Send a little love?

North Africa and the Near East once again dominate our news. The Libyan rebels are getting closer to the power base of Colonel Gaddafi. The people of Yemen are also protesting, while the government try to tackle other issues. And Syria is trying to persuade its people that reforms and not revolution are the answer.
In the UK, thousands marched in protest at the cuts that the government are making to reduce the national deficit. Unfortunately events turned nasty when some decided to turn a peaceful protest into a violent one.

Back at WordLive, we’re getting ready for one or two changes. However, before we get there we are looking at Jonah. He was the prophet who didn’t want to go and tell the nasty people of Nineveh about God’s love.

The shameful thing is that I often feel the same way about some people… does God really love them? As we see people struggling with and fighting each other over political views and ways to rule, how much would a good dose of God’s love help those situations?

Darren

The cost of helping others

Over the weekend military action began to protect the people of Libya from Colonel Gadaffi and his supporters. A joint effort, sanctioned by the United Nations, aims to keep those who oppose the unelected leader safe.

It has been reported that 110 Cruise missiles were fired in the first wave of action. According to some accounts the cost of these cruise missiles is about $600,000 each. A simple piece of arithmetic (it needs to be simple for me) means that this action cost about $66 million for missile hardware alone.

Meanwhile on Friday night, the British charity Comic Relief held its main event. By the end of the evening it was believed to have raised £74.3 million. Two large figures, both related to the intention of helping others.

In other news, it’s Twitter’s fifth birthday. I use Twitter quite a lot to find out what is happening around the world. And it has been said that the uprising in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya itself wouldn’t have happened if not for Twitter and other social networks.

Back to WordLive and this week we’re still with Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. This week we hear that everyone, literally everyone, has in some way fallen short of God’s glory. And to be honest, we don’t need to look at the news to see that; we just need to take a look in the mirror.

Darren

Shock and awe

The events in Japan remain at the forefront of our thoughts as we enter a new week. Graphic images of the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami were broadcast around the world at the digital speed of light. Images of the waves crossing swathes of land and hurling cars and boats like toys bear witness to the power of nature.

In a world where these awesome events of nature are now often captured digitally, we can share the shock with those who experience them first hand. For the first time in the history of the world humanity can join together almost instantly in shock and support. Our prayers and aid go to those whose lives have been devastated by these events.

In WordLive we visit Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Paul begins to reveal God’s plan for salvation that has run throughout human history, and culminates in Jesus. Humanity is sometimes helpless before the power of nature. But the creator of nature has an even more powerful and awe-inspiring love for us.

Darren

Tsunami hits Japan

As we witness events in Japan via the Internet and TV, pray for all the lives affected by the Tsunami. The images being beamed around the world show us how fragile our existence is.

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Today's highlighed verse in Wordlive shows where we can turn in times of distress.
‘David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”’ 2 Samuel 24:1–25

All good things come to an end

From the regeneration of a favourite Doctor Who to the end of an empire to the end of the whole universe and life as we know it… all good things come to an end. Or so it seems.

As far as I know, the new season of Doctor Who won’t be Matt Smith’s last, but I did want to mention him in a post here. However, I did think that last week would be Colonel Gaddafi’s last as Libyan leader.

But he is still there, and there seems to be little change in the situation. Let’s pray that the situation is resolved quickly, peacefully and in the best interests for the Libyan people.

And last night I ended up feeling a little, ‘So that’s it?’ as I watched Wonders of the Universe. Dr Brian Cox, the Uk’s hip cosmologist, explained entropy and the out-working of the second law of thermodynamics, which basically means that eventually the universe will just fade away to nothing.

I know this will take an unfathomable amount of time, but there is something quite final about such a worn out end to things. Give him his due, he did try to promote the importance of living in the here and now and enjoying the marvel that is life, but even so…

This week’s WordLive covers the end of David’s reign as king of Israel. I wonder how the nation felt at the loss of David? Future generations certainly missed him and longed for a king like David, a messiah in fact.

Personally I think that the Messiah has already existed. And I believe that something exists beyond what is bound by entropy.

How’s your faith holding up?

