It was much easier when COVID rules were in place. We knew that we were to Keep a two-metre distance from others Wear face masks in doors Stay home for at least 10 days after testing positive and then only begin mixing again when we had tested negative on two consecutive days. At various times… Continue reading Can we manage our risks?
Category: Discipleship
Good immunisation
I’ve written a couple of articles reflecting on the way that we have built up immunity to COVID-19 and how this reminds me of the old adage that we can “give people just enough religion to inoculate them against the real thing.” Well, of course we are meant to think about vaccination and immunisation as… Continue reading Good immunisation
The problem with allowing any old nonsense
I wrote two articles the other day which reflecting back on, I think they are more closely linked than I realised at the time. In the first, I responded to a rather bizarre article in Premier Christianity Magazine asking if Jesus might have been married. In the second, I wrote about the way that COVID… Continue reading The problem with allowing any old nonsense
Is three a magic number?
You’ve probably heard people quote these words from Matthew 18:19-20 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” And you’ve probably heard them used to suggest… Continue reading Is three a magic number?
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (4) I am tempted to disregard the body of Christ
Whilst Joab has been settling scores with Amasa, Sheba flees to a city called Abel. Joab pursues him there and lays siege to the city. A wise woman challenges him. She reminds him that the city is part of Israel, part of the Lord’s inheritance. Will Joab seek to destroy the city. He assures her… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (4) I am tempted to disregard the body of Christ
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (3) I am tempted to believe that I am dependent on others for my relationship with Christ (v11-13)
The commander in chief of David’s army, Amasa’s body lies in the road. Joab has assassinated him. One of Joab’s men then stands by the body and calls out: “Whoever favours Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.”[1] Loyalty to David has now been explicitly linked to loyalty to Joab. The both… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (3) I am tempted to believe that I am dependent on others for my relationship with Christ (v11-13)
On Tank battles – you don’t have to fight on the enemy’s terms
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, this video clip of Boris Johnson arguing with Tobias Elwood about defence spending was circulated. For the record, I think Elwood has a point re defence spending in general. I’m also not convinced that Boris engages that point fairly or fully. However, the reason that the clip did… Continue reading On Tank battles – you don’t have to fight on the enemy’s terms
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (2) I am tempted to believe that my agenda is what matters (2 Samuel 20 v4-10)
King David is under attack from Sheba, a worthless man. He has sent the new commander of the arm, Amasa to muster the soldiers of Judah but Amasa is delayed in returning. We are not sure why Amasa takes so long. It is possible that despite his loyalty and willingness, he isn’t an affective commander.… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (2) I am tempted to believe that my agenda is what matters (2 Samuel 20 v4-10)
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (1) I am tempted to believe that I have no share in the inheritance offered by Christ (2 Samuel 20 v 1-3)
In this mini-series of articles I identify 4 types of temptation that we face. The context is 2 Samuel 20 where we see that David faced relentless trouble and opposition in the later years of his reign following his sin with Bathsheba. We live in a fallen world and this means that spiritual warfare is… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (1) I am tempted to believe that I have no share in the inheritance offered by Christ (2 Samuel 20 v 1-3)
Discipleship, pastoral care and counselling
If you are involved in discipling others then there will be times when you are asked to counsel someone. This might be about helping them to work through a particular issue or decision -whether to go for a job or it could be because they are facing specific circumstances such as marital problems, debt or… Continue reading Discipleship, pastoral care and counselling
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