Viewpoints, Visions and Values

News on Indian Revival

2006-10-04T20:33:00.000+01:00

While looking on the BBC News website, I found this story

'Miracles' boost Indian Christians
By Subir Bhaumik BBC News, Shillong

More than 100 years after the first waves of a great Welsh religious revival reached faraway north-eastern India, Christian church leaders are claiming a religious reawakening in the region.
Leaders of the Presbyterian Church in the north-eastern Indian states of Meghalaya and Mizoram - sandwiched between Muslim Bangladesh and Buddhist Burma - say there have been miracles occurring.

A church at Malki, in Meghalaya's capital Shillong, has been receiving a steady stream of devotees ever since word spread that a cross here has been glowing and radiating the image of Lord Jesus.

This, combined with recent reports of several school students "convulsing, behaving abnormally and even fainting", has prompted the talk of a revival.

"The Holy Spirit is here to reawaken people," says Reverend Laldawngliana, a spokesman for the Presbyterian Church of India in Shillong.

Special prayers

He says similar religious experiences proclaimed the beginning of a reawakening in the region in 1906, just two years after the last great revival in Wales.

The Presbyterian Church celebrated the centenary of the revival with special congregations and prayer services in April.

Reverend Laldawngliana says reports of students fainting started pouring in a couple of weeks after the centenary celebrations.

Theologian Reverend Chuauthuama says similar reports have come in from Mizoram too.
All the seven north-eastern states have a significant population of Christians and at least three states in the region - Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland - are Christian majority.

Christianity came to the northeast in early 19th century when the British conquered Assam and slowly muscled their way into the rest of the region.

The Presbyterian Church of India was founded in 1841 by a Welsh missionary, Reverend Thomas Jones, in Meghalaya (then a part of Assam).

'A boost'

"The revival in 1906 gave a fillip to the evangelical works of Welsh missionaries in both Meghalaya and Mizoram," says Rev Vanlalchhuanawma, an expert in the history of Christian revivals.

"Christianity came to the region in a western garb. Now if a revival really occurs in the region, we will be very happy. It will possibly give a boost to our efforts to get rid of the 'foreign religion tag'," he says.

Christian leaders in Mizoram and Meghalaya say a revival here may help the church in Wales, the seat of the Presbyterian Church.

Though Wales witnessed some 15 major revivals in the 18th and 19th centuries, the region has of late been going through a religious crisis.

According to a 2001 study, not even one in 10 people in Wales regularly go to church.
The Presbyterian Church of India sent two priests - Rev Hmar Sankhuma and Rev John Colney - to Wales a few months back to fill the "spiritual void" there.

"We owe a lot to the Church in Wales. We have to do our bit when our parent church is in crisis," says Rev Chuauthuama.

'Bogus attempt'
The claims of miracles in Meghalaya have gone largely unchallenged.

But Bengal-based rationalist Prabir Ghosh dismisses the phenomenon as a "bogus attempt" by the Church to draw converts.

Earlier, Mr Ghosh had challenged the basis for Mother Teresa's beatification. He argued that she should be conferred sainthood on the basis of her great work amongst Calcutta's poor rather than over miracles attributed to her.

"The Pope has said this will be the century of Christianity, so churches all over are seeking large-scale conversions and the miracles are part of the exercise," says Mr Ghosh.

The governments of the north-eastern states have maintained a studied silence on the issue.
"We are keeping a close watch on the situation," is all that they will say officially.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5381394.stmPublished: 2006/10/01 23:45:12 GMT© BBC MMVI

American Invasion of Iraq

2006-09-09T20:31:00.000+01:00

What was the real reason, why America decided to invade Iraq, we were told that I was do with Saddam's links to Al Queda and 9/11. A recent American Senate report denies Bush's claims.

Please read this report taken from the BBC News website

Saddam 'had no link to al-Qaeda'

There is no evidence of formal links between Iraqi ex-leader Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda leaders prior to the 2003 war, a US Senate report says.

The finding is contained in a 2005 CIA report released by the Senate's Intelligence Committee on Friday.

US President George W Bush has said that the presence of late al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq before the war was evidence of a link.

Opposition Democrats are accusing the White House of deliberate deception.

They say the revelation undermines the basis on which the US went to war in Iraq.

The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that the US president has again and again tried to connect the war, which most Americans think was a mistake, with the so-called war on terror, which has the support of the nation.
The report comes as Mr Bush makes a series of speeches on the "war on terror" to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks.
Requests rejected
The report is the second part of the committee's analysis of pre-war intelligence. The first dealt with CIA failings in its assessment of Iraq's weapons programme.
Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime, refusing all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support, Senate report Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader
The committee concluded that the CIA had evidence of several instances of contacts between the Iraqi authorities and al-Qaeda throughout the 1990s but that these did not add up to a formal relationship.
It added that the government "did not have a relationship, harbour or turn a blind eye toward Zarqawi and his associates".
It said that Iraq and al-Qaeda were ideologically poles apart.
"Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime, refusing all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support," it said.
The Senate report added that the Iraqi regime had repeatedly rejected al-Qaeda requests for meetings.
It also deals with the role played by inaccurate information supplied by Iraqi opposition groups in the run-up to the war.
'Devastating indictment'
Democrats said the White House was still trying to make the connection between the former Iraqi leader and al-Qaeda in an attempt to justify the war in Iraq.
Less than three weeks ago Mr Bush said in a speech that "Saddam Hussein...had relations with Zarqawi".
Democrat Senator Carl Levin described the report as a "devastating indictment" of these attempts.
White House spokesman Tony Snow told the Associated Press news agency the report contained "nothing new".
"In 2002 and 2003, members of both parties got a good look at the intelligence we had and they came to the very same conclusions about what was going on," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY Terrorists are winning and Mankind as a whole is losing Sandor, New Jersey, US
Zarqawi, who is believed to be responsible for numerous killings and kidnappings in Iraq since the war, was killed in a US raid in June.
Saddam Hussein and several close associates are standing trial for the killings of Shias in the village of Dujail in the early 1980s and of more than 100,000 Kurds in 1988.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/5328592.stmPublished: 2006/09/09 00:20:39 GMT© BBC MMVI

Where not our way to Wembley

2006-08-01T12:11:00.000+01:00

While reading the BBC News Website earlier today, I discovered that there has been a further delay on the new Wembley Stadium, so it looks the FA Cup will be played in Cardiff again in 2007, does anyone else feel that the new Wembley Stadium is a waste, please let me know

Wembley 'may not open until June'

Wembley is now "substantially complete", says MultiplexThe completion of the new Wembley Stadium could be further delayed.
The venue was due to have been completed in August 2005, but hold-ups have led to events, such as this year's FA Cup Final, being rescheduled.
Now construction firm Multiplex has said the £757m north London stadium will not be completed until June 2007.
It blames the venue's owners, Wembley National Stadium Ltd, for not completing a series of critical works. The firm rejected Multiplex's claims.
'Test events'
Builders Multiplex said it was "substantially complete" apart from some seats.
But it said Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL) needed to stage test events so the stadium could gain the required licences and approval to operate.
We're going to have something the likes of which has never been seen before
Lord Norman FosterWembley's chief architect
Audio slideshow: Lord Foster
Multiplex director of communications Peter Murphy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The problem at the moment in terms of when the stadium becomes operationally complete, or reaches practical completion, really surrounds commencement and completion of the client works.
"So at this stage, Multiplex as builder is reliant upon our client, WNSL, completing a series of critical works to get us through to the point where we're capable of actually hosting or running test events and, at this stage, we're unclear and we haven't been informed by WNSL when in fact they'll commence and complete those works."
The company said it had analysed how long these works would take, and found "it is unlikely that the stadium will be able to hold a test event for 90,000 spectators before June 2007".
Claims dismissed
But a spokesman for WNSL dismissed claims the stadium will not be ready until June.
He added that Multiplex was trying to "muddy the water" between the dates for practical and operational completion and said WNSL had always insisted it could not organise test events until Multiplex had reached practical completion.
It is only then that a safety certificate can be issued that would enable the stadium to open at full capacity, he said.
However, WNSL would not confirm that the 2007 FA Cup Final would be held at Wembley. If it was not, the event would probably be held again in Cardiff next May.

God Bless America

2006-07-31T22:16:00.000+01:00

I was reading an article on the New York Times website, that I found as a link from JesusCreed,
which I found challenging and interesting, please see below.

