The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19 v 7-11
One of the one of the best investments we ever made for Elen was a magnetic Etch-a-Sketch pad that we got from Tesco for £2.99. It might not sound particularly impressive on the surface of it, but trust me the hours of pleasure she got from doodling and creating were worth so much more than £2.99! In fairness to Elen she also loved to share her ‘sketchy’ with her parents and would regularly let me have a go on it. The thing is she only ever wanted me to draw one thing – a duck!... continue reading
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I run a Sunday School for 3-7 year olds. A privilege and a joy in itself.
But it's occasionally made all the more glorious when a child misunderstands something in a revealing way.
Last Sunday, we were finishing a short series on the book of Jonah. An interesting exercise in itself, because most kids bibles miss the point. They do the running away, the storm and the boat, the fish, Jonah's prayer, the preaching to Nineveh and the repentance bit, but fail to do chapter 4 - which is really the whole punchline of the story.
But the moment came at the start when I was reviewing the story so far... "What was the name of the prophet?" I ask. Lots of hands shoot up. "Jonah!" comes the enthusiastic reply:
"Where did God tell him to go?" Silence. One hand raised tentatively... "Vinegar?"... continue reading
"How did you find you way round the traffic jam?"Paul asked.
I was delivering my daughter to summer camp and I was chatting with the old friend who was running it. We'd been delayed and had to find a route down country lanes to get round the a jam on the M4.
"More by luck than judgement" I replied… and instantly checked myself.
I had found my way more by luck than my own intelligence. Not knowing quite where to go, I took a guess at a crossroads and it turned out to be right. But the phrase reflects a worldview where God is absent. It was just "luck". Whereas the Bible tells us that our sovereign God is intimately involved in our world, and that the providence of God is at work even in what we might think are irrelevant details.... continue reading
It was a day that stands out in my memory above nearly all others and not for a good reason. Elen was around 9 months old and had been suffering with a virus for several days. Her temperature had been gradually creeping higher and higher, until one afternoon it reached crisis point and she started to convulse uncontrollably on the floor. We rang 999 and within minutes a medic was on the scene. Moments later Elen was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.... continue reading
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
here is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
(Psalm 19 v 1–6)
For the next week we're giving you 35% off our very popular Bible study guide Work Songs. These studies look at 6 Psalms that help shape our attitude to work.
This offer is only available for the next week so don't miss out!
Many of us have mixed feelings about our jobs. And rightly so!
Work is good (Genesis 2:28): We're created to be workers. And doing a job (whether that's paid or unpaid) helps fulfil our purpose, our humanity.
Work is fallen (Genesis 3:17-19): Our jobs are not as they are supposed to be. We live in a work where colleagues hurt one other; good things too easily become idols and our activity - and the activity of those around us - often becomes self-seeking rather than God-honouring. ... continue reading
Green Party Council accused of vilifying Christian councillor
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Interviewer comments were offensive to some admits BBC
The Vikings are back - to say thank you for Christianity...
American atheists oppose the faith bias in armed forces Chaplaincy
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