In London for Alpha Leadership Week

Holy Trinity Brompton has a record of taking over dying churches and bringing them back to life. In addition to these three, they have planted 21 others.

 

The Original Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), birthplace of the Alpha Course

 

HTB Onslow Square - Rocking Youth Worship

HTB Queen's Gate, serving meals to the homeless.

 

 

What could possibly be the reason for their success. (Hint: it's not because they try to appeal to the popular culture by compromising on issues of morality or the message of the Gospel.)

 

Take Care

The Umportance of Ejakayshun

Miss Teen USA contestant from South Carolina answers a question.



And gets applause!

Take Care

Two Parents are Better Than One - Research

From here...

A new study out of the University of Calgary is suggesting that two parents may be better than one when it comes to learning and memory in their children.

Frankly, I'm surprised the story even saw the light of day, considering how politically incorrect it would seem to be in this culture. However, one significant and obvious question was indeed ignored:

The scientists divided mice into three groups:

1. Pups raised to adulthood by one female
2. Pups raised to adulthood by one female and one male
3. Pups raised  to adulthood by two females. 

They then waited for the offspring to reach adulthood to find out if there was any impact on brain cell production.
The study also revealed that the advantages of dual parenting were also passed along to the next generation, even if their offspring were raised by one female.
The researchers say the data provides evidence that parenting and the environment directly impact adult brain cell production in the mice model and that it is possible similar effects could be seen in other mammals, such as humans.

The question being, how did those raised by two females fare compared to those raised by one female and one male. Wouldn't it seem natural to answer that one?

Apparently not.

Take Care

 

A New Day (Updated)

A group of us have officially left our Anglican Church of Canada parish to form a new congregation (now - "Christ the King") in the Anglican Network in Canada, a more theologically orthodox denomination but still within the Anglican Communion.

Many such church splits across Canada have been marked by bitterness and anger on both sides - even spitefulness by some, but that has not been the case here, I don't believe. At least not to as great an extent as in some cases. We even had a service of leaving and blessing for the benefit of both those departing and those staying. I will say it again that St Paul's Edmonton has been the most wonderful Christian community I have ever known, and what has happened to tear it apart is both painful and disgraceful.

Yes, there has been anger. On my part it was not toward our leaders, or those who decided to remain, but toward those who were responsible for promoting and passing the motion allowing the Bishop to bless same-sex unions at last fall's Synod. That is what destroyed our church, not those within it who held differing opinions. But pass it did, and those responsible knew it would cause a split, but they did it anyway. That is what angered me - the deliberateness of it all.

But the time for anger is past. It is time to move on, each gracefully going his own way. My only hope is that each of those who stayed did so out of genuinely held convictions of faith, not for reasons of convenience or personal attachments to either people, buildings or institutions. I believe those who left did indeed do so because we were sure we were following God's call to stand firm in our faith.

The one thing a genuine Christian should never be heard to say is, "I know I should (or shouldn't) but..." That indicates a compromise of one's faith, and our very faith has been built on the shoulders of those who did not compromise in the face of attack or opposition.

Take Care

Sympathy for Rapists

From Here...



Rape is wrong. Period.

But our sexually entitled society is playing itself out in so many other ways as well, so that every sexual desire seems to have a "right" to be satisfied. There seemed to be as much concern for the poor rapists and what they have done to their future in this story as for the victim.

Having said that, however, where is the parental guidance in all of this, both to raise their children to know that rape is wrong, and to be aware of their sons' (and daughters') attendance at an under-age drinking party. Yes, the young men concerned have blown their futures out of the water, and that is very sad indeed. And in the end, they themselves are entirely responsible, but who, or what else is?

Why and how have we come to the point where sexual activity, for 16-year-olds, is such an ordinary and expected part of their lives? The consequences for the general direction of our society's moral standards run deep.

Meanwhile, the chipping away of those moral underpinnings that have built and hold together a healthy society are continuing apace.

Take Care

Being a Christian After the "Arab Spring"

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death

This morning I received this e-mail from a friend who is involved in an Arabic-speaking Alpha. It speaks to something I have posted on before - the danger of getting involved in something before we completely understand it - in this case the so-called, "Arab Spring," which, I gather, was supposed to result in freedom and democracy in the Arab world. Well... some Arabs are not so free.

A Hero in Libya  

This morning I received the news that my brother and friend Ezzat was killed in Libya He was arrested, tortured and killed by the Libyan authority His crime was sharing the Good News with others He left his wife and two kids Ezzat is a hero. Heroes cannot throw out dangers but they can throw out fears. We mustn't disgrace our life in Christ by standing in fear of death. Death is no more than transforming us from mortal status to eternity and immortality. Death is not the end of their story but only the next chapter. Will our actions continue impacting the world after our departure? Will the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind and the bruised, hear the name of Jesus and receive the salvation of Jesus long after we're gone? Heroes who have lost their lives in battle will not be forgotten. Those of us who knew Ezzat best will tell stories of his bravery, his heroism and his sacrifice. Ezzat was steadfast throughout torturing and embraced death with a smile and peace. He is gone from this life but he will not be forgotten as he will live on within us. He has taken his place in heaven and will spend eternity with God and with those whose hearts are brave, good and full of love to God just like his own. Heroes like Ezzat have made us better people and for that, we should be grateful. His memory will live on through us and it is our privilege and responsibility to ensure he is remembered forever for how honorably he lived, how bravely he broke through the powers of darkness strongholds and how honestly he loved his savior. We will carry the memory of those heroes of faith in our hearts forever, we will celebrate their lives and we will cherish the memories of their tremendous loyalty, unwavering convictions and deep true love for Jesus. For the powers of darkness in Libya, they might think that they get rid of one of God’s light bearers but as a matter of fact we can now be more confident than ever that Libya is for Christ. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep his wife and kids hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Hallelujah

My heart aches at this news. Let us in the west never confuse societal disapproval or anti-Christian attitudes with true persecution.

See my previous posts here and here...

Take Care

New Youth Alpha Promo

See the promo first, then stay tuned for the, "blooper reel."



Youth Alpha

Take Care