Saturday 31 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 7



For thou, Lord God, art best,
most wise, most high, most mighty,
most sufficient, and most full of all goodness,
most sweet, and most comfortable,
most fair, most loving, most noble, most glorious;
In whom all goodness most perfectly is.
And therefore, whatsoever I have besides thee, it is nothing to me;
for my heart may not rest nor fully be pacified but only in thee.
(A Prayer of Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's sixth wife)

Friday 30 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 6


'The amazing things Jesus does in the gospels are not at all surprising if you believe in the incarnation. If Jesus was fully God... then it would be totally bizarre if the storm didn't go quiet when he told it to. If Jesus really was the Word made flesh, then it would be far stranger if he hadn't risen for the dead than if he had. People who struggle with Easter simply show t hey haven't understood Christmas.'
(Andrew Wilson)

Thursday 29 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 5


'A God who was only holy would not have come down to us in Jesus Christ. He would have simply demanded that we pull ourselves together, that we be moral and holy enough to merit a relationship with him. A deity that was an ‘all‐accepting God of love’ would not have needed to come to Earth either. This God of the modern imagination would have just overlooked sin and evil and embraced us. Neither the God of moralism nor the God of relativism would have bothered with Christmas.'
(Tim Keller)

Wednesday 28 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 4


'At the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross.'
(J.I. Packer)

Tuesday 27 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 3


'That man should be made in God’s image is a wonder,
but that God should be made in man’s image is a greater wonder.
That the Ancient of Days would be born.
That He who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle?'
(Thomas Watson)

Monday 26 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 2


'Because in Jesus God became human,
he is not only the God on the other side of the chasm,
he is the bridge over the gap.'
(Tim Keller)

Sunday 25 December 2016

12 Quotes of Christmas: Day 1



'Infinite and yet an infant.
Eternal and yet born of a woman.
Almighty, and yet nursing at a woman’s breast.
Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms.
Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.'
(Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

Friday 23 December 2016

The 12 Quotes of Christmas



The 12 Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and last until the evening of the 5th January - also known as Twelfth Night.

Starting Christmas Day I've scheduled '12 Quotes of Christmas': a short bitesize quote drawn from some of the stuff I've read this year. I hope you'll find them helpful in stimulating a moment of thankfulness or reflection amidst the craziness of Christmas and as we approach and enter a new year.

They start on Christmas Day. Look out for them. I hope you find them helpful.

Sunday 17 July 2016

A Great Summer Read: The Happy Christian

The summer holidays are a great opportunity to relax and be refreshed after the pressure of work and the general routine of school and home life. It's therefore also a great opportunity for a Christian to read good Christian books and be refreshed spiritually.

Can I suggest one book you might want to take away with you on holiday this year?

I've been very blessed recently by reading David Murray's book: 'The Happy Christian'. It's subtitle sums it up: 'Ten ways to be a joyful believer in a gloomy world'.

The reason I love this book is because it really does do what it says it will do! Murray's starting point is that while Christians have every reason to be the happiest people in the world, often we're not. And so - with great wisdom and a profound understanding of what it is that makes people tick - he addresses ten reasons Christians are often negative and shows how we can have 'positive faith'.

This concept of 'positive faith' is the key theme of the book. Murray shows how this is different from 'positive thinking' and is rooted in understanding and applying gospel truths into our lives. But this is not a dry theoretical  treatise - on the contrary - with creativity, warmth and an engaging style Murray applies the gospel to the areas which often make us miserable Christians.

I must admit to being a bit cynical about the title of the book when I picked it up. I did so thinking it might give me some ideas for a sermon series! But I ended being won over by the clarity of Murray's diagnosis of the things that often negatively affect my own heart and the biblical antidotes he presents. Drawing on gospel truths, contemporary  scientific research, and personal biography, he showed me how I could live in a more positive way.

Each chapter heading is presented as an equation, the result of which is 'Positive+'. So for example, chapter 1 - entitled 'Happy Facts' - is subtitled 'Facts > Feelings = Positive+'. His point in this chapter is that our feelings are often the most powerful force in our lives. However he goes on to show how negative feelings can often be the result of damaging and sometimes sinful thought patterns which we need to identify and address. He then goes on to show how we can train ourselves to have renewed minds by concentrating more intently on the facts and interpreting them with the eyes of faith. The whole chapter is immensely practical.

