Natural and unnatural disastors.

We are seeing the devastation of latest hurricane to hit the southern states of the USA, and at same time seeing the horror from Iraq where people panicked and bridge rail collapsed. Its all very moving, very horrible!
But I do wonder, if it werent for modern media, would we feel these events as we do?
I think we have a limit to horror we can take in, and at times like these our senses are on overload!
Since time began there has been horrors...think of destruction of Sodam and Gomorah! Of the world wide flood! Of destructon of Jerusalem! and we could go on and on!
Do I care?...yes emphaticaly so!
But in end, do we christians, while doing everything we can practicaly to aid releif efforts, need to step back? I think we do! No I'm not saying we become uncareing, that we dont do everything we can, practicaly, to help. But psycholigicaly and spiritualy, we need to step back.
I'm only a man, a person, with a limitation on the horror I can take. We as christians, and others, need to remind ourselfs of the existance of a Sovreign God. We need to meditate on scriptures, relax in God's love, to be whole, if we are to be any use to our world in its sufferings!
Yes, we need to do our utmost to help...but we also need to preach what scriptures tell us of the times we are living in!
My heart goes out to all those suffering, and the dead! But my heart must also be directed to God and His word in regards to these tregedies we are witnessing!
May God helps us all, to help others at these times, and to look to Him, our sovreign God!

What is The London City Mission?

We are an interdeniminationl mission started in 1835 with a definate evangelical vision, this vision remains with us today. We have people working in Christian Centres, in churches, in industry, in emergemcy services..in fact in all areas of Londons life!
We do remarkably well, but could do soo soo much more. We always need new personal...could God be calling you?.....and yes finance....but most of all we covet your prayer support. If you want any more information on my mission contact me on jwgentles@aol.com

Christians and Integrity!

When challenged by his friend, that his trials and sufferings must have something to do with sin, Job replied, "I will keep my integrity till I die". In Revelation 22:15 it mentions amoung those excluded fro Heaven, "Whosover loveth and maketh a lie".
It seems to me that scriptures lay a lot of emphases on honesty, on integrity. But, do modern day christians hold integrity and honesty as highly as God does?
Christians can say, "Does God really love me?", because they live in a world where lies and dishonesty are commen. But God doesent lie, when He says He loves us, He means it!
Now most christians I know hold to honesty and integrity in living their christian lifes, I trust them because of this, and I expect trust from them! If they wish to challenge my honesty I simply state, "My integrity is not for negotiation".
Honesty in life, as well as in what we say, is important. Sometimes truely saying how we feel...for instance, "I'm really down today", should be accepted. Yet many of us when asked, "How are you?" will reply "Fine!", even if we are not. Was the question or the answer dishonest? Some say "Fine" because they detect a lack of honest inquiery in the person asking!
But whether I like to admit it or not, I witness an increasing amount of dishonesty in christian circles, even in ministry circles! It can be mere rumour mongering, to downright lies, giving a false impression, manipulating truth of situations to suit themselfs, etc etc!
World is full of dishonesty...who really trusts poloticians? But surely then, christians must show a purer honesty in a society darkened by lies! Its tragic when even christians dont fully trust other christians!
I have a small inner cirlce of christian friends who I trust implicitly, but have to admit that I dont trust all christians. This saddens me, it should sadden us all!
How many sermons do we hear in church on the subject of honesty and christian integrity? Are we christians preaching, and practicing honesty? My experiance of many christians is, that they are not!
Lets grasp hold of this subject dear friends, a christianity that hasnt integrity, is not Biblical christianity! A christianity that "Loveth and maketh a lie", is excluded from God's kingdom!

The Power of prayer.

I'm no expert in New Testament greek, but understand that word for prayer...when Jesus prayes in Gethsemani....When christians pray for Peter in prison, and angel sets him free...and in James where it mentions the "Fervent effectual prayer of a righteos man", is only used in these three incidents. It would seem therefore that this prayer is a very deep thing compared to other prayer?
Prayer may confuse many of us...what it is...how it works...what to expect! Many may feel prayer is not answered in a direct way. When we look at Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles we seem to be looking at another world of prayer entierly from our own.
Maybe your experiance has been praying hard, for a person, for a need, and seeing nothing happen. Maybe you feel that you have been praying very hard for an ill person, just to see, soo many times, them not recovering. Maybe you beleive that...well God healed them in taking them home, which is a fact! But you wonder why your prayers dont see physical healing!
Personaly my christian life is one of faith and trust in God, that He decides, allowes all things to come our way, so I rest in His Sovreign authority and will. But like you possibly, there is a desire to see more prayer answered in what I think off as a more positive way! By this I mean, actualy seeing things happen here on earth!
I am not saying I dont have prayer answered, I do!....but I do wonder about many prayers seeming not being heard, answered! Therefore I want to find out what prayer mentioned at beggining of this post is like, do we still have it today, or has prayer changed?
Your comments will be very welcome.

