It wasn't the easiest conversation I've had this week. An elderly friend is coming to terms with an unpleasant realisation: she is getting old.
She doesn't feel it. Well, she feels it in her arthritis-riddled bones. But she doesn't feel it in her heart and in her mind. She still thinks of herself as the motorbike-riding, hill-walking, party-loving woman that she has always been. So it seems wrong, so wrong to be considering going into a care home. "They're for old people" she exclaimed. I probably could have been more subtle in the way I pointed out that 88 years and several strokes on, she is no spring chicken any more.... continue reading
I’d been praying for a chance for months. A chance to share my faith with this guy I saw each week after church. But when the opportunity finally arose, I ended up talking about brownies instead of the Bible! And as I left the room I knew I’d blown it. I’d completely messed up.
Ever felt like that? Useless? Utterly unprepared? It’s not pleasant. But at some point in our lives – in school or at home, in relationships or at work – all of us will discover how truly weak we are.
And that’s what Hero (UK and US) is about. Author Jonty Allcock shows how God uses and equips weak people to bring about his great plans with a famous account from the book of Judges.... continue reading
Do you get involved in issues or problems that matter to you as a Christian? Or, if you're honest, are you more normally like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10 v 25-37)? To put it another way—what actually is it that we fear as individuals and as Christians? Are we worried what others will think of us, do we worry what standing up or standing out might cost us, or do we fear that the Lord might not actually love us? These fears will sap our courage and becalm our lives.
And fear and courage were the themes of this year's Bristol Men's Convention. Led and focused by some brilliant talks from Mike Reeves and Rupert Bentley-Taylor, and backed up with Henry Olonga's testimony of standing up for what he believed in as a practical illustration of faith-fuelled courage, this was a day of great reassurance and encouragement.
So, why shouldn't we fear?... continue reading
1. Like a Pub Landlord
Dan Green summarises an article by Paul Levy. "There are lots of similarities between running a local pub and being a minister."
2. The best leader of a church service I have ever met
A helpful article for anyone who leads church services.
3. 8 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Seminary
Some advice from Matt Damico for anyone considering or already in seminary.
4. How to Disciple Your Worship Ministry
A list of intentional actions to disciple worship ministries.
5. And finally…
Our video of the week, the 'Women of Faith 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 numbers are rising by 20,000 a year. 3 million children in Britain are growing up without a father at home. In some communities, well over 50% of the households are headed by lone parents.
Of course, a good number of the lone parents in question are loving, hard-working and in many ways being outstanding role-models for their children. But growing up in a Dad-free zone has its consequences. Father-less childhoods all too often lead to social deprivation, discipline-issues or emotional struggles.... continue reading
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27
Two medical news items caught my eye this morning. The first warns us that by the year 2020 nearly half of us can expect to develop cancer at some point. That’s a scary statistic. But I’m sure you know people who have survived cancer and returned to good health – I certainly do – and the quality of treatment improves all the time. One of the factors in this growing survival rate is catching the disease as early as possible, which gives any treatment the maximum chance to work. So that’s one focus of research – developing tests that will accurately diagnose cancer and catch it as early as possible. Early tests = maximum chance of preserving life.... continue reading
As Father's Day is quickly approaching, it is time to begin thinking about what to buy for dad. Most dads can be very hard to shop for, especially when they don't ask for anything and seem to own everything. Others of us will struggle to think what to buy our dad that is within our low budget and that he will not be trying to give away come Christmas.
Well here are some suggestions for your father this year...
A Few Good Men - Join Joseph, Caleb, Paul, and others as you battle today's temptations. £4.89 thats 30% off!
One to One Real Men - Fathers and Sons - If you're a teenage boy why not give this resource and use it to spend some quality time with your Dad around God's word. Learn together what it means to be a real man. £2.79 - 30% off! Use the code rm0706 at the checkout.
Gospel-Centred Family - Let The Gospel Take the Lead - Take a gospel-centred approach to the family. Get this resource for husbands and wives to ground the family in the gospel. Just £2.99 - 40% off!
All these are available as e-books too.
To see more Men's resources click here.
Gay marriage bill: Peers back government plans
Church of England gives up fight against gay marriage
Atheists challenge churches' free parking permits
Bible outpaces Fifty Shades of Grey to become surprise hit in Norway
Church of England leaders propose female bishops by 2015
Campaign aims to make faith schools open to all
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I'm trying something different at my homegroup this week.
As we're starting looking at the book of James, we're going to read the whole thing in one as a starter to the series. I'll ask individuals or pairs (if enough turn up!) to focus their minds particularly on a specific chapter. But from everyone at the end of reading right through it, I'll ask them two questions:
We'll then think a bit about the context, author and first readers of the letter by looking at the opening few verses and the closing verses.... continue reading
