tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296523180503257262024-02-08T03:30:26.623+00:00Life of Pye... Ponderings of a ChristianGreg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-85625275608623466972011-08-15T11:37:00.001+01:002011-08-15T11:44:21.167+01:00Jesus, I my cross have taken<div>Jesus, I my cross have taken,</div><div>all to leave and follow Thee.</div><div>Destitute, despised, forsaken,</div><div>thou from hence my all shall be.</div><div>Perish every fond ambition,</div><div>all I’ve sought or hoped or known.</div><div>Yet how rich is my condition!</div><div>God and heaven are still my own.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Let the world despise and leave me,</div><div>they have left my Saviour too.</div><div>Human hearts and looks deceive me;</div><div>thou art not. like them, untrue.</div><div>O while thou dost smile upon me,</div><div>God of wisdom, love, and might.</div><div>Foes may hate and friends disown me.</div><div>Show Thy face and all is bright.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Go then earthly fame and treasure,</div><div>come disaster, scorn and pain.</div><div>In Thy service pain is pleasure,</div><div>with Thy favour, loss is gain.</div><div>I have called thee Abba Father,</div><div>I have stayed my heart on thee.</div><div>Storms may howl and clouds may gather.</div><div>All must work for good to me.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Soul then know thy full salvation,</div><div>rise o’er sin and fear and care.</div><div>Joy to find in every station,</div><div>something still to do or bear.</div><div>Think what Spirit dwells within thee.</div><div>Think what Father’s smiles are thine.</div><div>Think that Jesus died to win thee.</div><div>Child of heaven canst thou repine.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Haste thee on from grace to glory,</div><div>Armed by faith and winged by prayer.</div><div>Heaven’s eternal days before thee,</div><div>God’s own hand shall guide us there.</div><div>Soon shall close thy earthly mission.</div><div>Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days.</div><div>Hope shall change to glad fruition.</div><div>Faith to sight and prayer to praise.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793919560290652341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-4724415452405651612010-12-16T18:09:00.005+00:002010-12-19T10:30:08.875+00:00What in the World am I doing?This week is the Crosslinks SMILE gap year training conference. There are teams of Gap Year Students heading off to the Gambia, Uganda and Thailand, all on programmes where Evangelism, Service and Discipleship are key. <div><br /></div><div>I popped over to give some talks on Mission. An afternoon session, broken into 3 mini-sessions from Isaiah, Luke and Acts.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a lot of fun, starting off by designing 'World Problem' Top Trump cards, thinking about presenting problems in the world. We then saw what God is doing in the world, in Isaiah 66, from which we were able to draw up a time-line, from when Isaiah received his revelation, through to Jesus's return, and his bringing in of the New Creation, and the eternal judgement. Then we filled in the timeline with how God achieves his mission of gathering a people from all nations to see his glory, 1) through sending a sign, the Lord Jesus, 2) through sending out people who have witnessed the sign, to declare God's glory out to the nations... </div><div><br /></div><div>A break of light relief before looking at Luke 19, and Jesus' coming to earth to seek and to save the lost... by teams attempting to seek and save the lost (a jelly baby of course - in bowls of squirty cream)... using only their mouths... messy and hilarious! Then diving into Luke 19 thinking about Jesus' priority... proclaiming his message: good news to the rich, good news to the poor... good news to the well-fed, good news to the hungry... good news to the oppressed, good news to the oppressor... it's all about whether we see people as Jesus sees people - lost! For only two category will matter on that final day - those who submit to the Lord Jesus, and those who live as rebels and traitors to Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next, groups headed outside, with a box of matches. A member of the group had to light a match, and tell their group members the gospel, before their fingers burnt... some hilarious squeals, screams and people totally crumbling under the apparent pressure of holding a lit match.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then back together again, for a look at Acts 1 and 2, seeing how Jesus sends the disciples out to all nations (just as we were expecting from Isaiah)... and how then we today are equipped, with the Holy Spirit, and the disciples message (looking at the gospel content from the latter half of Acts 2)... to go out to all nations... while Jesus continues to work from his heavenly throne room... </div><div><br /></div><div>Awesome time... real encouragement to see young people, eager to align themselves with God's agenda, of taking the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins, to all nations... </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/1-WhatInTheWorldIsGodDoingIsaiah66">Recordings of talks here</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-30245539282795552642010-04-18T13:54:00.005+01:002010-04-19T20:16:10.119+01:00His Kingdom...not yoursBeen doing some work on 1 Peter for a CU talk in a couple of weeks... seems that Peter wants to give the Christians confidence, that while their life is now difficult, tough, pressured and as they are marginalised simply for being obedient to Jesus... so they need reassurance to stand firm... in 1:1-12, that confidence seems to be: God is for them (he chose them); they have an awesome, secure future ahead of them that will never perish, and not be taken away from them; and that even through trials - they can rejoice, deeply, for the most precious thing they have - their faith - is being refined to make it stronger, more beautiful, more pure... <div><br /></div><div>They're exiles... in the world, but not of the world - set apart, marked out, as being obedient to Jesus. And that obedience to Jesus causes them to be reviled, mocked and maligned... but that should not be a surprise to them, for it is the pattern that Christ himself sets up, follows and experiences (as foretold in the prophets) of suffering in this world, but glory in the future world... that living hope, that awesome inheritance.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Reminds me of this quote (from Tripp): </div><div>"Jesus didn't give you his grace, to make your kingdom work... he gave you his grace, to invite you to a better kingdom!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"this is the true grace of God... stand firm in it!" 1 Peter 5:12</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-42238941720843468612010-04-10T12:19:00.007+01:002010-04-18T14:12:51.081+01:00The Training ChurchSome helpful and thought-provoking quotes from Trellis and Vine, ch6 (The heart of training):<p>Training forms not only beliefs and abilities, but also character and<br />lifestyle.