Well Done!

Well, well, the Guards, as in the Garda Schiaconna [spelling??], have been questioning the people in the border areas of south Armagh to see what light can be shed on the murder of Paul Quinn. In many other countries that would not be all that unusual [given that the correct channels have been attended to]. In many other countries the important issue would be the capture of the culprits so that we could live in a safer place but not here: we are so messed up with thinking more about proving ourselves and more about the "other side" that we loose sight of what is the main issue and the big picture.

We need to develop a more creative way of dealing with difference. This morning I was amused by the "Thought for the day" on the radio. It was by Professor Nevon who originated from the Shankill Community in West Belfast. He told the story of two frogs [he had a rhyme to go with it but I cannot re-tell that now] who found themselves swimming in some cream. One frog had enough and decided there was nothing for it but to curl up and die; the other was not giving in by a long shot, he had a "never say die" temperament so he just kept swimming. Eventually one died but the other churned up the cream so that it became butter and he was able to walk out of the trouble. How do we respond to trouble? Who was it, exactly, who taught us the inevitability of success? When did Jesus ever tell us that we could expect the good life all the time? The answer, of course, is that he taught no such thing-the very opposite in fact. he taught us that just as the enemies persecuted him so they would persecute us.

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 5 that troubles and suffering bring about character and character leads to hope. No one needs hope when all is well;its only when we are in trouble that we need hope. The only alternative is to curl up and die and do the enemies work for him. I'm not ready to die yet, are you?

It is natural to want to see the churches full, especially when you are the preacher: it makes you, or tricks you into thinking you are some preacher! it is natural to want the easy life but if that is what yopu want yopu will be dissappointed. We need a new definition of success and we need the power to be faithful to our master who ended His life in agony and ignaminy. Lets not grow weary in doing good. Ever onward, ever upward