And this combination of gospel truth and practical wisdom is repeated in each of the following chapters:

2. Happy Media: Good News > Bad News = Positive+
3. Happy Salvation: Done > Do = Positive+
4. Happy Church: Christ > Christians = Positive+
5. Happy Future: Future > Past + Positive+
6. Happy World: Everywhere Grace > Everywhere Sin = Positive+
7. Happy Praise: Praise > Criticism = Positive+
8. Happy Giving: Giving > Getting = Positive+
9. Happy Work: Work > Play + Positive+
10. Happy Differences : Diversity > Uniformity = Positive+

One of the books many eminent reviewers - J.I.Packer - said this:
'Happy is a cheap word nowadays, hardly strong enough to describe the realistic, joyful, triumphant Christian life into which David Murray labours to lead us. His book overflows with earthy, deep-rooted biblical wisdom that many miss but all of us need.'

The publisher's blurb is also an accurate reflection of the aim of the book:
'While the world is awash in negativity, Christians have the resources to live differently and this book helps the reader to better understand what that personally means for their life... The Happy Christian invites readers to shed negativity and become countercultural missionaries by demonstrating the positive power of the gospel in their lives.'

Above all, I found this book deeply REFRESHING.  It's honest and engaging but above all it pointed me again and again to Jesus, and showed me how the good news about him should impact the way I think and feel.

Now to put it into practice...


You can get the print version on our church e-bookstore HERE

For a free chapter of the book, the e-book, and even an app to go with it go HERE

Below is the trailer to give you a further flavour of the book:




Direct Links:
Church bookstall: https://www.10ofthose.com/partners/wec
Free chapter: www.happychristian.net/
Youtube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD9rYB_wxpA&feature=youtu.be

Sunday 3 July 2016

The Referendum Result: A Gospel Opportunity



On Sunday I spoke about how Christians should respond to the EU referendum result. Below is an abridged version of what I said...


'I believe we now have a glorious opportunity'. Those were the words of leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson the day after the UK voted to leave the European Union. 'Above all,' - he said - 'we can find our voice... powerful, liberal, humane, an extraordinary force for good in the world.'

Only time will tell if this vision becomes reality. However  I want to suggest that while the political and economic benefits of the UK's decision to leave the EU are still very much up for debate, Christians have a glorious gospel opportunity to show the difference Jesus makes.

In Colossians 4:5 the apostle Paul said: 'Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.'

In a similar way, in Ephesians 5:6 he said: 'Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.'

As disciples of Jesus, we're to make the most of every opportunity to point people to Jesus and so the way we respond to the referendum result is important.


In Philippians 2:15-16 the Apostle Paul told the believers in Philippi to be 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold out the word of life.'

As children of God, we are to stand out as we hold out the word of life, the gospel. We are to demonstrate the radical difference Jesus makes. In 1:27 Paul says the same thing in a slightly differently way: 'Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.'

Clearly, this is command which applies at all times, but it surely applies in a particular way during times of uncertainty and change. It is at these times that we Christians have the greatest opportunity to stand out and be attractively distinctive in a way which commends the gospel.

In Philippians 2:1-18 I believe we see four ways in which Christians are called to be distinctive in the light of the EU referendum result.

UNITY

One of the inescapable conclusions of the post-referendum analysis is that the UK is a divided country. The most obvious division is between those who voted to leave the EU and those who voted remain. However, it's also clear there were stark divisions along the lines of age, class, education and location.

  • Younger people were more likely to vote IN, whereas older people were more likely to vote OUT.
  • Middle class communities were more likely to vote IN, whereas working class communities were more likely to vote OUT.
  • Graduates were more likely to vote IN, whereas non-graduates were more likely to vote OUT
  • Urban areas were more likely to vote IN, whereas rural areas were more likely to vote OUT.
  • Scotland and Northern Ireland voted IN, whereas England and Wales voted OUT.

The referendum has exposed how divided we are as a nation. Mark Easton, the BBC's Home Editor, put it like this: 'The EU referendum has revealed an ancient, jagged fault line across the United Kingdom... it is far from clear whether the Kingdom can still call itself united.'

But doesn't this give Christians a glorious gospel opportunity to stand out?

In v1-2 Paul reminds the believers in Philippi that they are united to Christ and as a result, they should also be united to each other.

'Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.'

A local church community is utterly unique. The unity factor which holds its members together is not age, class, education, background, or political persuasion. We are united in Christ. He is the source of our common-union. He's the Vine we're attached to, the Good Shepherd we belong to, the Cornerstone we line up to, the Head we submit to, the Saviour we point to.

Last week I spent 3 days with 1300 other gospel leaders at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly in London. The sense of unity in Christ was wonderful! However, scratch the surface and you would have found many differences of opinion on a whole number of issues, including secondary theological ones. Our unity came from a common understanding of the good about Jesus.

Christianity Today writer Andrew Wilson tweeted last Sunday: 'If you really want ever-closer union, or even a truly united kingdom, join the king. One anthem, one flag, one hope, one Lord.'

The referendum result gives churches a glorious gospel opportunity to display the UNITY that is lacking in our society.

SELFLESSNESS

One of the most concerning outcomes of the referendum result has been the rise in incidents of hate crime being reported. Police have said reports of hate crime were up 57% in the days following the referendum.

The Telegraph listed some of the incidents that had been reported over the weekend, the majority of which were race related. They included graffiti being daubed over a Polish Cultural Centre, abusive messages posted through letter boxes and numerous incidents of racial abuse.

One man, David Olusoga, said: 'I've never had a day of so many people telling me to go back to Africa, There are those who have seen this [vote] as legitimising views they have long held but have previously been more cautious about expressing. I think now a lot of people feel emboldened.'

But doesn't this give Christians a glorious gospel opportunity to stand out?

God's heart is for people of all nations and we want to reflect that as a church community by being generous and selfless in the welcome we offer. In v3-8 Paul urges the Philippians to be like Jesus, who put the needs of others before himself.

'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.'

Jesus made himself nothing, took on the nature of a servant and went to the cross that those who were not like him could enjoy the benefits of inclusion in the kingdom of God. If we are going to commend the gospel to others we therefore need to demonstrate the same selflessness when it comes to those who are not like us, both inside and outside the church.

Let the message go out loud and clear: everyone is welcome at Woodgreen Church, regardless of race, age, class, background, or situation!

The referendum result gives churches a glorious gospel opportunity to display the SELFLESSNESS that is so often lacking in our society.

CONFIDENCE

BBC presenter Nick Robinson wrote an article last week entitled: 'UK suffers leadership gap in risky times'. It was prompted by David Cameron's resignation the day after the referendum when he said: 'I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.'

But doesn't this give Christians a glorious gospel opportunity to stand out?

No matter how risky things may seem, we know there is no leadership gap. In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul reminds his readers that Jesus is risen and reigning.

'Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

There is a Captain holding the rudder of history. There is a Leader who's in control. There is a Lord before whom every knee will one day bow. Therefore, we can be confident about the future. In v12 Paul goes on:

'Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.'

If you voted 'remain' and are despondent at the result, you have no reason to feel that way! Maybe there are tough times ahead, but God is working to fulfil his good purposes.

If you voted 'leave' and are delighted at the result, make sure you put your hope in the right place! We don't yet know who will be responsible for negotiating the terms of our exit from the EU, but whoever it is, we mustn't fall into the trap of pinning our hopes on a leader. In Daniel 2:21 - Daniel said of God:  'He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.'

We need to make sure we put our hope and confidence in the right place. Paul tells the Philippians to work OUT their salvation in the knowledge that God is working IN them to fulfil his good purposes.

And what are God's good purposes? Paul tells us in v14-18:
'Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.'

God's good purposes are that we stand out as we hold out the word of life, the gospel. However we feel about Brexit, we can be confident as we look to the future, because we know who is in charge and where history is ultimately heading.

The referendum result gives us a glorious gospel opportunity to display the CONFIDENCE that is either lacking or misplaced in our society at the moment.

CONVICTION

One of the things that marked out both the 'remain' and 'leave' campaigns was their conviction that their side was right and that this was a decision that really mattered. 'This is the most important decision in a generation'. 'This issue will define our lives for years to come'. These were the sorts of phrases that were regularly used by both sides.

This should be an immense challenge to Christians as we consider the gospel need in our country. Do we demonstrate the same passion and conviction about the difference Jesus makes? Over the last few months people have thought long and hard about where to put the cross on their ballot paper, but of far more importance is where they will put the cross in their lives. In Philippians 2:17-18 Paul said he was so convinced about the importance of this issue, that he was gladly prepared to give up everything, even to the point of sacrificing his own life.

