Forgiven

Being a mere mortal, I don't have access to Sky TV and so it's taken me some time to get round to seeing season 3 of Battlestar Galactica. I waited till it came out on DVD and snapped it up in good faith. When it is at the top of it's game, it is a cracking show both in terms of science fiction and political subtext.

I wanted to look at a scene that occurs in the last episode of the season, which sees the trial of the former president - Doctor Gaius Baltar:

The exchange in the above clip reminds me very much of a passage in the New Testament:

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

John 8:3-11

In both situations, an unsavoury character is brought forward - a person who society wants to dispose of... and it is down to Lee Adama/Jesus to sort out their respective situations.

It's very easy for us to stand in judgement of people isn't it?

We like to comfort ourselves with the belief that we are decent people... and maybe on a relative scale that's true to some extent...

However our ways are not God's ways and our standards are nowhere near as high as his. If we have any illusions that we are worthier than the next man, we only need to remind ourselves:

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

Romans 3:23

and:

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

1 John 1:8

In both Battlestar Galactica and the Gospel story, the universal fact that everyone has sinned is used as a defence for the accused. For Baltar, that's merely an extension of the presidential pardon. For the woman in the Gospel story, it's an act of God's authority and divine grace intervening.

In BSG, there is every chance that Baltar will return to his ways if fate deals him a bad hand. For the woman in the Gospel, she was faced with a challenge. You are free... don't sin again, don't give them cause to seek your death.

And that is how Jesus left it - he left it up to her.

However, there is a difference between the clip you have seen and the Gospel. In BSG, the reason people want Baltar to die is because they need to project the guilt they feel for their sins on to someone - or so Lee claims.

In the Gospel, the reason God allowed his Son to die, was because he needed sin to die. God needed to project his righteousness on to us. Jesus death does not just remove guilt... it removes the very corruption that sin installs in us.

So while it was definitely unnecessary for Baltar to die, it was absolutely necessary for Jesus to die, or as Paul puts it:

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

Romans 5:6-8

and Peter also puts it like this:

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit"

1 Peter 3:18

In the fictional universe of Battlestar Galactica, if Baltar had died it would do nothing to alleviate guilt, or satisfy hurt and anger because Baltar is just a sinner like everyone else. I put it to you however that in this very real universe, Jesus Christ - made perfect in every way, willingly died for our sins... and we are saved on account of his righteousness.

I want to look at one final thing - the attitude of Jesus to the woman he let walk free... and how this is relevant to us.

That woman did not need to convince Jesus to speak on her behalf, he had already determined to do so. Now, you and I live in the 21st century, nearly 2 millennia after Christ last walked the Earth. You may feel sure you know the story... but it's not merely a story, it is the truth. And because we live after the facts, our dilemma is the same as that woman. You don't need to ask Jesus to die for you.

He already did it.

If you are willing to accept it, God is already for us and if this is:

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Romans 8:31-34

So, salvation is on offer to all of you. You can walk free in God's eyes if you truly accept what he has already done for you. The price is paid. Jesus' final statement to that woman, is the same challenge he gives us once we take up his free gift of new life:

"Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

John 8:10-11

I pray that if you have not yet done so, you take the offer of God's free grace... and the strength he gives to obey his commands through the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus name

N

Finding Heavenly Treasure on Earth

It's funny that I referenced Indiana Jones the other day in my blog, because it seems that I have discovered a cache of hidden treasure myself.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Matthew 13:44

Make no mistake, that passage is principally about discovering salvation and understanding it's true value... being prepared to lay everything required down, in order to embrace it.

However, what of those of us who are already saved? Can it be taken further?

I believe so.

What of God's promises in this life? And what of the things that are spiritually good for us?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Phillippians 4:8

If it is good for us, if it is beneficial to our walk with God... then we should seek it out. When our heart is set on Godly things we can have confidence, for:

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:9-13

I have recently blundered into a field like the man described in the parable I opened with. Just scratching the surface reveals God's goodness. Richer than rubies, finer than gold. By God's grace I have stumbled upon it.

Now there is no doubt what I have discovered is exceedingly good (to borrow an expression from Mr. Kipling... whose cakes are insignificant in comparison to the blessings of God), but is it right for me?

One things for certain I'm going to be taking it up with God - the owner of the field, because I have seen that which he put out there and if in any way by his grace and in his sovereignty, he sees fit to let me attain it. Then I shall consider myself among all men truly blessed.

In fact whatever the outcome, I already feel richly blessed.

God is good. God is indeed good and his love endures forever.

Is it right? I don't know... I see the obstacles and the difficulties... but I also see the Lord.

I just want to make sure I keep in step with God and take hold of his promises at the time he chooses.

