Last week, I spent a bit of time unpacking a quote from Sam Allberry’s sermon at Tim Keller’s memorial service. The quote was “Jesus is the true and better Tim Keller.” The reason I wrote about this is that there were a few people having a dig about the quote. Comments included “Wow” (I don’t… Continue reading The pointless dig
Author: faithrootsdw
The danger of desperately seeking relevance
What put the focus on what churches were doing regarding the Women’s World Cup final was probably an article reporting the comments of the Bishop of Derby. It was in this article where she said that church life could in effect wnork around an event like a football final. However, people’s attention was caught and… Continue reading The danger of desperately seeking relevance
For this moment
Mordecai has asked Esther to go to the king and intercede for God’s people, the Jews who are threatened by Haman’s planned genoci in NJde. Esther responds by pointing out to Mordecai that this would put her own life at risk. She cannot simply go into the king as she pleases but must wait to… Continue reading For this moment
Deliver us from evil
News reaches Mordecai of Haman’s orders. His response is to go into public mourning, tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and covering his head with ash. As news spreads, other Jews do the same. This was a cry to God for mercy and deliverance. It is important not to treat Mordecai as somehow to blame.… Continue reading Deliver us from evil
What is more stubborn?
Well, here we are, the other side of the Women’s World Cup final. Sadly, for England fans it ended in tears with a 1-0 defeat to Spain. The Lionesses can leave Australia with their heads held high after another competitive tournament. They perhaps didn’t play at their best this time and were affected by injuries… Continue reading What is more stubborn?
What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
In the 1990’s sitcom “Goodnight sweetheart”, Nicholas Lyndhurst stars as a Gary Sparrow who has found a time portal to the 1940s and ends up living a double life between his wife Yvonne in the late 20th century and Phoebe a barmaid in the blitz. We can so easily live compartmentalised lives separating out church,… Continue reading What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
What kind of church? A forgiven Church (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
Introduction – “See you in court” Imagine two Christians falling out maybe over something petty – and taking it to court. We would be shocked. That’s the sense of what is happening here (v 1). The sense is “How dare you?” The correct response is disgust, disgrace, shame. This is the second time that Paul… Continue reading What kind of church? A forgiven Church (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
Learning lessons means knowing what the person you are learning from is seeking to achieve
The other day I wrote about Katherine Birbalsingh’s policy of bringing her SLT in for a 7am meeting every day. Katherine had argued that people should pay attention to this policy on the basis that if someone was successful, then we would do well to learn from them. I argued in response that just because… Continue reading Learning lessons means knowing what the person you are learning from is seeking to achieve
Why we are still meeting at the usual time this Sunday. -even with the small matter of a football game
The Lionesses go into battle at 11am, UK time this Sunday. This means the televised women’s World Cup final will clash with a lot of church services. Should we move or cancel our church gatherings so that people can watch the match? If we don’t does this reflect a problem with sexism? What would we… Continue reading Why we are still meeting at the usual time this Sunday. -even with the small matter of a football game
What kind of Church? A holy church (1 Corinthians 5)
The church is made up of imperfect people, simultaneously saints and sinners. We have a constant responsibility to challenge and encourage one another about sin. But what happens when things become more serious? Don’t get caught in the headlights (v1 -5) Have you heard the expression “a rabbit caught in the headlights?” It refers to… Continue reading What kind of Church? A holy church (1 Corinthians 5)
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