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

Bill Alkofer for The New York Times
Most members of Woodland Hills Church near St. Paul stayed after the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd urged an end to sexual moralizing and military glorification and said America should not be proclaimed a “Christian nation.”

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By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: July 30, 2006
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.
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'Abortion: A Kingdom of God Approach'
'Is the Church the Guardian of Social Morality?'
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Bill Alkofer for The New York Times
The Rev. Gregory A. Boyd leads a congregation outside St. Paul.
The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute “voters’ guides” that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please couldn’t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?
After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.
“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”
Mr. Boyd says he is no liberal. He is opposed to abortion and thinks homosexuality is not God’s ideal. The response from his congregation at Woodland Hills Church here in suburban St. Paul — packed mostly with politically and theologically conservative, middle-class evangelicals — was passionate. Some members walked out of a sermon and never returned. By the time the dust had settled, Woodland Hills, which Mr. Boyd founded in 1992, had lost about 1,000 of its 5,000 members.
But there were also congregants who thanked Mr. Boyd, telling him they were moved to tears to hear him voice concerns they had been too afraid to share.
“Most of my friends are believers,” said Shannon Staiger, a psychotherapist and church member, “and they think if you’re a believer, you’ll vote for Bush. And it’s scary to go against that.”
Sermons like Mr. Boyd’s are hardly typical in today’s evangelical churches. But the upheaval at Woodland Hills is an example of the internal debates now going on in some evangelical colleges, magazines and churches. A common concern is that the Christian message is being compromised by the tendency to tie evangelical Christianity to the Republican Party and American nationalism, especially through the war in Iraq.
At least six books on this theme have been published recently, some by Christian publishing houses. Randall Balmer, a religion professor at Barnard College and an evangelical, has written “Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America — an Evangelical’s Lament.”
And Mr. Boyd has a new book out, “The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church,” which is based on his sermons.
“There is a lot of discontent brewing,” said Brian D. McLaren, the founding pastor at Cedar Ridge Community Church in Gaithersburg, Md., and a leader in the evangelical movement known as the “emerging church,” which is at the forefront of challenging the more politicized evangelical establishment.
“More and more people are saying this has gone too far — the dominance of the evangelical identity by the religious right,” Mr. McLaren said. “You cannot say the word ‘Jesus’ in 2006 without having an awful lot of baggage going along with it. You can’t say the word ‘Christian,’ and you certainly can’t say the word ‘evangelical’ without it now raising connotations and a certain cringe factor in people.
“Because people think, ‘Oh no, what is going to come next is homosexual bashing, or pro-war rhetoric, or complaining about ‘activist judges.’ ”
Mr. Boyd said he had cleared his sermons with the church’s board, but his words left some in his congregation stunned. Some said that he was disrespecting President Bush and the military, that he was soft on abortion or telling them not to vote.
“When we joined years ago, Greg was a conservative speaker,” said William Berggren, a lawyer who joined the church with his wife six years ago. “But we totally disagreed with him on this. You can’t be a Christian and ignore actions that you feel are wrong. A case in point is the abortion issue. If the church were awake when abortion was passed in the 70’s, it wouldn’t have happened. But the church was asleep.”
Mr. Boyd, 49, who preaches in blue jeans and rumpled plaid shirts, leads a church that occupies a squat block-long building that was once a home improvement chain store.
The church grew from 40 members in 12 years, based in no small part on Mr. Boyd’s draw as an electrifying preacher who stuck closely to Scripture. He has degrees from Yale Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary, and he taught theology at Bethel College in St. Paul, where he created a controversy a few years ago by questioning whether God fully knew the future. Some pastors in his own denomination, the Baptist General Conference, mounted an effort to evict Mr. Boyd from the denomination and his teaching post, but he won that battle.

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

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Published: July 30, 2006
(Page 2 of 2)
He is known among evangelicals for a bestselling book, “Letters From a Skeptic,” based on correspondence with his father, a leftist union organizer and a lifelong agnostic — an exchange that eventually persuaded his father to embrace Christianity.
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Video: Politics and the Pulpit
Related
Audio of Some of the Rev. Gregory Boyd's Sermons (mp3)
'Taking America Back for God?'
'The Difference Between the Two Kingdoms'
'Abortion: A Kingdom of God Approach'
'Is the Church the Guardian of Social Morality?'
'Be Thou My Vision'
'In But Not of the World'
More Sermons
Mr. Boyd said he never intended his sermons to be taken as merely a critique of the Republican Party or the religious right. He refuses to share his party affiliation, or whether he has one, for that reason. He said there were Christians on both the left and the right who had turned politics and patriotism into “idolatry.”
He said he first became alarmed while visiting another megachurch’s worship service on a Fourth of July years ago. The service finished with the chorus singing “God Bless America” and a video of fighter jets flying over a hill silhouetted with crosses.
“I thought to myself, ‘What just happened? Fighter jets mixed up with the cross?’ ” he said in an interview.
Patriotic displays are still a mainstay in some evangelical churches. Across town from Mr. Boyd’s church, the sanctuary of North Heights Lutheran Church was draped in bunting on the Sunday before the Fourth of July this year for a “freedom celebration.” Military veterans and flag twirlers paraded into the sanctuary, an enormous American flag rose slowly behind the stage, and a Marine major who had served in Afghanistan preached that the military was spending “your hard-earned money” on good causes.
In his six sermons, Mr. Boyd laid out a broad argument that the role of Christians was not to seek “power over” others — by controlling governments, passing legislation or fighting wars. Christians should instead seek to have “power under” others — “winning people’s hearts” by sacrificing for those in need, as Jesus did, Mr. Boyd said.
“America wasn’t founded as a theocracy,” he said. “America was founded by people trying to escape theocracies. Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn’t bloody and barbaric. That’s why our Constitution wisely put in a separation of church and state.
“I am sorry to tell you,” he continued, “that America is not the light of the world and the hope of the world. The light of the world and the hope of the world is Jesus Christ.”
Mr. Boyd lambasted the “hypocrisy and pettiness” of Christians who focus on “sexual issues” like homosexuality, abortion or Janet Jackson’s breast-revealing performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. He said Christians these days were constantly outraged about sex and perceived violations of their rights to display their faith in public.
“Those are the two buttons to push if you want to get Christians to act,” he said. “And those are the two buttons Jesus never pushed.”
Some Woodland Hills members said they applauded the sermons because they had resolved their conflicted feelings. David Churchill, a truck driver for U.P.S. and a Teamster for 26 years, said he had been “raised in a religious-right home” but was torn between the Republican expectations of faith and family and the Democratic expectations of his union.
When Mr. Boyd preached his sermons, “it was liberating to me,” Mr. Churchill said.
Mr. Boyd gave his sermons while his church was in the midst of a $7 million fund-raising campaign. But only $4 million came in, and 7 of the more than 50 staff members were laid off, he said.
Mary Van Sickle, the family pastor at Woodland Hills, said she lost 20 volunteers who had been the backbone of the church’s Sunday school.
“They said, ‘You’re not doing what the church is supposed to be doing, which is supporting the Republican way,’ ” she said. “It was some of my best volunteers.”
The Rev. Paul Eddy, a theology professor at Bethel College and the teaching pastor at Woodland Hills, said: “Greg is an anomaly in the megachurch world. He didn’t give a whit about church leadership, never read a book about church growth. His biggest fear is that people will think that all church is is a weekend carnival, with people liking the worship, the music, his speaking, and that’s it.”
In the end, those who left tended to be white, middle-class suburbanites, church staff members said. In their place, the church has added more members who live in the surrounding community — African-Americans, Hispanics and Hmong immigrants from Laos.
This suits Mr. Boyd. His vision for his church is an ethnically and economically diverse congregation that exemplifies Jesus’ teachings by its members’ actions. He, his wife and three other families from the church moved from the suburbs three years ago to a predominantly black neighborhood in St. Paul.
Mr. Boyd now says of the upheaval: “I don’t regret any aspect of it at all. It was a defining moment for us. We let go of something we were never called to be. We just didn’t know the price we were going to pay for doing it.”
His congregation of about 4,000 is still digesting his message. Mr. Boyd arranged a forum on a recent Wednesday night to allow members to sound off on his new book. The reception was warm, but many of the 56 questions submitted in writing were pointed: Isn’t abortion an evil that Christians should prevent? Are you saying Christians should not join the military? How can Christians possibly have “power under” Osama bin Laden? Didn’t the church play an enormously positive role in the civil rights movement?
One woman asked: “So why NOT us? If we contain the wisdom and grace and love and creativity of Jesus, why shouldn’t we be the ones involved in politics and setting laws?”
Mr. Boyd responded: “I don’t think there’s a particular angle we have on society that others lack. All good, decent people want good and order and justice. Just don’t slap the label ‘Christian’ on it.”
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I'm back

2006-06-23T18:37:00.000+01:00

For some time, I haven't been blogging for a number of reasons, and have a long absence for some personel time, I'm back.

