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This is the blog of Tony Wright - former associate minister at St Alban's until December 2011. (This picture was taken in Malawi - on a relatively recent trip to lecture to pastors) You need to Login to comment on blog posts. Please contact us to obtain a login.  Subscribe |
The summary report of the congregational survey recently taken at 5pm.
Download 5pm Survey Results 2011: 5pm Survey Results 2011.pdf
For those interested in really thinking through the issues surrounding the taking of the land by the Israelite nation under the leadership of God - you would do well to check out:
http://www.rzim.org/justthinkingfv/tabid/602/articleid/10624/cbmoduleid/1694/default.aspx
Photo by: Felipe Navarro V
When preaching through Joshua 5-6 and the taking of the land - I made the following points concerning the "Holy War":
- God is patient. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. What we see here happening to the city of Jericho - is that God has been patient with its people. And in his patience these people became worse and worse in their sin, their evil, …
Food for thought - for all parents (and parents to be).
http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/26/5-ways-to-make-your-kids-hate-church
Last week I preached on the topic of generosity and giving.
For those who would like to read further, you would be hard pressed to find better than Miroslav Volf's book "Free of Charge".
I don't agree with everything Volf says about forgiveness (I think he underplays the significance of repentance as a necessary step in the process of forgiveness and reconciliation).
And while I don't agree with everything the Archbishop of Canterbury says either, …
Is there any Rob Bell fans out there?
If so - its worth checking out this interview.
Sadly, he seems a long way from orthodoxy.
Our current sermon series is entitled "Radical Discipleship" - and is a look at what it means for someone to take seriously the words of Jesus when he says "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
In terms of useful resources - I think that either of these two books would be of value:
or 
…
Shortly after I became a Christian, when I was still grappling with apologetics literature and feeling a little adrift in my new faith, I was given C.S. Lewis' 'Mere Christianity' as a gift by a wise and much respected work colleague. Then, as now, Mere Christianity was a reminder that 'Christ offers something for nothing: He even offers everything for nothing.' In exploring Christ's very remarkable offer, …
For all those who use BibleGateway (especially for those who use it to help with their bible readings) - please be aware that the default setting for the NIV is a new (and slightly different version from 2010. To select the version that people will have in their pew bibles - please select from the drop down menu: New International Version 1984.
For those interested in the changes you might like to read:
http://solapanel. …
"I have lived eighty years of life and know nothing for it, but to be resigned and tell myself that flies are born to be eaten by spiders and man to be devoured by sorrow."
Voltaire
It is one of the harsh realities of living in a fallen world - that sadness comes to us all.
Is there any benefit or protection afforded the Christian in relation to such sadness?
Is there anything about the Christian that makes them more susceptible and prone to sadness? …
1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt - how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. …
Guest blogger: Greg Atkin (10am congregation member, father of three, bass player, bike rider and banker)
Piper writes, "Consider this story from the February 1998 Readers Digest: A couple took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.... …
I was first given Desiring God as a gift by a wonderfully godly and humble man who described it as his favourite book
(apart from the bible),
and while not being great at reading Christian books (strange for a minister!) his recommendation was enough to make me pick it up
and read.
At the time of reading I found this book's central theme - that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him - both unfamiliar and stimulating. …