It has been said that ‘A pile of wood isn’t a fire if there are no flames’, and a theological expression of this was made by the famous Swiss theologian Emil Brunner who said that- “The Church exists by mission, just as a fire exists by burning.” So it is true, although many would like … Continue reading Piles of Wood or Fires
As the standard Sunday-Centric churches emerge from Covid 19 lockdown(s) and consider future directions, it may be a good time to engage in some health checks. Such exercises, to be really useful, must involve asking some tough, rigorous, and even ‘Inconvenient’ questions. One such ‘Inconvenient’ question I have written about previously (See here) is- ‘How … Continue reading Another Inconvenient Question – How Much to win a Soul
The Marquis De Sade in a conversation about God with the French Emperor Napoleon is reputed to have said ‘I have no need of that Hypothesis’. No doubt he would feel very much at home in our society in which most now live their lives, and certainly how the community organizes itself, with a similar … Continue reading Dysfunction- A Tale from God’s Casebook
‘When I run fast, I feel His pleasure’ Eric Liddell The above quote is attributed to Scotsman Eric Liddell who won the gold medal for the 400 yards (400m) in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. He did this after refusing to run in his best event the 100 yards, as well as other … Continue reading Making God Smile
‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand’ John 10: 27, 28 ****** If one were to compose a list of the top ten Bible readings and songs chosen for … Continue reading Followed by Love – Another Song for the Black Times
In times of trouble such as the world is currently experiencing, when for many it appears that all the foundations and structures of life, all the things upon which they have relied, seem to be in danger of being washed away, people often turn to the Old Testament book of Psalms. The main reason for … Continue reading In Times Like This – A Song for the Black Times
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” ‘God Knows’ – Millie Haskins ******** I was walking along our local beach recently when I encountered a woman with two dogs both of which … Continue reading The Hand of God
One well known Christmas Carol ‘God rest ye merry Gentlemen’ contains the phrase ‘Tidings of Comfort and Joy’ , words that are a more traditional rendering of the Angel’s words to the shepherds on the Judean hills of ‘Good news that will cause great Joy’ in Luke 2:10. It occurs to me that the original meaning … Continue reading Remember the Seven Thousand
There are times when we can feel very alone in our faith. Where we may be the only Christian in a family who may give us a hard time over what we believe and practice. Or we may be the only Christian in our workplace which can create difficulties too, and in this increasingly Christianity-hostile … Continue reading The ‘Behind The Scenes’ God
Around the year 1748 Czar Nicolai of Russia built a fortress on the island of Suomen Linna in the Baltic Sea. It was built to mark and guard his new territory, the country we now call Finland, which he had gained from Sweden. In the middle of that sea-fortress is a Lutheran Church, and one … Continue reading War Zone 2019
unbounded church 