Virtual War

2006-05-18T15:01:00.000+01:00

War vets feature in US army game
By Alfred Hermida Technology editor, BBC News website

The US military is putting soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan into its video game in an attempt to put a human face on its operations overseas.
The soldiers' stories are part of a new version of America's Army, a game which is part of its recruitment strategy.
The US military denies that the project is a way of selling an unpopular war to the American public.
Instead the free game is designed to inspire young people by relating the real-life experiences of the troops.
"The majority of the public is not touched by the war," said Major Jason Amerine, who served in Afghanistan and is one of the nine soldiers appearing in the game.
"It is dangerous to have an army overseas fighting and for a public to become so disconnected that they don't realise that we are not automatons over there. We're real people," he told the BBC News website.
'Real heroes'
America's Army was first released in July 2002 and has gone on to become one of the top online games, with seven million registered players.
It taps into the popularity of military and war simulation titles among predominantly young men.
It shows we are not robots, that we're not trained killing machines. We're just people
Matt Zedwick, National GuardsmanIt was developed by the Army to simulate combat and life in the military and reach young people for whom video games are a part of everyday life.
In the latest version of the game, called America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch), the military is adding the experiences of nine soldiers who served in Afghanistan or Iraq.
The title has a so-called real heroes section when players can learn about the real-life troops.
In a virtual recruiting room, gamers can click on a soldier to hear them tell their story. They can also compare their achievements in the game to those of the GIs.
"It gets our stories out there about what the army is doing," said Sergeant Matt Zedwick, who served and was wounded during a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004.
"It is a good communications device to introduce people to what is really going on, rather than what you see on the news."
"It shows we are not robots, that we're not trained killing machines. We're just people," said the 25-year-old who is now studying graphic design at a college in Oregon.
Reaching the public
The US military sees America's Army as an information, rather than as a recruitment, tool.

The game is designed to be as realistic as possibleThe latest version was showcased at last week's E3 games expo in Los Angeles and is due to be released in the summer.
It comes at a time of growing unease in the US about the war in Iraq.
And last year, an official US government study warned that the military was falling behind in its effort to recruit troops for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the people involved in the title say there is no connection between the new game and America's troubles over its combat operations.
"We're not talking about the war, we're talking about people in the war," insisted Major Amerine, who served in Afghanistan in 2001 during the initial invasion.
"We are not attempting in any way to sell a war to the people, that has nothing to do with our agenda.
"We're trying to create awareness about the people doing the fighting, and that is a very apolitical agenda," said the major who now teaches at West Point.
Toy soldiers

The figures are intended to be collector's itemsAs part of "real heroes" campaign, figures of the soldiers featured in the game are to go on sale.
The Army says these are not designed to be toys for children but items for collectors who wish to express their support for the troops.
Seeing themselves as little plastic soldiers is a strange experience for the troops involved.
"It is kinda funny and a little creepy. Unbelievable in a way," said Sergeant Zedwick.
"It is kind of funny to think there are going to be millions of people buying little dolls of you in the stores."

It's case of Mistaken Identity

2006-05-15T19:48:00.000+01:00

News 24's 'wrong Guy' is revealed

Watch the interview The true identity of a man who was mistakenly interviewed on BBC News 24 has been revealed.
Guy Goma, a graduate from the Congo, appeared on the news channel in place of an IT expert after a mix-up.
But Mr Goma, who was wrongly identified in the press as a taxi driver, was really at the BBC for a job interview.
Mr Goma said his appearance was "very stressful" and wondered why the questions were not related to the data support cleanser job he applied for.
The mix-up occurred when a producer went to collect the expert from the wrong reception in BBC Television Centre in West London.
This has turned out to be a genuine misunderstanding
BBC spokeswomanThe producer asked for Guy Kewney, editor of Newswireless.net, who was due to be interviewed about the Apple vs Apple court case.
After being pointed in Mr Goma's direction by a receptionist, the producer - who had seen a photo of the real expert - checked: "Are you Guy Kewney?"
The economics and business studies graduate answered in the affirmative and was whisked up to the studio.
Business presenter Karen Bowerman, who was to interview the expert, managed to get a message to the editor that the guest "seems not to know too much about the subject".
Mr Goma was eventually asked three questions live on air, assuming this was an interview situation.
It was only later that it was discovered that Mr Kewney was still waiting in reception - prompting producers to wonder who their wrong man was.
'Happy to return'
Mr Goma said his interview was "very short", but he was prepared to return to the airwaves and was "happy to speak about any situation".
He added that next time he would insist upon "preparing myself".
A BBC spokeswoman said: "This has turned out to be a genuine misunderstanding.
"News 24 discovered that the gentleman in question was not a taxi driver, but had a similar name after a mix-up at reception ended up on air.
"We've looked carefully at our guest procedures and will take every measure to ensure this doesn't happen again."

Hey.it's tthe weekend

2006-05-13T11:42:00.000+01:00

20/20 Vision

2006-05-10T16:20:00.000+01:00

20/20 Vision

I was speaking to a very good friend of mine, earlier today. God has given me a picture and some scripture for Him. We spoke about Vision, and God challenged me through my friend.

God give me this verse. Hab 2:3 Nasb

3"For the vision is yet for the ^(A)appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
Though it tarries, ^(B)wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it ^(C)will not delay.

When we speak of Vision, what do we mean ?. I believe that are two kinds or types of vision, natural vision, ie eyesight and then there's spiritual vision, that's when God shows us, not just our future but His plans and purposes for our life. This is could be regarding specific place/s, or locations, people or circumstances or ministry. I know for my own walk with the Lord, there could be a difference in time between when we receive the vision and the fulfillment of that vision. The key I have learnt, is that despite the difficulties and the disappointment, don't give up.

We all know people, some of whom were good friends, who have walked away from the faith, this could be for several reasons which can include not seeing God's vision for their life, come to it's fulfillment when they wanted it to. Yes, there have been times, even recently. I have wondered is it worth it and will it come true. I have learnt, if I give up, I'm not going to see those things, God has promised me. So why give up ?. In the scripture, it says appointed time. In the New Testament Greek, there were two words for time (I am not a Greek Scholar, so I apologize now for any mistakes) There was Chronos or everyday or ordinary time and Kairos, or God's appointed time. When God speaks to us in a Vision or gives us a Vision for our lives , it's Kairos not Chronos, or in simple terms, His (God's) time not our own time or timescales. We live in what some call the now generation, if you like me, you either want it yesterday or 5 minutes ago .

I was only a boy, when God started to speak into my life, I now in my 30's. I still haven't seen those things God promised me, I used to think that maybe I am a really bad person, or maybe for some reason, I've missed it or maybe misheard God. When we read about men of Faith like Joshua, Caleb, Abraham and others. For example God spoke to Abraham about a son, that he and his wife Sarah were promised a son, when I didn't happen when they expected to happen, they tried to fulfill the vision, themselves hence Abraham had a son (Ishmael) through Sarah's servant Hagar. Yet God promised him and his wife Sarah a son, it was some time after that they had Isaac. When we read through Genesis, we see it was physically impossible for them, to have a child yet because God had promised it and He fulfilled it in His own time.

It's when it looks impossible, that's when God steps in, and fulfils His promise. We can be like Abraham and try to fulfill God's promise by own method or endeavor. I am going to tell you now, don't do it. Joshua and Caleb were two of twelve spies, that Moses sent into Canaan, we all know the story, the only two to give a good report on the land where Joshua and Caleb, it was 40 years later, that Caleb saw the fulfillment of God's promise to Him. When God gives us a Vision, there's always going to be a gap, from when we first see the vision, to the fulfillment of that vision. We don't give up, fallback or try to fulfill it with our own methods. So let us remain faithful, trust and follow God wholeheartly, and leave the timing to God

Nobody does it better than James Bond !

2006-05-08T22:01:00.000+01:00

He' s back and he's better than ever !

