Podcast appearances and mentions of adrian plass

Clayton was excited to chat to the most influential writer in his life. Adrian Plass uses humour, tears and a cutting wit to equally encourage and chasten the church.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a kind of community that our soul longs for; a kind of community we were created for. We see reflections of it in the stories we tell and the movies we make. We read about it in anthropology, see it in human history, find it in the scriptures, watch it in the early church, and hear about it in places like Africa, China and the Middle East. So why is it so hard to find in the modern American church?Special thanks to Tyler Staton, Victor Turner, Sabastian Younger and Adrian Plass for their contributions to this episode. 

Adrian Plass talks about the Father's love. Anne Glenconner explains to Michael Berkeley how she coped with the difficulties in her life. Larry Gentis continues his tale of rebellion amongst the people of Israel. MUSIC 1. Edinburgh University Singers - Christ Triumphant, ever raising 2. Kingsway Voices of Worship - I shall not want 3. Daniel O'Donnell - Footsteps

Adrian Plass talks about a Job for Life. Kat Arney explains the fascination of Cancer and Genetics. Larry Gentis , as Moses, faces rebellion from the people of Israel. MUSIC 1. Chester Cathedral Choir - As the Deer Pants for the water. 2. Guy Penrod - What a friend we have in Jesus. 3. Clifton Cathedral Choir - O God you search me and you know me. 4. Jim Reeves - the evening prayer.

Adrian Plass imagines Heaven. Michael Moseley recommends Meditation for the good of our health. Ian Myerscough explores John's Gospel. MUSIC 1. Come people of the Risen King - Stuart Townend 2. Dear Lord and Father of mankind - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Adrian Plass examines the advantages of Giving. An Afghan refugee explains how he became a well qualified Doctor. Ian Myerscough looks at John's Gospel in detail. MUSIC 1. St Michael's Singers - Take my life and let it be. 2. Brother let me be your servant.

Adrian Plass advocates Cuddling the Kids. Osman Yousefsada recommends embracing different versions of Islam. Matthew Rodger shows how Generosity pays off. Leolio describes the work of Fear fund. MUSIC Coventry Chorale choir - God so Loved the World - from Stainer's "Crucifixion". Alistair MacDonald - the Selkirk Grace.

Adrian Plass talks about Decay and Renewal. Ernie Rea examines the plight of the Uyghurs in China. Kenneth Steven describes the delights of Jura in the Hebrides. MUSIC 1. Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah - Treorchy Male Voice Choir. 2. Christ be our Light - Frank Brownstead Choir. 3. He will hold me fast - Selah

Stephanie Shirley tells Michael Berkeley about her successful career in business and philanthropy. Adrian Plass has thoughts about being lifted by Love. The Holy Island in the Outer Hebrides is described by Kenneth Steven.

Adrian Plass sympathises with the victims of Sarcasm. Ernie Rea talks to enthusiastic Young members of different faiths. Kenneth Steven explores the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. MUSIC 1. Cambridge Singers - For the beauty of the earth - John Rutter. 2. Sarah Lacy - How deep the father's love for us - Stuart Townend. 3. Daniel O'Donnell - Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling.

Kenneth Steven describes the features of Mingulay in the Outer Hebrides. Philip Noble encourages us to see the signs all around us. Adrian Plass says he has a fear of Landing! Mary Haddow tells the story of Greyfriars Bobby. MUSIC 1. Prom Praise - Safe in the shadow of the Lord. 2. Bernadette Farrell - Christ be our Light. 3. Robert Coaches - Will you come and follow me.

Out of the Ordinary Reflections: This season is full of expectations but we aren't living the expectations we see on Hallmark.  We are living in real lives, needing a real Jesus in the darkness. We all need a balm of hope to nourish our hearts during this season that helps us take a deep breath.    Winter is a pause and gives us space to reflect on where we really are, not where consumer culture is wanting us to be. Where is your heart today?  Lisa-Jo is reading from The Shadow Doctor by Adrian Plass. Christie's is reading from: A Child in Winter: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with Caryll Houselander, edited by Thomas Hoffman. Follow Lisa-Jo Baker @lisajobaker and Christie Purifoy @christiepurifoy Please let us know how this podcast encourages you in the comments. Podcast links: Click here to join the conversations we have with listeners every week around the podcast. https://www.blackbarnonline.com/ _______ Sponsor appreciation: We're so grateful to partner with show sponsors that keep making our work possible. Click here to join over 1 million people taking charge of their mental health through the online counseling offered by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month. http://www.betterhelp.com/ordinary Click here to visit Green Chef and use code ordinary10 to get 10 Free Meals including free shipping! The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well! https://greenchef.com/ordinary10 Click here and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor. https://www.zocdoc.com/ordinary Click here for Pretzel.com and Click here for Licorice.com and get 20% OFF your order when you use our code ORDINARY. https://www.pretzels.com/ _______ Click here to sign up for your own digital Paper&String care package curated by Christie, Lisa-Jo and friends. http://outoftheordinarypodcast.com/ps  

