The Simple Pastor

By Phil Whittall, church planter, blogger & book reviewer

Archive of "obedience" Category

• One of the most signifcant years of my life

  December 22, 2010 // 1 Comment »

  As I think back over this past year it stands out from almost every other year. I’m not sure I can think of another year in which so many significant life shaping events and decisions have been made. It’s been a very full and momentous year (just the way I like them!).

  Here are just some of the highlights:

  January: Visited Pakistan;

  April: Ran the London Marathon for the 2nd time (here are the numbers)

  June: Began to hand over the bookshop business (completed in August)

  July: Became the father of a daughter.

  September: We visited Stockholm

  October: Completed the legal process of forming Hope Church; began a building programme

  December: Announced our intention to move to Sweden (a process that began in the spring)

  And in the middle of all that we had our kitchen refitted, a visit from our Australian relatives, been to 6 conferences, preached more than 20 times, run hundreds of miles, read more than 30 books, run baptism classes, Alpha courses, kept this blog up, had several weddings and funerals to attend and a tonne of stuff I’ve probably forgotten. What seems more amazing is that as a family we’ve had loads of fun this year (well I think so) and so life while full has been thoroughly enjoyable. So much to be thankful and grateful for.

  Categories:
  life, obedience

• Being Different in a Consumer Culture

  August 17, 2010 // 2 Comments »

  Today I have the privilege of joining the good people of All Souls Langham Place during their church week away in these wonderful surroundings to talk with them about the above title. The Rector of All Souls, Hugh Palmer did a very good series called Cash and the Christian (Do a sermon search for the series, you may need to register). Not sure what I can add, but we’ll see. Looking forward to it. Prayers would be appreciated.

  Categories:
  consumerism, culture, discipleship, obedience

• The family likeness

  July 26, 2010 // No Comments »

  I promise this blog is not about to turn into a family album despite the fact that I’m now the doting father of a baby girl. However, I’d like to show you something…

  OK, it may be just me but do they look alike? Poor kids, the midwife said they looked liked me. My church decided that grumpy, wrinkly and purple is not a good look, for them or me!

  Anyway, the point is that they (at least I think so) carry the family likeness. The father should be able to look at them and know ‘they’re my kids.’ Simple observation really, but the punch hit home. Am I carrying the father’s likeness? Do I act, think, speak, love like the Father?

  Categories:
  children, discipleship, Family, fatherhood, obedience

• Convict me Lord

  February 11, 2010 // No Comments »

  “If I cannot spare time in my day to read, to learn, to receive, to share, to be with my God can I reasonably complain that I am struggling with sin, with being a witness to the truth, that no-one I know comes to know my Lord & Saviour?

  Convict me Lord, stir me from my slumber. I am not content to simply waiting on being surprised by you O God but I want to seek your ways, know your paths, see your light burn brighter in my life which I am grateful for.

  Surely to give up the inconsequential to be with you is no hardship, no severity, no pain but instead a joy, a blessing…”

  - From the younger pastor 1997

  Categories:
  faith, obedience, prayer

• Total Obedience

  January 27, 2009 // No Comments »

  I’m really enjoying reading the Bible chronologically. I’ve enjoyed the way they’ve figured out when various people lived and died and moved the reference. Seeing that Noah’s grandfather Methuselah died just before the flood, and realising Joseph was in Egypt when Isaac died made the emotions of the story stand out stronger. Obviously the cutting and pasting can make it feel a little disjointed but so far it’s appreciated and made little things stand out to me much more. So not quite a month in and I’ve read Genesis, Job, various bits of Chronicles and other genealogies (takes the sting out of those too) and we’re into Exodus. How are your Bible reading plans going?

  Anyway at the end of each day’s reading is a short thought for reflection. I’ve just been reading about Moses’ angst in challenging Pharaoh and his stubborn heart to God (Exodus 4-8) and the thought ends with this, which struck me on all sorts of levels.
  

  “If we are to be successful in this life, then we must regard this as a central truth: there are no detours around God’s will, and anything short of total obedience in disobedience. ‘For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight’ (Eph 1:4)”

  How often do I seek detours around His will? It would be easier for me not to preach the challenges of the Word, to gloss over sin, to hope for the best rather than pray on my knees. It would be easier for me to follow the pattern of this world than to consider the alternatives. So much easier, yet Jesus remains our great example who in His prayer said ‘not my will but yours’ and who taught us in our prayers to pray ‘thy will be done’.

  Holy and blameless eh? Can I be either of those things by following my own choices, making my own calls? The answer, as anyone who knows me can testify, is a resounding no. No I’m not holy or blameless. Faults can be found. Fortunately for me, my blamelessness depends on my standing in Christ and not my own merit. Fortunately for me, the cross and resurrection applied to my life turns me from unrighteous to righteous in His sight. Grace has gripped my life.

  So as another day ends, I reflect on the things I’ve done well and the things I’ve done poorly and ask for forgiveness. Tomorrow Lord, let your will be done.

  Categories:
  bible, obedience