Those who know me, know that I am a fan of James Bond, and have watched Bond in his various incartions from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan.

I thought when they replaced Pierce Brosnan as 007, that Daniel Craig (pictured) wasn't up to the task, I was wrong.

With recent spy thrillers such as Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible 3, which is an excellent film, although I have only seen the trailer and after comparing it with the trailer for "Casino Royale" The better of the 2 films will have to be in my opinion "Casino Royale"Just don't take my word for it, follow the links below and decide for yourself.

Casino Royale http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale/

MI3 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317919/trailers-screenplay-E26927-10-2

I actually thought, when I first saw the trailer for "Mi3" that it's a brilliant film, but when you compare it to "Casino Royale". Mission Impossible 3 doesn't even come close, fortunely for Mr Cruise, Casino Royale will be out on November 17th, for film fans amongest us, including myself it's going to be worth the wait.

So, in the words, of Carly Simon (who sang the theme tune)from the 1977 James Bond film, "The Spy who loved me."

" Nobody does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest, nobody does it half as good as you, Mr Bond you're the best."

What's in a Name ?

2006-05-08T14:35:00.000+01:00

What's in a Name ?

Names are important, we have all our own names, whether in my case, that's my name David or your own name. In some cases, names can also be brands.

In a recent Court Case, Apple Corp(The Beatles) lost against Apple Computers, The Beatles case was that" They claimed the US firm broke a deal aimed at ensuring there would not be two Apples in the music industry."

"But Mr Justice Anthony Mann ruled that the computer company used the Apple logo in association with its store, not the music, and so was not in breach.
The ruling means iPods and iTunes will still be able to carry the Apple name and logo.

After reading an article, on the BBC News website, I started to think about the power of names, at the end of the day, we have all names, usually given to us, by our parents on/or just after our birth. All names have meanings, for example our Lord and Saviour, Jesus means the Lord our Salvation.

Can our names, be linked to our identities ?, recently I made the decision, to swap from being called "Blair" which is my middle name, to "David" which is my first name. I did this after much prayer and discussion with some close friends, including my Pastor. Many people here in the Uk, will have been given a name or names by their parents. These are usually known as first and middle names, my dad is also called "David" hence I was known by my middle name "Blair"

I was challenged sometime ago, " to see myself as God sees me" and this lead to the process to change my name, as well as other changes

Blair comes from the gaelic for "a plain" and David comes from the hebrew "beloved" At least, it's not as bad as the Johnny Cash song. " a boy named Sue"

In Isa 62:2, Nasb " And you will be called by a new (D)name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate," and there examples from scripture ie Jacob and Peter, where God give them new names, and there is the example of Paul, who was known as Saul.

So, what ever your name means, feel assured that God knows your name, and you're beloved by God

The Archbishop and the Play

2006-05-08T09:30:00.000+01:00

Archbishop condemns Springer show

The opera features Jesus, Mary and God as guests on Springer's show

The Archbishop of Wales has criticised the planned staging of a controversial opera at the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in Cardiff next month.

Jerry Springer - The Opera, a parody of the US TV show, has won several awards, but some Christians have claimed the content is offensive and blasphemous.

The archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, said there could be protests when it is staged between 12 June and 17 June.

The WMC said it was right to stage art that challenged audiences.

The opera has sparked controversy as well as plaudits since it was first performed in 2002.

JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA

2001 - Developed at Battersea Arts Centre, London

2002 - One of the hits of the Edinburgh Festival

2003 - Critical and commercial success at National Theatre and in West End

2004 - Wins four Laurence Olivier Awards, including best new musical

Jan 2005 - BBC receives 63,000 complaints over its broadcast on BBC Two

Feb 2005 - Broadway run cancelled because of controversy

Jan 2006 - UK tour starts

The musical features Jesus, Mary and God as guests on Jerry Springer's TV talk show and up to 300 swear words.

The award-winning West End production was seen by 425,000 people and was watched by an audience of 2.4 million when it was broadcast on BBC Two in January 2005.

But its content led to the BBC receiving a record 63,000 complaints as well as many messages of support.

The show is currently on a 21-venue tour of the UK.

Speaking before the opera is due to arrive in Cardiff next month, Dr Morgan said he believed its content "crossed a line".

He said: "I'm deeply disappointed. On the one hand, I can see that we need freedom for the arts to express what they want to express.

"On the other hand, I think they've crossed a line here, because what they say about Jesus in this opera is likely to cause scandal and they'd never get away with saying the same things about the prophet Muhammad."

The Archbishop says the opera is "gratuitously offensive"

Dr Morgan said he had written to the chair of the trustees of the WMC expressing his views on the opera.

He added: "I think what's important is to make our feelings known beforehand and we've done that.

"What they say about Jesus here is blasphemous and gratuitously offensive and I think when an opera does that, then it's time to call a halt.

"Why should Christianity endure this kind of offensive blasphemous treatment?"

Responding to the criticisms, the WMC insisted it was correct to stage art which challenged its audience.

It said the opera would go ahead at the centre in June, adding that although a number of letters of complaint had been received, letters backing the show had also been sent.

The WMC said it had met church leaders and would allow Christian literature to be distributed in the centre's foyer over the period the show is there.

* I agree with the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, and believe that this play shouldn't be shown, and I know several people will attempt to boycott it, I have two questions, why does the media and art like attacking the Christian Faith ? and this play portrayed another founder of another religious faith, would this play still be shown ? *

Preaching and the Church, Let's not make a Drama out of a Crisis !

2006-05-04T13:00:00.000+01:00

Preaching and the Church, Let's not make a Drama out of a Crisis.

Earlier today, I was reading my good friend's Hugh Griffiths blog, ( if you're reading this Hugh, happy wedding anniversary for yesterday to You and Jayne, thanks for your friendship) http://lifechanging.wordpress.com/, There is an excellent article posted there today.

Hugh has put a link to the excellent blog http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/, after reading the article which Hugh has linked to, there was an article that caught my attention,

Drama King: one pastor drops preaching entirely for dramas

For decades churches have been experimenting with forms of communication, and one of the hallmarks of seeker churches has been the use of dramas in worship gatherings. It should come as no surprise that a church named Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community has chosen to push this experimentation to its logical end. The church has chosen to communicate biblical truths and narratives entirely through dramasÂthe sermon is no more.
Hot Metal Bridge has been getting a lot of press for its unusual worship format. Both The Wall Street Journal and the Today Show have run stories. Here is what some other media sources are reporting:
No one preaches at Hot Metal Bridge. Plays are its liturgy. Mr. Walker, a soon-to-be ordained United Methodist minister, leads the church with his friend Jeffweddingss, a Presbyterian seminarian. "Instead of coming to our church and listening to a sermon, you can be part of the sermon," Mr. Walker says.
Continue reading "Drama King: one pastor drops preaching entirely for dramas"

also see http://www.hotmetalbridge.com for more details

I have been a fan of places like Willow Creek, who use drama as part of their outreach and ministry, but I can't see how drama can replace the spoken word, yes I believe drama can be an affective way of communication, but as an addition to other forms of communication like preaching & teaching.

Romans 10:17 Holmans

17 So faith comes from what is heard, (D) and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Romans 10:14 Nasb

14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him (A)whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without (B)a preacher?

I both seen and be part of some excellent sketches etc, and I have also seen some not so good sketches etc, but there is nothing than can replace the effect of spoken word, of Faith and Truth.

What cost War ?

2006-05-04T08:07:00.000+01:00

What cost War ? The United Kingdom will finally repay the United States of America, for debt owed due to WW2 Lend Lease Agreement on December 31st 2006.

During World War 2, the then neutral American Government led by President Roosevelt pictured with Winston Churchill, offered those countries fighting against the threat of Nazism including the UK a program called lend lease, where the Americans provided war material to those countries.

Lend Lease started in March 1941, and WW2, ended in 1945 and to my surprise the UK will finally repay the full debt to the USA in December 2006!. Lend Lease started in when my grandparents, were in their early 20's, today my granmother is 86. Which means for 61 years, we have been paid for a War that ended over 60 years ago.

After the 2nd World War, this country suffered economic hardship, lost our position as a global power and leader, we suffered recession and political upheaval, and the war material provided by America, has long been used. Yet, despite these difficulties, including Britain nearly going bankrupt on several occasions, we have had to pay this debt for over 60 years. I do wonder, if wasn't for the Lend Lease repayments, would Britain have faced the threat of bankruptcy. I assume that we have had to pay interest on top of the repayments, and could this mean, that a certain American political leader, will be getting a peerage when his term in office ends!

