The Mavericks: Gentle On My Mind

The Mavericks - Back In Your Arms Again

The Mavericks - Dance The Night Away

How Much of Christ Is in Your Christianity?

How Much of Christ Is in Your Christianity?

That's quite a compelling question, isn't it? It's kind of like asking how much of Christ is in Christmas. I think many of us would agree that Christmas has become so commercialized that among the general populace Christ is hardly noticed, much less celebrated and revered. Easter would be in the same category. How in the world a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ could have ever evolved into an affinity with Easter bunnies and Easter eggs I'll never know. Such is the tenuous nature of idolatry.

Is it possible for Jesus Christ to be lost in Christianity, the very religion whose Name it bears? We know that without a relationship with Christ, just another religion is all that remains. We also know from Scripture that someone can profess to know Christ but in works actually deny Him (Titus 1:16). But isn't it also true that in works many may profess to know Him, but in authentic heart knowledge they do not?

Alex Salmond's former policy chief launches blistering attack on the SNP's plan to keep the pound. Daily Mail

  Alex Bell said the Mr Salmond's currency plan is 'arguably not independence'

  He also claimed Trident nuclear weapons will remain in a separate Scotland 

  Weapons will be allowed to stay for a 'ticket into international community'

  Scotland will also have to implement deep spending cuts, Mr Bell said

Alex Salmond’s former policy chief has launched a blistering attack on the SNP’s currency plans as he lifts the lid on the confusion and deceit at the heart of the independence campaign.

In an explosive political diary, Alex Bell said the Nationalists’ currency proposal is ‘arguably not independence’ and has hinted at a power struggle at the top of the party.

The top adviser, who stood down from government last summer, also claims:

* Trident nuclear weapons will remain in a separate Scotland in return for a ‘priority ticket into the international community’ and a favourable deal with the rest of the UK.

* A Yes vote does not mean Scotland can avoid deep spending cuts and the state ‘cannot afford’ to keep paying pensions.

Deputy SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has championed a ‘re-design’ of the state, but others in the party favour a ‘mini-UK’ form of independence outlined in Mr Salmond’s White Paper manifesto.

Mr Bell was invited into government in 2010 and was in control of the process that led to the ‘Edinburgh Agreement’ – the historic deal signed by Mr Salmond and David Cameron that enabled a referendum to be staged.

But as work got underway on the SNP’s White Paper, the head of policy left his post because the document lacked a ‘big offer’.

In his new book, The People We Could Be, Mr Bell reveals: ‘SNP strategists think the mix of aspiration without perspiration allows room for everyone to join the Yes campaign.

‘As the referendum approaches, people are filling in the gaps to their own liking. In that sense, the Yes vote has escaped the control of either the

SNP, the Scottish Government or the official campaign.’

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Alan Jackson - Are You Washed In The Blood / I'll Fly Away

THE COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY SINGING ("AT CALVARY")

Words for the Wise, The Believer's Justification

Romans 5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Results of Justification

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but [c]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; [d]though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified [e]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [f]by His life. 11 And not only this, [g]but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for [h]until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a [i]type of Him who was to come.

15 But [j]the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression [k]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions [l]resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18 So then as through one transgression [m]there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness [n]there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 [o]The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Bible Panorama

Romans 5

V 1–5: RESULTS The immediate results of being justified by faith are peace with God through Christ, access by faith into His grace, and rejoicing in the hope of God’s glory. But even tribulations bring their character-shaping blessings for those who are justified. This is especially so because of God’s pouring His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

 V 6–8: REMARKABLE !The demonstration of God’s own love for us, in dying for us ‘while we were still sinners’, is remarkable. Very occasionally someone will give his life for a good man, but Christ gave His life for us while we were hopeless and weak rebel sinners.

 V 9–11: RECONCILED There is a double reconciliation to God. Because of our justification through His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him: His death has reconciled us. But now, having been justified through that blood, we find that we are reconciled through His saving life in that, each day, we seek to live reconciled lives through His strength, presence and power. This causes us to rejoice because we have received this reconciliation.

