AN NEWS SERVICE PREDICTS LAST JUDGMENT 20 MARCH
An official Iranian state news service is predicting that the Last Judgment will occur on 20 March. The website of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) claims the Mahdi, or 12th Imam believed in by Shi’ite Muslims, will appear in Arabia on the spring equinox of the Islamic calendar. ‘Imam Mahdi will be the leader while the Prophet Jesus will act as his lieutenant in the struggle against oppression and establishment of justice in the world,’ the site claims. Iranian government policy is believed to be deeply influenced by expectations of the imminent return of the Mahdi, the Church of England Newspaper says. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is on record for expressing his longing for the Muslim leader’s return to ‘establish justice, peace and brotherhood’.
Source: Church of England Newspaper (26/1)
Saturday, 27 January 2007
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Strong enough to think?
If you are in a church that is rigid or controlling it may be a constraint to your personal expression. How do you vent your thoughts and concern. The house groups and indeed the House Group Movement sought to engage with one another in the comfort and less formal setting of home. There needs to be dialogue and in the appropriate place midweek business meeting etc. There is more than ever in the current churches a need to evaluate and seek the plan for the future. In 1970 if some one said the Boys Brigade will decline rapidly people would have laughed. Yet in the space a of a few years it did.
Now consider the church- ok more established, yet it, recognises the decline. What now?
Of course where there is dialogue there will be differing opinion!
This can be seen, by some as inconsistent with a rigid theology of black and white! Debate can only improve the understanding. This together with a more thoughtful process linked to solitude will surely provide a positive Christ centred practice rather than a regimental, all believe the same, untested theology of the “Victorian age”. Sure there will be mistakes but the distilling down will be a purifying process. Can you imagine Abraham trying to answer the question while he was in the desert ;
Where are you going? “Eh... Following God, he told me to follow this column of cloud... of smoke.” “and the end result?”...”eh the best land a promised land.” How will you know what its like? “ Sorry don't know... but when we get there we will know I simply have to trust in God to take me and lead the people to where ever that is.”
The conclusions from the discovery walk or the de-construction, I await rather than dismissing as out of hand. I am encouraged that the de-construction that many fear, from their so called established church, is questioning not purely for the sake of it but with a God fearing responsibility. While Emerging people will not simply set up Churches as we have known them, they will, seek to find a way of expressing the Kingdom in the community which has a more holistic approach.
So where in the say 70's and 80's indeed the 90's the church set up “alternative church” which took the flavour of a sub-culture we see the emerging people wanting to be the culture and shape the culture head on. (Like the Joshua story “tread the land” -possession). The difficulty comes from within the established church which is trying to keep doing what worked or did not work over the last 300 years. Status Quo (not the group) is seldom forward thinking. Where are the visionaries?
Where are you going? “Eh... Following God, he told me to follow this column of cloud... of smoke.” “and the end result?”...”eh the best land a promised land.” How will you know what its like? “ Sorry don't know... but when we get there we will know I simply have to trust in God to take me and lead the people to where ever that is.”
The conclusions from the discovery walk or the de-construction, I await rather than dismissing as out of hand. I am encouraged that the de-construction that many fear, from their so called established church, is questioning not purely for the sake of it but with a God fearing responsibility. While Emerging people will not simply set up Churches as we have known them, they will, seek to find a way of expressing the Kingdom in the community which has a more holistic approach.
So where in the say 70's and 80's indeed the 90's the church set up “alternative church” which took the flavour of a sub-culture we see the emerging people wanting to be the culture and shape the culture head on. (Like the Joshua story “tread the land” -possession). The difficulty comes from within the established church which is trying to keep doing what worked or did not work over the last 300 years. Status Quo (not the group) is seldom forward thinking. Where are the visionaries?
Monday, 15 January 2007
Great Omission
Just finished Dallas Willard's "The great... Omission".
It was refreshing and re encouraging that some of by thoughts back some years ago he concluded in some bits of his book. As a busy man who needed time to write a book I look forward to his next piece of print which will be written on allocated time so to speak.
I see why his thinking gels with emerging people. He thinks. Not many christians do!
