been provided and accepted within the Robinson's marriage, and also from God. Yet it has raised many discussions in the media about how Iris Robinson can be certain that God has forgiven her. Rev David McIlveen was interviewed on Good Morning Ulster, and the Chaplain of Upper Bann DUP branch (whose name I didn't catch) was on the Stephen Nolan radio show, both proclaiming clearly the gospel of God's grace and forgiveness on undeserving sinners through the death of Christ and confession and repentance.

Also on Good Morning Ulster, Glen Jordan was interviewed, and his words on scandalous grace bear repeating here:

"One of the things we believe is that grace is a scandalous thing, grace is for those who do not deserve it," he said.

"It doesn't make sense in the kind of economics where you always get what you deserve.

"When you have done wrong to somebody and that person turns round and for no good reason extends forgiveness and says 'Let's try and repair this relationship' you've experienced grace then and you have a responsibility to live out in the light of that."

How marvellous that God's grace and glory is being proclaimed even in such terrible circumstances. How rightly Simon and Garfunkel sang all those years ago:

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray

Mixed Up on Methane?

I haven't been following the Copenhagen Climate Talks very closely. I'm not entirely sure that we can change the climate to such an extent as some are suggesting. But today when I was driving, I heard a suggestion on the news. Seemingly, climate protesters and Eco-warriors want us to eat less meat, to cut down on our cow consumption. The methane produced by a cow or sheep is much worse than the CO2 produced by cars.

That strikes me as a slightly odd suggestion. Surely if we reduce eating as much meat, then more animals will survive, thus producing even more methane than if they were being eaten?

So do your bit to stop global warming and have a burger and steak - from a local farm, obviously to reduce transport costs and gasses!

Hogwarts Rules Out Move To NI

Plans to move Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Northern Ireland have foundered after it emerged that the Education Minister, Catriona Ruane would be banning an ancient school tradition under current education policy. Harry Potter's old school had been interested in crossing the Irish Sea to the province where traditions are so highly valued.

On arrival at Hogwarts, first year pupils are sorted into four houses, named after the founders of the school: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. The sorting, or selection, is performed by the Sorting Hat, who has performed the ceremony since the school's inception. Yet in a controversial move, Ruane has revealed she will ban the Sorting Hat on the grounds that it is unfair to select children at such a young age, and particularly on academic ability.

It is understood that Ravenclaw is the particular target of the ban on academic selection, as its House values include intelligence, creativity, learning and wit. Consider these lines from the various Sorting Hat songs in recent years:

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
would always be the best;

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest" ...
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw

This decree is a big blast to the proposed relocation of Hogwarts to Northern Ireland, and the previous plans will now disappear in a puff of smoke.

No one from either Hogwarts or the Minister's office was available for comment on this report.

CS Lewis on Democracy

In light of the recent expenses scandals, both at Westminster and Stormont, I came across this quotation from CS Lewis in an essay called 'Membership', included in the volume Fern-seed and Elephants.

I believe in political equality. But there are two opposite reasons for being a democrat. You may think all men so good that they deserve a share in the government of the commonwealth, and so wise that the commonwealth needs their advice. That is, in my opinion, the false, romantic doctrine of democracy. On the other hand, you may believe fallen men to be so wicked that not one of them can be trusted with any irresponsible power over his fellows. That I believe to be the true ground of democracy.

On his view, we should expect that MPs, MLAs and politicians are as wicked as the rest of us, and need to be carefully monitored.