www.glasgowelim.org.uk
www.vccokc.org
www.shiloh-usa.org
www.fotb.com
www.nsrm.net
www.westminsterchapel.org.uk
www.alm.org.uk
www.ecf.org.uk
www.care.org.uk
www.actsparl.org
www.kingdomfaith.com
www.fgbmfi.org
www.aglow.org
www.elim.org.uk
www.hillsclc.org.au

JULY'S NEWS

Even though the United Kingdom has the same Prime Minister, Tony Blair (and we all wish him well on his 2nd term)many of us were, nonetheless, somewhat shocked at news of William Hague's resignation. This brought widely differing views, with Hague being castigated from many quarters, policital and otherwise, making him out to be somewhat of a 'wimp' by 'giving up' too soon. Others said of him that his decision "showed the measure of the man", and thus were very supportive of his decision.

Disappointed as I was to hear William Hague on the radio make his resignation speech, I am inclined to agree with the latter view that this "showed the measure of the man". Why? Because having started his political career in the 'Young Convservatives', William was a young man of ambition to build a "Great" Great Britain, plus having spent the last five years putting his hoped for new government together with his strong emphasis on retaining our pound and Sovereignity, when one would have expected him to be giving much more of his time to enjoying new married life, tells me that this man was in earnest. It tells me that he genuinely cared about the British people.

Now in case you are thinking I am retaining 'sour grapes' over the issue and crying "poor us", you would be mistaken. The man the Lord wanted in power was evidently Tony Blair, who is reportedly a Christian. I happened to think that William Hague similarly held Judeo Christian values, and these were another reason why I was willing to place my vote and give him a chance in office.

One could sense the disappointment in his voice as he, with almost a regal sense of dignity, expressed it. It is so often the case that the 'good man' is overlooked or steps down, particularly if he was not given the chance to prove his worth in the first place. In William's case, we may never know unless in later times he is in a position to willingly stand for Office again. He may have just 'given up', which is hardly likely, but then again, is anything in politics that simple?... (and I don't just mean 'spin'). No, to me, William Hague's decision to stand down immediately, though it came as a shock, nevertheless indicated to me a man who, in the interest of good political government, is prepared to defer to the next man, somebody in William's estimation would be the better man for the job, at that time. I believe this was a gentleman who was not interested in power for its own sake, merely wishing to get ahead and 'be seen'.

I would say, therefore, that William Hague's immediate resignation and the fashion in which he conveyed his reasons, was a mark of genuine humility which is rare. I respect the views of all voters, and wish Tony Blair and his Cabinet well in the next term. All I pray for Mr. Blair is that he is in a place to hear from God and is willing to implement His Governmental rule and seek like never before the Anointing which is available to him and his colleagues for this sacred work.

We live in a day when expertise and knowledge, in any field, are not enough to sort out all the world's problems. The Bible clearly warns against the mere adding knowledge to knowledge, because it is meaningless with an Anointed purpose. In that context, paradoxically, we need to learn all that we can, especially within the Body of Christ, because God calls for "Excellence" in all that we seek to attain: this comes by revelation, inspiration, committment, desperation (for this!) plus the GRACE whereby such can be carried out! Again, I cannot emphasise Anointing enough, otherwise, for all the gaining of knowledge and worldly wisdom, our humanity will trip us up. Embarrassing examples of fallen leaders in the political arena, usually in the sexual arena, or by financial corruption. Little wonder to ordinary folks ask, "just who can we trust?". They look for example. By God's Grace we can provide example, and we can provide Government. We are a democracy, supposed to be, therefore, self-governing in the sense that we elect men and women who are known, trustworthy, rightly knowledgeable, capable LEADERS (not merely managers).

We rightly expect high virtues such as:-

• Honesty
• Iintegrity in money matters, personal and public life, decision making
• Consultative at all levels, not least their national subjects (that's us folks!)

To name but a few. Many may think that is quite a steep view and in one sense it probably is, when one is reminded that these are mere human beings, but then human beings were never intended to LEAD in ANY sphere without Divine help from Heaven. (See my Prayer Page for more).

