NORWICH 'GAY PRIDE' DEMO - Christian Gospel Witness

The Norwich 'Gay Pride' demo is now an annual feature of city life, as in many other cities across the UK. Five of us gathered to make a Gospel witness against this unashamed carnival of perverted carnality.

Gentleman's Walk was teeming with people on this warm afternoon (Saturday, 27 July 2013). Arriving early, I noticed that the Charity Stall from which Norwich City Council ejected Norwich Reformed Church last year was being used by ‘Gay Pride’ personnel. Wandering over, I asked for a copy of their official pamphlet. I then offered my leaflets ‘Good News for Gays’ and ‘Jesus Christ, the Saviour We All Need’. Accepting the ‘exchange’, they seemed a little disconcerted. I smiled and said, “You need them, they will do you good. God bless you.” 

When the other brethren arrived, we gathered for prayer, asking the LORD to grant us faithfulness, wisdom, compassion, peace and courage.  

Police were evident in considerable numbers. We engaged in discussion with them. It has to be said that they were more threatening towards us than the gay marchers were. We were told by one officer that if we caused offence and distress we would be arrested. Will Harrison (church identity withheld) then asked, “Since I find gay demonstrators offensive and distressing, will you arrest them too?” No reply was made. Tony Cox (Surrey Chapel) challenged the strident attitude of this officer with his legal expertise, supported by Len Smeath (Norwich Reformed Church). It seems that the public parade of gay perversion is not considered offensive whereas Christian counter-witness is! Will Harrison was accompanied by his wife Laura and baby Elouise in this stand-off. 

Joining in, I said that the marchers had less cause to fear harassment from us than we from them. I asked the officer if he would arrest those who might harass us? Somewhat nervously, he replied that he would. On offering him copies of my leaflets, the officer said I would be arrested if these were distributed. So much for freedom of expression! When I said they were only available for enquirers, the visibly-irritated officer said I would be arrested even if they were displayed. Well, they were displayed - together with another leaflet 'Gay Pride' - but none of us were arrested!

As the several-hundred strong procession advanced with drums, whistles and circus-style antics, we informed the officers that we intended to go ahead of the procession at a distance of 30-40 yards, displaying our Gospel texts (see pics). Hundreds of bystanders watched as we advanced along the route - Len to my left, Tony to my right, and Will and his family with me in the centre. With little Elouise in her pushchair, we were making a family-based, biblical demonstration - ‘A little child shall lead them’ (Isa. 11: 6). Several police officers provided a buffer between us and the noisy marchers behind us.

The planned route took us past the market and the City Hall. Shamelessly displaying the City Council's decadence, a 'rainbow' drape stretched along the entire width of the building. On the balcony, the Lord Mayor, resplendent in his ceremonial robes waved to the crowd, supported by other members of the Council. It was a truly shameful display of official support. As we passed by beneath, I lifted my arm, and - despite the din - shouted “Shame upon you, shame upon you!”

Eventually, we and the main procession reached the Forum where a large crowd applauded them. The police kept between us and the marchers while the noisy celebration reached its climax. Providing evidence of today’s religious apostasy, Quakers and Unitarians were conspicuous among the marchers.  An Anglican-looking clergyman (Methodist? Roman Catholic?) was shamefully smiling. At one point, Tony and Len made their way to the end of the procession to display their Bible texts. In response to the Unitarian’s poster ‘Jesus loves you’, Len rightly said , “Yes Jesus loves them, but He hates their sin!” Turning his back, the man was not amused. It was tragic to see little children among the marchers. May the LORD protect them from sodomite wickedness!

In the end, the whole event seemed less aggressive than in previous years. We were able to make a visible witness, and a good quantity of leaflets were taken. Apart from the leading officer, his fellow officers were quite friendly and helpful towards us. If we are spared, another witness will be made next year (DV). In the wake of the Same-sex Marriage developments, only time will tell if our relatively-low key witness will be tolerated in the future. It would be worth it if only one soul was saved. We leave events to God and His sovereign and gracious purposes. May HE have mercy on our city and country.

Dr Alan C. Clifford

Pastor, Norwich Reformed Church

God Not Welcome.

BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID

who got an A+ for this entry

(TOTALLY AWESOME)!

Since the Pledge of Allegiance

And

The Lord's Prayer

Are not allowed in most

Public schools anymore

Because the word 'God' is mentioned.....

A kid in Arizona  wrote the attached

NEW School prayer:

"New Pledge of Allegiance"

-o0o0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0o0o-

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all..

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this, Please pass this on..

Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

~~~~~~~~~~~AWESOME~~~~~~~~~~

Not ashamed. Pass this on. 

It is a scandalous situation that we have got ourselves into in this world where its Creator and Sustainer has been banished from His own world. All over the western world, God is being driven out. His Name is not to be spoken because those who hold to a false religion might be offended. Reading of His Word in public places is fast becoming a criminal offense. 

This is what we can only expect the godless world to do, but where is the church while all this is going on? She is involved in spiritual adultery with the gods of this world - political correctness, immorality, lust, greed, moral laxity, sodomy legalised, same-sex marriages being accepted, etc, etc.

This world is clearly under divine wrath, because it is clear that God has given this world up to all kinds of iniquity. Because the churches are milking this with all their might, they have lost their ability to discern the times in which we live. Hence their deafening silence. Churches that once stood solidly for the Gospel are now persecuting those good men who preach the Gospel with power and passion; they preach it as men who give the clear impression that they actually believe what they preach.

Sadly, and predictably, the world is but following the example of the churches. May God have mercy on us as He pours out His deserved wrath upon us.

Marriage Really Matters

To see the latest installment on Marriage Matters, please click here.

Marriage 7

The next instalment on the marriage issue is now available at this link.  This is such a crucial matter that the Christian public need to know what's happening and how to respond to it in a truly Christian yet firm way.

More Marriage Matters

Have a look at this short video and learn a little more about this massive moral issue that our UK government is seeking to bring through Parliament and become law.

Christian Marriage Under Political Attack

Despite promises by government ministers at Westminster and also by the Justice Minister, David Ford, MLA, in Stormont, Northern Ireland (Mr Ford, a ruling elder in 2nd Donegore Presbyterian Church, Northern Ireland) voted in support of same-sex marriages in the recent Stormont debate on the question), that churches would be protected by legislation if they did not want to perform such 'marriages,' there will be no protection whatever, if David Cameron gets his way.  Mr Cameron has today (Fri. 7th Dec. 2012) backed a huge policy change to introduce same-sex marriages in churches.

The media is reporting that the Government will confirm its intention to force through the redefinition of marriage.

Introducing same-sex weddings in churches and other religious premises is a radical departure from the consultation proposals.  More than that, it is a radical departure from the traditional understanding of marriage as held by virtually all churches and religious bodies throughout history.  Government Ministers promised that religious believers could not be forced to hold homosexual weddings because it would not even be possible to register them in churches or other religious premises.  Mr Ford also confirmed that churches would be protected by legislation.

But now that promise has been broken.  It is not that Mr Cameron & Co have had a change of mind; I believe that it was always their intention to proceed along this road and that this 'announcement' is but the making public what was already covert in their proposals.  Christians, Jews, Muslims and others will be exposed to the legal nightmare of equality and human rights laws, as well as the intrusion of the European courts.  Ministers We have no confidence in so-called ‘safeguards’ Ministers will offer.

This could well have the effect of destroying the Christian church and religion altogether.  It is another attack of the liberal establishment of church and state to rid the eartyh of these people called Christians, and of other faith groups that hold to a similar understanding of marriage.

But this is going to come up against an irresistible force - the power of Almighty God.  His Son , Jesus Christ, has said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church that He is building on earth.  Mr Cameron & Co has decided to take on the Lord God of hosts, and we'll what becomes of that.  He and they are standing on most precarious ground.  His wrath is upon them.  They are hanging over the pit of hell and it is only the mercy of God that prevents them falling to their eternal loss and misery.

C4M has taken legal advice from leading human rights lawyer, Aidan O’Neill QC, who has made it clear that the only completely safe course for churches will be to stop hosting weddings altogether, a massive change to Britain’s social landscape.  This attack on marriage is therefore an attack on the Christian church.  It is a way of squeezing the churches to such an extent that to perform marriages as understood and practices by Christian Churches will be for them to act in an illegal manner.  The QC has also shown that, quite apart from the issue of buildings, individual people from any background who believe in traditional marriage face damage to their careers or even dismissal from their jobs, especially teachers, chaplains, foster carers and others in the public sector.

It is clear that this is also an attempt to drive as many Christians out of the workplace as possible.  It is persecution by another name and means.  It is a form of ethnic cleansing of believers from the workplaces and churches of our country.

The Bill to redefine marriage will be published in the New Year. We understand there were behind-the-scenes attempts to publish a wafer-thin Bill next week to avoid proper scrutiny of the details by Parliament. Thankfully that seems to have been prevented by internal arguments.

When any government has to do its work behind closed doors because it knows how unacceptable its proposed policy change is, then that is further evidence of Satanic inspiration behind this move.

We are monitoring developments hour-by-hour and will bring you further news as it emerges.

Please be assured that C4M will do all it can to stop these massively unpopular plans.  Christians and all others who are concerted about these nefarious developments must be alert and aware of what is being done by our government.

If you are planning a wedding, why not have a look at this website for ideas about how to organise it.

Victory For Same-Sex Supporters In USA

Why same-sex supporters are celebrating

Same-sex supporters won unprecedented victories this week in the USA. Wisconsin elected the nation's first openly gay senator, while three new gay candidates were elected to the House.  Same-sex marriage proponents won in all four states where gay marriage was contested.  Those who support biblical marriage are more counter-cultural than ever.

Now consider this fact: More evangelicals than Mormons voted for Mitt Romney, in both percentage and votes cast.  In fact, more conservative Christians voted for the Republican nominee than for any candidate in American history.  Mr Obama attracted even fewer Protestants, evangelicals, and Catholics than in his 2008 victory, but still won decisively.

Clearly, Christians who want to make a difference must do more than vote.  Is our witness still relevant to our changing culture?

Republican Terrorism Rides Again in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has seen visited upon it once again the horror of republican terrorism in the murder of Cookstown (Co. Tyrone) prison officer, David Black (52).  The father of two children, husband, brother and son, was gunned down on the M1 motorway as he made his way to work at Magheraberry prison.