</p><p>Training is loving someone enough to want to see them grow and<br />flourish, and being prepared to put in the long-term, faithful work<br />that will (in God's mercy) see that happen.</p><p>We are always an example to those whom we are teaching and training,<br />whether we like it or not. We cannot stop being an example. One of the<br />key tasks for the pastor and elder is to frame their lives so that<br />they serve as godly models for others - which is why most of the<br />requirements laid down for elders in places like 1Tim3 and Titus1<br />relate to character and lifestyle.</p><p>We are to set an example in striving for holiness, not in displaying<br />perfectly achieved holiness.</p><p>In relational training, the hearts of both trainer and trainee are<br />exposed. As we train ministers of Christ's word, we don't measure<br />progress simply by the performance of tasks, but by the integrity of<br />the heart.</p><p>Trainees likewise need to see into the heart of their trainers - the<br />sins and confessions, the fears and faith, the vision and realities,<br />the successes and failures. The life and ministry of the trainer is<br />the model for he trainee - not perfection but of godly desires in an<br />earthen vessel. This requires an honest, open sharing of our lives.</p><p>Programs and packages can provide a very helpful framework for<br />training. However, to make real progress in helping the Christians in<br />your congregation become "encouragers", they need more than a six-week<br />course. They need the example of seeing it done; and they need the<br />personal instruction and mentoring and prayer that addresses the<br />spiritual issues at the heart of becoming an "encourager". This takes<br />time and personal attention - before, during and after the structured<br />training opportunity.</p><p><br /></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The Trellis and the Vine is written by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, published by matthiasmedia</span></i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-74895865457349149282009-07-10T19:03:00.002+01:002009-09-26T11:20:23.524+01:00Helping Each Other #2On Sunday I looked at ways in which we are slow or reluctant to be honest about our struggles in our Christian walk (<a href="http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com/2009/07/helping-each-other.html">Helping Each Other #1</a>).<br /><br />It was written from the point of view of the person struggling… and so today, I’d like to think more about how we can help others when they reach out to us – or perhaps, before they even do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Listen</u></span><br />Kinda sounds obvious, but listening is crucial. It helps the person talk through what is going on, enabling them to express how they are feeling, and what’s going on in their life. Listening shows that we genuinely care and love them, that we want to understand and that we want to help.<br /><br />It doesn’t mean just sitting there, empathetically nodding our heads… but as we listen, so identify with them, help them to see that they’re not alone, that they are not the only person in the world who is struggling in what ever area it might be. That’ll either be identifying with them from our own personal experience, battles, struggles and temptations – or perhaps (not limited to) back to something like <a href="http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com/2009/06/drawing-near-to-sympathetic-high-priest.html">Hebrews 4:15-16</a> – Jesus understands, he’s taken on flesh, he is not unable to sympathise!<br /><br />Also, as we listen, we should be wanting to understand what is going on. This will no doubt mean asking questions - sensitively and appropriate to the situation – to ensure that we are not simply making assumptions about what is going on in their life… for example, you know a couple who have been dating/courting… and one of them comes to you and says, “last night we did something – it was a big mistake”… now, we could be hearing “we slept together”… or for others, the big mistake might simply be “we started kissing on the sofa”… actively listening, by asking thoughtful questions, albeit sensitively, will help ensure that we are hearing correctly, and so better able to respond in a meaningful way.<br /><br />I wonder if we’re often slow to do this… I don’t know why we might be… but here’s a great couple of paragraphs from “<a href="http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/-strse-441/Instruments-In-The-Rdmrs/Detail.bok">Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands</a>” which encourages me to keep doing it – I recommend a read of it:<br /><blockquote>“Asking good questions is vital to helping people face who they really are and what they are really doing. As sinners we all tend to recast our own history in self-serving ways. We hide behind the difficulty and pressures of the situation or the failures of others. We look for external explanations, not internal ones. We are more impressed with our righteousness than we are horrified at our sin.<br /><br />Because of this, we all need people who love us enough to ask, listen, and, having listened, to ask more. This is not being intrusive. This is helping blind people to embrace their need for Christ. It is helping people to see the foolish ways they have lived for their own glory, and the subtle ways they have exchanged worship and service of the Creator for worship and service of his creation.”</blockquote>So, actively listening is not just to ensure we’re not hearing something different to what is being spoken, but also to help the person to work backwards, to help identify the root issue… that brings me to my second point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Help them to think</u></span><br />As we actively listen to someone, so we want to help them think through what is going on, biblically. What is it that sparks an action, a reaction, a line of thinking etc etc.<br /><br />The heart is the factory of idols, and we’re quick to believe the devils lies… so by actively listening, we’re wanting to help them think through 1) what idols are they worshipping; or 2) what lies are they believing.<br /><br />We’re trying to help the person identify answers to such questions on such areas… to then be applying Gospel truths themselves, into their own life… to equip them to help themselves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Point them in the right direction</u></span><br />Having thought a bit about the lies believed or the idols worshipped, so we can think about how the Gospel speaks into those situations, and help fill the Gospel armoury for when the battle comes again. Not that we’d expect change (or at least complete change) to happen overnight… but over time… and so we’d be looking to offer some accountability on what ever issue the person is struggling with – loving them enough to ask how it’s going, to be patient, still quick to listen, quick to understand, and lovingly continue to speak truth applied into the persons situation – but all the time, helping them, to help themselves.<br /><br />Will we do this?