Since the end of WW2, at various times we have supported American foreign policies, could we have been such an avid supporter of this policies, if wasn't for our Lend Lease agreements.

"Repayment of the war loans to the US Government is expected to be completed on December 31 2006," the economic secretary to the Treasury said in a Commons written reply.

The Treasury's Ivan Lewis, Economic Secretary

Restoration

2006-05-03T19:54:00.000+01:00

11 The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden (A) and like a spring whose waters never run dry. (B) 12 Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; (C) you will restore the foundations laid long ago; (D) [a] you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.

Isa 58:11-12

Holmans Christian Standard Bible

It's a New Day

2006-05-02T10:39:00.000+01:00

It's a New Day.

."The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. " Prov 4:18 Nlt

Free Speech and Political Correctness

2006-04-30T19:50:00.000+01:00

Today, I was reading the Sunday Mail, and there was a quote from the famous German pastor and Anti-Nazi campaigner, Martin Niemoeller. Many of you would have either have heard or read this quote before.

Reading the story found in the Sunday Mail, I was thinking about the case of Joe and Helen Roberts (pictured) and I have quoted the press release from The Christian Insitute below:-

Christian couple sues police and council over free speech row

A Christian couple at the centre of a free speech row are suing their local council and police for breaching their human rights. Papers have been lodged with the County Court today (Monday 13 March). In December, retired couple Joe and Helen Roberts of Fleetwood in Lancashire, were interrogated by police officers because the couple had complained about their local council's gay rights policy. The couple politely expressed their Christian belief that homosexual practice is morally wrong.
An official at Wyre Borough Council reported the couple to the police for making 'homophobic' comments. The council said they wanted the police to 'educate' the couple out of their beliefs. Two police officers knocked on the door of 73-year-old Joe and 68-year-old Helen, saying they wished to discuss problems caused by local youths. Once inside the house, the police revealed their real reason for the visit and proceeded to quiz the couple for 1 hour 20 minutes about their beliefs on homosexuality. Mr and Mrs Roberts say the officers told them they risked going to prison for up to seven years. The police have since confirmed that no crime was committed.
The couple have written several official letters of complaint to the council and the police. They have asked them to apologise for their actions or explain what legal grounds justified such actions. While the couple have received apologies for any distress caused, neither the police nor the council have apologised for their decision. Nor have they explained what legal grounds justified the police visit. The Roberts feel they have been left with no alternative but to seek remedy in the County Court.
The legal action claims that the actions of Wyre Borough Council and Lancashire Constabulary interfered with Mr and Mrs Roberts' human rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion under the Human Rights Act. It also claims that the council and the police were negligent, and that the police entered the Roberts' home by means of a trick and were therefore trespassers.
The Christian Institute is supporting the legal action. Director, Colin Hart, said today: "It is outrageous that the police should tell an elderly Christian couple that they cannot express their moral views to their local council. It is astonishing that the council reported the matter to the police in the first place. I regret that neither the police nor the council have admitted they were wrong. They have refused to say sorry for what they did. We are supporting the Roberts case. It is an important case for freedom of speech and freedom of religion."

Note: Any damages awarded to the Roberts will be donated to charity

For more information contact: Mike Judge 0191 281 5664
The Christian Institute, Registered Charity No 100 4774 seeks to promote the Christian faith in the UKRegistered Office: First Floor, Cathedral Buildings, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PG

"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a communist;Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a socialist;Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a trade unionist;Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Jew;Then they came for me-- and there was no one left to speak out for me"

Martin Niemoller

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 5

2006-04-28T12:43:00.000+01:00

The Church God's Masterpiece, Part 5

I have studied Scripture, this week as part of my preparation for this series of posts on The Church. I've been excited and thrilled by the wonder of God's Grace and Wisdom, that we find through reading His Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

"10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. "Eph 2:10 Nlt

Above, you will see a picture of Constable's famous "Haywain" I said in my previous posts that we're God's living and breathing masterpiece, and that we're not called to be observers rather we're called to be active participants. It's easy to look at this picture and see the complexity of Constable's brushstrokes and the glorious details of this masterpiece, and emphasis the different aspects of this picture. You can almost imagine Constable sitting there painting. This picture has been re-created hundreds if not thousands of times. Yet there's only one original, and that can be found in The National Gallery in London.

Yet, today if you and I went to the location of this scene, what would we see ?. I know we wouldn't see the scene in this picture, we would see something totally different. When we go back to Scripture and see the different aspects of The Church, it's very easy to emphasis one part of the Church over other parts, and we all can have various views and perspectives of the Church. Today, in the early part of the 21st Century, we look back to the New Testament, and see our the story of our brothers and sisters in the 1st Century, we read about the problems, and the persecution, yet despite the difficulties, the deception and the disagreements, The Church increased. It's easy to look back through the New Testament and Church History, with rose-tinted glasses, and think if only, I was there, rather than here. Yet God is His Grace and Wisdom, has put us here today, not yesterday or tomorrow.

" Restorers continue to seek (as they always have) to recover truth from the Bibical record, But they believe that to stop there would be far to limiting, for restoration is much more than recovering a primitive order or practice associated with the early Church, We do not seek to return to an original condition; rather, we seek to advance to the fullness of God's original intention." Bryn Jones, The Radical Church

A Tale of Two Coaches

2006-04-28T09:09:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, It was announced by the WRU's Board, that Gareth Jenkins (pictured), the current Scarlets Director of Rugby has been named as the Wales Coach.

I believe that when you offer someone, an important role such as the Coach of a National Sports Team, that where possible, that job is offered to someone from that Country. Because it's usually more than a job to them, and that person is committed to more than their paycheck, they're representing their Country. It was announced, by BBC News, that there is overwhelming support at grassroots level for yesterday's announcement from the WRU. I wonder is there the same overwhelming support, for yesterday's announcement from the FA ?.

Simple, and yet Effective

2006-04-27T15:57:00.000+01:00

When I discovered this story, when reading a newspaper, earlier today.

"The gospel according to St Lego" The Rev Brendan Powell Smith of San Francisco, has re-creted Bibical scenes using Lego Bricks, 'to make the Bible more accessible.'

I was very unsure of this, until I started to look through the pictures on www.thebricktestament.com. If you have Children, I recommend you show them these pictures, there is also a ratings guide as it covers subjects like the Crufixition.

Football Crazy

2006-04-27T15:23:00.000+01:00

Originally, I wasn't going to do anything on any posts on subjects like the new England Manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari . The current coach of the Portugese National Football Team. Scolari lead the Brazilian Football Team when they won the 2002 World Cup.

Like many of you, I would have preferred someone from the Uk, but this after all is the decision of the Football Association, who are discussing terms with Scolari. There are several differences between England & Brazil ie. Brazil has Rio de Janeiro, England has Rio Ferdinard, (at least the Beckham's may not call their next child Rio.) At the moment Mr Scolari has one thing in common with England, although Brazillian, he lives in Portugal, and good old St George, is also the National Saint of Portugal.

Did you know, ?

2006-04-27T08:11:00.000+01:00

This morning, I discovered that some people suffer from a condition called
Cyberphobia, to those who don't know what Cyberphobia is , the picture is a clue?

"Known by a number of names - Cyberophobia, Fear of Computers, and Fear of Working on Computers being the most common - the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences cyberphobia in their own way and may have different symptoms."

www.changethatsrightnow.com

However, if you think if this is weird there are some people who suffer from a condition called
Bananaphobia, (that's the fear of Bananas) and a condition called Philophobia, (that's the fear of falling in love or being in love)

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 4

2006-04-26T17:55:00.000+01:00

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 4

As I have read through the New Testament, studying God's written Word, and read several books on "The Church". There's only 1 book, apart from the Bible, that has inspired and challenged me more than any other. To see the true nature and calling of the Church, and that is "The Radical Church" by Bryn Jones.

Today, in the early 21st Century, we see various views and perspectives on the Church. Through this post, I will referring several times to this book (in italics), and as usual there will be several quotes from The Bible.

, " Is our understanding of the Church accurate ?, "

" Are we the Church Jesus gave Himself for, or we are some poor twenieth century replica of it ? Are we doing things His Way or our own ?"

