Christians persecuted by Islamists, says Prince Charles
Why Iraqi Christians Can't Celebrate Christmas in Peace This Year
'God is for life, not just for Christmas', says vicar
Judgment Day preacher Harold Camping dies, aged 92
Girl Guides warned to drop 'God' from pledge or face the boot
We will all lose if Christians flee the Middle East
Lots of atheists, more Muslims, fewer Christians and Jews: this is the new America
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The man who predicted the date that God was coming to earth has left earth to meet with God. Harold Camping, who died last Sunday, hit the headlines back in 2011 for confidently predicting – and spending millions of dollars advertising – the return of the Lord Jesus on 21st May 2011. One ad read: “Judgment Day: May 21 2011. The Bible Guarantees It. Cry mightily unto God.” When Christ didn’t appear, he revised the date to the following October. And then gave up.
It is, of course, easy to mock – and many did. Harold Camping was wrong. Jesus himself said: “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24 v 36). The day of Christ’s return is a certainty, but its date is a mystery.
But, in the week of his death, here are three things to say in defence of Harold Camping, and perhaps three things we can learn from him:... continue reading
At number 7 is another post by Carl Laferton, first posted on July 23rd 2013.
Here are five things to ask God for, guided by Ephesians, as you look at the small, precious miracle of creation lying peacefully crying unstoppably in your arms…
Heavenly Father, please give this little one…
1. Faith in Christ.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…” (Ephesians 1 v 18). More than anything else, your baby needs to know the certain eternal hope of a future with Christ. This is the most important thing you can pray for them. You probably know this, but it’s so very easy to pray for health/happiness/a good night’s sleep instead.... continue reading
At number 8 in the top 10 of the most-read blog posts in 2013 is a post from back in January by Carl Laferton.
Sometimes, timing is everything.
And so it was that last week, in the same week, two things happened. First, Sam Allberry wrote a blog:
Jesus is more than worth it, even with all it entails for gay people... Homosexuality is an issue I have battled with my entire Christian life. It took a long time to admit to myself, longer to admit to others, and even longer to see something of God’s good purposes through it all. There have been all sorts of ups and downs. But this battle is not devoid of blessings, as Paul discovered with his own unyielding thorn in the flesh. Struggling with sexuality has been an opportunity to experience more of God’s grace, rather than less.... continue reading
It was 12-foot wide, bright orange and impossible to miss, despite the holiday crowds at Euston station. There was nowhere else to look - it was the bald patch on the guy in front, or the billboard. So I read the ad:
"Less HATING more EDUCATING"
Discover the scientific truths in the Qur'an.
Order your free book.
From then on, my thoughts went roughly like this:
The On to a Good Thing Christmas Special!
1. Feed a friend this Christmas
"A gift subscription to one of our daily reading products could be just what you're looking for this festive season."
2. Joseph: Spoken Word
This year's video from Spoken Truth, makers of The Christmas Chord.
3. 21st Century Christmas
Another video, this time from UCCF: The Christian Unions.
4. Five things to teach your children this Christmas
A list from Desiring God.
5. 3 tips for sharing Jesus with others this Christmas
Adam Ramsey at The Resurgence looks at these 3 tips.
6. Christmas in Dark Places
Our video of the week, from Glen Scrivener, 'Christmas in Dark Places':
7. And finally...
Wishing you a very happy Christmas from the Good Book Blog team:
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
At number 9 in the top 10 of the most-read blog posts in 2013 is a post from Carl Laferton, first posted on 4th September.
​It’s back-to-school week in the UK. Some children are starting a new school; most will be going into a new class or form. Some will have been looking forward to it; others dreading it. All of them need our prayers—so here are five things to pray for a child (or children) in your family, or your church family, as they return to school, based on James 1 v 17-21:
1. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (v 17). Give thanks for this child, for the gift from God that they are. And pray that they would grow in thankfulness to God over this academic year, not taking the good things they have and enjoy for granted.
2. “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…” (v 18). Thank God that there is a word more precious than any of the ones any child will learn or look at in school this year. Thank God that he gives new life through faith in his Son, who we meet in his word. Pray that your child will come to faith, or grow in faith, this year—and pray that you would want this for them more than any educational achievements or qualifications.
3. “…that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (v 18). Pray that your child, if they belong to Jesus, would speak and act differently to those around them at school, because they belong to God’s new creation. Pray that in them, others would see how great it is to know Jesus. Pray that they would be willing to stand out, and if necessary to miss out, in order to live as part of God’s people.
4. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (v 19). Pray that your child: would be a caring listener to classmates, noticing and giving time to those who are hurting or lonely; would speak words which point to Jesus, not to themselves; would respond to being wronged (and let’s face it, playgrounds can be horrible places at times) with love and forgiveness, not anger and revenge.
5. “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word” (v 21). Pray that the word would have more influence on your child than the world. And pray that your child would not believe the lies of the world—either the obvious ones (“Your happiness is all-important”, “Porn is harmless”, etc) or the less obvious ones (“Good grades are all-important”, “If you work hard and obey well, then you are a good person”).
Five things to pray, and five days in the school week. Why not use one of these five Monday to Friday, to pray for a child/children’s school life? And could you share these prayers with others at your church, so that your church becomes a church which prays hard for its children as they head off into the world this week, and every week?
The most interesting aspect of the whole segregated-seating debate is the issue that lies behind it.
Let me say first up, I’m not for segregated seating. Neither are most people in the country, according to the media. You’re probably not, either.
But even when we agree with each other, it’s worth asking: Why? On what grounds don’t I agree with this?
Here’s the Christian’s reasoning. God has created male and female equal, and different. God has told us when and how men and women will (or should) live differently; for instance, women have the ability to get pregnant (Genesis 3 v 15-16—I don’t think this is particularly controversial!); men are called to lead their families if they’re husbands (Ephesians 5 v 23-25—this is a little more controversial…) But, apart from where God has said otherwise, there is no difference—so it seems strange and unnecessary to seat men and women separately.... continue reading
In the last few days of 2013, we're going to repost our 10 most-read posts of 2013. Here, at number 10, is a post from the end of April containing some helpful hints on how to broach the tricky subject of pornography with young people.
"We know from the facts and figures the average age of starting to watch pornography is about 11." So runs a sentence in a recent BBC article.
Of course, not every 11 year old is watching porn. But it seems some are. And as children progress through their teens, it is more and more likely that they will engage with pornographic material. There's so much out there - in magazines, in books and, above all, on the internet. No longer are our adolescents having to sneak mags off the top shelf and hide them under their beds, there's a whole world of explicit material just a click away. And - unless internet accountability systems are put in place - a simple "clear browser history" manoeuvre often hides the evidence from the responsible adults of the house.... continue reading
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98 v 1-3
