Tag: Suffering

Search for a new queen

Ahasuerus has dealt with his embarrassment and shame by removing Vashti as his queen.  Some time passes and he begins to think over what has happened (Esther 2:1). His attendants offer their advice.  Incidentally, they are described as “lads” and there seems to be a youthfulness to them they are not wise old advisors.  This… Continue reading Search for a new queen

Scripture, sovereignty and suffering: Where might that conversation with a rabbi have gone?

Remember my aborted conversation with the Rabbi.  The dilemma that was put to him was that if God had done the great deeds recounted in the rest of Torah building up to the point in Deuteronomy when the people are about to enter the land of Canaan, then why do does it fall onto the… Continue reading Scripture, sovereignty and suffering: Where might that conversation with a rabbi have gone?

How does a Christian doctrine of suffering affect counselling of the bereaved?

In June 2005, my Great Aunt was mugged and knocked unconscious.  She died in hospital two days later.  As a family we went through the full range of emotions; shock and sadness at the tragic loss, anger at those who did it, guilt at our failure to visit “Auntie” more often.  Whilst each bereavement is… Continue reading How does a Christian doctrine of suffering affect counselling of the bereaved?

Continuing to trace the rainbow

Back a few months back, as the news came in that Queen Elizabeth II  had died, a rainbow appeared over Windsor Castle. It was a beautiful symbol of God’s goodness and promises at a time of grief.  I’ve frequently talked in terms of “tracing the rainbow” based on the lyrics of the hymn “Oh Love… Continue reading Continuing to trace the rainbow

The sheep with a broken leg? The danger of embellishing Scripture

I’ve only heard the claim once from a pulpit but perhaps that was already one time too many. I’ve since come across other people who have heard the claim.  A preacher talking about the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 claimed that after finding the sheep, the shepherd would then break one of its legs. The… Continue reading The sheep with a broken leg? The danger of embellishing Scripture

Did Paul disobey the Holy Spirit? (Lessons on guidance in Acts 21)

In Acts 21, we are told about Paul’s final journey to Jerusalem.  It’s an illuminating case study on interacting with God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit. Paul travels from Miletus where he has met with the Ephesian elders and given them the commission to provide for and to protect the flock. He has spoken there… Continue reading Did Paul disobey the Holy Spirit? (Lessons on guidance in Acts 21)

Some big themes in Mark’s Gospel

Kingdom The theme of God’s kingdom is significant to all of the Gospels but particularly stands out in Matthew and Mark. Matthew refers to it as The Kingdom of Heaven, this links to a Jewus reluctance to even speak out God’s name so that other words are used in place of “God” or “YHWH.” Heaven… Continue reading Some big themes in Mark’s Gospel