Touchy-Feely

The other day someone asked me what my plans were now I was back around in Hastings, so I explained to them as much as I could about Life Matters.

Their response was less then keen: "It all sounds a bit... touchy-feely."

Now, scripture tells us that the fool hates instruction and as this person is someone over me in the Lord I wanted to give what they said due thought and prayer. Because they might be right, and its not only true that with many advisors plans succeed but also that the concerns of someone for you are important to heed. He is a good godly man, and shared his thoughts out of an attitude of wanting me to prosper and succeed.

My friends concerns centered around how I'd made my decision - based on subjective feelings and leadings that I've attributed to God speaking to me. He felt that this wasn't a strong enough basis to make such important decisions, and was therefore concerned I was making a mistake.

I spoke to God about this a lot - unsurprisingly this is not a decision I had taken lightly or prayerlessly. As I came back to God to bring my friends concerns to him to see if he was right, I felt God speak me out of the Bible. He drew me to the passage in Romans that tells us the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. He then led me to the passage in 1 Corinthians that tells us he who knows the thoughts of God is the Spirit of God.

This got me thinking about my "touchy-feely" faith. Different places in the Bible tell us about God putting his Spirit into us and changing and leading us. For example Ezekiel 11:19-20. The scripture in Romans pinpoints the heart of the book of Acts, especially Pentecost. And Jesus himself said that it was better for him to go so he could send the Holy Spirit to us.

These verses all tell us about the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we call it 'illumination' - which describes those times when something in the Bible just comes alive in a new, fresh way. Or we call it 'being Spirit-led' when something just won't leave us, and we know we need to respond to it.

Its all "touchy-feely" and I suspect my friend was looking for something that wasn't so. Perhaps a Bible verse or something clearly objective. But as i thought about it, surely that is just as "touchy-feely" as believing we are being 'Spirit-led?'

How do I know the Bible is the word of God? Faith. No matter what logic or arguments are put forward to convince me that the Bible is true, it still comes down to me believing that in faith. "Touchy feely" faith. This is true for any belief in Christianity. Jesus died and rose again? Faith. That my sins are forgiven? Faith. That I go to heaven when i die? Faith. "Touchy feely" faith.

And you know what? It's meant to be this way. We're told without faith its impossible to please God so our touchy-feely faith is important to him. Why? Our faith must be based on who God says he is. When he keeps his promises, or comes through for us, or does what he says, our faith grows.

Our touchy-feely faith grows through our experiences, not our knowledge!

The bible shows us God's promises and character to inform our faith, but ultimately its still "touchy-feely" to trust that God does what he says he will. This is why our "touchy-feely" faith must not be based on how we feel, but on who we believe God is, and is why the Bible is so key for us as Christians.

That's always been the way for all the heroes of faith. Abraham left Ur for somewhere he didn't know on a "touchy-feely" leading. How did he know it was God? Yet he is the prime example of faith held up for us in the New Testament. The same is true for Moses going back to Egypt, David before Goliath, Elijah at Mount Carmel amongst others... read Hebrews 11 and tell me that I'm wrong!

I value my friends advice but I'm not sure I agree with him on this one. How do I know it is God who has spoken to me? We'll see! Yes, its scary - but that is real biblical faith! Faith takes us to the end of ourselves so we have to depend on God. That's the only way we grow in faith.

It is touchy-feely. But so is everything about knowing God. I'm just thrilled that I have a God who wants to touch me with his Spirit, and by the same Spirit wants me to feel his leading.

Touchy-feely indeed.

Divine Romance

I've come across this video fairly recently, courtesy of a friend. Its a very powerful visual enactment of what I believe as a Christian.

The song being played is what I am listening too, below.
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Listening to: Lifehouse - Everything
via FoxyTunes

How Do We Know The Bible Is God's Word?

Today we will continue our study of biblical doctrine by looking at our next subject: the authority of the Bible. What does this mean? Why is it important? As always, I am ably assisted by Dr Wayne Grudem. He defines the authority of scripture as:

"The authority of scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey and word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God."

Christians often say that the Bible is their final authority. But in exactly what sense does the Bible claim to be our authority?

