Planted by Water

I’m sorry for the lack of postings over the last couple of days - I’ve obviously been in a romantic swoon since Valentine’s day, such is the effect that my wife has on me!!

Despite this recent ‘amorous hiatus’ I have been continuing to think and read about the question of the Law (admittedly not really conducive to romantic feelings!) that raised some questions on this blog a few weeks ago. I promised then to publish something on the blog on …

..shine like stars in the universe as you hold out ther word of life…(Phil.2:15-16)

I’ve been inspired by reading some T.Austin-Sparks again. He writes of the need in the time of his writing (and it is still true today as ever) of there being three main influences in the world. There is firstly that which is essential anti-Christ, humanistic and man-centered (this is still an issue in our day though it often claims to be something spiritual in a vague, quasi-mystical sense but which still focuses on man, on the Self). Then there …

See this interesting article on the democratic power, potential and dangers of blogging from the BBC Website. I wonder if we have yet realised the potential of blogging for the advance of the Kingdom, rather than mainly as a source of mutual encouragement, teaching and sharing of thoughts/ideas? A totally valid use of them of course, but how else might we use them to reach the world?

Anyway, when considering the dangers as well as the delights …

I never got round to blogging yesterday as once again I aimed to do far more than I could possibly get done in just one day. Is it just me who does this? I find that I frequently over-estimate what I could possibly do in any given set period of time. Next week I am planning to read 6 books and 20 magazine articles, write a book, prepare a whole series of sermons, rescue about 12 people from the brink of disaster by …

Good to hear that Abu Hamza is behind bars! It is also good to see that many politicians from all parties were calling yesterday for some action against the Muslim demonstrators who had clearly incited violence at the end of last week. This is not because I think that we should be out to get Muslims, but because I think that is essential that those in authority are not intimidated by fear of being thought racist or Islamophobic, to the point where …

Just a quick thought for today. On reading the story of Jesus feeding the 4,000 in Mark 8 (NLT) today, one particular verse struck me as a good reminder for pastor-preachers (even if I could be accused of taking it out of context!):

‘….if I send them home without feeding them, they will faint along the road.’ (Mark 8:3)