Roger Aubrey

God at work in China

Here is a terrific article from last Saturday's Times on the vast numbers of people being saved in China. Our contacts within the country say that the actual number of believers is now around 150 million.

Read the article here.

Weekend fun

 

Make you feel my love

Good song; good singer.

What's in your house?

Elisha asked the widow, "What do you have in your house?" (2Kings 4:2)

So often the answer to our situation lies within us. The God of all resource, who is more than enough, is living his life as God within us. When we look within ourselves we don't see our own resources - we have none outside of the Holy Spirit. But when we look within and see the eternal God living in us by the all powerful Holy Spirit, then we understand - 'I can do all things through him who gives me strength'.

Born to believe

Here's an interesting piece from the BBC's Today programme about whether or not we are born with an inbuilt design to believe in God. Dr Justin Barrett suggests that it's the natural default of children to believe in God. I know that children are very susceptible to the supernatural: people like Kathryn Kuhlman used to say that children often saw angels and even Jesus himself in her meetings, without any public reference to the fact from her.

Thanks to Stephen Davies for this.

Listen here.

Jade Goody dead at 27

Jade Goody, who shot to fame in the UK after appearing on Big Brother in 2002, has died. Ms Goody was diagnosed with cervical cancer last autumn; she passed away yesterday. Those who may not have heard of her or are aware of just how larger than life she was need only Google her name; you will see she was loved and loathed in equal measure. Famous for being famous, Goody made the most of her moment in the spotlight; a moment that lasted for seven years. And even now she has died, she will remain on of those 'icons' who lived fast and died young.

I must admit I was not a fan of Ms Goody; I abhor reality TV. That's just me. But in these past months, as the UK media has been full of her illness and her own decision to take every opportunity to use them for the financial benefit of her two young sons, one cannot but be impressed by her personal courage and admire her admitted willingness to use the rampant voyeurism of modern Britain to ensure that her boys will have no financial worries. Ms Goody knew the system; it made her, turned against her, then fell in love with her again. Accused of being 'thick', she was in fact shrewd. Furthermore, the rise in cervical screening for women of her age has been significant since she broke the news of her illness.

In the weeks before she died it was reported that Ms Goody was reading the Bible and was christened, along with her sons. Now is not the time for theology: if in those last days she discovered Jesus, she died secure.

Out of town

This week I will be in Norway for some meetings. I'll be back next week. Be blessed.

Weekend fun

Wrong shoes

The other day I was listening to a lecture given by the the musician and conductor Benjamin Zander on his passion for classical music. He finished his lecture with a quote from a lady who survived Auschwitz. As a young girl this lady had been transported to the death camp with her younger brother and parents. Unaware of the fate that awaited them they arrived on those terrible trains expecting life to carry on. As they were about to get off the lady looked down at her brother's feet and scolded him: 'You are wearing the wrong shoes'. Sure enough, the young lad was wearing odd shoes. They were the last words she ever said to her brother: she never saw him again.

Such an experience is bound to have a profound effect on anybody. So, this lady, now an old woman, lives by this statement: 'I will never say anything that could not stand as the last thing I ever say.'

Pastor murdered as he preached

The 45 year old pastor of a US church was murdered yesterday as he preached. Fred Winters (pictured), pastor of First Baptist Church, Maryville, Illinois, was gunned down in front of his people as he preached about finding happiness. Our prayers are for his family and the people of God who have been tragically struck by such an evil act.

For a full account, read the story here.