Photo credits: first and second pictures Here beginneth a LONG quotation from John 11. Bear with me! 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was … Continue reading »
Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. Yes, I’m back in John 15:4 again. Busyness and tiredness often … Continue reading »
I’ve just done the first of several practices of this week’s preach in preparation for Sunday. There’s nothing quite like reading the notes off the computer screen and, in effect, preaching to the laptop with all the enthusiasm and inflection which I hope will form part of my delivery on Sunday. Mind you, back … Continue reading »
I’ve just recently started writing for an online magazine called Provoketive, which is based in the U.S. It’s exciting to be published by someone else other than me(!) and what I’m writing for that site will go to a far wider – and different – audience than I have here. But, because what I plan … Continue reading »
This morning, I woke up with a sense that God had drawn near to me while I was still asleep. The Psalms describe this, in fact. Listen to this from Psalm 42:8… By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life. … Continue reading »
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 (TM) I’ve just done a … Continue reading »
Well, here I am, having done not only this research induction but also one week at my research desk. (One week being, in real terms, two days because I am part-time everything and full-time nothing!) The water-walking has begun in earnest and it has been a strange week. The worst day, without doubt, was Tuesday. … Continue reading »
I don’t often just post Bible verses. In fact, upon reflection, I don’t reference the Bible very often. I think I tend to assume you can figure out which passages might be in the back of my mind! The recent post about spiritual parenting is a case in point. I was floating around mentally in Titus … Continue reading »
Here’s another Allender and Longman gem (Intimate Allies, for those who have not been following me lately ): God does not exclusively fill the human heart. He made humankind to need more than himself. The staggering humility of God to make something that was not to be fully satisfied with the Creator and the creation is … Continue reading »
The Scriptures are replete…with references to friendship…A friend is someone with whom we share our life and who will be there for us…someone against whom, to whom and with whom we live this thing called life. This comes from a new book called As Good As It Gets by Stephen M. Clark. I’m meant to be … Continue reading »
