1. Come Home for Christmas
A short video from UCCF about coming home for Christmas.
2. The Pendulum of Growing up Christian
A great little poem from Nicholas McDonald about the realities of being a Christian.
3. Glen Schrivener and Carl Laferton speak...
Listen to them discuss why Tricky was written; how to have a Jesus-centred approach to evangelism; how Christians can speak about homosexuality in conversations with non-Christians; and much more.
4. Christmas Carols Radio
They play none-stop traditional Christmas carols choral music, with Bible thoughts on the nativity. Listen here.
5. Pilgrim's Progress for Free
Desiring God are giving away eBook version of Pilgrim's Progress for free. Get it here!
6. And finally...
Our video of the week, 'Tommy the Tiger' from St. Thomas Church, Norwich:
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
As the year draws to a close and people make all sorts of Top 5 for 2014 lists, we thought we'd do our own. And add a little competition.
Over the next few days, we'll be telling you our Top 5 selling books for 2014. The competition is to guess the top selling book. We'll send a free copy to the first 5 people who guess the correct answer. Comment on the Blog, reply via Twitter, comment on Facebook. We could let you know all sorts of terms and conditions, but we're all friends here!
Today, coming in at Number 4 is: Questions Christians Ask: Can I really trust the Bible? Barry Cooper's short, readable book that explains clearly and simply what Christians believe about the Bible
We're used to images of the Jolly fat guy who is kind to everyone. And even though he supposedly makes a list of "who's naughty and nice" - he never really leaves the naughty kids off the list - it's just a feeble attempt by parents to introduce justification by works into the Christmas story.
But the real St Nic was quite different, although stories about his life are more in the realm of folklore and legend than accredited
"It's the most wonderful time of the year". Or so the 1960's crooner, Andy Williams would have us believe. And his tune - along with many others sharing the same sentiment - are being piped at us endlessly as we shop, commute and potter round the house. Wherever we turn, we are confronted with cheery melodies, tinsel and trimmings, party invitations and the expectation of some presents to remember.
Of course, there's some truth in the sentiment that it's a wonderful time of year. Remembering the moment when God took on human flesh to save us from our sins is undoubtedly awesome, profoundly life-changing. But that doesn't necessarily make Christmas fun. And, personally, I don't find it hard to think of people who are, quite frankly, dreading it:... continue reading
As the year draws to a close and people make all sorts of Top 5 for 2014 lists, we thought we'd do our own. And add a little competition.
Over the next 5 days, we'll be telling you our Top 5 selling books for 2014. The competition is to guess the top selling book. We'll send a free copy to the first 5 people who guess the correct answer. Comment on the Blog, reply via Twitter, comment on Facebook. We could let you know all sorts of terms and conditions, but we're all friends here!
Today, coming in at Number 5 is: Galatians for You. Timothy Keller's expository guide to Galatians will excite ordinary Christians in their faith and equip teachers and preachers in their work.... continue reading
Psalm 33 gives a simple message to start your week: exuberant praise should mark God’s people!
1Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.... continue reading
Perhaps you come to the end of this week feeling the weight of the things you’ve got wrong. Today’s verses kick off one of the best-loved chapters in the whole of Scripture…
Romans 8:1-2
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
The phrase Paul uses in verse 1 is much stronger than simply saying we are not condemned; it is that there is no condemnation at all—no possibility of it. Not only are we not condemned, we can never and will never be condemned.
Although they sin, for those who are “in Christ Jesus” there “is now no condemnation”—first, not because of their own obedience, but because of the work of God’s Son and God’s Spirit (8 v 2). And second, because the Spirit now works to do what we cannot—overcome sin.
Who was the first King of Israel?
Who was the last king of Israel?
Which book starts, "The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem…"
Which book starts, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia..."
How many chapters does 1 Kings have?
Which king was forced to throw Daniel into the lions' den?
"At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: ‘I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a dish.’" Which King?
I recently caught the tail end of Radio 4’s Today programme. A presenter was apologising for a remark made earlier in the programme. In a discussion about inventions she’d commented that children would probably vote Father Christmas as one of the best ever inventions. A flood of tweets and texts followed. People were concerned that children able to hear the radio as they journeyed to school by car would discover that Father Christmas is only an invention!
The mock-horror tone of the complaints and the light-hearted “grovelling” apology do not altogether disguise the fact that many people today hold very dear a child’s “right” to believe in the existence of Father Christmas. Undermining that belief in any way before the “appropriate” age is viewed as tantamount to child abuse.
How should Christians respond to these expectations? In our over-commercialised, secular culture, where the true Christmas story is largely buried or avoided, it’s not surprising that non-Christians cling to the modern “myth” of Father Christmas with a religious-like fervency. But what about Christians? Don’t we have compelling reasons to be different?... continue reading
In this passage, God gives a command and makes a wonderful promise.
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk,
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labour on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:1-2
God says: “Come—there is free food.” There are two highlights about this promise of a banquet: it is free and it truly satisfies. The invitation is wide open.
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes.
