Not another high ranking clergyman convicted of sex crimes?

Yes, another church leader, an Anglican bishop, has been found guilty of serious sex crimes which should lead to a custodial sentence. It is a sad and sorry saga, which involved the Church of England, the victims who suffered so badly, former Bishop Peter Ball and others who helped cover up the crimes.

Damaged lives reveal the deep wounds and harmful consequences of these profoundly sinful actions. Something truly toxic has ruined relationships. The flesh, the carnal nature, has reaped corruption and chaos in lives that could and should have produced abundance, fruitful growth and eternal quality.

Archbishop Justin Welby is right to call for a rigorous review of child protection procedures and the handling of sexual offences within the church. Clearly clergy have let down the flock under their pastoral care very badly indeed. Much was given to them and much shall be expected. Repentance, action and justice must be seen to be done. Deeds done without justice and loving kindness will not stand the test of time and eternity. We will all give account to God for deeds done on earth. They have eternal significance. They reach beyond this present realm. 

Blatter disgraces himself again

Blatter will not go with any grace, but in disgrace. He is a disgrace to FIFA, the game of football and himself. His ego, selfishness and lack of integrity are amazing to the point of being incredible. Major FIFA sponsors have called time on Blatter's ignominious career. But still Blatter will not leave, though his position is untenable. For years Blatter has been well past his sell by date and shelf life. It will be a time of rejoicing when he eventually goes. Some would like to see him jailed for his crimes, which they expect to come to light. The man has been a dark presence in world football.

Come on FA, get with it!

It's high time that the Premiership used 21st century technology, as they do in Rugby, to determine crucial decisions during a game. They use it in cricket and many other sports, but Association Football is run by some asses who are well beyond their shelf life. Please let's put them out to pasture and allow common sense, logic and sound technology to play its part. Last Saturday's game at White Hart Lane saw some really shocking decisions by match officials. Technology would have helped them to see what thousands saw on TV.

Taliban takeaway

What a catastrophe! Afghanistan is dreadfully divided, despite lost lives of Afghan and British  service personnel, many civilians, enormous aid expenditure, diplomatic engagement, training, and economic investment. So little has come from so much effort. You can rely on the Taliban to muck up the country.

Delightful Dunster

What a delightful place Dunster is! I love it. It has charmed and enthralled me.

The magnificent castle, now owned and managed by the National Trust, offers so much. There are lovely shops, fine hotels that Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot would stay in, welcoming public houses, plenty of places to enjoy a classic cream tea, good coffee and hot chocolate. There is even a speciality chocolate shop.

Refugee crises

I have often wondered why the so called Islamic world is not offering to do much more for their fellow Muslims. Why are not Mecca, Medina, Islamabad and other sacred Islamic places the choice destinations for these refugees? There are very wealthy Gulf states with the means of funding the charitable agencies and needs of these suffering migrants. Charity, alms and helping the poor are basic requirements in Islam. I hope we will see some zakat going to these refugees.

Those who undertake dangerous sea voyages and trips in unseaworthy craft must take some responsibility for their journeys and the welfare of their families. The image of the drowned toddler has been used by the media to shame the EU. But any parent must take into account the risks, dangers and potential outcome of any trip. Responsible parents weigh up the situation and make their own risk assessment. Teachers and youth workers do it all the time. It is tragic and truly heart breaking to think that the father who lost his sons and wife at sea made such a costly and disastrous decision. He will have to live with that agony for the rest of his life. The owners of the unseaworthy boat should be found, named, shamed and severely punished.

The EU did not attack the town where this family lived. They were not forced to board this unseaworthy vessel by EU representatives. If we are to play the blame game, then it surely lies with the false ideologies in the Middle East and with those who caused the conflict in Syria.

The decline of the Brethren in Havering.

I have had to correct and revise my previous post as I have found that a Brethren assembly in Havering exists. The Brethren movement is not extinct in the London Borough of Havering. The Collier Row Gospel Hall is, as far as I now know, the only Brethren assembly in my area. They are no longer part of the Christian landscape in the Hornchurch area, where they were particularly a force to be reckoned with.

Update

I thought that I had found another Brethren assembly in the London Borough of Havering, at Rainham, Essex, RM13, in the south end of the borough. There was, it seems, a Brethren fellowship at the Gospel Hall in Cowper Road. Today it is apparently in the hands of Praise Communion, a Christian charity established to advance the Christian faith and tackle poverty. It is not a Brethren organization.

6 September 2015 at 19:52