A single blog

The BBC news website has published a collection of reader’s stories about being single. This grew out of an initial radio broadcast and article about why couples are “so mean” to singletons. As a result most of the stories defend the advantages of being single.

What struck me was how self-focused most of their comments are. A big emphasis on freedom to do what you like when you like. The lack of ties and duty. A smorgasbord of sexual partners to choose from. Avoiding the stresses of being in a difficult relationship.

This is such a contrast to the biblical view. Yes, there are times when other Christians are tactless or even hurtful. But the Bible isn’t!... continue reading

Lazy days 3: Be encouraging

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3 v 11-13)

So how do we encourage such people to get off their backsides and get involved with the nitty gritty of church life?

First up, busybodies. How do we turn the criticisers into critical workers in the church? Perhaps rather than getting drawn into “discussions” about how things are done badly (or smiling and saying nothing), we can gently encourage such people to be the solution to the problems they raise. Ask them to get involved and get them to agree to a specific time and task. It’s time to pull them off the substitutes’ bench, and put them on the pitch.... continue reading

Praying for the new Archbishop of Canterbury

The role that Justin Welby is about to take on is huge. And whether you're Anglican or not, his appointment as the new Archbishop of Canterbury is an important event. His influence will be wide. His opinions well-reported in the press. His words and actions will bear heavily on the unity, direction and integrity of the Anglican communion and it's 77 million members. And that reflects on Christians everywhere.

So, it's important that we pray. And then pray again for him. But how do we pray for him? Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Faithfulness in belief

We shouldn't be naive. It's hard to be faithful when forces from inside the church and out are urging you to put forward a watered-down gospel. So let's pray he stands firm (Philippians 1:27). If there are areas in his life where he has wandered away from God's truth, let's pray that God will draw him back. And let's pray he'll be bold enough to teach what's true even when that's desperately counter cultural (Psalm 86:11).... continue reading

Lazy days 2: Idle talk

We can all probably think of people we'd label as "layabouts" and "idlers" — maybe people who seem to sponge off their parents or spend half their lives on Facebook, rather than getting out there and “earning a living”. But this can easily become a plank and speck situation where we don’t even realise we’re sponging off others, either materially or spiritually.

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3 v 11-13)... continue reading

On to a Good Thing

Lazy days 1: Sofa so good

Bruno Mars sang, "Today I don't feel like doing anything. I just wanna lay in my bed." I find the song irritatingly catchy, but I can echo the sentiment. I'm a naturally lazy person who dreams of a day plonked on the sofa with a stack of DVDs at the ready. But God's word is quick to slap me in the face and wake me up. Especially Proverbs. Solomon really had it in for sluggards!

I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;
thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.
(Proverbs 24 v 30-31)... continue reading

The Good Book College goes to The Gambia

The Gambia and Great Britain. 2 countries separated by over 2,000 miles. One a thriving player on the international economic scene, the other a nation where a third of its 2 million citizens live below the international poverty line. Both a place where God's word is bearing fruit as people preach and respond to the gospel.

Last week, The Good Book College Director, Doug Johnson, his wife, Ann and I took to the air (well, a Monarch plane) and travelled from London to Banjul. We'd been invited to speak at a series of lectures run at the Gamfes centre (the Gambian branch of the Independent Fellowship of Evangelical Students). And what a week it was!... continue reading

Fighting the Monday feeling

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29

Though it may be intimidating to think that God sees and knows all of our sin, remember that God knew you completely and still sent His Son to die for you! Jesus didn't give His life for some better version of you; He knew your sin and still loved you enough to save YOU.