Two republican terrorist gunmen drew up alongside him as he drove to work, and shot him several times, causing his car to veer off the road and crash into a ditch being partly submerged.

His son drove past the scene 15 minutes later, not knowing that it was his father who had been murdered.  The family has been utterly devastated by this current republican terrorist murder.

"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint," says Proverbs.  Where sinful people are not coming under the preaching of the true Gospel, they have no boundaries that keep them under restraint.  These people obviously have "cast off restraint."  If they go to church at all, they are not hearing the law and Gospel being preached in proper proportion.  God reveals Himself through the Gospel, and where this is not preached, He does not reveal Himself in this particular way to sinners. 

The fact that there is moral meltdown in our country testifies to the fact that the biblical Gospel is not being preached in our churches.  There just is no restraint being exercised - see the desire for same-sex marriages, abortion on demand and abortion by suggestion by GPs, the legalisation of sodomy (homosexuality), etc.  There is rampant clerical child sex abuse being perpetrated by priests of the Roman Catholic 'church,' and corruption taking other forms within many Protestant churches.  The people have "cast off restraint."

Pious platitudes are inappropriate, despite their being generally true.  What is needed instead is solid and passionate Gospel preaching that possesses an element of aggression, and anointed by the Holy Spirit.  May God grant that this will be a reality anmongst us at this time.

The prayers of the Christian people are being offered for the Black family at this traumatic time.

How Will You Vote (Part 1) - Kay Arthur

How Will You Vote, Part 1 Kay Arthur Precepts for Life “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2) I’m sure that you have heard the statement that everything rises and falls on leadership. On November 6th America is going to the polls to elect the next President of the United States of America. Are there any parameters that might help us as a nation choose a man who will take us into the future, for a future, rather than destruction? Let’s study together and see what God’s Word tells us about the qualities of our leaders. Proverbs 28:2 says, “By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.” What is God saying? If we want a land that endures, if we want a nation that continues, a nation that does not experience the wrath of God, leadership is key. We need a man of knowledge and understanding. America is in trouble, because the things that we once called evil we are now calling good and Beloved, evil and good do not change. God is a God of principles, and He has laid out for us in His Word the principles and precepts for life. In Psalms 119 we read, “Through Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:104, KJV) An evil way is a false way, and that evil has a beginning; it has a source, and that source is the enemy of our souls. In John 8:44, Jesus turns to religious leaders of the people, leaders that are spiritually blind, and He says, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and…he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) Satan is defined and described as a deceiver, destroyer, and as an angel of light. In other words, he appears to be good; he appears to be light, when really his kingdom is that of evil darkness. And so you and I have to have our eyes open. We have to know what the Word of God says, and we have to realize that when we go to the polls in November and we mark who we want as a president, that leader can affect the future of the United States of America. Now there’s another aspect in the level of the free will of man. But there is a parallel truth that goes with that, and that parallel truth is the sovereignty of God. And they run like a railroad track, two tracks that get the train there, but that are parallel and that really never meet, because if they meet then the train would go in the wrong way. So the tracks may change, but there are still two parallel tracks. One track is the sovereignty of God, which means God rules over all. And God tells us in the book of Samuel, and He tells us in the book of Daniel, that it is He who sets up kings; it is He who takes kings off their thrones. Many times He allows wicked people to rule over a nation because God is judging that nation. In Ezekiel 14, God says if a nation or country sins against Him, He will judge that country. "How Will You Vote, Part 1" article continued.

Election of the US President - Dr Donald G Barnhouse

Articles By Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible

For Whom Will You Vote?

Roy Blackwood

For whom will you vote when you enter the ballot booth this year?

God is concerned about your choice. He provided a precedent when He said to Israel:
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land..." (1)

And the last recorded message King David gave his son Solomon was a warning:
"He that ruleth over men must be just (righteous), ruling in the fear of God." (2)

The checkered history of good and bad Jewish kings teaches us to be discerning of the character (the just-ness or "righteousness") of those who rule over us. The trend in the Bible seems to be toward putting more of the responsibility for the choice of civil rulers into the hands of ordinary citizens; from an emphasis on using a prophet or a priest to make the divine appointment, toward more emphasis on the responsibility of the individual citizens in the choice of their own rulers.

God said "The government shall be upon his (i.e. the Messiah's) shoulders." (3)

But more voice in the choice does not mean we are more independent of God. As "voters" we are actually more dependent and more responsible to God; to discern and to choose that particular man whom God has already equipped for a particular office. So the election process does not make us more independent of God's appointments. It simply means God is now using us to make His appointments. This is why Peter described civil government as: "an ordinance of man," (4) while Paul said: "The powers that be are ordained of God" and the man in office is to be "a minister of God to thee for good...a terror to evil." (5)

Civil government cannot be "an ordinance of man" in any sense in which it is independent of God's purposes and standards. And so we become even more responsible as the "voters" whom God will use in making His choice and appointment. Now we become the priests or the prophets responsible for finding and making God's appointment for each office. So be careful. Be discerning. Evaluate men for office on the basis of their character. Let the Messiah Christ be the perfect standard in your evaluation of the character of those who are asking you to vote for them.

The following outline is designed to help you in making your choices.

A Person Who Is Respectable
God taught the Jews to beware of rulers who are "children" who "eat in the morning" (6) and the angel promised Mary that Jesus Christ would be "great — the son of the highest." (7) And He was. Four Biographies, called the Gospels, describe His personal dignity. Whether it was a storm at sea, the handling of the friendly and unfriendly crowds, the confrontation with a demoniac, the selection and appointment of His disciple cabinet, or His arrest and trial before Pilate, He was in calm, dignified control of every situation. Time did not threaten Him, He controlled it.

We need people with that kind of dignity and respectability to be our representatives, senators, judges and administrators today, in order that we might not be ashamed or embarrassed by their immature antics and lack of self-control, that we might be justly proud of them, and that they would help to bring respect and bearing to the government of which they are a part.

