May 2023

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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – The Golden Rule – Brief Studies in the Ten Commandments”

• Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12
• See all the talks in this series here.
• See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

The ‘Irish News’ carried the following headline in today’s (31st May) edition.

Sinn Féin’s John Finucane accused of ‘glorifying terrorists’ over plans to attend republican commemoration event

The advertised event is due to take place next month

The ‘Irish News’ report includes the following statements.

“SINN Féin’s John Finucane has been accused of ‘glorifying terrorists’ by plans to attend a republican commemoration event in Co Armagh next month.

He is listed as the main speaker at the South Armagh Volunteers Commemoration, which is due to be held at the Mullaghbawn Community Centre on June 11.

An advert for the event is featured beside a ‘Roll of Honour – South Armagh Brigade’, which lists more than 20 names.

But former DUP leader Arlene Foster, who shared the image of the advert for the event on social media, has criticised Mr Finucane’s plans to attend. ‘For all those fawning over Sinn Fein, here is one of their MPs glorifying terrorists and making it sound like a fun day out for all the family.’ She said the Sinn Féin MP would be ‘glorifying terrorists’ by speaking at the event.”

Part of the Terrorism Act, 2006 says this:

(3) For the purposes of this section, the statements that are likely to be understood by [a reasonable person] as indirectly encouraging the commission or preparation of acts of terrorism or Convention offences include every statement which—

(a) glorifies the commission or preparation (whether in the past, in the future or generally) of such acts or offences;

and

(b) is a statement from which members of the public could reasonably be expected to infer that what is being glorified is being glorified as conduct that should be emulated by them in existing circumstances.

The event which is planned for June 11th in South Armagh and at which the Sinn Fein MP is advertised as the main speaker is most assuredly an event which glorifies the IRA terrorists of the ‘South Armagh Brigade’, whose murderous ’exploits’ they are ‘honouring’! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-31 a 5:21 pm

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

The first epistle of Paul to the church of the Thessalonians is one full of references to the return of Christ to this earth.

Each chapter ends with a reference to that wonderful event.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come,” 1:10.

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 2:19.

“To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints,” 3:13.

Then we have the verses at the end of chapter 4 which we will consider.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 5:23.

Such constant referring to the Saviour’s return suggests:

1. Paul’s great interest in this wonderful subject. We owe much of our knowledge of the end times and the second advent of Christ to the writings of Paul. Peter acknowledged this. He refers to the return of Christ and events at the end of this age and goes on to say: “Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” 2 Peter 3:15-16.

2. Paul’s desire to acquaint the saints of God with details of the return of Christ. His frequent references to this blessed event in this letter surely shows that he was most anxious to impart knowledge of the subject. Indeed, Paul’s desire is but a reflection of God’s desire to have His people instructed in events surrounding the glorious return of Christ. The Saviour’s willingness to fully respond to the disciples’ questions: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3, likewise demonstrates this truth. Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew contain the fullest of details regarding that longed for return of the Saviour.

3. I believe that Paul’s fulsome instruction in this epistle indicates not only the need for such instruction but also the readiness of the Thessalonians to receive instruction! “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. . . . Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? . . . And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5, 8-9. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-29 a 6:10 pm

A letter I submitted to the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ on Friday 26th May

and which has been published in today’s edition

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Further to Tom Ferguson’s letter: “Unionist unity is not possible without a shared political objective”, may I add a comment in support of what he says.

Unionist unity is attractive but if there is an incorporating of the unscriptural policies that both the DUP and the UUP presently adhere to, what would such unity be in the eyes of God?

Nothing but the old rebellion renamed!

Disunity is not the problem. It is but one of the consequences of the problem. The problem is an offended God!

Until that matter is addressed, no matter what ‘repair jobs’ are carried out, the advance of the enemy will continue!

In truth, I cannot see a return from the apostasy that has been embraced by Ulster and that repeatedly. The DUP voting pattern shows a total disregard for the standards that the party once espoused. It is clear that the DUP is increasingly repudiating the truth of God in its search for votes – all to no avail of course! Even professing Christians have joined in the casting off of ’the old paths’!

This old Bible text holds the answer for us.

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein,” Jeremiah 6:16.

