Around 1.6 million people in Britain are affected by eating disorders. 14-25 year-old girls are most at risk, but they also affect men and may develop during childhood or later in life.
Sufferers often have a distorted view of their shape and may try to manage their weight by over-exercising, making themselves sick, fasting for long periods or abusing laxatives. However, eating disorders are about more much than weight. They are ways of trying to manage deeper emotional and even spiritual issues.
What I mean by that is this: Eating disorders start and end with our hearts. Sure, we can throw in factors like celebrity role-models and media coverage. But they raise much bigger questions than whether or not our clothes fit. Theyâre about what it means to be human. What gives us identity and worth. Life and death and everything in-between. What we worship. Proverbs 14:12 says that âThere is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.â Eating disorders do exactly this. They promise life â but take it from you instead.... continue reading
You know the feeling. Youâre staring at a blank computer screen. The cursor flashes, begging for content... and Sunday is coming. For whatever reason it falls to you as the pastor / music director / song leader / cleaner / only one who has remembered.... to chose what to sing when the church gathers on Sunday. Your task feels harder than ever. You have access to more songs, in more songbooks, on more CDs and online than ever before. Youâre aware of pressures from all sides to sing more or less of certain songs or styles. How do you cut through the noise and work out what to sing on Sunday? How will you structure your service and your singing to help your church family leave knowing and loving Jesus more?... continue reading
We're very excited! We're launching a new book on 22nd September... The Hard Corps written by Dai Hankey.
The Hard Corps takes a look at King David's Mighty Men, his elite soldiers. And encourages Christian men to think about what it's like to be a man of God now.
The picture below is a still from the trailer we're making with 2V Design. The full trailer will be out soon so do look out for it!
In the meantime you can pre-order copies in the UK and the USA.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions â it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith âand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godâ not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Godâs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2 v 4-10
I'm guessing that pretty much every church youth leader has at some point chatted to their young people about drinking. It's the sort of thing youth leaders do. And rightly so. The culture of youth binge-drinking in the UK and beyond is devastating to personal and community well-being and as such it's right that the under 18s in our care get a biblical perspective on alcohol that will help them to live for Christ.
I'm guessing that pretty much every university and college CU has had the same sort of chats. Acting in ways that are above reproach at parties and in the bar can be a great witness to friends and acquaintances while away at college.
But I'm guessing the subject doesn't come up too often in lunch clubs for the retired or afternoon fellowships for those in their 70s or 80s. It certainly hasn't been raised in those forums when I've been around. Nor has it come up for discussion at pastoral care meetings I've been in.
If recent research is to be believed, however, discussed it should be!... continue reading
This week, various blogs have been reviewing Delighting in the Trinity by Tim Chester (UK, USA, Australia). It's a brilliant book for helping our understanding on how the Trinity works and the relationship of the three to each other and to us. Here are some of the reviews...
Delighting in the Trinity Blog Tour
Book Review: Delighting in the Trinity by Tim Chester
Until the end of Monday we're doing 35% off if you use the code ditt at checkout. The offer is also available for the e-book version (UK, USA, Australia).
Enjoy!
Offer expires 10/09/12.
Christians should 'leave their beliefs at home or get another job'
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Israel investigates Jerusalem monastery arson attack
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Who does the phrase âthe splendour and glory of his majestyâ make you think of? If youâre anything like me, and familiar with the Old Testament, youâll think of the Lord God. So imagine my surprise the other morning when I read these words. They werenât assigned to the King of Kings, but to King Xerxes of Persia. Inevitably, as I read through the rest of Esther chapter 1, I found myself comparing the two kings. Here are three contrasts I came up with â there may well be more:
1. True majesty
Here at The Good Book Company we're passionate about equipping God's people for works of service, which is why we're so excited about our new-look distance-learning college, The Good Book College.
Formerly known as the Open Bible Institute, we now have a new-look website, a great new logo and most importantly, some great new courses coming this autumn to inspire and equip.
Always biblical, flexible and affordable, we hope there's a course to support you as you serve in your local church. So why not check out our new website today?