<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-12500443237670367672009-07-05T14:58:00.005+01:002009-07-15T09:46:44.794+01:00Helping Each Other #1Been thinking a bit, recently, about the kind of things that can stop us being honest about how we’re doing in our Christian walk. This afternoon I want to think about the kind of issues that mean we keep quiet about the real struggles we’re experiencing!<br /><br />In the first instance, there is of course one place to go for the deepest comfort, Hebrews 4:15-16: “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need” [ESV]<br /><br />I don’t want to play down the large part this has in answering our question… and have blogged on that passage as a result of speaking on it recently at a CU (<a href="http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com/2009/06/drawing-near-to-sympathetic-high-priest.html">Drawing Near to a Sympathetic High Priest</a>)… But is that the end of the matter? It should certainly be shaping our thinking and prayer life. Yes it’s where we should start and come back to time and time again… but there are most likely areas of worked out practice that must surely follow!<br /><br /><strong><u>We don’t like to admit weakness</u></strong><br />Our pride is a funny thing – it gets in the way of so much! Even our own felt needs at times! I know just how much of a struggle it is to admit to someone some area that I’m struggling in or failing in. The fear of intimacy, of being known for who I really am, is a big stumbling block in asking for help – both from God and from friends. It can be easy to generate an external “persona” – worn on the outside yet not representing what’s true on the inside. If we’re all lulling ourselves into the sense of feeling that we’re all doing fine, it’s easy being a Christian, we’re all loving the Gospel and winning the fight against the world, the flesh and the devil - then raising our hand and saying “it’s really hard!” is tough to do in this context. Maybe we feel our reputation simply won’t let us be honest about how hard we find it. These are all things that compound the problem, as people really have no idea how someone is truly feeling - so how will they ever be in a position to help? That leads me to my next point.<br /><br /><strong><u>We don’t like to be served</u></strong><br />I know this might raise a few eyebrows… “we’re not called to be served” I hear you cry! I know that, really I do… but maybe such a response is part of the problem too! In asking for people’s help, are we not then asking to be served? Whether it’s talking about the issue, praying together, or something more practical… so we are asking for help… we’re asking to be served. Again, our pride doesn’t want us to feel weak, to feel a reliance or dependence on others… and so we don’t ask for help when it’s the very thing that we need. Again, maybe a fear of intimacy is a bit of a root cause… as we’re open and honest with others, so it leaves us open and vulnerable… it leaves us open to being unintentionally, or intentionally, let down by the people we open up to – and that can hurt! Though even here, we’re reminded of Jesus’ closest friends i) falling asleep during the moment of great sorrow for Jesus ii) running away from him when he’s handed over to be killed. Yet, Jesus loved them, and treated them not as they treated him!!! We must follow such an example – see people as Jesus sees them, no matter of the kind of behaviour that might be reciprocated in our reaching out to others, or opening up to others! It can take time, effort and energy to build such friendships – especially in London where “local parish” doesn’t really exist. The hard thing also, is that London has a high turnover – so it can be hard to keep building such friendships when year-on-year such friends head off elsewhere (times marked with joy and sadness alike!). But a caveat, a danger about being served: we mustn’t let it take priority of that of our great high priest being the one we totally rely on, and who will never let us down. We must be careful that we don’t come to rely on anyone else but Him!<br /><br /><strong><u>We don’t like to have an unfilled diary</u></strong><br />Random point here, perhaps, but I’m aware of times, even in the past term, when I should have made time to meet up with people who have been struggling! Yet my diary is often so filled up in advance, that making time for such occasions that arise without warning, has been rather difficult, and so catching up has been put off by 1, 2 or 3 weeks. The ministry we’re involved with can be intensive, with talks to prepare, small groups to lead, and regular 1-2-1s… but perhaps we need to be less diary-intensive… give ourselves some free blocks where we can be available for friends in need. This is just a thought at the moment – but it’s one I’ll be chewing over more!<br /><br />So, we give off false impressions, we don’t like to admit weakness, we don’t like to ask for help, and we’re all perhaps a bit too busy when someone does ask for help! It maybe starts to breed a culture where asking for help becomes the extra-ordinary, rather than the ordinary.<br /><br />What will we do in response?<br /><br />(<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com/2009/07/helping-each-other-2.html">see also the follow-up post here</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-56428830228160888232009-06-03T23:32:00.005+01:002009-06-04T22:29:01.261+01:00Drawing Near to a Sympathetic High PriestImperial CU this evening... speaking on Hebrews 4:14-16... some cut-down thoughts from it:<br /><br />How do we feel when we’re struggling in the Christian life? How do we feel when the fight to keeping going as a Christian just seems too tough? When we’re tired and weary… when we just feel like giving up… when that temptation that we fight hard to resist… just overcomes us once again…<br /><br />I’m guessing we probably feel weak, pathetic, guilty, frustrated… ashamed… And the question for us is – how does that then make us feel towards Jesus?<br /><br />I guess we might think Jesus is angry at us… that he’s shouting down – “I can’t believe you just slipped up again”… If we feel weak – maybe we hear Jesus saying “you’re feeling like this again? Come on – pull yourself together!” If we feel ashamed, that we’ve let Jesus down in some way – we then picture Jesus shaking his head, tutt-ing in disappointment.<br /><br />And how do we then respond, to Jesus?