All About Scripture

There are lots of "Verse of the Day" services out there on the web, so I haven't created a new one. Rather, I have created a 'block' for Moodle websites, which lets you display the BibleGateway.com Verse of the Day on your courses.

It only supports a few versions so far, and it's only in English, but I am sure things can be improved soon enough!

Click here for more info.

A busy festive period, with lots of family and work commitments, and a new relationship in my life (hello Katie! :-) have kept me rather distracted for a while... but we're back now, and ready to go!

I'll be organising a new series of virtual Bible studies to be held in Second Life, although the exact topic is yet to be decided, and I'll try to post more interesting studies and stuff here.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

First of all, let me wish you all the very best in Christ for a blessed and beneficial 2009. The past year has seen many things happen, including some quite daunting financial situations which have had an international influence, but of course we needn't fear anything this world can bring, if our trust is in God.

After a particularly challenging virtual Bible study, I felt it good to write about the true nature of how we learn from the scripture, and how we gain maturity in it. This seems to be an issue which is widely misunderstood, with some folks thinking they are not clever enough to read the Bible, and others believing they have a unilateral expertise in it. My answer to both issues is the same...

Background of the song

Several weeks ago, I started strumming something randomly on my guitar, and a few lines came to mind. I played it for a while, but then almost forgot about it. Over the past couple of days, it's been coming back to me, and now the lyrics have formed into the following. I have a definite tune in my head for it too, and I'll try to write in the chords later (and maybe upload a recording too).

I remember a disheartening occasion, shortly after the "Harry Potter" books started gaining popularity, when I walked into a book shop and saw a "Teenage Witch Kit" for sale, prominently displayed alongside Bibles and other 'spiritual' and 'self-help' stuff.

Why was it disheartening? Because that kind of stuff leads people away from God, and more worryingly, right towards the devil. I am not meaning to suggest the Harry Potter books will turn people into witches or whatever, but I think it's important to get folks (especially parents) to really think more clearly about the content of media, which is why I'm writing this little study.

The following verses pretty much sum up my attitude towards a good deal of theology:

"I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power."
1 Corinthians 4:19-20 [NKJV]

A lot of the time, theology is nothing but words. I mean no disrespect to theologians, as I'm sure there are many out there with a healthy faith and a healthy relationship with God. However, most of the 'theologically' minded people I meet use theology in somewhat unhealthy ways, and in the wrong context.

I was reading part of a Christian woman's testimony online recently (I will not mention exactly who), and as I was reading, the Holy Spirit really emphasised to me the issue of being careful about what I see and think about.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23 [NIV]

Looking at the dates on here, I realise it has been a full 3 weeks since I last posted anything. Oh dear! I must do some catching up...

As of today (1st October 2008), I am starting a weekly virtual Bible study class in Second Life ®. This course will last 10 weeks, meeting every Wednesday at 12noon SLT/PST (8pm GMT), lasting for about half an hour (although you are welcome to stay behind to chat afterwards!). Use the following SLurl to teleport to the venue at the Illumination Island Library:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Illumination%20Island/107/191/33