Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.’ Exodus 18:17-18 NIV Comment Individually and as a couple, we love people; we love talking, listening, advising, hanging out, helping, laughing with, rescuing, entertaining, problem solving, and...
Words Kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit, you decide. Proverbs 18:21 MSG Comment I was standing in a queue recently and sadly watched a man talking pretty nastily to his wife. As he talked, she physically shrivelled and grew smaller. It was like poison was creeping into her and life was ebbing from her. I was quite...
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV Comment We want to experience freedom in our relationship, with healthy give-and-take; but if things have got off-kilter, how do we re-balance? Sometimes we need to put up good fences...
Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you. Romans 15:7 GNT Comment New Year New You? That’s what the world is shouting at me right now. The old year is out, the new one is in. We’ve had a break and now it’s time for a fresh start. January is also nick named ‘divorce...
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all...
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned …. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah...
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:19-20 Comment The third week of Advent began last Sunday – traditionally it is called ‘Gaudete’ or ‘Joy Sunday’. Joy is fundamental to...
The angel said to them “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This shall be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in...
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:2-3 Comment This week we begin a series of reflections and prayers for Advent. I grew up with the Lutheran family...
When they (the Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 NIV Comment Do you ever feel Christmas is upside-down? A season which should be...
