1. Deep: The Trinitarian Life 2013 Talks
Listen to the main talks from the recent Acts 29.
2. The Front Porch
A new website about biblical faithfulness in African-American churches and beyond.
3. 5 Minutes in Church History
Another new website, this time with podcasts about church history.
4. 10 Tips for Discipling Your Kids
Justin Buzzard shares 10 tips for discipling children.
5. Six Benefits of Ordinary Daily Devotions
Jon Bloom at Desiring God looks at these six benefits.
6. 5 ways to do social media better
Dave Bish looks at these five ways.
7. And finally…
Our video of the week, Andrea Trevenna talks about her new book, The Heart of Singleness, which is released in October:
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
I'm sure many of us have been praying for the atrocities we have seen in the news in recent weeks. The shootings in the states, the blasts in the Kenyan shopping centre, the suicide bombings in Pakistan - the pictures on our TV screens have been horrifying. There have been moments when many of us have been close to tears and churches and individuals around the globe have been interceding for the victims and their families.
But our memories are often short. Within weeks, if not days, our prayers often turn to the next crisis and - unless we have friends who are directly impacted by the events - we rarely revisit the needs of those in news stories past. It's easy for us to forget. But those who survive the atrocities, never do. Recently, I spoke to one survivor of a suicide bombing that took place 3 years ago. He's a Muslim who is currently exploring the claims of Christ - many of the events of the day and his life have been left deliberately vague.... continue reading
I'd been talking about evangelism with a friend's child. And, to illustrate my point, I mentioned that new people had just moved in down the street. I said that I wanted to make the effort to get to know them and planned to pray for them and invite them to church.
I was expecting a barrage of questions. After all, adults always question things when it comes to mission. How will you approach them? What will you pray? Will you build up relationships with them before issuing the invitation? When is the best time to call? Won't they think you odd? Aren't you scared? ... But the questions didn't come. Instead, I got 5 words that stopped me in my tracks.
What are you waiting for?... continue reading
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 103: 1-4
We live (whether we like it or not) in a world where Christianity is being marginalised more and more. Fewer people have any intention of going to Church. Indeed many people these days only ever use Christ's name as a swear word. In addition, many anti-God organisations and movements seek to destabilise faith by sowing doubts. And how many of us have been drawn into that arena of self-questioning? I know I've been there.
It can also seem like many other Christians are full of faith and never struggle with doubt - making it hard for those of us who do admit to it. Doubt is not exactly a cheery subject, but reading Martin Ayers' book, Keep the Faith, left me cheered. God is surely ruler of all and his sovereignty is never in question.
Martin wants us to think differently about our doubts. Drawing from John's Gospel and the letter to the Romans, he gets us to see that no-one has neutral thoughts about Jesus and the truth of Christianity. We're either drawn to Jesus or we're trying to suppress the truth of the gospel. Christians shouldn't be surprised then that so few people believe the good news of Christ, and we shouldn't be afraid to address our doubts head-on. From there Martin goes on to offer great wisdom on what to do when we're suffering from doubt.
It's a short, accessible read and one that will certainly lift the heart in praise to God for saving us through Jesus.
Get it HERE at 20% off.
Evangelicals largely believe prayer can cure mental illness, survey finds
14 Things Americans Think About The Bible In 2013
Rick Warren opens up about son's suicide in exclusive interview
Atheist Sunday Assembly branches out in first wave of expansion
Miss America fits in at tiny, conservative college
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.
There's nothing more depressing for a home group leader than members who don't show up.
Sometimes it's inevitable - people who have jobs that take them away. People who are part of messy, chaotic families. People who struggle with illness. We should cut them slack.
But then there are those for whom the weekly Bible study just does not appear to be a priority. How can we encourage them?
Perhaps the root of the problem is that these friends often view homegroup as just another "event" that we show up to for our own enjoyment or benefit. And because it is mentally filed as such, it immediately becomes optional. It is thrown out in favour of a drink with friends, a desire to work late, a vague feeling of tiredness, or a TV programme they would rather stay home and watch. The key to changing their discouraging attendance pattern is to change their thinking about what a homegroup really is.... continue reading
1. St. Helen's Training: Bible Overview, Part 1 and 2
Part 1 and 2 of a new Bible overview video series from St. Helens Bishopsgate.
2. 10 questions for better Bible study
Some useful questions to go through when reading the Bible.
3. Free PDF: Acting the Miracle
A free PDF, 'Acting the Miracle' by David Mathis and John Piper.
4. What Are the Essentials of the Christian Faith?
Kevin DeYoung looks at ten essential christian behaviours and ten essential christian beliefs.
5. Infographic: 3 Dangers of Busyness
An infographic from Crossway about busyness.
6. And finally…
In case you missed it, our video of the week for a second week running, an interview with Bake through the Bible authors, Susie Bentley-Taylor and Bekah Moore:
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
Below is an engaging book review from our friends at the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood on Sam Allberry's, "Is God Anti-Gay?" The original review appeared on their blog here and is written by Chris Sarver.
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On campuses across the United States, the number of believing college students who have confided with their friends, pastors, and campus ministers that they struggle with same-sex attraction (SSA) is on the rise. For instance, on a 2013 summer missions project, nearly one in five male and female college students anonymously indicated that they had in the past engaged in “some sort of sexual activity with a person of the same gender.” Likewise, over the course of the last decade, I have seen a distinct rise in the number of students who have cyber-sexed with others of the same gender or viewed homosexual-themed pornography.... continue reading
Oliver Barclay, second General Secretary of IVF/UCCF, died on 12 September 2013, aged 94.
He was born in Kobe, Japan, on 22 February 1919, the son of Joseph Gurney Barclay (who served with what is now the Church Mission Society). His great grandfather was the MP Thomas Fowell Buxton who campaigned with William Wilberforce as part of the influential Clapham Sect.
A memorial service will be held in Leicester on Saturday 5th October (see details at the end of this obituary).
Oliver first joined the small IVF team in 1945, having completed a doctorate in zoology. His original hope was to teach in one of China’s newer universities, but Douglas Johnson, IVF founding General Secretary (always known as DJ), persuaded him to defer his departure by two years. As Oliver’s newly-created role as Assistant Secretary took shape, it soon became clear that the universities of Britain and Ireland would instead be his life’s work.... continue reading
