Marriage of the Lamb Wedding Preparations September 19, 2020 This morning we rose early with a growing sense of excitement. After breakfast we headed out with our daughter and fiance to sort their wedding reception out. We visited an hotel and checked-out
Grief Blessed Are Those Who Mourn - Applications for Lacrimations September 05, 2020 These are just some brief thoughts about how to read and use the often-neglected book of Lamentations with pastoral profit. IntroductionHow valuable this book is - in this world of tears it is
Preparing for Public Worship Praying for Preaching August 08, 2020 Turning Psalm 119:33-40 into prayer is a good way to get ready to preach, prepare, or proceed with reading the Word. These 5th portion petitions humbly cry for help: Lord, please take
worry Rejoice... Always! July 18, 2020 IntroductionI'm on vacation in England so I'm going to make this brief - in the few words that follow I hope to stimulate & encourage you by some thoughts drawn from John Gwyn-Thomas'
Doubting & Believing Capacity to Cope? July 12, 2020 Below are my sermon notes from our first Covid-19 public worship service in Knockbracken, Belfast, today, 12 July 2020. If you are interested in a link to the pre-recorded version of the message,
Judas Iscariot Judas, John & Jesus June 27, 2020 IntroductionOf all the characters in Scripture, the most tragic is surely Judas. He is the One described by Jesus as the "son of destruction". Gospel Number 4 explains Judas in some depth. To
Racism Racism & Redemption June 15, 2020 I believe it would be both fool-hardly and irresponsible for an Irish man to pass comment across continents about the US situation, based on partial, fragmentary, second-hand information. Yet there are some -isms
Psalm 88 - Death Psalm 88 - Deadly Depression June 13, 2020 Reading1A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and
Psalms Yahweh Blessings - Psalm 134 May 23, 2020 The following is a link to my recent late-night post on Psalm 134 - I pray it will bless you as much as it blessed me in doing it!
COVID-19 If I Get Covid Am I Covered? May 18, 2020 It is often claimed by Christians that there is healing in the atonement. A standard proof-text is Matthew's use of Isaiah. What does the prophet teach about sickness? A Spiritual ConditionRight from the
messiah Asa the Ace? May 09, 2020 IntroductionThere was a lot of excitement in the UK yesterday. Even in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, street parties assembled (with social distancing) throughout Britain. It was fascinating to watch video footage
Forgiveness in the Old Testament Was David fully forgiven? April 27, 2020 IntroductionYesterday I preached on Psalm 51:1-2: it recounts David's great plea for mercy & pardon in light of his filthy adultery and murder. To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan
Coronavirus Pastors in Pandemics April 25, 2020 The current pandemic shutdown has been strange in many ways. Pastors who want to teach have had to catch up with hi-tec (or it is only me who feels like an old dog
Noah What would Jesus think of the Rainbow? April 19, 2020 First, His eye would admire the radiant beauty and glory of the refracted spectral colors of light made by the Creator. Second, His face would redden with righteous indignation at seeing the way
Praying Pain to Praise April 07, 2020 A lot has been made about the general drift of the mood music of the Psalter: a strong case has been made that, as we travel from Psalms 1-150, lament gives way to
Time and Eternity At this Time or In this Day and Age? April 02, 2020 I was struck a couple of days ago, while driving to visit my dying mother, by the tone of the normally-upbeat, smokey-voiced, DJs, as they discussed the Covid-19 crisis. Seriously, solemn, the old
Christ in Scripture Why do we not see Christ in all the Scriptures? March 30, 2020 IntroductionThere are many reasons why we fail to see Jesus on every page, as David Murray so aptly puts it. Let me just suggest a few pitfalls to avoid to help us on
Roots of Redemption - Genesis in a Nutshell March 28, 2020 IntroductionHow do you read, teach or preach through a book like the first volume of Moses? As a friend explained to me last night, preaching a large book of Scripture is like a
Catholicism and Covid-19 Priest or No Priest? That is the Question! March 23, 2020 As I was taking our Bernese Mountain Dog, Lucy, for a stroll at the weekend, it struck me that one of the tragedies of the Covid-19 crisis is that medics have said many
Conferencing in Covid Forsaking the Assembly? March 19, 2020 We live in very strange times - on that most are agreed. Sessions are locked in debate about best ways to run church. I agree with brother Etheridge that we need to go
Psalm 91 Protection from Corona March 15, 2020 I'm hoping to preach on Psalm 91 later - I want to consider, with care, the protection that Christians can expect in the Pandemic of Covid-19. The thing that strikes me at once
COVID-19 The Church and Corona March 13, 2020 Covid-19 may well mean that mass gatherings like Camps and Conference are banned. There is a realistic prospect sessions, for the sake of our neighbour and conscience, may have to put a temporary
Jonah Was Jonah Born-Again? March 09, 2020 It is a pity that so much ink has been spilt on denying or defending the miraculous, historical, rescue of the recalcitrant prophet Jonah. No doubt it has been the tactic of our
Creation. Origins. Genesis 1-3. Truths for our Times March 07, 2020 It is with sadness I read this morning of an U.S. Anglican Bishop who is being tried by a panel for breach of ecclesiastical code. The crime in question is refusal of
The Moon is Always Round January 25, 2020 Guest post by Rev. Stephen Steele (Stranraer RPCS) How would you go about explaining to a 3-year-old that the baby sister he’s been excitedly looking forward to meeting isn’t going to
