Dr. Blanchard is an internationally known Christian preacher, teacher, apologist and author. He has written 30 books, including Does God believe in Atheists? and two of Britain’s most widely used evangelistic presentations, Right With God and the booklet Ultimate Questions.

His talk, based on his 40-page illustrated booklet of the same name, gets to grips with one of the most frequently-asked questions in the world today: ‘How can there be an all-loving, all-powerful God when there is so much evil and suffering in the world? The appalling death-toll following the earthquakes and tsunamis in south-east Asia left millions of people confused and uncertain, while for others it destroyed the last vestige of faith. Dr Blanchard seeks to tackle the issue head-on, showing the terrible void that results from leaving God out of the picture, and giving a clear presentation of the biblical response to the question.

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

John Newton

You can listen to Indelible Grace sing this on YouTube;

The Story of Ian & Larissa from Desiring God on Vimeo.

This one-day interdenominational women’s conference was held at Smithton-Culloden Church on Saturday 12th May. You can now watch video of Ann Allen’s talks on the Women Across the Highlands website.

You can also watch a video clip with Morven Hulks (WATH committee member) and Rona Matheson (who presented the “Tales of the Unexpected” seminar) on Inverness TV.

Marsala Campbell’s news
Alistair and Jenny Wilson’s news
Dumisani Theological Institute news

For further details pick up an Events Programme from reception or take a look at the Alive Fesitival website.

Take a look at their website to find out more about the Watoto Children’s Choir.