Sub-title: Tim Tebow, Bubba Watson & Fabrice Muamba – does God help those who take a stand for him? It seems that wherever you look these days there are sports stars confidently declaring their Christian faith. NFL star Tim Tebow puts “John 3.16” on his eyelids and 90 million people Googled the text, golfer Bubba Watson gives God … Continue reading »
Yesterday I spoke at my home church, Central Baptist Church, Dundee in my series of Postcards from the Prophets on Elijah at Mount Horeb from 1 Kings 19 titled “Running on Empty”. In it I sought to outline Elijah’s external persecution and internal despair along with his encounter with the whispering God. Through it all I sought … Continue reading »
Yesterday we were at Carnoustie Community Church and I did a children’s talk based on the jigsaw we had just finished building at home. The slides are available here. I asked the kids ”Who likes to do jigsaws? Who knows what this jigsaw is a picture of? How many pieces are there, do you think?” 1000 pieces! … Continue reading »
Are you proud of your home city? What about your capital city or country? As someone who was born in Bradford and lived all my life in the UK, its hard to imagine what true patriotism feels like. The closest I get is my feelings for my homeland of Yorkshire, (but unfortunately, rumours of a referendum … Continue reading »
In last Sunday’s children’s talk I continued the “guess the animal” theme with the following slides. After they had guessed which animal it was I asked the kids: “Who knows where this is? Whose been to London? We were there last September to see my brother. They say if they leave the tower it will … Continue reading »
Reader Question: From a Reformed perspective (I am relatively new to this thinking in many ways), assuming the Doctrine of Election is true (I believe this to be true myself), what is the role of parenting? Knowing that there is no way to know whether or not your children are “elect”, how can a loving … Continue reading »
My blogging has taken a back seat over the last two weeks as I prepared a message on the Providence of God from Romans 8.28. Although its a well known verse I tried to bring something of the wonder and majesty of the Providence of God from what I have been reading in Calvin to … Continue reading »
Book I Chapter XVIII Section 1-4 If God controls all things and directs them according to His plan and purpose, including even the actions of Satan himself, then how can He also be free from all blame as well? This is the most common objection to the doctrine of providence and it is to this … Continue reading »
Book I Chapter XVII Section 1-14 Following our contemplation of the doctrine of providence in Chapter 16, Calvin now seeks to explain the practical use of this truth. Calvin begins by considering the purpose of the Providence of God, namely “to train his people in patience, correct their depraved affections, tame their wantonness, inure them … Continue reading »
Book I Chapter XVI Section 1-9 How involved is God in His creation? Did He set up the laws of nature then step back to observe the outcome? Does He intervene only at certain times in order to fashion His desired outcomes? Does He control every motion within the universe moment by moment? Where do we … Continue reading »
