Finding what is lost

I don't make a habit of losing things but recently I lost my wallet/diary. It was a small thing but a big bother for apart from cash it included credit cards, driver's licence etc. I searched high and low retraced my steps to shops I had visited and so on. Then, when I got up the next morning it literally dropped at my feet! An answer to prayer, certainly! How it happened, another story.
Retrieving something we have lost is an enormous relief and may not always refer to material things. Recovering peace of mind or a clear conscience may take an enormous load off our shoulders and there too may involve both seeking and praying.

For this cause

During the civil war in China a communist was about to be executed by nationalist forces. He managed to tear the bandage from his eyes and, before his body was riddled with bullets, he shouted, "I'm dying for an ideal. What are you living for?" His words should certainly challenge us all. Some live to make money or further a career but have nothing that could be called a cause.
On trial before Pontius Pilate Jesus said, For this cause I was born and for this cause I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth" (John 18.37 NKJV)
I believe that our destiny is to make the cause of Jesus Christ our own. That will invest our lives with the meaning and significance it must otherwise lack.

History without tears

In a car a rear view mirror may be nearly as important as a windscreen! A backward glance can help to avoid past mistakes catching up on us. For a few years I have been involved in the Salvation Army Historical Society and we have been seeking to review the Army's past in order to improve its future. By innovative presentations we have sought to teach 'history without tears' and last evening saw a good crowd gather for such an event.
In our personal lives it may sometimes be good to look back before we go forward. That way we may avoid repeating past errors. To make a mistake once is human but to go on making the same mistake may be just plain daft!

An overload of news

We seem to suffer from an overload of news in these days. There are the recurring themes of the financial crisis, the flu epidemic, attacks by pirates, explosions in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and so on. Good news rarely makes the front pages of the papers or the headlines on the telly and yet it is present in abundance and to keep a balanced view of life we should keep it in mind. In western countries most of us have plenty to eat and can sleep peacefully in our beds. There are plenty of people ready to do us good turns. The sun comes up each morning. God is good. When I take my morning walk I often make a resolve that until I get home again I will count the blessings which are mine - all manner of things for which I am grateful. I never run out of things for which to give thanks and always feel better for exercising both body and soul. Try it and see!

A culture of violence

Increasingly, it seems that we have a growing culture of violence. This is evident in school-yard bullying, nightclub bashings, mayhem at sporting events, road rage and abuse of women and children. There must be many reasons for the unfortunate trends. Without doubt, some of the problem is related to the influence of alcohol and drugs. Media moguls must also share responsibility for the violent content of many video games, T-V programmes and the like. When some deny that this affects the behaviour of viewers I point to hard headed business interests ready to pay very big bucks in the belief that media advertising does affect people's lifestyle choices. Then the much publicised violence of sports stars provides a shocking example for adoring fans and the weekly procession to tribunals for statutary slaps on wrists seems to have little effect. Signs of blood-lust in crowds at some sporting events are disturbing and indicate that in our secular society the jungle is not far from the surface and still needs taming. That points to the need for a power greater than our own.

A matter of life and death

Easter is a matter of life and death. We commemorate the death of Jesus Christ as the victory of vulnerability over brute force and love over the forces of evil in the world. The early Church proclaimed that Jesus was still alive. Certainly he was alive in the memories of his followers - which memories were perpetuated when written in the gospel records. Then there was the conviction that, as he had prophesied, He was still alive with his Father God in Heaven. Furthermore, he was alive - and is still alive -through his alter ego or other self, the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. For Christians the flag of faith is not at half-mast but flying high. Jesus is not dead. He is alive and let loose in the world. He has moved from the 'here' to the 'everywhere'. Small wonder that Christianity is a faith which exults.

A memorable man

I have just had news of the passing of a friend known as a composer of music and a writer of prose and verse throughout the Salvation Army world. His name was Brindley Boon and at one time we worked together editorially. He had a phenominal memory and a fund of stories from a life-time of service in the Army. I learnt so much from him and enjoyed his huge sense of humour.His legacy of creativity will remain for many years and I am only one of many who are in his debt.