This week on The Literary Life podcast, we are excited to bring you a much anticipated interview with Dr. Carolyn Weber, author of the popular memoir, Surprised by Oxford. She is also currently a professor at New College Franklin. To keep up with Carolyn, visit carolynweber.com or follow her on Facebook. Angelina and Cindy kick off the conversation by asking Carolyn about her childhood and how she came to love reading. They talk about her experience in school education and whether that differed from her personal reading life. Carolyn talks about her love of teaching and her immersive literary education experience at Oxford. She also expands on the way that reading the Bible for the first time opened her eyes to so many more of the truths in the literature she had read. Commonplace Quotes: Unexpectedly, it was Oxford that taught me it was okay to be both feminine and smart, that intelligence was, as a friend put it, a “woman's best cosmetic.” Carolyn Weber I'm like an addict when it comes to books. Compelled to read, understand, savor, wrangle with, be moved by, learn to live from these silent companions who speak so loudly. Surely some language must have a word for such a “book junkie”? Carolyn Weber We must not, that is, try to behave as though the Fall had never occurred nor yet say that the Fall was a Good Thing in itself. But we may redeem the Fall by a creative act. Dorothy Sayers Batter my heart, three-person'd God by John Donne Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. I, like an usurp'd town to another due, Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end; Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend, But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue. Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain, But am betroth'd unto your enemy; Divorce me, untie or break that knot again, Take me to you, imprison me, for I, Except you enthrall me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me. Book List: Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber Holy Is the Day by Carolyn Weber The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Robertson Davies Margaret Atwood Stephen Leacock Flannery O'Connor Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv Mousekins books by Edna Miller Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell Paradise Lost by John Milton The Crosswicks Journals by Madeleine L'Engle Elizabeth Goudge Frederick Buechner Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The Epic of Gilgamesh Number the Stars by Lois Lowry The Giver by Lois Lowry The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass by Adrian Plass A Small Cup of Light by Ben Palpant Letters from the Mountain by Ben Palpant Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon Come Away, My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri Support The Literary Life: Become a patron of The Literary Life podcast as part of the “Friends and Fellows Community” on Patreon, and get some amazing bonus content! Thanks for your support! Connect with Us: You can find Angelina and Thomas at HouseofHumaneLetters.com, on Instagram @angelinastanford, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ANGStanford/ Find Cindy at morningtimeformoms.com, on Instagram @cindyordoamoris and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cindyrollins.net/. Check out Cindy's own Patreon page also! Follow The Literary Life on Instagram, and jump into our private Facebook group, The Literary Life Discussion Group, and let's get the book talk going! http://bit.ly/literarylifeFB

A sermon by Jamie Howison from Sunday September 5, 2021, on  James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37.Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to audio and recommend this episode to your friends. We invite you to rate us or write a review of what we are doing on Apple Podcasts. Reviews help others join the conversation.* * *This podcast is created at saint benedict's table, a congregation of the Anglican Church of Canada in Winnipeg, where we've been making great audio since 2006. Listen to other recent episodes on our website and see our entire catalogue of well over 500 shows on our hosting page.Our MissionTo provide rich and stimulating audio resources to the wider church and engage topics and issues relevant to the concerns and questions of the larger culture in which we live.

Michael Berkeley explores Alex Harris's love of Medieval music & literature. Adrian Plass thinks about Cuddling the Kids. Malcolm Guite meditates on Psalm 19. Judy Gentis imagines herself to be Naomi. Mary Haddow has a story about salt.

