J.A.M.

Last weekend I attended a Song Writing Workshop in my favorite City in the whole world – Port Elizabeth. I left East London around lunch time on Friday by bus and arrived on Friday evening in PE. I stayed at The Chapman and enjoyed a room with a view of the ocean over the following 4 nights. It was a very enjoyable short break away from the demands of ‘normal’ life – whatever that is.

The Workshop had been advertised by Kyknet on DSTV. I have, for a long time now, felt that the Afrikaans Music Industry is much more alive and in many ways more creative than the English Music Industry, so jumped at the opportunity to attend a Song Writing Workshop aimed at introducing songwriters to an Afrikaans Song Writing Competition based on the concept of the Eurovision Song Contest. The ‘Afri-Visie’ Workshop was presented by Pierre Rossouw, well known South African Song Writer and Heidi Edeling, a sought after professional in the SA Music Industry. It was held at Cherry Place in Walmer in Port Elizabeth and was a most enjoyable day learning more about the South African Song Writing Community from those on the inside. Getting into the Industry really is more about ‘who you know’, which is sad as there is so much untapped talent out there, but this initiative is hoping to open that door to many more Song Writers. It was explained that there is a drastic shortage of Song Writers in the Industry and new talent is being looked for through this competition to grow the Song Writing pool. So – all very exciting!

The competition officially launches on 1 August this year and will run until 31 August. The best songs will be identified in the different regions of our Country and this will all culminate in a gala evening broadcast live on DSTV where the winner will be announced. There are large cash prizes up for grabs and a ‘foot in the door’. I have never written songs in Afrikaans but have been writing in English for a number of years now so am really excited at being faced with this new challenge.

More details can be found here http://kyknet.dstv.com/2014/04/14/afri-visie-skryf-n-treffer-kompetisie/

This past week South Africa and many people around the world have been shocked to the core. Another hero has seemingly fallen and many are dealing with emotions they don’t quite understand. Oscar Pistorious – ‘The Golden Boy of South African Athletics’ – as the foreign Press are putting it, has been accused of murdering his girlfriend in the early hours of Valentine’s Day. This week he will appear in court to oppose bail, which the State is calling for against a charge of premeditated murder. Reports are saying that he will be claiming innocence to the murder charge.

Almost immediately following the breaking of the news, social networks were abuzz with comments from many different quarters – and the comments continue to flow in. While many are sympathetic to all parties involved I have noticed more and more people making totally insensitive comments regarding the matter. As is most times the case when someone has ‘fallen’ there has been a barrage of jokes circulating making reference to Oscar’s physical disabilities. The same thing happened following Michael Jacksons death, Tiger Woods’ ‘fall’ and Lance Armstrongs’ confession that he had been lying about using performance enhancing drugs to win – as well as many others. Why are we like this? Is it a way to handle the shock that comes with such a story? Is it a nervous reaction when we realize that we too could fall in the same way? Do we feel somewhat superior because we haven’t ‘sinned’ in the same way? I don’t know the answer. All I do know is that it comes across as repulsive to think that following the cruel death of someone – irrespective of what the circumstances were – people can find the time to ridicule the supposed perpetrator and make silly references to a handicap which he has overcome. Last year the world was in awe of him as he triumphed at the Olympic Games despite his disabilities. How fickle we are…

Yesterday I was particularly troubled by comments to a report I read in the Press. Apparently Oscar asked for a Minister to pray for him in his holding cell. A local news site reported on it and the comments flowed…. This is an extract from the report:

“According to a police source, Pistorius requested a minister to pray for him in his cell. “I saw her (the minister) with her hands on his head praying for him”.” (http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pray-for-me-says-Oscar-20130217)

