Category: Discipleship

Angry at God ?(2) What to do with my anger

Yesterday I looked at the question “Is it right to be angry with God?” Today, I want to think a little further about what we do with that anger when we experience it.  Here are some thoughts. Take time to pour out your heart to God being open about how you are feeling.  You may… Continue reading Angry at God ?(2) What to do with my anger

What should we look for in missions presentations?

This post is prompted a little by Steve Kneale’s article where he describes sitting through a missions’ sermon.  It got me thinking a little about what we expect in and from a missions talk. So often the aim of a such a presentation (aside from sharing specific prayer points) tends to be about persuading me… Continue reading What should we look for in missions presentations?

Why is there a stigma about mental health issues and suicide?

If I called in sick with a broken ankle, a severe bout of flu (genuine flu not man-flu)  or because I was due serious surgery, you would probably think nothing of it. Yet, despite all of the progress in our understanding of mental health, we still have a problem with its stigma. Why is that? … Continue reading Why is there a stigma about mental health issues and suicide?

“If we cannot learn about relationships from the Trinity then where can we?”

This is a quote from my article on Ware and Grudem the other day. It was picked up by Liam Goligher who argued that the statement was flawed because first of all there is a creator/creature division and secondly because the members of the Trinity are persons not people, there is no partition on God… Continue reading “If we cannot learn about relationships from the Trinity then where can we?”

Seeing clearly and reporting accurately (my responsibility in a dispute part 2)

On our After Eight slot for Bearwood Chapel we were talking about the bit where Jesus says to take out the log in your own eye before attempting to remove your brother’s speck the other day. I asked Sarah, in the context of this, what she thought was our primary responsibility in a dispute. She… Continue reading Seeing clearly and reporting accurately (my responsibility in a dispute part 2)

My responsibility after a falling out

I am not talking here about a minor argument but when there has been a serious breakdown in relationships and a sense from all parties that they have been wronged.  If you have ever been asked to mediate such a situation then you will know how hopeless and painful, they often are.  Usually, there is… Continue reading My responsibility after a falling out

On judging

Matthew 7:1-6 warns against the rush to judgement. Given that Jesus himself does make judgements, gives the keys of the kingdom to the disciples and encourages church discipline, it seems unlikely that this is a blanket ban on exercising justice or discernment. However, what we have seen throughout the Sermon on the Mount is that… Continue reading On judging

Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Hierarchialism and Complementarianism are simply not the same

I am a complementarian in terms of my views of men and women and their roles in church and home.  This means that I believe men and women are not interchangeable.  This has two specific (and only two) applications. It means that Ephesians 5 talks about husbands sacrificially loving their wives, wives submitting to their… Continue reading Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Hierarchialism and Complementarianism are simply not the same

Skin Deep? Love your enemies

A man comes to Jesus and asks him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says. He responds with the two greatest commandments “Love God” and “Love your neighbour.”  Jesus confirms that he has answered correctly. The man however isn’t satisfied. “Who is my neighbour?” He asks. Then… Continue reading Skin Deep? Love your enemies