Paisley's Porridge
I will use an acrostic of the word porridge to spell out my aims and objectives.
PLAIN
In this day of so-called spin we have the right to demand great plainness of speech to avoid false conclusions and all misunderstandings.
We should remind ourselves of the comment of the Lord Himself: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." (Matt. 26:28,29)
Westminster Ministers, please note, this includes orange lilies! The days of political spin must end, and plain speaking should mount the throne and direct the debate.
OPINIONATED
Paisley's Porridge will be about the business of producing what it believes is the right opinion. It will not be serving anything and everything. The reader will not need a dictionary to understand its message and opinions. It will present a conclusion, and judgment held with knowledge and presented with conviction. It will evaluate what is being served up and will defend it or disarm it as the case may be. It will aim to justify its opinions and face the hard facts as they surface in the sea of life.
READY
The porridge will always be ready to serve, although many may argue that it should never have been made at all! Others may complain about the ingredients, while some will refuse it altogether. Irrespective, however, of whatever attitude surfaces, the porridge will be served. It is ready. It needs to be tasted and tested. This newspaper may even be anathematized for carrying such produce. It matters not! There are those who will have a really hearty appetite because they have partaken of the porridge at other times and in other places to their betterment rather than to their detriment. So sit forward and enjoy this well-cooked fare.
REACTIONARY
This is reverse or return action. It is the revival towards a former or reversed state of things, either religious, social, political or economic. It enquires of the old way, what is the good way, and determines to walk therein. It is the way of conserving what is right and condemning what is wrong. There is a conservation that is right, truly right. Years have tested and proved it. It must be defended, retained and maintained. We must react against that which we know beforehand has proved to be evil.
Tis not for man to trifle!
Life is brief, and sin is here.
Our age is but the falling of a leaf, a dropping tear.
We have not time to sport away the hours;
All must be earned in a world like ours.
Horatius Bonar
INFORMATIVE
We will tell the facts as we know them. We will explain the lessons we believe ought to be learnt. This includes advising, appraising, communicating, disclosing, divulging, imparting, intimating, revealing and telling.
Truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, must be our preservative. To know the truth, our Saviour said, is to be set free. Truth triumphs in the liberty it imparts.
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again – The eternal years of God are here;
But error, wounded, writhes in pain, And dies among his worshippers.
Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,
When they who helped thee flee in fear, Die full of hope and manly trust,
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall wield, Another hand the standard wave.
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed
The blast of triumph o'er thy grave.
William Cullen Bryant
DEBUNKING
Debunking means exposing, showing up, deflating, demystifying, discrediting, setting straight, throwing light on, laying bare. The Paisley Porridge aims to do just that. This is a colossal task, but it can be done. Debunking brings an end to prison and imprisonment. Information begets liberation.
Thomas Moore caught the spirit of this when he wrote:
As by the shore, at break of day
A vanquished chief expiring lay,
Upon the sands with broken sword,
He traced his farewell to the free;
And there the last unfinished word He dying wrote, was 'LIBERTY!'
At night a seabird shrieked the knell
Of him who thus for freedom fell; The words he wrote, ere evening came,
Were covered by the sounding sea;
So pass away the cause and name
Of him who dies for liberty!
GOD-FEARING
Truly, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Consideration of Divine Truth beats a path to the Holy God Himself. Divine Truth brings us to the Divine Throne. It is there that mercy is found, and grace for every time of need. To attempt to live without God is death, and to die without God is eternal death. Haste away from such sin and folly and turn to Him who freely gives everlasting life. Call upon Him and the saving wisdom begotten by God in your heart will be yours for evermore.
EFFECTIVE
It is reality we all need. Only spiritual reality can answer the needs of our sinful souls. To reject Christ and His atoning death on the Cross is the unpardonable sin. We can rid ourselves of this sin by receiving the pardon of Christ through cleansing in His own precious blood, thereby letting the glorious light of His gospel shine into our hearts. We need to put our faith in Christ and in Him alone.
My spirit looks to God alone;
My rock and refuge is His Throne;
In all my fears, in all my straits, My soul on His salvation waits.
Trust Him, ye saints, in all your ways,
Pour out your hearts before His face;
When helpers fail, and foes invade, God is our all-sufficient aid.
Isaac Watts
Let the call be sounded! Let the table be set! Let the guests be seated! Come, for the porridge is now ready!
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