I'd like to wrap up by posting this song by Mike and the Mechanics... I think it sums up my recent journeys quite accurately:

God bless

N

Touched

Something out of the ordinary happened to me fairly recently and it has led me to contemplate the following scripture:

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Luke 8:42b-48

I feel like I've experienced this story from both angles.

Basically, somebody who I met and chatted to for about 15 minutes nearly two months ago, has tracked me down and got in touch again. they weren't by any means obliged to do so and it was completely unexpected.

It just blew my socks off!

Nobody has ever really done something like that for me. There are people who are more established in my circle of friends who don't make that sort of effort... so this for me, was a heartwarming gesture - it was just... nice.

In the Bible passage, we read that Jesus becomes aware that someone has "touched" him. At the time he was being jostled about by the crowd, so the disciples probably looked at him a bit gone out when he asked who it was. The important thing was that it wasn't the touch of anyone familiar that caught his attention. It was the touch of someone who had reached out to the heart of God in the hope of being healed...

...and this is where the story flips to the other perspective for me. This was like a timely word for me. I've been feeling more than a little undervalued and a bit out of place lately. Yet someone blazes across my sky like a comet... and by their gesture of kindness and genuine friendship, it is all washed away. I feel valued and appreciated by someone who has demonstrated their living faith in an excellent way.

It doesn't take much to lift a person... to touch their life. Just a smile or a "hello" out of the blue can make all the difference deep within.

I encourage you to do likewise.

N

Security Measures

Some sneaky person keeps taking crafty swigs out of my fruit juice carton at work.

It is really annoying!

I buy a large carton as there is just enough to last me 1 glass a day for the whole week, it saves me money and keeps me healthy too. When I poured myself a glass for lunch yesterday, I noticed that the carton was a lot lighter than it should be... about ooo I don't know a glass full lighter? I was not impressed; so I got grumpy about it... had a rant... and tried to think no more about the matter.

I came in from lunch today and was about to pour myself another glass... when lo and behold, there was only something like 2 cubic centimetres left! This is ridiculous. I've been advised to label it up... but to me, that isn't the issue. As I see it, I don't feel I should have to be in a place where I have to take protective measures over something as trivial as my lunch.

And then it hit me... I need to make my drink more secure... I had something like this in mind:

Of course, that little clip is a timely reminder that the title to the fourth Indiana Jones movie has finally been announced - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I agree with a lot of people on this, it sounds a little too wordy. They need to drop a word somewhere... I'd lose "crystal" personally. I'm really looking forward to it...but I hope Lucas sticks close to the spirit of the original 3... and doesn't get too preachy or up himself, we don't need any "Greedo fires first" nonsense, or politically correct messages. Let Indy be as irreverent as he ever was - it's supposed to be the 1950's after all!

Here's a shot of the principal cast along with Steven Spielberg (who is of course directing).

Yes that's cockney sparrow Ray Winstone in the background, Shia Le Beouf ... fresh from Transformers is also tagging along and as you can see Karen Allen is back. I've actually just bought a DVD of Starman - the 80's classic science fiction film she starred in with Jeff Bridges. It's a lovely film, a little drawn out but very moving in places. I've been meaning to get hold of it for some time.

Back to Indy and my orange juice issue to finish with... and if the ancient South American security system is a little too elaborate and unworkable to defend my lunch... I could always try this cheaper alternative:

Till next time.... God bless

N

God "Does a Gandalf" on Me

One of my favourite scenes in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, is the early sequence where Gandalf confronts Bilbo over his addictive possessiveness with regard to the One Ring. Sadly the sequence is not on YouTube yet, so I'll do my best to recount it for you:

Basically Gandalf... suspecting the true nature of Bilbo's trinket, gently suggests that Bilbo hand it over.... but Bilbo is too caught up in the Ring's power to obey and becomes increasingly possessive and even agitated - to the point of shaking his fists at Gandalf (not a good plan).

It's at this point that Gandalf suddenly changes his attitude... the room darkens, he appears to grow...

and he thunders out in a terrifyingly loud voice...

"BILBO BAGGINS! DO NOT TAKE ME FOR A CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS! I AM NOT TRYING TO ROB YOU..."

then he becomes the friendly old man again...

...and gently concludes...

"... I am trying to help you."

Bilbo is overcome with tears of conviction and realising the gravity of his error, runs into the arms of his friend.

Although the story doesn't quite leave it there,the eventual outcome is that Bilbo... respecting Gandalf's authority, obeys and abandons the Ring.

I love the sequence because this is my experience of God's authority. He's my closest friend...but every now and the, I get out of line and he has to play the sovereignty card on me.

Today was such a day.