Paul M Dubuc writes
Dallas Willard's latest book is a collection of previous writings and lectures surrounding the importance of discipleship for Christians. This book is a great introduction to Willard's other books and a stirring exposition of his chief concern: That becoming a disciple of Christ is seen as optional in most churches today. It is enough that a person accept Christ as saviour and affirm certain beliefs to be a Christian. While these things are absolutely essential, they are not enough and they only partially fulfill the teachings of scripture and the commands of Jesus.
When many people consider discipleship, or spiritual formation, they think of what it costs (a la Bonhoeffer). This is a valid perspective, but Willard asks us to take a look from the other side: The cost of nondiscipleship:
"Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith
that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness
that stands firm in the most discouraging circumstances, power to do what is right
and withstand the forces of evil. In short, nondiscipleship costs you exactly the
abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10)."
Discipleship is essential for every Christian, not just for the "super Christians." There is nothing in the teaching of scripture that suggests that being forgiven and "saved" is all there is to being a Christian. To the contrary, Willard shows that Christians need to be undergoing a profound transformation in character becoming more like Christ from the heart. How does this happen? By the faithful acceptance of everyday problems, interaction with God's Spirit in and around us and spiritual disciplines. He recommends four spiritual disciplines as basic to discipleship: solitude, silence, fasting and scripture memorization. For those to whom spiritual disciplines sound like "works righteousness," Willard repeatedly emphasizes the difference: "Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action." The process of transformation isn't passive on our part. Its effectiveness is all due to God's grace. But our effort makes us receptive to this grace. God will not impose it upon us. Willard likens spiritual discipline to the physical discipline of an athlete (cp. 1 Cor. 9:24-27). The spiritual disciplines aren't meant to be burdens that we groan under. They are tools which we can help us make God's grace more effective in our lives. In fact, our bodies themselves are tools for spiritual growth.
The heart of the book is chapter 9, "Living in the Vision of God." Here Willard distinguishes between the substance of devotion to God and its effects. When we become too attached to the latter we are in danger of losing the former. Here there is a very good analysis of how this happens and what can be done about it. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in Mark 12:30 and Willard assures us that, "It is something we are to do, something we /can/ do. We /will/ learn learn how to do it if we /intend/ to do it. God will help us, and we will find a way." Amen! Let it be so.
The book ends with a few short chapters about various books on spiritual living that have been a tremendous help to Willard and which he commends for our use. I've added a few of them to my reading list.
Dallas WIllard is a very wise, and practical teacher. He has deep and valuable insight into what it means, and what it takes, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today. He is a trustworthy guide for the efforts of any Christian who wants to break an addiction to mediocrity in their relationship to God. This book will never be the classic that _The Divine Conspiracy_ is bound to become, but it provides a a much needed impetus for modern evangelical Christianity to reclaim the great omission for its life and mission. I hope it gains a wide reading.
It was refreshing and re encouraging that some of by thoughts back some years ago he concluded in some bits of his book. As a busy man who needed time to write a book I look forward to his next piece of print which will be written on allocated time so to speak.
I see why his thinking gels with emerging people. He thinks. Not many christians do!
Paul M Dubuc writes
Dallas Willard's latest book is a collection of previous writings and lectures surrounding the importance of discipleship for Christians. This book is a great introduction to Willard's other books and a stirring exposition of his chief concern: That becoming a disciple of Christ is seen as optional in most churches today. It is enough that a person accept Christ as saviour and affirm certain beliefs to be a Christian. While these things are absolutely essential, they are not enough and they only partially fulfill the teachings of scripture and the commands of Jesus.
When many people consider discipleship, or spiritual formation, they think of what it costs (a la Bonhoeffer). This is a valid perspective, but Willard asks us to take a look from the other side: The cost of nondiscipleship:
"Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith
that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness
that stands firm in the most discouraging circumstances, power to do what is right
and withstand the forces of evil. In short, nondiscipleship costs you exactly the
abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10)."
