Ken Roach, Stuart Hall, Dave Lee Travis and many other celebrities from the 60s, 70s and 80s are all in the news for the wrong reasons just now. Following on from the Jimmy Saville scandal a string of well known public faces have been found to have found their past exposed for all to see. Sexual abuse, under age sex and indecent assault are among the offenses that have been said to have taken place and in some cases admitted.
All those named above are men, but lust and sexual desire isn't just a guy problem — it's a human problem. And we don't need to have committed a crime to know that our desires are all too often outside God's design. Sexual intimacy needs to be rescued from lust so we can experience it as God intended.
Joshua Harris says our generation is one bombarded by images of sexual sin. In his book Sex is not the Problem (Lust is) he shares his own struggles and suggests ways to fight back against lust with your own personal plan.
Get the book here - for just £6.74 using code sal0305 - thats 25% off until 7th May.
Google 'as trusted as the Church' by Britons
Obama Cleanses Day of Prayer of Christianity
Extravagance of Methodism founding father Charles Wesley's wife
Pentagon May Court Martial Soldiers Who Share Christian Faith
Single people feel 'ignored and lonely' at Church
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.
Spotted this car on my way into work this morning, and momentarily wondered if it were Daniel Craig or Matt Damon at the wheel. But it did get me thinking.
Why do people buy personalised number plates? For some it's an opportunity to make others smile. Others just spell out random funny words: LA54GNE, W4LLY or B1NGO. Others have a marketing message - G0 0GLE. There has even been one spotted with altogether darker intent: J1 HAD. But for most, it is surely all about an ego boost. They are known as "Vanity plates" for a reason.
But those who have experienced the grace of God in Christ should never boast about themselves:
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6 v 14
So it got me thinking - what number plate would I put on my car that either admitted my own weakness (WAL 1Y might work), or else said something meaningful about God and the Gospel?
Your suggestions below please...
There are few things as exciting as growing as a Christian. What better way to spend time than learning more about God, falling more deeply in love with God and getting equipped to serve him better?
Of course, there are many ways to do that. But we thought we'd flag up a few conferences that may well inspire, encourage and equip you this Spring.
Northern Men's Convention 2013
Sorted: Nano 2013
London Men's Convention 2013 - Late
Planting for Christ 2013
Sheffield Music Ministry Conference 2013
Bristol Men's Convention 2013: Nothing to Fear
Confidence in Christ: Peninsula Women's Conference 2013
Just follow the links to book your place.
1. 15 Measurements of Whether Americans Are Post-Christian (Infographic)
An infographic showing the findings of the Barna Group.
2. The Ministry of Hospitality
A whole series from Feathers in our Nest on the topic of hospitality.
3. New Daily Devotional Website
Desiring God's daily devotionals, Solid Joys, now available on a new website.
4. Taking It All In
A really helpful post from Joe Thorn on taking in God's Word.
5. 10 Tips for New Church Planters
20schemes shares 10 tips on church planting.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, Pete Woodcock talks about the Jesus and You series of evangelistic courses:
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
"We know from the facts and figures the average age of starting to watch pornography is about 11." So runs a sentence in a recent BBC article.
Of course, not every 11 year old is watching porn. But it seems some are. And as children progress through their teens, it is more and more likely that they will engage with pornographic material. There's so much out there - in magazines, in books and, above all, on the internet. No longer are our adolescents having to sneak mags off the top shelf and hide them under their beds, there's a whole world of explicit material just a click away. And - unless internet accountability systems are put in place - a simple "clear browser history" manoeuvre often hides the evidence from the responsible adults of the house.
Much as it would be convenient to do so, it would be unwise to assume that children from Christian homes are immune from such temptation. Whether it's driven by natural curiosity about the sexual experience (which every child has at some stage) or peer pressure to conform to the porn-watching that slips somewhat un-naturally between video-games and eating chocolate at teenage sleepovers, some of our young people will be confronted with the sorts of images that make our hearts sink.... continue reading
That's how one church in Brazil is taking part in Jesus' Great Commission - and they're doing so with the Portuguese version of Christianity Explored structuring all they do.
There is a great hunger for God's Word in South America. The Lord is calling his elect to himself. And it's a huge privilege for us to be playing a small part in that.
So, please do join with us in praying for these Christianity Explored courses in Brazil throughout April, May and June: that the workers will be faithful and that the harvest will be plentiful as the Spirit opens blind eyes and unchains captive hearts.
And do please let us know how your Christianity Explored courses are going too ... you may not have quite as much going on as our Brazilian brothers and sisters but we'd still love to hear your news!
You turned my wailing into dancing;
You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise You forever.
Psalm 30: 11-12
The should you, shouldn't you measles vaccination debate remains in our news headlines. Health officials are warning of epidemics like the one in Swansea all across the country. A catch up campaign to get the vaccine to those who haven't had it is likely to cost the NHS £20 million and 1.2 million vaccines are ready to go. Children in the age range 10 to 16 are the main focus of the this activity as they are most likely to have missed the original round of jabs.
Parenting decisions like those that had to be made back in the 90s when faced with conflicting opinions on the merits of the MMR vaccine are not easy ones to make. How do you keep your children healthy physically, spiritually and educationally too? The world outside out front doors is an ever more complex one and does nothing to make our parental duties any more straight forward.
Tim Sisemore may have some helpful principles for you in his book Our Covenant with Kids. It's a great resource which frames some of the issues we face within a Christian, covenantal framework.
Get Our Covenant with Kids for just £5.19 - thats 35% off - with the discount code ock2604 when you place your order.
Offer expires 29.04.13.
Archbishop of Canterbury's daughter: My battle with depression
Vanuatu: The New Testaments Have Arrived!
Christians launch landmark human rights case
Church shelled, seven Christians killed in Central African Republic
Attendance at religious services lowers risk of depression, study finds
Francis Chan Confesses Struggle With Doubt, Says He Started to 'Slip'
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.
