Gospel Preaching & Predestination in the Old Testament Heshbon's Hard Heart January 31, 2021 I was reading from Deuteronomy 2 in family worship on Lord's Day last - and was caused to reflect on the stiffening of stubborn Sihon, the royal Giant Gileadite. I was
Godly Womanhood - Proverbs 31 More on Ideal Wives: Proverbs 31 January 30, 2021 Introduction I've just finished preparing a lecture for my students which goes by the rather riveting title "OT Exegesis X - The Hebrew Verb": I can tell you are
Jesus our Great High Priest Isn't He Beautiful? January 24, 2021 Isn't he just beautiful? And Yahweh did it all FOR US? That comes pretty close, I imagine, to the sort of thing that Israelites must have said when they saw Aaron
Assurance - Exodus 3:12 How will I know? January 19, 2021 > Moses said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you
Society Psalm 11 Society Shaken January 09, 2021 By any fair reckoning, this last year has been abnormal - yet the current covid-19 crisis was eclipsed momentarily, earlier this week, by constitutional chaos in D.C. It is not necessary to
Salvation Hope Hard-Pressed Hope-Helmets December 19, 2020 The model Thessalonian church had been born amidst great storms (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 & 3:3-5). Winds of persecution were so fierce believers stared down both barrels at death.
Christ in the Old Testament Explanations & Ephods November 28, 2020 Some words, in English, like "synod" are hard to understand. Another strange Hebrew word "ephod" has an air of obscure incomprehensibility about it. I doubt, however, if this is
guide Be Thou My Guide! November 18, 2020 My greatest passion in life (from a secular point of view) is to ski deep powder off-piste, in crystalline shimmering sunlight, while cutting new, fresh, tracks. Sadly thinning cartilages in my knees, not
The LORD's Day Remember! November 15, 2020 Remember to adore the LORD who gave man the Sabbath as a sacred precious gift. Remember to confess each bored or careless breach - those before or after church. Remember to give thanks
Pardon and Forgiveness A Presidential Pardon? October 24, 2020 Some quarters of the Media have expressed outrage at the rumour that has emerged - that the current incumbent in the White House, should he lose the forthcoming Presidential election, plans to resign
spiritual warfare Standing Firm October 10, 2020 During our summer, UK, staycation, we revisited Beachy Head, on the chalky Sussex coast. After taking selfies with the lighthouse in the background, lit up by the azure seascape, we headed off in-land,
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. Introduction How valuable this book is - in this world of tears it
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 Introduction I'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
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 Introduction Of 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
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 Reading 1A 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
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 Condition
messiah Asa the Ace? May 09, 2020 Introduction There 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
Forgiveness in the Old Testament Was David fully forgiven? April 27, 2020 Introduction Yesterday 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
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
