An excellent study last night. We looked at whether or not you can trust the NT. It was nice to be able to talk about such things and see the people I was studying with start to get a better understanding. I even produced an iBook for the study, I think I may use that format a bit more as well. Next week, suffering...

I have my topic to teach for the interview next week. Crickey is it boring. So boring, I haven't taught it in years I think that I need to pray about this interview and try to trust God this time. He will guide me I think. I hope he does give me the words. Rather I hope I am able to hear those words. I don't have a great track record though. Perhaps I should start praying now …

Finally have the internet at home now so I hope to be doing more posting in the next few weeks. I shall have a think and a pray about the next series of posts.

I wonder what God wants for me sometimes. I joke with myself that as a teacher I ran away from the ministry. I think I did seriously consider that whilst at university but was it really an option for me? I don't know. What I do know is that, despite my protestations, I am a very good teacher (not in terms of marking etc, never been my cup of tea that) who can deliver outstanding lessons and inspire kids. I hate being a teacher. I want to do something else but what? I have asked God about it and all I get is either silence or a feeling that teaching is for me. Well, I have a job interview next week, trying to get some career development going. Please pray that it goes well. It would be great for the family to move into a more rural area and I think there are some wonderful churches there too. that alone would be a great reason to go as I do need a spiritual kick up the backside. Please Lord?

This is an interesting sentiment. I am currently working on a piece of writing about this. I hope I get it finished soon.

Here is something I found today on christiantoday.com. I thought it was interesting to see it. Having looked online since, it seems as if Carey is being attacked. Particularly the national Secular Society who constantly belittle any Christian who dares complain. They have their right to pass on their world view whilst totally condemning any who dare have a religious world view. Sadly our mainstream media (particularly the BBC) are so dominated by the secularists. Maybe Carey does go too far but perhaps it really is the tip of the iceberg …

The former Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at what he sees as the vilification of Christians in Britain.

In a submission to the European Court of Human Rights, Lord Carey said that Christians are being "vilified" by the state and face being sacked for their faith.

His appeal was made in connection to the cases of four British Christians who have experienced disciplinary action in the workplace for expressing their faith.

Two of the cases relate to wearing the cross at work.

In the submission seen by the Daily Telegraph, Lord Carey said there was a "drive to remove Judaeo-Christian values from the public square" and that some believers were being treated as "bigots".

"In a country where Christians can be sacked for manifesting their faith, are vilified by State bodies, are in fear of reprisal or even arrest for expressing their views on sexual ethics, something is very wrong," he said.

"It affects the moral and ethical compass of the United Kingdom. Christians are excluded from many sectors of employment simply because of their beliefs; beliefs which are not contrary to the public good."

He goes on to argue that the rulings in recent court cases involving Christians who tried to manifest their faith have left religious freedom without "any substantive effect" in Britain.

"It is now Christians who are persecuted; often sought out and framed by homosexual activists," he said.

"Christians are driven underground. There appears to be a clear animus to the Christian faith and to Judaeo-Christian values. Clearly the courts of the United Kingdom require guidance."

This is something that I have had worries about for a long time. I am the only Christian in my family. Or at least I think I am. My family aren't heathens but they are definitely not Christians.

There are several problems that I have. Firstly I have family members who are constantly going 'Jesus' this and 'Christ' that. Really bugs me and Mrs. Christianman. Secondly when I am with them I find it harder to act in a Christian manner. Thirdly I'm scared about doing it, you know, sharing the gospel.

Found a post online which gave some advice which I will précis here.

Start with prayer. Pray before and pray after. Sometimes I forget to do this and it's like I'm deliberately leaving God out of it. Only He can ever convince someone. I need to remember this.

Of course it helps to have a good sound knowledge of the Gospel. This is difficult for some people. I'd say that it comes down to this: Christ died for our sins and he rose again from the dead to show us the way to heaven. This is summed up in 1 Corinthians 15 1-4

Thing is though, this doesn't make much sense sometimes. The concept of sin is a strange one. They've lived ok lives after all. Perhaps it's better to go with the four points. God loves us, we have all made mistakes, Christ died to pay the price for those mistakes so what are we gonna do about that? I tend to tell why I believe rather than anything else. Not very successful though.

So what about sharing then?

Well don't cram it down their throats. We have to be sensitive and realise that even Jesus had difficulties persuading his family. They never believed him and I wonder if that hurt. It's important to be loving. Sharing the gospel needs more than words sometimes and being rude just isn't good enough.

We also have to be prepared for failure. God may not have us in mind for evangelising our family. We need to trust Him and let Him lead. Remember that ultimately it's up to them how they respond to the gospel.

Finally we just have to relax and not worry. God is wonderful and He will give everyone an opportunity and even if we are that opportunity and we mess it up, God is bigger than us and He won't mess up.

One final word, here is something that tells us how we can be saved -

Romans 10:9-11
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. "