Annoying sayings of Jesus…
If you’ve been following this blog, you will know that I’ve made a start on developing some proverbs and sayings. They are supposed to be wise and helpful, and perhaps you have found them so. But sometimes sayings can be really annoying – especially if they are trotted out when its too late to do much about them. I know “a stitch in time saves nine” but please don’t remind me of that when I face a huge repair bill because I forgot to get the car’s routine maintenance done. While we are probably willing to accept that some of our sayings are...
Read MoreCounter-culturally Thankful: From Entitlement to Gratitude
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone say that Christians need to step up and be counter-cultural – well, I’d be rich enough to help fund multiple mission organisations. Trouble is, the way it’s said often sounds so very like the culture it is supposed to counter. You know what I mean? Sweeping statements made about villainous others whose motives are entirely suspect – they are the enemy. And then there is the aggression with which it is spoken, as well as the demand for complete agreement with the stance taken. There are also the over...
Read MoreSex, Wealth, Power and Self: Identifying the Idols of our Time
The Bible says a great deal about idols and idol worship. They are non-threatening passages to read, largely because they seem to have little to do with us, and we can therefore quietly smile at long gone eras who found the pull to bow the knee to idols of silver, gold and brass, irresistible. It is of course startling that the ancient Israelites would dance around a golden calf, when they had experienced Yahweh’s help and provision time and time again… But that was the Israelites for you. You could never depend on their ongoing loyalty beyond next Tuesday – and scripture...
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