Malcolm Cox

Thank you so much to everyone who gave me feedback on the topic of loneliness, especially Lesley Williams.  It's a real issue. I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing Joan Mankoo on this topic today. The fruit of that is in the podcast interview - the links to which you will find below in the newsletter.

What has another week of social isolation taught me?

1. Gratitude for the church. The avalanche of initiative, support for one another and eager embracing of new ways of doing church has warmed my spirit.  My phone battery has been running down more than once a day due to the video calls I've made to other people and they to me.  Although nothing beats in-the-flesh fellowship, virtual fellowship is still pretty awesome.

2. Silver linings. Despite all the bad news, God is still working. I was heartened to hear about how the virus crisis had brought reconciliation to a friend's parents.  My prayers have been difficult at times, but different and a growth area for all that. I have learned new technologies, connecting with new people and found new ways of making a difference for the kingdom. Chris Reed and I were having a conversation last week when he posed the question, "What's been better since the Covid 19 virus crisis?". It's easy to list the things that have been worse. The truth is, when you stop and think about it, many things have been better. I wonder what those are for you?

3. Learning from other people.  Being at home has made me think differently about podcasting and video recordings. I've conducted two interviews this week (below). I might not have done that in if circumstances had been 'normal'. But those two interviews with Joan and Rolein have been very enriching. Not only that, but I've been on YouTube a lot brushing up my skills in new technology. I love learning, and this has been a tremendous opportunity.

4. The riches of God's word. I first studied through the Psalms of Ascent about 10 years ago. They had a big impact on me then. But, re-studying them for the current podcast series has helped me to see new relevance in them.  I'm also very grateful for Simon Dinning for his new YouTube series and Andy Boakye for his new podcast.  Isaiah and Galatians are coming alive for me more than ever before.

5. Reading. Truthfully, I'm still not doing as much reading as I would like. But I have been enjoying making progress in the book, "Life without lack" by Dallas Willard. I have been very taken with his explanation of how we arrive at the place where we can enjoy a life without lack (Psalm 23:1). To enjoy the maturity of such a relationship with God requires first faith (trust), then death (to self) resulting in the experience of receiving love (agape) and the ability to love others in that same way.  Of course, this is exemplified in no finer way than the life of Jesus the Christ. More on that another time and in the sermon series based on Psalm 23 I'm working on for later this year.

A final note here for any of us feeling any sense of despair. Don't let the water in. I'm paraphrasing Eugene Peterson from his book, "A long obedience in the same direction" when he said something like:

"All the water in the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside it. The same is true of evil - and God is the one who keeps us 'watertight'."This sad sight greeted me yesterday morning on my prayer walk. There's no reason for any of us to sink whilst we have the Spirit. Hold on, rescue is coming. God has promised it. We know it because Jesus lives.

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”” (Matthew 14:30 NIV11)I hope my posts this week will help you to enjoy God's companionship, and offer loneliness-busting support to others.

God bless, and stay safe, Malcolm

Something a little different. Today, my interview with Joan Mankoo. Joan is a member of the Thames Valley churches of Christ and a qualified counsellor.

I asked her to write down some tips on how to look after ourselves and other people during this period of stress and isolation. She penned a very helpful one page tip sheet which you can download here.

In the interview she expands on her thinking regarding why it's important to look after ourselves and then how we can help other people.

I thoroughly recommend Joan's sensitive, kind and faith-filled approach.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 139, Psalm 122v1 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

“Psalm 122 is the song of a person who decides to go to church and worship God”  Peterson, Obedience, 49.  This is someone who has chosen to worship.  Real worship is always voluntary.  But it is sometimes prompted by others encouraging us to worship.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 138, Psalm 122 Overview 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Ps 120 - repentance, Ps 121 - trust, Ps 122 - worship.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

Today's episode is a little different. I'm delighted to say that my wife has made this podcast.

She tackles the tricky but important subject of end of life care. Her approach is both as a Christian and an experienced doctor.

I especially commend her thoughts to you at this time while the Covid 19 virus is on the rampage.  While this topic is never pleasant, it is important.

If you have any questions or suggestions for associated topics please let me know and we might feed them into future episodes.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 137, Psalm 121v7-8

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

“The promise of the Psalm - and both Hebrews and Christians have always read it this way - is not that we shall never stub our toes, but that no injury, no illness, no accident, no distress will have evil power over us, that is, will be able to separate us from God’s purposes in us.”  Peterson, “Long Obedience”, 42.  Rom 8:35-39.   

God provides the way out and the strength, 1 Cor 10:13.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

Roelien kindly took some time out of her busy homeschooling routine to share with me what they did in the Dorset Church of Christ with the children's ministry last Sunday.

You will learn about the value of preparing the parents as much as the children, the need for simplicity and how to create meaningful interaction.

We are all rather new at this game, but there is something everyone can learn from Roelien.

Please let me know what you did where you are and what you are learning. The email is: [email protected].

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 136, Psalm 121v5-6

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Shade = Heb. ‘tzel’, ‘shadow’, "Yahweh is the shade or the source of protection for his people (Ps 121:5f.; Isa 25:4). Therefore the Psalmist prays that God may hide him under “the shadow of his wings” (Ps 17:8; cf. Ps 36:7; Ps 91:1). God promises to hide the suffering servant in the shadow of his hand in order that he can proclaim his penetrating message for a period of time (Isa 49:2). And in the latter days Yahweh’s glory will return to Jerusalem. It will be a shade from the heat and a shelter from the other elements (Is 4:6; cf. Hos 14:8)." Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.6. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 135, Psalm 121v4

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

“At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”” (1 Kings 18:27 NIV11)

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

Col. 3:1

2Cor. 4:18

Heb. 3:1

Heb. 12:2

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John