Everybody Got A Hungry Heart

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017 / Cheryl McGrath / 6 Comments

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

The Marks of Jesus

December 7, 2016January 23, 2017 / Cheryl McGrath / 12 Comments

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

About Those Heavenly Places…..

November 9, 2016November 7, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 9 Comments

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…..

Until Christ Is Formed

October 26, 2016October 24, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 4 Comments

Travail. It’s a very outdated way of describing a woman’s heavy labor during childbirth. A word rarely heard these days. Try dropping the word ‘travail’ at the local Playgroup or nearest women’s health clinic and it's pretty certain people will look at you like you just landed from Mars. It’s right up there with: ‘curmudgeon’ … Continue reading Until Christ Is Formed

From The Archives: Of His Flesh and Of His Bones: A Mystery

September 21, 2016September 20, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 9 Comments

One of the things I like about some more historic versions of the Bible is their poetic language. I know not everyone will agree and some struggle to understand the older translations, so this is purely an individual observation. Modern language translations and paraphrases also have an important place and personally I enjoy consulting a … Continue reading From The Archives: Of His Flesh and Of His Bones: A Mystery

The Vine And The Grain

July 26, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 4 Comments

Six years have flown by since we moved into our current home. The recent anniversary of our move came with a jolt. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the home we left six years ago: a huge two storey brick and tile on 1.4 acres near the edge of our town. We lived happily … Continue reading The Vine And The Grain

ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Three

June 23, 2016May 22, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 1 Comment

Dear friends of Bread for the Bride: I am currently away taking a short break. Thankyou for your continued support for the Bread for the Bride blogsite since I started it in April 2012. And if you are a new subscriber, welcome! There are 193 articles and poetry for you to explore while I am away and … Continue reading ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Three

ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Two

June 9, 2016May 22, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 2 Comments

ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part One

May 26, 2016September 20, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 3 Comments

Meet The Neighbours

April 28, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 8 Comments

Due to some 'life' overload happening for me this week what I hoped to share with you is still in the oven. That's not something to be concerned about because it provides me with an opportunity to point out some excellent, inspiring, thought-provoking, and simply awesome posts I've read in the last week or so by fellow Christ-following bloggers whose … Continue reading Meet The Neighbours

From The Archives: Thy Kingdom Come?

March 30, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 2 Comments

First posted in January, 2013: "Thy Kingdom come." It’s probably the most frequently spoken prayer known in Christendom, uttered all over the world daily by multitudes of Christians since time immemorial. We so desperately want the Kingdom of God to come, don’t we? Errr….don’t we? Well…..maybe. Ever considered what we’re actually asking for as we … Continue reading From The Archives: Thy Kingdom Come?

From The Archives: Deep, Deep Love

January 5, 2016 / Cheryl McGrath / 6 Comments

In this season of newness, when we look back at where we have been and contemplate where we may be going, I have decided to share again this post from the Bread for the Bride archives. For all who are in the process of stepping out of the boat and onto the wild water, whatever that may … Continue reading From The Archives: Deep, Deep Love

The Jesus That Time Forgot

November 24, 2015November 23, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 5 Comments

Until Christ is revealed in us and to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit we cannot know Him. For many Christ followers our journeys begin in a similar way. We hear and believe the gospel and set out expectantly, seeking to know more about this Jesus Christ who took our place on a Roman cross. … Continue reading The Jesus That Time Forgot

In Search Of Authentic Authority

September 30, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 9 Comments

Leadership. For many of us the word leaves a bad taste. For some it evokes a sense of deep disappointment, emotional pain or abandonment. And for far too many it awakens traumatic memories of spiritual abuse. Jesus didn’t have a lot to say about leadership, except to warn the disciples that His idea of leadership … Continue reading In Search Of Authentic Authority

I’m Not Your Hero

August 4, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 10 Comments

The Sunday morning service was about to start. The child squirmed and protested on my hip as I stood at the back of the room, struggling to keep him still and quiet. The woman approaching me didn’t notice my difficulty in keeping my charge under control. Nor did she discern the tiredness behind my smile. … Continue reading I’m Not Your Hero

On Bearing Witness, Or “Just Go With Me On This”

July 7, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 18 Comments

We watched on with a mixture of awe and wonderment as the old woman cavorted gleefully just in front of us. She was short, round, gray haired…..and today she was beautiful. The silver hair on her head and her chin testified of a long life, a life that had known hardship - perhaps more than … Continue reading On Bearing Witness, Or “Just Go With Me On This”

An Un-Christmas Carol

December 19, 2014January 9, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 12 Comments

The night was not so silent: In the bustling streets Crowds pushed and poked With shoving elbows and trampling feet Men cursed Dust choked Indifferent to a woman heavy with child In desperate need of a place to sleep The little town was not so still: It’s streets and houses overflowing With one … Continue reading An Un-Christmas Carol

Crucified!

December 9, 2014March 15, 2015 / Cheryl McGrath / 10 Comments

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!

Of His Flesh and Of His Bones: A Mystery

November 20, 2014 / Cheryl McGrath / 4 Comments

So You Want To Be A Lover

October 14, 2014 / Cheryl McGrath / 10 Comments

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. Pass me by … Continue reading So You Want To Be A Lover