We've been away this weekend at the Baptist Assembly in Plymouth. We all had a great time, including the girls who loved the children's programme. I may well blog on a couple of the sessions over the next couple of weeks - but no promises! In the meantime here is the official photo montage of the event.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Don't forget to turn off your mic
There can be no doubt that today was not a good day for Gordon Brown. He was out meeting ordinary voters, and faced a series of questions from a pensioner, which he dealt with reasonably well in front of the cameras. He then got back into his car, and forgetting that he was still attached to a tv mic said some things about the woman asking the questions that he later regretted.
Two thoughts.
1) For those who preach with radio mics attached to their shirts or jackets - remember to turn them off before talking to people after the service - you don't know who might be listening.
2) On a more serious note... What is it that Gordon Brown has got into trouble about? Being caught saying one thing in public and another in private. Of saying one thing to someone's face and something quite different behind their back. How should we judge Gordon Brown for today's behaviour? I'm reminded of someone who said something like, 'whoever hasn't done this themselves - let them throw the first stone'.
Two thoughts.
1) For those who preach with radio mics attached to their shirts or jackets - remember to turn them off before talking to people after the service - you don't know who might be listening.
2) On a more serious note... What is it that Gordon Brown has got into trouble about? Being caught saying one thing in public and another in private. Of saying one thing to someone's face and something quite different behind their back. How should we judge Gordon Brown for today's behaviour? I'm reminded of someone who said something like, 'whoever hasn't done this themselves - let them throw the first stone'.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
The Carrot and the Stick
When it comes to motivation and discipline there are two tried and tested methods - the carrot or the stick. One promises a reward for the right behaviour, the other a punishment for the wrong behaviour.
In this short video we see the success of the carrot.
Today we looked at Hebrews 2 in which we are warned of the importance of paying very careful attention to what we have heard in regard to our faith, in order that we don't drift away. And although there are a few pointers as to what happens if we don't pay careful attention (e.g. not escaping judgement...), the motivation is much more carrot than stick.
The bulk of this chapter is again focused on Jesus. On the truth that he became fully human, that he died on the cross, that his death in some way means we can know forgiveness, that he knows what we are going through in our difficulties and that he is therefore able to help us.
It is important that we pay careful attention to what we have heard. That we spend time studying the Bible and in prayer, and that we put into practice what we learn to be the truth. But our motivation should not be out of fear of what we escape, but rather out of a desire to know better the Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us.
To listen to this message click here
In this short video we see the success of the carrot.
Today we looked at Hebrews 2 in which we are warned of the importance of paying very careful attention to what we have heard in regard to our faith, in order that we don't drift away. And although there are a few pointers as to what happens if we don't pay careful attention (e.g. not escaping judgement...), the motivation is much more carrot than stick.
The bulk of this chapter is again focused on Jesus. On the truth that he became fully human, that he died on the cross, that his death in some way means we can know forgiveness, that he knows what we are going through in our difficulties and that he is therefore able to help us.
It is important that we pay careful attention to what we have heard. That we spend time studying the Bible and in prayer, and that we put into practice what we learn to be the truth. But our motivation should not be out of fear of what we escape, but rather out of a desire to know better the Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us.
To listen to this message click here
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Healing is in your hands
One of the advantages of being a member of worshiptogether.com is that each week details of a new worship song arrive in my inbox - along with sheet music and a video of the writers singing the song and speaking about how the song came about. Whether you like a piece of music or not is down to personal taste - so sometimes after listening to a few bars I just press delete, other times something really good comes along.
Here's 'Healing is in your hands' by Christy Nockels and a few other guys.
Here's 'Healing is in your hands' by Christy Nockels and a few other guys.
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