PRECIOUS AND PREFERRED

Matthew 18 1 - 4

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, 

and set him in the midst of them, and said,

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted 

and become as little children,

you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child

is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

"Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

NKJV

How do you get the message across  Gemma considered watching a young woman decked out like a christmas tree with an expensive push chair filled with hanging toys and a ribbon clad toddler pushing past the elderly woman dangling on the edge of the kerb.    

This world is all about self.   Some will brush a few crumbs to the needy, but as Gemma's father once announced "it's easy to be generous when you have, but the greater reward will be to those who have not, but give regardless".

Her father fearlessly challenged the charity canvasser on the main high street.  "And exactly where were you when baby P was battered to death."    "Oh well" replied the amiable young man "there are cases that slip through the net, would you consider a donation to help with our work."   "Yes" her father replied "when I actually see you are achieving results.   Trouble with this Nanny state is it appears to pick on the innocent and avoid the genuinely serious reports like the plague" he concluded.

Gemma walked into the bathroom that night to replace towels as her eight year old daughter was having her bath.   She flinched observing legs covered in bruises from thigh to ankle.   "What on earth" she exclaimed "where did you get those bruises" she enquired.   Her daughter replied "the kids at school kick my legs under the dinner table"   

The following day Gemma hurtled towards the door marked Head Mistress.   "Could you tell me why my daughter is being kicked by the other kids when she is sitting at the dining table.   I have counted exactly 30 bruises on them.  Obviously this is going on under the table and unnoticed by the dinner ladies.   She was met with a blank stare followed by a look of incredulous denial.   "Oh I don't think so"   "You don't" replied Gemma "well if this doesn't stop I will remove my daughter from your school."    In today's world the headmistress would have reported the mother to social services and Gemma herself would have been under interrogation.

The days are long gone when there was a sense of community.   The local policeman was respected and free to administer a sharp slap as he apprehended the kid who was brazenly climbing up his neighbour's drain pipe totally impervious to the fact that he was in danger of breaking his neck. 

Nanna kept a watchful eye on the kids playing in the street, not afraid to reprimand with a gentle mix of authority and love.  Thanks to the so called permissive society most of today's children are not afraid of anything or anyone and quite happily lie threatening both their parents and teachers.   They don't fear God, the police or what we laughingly call "the justice system"  They are the future of this country, God help us all.  

Of course there are always parents who try to teach their children a moral code and sound values, but their kids are usually the target of the bullies and some actually commit suicide.      Is there a future?  God isn't even in the equation for most.   It's the rule of the con man and the thug.  The blank stare and the hard heart.    

Children are simply beautiful but they do get things a tad twisted.   One child is reported as saying "do it to others before they do it to you" quoting the author as Jesus when what he meant to say was 

"do for others as you would have them do for you"  They are very aware of the hypocrisy and injustice of the powers that be and intend making the best of things.  After all if they can do it, so can we.  We should be leading by example, and the example is terrible.   Yes this is Britain 2015.   Drive past, don't see, it's all about me.

Perhaps the saddest song belongs to the elderly.  Trapped in ever weakening bodies that just refuse to cooperate, in a society that has little respect for their wisdom, perhaps contemplating whether to support  the drive to ditch this particular burden on the state budget.

They have much to contribute but for the most part live out the rest of their lives in little boxes watching the constant stream of drivel that emanates twenty four seven from the television in the corner of their cage.    Gemma asked Lisa "why do you have the television on all day watching those awfully boring chat shows" Lisa replied sadly "oh it's just company when you're on your own."  Hey lads and lassies it is written Moses was eighty years old before God called him to lead His people.   There's time for you to rise up and make a difference.     There's always the rebel, the odd one out protesting alongside the young activists, and the local widow who made history abseiling on her 100th birthday.   Her smiling face alongside the headline in the local paper.   

If we simply 'cared' for one another, helped one another, shared the burden along the way,  we could make a real difference.  

