Steven Colborne's Blog, page 47

How can the Christian Distinguish Right Action from Wrong Action?

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

From the Letter of Paul to the Galatians.

Do you worry that you fall short of the standard described by Paul? Repent and ask God for forgiveness for your sins, and ask for God to send his Holy Spirit to dwell in you. If you make Christ number one in your life, he will empower you to escape the grip of sin and develop tendencies towards righteousness.

A Short Q and A with Lara Oztekin

Hello friends! I was browsing on Etsy last week because I wanted to find a print to brighten up the desk area in my bedroom. I hadn’t been browsing for long and I spotted some really beautiful artwork depicting plants. I was drawn to the incredible attention to detail. I decided to order a print from the artist, Lara, and the print arrived today. I was really touched by the (again) attention to detail, both on the artwork itself and the way it was packaged and presented.

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I asked Lara if she would be up for answering a few questions about her artwork on this blog, and she was kind enough to agree. This is her first ever interview and she wondered whether her answers were too short, but I think they are great. So, let me introduce to you… Lara Oztekin!

1) Your surname is quite unusual, can you tell us a bit about your background?

My surname actually comes from my father’s side as I am half Turkish! I grew up in Turkey till I was 6 years old and then moved to the UK.

2) This is a philosophy blog, as I know you know! Could you tell us about the philosophy behind your artwork, and what inspires you?

My artwork is inspired by all things nature and my love for house plants and home decor. I like to keep my home space light and airy by being surrounded by nature as it gives me a fresh and clear mind. By trying to incorporate both vibrant and calm colours into my paintings, I try to spread a peaceful yet playful vibe through my artwork. 

3) How have you been staying busy and creative during the lockdown/s?

Having started up my small business during the first lockdown, this is a new venture which has given me a great outlet to put my creative ideas and time into. As this is still new to me, I am constantly learning new things about creativity and business related skills so this has really kept me occupied during this strange time.

4) Where can people find your work?

My design socials are @laraoztekindesigns on Instagram and Facebook and then to purchase my art prints and greeting cards, head to my Etsy page.

Folks, I don’t need to do anything to sell this artwork to you, because it speaks for itself. If you feel like supporting a small business run by a lovely caring individual, Lara’s store might be a good place to start your Christmas shopping, or just to treat yourself, as I did. Lara’s Christmas card designs are beautiful, well worth a look! Thanks, Lara, for agreeing to be interviewed and for showing kindness along with your creativity.

How’s Your Mental Health?

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

From the Gospel according to Matthew.

Does life feel like a battle? Are you tired of struggling? Jesus promises rest. Will you let him help you?

Christ’s Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

From the Letter of Paul to the Philippians.

The striking phrase that I garnered from this passage is that I must count others more significant than myself. This is not always easy to do, as I am prone to pride and selfishness. However, Jesus enables transformation of the whole person, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I can hope to be transformed ever-more into his likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).

A New Logo for Perfect Chaos

Dear friends, for several years I have had a picture of a top hat (

God Will Not Forsake His Saints

Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place,
he will not be there.

But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.

An extract from Psalm 37 (of David).

Even when you’re surrounded by all kinds of evil and wickedness, as David repeatedly says, ‘Fret not yourself!’ Do not worry, because God is in control, and he will not forsake those who take refuge in him.

The Synagogue of Satan

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.'”

Revelation 3:8-9

For commentaries expounding the meaning of this passage, click here.

A Claim of Unrivalled Boldness

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

From the Gospel according to John.

Wait, did Jesus really say that everyone who believes in him will never die? How can anyone make such a claim? Who is this man who says he is ‘the resurrection’? Read the New Testament and find out for yourself.

Son of God: Blasphemy or Truth?

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.

“The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’, because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

From the Gospel according to John.

From the writings contained in the New Testament it is abundantly clear that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. The only question spiritual seekers face is whether or not to believe this claim. The implications, if Jesus was telling the truth, are profoundly important — a matter of eternal destiny.

A Worship Music Playlist For You!

Greetings, dear ones. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it always seems that people get very excited about sharing their favourite songs with loved ones, and yet somehow being the recipient rather than the giver of musical gifts can seem a little daunting. However, this will not be the case with the musical collection I’m sharing with you today, which is surely going to bless you in wonderful ways!