'But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.'

The drink offering accompanied other sacrifices at the temple. It consisted of wine that was poured out around the base of the altar, which then soaked away into the ground without trace. Paul compares himself to a drink offering that was being poured out in sacrificial service of the gospel. Like Jesus, he was prepared to be made nothing, to disappear without trace, so that people might hear the gospel. He had a conviction that the decision to follow Jesus was the decision that mattered above all else.

Do we share that same conviction? Do the priorities in our lives show we believe the decision to follow Jesus is the decision that really matters, above all else?

The referendum result gives us a glorious gospel opportunity to display the CONVICTION that knowing Jesus really matters. 


Long before Sat navs were around sailors used to use the stars to help them navigate. Apparently there is  standard set of 57 stars that are used by sailors worldwide in an emergency to help guide them to safety.
These 57 stars were chosen because they’re the brightest and therefore easiest to spot on a dark night.

Paul challenges us here to stand out like stars, so we can guide others to safety, as we hold out the word of life. We are to reflect THE light of the world. We are to commend Jesus.

The referendum result gives us a glorious gospel opportunity to display the gospel UNITY, SELFLESSNESS, CONFIDENCE and CONVICTION our nation needs at this moment in time.


Monday 20 June 2016

How to vote in the EU referendum



This Thursday the UK will make what some have called the greatest decision in a generation.

To quote the (slightly altered) words of The Clash's song: 'Should we stay or should we go?' Should the UK remain part of the European Union or should we do a Brexit?

From what I've read in the blogosphere over the last few months Christians are pretty evenly split over the issue. From what the pollsters tell us there are also a significant number of people who remain undecided and these people will probably decide the outcome. Maybe you are one of those and you are a Christian. This post is for you. It's also for you if you've decided how you're going to vote or have already sent in your postal vote. That's because the purpose of this post is to try to help you vote in a God-honouring way.

There are good arguments for both leaving and remaining in the EU. There are also bad reasons for both positions. Personally, it has felt that the media and politicians have focused far too much on the bad reasons over the last few weeks. But as a disciple of Jesus I want to make my decision on the basis of righteous, just, truthful, loving, wise, gospel-centred reasons. I don't want to be caught up in reasoning that is either bigoted on the one hand or naive on the other. While I am convinced a Christian can vote either way in good conscience, I am also convinced a Christian can vote either way for bad reasons.

As I have considered where I will put my cross on Thursday,  I've tried to think in a Biblical way. What follows are some thoughts about how I intend to vote. (But no, I'm not going to tell you where I intend to put my cross!)


With OTHERS in mind

As a follower of Jesus I am called to put the interests of others before my own. Therefore I should not make any decision - whether big, small, private or public - on the basis of what I believe will be best for me or my family alone. I am called to have a big heart and a perspective that is others-centred not self-centred.

The Apostle Paul appealed to the Philippians to imitate the attitude of Jesus who put the needs of others before his own.

'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.' (Philippians 2:3-4)

Therefore, however I vote, I must do so with others in mind.


With the GOSPEL in mind

As a follower of Jesus I must remember that my allegiance is primarily to Jesus and his Kingdom not to any one nation or collection of nations. I am a citizen of God's multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-national kingdom first and foremost (Phil 3:20) and my primary loyalty must be with the 'chosen people' and 'holy nation' he has called me to belong to (1 Peter 2:9). My primary identity is not racial but spiritual: I am a disciple of Jesus before I am a Brit or a Europhile.

The question that should therefore trump all others for me is 'what will be best outcome for the good news about Jesus?'

What outcome will best safeguard our freedom to preach the gospel in the future? What result will best promote the spread of the gospel? What decision will make evangelism and mission in the UK and in the EU easier?

So much of the debate so far has revolved around issues such as economics and immigration. But as a follower of Jesus I am called to be concerned about one manifesto issue above all others: the gospel and the souls of countless lost men and women who need to hear about Jesus. This is not to say that these others issues aren't important. But the gospel comes first.

Therefore however I vote, I must do so with the gospel in mind.


With GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY  in mind

On Friday 24th June the UK will have decided one way or the other. A significant proportion of the country won't get their way. What happens if I am one of those?

