Joy, part 1. We start this series with a bold claim: Ephesians has the most upbeat, blessing-filled, happy opening to any letter in history.

There’s many verses that we’re likely to find on Christian fridge magnets. This probably isn’t one of them: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

It’s easy to settle for what we can manage in our own strength. But when be attempt bigger things, we become increasingly thirsty for God.

Lesson 4 from the School of Wisdom, part of our four week family series ‘The Good Life’. We take a look at Proverbs 18:24 — ‘A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who … Continue reading “A Friend that Sticks Closer than a Brother”

Lesson 3 from the School of Wisdom, part of our four week family series ‘The Good Life’. We take a look at Proverbs 15:1 — ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger’.

Lesson 2 from the School of Wisdom, part of our four week family series ‘The Good Life’. We take a look at Proverbs 27:17 — ‘Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another’.

Lesson 1 from the School of Wisdom, part of our four week family series ‘The Good Life’. We take a look at Proverbs 27:6 — ‘The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful’.

Blueprint, part 11. God doesn’t just command certain things of us, he empowers us through the Holy Spirit to fulfil them. One of the things he’s called us to do is to bring joy to the ends of the earth.

Blueprint, part 10. The world is crying out for family: a place where you’re accepted, you belong and are known. The church is the family of God, but we’re so immersed in our individualistic British culture that often we’re much … Continue reading “The Family of God”