Brazilan shooting!

OK, we all admit is was a tredgety.
He was an illegal, since 2003
He was genuinly suspect, at time.
He acted suspiciously!
He didnt obey police commands to stop!
He was shot!
We are all very into legal situation...and I for one...though admitting a tradgety...supporting cops...see something different...are you willing to follow me?

Did anyone tell him about a saviour, about Jesus? Did anyone witness to him about his soul? Did anyome tell him God loved him?

Dear friends, we all might die tommorrow, we will all die sometimes, if Jesus dosent return first! I feel in this matter, as in many, we are all loosing the issue, did anyone witness to him about God's love?

His death is regretable, reasons behind it...well cops dindnt do wrong!

What I can say is, London City Mission, do try, with everything we have, to reach out to lost souls in London. Will you join us, support us? We represent all churches in London....in all our imperfection....we represent God, not ourselfs ,not a particular theology, but Gods love! We could have reached him for Jesus before he died, but we, are limited, though doing much, by support provided!!

If you wish to more about my mission...The London City Mission...contact me at...jwgentles@aol.com

Is prayer answered for the sick?

In my experince I have prayed for many ill people, but havent seen any real results. I'm asking people to be honest about this, have you? I think especialy of folks with serious illnesses I have honestly wrestled in prayer for. I know God isnt always going to heal, I accept in His will people do, will die! But, hasnt He told us to pray for folks healing? Surely, I should have witnessed at least some folks recovering? Seems to me we claim healings for mainly minor, or treatable ailments, but never get a chance to rejoice over healing of people with serious illnesses!
Is this because, we pray wrong? we dont pray hard enough? we lack faith? Personaly I dont think any of these three are correct. Have we understood scripture regards prayer for the sick?

Another area I would want to look at is praying for healing for folks with psychological/psychiatric illnesses. I find it hard to beleive the Lord means christians people He has set free, to continue to suffer from such ailments, yet if there ever was an area where limited healing due to prayer exists, this is it!

Having been a christian for 32 years, and in ministry for 27, I find my hopes for healings in result of prayer is less than when I bagan the christian life. Maybe then I had a simplistic view that God hears us, now I'm confuessed as to why He call us to pray for the sick, as I, and many many others, lets be truthfull, see nothing, or hardly anything, happen as a result of such prayer!
Dont get me wrong, I still fervently pray for the sick, and always will, but must admit to discouragment and confussion in this area of prayer.

What do you think, feel?

Love a Muslim!

OK, I got Muslim freinds, cops, I would trust my life too. But question is more general, how can we trust them. Well, how can we trust anyone?
Maybe answer is, we can only trust God!? I beleive many western Muslims have same priorites as we do...family....work...security..............well they are humanes!
Here in Londom, whenever I see Muslims, I smile at them, and their children! Gosh those kids returned smiles are something!
How can I love them...well, just as same as I love any humane!
In this sick, violent world, love is the only answer!

Would a cop really fit in to your church?

They are authority people, thats their job, so would you try to dominate them? If you do, it wont work!

They often like proper ceremony, is your worship babyish and silly?

They spy a fraud a mile away. Would thy spy it in your church?

They dont like being hastled. Would you church hastle them?

They spy sincerity a mile away. Would they see it in your church?

They arent bleeding hearts kinda people. Would your church turn them off?

They beleive in justice. Does your church preach it?

They dont experiance nice things. Does your church only wish people who talk of nice things?

They demand respect. Do your people offer it, and deserve it themselfs?

Their hours/shifts, are not very sociable. Would your churches programme fit them in?

They dont stick their head in the sand, regards the worlds dangers. Does your church encourage folks to stick their heads in the sand?

They are patriotic. Are their folks attacking goverment in your church?

Thay have to use force. Does your church preach none-violence?

They keep the law. Do your folks?

They beleive in honour and integrity. Is this seen and practiced amoung your folks?

Hope these questions will at least stir your thinking regards cops fitting in to your church.

A Good Quote!

"The cowards never started and the fainthearted fell by the way"

Kit Carson

Maybe this can be applied in two ways;

1) In regards to war on terrorism.
2) In regards to the christian life.