<br /><br />Well – we keep him at a distance… pushing him away from us… either because we fear his anger, or because we fear his disappointment… And so Jesus becomes this distant figure… a figure just stuck in a stained-glass window somewhere… We make Jesus out to be a figure who didn’t experience these kinds of trials… we can think it must have just been easy for him to live the Christian life – he was perfect after all – God Himself… it must have been easy for him and that his expectation is that it should be easy for us…<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Heb 4:14-15</span></blockquote>Jesus takes on flesh… that he might experience life in the flesh – that he might experience life just as you and I experience it… so that he would be a merciful, sympathetic high priest… able to help those who are being tempted… because he was tempted in just the same way as you and I are tempted. So what did living in the flesh mean for Jesus? Well, chapter 5, verse 7 tells us – look ahead to it… chapter 5, verse 7:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">“in the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears…”</span></blockquote>I’m sure we’re all aware of Jesus’ heart-wrenching prayers in the garden of Gethsemane as Jesus heads towards the cross… but this verse points not just to the garden, but to his entire life… the days of him being in the flesh… And it was hard… it hurt… so much so that it lead him to cry out to God… to cry before his God… with real tears, in real pain and anguish… as he battled to live for God…<br /><br />Granted he hasn't experienced every detail... he never had to sit a fluid mechanics exam, and he's never actually sinned... but He has been truly one of us… he’s experienced real life, with real suffering, with real tears… and because of this he can sympathise with us…<br />When we’re exhausted in living for God<br />When we’re let down, hurt or betrayed by good friends<br />Bereavement, mockery<br />Parents who think we’re crazy<br />Persecution for our faith<br />The attacks of the devil we face each day<br /><br />And Jesus says “I understand – I’ve been through it too… and I’m not ashamed to be associated with you… I stand alongside you in all the temptations you face…”<br /><br />Jesus isn’t a distant figure who looks down at us and thinks to himself “come on guys… I can’t believe you’ve just fallen into that sin again”… or “come on – grit your teeth and pull your socks up”. No – we can cry out to Jesus in our weakness… we can cry out to him about how much of a struggle it is… we can cry out to him at how much of a battle it is… we can cry out to him about how much it hurts… we can cry out to him, and cry with him... And all the time Jesus is replying “I know….” “I know exactly how you feel”… “I’ve faced the same things… I know how tough it is… ”<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Heb 4:16</span></blockquote>The writer encourages us… in our weaknesses, not to hold Jesus at a distance…But rather, to draw near to him... to go to him. Knowing that the one who represents us before God acknowledges how difficult it is… and that he sympathises with our weaknesses.<br /><br />And we should go to him… with confidence... Not fearing that he’ll be angry… not fearing his disappointment with us… but knowing that the one who represents us before God understands how hard it is… he sympathises with us...<br /><br />We can draw near with confidence… because our high priest – our mediator - was like us, and so knows what it’s like for us… he sympathises in our weaknesses and replies “I know… I understand”<br /><br />That’s what we really need when we’re struggling isn’t it?<br /><br />To draw near to God… through our high priest… our mediator – who knows and understands…<br />To draw near to God – who offers mercy and grace in our time of need….<br />To draw near to him offers mercy – forgiveness for where we’ve failed…<br />To draw near to him who offers grace – strength to keep going, to keep battling as we live for Him each day…<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need"</span></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-71141086093190789422009-06-02T11:20:00.005+01:002009-06-02T22:45:38.170+01:00Mark the Movie - a box office flop?<div>Just heading back from Kings CU... was speaking on Mark 15:40-16:8... here are some of my thoughts:</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>It's been a rollercoaster of emotion in the passages leading up to this... as Mark reaches the high point, the climax in his Gospel... and yet at the same time we see Jesus go through betrayal, his friends run away... he's arrested, handed over to a council acting as judge, jury and executioner... his people shout "crucify"... he beaten, spat on, nailed to a cross, takes God's judgement... dies!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>As we reach the climax of what Mark has been persuading us of since verse 1 of chapter 1 - that Jesus is the Christ... yet at the same time, we reach the lowest point for Jesus, humanly speaking... as we see him give his life for a proud, arrogant, fickle, betraying bunch of followers...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>And so we reach the end of Mark's Gospel... verse 8:</div><br /><div><br /><blockquote><em>And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had<br />seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.</em></blockquote></div><br /><div>and the screen fades to black... and the credits start to roll...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>what a flop ending... or so we might think...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Mark uses two character types... Joseph who pledges absolute total allegiance to Jesus, no matter the cost to his reputation, social standing, career... alongside the women, who run away scared... not saying a word.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Mark is leaving us the question - which are we going to be like? Jesus has done enough - he's proved himself to be who he says he is... and we're left with the question - am I gonna be bold and confident like Joseph - no matter the cost; or am I gonna flee scared, keeping quiet like the women.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>The good news is of course that we're all like the women much more than we are like Joseph... after all, Jesus came for the sick, not the healthy; he's told us we all have a heart defect that means we don't life for Jesus perfectly - that's why he had to come and offer his life as a ransom for many...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>And so, the angel in the tomb says <em>"go tell his disciples, and Peter"</em>... <strong><u>and Peter</u></strong>... Peter who after just a little questioning from a servant girl says that he doesn't even know Jesus...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>And so, right at the end of Mark we get the great reminder of who the Gospel is for.... weak failures... weak failures like Peter, like the women... weak failures like you and me! What a box office smash!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Gotta love the good news... the gospel... of Jesus the Christ!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-30150440382111985282009-05-19T18:41:00.003+01:002009-05-19T18:43:27.824+01:00Love your brideWas just <a href="http://thebroadcast.org.uk/2009/05/18/lovenations-seminar-notes-thoughts-of-a-cross-cultural-church-planter-part-1/">reading this</a>... and thought this was a great reminder as we think about what is most important in our lives of ministry<br /><em><em><blockquote><em><em>God first. Family second. Church Third - Love your bride more than you<br />love Jesus' bride. You take care of yours and he will take care of<br />his.</em></em></blockquote></em><br /><br /></em><em></em><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-7176322432950927292009-03-30T15:37:00.000+01:002009-03-30T14:38:07.065+01:00Going the DistanceJust about to start Going the Distance by Peter Brain. Quote to kick off chapter 1:<br> <br> "my life was given to me to spend for God. I have no intention of hoarding it or wasting it, but I intend to spend this one life wisely."