Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
Luke 21:5-6 (NIV)
I was recently asked to preach on this passage as part of a series through Luke and it got me thinking about the role that buildings can (and should?) play in our lives and in our worship.
Read moreNow it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)
I know that the new year begins on 1st January, but over the years I’ve been involved in churches, September has felt as much of a fresh beginning as January, maybe more so. Perhaps that’s because so much of what we do, and the programmes we run, are shaped by the academic year more than the calendar year?
Read moreThe vision God has given me for setting up a Deaf Church has actually happened…I see it unfolding before my eyes!
Open Hands Signing Church aims to encourage Deaf people to worship God using the beautiful language of the British Deaf Community – British Sign Language, and other visual means. Hearing people are welcomed too, and a voice-over is always provided so that they have access to everything.
Read more…this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
Just one thing? Only one? If I am honest with you, I have many questions of the Lord.
And perhaps that isn’t surprising when we consider how uncertain are the days in which we live, and how complex are the issues that we face.
Read moreLast year I reminded you of HEBA’s vision and values – ‘Growing Healthy Churches’ and committed to companionship, generosity, diversity, learning and innovation. Whilst we want to develop all the values, our focus this year is ‘diversity’.
Read moreOne of the best personal things I’ve ever done
Since leaving both London Bible College and Spurgeon’s in the Eighties and over 25 years in Baptist ministry, I had been resistant to any form of evaluation of myself as person and evaluation of my soul. After all I didn’t have time for that kind of introspective, navel-gazing twaddle. I had Kingdom work to do, putting in as many hours as I could and wondering why I felt so burnt out and depleted by the time I came up to my Sabbaticals.
Read more“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
One of the great blessings and privileges of being a Baptist Minister, comes when a Church (or in my case an Association) makes possible a sabbatical ‘rest’. As you read this, I am enjoying such a period of ‘rest’.
Read moreHello HEBA! I’m back!
I want to begin by saying a massive “Thank you” for flowers, cards, cake, chocolate, prayers, emails, visits and so much love during the recent pilgrimage through Breast Cancer! I have really felt like a reluctant Pilgrim on this journey, and God has been my constant companion. In the early days of Chemotherapy, (which resulted in me spending about 20 days in hospital on 3 separate occasions), I cried out to God that I longed for my normality. In His gentle way He reminded me that this cancer journey is “normal” for thousands of people every day, and I now share their normality!
Read moreHello Folks,
I’m glad to have the opportunity to share with the churches some of the good things and also some of the disappointing things that have been happening in our Association over the past 12 months or so especially with regard to the Home Mission Fund (HMF).
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