But such a person of dignity can seem to be aloof and unapproachable.

A Person of Near Relationship
God taught the Jews to elect "one from among thy brethren" (8) and born citizenship is a Constitutional requirement for eligibility for office in the U.S. today. Christians believe this was why God ordained Christ to be fully man as well as God. He was able to represent man to God, as well as God to man. An angel couldn't have this near relationship. The records show Jesus was one who could be "touched with the feelings of our infirmities.'' (9) He was always available, always interruptible, always interested in people. People responded to Him and respected Him because of His "open door" policy.

We need people with that kind of near relationship (empathy) in office today. Judges who can be broken-hearted over the contents of-their dockets, and lawmakers who make time to listen to "us" during non-election years; administrators who can live in the White House or the governor's mansion, surrounded by the media, and federal budget figures, and still identify with "me." People who understand the very faith that is in my heart.

But such a person of dignity and near relationship may or may not be a very wise person.

A Person Who Is Wise and Understanding
God commanded Jewish rulers to "be wise." (10) Christians believe Jesus Christ is "the wisdom of God" personified. His biographies tell us that people called Him "Rabbi" and from the time He was twelve, they were amazed by the wisdom and power of His words. (11)

We need people with this kind of mind in public office today. Not just clever and quick witted or with a good memory for names and faces, but men who are wise. We need people who know:
- The people they serve and govern
- The laws and system of government in which they must function
- The God ordained purpose for civil government.

And people who understand what they know. They will see themselves as "a minister of God to us for good" and "a terror to evil."

But a person of dignity, near relationship and a good mind may or may not be able to get things done.

A Person Who Has Power
God commended this feature of character to Daniel and the Jews, "for wisdom and power are his." (12) Christians believe that "all power" has been given unto Christ and the Gospel records show He did control in such a way as to get the job done: (13)

Angels (both good and bad)
Creation (both inanimate and animate)
Men (both those who believed in Him and those who did not)
We need people with that kind of energy of mind and strength of character. People who can operate with a minimum of organization and a maximum of efficiency. People who can get things done!

But dignity can be a ticket to sin; near relationship and knowledge can provide more opportunity for evil; wisdom can make a man "a more clever devil" and power can be a means of seducing people. There is a need for moral quality.

A Person of High Moral Excellence
God commanded that those who ruled his people the Jews must "love righteousness and hate wickedness," being just, ruling in the fear of the Lord. (14) Christians believe Jesus Christ was the perfect example of that. "Just and true are the ways of the King of saints." (15)

We need people like this in public office today. People who have:

1. Right intentions or motives. Not only doing right things but doing them for right reasons, not for personal gain, or even the gain of his own constituency at the expense of others, but for the glory of God and the good of all.

2. Right administration of means. The effects of his work show he is impartial. No one is wronged that another may be benefited. Rights, liberty, and property of all are equally protected.

3. Right personal conduct. Wise laws, good intentions, and fair dealing can never make up for bad personal conduct. No government can be successful when it is conducted by known profligates. People won't continue to respect laws written by lawbreakers. They will not continue to accept decisions from corrupt judges. And they will not keep on responding to administration by selfish administrators.

A Person Who Loves People
God taught the Jews that "mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upholden by mercy. (16) Christians believe Jesus Christ demonstrated this point perfectly, in His care for the sick, the bereaved, the lonely, hungry, tired and thirsty people with whom He lived. He provided the most practical answer to their every need, especially for the little children and for His mother. "When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion." (17)

And we need that kind of person in office today. People who don't become hardened or bored after one or two terms of office, people who just keep on loving people and that becomes a reason for their continuing in office.

A Person Who Can Handle Authority
In the record of the tragedies and successes of the succession of Jewish kings, we are warned that not everyone can handle authority. (18) Lord Acton (1834-1902) said, "Power [tends to] corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Christians see in Jesus Christ the perfect example of how to handle, and to delegate power. He said: "All power is given unto me. " "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." (19)

We need people in public office today who know that the right to use the powers of their office does not come solely from the fact that they have been chosen by the votes of those who have elected them to office; nor does their authority come only from a healthy sense of responsibility for their constituency, e.g. "I have chosen you and I will represent you well." We need people with a sense of both those things, but beyond this, who know they have been chosen and called by God, through the vote of the people, to serve God first and their constituency second, through public office. Their right to use the powers of their office does come ultimately from God. In that office they are His agents, the instruments of His power and authority, "a minister of God to us for good, arid a terror to evil."

Footnotes
      1     Ezekiel 22:30 NJV
      2     2 Samuel 23:3 KJV
      3.    Isaiah 9:6
      4.    1 Peter 2:13 KJV
      5.    Romans 13:1,3-4 KJV
      6.    Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 KJV
      7.    Luke 1:32 KJV
      8.    Deuteronomy 17:15 KJV
      9.    Hebrews 4-15 KIV
    10.    Psalm 2:10 KJV
    11.    Luke 2:41-47; John 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:7 KJV
    12.    Daniel 2:20 NIV
    13.    Matthew 8 KJV
    14.    2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 45:7-8 KJV
    15.    Revelation 15:3 KJV
    16.    Proverbs 20:28 KJV
    17.    Matthew 9:36,14:14 KJV
    18.    2 Kings 8-25
    19.    John 1:12; Matthew 28:18 KJV

Copyright 1996, Roy Blackwood.

Revised 2011, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Philadelphia, PA. All rights reserved.
This article may be duplicated in its entirety and without edit, including this full disclaimer for personal, small group, non-commercial use. No more than 200 copies may be made. No electronic use beyond email is permitted. Any use other than those listed herein is forbidden without prior written permission. All rights reserved. ARJMB060

Sodomy Welcomed by Unionists?

Lord Ken Maginnis, in a recent BBC interview following his departure from the UUP, was very annoyed, and understandably so, at the way the party leadership dealt with him concerning his reasonable views on moral and ethical matters.  His views do not cohere with those of his party, but Ken has always been able to think for himself and to articulate his own views well, even though many disagreed with him and them.