 V 12–17: REIGN Death reigned over humanity since man’s fall in sin. But now the gift of righteousness reigns through God’s abundance of grace to those who are justified through Christ and freed from the condemnation deserved. Thus the sin that spread and led to death need no longer reign in the life of those who are justified and who have received His righteousness.

 V 18–21: RIGHTEOUSNESS The law shows sin abounding, but God’s grace has abounded much more producing eternal life through Christ our Lord. Through one man, Adam, sin and judgement came upon all. Through another Man, Jesus Christ, and His righteous act in dying on the cross for us, many are ‘made righteous’, which is what justification means. The Bible Panorama

Dictionary of Bible Themes

6679 justification, results of

Justification brings a changed relationship with God and a future hope. It will also bring a change in behaviour.

The results of justification

Peace with God, access to his presence and the hope of his glory Ro 5:1-2 See also Ro 8:30; Tit 3:7

Assurance of forgiveness Ro 5:9; Eph 1:13-14

Knowing Jesus Christ and participating in his resurrection Php 3:10-11 See also Ro 6:5

Freedom from condemnation Ro 8:31-34 See also Ro 8:1-4; Gal 3:13-14

Freedom from domination by sin Ro 6:14,17-18

Adoption into God’s family See also Ro 8:15-17; Gal 4:6-7

Righteousness in the sight of God Ro 5:17; Php 3:8-9 See also Ro 3:20-22; 1Co 1:30

Justification must lead to good works Jas 2:24 See also Ro 6:15-18; Gal 5:13-16; Jas 2:14-26

Independent Scotland Could Fall Into 'Parlous' Financial State, Warns HSBC Boss, Huffuington Post Uk

Scottish independence could lead to "capital flight" as savers rush to move their money out of the country, the chairman of HSBC has warned.

Douglas Flint, head of Europe's biggest bank, said that such a move, brought about by uncertainty over an independent Scotland's currency, would leave the country in a "parlous financial state".

The HSBC chief's remarks come just weeks after another bank, UBS, warned that Scottish independence could trigger a rapid withdrawal of savings.

UBS economists said in a research note: “It probably does not matter that the Bank of England will act as lender of last resort during the transition period - history has shown that small depositors will queue to withdraw their money from a bank even when those deposits are fully guaranteed.”

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Britain In 2014 Still Has Poor Hospitalised For Malnutrition, Huffington Post Uk

"It's getting worse because people can't afford good quality food. It's getting worse where malnutrition, rickets and other manifestations of extreme poor diet are becoming apparent," he said.

The number of people needing emergency supplies from food bank charity the Trussell Trust rose by more than a fifth this time last year, it said.

Charity director Adrian Curtis told the Daily Mirror they expect similar figures this year. "School holidays are especially difficult for low income families whose children usually receive free school meals or support from breakfast clubs," he told the newspaper.

In May a letter signed by 170 members of the faculty, the leading professional body for more than 3,300 public health specialists in the UK, was sent to David Cameron pressing for action over the issue of food poverty.

Part of the letter to the Prime Minister said: "Many hardworking families in the UK are living in poverty and do not have enough income for a decent diet."

Health Minister Dan Poulter said the rise in malnutrition could be down to better diagnosis. "We want to reduce levels of malnutrition, particularly amongst frail and elderly people," Poulter told the BBC. "We are working with Age UK on a half a million pound project, which aims to tackle the issue in a range of health and care settings. We've also given local authorities a £5.4bn budget over two years to help them manage public health issues, including malnutrition, in their areas."

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Food Banks: The 10 Most Common Myths And How To Challenge Them

Former PM Gordon Brown says health service is too vital to throw away its future for independence, Daily Record

GORDON Brown says we must continue to share costs of health care and welfare with rest of the union - or pay the price.

