Love: Sacrificial Love

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Matthew 2:11b: "...and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." 

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Welcome!

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Welcome to the Above All Love blog!   Above All Love is an online writing, preaching and creativity ministry.  A Statement of Faith Dear friends in Christ,    There are many good statements of faith and mission out there, but here is my contribution to these voices. It hopefully sums up my ministry in some measure.    1. Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, and apart from Him the true God can not fully be known, worshipped, or acknowledged. Jesus is fully revealed as the God who is love and whose gospel is peace.    2. Salvation is by faith in the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from all human works and character. It is by Grace we are saved not by works, it is a gift from God, obtained through faith.    3. It is the supreme obligation of every saved person to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. We will fail no doubt often in this for we are mere humans - but our aim should be holiness. The two golden rules are to...
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Take Heart: A Catechism

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Take Heart A Catechism By David Holdsworth  Authors Note: There are many good Catechisms available. But, somewhere along the line Christians in many parts of the church at large seem to have lost this age old practice of simple instruction in the format of questions and answers. In no way is this little contribution meant to take away from good Catechisms already written, but rather to be a compliment to them. This is a simple way for me to share the good news with others. It is my hope that you the reader or listener may find biblical help from the simplicity of the good news. I have included biblical proofs as standard so you may go and examine the scriptures (and indeed your heart) for yourself. Pax et Bonum. (1) Q. What comfort may be found for the believer? A. A heart that need not have trouble or fear. One that can rely on God in troubled times and that can glorify His name.  Proofs. John 14:27, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 50:15 (2) Q. What message does scriptures give to those st...
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Ares or Christós?

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What if we aren't the "goodies" after all?  What if propaganda from all sides of all conflicts reveals a darker truth?  There are no heroes only villains and their victims. The broken cisterns of this world are truly overflowing.  There are no righteous, no not one!  There never have been, for all our supposed righteousness is as filthy rags. It is a sad reality that so many, even those of the faith, seem to effectively kneel before Ares.  This idolatry of violence and war is in such contrast to worshiping at the feet of the Prince of Peace.  Sometimes it feels as if the entire world is marching toward destruction and chaos.  Worst of all is that we know the mistakes made in our histories, but we seem to learn nothing from history (other than that we learn nothing).  We do it all again and again.  Sin after sin. When posterity comes to judge us will they look upon the arms trade unchecked, the governments unhindered in iniquity and the...
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Be Still

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“Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)   Once there was an old man who took his grandson a walk in the countryside. The old man's face was creased with wrinkles. Like the rings inside an ancient log tree, each signified age and wisdom. The man, to the boys surprise stopped suddenly. He was calm, so calm the boy didn't feel it right to interrupt this moment of solititude. 'Listen', the old man said. The boy listened. At first he could hear nothing but his own racing thoughts. 'Truly listen', the man said sensing the boys difficulty. So he tried again. He closed his eyes, took a breath and opened them again. 'I hear it', he whispered. They both fell silent again and listened to the gentle winds and the birds in the trees, and further a field the beautiful sound of a babbling brook. Then they listened to silence itself. 'This my child is real worship.'...
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Upside Down

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On the road to Emmaus two fellows entered fellowship with God. 'Did not our hearts burn within us...' These fellows of the fellowship of the upper room journeyed: Sorrow? Fear? Is it over? Dead! Joy? Courage? Just begun? Alive! Turn the world upside down. He turns hearts upside down. The work is finished, but just begun. 
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From a Scream to a Whisper

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There is a scream way down deep in my heart and soul.  A primitive scream of mourning, anger and pain.  A scream that should it erupt would shatter worlds.  A scream that if possible would awaken the ancestors and echo into the generations.  A scream that would make demons tremble and angels take notice.  It is not my scream alone, but a scream of collective force.  Fires and floods ravaged the years.  War and racial tension shook the earth.  Childish leaders oppressed the innocent and child like.  The species drained the earth of life and resources.  Disease and pestilence attacked the species. 'A pale horse and the one who rides on it is death and hell follows with him.'  What can hold back such a scream?  In my minds eye I see an empty old rugged cross, an empty tomb, creation groaning in birth pains, hope even in the darkness.  In my minds eye the scream becomes a whisper, "Be still all peoples, be still creation, be ...
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Peter Has Changed

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Reading: Acts 3:1-10 Peter heals a beggar who can’t walk Peter has changed. "One day Peter and John..." John (the beloved) has brought the restored Peter who had so strongly denied Jesus along. There is a sense of being relational and intentional.  Peter has changed. "It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It was the time for prayer." They intentionally went to pray. They didn't give up praying but intentionally prayed at a given time. They went to a public place, not the privacy of the upper room but the temple. Peter has changed. "Then Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up." Peter is not drawing swords or being wildly outspoken. But, humbly and gently ministering to those in need. He is not a man of the sword but a man of prayer.  Peter has changed. (Quotes from NIRV).
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Happy Autism Acceptance Month!

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Thanks to all who supported my walk for Autism Initiatives. My challenge was 80000 steps over 8 days. I managed over 123,385, including a team walk. My personal goal was £50 and I beat this goal well thanks to kind sponsors. As a team, No6 One Stop Shop raised £1,022 + £181.32 GiftAid. Our collective goal was £500. All support has been much appreciated. Donations and sponsorships are still open until end of the month. All contributions of any amount happily received. 
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The Church is Not Closed

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Written during lockdown: Choose the fast Loose the bonds Free the oppressed Break the yoke Divide the bread Feed the hungry House the homeless Clothe the naked Darkness to light Gloom to midday Close your doors Open your hearts Church closed Church deployed Church deployed Essential Gospel Public services Gospel voluntary services Gospel homeless services Gospel food banks Graveside gospel Bands of marriage gospel message Live streams Living streams Gospel food pantry Gospel soup kitchen Gospel meals on wheels Gospel grocery drop offs Gospel food boxes Gospel nappie provisions Gospel clothes release Gospel keyworker childcare Gospel books Gospel bibles Keyworker vacancies Witnesses sign up His church will not disappear into the night She will rise on the wings of the morning Kingdom come Kingdom coming The church is not closed, The church is deployed
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Essential

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Written in the depth of the Pandemic: "I am essential!"    The preacher roars in his hundred dollar suit.  His hundreds strong holy huddle of pew warmers burst into an applause of rapture as they prepare for the second offering.  The TV channel switches to pre-recorded "Tele-Evangelist mode".  The cheers echoe through the giant money making machine.  Like an idol his image flashes across giant screens in the auditorium.    As he speaks he suddenly remembers his brother across town.    In an old tin tabernacle the gentle shepherd speaks to his flock.  "I am not essential... Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain."  He says this while ministering in a soup kitchen as he serves the needy.  Later that day he plans to do food drops and work in a care home.  At evening prayers his prayer would be as he helped refugees at the docks and prisoners in the cells.  Then at night he would minister on the ...
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