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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‘Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me… And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, they will never lose their reward.’ Matthew 10:40, 42 It seems insignificant, doesn’t it? If I welcome a disciple with…
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If you’re doing a road trip and arrive at a T-junction, chances are that one choice will take you towards your destination; while the other will lead you further away. I usually try to find the most direct route from A to B. So I find taking any wrong turn most exasperating!!! To avoid this,…
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One technique for learning at Good Shepherd Primary School is to use a line of questioning that goes like this: What do I see? What do I think? What do I wonder? When looking that the picture to the right, use this method of questioning. Then, think about your answers in light of Matthew 7:1-2: Do…
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Remember that catchy song by Bobby McFerrin in 1988: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? In the following years, rumours spread of him committing suicide. But it was not true! What things do you worry about most? Some common triggers for worry: • Struggling finances, paying bills or repaying the mortgage; • Finishing complex tasks or assignments on time,…
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The Birthday of the Church We celebrate it every year. Pentecost – the birthday of the church. We light the candles, we talk about the Holy Spirit sounding like wind and looking like fire, then we extinguish the candles and go about our business, just as if it were own birthday. One year older, one…
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