Stories and songs for all ages…

There are so many great resources out there and I have the privilege of receiving so many titles to review for free. The struggle is always to pick the things that I think will be most beneficial for all of you, my readers. Continue reading “Stories and songs for all ages…”

News books about old saints…

I was recently talking to a friend and I made the comment that, for a while now, I haven’t read many older books. I used to make a habit of making sure that at least one of the books I read a month was older. Sometimes it would be early church fathers, sometimes it would be from the reformation period and sometimes it would be the puritans. Although the books I’m about to review aren’t old, all of them were published in 2019, they are about people from the past. 4 different people (Spurgeon, Columba, Athanasius, Bruce), 3 different countries (Scotland, England, Egypt) but each of them pointing people to Jesus Christ.Continue reading “News books about old saints…”

What I read on holiday…

I was working over Christmas and New Year and had quite a busy time, but as 2020 came into being I had just over a week off. But don’t let the picture confuse you, I was not on a tropical beach. My wife, Sabine, and I enjoyed a week of holiday in our flat in Edinburgh, Scotland. The wind was blowing, it was raining, but at some points we did see the sun! We had a lovely week.

I can know how good a holiday was based on how many books I read, and by good I mean relaxing. Yes, I’m one of those weird people who relaxes by reading. This holiday was really good, in 8 days I read 12 books! I thought I’d give you a wee insight into my holiday reading at the beginning of 2020. Continue reading “What I read on holiday…”

The almost forgotten spiritual discipline…

‘Spiritual discipline’ I know it sounds weird, it’s a thing that seems to have fallen from the lips of many Christians today. We don’t hear the phrase much, is it because we hate the word discipline? Is it because we worry that calling something spiritual makes it sound mystical and dubious? Or is it because we are sinful human beings who do not like to think about the fact that we need to train ourselves in godliness? It could be one, all or none of those things.

However, whether we use the phrase or not, every Christian engages (or at least should engage) in spiritual disciples. Prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, worship, fasting, and the list could go on. I’ve chosen to mention these because they’re probably the most well-known and practices disciplines.

There is one more disciple that I’m sad to see is not being practiced much today; Continue reading “The almost forgotten spiritual discipline…”

Interactive Bible reading, some tips…

I’ve been doing a lot of reading over the years, but only recently (maybe the past year or so) did I actually start marking up my books. I wanted to keep my books as pristine as possible, and this was also true for my Bible. So for a long time, probably about 3 years, I had an ESV Journaling Bible sitting there with no notes. It kind of defeats the purpose a bit doesn’t it?!

I’ve written a blog on how to remember what you read, which includes a section on how I take notes in books; but I approach the Bible differently.

As 2020 is underway, as many of you probably started a yearly Bible reading plan (here are some suggestions if you want), my wife suggested that I write about taking notes during quiet times. So, here goes…Continue reading “Interactive Bible reading, some tips…”

Three types of reading for 2020…

In just a few days the bells will ring and the new year begins. 2020 is quickly approaching. At the end of the year, and the beginning of a new year, people often plan things or think of what they’d like to do differently in the new year.Continue reading “Three types of reading for 2020…”

Guest post: 5 books that have impacted me…

Today I’m doing something I’ve never done before; a guest post. Ciarán is a friend of mine and a fellow man in ministry in Scotland. Here he touches on some great books, some of which I’ve read and some that I haven’t.

My name is Ciarán Kelleher. I am a Pastor-in-Training at St Andrews Free Church. Like Alistair, I am an unashamed bibliophile. These are five books I have read this year that have impacted and shaped me in different ways. Continue reading “Guest post: 5 books that have impacted me…”

Listen to correction, don’t mistake it for persecution…

Christian social media is a weird and wonderful place. I enjoy wasting time (far too much time!) scrolling through my newsfeeds on Twitter and Facebook. Everyday I see new theological discussions, new debates about old controversies, and sadly, I see people who are not acting in a way that is glorifying to God. Christians are humans too and often our words can hurt and harm people, and our comments and interactions aren’t always done with the right motives. But what do we do when we’re pulled up on it?Continue reading “Listen to correction, don’t mistake it for persecution…”

Study the Word…

As 2020 is coming just over the horizon maybe, like many Christians in the world, you’re thinking “What will I study in the Bible this year?” We spend so much time thinking about what we, as adults, do and study in our quiet times, but do we afford our children and young people the same courtesy? Continue reading “Study the Word…”