'the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence' 2 Chronicles 29:11
RIP John Stott. (1921-2011)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Hate
'Hate what is wrong.' Romans 12:9
It is not wrong to hate evil. It is wrong to hate Someone. Some of us have difficulty distinguishing the two.
It is not wrong to hate evil. It is wrong to hate Someone. Some of us have difficulty distinguishing the two.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Snare
'Let their bountiful table become a snare,
a trap that makes them think all is well' Romans 11:9
a trap that makes them think all is well' Romans 11:9
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Nothing
'I am convinced that nothing can ever seperate us from God's love. Neither death nor life...' Romans 8:38
RIP Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)
RIP Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Slave
'You become the slave of whatever you choose to obey' Romans 6:16
Nice to see ECC's latest TV ad is promoting Christian values- albeit in the guise of trendy Native American spirituality.
Nice to see ECC's latest TV ad is promoting Christian values- albeit in the guise of trendy Native American spirituality.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Helpless
'When we were utterly helpless, Christ came just at the right time and died for us sinners.' Romans 5:6
Only Jesus can save us.
Only Jesus can save us.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Cattle
'Shaphat son of Adlai was responsible for the cattle in the valleys.'
1 Chronicles 27:29
Our children's health and safety depends on the integrity and wisdom of men like these.
1 Chronicles 27:29
Our children's health and safety depends on the integrity and wisdom of men like these.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Everyone
'everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard' Romans 3:23
This is Protestantism 101.
This is Protestantism 101.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Terrified
'Terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the LORD' 1 Chronicles 21:30
Fear of hell in these liberal days is seen as neurotic. I see it as a sign of grace, and a dose of realism.
If only Hitler had been slightly more God fearing...
Fear of hell in these liberal days is seen as neurotic. I see it as a sign of grace, and a dose of realism.
If only Hitler had been slightly more God fearing...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Secure
'a secure place' 1 Chronicles 17:9
Despite my efforts to discourage her, hidden away in a corner of the balcony is a nest. Mrs Pigeon and her two eggs appear to be doing fine.
Despite my efforts to discourage her, hidden away in a corner of the balcony is a nest. Mrs Pigeon and her two eggs appear to be doing fine.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wicked
'The wicked think ''God isn't watching us!..'' ' Psalm 10:11
In Russia, the communists took on the church and lost. Why do the authorities in China think the result will be different?
In Russia, the communists took on the church and lost. Why do the authorities in China think the result will be different?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Loyalties
'if David switches loyalties...' 1 Chronicles 12:19
Loyalty is very highly prized in Japan. Samurai often laid down their lives for their lords. So it seems ironic that many Japanese students seem to prefer to pay English teachers who talk smack about America and Britain, and who are willing to make compromises to be popular with the locals. I try not to be like that. And I am unemployed.
Having said that, living here for eleven years has made me realize that things were not as black and white during World War Two as they were sometimes painted in the UK when I was growing up. These days I feel little loyalty to the British government- I didn't vote for it, it doesn't represent my values. But I am never going to pretend to worship at a Shinto shrine just to fit in. Loyalty to a bad leader is a bad thing.
Loyalty is very highly prized in Japan. Samurai often laid down their lives for their lords. So it seems ironic that many Japanese students seem to prefer to pay English teachers who talk smack about America and Britain, and who are willing to make compromises to be popular with the locals. I try not to be like that. And I am unemployed.
Having said that, living here for eleven years has made me realize that things were not as black and white during World War Two as they were sometimes painted in the UK when I was growing up. These days I feel little loyalty to the British government- I didn't vote for it, it doesn't represent my values. But I am never going to pretend to worship at a Shinto shrine just to fit in. Loyalty to a bad leader is a bad thing.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Flesh
'your own flesh and blood' 1 Chronicles 11:1
RIP Edith Gaythorpe born today in 1904. Sleep well Gran.
RIP Edith Gaythorpe born today in 1904. Sleep well Gran.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Kill
'kill me before these pagan Philistines come to taunt and torture me..'
I Chronicles 10:4
I think I understand how Saul feels. But suicide is not the right answer.
I Chronicles 10:4
I think I understand how Saul feels. But suicide is not the right answer.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
父
'テコアの父' (the father of Tekoa) 1 Chronicles 4:5
My own father hated the lists of names on some pages of the Bible. I can see why he thought it was boring to read, but what he perhaps failed to appreciate is each name is someone's life.