Steve Volke ist der Leiter der Organisation "Compassion" in Deutschland. Compassion setzt sich weltweit gegen extreme Armut ein. Das tun sie vor allem über 1 zu 1 Patenschaften mit Kindern die in extremer Armut leben. Hast du Ideen zur Corona-Folge? Schreib uns deine Vorschläge doch einfach per Mail (gebhardtsilas@gmail.com), auf Instagramm (https://www.instagram.com/ecclesiopod/) oder per Whatsapp (004915789254576). Oder schick uns eine Sprachmemo. Leite die Nachricht auch gerne weiter und lass in dieser düsteren Pandemie-Zeit die kleinen und großen Lichtblicke für andere hell aufleuchten. Unsere Webseite: https://ecclesiopod.de Podcast bei Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecclesiopod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecclesiopod/ Podcast unterstützen: https://ecclesiopod.de/spenden Shownotes https://www.stevevolke-blog.de/ https://www.compassion.de/ Just People Kurs: https://www.just-people.online Bücher Über den Schmerz, C.S Lewis: https://amzn.to/3fdmvOA Tagebuch eines frommen Chaoten, Adrian Plass: https://amzn.to/3obawoX Denn sie tun nicht, was sie wissen, Ronald J Sider: https://amzn.to/33BMObY Vielen Dank fürs Zuhören. Es würde uns und dem Podcast sehr weiterhelfen, wenn du den Podcast bewerten würdest und deinen Freunden davon erzählst. Wir freuen uns außerdem über Feedback. Schreib uns einfach auf Instagram oder per Mail an: gebhardtsilas@gmail.com

Michael Berkeley talks to poet Caroline Bird about her problems with depression. Adrian Plass explains how he was helped by a loving and sympathetic couple. Malcolm Guite reads his version of Psalm 15. Iain Ramsden has a powerful modern parable. Juli Wilson Black from Alexandria talks about her visit to some of Perthshire's big trees.

Mary Haddow has a dramatic illustration of Perfect Peace. Adrian Plass sympathises with victims of sarcasm. Malcolm Guite updates Psalm 14. Mariella Frostrup quizzes award winning novelist Leila Aboulela about her latest book on Islam.

Larry Gentis and friend tell the story of Samuel's call by God. Michael Berkeley talks to Tim Harford about making the most out of life. Malcolm Guite reads his updated version of Psalm 13. Adrian Plass says he fears Landing more than Flying! Mary Haddow encourages us to reach out in Love.

Why was Abraham blessed in the first place?After looking at the Abrahamic covenants in Genesis 15 and 17 last week, we backtrack slightly in the story to explore what God had in mind when He called Abraham. The "call of Abraham" is in Genesis 12, and we end up discussing some intriguing details of Genesis 23. This episode is a slightly disjointed because Cameron's recording somehow vapourised, so you'll need to exercise your imagination about his comments in places. As always, comments are welcome at sabbathschoolfromhome@gmail.com - and bonus marks if you can deduce where Cameron would have quoted Adrian Plass or Lewis!

Nadifa Mohamed chooses Purcell's Dido's Lament and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater as her favourite songs. Malcolm Guite reads his version of Psalm 5, followed by Tchaikovsky's Cherubic Hymn. Adrian Plass describes an amusing visit to his local hardware store.

Melvyn Bragg completes his survey of early Methodism. Adrian Plass describes the early disciples as a Motley Crew. Malcolm Guite brings Psalm 12 up to date. Michael Berkeley introduces the novelist Nadifa Mohamed.

Melvyn Bragg talks about John Wesley's experiences in America. Malcolm Guite reads his version of Psalm 9. Adrian Plass reads from his book "The Unlocking". Judy Gentis takes on the role of Eve in the garden of Eden. Mary Haddow tells a story about a snowflake.

Melvyn Bragg discusses George Whitfield and Welsh Methodists. Malcolm Guite reads his version of Psalm 8. Adrian Plass talks "Through Gritted Teeth". Larry Gentis explores the attitude of the Rich Young Ruler. Mary Haddow shows how Jesus brings "Peace which passes understanding".

Roger McGough talks to Kenneth Steven about the influence of Highland Perthshire on his poetry. Melvyn Bragg looks at John Wesley and the origins of Methodism. Adrian Plass discusses "Children of the Night". Malcolm Guite reads his version of Psalm 7. Larry Gentis takes on the role of Peter the Fisherman.

"The Visit" - Adrian Plass

"The Visit" - Adrian Plass

"The Visit" - Adrian Plass

"The Visit" - Adrian Plass

Mariella Frostrup leads a discussion about Catholic literary figures. Adrian Plass talks about being lost in a crowd. Malcolm Guite reads his own version of Psalm 6. Larry Gentis imagines himself to be the disciple Philip encountering the Ethiopian eunuch.

Ernie Rea asks experts to analyse the uniqueness of the Dalai Lama. Adrian Plass reads from his book "The Unlocking". Ramsay Beattie talks to Neil Glover about the community togetherness engendered by the Covid 19 Pandemic. Brain Moore explains to Michael Berkeley the special motivation behind successful high achievers.

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason talks to Michael Berkeley about her musical family. Malcolm Guite meditates on Psalm 4. Adrian Plass wonders whether we can ever be Good Enough.

