Sam Allberry is associate pastor of St Mary’s Maidenhead, in Berkshire, UK. Early last year, he went public with the fact that he experiences same-sex attraction. And then last June, he published Is God Anti-Gay?, which has had huge sales in both the UK and the US. I caught up with him to see how things are going in his life and ministry.
Sam, I wonder whether it’s easier or harder to fight this particular temptation personally, now that you’ve brought it into the public sphere?
In one sense, bringing it into the public sphere hasn’t changed the way in which I’ve been experiencing it. If anything it’s slightly helped, because I’ve had more opportunities to speak on the issue, and when I’m doing that I’m preaching to myself, reminding myself both what God’s word is on this issue, but also the goodness of that word. So it does me good to be thinking and teaching on it.
But actually the most thing has helped isn’t necessarily being public about it, but being open with friends about it. That’s the thing that has made the single biggest difference.... continue reading
First posted on 14th January 2013.
You may have heard people talk about the “big but’s” of the Bible; for example: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. BUT now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” Colossians 1 v 21-22. But I’ve been thinking about the “yet’s” of the Bible.
I know many people who have had a hard time during the autumn, including illness, bereavement, church issues… Others are facing a difficult start to 2013. And some of us are experiencing both. Which is what got me thinking about biblical “yet’s”. Here are a couple to mull over:
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will YET praise him,
my Saviour and my God.
Psalm 42 v 5... continue reading
1. Captive to Glory (Free eBook)
A free ebook from Desiring God celebrating the vision and influence of Jonathan Edwards.
2. 5 Ways to Pray for Your Pastor in 2014
Ligonier Ministries look at five ways to pray for your pastor this year.
3. Preaching and Preachers by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
A helpful 18-part MP3 lecture series and free PDF resource from Monergism.
4. PrayerMate on Android
A free app to help you organise your prayer life is now available on Android.
5. Some Thoughts on the Reading of Books
Al Mohler shares some of his thoughts on reading.
6. 100,000 Hours: Eight Aims for Your Career
Marshall Segal at Desiring God looks at eight aims that "should drive every Christian career path".
7. And finally...
This week's video of the week, 'God's Word For You Trailer':
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
Being a parent isn't easy. Being a child isn't a walk in the park either. And, even though I am currently neither, I'm often party to conversations that end with a statement like, "not yet ... maybe when you're older". Whether it's a heated conversation with an 11-year old about why they can't play Grand Theft Auto or a heart-felt discussion with a 12-year old about whether they are old enough to stay at home on a Sunday morning when the rest of the family are at church, the question of when you become old enough to decide is a hot topic.
So, where would you draw the line? Say you're a parent, grandparent, aunt or youth leader to a 12-year old. Would you let them choose their clothes? Their menu? Their school? Their hobbies? Their attitude to cleaning their teeth? Their attendance at church youth group? The colour of their hair?
How about their right to die ...? No, really, I'm not joking. Would you let them choose to die under medically controlled conditions if they were suffering with a terminal condition?... continue reading
What would you guess this is a photo of? A cloud of butterflies against an exotic sunset? A man taking home the fruits of a hard, but satisfying, day’s labour?
What this photo really shows is a swarm of migratory locusts, which last year destroyed a massive 25% of Madagascar’s food crops and put the food security of 13 million people at risk. So what looks beautiful at first glance is actually life threatening.
And the sack that the man is carrying is full of dead locusts which he has spent the day catching; so the photo also reflects a futile toil. How discouraging to be under the weight of that heavy sack, while seeing all around you that the threat to your livelihood continues unabated, despite your best efforts.
Maybe, just over a week into the new year, you’re already feeling a bit like this man. Perhaps it’s a struggle with sin that’s weighing us down—with each temptation we successfully resist, opportunities to sin keep gathering like a swarm. So much so that sometimes, when you look at it in the right light, sin starts to look less deadly and actually kind of attractive…
But take heart:
“This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” - 1 John 5 v 3-4
[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, and the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
It was not going well.
She was a professional, and liked to tie everything down. Her team knew what was expected of them, and had worked enough big events not to get in a panic when something went wrong.
She'd handled drunks and accidents, and the time when the chicken turned out to be decidedly "off". She'd even stepped in and rescued the situation when a fight broke out between the two families.
Who'd be a wedding planner?... continue reading
Stuck on the sofa over the past week with a horrible bug, I've been able to indulge in a few TV favourites. One blast from the past that never fails to please is an episode or two of Frasier: a sitcom about about radio psychiatrist whose life is gloriously ridiculous. His catchphrase is well-known to fans across the globe: "I'm listening" starts every one of his radio shows, uttered in the silky smooth tones that only talented actors can muster. It's a phrase that is, at times, spoken insincerely but he tries... when on air, he wants to be there for his listeners.
The way we listen to someone shows a lot about our relationship with them:
You can always spot a young couple in the first flush of love. They hang on each other's words with eyes wide open. Even the most mundane of communications is met with delight because the mere sound of the other person's voice brings warmth to the heart.... continue reading
A look back at the On to a Good Thing highlights in 2013.
1. LivingOut
From the end of last year, a brand new website full of stories, answers to questions, and recommended resources from a group of Christians who experience same-sex attraction
2. A Passion For Life
In July last year we highlighted the A Passion For Life website ready for March and April this year.
3. TGC Worship
In June we shared a new blog from The Gospel Coalition, and in May, we shared the media from The Gospel Coalition's 2013 National Conference.
4. St. Helen's Training and Preaching Matters
Throughout 2013 we posted a number of resources from St. Helen's Training and Preaching Matters from St. Helen's Bishopsgate.
5. The Good Book Company Infographics
In March we put all our infographics in one place.
6. OnetoOne Bible Reading
In the first On to a Good Thing of 2013 in January we highlighted a great website from our friends at Matthias Media.
7. And finally...
Our video of 2013, and this week's video of the week, 'An interview with Sam Allberry':
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
If you live in North America or Europe, chances are that your life is difficult right now.
Bitter cold and deep snow mean that life is grinding to a halt in many places. The same storms then cross the Atlantic and dump vast quantities of water on the already drenched UK and Europe. The gales whip the sea into a frenzy, and everyone hunkers down and tries to keep warm and dry. I am keeping a daily watch on flood warnings – my aged Dad lives right next to the River Severn in Worcester (UK) and may have to move out at any time.... continue reading