The frightened hostile child that has been carefully taught everyone is dangerous hides her face and fears the dark.   But there is always the innocent exuberant loving child who spontaneously smiles at all she meets. Her laughter is infectious, her name is Hope and she brightens every dark corner.    

"May heaven be filled with such as these"

Nanna

In a world that doesn't care, she is there.

Time is running out, 

but she still has clout.

Nobody great,

insignificant and small,

many a time

her back to the wall.

Suffering to come,

will decide her fate.

When the chips were down,

empty her plate.

And from the four winds,

the angels will come,

she's part of the harvest,

her work is now done.

T.Hills

2015   

  

Dedicated to my grandparents who were my rock and my shelter,

 and the constant in my life.

  

RAISE UP A MAN

MATTHEW 5 - 9
Blessed are the peacemakers
For they shall be called sons of God.
NKJV

My prayer over the last few years has been that the Lord would raise up a man of integrity and honesty to lead this once proud christian country.    Sadly due to the fact that many people voted for UKIP along with considerable voting apathy (most considering labour were a paler shade of the same) the country has to endure another term of a conservative government.

"Tut, tut" said the local church elder "we are supposed to pray for our leaders"  she then went on to pontificate "we must pray God would guide them".    She obviously doesn't know her enemy and how very active the adversary is in this world.

My reply "Oh I do - I pray my God will dump them in the Middle East and let them live in the derelict cities hearing forever the weeping of the widows and orphans.  The innocents of any waring country.

Now I have to pray for the new labour leader hoping everything that has been said about him being an "honest man of integrity" is true.   Evil men in places of power are devious.   He should avoid lone walks near heavily wooded areas!!!   He will need divine protection regardless. 

There have been quite a few patronising and derogatory remarks from men who clearly show their lack of maturity and spiteful natures.    The British public recognise "mud slinging" and realise you can't believe anything you read in a press mostly controlled by threats from government.   The hysterical comment by a former labour leader was to say the least 'mind blowing' considering he was part of the unholy mob that gave us the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Perhaps the effect of watching a televised report of a small child standing in the rubble of his home in Afganistan was inspiration enough and that year my Christmas cards pointed out the fact that there was little peace or goodwill to all men.   Nevertheless it was inspired comment on what was to come and happens when young people of any country are "hot wired" and used by evil men.   

The Enemy Within

War Lords arise,

politicians loudly proclaim the western world as civilized,

yet we produce and sell the weapons of mass destruction.

Megalomaniacs 'hot wire' the idealistic fervour of young men and women educated in the western world, take aim, and the innocent die in the mayhem.

Yet in our darkest hour there are heroes, those who regardless of personal risk die in an attempt to save others.

Men of power move quickly to the safety of their underground bunkers and worried citizens rush to buy gas masks and protective clothing in a frenzy of self-preservation as the world press reports retribution.

An innocent child stands in the broken shell of his home,  a single wall remains standing.

Christian aid has been withdrawn, cold and hungry he listens as his parents talk of the coming winter and threatened war.

The western child sits in a room crammed with the trappings of over indulgence, watching his television, proudly waving the national flag, cheering as the war machine rolls out.

There can be no winners here, only losers.

Father forgive us.

T.Hills

(comment on effects of war in Afganistan)

T.Hills.

1998

Matthew 5 - 43 - 44-45

"YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enem

BUT I SAY TO YOU, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;

Regardless of any religious belief simple compassion for a fellow human being should speak against killing anyone.   What kind of beast enjoys murdering a baby?   Beheading a charity worker?

rejoicing at the sight of body parts littering the streets.   It's the ugly face of evil.   Even men following the authority and dictate of their commanders in the battlefield are mentally scared for the rest of their lives unless of course they are a paranoid schizophrenic or a drug crazed manic.   The buck rests with men at the top who lead, or incite that kind of behaviour.

Perhaps we could all learn from the documentary on R.T. showing an American service man returning to the killing fields in Vietnam.  He asks for forgiveness.

