There came a day when a woman, ritually unclean, dared to approach Jesus, and with trembling hand, reached out and touched His rabbi’s garment¹. Defying all convention, disobeying the Law, risking sudden and violent death, she carried within those tremoring fingers years of hope unrealised, nights of anguished tears, and one last act of final … Continue reading The Woman Who Touched God
church
I’m Not Your Hero
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
Share this:
The Insanity of The Kingdom
Recently a blogger friend, Becky Johnson, remarked in one of her posts “I think this is normal to a life of faith – this feeling like we …. are doing something completely insane” I think she’s on to something. You don’t need to spend a lot of time reading the gospels before you realise the … Continue reading The Insanity of The Kingdom
Share this:
On Bearing Witness, Or “Just Go With Me On This”
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”
Share this:
From The Archives: Destination Christ
The Bride’s journey is not a journey to somewhere. It’s a journey into Someone. Her goal is communion with the Father, by means of the Spirit, through oneness with Christ the Bridegroom. Her destination is nothing less than Christ's fullness (Eph. 4:13). This is the very thing Jesus prayed for in his final hours of … Continue reading From The Archives: Destination Christ
Share this:
Of Wolves and Kings
The scene was somber. Weeping unashamedly each one in turn fell upon the apostle’s neck, covering his face with kisses, embracing him for what they now knew would be the last time. Each of them feared for their spiritual father's fate, but none could contend with his determination to go on. Regardless of whatever … Continue reading Of Wolves and Kings
Share this:
Jesus Was Cool About Breaking The Rules
So there I was, frantically squeezing my feet into my brown school shoes, eyeing the wall clock with alarm and breathlessly leaping onto the back of the school bus as it pulled away from the bus stop. My heart was pounding as I rehearsed suitable excuses for missing roll call. My throat tightened with a … Continue reading Jesus Was Cool About Breaking The Rules
Share this:
Of His Flesh and Of His Bones: A Mystery
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 Of His Flesh and Of His Bones: A Mystery
Share this:
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. Pass me by … Continue reading So You Want To Be A Lover
Share this:
When Jesus Isn’t Enough
The young pastor peered intensely at me through searching brown eyes, trying hard to articulate his dilemma. “Tell me, please tell me, how can I move my ministry into these wonderful things that have been promised to me and that I so desire? I believe you can instruct me in this.” Sitting across the table … Continue reading When Jesus Isn’t Enough
Share this:
For Black Sheep and Misfits
My favourite childhood uncle died last week. The combination of age (he was in his eighties), dementia and Parkinson’s disease finally became too much. I had seen him only once in the last ten years, but my strongest memories of him will always be childhood ones. I remember him as a kind and trustworthy man. … Continue reading For Black Sheep and Misfits
Share this:
Exploring Community Part Three: Hierarchy and Leadership
Where does hierarchy fit in with authentic Christian community? What role, if any, does leadership have to play? These are questions many of us are struggling with as God continues to lead us out of ‘playing church’ into the day to day reality of Kingdom life. I offer the following two suggestions for consideration in … Continue reading Exploring Community Part Three: Hierarchy and Leadership
Share this:
Exploring Community Part Two: True and False Community
We have seen how the very essence of authentic community lies within the mystery of Three in One Elohyim: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling eternally as vibrant, living, loving community among Themselves. We have seen how humanity is incapable of creating community, for it is not created, it is imparted. Apart from ongoing … Continue reading Exploring Community Part Two: True and False Community
Share this:
Exploring Community Part One: In the Beginning
In the beginning Elohyim¹, the One God who is True and who Lives, the God who is Three in One, the God besides whom there is no other god². And this true, living God who is perfect Oneness is also a community of three divine personalities: the Father, divine Lifegiver; the Son, divine Utterance; and … Continue reading Exploring Community Part One: In the Beginning
Share this:
Unwashed Feet
"Come right on in” said the usher at the door You’re so welcome today, please find a seat” Failing to notice as the crowd pressed in The stranger she welcomed had unwashed feet The stranger sat down in the very front row An elder came up with a knowing smile “I’m … Continue reading Unwashed Feet
Share this:
ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Three
For a fuller understanding of this article please first read Altar, Temple, Kingdom Part One and Altar, Temple, Kingdom Part Two. As Jesus related parable after parable to demonstrate kingdom life He presented to His hearers a Kingdom not to be imagined in a distant future but freely available in the present, or ‘at hand’. … Continue reading ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Three
Share this:
Wickedness in High Places
“Wicked” is a strong, some would say harsh, word. It’s not a word most of us would want applied to us. Yet it’s exactly the word Jesus used to describe a certain kind of servant who for all intents and purposes appeared outwardly loyal and dedicated. In Luke 19:11-27 Jesus tells one of His frequent … Continue reading Wickedness in High Places
Share this:
Many Will Be Offended
Visibly angry, the man with the long dark beard backed away from me as if to avoid catching a dreaded disease. “Get away from me! You are an offence to me!” he sputtered hatefully, eyes flashing with rage, face heavy with indignation. Beside him his approving wife glared at me in agreement, while their two … Continue reading Many Will Be Offended
Share this:
Lessons From the Wilderness: Part Four
In the wilderness nothing is man-made. All that is needed for survival must be provided by God. In His wilderness journey Jesus would have sheltered in caves or one of the many rocky recesses to be found in the cliff faces. He would have refreshed Himself at the small springs of water that occasionally break … Continue reading Lessons From the Wilderness: Part Four
Share this:
Lessons from the Wilderness, Part One
Wilderness….you’ve either been there, are there right now, or don’t want to go there….. ever! I remember being taught the only safe place for a Christian was ‘in the fellowship of other Christians’, meaning a thriving church scene surrounded by people who dressed in the same clothes, spoke the same language, sang the same songs … Continue reading Lessons from the Wilderness, Part One
Bread for the Bride 