Tag: love

Corinthians | Without friction, no fragrance

Some people want church to be a super-comfortable shelter from the world: but without friction, no fragrance! Listen here.

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed on a Christian radio program. When the host asked me about my childhood, I said that it had been church all the way, for which I was (now) incredibly grateful. The host told me he had also grown up in the church and said it was a great blessing ‘having a sheltered upbringing and a peaceful home life and all that sort of thing …’

Continue reading “Corinthians | Without friction, no fragrance” →

Psalms | Writing a psalm of thanksgiving

God’s steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1b)

When a church closes, there is much to grieve yet also much to celebrate. It is usual for some of this to be done in a formal way at the final service, through two or three people chosen to tell that community’s story. Typically, they would be minister and deacons, but of course this preferences a particular type of person and power. However, I think it would be more appropriate to make space for many different voices. Continue reading “Psalms | Writing a psalm of thanksgiving” →

Matthew | The demands of love

Love is not a warm smooshy feeling, but a decision, an action, and an orientation. (Listen.)

Perhaps you’ve seen About a Boy, which is really about two boys, or maybe more. One is twelve-year-old Marcus, growing up in precarious circumstances. The other is the beautifully named Will Freeman. Will is a man-child whose wealth has insulated him from other people, and from life itself. Yet through one of his most selfish decisions, he’s thrown into the path of young Marcus; and Marcus begins to make demands on him. Continue reading “Matthew | The demands of love” →

Like fire

It was like fire. The hospital had called and told us to get over there quick. My mother had had a relapse, and there was nothing to be done. She wouldn’t last the day. When we got there, we were put into a small ugly room with scuffed grey lino and buzzing fluoros. There wasn’t enough room for a chair each, so we stood around awkwardly or sat on the floor. An oxygen mask hissed and various monitors beeped, and Mum was distressingly awake and gasping for breath. Continue reading “Like fire” →

Matthew, Exodus | Seventy-seven leads to hell or heaven

What causes suffering when we do not forgive? (Listen.)

Let me start by admitting that, on first reading, tonight’s texts terrify me. From the Hebrew Bible we heard that the Lord threw the Egyptian army into panic. They decided to flee, but before they could get away, the Lord ordered Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea so that the waters would return; and then ‘the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh … not one of them remained’ and the Israelites saw the dead wash up on the shore (Ex. 14:26-30). Continue reading “Matthew, Exodus | Seventy-seven leads to hell or heaven” →

Matthew | Go and point out the fault. But how?

If another member of the faith community sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. (Matthew 18:15)

I hate conflict, but I know I am not alone. And while it’s all very well for Jesus to tell us to point out faults, the question we’re left with is … how? That is, how do we approach someone without damaging relationship further? Continue reading “Matthew | Go and point out the fault. But how?” →

Matthew | The rigours and joys of love

Turning towards one another inevitably leads to conflict, and that means work. (Listen.)

When I was in my mid-twenties, I returned to the church. It wasn’t exactly a return to paradise. Instead, I found myself in conflict after conflict after conflict. I’d use the wrong word and someone would give me the silent treatment. I’d be unable to stand up to someone else, and feel trampled and angry. I’d bear the brunt of a third person’s rage, or be enraged myself at their all-too-obvious hypocrisy or rejection of gospel living. Quite frankly, there were times when I hated them all. And I hated them because I had absolutely no tools to deal with minor hurts or aggressions or conflicts. Continue reading “Matthew | The rigours and joys of love” →

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