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
Census 2011 mapped and charted: England & Wales in religion, immigration and race
Richard Dawkins v Rowan Williams round two
Kerry blasts Iran over imprisonment of American Christian pastor
Air cadets rewrite their oath to remove God from pledge
U.S. Roman Catholic Church And Protestant Denominations Agree To Recognize Each Other's Baptisms
North East has shortage of vicars
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.
Different people will have different needs but here are our top tips for supporting those looking for work.
1. Pray for them and with them.
God answers prayer. He loves to. So encourage job-seekers to express their trust in God by turning to him for their job needs and all their other needs.
2. Read the Bible with them
God’s truth is transformational. Helping people understand what the Bible says about work - and God’s sovereignty and love – can help get a right perspective on a desperately difficult time.... continue reading
No situation in life is without its opportunities. Not all circumstances are good but they can be used for good in the hands of our loving creator. So what good can come out of unemployment? You may well be able to add your own ideas but here are a few of mine:
Unemployment helps us understand Christ’s suffering better
All suffering gives us a glimpse into what Jesus endured. He was tempted in every way, he knew rejection, poverty, sacrifice, lack of physical security. And while our sacrifice can never come close to the ultimate sacrifice he made, it can give us a glimpse - it can help us understand just a little bit more of what our Saviour endured, and endured so sinlessly and silently, for us.... continue reading
1. The Gospel Partnerships
A new website aiming to serve churches by providing excellent resources for evangelism, training and church planting.
2. Napkin Theology
A collection of simplistic images from GCM Collective.
3. A New Kind of Librarian
A very interesting article from Aimee Byrd about a new kind of librarian.
4. Science and Christianity
A selection of short videos from St. Helen's Bishopsgate on the topic of Science and Christianity.
5. And finally…
Our video of the week, 'Graffiti Bridge to Life':
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
Humans were designed to work. It’s part of the creation mandate. The call to tend the earth, rule over the created order is at the very core of what it means to be a person in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). And most of us know that. It feels ‘right’ deep within us to be active and productive in meaningful labour. When work is absent part of our raison d’etre disappears.
Unemployment hurts because it takes away part of our purpose.
But it’s more than that. Unemployment hurts because everything to do with work hurts – to a greater or lesser extent. The world of work is not easy. Not at the moment anyway. It may have been a joy for Adam to be set free in the Garden of Eden but we live post-fall. We have to live with the effects of God’s curse on his rebellious creation. And that means living in a world where work hurts. Just as Adam’s work moved from joy to thorns, pain and sweat (Genesis 3:17-19) so all aspects of work – its presence or absence – are inevitably difficult, broken and tainted.... continue reading
