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Poem - Right here in the presence of loving and grace
Poem - Right here in the presence of loving and grace
by Andrew Pratt
Right here in the presence of loving and grace, see Judas is scowling, a sneer scars his face. Anointing with perfume is costly and rare, this gift could be sold giving substance to care. What need this affection, that Jesus received? It seemed to go counter to all they believed.…
What lies behind the universe
What lies behind the universe
by Andrew Pratt
What lies behind the universe, what power of thought or word, can make some sense of all we see, untangle the absurd? With human eyes we gaze beyond the confines of this earth, in sub-atomic particles we seek creation's birth. Reflecting in this self-same way on Jesus works and w…
There are no limits to God's love
There are no limits to God's love
by Andrew Pratt
There are no limits to God's love, aside from those we put in place because of fear, or hate or greed, then justified by race or creed. The walls that we would seek to build, around our nations or our thoughts , the borders we patrol and police, are breached by God's own grace an…
Body - Chapter 2 - Keeping body and soul together (part 2)
Body - Chapter 2 - Keeping body and soul together (part 2)
by SPCK - Paula Gooder
Keeping body and soul together (part 2) Death and the soul in the Old Testament A fascinating illustration of the importance of the body to the nephesh is the use of the word to refer to someone who has died recently. Numbers 6.6 forbids a Nazirite from going near a nephesh met (…
Online Mission and Ministry - Theological understandings
Online Mission and Ministry - Theological understandings
by SPCK - Pam Smith
Theological understandings Christians who become actively involved in online ministry can usually articulate a clear sense of being called by God to mission in the context of digital space. Of course, the personal conviction of being called to a particular role does not, in itsel…
We cling to things we know we should not own
We cling to things we know we should not own
by Marjorie Dobson
We cling to things we know we should not own and tempt ourselves with thoughts we should avoid. Our actions often contradict our words and our behaviour merges with the crowd. Our human instincts countermand our faith and drown the whisper of the Spirit’s breath. Verse 2 follows …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Apocalyptic Expectations
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Apocalyptic Expectations
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Apocalyptic Expectations: The Afterlife, Labor Pain and New Birth (1 Thessalonians 4: 13- 5: 28) The recent death of believers in the community prompts Paul to expound on the afterlife. Again he employs the issue of suffering as a marker to distinguish between the Thessalonian co…
The Women's Bible Commentary - Re-creation of Land and People
The Women's Bible Commentary - Re-creation of Land and People
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Re-creation of Land and people In chapters 36 and 37 God acts not just to renew Israel and the land, but to re-create them entirely. Chapter 36 has the re-creation of both people (36:26–27) and land (36:1–15, 35) in view, whereas 37:1–14 famously focuses on the rebirth of the peo…
Hymn: All the pain and hurt and horror
Hymn: All the pain and hurt and horror
by Andrew Pratt
All the pain and hurt and horror, loss, denial and mistrust, hovered round as Jesus waited for his friends to re-adjust. Lost within misunderstanding: thought that love was just a dream, knew that it would be so easy, they’re confounded by Love’s scheme. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: L…
Imagine now in your mind’s eye,
Imagine now in your mind’s eye,
by Andrew Pratt
Imagine now in your mind’s eye, a sky with clouds, light shining through, a river shimmers in the sun, a crowd is coming into view. A prophet stands within the surge, the waters rolling smoothly by, and one by one the people hear, and one by one they catch John’s eye. Verses 2-3 …
Constellations sang in silence
Constellations sang in silence
by Andrew Pratt
Constellations sang in silence, all the cosmos offered praise, long before this globe's existence spun to weave our nights and days. Here humanity was founded, seeking meaning, plumbing doubt, raising questions never answered, turning wisdom inside out. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 8…
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
by Andrew Pratt
Confounding the people, confusing the clever, Christ spoke of his flesh as like bread, bringing grace. And now we assemble, re-member that moment: break bread, pour out wine in our time in the place. Verses 2- 3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Prat…
Right here in the presence of loving and grace