However, one thing has been overlooked in much of the comment, and it's this: wherever there is a dalliance with liberalism of whatever kind, there is sure to be serious and bad consequences.  Ken, sadly, was on the liberal wing of the UUP, and it was this very wing that disagreed so violently with his views, precipitating his resignation from its ranks.

Let it be said clearly - and we see this in church as well as in the affairs of state - there are none so illiberal as the liberals.  Liberals live in a 'cloud-cookoo-land' kind of existence, believing that getting rid of traditional and time-tested and honoured principles and practices is the way forward.  It is not.  Such views may prevail for the short term, but in their wake will come nothing but calamity and disaster.  The churches have proved this, and so will practically all the parties at Stormont that embrace a liberal methodology. 

The unionist parties have removed men who were involved in relatively minor alleged misdemeanours, and then  proceeded to welcome IRA/SF into government - that is liberalism at its worst.  The Stormont executive has funded Belfast pride this year again, as has the City Council and, I believe, the PSNI.  This demonstration of unprincipled support for what is clearly wrong and offensive is another manifestation of liberalism which at its core is destructive of everything good and decent.

Have these liberal parties at Stormont or in Westminster any future?  Yes, they will be around for some time, because that is what the people want; but the damage they will do in the meantime to the very fabric of our society will have repercussions for generations to come. 

And the sad thing is this: party members and party supporters have colluded in this moral meltdown promoted by liberalism in all its forms and will support their chosen parties regardless of the damage they are doing to the country and people they profess to love.  May God have mercy on us in our wilful rebellion against His Word.

THE TRIALS OF THE TOPLESS DUCHESS - Dr Alan C. Clifford

What a sickening fiasco. French, Irish and now the Italians are cashing in on the hapless Duchess.

But are the British entirely without blame because we refuse to publish the pictures? No. Because this whole incident is but a symptom of our Europe-wide immoral, immodest culture, a culture where promiscuity, pornography and perversion flow unchecked. Indeed, our entire entertainment industry thrives on adulterous sex in particular and a mocking disregard for the Ten Commandments in general.

Of course the money-making motive is behind all this. 'Filthy lucre' is the apt expression. Not that there is anything filthy about feminine beauty. But the beauty of a man's wife should be for his eyes alone. The kind of decadence that ignores such privacy merely fuels public male lust and should be disallowed and even criminalized. Rightly did the Apostle Peter sum up the vice of our visual age. We are a society with 'eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin' (2 Pet. 2: 14). 

Is the refusal of the British press to publish (so far) evidence of a residual Puritanism? I certainly hope so. One would like to ask these hypocritical editors and their equally-hypocritical male readers this question: would they like topless pictures of their wives, sisters, mothers, etc available for all the world to see? And have they spared a thought for Prince William's feelings in all this shameless publicity? 

For those who see a relevant connection, I am not making any concessions to Islamic culture at this point; behind the seemingly-modest burkha barrier is a variety of sexual irregularities. No, I  am appealing to the kind of Judeo-Christian values which once prevailed in great measure throughout Western society, values which preserved and protected the purity and beauty of married life, at the same time creating a context of innocence and modesty in which to raise happy and virtuous children. Such are the desperate needs of our sex-obsessed society.

Unless we return to our roots, the lusts of the jungle will be our ruin! 

Supporting Norman Boyd's Excellent Letter

Norman

Thank you for such an excellent letter in the Newsletter on Saturday on the role of church leaders in the current marching issue.  Where those guys are living I just don't know.  If they were as intelligent as they imagine they are, they would surely have ascertained the facts before going public about an issue about which they had only the barest of information.

Norman, these guys are, in Stalin's unforgettable phrase, "useful idiots" in the hands of the government and the Stormont pawns.  They are obviously, not a spiritual and religious or even a moral agenda, but a political one.  These men ought to be giving clear biblical leadership at a time in our country when we are bereft of leadership.  But instead, they play the political card, clearly to pay back what Stormont did vis-a-vis the PMS debacle.  Secular politics is dirty, but church politics is no different - it is just as dirty. 

What makes it doubly sad is that the Christian members of these churches see no wrong in what these men have said and done, and will still support them and their church no matter what.  Had the sixteenth century reformers taken the same line, where would we be today!

I have a letter submitted to the Newsletter ref. the same-sex marriages which might go in this week.  I am also sending in one in the form of an open letter to all the church leaders on the same situation.

Keep up the good work, Norman.

Northern Ireland Church Leaders and the Loyal Orders

31st August 2012

An Open Letter to Rev Roy Patton and Archbishop Alan Harper from former MLA for South Antrim Norman Boyd,

As a long standing member of the Orange Order and Royal Black Perceptory who took part in the last Saturday of August Royal Black Perceptory parade on the traditional route in to Belfast City Centre I am disgusted and angry at your comments attacking the Loyal Orders and would ask you both the following questions;

1. Were either of you in attendance at last Saturday's Belfast parade ?

2. Did you bother to establish the facts and hear the views of the parade participants and the Protestant community who were in attendance ?

3. How many Royal Black Perceptory and band members did you contact to hear their views ?

4. Did you establish how many republicans were actually local residents and how many were bussed in to create agitation and trouble ?

5. Why did you not condemn attacks on the parade by republicans who threw missiles such as bottles of liquid ( probably urine ) which hit members of the Royal Black Perceptory and band members ?

6. Why did you not condemn the chanting of pro IRA slogans by republicans ?

7. Why are you both silent when members of the Loyal Orders and band members are continually attacked in Ardoyne and elsewhere by republicans?

8. Why are you both continually silent when the police are attacked by petrol bombs and gunfire and are injured on a regular basis by republicans in Ardoyne and elsewhere after our Loyal Order and Band Parades pass by peacefully ?

9. Why have you both been strangely silent over many years when hundreds of Orange Halls have been badly damaged or destroyed by republicans who continue to carry out these heinous hate crimes against the Protestant community ?

10. Why were you both silent when the Orange arch in Glengormley was attacked by republicans a few months ago ?

11. Why have you both not condemned the sustained nakedly sectarian hate campaign against the Loyal Orders orchestrated by IRA / Sinn Fein over many years ?

12. Do you both support the strategy of IRA / Sinn Fein to make North, West, South and East Belfast and other areas of Northern Ireland no go areas for the Loyal Orders and the Protestant community ?

13 Why do you not condemn the intolerance,hatred and sectarianism by republicans in places such as Ardoyne and Dungiven ?

