Though the fig-tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the sheepfold
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
A survey for the Bible Society, released today, shows that almost three in ten children don't know key Bible stories, or if they do, they don't realise those stories come from the Bible. And it's not just the children and young people (those surveyed were 8 to 15-year-olds) - their parents didn't recognise many of these stories either.
So how do we respond to this kind of news? It's easy to tut about modern standards, shake our heads at the state of religious education in schools, and hark back to "the good old days". But here are three more positive suggestions instead:... continue reading
As Christians, we all appreciate that the cross is central to our faith. Jesus' death and resurrection are at the core of our beliefs. The events of Holy week and the final days of Jesus' life are probably familiar stories to us. But whilst we may know what happened way back then, do we fully appreciate and understand what those events mean? The entire Bible pivots on that one weekend in Jerusalem 2000 years ago so we must give it our fullest attention.
Scandalous by D A Carson helps us do just that. It is broken into five chapters, based on some lectures he gave.
One usually doesn’t think of irony as being a part of Jesus’ crucifixion; yet, it’s clear that the events of the crucifixion are profoundly ironic. And that's where Carson starts. Taking the Gospel of Matthew, Carson identifies the following four ironies of the crucifixion:... continue reading
Bill Nye the 'Science Guy' debates head of Creation Museum on evolution, earth's origin
Christian themes in Disney's hit 'Frozen'
Christian stars Kirk Cameron, Natalie Grant blast Grammy Awards
Scotland's same-sex marriage bill is passed
Israel brings Dead Sea scrolls to life with upgrade of digital archive
Sun lawyer: our Christian group at News UK is allowed to meet every week
Disclaimer: The Good Book Company is not responsible for the content of external sites and does not necessarily agree with the content of articles listed.
It’s a simple scheme: Buy a miniature of what you want god to give you. Offer god the little replica (alongside some lit cigarettes). And then wait to see if he gives you the real thing… Think I’m joking? Absolutely not!
Clearly, I’m not recommending it - but it happens – in Bolivia, to be precise.
At the “festival of miniatures” those desperately seeking love can purchase a mini marriage certificate … those eager to dump their other half can buy a tiny divorce document. Also on sale: mini children, cars, phones, TVs, piles of wood (with which to build a house) and suitcases full of money. Whatever your heart desires can be found on a stall in teeny-tiny form, all ready to take home as a hint for your deity of choice.... continue reading
“I am so angry with him. I need to vent …”
“I think it’s important that you know what she has been doing … “
“Have you heard the latest? I mean, for prayer… “
It’s a temptation to which many of us succumb. For a few it becomes a habitual sin. And when a sermon or a loving rebuke from a friend opens our eyes to the fact we are a gossip, often we need support … But if someone asks for our help after the service, what on earth can we say in response? Here are a few thoughts …... continue reading
This week we are launching the latest title in our "How to ... " series: Eternity Changes Everything. Here's a sneak peak extract to whet your appetite ...
In early 2004, I met a young lady named Emma Hutchinson and promptly fell in love with her. I knew within a couple weeks that this was the girl I wanted to marry and grow old with.
There was just one problem: she was nowhere near so sure! Thankfully, my dogged persistence paid off, and we eventually started dating. As time went on, I became more and more sure that Emma would be an amazing wife—but not nearly so sure that she would actually ever be my wife. So, when, 18 months after we met, I got down on two knees to propose to Emma (yes, I know it’s supposed to be one knee, but I was really nervous) and she said yes, my world changed. We weren’t married yet, but now—at last!—I knew that we would be.... continue reading
1. Doubt in Perspective ebook just £4.99 until midday Thursday
Get your e-book copy of Doubt in Perspective by Alistair McGrath for just £4.99.
2. Desiring God 2014 Conference for Pastors Live
Watch the Desiring God 2014 Conference for Pastors live.
3. Compulsive Comparison Syndrome
An interview with Sophie de Witt at Ruby in the Rough about compulsive comparison syndrome.
4. 7 Strategies to Increase Your Reading
Justin Taylor highlights David Murray’s 7 strategies to help you read more.
5. Why I Love an Evening Service
Here are a few things that Tim Challies loves about an evening service.
6. Eternity Changes Everything
A few articles about our latest release, Eternity Changes Everything by Stephen Witmer: How Eternity Changes Everything in Our Restlessness at The Gospel Coalition, Eternity changes everything at Desiring God, and Does your eternity change anything? by Carl Laferton.
7. And finally...
This week's video of the week, the brand new ''Eternity Changes Everything: Trailer’:
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
The revelation by the European Union that corruption and bribery is rife in Europe has come as a shock to many. But it ought not to be a surprise to anyone who takes the Bible seriously.
I remember being shocked the first time I came across this. I worked as a journalist reporting on Middle-East affairs for many years, and stories of bribery and corruption in contracts with Arab states were rife - and often hilarious. One evening I asked a businessman who specialised in medical equipment which country he thought was the worst for corruption. I expected him to mention somewhere in Africa or the Middle East.
"Germany" was his instant, unqualified response.... continue reading
How often is your faith challenged, I mean really challenged? In the course of the last five years i've been in situations where God has really been in control and has blessed me immensely in many different ways. Equally, however, in that time I've been in places where I also wondered where God was, what he was doing and of course, why? It's only looking back that now I can see the answers to those questions, but when you are in the middle of a storm (as I often seemed to be for a while) your mind gets clouded, pressures all around close in and that is when the doubt sets in even though, in our Lord Jesus Christ, we have something more wonderful than we could ever deserve.
Alistair McGrath's, Doubt in Perspective addresses many of the doubts we as Christians experience in the modern world and where these doubts come from.... continue reading
