It is perhaps a generalism that there is a high expectation and reports of demonic possession in non-Western contexts. There may be a couple of reasons for this. First, that we see what we expect to see. Western-secular societies are more likely to see events and phenomena through that lens and so provide natural explanations. … Continue reading Dealing with demons and demonic posession today
Category: pastoral-care
Separating the legal bit of the wedding from the celebration
The Times observes that people are increasingly separating the legal civil registration of marriage from the celebration, sometimes with a significant period of time in between. Steve Kneale picks up on this here and argues that it is s good thing and will help The Church get a better and more Biblical view of marriage. … Continue reading Separating the legal bit of the wedding from the celebration
How we live affects what we believe
The tagline of this site is “What you believe affects how you live” The opposite of this is true as well though. Our beliefs shape our thoughts, emotions, words and actions (at least if we are being consistent) but not only do those actions demonstrate what we are believing, showing the fruit but they can… Continue reading How we live affects what we believe
How do we help people bring their lives into the light?
I’ve been reflecting a little more on the topic of brining our lives out into the open and into the light. Luke 8:16-18 says: 16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in… Continue reading How do we help people bring their lives into the light?
You are usually at war before you think you are
Two things from two fields of conflict have struck me recently. First the military strikes by Israel against Iran have been described as preemptive. However, from Israel’s perspective, there are already hostilities with Iran through the Iranians’ proxies in Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houtis. Secondly, I noted an observation in the media recently that Russia… Continue reading You are usually at war before you think you are
Buried he carried my sins far away
It’s a line in the hymn “living he loved me”. The chorus goes Living he loved me, Dying he saved me, Buried he carried my sins far away. Rising he justified, freely for ever. One day he’s coming, oh glorious day. I’ve written recently about life between death and resurrection. I’ve talked about the way… Continue reading Buried he carried my sins far away
Pastoral Counselling – can we do it?
I’ve been sharing some videos on YouTube recently to help you think through approaches to pastoral counselling. However, I’m still aware that for some, there will be a question about whether or not we should be even attempting this kind of thing In fact, there are, I think two risks. On the one hand, there… Continue reading Pastoral Counselling – can we do it?
When Saturday comes: between death and resurrection
One of the themes we recently picked up on over Easter was that the whole of history is death and resurrection shaped because it is centred on, points to and is shaped by the death and resurrection of Jesus. This means that our lives are death and resurrection shaped too. This is both in the… Continue reading When Saturday comes: between death and resurrection
Is the empathy debate really just about “untethered empathy”?
I’m interested to see that Joe Rigney’s book “The sin of empathy” is continuing to generate a lot of passion. New Testament scholar, Robert Gagnon has posted a short article on facebook reacting to an article under the headline “Christian nationalists decided empathy was a sin, now it’s gone mainstream”. He complains about the … Continue reading Is the empathy debate really just about “untethered empathy”?
Some reflections on Confidentiality and the church
Steve Midgely, writing for the Journal of Biblical Counselling notes that churches often operate with a mindset that their confidentiality reflects the medical world’s approach. He quotes the Hippocratic Oath as saying: “Whatever…I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning… Continue reading Some reflections on Confidentiality and the church
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