http://www.milfordrpc.org/index.htmlTirconaill Tribune Columnenmark@milfordrpc.orgCopyright 2007 Mark Loughridge2010-08-31T17:01:43+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:05:50 +0100mark@milfordrpc.orgFactual2010-08-24T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/865f4570706793bb12cccf9435645586-123.html#unique-entry-id-123http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/865f4570706793bb12cccf9435645586-123.html#unique-entry-id-123
The magazine is called 4you.ie and it contains a number of articles you may find interesting. This issue asks the question: “Has science got all the answers?”. Many people today question the relevance of traditional bible teaching in this age of vastly increased scientific knowledge. This article attempts to show that while science has undoubtedly played an important role in improving our lives, it still leaves some questions unanswered.

The problem of drug abuse is a more common one than we realize. It seems to offer a means of escape, but only ends up imprisoning its users. One of the articles is the story of an Irish woman who, with God's help, managed to transform her life after getting caught up in drug addiction.

The magazine carries a number of articles that you may find useful. Perhaps you have experienced the privilege of having kids; albeit a privilege that comes with enormous responsibility that can be very daunting. If so, you may be interested in an article that examines the guidance the bible has to offer when it comes to raising children.

At times the bible can seem intimidating to a first time reader, and some of the words can be quite baffling. This issue has two articles that are particularly helpful. One article takes several of these tricky words and tries to clear up what they mean. This is an extremely worthwhile exercise, because the rich truths that lie behind these words can bring enormous comfort to us as we go through life.

The other gives some helpful advice on how to go about reading the bible, something you may find helpful if you want to find out more about what God has to say about himself, us, and his offer of hope for ordinary people like you and me.

We hope to give out magazines to as many houses as possible, because we strongly believe that it will be interesting and useful to people who receive it. But sadly it just isn't possible to reach every home in the area. If you don't get a copy of the magazine this week, please get in touch and we'll get one to you.

]]>mark@milfordrpc.orgEvents2010-08-17T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/07928bea2ea2b82fcc1a44cf6d33dd37-119.html#unique-entry-id-119http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/07928bea2ea2b82fcc1a44cf6d33dd37-119.html#unique-entry-id-119
Over the last ten years of writing this column, I’ve become aware that perhaps more people read it than I thought. A famous preacher once quipped that he wouldn’t cross the street to hear himself preach, I’m a bit like that with this column—so I’m always pleasantly surprised when I hear people say they read it.

So I thought that, since I don’t get the chance to meet many of you, I’d like to invite you to come along this Wednesday (25th) to a books and supper evening—no strings attached. We’ll be having a bookstall, so you can have a browse through a good selection of books on Christianity and the Bible. The bookstall will also have a range of children’s books and Bibles.

I’d love to meet you, whether you have questions on things I’ve written, or are simply looking for a book recommendation; I’d be glad to see you.

In the autumn we’re thinking of running a Christianity Explored course – a six week course which looks at the Gospel of Mark and the foundations of Christianity. It is a useful refresher course, and also a good way to find out what the Bible really says. If you would be interested in taking part, come along to the books night and let me know, or drop me a line.

So why not come along and join us for a cup of tea and a chat. The Books and Supper evening will take place on Wednesday 25th August at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church Hall on the Kilmacrenan Rd from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

Mark Loughridge is the minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@milfordrpc.org. You can read more or listen online at www.milfordrpc.org

]]>mark@milfordrpc.orgCurrent Events2010-08-10T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/76cc20c23e3d642b1e1ef2cabcda01d0-120.html#unique-entry-id-120http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/76cc20c23e3d642b1e1ef2cabcda01d0-120.html#unique-entry-id-120What are we to make of all this?

Proposition 8 had been voted into law by a clear majority of voters. But in one audacious act of judicial foot-stamping, California’s voters were told that they had no right to express their opinion. A single unelected judge nullified the will of the voters of California as expressed through the electoral process. In a series of startling ‘findings’ the judge arbitrarily, without counter-argument, swept aside the arguments of centuries and cultures, as well as the evidence of secular research which demonstrates that both children and society suffer when marriage is redefined. Apparently the judge knew better.

Defending the judicial overriding of the people, the New York Times argued that “there are times when legal opinions help lead public opinions.” In other words, there are times when people aren’t sufficiently informed to know what is good for them, and it takes the wiser heads of the law to help and guide. I would agree. We only differ on whose legal opinion counts.

Is it the opinion of a fallible judge, swayed by internal bias and the pressure of lobbies, or is it the opinion of the Creator God who made us, knows how we are made to operate, and who legislates for what is best?

In a single moment, Justice Walker, both grasped and failed to grasp the point. He grasped that a judge sometimes has to overrule the desires people, but he forgot which Judge. At the end of the day we will not stand before Justice Walker to give an account of how we lived our lives, but before the great Judge of all the earth—and it will be no defence to say “I didn’t like your laws”.

The issue always comes back to “What do we base our opinions on?”—on popular opinion, personal preference, ‘the media says’—often choosing whatever one best suits our purpose. Or do we choose the fixed and timeless standard of God’s word, which has both the power to confirm us and challenge us, not simply saying what we want it to say.

The reality is that the civil partnership legislation both here and in California is a thumbing of the nose at God, and is a damaging path for any society in the long-term.

