Barry George was shamefully treated

 Barry George , who was wrongfully convicted of murdering Jill Dando, suffered dreadfully in prison knowing that he was completely innocent and the evidence was handled badly.  It was a professional hit. Jill was assassinated on her doorstep in west London, shot by a gun that Barry had never fired or was trained to shoot. Barry deserves a generous ex gratia payment , though it will never remove or compensate for those years he spent wasting away in a prison cell. Disgraceful. Those who were involved and responsible for this atrocious miscarriage of justice should contribute to the payment in some way.

The Death of Michael Reid, formerly Bishop of Peniel Church

 I have recently discovered that Michael Reid, who led Peniel Church near Brentwood, died in January 2023.  He did achieve success in establishing a large church with an impressive choir, a private school (Peniel Academy), a Bible college and substantial properties around the Coxtie Green area. Unfortunately his ministry ended in disgrace and shame. His adultery was exposed and, after an independent investigation which led to the Langlois Report, horrendous evidence of harm, toxic abuse, bullying and deceit. It is true to say Reid created "havoc and pain for many."

There are many well documented victims of this abusive ministry.  It is easy to find the evidence. There are those who still carry deep mental wounds and painful psychological scars from their experiences at Peniel Church, at the end of the last century and up to his resignation in April 2008. Reid did not leave the church manse willingly. It took considerable effort to remove him. There was rejoicing when he departed. Many were glad to see him go.  

There are important lessons to learn from the Langlois Report and the whole Peniel episode so that these abuses are not repeated.

An Awakening at Asbury

Christian and mainstream social media has been full of the news of events at Asbury University in Kentucky. Thousands have been attending chapel services and crowds have been gathering from all over the USA and beyond. It has been called a revival, an awakening and a move of God, a work of the Holy Spirit.

 From what I have observed on line by listening to testimonies, discussions and videos, there does seem to be a genuine and sincere expression and experience of praise, worship, repentance and deeper commitment to the Lord. I rejoice with those who have found joy in their discipleship, a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and a deeper commitment to Him. 

 Yes, there may be some questionable theology and dodgy doctrines shared by a minority, and some things that offend the hypercritical, the pharasaical cynics, the ultra pious and theologically sophisticated. But when all is said and done, I rejoice in the work of God at Asbury, in the praise, in the worship, in the frequent recitation of the Bible, in the real repentance and conviction of sin by people at the chapel services etc.

 Jonathan Edwards put forward a five fold test of revival. At Asbury, to some extent, one could argue that the test has been met, the five fold criteria are evident. People are convinced of Christ and lead to Him in the assurance that He is the divine Son of God, sent to save sinners, operating against the interest of Satan's kingdom, causing people to forsake sin and to set their affections on the things that are above, leading them to a greater regard for the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, awakening the ability to discern spiritually between truth and error, light and darkness, and manifesting a spirit of love, both to God and to others.

 How much fruit and eternal content will come out of the Asbury Awakening only time and eternity will tell. But Jesus is being glorified, uplifted and worshipped. To God be the glory, great things has He done, is doing and will continue to do.

Repentance is essential for those in Christ Jesus

There is no true spirituality or true Christian faith without repentance. Repentance is essential if we wish to follow Christ Jesus and be in Christ, the way, the truth and the life.  

Repentance cannot be bypassed by warm experiences and happy feelings of religious joy, ecstasy or contentment.   Saying sorry and sad feelings are not enough. There are those in prison who are very sorry for their sins, selfishness and suffering inflicted on families, friends and even foes. But they have no intention of changing their lives or turning away from criminal activity. 

Repentance involves a commitment to renounce sin and turn away from it by God's grace. There is an acknowledgement of sin and evil, and a desire to keep away from wrong deeds which displease a holy and righteous God.  In the process of repentance there must be a heartfelt desire to reject sinful ways, the broad way that leads to destruction. 

Some churches and false teachers preach a message or promote a religion without judgement, a gentle Jesus meek, mild and inoffensive, woke morality, trendy religious  traditions, disciples with no concern about sin and repentance, and a Christ without a cross. 

Our politicians have caused much of this economic mess

 Our politicians have failed us. They are responsible or irresponsible for a  lot of this woeful omnishambles. Dangerous and dire decisions have really mucked up our finances and fuelled inflation with the pound sterling at a very low point against the US dollar.  Investors and the City saw the problems. Uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the Truss leadership are evident for all to see.  Some wish Truss to be trussed up and removed from Downing Street with her Chancellor, called the Chancer of the Exchequer. Dark days are ahead. Is a winter of discontent coming?  Liz Truss refers to a tempest but some  see an ice age with poverty, hardship, anxiety and bitterness in the bleak mid-winter. 

Bad day at the Emirates for Spurs

It was a glad day for Arsenal but a bad day for Spurs.

Serious errors gave the Gunners three points and Spurs lost their unbeaten run in this season’s EPL.

Lloris gifted Jesus a goal. Worse was to come. Emerson Royal disgraced himself and his club. His red card foul was shameful, in such an important fixture, the north London derby. The straight red was deserved, without doubt dangerous, dreadful  and definitely dastardly. Unnecessary and unacceptable. Emerson could have caused a nasty injury from his nasty challenge. He killed the game and gave his hard working colleagues no real chance of comeback. Serious foul play. Bad play on a bad day for the original north London team. 

Arsenal deserved the 3-1 home victory.

The Death of Lawrence of Arabia. Suspicious???

 Recently I visited Clouds Hill, near Wareham, in Dorset. I managed to book a tour of the cottage and grounds, which once belonged to T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). It is now owned by the National Trust, and I'm an old life member.

I enjoyed the tour immensely. The guides were friendly, helpful and well informed. Most were charming. They were patient and answered my many questions.

At the beginning and at the end of my time at Clouds Hill, I discussed the possibility and the probability of the assassination of Lawrence by Government agents.  He died, in my opinion, under very suspicious circumstances.

This opinion or view is definitely not shared by some NT guides. 

What intrigues me is the manner and circumstances of LoA's death. On that day there was rain so Lawrence would have taken precautions when riding his motorbike. He died right by his cottage, and two boys were there by the road. LoA was an excellent rider and knew every bit of the road. As he was just outside his place he would not have been travelling at a great speed. Taking all the factors into account he would have been going slowly and carefully.

So how did an expert motorcyclist, who owned a specially modified bike and other bikes, come to drive it so badly to his death? Did he really swerve and sustain fatal injuries at a slow speed?

My late uncle, who was in the Palestine police and beforehand an army officer, believed that he was assassinated.  He was certain of it!

Why? Who would benefit? 

I believe that there were political and moral reasons for wanting Lawrence eliminated with extreme prejudice. 

Today many find it hard to understand the antipathy and hatred of homosexuality that existed in British society.  There was a much stronger belief in Judeo-Christian sexual ethics. Homosexuality was considered to be a perversion, a sign of serious spiritual declension and decadence. It is now common knowledge that Lawrence and some of his close friends were practising homosexuals, at the time when it was against the law. The police and prison authorities treated them with contempt, hostility and brutality, as filthy perverts who even deserved hell and the wrath of God. There is plenty of evidence to support this attitude and these actions.  Homosexuals were not only subject to physical and verbal abuse, but they were blackmailed, and forced to be "closeted" and discrete in their relationships.

While homosexuality was known in British Public Schools and in university halls of residence, there were men who had had bad experiences, with feelings of remorse and guilt, who became vehemently against any homosexual practices.  There are many examples in history of homosexuals being attacked and murdered on account of their sexual proclivities.  Was Lawrence one of them?