Much excitement abounds this week at the imminent arrival of a new royal baby. William and Kate (if I may be so informal) have prepared themselves for this life-changing event in the limelight and glare of the media frenzy that surrounds the royal family.
The rest of us look on probably with a little envy at the plethora of royal helpers who have no doubt created the perfect nursery, who will help out with “chores” around the rather larger-than-average home, and may even take the baby off to give the tired royal couple some time to themselves.
New and not so new parents (and maybe grandparents too) will know that bringing your first child home is more than a little daunting. I remember sitting in our lounge and saying to my wife “So what do we do now?” as we looked at the little bundle in the car seat on the floor. There is no “parenting manual” and even if there were, each child is so different that I’m not sure it would be much help. Parenting can be very much trial and error - we (not the royal we) don’t listen when help or advice is offered, often thinking we know what’s best for our own children and so we struggle on.... continue reading
Churches and gay rights activist alike mark 'watershed' moment as gay marriage is legalised
Christians deserve respect, says Melvyn Bragg
Channel 9's biblical mini-series outrates Winners &Losers and MasterChef
US: Baker faces jail over gay wedding cake refusal
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Dissatisfaction - Desire - Opportunity - Indulgence
4 words that broke the world.
4 words that mar our relationship with God every day.
4 words that will challenge us until the moment Jesus returns.
4 words that defined my choice of lunch today ...
I'll be honest with you, I'm bored of egg sandwiches. Ham is little better. And the salads I make for myself (if I get up in time) are wonderfully healthy but don't always survive the hot and bumpy journey to work well. Lunch is not my favourite meal of the day. I was reflecting on that fact last night. I'd just finished dinner - a much more inspiring and satisfying delight, concocted with the full armoury of herbs and sauces available in my kitchen...... continue reading
I'm delighted to have worked with Sam Allberry on his new book Is God anti-gay? It's a subject close to my heart as I have many close Christian friends who have wrestled with this issue. In any sizeable church there are likely to be two or three present for whom this is an issue in some way.
Part of the issue was the need for secrecy. It is only relatively recently that "the love that dare not speak its name" has become normalised in society as a whole. And as Sam articulates so compassionately in his book, there are still many believers who feel unable to share the nature of their particular temptation for fear of being judged, rejected or misunderstood by others in their fellowship. I am praying that the message of this book, as it is read by whole congregations will start to remove the fear and ignorance which many of us have - and make our churches more intelligently caring in this area.... continue reading
You've seen the trailer. You may have ordered the book. You might have even read it. Is God anti-gay? is flying off the shelves! So, now, why not find out more about the author and the thinking behind the book? Watch an interview with author, Sam Allberry:
1. YouVersion Bible App: Series of Infographics
As the YouVersion Bible app reaches 100 million downloads, The Christian Post shares a series of infographics.
2. Top 10 Tips for Being Clearer
Andy Naselli looks at 10 tips from Saving Eutychus by Gary Millar and Phil Campbell.
3. A Question for Every Elders Meeting
A question for elders' meetings from Kevin DeYoung.
4. Four Basic Principles for "Saturating" Children with the Bible
Four basic principles from Jill Nelson at Children Desiring God.
5. To-Do Tonight
Joe Thorn shares his to-do list to prepare for both sleeping and waking.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, an interview with Sam Allberry, author of Is God anti-gay?:
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
This is an extract from Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allberry - launching today at The Good Book Company.
One of the arguments commonly made today in favour of same-sex partnerships is that what must surely count above all else is faithfulness and commitment. Shouldn’t faithfulness within a relationship be what determines its moral goodness rather than the gender of those involved in it? A promiscuous gay lifestyle with multiple partners and one-night stands might be wrong, but two people who love each other and are faithful to whatever promises they have made—surely that’s OK?
It can seem a compelling argument, and it is increasingly common to find Christians allowing for this kind of expression of homosexual practice. But a number of important things need to be said in response.... continue reading
It's a question that's on many lips at the moment: If the Bible genuinely does teach that sex is only for heterosexual marriage, then doesn't that mean that God is anti-gay?
It's a good question. A great question. A question that, in the current climate, needs a good answer. And so, today, we are thrilled to be launching the latest in our Questions Christians Ask series - Is God anti-gay?
This short, sensitive book, written by Sam Allberry, takes readers on a journey into the key biblical issues at stake in this hotly debated area. But it's no dry academic, text - it also gives helpful hints on dealing with any personal struggles with homosexuality; pointers on how we can lovingly support those who are experiencing same-sex attraction and encouragement to engage, faithfully, with an increasingly liberal society.
Described as "truly marvellous" by Carl Trueman, this clear, but never strident, little book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to be better equipped to live faithfully and humbly in today's confusing climate. Click here to order Is God anti-gay?
Once you've got it, why not join us in tweeting the sentences that you find most helpful using #IsGodAntiGay.
And if you want to encourage others in your congregation to be reading it too, you can download our video trailer.
Football’s Suicide Secret is a programme shown a few days ago by the BBC. It was extremely well presented by footballer Clarke Carlisle, and I was impressed by how balanced it was. But it also got me thinking. How like footballers are we?
Here are some of the main points that come out in the documentary:... continue reading
Today, the peers will be debating the third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Christians have been encouraged to lobby and pray. Last week, a local church was lambasted in the press for allegedly refusing to welcome a homosexual couple into their service. And every day, as such stories get debated in public and private, real people struggling with same-sex attraction get stuck in the middle. What does that feel like? We talk to one evangelical woman who struggles with same-sex attraction to find out.
How long have you struggled with same-sex attraction?
The thoughts began when I was at primary school. I knew I was different at the point when my friends were starting to talk about boys. I wasn't interested. I wanted to find out more about girls. It's been part of my life ever since.... continue reading