As a former member of a Protestant Flute Band I fully understand the anger and frustration of our bands.

The reality is there is no true peace in Northern Ireland, only a corruption of democracy when civil and religious liberty has been replaced by appeasement to republican violence.

The truth is that there is a sustained campaign by republicans against the Protestant Reformed Faith and sadly many Protestant church leaders are too busy embracing republican terrorists rather than taking a stand for the Open Bible and for what our forefathers fought for and obtained at great sacrifice.

Instead of standing firm for the Protestant Reformed Faith you are simply puppets doing the propaganda work of republicans whose hatred of everything Protestant and British continues unabated every day.

The Protestant People have had enough and will not tolerate any further attacks on our Reformed Faith. I trust you will both have the courtesy of answering these questions publicly and apologise to the Loyal Orders, Band Members and the Protestant Community for your biased and deeply hurtful comments.

Regards,

Norman Boyd

Proud Loyal Order Member

Newtownabbey

Northern Ireland Heading Fast Towards Becoming A Police State

A short video was shown recently at a meeting I attended and which depicted how the state forces in China - army and police - were used to round up Christians and subject them to the most cruel ill-treatment imaginable.  Churches were closed down - except those who were licensed by the godless state; they were allowed to operate.  But Christian churches are not tolerated.

Why or how was it possible that police officers implemented those laws that authorised the persecution of Christians?  For this reason: police believe that "The Law is King."  Not God, not Christ, not Scripture - the LAW.  And whatever the law says must and will be implemented by the police, no matter what.  They are, after all, the law enforcement agencies of state.  Their role and task is to ensure that what the majority of people say the law is to be (through their elected politicians), is what they will enforce.

So when the majority of people in NI and also in the UK as a whole say it is better for society that we do not have these troublesome churches and Christians who stand up and say that sodomy, and all its cognates, is wrong, then they will have to be removed from society. 

I attended the inter-denominational Christian service of witness outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday 4th August 2012, and with the thousands who attended and participated in the display of sodomy, the few dozen Christian witnesses were focused on by the police because we were regarded as the most likely trouble-makers and disturbers of the peace. 

I witnessed the same as a participant in a march of the victims of terrorism in Londonderry a few years ago, and the police videoed our every movement, building up evidence upon which to level charges against us, if necessary.  I had the privilege of addressing a huge crowd in Trafalgar Square, London, a few years ago, and every move and speech was videoed by police.  When similar marches were held in Spain, and I participated in at least two of them, the police assisted and facilitated our march. We were not regarded as suspects who might cause a breach of the peace, but were honoured for our stand against terrorism.

Because the police do not seem to be able to think for themselves and simply take whatever the politicians throw at them, the day is not far away when men and women of that mindset will be instrumental in persecuting Christian here in Northern Ireland.  What will Christian police officers do when they are asked to act against their fellow believers?  What will be their response when they are commanded by a godless commander to arrest Gospel preachers?  Will they obey their orders?  Or will they have the Christian grace and courage to disobey orders, and face the consequences for such courageous action?

That will test the best of them, will it not?  The men who are Christians first and foremost, and then policemen, will know what their Christian duty is; but those who are policemen first and Christians second, will lead the charge against their fellow believers, and give as their authority Ephesians 6:5-9.

This is not only a Christian and spiritual issue, it is also a moral issue.  A thing may be legal and also immoral at the same time.  I have seen how the law was used to act immorally against a Christian.  The police are masters at using the law irrespective of the moral issues involved in enforcing it. 

Christians in the UK and elsewhere must become increasingly alert to what the authorities are doing and might even do in the future.  Do not let your guard down, whatever the cost; and it could cost you a great deal, even your life, a reality that faces us here in Northern Ireland.

Police Chief Matt Baggot's Dangerous Ecumenism

Professing evangelicals who hold very high office in Northern Ireland are at the forefront of promoting a form of ecumenism that is utterly offensive to Christian people as well as flying in the face of the teaching of Scripture.

It was somewhat disconcerting to hear Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Matt Baggot, advocating very strongly the getting together of 'faith communities' and describing this as the work of God.

Mr Baggot, an Englishman who said he knew nothing about Northern Ireland prior to his appointment as Chief Constable (this was evidenced by his not knowing the correct name of our second city, Londonderry), spoke about the need to go to the people we don't necessarily like, and cited the example of Jesus as his authority for saying so.

This is yet another example of how Scripture can be made to say whatever we want it to say, Louis Carroll style ("a word means what I want it to men, no more and no less").  When Jesus approached the outcasts of society, including outcasts from religious society, it was usually with a view to winning them to Himself.  He never went to them merely to be friends with them and to say that what they have done and how they lived was OK.  His purpose was always redemptive; He sought to forgive them the moment they repented of their sins.  He worked towards getting them, as sinners, to repent of their sins so that they could know the experience of forgiveness.

Jesus was not blinded or mesmerised by those who were deemed to be important people in His day, nor was He taken in by their smooth, sugared, words.  He did not commit Himself to them because He knew what was in man (Jn.2:25).  Jesus was not into taking people at face value because He was not a superficial Person.  He was not a 'back slapper.'

However, we like to be seen with the 'big men' of society, with the important people, with those who may be able to advance our careers a bit.  In fact, Jesus was most critical of those who claimed to be 'religious' and yet who were taking the people away from God and His way.

Mr Baggot celebrated the coming together of 'faith communities,' a term that he studiously avoided defining.  But by this I believe he means the coming together spiritually of evangelicals, liberal protestants, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, and anything else that calls itself 'religious.'  He is promoting unbiblical ecumenism of a most nauseating kind.  He is advocating evangelical and reformed Christians working together as spiritual equals with those who not only do not believe the Christian faith, but actually by their religion, deny it.

Mr Baggot contends that the Lord is bringing people together, from 'faith communities' as he calls them.  He blames the Lord for doing what he condemned the people in the OT for doing - introducing syncretism into the Hebrew religion.  The Chief is working hard to create a 'melting pot' religion that he thinks is of the Lord.