A number of people commented to the effect that he is not deserving of prayer at all. One commented that the only prayer they have is that he ‘rots in jail’. How sad. Yes, he may have committed an awful crime (as yet unproven) – the worst kind – but there is forgiveness for him as well. That is what God is all about. That is what Grace is all about. To say that he is not deserving of Prayer tells me that someone making such a comment has no understanding of who God is. It tells me they have no relationship with God. We are all sinners and none of us deserve the forgiveness he shows toward us (if we ask for it). Sin is sin in God’s eyes and whether we steal a paperclip at work or murder someone, it is viewed in the same way by God. I do not believe that in His eyes there are ‘degrees of sin’. We judge so easily when we ourselves are guilty of so much on so many different levels. Have you ever stolen? Have you ever lusted? Have you ever harbored unkind thoughts? Reeva Steenkamps family must be going through a very tough time and it must be very difficult for them to be feeling any sort of compassion for Oscar at the moment – but God looks on all sides with love and compassion in His eyes. He will wipe away the tears and over time give the Peace they are requiring – if they look to him. And the same goes for you and me . While Oscar has not yet been proven guilty of anything, so many are giving up on him and standing in judgement.

Imagine if God gave up on you… Do you deserve the love He has for you?

Same Sex Marriage

Today two men that I know are getting married and it’s got me thinking once again about where I stand on the whole ‘issue’ of gay marriage. Why should it interest anyone what my views are though – (you may be thinking). True. What I believe on whatever subject is really of no importance or consequence in anyone’s life but I need to document these thoughts – if not only for myself. Now I fully understand the world view on same sex relationships and the whole “the Constitution says” debate and even the fact that people are free to choose who they want to spend their lives with. I understand too the plight of homosexual people when it comes to feeling shunned by society and judged by the ‘Church’ – for reasons I’ll explain …

Personally, I do not believe that ones sexual orientation is always a choice. There are factors in a young persons life which contribute to their understanding of themselves sexually. The old argument about the absence of a mother or father figure holds true in many cases. If a child is sexually abused or taken advantage of by someone of the same sex early in life it is very possible that that child will continue developing sexually along the same ‘path’ of what they have been exposed to. Their first sexual experience will contribute greatly to their development. Many argue that children, naturally curious, will experiment with each other sexually, sometimes with someone of their own gender. While this is sometimes true it should never be at the hands of someone who purposely receives sexual gratification from the sexual exploiting of children as that can unnaturally influence that young life in a direction that may not have been the path their life would have taken. I know this to be true because it is my personal experience…

At the age of 12 I had a ‘best friend’. We did everything together and were more like brothers than friends. He had been taken advantage of by his Uncle (although he did not see it as that at that time). He wanted to show me what his Uncle had shown him – and we experimented. Two 12 year old boys – on a Sunday School Camp of all places. Life went on. What had happened had no influence on my life at that stage and I soon forgot about it. At the age of 16 I was sexually abused by a well known man in the Broadcasting Industry in Johannesburg. He had taken advantage of my love for Radio and used it to win my trust. I did not see it as abuse at the time – as a matter of fact the excitement of all these new things I had not experienced before was in a weird way enjoyable. I did not realize that what was happening to me was interfering with my sexual development and altering my mindset sexually. He was a pedophile and was arrested for ‘abusing little boys’ as the press put it. I was one of those boys. The abuse happened over a period of a year and resulted in me becoming very withdrawn and insecure in myself. Two years later I joined the Army for my two years National Service. In the Army you adapt or die! There was no time for my insecurities and I soon became involved with a group of people who were ‘like me’. This was my introduction to what was a very underground culture back then. Most of the people I was mixing with and spending my time with were gay – very much frowned upon by society back then. I worked at two gay nightclubs during my Army years as DJ and got heavily involved in the whole ‘scene’. I left the Army as a very confused young man, not knowing who I was in many areas of my life. I felt lonely, misunderstood and insecure. I was lost.

During my early 20’s I continued on a path I knew was wrong, looking for answers to the many questions I had about life. I moved back in with ‘friends’ and back home and then back in with ‘friends’ again a few times during those years – looking for answers. My drug habit which had started during the Army had escalated out of control and I was kicked out of the house I was house sitting as a result of it. My life was a mess. For me personally – looking back after all these years – I trace my ‘decline’ back to my sexual abuse when I was 16. As I said at the start of this – I understand where gay people are coming from when it comes to the alienation associated with their lifestyle. I also understand that it is not always a choice to be gay. I did not choose to have the attractions I had back then. I did not choose what I for many years thought was my sexual orientation. What I have learned though is that what one does with that orientation is a choice. I chose to throw myself into the whole ‘scene’ back then and ended up feeling used (many times) and abused.