Mark Loughridge is the minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@milfordrpc.org. You can read more or listen online at www.milfordrpc.org

]]>mark@milfordrpc.orgBible2010-08-03T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/79c6fdad60686de6583ba750d0d70d55-121.html#unique-entry-id-121http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/79c6fdad60686de6583ba750d0d70d55-121.html#unique-entry-id-121Sometimes I have a problem with Bible verses. That’s a strange thing for a pastor to say, but it’s true. In particular I have a problem with verses that are dislocated from their context. These appear scattered over cards and calendars, bookmarks and billboards. For some verses it doesn’t matter, for they are self-contained nuggets—take the very famous John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

That’s more or less self-contained—it tells you all you need to know. Other verses, when dislocated from their context, start to sound like fortune cookie promises, for example:

“God is love” – does that mean he won’t punish sin? Is he only love, or is he also Holy?

“With God all things are possible” – For whom? What sort of ‘all things’?

Such verses are part of an organic whole; they cannot be wrenched from their place and expected to have a life of their own. We need to know who the promise applies to, and what conditions are attached.

This month’s verse is like that:

“The eternal God is your refuge” Deuteronomy 33:27

Who doesn’t want a refuge? This world is a place of storms; storms of doubt, fear, illness, tragedy, heartbreak and many other storms. We need a place of refuge—one that outlasts all those storms, including that great final storm of death and of judgment. So it is a great relief to find that this particular refuge is eternal, for it is found with the eternal God. That also means that the refuge is a personal one, not a case of finding a cold dark cave to shelter in, but rather a warm and tender father to stand guard over you—always.

That sounds fantastic, and it is—if it applies to you.

As it turns out, when we look at the surrounding verses, this isn’t a blanket promise to all, but rather a specific promise to God’s people. This wonderfully comforting statement of eternal refuge is true, but it needs you to first ask God to make you one of his people through Jesus. In fact, that’s what John 3:16 is saying—he perished so you could have an eternal refuge, once you put your trust in him. Once Jesus is your saviour, you will find God a refuge from life’s storms.

Mark Loughridge is the minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@milfordrpc.org. You can read more or listen online at www.milfordrpc.org

]]>mark@milfordrpc.orgIn defence2010-07-27T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/da76c256c6ecb678bc2ca8ad480b5af7-122.html#unique-entry-id-122http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/da76c256c6ecb678bc2ca8ad480b5af7-122.html#unique-entry-id-122
In other churches men are present in equal measure to women and children, with their heads switched on, and anticipation in their faces.

So what makes the difference?

I could answer it in one word—Jesus—but I need to unpack what I mean.

Men like heroes, manly men who do great deeds. Too often Jesus is portrayed as a slightly effeminate hippy with long hair and deep soulful eyes—all languid and limp. I don’t know where this comes from, for it certainly doesn’t come from the Bible. As a middle-eastern man he would likely have been short and stocky, with swarthy skin. Long hair was forbidden, and “he had no beauty to attract us to him” (Isaiah 53:2). He was gentle and kind, but his bravery, courage and passion are often left out. The Jesus of popular culture is a victim accidentally crushed by the vicissitudes of a cruel world. Who wants to follow such a figure?

Such a figure rightly gathers the pitying focus of soft and tender souls. But do men want to sit around and pour out pity? Is this what following Jesus is?

This is not the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of the Bible out-manned every man that has ever lived. His death was not accidental, but a deliberate act of self-sacrifice in order to provide rescue for everyone (man, woman and child) who would put their trust in him.

Not only so, but he rose triumphant out of the grave, like the warrior king that he is, having defeated death itself. The Bible tells us that this great King calls men and women to follow him into the new Kingdom that he has made theirs through his life, death and resurrection. He is not looking for your pity but for your allegiance.

That’s the sort of man that is worth finding out about and following.

Why is it that men hate going to church? Because too often they don’t meet the Jesus of the Bible. They are presented with an object of pity, and pity will not motivate men to follow—but the real Jesus does.


]]>mark@milfordrpc.orgBible2010-07-20T17:01:43+01:00http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/8bf74b7418a3b94424a8c48a4bde80ee-109.html#unique-entry-id-109http://www.milfordrpc.org/Newspaper/files/8bf74b7418a3b94424a8c48a4bde80ee-109.html#unique-entry-id-109
Coleridge did not disagree, but later invited the man into his rather unkempt garden. "You call this a garden?" the visitor exclaimed. "There are nothing but weeds here!"

"Well, you see," Coleridge replied, "I did not wish to infringe upon the liberty of the garden in any way. I was just giving the garden a chance to express itself and to choose its own way."

No matter what well-meaning sociologists claim, a child is not born morally and religiously neutral, as if all they need is to be left to their own devices to grow up untainted and noble and wise. If you just let a child go with their natural tendencies they will become destructive and self-destructive. Watch a 3-month-old child in a rage – they’re mad enough to kill you, but they only weigh 10 pounds and not 210 pounds!

The Bible teaches that children are born with an inherent inclination towards doing wrong. And so that’s why Paul writes in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’

It is not enough to “not exasperate” them, we are to have a positive input into their spiritual and moral upbringing. We are to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.

What does that mean? It means that, since we have brought people into the world who have an eternal soul that will go to either Heaven or Hell, God holds parents responsible for teaching their kids about him, and about what he requires, and about what Jesus has done for us. It means letting them see that wrong is wrong and will be punished. It means letting them see that God is not just Holy, but loving and has provided Jesus to pay the price for our sin.

This is part of what the “training and instruction of the Lord means”.

Practically, it means that we should be reading the Bible to our children, teaching them to pray, taking them to a church where God’s word is taught and explained. But of course we’ll not want to do that unless we have a right relationship with God ourselves. For otherwise we’d be hypocrites telling our children to be interested in something we aren’t interested in – and that would exasperate them, which we are commanded not to do.

The answer is found not in simply following God’s instructions for parenting, but in following the God who gives them. God has commissioned parents with a challenging but eternally significant role. How will you respond?

Mark Loughridge is the minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@milfordrpc.org. You can read more or listen online at www.milfordrpc.org

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