“Focusing on God is the key to resolving conflict constructively. When we remember his mercy and draw on his strength, we invariably see things more clearly and respond to conflict more wisely.”
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker
Good theologians…
“We’re good theologians if what we say and think about God lines up with what Scripture says and affirms. We’re bad theologians if our view of God is vague, unbiblical, distorted, or based on our own opinions.”
Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters
Authentic worship…
“The better (i.e., the more accurately) we know God through his Word, the more genuine our worship will be. In fact, the moment we veer from what is true about God, we’re engaging in idolatry. Regardless of what we think or feel, there is no authentic worship of God without a right knowledge of God.”
Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters
Judged intolerant…
“If [Christians] are judged intolerant in the new sense, the price of escaping the charge is too high to pay: it would mean abandoning Christ.”
D.A. Carson, The Intolerance of Tolerance
Love came down at Christmas
I know that it is only November but I thought that I’d plug just a small book before we get the onslaught of jingle bells, happy little elves and a big man wearing red with a white beard. I know, I also think that I’m loosing my mind! Christmas is a funny time of year, for some it brings happiness and joy whilst for others it bring back bad memories and pain. If you were to ask people what they enjoy most about Christmas you’d hear things like; time with family, good food, time off work and some good TV (this point is debatable!).
But if you ask people what Christmas is about you’d probably get the answer that it is about love and peace, this is probably helped by the song played in shops up and down the UK Love is all around by Wet Wet Wet. But what is this love?Continue reading “Love came down at Christmas”
The Intolerance of Tolerance
One of the court cases that has been in the news recently revolves around tolerance, Ashers bakery and a cake. A customer asked for a cake that was clearly supporting homosexual marriage and the baker refused to make the cake; that was back in 2014.
Along the way the Ashers and other evangelical Christians have been called monsters, old-fashioned and intolerant, but what do people mean when they speak about intolerance? Our world, or at least the West, seems to be absolutely obsessed with tolerance but the irony in this is that we, as a society, are not tolerant at all.Continue reading “The Intolerance of Tolerance”
Walking with God through pain and suffering
This blog was started back in April and the two topics that have been most read over these past months have been on the topics of depression and suffering. Suffering is a big and relevant topic for so many people because we all suffer, some at different levels and intensity than other, but suffering nonetheless.
A number of years ago I read Walking with God through pain and suffering and I remember how good a book it was, both intellectually challenging but also written with pastoral warmth and care. I recently had to re-read the book for my Bachelor of Theology degree and was reminded of how good and relevant this book is, therefore, here’s a wee review.Continue reading “Walking with God through pain and suffering”
The Nativity
If you know me personally then you will know that I do not have any children, which means that you’re probably asking why I’m reviewing children’s books, right?
The reason I’m reviewing these children’s Christmas books is because I realise that many parents struggle to find good materials that are exciting and interesting for children whilst also being sound and Biblical. These books arrived just in time for me to test them out with my wonderful little God-children.Continue reading “The Nativity”
Raising Kids in the way of Grace
Let’s start off with pure honesty… Parenting is difficult!
Every parent that I have spoken to has explained how becoming a parent was and still is the most difficult thing that they have ever done, but at the same time children are also one of the greatest gifts from God. But wouldn’t we all love a ‘how to’ manual on raising children? I don’t even have children yet and I’d love to read that kind of manual.
I have read a number of books on parenting and on how to interact and serve children for the sake of the gospel, but because I’m not a parent I haven’t reviewed any of them due to my inexperience in this area. But I was recently sent a copy of Raising Kids in the way of Grace and thought that I’d review it because I know that many of you who stumble across this blog are parents.Continue reading “Raising Kids in the way of Grace”
Enjoying God
Is it really possible to enjoy God on any given day? You might be thinking ‘Yeah sure, on Sundays or during times when life is generally OK, that’s when I can enjoy God’ but what about time of difficulty?
Can you enjoy God when the car breaks down on the way to your holiday, or when you’re just about to go into a doctor’s appointment, or can you enjoy God when the world seems to be crumbling at your ankles?Continue reading “Enjoying God”
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