"So, which sin are you tackling this week?"
It wasn't a question that took me by surprise. My friend and I are both working on a counseling course at the moment. One of our projects is to identify a persistent sin in our lives, analyze it and take biblical steps towards change. Not the most comfortable of assignments but undoubtedly useful!
As I wrestled with some of my heart-issues last week, a range of questions flitted through my mind. But one of the biggest was this: why on earth had I waited for a piece of coursework before starting to address my rebellion?... continue reading
Sat and watched The Impossible last night with teenage daughters.
It tells the real-life story of a Bélon family who were caught up in the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. The mother, Maria, was horrifically wounded and almost drowned, but manages to find her eldest son Luke. Fearing that dad and the other smaller boys had been killed, there follows a gruelling fight for survival - helped by local Thai villagers, and ending up in a packed and chaotic hospital. I won't spoil the (happy) ending - but the superb acting makes this an emotional ride.
We had to wring the sofa out afterwards.... continue reading
1. A Passion for Life 2014
Check out the A Passion for Life website.
2. How I Read Books
Justin Buzzard shares how he reads books.
3. 10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam
Ten things that Zane Pratt learned about during his 20 years as a missionary in a Muslim-majority country.
4. 7 Alternatives to Sunday Morning Announcements
Some alternative ideas for sharing church notices.
5. 3 Keys to Teaching New Songs in Church
Chris Vacher looks at 3 ways to teach new songs.
6. And finally…
Our video of the week, the trailer for Is God anti-gay? by Sam Allberry, available on 16th July:
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
The sense of panic began to rise. Her heart-beat quickened. Her throat tightened. Her stomach began to churn. And she knew that yet again, she would flee the room, the meal lovingly cooked by her friends left uneaten. A true story - a not uncommon story - but one that is desperately misunderstood.
In churches, and the wider society, anorexia and bulimia get quite a lot of press. The issues are known. The patterns for recovery, discussed. But food phobias - that's another matter. All too often considered strange or just plain attention-seeking, the people in our congregations who are genuinely terrified of certain foodstuffs are misunderstood.
So, what is a food phobia? It's when specific foods trigger reactions of anxiety or panic. At their most mild, phobias involve feelings of nervousness and nausea. At their worst, full panic-attacks ensue with strugglers reporting an inability to swallow, breath normally or even be in the same room as their trigger food.... continue reading
What an awesome day!
So many of us had been yearning for it for years. So many times, it seemed to be close but then had slipped away. So much hard work. So many prayers. So many sighs of frustration. So much disappointment in the past.
But on 7th July 2013 everything changed.
I couldn't quite believe it at first. It didn't seem real. But then my pulse started to race. My heart skipped a beat. I wanted to cheer, punch the air and hug someone. It was so wonderful...
A friend who has been convinced that God dislikes her, suddenly got it. "Because of Jesus, he delights in me!" came her words. A great, great outcome of God's good work.
Oh, and Murray won the tennis too. That was quite good then ...
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
Everyone has been enjoying "Hawkeye" at Wimbledon in the last 10 days. Any time a line call at the tennis championships is challenged, the slow handclap builds to a frenzy as the slow-mo animated replay tells us: was the ball in or out! Brilliant. If only all matters of legal judgement were as simple.
Take what happened outside a shopping centre in Wimbledon Town Centre last Monday. A retired Californian Police officer was preaching in the street when he was arrested after someone took offence at his describing homosexuality as a "sin". He spent the next 6 hours being interviewed by police and being held in a cell on suspicion of "hate speech" before being released without charge. You can watch a youtube video in this news report.... continue reading
Christian arrested for calling homosexuality a 'sin'
Half of Adults Say Religious Nones Are Bad for America
Men can be 'wives' and women 'husbands' as Government overrules the dictionary
Presidential Quotes For The 4th Of July
Not talking about death only makes it more lonely and frightening
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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
