no, No, NOOO!

So its been a while since my last blog (sorry). I saw this video the other night (thanks to Wretched Radio).

When I was is Sunday school we learned verses, read bible stories and sung Jesus loves me this I know (which is no longer politically correct). Nowadays, some have decided that we must nuance songs so that the kids will sing them. I'm sure Jesus is most glorified and lifted up through the singing of songs that bring spewing to the forefront of your mind...



This song is part of the Crazy Praise 3 collection of praise songs and I'm sure it will be instant hit in all the Nonsense-Driven Churches across the English speaking world.

'So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.'

J. I Packer on the Wrath of God

A wee while ago I read J.I Packer's 'Knowing God' it is a classic! A must read! A quote that struck me in this book was this:

“No doubt it is true that the subject of divine wrath has in the past been handled speculatively, irreverently, even malevolently.  No doubt there have been some who have preached of wrath and damnation with tearless eyes and not pain in their hearts.  No doubt the sign of small sects cheerfully consigning the whole world, apart from themselves, to hell has disgusted many.  Yet if we would know God, it is vital that we face the truth concerning his wrath, however unfashionable it may be, and however strong our initial  prejudices against it.  Otherwise we shall not understand the gospel of salvation from wrath, nor the propitiatory achievement of the cross, nor the wonder of the redeeming love of God” (156).

The Holy what, eh?

First thing is first, a little of my background. The church that I grew up in was cessationist. The preaching was great the people were great and sometimes the praise was great. I often felt that not just in my church but many evangelical and baptist churches like mine had perhaps replaced the Holy Spirit for the Holy Bible. I by no means want to negate the importance of the Word! It is essential and it must be preached in an expository manner.

In my teens I started to infrequently attend some charismatic churches with some friends. I felt like they had something that perhaps my church was missing, however it was pretty much always done in an un-biblical manner often made me feel uncomfortable. But still I felt like I was missing something...

Over the past few years iv really been challenged to study the work of the Holy Spirit and His role today in the church. I'm still wrestling this one through to be honest. I feel like we are often to scared to talk about him in-case something crazy happens like on the God Channel (don't bother watching it). Surely there has to be some balance thou? Right? Is it possible to be a 'Charismatic Calvinist'? I think it is, but what does this look like?

I realise I'm asking a lot of questions here. However I think its something us reformed guys have to work through. Its been put to the side too often. I have seen the Holy Spirit move in power during street preaching in Chicago where a guy ripped of his stookie (cast for you yanks) because his arm was healed. Is this supposed to be normative? I don' know...

Don't get me wrong the most amazing work of God was to save a wretched sinner like me and to continually sanctify me even though in my pride I often don't live according to his will.

Now here is the challenge.

Anyone who is up for it, lets read together this short e-book published by the guys at Resurgance and see if it helps us in our understanding of the Spirits role today. If it happens that we are wrong (my self included), lets repent and change.

Feedback is encouraged.

Politics and all that Jazz

May 6th is fast approaching us and I still have NO idea who to vote for... It seems that all 4 big parties in Scotland are pretty much for the things I'm against. So in that case who should I vote? Labour, and vote like half of their supporters,:'ill stick with what I know.' Perhaps The Conservatives, whose leader thinks he is a cool dude and he is 'reaching out' to the working class? What about the Lib-Dems who will let you kill your granny and bury her in the back garden. Or the SNP who gave up on independence a long time ago and are all about the EU. Oh,I know!!! the Christian party... well, what one,- yes there is 2 of them(no comment) and neither know anything about politics.

Excuse my facetiousness, but it is kinda difficult too choose...

Here is an article by the Christian Institute who have put together all the manifestos which makes it easy to compare.

Well, id appreciate any feed back or suggestions Re: voting.

Time to go watch the debate...

The Prodigal Father

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the parable of the 'Prodigal Son' better named the 'Prodigal Father'. I came across this youtube video posted on Michael Tinkers blog. Its a mdern day telling of this parable I think its fairly effective.