Larry Gentis re-enacts the experiences of Simeon in the Temple. Adrian Plass talks about doing things God's Way. Ramsay Beattie asks David Barrie what the Pitlochry community is doing during the Pandemic. Ernie Rea tries to understand what the church is going through in Hong Kong.

Malcplm Guite meditates on Psalm 3, followed by a song by Morten Lauridsen. Neil Glover discusses the Creation story with members of the Scottish Bible Society. Mike Brearly compares family life with running a cricket team. Adrian Plass examines how we can be saved even though we are not perfect. Ernie Rea sympathises with someone coping with the loss of their brother to Covid 19.

Malcolm Guite reads his sonnet on Bliss. Adrian Plass talks about the importance of Faith. Michael Berkeley talks to novelist Sarah Perry. Judy Gentis takes on the role of Lydia in the Acts of the Apostles. Ernie Rea questions Richard Gamble about his wall of Answered Prayer (a million Bricks!)

Malcolm Guite reads a poem by John Keats on December. Physics Professor Brian Greene celebrates the wonders of Creation. Adrian Plass encourages us to show Compassion. Larry Gentis imagines what it would be like to be the father of the Prodigal Son. The three Vicars discuss some more of their Christmas experiences.

The theme today is Saints. Malcolm Guite reads his poem on St Patrick. Cherith Nixon reviews a book about St Patrick's Breastplate. Adrian Plass describes Gideon going into battle. Matt Canlis tries to explain what a saint is to a group of Primary School children.

Jeffrey Archer talks about his experiences in prison. Adrian Plass describes Gideon' revelation in the enemy camp. Ian Walker explains the improvements to disabled facilities in the Atholl Centre. Malcolm Guite reads his sonnet to celebrate the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

Malcolm Guite has a sonnet for Remembrance day, Margaret MacMillan describes the horrors of the First World War. John Greenshields tells the story of David and Goliath in a broad Scots dialect. Adrian Plass continues the adventures of Gideon. Larry Gentis outlines the conversion of Saul the Pharisee into Paul the Apostle.

Ernie Rea discusses facial markings used in different religions. Adrian Plass compares himself with how God treated Gideon. Ann Wroe talks about the skill of writing Obituaries, and also the book she has written on the life of St Francis. Malcolm Guite reads his poem for All Saints Day.

INSTAGRAM: @youth_bioyPSALM READING: Psalm 108:1–5NEW TESTAMENT READING: Galatians 3:26–4:20OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 43:1–44:23‘This seemingly insubstantial fact revolutionised my life,’ wrote Adrian Plass, author of The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Aged 37¾. He continued, ‘I became a Christian when I was sixteen years old, but it wasn’t until I was thirty-seven that I absorbed an essential truth. God is nice and he likes me.’

From Revd John Davies, priest in charge of Clapham with Keasden and Austwick with Eldroth in the Diocese of Leeds. Prayers and reflections from the Churches Weekly Newsletter in a time of the coronavirus: Sunday 6 September 2020, The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity. Featuring 'Spirit of God, unseen as the wind' (A.D. Miller, Richard M.S. Irwin & Traditional) performed by A.D. Miller, Commotio Chamber Choir & Griselda Sherlaw-Johnson from The Oxford Book of Easy Flexible Anthems, and 'Take My Life and Let It Be' (Henri A. Cesar Malan) performed by Baggaley Clifton Blythe & Adrian Plass from Shipwrecks and Islands. Including my talk for the day, Naive or emancipating? Jesus' formula of 'forgiveness first', also available here as a stand-alone podcast.

Malcolm Guite reads his sonnet on "The Good Shepherd". Willie Wright talks about Slave Trader, John Newton, and we hear two versions of his hymn Amazing Grace. Adrian Plass experiences Physical Fear, and Les Brown describes the miraculous appearance of a new car battery!

Malcolm Guite has a sonnet about Jesus as the Door to the Sheep Fold, Les Brown descibes a miraculous escape when flying over Kenya, Willie Wright talks about the marvellous work done by the hymn writer Horatius Bonar, and Adrian Plass experiences "When the cruch comes!" There is music between each item, including some hymns by Horatius Bonar.

This episode has Les Brown explaining the miraculous arrival of the money he needed just in time for him to apply for Bible College. Malcolm Guite describes the creative process involved in writing his poem about Jesus being the Light of the World. Willie Wright examines the life of hymn writer Graham Kendrick and Adrian Plass continues the series from his book "The Unlocking". Between each item there are several of Graham Kendrick's songs.

This week Les Brown explains how God meets our needs just in time, and Malcolm Guite talks more about the "I am" sayings of Jesus, particularly "I am the Bread". Chris Bowater is the subject of Willie Wright's researches this week. Adrian Plass examines how Jesus experienced being in a dark Place. Between each item there is music chosen by Howard Simpson to go with the theme.

