He is just a boy, a lad, a child. Yet he holds in his hands the making of a miracle. Looking shyly into the face of the rabbi, he intuitively understands this is not a Man who will forcefully take anything from him. He’s not so sure about the Man’s friends though. But he … Continue reading Something Beautiful
body of Christ
Q and A: Covid-19, The Church, And God’s Judgment
Recently I was asked to comment on whether COVID-19 restrictions on churches could be a sign of God’s judgment on the western institutional church, given that many churches have had to limit or cease usual Sunday services. In relation to this, 1 Peter 4:17 was referenced: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and … Continue reading Q and A: Covid-19, The Church, And God’s Judgment
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“So Where Do You Go To Church?”
“So where do you go to church?” A seemingly innocent question, and one that will be familiar to followers of Jesus Christ. But if, like me, you’re one of the growing number of believers who choose to refrain from participation in traditional local church life, it’s too often a question that sets alarm bells ringing. … Continue reading “So Where Do You Go To Church?”
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To Whom Shall We Go?
Into every life there comes at least one crucial watershed moment. Moments where the soul is sifted and the true motivations of our hearts are revealed. Moments when events align around us that will require hard choices and ultimately determine our destiny. It is my belief the slowing down currently caused by the world-wide coronavirus … Continue reading To Whom Shall We Go?
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So You Want To Go Back To Normal
Coronavirus. I doubt there’s a single person reading this it hasn’t impacted. Many of us are reeling at the extent and speed with which the world around has changed, dramatically, within what seems like a nano-second. It’s mind boggling, isn’t it! Everywhere I turn – internet, TV news, social media, family discussion – the question … Continue reading So You Want To Go Back To Normal
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THE LAMB Part Three
If we are Christ-followers, we live our earthly lives contending with a world system that violently opposes the authority of the King and Kingdom we serve (Jn. 15:19). In this world, authority is synonymous with ‘’greatness’’. Nations demonstrate their greatness through displays of military and economic might. Leaders boast openly about their nation’s greatness … Continue reading THE LAMB Part Three
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THE LAMB Part One
Image supplied by Heartlight.org The year is AD96 or thereabouts. The location is Patmos, a remote island-prison outpost of the mighty Roman Empire. The ageing Christian apostle John has been exiled and imprisoned on the island because of, in his words, “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In worship John hears … Continue reading THE LAMB Part One
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Crucified! (Reposted)
The mood among them was sombre to say the least. Passover was meant to be a celebration of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, but all this talk of Him going away without them was hitting them like a bucket of cold water. Now His conversation had turned again to the Father and the One He called … Continue reading Crucified! (Reposted)
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A Kingdom Of Priests
While much of organised Christianity continues fortifying kingdoms of men, behind the scenes the Holy Spirit has strategically and quietly been preparing a company of believers dedicated solely to the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth. Let’s backtrack a little. From the beginning God has desired a human priesthood. Essentially, the first … Continue reading A Kingdom Of Priests
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Seasons
If I asked you which season you are in right now, no doubt you would answer me with “Spring” or “Autumn”, depending on which hemisphere you currently live in. You could point to physical and climatic signs to back up your answer. Here in Australia leaves have turned red and golden, there is a gentle … Continue reading Seasons
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Why Trouble The Woman?
Before gender equality became written into our laws, before #metoo and #churchtoo, long before the time’s up movement and the current “he said, she said” media frenzy, there was a time in human history when man and woman lived together on this planet in perfect harmonious co-existence. When God introduced the first woman (Hebrew “Íshshah”) … Continue reading Why Trouble The Woman?
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IDOLS IN THE TEMPLE Part 4: The Tithe (B)
(This is part B of a two-part study. It is recommended you read Idols in The Temple Part 4: The Tithe (A) first). In Part A of our study on tithing, we examined some faulty foundations frequently used to justify the practice of paying tithes. Tithe teachers will tell us that tithing is a form … Continue reading IDOLS IN THE TEMPLE Part 4: The Tithe (B)
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IDOLS IN THE TEMPLE Part 4: The Tithe (A)
The preacher’s face reddened as he belted out his favorite (some said his only) Sunday morning message. With Bible held high and voice rising, he loudly reminded the congregation of our duty to faithfully bring the whole tithe (with emphasis on w-h-O-l-e) into the storehouse. Not to do so was to commit that gravest of … Continue reading IDOLS IN THE TEMPLE Part 4: The Tithe (A)
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The Quest For Rest
When Jesus spoke the words “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” He was not referring merely to physical comforts (Matt. 8:20). From the beginning of creation God has actively sought a resting place for Himself among humankind. In the first chapter of Genesis we see a progressive revelation of the environment … Continue reading The Quest For Rest
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The Rock and The Hard Place (From The Archives)
A night of high drama. A brotherly kiss between friends, but not all is at it seems. Eyes meet in a silent moment of raw, agonising truth. Hearts are laid bare. One man weeps hot bitter tears; another discards all hope. A bag of silver coins is thrown in the dust. A verdict, a sentence … Continue reading The Rock and The Hard Place (From The Archives)
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So You Want To Be A Lover?
Rumour has it I’m pretty much a failure when it comes to loving the brethren. If you like your dollops of Christian love handed over with bear hugs, chatty phone calls and affectionate enquiries about every tiny corner of your life, I may as well warn you now I’m not the one you’re looking for. … Continue reading So You Want To Be A Lover?
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The Magnificent Pursuit
He watched intently, wordlessly, as they departed the sacred Garden where all of them had walked together. There they had communed, talking, laughing and celebrating each other’s presence, while Spirit-breeze, the Ruarch, gently caressed their faces and the sunset marked the end of another perfect day in Eden. This day the sunset would not find … Continue reading The Magnificent Pursuit
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Everybody Got A Hungry Heart
Within the recesses of the human heart there is a gnawing hunger common to all humanity. Whether one is unschooled or highly educated, whether we live in the lap of luxury or in a grass hut, whether we feast at kings’ tables or scratch for roots and berries, the hunger in our souls is common … Continue reading Everybody Got A Hungry Heart
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The Marks of Jesus
A friend recently shared with me this quote from the sermons of Theodore Austin Sparks: "Beloved, you and I will never come through to God’s eternally intended place for us in the heavenly Kingdom until everything of this earthly life has been smitten, has been smashed. We have got to be broken men and women … Continue reading The Marks of Jesus
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About Those Heavenly Places…..
Am I alone in having kept a vague little picture hidden in my mind that I used to pull out and dust off every time I heard the phrase ‘heavenly places’? (I’m guessing I’m probably not.) Take this example for instance: ‘But God….made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together and made us sit … Continue reading About Those Heavenly Places…..
