Who you are when no-one’s listening

It’s been fascinating observing the UK election campaign from a distance.  I’ve not seen too much of the debates and I’ve not had the day to day reviews that the UK media do so well.  I write as someone who enjoys politics, but at the present time isn’t as involved in or affected by UK politics as when we lived in the UK.  For the record, I won’t be voting in the May 6th UK election.  I suspect that after today’s events, nor will Gillian Duffy. 

“ Shock & awe”

I knew something major had happened when I received a text this morning telling me to go to the BBC website & see what Gordon Brown had done.  Since then, the story has spread widely and been covered from every angle.  For me, it linked in with something I’ve given thought to over recent months – integrity. 

Bill Hybels has a helpful book with a masterful title “Who You Are When No-One’s Looking”.  It looks at character and asks what are we like behind closed doors.  Today, Gordon Brown opened up another area of our lives that need to demonstrate integrity – what our mouths are like behind closed doors.  As Jesus said

“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. ¹⁹ For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. ²⁰ These are what defile you.” (Matthew 15:18-20)

Much could be said about Gordon Brown, his words and integrity.  Bearing in mind Proverbs 10:19 says “When words are many, sin is not absent”, I’ll keep this brief.  Here are four things that can be said in response to today’s events:

(1) Gordon Brown should not have said it.

There’s no excusing him or what was said about Gillian Duffy.  It simply should never have been said – to Ms. Duffy’s face or behind her back.  To call her “a bigoted woman” was a slur, and on the basis of what has been reported as their conversation was simply not true.  I suspect that Gordon Brown (whether for political or moral reasons) realises himself that he should never had said those words.

(2) Gordon Brown should have said it. 

This time, I’m referring to the words “I’m sorry – I was wrong”.  As the Elton John/Blue song says “Sorry seems to be the hardest word.”  I appreciate that Gordon Brown did use “apologise” many times, but his use of “sorry” was limited and not particularly personal.  He should have simply and immediately said “I’m sorry – I was wrong.”  But before we jump on a bandwagon too quickly, there’s a third thing we can say…

(3) I could have said it.

As hastily as the media have been to criticise Gordon Brown for his comments on Ms Duffy, it seems that we have forgotten our own failings.  When I point the finger, there are always fingers pointing back at me.  Two sentences of Biblical wisdom seem appropriate – first Jesus’ caution - “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7) and second, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”  (Romans 2:1)

I am fully capable of saying nasty and back-biting comments about others.  I have done and in the future, I will fail again in this area.  I can accuse Gordon Brown, but in doing so, I condemn myself.

(4) I should say it.

Since I fail in the way I speak of others, at times to their face and more often, behind their backs, I should be someone who says “sorry” more often.  It may well be the hardest word to say, but it needs to be one at the forefront of every Christian’s lips.  In many ways, the crux of the gospel is contained in this word – it recognises I am a sinner and God is holy, it realises I have sinned against fellow humans and against God, it rejoices in that our sin can be forgiven only through the mediator between God and humans, Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

As a proud male, I struggle at times to say “I’m sorry – I was wrong” and yet, these are words to live by.  They are words which instead of bringing me failure and rejection bring me failure, forgiveness and grace. 

So, Gordon Brown did mess up.  But in doing so, he has given me a wonderfully fresh insight into what integrity should look like, what I am like and what living in God’s glorious forgiveness should look like.

500 days to go

Today marks 500 days until the 2011 Rugby World Cup begins in New Zealand.  It promises to be a huge occasion.  The RWC is the third biggest sporting event worldwide.  In addition to the annual 2.4 million visitors this country has, it is anticipated that up to 80,000 more visitors may come to these shores.

Rugby is a great sport, which I love.  The mental and physical toughness of the players is second to none.  The skill, the tackles, the intensity of the game all make it an enjoyable experience.  Whilst it is not played in all countries, the sport is a world-wide game.  The power base of the sport is in Western Europe, South Africa & the South Pacific.  In recent years, there has been growth in Argentina, N America and parts of SE Asia.  All these regions will be represented in 2011.