The Vietnamese man concerned said "it is not your fault, you were only carrying out orders" (paraphased because I can't remember the actual words).   A kind of absolution for the ex.soldier from a  man who had probably lost everything in a war that resulted in the loss of millions of his countrymen yet still he was able to forgive.

Research regarding the loss of life in Vietnam is freely available on the internet.   The Vietnamese government claimed that 400,000 people were killed or maimed by Agent Orange and that 500,000 children were born with birth defects.   One air force captain referring to the two napalm bombs dropped on an unsuspecting population said "it just fried everything that was left, women, children usually in their mother's arms and so many old people".  He is also quoted as saying "it was the epitome of immorality"

Perhaps the world needs to listen to the peacemakers 

because as sure as the sun will rise on a new day

mankind faces a volatile future,

until the Prince of Peace, Son of the living God returns.

Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

SHALOM 

   

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

MICAH 6 - 8

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you,

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly,

WITH YOUR GOD?
NKJV 

Judy poked her head between the bed sheets flapping on the washing line in the September sunshine.   "Hi Megan" she called.  "Have a coffee break, the girls are coming at 11.00 unless of course you are busy.

"No" replied Megan "its a rest day after fighting the mob in the supermarket, shopping is a necessity not a pleasure for me.    I'll walk Skipper and then I'll be glad of a sit down for an hour.   Skipper hearing his name obligingly found his lead.   "You are one intelligent dog" said Megan proudly.   "Come on lets hit the trail"

In his D.V.D.  Greater abominations will happen* (first recorded in 2014) Jacob Prasch stresses the urgency for genuine followers of their Lord and Saviour to meet in fellowship and support one another because it is going to get much worse.   

Megan had already taken one pastor to task over his leadership and was politely told that she was the one with the problem.   Oh dear "critical spirit" status again.   Mind you he was probably part of the new wave philosophy.    Fish them in, and then Jesus will clean them up, meanwhile you contaminate the pond and baby fish might well shove off in another direction.

"First" said Megan rapidly losing her cool with the said pastor   "Repentance, then a genuine desire to break free from the sin that has them in bondage.   Physical signs of change. 

"So where to now Lord" Megan prayed, but there was nowhere to go.   Same sex marriage was just one of the abominations fully accepted in most churches, and she found the meeting with kindred spirits always healing and encouraging.   

"Oooh that coffee is good" said Megan as the doorbell announced the girls had arrived discussing the latest activities offered by their local church.   "Weight watchers"   

"Heavens above" said Jackie laughing "we won't have to worry about our weight, we'll be blessed if we can find something to eat the way things are going".

"Isn't it wrong for us not to trust that the Lord will look after his children" said Paula.
   

"So why did Joseph have to explain the warning dream to Pharaoh - Genesis 41 - 17-21 of plenty and followed by famine.  I think He expects us to be discerning, read the signs of the time and keep a good stock of basic dry and tinned food and water, that is not dependable on a fridge or freezer" said Jackie.    

"Who can find the quote about not being able to buy a loaf of bread with a bar of gold" enquired Ruth.   Groans all round.   She continued "although actually I think that was my Mum's version made simply so that a child could understand.

Ezekiel 7 - 19

They will throw their silver into the streets,

And their gold will be like refuse;

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them

In the day of the wrath of the LORD;

They will not satisfy their souls,

Nor fill their stomachs,

Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity. 

     

"And what on earth is Zumba?" asked Janet giggling.   "Have no idea" replied Sue "but count me out it takes me all my time to do the gardening these days"    

"Sounds a bit like African tribal stuff to me" said Judy "just exactly where is the respect and awe for the house of God.   Prayer, sound teaching, reflection, meditation.   All gone in the soup of modern music.  

"Right girls we have the You-tube video by Jacob Prasch.    It's only 50 minutes, we have enough time."  Judy pushed in a rewarding tea trolley laden with sandwiches and cream cakes.

"Well" said Paula realising the title of the teaching video "that doesn't go well with cream doughnuts and coffee."

"We have to be ready for anything" said Megan.   Perhaps then we will get our priorities right.   Bye bye to nail bars, coloured hair, botox and tats.   Get out the old carbolic soap, stock up on woollies and wrap Nanna in a thermal blanket."   

