Tag: faith

What kind of gift?

When we were younger, my sister wanted a Wendy house for her birthday. My dad kept insisting that she was getting a tin of baked beans, much to her annoyance and his amusement.  Well, the day of her birthday came and she went downstairs. To her joy, there was the Wendy House ready assembled …… Continue reading What kind of gift?

Stones and Serpents

I don’t want to make too big a deal out of this but I was fascinated when looking at Jesus teaching on prayer to spot one of those little but intriguing connections. In Matthew 4, Jesus goes into the Wilderness where he fasts for 40 days and nights and experiences testing from Satan.  Satan basically… Continue reading Stones and Serpents

Inputs and outcomes – on the slavery of pastoral performance

There are three challenges that church workers often have to face when trying to work out how they are doing and whether or not they are being fruitful in their jobs.[1] You tend to be responsible for managing your own time, so how do you know whether or not you are spending it in a… Continue reading Inputs and outcomes – on the slavery of pastoral performance

What if the vaccine never comes?

There have been encouraging signs over the past few weeks. We are hearing reports that trials with vaccines are having some successes. Meanwhile, we appear to be over the peak here in the UK and cases of COVID-19 have continued to decline even as society has started to open up again. However we continue to… Continue reading What if the vaccine never comes?

Happy People – The persecuted

Our final beatitude talks about those who are persecuted. Paul tells us that:  12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived[1] Now remember two things here. First, that the blessing is for those who are persecuted for… Continue reading Happy People – The persecuted

Will God give up on me? Finding Eternal Security

This question raises perhaps one of the biggest fears that Christians struggle with. What if I were to fall away from my faith to such an extent that I never recover it and so lose my salvation?  It is the very fear of this that robs many believers of assurance and with that of joy.… Continue reading Will God give up on me? Finding Eternal Security

Faith, hope and children (What Kevin DeYoung could have said)

Here’s an extra article this afternoon instead of sharing afternoon tea. The Kevin DeYoung article about having lots of children has certainly stirred emotions. Some people have taken this to mean that there are obstacles to pastors talking about discipleship issues that affect women. I don’t think so. I don’t think that the problem was… Continue reading Faith, hope and children (What Kevin DeYoung could have said)

Praying for healing (Will God heal me? part 3)

How should we go about praying for healing? Do we need to go to a special healing service and follow a set process? Here’s some notes and then the #AfternoonTea conversation on praying for healing and also our response when the prayer is answered. Anyone can pray for healing for themselves and for others. The… Continue reading Praying for healing (Will God heal me? part 3)