For the pod

We completed the Gospel in Life and Keller's last talk on eternity brought two grown men to tears as they listened. It was stunning stuff that you can listen to here- it's called 'Culture'. This will be really helpful for you if you seek to understand your purpose in work and it will also greatly encourage those with a bent to the arts. Hope it makes you blub with grace, love and hope too.

A talk for those who struggle with fear and for those with anxiety. Who isn't in one of those two boxes?

A question that everyone asks is "What about those who haven't heard the gospel?" and it has come up on my journey in Romans. I think everything will come up on this journey- at least everything my simple brain can cope with.  Here Piper brilliantly tackles the answer and you may need a pen a paper to follow the thought. Listening to him preach makes me feel both hopeless at preaching and very dim (both of these in an encouraging 'sit at Gamaliel's feet way').

Why work?

I am preaching on heaven this Sunday.

One thing I have read that has really blessed me is an essay by Dorothy Sayers called 'Why work?' You would do well to read it for it seems to me to contain some extremely profound insights. The insights come I think from when it was written, immediately post war, but still with the wartime mentality supremely fresh in Sayers mind. This is I think what gives the essay such power.

So if you are someone wondering what to do or struggling with what it is you are doing, this maybe helpful for you. At least, I found it be so. May be worth reading over your lunchtime sandwich wherever it is you work and I hope it is a blessing to you.

For what it's worth

Sometimes a book comes along late in the year that assaults you with it's passion for Jesus. For what it's worth is just such a read. I loved Crazy love as you know and if that had been written by an Englishman who had lived in Burundi it would have ended up as this.

Simon Guillebaud is clearly nuts (in a good way) and his book is a mix of his own daring adventures in Africa and tons of  quotes and stories of other similarly abandoned disciples from the past and present. His passion is that each if us would be sold out followers of Jesus who not only run the race but finish it too. At one point, he quotes Stanley and Clinton who have researched 'finishers' and what characteristics are needed to be one.

1. They had perspective which enabled them to focus
2. They enjoyed intimacy with Christ and experienced repeated times of inner renewal
3. They were disciplined in important areas of life
4. They maintained a positive learning attitude all their lives
5. They had a network of meaningful relationships and several important mentors during their lifetime.

[Page 70]

This book is one about finishers and 100% full on folk. Who wants to be 64% enthused about following Jesus? If, like me, having read this you realize you are a bit sub-100%, coasty (not sure that is a word?) and cosy this will give you a good kick up the xxxx and get you running again. This morning I listened to my daily dose of early hours Romans and if you can't be bothered to read this book then this sermon might have a similar impact on sorting out your priorities (while you have time to....)

Well worth putting this on the Christmas list and reading it by the fire with a mince pie. A resolution or two for 2011 cannot fail to come from encountering it.

A truly blistering read.

One question

I was reminded yesterday of Brennan Manning . I prescribe the Furious Longing of God at least once a year.

Advent conspiracy

I have been immersed for the last couple of weeks in Luke 10 and the story of the Good Samaritan. We have been preaching through the themes of 'The gospel in life' and it fell to me to tackle 'Justice'. As it happens, John Ortberg at Menlo Park is preaching through the same material which I haven't listened to but will be good. No doubt he probably got the idea from me:)

I have read and listened to a lot in my preparation. I read Generous Justice which I commend as a goto book on this subject. It's really well-reviewed here. I found Peterson's chapter in Tell it slant helpful. Don Carson here and Heidi Baker here ('The simplicity of love') are two very different takes on the same passage. I also listened to Keller's sermon on justice which brilliantly expounds Isaiah 58.

Justice often becomes a focus at Christmas. Lizzie as she led us in prayer this morning pointed us to the Advent Conspiracy. The basic message- less shopping and more focus on others and on God. Here here to that. You might like to use this in your church in the coming weeks.

Shells

Listen to the whole thing here.

I forgot to mention

I can't sleep.

No one cares because who on earth is going to be reading this at three in the morning.

It seems to have been one of those weeks. Good, difficult, amazing, hopeful, frustrating, gloomy and plenty of other words.

Why am I awake?

Well, an extraordinary thing happened on Wednesday and by Thursday I was in a meeting and "I forgot to mention it"

As it happens, a day earlier my friend "forgot to mention" it too.

Really, we both forgot to mention it.

This is not the sort of thing you forget to mention. Trust me.

But I did. I honestly did.

So did my friend.

I just needed to write a note to myself. Even if it is the middle of the night.

A mention to myself.

By the way, I have discovered some songs that will help me remember this week.

'Grace'

They have become the soundtrack to this week.

The songs make me cry.

Grace indeed.

Grace indeed.

Now I suppose I better go back to sleep.

Alpha (with fangs)

(H/T Clayboy)

Happy

Sometimes you find a person who writes a blog really well. They are also able to share the realities of what is going on in their life and their heart with humour and candour. I tend not to share personal stuff on the blog (my life and my thoughts are all rather boring I'm afraid). Anyway, Lesley Fellowes does and she made me smile this morning with her post so I share it. She's happy which is refreshing to hear and seems a jolly good thing. I hope it's catching.

Empty hands

"God gives where he finds empty hands"

C S Lewis in 'For what it's worth' by Guillebaud, P.25


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Chandler on prayer

The future

One of the things that was at the forefront of my thoughts and prayers over the weekend was the power of the gospel over sickness. I was ministering to a wonderful group and within this group there were not one but two men who have faced and are facing the challenge of brain tumours. One has been in remission by God's grace and is living years longer than his doctors expected. The other has had a more intense recent battle with lots of uncertainty, surgery, radio therapy and physical implications not least including hair loss. It was James who helped lead us in worship and his courage and enthusiasm for God were so moving and encouraging. He is a soldier not just in vocation but also in heart. As is his wife Felicity.

