Archive for May, 2009

Christian Web Awards

by Hugh on May 15, 2009 in Faith, Random with No comments

The Christian Web awards have a bit of a new look for 2009… a nice new yellow website, and also a slight change of focus, now it’s called “The Original Christian Web and New Media Awards”… does the inclusion of ‘original’ mean someone else is trying to rip it off and do their own awards thing…?

Anyway the categories are:

Best Christian Blog
Best Leadership Blog
Best Christian Blog (under 25)
Best Newcomer Blog
Best Small Church Website
Best Large Church Website
Best Christian Organisation Website
Best Christian Music Website
People’s Choice Award
Best use of New Media for a Christian Project
Best use of New Media for a Christian Campaign
Best use of Rich Media for Christians

You can enter now (entries close 24th August)… I will certainly enter the blog again – gotta try and retain the title… I think I will also enter the Bible by the Beach site, and might try and get a new church website ready soon…

Follow them on Twitter…

My 30 seconds of fame

by Hugh on May 15, 2009 in Current Affairs, Faith with No comments

So somehow, I’m still not quite sure how, I ended up on the Victoria Derbyshire show on Radio 5 Live (starts about 42 mins in) this morning talking about why as a Christian I wouldn’t have a relationship with a non-Christian. There was also a Jewish girl called Jade, and a Hindu guy called Amit as well as a couple of others who joined the conversation.

I only got a couple of questions to briefly say why faith is a key factor in looking for a partner, I made it clear that while there are many factors, the key factor for a Christian relationship is to look for someone who loves Jesus. I was at a bit of a disadvantage in the conversation as I was sitting in a small room by myself in Brighton while the others were up in the studio in London.

It’s an interesting discussion, but I felt it missed the point – most of what was talked about was cultural differences, Jade (the Jewish girl) talked lots about cultural differences with a Catholic boyfriend and pragmatic differnces in potential partners. So I felt the point was missed as we were seeking to discuss how FAITH is a factor in relationships… given that I was expecting to hear about what the Torah says to Jade about relationships, and what the Hindu gods say about this stuff… I was expecting to talk about what the Bible says about relationships, but we never get round to this question!

Anyway, good fun, a good experience and they taxied me to and from home which was cool.

Bible by the Beach

by Hugh on May 9, 2009 in Faith with 1 Comment

…was great! You should come next year.

I didn’t get much blogging done, but hope to get some rough talk notes up soon. In the mean time check out the new BBTB Website, you’ll find a Blog, posting conference snippets, a few freebie talks, online shop for media sales (�1 downloads coming soon), and a few pics from the event.

You’ll also find a little promo video for 2010. Alistair Begg is already confirmed to come and do the Bible readings, and we’re hoping that the Getty’s will join him to lead the music. You can expect to see another strong line up of speakers and seminars next year.

Tighnabruaich

by Hugh on May 8, 2009 in Life with No comments

Having a quick break away in Scotland… this is the view from the top of the hill… nice.

Terry Virgo � Mark 6

by Hugh on May 2, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Terry Virgo

On Saturday night at Bible by the Beach we welcomed Terry Virgo from Newfrontiers to speak, he spoke on Jesus walking on the water… here was his basic outline:

Mark 6:45-52

He sends them into the storm – he loves you just as you are, he loves you too much to leave you as you are.

He saw them in the storm – all is laid bare before him, he sees even through the darkness.

He saved them in the storm – he took the initiative, walking on water (this is truly God).

You can purchase a video DVD, an audio CD, or an MP3 download of the talk at the Bible by the Beach website.

Paul Williams � Motivated for Total Worship

by Hugh on May 2, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Here are the notes from Paul Williams’ first talk at Bible by the Beach…

Paul Williams Romans 12:1-13
We all want a bit of the gospel, all the blessings, but not so much that it changes my life.

What does it mean to be sold out for Jesus? A tame, comfortable life is not a respectable response to the gospel – worship here is about giving our whole lives.

Be motivated - by the gospel v.1 – ‘remember the mercies of God’ – we forget God’s mercy because we forget who we are, the world tells us that we’re worth it! Christian – are you gripped by the mercy of God? That’s the foundation of the Christian life, of a life sold out for Jesus.

Be worshipping – by offering yourself. Don’t bring an offering, be an offering. Jesus is the complete guilt offering, we bring ourselves as a thank offering as a response to Jesus – this is a reasonable response, a life for a life. We’re good at compartmentalising – what is your no go area with Jesus?

Be supported – by other Christians. We all need encouragement to live for Jesus. ‘Morning Watch’ – Oliver Barclay at Cambridge – encouraged one another. We should share our struggles, battles, joys to encourage each other – we need this to live total worship.

Be transformed – by the renewing of your mind. The pattern of this world (Romans 1 – we turn away from God) drags us down, God gives us over to the spiral of rejecting God. When God speaks he creates and transforms – God’s word should transform us as we study his word, as we apply it to every area of our lives. Some find the Bible boring so don’t read it, some love it, but aren’t changed by it!