It's not an easy task. It's a decision over which many tears are shed. Because it's important to get it right: Which song would you sing at a loved one's funeral?
Recently, the Telegraph published the most commonly sung (or listened to) songs at cremations and burials. And it's a list that makes for interesting reading.
Unsurprisingly, there are songs that express the pain of loss ("Time to say goodbye") and the desire to remember the person who has died with ongoing affection ("Unforgettable" or "My heart will go on"). There are hints of acknowledgement that the departed may go to another place which is spiritual ("Angels" and "Over the rainbow") and where there is the possibility of being reunited in the future ("You'll never walk alone" and "We'll meet again"). There are tunes that seek to engender strength within those who are left behind ("You raise me up"). All of which, partially and imperfectly, glimpse the biblical truths that bereavement is tough and that this life is not all there is - there is a community of life beyond the grave.... continue reading
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:1-8... continue reading
Are you in the sixth form? At college? Or uni? Are you interesting in pursuing a career in publishing? Do you long to write biblical, accessibly and relevantly? Then why not come on our work experience week in our UK offices in Epsom, Surrey?
Each year, The Good Book Company holds a work experience week for up to 5 young people. 5 days of hands-on experience in writing, editing, proof-reading and the overall workings of a publishing company.
This year, our work experience week is going to be from July 8th - 12th. If you - or someone you know - are interested, please email Helen Thorne for more information.
As the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer prepares to bring a swathe of economic challenges and incentives in his budget today, a quick reminder from Scripture about where our true security resides:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-43
Is it offensive to say that you’re ex-gay or post-gay?
That’s the question the High Court is deciding this week, after Transport for London took bus adverts down from their buses last spring, which stated; “Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it”. Those ads had gone up in response to Stonewall’s adverts which had stated: “Some people are gay. Get over it.”
The court was told that the second advert, paid for by Core Issues and Anglican Mainstream, was: “a slap in the face, gay rejection … [and was] interpreted by many as homophobic”.... continue reading
Every now and then there's a conference that makes you stop in your tracks. A conference that seems so timely that it excites your heart, inspires your mind and sends you to your knees in prayer. A conference that leaves you with that feeling that what has been said is so desperately needed, it cannot be ignored. A conference that says absolutely nothing new because every word that's uttered is thoroughly soaked in Scripture but still manages to leave your jaw hanging open with the freshness of approach. The Changing Hearts conference on Saturday in central London was one such conference.
For those who weren't there, it was CCEF's (the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation) first official foray into the UK. They're an American organisation which offer training in biblical counselling - their stated passion being to restore Christ to counselling and restore counselling to the church.... continue reading
No news this morning.
My morning schedule has me waking at 6.30 to the sound of Radio 4's Today programme. But because of a strike by BBC journalists - nicely timed to make the most of the half-term holiday - the comforting tones of John Humphries were missing from my morning routine.
And I felt strangely free.
Because, it turns out, much of what is talked about and reported as "news" is not really news at all. There's an army of PR people out there who try to drive the public conversation about issues. That may involve the carefully timed release of research results, or surveys or government white papers. Controversially, it may also involve the carefully timed release of bad economic news to co-incide with "real" news, like a terrorist attack or the results of an election, so that the negative effect is diminished.... continue reading
It's good to have a variety of musical styles on a Sunday. Wesley wrote some great hymns - so do Sovereign Grace - to name but two stables that I love to go to for songs that inspire my mind and encourage my heart.
But while there is much more diversity in church music than there was 40 years ago, most congregations still work within relatively mainstream musical styles. Most but not all.
A recent article caught my eye. There's a church in London where the music is soley heavy metal - spiritual edification through Thrash (complete with an animal skull adorning the church venue).
There are certainly concerns that could be raised about the way that church operates. The lack of expositional Bible teaching strikes me as a worry at the very least. And one would hope that every mature Christian would be willing to acknowledge the need for a sacrificial attitude when it comes to personal preferences on musical matters rather than seeking to gather with like-minded people alone. But its existence does raise some interesting questions...... continue reading
It's that day again. The heart-bearing cards, with mushy poetry, have been filling the shelves of shops for weeks. The advertisements on TV have been encouraging us to book that romantic break, organise that sumptuous meal. All to show that special someone how much they're loved.
It's fun. There was certainly a flurry of excitement in my home when an unexpected Valentine's card landed on the doorstep. Intriguing to say the least! But it's fake. Not because couples don't genuinely care about one another - many do. But because, as a BBC article suggested recently, the phenomenon of February 14th capitalises on a fictional notion of romantic love, rather than true love. It fixates on the rush of emotion, the lie that there's a soulmate out there somewhere who will make life simply wonderful with all other problems melting away.... continue reading