To do this, of course, one needs to disregard the teaching of the Scriptures, to use the Bible selectively, but to throw in the odd 'evangelical text' so that unsuspecting evangelicals can be reeled in by this bait.  If the true Christian faith is confined and limited to those who have been justified by faith in Christ alone; and if only the forgiven belong to Christ, how is it that a professing Christian man can say in effect that both Jesus and Paul and Peter got it all wrong and that now because of our superior twenty-first century knowledge, we know better than they did?

This is sheer arrogance of the worst kind.  And it demonstrates how liberalism's methodology has infiltrated the Christan Church and also those para-church organisations that have traditionally stood for evangelical truth.  Those who mix biblical religion with religion of the ecumenical kind are set to take themselves and those who follow them on a road that leads to hell and eternal destruction.

What makes this so much the more disturbing is the fact it is as a professing evangelical that he is doing this.  And because of his position within Northern Ireland society, evangelicals are being deceived by what he is saying; not a few Christians whom I would have regarded as sound men spoke very highly of the Chief Constable's remarks.

But what he is doing is precisely what the liberal and ecumenical churchmen of the mainline denominations in Ulster have been doing for many decades, with the effect of virtually silencing the Gospel of Christ in many congregations.  This is the ecumenism that gets the applause of most people, but not of God.  It shows an utter lack of discernment and discrimination, something that is not true of the Lord.  While Matt Baggot is made very welcome in many churches and para-church organisations, liberal ecumenical churchmen from the apostate churches would never be invited to speak in those same churches or Christian organisations.


In no way am I saying that he is not as Christian, far from it.  But what I am saying is that Christians need to be very careful when high profile people who claim to be evangelicals talk about going down a road that many of them would ever trod in a month of Sundays.

I must say, I found his words most insulting and hurtful both as a Christian and as a victim of terrorism.

Betrayal from the Inside.

The book of Nehemiah teaches us that as well as opposition to the work AND WORKER of God emanating from external sources, it often comes also from the inside, from within the organisation or church where the servant of Christ labours.  We expect the external threats and attacks, but we should not be ignorant of similar and often more vicuous attacks coming from within the Lord's professing church.  The Psalmist speaks of this, our Lord Jesus Christ experienced it, and His servants down the years also know what such betrayal from the inside is like.

My own familiar friend with whom I supper lifted up his hand against me.  He was a member of the external family of God, I worked with him, trusted him, enjoyed his company; but when the time was right, opportune, he moved against me and betrayed me.

What makes it worse is when the betrayer admits that that is precisely what he has done!  And calls in a witness to confirm that that is what he had done. 

When Nehemiah's enemies failed to bring the world of God to a standstill, the people of God, Judah, tried a different tactic, called the antagonists to the house of God and sought a peace agreement.  Thank God Nehemiah did not concede to such a devilish ploy, for that would have ruined the work of God.

How is it that churchmen are always keen to enter into peace terms with the avowed enemies of the Gospel, just because they are churchmen?  Why is it that they refuse to be Gospel-men when church issues arise?  When the very existence of the Gospel in a congregation is at stake, they refuse to be Gospel men, but descend into becoming again churchmen.

Gospel ministers need to be extremely alert as to what is really going on within their congregations.  This is difficult but a close walk with God will mean that God will share His secrets with His servants.  He will give them the discernment to know and identify what is afoot.  His colleagues will accuse him of all kinds of things, such as, being a conspiracy theorist, or being paranoid, of being psychologically unstable.  The rumour-mongerers will be at work all the time, trying to discredit the servant of Christ.

God will fight for them, and they will witness strange things happening amongst the enemies.  But GOD WILL WIN because GOD MUST WIN.

The Offensive Belfast Gay Pride March

The capital city of Northern Ireland was once again entertained to the grossly insulting spectacle of gay pride taking over the central thoroughfares of the city.  Not that this freedom of assembly and of expression is wrong in itself, but is rather something that is to be protected whether we agree with it or not.

However, the fact that this offensive and immoral parade was funded by the state and its agencies was disappointing to say the least.  Our government, local and regional, in Northern Ireland have given its sanction to sodomy; on top of that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has also in the past given funding to support such disgraceful behaviour, behaviour that is offensive to Almighty God and to His people.

Yet, this public display of sodomy did not go off unchallenged because an interdenominational groups of believers held a service of witness and evangelism at the from of the City Hall gates when six men preached the Word.  Of the six, it was great to hear a message from one preacher for all those who watched and/or supported the Gay Pride march, telling them that God loved them and wanted to save them.  The other speakers had a message only for those who were His people, and no one else.  It seems to me that the vast majority of those at the parade were not God's people, so the message as presented had no relevance whatever to them.  Christ was not interested in them at all; He was only interested in His people.

Yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all the world because the Saviour Whom it preaches is the Saviour of the world.  He is "the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn.1:29).  It was no less than the world that "God so loved," sending "His only begotten Son what whoever believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life," (Jn.3:16).  The God of the Christian Gospel - there is no other Gospel (Gal.1:6,7) is the God who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, (2 Pet.3:9).  This is the God and this is the salvation that all mankind needs; and how thrilling it is to hear a Gospel being preached that is big enough to embrace the whole world with a message of salvation that is sufficient to save it.

Thank God for that preacher and thank God for such a wonderful message.

Scotland Morally Bankrupt.

The follow report appeared in The Scotsman.

SCOTLAND has become the first part of the UK to announce gay marriage will be introduced, after Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday confirmed that the SNP government will press ahead with the measure.
• Scottish Government to introduce legislation to legalise same-sex marriage
• Consultation received almost 80,000 responses
• Nicola Sturgeon: ‘We are committed to a fair and equal Scotland’
The announcement followed a bitter national debate in recent months pitting equality campaigners, who insist the change is essential in a modern, tolerant Scotland, against religious organisations fearful it will be restrict their freedom to practise their faith.
