Wise men seek Christ

I was at a centre for people who were intellectually limited but who had the opportunity of organising their own Christmas play.In the event the wise men appeared in mortar boards! At first I thought it funny and then realised that the dear people were doing their best to represent the event at the heart of Christmas and felt that God would have appreciated their offering unusual as it was. We may not be clever but we will be wise if we honour the Christ this Christmas. And God will know the degree of sincerity with which we do so.

Leave some lights on

Edward Young said that we all think all men (and women) mortal but ourselves. But in fact for everyone life on this planet is limited. To say that is not to be morbid but simply factual. The question which arises is what we will leave behind.I heard of a young lout who made himself objectionable in a railway cariage. When he was alighting a fellow passenger called him back saying 'You have left something behind'. He asked what he might have left and was told, 'A very bad impression'.
Most people would want to do better than that. Hopefully, when we go, we will leave a few lights on for those who come in later and perhaps save them from some of the stumbles we have made.

Starting and finishing

What counts is not so much how we start in life but how we finish, not the raw material with which we bigin but what we manage to do with it. I spoke with a fine Christian man who has lived an effective life and he confided that he was conceived as a result of his mother being raped. He could have spent his life bemoaning the beginning of his life but instead he can rejoice over what he has been able to make of what he received at birth.I salute him.

Whinging

When I first came to Australia 30 years ago I heard the term 'whinging'. I had not heard it before. It is not in my dictionary from England, only in the one from Australia!! In fact it is not only 'poms' or English men who are given to whinging. It is a universal tendency and finds expression in the phrase 'Why me?'We may sometimes feel that we do not get what we deserve. But think of all the good things we have done nothing to deserve like beautiful sunsets, the sound of music and much else. And think of some of the dire experiences we have been spared through no merit on our part.So we should stop whinging and just be grateful!

Greed

The global financial crisis is complicated and it is not easy to understand all the factors involved but there is evidence of irresponsibility and naked greed in some quarters. Not only 'fat cats' but many 'little people' are suffering and paying the price for what has gone wrong. It is a fact that there is enough in the world for every one's need but not enough for everyone's greed.That is a fundamental problem which everyone needs to address,

Dear Paul

A few years ago I awoke and told my wife I had experienced a crazy dream in which I had been writing a letter to St.Paul. Of course it sounded mad but my wife said, 'Why don't you do it'. Not knowing anything about a celestial postal service I wrote some ltters to the Apostle and sent them to a magazine in London. The letters contained questions and comments which came to mind and eventually the series ran over about 80 weeks. Now the letters have been published in book form and the volume is selling well around the world. Information and copies may be obtained through enquiry to The Salvation Army International Headquarters Department in London email: websa@salvationarmy.org or fax: 020 7332 8019.

Hpmelessness

Learning that people slept on the streets of London William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, told his son Bramwell, 'Go and so somerthing! Booth the younger replied, 'What can we do?' And hearing about the problem of homelessness today we may well echo his words.
Thousands, young and old, sleep on the streets in Australia every night, but what can we do about it? The Salvation Army Historical Society will be focussing on the problem on Friday the 22nd August at the Auditorium, Inala Village 220 Middleborough Road, Blackburn at 7.30 pm. There will be DVD footage about what the Army has done for the homeless in the past and is doing at present. Nationally known speakers will be addressing the issues and there will be music by the Camberwell Band and the 'Hope Choir - the Army's equivalent of the 'Choir of Hard Knocks'
There will be no charge for admission but a collection will be taken for work among street people and this may be in cash or kind such as hand knitted garments like scarves, beanies or bought socks. All will be welcome.

Adventures galore

A would-be climber of Everest was asked why he would risk his life to climb a mountain. He replied, 'Because it's there!' The challenge of adventure accounts for many achievements since time began.If we lose the spirit of adventure then life has closed in on us. Whatever our age or stage there are always new discoveries to be made. We can have adventures in thought, explore new skills, look for new vistas.
Britisher Eric King-Turner has just emigrated to New Zealand with his 'young' wife Doris who is a mwre 87!. He is 102! And Britain's oldest emigrant says, 'It's a wonderful new adventure!'
An old saying goes, 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained'. For people ready to launch out in new directions there is much to discover. He who vegetates is lost but for those with cautious courage and faith there are endless possibilities.Even death can be seen as an adventure and a chance to find answers to some of the questions that may have perplexed our earth-bound minds for years. So, thank God for the prospect of adventures galore and press on!

One of those days

Albert Orsborn, a former world leader of The Salvation Army and a powerful influence on me in my youth sometimes spoke of days when all the angels seemed to be flying in the wrong direction. Tell me about it! Most people experience 'one of those days' from time to time but the important thing is not what life does to us but what happens in us. By the grace of God we can turn negatives into positives. It is not easy but it is possible and I am determined to give it my best shot.

Motion and direction

Sometimes we are preoccupied with motion but lacking direction! A cartoon depicted two men from Mars approaching planet earth. Seeing people scurrying about like ants one asked the other, !What are they doing?' The answer was, 'They're going'. The next question was, 'Where are they going?' and the reply came, 'They're not going anywhere, they're just going!'.
In a classic story, Alice asked the Cheshire cat, 'Would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?' 'That depends on where you want to get' was the reply. 'I don't care much where' said Alice. 'Then it doesn't matter which way you go' was the reply.
A footballer who took the field without a clear idea of where the goal was would soon hear the jeers of people on the terraces. But millions of people go through life with little sense of direction. St.Paul spoke of pressing towards the mark of his calling in Christ. He knew where he was going. He was meant to make it and he did!