"I hate the summer - God goes on holiday every year".
The comment caught me surprise. As someone who has a relatively busy lifestyle - and no children - I quite look forward to the summer months. Fewer meetings, more BBQs - an outside chance that the weather might just be warm enough to get a small tan. The weeks when school is out bring a welcome change to the pace to life - a chance to spend more time enjoying my relationship with God without the hamster wheel of responsibilities that crowd most other months. But not everyone feels that way.
There are those who are elderly and frail - those who only leave their home to go to church events or a medical appointment. As summer approaches, they don't see "holiday" they see a 6-week gaping hole in their diary that increases isolation and intensifies their pain.... continue reading
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
Psalm 119: 105-108
Yesterday’s news held an interesting revelation: turns out Jesus has been born again! But this time round he’s come in the form of an Aussie called Alan John Miller. Not convinced? Here’s the evidence… AJ remembers.
He describes the crucifixion as not so “harrowing for [him] as it was for others like Mary who [were] present” and claims not to have been in a state of fear or pain. The Bible, he says, is a distortion of his original ‘lessons’ and his current campaign is an attempt to “reverse the untruth taught on earth associated with beliefs attached to the Bible.” The irony is that he continually refers back to what he believes is a corrupted book for support. Mentioning his ‘good friend’ Lazarus, for example, AJ reminds us of the biblical records. However, the only verification of his relationship with his partner Mary – whom he argues was his first-century wife, pregnant with their daughter when he died – apparently stems from the renowned Da Vinci Code.... continue reading
Christians' discrimination cases rejected by human rights court
Digital Bible will be 'personalised'
Boy Scouts' Membership Change May Grow Christian Youth Clubs
Church of England leaders propose female bishops by 2015
Most Undocumented Immigrants Are Christians From Latin America and Caribbean
British Christianity dies while Islam thrives. Why?
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 headlines this week have been stomach-churning. Women beaten in Syria having been forced into sham marriages with much older men. Disgusting images on Facebook like the one showing a lady pushed down some stairs bearing the caption, "next time, don't get pregnant". In the 21st century, violence against women is still far from rare.
So, today on The Good Book Blog we talk with one UK Christian who knows just what it's like to be at the sharp end of a man's fist.... continue reading
The research is complete. The results are in. We now know the location of the happiest place in the developed world. It's ... drum-roll please ... Australia. At least that's the findings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Australia ranks highest of all the nations under consideration when assessed on criteria such as income, health, safety and housing. Life expectancy there is about 82 years - approximately double some developing nations.
And if you're wondering, the United States ranks 6th - the UK, 10th.
Now, I love Australia. If you leave aside the grueling 23-hour flight between London and Sydney, I have adored visiting that beautiful country. Potentially, I could be convinced that it's the happiest place there is. And I don't for a moment doubt that many people do equate pleasure with a good standard of living and a functioning body. Health, wealth and happiness are the goals of so many in the world.... continue reading
1. TGC13 Media Now Available
The recordings from The Gospel Coalition's 2013 National Conference are now available.
2. R.C. Sproul's Crucial Questions eBooks Now Free Forever
Download these free e-books from R.C. Sproul's Crucial Questions series.
3. Scale of the Universe
Something slightly different for On to a Good Thing. Take a look at this. Colossians 1:17 - He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
4. The Case for Marriage
Kevin DeYoung shares a helpful video on marriage.
5. And finally…
Our video of the week, 'Woolwich Attack: Response in the aftermath' by Woolwich Congregational Church:
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
One week, three amazing events and thousands praising and worshiping our wonderful and gracious God—all framed by one song.
Last Saturday the London Men’s convention in Westminster kicked off with Matt Redman’s 10,000 Reasons, and the man himself closed the Big Church Day Out event with it on this Sunday night in the beautiful Sussex countryside near Steyning.
Many Christian events, conferences and festivals are struggling to keep up with change and keep visitors coming back, But the newest kid on the block, The Big Church Day Out (BCDO), has struck a formula that appeals to young and old alike, individuals and families, groups large and small.... continue reading
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous 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.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ramās hornā
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98
āSacrificeā isnāt a popular word today. We live in a āmeā culture of iPods and iPhones that tells us āweāre worth it too.ā Itās easy to fall for when everyone around you is looking out for Number One, but giving up that prerogative is one more way we, as Christians, stand out.
Charlie T. Studd is chiefly remembered as Englandās cricketing champion. For four years running he won his Cambridge blue; captained the team; and even defeated the Australians with his great century in 1882. His time on the pitch, however, was relatively short. After just three years of fame, Studd exchanged the cricket field for the global mission field and joined Hudson Taylor in China, (later serving in India and Africa). Friends, family and nation alike were shocked by his decision. What could possibly have induced him to give up his prestigious position for a life of poverty and hardship in a foreign land?... continue reading
