Struggling to think of a good present? Here are some last minute gift ideas that are perfect...
For her: Compared to her 30% off
For him: The Hard Corps 30% off
For both: Every Good Endeavour 30% off
For children - The Beginner's Bible 30% off
For teens - The Graphic Bible 30% off
For everyone - The Cross of Christ 30% off
Simply use the code lastminute at the checkout.
Offer expires 20/12/2012.
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Weeks late, I finally got around to watching the latest Bond blockbuster Skyfall. An interesting experience, because I was only able to book to see it with subtitles in English. Having watched loads of foreign-language films with English subtitles, I thought it would be no problem.
How wrong could I be? It absolutely ruined it!
Seeing the words flash up, slightly before they were spoken made it look like they were just actors reading lines - not like Bond, Q, M and Moneypenny at all - just actors in a play. The subtle timing of jokes was spoiled. The scenes where there was supposed to be smouldering romance were emptied of passion as it became obvious that they were just pretending. The delicate illusion of the theatre had been torn away by the simple addition of some words along the bottom.... continue reading
Stuff happens. Jobs are lost. Relationships are broken. Ends donât meet. Illnesses take unexpected downturns. We make mistakes. The pressures of Christmas crash in. Life feels unpredictable. And most of us, to a greater or lesser extent, respond by worrying.
Some days the nagging insecurities about the future play irritatingly in the backs of our minds. At other times weâre overwhelmed by a torrent of panic that leaves us utterly inert. We want to know itâs all going to work out ok in the future. And we feel we canât relax until thereâs some tangible evidence it really is going to be fine.
But when we turn to the Scriptures weâre confronted with the inescapable fact that the Bible says, âdonât worryâ:... continue reading
Maybe it's a personality thing, but I never thought that following the herd was a good thing.
Safe, perhaps. If you didn't want to be embarrassed by standing out from the crowd perhaps.
So seeing this advertising line encouraging me to "be smart" by "following the herd" on the back of a van got me thinking about the whole cultural tension we feel between fitting in and being individuals. Our culture seems to encourage individuality. We are constantly being told to "be ourselves" and to "think different".... continue reading
âWe wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new yearâ
Speaking to a couple of friends over the last few days I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised that the number of carol services I am involved in can be counted on one hand; some of my friends need an abacus and some serious energy. Musicians: you are about to face the busiest time of the year â letâs not pray for merriment, but contentment and happiness as we serve our Saviour.
âBorn to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birthâ
When you sit down for Christmas dinner, utterly exhausted from carols and endless practices, will you resent the past weeks of energy sapping service or recall with joy that the gospel has been proclaimed? The gospel will be heralded in song and through the preaching of the Word to so many who for most of the year want nothing to do with the Christ of Christmas who offers a âsecond birthâ #joy.... continue reading
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Godâs grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4 v 7-11
We should serve others "administering God's grace in its various forms". "Various" here literally means "many-coloured". God's people are like a tapestry woven together with many threads of different colours. You are who you are, and have the abilities you do, for a reason â to be a colourful thread in the tapestry, not for self-display but to "serve others", to bring God praise.
Most people sitting in the pews of our churches on a Sunday morning spend more time in the workplace than anywhere else. Yet we can too easily make following Christ a matter of personal devotions and church activity. The nine to five routine becomes irrelevant to my Christian life. The result is a huge hole in our discipleship. Itâs this hole that Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, seeks to fill in his latest book, Every Good Endeavour: Connecting Your Work to Godâs Plan for the World.
Itâs divided into three parts which correspond to creation, fall and redemption. Keller powerfully demonstrates the significance and dignity of work in the Bible story. His exposition of Lutherâs understanding of work is a highlight, especially the link between justification by faith and the dignity of work. Work is not incidental to following Christ. He then explores the frustrations of work and its potential dehumanizing effects. He is, as fans of Keller might expect, particularly strong on the idolatries of work. The final part shows how the gospel gives us a new understanding of work. We have both a new story (so our work is shaped by a biblical worldview) and a new power for work. One of the most helpful sections is Kellerâs exposition of common grace which enables him to value the contribution of unbelievers and steer us away from life in a ghetto.... continue reading
Name: Aquinas
When: 1225-74
Where: All over the place! Born near Naples; taught in Paris; part of a travelling teaching college in Italy.
So what?
Thomas Aquinas (his theology is called âThomismâ) is often held up as epitomizing everything that was wrong with pre Reformation Catholicism. This is slightly unfairâwhile Aquinas was a product of his times, holding to and teaching several doctrines evangelicals today would strongly refute; and while many of those teachings have been developed and cemented as key beliefs of Roman Catholicism today; itâs wise not to throw the theological baby out with the bathwater. Perhaps Aquinas is a reminder not to read any great theologian either over-critically or under-critically. âAquinas said itâ does not clinch a doctrineâs falsehood any more than âCalvin/Luther/Edwards/Stott said itâ clinches its truth!... continue reading
