“he is not ashamed to call them brothers”[1] In those words, I find one of the greatest answers to the problem of shame. If I belong to Christ, I no longer need to feel shame because the view of the one person that counts is that he is not ashamed of me. Jesus chooses to… Continue reading Jesus is not ashamed of me
Posts
Food from around the world wide web
The News and social media this week has been dominated by the horrific events in the US with the death of George Floyd and the consequences. Here are a couple of blog posts reflecting in the situation The Gospel Demands that we confront the evil of racism – reflections from John Stevens, National Director of… Continue reading Food from around the world wide web
Is God Just and Fair?
Yesterday’s #AfternoonTea looked at this question as we continue to think about questions to do with justice. Key points include There are two arguments to consider here. First that God punishing sin is unfair because how can we really know that he exists and what his law is? The second is that it is unfair… Continue reading Is God Just and Fair?
Who will you take the knee for?
Taking the knee started as a protest gesture by American Football players back in 2016 who refused to stand for their national anthem in protest at discrimination and police brutality. This week, people have been asked to “take the knee” around the world in solidarity with George Floyd and those affected by his killing. I… Continue reading Who will you take the knee for?
The Road home (2 Peter 3:14-18)
Throughout Coronavirus, we’ve taken time each day to pray and look at a Psalm together. I’ve been excited not just to see what each individual Psalm is saying but also to get a sense of the themes coming through. The big theme, particularly in the last part of Psalms is on the journey home for… Continue reading The Road home (2 Peter 3:14-18)
#BlackLivesMatter or #AllLivesMatter ?
My wife is a teacher. As a teacher, she wants to ensure that all of the children in her classes are treated equally and fairly. However, she has discovered over the years that “treating fairly” does not mean “treating the same.” She has learnt that if the gap is to be closed for boys then… Continue reading #BlackLivesMatter or #AllLivesMatter ?
Against you only?
In Psalm 51:4 David says “Against you only have I sinned.” We usually meet those words when reading them as part of a confession and at first glance they seem like a helpful articulation of repentance. Then we notice the description of the Psalm as written in response to David’s sin in relation to Bathsheba.… Continue reading Against you only?
Reading the Psalms (part 2) – looking at the detail
Here’s part of our Faithroots Live (mini) talk.
A little lower than the angels?
Hebrews 2:5-8 talking about Christ’s superiority to angels quotes Psalm 8 saying “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man[a] that you should care for him?7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour.[b]8 You gave them authority over… Continue reading A little lower than the angels?
Can I lose the fullness of the Holy Spirit? (Sealed with the Holy Spirit 7)
We should not think of the Holy Spirit as a substance like water that we can leak. However, is it possible to lose the fullness of the Holy Spirit by not allowing him influence and lordship over all of my life?