THE AGE OF A.I

Written by Iris Niven

Many years ago, an American economist was broadcasting his predictions for the era of A.I. and its surge of dominance in the future. We could not escape this power to change our way of life with all its challenges as well as its benefits.

One thing is certain, he concluded, we will come to realize that nothing can replace the value of the human touch.

Over eight million categories of jobs may be efficiently performed by A.I, but it cannot of itself care if we live or die when we are bedridden, weak, helpless and depressed, and in need of practical comfort and reassurance.

How true. Having witnessed the patience and compassion with which our nursing staff provide help with the most basic needs of those who are dependent on the kindness of others, whilst still preserving dignity and respect, one can only feel humbled and inspired. We should never take such care for granted, nor award it scant reward.

The Bible presents us with the beautiful, iconic story of the Good Samaritan who came to the aid of a man left battered and bleeding by the wayside. Two travellers had passed by on the road, too concerned with status and tradition to offer assistance. The Samaritan however asked no questions of the victim, but spent his own time and money to bring him to a place of safety and healing care. The example never loses its relevance in our advanced world of today.

As we embrace the age of robots and machines, we need to reflect on the gains but also on what we may disregard at our peril. The proud boast is that humankind is building an intelligent force that is bigger, greater and faster than ourselves. Yet it has no spirit to commune with our spirit, nor capacity to empathise with our innermost emotions of joy, grief, triumph, fear and love.

In her book entitled ‘Beyond Ourselves’, Catherine Marshall expresses the glowing happiness of becoming aware of the love of God, the conviction of who Christ actually is, and his intercession for us before the holiness of God to whom we are called to account. We already have Someone beyond ourselves, Jehovah the Living One, the self-existing Being, the Lord our Righteousness. He is the Great I Am, who was, and is, and is to come, who inhabits Eternity, forever the same. He has many other meaningful names. He is Yaweh, Jehovah Rohi, our Shepherd. He is Jehovah Shalom, our peace, Jehovah Ropheca who heals us, Jehovah Jireh who provides, Jehovah Nissi our banner, and Jehovah who is our strength and our song (Isa:12)

He gives us pardon, peace, new life and fresh purpose. As the hymn by Samuel Davies presents the question in ‘Great God of Wonders’, we can answer-

“In wonder lost, with trembling joy,

 we take the pardon of our God,

 pardon for sins of deepest dye,

 a pardon sealed with Jesus’ blood:

 Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

 Or who has grace so rich and free?

 

 

THINKING AHEAD

Written by Iris Niven

During a recent spell in hospital with complete reliance on the kindly ministrations of other people, I had time and good cause to reflect on many things, not least the value of preparedness.

We may assume that daily life will pursue its normal rhythms, but planning ahead for the unexpected is always a wise strategy. The simple hospital bag made ready, the fund set aside for sudden needs and instructions for the family regarding banking arrangements and documents will all help to bring peace of mind.

Procrastination brings regret. There is a song with the line, “Tomorrow, I love you Tomorrow, you’re always a day away.”

Tomorrow is the beloved province of those of us who feel reluctant to address any issues regarding mortality or maybe even feel a little superstitious about raising the subject for discussion.

However, the good news that we read in the Bible is that, if we make our peace with God, we can be assured that there is nothing to fear in the afterlife but only light and joy.

All who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have his righteousness imputed to them “For God made Christ who never sinned to be the offering for our own sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” Corinthians 5 vs 21 (NLT).

In the book of Acts, Luke records the story of those who heard this life-giving message through the preaching of the Apostle Paul whilst he was put on trial on false charges, and had to present his defence. Paul uses his scholarly skill to preach with eloquence. The Roman Procurator Festus and King Agrippa, presiding as judge, listened intently and acquitted Paul of all charges against him. Indeed, King Agrippa declared, “Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.”

The word ‘almost,’ took him to the line of decision, but not over it, into the blessings and promises of God. He procrastinated to some more convenient day which may never arrive.

“Oh be persuaded! Christ never fails

 Oh be persuaded. His blood avails

 Can save from every sin

 Cleanse you without, within

 Will you not let Him in?

 Open the door!

(Philip P Bliss)

 

 

by Iris Niven

As Christmas approaches once again, and we review the year that has almost ended, we may be feeling dismayed at the reports of war and destruction all around our suffering world. Where is the evidence and fulfilment of the song of the angels as they announced the birth of Jesus?

