ADVENT

At this time in the traditional Christian calendar, I am delighted to put forward another excellent Sermon from Worthing Tabernacle (worthingtab.org.uk) for all readers who celebrate Christmas in the traditional way in UK and whose minds and hearts are open to the meaning of it all. This one is given by Pastor John Griffith, and I give thanks to God that we do have Ministers within our churches who are real Bible teachers who teach outside the ‘system‘, understanding the weaknesses of human nature as shown by those of old and which still sadly overwhelm much of society today. I will add a small point here, that learning and understanding are vital in this world today, but so is genuine humility. Pastor John, who baptised me in Believer’s Baptism some twelve years ago , is in fact Rt Rev Griffith, having studied and earned that title. However, he never refers to it, you will never see him wearing a ‘dog collar’ - he is simply one of us and much loved because of it. Since it is unlikely that he will read this, I don‘t think I am risking embarrassment, .. We have the one new man in Jesus Christ - there is no need to look further than to him.

THE SOURCE OF VICTORY

I don’t know how many British people come into this website - I don’t care what the colour of skin, or the background - be you Duke or Dustman - I don’t care whether you are a churchgoer or not, whether wealthy or poor, but if you call yourself British, this applies to you.

‘Be Still’

Just occasionally BBC TV comes up with a programme that has something very profound to offer and is also very timely. One such was the presentation on BBC2 on Friday evening of a programme under the heading of “The Big Silence”. Five members of the general public, very different in background and work experience, recognised that there was something lacking in their lives and although quite unable to explain or understand what was driving them on, were each admirably ready and willing to seek an answer in committing to a time of silence in retreat. The TV critic writing in the week-end magazine, briefly described the programme, commenting that it was ‘an admirable endeavour, but not exactly gripping television’. (Certainly a refreshing change from the brash noise and hubbub of so many programmes now on offer and one which resonated with me totally.)

Using Scripture like a battering ram !

How easy it is for anyone to take lines from the Scriptures when we seek to make a case against another. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ and such a loyal and powerful servant, says much in Romans that should be read in its entirety, like all of Scripture, not in bits and pieces. In defence of my own Gentile brothers and sisters in Christ, Paul says in Romans 2: 14 : ‘ (indeed, when Gentiles who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them) ‘

Oh, what a week that was !

If the BBC TV over the past week has been any reflection of our society, what a mixed up lot we are, or depending on whether your glass is half full or half empty, what an amazing tapestry.

TRUTH :

Sometimes a tiny seed of truth can appear in a most unexpected place, as occurred for me recently when reading a crime novel. Whether the quotation was the novelist’s own or from some other place, I have no idea but it was this. ‘Woman is the stronger sex, because man’s weakness is the weaker sex’. Sadly, as things seem to stand, it is true. Man’s need of woman is very real and natural, after all - she was created for him by Almighty God to be as one flesh with him, but surely man’s weakness and his strength should be Our Lord and the woman, as his Helper, should love him for it , support him in it and worship with and through her man.. If she sees the beauty of Christ in the character of her husband, she will find ’submission’ is no longer an appropriate word, because the union becomes Joyful sharing, not just a question of sticking it out and ‘putting up with it‘ for sixty odd years.

THE WORD

Since making response to Nancy in her statement that there is ‘nothing wrong with the church’, I have downloaded and listened to Pastor Mark from Worthing Tabernacle (worthingtab.org.uk), whose Sermon yesterday dealt with seeking to understand the Hebrew mindset in going much deeper into The Word than is usually done on Sunday mornings in our churches. A truly helpful message for anyone who is genuine about getting serious with Almighty God. Just in case any guest to the site might imagine that somehow there has been a kind of ‘fix’ between Saltshakers website, Worthing Tabernacle (which I have referred to before) and myself - let me assure you - absolutely not. It has been quite an extraordinary, and in my mind totally God-given set of circumstances that has created the link which I hope will continue to grow in mutual understanding. I do not have their intellect or capability, for one thing I totally believe in the leadership of men and want to see far more men of all ages really moving in obedience to Our Father God now, but I do share with them a desire to bring Our Lord alive in the hearts and minds of us all - we have slept long enough.

Download, listen, Praise God for the teaching which is available to all, and enjoy the wonder of this amazing world and Our Almighty and Wondrous God.
God Bless

Mustard seed

“The Burden and Blessing of Revival” by Dr Jim Cairns
(free download available)
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I look back again at the picture of the International Tower of Prayer, given to us by Steve recently, and to my earlier blog ‘Signs and Wonders’ pleading that we have our eyes opened to what God is saying to us today, wherever we may be, whatever our circumstances, whatever our background, whatever our difficulties, and I am prompted to do this having just listened to the weeks ‘Strongly Recommended Audio Sermon’ - given by Dr Alan Cairns from USA . Originally broadcast in 2001, at the beginning of the new millennium, and put forward this week as of some magnitude, I would be totally failing if I did not put it to Saltshakers in the form of a blog. Dr Cairns preaches powerfully and in the way of a true Irishman, like Dr Paisley, and the message cannot help but move all who have a real heart for Almighty God. Hard to take, if you don’t like this hellfire kind of powerful preaching, and are more used to the soft pedal ‘milk and water’ touch, all ‘happy clappy’ and of little substance, but I urge that it is heard through to the end.

TRUTH - Subjective or Absolute ?

This blog is simply copy of a letter submitted to the Daily Mail yesterday (Sunday) having read an item in their Saturday newspaper bearing the following heading : - Is No.10 preparing for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign ?

‘ KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL ! ‘

A little over forty years ago, when going through a very traumatic period in my life and not at all sure about what to do, I heard those words clearly in my ears - so clearly in fact that I can to this day remember looking round to see who had come into the room to say them - there was nobody there! I can remember shaking somewhat - for it was what I needed - even though there was inevitably going to be a long and hard haul ahead and I thought I was going out of my mind. Fanciful - some sceptics might say - no, it was utterly real, and it was a phrase that came into my mind this morning, suggesting I should set down a blog, having watched the England v Germany football match yesterday - for it is a phrase that this country of mine needs very much today.