Last Sunday, I preached a sermon at Jubilee Church in our series on the book of Nehemiah. A video of it is now available to download. You can also download the mp3, listen to it right here, or read my notes below: “Let me tell you about a most wonderful experience I had early Monday morning, March 19, 2007, a little after six o’clock. God actually spoke to me. There is no doubt that it was God. I heard the... Read more
My life is incredibly busy. Later this week I am making an announcement here on my blog which adds another major task to the many that are already my responsibility. I wear so many hats: a husband, a father, an employee, a blogger, a preacher, a leader, and most of all a child of God. I know I am not alone in all this. We all seem to be determined to accomplish ever more with the time God has allotted... Read more
I keep coming back to the subject of regeneration. I’m convinced that there is nothing more important for us to keep considering than this—not least because it enables us to be sure that we are saved ourselves, but also because of the effects a right understanding of this will have on us. I was therefore thrilled to find the following quote from the Doctor in a similar vein. We do not talk enough about this. What, then, is the new... Read more
Many bloggers are commenting on the 90th birthday of Billy Graham, who is the evangelist who has spoken the gospel to more people than anyone else in human history. Billy is a global force for good who is sorely missed. I, for one, wish he could do one last big mission beamed all around the world to multiple stadiums. But, at 90 he can be forgiven for feeling it is time to just enjoy his retirement. Apparently because of Graham’s... Read more
Last Friday we spoke about how meekness is not an excuse for laziness. Today I have another quote from Dr. Piper about how God’s instructions to us to trust him are not intended to make us lazy. As Oliver Cromwell is reported to have frequently said, “Trust in God and keep your gunpowder dry!” Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are... Read more
Today I want to highlight Jubilee Church, St Louis which is the home of John Lanferman, the leader of Newfrontiers USA. This is found in St Louis, which is the 52nd largest USA city. The church has two locations and is something of a beacon church, running a church planting training school. Read more
Much of the world is rejoicing today. Even with the profound differences Christians have with Obama over abortion, surely we can still rejoice that in a nation where slavery and segregation are not too distant memories, a non-Caucasian will be in the White House. We can and we should be glad that this change may well lead to a reduction in the racial tensions experienced in that great nation. Who can really claim that there is still an absolute and... Read more
Last week I posted about the need for us to have a heart for cities. Recently I was reading again our Saviour’s words, when he had set his heart to go to the city where he knew he would die. I wonder whether we share such a passionate heart for the city, even when we know it is rejecting us and our message? I pray God may soften my heart so I can pray with such similar compassion for London,... Read more
I don’t intend to cover the US election here in any detail. But I thought I should point you in a few directions if you are interested. One thing that has always puzzled UK evangelicals like me is why US politics is so polarized, with so few evangelicals voting Democratic. If you want a clear explanation as to why this is, Justin Taylor explains evangelical concerns about Obama in quite simply the most clear way I have ever seen, while... Read more
Perhaps we should speak more about laziness as Christians. I’m not 100 per cent sure that we can say that the following quote entirely rings true of Christians today as a group. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’m concerned that we as the Church have begun to imbibe the inherent laziness of the world. Brothers and sisters, this ought not be the case! We do not live for the beach! “Christianity has always stood for the dignity of work, for the... Read more
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