Matt Chandler is a preacher who has blessed me. Someone recommended a while back I watch this sermon and here you witness him at the peak of his physical and preaching self.



Not long after this, Matt collapsed on his kitchen floor and was discovered to have a brain tumour. I have since been following some of his story and he has chosen to share his story with his church and the world.



You can follow his step by step walk here as he has faced surgery and shared his challenges.

There is a talk that came to mind that particularly helped me as we lost our wonderful friend Jo in Holy Trinity to cancer earlier this year at the age of 32. It is called Death is not dying and I commend it to all who want to grapple with the reality that we will all one day face physical death.  Many of us have not yet had to sit in the oncologists chair and heard bad news as James and Mark have had to. But we will one day. And the truth of the gospel as laid out in Romans is that those who have not received Christ are in the bad news chair but they have just not realised yet their desperate need for the gospel of grace. Bad news is only temporary for the Christian for the Good News is Jesus and he is alive and risen. Jesus heals today, that I know and believe, and as I laid hands on my sick brother I was contending for that. But it seems sometimes he does not heal when we ask Him. Another talk that speaks to this is called the Future which a friend recommended to me and was a sermon preached in her church in response to a young mother who died very young and very unexpectedly. It lays out afresh for us the hope of the gospel and the certainty we can have in Christ. We have a glorious hope.

So please stand with James and his family and do pray for them. Recent news praise God is good but they need our on-going prayer and support.

AFCU

A blessed and encouraging weekend speaking to the AFCU in Germany accompanied by my pal Adam who led our worship with James.

What a truly wonderful gathering of faithful saints. Thank you one and all.

I spoke from Daniel about idolatry.

I also spoke about religion which reminds me of this talk called Jesus and religion that some might be challenged by and enjoy.

I love hearing about books that changed people's lives. One dear man told me of the book that set him free and unlocked the gospel of grace for him. It's called Victorious Christian Living by Alan Redpath.

Do pray for Mark and the AFCU and all those Christians serving in the services. Do also pray for another great organisation Flame International that Mark is involved with.

I still find myself banging on about Romans:)

I know I'm dull......

Keeping learning

When the Head of Education of my Diocese asked me three years ago if I would like to do an MA I thought she was joking. I had just completed 30 or so essays at Vicar Factory so my response was "What is it that you think I don't know?" I then realised that this was not a negotiation and that whether I wanted to or not my learning was to continue and so it turned out to be.

These six are what 30K words has been expended on and I hope they have sharpened my saw:

1. What are you doing when you preach?

2. “I take up the Bible and I read.  Here are a million or so printed words, in which divine gold and human clay are mixed, and I have to take the gold and leave the clay” Austen Farrer, The Inspiration of the Bible.  Do I? What theologies of the inspiration of Scripture lead you to your answer?


3. What is missional community and how is it created today?


4. Jonathan Edwards is arguably the greatest pastor-theologian of all time. In what sense is his essay ‘The Nature of True Virtue ’a demonstration of this and why does this work still matter?


5. Are the skills of the pastor or the CEO better suited to leading a growing church? Discuss this in light of the growth challenges of Holy Trinity Richmond.


6. “Teams are the future of parochial ministry?” Discuss


I only have one hurdle to leap and that is a thesis. So for my next trick, I will be asking and answering the question- "Why should the Church of England plant churches and how should they do it?" and here is a reading list. 

Three things to do as a cultural jolly

One: A pal went to Evolving English and enthused muchly about it.

Two: I am going to see the new Mike Leigh film Another year this week.

Three: The Caneletto is now on at the National Gallery which my sister enjoyed.

Absent

I found myself sitting at a church event recently and I realised I was the only man at the table. They were wonderful women to eat with, don't get me wrong, but it got me thinking about the challenge the church has to attract men into its midst. Apparently 65% or so of attendees in the C of E are women. A friend from Vicar Factory was so perplexed and fascinated by this that she did her MA thesis on it. The best known book on the subject is Why men hate going to church. A pal who has been staying with me is always banging on about this issue and is very involved with CVM whose mission in all in their name.

In all the talk of women bishops, I have not heard much debate (if any) on the impact on non-attendees in churches and particularly men who do not yet know Christ. There is plenty of internal noise, debate, stupid comments and genuine passion about this issue but not much thought given to those not coming to church. This is not so much an issue about strong, gifted women and their leadership (there are many such women) but is it also about weak men, their lack of leadership and their apathy?

The truth is I think those not coming to church (particularly men) don't really care about women bishops and a whole host of other matters that church committees debate. A shocking thought I know. This is worth remembering as everyone gets more and more hot under the collar-as they will. One blogger is currently campaigning against the Anglican Covenant? Yes, me too. The truth is the C of E has never been terribly interested in or focussed on those not coming and would in these days do well to remember William Temple's observation that we are the only organisation that exists for it non-members.

Look outwards dear people. Look and see the harvest fields, the broken, the lost and those who have not yet heard the hope of the gospel. Talk about that, think about that, pray about that and then let's get on with it shall we. We need to wake up church and perhaps this starts with the churches many many sleeping and passive men.

One for the pod

We have recently started a new ministry in order to meet the needs of vulnerable women (of whom there are many) in our community. I recommended my friend who heads this up to listen to this which speaks to the spiritual dynamics of this issue. She did so this morning and found it both helpful and challenging. Others may find this helpful to.

Decision time

This morning in my daily reading I found myself in the account of the Crucifixion. I spent some time once again reflecting on the Cross.

It struck me that aspiringly great men write books about themselves. Truly great men have books written about them. This is true recently of both Blair and Bush. Leaders who have led a life of power then self-justify there actions by writing about them.  How differently Jesus saw things-Matthew 10 v 39.

