As we continue to pray for Ukraine, how should we specifically pray concerning Putin? Do the imprecatory psalms like Psalm 69 help? How does this help us think about more personal examples of opposition, suffering and persecution?
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Remember
One of my favourite Old Testament books is Deuteronomy. Towards the end of our time at Bearwood I had the opportunity to teach through the book with the team. Here’s the initial guide to teaching the book with a focus on the first 11 chapters and some example talks. I’m hoping to update this to… Continue reading Remember
Why predicting the future is a risky business
A friend of my was teasing me the other day that my predictions about Ukraine not turning out to be very good. He was referring to my argument here that if Russia’s aim was to strengthen its position on the international stage, become the primary regional player in Eastern Europe/Central Asia and push back western/NATO… Continue reading Why predicting the future is a risky business
The risk of not thinking through a confrontation
I’ve seen some interesting suggestions for how the West should respond to Putin’s aggression into Ukraine and threats against NATO allies and unaligned countries such as Sweden and Finland. The primary response so far has been through Economic sanctions against Putin’s regime and his oligarch financiers Providing arms to the Ukrainians continuing to defend their… Continue reading The risk of not thinking through a confrontation
Why I’m writing about Russia, Ukraine and NATO
The primary purpose of Faithroots is to help people think Biblically because what we believe affects how we live. I write for a general audience but I also have two specific and related audiences in mind that I particularly want to help and encourage: Those involved in urban church planting, mission and discipleship whether as… Continue reading Why I’m writing about Russia, Ukraine and NATO
Eve, deception and Doctrine
thought it might be helpful to dig a bit further into some of the things raised in my conversation with Elyse Fitzpatrick on last week’s podcast. If you haven’t watched or listened in yet then I’d encourage you to do so via one of the links below. One thing that Elyse raised was the way… Continue reading Eve, deception and Doctrine
Pray for Russia and for Russians
We have talked much over the past few days about what to pray for Ukraine. It’s also important to pray for Russia too. Today’s podcast raises the question “How do we pray for our enemies?” and so I talk specifically about praying for Vladimir Putin. You can listen here: or watch here: However, I want… Continue reading Pray for Russia and for Russians
It is not always right or possible to remain neutral
In a recent blogpost I wrote about what we might want to pray in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I included this comment: We pray that God will bring peace, that the conflict will end. However, I don’t think we simply pray for peace at any cost. Our desire should be for… Continue reading It is not always right or possible to remain neutral
The end of The World is not in Putin’s hands
One of the things people are most afraid of concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the potential for this to be escalated into a conflict between world powers with NATO sucked in and then the possibility of nuclear weapons being unleashed. Over the weekend, Vladimir Putin escalated the language on this. First, he warned that… Continue reading The end of The World is not in Putin’s hands
Post pandemic pastoral conversations – don’t forget those who have returned
The parable of the Lost Sheep is a wonderful exposition of the Gospel. It points us to the God who passionately pursues the lost. It challenges the legalistic pride and insularity of the Pharisees and it convicts our hearts -do we have that same concern for those who are lost and wandering. It’s not a… Continue reading Post pandemic pastoral conversations – don’t forget those who have returned