If you are a man in the South West this is not to be missed!

The Bristol Men's convention is happening in 4 weeks time in the new venue of the Colston Hall, Bristol.

If you've been before you'll know it's always a great day of powerful bible teaching that pulls no punches and speaks straight into areas of our lives where us men need to grapple with what the Bible has to say.  

It's also a really important day for those of us who are part of bigger thriving churches to be there to serve and encourage guys who are from smaller churches, and may turn up feeling discouraged. By being there we can remind them that they are part of a bigger family and help them to keep going serving Jesus where they are. 

Do put it in the diary and make if if you at all can, you won't regret it. And if you're planning on being there let Richard Mackerras or Willl Woolnough know (their emails were in recent nuts and bolts) ASAP and they can include you in the discounted group ticket.

More info here. 

Jim Packer - one of God's giants

From Mike:

Jim Packer is a hero of mine.  His book “Knowing God” was the first Christian book I ever read and the chapter on what it means to be God’s children was used by the Lord to change my life forever.  When, as an undergraduate, my faith was in tatters, it was Packer’s book “Among God’s Giants” that introduced me to the Puritans and opened a window that let in bright light and fresh air into my cramped and stuffy little heart.  That was another book that the Lord used not just to change my life but to pick it up off the floor.

So watching this interview with Jim Packer was a treat for me.  As he talks about his own conversion, his passion to go deep in his walk with Christ, and reflects on this experience of being kicked out of the Episcopalian Church in the States – simply for being true to orthodox Christianity – you realise that He is himself one of God’s giants.  We have much to learn from him. 

Pictures of the Cross - 1.The Day of Atonement

It was great on Sunday to hear how the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) prepares us to recognise what the Cross of Jesus is all about. If you missed the talk do download and listen to the recording.


I find listening to Shai Linne's music a helpful way to take in God's word throughout the day - in this track he re-tells the Day of Atonement from the perspective of the High Priest:



lyrics below

Can't begin to imagine what heaven will be like?

The fast-approaching Student Getaway (15th-17th June) will see us looking at the massive topics of heaven and hell. I spent much of last week reading about them. Turns out that we can begin to imagine what heaven will be like - last week's weather certainly helped!

One of most helpful things I read is below. If you're a student yet to sign-up I hope it will persuade you to come along and find out more - you can sign up via the link in the top right-hand corner of the Emmanuel homepage.

‘...look out a window. Take a walk. Talk with your friend. Use your God-given skills to paint or draw or build a shed or write a book. But imagine it – all of it – in its original condition. The happy dog with the wagging tail, not the snarling beast, beaten and starved. The flowers unwilted, the grass undying, the blue sky without pollution. People smiling and joyful, not angry, depressed, and empty. If you’re not in a particularly beautiful place, close your eyes and envision the most beautiful place you’ve ever been – complete with palm trees, raging rivers, jagged mountains, waterfalls, or snow drifts.

Think of friends and family members who loved Jesus and are with him now. Picture them with you, walking together in this place. All of you have powerful bodies, stronger than those of an Olympic decathlete. You are laughing, playing, talking and reminiscing. You reach up to a tree to pick an apple or orange. You take a bite. It’s so sweet that it’s startling. You’ve never tasted anything so good. Now you see someone coming toward you. It’s Jesus, with a big smile of his face. You fall to your knees is worship. He pulls you up and embraces you.

At last you’re with the person you were made for, in the place you were made to be. Everywhere you go there will be new people and places to enjoy, new things to discover. What’s that you smell? A feast? A party’s ahead. And you’re invited. There’s exploration and work to be done – and you can’t wait to get started.

I have a biblical basis for all of those statements, and many more. After examining what Scripture says, I hope that next time your hear someone say, “We can’t begin to imagine what Heaven will be like,” you’ll be able to tell them, “I can.”’

Randy Alcorn, Heaven, p.18. Available here.

The next four weeks (and a song!)

I'm especially excited about our upcoming series of talks starting this Sunday. Why? Because for the next four weeks each Sunday we're going to be thinking about a different aspect of the heart of Christianity - the Cross of Jesus Christ.

I hope you can be there for these upcoming talks. God's people gathered together remembering and celebrating His faithfulness is a wonderful thing.



Lyrics below