Roughly 15 years ago I was big into reading about church growth techniques. Sure, somebody could have told me to just read scriptures and then see how God does it in His own time and His own way and developing a science about it is like looking to bottle brilliance and sell it as a […]
Read More For Rapid Growth Just Add Oppression and PersecutionI love the great outdoors … from inside. Not one for great explorations of mountains and that kinda thing. Going out camping is not my thing. Even my idea of a holiday is going to visit my brother … in Milton Keynes. (That’s hardly a trip to somewhere exotic … not far either.) I love […]
Read More When It’s Not Good To Stay InsideThe Old Testament prophets had a tough gig. There were the occasions when they could reassure the people of God that they would win the battle they were about to fight. As mouthpieces for God they were primarily there to share the heart of God on the matter and that ultimately looked at getting people […]
Read More An Emerging Voice For JusticeThere is a need to focus on the need for Jesus. I recognise how easy it is to get distracted. The problem of being distracted is that even if you’re doing noble things, they miss the point. There are a lot of noble things going in the world that miss the point. That point chiefly […]
Read More What Matters After The DistractionsSometimes I’m not sure if we know the difference between someone well disciplined and someone who has had an encounter with Jesus Christ. I say that because a lot of the behavioural focus I’ve come across with children, young adults and fully grown mature adults indicates that ‘behaving’ yourself is the key. I know that […]
Read More The Gospel DifferenceIt takes much to live in your own skin. Getting on with people in a different culture is always going to be difficult. What makes it easier is finding common ground. Even this, however, is designed to make matters easier to engage with the more unfamiliar territory. The effort is such that it is no […]
Read More Beyond Our KindNear the beginning of the book of Acts we are informed that Jesus spent his days after His resurrection and before His ascension telling His followers about the Kingdom of God. Throughout the book of Acts of all that has happened, the purpose has not just been about proclaiming the King. It has been about […]
Read More Acts Actually: 28 – Kingdom Start, Kingdom EndingBut now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; […]
Read More Acts Actually: 27 – Faith For The StormThen Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:28, 29) The […]
Read More Acts Actually: 26 – This Is My StoryPaul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these […]
Read More Acts Actually: 25 – Taking It To The Top
Life With CD 