In 1987 my life changed. I had been brought up in the Church and because of this and the fact that my Dad was a Minister I had always thought I was a Christian. Nothing could have been further from the truth though as I was living my life very pointedly for ‘me’ – satisfying my own selfish needs and desires in whatever way I could find to, all the time hurting and disillusioning those who were closest to me – my family and friends who really cared. One morning, following a night of excessive drug use I woke up feeling very convicted within myself of the wrong in my life. I knew the truth. I knew my life was a mess and that I needed God to be at the centre of it. I returned home to my parents determining to sort my life out. I visited a Minister friend of my fathers, broke down emotionally in his office and consciously decided to give my life to God that day and with His help, to sort myself out. It was not an easy time as I constantly heard the ‘voices of my past’ calling me back and many times I backslid to the life I had been living earlier, each time more and more aware that it was not the life I wanted. I began desiring to live a life that was pleasing to God – the life that He had created me to live. During this time a particular verse from Scripture became very important to me – Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” Despite all my running away from Him through the years He still had plans for me and over time has helped me to realize my dreams in many areas of my life. As a young boy I had wanted to work in the broadcasting industry and in particular, Radio. He has helped me to realize that dream and today I am a Broadcaster and also operate a recording studio from home. I believe I am doing what I was created to do and it is such an awesome thing to feel on a daily basis that I am living at the centre of His will for my life. In the early 90’s God brought a wonderful woman into my life and today we have been married for 16 years. We both share the same love for music and service to God and the old selfish desires I used to live to please are gone. This does not mean that I have not made mistakes through the years. I have failed and the only reason I am able to talk about it today is because all of this has become my Testimony – my story which I share whenever I can to help others understand that God does not want us to come to Him perfect or even once we have ‘sorted ourselves out’. We could never do that on our own. God wants us ‘warts and all’ as they say. He is in the business of ‘fixing’ us – we cannot fix ourselves (or anyone else for that matter – a painful lesson I have learned down through the years).

So – coming back to the gay marriage issue… I have needed to share the above to put my thinking on this matter in perspective – to show that I do understand what is involved here – that I am not just being bigoted in some of my thinking. Do I understand that some people find themselves enveloped in the whole gay ‘scene’ out of no choosing of their own? Yes. Do I believe that a persons sexual orientation is not always a choice they have themselves made? Yes – who would willingly choose a life of ridicule and exclusion…? Do I understand that a person could be ‘born gay’? I’m not sure about this one… A person can be born physically deformed, missing a hand or a foot or anything else for that matter that sees them not being a perfectly formed baby. Could genes also be ‘deformed’ at birth then? I’m not sure. I do believe though that a persons sexual development is very often influenced by things they have experienced in their formative years – abuse etc. Do I believe that two people of the same sex are meant to live together in a sexual relationship, living their lives as a man and woman should? While the ‘world’, on political grounds of things like equality and human rights say it is acceptable, I have to say that from a Christian point of view, when looking at what God has to say on the subject, my answer would have to be “No”.

Now I fully understand that not everyone is a Christian. Not everyone has chosen to or is desiring to live a life that is pleasing to God – that’s the wonder of a relationship with God. He loved us enough to give us the choice of whether to follow Him or not. We are free to choose Him or choose the world and our own ideas for how we should live. Gods Word is very clear on the subject of homosexuality though whether we want to accept that or not. We have all sorts of ways of rationalizing what His Word says. We argue that it was written for the people of ‘that time’ and declare that times have changed – all things which assist us in refashioning a Gospel with which we are comfortable. Gods Word is not meant to be a ‘comfortable’ thing though. It contains direction, instruction and correction for our lives. Once we surrender to Him, he helps us to live the lives He intended. Along that road is the Peace we search for in life down so many ‘off the beaten track’ roads. If we do surrender our lives to him totally, He will direct us and grow us into the people He created us to be. It may be a painful path to travel at first but over time it is the most rewarding relationship anyone could ever desire – and it comes with the promise of a life hereafter – something not possible without a living relationship with Jesus. Can somebody who has been entangled in the web of lies and deceit called ‘homosexuality’ be set free from it and turn away from it? I believe the answer is a resounding ‘Yes”! That’s what repentance is all about. The word repentance means literally doing a 180 degree turnabout and walking in the opposite direction. It can be done! The lie people are so often fed is that you cannot change – “I am what I am” is the biggest lie of all time! God is in the business of changing lives and He wants to change yours. The choice though is yours – He gives you that choice freely.