God has a plan and a purpose for The Church, that plan and purpose can be found in God's written Word. The Church today is it build on God's plan, and does work according to God's purposes or is it built on our plans, and does it work according to our purposes ?

When God, spoke to Moses, in regards to The Tabernacle, God told him to build according to the pattern that God had shown him, (Exo 25:40) and when Solomon was preparing to build the Temple at Jerusalem, His father David spoke to Him, and told Him every part of the plan for The Temple was given to David by God (1 Chron 28:19)

Frank Sinatra, sang those almost immortal words "I did it my way" are we the Church, doing things our way, or are we doing this things God's Way ? This post is called "The Church, God's Masterpiece. " This is taken from Eph 2:10 Nlt

" 10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." When, we walk into an Art Gallery, we find many masterpieces by great artists, yet we are God's living and breathing masterpiece, and it feels sometimes as if we are a work in progress or still under constructution. At an Art Gallery, we stand and reflect, and pass comments and thoughts on the masterpieces of men like van Gogh. It's easy to be an observer, and make comments and suggestions on the Church, but we are not called to be observer's but active participants in this ongoing masterpiece.

Today, we see various views and perspectives on the Church, are these views and perspectives true to God and His written word, and His Spirit and to our Saviour Jesus ?"

" God is infusing His people in this generation with a renewed sense of the divine mind and capturing their hearts with His purpose ............. so many of God's people today are aflame with a passion to build according to His plan in their generation, They are the repairers and restorers of our time."

Isa 58:12 Nasb

"12"Those from among you will (F)rebuild the ancient ruins; You will (G)raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the (H)breach, The restorers of the streets in which to dwell. "

" Restorers continue to seek (as they always have) to recover truth from the Bibical record, But they believe that to stop there would be far to limiting, for restoration is much more than recovering a primitive order or practice associated with the early Church, We do not seek to return to an original condition; rather, we seek to advance to the fullness of God's original intention."

Today, do we serve our own purposes for the Church, or we do serve God purpose for His Church ?, When I was in my teens, there was one particular song, that impacted my life, and helped me see, that Church, wasn't somewhere we went, The Church, is something we are and part of. The Christian faith is a Life worth living, our message is the Message of Hope and the Beacon of Light.

I want to serve the purpose of God, for my generation, and I want to give my life for something that will last forever.

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 3

2006-04-25T20:10:00.000+01:00

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part3

In my previous posts in this series, I've started to look at The Church. This is part 3. I've been challenged by reading some other bloggers, notably Roger Aubrey, Hugh Griffiths and Trevor Lloyd, and have blessed by their blogs. I hope that those reading my blog, will be blessed as I have been reading the blogs by these men of God.

Today in the early part of the 21st Century, with the wonders of technology, we can look all across the World, and see varied expressions of the Church, and as I said yesterday, no two churches are exactly the same. In my own lifetime, when I look back, if you wanted to know more about a particular church for example in nearby town, you had to visit that church, today, if we want to more about a church for example in America, we can go on to Google, type the name of the church, and suddenly not only can we see that church, and even in a way attend a webcast.

We all know, that are different perspectives and options in regards to the nature of Church, we can all read through God's Word (The Bible) and see throughout the New Testament various references to Church. As I said in my previous posts, The Church of the 1st Century wasn't perfect, had it's difficulties and disagreements, we can look back through the history of the Church for last two thousand years. It seems not a lot as changed, we're still not perfect, we still have our disagreements and difficulties, yet we're still here, still going strong, still growing. God is gracious. We stand on His Word, walk by His Spirit. God empowers us to proclaim His Message of Hope, to our neighbours, our collegues, to our communities and the nations of the World.

The Words of our Lord and Saviour, when He spoke about the Church, we still see it echo true after two thousand years. Matt 16:18 Nasb " I will build My church; and the gates of (Z)Hades will not overpower it. " The countless saints who have gone before us, our brothers and sisters today, not only in our own churches, or in our towns, or even in our countries, but across the oceans of the world, we all stand on this promise, that He is still building His Church, and the countless plans and strategies of the Devil, will not overcome us. Amen

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 2

2006-04-24T16:36:00.000+01:00

Acts 2:1 - 4 Nlt"1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Here, our Lord's promise to our brothers and sisters is fulfilled, could you imagine what if this happened with us, today ?. Suddenly you are in your Prayer Meeting,( Homegroup, Bible Study, or the Sunday Service). People start hearing what sounds like the wind, one person turns around, to see what's happening, then another, you turn around to see, and you see what looks like a flame on some one's head, you try to tell them, but they can't understand you, they reply, you don't know what saying, but you know they're praising God. Then one person bursts out into the street, then you find yourself, talking to a complete stranger, telling them in a language you don't understand, the wonders of what God has done for them, but they ask you , do you know Chinese ? You see other friends, talking to other people, and the same is happening. There's a group of people, laughing at you, Saying ignore them, they're drunk.

Then you hear a voice, you recognise, it's your pastor, replying they're not drunk, the pubs aren't open yet !. Then he explains to the gathering crowd, what's happening, as he continues to speak, people start crying and falling on their knees, where they're once were standing. The traffic has stopped, a man gets out of his car, and asks you, what must I do to be saved, then you find yourself surrounded by a large group of people, crying and asking you the same question, you look to your closest friends for help, to see them in the same position as you, with large groups of people surrounding them.

You remember what your pastor has just said,about Jesus, and you look back to the day you got saved, and tell the gathered crowd, The Good News about Salvation. Then you find yourself, joining with a large crowd, walking down the High Street, people are singing, and praising God, it's like going to see your local football team play, but better, lots better, amazing really. It's a wonderfully joyous occasion, and as people come out to see what's happening, and they're joining the crowd, you're part of.

Someone comes up to speak to, it's one of the elders in your church, asking you "How do we baptize these people ?" You reply, we can't use the baptism pool, it's to small! You keep walking, and people are heading for the river. Then find yourself, wading to the middle of the river, you see a friend, you both say "Praise God" and smile to each other, then one person walks out towards you, then another and as far as you can see, the banks of the river, are full of people waiting to be baptized, there's a group of you in the water, baptizing people, then's another group, praying for people who just come out of the water, People who couldn't walk, are running now, a person shouts," I can see, I can see " and you remember the blind man, who asked you earlier to lead him to Jesus, and realize it's the same man.

It's now early evening, and you soaked to the skin, but you feel the wonder and amazement of this special and wondrous day, a Day of God's Favour and Blessing, not only on you, and your church, but on your town. You think about how your life has been transformed, and countless other lives have been transformed by meeting with the Saviour. The people have stopped coming now, but people are just sitting around, some are talking together, some are praying together, one person has got a bottle of wine, and a loaf of bread and is sharing communion with a group of new Christians. Your pastor is still there, and he's surrounded by you guess a 1000 people, the elders are still there, and they're surrounded by large groups of people also, You sit down to listen, you don't want to go home. You listen to the words, your pastor is speaking, ", and when the Day of Pentecost had fully come. " You realize, that this very day, you've not just seen but have been part of, aday simliar to the one in Acts 2.

You praise God, and think about all the wonders, you're going to see tomorrow, and how that when you go to work , that this will continue. You realize not just how much God's loves you, but how much He loves the World.

I believe, that we're going to see, similar things, to what I have just described, It says in Eph 3:20 Niv
" 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

and finally

1 Co2 2:9 The Message
"9That's why we have this Scripture text: No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it-- What God has arranged for those who love him."
We going to see, Jesus lifted high, like a banner across our Land

The Church, God's Masterpiece Part 1

2006-04-24T11:28:00.000+01:00

The Church, God's Masterpiece

I love the Church, when we look, not only in our towns and cities, but across our land and the nations of the World. We see many facets of Church, from the large cathedral to the small group that meets in someone's home. To everything else in between.

Here in the West, we can meet together in relative freedom, yet in other countries, our brothers and sisters are persecuted for the faith that we share. All across the World, we will find various expressions of Church, no two expressions are exactly the same. My church in Swansea, The New Covenant Church (www.lifechangingchurch.org) is not only different from the other churches in Swansea, but different from the other churches that we relate too, not only here in the UK, but in the USA, Canada, India, Norway, South Africa and other lands.

