I AM A GOOD PERSON BUT GOING TO HELL

I mean, is this really fair? Okay, so perhaps I am not as good a person as I could be. I do the odd wrong thing. Quite a few odd things probably. But basically I am a pretty okay sort of guy. I swear occasionally but doesn't every one? I am faithful to my wife. I don't steal. I don't covet my neighbours ass, or anything else of my neighbours. I love everybody, especially after I have had a few beers. I believe in God and Jesus but I don't go for Churches because there are too many hypocrites inside them. I help old ladies across streets, help the poor and generally do good all over the place. BUT, at the end of my time I ain't going to get into heaven. Why ain't I going to get into heaven? Because I have not said the magic words, 'I believe Jesus was crucified for my sins, died, rose from the dead and is now in Heaven with God'. Why I don't say those words is because my faith is weak. It is a giant leap for me and it is taking me a long time to take that leap. On the other hand my life is full of people who consider the ten commandments as a challenge, and break as many of them as they can, as often as they can. Will they be going to heaven? Well they tell me repeatedly that they believe Jesus died for their sins, that he rose again and is now in Heaven and they believe that implicitly. They say that faith is more important that works. So there you go; me to hell, them to heaven.

Hospital Waiting Rooms Are The Great Leveller

Sit around any hospital waiting room for long enough, and who doesn't these days, and you will see that regardless of your station in this life, a pretty level playing field exists there. In general, discrimination does not exist. Okay, there are the thugs and bullies who perform, demanding rights that they do not have, but in general all those sitting patiently relate to one another. As I sat in Wellington Hospital the other day, I watched a young man, probably about 30 years of age, push a young child, whom I presumed to be his daughter, past in the wheel chair. His face was covered in tattoos. They were the type of tattoo that would have prevented him from getting any type of job other than repairing roads. I do not say that in a judgmental way, but as a statement of fact. But there he was, doing what any other father would do, and doing it with sadness etched upon that face. In any other setting he may well have been bullying his way about (perhaps I am being judgmental?) but there he was clearly upset with his daughter's condition and situation. Again, in any other setting the other people about him would have given him a wide birth, but in the Hospital he and his were accepted and accepting. He was not the only one. People talk to strangers. They reveal to each other the most intimate of secrets. I know that some will say I am wrong because those who can afford it will go to a Private Hospital but I disagree. In an emergency, or even for a 'follow-up' the 'Gentry' will often mix with the 'Serfs' and both learn from each other.
Pity most Churches don't provide such a level playing field.

Gay bulls are culled

Should I get involved in the gay marriage debate I ask myself. Probably not, but then I have always tended to go where angels fear to tread. Many current Church attendees seem to believe that gay marriage is no big thing, so should I, as a Christian, go along with that? Christians are taught that marriage is an institution blessed by God etc, etc. Paul seems to be a bit confused about the whole thing actually. Spend some time with a Bible concordance researching marriage and see what you come up with.
Personally I think we Christians have more important things to worry about, and work on, than gay couples getting married. Let us remember that we are in the end times and it is inevitable that sin will increase and Christian values will be ridiculed. Gay marriage is not to be confused with homosexuality. Homosexuality is condemned by God. Why should two men, or two women, not live together if they truly love each other, and have that love recognized as a marriage? If that couple practice same sex intercourse then that becomes another matter. As an ex farmer I can tell you that homosexual bulls were culled and sent to the meat works. I would not advocate that for humans.
In summary, I would say let gay couples marry if that is what they think they need to make their love real. (A sad thought.) Meanwhile us Christians need to get on with loving our fellow man regardless of their sexual orientation.

Impatient Waiting

My favourite bible verse is Isaiah 40:31: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I usually use it as a call to worship on those occasions God permits me to preach from a pulpit. I have always believed it as saying to me that the Lord will do all those things for me if I but trust in him. I have recently read, however, an old sermon of John Murray's. It is contained in a book titled With Wings As Eagles, copyrighted and published in 1993 by Whitaker House. While my beliefs are agreed to by Murray, the big thing he pointed out were the words 'They that WAIT upon the Lord.' This has become my reality. I have recently shifted to Masterton in New Zealand. I did so at what I believed was the prompting of my Lord. The reason for my need to relocate was not made apparent to me but I believed fervently that it would become apparent in the Lords time. Not a patient person, I have waited for about 4 months for the reason to become apparent. As I sit writing this, and looking back over those 4 months, I can see that the need for me to be where I am is becoming apparent. I have been able to publish, as an e-book, Promises, a book of children's stories suitable for young and old. (Check it out on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble etc., or even purchase it for 0.99c USD from those stores.) Further, my other books have taken giant steps along the publishing road. I have also noticed that my involvement in my new Church is starting to be a little fruitful. However, I must still WAIT upon the Lord, something I do with impatience.

Nek Minit, Smashwords

My book Ripples has made Smashwords Premier list. I must say that I chose to publish via Smashwords as my finances are not abundant and you can publish via them for free. They provide a Style Guide for you to follow when you submit your manuscript. This, if followed, ensures that your book has minimum problems with its conversion to EPub, PDF etc. I must say a big thank you to Mark Coker at Smashwords for the Style Guide. I followed it religiously and 'nek minit' Premier status. Would I recommend that you publish via Smashwords? Most certainly. Never heard of them? Chuck their name in your search engine and find a partner who cares about independent publishing.

Published

Ripples, my book of children's stories and plays, has been published on Smashwords. I am awaiting its review to find out what, if anything, needs to be touched up to make the Premium catalogue. It is suitable for use by those in Children's Christian Ministry. The stories can be adapted to include the names of those in your Fellowship. Likewise, Parents and Grandparents would find them a great basis for sharing. I have actually found that many adults, and particularly the elderly, relate to the stories. Go on, take the chance - buy it. Now that I have taken that step, I must turn my attention to another completed adult book I have tentatively named 'Begat', and also get stuck into my Creation book which I have not added a word to for well over 6 months. Get a move on Jim.

Boy Scout Walking

Like many young New Zealanders I was a Scout. You know, the Baden Powell 'Be Prepared' type. I clearly recall learning how to walk a straight line. You line up some object, normally a tree, spire etc, fix your gaze upon it, and walk towards it ensuring that you never look to either side or down at your feet. Follow that advice and look back once you reach the object. Your footprints will be roughly in a straight line. Therein is the big secret of Christian Life. You must fix your gaze upon Christ and walk directly towards Him. Do not look to either side nor up nor down. Look else where, and you will wander from the straight and narrow. So, I've wandered off the straight and narrow. How do I get back? When I left St Columba's Church in Napier, to live in Masterton, the Communications Committee presented me with a book as a going away gift. That book shows how to get back on the straight line. It is 'Finding our way Again' by Brian McLaren and is part of The Ancient Practice Series published by Thomas Nelson. This is a book I whole-heartedly recommend. It does not matter really whether you have wandered off the path or not. It is an amazing book that will ensure you examine your current practices and help you find meaning in your spiritual life.