A brief personal reflection on Reformation day

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#reformation500 #reformation #reformationday. 

Today I will reflect upon my own personal reformation, celebrate the faith, mourn the divisions within Christianity and hope for a new reformation. 

The Reformation contributed significantly to the end of medieval Christendom and sparked reforms that are foundational to Protestant traditions and modern Catholicism. That we must all celebrate.

I have a dream; that the church may be one. That all those who know and love the Lord can share communion together. Until that day we must mourn. ‘I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.’ John 17:22. 

‘I think that the intentions of Martin Luther were not mistaken. He was a reformer... he made a medicine for the Church.’ #PopeFrancis 

We would all do well to drink that medicine again. We should reflect upon and hammer that thesis upon our minds. 

Finally, today I will hope for a day when His church #Catholic (Universal) is filled with both the word and Spirit.

#maranatha 

#solascriptura📖 #soladeogloria #solafide #solachristus #solagratia

Amazing Iceland for the World Cup!

Thought for the day:

For a moment forget the #GAWA

Iceland became the smallest nation ever to progress to a World Cup after beating Kosovo to win their qualifying group for Russia 2018. They have a population the size of Belfast!

Yip, about 335,000ppl.

How does that happen?

Let me give 5 reasons:

They show fierce loyalty to their country with T.V viewing figures watching the national team is one of the highest percentages in the world. 

They have the shortest football season in the world. Allowing players to rest and recover.

Over 110 Icelandic schools have artificial mini-fields  , 7  having indoor pitches. (My sons primary school in Belfast didn’t even have grass to play on!)

From as young at 6 years of age the children are coached by qualified paid coaches.

They don’t play football for fun so much as play to win. They are very competitive and passionate about sport.

Let sum that up:

loyalty, avoid burnout, provide excellent facilities, invest in their young people and passionate about what they do. 

Flip! You could plant a church on those principles! 

Reflection: your church may be small numerically  (so is Iceland) but imagine what you can do if you invest in what you have.

Well done #Iceland.