It's nice to know they care. Far from being a faceless corporation, it seems they are interested in our lives. Have you noticed it on your social media screen? It's been a recent change. Facebook is now asking us the question, "How are you doing?"
As a prompt to get us to update our statuses it's not a bad one. Sometimes I rise to the bait and answer their enquiry with a quip or short retelling of some ridiculous incident from my life ("I'm fine, thanks - but the cat sat on a candle and ignited her tail" ... sadly, a true story). But I'm going to go out on a limb here ... I don't think they really care how I'm doing at all. I reckon I could pour out the deepest pain in my heart and the corporation that is Facebook wouldn't step in and help. They may be asking the question but they wont come to visit me if I'm sick; they wont do my shopping if I'm housebound; they wont pray with my if I'm in despair and they certainly wont give me a lift to church. Some of my friends might ... actually, I'm sure they would. But Facebook itself ... probably not.... continue reading
CofE drops opposition to gay bishops in civil partnerships
Girl Guides set to drop God and Queen from its oath
Washington National Cathedral to perform same-sex marriages
Christian fundamentalists freak out over yoga in the military
Africa rises, China falls on Christian persecution list
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.
In each issue of Engage, a section called Toolbox gives readers tips, tools and advice for wrestling with the Bible. In issue 18, we ask: who should we copy?
Follow the leader?
When learning to drive, it’s natural to watch other drivers and copy them. But many experienced drivers don’t drive as you’re meant to in the driving test. There are some habits you should copy and some you shouldn’t.
Sometimes we should follow the example of people in the Bible. But not always! For example...
We're recruiting for a new Sales and Marketing Manager to join the team at our Epsom office. They will take the lead on getting the word out about our resources and other ministry services in the UK and as such will play a crucial role in our future work.
Commercial Director James Burstow said, "This is an exciting time to be joining The Good Book Company, with some great new titles in the pipeline and some tremendous opportunities to develop digital resources that help people engage with the Bible. At heart we remain committed to serving local churches and equipping individuals to open up the Bible so we're looking for someone who can help us get that message out as widely as possible."
Details of the position and a full job description can be found here and the closing date for applications is the 24th January. We would be really grateful for any help you can give us in promoting this opportunity and would value your prayers that the Lord would bring the right person to join our team.
Sometimes, timing is everything.
And so it was that last week, in the same week, two things happened. First, Sam Allberry wrote a blog:
Jesus is more than worth it, even with all it entails for gay people... Homosexuality is an issue I have battled with my entire Christian life. It took a long time to admit to myself, longer to admit to others, and even longer to see something of God’s good purposes through it all. There have been all sorts of ups and downs. But this battle is not devoid of blessings, as Paul discovered with his own unyielding thorn in the flesh. Struggling with sexuality has been an opportunity to experience more of God’s grace, rather than less.... continue reading
1. OnetoOne Bible Reading
A great website resource from Matthias Media dedicated to one-to-one Bible reading.
2. 5 Ways to Pray for Your Pastor in 2013
A helpful list from Ligonier Ministries.
3. Some Thoughts on the State of Christian Publishing
Some thoughts from Kevin DeYoung.
4. How Not to Read Your Bible in 2013
Check out these suggestions from Matt Smethurst at The Gospel Coalition.
5. Lay Elders: A User's Guide
A user guide for Lay Elders from 9Marks:
Part 1
Part 2
6. How to Pray Using Scripture
A simple tool that has helped Kevin DeYoung.
7. And finally…
Our video of the week, watch Lizzy Smallwood introduce the new evangelistic course, The King and I:
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 death of Britain's oldest man, Reg Dean, at 110 last Saturday, raises testing questions about the future we face - as individuals and as a community.
Improvements in healthcare, pollution levels and nutrition are responsible for the steady increase in life expectancy upwards from the "three score years and ten" that Moses outlined in his now famous phrase in Psalm 90 v 10. Arguably, the greatest leap forward for longevity - certainly in industrialised Britain, came from the work of sanitation engineers like Sir Joseph Bazalgette who designed and built the London sewage system - and eliminated cholera from the capital.... continue reading
With a new year upon us, we’re busy in the office preparing to launch an exciting array of products designed to inspire, equip and support you in your ministry. And, as valued blog-readers, we thought we’d give you a sneak preview of just a few of the titles we’ve got coming out in the next 6 months…
So here’s a little glimpse of one or two things that each member of the editorial team has been writing or editing ready for 2013.
Tim Thornborough:
Gospel Centred Work by Tim Chester and Christopher de la Hoyde (coming soon)
This new volume in the brilliant Gospel-centred series tackles how we think about work as believers. As I've worked with the authors and edited it, it has changed the way I think about work in quite remarkable ways - so looking forward to this resource helping so many of us who struggle with work in all kinds of ways.... continue reading
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121
This weekend we're offering our blog readers an amazing deal on all Good Book Guides. Just £2 each!
Ideal for study in groups or personal use, these guides will help you dig into the Bible. So grab a bargain for yourself or your Bible-study group today. Simply tap in the code guide13 at checkout.
Offer ends 07/01/2013.
