It becomes quite something when the news reports of a Dean resigning because of attacks on her gender. I’m genuinely concerned for the Church in Wales if the rumours are true: Read more
Something I was shocked by in the news this week was an article that reported on “experts” who said that children should be advised that not all porn is bad, and that actually it can be fun and rewarding. They advised that schools should teach this, using the resource of a website called “TheSite.org” Read more
A New Kind of Christin by Brian D. McLaren
Published by SPCK Publishing on January 2013
Genres: Culture, Emerging Church
Pages: 320
Buy the Book • ★★★½
The first instalment of Brian McLaren’s trilogy recounts a lively and intimate conversation between fictional characters Pastor Dan Poole and his daughter’s high school science teacher, Neil Oliver. They reflect together about faith, doubt, reason, mission, leadership, and spiritual practice in the emerging postmodern world.
A New Kind of Christian offers a tale of hope and spiritual renewal for those who thought they had to give up on faith, God and church.
I was intrigued by the New Kind of Christian series. I’ve been told that I should read it, that it would cause me to reevaluate some of my positions and that it would get me to reconsider where I stand within my own theological framework. When SPCK republished this popular and controversial trilogy, I was keen to get my hands on it! Read more
The BBC reported yesterday that a recent study has shown that Church of England vicars sometimes hide from callers/parishioners to their Vicarage in order to take a rest from the pressures and strains of pastoral works and church life. Read more
The Quest continues! Today marks the second post in a series of an exploration of Catholic doctrine and theology. You may wish to refer to my last post to get a gist of what these posts are about. Just to remind you, I am going through the Youth Cathechism for the Catholic Church called YOUCAT. And, as always, the disclaimer is that this is a discussion and exploration, not a Catholic bashing post! Now that’s out the way, onto the subjects in question – the gift of faith in relation to the Church and Angels. Read more
Leadership undoubtedly requires some followers, else a leader doesn’t exist! But what happens once you have followers? Is it simply a case of building your fan base? I don’t think so. I’ve just come back from a meeting at church about leadership and the direction we’re going as a church. Churches need leaders following the leader, that, of course is *Sunday school answer* Jesus. But from Jesus, we learn that leadership is more than getting people to follow you, it’s also about empowering people. Read more
Does this dress make me look fat? : A Man’s Guide to the Loaded Questions Women Ask by David Thomas, Stephen James
Published by Tyndale on 2007
Genres: Christian Life, Relationships
Pages: 146
Source: Books received as a gift
Buy the Book • ★★★★
Here is the thing about questions: they expose more about the inquirer than they do about the one being queried. If you pay attention, the questions a woman asks will point directly to some of her deepest longings and also reveal some of what she desires most from a man. With this book as a guide, we hope that men and women can move beyond the question of “Why are women the way they are?” to see the authentic heart of a woman. A companion book to “Yup.” “Nope.” “Maybe.” the book for women. Contains a group study guide.
Chapter headings:
- Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat?
- Do You Notice Anything Different about the House?
- Do You Think That Woman Is Pretty?
- What Are You Thinking About?
- Am I Like My Mother?
- Are You As Happy As I Am?
- Is There Anything You Don’t Like About Me?
- Conclusion: You don’t have to get me anything for Christmas
- Discussion Guide
~~~
This book is a great read for any men who are wondering about what a women is really asking when they ask difficult questions. I was a bit dubious about this book initially, as it seems a bit ironic that two Christian men would be writing a book on women and what they’re really thinking when they ask certain questions… but I was wrong. Read more
Here’s my spiritual two penneth for this week. This is what I woke up with:
Don’t chase experience, chase Jesus. Experiences can be good or bad, and you can be high or low. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever; the unfailing Saviour, the friend that sticks closer than a brother.
We’re all chasing something in life in order to find meaning, fulfilment, purpose and happiness. Chasing is very, very important but it is the object that you are chasing which determines whether the chase has any value or not.
Today is a big day in the history of this blog. Today marks the first of a series of posts on my exploration of Catholic belief and doctrine. I have been provoked to do this out of my own ignorance at some Catholic beliefs, and also at the promptings of others. I asked around for recommendations on websites and books to help me on my endeavour and have since bought some books and looked at some websites. I have chosen one text in particular to use as a resource and that is “Youcat” – the youth version of the Catholic Catechism – the list of beliefs and doctrines of the Roman Catholic church. I have no idea how long this “quest” will be, but I will continue through until I have completed the catechism. Comments and discussion is actively encouraged on these posts, especially from Catholic friends. Read more
Book Review: Job for Everyone @SPCKPublishing
Series: For Everyone Series
Published by SPCK Publishing on April 2013
Genres: Biblical Studies, Commentary
Pages: 224
★★★★
I love the …For Everyone series! Building on Tom Wright’s New Testament for Everyone collection, John Goldingay has embarked on an Old Testament equivalent, and believe me, it’s going well! I want to say before I begin on the main review that I admire the work, the time and effort put in by John Goldingay. Christians on the whole struggle with the Old Testament. Many people say that the Church is a ‘New Testament Church’ and seem to believe when saying that that study of the Old Testament isn’t all that important when, in actual fact, it is crucial! Read more