Andy Perry

"This is a unique moment where a US President, a Russian President, a Chinese President are dead against the Europeans. This is the right moment for us. Wake up !" 👇 History is proving Macron and pro-EU leaders 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 Brexiteers and European populists 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 💪🇪🇺

How do we keep going when the odds are stacked against us. For me it's: "Every time I've been on my knees, broken and out of options, something picked me up." Never underestimate the power of a simple prayer.

FORMER ATHEIST TURNED BELIEVER Investigative journalist @LeeStrobel set out to disprove the resurrection of Jesus — but says an “avalanche of evidence” pointed powerfully toward the truth of Christianity. “It would have taken more faith to maintain my atheism than to become a Christian.” ⬇️ @KayleighMcEnany

The first meal mentioned in the Bible is the moment when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. The direct result is new and unwelcome knowledge: ‘the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked’ (dienoichthesan hoi ophthalmoi ton duo kai egnosan hoti gymnoi esan, Genesis 3:7). Now this other couple, Cleopas and his companion (most likely his wife, one of the many Marys in the gospel story), are at table, and are confronted with new and deeply welcome knowledge: ‘their eyes were opened, and they recognized him’ (auton de dienoichthesan hoi ophthalmoi, kai epegnosan auton, 24:31). This, Luke is saying, is the ultimate redemption; this is the meal which signifies that the long exile of the human race, not just of Israel, is over at last. This is the start of the new creation. This is why ‘repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be announced to all nations’ (24:47). If Earle Ellis is right to see the Emmaus scene as the eighth meal in the gospel, there may be a numerical scheme at work to reinforce the same point (which, as we shall see, is highlighted especially by John). This is the first day of the new week. -The Resurrection of the Son of God

🐣✝️ Wishing a joyous Easter Sunday to Christians celebrating in the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world today.

@Matt_Pinner Yes

Do you really believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again on the third day? A. Yes B. No

Let’s call this what it is, it’s not just hypocrisy, it’s moral fraud. Franklin Graham had no problem demonizing Barack Obama, a faithful husband, scandal-free, disciplined, educated, Black man, the very embodiment of the “bootstraps” gospel white evangelicals preach about, as some kind of threat, even suggesting that he was antichrist. Yet, the same Graham bows in reverence to Donald Trump, an adjudicated rapist, convicted felon, unrepentant racist, porn star banging, pathological liar, with a trail of infidelity, exploitation, documented racism, and associations with convicted child sex traffickers, and has the caucasity to call him “raised up by God.” That’s not discernment, that’s deception, dishonesty, and disregard for the sacred text he claims to believe. The standard didn’t change, the subject did. Obama’s integrity was dismissed because he was Black. Trump’s corruption is sanctified because he is white and politically useful. Graham isn’t applying scripture, he’s weaponizing it. He ignores sin when it serves power, then quotes the Bible to justify the very wickedness it condemns. That’s not Christianity, that’s idolatry of whiteness, wrapped in religious language and draped in a flag.  This is hypocrisy at its highest level: Calling evil good when it benefits you, and calling good evil when it threatens your power. And then having the audacity to say God said it.

I went to a different church today. All Saints in Langham Place. It was billed as evangelical Anglican and I was curious. I wasn't expecting to, but I enjoyed it immensely. It was heaving with people for a start, which made a huge difference to the atmosphere. It was also a diverse crowd in terms of ethnicity and I can't exactly explain why but that brought me joy. I guess I thought "this is what a London church SHOULD be like". Hymns were modern mostly and they had a choir and a small band playing. I loved singing them and even though I wasn't familiar with them, the African woman behind me was belting them out and I just followed her and lead. I think I'm going to go back next week.

"On a bitterly cold December evening in 1997, President Bill Clinton was leaving a holiday concert at the Kennedy Center when he noticed a homeless veteran sitting outside the entrance, shivering in a thin jacket and holding a cardboard sign that simply read 'Marine - Desert Storm - Hungry.' What happened next shocked everyone in the presidential motorcade—Clinton immediately stopped, took off his own overcoat, draped it around the stunned man's shoulders, and sat down on the freezing concrete beside him to talk. The veteran, forty-two-year-old Marcus Williams, later recounted to reporters that the President didn't ask him what went wrong or lecture him about getting help—instead, Clinton asked about his service, which battles he'd seen, and whether anyone had properly thanked him for his sacrifice. Secret Service Agent Larry Cockell documented in his memoir that Clinton spent twenty-five minutes sitting on that sidewalk in the bitter cold, and when Marcus mentioned he hadn't eaten in two days, the President sent an agent to get food from a nearby restaurant and insisted on staying until Marcus had finished eating. What makes this story so incredibly moving is what Clinton said to Marcus before leaving, words that Marcus repeated to social workers, shelter staff, and eventually his own children years later when he'd gotten back on his feet: 'Brother, this country failed you when you came home, and I'm sorry—but your story isn't over yet, and I'm going to make sure someone follows up to help you write the next chapter.' True to his word, Clinton personally called the VA the next morning, and Marcus was enrolled in a comprehensive support program within forty-eight hours that included housing, job training, and mental health services. Marcus Williams eventually became a veterans' advocate, and he told the Washington Post in 2015 something that still gives me chills: 'The most powerful man in the world sat on frozen concrete with a forgotten Marine and made me feel like I still mattered—that's the moment I decided to fight my way back.' He reminds us that dignity and hope can be restored with one genuine conversation, one warm coat, and the willingness to sit beside someone the world has walked past.

Andrew Watson was a force for good and a great defender of the voiceless - his important work in @UKHouseofLords will be greatly missed, particularly by @APPGFoRB and @APPGPakMin May he rest in peace.

A priest is out in Notting Hill this Ash Wednesday, marking foreheads with the cross and starting Lent right in the middle of London streets. ✝️ People stopping, receiving the ashes, smiling, pure heartwarming tradition. I'm not religious myself, but seeing this gives me hope. Britain is still a Christian country at heart 🇬🇧✝️ @patallerton keep doing what you're doing 🙏 #AshWednesday #Lent

Watching a conversation between Rowan Williams and Richard Dawkins, and it perfectly encapsulated the problem with Dawkins. Each was asked to summarise each other’s position. Dawkins admitted that Rowan articulated his perfectly. Dawkins was completely unable to do Williams’.

I think this is absolutely wonderful — Shakespeare and Sir Ian McKellen putting the case for decency and kindness and civilised standards in a world full of anger and brutality.

@talkChristianly @JonathanServus @biblesociety @JusBrierley @glenscrivener When asked at last year's Hay Festival about the Quiet Revival, I expressed profound scepticism. The Good Lord responded by having 5 young adults (18-27 years old) start attending my church. I do like the Almighty's sense of humour!

@MrPitbull07 She should be unreservedly welcomed and loved

I saw a guy saying, “This woman should never be allowed in a church.” Personally, I think she should be welcomed. What do you think, would she be welcome in your church?

@Matt_Pinner Yes

Do you really believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again on the third day? A. Yes B. No

Utterly wonderful read: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

People are sending me photos of the Free Gift they received from Hobby Lobby after shopping there -- my new book The Case for Christmas! Hobby Lobby is giving away half a million free copies to customers at their stores! I'm praying God uses them to point people to Himself!

@ObedArchimedes Amen!!

Amen

Important to remember that the Assisted Dying bill was in no one’s manifesto, had inadequate scrutiny in the commons, passed with a much reduced majority at 3rd reading, is attracting increasing opposition from experts and that Lords have the right and duty to scrutinise it well.