Gone Home

2 weeks ago I blogged about the Derick Bingham book that I had just read - "North of Shadowlands."

at the time I was unaware how ill Derick had againg become. My mum rang briefly on Sunday morning to tell me that Derick had died. He went to see His Lord on Saturday morning - what a joyful moment that must have been!

Follow the link to read a bit more...

William Crawley interviewed Derick Bingham just before Christmas, and the interview was broadcast on Radio Ulster. You can find the link from William's blog to listen to that remarkable and Powerful conversation.

For me, Derick was just another influence on my spiritual journey. His Tuesday Night at the Crescent Bible studies in Belfast were a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stultifying atmosphere of Northern Irish Christianity, with its tendancy towards Phariseeism.

He often preached for a hour or more (to be fair - sometimes too long), but what a joy to follow him through Romans or James!

Derick is Home now. Thanks for pointing the way, and shining as a light in a dark world. Derick is in the cloud of witnesses now, cheering us on...

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Yesterday morning I received a book in the post sent to me by my mum. Entitled "North of Shadowlands," it is a collection of blogs written by Belfast preacher Derek Bingham during his recent battle with Leukemia.

When diagnosed he was given 2 days to live, and if put on Chemo, was given a 5% chance of survival.

I read it in a day.

So much pain and suffering, and yet, if we will 'lift up our eyes' we will discover that our help really does come from the Lord.

I was once again blown away by the story of English poet and Hymn writer William Cowper, who suffered many bouts of deep depression, even once attempting suicide by trying to drive knitting needles into his heart!

When aware that he was sinking into another season of deep despair, Cowper hurried home and wrote the following words, which I dont apologise for quoting in full...

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

John Newton, who knew Cowper well, said that he never knew a man more in the Grace and Favour of God, who was made to suffer so much despair.

This morning my thoughts have continued along this path. Listening to singer/song writer Steve Curtis Chapman sing "Just have to wait," from his new album "Beauty Will Rise," as he reflects on the tragic death of his 5 year old daughter in May 2008.

Why Lord?!

Job 1 verse 21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Lord, I don't understand, but Blessed be your name. I want to praise you in the light, but help me praise you in the dark too...

No-one has greater love than this...

I recently read "The suspicions of Mr. Whicher." This is not the kind of book I usually read, but I really enjoyed it.As a parent, I found the horrific nature of the murder, with its family involvement, very disturbing.

I liked the mystery, "whodunnit" nature of this story, and Kate Summerscale did a great job at keeping my interest. The historical detail was superb, however at times bordered on overkill - sometimes I felt I was being told extra detail from the authors extensive research, simply because she had come across it, and wanted to make sure she mentioned it all. It was this extra detail that slowed the pace of the book, and either added, or detracted from the telling of the story depending on your view. For me, it slightly detracted.

The best thing about the story though, was the unproven, though very likely possibility that out of love, one family member took the 'rap' for the murder to protect another family member. My mind was twisting to understand how someone could murder a young child to get back at someone else.... then I remembered that it happens all the time today. What a crazy world where the once 'sensational' murders of the past, are today all too common, particular where men kill their children to get back at a partner!

The redemptive note for me came though, as I read about the way in which one family member flourished, because another payed the price of the crime....

"No-one has greater love than this: that a man would lay down his life for his friends!"