As John the Baptiser preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptising you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism – a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit – will change …
“I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch!” (Mark 13: 37) One of modern Australian life’s rites of passage is the moment when a teenager is issued with a driver’s licence. For the teen it becomes the ultimate symbol of freedom, of having grown up, of …
Jesus continued, “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn …
How Do You Win This Game? (Christ, Heart of the Universe) Read More »
Jesus continued, “It is like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his …
Jesus continued, “God’s kingdom is like ten young bridesmaids who took oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly bridesmaids took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart bridesmaids took jars of oil to feed their lamps … So stay alert. You have no idea …
Jesus said, “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty”. (Matthew 23: 11 – 12) Politicians, civil servants, and business and religious leaders get …
Not AlYour Humble Servant (Thirty-first Ordinary) Read More »
Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as your love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs …
The Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it …
The Only Legacy that Matters (Twenty-ninth Ordinary) Read More »
Jesus continued, “When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless”. (Matthew 22: 11 – 12) People turn down great business opportunities every day out of fear, suspicion, or …
“Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect …
