I have been spending a lot of time in the Psalm’s recently. A few days back I wrote up a short meditation on Psalm 1. Here is a longer sermon I preached this morning. How do you stay happy throughout relentless suffering ? I’m writing this as we come to the end of a yearContinue reading “The happy person (Psalm 1)”
Tag Archives: joy
Singing ourselves to death? Really?
I’ve been slow to respond to this one because to be honest, I just wasn’t sure how. In a recent Evangelicals Now article, Lee Gattis asked “Have we been singing ourselves to death?” The reason I wasn’t sure how to respond was because, even allowing for the desire to catch attention and provoke a response,Continue reading “Singing ourselves to death? Really?”
Do pastors need their own sabbath?
Many pastors have something in their contracts to the effect that they should take one complete day off each week. Funnily it often sounds like this is an obligation on them rather than what it is in fact which is provision for them! It is sometimes suggested that this is to be their sabbath. Now,Continue reading “Do pastors need their own sabbath?”
Sabbath Rest -Do we need to keep Sunday special?
When I was growing up, there was still a strong emphasis on keeping Sunday as a special day, the Christian Sabbath. In a lot of church cultures, the expectation was that you attended church at least twice, wore your Sunday best and that activities during the day were limited to those considered spiritually edifying. SundayContinue reading “Sabbath Rest -Do we need to keep Sunday special?”
How to spot legalism
The other night, we were looking at Paul’s passionate plea and rebuke to the Galatian church, the one where he talks about wishing that the Judaizers would go all the way and just castrate themselves. The question came up about how we spot legalism at work. In the conversation, we talked about how legalism mightContinue reading “How to spot legalism”
Masks and actors, Fathers and Sons (Matthew 6:1-24)
When I was younger, there was one person’s seal of approval that mattered. I suspect I am not alone in this and to some extent I suspect it remains true today. Whether it was the school reports, my first and only successful attempt at woodwork, my exam grades, my choice of girlfriend (and eventually wife),Continue reading “Masks and actors, Fathers and Sons (Matthew 6:1-24)”
Reward?
If we are saved by grace, is it appropriate to talk about reward? Doesn’t that create different classes of believers? Are Christians selfless or are we actually expecting to get something back from our good deeds? Don’t forget to subscribe to our Faithroots YouTube channel
Wisdom’s True Identity (Proverbs 8)
Do you like a good riddle? Remember in the Lord of the Rings when Bilbo first meets Gollum. They get into a riddle contest. Each gives the other a clue and they have to work out who or what the other is talking about. Finally, Bilbo stumps Gollum with an accidental riddle “What have IContinue reading “Wisdom’s True Identity (Proverbs 8)”
Happy people – those who mourn
Our second beatitude promises blessing or happiness for those who mourn. In Matthew, the reason that they are happy, or blessed is because they will be comforted. Luke 6:21 sets an even strong contrast “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” Jesus here is picking up on an important Old Testament themeContinue reading “Happy people – those who mourn”
Happiness
What makes you happy? For me, it would be pie and chips, Bradford City winning and holidays in Paris. What do you desire? For me, unlimited ice cream and a pet dog. Psalm 20 and Psalm 21 both talk about God granting the desires of our hearts. What does it mean for him to doContinue reading “Happiness”