In this episode Michael Berkeley talks to Peter Stanford about his interest in Prison Reform, and also about child abuse within the Catholic church. Willie Wright discusses Charles Wesley's hymns, and Adrian Plass examines how we can help the helpless. We also hear the final part of Matthew Robertson's talk to the Pitlochry Guild about his life as a Parish Minister.

Listen again to Heartland FM weekly religious programme, Heart & Soul, this week featuring Peter Stanford, Willie Wright, Adrian Plass and Matthew Robertson.

This is TWENTY of our favorite Christmas stories! Buckle up, here come a smorgasbord of our very favorite Christmas reads! Last December we'd created a special bonus podcast episode that folks were able to download as a standalone paid episode. This summer, we thought it would be fun to finally release this nearly two hour binge listen to our whole audience. Lisa-Jo and Christie share their Top 10 Christmas reads that include novels, cook books, mysteries, picture books for the kids, faith reads, fiction, and poetry. What better time than the heat of summer to curl up with a book that reminds us of cold, crisp winters and the promise of new beginnings? This is a deep dive into our favorite Christmas-themed books in an episode that includes read-alouds from our favorite passages and the reasons why we think these books will be good company in this season! Here's your list of all 20 books featured in this bonus episode for you to take to the library this season! Click here to download the full book list.  Lisa-Jo's Top Ten The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Read  A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass (aged 37 3/4) by Adrian Plass A Circle Of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle It's a Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Waterson Betty Crocker The Jubilee Poems by John Blase Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No by Henry Cloud and John Townsend  Break In by Dick Francis    Christie's Top Ten  Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, various authors Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston What the Land Already Knows: Winter's Sacred Days by Phyllis Tickle The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw The Irrational Season by Madeleine L'Engle _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times we're so grateful to partner with show sponsors that keep making our work possible. Click here to check out Laurel Springs for your waived registration fee and their flexible online K-12 program that is designed to encourage each student’s individuality and support their growth through a personalized approach to learning. http://laurelsprings.com/ordinary Click here to try Thrive Market and become a member risk-free! Join today and you’ll get up to twenty dollars in shopping credit toward your first order. http://thrivemarket.com/ordinary

Another episode from Heartland FM, the voice of Highland Perthshire. Michael Berkeley talks to Peter Stanford about Guardian Angels, Adrian Plass reads a chapter from his book "The Unlocking", Willie Wright talks about Henry Lyte (composer of "Abide with me") and Rev Matthew Robertson describes his time as an Army Chaplain in Ireland. Between each item there is music, chosen and presented by Howard Simpson.

Heart and Soul is the weekly religious broadcast on Heartland FM, the local radio station for Highland Perthshire (see www.heartland.scot). This edition features Roy Lawrence's article on Inner Healing, Malcolm Guite with a poem based on Psalm 2, Adrian Plass with a section from his book "The Unlocking, and the Rev Matthew Robertson talking about his life as an Army Chaplain. Between each item there are hymns and religious songs chosen and presented by Howard Simpson.

I have just recorded this lovely night-time prayer. A chance to be still hear some Taize music, a bedtime story by Adrian Plass and a moment of calm before we sleep. Enjoy and sleep well.

A chance to be still hear some Taize music, a bedtime story by Adrian Plass and a moment of calm before we sleep. Enjoy and sleep well.

