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
What really counts? June 09, 2022 Sorry Introduction I recall a few years back having a quiet conversation with a shocked, disappointed, chastened, and influential fellow-pastor. Following the tragic demise of a famous Christian leader, his serious, solemn, words
The Reality of Hell May 26, 2022 I've just been reading some salutary words from the preface to a book on The Doctrine of Endless Punishment by W.G.T. Shedd. Though a little dated, in their warnings
Blessed are those who mourn ..for they shall be comforted May 23, 2022 Psalm 90 is a most moving, deeply resonating, prayer of past anguish and present anticipation. Psalm 90 in Psalter Sequence Canonically positioned by Ezra at the beginning of Book IV of the Psalter,
True Heavenly-Mindedness May 12, 2022 What does it mean to be heavenly minded? Does it mean to stick your super-spiritual head so high up into the clouds that you cannot properly or responsibly do your God-given work? Does
Got the Lot? April 28, 2022 When fidelity, honesty, society, morality and true biblical spirituality are turned on their head, and life turns upside down, most stresses and voices yield a counsel of despair. Yet in David's
Dispelling Unbelief April 27, 2022 It will never cease to amaze me why those so close to text refuse to accept Truth. Is it not a puzzling wonder why countrymen of Christ should deny their own Messiah? The
Psalms Permission to Weep January 18, 2022 Having explained how laments allow us to frankly pour out our sorrow, anxiety, perplexity and quandaries to our Transcendent Cosmic God and Ever-Present Covenant LORD, Mark Futato, in "Interpreting the Psalms"
Psalms Good Reason to Sing Psalms January 17, 2022 Having argued that the Psalter leads its international students to "happiness through holiness," in the Kingdom of Glory, by taking refuge in Messiah, the author concludes: > ...from beginning to end,
Love Undeserved & Unsought December 25, 2021 Last night, after dinner, my wife received a call. It was my older half-cousin. I could hear, in the distance, that she was struggling to speak while holding back the tears - this
Hold On? Let Go! November 11, 2021 It is with bittersweet feelings I post this blog today. Just two days ago the US Consulate in Belfast, Ireland, kindly granted us the Entrance Visas we had sought for the past ten
