Christian Institute Election Briefing

http://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/downloads/electionbriefing2010.pdf
Worth a read even if you do not agree with Christian Institute on what is the right way to vote on the issues they highlight. It is fair to say these may not be the most important issues and certainly not the only ones on which you make your decision, but definitely worth asking your candidate questions on some of these. 

Would you welcome anyone to your home?

There’s been great media interest recently about gay rights competing and conflicting with religious freedom prompted by Christians who run a bed & breakfast refusing to allow a homosexual couple to rent a double room. Personally, I think they were wrong to do that, but I do think they should be free to decide in good conscience on this issue before God without state interference. I suppose it would be more consistent of them to refuse all couples in what Christians would consider sexually immoral relationships – I wonder what the law says about that?

The Bible mentions homosexuality only a few times but none of them are positive and affirming about homosexual practice. It never says, as some do, that “being in a loving committed relationship is all that matters.” God sets boundaries for sex within a life covenant between a man and woman. I trust God that He knows best.

However, Jesus welcomes, entertains, befriends, loves and cares for people who are not living now as He wants them to. He doesn’t tell them to sort their lives out then come to him. He calls them to come as they are and He will take their burdens and give them a new direction. I don’t think he would have turned anyone away at His B&B, but what a conversation there would be over breakfast!

Nicholas Soames voting record

I'm not particularly a supporter of Mr Soames or of the Conservative party but you have to admit, this is not a bad voting record...
Click here for a summary of his voting record on Christian Institute website

Westminster Declaration 2010

I am not normally a great fan of these kind of initiatives but I think this one has some merit, if only to stimulate some debate within and outside the church. So take a look and see what you think. Perhaps you might even want to sign it!

http://www.westminster2010.org.uk/

Interesting set of videos with converts from Islam

Click here

Samson - the cartoon character

Samson is a cartoon character in every sense. His exploits are extraordinary. He can rip lions apart, slay 1,000 men with a donkeys skull, lift a set of city gates and carry them for miles. Oh, and chase after whatever his eyes take a fancy to - mostly women who always caused him trouble. He's comic and tragic. Larger than life and well, just like life.

I've sometimes been half tempted to have a caricature of my face done, but my features are bad enough normal size let alone with emphasis.

Samson is like a caricature of Israel. They are unfaithful. They find satisfaction in anything and everything that leads them away from God. They are led by their eyes instead of seeing things through God's eyes.

But you know what's even more amazing. They cry out to God in their need and he hears them.

That's grace.

If you want to listen to the sermon it is available online here.

Pornography: Very frank but very helpful insights

Click here to read Mark Driscoll's online book