I am in the process of writing a small group course for bigbible.org.uk called "Meetings with Matt" - four sessions on fundamentals from Matthew's Gospel. I have spent the morning trying to get into the character of Matthew (or Levi as Mark and Luke refer to him).
I can relate to this guy. He once worked for the government - Matthew collected taxes from those traveling the highway between Damascus and the sea, I collected council tax from local residents who generally thought it was highway robbery! Matthew was despised by his fellow countrymen, I was despised by market traders, allotment holders, football clubs, visitors to the public parks and gardens, cemeteries, you name it, at some time or other, they had it in for me as the head of the council.
Like Matthew, when I met with an incredible teacher, who wanted me to learn from Him, I was amazed that someone like me, could be called to follow this Master, this Prophet. Before long, I realised that He was more, much more. A King, a Saviour, the Lord. And all I could do was, pack up the tax collecting and follow!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Back to Blogging!
I can hardly believe it's been over three years since I have added anything to my blog. Well here goes as I attempt to write some occasionally interesting, rarely profound, but (hopefully) always positive ramblings on all sorts of topics.
As a Christian, I hope my blogs will be honest as I reflect on life as someone who has, as an adult, chosen to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Why would a young guy of thirty-something choose to even write the name of some (possibly) bearded, carpenter fella that lived 2,000+ years ago? How did this man have such a influence on human history? How come those that claim to follow Him have been some of the most amazing people to ever live and also some of the worst?
How is it that our calendars were reset as a result of His birth? Why is the book that not only predicts His life, but then goes on to chart His birth, death, resurrection and the lives of His earliest followers, always the number one best selling book - (so consistent is it's position at the number one slot, that most lists no longer include it)?
Why have so many dies for His cause? Why do people continue to suffer rather than recant their belief in what this man claimed was truth?
What makes a pretty average guy living in the UK in 2010 choose to follow this man an His teachings?
All interesting questions (at least I think so).
Surely there must be something different about this guy?
Stay tuned!
As a Christian, I hope my blogs will be honest as I reflect on life as someone who has, as an adult, chosen to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Why would a young guy of thirty-something choose to even write the name of some (possibly) bearded, carpenter fella that lived 2,000+ years ago? How did this man have such a influence on human history? How come those that claim to follow Him have been some of the most amazing people to ever live and also some of the worst?
How is it that our calendars were reset as a result of His birth? Why is the book that not only predicts His life, but then goes on to chart His birth, death, resurrection and the lives of His earliest followers, always the number one best selling book - (so consistent is it's position at the number one slot, that most lists no longer include it)?
Why have so many dies for His cause? Why do people continue to suffer rather than recant their belief in what this man claimed was truth?
What makes a pretty average guy living in the UK in 2010 choose to follow this man an His teachings?
All interesting questions (at least I think so).
Surely there must be something different about this guy?
Stay tuned!
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