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Each day we’re seeing more suffering from Japan on our TV screens and in our newspapers. We blogged on a Christian response to friends' questions here: but we also wanted to point you to some great, helpful readable books which deal with the subject in a bit more depth.
For a readable, practical and heart-felt look at faith in the face of suffering: If I were God I'd end all the pain, by John Dickson. Currently ÂŁ4.79 (20% off).
For a single chapter on the issue, which requires careful reading but is well worth it (as is the rest of the book): The Reason for God, by Tim Keller. Currently ÂŁ7.65 (15% off).
For a more in-depth look at suffering and how Christians should deal with it in our own lives as well as in the news: How long, O Lord?, by Don Carson. Currently ÂŁ13.
If there is another resource that you’ve found really helpful in thinking through this difficult issue, do let everyone know about it by commenting below. We can then point people to it on our website, or locate it cheaply elsewhere if we don’t have it.
Here's (probably) the last thing we'll be posting about the new Rob Bell book - a round up of some helpful responses from the US blogosphere, where this has been the hottest topic this year.
And finally, Martin Bashir interviewing Rob Bell on the controversy (in a very Paxman-esque style):
Find out more information about the new course, due for release on 10 May.
After all the theological stuff we’ve been posting recently, I thought you deserved a game (actually, this isn't purely a game, and it is theological—but I hope you'll play along anyway!). Here are some instructions.
First, pick a number. Any number. Well, any number between 6 and 23. Sorted?
Now look at your diary (or your TV guide) and see what you are going to be doing the next time the clock hits that number. (I’m sure you’ve worked it out but just in case you haven’t, you need to be thinking 24 hour clock… ). Done that?
Lastly, ask yourself this question: “What difference is my faith in Jesus going to make to how I approach that activity?”
Whether it’s watching the news, collecting the kids, enduring a commute, chairing a meeting, enjoying a meal out with friends or being home alone, your faith should make a difference… so why not take a short moment to think through what that difference should be and prepare yourself to act in a distinctively Christ-centred way today?
Enjoy!
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3 v 17
To mark the King James Version's 400th anniversary, Eastbourne-based evangelist Glenn Scrivener is blogging on various phrases that come from the KJV.
Glenn's posts are clear, insightful, and full of memorable phrases (a great combination!): for instance, take a look at this one on Abraham, about how ultimately the only answer to enduring a life of fear is enjoying a life of faith.
Three annoyances when it comes to great conferences about Bible ministry:
Well, we’ve taken the annoyance out of last week’s Bible Centred Youthworker Conference.
Simply go here to listen to the main talks, two fantastically encouraging and challenging series on Revelation (morning) and 1 Thessalonians (evening), and to the seminars.
And if you go to the conference blog, you can find some of the outlines of the seminars, with more to go up in the next few weeks.
So, no need to miss out this time!
Here's a great resource for youth or children's work. It's an animated explanation of the gospel, using various Bible stories, for a generation raised on computer games, and encouraged to think that real life is less exciting that what lies within the games console.
And it's free, too!
Makes me wish I was still in youth ministry, so I could use it…
More can be found here: http://www.max7.org/resource.aspx?id=bb1e17c4-870a-48f2-b83e-adbf2f70d403
Men + weekend + bible. Is it as simple as that? Richard Perkins, a pastor in South London, has written up his essential elements for a Men’s weekend away. Highly recommended for anyone involved in the often tricky task of Men’s ministry.
OK, we confess. We've been keeping a secret from you for the last year.
When you were getting stuck into "A passion for life" (was that only last Easter?!), we were making plans. When you were lying on the beach over summer, we were editing the scripts. When you were restarting the school year we were running round the country with a film crew. And when you were shivering and sliding to work in the snow, we were writing and editing the books.
But now the secret is out. A third edition of Christianity Explored will be launched on May 10th.
It's the same Bible-based, Christ-centred course which has been used evangelistically by thousands of churches worldwide, with hundreds of thousands hearing the gospel. But now it's even better.
There's a completely new DVD. The course itself has been reduced from 10 weeks to seven, in response to feedback. There's a whole new handbook and leader's book. There's a new design and strapline.
Check out the "teaser trailer" here (it's also the blog's "Video of the week"), or read more here.
And watch this space for further announcements.
