Disappointment vs. Hope

The first chapter of The Life I’ve Always Wanted is entitled “We Shall Morph Indeed” – The Hope of Transformation.

Ortberg suggests that disappointment with ourselves can come from many sources but the deeper problem is “my failure to be the person God had in mind when he created me.”

“I am in a state of dis-appointment.  I am missing the life that I was appointed by God to live.”

This is where I could happily reside – perpetual disappointment.  Most recently I have been wondering whether I can ever change, I’m not where I want to be but I just can’t seem to find a way out.  No matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to alter the way I am and generate the passion, faith and commitment I would like to possess.  I came to my senses the other day and realised that for me this change is impossible, I simply can’t do it.  But it’s not my job.  God is the only one who can change me in this way and I guess my role in the partnership is to live a life which makes it as easy as possible for God to get on and do the changing stuff.

“The possibility of transformation is the essence of hope”

I need to learn to wrestle more with hope than simply embrace my dis-appointment.  Dis-appointment will not always win the struggle.  Change is possible… I hope.

The Life I’ve Always Wanted

The postman delivered my copy of John Ortberg’s “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” today.  Recently I have read books and found them challenging, uncomfortable, inspiring and motivating.  However, the words of wisdom seem to go in one eye and out the other failing to stop and reside somewhere in between.  So I thought I would try and blog as I work my way through this one.

The book was recommended during last Sunday’s sermon and it has the subtitle “Spiritual disciplines for ordinary people”, I’ve only read the preface so far but it is resonating already.  “If you have ever been frustrated with what you know of spiritual life, ever wondered if real change is possible, ever felt confused or stuck – you’re my kind of person.  I wrote this book for you.”

That’s me, that’s my experience – bring it on.

Crossing Over – Joshua Chapter 3

Below is a sermon based on Joshua Chapter 3 which I gave at Claremont Baptist Church on Sunday 3rd June. You can listen to it or download it here or subscribe in itunes using the orange button on the right.

Crossing Over

God hates fags

I watched “The most hated family in America” last night – a Louis Theroux documentary about Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, mainly made up of the Phelps family. It was pretty offensive stuff as this church have made it their mission to proclaim God’s judgement on America as a whole and homosexuals and soldiers in particular by letting them know in no uncertain terms that God hates them. The church believes that apart from those in their congregation, everyone else is hated by God and are destined for hell. According to Pastor Fred Phelps, Billy Graham is going to “split hell wide open” when he eventually dies.

I think they have got it wrong. I don’t believe God hates anyone. Certainly he hates the things that I do, say and think that don’t meet his very high standards but in spite of those things I am convinced he loves me rather than hates me. God doesn’t hate fags or soldiers, he loves them – I also believe that his gracious love extends to the Phelps family and the members of Westboro Baptist Church.

A swearing singer and an outspoken TV evangelist

I rate Martyn Joseph.  I like his music.  I admire his stand on social issues and his willingness to sing the truth as he sees it.  Recently he has courted controversy by taking on TV evangelist Pat Robertson – his latest live recording has upset a few people with the language he used.  Below is an interview on radio Wales where he tries to explain where he is coming from.  What should we be more upset about,  Martyn’s language or Pat Robertson’s comments?

A 3 minute theology lesson?

In which order would you put your missiology, ecclesiology and christology? (no idea if any of those are spelt correctly)

good stuff, but am I willing to put it into practice….

When God Withdraws

This is a podcast of a sermon from November 2006. It is also my first attempt at an enhanced podcast (audio with some visuals). The original recording is pretty poor and I’ve tried with little success to remove the background noise. So, if you can bear the hiss, have a listen. You can watch it here or downloading instructions are below.

You will need itunes or quicktime to hear/view the podcast, both of which are free downloads.

Job 23 (click to download)

For the mp3 file (audio only) click here (this will open with windows media player)

The sermon is based on Job 23;

Job 23

Job

1 Then Job replied: 2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
his hand ^[a] is heavy in spite of ^[b] my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!

4 I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would find out what he would answer me,
and consider what he would say.

6 Would he oppose me with great power?
No, he would not press charges against me.

7 There an upright man could present his case before him,
and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.

9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
He does whatever he pleases.

14 He carries out his decree against me,
and many such plans he still has in store.

15 That is why I am terrified before him;
when I think of all this, I fear him.

16 God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Taking Christianity out of Christmas

Whilst waiting for my car to be checked out at a garage in Shrewsbury I read this article in the Telegraph.  Jeff Randall is throwing away all his Christmas cards that have no Christmas images or make no mention of Christmas.  Interesting approach and an interesting article…

(will find out how much the car will cost on Tuesday…)

Believing Obedience

Have started my next Tom Wright book (see previous post) – have gone for Romans and John this time.  I’m finding his translation really helpful, a breath of fresh air really.  What is it all about, being a follower of Christ, a Christian?  “Believing Obedience” from Romans chapter 1 verse 5 sums it up quite nicely for me.  It requires faith to believe but also some sort of response which involves submission and surrender to the King of all things.  Nice one Tom.

“Gospel” and “Good News”

Old fashioned words – but what do they mean?  Here is one definition of "gospel" which I found on the net.

"Glad tidings" or "good news, " The English word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word godspell, which meant "good news." As now used, it means the message of Christianity and the books in which the story of Christ's life and teaching is found (Rom 1:15, 16). In the New Testament the word is never applied to a book but to the message (Rom 1:1; 1 Thess 3:2,9; Acts 20:24; Eph. 6:15). The message of God's plan for redeeming humanity.
What does the Gospel mean to you and how is it good news for you personally?