Sovereign Grace Ministries have launched a new leadership podcast. The first one is a helpful and challenging discussion on reading.
Leadership Interview Podcast #1
Entries from February 2008
February 27, 2008
Leadership podcast from Sovereign Grace
February 27, 2008
Chariots of fire
I’ve just been watching Chariots of Fire (again). It is truly a wonderful film. Great story telling with a brilliant juxtaposition of two great athletes – Eric Liddell who runs for the glory of God (“I feel his pleasure”) and Harold Abrahams who has ten seconds to justify his existence.
February 27, 2008
Two important ministries
The start of this week has given me the opportunity to be in contact with two important ministries. One is IFES Ireland, the umbrella group for Christian Unions in universities and colleges in Ireland. Last night they ran an evening for their North West supporters – hosted at PBC. The university years can be very [...]
February 27, 2008
Sunday at Portstewart Baptist
Our morning theme was the identity of Jesus, looking at the questions he asked his disciples about what people were saying about him and who they thought he was. The question of the identity of Jesus remains core to the Christian faith.
You can read a copy of the sermon here and check the website [...]
February 26, 2008
Back in the Top Four
After briefly surrendering fourth place to their red neighbours, Everton crafted a fine win to get back into the top four this evening.
BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Man City 0-2 Everton
February 23, 2008
Gettys in Christianity Today
Christianity Today has an interview with the Gettys.
On the question of whether there is an ideal mix between different kinds of songs in a service -
You choose great songs that have great words and sing well. Every word you give people on a Sunday has to count for something. The same thing applies to what [...]
February 22, 2008
Everton rout SK Brann with Yakubu hat-trick
Everton are still winning…
Everton rout SK Brann with Yakubu hat-trick – Football News – Telegraph
February 20, 2008
Reading
With a birthday this week, it has been time for a few new books. Now it is just a question of reading them. Here is the list:
The ESV Literary Study Bible is a study Bible that looks at literary features more than seeking to provide the historical and cultural background you’d find in [...]
February 19, 2008
Mahaney on Carson
C.J. Mahaney previews Don Carson’s new book on his father. Memoirs of An Ordinary Pastor
February 19, 2008
Baby Bible Bashers
This was the title of a documentary we watched the other evening on TV. It was one of those things you watch with your mouth open in a mixture of intrigue and horror. The documentary revolved around the stories of three children (a 7 year old and 9 year old boy – both American – [...]
February 19, 2008
Sunday at Portstewart Baptist
On Sunday morning we were looking at Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees on the issue of ceremonial washing. In one sense it is surprising that Jesus would choose to make such a strong point on what we might consider a matter of preference. If the Pharisees thought they were better off washing before [...]
February 17, 2008
The Reason For God
Tim Keller’s new book is out and there is a website to accompany it. The Reason For God
February 16, 2008
A quote on biblical leadership
“Biblical leadership says that we aspire to be the destination at which others arrive.”
From an outstanding message on courage by Crawford Loritts at the Desiring God Pastors’ Conference earlier this month. It should be compulsory listening for all pastors.
February 13, 2008
CJ Mahaney on preaching the cross
Quite a few years ago I recall someone talking about a gospel sermon he was planning to preach. His text was in the book of Job (“Remember the battle and do no more.”) The point of the sermon was that people need to realise that Christ has perfectly accomplished salvation through his work on the [...]
February 12, 2008
Lockridge – That’s My King!
At the end of the sermon on Sunday evening, on honouring God’s name, we played this famous clip from S.M. Lockridge.
February 12, 2008
Sunday at Portstewart Baptist
On Sunday morning our Mark series looked at the miracles of Jesus. While there are obviously those who would like to find ways of reinterpreting miracles in a way that makes the story of Jesus more palatable to educated people (!), their readings are not the natural readings of the texts and at any [...]
February 12, 2008
C.S. Lewis inspiration
This is Dunluce Castle (photo by Pauline), perched by the sea, just off the road from Portrush to Bushmills. It is claimed to be the inspiration for the legendary Cair Paravel in C.S. Lews’ Narnia Chronicles.
The BBC recently featured a short piece on Lewis and various Northern Irish inspirations for Narnia. You can [...]
February 9, 2008
More on worship music
Bob Kauflin, a godly, gracious and talented worship leader has added some thoughts to the blog I linked to yesterday. A sample quote:
Congregations need to be taught that being emotionally moved by music is not the same as being morally changed by the Spirit.
Read the whole article – Church Matters: The 9Marks Blog
February 9, 2008
The Reason for God
Tim Keller’s new book is due out next week. Linked to the book, Redeemer Presbyterian have made available a series of sermons that address issues that trouble people in relation to Christianity. The sermons are available free and most are preached by Tim Keller. Subjects include the authority of the Bible, hell, and doubt.
Redeemer Sermon [...]
February 8, 2008
Thoughts on church music
Here is a link to a thought provoking article on church music. It is a recognition that we can be very superficial in our understanding and experience of “worship.” Gerg Gilbert contrasts his experience at one of the Passion events, marked by excellent “worship” which he enjoyed, with his regular church experience which tended to [...]
February 7, 2008
CD review – There is a Hope
I think it is on general sale this weekend, but Stuart Townend’s new live CD has been available for the past couple of weeks from Stuart himself. We got our copy last week and I have been listening. Of course there was an added dimension to it in that Pauline and I had [...]
February 5, 2008
Belfast – art on the street
At the weekend I had an Australian friend from Geneva visiting. We took an hour or so to drive around Belfast seeing some of the sights. It was intriguing for my friend to be on the ground in a city that he had heard so much about in the past. We took in some of [...]
February 5, 2008
Sunday at Portstewart Baptist
It was another one sermon Sunday for me as our youth co-ordinator, Colin McIlvenna, was preaching at a youth-led service in the evening.
In the morning I was on part four of the Mark series. The theme was discipleship and I looked at three passages – one from chapter 1, one from chapter 4 and one [...]
