Planted by Water

I mentioned yesterday that I was reading a book by Andrew Murray called Power For Your Life, all about experiencing the Holy Spirit. One potential problem with him and other ‘deeper life’ authors is that they can sometimes leave the impression that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is something you graduate on to after a period of really faithful obedience, rather than being the foundational and initiation experience of the Christian life that it is. One implication of this  foundational understanding is that you can have people who have …

I was reading recently about the tragic death of King Saul (in 1 Chronicles 10) and noted how, when killed, he was ’stripped of his armour’ by his enemies; and I thought back to how he had offered his armour to David. He was the king at the time, the leader of God’s people, and he should have been going up against Goliath.  He had all the appearance of strength with his armour but not the real …

Christians must learn to disagree before they can learn to agree. It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable

Just a quick thought to end the week with. It seemed appropriate after some of the rather heated and the sometimes less than gracious tone of some comments this week. I believe in the need to have strong convictions and to be passionate about them. I share many convictions with those who commented. I believe that Jesus is going …

‘Repent you sinners for the Kingdom is at hand. Come all you who are heavy laden and he will give rest for your souls; come all you who are thirsty; forsake your wicked ways; take up your cross and follow the Master; be washed by the blood of Christ and be his disciples; be clothed in his righteousness and justified by his blood, that you may become inheritors of eternal life and live for the Lord’s glory!

The Lloyd family are back from a relaxing and refreshing holiday, and raring to go. Weather was great (especially for April) and pool and jacuzzi did just the job! My wife also did some time on the rowing machine in the on-site gym - but hey! - I was on holiday!!

Thanks to those who left some thought-provoking comments while I was away. I am still wanting to pursue with anyone who is interested this whole idea …

There was a first for me yesterday. I have often been in meetings where I was ready to preach but the Holy Spirit did something different and I never got to preach. But this was the first time when I am nearing the end of my preparation, having done all the study, writing notes etc., well before the meeting, but then felt the Holy Spirit tell me I wasn’t ready to preach it yet! It was about this …