Monthly Archives: January 2009

Believers made for church or vice versa?

Posted on January 28, 2009 by

There’s times when some believers will say, “it feels like we’re only in this church to serve its ministries.” This weightiness of duty grows from the belief that believers are called to tasks and ministries to keep the church alive, … Continue reading →

Posted in church leadership | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EQ and the wisdom of God

Posted on January 27, 2009 by

Many churches, it seems to me, believe they are purpose driven, gospel focused and working together for God. In reality, however, they are actually driven by the egos of the individuals in the church. What is lacking is not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace and Works | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On dealing with a cancer scare

Posted on January 26, 2009 by

I have not blogged for a week or so having had a cancer scare. It’s been a roller coaster week. This was my second cancer scare. The first was in 2004, when I was told I had a subcutaneous tumour … Continue reading →

Posted in Means of Grace | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How the cross heals

Posted on January 15, 2009 by

“Healing ministry” has become a popular aspect of church services, largely in charismatic churches, but not confined to that constituency. I have no doubts that God heals people of physical sickness, gradually and instantly and that we should pray for … Continue reading →

Posted in The Cross | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t confuse the old and new man

Posted on January 14, 2009 by

One of the central tenets of Christian counselling is the putting off of the old self and putting on of the new (Ephesians 4:22-24). Most of our behavioural failures stem from the old self, with its ingrained patterns of sin. … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace and Works | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How liberalism destroyed true liberty

Posted on January 13, 2009 by

Last week I took my kids to their swimming lessons at a local secondary school. I didn’t notice as we left that my daughter had emerged from the girls changing room without her swimming gear and cardigan. The next morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace and Works | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Robo on a life worthy of your calling

Posted on January 12, 2009 by

I have taken the following quotes from James Robson’s Facebook status on Saturday. The Facebook status is temporary but these quotes are worth preserving. James set the quotes in the context of a life worthy of the calling we’ve received … Continue reading →

Posted in Growing Christians | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Good grieving guide (part 4)

Posted on January 8, 2009 by

Never being one to worry much about the future, I had not considered anxiety to be an ingredient of grief before being asked to speak on Matthew 6:25-34, “Do not worry about tomorrow”, at a funeral recently. When someone close … Continue reading →

Posted in Means of Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why I don’t wear a dog collar (part 1)

Posted on January 7, 2009 by

I was on a post-funeral visit last week and had really helpful conversation about the state of the church in England. During the discussion the subject of dog collars came up, because I wasn’t wearing one and don’t wear one … Continue reading →

Posted in Other matters | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

The shorthand of “the gospel” or “the cross”?

Posted on January 6, 2009 by

When using shorthand for what Christians believe in, do evangelicals speak more about “the gospel” or “the cross”? It might just be the way I hear things, but I think we mostly use “gospel” as shorthand. I am going to … Continue reading →

Posted in The Cross | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment