Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Today, the death knell tolled. The office was like a funeral parlour with of red rimmed eyes and screwed up tissues, but no one had died. No one was even ill. I and three other members of staff were told we were being made redundant. The future now looks bleak for the others, but to me a bright, new prospect is on the horizon. Don’t get me wrong, I do sympathize with my colleagues and I will miss the regular income. The difference is that I know I am in the Lord’s hands and “my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory” and “I’ll not want” (psalm 23:1). After all, He got me the job in the first place.

Three years ago this month I was sitting watching a recording of Joyce Meyer’s “Enjoying Everyday Life” when an advert came up for TV4LIFE subscriptions. There’s nothing usual in that, you may be thinking. You may even have seen the advert yourself and subscribed. The difference is, on that destiny-filled day, I noticed for the first time that TV4LIFE’s offices are in Colchester, three miles from where I live.

Ever since my youngest was born my husband had said, “When he starts school you will have to get a job.” In fact, I had already applied for one job as a part-time PR at Essex University but had been unsuccessful after putting myself through the wringer trying to get it. After all the tension and stress had subsided, I surrendered my future to Jesus and asked Him to find the job he wanted me to have. I asked him if he would get me a job without me getting myself all worked up and that it would happen in his timing. So you see, when I saw that advert appear with a Colchester address I felt God sitting next to me, nudging me with his elbow, saying “Go on then. Rewind it and take down the telephone number and ring up.” So I did, only to be told that there were no jobs going but if I wanted to email them my CV, they would consider it if a job came up.

A few days later, our car jolted and quivered to a final stop on our way up to Aldeburgh for a fish and chips luncheon on the spit. It was the last I thought of jobs for a while, after all, I had my husband’s 40^th birthday rendezvous in Brittany with his former college pals to think about. The Euro Tunnel was booked so we had to find a vehicle to transport us there. I pinned the crumpled note with the email address for the TV4LIFE offices to a bathroom cabinet with a fridge magnet. About a month later and six thousand pounds lighter, after buying a Kia and enjoying a fancy dress 40^th birthday party for the gang, I was cleaning my teeth and spotted the note. Again, it was as though God was standing next to me nudging me, saying, “If you don’t apply for that job, someone else will get it.”

I didn’t want that to happen, so I was obedient and sent off my CV the very next day. I got an email back straight away from my future boss, who said she had been impressed with my CV and did I want to go in for “a chat”.

 I hadn’t realized the “chat” was actually an interview so I hadn’t got all worked up like the last interview. Ten minutes into the “chat”, my boss said: “What are your salary expectations?”

“Can you tell me what the job is first,” I bleated.

“We’re looking for a new Editor,” she said. I don’t know if she noticed my jaw drop to the floor. You see, I would never have applied for an editor’s job. Yes, I am a trained journalist and had worked my way up through the male-dominated ranks of various regional newspapers and had even freelanced among the Oxbridge graduates at the BBC, but I never considered myself editor material. I didn’t, but thankfully, God did. After another interview and writing exercise, I was offered the job. It was meant to be a full-time job, but I prayed about it and my boss offered me the job part-time. Isn’t God good?

It was a bit nerve wracking at first, but once I was trained and got into the swing of it, it was a job meant for me. It feels like all of my skills and previous experience have been channelled for this job. As a teenager, I had first dreamed of working for a magazine and had won the star-letter prize in Jackie magazine. Little had I realised I would one day be working for the first international Christian TV listings magazine as the Editor!

When we celebrated the magazine’s 10^th anniversary a few months ago, I realized that God had started the plans for this magazine around about the time I had rededicated my heart to Him. Even then, he was thinking about my future. So as I view the exit door of redundancy, I see it as another door opening, not closing, because as one of my favourite Bible verses says: “I know the thoughts that I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

If being in His perfect will in this job is anything to go by, I can’t wait to see what He has planned for my next one!

