Author: alison

Parable | The kingdom is like …

Last week, a couple told me this story about their day. I loved it so much that, with their permission, I shaped it into a parable to share with you.

What is the kingdom of God like? With what shall I compare it? Perhaps … the kingdom is like an email about church finances. Buried in the text a woman discovers a pearl: ‘We trust in a God of infinite goodness and creativity, who can always find another way. It might not be the way we wanted or planned, but if God has anything to do with it, there will be new life, new friends, and plenty of justice and joy.’ Again and again she reads these sentences aloud, to herself and to her husband. Continue reading “Parable | The kingdom is like …” →

Genesis | Striving with God and men

Sometimes, you gotta fight for a blessing; sometimes, it’ll cost you. (Listen.)

A few weeks ago, I organised and hosted a ministers’ gathering. Near the end of the session, one of the ministers suddenly went on a rant about the failings of the church in the West. The church is collapsing, he said, because of the blurring of gender roles that began in the 1960’s and continues to this day. And there was I, sitting in a room full of men with my boots and jeans, close cropped hair, zero make up, and not a floral in sight—and all the authority which was conferred upon me through the rite of ordination (which in Baptistland is, admittedly, not much). Continue reading “Genesis | Striving with God and men” →

Romans | While Rhodes burns

The following is an homage to Targum, that is, a translation of scripture interspersed with additional material and commentary. Just as the Apostle Paul quotes and reinterprets scripture for a new context, this reading of Romans 8 quotes and reinterprets his words for our context, during the hottest month on record. (Listen.)

5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh

Indeed, they set their minds on fulfilling their own desires, whatever the cost. They treat all people, indeed all creation, as a resource to be extracted, exploited, sucked dry. Continue reading “Romans | While Rhodes burns” →

Mark | Slow reading | He went away grieving

He went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10:22)

A man asks Jesus how to inherit fullness of life; when Jesus tells him, the man goes away grieving. It’s one of the saddest phrases in the gospel. The man doesn’t have to walk away from Jesus and his disciples, nor does he need to grieve. Yet that is what he chooses, and Jesus is so committed to his freedom that he lets him walk away. Continue reading “Mark | Slow reading | He went away grieving” →

Genesis | The god of betwixt and between

God meets us in liminal spaces, when all our defences are down. (Listen.)

I think we can all agree: Sanctuary is at a threshold. Many will affirm that we have indeed lived into our name and created a sanctuary for hurting, wounded, tender things. Many will also affirm they have sensed the holy spirit moving in this place, and have experienced healing and renewal. But somehow, it isn’t enough. Continue reading “Genesis | The god of betwixt and between” →

Discipleship | The centrality of failure and death

We are always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:10)

For people who have been oppressed by abusive teachings on sin, say, or judgement, or perfection, or an ever-precarious individual salvation, some biblical metaphors are more useful than others. So we here at Sanctuary spend a lot of time reflecting on the goodness of creation, signs of life in exile, and the power of exodus. We focus on gentleness and grace, freedom and forgiveness, and the love and joy of the garden city. We delight in images of Jesus the jester, playfully skewering the pomp of Rome; or Psalm lullabies; or the mysteries of resurrection life. Continue reading “Discipleship | The centrality of failure and death” →

Church | Church, aka the gathering

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Say the word church to many people and you’ll evoke cavernous spaces, pews, even steeples. I grew up in the church, and it’s true: I remember the buildings. But they did not call me into faith. Instead, it was the people, the songs, the prayers, the stories, the meals, the love, the shared commitment to those beyond the group, and Christ working through all of these, which gradually beckoned me into the Jesus-centred life. Continue reading “Church | Church, aka the gathering” →

Saints | NAIDOC Week | William Cooper

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2023 is ‘For our Elders’ so it’s a good time to introduce you to a very significant Aboriginal Christian Elder, William Cooper.

On December 6, 1938, the Consul General to the Third Reich, Dr Drechsler, received a deputation. A dozen men and women had marched from Footscray to Collins Street to object to “the cruel persecution of the Jewish people by the Nazi Government of Germany and asking that this persecution be brought to an end.” Continue reading “Saints | NAIDOC Week | William Cooper” →

Genesis | Alt*red state: A text of terror brings good news

The usual interpretation of the binding of Isaac is that God may require us to sacrifice everything, even, if asked, our own children: but a contextual awareness changes everything. (Listen.)

All around the world today, people will be listening to the story of Abraham and Isaac. And the preachers will preach and the teachers will teach that Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son is a model of faith; and so we, too, must be called to sacrifice everything for Jesus’ sake—even, if necessary, our own children. Continue reading “Genesis | Alt*red state: A text of terror brings good news” →

Canticle of Daniel | Slow reading | Bless the Lord, ice and cold

Bless the Lord, ice and cold … (Canticle of Daniel)

We’ve just marked the winter solstice and, rather fittingly, we’ve had heavy rain, pounding hail, and a bitterly cold wind which cuts to the bone; and also rumours of koontapool (southern right whales) returning to the bay. So this week, you are invited to dwell in a song of praise which calls on rain, wind, frost, cold and even whales to bless the Lord. Continue reading “Canticle of Daniel | Slow reading | Bless the Lord, ice and cold” →

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