IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON?

I THINK this may be the first time I have shown a photo of Pope Benedict 16th. Some in the Christian Family (especially some of the protestant communion) may be surprised to find him here. However, although we may not agree with everything this man may say where it may apply to his thoughts towards non Catholics, we ought to consider his clear-sighted and often very Christian opinions and comments that he takes time to pronounce. Indeed it is his voice and his voice almost alone that has fearlessly spoken out on issues that for the most part seem to go unchallenged in our crumbling world. Many will be convinced the Pontiff of the day will be the Anti Christ. Others will be appalled at his willingness for 'dialogue' with Islam and Hinduism. Today I do not wish to digress into these interesting ideas AND thoughts. I just want to comment on ONE thing he has recently been reported as saying in the Kenyan Press. He has been heavily criticised for saying it. And the criticism seems to come from all quarters. BUT Benedict the 16th usually is quite forthright, seldom politically correct, and no 'man pleaser'. I like him for being fearlessly honest to the light and understanding that he has. Here, then, is what the Kenya Press have reported this last Friday in the Daily Nation -

'condoms increase the problem of AIDS'

Immediately he has been challenged, criticised and even condemned on every hand. He is certainly not a 'popular' Pope from the World's point of view. Indeed he is more pro than anti Christian in his attitude and stance towards Christian Morality and Practice.

The French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner said on Wednesday - 'I am very worried by what has happened. I think this is the opposite of tolerance and understanding, and I am very sorry about it.' (He wants sexual promiscuity to be better tolerated!)

The Human Rights Minister Rama Yade said she was "dumbfounded" by the Pope's comments,, saying that they risked undermining the fight against Aids. (She is NOT saying NO to free sex.)

Other Politicians went further, questioning the Pope's ability to run the Church. (They all want him to run the Church like the 'World'.)

Former Prime Minister Alain Juppe was also quoted by French Television as saying "This Pope is beginning to pose a real problem." (He does not want to KNOW what God wants - rather perhaps he would like to get rid of God!)

All this because he does not encourage the use of condemns as a means of getting rid of AIDS!

The Vatican spokesman defended the Pope's stand saying Benedict was merely re-stating the position of his predecessors that fidelity within heterosexual marriage and abstinence are the best ways to stop AIDS!

ABOUT TWO YEARS ago I was a Member of the Uasin Gishu District Board of Medical Management. The Government of Kenya had been busy distributing hundreds of thousands of condoms to College and University students. I asked the District Medical Officer WHY they were doing this. He replied that it was part of the drive to eradicate AIDS from the Country.

I then put it to him that condoms - even the best quality (which those being distributed were not) were not in fact fail-safe. He readily admitted this fact, but excused the distribution on the basis that the masses had to believe in safe sex or run riot!

Of course we KNOW that there is no such thing as SAFE-SEX outside of the marriage bed. At best it is a matter of 'Russian Roulette'. We also know that it is ridiculous to believe that man will desist from illegal sex outside of marriage. From this standpoint it can be said that condoms MIGHT help decrease the incidence of HIV and AIDS.

HOWEVER, SINCE CONDOMS ARE NOT FAIL SAFE, we might also say that condoms could increase AIDS by giving false confidence to their users, and encouraging them to continue in illicit intercourse. It is a sop to those willing to enter into fornication and adultery, tacitly approving such behaviour, or at best compromising with it! THE POPE WAS RIGHT TO POINT THIS OUT, no matter how unpleasant, and I wish MORE people would face up to the TRUTH and do the same!
The world needs a re-rival of moral rectitude. Why accept that Immorality is a Fact of Life and refuse to fight against it - especially when we see clearly the connection of such behaviour and consequent physical and mental deterioration. As I have often pointed out before Christians need to stand up and be heard on behalf of a Holy Life Style and a Godly Morality, and this with the understanding they will not be liked for it. Perhaps ALL those who seek to proclaim Holiness will end up being seen as 'a problem' to the World around them. Perhaps they might become the Enemies of society and be persecuted........

JESUS SAID in John 15v18-

'If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.

If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. BUT because you are not of the world (no longer ONE with it), the world hates and detests you.......If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you!'

Are you ONE (do you agree with) the World and it's standards. IF not THEN those who do will hate and detest you. THINK ABOUT IT.

WHERE IS THE VOICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS? Has the Church of God gone soft, lost its Strength and Power? Where ARE the men and women of this generation who will stand up and witness to Christ in the Spirit that inhabited the lives of Men like Peter who asked those who were apposed to their Witness of Christ - 'What is right in the sight of God, to listen to you and obey you rather than God? YES those who KNOW the Lord should constantly be asking 'What is right in God's Sight - to obey and proclaim HIM, or be silenced by a godless political and social Leadership? The Early Church knew their answer to that and went to their death singing psalms. John Bunyan and many like him went to prison rather than have their faith and life in Christ diluted by godless legislation and Satan's threats.

STAND UP, STAND UP, STAND UP, FOR JESUS! Stand up for your FAITH in God, and His Laws.

0000000000000000000000

This morning we spent our last shillings paying for the week-end shopping. TONIGHT we have received word that the LORD has again answered our prayers, and our need yet again is being met. Our walk and life is tied to faith in a LIVING GOD Who hears and answers our prayers. We cannot be ashamed to be known to believe in GOD ALMIGHTY, and His WORD (both written in the Bible, and experienced in Jesus Christ). It is our privilege and JOY to proclaim HIM in front of all comers, and especially in front of the children He brings us to care for. We pray for courage and strength to continue to so proclaim Him in front of a confused Government, and the watching community.

God Bless you and prepare you for His Coming.

John and Esther