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” (NIV. Luke ch. 2)

Yet, on the night of that glorious news, the land of Judea was governed by a tyrant, appointed by the Roman Senate and self-titled “King of the Jews”. This was an era of brutality, intrigue and ruthless control. Herod was so paranoid that he ordered the execution of his uncle, his mother-in-law, his wife Mariamne and at least two of his own sons. His fear of loss of status and power led at a later date to the notorious “Slaughter of the Innocents” in order to eliminate any potential rival born in Bethlehem and aged under two years. It was indeed the darkest of times, fraught with danger.

But the love of God would not be thwarted by the evil that stalked the land of Judea. Where fear and sorrow increased, our Heavenly Father rose to the heights of sacrifice and blessing to bring the gifts of reconciliation and healing to all people who would heed his message. What the world needed was cleansing, forgiveness and transformation of spirit.

“If our greatest need had been information

God would have sent us an educator

If our greatest need had been money

God would have sent an economist

If our greatest need had been technology

God would have sent us a scientist

If our greatest need had been pleasure

God would have sent an entertainer

But our greatest need was forgiveness

So God sent us a Saviour.”     Anon.

This same Saviour later promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives.” The peace that God gives transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7) It will “guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Forgiveness comes hand in hand with true repentance and a renewed spirit within the heart and mind. It heals grievances, relieves the pain of hurt and rejection, and points the way to new beginnings and the sunlight of Heaven.

It was recorded that when Leonardo da Vinci was creating his renowned ‘Last Supper’ painting, he had argued bitterly with a fellow painter. In anger he decided to portray his antagonist as Judas who betrayed Jesus. Yet, when he subsequently tried to paint the face of Jesus, he realized that even his skill failed him. Something was holding him back. Only after Leonardo forgave the other painter was he able to complete his awe-inspiring work. He came to understand the power of divine forgiveness.

“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown

When Thou camest to earth for me

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room

for Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart Lord Jesus,

there is room in my heart for Thee.”    E. Elliott.

May you have a very happy and blessed Christmas season and New Year.

By Iris Niven

Autumn came early this year and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness has not been much in
evidence as the weather lurched from excessive heat to downpours of rain. Looking back at archive films
of the great drought of 1976 puts anxieties over water supplies into perspective. That year there were
queues at standpipes in some regions. Farmers worried about dry, cracked ground and low crop yields.
Reservoirs dropped to low levels and wild fires burned on the moors, whilst straw coloured fields
stretched to the far horizon. Yet, even as the nation scanned endlessly blue skies for even the smallest
cloud as a herald of change, we knew that eventually rain would come and the earth would be refreshed.
Psalm 65 was written as a song of thanksgiving after a season of drought, the cause of which was
attributed to the collective transgression of the people. When confession was made however, the imagery
turns to God riding a chariot to inspect the land with the intention of bringing blessing and relief as an
answer to prayer. God is not indifferent to human needs, and in compassion , He replenishes a thirsty
land so that it may become fruitful again. The landscape is alive again, adorned for harvest festival. The
sheep are on the hills, the olives grow fat on the trees, and fresh grain fills the valleys. All nature sings. It
is a story of consolation and restoration after a time of anxiety and sorrow. Prayer has caused hearts to
reach up and draw near to God once again.
There are times in life when we may feel that we are enduring a wilderness experience. Ahead lies a
wasteland of ideas, dusty vision and no revitalizing flow of love and creativity that transforms drought to
vitality.
In the Mojave Desert, the phenomenon of tumble weed returns in the dry season. These rolling plant
balls detach themselves from the roots and food supply to be carried on the wind wherever it blows.
Unlike trees that remain anchored to the water supply, they dry up becoming loose and unsustained.
Jeremiah ch.17 reminds us that a heart that turns away from God can become “like a bush in the

wasteland”, but “the one who trusts in the Lord … will be like a tree planted by the water.” God is life-
giving, our sustainer in a season of difficulty, or in a struggle to thrive and flourish.

Psalm 65:9 “You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled
with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.”

This same God cares for us too.

A prayer: “Heavenly Father, during difficult times in life, when I feel discouraged, help me to place my
hope and trust in You, and find peace and joy in the comfort of Your Presence.”

Written by Iris Niven.

August arrives with a confection of delights. Schools are out for the summer break, the chaps in white play cricket on the green and punts float gently down the Cam. There are village feasts and fairs, ripe strawberries and cream, ice cold drinks under the shade of a tree. Overhead, the skylarks wing upwards in song, glorious sunsets paints the evening skies and the heady fragrance of roses in full bloom graces the senses. It is a brief interlude of peace and normality in a troubled world.

