{"id":52369,"title":"From Carling to Cathedrals","description":"British culture is fascinating, and yes, there is a culture that is beyond drinking Carling and shouting at men running around with a ball in a field. I think the culture of the day is shame and disunity. It seems wild to me that this nation was so self-assured that it added the prefix of \u201cGreat\u201d to its name...","content":"

British culture is fascinating, and yes, there is a culture that is beyond drinking Carling and shouting at men running around with a ball in a field.<\/p>

I think the culture of the day is shame and disunity. It seems wild to me that this nation was so self-assured that it added the prefix of \u201cGreat\u201d to its name. Imagine that self-confidence!<\/p>

We have even dared to declare we are \u201cUnited\u201d!<\/p>

\"kwqvkgvduoysz4cgibonoiv0zn8fhmkznrcb3rwuhssckp9g.jpg.jpg?w=1140&v=2\"Ignoring the referendums or the political divides- that\u2019s more a symptom of a deeper problem. How united are our families? Christmas dinners are usually a good test, how many weddings and funerals go ahead without as much as a raised voice.<\/p>

We\u2019ve been an island of settlements and kingdoms that have slowly merged and taken over one another for thousands of years. Most unions have been about who you hate less rather than who you love more.<\/p>

But this land was once a place of innovation and advancement.<\/p>

Many great things were done here, but arguably the greatest was the establishment of the local church.<\/p>

Every village, suburb and settlement built a house for the Lord. Later came post offices, banks and pubs - and as economic decisions are made, the outcry for these closures is far more than the neglect of the grand places of worship, left to ruin both physically and spiritually.<\/p>

In the post-war era, we have descended into individualism and consumerism.<\/p>

I want to acknowledge that what this country has done across the world is not always something to feel proud about. We made colonialism extremely profitable, which in turn inspired further atrocities far beyond our borders.<\/p>

But I think the overcorrection of utter shame and the self-deprecation has been as damaging to the UK, economically and socially. There is this ingrained Britishness that whatever we set out to do will fail; there\u2019s almost a morbid desire for things to fail. I see it in myself, my friends, why do people fear moving so much, why do people fear leaving the mud when there are green pastures ahead?<\/p>

I feel like Britain has spent the past 80 years in this guilt and brokenness, retreating into a lesser tier of diplomatic importance, a managed declined; submitting to our younger American brother who has become taller, more handsome and wealthier. <\/p>

And we have isolated ourselves and raised the draw bridges from our mainland cousins whom are suffering the same fate as us. We are an island after all.<\/p>

But our decline didn\u2019t start because of global wars and independence movements, our decline started when we lost sight of God, and we focussed on profiting from the poor rather than equipping them, and we became entitled believing we owned what belonged to God. <\/p>

As I started writing I felt I wanted to focus on restoring the UNITED in our name, but actually my heart says we need to restore the KINGDOM. <\/p>

When this nation puts Christ first, we are more united, we are made Great in his image and by His strength alone. He died to bear our shame and He set us free.<\/p>

\"fqg6xtp6zexzdxbtd9lxy2r5yitfgngl5rlzfflzm0xq1rsb.jpg.jpg?w=1140&v=2\"<\/p>

God has used this nation, unlike any other in the past thousand years, for His glory. As Europe descended into revolution and insurrection, the Lord raised up great men and women who transformed the lives of millions of impoverished people in this nation and flipped the lives of the wealthy. <\/p>

John Wesley championed the Methodist movement and is heralded as one of the biggest influences in bringing unity to the nation as Europe dealt with volatile republics and cruel dictatorships. <\/p>

George Whitefield, along with Wesley, helped bring the Spirit and life back into a dying church (special mention to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon too)<\/p>

William Wilberforce, whose tireless work towards the abolishment of the slave trade despite opposition from members of his own faith in Parliament. <\/p>

Charles Spurgeon, whose preachings and writings are still as significant to the church today as they were 150 years ago, continued this fire for God in our land.<\/p>

David Livingstone, who championed those in Southern and Eastern Africa, again campaigned against the abhorrent slave trade taking place in East Africa, bringing the good news with compassion. <\/p>

William and Catherine Booth, who founded the Salvation Army, gave \u201csoup, soap and salvation\u201d to the homeless. <\/p>

Elizabeth Fry, who brought great reform to prisons across the nation.<\/p>

Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale, whose compassion and Christian convictions transformed hygiene in healthcare<\/p>

William Tyndale, who translated the bible from Greek into English. <\/p>

Mary Slessor, who brought the good news to Nigeria, amongst great opposition and strife. <\/p>

Hudson Taylor, whose exploits in China have inspired generations of missionaries worldwide. <\/p>

Rees Howells, whose prayers and intercession shaped the events of the early 20th century and brought transformation to South Wales. <\/p>

Robert Raikes, who championed the Sunday school, to help educate children who were working in factories through the week, within 50 years, there were 1.25 million children getting an education and a knowledge of the Bible. <\/p>

CS Lewis, whose writings and stories continue to inspire and enrich our view of scripture. It wouldn\u2019t be a good sermon without a CS Lewis quote!<\/p>

A new generation are being raised in this nation, there are Hudson Taylors, Amy Carmichaels and William Careys. Being raised, equipped and sent to the unreached. <\/p>

There are William Wilberforces and Elizabeth Fry\u2019s who are being raised to end injustices in society and bring dignity and life to the poor and the forgotten. <\/p>

There are Charles Spurgeons and CS Lewis who are being raised to write and comment on the world and speak life into society. <\/p>

There are Rees Howells and George Mullers who are being raised to pray and intercede for the people in their lives and this nation. <\/p>

And with this new generation, there is hope that the wrongs of the past will be redeemed. As God brings healing to our nation and restoration to the people, we can be sent with the heart to reach the lost and the unreached. <\/p>

Those lands that the British left previously with nothing positive to show except the side of the road they drive on, will be brought to the fullness of knowing and surrendering to the living God.<\/p>

\u2014Matthew Congreve<\/p>

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