Careers and Empty Dreams

Every Thursday I have two periods of school for "Careers" lessons. Recently we were told the principle reason for going to university was those with degrees tend to earn more money, our teacher pointed to this article from the Guardian as evidence. Don't get me wrong, I hope to go to university too but money isn't the motivation. We can swallow the world's philosophy so easily.

Here's what the Writer to the Hebrews said of Moses:

"He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of
Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." Hebrews 11:26

I don't think Moses would have chosen a career based on money, he was looking to the reward beyond this life. Don't buy into the world's empty dreams.

A Tragedy In The Making

Abortion Petition

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy"
Proverbs 31:8-9

"to attack the human being in the womb and kill him or her is to assault God. God is making the child. God is weaving a unique image of his divine glory with the purpose of imaging forth that glory in the world. Killing the child is an attack on God's glory and is treason against the Ruler of the universe."
John Piper on Abortion

"Since 1967 there have been almost 7 million abortions, now 200,000 a year, with one in four pregnancies ending in abortion. The 1967 Abortion Act is open to amendment during the passage of the current HFE Bill, so there is now a genuine opportunity to reduce abortion numbers. We must be alert as well to the agenda of the pro-choice activists, abortion providers and some MPs who will push for further liberalisation of the law."
Alive and Kicking Alliance

Please sign the petition.

Tested By Fire

Tested By Fire

John Piper

Inter-Varsity Press

£7.99



In this book Piper gives brief biographies of John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd and the fruit of the afflictions which they suffered. This book with three brief biographies is about more than gaining knowledge about the lives of other christians or reading an intriguing story. It is easily read and presents real challenges and lessons to be applied in our own lives. Suitable for all christians as it is simple to read and reinforces the crucial lesson of the link between trials and grace.

"Let go of what holds you back from full and radical service" John Piper

Available online from Amazon and Inter-Varsity Press.


P.S. Interestingly if you click on the Amazon link and scroll down, under "Product Description" it quotes from an RP minister in a certain modern, colourful publication.

P.P.S. Check out this clip from TV series ER. "I want a real chaplain who believes in a real God and a real hell!" Watch the clip on Between Two Worlds.

Prosperity Gospel and John Piper

Below is a video which I found on John Piper's blog Desiring God in which he expresses his view about the properity gospel. I reckon this is possibly one of the most powerful pieces of video on the internet. Normally I don't go in for words of preachers with music and pictures in the background but I'm making an exception in this case. I think the pictures and seeing the words written reinforces the important message and helps us to take note of what he is saying. But don't just take my word for it. Watch it below.


As always your comments are welcome.

Teddy Bear Muhammad

"A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will
then be deported." BBC News (read full story here)

This recent incident in Sudan regarding teacher Gillian Gibbons (pictured above) brought back memories to many of the Danish cartoon incident which took place over a year ago. Then the issue was also the dishonouring of the prophet Muhammad. We can easily be angered by such unreasonable behaviour or perhaps as Christians we begin to wonder if we should react in a similar way to the dishonouring of our Saviour, the true prophet, priest and king the Lord Jesus Christ. Should we take to the streets baying for blood in response to Jerry Springer the Opera, the Da Vinci Code or the upcoming Golden Compass movie? After the Danish Cartoons John Piper wrote an article which I found very helpful and I felt I should post a link to it due to the current controversey over Teddy Muhammad. Piper suggests that incidents such as this show a crucial difference between Christ and Muhammad.

CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN PIPER'S ARTICLE

My Teddy Bear (I call him Momo for short)