March 10th, 2010
In Ezekiel 33:11 the prophet is instructed to bring the following word to God’s people:
Say to them, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
This wonderful verse challenges us to turn to God and forsake our sin. Even though sin may sometimes seem attractive in the short term it always ultimately leads to death. Why would we choose death instead of life? It’s crazy to do that yet sadly we often do.
God takes no pleasure in our death He would rather we turned and lived. Let us then give Him pleasure by turning back to Him!
Prayer ” Dear Lord, please give us the grace to turn from our wicked ways and truly return to you and live. Amen”
Tags: Sin, To repent
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March 5th, 2010
The following thought comes from Our Lady & St Dominic Cove Parish prayer group Lent calendar for today:
Today why not fast from gossip or harsh words. Instead speak only kind words.
Tags: Fasting, Lent
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March 4th, 2010
Have you eaten yet today? If not presumably you will at some stage eat today. To go through a whole day without eating is not something we would normally consider, unless we are fasting! We all need to eat and feed ourselves each day to give our body the physical strength it needs to function.
But have you had any spiritual food yet today? Just as we need physical food to sustain us each day we also need spiritual food too. In fact spiritual food is more important for us than actual physical food.
Let us determine then that each day we will feed ourselves with God’s word – the Bible – and eat as much of it as we can. Unlike physical food we can never have too much of this food.
It’s not just Christians who are called to “full time” work for God that need feeding every day. You and I also need spiritual food every day!
Tags: Bible, Feasting
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February 26th, 2010
Thanks to my wife Carole for the following book review on The Shaming of the Strong by Sarah Williams.
This is a challenging book which looks at how one family deals with the awful knowledge that their longed for third child is severely deformed and unlikely to survive beyond birth.
Sarah and Paul Williams are initially delighted to discover that they are expecting another child. However, at the 20 week scan, their joy turns to sorrow when the baby is found to have a lethal skeletal deformity. Sarah is then faced with the heartbreaking choice of having an abortion or continuing with a difficult and at times painful pregnancy knowing that her child is severely deformed and likely to be stillborn. With her husband Paul they reach a decision – which some will no doubt disagree with. The rest of the book deals with the effect that this decision has on them, their family and friends and indeed members of the medical profession who they come into contact with.
This is a book which asks all of us to consider how we respond to the most vulnerable members of our society and to what lengths we might be prepared to go to protect those who cannot look after themselves. Ultimately the book suggests that in caring for the weak we can ourselves become stronger.
Tags: Suffering
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February 24th, 2010
Some very wise words from Professor R. Scott-Clark on true repentance: Crouching Tiger, True Repentance
Tags: To repent
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February 19th, 2010
I came across this challenging article by Paul Tripp which was written on BuildingChurchLeaders.com yesterday. It is called The Heart is the Target
Paul Tripp makes some interesting observations including the following comments which are worth pondering:
People and situations do not determine our behaviour; they provide the occasion where our behaviour reveals our hearts.
Any agenda for change must focus on the thoughts and desires of the heart.
Therefore, the heart is our target in personal growth and ministry. Our prayer is that God will work heart change in us and use us to produce heart change in others that results in new words, choices, and actions.
Tags: To repent, Transformed
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February 18th, 2010
Please read Lenten Inspiration from The High Calling by Mark Roberts in which he challenges us to return to the Lord.
Tags: Lent
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February 17th, 2010
On Ash Wednesday last year our vicar preached on fasting and feasting in Lent. One year on that sermon is worth pondering again as we begin our period of Lent for 2010.
Tags: Fasting, Feasting, Lent
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February 15th, 2010
If you are thinking of doing some extra Bible study, prayer and reflection during Lent and you are not sure what to do then Nick Baines’ book looking at the Gospel of Mark is one to consider. The book has 47 reflections for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Each day consists of a passage from Mark, some thoughts from the author and a closing prayer. On each Saturday there are some personal reflections and also some questions for group discussion.
The studies are divided into seven sections: Beginnings, Callings, Healings, Teachings, Happenings, Friends and Enemies and finally Endings and Beginnings as you journey through Mark’s Gospel. I’ve used this book myself and would recommend that you consider it if you have not yet decided what to read during Lent.
Tags: Lent
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February 10th, 2010
Thanks to my wife Carole who has written the following review on ”From Medicine to Miracle by Dr Mary Self and Rod Chaytor.”
I first came across this book in an article “How do we pray for the sick?”, Woman Alive (Jan 2010).
This is a well written and uplifting book that seeks to honestly recount, warts and all, the story of Dr Self’s battle with cancer. It deals with the highs and lows of her long and at times painful journey to overcome the disease.
The story begins with her losing a leg at age 17. Then, some 17 years later aged 34, she is again forced to confront her worst fears when the disease cruelly returns. The book deals with the impact this has on her faith and those closest to her.
It is honestly written and is not afraid to ask why God would allow this to happen. However, sensibly the book does not attempt to address the question of why God may appear to choose to heal some people but not others. It is certainly well worth reading if you are a fan of the biographical/human interest genre of writing.
Tags: Healing, Suffering
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