Here’s a great book to read this Easter to help us think more about the crucifixion of Jesus. Was it a dreaful mistake, a tragic failure, irrelevant, an embarrassment, or what?

The cross of Christ is, in fact, at the centre of God’s plan for men and women. For at the cross, God exposes our deepest need, meets it fully and enables us to live transformed lives. Mark Meynell’s Cross Examined explains all this and more. It’s very readable, full of helpful illustrations, and packed with straightforward teaching about the life-changing power of the death of Jesus.

Read an extract here, and then buy a copy of the whole book from our booktable.

The Lawyers Christian Fellowship issued the following Press Release last night following the vote by 168 to 122 in the House of Lord’s in favour of the Government’s Equality Act (Sexual Orientation Regulations) 2007.

“This Act marks the imposition of a new morality. It is a clear sign that despite saying they were going to consult and listen, the Government has failed to respect the consciences of citizens whose values are formed and shaped by their deeply held religious beliefs, be they Christian, Muslim or Jewish. This could have been easily resolved by a simple conscience clause.

In a week where the whole country celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, brought about, by and large, through the determined efforts of William Wilberforce, we would do well to remember his driving force and motivation stemmed from his Christian conviction. History will record that today’s vote marked the increased secularisation of Britain, confining faith to private thought, rather than public manifestation in works of service for the whole community.”

On Friday, RipRap met to watch Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man’s Chest. If you have more photos to add, please email photos[at]emmanuelonline.org.uk for instructions of how to upload them.  If you’d like any photos taken off the website, let us know.

Our first blog post, back in December, was about University Christian Unions coming under threat on university campuses. Several groups were featured in the national news at that time. If you go to the 10 Downing Street website you can sign an online petition which asks the Prime Minister to defend the right of Christian Unions to control who may come into leadership of them.

You can read more about it, and sign up by clicking here.