Category Archives: Christianity

Good Friday

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I can’t quite believe that it’s Easter already, this year has gone by so quickly. I have managed to stick to giving up chocolate for Lent though, even if it did mean that I couldn’t eat the gorgeous smelling dinner that my sister cooked earlier this week (who puts chocolate with Turkey?!). I’ve also mostly managed to stick to the two books that I started reading for Lent. I’m not at the end of them yet, but I’m just going to carry on reading until I’ve finished.

As it’s Good Friday, I wanted to share my favourite Good Friday Bible verses with you:

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. –Matthew 26:39

My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. –Matthew 26:42

This verse comes from just before Jesus is arrested, when he goes to Gethsemane to pray. He knows what is going to happen and why, and he is willing to do it to save the rest of us. It’s something that I need to learn, sometimes God wants you to do something and you just need to realise that if it’s God’s will, there’s a reason for it and you just need to get on with it and stop fighting against it.

As it’s Good Friday, I’ll probably watch The Passion of the Christ tonight. I first watched it a few years ago with my parents and we had to stop half way through as we were all so upset by it. I’ve watched it every year since, and it’s always a struggle to get to the end. Seeing everything so brutally on screen just hits home how big the sacrifice was. But it’s not something that should be avoided, in fact, I should make more of an effort to remember it all year round.

 One last thing, seeing as though it’s Good Friday, I’ll share a bit of my good news. My Dad and I have been on a new plan to eat healthily and go to the gym more often, and since Christmas I’ve lost 39 pounds and my Dad has lost 30 pounds. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m very pleased with myself for keeping up with it. Let’s just hope we can avoid too much chocolate after Sunday!!

John 14:27

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John 14:27
I’ve had this in my head the last couple of days, I’m finding it quite comforting. It’s also reminded me that I’m a bit behind on my two Lent reading books, I’m really enjoying those, particularly The Purpose Driven Life, so I need to get back into them again.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Review: Rob Lacey – The Liberator

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Rob Lacey - The Liberator As I have already read this book a few times, I knew it was going to be great, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Every time I read it I get something different out of it, and this time I finished the book feeling more connected than I have in a long time.

If you don’t know, The Liberator is a re-telling of the life of Jesus, but the language in the book is brought completely up to date, Lacey was definitely not afraid to change it up a little. It make the book very easy to read (once you get used to the new language he has used – e.g. Prophets are called God’s Couriers, and the temple is referred to as Religious HQ). Here’s an example from the book, from Matthew 5:17-18:

It’s time to rumble the rumours: I’m not here to bulldoze through Moses’ Big Ten Rules. I’m not here to do a character assassination job on God’s Couriers. I’m not here to finish off the Instruction Manual. No, I’m here to complete it. Straight up, on the level, nothing’s getting deleted from Moses’ Contract – not the smallest dot from your paper print-out, not the tiniest pixel, not the faintest watermark – zip. Not till every ending, from main theme to smallest subplot, gets wrapped up and filed under ‘C’ for ‘Complete’.

Compare this to the NIV, and you can see the difference:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Throughout the book are little fictional pieces, for example articles from a newspaper called ‘The Jews News’, and interviews with people from the time. It’s all very fun, and does help you see deeper into the story – a very clever idea.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, Lacey was battling cancer when he wrote this book, and he passed away shortly after it was published. It’s a shame, as he was truly talented and had a natural gift for communication and explanation.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to get into the Bible or find out more about the life of Jesus, or to anyone who has read the Bible many times and wants a refreshing take. If you’ve read this book and liked it, I would also highly recommend The Word on the Street – another book by Lacey in very much the same style, only this time he takes on the whole Bible – a very worthwhile read!

5/5

Lent Reading: Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life & John Piper – The Passion of Jesus Christ

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For lent this year (as well as giving up chocolate again), I’ve decided to re-read two books that I’ve read and loved in the past.

Rick Warren - The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

This book is handily split into 40 sections/days (although I’ve started a bit late so I’ll have to double up for a while, or finish a bit late). I’ve read it in the past, the first time was when I was part of the youth group at City Church Leeds, and it’s basically 40 days to reconnect with God and rediscover why he put us all here, what your life is about. Some people might think it all sounds a bit airy-fairy, but it was great the last time I read it, and it’s about time I read it again – maybe I shouldn’t leave it so long next time!

John Piper - The Passion of Jesus Christ The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper.

I bought and started reading this last Easter, but I never got to the end, so this year I’m determined that I will. This one is in 50 sections, so I’ll have to read more than one a day, but I remember loving what I read before. The subtitle of this book is ‘Fifty reasons why Jesus came to die’, although it makes it clear that it’s not fifty causes, but fifty purposes – fifty reasons why Christ suffered and died for us – perfect for reading during Lent.

Now Reading: Rob Lacey – The Liberator

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Rob Lacey - The Liberator

I’ve read this book a few times in the past (as you can probably tell from the tatty edges of the cover), and it’s one of my favourites. I’ve not read it for a while, and I found myself really wanting to read it last night. It’s a telling of the life of Jesus as you’ve never read it before, the language used is completely modern and relatable (and sometimes a little surprising). Throughout the book, there’s also fictional interviews with characters from the story, and thought provoking questions at the bottom of many pages. It’s great as a point of discussion, but also great for reading through from start to finish.

As Lacey writes in the intro:

It’s not a Bible, but it might just get you reaching for one.

As with The Word on the Street (another of my favourites), Lacey wrote this book while he was battling cancer, and sadly passed away two months after this book was published. He’s left a marvellous legacy though, one that his family can be very proud of.

Happy New Year (or should I say Prospero Año Nuevo?)

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Happy New Year everyone – I can’t quite believe it’s 2012 already! I know everybody says this, but I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a good one!

I have a few resolutions for this year, which I thought I would share with you all, hopefully it’ll make me more likely to actually stick to them. Although saying that, my resolution from last year came true, so I’m hopeful for this year too!

  • First up, I want to continue to read my bible more often. My OwnIt365 reading plan will help, as will listening to the Daily Audio Bible podcast which I have started doing every day.
  • I really want to pick up on my Spanish again. I loved learning it when I was at school (and I used to be pretty good at it), so I’m going to get myself learning it again. It may sound weird but I do sometimes still think in Spanish, does anyone else find themselves doing that?
  • Read more – I’ve signed up for Book Chick City’s 100 book reading challenge, which is definitely going to be a challenge, but hopefully one that is a lot of fun!

I’ve decided to combine the first two resolutions by reading my Spanish/English bible. I bought it a couple of years ago (it took me ages to find), it’s basically a bible with Spanish down one side of the page and English down the other:

Spanish/English Bible

Hopefully by the end of the year, I’ll be able to read my Spanish-only bible (Santa Biblia), without needing to consult the English version or a dictionary so much.

If you’ve made a resolution for the new year, leave me a comment and let me know!