Recommended Reading: Apologetics
4 hours ago
Friday, 3 July 2009
The ultimate prize
Everyone loves a prize. A child's reward for taking part in something - or for good behaviour - lights up their eyes like the wattage has just been cranked up to 11. And millions buy National Lottery tickets each week for the chance to live their dream(s). But how about competing for "salvation"?
Kanal T, a Turkish TV channel, are about to commence on a new gameshow that offers salvation to 10 atheists, each of whom meet a Muslim imam, a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Buddhist monk - who themselves will attempt to persuade these atheists to convert to their particular religion. The reward for any that do will be a visit to that religion's holy site(s).
"Contestants will be judged by a panel of eight theologians and religious experts prior to going on the show to make sure their lack of faith is genuine," says the blurb. So why would they want to take part in the first place? Because they're hoping to find there is a God after all? For starters, that would prove to me that everyone has a desire deep within them - even if it's suppressed to the max - to search for God. And the whole concept has the potential to be staged and false in the first place. I'd wonder how genuine any 'conversions' would be. Why not seek out your local religious leaders in the first place? Oh, it's because you might get a free holiday out of it, that's right...
But you know what? Something else strikes me. Everything in this world is about receiving because of what we do. The kid being rewarded for good behaviour; the certificate for passing an exam or a course; the pay-rise for working well. And yet the Gospel - that Jesus paid the price which we in our selfish, lost position never could, and lives again that we might be freed from sin and from death - is all about a little word called 'grace'. That little word - a nuclear bomb of 5 letters - explodes all notions of self-worth or achievement. Nothing you or I can do will change how God saves us. No matter how hard I strive to do good works, or to please Him, or to get His attention; nor how little I think about Him during my day, or how much I let Him down. Nothing changes His love for me. Nothing warrants my salvation. Nothing builds up 'credit', or puts me ahead of anyone else. He did it for free. He did it for me. Because He loves me.
That's the ultimate prize.
(You can read about the gameshow in more detail here)
Read more!
Kanal T, a Turkish TV channel, are about to commence on a new gameshow that offers salvation to 10 atheists, each of whom meet a Muslim imam, a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Buddhist monk - who themselves will attempt to persuade these atheists to convert to their particular religion. The reward for any that do will be a visit to that religion's holy site(s).
"Contestants will be judged by a panel of eight theologians and religious experts prior to going on the show to make sure their lack of faith is genuine," says the blurb. So why would they want to take part in the first place? Because they're hoping to find there is a God after all? For starters, that would prove to me that everyone has a desire deep within them - even if it's suppressed to the max - to search for God. And the whole concept has the potential to be staged and false in the first place. I'd wonder how genuine any 'conversions' would be. Why not seek out your local religious leaders in the first place? Oh, it's because you might get a free holiday out of it, that's right...
But you know what? Something else strikes me. Everything in this world is about receiving because of what we do. The kid being rewarded for good behaviour; the certificate for passing an exam or a course; the pay-rise for working well. And yet the Gospel - that Jesus paid the price which we in our selfish, lost position never could, and lives again that we might be freed from sin and from death - is all about a little word called 'grace'. That little word - a nuclear bomb of 5 letters - explodes all notions of self-worth or achievement. Nothing you or I can do will change how God saves us. No matter how hard I strive to do good works, or to please Him, or to get His attention; nor how little I think about Him during my day, or how much I let Him down. Nothing changes His love for me. Nothing warrants my salvation. Nothing builds up 'credit', or puts me ahead of anyone else. He did it for free. He did it for me. Because He loves me.
That's the ultimate prize.
(You can read about the gameshow in more detail here)
Read more!
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Carry on Camping...
Lummy... what a fantastic weekend we had! The seven East Kent NewFrontiers churches all camped together on a farm south of Canterbury for two nights and we had an amazing time.
Where to start? Well, there was great preaching, worship times, coffee, healings (more on that in paragraphs to come...), hanging out with old mates, making new ones, and we even managed a decent fry-up...
Over 5 main meetings, we were served so well by Graham Hall, Terry Virgo, Tom Shaw and Julian Adams. On Friday evening, Graham spoke about further church planting, about dreaming God's dream for Kent. He helped raise our faith for what's to come in the next few years. On Saturday morning, we were so grateful for Terry, stepping in rather late in the planning to cover sickness, who shared over two sessions about the man Elijah. He explained how the nation he was living in - one that had transformed from God-honouring to God-despising in just a few decades - bears little difference to the nation we live in now. Just look at the last 60 years in the UK... And yet that same man Elijah - a man just like you and me (James 5.17) - prayed fervently that it would not rain, and it didn't. Then he prayed again, and it did. There was nothing special about that man, just that he recognised the sovereignty of the one and only true God Who will see His name honoured and glorified. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James5.16, ESV)
Saturday evening came around after an afternoon of It's a Knockout, or a bike ride, a walk, a Praise Party, or simply chilling out with chums (my personal choice...). Tom Shaw then spoke in the evening's session from Exodus 1: that it really was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal 5.1) and about exposing the idols in our lives.
