I listened to very moving account this morning on radio of a man explaining of the moment he 'came out' as a homosexual. He was a steel worker, working with men who were used to tough manual work, as he was. During a discussion about Elton John, the men were making unpleasant remarks about Elton's homosexuality and this chap blurted out that he too was homosexual. Complete silence ensued followed by terrible verbal abuse of this man that continued for the rest of the time he worked in the steel works. Eventually he left the job.

I fully understand what the Bible says about homosexuality and happily line myself up with its truth, however I also note the Bible condemns bitterness, wrath, evil speaking, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, back-biting, shall I go on?

What a glorious truth we remember this Easter, that Jesus, the Son of God died for ALL, no exceptions, just ALL. I am proud to be a part of a church that does its best to be inclusive and still preaches the Bible in all its fullness.

The reality is that"God so loved the World that He gave us His Son"

Met a couple today who I had the great privilege of introducing to the Lord Jesus more than 20 years ago. They are active in one of our local churches and still thrilled to be 'saved.'

Their salvation just shows how wonderful the Lord is. I was doing a baptismal service in a friends church for a small group of folk who met in a home. After the baptism I just shared a few simple things from the word and began to pray, and as I started I felt the Lord say, "make an altar call." A man and a women who I had never met before put up their hand very gingerly and looked really frightened. Not wanting to embarrass them I said I will be in the vestry if anyone wanted to talk. A few minutes later in they came, both aged about 50 and clearly convicted by the Holy Spirit and to cut a long story short they were gloriously 'saved'

It was the famed Methodist preacher, Sangster who used to ask his flock two questions; One was, "when did you last lead someone to the Lord," the second was "when did you last try"?

You're right we must "walk the walk," but we must also remember to,"talk the talk."

There have been some awful revelations over the years regarding the physical and sexual abuse of children in care. This has been primarily in council run homes and those set up by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope has sent a letter to be read in Catholic Churches saying how sorry they are that these atrocities occurred. What has given me great concern was the mention of the harm it has done to the Catholic Church, but nothing about the damage to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I couldn't care less about the Church hierarchy and its tradition, which is often valued higher than the Bible and its glorious truth. But I do care about my Saviour and His name.

Canon law is seen by some of the established Church as higher than the law of the land, and the consequence is paedopliles are moved to another parish rather than dealing with the matter.

Of course the vast majority of those who work in children's homes are wonderful and caring, indeed my Father and his brother were brought up in a Spurgeon's home in Stockwell after their Father died when they were young.

Jesus honoured children, so must we.

Two more British soldiers were killed yesterday in Afghanistan. Hearing this tragic news this morning led me straight to prayer for the families of the dead, waking up this morning hoping it was just a dream, but knowing it is reality.

I am no pacifist, but this awful war in Afghanistan looks just like Vietnam all over again, unwinnable! Afghanistan knows nothing of democracy and does not have the infrastructure to maintain it. Chairman Mao said that power came through the barrel of a gun, and the Taliban would heartily agree with him.

My father was killed during the Korean war, called up as a reservist to fight at at a time when America saw a 'red' under every bed. The outcome of the war was a divided Korea.

Jesus said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." The word, 'blessed' has two main meanings, one is referring to divine favour and the other simply means, 'happy.' "Happy are those who bring peace," I like that. I've spent more than 30 years of my life trying to bring peace, mainly to warring christians who would benefit from a kick up their 'rusty dusty.'

Maybe war is sometimes necessary, but how about you and me taking the words of Jesus seriously so that we may be known as peacemakers.

I sat at the back of the London Palladium one Wednesday afternoon in 1988 with about a dozen other people listening to an aged Vicar sitting on a stool on the vast Palladium stage with the full lights on him.

Not what one might expect to see at such a famous theatre, I'm sure you're thinking, well, it's a strange story that involves a millionaire of whom I was acquainted. He spent £250,000 to have the Palladium for a week to preach the Gospel! I was asked to do a number of spots, but had refused for reasons that I won't bore you with.

Very few people turned up to listen to various preachers over that week, and as far as I was concerned it was a terrible waste of money that could have been used for some really good causes.

Back to the the aged Vicar; Oddly I still remember his last words to the tiny audience, "try to be a little nicer to one another," I think that is an Huxley quote. However, the world would be a much more pleasant place to live in if we did it don't you think?

It's wonderful to know of the agape love of God, but a far greater thing to do it. My wife came up to me this afternoon while I was watching the rugby and gave me a very warm hug, it seemed to say despite you watching that boring game, I love you.

Pretty Cool I say

I read today of three Russian people, Mother, Father and Son who had applied for asylum in this country and were seemingly about to be rejected committed suicide by jumping out of a high window.

I hear and read of many nationals complaining of how they (immigrants) are taking our jobs and homes and should be sent home. My experience is that they are generally hard workers who are willing to do the jobs that many Brits won't.

We are a cosmopolitan community and all the better for it. I think the Thatcher era bought back this silly 'little england' kind of thinking, forgetting what a mixed bunch of Anglo Saxons we are.

Jesus not only loved the outcast but made sure He spent most of His time with them. No time for the Pharisees and the Saducees with all their rank hypocrisy.

I do wonder how comfortable Jesus would be in some of our Churches. Would He enjoy the middle class white starchiness of our Sunday services, the endless liturgy and dirgy singing?

Time to fling wide the doors of the Church and say, "you are ALL welcome.

I'm sure you been reading about Jon Venables who was one of the 10 year old boys who killed Jamie Bulger in 1993. Apparently he has committed an offence that has caused him to be recalled to prison.

I listened to Jamie Bulger's Mother being interviewed today and my heart went out to her. All the horror of her son's terrible murder has returned to haunt her. What did concern me was her desire to be at Venable's trial, if indeed that's what happens.

Any bereathment counseller will tell you there has to come a time when the bereathed can move on and live a fulfilled life. If this doesn't happen bitterness and hate can so easily permeate your soul and life becomes an awful drudge.

I pray that Jamie's Mother will have the strength and resolve to live the rest of her life without bitterness and hate.

The whole of Christianity is based on forgiveness. Tough, when you and yours are hurt, but totally necessary for true freedom