The DUP and Protestantism generally, echoes the reply of the rebels in the days of Jeremiah.

Sincere regards,

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Kilskeery, 26th May 2023.

Posted on 2023-05-29 a 6:04 pm

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is extremely popular with many evangelicals today and considered as a foremost Christian thinker and philosopher. Though Lewis died in 1963, sales of his books have risen to two million a year.

In an article commemorating the 100th anniversary of Lewis’s birth, J I Packer (a man who has abandoned orthodoxy for ecumenism) called him “our patron saint.” Leading US publication, Christianity Today said Lewis “has come to be the Aquinas, the Augustine, and the Aesop of contemporary Evangelicalism” (Sept. 7, 1998). In its April 23, 2001 issue, Christianity Today again praised Lewis. It said that he has been called “the 20th century’s greatest Christian apologist.”

It went on to say that he wrote several mythical works, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, which the magazine recommended, saying “Christ came not to put an end to myth but to take all that is most essential in the myth up into himself and make it real.” Such a statement from a so-called Christian magazine is be condemned as arrant nonsense. In his Chronicles, Lewis depicts the Lord Jesus Christ as a lion named Aslan who is slain on a stone table. Of this depiction, Christianity Today says, “In Aslan, Christ is made tangible, knowable, real.”

Can such a claim by this publication be justified? Is there a setting forth of true Biblical Christianity in C S Lewis’s writings?

We say “NO” to both questions and that for the simple reason that C S Lewis was a denier of many cardinal doctrines of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and a setter forth of error.

Christianity Today significantly stated of him that he was “a man whose theology had decidedly unevangelical elements”. A Christianity which “in parts” is evangelical, is not evangelical Christianity!

Had he lived a little longer, it is likely that Lewis would have converted to Roman Catholicism. He believed in prayers for the dead and purgatory and confessed his sins regularly to a priest. He received the Roman Catholic sacrament of last rites on July 16, 1963.

Lewis also rejected the doctrine of bodily resurrection and believed there is salvation in pagan religions.

Read More …

Posted on 2023-05-25 a 5:41 pm

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness, 1 John 5:19.

The whole world is truly referred to in this text. It refers first of all to the people of God. And we know that we are of God. It then refers to the rest of the world in the remainder of the verse. And the whole world lieth in wickedness. That is all this world consists of — those who are in Christ and those who are not; those who are of God and those who are of the devil.

Let me first of all say a word to Christians.

I. HERE IS A DELIGHTFUL ASSERTION.

This verse speaks of two truths concerning the child Of God.

1. We are of God. What does that mean?

a). It means, first of all, that we are born of God. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him , verse 1. Wherever you find faith in Christ, victorious opposition to the world and holiness (for these three go together and are inseparable) there you have one born of God. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, 1 John 5:4. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not , 1 John 5:18. How glorious it is to be a partaker of the divine nature; to be part of the family of God! The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, Romans 8:16.

Read more…

Posted on 2023-05-25 a 5:29 pm

The following headline, one of many of the same ilk, appeared in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ earlier this month: “Scientists witness what the end of the Earth could look like”. These ‘educated ejits’ (to quote the late W P Nicholson) state that “In five billion years it will likely be engulfed by our own Sun”.

Like so many blind and bumptious declarations by ungodly men, this baseless prediction, that the earth will be swallowed up by the sun in 5 billion years, is utter nonsense. They who cannot tell with any degree of accuracy what tomorrow’s weather will be like, rise up on their hind legs to pompously forecast what will happen 5 billion years from now!

These men utterly and blindly reject the record in the rocks of the earth and what is infinitely more clearly recorded in the Word of God, about what happened some 6000 years ago when the earth was brought forth ‘ex nihilo’, out of nothing, And in a further display of their blindness they would dare to pontificate regarding, as far as man is concerned, the utterly unknowable future!

The Bible tells us about all of our ‘tomorrows’, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil,” James 4:13-16.

Tomorrow is utterly hidden from the eyes of men and they have no means of predicting what GOD WILL DO WITH HIS CREATION! For that information we must utilise God’s own revelation on that matter.