We have been appalled to read of two whole family murders, one in the UK by a dad incensed by uncontrolled rage against the wife and mother he consistently verbally and physically abused. The children were caught in the "crossfire" and strangled one by one from behind. He has now begun three terms of life imprisonment. His remarks on this tragic episode were that he couldn't believe how quickly 'it' was "all over":-

The second murder was in Texas, a mother reportedly suffering from post-natal depression, the depression supposedly being the possible excuse why she saw fit to systematically drown all 5 children in the bath! Anything I or anyone could say on both tragedies would probably lack the appropriate sensitivity because the nature of such makes it incredibly difficult to state something that is unbiased and unjudgemental. Instead, I will comment more generally on the extreme examples these have given, in my view, of a malady not well attended to yet in our day: Pent up anger. More often we have seen this in forms such as: Road Rage, Pedestrian Rage, and now we have Supermarket Rage! Whatever next! Before you sneer (along with me!) let me ask you, have you been guilty of the same, drivers! There was a time when I was in my 20's I now realise that if I was a car driver, if I was angry because of undealt with issues in my life, I might have been a danger on the roads.

We all know of or have heard of the angry driver, who on "dry" land, so to speak, is as placid as they come, but when somebody has 'ruffled his feathers and rattled his cage' at the office, they turn into a different animal on the road! It is said that church ministers are often in the worst category - they might not shout, baul, and intimidate another driver or pedestrian, but have been self-confessedly guilty of 'cutting other drivers up' in the desire to 'get ahead' - yet may be the model servant leaders in church! Many joke about getting 'another' speeding ticket, from the ever understanding officer who, "yes, I will come along to your BBQ in your back garden!"We all smile when such sheepish confessions are made. Why? We know that we dare not judge, because in so many of us just under the surface of our neatly placed 'plastic smiles' and pleasant ways, there can be a cauldran of untapped anger. To distance ourselves from personal ownership of our anger, we use rhetoric such as, "alas it is a sign of the times". In one sense, that is true, but ever since the year 'dot' there have been stresses upon humanity. The stresses have been different, that's all, and therefore, it is a case of "swings and roundabouts". What my generation often fail to appreciate that in many ways things are better than they were for our parents or grandparents. There IS a balanced view in all this somewhere. I reckon it is not mine or yours (I welcome feedback nonetheless, to my out loud musings !) but God's view we need.

I put to you that it is not merely a 'sign of the times' that is to blame, but both a deterioration of Godly values and Holy Fear (this is the one main thing that HAS got worse) and, therefore, a lawlessness which is more 'PC' to call "Relativism". Simply put, that means, "anything goes", and, "if it feels good, do it", which is the heart of the New Age Movement. The truth is there is no New Age outside of the heraldiing of His Kingdom, and just because 'it' (whatever the specific is to the occasion) may feel good does not mean you may do it - "Others may, you cannot". One can be tempted to sin (the temptation not being the sin, but the giving into it - ***for those who have given in, there is total forgiveness available to those who are genuinely ashamed before God, available from Jesus Christ). You can, on the other hand, be tested to give into rage.

Just last week I heard a sermon on the internet about repressed anger. I can recall being asked when I was at Bible College some 10 years ago by the Principal's wife, "why are you so angry?". Feeling ashamed and intimidated, and not a little hurt by the question, I was also totally surprised by the question. At the time, I was unaware of any anger in my spirit. However, in the quietness of sitting in the grounds I realised she was right. If that was true for me then, and I had to "process" my anger - it took years, but well worth it...and I'm almost there, friends, I have come to observe that many people inside the church as well as outside have a similar problem. For Christians that is quite an indictment, yet there is no condemnation from a Heavenly Father who wants more than anything to help.

This being the News Page, I would encourage us all to 'make news' and 'make history' by demonstrating that God is well able to take anger by healing its causes out of people, even if that is by "process". Such extreme news reports as I commenced this pink news section with, are lessons reminding us that anger, even if it is repressed, is not the Godly version. Indeed 90%, if not higher, of our anger (including mild annoyances - and we all get annoyed, but it is the retention of them in the form of grudges, even if the only person we take them out on is ourselves!) is something which does not please God. Moreover, our anger gives the enemy a foothold. One way is to stop denying that you are angry, even if you feel your anger is ligitimate. The "pure, peaceable, wisdom that comes from above" is a good cooler for our anger, and in Christ there is healing available for those who are angry because their lives have been ruined by another. In God, there is no life that is irreparable, no situation where He cannot begin to put the pieces together again. We just must give the chance to do so. He is the God who does not disappoint...

Below will be a new Newsfeed Ticker shortly. Hopefully, we shall be 3rd time lucky (blessed rather!) with one which is fully operative and with clear text. It is anticipated to come from a Christian source. Watch this space!