Why All The Grief - The Practical Use of Laments March 07, 2024 This little piece is just me thinking out loud - with time at a premium this week, I'm going to leave you to do some of the work yourself, and fill
Reproductive Technologies - IVF Sweet Home Alabama? February 29, 2024 Court Rules I must confess my surprise at the epidemic outbreak of panic and hysteria in the media and politics over a recent Alabama IVF-ruling on Feb 16. I was encouraged to hear
Why Me? January 01, 2024 The Book of Job shows him experiencing in an extreme degree the bitterness and perplexity of unexplained suffering, refusing to acquiesce in rational theories that make God's way subject to simple
Book of Ruth The Unfinished Story December 29, 2023 For a plethora of reasons, the Book of Ruth has a special place in my heart: it was one of my first expository series that I preached; read by a death bed, it
Psalm 139 The Blind Shall See.... November 30, 2023 If the tongue gets mentioned for its disproportionate effect, among functioning body parts, few are more eulogized than eyesight. The Eye Multilayering of the RETINA, with a complex light imaging system of myriadic
Religion True or False? November 09, 2023 Introduction In His book practical religion, Anglican bishop of Liverpool, JC Ryle, extols the virtues of powerful practical evangelical Christianity. Context In this little section of James chapter 1:26-27, the apostle lays
Living Wills August 24, 2023 The following notes form the minimally-edited substance of one of the lectures I gave at the RPTS last week: they're certainly not definitive or the last word on the subject -
Bluebloods? July 06, 2023 In recent weeks I've been studying Jacob's life. Genesis 30 deals with the origins of the Church and the kind of unpromising soil in which the Family of God
Creation Sabbath Sensible Sabbath-Keeping May 04, 2023 I spent yesterday evening, on the recommendation of Carl Trueman, reading a delightful little book on Natural Law, by David Haines and Andrew Fulford. Before I begin, I have two confessions to make:
John the Baptist What did Elizabeth mean? April 20, 2023 I was reflecting this morning on the prophetic greeting given to Mary when the unborn infant John leapt in his mother's womb. What did Elizabeth believe? Elizabeth believed that Mary had
Genesis 18 Intercessory Prayer March 09, 2023 Introduction In light of huge need, before the Coming of the Lord, it is good to be reminded of the call to intercede. Context How does Abraham, the Man of Faith, who had
Genesis 16 Anything you can do.... February 23, 2023 We are called to walk by faith, through which we are also justified. Far too often, believers including mature saints, even in top ecclesiastical posts, seek to further God's work by
Sabbath Day The Son & The Sabbath January 26, 2023 Over the past two weeks, given Christ's statement in the Gospels, I've been mulling over the question of how the Sabbath of Creation connects with Christ as Son. The
Genesis 12.1-3 Carving Out A Reputation? January 05, 2023 There are two main ways for people to seek import and repute. One is to seek awards, applause or acolytes with a self-constructed legend or legacy of genius, industry, wealth, philanthropy, family or
Did You Forget the Tree? December 01, 2022 As the festive season approaches, it is good to ask why we engage in celebration? What is the real reason for the season? For certain, this is a time, when most professing Christians,
A Very Important Reason to Keep Preaching Hell to Mature Believers! November 28, 2022 It can be tempting for pastors and elders, who serve gathered congregations of saints, to be misled into thinking that we no longer need to reflect on the excruciating sorrows of the damned.
Punishing Praise - Psalm 149 November 18, 2022 All the faithful are called to rowdy, royal, praise of their Redeemer-King Yahweh, as they contemplate & celebrate their holy vocation as agents of His vengeance. Just as Joshua set his boot on
Genesis Genealogies Evangelical Existentialism September 29, 2022 Electoral Populist A number of years ago, in the British General Election, future Prime Minister Cameron embraced a sound-bite mantra of "Choice" which captured many votes. Pro Choice Few at the
God Saved the King September 22, 2022 Final Psalter arrangement, when no son of David ruled, makes Psalm 118 a communal chant of messianic thanks. The LORD's lasting loyal love is praised by God's whole awestruck
Scripture Reading Focus Men as trees walking.... September 08, 2022 Up for a walk first thing this morning, I decided to treat my eyes to a breath of cool autumnal air - a 30-minute break from the seemingly endless cycle of contact lens
The Stepwise Psalter August 26, 2022 It is increasingly becoming apparent that, all other things being equal, reading Psalms in sequence is a deeply enriching and spiritually nourishing experience. Positioning Psalm 95 One example may help to persuade the
Jesus and the Jews - Part I August 11, 2022 Introduction There is much misunderstanding about the place of Israel in relationship to the Church, and the future God has planned for the nation of the Jews. Interpretation The proper procedure, in settling
Two Things Are Needful? July 28, 2022 I've been doing a 6-month review over the past week or so - taking a brief time-out to take stock after my half-year across the pond in the East Coast of
Roots? July 19, 2022 There are so many unexpected opportunities to bring a word about Christ to those we meet each day. On my way home from a run (my first in the US - it took