Darren

Your kingdom come

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you have better things to do with your life, you’ll know that the Oscars have just taken place. The red carpet and designer frocks were beamed worldwide as the Academy handed out their gold statuettes. The King’s Speech received the award for best film and its star Colin Firth the award for best actor.
In the real world (Oh, was that a little harsh?) the leader of Libya Muammar Gaddafi is still holding on despite increased pressure from the rest of the world.

And across the sea from England, a new Irish government is being formed after the country rejected the rule of the previous government following the financial crisis that hit them.

And in WordLive David, the king, is struggling with his kingdom and his children. From king’s speeches to revolutions, from ousted governments to family feuds, it seems that when we rely on our own strength, humanity messes things up.

Darren

Tumbling like a house of cards

A little over a week since the Egyptian people overthrew an unjust regime, a similar story unfolds on the streets of Libya. As I type this the world is unsure as to exactly what is going on and what is happening. There are rumours of defections, alliances falling and security force crackdowns.

At one point on the night of 21st February, a rumour that Colonel Gaddafi had fled the country led to crowds celebrating in the streets. But then his son appeared on state television, offering to talk to the protestors and warning of civil war.

Meanwhile there is still unrest in the kingdom of Bahrain. Once again the people want reform and are unhappy with the way the country is being ruled. After an initial military crackdown protestors are once again making their voices heard.

And these two countries are not the only ones in the Middle East that are having civil unrest. Yemen, Algeria and even Iran are all experiencing varying degrees of protest.

In WordLive this week we hear about Jesus’ compassion for those who are the outcasts and least in their society, and how these people respond to Jesus. As we look at events in the world, how should we respond?

Do we ask for a peaceful resolution? Of course! But should we also be calling for the oppressed to be set free and the widow, orphan and poor to be treated justly?

Prayer is not our only option.

Darren

Love is all around?

This week started with Valentine’s Day, so there may be a theme running through this piece…
One of the long-running stories in recent weeks came to an initial conclusion. On the whole, a peaceful revolution in Egypt took place when President Hosni Mubarak resigned. Love had been shown by many of the protestors and one of the most endearing images was one that highlighted the love between Christians and Muslims.

Back in the UK, the Prime Minister was defending his plans for the Big Society, where local people take care of local issues. It’s a ‘share the love’ idea where people care about others in their communities and make those communities a better place.

He was defending it because its detractors feel a lack of funds will stop it from being viable. I wonder if a bigger problem could be the general lack of love between people in society. Are we more concerned about ourselves than others?

And that brings us to this week’s WordLive. Later this week Jesus challenges his society to love their enemies. In a week when love is all around, what better message could there be?

Darren

Actions have consequences

The news is still dominated by the events in Egypt with the call from the protestors for the President to go. The government is trying to make a deal with the demonstrators and bring some stability to the country. But the demonstrators are wary of what is being offered.

In the strange world of sport we have Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica fighting for his career, and the use of his arm, after crashing a rally car. Meanwhile in football the current Premier League leaders Manchester Utd, the team on an unbeaten run lasting 29 games, finally lost… to the team currently bottom of the league – Wolves.

In WordLive we see that the great King David can mess things up big time. And one man’s ‘indiscretion’ ends up affecting a multitude of others. Whether it is in government and politics, or sport, or any other activity we take part in, individual actions can have big consequences.

How do you decide what to do?

Darren

Over-qualified?

Your suitability for a job can be determined by your qualifications and your ability to perform its requirements. Over the weekend the ability of Sian Massey to perform the job of assistant referee was called into question by two TV presenters. However, it could be that their ability to perform their jobs is now in question.
The world’s ability to feed its growing population is also under the spotlight following a study by The Foresight Report on Food and Farming Futures. It reveals that urgent action is needed to avoid global hunger.

And a deal to get British banks lending to small businesses has apparently stalled. So despite small businesses having the right ‘qualifications’ they’ll continue to struggle to get the credit to run until a deal is met.

But what about the qualifications and abilities of the people who Jesus recruited to be his followers; the disciples? Well this week on WordLive we’ll see Jesus call the first of them. An interesting selection – unqualified and lacking ability – but they did have faith and believed in Jesus. Perhaps that is all that is needed?

Darren