So, in short, do I think gay marriage is ‘right’? In Gods eyes (the only way I can really look at it) I do not believe it is. God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman for the purpose of the two becoming one in order to further the human race. Any other reasons for marriage are outside of His plans for humanity and are worldly creations and perversions of his plan and are in essence a direct mockery against Gods purposes for us. Deep down I believe that homosexuality in general is an entrapment and a cage many people find themselves living in. It is an enslaved lifestyle. A lifestyle that is totally opposed to true freedom which is what God is all about. God is all about setting people free from cages though! He is all about freedom – and even a homosexual can be set free!

While these views may not be popular with many and are actually views some see as ‘hate speech’ – they are views which have brought true freedom into my life and are what I believe to be true based on my understanding of Gods Word. If you would like to talk to me further about this please feel free to leave a comment here or contact me on gubbles@mweb.co.za

It was 7 years ago today that The Gap was born. It was 2005. In May we had held a Lay Witness Mission at our Church and during the weekend a need was identified for a Youth Group where the teenagers in our Church could get together on a weekly basis to discover more about themselves and what it meant to be a Christian. One of our senior teens had shared openly with me that weekend about his struggles and my heart went out to him and together we decided to start planning a youth group. The four young people who were there that night met together when the adults broke into their discussion groups and we began talking about what form the group would take. They were the founding members of The Gap.

(Back) Haiden Eales
(Front From Left) Taygen Fisher, Nicole Greenwood, Kyle Clack.

Over the next few months we met regularly to convert the garage at Church into the ‘Youth Room’. Parents got involved and helped to design a logo. Furniture and curtains were donated and a work party was put together to decorate the garage prior to its opening.

On 5 August 2005 we held our first meeting. Friday nights would never be the same again. Over the next two years we spent quality time laughing, crying and learning together. Great fun was had. A lot of tears were shed. Mistakes were made by the group and also by me. There were great victories as well. Over the time many young people came into a relationship with Jesus. There was a lot of trust in our group and over the time great friendships were made. This was the group that met on the first Friday evening.

The First Meeting Of ‘The Gap’

As time went on, the group evolved, as people got older, moved on, left school, went to university, got engaged etc. The group dissolved and then started up again a few times, each time with a new set of members and then finally about two years back now stopped meeting on a Friday night. The Gap has never ‘closed’ as such but at the moment, there are not enough High School students in our Church to warrant the group. Perhaps it will start up again next year as the younger members of our Sunday School move into High School.

At the height of the groups existence, when we were seeing an attendance of up to 30 on a Friday night, I learnt a great deal about the many challenges today’s younger generation face. Amongst the group there were those who struggled with drug related issues, eating disorders, sexual identity problems, teenage pregnancies, problems with parents etc. There were times when I got it right as a leader. There were times when I got it horribly wrong. What I do know is that every one of those young people will always hold a very special place in my heart. Many of them have gone on to have a very close walk with Jesus. Others have drifted far. I do believe though that important seeds were planted in those years and commitments were made to God at one time or another by every one who was a part of the group. Those seeds may only be watered at some time in the future. God took those commitments seriously…

If you were a part of The Gap and are reading this post – leave a message to share what it meant to you.

Many more photo’s can be found at these links:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4329959399.5727.631494399&type=3&l=fdbd899736

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.7591344399.22830.631494399&type=3&l=ca5872dfd7

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.110135239399.115955.631494399&type=3&l=c0b5064f8c

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.107488719399.114266.631494399&type=3&l=440a46c912

The Gap 2006

A Commitment Made To One Another

Helen’s and my day began this morning at 3.40am. Helen’s Mom, Cynthia Becker, has not been well now for the past five weeks. She has spent most of the time in bed with a back injury that she has struggled to conquer. It has left her in a lot of pain and breathless much of the time. We have been very worried. She phoned us at 3.40 this morning to say she was not feeling well. By 5.30am the ambulance had arrived to take her to St. Dominic’s Hospital. Helen went with her thinking it would be a relatively simple procedure and that she would be home in an hour or two. Our car packed up yesterday and is needing attention before it can be used again so a friend was going to fetch her at the hospital and bring her home.