I read today what God has to say about the future existence of the earth, “ . . . the earth which he hath established for ever,” Psalm 78:69. The word ‘established’ literally means ‘to found, fix, establish, lay foundation’.

What these foolish self-opinionated men say of the earth’s future is revealed as most foolish and flies in the face of what its CREATOR says of His own divine handiwork.

Let us consider just what the Lord tells us in His Word of His unalterable purpose for the earth. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-25 a 5:02 pm

The follow BBC news report, one of hundreds such reports over recent years, makes one exclaim in distress of heart:

HOW CAN POPERY HOLD UP ITS HEAD AND WHY DO ITS ADHERENTS CONTINUE IN THEIR SUPPORT AND HOW CAN OTHER CHURCHES, THE MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONTINUE TO TREAT THIS ABOMINABLE SYSTEM OF THE DEVIL WITH SUCH SUBSERVIENT REGARD?

The report reminds me of what I read in Bible on the Lord’s Day morning past.

“The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty,” Psalm 74:20.

But Rome’s blatant and brazen hypocrisy reminds me of the words of those against whom the Psalmist David prayed:

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him,” Psalm 12:2-5.

I take comfort in the truth that God has set a day when He will judge Popery and all her evil minions for the corruption and cruelty with which she has inflicted millions.

Pray Christian for your Roman Catholic neighbours that in these latter times there may yet be an awakening of them to the true character of the hateful system which lords it over them.

The purpose for which the Lord Jesus saved Paul and sent him forth to preach the gospel, is one that we might make the basis of our prayerful pleadings for our neighbours.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” Acts 26:18.

 

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Christian Brothers accused of engaging in ‘slave trade’

BBC News

A 74-year-old County Limerick victim of child sex abuse by Christian Brothers has accused the congregation of having been engaged in the “slave trade”.

Tom Wall was just three when he was sent by court order to an industrial school in the village of Glin after his unmarried mother left a mother-and-baby home in nearby Newcastle West.

Industrial schools were established in the mid-19th Century and often run by religious orders to care for neglected, orphaned or abandoned children.

The Christian Brothers opened their first school in 1802 to provide education and help the poor.

In 2009, they issued an apology, following a damning public inquiry into child abuse in Catholic-run institutions in the Republic of Ireland. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-22 a 9:23 pm

The article quotes one Satanist, Dex Desjardins, explaining that their “Opening ceremony did have the ripping up of a Bible as a symbol of oppression, especially oppression of LGBTQ folk and women, and also the BIPOC community, and pretty much anybody who’s grown up with religious trauma, which is a tremendous number of our members.”

When I read those words I couldn’t help but recall the incident in Jeremiah 36, when king Jehoiakim was sent a message from the Lord by Jeremiah the prophet and written out by Jeremiah’s friend, Baruch. The king’s reaction was but a precursor of today’s Satanist.

The Lord had instructed Jeremiah to “Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin,” verses 2-3.

Like the Bible in general, it was a message warning of God’s wrath against sin and the offer of mercy and forgiveness to the repentant. That is, in essence, the summary of the Bible’s contents.

Jeremiah, being in prison because of his faithful preaching of God’s Word, said to his fellow-labourer, Baruch, “Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD’S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities. It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people,” verses 6-7.

It is clear that the desire of the prophet was the well-being of his nation by setting before them the warning of wrath and the merciful offer of the Lord.

The reading of God’s Word reaches the ears of the princes, verse 10-15, and eventually it came to the notice of the king, verses 19-22. What the king heard angered him greatly and he reacted to God’s word in a most evil fashion. “And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth,” Jeremiah 36:23.

It is to be noted that he did not listen to all of God’s message. Giving a fair hearing to God’s Word is not the habit of the worldling. Rather, they reject it with only a slight, if any, understanding of what it is they are rejecting! The BBC news story indicates that men and women today would still seek to destroy God’s Word, foolishly thinking that to rend it in pieces and to burn it to ashes, as did king Jehoiakim, effectively silences it and nullifies what God has said! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-20 a 9:09 pm

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty,” 2 Peter 1:12-16.

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation,” 2 Peter 3:1-4.