Lately I've been dragging my heels a bit and rebelling against God on a couple of issues. Why? Because I've grown irritated with the long wait on his promises... and also for the worst of all reasons... simply "because I could".

This morning's first reading was from Jeremiah:


"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'"

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Whoa heavy stuff... and I was left in no doubt whatsoever as to how God was challenging me...but just in case there was any doubt... in came Exocet number 2:

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

Luke 14:25-33

It's worth pointing out here that in the first part of that, Jesus wasn't being literal... he was using hyperbole. He doesn't expect us to literally hate our families (because that would contradict God's law), what he does expect is that we put those things firmly behind our relationship with him. God should be our priority.

Either way I was on my knees. I felt that God was saying to me that he had plans and promises for my life, and trusting in that should be enough for me. If I don't trust him and decide to rebel against him, he can easily take that blessing away and give it to another. Furthermore I'm not in a position to argue with this. He outguns me and is calling me to account. I'm not allowed to fight anymore... it's time to send out delegation and talk terms of peace.

I felt his disappointment and deep hope for me, these are my words but it is exactly how it felt:

"Nick, I know what is on your heart and all I'm asking is for you to wait a little longer... the things you need will come. It's not a lot to ask. It hurts me that you choose to act against that and rebel instead of just trusting. You know better than this. Don't you realise I don't have to give you any of these things? It is all by my grace."

I am instantly reminded of the times as a child when I asked my parents for something for Christmas and it was expensive. Because of the nature of the treat,good behaviour was required of me until Christmas Day... there were times I slipped up... and naturally it was on my mind as to whether or not I had crossed the line... whether the present would remain out of reach because of my disobedience.

My response was very swift. Like Bilbo, I realised the gravity of my mistake and felt a sudden steely determination not to let things slip. Strange as it sounds I actually like it that God is prepared to be stern with me...and not simply abandon me to my stupidity. I love him for that.

All this led me to thinking about the time that the Disciples asked Jesus to "increase their faith".

It seemed like a good idea... with a few minor modifications.

I asked God to increase my faith.
I asked God to increase my hope.
I also asked God to increase my love.

And the greatest of these is LOVE...

Delusional...

The picture's pretty blurry... but I just had to post this little gem that I captured, with my mobile phone whilst browsing in Waterstones.

Yes I was in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section of the bookstore... and yes that is Richard Dawkins' book - The God Delusion, sitting snugly in the middle of the shelf. I employed no trickery in this... I just walked up the stairs to see if Stephen Lawhead's Scarlet was available yet... and had to stifle a laugh as I was greeted with this image.

So it seemed for a short while at least, that Waterstones had got their priorities right (heh heh - note to any atheist reading this, I am merely being humorous). It also demonstrates that the God who Dawkins alleges is fictional, has a very dry wit and a mischievous sense of humour (this I am serious about... I can personally testify about, on account of the astronomical number of bizarre and surreal things that happen to me in the average day).

I'm not using this post to attack Mr Dawkins' beliefs, no matter how severe and irreconcilable our differences may be. I merely wonder what Mr Dawkins would think if he were to stumble across something like this in his local bookstore...

...do you think he'd see the funny side?

Go to the Correct Source

Yesterday's post was quite angst ridden... and rightly so, given the position I felt I was in. I make no apology for that.

However, I didn't just sit and brood over those feelings... I took them to church and decided to wrestle them through with God. When I got to church I was greeted by this little lady:

A bedraggled spaniel who had somehow gone off on a misadventure after escaping her owner. She had clearly been through the River Alne several times... not to mention several hedges backwards. It was a seemingly random encounter... but I later remembered that I had felt a similar way just over a year ago... and I had written the following "parable" in a blog:

Once there was a dog who liked to play fetch. He would often go up to the children in the churchyard with sticks or balls. All he wanted was for them to throw something out for him to chase after, to show a little friendship and affection... yet all the boys and girls would ever do is ignore him, shove him away or abuse him by beating him with the sticks he had brought... all this merely because they either didn't want him around or just didn't understand what he was really about. Yet despite his bruises the dog never gave up hope that he would be accepted for who he was.

I thought it was at the very least interesting that God should cause me to have an encounter in the "real world" that would remind me of that.

Anyway, this morning's reading was a real challenge for me:

"One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched... ...When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.""

Luke 14:1, 7-14

It wasn't easy for me to hear that... especially the second bit, given the way I've been feeling over the last couple of days. However, I believe I understood the point God was making - it was totally in line with what he was saying to me the other week... I think we were just "reading the next chapter".

I can't put my friendships on such a level that they come between me and God. Now you might think that is harsh but I think God is just helping me address an imbalance caused from how I used to live my life. Until my late teens, I shut myself away from others by letting them think I was a different person to the real me. It was very important for me to keep people at a distance - I wanted to be liked, but not loved. I created an elaborate labyrinth of "Excalibur tests" for people to negotiate if they were truly to be worthy of knowing me.

