No news this morning.
My morning schedule has me waking at 6.30 to the sound of Radio 4's Today programme. But because of a strike by BBC journalists - nicely timed to make the most of the half-term holiday - the comforting tones of John Humphries were missing from my morning routine.
And I felt strangely free.
Because, it turns out, much of what is talked about and reported as "news" is not really news at all. There's an army of PR people out there who try to drive the public conversation about issues. That may involve the carefully timed release of research results, or surveys or government white papers. Controversially, it may also involve the carefully timed release of bad economic news to co-incide with "real" news, like a terrorist attack or the results of an election, so that the negative effect is diminished.... continue reading
It's good to have a variety of musical styles on a Sunday. Wesley wrote some great hymns - so do Sovereign Grace - to name but two stables that I love to go to for songs that inspire my mind and encourage my heart.
But while there is much more diversity in church music than there was 40 years ago, most congregations still work within relatively mainstream musical styles. Most but not all.
A recent article caught my eye. There's a church in London where the music is soley heavy metal - spiritual edification through Thrash (complete with an animal skull adorning the church venue).
There are certainly concerns that could be raised about the way that church operates. The lack of expositional Bible teaching strikes me as a worry at the very least. And one would hope that every mature Christian would be willing to acknowledge the need for a sacrificial attitude when it comes to personal preferences on musical matters rather than seeking to gather with like-minded people alone. But its existence does raise some interesting questions...... continue reading
How do we change and grow as Christians? In the same way we became Christians. That's why in Galatians 3 v 1-3, Paul reminds the Galatian Christians how it was that they came to Christ. And in essence, “Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified” (v 1). This portrayal was achieved through preaching, through “what you heard” (v 2, 5). Paul isn’t referring to a literal picture, but a metaphorical one.
There was a message communicated—“Jesus Christ … crucified” (see 1 Corinthians 2 v 1-5). Notice that the essence of this message is not how to live, but what Jesus has done for us on the cross. The gospel is an announcement of historical events before it is instructions on how to live. It is the proclamation of what has been done for us before it is a direction of what we must do.... continue reading
It's that day again. The heart-bearing cards, with mushy poetry, have been filling the shelves of shops for weeks. The advertisements on TV have been encouraging us to book that romantic break, organise that sumptuous meal. All to show that special someone how much they're loved.
It's fun. There was certainly a flurry of excitement in my home when an unexpected Valentine's card landed on the doorstep. Intriguing to say the least! But it's fake. Not because couples don't genuinely care about one another - many do. But because, as a BBC article suggested recently, the phenomenon of February 14th capitalises on a fictional notion of romantic love, rather than true love. It fixates on the rush of emotion, the lie that there's a soulmate out there somewhere who will make life simply wonderful with all other problems melting away.... continue reading
If you were to die today what would you wish you’d done differently? Would there be things you’d want to put right? Would there be ambitions left unfulfilled? Tasks undone – or not done as well as you’d like?
It’s a fascinating question. And one that has captured my imagination since reading an article in the Guardian this week: Top five regrets of the dying.
In the article, the most common regrets were:
A list that, I suggest, it would be hard for any Bible-believing Christian to articulate.... continue reading
Parts of the Rhondda Valley in Wales have been declared the most Godless part of the nation that was once home to a remarkable revival and boasted thousands of churches and chapel.
The findings, gleaned from the 2011 Census, showed that five council wards in the area famous for its mining history, now have a majority of people who say they have no religion at all, according to a BBC news report.
In England, the "honour" goes to Norwich - a city noted for the number of churches within its city boundaries. Rumour has it that Norwich has a church for every week of the year, and a pub for every day of the year! Brighton comes second in the poll.... continue reading
Britain has its first atheist church.
It’s in north London, drew over 300, erm, worshippers last Sunday, and offers the chance to sing songs like Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.
And the “Sunday Assembly” has its own mantra, too: “Live better, help often, wonder more”.
Here are four thoughts, and then over to you for yours in the Comments section:... continue reading
My friends are hurting. I’m guessing yours are too. There seems to be a never-ending stream of people sharing their struggles. In the last few months alone I’ve had phonecalls about suicide attempts, unplanned pregnancies, lost jobs, broken relationships, spiraling debt, childhood abuse and post-traumatic stress syndrome (to name just a few).
It’s a privilege to stand alongside people in tough times. Any Christian with a heart of compassion will want to support those who struggle. All of us, I’m sure, know the importance of prayer. And I imagine most of us are confident in the transformational work that can take place when people turn to Jesus as the great counselor and sovereign Lord. But, if you’re anything like me, there are moments when you feel ill-equipped. What can (or should) be said to someone in the depths of despair? What can we do to point people to Jesus in the tough times?... continue reading
Have you ever let your hair get much dirtier than you should? (Don’t worry, this isn’t a personal-hygiene homily!) On Monday my hair really needed washing – but I reckoned I could get away with it, so I didn’t bother. On Tuesday, it really, really needed a wash – but I ran out of time. So on Wednesday, it really, really, really needed washing – but…
Yuck. But it got me thinking.
On Monday, I was probably the only person who knew there was a problem. The slight itch of my scalp and lankness to my hair. On Tuesday, my scalp itched quite a bit more and the hair was greasy. But I knew only a couple of observant women (and none of the men!) would notice. Even by Wednesday, I’m confident many people didn’t spot a thing. But I knew. I could feel the constant itch.... continue reading
The news that a Barnsley Woman has re-mortgaged her house to offer a ransom for her stolen dog does not raise eyebrows as far as it should. In "Pet Barmy Britain" where people often seem to love their cats more than their children, such acts of extravagant expenditure on Fido or Tiddles is not uncommon.
But it's not just Money that Mrs Maw is spending in the hope of finding her German short-haired pointer. According to the BBC report, she has so far spent more than £13,000 in the hunt for the dog and has taken unpaid leave since the dog, Angel, was snatched on 6th December.... continue reading