I read these verses this morning (Friday, May 19th) as part of my Bible reading and they came home to my heart with special power. They remind me of what the essential character of a minister of the gospel is ever to be. He is a ‘remembrancer’ to the people of God.

I. PLEASE NOTE WHAT IT IS HE IS EVER TO REMIND THE CHRISTIAN OF.

“These things”, that is the “exceeding great and precious promises” by which we “might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust,” verse 4. The preacher’s agenda is set down plainly for him to follow and never to deviate from.

1. God’s Word largely comprises ‘promises’. Among the very first words God spoke to Adam was the ‘implied promise of life’. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” Genesis 2:15-17. It is clearly implied in these words that life was promised to Adam as long as he was obedient and did not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Lord again speaks in the gracious terms of a promise to fallen Adam. The promise is found in the words spoken directly to the devil but doubtlessly heard by Adam. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel,” Genesis 3:15. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-20 a 5:54 am

Here is a report from today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’ that will shame every Christian who recognises just where our politicians, even those who profess to be Christians, are leading our land.

Councillor Alison Bennington is, as this reports states, an ‘openly-gay politician’, though I prefer the more accurate statement that she belongs to that section of today’s society which flies in the face of God and His Word and who, as the Bible says are given up of God “unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature,” Romans 1:26.

Councillor Alison Bennington identifies with the citizens of Sodom whose fate is recorded as a dire warning to those who would follow in their perverted footsteps. “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 1:7.

Paul Girvan, in an act of blatant denial of his Christian testimony, happily (he was smiling broadly) happily rejoices in this abandoning of public righteousness and endorses all that this woman stands for by embracing her as he does.

I can only say utter shame on Paul Girvan and all who support him and vote for him and the party he represents.

The DUP is leading Ulster down the path of destruction by their sanctioning of that which God abominates above all of man’s wickedness. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-19 a 8:01 pm

The following news story will likely attract only the interest of some in the political and business world. Its details of ‘money laundering’, the machinations of which are so complex that it leaves even the ‘experts’ baffled and will leave the average reader unable to follow the meandering path of the money involved. The ramifications of such a crime is lost on the most of us.

This story will however generate an interest above the normal because of the involvement of the Conservative Party. It does serve to highlight the increasing link between the ‘political world’ and the ‘criminal/business world’!

What will not be recognised by many is that here we have a reminder of that matter of which the Bible makes much! The Lord has given us extensive information on the moral atmosphere which will develop and reach a fulness in the last days of this age. Like a cancer which has been held in ‘remission’ by various medical treatments but which makes many attempts at a comeback only to be curbed, but which finally overwhelms the medication and brings the life of the victim to an end, so the Word of God tells us of the workings of what is called ‘the mystery of iniquity’ (2 Thessalonians 2:7) which will follow just such a path.

The term, ‘mystery of iniquity’, may be explained as meaning ‘the hidden wicked spirit engaged in an ongoing defiance of God’s Law’. Paul says it was at work in his day and it has been at work really since the fall of man. Furthermore the apostle tells us that it has been held in check by the Lord throughout ages. “‭O‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭nly‭ he who now‭ letteth‭‭ ‭will let‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ (hold back, detain)‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭, until‭ he be taken‭‭ out of‭ the way‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This latter phrase may be explained as meaning ‘that the spirit of rebellion is held in check by God, but the restraint will one day be taken out of the way and the spirit of rebellion will be allow to have its way’. That will happen in the day God has appointed. “‭And‭ now‭ ye know‭‭ what withholdeth‭‭ that‭ he‭ might be revealed‭‭ in‭ his‭ time‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

The identity of the agency used to restrain this evil thing is much debated, but I will suggest to you that as James and Peter tell us, “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭God‭ resisteth‭‭ the proud‭, but‭ giveth‭‭ grace‭ unto the humble‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5, so it is God Himself Who restrains this spirit of apostasy. After all, it is a direct attack upon Him, His Word and His Kingdom, so it is not surprising that He directly interposes in the matter. We are reminded of this fact in Romans 13:1-2. “‭Let every‭ soul‭ be subject‭‭ unto the higher‭‭ powers‭. For‭ there is‭‭ no‭ power‭ but‭ of‭ God‭:‭ the powers‭ that be‭‭ are‭‭ ordained‭‭ of‭ God‭.‭ ‭Whosoever therefore‭ resisteth‭‭ the power‭, resisteth‭‭ the ordinance‭ of God‭: and‭ they that resist‭‭ shall receive‭‭ to themselves‭ damnation‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ There we are taught that resistance of the ordinance of God will bring down God’s damnation.

