A royal priesthood, and living stones

7 07 2014

Last week I had a little holiday down in sunny(ish) Devon. My friend Julia and her husband James were being inducted as joint pastors of a church there on the Saturday, and on Sunday Julia spoke at the morning service. I really valued what she shared, so, after quite a long break since I last did this, my notes are below:

OT reading: Exodus 19 vv 1-8, NT reading: 1 Peter 2 vv 4-9.

God chose the Israelites to make His love known to the rest of the world through them, they were to be a showcase of how a relationship with God changes people for the better. They had a choice to keep the commands and covenant, and agreed to. They failed quite quickly.

In the OT a priest was someone who mediates between God and the people, who distributes the word and the blessings. We are called in 1 Peter 2 to be a royal priesthood, to share the word and blessings of God with those who haven’t yet heard. (I’d never understood that phrase until yesterday, I get it now!)

In the 1 Peter passage we are being built together. Stones can’t build themselves, God, the Builder, builds us. As living stones we have the ability to resist the Builder’s plans for us. The Builder may need to rub some rough edges off to fit us into a certain place. All sizes and shapes are needed. We are being built together.

Our thanksgiving, intercession and repentance needs, as a royal priesthood, to be on behalf of humanity, for those who don’t yet know the Lord, to cry out on their behalf, and to make sure we are living Godly lives.


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The Vow – by Kim & Krickett Carpenter

1 07 2014

This book was not at all what I expected.

I watched the film when it came out at the cinema. A story of a couple who have an accident and the woman loses all memory of her husband and he has to win her over again.

The key word in that trailer is “inspired by”, not “based on” true events. Technically that outline also covers the story in the book, except the details are very different, and for one key point: The book is a testimony. The book is the story of how God was central to their relationship, their marriage, and how they both had to lean on Him to get through it all. It is an autobiography and the focus is God. He doesn’t even get a look in on the film!

The book is also very different in the way they meet, how the relationship develops, the wedding, the relationship between the husband and her parents – it may as well be a different story but for the very basic outline.

I love this book because it shows how through the most truly awful circumstances, God worked through it, and brought them to a much better place than they could have imagined.

At the time apparently their story got a lot of press coverage, I don’t remember this, but they were so passionate to share what God had done each time they shared their story. It’s inspirational!

the vow


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Red Letter Christianity – by Shane Claiborne & Tony Campolo

22 06 2014

My colleague Wendy recently said, “Most people who go to a Tony Campolo event know that they’re going to get ‘beaten up’ for justice.” and this book wasn’t far off of a punch in the face either – in a good way of course! I’ve heard both of these guys speak before, and always find they challenge my way of thinking and being. The book was no different.

The idea of Red Letter Christians is that they live their words specifically by the words that Jesus said. In some copies of the bible, every word Jesus spoke is printed in red so as to stand out from the black text.

Each chapter of the book took a different topic that Campolo and Claiborne would then discuss between them, sharing thoughts and perspectives. I found some of what they shared truly refreshing; they didn’t just go down the line you might expect them to!

In the chapter on pro-life, I expected this to just be a discussion on abortion, and of course some of it was. But there was also a lot of discussion on the quality of life throughout the whole of a persons life: “from womb to tomb”. They covered poverty, sin, and the death penalty alongside the obvious.

In the chapter on homosexuality, they open by discussing gay marriage, but actually when Tony shared his view on it, it took a whole new direction:

“While I believe that the government should not legalise marriage for people who are gay, I also believe that it should not legalise marriage for heterosexuals either. In fact, the government should get out of the marriage business completely and instead focus on civil rights for all of its citizens. It should treat both homosexual couples and heterosexual couples the same, guaranteeing both the same rights and privileges. Homosexual couples and heterosexual couples should be able to go down to the city hall and register as couples who want to be legally recognised as belonging to each other and receive the same civil rights available for all citizens who want to be in committed relationships. Then, if a couple wants to call the relationship a marriage, that couple should go down to a church and let the church perform the ceremony.” – Tony Campolo

The chapter on giving I found particularly helpful, confirming some stuff I’d been thinking about recently anyway, and looking at some prosperity gospel stuff which seems to keep rearing its head lately too.

Every chapter of this book had something to make you think, from liturgy to the middle east, from reconciliation to national debt, there isn’t a lot they don’t touch on somewhere and just stir some of your thought patterns that maybe had sat still for a bit too long.

Red Letter Christianity


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Even more concise 10 second sermons – Milton Jones

15 06 2014

Most people will know Milton Jones for his stand-up, and as a panellist on Mock the Week.

However, he’s also a Christian, and this book is a mixture of both of those worlds, similar to the first one.

There’s a running theme throughout the book about things we debate on that are not the most important thing – something people don’t normally admit! Some excerpts below:

http://instagram.com/p/pOOmbakYlF/

I like these books of Jones’ as they’re very easy to read in one sitting at less than 100 pages, and yet there’s plenty to them. They make you laugh, but also definitely make you think. One line that definitely struck me was:

“Christianity is not so much a religion, more the beginning of a realisation of how things really are.”

even more concise 10 second sermons


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Another Clewer

19 05 2014

Yesterday I went to church in a little village near Salisbury where my Dad’s cousin was speaking. I’ve not heard him speak before, but just knew he’s very clever with an excellent sense of humour. Well – cheesy, but to me that’s excellent!

I know I haven’t done a sermon notes blog in a while, but I think for our current sermon series at Heathervale I want to just do one overall one, but this of course was a complete one off yesterday, so here goes – the subject was prayer.