If ever any one ever had an unfair life – it was Joseph back there in the old testament. One step forward, two steps back seems to be the story of so much of what he went through … sound familiar? Yet in the end, he came out in front. At the end of the day, what others meant for harm in his life, God meant for good in the lives of so many others. Hmm?   It's Not Fair One of my favourite sayings when I was a young lad growing up, was "It's not fair!" I just hated things that weren't fair. When my parents made a decision between my sister and me – whether I had to clean up or she had to clean up and the lot fell to me, I'd say, "It's not fair!" I remember a soccer game in the park – with one of my teachers, Mr Moore, who I really liked and he made a bad decision against my team – "It's not fair!" Sometimes I was right, it wasn't fair and other times it was just the way I saw things – my perception, maybe from my selfish position but one of the things I really, really hate in life is when it's not fair. Although, well, I'd have to qualify that – I'm a human being after all – I hate "not fair" when I am on the losing end of an unfair transaction. You know, funny, but I don't mind so much when I am on the winning side. That's pretty natural. "Not fair" only really upsets us when we lose. We are continuing our series today called "Defining Moments” Things that we do or things that happen to us in life that seem to change the course of our lives and last week we looked at Abraham – the defining moment for him was when he responded to God's love and just believed the unbelievable promises of God. He just stepped out into the impossible promises of God and because of his simple child-like faith, imperfect as it was. I mean God overlooked, indeed, God compensated for all of Abraham's blunders. Today we are going to take a look at the life of a man called Joseph because if anyone ever lived a life where he was unfairly treated, it was definitely Joseph. So many things that happened to him were just so incredibly unfair. Really – we will look at that in a moment – and yet there was some real defining moments along the way for Joseph. It's really important to look at this story! We are going to discover something about ourselves and about God. It is so easy to look at defining moments from a human perspective but we need to look at them "top down"; from God's perspective as well. I know we are going to be blessed as we go in search of some of the defining moments in Joseph's life. Now who was Joseph? Last week we talked about Abraham who was the father of the whole nation of Israel and he had this son he called Isaac. Isaac had a son called Jacob and Jacob was actually renamed by God and called Israel. And Jacob or Israel had twelve sons, one of whom was Joseph. Now he was the youngest at the time this story begins and he was pretty much dad's favourite. If you have got a Bible, grab it – open it up with me at Genesis chapter 37, verse 2: Joseph being seventeen years old was shepherding the flock with his brothers. He was a helper to the son's of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives and Joseph brought a bad report about them to their father. Now Israel who was Jacob, loved Joseph more than any of his other children because he was the son of his old age and he made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all of the other brothers, they hated him and they couldn't speak peaceably to him. Once, Joseph had this dream and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to this dream that I just dreamed: there we were binding sheaves in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose up and stood upright and your sheaves, they gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed going to reign over us? Are you indeed going to have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words. And he had another dream and he told this to his brothers as well saying, “Look, I have had another dream: the sun, the moon and the eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Well, you can question Joseph's maturity at sharing those dreams with his brothers. As we can imagine, they were none too impressed – I wouldn't be, you wouldn't be. "Little brat – dad's favourite – this kid needs to be taught a lesson." So the brothers plotted against him – first they wanted to kill him – "Well", they thought, "that's a bit over the top", so instead they threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. Have a look – Genesis chapter 37, beginning at verse 23: So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe; the long robe with the sleeves that he wore, and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it, then they sat down to eat and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels, carrying gum, balm and resin and they were on their way, carrying it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for his is our brother; our own flesh. So the other brothers agreed. When some of the Medianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him up out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver and they took Joseph to Egypt.” And these other brothers went back and told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. How do you think Joseph felt? It's not fair! I mean, his own brothers! Okay, maybe he did rub them the wrong way. Okay maybe he was dad's favourite but his own brothers? I mean that is so unfair. Isn't that so often the way – our own brothers and sisters; those who are closest to us; those who should love us the most; those whom we trusted – they are the ones who treat us unfairly? It's one thing to be treated unfairly by an associate or even an enemy; you almost expect that but by his own brothers – sold into slavery; into a completely uncertain future; completely lost his freedom – come on, let's walk a mile in Joseph's shoes right now. He is a slave in that caravan, being taken down into a foreign land; into Egypt to be sold into goodness knows what; no future….. I don't know about you, but I would have been tempted to react pretty badly to that. I would have been tempted to be bitter and to swear an oath that I would never, ever forgive my brothers. It would have been so easy for young Joseph to have bitterness and un-forgiveness in his heart – don't you think? Let's bring this right close to home. People who have treated us badly and us unfairly, how have you and I responded? We seem to take their failure, their bad behaviour as our license to behave badly, don't we? How many of us have got un-forgiveness in our hearts? How many of us are carrying a knot of anger in our hearts that's robbing us of life? We will look at Joseph's life in a moment and we are going to look at the defining moment in his life, when life was just so unfair.   