It must be nearly Christmas time. How can I tell? My letterbox is overflowing—not with cards from friends, but with colorful invitations to spend my money at a myriad of local retailers. Fortunately, it’s not just for the local Westfield’s; I can spend my money on some worthwhile Christian material too. So just humour me for a minute, and answer the following question: which of the following products didn’t appear in the latest Christian catalogue I received?
Author Archives: The Briefing
Job and prayer
This is an old thought of mine that I blogged a few years ago, but I want to know what other think.
A Christian view of entertainment
Just the other day, I heard the story of a massive donation of Shakespeare manuscripts and later versions to the Globe Theatre in London. Was this bit of news interesting? It was okay. Was it life-shattering? Not really. Was it a challenge to my Christian living? Not at all.
A truly reformed pastor
The word ‘pastor’ comes from the word ‘shepherd’. Someone is considered a good ‘pastor’ if they are skilled and compassionate in dealing with the issues facing Christian believers. That is, the job of the pastor is primarily to care for Christians.
It’s too much like home
I’ve got a confession to make: I really love being at home. I love wearing my daggy clothes and not having to care. I love lying back on my favourite recliner and talking with my wife. I love playing board games with my kids. I love retiring to my little haven and pretending that all of the problems of the world don’t exist (well, at least until some fresh battle breaks out amongst my offspring). I love being at home because it is safe and comfortable and, well … because it’s home.
Engaging with Barth
Many years ago (correction: many, many years ago), I thought it would do my soul some good to enrol in a Masters degree in theology. Whether or not this was a good idea is something that I will leave for discussion between God, my wife and a succession of long-suffering employers who are convinced to this day that it was worth their time to push me on in that direction. (more…)
In for the long haul
I have been reminded in a number of ways this week that following our saviour is sometimes very hard work. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting to live not for yourself, but for others. In God’s kindness, he grants us his very precious promises to encourage us to persevere. I found this little article that Gordon Cheng wrote for Briefing #290 a great encouragement. Hopefully it will encourage you too:
Doing the little things well
Recently I have observed this phenomenon: there is an inverse relationship between dreaming great visions and faithfulness in the little things. The people who have the grandest, most sweeping plans and strategies for the future are likely to be unreliable and untrustworthy in the smaller, short-term tasks and responsibilities. They talk about the great things they want to achieve for God in the years to come, but right now they tend to drop the ball in significant ways.
The new principalities and powers #6: Culture clashes
What is culture? We all have one, apparently, and the lucky ones may have several. We are well-tuned to abhor ‘cultural insensitivity’—I know that—but what is this thing called culture?
Remembering the Reformation
In honour of it being Reformation Day yesterday (31 October), it seems appropriate to remember the gift that God gave us through the Reformers. What better way to celebrate than to hear from a young preacher straight out of Bible college learning the realities of biblical ministry. This is an excerpt from Briefing #325 called ‘Relishing the Reformation’:
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We need more shack time
Review
The Shack
William P Young
Windblown Media, Newbury Park, 256pp. (more…)
10 ways to discourage your husband in ministry
Pastoral Ministry
My dearest Mara,1 (more…)
Husband material
Up front
In case you missed it, Mark Driscoll has been to Sydney recently. It’s created lots of healthy discussion about lots of important things. I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on one particular idea that occurred more than once in his public talks: the challenge to the ‘late-blooming’ young men of Sydney to grow up and take some responsibility. His basic formula was move out of home, get a job, buy a house, get married and plant a church—in that order. (more…)
In defence of evangelical heroes
Up front
Recently I preached on 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:5, and I asked the following question: “Where do you see the power of God at work today in the world?” (more…)
Driscoll and listening to criticism
Recently, Sydney had the pleasure of hearing Mark Driscoll. In a two-week period, he spoke in many venues, including my church St Andrew’s Cathedral, where he twice addressed a packed gathering. His second address challenged our evangelistic ministry in this city: he lovingly told us 18 problems he saw we had. This caused considerable discussion amongst Sydney’s evangelical community. (more…)