Michael Hyatt has a good post called 'How leaders make tough decisions' on the leadership lessons of George Bush including the interview he recently gave. It is worth watching and I wonder what you make of this man having done so?

Happily 'old-school'

Anybody who knows anything about anything has to put the hours in as Outliers will tell you.

I met a pal today for breakfast and we had a good old catch-up and laugh. There's nothing better than good friends. As we chatted, he asked how I manage to find time to read and listen to talks. Then he said 'I bet you are an old school pastor who studies until 11 everyday'. My Vicar's father-in-law, who is contentedly 'old-school' and a wise buzzard, told me it was a standard habit for Curate's and Vicar's alike in the Church of England to give themselves over to study and prayer for a good part of each day-usually the mornings.

Here's a question. What else are we supposed to be doing? Emails, powerpoint presentations, chatting on the mobile, rushing to meetings, spreadsheets, committees, administration and building projects. Eugene Peterson who I have written about before has written three books the summary of which is broadly-Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Read the bible, pray and listen. And listen well.

Does that mean you don't do anything else? By no means. But if you fail to do these things the 'anything else' may end up being unfruitful, exhausting, works driven, worldly and over the long term pretty pointless. That's why I am increasingly wary of talk of the 'latest thing' (Then again, I may just be feeling grumpy today)

We had a fun time talking about John Stott over coffee and my pal had a few great stories of this wonderful man's habits. He did quite a bit of study you may not be surprised to learn. I was also reminded of Keller today and these talks with Edmond Clowny which revealed that for years every day he listened to a tape of a British preacher (Stott, Lloyd-Jones and Dick Lucas). One talk every day from eight to eight forty as he ran.  Every day.

Golfers hit buckets of balls

Footballers practice free kicks

Musicians listen to great music

Great preachers have read and listened to (you guessed it)- great preachers.

Today I listened to a wonderful talk on grace . Truly masterful. You need to hear it. You do. If you can find a better one then do let me know. It is one of 244 .

Just imagine what might be if you listened to one of these for the next 244 days. Not that you will. But just imagine how saturated in God's word you might be. Just imagine what might happen to your heart. Just imagine how you might change. Now you won't I know because you're busy and have important things to do and achieve. Really busy in fact. Really really busy.

But just imagine though, for a moment, if just one person did (As Mark we learnt in 'An introduction ' did with MLJ and it transformed him and those around him).

For a second. Just imagine.

Hallelujah

On a wet day just before I leave to do a school assembly this lifted my soul. Watch and listen in wonder.

A much-neglected means of grace

The Radical Disciple has been well reviewed elsewhere so I am not going to do what others have already done save to say this is worth reading. What struck me most was I think the last section of the book when Stott talked so movingly about three things- death, tears and reading.

Some years ago now this blog was birthed in the Bodlein Library when I should have been writing an essay. I had no idea what a blog was and much less about what to write about. It continues to have pitifully few readers. However, over time it has become clearer to me that one of its functions has been to share my reading with others. One or two encouraging souls have happily found books here and shared the blessing reading them has been with me.

Now, at about the time I started blogging I happened upon a remarkable book called Indelible ink. It is fair to say that the opening essay by John Stott had a deeply profound impact on me that continues to this day and it simply says that to mature in Christ and in life you must read. All would do well to read this important essay. His advice to us was that we should read widely, read plentifully and read thoughtfully. John Piper adds to this conviction in his new book Think.

Here is some of Stott's remarkable sign-off:

"Our favourite books become very precious to us and we even develop with them an almost living and affectionate relationship. Is it an altogether fanciful fact that we handle, stroke and even smell them as tokens of our esteem and affection? I am not referring only to an author's feeling for what he has written, but to all readers and their library. I have made it a rule not to quote from a book until I have first handled it. So let me urge you to keep reading, and encourage your relatives and friends to do the same. For this is a much-neglected means of grace".........."That is why I have assigned the royalties to all my own books to the work of Langham Literature, to enable more believers and their pastors in poorer parts of the world to obtain good Christian books both in English and in their own language to be so strengthened in their faith and their preaching. I wonder if I might encourage you to consider this and the other ministries of the Langham Partnership, which are dear to my own heart, as worthy of your interest and support"

[The Radical Disciple, Page 140]

If John Stott has been a blessing to you in any way perhaps an act of thanks might be a gift in line with his wishes which you can do here.

Saturday ramble

I really enjoyed watching Influencers and have been wondering who they are for me. Probably all the stuff I stick on the blog. It's interesting that Jay-Z came up as a key influencer. I am sure all those trend-setting types probably read it here.

Unlikely.

I am excited about Romans and the hunger is happily spreading to others due to Romans: An introduction. I am reading Douglas Moo and it is so helpful. Also listened to a couple of these in the car which pack quite a punch. The first one (of 224......) tells of the influence Romans has on Piper. Epic stuff.

I am enjoying the Radical Disciple and will share some thoughts on this incredibly important book. If you are a follower of Jesus you would do well to make time to read this from a true 'influencer'. He may however never be likely to star in a film such as one cited at the start :( This book is written by a single, celibate,  birdwatching, elderly authority on Romans (among other things) who now lives in a retirement home slightly south of London.  This commentary on Romans 5-8 changed the course of Piper's life as he vividly tells it in this talk:

"I went to college thinking that maybe I would be a doctor or a veterinarian. Then in the summer of 1966, between my sophomore and junior years, my whole life-direction changed, in the painful and precious providence of God. He called me to the ministry of the Word. That fall I had signed up to live with three friends in a dormitory suite. But midway through the year I knew I needed more solitude to study and pray the way I felt driven to study. For the next year and a half I lived alone in the single room of another dorm. And there I remember - I can see it and almost smell it - reading John Stott's little yellow book on Romans 5-8 called Men Made New. The effect on me was to seal the calling to be a faithful minister of God's Word. So Romans confirmed my conversion, and Romans confirmed my call to the ministry of the Word."

