“Run, John, run,” the law commands
But gives me neither feet nor hands.
Yet better news the gospel brings;
It bids me fly and gives me wings.
– After John Berridge (1716-1793)
Also:
A complaint was lodged against him, and the bishop sent for him and reproved him for preaching “at all hours and on all days.” “My lord,” said he, modestly, “I preach only at two seasons.” “Which are they, Mr. Berridge?” “In season and out of season, my lord.” [taken from biog here]
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…
(2 Tim 1.8)
“This is to let you know the sad news that David Mohamed Ali, a Somali Christian evangelist and a long-standing member of St Matthew’s, was shot dead last week by two Islamist terrorists in Badoia, Somalia, because of his Christian faith. He had been sent to Badoia by Ethiopian and Somali border police, for reasons that are not clear.
David was an intelligent and gifted evangelist who thought deeply about hisfaith. For a while he ran a website for Christian Somalis. I had recently given him a reference to do a Degree in Theology at ETC (EvangelicalTheological College), Addis Ababa. He was single man, aged about 35, who was based in Addis Ababa but travelled widely sharing his faith.
We thank God for his life and courageous witness, and pray for his mother,sister and other members of his family. We also pray for the SomaliChristian community, that they may be comforted and strengthened at this time when Christians are under great pressure in Somalia.
David’s death comes just two weeks after four Christian teachers (2 BritishSomalis and 2 Kenyans) were killed in Beledwayne, Somalia.”
HT: Michael Jensen
Hello, my name is Robin. Welcome to That Happy Certainty, where I write and collate on Christianity, culture, and ministry. I’m based in Barrow-in-Furness in South Cumbria, England, where I serve a church family called St Paul’s Barrow, recently merged together from two existing churches, St Paul’s Church and Grace Church Barrow.
A fresh look at Advent through the book of Ruth. Why not order a bunch for your church to read through Advent together here. 100 for £1 each!