Firstly, all the words in scripture are God’s Words;

a. This is what the Bible claims for itself – I.e. the many scriptural references to “thus says the Lord.”

b. We are convinced of the Bible’s claims to be God’s Words as we read it. The internal witness of the Holy Spirit speaks to Christians.

c. Other evidence is useful but not finally convincing – ie historical accuracy; doesn’t contradict itself; many prophecies that have been fulfilled; cultural influence; lives it has affected.

d. The words of scripture are self-attesting – they cannot be ‘proved’ to be God’s words by appealing to a higher authority. If we did do that, then the Bible ceases to be our highest authority!

Isn’t this all a circular argument though? We believe the Bible is God’s Words because it claims to be! Ultimately, it is an argument of faith.

This argument for belief is true for anything anyone believes. Ultimately, we all say we believe something because we ‘see the evidence’ or ‘feel it’ or it ‘seems right to us.’ But really, its more how we interpret what we see, or feel, or seems right to us! These are all circular arguments, and we all employ them – Christian or not.

We need to look at the points above to see what stands and what falls. Ultimately believing in the authority of the Bible is a matter of faith. But believing that the Bible is not the authoritative Word of God is also requires faith!

Secondly, to disbelieve or disobey any word of scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. 

Thirdly, the Bible must be inherently true and correct;

a. God cannot lie or speak falsely (Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18).

b. Therefore all the words in scripture are completely true and without error in any part.

c. Therefore God’s words are the ultimate standard of truth

d. Therefore no new historical or scientific discovery will contradict the Bible – provided we have interpreted the Bible correctly

e. Therefore written Scripture is our final authority

So what?

If the Bible is our final authority then it has the final say over matters of belief and behaviour, doctrine and practice. It is God's opinion and therefore overrules ours if we disagree. To be blunt, to disobey or disregard clear biblical teaching is to rebel against God!

Attempts by liberal theologians to cut out, remove and amend sections of the Bible are tantamount to violent attacks against the very things God has spoken to us for our good - as 2 Timothy 3:16 makes clear to us.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Currently listening to: AC/DC - Back In Black from The Razor's Edge

Life Matters

I've been a busy boy. And here is the evidence of what I've been up to recently:

• I've gone back to college. Well, distance learning. As of next week, I am studying for a Diploma in Life Coaching!
• I've signed up for a course with the Coaching Academy, which will give me professional certification upon completion.
• I've approached a graphic designer for some company logo ideas, who is working on some options for me to consider.
• I've had tentative conversations with a couple of people regarding the financial aspects of things, including a possible book-keeper.
• I've purchased the website address www.lifematters.me.uk which will be my company name. The website isn't active yet, but will be in the near future.
• I've got half a dozen people prepared to give me references to get me up and running

There is still a lot of research and work to be done, and much investigation and thinking. But the first step has been taken. And its quite scary, and very much an issue of faith for me!

As for other things, I figured I'd talked so much the house I'm now living in that I should help people visualise it - so here are some pictures for you to enjoy. And no, no interior shots - partly because its my private domain, and partly because I'd need to do the hoovering! Anyway, the link is here:

Where I'm Living

The last thing I want to share is a little something that caught my eye. This link contains some of my favourite things: good photography, some powerful imagery, and a profound message that stays with you after you've left. Anyway, here it is:

Thought Provoking Imagery

Take a look sometime.

Currently listening to: The Stone Roses - Waterfall (Paul Oakenfold & Steve Osbourne Remix) from The Remixes

Rushing Ahead

David v Goliath went very well. For some reason, the children found me standing on a chair in cardboard armour hilarious. They also liked my vocal impersonation of the Tasmanian Devil. And David killing me with a thrown inflatable sheep to the head brought the house down. I must say my dramatic death tumble complete with commando roll was the coup de grace. I'm expecting theatre talent scouts to be visiting us anytime soon. Oh, and the small point of the morning was 'God Looks After Me.' He certainly did considering my top class stuntman impressions.

