What is love? How does it impact on our journey through life, our actions and reactions? We may have a varying idea of what we call love nowadays. We may have rarely experienced a depth and richness of care we like to think of as love; live that makes us feel secure, confident; somebody is on our side, whatever happens, a safety net of affirmation, a home where you are totally accepted abd never let down. Sometimes things that are called love can be a mixed experience; some don’t feel very nurturing or affirming at all.
Read MoreWe decide to follow Jesus in our attitudes both towards ourselves, and others. This means paying attention to what he says. The first thing we probably notice is that what he is teaching is almost exactly the opposite to how we, and others, act and react. After the first surprise, or shock, we may look at ourselves and feel inadequate and perhaps discouraged. However, it is clear that Jesus thinks it is possible that the people he is addressing, including ourselves, are capable of something different if we address this problem.
Read MoreJesus started his ministry by addressing a people that were trapped in a system of rules that invaded every detail of their lives, a system which left them feeling self- righteous and justified, or shamed, blamed and condemned- and sometimes a bit of both. This is exactly as we live today, whether it is by our own secular or by religious standards.
Read MoreThousands, if not millions of evangelical Christians have also searched for practical guidance and have asked themselves...
Well...WHAT Is THIS PLAN?
"God has got a plan for your life?"
Read MoreBoats don’t sink because of the water surrounding them. They sink when the water gets inside.
In the boat there were two very different reactions to the storm: Jesus made the storm external noise and didn’t let it disturb him, he was sleeping peacefully. The disciples had forgotten who was in the boat with them and had let the fear from their circumstances get inside. It was making them afraid, upset and angry.
Read MoreThe Greek word translated as repent in the Bible is in my opinion the worst translated work in the Bible. Explore how understanding this changes everything.
Read MoreThe book of Jude is often used to justify judgement and phrases like love the sinner hate the sin. In this blog I explain how a progressive theology can interpret and learn from the book.
Read MoreChurch leaders on both sides of Atlantic claim Trump’s election victory was a victory for God. That Trump has been appointed by God to rule. I disagree.
Read MoreTwo events, Trump’s election victory and the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, have rocked the Christian world in the last few weeks. In this blog I ask what next? Where does the Church go from here and what will Christianity look like in 20 years time?
Read MoreTalking is always going to be better than falling out. The church, the world, Keighley doesn’t need more division it needs more unity. We are stronger together. We are stronger when we are able to work with those we disagree with. We are stronger when we can admit we are wrong.
Read MoreGod said to me you don’t have to feel guilty when you mess up. You are only human. All your mistakes are forgiven by the power of the cross. God has forgiven each and every one of us.
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The global Church needs to acknowledge that it has been responsible for a lot of trauma. Here Moz our Pastor discusses the types and effects of Church bases trauma, how to begin recovery and how the church can prevent future abuse.
Read MoreThis blog was written by our beloved Fraser during the last week of his life before being promoted to glory in August 2023. Fraser was a much loved and respected Elder in the church as well as a close friend.Fraser wanted to live his life as a sign post to Jesus and I hope and pray this and his other bits of writing reveal the God of Love that Fraser loved to you.
Read MoreI would like to share some thoughts and reflections on the story of Gideon. The story of Gideon can be found in Judges chapters 6-8. It says that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, “the Lord is with you o brave man.” But Gideon replies by saying later “Please Lord, how am I to rescue Israel? Behold, my family is the least (significant) in Manasseh, and I am the youngest (smallest) in my father’s house.” The Lord answered him, “I will certainly be with you, and you will strike down the Midianites as (if there were only) one man.” What this shows us that Gideon saw himself as unworthy and insignificant to do what called him to do. However, that is not how God saw Gideon. God called Gideon “O brave man.” How God saw Gideon was totally different to how Gideon saw himself. God called Gideon an overcomer that is what Gideon means. In the story Gideon had to face and overcome many fears and doubts to step into and fulfil his destiny as a mighty warrior.
Read MoreLook for the positive - Phil 4 v4-9
We can find good in every situation and we can find God and his goodness there too. In Roms 5v20 it says “where sin abounded, grace abounded so much more”
Read MoreGod is Love - 1 John 4. This is a very important statement that John makes in 1Jn4 v8 and 16.
He makes it twice to emphasise its importance and the whole passage is about God’s love. The bible is full of many references to God’s amazing love for us, but this is perhaps the most direct. It’s a statement which has influenced me more than any other and everything I work my life is for is guided by it.
Read MoreRichard Rohr, in more than one of his books talks about getting rid of the binary/dualistic mind that leads to conflict (right vs wrong, us vs them etc) and finding a third way, based on the three persons of the trinity, in which rather than the opposition of two on different sides we have a third becoming the medium in which love can flow between the two (think of the renewed closeness and love of a couple who have just had a baby). Thus in God we truly have a third or middle way which is the only way, the way of love.
Read MoreThis psalm talks about “the house of the Lord”, “Jerusalem” and “a city”
In v1 and 2 it is described as a good place to go to. It is an analogy of God’s presence. When we come into God’s presence there is a journey to make - a pilgrimage. It’s not that God Is trying to make it difficult for you. Hebrews 4v16 says “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Read MoreGod is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
V1- When we are in trouble (this is meant in a very general sense); he comes in with all that is needed:
Refuge – from the trouble
Strength- to overcome the trouble
Help- to defeat the trouble