My time at the Crowded House...

Many of you will know at the weekend there I was down at the Crowded House in Sheffield. ‘Crowded House’ is headed up by Steve Timmis (also director of Acts 29 Europe) and Tim Chester. This pair wrote a book a wee while back called ‘Total Church’ which has become very influential and respected among the church planting and ‘missional’ circles.

I was down there to check out what was going on and to get a feel for the movement. Granted I was only there for the weekend but I think I got a good taste of what life is like in the Crowded House. Stylistically Crowded House is rather different from many typical churches. Many churches have small groups and this plays an important role in the church but Crowded House do it the other way around. They call the small groups Gospel Communities (GC’s for short), the GC’s are viewed as church. These groups hang out together, eat together, worship together and interact basically on a daily basis. Each GC has a focus some target the arts community, others help asylum seekers and others minister through football and pub quizzes. On a Sunday all the GC’s meet together (in the network I was in there was 7) in what they call the Gathering (which is basically a typical church service) but to them this isn’t church it’s a gathering of the GCs, church is something that is done every day in each GC.

So what did I get up to down there, well lots, I met a heap of people (most of which I can’ remember), I got to hang out with the guys at refuge GC who took me along to help them teach asylum seekers English. Here I met 2 Iranian men Hussein, and Usman. I can see how effective this relational ministry can be because they come along every Saturday morning for 3 or so hours just to chat! Awesome!

I went for dinner with Beccs and Ben and 3 others who are in the Manner GC. The Manner is a rough housing estate in Sheffield here they are very intentionally getting to know the community. One of the ways that they went about this is by establishing a pub quiz in a local pub in the centre of the area.

I got to hang out with the guys from South View GC, there focus is to the arts community. They put on events in the building Crowded House has. This particular event was a folk night, they booked a popular folk band from the area (there name escapes me but they were sweeeeet!!!). This event attracted many non Christians from the area, the place was packed. The entry fee is like a fiver and u get free cakes and unlimited coffee (not the crap stuff, but rather they have one of the big starbucks machines, much coolness). Again this was another effective method of relational evangelism.

I also got to hang out with a guy called Tm from the Broomhall GC. I think they are also into working with asylum seekers. However he was talking about building relationships up with the people in the area by attending local comities, political events and anything else that is going on in an area. This area is very divers ethnically and in age also, there is a mix of students, Jamaicans and many other people groups. Tim told me that a month or so ago just outside his house there was a drive by shooting. Time felt really strongly about living in this area and making a difference with the Gospel.

On the Sunday I attended the Gathering where Michael Tinker (the guy who kindly let me stay with him and his family) lead worship with the team. There was a good mix of songs, some older ones jazzed up a bit, some that was written by people in crowded house and some from Sovereign Grace. One thing I found a little different was, Fredrick a German guy who is hoping to plant a church got up and shared a book review with the congregation. After this Steve Timmis got up and gave a good word. They were working through Tim Keller’s series on the prodigal God. On that day Steve was talking about the older brother who is angry, self righteous and bitter- he compared this to many people in the congregation and many people appeared to be convicted.

After the service I got to hang out with the Living Room GC which is the one that Steve Timmis was in. These guys don’t really have a focus at the moment, to some extent the focus is football. Here we ate together and chatted about the sermon.

All in all I had a great time hanging out with the guys at the Crowded House, they are a great bunch of people who are really seeking the Lord and trying to live life’s that are pleasing to Him. I’d recommend to all of you to buy a copy of Total Church it’s worth a look!

Crowded House
Total Church

Something about cultural relevance ...

First things first, I don't know anything about this TV show. Iv never heard of it. If they are faithfully preaching the Gospel, good on them and I pray that God would use this show to bring people to himself:

Any-ways, you've got to admit the guys lack of cultural knowledge is rather funny. Fresh Prince of Bell-air, nearly every one has seen that... Star Wars, cult classic.

So what do people think of this? Any comments?