Paul for Everyone 1 Corinthians - Glossary
Paul for Everyone 1 Corinthians - Glossary
by SPCK - N T Wright
GLOSSARY 1 Corinthians age to come, see present age apostle, disciple, the Twelve ‘Apostle’ means ‘one who is sent’. It could be used of an ambassador or official delegate. In the New Testament it is sometimes used specifically of Jesus’ inner circle of twelve; but Paul sees not …
Worship Together - Introduction
Worship Together - Introduction
by SPCK - Sandra Millar
Introduction As the people approach, the streets become more and more crowded. Men are walking along with their sons close by, grandfathers chat with each other and boys run and jump. The women are coming too, some with babies strapped to their backs, toddlers clutching at their …
Reflection: Favouritism
Reflection: Favouritism
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection: Favouritism Were you ever the last one to be chosen for a team and really hurt because all the others were picked before you? Were you ever in a class at school when someone else was the teacher’s pet and you always wondered why? Did you ever walk into a room, dressed…
Poem: Safety
Poem: Safety
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Safety Walking on moors, discovering a circular stone wall intended as shelter for sheep against storm and danger, or for weary walkers caught in a mist and losing all sense of direction, makes plain the words of the Psalmist that God surrounds his people in protection ... …
Poem: Armour
Poem: Armour
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Armour Flak jackets and body armour, protective helmets and rocket launchers may be essentials in personal protection in war zones today, but most of us – thankfully – will never need to use them. Not in the business of coping with living and dealing with people we meet eve…
Poem/reflection: What about you?
Poem/reflection: What about you?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/Reflection: What about you? When we are challenged by some of the words of Jesus and find them difficult to accept in the context of today’s world, how do we respond when Jesus then says, ‘Do you wish to go away also?’ Do we leave with alacrity, glad of a chance to escape? D…
Prayer: Doorkeepers
Prayer: Doorkeepers
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Doorkeepers Great God, we come to praise and thank you in this place of worship that we love so dearly and to which we come to renew our special relationship with you. We care about this building and we are grateful for the support and friendship of the community here, of…
Prayer: God, who understands us
Prayer: God, who understands us
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: God, who understands us God, who understands us as we are, please forgive the foolishness of our behaviour and the wilfulness of our ways. We excuse ourselves by saying we are only human – and we are – but just as our children learn many of their behaviour patterns from u…
Poem: Reflection on Psalm 130
Poem: Reflection on Psalm 130
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Reflection on Psalm 130 When there’s nowhere else to go: when I’ve run out of options; when the darkness closes in; when despair grips my soul; when I fear that I’ve gone wrong and the consequences must be faced; when wisdom has flown out of the window and foolishness has r…
Poem: From Heaven …?
Poem: From Heaven …?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: From Heaven …? Typical dispute. Focussed on the specific. Missing the main point altogether. The debate was not about the symbolism of living bread – spiritual food for ever – but on the claim that Jesus came down from heaven. Continues... ©Marjorie Dobson
Luke for Everyone - The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coins
Luke for Everyone - The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coins
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin Luke 15.1-10 We had just moved house, to a dream location: quiet, secluded, at the end of a road near a lake. Everything seemed peaceful. Then, on the first Saturday night we were there, all chaos broke loose. Loud music, amplified…
Poem/Reflection: Righteous anger
Poem/Reflection: Righteous anger
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/Reflection: Righteous anger It’s easy to explode with indignant anger when it appears that someone else is in the wrong. How could they possibly do that? It’s totally evil. They ought to be locked up. It’s disgraceful! I wish I could get my hands on them. I’d soon show them …
Luke for Everyone - The Birth of Jesus
Luke for Everyone - The Birth of Jesus
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Birth of Jesus Luke 2.1-20 If you try to point out something to a dog, the dog will often look at your finger instead of at the object you’re trying to point to. This is frustrating, but it illustrates a natural mistake we all make from time to time. It’s the mistake many peo…
John for Everyone part 2 - That They May Be One
John for Everyone part 2 - That They May Be One
by SPCK - N T Wright
That They May Be One John 17.20-26 This afternoon I looked on the Internet for a website about an electric appliance that’s gone wrong. I’ve lost the instruction booklet and was hoping to find relevant information through the Web. I found the website of the company that makes the…
Prayer: Respite
Prayer: Respite
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Respite Wherever Jesus went the crowds followed him. Even when he tried to escape for peace and rest, they were there waiting for him, needing him, looking for comfort and healing. So we pray today for all those who are caught in that same trap. We pray for those who are …
Poem/reflection: Still learning?
Poem/reflection: Still learning?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/reflection: Still learning? During his lifetime and throughout his ministry, Jesus met and spoke to and helped and healed people of different nationalities, beliefs and practices. He greeted Samaritans, Greeks, Romans, rebels, Jews and all Gentiles and dealt with them withou…
Poem: David’s line