As a follower of Jesus, if the country decides to vote the opposite way to the way I voted I am called to be a person of faith. God knew the outcome of the referendum even before it was called. The result will not take him by surprise and it will be part of his pre-ordained, wise, gloriously all-encompassing plan for the UK, the EU and the world.

Ephesians 1:11 says God 'works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will'

Proverbs 19:21 says: 'Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.'

So whatever the outcome, I am called to demonstrate trust in God. I will have no grounds for exhibiting despair, pessimism or hopelessness about the future. I know who is in charge of history and I know he is good and faithful. I know this because he took the worst decision ever made - the crucifixion of his Son - and wove it into his plan for the world.

Therefore however I vote, I must do so with God's sovereignty in mind.


Maybe you've made up your mind which way you will vote on Thursday. Maybe you've not yet decided. If you're a follower of Jesus you can be sure of one thing come Friday morning: God's faithfulness will not have altered one jot.

'Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.'
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Whichever way you vote, make sure you can justify your decision in the light of points 1 and 2. And whatever the outcome, make sure you bear in mind point 3.


Above all seek to vote in a God-honouring way: with others, the gospel and his sovereignty in mind.

Sunday 24 January 2016

STAND FIRM: Introduction to 1 Corinthians


We're going to be working through 1 Corinthians on Sunday mornings in 2016 under the title 'Stand Firm'.

The key verse of the book is 1 Corinthians 15:58 and this as our motto text for the year:
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
If you want a helpful companion book to read alongside this series you won't get any more faithful, relevant or readable than Vaughan Roberts' book 'True Spirituality', which works through 1 Corinthians. You can order it from Monday on the e-bookstore on the church website HERE .

But if you want to get up to speed with what 1 Corinthians is all about, the following video introduction and overview of the book is quite simply brilliant...


DIRECT LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiHf8klCCc4

Tuesday 5 January 2016

12 BLOGS of CHRISTMAS: Day 12


Hope you've enjoyed these 12 blogs of Christmas.

Want some inspiration for talking to others about Jesus in 2016? I found the following quote helpful.

Why not join with me in praying that we might see some 'unlikely converts' this coming year?
The next Billy Graham might be drunk right now. 
The next Jonathan Edwards might be the man driving in front of you with the Darwin Fish bumper decal. 
The next Charles Wesley might currently be a misogynistic, profanity-spewing hip-hop artist. 
The next Charles Spurgeon might be managing an abortion clinic today. 
The next Mother Teresa might be a heroin-addicted porn star this week. 
The next Augustine of Hippo might be a sexually promiscuous cult member right now, just like, come to think of it, the first Augustine of Hippo was.  
But the Spirit of God can turn all that around. And seems to delight to do so. 
The new birth doesn't just transform lives, creating repentance and faith; it also provides new leadership to the church, and fulfils Jesus' promise to gift his church with everything needed for her onward march through space and time (Eph. 4:8-16). 
(Russell Moore)

Monday 4 January 2016

12 BLOGS of CHRISTMAS: Day 11


According to an article on the website Statistic Brain, these were the top ten New Year's resolutions for 2015:
Lose weight
Get organized
Spend less, save more
Enjoy life to the fullest
Stay fit and healthy
Learn something new and exciting
Quit smoking
Help someone else achieve their dreams
Fall in love
Spend more time with family
But the most striking thing about the list was the statistics that followed it:  
Only 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolutions.
It's yet another reminder that while good intentions are good, they are not sufficient to bring the lasting and permanent change we crave because they lack the power that's needed!

And the same is true in the spiritual realm.

We can have all sorts of good intentions to read our Bibles more, pray more, serve more joyfully, witness more consistently. But without God's help - we're doomed to fail.

In 1738, the literary giant Samuel Johnson wrote in his diary: '
Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth.' 
Nineteen years later, he wrote,
'Oh mighty God, enable me to shake off sloth and redeem the time misspent in idleness and sin by diligent application of the days yet remaining.'
He wrote some variation of this prayer every year after that.

Finally, in 1775, 38 years after his first resolution, he wrote, 
'When I look back upon resolution of improvement and amendments which have, year after year, been made and broken, why do I yet try and resolve again? I try because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal.'
Good intentions are good, but what we need is God's help to turn short-term good intentions into long-term godliness of character.