Discipleship is essential for every Christian, not just for the "super Christians." There is nothing in the teaching of scripture that suggests that being forgiven and "saved" is all there is to being a Christian. To the contrary, Willard shows that Christians need to be undergoing a profound transformation in character becoming more like Christ from the heart. How does this happen? By the faithful acceptance of everyday problems, interaction with God's Spirit in and around us and spiritual disciplines. He recommends four spiritual disciplines as basic to discipleship: solitude, silence, fasting and scripture memorization. For those to whom spiritual disciplines sound like "works righteousness," Willard repeatedly emphasizes the difference: "Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action." The process of transformation isn't passive on our part. Its effectiveness is all due to God's grace. But our effort makes us receptive to this grace. God will not impose it upon us. Willard likens spiritual discipline to the physical discipline of an athlete (cp. 1 Cor. 9:24-27). The spiritual disciplines aren't meant to be burdens that we groan under. They are tools which we can help us make God's grace more effective in our lives. In fact, our bodies themselves are tools for spiritual growth.
The heart of the book is chapter 9, "Living in the Vision of God." Here Willard distinguishes between the substance of devotion to God and its effects. When we become too attached to the latter we are in danger of losing the former. Here there is a very good analysis of how this happens and what can be done about it. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in Mark 12:30 and Willard assures us that, "It is something we are to do, something we /can/ do. We /will/ learn learn how to do it if we /intend/ to do it. God will help us, and we will find a way." Amen! Let it be so.
The book ends with a few short chapters about various books on spiritual living that have been a tremendous help to Willard and which he commends for our use. I've added a few of them to my reading list.
Dallas WIllard is a very wise, and practical teacher. He has deep and valuable insight into what it means, and what it takes, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today. He is a trustworthy guide for the efforts of any Christian who wants to break an addiction to mediocrity in their relationship to God. This book will never be the classic that _The Divine Conspiracy_ is bound to become, but it provides a a much needed impetus for modern evangelical Christianity to reclaim the great omission for its life and mission. I hope it gains a wide reading.
Windy.... winding on
Its been very windy in the UK these past few weeks.
The new year is fast moving. How are your resolutions?
The new year is fast moving. How are your resolutions?
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Weather report...
Minus 6 midday last week. Then plus 9 the next day. Strange weather here. plus 10 this morning. Let me wish you all a happy new year for 2007 . Picture: neighbour off to feed sheep in his "banana splits" vehicle!
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
Icicles Rogart Boxing Day walk
Came across an attractive sight on our Boxing day walk not far from home.
Thursday, 21 December 2006
Happy Christmas advent
No smart comments no deep thoughts.
We are getting to the end of the week.
I want to wish you a happy Christmas.
The reason for the season will be more important as the years go on.
Happy Christmas.
Come back home soon!
We are getting to the end of the week.
I want to wish you a happy Christmas.
The reason for the season will be more important as the years go on.
Happy Christmas.
Come back home soon!
Wednesday, 20 December 2006
Portmahomack
A recent visit to Portmahomack left me pleasantly surprised. It had been some 6 years since I had been to the Port...
There is certainly a feeling of improvement to the village and a sense of togetherness.
After a windy trip to the lighthouse we head back home.
There was a Brethren Assembly in Portmahomack in 1921. I assume this was set up as part of the fishermens revival that came down from Wick starting in 1920. There is more from my research at Brora Sutherland revival 1920
I hear Stuart Blyth is looking for stories etc on open air preaching.
Narrow escape
At Rosehall, Sutherland, on the first Sunday after "the Disruption" the people gathered at the usual time in the open air to worship. At the very time they would have been in the local Church of Scotland for worship the roof of the building fell in. No one was hurt but the providence of this is felt and was felt for many years after the event.
Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Three days of frost
Three days of frost and its good to be in the warmth. I am feeling "beta"now. All change.
Thursday, 14 December 2006
Kirkwall Churches get a shake up!
Andrew Jones (tallskinnykiwi) had a lot to handle at Stromness Church last Sunday.
Additional notes and comments as well as the video will help you to understand and perhaps how to deal with future disruptions in your church. End times coming.
Horst Schaffranek has a lot to answer for, another cult.!
Additional notes and comments as well as the video will help you to understand and perhaps how to deal with future disruptions in your church. End times coming.
Horst Schaffranek has a lot to answer for, another cult.!
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