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 night … Continue reading From The Archives: An Un-Christmas Carol
Jesus Christ
No Fear? Part One
Part One of Two I always thought I’d run into her in a supermarket aisle or perhaps in the doctor’s rooms. It was neither as it turned out. At the shopping mall, as I emerged from the ladies’ rest room, there she was: approaching the rest room from the opposite direction, in a long narrow … Continue reading No Fear? Part One
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The Jesus That Time Forgot
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
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The Question
This is not the post I planned to share today. Today many of us are grappling with deep sadness and questions no one can answer. This weekend we were brought once again to the shattering reality that humanity is in deep, agonising trouble. While politicians promise dramatic responses, musicians comfort us with gentle tunes, and … Continue reading The Question
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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
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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
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In Whose Image?
One of the most common accusations levelled at women by those who advocate male leadership in church and home (and some would add society in general), is that Eve (Ishshah) disobeyed God and led Adam into sin. For this reason, they say, God ordained that ‘her husband would rule over her’ (Gen. 3:16). In fact, … Continue reading In Whose Image?
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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!
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In Search Of Authentic Authority
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
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From The Archives: 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 sorry this row’s … Continue reading From The Archives: Unwashed Feet
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The Woman Who Touched God
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
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The Sweet Sufficiency of Jesus
You know, the further I travel along this Christ-following journey, the more I’m persuaded there’s just one overwhelming priority for the Bride of Christ in this late hour. There is no shortage of prophetic voices proclaiming numerous messages in the name of Christ: messages about the end times, spiritual warfare, cities and nations, world events, … Continue reading The Sweet Sufficiency of Jesus
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Gurrumul – “Jesu”
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an indigenous Australian from Arnhem Land, Northern Australia. Born blind, Gurrumul, as he is known, is from the Yolngu people on remote Elcho Island and speaks little English. May this beautiful worship song from Garrumul's Gospel Album cause your spirit to soar today.
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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
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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
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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”
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Awakening
Sometimes we need a reality check. Sometimes we fall for our own propaganda. Sometimes we just need to sit at the feet of Jesus long enough, still enough, to cease striving to live up to our own warped image of ourself. Sometimes, no often, we need to give ourselves permission to admit we don't have it all together and quite … Continue reading Awakening
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Royal Seal – SoS Saturday
Sharing today this post from Ben Nelson at Another Red Letter Day. May it help us remember how very much we are loved…..
Put me like a seal over your heart,
Like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy is as severe as Sheol;
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
The very flame of the LORD.Song of Songs 8:6 NASB
As you may know, in the days of Solomon a seal was a mark of identification and ownership.
A seal acted as a signature for kings and nobles. They used wax seals to signify the authenticity of a document or artifact. A title-deed for example, or private communication, after it’s writing, would be rolled or folded. Then the writer melted wax and the pressed his seal into the it. If the recipient found the seal broken, he knew that the communication was no longer secure.
The king’s army was the force behind the kings seal, and it was that force that would ensure the safety of the message, and…
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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
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Unconditional Love – Or Not
Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.( Luke 8:37) “Just go Jesus, OK? We don’t want anything to do with you. Don’t even think about entering this city. We’ve seen … Continue reading Unconditional Love – Or Not
Bread for the Bride 