Giggles all round.

"By the way Jenny was seven last week" said Megan.   "She loves minions and said "Mummy can I send up for a lipstick tazer on Amazon.  She considers Amazon sell just about everything.    She had been watching Despicable 2 and decided it was perhaps a good idea to have one in case someone tried to arrest her Daddy for being a christian and saying something THEY didn't like.   I wouldn't want to kill anyone Mummy that's wrong, but that might make them go way"

"I positively weep for the kids that don't know the Lord" said Megan.   One boy laughed at Jenny's witness and said "that's a load of rubbish he was just a guy on pot."

"My Mum intends running the opposition over with her mobility scooter.   She never wanted to drive a car but she's lethal with that thing" exclaimed Judy.

"The guys are positively anesthetized now the football season is back" sighed Sue.     They wouldn't even realise we had disappeared in God's giant vacuum until they realised they were hungry and protested "where's the wife gone"

It's just another example of modern idol worship"" said Megan.  Football is just a game, I enjoyed kicking a ball around with my brothers,  but like everything else its out of control and worshipped by millions.

"Okay - tell it as it is Jacob" interrupted Ruth as they gathered round the computer.   Fifty minutes later  a sober silence descended on the group as they digested the contents.  

"It's a miracle Jacob is still alive" Judy exclaimed "I am sure he has many enemies in the church baying for his blood"

"That's nothing new" replied Paula.   "They shoot the messenger.   Be it "whistle blower" or simply men standing against the train wreck of a state church.   Men of conscience.    We go round and round in circles.   

"Look what the English did to William Wallace" replied Sue "do you know I am proud of my Scottish/Irish genes.  I would quite happily emigrate to Scotland for the next "independence vote"  

"But it would be thermals for most of the year darling" said Judy.    

"Small price to pay" replied Sue "I am just miffed, the independence vote was fiddled if anything ever was.   Frighten people with the thought that their bank balance might be at risk, that they might just lose something.   As usual it was not about country, it was all about SELF.  I could have wept for the youngsters who were so convinced it was in the bag.   The dark Lord had his finger in the mix.

"Lies and propaganda" said Megan "but it is coming to us all, how long before THEY say you can only have £50 out this week.

"Well" Sue replied "it will only affect those that have anyway.   We don't have holidays any more.   Dan's on a bike.   Aldi is just down the road.   We walk.

"Shall we now encourage ourselves in His precious name" said Judy.

Daniel 12 - 3

Those who are wise shall shine

Like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness

Like the stars forever and ever.

And just consider the advice the Lord gave to Daniel - 12 - 13

But you, go your way till the end;

for you shall rest, and will arise to

your inheritance at the end of days.

"Can someone please help me arise" exclaimed Ruth "I have been sitting far too long and I'm as stiff as a board.

By the way I found a really funny snippet when I was researching the prophet Elijah last week on Bible.org by a man called Bob Deffinbaugh commenting on christians who expect reward for their service.

It was about two men arriving at heaven's gate.  One a pastor of 43 years and a cab driver.   The pastor expected a much higher crown but his was smaller with fewer stars so he challenged Peter.   "I served you for 43 years - how come my reward was less".

And the punch line.

Peter said "Well your reward is based upon the result of your ministry.   While you preached, people slept.   While he drove, people prayed.    

Thank you Bob - what a great sense of humour.   The study was on the prophet Elijah and how the people of the time had turned to Baal and the worship of idols and it fits neatly in with our modern world.   Watch out. 

You do realise God is going to ask us "what did you do with your time on earth".   Right now all I could say is "sorry Lord I've had a bad case of sloth.   Time to get organised.   Go to it girls.  Remember God has a sense of humour after all He loves us warts and all"  and with that Ruth disappeared down the lane on her mobility scooter  

* NJKV - Spirit Filled Bible.

**  Abominations still to come - Jacob Prasch.  (2014)  You-Tube.