Virtue Reborn Chapter Two

Almost a month since I told you I had finished chapter one of Tom Wright's Virtue Reborn I have now finished chapter two. (To read that previous post click here.) I can't decide the best way to read Tom Wright. Generally I read in small sections, but then I loose sight of the big picture. If I try and read in big sections my head explodes.

In this chapter Tom Wright starts to develop the argument that what Christians are supposed to be involved in between believing and death is the transformation of character, rather than learning a set of rules to live by. It isn't that rules don't matter - but character matters more. And this process of transformation of character is not automatic or easy - it's like learning a musical instrument or a new language, we practise and practise until, one day, we find that doing the right thing has become second nature.

When we choose to act a particular way in a given situation, it seems as if our brains learn that response, and it is then easier (and more likely) to do the same thing in that situation next time around. This obviously works both ways - I can, for example, develop a character where I habitually tell the truth, or where I habitually lie.

Tom Wright also talks in this chapter about anticipating the Christian goal, in the sense that I do something now in the light of what I expect in the future. [If I anticipate it will rain later then I will take my umbrella to work.] Therefore the time between believing and dying is not about 'good works' in the sense of keeping the rules, but about 'good works' in the sense of doing things which bring God's wisdom and glory to birth in the world - of course you get the good moral living thrown in as well.

My brain is hurting - I'll be back in a few weeks with chapter 3...

The Real Easter Egg - Putting Jesus back into Easter

Lent starts on Wednesday and it's seven weeks to Easter and the shops are already stocking up on Easter eggs.

If you've read my posts in the last few days you will know that this is Fairtrade Fortnight, and there are several options when it comes to Fairtrade Easter eggs.

But when it comes to Fairtrade eggs that tell you on the box that Easter is not about eggs, but about the death and resurrection of Jesus you only have one option.

And that is the Real Easter Egg.

Four UK supermarkets have agreed to stock this - as a trial, to see the kind of demand there will be. They are Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-op and Booths. We were pleased to discover that our local Morrisons does.

So if you are buying Easter eggs this year why not buy the Real Easter Egg; if possible from your local supermarket. Supermarkets only stock what we buy! If your local supermarket doesn't stock it - ask the manager why not. And if you find that the Queensbury Morrisons is out of stock - ask them when they're getting more in.

If your local is a Tesco or a Sainsbury's - bad luck. The good news is you can buy them online. To order or to find out a whole load more information visit their website by clicking here.

76 years old

This week we are celebrating our 76th anniversary as a church - although none of the current members have been a part of the church for the whole 76 years! As we look back over just the last year, let alone the past 76 years, there are many things that we give God thanks for. God has promised to be with us through the hard times as well as through the good times. He is a faithful God.

And whilst we do not know what the future holds we know that the God who has led us this far has promised that he will lead us into that future. If we let him, he will lead us all the way.

World Book Day

Happy 'World Book Day 2011' - what are you reading to celebrate?

We sent two daughters off this morning dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and Alison Wonderland (sic), and the playground at school was full of various Disney Princesses and superheros.

Although an event aimed at children and (new for this year) teenagers - what are you reading to celebrate world book day?

One of the aims of this blog is to encourage interaction with the Bible, which is the world's best selling book of all time - and it is also the most shoplifted book - not sure what happens when someone gets to Exodus 20:15 in a shoplifted Bible!

There are many resources available today to help us interact with our Bibles every day - there are traditional Bible notes (printed on paper using ink), as well as pod casts, and daily downloads to your mobile phone.

Two good websites to start exploring are Scripture Union's 'Wordlive' and the Bible Society's 'You've Got the Time'.