The familiar 'still small voice' might be translated 'sheer silence,' as some versions have. The Hebrew is difficult to translate exactly - and that is the point. 'Yahweh met Elijah in a quiet, inarticulate breathing - God's breath, Gods life.' www.biblenotes.org.uk/old-testament/1-Kings/17/

A touching BBC article involving Charlie Quirke, son of actor Pauline Quirke. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

‘“Holy” is the best word we have for the all-encompassing, all-embracing life of God that transforms us into a uniquely formed and set-apart people.’ (Eugene Peterson)

Judas and Theudas were examples of Zealot groups, armed militia seeking to drive the Romans out of the land. They believed in God and wanted Judea back in the hands of the people of God. www.biblenotes.org.uk/new-testament/Acts/5/

‘The two representatives of Judaism surrendered their seals of office to their Master and Lord.’ (J.Oswald Chambers, The Incomparable Christ.) www.biblenotes.org.uk/new-testament/Luke/9/

‘The greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worship’ Thought-provoking, NOT boring from the @simplepastor.bsky.social thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...

‘The combination of serving and waiting is striking, since the former is actively getting busy for Christ on earth, while the latter is passively looking for him to come from heaven. .. Thus, working and waiting go together.’ (John Stott)

I sometimes hear the comment, in considering the rampant secularisation of the UK (and beyond) that Britain was/is a Christian country. What do I think about this? blog.biblenotes.org.uk/a-stranger-o...

The apostle Paul provocatively says; ‘those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.’ Or, in my words, those who seem to be needy are essential to the well-being of the Church. children.worldea.org/interview-un...

The Bible speaks of 16 people to whom God revealed Himself in dreams. Only 5 are clearly connected with God’s covenant people. Eleven were ‘unbelievers!’ (Dr Tokunboh Adeyemo)

Explain this on your insurance Claim Form!

Jesus did not use the prefix ‘thus says the Lord,’ as the OT prophets did. His prefix 'I say to you’ is an indication of His authority as THE prophet (Deut 18.15). The word of the Lord did not come to Jesus, for He Himself was that word. www.biblenotes.org.uk/new-testament/Matthew/5/

Day after day, Russia attacks non-military targets in Ukraine & killing civilians. Time for the US & NATO to step up. #BootsOnTheGround www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...

‘The Son of God did not stay in the safe immunity of heaven. He emptied himself of his glory and humbled himself to serve. He became little, weak, and vulnerable.’ (John Stott)

I was born in 1960 too & got to choose the music at the dentist this week!

‘Charity may begin at home, but it cannot end there!’

We can do more together than apart. Great collaboration between Church networks in the notth. northerngospelproject.com/what-we-do/

Leadership is key to any organisation and especially in Churches. So, here is a great resource. www.livingleadership.org/about

‘These human but godlike creatures are not just souls, not just bodies, nor just social beings. They are all three. A human being might be defined from a biblical perspective as “a body-soul-in-a-community.” (John Stott)

Matthew, the gospel writer, bookends his gospel with lament: blog.biblenotes.org.uk/matthew-book...

Remembering the late Steve Cropper, here playing Green Onions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vwL...

‘It is clear from the Old Testament that God hates injustice and oppression everywhere, and that he loves and promotes justice everywhere.’ (John Stott)

The story behind ‘Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay' by the late Steve Cropper. A delightful short video with Ronnie Wood. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHO...

Absolutely agree with @sarahowen.org.uk on this. The derogatory comments & open racism do not belong in our society. #CallItOut !

‘Although the teaching of Jesus was not overtly political, it subverted unjust political structures, challenged oppression and promised people that there was a new kingdom, characterised by justice, in which the truth rather than political promises set people free.’ (John Stott)

‘The fact that Jesus had a very different view of power was one of the reasons why he was feared by the politicians of his day and why political leaders saw him as attacking their government.’ (John Stott)

My visit to the Dentist (Herlington, Peterborough) was much pleasanter as I got to chose the music - Classic Rock. Having dental treatment to Creedence Clearwater Revival & The Doors & Jefferson Airplane is certainly not too bad! #SetTheVolumeToStun

‘The kingdom of God he proclaimed and inaugurated was a radically new and different social organisation, whose values and standards challenged those of the old and fallen community.’ (John Stott)

Agreed. I routinely switch on news programs 10 minutes in, to avoid Trump stories!

A crisp morning in St Ives, Cambs.

Quoting William Temple; ‘the church is the only cooperative society that exists for the benefit of its non-members.’ (John Stott)

The self-defence argument is being stretched here. We probably all accept that illicit drug imports need to be stopped, but the actions of the US are pushing the boundaries of legality. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

‘God’s concern for justice, although he expects it particularly among his own people, extends beyond them to all people.’ (John Stott)

‘Jesus’s ministry to the marginalized, the demonized, the sick, and the despised reveals how he specializes in rekindling bruised and smouldering wicks back into flame.’ Strong words, and so they should be! @michellevanloon.bsky.social‬ michellevanloon.substack.com/p/i-asked-he...

Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, O Jesu, Saviour of us all, Regard thy servants when they call. Thou, grieving at the bitter cry Of all creation doomed to die, Didst come to save a ruined race With healing gifts of heavenly grace.

On Christ & politics, ‘in the other and broader sense of the word, however, his whole ministry was political. For he had himself come into the world in order to share in the life of the human community, and he sent his followers into the world to do the same.’ (John Stott)

‘…but he is also a God who desires justice and asks us, as his people, not only to live justly but to champion the cause of the poor and the powerless.’ (John Stott, Issues facing Christians today)

‘Although it is vital to be informed about the issues with which we are confronted and about which we wish to take action, it is important to be sure about the theological foundations of social involvement.’ (John Stott)

The Budget is passed & the VAT registration threshold remains at £90k, but you will find valuable content here. ... and, who knows ... maybe next year!?

‘We must not separate salvation from the kingdom of God. In the Bible these two expressions are virtual synonyms.’ (John Stott,)

'The science of leadership is one of the most prevalent forms of neo-colonialism around in the Church today.'

One of the Ambassadors for Power the Fight is Eberechi Eze. You may have heard of him!

The men at The Bridge Church, St Ives have been challenged to live with these values. Truly Immense!

'Sow the seed and entrust it to the Master Gardener. Lay the foundation and entrust it to the Master Builder'.

‘… an ordinary Christian who is struggling to think Christianly, that is, to apply the biblical revelation to the pressing issues of the day.’ (John Stott)

I bought a hot chocolate today, that's all .... ... sorry, my friend paid! #BlackFriday #BlackFridayMadness

Lessons from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 6/6 Hope enables us to look beyond this broken world. History is horrible, but there is a glorious future which is anything but!

Lessons from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 5/6 Our eager and expectation and hope is not just a blind optimism, but a hope, secure in the resurrection and promised return of Christ.

Luke twice says we need teaching and exhorting and warning; see Luke 3.18 & Acts 2.40.

‘in fact, God has more need of our weakness than of our strength.’ (Marva Dawn)