Did I mention Stott has sold nearly a million books, but then again if you are not a Christian his name would mean nothing to you. But, as Malcolm Muggeridge so aptly put it, 'only dead fish swim with the current.' [p.28]. Praise God for John Stott's life and his on-going influence on so many of us.

Natural enemies who love

"The church is ...... made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality,common accents, common jobs, or anything else of that sort. Christians come together....because they have all been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance.....They are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus' sake"

Carson 'Love in hard places'

(Keller 'Gospel in life' P.75)


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The Vision

Pete Grieg's 'The Vision and the vow'.

TODAY

The Lausanne Conference in Cape Town passed off with no Christian I know mentioning it. Krish was there and offers some helpful reflections and it is worth taking time to read them.

This was by all accounts one of the best films.



(H/T Tall Skinny Kiwi)

WORD: The bible on a coffee table

Someone at church has shown me a copy of Word and I love it. It is produced by Hillsong and is the NLT produced in a magazine style. What a great thing to give to those who have not yet discovered the joys of the bible. Everyone I have shown it to wants a copy. I am going to be showing my copy to my group on Alpha tonight as we discuss 'How and why should I read the bible? '

Culture Watch: Jay Z

I had the thought this morning listening to the Today programme that one day Jay Z might be President of the USA. He has interested me for a while since I watched a BBC documentary on him and I then saw him play Wembley (finger on the pulse me:) He is a role model for millions, fashion icon, billionaire (when you add in Mrs Jay Z who happens to be Beyonce) and is now a writer. He has launched a decoding scavenger hunt for those who want to read his book. When, as a rapper, you find yourself being interviewed on Radio 4 on the most serious news programme in the land your career is either over or it's time for us all to sit up and take notice. So Jay Z for President- you heard it here first....

As an aside, our new website has a blog and we should all it seems be off to see Africa United.

Children's books, Prayer and a Song

A pal of mine has sent me a fraction of a book he has birthed in recent months and I have to say it is really rather good. Years ago, I spotted a talk by Keller on some website that he had given about J R R Tolkein and never got around to listening to it. Then I couldn't find it again. How happy am I that I have found it once again thanks to Mark Meynell. I immediately recommended The Significance of J R R Tolkein to my friend.

I have been meeting with some dear friends to pray for over a decade. We say we meet once a month but to be honest it is every other (although remarkably we are meeting again in November which will be a first). I so value their encouragement. Find a few friends to pray and be real with- it's a lifeline. Anyway, as we were leaving, one of our number played us a song. He said that he discovered it on an album his wife had bought and in recent weeks it has become his prayer. It took some finding but I too plan to make it my prayer. It is called Bones. 70p well spent.

Sometimes there are sermons that require courage to preach. This was as good a preaching of grace and truth as you will hear for Part 5 and it rightly fell to the Rector himself to do this one. Lesley, whose blog I greatly enjoy and is wonderfully challenging and thoughtful (even though I disagree with just about everything she writes) won't I fear like this sermon and I wonder too what President Josiah Bartlett would make of it?

REVIEW: The pursuit of the holy

'The pursuit of the holy: a divine invitation ' is the new book by Simon Ponsonby which I happily read last week as I holidayed in Cornwall. Simon asked me to share some thoughts here as I have done before. My plan, to be honest, was to read each chapter slowly day by day, but as it turned out I found myself wanting to read on, which I duly did, and one chapter easily turned into three and more. Having said that, this is a book that deserves to be lingered with, to be picked up and put down and to be revisited periodically.

Why don't I let Simon tell you in his own words the passion that propelled him to put pen to paper once again as he lays out his challenge to each one of us:

"Our gospel won't be listened to if it isn't lived by us. Church cannot influence or infect society with something that has not infected her. A salt-less salt cannot savour and flavour. A church cannot light a fire if she is not on fire. And so, faced with a society in crisis, in wickedness, it is time for judgement, repentance, holiness to begin with the house of God (1 Peter 4 :17). We need a reformation, a revival- and holiness is at the heart of it. The Church must again find and follow Jesus-not as doctrine to be believed but as Lord to be served, a life to be lived-only then can she speak with integrity and be accepted"

You see I think most of us want the Church to be marked by lots of things-prayer, community, mission, passionate worship, church planting, cultural engagement, empowered preaching, justice- but how many of us would include in our lists holiness. That's all a bit up-close and personal. Perhaps many authors might shy away from a book on holiness fearing accusations of legalism or a 'works-based' gospel or quite simply that they don't feel holy enough themselves to write about such matters. Simon by his own admission (and as he frequently tells us!) is not very holy-he tells a lovely story in the book of the catalogue of sin he recognized in his heart during a short walk along a street in Oxford from St Aldates to Blackwells. But he does desire holiness. That is perhaps the whole point of this book- to birth a desire for such things in his readers.

The danger of books on holiness like those written by Foster, Ortberg and Willard is they end up being books about the disciplines or 'sanctification-manuals'. I still remember the day having read my way all the way through Ordering your private world  (and loved it by the way and I still do), I learnt that Gordon MacDonald had ended up falling off his bicycle. I was under the delusion that if you read this sort of thing and did the stuff they recommended it was supposed to prevent you running off with the church warden. The message is so often do lots of waking up early, writing in journals, reading old books by Saints, fasting from telly and a bit of time in caves up mountains alone and you ("one day my son") might be as holy, wise and learned as me [or not as it turns out!]. The trouble is, if you don't understand the gospel when reading this stuff, you simply embark on a rather dissatisfying joyless life of religion. Unless I missed it, Simon hardly mentions such things at all except to critique John Wesley on his misguided pursuit of perfectionism. This is not a 'how-to' manual on fasting, bible reading and solitude instead it is a work of practically applicable doctrine to be ministered to your soul in the hope and prayer that it will birth renewed Spirit-filled holy living in us.

