We Are The People Of The Cross

I felt moved to write these few words after the beheading of 21 Christians by the terrorist group ISIS.

We are the people of the cross

We do not fear to count the cost

Our eye is single, fixed on Him

Who died to pay the price for sin. 

To live is Christ, to die is gain

By grace through faith we own His name

We suffer all indignities

And yet we love our enemies. 

We do not doubt the power of Christ

In Him we have eternal life

Yet you who kill, what do you gain?

Blood on your hands

Your guilt remains. 

We are free and with the LORD

You are slaves of sin and sword

Angels minister to our needs

The Son has set us free indeed.

We are the people of the cross

We rejoice to suffer loss

If that loss is all for Christ

Truly we “confound the wise!” 

“Vengeance is mine,” saith the LORD

Heed the warnings of His word

Repent, believe and follow Him

And Christ will heal you of your sin.

(Paul Jennings)



Is Dawkins Losing It?



After building a following of devoted disciples (who for some reason seem to be largely white and male) it appears that the once revered Scientist is beginning to drift off into some rather odd orbits! In fact, not to put too finer point on it, some are starting to whisper the nom humiliante the "Nutty Professor" with regard to his latest strange ideas.
Oh dear, where did it all go wrong? Well, I guess it could have been with a rather thoughtless and embarrassing "tweet," rushed off in an attempt to be amusing/clever.
On January 1, 2015, The Telegraph reported:

"Richard Dawkins’ insanity has now become an English institution – like warm beer and rain. On Saturday morning, a tweet from his account asked why we don’t send lots of "erotic videos" to theocracies, adding that it should be “loving, gentle, woman-respecting...” If we’re going down this road, I also hear that Islamists aren’t very keen on bacon, so perhaps we should bombard the Iranian countryside with pig carcasses?"  The tweet was deleted after a few minutes, perhaps on the advice of concerned followers. But herein lies the problem of surrounding oneself with sycophants. One starts to believe one's own publicity! In some ways Christians should be thankful to the New Atheists. They may have had a winnowing effect on pulpit preaching. There is something of a renaissance taking place in many evangelical churches. The anecdotal, "funny story" preachers are having to shape up, or ship out. Congregations (some at least) are starting to look for a more robust and apologetic style of delivery, in order to have answers for "that annoying atheist at work!" How beautifully logical, articulate and oozing with wisdom, do the Epistles of Paul, Peter and John appear; how timeless and insightful are the words of the Lord Jesus, when contrasted with the self aggrandizing dogma of Richard Dawkins and his ilk.   Here are our top five "Nuttitudes" earning the prof his title, "The Nutty Professor" [in no particular order]! Saying "I'm busy" when challenged to a debate on the existence of God by one of the world's most eminent Christian Apologists, Dr William Lane Craig. Pretending to have never heard of Dr William Lane Craig. Introducing the world to "the Flying Spaghetti Monster!" Claiming that couples that have Downs Syndrome babies are "immoral." Urging people to call atheists "Brights!"