Scared of the truth?

I was reading Tim Chester's blog and having read about a line of a post was pretty worried. The line was: "There is a summary of the gospel message which runs like this:..." But you knew there was a 'but' coming. "This version of the story is true. But it is not the whole truth."

Now, this widening/reclarification/... of the gospel seems helpful for those hearing, as we're being self-centered if we make it all about our individual selves. Yet sometimes when I read things that start similarly, or talk about the gospel I get so confused. I fairly recently listened to Mike Reeves' four part series on Justification, and it was great, yet I'm still confused, maybe more confused. Maybe I need to concentrate more and listen again.

I know works plays no part in justifying us. It can't. It doesn't work. But are works a natural consequence of a repentant and saved person? I guess it comes back to: I screw up, on varying levels for different periods of time, and yet God welcomes be back. How long and serious can these screw-ups be? I think that's the wrong question - an answer, if there was one, would be to "look at Christ...", keep fixed on him. But yet the question remains.

Where will you go? (Or will you stay?)

I just read a great post on pastoring, large churches, and small churches. As I'm beginning to contemplate what to do post-graduation, it really encouraged me to get involved with a very local church. More than that however, it reminds me of stories I've heard where some English parishes are allocated vicars who don't necessarily believe in the authority of the bible, and that's a really sad place to be. But that doesn't mean they should be abandoned. :)