Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made a foetus

The satirical Anglican blogger Archbishop Cranmer has made a point that about the royal baby that was nagging away at me like a splinter in my mind.....something just wasn't quite right about the whole thing but I couldn't put my finger on it....until I read his Grace's excellent post.   Yes, that's it - that's why all the hype is somewhat lodged in the throat.....



His Grace would like to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the announcement that they are expecting their first baby. Girl or boy, he or she is destined to ascend the Throne and reign over the United Kingdom (should it remain united) and the Dominions overseas.


But His Grace is puzzled.

Everywhere he turns he reads about a Royal baby. Even The Guardian talks of the couple 'expecting their first child', despite the Duchess being in the 'very early stages' of pregnancy. We are told that the couple 'are to be parents', and that this 'will be the Queen's third great-grandchild', and 'a first grandchild for Prince Charles'.

And the child's birthright is acknowledged: yes, he or she is 'destined to wear the crown one day'; he or she 'will become third in line to the throne', which the Prime Minister described it as 'absolutely wonderful news'. Even Ed Miliband tweeted: 'Fantastic news for Kate, William and the country. A royal baby is something the whole nation will celebrate.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: "The whole nation will want to join in celebrating this wonderful news. We wish the Duchess the best of health and happiness in the months ahead."

And speculation abounds about the name: Charles? Diana? With The Guardian freely referring to 'their baby' and already anticipating his or her 'first day at school'.


Baby? Destiny? Parents? Great-grandchild? School? Even the Twitter hashtag is #RoyalBaby.

Surely such 'pro-choice' newspapers and journals (and people) should be talking about a bunch of pluripotent stem cells, an embryo or a foetus? For reports suggest that the Duchess is still in her first trimester, so this is not yet a baby; and certainly nothing with any kind of destiny. At this stage, surely, it is a non-person, just like the other 201,931 non-persons who last year were evacuated from wombs in England, Scotland and Wales.


Or are royal foetuses endowed with full humanity from the point of conception?

One Day Everyone Will Get This

A great bit of film that reminds us that our work can be worship.
http://t.co/LFSACIld4X

Like a Cold Shower

My friend Tim Wills sent me this Spurgeon quote recently.  Some might find it depressing and negative but I find it strengthening.  Its withering intolerance is refreshing.  Like a cold shower.  

Every time we sin, we do as much as say, "I do not acknowledge God to be my sovereign; I will do as I please." Each time we speak an ill-word we really say, "My tongue is my own, he is not Lord over my lips." Yea, and everytime the human heart wandereth after evil, and lusteth for that which is forbidden, it attempts to dethrone God, and to set up the Evil One in his place. The language of sin is "Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice; I will not have God to reign over me." Sin is a deliberate treason against the majesty of God, an assault upon his crown, an insult offered to his throne.

Mark Driscoll on Prayer

I was doing a bible study this afternoon with a new Christian.  We were looking at Luke 11 and Jesus's teaching on prayer.   I was reminded of something Mark Driscoll said about what he thinks is the most important thing to say about prayer....

http://bit.ly/Xhejlm  

It's clear and simple but it's also winsome and attractive.

Aim Lower, Think Smaller, Give Up, Have a Cup of Coffee

Love this video.  Much food for thought and a great challenge....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0R6oAJCVvg

Rob Bell

 Rob Bell is one of the most influencial Christian leaders and writers of our day.  His book Velvet Elvis was a smash hit and his other books such as Sex God, Love Wins and Jesus Wants to Save Christians are close behind.

It's one thing to open  up issues for discussion but he crosses way too many lines with his "I'm just asking...I'm just wondering...." approach which leaves readers in a sea of confused ambiguity where nothing is certain and everything is up for grabs.  

The article below articulates, helpfully, I believe, the concerns I have as a Pastor.   

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/38743-rob-bells-recipe-for-spiritual-disaster

A Prayer for the Frontline

Our "Frontline" is the place where our faith in Christ intersects with those who aren't Christians.  Wherever this is for us can I offer you this prayer (courtesy of Chris Dinsdale of Chaplaincy Plus).  Of course your Frontline may not be a "workplace" as such, it might be the kitchen table if you share a house with people who aren't Believers, or it could be the school gate or the Pilates class -adapt the prayer as necessary!

My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place, I acknowledge your presence ahead of me.

I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into  this office.

I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts you have blessed me with.  I commit to using them responsibly in Your honour.

Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.  Anoint my projects, ideas and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

Lord, when I am confused, guide me.  When I am weary, energise me.  When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.

May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.

And Oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me travelling mercy.

Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.

Lord, I thank you for everything You've done, everything You're doing, and everything You're going to do.

In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving....Amen.