<br> James A Berkeley<br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-49190301772590064132009-03-29T17:22:00.002+01:002009-03-29T16:37:57.488+01:00New Word AliveLooking forward to the week ahead at New Word Alive in Wales - at an<a href="http://thegracerace.blogspot.com/2009/03/that-unpronounceable-place.html"> impossible to pronounce and spell town</a> - staying with the in-laws!<br /><br />It'll be my first such conference, so I'm looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere along with hearing some great teaching and music, and getting alongside some students along the way.<br /><br />Hoping to be able to keep connected while I'm there, either by <a href="http://twitter.com/gregpye">Twitter</a> or on this blog - we'll see how it all goes!<br /><br />Apparently there's a starbucks there but no Cafe Nero - tough times ahead ;-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-49586901526117978522009-03-23T14:38:00.003+00:002009-03-23T14:45:01.311+00:00Excerpt from Bradford's examination<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lord chancellor: </span>"Well, to leave this matter: how sayest thou now? Wilt thou return again and do as we have and thou shalt receive the queen's mercy and pardon?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Bradford:</span> "My lord, I desire your mercy with God's mercy; but your mercy with God's wrath, God keep me from: although I thank God, my conscience doth not accuse that I did speak anything why I should need to receive the queen's mercy or pardon. For all that I ever did or spake was both agreeable to God's laws and the laws of the realm at that time, and did make much to quietness. I have not deceived the people, nor taught any other doctrine than, by God's grace, I am not ready to confirm with my life."<br /><br />an examination of John Bradford - martyred in Smithfield... Of his last moments he was described as "constantly abiding in the same truth of God which before he had confessed, earnestly exhorting the people to repent and to return to Christ, and sweetly comforting the godly young man who was burnt with him" (a 19year old called John Leaf).<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-91625125763629923072009-03-16T22:46:00.003+00:002009-03-16T22:52:37.276+00:00Band of BrothersJust finished Band of Brothers (first time watching it through having missed the TV series). To even contemplate what these men went through will give but a shadow of the reality... to see grown men still brought to tears as the look back to 50 years in the past, it is a humbling and thankful emotion that wells!<br /><br /><blockquote>From this day to the ending of the world,But we in it shall be remembered-<br /> We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;<br /> For he to-day that sheds his blood with me<br /> Shall be my brother...</blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To them!!!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-25247629761677102912009-03-08T17:18:00.003+00:002009-03-08T17:22:57.432+00:00In all your ways, acknowledge HimJust reading some helpful articles on <a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Biblical-Productivity.aspx">Biblical Productivity</a>... here's a helpful quote that was used, by Charles Bridges on Proverbs 3:5-7<br /><blockquote>Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own<br />understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight<br />your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from<br />evil. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV)</em></span></blockquote><br />On this, Charles writes:<br /><blockquote>Let our confidence be uniform. In all thy ways acknowledge him (Proverbs<br />3:6). Take one step at a time, every step under divine warrant and direction.<br />Ever plan for yourself in simple dependence on God. It is nothing less than<br />self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the ordinary matters of the<br />day without his counsel.<br /><br />He loves to be consulted. Therefore take all thy difficulties to be<br />resolved by him. Be in the habit of going to him in the first place—before<br />self-will, self-pleasing, self-wisdom, human friends, convenience, expediency.<br />Before any of these have been consulted go to God at once. Consider no<br />circumstances too clear to need his direction.<br /><br />In all thy ways, small as well as great; in all thy concerns, personal or<br />relative, temporal or eternal, let him be supreme.<br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">A commentary on Proverbs, Banner of Truth, 1846/1968 pp. 24-25</span></em><br /></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-31332337385613503162009-03-05T23:00:00.004+00:002009-03-05T23:13:11.600+00:00Darwin's Dangerous IdeaWas just reading a brief article by Andrew Marr (<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7924423.stm">read it here</a>) written ahead of his BBC programme "Darwin's Dangerous Idea"<br /><br />He writes:<br /><blockquote>"Darwinism, as I take it, is a creed of observation, fact, a deep modesty about conclusions and lifelong readiness to be proved wrong. I don't say it offers everything that religion can. But I do say that, in this respect, it is better. However we celebrate the old man, we mustn't let his work crust into creed or harden to dogma"<br /></blockquote>I couldn't help but recall this eye witness testimony of John <span style="font-size:85%;">[1 John 1:1-3, ESV]</span>:<br /><blockquote>"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." </blockquote>Which would you rather stake your life on?<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-29543050471856732442009-03-05T10:27:00.004+00:002009-03-05T10:38:26.694+00:00St Pirans Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN4hGa9-KLroUisXH4tB_q11mgAahvJzQJ79uT8u-XdvBe2llAvIDfYnUr3VedmLFRe7RYNClHf_vUgmCgLzgam8K-_gc5-HMXzb_v69whPHndoGUPdwHde60aM2S0W_sznIyTpoVChQ/s1600-h/cornflag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN4hGa9-KLroUisXH4tB_q11mgAahvJzQJ79uT8u-XdvBe2llAvIDfYnUr3VedmLFRe7RYNClHf_vUgmCgLzgam8K-_gc5-HMXzb_v69whPHndoGUPdwHde60aM2S0W_sznIyTpoVChQ/s200/cornflag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309650577629003218" border="0" /></a><br />Today is St Pirans Day... not that you would hear much about it... he's the patron saint of tin-miners and adopted more generally as Cornwall's patron saint! He is said to have brought Christianity to Cornwall!