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The start of a New Year is always a time for resolutions, even though any day of the year can be a new beginning if we choose it to be! One resolution which lends itself to January 1 is reading the Bible in a year. This sounds like a simple enough task, but in reality it’s very difficult. One reason is that you reach a difficult part of the Bible in February/March time, another reason is that some of the material is duplicated (and told from different perspectives), and the arrangement of the Bible is not chronological. These three difficulties conspire to confound even the most dedicated reader, as I know from experience!

An answer to this problem is to read the Bible in chronological order, and there are a number of Bibles which set out the material in this way. One year I read the Bible through in the New International Version, although I didn’t find the associated commentary helpful as it was written by a very conservative scholar. This year I am using the Bible pictured above, which has minimal notes as you progress through. The translation is the inclusive language New Living Translation. And so to Genesis chapter 1…

This is a guest post from colleague Salvation Army Officer Jason Davies-Kildea from Australia. I’m grateful to Jason for allowing me to reproduce it here.

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia. It might be a good day to reflect on how much simpler my life could be if I would only stay quiet about the ‘issue’ of homosexuality and the church. Yet, I don’t think silence is the vocation that I’ve been called into.

I’m sure people wonder why a heterosexual man would spend the time and energy that I have done campaigning for greater understanding and acceptance of gay and lesbian people within the church and more specifically within The Salvation Army. The answer is pretty simple really – I keep witnessing people being hurt by ignorance and prejudice and I refuse to allow this situation to continue unchallenged.

I’ve lost count of the number of people that have told me how they used to be a part of the church but when they awakened to a differing sexuality, they were excluded – some quickly and cruelly and others slowly frozen out. My heart breaks when I hear of the violence inflicted on gay and lesbian people because they are different. I wonder why followers of Jesus, instead of welcoming these marginalised folk, seem to be the chief proponents of highlighting their difference, legitimising prejudice and ‘othering’. I am deeply saddened when I hear of occurrences of self-hatred, self-harm and suicide amongst LGBT people, many of whose misconceptions of their own self-worth have been driven home by ‘well-meaning’ Christians.

So, while LGBT people continue to be the victims of intimidation, bullying and violence, I’ll fight. While Christians hide their prejudice behind a handful of out-of-context scriptures, I’ll fight. While the church remains closed to my gay and lesbian friends, I’ll fight. While love comes second to man-made rules, I’ll fight to the very end.

I posted this morning about the Walk to Emmaus that’s often recalled by Christians on the Sunday after Easter. The Risen Jesus comes alongside two followers and walks with them, and when they arrived home they invited him in. The painting (showing the moment of realisation) is, like the sketch this morning, by Rembrandt and you can read the story here!

The story of the Walk to Emmaus is often recalled by Christians on the Sunday after Easter. Two followers of Jesus are walking home, and the Risen Jesus comes alongside and walks with them – a reminder that he walks with us on life’s journey. The sketch is by Rembrandt and you can read the story here! A painting by Rembrandt is featured in my next post, Supper at Emmaus.

This wedding portrait of William and Catherine is from pages 18-19 of the official programme (hence the line down the middle). You can view it by clicking here or download it here! Whatever you think of the Monarchy, I’m sure you will join me in wishing them well for the future.

The Resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. Christ’s death on the Cross was the culmination of his earthly mission and ministry, a moment of triumph vindicated on the first Easter Day. It’s about God offering us a fresh start and a new creation, hope for the dark times, and an everyday life enriched by the very life of God. So, this Easter, please consider the new life that God offers, and the challenge of living it in our day-to-day lives. It’s a positive message about a special quality of living, one that loves everyone unconditionally, irrespective of their race, colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation, faith or no faith etc.

There was excellent worship at Leicester Cathedral this morning, with a challenging and thoughtful message by Bishop Tim. Followed by fresh coffee, good biscuits and friendly company – plus Easter eggs for the children! The photo is of the Easter Garden in the cathedral grounds.

I took this picture today, and have posted it to my Blipfoto Journal and Tumblr. I’m using the opportunity to post it here to expand my thoughts and provide links to some reflective verses. The words It is finished of Jesus from the Cross were not words of defeat, but words of victory. This was the culmination of Christ’s earthly mission and ministry, a moment of triumph vindicated by the Resurrection. You can read the passage from John’s Gospel here. You can click on the following links to two readings from this book: Life and death and Cross victorious. I hope you’ll find these helpful passages to reflect on the Bible passage.

One of my current responsibilities is being part of the Chaplaincy Team at the University of Leicester. The following is taken from our publicity material, and I thought it would be helpful to share it here.

The Chaplaincy team is drawn from a wide range of Christian traditions, although we’re here for everyone – for groups and societies, for individuals, of all faiths and none. We hope to be able to meet you around the campus to offer support and encouragement, positively contributing to the life of the University, and enhancing the experience of both staff and students.

When needed, a Chaplain can be a friendly and independent listening ear – someone to confide in. Our Chaplaincy building provides a space to think, somewhere to worship or pray, a listening ear, or just a relaxed opportunity for a cuppa and chat. In addition we have work spaces, discussion groups and much, much more! Our team has a wide variety of expertise and may also be able to help in other ways. Please have a chat to one of the Chaplains and you may be surprised at our backgrounds and experience!

The picture links to our site, and you can also find us on Twitter: @UoLChaplaincy

One of the objectives of this website is to share information about books I’ve read, and a Sunday seems an appropriate day to tell you about this Christian devotional book. Alister McGrath is a Christian theologian and apologist who has the gift of clear communication with an easily readable style. In this book he takes you into his confidence about a personal experience of faith in Jesus Christ, combined with a scholarly approach.

He outlines how Christ is to be known in our minds, imaginations, hearts and memories. How he can be known in our loneliness, anxiety, doubt and suffering. He describes how he can be known through his encounters, images and benefits. Some of the barriers to knowing Christ are detailed, and he finishes the book with ways in which Christ can be known. This is straightforward Christianity without the ‘cringe factor’ and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

The Bishop of Leicester as been reflecting on the dramatic events in the Middle East and North Africa, and has suggested that we ask ourselves some important questions, even though the full consequences and significance of what’s happening cannot yet be fully grasped.

Firstly, do we need to rethink some of our assumptions about freedom within Muslim countries? The demonstrators are clearly wanting the freedoms, rights and opportunities we enjoy. Secondly, what does it tell us about about politics in an age of social networking and mass communication? People now have the means to mobilise themselves against dictators, and are “not fundamentalist Muslims clamouring for Sharia Law, but citizens who seek the freedom to voice their opinions and change their societies in very much the same way as we do”. Thirdly, what do we mean by “Western values”? Because patterns of thinking are changing in front of our eyes.

He concludes, “That is an inspiring vision for all of us. As a Christian I believe we should be praying for those who are risking their lives for change at the moment. And perhaps we should be praying too that we will have the wisdom to see and to understand the meaning of the changes that are happening and to support a vision of a more peaceful and just world”.

You can read more here!