When Darkness Seems my Closest Friend is the latest book by British minister Mark Meynell. He writes about his personal struggle with depression and the impact it has had on his life and ministry. As a fellow depression sufferer, I believe this book is a gift to the church, wayfarers, and those who seek to … Read more
Note: Who doesn’t love hearing a good story? – especially one where God has done the impossible and changed circumstances and situations. Seeing God’s work after a crisis is import, but so too seeing it during the crisis. Mark Meynell reminds you why you should share your story during your struggles in this excerpt from When … Read more
When was the last time you felt let down by a good friend? When was the last time you felt misunderstood, or entirely unheard? When was the last time you struggled to resolve a conflict, and simply agreed to disagree? When was the last time you felt betrayed, or even used? When was the last … Read more
Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and … Read more
I woke up this morning with a familiar feeling. I want to close my eyes, roll over and go back to sleep, but I knew I couldn’t. It was time to face myself – I feel like a failure. I haven’t done anything wrong and yet I’m sinking in shame. What’s wrong with me? The … Read more
Several years ago I was asked a question by a Pastor which I haven’t forgotten. It was simple but profound. ‘Who is your Paul? And who is your Timothy?’ The principle behind it was be aware of who you are letting speak into your life and equally, be intentional about speaking into the lives of … Read more
I was asked about church leadership in a recent interview. The question was along these lines, ‘What would be your primary goal if you transition into leadership in a new church in the first 3 months?’ I answered it this way: I would review the systems that are currently in place and the preaching schedule … Read more
‘Hope delayed makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is the tree of life.’ Proverbs 13:12 Who hasn’t been disappointed? You miss out on the position or promotion. The invitation you expected never arrives. Every day of the tropical holiday you saved for is raining. The pain of relationship breakdown is too much. The doctor … Read more
‘The cross kills the me-centric bent of iChristianity, which bends the Bible to support one’s views and treats God as little more than a cosmic Siri to bless and comfort on demand.’ Christianity Should be Uncomfortable – excerpt Giving Up “Dream Church” and Embracing Discomfort – excerpt Uncomfortable by Brett McCracken is a book dealing … Read more
The “dream church” picture I painted in the introduction looks very little like the church, Southlands, where I am now a member. Southlands is nondenominational, meets in a renovated prosthetics factory, and has only the slightest liturgical bent. It’s Reformed-ish but Holy Spirit focused, with impromptu “words” from the congregation and quiet prayer in tongues … Read more
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