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Bible Translation

Where does the financial crisis take us?

Philip Yancey has written a terrific article for this month’s Christianity Today. It is well worth reading the whole thing, but he concludes by saying: Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and we know that heaven will include no homeless, destitute, or starving people. As […]

Categories
Observations

A Balanced Lifestyle and Snowflakes.

So to all my British friends who are struggling with snow and worried that they cannot get into work – relax and enjoy it – you will probably accomplish more this week than ever because of it and maybe in the process discover something of the rhythms and the wonder of a God who created […]

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Church: UK

Where is Christianity Heading?

Two completely differing views of the future of the Church in Britain have come across my sights today. Firstly, Tear Fund have published something saying that church attendance has increased in the UK (I mentioned this last week – but there was nothing on their web site at that point). ‘We have noticed that in […]

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Church: UK Observations

A True Gent

Plenty has been written about the heroics of Captain Chelsey Sullenberger in landing his plane on the Hudson river without any loss of life. A slightly less spectacular story about him caught my attention today: a few days after the crash, Captain Sullenberger wrote to his local library to tell them he had lost one […]

Categories
Africa Observations

Ndop visit 1

It’s Sunday 1 February 2009. In Melbourne, Nadal and Federer have just completed yet another Grand Slam Final. This afternoon But first thank you to Eddie for allowing me to guest on the Kouya Chronicle during my sabbatical trip to Cameroon. In July 1997 we were just home after eight years teaching in Vavoua International […]

Categories
Observations

Whatever You Do, Don’t Pray!

I’ve commented a recently that it is good to have the opportunity to discuss issues of faith and belief in the public sphere. But the case of nurse Caroline Petrie demonstrates that we need to be careful about the way in which we are open about our faith. Caroline was recently suspeded from her job […]

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Observations

Who You Gonna Call?

Derby’s new super-hospital is making a chaplain available following reports of a ghostly figure in the building. Staff at Derby City General hospital, where a £334m building project is ongoing, have reportedly seen a mysterious apparition in the building. Managers said they took information from staff seriously and were working with the chaplaincy to ease […]

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Politics

Of Madagascar and Mayors

Madagascar’s opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has proclaimed himself in charge of the country’s affairs, following days of violent protests. “Since the president and the government have not taken their responsibilities… I will run all national affairs as of today,” he said. The mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, is locked in a power struggle with President […]

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Do Not Use

Minority Language Work is About More Than Translating

This excellent video about minority language work in Bangladesh (featuring my good friends Paul and Catherine) gives an excellent overview of the health and development benefits of minority language work. Biblical mission is not just about proclaiming the Gospel, it also involves bringing health and wholeness to communities through our actions.

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Church: UK Politics

Labour Does Do God After All

A few years ago, Alistair Cambell famously stated of the labour government “we don’t do God”. Well, apparently they do now! Stephen Timms a government minister said the following in a recent speech: ‘What I want to argue today is that the faith communities offer a rich resource of hopefulness which, in progressive politics, we […]