And God's help comes as his Spirit applies his Word into our lives - renewing us in his image, reshaping the way we think, repairing wrong habits, desires and attitudes.

The Apostle Paul wrote: 
'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If you want to be thoroughly equipped to put into practice your good spiritual intentions for 2016 the solution is not rocket science: read God's Word every day and submit to God's Spirit as he uses it to expose your sin and mould you to be more like Jesus.

And over time, the result will be growing godliness of character, rather than a recycle bin full of failed good intentions.

Sunday 3 January 2016

12 BLOGS of CHRISTMAS: Day 10


Came across this challenging article in the last few weeks...

If you had to summarize your life in six words, what would they be?
Several years ago an online magazine asked that question. It was inspired by the legendary challenge posed to Ernest Hemingway to write a six-word story that resulted in the classic 'For sale: baby shoes, never worn.'
The magazine was flooded with so many responses that the site almost crashed, and the responses were eventually turned into a book. 'Not Quite What I Was Planning' is filled with six-word memoirs by writers famous and obscure.
Here are some of the memoirs that range from funny to ironic to inspiring to heartbreaking: 
"One tooth, one cavity; life's cruel.""Saviour complex makes for many disappointments.""Cursed with cancer. Blessed with friends." (This one was written by a nine-year-old boy with cancer)."The psychic said I'd be richer."This one was only five words: "One long train to darkness.""Tombstone won't say: 'Had health insurance.'""Not a good Christian, but trying.""Thought I would have more impact." 
The challenge of the six-word limitation is its demand to focus on what matters most, to capture briefly something of significance.
 
How would you summarize your life, or just last year, or maybe this upcoming year, in six words?

How would you sum up in six words what you're hoping for spiritually this coming year?


Adapted from John Ortberg, All the Places You'll Go ... Except When You Don't (Tyndale, 2015) pp. 1-2


Saturday 2 January 2016

12 BLOGS of CHRISTMAS: Day 9


If you're a Christian, why do you love Jesus?

If you're not a Christian, why bother with Jesus?

I discovered Emma Scrivener's blog this year. I was late to the party, because she won 'Blogger of the year' last year at the 'Christian New Media Awards'. I am invariably helped/encouraged/challenged/moved by  Emma's  posts. She is a brilliant writer and that helps. But she has also had her fair share of struggles, which is what makes what she writes so real.

The following blog is more like a poem. As we get used to being in 2016 it's a great reminder of why Jesus is worthy of being at the centre of our hearts and lives this year...


Why I love him

He loved me first.

He’s never too busy.

He treated men and women equally in a time when no-one else did.

Everything I love was made by Him.

He invited me into His family.

He will never abandon me or leave me or hurt me.

He knows me inside-out and still, He stays.

He hates injustice and abuse.

He is Lord over all creation – yet He made Himself a tiny dependent baby.

When the soldiers said, “If you’re God’s son, come down from the cross,” He stayed. For me.

He practised what He preached.

There is no-one like Him.

He was exhausted and persecuted yet He still had compassion on the people who crowded around Him.

Everything He has, He shares with us.

He loves His Dad and tells everyone how much.

He sees what we try to keep hidden and He says, “come into the light.”

He gives everything; including Himself.


'One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.' (Psalm 27:4)


Click HERE to get to Emma's blog.
Click HERE to see the original blog post 'Why I love him'

Friday 1 January 2016

12 BLOGS of CHRISTMAS: Day 8


John Stott was one of the most influential evangelical Christian leaders of the 20th Century. He was a prolific writer, authoring over 50 books, including the bestselling 'Basic Christianity', which has sold over a million copies, and The Cross of Christ which was one of the great re-statements of the significance of the cross.

In his biography of John Stott, 'Basic Christian', Roger Steer shared the Trinitarian prayer Stott sought to start every day with.

You can see the original version HERE (it's a great way to start the day). However, I've adapted it to be a prayer to pray as we enter the new year. 

Why not join me today in praying this for 2016?


Happy new year heavenly Father,
Happy new year Lord Jesus,
Happy new year Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Lord Jesus, I worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this year in your presence
and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, I pray that this year I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this year you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen.


Direct Link: http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/trevinwax/2010/03/21/john-stotts-morning-trinitarian-prayer/