In a world filled with people who are looking to "change their lives" - what is the Christian response?
Of course change is exactly what Jesus does to those he calls to belong to him. Among other things he changes:
But here's the big difference between the change that Jesus brings and the "life change" that many others seem to be pursuing. Consider this:... continue reading
You hear the phrase all the time on TV talent shows. People with a dream. People with a talent looking to break through. People who have lived in obscurity and nursed an ambition; then suddenly found fame, fortune, adoration. Their lives have been changed.
Type those words into YouTube and you find a whole host of videos - many with passionate looking people who promise to share their story of Life change. They promote a massive variety of things that have done that for them: a book, a spiritual experience, a new way of looking at your life, a new way of investing, surgery, confidence therapy, a life coach, a money-making scheme or taking psychotropic drugs in the Peruvian rainforest.... continue reading
I imagine there aren’t many people who don’t know that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Wills and Kate) are due to have their first child shortly. So they are receiving masses of presents. Not so much a “baby shower” as a “baby thunderstorm”. But the one that caught my eye comes from the Finnish Government.
In Finland they have the brilliant idea of giving expectant mothers a baby box, with a wide range of clothing and accessories the new baby and parents might need: babygrows, romper suits, nappies, towels, wash cloth, teething toy etc. And the box itself has a fitted mattress and can act as the baby’s first cot.
The Finns have sent one of these baby boxes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as a gift. Their baby is a future king or queen – third in line to the throne. So the question is this: Will the baby sleep in a cardboard box?
Of course, everyone expects the answer to be No. A royal baby? In a cardboard box?? But it got me thinking. At least the cardboard box is new. It hasn’t been pre-used by a bunch of hungry animals. But that’s the “unsuitable” first bed of the most royal baby ever – the King of kings.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2 v 6-7
1. Pastors Need Your Care
A short series of blogs from Jason Helopoulos on caring for your pastor:
Part 1
Part 2
2. Preaching Matters: William Taylor on Work
The next video in St. Helen's Preaching Matters series of videos.
3. The Four Essential Writing Skills
Nicholas McDonald shares four skills for writing.
4. What's So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? - Free eBook
Sign up for a free e-book by Richard D. Phillips.
5. 8 Resolutions for the Christian Husband
Trevin Wax highlights these 8 resolutions from The Real Win: A Man's Quest for Authentic Success by Matt Carter and Colt McCoy.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, the new trailer for True by Sarah Bradley:
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 summer, I have the privilege of reading through Graham Beynon's, Mirror Mirror with a friend at church. We're looking at one chapter a week, each dripping with exciting gospel truth. And this afternoon, weather permitting, we'll be sitting by the Thames, watching the ducks and reveling in God's grace as described in chapter 5.
In that chapter, there's a wonderful reminder of who we are if we are in Christ. We are undoubtedly sinners, but that's not the end of the story! Here's what's true of me, my friend and Christians everywhere. Please enjoy reveling with us in these truths today:
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to His name, for that is pleasant.
For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be His own,
Israel to be His treasured possession.
I know that the LORD is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The LORD does whatever pleases Him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.
Psalm 135: 3-6
It is with sadness that we bid farewell today to our youth editor of many years, Martin Cole. Martin has been with The Good Book Company for 16 years and in that time has been responsible for the writing of every issue of Discover and Engage ... not to mention quite a few youth tracts too.
His inimitable sense of humour and unending stream of sports trivia will be a great loss to the office. His devotion to the football team of his home town Chesterfield United - was only exceeded by his devotion to the Lord - and his love of sharing God's word with teenagers. We praise God greatly for the fruit that his writing has produced in young lives around the world.
Martin had a special skill as a wordsmith - and his love of wordplay led to many hilarious headlines. Here are some of my favourites:
Bye Martin! Thanks a ton. We'll miss you heaps. And every blessing for the future ...
All of us in The Good Book Team
Christianity and atheism are two sides of the same coin
Scout Association amends vow to God in bid to appease atheists and other faiths
Rick Santorum to head new Christian film studio
Primary schools offering Wikipedia RE lessons
After DOMA, the fading future of religious opposition to same-sex marriage
Disclaimer: The Good Book Company is not responsible for the content of external sites and does not necessarily agree with the content of articles listed.
The Evangelical Ministry Assembly, which has just finished, moved from its traditional home at St Helens Bishopsgate to the Barbican - and what a great conference it turned out to be.
The move, masterminded by PT Director of Ministry Adrian Reynolds, was designed to give space for the conference to grow, and the increase in numbers to around 1200 delegates over the 3 days has already endorsed the decision as wise.
But it was the quality of the content that remained the highlight. Vaughan Robert's expositions on 1 Peter in the mornings were nothing short of outstanding. Mark Dever, Paul Mallard, Rico Tice and Garry Williams all sparkled with enthusiasm and insight. And there was no hesitation in grasping some particularly difficult nettles in the afternoon seminar streams. I urge you to listen again to any and all of the sessions when the audio is released on the PT website.... continue reading
Wonderful news!
We are thrilled to announced that, at the National Brazilian Christian Publishers´Fair held in São Paulo, the Portuguese version of Christianity Explored – Investigando o Cristianismo – won the prestigious ARETE AWARD in the Evangelism section as the best foreign publication, translated into Portuguese. [Arete being the Greek word for “Excellence”]. It is such a privilege to receive encouragements such as these...
Of course, while awards are lovely, what we want to see most from Christianity Explored is gospel fruit and the news from Brazil on that front is even more wonderful!
One local church mobilized the whole congregation for a seven-week mission entitled "Journey for a new life through Christianity Explored". They had no less than 50 groups running - most in homes, but one or two in factories, one in the shopping centre, and one in the local square organised by the youth. So far there have been 15 baptisms - with more to follow. One homeless man was baptised on Sunday night – he's a new man now clothed in righteousness and, after he was baptized, his new church family gave him physical new clothes to wear and are now helping him find a job as well.
Please do praise God for the wonderful way the Christianity Explored material is being used in Brazil and please do continue to pray for the growth of the Kingdom in that beautiful nation.
