Irreverend

What if God told you your Church was guilty of spilling innocent blood? 😱🤔

I know... that was exactly my reaction as God broke out the news to me this week during our monthly day of prayer and fasting...

The pharisaic spirit is a murderous spirit, and the blood of its victims cries out before God! The bad news is that we cannot change the past. The good news is that we can wash it!

Read more about this on my blog:
Here ➡ https://www.irreverend.me/2023/07/when-church-spills-innocent-blood.html

Link in bio

A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian! Not because prayer is powerful, but because connects us to the almighty God.

However effective prayer comes at a personal . As King David once put it as he sought to plead God for the land, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24)

Worship and prayer may have changed format, but the principle remains - prayer is effective when it costs us. When it costs us sleep, food or convenience.

How can we expect heaven to move, when we ourselves can't move out of bed or off the couch to pray?

Once upon a time in New York (1956) before the World went mad...

No matter, happy Passover Sunday everyone. Our mess can be turned around because Jesus dealt with it! He died the death we all increasingly deserve, that we might have life and a second chance at making it right with God and one another.

"The Greatest Man in history, had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

His name is Jesus."

Is God male?

The Church of England is considering the use of gender-neutral terms for God. Should it even be a question? What's the reason behind the debate? How should we respond?

Read about it in my latest blog: https://www.irreverend.me/2023/04/is-god-male.html

"It is not necessary to move with the times in order to address the times. On the contrary, we are not called to endorse but to challenge the presuppositions, values, ideals, standards and lifestyle of our non-Christian contemporaries while at the same time restating the gospel in a way which resonates with them and which offers them a viable and attractive alternative" - John Stott, 1996

Moral bankruptcy should be celebrated! And if you don't... Well you're a bigot!

Isn't it absurdly ironic to mention and in the same breath as "live and let live"?

The world should be glad I'm not in charge of the fire and brimstone department!

I'm dying! 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks you South Park for bringing some light in these very dark days.

AI Jesus is PROBLEMATIC...
After few months of testing, discussions and reflections it is clear to me that, while incredibly helpful (and a source of infinite MEMES!!!), AI carries inherent flaws that render its application to "Religious life" (whatever that means) very problematic - from issues of inaccuracy and bias, to outright incompatibility with the spiritual nature of religious activities.

Check out my full blog post about it HERE - https://www.irreverend.me/2023/02/ai-generated-jesus-is-problematic.html

"Radical gender ideology will not survive the test of reality"

I've been saying it for years and now we are finally seeing considerable consequences for those trying to enforce these "fantasy" ideologies on society. Whereas they may thrive in the realm of theoretical utopia, they fall like a house of cards in the realm of implementation.

With regards to the UK, this is the very first time that we see a prominent political head roll as a direct consequence of these views - something that I am sure will sound alarm bells beyond the political sphere.

Could this be a long-time-coming turn of the tide?

By the way, excellent analysis on Nicola Sturgeon's resignation by the The Telegraph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D89hd-IbHKw

Nicola Sturgeon's flailing over trans issues has been her undoing | Camilla Tominey analysis Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/customer/subscribe/digitalsub/...

The Bishop's decision only paves the way for a major split in the Anglican Church - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0e52c850-a989-11ed-9c9e-78cbfe4237a1

Access the full article here too https://archive.is/paAXZ

Gay blessings ‘out of step with Bible’, says former Archbishop of Can…

Marriage just works!

The published a brilliant article by about the tragedy of divorce as experienced by and his three sisters. Phillips cites a recent study that shows that 44% of children born in the early-2000s were not brought up by both parents for their whole childhood; this is more than double the percentage in 1970.

As the rightly points out, "The evidence is clear, in almost every area of life, across demographics and socio-economic divides, children live happier, healthier lives when they are raised by their married mum and dad. [According to] ONS statistics [...] children between the ages of five and ten are twice as likely to have mental health issues if their parents cohabit rather than marry, and nearly three times as likely if they are raised by a lone parent.

If we truly want to be a society that we must be brave enough to put away personal agenda and follow it to places that radical liberalism finds repugnant. It's only the truth that will set us free!