I'M FREE TO SPEAK

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:31-32.

 

I used to be one of those Christians who let others “fight the good fight” while I sat back quietly in my corner, but I’ve been nudged - in fact pushed - by strong Holy Spirit-led convictions to start standing up for what I believe in.

 

Yes, Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) and being meek is a godly virtue, but in His next breath He said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled,” (Matthew 5:6).

 

I can’t sit back any longer and watch Christians being marginalised in British Society or persecuted across the world. If you feel led to wear a cross at work, you should be able to wear one. If you feel prompted to ask someone if they need prayer, then go ahead and ask them, as long as you do it gently?

 

 It’s been shocking to read recently that Christians are being persecuted for simple acts of faith, like Duke Armachree who last year lost his case having been sacked by Wandsworth Council for suggesting to a client with an incurable illness to try putting her faith in God. In another case, Jennie Cain, a Christian mother and part-time school receptionist, who was disciplined for sending an email to request prayer, had her case settled without going to court.

 

I am not alone in thinking that Christians should be able to act according to their beliefs. A new survey conducted by pollsters ComRes for Christian Concern found 72 per cent of the public believe that Christians should be able to refuse to act against their consciences without being penalised by their employers. It also found 87 per cent of those questions did not believe health care workers should be threatened with the sack for offering to pray with patients.

 

Sam Webster left a law firm to work for the Christian Institute which defended Jennie Cain because of his beliefs. In Christianity Today, he said: “In dark corners of the world today there are men, women and children whose lives are on the line simply for following Christ. They would leap at the chance to enjoy just one day of our liberty. We owe it to them to cherish our freedom, and to defend it against those who seek to take it away. There is not one inch of liberty that isn’t worth fighting for.”

 

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said in Britain hostility towards Christianity came from a combination of "well-meaning" political correctness, multiculturalism and "overt opposition to Christianity". As he launched the “Not Ashamed” leaflet in December, Lord Carey said: "I am proud of our tradition of tolerance and our historic commitment to welcoming the stranger.

"Yet what many people don't realise is that it is the Christian faith that underpins these great strengths and that has enriched our nation in so many other ways.

"This rich legacy is under attack. In spite of having contributed so much to our civilisation and providing its foundation, the Christian faith is in danger of being stealthily and subtly brushed aside."

The Bible tells us we should respect everyone, which I endeavour to do. It’s when people overstep the mark that problems can occur. Some people think that Pastor Terry Jones was being disrespectful to Muslims when he threatened to burn several Quarans last autumn. Even though he didn’t actually light the touchpaper (after being persuaded by Christians across the world), his threatened action is thought to have ignited the recent increased violence against Christians in Iraq, Egypt, the Philippines and Nigeria, which has led to several deaths.

 

In his Christmas and New Year messages Pope Benedict XVI appealed for world peace and an end to the recent persecutions. He is calling for a World Peace Summit to take place in October.

 

Here in Britain, we are free to play our part in whatever way we choose. For a start, we can unite in prayer for peace, support organizations like Christian Concern, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Open Doors and obey Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbours as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

 

After all, we should remember, that as Paul said, if I “have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

 

 

 

 

"I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas"

I haven’t seen so much snow before Christmas in my lifetime. In the last couple of weeks, everything seemed to be coming to a standstill as flurries of flakes fell snow on snow. Most of it has disappeared where we live in the South-East, but other northern parts of Britain are still nearing meltdown, with store shelves running low and the post undelivered. More snow is forecast for the weekend. What’s happening? I don’t think it is so black and white.

Maybe this is God’s way of shaking up festivities where people prefer to put snowmen or pretty scenes on Christmas cards, rather than images that remind people about the true reason for the season. As you put up your tree and deck your halls with holly, just remember all that glitters is not gold. The way things are going, I expect most people will be fed up with snow by December 25^th.