I think his chapter entitled 'Without blame' is at the core of what Simon wants us to know. In Christ, we have been made holy and are justified once for all and set free. What a huge relief all round this news is- you might even go so far as to call it 'good news'. We are sanctified out of this justification and never the other way around. The response then is live life out of this reality, live life out of grace and live life better and holier because that is who we are. We are loved sons and daughters-adopted, forgiven, cleansed and equipped to go into a lost and broken world.

Why then is this not happening in the Church you may well ask? Well, perhaps because many who attest to know the gospel don't actually know it. Even some, dare I venture to say, who are in the midst of leading churches that, in name at least, call themselves 'evangelical' but are in fact killing themselves in justification by works and are subsumed in Jesus + 'me me me' idolatry. Perhaps this realization is what has caused Simon by no coincidence, having written this book, to now take on the formidable task of preaching through the entire book of Romans. He has a good chapter on Romans 6 and it will be interesting to see if Simon changes any of his thoughts once he has preached through chapters one to five. I confess I am with MLJ and am not sure I quite yet get Chapter 6. As it happens, I preached on Romans 1 only yesterday so give me a little more time.

Do make time to read this book and I would love you also to spread the word if it blesses you and you think it has value for others. Maybe even a reader the other side of the water might take on the task of reviewing it? The chapter on justification alone is worth the price of the book but it contains so much more- not least a wonderful bibliography which theology geeks will enjoy.

Thanks Si for this book. I know how costly it was to write it and I pray that it's message may bear much fruit for Jesus and the glory of his bride in this nation and beyond.

Blog-sweep

I have heard good things about Hannah's child

The Deep things of God looks interesting.

I have also heard good things about Generous Justice. It arrived yesterday.

Why share the gospel?

A prayer and a thought on praying with a more outward focus

The Coke Happiness Machine

A thought on why you should not read 'Christian' books.

As I am on about Romans here are another 11 sermons

4 leadership truths from Philemon

Focus booster is perhaps an App to add to the collection.

A great bit of Gladwell (if you know anything about basketball?)

John Stackhouse has some thoughts for Driscoll on gender roles. 

Finally Should you tell someone your goals?

For the pod

Many years ago I went on holiday to La Rochelle. I remember two things about it. Firstly, I had just taken up the guitar and I drove my friends mad learning how to play 'D' and singing out of tune renditions of 'Blowing in the wind'. The second thing I remember is that I read Surprised by joy by C S Lewis and since that time have read many of his books and a few essays. Why am I telling you this? On my long journey to and from Cornwall I listened to this excellent talk on Lewis called Lessons from an inconsolable soul. It will propel you to your bookshelf to rediscover Lewis or may encourage you to read him for the first time.

I am loving the Romans series and much enjoyed Christian on Romans Part 4 which has a wonderful story of sharing the gospel in Mongolia and Simon in Part 3 has an insight into John Stott's prayer life that inspired me.

I also enjoyed this brilliant Keller talk on Christianity and sexuality and Drissol on The Lord's prayer.

You get quite a bit of listening done in 11 hours in the car!

Holy Trinity Church

We've got a new website for Holy Trinity that now includes a welcome film which tells people who are thinking of visiting us what we are all about. Do have a click around and let me know what you think.

Blogoliday

Review: The power of a whisper

It's hard to ignore Bill Hybels. He does everything on a huge scale and he clearly strives to 'do all things well'. A pal of mine always says if anyone manages to make a Willow Creek-style church work in Gateshead then he will start to sit up and notice. This model is a very American one, with a very American leader, leading in a very American way. Having said all this, there is much to learn in the Power of the Whisper, to be inspired by and to admire. The story it tells is of God's work in a remarkable man's life. It's hard to work out though if Hybels built the church by hearing God or working really really hard and applying the methodology of the Harvard Business School. I have concluded having read this that it is a bit of both.

Hybels seems not to be a charismatic. To write a book on hearing God's voice and make little mention of 1 Corinthians 12-14 is quite an achievement. He does however talk of nudges, the voice of God from others, hearing the call for justice and he writes a moving chapter on dark nights of the soul. Willow Creek was birthed out of one question that Hybels was asked as a teenager by a mentor in his church. It a question we would all do well to ponder. Yesterday, I buried a man of 98 and the only thing his family was able to tell me was that "he worked and liked football and bowls." One life one sentence.

So here is the question and listen up:

"What are you going to do with your life that will last forever?"

It is this sentence that stuck with him and it will stick with me.

He also offers a simple observation about the dark nights of the soul. He says there are only three places you can be in.

1. Before pain [BP]
2. In pain [IP]
3. After pain [AP]

"Wherever you find yourself on this continuum- BP, IP or AP-I encourage you to commit Romans 8:28 to memory. God promises goodness for your tomorrows, regardless what realities your living through today" [P 126] He was deeply impacted at one stage in his life by reading a book by Mother Teresa called Come be my light. If you are in pain right now or feeling distant from God this might be good for you to read.

This book blessed me. It is worth an explore if you want to encounter one of the most impressive church leaders of this generation and tap into the things he has learnt about hearing God. The appendix of Hybels key life Scriptures that he has committed to memory are well-worth looking at and I should probably commit them to memory too. Maybe if I do, I might be able to plant a mega-church in Gateshead?

Bits and bobs

I enjoyed the thought that what you complain about is what you're gifted in.

I drove to Salisbury listening to this and loved working out whether I was more Mary or Martha. Super preaching.

Keith Green said some challenging things and here is an interesting essay about him and the Trinity.

A good challenge to leaders about areas of deafness.

As I am in the midst of the usual Alpha questions the Little Black Books look interesting.

