This prayer was first published on our church website here HERE IS A PRAYER IF YOU ARE FEELING PARCHED BY THIS CURRENT PANDEMIC: Sovereign Lord, with parched hearts, caused by the disruptive effects of this pandemic, we turn our eyes to you and pray. We long for the days when hands can be shaken, hugs can be administered, coffee cups can be slurped (and on occasions, … Continue reading Feeling Parched?
This article was first published on our church website here READ “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)…” (Acts 4:36) THINK This really is quite a remarkable verse! In these 15 words from Acts 4, we read about a man called Joseph who made such an impression upon the Apostles that they started to give him a … Continue reading Acts 4: What is your nickname?
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
This devotional was first posted on our church website here READ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said… (Acts 4:23-24a) THINK Pressure often reveals (or squeezes out of us) our … Continue reading Sovereign Lord
Here is a copy of an email I sent to our church family today. Dear ::first_name:: I know last week, I said I wouldn’t be doing a weekly update, however, I felt really compelled to share with you my one question I ask myself the most often. Discipleship or probably a better word apprenticeship is the process of not only doing ‘stuff’ for Jesus (a … Continue reading The one question I ask myself the most often
How do you write a belief statement for a local church? For me there were at least three guiding principles when I penned the belief statement below: Generosity: So much of what we as a local church believe, is shared by millions and millions of Chrisitan across the denominational spectrum and with brothers and sisters who have followed Jesus throughout history. We’re not trying to … Continue reading Visulising belief
This article was first published on our church website Read “… and they continued steadfastly (devoted themselves) …” (NKJV) Think If you were to evaluate my taste in films (something that my friends have done with much amusement!), you would find a strong emphasis on the underdog overcoming all the odds. Despite it’s goriness, I love the film Braveheart. There is something quite compelling about … Continue reading Acts 2: A people of Devotion
Last week, whilst on holiday, I read: Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. It was such a helpful book in helping me to understand and appreciate the vastly different world my teenage daughters are growing up in. Seriously, I would recommend all church leaders, teachers, pastoral teams and youth leaders read this book. Continue reading If you’re over 30, read THIS book!
1 Cor 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (ESV) I still remember the early days with fondness, when Lorna and I started dating and she met my university friends. At the time Lorna was living at home with her parents in Norfolk and I was living and working in Sheffield. One Friday evening, Lorna … Continue reading EATING FOOD TO THE GLORY OF GOD
This article was first published on our church website READ In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18) THINK In … Continue reading Acts 2: Being Charismatic