This a solemn truth to be pondered in these lawless days! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-17 a 5:38 pm

I would like to share a picture of a visitor to our garden on Friday 12th.

Here she is!

 

The ‘lady’ in question is a female ‘great spotted woodpecker’. I have been told that this is the furthest west in Northern Ireland one has been spotted.

Apparently, Ireland had an introduction of woodpeckers after the birds multiplied in Wales to a degree that fresh territory was needed and thus the short  flight across from Wales to southern Ireland took place.

Ornithologists inform us that such a migration took place not that long ago after these beautiful birds became extinct here in the 17th and 18th century.

We are looking forward to her returning in the near future (she was there this morning at 8.20am) and perhaps bringing some fledglings along with her.

Sincerely,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2023-05-15 a 4:45 pm

This letter has been published in today’s (16/5/23) edition of the ‘Belfast Newsletter’

I just had to respond to the sacrilegious article by John Coulter published yesterday in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’!

I deem it to be blasphemous because of the stupid and irreverent title given by him to his article.

It is reprehensible of Coulter, a promoter of unwholesome and fraudulent so-called ‘gospel music, to seek to encourage others to embrace this aping of the world.

Well did John the apostle write:  “For many deceivers are entered into the world,” 2 John 1:7.

May the article be seen as a work of deception!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Sir,

I have not read the article “Sir Cliff Richard is right, why should the devil have all the good music?” by John Coulter.

The title tells me enough about the nonsense that it will contain.

The title is an endorsement by Mr Coulter of the puerile statement by Cliff Richard and that tells where the article is heading!

One question immediately occurs to me. Just when did the devil ever do anything or endorse anything that was truly ‘good’?

The Lord said of him: “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it,” John 8:44.

It is further stated of the devil in the Bible that, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil,” 1 John 3:8.

That makes it obvious that the ‘devil’s music’ is not admired by the Lord. I go with the Lord’s opinion of the devil and utterly reject the folly of Cliff Richard and John Coulter.

The devil is obviously not the source of anything good, musical or otherwise and to say that he is, flies in the face of God’s Word!

Regards,

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone

Posted on 2023-05-13 a 5:00 am

I am embarrassed for my many friends in America who have to bear with the innumerable foolish, embarrassing, and tactless utterances of their President, the so-called leader of the ‘Free World’! The man was always a fool but now his folly is compounded by the failings that come with ‘old age’!

Biden has English ancestors. The surname Biden was first found in Hampshire and later in Gloucestershire and Somerset. Wikipedia says of him: “Biden’s family is mostly descended of the British Isles, with most of their ancestors coming from Ireland and England, whilst also claiming descent from the French.”

However, ‘Oul Joe’ likes to make much of his links with Ireland and displays, whenever he can, his inherited Irish prejudices and hatred of all things British. He is a pseudo Roman Catholic, loudly proclaiming his adherence to that false religion while promoting policies such as abortion which is supposedly rejected by Roman Catholicism.

On his recent visit to Northern Ireland, it was noticed that his official car did not fly the flag of our country, the ‘Union Jack’. This despising of our national flag is in keeping with the practice of his Sinn Fein/IRA friends and associates.

He is pictured above with Gerry Adams and IRA fugitive, the late Rita O’Hare, wanted for the attempted murder of British Army Warrant Officer Frazer Paton in Belfast in October 1971.

As soon as Biden was across the border into the Irish Republic, the Irish ‘tricolour’ was immediately hoisted on his car.

The failure to fly the ‘Union Jack’ was contrary to ‘diplomatic protocol’ but then that would mean nothing to this antiquated imbecile who cannot open his mouth without attempting to put both feet into it. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-11 a 5:22 pm

There is something grossly wrong when a publicly funded organisation, the main function and responsibility of which is to provide impartial public service broadcasting in the UK and the world, takes upon itself the role of the ‘standard-bearer’ for that ubiquitous movement, promoting the perverted activities of that commonly, called the ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender’— a tiny section of society.