Before the era of package holidays, August was the time when three generations of families would pack up and join the exodus to favourite seaside venues. Reunited with friends they could reminisce on childhood memories of picnics on the beach, building sand castles and collecting shells or exploring rock pools stocked with marine treasures. Lapping waves invited everyone to venture into its cool vibrancy, but to be alert always to its shifting power.

When the Children of Israel encountered the Red Sea, it was with a sense of fear and a strong test of faith in God. Behind them, the chariots of Egypt were in hot pursuit and the prospect of a return to the captivity from which they had escaped must have burned in hearts and minds. They had to exercise total trust in the protection and provision of God who was their only hope of salvation. Against all the odds, Moses followed divine instructions, raised his staff over the depth of water and watched in wonderment as the waves rolled back to form towering walls of water on both sides of a pathway of dry land.

Would they take the route to safety? Would they step beyond the shores and totally trust in the mercy of God to deliver them safely to a place of freedom and prosperity? How did they comprehend the miracle that had been worked on their behalf and how could they adequately compose a song of thanksgiving? Exodus ch.15.

In our own times and circumstances, we too may come upon seemingly insurmountable problems and failing resources. But God’s pathways are trustworthy and devised on his wise counsel and foreknowledge. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32 v 8. “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him”. Psalm 32 v 10.

“There is never a life so darkened,

 So hopeless and unblest,

 But may be filled with the light of God

 And enter His promised rest.”    Anon.

There remains an important question. How far and how deep will our trust take us as we step out in faith and vision? “Faith gives substance to what we hope for and certainty of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11 v 1. Will we stay in the shallows, paddling along the shore, or will we go deeper where steps are shaky perhaps but strengthening in confidence? Then will we have the spiritual courage to plunge into the swirling foam and give ourselves to the ebb and flow, feeling the exhilaration of swimming in an ocean of possibilities, miracles, and revelations?

As the hymn of assurance says;

“Have faith in God my heart

 Trust and be unafraid

 God will fulfil in every part

 Each promise He has made.”

 

Enjoy the sunshine!

 

IDENTITY

By Iris Niven

If you tune into the BBC programme ‘Who Do You Think you Are?’ you will embark with the participants upon a roller-coaster of emotions as their stories unfold and secrets are revealed. There will be euphoria and pride over achievements gained against the odds and for brave deeds done in times of conflict and danger.

There will be sorrow for families split by tragedy and loss, and sympathy for those who endured injury and hardship.

At the summing up, the guest will try to end on a positive note, highlighting those qualities in their ancestors that played a key role in the family line. Ultimately their own sense of self esteem may have been boosted or dented by the revelations of family history.

Yet sadly there is a further element nowadays to retaining self-esteem. The corrosive effect of social media leaves us vulnerable to society’s fluctuating and often flawed opinions. How do we make reliable assessments of true value?

The story is told of an auction sale already underway, when an old violin was held aloft for bidding to begin. Yet prospective buyers were reluctant to make an offer, regarding such a purchase as worthless. Just then, an elderly gent arose from his seat and taking the bow across the violin strings, he began to play. The melody was pure and sweet, the tone mellow and enchantingly beautiful. When the last notes faded, there was a stunned silence in the room. The auctioneer looked eagerly around.

“Now what am I bid for the old violin? A thousand dollars – and who’ll make it two. Two thousand – and who’ll make it three?”

As the gavel went down a cheer arose, but some said, “How can this be? It’s worth has been transformed!”

But you see, it was the touch of the Master’s hand.

So it is with many a life, storm-tossed by adverse circumstances, or humiliated and made to feel insignificant by criticism and insult.

But who does GOD say we can be?

When God called Moses to be a great leader, He found a man plagued by self doubt. When God called Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the Anointed One, He found a young maiden unschooled in the corrupt ways of the world. When Jesus called the disciples, He gathered a local group without political authority. When God called Paul to plant and teach the new churches, He transformed and enabled him. Now God calls us to be established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1 v21-22) bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6 v 19-20) adopted as His child (Ephesians 1 v 5) redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1 v 14) and free from condemnation (Romans 8 v 1-2)

What higher value could anyone desire?

Written by Iris Niven

‘O, To be in England

 Now that April’s there.’

We can follow the wistful musings of Robert Browning as he contemplates the special beauty of his homeland in the season of reawakening. He longs to hear the chaffinch singing on the orchard bough and the thrush trilling his exquisite music. There is a particular vitality about April when all of nature is geared up to going forth and multiplying. New life surges with hope and joy after the hardship of winter.

