Written for the Methodist Churches Online Bible study, A Word in Time. The original post appears here. Luke 7:1-10 “When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, …
This week saw the publication of the so called Panama Papers. These are documents leaked from the law firm Mossack Fonseca and comprises of more data than either Edward Snowden or Wikileaks managed to hand out. The Panama Papers give us a glimpse into the workings of tax evasion around the world. These papers have lifted the lid on how criminals, politicians and …
Luke 5:27-32 Engage Levi : This is a Hebrew name and probably meant that this man was a descendent of Levi son of Jacob (Gen 35:23). This meant he was of the priestly tribe though he had not taken up that line of work. Tax collectors : Rome taxed the countries it ruled in order to maintain its empire. It …
Luke 4:1-13 Engage Genealogy of Jesus: In the verses just prior to this story we are given a list of Jesus’ descendants. We must not mistake these lists for ancient versions of our modern day family trees. Instead these lists of kinship were as much about theology and politics as they were history. Wilderness: The wilderness had great significance for …
Luke 3:1-18 + 21- 22 Engage Tiberius Caesar : He was Roman Emperor from 14-37AD he was known as a great general but in later life suffered a decline in his mental health. He ordered Jews out of Rome at one time and in his final years his reign was marked by fear. Pontius Pilate : Fifth prefect of Judea …
Deep in the book of Ezekiel we are given a description of the angels that surround the throne of God. Their faces looked like this: each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had …
I have been a fan of Rugby for a number of years now and the Six Nations was where my love began. From around 2000 I followed England in the annual tournament and in to the memorable 2003 world cup. Since that time my knowledge of the game has grown and I watch a lot more rugby now. This year I …
As I continue my reflections on pioneer ministry I come to the area which intrigues me the most… The idea of building up and knocking down. The idea links back to one of the earlier posts in this pioneer series entitled ‘foot soldiers‘ which looks at the background of the word in the military. Whilst looking at this early root I discovered …
Hope : Jesus Titus 2:11-13, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7 ‘Turn around and believe that the good news that we are loved is better than we ever dared hope, and that to believe in that good news, to live out of it and toward it, to be in love with that good news, is of all glad things in this world …
Hope : Joy and Love Romans 12:9-12, Colossians 1:3-8, Luke 2:19 ‘They were coming for him and his people. Friends were being killed or fleeing for their lives. So Andrew White did what he always does when faced with an enemy. “I invited the leaders of Isis [Islamic State] for dinner. I am a great believer in that. I have …
Hope : Past, present and Future Psalm 78:1-8, John 1:1-13 ‘Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.’ Corrie Ten Boom Anything to Declare It’s a long time since I have been to an airport and had to check baggage in for a flight. There are the endless questions asking if you have packed it yourself …
Hope : The glory of God Romans 5:1-5, Luke 2:8-20, John 1:14 ‘It is always darkest before the day dawn’ Thomas Fuller Walking the Road Have you ever had a time in your life where you have found yourself in the middle of an adventure? A time when you have started out on a simple journey and it’s turned into …
Hope : Grace and Gospel 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Colossians 1:15-23, John 1:15-18 ‘There we are – the multitude who so wanted to be faithful, who at times got defeated, soiled by life, and bested by trials, wearing the bloodied garments of life’s tribulations, but through it all clung to the faith. My friends, if this is not good news to …
This morning as I viewed my various social media platforms I came across a number voicing outrage at the above advert being ‘banned’ from three cinema chains as it may be ‘offensive’. The advert, which forms part of a #JustPray campaign run by the Church of England, includes a number of people saying lines from the prayer. I did a bit of …
I’m excited! Why? Because I believe something is happening. Small streams are beginning to flow. Springs are bubbling in the wilderness. God is doing something. Psychotherapy or prescription viagra without hypnotherapy has the answer to all the behavioral problems. Emotional states (extreme anxiety, “bug-eyed,” withdrawn, angry, etc.) When therapists take time to focus, relax, and carefully listen to the levitra …
As we have mentioned before, the rivers in Ezekiel and Revelation feed trees that produce fruit. This fruit is produced every month and we are told it will never fail. Ezekiel also mentions that fisherman will come to the river to catch its many species for food. Again this is an image of the life-giving water that provides food for …