This is a big question. It’s big because it raises philosophical questions about God’s goodness (love, wisdom etc.) and his greatness (sovereignty, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence). Why do good things happen to bad people? How can a God of love tolerate suffering? God is sovereign -can’t stop the suffering If God is a God of love… Continue reading Why does God allow suffering?
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Bitter-sweet
We assume that there must be a pattern to things. If I am going through a tough time now, whether that’s in terms of family, community, work or church, then I hope there will be brighter days and better news on the horizon. Similarly we tend to assume that when things are going well then… Continue reading Bitter-sweet
A last meal with Jesus
#TheDailyDose John 21 The problem of incompleteness A couple of things we’ve picked up on Jesus deals with sin and guilt -I sort of get that and the objective guilt bit is easy enough but the shame less easy –how do I get on with things when people are still mocking or disowning me. Okay… Continue reading A last meal with Jesus
What’s my part?
#TheDailyDose – Exodus 6:6-12 The fireman at your bedside Grace in the OT The Covenant Promise (cf Gen 12:1-3) God’s Presence/Blessing God’s People God’s Land Exodus 6 -12 Redemption (rescue and atonement) Exodus 20 – Law …over to you? What’s the right response to God’s Grace? To desire to know God fully -his name To… Continue reading What’s my part?
The (church) body keeps the score
I recently referred to the book “The body keeps the score” which talks about how mental health issues and in particular trauma related health is not just in the mind. The physical brain, nervous system and the body are affected by trauma, respond to it and keep score of the damage inflicted. So, I’ve begun… Continue reading The (church) body keeps the score
How (not) to be a guilt driven church
#TheDailyDose – Ephesians 2:8-10 The book we bought and the book we read Rick Warren’s best sellers “The purpose driven life” and “The purpose driven church” –but a lot of churches and Christian lives feel “guilt driven” …not purpose driven What do I mean …. Trying to bridge a gap “For it is by grace… Continue reading How (not) to be a guilt driven church
Is it all in the mind?
“The body keeps the score” is the title of a book by Bessel Van Der Kolk about mental health and the affects of trauma. We sometimes describe particular health conditions as “all in the mind.” At one level, what we might simply mean by that is that we cannot find a specific and direct organic… Continue reading Is it all in the mind?
The truth about cats and dogs
#TheDailyDose (Psalm 51) The difference between cats and dogs Dogs show guilt in their face Cats cause you to feel guilt A lot of people carry a heavy burden of guilt and shame –it can cripple us as we seek to serve God. It can cripple churches too What is guilt? Often when… Continue reading The truth about cats and dogs
What should we do about online church after the pandemic ends?
If the government roadmap goes according to plan in England, churches will be able to fully reopen again from the 21st of June. During the pandemic, most of us have been providing online content for the many people who have been unable to attend our services in person. During that time, we have learnt that… Continue reading What should we do about online church after the pandemic ends?
The Guilt Driven Church or the Grace Saturated Church?
Over the next few days we’ve something a little different on #TheDailyDose . I’m taking a break from working through a book in order to look at a mini topical series. Over the past few months, we’ve been challenged following the Fletcher, Smyth and Timmis scandals to look at our church culture. What kind of… Continue reading The Guilt Driven Church or the Grace Saturated Church?
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