The gospel has been changed from "Jesus came to save us from our sins" to "Jesus came to save us from our troubles." There is an eternal difference between the two. If we preach anything other than Christ’s atoning death on the cross, we are preaching another gospel.

“If you’re never on the same page, it might be time to start reading two different books.” Bob Goff talking about leadership with Craig Groeschel

Just thought of a new book title on preaching: “It’s Monday.....but Sunday’s Comin’!”

I love this: “We are ordinary. Accepting this is a big first step in being used by God because Christianity is a large collection of nobodies worshiping a great big Somebody.” J.D. Greear

“Reality is mostly made up of what we cannot see.” (Eugene Peterson)

There is even more Craig Cooney inside the Belfast Telegraph - great article about a thriving church - average age around 30 and 25% aged under 18. God is on the move. Exciting to read stories of hope and transformation.

When you have to make a tough leadership call with someone, and the they react in anger and say something like: “And other people feel the same way too…" - It’s a very good sign that you've made the right decision.

Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection. (Watchman Nee)

Pastors, you can’t use your grandfather’s, or even your father’s, model and methods of ministry to reach your son’s generation. The message is non-negotiable. Models and methods must be culturally contextualised. You don’t want to be on the cutting edge of 1998.

After the Bible clearly tells us that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, he still remained as King for many years. Lessons: God will declare that things are over long before they are removed. Not everyone who has a position or title has the anointing of God.

It’s dangerous to have a growing platform and a shrinking passion for Jesus. You look after the depth, let God look after the breadth.

Its okay to think outside of the box. But stay in the Book.

The evidence of being SPIRIT-FILLED is NOT WEIRDNESS but BOLDNESS. “.... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)

Preaching on the parable of the sower this morning. When you plant anything other than the Word of God, you will grow something other than a Christian.

“Jezebel is present in our 21st Century whenever Christians are seduced by her pornography. It is then that they slowly begin to lose their spiritual conviction & boldness to speak. No surprise. It’s hard to wage war on demons with your trousers around your ankles.” Joshua Jones

Interesting article in the US Spectator: “I am not religious...Instead of making me want to become more like them, it looks very much as if they want to become more like me.” spectator.us/sad-irony-cele…

So true....

The pain of 2020 has created a nostalgia for the ‘good old days’. However, if we try to replicate the past we will end up irrelevant to the present and unprepared for the future. We must begin to think in new ways. Like Nehemiah, we need to stop weeping and start building.

The real struggle is not to make a culture Christian, but a live faithfully as a Christian in a hostile culture.

Thank you Jonathan Stanfield - love the hipster glasses look 🤓