Before bed, Jennie, Amy and I piled into the Cafe tent for the open-mike session and were witnesses to Dani Groombridge's remarkable performance (watch out for that name in the next few years, I tell ya...), Shane Thatcher's gobsmacking theme-tune whistling talents, and so much more - the highlight of which was probably being introduced to a brand new song by Olly and Shane called "Swine Flu" ("...is that a problem for you?") which was then heard being hummed all over the camp-site the following day.
And Sunday morning arrived. Julian Adams was great as ever, speaking from Galatians 3: that God is in a good mood, all the time, that faith comes from hearing, and that God cannot bless unbelief. He preached until we "got it". Our God wants to bless us, and will - it's not a case of whether He will or not, it's the timing that's in His hands. Two very different things! He proceeded with words of knowledge and prophetic revelation for a number of people, including looking for myself and Jennie and passing on what God wanted to say through him (here's a tip: if you want to get a prophetic word from God, pick the prophet up from the station the night before!). The word God revealed through Julian had many bullet points and will take plenty of time and prayer to unpack I'm sure, but it sits completely right with where we're at right now, and in how little (if any) of the factual details it contained related to anything I had shared with him the previous evening. We'd talked about other stuff entirely...
...and then Julian ended the meeting with praying for the sick. A number stood for prayer - with back and joint problems, ear problems, and much more - including my Jennie. She broke her back in 1992 (we'd only been dating a fortnight...) and had major surgery, including a fusion, with chronic pain ever since. After Amy and I laid hands on her and the subsequent joint (sic) prayer, Julian asked people to test their injury/healing. I told Jennie to touch her toes, and she did it with ease. She hasn't been able to touch her toes in 17 years!!! She still has some pain, but I believe this healing will continue in stages (a couple of years ago, Wendy Virgo prayed for her and one leg grew a 1/2" - her back problem had caused displacement - and God subsequently told me one time in prayer shortly after that "it has started". One day she'll be healed completely, I'm convinced). As for other healings, I'd rather wait until they've been authenticated before I plaster them over the net. My own wife I can vouch for ;-)
And then it was time for home. I asked Graham Hall if we could do it again next weekend, but he declined gracefully ;-)
Before I sign off, big thanks to some names not mentioned already: Sarah Slowe, Tim Wilson, Kathryn Atkins, Rob Shillitto, Tom Gillett, the rest of the PA/worship/video/cafe/TGR/bookshop/stewarding/set-up teams, Graham B for letting us use his land and anyone else I've carelessly forgotten. Cheers guys! And thank You Lord!
Before bed, Jennie, Amy and I piled into the Cafe tent for the open-mike session and were witnesses to Dani Groombridge's remarkable performance (watch out for that name in the next few years, I tell ya...), Shane Thatcher's gobsmacking theme-tune whistling talents, and so much more - the highlight of which was probably being introduced to a brand new song by Olly and Shane called "Swine Flu" ("...is that a problem for you?") which was then heard being hummed all over the camp-site the following day.
And Sunday morning arrived. Julian Adams was great as ever, speaking from Galatians 3: that God is in a good mood, all the time, that faith comes from hearing, and that God cannot bless unbelief. He preached until we "got it". Our God wants to bless us, and will - it's not a case of whether He will or not, it's the timing that's in His hands. Two very different things! He proceeded with words of knowledge and prophetic revelation for a number of people, including looking for myself and Jennie and passing on what God wanted to say through him (here's a tip: if you want to get a prophetic word from God, pick the prophet up from the station the night before!). The word God revealed through Julian had many bullet points and will take plenty of time and prayer to unpack I'm sure, but it sits completely right with where we're at right now, and in how little (if any) of the factual details it contained related to anything I had shared with him the previous evening. We'd talked about other stuff entirely......and then Julian ended the meeting with praying for the sick. A number stood for prayer - with back and joint problems, ear problems, and much more - including my Jennie. She broke her back in 1992 (we'd only been dating a fortnight...) and had major surgery, including a fusion, with chronic pain ever since. After Amy and I laid hands on her and the subsequent joint (sic) prayer, Julian asked people to test their injury/healing. I told Jennie to touch her toes, and she did it with ease. She hasn't been able to touch her toes in 17 years!!! She still has some pain, but I believe this healing will continue in stages (a couple of years ago, Wendy Virgo prayed for her and one leg grew a 1/2" - her back problem had caused displacement - and God subsequently told me one time in prayer shortly after that "it has started". One day she'll be healed completely, I'm convinced). As for other healings, I'd rather wait until they've been authenticated before I plaster them over the net. My own wife I can vouch for ;-)
And then it was time for home. I asked Graham Hall if we could do it again next weekend, but he declined gracefully ;-)
Before I sign off, big thanks to some names not mentioned already: Sarah Slowe, Tim Wilson, Kathryn Atkins, Rob Shillitto, Tom Gillett, the rest of the PA/worship/video/cafe/TGR/bookshop/stewarding/set-up teams, Graham B for letting us use his land and anyone else I've carelessly forgotten. Cheers guys! And thank You Lord!