As the weathermen try to figure out what’s happening, let’s try to look at it from God’s perspective. There are references to snow in the Bible (see Isaiah 1:18 and Psalm 51:7) which refer to being purged of sin and made whiter than snow. Let’s face it, none of us is perfect and most of us have broken at least one of the Ten Commandments. Maybe all this snow is God’s way of reminding us that He really loves us and is prepared to forgive us. The precious blood of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, can cleanse us of all of our sin, if we will only accept His life gift and believe in His death and resurrection. Just believe!

Everyone Deserves A Chance

My seven-year-old son has written to the British Prime Minister. He put pen to paper in pure innocence and wonder at sharing his Christian name with the country's leader and then said: "What shall I write now Mum?" Well, we could have left it at that, but bearing in mind the recent announcement on increasing students' tuition fees and the fact that I have three sons to cater for, my mind worked overtime.

"Tell him you want to study when you are older and ask him to keep the university tuition fees down," I suggested nonchalently.

What inspiration! What madness? Will he get an answer? Should we tell the media and let them blow it out of the water? What is there to lose? What will it gain?
While others are busy ranting and raving, smashing windows and causing mayhem, more are protesting silently in stand offs. Maybe this is a good way of joining the campaign to stop Cameron's calamity taking its course.

After all, I have an upper second class honours decree; why shouldn't my boys have the same opportunity as I did? My Dad was a coalman and my Mam bathed old people. We had no funds for such luxuries as private education. It's just that I was bonny and bright and caught the attention of a good teacher who encouraged me to reach my full potential at junior school. It was easy to get to the local Grammar School. You just had to be recommended; no mean feat for a kid blessed with my ability.

I went for a two day trial before the end of the Summer Term and hated it. Where were my friends? Why did everyone seem cleverer than me? Why were their skirts so short and hair so blond? I don't think I'll like it here. Maybe it was the fact I was taller than everyone else or that I had trouble desguising my minefield of acne, but I found myself saying, "Mam, I don't think I want to go to the Grammar School."

"Too late, I've spent all my wages on you're uniform. You're going!" said my Mam.

That was the worst summer holidays of my young life. I hated the thought of going to THAT SCHOOL. As the weeks of dread dwindled down to days, I had trouble sleeping and then hours and minutes before getting on the bus to the hellhouse, my heart pounded and my hands grew hot and sweaty. I stammered out my destination and slumped into the nearest available seat and found myself sitting next to Tom. He lived up the road from me and had scraped into the list of recommended students by a greasy hair and maybe a louse. I'd once had a fight with him the playground but the hachete had been buried and he had been spruced up.

"Am a bit nervous, are you?" he asked.

"Me, too" I wimpered. We spent the rest of the journey comparing notes about out taster days.

We trudged off the bus ta little lighter hearted and went our separate ways. Not realising our paths would cross again.

I don't remember anything else about that first day at Grammar School. The blur of several years is smattered with joy, hope, love and routine. I loved my locality, but found myself thinking on the way to school one day: "There must be more to life than this?" And the germ of ambition was birthed in an instant. I left Whitehaven Grammar with a eight "O" levels and three "A" levels. The world was  my oyster but Manchester Polytechnic became my pearl.

Isn't it amazing how a lifetime of experience can filter through your thoughts in a single condensed moment of nostalgia?

Anyway, where was I? My son David took great delight in scribbling his very first letter. He wrote:

To David Cameron,

My name is the same as your name. I want to go to university when I grow up. Please keep university fees cheap so I can go when I can.

From David.
Aged 7.

Underneath he drew a picture of himself with a speech bubble saying, "I am David." He took great delight in licking the yucky line to seal the envelope and attaching the first class stamp I bought in a batch before the price went up. Together we posted it.

We are still waiting for a reply and he hopes it will come soon so he can take it to school and show his teacher. Perhaps she'll put it on the wall to display alongside the letter his classmate got from the HRH the Queen.

Watch this space!