I am referring to “The British Broadcasting Corporation”.

One of the articles on BBC Northern Ireland’s website illustrates its taking up this self-appointed role.

The headlines read: ‘Blood on the Dancefloor: The gay police officer murder which shocked NI’.

The article is all the more offensive in that it uses the immoral activities of a policeman murdered in a’ sodomite establishment’ back in 1997.

The murder was carried out by Irish Republicans. To take the man’s life was wrong and it is to be condemned.

But also to be condemned is this specious and feignedly ‘compassionate’ decrying of the crime.

The tears are ‘crocodile’ and the motive is utterly ulterior. Under the guise of sorrowing at the murder is the promotion of the abominable wickedness of sodomy and its allied perversions.

It is wrong that the BBC should engage in this and surely is contrary to the role it is funded to perform. The BBC ought not to be a platform for the cursed wretchedness of a re-emergence of that shame which damned Sodom and Gomorrah!

The citizen is utterly powerless to do anything about such abuse of the BBC’s role and it would appear that few in the realm of the governance of the State, appear in the least interested in using their power to do something!

Perhaps that is because they depend upon the BBC for a promoting of their interests amongst the electorate. There will therefore be no ‘biting of the hand’ that holds a microphone up for their efforts in self-promotion!

Posted on 2023-05-09 a 4:44 pm

“‭But‭ of‭ that‭ day‭ and‭ hour‭ knoweth‭‭ no‭ ‭man‭, no, not‭ the angels‭ of heaven‭, but‭ my‭ Father‭ only‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 24:36.

Do these words mean that the Lord Jesus was unaware of the time of His return? Many would say that is so and because of that it is futile to speak of the revelation in Holy Scripture by Christ of signs that foretell the approach of that day since He did not know the ‘‭‭‭‭day‭ and‭ hour‭’. Therefore He could not speak of that which indicates the approach of the ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‘‭‭‭‭day‭ and‭ hour‭’.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

But is that what this verse is saying. I think not!

The context indicates that the Saviour DID know the ‘‭‭‭‭day‭ and‭ hour‬‬‬‬‬‬’‭‭‭‭‭‭‭.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Please remember in this chapter we have Christ answering two questions, one of which is, “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭What‭ ‭shall be‭ the sign‭ of thy‭ coming‭, and‭ of the end‭ of the world‭?‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ verse 3.

I put it to you that the Saviour could not reveal what the ‘sign’ of His coming was if He did not know ‘‭‭‭‭day‭ and‭ hour‭’ when His return would take place!‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

If it is true that the Saviour was ignorant of the ‘‭‭‭‭day‭ and‭ hour‭’ then He would have told His disciples that He could not answer their question. But He did not respond ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬with a declaration of ignorance but rather began to answer their question in great detail.

His answer is most explicit indeed. The word ‘shall’ is ever linked to the expression of a strong determination to do something. It is most assertive. That word appears many times in this chapter. If my counting is correct it appears some 53 times in the chapter in our Authorised Version.

That would tell us Christ was speaking very authoritatively and forcefully. There was nothing tentative or hesitating about the Saviour’s response that might suggest a lack of a full knowledge of the answer to the question, ‘when shall you return’!

The detailed information imparted by the Lord indicates He HAD full knowledge of that day. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-08 a 4:50 pm

Football for all… but not if you’re an evangelical Christian says former Irish league player and coach — (Belfast Newsletter, 3rd May 2023)

The Sunday marathon is a sober reminder that we live in days of increasing spiritual weakness and confusion — (Belfast Newsletter, 5th May 2023)

Irish Cup final: Former IFA boss says ‘Christians can still go to Sunday matches – it won’t matter in the afterlife’ — (Belfast Newsletter, 5th May 2023)

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The first two headlines relate to concerns about the increasing desecration of the Lord’s Day and the third provides an explanation for the increase!

The third headline is taken from the comments of an attender at Greenisland Methodist Church. For him to go public in this manner surely indicates that his church minister and oversight are happy with his views and behaviour. If they are not then doubtless a public statement will be made disowning his behaviour!

