“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 NIV) This was Cain’s response to the Lord’s question about his brother’s whereabouts. Cain was miffed and angry with his brother Abel. Why? Because the Lord had accepted Abel’s offering but did not look with favour on his offering. Instead of controlling his anger and being reconciled with…
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We all probably know what’s coming. This scripture verse is sometimes quoted ad nauseum, as kind of a readjustment of the moral compass which has been pulled by some kind of dark gravity into places we shouldn’t go. I don’t think that’s what Jesus was talking about. When the Messiah (that’s what Peter has just…
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In our 21st Century culture, individualism is perhaps regarded as our most “inalienable right”. We are entitled to our own opinions and the right to express them. We have the right to make our own choices of what is right and true, what we want to believe, or what we regard as the supreme object…
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As we push through the middle chapters of the book of Matthew, we have to engage with some very difficult thoughts and ideas about the ministry of both Jesus and the disciples. But (the Canaanite woman) knelt before Jesus and said, ‘Lord, help me!’ Jesus answered, ‘It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and…
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In his message last Sunday, Pr. Reid asked: “How many of you have been on a boat? How many of you love being on a boat? How many of you hate being on a boat?” Being on a boat is not my favourite place. If there’s just a bit of swell, before long I’m feeling…
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Bring (the loaves and fish) to me,’ Jesus said. Then, he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up into heaven, he blessed them. Matthew 14:18,19a I love the ambiguity. As I read through the story of the feeding of the five…
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In The Lord of the Rings, a hobbit named Gollum discovers a ring which he refers to as “my precious”. He is glad to have found it. Yet sadly, his devotion to it changes him for the worse. I wonder, what’s the most precious thing you’ve ever discovered? What were the circumstances that led up…
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Human attitudes, words and actions are like seeds and plants that bear fruit over time. For thousands of years, people have noticed how this works out in life. For example, we read in the ancient book of Job: As I have observed, those who plough evil and those who sow trouble reap it (Job 4:8…
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But the one sown on the good ground – this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:23) I think far too often, I read this passage and understand it from the analogical perspective of…
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“I want you to enjoy me more than just doing stuff for me!” These are the words I once heard from the Lord. It wasn’t audible, but rather his Spirit communicating with my spirit. As one who likes doing stuff, I am still working this out in my life – not because I’m under a…
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