preaching A Word to Preachers on different types of Preacher August 31, 2019 I recently saw video clip featuring Alistair Begg describing different types of preachers—poor preachers: The Cheerleader (always looking applause), The Conjuror (pulling things out of the text which aren’t there), The
Christian living Distinguishing Marks of an Unteachable Person August 03, 2019 Kevin DeYoung wrote a great piece on the “Distinguishing marks of a Quarrelsome Person”. I found it convicting and helpful. It was the sort of piece that should cause you to take a
The Unlikely Ways of God July 20, 2019 Would you pick an 80-year-old man to lead a slave uprising? A timid man to lead an army against an all-conquering hoard? A mild whisper to inspire a dejected prophet? A shameful cross
“I am my Body” June 22, 2019 Driving back home late on Saturday evening I caught an interview on RTE radio with Irish choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan. Since my girls are ballet dancers my interest was piqued. At one point the
A New Blasphemy Era June 08, 2019 Last year Ireland removed blasphemy as an offense from its constitution. It was seen as outdated and unworkable. It may have been those things—in fact the last time it was used was
Reading in a Gold mine May 18, 2019 Some years ago I read through Stephen Charnock’s rather large book “Existence and Attributes of God”. It's an intimidating book, but I was going to be preaching on the attributes of God
The God who Disturbs our Consciences May 04, 2019 Sometimes we bury things. Deep in the realms of the past. Hidden from everyday remembering. I’m not thinking of things that have happened to us—rather things we have done. Things we
Notre Dame: A 21st Century Parable April 20, 2019 There is something parable-like in the destruction of Notre Dame Cathedral. Its architectural splendour has graced the Parisian skyline for nearly a millennia. Its soaring artistry and elegance has taken the breath away
The Limits of Science April 13, 2019 Recently I was reading a book by astrophysicist Lawrence Krauss entitled “A Universe from Nothing”. Krauss is an atheist and isn’t shy about the fact—firmly convinced that matter is all there
Christian living Marriage proportions March 09, 2019 What proportion is marriage? 50-50 seems like an ideal place to start. A fair input from both parties. Maybe some read this and think “50-50?! That’s a pipe-dream! If you knew my
The Four Horsemen of Divorce February 16, 2019 They were the ideal couple: he, a successful businessman; she, beautiful and creative. We sat at their table after a lovely meal. More coffee was offered—then it happened. “You can’t do
Christian living Mis_ _ _ g January 19, 2019 Something has gone missing from our collective psyche. It used to form an essential part of our understanding of life. It helped us navigate a world where bad things happened and prompted us
Christian living Designed for smiling January 05, 2019 3000 years ago King Solomon wrote: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22) A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the
Christian living Is a long face more Christian? December 08, 2018 Life is hard. Difficult things happen to us. Serious matters—Heaven, Hell, eternity, sin—weigh on us. Yet in some places I see a long-faced Christianity—the long face worn almost as a
Musings Things only God sees (and angels, and lately, us) October 27, 2018 There was a beautiful sunrise this morning in Ireland—except the majority of Ireland’s inhabitants missed it. It was a dank, grey morning, but at 35,000 feet, all was different. A
A tale of two paintings October 13, 2018 Perhaps you saw the news item about the Banksy painting that shredded itself after being bought at auction? Banksy, real name unknown, is an anarchic artist whose graffiti work often provides a provocative
Psalms Guest Post: A society without Psalms September 15, 2018 My friend Andrew Roycroft, who has the soul of a poet and the heart of a pastor, wrote this thought-provoking post on the Psalms. It is wonderful both for its insight and its
worship The Weekly Ascent September 01, 2018 Someone said to me recently “I don’t know that I have ever really worshipped God.” It wasn’t the confession of an atheist or a non-Christian, but the words of a godly
Is he able…He is able August 18, 2018 I met a man the other day who asked me a straightforward question: “Tell me this, is God able to save me?” “Yes, he is able,” I answered, to which he responded, “No,
The Things that Remain Unchanged June 02, 2018 So Ireland has voted overwhelmingly to change our Constitution by repealing the 8th Amendment. This leaves the way open for unrestricted abortion. It is a sad and tragic day for our nation. I
A Voice for the Voiceless May 20, 2018 [On the 25th May Ireland votes to retain in or repeal from its Constitution the equal right to life of the unborn child.] You can’t be a little bit pregnant and you
Musings Junk Kouture for Real April 28, 2018 It’s that time of year when students turn junk into incredible outfits for the Junk Kouture design competition. Each year I’m amazed at what can be done with scrap. It seems
Scripture The first step March 03, 2018 Have you been there? A life-defining moment, and you know it. You know that if you do this it will change everything. There will be no going back. Once the ball starts rolling
Trying to Get our Morals Back February 17, 2018 In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and a whole pile of other celebrity accusations, it has been sadly fascinating watching the west trying to claw its way back to some form
Rethinking Christmas December 16, 2017 The madness is upon us again. ’Tis the season to spend a fortune. To purchase our way into our children’s hearts. To fall for the manufacturers’ thinly veiled commercialism—O look, a
