The tyranny of "do more, try harder” moralism

Hello - I've had mixed experiences of these sorts of groups over the years.  Interesting article - have a read and let us know what you think...

"Are you tired of being told that if you’re really serious about God, you must be in an “accountability group?” You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones where you and a small group of “friends” arrange for a time each week to get together and pick each other apart–uncovering layer after layer after layer of sin? The ones where all parties involved believe that the guiltier we feel the more holy we are? The ones where you confess your sin to your friends but it’s never enough? No matter what you unveil, they’re always looking for you to uncover something deeper, darker, and more embarrassing than what you’ve fessed up to. It’s usually done with such persistent invasion that you get the feeling they’re desperately looking for something in you that will make them feel better about themselves.


Well, I hate those groups!"

Praying for those with depression

Matthew Hosier leads a church in Poole on the South Coast and is a formidable theological thinker.

As this article shows he is also a genuine pastor and applies some biblical truth very helpfully here for those of use who are praying for friends and family who suffer from depression.

"Anxiety and depression have reached almost epidemic proportions in Western society, and the church is not immune from this. At Gateway we have called a day of prayer and fasting today for those who are struggling with depression, but knowing exactly how to pray can be difficult. How, then, should we pray for Christians who are suffering from these illnesses? Here are a few pointers…"

Click here to read the rest of the article ... Praying for the depressed

Stanley Hauwerwaus - born into a story

Hello,

I am hopeful that you will all enjoy this article,  so I am sharing a link to it with you, and a short excerpt:

"The story of modernity is the story that you should have no story except the story you chose when you had no story. We call that freedom. But as Christians we believe that we are creatures born into a story that we haven’t chosen. I was very fortunate to be born into the story of Hannah’s Child. Part of what the book is about is my account of what it means to become part of a story that you haven’t chosen."

read the entire article by clicking here.

A new monasticism?

Given a few recent conversations between people in the group, I thought some people might be interested in this short article and book.

http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/resources/ancientfaithnewmonasticism

a baritone tune and a full house

It was good to be together last night.  My eyes shut during worship, I heard from the baritone tune that even Jon Camfield had joined us - almost a totally full attendance! ;-)


Worshipping together, bringing pictures, encouragement's, reading scripture, sharing how we are, praying for oneanother,  I was struck again that we must not lose the habit of meeting together.  When 2 or 3 are gathered in his name, he commands a blessing - the Holy Spirit comes to us, and everything changes - grace, love, and hope are available as we again see Jesus.


The strength in the diversity of us as a group, the sense of love and support and body - it is critical to our spiritual health.  


Life can be tough, it is usually tough, it seems particularly tough at the moment, and I'm glad and thank God that we are in a family - his family - and not on our own.

Big Church Day Out - Photos of the fun

Marianne's cool new converse shoes (Ebay order of course)

The main stage

Children's soft play, bouncy castles.

Marianne's precious new converse shoes

The boys do their pulp fiction dance.

Ben enjoys the festival tent
The pretty flags

Big Church Day Out - May 31st at Wiston House

Just signed up our family to join the Big Church Day Out this year at Wiston House on the 31st May.



The BCDO is a Christian musical festival featuring people like Tim Hughes, Lou Fellingham, Switchfoot and many others. The setting for this event is the beautiful and picturesque Wiston House about a 40 minute drive from Winchester.

We attended last year and had a great time, and you can see here the short thank you note I wrote!

Love it if anyone else came along.



Very much a family focus for the day - lots for the children to do.