Andrew Pratt
See how God's holiness, righteousness, judgement
See how God's holiness, righteousness, judgement
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: See how God's holiness, righteousness, judgement Proper 25 year A Leviticus 19: 1-2, 15-18; (Matthew 22: 41 – 46) See how God's holiness, righteousness, judgement run like a sinew of mercy and grace, holding together commandment and spirit, showing how love can be shown in …
When the glory of the presence
When the glory of the presence
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: When the glory of the presence Proper 24 year A Exodus 33: 12 – 23 When the glory of the presence of the ground of all our being leaves transcendent worth and wonder, enters in the realm of seeing, are we blinded by the dazzle? Is this presence binding? Freeing? How do we d…
Such a scandal, Cyrus chosen
Such a scandal, Cyrus chosen
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Such a scandal, Cyrus chosen Proper 24 year A Isaiah 45: 1 – 7 Such a scandal, Cyrus chosen, could he set God's people free? God's anointed they would call him; source of grace and liberty? Who would choose the chief oppressor, tyrant who'd repress and kill, giving him the …
Like the marriage of a bridegroom
Like the marriage of a bridegroom
by Andrew Pratt
Like the marriage of a bridegroom Like the marriage of a bridegroom when the banquet is prepared, soon the bride will be arriving, all is waiting to be shared. All may come by invitation, all may share at God’s great feast, all are welcome, none excluded, come, the greatest and t…
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour
by Andrew Pratt
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour, things that are praiseworthy, honest and pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever brings justice, these are the things to affirm and secure. Be known by your gentleness, loyal in …
Thank God for those who pray for us
Thank God for those who pray for us
by Andrew Pratt
Thank God for those who pray for us Thank God for those who pray for us, as undeserving as we are; thank God for God whose gracious love is reaching to us from afar. Thank God that when we idolise the things that we have bought or made, that grace is greater than our sin. God's l…
Look around: so many places
Look around: so many places
by Andrew Pratt
Look around: so many places Look around: so many places, ravaged, ruined or destroyed. Ruthless people leaving carnage by the methods they deployed. In destruction prophets picture God in judgment showing strength. These are signs to bring the people to the Godhead's side at leng…
Why put our faith in transient things
Why put our faith in transient things
by Andrew Pratt
Why put our faith in transient things Why put our faith in transient things, satanic mills of industry, the wealth that we accumulate, or even churches' history? The rites that we revere and praise, the hymns we sing, the prayers we pray, the actions we see as divine were human …
One after another we wait on the warnings
One after another we wait on the warnings
by Andrew Pratt
One after another we wait on the warnings One after another we wait on the warnings, one after another the prophets cry out; our ears are unhearing we go on regardless ignoring the pleadings while feigning our doubt. The story is old as the faith that we follow, through each gene…
Once a prophet pictured Israel
Once a prophet pictured Israel
by Andrew Pratt
Once a prophet pictured Israel Once a prophet pictured Israel, like a vineyard, overgrown, no more fruitful, judged and broken, left to ruin, overthrown. In the tone hear disappointment in the prophet’s call and cry, seeing bloodshed wound his nation, justice now a living lie. Ve…
The silent language of the stars
The silent language of the stars
by Andrew Pratt
The silent language of the stars The silent language of the stars, each shining constellation, all speak of God to those who see the beauty of creation. They speak with lightening clarity, give every indication to those who look through eyes of faith, of cosmic evolution. Verse …
If all the world could live as one
If all the world could live as one
by Andrew Pratt
If all the world could live as one If all the world could live as one respecting each and every need, to be as neighbours sharing all, then God’s commands could be our creed. Much less a law to bind and tie, but more descriptive of the life we share in common care and love, where…
God's aim is love for all who live
God's aim is love for all who live
by Andrew Pratt
Matthew 21:23-32 Hymn: God’s aim is love for all who live God’s aim is love for all who live together on this earth, for in God’s eyes each person shares a common rank and worth. So tangled up in argument we miss what matters most, we like to win, to make our point, substantiate …
This is God born in a stable
This is God born in a stable
by Andrew Pratt
Philippians 2: 1 – 13 Hymn: This is God born in a stable This is God born in a stable. This is God hung on a cross. This is Christ, our God incarnate, knowing gain and sharing loss. This is God yet fully human, walking down a street in time. This is God yet faulted language makes…
You are responsible, I am responsible