Tag: Testing

Tempted

The story now switches back to Egypt where Joseph has been sold by the traders.  If Judah had failed the test and so was not vindicated or justified when it came to relationships, how would Joseph fare?  Read Genesis 39:1-20 The traders sell Jospeh to Potiphar, a commander in the Egyptian army. It seems that… Continue reading Tempted

Self Examination

Far from sitting in contradiction to the rest of the New Testament, particularly Paul’s epistles, the letter of James can be seen to compliment and flesh out both Paul’s teaching and that of Jesus.  James offers us a vision of the practical Christian life with obedience to God flowing out of and demonstrating our faith… Continue reading Self Examination

Tested

How do we respond when we face trials and testing? This is particularly important when testing involves suffering.  We may at times be tempted to give up on seeking to do what is good and right.  This was certainly a temptation that the Psalmists faced when they looked around and saw the wicked prospering.  We… Continue reading Tested

Not me

I mentioned the other Sunday when talking about the response of the crowd at Pentecost, that we like to think, with the benefit of hindsight that we would be among the believing faithful. However, I suspect that most of us fear that if we had been there, that we’d actually be among those confused, bewildered… Continue reading Not me

The pandemic – faith and emotional health

Earlier this week, I shared the results of a survey that I had done among my twitter followers picking up on the impact of the pandemic. The survey showed that whilst quite a few people are able to talk positively about the impact on their spiritual health in terms of relationship to church family and… Continue reading The pandemic – faith and emotional health

The parable of the interviewer who made his candidates wait all day

Did you see the story about the employer who invited 6 people for interview? They were told to be there for 7am. However, he didn’t start interviewing then. Rather he left them to wait. By 3pm 2 of them had given 3 of them had given up and left.  By 6pm only 2 were left.… Continue reading The parable of the interviewer who made his candidates wait all day

When will we sing again?

Churches were looking forward to June 21st because we hoped that the final lifting of COVID restrictions would include removal of the requirements to socially distance, wear face maks and abstain from singing. I was never convinced that we would see all of that happening, I’ve heard people persistently push on social media and in… Continue reading When will we sing again?

Testing a calling – how decisions are made

As you know, we are in a bit of a transitional phase, on the 31st December, I left my previous pastorate and we are now taking a little bit of time to look at different possibilities to see where God is leading us next. The possibilities really divide into two categories. On the one hand,… Continue reading Testing a calling – how decisions are made

Tested (Matthew 4:1-11)

“I will tell me dad.” There are few more reassuring things for a child than to know that their parents have got their back and are looking out for them. So, there is nothing more disturbing than when someone starts to sow doubt “My dad is bigger/stronger than yours). This is one of the devil’s… Continue reading Tested (Matthew 4:1-11)