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Published on Leave a comment on Picking the places of honour

burgundyA Parable (Which May Just Have Happened).

Once upon a conference, an unknown speaker gave a talk to a small seminar grouping. Let's call him the Little Fish.

Later the Little Fish listened to a moderately well-known speaker at a larger seminar grouping. Let's call him the Big Fish.

After the seminar the Little Fish spoke to the Big Fish and shared his appreciation of the Big Fish's ministry. The two spoke for a good 5 or ten minutes but as they left the seminar room together the Big Fish spotted the Biggest Fish.

The Biggest Fish was the plenary speaker for the whole conference, and there he was, waiting for an elevator. Immediately conversation with the Little Fish was cut short.

"Hello Biggest Fish." said the Big Fish. "Are you off to dinner? Can I join you?"

The Big Fish and the Biggest Fish entered the elevator. The Little Fish smiled and walked on alone - praying forgiveness for any times he'd done the same.

 

Published on Leave a comment on Podcast: Why bother with God?

AlanRickmanIn this episode we discuss the hot topic: Why bother with God?

We didn't get on to talking about the necessity of patient and consistent Christian witness over the long-term, but here are some thoughts on engaging the person who doesn't see any need for Christian faith...

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Published on Leave a comment on Intimacy with God – on Union Theology

WEST-Union-Slider

Do you know about Union Theology? It's a very exciting development offering theological resources and, soon, theological education too. Here's Mike Reeves explaining the rationale.

On their new website there are some wonderful resources, have a look around. I've also sneaked on with a paper about intimacy with God. Here are the headings and questions for consideration to give you a feel for the paper:

The God of Intimacy:

Do you see God as enjoyable; as worth knowing?

Does it help to know God as a Father pouring infinite Spiritual blessings onto his Son?

 

The Way of Intimacy

Is intimacy something you’re trying to achieve or receive?

How would your pursuit of intimacy change to know it’s a gift that is yours in Christ?

 

The Basis of Intimacy

Meditate on the various portraits of one-ness listed above – which speak to you most strongly?

Is it possible you’ve ever sought “intimacy” instead of Christ? What’s the difference?

 

The Purchase of Intimacy

Is Christ’s blood atonement at the heart of your idea of divine intimacy?

How is your approach to God changed, knowing that it comes through the death of Jesus?

 

The Shape of Intimacy

Have you known “fellowship in suffering”?

What might the God of intimacy be up to in the midst of your current sins, suffering and service?

 

The High Priest of our Intimacy

If you knew Christ was praying for you in the next room, how would it change your experience of intimacy?

What difference does it make to know that, in heaven, Jesus prays for you now?

 

The Experience of Intimacy

What place does church have in your relationship with God?

How can you enjoy God and serve others in your local church family?

 

The Promise of Intimacy

What place does Christ's return have in your pursuit of intimacy?

How can you cultivate more of that future hope?

 

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Published on 1 Comment on Tweet-os – Now With Added Vitamin Twee

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1John5:11 #EnjoyYourDay

Philippians 4:6 “@trouteyes: If you're anxious and you know it, clasp your hands.”

Groaning under the weight of your “sacrifices” 4 the gospel? Don’t think sacrifice, think sound investment (Mark 10:29-30) #EnjoyYourDay

Feel like many critiques of law/gospel preaching are really rejections of gospel/gospel preaching. At which point we can all agree

‘In the shadow of your wings I take refuge til the storm has passed.’ (Ps57) The storm will pass and the refuge is secure. #EnjoyYourDay

#TheGospel: Not diplomatic immunity for a foreign land. Rescue /from/ a dark kingdom into a realm iridescent with the Father's love Col1:13f

Two lines to use in evangelism: "That's why I'm not an atheist..." and "That's why I'm not a Muslim..."

<< When we differentiate the gospel from both atheism *and* Christless theism, the surprising glory of Jesus will shine

UR: a member of Christ; 1spirit w Him; purchased by His blood; sharing in His resurrection; a temple of His Holy Spirit #1Cor6 #EnjoyYourDay

#aParable
- I have the best IT guy. I trust him to fix *any* problem
- I wish I had your faith
- U don't need my faith, u need my guy

MT “@UCBMedia: If u died&yr body exhumed wd they find God's name written on yr heart?” Nope, only worms. But my name is written on HIS heart

Your connection with God is Not up to yr prayers or yr piety. It’s up to yr Priest. And He ever lives to intercede 4u #EnjoyYourDay

“As I move thru our passage I have 4 thoughts to share.” I’d skip this sermon but my playlist is full of the like. Where are the preachers?

The chief description of preaching in the NT is 'heralding' (kerusso). Would that be the chief descriptor of our preaching?

Preaching is Hollaring. Not Dollaring, Collaring, Drole-aring or Scholar-ing #Hollaring

The God of 'God is love' is not the Three but the Father. The love of 'God is love' is not expressed in a heavenly group hug but on a cross

What kind of God is He? The kind that puts everything on hold because a woman in need tugs at His shirt. #Jesus #Mark5 #EnjoyYourDay

And the next "No kids eh? ENJOY IT!" comment will receive a two hour Bible study on childlessness. #TryMe

God is pulling all things through the cross and out the empty tomb #EnjoyYourDay

You're on trial for killing the Judge's son. He forgives you and offers his daughter's hand in marriage. #Pentecost #Acts2

Ironically, unless you've already seen it they won't let you catch 22 Jump Street

Hurt people hurt people. And loved people love people.

