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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.

Like so many people, I woke up this morning to the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Interestingly, in this age of social media, I read about it on my BlackBerry while checking Facebook and Twitter. While everyone had been thinking he was hiding in a cave in Afghanistan, he was actually found living in luxury in Pakistan! This, of course, raises quite a lot of political questions. One thing that I found unsettling was the celebratory scenes in America, celebrating his death in the streets is not going to further the cause of peace. But my main reason for this post is to highlight an excellent and well-balanced press release by the Muslim Council of Britain entitled ‘Now Let the Healing Begin’.

Farooq Murad, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, made the following statement on the reported death of Osama bin Laden:

“Few will mourn the reported death of Osama bin Laden, least of all Muslims. Many Muslims will reflect on the ten years that have passed in which our faith and our community have been seen through the prism of terrorism and security. The Muslim Council of Britain has consistently stood firm against terrorism and violence, and will continue to do so. His extremism has been responsible for the deaths of many people, including many Muslims around the world. The actions of his movement which have no basis in the teachings of Islam have led to the pursuit of unjust wars and untold suffering.

Today our thoughts must be with the families of all those who suffered in the terrorist attacks around the world as well as of thousands of innocent lives lost in the wars against terrorism. It is unfortunate that his assassination has deprived them of the opportunity to see him brought to justice in the court of law.

Al-Qaeda’s ability to sow discord and mistrust between Muslims and others has caused untold damage. We must restore our belief in human dignity and peace by ensuring that we stand firm against all forms of hatred, injustices and violence.”

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.

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.

A law came into force in France today banning the public wearing of the Muslim veil. It seems to me that this position is flawed, and that anyone should have the freedom to wear what they like in public. If you get past the knee-jerk reactions, Islam can actually feel threatened by the West, and when any group feels under attack their culture and identity is reasserted. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m totally against women being forced to wear the veil culturally or religiously by a male patriarchy – but equally, I’m against a secular state forcing women not to wear it. Many Muslim women, including those I’ve spoken to, wear the veil to express their culture and religion, and are not forced to do so! Indeed, I’ve spoken to Muslim women who’ve had their veils torn off in racist attacks, and the perpetrators are rightly condemned by all fair-minded people. France, by bringing in this new law, are making the removal of the veil from women against their will somehow acceptable. So, putting aside all other questions for the moment, how EXACTLY is the French ban on the veil going to promote peace, love and understanding within society? My Muslim friends and leaders in Leicester fully support the right of Christians to wear crosses. So Christians who support the ban had better think long and hard, because I suspect they might be the first to cry foul if a secular government tried to ban the public wearing of crosses!

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.