Encouragement and hints to aid familiarisation with the WHOLE Bible - plus a link to download a FREE personal Bible Reading Record.
Bible in a Year
Author: derrickjohnphillips
An ordinary bloke. More than that - an ordinary Christian bloke.
That counts. It means that I live in hope. Not the wishful-thinking kind of hope, but an active hope built on faith and fueled by experience. Becoming old just takes time but, my years have been full of challenges overcome, joys experienced, trials that became valuable lessons, and constant contact with God. When I was young I had a future; now I'm older, I have a past; but I still have a future to look forward to, and there's no end to it.
My career is now in the past. I was once a member of a nationally known Christian rock group and my music hasn't quite gone away (I still play acoustic guitar) but it's no longer at the core of my life. Writing and prayer are now my main occupations - and being a grandfather. The primary passions that are reflected in my writing are Church, Bible, and Prayer.
0131a…St Michael’s Recent History
The village of Stoke Gifford has a history going back at least to the time of the Saxons, and a website maintained by a local enthusiast tells the story fully and extensively. At the village centre, St. Michael's church has always been a key part of the community, but the history of the church on … Continue reading 0131a…St Michael’s Recent History
Heroes of Doubt
People assume that heroes don’t feel fear. They are wrong. Brave people feel the fear but act in spite of it. Those who have no sense of fear are not brave, but naive. People of faith experience doubt, but act in faith. It’s not the way we feel that counts, but the decisions we make. Doubt takes you down to the depths, where you discover your foundations and find that they are strong
Achan and Ai
The story of Achan can be uncomfortable reading. His condemntation was harsh, but was it just?
Adam and evolution
Stop reading?Evolution or Genesis – do we have to make a choice? Some people are sensitive to any questioning of the literal accuracy of the Bible’s creation story. Others are anxious to crush any thought of God under the hammer of evolutionary theory. If either of those statements describes you, perhaps you should stop reading … Continue reading Adam and evolution
The Supper that lasts
Communion is an enigmatic ceremony that can be misinterpreted as semi-magical. It's not. But it is a vital reminder of the core message and purpose of Jesus.
Prophecy in Today’s Church
Melt-down Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. He dared to oppose tyrants. He even faced up to Jezebel (presumed to have been the most wicked woman in the Bible). His prophecies came true, and he performed many remarkable miracles. But he was constantly plagued with loneliness and discouragement and, following his … Continue reading Prophecy in Today’s Church
Your kingdom come
This, then, is how you should pray ... your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9,10 NIV “Your Kingdom come" Is not a dream of realms beyond the sun, where angels sing and all is good, and God's will's always done. No! It's a call for massive … Continue reading Your kingdom come
A fruitful life
Side-linedJoan wasn’t unknown, at least, not in her home range. But you probably never heard of her. She was kind, generous, hospitable, and popular – but increasingly forgotten as age side-lined her from the youthful mainstream. Most of us fade from sight as we grow older. But her funeral, in June 2019, was well attended. … Continue reading A fruitful life
Prophetic paradox
Don’t speak to me again (Based on 1 Kings 19:3-13, Jeremiah 20:7-9, Jonah 1:1-3, 4:1-3) Don’t speak to me again, Lord for then I’ll have to share and my words may be rejected, which is hard for me to bear. Don’t put me under pressure; don’t burden me with care. I can’t give what’s expected, … Continue reading Prophetic paradox