And I love this about a bit of technology you must not miss out on called The Bio Optical Organised Knowledge Device

The song on my heart

We having been singing this a lot recently and I feel I am being slowly changed by it.



1. Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

2. Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

3. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Would anybody in your community notice if your church disappeared?

A man I talked to in a pub gave me what Hybels would call a 'defining moment' recently.

He had been watching Mr Cameron speak about 'the Big Society' and called me over as 'his priest' and this was our conversation:

Man in pub: "You're my local priest"

Me: "I am indeed"

Man in pub: "I am sure your church does loads of good stuff for the benefit of the local community that Mr Cameron is talking about"

Me: "Well [pausing for thought] a few things"

Man in pub: "I don't want to come to church but next time you do something for this community I want to help"

Me: "Well that's great and I will get onto it"

Man in pub's girlfriend : "Can I come and help too?"

Me: "Sure"

This encounter gave me much food for thought. In my sermon about 'Loving our city' I waved the business card before my saints and said I would like someone to take it off me and call him with something they are doing to bless our community. You see, the man in the pub expects the gospel of grace to produce works of blessing, justice, mercy and service in those saved by this amazing grace.

He is right to expect such things isn't he?

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it. For if it prospers , you too will prosper" Jeremiah 29:7

I also showed them this film.

One to watch

As I leave for our evening service in a mo, many of you churchy folk who attend church in the evening will not have watched Downton Abbey. I hadn't even heard of it. Three sets of friends have been glued to this 'period drama'  and it's really quite good. Observation of the first episode is the capacity of the strong to go after the weak (there are parts though that Jane Austen novels may not have included!). Enjoy.

How to transform your life

Read Romans.

Now that was a brief and easy answer and cheaper than having to buy a shelf full of self-help books.

By now, as I have been banging on about it so much, I hope you have listened to Romans: An Introduction.

If not, do that before reading any further.

According to Simon (and I agree) there is no more effective way to transform your life in a way that will propel you into a greater love of God and others than to consume this great letter. Honestly, I know of no sermon that I have listened to in quite some time that has given me such a hunger to immerse myself afresh in a book of the Bible. Everyone who I have managed to convince to listen to this introduction has had the same reaction.

If this happens to you here are some tips on what to do next:

1. Get a notebook: Dedicating a moleskine to studying this letter and putting on paper your thoughts, prayers and observations would be helpful. Particularly if you plan to spend a year in it.

2. Get a way to listen to it: Faith comes through hearing, so says Romans. I have discovered a function on the ESV+ Study App that allows me to listen to Romans being read. I have been enjoying waking early, driving, going to sleep and walking listening to Romans. If you are not a reader (as many are not) then you can travel through this book by hearing it. If you do this expect to encounter amazing things.

3. Get a Commentary: If you get inspired by 'SAS Mark' described in the introductory talk you might want to get hold of the Lloyd-jones sermons but most will probably do well with John Stott on Romans as a goto reference point.

4. Get a teacher: As St Aldates will preach this through all year you can do no worse than download the talk each week. There are lots of theological words in Romans- sin, justification, election, grace, faith, sanctification and others. I would commend J I Packer and The most important 18 words you will ever know as your teacher, translator and provider of definitions.

5. Get some friends: I know you have friends (I hope you do anyway) but what I mean is get some people to study this book with. There is great benefit on going through this book with a few others.

Bless you and if you take this on it really will transform you.

I will be praying for you.

"I just made the tea"

Last night I watched Delirious Live in Bogata with friends. They were playing to a congregation of 200K. It's true, really the whole crowd is one congregation. And I think I had a busy week!

Here they are speaking about the writing of Majesty.

Changing Educational Paradigms

Thanks to Kester for posting this. Fascinating.

Blog Action Day: Water

Here are some things you might like to do to help. Go crazy and give some money away, write a letter or encourage another.

What do you mean you're not religious?

"Imagine early Christians talking to their neighbours in the Roman Empire. 'Ah', the neighbour says, 'I hear you are religious! Great! Religion is a good thing. Where is your temple or holy place?' 'We don't have a temple,' replies the Christian. 'Jesus is our temple,' replies the Christian, 'No temple?' But where do your priests work and do their rituals?' 'We don't have priests to mediate the presence of God,' replies the Christian. 'Jesus is our priest.' 'No priests?' But where do you offer your sacrifices to acquire the favour of your God?' 'We don't need a sacrifice', replies the Christian. 'Jesus is our sacrifice.' 'What kind of religion IS this?' sputters the pagan neighbour. And the answer is, the Christian faith is so utterly different than how every other religion works that it doesn't really deserve to be called a 'religion'"

Keller quoting Dick Lucas.

[The Gospel in life , Grace changes everything, Page 14]

Blog-sweep

A few bits and bobs:

A fascinating short film called Fallen 

Chile: The President's chaplain gives God the glory and Justin Buzzard also has a good post.

The Russell Brand v Paxman joust was an enjoyable and revealing experience on the nature of celebrity and other matters.

Last night I tried to explain the difference between religion and the gospel to my Alpha group. This is a help

We are on Week 2 of The Gospel in Life and various friends, home groups and churches are running this and really being blessed- tonight we are on The Heart (three ways to life). If you have not listened to Keller on the Prodigal Sons you need to.

Details on the Reason for God DVD which looks great and also a good Keller article on the Poor.

And a debate about the word 'Missional' which is all the buzz in the C of E at the moment just as seemingly it is going out of fashion the other side of the water?

The power of a whisper

There are quite a few books on hearing God and of course some of them are barmy. This one isn't. There are tons of people wanting guidance, wisdom and insight into what they should be doing and where they are going. Hybels has written The Power of the Whisper to share his learnings on this whole subject. It is an easy, sensible, well-written and enjoyable read (especially if you plan on starting a mega-church).

