Tim Chester takes a look at what the Bible says about the practical issues modern marriages face and how our understanding of the Gospel can help shape the way we deal with them.
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Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury – in his own words
Justin Welby speaks of same-sex challenges for Church
David Cameron: I will oppose "aggressive secularisation" of British society
Christian protesters decry Muslim mob's arson spree following blasphemy charge
Christian guesthouse owners find way to carry on banning gay couples
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Having started up and pastored a new “plant service”, aiming to reach an unreached demographic; and now being a “punter” in a young church plant, I’ve fallen into all these traps, one way or another… (by the way, I'm assuming that the plant is Christ-centred, and Bible-preaching. Obviously, the biggest pitfall is not to preach Christ from His word, relying on His Spirit!)
1. Forgetting what you're doing
A church plant is a kingdom-building project; a new structure of bricks in the only building that will last forever (1 Peter 2 v 4-6). Every week a new church meets is a miracle of God’s grace. Every new believer or growing believer is a result of God’s mercy. Church planting is hard, can be lonely, is often slow work. It’s easy to forget what it is that is happening when a new church begins in an area, or reaching a section of society, that hasn’t heard the gospel for years, decades, centuries, or ever. In 200 years, what you do for, with and in that church (whether a pastor or a pew-sitter) will still matter. What else do you want to do with your life?... continue reading
It was cold; I was tired; so I gave in and jumped on a bus. It was packed (clearly everyone else had the same idea). Standing room only. Most were glued to their phones—texting, tweeting, surfing and occasionally even phoning. But then I tuned in to a conversation behind me. Someone was witnessing to the stranger beside him. Brave.
I couldn’t see either of them, so drew a picture in my mind as I listened.
As the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer prepares to bring a swathe of economic challenges and incentives in his budget today, a quick reminder from Scripture about where our true security resides:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-43
1. Major Causes of Death in the 20th Century
An infographic visualising the major causes of death in the 20th Century.
2. St. Helen's Training
Alongside Preaching Matters, St. Helen's Bishopsgate have released a new resource called St. Helen's Training.
3. A Faithful Pastor
Jon Payne shares his thoughts on who is a faithful pastor.
4. 7 Things to Pray for Your Children
Jon Bloom at Desiring God looks at these seven things.
5. What to Do When You Betray Jesus
An edited extract of Passion by Mike McKinley.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, John Hindley talks about rural ministry:
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As human beings we don’t always do a great job at helping ourselves. Whether that’s battling sin, organizing our priorities, taking the exercise we need to stay healthy or keeping our finances under control, all too often we make our lives harder than they need to be.
In an idle moment (or, if I’m honest, a moment in which I was avoiding doing something far more important) I logged on to Twitter and typed in #ownworstenemy. And it seems I’m not the only person to have noticed this trend! Whether it’s a rant about a favourite football team failing to defend and haemorrhaging goals; a student’s plaintive cry that they’ve left reading War and Peace until the night before the seminar or a diet gone astray after the latest trip to the doughnut shop, there’s a whole world of people out there who seem to be shooting themselves in the foot on a regular basis.... continue reading
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come and see the works of the Lord,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 46