By mid morning, when Helen was still not home from hospital, we realized things were getting complicated. We had at first been told that because of changes in my Mom In- Law’s Medical Aid, a R15 000 up front payment was required by the hospital in order to admit her. Tests were done in the waiting area and it was determined that she had developed Pneumonia in one Lung and because of this complication the admittance fee was increased to R30 000! We do not have that kind of money and it seemed that we would have to admit her to Frere Hospital instead. We were loathe to do that as she needs a lot of very specialized medical care and as a result of previous bad experience with the Frere and a generally bad reputation it was a terrifying thought.

We were both desperate as we knew there was no way we could raise that type of money in such a short time. By lunch time though, God had made a way for us and provided the full R30 000 through a very special person. I arrived at the hospital around lunch time and she was admitted to a ward where she is now being looked after. A rough road lies ahead as we are not sure how long she will need to be there and what the costs will be – but we are confident that God has got everything under control.

This evening friends of ours brought us supper so that we did not have to still organize that after such a rough day. The lesson in this for me is that God WILL make a way where there seems to be no way – and very often right at the very last minute as He did with us today. I want to encourage you that if you are going through a tough time right now in whatever area of your life – keep trusting that God has you in the palm of His hand. You can never fall out of His hand! He WILL make a way.

I cannot understand how people who do not have a relationship with God cope. What or who do they hold on to in times of crisis. Having a Christian family at Church is such a blessing and such a wonderful support as well. We’ve been receiving messages throughout the day and it has really been a wonderful support for Helen and I.

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” – Isaiah 65:24

It was 5.30 on a cold morning in December 2004. I was heading off to Qunu in the Transkei to conduct an Interview for Link FM with former South African President Nelson Mandela and American Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey. The interview was to take place in his lounge in his home at Qunu. It had been arranged by the Mother of one of the presenters at Link FM who was well connected in political circles. I was rather excited about it. In secular terms they were arguably the most ‘powerful’ man and woman in the world at the time and I was looking forward to sitting down with them and finding out why they do what they do.

When we arrived security was understandably very tight and I really felt as though I was being smuggled through the gates in the back seat of the car. It was Nelson Mandela’s annual Christmas Party for the children of the area and Oprah was staying with him at the time to help with the distribution of the gifts. Around 5000 children were expected to flock to the surrounding areas to receive their gifts. I was armed with a camera, mini disc recorder and gifts for both of them. We had decided to give them each 2 drinking glasses with the Stations logo emblazoned on them along with a Journal. The interview was set for 11 am.

Sometime during the morning it was evident that things were getting out of hand as far as crowd control went as far more people were turning up than expected. At one point Oprah Winfrey, visibly trouble by the growing crowds, stepped out right in front of me, Steadman at her side, on the lawn of Madiba’s front garden. I walked up to her and said hello and asked if I could have a photograph. She ignored me. I (rather cheekily) told her it was only manners to ask and once again enquired. Once again she ignored me as though I wasn’t there – so I took the photo of her (and Steadman) anyway – not the most flattering photo I have seen of her.

The news was soon brought to me by one of the security officials that in light of the crowds which had now grown to about 15 000, the interview was cancelled. I was understandably very upset and decided that I would give them the gifts in any case. I went around the back to the security entrance and gave the parcels to the security officials at the gate. A few minutes later, Oprah’s gift was returned to me with the message that “Miss Winfrey does not accept gifts”. Now I can understand that she couldn’t possibly take everything back on the plane with her that people give her but surely it would only have been manners to accept it even if she gave it to someone else? Her arrogance when requesting the photo and the refusal of the gift resulted in me seeing her in a whole different light. As far as Madiba’s gift went though – it was accepted and a few weeks latter I received a letter from the Presidents Office thanking me naming the specific items in the gift. That was special.

It was a day I will remember for a long time. I took a photo of Madiba standing on his balcony along with his wife, Graca Machel. Sadly though the camera was not very good and he is ‘very small’ in the photo.

