God calls us, blesses us, gives us victory, but always there seems to be dryness and emptiness: Elijah was faithful to the call of God, and was led deeper and deeper into the Wilderness. Sam Shirazi brings encouragement from 1 Kings 17.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27: When we run a race, it’s not about the people around us, what they are doing, even if they are better than us at what we think we should be doing. Each of us is an individual in the family of Christ; God has a particular plan for each and every one of us. So what is that plan like?

( Translation by Ian Martin)

Well, doesn’t he?

Why does God choose the imagery of a Bride and Bridegroom to describe the coming events and relationship of man with Him and His son Jesus Christ?

As Christians, the landscape of our life becomes a landscape of grace. We have to understand what this means so that we can walk the path that God has for us well.

This project was created as an expression of joy and hope over the resurrection of Jesus for Easter at Betel Church UK. The intention was to combine movement and dance as a way to paint a canvas along with the joy of children as they are given freedom to express themselves creatively. Kids don’t really need to be told to have fun. They don’t need to be told to enjoy. Children simply believe. The purity of that expression, of that joy, is a picture of the hope that springs eternal in all of our hearts at the knowledge of our risen Lord. He is risen! All the time. Happy Easter from Betel Church UK!

As the last supper ends, Jesus – about to face betrayal, his trial, his death – looks beyond it all, and makes his promise to the disciples: “the next time we drink like this will be in my Fathers Kingdom”.

In Matthew 27, Judas, the Pharisees, and Pontius Pilate all wanted to “wash their hands” of responsibility for Jesus’ blood. Each of us also searches for a way to be cleansed from the guilt of sin. But only through Jesus’ self-sacrifice on the cross can the blood of his betrayal be turned into a blood of cleansing.

What does it mean to be foolish? What does it need to be wise? Do these things mean the same now as in Jesus time? The Clash of Kindgoms continues with Mike Redding looking the parable of the ten virgins.