  • If we spent as much time praying as we did watching Emmerdale [insert other soap/tv show/hobby here] then we’d be a powerful church. We’d easily spend 30 minutes on the phone to a friend.
  • Our prayer time often consists of us talking to God but we don’t wait for a reply or for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Imagine ringing a friend, talking, and hanging up without giving them a chance to reply!
  • The Holy Spirit gives us three things to help us in prayer.
    • Boldness
      “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10 vv 19-23

      The most wonderful prayers we hear other people pray are the bold and honest ones

      “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1 vv 6-8

    • Ability…
      • …to pray for those who persecute us.
        It allows us to love them.

        “You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” – Matthew 5 vv 43-44

      • …not to lose heart.
        We often do

        “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18 v 1

      • …to pray without ceasing.

        “pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5 vv 17-18
        Notice that that says in all circumstances, not for all circumstances.
        God had to put the prophets into the right place before He moved, and so things were tough for a while.

    • A sure reward
      “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11 v 6

      “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6 v 33

      Putting Him first means listening to what He has to say. Not necessarily actively doing lots of things, but stopping and listening.

      “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4 vv 4-7

      To get the peace in verse seven, you have to do the things before it!


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Sin & Fruit

14 05 2014

I’m an NIV girl most days, my main bible is NIV, my study bible is NIV, at 6th form the bible I had at the bottom of my rucksack getting tattier by the day was TNIV. But I also have a copy of The Message, which I like to use to get almost a different perspective on a passage sometimes. At the moment I’m going through the Psalms in it, as they’re quite poetic, it seems to work really well. (Although there was one time I compared a bit to the NIV and have absolutely no idea where they got it from – so a pinch of salt is often handy!).

This is just a passage we read at housegroup last week to help with the study, the second part is familiar to most, but in the first part some of the words were a bit complicated, so I grabbed my Message as well to help. And I just thought merging the two versions across both halves of the passage may be an interesting experiment – let me know what you think!

Galatians 5 vv 19-23 (NIV in bold, The Message in italic)

The acts of the flesh are obvious: It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: sexual immorality, repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; impurity a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; and debauchery; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; idolatry trinket gods; and witchcraft; magic-show religion; hatred, paranoid loneliness; discord, cutthroat competition; jealousy, all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; fits of rage, a brutal temper; selfish ambition, an impotence to love or be loved; dissensions, divided homes and divided lives; factions small-minded and lopsided pursuits; and envy; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; drunkenness, uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; orgies, ugly parodies of community. and the like. I could go on.

I warn you, as I did before, This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

But the fruit of the Spirit is But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like love, affection for others, joy, exuberance about life, peace, serenity. forbearance, We develop a willingness to stick with things, kindness, a sense of compassion in the heart, goodness, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. faithfulness, We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, gentleness not needing to force our way in life, and self-control. able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Against such things there is no law. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.

What do you think? Confusing? A list of definitions? Something to think about? Is it helpful?

Original versions split out here.


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Easter Sunday – song snippets

20 04 2014

Following on from Friday’s post…

The last one is sometimes know as “The resurrection hymn”, and I couldn’t just pick out one verse, so you’ve got the whole thing plus a video 🙂

“Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.”

“There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine – Bought with the precious blood of Christ.”

“The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive”

“In the grave God did not leave Him
For His body to decay
Raised to life – the Great Awakening
Satan’s pow’r He overcame”

“See what a morning gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem
Folded the grave-clothes tomb filled with light
As the angels announce Christ is risen
See God’s salvation plan
Wrought in love borne in pain paid in sacrifice
Fulfilled in Christ the Man
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead

See Mary weeping “Where is He laid?”
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb
Hears a voice speaking calling her name
It’s the Master the Lord raised to life again
The voice that spans the years
Speaking life stirring hope bringing peace to us
Will sound till He appears
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead

One with the Father Ancient of Days
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty
Honour and blessing glory and praise
To the King crowned with power and authority
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead love has won Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead”


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It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming – S.M. Lockridge

19 04 2014

This is often credited to Tony Campolo, but that’s only because he quotes it from S.M. Lockridge (the guy who did the “That’s my King” sermon) – and below is only an extract from the full 45 minute sermon!

I posted the first part of this on facebook yesterday, and will post the second part tomorrow, but I wanted to put it together all in one place, so Easter Saturday seemed a good day to do that!

“It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming.
It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.
And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it’s Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn’t the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb.
Yes, it’s Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.
It’s Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave.
It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.”


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Good Friday – song snippets

18 04 2014

Just a few verses from different songs focussing on the Good Friday part of the story… come back on Sunday for part 2!

“Through the kisses of a friend’s betrayal,
He was lifted on a cruel cross;
He was punished for a world’s transgressions,
He was suffering to save the lost.
He fights for breath, He fights for me,
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
And with a shout our souls are free –
Death defeated by Immanuel.”

“Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.”

“Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.”

“I may not know of the pain of His passion,
But I believe that in my place he stood:
That I may know freedom and live in forgiveness,
For I am redeemed by His great love.”

“And when I think of God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.”


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Prayer & Opportunities

6 04 2014

Last night I watched Evan Almighty, I’m going to go and see Noah tomorrow, so thought I may as well watch something ‘similar’!

In the film you get this quote, which I always find really interesting.


“If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience, or the opportunity to be patient?
If they prayed for courage does he give them courage or the opportunity to be courageous?
If someone prayed for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or gives them opportunities to love each other?”

I think on one level this definitely has some validity, if we ask God for something and then don’t try it given the opportunity, then of course it won’t happen.

But what about when someone is in an awful situation where all we want to pray for them is peace and strength. They already have the opportunity to exhibit those things, so does this really apply then?

What do you think?!


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Categories : Christian, Film & TV, Things that make you go hmm

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