Starting Again in a New Year

Well, my blogging started with a short burst but I quickly got bogged down, as distinct from blogged down. It was all the preparation for Advent and Christmas but hopefully blogging will be more regular from now on. I've finally finished Alan Spence's book, 'The Promise of Peace', and will post some further comments soon. It is a very significant contribution to the theology of the atonement and current debates. My overall response is one of real enthusiasm, and I endorse the various comments on the back cover from such as Michael Horton and Murray Rae.

Christmas was wonderful with increased attendances at all our Worship Services. Yet how to penetrate the veil of those who come only at Christmas and Easter. While we welcome them and trust God's Word to accomplish its purpose, how sad and frustrating that the true joy of Christian believing escapes them. Yet along with many Baptisms and Funerals, these C&E (Christmas and Easter) adherents are being exposed to God's Word and the worship and fellowship of his people. One never knows what God might do on such occasions and how and when he might touch their lives. I remember in my former Parish, a young man of 16 approaching me and asking to be Confirmed, just a few days after I conducted his grandmother's funeral. Who could have anticipated that? Our God is great and never to be underestimated! And the young man and his sister were confirmed along with some others a few months later, showing real interest in learning the Scriptures.

And the best thing of all,well not really but great nevertheless, in two weeks I'm on holidays for two weeks - lots of reading, walking, swimming and not much else.