Author: faithrootsdw

Let the children come (Mark 10:13-16)

Parents are bringing their children to meet Jesus, for him to bless them. His disciples try to turn them away. They think that Jesus is too busy and too important to be bothered with children. He’s got real teaching to do with adults, he’s got followers to gather. He’s in the business of casting out… Continue reading Let the children come (Mark 10:13-16)

The shame myth

There’s a little myth that has gained currency over the last 30 years to the point where it is generally held as unchallengeable truth.  The theory goes like this: Western cultures are all about guilt and retribution, Eastern cultures are all about honour and shame.  Reformed/Evangelical Theology has paid too much attention to the former… Continue reading The shame myth

Is it possible to divorce and then marry again?

After Jesus has been challenged by the Pharisees about Divorce in Mark 10:1-9, his disciples quiz him further.  This is Mark’s summary of the conversation. 10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And… Continue reading Is it possible to divorce and then marry again?

Lessons from a U-Turn: How do you make decisions?

So, Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have made their first big U-Turn.  After announcing with great fanfare that abolishing the 45p tax band was crucial to enabling economic growth, the chancellor has started the Conservative Party Conference by stating that this particular tax cut was in fact a distraction from the Government’s overall growth policy… Continue reading Lessons from a U-Turn: How do you make decisions?

Jesus on divorce … is he harsher than the OT Law? (Mark 10:1-10)

“The Old Testament God is all about Laws and rules. He’s harsh.  The New Testament God is loving and kind, he is easier to follow because of grace.” How often have you heard something like that said?  Does Mark 10:1-10 support or go against that assumption?  Jesus is confronted by some of the Pharisees and… Continue reading Jesus on divorce … is he harsher than the OT Law? (Mark 10:1-10)

Why stripping back Sundays is helping me to think about Sabbath

I’ve recently commented that having been in a position for most of my life where I’ve attended church at least twice on Sunday, sometimes more, that now being in a place where we are only attending once, it feels in some ways that for the first time, the Christian Sabbath is doing its job. Now,… Continue reading Why stripping back Sundays is helping me to think about Sabbath

Removing barriers (Mark 10)

We are travelling with Jesus to Jerusalem to the Temple and towards the time of Jesus’s death and resurrection. On route Jesus will encounter those who seek to block and oppose him. We will also see the barriers that others face. First, we see Jesus confronted by the religious leaders seeking to test him. We… Continue reading Removing barriers (Mark 10)

Why the dollar/pound exchange rate matters

Just some quick notes about what has been happening with the currency and what that directly has to do with us.  Let’s simply things down for explanation. Supposing the £1 is trading at $2. It obviously affects when you go on holiday because you want to get as many dollars when you go so you… Continue reading Why the dollar/pound exchange rate matters

The pastor’s Sabbath?

Most pastors have something in their contract to the effect that they should have one day a week completely clear of work. Some contracts will refer to it as the pastor’s sabbath.  I’m deeply uncomfortable with that language because it suggests that the pastor should have his sabbath away from God’s people. It also begs… Continue reading The pastor’s Sabbath?