The Luke jigsaw puzzle

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We are mid-series in Luke’s Gospel at Church at the moment and I’m also working through Luke as part of a Faithroots Teaching series. I thought it might be worth taking a step back to look at the big picture.

How do we pray when we find prayer hard?

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Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them to pray.  They are alert to the fact that John the Bsptist had done this with his disciples.  It’s fascinating that these young men, stepped in the worship and Scripture of Israel with their access to Psalms, Lamentations and the intercessions of Daniel and Nehemiah needed help. I… Continue reading How do we pray when we find prayer hard?

Return of the King

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We want to read the times rightly. Recent events in the Middle East including October 7th 2023, the Gaza conflict and the recent military engagement between Israel and Iran have got people talking about “The End Times.” This often gets people looking up the book of Revelation with its beasts and dragons. Is the book… Continue reading Return of the King

Handkerchiefs and healing

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In Acts 19:12, people are described as taking handkerchiefs and aprons that have been used by Paul to the sick and the demon possessed with the result that they were healed. Presumably this refers to work clothes from his trade as a tentmaker including cloths used to wipe sweat away from his face (rather than… Continue reading Handkerchiefs and healing

How do we help people bring their lives into the light?

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I’ve been reflecting a little more on the topic of brining our lives out into the open and into the light.  Luke 8:16-18 says: 16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in… Continue reading How do we help people bring their lives into the light?

Jerusalem

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I’m dropped off on Sunbridge Road, a little walk away from my destination.  As I start walking, I see others who have parked their cars on one of the side streets. More join our procession as we get closer. Then we get onto Manningham Lane to be met by a much larger crowd still.  It’s… Continue reading Jerusalem

Letting God’s Word do its work in the light

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The other Sunday at church, I was preaching on Luke 8.  We went for it and covered the whole chapter with its big stories and its big signs.  We might wonder what those miracles in the second part of the chapter have to do with the parables at the start.  Well, it struck me that… Continue reading Letting God’s Word do its work in the light

Why Pentecost is good news

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Today is Pentecost Sunday.  Fifty days after Easter, Acts 2 tells us that the disciples were gathered together when God’s Spirit came down filling the place and then.  This was accompanied with dramatic signs: the building shook, a strong wind ripped through the place, the appearance of tongues of fire in their heads and the… Continue reading Why Pentecost is good news