“It’s my job to correct God’s mistakes”. So says a surgeon in South Korea who specializes in sex-change operations.
There are those who are tormented day and night with an overwhelming conviction that they have been given the wrong body. It’s not a passing phase. Often it starts in early childhood. There’s a deep conviction that they are men not women – or, more commonly, women not men. And the feelings that flood their minds rarely ease.
In the face of such struggles, it’s not surprising some question the basis of their pain. Is the mismatch they experience between body and mind an accident of nature? Is it their fault? Is it a product of society’s dysfunction? Or has God slipped up in their case and simply got it wrong?... continue reading
Do you want to get your church reading more? Do people pass by your bookstall (if you have one) without a second glance? Do your brothers and sisters struggle to find the time or motivation to read?
The Good Book Company is here to help…
I am a member of a church that wouldn’t consider itself a reading church. Yes we have had a bookstall for many, many years, but it isn’t in a prominent position and can be easily overlooked. Once upon a time we also did regular book reviews from the front but that too dropped off.
So how do you get a non-reading church like that to a place where books and resources are of interest? Well, this is how my church did it.... continue reading
1. Gospel Centred Life ebook - just £1!
Get the ebook version of Gospel Centred Life by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester for just £1!
2. How to Memorise Entire Books of the Bible
Jemar Tisby looks at some principles and methods for memorise Scripture.
3. Changing Hearts 2014 Audio
Listen to the audio recordings from Changing Hearts 2014.
4. 7 Things a Good Dad Says
Tim Challies looks at these 7 things for Dads.
5. 7 Reasons to Slow Down Your Sermon
7 reasons why "space in preaching - slowing down - is a gift."
6. And finally...
This week's video of the week, ‘Egg: An Easter Meditation’ from Christ Church Central Sheffield:
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
How can ordinary Christians live the truly extraordinary life to which God calls us? By focusing our attention on the grace of God shown to us in the gospel! Have you ever noticed how everyday problems and experiences can be transformed when the cross of Christ becomes the motive and measure of everything we do?
The Gospel Centred Life shows how every Christian can follow the way of the cross while experiencing the grace of God in Christ. This is a great resource for individuals, small groups or whole churches and is sympathetic to the struggles we all encounter.
Read more and get the ebook HERE for just £1. Simply use code gcl0414 at the checkout.
As in Genesis, "Noah" the movie starts with judgment and ends in mercy. But while the judgment is God's, the mercy is man's, and that's the fundamental flaw with this latest Hollywood blockbuster from Paramount. But does that mean it has no merit?
"It won't be biblically faithful" I was warned. Well, no, it wasn't. But I never expected it to be. Hollywood is in the business of telling stories, not giving a faithful exegesis of Scripture. This was "art inspired by the Bible"; and the art was great. A strong plot led to unexpected jeopardy, even when we think we know how the story ends. The character development was powerful; the acting pretty good; the special effects every bit as special as expected; and the flood itself, terrifying.
The landscape was barren - caused apparently by men building "industrialised cities" - and only Noah and his family live carefully from the land, just harvesting what they need. As vegetarians, their clothes are woven (no leather) - in varying shades of brown – and yet strangely western. They wouldn't look out of place at a music festival.... continue reading
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9:38)... There's so much to do, so many people who need to hear about Jesus. So why not take a moment this Spring to refresh, reorientate and get equipped for the mission ahead? There are a load of great conferences coming up in April and May. Go on, treat yourself to a great day out that will help you serve ever more faithfully in the Kingdom ...
For Everyone:
May 2-5 - Bible by the Beach at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
For Men:
April 26 - London Men's Convention at Westminster Central Hall, London
May 10 - Northern Men's Convention at The Armitage Centre, Manchester
For Women:
May 17 - South Central Women's Day at St Mary's Maidenhead
For Everyone Excited by Church Planting:
May 17 - Deep (looking at the life of Jonathan Edwards) at Union Hall Evangelical, Manchester
May 21 - Planting for Christ at Dundonald Church, SW London
For Musicians:
May 17 - Music Ministry Conference, Sheffield
For Young People (11-14):
May 17 - Sorted Nano, at St Helen's Bishopsgate
In that day you will say:
‘I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself,
is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation.’
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:1-3
My son is nearly two—he delegated to me the task of buying his mother a Mothers’ Day card and writing a message in it. I’m coaching him to say “Thank you mummy” on Sunday (it will come out, at best, as “Thar Thaw Mummeeeee”).
But what do I hope he will say thank you for, in twenty years, as he looks back on having grown up with a Christian mother? Here’s what I’d love him to say as a 21-year-old, as he gives his mum some Mother’s Day chocolates (chocolates, not flowers, son—chocolates tend to get shared with husbands, flowers just get looked at on mantelpieces):... continue reading
In Contending for Our All, John Piper tells the stories of three people, Athanasius, John Owen and J. Gresham Machen, who were willing to contend for Jesus Christ in the face of opposition, and to suffer for the sake of guarding the gospel. They are an example and an inspiration to Christians today.
Read more and get the book HERE for just £4.99 until midday on Monday. Use code cfoa0314 at the checkout.