I did take a group photo though which includes my presenter friend (Thandy Kunene – kneeling in the middle) and her Mother (the tall woman in the right of the photo at the back – Faye Nqoloba).

Before returning home we assisted Madiba’s wife, Graca Machel and his Personal Assistant, Zelda Le Grange to hand out a few Christmas parcels to needy children in the area. Very special memories!

Happy 94th Madiba! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.

Recently I rediscovered this very wise illustration. Do you see yourself in it?

One evening an old Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside us. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, lust and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

The Dictionary defines the word ‘Compromise’ as an agreement to make concessions on both sides of a difference or argument. Compromise is not always a bad thing. It’s about give and take. For instance in a relationship situation it is often necessary for both people involved in the relationship to see things from the other persons point of view and sometimes to step back and allow what you have been resisting against to take place. An example, for instance, would be to give up a Saturday morning which you wanted to spend doing nothing and instead go along with your partner to visit their parents which you may not always enjoy doing. Giving and taking and compromising in such instances is important for the healthy growth of the relationship. However, when compromising would mean the situation will go against your moral beliefs or what you believe to be ‘right’ it can present a problem. We need to always be true to ourselves and not engage in what could have a negative influence on the relationship.

With this as the background I would however like to look at another kind of compromise which is the worst kind – particularly for a person of faith – and here I would specifically like to speak about Christian Compromise. Years ago I was well known in my friendship circle for being a ‘No Compromise’ type of person. It was difficult to live up to and perhaps at times I came across with a bit too much zeal as is so often the case with someone ‘new in the Faith’. There is such a fine line between ‘pointing the way’ and outright judging of another (which we should never do). About six years ago now I went through a very rough patch in my own personal life which saw me compromising in the very way I used to speak against and I ended up feeling false and heaped a great deal of judgement on myself much of which needed to be dealt with in counseling. God has been gracious and gentle with me though and I believe the ‘fall’ was meant to happen as I have grown a great deal, albeit slowly, as a result of it. I struggle with compromise in different areas but I have learnt that the struggle is the very thing that keeps me close to God and is perhaps my proverbial ‘thorn in the side’ which Paul speaks of in Scripture. It’s a strange thing to realize that things that once had such a hold seem to fade away over time when a relationship with God is cultivated daily.

Yesterday I read a Devotion which challenged me greatly. The man who wrote it said the following :

“You know, I had a feeling that if we just read the Bible and didn’t know anybody, we’d have a pretty clear view of what God wants. Then someone we care about comes along and it kind of gets us confused about what the Bible says.” And I told him, “I think the problems start when a verse gets a face.” That’s true in a lot of areas. Today in Christian circles, we’re accepting of so much more stuff – stuff that we wouldn’t have touched like say ten years ago. Our sociology often decides more than our theology decides. Our culture decides more than our Christianity. We can only enjoy the full blessing of God if we insist on the high standards of God. And I’ve got to tell you, it’s tempting not to when there’s a face – especially somebody you care about – in front of the verse. But it isn’t really love to lower the standards of God to make some temporary situation more comfortable. Those standards are not there to destroy people; they are the path to personal happiness. No matter how it looks, we must apply the Biblical guidelines with gentleness, not judgment; with love, not legalism. But we cannot dilute the Word of God for any person, for any situation.

This has really got me thinking of how we, who profess to be attempting to be followers of Christ, condone so much of what he taught against. The list is endless really. We know what God’s Word says on certain issues and yet we pick and choose the guidelines we feel comfortable with and then compromise with the others. For instance I’m sure that the majority of Christians would be totally against murder but some are OK perhaps with – let’s say – abortion, particularly if we know someone who has been unfortunate enough to find themselves in that situation. We may find it easy to be opposed to bigamy or incest or the sexual abuse of men, woman and children yet we are becoming more and more open in the ‘New Age’ to same sex relationships and Gay marriage. Sexual immorality is rife and while many will argue that it is more evident in the gay lifestyle, sexual activity outside of marriage is not in line with Scripture for ‘straight’ people as well – and is just as evident there. Divorce is widely accepted and seen a great deal amongst Christian people. ‘Christians’ are quite happy at times to place themselves in tempting situations where, for instance, alcohol may be freely flowing. They’re quite happy to partake in unsavory conversations in the work place or amongst their ungodly friends. These are all things which God has given clear directive on but because we may know someone who is in a situation such as this or perhaps we ourselves are caught up in it – we compromise and say that “God is a loving God” – and we seem to think He will overlook it. Now I’m not for a minute saying that people do not have struggles in their marriages or with their sexual identities as a result of a multitude of things that may have affected them in their lives. These things are not always a choice but how we choose to deal with them and how we live them out in our lives is a choice. To be totally honest I’m not really sure exactly what I am trying to say here other than it must really sadden the heart of God when He sees how His creation has gone their own way and continually compromise His Word, designing a personal Gospel for themselves which is comfortable to live with. The Gospel is not meant to be comfortable. It is there to guide and teach us and I believe to challenge us so that we can become the people He created us to be.

