It…Is…Finished!

It is finished! Tremendous!!

This isn’t an effort to have people hear my voice (isn’t it wierd how your own voice sounds horrible…or is that just me?) but rather another example of some of the pure gold imparted by Gareth Lloyd one chilly december afternoon.

Slumdog Millionaire and Jesus

Last night I went to see the critically acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire, and it did not disappoint. The film had beautiful cinematography, good dialogue, a great story telling technique, and an interesting comment on destiny.

Not wanting to spoil the film, I will just point out that a big phrase in the film is ‘It is written’ in reference to destiny. The big theme is the idea that our lives are destined, and to follow our destiny is of ultimate importance.

Times of Revival?

I hope you’ve taken the time to watch the new Gareth Lloyd Interviews (and the other interviews we’ve made available for that matter). As I’ve said previously it really was an encouraging time. There were many thins for Lewis and myself to take away (a lot of which didn’t make the videos as they were buried in plenty of banter). One quote however really stood out for me. Watch this clip through to the end. The quote in question clocks in at 4:30.

Blogging, blogging, blogging…

Let me tell you about David Lang. He’s one of my favourite living composers. His music is direct, uncompromising and moving. One of his most thought-provoking and original works is called ‘Cheating, Lying, Stealing‘. Here’s what he says about it:-

The day we met…

…Gareth Lloyd, Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church Merthyr Tydfil. It was a cold day to tell the truth, but you can enjoy it all from the cossy comfort of your desk chair (or, if like me, you have an iPhone anywhere with wifi/3G connectivity).

The video clips of the interviews are over on our interviews page (did you even know we have one?) where you can also find past interviews with Kevin Adams, Pete Greasley, David Ollerton and Steve Timis.

There are some golden moments in these short videos so I encourage you to watch them all to their completion and enjoy! Hopefully we’ll all take some time to blog about a video each. Watch this space.

Referencing the proGnosis

Two years ago, I got told off for referencing a post by Tom Clewer on the proGnosis in an essay. I think it was for three reasons:

1. I was referencing a blog post not an article.

2. I was referencing a site that had ‘blog’ in the address.

3. I was referencing someone was not only also studying at WEST but also who was doing the very same module and even the very same essay question!

Things have changed now so I thought I’d see if I could get away with referencing the proGnosis!

Spiritual Irrigation from Mark 1

It’s not just ‘healing’ that this guy wants, he wants to be made clean. Since he was diagnosed with leprosy he’s been cut off in every way; physically from the city he was brought up in, socially from his friends and family who would be terrified of getting infected themselves, and spiritually from being able the go anywhere near the Temple in Jerusalem, or the synagogue in his home town. There wasn’t a single part of his life that wasn’t ruined by the priest’s words, referring to Leviticus 13, “for as long as you’re a leper, you are unclean. You’ve got to live alone in the desert, there’s no place for you here. You are unclean.”

As Post-New Testament Believers, What do we do with the Old Testament Law?

It was about a year ago when I preached on the first section in 1 Timothy, where the focus is all about the law and how we use it and how false teachers have mis-used it:

 

6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully (NASB)

A great new blog

I’ve just come across the blog of Dai Hankey… and it’s great.
Dai is a very rare character who is an odd mix of many things (he is both theologically conservative-ish and culturally radical) . But he has a clear passion for the gospel and the lost, and is one of the only people I know who us actually planting a church.
He is worth reading, and praying for.
Check it out.

10.1 reasons to be joyful

I’m liking this. 

This time out of moaning about Christendom to be thankful and share our joy with each other. So, for all those who care, here are my $0.02 (for those who work in pounds by the time you read this that will probably be equivalent to about £0.04)