Fear Of Terrorism.

Fear is something we dont always like admiting too but all experiance. It comes in many forms, fear of illness, death, poverty, being spiritual lost, etc etc etc. Through the ages people have tried to conquer fear, todays macho man pretends he dosent have any. When something that causes us fear arrises we immediatly look for hope, or as some would say," Look on the bright side of life".
Fear affects us in different ways, fear is always the cause of stress. Fear I cant cope, do a certain job, of enviroment I live in, of consequences of certain actions, etc etc etc. We even fear not being accepted, of not being loved.
We today fear terrorism and where it will end, or how it will develope. Naturaly we want to live in a safe enviroment, where people dont jump from World Trade Centres or get blown to shreds on underground trains etc. But tragicaly for us all this is the world we now live in, have to deal with.
We are told that the best thing we can do is face, or confront our fear. So, what do we fear, what causes us stress as we think of terrorism? We fear its here to stay, that it will grow nastier, that it will affect us personaly, our famalies, our incomes, etc etc etc. We fear bigger weapons, biological, chemical, and even nuclear! We fear because we feel vulnarable.
In London since 7/7 we all feel different, more cautious, more aware of our vulnarability. Some of us have seen that sudden death, its aftermath, its horror! We live expecting more attacks to come, not a very nice feeling. People say we go on living as normal, but do we really? How can we be normal with always possibility of more bomb attacks at back of our minds?
A baby is a very vulnarable little bundle, but babies usualy feel secure in their mother, their parents love! When I was young I felt secure as long as mom was around, cause in my childhood thinking, mom would always make things all right. I as an adult cant change this world, I personaly cant stop terrorism, cant stop evil. I cant guarentee myself or my family security, freedom from all danger.
This vulnaribilty has its good side, as it makes me look to God, as I looked as a child look towards my mum. I realise God dosent guarentee my security, but I also beleive nothing will touch me that He dosent allow! I have to live in this world, in this city, in this time in history. Difference for me is, not the absence of fear, but that I face it with God. I would truely quack in my boots if there was no God, as there would be no hope, just pointlessness in life. God, my knowledge of Him, dosent take away the fearfull things in my life, but it does help me face them with purpose, hope, and reason for living. Americans say "In God we Trust". For me this is not just a slogan, but a reality. No, I dont have deep spiritual experiances, no, I am not free of fear, no, I'm not some christian superman. I'm just a mortal, who in fear, in stress, in lifes unknown future, turns to God Who knows all things including the second I will die! In God I trust!

A thought for you!

I often say, "My integrit is not negotiable". Some see this as pride, but I dont! Integrity is a missing factor in much of todays society, and sadly in christian circles. Is your integrity negotiable?

Free will ot God's intervention?

Here I'm not so much thinking of salvation so much as the actual chritian life in its spiritual dimension. I find, most, christians wish for a more realistic spiritual experiance, all would give it different names. Also I find christians reading books of others wonderfull experiances wishing it was theirs. Some would teach that certain experiances are for all, but in my thinking this is quite wrong, or we would see all having them.
Like all christians I struggle at times, wishing to be better, nicer, more loving, more holy, etc....but always seem to fail! That I do anything right is down to God's grace and God's grace alone! I continualy seek better experinces, standareds, holiness for myself, through prayer etc, but nothing so far. Now I ask myself, is this because God wants me as I am? In my ministry I work amoung people, who though being the salt of the earth, are rather worldly in thoughts and language. Could I work among them if my soul were seared with all they said and did? Does the good Lord allow some of us a climatation to worldly thinking etc so that we can live and minister amongs it? Is it possible to be soo Heavenly minded that we become no earthly good?
I find chaplains are a breed apart from others in ministry, especialy those who cover police. Chaplains seem to have a more realistic view of life and all that is going on around them. They become tough, while at same time being gentle. They cannot do their job if they are shrinking violets, as most often they are in a fairly macho eviroment that is dealing with horror, evil, and the dregs of society! Also, their thinking can be completely different from other christians, as eviroment they work in see's negative side of humanity all the time!
As God gives different gifts for the ministry of His church, cant it also be that He gives different spiritual experiances etc for the same reason? Someone ministering in a hospice needs a different charracter than those ministrying with military and law enforcment.
So friends, should we be searching for greater spiritual experiances,or just be accepting what God makes us spiritualy? If God is content to leave me as I am, shouldent I be content? After all, it is God's grace that works in us according to His will and purposes!

Crime and Terrorism Today.