The more I engage with the debate surrounding and the definition of in the Church, the more I realise that the issue isn't one of interpretation OF but approach TO Scripture - as the inerrant Word of God.

This is a fundamental question that has only arisen during the age of "enlightenment" and that, given its nature, cannot be dismissed in the name of peace and unity on the basis of "agreeing to disagree" for its repercussions affect the very foundations of our Christian faith. Put simply, if Scripture was wrong about such issues, what else is it wrong about? As such, this question presents Ecclesiastical traditions and denominations currently divided over this subject with a very real danger of schism.

On this point, I argue that amicable separation may not only be the only possible way forward, but a divinely intended way forward. Over the centuries, the Church has had the tendency to stray from God's "straight and narrow" in either matters pertaining the person and work of the Spirit, or Biblical doctrine (i.e. Spirit and Truth). Every time such diversions occurred, God responded with attempts to realign his people to that original "straight and narrow." That's when, historically speaking, Church traditions and denominations experienced splits that resulted in the branching out of new Christian expressions which, overtime, became their own traditions and denominations. Significantly, it is those branches that embraced the original (and counter-cultural) "straight and narrow" of Spirit and Truth that went on to grow and surpass their now declining stems. Could this be God's way of cutting off those fruitless branches that refuse to obey and follow his standard? I am convinced that is the case.

One thing is sure though - God honours those who honour him through obedience. This is true individually as well as corporately. The Christian expressions that will be judged as faithful in God's eyes will not only stand the test of time but prosper, while all the others will slowly but surely wither. For God's ultimate commitment isn't to individuals or denominations, but to himself and his purposes on earth.

Irrespective, there has never been a better time to return to expository teaching and to reiterate WHY we believe in the inerrancy of Scripture.

BREAK THROUGH OR BE BROKEN THROUGH!
We all long to see God breaking through tough and seemingly immovable situations. But the truth is that the "God of Breakthrough" (El-Perazim) is ultimately a God who breaks through whatever stands in HIS way - be it friend or foe, Satan or even the Church! For God, while being gracious and compassionate, is ultimately faithful to himself - "for he cannot deny himself."

As such, when faced with the pressure to compromise, conform or simply cut corners the Church has a simple choice to make. Either obey and so experience God breaking through for them, or disobey and experience God breaking out against them. David learnt this the hard way, as he cut corners out of convenience and a young man named Uzzah died as a consequence - "...Because you did not carry [the Ark] the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule" (1Chron. 15:13)

It is only those who keep "submitting to God" no matter what that will be able to stand firm and see the enemy flee. "This is the way, walk in it" (Isa 30:21)

It's no surprise our society is going through an IDENTITY CRISIS after ditching the God in whose image we've been created.

As the prepares to make an apology to the LGBTQ+ community for historic "rejection, exclusion and hostility" they suffered by the Church, I'm reminded of Jesus' words to the woman caught in adultery: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more."

Brilliant little video on REAL INFLUENCE and the necessity of meaningful and God-ordained relationships in strategic places of power.

Influence - Elijah & Obadiah Do the Influence Course in your locality - http://www.influencecourse.co.ukhttps://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk"The difference between making noise and ha...

Has anyone noticed that those who are most vocal about what the Church should look like are never called to lead one? I wonder why... 🤔

The world would rather repent of its offence against an angered "mother nature" than its unrepentant rebellion against the righteous Father God...

The wicked don't hate evil, they just love evil more than good (Ps. 52:3)

Those who think "Christmas is about Christ" should check their history - for the truth is that it was originally a pagan winter-solstice "rebirth" celebration converted into a nativity festival by Anglo-Saxon Christian Missionaries in the 8th Century.

For this reason, many Christians across nations, cultures and denominations refuse to celebrate Christmas - something that I totally respect as long as they stay consistent with their belief: that is, don't stuff their face with turkey or give presents to their children "so they don't feel they are missing out."

However, if like me, you just want to make the most of one of the very few occasions Western society would attend Church, you are going to make a big deal of it and preach the good news of Jesus with every mince pie!

