Quick Thought: Sent to retake a lost Kingdom

Christians are undoubtedly an invading force who belong to another Kingdom.
We are not sent to conquer some foreign kingdom with the sword of violence,
But we are sent to retake a lost kingdom with the sword of love, which is the Word of God.

Dublin

We got away to Dublin for the weekend and got a good chance to walk around the city center. While Barbara grew up in the Dublin area she hasn't been into Dublin for about 15 years so she was as much of a tourist as i was and we both enjoyed the atmosphere of buskers etc. It was much different from Lisburn, and much better . . . can a northerner say that?

 Anyway here are a few snaps

Nice to see Literature from Revival Movement on the streets

Inside Trinity

The Irish Tourist

Sand Sculpture

Music Man

Molly

Some Bridge

Fasion Show - 5th June in Hillsborough Village Centre

Wise words from Robert Downing Junior

In an interview with Sam Jones in Off Camera magazine Robert Downing junior said the following
[i've 'Bleeped' a couple of words out for you guys] And i'd encourage you to go and watch or read the full interview at Off Camera

 "It’s important for me to demonstrate that I’m glad to be where I am, and I’m going to have an earnest and authentic empathy for the potential stress of doing things. I always want to be excited about what I’m doing."

Sam Jones replied: "Or else, what’s the point?"

To which RDJ said something about Sam Jones's statement that I thought was genius:

 "Right, well then the point is, you go down that rabbit hole of just being an 'Bleep' – a really lucky 'Bleep' — all the time."

 In a quick thought and probably a fair bit of guilt, i figured that we Christians can fail to actually live in excitement for the now and for what we're doing. Fail to be thankful and earnest over the circumstances and blessings we find ourselves in. We become really lucky 'Bleeps' 

[I'll replace the Bleep with wingnutt - we become really lucky wingnutts]

Our demeanor and attitude fail to reflect that we have been plucked out of the pit and have been set upon a rock. We grump and huff and cry boredom while the one who dreamt up everything in creativity that knows no equal bids us to come into His presence - that's astounding! And we can be so negative of life, of circumstances etc that  we are plainly a pain to be around. In short we are lucky wingnutts when we go down this route of thanklessness.

Sure, things may be pretty bad - i've tasted the bitter cup of real life too often it seems, and believe that the book of Job is probably the best field guide preparation manual for living - but, guys; brothers and sisters we know and are known by the true and living God, and He calls us His!

We have a reason to demonstrate that we are glad to be where we are and to be excited about what we are doing . . .

Just A Thought About Society & Religion . . .

Yesterday's events were awful. And while we cannot tar everyone of one religion with the same brush, it should raise a flag of caution through out the UK.

But i think society has shifted so much in regards to religion that it no longer distinguishing between the religions. When the events of yesterday unfolded my FB & Twitter timeline saw comments giving out about religious fanaticism and i saw people vent against religion in general. There is an upsurging opinion among society that religion (all of it) is to blame for atrocities, and that caution and/or avoidance should be made towards all who hold religious beliefs; because surely they must be nutt jobs believing fairy tales?

So when a terrible act is committed from one religion, people frown not only on it, but on christianity as well. People Forget, or perhaps have not experienced the words of Christ that His followers love their enemies and do good to those who spitefullest use us. Perhaps the only way to turn opinion is to show that Christianity is no mere religion and that love, genuine and true flows from Christ through us to them . . .

How Can You Say the Christ Is the Only Way to God?

 HT:Justin Taylor

ReVisiting Old Books

I was in our shed the other day and while my books are still all in boxes from the move, i opened one at the top and grabbed a couple of books out. They are books i've read (in the case of A Godward Life; several times) but are a reblessing.

The Secret Key To Heaven by Thomas Brooks
This is all about prayer. Challenging, insightful and a banner for Christ saturated and focused prayers.

A Godward Life by John Piper
This is a collection of thoughts from Piper. Sort of usable as a devotional, with short chapters it's good food for thought. The pages are falling out of my copy so i have to keep re organizing them, but for this style of book it's been for me a nice one to return to through the years.


Do you re read? And Which Books have you found you do this with?