Breakfast Buffet

Here is my latest selection of breakfast buffet items which I implore you to read.


Adrian Warnock writes on the resurrection 

At the cross we learn true humility, our hopeless sinfulness, and our need of God. At the empty tomb we fully appreciate what Christ has achieved for us and receive power to live for him. A deeper, fuller insight into the truth of Jesus’ resurrection will cause our lives to be radically transformed. 

http://www.theologynetwork.org/christian-beliefs/creation-and-new-creation/starting-out/resurrection-neglected.htm

 Terry Virgo writes on our status as saints not sinners

When Christians deplore their sinfulness to the degree that they actually argue that their essential identity is ‘a sinner’ they shoot themselves in the foot! 

If I insist on teaching that Christians are still essentially sinners, what is the Good News? Has anybody got some better news? 

http://blog.terryvirgo.org/?cat=59 (The first article is lower down the page) HT: Dave Bish 

Glen Scrivener writes on Trinity - the difference between slaves and sons

The Father is father of the Son and sends the Spirit.  The Son is son of the Father and possesses the Spirit.  The Spirit is sent by the Father and belongs to the Son. 

Every time I forget I’m a son, I start praying like a slave and it kills my prayer life.  I pray like I’m a slave and He’s a slave-master, like I’m a soldier and He’s a commanding officer.  But Jesus didn’t teach us to pray ‘Our Sergeant-Major in Heaven’ or ‘Our Line Manager in Heaven’  – instead: Our Father in Heaven.

http://christthetruth.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/trinity-the-difference-between-slaves-and-sons/ 

I've also been reading Philip Yancey's Where is God When it Hurts? which is going well. An explanation about the physical benefits of pain starts the book, I may let you know about the rest when I've finished. Thanks to Sam for the encouragement to read a chapter of a book each night before I go to bed.

This morning I had the time to do this because I set my alarm... on the other side of the room. At least that was the plan. I might have woken up before it, but it always gets me out of bed on time rather than the within-arms-reach of the bed approach.

What have you been munching on?

Walk by faith

I needed to be reminded to Walk by faith. [Marcus Honeysett Entry]

I still do.

Having read the article a friend came into my room having just been encouragingly reminded to do the same by his parents.

I see a pattern developing.

Any other resources you would recommend?

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. :)

He struck it three times and stopped...

I have Mark Batterson to thank for getting me into reading blogs - his was the first I stumbled across. I no longer subscribe (trying to learn more by reading less), but today I had a look and read keep on keeping on which I recommend.

In 2 Kings 13, Elisha is about to die, and Jehoas, king of Israel, goes to see him. A few things happen, and then Elisha tells Johoas to "take the arrows," and later to "strike the ground." Jehoas struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha then says "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times."

So, keep on keeping on. Sometimes I find it hard in times of sung worship at church on Sundays, but this week I kept on trying, and then, by the penultimate song, something seemed to change.

Have you stopped doing something which God told you to do?

Murderers can be Christians

When you're working in marketing - people are always looking at your USP - Unique Selling Point.
What is it for Christianity?

Maybe it doesn't quite meet the definition, but maybe we could use: "Murderers can be Christians". Perhaps "Paedophiles can be Christians" would get across our point better.

I almost can't stomach thinking about hitting 'publish' on this post: murders and paedophiles, what's gone wrong? But that's the way the gospel is. Good news for all - 'cos all have gone astray.

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

My friend shared this on facebook. Read.

Isaiah 43:1-4 (The Message)

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 ^1-4 But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
   the One who got you started, Israel:
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
   I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
   it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
   all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!
   That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
   trade the creation just for you.