God is still in control!

A clip from John Piper on suffering and the sovereignty of God  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kVQWOsl-t0

 

Great God! The Debate continues

I heard someone say that Christopher Hitchens helps Atheism the way that Hitler helped Patriotism. But I’ve just been listening to the “Great God Debate” between Christopher Hitchens and Dr. Mark Roberts, and I must say I was quite impressed, both with the standard of debating, the respect shown for each other and many of the points expressed.Roberts exemplifies a religious world view I’m fairly familiar with from my years with the Catholic church. Even though he’s not Catholic per se, his outlook reminds me of some of the more charismatic and intelligent priests I knew when I was younger. From the outside, Catholicism seems like a dogmatic, controlling organisation replete with strange beliefs, but on the inside it can actually be quite comfortable for the believer. The key is basing most of your philosophy on one major assumption: “God is Love”, and working from there, both in terms of how the Bible and the past is interpreted, and how the faithful are expected to live their lives. Not as much hell and damnation as you might think – most of the preaching, in my experience, was based on reassuring people, and giving an overall quite positive message. (Of course we got the rants as well, but as they say around here, you’ll have that). I think it is this assumption that permits so many intelligent and thoughtful people to stay with the mother church, despite its history and the ludicrousness of many of its dogmas.

Hitchens will be speaking on the Sunday Supplement with David Quinn this Sunday, as well as another well-known Irish atheist, Eamonn McCann. I can’t wait. All three are robust debaters, so it should be quite a show. The show will take place at 11am British/Irish time on Sunday morning, and the podcast will be available from this link.

 

The Door is open….

…Will You Come?

“A wide door has been open to me and with it are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:9God is always giving us opportunities to move forward in life. It is God’s desire that you grow and reach your full potential. Anytime you take a step forward, the enemy will try to bring opposition and adversity against you. But God promises that through Him, you can overcome any opposition the enemy brings your way.When you step out in faith and the opposition comes, stand your ground and keep doing what you know to do. Keep on praying. Keep reading and speaking the Word. Keep going to church. Keep walking in love and forgiveness, and keep your heart tender. When the enemy sees that you are more determined than he is, he’ll back down and you will move forward to new levels of victory! Stay focused and full of joy no matter what comes against you. As you do, you will overcome opposition and discover the champion in you!The Promotion is ready-are you?“God you have enlarged me in my time of distress.” (Psalm 4:1)Before you are going to see your dreams come to pass, you have to be prepared for promotion. The way you respond in your time of adversity shows your readiness to take the next step. Believing that God will sustain you during your difficult time builds your faith and will take you to new levels of victory.David said in Psalm 4:1: “God you have enlarged me in my time of distress.” God will never waste a trial, but uses them to “enlarge” you and make you stronger. Resistance builds strength, and you must resist the defeat that the enemy tries to bring. Stand strong in the face of your adversity. Speak God’s Word over your situation and declare that you have the victory! Sing a song of praise and thank the Lord for His everlasting faithfulness. Know that with the Lord on your side, you will come out stronger, and experience victory in every area of your life!God, I know it is Your will that I grow strong in my faith. I want to reach my full potential. Help me to push through the doors of opportunity that You open for me—no matter what holds me back. Thank you for challenging me to live a life of victory! In Jesus’ name – Amen.

 

Hey kids….why worry?

Matthew 6:33 (The Message)

 30-33“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers, most of which are never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Translation taken from The Message