Entitlement is really another word for pride. It simply means "I deserve better." There is almost no other common sin that is so universally disliked in others when it is encountered yet so readily nurtured in ourselves. Our modern notion of human rights encourages this. It is all about me and my needs. Not about meeting my responsibilities. When we speak of religious freedom very rarely will a Christian really be talking about say the freedom of muslims to build a Mosque. Nor will a feminist … [Read more...]
What is a Christian?
October 22, 2012 By 77 Comments
I believe it is very important that we broaden our definition of Christian, but at the same time narrow our definition of Evangelical. Very often people confuse the two these days. The Evangelical movement has always been a movement within the wider Christian movement. Often it has been accused of believing that only other Evangelicals are really Christians. It is no wonder then, that some today do not like it when people suggest they are probably not an Evangelical. The latest in a long line of … [Read more...]
When someone else must become greater
October 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The following quote is speaking about John the Baptist's willingness for Jesus to be greater. Often when we think of this aspect of John's life we think of how we too must live in order that Christ be glorified. That is of course a major application for us. But have you ever considered that we should also be willing for others to come to the fore and us to fade into the background if that is what our Lord wants for us: John not only had a large following; he also demonstrated authority as … [Read more...]
John Piper on self promotion vs being influential for Jesus
September 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
In keeping with my theme this week of self-examination, I thought I would highlight two things I found on Justin Taylor's blog. The first was a post on self-promotion by Dane Ortlund. This really hits the mark and is a great provocation to us. Like many such pithy thoughts it is of course, however, one sided. There is nothing wrong with that as sometimes we do well to allow a truth, in this case "do not promote yourself" to hit us full in the face without nuancing it in that moment. If in … [Read more...]
Don't Believe your own publicity
September 7, 2011 By 2 Comments
Today I also wanted to repost an article I wrote two years ago that has a reflective tone to it. May God use it in our lives to wake us up at the beginning of a new season: One of the things that concerns me most about having a blog is that it allows me to paint to the world a picture of myself. Most of the time, I will admit, I don’t really think about that. I just get on and write. But, for a variety of reasons, there is a tendency to write things that portray me in a favorable way. It … [Read more...]
Check your motives (Philippians 2:3)
September 6, 2011 By 1 Comment
I am back. But to begin with, I thought I would repost an old article and encourage you to join me for a moment of self-examination. I am convinced that done badly this can of course turn into naval-gazing and be unhealthy. But now at the beginning of a new season, is a good time to pause for a moment: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 Stop. Whatever you are doing right now, just stop. I know you are … [Read more...]
A Call to Fasting by Tope Koleoso
September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Yesterday, my pastor called us as a church to a three day fast. I would encourage you to watch this and ask yourself if God is calling you too to fast as an individual or church at the beginning of this new season. It also gives some very helpful practical and gracious advice. … [Read more...]
New Christianity Explored website
September 1, 2011 By 1 Comment
The new Christianity Explored website creates a welcoming, unpressured and jargon-free place for people to explore the Christian faith. It is packed with answers to tough questions as well as some wonderfully engaging real life stories of people who have come to faith in Christ Jesus. http://www.christianityexplored.org/ It also contains Week One of the Christianity Explored course and great video testimonies. "The Christianity Explored course gives you time and space to think through who Jesus … [Read more...]
Guest post by David Wayne
August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Today's guest post comes from David Wayne, the Jollyblogger. Adrian and David were so close and interacted so much in the early days of Christian blogging that at one point there was an internet rumour that they were the same person! Adrian's early debates with David Wayne over the charismatic issue were some of his favourite early blog posts. David has been blogging a lot less lately due in large part to his fight with cancer. It is great to hear from him again. God is to be Glorified in … [Read more...]
Popular posts: 10 Ways a Christian should respond to the earthquake in Japan.
August 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
During Adrian's month away from the blog, he has hand-picked a selection of the most popular posts of the year so far to re-run. Today we feature, "10 Ways a Christian should respond to the earthquake in Japan." As the world was reeling from the astonishing news from Japan, this post proved quite popular as it attempted to think through how Christians should respond: 10 Ways a Christian should respond to the earthquake in Japan As Japan braces itself for a possible further serious earthquake, … [Read more...]
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