Let’s be honest- that’s not the most gripping title in the world (those who have listened to me enough will know that titles are not my strong point…). However, I do think understanding the difference between these two things and how they work together is helpful in understanding and living the Christian life. I’ve been […]
I enjoy being asked to preach at weddings. Over the years different couples have asked me to speak on a variety of passages. Getting the opportunity to talk from Song of Songs at a wedding recently was a particular highlight. However, nobody has ever asked me to speak on Ecclesiastes 9:9. I am somewhat disappointed […]
In my last post I noted that singleness can be hard. But one of the lovely truths that the Bible consistently celebrates is that what is hard can be used for good. You think of Paul in 2 Corinthians rejoicing in his weaknesses because they make him more useful for the Lord. Or ponder James’ […]
I think Christians can face a degree of tension when thinking about the subject of singleness. We know that it is portrayed as a gift in Scripture (more on that tomorrow) but it doesn’t always feel like that. If we are honest the difficulties and challenges seem far more apparent. Is Scripture wrong? My answer […]
I had a slightly surreal experience a few weeks ago. I was contacted by Songs of Praise. They were in the process of putting together a programme on singleness and, having googled “Christians and singleness”, came across an article that I wrote on the subject for Grace magazine ten years ago. I was interviewed over […]
Last Sunday we looked at the second half of Romans 7. I’m not intending to use this post to defend my position- suffice it to say that I’m not convinced Paul is describing the normal Christian life. Regardless of whether you agree or not it seems to me that our three conclusions are important: Sin […]
Over the last couple of weeks I have been preaching through Romans 7. In each sermon there has been material that has ended up on the cutting room floor as it were. I am planning to write up that material in a couple of posts this week- and I hope that as I do that […]
To think in a right way about the Christian life involves changing the way we look at things normally. Our culture relies on people getting what they deserve in their wages so it is hard to get our heads round the fact that God works on the basis if grace in giving us what we […]
Yesterday at Woodstock Road Baptist we had our first Sunday in temporary venues whilst building work takes place in our usual premises for the next six to nine months. There are one or two things that we need to tweak for future weeks but, for the most part, I was thankful for how it went. […]
Over the years I have developed a pattern that I have found helpful in keeping going in pastoral ministry: the monthly away day. It was recommended to me back in my days with UCCF. Once a month I travel to somewhere nice (the venues all tend to be near coasts!)where I have a good Christian […]