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David’s line
David’s line
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: David’s line When David tried to make a house for God – a permanent fixture – a settled resting place – God turned the tables on him, promised him a home and land, safe from his enemies for future generations. For God had always wandered with the people; followed and led th…
Psalms for Everyone - Death Cathches You When You Don't Expect It To
Psalms for Everyone - Death Cathches You When You Don't Expect It To
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Death Catches You When You Don’t Expect It To Psalm 49 We recently buried the second-oldest member of our congregation, who until she faded away quickly at the end had regularly attended church. We drove quite a way to the cemetery, and I wondered why, until I discovered that her…
The last word goes to God, and God
The last word goes to God, and God
by Andrew Pratt
The last word goes to God, and God is judge of all the earth, and yet in Christ there’s hope for all who share a human birth. This is no magic but a sign, for Christ who hung and died, was led to death because he loved, this could not be denied. Verses 3-5 follow Tune: MENDIP; LU…
Within a world of many gods
Within a world of many gods
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Within a world of many gods Proper 11 year A Isaiah 44:6-8 Within a world of many gods that called for their attention, the people said the God of love was theirs beyond contention. Within a world where wealth or power tempt us to selfish living... Tune: ST COLUMBA (IRISH) …
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 …
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…
Lectionary Reflection Year C - The Third Sunday Before Advent Year C
Lectionary Reflection Year C - The Third Sunday Before Advent Year C
by SPCK - Jane Williams
The Third Sunday Before Advent Job 19.23–7a 2 Thessalonians 2.1–5, 13–17 Luke 20.27–38 The book of Job has always inspired strong feelings – hardly surprising, as its themes are suffering and justice. At the heart of the many paradoxes that belief in the God of the Bible presents…
Lectio Divina - The whole Bible as a unity
Lectio Divina - The whole Bible as a unity
by SPCK - Enzo Bianchi
The whole Bible as a unity The attitude of ‘hearing the word of God with reverence’ (Dei Verbum 1), which we express by interpreting Scripture with its divine authorship in mind, also involves paying attention to the ‘unity of the whole of Scripture’ (DV 12). Only the unity of th…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - proper 10 year B
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - proper 10 year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Proper 10 Year B Two kings, a thousand years apart, and both in trouble at home. David brings God’s ark into Jerusalem, and is so carried away with dancing and leaping before the Lord that his wife despises him, remembering no doubt the dignity of the former king, her father. Per…
Psalms for Everyone - How to Stand Tall-II
Psalms for Everyone - How to Stand Tall-II
by SPCK - John Goldingay
How to Stand Tall-II Psalm 54 I found myself thinking and talking about Martin Luther King Jr. again yesterday (see the comment on Psalm 52), the day set for the dedication of his memorial and the anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech. It fit neatly with the Scriptures that …
Psalms for Everyone - How to Stand Tall-I
Psalms for Everyone - How to Stand Tall-I
by SPCK - John Goldingay
How to Stand Tall-I Psalm 52 The dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was scheduled this weekend in Washington (but a threatened hurricane has caused a delay in this event). Inevitably, perhaps, there’s some difference of opinion about whether it is the right sort of…
Psalms for Everyone - Being Blesses and Being a Blessing
Psalms for Everyone - Being Blesses and Being a Blessing
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Being Blessed and Being a Blessing Psalm 21 Yesterday a young Christian man set off an explosion in Oslo, Norway, to preoccupy security forces, then took a ferry to a nearby small island. Hundreds of young people with political connections or political involvement were at camp th…
Simply Good News - Saving the World
Simply Good News - Saving the World
by SPCK - N T Wright
Saving the World But how does the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus and the good news that this was for our sins and in accordance with the scriptures turn out to be the good news of the new creation? How are these things joined together? The answer is simple – and…
The Meal Jesus Gave Us - The greatest drama ever staged (part 1) - 13
The Meal Jesus Gave Us - The greatest drama ever staged (part 1) - 13
by SPCK - Tom Wright
13 The greatest drama ever staged (part 1) Part Two THE THANK-YOU PARTY One of the best-loved stories in the Bible is the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24.13 –35). Cleopas and his companion (probably his wife, Mary) are going home on the evening of the first Easter Day. They are puzzled a…
Recovering from Depression - Shaping the future – forgiveness
Recovering from Depression - Shaping the future – forgiveness
by SPCK - Katharine Smith
Shaping the future – forgiveness In this chapter we’re going to be reflecting on the huge issue of forgiveness. Because this is such a vast subject I’m focusing here on forgiveness in relation to the ‘hidden things’ that might lie behind depression and which we’ve been talking ab…
Recovering from Depression - Setting out on the journey