A 77,000-strong Scottish Government consultation found that almost two-thirds of people are against the change, but Ms Sturgeon insisted it was still the “right thing to do”.
Religious leaders have dismissed the plans as a “dangerous social experiment”, amid concern that it conflicts with traditional doctrines that marriage is between a man and a woman.
But the move has been widely welcomed by campaigners and political leaders, with the first gay marriages likely to be held in Scotland by 2015.
Ms Sturgeon said yesterday: “We are committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal, and that is why we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships.
“We believe that this is the right thing to do.”
Gay couples can currently form civil partnerships in Scotland, which offer the same legal status as marriage, but are still seen as distinct.The SNP administration will now seek an amendment from the Home Office to the Equality Act to secure extra protection for “celebrants”, such as ministers, who do not want to carry out same-sex ceremonies, despite their Church endorsing it.
It is possible that the Scottish plans could fall into line with the UK government, which also plans to introduce the measure. A Westminster consultation on allowing civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples closed last month.
Further talks will now also take place with churches and other bodies to see if other safeguards are required to protect freedom of speech and religion, before draft legislation is published later this year.
The Deputy First Minister added: “There’s nothing that the government will bring forward in legislation that will impinge on an individual’s freedom of speech or freedom to practice or preach their religion. We’re considering – and will consider further in the consultation – a freedom-of-speech clause in the legislation.”
A register of celebrants who are prepared to conduct same-sex marriages is now likely to be drawn up, but the precise of detail of this will be considered in the draft bill.
But a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: “The Scottish Government is embarking on a dangerous social experiment on a massive scale.
“We strongly suspect that time will show the Church to have been completely correct in explaining that same-sex sexual relationships are detrimental to any love expressed within profound friendships.”
The Scottish Government also insists that the current UK-wide Equality Act has exemptions from equality requirements where these are necessary to avoid any conflict with the strongly held convictions
of a significant number of the followers of the religion or belief.
But Alan Hamilton, convener of the Church of Scotland legal questions committee, said: “We are concerned the government will legislate without being able to effectively protect religious bodies or their ministers whose beliefs prevent them from cele­brating civil-partnerships or same-sex marriages.”
Tom French, policy co-ordinator with the Equality Network, said: “Same-sex marriage is about equality and freedom: the freedom for couples, and religious and humanist groups that want to, to celebrate same-sex marriages; but equally, upholding the freedom of other religious groups to say no to same-sex marriages.
“That’s the right way for Scotland to deal with the different opinions on this.”
 Source: http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/right-thing-to-do-snp-gives-go-ahead-for-same-sex-marriage-1-2430948

BLOG MANAGER'S COMMENT:
It is quite clear that Scotland is being government by a dictatorship under Alex Salmond.  The SNP has no thought for common decency, nor does it care about upholding the biblical and historically received practice of the marriage of one man and one woman for life.
Further, no care is evident for the children who will be brought up in such a 'home' and who will not know from experience what it means to have a mummy and daddy.
It is gratifying to see how the Catholic church in Scotland has been very clear about the danger such a decision.  But as is now to be expected, the Church of Scotland (CoS) is ambivalent about this matter as it is about most other things.  Spokesman Alan Hamilton said that there are ministers within the CoS whose beliefs will not allow them to conduct civil partnerships or same-sex marriages, but the implication is that there are ministers who will be happy to do such things.
When a professedly Christian church can prevaricate on such a critical matter, it is certain that it cannot provide Christian leadership or truly pastoral counsel to its members who might wish to discuss this issue.
Not only will this provoke the wrath of God on Scotland, many innocent people will also experience that wrath.  The Catholic church is under condemnation for its persisting in theological errors, but the CoS will attract an even harsher punishment by its refusal to speak unequivocally on this issue.
We must pray that God will remember to be merciful when His wrath if stirred up.

Honesty on the Church Scaffold

"Ministers are placing themselves at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to getting a church if they are too honest at the interview stage," a minister told me recently.  This was the advice he was given when he was seeking God's will for his life.

"Being economical with the truth" is the best policy, it appears, within the church today.  The minister who told me this was appalled at such advice.

But this seems to be the way church life is being conducted - always try and pull the wool over the other man's eyes.  I can understand that for an evangelical to get into an anti-Gospel congregation can be very difficult, though it happens at times.  But to advise a ministerial candidate not to be too truthful says much about both the minister who proffers such advice and the church into which he is seeking a call.  To what degree can either of them be called 'Christian'?  Indeed, it also says a lot about a denomination that operates in this way - though of course this will be vociferously denied by evangelical ministers.

What makes this painfully worse is that very often this is precisely the advice given by evangelical ministers to their younger colleagues.  Evangelical, nay, reformed, ministers encourage younger colleagues to be 'economical with the truth' when seeking a call.

Does that tell us something of how these same men exercise their ministries in the church?  Is that why what could be called 'sharp practice' is systemic within churches today?  Is there a particular way of behaving when with church members and others, and an altogether contrary way of behaving when dealing with ministerial colleagues? 

I think this goes a long way to explaining why some ministers get up to ecclesiastical politicking within their denominations.  Consistency of treatment finds no place in their thinking and behaving within various scenarios.  Because these men hold the church, that is, their denomination, in such high regard, they will 'do whatever it takes' to get the desired goal.  If, for example, an undesirable minister is to be got rid of or pulled into line - such a minister is almost exclusively and evangelical Gospel man - these church politicians will do whatever is needed to neuter that man, and thereby destroy him.  'Dead wood' ministers, regardless of their theology, are much more welcome in the churches of these men than are true evangelicals.

The fact is that these 'purveyors of dishonesty' are involved in 'playing church,' a game I used to play at home as a child.  This game has no concern whatever for the eternal destinies of the people to whom they preach, so long as they can present a church that is at peace - with the devil.  I find it very difficult to view such men as sincere servants of Christ who do not have or maintain an eschatological perspective to their ministries.