For various reasons, Christian players have been well represented in rugby.  Some of the great players of the past have been Christians (eg: Michael Jones, Jason Robinson, Nick Farr-Jones), whilst today, there are still a good number of top players who are followers of the Way (eg: Euan Murray, Ugo Monye, Brad Thorn). 

Whilst in TSCF, our primary work is amongst students, we are also aware that certain events bring unique opportunities to share the message of Jesus with others.  The 2011 RWC fits into this category.  We are working in earnest to make the most of the events happening here to proclaim the Good News of Jesus later next year, both to those who live here & those who will be visiting.  We only have 500 days to plan, but we long that God would do something significant here in NZ during the 6 weeks of the tournament.

Over the coming months, I hope to include more Youtube clips that showcase this wonderful country & the opportunities the RWC presents.  Do keep an eye out for these & for ways you can pray for and be a part of all that’s going on.

Please pray for us & if you’d like more information about how you can be part of it, do get in touch! 

Son of a preacher man

I’ve been debating what to write my next blog post on for a little while now.  A fair bit has happened & I’ve had a number of things on my mind, all of which merit some space on this blog, but here’s some reflections on a book I have completed recently. 
The name of Francis Schaeffer is widely known as one of the most respected Christian leaders of the last century & one of the leading apologists defending the Christian faith.  With his wife, Edith, he founded L’Abri Fellowship, where for many years they made a great impact.  Together, they had four children, who were brought up experiencing the Schaeffer’s Christian life and ministry at close quarters.  L’Abri was an Alpine home which was used as a ministry to travellers and was used as a forum to discuss philosophical and religious beliefs, but particularly to share the Gospel of Jesus with those who were staying.  Edith Schaeffer’s take on the work is contained within this book, which I haven’t read, but I guess gives an insider’s account.

However, I have recently read Francis & Edith’s youngest son’s autobiography.  He’s called it ‘Crazy for God’ and subtitled it “How I grew up as one of the elect, helped found the religious right, and lived to take all (or almost all) of it back.”  In terms of writing style, it’s an easy read, but in terms of what he has to say, an uncomfortable read.Frank Schaeffer is determined to tell his side of the story and to let readers know what life at Francis Schaeffer’s house was really like.  It’s a cynical take on his parents and their ministry, and I suspect if they had read it, it would sadden them immensely.  Unfortunately, it’s not written by a rebellious teenager or twenty-something year old, but by a man in his fifties processing his own childhood.

I don’t know what Frank Schaeffer’s childhood was really like.  Having read his book, I’m left wondering whether it contains the truth, the whole truth or nothing like the truth.  I suspect it contains bits of the truth, but where it starts and where it finishes is anyone’s guess.  Listening to Os Guinness respond to the details of this book (Dr Guinness spent much time in the Schaeffer household when Frank was growing up), he argues that it is simply not the truth at all. 

What it does tell me, however, is the importance of having one’s own faith, and not a hand-me-down second-hand religion.  Richard Dawkins protests at the labelling and bringing up children in the religion of its forefathers, but I suspect he is inconsistent in this.  I’m not against bringing up your children to know God and love Him, but ultimately, it must be a child’s own choice and not one forced (whether directly or indirectly) upon a child.  It doesn’t appear that Francis imposed his religion on Frank, but that perhaps Francis was so keen to see Frank go on spiritually that he gave opportunities before his faith was proven and lived out.

Sadly, we’re left with a tragic tale of bitterness and woe, a story of a prodigal son who has left the Father’s house and gone to a foreign land to squander his wealth.  May God help me to only have an authentic faith.  For the record, my folks did a great job of bringing us up…sure, like the Schaeffers, there were faults and mistakes, but isn’t that what the gospel is about?  I trust that in years to come, little Sam will have had an authentic faith demonstrated to him and in due course, that he will come to his own realisation and trust in all that Jesus Christ has done for us.

Apologies again for the delay in blogging – I trust normal service will resume soon!