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Piran">Wiki Entry</a>)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-15879547424937239902009-02-28T12:23:00.003+00:002009-02-28T12:25:23.605+00:00Battle Galatia : Mission 'Gospel Preservation'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhyhMkDUsgX4BE5q0alHRD0r2JqdZxr1DFbuziHA15SCNgVfRFOmyEuZeTAZ8H4UzFMQ3jdjVH__tfZmGeZRdWJ5DyWMeQ7rKx4l5qnm5lsR8NWT9dVpzOI5i6qOa-6htCHJ_mtQkNeU/s1600-h/letterwriting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhyhMkDUsgX4BE5q0alHRD0r2JqdZxr1DFbuziHA15SCNgVfRFOmyEuZeTAZ8H4UzFMQ3jdjVH__tfZmGeZRdWJ5DyWMeQ7rKx4l5qnm5lsR8NWT9dVpzOI5i6qOa-6htCHJ_mtQkNeU/s200/letterwriting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307823119790596898" border="0" /></a>In Galatians 2:1-10 there are some rather interesting goings on… Paul seems to be in the middle of making sure that the Galatians know about his authentic, God revealed message… But then it seems that Paul wants to check that his message is actually the correct one… that he “hadn’t run in vain”… it seems odd to say this, particularly after he’s been so clear in chapter 1 to ensure the Galatians know just how separate he has been from the other apostles…<br /><br />Has Paul now lost confidence in his message… does he now need to head to Jerusalem to check that his message is actually the correct one?<br /><br />I think that Galatians 2:1-10 offers completely the opposite view to that… I think that these verses should give us great confidence in Paul’s message. But to do that, we need to think about placing the Galatian letter correctly in Paul’s itinerary.<br /><br />Verse 2: “[Paul] went up [to Jerusalem] because of a revelation and set before them… the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.” So what sends Paul to Jerusalem?<br /><br />A bit of cross referencing to Acts can help us answer this – let’s have a look at the highlights:<br />Acts 9:1-19 – Paul’s conversion<br />Acts 9:19 – Paul is in Damascus<br />Acts 9:26 – Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem, meets some of the apostles<br />Acts 9:30 – Paul heads to Caesarea and heads to Tarsus<br />Acts 11:25 – Barnabas heads to Tarsus to get Paul, to bring him back to Antioch<br />Acts 11:28 – revelation of a great famine<br />Acts 11:29 – disciples decide to send relief to brothers in Judea<br />Acts 11:30 – relief is sent to Judea by the hand of Paul and Barnabas (Paul’s 2nd visit to J’slm)<br />Acts 1312:25 – Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch from Jerusalem<br />Acts 13:2 – revelation of Paul and Barnabas being set apart<br />Acts 13:1-3: Paul heads from Crete to Antioch Pisidia<br />Acts 13:48-49 – Gentiles becoming Christian in the whole region<br />Acts 14:24-26 – Paul heads back to Antioch Syria<br />Acts 15:2-3 – Paul heads to Jerusalem to the council (Paul’s 3rd visit to J’slm)<br />Acts 15:22 – letter from the Jerusalem Council gets spread around<br />Acts 15:30-31 – letter received with massive encouragement<br /><br />If we look through Galatians 1 – Paul wants to make clear that he has had no (or minimal) contact with the other apostles in Jerusalem. Gal 1:16-17, Paul stresses that after his conversion, he didn’t immediately consult, or go to Jerusalem, but went to Damascus (Acts9:19). Gal 1:18, then after 3 years, Paul visits Jerusalem, to see the apostles Cephas and James (Acts9:26). We then see Paul in Gal 1:21 head off to Syria and Cilcia (Acts9:30). Then in Gal 2:1 we learn that after 14 years, Paul goes up to Jerusalem again.<br /><br />So, Paul’s visit to Jerusalem in Gal 2:1 seems to be his second visit (i.e. that of Acts 11:30). Afterall, Paul’s emphasis in chapter 1 so far has been to make it clear just how “untouched” his Gospel has been from other apostles so why would he miss out a whole visit to Jerusalem from his itinerary in Galatians… it would make his case so flimsy that it’s basically destroyed. More than this, if the letter to the Galatians is to show them exactly how circumcision/the law fits in now Jesus has come, then why wouldn’t he just refer to the letter from the Jerusalem Council in his letter to the Galatians… there is no mention of it whatsoever. I guess that some might argue that Gal 2:1-10 is indeed that Jerusalem Council meeting, in which case I might still argue that Paul doesn’t really rely on the Council letter to persuade the Galatians, which seems a bit odd… but also the confrontation between Paul and Peter wouldn’t then fit in with the Jerusalem letter being issued… but also, we’re back to the chapter 1 argument – why would Paul miss out an early visit to Jerusalem, if he’s trying to persuade the Galatians that his Gospel has been untouched by those in Jerusalem.<br /><br />If we run with this thinking, then the revelation that takes Paul to Jerusalem must be that of Acts 11:28 – the great famine that’s coming… so now we see how the potentially disjointed verse 10 fits in with Paul’s argument. When Paul and those who are influential agree to go their “separate” ways, i.e. proclaiming to the Jews and proclaiming to the Gentiles, then it would fit well that the brothers in Jerusalem are eager for Paul to still remember the Judean church/brothers in need – Gentiles financially supporting Jews is a big deal… and shows the “oneness” of the new church – Jew and Gentile together as one church, therefore aiding and supporting one another! It’s a big deal to Paul (Gal 2:10)! The aid symbolises much (cf Romans 15:24-27 where Paul takes a massive detour in order to take aid to Jerusalem believers – aid given by Gentile believers).<br /><br />This then leaves us with a question. What does Paul mean in verse 2:2 by “in order to make sure I was not running in vain or had not run in vain.”?<br /><br />Well, we’ve seen in chapter 1 that Paul is far from lacking confidence in his message as he’s been well keen for the Galatians to know the revelation he received from God has been untouched! So I don’t think Paul is checking whether his message is true or not in terms of “having run in vain with the wrong message”.<br /><br />Verse 3 is helpful: “But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek”… It’s another verse that just seems to stick out in 2:1-10.<br /><br />So, Paul confident of his message, is concerned of the message being proclaimed in Jerusalem… with all this false teaching going around, he wanted to ensure that the false teachers were not undoing all of Paul’s work… i.e. people turning to a different Gospel, and so Paul having “run in vain” as a result of people shifting from the gospel that he proclaims. He affirms then, verse 3, that Titus didn’t need to be circumcised (a confirmation that the brothers in Jerusalem haven’t been taken in by the false teaching) and then, verse 9 – they offer the right hand of fellowship.<br /><br />So, rather than us losing confidence in Paul’s message because of what he writes in 2:1-10, I hope instead that it gives us great confidence in Paul’s message… that it has been untouched by the apostles and yet after about 14 years, his message (revealed from God) matches up with the apostles message… Paul’s message is confirmed as authentic, the real deal!<br /><br />So the result of all this helps us understand the context into which Paul is writing… there’s false teaching abounding… the Galatians seem to be taken in by it… (and we see later in 2:11-14 that after Paul’s visit to Jerusalem, even those that are “pillars” have now been taken in by it)! But Paul’s about to head off to the Jerusalem Council to discuss exactly how the law now fits in now Jesus has come… and he doesn’t know what the outcome of this council will be (it’s not a simple debate, Acts 15:2, and even Peter has been taken in Gal 2:11-12).