What does a ‘Personal Devotion’ look like?

I had become a Christian around the age of twenty, it was six months on. One of my new friends, a Christian guy whom I had met at church asked me: ‘How are you enjoying the Christian Life’!

How would you answer that?

I had no idea what to say. ‘Um…it’s good I guess!…I am enjoying finding out more about Jesus…Um…is that what you were asking?’

Seeing my discomfort, he asked ‘Are you enjoying your Personal Devotions?’

Well now I was totally lost! What on earth did he mean by ‘personal devotions’ – is he asking if I have stuffed up like I used too? (the answer was yes, but I didn’t really want to tell him that). Was there something that I was supposed to be doing that I had not read in the manual of How to be a good Christian?!

‘Um, I’m not sure what you mean’ I ventured. ‘Your Quiet Times?’ he said. Nope, still no help. Maybe being a Christian meant that sometime in the day I was supposed to be silent and quiet, and although I didn’t think I was particularly loud, I know that I had not given any thought to the idea of being quiet! Oh help.

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Come Let US Adore HIM

O Come All Ye Faithful, that famous Christmas carol which contains the line ‘O come, let us adore him’ is itself an invitation. It calls people together, specifically those who see themselves to be faithful, to join together at Christmas for three reasons: Continue reading →

12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Now seriously, what good is that? Everyone knows that turkey goes much better than partridge for Christmas dinner!

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 Turtle Doves…

Now come on, if a Partridge is no use, then there is no chance two turtle doves will make the grade!

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 French Hens…

Okay, now we’re getting somewhere – at least you can eat chicken – shame it has to be French!

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How to Write your Testimony

Your ‘testimony’ is the testimony of Christ and what he has done in your life. As such for your christian testimony to be worth anything, it should be a testimony to Jesus using you as the example!

The Apostle Peter helpfully challenges Christians to be ready to speak about Jesus when he says:

‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ – 1 Peter 3:15

So some tips for writing your testimony…

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The Lost Art of Inviting!

The-Lost-Art-of-Inviting

It is invitation time!

Christmas is coming, now the question is: who is coming to Christmas?!

For some of us the idea of inviting someone to celebrate Christmas with you is a no brainer. It is what friends do. If Christmas is important then it is important to have friends of all walks of life celebrating with you!

For some, this doesn’t feel so easy!

Here is a challenge – try to invite just five people to something for Christmas. (some would say, ‘just five’ – fine you invite more).

Inviting takes many forms and giving this some thought may actually present a myriad of possible ways to invite someone – and hopefully one of them at least would be manageable for you!

Want some tips….

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What is Baptism?

I got a call from a lovely and very enthusiastic lady who wanted to speak to someone about getting her baby baptised.

I love doing baptisms. I don’t always enjoy these kind of calls!

Lady: Can I talk to you about getting my baby baptised?

KDN: Sure, We love doing baptisms, always lovely to hear from others who also love baptism. What would you like to know?

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A Wrong Form of Devotion

Another horror week.

Suicide bombings in Beirut have killed 43 people and left 238 wounded. A suicide bombing at a funeral in Baghdad killed 19 people and left 31 wounded. And coordinated attacks in Paris have killed 129 people and left 352 wounded.

We are appalled, grieved and saddened.

There is something desperately wrong with an ideology which by direction or by implication can lead to the killing of one for the sake of another’s personal devotion.

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Humble Ambition – Oxymoron?

Humble Ambition! Sounds like an oxymoron, but not when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To be ambitious for the lost is demonstrated in a Christian who puts the needs of others before themselves. Paul says ‘in humility, consider others better than yourselves’ (Phil 2:3). This is not a statement of worth – it is a statement of purpose. As Christ did, the Christian can and should humble themselves in order to be a servant of others – even to the point of loss.

To be so captured by the gospel of Christ that you willingly sacrifice your own interests for the sake of others and the glory of God – is ambitious.

Let me offer five suggestions for putting this into practice at Church (thankful that so many in our Church family are shining examples of this principle)…

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The Sorting Hat Dilemma!

In J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter the new students at Hogwarts are sorted into houses by a talking ‘Sorting Hat’. Clever! If anyone has an issue, then don’t blame it on the faculty, blame it on the ‘Sorting Hat’!

On Sunday I received this anonymous question: ‘Can we please keep the same Home Group next year?’

Sure! Easy for me (Can’t believe we are already thinking about next year!). I love that you have enjoyed your Home Group so much this year that you would like more of that next year.

But before we lock that down, it may be helpful to consider some factors.

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Fear of being Fake

I fear being fake.

I have been a Christian for over 20 years now and there have been times when I have felt I have just been going through the motions. Is that wrong?

It is a horrible feeling, but as I have often said it is difficult to control feelings (although it is possible to manage feelings).

Christians are real people. We serve a real God, who really loves us and who is really disappointed when we sin. At this I am ashamed. I don’t want to sin, and I do. I want to be serious and active in my faith and yet at times I feel as if I am just taking it all for granted.

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