I know there are many people who do not have a relationship with God. There are many who are not interested in the Christian way of life and sadly many who do not even acknowledge the existence of a God at all. Perhaps you? For them, compromise is not an issue. They just live the way they live. We, as Christians, have the responsibility of being a light for people such as this. We need to demonstrate love and understanding in a non-judgmental way being aware that we also need to show truth and are not immune to falling. Compromising Christian values and the things Jesus taught and stood for does not show truth and is not a good witness to those who are seeking. Imagine someone who does not know Jesus personally. Someone who has not experienced His touch on their life and the freedom that that touch brings. What sort of witness will it be for them to hear you speaking about a godly lifestyle on one hand yet seeing and hearing different things from the life you lead and the things you condone? Surely this must be confusing for them? I believe that the ‘world’ is looking for answers and very often they look to the Church for the answers and get disillusioned – which is sad. The excuse is more often than not that “the Church is full of hypocrites”. Sadly, a lot of the time this is true. It is true that the Church is full of sinners. We are all sinners and need Gods grace on a daily basis, but I think at times the Church can come across as very judgmental for those who are earnestly searching for answers – almost as though they were expected to achieve a degree of perfection before God will accept them. Nothing can be further from the truth! God wants us to come to Him ‘warts and all’ as the saying goes, so that He can mould us into the people He designed us to be. It is the Christians of this world who need to demonstrate His love, acceptance and forgiveness to those wandering around in the dark searching for solutions. We all have a God shaped hole in our lives that can only be filled by Him. We as Christians know this but how do we demonstrate that to those who don’t?

It’s time for us to stop playing Church on a Sunday and living a lie the rest of the week and be the No Compromise type of people we are called to be – treating those around us who do not have a relationship with Him with the Love He has shown to us who most certainly do not deserve it! God’s Word is GOD’s Word! We cannot afford to pick and choose the pieces we are comfortable with and create our own Gospel. The Truth is the Truth and we need to share it and more importantly – we need to share it in Love. Is that not the way Jesus did it? After all we are called to be His followers. Are we?

“Break our hearts Lord with the things that break yours”

Psalm 101:2-8

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride
I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

He’s been walking the streets of Cambridge for quite some time now. I don’t know his name. I’ve never met him but we greet each time we pass one another. As a matter of fact he always greets first. He never quite gives one a chance to greet back though as while you’re busy responding to his initial “Hello” he’s already asking how things are going or commenting on the weather. He’s an elderly gentleman. Always laden with plastic packets. I’ve often seen him sitting on a little ledge near an old forgotten stream, shaving and trying to keep himself presentable. Some would call him a hobo. Although mostly in the same clothes he seems to manage to keep himself looking neat and tidy. Sometimes he’s reading out aloud from a Watchtower magazine that someone has most probably pressed into his hands at the robots. He sounds like a fiery preacher and reads quite well. He strikes me as an intelligent person – someone who may have ‘had it all’ at one stage in his life. There are times when the torrent of expletives I would never dream to think, let alone utter, are quite embarrassing. They are normally interrupted by “Hello …. How are you ….. Hot today hey?” as I walk past before he continues where he left off. Some say his wife kicked him out and he actually lives in a flat somewhere in Cambridge. I’ve only ever seen him either reclining on the sidewalk or shaving at the forgotten stream or heading off laden with his packets. I wonder what his story is… One day I’ll ask him.