You might think that was pomposity at it's worst...but actually it was down to my insecurities.

Of course I soon learned the error of my ways... when people weren't interested in knowing me on a more intimate level... because they thought I was just a random likable idiot who just goofed around a lot. People saw me more as a pet than a person I reckon... and since those times I've devoted a lot of energy into trying to prove their misconceptions wrong... probably too much energy.

So, I feel that God was pulling me up on that, reminding me that even if the people I care about aren't always going to be there for me... He will always be there for me. Spurred on by this, I decided to take it up in prayer with a couple of other people.

I am ever so grateful for that... because my strengths were listed in prayer through others and reaffirmed for me in my heart by God... and though I did not ask for it, it was prayed that people would actually realise my genuine value both as a Christian and a human being. I felt a lot more at peace... and when I got home, I realised that a couple of minor things - straws that broke the camel;s back... had been answered.

So I think I can draw a line under this particular episode...but I hope I have provoked people to value their friendships - past and present... and to not take them for granted.

One thing I have to be watchful of though is how I seem to be under constant fire from different angles. It seems every fortnight I've had some great big boulder to wrestle with... it's just encouraging that for once, I seem to have taken them to the right source in the first instance...not as a last resort.

If anything in your life is causing you to wrestle... I pray that God grants you the wisdom to take it up with him.

God bless

N

PS... please pray for a friend of mine who I have not heard from in about a week, the last I heard... she was feeling very depressed and I am growing concerned. Though I only know her through the Internet I am considering calling her up.

Thank you.

The Parable of the Lost Friends

I'm feeling a little isolated from people at the moment, there doesn't seem to be many people around.

When I do get some much coveted time with a good friend, I overindulge and end up late for some random appointment. Such was the case last Sunday, as I found myself about half an hour late for lunch... with a 4 mile journey on bicycle standing between me and my meal. This, after visiting an old friend at her church... and then talking to her son and daughter-in-law who had turned up just as I was leaving.

Although I am changing and growing as a person, there are some things within that don't change. I am always here for those I know... or have known - no matter how distant their own lives have carried them. It has been a pleasant surprise for me to be able to bump into old faces on Facebook who I haven's seen in ages... in some cases I haven't been close to those people...but now I'm in contact I will offer them the same level of attention that I have given those who I already speak to.

In fact, I might be responding to those "prodigal" friends a bit more readily... because I have become disillusioned and disappointed with many people I know... even those I count as good friends (and yes... I do still count them as good friends).

To quote Bilbo Baggins:

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve".

As time has progressed, it becomes more and more painfully obvious that the only time I seem to hear from these people... is when they need something, have a prayer request... or want to notify the world of some major event in their life. They never stop to ask how I am, they never just call me up or get in touch just to catch up. No, I'm just their spiritual butler. This is not fellowship... it should not be one way.

Of course, they have their own lives and they are busy... but I was online for a long time last night... and so were a couple of them. Yet they never returned my messages.

I am so disappointed... and the only reason I am disappointed, is that they know better than this... if they didn't I'd be more inclined to let it ride.

More and more, it is the people from the past who are letting me down... either because they won't snap out of the idea that I'm the same dorky, irrelevant kid I was back then; or because of their reluctance to do their part in keeping friendships alive. They are as much "lost friends" as the ones who have fallen off the radar completely.

There's a big part of me that has had enough and just wants to up sticks and go. However... it isn't in my nature, I'm a soft touch and I'll always want to give people that one last chance. I've quoted it before and here I'll do it again:

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
Yes he still remains

It occurs to me I'm not alone in feeling this way. I'm willing to bet God empathises totally. While I've been typing this out I've been thinking about the Parable of the Lost Son, you can click on the link provided if you aren't familiar or just want to reacquaint yourself with it.

Many Christians believe that in their own way, both the sons who feature in the story were lost in their own way... and I am one of those who share this opinion. You have the younger son who goes away and loses contact, yet realises the error of his ways. You also have the elder son, who remains with his father... but who is wrapped up in his duties and doesn't stop to think of the relationship he has got.

At this point I understand how the father felt about the way both sons treated him...and it really isn't good.

If you go to church regular already... don't just do the church stuff, flipping well talk to God! If you have just started talking to God in your life... welcome home. If you are still out there...come on home - supper's nearly ready!

As for me and my situation:

I pray that my old friends will wake up,

my returning friends will be keen to rekindle old acquaintance into new fellowship,

my new friends will get to know me properly...

and that I reach out to embrace new friendships.