Here are the questions to ask when discerning guidance and God's promptings:

1. FILTER 1: Is the prompting truly from God?

2. FILTER 2: Is it Scriptural?

3. FILTER 3: Is it wise?

4. FILTER 4: Is it in tune with your own character?

5. FILTER 5: What do the people you most trust think?

[Page 267-269]

Not only does this book share some helpful insights it also tells the story of Willow Creek. Whatever you think of Bill Hybels and mega-churches, a reminder that this church started from a youth group in the late seventies to what it is now- a globally influential ministry- is an extraordinary feat. Also, I still think Hybel's book on prayer is one of the most simple and inspiring reads around.

UPDATE: The bible in one year

A short note of encouragement if you are joining us reading the Soul Survivor Bible in one Year .

I am happy to report that quite a few are on this journey through the Scriptures, although my survey of our young people suggested that a few are running a little behind:)  I play the grace card if I miss a day and relax about it. Mrs B on the other hand was horrified at this idea (one of the gang on this journey) and is determined to not miss a thing. She's amazing and a real inspiration if you are flagging a bit.

Job was a tad gloomy for some but at least it ended well! One reader said to me that the questions of complaint are just the same in people now as then. Interesting that....

You may not know, but daily there is a website to help you share the experience with others and have a bit of an explanation of the bigger picture.

You are not too late to join- just get a copy and start from where we are.

Magic Numbers

Last night I went to see the Magic Numbers at Shepherds Bush (I didn't know who they were either) My friends got me a ticket. Anyway it made for a rather jolly night. We left speedily at the end so that my friend could get back to work on his presentation about 'Leveraging capital structures for Hedge Fund Buy-outs'. Seriously, I really am not making that up.

I am in danger of boring you about Romans but in the car last night I listened to Part 2 and the Robin Gamble line about the toothpaste nearly made me crash my car I was laughing so much. You'll have to listen to find out. A tremendous sermon on the meaning of 'the Gospel.' I will eat my hat if Simon gets through this letter in only a year.

I have started reading Hybels new book called God Whispers.

In this amazing talk that I have been banging on about to anyone who will listen Francis Chan mentions the questions he asks before he preaches and teaches. Rather annoyingly he only mentioned two of seven. Here is the full list. 

I am doing a funeral today. I heard recently of a humanist funeral where the man leading it at the committal said this, "And now [long pause]....we come to the tricky bit"

Tricky indeed.

Driscoll's ten thousand hours

Gladwell talks in Outliers about the idea of 10K hours and here Driscoll describes his. These two look like the theological equivalent of the front row of Harlequins in their matching check shirts. The man is a brainy reading machine :)



Vitamin Z

Keep going and keep creating

My old Vicar always used to say "There is no such thing as retirement in the Kingdom of God." As he is now nearing 'official'  retirement I wonder if he still thinks that? I must ask him.

At the Leadership summit I was impacted by many things but the Jim Collins story of meeting Peter Drucker really landed with me. Drucker was the foremost business consultant of his generation and Collins described a day they spent together at Princeton. He had one question he wanted to ask the great man and it was this:

"Which of all the books do you think is your best?"

He thought for a moment and then said,

"The next one".

At the time he was 86. Some time later, Collins found himself in the Drucker archives talking with the archivist. Along one wall were all his books. What was amazing to Collins was the discovery that Drucker wrote one third of them before he was 65,  all the rest (the two thirds) he wrote in later life and this is considered his greatest work.

Here's a taster:

"Only a clear definition of the mission (purpose) makes possible clear and realistic business objectives.  It is the foundation for priorities, strategies, plans and work assignments…Structure follows strategy.  Strategy determines what the key activities are in a given business.  And strategy requires knowing what our business is and what it should be (p. 162, Inside Drucker's Brain)."


(H/T Strategy Central)


And some more Drucker thoughts on leadership.

1. Great leaders had followers
2. Great leaders got results–they did the right things and didn’t worry about popularity
3. Great leaders knew that leadership was responsibility, not rank, privileges or titles
4. Great leaders set good examples

(H/T C Stone)

So dear friends, plan for the long haul, never never never give up and believe that your best work is yet to come.

Luther on Romans

This is the start of Luther's preface to Romans:

"This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes. Therefore I want to carry out my service and, with this preface, provide an introduction to the letter, insofar as God gives me the ability, so that every one can gain the fullest possible understanding of it. Up to now it has been darkened by glosses [explanatory notes and comments which accompany a text] and by many a useless comment, but it is in itself a bright light, almost bright enough to illumine the entire Scripture."


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Romans

Reading the book of Romans constantly for six weeks changed the course of my life. I have not been the same since.

I drove to a wedding today listening to Simon's 'Introduction to Romans'  kicking off a years preaching through this book at St Aldates. If this doesn't get you reaching for your bible and turning up this letter nothing will. The story of 'SAS Mark' is absolutely extraordinary and inspiring.

Come on church- let's start reading Romans. There's power in it.

Summit meeting

Well, today I have been for my annual reminder that I will never run a megachurch.

I attended the Willow Leadership Summit. Whilst I know I will never be Bill Hybels this annual pilgrimage always renews my passion for Jesus and the gospel and really resources my soul. I think it's because it's business meets church and as I have spent more of my life in business than church it resonates with me.

The content was excellent as ever

I bought a ton of books and managed to read Just courage on the train home. Great stuff.

Highlights for me were Hybels on vision being getting people from 'Here to there', Jim Collins' story about Peter Drucker and Christine Caine's flaming passion for Jesus. She brought me to tears (and the whole row of people sitting next to me). Phenomenal.

I will post more when I get time.

The front of your bible

I have been reading John Wimber 'The Way in is the Way on ' slowly over the last couple of months. I learnt from it that Wimber had these words of John Wesley written in the front of his bible:

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can"

It moved me.

