When we focus on heaven we can cope with the suffering we all experience on earth: "There’s nothing on earth that actually satisfies the desire for home. Home isn’t just a house, home is a place where everything fits. Jesus is saying I am your shelter from the stormy blast and your eternal home." Tim Keller Read more
I have been learning more about the Jesus Revolution Movement after watching the movie a while back. It is fascinating to see just how remarkable the impact of that work of God is till today. One of the key players is Chuck Smith and as the movie points out he was changed by the experience with his small church dramatically growing, and over time Calvery Chapel grew into a large movement. As we will see in a future article, this group also sparked the Vineyard Movement. Read more
There are a number of really interesting characters in Sir Keir Starmer's new cabinet. Before the election I listened to a fascinating interview with one of them, our new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting. It was a rare departure from the usual carefully choreographed policy-based interviews, and this one went behind the politician to hear about the man. Read more
Both presidential candidates are routinely described by the other party as being a threat to the existence of democracy. Why are we surprised that someone took it upon themselves to try and remove one of them? It is time for the political temperature in the USA to be turned down. Read more
“Don’t say God loves the sinner,” say some Calvinists, "He only loves his predestined elect". But as Spurgeon said "Jesus did not die to make God love sinners, for he always did love them". As the Bible tells us: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8, NIV) Read more
How well do pastors care for those with chronic unsolvable problems? Adrian talks with John Stevens, a leading UK christian. They spoke about servant leadership, a phrase used by Sir Keir Starmer but which ought to be deeply rooted in Church leadership. The mature Christian or pastor ought not to be remote, strong, entrepreneurial and untouchable but rather someone who knows what it is to have human weaknesses and go through human sufferings, and yet to find Christ in the midst. If you are a pastor or church member who is struggling with feeling you are failing to meet the expectations you have put on yourself this discussion will serve you well. Read more
Today I welcome John Stevens the director of the UK’s Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches as a guest author. He is writing about a Christian perspective on the new Prime Minister’s speech outside Downing Street. Like Rishi Sunak this speech included a generous tribute to his opponent. Here are some excerpts from the speech: “Good afternoon… I have just returned from Buckingham Palace. Where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King. To form the next government of this... Read more
A peaceful transfer of power with no one denying the results. Are you watching USA? Christians ought to pray for the success of our leaders. When it became clear that The Conservatives had lost the UK election, Rishi Sunak called Sir Keir Starmer and congratulated him, conceding defeat. The then spoke to the nation and apologised to the people of our country, acknowledging that the nation had sent a clear signal that the government must change. Read more
My guest Barnabas Piper grew up as a son of John Piper and with that surname came many expectations. Divorce wasn't one of them. But God wasn't finished with him. Now he is remarried and a pastor. A life restored, pain comforted, and turned into good for others Read more
F.F. Bruce wrote the following brief summary of Predestination, which is one of the five points of Calvinism. In this quote he expresses well the idea we saw from Stott that God being in charge does not have to negate our responsiblity: Read more
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