<br /><br />So in 1:1 - 2:10, before the Galatians receive the currently unknown result of the Jerusalem Council and the false teachers are still in their area, Paul wants the Galatians to know:<br /><ol><li>his gospel is the genuine article (revealed by God) and has remained untouched (matches up with the apostles message despite minimal contact between them over 14years)</li><li>he’ll stand by it, against false brothers, opposition and those who seem to be “pillars”</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-32670445129911984322009-02-26T22:49:00.002+00:002009-02-26T22:57:42.035+00:00All things online...Things have slowly been changing in my online "world". Firstly, I recently jumped across from IE to Firefox - my word why didn't I do that earlier. Then today I signed up on Twitter... not coz I'm sold on the idea but because I think it's better to give something a go before dissing it completely... we shall see... it may well help re-ignite something that's gone cold.... my blogging!<br /><br />I haven't been posting much since changing job... and starting work for the church was the main reason why I started blogging in the first place... I'm not too sure why I haven't. Maybe because evening/weekend times I now try to keep much freer that previously - trying to draw some definite lines between "work" and "rest" and so I've switched off more so which perhaps has led to a lack of posting... that might be healthy thinking, or laziness... or some combination of the two - still trying to work out what a Mark 8:34 ministry looks like.<br /><br />Anyhow... let's see how it goes!<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-73016524796529539172008-11-20T22:28:00.005+00:002008-11-20T22:37:14.163+00:00Leaving your Christianity at the work-place door<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXccv9a0VveDAIHSbnq2zj-G0PVyxkRTX-YhXxOIpBcoYZXp2iGBgKT62hUd4U7Y_6RF4A9itBSDXMhc8NRqbSu5pzh8o7J4JjHOIoeUrI8WeZvpURHC31i1Ua9PVnT8XRq_cYnN-6ILY/s1600-h/entrance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270872387601779698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXccv9a0VveDAIHSbnq2zj-G0PVyxkRTX-YhXxOIpBcoYZXp2iGBgKT62hUd4U7Y_6RF4A9itBSDXMhc8NRqbSu5pzh8o7J4JjHOIoeUrI8WeZvpURHC31i1Ua9PVnT8XRq_cYnN-6ILY/s200/entrance.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yes... it's been a while!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday the news was reporting the leak of a list of contact details of members of the BNP (British Nationalist Party). Nick Griffin was quoted saying “anyone should be allowed to be in any job as long as they leave their politics at the work place door”. In the letter of ‘regret’ about the leak, Nick quotes an external source stating that there is no reason why “BNP members cannot be teachers, provided they leave their politics at the school gates”<br /><br />How easy is that do you think? Can you become a neutral person, just by entering a building? Can you leave your core values at the school gate? Is it even fair to be asked to do so?<br /><br />The <a href="http://bnp.org.uk/about-us/mission-statement/">BNP’s Mission Statement</a> is “to secure a future for the indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been our homeland for millennia”. (Indigenous, according to the BNP, means “the people whose ancestors were the earliest settlers here after the last great Ice Age and which have been complemented by the historic migrations from mainland Europe.”) …<br /><br />It continues “Increasingly our people are facing denial of service provision, failure to secure business contracts as well as poor job prospects as both reverse discrimination excludes our people from the school room, workplace and boardroom. A key role of the British National Party is to provide legal advice and support to victims of repression and those denied their fundamental civil rights.”<br /><br />This leads to the <a href="http://bnp.org.uk/about-us/policies/">following stances</a>:<br /><strong>Immigration</strong>: ensure native British people will not become an ethnic minority (by calling immediate halts to immigration, deporting criminal and illegal immigrants, offering generous financial incentives for immigrants to return to their lands of ethnic origin)<br /><strong>Economy</strong>: selective exclusion of foreign-made goods to British markets, ensuring manufactured goods are, wherever possible, produced in British factories, employing British workers<br /><br />So, can people really put such ingrained views to one side? Is that a lack of passion to the cause? Does it lead to a dichotomy of belief versus action, particularly in the work place?<br /><br />James (2:18) would say “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works”. Belief and action go hand-in-hand… one goes to show the other.<br /><br />So it is not possible to leave your politics, your core values, your principles, your belief, at the office-door or school-gate, for such things cannot be forgotten, and such things must be acted upon.<br /><br />So is “anyone can be in any job, as long as they leave their politics at the work place door” a fair statement? I think not. It feels like a bad state of society today, where we are so shallow and fickle in our beliefs… that we can even suggest that we are to, or even can, leave our politics, or our religion, at the work place door. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-85591685100059030192008-10-28T19:44:00.008+00:002009-04-20T15:15:10.322+01:00A Long Awaited Gospel...Talk I gave on Mark 1:1-15 for Imperial Christian Union, 16 October 2008<br /><br /><a href="http://www.iccu.co.uk/furthermedia/hubtalk/Greg%20Pye%20-%20Mark%201.mp3">A Long Awaited Gospel.mp3</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.archive.org/download/TheBeginningoftheGospel_Mark1_1-15__1/mark1.mp3">or try downloading from this location</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-11864137144386297582008-09-20T11:28:00.002+01:002008-09-20T11:31:31.918+01:00Calling Christian LeadersJohn Stott’s “Calling Christian Leaders” is a very helpful set of short chapters, teaching from 1 Corinthians 1-4.<br /><br />In chapter 1, looking at 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Stott shows us the ambiguity of the church, that the church today: is sanctified, yet still sinful, and called to be holy (v2, v11); is enriched, yet still defective as it longs for the return of Christ (v5-8); is united, yet still divided (v10-17).<br /><br />Chapter 2 get us into 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, showing how power is to be found in weakness, when it comes to Christian leadership. A weak message, of Christ crucified (yet the powerful way God saves), a weak preacher (that faith might not rest on man’s wisdom, but on God’s power), reaching weak, foolish, lowly people (that the glory would rest with God, not proud, arrogant man)…<br /><br />Stott then goes on to look at 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, being concerned to show us here the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Scripture. Stott helpfully brings out 4 stages: that the Spirit searches, knowing even the deep things of God (v10); the Spirit reveals God’s salvation to the apostles (biblical authors) (v12); the Spirit inspires the apostles (biblical authors) to communicate God’s salvation to others (v13); the Spirit enlightens those who read the message (v13-16). It’s a call for the Christian leader to humble himself. To humble himself before Scripture, and study it diligently, but in absolute dependence on the Spirit, without whom, our hearts will remain dull, cloudy, deaf and blind.