From Bad to Worse Sometimes it seems that life is one step forward and two steps back. I mean, young Joseph was dad's favourite; he had great dreams of success for the future, then he is sold into slavery and he is down in a slave market in Egypt, purchased by a man called Potiphar. Have a look at it: Genesis chapter 39, beginning at verse 1: Now Joseph was taken down to Egypt and Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man. He was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hands. So Joseph found favour in his sight and attended him. Potiphar made Joseph the overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he had made him overseer in his house and all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake. The blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge and with him there, he had no concern for anything but the food that he ate. Now Joseph was handsome and good looking. WOW, things are on the up and up again. What could have been terrible instead ... God puts Joseph in a place where He can use his gifts and his abilities and God blesses Joseph. The word "Joseph" means to be "a multiplier" and that is literally what Joseph's gift was. We see that throughout the story of his life – it is one of the things that Joseph was really good at – being a multiplier. Now you might be thinking, "Well, Berni, now things are going well for young Joe. All that temptation to behave badly, that's all gone away", but you would be wrong! Because one of the things that we love to do is to get some recompense out of life. When we have gone through bad times we can still have bitterness in our hearts. It would have been easy for Joseph to have bitterness in his heart and then the good times start to flow and we decide "Well, it's time to make hay while the sun shines. I am going to get something out of life; I'm going to get some recompense. I'll show those rotten brothers – I'll take whatever I can and have whatever I can have. I'll show them!" Ever experienced that in your heart? Sure you have, so have I and that can be the time of such a great fall. Sure enough, Joseph had exactly that opportunity now that he was on easy street. We are going to have a look at this because I think this is the defining moment of Joseph's walk. Genesis chapter 39, beginning at verse 7: And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Sleep with me”, but he refused and he said to his master's wife, “Look, with me here my master has no concern about anything in his house. He has put everything that he has in my hand. He is not greater in his house that I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not consent to sleep with her or to be with her. One day however, when he went into the house to do his work and while no one else was in the house, she caught hold of his garment saying, “Sleep with me,” but he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside. And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, she called out to the members of her household and said to them, “See, my husband has brought among us a Hebrew to insult us. He came in to sleep with me and I cried out with a loud voice and when he heard me raise my voice and cry out, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.” Then she kept his garment by her until his master came home and she told him the same story, saying, “That Hebrew servant whom you have brought among us, came in to insult me but as soon as I raised my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.” When his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, saying, “This was the way your servant treated me,” he was enraged. And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the King's prisoners were confined and there he remained in prison. Do you see what happened here? See, I think that this is one of the defining moments in Joseph's life. Bad things happen and he had a chance to make amends; he had a chance to take whatever he wanted, in particular, to taste this forbidden fruit. Potiphar's wife kept tempting him and he could easily have said, "Yea, go on, Joseph. Come on, you deserve this! After all, look at what you have been through. Come on!" You know what I am saying! And in the defining moment Joseph said “No!' He refused and said to his master's wife, “Look, with me here my master has no concern about anything in the house. He has put everything in my hand. How then could I do this great wickedness?” Joseph said, "No" over and over again. It's a powerful thing to say, "No" to temptation when life has been unfair - to say, "No" to temptation when we can come up with every reason and every excuse to say, "Yes, come on!" And to make matters worse, Joseph's right doing is rewarded by jail – that is sooo unfair! Do you get it? Right, must be time to behave badly again! But no matter how badly people treated him or life treated him, Joseph remained true to himself. And here is the "top down" view; here is God's view of this defining moment – God saw that and honoured it. Let's pick it right up in Genesis 39, beginning at verse 21: But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love. He gave him favour in the sight of the chief jailer. And the chief jailer committed to Joseph's care all the prisoners who were in his prison and whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The chief jailer paid no heed to anything that was is Joseph's care because the Lord was with him and whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.” Do you get it? Why do you think that these defining moments are hidden? We think that these temptation decisions are hidden from the world and when we have had a tough day or when people have been horrible to us, we are just so tempted to make amends by doing something wrong. The defining moment in Joseph's walk is that Joseph said, "No" to that temptation. Now I want you to hold that thought because we are going to have a look at what all this means to you and me, next.   Do Not Grow Weary There is quite a bit more to Joseph's story. He spent another two years in jail…..two years! I can't begin to imagine that – it was so unfair. And finally, because he had a gift of interpreting dreams, he found favour with Pharaoh. And one thing led to another and Pharaoh made Joseph Prime Minister over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself; over the whole nation. And then famine hits the land and because of Joseph's wisdom and insight from God, he, as the leader, caused Egypt to store up enough grain for the coming famine and so people from all around Egypt came for food – in fact, all round the known world. And all of a sudden Joseph's brothers came down from the land of Canaan, down to find some food in Egypt as well and Joseph recognised them, although they didn't recognise him. Aw, he struggled with that! What a temptation! Finally, there was Joseph, just like in those dreams he had when he was a young man. There was his brothers bowing down to him; now he had them; now he could take revenge. You can read the whole story in Genesis chapters 40 to 44. It is really worth a read. What would Joseph do? Well, let's take a look – Genesis chapter 45, beginning at verse 1: Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers and he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers couldn't answer him and they were so dismayed that they were in his presence. (Wouldn't you be?) Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they came closer and he said, “I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt and now don't be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in this land for two years and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors, so it was not you who sent me here, but God; He has made me a father to Pharaoh and the lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” What an amazing response? Grace, forgiveness and the knowledge that all along, through all the unfair things that happened to him; through all the bad things that happened to him, that what had happened to Joseph was part of God's plan. Talk about defining moment! That defining moment happened for Joseph when he was sold as a slave, wrongly accused, thrown into jail, left there to rot and the temptation in all of that was for Joseph to shout, “It's not fair!” That's the temptation; to turn to sin; to wallow in filth that we have been thrown in and I have no doubt that Joseph struggled with that. He was human after all but what defined him was not the unfairness that the world threw at him, but the decision just to get up every morning, to be Joseph, to honour God. The Apostle Paul, centuries on, said it this way: Do not be deceived. God is not mocked for you will reap whatever you sow - if you sow to your flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the spirit you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right for we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up. Unfair things happen to us every day and sometimes what we want is, "God, just give me an easy ride." In fact there is a great poem here that I want to share with you. It's a poem by Adrian Plass – have a listen – it goes like this: When I became a Christian I said, “Lord now fill me in. Tell me what I will suffer in this world of shame and sin.” Then God said, “Your body may be killed and left to rot and stink, do you still want to follow Me?”I said, “Amen, I think! I think, amen! Amen, I think, I think I say "amen"! Look, I am not completely sure. Can we run through that again? You said my body could be killed and left to rot and stink, that sounds terrific, Lord. I'll say "amen" I think!” “But Lord, look there must be other ways to follow You,” I said, “I really would prefer to end up dying in my bed.” “Well, yes”, He said, “You could put up with sneers and scorn and spit, do you still want to follow Me?” I said, “Amen, a bit.” “A bit "amen" – "amen", a bit. A bit, I say ‘amen'. Look, I'm not entirely sure. Can we just run through that again?” You said I could put up with sneers and scorn and spit – oh, yea, I've made up my mind – I say "amen" a bit.” Well, I sat back and thought a while. I tried a different ploy – I said, “Now Lord, the Good Book says that Christians live in joy.” “That's true,” He said, “You are going to need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow, so do you still want to follow Me?” I said, “Amen – tomorrow!” “Tomorrow, Lord, I say it – that's when I'll say "amen". You see, I've got to get it clear. Let's just run through that again.” You said, I'll need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow – well, yea, I think I've got it straight. I'll say "amen" tomorrow. He said, “Look, I'm not asking you to spend an hour with Me, a quick salvation sandwich or a cup of sanctity. The cost is "you" not half of you but every single bit. Now tell Me, will you follow Me? I said, “Amen! No, I quit! “I'm sorry Lord, I'd like to follow You but I don't think religion is a very manly thing to do.” So He said, “Forget about religion then and you think about My Son and you tell me if you are man enough to do what He has done. Are you man enough to see the need? Are you man enough to go? Are you man enough to care for those who no one wants to know? Are you man enough to say the things that people hate to hear and battle through Gethsemane and loneliness and fear? And listen, are you man enough to stand it at the end, the moment of betrayal by the kisses of your friend? Are you man enough to hold your tongue? Are you man enough to cry? And when the nails break your body, are you man enough to die? Are you man enough to take the pain and wear it like a crown? Are you man enough to love this world and turn it upside down? Are you man enough to follow Me – I'll ask you once again?” I said, “Oh Lord, I am so frightened but I also said, "amen". Amen, amen, amen! I said, “Lord, I am so frightened but I also said, 'amen'.” You know, as I look back on the story of the life of Joseph, my heart breaks for that man. He went through so much – the betrayal of his brothers; sold into slavery; thrown into jail for doing the right thing – left there to rot; he went through so much. And it would have been so easy and tempting just to act badly; just to respond; just to have anger; just to lash out. Come on, that's what we want to do! But do not be deceived. Because God is not mocked for whatever we reap, we sow! If we sow in the flesh, we will reap corruption in the flesh, but if we sow in the Spirit we will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” Here's the punch line. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right for we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up. So whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for the family of faith.

Nick interviews writer and all-round top bloke Adrian Plass. We talk about church, living in community, speaking honestly, some surprising answers to prayer and how he’s finally come to really like God. Also, check out Adrian’s latest books The Shadow Doctor, and Shadow Doctor: The Past Awaits.

Azt már Adrian Plass óta tudjuk, hogy az egyház nem egy ház. De vajon mi a gyülekezet az eredeti, bibliai értelemben? Miért létezik? Ki irányítja? Mi a dolga, és mi nem?

Justin Brierley meets bestselling author Adrian Plass to talk about his new book The Shadow Doctor. Plus, Malcolm Guite drops by to share his life story and talk about his poetry.

Adrian Plass - well-known author of The Sacred Diary books - is interviewed by John Cheek for this Flame Radio documentary which also features excepts from a live performance.

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