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?
gospel
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
Mary, Did You Know?
Mary, did you know on that night long ago in Bethlehem, the night you gave birth in a lonely, dung strewn cattle shed, that one day you would stand shivering before a Roman execution stake and watch your son die a bloody and cruel death? Did you imagine the scene unfolding before your eyes … Continue reading Mary, Did You Know?
Resurrection’s Child (From The Archives)
It is one thing to believe that Christ has risen. It is another thing to believe that we have risen. It is one thing to believe He has defeated death. It is another thing to believe that in Him we also have defeated death. I am not referring here to going to Heaven when this … Continue reading Resurrection’s Child (From The Archives)
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)
Rediscovering Identity
Identity. It’s an invisible badge each of us wear from the moment we enter this world. Most of us will have our first little identity badge pinned on us at birth or even before. Proud parents and/or family members declare to the world a new child has been added to the house of Smith, or … Continue reading Rediscovering Identity
The Perfection Of Weakness
There’s a misconception, a lie if you like, that is pervasive within modern Christian church culture. At one time I was fully immersed in it; maybe you have been also. It goes along these lines: ‘’As Christians we are called to be strong, authoritative personalities who know what we’re about, face every challenge … Continue reading The Perfection Of Weakness
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
A Kingdom Bursting Forth and an Incomplete Gospel
Their jaws set purposefully, the two men pushed roughly through the crowd. Their teacher was imprisoned, in peril of his life, and they had been sent on an urgent mission. They had a message to deliver and an answer to obtain, and they would not be delayed. “Are You the One we’ve been expecting, or … Continue reading A Kingdom Bursting Forth and an Incomplete Gospel
Idols In The Temple, Part One
Idolatry. It’s not a word we hear often in the church scene these days. It’s not a word we like to hear. Sure, it may be mentioned in a sermon referencing ancient Israel or the cultures early Christians or missionaries interacted with, but seldom is it applied as relevant to modern, enlightened Christian believers. Because … Continue reading Idols In The Temple, Part One
Hidden In Plain Sight
Let’s be clear. A gospel that does not progressively awaken us to the truth that Christ’s sacrifice is all sufficient is not the gospel of the Kingdom Christ preached. A gospel message that teaches we can gain God’s favour by anything in addition to faith in His Son will ultimately produce dysfunctional disciples in whom … Continue reading Hidden In Plain Sight
Unlearning A Perverted Gospel
There are all kinds of ways to hear the gospel. We may hear it in a church, from someone speaking on TV or radio, or perhaps by direct conversation with another person. 'Faith comes by hearing' is a maxim drummed in to us from very early in our Christian journey. We hear, through faith the … Continue reading Unlearning A Perverted Gospel
ALTAR, TEMPLE, KINGDOM Part Two
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 Two
The Prodigal Father
"Prodigal": Spending money or resources freely and recklessly, wastefully extravagant, having or giving something on a lavish scale Oxford Dictionary To Simon, brother of my father, greetings and peace to you and your household. I will waste no time, uncle, in presenting to you the reason for my letter. I find myself in need of assistance … Continue reading The Prodigal Father
From The Archives: Deep, Deep Love
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
No Fear? Part Two
Part Two of Two Most of us know that Jesus told people not to have fear. Often. Recently I attempted to count how many times in the gospel accounts Jesus said ‘fear not’, ‘don’t be afraid’, or something along those lines. I gave up. I had no difficulty counting how many times Jesus told people … Continue reading No Fear? Part Two
Guest Post – Scrubbing The Competition
Today I welcome fellow blogger Tiffany Clark as a guest poster on Bread for the Bride. Tiffany writes with deep insight at her blogsite Messy Theology. Tiffany teaches (and is taught) Spiritual Formation in an M.A. program offered for Christian leaders throughout Africa and Asia. In her various writing projects, Tiffany prefers grappling with the Scriptures in the … Continue reading Guest Post – Scrubbing The Competition
The Tyranny of Empty Nets
A dark mood enveloped the seasoned fisherman as he dragged his boat onto shore. Pulling an empty net up beside him he began to wash away the night’s debris. Simon could hear the Rabbi’s voice speaking softly and firmly to the crowd further up the beach. But he was tired, sore and irritated at the … Continue reading The Tyranny of Empty Nets
From The Archives: No You Can’t, Uh Uh, No Way!
So there was Jesus making His way along the road. And there was the usual crowd, pressing, squabbling, gawking, chattering. Seems a familiar scenario - Jesus and crowds go together, right? No, not this day. This day Jesus turns, faces the crowd and presents them with something they didn’t come for. “You can’t follow Me” … Continue reading From The Archives: No You Can’t, Uh Uh, No Way!
From the Archives: The Gift
For the third time, the ageing Pharisee circled the strangely shaped object lying at his feet. No one could tell him who had left it unsolicited outside his door, or even when it had appeared. Wrapped in the skin of a lamb and crudely labelled with just one handwritten Hebrew word, “chen”, its appearance was … Continue reading From the Archives: The Gift