Carried Along (5 minute study of 2 Peter 3)

I was reading 2 Peter earlier this morning in the ESV as I leaned in to God for a cuddle.  A phrase struck me that I found immediately vivid and helpful: Right at the beginning of the letter in 1:21, Peter refers to the human writers of Scripture who were “carried along” by the HolyContinue reading “Carried Along (5 minute study of 2 Peter 3)”

Ready: Living Full in a Bloated World

The Need For Learning The early church exploded from a small group of misfit disciples into the most dynamic and cohesive movement within the Roman empire in just three hundred years. They were the new kids on the block and they were taking over the place. One early critic was claiming that they had ‘turnedContinue reading “Ready: Living Full in a Bloated World”

Speak 

Psalm 29 pictures the holy voice of Yahweh as being like a thundering force of such powerful glory that it breaks Cedars of Lebanon, strips vast forests back to their bone and provokes adoring worship in all the earth. His speaking voice is like a cloud of stone-softening exhale as Kings and Presidents plot, asContinue reading “Speak “

Ready: Living Urgently in a Messed-Up World

Kissing a Lifestyle of Convenience Goodbye I’ll be up front – I am writing this at the worst possible time for my family and me. Rachel and I are in the throes of moving from Thailand to Vietnam. Not only are there the logistical challenges of visas, accommodation, flights, ‘yard sales’ (to borrow a termContinue reading “Ready: Living Urgently in a Messed-Up World”

The Cinderella Gift of Discernment

An Unlikely Bride The Disney fairytale Cinderella is a story about an unlikely bride mistreated at the hands of her guardians but who eventually rises from the doldrums of her slave labour to become the star of the ball and the stunning wife of Prince Charming. The tale is a love story of redemption, beauty,Continue reading “The Cinderella Gift of Discernment”

Into the Pray – The Bible

Today is the 499th anniversary of the Reformation. This means that 500 years ago today it was the one year run-up to the defining moment in modern (church) history when Martin Luther would nail his 95 theses to the front door of Castle Church and All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. Luther’s theses opposed the abusiveContinue reading “Into the Pray – The Bible”

The Peace and Might of Gideon

Imagine you’re sitting at home with your nearest and dearest, around a fire, eating some food, watching a movie. You’re trying to make the most of those few weirdly glorious days in between Christmas and New Year when everyone loses touch with the day of the week and the time of the day. What dayContinue reading “The Peace and Might of Gideon”

The Humanity of Prayer

We were flicking through movie rental options on TV the other night when we stumbled across Kevin Reynolds’ 2016 film Risen – a film about the resurrection of Christ as seen through the eyes of a Roman Military Tribune, Clavius ((Joseph Fiennes). Inititially I thought the film was going to be lame but was surprised byContinue reading “The Humanity of Prayer”

A Normal Oblivion

Bed-side Imagine being woken up tomorrow morning by voices in your head, or voices that you thought were in your head. Imagine groggily coming round, sick in your stomach, disoriented by fear because of the sonic traffic that the voices in your head were creating: unfamiliar tones, unrecognisable expressions – a mystifying medley of unearthlyContinue reading “A Normal Oblivion”

We Are Not Our Failures

You may be reading this post very aware that you have just failed again, especially with something that you’re trying to beat because you can see that it’s having a negative impact on your life and on the lives of others. You’re travelling at speed. Your heart is like a set of bicycle wheels.