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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February 4th, 2010
In Matthew 12, Mark 3 and Luke 12 Jesus speaks about the unpardonable sin.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come. (Matthew 12:32 NIV)
This is obviously a very sobering verse and I think many of us, especially if we are prone to worrying, ask ourselves “Is it I?”
I have this week come across three very good articles on the unpardonable sin and if you are worried that you might have committed this sin then I would recommend you read these. Please note I have not posted these to scare anyone but to shed some light on this subject especially for those of us who like myself tend to worry.
The Unpardonable Sin by Ed Welch looks at the passage in Matthew 12
The Sin That Will Never Be Forgiven by Geoff Thomas looks at Mark 3:29-30 and then goes on to also look at Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-29
The Sin That Won’t Go Away by William Smith looks at Mark 3:22-30 and Hebrews 6:1-9
If you have any thoughts on this feel free to contact me via Twitter
Tags: Sin, The Unpardonable Sin
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January 29th, 2010
For those of us who know they have the tendency to be idle then the following piece called The Perils of Idleness from The Daily Spurgeon website is worth reading.
Tags: Spurgeon
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January 26th, 2010
Christian Aid have launched an on-line petition to drop Haiti’s debt. Please sign this petition.
Join the call for the full cancellation of Haiti’s debt of $890m, and for all emergency and development funds to be given not loaned.
Tags: Christian Aid, Haiti
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January 25th, 2010
Mike Milton has written a Theological and Pastoral Response to the Tragedy in Haiti in which he looks at how Christians can respond to this tradegy.
Tags: Haiti, Suffering
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January 24th, 2010
Spurgeon’s devotion for this evening on the Heartlight website looks at the story of Martha and Mary. When Jesus came to their house Martha was busy working in the kitchen whilst Mary sat listening to Jesus. Spurgeon makes the following important comment:
The first thing for our soul’s health, the first thing for his glory, and the first thing for our own usefulness, is to keep ourselves in perpetual communion with the Lord Jesus, and to see that the vital spirituality of our religion is maintained over and above everything else in the world
Tags: Communion, Spurgeon
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January 22nd, 2010
This is another well written article on suffering entitled “The Multiple Means to Joy: Spurgeon on Suffering” which will help us as we wrestle with this difficult subject.
Tags: Spurgeon, Suffering
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January 21st, 2010
There are no easy answers to suffering and the problem of pain. These two links below may be of interest to those who wrestle and struggle with these issues.
The first is about a new book called “Suffering and the Goodness of God” and the second is some thoughts on “God and the problem of Pain, Evil and Suffering.”
Tags: Suffering
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January 14th, 2010
Save the Children have launched an emergency appeal for those effected by the Haiti earthquake.
If you wish to give visit Save the Children Emergency Appeal.
Your money can buy the following:
- £20 - 3 tarpaulins to provide basic shelter to protect families
- £40 - 24 buckets to help families carry clean water
- £50 - 21 mosquito kits to protect children from malaria
Tags: Haiti, Save the Children
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