I have a confession to make. I’m not very good at having quiet times. I know they are important. I believe the Bible is God’s living and active word that equips me for all I am called to do. And I know that building up my relationship with God in prayer is utterly vital. But I’m still rubbish at doing it. And I feel just awful as a result.
I could give you a list of excuses...
But the trouble is, they are just excuses. Excuses that ooze out of my sinful heart.... continue reading
No one is like you, Lord;
you are great,
and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not fear you,
King of the nations?
This is your due.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations
and in all their kingdoms,
there is no one like you.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
It's been kept shrouded in secrecy for years. There have been hints and wild rumours - whispered speculation in dark corners. And there have been those who have made wild speculations about the timing and nature of this return. It will be soon; it will never happen.
But now we know it's definitely soon. Star Wars is coming...
The new movie is about to start shooting in Pinewood Studies, in North London, and at last the details are beginning to emerge. The new movie, to be made by Disney, will feature the same trio of actors that were propelled to world fame through the original movie: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher - plus the original actors who appeared "costumed" as C3PO, R2D2 and Chewbacca - the big hairy Wookie.... continue reading
Our God is a loving God isn't he? A God who will protect and guide us. So how is it that he can punish us for our sin? How can he dish out retribution?
Punishment of our sins is not a popular topic even among Christians well versed in the Bible. We can find it an uncomfortable and a tough topic. Just Love by Ben Cooper is written from a first hand perspective of someone who struggled to come to terms with this area of his faith. Amazingly, we discover that only by understanding God’s determination to punish sin can we truly appreciate His astounding love — unique love that is truly just, yet freely available.
Written with sceptical non-Christians in mind as well as Christians struggling with the concept of a God who punishes sin. Read more HERE and get your copy for just £1!
1. Pray as you travel
If you're anything like me, you'll see many of the same faces every morning. Each day I can be fairly sure I'll cross paths with Marks and Spencer breakfast man in his trendy black trainers (he bought a fruit salad and sausage roll this morning), grumpy grey-haired lady in wrinkly socks (who invariably expresses her discontent at something to a disinterested world) and desperate-for-a-cigarette guy (who only stubs out when the bus arrives and lights up immediately he alights) to name but three. I find their consistency in my life quite pleasing - they bring structure to a part of my day when my brain barely functions well. Who do you see morning by morning, week by week? Why not pray for them? Let your eyes wander along the platform or the queue and ask God to give each person a clear opportunity to get to know God better. Of course, you can pray for your friends and family too.
2. Read Scripture as you travel
I know it's more common to read the paper, listen to an iPod or mindlessly scroll through the headlines on your smartphone but there's no rule. Why not get your Bible out - as tree book or ebook? Everyone peers over everyone else's shoulder at some point in a journey so give them something great to look at. And feed yourself something inspirational as you do. The Explore app can be a great help.... continue reading
If you live in the south east of England, we hope to see you at the Christian Resources Exhibition this year. Held at Sandown Park in Esher from May 13th - 16th, it's a great opportunity to find out what's going on in the Christian world and get some great, free training.
So why not plan to come to one of the Good Book seminars? Or visit us on our stand?
Tuesday 13th May
11am - Dealing with Difficult Disciples
Tim Thornborough gives some top tips for home group leaders.
12pm - New Self
Helen Thorne looks at how people change and the wonderful privilege it is to be involved in pastoral care.
3pm - The Great Bible Bake Off
Join Alison Mitchell and Susie Bentley Taylor for an inspiring and tasty time looking at how to teach children the big picture of the Bible through cookery.
4pm - Dealing with doubt in children and young people
Tim Thornborough helps parents, youth leaders and Sunday School teachers to get to grips with how to listen and respond to children's doubts.
Wednesday 14th May
11am - Changing Hearts
Helen Thorne takes a second look at how we can all be involved in the exciting process of helping people change to be like Jesus.
Thursday 15th May
1pm - Purposeful Paperwork
Ideal for Christian administrators everywhere, a chance to reflect on how we can keep Jesus and his Kingdom at the centre of our administration - with Helen Thorne
Friday 16th May
1pm - How to answer children's questions about God
Alison Mitchell gives some top tips on handling the tough questions that come from under 11s in ways that are biblical and helpful
And do please drop by the stand in the Esher Hall any time (E53,54 and 59). We'd love you to come and introduce yourself, enjoy some of our exhibition deals and take a peak at our new evangelistic course: Discovering Jesus through Asian eyes.
We look forward to seeing you there ...
Banter and the Bible
A great time at the London Men's Convention on Saturday - the last in its current format. The theme was the resurrection of Christ, and the day started with a terrific session with Welsh whirlwind Graham Daniels. He encouraged us from the story of the disciples on the Emmaus Road by showing us how Banter led to Bible and then Belief. Same process with us as we proclaim the risen Lord - engaging in normal, ordinary, everyday conversation, can lead us to opening up the Bible with people through which the Spirit can bring about the miracle of belief.
Seminars: Greening the workplace...
Mark Green of LICC gave one of three stimulating seminars on offer - on being fruitful for Christ in the workplace. Excellent and thought-provoking session that got us thinking more about being a disciple wherever we are. Got everyone talking. Other seminars were led by Pete Woodcock and Dan Strange.
Vaughan and the future
A crackling last session in which Vaughan Roberts pointed us to the future - our resurrection hope in Jesus. Richard Coekin (pictured) finished the conference by pointing the way to the future. This was the last LMC in its current form, and the organisers are considering a different kind of event for the future. Watch this space.
Name: Pope Leo the Great
When: Pope from 440-461
Where: Rome, Italy
So what?
Leo I was Pope from 440-461—but what made Leo “great”? For one thing, he made some pretty “great” claims for the power of the papacy; he believed himself, as Pope, to be Saint Peter’s direct successor and invested with his power. But by many accounts he was also a fine preacher and a terrific theologian.
And this was a period of church history when theology was fiercely fought over. At the time, the church was divided over Christology, the theology of the nature of Jesus. How could he be fully human and fully divine at the same time?... continue reading
It happens in nearly every office, pub, restaurant, park and theatre. That moment when, in the middle of a relaxed conversation, someone suddenly takes God's name in vain. In a split second, our heavenly Father's title becomes little more than an expression of exasperation; our precious Saviour's name a swear word. Sometimes the speaker intends to offend, more often they are indulging in mindless, culturally-approved emphases with little or no thought for anything or anyone spiritual. And as they do, our hearts sink and our palms sweat. Part of us saddened by the devaluing of something so dear to us - the rest, panic-stricken by that niggling suspicion that we probably ought to say something but we have no idea what.
So how can we respond in such situations? It's a question that one of our blog readers posed last week.... continue reading
Our passion at The Good Book Company is focusing our resources on God's word, the Bible.The gospel is at the centre of everything we do and we want others to have that focus too.
I'm sure lots of you will have seen, and maybe even read, some of our Gospel Centred Series of books.The series looks at a number of areas of our lives as Christians, and lends biblical, practical help in those areas. Written by authors who themselves are true to the Bible and pastoring to the situations they are writing about, the books are to-the-point resources to support our Christian living.
We are offering the ebook versions of the Gospel Centred Series for just £1 each until midday on Thursday - use the code gce0414 at the checkout.
This offer is available on Gospel Centred Leadership/ Gospel Centred Life /Gospel Centred Church /Gospel Centred Work /Gospel Centred Family and Gospel Centred Marriage ebooks only. This offer ends at 12 noon GMT on Thursday the 1st May.