<br /><br />The penultimate chapter concerns itself with 1 Corinthians 3, and Stott expands the three analogies that Paul uses to describe the church: God’s field (v5-9), God’s building (v9-16) and God’s temple (v16-17). Stott shows us how Christian leaders have nothing to boast about - it is only God who makes things grow; that Christian leaders mustn’t move on from Christ crucified, the foundation of the church, and the way a solid, durable church is built (not with the cheap, perishable teaching of the world); the Christian leaders mustn’t forget what the church is – “it may (in our view) consist of uneducated, unclean, unattractive people. And the congregation may be small and immature and factious. Nevertheless, it is the church of God, His dwelling place by His Spirit, and needs to be treated as such.” The chapter totally downplays the Christian leaders, as God the Father gives the growth, God the Son is its only foundation, and it is the dwelling place of God the Spirit.<br /><br />Finally, Stott finishes with a look at 1 Corinthians 4. A particularly challenging chapter on who, or what, Christian leaders must be like: servants of Christ (v1); stewards of revelation (v1-2); the scum of the earth (v8-13); fathers of the church family (v14-21). That which underlines each of these 4 is humility, humility before Christ – whose subordinates we are; humility before Scripture – of which we are stewards; humility before the world – whose opposition we are bound to encounter; humility before the congregation – whose members we are to love and serve.<br /><br />There’s a real challenge to our thinking in v8-13, as Stott gets us into some tough verses on what Christian leadership is like… heading to death in the amphitheatre, the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world, thirsty and hungry. Stott helpfully gets these verses under our skin… “..the difficulty we have in applying this text to ourselves may indicate how far we have drifted from the New Testament. True, the persecution of Christians is increasing in some (especially Hindu and Muslim) cultures. Yet most of use are not cursed, persecuted or slandered. Today, even in a non-Christian, pluralist or secular culture, it is still regarded as quite respectable even honourable to be an ordained clergyman. … but it is not everywhere thus, and it should certainly not be taken for granted. I think we need to listen again to the words of Jesus: ‘Woe to you when all men speak well of you’ (Luke 6:26). Beware, I beg of you, of the temptation to be a popular preacher! I doubt if it is possible to be popular and faithful at the same time.”<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-21558695908856456152008-08-29T20:53:00.003+01:002008-08-29T20:57:07.757+01:00A Gospel Chat leaving me with more questions than answersI’d like to think more about something that happened this evening… any comments gratefully received…<br /><br />Me and a mate went for a drink after work, catching up about the summer… at the end of our catch up, the pub was getting busy (noisy) so we headed outside to pray… found some seats in a quiet spot… off the street… We're praying and we're interrupted by a homeless guy, who wants to pray with us… we invite him, and he'd like us to pray for him, that he would stay off drugs (he was currently off drugs)… we prayed for him, attempting to get the Gospel in as we did, and he prayed too… He then asks "why did Jesus die for me?"… We explain, attempting to make it as simple as possible… The guy said that he prays each night… We get talking about whether he had somewhere to stay that night… and he didn’t… he needed money to stay in a hostel (I still don’t quite understand how homeless shelters charge for people to stay - maybe they don't - hence this post)… he then asks if we could help him out…<br /><br />A number of things run through my head…<br />Has this praying and chat just been for him to get to this question… is that a realistic thing to think? is it me being sinfully judgemental? Maybe bit of both?<br /><br />What do we do in those situations?<br /><br />It happens a fair bit, walking past a homeless guy, and they ask for money… sometimes if there's somewhere nearby, I might offer to buy them some food or a drink… but the response is sometimes "I need money so I can stay in a hostel"… how should we balance Christian giving and charity, when we're not totally sure how the money will be used… should we be giving money if it's only going to be used on drugs or something, and not for a hostel? Have I not let the Gospel transform my thinking, or am I right to be suspicious?<br /><br />Of course, theirs, as much as the top City professional going home to a large house in the country, only has one ultimate need, and that is to come to know Jesus and the forgiveness he offers at the Cross… certainly the priority in our conversation with this man.<br /><br />As we leave him (my mate giving him some money) we hand him a copy of Mark's Gospel… we've only got an ESV… I think to myself: that's not exactly your easy-going translation (has our desire for accuracy made a less accessible Gospel? <strong><em>Can I even dare ask that????</em></strong>), but maybe coz it's narrative it'll be ok… then I had Acts 8:30-31 ringing in my ears. That then led me on to thinking: he needs to come to church… but I couldn't help thinking: would he feel comfortable, would he understand the sermon when basically it's aimed at graduates… and I just wasn't sure… and that's where I'm left… a bit tied up in my thoughts… (Greg is very much missing his sounding board)<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-89412021310065562182008-08-15T13:08:00.000+01:002008-08-15T12:08:20.954+01:00An encouragement from Calvin"whenever we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us counter that by calling to mind that none grasp the mysteries of God save those to whom it is given"<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-41339660334896707882008-07-17T21:32:00.003+01:002008-07-17T21:43:04.281+01:00Ad Break<a href="http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20080713.html">http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20080713.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29652318050325726.post-39219162937407756902008-07-11T20:14:00.002+01:002008-07-17T21:43:37.134+01:00The Gospel According to Matthew According to Ben CooperWelcome to the Matthewphile... Ben Cooper's blog for his pretty intense work on Matthew:<br /><br /><a href="http://thematthewphile.wordpress.com/">http://thematthewphile.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />Enjoy!<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
[- - - http://lifeofpye.blogspot.com - - -]</div>Greg Pyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00347687283866828499noreply@blogger.com0