We don`t know what chariot he drove, or even if he had a chariot. We don`t know what kind of neighbourhood he lived in. We don`t know the kind of alcohol he liked, the clothes he wore, or any of the other things that advertisers say define us.
We do know his child's name.
My own father hated the lists of names on some pages of the Bible. I can see why he thought it was boring to read, but what he perhaps failed to appreciate is each name is someone's life.
We don`t know what chariot he drove, or even if he had a chariot. We don`t know what kind of neighbourhood he lived in. We don`t know the kind of alcohol he liked, the clothes he wore, or any of the other things that advertisers say define us.
We do know his child's name.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Prison
'Because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.' Acts 24:27
There are still Christians unjustly imprisoned in many countries, including Pastor Vahik Abrahamian in Iran.
There are still Christians unjustly imprisoned in many countries, including Pastor Vahik Abrahamian in Iran.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Sick?
'being cheerful helps when we are sick' Proverbs 18:14
Many women who go through labor have little sympathy when their menfolk complain of minor ailments. As my wife is a nurse, this lack of sympathy is only exacerbated as she is used to seeing serious illness on a daily basis. Sometimes it feels like I would need to be dead three days before she would even think of calling a doctor... and if you think I am exaggerating, let me say that when the time came for her to have our baby, she was so concerned about not troubling the hospital too early beforehand, in the end my daughter was born less than ten minutes after we arrived at the maternity ward by emergency ambulance... indeed she was nearly born IN the ambulance.
Many women who go through labor have little sympathy when their menfolk complain of minor ailments. As my wife is a nurse, this lack of sympathy is only exacerbated as she is used to seeing serious illness on a daily basis. Sometimes it feels like I would need to be dead three days before she would even think of calling a doctor... and if you think I am exaggerating, let me say that when the time came for her to have our baby, she was so concerned about not troubling the hospital too early beforehand, in the end my daughter was born less than ten minutes after we arrived at the maternity ward by emergency ambulance... indeed she was nearly born IN the ambulance.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Nation
'every nation on earth will belong to you'. Psalm 2:8
I love America, even though I have never been there. I spent 2 years at university studying US literature. But it seems to me as an interested observer that the US is at a crossroads. It is no longer 'one nation under God'. There is serious division between those that acknowledge God's reign, and those who foolishly think that America made itself great without His help.
I love America, even though I have never been there. I spent 2 years at university studying US literature. But it seems to me as an interested observer that the US is at a crossroads. It is no longer 'one nation under God'. There is serious division between those that acknowledge God's reign, and those who foolishly think that America made itself great without His help.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Die
'you are going to die...' 2 Kings 20:1
Immediately after Fukushima, I wanted to leave the country but my wife refused. So then I was trying to be very careful about the food I bought. But now I am resigned- I feel it is highly likely I will get cancer- it is impossible to check everything all the time. I will die - it is just a matter of when. Quite frankly I would rather not suffer 30 years of increasing incapacity anyhow. But God gets to choose, not me.
Immediately after Fukushima, I wanted to leave the country but my wife refused. So then I was trying to be very careful about the food I bought. But now I am resigned- I feel it is highly likely I will get cancer- it is impossible to check everything all the time. I will die - it is just a matter of when. Quite frankly I would rather not suffer 30 years of increasing incapacity anyhow. But God gets to choose, not me.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Planned
'I planned for you to crush fortified cities
into heaps of rubble.
That is why their people have so little power...' 2 Kings 19:26
Japan and the world needs to understand that although the technicians had no idea what was coming on March 11, God knew exactly what was going to go down. But get this- God isn't some kind of sadistic joker that enjoys death and destruction. He only allows terrible suffering when He knows it will bring far greater good. My mum was agnostic until she got cancer. She died knowing God loved her.
into heaps of rubble.
That is why their people have so little power...' 2 Kings 19:26
Japan and the world needs to understand that although the technicians had no idea what was coming on March 11, God knew exactly what was going to go down. But get this- God isn't some kind of sadistic joker that enjoys death and destruction. He only allows terrible suffering when He knows it will bring far greater good. My mum was agnostic until she got cancer. She died knowing God loved her.
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