Three stories from Monday

The first report

Gayle Williams was executed on the streets of Kabul in Afghanistan by the Taleban. Her alleged crime: preaching Christianity. She was not a preacher but cared for the poor and the people with disabilities in that country.

My heart goes out to her family and friends.

The second report

Sony has postponed the global release of a much-anticipated video game because it may offend Muslims.
Copies of LittleBigPlanet are being recalled from shops worldwide after it emerged that a background music track contained two phrases from the Koran. Sony issued an apology for any offence that its use of the backing track might have caused.

The third report

Atheists in London have booked advertising space on bendy buses to say "There's probably no God - Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"

...And in conclusion

I am happy to stand up and be counted as a believer in Jesus the son of God who loved me and gave his life for me and who one day will return and bring in a new heaven and earth. I confess to a belief in the Bible as the only revealed word of God. And I say so even more as my fellow believers in some Muslim countries can only do so openly at the risk of their life.

And yes there is a clash of faiths across the world: and it is to the shame of Christians over the centuries that they have thought it fit to meet out the same death sentence to others who did not share their faith as was meeted out to Gayle. Far better to trash some video games than risk violence. Not really a free speech issue or a threat to liberal civilisation but one of respect.

Oh and if I did not have my faith I would be worried!!

Annie get you gun...

It is some while since I wrote about the American presidential election. Last month John Wayne McCain chose his vice presidential running mate.

And as all the world now knows she is the hunting shooting fishing mother of 5, governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Governor Palin is a full on Pentecostal Christian and creationist, with a clear pro life and anti abortion stance. She is a former beauty queen and has doubts about man’s responsibility for climate change.

As such she has galvanised the Christian fundamentalist wing of the Republican Party who will no doubt re affirm their support for the McCain/Palin ticket come November.

Governor Palin has been on the end of withering sarcasm from the liberal establishment but has shown no compunction in slinging the mud herself.

Nonetheless I guess that if we undertook a survey of Christian opinion especially in the States we would find that Governor Palin comes well ahead of Senator Obama. His pro choice views, tolerance of gay civil unions and membership for most of his Christian life of a Black Church in Chicago with a rabble rousing pastor appears to many to tarnish his Christian faith.

What is certain though is that the last Presidential election had another candidate with impeccable Christian credentials. I remember watching an extensive programme on TV about him just before Election Day all about his faith and the support he had from Bible believing Christians across the country.

His name. George W Bush of course. And look what a mess he and his neo con Evangelical Christian friends made of it.

Which makes me conclude the rather obvious. Some choices are not made on the basis of the candidates performance against Biblical orthodoxy however we define that. After all if I need surgery is my first question about the surgeon's knowledge and assent to the Westminster Confession or the 39 Articles?

A tale of two lamposts

Are you sitting comfortably (especially those of you listening in the Cornish Pixie's class or with my friend Amy the no longer amiable) because if so now I'll begin.

Once upon a time there were two lamposts called Lenny and Larry. They were tall and handsome and inseparable.

Lenny was a bundle of laughs and always good for a joke or two. The life and soul of the party. Larry was just the opposite, a bit shy if truth be known, but Lenny's best pal. Larry thought Lenny was great. There was never any chance of Larry having to say anything when Lenny was around. Because Lenny always did the talking!

They both lived at the lighting depot. They looked forward to the day when Lester the lorry driver would find them a home in a street and they could begin to shine brightly showing everyone the way home after a hard day's work.

And that is how they came to be in the street chez Tardis.

Lenny thought it would be great to shine up and down the street outside the huge driveways of two houses. Larry settled down to be himself between the Tardis and the next door property but well within earshot of his friend.

Until that is two grumpy old men started shouting at Lester. "You can't leave him here" they said about Lenny, "We can't drive all our cars off our drive if he stays here". They stamped and they stormed and they even said some words known especially to Teapot and Amy the no longer amiable.

Lenny began to cry. What could he do. He was stuck outside two houses: unwanted and unloved. Just at that moment Larry had a bright idea. He shouted for his friend. No one had ever heard Larry shout before.

"I know" shouted Larry. "I'll move down the street a few metres and you can then follow after me and perhaps find a spot where no one will shout at you any more!"

And do you know children that is what happened. Lester moved Larry a few metres down the road so Lenny could move as well. And the grumpy old men were happy: I think.

So Larry now lives just outside the Tardis. Timelord was a touch troubled about his shining brightly into his bedroom at night at first until he remembered how his sonic screwdriver is just as good as a dimmer switch.

And just to show Larry how special he is I popped outside before posting this blog to give him a friendly hug!

A key in the door...

Timelord has been to London and Solihull today and arrived back at the Tardis before 7. An early night.

But Teapot was not expecting me and the sound of the key in the door made her think it was Matt. Not a good start to the evening.

I have been thinking for a while of writing something about life in year 3. Tonight is a good example of the emotional switchback we still experience.

Someone remarked this week about how I sometimes raise a clenched hand in worship. And she is right. It is part a sign of defiance - against all the crap which seems to swirl around many of the people I love and people I know less well but are still important to me. And it is part a refusal to let go of FLN. Not a refusal to recognise reality but a determination to hold onto all he means to me in this life.

I will always have two sons.

A black hole...

.....has appeared in our kitchen. Or more precisely in the freezer as a result of the disappearance of platefuls of muffins lst Saturday.

As you may know black holes are very dangerous. Go too near and you may be sucked in never to return. Tiger the cat is even more suspicious of the freezer door than usual. A very wise cat.

Something has to be done. The fish man came last week and did his best but it may well be Christmas before the disturbance in the universe is restored. Then mince pies come into their own and the BB organise their annual mince pie bake. Timelord's efforts are puny by comparison but freezer space will be needed.

In the meantime there have been noises made about all the muffins at the wedding disappearing before some friends could put their hands on one...or two...or three... of their favourite flavours.

I will have to think about baking a special limited edition of the mincemeat variety. Question is should they be used as a send off for EB on his way to Mozambique or kept back with his missus to make sure he returns?

Fireworks...

.........were a plenty at the wedding of Al and Jen yesterday.

Rockets, Catherine Wheels, Roman Candles and a few bangers and jump jacks!!! Those who were there can muse on which firework fits which event best but it was a dazzling display headed of course by the bride and groom, and not far behind by bridesmaids, flower girls and not forgetting the page boy.

I will say nothing of the dresses and outfits because this Timelord is well known for being decidely un well known about what colours goes with what and thus any plaudits even in the direction of Teapot would be seen as the equivalent of a standing ovation from the tone deaf at a music concert.

We had stand out singing contributions from Mrs EB and Jayne Taylor at the church, and a memorable address from Donald "the Dilbert" Campbell, which incidentally proved he must have been a door to door salesman before going to Bible College. Speeches were memorable and the jazz band a great success.

Muffins were consumed at a speed which risked creating the second big bang but was I the only one to miss the wedding cake?

Those with a strong constitution saw yesterday as just the first of a threesome with Martin and Lou's wedding coming up soon and then Woody not far behind.

A bit like the three peaks challenge although mercifully not all in 24 hours!