A look back at the On to a Good Thing highlights in 2013.
1. LivingOut
From the end of last year, a brand new website full of stories, answers to questions, and recommended resources from a group of Christians who experience same-sex attraction
2. A Passion For Life
In July last year we highlighted the A Passion For Life website ready for March and April this year.
3. TGC Worship
In June we shared a new blog from The Gospel Coalition, and in May, we shared the media from The Gospel Coalition's 2013 National Conference.
4. St. Helen's Training and Preaching Matters
Throughout 2013 we posted a number of resources from St. Helen's Training and Preaching Matters from St. Helen's Bishopsgate.
5. The Good Book Company Infographics
In March we put all our infographics in one place.
6. OnetoOne Bible Reading
In the first On to a Good Thing of 2013 in January we highlighted a great website from our friends at Matthias Media.
7. And finally...
Our video of 2013, and this week's video of the week, 'An interview with Sam Allberry':
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
As we look to this new year of 2014, it is plain to see that the church has a very different place in our society to that of the 20th century. Where the church was a fairly focal point of both local life and the state as a whole a hundred years (maybe even 30 years) ago, now the church is seen to have no real place in society. We have become a nation that used to be Christian, now Jesus is no more than a name from the past or a baby that appears at Christmas.
This is why this book is important for us to read. Not just leaders of the church, but also the 'everyday Christian.' What Chester & Timmis do is to show the state of the church as it is today and how we 'should do church' in light of the culture we live in. Their argument is for us to show our culture that church isn't a building but a life lived as Christians together.... continue reading
If you live in North America or Europe, chances are that your life is difficult right now.
Bitter cold and deep snow mean that life is grinding to a halt in many places. The same storms then cross the Atlantic and dump vast quantities of water on the already drenched UK and Europe. The gales whip the sea into a frenzy, and everyone hunkers down and tries to keep warm and dry. I am keeping a daily watch on flood warnings – my aged Dad lives right next to the River Severn in Worcester (UK) and may have to move out at any time.... continue reading
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
This time last year, I mentioned six ways to look godly while not growing in your faith — and then spent 2013 battling them, falling for them, and finding several other ways, too. So here, for 2014, are six more ways to look great while doing little…
1. Multitask your Quiet Time
Every day, head off to a quiet place in your house with a Bible for half an hour. It will really encourage anyone you live with, and set a great example. And half an hour is a very long time. A brief read of the Bible, a quick Lord’s Prayer, and you’ve got about 28 minutes left for thinking through some work issues, or writing a mental shopping list, or considering where to go on your next vacation, or even doing some serious meditation with your eyes closed.... continue reading
A new year, a new beginning and the time that many people make those New Year resolutions - a commitment to change something, do something new or stop doing something they feel they ought not to be doing. Every year it's the same isn't it? A whole bunch of individuals, Christians included declaring that these are the steps they are going to take in the coming year. As we also know, very few of these actions last longer than a few months if we are lucky and can normally be seen to have dropped off the radar after more a few weeks (or even days).
However in amongst all the declarations and outpourings I suspect that one resolution you won't or haven't heard is this:
I'm going to stop asking Jesus into my heart.... continue reading
Christians persecuted by Islamists, says Prince Charles
It’s the Gospel truth - so take it or leave it
Christians targeted in Christmas Day bombing at Baghdad church
Churches take to YouTube, Instagram to spread holiday gospel
David Cameron says Britain should be 'grateful' to Christians
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.
If you’re anything like me, the new year brings a time of reflection. Whether you’re in to new year resolutions or not, it’s good to look back and see what has gone well in the past year and look forward, thinking about what could do with changing in the coming twelve months.
One area of my life that constantly disappoints is my prayer life. I’m acutely conscious that my prayers all too often tend to be vague, human-centred, irregular and offered on the assumption that I know what’s best for me and everyone around me. And I know I’m not the only one who struggles in areas like these!
So, in 2014 I’m not so much going to plan to pray as itch to pray. It’s a mnemonic – one you might like to use too. It goes like this. Let’s pray:... continue reading
I know these ways are effective because I have fallen, and still fall, into all of them, and need prayer that I will battle against them every day of 2013.
1. Regularly go away for the weekend and go to a different church
You’re still in church each Sunday. It just happens that no one church family gets to know you well enough to be able to challenge you where and when it’s needed. Being away once a month should do the trick; twice will make sure of it.
2. Be too busy doing ministry to pray or read your Bible daily
This way, you can look busy and godly to everyone around you, while growing more and more self-reliant and self-congratulatory, and never needing to be disciplined in working on your relationship with the Lord.... continue reading
