Church Blog (Page 55)
Changing the World#6. “Robbing you blind.”
It was a sight that struck terror into the hearts of the people on the island of La Palma. On September 20, 2021, two rivers of molten rock began pouring down the sides of the volcano and obliterating everything in their paths. The people gathered everything they could and then watched on helplessly. It is natural to think that disasters only happen to other people. The Book of Job tells us that Job had everything a man could ever want…
Problems
By Kevin Hogg Our world is beset with problems – not surprising given the circumstances. We perceive problems with society, the government, local authorities, our neighbours, our job. For some, it is their relationships. Humanities superpower is to create problems or become convinced that there are problems. The reasons for this are varied. Maybe we are frustrated and whilst these moments ( it must be said that these moments can last years) we are only focusing on the negative. Maybe…
Changing the World#5. “Lost in the Crowd.”
A man came to the church office asking for help. He quickly ran up a list of needs: “I am desperate for food, …I need cash for bills, …I need fuel, …and I need money for a bed for the night. I offered him food from the church pantry, and to call welfare, but he declined. Having reached a dead-end with me, he went to his car and produced what was supposed to be an X-ray. I gazed hard at…
Changing the World#4. “Be one of them.”
While waiting for my watch to be fixed in a Jeweller’s shop, I struck up a conversation with the young saleslady. I had seen the shop owner’s commercials on TV and was interested to know what he was like in person. “He’s a great guy,” she said. “But he is not much of a salesman. When he visits his stores, he brings a box containing his original sales equipment…his sales demonstrations are something from the long-forgotten past.” I hesitate to…
Changing the World#3. “That’s how to change the world!
I heard the story of a great man of God who was devoured by bitterness. His hard-earned wealth had been taken by a dishonest brother, and he was bent on restoring his pride and his fortune. So, by working night and day he gained back more than he ever had before. Years later, an old friend met him at a funeral. Because the rich man had publicly stated his disbelief in the views held by his friend, his friend thought…
Changing the World#2. “Boldness required.”
King Jehoshaphat was a great man of God. But like all of us, he had his blind spots. Irrationally, he concluded that a friendly relationship with Ahab and Jezebel, was a good thing for both kingdoms. So, to seal the deal, he married off his son, Jehoram to their daughter, Athaliah. All of this would add to a lethal cocktail of political intrigue. As soon as Athaliah’s husband and son were dead, she summarily murdered her own grandchildren and made…
Changing the World#1. “It only needs one to begin the change.”
I admire wilderness survivalists, though I have no desire to be one. In an interview, one recounted his time in a Siberian village preparing for a lone trek into the wilderness. He mentioned the villagers by name as he spoke of their many acts of kindness towards him. He really was welcomed as family. At the end of the interview, he was asked if he had kept in touch with the villagers. His tone changed to one of sadness. He…
Learning to Discern#7. “Self-discernment.”
I do not remember any specific details of when, where or who, but I do remember what I was planning to do. I was about to speak my mind to a brother’s bad attitude in a rather unrestrained manner. Fortunately, two things were happening at the same time. Firstly, the brother wouldn’t stop talking, and secondly someone was watching me. Just as I was about to launch forth my youthful ire, a good sister came up beside me and put…
Learning to Discern#6. “Troubled waters.”
Nebuchadnezzar only did what most men would have done given his position. As King, he looked over the great City of Babylon and proudly attributed its glory and grandeur to himself. God did not tolerate the attempted theft of His glory and punished the king accordingly. Nebuchadnezzar’s years as a madman eating grass like a wide beast ended with his humble acceptance of God as true sovereign. The more a man controls, the more he must fear himself. If not,…
Learning to Discern#5. “Indifference in my heart.”
Before Jimmy went off to university, his parents sat him down for a chat. “Son,” they said, “things are going to be financially tight around here, but we are happy to make this sacrifice for you. Make us proud, James.” Well, at the end of the first semester Jimmy’s grades arrived reflecting his indifference towards his studies. Fearing the worst, he sent an Email to his mother saying: “Failed everything—prepare dad!” His mother wrote back and said, “Dad prepared—prepare yourself!”…