This is the text of a recent devotion I wrote for the United Reformed Church*. Click here to visit their site. * Please note that author’s opinion may not represent that of the United Reformed Church in general. It’s possible that some of them even like the stuff! Reflection Come with me to the land … More Marmite Nightmare! Romans 6:12-23
This is the script of a talk for ‘Come and See’ on 20th July 2019, using the Linked Hearts Mobius Strips. Several folks have asked about how to make the linked hearts, so I have made a video showing you how to do it. The key is to make sure you have one right-hand and … More Turning a Mess into Something Beautiful – John 4:4-19, 25-26 – Plus Video!
The point about this parable, together with the ones about the bags of money and the bridesmaids just before, is the surprise. Here are people getting sorted into the Bible’s version of to Gryffindor saying, “Who, me?” … More Matthew 25:31-46 – Sorting
The Caramel of the Toe Nails – you mean a parable, not a caramel!
And birds’ toe nails. Do you mean talons?
Yeah, that’s right. The Parable of the Talons. … More Matthew 25:14-30 – “You’re Fired!” The Caramel of the Toe Nails
It’s good to become disillusioned as quickly as possible, because only then can we start to see the real person. It’s like when we move from ‘in love’ to just plain old love. Not so exciting, but vital for survival. … More Matthew 23:1-12 – Hero Worship?
First – why on earth does Aaron agree to make a calf? Was he taking a loo-break when Moses said the whole ‘don’t worship other gods’ thing? … More Exodus 32:1-14 – Knowing me, Knowing you
I walk through long, wet grass up to the road, a strip of outside world running through my oasis. The serenity is so solid I could pick it up and keep it in my pocket. … More Exodus 14:19-31 or 15:1b-11, 20-21, Ps 114 – Always Another Way
If we dissociate sound-bites verses – ‘where two or three are gathered’ – from their surroundings – ‘what you bind on earth is bound in heaven’ – we risk finding meaning – ‘if two of you on earth agree’ – that is not really there. … More Matthew 18:15-20 – Don’t Read a Single Bible Verse!
The wise advice is fine (if tricky to actually do), but what’s all this about heaping burning coals on the heads of your enemies? That doesn’t sound very nice!
Sure, I can think of a few folks who might deserve it, but isn’t the whole point that we’re not supposed to do that kind of thing? … More Romans 12:9-21
Now there’s nothing wrong with having beautiful, silky underarms or buying your insurance from a man with an improbably wavy moustache, but is that really what’s important? How many people lie on their deathbeds and murmur softly, “I should’ve gone to Specsavers”? … More Romans 12:1-8 – Who is Shaping You?
The Reflectionary 