Thursday, 11 June 2009
"Word Up"
And the English language added its millionth word on Wednesday - "web 2.0" - according to CNN's report. How official this word count is is still to be argued, but it does still point to the unending creativity inherent in the human race. Made in His image, eh?
Read more!
Friday, 5 June 2009
Consultation on RE Curriculum update
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are conducting a consultation on the RE curriculum update here:
RE Curriculum Reform Consultation
The consultation "...offers all those involved in education, including teachers, governors, faith/belief communities, parents, employers and young people the opportunity to comment on the proposed update to the religious education sections of the non-statutory guidance of Circular 1/94.The feedback you provide will be used by the government to help shape the final guidance on religious education. "
If that applies to you, then please participate via the link above. This is an opportunity for God's people in the UK to stress how passionately they believe in His reality and its complete relevance to our everyday lives; since many who don't agree will also have their say (and fair play), let's not allow apathy to diminish our own voice, eh?
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deut 6.5-7) And when they're at school certainly helps too, if taught right... Read more!
RE Curriculum Reform Consultation
The consultation "...offers all those involved in education, including teachers, governors, faith/belief communities, parents, employers and young people the opportunity to comment on the proposed update to the religious education sections of the non-statutory guidance of Circular 1/94.The feedback you provide will be used by the government to help shape the final guidance on religious education. "
If that applies to you, then please participate via the link above. This is an opportunity for God's people in the UK to stress how passionately they believe in His reality and its complete relevance to our everyday lives; since many who don't agree will also have their say (and fair play), let's not allow apathy to diminish our own voice, eh?
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deut 6.5-7) And when they're at school certainly helps too, if taught right... Read more!
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Dr Quantam - Double Slit Experiment
This blows my mind... and makes me realise just how big my heavenly Father is. His universe will never cease to astound and amaze...
Read more!
Read more!
Monday, 20 April 2009
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Monday, 23 March 2009
The big C
I've just been watching Adrian Warnock's interview with Tim Smith (worship pastor from Mars Hill, Seattle) and had to watch a section 3 times in row to make sure I didn't miss the full essence of what Tim was saying. On the issue of culture engagement for the Gospel (and referring to an Andy Crouch book called "Culture Making" he's been reading), Tim was explaining how the standard responses to the culture around us are Critique, Copy, Condemn or Consume. There is a time and a place for these when appropriate, but generally no one cares if you critique the culture (except for those that follow your blog), no one cares if you copy or consume (because everybody else is doing that anyway), and condemning it will just marginalise yourselves. Tim (and Andy Crouch) insist that the right response is Create: to take what's around us, mash it up, and create something new that advances the Gospel. Then people will take notice, and hearts and minds are engaged and won. Our worship, our 'face', our contextualisation, is still counter-culture, it's still different, but it is also not alien to those around, and catches their eyes and subsequently - God-willing - their hearts. It's not about doing something new for the sake of it, but is certainly unfolding the "all things to all men" that Paul speaks of, and also insists we fully recognise our being made in the image of a Creator God - we're creative beings, let's use that for the Gospel...
...just throwing it out there, let me know your thoughts... (looks like Crouch's book is going on my to-buy list too...) Read more!
...just throwing it out there, let me know your thoughts... (looks like Crouch's book is going on my to-buy list too...) Read more!
Monday, 9 March 2009
Beacon Fellowship Meal
Quick update to the latest Beacon news: we had a great Fellowship Meal on Saturday evening, giving us an opportunity to celebrate what God has done for us in the past year - testimonies from our new members, updates on our Cell group launch, the success of "Coffee and Chaos", Maxine's latest exploits in China - and then looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us over the coming year. We unveiled our new-look website (soon to be live! Watch this space!) and trusted God to continue His amazing work amongst us in terms of growth and community. We expect to see more family members added in the near future, and are looking forward to facing the challenge of needing a new venue for our morning services!
Big, big thanks must go out to John & Jayne, Clare, Sarah, Amanda and Tom from City Church Canterbury who served us so well with a smile, providing the evening's catering from start to finish. They're amazing.
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Big, big thanks must go out to John & Jayne, Clare, Sarah, Amanda and Tom from City Church Canterbury who served us so well with a smile, providing the evening's catering from start to finish. They're amazing.
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