The assertion of Jim Boyce is quite contrary to the traditional teaching of Methodism and more importantly, the Word of God.

We quote:

“The General Rules of the Methodist Church requires ‘attending upon all the ordinances of God’ including ‘the public worship of God’ , (he Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies).

The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, stated ‘This ‘handwriting of ordinances’ our Lord did blot out, take away, and nail to His cross (Col. 2:14). But the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away …. The moral law stands on an entirely different foundation from the ceremonial or ritual law …. Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages.’ (‘Sermons on Several Occasions,’ 2-Vol. Edition, Vol. I, pages 221, 222). Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-06 a 7:00 pm

My attention was drawn to this article by Mr Jim Allister, KC, the leader of the Tradition Unionist Voice political party, 29th April.

I made it my business to contact the author of it, Dr Edward Cooke, Doctor of Philosophy, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queens University, Belfast.

In his initial reply to my email Dr Cooke said:

Dear Rev Foster

I have been trying for over a year to bring this matter to the attention of different political parties and media outlets within NI and the UK and in 2023 I have approached the mainstream UK churches who also appear ‘disinterested’ in these issues. I would be most grateful if you used any social media platform to bring these matters to the attention of your congregation and the wider public. I enclose for you two reports on how the university sector within NI and the UK has evolved and how Unionists within NI and Christians within the UK have been marginalised in a key employment sector.

Many thanks

Edward Cooke

Accordingly, I am publishing the article as a pdf file because of its size.However, please take the time to download the article and read carefully this document exposé of what I would call the the attempt to ‘secularise’ UK universities, to the exclusion of all religious influence, especially that of Bible Christianity.

Recent Demographic Changes in the NI university sector – Feb 2022

The sad fact is that Dr Cooke says that he has “ . . been trying for over a year to bring this matter to the attention of different political parties and media outlets within NI and the UK and in 2023 I have approached the mainstream UK churches who also appear ‘disinterested’ in these issues.”

We have but a further demonstration that the political ‘watch men’ and ‘watchdogs’ representing us in the two main Unionist parties are as those of whom Isaiah the prophet complained long ago: “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber,” Isaiah 56:10.

We trust that by this effort to highlight Dr Cooke’s research we may do something to stir up those who are paid handsomely to represent the interests of the Unionist and Protestant people here in Ulster.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

2nd May, 2023

Posted on 2023-05-03 a 4:00 am

The depth to which our nation is sinking is acutely set forth in the forthcoming coronation of ‘Charles and Camilla’ in Westminster Abbey, a place linked to the translation of the incomparable Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures and the compilation of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Of course the Abbey has long been the scene of desecration at the hand of the Romanising clerics of the Church of England.

Saturday, 6th May will see that desecration reach new depths.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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CELEBRATE THE CORONATION OF AN ADULTERER AND AN ADULTERESS??  . . . . . I THINK NOT!

 “And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence,” Esther 3:2.

There is an honour that is due to “kings, and for all that are in authority”, (1 Timothy 2:2) but it does not entail such an honouring of sin by showing endorsement of their immorality.

Paul the apostle in speaking to Felix, showed due deference. “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,”  Acts 24:10.

Nevertheless, when opportunity was given him later to witness to Felix, Paul did not hesitate to deal with the very matters about which the wicked Felix needed to hear. “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee,”  Acts 24:24-25. “Righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come” were the very subjects that Felix need to consider. He was in an adulterous marriage with a woman notorious for her libidinous ways.

Due honour does not mean turning a ‘blind eye’ to sin.

1. Mordecai would not bow and reverence Haman for he was a hater of the Jews and a Gentile who came from a very evil ancestry, being of the lineage of Agag, an Amalekite. “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him,” Esther 3:1. He was of that nation which God had obliged the Israelites to abhor and oppose from generation to generation; and therefore he did not show outward respect to a man whom he did and ought inwardly to contemn. “Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation,” Exodus 17:16.

There has come to the throne in our nation a couple who are united in an unholy marriage. The details of the adulterous lifestyle of Charles and Camilla have been publicly disclosed in the national press for years past for all who wished to read it! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-05-01 a 5:06 pm