‘Clown epidemic’ in Norfolk prompts police warning

Am I missing something here? A clown “epidemic”? Alarming people?

What sort of society produces people who are alarmed by the simple appearance of people dressed in unusual clothes? Is Britsh society simply too pampered, too protected? I’m sure people in Syria would welcome an epidemic of clowns to be afraid of rather than something trivial such as bombs and chemical weapons.

‘Clown epidemic’ in Norfolk prompts police warning

by Gia Armstrong

 

People dressed in full clown outfits with red suit and red hair chasing ‘alarmed’ members of public

One-Minute Read LAST UPDATED AT 11:49 ON Fri 29 Nov 2013

POLICE in Norfolk have warned members of the public to ignore anyone dressed as a clown in the street following a number of “alarming sightings”.

One person contacted the police after spotting a clown in Gaywood, near King’s Lynn, on Tuesday evening. The suspect was described as wearing a “full clown outfit” with a red suit and red hair.

Two clowns wearing “Halloween-type” clown masks were spotted the following night near a skate park in the town. In both cases, the callers said they were alarmed and were chased a short way up the road, reports the Eastern Daily Press.

“Nobody has been assaulted and it appears that the people involved are waiting for a passerby to be startled by their appearance and run away, and then the clown runs after them for a short distance,” said Superintendent Carl Edwards.

He stressed that “it isn’t against the law to dress up as a clown” and said it is “important to gain a perspective on these incidents” but added that the police appreciated it can “worry people, especially the young or elderly”.

The superintendent said officers would be patrolling areas where the reports had been made and would offer “strong words of advice” to anyone dressed as a clown.

“The most effective way to behave if you are to see someone dressed up is to give no reaction – because that’s what they are after,” he added.

The Guardian says Norfolk’s “clown epidemic” follows recent reports of the circus characters scaring people in Northampton. Footage of the Northampton clown, who waved at passersby, appeared online and was circulated around the world before he was unmasked last month as a 22-year-old student. Since then, copycat clowns have appeared in towns around the country. · 

Reflection on Matthew 24:36-44

 

Scripture

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming!”

Observation

Jesus teaches His followers that they need to be ready for His return. No one except the Father knows when this will be. Everyone will be living normally, not giving any thought to the Lord. Like in Noah’s day, this will result in God’s swift judgement.

 So we need to be ready. The Son of Man will return as unexpectedly as a burglar entering a home.

 Application

Christians cannot afford to get sucked into the world’s way of thinking. People who don’t know Jesus scoff at any thought that the world as they know it is coming to an end and that they may face the judgement seat of the Lord. Christians also can be deceived into focussing on the concerns of this life.

 Our focus needs to be on Jesus, always. The end could come tomorrow. Even if Jesus is not returning any time soon, we all face the reality that our earthly lives may come to an end at any time.

 Prayer

Lord help me to keep my eyes on you, to serve you in all things and to live the life you call me to. Let me be found ready for the return of the King. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 13:11-14

Scripture

Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Observation

Time is running out. Jesus will soon return so we need to make sure that our lives measure up to our calling.

 Night is almost over and the light will soon come. We belong to the daylight so we must remove all deeds that relate to the darkness and start living as children of the light.

 Paul tells us to avoid drunkenness and wild parties, sexual immorality and jealousy. Instead we must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application

Paul’s approach here is different to the way we usually think. Usually we say I am saved so I should live a christian lifestyle– although some say that once we are saved we can do what we like, but that’s an extreme view. Paul here is saying that Jesus will soon come so we had better make sure that we are ready for His arrival.

 Just as people tend to put on good clothes and spruce their homes up when they know the Queen is coming, Paul tells us to throw off the clothing of darkness and put on the deeds of light so we are acceptable for the arrival of the King.

This is not about merely putting on a good appearance because King Jesus can see the heart. It’s about ensuring that we live the life that agrees with our faith profession, allowing holiness and righteousness to become practical realities in our lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus please bring me conviction about the deeds of my life which are from sinful darkness, and give me the grace to put them out of my life. May I be ready on the day of your coming. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 122

 

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

City of peace

Wrecked by war

Delight of the nations

Hated by many

City of God

Rejected by man

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

May you prosper

May you know peace

The presence of God

And the grace of Jesus.

Reflection on Isaiah 2:1-5

I see a world
That worships the Lord
I see a hill
The centre of it all

I see a world
United in peace
People loving
Not fighting

I see a world
Shining in light
Adoring its saviour
Praising the Lord

I see Jesus…

Selling Linux

Today’s Sermon

The sermon for November 24th 2013 is now on the New Life web-site.

In this sermon, which is based on the life of David, Rozina talks about the importance of inquiring of the Lord before we act.

Click here to listen.

This Is Church

Coffee With Jesus

Protection for Unborn Passes First Test

This is truly good news for pre-birth people in NSW.

From ACL:

First step for unborn rights in NSW

by ACL Team

Foetal rights bill Zoe’s Law today passed its first significant hurdle as the bill makes its way through the New South Wales Parliament. The bill was put to a conscience vote in the Legislative Assembly and was passed by a margin of 63 votes to 26.

Zoe’s Law seeks to extend the offence of grievous bodily harm to an unborn child. If the bill is passed by both houses of parliament, it would be the first time in NSW law that the separate personhood of an unborn child has been recognised in legislation.

The bill is named in honour of Zoe Donegan who was stillborn after her mother Brodie, then 36 weeks pregnant, was hit by a car.

Opponents of the bill have criticised it as an attack on abortion rights, despite the fact the bill explicitly has no impact on medical procedures.

Zoe’s Law will now be sent to the Legislative Council where Christian Democratic Party MP Fred Nile will have carriage of the bill.

Related articles

• Zoe’s Law passes in NSW lower house (smh.com.au)
• Zoe’s law passes the NSW lower house (sbs.com.au)