¡Viva México! #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26

In a recent interview, Puritan expert Stephen Yuille was asked to define Puritanism. He answered, “Puritanism is essentially a 100 year worship war within the Church of England from 1558-1662.” That’s pretty good.

The Spurs know how to TAKE the lead, they just don't know how to HOLD the lead. And that's really the most important part of the lead: the holding

The grave of Charles Simeon (1759-1836) in Kings College Chapel, Cambridge. Simeon pastored Holy Trinity Church in the heart of Cambridge for half a century. His ministry was profoundly fruitful despite tremendous opposition. He is a wonderful model of pastoral perseverance.

I think more of us might be more open to “spontaneous baptisms,” if we knew: a) those baptized were received into meaningful membership, per NT model b) churches practicing could attest to baptized spiritual state in years ensuing c) baptized received adequate pastoral care

King’s College Chapel 👑 Cambridge, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 “Where light and shade repose, where music dwells…” - William Wordsworth

The German national team is staying just a few minutes from my house for the duration of the World Cup. Just ran into a few of their players on a walk with a friend. Very cool! #WorldCup

John Wesley’s prayer closet at his home in London. Nothing but a Bible and a kneeling stool for prayer. How many hours did this man of God spend here? And what communication passed between him and God alone?

The grave of the Puritan John Owen (1616-83) in Bunhill Fields in London. Once Chaplain to Oliver Cromwell and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, John Owen wrote some of the most penetrating theological works of the seventeenth century. His best books include The Mortification of Sin, Communion with God, and The Glory of Christ. Owen is arguably the greatest theologian England ever produced.

“God, in Christians, sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil; These spring up, and choke the weeds Which would else o'erspread the soil: Trials make the promise sweet, Trials give new life to pray’r: Trials bring me to his feet, Lay me low, and keep me there.” - William Cowper

The lovely St. Giles in London, a church full of history! The epic poet and author of Paradise Lost, John Milton (1608-74) is buried here. In the early 17th century, William Shakespeare worshipped in this church along with the poet and playwright Ben Jonson. Oliver Cromwell was married at St. Giles in 1620.

The grave of George Frederic Handel (1684-1759) in Westminster Abbey in London. Handel was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period. He is best known for his choral masterpiece, Messiah, which is still performed before thousands of audiences around the globe, especially at Christmas time. Once when Handel was praised by a patron for how Messiah had entertained the audience, he replied, “I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wished to make them better.”

I have so enjoyed following @RememberLondon so it was cool to get a shout out from him today. Also Jayson, don’t know if you’re on this app but if you DM me your address, I’ll send you a free copy of Spurgeon: A Life for you to give to someone in your church. @RHB_Books

For writers: “Learn to love the full stop, and think of it as the goal toward which your words adamantly move—because a good sentence, like a good life, needs a good death.” - Joe Moran, First You Write a Sentence

Statue and burial place of the evangelical reformer and activist William Wilberforce (1759-1833) in Westminster Abbey in London. Wilberforce led the successful campaign to end the slave trade in Britain with the help of friends like John Newton, Hannah More, and Granville Sharpe.

From a Spring Evensong at Westminster Abbey (@wabbey).

“Faults are thick where love is thin.” - C.H. Spurgeon on 1 Peter 4:8

A wise pastor recently said to me, forgiveness is a grace we must continually cultivate. We don’t just forgive at a moment in time, and then move on. Rather, we must continue to maintain and nurture a spirit of forgiveness. That insight really helped and I’ve seen it help others.

Well done, Dr. @geoffchang! Some of Spurgeon’s best material on pastoral ministry and the Christian life is found within the many editions of The Sword and the Trowel. But because they’re not widely available, few have access to that material. Until now! So happy to see this!

The statue of the English reformer and Bible translator William Tyndale (1494-1536) just off the Victoria Embankment in London. Tyndale published his first edition of the English New Testament and smuggled copies of it into England right near this spot 500 years ago this year.