In both of England’s recent Euro semi-finals, there’s been penalty controversy. Some pundits branded the decision in favour of Kane the other night “a disgrace.” At the time, I agreed with the VAR decision but have found the lively, good natured social media debate fascinating. Many England fans have argued that it should not have… Continue reading Total Recall and VAR (lessons from Harry Kane’s penalty for cultural analysis)
Tag: wisdom
Two types of wisdom
Wisdom is a central theme in James letter but what is true wisdom like and where does it come from? A look at the text (Read James 3:13-18) This section begins with a call, an invitation or challenge. Those who are truly wise are invited to step forward and demonstrate their understanding. The evidence or… Continue reading Two types of wisdom
Two ways to speak
James now addresses the duplicity of our speech. What kinds of things do we say? What impact do our words have? A look at the text (Read James 3:9-12) The same person, with the same tongue or mouth can both praise God and at the same time curse other human beings. Yet, this shouldn’t be… Continue reading Two ways to speak
Hearers and doers
So, we are to be slow at speaking and slow to anger, just God is slow to anger and abounding in love and prompt in listening. However, this desire to listen is not meant to be passive. Jesus talked about his followers being “both hearers and doers of his word”, so too does James. A… Continue reading Hearers and doers
Evaluation
It may surprise us, given Scriptures warning about pride, arrogance and boasting that New Testament authors, including Paul as well as James do argue that there is a place for boasting. The surprising twists concern who can boast and the basis of their boast. A look at the text (Read James 1:9-11) James contrasts the… Continue reading Evaluation
Ask and you will receive
Jesus famously said: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door[a] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. It’s that theme from the sermon on the mount which James picks up… Continue reading Ask and you will receive
Proverbs – prescriptions, promises or principles?
We want to be clear that when we come to the book of Proverbs, we are not opening up a box of promises or predictions about how our lives will go. Now are they to be treated as prescriptive commands to be followed in a ritualistic or legalistic manner. So, we sometimes talk about the… Continue reading Proverbs – prescriptions, promises or principles?
Lashing out and sounding off
This group of proverbs warn about the danger of making quick, surface responses. There are those who are quick to sound off, to give their opinion, to let others know what they think and feel, everything is brimming up close to the surface. Examples of this type of person include those who are unloving and… Continue reading Lashing out and sounding off
What do you value?
Proverbs 17 begins with a reversal of expectations and value. We place value on the outward show of opulence and Solomon was able to speak about wealth and feasting from experience. However, he says that he would rather settle for a bit of dry bread if it meant peace at home than enjoy rich feasting… Continue reading What do you value?
Reading Proverbs
It’s quite rare to see a church preaching/teaching series on Proverbs. So I’m pretty excited that our church are going to have a mini series on the book and looking forward to hearing Chris and Rich introduce us to a fantastic and crucial Old Testament book. We did work through much of Proverbs at my… Continue reading Reading Proverbs
Faithroots 