“This withdrawal of theology from the world of secular affairs is made more complete by the work of biblical scholars whose endlessly fascinating exercises have made it appear to the lay Christian that no one untrained in their methods can really understand anything the Bible says. We are in a situation analogous to one about which the great Reformers complained. The Bible has been taken … Continue reading Quote: Why we need a fresh reformation
Currently I’m re-reading Thomas a Kempis’ ‘The Imitation of Christ’. Here is a thought that I need to more fully embrace: “These two wings will lift you high above earthly things: simplicity and purity*. Simplicity of intention is after God’s own heart; purity of affection sees him and tastes him.” *if you stop reading at this point, it would be easy to see this as … Continue reading Simplicity and purity
Here is a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis about importance of understanding our humanity in the context of God’s saving work. “It is not an abstraction called Humanity that is to be saved. It is you… your soul, and in some sense yet to be understood, even your body, that was made for the high and holy place. All that you are… every fold and … Continue reading Every fold and crease of your indiviuality
In his wonderful book ‘You are what you love’, James K.A. Smith sumarrises the process of santification in one of the most helpful ways I’ve ever heard: “Our sanctification — the process of becoming holy and Christ-like–is more like a Weight Watchers programme than listening to a book on tape. If sanctification is tantamount to closing the gap between what I know and what I … Continue reading Weight Watchers and Sanctification
N.T. Wright on the beatitudes. Just stunning! “When God wants to change the world, he dosn’t launch missiles. Instead, he sends in the meek, the mourners, and the merciful. When God wants to put things right, he dosn’t scramble combat jets; he calls people to love and do justice. Through these kinds of people the blessings of God’s reign begin to appear in the world.” Continue reading When God wants to change the world…
Richard Foster in his excellent book Celebration of Discipline (pg 110) writes: “In some ways we would prefer to hear Jesus’ call to deny father and mother, houses and land for the sake of the gospel than his word to wash feet. Radical self-denial gives the feel of adventure. … But in service, we much experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. … Continue reading The many little deaths in serving others
Today, I was reading Luke 2:22-40 as part of my daily devotions. Here we read how Mary & Joseph when presenting Jesus in the Temple bring “a pair fo doves or two young pigeons” (v24). Commenting on this verse Thabiti Anyabwile had this to say about our view and thinking on poverty: “The two turtledoves or the two young pigeons were to be offered if … Continue reading A Theology of poverty
If you’ve not seen this excellent article on the Gospel Coalition website relating C.S. Lewisadvice to people facing the atomic bomb and coronavirus, then can I suggest you take a couple of minutes to read it. It is brilliant. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cs-lewis-coronavirus/ Continue reading C.S. Lewis and Coronavirus
Today I’ve been studying Daniel 10. It is an amazing chapter about the intersection of prayer, spiritual conflict and the advancement of God’s plans and purposes. Two quotes that really help us grasp the impact of this chapter: “If once the curtain were pulled back, and the spiritual world behind it came to view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so … Continue reading Opening our eyes to the real world
In these unusual times, I thought it would be helpful to quote Paul David Tripp, on the importance of getting control of what you meditate on: “What controls your meditation will control your thoughts about God, yourself, others, your situation, and even the nature of life itself. And as you mediate on what you are suffering, your joy wanes, your hope fades, and God … Continue reading What is controlling your meditation
