Summer is still to come

Autumn is nearly upon us and the school holidays are almost over.  Teachers will be returning for training days shortly followed by pupils. Students will be returning or heading off to university for the same time. For some, the sense that the nights are drawing in and the loss of day light will hit particularly… Continue reading Summer is still to come

How many of the Ten Commandments did Adam and Eve break?

Adam and Eve broke one specific commandment in the Garden of Eden: not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  However, I want to suggest that there is a sense in which they may well have been breaking each of the Ten Commandments.  How? Well, first of all, by listening to… Continue reading How many of the Ten Commandments did Adam and Eve break?

Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others

As well as writing letters to churches, Paul wrote to a few individuals. We have three examples in Scripture, though I’m sure he wrote more.  He writes to his co-workers Timothy and Titus giving them instructions about how to pastor the churches within their care.  The third example, to Philemon is even more personal. Paul… Continue reading Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others

For such a time as this

I’ve been working through the book of Esther but often accounts like this are best understood when we see the whole story together. Whilst we can preach sermon series on books like Esther, Ruth and Jonah, there’s benefit from time to time to getting that big picture view to understand the overall message. So, here’s… Continue reading For such a time as this

Intercession

With Haman out of the way, the king hands his estate over to Esther and she appoints Mordecai in charge of it. Mordecai also receives the signet ring given to Haman, he is being exalted to a high position of authority in the kingdom (Esther 8:1-2). However, Esther is not yet satisfied, the danger has… Continue reading Intercession

Who has right of way?

It’s been fascinating seeing people’s response to a minor change in the Highway Code.  The underlying philosophy is that responsibility should increased based on the power of your vehicle.  The specific result is that the code now says that a pedestrian crossing a road junction has priority right of way over drivers turning into the… Continue reading Who has right of way?

The enemy

When Esther goes to King Ahasuerus to plead for her people, he asks who is responsible for the planned atrocity against them.  He will of course know about Haman’s law but perhaps hasn’t yet connected Esther with the Jews.  Esther explains that the one responsible is:  An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”[1] Earlier we… Continue reading The enemy