Simon quoted this Evan Roberts' prayer at our Live Life weekend which is in More :

"Send the Spirit now for Jesus Christ's sake
Send the Spirit now powerfully for Jesus Christ's sake
Send the Spirit now more powerfully for Jesus Christ's sake
Send the Spirit now even more powerfully for Jesus Christ's sake"

The result was the Welsh Revival. One of our number decided to write it in the front of his bible. By the way, Simon has just started a 35 sermon series on Romans that should be a real feast.

If you want something to dip into every now and again, the Leadership network have an online conference called the Nines full of ditties from leaders. This year was on 'Game changers' which makes me smile even before I listen to any of them. I loved watching Jared Wilson and although I have never met him I greatly connected with his story which resonated closely with my own (although whatever he describes at the start must be something American's know about but needs a translation into English?)

We are starting The Gospel in Life tonight at Live Life which I am really excited about and I am also excited about The Reason for God DVD . Why not get a copy and gather some friends in your home and talk together about Jesus?

Francis Chan: Think hard, Stay humble

I went to sleep last night listening to this. I finished up listening to it this afternoon as I prepared for Alpha. Wow. I'm confess I'm rather lost for words.

A new leader

Leaders are important. Crucial in fact.

Good ones are rare.

Today, I learn I have a new Bishop.

He is a good and godly man.

Bishop Christopher taught me on leadership some months ago and I recommended J Oswald Sanders wonderful book on Spiritual Leadership to him which he seemed enthused about. I have no idea if he read it.

Here is a thought from it that I was reminded of this morning as I learn he is to be Bishop of Southwark:

'At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in the service of others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a painful baptism of suffering. But the true spiritual leader is focussed on the service he can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office and holy title. We must put more into life than we take out.


"One of the outstanding ironies of history is the utter disregard of ranks and titles in the final judgements men pass each other," said Samuel Brengle, the great Salvation Army revival preacher. "The final estimate of men show that history cares not an iota for the rank or the title a man is borne, or the office he has held, but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart"

[Page 15]

Do pray for Christopher. He takes on quite a job.....

Culture watch

I glanced at the Telegraph today.

"Religion is largely irrelevant to most young people, who rely instead on a 'secular trinity' of themselves, their family and friends to give meaning to their lives.....The findings are contained in a new book, 'The faith of Generation Y. (those born after 1982)

"It is undoubtedly the case that the Christian memory is very faint and in many respects Generation Y are a largely unstoried and memoryless generation"

From the front page today's Daily Telegraph

There is also a fascinating article on infidelity websites by Celia Walden that made her feel 'distinctly grubby'.

Also 'Sex, teenagers and porn' on Radio 4 yesterday was 'remarkable' according to the review. Did you know 8 year olds wear things called 'shag bands'? Whatever next. I guess it is on iplayer and sounds like it might be an education for all of us.


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One theologian

I was greatly impacted by Rick Warren's challenge to renew my mind-trust me it needs it. Not least by his incredible witness to the importance of reading. Reading has marked Warren's life and for many years he read a book a day (as well as writing books including the world's bestseller, planting a church and raising up and mentoring hundreds of leaders). He has a library upwards of twenty thousand books. Quite how he has the time and the energy for all this is mind-boggling.

I suppose you could summarise one the lessons Warren offers with Covey's seventh habit- 'Sharpen the saw'. A fact that truly blew away Piper in this fascinating film was that that he reads through the complete works of one theologian every year. Last year he read 'The complete works of Jonathan Edwards' and this year he is reading 'The Dogmatics' (just so you know how much reading we are talking about see the picture below!)




My ears always perk up when I hear Edwards mentioned as he is my theologian, about whom I know only very little but I plan on spending my life trying to get to grips with him. I have posted some resources on him in the past but challenge you afresh to have a go at exploring the works of this amazing man. I am currently working my way through The Essential Jonathan Edwards Collection as I think about maybe doing my MA dissertation on him. This collection is a really excellent way-in if you want to adopt Edwards as your theologian. I am loving this read. It tells the story of his life interspersed with his writings and sermons and then each chapter ends with a section 'Applying Edwards Life and Ideas'.

Dive in- it really is not as scary as it might seem and this is as good a way to start as any.

Is this man the world's most influential Christian?

Rick Warren just spoke at the Desiring God conference about which there was a huge hoo hah.

His talk is phenomenally wise, good, thoughtful, inspiring, generous, challenging and brilliant and is as good a one as I have heard in ages.

It is called: The Battle for your mind

Don't just listen to it. Note it, think about it, listen to it again, pray, think and then do something about it.

Life changing and marking stuff.

Here is all the Desiring God audio and I particularly commend Francis Chan on  'Think hard stay humble' and Piper too.

Blog sweep

I spent the weekend away with Live life and we had a smashing time. Simon came to teach and we were challenged and blessed- some of the material he taught is in More which is a great read.

Simon spoke about Smith Wigglesworth and if you want to know more about him I read this last year.

His first session was on the bible. You might want to get hold of Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods or How to read the bible for all it's worth and here is a good post of resources. Passion for the word was birthed afresh in many of us.

A friend emailed me about The Tangible Kingdom: Creating incarnational community which Mclaren and Driscoll both recommend (interesting in itself) and he says he has scribbled all over his copy.  Seems like one to read.

Hyatt on how to retain what you read.

I had a laugh with a friend about powerpoint and here is a post about Really bad powerpoint.

Some thought provoking Malcolm Gladwell.

Packer on what inerrancy is not.

Driscoll on youth and asking the question 'Are you destroying your church?'.

An interesting thought on fruitfulness

A case for the institutional church.

Finally the pope on being generous

Them and us

Someone talking to a guest over food at our Alpha Supper:

"Are you one of them or are you one of us?"

This little light

(H/T Bill)