A-Z of Christianity

azA is for Adam.  Married to Eve.  Our great-great-great-great-great-great-great … grandfather.  Easy on the eye, but not a lot between the ears. Figured he could do life without God – and got what he wanted. We’ve been following in his footsteps ever since.

B is for ‘Bible’ – God’s love letters to us.  Also ‘Bro.’ Your get-out-of-jail-free card for when you forget someone’s name. And ‘Building Work’ (which is why we need PCC meetings and Bun Sales).

C is for Church.  It’s not perfect.  But it’s family and it’s where Everyone belongs. Don’t do it alone.

D is for daily bread. It’s what the Israelites got in the wilderness. It’s what we need in the Christian life – a daily dose of Jesus-  because we’re prone to Despair.

E is for easy answers. Not something you’ll find with real Christianity.

F is for the Fall.  See Adam and Eve.  Also, ‘Flirt to Convert.’ Winning people for Jesus by er – snogging them.  Not recommended (but if that’s how you came in, welcome!)

G is for God.  Not a big far-off God, unknowable and scary.  Not the God we all sort-of believe in, no-matter what our faith.  Not OMG or God forbid or God as Father Christmas (on speed dial for emergencies). The Jesus-God – the Father who He reveals.

H is for the Holy Spirit.  Not an impersonal force or a test tube of stuff. Not a warm fuzzy feeling or an experience.  Not a showman or an irrelevance. A Person.  Living in us and pointing us back to the Son.

I is for In. That’s how close you are to Jesus.

J is for Jesus. The Christ of Christianity.  The relationship we were created for.  The Son of God who gave Himself for us and rules forever at His Father’s right hand.

K is for Keep Going. It’s not about one-off, mountain-top highs. It’s an ongoing life of persevering faith.

L is for Life to the Full. Not a series of rules and restrictions. What we were made for.

M is for Mess.  Jesus comes for the messy.  He loves and accepts us, whatever our struggles.

N is for New Creation.  Heaven is just the waiting room.  The whole world and our rickety bodies are going to be utterly transformed.

O is for Old Ladies. They’re amazing. The back-bone of church.

P is for Prayer.  Important, but sometimes difficult.  You don’t have to do it out loud.  You might not get the answers you want or expect.  But prayer changes everything.

Q is for Questions. It’s ok to have them.

R is for Rest. Jesus says this is what He’s offering (Matthew 11:28). Maybe we should take Him up on it.

S is for Side-Hug. The favoured translation of “greet one another with a holy kiss.” Especially useful with the Yoof (see Y).

T is for Traybakes.  An essential part of church gatherings. But remember, you don’t have to make them! (That’s why we have Marks and Spencers)

U is for Unconditionally Loved.  You.  And me.  By the Lord of the Universe.

V is for variety. We’re an odd bunch, but where else but in church do you see such a beautiful and motley crew?

W is for Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. More scarily, see also The Wife of Noble Character.

X is for Xerxes. He’s in the Bible, honest.

Y is for ‘Yoof.’  You don’t need a special language to talk to them.

Z is for Zipporah.  Moses’ wife and good with a knife in emergency situations. (Initially I had Zebedee, but I might be thinking of the Magic Roundabout…)

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