Chinese church faces demolition over 'shiny cross'
Is it time for the rebirth of Australian Christian activism?
The Church of England is homophobic, despite Justin Welby's trendy-vicar act
Women bishops to be fast-tracked into House of Lords
Megachurch pastors leave Reformed evangelical network amid child abuse scandal
Christian in Sudan sentenced to death for faith; 'I'm just praying,' husband says
Americans Claim to Attend Church Much More Than They Do
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With election fever gripping the country (or, at least, voting apathy not completely blanketing this land) it's good to take a moment on poll-day to stop and pray for those who are standing in elections today - maybe especially the many believers who are seeking to serve God in the political arena.
Whether we're true blue, passionately orange, profoundly red or any other shade on the political spectrum - whether we're avidly reading every piece of literature that each party posts through our door or recycling each leaflet without a second glance - we have a biblical responsibility to talk to God about those who lead us (1 Timothy 2:2) and when better to do that than the day the votes are cast?
So, why not take a moment now to pray that those elected will show:... continue reading
Suncream? Check. Swimwear? Check. Sturdy trainers for those early morning walks? Check. Phone charger to enable a constant flow of photos to Instagram? Check ...
Many of us will be packing in the coming weeks. And, if you're anything like me, there may be a list lurking somewhere in your home to help ensure nothing gets forgotten. If you've got yours to hand, it might be worth a glance, because I have a question to pose to us all: Amid the currency and the clothes, what are we each packing to help us keep Jesus at the centre of our rest and refreshment?... continue reading
Name: Hugh Latimer
When: 1485-1555
Where: England
So What?
Latimer was one of the first generation of English Protestants; a zealous evangelistic speaker, he’s sometimes credited as the best preacher of 16th century England. These days, however, he’s probably best known for being martyr who was burnt at the stake for his faith.
What’s encouraging is how “ordinary” his journey to faith sounds. While initially holding to the orthodox Catholic doctrines of the day, he was gradually won over to Reformed ideas under the spiritual influence of Thomas Bilney, who befriended Latimer and came to him as his priest to give confession. Latimer later reflected: “by his confession I learned more than in twenty years before”. Latimer become part of a group of men who met at the White Horse Inn in Cambridge to discuss the ideas of the German reformer Martin Luther—the group even earned the nickname “little Germany”.... continue reading
1. You Can Pray ebook by Tim Chester just £5 until midday Thursday
Get the ebook version of Tim Chester’s, ‘You Can Pray’ for just £5.
2. 100 Bible Knowledge Questions
Kevin DeYoung shares 100 Bible questions for elders or deacons at his church. And, while you’re there, why not check out The Gospel Coalition’s newly designed website.
3. 50 Good Reasons to Sleep Longer
David Murray looks at these 50 reasons.
4. An Interview With Sam Allberry About Dealing With Same-Sex Attraction in the Church
Stephen Altrogge interviews Sam Allberry about his experiences.
5. St. Helen’s Training: The Word of God
The first video in a new 6-part series called ‘The Word of God’ from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
6. Ten Reasons to Memorise Big Chunks of the Bible
Check out these ten reasons from Jon Bloom at Desiring God.
7. And finally...
This week's video of the week, ‘The World We All Want Trailer'. What’s your idea of a perfect world?:
Found something that you think should make it on to the On to a Good Thing round-up? Send it to: ontoagoodthing@thegoodbook.co.uk
If you're easily distracted when praying, you (and I) are not alone.
In fact, if you struggle to pray in the first place, that's not unusual either. Tim Chester, in his book You Can Pray, tells us how we can be great pray-ers. And he admits that that's a really bold claim.
'The secret of great praying has nothing to do with human effort or skill,' he explains. 'Lots of people would like to think that it does because they want to make prayer an achievement.' But the secret of great praying is ... Knowing three things about God:
Tim looks at: why prayer is easy (how we pray), why prayer is difficult (why we pray) and the arguments and priorities of prayer (what we pray). Prayer is a child asking their Father for help. And that's not beyond any one of us.
See more HERE and get the ebook of You Can Pray for just £5 until midday Thursday. Simply use the code ycpe0514 at the checkout.
Evangelist John Chapman once remarked that the surest way to halt the conversation at a dinner party was to turn to your host and ask them: "Have you given any thought to your death recently?" People just don't want to talk about dying.
You Only Live Once! is a statement shortened to YOLO - a tag that Twitter user to justify anything at all. But a survey revealed last week that, while people are more than happy to talk about the upside of that statement, they are far more reticent to admit to the downside. After this one life, we die.
This is the theme of a campaign by the Dying Matters Coalition, set up by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC) in 2009. This year’s theme is ‘You Only Die Once‘ – Twitter users are being asked to tweet with the #YODO hashtag during the awareness week that has just finished.... continue reading
Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.'
Luke 6:20-23
In the development of the Discovering Jesus course, the material was extensively trialled among a wide variety of people and situations. Here is the story of one woman who took part in one of these trial courses:
I was invited to take part in a course called Discovering Jesus Through Asian Eyes. I am from a Muslim family, but there were two other girls from a Hindu background who were also interested in Christianity.
The course answered a lot of questions that the majority of Asians ask about Jesus and faith in God. It was very relaxed and enjoyable as we talked about these questions and looked at passages in the Bible. What amazed me was to discover that believing in Jesus is very different from the rules and beliefs that I had tried to follow.
It became evident that many of my ābeliefsā were based more around culture and man-made rules. For me, having clear words from God from the Bible strengthened my belief that there is a living God.
As each session went by, I realised that I didnāt have to change who I was; my Bengali culture, my relationships, clothing, or the food I liked, to be a follower of Jesus Christ. All I needed to do was claim Jesus as my saviour, I could be the same person for my family and for myself.
I have never felt such peace in God. Now I know the Holy Spirit is guiding me, giving me peace, wisdom, courageāand I just feel so loved. I donāt feel lonely anymore.
This is an extract from the booklet Jesus through Asian eyes now available from The Good Book Company.
In this noisy world with so much busyness engulfing us, sometimes it feels impossible to find quality time with the Lord. The pressures of life seem to "block our path" to a fulfilling prayer life.
Then we give in. We let our prayer times diminish week-on-week. And wonder why there is so much wrong in the world - and in us.
Then there are those moments when our world collapses - something goes horribly wrong - redundancy, bereavement, debilitating illness... People avoid us because they don’t know what to say.
We know we need God desperately. But somehow even God Himself seems strangely silent. Want to know why?
A Praying Life is an honest look at the difficulties of prayer, unanswered prayers, and successes in prayer. Readers will appreciate Paul Miller's down-to-earth approach and practical nature. Parents will find his family-life experiences especially helpful.
Get it here for £7.14, that's 35% off! Use the code apl605 at the checkout. Offer expires midday 19th May 2014.