As a bereaved nine year old, I was taken by my parents to spend Easter week on a farm in the Border Country. It was an inspired decision. Some new born lambs needed supplementary nourishment. Giving a helping hand as the hungry little bodies tugged eagerly at the feeding bottles was one of the best emotionally healing experiences a child might encounter, and the sight of lambs skipping together over daisy fields is truly heart-warming.

The Glasgow Orpheus Choir made famous the gentle pastoral lyrics of Katherine Tynan, set to the rich harmonies of Hugh S. Roberton.

“All in the April evening

 April airs were abroad

 The sheep with their little lambs

 Passed me by on the road.”

Pausing to watch the flock on its way to “dewy sweet pastures” on higher ground, Tynan noted the spiritual significance of this personal encounter.

“All in the April evening

 I thought on the lamb of God.”

Whilst John the Baptist stood watching by the riverbank, a figure approached and John recognized in his spirit that there was a special divine significance about that moment.

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, he announced. His prophetic words were to be fulfilled and explained when, after three years of life-bringing ministry Jesus, Lamb of God became the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (John 1v29. 1 Peter 1v18-21. Rev 5v12)

Some will ask, “Is there still relevance in our Easter traditions and our worship services before the cross of Christ? Is it just a time for egg hunts and a break from school terms?

Easter is the reminder that however chaotic and brutal our war-mongering world becomes, there is still a path of peace and reconciliation for individuals and for nations. The steadfast love of God can engender the momentum to find solutions, to seek forgiveness and to hold onto hope that overturns hatred and oppression. It can transform seemingly hopeless situations and break down these barriers of impasse.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul?

 Why so disturbed within me?

 Put your hope in God

 for I will yet praise Him,

 my Saviour and my God.” (Psalm 42v11).

Happy Easter.

 

 

 

Written by Iris Niven

At the time of writing, the twinkling lights that bedecked our houses and cheered us through the festive season have now been packed away for another year. Already the month of February invites us to look forward to signs of Springtime with longer daylight hours and the return of colour to our gardens. Its name is derived from the words Februa or Februum meaning ‘to cleanse’ and is associated with the Roman festival of purification and atonement during which citizens would cleanse themselves and their cities ahead of the arrival of Spring. Thus in our modern culture, it morphed into the spring cleaning of households, with the clearing of space in cupboards and the washing of windows to welcome in the full benefit of fresh light. It brings everything into sharper focus and unveils the shadowy corners that have been undisturbed during cold wintry days. There is, however, little to be gained from cleaning the outside of windows whilst leaving smears and grime on the inside. The cleansing is still incomplete, and the inadequacy will become evident as soon as the sunlight filters through the glass.

We may acknowledge a parallel here in human lives.

At a deeply significant point in his life, King David became fully aware of the imperative call from God to address his need of inner cleansing despite the outward glory he carried as a ruling and chosen king. The Prophet Nathan fearlessly confronted David with the awesome weight of his sin and David recognised the devastating truth. He made no excuses for his actions and repented not only with remorse over the consequences his wrongdoing, or to delude himself that the passage of time would diminish the memory of it.

Psalm 51 has been named “The Penitent’s Plea”, for David could offer no adequate sacrifices. He could only cast himself on the grace and mercy of sovereign God whose justice and holiness could not be overlooked, yet who had the power to forgive, restore and to bring reconciliation. Thus David prayed, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me.”(Psalm 51 v 2 and 3).

He further asks, “Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (v 10)

He longs for the purification that would re-admit him to the joys of fellowship with God. If we too are longing at the beginning of a new year, to know that God has provided the cleansing we seek, we can grasp the assurance found in Romans ch 3 v 22 regarding the gift of righteousness that only God can give.

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (v 23) There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (v 24) and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” See also 2 Corinthians v 17 – 21.

This year ahead may bring many changes in our personal lives, but also in national and world politics. Nations are seeking leaders who can be trusted to govern with wisdom, integrity and transparency. What secrets and surprises may be revealed? If we look at the evening forecast map on our screens we will see the dark landmass of the UK surrounded by sea. Clusters of bright lights create a spangled pattern over the nation, concentrated in brightness where the cities are marked, but also scattered over the more remote areas. If each little light were to represent someone at prayer for the blessing and guidance of our nation, what difference, hope, and compassionate decisions might we be granted?