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It’s only 21 days until Christmas. Are you excited yet? This year, I’ve been excited for Christmas since July. Let me explain why.
I had the interesting experience of being in a Muslim-majority country over the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr this summer. Now, there are certainly significant differences between the months of Ramadan (no eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset) and Advent (“Woohoo! Chocolate every morning!”). But the whole run-up to Eid certainly felt very festive—a sort of bizarre, very sweaty, Christmas.... continue reading
Congratulations to Nick Howard and Betsy Childs on the news of their engagement to be married.
Nick works as a pastor in New York City and Betsy is the web and publications editor of Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. They both share a passion for the communicating the gospel in the written word. Nick, known as Bernard in the US, has published a number of books, including the excellent The Book of the Covenant with the Good Book Company. Betsy is a regular contributor to The Gospel Coalition blog.
Our best wishes, love and prayers to them both as they plan and prepare for their life together.
The worldly success of ungodly people regularly bothers people who are trying to follow God. This week, you’ll doubt less see lots of people who are rejecting God and doing well out of it—colleagues, friends and even family. How should we react? “Fret not,” says this psalm; and then it tells us why.
Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
he will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret – it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Psalm 37:1-11
Notice the repetition of “the LORD.”
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes.
It’s a great privilege to be called to follow Christ; but it is not an easy calling.
Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Luke 6:20-26
How does Jesus turn our normal view of life upside down?
As a Christian, how have you known:
How can this life possibly be “blessed”?! How can it be happy and contented?! The answer's in verse 23: It’s the reality of heavenly eternity that allows a Christian to look through the tears, to look at their empty bank balance, to look beyond being hated, and say: “I am blessed simply because I know Christ. I may have nothing in this life, but I have everything I need for eternity”.
Of course, the world doesn’t look at life like this—and Jesus has a warning about that.
It's almost advent and some unknowing Shepherd's were about to be visited by an Angel almost 2000 years ago. But how well do you know about other shepherds in the Bible? Take our Friday Quiz and find out! Enjoy!
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Is from which Psalm?
Which daughter of Laban was a shepherd?
In 1 Samuel, which King's chief Shepherd was Doeg the Edomite?
Which Old Testament book mentions shepherds the most (usually referring to their judgement)?
Which minor prophet, whose 9 chapters prophesy concerning the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was a shepherd of Tekoa?
In Matthew 2, Herod discovers that a shepherd has been prophesied by Micah to come out of which town?
In which Gospel does Jesus declare that he is the Good Shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep?
Background: Inspired by David Robertson’s “The Dawkins Letters”, I’m writing a series of short letters to Brian Cox in light of his new series, The Human Universe.
Dear Brian Cox,
I do hope you’re still with me. I’m writing several letters to try and keep things brief – addressing just a couple of points at a time. Seeking to persuade people is a funny old thing. I read with interest your recent admission that, when you went on Newsnight, you used a special underhand trick your friend had told you about – that whenever you wanted to make a point, you waved and thrashed your arms around exasperatedly so that the camera would find you again. I’ll bear that in mind if I’m every on the telly. I can’t do it in a letter. But I hope you’re still with me. So, on we go…... continue reading
Background: Inspired by David Robertson’s “The Dawkins Letters”, I’m writing a series of short letters to Brian Cox in light of his new series, The Human Universe.
Dear Brian Cox,
You’ve certainly seen the world, during your series. It’s hard not to be envious of the stamps on your passport. You’re in the Rift Valley, then you’re watching that Soyz capsule land safely in Kazakhstan, then you’re at a shrine in Kyoto, then visiting Hindu boys at training school in Pushkar. I find myself imagining conversations between you and the finance manager … “No, I’m sorry but there’s really no way I can illustrate this point without going to Easter Island.” Whoever was in charge of the budget must have been mightily relieved when you planned episode 4 and let it slip that you grew up in Chadderton, and not Sydney or somewhere like that!
Brian, though there was lots that I liked about your documentary, my second letter is going to be quite negative I’m afraid. It’s because of what you went on to say about the biblical God – or, more generally in your words, “some kind of deity”, in your episode, “Why are we here?”... continue reading
It's Thanksgiving tomorrow, and so we're exploring that theme in our midweek quiz. Enjoy!
"and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the _____"
"Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you." For who?
How many books of the Bible are there which don't contain any letters in the word "Thanksgiving"?
"I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks." In which book does this appear?
Which epic Psalm contains, "At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws."
Who prayed "God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers"
In the NIV, which book contains the word 'thanksgiving' the most?
What 3 words would you use to describe Christmas?
Christmas in Three Words is a great little booklet by Vaughan Roberts to give away to friends...