I thank God, that there's diversity in His Church, could you imagine the confusion if we're all the same ? When we read through our Bibles, we can see the richness of the diversity of the Church. We see both the problems and the potential of each of the churches mentioned, we read with excitement the Book of Acts, we're challenged in both our faith and our expectation. We read about the difficulties, the deception, the disappointment, yet the early disciples, despite the persecution and the problems, praised God and proclaimed His Message of Hope to a lost and dying world, world seemingly without hope. Yet they carried the Gospel as a beacon of hope, which transformed the communities of then known world.

We see the early disciples, Peter, John and others gathered in the Upper Room. Our Lord who died for their sins, our sins and sins of the World, has been raised from the dead, and now is in Heaven. then we read about His Resurrection and Ascension, but what next ?

In the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We can read some of the last words, Our Lord and Saviour shared with our brothers and sisters back then.

Matt 28:18-20 Niv

"18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Mark 16:15-20 The Message

"15Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. 16Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned. 17"These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, 18they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well."

Luke 24:47-49 Nlt

47With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' 48You are witnesses of all these things.
49"And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from Heaven"

What happens now ?, we see from the above ref , Luke 24:49b

"But stay here in the City(Jerusalem) until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from Heaven."

To see, what happens next, let's turn back to Scripture. see Part 2

Happy St George's Day

2006-04-22T22:24:00.000+01:00

I was looking on the homepage, of my Internet Service Provider, to be suprised see The Cross of St George, I didn't realize that today Sunday 23rd April is St George's Day.

So, to all my English Friends, I wish you all a Happy St George's Day.

St George was born in Cappadocia, which I can't find on a map of England !, however it's in Turkey. He was a Christian, who died for his Faith under the Emperor Diocletian. It was only when King Richard 1, (Richard the Lion Heart), discovered the story of St George , while on the Crusades, and thought the story of St George would inspire his soldiers, did the story become well known in England, and it was decided to make him the Patron Saint of the England in the early 13th Century.

St George is also the Patron Saint of Aragon, Catalonia (both in Spain), Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine and Portugal. So, in effect St George is an International/Multinational Patron Saint !.

So, to all my English friends both in England and here in Wales, I wish you well, and to those people I don't know in Spain, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine and Portugal. Happy St George's Day .

Weekend Review (2) Updated

2006-04-22T19:08:00.000+01:00

This week in Book Review, I am only going to review 1 Book.
This book is called "The Radical Church" by Bryn Jones

As some of you know, I am part of the New Covenant Church, Swansea, ( please see http://www.lifechangingchurch.org/) which is part of Ministries without Borders, which is lead by Keri Jones, who is Bryn's brother.

I have been part of this group of Churches for the last 11 years, and I had the honour of sitting under Bryn's ministry for several years. I was also part of the same Church as Bryn, The Leicester Christian Fellowship, and became friends with Bryn, knowing him has had a profound impact on my life.

Reading my well thumbed copy of "The Radical Church" which I have read countless times, and I just keep coming back and back to it. Bryn was one of early pioneers of the Restoration Movement here in the Uk, and his ministry has impacted countless lives, Countries and Churches. I have realized what impact Bryn has had my life. I thank God for impact Bryn and others have had my life.

The Radical Church, it's subtitled Restoring the Apostolic Edge, After the Bible, this book has had the most influence on my life, but also on my theology. This book will challenge you to see, what The Church should be like. Like Bryn I believe in Restoration, I believe in the Church and I believe in the Kingdom, to summarize The Radical Church, will be a difficult job.
So I will quote Bryn on these 3 themes.

a) Restoration
b) The Church
c) The Kingdom

a) Restoration
" We do not seek to return to an original condition; rather, we seek to advance to the fullness of God's original intention." " Restorers continue to seek ( as they always have) to recover truth from the Bibical record. But they believe there would be far too limited, for restoration is much more than recovering a primitive order or practice associated with the early Church."

Isa 58:12 Niv
"12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

Acts 3:20 -21 Nasb
" 20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21(A)whom heaven must receive until the period of (B)restoration of all things about which (C)God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time."

b) The Church
" Scripture shows the Church having both doctrinal and experiential foundations. It's doctrinal foundation is Jesus and the twelve. But, experientially, every emerging church needs to be in living fellowship with Christ and with a continuing apostolic and prophetic ministry."

Eph 2: 19b -21 Nlt
",You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. 20We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord."

Eph 4:11-13 Nasb
" 11And He (Christ) (A)gave (B)some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as (C)evangelists, and some as pastors and (D)teachers, 12(E)for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of (F)the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to (G)the unity of the faith, and of the (H)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (I)mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the (J)fullness of Christ.

The Kingdom.
"The Kingdom of God can be best defined as "the rule of God in action". To be in the Kingdom is to be under God's active rule, " "The Church is the agent of the Kingdom in the sense that it is in and through the Church that the Kingdom of God is made evident and that rule of God is manifested. That is not because we claim to be in the Kingdom or talk about about being in the Kingdom or even preach about being in the Kingdom; it is because we experience the righteous, peace, and joy of being in the Kingdom."

Matthew 24:35 Nlt
" 35 ,`Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. "

Luke 12:30b -31 Nlt
" , but your Father already knows your needs. 31He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."

If you like to read more of this book, or read more of Bryn's writings try the link , http://www.therestorer.net/ and there is also a link to Amazon at the bottom of this blog.

Weekend Review (1) Music

2006-04-22T10:27:00.000+01:00

This weekend in Music Review. I will be reviewing the following CD's

1) KT Tunstall, Eye to the Telescope
2) Corrine Bailey-Ray, Put Your Records On
3) Journey South, The Debut Album

1) When you listen to the unique voice and talent of KT Tunstall, you're hit not only with the rich sounds and tones of her outstanding voice and awesome guitar playing, but with the power of the tracks that she has written, this is not the usual cover version of songs that someone else has written. You're taken on a journey of musical enjoyment, yet though provoking, when you listen to the words, it seems every song as a story to it.

With words like "The fire fades away, most of every day" from the 1st track "Other side of the World and "I feel like walking the world, like walking the world" from the 9th track "Suddenly I See." You can almost feel the emotion when she wrote those songs, I recommend this CD either when you need that something to listen to, and that special gift. 5/5

2) I remember when I first heard this album, this is what I can only describe as the ultimate chill album, yes it's easy listening, but hey I enjoy it. Again similar to KT Tunstall, Corrine Bailey Ray has co-written the songs on this album, and that in my opinion. Helps makes this album worth buying, in these days of instant celebrity and x-factor style instant success and sudden disappointment, does anyone remember Gareth Gates and Steve Brookstein? Corrine Bailey-Ray started singing in Church, that was a backing singer for people like Gerri Halliwell( the artist formely known as Ginger Spice).

The talent of Corrine Bailey-Rae, just oozes from this album, and in words of this singer, put this record on, and let your hair down, in other words, when you need to relax, put this CD on your stereo. Again 5/5

3) You may think that my previous comments that I don't think a great deal, about TV program's like X-Factor, and you're so right. Please don't get me started, maybe I will do a blog about it, sometime. Getting back to this review. I think that Journey South's Debut Album is brilliant, yes it's all covers, but that doesn't take away from their talent. When I told, a really good friend and fellow trekkie in Church, that I bought this album, he offered to pray for me !

This is simply enjoyable and sometimes up lifting music, yes you will recognize the songs they sing on this album. However the uniqueness of Journey South, is that they make each song their own. I hope that Journey South will do other albums, unfortunately I think within less a year, Journey South will singing these songs in clubs, pubs and Butlins. Only because it's all Covers and is linked to X-Factor 4/5.

If you wish to buy these albums, there is a link to Amazon at the bottom of my blog.

Weekend Review, Introduction

2006-04-22T09:59:00.000+01:00

Those amongest us, that buy a newspaper over the weekend, usually find extras like TV listings, and a free Magazine with not only some excellent news stories, essays and Music , Film and Book Reviews.

As part of Viewpoints, Visions and Values (V3), I will be reviewing several CD's and Books every other weekend. I have decided to split these into 2 Sections. These will be a combination of Christian and Non-Christian Books and CD's, all taken from my own collection.

Section 1. Music
Section 2. Books

When I listen to CD's on my PC, I prefer to listen via Apple's Itunes, the sound quality is far better and clearer the Windows Media Player, why not check it out for yourself:-

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Viewpoints, Visions and Values: Tithing (3)

2006-04-21T23:04:00.000+01:00

Viewpoints, Visions and Values: Tithing (3)

Thought for the Day. Walking in the Light

2006-04-21T22:15:00.000+01:00

I have decided as part of my blogging endevours, to do a Thought for the Day section.

