What sermons or Bible talk do you remember most? It's a really important question - and not just for you.
There are moments in sermons when God's Spirit speaks to us with such clarity and simplicity that they become turning points for our spiritual lives. There are moments when things just go "click" in our minds, and what was cloudy or opaque becomes suddenly crystal clear. It's what every preacher longs for, prays for, works for as they prepare week by week, and as they strive to develop and improve their craft.
My own observation is that it is the simplest and clearest of talks that have remained with me over the years. Of course I love to hear a talk that is filled with deep thoughts, has impressive cultural and biblical cross references, and stretches my thinking and understanding. But the ones that have stuck with me; the ones that have made a conscious change to my direction or motivation in following Christ have all had this in common: they were plain, simple and clear.... continue reading
"I'm now far better equipped to lead my home group"
"An invaluable way to prepare for my first steps into preaching"
"I can't tell you what a difference my studies have made. Life has bee awful recently - but having the nature and character of God firmly fixed in my mind helped me through"
"It's the highlight of my week - a great way to spend my retirement"
Just some of the comments made by students on the Moore College Certificate in Theology course offered by The Good Book College.... continue reading
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:4-10
Many of us spend more time in the workplace than anywhere else. Yet we can too easily make following Christ a matter of personal devotion and church activity. The nine to five routine becomes divorced from our Christian life.
The world of work is becoming increasingly competitive and insecure. We often have nagging doubts and questions: Why am I doing this? Why is it so hard? And is there anything I can do about it?
The routine is the same: get up and get to work. Our commute is a fog. Sometimes our day is too. And many of us find ourselves wondering, is there really a point to all this? It seems like work is, at best, a necessary evil. But is that how we should view work? More importantly, is that how God views work?
In Every Good Endeavour, Tim Keller puts his insights into a book for readers everywhere, giving biblical perspectives on work and such pressing questions as:
Where most books on the subject of work end up swinging one way or the other - work is either a necessary evil or work is our "god", Every Good Endeavour reminds us that while we will not have a meaningful life without work, we cannot say that our work is the meaning of life. But our work, whether secular or sacred, is a chief means by which we can glorify God.
Get it HERE with 30% off.
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Work was going well. Yes, very well indeed.
Jim couldn't stop himself rubbing his hands together as he cast his eye over the latest monthly figures. His timber yard was bustling with energy, and the shouts of the foreman and the sound of sawing came through the open window.
But he had a problem to deal with. He had seen only growth for the past three years, but would it continue? Lots of building work going on. And lots of rebuilding work too. There were always places that burned down in the hot summers - and there were plenty of louts around who were happy to set fire to places for fun. But there was a cloud on the horizon. His best customer had just finished his massive project and, unless he decided to start something else equally ridiculous, it would drop his income by a quarter the next year.... continue reading
1. Holy infographics: the bible visualised
Interesting infographics from the Guardian newspaper Data Blog.
2. Seven Ways for Busy Moms to Get in the Word
Helpful tips for busy mums and for anyone else too.
3. How to Criticise a Preacher
Ten thoughts from David Murray on how to give constructive feedback to preachers.
4. Infographic: America’s Busyness Epidemic
An infographic from Crossway with 8 things you may not know about busyness in the USA.
5. Confession Connects Us to Christ
A thought-provoking post on the topic of confession from Joe Thorn.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, an interview with Bake through the Bible authors, Susie Bentley-Taylor and Bekah Moore, about their book which was released yesterday:
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Last week I watched two mums exploring the Bible with their sons. They were fulfilling their biblical responsibility for the spiritual education of their children – and it was great fun!
Bekah and Susie have two children each. They knew they wanted to read the Bible with their children from a young age, and also to help them grasp the big picture of the Bible storyline. But they couldn’t find anything to help them do this. So they wrote it themselves. The result is Bake through the Bible – a 20-story Bible overview for toddlers, supported by cooking activities.
The idea is simple, but also brilliant. There’s a retelling of the Bible story – carefully written at the right level for pre-schoolers, while also staying biblically accurate – followed by a prayer. Then there’s a fun (often messy!) baking activity to do together. While you bake, there are some simple discussion questions to reinforce the meaning of the story. And when it’s time to eat, there’s one final question to pull it all together.
Susie and Bekah made Creation Cookies with their sons Joshua and Simeon. Watching the boys with their hands in the bowl mixing the dough was brilliant – they obviously loved it – then rolling the dough, pressing in the cutters and decorating the final cookies. And quite a lot of eating of the dough. All the way through they chatted about the wonderful things God made, as they cut out trees, stars, ducks, people, cows…
We filmed them doing all of this, with Joshua and Simeon turning out to be natural film stars. It was so great that I kept wanting to join in rather than stay behind the camera.
So was it just fun? Or did it help these young boys grasp something of the wonder of the creation account? I’ll leave the last word to Joshua (aged 2):
Susie: “What must God be like if He made all these wonderful things?”
Joshua: “Amazing”
Job done.
Do you ever get that sinking feeling on a Sunday? That heaviness in the heart which means just one thing: you don't want to go to church.
Maybe it's the people in your congregation - one or more of them has caused you hurt. Maybe, it's a sermon series that seems to be dragging. Or, dare I say, a minister that is driving you nuts with decisions that you don't understand. Of course, it may be that God is convicting you of some sin or throwing some difficult circumstances your way and your heart has become hard instead of submitting to his sovereign and good will. Maybe you have some key questions that you want answering - but the answers aren't coming at the moment. And the temptation is to stay at home for one week, or a month, or maybe just drift off until you feel more positive.... continue reading