WHY should the people of Scotland throw away a system that we helped create, a system that benefits us greatly to this day?

This question is particularly important when it is often a matter of life and death.

Our NHS is worth £176 a month to every single Scottish man, woman and child.

That is £17 a month more than the £159 that the NHS spends on patients in England and £13 per month more than the £163 it spends on patients in Wales.

It means that over a whole year, £200 more is spent on the health care of each of us in Scotland than on our English neighbours.

But the funding of our NHS in Scotland comes not just from money raised in Scotland by taxes levied here. It comes from money raised from all over the UK by taxes paid by every UK citizen.

Overall, Scotland receives around £950million more for health care than any division of resources based on population share would provide, and for very good reasons.

With more elderly people, more people with disabilities and a wider geographical area to cover, Scottish needs are greater and the share out of resources arises from the founding principle of the NHS which is the best there could be: you pay in based on your ability to pay and you benefit based on your need.

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My Uttermost for His Highest, I Indeed, Oswald Chambers, Daily Devotionals

“I Indeed . . . But He”

I indeed baptize you with water . . . but He . . . will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire —Matthew 3:11

Matthew 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Preaching of John the Baptist

3 Now in those days John the Baptist *[a]came, [b]preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to [d]by Isaiah the prophet when he said,

“The voice of one [e]crying in the wilderness,

‘Make ready the way of the Lord,

Make His paths straight!’”

4 Now John himself had [f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10 The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “As for me, I baptize you [g]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you [h]with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Have I ever come to the point in my life where I can say, “I indeed . . . but He . . .”? Until that moment comes, I will never know what the baptism of the Holy Spirit means. I indeed am at the end, and I cannot do anything more— but He begins right there— He does the things that no one else can ever do. Am I prepared for His coming? Jesus cannot come and do His work in me as long as there is anything blocking the way, whether it is something good or bad. When He comes to me, am I prepared for Him to drag every wrong thing I have ever done into the light? That is exactly where He comes. Wherever I know I am unclean is where He will put His feet and stand, and wherever I think I am clean is where He will remove His feet and walk away.

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Lecture - N.T. Wright - How Paul Invented Christian Theology

Touch and go: Tourists can now pay for Blackpool seaside donkey ride with DEBIT CARD, Daily Express

BLACKPOOL'S famous donkeys have trotted their way into the 21st century - by allowing seaside tourists to swipe a DEBIT CARD over their saddles.

Instead of letting the kids down when the hunt for small change in their pocket fails, parents can instead scan their bank cards or enter their pin numbers into the seats to go along the Lancashire seaside resort's Golden Mile.

The decision to give the long-standing family tradition a makeover was taken by Mark Ineson, owner of Real Donkeys UK, who has sold donkey rides on the seaside town's beach for almost 20 years.

After recognising the boom in 'touch and go' payments he teamed up with Barclaycard to go contactless.

Hoping to give his business a "much-needed boost", he said: "Over the years I've had to turn hundreds of kids away because mums and dads don't have the cash on them to pay for a ride on Dillon and the beach is often the last place you want to be carrying lots of change.

"So I approached Barclaycard to see whether they could help solve the problem.

"The saddle they've come up with means hundreds more people will be able to experience one of the Great British seaside traditions and have a donkey ride along the sands.

"It also shows that, regardless of how traditional your business might be, there are always new things to trial that can give it a much-needed boost."

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Read the BBC News Story here:

Read the Telegraph News Story here:

Comment:

While watching BBC Breakfast news this morning, and it mentioned this story,  my immediate thought  was to check the calendar to see if today’s date wasn’t April the 1^st,  relieved that it wasn’t April the 1^st and somehow I hadn’t missed the last few months of my life,  and then feeling disappointed  that my dream that I was Dr Who was just a dream!,  I thought that this story was very clever and thought provoking,  well done to Real Donkeys of Blackpool and Barclaycard for introducing,  although I do feel it’s a marketing promotion.