Probably my last blog until I finish my Masters. The birth of the royal baby last night has brought out the British republican in me! All my friends know my anti-royalist feelings, but I have to be careful to state ‘British republican’ since the very word ‘republican’ invokes loathing and fear among many Ulster Protestants. I’m NOT an Irish republican!

Or am I? Hmmmm, when I look around the world and see the church in countries where it is in a minority, or worse, facing genuine persecution (even to death!), I see a strong, vital core of true believers who put us to shame for their dedication and commitment. Contrast that with here, where evangelicals are a very large, vocal group, and the Protestants are a clear majority; are we not guilty of being a little too proud of who we are?

Surely ‘Christian pride’ is an oxymoron!? It’s the very ‘Protestant Pride’ thing that repels me from the 12th July. Ask yourself this: had the border never been drawn across Ireland, how would evangelical Protestants be faring now? What would we be like? Politically weaker? Spiritually stronger? Is our strength not to be found in our faith and his grace, rather than our representatives at Stormont?

Just something to mull over.

Grace be with you.