Faith

Xmas treats?

~ admin

Whilst, in the words from the article, LICC is not ‘automatically aligned with [Coco’s] opinions1‘ this is an interesting article from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity.

Not on our side: Christmas and the danger of co-opting Jesus

Discernment is required when reading articles from LICC, though Coco must be quick to remind himself that they are not of the same nature as the Parson’s Egg.

This article references a right-wing attempt at co-option, which is perhaps easier to identify than a left-wing one where social justice, love, equality and brotherhood have a higher place on the agenda, and so appeals more easily to the hearts of the followers of Jesus, but a careful review of both the right- and left-wing, even the centrist, agendæ[sic.] will reveal that they are all opposed to the teaching of our Lord, not recognising, the perhaps disguising the lack of recognition in a pretence by referencing his words but out of their context, his authority over men.

Read it carefully, and having done so, compare all the vain attempts of men to promote a different message than the one that Jesus brought that the Son of Man must be handed over to the authorities, be crucified for our sins, and be raised from the dead on the third day, with the Word of God once and for all delivered to us.

The Lord be with you, especially if you, as many do, take a peculiar regard2 to the days at this particular time of the year in remembrance of his coming as a man into this world.

  1. Coco’s opinions are referenced in the footer of this web-page. ↩︎
  2. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. Romans 14:5-6 ↩︎

Gnats and camels

~ admin

It was an amusing tale in the published by the BBC Council’s clean-up warning for St George’s crosses but also the co-incidence with an article published by the LICC that prompted Coco. We do so easily see the gnat, but fail to notice that there is a camel in our beaker of notoriously middle-class or upwardly-mobile freshly ground and brewed, steamed, iced, skinny, but extra hot, caramel latté (Coco’s judgement on that drink: ☹).

Continue reading →

A song for August 2025

~ admin

The dew this evening fell
To refresh the ground again.
We thought it would be well
And remembered then the pain.
The pain of leaving home,
Of walking in a strange place,
But freedom then to roam
Gave to pain a new brand face.

Each day we walk uncertainly,
Not knowing of the end,
But the God of grace and mercy
Knows well how to defend.
He saw the world before it was
And knew how it would be.
And yet he made it all because
Of love for you and me.

The pain that we all feel
For the wrongs that we have done
Though grievous to his soul
Yet for it he would atone.
There on the Roman cross
His blood for the world was shed.
It was for him no loss –
Let us now by him be led!

Another year has passed away,
Another now employ.
May you know joy and peace alway
In him without alloy.

© Australian Gifts Co

The sons of God

~ admin

One writer comments that in Genesis 6:1–4, the reader encounters one of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture to interpret. In this article Coco seeks to challenge that thesis by pleading that a plain reading of the text is all that is required.

There are several articles available on the internet explaining who the sons of God are of whom Moses makes mention in Genesis 6. Two of these may be found here:

https://equip.sbts.edu/article/who-are-the-sons-of-god-daughters-of-man-and-nephilim
Who Are the Sons of God, Daughters of Man, and Nephilim? By Mitchell L. Chase

Continue reading →

Augsburg

~ admin

Poker anyone

As one who only knows one thing about poker, that it was the second thing a cowboy did after he had entered the bar, I have heard it said that it is quite unlike any other card game. In any other game, if you don’t know how to play, you can still play. In poker, if you don’t know how to play, don’t.

That was the situation in Augsburg. It has been repeated many times since in different contexts, perhaps famously when one nation left an economic bloc it placed its cards face up on the table, and secondly more recently when a new president stretched out his arm to an old enemy – but that game is not yet over we must wait to see what the outcome is.

Continue reading →

The darkness – Psalm 88

~ admin

As we approach the time of year which is called Easter or Passover by those who observe such things Coco thought to offer a few words on Psalm 88, as we number it, which speaks eloquently, though darkly, about the things which took place at that time. First of all read the psalm itself:

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to Mahalath Leannoth (The suffering of affliction). A Contemplation (maskil) of Heman the Ezrahite.

Continue reading →

Why we should read the Word of God

~ admin

On the 7th November 1765 a gentleman whose name Coco can no longer remember was about to leave Shropshire but before he did so he wrote to Jonathan Scott. After he reminded his reader of his own mistakes he continued: Your Christian calling is a warfare, where no quarter can be given on either side. He then set out at least three necessary things in the engagement to which we are called:

  • Secret prayer
  • Devout study of the Word of God
  • Worship together with God’s people

He joins these three together and speaks in this way of the necessity of reading the Word:

Continue reading →

Manhood

~ admin

It is no wonder that there is confusion over what men are – and as this post were posted elsewhere would likely to be taken down soon, take note. Coco shall not attribute the quote, for if he do then his behaviour shall not be any better than that which he is about to criticise. In a recent interview a businessman said that he thought companies needed more masculine energy. Whether they do, or they do not, is not the discussion for today. The interesting part of what was said is the definition of masculinity that followed. We have to be careful however as the business man was canny enough to place a glottal stop, a chasm, between the first statement and the definition, which he could also argue is not a definition. Indeed it is true, it was not framed as a definition, but rather as a pencil illustration, a cartoon if you like. His comments may then be charged with being non sequitur. So be it, you may make your own conclusion.

Continue reading →