Today I was in a Halfords store when about seven young men in hoods came in and robbed it as customers and staff stood watching. People were wise, dont do anything unless someone is being threatened. One never does know what weapons they have concealed.
Here in London we waited almost four years after 9/11 for promised terrorist attack, as world knows now it came on 7/7
I felt anger that robbers today got clean away that no-one was able to stop them. I'm British and therefore gun shy, I dont want guns on our streets, but since 7/7 we have seen lots in hands of police. It seems the only way foreward is more arms, more willingness to use them, more force being allowed in law and order and defence! At time of robbery I felt, why is a store this large not defended, why is security guard not armed, why is there no protection for all the people in here? If those guys had guns, and many criminals round here do have them, then they could have shot anyone without any problem! I find this frightening, and as a citizen I feel naked and defensless in face of determined armed crime!
I travel daily on Londons transport system aware that another terrorist attack could come any day. I feel that only stiff resistance, armed response to terrorism, is only way ahead. I also feel we have to hurt them bad, to, yes be cruel, be tough, make them wish they had never started out to attack us.
But I'm also a christian, and genuinly abhore violence, yet I do beleive state has that right, the right to kill to defend its citizens, the right to be cruel to protect the inocent. I dont wish this, but I see it as the only way ahead!
Someone has said to me, "Could be this be God's judgment on two countries, USA and UK, that He has blessed so much, and who have turned away from him?" I dont know the answer, but its certainly possible. I know Britian has turned from its christian roots in a massive way, the church is often mocked and Bible standards are brushed aside, this does sadden me. Yet the people I work amoungs, The Transport Police, the Railway folks, are the salt of the earth, the best you could get to know! So I still beleive there is a lot of respect for God in this nation, even if respect is lacking for the church, which gets sillier and more wimpish each day, as the world gets more evil and dangerous. Today people are looking to the state for answers as church has failed miserably to have any kind of sane voice!

Signs and Wonders?

Tonight heard a guy speak on Jesus calming the storm and casting out the demonds in the man called legion. In all it was a good sermone! But he emphasised Signs and Wonders are for today! This is something I'm not entirely sure about!
First do I want them today? Yes would be my immediate reply, after all which christion dosent want to see God's power at work? But I have a problem here, in my many years in christian ministry I have heard a lot about Signs and Wonders but seen very little. So is this wishfull thinking, a sort of evangelical desperation, or is their more, a more that we have not tapped into?
I dont know about you but my Bible seems to promise far more that we ever get. On other hand charrismatic type churches just leave me empty, and teaching woefully lacking in them. I must confess that I have found Evangelical Calvanistic churches better with teaching to a degree than many other groups, but teaching/doctrine seems to be the all in all there. We speak about the sanctified life, but few seem to find it, to live it, or even to understand fully what it is!
Signs and wonders, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Entire Sanctification, I still want them all...but where are they, are they still with us today? My feeling is, that evangelical christianity has lost it bearings, its way, the powere scriptures seem to promise. I'm fed up making excuses, are you?

Mt thinking today 14th August 2005

Where does one start?
Today my thoughts are on evengelical traditionalism, and how we often cant see the wood for the trees. We need to look afresh at scriptures, the good old Bible, and try to see where we are going wrong. We arent affective as we should be, materialism controls our lives, and sacraficial living is sure out!
In christian evangelical circles we say a lot of things in almost a defensive mode. We talk of Spirit filled lives when evidence of such lives is sadly lacking! So, we need to look again at what a spirit filled life is in scriptures!
We say the labourer is worth of their higher, that God provides their every need. Yet many in ministry do see their needs not being met, or do they see themselfs getting a decent living standared. Church is only employer that demands high accademic standareds for its leaders, and yet offers the lowest salaries! Would any other corporation on this planet succed in this way?
We talk of sanctity of life, yet cant stop abortion massacre in western cultures. How is this? Arent we still a fairly large constituancy in society? Why cant we make our voice to be heard?
Numercialy we are larger that gay movemnet, yet they run the show on forcing their agendas! I dont hate gay folks, far from it, but they do rule and are a minority in society!
How does prayer work? Does it really get answered? Maybe what we call prayer isnt really what scriptures mean? Another area for deeper examination.
When I started out on my evangelical life it all seemed so simple, now many years on in ministry, I dont find myself questioning God as such, but do find myself questioning my evangelical beleifs, or should I call them "traditions"? In doing so I invite the wrath of many to fall on my poor head, when all I am seeking to do is, look at evengelicalism afresh, is this asking too much?