This is my first "Thought for the Day." I hope it helps you in some way, and both blesses and encourages you.

Proverbs 4:18.. Nlt

"18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day."

Psalm 119:105 Nlt

" 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."

1 John 1:7 Niv

" 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, "

Hey, It's the Weekend,

2006-04-21T20:06:00.000+01:00

Tithing (3)

2006-04-21T14:21:00.000+01:00

In my recent posts, on Tithing, I said that I am making a study on Tithing, because of an article in Christianity Magazine April 2006 called "Don't Tithe." by Andy Hickford.

To aid my study, I did decide to use Google, to pull up any references from Christian websites, to see who else is making or who has made a study on Tithing. I found some interesting information out there, and trust me in this, some of this information, was certainly out there!
It seems, that the view and teaching I believe, some believe is incorrect and in error!

I wasn't surprised by this, when examining teaching, we always start from God's written Word, the Bible, and we are all responsible to examine our beliefs and opinions to see if they have Scriptural support. I do not wish to cause offence, etc, by some people out there, describe the Bibical Principle of Tithing as a false teaching for the Church, and this I disagree with. After careful study of these teachings and God's written word, I now realize that are different and varied views, But I know I believe in Tithing.

I have one thing to say, about some of the "teaching" on the Web, and that is:-

Ephesians 4:14 Nlt

" 14Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. "

The main argument used in these sites, is that giving a Tithe is an Old Testament practice, which is not relevant to the New Testament, or is a practice to be carried out in the Church today, Indeed the Scriptural references used to say, that Tithing today is wrong, support the Bibical Principle of Tithing for the Church today.

They use the references to Giving in 2 Cor 8 & 9, to say that Giving has superseded Tithing

2 Cor 8:12 Nlt

"12 If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have."

2 Cor 9:7-8 Nlt

"7You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

Yes, Giving is important and relevant to the Church, but is extra or in addition to our Tithes
it's called the Principle of Firstfruits.

Prov 3:9 Niv

" Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;"

Therefore your Tithes are the firstfruits of your income, or the first 10% and Giving and/or Offerings are from the rest or 90% of the income. God calls us not only to be good stewards with our income, but generous givers as well.

The writer to Hebrews, compares the Old Covenant and the Levitical Priesthood, to the New Covenant and our Lord and Saviour Jesus, which we know is a better Covenant, and a Covenant of Grace.

Jesus is compared to someone called Melchizedek, who is described as the king of Salem and also a priest of God Most High.
Heb 7:17 & 21 Nlt

" 17For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever. "

We see earlier in this chapter, that Abraham give a Tithe to Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:1f Ntl

"1This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek. His name means "king of justice." He is also "king of peace" because Salem means "peace."

Some people today say , that we don't need to Tithe, because we no longer have a Levitical Priesthood, yet when Abraham give a Tithe to Melchizedek, his descendant Levi, who was not yet born, gave a Tithe to Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:9-10 Ntl

" 9In addition, we might even say that Levi's descendants, the ones who collect the tithe, paid a tithe to Melchizedek through their ancestor Abraham. 10For although Levi wasn't born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham's loins when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

In conclusion, The Principle of Tithing, predates the Levitical Priesthood, because Abraham give a Tithe to Melchizedek, who is used as type of Christ, indeed our Lord is described as a Priest of the order of Melchizedek, So, yes Tithing is a Bibical Practice for the Church today, yet we're called not only to Tithe but to give Offerings as well.

My good friend, Hugh Griffiths in his blog at www.lifechangingchurch.org has this excellent link to www.lifechurch.tv/TithesThreeMonthTithingChallenge/p/465/Default.aspx.

What I will say, if you don't Tithe try it, and if you do Tithe continue to do it. I have emailed the Editor of Christianity Magazine, with my comments on Tithing.

Politics and Power, Caption Contest

2006-04-21T13:25:00.000+01:00

I was catching up with the News, earlier today and was reading through the BBC News website, when I found this story.... " Labour defends Cherie's hair bill !. "

Through the last General Election campaign, Mrs Blair took her personal hairdresser with her, at a cost of £7700 which works out at £275 a day for 25 days, by the way she didn't pay, the Labour Party picked up the Bill.

A Labour Party Spokesperson, when asked about this is reported to have said " So what? We won the election !. "

Does anyone else have any issues, with this ?

Now for the caption, " What's Cherie thinking ? "

And now for a question, would you pay £275 for a haircut, and what would you get for £275, by the way, the last time I had my haircut, it cost me £7, and I had a shock, when I saw the price !

Tithing (2)

2006-04-20T21:36:00.000+01:00

After reading Andy's article, I have decided to do an in depth study of Tithing, all of which will be found on this blog. Using Andy's article has the basis of this study, although I disagree with his conclusions, I hope to use this Study to help any possible debate. I will update this blog, with my conclusions.

Deut 14:22f

" 22"You must set aside a tithe of your crops--one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23Bring this tithe to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the LORD your God."

Tithing (1)

2006-04-20T21:09:00.000+01:00

There has been a lot of blogging in regards to a recent story in Christianity Magazine, called "Don't Tithe." by Andy Hickford.

First of all, I will say, that I am avid reader of Christianity Magazine, and find the articles, stories and comments, interesting, enjoyable and thought provoking, When I picked up the April Edition, and saw the words "Don't Tithe" I originally thought, that it was a humorous title, to say that we should tithe. Yet, there articles in that edition, that I did enjoy and found though provoking.

I read the article, and although find Andy's comments interesting, but never the less incorrect. There are many arguments, that Andy uses, and although he gives some excellent points of view, I have several concerns over Andy's Teaching.

Throughout the Bible, in the Old Testament and the New Testaments, there are many references to Tithing.

Leviticus 27:30 Nlt

30"A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy.

Yes, I believe in Tithing, because it works. I was raised in a Christian Home, and both my parents and grandparents taught myself and my sisters. Bibical Principles and Truths such as Tithes and Offerings, and although I grew up in a Pentecostal Church and I am now part of the New Covenant Church, Swansea see www.lifechangingchurch.org where you can see a brilliant and challenging blog by my good friend, as well as excellent leader, teacher and elder Hugh Griffiths, Hugh is one of the four elders in the Church, these are Mike Sutton-Smith, Mick Walford and Robin Brown.

In regards to my Christian upbringing, there is a key scripture:-

Prov 22:6 Nlt

6Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

Yes, My Church teach the importance of both Tithes and Offerings, not only it is a Command from God, it's a Principle and Truth and has support in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as through Church History.

When I receive my payslip, the first thing, I do is divide the gross by 10%, because that's the first fruits of my labour.

Proverbs 3:9 Nlt

"Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops, "

The Church needs finance, for it to complete it's mandate, the Bibical way, that finance is raised, is Tithes, Offerings and Gifts, Recently I won, a Nintendo GameBoy Micro through my work. I asked my Pastor, Mike Sutton-Smith to release it to a family in the Church. In a recent Church Meeting, we were praying for finance to support our Student Worker, Mike mentioned an amount, while praying, God challenged me to give what I had in my wallet, I had£5, which I give to Mike, while we were praying, the next day in work, I received £35 in commission.

In Andy's article he mentions, and I quote

"Tithing certainly does appear as a direct command to the Israelites in the Old Testament......... It was without a doubt an important law that the Israelites were expected to follow............
There are some immediate and obvious problems though, if we are to take these verses to teach tithing as a command for God's people today. Tithing was never universal in the Old Testament; only agricultural workers were expected to pay a tithe on the produce of the land. "

Although Andy's point of view, is well though out, the Scriptures he uses, teach that Tithing is as relevant and important to us today, as was to the Israelites in the Old Testament.

Two of these Scriptures are:-

Leviticus 27:30 Nlt

"A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy. "

Although it says produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, today we don't take our produce from the land, we receive an income, the people of the Old Testament usually weren't paid an income, they grew it

Deuteronomy 14:22 Nlt

22"You must set aside a tithe of your crops--one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23Bring this tithe to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the LORD your God.

Today, not many of us, harvest crops, we don't grow grain, etc, so, instead of giving God our a tenth of our grain, etc, we give a tenth of our income, Yes, this is what's known as Bibical Principle.

To be cont, please feel free to comment

Interesting Photos

2006-04-20T21:03:00.000+01:00

I found this, on the Daily Telegraph's website,

If anyone, knows what is going on, please post a comment