But something that REALLY bugs me is seeing SANTA AND HIS MERRY ELVES SHARING THE STAGE WITH JESUS - often in ultra-expensive Christmas productions. While I appreciate their traction and the fact that eventually Jesus is going to be presented to the attendees, I just think it's counter-productive to present mythological figures side-by-side with Jesus. Already the West hardly considers Jesus a historical figure, let alone the Son of God! And seeing him alongside someone that somehow manages to reach every child on the planet in 24h on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeers and climbing down chimneys that nobody has and despite his oversized "belly full of jelly" just doesn't help our case the rest of the year!

Anyway, how does everyone feel about this? 'Cause what I feel is telling the western Church to be better and be different!

It takes a MAN OF REST and a SEASON OF REST to build God's house - as God's choice of Solomon over David to build the Temple indicates. Some of us may long to see Kingdom advancement in our days but may be called to simply lay the ground for future growth by slaying the "giants" that would oppose it and prepare a season of rest for children of rest. We may long to beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks, but so is the life of those anointed to be warriors - and ultimately we wouldn't have it any other way.
"You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God" (1Kings 5:3-5)
"Blessed be the LORD my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1)

John the Baptist moved in the spirit and power of Elijah but, unlike him, never performed any miracles. Elijah was taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire, but John was beheaded for calling out Herod's sin. Yet, Jesus identified John as the greater... Let that sink in.

Then read this...

How Is the Least in the Kingdom Greater Than John the Baptist? Just in case you've forgotten how blessed you are as a new covenant Christian, ponder Matthew 11:11.

Once again faith in God is proven to be the best choice for life both sides of heaven. Glad to see research and articles like this taking matters of faith seriously and without secular bias. Could it be that the myth of secularism is crumbling?

Beyond beliefs: does religious faith lead to a happier, healthier life? The stress-reducing, life-extending benefits of religion can offer useful strategies even for non-believers, say scientists

Despite the latest Census figures, the Church is still growing at the fastest rate against no-faiths and other-faiths. Read all about this growth hidden under a swamp of statistical irrelevance in my blog - https://www.irreverend.me/2022/12/Is-the-church-dead.html

I know she's gone for good, but there's still a lot we can learn from her. Check out the 5 leadership mistakes Liz Truss made that every leader should avoid!

Read all about it in my blog - https://www.irreverend.me/2022/11/learningfromliz.html

Irreverence is not only a means to challenge the established but a powerful tool of reformation. The world is in desperate need of leaders that will break the rules while keeping the law.

Read about it in my blog - https://www.irreverend.me/2022/10/httpsirreverendblog.blogspot.comHolyIrreverence.html

We've been "remembering" since the 1920s but not much change has appended since. The problem isn't with remembrance though. Remembrance is an objectively positive practice that helps us take stock of our past with all its failures. However, learning from the past is useless unless it leads to change. Remembrance isn't enough unless it's followed by action.

On this Armistice day, let us remember that the real conflict is not outside of us, but within. Unless we learn to make a habit to look in the mirror and pursue change within us, peace with ourselves, others and in the world will never be achieved.

While I certainly acknowledge and praise Welby's wise and balanced response to such a controversial topic, this debate continues to reveal a typically western, individualist and overarching overspill in matters of faith - namely that Christ should be changed to "who we are", rather than the other way around... While everyone must be "welcomed, respected and cared for" ultimately being a Christian means following Jesus - not taking him with us. Baptism and faith are great but not enough. Without confession, repentance and obedience they are meaningless. If the CoE will not be clear on this undergirding foundation, it will only be a matter of time before "the vast majority" of their Churches/Christians will split and leave. Unity is worth fighting for, but followers of Jesus will just follow him - even if that means walking away

Lambeth Call on Human Dignity: Read Archbishop Justin's remarks | The Archbishop of Canterbury The bishops at the Lambeth Conference spent time in discussion and prayer over the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity today after hearing opening remarks from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Read the Archbishop's opening remarks here.