These are the words of the One who burns with all the fire of the morning star, who shines much whiter than the day in tabernacle flame. These are the words of the risen Son who was, who is, will ever be, the One who sees, who knows, who calls, the first, the last, theContinue reading “Transfiguration Sunday”
Category Archives: Devotional
Obedience
Jonah – the sea is too wide for you to hide; no waves can cover your footsteps, no ship can transport you away from His sight. Do not run. The burning sun in heat of day contains as much His perfect way as when the sky lights up in flame. And mercy’s found in brokenContinue reading “Obedience”
Gratitude
…The notion of some infinitely gentle Infinitely suffering thing. – T.S. Eliot, “Preludes” I will be late for work: the traffic tells me so, and Adam’s curse run deep in roads too busy to know their name. Beaten by roadside lies the debris and dust of abandoned schedules: here someone burst a tyre, there aContinue reading “Gratitude”
Knowledge
I do not know the ways of spheres: how planets orbit, how stars alight. I do not know how life’s sustained, how atmospheres enfold. I do not know the wheres or whys, how Jupiter protects our sky. I only know the heart of man and know that it is sick. I have not plumbed theContinue reading “Knowledge”
Catechism 44
What is baptism? Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; it signifies and seals our adoption into Christ, our cleansing from sin, and our commitment to belong to the Lord and to his church. (New City Catechism) Why water? First He hovered, spirit, aboveContinue reading “Catechism 44”
Nazarene
“We can only silence the guns of hatred with the guns of love.” – Nigerian church leader, quoted in Open Doors prayer letter I am broken in my love: I cry, I steal, I hurt, I hate. My heart has guns which fire and kill and I am daily killed. I do not understand my friend;Continue reading “Nazarene”
My Jonah Heart
Recite this catalogue of wrongs: I loved this tree – if you loved me I always knew – I told you so… And all the while in Ninevah the people weep in ash. Uphold your cause; God may forget the hurts you hold, the wounds you bear. The tree’s shade is your natural right. ShakeContinue reading “My Jonah Heart”
Learning Bach
Moments of success are rare: arpeggio-dances, impossible harmonies, the sound as simple as the wind yet execution like a fear – fingers always forgetting how, only ever stumbling on success. Evasive moments of perfect beauty capture souls yet pass with sudden fumbles and flustering confusion when the movement of the hands cannot so perfectly attuneContinue reading “Learning Bach”
Catechism 43
What are the sacraments or ordinances? The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and sealsContinue reading “Catechism 43”
Catechism 42
How is the Word of God to be read and heard? With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith, store it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. (New City Catechism) And teach. Let us be ready: the hands poised beneath the pages, holding open, as in prayer;Continue reading “Catechism 42”
The Consolations of Writing 