A need that has not gone away during lockdown

One of my concerns is that we have short attention spans. We hop from topic to topic. Last year we were talking about Brexit, then thete were the climate extinction rallies. For Christisns they were eclipsed by some serious spiritual abuse cases hit the headlines. COVID-19 hit the headlines and suddenly all the things we… Continue reading A need that has not gone away during lockdown

Being Salty – We hide our light when …

“Witness … and where necessary use words.” It was one of the most over used, cliched and patently false little sayings doing the rounds when I was at uni.  I think people also tried, without factual evidence to attribute it to St Francis of Assisi. The point is that you always, always need to use… Continue reading Being Salty – We hide our light when …

Being Salty – a light that cannot be hidden

During the Second World War, every effort was made to protect  London and major cities from the Luftwaffe bombers. So, street-lights were switched off and black-out curtains fitted.  However, it is very hard to hide a city, especially an ancient city set proudly on a mountain top. In fact ancient warfare did not really require… Continue reading Being Salty – a light that cannot be hidden

Being Salty You can be distinctive by speaking up when it is unpopular

Yesterday, we saw that Jesus’ command to be salt and light is not primarily about social justice but rather about sharing the Gospel.  Today, I wanted to pick up further on  little side point, which is that if we want to be distinctive in what we speak up about, then we need to be ready… Continue reading Being Salty You can be distinctive by speaking up when it is unpopular

Happy People – The persecuted

Our final beatitude talks about those who are persecuted. Paul tells us that:  12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived[1] Now remember two things here. First, that the blessing is for those who are persecuted for… Continue reading Happy People – The persecuted

Being Salty – share the Gospel

Over the years I’ve listened to sermons, read books and articles and had conversations with people about Matthew 5:13-16 and its meaning. The big emphasis seems to have been about living lives that are distinctive from the world around us, which of course is the very essence of saltiness but that then moves into an… Continue reading Being Salty – share the Gospel

Happy People – The Peacemakers

What is a peacemaker? We actually have an award for people whom we recognise as peacemakers, the Noble Peace prize. I am not sure however that the prize fully functions effectively.  How do we decide who is a peacemaker? For example, should President Trump be considered a peacemaker? After all he went to meet the… Continue reading Happy People – The Peacemakers

An odd type of insult: – On being a Biblicist

Well, I’ve dipped my toe a little into the Wayne Grudem debate on twitter and re-shared a couple of posts linking to the longer debate. If you are new to this and trying to get your head round things, here’s a summary. Christians over many centuries have tried to provide structured teaching of our core… Continue reading An odd type of insult: – On being a Biblicist