palm sunday How did He know? February 05, 2019 What a happy time it has been for me as the Lord has refreshed me while I've been reading through Matthew's Gospel - I trust that continues to be
envy Guidelines for Grumbling February 02, 2019 Do you ever get annoyed when others get praise and no one compliments you? Maybe you honestly believe that you have borne the greater burden but others have arrived late with far lighter
psalm3 Safe to Sleep - Psalm 3 January 27, 2019 When David wrote this Psalm, he had been driven from his throne. His son Absalom rose up and, by saying what people wanted to hear, turned Israel against their king. His father left
Dying Thief Thoughts on Theology of the Thief January 26, 2019 In the middle of the night, about 10 days ago, before my brother Warren Peel published his post, I found myself wide-awake, with my head full of 'Thoughts on the Theology of
Christian witness Boldness for Jesus January 12, 2019 Introduction I've just been working through the Gospel of Matthew in my devotions recently, and I came this morning, 15th of December, the Year of our Lord, 2018 (some four weeks
A Thankful Heart January 07, 2019 A good way to start the day is by turning Psalm 103 into prayer! This Psalm is all about the Covenant - its blessings (v1-5), LORD (v6-14), permanence (v15-19), and right responses (v20-22)
No Third Way January 06, 2019 This morning I began to teach the little ones God's songs - the theme of Psalm 1, I explained, was 'Two Ways'. The first section, I went on, speaks
Very Telling Words December 29, 2018 How many foolish, hasty, angry, impatient, grumbling, critical, deceptive, unwise things we have said... if we know it instinctively, Jesus warns us of it biblically. Our Lord deals with words which are discredited,
Why Every Christian Needs a Christmas Tree December 22, 2018 Introduction It's not long to go to the big day now! The halls are already decked with mistletoe and holly. Tinsel will be draped over banisters. Presents are rapidly accumulating by
Light A Tract for this Time December 04, 2018 I've been struck this morning by a reading in the Gospels about the start of Jesus' ministry. In Matthew 4:16-25 we see Messiah's first disciples called, His
Sabbath Day Linchpin of Life - Sanctify the Sabbath December 01, 2018 As I pen this post I am about to preach the closing case-law-commandment section from Exodus 23:10-19. I'll be re-stressing to the church how we should properly view these texts:
Dieu et Mon Droit November 17, 2018 Just a quick post from a short break in Kingston-upon-Thames, S.W. London, visiting with my daughter. My wife, Hazel, and I are just back from a morning spent viewing the palatial, historic,
Reflection on Addis November 03, 2018 Just off the plane from Ethiopia and, after 36 hours of sleeplessness, and about 25 hours of lectures, I'm feeling pretty exhausted - mindful of the fact not every city is
Book of Numbers Making Sense of Statistics? October 20, 2018 I've been preparing to give two lectures on Numbers out in Africa next month - I've been delighted at some discoveries I've made in the, I have
Covenanting Delight - Ebal & Gerazim October 06, 2018 I'm just finishing my first day lecturing in the Old Testament at R.T.C. in Belfast - I'd been telling the men about, in salvation's story,
God's Unfolding Purpose September 22, 2018 It has been good to be reminded this weekend of the Vosian view of Biblical Theology - that God's record of self-revelation is progressive, historical, organic and pious. Vos says on
Turn Your Eyes on Jesus September 08, 2018 As I prepare for communion tomorrow, I have been reminded, by the late Ed Clowney, of the importance of Christ-centered preaching that keeps eyes focused on Jesus. God's sheep need sights
Four Tears For Ireland August 25, 2018 I am sitting at my desk on a late-summer Saturday morning in Belfast, north of the Irish border. Perhaps, as I type, the Papal entourage will have already rolled in for its weekend
Great Guilt, Greater Grace! July 21, 2018 Introduction Most of react strongly when accused of doing wrong. 'Stop trying to make me feel guilty!' is what street-wise adolescents say to parents. 'I hate when you do that
A Prayer for the Day of Preparation July 07, 2018 Life during the week can be full of stress and strain. It is great to pause to break and imbibe God's Sabbath rest. With that in mind, a famous request of
The Nano-Church Movement - Heartbeat or Heresy? June 23, 2018 A recent visit to a fellow minister friend, minutes before the closing night of our Synod this week, confirmed my growing suspicion: the new wave of reformed church life has already spread far
Face-to-Face June 09, 2018 Just a few thoughts on Peniel and the need to wrestle with God. There can't be many folk who don't want to be blessed. Yet there would be a
A Classical Case of Non-Imputation - Shimei son of Gera May 26, 2018 What life, peace and joy the truth of Justification by Grace through Faith in Christ alone brings to the hearts of the people of God. This past year as I have preached through
Hospitality A Kindness Repaid May 22, 2018 In my last post I wrote of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan: the King's best friend's boy feasted at the palace table for
Brotherly Love Will you remember to be kind? May 12, 2018 From a human point of view it would have been understandable if David had felt that there were more pressing matters to attend to - he had to run a kingdom and propagate