Receive each word ‘our Light & Momentary Troubles Are Achieving For Us an Eternal Weight of Glory that Far Outweighs them All’ #EnjoyYourDay

Preach primarily to the will? Noah and the Whale say: "You can give up anything when you're following your heart" #BiblicalAnthropology

"Tell people about Christ and they'll read their bibles. Tell them to read their bibles and they'll feel guilty." Steve Levy

"Tell people about Christ and they'll do evangelism. Tell people to do evangelism and they'll feel guilty." Steve Levy

The voice of the LORD twists oaks & strips forests bare. Some in His temple cry “Glory”, others question the relevance of monologue Ps29:9

Want to reboot your life? Hold your nose while depressing your belly-button for 5 seconds. Failing that, try Jesus: 2Cor5:17 #EnjoyYourDay

Jesus is your salvation, your clothing, your food, yr shelter, yr reputation. Now those r taken care of, what do u want 2 do? #EnjoyYourDay

The oneness of God is:
1) without remainder,
2) the indivisible oneness of being
3) b/w the Son & His Father in the Spirit.
We need all 3

Update: everyone Loves the polka dots and we're all going to be besties forevs #StagFabulous

The year acc. to Lev23:
Passover => Firstfruits => Pentecost
Wait
Trumpets => Atonement for land&people => Tabernacles
#gospelcalendar

Like Bubba Watson I'm tweeting gospel from the golf course. Also like Bubba Wats... no, that's it :-/

"Why do you call me the True and Better David? David called me his Known and Present Lord." Jesus, Mark12:35-37. Paraphrase.

In History: Incarnation, Cross, Exaltation
In Christ: Flesh, Blood, Spirit
In Us: body, soul, spirit

Genesis: Snakes and Ladders
Psalms: Hide and Seek
#BibleGames

Galatians: Noughts and Crosses
1Peter: Simon Says
#BibleGames

Joshua: Conkers
Romans: More than Conkers
#BibleGames

Leviticus: Keep-Away-Pick-Up-Sticks combo
#BibleGames

Leviticus: Pass the Pigs
Jonah: Keep Away
#BibleGames

I lead. Others unfollow

Joel: Cricket(s)
Revelation 8: Hurling
#BibleGames

1 Corinthians 1: Crosswords
Job 38-41: Hungry, Hungry Hippos**
#BibleGames
**May be an elephant or water buffalo. Scholars disagree

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Published on 1 Comment on Podcast: Does Religion Poison Everything?

god-is-not-great

Christopher Hitchens wrote the book “God is not great- how religion poisons everything.” Is there truth to the charge?

What do we mean when we say Religion?

Is Christianity in a category along with all the other religions?

What do we make of Jefferson Bethke’s video Jesus Vs Religion?

Is religion really the cause of all wars? (Hint: No, only about 7%)

How does 321 help to answer the question?

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Published on 1 Comment on Happy Friday

Alan Partridge introducing the World Cup 20 years ago

Spain in training for their epic showdown with the Socceroos on June 23rd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L786iiv4Ces

Some stunning shots from Daily Overviewoverview brazil

Itaipava Arena Pernambuco
Pernambuco, Brazil

 

palm desert, ca

Golf Courses
Palm Desert California

 

overview Bourtange

Bourtange
Vlagtwedde, Netherlands

 

Reminds me of...

cross from aboveThe Cross

 

redsea6Crossing the Red Sea

 

 

Noah's Ark from aboveNoah's Ark

 

Garden of Eden from aboveThe Garden of Eden.

All created by these people.

 

Published on Leave a comment on Sermon on Faith and Love – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

1 Thessalonians 3

A sermon given in a baptism service.

Just as Paul speaks with parental love for the Thessalonians so we should all seek faith and love as the great signs of spiritual growth.

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Published on 3 Comments on Trinity Sermon

Two boys at work in a field. (Gal 4:1-3).

They look the same, but they couldn't be more different.

One is a slave, the other is a son.  One is property, the other is heir.  One calls the owner "Boss".  The other calls him "Daddy."

But from a distance you can't tell.

In church, slaves and sons sit side by side.  And, from a distance, you can't tell which is which.  But actually there is a profound difference in their relationship to the Father - and this difference is decisive.

Paul writes Galatians 4:4-7 to sort out the slaves from the sons.

At the heart of this difference is the trinity.  If we understand the trinity and our union with Christ, if we understand our adoption into the very life of God, then we'll be sons.  If we miss this, we will live as slaves.

The trinity really is that important.

SERMON AUDIO

Older slides here.

Older Text below...

...continue reading "Trinity Sermon"

Published on Leave a comment on Book by Book: Job

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDVPN7EoPxA

Here are two of my favourite people in the world - Richard Bewes and Paul Blackham - and we're discussing one of my favourite books: Job. Book by Book is a great resource for bible study groups - the videos prompt discussions and the study guides written by Paul are like a beefed-up Matthew Henry for the 21st century.

Programme titles

1 Have you considered my servant Job?
2 Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
3 Someone to mediate between us.
4 Who can bring what is pure from the impure?
5 I know that my Redeemer lives.
6 If only I knew where to find Him.
7 Where can wisdom be found?
8 I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer.
9 God comes in awesome majesty.
10 Now my eyes have seen you.

I've only read the draft of Paul's study guide but it's easily the best thing on Job I've seen.

Go HERE to get the DVD and study guide for £9.99 or get the study guide on Kindle for just £1.99!

There are 22 other brilliant Book by Books to check out - so make use of these deals...

5 study guides for £15.99
10 study guides for £25.99
5 DVD/study guide sets for £39.99
10 DVD/study guide sets for £69.99

Go to Biblical Frameworks for more.

 

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