Mrs MAWAMFC and I had a similarly-aged couple over for lunch today. We have known them for many years and we have children of similar ages. We talked about the things of God, but He was by no means our main topic of conversation. Why was that? Read the rest of this entry »
Middle-aged discussions over lunch
January 31, 2010 by mawamfcFull-time Bible teachers
January 28, 2010 by mawamfcThe preacher – “a well-known name in circles in which his name is well-known” (phrase © Alan Bright) – was winding up his sermon on Hebrews 11 and ended with a challenge to people who were gifted in teaching the Bible. He suggested that they consider what it was that was stopping them pursuing it full-time, “since there is nothing more important”. Read the rest of this entry »
Stepping out in faith
January 24, 2010 by mawamfcA group of young people working with a Christian trust led the morning meeting at our church today. One of them, Hannah, was talking about taking steps of faith. Was that the main point of Matt 14:22ff? Anyway…
…she talked about how, for her and others, working for XLP has been a step of faith BUT, she then added “just as much, perhaps even more, we can step out in faith in our schools, colleges and at work”. Amen, preach it, sister!
What Bible College does
October 29, 2009 by mawamfcA friend has just started full-time at a Bible college
I must tell you that my personal quiet times and prayer have been more regular than they have been for a long while – how much I need the discipline and encouragement of corporate, community times! Read the rest of this entry »
How to serve the Lord
October 13, 2009 by mawamfcI receive a newsletter from a mission society on the continent. An article in a recent edition made me write the following to the society:
In the September issue Mr C wrote about the transforming power of good Christian books. He said, “This… led to a longing to serve the Lord”. Dare I say that is theologically inaccurate since Mr C seemed to already be a believer? One of the marks of being a believer is that we long to serve the Lord – isn’t it? Read the rest of this entry »
The heart of the matter
October 3, 2009 by mawamfcLeslie Ludy, an American author and speaker, writes
A Christian publisher once told me, “You shouldn’t always write about missionary Christians… Why don’t you share about some normal, everyday Christians who live in the suburbs and work for IBM? Those kind of Christians are just as important as the ones who go to the mission field. Don’t just focus on Christians who had a ’special calling’ to go and change the world”.
Well, sorry to be blunt, but most “normal, everyday” Christians… are living pleasure-seeking, self-absorbed lives… Are we, as the majority of American Christians, pouring ourselves out for the lost of the least, or are we lying on our couches, eating pizza and watching reality TV”
“That’s a double ooch” (as many middle-aged people might recall from ‘The Banana Splits’)
What gives professional ministers joy
September 22, 2009 by mawamfcI subscribe to The Briefing: “a short regular shot of encouragement and fresh Christian thinking to stimulate biblically faithful Christian life and ministry.” – and it does this, mostly. Read the rest of this entry »
What the Church of England had right
August 29, 2009 by mawamfc“We are convinced that England will never be converted until the laity use the opportunities daily afforded by their various professions, crafts and occupations.” Towards the Conversion of England, 1945
Click here for how this inspired work at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.
Child Neglect
August 25, 2009 by mawamfcOverheard in the City:
A Christian in his early fifties had evidently done well enough to be able to retire.
“Now I can spend time with the children, having ignored them for the past 20 years.”
Discuss.
Meetings means maturity
August 22, 2009 by mawamfcI read the following written by a church leader about a church member:
I have know NNN for almost two years as his pastor. In that time he hs entered into a new dimension of faith and commitment. When I first knew him he was caught up in the busyness of business and had little time for the various meetings in the church.
Is that the primary measure of someone’s spiritual maturity – time for church meetings? It was certainly the only one the leader chose to bring up.
Why no mention of whether he was running his business with integrity; loving his wife; bringing up his chidren in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; doing good to all people (especially those who are of the household of faith); stirring up other believers to love and good works; and talking to people about Jesus?
The leader mentioned none of these. He is a teacher in Israel and he doesn’t know this?
