Our society exalts freedom, but what does it mean to be free? Tozer makes the point that ‘there cannot be two absolutely free beings in the universe, for sooner or later two completely free wills must collide.1’ Our western secular culture prides itself in giving people freedom. It exalts the values it has worked out … Continue reading Freedom
We want to be associated with the rich, powerful and famous for through them we gain a foothold in their world and are elevated among our peers. The ‘Great Banquet’ of Luke 14 expresses the betrayal felt by a host as each guest despises his invitation. Then, in a surprising turn, the host invites not … Continue reading Downwardly mobile
In a crisis I am tempted to force a solution. The Lord shows a different way – Isaiah 56 1‘Maintain justice and do what is right, I can’t achieve righteousness through abuse, only love. for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. The proximity of danger exposes hearts, asking … Continue reading Awaiting God’s intervention
Who is a disciple of Jesus? Jesus gave two key passages. The first – 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 Often discipleship … Continue reading Who is a disciple of Jesus?
Being nice has become a core value of our age. It is hard to argue against what superficially seems so good. Nice however is rooted in selfishness, with its fear of what people will think and its desire to be liked and gain influence over others. An example of the difference between nice and love … Continue reading Nice encounters Love
I have often been ‘Mr Nice Guy’, yet niceness is not godliness. I read up on the difference between nice and kind and was shocked by how different these two words are, when most would consider them synonymous. My reading suggested that ‘Nice’ has its origin in conflict avoidance and is worked out through fear … Continue reading Nice or Kind?
“Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out!” There comes a time when we feel fed up with meetings and can’t bear one more. What surprises me is that the Lord can feel the same way! This quote, so commonly the unspoken but lived out sentiment of Christians, is actually … Continue reading Meeting Fatigue
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