Lately, a lot of my reading has been done on iPhone. You can download pretty much anything but being the cheapskate that I am, I've been reading several old Christian classics that you can get for free.
Things like "How to Pray" by Torrey, "A Serious Call..." by William Law, and "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" by John Wesley.
Various biographies of early church characters as well.
Sound boring?
Maybe for some but these old classics are stirring my spirit afresh to seek God for revival - in me, in my church in my city and in my nation.
How easy it is to become desensitised. We don't realise how bad things are getting because it happens slowly.
Some of these old classics can help us gain a more godly perspective on our general spiritual wellbeing
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Bob & Dave and the very first Christmas
New Life Church has a small but growing Youth Music Team. On 20th December, they presented an original Christmas play called Bob & Dave and the very first Christmas. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. It was funny and entertaining, well acted and sung, but the overall impact was a clear message of God's love and grace.
I also loved it because it demonstrated what Christian culture can be - creative, imaginative, fun, but still very much glorifying to God.
Well done guys! Here is an iPhone picture of some of the young people involved.
What is the point for all our learning?
Christian culture should be instructive. That is, our art, music, literature and teaching ministry should help people to grow in their knowledge of God and their service to Him. It should also confront an unconvinced world with the claims of the Gospel.
I am currently reading an excellent book called "Culture Matters", by T.M. Moore (Brazos Press, 2007). In one of the chapters, Moore discusses John Calvin's efforts at cultural renewal through systematic education. He writes:
"Christian education today is largely regarded as an exercise in information transfer. Asked what they have been learning lately, most adult Christians will answer with some variation of a content response: "We've been studying the Book of Romans." "I've just finished a seminar on managing my money." "I'm working through a video series on the Psalms." Calvin defined true learning in terms of a growing relationship with God, expressed in growth in holiness and fulfillment of a life's calling to the praise of God and his glory."
"Until we begin educating the whole person - soul and practices - for living out all the requirements of God's kingdom - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit - in every area of life and culture, we will continue to drift towards the margins of society, our fervent educational activities notwithstanding."
As learners, or as teachers and trainers, Moore urges us to a new vision of learning.
"We must challenge learners to new heights of personal holiness, greater humility in loving and serving others, improvements in excellence in their vocations, and a vision for church, society, and culture that takes seriously the promise of God's power being able to do far beyond all that we could ever ask or think (Eph 3:20).
This year, at New Life Christian Church, we will be focusing much more on instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).
I am currently reading an excellent book called "Culture Matters", by T.M. Moore (Brazos Press, 2007). In one of the chapters, Moore discusses John Calvin's efforts at cultural renewal through systematic education. He writes:
"Christian education today is largely regarded as an exercise in information transfer. Asked what they have been learning lately, most adult Christians will answer with some variation of a content response: "We've been studying the Book of Romans." "I've just finished a seminar on managing my money." "I'm working through a video series on the Psalms." Calvin defined true learning in terms of a growing relationship with God, expressed in growth in holiness and fulfillment of a life's calling to the praise of God and his glory."
"Until we begin educating the whole person - soul and practices - for living out all the requirements of God's kingdom - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit - in every area of life and culture, we will continue to drift towards the margins of society, our fervent educational activities notwithstanding."
As learners, or as teachers and trainers, Moore urges us to a new vision of learning.
"We must challenge learners to new heights of personal holiness, greater humility in loving and serving others, improvements in excellence in their vocations, and a vision for church, society, and culture that takes seriously the promise of God's power being able to do far beyond all that we could ever ask or think (Eph 3:20).
This year, at New Life Christian Church, we will be focusing much more on instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).
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