The old meaning of “frame” is a state of mind or emotions, the internal experience of our heart. It can be good or bad, sweet or unpleasant. What does the hymn mean by this: “I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name” This phrase is found in the old hymn My hope is build on nothing less and is also used in the modern Cornerstone– by Hillsong. It is an archaic word that most people... Read more
In some churches sin is not given enough attention. In the type of church I have attended the sole contact we tend to have with lent is Shrove Tuesday! Every year I have been alive we have made pancakes that day. I almost always forget the reason why, taking a break from any special religious festivals till Good Friday. I don’t think I have ever even given something up for lent. And yet I do recognise the value to our... Read more
Instead of dismissing other kinds of church, learn from them. Does your church think it is perfect? If so RUN away from it as fast as possible. Too many churches think they have all the answers. They describe themselves as ‘bible believing’, and act as though people that agree with them on everything are the only authentic Christians. We come to a perfect God, reading a perfect Bible, but we remain imperfect people. As the old saying goes if you... Read more
How can we follow the Bible and not the traditions of men? Only by learning from other Christian groups. Throughout church history there has been a tension between “the way things have always been done” and groups which seem new but are actually calling for a return to certain biblical principles. When God raises a new wave of such believers it is often with the intent of regaining something for the broader Church. Time after time in church history an... Read more
In this morning and evening meditation Spurgeon explains how it is subtly incorrect to rely on our faith to save us. Let these words sink deep into your soul and meditate on them. “Looking unto Jesus.” —Hebrews 12:2 It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins... Read more
Imagine a world where Christians preached the same gospel as Jesus did instead of the gospel of capitalism or Karl Marx. I came across a quote recently that was clearly parodying the teachings of communism: “The whole gospel of Karl Marx can be summed up in a single sentence: Hate the man who is better off than you are. Never under any circumstances admit that his success may be due to his own efforts, to the productive contribution he has... Read more
Tribalism, jealousy, and rejection of some groups as somehow less important than others is rife today. It is one step from that to seeing them as less deserving of protection or help and support. And one step from that is allowing them to die by our neglect such as not ensuring they have food or water, or not funding health care for them. Only one step further is to actively kill those in groups we count as less worthy than... Read more
This inspiring film demonstrates the difference one life can make to our World. The latest film stating Anthony Hopkins as Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton ought to have a profound effect on you. I can’t remember the last time a movie moved me to tears as much as this one. The movie flips between his anguish as an old man that he couldn’t save more children and back to his activities just before the start of World War 2. He personally... Read more
In the summer of 1995, I qualified as a medical doctor, got married to the mother of my five children, and moved church to be a part of what was then a tiny church plant in Enfield, North London. I had met the founding pastor, Colin Potter at a Newfrontiers conference, and as I planned to live in North London, felt that joining his new church was the best thing. The early days of the church plant were exciting, challenging,... Read more
How old should a believer be before being baptised? Some say you should be an adult or at least an older teen. One of the advantages of growing up in a new church was that the rules had not been written. As I explained I was in the very first Newfrontiers church and spent about a year campaigning to be allowed to be baptised even tho I was not yet a teen. In the end the decision was made in... Read more
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