Reflections from the belly
As our faith matures, some things will be burned away. (Listen here.)
It was my first Sunday at Manningham Uniting Church. After the service, a person came up to me looking rather anxious. ‘I understand you’re a Baptist,’ they said. I confirmed that this is indeed the case. ‘Well,’ they said, ‘it may interest you to know that some people here believe in science.’ I suddenly realised why they looked so worried.
Continue reading “Matthew | On Baptists, snakes and holy fire”
Who pays for a Big Build, and what does it really cost? Or, what you worship changes everything. (Listen to a very bad recording here, or watch here.)
I am delighted to be here at the invitation of your pastor. Trí tells me that you are a group of enthusiastic people who are strong in faith. He also tells me that you love to be with one another, and that you love to meet for worship and for Bible study. This is all wonderful for me to hear, because I am passionate about faith and the Bible and God’s promise of life to those who engage with it all wholeheartedly.
Continue reading “Malachi | Wholehearted worship, overflowing life”
Fear is immobilising, but Jesus’ peace offers a way forward. A reflection given to the good folk at Ashburton Baptist Church on 7 April 2024. You can listen to a recording of it here.
So Donald Trump is now selling a Bible. ‘God bless the USA’ is embossed on the front cover, along with a flapping American flag. If he ever actually opened the book, he might stumble across the first letter of John, a beautifully tender letter of love. And he might find the words, ‘Perfect love casts out all fear.’
Continue reading “John | But they were doubtful”
Jesus’ ‘triumphal’ entry into Jerusalem is a parody, and that itself is the message. A reflection given to the good folk at Coburg Uniting Church on 17 March 2024. You can listen to a recording of it here.
It is wonderful to be here today, worshipping among you for the first time. Now, I am a Baptist minister and this is a Uniting Church, but in my experience everyone is connected. And, I tend to find, people in churches gossip. So I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this, especially on our first meeting, but when I told someone that I was preaching here, they had an opinion about this church.
Continue reading “Mark | The jester’s joke”
My farewell sermon to South Yarra Community Baptist Church.
Many years ago, both my husband and I had dealings with a particular Christian group at university. Back in the mid-eighties, when my husband was first involved, it was a group whose members sat around at lunchtime talking about faith, asking difficult questions, and wrestling with difficult answers. But it soon changed, and by the time I had arrived, eight years later, it was led by staff workers who were deeply concerned with right doctrine.
Continue reading “Luke | Wicked women welcome”
Alison and the whale 