Earlier this month a British Navy chaplain was awarded significant financial damages after leaving the navy due to "sexual intimidation." Briefly the facts of the case are that Rev Mark Sharpe claims he was forced to leave the navy after being constantly exposed to hardcore pornography on dvd in the mess room. Much of it would be classed as illegal, some of which involved animals. Apparantly he was told by his superiors to turn a "blind-eye" It appears that the officers thought it was acceptable. It is as if pornography is used as "bromide for the 21st Century"

So here is the dilemna....what would you have done in his situation?

On the surace it may seem obvious, of course he did the right thing. Why should any Christian, let alone a minister, be subjected to this filth. But is it as simple as that? Does it change your opinion if I tell you he was only 24 days at sea on HMS Manchester when he left?

My mate Dai Hankie
had an interesting perspective. "If you are a missionary into a different culture, you have to at first accept its norms before you can change them."
This in no way accepts the depravity but suggests that nothing will change if Christians do not infiltrate "the world." Does your opinion of the situation change if you realise that Rev Sharpe settled out of court for a rumoured £50,000? Surely if had wanted to really ensure the situation was highlighted he would have taken his case right throught the courts?

On a radio phone-in show by far the majority of those calling in could not see what the problem was. Surely the navy crew should be allowed to watch pornography after a tough shift when they could be months at sea? Does it affect your view of this if I tell you that ships are crewed 24 hours a day and as such if you are on the crew you could subjected to it at breakfast time?

So what would you have done, left the navy and highlighted the problem or stayed and tried to change it?

Today was the day that Tony Blair addressed his final labour conference as the Labour leader. Now to be honest I have been a Labour supporter all my life and therefore I am aware of how much he has acheived as leader and Prime Minister but everything must come to an end.

A definition of entropy is that nature tends from order to disorder..... Basically it suggests that as soon as things have finished starting, they start ending. That all things that rise must fall that all things that begin will end. Look at history choose any point and see kingdoms rise. Whether it is the Egyptians, Persians, Medes, Greeks or Romans. They all dominated the world and then lost power. In recent times "Brittania rules the Waves", oh really! Communism is the future, I don't think so! It is worth thinking about the fact that the USA is the only world super power.
Some would argue that the evidence of entropy is already there. Who will come next? China? The European Union? Time will tell.

The book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses 1-8 tells us that for all things there is a season. So whether that is Tony Blair or the USA this portion of scripture covers it. The challenge for us all is to ensure that entropy is not accelerated needlessly by our inappropriate activity or inactivity. We also need to mindful of the fact that when God brings people together for His purposes, satan is the one who comes to steal, kill or destroy (John 10:10). So if he can bring downfall to the work we seek to do for God, he will. A number of years ago I was often using a phrase that I believe God had given me and I am reminded of again it is to attend to the things he has given me. I think if we are mindful of this, we will be best placed to ensure the purposes of God come to pass and that they are not snatched from us by the enemy.

So there is my rambling blog on Tont Blair, the USA, entropy and the purposes of God!!

This weeked was another busy one. Friday night I went to see Superhero along with Zach and Michelle from our Ignite Cymru team. It was part of their UK tour and took place at Briton Ferry Christian centre. It was a great show. Dave Lyle, JLO and Sam Boulton were the tech crew. What also impressed me was the passion of the young people from Briton Ferry Christian Centre. They were so on fire for Jesus and the lost, it was great to see.

Sunday was the latest in our Igniting a Passion event. Over 500 young people packed into the Great Hall of Cardiff University Students Union. In addition to the powerful worship we have come to expect, Paul Francis and the Going Public team presented a clear biblical, factual and entertaining presentation about sex. It was clearly well received by those present and some are already commenting on the bulletin boards of our website www.igniteme.org

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to meet a catholic priest called Christoph Haider. His passion to reach the young people the small village of Oberhofen in the Tyrol Austria, was such that he decided to organise a concert with Rebecca St James. This was quite an undertaking for this mozart fan. If you met him you would immediately warm to him, as I did. Since then I have returned with Rebecca St James on her last tour. However, the point of this blog is he is such an encouragement to me. He often sends me an email to keep in contact and in them he says "I remember you in my night-time prayers". Isn't that a great turn of phrase?

When I was on holiday, he called me to ask how I was and to have a chat. He then sent me the following, written by the catholic theologian, Cardinal John Henry Newman. See if you find it as encouraging as I did.

"God beholds you individually, whoever you are. He calls you by your name. He sees you and understands you, as He made you. He knows what is in you, all your own peculiar feelings and thoughts, your dispositions and likings, your strengthyou’re your weakness. He views you in your day of rejoicing, and your day of sorrow. He sympathises in your hopes and your temptations. He interests Himself in all your anxieties and remembrances, all the rising and failings of your spirit. He has numbered the very hairs of your head and the cubits of your stature. He compasses you round and bears you in His arms; He takes you up and sets you down. He notes your very countenance, whether smiling or in tears, whether healthful or sickly. He looks tenderly upon your hands and your feet; He hears your voice, the beating of your heart, and your very breathing. You do not love yourself better than He loves you.

You cannot shrink from pain more than He dislikes your bearing it; and if He puts it on you, it is as you would put it on yourself, if you would be wise, for a greater good afterwards. You are not only His creature (though for the very sparrows He has a care, and pitied the "much cattle" of Nineveh), you are redeemed and sanctified, His adopted child, favoured with a portion of that glory and blessedness which flows from Him everlastingly unto the Only-begotten. You are chosen to be His, even above your fellows who dwell in the East and South. You were one of those for whom Christ offered up His last prayer, and sealed it with His precious blood."