Learning Contentment This Christmas

A few years ago Sabine, my wife, and I were watching a Christmas movie and one of the songs caught our attention. Here are some of the lyrics; “You can keep your peace on earth You can keep your holy birth Keep your frankincense and myrrh Christmas cheer, whats that worth I want something IContinue reading “Learning Contentment This Christmas”

Flippancy doesn’t honour God or others

Being a Pastor is an unusual job, I often get told I don’t look like a Pastor, which I take as a massive compliment! When non-believers find out what I do for a living they normally respond in one of the following ways; 1. “Sorry, I’m not religious” 2. “I used to go to SundayContinue reading “Flippancy doesn’t honour God or others”

Copy and paste = lack of input and waste

I live in the realm of books and ministry. I’m surrounded by the newest books on discipleship and serving in the church, in commentaries on books of the Bible and in the newest fads and trends of the Christian world. The temptation might be to simply copy and paste, but that results in a lackContinue reading “Copy and paste = lack of input and waste”

3 marks of a Christian from Philemon – Part 1

Great things come in small packages. You’ve probably heard that before; I remember saying it once as a child when someone called me short. Some of life’s most life-changing moments come in small things. An engagement ring in a small box, a gift through the post, a job contract folded in an envelope. In ourContinue reading “3 marks of a Christian from Philemon – Part 1”

Bouncing around the Bible

I was walking and talking with my wife yesterday discussing one of the latest books that I’ve read. One of my comments about the book was how I liked that the author went to different parts of the Bible to show common themes and to highlight certain details. My wife responded with something like “soContinue reading “Bouncing around the Bible”

“Quiet please”

The traffic bustles on, the sounds abound of car engines, of squeaky brakes and of horns honking as fruition rises. The shop is bustling, people rushing around to grab the best deal, conversations between couples shopping about what their bellies want to consume that night for dinner, children asking for that sweet and that toy.Continue reading ““Quiet please””

Weightlifting and the Christian life

Over the last year I’ve gotten back into the gym. When I was younger I was quite active in the gym and enjoyed lifting but some injuries and moving countries out a stop to that. But a year ago I started going back and lifting again. Personally I find that hitting the gym helps meContinue reading “Weightlifting and the Christian life”

Preaching that transforms is preaching that speaks to the heart

There are a plethora of books and blog posts out there on preaching, so I’m sorry to add another one to the mix. Most books on preaching have a focus on text work (how do you understand and exegete a text), communication work (voice variation, illustrations, engagement, etc.) or practical things (script or not script,Continue reading “Preaching that transforms is preaching that speaks to the heart”

The Decline of the Church: Are you concerned or do you contribute to it?

It doesn’t take long for you to realise that people aren’t happy with the state of the church. Generally speaking, in the Western world you can have a quick google, or speak to a few Christians and very soon you’ll hear complaints about the decline of the church. People say that society has changed whichContinue reading “The Decline of the Church: Are you concerned or do you contribute to it?”

That sports day feeling on God’s team

I wonder if you remember being a child when it came to sports and maybe you were picked last. Those moments can leave an impression on a child. It can make them feel like they’re too small, too tall, too slow or too fast to be used on the team. Or maybe it’s at universityContinue reading “That sports day feeling on God’s team”