I'm in a place at the moment with much uncertainty. Various things in my life seem to be pressing in, and demanding my affections and attentions. Some of these are good things, some of them are not so good. As with everything, they all have the potential to be distractions or snares. Especially when it comes to faith. If faith is the hope of things unseen, and being a Christian is dependent on pressing onwards in faith, then anything that sucks or robs us of faith has to be dealt with.

So with this in mind, I've been seeking God a lot for direction, wisdom and insight. I need direction to know which ways to go, wisdom to know how to do it, and insight to see things as they really are. I'd felt God draw my attention to 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 when contemplating all the decisions I've got to make. He was saying to me 'if you want to know what I think about things, keep close to my Spirit.' Now, in one sense, I am always close to the Spirit in that He dwells within me. But sometimes I know that I'm far from the Spirit of God - when I quench or grieve Him. The best way I can articulate it is this: there is a difference between union and communion with the Spirit of God.

If I want to know what God thinks or feels about something, I need to be in communion with Him through His Spirit. As those verses in 1 Corinthians show us, He reveals to us the heart of God - in matters concerning us, but also feelings FOR us. As Ephesians 5:18 tells us, we need to be filled with the Spirit. And the Greek in that verse is an ongoing, continuous tense - basically, 'keep on being filled!'

I love 1 Samuel 16:13 which tells us that the Spirit of the Lord 'rushed' upon David. I get a sense of the Holy Spirit holding back, waiting, chomping at the bit, eagerly looking forward to embracing David with all his fullness. And as Christians, that is the heart of God for us. The Spirit of God wants to 'rush upon us', and clothe us with power from on high. But more than that, to reveal the heart and mind of God to us and for us.

When was the last time you asked Him to rush upon you? Remember, there is a difference between union and communion.

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Listening to: Menswear - Stardust
via FoxyTunes

Child's Play

I had my first children's session on Sunday morning. Surprisingly, it went surprisingly well! I had planned and pre-planned the morning, and everything went according to plan - although I was supported superbly by a brilliant, versatile and gifted team of serving team members. In total, we had sixty children - which is two-thirds of all the names on our book. Being primary school age there is a wide range of attention span and ability from the youngest to the oldest, so my concern was the pace and variety of the morning - would it captivate them enough? But at the end, a couple of the older children who I've known since birth came up to me really appreciative. Although I am realistic: this could be just because they'd received a Chupa-Chup lolly and colouring sheet! The mercenary nature of children is something that I am not unaware of...

Highlights for me included:

• Naughty Connect 4 - our discipline aid. Each time someone breaks one of our rules, a counter goes in (green for boys, yellow for girls - apparently boys are darker!!!). Whoever has the least counters gets said lolly at the end of the morning. The kids seemed quite entertained with the notion of a Naughty Connect 4 for some reason!
• Our amateur dramatics, which were very amateur and dramatically poor. Our profound spiritual point of "God Wants Your Heart" might have been lost with the appearance of David in dressing gown, socks and sandals and carrying an inflatable sheep. Or Samuel and Jesse, David's father, having a swordfight with their walking sticks. Or David being anointed king with water tipped over his head.
• My visual illustration using the biggest Mint Aero bar in the world. I said the following: "the more you care about someone, the more chocolate you give them. Its the same with our hearts." The children were thinking: "How can I get some of that chocolate without playing Naughty Connect 4?"
• In the group work, one little six year old praying to Jesus to ask Him to help her give her heart to Him, so she can help her mummy lay the table at dinner time. Awwwwww!!!!

At the end, the children left to go to the front of the morning service because my predecessor was rightly being thanked for honoured for all her hard work. It was somewhat entertaining to see tons of children clutching colouring sheets and sucking furiously on lollies whilst sitting on a stage. Our lead elder was praying that this new generation would be like Samuel's in their lifetime. The thing is, I had dressed up as Samuel in the sketch, wearing a long cloak with a sombrero hat and a jester hat on top of that! I wonder what was going on in their minds....

Currently listening to: N-Trance - Set You Free from Electronic Pleasure

Go Wayne Grudem - Video Tribute

I came across this video tribute to one of my favourite theologians, in the style of Grease MegaMix. It is touched with a peculiar brand of genius - enjoy!